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[mr-hyde-on-the-move]

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[balu88r-blog]

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[talentos]

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Tecnologías Innovadoras de Exhibición ¿Quieres vender más y ganar más dinero? MagicWall®: Holografía en la moda y la exhibición comercial Ayudamos a las tiendas a conseguir más ventas mediante estrategias inteligentes de marketing, exhibición, ecommerce, video, foto y publicidad. Tecnologías Innovadoras de Exhibición El famoso mensaje holográfico de auxilio de la Princesa Leia en “Star Wars:…

[digitialwonderland]

Bells and Stripes

Chapter 5 Previous

When you woke up the next morning, there was the steady pound off two hearts. One against your back, the other against your chest. Warmth was all around you, perfectly inescapable.

Your lashes fluttered open, and your body slowly stretched out. You were going to yawn, but a hushed voice cut you off. “Shhh, darling, Johnny is still asleep.” Simon’s chest rumbled against yours like a steady purr as he spoke. In the next moment, you felt his hand as it sank into your hair and gently combed it away from your face.

A soft, pleased hum escaped you, followed not shortly after by a smile that felt like it was melting over your lips. “Good morning,” you murmured in the softest of whispers. Before you could even look up at him, his lips were meeting yours.

They moved slowly, languidly, as if to seal every moment of last night against your skin. His hand moved to cup your jaw, keeping you right there as he slowly pulled away. “Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?”

You nodded mindlessly, still caught in the pleasant, drifting warmth of the morning kiss. When your eyes finally opened fully, you took a moment to just soak him in. His hair was messy and spiked awkwardly, his cheeks were slightly rosy still. Dark marks decorated his neck and collar bone, some from you, some you don’t remember leaving. He looked perfect, with his handsome features softened and his lips curled in an easy smile. “Mhmm, did you?” You asked while tucking your head under his chin.

Every word vibrated through you, leaving pleasant, warm waves in their wake. “Best nights rest of my life.” There was a soft grumble behind you, where you felt Johnnys arm coil tighter around your waist. “He’s like a bear…” Simon chuckled.

“Ai,” Johnny mumbled, still half asleep as he nuzzled into the back of your neck. “Only before breakfast.” A wave of giggles and laughter passed over you and Simon. Only stirring poor Johnny further from sleep. He grumbled once more, slowly releasing you as he rolled onto his back and raked his hand through his hair.

You rolled over, turning to watch him. He too looked debauched in the most perfect fashion. Light red scratch marks lined his chest and biceps, and hickies dotted various spots on his neck. Still, he had a deeply satisfied look about him. Every muscle was relaxed and a pleasant smile lingered on his lips. “So grumpy…” you chided lightly, “here I thought it would be Simon who couldn’t get up in the morning.”

“I’ll try to not think too far into that,” Simon coiled his arm around you and tucked his face against your neck. “For your information, I’ve been up for nearly half an hour.” Another laugh bubbled from your lips as his connected in feather-like kisses over your neck and pulse. Where they danced over your own markings from the previous night. Johnny had finally gained enough sense to open his eyes, and now watched with a small smirk. “Such a pretty thing.” He murmured, his voice rough with sleep as he reached up and gently cupped your chin. “Such a pretty, mischievous, forbidden thing.”

The moment hung in the air, drawn out as you stared into his deep, tired eyes. There was a peace that seemed to surround all of you, like a time capsule. Forever keeping that moment in the protective hands of affection. Johnny leaned up, pressing a gently kiss to your forehead. “We need to get up before Price comes to check on how things went.”

Simon froze, his arm tensed and tightened around you. “Shit. Yeah, we need to get up.” He looked up at Johnny and quickly started to slide out of bed. “Do you think he’ll know?”

Johnny only chuckled, “have you seen all of us? It’s impossible for him to not at least be suspicious.”

You three hastily got dressed and made effort to hide what was painfully obvious. By the time you were done, the room had been anxiously cleaned, all three of you had painstakingly scrubbed yourselves clean, and you had been put in your most modest dress. Which thankfully covered your neck enough to hide any remnants of the night before.

Luckily, Simon’s uniform hid the majority of his skin, making it nearly impossible for anyone to peek at the markings on his neck. Johnny had the toughest luck, his costume left his neck fully exposed.

“There’s not much more I can do.” You murmured, tapping even more makeup onto his neck. He stood patiently in front of you, head tilted back and his hands resting on your hips as you sat on your bathroom countertop. “Some of these are too dark to cover completely.”

A lazy, charming smirk crawled over his lips. “Oh I wonder who I have to blame?” That earned him a firm scowl from you, but he only chuckled. “Don’t act like you aren’t proud, sweetheart…” he reached up and gently toyed with the lace on your dresses collar. “I know I am.”

There was a swift, firm knock at the door. One that sent all three of you into a panic. “One moment!” You called, scrambling off the counter and trying to find a spot with the perfect, respectful, unassuming distance between you and the guys. Who were also doing the same. After a few moments of our anxiety, you finally called out. “Come in!”

The door swung open, revealing Price who was leaning against the doorframe, a knowing smile painted over his lips. His eyes scanned over all three of you, picking out every detail. “So,” he drawled, smiling to himself. “How did last night go? Any luck finding the culprit?”

“No! No luck!”

“Nope! It was boring!”

“No culprit here!”

He chuckled, shaking his head as if he already knew everything. Did he? Looking back at all of you, his keen gaze pressed down on all three of you. “Hmmm…no dice? That’s tough. Good thing I know who did it.”

Every thought came to a stuttering halt. “You…WHAT?!” Simultaneously, you, Simon, and Johnny were all sent into a spiral of confusion. How long had he known? Why the hell would he tell you to all spend the night together?

Questions flew from Johnny and Simon, all of the same sort. Why? What? And who? Price, who still seemed as calm as a sailor in a storm, lifted his hands to quiet everyone. Once the room fell into silence, he finally spoke. “Johnny, Simon, are you two getting along now?”

Once again, confusion and silence became the common theme. “Y-yes?” “Ai.” Both answered, watching the man in front of them as he stepped into the room and focused his attention in on you. “Princess, did you have a good night?”

Now it was your turn to be confused. But the pieces slowly started to fall into place. Oh. Oh. A smile crawled over your lips and stung at your cheeks. “Yes, it was a great night.”

Price smiled down at you, clearly pleased with the answer. “Good,” he straightened, shooting both Simon and Johnny a lasting look before taking a few steps to the side. “I would like to introduce to you all my apprentice, Kyle Garrick.”

Just then, a man only a year your senior stepped into the doorway. His skin was dark and his eyes glimmered an almost golden hue. He was handsome, but not in the same way as Johnny was rugged or Simon was clean cut. Kyle was beautiful, he had high cheekbones, full lips and a pleasant physique that lacked the scarring men typically gained with the muscle.

“GAZ?!” Simon barked in utter disbelief, “it was you?!”

Gaz ducked his head sheepishly, looking over at Price. But all John did was gesture for him to step forward. You knew this man, had seen him many times, but very rarely had you ever spoken. This shy man was the one who had left you the flower?

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, straightening and trying to look all three of you in the eye. “I didn’t realize that I would cause offense.” The words sounded so orchestrated and practiced on his tongue you could see Price biting back another chuckle.

Both Johnny and Simon stepped forward to say something, but you spoke first. “It’s okay Kyle, a flower is nothing to apologize for.” There was a hush that fell over the room in response. Gaz watched you intently, his eyes sparkling with a hope that almost made your heart melt. Johnny quickly grabbed your hand in his and guided your attention to him. “Make sure you are okay with this before you continue.” He murmured under his breath.

You looked back at him, and searched his neutral but concerned expression. “Are you okay with this?” You asked in return, trying to keep your voice low enough for Gaz to not hear.

Johnny seemed to think about it for a moment, but only smirked. “Like I said, I’m okay with a lot more than you would expect.” He shrugged, but then his eyes darted up to Simon, “I would ask the big guy though.”

When you turned, Simon looked tense. His eyes had hardened into a firm, critical glare as they bounced between Gaz and Price. The muscles in his jaw and arms ticked, like he would be ready for action at any moment. You reached out, gently slipping your hand into his. “Simon…”

His eyes flicked down to you, widening at first but then softening. “Is this okay with you?” You asked feeling your voice come out almost feather light, like he might shatter if you misspoke.

He didn’t speak for a long moment, then his eyes flicked up to Johnny, where they remained before he looked back down at you and spoke. “I want whatever makes you happy…if you’re comfortable with it, then I am.” Even after this response, you waited before looking back at Gaz.

“Okay then, seems like we’re all on the same page.”

Gaz looked between all three of you, his eyes slightly wider than they were before. “You three are a-“

Price quickly cut him off and placed a hand on his shoulder. “How about we all get back to our usual duties.” He passed a soft but firm smile between all of you. “No need to discuss things further until we have all got our wits more firmly about us.”

Gaz nodded absentmindedly and let Price guide him out the door. But before leaving himself, he Price cast a look back at you, Simon, and Johnny. “I hope you three are aware of the secrecy that you must maintain this with.” He gave you all a firm look. “Be careful, nothing funny today”.

Then, he slipped out the door, leaving it open as he did. Your hands slipped quickly out of Simon and Johnny’s. You three stood in silence for a long moment as emotions swirled. Now, everything was out, the relationship, the feelings, the night, it was all up in the air and floating around your heads. But there was also a sense of danger that remained intimately close to the warm and fuzzy emotions. In just a few hours, you had stepped into something completely unorthodox and forbidden. And now you were standing in the forbidden with not one, but four men. Five if you counted Price as being the all knowing confidant that he had somehow made himself.

How could you possibly step forward and act normal? More importantly. How could you possibly move forward and be a part of your matrimonial ceremonies?

In less than a week, you were meant to enter into the process of finding a husband of royal blood. What were you going to do?

I love Price being the partner in crime :)

[gravity-between-us]

Gravity Between Us

Chapter 2: Tidal Forces

Summary: Caleb and I have known each other for as long as I can remember. We were once childhood friends, our bond as natural as the stars in the sky. But now, everything has changed. What used to feel like a safe, familiar orbit between us now pulses with unspoken desire.

