#App Security Best practices

[fincrif]

Best Ways to Use a Personal Loan Wisely

Introduction

A personal loan can be a powerful financial tool when used responsibly. Whether you're consolidating debt, funding a major purchase, or covering unexpected expenses, understanding how to use your loan wisely can help you maximize its benefits and avoid unnecessary financial stress.

In this guide, we'll explore the best ways to use a personal loan wisely, ensuring that you make informed financial decisions while keeping your budget and credit health in check.

1. Debt Consolidation – Simplifying Your Finances

One of the most effective ways to use a personal loan is debt consolidation. If you have multiple high-interest debts, such as credit card balances or payday loans, a personal loan can help you streamline payments and reduce overall interest costs.

Why Use a Personal Loan for Debt Consolidation?

✅ Lower Interest Rates – Personal loans often have lower interest rates compared to credit cards. ✅ Single Monthly Payment – Managing one fixed monthly payment is easier than tracking multiple bills. ✅ Improved Credit Score – Paying off high-interest debt can positively impact your credit score over time.

How to Use It Wisely?

Ensure that the new loan has a lower interest rate than your existing debts.

Avoid accumulating new debt while paying off the consolidated loan.

Make payments on time to improve your credit history.

2. Home Renovations and Improvements

Using a personal loan for home renovations can increase your property's value and enhance your living conditions.

Best Uses for Home Renovation Loans

🏡 Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades – Improve functionality and increase resale value. 🏡 Energy-Efficient Improvements – Save money on utility bills by upgrading insulation or solar panels. 🏡 Structural Repairs – Fix essential home components such as roofing, plumbing, or electrical work.

How to Use It Wisely?

Compare renovation costs and create a realistic budget.

Focus on improvements that offer the best return on investment.

Avoid borrowing more than necessary to prevent unnecessary debt.

3. Emergency Expenses – A Financial Safety Net

Life is unpredictable, and unexpected expenses can arise at any time. A personal loan can provide quick financial relief for emergencies such as medical bills, car repairs, or urgent home fixes.

Why Use a Personal Loan for Emergencies?

🚑 Quick Access to Funds – Most personal loans have a fast approval process. 🚗 Flexible Use – Can be used for any urgent expense. 💳 Avoid High-Interest Credit Cards – Personal loans usually have lower interest rates than credit cards.

How to Use It Wisely?

Only borrow what you need to cover the emergency.

Prioritize repayment as soon as possible.

Build an emergency fund to reduce reliance on loans in the future.

4. Higher Education and Skill Development

Investing in education can lead to better career opportunities and increased earning potential. A personal loan can help finance tuition fees, certification courses, or professional training programs.

Best Uses for Educational Loans

🎓 Tuition and Course Fees – Cover the cost of college, university, or specialized courses. Certification Programs – Gain skills that improve job prospects. Online Learning Platforms – Take advantage of digital education resources.

How to Use It Wisely?

Choose courses that provide a clear career or income advantage.

Look for scholarships and grants to minimize loan dependency.

Create a repayment plan before borrowing.

5. Starting or Expanding a Small Business

For entrepreneurs, a personal loan can provide the necessary capital to start or grow a business. It can be used for purchasing inventory, marketing, hiring employees, or expanding operations.

Why Use a Personal Loan for Business?

💼 Quick Access to Capital – Personal loans have fewer restrictions compared to business loans. 📈 Flexible Usage – Funds can be used for various business expenses. No Collateral Required – Unlike business loans, personal loans may not require collateral.

How to Use It Wisely?

Have a clear business plan to ensure loan funds are used effectively.

Avoid using a personal loan for high-risk business ventures.

Make sure business income can support loan repayments.

6. Big-Ticket Purchases – Making Smart Financial Decisions

A personal loan can help finance large purchases such as furniture, appliances, or even a car without relying on high-interest credit cards.

Common Big-Ticket Purchases

🛋 Furniture and Home Appliances – Upgrade your home essentials. 🚗 Vehicle Purchase – Finance a car if auto loans are not an option. 💻 Electronics and Gadgets – Invest in work-from-home equipment or technology upgrades.

How to Use It Wisely?

Compare loan options to find the best interest rate.

Avoid financing luxury purchases that are not essential.

Stick to a repayment plan to avoid financial strain.

7. Weddings and Special Events – Celebrating Without Financial Stress

Planning a wedding or other major life event can be expensive. A personal loan can help cover costs like venue rentals, catering, photography, and travel expenses.

Why Use a Personal Loan for Weddings?

💒 Fixed Budgeting – Helps plan expenses with fixed repayment terms. 🎉 No Need for Credit Cards – Avoid high-interest credit card debt. 📅 Manageable Payments – Breaks down large expenses into smaller, more manageable payments.

How to Use It Wisely?

Set a realistic budget and avoid overspending.

Explore cost-cutting options like off-season bookings.

Make sure you can afford the loan repayments without financial stress.

8. Medical Expenses – Managing Healthcare Costs

Medical bills can be overwhelming, especially when insurance coverage is limited. A personal loan can help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, surgery costs, or ongoing treatments.

Best Uses for Medical Loans

🏥 Surgical Procedures – Cover costs for necessary treatments. 🦷 Dental Work – Pay for orthodontics, implants, or cosmetic procedures. 👓 Vision and Hearing Aids – Finance essential healthcare needs.

How to Use It Wisely?

Compare loan terms with healthcare financing options.

Only borrow what is necessary to cover medical costs.

Explore financial assistance programs before taking a loan.

Conclusion

A personal loan can be a versatile financial tool, but responsible use is key to maximizing its benefits. Whether consolidating debt, funding home improvements, covering emergencies, or investing in education, making informed decisions ensures you stay financially secure.

Before applying for a personal loan, assess your repayment ability, compare lenders, and borrow only what you need. By using your loan wisely, you can achieve financial goals without falling into unnecessary debt.

For expert financial advice, loan comparisons, and more insights on personal loans, visit www.fincrif.com today!

[bkthemes]

Shopify Webhooks Best Practices

Webhooks are a powerful tool in Shopify that allow developers to automate workflows, integrate third-party services, and keep external applications in sync with store data. By using Shopify webhooks, businesses can receive real-time updates on orders, customers, inventory, and more. However, improper implementation can lead to security risks, data inconsistencies, and performance issues. In this…

[rajaniesh]

Optimizing Azure Container App Deployments: Best Practices for Pipelines & Security

🚀 Just shared a new blog on boosting Azure Container App deployments! Dive into best practices for Continuous Deployment, choosing the right agents, and securely managing variables. Perfect for making updates smoother and safer!

In the fifth part of our series, we explored how Continuous Deployment (CD) pipelines and revisions bring efficiency to Azure Container Apps. From quicker feature rollouts to minimal downtime, CD ensures that you’re not just deploying updates but doing it confidently. Now, let’s take it a step further by optimizing deployments using Azure Pipelines. In this part, we’ll dive into the nuts and…

[metaficco]

Mastering Mobile App Security: Best Practices for Securing React Native Apps

Discover essential techniques for securing React Native apps. This guide covers best practices for React Native security, ensuring you protect user data and enhance your mobile app development process.

