#Low Code ROI

[fabbuilder]

How to Measure Low-Code ROI for Your Enterprise: A Complete Guide for 2025 

Digital speed is the new business currency. As enterprises race to innovate, stay competitive, and meet growing customer demands, low code platforms have become the secret weapon behind faster app delivery, streamlined workflows, and cost-effective development.

But here’s the million-dollar question: How do you measure the true ROI of your low code investment?

In this blog, we break down a practical, step-by-step guide to help you measure the ROI of low code platforms in 2025. Whether you’re a CTO aiming for scalability, a business leader seeking results, or a tech-savvy founder ready to transform operations — this guide is your blueprint for making smarter, data-backed decisions.

What Is a Low-Code Platform?

A low-code platform is an application development platform that allows developers and business users to build applications with minimal hand-coding. By using visual interfaces, drag-and-drop tools, and pre-built templates, these platforms reduce the complexity and time required for development.

Low-code app builders empower organizations to:

Rapidly prototype and deploy applications

Minimize development cycles

Reduce reliance on high-cost technical resources

Foster collaboration between IT and business teams

Why Measuring ROI Is Critical in 2025

In 2025, the emphasis on digital agility, cost-efficiency, and sustainable innovation is greater than ever. Decision-makers demand clear financial justification for every tech investment. Here’s why measuring low-code ROI is crucial:

Justifies Investment: Proves the value of the low-code strategy to stakeholders

Optimizes Budgeting: Identifies the most profitable areas to invest further

Improves Strategy: Reveals development bottlenecks and areas of improvement

Encourages Adoption: Showcases success metrics that boost internal buy-in

What Is Low-Code ROI?

Low-code ROI is a measurement of the value gained from using a low-code platform relative to the resources invested — including time, money, and human effort.

Formula:

ROI = [(Net Return from Low-Code Projects — Cost of Investment) / Cost of Investment] × 100

While this formula offers a baseline, ROI should be assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively, factoring in tangible benefits like faster time to market and intangible gains like improved collaboration and employee satisfaction.

Key Metrics to Measure Low Code ROI in 2025

Measuring ROI from a Low Code platform involves both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Here’s a breakdown of the most relevant ones for 2025:

1. Development Time Saved

One of the clearest advantages of low code is faster development. Compare the estimated project duration using traditional coding methods versus the actual timeline with your Low Code platform.

Metric to track: (Traditional Timeline — Low Code Timeline) / Traditional Timeline x 100 = % Time Saved

Example: A CRM that usually takes 90 days now takes 30 days — a 66% time reduction.

2. Cost Savings

Calculate how much you’ve saved in terms of reduced developer hours, fewer tools/licenses, and lower maintenance overhead.

Consider:

Fewer developers needed.

Less reliance on third-party APIs.

Shorter training cycles.

Metric to track: (Traditional Cost — Low Code Cost) / Traditional Cost x 100 = % Cost Saved

3. Increased Application Output

Low code platforms like FAB Builder empower teams to release more apps in less time. Track how many applications were deployed in a given time period compared to before.

Metric to track: Apps delivered per month/year before vs. after adoption.

4. User Productivity

When internal tools are built faster and tailored to user needs, teams become more productive. Survey users on how much faster they can perform tasks using newly developed apps.

Metric to track: Task completion times, error rates, and satisfaction scores before vs. after app implementation.

5. IT Backlog Reduction

A common issue in large enterprises is the overflowing backlog of app requests. With Low Code tools, even non-developers can take on app development, reducing the burden on IT.

Metric to track: Number of backlog items cleared or delivered by citizen developers.

6. Quality and Error Rates

Low code tools often produce cleaner, more standardized code. With FAB Builder’s AI-powered code generation, human error is significantly reduced.

Metric to track: Number of bugs or issues per release compared to traditional development.

7. Revenue Uplift (if applicable)

For apps directly tied to customer engagement or monetization (e.g., e-commerce tools), track how quickly they were developed and what impact they had on revenue.

Metric to track: Uplift in revenue generated from low-code developed apps.

Exploring FAB Builder — A Next-Gen Low-Code Platform

Among the standout tools in the low-code landscape, FAB Builder is making waves as a cutting-edge application development platform. It provides everything you need to create scalable applications without writing complex code.

Key Features of FAB Builder

Visual Data Modeling With a powerful drag-and-drop interface, users can easily define their database schema without writing SQL or backend logic. This eliminates traditional development barriers and accelerates project kickoff.

AI-Powered Code Generation FAB Builder includes an AI code generator that handles repetitive code tasks, allowing developers to focus on solving critical business challenges instead of coding boilerplate.

Pre-built Templates Offers ready-to-use templates for multiple industries and use cases, including UI components, data models, and REST APIs.

Flexible UI Generation Enables building responsive frontends using popular frameworks. The page builder allows full customization to suit your brand identity.

Extensible and Modular Architecture Easily integrate with third-party services or scale up by adding new modules without starting from scratch.

Full Code Ownership Unlike many platforms that lock users in, FAB Builder provides complete access to the generated code. You can export, customize, and host it anywhere.

One-Click Deployment Simplifies deployment across dev, staging, and production environments — a game-changer for DevOps teams.

If you’re looking for a low code app builder that combines speed, AI-driven automation, and developer control, FAB Builder is an excellent choice.

Real-World Low-Code ROI Examples

Let’s explore some practical scenarios of how enterprises benefit from low-code platforms like FAB Builder:

Insurance Sector: A claims processing app that once took 9 months to develop was rolled out in just 6 weeks — cutting costs by 65%.

Retail Chains: Multiple store-level inventory tools were launched simultaneously without IT dependency, improving supply chain visibility.

Healthcare: Patient intake forms and internal dashboards were digitized rapidly, improving patient experience and back-office productivity.

How to Implement a Low-Code ROI Measurement Strategy

To get a holistic view of your low-code investments, follow these steps:

Set Clear Objectives Define what success looks like: cost savings, delivery time, customer engagement, etc.

Establish Baseline Metrics Before deploying low-code, record traditional development timelines, costs, and delivery rates.

Use the Right Tools Use analytics dashboards, user feedback, and project tracking tools to monitor progress.

Get Stakeholder Feedback Involve business teams, end users, and IT professionals to gauge satisfaction and usability.

Review Periodically ROI evolves over time — review every quarter or after each major app release.

Low-Code for Enterprises: Competitive Advantage in 2025

In 2025, speed to innovation will be a top competitive metric. Enterprises that invest in low-code platforms like FAB Builder are positioned to:

Build agile tech stacks

Respond faster to market changes

Launch products in record time

Drive digital transformation across all departments

By measuring low-code ROI effectively, enterprises don’t just track success — they create a blueprint for continuous innovation.

Conclusion

Adopting a low-code platform is not just a cost-saving initiative — it’s a strategic move to fuel business innovation. With tools like FAB Builder, enterprises can harness AI-powered development, rapid deployment, and complete control over their application lifecycle. But success doesn’t stop at development; measuring low-code ROI ensures that your investment yields tangible, scalable, and long-term value.

FAQs:

Q1. How long does it take to see ROI from a low code platform? A: Most enterprises start seeing measurable ROI within 3 to 6 months, especially in terms of reduced development time, faster app launches, and improved team productivity.

Q2. Can low code platforms like FAB Builder be used for large-scale enterprise apps? A: Yes. Modern low code platforms like FAB Builder are built to handle complex workflows, high-performance backends, and scalable applications suitable for enterprise-level deployment.

Q3. What types of apps show the best ROI with low code? A: Internal tools, workflow automation apps, customer portals, and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) tend to deliver the highest ROI due to faster deployment and frequent updates.

Q4. Is ROI from low code just about cost savings? A: Not at all. ROI includes faster time-to-market, reduced IT backlog, improved customer experience, automation gains, and enhanced innovation — all of which add long-term strategic value.

[longitudinalwaveme]

The Book I'm Planning to Write

I am planning to write a book about DC comics characters, both for fans and as a way to educate people on mental illness, mental health care, and the way mental health issues intersect with the legal system. (I have a master's degree in pyschology). I am planning to primarily focus on Flash characters and Batman characters, but I will also be drawing from elsewhere in the DCU.

Part I

Chapter 1: Introduction (Needs title; will cover basic psychological concepts)

Chapter 2: Think Fast: Neurodevelopmental Conditions (Flash/Wally = ADHD, Bart/Impulse =ADHD; Jesse Quick = ADHD, inattentive symptoms dominating, Barry/Flash = possible ASD, the Top = ASD. Black Manta as an example of how autism should NOT be portrayed)

Chapter 3: Psychotic Disorders (Murmur = probable Schizophrenia, but with a note that he falls into the tropes of schizophrenia equaling violence and that that is problematic; Starboy from the Legion of Superheroes)

Chapter 3: Racing Thoughts and Spinning Moods (Mood Disorders: Wally West = Major Depressive Disorder, Hunter Zolomon/Zoom = MDD with psychotic features, The Top = Bipolar I with psychotic features. Top will get a lot of focus, so the chapter title is focusing on him)

Chapter 4: Anxiety Disorders: Trickster I (simple phobia---fear of heights). Otherwise, it's rather rare for characters in superhero comics to have anxiety disorders without PTSD, which will have its own chapter. Maybe Jessica Cruz could be agoraphobia and panic attacks, but in her case the symptoms are implied to be caused by trauma).

Chapter 5: PTSD (lots of options here, but I'll be focusing on McCulloch, the second Mirror Master, for C-PTSD, and Jessica Cruz for more typical PTSD).

Chapter 6: OCD and Related Disorders: Also bizarrely underrepresented in comics. Basically, there's maybe Riddler (really closer to OCPD), and…uh…uh…Batman has some symptoms I guess). Potentially Clayface as a metaphor for Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Chapter 7: Eating Disorders Apparently Don't Exist in Comics. I can't think of a single example. (Suggestions are appreciated.)

Chapter 8: Addictions (Captain Boomerang = alcoholism, Roy Harper/Speedy = heroin, Mirror Master I = nicotine, Mirror Master II = cocaine. Maybe Mia Harper too?)

Chapter 9: Impulse Control Disorders (Heat Wave = pyromania, Trickster II = Conduct Disorder)

Chapter 10: Dissociative Disorders (DID = Dr. Alchemy/Mr. Element/Albert Desmond, Iatrogenic DID = Magenta, Dissociative Fugue= Reverse-Flash)

Chapter 11: Neurocognitive Conditions Also Don't Exist in Comics (no dementia---maybe Ira West, but that's a stretch)

Chapter 12: Cluster A Personality Disorders: Paranoid Personality Disorder (Golden Glider). Schizoid Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder are rarely depicted in comics---most arguable schizotypal characters could also have schizophrenia, a delusional disorder, or a psychotic disorder. Schizoid Personality Disorder is generally missing entirely. Suggestions are welcome.

Chapter 13: Borderline Personality Disorder (Weather Wizard and Pied Piper. Piper has had brief psychotic episodes; post-reform, he seems to be managing his symptoms; Weather Wizard's BPD is exacerbated by his guilt over the death of his brother Clyde)

Chapter 14: NPD (Mirror Master I is standard; Abra Kadabara is malignant NPD)

Chapter 15: ASPD (Low-Functioning: Captain Boomerang; High-Functioning Mild = Captain Cold--has a moral code; High-Functioning = Blacksmith, Gorilla Grodd, Reverse-Flash)

Chapter 17: Cluster C Personality Disorders: DPD = Harley Quinn, OCPD = Riddler)

Chapter 18. Paraphilias--- Rare in DC comics for obvious reasons. Reverse-Flash = stalking; both Barry (non-romantically) and Iris (romantically).

Part II: Gotham's Disturbing Legal and Psychiatric Incompetence

Chapter 19. What Sanity Means in a Legal Context (needs a better title: focus on the M'Naghten Rule and the Irresistible Impulse defense).

Chapter 20: Misdiagnosis Is No Laughing Matter (the Joker is neither insane nor psychotic)

Chapter 21: Flip a Coin (Two-Face clearly has DID, but is usually not insane. Discuss Guilty But Mentally Ill as a legal category)

Chapter 22: The Nightmare of Psychology (Scarecrow is not psychotic, nor insane--but he is a terrifying example of what happens when a psychologist experiments and practices with no ethical boundaries)

Chapter 23: Poisonous (Poison Ivy---political extremism is not a mental illness)

Chapter 24: Frozen Grief (Mr. Freeze = complicated grief is not insanity, and may not always be a mental illness)

Chapter 25: The Monster Isn't Who You Think (Killer Croc is not insane---focus on marginalized groups and how they are mistreated)

Chapter 26: The Puppet Show of Tragedy (the Ventriloquist has DID and poor insight--he should be in a psychiatric hospital, but not Arkham)

Chapter 27: We're All Mad Here (Mad Hatter and his wildly inconsistent portrayals underscore the ways in which clinical terminology is often misused in popular culture)

Chapter 28: Riddle Me This: Who Doesn't Belong in Arkham? (The Riddler is a narcissistic genius, but not insane--tackles unnecessary psychiatric institutionalization of those seen as strange or disruptive)

Chapter 29: I am Vengeance (Batman, trauma, and resiliency)

Chapter 31: Corruption and Incompetence: How the Psychiatric Forensic System in Gotham Fails on Every Level (focus on the totally baffling and arbitrary way Gotham sends people to Arkham over prison or vice versa)

Chapter 32: House of Horrors: Arkham Asylum's Outdated and Ineffective Treatment Methods (focuses both on Arkham's incompetence and historical abuse in psychiatric institutions)

Chapter 31: Medical Malpractice (Dr. Strange is institutional corruption at its finest; Dr. Crane is first an abusive psychologist and subsequently put in Arkham with doctors he likely taught; Dr. Quinzel is allowed to work with Joker right out of medical school with no supervision and subsequently violates psychological ethics by falling in love with her patient--leading directly to her abuse)

Chapter 32: Summary Chapter

Index of Psychology Terminology

Index of DC Comics References

I have a master's in psychology and I plan to extensively research all chapters.

[leikeliscomet]

Who's Afraid of Tenmartha?

Chapter 2 - Bad Girls Club

The Doctor isn’t a good person.

I don’t say this to say I don’t like the Doctor but to say their morals aren’t as squeaky clean as how the fandom and sometimes the show make out. They’ve destroyed dalek and cyberfleets, neglected companions, manipulated people and even killed before. Pre and post-Time War, the Doctor’s always been a timey wimey disaster. And yet, we love them all the same. Characters don’t have to be morally good in order to be likeable and in fact, it’s fully possible to enjoy a character and/or piece of media with morally grey representations and without that being a reflection of your own morals too. The Doctor isn’t the only character in the problematic fave section for a lot of fandoms. People can’t get enough of the Master and Missy. There’s Tommy Shelby of Peaky Blinders, Five Hargreeves of The Umbrella Academy, James from TEOTFW, the Roy family of Succession and even the fans who unironically stan Homelander from The Boys. Fandoms love bad boys. Always have and always will. But the concept of what’s problematic vs what’s morally grey is selective. And when you notice how selective this is, qwhite a pattern emerges. As addressed in Chapter 1, what fandom and society considers acceptable romance doesn’t exist in a vacuum and neither does its ideas of acceptable moral codes and when it’s time for them to break.