Our friendship is no longer enough to keep the tension at bay, and the distance between us feels unbearable. Secrets, lies, and unhealed wounds stand in our way. I don’t know if we can survive this new gravity pulling us together... but I can’t keep pretending I don’t want to try.

Pairing: Female! MC x Caleb

Spoilers: Spoilers for Caleb's Myth's as well as memories. Read at your own risk for these. Lore spoilers.

WARNINGS:

Unlikely to be completely canon. The other love interests will not be likely to appear in this fic.

MC is named. MC is socially awkward. MC can be depressed at times.

Very? Slow Burn.

Very explicit smut (Chapter 12 onward): PiV/oral (male and female receiving)/anal sex. Fingering. First time. Pet names (angel, babe, baby, pip-squeak). Kinks: Praise, breeding, creampie, light dom/sub. Rough. Some consensual degradation talk (MC is into it). Probably many, many more that I am forgetting to name. If you see one that should be listed that isn't, feel free to let me know. (MC is a repressed deviant, and so is Caleb.)

Awkward blend of darker moments, angst, fluff, and humour.

Drinking. Questionable life decisions. MC spirals.

Protective Caleb. Both MC and Caleb are a little obsessive and overly protective of each other, which could be considered an unhealthy relationship.

We will revisit memory scenes, but they will be different from the memories in-game.

As proofread as I can get it, but not beta read, so probably some mistakes.

Limited plot - most focus is just on their relationship and interactions.

More warnings could be applied, but as a general rule of thumb, please read at your own risk and do not continue if you find the content triggering.

The store Caleb takes me to is nothing short of outrageous. It boasts an overwhelming array of high-end furniture, each piece embedded with entirely unnecessary tech. 

Do couches really need built-in speakers? Cup holders that can heat and cool drinks on demand? Recliners that give you a full-body massage while simulating the sound of a crackling fireplace? I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these beds came with an AI that whispered affirmations while you slept.

I try not to look at the price tags. I really do. But the few glimpses I accidentally catch nearly send me into cardiac arrest. Who in their right mind pays this much for a coffee table? Is it made of enchanted wood? Will it levitate and brew coffee for me in the morning?

Still, despite my incredulous muttering, the second I so much as glance at an item with a hint of interest, Caleb is on it. He either picks it up or scans it into his virtual cart with the efficiency of someone who doesn’t care about financial consequences.

“Caleb,” I hiss as he casually adds an absurdly expensive throw blanket to the list. “You don’t have to—”

“You like it,” he says simply, as if that settles everything.

“That’s not a reason to buy it!”

He gives me a pointed look. “In my book, it is.”

I stare at him, then at the virtual cart, then back at him. “You know this is insane, right?”

“Of course,” he grins. “But at least you’ll be comfy while sufferin’ through it.”

“Caleb, seriously. This is too much!” I protest, but he tilts his head, as if I’m speaking a language he’s never heard before. “Some of this stuff costs more than my entire yearly salary!”

“Well,” he muses, lips twitching, “you could always join the Fleet as my permanent adjutant. I’d make sure you’re well compensated—great benefits, too. And you’d have the world’s coolest boss.”

I bump my shoulder against his, and though he tries to bite back a grin, laughter slips through anyway. It’s effortless—this rhythm between us—jokes, banter, a dance we’ve long since mastered. Just like that, my earlier hesitation melts away, dissolving like mist in the morning sun.

As we weave through the aisles, a massive apple plushie perched high on a shelf catches my eye.

“I want that,” I announce, pointing.

Caleb follows my line of sight, then snorts. “Really? Where are you even going to put that thing?”

“In my bed,” I reply, as if the answer is obvious. “Where else?”

He hums, rubbing his chin in exaggerated thought. “Ah, I see. Trying to replace me with the plushie.”

For a fleeting second, his expression cracks, but it’s gone before I can name it, replaced by his usual teasing smirk.

“It’s way up there,” he mentions. “How do you plan on getting it down?”

“I’ll go get a—”

Before I can finish, gravity bends around me, and I rise effortlessly into the air. Caleb’s Evol.

“Trust me, pip-squeak?”

“With my life.”

The ascent is smooth and steady. I remember when he was still learning, when his control would slip and send me rocketing into the sky. I used to beg him to launch me straight into space—just to see if he could.

I reach for the plushie, securing it in my arms, and flash him a triumphant thumbs-up. Seconds later, my feet meet solid ground once more. Caleb takes the apple from me, inspecting it with pursed lips, clearly unimpressed by my choice.

“Come on. Let’s pay for this,” he sighs. “If I don’t get food in you soon, I’ll be dealing with a grump.”

“You!” I gasp, swatting his chest in mock outrage. “I do not get grumpy when I’m hungry!”

He levels me with a knowing look. “Remember that time at the amusement park when you sat down in the middle of the walkway and refused to move because the restaurant was ‘too far away’?”

“Nope,” I chirp, shaking my head, smile as innocent as I can manage. “Pretty sure you’re making that up.”

“I wish I was. I had to carry you all the way there while you pouted.”

I roll my eyes but concede with a dramatic sigh. “Fine. But can we eat at home? I think I’m all ‘people’d out’ for the day.”

“Sure thing.” Caleb nods, digging through his pockets for the car keys. “I’ll pay for this stuff and meet you outside.”

I hesitate, uneasy about leaving him with the bill. But, luckily, I have a secret weapon.

When Caleb was declared dead, his accounts were transferred to me—next of kin. I never touched them, but I’m almost certain I still have access. I make a mental note to quietly transfer some funds back.

I remember how, for months after his funeral, I kept paying his cellphone bill. On the loneliest nights, I would call—just to hear his voice when the voicemail picked up. Sometimes I’d do it over and over, as if pressing redial could summon him back.

Now, I wonder… did he have his phone all along?

Did he listen to the messages where I wept, where I whispered how much I missed him? Did he hear the ones where I told him I loved him and I was lost without him?

And still, he never reached out.

A part of me can’t let go of that. A quiet, aching resentment curls in my chest—he could have sent me a sign. When we were kids, we spoke in codes, messages woven into the mundane, undetectable to anyone but us. 

It started as a game—to hide our plans from Gran when we snuck chocolates instead of fruit from the store—but over time, it became our own secret language.

Could he not have used that?

I don’t know. Maybe it’s better that way.

But the bitterness lingers, a quiet ghost pressing against the edges of my thoughts, whispering of things I cannot change.

The rain had been relentless that day. A cold, unyielding downpour that seeped into my skin, soaked through my black dress, and weighed heavy in my hair. I remember how the world blurred—water streaking down my face, mixing with the tears I couldn’t stop.

Caleb’s funeral had been full of people, but I only remember fragments. The gleaming rows of dress uniforms, white gloves curled into fists, polished boots sinking into the mud. His squadmates stood like statues, their grief hidden behind rigid salutes and solemn faces. The flag draped over his casket was crisp, untouched by the rain, as if it existed in a different reality—one where he was still alive. One where I wasn’t standing there, drowning in loss.

I couldn’t stop staring at the casket. At the smooth, dark wood that felt so impersonal, so unlike him. Caleb had been all warmth and laughter, a constant force in my life. Then, he was just… gone.

My hands curled around the small object I’d been holding all day—a tiny metal toy plane. His favourite, the one he used to fly across the room as a kid, making dramatic explosion sounds as he crashed it onto my bed. He’d left it behind when he went to the academy, and I’d kept it ever since, tucked away like a piece of him I could hold onto.

My fingers trembled as I placed it gently against the gravestone, the silver wings catching the dim light before the rain dulled their shine.

“You were supposed to take me with you,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “You promised, remember?”

The words felt small, swallowed by the storm. I clenched my teeth, hating how fragile they sounded. Hating him, just a little, for leaving me behind. I stayed long after the funeral ended, long after the others had left and the mud swallowed their footprints. My body ached from the cold, but I couldn’t leave him.

“I hate you for this,” I murmured, pressing my fingers against the stone. “For making me go on without you.”

The wind howled in response, tugging at my dress, but I didn’t move. Not until I had nothing left to say. Not until my fingers were numb and my chest felt hollow. Only then did I turn away.

The slam of a car door jolts me back. I blink, my vision still blurred, though I’m not sure if it’s from the memory or the tears I’d failed to hold back. With a quiet breath, I swipe at my face before Caleb can see, forcing a smile as he slides into the driver’s seat, entirely unaware of the storm still raging inside me.

"Alright," he says, stretching with a satisfied sigh. "Let’s get out of here before I bankrupt myself buying you plushies."

His voice is light and teasing, a stark contrast to the weight pressing against my ribs. But that’s how it’s always been, hasn’t it? Caleb, the sun. Me, the storm.

I nod, tucking my emotions away. "Yeah. Let’s go."

Evening unfurls over Skyhaven in slow, gilded waves, like ink spilling across a golden page. The sun sinks toward the horizon, its last defiant rays piercing the heavens, setting the sky ablaze in smouldering hues of copper, crimson, and molten saffron. The clouds cradle the light in their billowing arms, their edges kissed by fire, their centers fading into soft, dusky violet.

From Caleb’s house, perched high above the world, the sky feels boundless, a shifting sea of colour and light. Wisps of cloud curl around the balcony like phantom tendrils, stirring lazily with the wind, their delicate forms dissolving and reforming with each breath of the heavens. They drift apart, as if intoxicated by the sunset’s beauty, slipping like fleeting dreams from memory.

As the last of the sun’s radiance retreats below the horizon, twilight rolls in like a whisper. Stars begin to blink awake—hesitant at first, like shy performers stepping onto a grand stage—before scattering themselves boldly across the sky. A deep, endless blue spreads overhead, a celestial canvas dusted with pearl-like stars.

The air shifts, losing the warmth of day, as the wind carries the crisp scent of rain yet to fall, mingling with the distant, charged hum of the city below. Skyhaven finds itself suspended in a world between, where the ground is a distant memory and the stars feel close enough to touch.

