#replace Google Assistant

[ttiranisu]

what is the difference between google gemini and the previous assistant functionally? the old assistant showed you snippets of human made articles related to your search, while gemini writes a summary of the same human made articles and shows it to you. to me as a user it serves the same function except gemini is more evil

[newstech24]

Gemini is on the brink of change Google Assistant on Android

Android customers will quickly be capable to let Gemini management machine options and apps with fewer privateness issues. In an electronic mail seen by Android Police, Google just lately notified Gemini customers that it’ll begin rolling out an replace on July seventh that enables the AI bot to “use Cellphone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities in your telephone, whether or not your Gemini Apps…

[metropolitant]

BEYOND SIRI: HOW NEXT-GEN AI PERSONAL ASSISTANTS ARE QUIETLY RESHAPING OUR LIVES

It starts small: a whisper suggesting a quicker route to work. A quiet nudge reminding you to pick up groceries. A tip about an email you forgot to send. Today’s AI-powered personal assistants are no longer simple gadgets—they’re embedding themselves into our lives, predicting needs before we even realise it. Gone are the days when assistants like Siri and Alexa only set alarms or played songs.…

[tricksfunn]

Gemini Takes Flight at Google I/O: Unveiling New Features and the Future of AI

Google I/O 2024 was an event bursting with innovation, and as a user, you might be wondering how these advancements will impact your daily interactions with technology. Let’s delve into the highlights and see how they translate into real-world benefits for you. Gemini 1.5 Pro and Flash: Tailored to Your Needs At the heart of the excitement were the latest additions to the Gemini family: Gemini…

[sydneycbdrepaircentre]

❤ Google Assistant on Pixels can now ask if an incoming call is urgent

    As was first announced at the Made by Google event at the beginning of the month, you can now use the Google Assistant to ask if an incoming call from a contact is urgent. For years now, Pixel phones have offered an option to “Screen call,” allowing the Google Assistant to speak to an incoming caller on your behalf to find out who they are and what they want. This method is surprisingly…

[riverpiracy]

i don't care that it's AI-assisted or whatever, google isn't alone in trying to wow people by slapping that label onto everything they can in an attempt to cash in on the public perception of AI as a wonder drug, but wow i really fucking hate the ethos behind all this shit of exponentially increasing ease of use and consumer satisfaction in all things with zero thought put into what's lost when everything is easy and perfect. it's so gross. no, no, don't cherish that family portrait of a beach vacation with your brother squinting from the sun and your dad blinking at just the wrong moment and all your fellow beachgoers sprawled out in the background. replace everyone's faces so they smile perfectly at camera and tap to delete all the unnecessary people behind you. while you're at it, drag to select that disappointing overcast sky and replace it with a sunset. what a beautiful trip! your baby sister will grow up to think that this was what it looked like

[angrythingstarlight]

I just read your drabble about mafia!bucky giving flowers to his girls😭 Bee definitely has a skewed perception of how long flowers last because Bucky keeps replacing the old ones before she sees a single wilting petal😭

It's going to be years before she figures out that a bouquet doesn't last for months on end. Years. It's the Santa debacle all over again.

Pairing: Mafia!Bucky x Reader, daughter nicknamed Bumblebee.

Bee is out at a restaurant with her friends and she makes a casual remark about the flowers on the table. A few petals are beginning to brown and curl. It’s fascinating because she's never seen that happen before.

"How long do you think flowers are supposed to live?"

Bee picks up on teasing, incredulous tone and she narrows her eyes. "Three months," she says slowly.

Silence.

"Girl—"

Bee holds up her hand. "The ones my Papa gets me and mama last that long. Maybe you're getting them from the wrong places." She can admit she's being defensive because she has an inkling that she may be wrong.

More silence. Her friends look at each other and then her. Yeah.

Just an inkling.

She sighs. Pulls out her phone. One quick Google search later and she's slumping in her chair, hand over her face as she laughs. "Oh come on. How was I supposed to know that? Wait give me a second, I need to ask my mama about this."

She calls you, putting you on speaker, all the girls greet you when you answer. "Mama how long are flowers supposed to last?"

Silence. Then a drawn out well.

"Mama." Her cadences playfully mirrors yours.

"Alright so technically a few weeks max but don't tell your papa that you know because he has a whole system in place to replace them before they start to die. Bee, you know he still hasn't recovered from the Santa thing. Let him have this."

Bee laughs again, her heart warming as shs thinks about the effort and time her papa spends on the little things to keep the two of you happy. She feels lucky to have both of you and she's not going to take that for granted. "I know, I remember. Don't worry I'm not going to say anything."

After you hang up, Sienna grins, propping her chin on her hand. "I'm so jealous. My dad would forget my birthday if his assistant didn't remind him. I would love three month flowers. Can he adopt me? You want another sister?"

"Nope, I'm not sharing him but I'll pay for lunch." Bee smiles, her gaze dropping to her screen and she sends off an I love you text to her Papa.

He responds immediately. Like he always does. And it makes her day that much better.

[pillowfort-social]

Generative AI Policy (February 9, 2024)

As of February 9, 2024, we are updating our Terms of Service to prohibit the following content:

Images created through the use of generative AI programs such as Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and Dall-E.

This post explains what that means for you. We know it’s impossible to remove all images created by Generative AI on Pillowfort. The goal of this new policy, however, is to send a clear message that we are against the normalization of commercializing and distributing images created by Generative AI. Pillowfort stands in full support of all creatives who make Pillowfort their home. Disclaimer: The following policy was shaped in collaboration with Pillowfort Staff and international university researchers. We are aware that Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly evolving environment. This policy may require revisions in the future to adapt to the changing landscape of Generative AI. 

-

Why is Generative AI Banned on Pillowfort?

Our Terms of Service already prohibits copyright violations, which includes reposting other people’s artwork to Pillowfort without the artist’s permission; and because of how Generative AI draws on a database of images and text that were taken without consent from artists or writers, all Generative AI content can be considered in violation of this rule. We also had an overwhelming response from our user base urging us to take action on prohibiting Generative AI on our platform.  

-

How does Pillowfort define Generative AI?

As of February 9, 2024 we define Generative AI as online tools for producing material based on large data collection that is often gathered without consent or notification from the original creators.