The sapphire trope/angry Black woman trope is another archetype of Black women. The sapphire is irrationally angry, controlling and dominant. This trope rebranded as the angry Black woman trope, with plenty of sass and finger snapping to go around. This trope isn’t just Black woman who’s angry, but a Black woman who’s angry for no real reason. Her fury is unjustified and something the audience makes fun of or is intimidated by. She’s the antithesis of the white, pure, Christian woman, who’s quiet and respectful. She is loud and disrespectful. She has low and poor moral character. When it came to the Fugitive Doctor, a lot of people were quick to clutch pearls at her gun despite the fact she never used it. She was called one of the most violent incarnations for her self-defence against the Judoon when, again, the Doctor has always used some form of violence, especially in self-defence. Plus the fact she never killed anyone as Gat used the gun on herself despite Fugitive telling her not to. In many other fandoms in TV and film, morally grey Black women are rarely given grace by their respective fandoms and make it into the problematic fave stan section. Harper Stern of Industry instantly comes to mind. The bank of Pierpoint is toxic and corrupt to the very core, yet, the Industry fandom sees her as uniquely evil and conveniently has more grace for Yasmin and Rob, despite their own manipulative antics. Uma from Disney Descendants is treated as uniquely the cruellest whilst protagonist Mal is the baddie with a heart of gold, even though it’s a film franchise about literal villains. From my old RWBY days, there were plenty of posts and videos making fun of Emerald for following around Cinder like a lost puppy as if she wasn’t a victim of Cinder’s abuse, carrying out her villainous orders in exchange for an escape from poverty. Even if Martha Jones was written as a morally grey character, written as jealous and aggressive as fans think she is, I very much doubt fandom would be able to handle it. 

The Doctor Who fandom isn’t shy when it comes to toxic and problematic shipping, let alone supporting its #messyfaves. Whilst Tenmartha is the only ship where misogynoir plays a role in the dynamic, you can make the too-problematic-for-shipping-purposes argument about any Doctor pairing. Twelve and Clara consistently manipulate and betray each other. River was psychologically conditioned to become obsessed with the Doctor since birth and the main reason they got married was to fix the universe, not out of love. Thirteen was closed off from Yaz and didn’t let her in until it was too late. Ten and Rose were insensitive to the death and destruction that happened around them leading to the creation of Torchwood and the Battle of Canary Wharf, causing the deaths of hundreds. ElevenAmy means Amy cheating on her husband Rory. The Master is a whole murderer and abused Lucy Saxon. And yet, Tenmartha holds the crown of ‘most problematic’ out of all of these. This begs the question of why Martha isn’t allowed to have her toxic ship moment. Why does she always deserve ‘better’ than moral complexity? Martha is always held to a higher moral standard than any other companion in this show. When Rose is jealous it’s because she’s just 19, but when Martha is jealous she’s trying to replace Rose’s spot in the TARDIS. When Clara challenges the Doctor she’s the greatest companion in Doctor Who and a feminist blueprint or something, but Martha is entitled and whiny. When Donna snaps at the Doctor she’s funny, loud and brash but Martha pulling up a chair makes her aggressive and annoying. When Captain Jack is openly flirtatious he’s breaking barriers in queer representation and normalising attraction but Martha is a creep overstepping Ten’s boundaries. When Amy literally rubs herself on the Doctor’s body it’s only because she’s scared of her marriage but Martha simply being sexually attracted to the Doctor makes her perverted. River Song is sexually liberated but Martha Jones is a predator. Every other companion is messy and that’s why they’re loved, but Martha’s ‘mess’ of having a crush is what’s holding her back. I used to think Martha’s crush was a flaw that held her back from being a better companion, but as I’ve gotten older I had to stop and think why. Was her crush a flaw or were we just conditioned to see it as one because the ‘ideal woman’ for Ten according to RTD1 was Rose Tyler and Rose Tyler alone? Joan Redfern, Madame de Pompadour, Queen Elizabeth I, Lady Christina, River Song and Astrid Peth all hold the sin of crushing on Ten but this attraction is acceptable because it falls into the standard of acceptable romance; white masculine man, white feminine woman.

Romantic attraction to someone isn’t inherently wrong. How a person or character acts because of their attraction is what we can attach moral value to. For example, if a character starts to manipulate people to get their love interest, acts dismissive towards other characters to get with their love interest or considers themselves as more valuable than their love interest’s current or past partners, then we could logically make the argument for Martha’s crush being a moral bad. But Martha never did any of this. She was rightfully upset with being compared to Rose, but she never fought to replace her, called herself better than her or forced Ten to choose her instead. She stopped flirting and sucked it up and was even happy when Ten and Rose reunited. But because of tropes like the sapphire and low moral assumptions attached to Black women, Martha is seen as more morally bad than she actually was. Every discussion about Martha involves the constant lament of how she could have been a good companion and could’ve been a good character if it wasn’t for her flaw of romantic attraction. She must repent from the sin of liking the Tenth doctor and her penance is moving on with another man whether it be Tom Milligan or Mickey Smith. Only when she moves on from Ten, like her role in Torchwood and her engagement in series 4, is she then clean. Let women be messy and toxic. Just not if they’re Black. And not if they’re Martha Jones.

Moral codes and love intersect because due to amatonormativity, the idea that romance is a necessity to give characters purpose because romance is ‘intrinsic’ to the human experience, it’s common to see how romance is used as a way to establish humanity and morals in TV/Film. It’s usually a binary of a loving, romantic hero and an unromantic, cold villain. Doctor Who reinforces this heavily in RTD1 and Moffat Who as loss of romantic love tends to correlate with a character’s loss of morals and humanity, especially the Doctor’s. Ten’s bad boy antics in series 3 are justified as a result of his loss of Rose. He murders the Racnoss children in The Runaway Bride and we’re taught this is the extreme of what happens when Rose is gone from the Doctor’s life. Contrast this with the Christmas special we got post-Martha. In Voyage of the Damned, Ten’s living his best life on the Titanic and gets lipsed by another young, perky blonde called Astrid Peth. He’s rightfully upset about losing Astrid, he’s upset at the dutty capitalist antics of Max Capricorn and he hates Rickston Slade (but let’s be real, who didn’t?). But in terms of pain for Martha, he seems pretty much okay. Unlike Rose or Donna, Martha’s absence isn’t given the big dramatic loss as her white peers but is simplified by Donna’s ‘that Martha did you some good’. Whilst Martha does leave an impact on Ten’s life and it is a positive one, RTD didn’t pull out the big stops for her like he did the others. Look at the 60th specials. Rose’s psyche is imprinted in the Doctor’s brain now apparently so Rose Noble names herself after her. Donna’s back, memories and all and gets her own David Tennant to keep at home. And nothing for Martha Jones! Not even a vague name drop. Across three whole episodes. She wasn’t traumatised or loved enough to get a single line apparently. I wrote a year ago that Martha was a threat to the ideal romance of RTD1 and so she became collateral damage for the sake of Tenrose. I still stand by this. Tenrosers glorify Ten’s angst fully aware it’s at Martha’s expense because it’s an acceptable price to pay for the sake of their love. The moral complexity of Tenrose is earned because the ends justify the means. Martha is considered undesirable so she’s undeserving of love but also moral complexity. She’s romantically undesirable and so, morally impure and undeserving of grace and nuance in her character. She’s now just the bitter Black rebound. From the lens of misogynoir and the disposable Black girlfriend trope, Black women as collateral damage for shipping is justified by wider fandom as an extension of the Black woman as a ‘stage’ in white men’s romantic development. She had to be collateral to develop Ten’s moral greyness with an acceptable target to take aim and to reaffirm Rose as the ideal, desirable woman of this m/f dynamic worth causing harm for. And as long as the Doctor Who fandom was well-fed, what was the problem? Why stop the machine from running because one of the cogs complained? Love hurts, after all.

On the other hand, there’s moments in Tenmartha’s defence that feed into misogynoir but in a different way. As addressed in Chapter 1, BWWM isn’t a fix-all solution to the poor representations of Black women in romance. Whilst Tenmartha is praised for being an entertaining toxic ship, the toxicity of Tenmartha is one-sided as Ten is predominantly the instigator of their problems, contrary to RTD1 popular belief and that of RTD stans. He chose to bring up Rose constantly aka ‘Rose would know’ and ‘Not that you’re replacing her!’, he called Martha a novice, he held her knickers despite saying he wasn’t interested, he hugged her then told her off for it, he’s the reason she ended up in 1913 (John Smith notwithstanding) and yet Martha having a crush is considered just as bad or worse than any of Ten’s actions. Ten’s actions can be justified because he misses Rose, he’s grieving, he’s just a smol bean having a tough time in the TARDIS. But Martha? Bitter, jealous and non-Rose. She just doesn’t get it. The Tenth Doctor is morally grey, but Martha Jones is problematic. Along with the historic mistreatment of Black women in representations of romance, specifically, the idea of a disposable Black woman who exists for a non-Black usually white man character’s growth before he returns to his white female endgame, it’s hard for me to see Martha getting treated like this and see this solely as the spice for a toxic ship or fodder for it’s non-Black shippers. I can’t see misogynoir as toxic and messy shipping material. 

Constant comments that are sometimes used to defend Tenmartha like ‘well it’s not like Martha was abused’ and ‘well it’s not like Martha died’ rub me the wrong way because Black women’s pain is consistently minimised and seen as irrelevant, largely due to the strong Black woman trope or the disposable Black girlfriend trope. When Eleven said he felt grief for Martha, the Doctor Who fandom never knew why. She’s got her life and Mickey what could she be upset about? Martha was negatively compared to her predecessor, was left to fend for herself against racism and murderous aliens in 1913, she walked the Earth in a hellish year across wastelands and countries collapsed from genocide, her family was imprisoned and tortured and she can’t say anything about the last two because the hellish year in question doesn’t even exist anymore. No, Martha Jones didn’t get an easy ride. No, Martha Jones not being domestically abused by Ten doesn’t mean there was 100% nothing wrong with the way he treated her. And no, Martha Jones didn’t need to die to experience ‘real’ suffering. Even then where cases Black women actually do die like Bill Potts, that’s minimised too. There’s loads of jokes about the massive gap in Bill’s chest plus any commentary on why Bill had to go through such extreme trauma is easily brushed off as a necessary evil for the sake of her getting with Heather. Grace was killed off right at the start of Chibnall Who to give Graham a storyline. The mistreatment of Black women is considered minor compared to what is major and when Black women’s mistreatment is major, it’s always seen as minor anyway.

How morals and ethics are applied to our faves doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In two ways I’m torn on Tenmartha. On one hand, I can’t get behind the misogynoir needed in order to make it so ‘fun’ and messy. In that sense, Martha, but also Black women as a collective, deserve better than to be punching bags and disposable love interests to feed the character development of white characters. But on the other hand, morally grey mess is what draws me to these characters and I won’t act like every character dynamic I personally like is 100% healthy. If we’re all getting behind our flawed girlbosses then why must Martha be the woman of virtue? Why does Tenmartha have to be pure in a fandom that loves its toxic little ships? The easy middle ground here is that Tenmartha doesn’t have to be either. There’s a third option between nonexistence and Martha getting the short end of the stick. This brings me to the final question - can an ‘ethical’ Tenmartha exist?

<- Chapter 1 Chapter 3 ->

[erimeows]

Unloved

Summer, 1905

After Master Hawkeye’s passing, his daughter, Riza, shows Roy the secrets to her father’s alchemy that are etched- no, burned- into her back. She might as well be a human sacrifice, willingly made by her own father, but she hadn’t flinched when she unbuttoned her blouse and turned around. She hadn’t even trembled beneath the candlelight the same way that Roy had. Her voice had been as steady as her breathing, and the only trace of nerves came in the way she tightly gripped the coat he’d given her to hold over her chest as he ran his fingers over the array. 

He hadn’t known what to say. When Master Hawkeye told him that his daughter possessed his research notes, he had imagined something written in a notebook somewhere or inscribed in some secret location, all in code that Roy would be able to decipher. He hadn’t imagined that Berthold would go as far as to make his daughter a target for anyone who might want flame alchemy for the rest of her life. But he had. 

It’s dark outside, quiet, the graveyard surrounded by summer air and fireflies. It’s different here than it is in the city, quiet and calm with the smell of fresh grass and toiled dirt in the air, their surroundings illuminated by starlight that the city always seems to pollute into nonexistence. Roy missed it here.

But he’s glad he’s leaving tonight, and that he probably won’t ever come back.

His gaze flickers over to Riza. She’s been a pillar through all of this, only showing slight panic when her father initially passed that quickly devolved into steely composure that even Roy himself could never replicate. She had been toying with the idea of burying the body in the backyard as if it were some dead animal and not her father when Roy had offered to use his enlistment bonus to pay for the funeral. She had thanked him, unemotional but still genuine, and handled the planning, finding the cheapest burial plot and headstone that she could in such a cheap timeframe. Roy had paid the funeral home, and everything since then has been a blur.

Unsurprisingly, they’re the only two people who have visited- the only two people who were at the ‘funeral’. Roy didn’t bother with hiring a priest or anything of the sort. Master Hawkeye wouldn’t have wanted any of that. No, this- this quiet anonymity and unmarked exit- is exactly what the man had deserved. 

“I just…” Riza’s voice breaks the silence, low and unsure. “I don’t even know what he really thought about me.”

She’s as solid as the headstone itself, expression steely, composure rock hard. But Roy can tell that she’s hurting, that she wants to believe Berthold loved her. That he noticed her. That he saw her as more than a vessel to house his knowledge. But Roy knows the truth. 

Master Hawkeye had been brilliant, yes- but cruel, selfish, and emotionally absent. A man who valued alchemy over everything else, who barely spared his daughter a single word, let alone affection- who had been fonder of Roy, his apprentice, than the innocent child who cleaned up his blood and fed him his meals and nursed his ailing body through the slow rot of grief. 

Roy doesn’t know how to fix that. He can’t fix that. But Riza is hurting, and that’s the part he can fix. So, he lies- because he thinks he’d rather drop dead than have Riza feel unloved. 

“You really don’t know what he thought about you?” He asks softly, as if the information surprises him. “He told me about you all the time.”

Riza turns to him, hope flickering across her features, a surprised smile threatening to take over her lips. And it’s wrong, what Roy is about to do. He knows that. But it’s what she needs, and if there’s anything Roy Mustang is desperate to do, it’s to give Riza Hawkeye everything she could ever need. She’s his friend- the only person who took care of him during his apprenticeship, and the only person who’s ever made him feel understood.

“He did? What did he say?”

Roy pauses, trying to recall the times that Master Hawkeye talked about his daughter, only to find that his options are… Barren. But even though Berthold didn’t pay attention to Riza, Roy always has. So, he improvises with things that he’s never been bold enough to tell her. 

“I remember last year, he told me he liked it when you cut your hair short.”