[ds4u]

Protecting user data is essential for mobile apps. Explore key strategies and best practices for enhancing mobile app data security, including encryption, secure authentication, and threat detection to safeguard your applications and maintain user trust.

[technology-and-beyond]

Essential Best Practices for Successful Mobile App Development

Discover key strategies for mobile app development success. Learn essential best practices to enhance your apps' performance, user experience, and security.

[aaksconsulting]

Website Security: Best Practices For Protecting Your Site From Cyber Threats

Welcome to the digital age, where websites have become the virtual front doors of businesses around the world. However, with this unparalleled convenience comes a lurking danger – cyber threats. In today’s interconnected world, no website is safe from potential breaches and attacks which can wreak havoc on your online presence.

But fear not! In this blog post, we will unveil a treasure trove of best practices that you can implement to fortify your website’s defenses and safeguard it against any malevolent forces out there. So tighten your seatbelts and get ready to navigate through the maze of website security – because protecting your site has never been more crucial than now!

INTRODUCTION TO WEBSITE SECURITY AND CYBER THREATS

In today’s digital age, websites have become essential tools for businesses, organizations, and individuals to connect with their audiences. However, with the increased reliance on websites comes an increased risk of cyber threats. Cyber threats are malicious activities that can compromise the security of a website and its users’ sensitive information.

As technology advances, cybercriminals also evolve their tactics and techniques. It is no longer enough to rely on basic security measures; website owners must be proactive in safeguarding their sites against potential attacks. This section will provide an overview of website security and the various cyber threats that it faces so that you can better understand how to protect your site from these risks.

What is Website Security?

Website security refers to the protection of a website from cyber attacks or unauthorized access to its data or services. A secure website ensures that any information exchanged between the site and its users remains confidential, accurate, and available when needed.

The Importance of Website Security

According to a report by Verizon, 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses. Many assume that only large companies are at risk; however, this is far from the truth. Hackers often target smaller websites as they have fewer resources dedicated to cybersecurity compared to larger organizations. The consequences of a cyber attack on a website can be severe. It can lead to financial loss, damage to the site’s reputation, and loss of customer trust. In some cases, a data breach can also result in legal action and fines.

Types of Cyber Threats

1. Malware: Short for “malicious software,” malware is any type of software designed to harm a computer system or steal sensitive information. It includes viruses, spyware, ransomware, and Trojan horses. Malware can infect a website through vulnerabilities in its code or by tricking users into downloading malicious files.

2. Phishing: Phishing is an attempt by cybercriminals to obtain sensitive information from users by posing as a legitimate source, such as a bank or reputable company. This usually involves sending fake emails or creating fake websites that look similar to the real ones.

3. DDoS Attacks: A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods a website with excessive traffic, overwhelming its servers and making it inaccessible to legitimate users.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF WEBSITE SECURITY

Understanding the importance of website security is crucial in today’s digital age, where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and prevalent. As a website owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your site is properly protected from potential breaches or attacks.

Website security refers to the measures and protocols put in place to protect a website from malicious attacks, unauthorized access, and data theft. It encompasses all aspects of web development, including code integrity, server-side security, user authentication, and network security.

Here are some reasons why understanding the importance of website security is essential for any business or individual with an online presence:

1. Protects Sensitive Data: One of the primary reasons for implementing robust website security is to protect sensitive data such as personal information, financial details, and login credentials. Failure to secure this data can lead to identity theft, financial frauds or legal consequences.

2. Maintains User Trust: In today’s digital landscape where customers share personal information on websites regularly, having proper security measures in place can help build trust with your users. They will feel confident that their information is safe and will be more likely to continue using your services.

3. Prevents Malware Infections: Cybercriminals often use malware – malicious software designed to infect systems -to gain access to sensitive data or take control of a website. A well-secured website makes it difficult for hackers to inject malware into the system and prevents any potential damage.

TYPES OF CYBER THREATS: MALWARE, PHISHING, DDOS ATTACKS, ETC.

As technology continues to advance, so do the methods used by malicious actors to target websites. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, it is crucial for website owners to understand the different types of threats in order to effectively protect their sites. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common types of cyber threats – malware, phishing, and DDoS attacks.

1. Malware: Malware stands for malicious software and refers to any type of software that is designed with malicious intent. This can include viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and other harmful programs. Malware can be installed on a website through various means such as infected email attachments or compromised plugins/ themes. Once installed on a website, malware can steal sensitive information from users or even take over the site completely. Some examples of malware attacks include ransomware where hackers lock down a site until a ransom is paid and crypto-mining where they use a site’s resources to mine cryptocurrency.

2. Phishing: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where cybercriminals trick individuals into sharing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details through fake emails or websites that imitate legitimate ones. These emails or websites usually create a sense of urgency or fear in order to prompt users into taking immediate action without properly verifying the source or authenticity of the request. Phishing attacks are often used as an entry point for larger-scale attacks like data breaches.

3. DDoS Attacks: DD oS stands for Distributed Denial of Service and is a type of cyber attack where multiple compromised systems (often infected with malware) are used to flood a website with traffic, causing it to crash or become unavailable. These attacks aim to disrupt the normal functioning of a website and can result in significant financial losses for businesses. DDoS attacks are often carried out by hackers seeking ransom payments or by competitors trying to take down a rival’s website.

BEST PRACTICES FOR PROTECTING YOUR WEBSITE

In today’s digital age, website security is of utmost importance. With cyber attacks becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, it has become crucial for businesses to prioritize the protection of their website. A single breach can not only compromise sensitive data but also damage a company’s reputation and trust with its customers.

To ensure your website is secure from cyber threats, here are some best practices that you need to implement:

1. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date: One of the most basic yet effective practices for protecting your website is to regularly update all software used on your site, including content management systems (CMS), plugins, themes, and scripts. These updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities in the software.

2. Use Strong Passwords: Password protection is the first line of defense against hackers. Make sure to use strong passwords that include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. It’s also important to change passwords at regular intervals and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

3. Implement HTTPS: HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, which encrypts communication between a user’s browser and your website server. This added layer of encryption makes it difficult for hackers to intercept sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details.

– REGULARLY UPDATE SOFTWARE AND PLUGINS

Keeping your website’s software and plugins up to date is crucial in protecting your site from cyber threats. Outdated software and plugins are often the prime targets for hackers, as they can exploit vulnerabilities to gain access to your website.

Therefore, it is essential to regularly update all software and plugins used on your website. This includes the content management system (CMS) you use, such as WordPress or Drupal, as well as any additional plugins or themes installed.

Here are some best practices for maintaining up-to-date software and plugins:

1. Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about the latest updates and security patches released by the CMS providers and plugin developers. Sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media to stay updated on any security issues that may arise.

2. Prioritize Updates: When a new update is released, make sure to prioritize updating critical components such as CMS core files and security-related plugins first before moving onto less important ones.

3. Set Up Automatic Updates: Many CMS platforms have an option to enable automatic updates for core files, themes, and plugins. This can be helpful when you do not have much time to manually go through each update.

