#Bug Tracking Tools

[anarsolutions1]

Bug tracking software free

#AnArSolutions recommends bug tracking software free to empower your development process without breaking the budget. Explore open-source options like Bugzilla and Mantis, ensuring efficient issue tracking and collaboration. These cost-effective solutions provide essential bug management features, ideal for startups and small teams looking to enhance product quality and streamline their development workflow. Leverage these free bug tracking tools to stay organized, resolve issues promptly, and deliver higher-quality software to your users while keeping costs in check.

[rocksmakingthings]

Here's one of my more nature themed projects I did recently! Just a tiny pine display box (i think from dollar tree? actually found it at a thrift store but it has a dollar tree tag lol). I don't have any before pictures of it (blasphemy). I got a hold of wood stain last year and have been having at it with a lot of cheap wood stuff laying around

Used to hold my moth collection but it has since outgrown it! So I stained it with wood stain + hot glued moss all over and decided to use it to display my more fragile specimen's that didn't have a place yet!

(Inside: dragonfly, dried shelf fungi, twin pine seed, bird skull, white lined sphinx moth (if I'm not mistaken), butterfly I forgot to identify, cicada.

On top: porcupine quills and a chicken bone.

Porcupine quills were a gift, everything else I found and saved. Actually my brother found the moth and saved it for me.)

It does have a protective casing on the front, but I took it off for the picture because of the glare.

[corplink]

demand forecasting methods in managerial economics

The Study of Interest Estimating in Administrative Financial matters: An Essential Aide

In the present hyper-serious business scene, understanding interest guaging isn't simply an upper hand — it's a need. Organizations that can precisely expect market needs are better situated to apportion assets, upgrade supply chains, and answer client requests progressively. For organizations utilizing man-made intelligence controlled stages like Corplink.ai, request estimating turns into a necessary part of navigation and long haul arranging.

What is Request Estimating?

Request guaging is the method involved with foreseeing future buyer interest for an item or administration in light of verifiable information, market patterns, and outer elements. Precise guaging permits chiefs to arrive at informed conclusions about creation, stock, showcasing, and evaluating techniques.

Significance in Administrative Financial aspects

Administrative financial aspects coordinates monetary hypothesis with strategic approaches to work with independent direction. Inside this space, request estimating assumes a basic part by:

Improving Stock Administration: Forestalls overloading or understocking.

Improving Consumer loyalty: Guarantees item accessibility lines up with market interest.

Key Preparation: Helps in defining creation plans and monetary objectives.

Asset Distribution: Permits organizations to focus on interests popular regions.

Strategies for Request Guaging

Request determining techniques can comprehensively be classified into subjective and quantitative methodologies. Here are the most conspicuous strategies utilized in administrative financial aspects:

Subjective Techniques

Statistical surveying: Studies and concentrate bunches give bits of knowledge into customer inclinations and purchasing conduct.

Well-qualified Assessment (Delphi Strategy): A board of specialists predicts request, frequently utilized for new item dispatches or businesses with restricted verifiable information.

Situation Arranging: Investigating different theoretical economic situations to anticipate request changes.

Quantitative Strategies

Time Series Investigation: Analyzes past deals information to recognize patterns, irregularity, and cyclic examples. Models incorporate moving midpoints and outstanding smoothing.

Relapse Investigation: Lays out connections among request and impacting factors like cost, pay levels, or publicizing spend.

Econometric Models: Uses monetary speculations and measurable strategies to assemble prescient models.

AI Models: man-made intelligence fueled frameworks investigate immense datasets, distinguish complex examples, and ceaselessly refine estimates in light of new data.

Utilizing artificial intelligence for Request Guaging

Corplink.ai's high level artificial intelligence capacities empower organizations to move past customary anticipating techniques. How it's done:

Large Information Joining: artificial intelligence can process and break down enormous datasets from different sources, including virtual entertainment, weather conditions, and market elements.

Ongoing Anticipating: Nonstop updates guarantee gauges stay precise even as economic situations shift.

Adjustable Models: man-made intelligence frameworks can be custom fitted to explicit businesses, obliging exceptional factors and patterns.

Further developed Exactness: AI calculations advance with information, lessening anticipating blunders over the long run.

Useful Applications

Retail: Anticipating occasional interest spikes to enhance stock.

Fabricating: Adjusting creation plans with market needs.

Planned operations: Upgrading production network proficiency by expecting shipment volumes.

Finance: Planning and speculation arranging in view of expected income streams.

End

Request anticipating isn't just about numbers; it's tied in with adjusting your business procedure to showcase real factors. In a period where information drives choices, devices like Corplink.ai engage administrators to make more astute, quicker, and more solid forecasts. By coordinating high level estimating techniques into administrative financial aspects, organizations can explore vulnerabilities and exploit amazing open doors with certainty.

Prepared to change your interest guaging system? Investigate how Corplink.ai can assist your business with remaining on top of things.

[luvwich]

thats me alright

[not-eight]

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[automationqa]

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[the-original-skipps]

|| Yandere Hacker!Scaramouche x Reader ||Headcanons || Genshin Impact ||

so I was watching hoyofair and this came up so I thought I’d do a quick something mehehe I mean I did spy scara before so might as well continue the tradition

cw: mentions of cyber stalking. privacy breach. slight mention of violence involving firearms.

Hacker!Scaramouche has your phone and laptop/computer bugged with his own personally made virus, which basically acts as a listening device. He can also remotely access both devices without you even knowing.

Hacker!Scaramouche who basically knows everything about you. He can hack into the government database to find out any personal information you have. Any records, all the names of your family members; he can just find out with a tap of his finger.

Hacker!Scaramouche knows your whereabouts at all times, a tracking software installed into your phone which you’ll never find. You can be in any part of the world and he’d still be able to find you. You don’t have your phone with you? Not a problem, he’ll just assess the satellite and look for you.

Hacker!Scaramouche who because of the virus on your phone, he pretty much listens to you go about your day. In this day and age, a person’s smartphone is an essential tool after all and he knows you’d always have it with you. He can be going about his day and your voice would be heard from this headphones. What you’re saying as you browse the internet, your personal mumblings - he hears them all. Especially the phone calls you have with other people.

Hacker!Scaramouche knows your current interests and wants. He knows you have that item in your basket on your shopping app that you’re putting off buying. So, he makes things easier for you and buys it for you. He’ll have it delivered straight to your house. A little gift from him.

Hacker!Scaramouche who has access to your phone’s photo gallery. He saves all the pictures you’ve taken into his own personal computer and phone. The pictures of the food you’re about to eat, the pretty scenery of the sky - they’re all backed up and saved. Though, he has a special folder for pictures with you in it.

Hacker!Scaramouche can hack into any security camera in any part of the world. He has a live stream of the security camera feed running in front of your house/apartment so he’d know when you’re home. He also keeps watch in case you bring any visitors home. If you do, a simple facial recognition program is all he needs to know who they are and if they’re a threat to him.

Hacker!Scaramouche who spends majority of his time behind a screen but isn’t afraid to come in person when needed. This new person you’re seeing? He already knows who they are and where they live. He’ll ruin them - drain them of their assets, enter false criminal records; anything to get them away from you. If they don’t get the message, a gun to the face will be sure to change their mind. 