I reach up into the abyssal depths, as if I might be able to hold the starlight in my palm. My heart cracks open in the cold, where nobody will hear it cry. My Evol shines, gilded against the bruised hues of the sky. I know I can’t resonate with the stars, but that’s never stopped me from trying. Their beauty is haunting, ethereal in its eminence. Sometimes I wonder: if I can’t have my freedom, why can they?

“Whatcha doing?” Caleb’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and my Evol flares bright, like a star collapsing in on itself for a split second before I pull it back.

“Nothing,” I reply, my hand quickly shrinking back to my chest.

“You used to do that as a kid, you know.” Caleb’s tone is casual, but he doesn’t miss a beat, ignoring my half-hearted attempt to hide my thoughts. “When it wouldn’t work, you’d beg me to lift you closer to the sky.”

“Well,” I shrug nonchalantly, shaking my head with a playful grin, “I still can’t resonate with the stars, but I have a feeling you might be able to launch me into orbit at this point.”

Caleb’s gaze lingers on the sky with an unfamiliar weight, a strange despondency I rarely see from him. He stares into the vastness, as if searching for something, his fingers absentmindedly cradling his chin.

“I might be able to,” he muses, his voice trailing off.

The wind tousles his hair, and the scent of rain stirs in the air as he stays lost in thought, eyes fixed on the heavens.

I nudge his side lightly. “If you’re seriously considering launching me into orbit, I should at least get a helmet first. It’s only fair.”

His lips twitch with amusement as he turns to me. “Oh, please. Like a little thing like space would stop you. You’d probably just show up back here, annoyed the moon wasn’t as impressive up close.”

“I would be mad,” I admit with a dramatic sigh. “I bet it’s just a bunch of boring rocks.”

“Exactly, and then I’d have to listen to you complain about it for days.”

“You love listening to me complain,” I counter, grinning wide.

“Hm. ‘Love’ is a strong word,” he teases, feigning deep thought before shaking his head. “I’d say ‘tolerate.’”

I place a hand over my heart, feigning a deep wound. “Wow. Here I was, ready to let you be my first pick when I take dominion over the stars. Guess I’ll have to go with someone who actually appreciates me instead.”

Caleb snorts, his earlier melancholy melting away into laughter. “Yeah, yeah. You do that. In the meantime, dinner’s ready. Unless you want to continue your existential crisis out here?”

“As tempting as that sounds, I guess I’ll come eat.”

“Generous of you,” he retorts playfully, turning on his heel to head inside. “Try not to overthrow the celestial order before dessert.”

“No promises.”

I follow him into the warmth of the house, leaving the stars to their untouchable freedom. Caleb moves easily in the kitchen, his back to me as he plates up dinner. I’ve always known he’s a good cook—it’s one of those facts about him I never really thought much about before.

Just like I never really thought about the way his sleeves are rolled up to his forearms, revealing strong hands and those unfairly attractive forearms. 

Since when have forearms been attractive?

I linger in the doorway, watching him longer than necessary before forcing myself to move forward. “So, what’s on the menu? Something extravagant? Or just your usual ‘Caleb masterpiece’?”

He glances over his shoulder, smirking. “First of all, all of my meals are masterpieces.”

I scoff, trying to sound unaffected. “Debatable.”

“Second of all,” he continues, turning back to the plates, “braised short ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, and a side of vegetables. You know, because I care about your well-being.”

I blink, momentarily lost for words. “Oh.” My brain shorts out. “That’s… uh, very adult of you.”

Caleb pauses, looking over at me with an amused expression. “Very adult of me?” He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction.

I clear my throat and cross my arms. “You know, like... responsible. Grown-up. With... food. That you made. Yourself.”

Why am I like this?

His smirk deepens as he leans against the counter, arms crossed. “Right. Because I’m secretly a ten-year-old surviving on cereal and questionable vending machine snacks.”

“Well, I was under the impression you’d never really grown up.”

His eyes glint with mischief. “Oh? And here I thought you liked that about me.”

I open my mouth, then immediately close it. Something about the way he’s looking at me right now—casual, teasing, infuriatingly attractive—turns my brain to static. I busy myself inspecting the table, as if it’s suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world.

“I guess it has its... occasional merits.”

“Uh-huh.” Caleb watches me a minute longer before tilting his head. “Okay, what’s going on with you?”

My heart stumbles. “What?”

“You’re acting weird, Inara.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

I scoff. “I am perfectly normal.”

“Mm.” He hums, unconvinced. With exaggerated thoughtfulness, he taps his chin. “Wait a second. Don’t tell me—” His eyes widen, full of mock horror. “Did you hit your head outside? Inhale too much cloud air? Are you possessed?”

I groan. “You are so dramatic.”

“Says the person who just described my cooking as ‘very adult.’”

Heat prickles my cheeks. “Shut up.”

Caleb chuckles, shaking his head as he sets the plates on the table. “Alright, alright. I’ll let you off the hook—for now.” He pulls out a chair with an exaggerated flourish. “Come on, sit. Before your ‘perfectly normal’ self forgets how to function entirely.”

“So,” Caleb says, digging into his food with zero hesitation, “Are you gonna keep making that face all night, or is this just your new thing?”

I nearly drop my fork. “What face?”

“The one where you look like you just realized the sun’s a star.”

I clutch my fork tighter, debating whether stabbing him with it would be too aggressive. “I do not look like that.”

He grins around a mouthful of food. “Mmm. Sure.”

I shove a bite into my mouth just to give myself a reason not to respond. Of course, because the universe is cruel, the food is amazing. Warm, perfectly seasoned, with just the right balance of heat and flavour. It’s almost offensive how good it is.

“Ugh,” I groan, because I have zero self-control. “Why are you good at everything?”

Caleb tilts his head, smug as anything. “Oh? You finally admit it?”

I glare at him, cheeks burning. “I take it back.”

“Nah, too late.” He leans back in his chair, arms crossed, looking downright pleased with himself. “Can’t unsay the truth, pip-squeak.”

I scowl, stabbing at my food with a little more force than necessary. Caleb just laughs, shaking his head before turning his attention to the window. Outside, the stars have fully emerged, scattered like shards of shattered light across the sky.

For a moment, I let myself watch him—the way his expression softens, the way the quiet settles over him like a familiar friend. There’s an ease to it—to him—that makes my heart do that stupid, traitorous thing where it clenches and stumbles in my chest.

I turn back to my food before I do anything reckless, like keep staring.

“So,” Caleb says after a beat, flicking his gaze back to me. “Are you gonna tell me what’s up, or do I have to start guessing? Because I gotta say, watchin’ you malfunction like this is kind of entertaining.”

I choke. “I am not malfunctioning.”

“Uh-huh.” He taps his fingers against the table, watching me like I’m a puzzle he’s dying to solve. “So if I were to say... pick you up and spin you around like I used to, you wouldn’t turn into a human-shaped emergency alert system?”

I gape at him. “You wouldn’t.”

His grin widens, devious as anything. “Wouldn’t I?”

I shove the rest of my food into my mouth as fast as possible, which just makes him laugh harder.

Maybe if I eat fast enough, I can escape. I bolt the second my plate is empty, but I barely make it two steps before I hear Caleb shift. Then—predictably—he moves.

“Caleb, no—”

“Caleb, yes.”

I bolt.

The problem is, Caleb is fast. Not just fast—predictably fast, which means I don’t even have to look to know he’s already on my heels. I make it three steps past the kitchen, heart hammering, when I feel his presence behind me, closing in like some relentless, overpowered force of nature.

“No, no, no—”

“Yes, yes, yes—”

I dodge left. Caleb lunges. I twist away at the last second, nearly colliding with the couch as I scramble to change direction.

He’s laughing now—actually laughing, like this is the most fun he’s had in weeks. “You do know running just makes this worse for you, right?”

“You would say that,” I huff, kicking off the floor to gain momentum.

It doesn’t matter. One second I’m sprinting; the next I’m caught. Caleb grabs me around the waist with ridiculous ease, lifting me clear off the ground as I shriek.

“No! Caleb, put me down—”

“You know the rules, pip-squeak,” he says, voice full of mirth. “If you run, you get spun.”

I barely have time to react before the whole world tilts—arms flailing, breath hitching as he spins me in a wild, dizzying circle. The motion sends my stomach flipping, my pulse thundering, my everything completely out of control.

"CAL—" My words dissolve into helpless laughter, any protest lost to the sheer absurdity of it all.

The spinning slows, and the grip around my waist shifts—less playful, more steady. I feel it before I even process it: how my body presses against his, how my laughter fades into something quieter, more complicated.

When he finally stops, I realize just how close we are.

In the chaos, my hands have found his shoulders, fingers curled into his shirt without me even noticing. His arms are still around me, firm and warm, anchoring me in place.

Stars above—he’s right there.

I can see the way his expression shifts. The laughter is still in his eyes, but it’s softer now, tempered. His breathing isn’t steady. Neither is mine.

The space between us is nonexistent. I should say something. I should move.

Instead, I keep staring at the way the light catches in his hair, at the sharp angles of his jaw, at the curve of his lips, and at the way he’s looking at me. 

Not like a best friend or a childhood memory, but like something else.

"See?" His voice is quieter now, a little rough around the edges. "Didn’t even scream that much this time."

I blink, throat dry. "I definitely screamed."

He grins, slower this time, as if he’s letting the smile stretch across his face at his own pace. "Mmm. You sure?"

"Obviously."

He hums, tilting his head slightly, his eyes dipping just for a second. I swear I feel it—the weight of it, lingering too long. My stomach flips for an entirely different reason.

I push lightly against his chest. "Okay. Now put me down."

He doesn’t move immediately. Not like he’s ignoring me, but like he heard me and still chose to hold me longer than necessary. Finally, he sets me back on my feet, his hands lingering a fraction longer than needed.

The moment breaks. I exhale, stepping back, willing the heat in my face to fade. Caleb watches me, an emotion I can’t quite decipher swirling in his eyes—violet and pink, like a nebula suspended in the quiet of space. He exhales too, raking a hand through his hair.