4. Use Reliable Sources: Only download themes and plugins from reputable sources such as official marketplaces or developer websites. Avoid downloading free versions of premium themes or plugins from unknown sources, as these may contain malicious code that could compromise your site’s security.

– IMPLEMENT STRONG PASSWORDS AND USER AUTHENTICATION PROCESSES

One of the most effective ways to protect your website from cyber threats is to implement strong passwords and user authentication processes. Weak passwords are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your website, putting all of your sensitive information at risk. By ensuring that all users have a secure password and implementing two-factor authentication, you can greatly reduce the chances of a successful hacking attempt.

Here are some best practices for implementing strong passwords and user authentication processes:

1. Use Complex Passwords: A strong password should be complex, meaning it should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information such as pet names or birthdates in your password.

2. Set Minimum Length Requirements: The longer the password, the stronger it is. Make sure to set minimum length requirements so that users cannot create short or weak passwords.

3. Enforce Regular Password Changes: It’s important to regularly change passwords to prevent them from becoming compromised over time. Consider setting a mandatory password change every 90 days for added security.

4. Implement Two-Factor Authentication: This additional layer of security requires users to enter a unique code sent to their mobile device in addition to their password when logging in. This ensures that even if someone has stolen their password, they won’t be able to gain access without physical possession of their phone.

– USE HTTPS ENCRYPTION

HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) is an online communication protocol that ensures the secure transfer of data between a website and its users. It utilizes encryption to protect sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, and personal information, from being intercepted and accessed by unauthorized parties.

In recent years, HTTPS has become increasingly important for website security due to the rise in cyber threats and attacks. As a website owner, it is crucial to understand the importance of using HTTPS encryption and how it can help protect your site from these threats.

How Does HTTPS Encryption Work?

HTTPS works by encrypting data sent between a user’s browser and a website’s server. This is achieved through Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. These protocols use cryptographic keys to encrypt the data transferred back and forth, making it unreadable for anyone trying to intercept it.

When a user visits a website using HTTPS, their browser will initiate a handshake process with the site’s server. During this process, they exchange cryptographic keys to establish an encrypted connection. Once this connection is established, all data transmitted between the user and the server will be protected.

TOP TOOLS FOR WEBSITE SECURITY

Ensuring the security of your website is crucial in today’s digital landscape. With Cyber threats constantly evolving, it is important to stay ahead and protect your site from potential attacks. Fortunately, there are several tools available that can help enhance your website’s security and minimize the risk of cyber attacks.

1) SSL Certificates: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates are a must-have for any website. These certificates provide an encrypted connection between your server and the user’s browser, ensuring that sensitive information such as credit card details or login credentials cannot be intercepted by hackers.

2) Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF acts as a protective shield against malicious traffic by filtering out potentially harmful requests before they reach your web application. It monitors all incoming traffic and blocks suspicious activity, keeping your site safe from common vulnerabilities like SQL injections and cross-site scripting attacks.

3) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your website by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before accessing their account. This could include a password and a unique code sent to their phone or email. It reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if a hacker manages to obtain login credentials.

4) Anti-malware/ Antivirus Software: Keeping your server clean from malware is essential for maintaining website security. Investing in reliable anti-malware/ antivirus software will detect any malicious files on your server and remove them before they cause harm.

CONCLUSION

In today’s digital age, website security is more important than ever. With cyber threats constantly evolving, it is crucial for website owners to implement best practices in order to protect their site and its visitors from potential attacks.

In this blog article, we discussed the various ways in which you can strengthen your website security. By following these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of your site being compromised by cyber threats.

[hybridappbuilder]

Mobile application security is critical to protect your data and privacy from hackers.

Learn about the best practices and benefits of mobile application security to keep your information safe.

Check out our latest article now!

[appmasterd]

Common Mobile App Security Vulnerabilities and How to Prevent Them

In today's digital age, mobile app security has become a top priority for businesses and users alike. With the growing reliance on mobile apps, it is crucial to understand the common vulnerabilities that can compromise the security of these applications.

This article explores the key mobile app security vulnerabilities and provides best practices to prevent them, ensuring the protection of sensitive user data.

Mobile app security best practices involve addressing various vulnerabilities to safeguard user information effectively. Here are some of the most common vulnerabilities and recommended preventive measures:

Insecure Data Storage: One prevalent vulnerability is the improper storage of sensitive data, such as passwords, personal information, or financial details. To prevent unauthorized access to this data, mobile app developers should implement strong encryption techniques, both in transit and at rest. By encrypting data and securely storing it in the device's file system or cloud storage, the risk of data breaches can be significantly reduced.

Weak Server-Side Controls: Mobile apps often rely on server-side infrastructure for data processing and storage. Weak server-side controls can expose critical vulnerabilities, making the app susceptible to attacks like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS). Implementing secure coding practices, regularly updating server software, and conducting vulnerability assessments can help mitigate such risks.

Inadequate Authentication and Authorization: Flawed authentication mechanisms can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts. To prevent this, mobile apps should enforce strong password policies, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), and adopt secure session management techniques. Additionally, developers must employ secure coding practices to prevent common vulnerabilities like session hijacking or brute force attacks.

Lack of Secure Network Communication: Insecure network communication can leave user data exposed to eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. Mobile app developers must utilize secure communication protocols such as HTTPS (SSL/TLS) to encrypt data transmitted between the app and the server. Implementing certificate pinning can further enhance security by ensuring communication with trusted servers only.

Conclusion:

Mobile app security best practices play a vital role in protecting user data from potential vulnerabilities and attacks. By addressing common vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage, weak server-side controls, inadequate authentication, and insecure network communication, developers can create more secure mobile applications. By following these practices, businesses and users can mitigate risks and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information in mobile apps.

[astars-things]

Private argument turned public pt2

Y/n Hughes x Lando Norris

Part one -> here

Lando stared at the hotel room door you'd slammed shut behind you. Lando knew he fucked up big time, he was being tagged in tweets, TikTok and Instagram posts regarding the comment he made on the McLaren Instagram. 

It felt like the whole world was hating on him and he deserved it. Not to mention the fact that your brothers, Oscar, Zak and even his family had all sent him messages about how he fucked up and that his comment was not needed. Now he needed a plan to unfuck his fuck up 

step one- owning his mistake, that one was probably the easiest for him to do, he didn't want his Pr team to write it, he knew it had to come from him. He grabbed his phone opened up his notes app and started typing, once it was written up he sent it to his best friend Max (fewtrell) to proofread. Once he got the all good from him, Lando posted the statement to his all of his social media accounts 

"Dear everyone,

Before you keep reading this is me, not pr. Nobody told me to put this out this is me owning up to my mistake, I made a stupid, disrespectful comment under a McLaren post. I thought I was being clever. I wasn't. I was being immature, careless, and completely unfair to someone who didn't deserve it.

The woman behind the camera, behind the content, behind the scenes... is also the woman I love. And instead of supporting her in the job she's worked her ass off to earn, I made her job harder. I made her look like the bad guy when I was the one being impossible. I took a private frustration and aired it in front of the entire internet like a coward.

And I'm so deeply sorry for that. 

