#How much to build a Slack app

[harshathusm]

How much does it cost to develop a messaging app like slack

The cost to develop a messaging app like Slack depends on factors such as advanced features like group chat, file sharing, video calls, and third-party integrations. Building a secure and scalable app with a robust backend requires a skilled development team. USM Business Systems excels in crafting feature-rich, reliable messaging apps, making it the best mobile app development company for your project.

[reidsism]

➳ LOCH NESS — S.R

to nav 𓇙 to s.r mlist 𓇙 to records!reader mlist

spencer reid x archivist!fem!reader

your first non-sanctioned trip to the bau is met with the upwards brows of derek morgan, and maybe dr reid gets a bit too defensive

wc: 1.4k

warnings: none!!!!! maybe like.. allusions to sex? but it’s vague and jokes idk 😭 takes place the day after frigid

a/n: another one written in my notes app lovingly at 3am. so it’s lowk shit and i kinda hate it but i love these two too much to stop sorry :(

You’re halfway through talking yourself out of this when the elevator doors open and your eyes are graced with the buzzing hallway of floor six.

You gulp, hugging the two cups close to your chest, a thick, heavy brown overcoat—his—draped over your forearm. The lights are brighter up here, it smells faintly like citrus cleaner and someone’s too-strong cologne and nothing at all like what you’re used to.

Paper and dust and faded ink.

It’s loud too, far louder than you’re used to, the sounds of phones ringing and pens scribbling and people chattering that it feels like this is a whole other world. Like there’s no way this is the same building as the room you work in.

But you take a heavy breath and stick your leg out quickly as the doors begin to close before you can even make it off the elevator.

You feel horrendously out of place in this area full of suits and slacks and general business attire.

Your FBI badge hangs off your cardigan and you wonder, for a moment, with all of these people milling around you, if you even deserve to wear it.

You haven’t been anywhere above the main floor in six years, bar once.

Three weeks ago. Agent Hotchner of this very unit had requested your assistance on a case. But that was different—you were called up here, and he had met you at the elevator to lead you to the conference room himself.

Now? Now you’re here alone, nobody meeting you at the elevator because this is a non-bureau sanctioned visit to the BAU.

And it’s making you really fucking nervous.

But you grip at the handle of the heavy glass door with your pinky, pulling it open with your foot with a soft grunt to enter the bullpen.

It’s not that people stop and stare, really, but… but it’s awkward. Like, really awkward.

You imagine, from what you know about Dr. Reid, his desk is the one covered in stacks of books with a messenger bag propped against the side of it, but he’s not there.

Who does spot you, however, is Agent Morgan.

And you swallow roughly. Because he is openly staring at you with his brows raised so far up his forehead that you’d worry they’d get lost in his hair, if he had any.

He’s staring at you like someone just walked in dragging the fucking Loch Ness monster and simply said “Hey, I found her.”

You blink at him.

It’s a small miracle that Dr. Reid is approaching his desk again, sitting down and immediately scribbling something onto his file.

You don’t hesitate—not with Agent Morgan looking at you like that—and make a beeline for his desk.

Spencer blinks up at you, like even he’s shocked you’re up here. (He is. He doesn’t think Hotch called you up here again).

You don’t give him a chance to speak before you’re setting a cup down on his desk and drop his coat over his lap.

“You forgot your coat,” you mumble quietly. “And, uh, I got coffee. As a thanks for last night. I stopped by that place on Eighth you mentioned a while ago.”

His lips curl into a little smile, but you grab the lid off his cup before he can grab it, checking the contents before swapping it out for the one in your other hand. “Mixed them up,” you offer lamely, an embarrassed grimace on your face.

Spencer just huffs a soft laugh, taking a sip. Sweetness melts on his tongue and his eyes go slightly wide as he looks up at you. “You know how I take my coffee?”

You shrug. “You dumped four sugars into yours that one time,” you take a sip of your cup. “I just figured that’s your usual.” You remembered it, actually. He said he had a sweet tooth and you’d stored the information away for later use.

This is that later use.

He’s barely able to mumble out a thank you before you’re nodding and darting back out the glass door towards the elevator, slamming your palm on the down button.

You step inside and keep your head down as the doors close, sending you back eight floors down.