[mxmis]

The way they sleep with you~ Arcane

A/n: a short fluff writing about how they would sleep with you sfw finished the show recently and can’t stop thinking about these characters

Vi~🥊

Probably gets to bed at an alright time most nights but can’t help coming home late

She will be quick to make it up to you if you stay up waiting for her

Big spoon 90% of the time she loves the contact of your heartbeat close to hers helps her stay calm if she’s got something bugging her from that day

The other 10% or less is when she has had a really bad day or a very serious intimate moment between you two

She feels vulnerable during this time and wants you to be the one to hold her, facing each other her head close to your chest your arms locked around her neck and shoulders

Usually up before you due to being used to prison schedule and her own daily workouts

Wakes you up by softly stroking your forehead to your jaw with the back of her hand

“Hey cupcake did you sleep good? Well every night I’m with you is a good night ;) Haha well I’m just telling you the truth. Love these moments with you y’know. Just you and me no stress no frustrations just us”

Jinx~🦋

Most cuddly of them all

No big spoon or little spoon just the two of you in a pile of entangled limbs, smiles, and kisses

Has not preference on how you cuddle or any position just likes being close to you

There is an exception, if she’s having an outburst and mental breakdown she will attach herself to you, her head against your chest and her legs wrapped around you

She will lie there for a while even after the voices stop. She’s listening to your heartbeat and greatly appreciates you letting her

Very lazy morning person and probably the worst sleep schedule Actually more like no sleep schedule at all

You will be the one waking her up more often than not and you are usually met with a groan and a “five more minutes” as she’ll wrap her arms around your neck and pull you back down

Will be in contact with you throughout the entire time she’s asleep it may be a hand or a leg or most likely her entire body

“Mmmh wake me in a year. Who says I can’t stay. Ugh right right big ol responsibility bleh. Who needs all those responsibilities when I’ve got everything I need right here. Yup my tools, gadgets, plans and bed. Yeah yeah I guess I would say you’re on that list. I’m just kidding you’re at the top of the list *mwah*

Caitlyn~🔵

Alright sleep schedule, sometimes gets caught up in her cases and loses track of time you usually have to remind her of time and bring her to dreamland

More focused on what you like in these types of situations, if you want to be held she’ll hold you and the same for if you want to hold her

Will read you to sleep if you ask but sometimes if your gently playing with her hair or being really soft with her she’ll fall asleep to your touch

No preference on being big spoon or little spoon as long as she is with you she doesn’t care and if you carried her to bed then she’s already too asleep to care

Will somehow wake up ready to go basically every morning, her superpower is restful sleep and somehow she always looks amazing no bed head or anything

“Morning love” she leans down and softly kisses your forehead lingering for a second as if she’s debating another one “Breakfast is ready, I decided since you helped me to bed I’ll help you out of bed” she chuckles

[morlock-holmes]

So, people explaining that AI isn't "real art" bother me, not so much because of the answer they reach but because most of the people saying it isn't seem to romanticize not just commercial art production, but also bizarrely to romanticize AI as well, in ways that bother me for subtle reasons I want to try to articulate.

So, first of all, I personally don't think fine art will be changed much by AI.

"What if the artist isn't directly producing the art but instead letting some process create it?"

Convergence by Jackson Pollock, 1952

"What if the so called "artist" is merely rearranging and recontextualizing something that already exists?"

"What if the artist outsources a tremendous amount of work?"

Cambell's Soup Can, Andy Warhol, 1968

The fine art world already confronted these questions and answered between 1912 and, what, 1980 at the latest maybe?

My point here is not to assert the artistic worth of these paintings but to assert their undeniable importance to 20th century art history.

Nobody paying thousands of dollars for a traditional painting on canvas is going to buy an AI version because it's cheaper; such people are already paying a premium for artistic technique and cultivated human talent.

Or, alternatively, I have absolutely no doubt that people would pay a lot for an AI project with, I don't know, Banksy's name on it, even if it was made with freely available, open source tools, because in other cases people are paying for, essentially, a name.

The fine art community already confronted the questions raised by AI art and we're already on the other side of that confrontation. Statistically, the large battles being waged over these issues already finished before you were born.

The actually (potentially) endangered part of the art world is the commercial art world.

Not fine art, but art produced as part of an essentially commercial process in large part under the direction of other people. Fan Art, scripts for films, stock footage, key art used for commercial campaigns, pulp fiction cover illustrations, etc.

And, first of all, the reason that you can be so romantically attached to low-brow, heavily commercial art in the way that you are without feeling utterly absurd about it is Marcel Duchamp's Fountain and the works of Andy Warhol, so maybe have a bit more respect for them and their place in history if you are going to romanticize commercial art production.

Second, because it is those things that are threatened, defenses of human art against AI tend to have this kind of implicit view that the things which characterize commercial pop art are the most important characteristics of art. There is something about this that kind of bothers me for reasons I have trouble bringing up.

Okay, like, one I just watched a YouTube video where the creator said, more or less, "Can you imagine a world where people are so alienated from the production of art that instead of learning to produce it themselves, they type 'woman painting a picture' into a box on a computer and something just pops out?"

The video background was stock footage of a woman painting.

You have this really obnoxious trend of people who make monetized YouTube videos out of other people's copyrighted clips (Claiming "Fair use") talking about how awful it is for AI to "steal" other people's works, and people who fill their videos with stock footage and library tracks talking about how crazy it is that anybody would want to outsource this stuff instead of learning to do it themselves.

But also, beneath that, there is a kind of picture of "What's important about art" that is being built purely out of commercial concerns but masquerading as belief in something higher, and that really bugs me. Stock footage is elevated to the highest of human endeavors purely because it is commercially threatened by AI production.

[codingquill]

Welcome back, coding enthusiasts! Today we'll talk about Git & Github , the must-know duo for any modern developer. Whether you're just starting out or need a refresher, this guide will walk you through everything from setup to intermediate-level use. Let’s jump in!

What is Git?

Git is a version control system. It helps you as a developer:

Track changes in your codebase, so if anything breaks, you can go back to a previous version. (Trust me, this happens more often than you’d think!)

Collaborate with others : whether you're working on a team project or contributing to an open-source repo, Git helps manage multiple versions of a project.

In short, Git allows you to work smarter, not harder. Developers who aren't familiar with the basics of Git? Let’s just say they’re missing a key tool in their toolkit.

What is Github ?

GitHub is a web-based platform that uses Git for version control and collaboration. It provides an interface to manage your repositories, track bugs, request new features, and much more. Think of it as a place where your Git repositories live, and where real teamwork happens. You can collaborate, share your code, and contribute to other projects, all while keeping everything well-organized.

Git & Github : not the same thing !

Git is the tool you use to create repositories and manage code on your local machine while GitHub is the platform where you host those repositories and collaborate with others. You can also host Git repositories on other platforms like GitLab and BitBucket, but GitHub is the most popular.

Installing Git (Windows, Linux, and macOS Users)

You can go ahead and download Git for your platform from (git-scm.com)

Using Git

You can use Git either through the command line (Terminal) or through a GUI. However, as a developer, it’s highly recommended to learn the terminal approach. Why? Because it’s more efficient, and understanding the commands will give you a better grasp of how Git works under the hood.

GitWorkflow

Git operates in several key areas:

Working directory (on your local machine)

Staging area (where changes are prepared to be committed)

Local repository (stored in the hidden .git directory in your project)

Remote repository (the version of the project stored on GitHub or other hosting platforms)

Let’s look at the basic commands that move code between these areas:

git init: Initializes a Git repository in your project directory, creating the .git folder.

git add: Adds your files to the staging area, where they’re prepared for committing.

git commit: Commits your staged files to your local repository.

git log: Shows the history of commits.

git push: Pushes your changes to the remote repository (like GitHub).

git pull: Pulls changes from the remote repository into your working directory.

git clone: Clones a remote repository to your local machine, maintaining the connection to the remote repo.