Generative AI tools do not require skill on behalf of the user and effectively replace them in the creative process (ie - little direction or decision making taken directly from the user). Tools that assist creativity don't replace the user. This means the user can still improve their skills and refine over time. 

For example: If you ask a Generative AI tool to add a lighthouse to an image, the image of a lighthouse appears in a completed state. Whereas if you used an assistive drawing tool to add a lighthouse to an image, the user decides the tools used to contribute to the creation process and how to apply them. 

Examples of Tools Not Allowed on Pillowfort: Adobe Firefly* Dall-E GPT-4 Jasper Chat Lensa Midjourney Stable Diffusion Synthesia

Example of Tools Still Allowed on Pillowfort: 

AI Assistant Tools (ie: Google Translate, Grammarly) VTuber Tools (ie: Live3D, Restream, VRChat) Digital Audio Editors (ie: Audacity, Garage Band) Poser & Reference Tools (ie: Poser, Blender) Graphic & Image Editors (ie: Canva, Adobe Photoshop*, Procreate, Medibang, automatic filters from phone cameras)

*While Adobe software such as Adobe Photoshop is not considered Generative AI, Adobe Firefly is fully integrated in various Adobe software and falls under our definition of Generative AI. The use of Adobe Photoshop is allowed on Pillowfort. The creation of an image in Adobe Photoshop using Adobe Firefly would be prohibited on Pillowfort. 

-

Can I use ethical generators? 

Due to the evolving nature of Generative AI, ethical generators are not an exception.

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Can I still talk about AI? 

Yes! Posts, Comments, and User Communities discussing AI are still allowed on Pillowfort.

-

Can I link to or embed websites, articles, or social media posts containing Generative AI? 

Yes. We do ask that you properly tag your post as “AI” and “Artificial Intelligence.”

-

Can I advertise the sale of digital or virtual goods containing Generative AI?

No. Offsite Advertising of the sale of goods (digital and physical) containing Generative AI on Pillowfort is prohibited.

-

How can I tell if a software I use contains Generative AI?

A general rule of thumb as a first step is you can try testing the software by turning off internet access and seeing if the tool still works. If the software says it needs to be online there’s a chance it’s using Generative AI and needs to be explored further. 

You are also always welcome to contact us at moderation@pillowfort.social if you’re still unsure.

-

How will this policy be enforced/detected?

Our Team has decided we are NOT using AI-based automated detection tools due to how often they provide false positives and other issues. We are applying a suite of methods sourced from international universities responding to moderating material potentially sourced from Generative AI instead.

-

How do I report content containing Generative AI Material?

If you are concerned about post(s) featuring Generative AI material, please flag the post for our Site Moderation Team to conduct a thorough investigation. As a reminder, Pillowfort’s existing policy regarding callout posts applies here and harassment / brigading / etc will not be tolerated. 

Any questions or clarifications regarding our Generative AI Policy can be sent to moderation@pillowfort.social.

[notoriousaesthetics]

✧ ( 06. 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐓) ── // LINK a multi muse google doc.

───  𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

this is a premium multi muse google doc that's inspired by yearbooks, preparatory schools and the y2k movement. this doc is great for university/school based rps and could be used both as a multi or single muse (pages can be cut down for single muse). there's plenty of space for heavy amounts of writing within all the editable categories. the easiest way to adjust images is ensuring that you replace them! there's a good amount of drawing assets so please make sure you're careful of where you click! this google doc layout also looks best on desktop! includes: 6 unique custom google doc templates + an additional instruction document that explains the terms of use & further guidelines. disclaimer: ✺ images do not belong to me and are credited to their rightful owners.

───  𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔𝒆.

PERMITTED

customizing the templates, including changing colors, adding or removing elements, replacing images, and more.

mixing and matching pages from other notoriousaesthetic only templates to personalize design.

NOT PERMITTED

removing or obscuring the credit; it must remain intact and visible on all templates.

using the templates in illegal, defamatory, or otherwise harmful projects.

copying, selling, or redistributing the templates, whether in their original form, partially (e.g., individual pages), or remixed (e.g., modified versions).

── ✧ THANK YOU!

please ▸ ( like/reblog) ◂ this if you found this useful and intend to use the google doc! for any further questions, please contact me via tumblr or join my discord for additional assistance!

[itwasthereaminuteago]

|| The Pantyeater Proxy ||

Frank castle x female reader

Tags/warnings: fluff, smut, Max!

💜 Reblogs and comments mean the world, thank you for reading! 💜

"What you got Max, buddy? What is that?"

By the time Frank wrestles the thing from his slobbering jaws, it's too late.

"Aw shit." He's holding up the black shreds that once were one of your favourite sets of lingerie.

"Goddamn it. You tryin' to get us thrown out?"

Max grumbles, looking up guiltily from his place on the floor.

"Ain't no use sayin' sorry now, think we gotta go shoppin' boy."

He only had a few hours until you came back from work. Frank manages to decipher the brand from the small and partly-chewed label, maybe he can pick up a like-for-like replacement and you'll be none the wiser. More importantly, him and Max will avoid being in your bad books.

Frank is, admittedly, a little out of his element. You usually bought this kinda thing yourself, and Christ knows where you'd originally gotten it from. Things had started out okay, he'd gone to the nearest shop on Google, one with really good reviews, but now he was standing amongst mannequins and reams of hanging silk and lace bras, panties, teddies, slips, and anything else he could've imagined, completely lost. He couldn't even see the brand of the thing Max ate.

"Can I help, sir?"

Frank turns around to see a young woman about half his size, her face bearing what he recognises as a well used sympathetic expression for use on lost boyfriends and husbands.

He clears his throat. "Uh, yes ma'am. Any chance you carry this brand?"

She examines the torn label and then slowly starts to shake her head. "I'm sorry sir, we don't. I think it's actually discontinued. Were you looking for something specific?"

"Shit- excuse me ma'am, sorry, it's just my dog he uh... took a liking to my lady's things and made em into a chew toy. Kinda lookin' for a replacement or me and the dog might be sharing a kennel."

"Ah, yes." She smiles politely. "Could you give me an idea of what they were like and I could maybe find something similar?"

Frank scratches at the shorter hairs at the back of his head. "Uhh..."