Morgan stares at him. “Oh hell no,” he says, dropping his folder onto his desk. ���Did she just say ‘thanks for last night’ and walk in here with your coat?”

Spencer blinks, spluttering. “Wha- no! N-no, it’s not like that!”

“Oh, I see how it is, kid,” he cackles, leaning in. “You two kept warm, huh? Played a little basement survival?” His grin reaches ear to ear.

“I- Morgan, it wasn’t like that!” Spencer huffs, face redder than Garcia’s glasses of the day. “She didn’t have a ride home! I drove her. She was freezing, I didn’t- Nothing happened!”

Garcia chooses then to walk into the bullpen from her office, a wide grin on her red lips. “Did I just hear basement survival?” she stops beside Morgan’s desk. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“You’re blushing, Spence,” JJ laughs, hardly looking up from the file on her desk.

Spencer falters. “I- I always blush,” he mutters, ducking his head to hide the obvious redness that’s flushed up his neck and cheeks and ears. “I have sensitive skin!”

Morgan leans back in his chair with a smug chuckle. “It’s always the quiet ones, huh? Records cryptid and the genius golden boy. Who’d have thought?”

Spencer just sighs, picking up the cup again and taking a long swig. “She just brought me coffee, okay? That’s not some secret code for anything.”

Garcia smiles coyly. “Oh sweetie,” she says, tone dripping with honey. “For you? That’s basically a marriage proposal.”

“It is not! JJ brings me coffee!” Spencer groans, gesturing to her with his hand.

JJ raises a brow. “I don’t leave a cave and come up from a basement for like, the third time this year just to do that though.” She still hasn’t looked up from her desk, once.

And Spencer just blinks. Okay, maybe it was a bit of a big deal, you coming up here. He knows you rarely leave B3 other than just coming and leaving work, but still. It’s not like it’s some deep, important, big thing, you were just… being nice.

Right?

He lifts the cup to his lips again with a quiet, heavy sigh, just to furrow his brows.

Scribbled in tiny font on the side of the red cup, is your handwriting.

i hope you weren’t too cold driving home. thank you for being kind.

And, oh. Just underneath is the shyest, sweetest little doodle of a snow cloud . Because of course.

He blinks, then just stares at it with a goofy little half-smile, picturing you writing it on the way over, and now he’s cradling this paper coffee cup like it’s made of solid gold, when Morgan approaches over his shoulder and snatches it out of his hand.

“OH MY GOD,” he howls, dramatically clutching at his chest with his free hand. “A HANDWRITTEN NOTE? Reid, you got a love letter from the basement dweller!”

“Morgan, give it back!” Spencer stands, lunging to flail and grab his coffee back, a deep furrow in his brow.

Penelope gasps, running over from her spot beside Morgan’s desk. “A love letter?! Oh, let me see!” she laughs.

“It’s not a love letter,” Spencer huffs. “It’s just a- a thank you, that’s all!”

“It is absolutely a love letter, kid,” Morgan cackles, holding the cup up above his head as Spencer reaches for it again. “Spencer Reid and goblin from the Archives. Sounds like a Netflix original,” he laughs again.

Spencer’s not laughing.

In fact, he’s pretty frustrated, honestly. Not only at Morgan stealing his coffee, but at the names he’s used for you.

Names that came from office gossip. Names you don’t like, but deal with anyway.

Records cryptid. Basement dweller. Goblin from the Archives.

It’s not nice, not kind, not what you deserve.

And he knows Morgan means nothing malicious by it, he knows that. Derek is kind. But he doesn’t know you, either. Nobody really does, that’s the problem.

“She’s not ‘the goblin from the archives’, or a ‘basement dweller’, or a ‘cryptid’, Morgan. She has a name,” Spencer huffs, crossing his arms. “Give me my coffee back. Please.”

And that shuts them up.

Because he’s not laughing, he hasn’t been laughing since Morgan grabbed his cup in the first place. It’s not funny anymore.

Derek nods, setting the cup back down on the desk before raising his hands with a soft sorry, kid before heading back to his own desk. Garcia offers a tiny smile of apology before backing into her office again.

Spencer sighs. He doesn’t mean to snap, really. He doesn’t like doing that. But you deserve to have people know your name.

And if he’s the one who has to remind people of that for you, because he knows you won’t do it yourself? Then yeah, he will.