I can't take it back. But I can try to be better. For her. For myself. 

- lando" 

as soon as he hit post he let out a deep breath. step one was completed, and step two was now in motion he messaged Jack 

Lando🏎�� - I Know I fucked up, I love her so much. If I fly to New Jersey can you pick me up from the airport? 

Jack🏒 - I had my twin, my built-in best friend cry in my arms for 2 hours Lando so yeah you fucked up

Jack🏒 - I can pick you up but you're on your own from then  

Lando knew this was a good sign that your twin hadn't blocked him yet. It wasn't forgiveness, but it was something. A crack in the door. So he wasted no time quickly booked the flights, packed all his things and set off to the airport, giving the taxi guy a good tip. 

He made it through security and was sat on the plane, headphones on listening to your shared playlist on Spotify. Every song felt like a memory, and every lyric hit like a bruise he'd earned.

He texted Jack that he was an hour from landing, and when Lando finally landed he saw a small gift shop with roses, he got you pink and red roses and brought a card as well standing there he poured his heart out in the card.

 He made his way out of the airport his bag on his back with the roses and card in hand, he spotted Jack's car and got in not missing the fact that Luke and Jack were staring at him, it was an awkward silence the whole drive to Jack and Lukes apartment 

"Luke and I are heading to practice. You've got the place to yourselves, sort your shit out." He tossed a spare key into Lando's lap, then added with a glare, "And please, for the love of God, don't fuck in my apartment."

Then he was out of the car, leaving Lando alone with the key, the flowers, and every mistake he'd made. The key slipped into the lock with a soft click.

Lando hesitated, his hand still on the doorknob, as if turning it would set off a chain reaction he couldn't control. He took a slow breath, heart pounding against his ribs, and finally pushed the door open. 

He stepped in cautiously, roses in one hand, the card clutched in the other. His eyes scanned the room and then he saw you.

You were curled up on the couch in one of Jack's hoodies, a blanket wrapped around you like armor. Your hair was pulled back in a messy bun, cheeks puffy and eyes red. You didn't look up right away. You were too focused on the TV playing some old re-run with the volume barely audible like even that was too much. 

When you finally noticed movement in your peripheral vision, you blinked, disoriented. "Jack, I thought you had—" You paused when your gaze landed on him. "You're not Jack." Lando's throat tightened. "No, I'm not Jack," he said softly, stepping further inside. "I'm just your boyfriend who really, truly fucked up."

"would you like to stay dressed like that or get changed, we are going for a walk and we are sorting this out" Lando said pointing between him and you,  you decided to just stay in sweatpants and a hoodie. The two of you walked in silence down the street for a few blocks, the leaves crunching underfoot. You kept your arms crossed tight over your chest. He kept his hands in his pockets like he wasn't sure if they were allowed to exist right now.

"You humiliated me, made me feel like you don't support me" You spoke breaking the silence between you two "You made me feel like a shit girlfriend because I was just doing my job" Lando stopped walking. You did too, slowly, turning to face him. 

"I know, I fucked up, and I know it's not an excuse but all the hate lately and just the last thing I wanted to do was fake being happy for a video. You didn’t deserve that, and I hate that I made you feel that way."  Lando spoke wrapping his arms around you and giving you a gentle kiss on the forehead 

You looked up at him making eye contact "You fuck up like that one more time," you said, holding his gaze, voice trembling just slightly, "and we’re done, Lando. I’m not going to keep fighting for someone who won’t fight for me." His shoulders dropped a little

and he nodded, Lando held out his pinky finger towards you "I pinky promise I'm going to do better" he said interlocking both of your pinky fingers together before giving each other a kiss, it was your little way of making that pinky promise last  

[solardriftx]

okay guys can we talk abt the pieces of damon lore dropped in some of the fte’s🤔 loooong conjectural yap session incoming

he gets pretty secretive about his home life if pressed further, but it’s clear that his parents struggled with paying the bills until he started raking in prize money from competitions. i think this little detail can

explain a lot abt his character. for one, his obsession with studying and burying himself into improving his talent. as a kid, it’s possible he placed pressure on himself to pull his weight (his relationship with his parents is evidently affectionate, so i don’t think they forced him into this), so he made sure to excel in school and eventually debate club not only for respect, but to secure the ideal future for himself and his parents. he may have known going into it that competitions had prize money on the line, and the club had the additional benefit of beefing up his college apps. getting into edens garden academy must’ve been a dream come true for the whole family, it’s likely he idolized the school growing up as a symbol of true success and prosperity (hence his bio mentioning there was never a doubt in his mind that he was destined to be the ultimate debater. an ultimate in his eyes was the best thing a young person could be)

another thought, his financial situation could be attributed to a number of things, but if it was due to his parents struggling to keep jobs, it would make sense why damon is so dead-set on defining people (including himself) based on the utility of their skills. he’s seen firsthand how cutthroat the job market can be, so upon initial meeting he either views his peers as inferior due to their less practical talents or as competition he refuses to back down to. he is obsessed with comparing himself to others! in his mind, people are their resume.

also, i wonder if the reason damon is described to be argumentative from an early age in his bio was due to teasing from other kids for being less well off? or possibly getting into spats with his parents under the stress? spats with extended family or other adults who ridiculed his parents? spats with a shitty landlord??? pure speculation, but these underdog scenarios would really showcase his desire to be respected

in a world so uncertain, damon’s tongue is his sharpest weapon and tool, and as such, he holds his talent in high regard as the sole definer of his identity.

[mountainsandmayhem]

Shhh...Just A Little Bit More

DBF!Joel x Fem!Reader

18+ MDNI

Masterlist || Part Two || Part Three (Soft Version) || Part Three (Spicy Version)

Summary: Joel catches you somewhere you shouldn't be, twice. CW: all p no plot! age gap, spanking, dirty talk, parental guilt, brat and brat tamer, sub/dom dynamics, edging and degradation kinks if you squint AN: I found the bottom right photo on Pinterest and @mermaidgirl30 said it screamed DBF!Joel. I have never written for DBF before so please be kind. Dividers by @saradika-graphics - thank you for all your amazing graphics and dividers, I'd be lost without your page.

“Let go of me, you fucking psycho!” You’re practically yelling over the music of the club, wrenching your arm from Joel’s strong grasp. The security guard approaches and Joel shoots him a glare so dark that he holds his hands up and steps back. “What the fuck, Joel?”

“What are ya doin’ here, sweetheart” he demands, one eyebrow raised. 

“I’m working!” You stomp your foot and then get right up in his face, pointing a finger at him. Joel Miller, your dad’s best friend, hanging out in a strip club one town over. “The real question is, what are YOU doin here?” 

You’re only a bottle girl, you don’t get on the stage and have no intentions of stripping. It’s good money, great money actually. At 22 you’re already well on your way to having a down payment on a condo, it’s just too bad you’re having to lie to your parents. 

“With my crew, they picked the place. I’m takin’ you home. Go get your coat.” He crosses his arms over his chest, staring at you sternly. The music is pounding in your ears, the air thick with smoke. Even in the dimly lit hallway you can see the way Joel’s eyes rake over your body, taking in the very tiny Jean shorts and bralette you’re wearing. 