Branching and merging

When working in a team, it’s important to never mess up the main branch (often called master or main). This is the core of your project, and it's essential to keep it stable.

To do this, we branch out for new features or bug fixes. This way, you can make changes without affecting the main project until you’re ready to merge. Only merge your work back into the main branch once you're confident that it’s ready to go.

Getting Started: From Installation to Intermediate

Now, let’s go step-by-step through the process of using Git and GitHub from installation to pushing your first project.

Configuring Git

After installing Git, you’ll need to tell Git your name and email. This helps Git keep track of who made each change. To do this, run:

Master vs. Main Branch

By default, Git used to name the default branch master, but GitHub switched it to main for inclusivity reasons. To avoid confusion, check your default branch:

Pushing Changes to GitHub

Let’s go through an example of pushing your changes to GitHub.

First, initialize Git in your project directory:

Then to get the ‘untracked files’ , the files that we haven’t added yet to our staging area , we run the command

Now that you’ve guessed it we’re gonna run the git add command , you can add your files individually by running git add name or all at once like I did here

And finally it's time to commit our file to the local repository

Now, create a new repository on GitHub (it’s easy , just follow these instructions along with me)

Assuming you already created your github account you’ll go to this link and change username by your actual username : https://github.com/username?tab=repositories , then follow these instructions :

You can add a name and choose wether you repo can be public or private for now and forget about everything else for now.

Once your repository created on github , you’ll get this :

As you might’ve noticed, we’ve already run all these commands , all what’s left for us to do is to push our files from our local repository to our remote repository , so let’s go ahead and do that

And just like this we have successfully pushed our files to the remote repository

Here, you can see the default branch main, the total number of branches, your latest commit message along with how long ago it was made, and the number of commits you've made on that branch.

Now what is a Readme file ?

A README file is a markdown file where you can add any relevant information about your code or the specific functionality in a particular branch—since each branch can have its own README.

It also serves as a guide for anyone who clones your repository, showing them exactly how to use it.

You can add a README from this button:

Or, you can create it using a command and push it manually:

But for the sake of demonstrating how to pull content from a remote repository, we’re going with the first option:

Once that’s done, it gets added to the repository just like any other file—with a commit message and timestamp.

However, the README file isn’t on my local machine yet, so I’ll run the git pull command:

Now everything is up to date. And this is just the tiniest example of how you can pull content from your remote repository.

What is .gitignore file ?

Sometimes, you don’t want to push everything to GitHub—especially sensitive files like environment variables or API keys. These shouldn’t be shared publicly. In fact, GitHub might even send you a warning email if you do:

To avoid this, you should create a .gitignore file, like this:

Any file listed in .gitignore will not be pushed to GitHub. So you’re all set!

Cloning

When you want to copy a GitHub repository to your local machine (aka "clone" it), you have two main options:

Clone using HTTPS: This is the most straightforward method. You just copy the HTTPS link from GitHub and run:

It's simple, doesn’t require extra setup, and works well for most users. But each time you push or pull, GitHub may ask for your username and password (or personal access token if you've enabled 2FA).

But if you wanna clone using ssh , you’ll need to know a bit more about ssh keys , so let’s talk about that.

Clone using SSH (Secure Shell): This method uses SSH keys for authentication. Once set up, it’s more secure and doesn't prompt you for credentials every time. Here's how it works:

So what is an SSH key, actually?

Think of SSH keys as a digital handshake between your computer and GitHub.

Your computer generates a key pair:

A private key (stored safely on your machine)

A public key (shared with GitHub)

When you try to access GitHub via SSH, GitHub checks if the public key you've registered matches the private key on your machine.

If they match, you're in — no password prompts needed.

Steps to set up SSH with GitHub:

Generate your SSH key:

2. Start the SSH agent and add your key:

3. Copy your public key:

Then copy the output to your clipboard.

Add it to your GitHub account:

Go to GitHub → Settings → SSH and GPG keys

Click New SSH key

Paste your public key and save.

5. Now you'll be able to clone using SSH like this:

From now on, any interaction with GitHub over SSH will just work — no password typing, just smooth encrypted magic.

And there you have it ! Until next time — happy coding, and may your merges always be conflict-free! ✨👩‍💻👨‍💻

[ageingfangirl2]

Hazbin Hotel x Child Reader Series

PART 4 - DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY DYNAMICS

ONE TWO THREE FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN TWENTY TWENTY-ONE TWENTY-TWO TWENTY-THREE TWENTY-FOUR TWENTY-FIVE TWENTY-SIX TWENTY-SEVEN TWENTY-EIGHT TWENTY-NINE THIRTY THIRTY-ONE

It had been a month since you found yourself in hell after being shot on earth by the police and living in the Hazbin Hotel. It was hard adjusting to living in hell initially because it was the complete opposite of Earth. But all of the hotel residents took it upon themselves in their own unique ways to help you adjust and make a life for yourself.

Charlie and Vaggie took on the roles of your doting and overprotective parents, always making sure you feel safe and loved. Charlie is endlessly supportive, while Vaggie is a little stricter but always has your back. If you had a new interest or hobby, Charlie was one hundred percent invested, doing everything within her power to give you the right tools to succeed. Vaggie took it upon herself to help you get your diet on track, making sure your hunger for flesh was gone by making you try new foods, even caving and letting you eat sweet things because at least it wasn’t flesh or organs.

Charlie loved to spoil you, making sure you had a nice bedroom and nice clothes, thrilled whenever you chose to wear the matching red suit she’d made for you because Charlie wanted you to learn about the hotel business. Vaggie couldn’t stop Charlie from spoiling you, so instead, she made sure Charlie got you practical things because kids grew out of clothes and broke things. But you always treated whatever you were given with care, always thanking Charlie and Vaggie, which made them feel good.

Husk doesn’t always show it, but he does enjoy having you around. You love listening to his old stories, and in return, he teaches you basic card games and tricks, especially how to cheat and win big. You were allowed to hang out at the bar as long as you sat on a barstool and didn’t touch anything that wasn’t age-appropriate. He was kind of like an uncle to you, not too close but not too distant. he wanted you to come to him for advice, but he’d never outright ask because he also didn’t want any hassle.

One day, you were playing cards with him, and Husk was confident he could beat you with this hand because you had tells on your face that told him you had a bad hand. But when Husk smirked and proudly showed his cards, declaring himself the winner, you giggled and showed him your hand, which beat his. Husk stares at you, shocked and impressed because you had played him at his own game. He made a mental note after that not to take you at face value because he couldn’t tell if you were acting innocent or devious.

Sir Pentious initially stayed away from you, having heard about your past after he’d left you on that first day. But you found his egg bois interesting and followed them around, asking lots of questions about random things. Upon realising you had an inquisitive mind, Sir Pentious opened up to you and took you under his wing, educating you in lots of different subjects.  Thrilled whenever you complimented him. He let you play with chemicals, explosives and lasers as long as you promised not to tell anyone, especially not Charlie or Vaggie, because they wouldn’t let you hang out with him anymore if they knew.

Niffty treats you like her cleaning apprentice. Excidtidly showing you how to fold towels, organise cutlery, and keep the hotel tidy. She even made you a matching apron so you could match when working together. She even showed you how she chased bugs around the hotel, but you weren’t a big bug fan, so let her keep that hobby to herself. Charlie and Vaggie approved of the two of you hanging out, thinking you grounded some of Nifty’s chaos, when, in reality, Niffty was turning you into a mini version of them. Niffty hung out a lot with Alastor, so you started hanging around with them both more. You were young and impressionable, and the two of them used it to their advantage.