She examines the frayed edge on the label. "Well we can start with black, right? Sooo lace, satin, silk, a combination? Wired or unwired bra? Full coverage, push-up, plunge, balconette, or maybe something a little more revealing? And how about the panty; brief, short, Brazilian, bikini, thong... crotchless? Do you know what styles she might like?"

Frank's head spins. "Shit, all I know is that she looked killer in them. You think you could gimme a quick crash course in all this, I can try tell you what she likes, definitely what she don't like- maybe find somethin' that won't get me my head ripped off?"

The shop assistant laughs. "Of course."

Frank returns to the apartment feeling more than a little apprehensive. He puts the fancy bag on the middle of the bed with a stern instruction for Max to leave well alone.

By the time you arrive home, he's almost forgotten about the incident, having been distracted with a phonecall from David asking if you guys were free for dinner this Saturday.

"-alright, yeah yeah 'course I'll bring some wine you dope. See ya then." He hangs up as he's walking over to give you a kiss.

"Hey sweetie, how was work?"

"Urgh, just the usual. Who was that?"

"Liebermann asking us to dinner tomorrow. Said yeah, we ain't got nothing else on right?" He helps you with your coat and you kick off your shoes and dump your bag on the couch.

"No that'll be really nice to see them. Okay I'm just gonna jump in the shower, then I'm all yours." You call as you're already walking into the bedroom to undress.

There's a beat, and then-

"Frank...? What's this?" You appear back at the doorway, the the bag dangling from the string handle on your hooked finger.

He sheepishly joins you in the bedroom. "An apology, from Max and me. Mainly Max as I ain't the one that ate your underwear." Frank looks over his shoulder at the dog curled up on the living room couch like he's denying all knowledge.

You snort. "Wait- what?!"

"M'sorry baby, I didn't catch him in time. Was hopin' it's a decent replacement, but if it ain't we can change it. You know I'm crap at this stuff."

You take out the tissue paper package from the bag, sitting on the bed and unwrapping it carefully on your lap. Whatever it is it's black. That's good, not that you were expecting some neon monstrosity from Frank, he was definitely one for the classic look when it came to the bedroom, but then again he'd say he thought you were smoking hot in a tatty old sweater and odd socks.

"You pick this?"

"Well I had some help from the shop (he left a big tip). But yeah. You like it?"

You run your fingers over the soft lacy cup of the wireless bralet, holding it up to look at it more closely. It was the right size anyway, one thing Frank was definitely good at was recon and attention to detail, that is if he didn't already have your bra size and other measurements ingrained in his brain. There were panties to match, not cut too high, again, silky soft, lacy and very sexy.

"I think I'm gonna have to try them on before I make up my mind on whether to forgive Max or not..."

A muscle in Frank's jaw twitches at the challenging look in your eyes as you take the contents of the bag into the ensuite with you, closing the door.

Frank is sat on the bed as you change, patiently waiting, almost biting his nails until you slowly emerge from the bathroom, one mouthwateringly delicious step at a time. You stop and pose, shifting your weight from hip to hip, pouting and biting your bottom lip at him.

"Hmm, what do you think? You wanna eat these panties, Frank?"

You're a fucking goddess. You were aways a goddess but holy crap, you wearing something he picked out and standing in front of him looking at him like that?

You smile a little wickedly as you climb on to him, and as you straddle his lap his hands are already all over your skin, brushing over the pretty straps and seams of your new undergarments.

"Sweetheart, baby, darlin', I wanna eat you."

You grab his face gently, "I was actually thinking that maybe we should save all this for tomorrow night, I'll wear these when we go to David and Sarah's for dinner. What do you reckon? Think you can keep your hands off me till tomorrow night when we get home?"

Frank has to grip his own thighs to stop himself from tackling you to the mattress right now. If this was his punishment it was gonna be unbearable.

"Yeah, okay, whatever you want." He husks, eyes darker than pools of ink.

You boop the end of his crooked nose with your finger before extricating yourself from over his tented sweatpants. "Good boy."

Frank groans as you leave him high and dry and disappear back into the bathroom to shower, wishing he could join you.

It wasn't easy tearing yourself away like that, you wanted him to ravish you as much as he did you. But still, he seemed keen to work for your forgiveness and he was only going to get that through some pretty hard repentance. And besides, you knew how fiery hot the sex was if the two of you had to wait for it.

Saturday night was only the next day and yet it felt like an eternity to Frank after not being able touch you. As he took in your pretty standard jeans and sweater combo his mouth was almost watering as he knew fine well what was hidden underneath. It didn't even matter that you were wearing sexy lingerie or not he just wanted you.

"Frank! Would you pass the fricken potatoes, please?!" David's apparently third request for potatoes shakes him out of his stupor.

"Earth to spaceman Frank, the hell is up with you?" He clicks his fingers either side of his head.

"Huh? Nothin', here." Frank grumbles as he finally sends more carbs David's way.

He's like this all night, and all you can do is try to hide your laughter behind a mouthful of food. Frank's been watching you like a hungry dog the whole time and you're living for it. Sarah knows something's going on but she doesn't ask for details.

"Let's just say he's being denied his treats for a little while." You explained to her with a wink in the kitchen later.

Sarah laughs as she tops up your wine glass. "Oh my god, they get so damn grouchy don't they?"

"And desperate," you add, and she hums knowingly as if she's recalling a specific incident, nodding emphatically.

"Hm, guess we better call it a night. I don't wanna make him suffer too much I guess."

"Oh you're far kinder than me!"

When you make a move to leave, Frank wastes absolutely no time grabbing his jacket and keys.

"Thanks for having us over you guys." You tell the couple, waving.

"No problem," David says, then gestures at Frank. "But hey, look after this big goon will you? His head doesn't seem like it's screwed on right."

"Yeah yeah whatever. G'night." Frank grabs your hand and pulls you towards the truck like the house is on fire as you giggle after him.

"Bye guys!"

When he pulls up at home you've barely shut the truck door before Frank's picking you up and marching to the front door. As soon as he's managed to unlock and slam it behind him he's got you up against the wall, your legs wrapped around his waist as he attacks your mouth with his. You gasp as he squeezes your ass through your jeans, mouth traveling down the side of your neck as his hips press against yours letting you feel just how hard you've got him. You claw and shove at his jacket, urging him to take it off and you quickly remove your own and kick off your boots as he shrugs it onto the floor and does the same. He picks you back up again, carrying you straight through to the bedroom. Max raises his head briefly and then grunts as he goes back to sleep.