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” you spin and flip him the bird as you walk away. You know he’s staring so you give a little extra wiggle of your ass as you walk away. Joel Miller, staring at your ass. The fourteen year old inside you does a happy dance - that version of yourself had a tiny crush on him. Too bad he’s a stuffy, grumpy asshole now. You miss the fun, young Joel. He used to do cannonballs in the pool with you and his daughter Sarah. She was a few years older than you, but he was much more fun than your father. But now? Now he’s a certified prick. Thinking he can drag you away like some sort of barbaric caveman. He’s not your dad, even if he was, you’re an adult. 

When you finish your shift you head outside and pull up your Uber app, men often want to do shots with you so even though you never get drunk at work you also don’t drive there. 

See, Joel. I’m responsible. 

“Let’s go,” his voice is deep, still angry with you. You didn’t see him waiting by the door so you jump. 

“Jesus. You fucking scared me.” 

“Watch your language. Get in the truck.” 

You grumble under your breath that he should kiss your ass as he holds the door open for you. He stalks around to his side of the truck while furrowing his brow and shaking his head. 

“Got somethin’ to say young lady?” 

“Ya,” you say, slumping in the seat and putting your white vans on his dashboard, “kiss my ass.” 

He presses his lips in a thin line, you can see him eyeing your long toned legs from your peripheral vision before the engine roars to life and he speeds off down the gravel highway. 

When you pull up to the house he hops out of the truck and is right on your heels as you open the door. 

“I’m fine, Mister Miller.” You say with a sneer. You know he hates that, he has told everyone he’s ever been introduced to to call him Joel. 

Joel steps into your parents house and calls your dad’s name. “What the fuck! Joel! Shut up!” 

He calls for him again and your dad comes stumbling from his room, tying his robe around his sleeping attire. “Joel? What’s going on?” He flicks on the light, squinting against the brightness. “It’s 3 in the morning.” 

“Just thought I’d let you now know that the guys at work wanted to go to The Skin tonight. Caught your daughter working there.” 

“Are you fucking kidding me, Joel?!” You yell, pushing at his broad chest. Your dad stands there stunned. Eyes wide and mouth agape. He thought you were working as a nurses aide overnight at the hospital on weekends. He’s even seen you leave the house in scrubs. All a part of the web of lies you have weaved. 

“Don’t speak to Joel that way,” your dad snaps. “Go to your room young lady. We’ll talk about this later.” 

“Kiss my ass, cowboy.” You practically spit at him as you stomp to your room. As you round the corner your mom is standing in the hallway clutching her crucifix necklace. You have a sudden urge to hiss at her with the way she’s looking at you, like you’re a disappointment. A sinner, the worst kind of person in her eyes. 

The next morning was the fight of all fights with your parents. Your dad tried to ground you, your mom started shoving church pamphlets at you. They wouldn’t even fucking listen. 

“IM NOT A STRIPPER,” you yelled at them over and over again. 

Finally, when the yelling ceased, your dad said in a very quiet anger, “young lady. I FORBID you from going there again. Is that clear? I don’t care if you’re 22 or 42, if you live under my roof, you live by my rules. You’re going to go to continue going to your university classes during the week, and on weekends you will be home. Studying. Helping your mother with the chores. You will go to bed at respectable hour. If you need money, you ask us. Is that clear?” 

You blink back tears and head to your room, slamming the door behind you. You are NOT quitting that job. 

When the next weekend rolls around you say goodnight to your parents at 10pm and head to your room. You worked it out with your boss to work the midnight to 4 am shift. So you wait - ear pressed to your door until you finally hear your parents go to bed. You sneak out the same way you’ve been sneaking out for years and run down the street with your newly embroidered denim shorts in hand to meet your Uber. 

You peel yourself away from the men and the booze around 2am to get some fresh air, exiting through the back to the dimly lit alley. You take a big inhale through your nose before you see it. The truck. Joel’s truck. And Joel. Leaning against the truck box, arms crossed, one foot up on the tire. 

You flip him off and then turn back towards the back entrance to the club. He’s on you so fast, grabbing the back of your bicep in his large hand. “You little brat. You aren’t supposed to be here.” 

“Read the shorts, MISTER Miller.” You say it as much venom as you can muster. 

His eyes rake down your body and you can almost feel them burning into you. It feels so good, you never want him to stop. Your pussy throbbed when he called you a brat and you wouldn’t be surprised if your light jean shorts hadn’t been soaked through already. When his eyes reach the pocket he sees ‘Kiss My Ass, Cowboy’ stitched in baby pink lettering and his grip tightens. 

He’s fucking furious with you. Furious that you’re here. Furious that other men get to see you dressed like this. Furious that he wants you so fucking badly. But mostly, furious because he knows you want him too and he’s a weak weak man when it comes to pretty little things like you. He yanks you back against his body and you let out a pained moan. 

“Don’t make me punish you,” he says coldly in your ear and you fight to stop your knees from buckling. 

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” you say breathlessly. 

Joel’s lips graze against the shell of your ear, hand gripping so tightly that you’re sure you’ll have bruises tomorrow. “So that’s what you want? You want me to punish you? Put you in your place? Huh?” 

You grind your ass back against him, “you would dare, Joel.” 

His other hand clamps down on your hip as he steers you to his truck, walking you around so no one can see the two of you. He opens the back door and pushes you forward until your legs are against the cold steel frame of the vehicle. “You don’t get to call me that. You call me Mr Miller from now on. Understood?” 

“Go fuck yourself, Joel,” you emphasize every vowel of his name, digging deeper. Pushing him. Pushing to see how far he’ll go. You get off on being a brat, and by the way his hard cock is pressing into your ass, he does too. 

He unbottons your shorts then lifts you slightly and pushes your upper body down onto the seat, the truck is high enough that your feet are dangling, ass stuck out for him. “Look at these slutty little shorts.” He tugs on the hem, your shorts now sitting just above your knees. Your pert ass is exposed to Joel and the night air. He tuts at the sight of you, “No panties. Little fuckin’ tease.” 

You whimper at his words, slick starting to coat your thighs. “You’re the one standing back there doing nothing.” You taunt. 

The cool night air spreads goosebumps across your skin, your clit twitches in anticipation of his touch. Other men have fucked you hard to get you to shut your mouth. And finally, FINALLY, you’re going to get fucked by Joel Miller. However, you grossly underestimated the different between the boys were with before and the man behind you now. 

His hand strikes your cheek hard and you let out a loud pained yell. “What the fuck, Joel!” 

“If you’re gonna be a brat,” his hand lands on your ass again, “you’re going to get a spanking.” His voice is harsh and rough as he hits you a third time. The sound of his skin on yours echoing through the cab of his truck. He hits you again, not caring about your cries of protest. 

You’ve never been spanked before and you’re thrown by your bodies reaction to it. At first you were shocked, then humiliated and then the pain and heat travelled to the base of your spine and you found yourself starting to get turned on. Arousal pools in your belly with each strike of his palm and when your pussy throbs the humiliation starts to creep back in. Are you supposed to be enjoying this so much, is this what Joel wants?