Talking about Alastor, he keeps a close eye on you, intrigued by your past and curious to see how you’ll grow in hell. He finds your presence delightfully entertaining. He knows you’re conflicted and looking for guidance, so he makes you feel special, makes you feel like it's okay to have some bad thoughts because it makes you normal. He keeps detailed notes on your whereabouts and interactions with other residents and how he can use this information to his advantage. He was calm and calculating, but all you saw was a fancy gentleman who made you feel okay about your past and wanted to help guide your future.

Alastor loved all things old-fashioned, and despite your modern upbringing, he took it upon himself to introduce you to a low-tech life because he knew best. You loved listening to the radio with him, from music to radio plays. Alastor taught you the joys of reading and playing instruments, even teaching you how to play the piano like him. He also tutted whenever Charlie got you modern clothes, insisting on more classic and refined clothes in his colour scheme of red, black and a bit of green. To the outside world, Alastor was almost acting like a doting, obsessive father, when Alastor believed he was simply manipulating the kid without a single care for them.

Angel Dust took on the role of your chaotic older sibling, always dragging you into fun and sometimes ridiculous makeovers, posing for selfies, and making sure you looked and felt fabulous. Over time, you picked up on some of his sass, much to the horror of other residents. Angel was pretty vain and loved whenever you gave him a compliment or attention. When you had difficulty sleeping or nightmares, he’d let you sleep with Fat Nugget because he knew the pig helped calm down, and he wanted the same for you.

Charlie and Vaggie got a little concerned when one day they walked past Angel’s room to see the two of you scrolling through social media posts and comments on your selfies, and you were picking up on flaws with your appearance. They took Angel aside and said it wasn’t healthy for a kid to hate their body. Angel forgot that they were a kid sometimes, and since he was used to perfection in his job, he didn’t think the comments would have a negative influence on you. Angel immediately stopped showing you harmful content and made you feel body confident. After that, Angel treated you more like a child, and everyone in the hotel was happy.

Overall, it was a strange, dysfunctional family, but it was yours. You found comfort in each resident, and you knew you weren’t alone as long as you stuck by everybody in the hotel. One day, you’d forget your old life and make new memories with your new hell family.

[pebblethestone]

One Wrong Action ¹

Vox x Reader /alastor's sibling

Summary- your brother shown up after 7 years olny to ask you to help at the hotel and a message for the TV

Masterlist

One Wrong Action Masterlist

part 1, part 2

Words - 1325

Warrings- swearing

A/n - hello another post hopefully I'll have the other part finished for the next day but we will see I finished writing this one quite fast

─────────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹─────────

Strolling down the streets of hell as you watch sinners do what they do down here as their eyes watch your every move, your ears twitch a little annoyed with all the eyes on you keeping your lips in a thin line as you carry on heading towards where you were going.

“ah, there you are Y/n, I've been looking for you” you hear your older brother Alastor say next to you as you move your eyes to look at him, he's a little taller than you but not that much you would say.

“what is it that you need brother?” you asked with a dark tone as you rolled your eyes at your older brother as he kept walking with you.

“Well, I think you should come to the hotel with me, for a chef,” he says as you look back at him stopping in your tracks, turning to him fully.

“Ha, you think that I'll go there, then you must be out of your mind. I don't want to be involved in whatever that it that you're doing there, brother” you say as you cross your arms over each other. Watching as his eyes twitch a little his smile stays on his face.

“Why must you always be so rude, my dear /sister/brother/sibling/” You raise your brow at him.

“right so you want me to stay at the 'hazbin' hotel and work as a chef for cooking do you not already have someone there for that” you ask.

“Well you do always cook delicious food as well as your amazing baking skills,” he says as you think it over.

“hmm, I'll think about it dear brother but we will see what will happen” you say as you carry on your way as he disappears.

A couple of days later

You stand at a door as you knock on it, hearing voices on the other side one with a high tone sounds like she is panicking and the other deer trying to calm her down as you look at the watch on your wrist you see the door fly open as you look back up. Right then let's get this over with.

“Hello, I heard that you are looking for a cook, am I right?” you ask as you watch her face light up with happiness as you keep your serious. She invites you in as she talks to you about what she wants to do as you nod your head. Seeing Vaggie keeping her eye on you her grip on her weapon tight.

“so this is Angle Dust” she says as she takes you over to a white and pink, spider-like sinner as he holds his hand out, you already know who he is as he works with Val seeing him a couple of times.

“Hay there gorgeous/handsome, am Angle Dust” you hear him say to you giving him a handshake.

“Am Y/N, it's nice to meet you too,” you say to him as Charlie grabs your arm and pulls you over to the grey moth sinner as she gives you a hard look.

“This is Vaggie, my girlfriend, Vaggie this is Y/n” she says as you look down at Vaggie.

“Good to meet you Y/n,” she says still a little sceptical of you.

“The pleasures mine,” you say before you can say anymore Charlie yet again grabs your arm taking you over to a bar. Seeing Husk and Nifty.

“This is Husk and this is nifty” she says pointing them out as nifty runs around stabbing bugs here and there as Husk stands at the bar.

“Yes, though I do already know who they are,” you say to her as the both of you walk up to the bar, and she gives you a surprised look, making you chuckle a little.

“Did Al not mention me at all?” you say as Husk sees you his frown turning up a little.

“Y/n! It been a while since I last saw you, i do miss your cooking” Husk says looking at you taking a sip our his bottle, and you take a set on a tool.

“So how do you know them?” Charlie asks as she stands next to you.

“oh, yes well Al is my brother,” you say as the whole hotel goes quiet. Charlie's mouth was wide open.

“wait, wait you his sister/brother/sibling?” she says surprised again as you simply nod your head, Nifty running up to you as she climbs up to you.

“ohh Y/n I've missed you so much!!” she says as she tries to hug you.

“As do I Nifty” ruffling her hair up a little as she huffs at you.

“anyway where is that old radio, anyway?” you ask Charlie as she's about to answer, you hear radio static from behind you.

“well, that's certainly no way to speak about your dear brother, is it? And I didn't think that you would be here,” he said with an annoyed tone in his voice. Turning around you see him a tug pulling on your lip as you attempt to annoy him a little.

“Al, why wouldn't I come and help, Charlie seems like a lovely young woman to work with and I would say that her idea to redeem sinner seems a little crazy but I think that it's something that could happen with a lot of work,” you say. Charlie looks up at you with joy as you listen to what she wants to do with the hotel.

“Thank you, Y/n I'll show you where the kitchen is and then I'll give you the key for your room,” he says as she takes you over to the kitchen and you wave a little bye to Al.

“well, uhh, this will need a bit of cleaning but it will do” you say to her as you click your fingers together as shadows figures appear. Charlie looks a little worried about them.

“Don't worry your pretty head, hon, they are not souls, just a part of my power,” you say as she loosens up a little.

“Thank you again for coming to the hotel it means a lot, I'll let you get on what you're doing now,” she says as she takes her leave.

“Alastor, you know I know you've been lurking,” you say as he appears in front of you. Taking a step closer to him

“You left, me for seven years! seven years! and you expected a warm welcome back?” you say but your tone of voice changes carefully watching the small movements of his face.

“And you appear when something like this is occurring, you're doing some shady shit and I want to know, because you're my brother Al, but I want you to stay clear of my person life okay,” you say as you storm passed him. The shadows disappeared leaving only him in there.

A couple of hours later

You lay on top of your bed, of course, they had given you a room right next to you Alastor as you let out a huff of anger, feeling your phone buzz as you take it out of your pocket, you had an old phone no touch screen as you would always end up breaking them it had keypad so you could type it had no camera and no mic in it since you didn't trust it very much. Taking a look at who had sent a message.