Once you land on the bed Frank is all over you, big hands caressing your body through your sweater which he yanks up over your head but doesn't remove completely, leaving your arms trapped before his mouth is back on your skin worshipping absolutely every inch of you, his lips and tongue trailing over the lace that contains your breasts.

"Frank- fuck!" You buck your hips up against his.

"Mm you want this now?" He growls and lets you free. You tug at his flannel and he's barely pulled it off before your hands are slipping up under his black shirt and feeling over his stomach and pecs, mapping your territory.

"God, you know how hard it was not to fuck you over that goddamn dining table?"

You tug and pull his belt free from the buckle, yanking down the zipper and slipping your hand in to stroke him firmly through his black boxer briefs. You bite down on your bottom lip, it's like a steel rod. "Was it this hard? Huh?"

"Fuck, baby- you know it." He hisses as you work him through the soft fabric, leaning down and kissing you so hungrily you're soaking though those pretty panties he bought you. It's as if he can sense it, unbuttoning your jeans and thrusting his hand down in front without bothering to take them off. His fingers are firm and focused, tracing the line of your folds where the silk is damp and sticking to your core from your arousal.

"God damn sweetheart..."

You moan as he strokes and cups your pussy, ruining your panties with how turned on you are. You move your hips against his hand, enjoying the delicious friction as you keep rubbing and squeezing his rock hard erection until neither of you can wait any longer. It's you that breaks first, pushing him away while you shimmy out of your jeans in record time. He does the same until he kneeling naked in front of you. You're still wearing the underwear that started all this and you intend to keep wearing it as you crawl forward, push him to lay back on the bed and mount him. He watches you transfixed as you spread your knees wide, simply pulling your panties to one side and sliding slowly down to take his cock inside, inch by fucking beautiful inch. You moan together as he bottoms out, feeling the completeness as he throbs and you squeeze. His hands skate up your back and you start to rock your hips back and forth, the feeling of him dragging against this deepest part of you like nothing else.

"God, you're so fucking incredible." He tells you, those dark brown eyes darting everywhere trying to take in all of you at once.

"So are you. Feels so good Frank-"

Your breath soon changes to short pants as you bounce yourself up and down on his dick, and he holds on to your hips, thrusting his own upwards to meet you, your gorgeous tits looking like they're about to jiggle right out of that little lacy bralet.

"Oh fuck, that's it baby, so good.." He looks down to watch his cock disappear in and out of you, getting covered with more of your cream each time. Your fingers dig into his chest as you hold on, throwing your head back as he palms and caresses one of your breasts, earning a wanton moan from you when he rubs and pinches your hard nipple between his fingers.

You wrap your fingers around his wrist and guide him to where you need him.

"Alright sweetheart, I got you." His breath is coming harder as he watches you intensely, seeing the pleasure twist your features into a picture of ecstacy when he slips his hand between the damp lace and your skin and circles his fingers right on your clit. You fall forward against him and he's got you, one hand between your hot bodies and the other holding your jaw, his thumb over the front of your throat as he keeps fucking up into you hard.

It's been a struggle not to lose his mind already before this point, you're just magic, absolute witchcraft to him. The way you had him begging for your touch, the way you look no matter if you're wearing sexy clothes or not, the way you fucking feel riding his cock. He's gonna see stars soon, he knows it.

Luckily you're on the same page, your moans getting louder and higher, the way you still your body, feeling him pounding into you...

"F-frank I'm-" you gasp as he doubles down, hips pistoning as he rubs your slick throbbing clit so fast you'd swear he was using a toy.

"Come on princess, let me feel it." Frank's strained plea drives you over the edge, undulating your hips with his again as the feeling bubbles up and bursts out from your center and through the rest of your body. You moan into his mouth as he kisses you so passionately, tongue twisting and lapping against yours. He groans long and deep as your tremors bring on his own sweet release, holding on to you tightly, burying himself into you in a last few powerful thrusts.

The two of you lie wrapped in each other for a while, just breathing, until Max pads into the room and starts licking Frank's foot.

"Here's trouble." He announces as he lets his head thunk back on the mattress while you gingerly sit up and raise yourself off him.

"I forgive him." You say smiling at Max as he wags his tail seemingly in understanding.

"You know they say don't blame the dog, blame the owner? Will you forgive me?" Frank looks up at you with the saddest puppy eyes you've ever seen.

"After that? And this?" You say, gesturing to what you're wearing. "Yeah, I think you get a pass too."

You grab his hand and help pull him up. "C'mon baby, let's shower and then take Pantyeater for a walk."

[copperbadge]

I have a lot of feelings about the use of AI in Everything These Days, but they're not particularly strong feelings, like I've got other shit going on. That said, when I use a desktop computer, every single file I use in Google Drive now has a constant irritating popup on the right-hand side asking me how Gemini AI Can Help Me. You can't, Gemini. You are in the way. I'm not even mad there's an AI there, I'm mad there's a constantly recurring popup taking up space and attention on my screen.

Here's the problem, however: even Gemini doesn't know how to disable Gemini. I did my own research and then finally, with a deep appreciation of the irony of this, I asked it how to turn it off. It said in any google drive file go to Help > Gemini and there will be an option to turn it off. Guess what isn't a menu item under Help?

I've had a look around at web tutorials for removing or blocking it, but they are either out of date or for the Gemini personal assistant, which I already don't have, and thus cannot turn off. Gemini for Drive is an integrated "service" within Google Drive, which I guess means I'm going to have to look into moving off Google Drive.

So, does anyone have references for a service as seamless and accessible as Google Drive? I need document, spreadsheet, slideshow, and storage, but I don't have any fancy widgets installed or anything. I do technically own Microsoft Office so I suppose I could use that but I've never found its cloud function to actually, uh, function. I could use OneNote for documents if things get desperate but OneNote is very limited overall. I want to be able to open and edit files, including on an Android phone, and I'd prefer if I didn't have to receive a security code in my text messages every time I log in. I also will likely need to be able to give non-users access, but I suppose I could kludge that in Drive as long as I only have to deal with it short-term.