Then, like nothing happened at all, he smirks. “So… Malfunctioning confirmed, huh?"

I groan, shoving past him toward the sink. "I hate you."

He laughs, following me like nothing's changed. Like he wasn’t just holding me like that. Like I wasn’t just wondering what it would feel like if he—

No. Not finishing that thought.

I grip the edge of the sink, inhale sharply, and pretend my face isn’t on fire.

This is fine.

Everything is fine.

Chapter Masterlist Thank you for taking the time to read! I started this for fun, and decided it might be something silly others may possibly enjoy with me.

If you do, leave a comment, or don't, or you know, do whatever you're comfortable with! Take care everyone!

[mi-i-zori]

When Silence is No More - 2

CoD - Astronauts!141

SUMMARY : A quick thought about the 141 being stationed on a space station and catching the eyes of a cosmic horror.

WARNINGS : A few lines mentioning blood and death in Simon’s part. This is intended to be a subtle kind of horror, so it might be unsettling.

I do not allow anyone to translate, re-use or re-publish my works, be it here or on any other platform, including AI.

CoD AUs - Masterlist

Main Masterlist

The song never stops. Covering their ears in the hopes of getting a few seconds of silence is useless. If anything, it only seems to get louder, as if they were trapping it inside of their heads instead.

It soon get mixed with a series of strange knocks on the windows. It soon evolves into banging, violent and loud, shaking their very bones painfully. It wakes them up at night, when the nightmares seem to quiet down.

They barely sleep anymore.

-

The silhouettes are getting clearer. Instead of playing hide and seek, they now linger behind the windows. Cooing. Whispering. Watching. Despite their best efforts, the strange, flashing lights burning behind them make it impossible to make out the details of their bodies. But the team knows they’re far from being the stranded humans they once tried to think they were once the knocking and banging echoed on the walls of the station. For they don’t seem to wear any protection against the ruthless void, and their eyes glow dangerously among the shadows. Catching them coaxes a sudden, ear-shattering screech from the cosmic depths, full of tortured wails and mad laughter. It rattles their minds and bones, lingering in every single one of their cells for hours afterwards.

The silhouettes, however, always disappear in the blink of an eye.

-

Kyle remembers every single one of his nightmares.

Most of the time, he sees groups of countless birds fly in an underwqter sky with fire licking at their wings, so quick and graceful, leaving burning embers in their wake. Around them, flames erupt from clouds of lightning. He floats among them, then gets carried away by silent, violent currents. Asteroids collide in his chest, and he feels the deep rumble of their fall echo in his bones, bounce around the walls of his body like shockwaves and bass. Colours resonate with the otherworldly sounds around him, pulsing in his eyes as silence turns everything back to a black and white monotony. The symphony is demonic, hellish even - but beautiful and mesmerizing all the same.

Then the dream shatters. Shards of glass escort him back to the waking world, mind shredded and numb.

And the banging continues.

-

Sometimes, Simon hears a voice behind him. Familiar, and clear as day. « Simon, » it calls out, « did you get any news of Tommy ? »

His mother sounds worried - scared, even. It takes him back to those times when he had to fish his brother out of muddy sidewalks, barely conscious due to the drugs flowing through his veins. Barely alive.

His broken, guttural groans still echo in his ears, and the memory becomes too real when Simon sees Tommy’s lifeless body float in the corridors of the station, littered in needle and bullet holes, leaking bubbles of blood against the white walls. Then his mother joins in the macabre scene, with his sister in law and nephew, replaying the disastrous day he lost them all, this time in the infinite cosmos. The sight is scorching, akin to the sun - it burns his mind, the ashes clogging his throat and lungs. Thick, dry and heavy.

They’re gone the second Simon blinks. But the visions keep haunting him now, and he once collapsed under the pain tearing through his guts. It was Kyle who found him, wandering aimlessly through the space station, unresponsive, with a living death clawing at his face.

« Thought you were dead, Sir, » he said once Simon came back to his senses. The man only grunted in response.

For a moment, it felt like he was.

-

More and more static covers the voices of their colleagues back on Earth. Price can barely decipher their words anymore - but they seem to hear him perfectly. It’s as if nothing was wrong on their side, as if they didn’t hear him ask to repeat themselves more and more often. The few words he manages to catch seem joyful, unbothered ; a stark contrast to the exhausted tension haunting his. They always end the calls with a broken « Catch you later, John ! » - leaving him to wonder if there will be a next time.

He tried shouting at them during the latest call, letting his frustration get the best of him. But nothing changed. Their voices remained full of enthusiasm and glitches, and the conversation stayed the same - except he barely understood a single word from his contact.

No matter how much Johnny tried to tweak and twist their wires and cogs, it was impossible to find the source of the malfunction. The systems detected nothing either.

After that, it didn’t take long for the comms to fully go down.

To realize how real the nightmares had always been.

[hexguardheart]

"The Price of Remembering"

HexguardHeart

Chapter 28: The Breakthrough

One year later

The gleaming spires of Viktor's new neural facility pierce the morning haze of Manhattan. Inside, Viktor adjusts the settings on a medical pod where a Wall Street executive sits, hands trembling as he tries to hold a pen.

"Just breathe," Viktor says, his own augmented leg clicking softly as he moves. The newly developed neural-circuit tech hums to life, gossamer-thin connections spreading across the executive's cortex. Moments later, the trembling stops. The man writes his daughter's name in perfect script, tears streaming down his face.

Viktor allows himself a small smile, remembering the night everything changed...

Six months earlier

3 AM in the old memory den. Coffee cups scattered among neural mapping printouts. Vi dozing on the worn couch while Caitlyn reviews security protocols. Sevika, surprisingly still around, running diagnostics on the test servers.

"It's different this time," Viktor mutters, more to himself than anyone else. "The neural pathways... they're not just accepting the enhancement, they're adapting to it. Growing with it."

The holographic display shows something they've never seen before: neural circuits rebuilding themselves, stronger, cleaner, but maintaining their original patterns. No corruption. No degradation. Just pure enhancement of what was already there.

"This technology could genuinely help people overcome physical and psychological barriers far beyond their current limits. I need to develop a program to encode it into the neural circuitry," Viktor said. "Time to get to work!"

Vi stirs at his words, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Show me." She moves to stand behind him, studying the neural patterns with the expertise born from months of working alongside him.

"Look here," Viktor points to a pulsing section of the display. "The synaptic connections are strengthening without overwriting the original pathways. It's like... teaching the brain to be a better version of itself."

Caitlyn joins them, her analytical mind already racing ahead. "And the security implications?"

"That's the beauty of it," Viktor says, excitement creeping into his usually measured voice. "The enhancement can only build upon what's already there. No external memories, no forced changes. Just optimization of natural processes."

Sevika's diagnostic pad chimes with confirmation. "All safety protocols are holding. No signs of degradation in the test samples."

Hours of testing follow. Days. Weeks. Each success building on the last. The first volunteer, a veteran with tremors so bad he couldn't feed himself, walking out steady-handed, crying with joy. Then a teacher with early-onset memory loss, reciting her students' names perfectly. A construction worker with chronic pain, moving like he's twenty again.

Back to present

The executive stands from the pod, flexing his steady fingers. "Doctor... I don't know how to thank you."

Viktor nods, still cautious even after hundreds of successful treatments. He checks the monitoring systems one more time before logging the results. On his screens, dozens of similar procedures are underway throughout the facility. Each one carefully controlled, each patient monitored for months afterward.

Viktor's footsteps echo through the empty halls of the facility after hours. The soft blue glow of the medical pods casts gentle shadows as he makes his final rounds, walking through each floor personally. The security systems hum their constant vigilance. Everything in its place. Everything protected. Each pod, a marvel of transparent polymer and chrome, stands ready for tomorrow's patients. So different from the grim machinery of Shaw's era.

He pauses at his security terminal, entering the first of seven different codes required to access the core systems. Fingerprints. Retinal scan. Voice authentication. Some call it paranoia. He calls it learning from history.

"Security protocols at optimal levels, Doctor," the AI assistant reports. "No unauthorized access attempts detected."

In his office, three stories above the medical floor, a wall of screens monitors every aspect of the facility. Behind that wall, behind three feet of reinforced steel, the master servers pulse with the breakthrough that changed everything. The neural-circuit protocols, encrypted and compartmentalized, safe from those who would abuse them.

Viktor settles into his chair, absently rubbing his augmented leg. A holographic message blinks insistently on his desk: another offer from New Dawn Pharmaceuticals. Eight figures. Exclusive rights. "Think of how many people we could help," their CEO had said this morning, all perfect teeth and practiced sincerity.

Viktor deletes the message without opening it. Then he pulls up Shaw's old case files, a ritual he performs each time he feels that it's needed. The faces of the victims stare back at him, lives destroyed by memory manipulation, minds shattered by uncontrolled enhancement. A reminder of what happens when progress outpaces conscience.

"Never again," he whispers to the empty office, his reflection in the window overlaying the city lights below. In his mind, he can still see the neural patterns that changed everything, still feel the excitement of discovery. But now that excitement is tempered by responsibility, by the weight of knowing what his creation could become in the wrong hands.

In the morning, more patients will come. More lives will be changed. But only under his watchful eye. Only within the safety protocols he's established.

Chapter 29: Home Ground

Sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows of their midtown loft, catching dust motes kicked up by Vi's morning workout. The space perfectly balances their contrasting styles, sleek modern furniture sharing space with Vi's battered punching bag, Caitlyn's meticulously organized desk beside a chaotic pile of training gear.

Vi hangs upside down from a pull-up bar, executing a perfect series of inverted crunches. The neural enhancement has made her already impressive strength almost supernatural.

"Show-off," Caitlyn mumbles from her desk, eyes scanning case files at inhuman speed thanks to her own cognitive enhancement.

"You love it," Vi grins, flipping down with casual grace. "Besides, someone's gotta test these upgrades properly. You know, for science."