Stupid TV head 📺

Hi there y/n we have a yearly meeting soon hope to see you there 😏

It says as you let out a sigh your ex, and you both agreed to stay as Business partners but for some reason meet up every fucking year to talk about it.

Y/n

Yes, I look forward to our next meeting.

You dryly respond to him as you put your phone down on the bed and you decide that you should at least try and get to know everyone.

---

Part 2

---

Taglist-

[corplink]

Project Management for Software Engineers: A Guide to Building Better Software

At Corplink.ai, we know the challenges of creating exceptional software go beyond just writing great code. Effective project management plays a critical role in turning ideas into scalable, user-friendly solutions. Whether you’re leading a team of software engineers or navigating the complexities of product development, mastering project management techniques can streamline your workflow, foster collaboration, and deliver better outcomes.

In this blog, we’ll explore best practices, tools, and strategies tailored to software engineers to enhance project management and improve productivity.

1. Understand the Basics of Agile Methodologies

Software development thrives in dynamic environments where requirements often change. Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban are popular frameworks that allow for flexibility while keeping projects on track. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Scrum: Breaks the project into sprints (time-boxed iterations), each delivering incremental value. Regular standups, sprint planning, and retrospectives are key.

Kanban: Focuses on visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), and maintaining a continuous flow of tasks.

Implementing Agile techniques helps teams adapt quickly and ensures that customer needs are prioritized.

2. Set Clear Objectives with SMART Goals

Ambiguity in project objectives can derail progress. Ensure every goal is:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-bound

For instance, rather than saying, "Improve system performance," a SMART goal would be, "Reduce API response time by 30% within two months."

3. Utilize the Right Tools

Choosing the right project management tools can make or break a project. Here are some that stand out for software engineering teams:

Jira: Tailored for Agile workflows, Jira tracks everything from tasks to complex project backlogs.

Asana: Ideal for teams that need simplicity without sacrificing powerful task management.

GitHub Projects: Combines version control with task tracking for streamlined development.

Trello: Great for small teams and Kanban-style task boards.

At Corplink.ai, we leverage cutting-edge project management platforms to align our engineering efforts with organizational goals.

4. Break Down Complex Problems

Large projects often feel overwhelming. Adopt a divide-and-conquer approach by breaking them into smaller, manageable tasks. This not only helps prioritize but also ensures that each team member can focus on their expertise.

For example:

A feature request can be broken into front-end development, API integration, and testing tasks.

5. Emphasize Communication and Collaboration

Software engineering is inherently collaborative. Effective communication minimizes misunderstandings and ensures everyone is aligned. Practices like:

Daily Standups: Share progress, challenges, and next steps.

Code Reviews: Foster collaboration and maintain quality standards.

Documentation: Keep everyone informed with well-documented code and processes.

Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Notion can facilitate real-time communication and information sharing.

6. Mitigate Risks Early

Identify potential risks early in the project and develop mitigation strategies. This might involve:

Allocating extra time for tasks prone to delays.

Regularly testing and debugging to catch issues early.

Having backup resources or alternative plans in case of bottlenecks.

Risk management keeps projects on schedule and reduces costly setbacks.

7. Track Progress and Adapt

Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, such as:

Velocity (work completed per sprint).

Lead time (time from task assignment to completion).

Defect rate (bugs reported vs. resolved).

Analyze data regularly and adjust plans as needed to stay on track. Tools like Corplink.ai’s AI-powered analytics can help by providing actionable insights into team performance.

8. Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning

Encourage teams to review their processes and learn from past experiences. Retrospectives are an excellent opportunity to:

Identify what went well.

Address areas for improvement.

Develop actionable steps for the future.

Conclusion

Effective project management is the backbone of successful software development. By combining proven methodologies, clear communication, and the right tools, teams can create impactful software on time and within budget.

At Corplink.ai, we’re committed to empowering software engineering teams with AI-driven tools and insights, making project management seamless and efficient. Ready to transform your project workflows? Explore how our solutions can help you achieve your goals.

Let’s build better software—together.

[factual-fantasy]

29 Asks! Thank you! :}} 🚗

My rule of "no fanart" applies to fanfics as well. I have now updated my pinned posts FAQ to address this 😌

(Referencing this post)

XDD I'm glad! :}}}

Oof- sorry! No alcohol for us thanks! 😅 But hey- thanks for the offer! :)

@dunkudunk

AAAAAA THANK YOU SO MCUH!!! 😭😭💞💞💞

@elegysonnet

My favorite ancient Cookie is prooobably Pure Vanilla.. and my favorite beast is probably Mystic flour 👀👀

(Link in ask)

NIRAMIIIIII I will absorb this advice thank you 🫡🫡🫡

Something tells me he shouldn't be trusted with a tool that powerful/valuable <XDD

I'm considering the paid drawing requests more and more.. thank you for this ask. I'll keep it all in mind! :}}}

..Thank yuuu.... 🥺💖e

@thesweetishfish

XD That's actually very sweet and reassuring, thank you!🥰

Keeping this all in mind, thank you very much! :}}

(In response to this post)

NOOOOO DON'T TAKE MY TABLET I NEED HER 😭😭😭

@digi-vie

Aww XDDD love the chaotic bag gremlin. And the second one is so beautiful!🥰Thank you! :))

@starrygirldrawsx3

I've been thinking about watching TFP connected shows on and off.. maybe I'll give them a go after I finish Prime..? But aaaa idk.. not having Bulk, Miko and Ratchet around would be such a bummer 😭💔💔

Honestly a paid requests thing sounds great. I've had many times where I've dealt with artblock and turned to peoples suggestions for help. If I could work out a system for that.. I think I'd be much more comfortable giving commissions a go. <:)

@neo-metalscottic (Bibi and Cici birthday post) (Webtoon OC post)

Howdy, thank you so much. <:) I'm hoping my Ko-fi does start to rake in some money overtime. I really don't want to have to do commissions.💔

As for their birthdays... uhhhh I'm having a hard time remembering the dates. I have it written done somewhere I'm sure.. I know that Gerald's is somewhere in April, and Jangles is in August. I'll have to go find those dates again-

Also thank you! :DD I'm so glad you like my OCs! :))) So far what I had in mind for those two was.. well, you might need some context first actually-

The general idea for that webcomic was that it all takes place inside the broken mind of a comatose girl. (This cliché plot is what made me drop it rather quick) But anyways- so all the characters in this world are based on things in her real life.

The clown character is meant to be apart of a species of clowns. They're shapeshifters of sorts. And the shadowy figure is his true form/a beast that he can transform into if needed. This clown character is supposed to be her minds version of her dad. Someone one who always made her laugh and was very friendly. But was also very capable of protecting her.

Now the owl... I was thinking that one night before she fell into her coma.. she saw a barn owl outside her bedroom window. But due to the surrounding darkness, she could only see its head. She ended up feeling like/imagining that all the darkness out there around it was its body.

So now in her dream scape, this black shapeshifting beast stalks the group from afar. Contorting its body into various shadowy bugs and furry creatures. But always keeping its owl face...

He only knows as much as I do, So unfortunately I'd say no 😅 I'm unfamiliar with Skeletor. But Papyrus on the other hand...👀

Woof 💀 this is why I'm just sticking with Transformers: Prime 😅There's too much to keep track of!