[nekomamiiz]

third time's a charm

kuroo x fem!reader

wc: 4k

warnings: 18+, post time-skip!kuroo, husband!kuroo, various pet names in place of y/n, domestic vibes, mentions of ovulation and pregnancy, masturbation (f), some spit, oral (f receiving), lots of teasing, soft dom kuroo, some nipple play, heavy breeding, impreg, multiple orgasms/creampies... it gets really wet, hot and messy, cockwarming, my extremely poor writing skills!

a/n: weeeee i'm out of hiatus.. sort of... this is just a lil something i was messing with before my break. finally after 2 years i finished it lol. anyway,, this is pure smut like barely any plot besides kuroo putting a baby in you and extremly self-indulgent but i hope yall enjoy it!! big thank you to @retrofang for beta reading some of this bad boy and the entire server for putting up with me heheh! likes and reblogs are always greatly appreciated. thank you for reading <3 kiss kiss

banner and dividers by @/cafekitsune

After months of carefully calculating, tracking, and monitoring your cycle, the time has finally arrived.

Ovulation week.

You quickly text your husband when you receive the notification on your app. The little chime went off before you left the house for work. It must really be perfect timing, and he immediately replied. 

Tetsurou <3 — I’m on my way back home. Don’t leave yet and call out for today.

— Actually, go ahead and put in your vacation request now. I’ll be there soon. 

Your reply was a simple heart emoji. You’d get yourself relaxed and ready while you wait for him. 

There wasn’t much to do. You had already showered this morning and made the bed before ‘leaving’ for work. As soon as Kuroo sent that text, you put your comfortable house clothes on and lit a few candles around the bedroom. The only thing left to do now is prepare yourself. 

So, that’s what you did. 

About half an hour later, Tetsurou walks through the front door of your home. He slips his shoes off, then his coat and that’s when he hears it—a soft and needy whimper of his name. 

As he pushes through your bedroom door, his eyes find your body already glowing with a sheen of sweat and so beautifully spread out on the edge of the bed. He licks his lips at the sound of your cute little moans and the slight squelch of your pussy. 

It all sounds so wet. 

You have two fingers inside yourself, stretching and stroking the walls of your perfect cunt, offering Kuroo the perfect view. His breath hitches at the sound of your moans becoming louder now that your eyes are solely on him, and his mere presence is enough to make your body shiver with desperation.

“Tetsurou,” you whine his name as your fingers pick up their pace in stimulating your sensitive pussy. Now leaking with a desire to have him buried inside you. 

Kuroo’s eyes trail down your body. He watches closely at how your chest heaves, how you twist your wrist so your fingers can reach the right spot inside, and how you whimper when you can barely get there. You’re putting on a show just for him, and he eats up every second of it. 

“Fuck, baby. Look at you,” he quietly groans at the lewd sight presented to him. 

He’s already palming himself through his slacks, using his other hand to remove the buttons of his shirt. He’s not in any rush, simply relishing the sight of you building yourself up to release, but you both know it’s not enough. The way you writhe and squirm on your shared bed has his body temperature rising, and he can see your want for him dripping out and onto the sheets below you, making such a pretty mess that he can’t wait to clean up. 

“You’re so fucking wet, baby girl,” he says as he steps out and away from his pants, kicking his boxers to the side. “Were you getting yourself ready for me?” he asks with a slight pout on his lips. 

You nod your head as one of your hands quickly finds its way to your breasts, kneading at the sensitive skin and pinching your nipples between your fingers. Another whine escapes you at the added stimulation; add the sight of Kuroo fully undressed in front of you, spitting into his hand and stroking his cock—your mind quickly spirals. 

Kuroo settles on his knees at the foot of the bed, licking his lips as he stares down at all the slick collected between your thighs. He wastes no time leaning down in front of your aching pussy, and he smirks at the way you continue to desperately fuck yourself with your tiny little fingers. 

“Gonna let me taste,” he asks softly, looking up at you through the valley of your breasts. 

Your face is sweaty, and that faraway look in your pretty eyes is making itself more noticeable. Kuroo knows you're about to cum, and it's a face he loves to see. 

With another simple nod of your head and a quiet ‘yes,’ Tetsurou gets to work. 

He spreads your legs further apart and tosses them over his shoulders, tugging softly on your hips so you can be closer to him. His actions rip an excited squeal from your mouth, followed by your sweet giggles. 