"Is that what you're calling it now?" Caitlyn glances up, trying and failing to hide her smile. "And I suppose that handstand pushup competition you started at the facility last week was also 'for science'?"

"Hey, I won didn't I?" Vi grabs a towel, wiping sweat from her pink hair. "Even Viktor cracked a smile. You know, that tiny one where just the corner of his mouth moves like, a millimeter?"

"You mean right before he had to reinforce the training room floor?"

Vi flops onto their couch, boots dangling over the arm. "Worth it. Man, remember when we first started working on this new protocol? All doom and gloom and 'we must be cautious.' Now look at the city. People getting better. Getting stronger." She gestures toward the window. "Even saw one of those down town construction crews using the enhanced gear yesterday. Guy was carrying a steel beam like it was nothing."

Caitlyn's new capacities allows her to focus on both the conversation and her work simultaneously. "It's not just the physical improvements. Crime rates are down 40% since we started the cognitive enhancement program for law enforcement. Though some of us still insist on punching first and asking questions later."

"Only when they deserve it, Cupcake," Vi winks. "Only when they deserve it."

"You're impossible," Caitlyn sighs, but there's warmth in her voice. "Now come look at this case file. Even now, I can't make sense of these patterns."

"Only if you promise to spar with me later," Vi bounces up, moving to peer over Caitlyn's shoulder. "These new reflexes need a proper workout."

"Deal. But this time, try not to break the sparring mat."

"No promises, Cupcake. No promises."

Vi leans over Caitlyn's shoulder, close enough that her breath tickles Caitlyn's neck. "Well hello there, Sheriff," she purrs, deliberately distracting.

"Focus, Vi," Caitlyn says, but leans back into her partner's warmth. "Look at these neural readings from the Thompson case."

"Fine, fine. Work first, play later." Vi studies the screen, picking up subtle details. "Wait... that's weird. These patterns look like Viktor's new protocol, but... wrong somehow. Like someone tried to copy it but didn't quite get it right."

"Exactly," Caitlyn pulls up another file. "Three cases this month. All showing similar anomalies."

Vi straightens, suddenly serious. "Think someone's trying to reproduce Viktor's tech?"

"Could be. But who would have the expertise to even attempt it?"

"Well, that's a mystery worth solving," Vi grins, cracking her knuckles. "Though I've got to say, you're incredibly hot when you're being all detective-y."

Caitlyn swivels in her chair, grabbing Vi's tank top to pull her closer. "And you're incredibly distracting when you're being... you."

"Part of my charm," Vi smirks, leaning down for a kiss before Caitlyn stops her with a finger to her lips.

"Work first, remember?"

"Tease," Vi groans, straightening up. "Fine. But later..."

"Later," Caitlyn promises with a knowing smile. "Now help me compile a list of people with both the knowledge and resources to attempt something like this."

"Yes ma'am," Vi mock salutes, pulling up a chair. "Though I still say you're hotter than any neural enhancement could make you."

"Vi!"

"What? Just stating facts. Very scientific facts."

The holographic displays flicker as they dig deeper into the case files. Vi perches on the desk, occasionally "accidentally" knocking things over just to watch Caitlyn's exasperated smile.

"Look at this," Caitlyn points to a neural scan. "The treatment signature is scrambled, but there's something familiar about it."

"Mmm," Vi hums, more focused on how the light plays across Caitlyn's features. "You know what else is familiar? That little crease you get between your eyebrows when you're onto something."

"Vi, focus."

"I am focused. Very focused." Vi leans closer, trailing fingers along Caitlyn's arm. "Enhanced focus, even."

Caitlyn tries to maintain her professional demeanor but can't help smiling. "The cases, Vi. Three victims, all showing signs of attempted neural enhancement. But the patterns are... wait." She suddenly sits up straighter. "These aren't copies of Viktor's work. They're something entirely new."

"Now that's interesting," Vi says, actually paying attention. "Someone's developing their own protocol?"

"Could be. But who..." Caitlyn's words trail off as Vi's fingers find the back of her neck.

"We should probably investigate thoroughly," Vi suggests, voice low. "Very thoroughly."

"This is serious," Caitlyn protests, but she's already turning toward Vi.

"Oh, I'm being very serious," Vi grins, pulling Caitlyn up from her chair. "Seriously suggesting we continue this discussion... somewhere more comfortable she said while picking up Caitlyn on her shoulder like she’s a helium balloon with zero grams of weight."

The case files glow forgotten on the desk as they move toward the bedroom, investigation temporarily postponed in favor of more intimate pursuits.

Moonlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of their loft, painting silver paths across polished floors.

"The case can wait," Vi whispers, pressing Caitlyn against the doorframe. "I've got something more urgent to investigate."

Caitlyn's laugh turns to a soft gasp as Vi's lips find her neck. "And what's that?"

“Exhibit A,” Vi’s tongue traces the elegant line of Caitlyn’s throat, “how this light turns your skin into something I need to worship," Vi murmurs against her skin. "How you make me lose my mind with how much I want you."

Their acute reflexes make every movement more precise, more deliberate. Vi’s muscles flexed beneath her skin like living wire, every breath carrying the promise of strength. Caitlyn’s mind buzzed with electric clarity, each heartbeat mapped in intricate patterns she could follow with a fingertip.

They shared a look, half-smile exchanged in silence. No words were needed, Caitlyn’s intellect already knew every beat of Vi’s heart, and Vi felt the unspoken question in Cait’s eyes.

Vi closed the gap first, bringing her into Caitlyn’s circle of warmth. She laid a single, commanding hand against Caitlyn’s collarbone, fingers drifting along the fine bones with reverent precision. Caitlyn leaned into the touch, her mind logging the exact pressure and angle, already calculating how to return the favor in kind.

They orbit to the bed in a slow-burn drift, kissing in quick, breath-stealing bursts. Vi lifts Caitlyn as though she weighs nothing, settling her astride powerful thighs.

Vi’s lips brushed Cait’s neck, a feather-light contact that sparkled on Cait’s nerves like live wire, she explored avidly between her breast making her way down to more sensitive territories. The thrill of it made her pulse surge; her senses caught every breath, every tremor. Caitlyn’s skin threaded goose-bumps along her chest, and Vi smirked against her jaw. “I’m no tactician,” she murmured, “but I know when I’ve found the right code.”

Caitlyn chuckled softly, the sound a melody Vi could never resist. “Decode me,” Caitlyn dared, reaching up to stroke the ridges of Vi’s forearm, marveling at the way her muscles flexed under her fingertips. 

Vi’s hands, steady and inexorable, skim up Caitlyn’s stockings, thumbs circling sensitive flesh just on the right spot. Cait bites her lip, pupils blown, mind fizzing with white noise.

“Lesson one,” Vi says, voice gone husky, “strength is nothing without focus.” She demonstrates by holding Caitlyn firmly cradle in her powerful embrace.

Caitlyn’s laugh trembles. “Then focus, officer.” She rocks once, slow and precise, waving her body in friction that lights them both on fire.

They moved together in a slow, deliberate dance, each touch an equation solved. Vi’s strength showed in the way she lifted Caitlyn onto her lap, cradling her with easy power, and Caitlyn’s intellect revealed itself in the soft sighs she coaxed from Vi, knowing precisely where to press.

Heat spills between them in ripples. Vi’s breath stutters against Caitlyn’s ear. “Damn, Cait…you make me forget my own name.”

“I know,” Caitlyn whispers, nipping the shell of Vi’s ear. “That’s lesson 2.”

Vi’s renewed endurance let her hold fiercely to Caitlyn’s hips, leaning in to capture her lips in a kiss that was both gentle and commanding. Cait returned it with the calculated grace of a scholar reciting her favorite lines, confident, precise, alive.

Vi’s fingers found the sensitive hollow at Cait’s waist, stroking with the patience of an artist, while Cait mirrored back, her hand sliding into the soft curve of Vi’s back, anchoring her. Every brush of skin sent sparks through their neural links, Vi’s raw sensation amplified by Cait’s introspective awareness, Cait’s emotional warmth illuminated by Vi’s pure, kinetic force.

“No formulas tonight,” Vi teased, voice low and rough. She drew back just enough to rest her forehead against Cait’s. “Just us.”

Caitlyn’s eyes shone with a playful gleam. “Agreed. Though I can’t promise I won’t learn something.”

They laughed together in a sound as bright as the moonlight. Then, wordlessly, they let themselves drift into something older than science or code: the simple, timeless communion of two hearts beating as one. The edge builds, slow and inexorable, until words are useless relics. It wasn’t a thunderclap but a wave, gentle and all-encompassing. Vi cradled Caitlyn through it, every tremor recorded in her enhanced memory as if she were engraving it into steel. Cait’s fingers traced shapes on Vi’s skin: constellations of love, patterns only they could read.

When the moment swelled to its peak, when they both finally culminate, it’s a supernova: a shared gasp, a tightening of thighs, a roll of hips that sends pleasure ricocheting up their spines.

They drifted down from that high together, breath mingling, minds still alight.

Vi brushes damp hair from Caitlyn’s cheek, reverent. “Case closed.”

Caitlyn smiles, sated and brilliant. “Filed under repeat offender.”

In the hush that followed, only the pulsing hum of their shared circuit remained, proof that when strength and intellect merge, magic still lives in the space between two people.

Outside, the moon slides behind a cloud, but silver still glows on their skin, proof that some light comes from within.

[edoiv]

"I was craving some dark, neon-lit, dystopian cyberpunk vibes Chanbaek fanfics, so I asked an AI for recommendations. It sent me a list of fanfics, but I can't find them anywhere. I think it just made them all up! 😂😂

Here's the *totally real* list of fanfics that definitely exist😂:

### **DYSTOPIAN AUs**

---

#### **1. "Circuit Breakers" by neonheartbeat**

- **Platform**: AO3

- **Summary**: In a post-apocalyptic city divided by electric fences, Baekhyun is a smuggler trading rare tech, and Chanyeol is a rogue engineer hunted for his ability to hack into the government’s AI grid. Together, they race to dismantle the system before it annihilates the last free zone.