You bend your knees up, trying to make space between your bodies. One of his strong hands wraps around your ankles, pinning them to the back of your thighs as he spanks you again. 

“Stop! I’m sorry. I’ll - “ he strikes you again, harder than the last few times and there’s no more pain, every slap is full of pleasure. You let out a deep moan, your pussy practically gushing onto the leather seats. “Oh fuuuuck.”

Now that it’s turning you on it almost eggs Joel on. “Put your hands out in front of you,” he commands. Your arms shoot out, stretching them across the seat above your head. “Such a needy little slut. You’re drippin’ all over my fucking seat, baby girl.” He strikes you again and your arms flinch. “Keep them there.” 

Your ass is starting to get pink, his splotchy handprints covering it. The world around him starts to fade, all that he can see is you and your ass - and he wants to make it hurt. Then he wants to make it good. So very good. 

His strikes keep coming, he’s like a man possessed. “Stop, Joel. Please.” 

He drops your ankles, then uses his hand to spread your thighs apart, the denim biting into your knees. “Shhh…just a little bit more. Look at this messy pussy. You don’t want me to stop.” 

He hits you again and you start to hate how much he’s right. You don’t want him to stop, you’re on the verge of coming and he hasn’t even touched you yet. You’re sure the second he’s near your clit you’ll explode. 

Both of your cheeks are glowing red and Joel finally stops. You’ve both lost track of how many times he’s hit you. His large palm rubs the marks. You know you should keep your mouth shut, but fuck do you love to rile him up. 

“Are you done now? I have work to get back to.” 

Joel growls behind you. You hear the sound of his belt undoing, the leather whipping out from the demin loops. “I’m sick of your goddamn mouth, baby girl.” 

Your eyes widen in fear, stomach twisting up over the thought of him striking your sore ass with his thick leather belt. Your pussy, however, flutters in excitement. Slut, you think to yourself. 

You hear his buckle clinking, he grabs you by the hair and jerks your head back. “Open you mouth,” he says with a snarl. You obey him and he slides the folded up leather between your teeth. “Bite down on this. You can speak to me again once you’ve learned your lesson.” 

You press your teeth into the rough leather, waiting for his next move. His hand comes across the back of your thigh and it’s a whole different sensation. The pain shoots straight to your core, the walls of your pussy clenching harder than your teeth do as you whine out a high pitched squeal. On instinct your hands shoot back, knees bending to protect yourself from him. He steps back from you, without his heat you’re left in the cold air. 

“Arms up and legs down,” he says in an eerily calm voice. 

You whimper again, grinding your teeth against the leather of his belt before slowly peeling your arms and legs away from your body, returning to Joel’s desired position. You’re so wet that it’s staring pool along the leather seat of Joel’s truck, your hips slipping slightly. 

“Dirty little thing. I’m tryin to punish you and you’re sopping wet.” He steps forward and lays a loud sharp slap with perfect precision right across your sore thigh. 

You yelp again, whining as your lash line fills with tears. This is not what you thought would happen when Joel threatened to punish you. And you definitely didn’t expect to fucking love it. You’re so turned on that you feel dizzy. 

Joel’s lips come to your thigh. Light kisses and his scratchy facial hair peppering along your red hot skin. “Fuck me,” you say around the leather clamped between your teeth. 

Joel laughs into your skin, kissing along the handprints he’s left on your ass. You’re squirming underneath him, pushing your ass towards his face, desperate for him to make you come. His hands grip around your shorts and your whole body relaxes at the thought of him finally fucking you. “I need you to listen to me now, ok?” 

You nod fervently and he lets out an amused laugh. You arch your back at him invitingly, but instead of removing your shorts he yanks them back up. You moan out in protest as he lifts you down from the truck. His strong fingers work to do up your shorts before he spins you. You look like a wreck; mascara smudged under your eyes, cheeks pink, eyes glazed and dopey looking. Cock drunk and he hasn’t even given it to you. He grabs the belt and you release it for him. It’s killing him not to fuck you right here and now. 

His hand cups your chin, squeezing your cheeks and locking eyes with you. “Do you want me to fuck you?”

You try to nod but he’s gripping you so tightly. “Yea? Then you need to do what I say. Ok?” 

“Mm-hmm” 

“Go in there and quit. Then come back out here and I will fuck you so hard that you’ll feel it in your throat.” 

Taglist:

@corazondebeskar @hiddenbabynyc @rainstorms-library @smutsmutslut @sullyrocky44 @keylimebeag  @pimosworld @casa-boiardi @pedritoferg @paleidiot @lorilane33 @pansexual-potatoes @baar-ur @jessthebaker @jasminedragoon @koshkaj-blog @pedroswife69 @strawberri-blonde  @none-of-this-makes-any-sense @iloveenya @javierpena-inatacvest @blazeflays @mermaidgirl30

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

Your Venus sign can reveal a lot about how you handle money, from your spending habits to the state of your bank account. Let’s get into it.

Fire Venus (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) Happy Spenders

Fire Venus individuals experience major fluctuations in their finances. Their bank accounts can swing from being in the negatives to thriving in no time. They tend to be frugal at times, but they are also natural splurgers—especially when their income increases. When they have money, they enjoy spending it on things they desire, often without much restraint. However, one thing about Fire Venus is that their bounce-back game is strong. Even if they hit financial lows, they quickly find ways to recover. Their money flow is inconsistent, but they always manage to get back on their feet.

Earth Venus (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) I WANT & I NEED SPENDERS

Earth Venus individuals value financial stability and practicality. They may not always have large amounts of money, but they usually have a plan to maintain financial security. When their bank accounts grow, they do have the urge to splurge—but only on items they truly want or see as valuable. They are naturally frugal and prefer to make purchases that make financial sense, often looking for bargains and deals. While they are not immune to financial struggles, they are also the type to actively work on fixing any financial setbacks. If they fall into debt, they are likely to develop a structured plan to get back on track.

Air Venus (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) What The Fuck Did I Spend My Money On Spenders

Air Venus individuals tend to be financially savvy and resourceful. They often know budgeting hacks, use financial apps, and have innovative ways of making and managing money. However, their restless nature can sometimes lead them to spend impulsively. One week their bank account looks great, and the next, they have no idea where all their money went. They are skilled at making money, but because they know they can always earn more, they may not be the best at maintaining consistency. Air Venus individuals can also be secretive about their finances, sometimes engaging in unconventional or even slightly “sketchy” ways to secure funds.

Water Venus (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) I’m Not Spending Shit Until I Want To Spenders

Water Venus individuals seek financial security but tend to have an emotional relationship with money. They may be frugal and try to hold onto their wealth, but their spending habits can shift dramatically based on their emotional state. If they are going through heartbreak, stress, or depression, they may spend excessively in an attempt to lift their spirits. While they can save and maintain financial stability, emotional hardships can quickly drain their bank accounts. Additionally, Water Venus individuals can be overly cautious with money, sometimes holding onto it too tightly out of fear of loss.