You continue playing with your pussy, only tracing soft circles on your clit. Kuroo smiles at all the wetness collected on your fingers and takes hold of your wrist to remove your hand. He licks his lips before popping your glistening fingers in his mouth, sucking down all of your sweet juices and humming at the taste of you.

“Taste so fucking sweet for me, baby,” he coos while kissing your wet fingertips. 

He’s looking at you with eyes so full of love as he continues worshiping your body, kissing your hips and inner thighs. He groans when he sees more slick dripping out of you, biting down on your thigh and devouring the sight of your perfect cunt clenching around nothing. 

He needs to be inside you right now, but he also can’t help teasing you with his tongue for a bit longer. He licks a long, heavy stripe up your sensitive folds, groaning at the taste of you and how your entire body shudders beneath him. In this position, you’re at his mercy, his hands only holding your hips in place while you scratch and squeeze at his forearms from the intense pleasure he’s giving you with his mouth.

Kuroo chuckles against you, finding it so cute how you buck your hips in search of him. He’s already nibbling on your clit the way you like. What more could you possibly want? 

“What’s wrong pretty girl?” he asks, placing a soft, wet kiss on your clit. “Not enough for you?”

You whine at his question. He knows the answer, but he wants to hear you say it and the need in your voice. 

“Want you inside me, Tetsu,” your words come out as a needy whisper, mewling in ecstasy as his fingers trace little circles on your thighs. 

Tetsurou hums in satisfaction before he dives back into your aching center. He teases your entrance with his tongue, poking the wet muscle in and out while he presses down on your clit with his thumb. He can feel the way you shake under him, your thighs quivering when he adds more pressure to your bundle of nerves. So close. 

His gaze trails upwards, admiring every dip and curve of your body until he lands on your beautiful face. He finds your eyes already focused on his every movement, your brows pinched in an expression of pure pleasure, and your mouth parted in a silent moan. 

You trap his head between your thighs, back arching off of the bed as your body vibrates from your first release. He greedily slurps down whatever you have to offer, moaning and growling into your sensitive pussy, allowing your orgasm to rip through your body in soothing waves. 

The look in your eyes is slightly distant—Kuroo thinks—and he still hasn’t bred you the way he wants. He’s not unfamiliar with your increased sensitivity during this time, but it’s far too early for you to be this stimulated.

“I’m not even finished with you yet, beautiful, and you’re already lookin’ so fucked out,” he teases, voice sweet yet equally rough. 

He crawls up the bed, pressing kiss after hot kiss on your skin as he makes his way face to face with you, large arms cradling either side of your head. His cock is ready and burning hot as it bobs against your lower lips, causing you to hiss at the slight overstimulation. You feel a few beads of precum fall and drip onto you as he captures your lips in a near-violent kiss. His intent seeps into your mouth, and he silently declares what he’s always promised. 

“You’re going to look so fucking beautiful when you have my babies growing inside you,” he says, low and slightly out of breath. 

The statement shocks you somewhat at his use of plurals, and you return to reality instantly. “One baby at a time,” you pout playfully, kissing him again. 

He pulls away and smiles so wide that it shows in his eyes, “I know. You know what I mean, I just want a big family with you.” He leans back down, placing soft kisses on the side of your neck, laughing through his nose as you smack his bottom. 

Your shared laughter fills the bedroom, the world outside these four walls completely nonexistent as you share sloppy kisses for what feels like hours. However, Tetsurou plans to claim you as if it were the first time all over again, and he wastes no time doing so. 

A warm hand snakes its way down the side of your body, tracing your curves with such care that he almost can’t handle the thought of being too rough with you. He is going to worship you today and ensure every ounce of his love shows in every move he makes and every kiss he leaves on your skin. He reaches between you—using two thick fingers to swipe through your folds—gathering enough slick to lube up his already weeping cock. 

He pumps his fist once and then twice before pressing the tip of his dick onto your clit, causing you to moan in pleasure at such little contact. Using his hand to gently rub his cockhead in figure eights around your pussy, he continues to tease your folds until finally deciding he’s gathered enough of your wetness to press into you—something he has been waiting all day to do. 

With as much time as he spent between your thighs, he is surprised at how tight you always are for him, and you can’t help but whine at the intrusion. His cock is so warm and feels so heavy; you might come undone from this alone. 