Master Hawkeye hadn’t noticed, actually, when Riza chopped her waist-length hair to her chin, but Roy had. And he’d liked it- before that, Riza had always walked around like a sheepdog, bangs in her eyes and long golden locks obscuring the sides of her face because she didn’t know how to style them and always refused Roy’s offers to put them in braids. When she’d cut it, it was like she turned into an entirely new person; pretty, with those sparkling eyes and soft cheeks completely in view. Roy had been too shy to mention it- complimenting girls is tricky, because sometimes, they take it the wrong way, and she’s four years younger than him- he never wanted her to misinterpret. But now, it feels okay to say it aloud. 

“Really?” Riza blinks, tucking one of the golden strands behind her ear.

They’ve grown out again, just a little bit, curling around the base of her neck. Roy wonders if she’ll let her hair get long again. Then, he wonders if she’ll ever trust him enough to let him style it for her. A foolish thought when he’s about to become a real soldier. 

“Yeah, he said it was nice to be able to see all your features without all that hair in the way,” Slowly, Roy reaches over to push Riza’s bangs out of her face. “That you looked pretty.”

“Oh,” Riza looks away, cheeks bright red in the moonlight. Roy can tell that she’s not used to receiving compliments, which is sad- because she really is pretty. Smart and talented, too. The perfect daughter, the perfect friend, taken advantage of her entire life by a father too burned by his wife’s death to love the only thing she left behind. Roy hopes that Riza is able to move on and live a wonderful life after this- away from this horrible place and away from alchemy. “He didn’t say anything, so I didn’t think he’d noticed.”

“You don’t give him enough credit,” Roy lies through his teeth even though the words start to feel like spitting shards of glass. “He noticed everything about you.”

“Really? Like what?”

“Like the way you dog ear all the pages in your books to keep track of your place even though it drove him crazy, or how you cut up all your food, even stuff like sandwiches, because you don’t like getting grease or crumbs on your hands,” Much like the thing with her hair, these are only things that Roy has noticed through sharing meals with Riza in the evening and loaning her some of his books, but that is neither here nor there. “He thought it was cute.”

“He never even ate with me,” Riza softly argues. 

“He’d come check on us sometimes... He paid more attention than you’re giving him credit for… He told me once when he was drunk that you’re just like your mother,” That much is true. Roy remembers it- Riza had been out getting water from the well, and Master Hawkeye had overindulged in an old bottle of whiskey. Roy had found him with an old photo album in hand, sobbing over how he hated Riza because of how much she resembled her mother and how he hated Riza for sticking around and taking care of him instead of just letting him rot. Roy chooses to leave those parts out. “Strong… Smart, kind, always taking care of him even when he doesn’t deserve it. He showed me some photos.”

Master Hawkeye had not, in fact, shown him the photos. The man was always fiercely protective of anything that had belonged to his late wife. No- Roy had ushered the drunken man into bed and then taken a peep at the photo album after the fact, shocked to see old photos of Berthold where he looked so… Happy, alongside a beautiful woman with Riza’s smile and light hair who almost made Berthold look human.

“Really? It’s just- he never let me look at them. Photos of my mother, I mean… He didn’t even talk about her. I tried a couple of times to look at her things and he’d always get so mad.”

“He was just sick, Riza. I know that’s no excuse, but…” Roy sighs. Maybe lying to Riza about this wasn’t such a good idea, but they’re already in too deep for him to stop. “He did love you.”

There’s a pause where Roy thinks Riza might call him out. She’s too smart to be so easily fooled. But then, she rests her head on his shoulder- reaches for his hand and intertwines her fingers with his.

“Thank you, Roy.”

The words are so quiet, so soft, that Roy almost doesn’t hear them. But he does. And instead of responding- instead of saying anything else, because there’s really nothing to be said- he squeezes Riza’s hand and holds it for the rest of the night. 

~

Winter, 1915, 10 Years Later

Riza Hawkeye startles awake with a gasp, heart pounding and honey-hued eyes full of tears as she readjusts to reality. 

She’s been having the same dream- or maybe it’s a nightmare- for nearly a week. You would think with it only having been six months since The Promised Day, every moment would be haunted by Pride’s shadows or Wrath’s holding her hostage in that dusty office, maybe Roy’s encounters with Lust and Envy. But no. Her dreams aren’t haunted by the monsters they’ve defeated. Instead, they’re haunted by a ghost that’s been dead for more than a decade.

Her father. 

It’s the same almost every night, cruel in its simplicity. Her father carrying her on his shoulders to the town market instead of making her walk on her own through the forest with nothing but a gun she was way too young to be handling. Her father teaching her how to play chess instead of delegating her to the duty of serving tea while he taught Roy. Her father showing her regular transmutations with a smile on his face- never delving into flame alchemy or insanity. Her father showing off her mother’s old photos, dresses, and jewelry. Her father living. Loving her, hugging her, taking care of her in the way that he should have- growing old to see her live a normal life. A world where her back is bare, mapped with nothing but smooth alabaster skin. 

Untarnished. Valued. Loved. 

“Riza, sweetheart,” Roy Mustang’s voice snaps her out of it, and she looks over to him, eyes wide. Riza still can’t believe that he’s here after everything they’ve been through, but he is. She doesn’t even know how long they’ve been together. There was never a conversation, never a big dramatic confession like one might expect. All Riza knows is that one day, they were friends, the next day, they were partners, and eventually, she wound up in his bed and never left save for the horrible months they were separated by the homunculi. And now, he’s reaching for her, pulling her into his arms like she belongs there. “Bad dream?”

“I… Don’t know,” She answers, swallowing the lump in her throat as Roy presses a kiss to her head and slips a hand underneath her nightgown to rub gentle circles into her lower back. Outside, the rain pours against the windows in relentless sheets, the winter storm howling like a wounded animal. The pressure in the air makes her scars ache- the worst of them, where Roy burned her all those years ago, throbs with every beat of her heart- and his touch doesn’t take the pain away, but it helps. He always helps. “I don’t know if it was bad.”

“You don’t know?” Roy questions, voice low and rough with sleep.

“It was about my father… We were happy. He loved me,” To any other daughter, the words would be fact. Common sense. But for Riza, they couldn’t be further from the truth, and they feel foreign coming out of her mouth- because the only people who have ever loved her, truly loved her, have been Roy and the friends that they’ve made together over the years. Not her father. Never her father. It’s been hard to come to terms with, and right when she thought she was at peace with it, these horrible dreams about him started coming up. “I just wish it had been real.”

“It was real. He loved you,” Roy lies, again, pulling back to stare into Riza’s eyes. He’s been lying about this for years- since the day her father died, and Riza has known the entire time, but… He’s merely trying to be kind. Merciful. Not deceitful or cruel. So, she hasn’t had the heart to correct him. Were she anyone else, the lies would work, too. Roy is a brilliant actor. But she lived with Berthold Hawkeye for sixteen years- long enough to know that the man did not, in fact, love her. “I’ve told you that.”

“You don’t have to keep lying to me, Roy,” Riza reaches up to rest a hand on Roy’s cheek, staring up at him with a bittersweet smile. “It was nice to believe it at first, but I know my father didn’t talk to you about me… He always loved silently.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know that he loved you because he took you in even though he complained about you being there. When you’d fall asleep studying, he’d cover you with a blanket and smile down at you like he knew you were going to change the world- you might as well have been his son, Roy. He got drunk and told me once that he had wanted a son and had been so disappointed when I was born… And that he still felt that way,” That’s not all it was. Riza knows that. She could’ve been a boy, she could’ve been a talented alchemist, she could’ve been perfect and her father never would have loved her- because in the end, she was a piece of her mother that was left behind- nothing but an unwanted ghost, haunting Berthold until the very end of his life. “And my mother… He always refused to talk about her, but I know he loved her, too. I saw him look through the photo albums, and he was always so protective of her things… He loved her, even if the only way he knew how was to mourn her forever- but me? He never loved me. I wasn’t what he wanted, Roy, I was just a reminder. You were what he wanted.”

“Riza…” Roy trails off, because it’s so horrible that he can’t come up with a good response.

It makes sense, of course. Roy’s parents are dead, but for the short time they had him, they loved him dearly- and when they left him to his aunt, Madame Christmas, she loved him, too. There’s never been any question of that. Roy doesn’t know what it’s like to be unloved- and with Riza by his side, he never will. 

“He didn’t love me, Roy,” Riza says, firmer this time. “It’s okay. He didn’t see me as his child. He saw me as… As an inconvenience at the beginning and a tool by the end. What he did to me- you couldn’t do that to someone you loved.”

There’s a long pause, a long silence, where the tension is pulled taut between them like a bowstring. Tears well up in Roy’s charcoal eyes, glimmering in the bits of light that pour in through the cracks in their blinds. The wind outside howls again. 

“I burned your back, too,” He finally whispers, and the tears spill over, falling down his face and onto his pillow. “Does that mean that I… Don’t really love you?”

“No, Roy, I begged you to burn it. What you did, it was an act of love- it was merciful,” She insists. “What he did… It was selfish coercion. He forced me.”

“I thought- I thought… You had offered for him to...”

“Is that what he told you?”

“No, we never talked about it in depth- he didn’t even tell me you had the research notes until he was on death’s door.”

Riza thinks back to that horrible month- her father finishing the research and telling her, not asking her, that he would be using alchemy to burn the array onto her back because it was too risky to record it on paper. She had refused, of course. Cried and begged him not to when she realized he wasn’t budging. They had gone back and forth for days about it before she had finally agreed, and when he’d done it, he had been cold and clinical. A guilty look in those dead grey eyes of his, maybe, but no apologies. Never any apologies. And certainly no love. 

“And I’m assuming he left out the parts about him heavily guilting me for weeks on end before threatening to kick me out and disown me if I didn’t agree to have him burn it onto my skin.”

“…Yeah,” Roy swallows, and Riza reaches forward to wipe the tears away from his face. Both of them are long past the point of rage and vengeance. Berthold Hawkeye is dead and gone, anyway. All they can do is choose to be sad or ignore it- that’s all they know how to do about these things anymore, and apparently, right now, they’re going to choose to be sad. “He, uh- he didn’t mention any of that.”

“Of course he didn’t,” Riza scoffs. “What finally broke me was him telling me that he’d just burn it onto you instead. I don’t know if he meant it given how disappointed he was when you joined the military, but…”

“He would never have-“

“I couldn’t take the risk of him hurting you. I knew you’d say yes without hesitation if he asked. You admired him so much, and I already loved you then,” It’s true. Riza wouldn’t admit it, because he seemed so much older than her and she knows that he didn’t return her feelings until after Ishval, but she’s loved him since the first day he came stumbling onto her father’s estate begging the man to take him on as an apprentice. She had admired Roy’s determination, then, that fire in his eyes. There was something she saw in him, bright and impossible not to love, something she swore that she would protect- even if it meant burning herself to keep it safe. “I didn’t want you to have to go through that kind of pain.”

Roy pulls her close again, his hand simply resting on the array now, palm and fingers still on top of the old burns. 

“It hurt a lot, didn’t it?” He whispers. “When he did it, I mean.”

“It hurt so badly that I passed out,” She answers with a nod. “I still remember waking up alone on the floor of his study… Back burning, body cold, still naked from the waist up. No blanket, no anything.”

“Riza, sweetheart…”

“Stop,” Riza interjects, because she knows that Roy is about to try to do what he always does- comfort her. And here, in this situation, there’s not much he can do. He’ll never be able to make her father love her- not through the lies he’s been telling for so many years, even though it would be so nice to believe them. “There’s not anything you can say to make it better, Roy. You’ve been trying for years, and I love you so much for that, but the reality of the situation is… He had no love for me. Guilt, maybe. But not love. And that’s okay.”

“I love you,” Roy says.

“I know you do.”

A deep silence settles between them, broken only by the distant crash of thunder outside. And then, Roy shifts, sits up, and looks toward the master bathroom with that familiar crease of concern between his brows. 

“How’s your back?” He murmurs. “I know the scars hurt when the weather gets like this.”

They do. They have been all night. The pain continues to pulse like an echo of her past, heavy and full. Riza misses Roy’s soothing hands on them. But she lies anyway, because Roy already seems worried enough and she doesn’t want him to worry even more. 

“I’m fine.”

Alas, Roy knows better. He’s always known. So, he leans down, presses a kiss to her shoulder, and smiles. 

“Take your nightgown off. I’ll go get the lotion.”

When he gets up, moving through the darkness of the room with quiet footsteps, Riza pulls her nightgown over her head and lies on her stomach on the bed. She presses her face to her pillow and closes her eyes- not to sleep, not to dream, but to feel. To breathe. When Roy comes back moments later, warming the lotion with his hands and gently rubbing it into her back, she silently leans into his touch in an attempt to remind herself that things are different. 

She’s safe. She’s valued. She’s loved. And even though she spent so much of her life knowing what it was like to be unwanted, she doesn’t have to do that anymore. Not with Roy. Never with Roy. 

Because if there is anything to know about Roy Mustang, it’s that he’d rather die than allow her to feel unloved.

[vorib250]

Before I post the full description of my Headcanon, I would like to show a small fragment from it, for the viewers' reaction!

•

•

•

•

Jin: *furiously* OPEN UP RIGHT NOW!!

The woman was banging on the metal gates, trying to enter something on the keypad, but every time she did, it returned an error.

Jin: You have no idea what you’re getting into!!

Kokolia (new character, coming soon): Oh, I do. I’m here to gather evidence that the machines on this island have long been out of control.

Jin: I’m about to go out of control myself! GET OUT!!

Kokolia: What’s wrong? Got something to hide?

Poli: No, but if you keep standing there without proper protection or our supervision, we will have to hide your corpse from the investigation!

Ignoring them, the woman entered the elevator, which began descending—straight into the repair and maintenance sector below the headquarters.

Speaker Voice: You have arrived at the HQ Maintenance Department. Due to Roy's repair, this zone is not considered safe. Please present a Rescuer Pass or leave this floor for your safety.

Smirking, the woman approached the panel—but instead of a pass, she began entering numbers.

Speaker Voice: Safety protocol deactivated. All doors in the department will now open.

All the doors to the rooms slid open, revealing storage rooms, repair stations, platforms, large equipment, and… a hallway leading to another room. Entering it, she saw a firefighter standing on a platform—his faceplate and left leg casing removed, and his hose detached from his body. One of his video sensors blinked, like a motion detector. As she walked between tables full of parts, tools, and broken equipment, the brunette noticed a note on the wall surrounded by arrows pointing to it.

"❗❗❗ For new workers and as a reminder for everyone ❗❗❗

• When repairing Prototype RO-Y15, follow these instructions:

^ Do not approach the unit too closely while it is in standby mode.

^ Do not shine light directly into its eyes. The light can fall anywhere—BUT NOT INTO THE EYES.

^ Avoid loud noises; in standby mode, it is extremely sensitive.

^ Repairs must be carried out using manipulators or specialized tools, keeping a safe distance from the robot.

^ Do NOT attempt to threaten the robot, especially with Code No.1. It DOES NOT HAVE THAT CODE. ❗❗❗❗❗❗

Note on Prototype RO-Y15: Despite numerous code rewrites and system reboots, it retains combat robot behavior—such as activating attack and surveillance modes even while in standby during repairs. This happens due to a coding error during rewriting. Fixing it would require a complete overhaul of the robot’s software, which still might not fully disable the protocol. Roy is not aggressive, but he can strike a human—something the other prototypes can’t do—though he refrains from it out of personal principles. To avoid injury or death, follow the above instructions carefully."