Any thoughts, friends? If I find a good functional replacement I'm happy to post about it once I've tested it.

Also, saying this because I love you guys but if I don't spell it out I will get a bunch of comments about it: If you yourself have managed to banish Gemini from your Drive account including from popping up in individual files, I'm interested! Please share. If you have not actually implemented a solution yourself, rest assured, anything you find I have already tried and it does not work.

[cryogeniccrush]

“Soft on You” (bucky barnes x f!reader) 18+

Part Three - Out of Office, Out of Mind

Summary: When you get a surprise week off from work, you try to enjoy it like a normal person—only to spiral into self-doubt, miss your coworkers, and Google whether being replaced by someone hotter and more competent is a real fear or just anxiety. Meanwhile, Bucky hires a terrifyingly professional assistant and realizes exactly what he’s missing. Yelena, as always, stirs the pot.

Word count: 5.8k

Warnings: emotional repression, cold coffee, workplace tension, Yelena being Yelena, spiral cleaning, one (1) aggressively professional new hire, accidental flirting

part two • masterlist • next part

He was lying in bed. Awake. Shirtless. Staring at the ceiling like it held the secrets of the universe.

The glow of the digital clock blinked in the dark:

3:27 a.m.

"I’m being ridiculous," he muttered.

He rolled onto his side. Then his back again. Then sat up with a groan.

No sleep. No peace. Just thoughts.

He got up, padded barefoot to the kitchen, and made the strongest coffee his machine would allow. The coffee was terrible. Bitter and burnt. Just like his brain.

Ten minutes later, he was at the dining table in sweatpants and a frown, surrounded by resumes. He stared at them like they were a personal insult.

“I hate this,” he said to no one.

He picked up one folder. Skimmed it. Tossed it aside. Picked up another. Tossed it harder.

He rubbed his eyes.

The one resume Yelena had shoved at him earlier lay perfectly centered on the table. Bold font. Clean lines. And Yelena's handwriting in the margin that read:

Don’t be boring. Hire me.

He snorted. “Why am I even doing this?” he muttered. “She just needs a break. That’s all.”

He looked at the ceiling again. “This doesn’t mean anything. Just a week. One week.”

He stared at the resume again. Then sighed, shoulders slumping.

“Fine.” He grabbed a pen and scrawled HIRED across the top like it personally offended him.

════════════════════════════════

He arrived at the office thirty minutes late, looking like he’d been through a war zone. Hair a mess. Shirt wrinkled. No smile.

Clara at reception blinked. “Rough night, Mr. Barnes?”

“Didn’t sleep.”

Mark, mopping nearby, chuckled. “Same. My neighbor got a new girlfriend. Paper-thin walls.”

Bucky groaned. “That’s information I didn’t need.”

Clara smiled sympathetically. “Well, at least you’re here now.”

He nodded and moved toward the elevators. The second they opened, Jackson—standing near the mail cart—saluted cheerfully.

“Morning, Mr. Barnes.”

Bucky blinked. “Morning, Jason.”

Jackson’s smile flickered. “It’s—it’s Jackson, sir.”

Bucky frowned like that couldn’t possibly be right. “Right. That’s what I said.”

He stepped into the elevator.

Jackson sighed. “Sure.”

════════════════════════════════

Bucky closed the office door behind him and dropped into his chair like it personally betrayed him.

He pulled the resume from his inner jacket pocket, smoothed it out, and stared at the phone number.

His hand hovered. Then he picked up the desk phone and punched in the number.

It rang once. Twice.

Then—

“Hello?”

The voice was calm. Crisp. Polished. But not cold, something warm curled at the edges, like a confident smile.

“Hi. This is Congressman Barnes,” he said stiffly.

Pause. Then, lightly, “Ah. You do sound like a man who writes with a fountain pen.”

Bucky blinked. “What?”

“Nothing,” they said, composed again. “Good morning, Congressman. How can I help you?”

He sat up straighter. “I’d like to offer you the position. Secretary. Starting tomorrow.”

A small intake of breath—surprised, but not unprofessional.

“I’d be honored,” the voice said. “Thank you. I’ll be there early.”

“Good,” Bucky said, then paused. “And… you’re sure you’re ready for a position like this? It’s fast-paced. Detail-heavy.”

“I’m always ready,” they said smoothly. “And I’ve been told I’m excellent under pressure.”

Bucky frowned slightly. “By whom?”

“A few employers. A couple of exes. A very aggressive French professor.”

He blinked again. “…Right.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Congressman.”

Click. Bucky hung up the phone, dragged a hand down his face, and whispered:

“What the hell did I just sign up for?”

════════════════════════════════

The air in the lobby felt... off.

Not just cold—tense.

Like the walls themselves were whispering, “you’re about to be fired.”

You groaned and dropped your head onto Clara’s desk with the force of a woman already mourning her own career.

Clara blinked, then patted the back of your head with a mother’s instinct.

“Existential crisis?”

You spoke into the desk. “More like a I-need-to-start-looking-for-other-jobs crisis.”

Mark, who was sweeping near the elevators, stopped mid-sweep. “Wait, what do you mean?”

You turned your head dramatically. “I think Mr. Barnes is going to fire me.”

He frowned. “Seriously?”

You sighed. “Seriously.”

Clara gave a soft, amused chuckle. “I doubt that.”

You lifted your head. “Why?”

She just smiled knowingly. “Some things are meant to be figured out on their own.”

You blinked at her. “…That feels cryptic.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

Mark added, “Plus, Bucky’s too nice to fire anyone. I saw him apologize to a stapler once.”

“That doesn’t help, Mark,” you said, teary-eyed. “Now I feel worse.”

Clara laughed. “You’re getting too into that little head of yours.”

You sniffed dramatically. “It’s cozy in there. And full of spirals.” Grabbed the cup with a sigh. “Wish me luck.”

════════════════════════════════

You walked in like a soldier returning from war, and everyone was staring at you like you'd been defeated.

“Katt,” you whispered.

“Hmm?”

“Why is everyone looking at me like I’m a sad dog they found on the highway?”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. “No reason.”