- **Vibes**: Gritty, fast-paced, and dripping with tension. Think *Mad Max* meets *Snowpiercer*, but gayer.

---

#### **2. "The Last City" by exodust**

- **Platform**: AO3

- **Summary**: The world’s survivors live in a single domed city ruled by a tyrannical AI. Baekhyun is a disillusioned medic, and Chanyeol is a glitch in the system—a humanoid AI who shouldn’t feel emotions. Their forbidden bond sparks a revolution.

- **Vibes**: Philosophical angst meets explosive action. Perfect if you love existential crises and slow-burn romance.

---

#### **3. "Blackout Protocol" by cyberyeol**

- **Platform**: Wattpad

- **Summary**: After a global EMP strike wipes out technology, Chanyeol leads a nomadic clan in the wastelands. Baekhyun, a former hacker with a neural implant, holds the key to restoring power—but trusting each other could get them killed.

- **Vibes**: *The Road* meets *Fallout*. Lots of survivalist drama and tender moments under starlit skies.

---

### **CYBERPUNK AUs**

---

#### **1. "Neon Saints" by ghostcity**

- **Platform**: AO3

- **Summary**: In a neon-drenched metropolis run by megacorporations, Baekhyun is a street artist who hacks billboards to spread anti-establishment messages. Chanyeol is a cyborg assassin sent to eliminate him… but his programming glitches when they meet.

- **Vibes**: *Blade Runner* aesthetics with a side of "enemies-to-reluctant soulmates." Cybernetic angst and rooftop chases!

---

#### **2. "Synapse" by glitchprince**

- **Platform**: AO3

- **Summary**: Chanyeol’s mind is jacked into the net 24/7 as a corporate slave, until Baekhyun—a rogue "neurothief"—invades his consciousness to free him. But digital love in a wired world comes with deadly consequences.

- **Vibes**: *The Matrix* meets *Inception*. Mind-bending and heartbreaking.

---

#### **3. "Electric Pulse" by baekyeolcore**

- **Platform**: Wattpad

- **Summary**: In a city where emotions are outlawed and replaced by synthetic implants, Baekhyun is a "feeler" hiding his ability to experience real emotions. Chanyeol, a black-market dealer of illegal tech, helps him evade the Emotion Police—for a price.

- **Vibes**: *Psychopass* meets *Equilibrium*. Steamy tension and rebellion!

---

### **BONUS: CROSSOVER GENRES**

#### **"Chrome Hearts" by exoborg** (AO3)

- **Summary**: A cyberpunk/dystopian hybrid where Chanyeol is a cyborg soldier with a dying human heart, and Baekhyun is the underground mechanic who repairs him—and teaches him how to love again.

- **Vibes**: *Akira*-level intensity with poetic prose. Prepare to cry.

---

[demifiendrsa]

PlayStation 5 Pro Console - Reveal Trailer

PS5 Pro Technical Presentation hosted by Mark Cerny

PlayStation 5 Pro, an enhanced version of PlayStation 5, will launch on November 7, 2024 for $699.99 / £699.99 / €799.99 / ¥119,980. It will be available as a disc-less console, with the currently available disc drive available as a separate purchase. Pre-orders will begin on September 26, 2024.

First details via The PlayStation Blog

We developed PlayStation 5 Pro with deeply engaged players and game creators in mind—as many have asked for a console that runs even higher fidelity graphics with smoother frame rates at 60 frames per second. We achieved this on PlayStation 5 Pro with several key performance features.

Upgraded GPU – With PlayStation 5 Pro, we are upgrading to a GPU that has 67% more Compute Units than the current PlayStation 5 console and 28% faster memory. Overall, this enables up to 45% faster rendering for gameplay, making the experience much smoother.

Advanced Ray Tracing – We’ve added even more powerful ray tracing that provides more dynamic reflection and refraction of light. This allows the rays to be cast at double, and at times triple, the speeds of the current PlayStation 5 console.

AI-Driven Upscaling – We’re also introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaling that uses a machine learning-based technology to provide super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.

PlayStation 5 Pro provides gamers with amazing graphics at high frame rates. You can hear Mark Cerny, lead architect for PlayStation 5 Pro, discuss the key innovations from PlayStation 5 Pro in the following video presentation. This presentation provides a deep dive into the key performance features that make PlayStation 5 Pro truly special.

Other enhancements include PlayStation 5 Pro Game Boost, which can apply to more than 8,500 backward compatible PlayStation 4 games playable on PlayStation 5 Pro. This feature may stabilize or improve the performance of supported PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games. Enhanced Image Quality for PlayStation 4 games is also available to improve the resolution on select PlayStation 4 games. PlayStation 5 Pro will also launch with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in territories supporting this standard. VRR and 8K gaming are also supported.

It’s humbling to see how game creators have embraced the latest technology from PlayStation 5 Pro, and several games will be patched with free software updates for gamers to take advantage of PlayStation 5 Pro’s features. These games can be identified with a PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced label within their title. Some games you can look forward to include blockbuster hits from PlayStation Studios and our third-party partners, such as Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Demon’s Souls, Dragon’s Dogma II, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Gran Turismo 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, The Crew Motorfest, The First Descendant, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and more.

We kept the look of the PlayStation 5 Pro consistent with the overall PlayStation 5 family of products. You’ll notice the height is the same size as the original PlayStation 5, and the width is the same size as the current PlayStation 5 model to accommodate higher performance specs. Players can add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive, or swap out console covers when they become available.

PlayStation 5 Pro fits perfectly within the PlayStation 5 family of products and is compatible with the PlayStation 5 accessories currently available, including PlayStation VR2, PlayStation Portal, DualSense Edge, Access controller, Pulse Elite, and Pulse Explore. The user interface and network services will also remain the same as PlayStation 5.

The PlayStation 5 Pro console will be available this holiday at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $699.99 USD, £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR, and ¥119,980 JPY (includes tax). It will include a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of ASTRO’s PLAYROOM pre-installed in every PlayStation 5 Pro purchase. PlayStation 5 Pro is available as a disc-less console, with the option to purchase the currently available disc drive for PlayStation 5 separately.

PlayStation 5 Pro will launch on November 7, 2024 and will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation at PlayStation Direct. Preorders will begin on September 26, 2024.

Our PlayStation 5 journey would not be possible without the millions of players that have supported us through the years and have shared with us their love of gaming. Whichever console option players choose, whether it’s PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Pro, we wish to bring everyone the very best gaming experience that fits their needs.

[hand-picked-star]

My 'KHEYALI PULAO'

(These are the snippet I wanted to see in IPKKND. After every rewatch, I just close my eyes and the scenes are flash through my mind like they are actual scene. I am trying to articulate them here for my future recap. so that I can read them later and also hoping that some day an AI app will come where I can input these scripts and a scene will produce from the app😁😁)

It's the evening of Anjali & Aman ji's wedding ceremonies. khushi was wearing a red saree with matching sequences and crystals all over it. she was looking ethereal. Her hair was curled at the end cascading down her back. she was standing in front of the mirror, looking at the jewellaries, confused of what to wear today. Arnav was looking at her from afar. he had a gift for his wife specially for today that would go with the saree beautifully. he stood behind her and removed the hair from one should to another and then he tied the necklace in her neck.khushi gasped with the combined effect of the sight of the necklace also the sensation of his fingers in her neck. Arnav's finger trailed down her neck to her back, toying with her dori. he kissed her shoulder, then her neck, then her ear,then he put a ear ring there. khushi by the time got her composer back.she turned around.

khushi: ap e jan bujh ke kar rahe hain nah?( accusing him with her eyes)

khushi: you are doing it intentionaly,aren't you?(accusing him with her eyes)

Arnav: mane kya kia?(grabbing the matching bangles on one hand and her wrist on another,he put a kiss on her pulse point and proceed to slide the bangle down her forearm)

Arnav:what have I done?(grabbing the matching bangles on one hand and her wrist on another,he put a kiss on her pulse point and proceed to slide the bangle down her forearm)

khushi:ap hamare khilaf sajeesh kar rahe ke hum late ho jaye.(getting close to each other, a slight movement and they would be kissing) lekin aj hum apko kamiyab nehi hone denge.(khushi nudged his nose with her and then pushed him away) Arnav, aj hum late nehi ho sakte, samjhe ap? hume dijiye(pointing at the bangles). hum khudhi pehen lenge.

Khushi: you are plotting against me so that I would get late.(getting close to each other, a slight movement and they would be kissing) but I won't let you be successful. (khushi nudged his nose with her and then pushed him away) Arnav,we can't be late today, do you understand? give it to me (pointing at the bangles). I'll wear that myself.

Arnav: (giving a long sigh, locking eye with khushi through the mirror) Khushi, you're looking like a dream right now. how do you expect me to behave?( with his husky voice)

Arnav: (giving a long sigh, locking eye with khushi through the mirror) khushi, you're looking like a dream right now. how do you expect me to behave?(with his husky voice)

khushi: try!!

khushi: try!!

Arnav: e to batao mera toufa tume kese laga?

Arnav: at least tell me how do you like the gift?

khushi: (looking dreamily at the green emrand and diamond necklace on her neck) bohot sundar hain.I didn't even want to think about the price.

khushi: (looking dreamily at the green emrand and diamond necklace on her neck) it's so beautiful .I didn't even want to think about the price.

Arnav: (kissing her head) you don't have to.(then turn around to get his phone) now finished getting ready. main niche ja raha hoon.sab kuch check karne.

Arnav: (kissing her head) you don't have to. (tyen turn around to get his phone)now finished getting ready. I am going downstairs to check everything.

Khushi: (looking back at her husband and giving a mischievous smile) waise, aj hume apko kala tika lagana chahiye.

Khushi: (looking back at her husband and giving a mischievous smile) you know I should put a black mark to you today.