Kokolia: Pft, a rusty bucket of bolts threatening lives? Very “professional” work, Jin.

She pulled out a camera and took a photo of the note—with flash. A low growl echoed immediately.

Kokolia: …Ko-ko, you idiot… *glancing at the flash*

Voice from behind (Roy): Unauthorized presence in restricted area. Termination protocol activated.

[daydreamgoddess14]

Support System pt. 7

MASTERLIST

CH1 | CH 2 | CH 3 | CH 4 | CH 5 | CH 6

Roy Kent x Reader

Little wait for this one, I wanted Chapter 6 to marinade a bit 😂

More spicy spice so enjoy!

Chapter 7

The next day you were again woken shortly before 4am again with a breathtaking kiss.

“Oi, not fair. Did you know I’m statistically less prepared to defend myself from some weirdo attacking me at this stupid time in the morning?” You roll over, mumbling into the pillow. You remember that he doesn't even need to be awake, "also, why the hell are you awake? Go back to sleep. You’ve got a match later." He doesn't respond, so you open one eye, 

"How do you know that?" He asks, pulling you against him. 

"Saw it on Tiktok. Sleep now." You nudge him, wiggling back down. 

"Stop wiggling." He says, his voice low in your ear. You stop, and close your eyes but after a few minutes it's clear that you are, unfortunately, awake. You sigh. "What now?"

"You woke me up." You complain. “If you think I’m going to be woken up at 4am every morning, you are very much mistaken,” he slips a hand over your thigh, pulls your leg up and hooks it back over his own, opening you up to him. His hand comes back around to your centre, “I will just never spend a night with you again and-” you cut off with a gasp as he slips two fingers inside you and pumps so agonisingly slowly,

“You were sayin’?” He kisses the back of your neck and you arch your body towards him.

“I’m not staying again.”

“No?” You feel him rock hard against your back and your willpower is all but gone. “Sure about that?”

“No, ohhh fuck, Roy-”

“No,” he laughs softly, “didn’t think so.” You roll onto your back and pull him over you, pressing your heels into the back of his thighs to guide him into you. It’s still so dark in his room that you can hardly see him so you let your hands lead you. Up his arms, over his broad back, down to squeeze his thigh, back up and into his hair. He matches you with each roll of your hips. It’s slow and lazy and there’s so little space between you both that the friction is to die for. The darkness makes you both quieter, his whispered affirmations, praise and moans are dizzying. He takes you over the edge with him and you’re both asleep again almost instantly.

~~~~~~~~

Roy had suggested that you stay again. He had said that while pressed against the glass of a shared shower with you on your knees for him, though. His hands had tangled in your hair and he'd garbled promises you weren't sure he'd remember in five minutes, let alone five hours so you weren’t actually sure where you were staying that night. You were going to the match at midday with Sara and Phoebe which meant coded conversations over Phoebe’s head.

“Go on then.” She prompts.

“What?”

“No.” She points, “no. I got blank stares from him yesterday until I mentioned your name and he went all doe eyed. What’s going on?”

“If you’ve spoken with him then surely you already know?” You suggest, trying not to smile. She glares at you and you’re suddenly worried that she’s not ok with any of this. “Ok, fine. I popped in to see him the other night after I’d taken Lex to her dads… I may have stayed the night. And last night as well. And possibly tonight - yet to be confirmed.” You had to whisper most of your reply so Phoebe didn’t catch on. “Shit, are you mad?"

"No! Fuck, sorry, it's the Kent genes - resting bitch face. God, I'm not mad! I have like 1000 questions - at least 997 I don't want to know the answer to since,” she dropped to a dramatic whisper, “he's my brother.” She grinned and gestured down to Phoebe, “She’s going to be so happy!” She mouthed. “Are you ok? I mean, I’m assuming the answer is yes, since you stayed more than one night and didn’t leave immediately?” She cackled. You nod, stealing a glance down at the pitch as the halftime whistle sounds. Roy turns to the stands as the teams filter off the pitch to catch your eye.

“Yeah, so far so good. It’s… different.” Sara cocks an eyebrow.

“Now I’m in torn territory - do I want to know or not?” You wave her off,

“No! I mean, yes, that’s very different too - I’m not used to feeling so…” you flap your hands around a bit, trying to find the right words, “wanted?” you whisper. “In all ways. But y’know, it’s very, very early days. I have no idea what’s going to happen, or how it’s going to go. I’m just trying to protect myself, and Lexie.” She smiles at you,

“I think you wouldn’t have gone over there if you were that unsure. You wouldn’t just, y’know, do that with anybody. And neither would he.” She points out.

“Yeah?”

“Remember what we said at the beach? Honestly, that’s not his style.” You know it’s true so you concede and carry on with watching the match. The team wins - they’re so close to winning the whole thing, the whole town feels like it’s on tenterhooks.

“Congratulations.” You smile after the match, you can see in how he clenches and unclenches his fist that he wants to touch you, but Phoebe is bouncing up and down on his other arm chattering on about how she can’t wait to see Jamie. 

“We’re going back to mums, you coming?”

“Only if you want me there?” Phoebe spots Jamie through the crowd and races after him, Sara has to book it after her. His hand finds the small of your back guiding you over to them,

“I want you every fucking where.” He whispers in your ear as you reach the others. You have a fun but fraught afternoon, Jamie comes too and you can see how he keeps engaging Phoebe. You're not sure whether it’s a help or hindrance having him around. He keeps Phoebe and her nan occupied enough that Roy can use any excuse to find little ways to touch you, but he’s also very perceptive and can’t seem to fathom why one of Phoebe’s friend’s mums is there. Sara claims you as her best friend and it appeases him. You’re very nearly caught with Roy’s hand halfway up your top in the far end of the kitchen but just as Jamie is about to turn and see you, Phoebe calls out to him to get his attention. By the time he turns back around, there’s a couple of strategic metres between you both. Your phone buzzes late on with a message. 

Please tell me you’re stopping at mine again. You smirk and fire off a reply,

Is that you asking nicely?

I asked nicely this morning

Surprised you can remember anything you said this morning

I remember everything about this morning

You look up to see him trying to hide a smile behind his beer bottle. You’re barely inside the front door when he’s backing you against the wall and there’s probably some kind of record beaten in just how quickly he makes you come.

~~~~~~~~

The kids are back at school, you haven’t enjoyed a 4am wake up for three days, you’re still jobless, you’re expected at a gala with Roy’s co-workers in two days, and you still haven’t found anything to wear. He’s offered his card (multiple times) for you to ‘buy whatever the fuck you want as long as I can take it off’. Switchover day for Lexie is tomorrow, closely followed by the gala. It’s been a busy few days so despite school runs you haven’t even seen Roy for a good few days. Sara has collected Lexie on your behalf so you swing by on your way home to pick her up. You peek around to say hello to the girls sprawled out on the sofa and then you’re dragged to the far end of the kitchen.

“So the Gala huh?"

"He told you?"

"He said you were stressing over what to wear, suggested I take you to find something while he hangs out with the kids this evening." At that, the front door opened. "I'll let you have a couple of minutes alone since you haven't seen each other for such a long time." She rolled her eyes in jest. 

"You're both sneaky." You point out as Roy's arms wrap around you. 

"Not true," he says into your ear. "Thanks, dickhead." He smiles at his sister. Sara gives him a little salute and grabs some snacks to take to the girls. You turn in his arms, "Fuck, I missed you."

"I missed you. Had to watch that press conference for a fix, and then you made me cry." You laugh. 

"I need to try and keep my hands off you for half a week. Think I’ll manage as long as they're on you as much as possible for the other half a week."

"Deal." You may have been apart for half a week, but you've spoken every day. 'Lexie' days are in his calendar for at least the next few weeks. "I have a big problem." You whisper, he looks down between you both making you snigger. "No, you idiot. My problem is that it's been way too long since you last kissed me."

"Shit, that is a big problem," he agrees.

"It gets worse," you pause for dramatic effect, "If you do it now, I'm not going to want you to stop and we'll get in trouble with your sister and the kids."

"I mean, that sounds like a problem for you more than me. Cos I'm going to fucking kiss you anyway."

"You have to be in charge of stopping then." He's halfway to kissing you when he stops, 

"I think I like the sound of that a bit too much." You smirk and meet him in the middle, snaking your arms around his neck.

“Right, that’s time up.” Sara came back through with her eyes covered. “We’ve got to go and get you something wonderful to wear.” Roy reluctantly lets you go with a final kiss, and then goes to make his presence known with the girls. You’re barely out the door when they’ve put a tiara on his head.

~~~~~~~~

You’re not having much luck with a dress.

“This one?” You step out of the changing room for what feels like the millionth time.

“Nah, too plain.”

“I hate this. Is it too late to just not go?” You go back behind the curtain and take the dress off. There’s two more left to try, one baby pink and one royal blue. Chelsea blue you think, taking the dress from the hanger.

“You can’t not go, he wants you there. Plus, think of the afterparty” She winks before making a fake vomiting sound. “God, it pains me to have to think about my brother in this context.”

“Ha! Sorry. Oh holy fucking shit.” You squeak.

“What? Ugh it’s not the pink one is it? I only picked that one up because the sales assistant suggested it. Is it gross?” She laughs. You step out of the changing room and her jaw drops. “Fucking hell. Hang on, stay there, what’s your shoe size?”

“6, why?” She disappears back into the shop and is back in a matter of seconds,

“I saw these on our way in here. They’re perfect.” She hands you the highest gold glitter heels you’ve ever seen and you step up into them, holding her hands for balance. She steps well back to take in the full effect. “That’s it - that’s the one. And it’s Chelsea blue, he’s going to lose his fucking mind.” You look in the full length mirror,

“The slit?”

“Is perfect, stop worrying.”

“The neckline?”

“He’s seen you naked love, it’s perfect. You are wearing the shit out of it.”

“It costs half my mortgage Sara!” You look at the tag.

“If I recall correctly, I’m under strict instructions to tell you - and this is word for word, obviously, ‘that’s not your fucking problem, buy the dress’. Such an eloquent man, my brother.” You’re torn,

“I’m not a charity case Sara,”

“I know. Look, he does this, it’s not about the money or thinking you're not independent or any of that shit. What it boils down to for him is that he’s taking away something that’s worrying you - he does it for me. Like picking Phoebe up from school for me, or training Jamie at 4am every sodding day. He finds the thing that’s worrying the people he cares about, and he tries to fix it.” Your eyes swim with tears and you hold your hands up in defeat.

“Ok, I get it. Worry eliminated.”

“Atta girl. Now, let’s go home.” 

“I got rejections from the two interviews I had last week.” You tell her suddenly, the words tumbling from you.

“Ohh lovely, come here,” she pulled you into a hug and you cry on her shoulder,

“I just feel like such an idiot, why did I quit with nothing to go to? And I don’t want Roy to think I’m some sort of golddigger.”

“Why would he think that? He might be a total knob sometimes, but he’s not an idiot. I take it you haven’t told him yet?” You shake your head. 

“Come on. Let’s go, a Roy Kent cuddle makes everything better.” You smile at her,

“A Sara one is pretty good too. Thank you.”

Roy has one child snuggled up on either side of him with a bowl of popcorn on his lap and Encanto on when you get back to Sara’s. You manage to take a very quick photo before any of them spots you. 

“Mum!”

“Hiya poppet. Ready to go?”

“I’ll take you.” You flash him a smile,

“Thank you.” You pack Lexie’s stuff up and say goodbye to Sara and Phoebe, and are outside your front door all too soon. For some reason, Lexie is lingering around the front door so you're forced to wave Roy off with a smile.

“Laters Lex.”

“See ya Roy,” she grins at him. He disappears up the path and you start hustling her upstairs to get ready for bed. She’s still jumping on your bed when the door goes again.

“Stay here, I’ll be right back - start getting ready for your bath please.” You nip down the stairs and pull open the door. Roy Kent is back on your doorstep. “Oh my god, are you the Roy Kent? The really fit coach for Richmond?” You ask excitedly.

“Depends, can I have a kiss if I say yes?”

“Depends how long you make me wait for another one.”

“Tomorrow any good for you?” He leans on the doorframe.

“I can do tomorrow.”

“Good.”

“Good.” You tug at the bottom of his t-shirt and he steals an arm around your back to pull you into a deep, crushing kiss.

“Tomorrow?” He asks when he’s finally let you go. You can hear Lexie still jumping on the bed upstairs. You let your fingertips brush against the soft skin of his stomach underneath his t-shirt, making him shiver.

“See you tomorrow.” You give him a final kiss and let him go.

~~~~~~~~

You don't have to look far to see him the next evening, but it's still a surprise - he's parked up at the station and is out of the car, leaning against the door waiting to pick you up.

"Get in the fucking car." He grins, pulling you into a kiss as soon as you are in arms reach. "Ted had to ask me three times today if I was paying attention." You turn in your seat to look at him fully,

"Oh come on, that's bullshit!"

"It's true. Had to threaten to punch dicks - they all said I was too fucking happy and I was being 

weird. I think Jamie’s onto me."

"Uhoh. Is the grumpy persona being destroyed?"

"Only around you." He puts a hand on your thigh while he drives, stopping off at yours. “Get some stuff, I don’t want to have to lose you for an hour every bloody morning.” He grumbles. You collect the things you know you’ll need. When you get to his place, he's already cooked.

"I could get used to this," you tease. "So this gala," you ask over some gorgeous Mediterranean vegetable dish, "your co-workers will all be there?"

"They will." He confirms, waiting for you to continue. 

"And your ex?" you add quietly. 

"Keeley will be there, yes." You nod, pushing your food around your plate. 

"I met her once." He's still watching you, dinner finished with. 

"Yeah?"

"I had to run an event she came to for work. She was really sweet." 

"She is. I think you'll like her." He smiles reassuringly.

“And you're sure you want me to meet these people? Your people?”

“Yes, I am.” He said firmly. “You don’t have to tell any of ‘em about us - tell them whatever you want. They can take the piss out of me as much as they like. I really don't give a shit." He continues to reassure you in a number of exhilarating ways for the rest of the night. He leaves you at 4am yet again with a kiss that has your body clenching on nothing, desperate again for his touch. You’re half awake when he returns at 6 but it’s a horrible day outside already so he lets you know he’s going straight in the shower. You can hear the kettle, so you pull on the t-shirt he’s just taken off so you can go downstairs to make tea for you both. It’s not familiar, it’s an old Richmond home shirt. When he comes down, your leaning over the counter on your elbows  reading from your phone and making notes on a scrap of paper while the tea brews. His arms circle you and to your surprise, you feel him press against you.

“Wow, hi.” You turn to face him with a little laugh.

“You’re wearing m’name,” he manages to say gruffly before kissing you roughly. 