A much as it brings me down, yes. I'd like to be notified in hopes I can have it taken down. 😔 Also thank you! :)

(Link in ask)

I see no issue with this XD

Are they bringing ibuprofen? :(

@milk-powrit

Some characters will stay evil and will have no redemption. For example Silas, Airachnid and Megatron will see no redemption. And I cant see any world where TFP Soundwave would work with the Autobots.. same thing with Starscream and his brothers.

As for most of those dramatic battles and moments, most of it will be remedied by "they actually survived the fight and got a second chance."😅

@tango-o-mango

My favorite bot character is Ratchet :)) but Bulkhead is a very close second. I just cant help but love the grumpy old bot. He pretends to not like the kids and be annoyed by the others antics. But the truth is his spark is full of nothing but love and dedication to his team. And he would give up everything he is/has to protect any of them. 🧡

My favorite human characterrr..... well, usually its Miko, but only when she's being really sweet/cute with Bulkhead. "I'll never forget you.." "I wanna be just like you Bulk!" "I cant Bulk, I gotta get you outa here!" "We cant leave Bulkhead! "(Run Miko!) Miko's brow frows and she tears up"

But aside from those moments she can get on my nerves sometimes <XD So for that reason I think Jack is my favorite human character. He never gets on my nerves and I like how much he's matured over the series.

Now favorite duo... ooo that's a good question. It'll have to beeee... uhhh.. man. Its a tough pick. I like Ratchet and Optimus, Bulkhead and Wheeljack are always fun.. but man, Bulkhead and Miko just hits different.

Arcee: "A scout must be silent but deadly" (Miko and Bulk both snicker and laugh). "That's my girl!" "I'm never leaving your side again.." The two of them together just makes my heart swell 😭💞💞

Also thank you! I hope you have a wonderful day as well! :))

@friedfishilove

AAA THANK YU SO MUCH!! :DDD

Also unfortunately, no.😔 There's been no such healing. 1 year later and I'm still battling this condition with no cure in sight. I'm at my wits end if I'm being honest.

@imafrealinrainbow478484

My only thought is "Why do those humans look nothing like Mario?? 💀"

I've heard of Earthspark, and while I've heard some good things about it.. I've also seen some not so good things. I think I'll just stick with Transformers Prime <:D

Yeah I was surprised that "Orion" wasn't more shocked and devastated at being told that his dear friend Ratchet and him were at war. And for this long..

I wish we had a moment where Ratchet got to explain everything to him. Or better yet- can you imagine if Orion was told all this horrible stuff about Ratchet, and then somehow he has a brief encounter with Ratchet? Maybe he was on the battle field and saw Ratchet in the distance, gingerly helping Bee to his feet.

Then they lock optics, and Ratchet looks devastated. His optics are full of worry and sorrow. The way he protectively shields Bee from gunfire.. he just cant see the blood thirst war criminal that Megatron described.

Maybe after that he would start to really become suspicious of Megatron and start to figure things out..

@jade-green-butterfly

Thank you <:) I wish the same for you! :))

@wolfie-777

Judging by your name, I'd say make it a wolf XDDD

[justkending]

Mr. & Mrs. Hunt (Chapter 5/7)

Mini-Series Summary: Two of the most stubborn people in the group partnered together for an undercover mission are also the two people with the most hatred for each other, so what could go wrong? Or is it, what COULDN’T go wrong?…

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger Reader (Enemies to Lovers) (Fake Marriage Trope)

A/N: I think we are staying on track for this to wrap up within two more chapters, but again, we are both in the dark if that's the case😂 Thank you guys for the love! If you are wanting to be tagged, please send me an ask. It's a lot easier for me to keep track of who's been added and who hasn't :)

_________

Y/N’s POV:

Okay, so maybe I blew up a little more than necessary, but I tried to chill out before he started chasing me, ordering that I didn’t walk away and talk to him. Let a girl try to get a hold of her emotions for a second big guy.

I’ve been anxious all day, waiting to talk to him about some deep seeded trauma, and then he comes and screws up all of it with a simple acceptance of an invitation. I know he didn’t mean harm by it, but he’s a trained professional. That was not a trained professional response. Plus, stepping out of my normal routine of being a bitch to him to keep him at a distance wasn’t just a switch I could flip.

Again, I could have handled that better, but now my brain is in mission mode, trying to reprogram what this night has set up for us. Considering the invitation was for tonight, it gave me little to no time to prepare.

“What time did she say dinner was?” I shouted from my bedroom, where I was going through our small, hidden arsenal of gadgets Tony had made for us.

“Six,” Bucky replied from his room down the hall.

Great, that was forty-five minutes from now… “Ok, I can do this.” Deciding it was best to keep some bugs on hand in case we could plant them in the house, and we would be planting them, I needed to consider sizes and placements.

“Should we bring over some wine or something?” Bucky’s voice was now in the doorway to my room, but I kept my back to him as I sifted through our tools.

“I made a pie earlier today. We can take that,” I answered absentmindedly.

“Why’d you make a pie?”

“Felt like it,” I shrugged and walked out of the closet with three small wires/ bugs in hand. When I looked up, I saw he had changed into a nicer button-up and was tightening a tie around his collar he hadn't been wearing earlier. “Why are you wearing a tie?” I examined him.

“Same reason you’re wearing a nicer dress. I want to make a good impression,” he shrugged, straightening pieces of his outfit.

“I’m wearing this because we were going to our ‘anniversary dinner,’” I made sure to put the lie in hand quotes. “I had a story that went with it, but this can pass as casual, too,” I motioned to my dress and moved toward him, placing the wires on the bed. “This looks like you’re about to give a sales pitch.”

Without thinking, I pop his collar up and loosen the tie to get rid of it. The whole time I’m focusing on untying it, I ramble about what the plan is for the night.

“I’m going to give you a wire to put wherever you see fit, and I’ll do the other two. I’ll excuse myself to use the bathroom and sneak it where it’s needed. I feel it’s important we look for cameras already in the house in case it’s a setup. We don’t need them having hard proof that we bugged their place. We want to come off as simple yet good assets if we want them to bring us on board for their work,” I struggle with a certain spot on the tie he somehow fixed in an efficient way I’d never seen. “Jesus, were you a sailor in another life? Might as well have knotted it.”

He doesn’t respond, but I get it off in the next two seconds and look at him to see he had been studying me intently as I invaded his space. I see my slip-up, push the tie into his chest, and take a step back.

“Sorry.”

“No problem,” he answers rather calmly, and I look at his eyes, seeing patience there. Always that damn patience. How did he still have it with me even with how I’ve treated him? “Listen-”

“About last night,” I say at the same time, and he seems shocked but gives a single nod to tell me to continue. “I want to say I’m sorry for being all over the place recently. From last night to thirty minutes ago.”

He seems frozen by my apology, and I became anxious enough that I start to word vomit.

“I took some time to think after last night and spent the day stressing, thinking how I was going to talk to you about it because I do want to. I want to get what I can out on the table if you’d be ok with that,” I look up through my lashes, and I see the most subtle turn of his lip as he watches me attentively.

“Are you hinting that there’s a chance I’ll get to see the side of you others are lucky enough to see?” he retorts, grin growing and taking a step closer to me.

His use of the word ‘lucky’ shortcircuits my brain, and all I can do is nod once, slowly, as my answer. He takes another step, and I match it with one back. I feel more vulnrable than I was expecting to.

“You can understand now why having our plans for the night changed made me slightly temperamental.”

“I think slightly may be an understatement.”

“I think you still should choose your words carefully,” I say, tightening my smile. However, it doesn’t shut him down like normal. Instead, he laughs under his breath, and the doorbell rings.

Both of our heads shoot toward the noise, and solemnity takes over the room.