Kuroo starts to pump only a third of his length in and out of your quivering hole. Trying so hard to hold back all of his primal urges and working on building you back up again slowly, moaning in your ear as he relishes in the warmth the two of you share. Finally bottoming out inside you, he feels you convulse beneath him. Your arms wrap around his neck, fingers tangled in his mess of hair as you tug slightly at the roots. 

“My fucking god, you feel amazing,” he says, clenching his jaw as if he hasn’t made love to you countless times, as if he hasn’t felt the heaven that resides between your thighs for years before this moment. Testsurou raises his head, looking at you, swiping a thumb across your cheek. “Tell me what you want, my love,” he demands, kissing you and resting his forehead against yours. 

He thrusts, slow and soft, and you spread your legs wider, thinking it would invite him to go faster, but he denies you. 

“I want all your cum inside, Tetsurou. Need you to put a baby inside of me,” you mumble breathlessly against his lips, grinding your hips to try and pick up the pace of his teasingly slow thrusts. “Please, baby,” you beg. 

“Is that all, pretty girl?” he asks, pulling out of you almost entirely and thrusting back in—quick and rough. You moan his name as the lewdest sound of skin against skin echoes throughout the room. One. Two. Three sharp thrusts followed by your sweet cries of ‘yes, yes, yes,’ and it’s then that he begins to fuck you with absolute purpose. 

Your hands have a mind of their own as they travel the expanse of his back, through his hair and back down again, nails leaving red trails on his skin while your thighs slide up and down the side of his body from the rhythm of his thrusts. 

His chest brushes against yours just right, stimulating your nipples and causing you to moan his name. He knows you so well and responds by leaning down, capturing your breast in his mouth as he opens wide and sucks hard, his teeth teasing your peaked nipple as he pulls away. He lingers momentarily, alternating between swirling his tongue and using his teeth to stimulate you. 

With a wet kiss, he pulls away, wrapping his arms around you and leaning back on his haunches as he holds you close. Your chests heave, and your skin slightly sticks together, the slickest part being where the two of you are connected, and he shudders at how quick you are to wrap your legs around his waist. 

“I can’t wait to make you a father,” you say, your eyes locking on his as you mewl from how he fills you in this position. The tip of his cock is surely hitting your cervix, and the familiar throb you feel while he pokes and prods inside has you grinding in circles against him, desperate to meet his thrusts. “You’re going to be an amazing father to our children, Tetsurou,” you whimper as your eyes meet his. 

He groans at your admission, his brows knitting together as he bites his lip in response. Both of his hands find their way to either side of your hips, gripping your skin and lifting you to speed up the pace. Your lips meet in a messy clash, your teeth scrape his tongue teasingly and he begins to unravel just in time with you. 

“I love you so much, angel, and I’m so glad I get to spend the rest of my life with you,” he declares, moaning breathlessly and going up in pitch with each word. “So fucking beautiful,” he rasps out, his lips meeting yours again while his hands dig and squeeze into your skin. 

A few more thrusts and lifts of your hips, and you can feel how close he is. His arms are beginning to tire, but he still hasn’t had enough of you. 

“I can feel you about to cum, Tetsurou. Please give it to me,” you sigh against his lips, locking eyes as you feel him begin to spill his hot load inside. 

“Fuck! You feel so good, baby,” he says as he lays you back down. “I’m still not finished with you yet, my love.” 

This time, he grabs one of the many pillows at the head of the bed, and you instantly know what he has in mind. You instinctively lift your hips, and he gives your ass a soft squeeze before you back settle down, perfectly propped for him to reach deep inside and plant his seed. 

Once you’re both comfortable with the position, he gets back to work, grabbing you by the meat of your thighs and spreading you open. He shivers when he sees a dribble of cum slipping out and down the crack of your ass—this is unacceptable. 

Golden eyes find yours as his fingers swipe up the mess he made. “Can’t waste a single drop,” he says, sucking his lip between his teeth, fucking his cum slowly back into you with his fingers. 

Wet squelches ring through your ears as you focus on his hand pumping in and out of you—the other gripped tight around the base of his cock, edging himself. The rough callouses on his fingers stimulate your gummy walls so well, and he knows what he’s doing to you. 