“Sorry, I just grabbed it to come down here, I’ll take it-”

“No.” He stops you, “No.” He says more firmly. He rests his forehead against yours, his hips still against you. Oh. It dawns on you. Oh. You kiss him briefly, nodding your understanding and turn back around for him, resting on your forearms. “Fuck,” you hear him, so quietly, “fuck. You wreck me.” He slips inside you with no real warning, filling you completely. He sets a wickedly punishing pace, the angle has you an incoherent mess and makes you come almost instantly. It’s fast and rough and utterly filthy, your name spills from him like a worshipping chant as he comes, dragging another orgasm from you as he does. When you’re able to stand, you turn back to him. He buries his face into the crook of your neck, his hands soothing the bruises he’s no doubt left on your hips. “Sorry, I didn’t mean-” he starts to say, you shake your head,

“No. Don’t be sorry, don’t be. I’d tell you if I wasn’t ok with something, ok?” You reassure him with a kiss.

[avvail-whumps]

to elaborate on the last anon: i'm curious to see how roy would treat leo while prepping for being in hiding (like dying their hair, during car rides, etc) and then also once they're all settled in

“Close your eyes, lion.”

The sharp command made Leo obey almost immediately, swallowing down the intense fear when the mercenary’s hands pushed him down over the sink, not kind nor gentle in the slightest. His mind automatically let out a cruel ‘can you blame him?’ and it only broke him further.

The luke warm water ran over his head, and he felt Roy’s fingers dragging through his hair without a care for his comfort, roughly scrubbing the dye from his locks. He bit the inside of his cheek, not daring to even let a single noise slip from his lips.

Roy had barely spoken any words to him.

Not during the car journey, not even as they found themselves in this strange place. They’d wandered into a completely normal shop, but the mercenary had gone straight for the man behind the counter.

They’d exchanged a few words, something about a TV? It was all gibberish and code to Leo, and the man behind the counter had suddenly turned very serious, leading them down under the shop.

Now he was here - darkening his hair until had turned a dark brown.

When Roy released him, Leo fumbled with stinging water in his eyes, wincing when a towel was thrown at him. He grasped it with shaking hands, desperately scrubbing the water that got in his eyes. He heard a new pair of footsteps, cracking an eye open to see the man behind the counter walking down the stairs.

He barely looked Leo’s way, opting to approach Roy instead.

“We’ve got two and a half hours tops,” the man told him, his voice low. Leo could feel his hair dripping, and scrambled to dry his it before it got everywhere. Roy kicked open a folded chair, sitting down on it with a curt sigh. Leo tried not to look.

“I know, Gary,” he responded, his voice tight. “I’m keeping an eye on the clock. Do you have everything ready?”

The man – Gary – nodded, his expression stern. “Everything’s set up. Just need the pictures and I’ll give you those plane tickets.”

Leo’s stomach twisted into a painful knot. Plane tickets? He suddenly felt very sick. That meant they could be going anywhere in the world, and no one would be able to find him. He really might never see his father after finally being reunited.

A sharp snap caught his attention, his eyes obediently darting to Roy. Sure enough, the man was looking at him with those hardened eyes.

“Over here, lion.”

He grasped the towel, doing as he was told. Leo knows what doing the opposite had done for him - this. Seeing his father’s limp body in the hallway of their home, praying that he made a speedy recovery. He wondered what he was doing now. If Sharpe and Summers were looking for him. If they would ever find him again.

When he was close enough, Roy’s finger dug into the flesh of his forearm without a care, jerking him down to the floor by his feet. He was forced to sit, legs crossed, back to Roy as the mercenary shifted about, the chair creaking slightly.

Gary was watching intently, and it was making Leo nervous. Fingers combed back the damp hair, and the whir of a hairdryer picked up, warm air beginning to blow through his brown locks. Roy wasn’t particularly rough, and it was the nicest he had been since he came to the house to drag his lion back.

Gary was still staring at Leo. It seemed he was trying to get a guage of who he was, and finally, recognition flickered in his eyes, lip quirking with a twitch of a smirk.

“Ain’t he the one that you got in this mess?” Gary murmured, loud enough to be heard over the hairdryer. Leo kept his eyes to the ground, focusing on the feeling of the mercenary’s fingers combing through his hair. “Thought I recognised him from the trial.”

Roy didn’t say anything. He could sense he was still mad that he had succumbed to the pressure from the detectives and thrown him under the bus; it seemed his uncle was always going to pay the bail. He continued to dry Leo’s hair. Gary hummed at his reaction.

“I thought your uncle would have disposed of him.”

Leo’s nails dug into his palms, his expression twisted in discomfort.

“I convinced him not to,” Roy answered curtly, giving the secretary’s hair one last blow over before he was satisfied. The hairdryer was cut off. “For whatever reason, my uncle is fine keeping me happy.”

“Probably trying to sweeten you up,” Gary hummed. “He’ll want you back. I think he always has.”

The mercenary let out a bitter laugh. He rose from the chair, causing Leo’s head to tilt back in confusion, those big blue eyes staring at him quizzically. The mercenary motioned for him to sit on the chair, and he was quick to obey.

“My uncle practically left me to die,” Roy hummed, though his brow was raised languidly, like the topic of discussion didn’t bother him in the slightest. Gary moved behind the chair, tilting Leo’s head back a little bit so it was straight. He heard the snip of scissors. “I don’t need to owe him anymore than I already do for paying my bail.”

Leo wanted to shrink into a tiny ball, feeling Roy’s scrutinizing gaze piercing straight through him.

More snips. The secretary tried not to cry.

“If you say so,” Gary hummed quietly.

Sinking into his mind, Leo tried to focus only on the rhythmic snipping of the scissors, the comb through his hair, the fingers that weren’t intent on hurting him. He tried to pretend he was at the hairdressers, eyes closed as the therapeutic atmosphere overtook him, completely drowning in a reality that wasn’t his own.

When Gary finished, Leo’s eyes cracked open, mourning for a life he wouldn’t get. He wanted to believe that Roy would be kind to him again. Maybe he would, if Leo was good. He really hoped so.

His head felt lighter. His fingers ran over the back of his head, shocked by the lack of thickness he felt. It wasn’t crawling over his neck anymore, most of the loose, fluffy hair on the top, resting in curly loops. The shock must have been evident on his face, because the next thing he knew, Roy’s fingers were gently tapping his chin, tilting his head back.

Leo’s heart lurched into his throat. His skin burned from the contact.

The mercenary observed him for a long few seconds, before his lips finally quirked into a lazy smirk.

“It suits you, lion,” he purred, gently brushing his thumb under the mop of curls. Leo desperately, keenly, almost frantically leaned into the touch, relishing in the kind contact. Roy released a breathless chuckle. “More than I was expecting.”

If Roy liked it, so did Leo. He didn’t even have to see it.

Time passed by quickly enough - Gary took photos, even gave Leo coloured contacts so his eyes were a muddy brown. He gave them both a new ID, handing them over to Roy for him to glance over. He had hummed, smiling, holding the ID up and glancing at Leo.

“Oliver,” he hummed, tilting his head. “Ollie. I like it.”

Leo was picking at the clothes Gary had given him to put on, something baggy and warm. He’d fixed a snug hat on his head too, and Roy pocketed both ID’s, clearly not intent on trusting Leo to take his own. When he stepped up to him, he tried not to flinch back.

“You’ll be a good boy this time,” Roy whispered ever so quietly, just for him to hear, the trill of his low voice making his eyes flutter. “Won’t you?”

Leo desperately nodded his head. He didn’t want Roy to hate him. Didn’t want him to violate him and ignore him and drag him around like he used to. He just wanted everything to go back to normal, swept under the confines of his spell, and it was easy for those feelings of attachment to consume him.

“Yes,” he breathed, barely even able to get the words out. Leo hated that his eyes were filling with tears. He’d caused all this trouble, and for what? None of it had mattered. Roy was never going to let him go. Yet, that was something Leo wasn’t entirely upset over. “I’m sorry, Roy. I’m so sorry.”

The mercenary cooed, stroking the soft skin of his cheek. “I was really hurt, you know.”

Leo hadn’t wanted that. He loved Roy — no, loves him. He never wanted the cold shoulder treatment again, lest it break his heart further than it already had.

“I love you,” Leo sniffled, melting into his embrace when the mercenary finally wrapped his arms around him, tucking him against his body. He slotted in so perfectly. “It was all my fault. I’m so sorry, I’m so...”

Leo’s trembling words were cut off with a kiss to his temple. He practically keened.

“No more groveling. We have a plane to catch soon.”

The mercenary’s thumb gently rubbed along the bottom of his lip, as if he was remembering what he’d forced Leo to do in the home he’d left behind. He briefly wondered if he regretted it.

Still, Leo nodded.

Roy’s eyes crinkled. “Good boy.”

[beautozhomes]

10 Budget-Friendly Renovation Tips to Transform Your Home Without Breaking the Bank

Renovating your home doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Whether you’re refreshing a tired kitchen, revamping a dull bathroom, or updating your entire living space, there are smart and affordable ways to make your home feel brand new. The secret lies in planning, creativity, and knowing where to invest.

Here’s a handpicked list of 10 budget-friendly renovation tips that will help you maximize impact while minimizing cost.

1. Start With a Clear Plan & Budget

Before picking up a hammer or browsing tiles, set a clear goal and a realistic budget. Understand which rooms you want to renovate, what must be changed vs. what can be refreshed, and allocate a budget accordingly. This helps avoid unnecessary expenses down the line.

Pro Tip: Leave a 10–15% buffer in your budget for unexpected expenses, as home renovations often have them.

2. Focus on High-Impact, Low-Cost Areas

Some spaces offer a high return with minimal investment. Focus on:

Painting the walls

Updating fixtures (tapware, handles, lighting)

Refinishing rather than replacing cabinets

Swapping out old curtains for modern blinds

These changes instantly uplift your home without needing structural work.

3. DIY Where Possible

You don’t need to be a tradie to handle basic tasks. Painting walls, changing cabinet handles, or installing peel-and-stick splashbacks are all easy DIY wins.

Doing it yourself saves on labor costs—just make sure you're confident and safe before starting.

4. Repurpose and Reuse Existing Materials

Before throwing things out, ask yourself: Can I reuse this? For example:

Sand and repaint old doors

Reface kitchen cabinets instead of replacing

Reuse bricks or timber for garden edging or decking

Upcycling is not only cost-effective, it’s eco-friendly too.

5. Use Paint as a Powerful Makeover Tool

Never underestimate the power of fresh paint. Whether it’s a white coat to brighten a room or a bold color to add character, paint is cheap and transformative.

Try feature walls or even painted furniture for added charm.

6. Shop Smart: Sales, Recycled & Factory Seconds

You can save hundreds of dollars by shopping smart:

Check out clearance sections in Bunnings or IKEA

Browse the local Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree

Visit reuse centers or building recyclers

Buy floor stock or display models from showrooms

You’ll be surprised at the quality you can find at a fraction of the cost.

7. Upgrade Lighting for Instant Luxury

Switching to modern LED lighting can completely change the vibe of your home. Warm white lights add a cozy feel, while pendant lights or under-cabinet strips offer a modern touch.

Lighting is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make.

8. Update Flooring Without Replacing It

Flooring can be expensive to replace, but there are budget options:

Use vinyl planks or hybrid flooring

Paint or stain timber floors

Add large rugs to hide worn areas

These are smart ways to refresh the space without full demolition.

9. Tackle One Room at a Time

If the whole house needs work, don’t do it all at once. Prioritize and renovate the room by room based on functionality and usage. The kitchen and bathroom usually offer the best ROI, while bedrooms can be done more affordably.

Breaking it down this way keeps stress and costs manageable.

10. Know When to Hire Professionals

While DIY is great, know your limits. Electrical, plumbing, and structural work should always be handled by qualified professionals. You’ll avoid costly mistakes, and your work will be up to code (especially important for resale).

Spending on the right trade now can save you more in the long run.

Final Thoughts: Renovate Smarter, Not Harder

You don’t need a massive budget to make a massive impact. With smart planning, a little elbow grease, and creative choices, you can breathe new life into your home on a budget.

Start with simple upgrades, prioritize function and style, and don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves. Whether you're getting ready to sell or planning to stay for years, budget-friendly renovation tips like these can increase your home's appeal and value, without leaving your savings account empty.

Suggested FAQ (with Schema Markup Potential)

Q: What is the most affordable way to renovate a home?

The most affordable way is to focus on cosmetic changes like painting, replacing fixtures, and updating finishes without altering the structure.

Q: Is it cheaper to renovate or rebuild?

Generally, renovating is cheaper unless the home is in poor structural condition. Minor to moderate renovations cost less than new builds.

Q: How do I budget for a home renovation?

Set clear priorities, research material and labor costs, and allocate a buffer of 10–15% for unexpected expenses.

Q: Can I renovate my home myself?

Yes, for tasks like painting, minor carpentry, or installing fixtures. For electrical or plumbing work, always hire licensed professionals.

[dearreader]

hello! welcome back to my FMA Characters as Taylor Swift albums!!! previous albums are here:

debut, fearless (taylor’s version), speak now (taylor’s version), RED (taylor’s version), 1989 (taylor’s version), 𝔯𝔢𝔭𝔲𝔱𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫, 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇

now, let’s all escape into the woods where we live in a cabin and write with a quill pen and wander the moors:

𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒌𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆

Riza Hawkeye

- folklore is taylor's first forey into not writing completely autobiographically. she is still writing about herself though but projecting that onto fictional characters she's creating (mecore affffffffff).

- the loose story of the album is, you guessed it, folklore or tall tales. stories that are timeless and are passed down from generation to generation, across cultures and worlds to one another for everyone to relate to or learn from. the album discusses a lot of different topics that everyone can relate to or feel connected to in some way as they're not unique feelings and are universal. she does this in a truly achingly beautiful way and is beautiful.

- if you haven't listened to the LPSS version, do it. SO FUCKING GOOD AND MY TEARS RICOCHET HURTS SO MUCH

- BUT the album fits a lot of riza's character and story as almost all of it can be linked to her past or life at most points either in the story or in stuff implied prior to the start of the story

- seven being about her as a child and that innocence that she yearns for again

- if you're a royai shipper (great taste) august and illicit affairs can be read in the context of her and roy having a secret relationship together and the feelings tied into that.

- august being how she can't have more with roy because of their individual goals but still being hopelessly in love

- illicit affairs being about the feelings that comes over time with having a secret relationship and the pain and anger you feel but can't stop (and that's the thing about illicit affairs and clandestine meetings and longing stares they're stolen from one single glance but THEY DIE AHD THEY DIE AND THEY DIE a million little times...)

- mirrorball ties into riza not really knowing herself or what to do. more of a popular fan interpretation though there is evidence of this based on the brief scenes we get of younger her and joining the army because she believes in roy's idyllic ideas of the military. riza herself doesn't fully know herself and mirrorball perfectly encapsulates that

- in addition to that, this is me trying is, in my opinion, the sister song to mirrorball. the song is about how you're kind of at this low and awful point but you're TRYING to be better. to keep fighting and moving on despite everything that makes you want to just stop it all. this connects to riza with similar things that i said in mirrorball. she doesn't fully see or know herself outside of roy. she doesn't believe she deserves to live and only finds meaning and value through roy himself and his future goals. she has stated twice that if he wasn't alive she wouldn't want to be alive. everyday she is actively trying to keep going and fight, even during the promised day she remarks that she needs to keep going when she was just bleeding out 30 minutes ago because she sees roy is still willing to fight despite losing his eyesight not even fifteen minutes ago.