“You don’t think that’s,” Bucky pauses as he turns back to me.

“How often am I wrong?” I take a deep breath in and smooth my dress out as I walk over, pausing beside him. “Hide the wires. I already did a sweep of the house while you were getting ready to make sure we didn’t have anything out of place. I’ll tell them you’re getting ready.”

I don’t need to open the door to know who it is, but when I do, the urge to yell, “I told you so!” in Bucky’s face is strong.

“Bethanne!” I smile kindly and immediately notice the dish in her hand. Reggie is behind her, holding two others, looking like he just got off work and had been dragged over here. “Did Beau tell me wrong? Are we not eating at y’all’s house tonight?”

She scrunches her face in a practiced motion and lifts the ceramic bowl up as she explains.

“I hate to ask this of you, but our oven is still the old rickety one. The new one had some faulty design, and we had to ship it back. Needless to say, it decided to give out on us today of all days,” she raised her shoulders. “I know we sprung the dinner on you suddenly, but would you two be willing to host if we provide the food?”

Not on the money of what I guessed, but pretty fucking close to the money if you ask me.

“Who is it, Doll?” Bucky’s voice carries from the hallway he’s now emerging from. The first three buttons on his dress shirt are undone, and he’s messing with the cuffs on the sleeves. “Hey, Bauers,” he smiles yet still holds shock in his features by the neighbor's appearance. “Did we get the time wrong?” he asks, looking at his watch before coming to my side, where I've now moved and am letting themselves in.

“No, no, no,” Bethanne shakes her head and hands off one of the pots to me as she takes one from Reggie, who looks more bothered to be here than happy. Long day human trafficking, asshole? “We had some appliance issues thanks to some of the renovations we were doing. I was just asking your wife if we can use your house as tonight's setting and possibly use your oven while here.”

Without hesitance, Bucky takes the dish from my hands and the dish Bethanne had swapped for and nods for Reggie to follow him.

“No problem at all. Let me help you ladies with that. Char," A nickname he had never used for my character before, but it seemed to work fluently. "Would you like to get some wine for the two of you while I get this organized in the kitchen?” he asks me, placing a kiss on the side of my head while his hands are full as he walks towards the other room.

I don’t know how he’s learned to play his role so well, but it’s convincing, even to me.

“Uh, yeah,” I almost stutter in my response as I motion for Bethanne to follow me to the wine cooler out in the garage. “Red or white with tonight's dish?”

"Do you have any more husbands like that in the back I can steal? What a gentleman," she coos, shoulder-bumping me.

___________

Half an hour of baking the food and getting it plated, and our conversation continued with questions strictly about us mostly, which would have been fine if not for the reason behind such invasive intentions.

They started off simple. How’d you guys meet? Who made the first move? What did we love about the town so far? What kind of hobbies and adventures did we take on before moving here? All questions we had prepared for, and if not, could easily improvise.

So far. No slip-ups. If anything, we sold the scheme far better than I’d imagined we would, even when they became more personal. And our discussion on being the ‘prude couple’ last night seemed to affect Bucky’s actions a lot more than I was expecting.

An obvious hand on my thigh under the table and an arm thrown over my seat in a slightly possessive manner seemed to catch the eye of Reg, who mimicked some of the moves as if it were a competition.

In addition, Bucky kept making small compliments about how I looked and how smart I was when they asked about my job. Dropping little comments about things I did (not my character) that he loved and appreciated.

“She’s always doing things like that. I almost never have to worry about making coffee in the morning because she has it all set up just to hit a button and go.”

“You should ask Charlotte about that. She’s the reason our house looks like a home. I’m sure she could give some advice on the kitchen backsplash.”

“She may not know how to boil an egg correctly, but her baking skills are unmatched. I've put on a few pounds now that we have a nice kitchen to spend time in."

I did my best not to act shocked every time he dropped a compliment, but the fact he could have made shit up for my character and used those details as conversation pieces, yet he went the honest way (although more convincing, of course), shocked me.

“Speaking of baking skills,” Reginald nodded his head back to the kitchen counter behind us and smiled at me. “I spied a pie on the counter. Any chance we can have that to finish off this dinner?”

I was still staring at Bucky from his last form of appreciation when I blinked out of my distraction and returned to our neighbor.

“Oh, of course! I was just about to offer,” I smiled, standing up, and Bucky quickly stood next to me, pulling my chair out. “Thank you.” I smiled at him and placed a hand on his arm as I moved around to the counter.

“How sweet. Oh, Charlotte, would you mind telling me where the bathroom is?” Bethanne asked, standing and giving her husband a look for not showing the same chivalry as Bucky.

I watched her, knowing that I would have used the same excuse to do what we planned to at their house. But I was two steps ahead of her.

“Of course! Beau, do me a favor and get some plates out for dessert. I’m going to show Beth-”

“Oh, I’m sure I can find it,” she waved off, coming around the table and moving to the hall promptly.

Yeah… Not without a chauffeur, honey.

“No problem,” I waved off, moving with her casually. “I need to grab some floss from my bathroom before dessert. I’ll show you to it.”

I can see the most subtle glaze of annoyance at my insistence, but she smiles and walks a step ahead of me.

I show her to the bathroom and make it seem I’m going into the master down the hall while she’s in there. And I do, but I keep an eye to make sure she isn’t snooping in any other room besides the one. We’ll have to survey it after they leave, but better that and the dining room than the whole house.

Once we’re back with the boys, no wandering to be done, Bucky helps me plate a slice of chocolate pie for each of us, and I offer to move the conversation to the porch. Any kind of redirection from the comfort of the inside of our home is welcome.

“I love how you’ve decorated your porch. It’s so cozy,” Bethanne notices, pointing out the colorful decorative pillows, hanging swing the size of a daybed, and loads of plants and decor that make the space more intimate. She and Reggie are sat on the two rocking chairs facing the front yard, and Bucky and I are sat close together on the swing, where he’s controlling the tempo we sway in.

“I always wanted a spot outside to escape. We didn’t really have that at our last home, and it was important for me to have this time around,” I replied.

My answer is actually very true. I loved being outside, especially when it was something as simple as sitting in the backyard or swinging on a porch. I had one requirement about this mission, one I’m not even sure Bucky knew about. But I asked Tony to supply a nice budget for the porch.

Call it cheesy, but growing up in such an unnatural and dehumanizing way, you crave a small part of that normalcy you see on the movie screens. For some reason, a porch I could escape on but still be within the comfort of my own home was a dream. And because it was, I thought I’d make this situation a little more bearable by granting that small wish I always had.

“Well, I may have to start budgeting for a new kind of renovation,” she patted Reg’s back, and he gave her a tight-lip smile. "What do you say, Reggie? Do you think we can get a swing like that one?” She smiled over at us just as Bucky pulled me into his side, his arm going around my waist and his hand resting on my hip.

“I have a feeling we might as well have built a home from scratch by the time you’re happy with the renovations we’ve taken on,” Reg answered with a nod before taking a swig from his beer. “Get that recipe for the pie from Charlotte, and I’ll consider buying you a new porch,” he winked my way and turned back to the front of our lawn.

I found Bucky’s hand tightening at the action, and his thumb started rubbing in an up-and-down pattern along my hip. When I turned to him slightly, his gaze stayed on Reg.

Before finishing cleaning up for the night, we said goodbye to our guests, and just when we thought we hadn’t made any headway in our conversation about work (mind you, we had dropped hints and notices about it all night, but neither of the two seemed to take the bait), Reg stopped on the last step to our porch and turned to Bucky.