Mai nodded stiffly from her desk. “Hey,” she said gently, like you were a wounded baby bird.

You groaned. “Oh my God. I am getting fired.”

The pity in the air was thick enough to spread on toast.

You took a shaky breath, walked past them, and knocked on Bucky’s door.

“Come in,” came the familiar voice.

You pushed it open, stepped inside.

“Hi, Mr. Barnes,” you said softly.

He didn’t look up right away.

Just a quiet, “Good morning.”

Your stomach dropped. No sweet girl?

You blinked. “Oh. Um. Here’s your coffee.”

He took it. Sipped.

Then frowned. “It’s cold.”

You froze.

“…Sorry?”

He set the cup on his desk. “I wanted to talk to you.”

Your entire body clenched. Here it comes. This is how I die. He’s going to fire me and I’ll cry and then spontaneously combust.

He gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit.”

You sat. Slowly. Like it was a trap.

Your voice wavered. “Is anything wrong, Mr. Barnes?”

Internally, his fingers twitched like they wanted to get up, open your chair, ask how you were.

But no. Professional. Neutral. Do not fall in love with your assistant today.

“No,” he said. “I’ve been thinking. I’ve decided to give you a week off.”

You blinked. Then blinked again.

“A… week off?”

He nodded once. “Yes. Starting tomorrow. You’ve earned it.”

There was a long silence. You were pretty sure your brain had just disconnected from your body.

He tilted his head, watching you. Why does she look like a kicked puppy? Was that the wrong move? Was vacation bad? Is she about to cry? Oh no.

“Is that okay?” he asked.

You nodded slowly. “Yes? I mean—yes. Of

course. Thank you, Mr. Barnes.”

You stood, nearly knocking the chair back. “And I’m sorry about the coffee.”

He gave you a tense smile. “It’s fine. Do your usual hours today, and then take your time off.”

You stood there like your operating system had frozen.

Just… staring.

Bucky tilted his head again. “You can go to your desk, Lila.”

“Oh. Right. Yes,” you blurted, grateful he gave you instructions because your brain had short-circuited.

You escaped the room and stepped back into the main office.

Silence.

Someone near accounting whispered, “Sooo… are you fired?”

You blinked. “I don’t… think so? He gave me a week of vacation.”

Jackson groaned. “Ugh. I want that. Why does she get that?”

Katt pulled you back to your desk, whispering, “Sit. Breathe. Reboot.”

You sat.

You did not breathe.

Your soul hovered ten feet above your body as you stared into the void and whispered,

“…What the hell just happened?”

════════════════════════════════

You filed things. You smiled at people. You answered emails. You Googled “how to tell if you’re about to be replaced by someone hotter and more competent.” Normal things.

But mostly, you waited for the clock to hit five.

When it finally did, you stood, grabbed your bag, and hesitated just a little too long in front of Bucky’s door.

You knocked.

No response.

“Maybe he’s in the bathroom,” you whispered. “Or busy.”

Still—something in your chest tugged.

You scribbled a quick note on one of your favorite pink sticky pads, heart hammering in your ears like you were writing a love letter instead of a glorified out-of-office memo.

I’ll be going now, Mr. Barnes. Have a great week. Call me if you need anything :)

– Lila

You stuck it right on his monitor.

Then you fled. Like a criminal.

════════════════════════════════

Bucky stepped inside, shaking out his sleeves, still tense from a heated phone call with someone from Legal. He didn’t notice the note at first, just tossed his phone down and groaned.

Then his eyes caught the pink square on the screen. He paused.

Picked it up. Read it once.

Then again.

He exhaled slowly, thumb brushing the edge.

“She makes it really hard not to like her,” he murmured.

His own words hung in the air like a loaded gun.

He froze.

What did I just say?

Footsteps echoed behind him.

Then a familiar voice: “Look at you, soldier. Being all whipped.”

He didn’t even turn around.

Yelena leaned dramatically against the doorframe, arms crossed, one brow raised like she was observing a natural disaster.

Bucky sighed and slipped the sticky note into his desk drawer. Carefully. Like it was evidence in a federal case.

“What do you want, Yelena?” he muttered.

“What, I can’t visit my bestie?” she said, strolling in uninvited like always. “Catch up? Make sure you’re not building an emotional bunker again?”

He glared. “Don’t you have someone else to annoy? Bob? Go see if it’s raining.”

She flopped onto the couch. “Relax, grump. I actually came here for something else.”

Bucky narrowed his eyes. “What.”

“I asked your assistant out.”

Silence. Deadly, frozen, Arctic-circle-level silence.

“You did what?” Bucky hissed.

Yelena raised her hands, smirking. “Relax. I gave her my number. Asked for hers. You know. A girls' night. Brunch. Shopping. Meeting emotionally unavailable men with anger issues. Just girl things.”

Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose like she gave him a migraine through sheer existence. “She doesn’t need your influence.”

“What influence?” Yelena asked innocently. “You’re the one who said you didn’t like her, remember?”

He clenched his jaw. “I didn’t mean—”

She cut him off, eyes gleaming. “Then maybe you should’ve said something before I made plans for us to go out and meet hot guys together.”

He glared. She grinned.

It was war.

And Yelena was winning.

════════════════════════════════

You laughed as you walked with Katt and Mai, Yelena now added to your trio like she'd always belonged.

“I like her,” Mai whispered. “She’s hot.”

“She’s fun,” you agreed. “I love her.”

“She’s dangerous,” Katt added, grinning. “We should absolutely invite her to girls night.”

You nodded, heart light for the first time all day. “Let’s do it.”

You reached your building and gave them both a hug, warm and lingering.

“We’re gonna miss you this week,” Katt said, mock-sniffling.

“Don’t forget about us when you’re rich and retired,” Mai added.

You giggled. “It’s a week. I’ll miss you two idiots.”

You waved as they walked off into the fading city light.

Then you headed upstairs—heart full, head buzzing, and just the tiniest ache in your chest as you thought of Bucky Barnes with his cold coffee and unreadable face.

════════════════════════════════

• Vacation: Day One

No phones ringing, no Katt fake-screaming about printer jams, no Bucky calling her name with that very specific “I need coffee before I lose my mind” voice.

She should’ve been enjoying this. She had a whole week off. An entire seven days to rest, recharge, breathe.