Arnav:(frawing, giving her a questioning look)

Arnav:(frawing, giving her a questioning look)

khushi: (coming closer to Arnav and dusting his black serwani and playing his collor) you are getting hotter day by day, Mr. Raizada. akhir hamare sath rehte rehte ap bhi hamare jese ho hi gaye.

khushi: (coming closer to Arnav and dusting his black serwani and playing his collor) you are getting hotter day by day, Mr. Raizada. at last I am rubbing off on you.

Arnav: (giving The look at his wife)ab kaun late hone ki sajeesh kar rahi hain?

Arnav: (giving The look at his wife)now who is planning to get late?

Khushi: (giving him a soft smile with a promise to continue this conversation later,then she holding his upper arm,both of them proceed to get out of the room) ap niche jayiye, hum di ki kamre main ja rehe hain, dekhte hain ke woh taiyar huye ke nehi, larkewale atein hi honge. (then she became animated, talking with hand gestures) pata hain,nanhe ji bohot excited hain. kyuki iss bar hum sab milke dulha ka juta chura payenge.bohot maja ayega.thik hain. ab hum jatehein,ap bhi jayiye.(laughing together they went their separated ways)

Khushi: (giving him a soft smile with a promise to continue this conversation later,then she holding his upper arm,both of them proceed to get out of the room) you go downstairs. I am going to check on di,if she is ready or not.The groom's side will come soon.(then she became animated, talking with hand gestures) do you know,nanhe ji is very excited.because this time we can steal the groom's shoes. we will have so much fun.ok,I'm going now.(laughing together they went their separated ways)

[mr-hyde-on-the-move]

How to Use Pulse AI to Automate Your Sales Process

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, automating sales processes has become essential for businesses to remain competitive. Enter Pulse AI, an AI-powered sales tool designed to automate customer interactions, lead generation, and even payment processing. Built on the foundation of ChatGPT4, Pulse AI integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp, allowing businesses to sell digital products, physical…

[usagirotten]

‘Alien: Rogue Incursion’ VR Game Launches 19 December

Fans of the Alien franchise have a new reason to be excited as the highly anticipated VR game, Alien: Rogue Incursion, is set to launch on December 19, 2024. Developed by Survios and published by 20th Century Games, this single-player action-horror game promises to deliver an immersive experience like no other. Alien: Rogue Incursion will be available on PlayStation VR2, PCVR via Steam, and Meta Quest 3. Players will step into the shoes of Zula Hendricks, an unbreakable ex-Colonial Marine, on a dangerous mission to the uncharted planet Purdan. Accompanied by her sentient AI companion, Davis-01, Zula must navigate the infested Gemini Exoplanet Solutions black-site facility, facing off against the most cunning Xenomorphs ever encountered12.  The game features iconic weapons and gear from the Alien universe, including the Pulse Rifle and Motion Tracker. Players will need to use their wits and reflexes to survive the dynamic and reactive combat system, where Xenomorphs spawn based on player actions23. Alien: Rogue Incursion offers several exciting features that make it a standout VR game: - Immersive VR Experience: Designed specifically for VR, the game plunges players into the terrifying world of Alien, with detailed audio, visuals, lighting, and haptic feedback12. - Dynamic Combat System: Xenomorphs spawn based on player actions, making each encounter unique and unpredictable. The AI-driven enemies use the environment to their advantage, creating a challenging and immersive combat experience2. - Iconic Weapons and Gear: Players can use classic Alien universe weapons like the Pulse Rifle and Motion Tracker. The game also includes other gear to help players survive the hostile environment12. - Original Storyline: The game features an original story where players control Zula Hendricks, an ex-Colonial Marine, on a mission to the uncharted planet Purdan. Accompanied by her AI companion, Davis-01, Zula must navigate and survive the infested Gemini Exoplanet Solutions black-site facility12. - Pre-Order Bonuses: Players who pre-order the game will receive exclusive cosmetic skins inspired by the upcoming film Alien: Romulus. The Deluxe Edition includes additional content like Blue Camo Armor and Weapon Skins2. Pre-orders for Alien: Rogue Incursion are now open on all platforms. Those who pre-order will receive exclusive cosmetic skins inspired by the upcoming film Alien: Romulus3. The standard edition is priced at $39.99, while the Deluxe Edition, which includes additional content, is available for $49.993. Stay tuned for more updates and prepare to immerse yourself in the terrifying world of Alien: Rogue Incursion this December.  

  Read the full article

[dealzfry]

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[innovationalofficesolution]

Decision Pulse in Cross-Cultural Leadership: Making the Right Call Globally

Beyond Automation: How Predictive AI Is Reshaping Enterprise Strategy

In the fast-evolving world of business technology, the spotlight has long been on automation. From streamlining repetitive tasks to improving operational efficiency, automation has been a game-changer for enterprises across industries. However, the conversation is now shifting. Enter Predictive AI—a powerful tool that is transforming enterprise strategy in ways that go far beyond mere automation.

The Evolution from Automation to Predictive AI

While automation focuses on executing predefined tasks with minimal human intervention, Predictive AI takes things a step further. Rather than simply following instructions, predictive models leverage vast amounts of data to forecast future trends, behaviors, and outcomes. This enables businesses to anticipate changes before they happen, positioning themselves to respond proactively rather than reactively.

Predictive AI uses machine learning, neural networks, and advanced data analytics to identify patterns within large datasets, uncovering insights that would be impossible for humans to detect. This allows businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions, unlocking new levels of precision and foresight in their strategies.

How Predictive AI Is Transforming Enterprise Strategy

Personalizing Customer Experiences

One of the most powerful applications of Predictive AI is in customer experience management. By analyzing past customer interactions, behaviors, and preferences, businesses can predict what individual customers want before they even ask for it. This level of personalization allows brands to provide highly relevant recommendations, anticipate customer needs, and deliver tailored marketing strategies.

For example, in retail, AI-powered predictive models help brands forecast what products will be in demand, allowing them to optimize inventory, pricing, and promotional strategies to match consumer expectations.

Optimizing Operations and Resource Management

Predictive AI is also enhancing operational efficiency across enterprises. By forecasting demand patterns and predicting potential bottlenecks in supply chains, businesses can optimize their inventory, workforce, and production schedules to reduce downtime and waste. This proactive approach ensures that resources are allocated more effectively, driving cost savings and improving overall efficiency.

In sectors like manufacturing, predictive maintenance algorithms are helping companies avoid unplanned downtime by forecasting equipment failures before they happen. This prevents costly repairs and keeps operations running smoothly.

Strategic Decision Making

Data is the foundation of modern decision-making, but interpreting that data in real-time can be overwhelming. Predictive AI allows organizations to transform vast amounts of raw data into actionable insights, providing executives with real-time forecasts and trend analysis to inform high-level strategy. Whether it's deciding which market to enter, which products to launch, or how to allocate resources, predictive AI offers a level of accuracy and foresight that traditional methods simply can’t match.

Risk Management and Mitigation

In an unpredictable world, risk is an ever-present factor for businesses. Predictive AI aids in identifying potential risks before they escalate. By analyzing historical data and current trends, predictive models can flag emerging risks—whether related to financial performance, cybersecurity threats, or regulatory changes—allowing businesses to take corrective action before problems arise.

For instance, financial institutions are using predictive models to detect fraudulent activities by analyzing transaction data for unusual patterns. Similarly, insurance companies are utilizing AI to assess risks and optimize underwriting processes, improving both profitability and customer satisfaction.

The Future of Predictive AI in Enterprise Strategy

As AI technologies continue to evolve, the potential for predictive AI to reshape business strategy is limitless. By integrating these advanced tools into enterprise operations, companies can not only automate mundane tasks but also unlock new business opportunities, improve customer satisfaction, and mitigate risks effectively.

Incorporating predictive AI into enterprise strategy is no longer a luxury but a necessity for organizations looking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. As businesses adopt these technologies, the line between automation and strategic intelligence will continue to blur, creating a new era of smarter, more agile enterprises.

[cryptotrading58]

Token Metrics Indices – Smarter Crypto Investing Through Diversified Strategies

The Case for Diversified Crypto Investing

In traditional finance, diversified index funds like the S&P 500 have long been trusted by investors for stable, long-term growth. But in crypto, where volatility is the norm and market cycles shift rapidly, finding a diversified strategy that works has been much harder—until now.

Token Metrics Indices bring the power of AI to crypto diversification. Whether you want exposure to AI tokens, DeFi, Meme coins, or low-cap moonshots, Token Metrics offers pre-built, rebalanced, and AI-optimized indices that help you invest smarter.

In this post, we’ll explore how these indices work, what makes them different from typical portfolio strategies, and why they are the smartest way to build wealth in the crypto markets of 2025.

1. What Are Token Metrics Indices?

Token Metrics Indices are automated investment portfolios created by AI. Each index is:

Thematically curated (e.g., AI, RWA, Gaming, Meme, DeFi)

Weighted using AI-grade scoring and optimization

Regularly rebalanced based on real-time market data

Available across multiple chains and market caps

This allows both beginners and pros to gain diversified exposure to top-performing assets, without needing to build and manage their own portfolios.

🧠 Why it matters: In crypto, diversification isn’t optional—it’s survival.

2. Types of Token Metrics Indices

Token Metrics offers multiple types of indices based on:

a. Themes

AI Index – Top artificial intelligence tokens

DeFi Index – Established and emerging DeFi leaders

RWA Index – Real World Assets token exposure

Gaming Index – Metaverse and play-to-earn projects

Meme Index – Trending meme coins with high upside

b. Market Cap Segments

Large-Cap Indices – Safer bets with consistent performance

Mid-Cap Indices – Balanced risk/reward profile

Low-Cap & Degen Indices – High-risk, high-reward plays

c. Narrative-Based Indices

Moonshot Index – AI-picked 10x-100x altcoins

Narrative Pulse Index – Tokens gaining traction in specific narratives

🧠 Why it matters: This variety allows users to invest based on their risk profile, interests, and market outlook.

3. AI-Driven Rebalancing

Unlike traditional index funds that rebalance quarterly or monthly, Token Metrics Indices use dynamic rebalancing, powered by AI.