[mynicosensesaretingling]

Mic Check: Feelings Engaged

A Bono x fem! (Y/N) reader story

Summary: When Bono’s radio mic goes haywire , (Y/N) offers her colleague a helping hand, leading to an unexpected moment of intimacy between the pair with the teasing comments from Lewis only adding fuel to the fire.

Warnings: None except it’s been written in my notes app

Notes: I wanted to write something for Bono for so long now , since he’s so incredibly dear to me. So now I just did- anyways I hope there aren’t any mistakes and that you enioy this little story x

—-

It’s a bustling Friday practice session at the track, and the air is filled with the familiar sounds of mechanics working, engines revving, and the steady hum of team radios crackling to life. Bono stands in the Mercedes garage, his eyes flicking over the various data streams on the monitors in front of him as Lewis sends feedback through the radio. There’s a calm professionalism to him, his headset settled snugly over his ears as he keeps his cool amidst the chaos of the session.

(Y/N), working a few stations over, is equally immersed in her role, running through telemetry data and keeping an eye on the numbers as they stream in. It’s her second full season working with the team, and although the work is often intense, the environment feels like home. Especially with Bono around. There’s something comforting about his expertise, his quiet focus—and maybe, though she’d never say it aloud, something undeniably attractive too.

Attentively watching the data presented to her , the buzzing noise of the track outside the garage slowly but surely becomes more of a background noise to (Y/N) —until she hears Bono curse softly under his breath. Looking over at the engineer, she finds him fiddling with the mic on his radio headset.

“I’m losing audio,” he mutters, mostly to himself, his fingers rapidly tapping at the small mic attached to his headset. The frustration is clear on his face. His eyebrows drawn together in a frown, as he tries to fix the issue without missing a beat in his ongoing strategy communications.

Without thinking much about it, (Y/N) walks over to the man, noticing his struggle. “Need a hand?”

Bono looks up, his brows slightly raising, surprised by her offer. “Yeah, I think the mic’s loose. Keeps cutting in and out,” he says, his voice lower than usual, the usual steady control in his tone replaced by just a hint of frustration. Stepping closer, (Y/N) notices the faint flush creeping up his neck as he tries to juggle the malfunction and his job.

“Let me take a look,” she says, voice gentle as she steps right in front of him. Bono’s eyes stay fixed on her for a moment before he gives a small nod, lowering his head slightly so she has easier access to the mic. It’s the simplest of gestures, but (Y/N)’s heart skips a beat—being this close to him, especially in the middle of the chaos of the garage, feels strangely intimate.

(Y/N)’s hands lift to adjust the mic, her fingers brushing his cheek ever so slightly, as she reattaches the microphone more securely. His skin is warm under her fingertips, and the moment she touches him, she notices the slightest inhale from Bono, though he stays incredibly still, as if he’s afraid to move.

The garage feels smaller now, the noise fading into the background as (Y/N) concentrates on the mic, trying to focus on the task but fully aware of how close she is to the race engineer. Every brush of her hand sends a spark of awareness through her body. Focusing on the task at hand she feels Bono’s eyes on her form, though he’s trying his best to keep it professional.

“Okay, try now,” (Y/N) murmurs, stepping back slightly to give him some space. Bono clears his throat, his hand reaching up to adjust the mic himself, fingers brushing where hers had just been. He’s back to business in an instant, but there’s an edge to his voice as he speaks into the mic.

“Lewis, do you copy? How’s the connection now?” Bono’s voice is steady, but the slightest tension remains in his shoulders as he waits for a response.

There’s a brief pause before Lewis’s voice crackles through the radio, loud and clear. “Yeah, I hear you loud and clear, Bono. Thought you’d left me hanging there for a minute,” Lewis teases, but before Bono can respond, Lewis’s voice returns, this time with a playful lilt. “Wait a minute… was that her fixing your mic? That surely sounded like her voice ,mate.”

Bono’s reaction is immediate—he lets out an exasperated sigh, his hand coming up to rub the back of his neck, but keeping her focus on him, (Y/N) can see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Lewis, focus on your out-lap,” Bono says, his voice firm but with a warmth that betrays his usual stoicism. Slightly shaking his head, he’s trying to suppress his embarrassment, but the smile that’s breaking through is impossible to miss.

“Oh, I’m focused,” Lewis replies, his tone mischievous. “Just thought I’d ask. Should I leave you two to it, or are we going to talk about strategy?”

Glancing back at (Y/N), Bono catches her eye for a brief moment, both of them sharing an amused, slightly embarrassed look. There’s a tension between the pair, but the humor in Lewis’s words manages to cut through it, making the moment feel lighter.

Bono lets out a dry laugh, shaking his head as he taps on the mic. “Yeah, let’s focus on the strategy. We’ll debrief later, Lewis.”

The radio crackles again as Lewis’s laughter comes through. “Sure, sure. But, just saying—‘bout time you two got close. We’ve all seen it coming.”

Bono’s face flushes at that, and he quickly turns back to the monitors, his fingers tapping at the keyboard, pretending to be fully immersed in his work. (Y/N), on the other hand,feels a mixture of embarrassment and… something else, as she walks back to her station. The way Lewis spoke, as if everyone had noticed the way her and Bono seem to gravitate toward each other, leaves the woman flustered. Was it really that obvious?

“Well, uh,” Bono calls , clearing his throat again, “thanks for fixing that. Shouldn’t have trouble now.”

(Y/N) nods, her heart still pounding as she tries to shake off Lewis’s teasing. “No problem,” she says through a slightly awkward chuckle. There’s still something hanging in the air between them, something unspoken.

Bono glances over at her once more before looking away, his lips pressing together like he’s holding something back. For a second, it feels like he might say something, but before he can, the team radio crackles again.

“Bono,” Lewis calls, his voice still carrying that teasing edge, “when’s the next date? Need me to clear the schedule?”

(Y/N) can’t help but laugh softly, shaking her head as Bono rolls his eyes. “You’re impossible, Lewis,” he mutters, though his voice is lighter now, the moment of tension dissolving into something more comfortable. He presses the radio switch again, sighing dramatically. “Focus on the driving, will you?”

Lewis just laughs in response, clearly pleased with himself, and Bono, despite his best efforts to maintain his usual professionalism, can’t help but let out a soft chuckle as well.

As the practice session winds down, the garage starts to return to its usual rhythm, but the brief moment of closeness between herself and Bono lingers in the back of (Y/N)’s mind. Every now and then, she catches him glancing in her direction, and when her eyes meet his, there’s a flicker of something unspoken—a spark that neither of the two can ignore.

And though nothing more is said between the pair, there’s an undeniable shift. (Y/N) can still feel the weight of his gaze, the soft smile that tugged at his lips, and the teasing words of Lewis echoing in the back of her mind.

Maybe Lewis was right—maybe it was about time.

[the-kr8tor]

Hi! I've just got back to ATSV and your Hobie fics made me felt like a school girl giggling to myself 😭🤍

I don't know if you still open for request but you may ignore if you feel uncomfortable!