- epiphany is also riza coded but i don't feel comfortable analyzing it and discussing it based on what the songs about. so if you want to know what i mean listen to the song and you'll understand what i mean.

- mad woman is the battle with lust *tips cowboy hat*

- i could very much go on and on and on and i will! hoax with the fucking quotes like

• "don't want no other shade of blue but you" and "your faithless loves the only hoax believe in" and "i am ash from your fire" ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEEEEEEEEE

- okay okay you probably get the picture by this point. in conclusion folklore is heavily riza coded and is another piece of evidence in my "taylor swift kins riza hawkeye" crack theory. also riza needs therapy

- like riza SPECIFICALLY just fixed herself after each traumatic event with super glue and duck tape and is only holding on at this rate through sheer force and her superior officer/boyfriends dumbass ways

[steambot-shenanigans]

I’m making a post about some fanbots I haven’t discussed much on here!

I made them originally so I could have more characters for the spg rp server I was on, but I would like to revisit them sometime.

Basically, they are 3 yellow matter bots created by the direct descendants of Rex Marksley. For the purposes of this, yellow matter represents time. Here’s a lore dump about the three of them!

The first bot to be built, representing the past, is Milo Samuel Marksley (Milo coming for the greek word for speak, and Samuel coming from Samuel Morse). He was invented in 1850 by Roy Marksley, the son of the legendary gunslinger himself, who was inspired by the telegraph. It is a very old bot and is very worn down. They keep getting more rusted and straight up loosing parts.

It was built before voicebox technology, so it can only communicate outwardly through the beeps of morse code. Its younger siblings worry that one day it will get so worm down they will stop working alltogether. Its appearance is very rough, having no mouth, or exterior plating, so their simplistic mechanical insides are on display, aside from a few places. Their clothes are very much outdated, it breaks down frequently, and is generally fairly slow. Despite that, they still manage to keep the peace between its bickering siblings.

Its antenna is centered, coming out of the back of it’s head and going through its top-hat. It is curled at the end and has a small ball at its point. It plays percussion (mostly drums and piano).

In December 1906, a second bot was invented by Roy’s youngest daughter, Ray Marksley, inspired by the existence of the radio. Named Echo Reginald Marksley, this bot has stayed in much the same condition as when he was first built. (Echo comes from the greek word for sound, and Reginald comes from the first name of the violinist who played the first song to be broadcast on the radio- O Holy Night).

He doesn’t upgrade well, as his chassis will accept nothing but identical parts and his systems reject any software updates, much to his dismay. He hasn’t gotten any new malfunctions and is a pretty durable and consistent bot. He is most at home making radio broadcasts, as he knows his best feature is his voice. It’s low, velvety and melodious, despite the slight staticky quality that worsens when he is feeling strong emotions. He tends to act confident, composed, and a bit flirtatious, which is how he naturally is on the radio, but is less natural and more facade when talking to people face to face. The biggest hit to his confidence is his physical appearance, as his inventor, Ray, cared more for function than form. So while he was painstakingly programmed with intellect, creativity, great memory storage, and an extensive vocabulary, and the best voice possible for his purpose as a radio bot, his exterior was not afforded the same care. His body is fine when covered in clothing (which it almost always is), but his face is harder to hide. It’s asymmetrical, and the features are not quite right, looking almost more like a radio than a human face in such a way that puts him squarely in the uncanny valley. He once had a listener who fell in love with him because of his voice, and then quickly fell out of love and ran away when he saw the bot’s face.

Because he is quicker and more charismatic than his older sibling, and more experienced than his younger sister, He generally considers himself the leader of the siblings, both in taking care of them, and in matters of the band they are in. His younger sister takes issue with this. If you think he’s abnormally flirtatious normally, you should see how mushy he gets when he genuinely falls in love with someone! Echo has one antenna above his left audio receptor (which really looks nothing like an ear). It can fold down across his head, or retract and extend as needed to broadcast radio signals remarkably far considering he’s not as tall as a broadcast tower. He does occasionally climb things to get better signal if he’s trying to communicate with someone far away.

In 1941, Ray’s eldest and only daughter Rue Marksley goes on to complete the trio with Cathode Ray Marksley. (Cathode comes from the cathode ray tubes original tvs were built with and Ray was her grandmother’s name).

Cathode, or Cathy as everyone calls her is inspired by a tv, and as such has one for a head, her screen almost always showing her pretty face. Rue had wanted to make Cathy since 1930 when she was a little girl and found out about TVs, but due to not being old enough, and the Great Depression, it had to wait. When first built, people didn’t understand why Rue would build a feminine robot, and so Cathy presented as male for a while, about until the early 2000s. Cathy is stylish and modern, always getting their current caretaker to upgrade her with the latest things, whether its color television, more modern displays, more pixels, or a flatter screen. Beyond her chassis, she also cares about the clothes she wears. Though her siblings usually always wear the same thing every day, Cathy is constantly changing her style based on what’s trendy, and she is not stopped by what gender clothes are associated with.

Being the youngest and being spoiled with upgrades and shopping trips has caused her to be a bit bratty and prideful, but she still cares for her siblings even though she can’t go a day without getting into squabbles with Echo. She’s quite flirtatious and even if she complains a lot, she will still get the job done if it’s something that needs doing or is for a friend. She plays electric guitar, rhythm guitar, saxophone, and trumpet. Her antennae are two classic bunny-ear tv antennae that she kept around despite her upgrades so she could still transmit and receive radio signals from her siblings.

The Marksley bots have a radio/video show together of playing music, a combination of old and new, covers and original songs. They mostly live off their family’s fortune, as they aren’t incredibly well known, and they’re not affiliated with the Marksley Weapons Company (though they could be if they wanted to).

Also in case you were wondering, Cathy is a lesbian, Echo is bi, polyamorous and asexual, and Milo is aroace and agender

[theghostparty]

Roméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour - Redesign - 2024

If you missed part one with Roméo and Juliette, click here. Once again, long design explanation.

When designing Mercutio specifically, I turned very explicitly inwards in my belief that Mercutio is not a Montague and should not be tied to the Montagues solely. Furthermore, Mercutio has FAMILY--he's the Prince's cousin and if we want to get really semantic about it, he also has a brother, Valentine.

All this being said, in designing Mercutio, I needed to tie him to Le Prince (Escalus) and I did that mostly in dictating that these are the characters who are allowed to wear black, mostly black leather. It's a distinction that goes mostly unnoticed until its pointed out, but no other designs incorporate deep black tones. There's also this strong, olive green tone that borrows from the Montague palette and gold hardware that borrows from the Capulet palette. The Prince's family gets to straddle the line between both worlds.

I thought very texturally for the Montagues and Capulets, so in trying to give the Prince's family something distinct, I landed on this brushstroke texture to give all the leather and denim pieces a custom feeling.

In his Les Rois du Monde look (his base look--I imagine this explicitly directorial choice to have him and the Prince enter together at the top of Vérone and have Mercutio break away to join the Montagues), there is hints of this painterly texture in blue as opposed to the gold of the Prince. I wanted to feel like every alignment Mercutio has with the Montague family is an active choice on his part. I imagine him painted those swaths of blue himself. His trousers are a bleached faded, torn denim.

We see the true royal gold in Le Bal, like, I think it's just funny to think Mercutio already owned these trousers and said "Fuck it" and wore them to dress up in. His look is explicitly jester themed. It's a little bit "Earring Magic Ken Doll" coded, which delights me to no end.

This is also a good place to point out how fixated I became on closure methods in garments. In Roméo's initial design, there is a strong focus on zippers, Le Prince's jacket is held together with gold hook and eye tape at all the seams, and with Mercutio it's all about lacing.

Part of this is in reference to the explicitly gendered ideas around corsetry and playing with that in tandem with Mercutio's generally accepted queer readings. It's also an interesting metaphor to think about being bound--by duty, by honour, by friendship, by tradition--something that Mercutio is so explicitly caught in between in the Montague-Capulet feud.

His final look during Le Duel, is a take on a Jean Paul Gautier design, and is the most partisan look for Mercutio. Doffing his jacket exposes this soft satin and coutil corset top in the faintest hint of blue. A soft underbelly of allegiance that would take to stage blood SO well (and would make who ever was dressing and laundering this show absolutely hate me as a designer, but I digress).

I also think it makes him a nice mirror to Tybalt, who's overarching design element is gold chains.

Tybalt's design is wholly referential to Mark Seibert's Tybalt. Is it because I can never get that little gold and red cropped jacket out of my brain? Perhaps. But I also like to think that design for Tybalt acts as a reflection of Mercutio. The inherent softness assigned to the Capulet family's design (silks, velvets, chiffons) plays really nicely with how much machismo is implied in Tybalt's characterization.

During Vérone, we see him in a half doublet, likely of a low-pile velvet, a satin faced silk period shirt open in an absolutely impractical way, and a floral print denim trouser. I also gave him a little cuban-heeled boot. For fashion.

Tybalt is a good place to also point out that weapons are very intentionally placed in and out of scenes. Mercutio always has a dagger. Roméo leaves his behind during Aimer. Benvolio does not carry one. Tybalt has an ornately sheathed sword. There is this undercurrent of violence for these characters that is dressed up and dressed down, but persists.

In Le Bal, I really leant into the idea of chainmail for this character, in keeping with the concept of chivalry and Arthurian influences. There's a little bit of royal purple thrown in there for good measure as well as a jaw-bone mask that, at best, is foreshadowing and, at its shallowest, looks cool as hell.

During Le Duel, I wanted to strip our fighters down to exposed skin. A lot of this is to do with one of my favourite versions of this scene, Zeffirelli's 1968 Romeo and Juliet. What I love about the sequence is how it devolves from nobel duel to outright brawl--from a distance to something very close and personal. It's the type of step by step tension-building that I really enjoy: where there are moments (when they're just shouting words back at forth, when they're drawing their weapons, when Mercutio would doff his jacket, when Tybalt doffs his doublet) when the fight could have de-escalated. When they could have walked away. But of course, it's not the play if they do.

I just imagine seeing Mark Seibert and Bereczki Zoltán fight would be fun, ultimately.

And now onto Benvolio. I fixated on paring down his looks, and quite frankly, if it weren't for how much I enjoy his little twink clubbing outfit, I would have probably only given him one costume. My justification for this is that Benvolio gets to live. Ostensibly, he has a lifetime past this play of changing to do. I feel very strongly about the idea of Benvolio as a narrator, Benvolio as a passive presence that is forced to become active. He's not certain in the same way that Roméo and Mercutio are about love and hate. He literally spends a whole song stagnating and waffling on how the hell he's going to tell his cousin that his wife is dead. He runs around following their impulses, patching over their problems. I have a lot of feelings about Benvolio as a character.

He's really the softest of the Montague characters in textures: his doublet is torn and slashed denim, his shirt is some sort of billowy linen blend. He has a little bit of metal flair in the form of this thigh adornment, but really he's quite simple--and my comparison to Roméo and Mercutio, he's quite warm. That hint of magenta on Roméo is a full on feature on Benvolio.

I accept any and all slander about my choices for his Le bal look, but by god do I think it's silly and it brings me joy. Suit of armour under ripped green denim, a little navy ribbed singlet with a silver chainmail crop top over it? Lensless silver glasses frames? It makes no real sense, but I stand by my "We're sneaking into the Capulet's ball tonight with very short notice, here's what we can cobble together" reasoning.

[plumbersmarketer]

Google Ads for Plumbers: Target Local Clients Effectively

In today’s competitive plumbing industry, being visible to the right customers at the right time is essential. While SEO is powerful, it often takes time to show results. If you’re looking to generate immediate leads, especially from nearby customers, Google Ads for Plumbers is one of the most effective tools available. This pay-per-click (PPC) strategy helps your business appear at the top of search results, right when potential clients are searching for your services. In this article, you’ll learn how to set up and optimize Google Ads to reach more local clients fast.

How to Set Up Google Ads for Plumbers

Google Ads can seem complex at first, but once you understand the basics, it becomes a powerful system for growing your business. Here's how to get started with Google Ads for Plumbers:

1. Choose the Right Campaign Type Start with either Search Ads or Local Services Ads. Search Ads appear when users type keywords into Google (like “plumber near me”), while Local Services Ads show up at the top of the page with your business details and a click-to-call option. Both are great for plumbing businesses.

2. Define Your Target Area Set your ads to appear only in specific zip codes, cities, or within a radius of your business location. This ensures that you only pay for clicks from people in areas where you actually operate.

3. Write Clear, Local-Focused Ad Copy Use messaging that reflects urgency and location relevance. Examples include:

“24/7 Emergency Plumbing in [City]”

“Fast, Reliable Leak Repair in [Neighborhood]” Include strong calls to action like “Call Now” or “Schedule Today.”

4. Add Ad Extensions Google allows you to expand your ads with helpful extras:

Call Extensions (a clickable phone number)

Location Extensions (to show your address)

Site Link Extensions (linking to specific services)

5. Use the Right Keywords Research and include terms like:

“Emergency plumber [city]”

“Drain cleaning near me”

“Toilet repair [location]” Avoid broad or irrelevant keywords that may waste your budget.

6. Set a Daily Budget Start small — even $20–$50 per day can generate calls in the plumbing niche. Adjust your spend based on results over time.

By following these steps, you’ll build a solid foundation for your first campaign and make Google Ads for Plumbers work for your local goals.

Why Google Ads Work for Local Plumbing Businesses

Google Ads are incredibly effective for local plumbing companies because they allow you to reach high-intent customers — people who need help right now. When someone searches “plumber near me” or “fix water leak fast,” they’re not just browsing — they’re ready to call.

Here’s why Google Ads deliver fast results:

Instant Visibility: Unlike SEO, which takes months, Google Ads show your business on page one right away.

Targeted Leads: You only pay when someone clicks, and you can limit those clicks to your specific service area.

Mobile Dominance: Most people searching for plumbing services are using mobile phones. With call extensions, they can connect to you in one tap.

Conversion Tracking: Google Ads lets you track how many calls or form submissions come from your ads — so you know what’s working.

When done right, Google Ads for Plumbers isn’t just another marketing channel — it’s a consistent engine for high-quality, local leads.

Tips to Maximize ROI with Google Ads

Once your campaign is up and running, follow these best practices to ensure a high return on investment:

Use Conversion Tracking: Set up call tracking or form tracking to see which ads and keywords lead to real jobs.

A/B Test Your Ads: Try different headlines, call-to-actions, and offers to see which ones perform best.

Monitor Keyword Performance: Pause low-performing keywords and increase bids for high-converting ones.

Use Negative Keywords: Block irrelevant searches like “DIY plumbing” or “free plumbing tips.”

Optimize Your Landing Pages: Ensure your website loads quickly, looks great on mobile, and highlights your services clearly.

These small tweaks can make a big difference in how many calls and jobs your ads bring in.

Conclusion: Why Google Ads for Plumbers Is Worth the Investment

In a service industry where speed and visibility are critical, Google Ads for Plumbers offers a direct path to local clients who are ready to hire. With the right setup — targeting, ad copy, keywords, and budget — you can drive consistent, high-quality leads without wasting money. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your plumbing business, investing in Google Ads can help you dominate your local market and stay ahead of the competition.