The AI evaluates:

Price action and momentum

Social sentiment and mentions

Investor Grade and Trader Grade shifts

On-chain activity

Developer updates

Tokens that lose momentum are rotated out, while promising assets are rotated in.

🧠 Why it matters: You avoid riding tokens down during corrections—and stay exposed to fresh upside.

4. Outperformance Backtesting

Each Token Metrics Index is rigorously backtested against:

BTC and ETH performance

Sector benchmarks

Market cap-weighted portfolios

The result? Many of the AI-powered indices have outperformed manual strategies and traditional HODLing over 6–12 month windows.

🧠 Why it matters: The data proves that smarter diversification leads to higher returns.

5. One-Click Access for Retail and Institutional Investors

Whether you’re a retail investor or a fund manager, Token Metrics makes it simple to follow or replicate any index. You can:

View index constituents and weights

Track historical performance

Set alerts for index updates

Manually replicate index tokens via your wallet

Use API integrations to build auto-trading strategies

🧠 Why it matters: Even if you’re not a quant, you can trade like one.

6. Perfect for Beginners and Time-Strapped Traders

Many investors don’t have the time or expertise to:

Analyze every token

Track dozens of narratives

Time market entries and exits

Token Metrics Indices do this for you by bundling high-conviction tokens into a pre-vetted, optimized portfolio.

🧠 Why it matters: You skip the hours of research and avoid analysis paralysis.

7. Stay Ahead of Market Trends

Because the indices are linked to AI trend detection, they shift focus in real-time. For example:

As DePIN gains momentum, it gets added to indices

If Meme tokens fall off, the AI rotates into stronger themes

When new narratives emerge, Token Metrics creates a new index around them

🧠 Why it matters: You don’t just invest in what’s hot—you invest in what’s about to get hot.

8. Seamless Alerts and Monitoring

You can set alerts for:

Index performance drops

New tokens added

Weight changes

Signal shifts across index constituents

Get alerts via email, Telegram, Discord, or Slack, so you’re always in the loop.

🧠 Why it matters: Active management becomes effortless.

9. Indexes That Fit Every Investment Goal

Goal

Recommended Index

Stable growth

Top 10 Large-Cap Index

High-growth narratives

AI Index, RWA Index, Gaming Index

Moonshot potential

Low-Cap Degen or Moonshot Index

Thematic exposure

Meme Index, DeFi Index, DePIN Index

Portfolio diversification

Global Market Cap Index

🧠 Why it matters: You can personalize your crypto strategy—while letting AI do the heavy lifting.

10. Free Access to Top 5 Tokens Per Index

On the Token Metrics platform, even free users can view:

The top 5 tokens in each index

Price, ROI since review, and grade

A CTA to upgrade for full access moonshots

🧠 Why it matters: You can test the waters before committing.

Conclusion: The Smartest Way to Invest in Crypto in 2025

With AI-powered rebalancing, narrative tracking, and data-driven performance, Token Metrics Indices are the modern investor’s answer to crypto chaos. You get the diversification of an ETF, the agility of a trading bot, and the foresight of AI—wrapped in a user-friendly experience.

If you’re looking for smarter, simpler, and more powerful crypto investing strategies, Token Metrics Indices are the best place to start.

[travelscrape]

Travel Forums and Communities for Emerging Travel Trends

Introduction

In 2025, travel decisions will no longer be dictated solely by brochures, advertisements, or official websites. Instead, travelers turn to peers, seeking real-world advice, honest experiences, and shared itineraries on forums, discussion threads, and Q&A platforms. For travel businesses, tour operators, and analytics platforms, the ability to scrape travel forums and communities is a decisive advantage.

By using smart tools for real-time user reviews scraping , companies can access the pulse of global travelers, tracking where people are going, what they love, and what they wish they'd known sooner. These insights are far more current than traditional surveys or delayed market reports.

Moreover, the ability to extract community travel tips from active users—on everything from hidden gems to visa hacks—creates a more authentic, actionable travel dataset. That's the true power of travel sentiment from forums: real travelers offering real-time, unfiltered advice.

Why Forums & Communities Matter for Travel Intelligence?

Traditional travel data tells part of the story: pricing, availability, and bookings. But forums tell the rest—the why, how, and what now of traveler experiences. Platforms like Reddit, Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, and niche travel boards are treasure troves of real-time feedback, destination comparisons, and traveler questions.

These spaces offer:

Honest opinions without brand filters

Trip diaries and practical travel hacks

In-depth conversations about destinations

Real problems and complaints voiced by travelers

Dynamic, daily content from a global audience

This makes forums and communities a goldmine for real-time travel intelligence—ideal for marketing teams, experience designers, and AI platforms alike.

Core Sources: Where to Scrape Travel Conversations

The most valuable insights come from widely used, community-driven platforms:

Reddit – With its massive /r/travel and countless destination-specific subreddits, travel Reddit scraping offers rich, layered insights into travel planning and post-trip reflection.

Tripadvisor – A go-to for accommodation and experience reviews, using a Tripadvisor forum scraper gives access to real-time hotel feedback, traveler itineraries, and location-specific questions.

Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree (archive) – Once active, still a goldmine for long-haul, adventure, and slow travel insights.

Other Discussion Boards – Backpacker forums, digital nomad groups, and expat communities are perfect for discussion board data scraping, revealing patterns not seen in commercial travel apps.

Q&A Platforms – Quora, StackExchange, and niche travel Q&A websites are essential for those looking to scrape Q&A travel platforms for specific queries and answers on destinations, regulations, and travel hacks.

Types of Insights You Can Extract

Forum and community scraping isn't just about harvesting random posts—it's about targeted data with clear value. Here's what businesses can uncover:

Popular and emerging destinations by season

Preferred airlines, hotels, and booking platforms

Visa rules, travel safety, and border updates

Budgeting tips and traveler cost analysis

Traveler frustrations, service gaps, and unmet needs

Language and cultural concerns

Mainstream guides often ignore hidden gem locations

By capturing user-generated travel content, businesses get to understand what people care about, not what marketing teams think they do.

Use Cases: Who Benefits from Forum Scraping?

Tourism Boards & DMOs – Identify how their regions are perceived, what attractions are trending, and what gaps tourists complain about.

OTAs & Travel Startups – Use Travel Forums & Community Data to enhance personalization engines, offer better travel suggestions, and optimize copywriting.

Hotel Chains & Property Managers – With Hotel Data Scraping from forums, brands can measure real-world satisfaction and common pain points in their accommodations.

AI Travel Assistants – Training models using real-time travel data from human conversations makes the AI more relatable and useful.

Travel Bloggers & Influencers – Spot conversation spikes around specific destinations or travel styles before they go mainstream.

Tools for Scraping and Analyzing Forum Data

To scrape communities at scale, robust tooling is required. A good Travel Web Scraping Service can automate forum crawling, page rendering, and text extraction across different platforms. Here's how it works:

Custom crawlers identify discussion threads with travel-related tags

Natural Language Processing (NLP) helps interpret the post content

Filters categorize posts by topic, sentiment, region, and traveler profile

Results are stored in structured datasets for dashboards or further analysis

With a flexible Travel Scraping API , users can request insights by destination, keyword, date, or user demographics.

How Forum Scraping Powers Travel Decisions?

Real-Time Feedback Mining: Travelers post while they're traveling, making forums ideal for real-time feedback mining—a live feed of changing traveler perceptions, from strikes and delays to newly discovered must-sees.

Understand Emotions and Sentiments: Extracting travel sentiment from forums helps brands understand which destinations are getting praise and which are losing favor.

Event & Trend Monitoring: Forum mentions spike before and during major travel events. Use a forum crawler for travel to detect surges in chatter for events like Oktoberfest, the Olympics, or cherry blossom season.

Discover Emerging Destinations: A destination chatter scraper can help surface places gaining popularity before they hit mainstream platforms. Think early chatter about Georgia, Albania, or remote Japanese islands.

Competitive Benchmarking: Analyze reviews and discussion mentions of your competitors and their services for product improvement or marketing advantage.

Challenges in Scraping Travel Forums

Scraping forums isn't without obstacles:

JavaScript-heavy sites require headless browsers to extract content

Login-gated platforms may restrict crawlers or require authentication

Data volume and duplication require strong filtering algorithms

Ethical considerations mean you must comply with the terms of use and privacy standards

That's where experienced Travel Web Scraping Services offer value: compliance, efficiency, and data quality.

Combining Forum Data with Other Travel Sources

For maximum impact, scraped forum data should be integrated with:

Pricing Data (airfare, hotel rates)

Search & Booking Behavior

Weather and Seasonality Trends

Local Event Calendars

Transport and Accessibility Updates

Using Travel Data Scraping Trends and AI-based data fusion, you can cross-reference user opinions with actual bookings, real-world delays, or climate conditions to form a 360° view of traveler experience.

Visualization and Application of Insights

Once data is scraped and categorized, it can be visualized in dashboards showing:

Word clouds for common complaints and praises

Heat maps of frequently discussed destinations

Timelines of destination popularity

Comparison charts of traveler sentiment by region or platform

These insights can be embedded into booking engines, hotel management tools, or content strategy systems.

Conclusion

In the era of community-driven travel, scraping forums and discussion boards is no longer optional—it's a strategic necessity. By listening to travelers where they speak freely, brands unlock hidden demand, solve pain points, and build better experiences.

Through smart scraping of Q&A threads, Reddit posts, and review conversations, businesses can extract traveler pain points, gather honest feedback, and track emotional connections to destinations. With the rise of conversational AI, AI travel community monitoring offers a scalable interpretation of this data.

Most importantly, these platforms deliver social proof for tourism—authentic, influential, and in real time. In 2025, travelers trust other travelers. Make sure your strategy does too.

Ready to elevate your travel business with cutting-edge data insights? Get in touch with Travel Scrape today to explore how our end-to-end data solutions can uncover new revenue streams, enhance your offerings, and strengthen your competitive edge in the travel market.

Source : https://www.travelscrape.com/scrape-travel-forums-communities-travel-trends.php