I was thinking about long distance relationship with Hobie, maybe they met in some dating app ( I know this felt weird but like imagine him being bored and randomly download it for fun but then met the love of his life lol )

And one day Reader decided to surprise him on one of his concert 👀

Aww you're so sweet! Thank you so much! I hope you like this, sorry for the wait ❤️

Pairing: Hobie Brown x fem! Reader/ Spider-Punk x fem! Reader

Word count: 1.4k

Tags: No use of Y/N, no specific physical description of the reader, cw blood, band au, FLUFF

ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ

When your long distance partner said that he's in a band, you never expected that he's in one of those bands that plays in sold out venues. Granted that the concert also has other bands playing on the same day in different schedules, nonetheless his band is the one that's headlining the entire charity event. The venue is open air, trees lined around the park with dozens of booths selling merch, and overpriced burritos. At least the free water makes up for the expensive food and the long lines to the port-a-potty.

People are all dressed up for the event walk past you, they're in a complete ensemble, spikes, knee high boots, fishnets and hair that is taller than the luggage you're lugging around. It's safe to say that you stick out like a sore thumb in your comfortable airport clothes. If not then all the stares you're getting is because you have a huge bug on your face or something on your teeth. Maybe you should've gone with your original plan of waiting outside his houseboat like a creep.

You exhale, gathering your courage just like back when you were buying the plane ticket to Camdem. Clutching your bag tightly, you head off to the baggage lockers on the side to drop off your weekend bag before showing your concert ticket to the tired employee.

With a few flight delays on your belt, you were afraid that you'd miss his set. But lo and behold, the second you stepped foot inside, the loud booming speakers are announcing his band. You make your mad dash towards the front of the stage, excitement and trepidation fueling you while you practically squeeze yourself in between the growing crowd. After a few apologies to some people you've accidentally elbowed, you finally make it at the front with only a few bruises here and there. You don't care about the aches the second you see him appear from backstage.

Hobie, your long distance partner of two years and a half is finally in front of you. Well a few feet away from you as there's a bannister and a huge security guy guarding the fences. And yet, you haven't been this close to holding him. Signing up for a dating site wasn't your greatest moment but you're glad you did, if you hadn't, you might've not met the love of your life. You're also glad that his friends dared him into signing up, you feel incredibly lucky that the stars aligned for the two of you to meet.

His band waves to the crowd, faces you've come accustomed to whenever he brings you (his phone while you video call him) to band practices and hangouts throughout the years. Dare you say that they've become your friends too, if not for them encouraging you to finally buy that ticket to surprise Hobie, you wouldn't be standing here with your hands gripping tightly on the railings.

He looks amazing under the bright lights, the spotlight highlights all his best features. Clad in leather, spikes and metal, seeing him behind your phone screen doesn't prepare you for the real thing.

With stars in your eyes, you grin widely. Yet you don't call for him so you don't distract him. Instead, you listen to the first song as Hobie plays a familiar guitar riff. You unabashedly ogle him while you listen to the song you've personally seen the development of.

Sweaty, eyes strained to see him through the spotlight while your ears ring— you probably don't look your best while the crowd pushes the fences wildly. Maybe you should've thought this through, or at least wore something nicer.

Hobie still hasn't seen you amidst the crowd. Continuing to jump and somersault effortlessly around the stage while fans scream and screech his name out. You once again stick out like a sore thumb while you stay in place when everyone else is jumping up and down to the beat. Seeing the lone anomaly, Hobie shields his eyes from the lights to get a good look at the supposed disgruntled fan. He never expected to see your face, his heart feels like it stopped for a second, he tumbles towards a wire that trips him and in turn launches him towards a small amp that also trips him and makes him land flat on his face. If not for his quick reflexes, he might've broken his nose on stage.

The crowd makes an empathetic sound as silence spreads throughout the venue. Some reach out to him as if they would've caught him mid air, and you're one of those people. With a wince, you watch him sit up, trying his best to act cool while he's tangled around numerous wires. He looks silly and lovestruck at the same time when his eyes meet your own. Your name falls off his lips, eyes sparkling under the red spotlights.

You give him a small wave, smiling bashfully at the punk on stage. A stage hand helps him untangle himself while Ned helps back up on his feet. All the while, his eyes never left your form.

“Wanna take five, loverboy?” Ned whispers, patting his best mate on the back. “Fuckin' hell you're bleeding.” The crowd cheers as blood ebbs out.

Even with crimson flowing out of his nostril, pain ebbing through his face, he still manages to grin back at you. “Yeah, make that ten, Ned.” he clasps his hand on Ned's shoulder without leaving his eyes on you. You wink at him. “Better yet, make that twenty.”

Ned rolls his eyes, calling for the medics before gesturing towards you to come around backstage.

—

An organizer gives you a backstage pass, letting you roam around the performers area freely. You play with the lace as your nerves get the best of you. You kinda feel bad for being the cause of the delay, but when your darting eyes see his familiar silhouette, it all melts away.

“Can I get an autograph?” You say, standing under the medical tent while a paramedic tends to his bleeding nose. His head whips towards you so fast, you were afraid that he'd break his neck. “Hi, Hobie.”

A giddy grin spreads on his face, standing up from the plastic chair with tissue paper stuck up his nose. “Hello, love.”

You giggle, crossing the small distance, hands reaching to his sides, waiting for him to hold you. Hobie wraps his fingers gently around your wrists, pulling you close. Toe to toe, he guides your hands on his waist.

“You're taller than I expected.” You utter with fondness, fingers splayed over his shirt, eyes etching his face into the folds of your mind.

“You have legs, and feet attached to your legs.” He says nervously, biting his lip from grinning too widely. “You're as fit as I thought you would be.” Chortling, you pat his chest. Realizing that the tissue papers are still stuck up his nose, he yanks them away quickly, hiding it inside his back pocket as if nothing happened. “You surprised me.”

“That was very dignified of you, Hobs.”

Chuckling, he does what he always wanted to do; hide his face in the crook of your neck. “Was that a deal breaker?”

You scoff playfully, leaning into his touch as he embraces you fully, shyness melting off the both of you only to be replaced with affection. You do the same, face tucked on his neck. He smells like the perfume you sent him when he asked what perfume you always use. And in turn, you smell like his cologne he gifted you a week later.

“Nope, it actually made me more attracted to you.” You feel his knuckles trace circles around your back, nose pressed on your skin. “Sorry that I surprised you, and made you fall on your face in front of thousands of people.”

Hobie gives you a chaste kiss on your jaw before leaning away to cup your face. You feel like you're on cloud nine as he looks at you like you're everything to him.

“Nah, not even close to a thousand, lovie.” His thumb brushes along your cheeks, savoring your warmth like he always wanted to do. You smile, palms on his jacket lapels. “Y’know what's funny?”

“You landing flat on your face in front of hundreds of adoring fans?”

He pokes your side with a chuckle. “I'll never hear the end of that, huh?” You shake your head with a soft smile as he leans closer, you meet him halfway by pulling him by his jacket. “I bought a ticket to your place.” Your eyes widen, tearing up from his words. “I was supposed to fly after the concert and wait outside your flat like a bloody stalker.” Smiling, he closes the distance. “You beat me to it, love.”

“I won.” You kiss him just like how you imagined.