[fixedassetmanagementandsoftw]

Fixed Asset Management and Software Solution

Fixed Asset Management and Software Solution

In today’s fast-paced business world, fixed asset management is more than a ledger entry—it’s a strategic cornerstone. Leading the way, Impenn offers a comprehensive, technology-driven solution tailored to the nuances of modern enterprises. Whether you handle IT equipment, manufacturing machines, or real estate, Impenn transforms fixed asset management into a business accelerator.

1. Real-Time Tracking & Tagging

Impenn’s platform supports RFID, barcodes, and QR codes, enabling real-time visibility and accuracy. Each asset, from laptops to heavy machinery, receives a unique tag. Field personnel scan assets during physical verification, ensuring records align with reality. This foundation of fixed asset management minimizes losses and ensures audit readiness impenn.in.

2. Centralized Dashboard & Automation

Impenn centralizes asset data across locations and departments. A unified portal displays acquisition dates, maintenance schedules, depreciation, and compliance status. Automated depreciation calculations reduce manual work and errors, reinforcing the integrity of your fixed asset management cycle .

3. Physical Verification & Reconciliation

Regular physical audits are essential to effective fixed asset. Impenn’s solution supports scheduled verifications, matching scanned tags with ledger entries. Discrepancies trigger reconciliation workflows, uncovering missing, moved, or retired assets. This precision helps streamline FAR restructuring and compliance needs .

4. Compliance Reporting & Audit Trails

Adhering to financial regulations is critical. Impenn enables comprehensive compliance reporting with audit trails showing who updated what, and when. Whether local tax authorities or global standards apply, Impenn’s detailed logs strengthen both governance and fixed asset management practices impenn.in.

5. Integration with Financial & HR Systems

A standout feature in Impenn’s fixed asset management solution is its seamless integration with financial and payroll modules. By linking asset values and depreciation with general ledger entries, it ensures real-time accounting accuracy. The HR‑payroll sync aligns salary costs and asset allocations, offering a holistic view across finance, operations, and HR .

6. Asset Lifecycle Optimization

Effective fixed asset accounting includes planning for acquisition, usage, maintenance, and retirement. Impenn supports lifecycle workflows, including maintenance reminders, warranty tracking, and retirement triggers. By proactively monitoring asset performance, organizations can maximize ROI and reduce downtime.

7. Productivity Gains & Cost Savings

Impenn notes that businesses experienced reduced administrative overhead and improved productivity after digitizing fixed asset management across locations. Real-time insights enabled smarter budgeting, timely disposal of redundant assets, and more precise capital planning impenn.in.

8. Industry-Specific Asset Tagging

Recognizing that needs vary, Impenn offers customizable tagging schemes tailored to specific industries. Healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and education sectors benefit from predefined tag templates, but the system also allows custom fields for regulatory codes or warranty schedules. This flexibility elevates fixed asset management to industry-grade relevance impenn.in.

9. Scalability & Multi-location Support

From single-site operations to multinational corporations, Impenn’s platform supports multi-site deployment. Assets from various branches feed into a single dashboard, enabling consolidated views and granular drill-downs. Organizations can apply consistent fixed asset management policies across all locations, ensuring global control.

10. AI-Enabled Insights

Impenn goes beyond tracking with AI-driven analytics. The system identifies usage patterns, flags anomalies (e.g., unusually low utilization), and suggests cost-optimization strategies. These insights help managers make data-driven “fixed asset management” decisions.

Why Choose Impenn for Fixed Asset Management?

Feature

Benefit

Asset tagging & real-time tracking

Eliminates manual entry, reduces errors, and ensures asset visibility

Automated depreciation & compliance

Simplifies financial audits and regulatory adherence

Integrated finance & HR

Aligns asset values, payroll, and accounting for unified reporting

Lifecycle management & analytics

Optimizes usage, maintenance, and budgeting through actionable insights

Multi-industry & multi-site support

Scales with business growth and diverse regulatory environments

Founded in 2018, Impenn Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. began with a core mission to streamline general ledger reconciliation and close visibility gaps in compliance processes. Headquartered in Udyog Vihar, Gurugram, India, the company quickly expanded into integrated financial, HR-payroll, and inventory solutions, all built on the same unified platform impenn.in.

Today, Impenn serves clients across sectors, including manufacturing outfits, pharma companies, IT firms, educational institutions, and healthcare providers. Its asset platform seamlessly integrates with their finance and HR modules, offering a 360° enterprise view. Users can track asset purchases in finance, assign depreciation codes, and tie assets to employee records—all within the same system.

Getting Started with Impenn’s Fixed Asset Management

Initial Audit & Tagging Begin by scanning existing assets using mobile devices. Impenn supports durable barcode and RFID tags to ensure long-term readability.

Integration Setup Sync asset data with finance (GL accounts) and HR/payroll systems to enable real-time reporting and tracking.

Depreciation & Lifecycle Configuration Define depreciation rules, warranty terms, and maintenance schedules. Impenn automates notifications and depreciation posting.

Scheduled Physical Verification Implement regular scans across locations to validate asset existence and condition. Discrepancies are flagged for reconciliation.

Reports & Analysis Use dashboards and audit logs to monitor asset activity. Impenn’s AI insights help managers make informed reallocation or retirement decisions.

Compliance & Audit Support Generate regulatory-ready reports with full audit trails. Depreciation and asset movement logs are exportable for external review.

Real-World Impact

Organizations adopting Impenn’s fixed asset management platform report:

30–50% faster asset audits

15–20% reduction in unnecessary asset purchases or retirements

Transparent audit logs, minimizing compliance risks

Consolidated views across finance, HR, and asset teams

In an era where assets drive capital investments and operational capability, mastering fixed asset software is vital. Impenn delivers a full-spectrum solution—from precise tagging to AI-based recommendations—backed by automation, audit transparency, and system integration. Based in Gurugram, India, and active since 2018, Impenn stands as a compelling choice for businesses seeking a centralized, efficient, and intelligence-driven approach to asset governance.

By embracing Impenn, you’re not just managing assets—you’re steering them as strategic levers for growth, compliance, and financial clarity. Ready to transform your asset landscape? Discover Impenn’s fixed asset management platform today.

Visit Website For More Information: www.impenn.in

[productsiddha]

From Data to Decisions: Leveraging Product Analytics and AI Services for Faster B2B Innovation

In today’s competitive B2B landscape, innovation isn’t just about having a great product idea. It’s about bringing that idea to life faster, smarter, and with precision. That means making every decision based on real data, not guesswork. At Product Siddha, we help businesses unlock faster B2B innovation by combining the power of product analytics and AI services into one seamless strategy.

Why B2B Innovation Fails Without Data-Driven Insight

Most B2B companies struggle to innovate at scale because they lack visibility into what users actually do. Product teams launch features based on assumptions. Marketing teams operate without a feedback loop. Sales teams miss opportunities due to fragmented data. This disconnect creates wasted effort and missed growth.

Product analytics is the solution to this problem. When integrated with AI services, you don’t just track user behavior — you predict it. This lets you make smarter decisions that directly improve your product roadmap, customer experience, and business outcomes.

The Power of Product Analytics in B2B Growth

Product analytics turns user behavior into actionable insight. Instead of relying on vanity metrics, Product Siddha helps you understand how real people interact with your product at every stage. We implement tools that give you a complete view of the user journey — from first touchpoint to long-term retention.

With powerful product analytics, you can:

Identify high-impact features based on real usage

Spot friction points and user drop-offs quickly

Personalize product experiences for higher engagement

Improve onboarding, reduce churn, and boost ROI

This is not just reporting. It’s clarity. It’s control. And it’s the foundation of faster B2B innovation.

Accelerate Outcomes with AI Services That Work for You

While product analytics shows you what’s happening, AI services help you act on that data instantly. Product Siddha designs and builds low-code AI-powered systems that reduce manual work, automate decisions, and create intelligent workflows across teams.

With our AI services, B2B companies can:

Automatically segment users and personalize messaging

Trigger automated campaigns based on user behavior

Streamline product feedback loops

Deliver faster support with AI chatbots and smart routing

Together, AI and analytics make your product smarter and your business more efficient. No more delayed decisions. No more data silos. Just continuous improvement powered by automation.

Our Approach: Build, Learn, Optimize

At Product Siddha, we believe innovation should be fast, measurable, and scalable. That’s why we use a 4-step framework to integrate product analytics and AI services into your workflow.

Build Real, Fast

We help you launch an MVP with just enough features to test real-world usage and start gathering data.

Learn What Matters

We set up product analytics to capture user behavior and feedback, turning that information into practical insight.

Stack Smart Tools

Our AI services integrate with your MarTech and product stack, automating repetitive tasks and surfacing real-time insights.

Optimize with Focus

Based on what you learn, we help you refine your product, personalize your messaging, and scale growth efficiently.

Why Choose Product Siddha for B2B Innovation?

We specialize in helping fast-moving B2B brands like yours eliminate complexity and move with clarity. At Product Siddha, we don’t just give you data or automation tools — we build intelligent systems that let you move from data to decisions in real time.

Our team combines deep expertise in product analytics, AI automation, and B2B marketing operations. Whether you’re building your first product or scaling an existing one, we help you:

Reduce time-to-market

Eliminate development waste

Align product and growth goals

Launch with confidence

Visit Product Siddha to explore our full range of services.

Let’s Turn Insight into Innovation

If you’re ready to use product analytics and AI services to unlock faster B2B innovation, we’re here to help. Product Siddha builds smart, scalable systems that help your teams learn faster, move faster, and grow faster.

Call us today at 98993 22826 to discover how we can turn your product data into your biggest competitive advantage.

[waldronconstruction]

How Do I Make a Renovation Plan?

Thinking about a home renovation? Whether you're sprucing up your living space, prepping a rental property, or making a house feel like home, one thing’s certain—planning is everything. A well-thought-out renovation can add serious value to your property, improve functionality, and make your home more enjoyable. But where do you start?

If you’re in Lake County, IL, working with a reputable remodeling company like Waldron Construction can make the process smoother. But before you pick up the phone, let’s break down a solid renovation plan.

Define Your Goals 

Renovations aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re about solving problems and improving your lifestyle. The clearer you are about what you want, the easier the entire process will be.

Ask yourself:

Are you remodeling for comfort, functionality, or resale value?

Do you want a quick refresh or a full-scale transformation?

Are there specific pain points in your home that drive you crazy?

For example, if your kitchen feels cramped, do you want to knock down a wall or simply add more storage? If you're flipping a house, are you focused on high-ROI upgrades like kitchens and bathrooms, or is curb appeal your top priority?

If accessibility is a concern (think aging-in-place modifications), features like wider doorways, zero-threshold showers, and smart home tech should be on your radar.

Set a Realistic Budget 

You’ve probably heard the saying: Renovations always cost more than expected. It’s true. Unexpected issues—like hidden water damage or outdated wiring—can pop up and inflate your costs. That’s why adding a 10-20% contingency buffer is smart.

When creating your budget, consider:

Labor Costs – Skilled professionals are worth every penny.

Materials – High-end finishes cost more, but sometimes a mid-range alternative gives the same look at a fraction of the price.

Permits & Inspections – Local codes may require permits, and those fees add up.

Temporary Living Arrangements – If you’re doing a full home remodel, will you need to stay elsewhere?

Be honest about what you can afford. Stretching your budget too thin can leave you with unfinished projects or rushed, low-quality work.

Create a Prioritized Wish List

We all want the dream home, but let’s be real—not every renovation is essential. To avoid blowing your budget, split your list into must-haves and nice-to-haves.

Must-Haves (Essentials):

Structural repairs (foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing)

Functional improvements (fixing layout issues, adding storage)

Safety upgrades (railings, non-slip flooring, accessibility features)

Nice-to-Haves (Luxuries):

High-end finishes (marble countertops, custom cabinetry)

Smart home upgrades (automated lighting, heated floors)

Outdoor living enhancements (fire pits, built-in grills)

If you have a strict budget, prioritize the essentials first. You can always phase in cosmetic upgrades later.

Find the Right Professionals

DIY can be tempting, especially with all the YouTube tutorials out there. But unless you’re an experienced contractor, major renovations are best left to the pros.

A licensed contractor ensures:

Compliance with local building codes

Proper permits and inspections

Professional-grade craftsmanship

Liability coverage in case something goes wrong

If you’re in Lake County, IL, Waldron Construction has a stellar reputation for home remodeling and renovations. Their team can guide you through the process, ensuring your vision becomes a reality—without the usual headaches.

Get a Timeline 

Renovations rarely go exactly as planned. Weather, supply chain delays, and hidden structural issues can all throw a wrench in your timeline.

A realistic schedule should include:

Planning & Design – 2-4 weeks

Permits & Approvals – 2-6 weeks (depends on local regulations)

Demolition & Prep Work – 1-2 weeks

Construction Phase – Varies based on scope (can be 4-12+ weeks)

Finishing Touches & Inspections – 1-2 weeks

If you need your home ready by a certain date (e.g., before the holidays or a major event), plan for some buffer time.

Choose the Right Materials & Finishes

Material selection can make or break your project. Sure, that high-end quartz countertop looks amazing, but is it worth stretching your budget?

Consider:

Durability: Will it hold up to daily wear and tear?

Maintenance: Does it require special cleaning or upkeep?

Availability: Is there a long wait time for materials to arrive?

Resale Value: Will it boost your home's marketability?

For Budget-Conscious Homeowners:

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring looks like hardwood but costs less.

Prefabricated cabinets are more affordable than custom-built ones.

Quartz countertops mimic marble but are lower maintenance.

For High-End Renovations:

Custom millwork and cabinetry

Natural stone countertops

Smart home integrations

Plan for the Disruptions

Even small renovations can turn your home into a construction zone. Be prepared for:

Dust & Noise – Cover furniture, seal off rooms, and consider earplugs.

Limited Access to Spaces – If it’s a kitchen remodel, set up a temporary meal prep area.

Scheduling Adjustments – Contractors might need to come early or work late to stay on track.

If you're renovating multiple areas, tackle one space at a time instead of gutting everything at once.

Inspections & Final Walkthrough

Before considering the project finished, do a detailed walkthrough with your contractor. Look for:

Unfinished paint touch-ups

Cabinet doors and drawers that don’t close properly

Flooring or tile imperfections

Any last-minute adjustments needed

Don’t be afraid to ask for fixes—it’s your home, and you should be 100% happy with the results.

Ready to Get Started?

A well-planned renovation doesn’t just add beauty—it improves functionality, comfort, and even home value. Whether updating a single room or doing a full-scale remodel, the key is planning and working with the right team.

If you're in Lake County, IL, let Waldron Construction bring your vision to life. With expert craftsmanship and personalized service, they’ll help you create a beautiful and functional home.

Call Waldron Construction today at (224) 788-9173 to discuss your renovation plans!

[canonfatbisexualenby]

Word Count: 3k+

Rating: PG

Pairing: Sara x P.am B.eesly

Sara finished booting down her computer, sighing as the screen turned black. She adjusted her glasses and fixed her headband back into place.