Instead, she was attacking her apartment like it had personally wronged her.

The floor was scrubbed. The fridge wiped. Her bookshelf alphabetized twice because the first time didn't feel therapeutic enough. And now—now she was armed with a broom, her favorite hoodie, and a cleaning playlist that made heartbreak sound like Broadway.

"YOU SAAAAAY I'M CRAZY" You twirled dramatically, broom in hand, as if she were in the final act of a very sad musical. "CAUSE YOU DON’T THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE…”

She paused, clutching at her chest, channeling the emotional weight of a woman who’d been divorced three times and just found out her high school sweetheart cheated on her with their mailman.

Then she dropped onto the couch, panting, one hand over her heart.

“This is what rock bottom looks like,” she mumbled to the ceiling.

The worst part?

She did miss Bucky. She hated that she did, but here she was—two hours into her first vacation day and already tempted to show up to the office just to “check on the printer.”

“Get it together, loser,” she muttered, wiping sweat off her brow.

She sighed and turned away.

Nope. Boundaries.

She showered—after staring at herself in the mirror for a full minute, poking at her messy hair and whispering a disgusted “diugh”—then threw on gym clothes, a hoodie, and sunglasses. The sunglasses were mostly for her ego. She felt like a washed-up celebrity caught at the 7-Eleven in the middle of a mental breakdown.

Grocery shopping, she decided, would be her main event today.

Later;

She pushed her cart like she was searching for a sign from the universe.

Wine. Chocolate. A weird candle that smelled like “leather and heartbreak.” She threw it all in.

“I’m on vacation,” she muttered. “Let me spiral in peace.”

A kid screamed down the aisle. She winced. Another one threw a stick like they were summoning the wrath of the gods.

She looked at them blankly and took a bite of chocolate straight out of the bag.

“I don’t even like being around people. Why do I miss them so much?”

Her phone buzzed.

Her breath caught.

She looked down—

Promo spam.

She paid without even looking at the total. Because nothing said “coping” like financially irresponsible snacks.

Outside, she wandered to the small park across the street and plopped onto a bench, grocery bags nestled beside her.

Peeled open her chocolate again and let herself sink into the moment. Kids laughed, birds chirped, the wind ran fingers through the trees.

For a second, she closed her eyes and smiled. “Okay. Maybe this isn’t so bad.”

════════════════════════════════

• Back at the Office – Same Day, 9:03 A.M.

The door to Congressman Barnes’ office opened with a soft click.

“Good morning, sir,” said a clear, modulated voice.

Bucky looked up from his half-sipped coffee.

The new assistant—Auden—stood perfectly poised. Charcoal suit. Silver tie. Not a hair out of place.

Professional. Calm. Extremely competent.

Bucky should’ve felt relieved. Instead, he felt itchy under the collar.

He hadn’t realized just how many little things you do—without being asked, without a fuss. The assistant was efficient, yes. But clinical. Cold. He never smiled. Never bantered.

Not like her.

The office ran like a machine now. Emails sorted, schedule pristine, meetings executed with military precision.

Bucky hated it.

And judging by the way Katt and Mai exchanged looks behind his back, he wasn’t the only one.

At lunchtime, he stood in the break room awkwardly, watching the kettle boil.

“Looking for something?” Mai asked.

“Or someone?” Katt added without missing a beat.

“I—no,” Bucky said. “I just…bonding. I read that’s good. For morale.”

Mai raised an eyebrow. “We’ve worked here for a year, Mr. Barnes.”

“Well. Better late than never.”

Katt smirked. “We miss her too, you know.”

He said nothing.

Mai glanced at him, a little softer now. “You could just text her.”

“Professionally,” Bucky added quickly.

“Yeah. Super professional,” Mai deadpanned.

He sighed and turned to go.

“Bye, Mr. Barnes!” Katt called. “This was so good for team-building!”

════════════════════════════════

• Vacation: Day Four.

You lay upside down on the couch, legs up the wall, phone on your face.

Hadn’t moved in an hour.

You tried reading. Tried watching some bad novela on TV. Tried meditating, which mostly just turned into a ten-minute session of crying while eating dry cereal from the box.

You missed the chaos of her desk. The way Mai used five pens for no reason. Katt’s yelling. Bucky’s—

You sighed and opened your photos. Scrolled without thinking.

There he was.

A blurry picture from that gala three months ago. He hadn’t known she’d taken it—leaning against the bar in that black suit, jaw set like he was seconds away from telling off a senator.

You zoomed in. Bit your lip. Shut the phone off quickly.

“Girl, no,” you whispered to yourself.

But you already missed him.

Missed all of them.

Even Yelena

You opened your contacts. Scrolled.

» Lena 😋

Then, without overthinking:

Hi! This is Lila here. Just wondering if you're up for a girl night today. It's totally fine if you can't tho!

She stared at the message. Chewed on her lip. Debated deleting it.

“Fuck it,” she said, and hit send.

The group chat was already alive with her and the girls debating where to eat.

Barbecue sounded good. And messy. And loud.

A second later, her phone buzzed.

Lena 😋: Hey cutie, sure. Let’s cause some trouble tonight. See you 💋

You grinned.

“Oh, it’s on.”

════════════════════════════════

Bucky sat behind his desk, jaw tight, phone in hand.

On the screen: a screenshot from Yelena.

Her conversation with Lila.

“Fucking gremlin,” he muttered, picking his tongue into his cheek.

He tossed the phone on the desk and stood up too fast.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

Taglist: @jenniferpendragon , @iyskgd , @amarveloustime222 , @httpkoylinnn , @biaswreckedbybuckybarnes , @parkerslivia , @ifilwtmfc 💕

[centrally-unplanned]

The trick on the whole "Israel banning UNRWA" thing is that most militaries - like say the US in Afghanistan for example - directly provision aid. American soldiers would often be handing out food packages themselves, and even if they weren't the aid organizations would be directly contracting with the US government and the Department of Defense. You have a group in the military and the government that is like, okay, how do we feed people, let's hit those targets.