“You mentioned working in transportation, and by the sounds of your new job up here, if you’re interested in a more innovative place, I may have some ins for you,” he shook Bucky’s hand. “I have some coworkers around the states that could use some employees like you on their route.”

“I may take you up on that offer. It all depends on how this week rolls out,” Bucky answered perfectly. The Bauers said their goodbyes, and we watched them walk home before turning to each other.

In a silent celebration, we grinned at the invitation and then sent wordless glances to tread carefully when we got in before scoping the place for bugs…

_______________

Bucky’s POV:

I’m not surprised that the blonde sole cycle instructor of a neighbor was able to get a wire in our bathroom, but neither Y/N nor I were in the mood to remove it right away and give away our knowledge of it, so we each grabbed another drink for the night and debriefed subtly on the porch where the only bugs we had to mind were the crickets chirping their music for the night.

Bethanne was right. Our porch was nicely done, and I hadn’t even noticed Y/N had hung lights out here until she plugged them in.

“I feel like this spot is more put together than the rest of the house.” I noticed the details when we were out here earlier. Now, we both have taken up spots in the rocking chairs our neighbors had vacated.

“I may have focused more of my attention on this spot than the others,” she smiled as she brought a tumbler glass up to her lips. She had drank wine while Bethanne was here, but as soon as they were gone, the whiskey I had made a glass for myself was stolen out of my hand before I could take a sip. Now, we had each of our own.

“Was what you said about the porch a real thing? I mean, we have balconies at the compound,” I looked at her as I sat my drink on the small table between us.

“Balconies and porches aren’t the same. At least in my head, they aren’t,” she nodded, taking a deep sigh and resting her glass in her lap. “Did you mean what you said when you were complimenting me all night?” She lulled her head to the side to look at me.

I had been giving quite a few compliments. It felt easier to use the ones I had picked up on than the ones I made up. Yet again, I think anyone should get the recognition they deserve when they excel in something. Y/N just tended to excel in more than I think she was aware of. And I was learning she didn’t seem to be used to people taking note of those things.

“Why lie?” I shrugged, starting to rock in a steady pattern.

“Because that’s this whole gig. A lie,” she answered, taking another pull of the hard liquor.

I considered her perspective and shook my head, looking out to the lights on the other side of the street. “I guess it gets tiring at points. Don’t really feel like doing it if the truth can be just as usable.”

She didn’t answer for a handful of seconds, and when I turned back to her, she was staring at me like she was waiting for another shoe to drop.

“How are you so patient? Seriously, is it a drug Tony made you before you had to deal with me on this mission? I don’t get it,” she laughs, but I can hear the genuine confusion in it as she sits forward and turns her body to me.

Honesty. I’m in a mood to be 100% honest.

“Want me to be real with you?” I asked, turning my own body.

“It’d be preferred,” she nods and rests both her arms on the armrest.

“I don’t know anything about your past, but I know most people have a reason for acting the way they do. It took years and a ton of patience before I felt like I was even close to who I used to be. I still struggle to come to terms with the fact I’ll never be who I was before the train incident,” I sigh and rest my head back against the chair as I look at her. “I guess I have understanding more than patience. I understand that you have a history of your own that I don’t know, and I can’t blame you for a lot of the things you do.”

“But you should. I’m an asshole to you,” she says, and the admission is kinda nice to hear, even if it is sad.

“Yeah, and I was hoping you’d be willing to share why that is,” I reply calmly.

She tenses some and sits back in her chair, pulling her legs under her to sit crisscrossed, the chair rocking with her movement and her dress overflowing past her knees.

“I guess now is as good a time as ever…” She looked at me sidelong before finding comfort in the view in front of her instead. “I didn’t really have a chance to develop a personality of my own because my time in this lifestyle,” she motions around her, “started as soon as I could walk. So I had no identity to fall back on since I had to find it after I escaped.”

I had questions, but I found it best just to listen. Clearly, what she was talking about wasn’t something she brought up lightly, and being an ear to listen was what she needed right now.

“I was left behind by whichever no-good parent gave me up, and Adonis Hummel took me as his own and decided he’d try to recreate the famous assassin, The Winter Solider, from birth practically.”

The name drop came quickly and struck home. I didn’t know her whole story, but I had enough imagination and experience to believe where she was going.

“Wait, Hummel?” I started because the name sounded familiar, but…

“He was a low-level scientist who worked for Hydra when they were still using you under Pierce. He thought he had the brains and resources to create his own version of you. A version that would be more undetectable as a woman and a version he could tweak however he wanted,” she rolled her shoulders. “Lucky for him, I didn’t have to be brainwashed since I knew nothing besides the life of abuse, experimentation, and a shit ton of conditioning... " 

"To clarify, I say that for context, not sympathy,” she straightened, and I could see her shifting back to her unbothered disposition, but the truth was shining through the cracks. She may not have wanted sympathy, but something about the vulnerability seemed to lighten the load on her shoulders.

“As for why I may have built a wall around you, an unhealthy and senile wall, I felt as though…” She gulped as if the next part was harder for her to say than the abuse of her past. “I felt as though you had been my competition my whole life, and a part of me, a young and in-need-of-therapy part of me, thought it was best to keep you as far away as possible and hold onto that anger instead of work through it. It felt easier than facing the fear that I didn’t actually equate to you in any way. So that’s another reason why I felt everything with you was to prove a point.” She lets out a short breath after using all the air in her lungs in one swift swoop.

I-

It’s a lot to take in…

She doesn’t move her head back towards me after her confession, and I can’t seem to break my stare from her.

“This is where you say something like, ‘Well, it’s your lucky day. I’m actually an asshole either way, so we can go on hating each other for completely understandable reasons!’ or I don’t know? Anything but silence would be preferred, though…”

Her hand is gripping the arm rest unconsciously like an anchor keeping her on earth.

On instinct, I reach across and pull her hand into mine, keeping my stare heavy, enticing her to look at me.

She closes her eyes at first and takes another short breath before turning.

“I’m sorry if I ever made you feel unworthy of being on the team.” I feel like I personally am the reason for her suffering, even if I had no correlation with her before I joined the team. "You are more than an asset to the team and are your own kind of weapon. It's incomparable."

“Ugh,” she sniffles and rubs an eye with the heel of her free hand as if to disguise a possible tear as allergies. “This would be so much easier if you were a piece of shit misogynistic asshole, but you're part of the few good ones out there. Steve, Sam, and Clint included, not Tony,” she noted.

I smiled, thinking about how I’d make a team like that even if she had me believe otherwise for so long.

“What I’m trying to get at, B, is you’re not the one I should be blaming for my past. You’re just as much a victim as I am, but I took the easy way out of making it more manageable for me, and I only made it harder for us both in the end. And for that,” she turned and stared into my eyes fully, the hand she held squeezing my own. “I’m sorry. You don’t deserve an ounce of the kind of cruelness I tried to bury you in. You are the opposite of what they tried to make you, and you’re genuine in proving that to anyone who meets you. I've been envious of the strength you have, and I can say confidently that I deeply regret ever blaming you for that.”

I once again have to process yet another collection of words I’d never thought I hear. From her. Ever. A part of me believed this was a dream, but the part that Y/N had a grip on was practically pinching me into reality.

Without hesitating, I stood up, pulled her arm up with me, and yanked her into my body in a crushing hug.

She froze at first… The motion was quick and surprising, but slowly, she unhooked our hands, brought both of hers tightly around my waist, and laid into me. I rested my head on top of hers and pulled her shoulders in with my arms, wrapping both of my own tightly around her.

I wasn’t going to let go until she did, and by the looks of it… She wasn’t letting go anytime soon.

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