She turned her head to peer over at the reception desk, glancing at her co-worker, Pam Beesly.

The previous night she and Sara had kissed, after a couple of beers at the local dive, Poor Richard’s.

Sara had honestly been pleasantly surprised by the experience. She’d been crushing on Pam for awhile, especially since the night of the booze cruise. And she didn’t have much hope for Pam returning her feelings, initially.

At the time of the cruise, Pam was engaged to Roy. Sara was also aware of Jim’s not so subtle feelings towards the woman. At least, it was obvious to her.

Now Jim was at another job and Pam had called off the wedding. The days between learning of her breakup and the kiss, Sara wasn’t sure Pam was into other women, let alone her.

It wasn’t exactly casual work talk. And Sara, up until now, had very few opportunities to be alone with Pam.

The day Michael learned of his old boss’s death, Pam had gone above and beyond to make sure he was comforted, which was something even she struggled with sometimes (and he was her uncle, though only Pam knew). Even though the gesture wasn’t for her, it showed what a kind nature and heart Pam had.

Sara figured at the very least she could commend Pam for said kindness. And the night had ended up even better than she had imagined.

But she had put a damper on it due to her own personal code. She didn’t date co-workers and explained as much to Pam. Besides that, she definitely didn’t want to feel as if she was taking advantage of Pam at a vulnerable time in her life.

But there was the deeper, heart controlled part of her that wanted so deeply to be with Pam. She didn’t know if it would ever lead to anything serious. She didn’t even know if Pam would be willing to even go so far as to be ‘casual’. But her brain told her it was a bad idea and would only lead to heartbreak. She figured eventually she’d have to tell Pam as much.

She pushed her chair in and grabbed her coat. As she was putting it on, she noticed Pam walk towards her desk clump. She looked down at her feet briefly, examining her moderately beat up Mary Janes as she tried to compose her facial expression to something neutral.

“Uh...” she heard the woman say. She looked up, Pam giving a small half smile as their eyes met.

“I’m sorry if it felt like I was avoiding you, I just had to keep an eye on Michael pretty much all day, per Jan’s instructions.”

Sara nodded and chuckled slightly. “No worries.” She pushed her glasses up and grabbed her scarf.

“Can we talk?” Pam spoke low. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and glanced around the room for a second.

Sara felt a drop in her stomach as the other woman’s bright green eyes looked into hers. She knew they’d eventually have to confront the whole kiss situation, but she was hoping she’d have a bit more time to mentally and verbally prepare.

“Of course.” Sara nibbled at her lip briefly “I would’ve texted you, but I don’t have your number. And I figured this was a little sensitive to talk about over work e-mail.”

Pam nodded in agreement. “I was thinking maybe we could go to that new coffee place, the one sort of near the mall.” She smiled. Sara felt her face flush slightly, picturing the two of them ‘alone’ together in a café. She worried if anyone they knew would somehow be there, but figured Pam knew what she was doing.

“Okay.” Sara smiled back.

“I have to do a few more things to finish up here, but I’ll meet you there as soon as possible.” Pam said. Sara shot her a thumbs up.

Sara entered the café. They must have opened fairly recently, as not many people were there. And, luckily, especially no one they knew from the office.

She decided she’d treat Pam to a coffee. It was embarrassing to admit but she had overheard (and slightly committed to memory) her coffee order a few times in the past and knew she liked it with cream, sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

She went up to the counter and ordered. She heard someone enter and turned her head to look.

She saw Pam taking her coat off. Sara made sure she looked presentable before calling her over, peeking at her reflection in the pastry display case. Pam beamed brightly as she walked towards Sara.

“I got you a coffee, I hope that’s okay.” Sara said, making her way towards the delivery area.

“Oh, of course, thanks.” Pam placed her hand on the lower part of Sara’s back, but as soon as the barista made his way towards them, pulled away.

Sara simply looked over at the coffees, trying not to overthink it. She figured Pam just wasn’t the touchy-feely type in public. Well, at least during the day when she was completely sober. Especially with someone who most would assume was ‘just a friend’.

“You like a dash of cinnamon, right?” Sara said quickly and slightly under her breath. Pam looked down at the coffees and smiled. “Yea...” she bit her lip briefly, raising her hand to grab her cup. She looked back up at Sara. “You remembered?”

Sara nodded, trying hard not to look down. She wasn’t used to looking at or talking to Pam this much. At least, she hadn’t quite adapted to it. But she knew they had quite a bit of talking ahead of them. And getting to look at Pam for a prolonged period of time wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

They walked over to a table in the very back. Sara hooked her canvas tote bag on the edge of her chair and laid her coat down along the edge. She sat and grabbed her coffee, taking a small sip as Pam got comfortable.

Pam smoothed the bottom of her skirt as she sat, sighing slightly.

“So...” Pam started, looking down at her cup.

Sara stared at the wrought iron table and contemplated what to say next. She knew this was a new type of situation for Pam, and wanted to approach it as tenderly as she could.

“So...” Sara simply parroted, tapping her bare fingernails against her thigh.

“I just wanted to say...” Pam fumbled with her curly honey brown hair. “If I did anything to make you uncomfortable, or make our friendship weird, or...” she looked straight at Sara, eyebrows in a worried expression.

Sara opened her mouth but nothing came out. She didn’t know where to start. How did she explain, simply, that she had wanted to kiss Pam as much as she had seemingly wanted to kiss her? How that’s nearly all she thought about when she drifted off to sleep alone at night? How she thought she’d never get to know her intimately during their short time on this planet?

She hesitantly and gingerly placed her hand near Pam’s. She considered stroking the other woman’s hand, but figured this wasn’t the place.

“Pam, I...” Sara started, pulling her hand back into her lap. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for a really long time.” she looked down and allowed her hair to fall past her face.

“At least since the booze cruise. I just, didn’t think I’d ever be able to tell you.” Sara mumbled, nibbling at her lip and sighing.

“And as much as I said I regretted kissing you last night for, uh, ethical reasons, I was actually really, really happy we got to.”

Sara looked back up at Pam, who was seemingly in thought. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and took another sip of coffee.

“I say all that to say, you didn’t make me uncomfortable. Or ruin our friendship. If anything you were brave enough to do something I only dreamed about.”

“So you really do like me?” Pam said somewhat suddenly as she took a sip, almost cutting the other woman off. Sara inhaled, processing how to answer the question.

“Well...yeah.” She placed her hands in her lap and starting fumbling with the edge of her sleeves peeking out of her cardigan. “I guess I just thought I was pretty obvious about it.”

Pam looked down and grinned. Sara smiled at herself as she caught her expression. “Though I had no idea you felt the same...” Sara trailed off, barely audible. Pam looked back up and softly chuckled.

“Like I said last night at the bar, you don’t talk a lot at work, so I guess initially I thought we were just co-workers who got along well enough.” Pam explained “But when you said all that stuff about me being kind at the bar...you just had this twinkle in your eye that I usually only see when someone has the hots for somebody.” Pam laughed again.

“Even then, you didn’t outright say ‘I like you’, so I felt like maybe I made the wrong decision initiating the kiss. To be honest, I worried about all last night and today.” Pam placed her hand on the back of her neck, rubbing it slightly.

“Oh...” Sara nodded and stared at her lap. “No...I’m really sorry if what I said in response to the kiss was too harsh or hurt your feelings, I was just...” Sara felt her cheeks flush “Really taken aback by everything.” She looked back up to see Pam gleaming.

“Yeah...” Pam replied “Me too.” she squinted her eyes as she smiled wider. Sara smiled back and took another sip of coffee, diverting her gaze to the floor.

She counted in her head, trying to think of something to say back within a five second interval. Her heart was pounding and she felt her upper lip begin to bead with sweat. She had never been good with expressing ‘romantic’ type feelings, especially with other women. But she couldn’t just say nothing.

“I-!” She looked up, suddenly speaking. Pam raised her eyebrows slightly, looking a bit perplexed.

Sara cleared her throat and looked directly at Pam.

“Maybe I’m just caught up in the greatness of this moment. And you totally don’t have to agree to what I’m about to say...but I feel like I need to say it.”

Pam placed her hands together on the table and looked intently at Sara.

She felt nervous as Pam’s eyes pierced through hers, waiting patiently for what she was about to say next. She wanted to seem cool and coy in her delivery. She didn’t want to stutter. She prayed she didn’t make a complete fool of herself as she felt the words rising.

“I’d really like to see you again. Platonically and romantically.” Sara tried to keep her voice steady as Pam’s eyes twinkled in the low light of the café. “You don’t have to answer me right now, I don’t want to put you on the spot. But I really hope you feel the same way.”

Pam took a moment, seemingly to process everything that had just been said, then nodded.

“Hey...” she responded, finally speaking. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small notebook and pen. Sara watched with curiosity as she began writing. Pam tore the piece of paper she’d written on out and passed it to her.

Sara looked down and saw a series of numbers. Not just numbers, but a phone number. Pam’s phone number.

“Thank you...” Sara replied quietly. Pam smiled “No problem!”

“Let me give you mine, you know, just in case.” Sara put Pam’s slip of paper in her wallet. She moved her hand to the pen and paper “May I?” Pam nodded and smiled again.

Sara tried to steady her hand and write neatly, thoughts of what she had just proposed rushing through her mind. And she infamously had chicken scratch for handwriting on a good day.

She surveyed her ‘work’. It was a readable as it was going to be. She clicked the pen and pushed the items back towards Pam.

Pam looked down quickly and smiled, delicately closing the notebook and placing it back in her purse.

After about fifteen more minutes of casual chitchat, Pam yawned and lifted her hands above her head to stretch.

“Well, my stomach is telling me I should probably get back to my apartment to make dinner and get something on all this coffee.” She grinned.

Sara smiled back. “I definitely feel you on that.” She stood and pushed her chair out delicately. She grabbed her coat and put it on. As she reached for her scarf, Pam beat her to it.

“Here, let me help you with that.” Pam said gently, almost a whisper. Sara felt her cheeks flush as the woman lifted the royal blue accessory. She tried to carefully survey the premises, making sure no one was peeping in on their intimate moment.

As she looked around, she suddenly felt Pam behind her, pulling her dark mousy brown hair to the side. She tried to not to act too startled by the sudden touch. Her emotions overwhelmed her slightly though, so she shut her eyes for a minute.

She heard the woman chuckle slightly. Pam’s hands delicately brushed against Sara’s shoulders as she draped the fabric around her neck. Sara could smell her perfume. Her knees felt weak.

“There.” She heard Pam say low and close to her ear. She opened her eyes and let them adjust to the light.

Pam was getting her things together, no one else but her paying any kind of mind to what just occurred.

Sara touched the scarf and felt her face flush even more.

“May I walk you out?” She heard someone say.

She looked over and saw Pam smiling widely. Sara sputtered her words slightly “S-sure! I would love-yeah.” She heard herself say. She heard Pam giggle and giggled back, figuring it was more of a ‘with her’ laugh than ‘at her’ laugh. So much for being cool and coy.

As they got to Sara’s old gold sedan, memories of the previous night flashed through her head. She got to the driver’s door and turned towards Pam.

“Thanks.” She said. Pam nodded and smiled.

“No worries, thank you.” Pam replied. Sara raised her eyebrows slightly.

“For what?” She asked, messing with the strap of her bag. Pam chuckled softly and briefly looked at the ground.

“For being willing to come out here and talk about what happened. To be honest, Roy wasn’t the greatest about discussing his feelings.” She looked back up at Sara, smiling. But somewhat sadly.

“Oh...” Sara suddenly felt bad for asking. She shook the feeling as best as she could and smiled back. “It’s no problem.”

Pam nodded. “Hey...” she spoke. Sara waited for her to continue. Pam lifted her arm and softly placed her hand on Sara’s shoulder.

Sara felt her stomach drop. Surely Pam wouldn’t be foolish enough to kiss her in broad daylight. She braced herself either way.

“Get back safe.” Pam smiled widely and moved her thumb slowly, brushing against Sara’s black peacoat. Sara felt herself exhale and gave a slight half grin.

“You too, Pam.” Sara replied as she felt Pam’s fingers continue to move against her coat. “I had a really nice time.”

Pam pulled her into a brief hug. The mild autumn wind made their hair entangle slightly. Sara felt her eyes shut as Pam squeezed softly.

“Me too.” Pam spoke close to her ear. She pulled back and gave Sara’s shoulder one last squeeze.

“I’ll talk to you soon.” She waved slightly and turned to walk to her own car.

Sara didn’t know if it was the tender hug or the brisk air, but her cheeks were burning.

Sara began toasting the bread for her dinner, tonight’s being egg salad sandwiches. She knew her roommate would be home soon, so she had to prepare pretty quickly.

As she was spreading the egg mixture onto the bread, she heard her phone ding. She turned around to face the small kitchen island. Grabbing a few paper towels to wipe off her hands, she picked up the phone when they were clean.

She saw Pam’s name on the outside screen, next to the tiny envelope icon. Her heart started beating.

She felt like a schoolgirl getting a reply to a love letter. It was almost too nerve wracking for her to open it.

She nibbled on her lip, contemplating about whether or not to look at the message now. Maybe it would be best to wait.

She suddenly regretted her choice for making something so rich, fearing if she got bad news it’d ruin her night and make her food not settle well.

Before she could think on it much longer, the phone beeped again. She feared Pam might think she was ignoring her, so she opened it, but slowly.

She opened her text application and closed her eyes. She wasn’t exactly religious but she decided now would be a good time for a small prayer. She crossed her fingers and held her breath as she opened her eyes.

‘Hey! It’s me, Pam :-)! I hope your night is going as well as our little meeting this afternoon did!! I’ve given it some thought and decided that I’m in. I want to know you better and I mean that in a ‘romantic’ sense ;-)! ❤️‘

Sara felt a weight lift from her shoulders, her body relaxing and filling with warmth as she fully comprehended the message.

She remembered the second one and opened it.

‘That is, if you’re still in, of course.’

She chuckled to herself and started typing to reply as quickly as she could.

‘I’m definitely in ❤️‘

As she hit ‘send’, she heard the front door open. She quickly flipped her cellphone shut and walked back over to the counter to finish preparing the sandwiches.

“Hey!” Her roommate Taylor walked in, slightly out of breath due to their apartment being on the third floor. She wasn’t as heavy as Sara, but they both didn’t exercise much, outside of the trek up to their home.

“I’m finishing up dinner, if you’d like some.” Sara replied softly, head still in the clouds from Pam’s message.

Taylor walked over and looked at the food. “Ooo, egg salad sandwiches!” She playfully licked her lips and smiled. Sara chuckled.

“You seem to be in a particularly good mood today.” Taylor started to take her cardigan off. Sara noticed herself still smiling. She turned her head towards the counter and mumbled “Oh, uh, yeah...”

“Work went...surprisingly well today.” Sara said, handing Taylor her sandwich. Taylor nodded while chewing.

Sara walked towards their living room and sat down on the floral loveseat. Taylor continued to eat while she took the recliner. She turned on the television and flipped through stations.

Sara started to eat, still thinking about how lucky and ecstatic she felt over Pam confirming she liked her too. She couldn’t wait to go to work in the morning.

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