So if Congress decided to ban the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in 2006 from operating in the country or whatever, that bill would say like "we hand over its mission to USAID, which has been allocated $2.1 billion dollars in FY-2005 to do X Y Z". It would probably be a dumb move that would create unnecessary friction and cost lives for political bullshit, but that is also life, people dying for political bullshit is a universal constant. It would probably be pretty small bore in the scale of things, like switching over contractors.

That isn't how Israel does things. I might be wrong about this, Israel is deliberately opaque about these things and I just gave this the ol' half hour of googling, I am open to being contradicted here. But my current understanding of net spending by the government of Israel itself on aid to Gaza is...$0. They do not provide aid. They permit aid from other organizations, funded by other countries, to be provided! But they don't take responsibility for the provision; meeting targets, outcomes, etc, none of that is their job. (I am sure it isn't literally zero btw, but I think you get my point)

It is really telling that when you look up pro-Israel statements by say AIPAC on aid, their headlines are:

Israel Facilitates Humanitarian Aid to Gaza as Hamas Continues to Attack

And they criticize the UN because the UN trucks aren't being delivered:

The United Nations and other international agencies are largely responsible for the existing delays in aid deliveries into Gaza. The U.N. has not been able to distribute aid at the rate that Israel is processing it, causing back-ups at the border crossings after Israeli inspections are completed. On March 3, the U.N. received 234 trucks in Gaza but only distributed 131 trucks of aid to civilians in the enclave.

If this was the US military, and the UN was getting aid trucks and failing to send them, we would send more of our own trucks? That we have? Because aid is part of the military operation. But Israel doesn't do that - because it doesn't have any trucks. Because aid isn't part of the military operation.

Which is why the bill banning UNRWA that is being passed does not mention aid provision to Gaza:

The international community has raised alarm over the legislation, which was passed without a plan in place for a humanitarian agency to replace UNRWA.

Again going off news sources here, link for the actual bill is currently down, if I am wrong will correct here, but I think it all tracks. So in the article above, you get statements from the government when people ask about aid, they reply, oh yeah these other aid organizations will fill the gap.

Then you ask the aid organizations themselves and they go, no, we won't fill the gap! We don't have the resources to do that! Which is logical when you realize Israel isn't funding those orgs. They don't know or care about their funding status. Hopefully someone else will figure that out - aid is someone else's problem. Those government remarks are just off the cuff, they aren't a plan.

Which I want to loop back around to the casus belli for the ban - UNRWA having ties to Hamas. That, to me, is one of those "uh duh, and?" things - Hamas is the government of Gaza. UNRWA runs schools there? And medical clinics? You think they do that...without contact with the government? This is just silly, the UN Mission in Afghanistan obviously had connections to the US Government! Government officials, working in both, par for the course.

But, and this is far more important, it is irrelevant. I completely agree that UNRWA has many people who are sympathetic to Hamas in it, because obviously they do. You want to ban it, dumb but okay. You propose a bill outlining the $2 billion dollars and the 5 partnered aid organizations and the 400 IDF trucks that will deliver aid to replace their work, sure. Whatever man, do your small bore politics bullshit.

That is not what they are doing.

Now, Israel has in fact allowed a bunch of aid in Gaza, I don't doubt that like USAID and the non-profit community and the governments of the UK and Japan and so on are gonna pivot funding to a bunch of organizations that will do herculean work stepping up operations and interfacing with the IDF checkpoint system and get aid in. Maybe they will do such a bang-up job that the cost in suffering won't be that high. Israel did give 3 months after all, they aren't the literal worst they could be.

But I do think at a certain point, the line between indifference and malice just ceases to matter. The UNRWA bill isn't some breaking point or big policy shift - it is just a highly revealing moment in the Israeli approach, why the war there has gone the way that it has. And it is, as the kids say, not a good look.

(h/t @loving-n0t-heyting as this was initially a reblog of their post, but they mentioned getting drama in the notes so I split it off; sorry to deny you the precious +1 internet point)

[sydneycbdrepaircentre]

❤ Google Assistant on Pixels can now ask if an incoming call is urgent

    As was first announced at the Made by Google event at the beginning of the month, you can now use the Google Assistant to ask if an incoming call from a contact is urgent. For years now, Pixel phones have offered an option to “Screen call,” allowing the Google Assistant to speak to an incoming caller on your behalf to find out who they are and what they want. This method is surprisingly…

[stargazingdesign]

28 - POLARIS | Stargazing Design - DOWNLOAD HERE

Hi everyone! Today I bring you Polaris, a 7-page single muse google docs template inspired by vintage diaries, the night sky, and weathered books. This template might be perfect for your character who carries an old soul and the weight of the world in their eyes. Polaris has a lot of space for pictures and features many sections, including an expanded connections page, perfect for characters who seem to know everyone, even though maybe only a few truly know them, and it also includes a detailed miscellaneous section for all those little details you don’t want to miss. Hope you enjoy it and have fun exploring your character with Polaris as your guiding star!

➤ Instructions: After purchasing, you’ll receive a pdf file containing the link to the google docs template and instructions on how to copylock it, along with a detailed editing guide and a psd file for editing the character’s name on the first page. Open the pdf, click on the google docs link, go to "File" and then "Make a copy." ➤ Terms of use: ▪ Feel free to customize the template as you wish! Change colors, swap out elements, add or remove images, duplicate pages, etc. Make it your own and have fun! ▪ You're more than welcome to purchase my templates as a gift for a friend! ▪ Don’t remove my credits and the link to my Tumblr. ▪ Don’t share the pdf and/or the link you received for this doc. ▪ Don’t copy, resell, or redistribute my templates.

— Additional info: ▪ This document has drawings, which can only be edited in the desktop version of google docs. ▪ This document can be viewed perfectly on mobile when using the “print layout” option in the docs app or “desktop mode” in a mobile browser - preferably google chrome. ▪ Fonts needed: Bailenson and Carta Magna. These fonts are only needed to change the character's name on the first page, which you can do using the psd file you'll receive along with this doc. Here's how: Open the psd, change the text in photoshop, export the image as a png, replace it in the doc, and you're good to go! This is the only thing you'll need photoshop for, everything else is completely editable directly in google docs.

Placeholder pictures are of Hunter Schafer.

If you have any questions or need help, please feel free to contact me, I’ll be happy to assist you!

Likes and reblogs are very appreciated!

Thank you so much for your support! 💙