“Enough with your teasing, Tetsurou,” you huff out in short breaths, reaching down to take hold of his wrist. “Because I’m not finished with you either, my love,” your smirk mirrors his own. Guiding his hand out and up towards your lips, you suck on his wet fingers, moaning at the taste of your combined juices—a little salty but so fucking sweet. 

Laughter once again fills the large room as he moves to hover over you, licking your lips and having a taste for himself. 

“Always so eager,” he chuckles, moving to kiss your neck, sucking softly. 

Rolling his hips back and forth, he slides his length between your folds, tip catching at your entrance two or three times. He still gives you nothing—not yet—because telling him not to tease you only makes him want to do it more. 

As if sensing your annoyance, he gives in, guiding his cock to your entrance once again; he settles back on his knees, pressing inside of you inch by inch. Those skilled hands of his begin sliding up and down your thighs, deciding on gripping your ankles and resting them comfortably on his shoulders. 

The meat of your thighs lay flush against his chest; you can feel the heat radiating off of him along with the sweat that coats his defined abdomen. His large arms wrap around your legs, pulling you flush against him, and you revel in the feeling of his cock finally reaching that deep place inside. 

Kuroo stays there for a moment—perfectly still—kissing your calves, taking a bite here and there. You stare at him in complete awe as he begins to thrust in and out, tip prodding at your cervix each time. His eyes pinch shut, cheek resting against your calf as he loses himself in the feel of your warm walls squeezing him tight.

“Feels good,” you whisper, offering him a sweet smile before biting your lip and tossing your head back onto the plush mattress. You reach out to him, silently asking to hold his hand, and he doesn’t hesitate to intertwine his fingers with yours.

Using your hands as leverage, he speeds up his thrusts, setting a brutal pace as he pulls you in closer and closer, mumbling words of praise through pleasured groans. His cock throbs inside of you, nearing another release, and his balls feel heavy as they slap against your ass with every sharp thrust. 

“Gonna cum again,” he grits out, hips faltering in their rhythm just as he spills his load inside of you for the second time. He chants your name while mumbling ‘fuck’ and ‘yes’ a few times, grinding into you to ensure his cum stays buried just as deep as he is.  

Releasing your hands, he runs his over the skin of your thighs, rubbing and scratching in soft circles. He takes your legs and folds you in half, your ass lifting off the pillow just slightly as he leans into you. His kisses are sloppy and wet, and he grips your thighs like a lifeline as he begins to jackhammer his cock into you. 

Wet squelching becomes the only sound you can register, drowning out his mumbled words of praise. You admire how beautiful he looks, lost in pleasure, eyes raking up and down your body, both of you glistening with sweat. 

He slowly builds you up to another orgasm, your body shaking the closer you get, and your pussy clenches around his cock in a vice grip. You can’t get enough of him, from the way his hands grip your skin so gently, the wild strands of black hair sticking to his forehead, down to the teasing words he showers you with throughout. 

You cum, your body trembling as Kuroo tries to keep you still, his nails surely leaving crescent marks on your thighs. He rises—no longer crowding over you—chest heaving and dripping in sweat. His amber eyes appear darker than ever as he continues to pound into you, overstimulating your pussy beyond what you can handle. 

“Don’t stop, Tetsurou,” you beg, wrapping your hands around your legs, spreading yourself so he can focus on his current task. His hands move to your hips, pulling you closer to meet every sharp thrust. 

“Third time’s a charm, right baby,” he teases, unable to help himself. “Squeezin’ me so fuckin’ tight,” he chokes out, face contorting because he knows you did that on purpose, but he laughs anyway. 

His cock throbs inside of you, eyes zeroed in on that thick creamy ring coating the base of him, and the sight makes him groan—sucking in his bottom lip. There’s so much cum dripping out of you with every thrust in and out, and he fucking loves it. 

“Keep going, baby,” you encourage him, nodding your head when you feel his hips falter in their movement. “Give me everything. I want it all, Tetsurou,” your words come out in broken cries, relishing the sight of him coming undone. 

A few more thrusts and his cum fills you— so warm and thick—thicker than the previous ones. There’s no doubt in either of your minds that this will take; he just has to stay inside a little longer. 

Releasing your grip on your legs, you finally relax, setting your feet back comfortably on the mattress. Kuroo continues to rock his hips slowly, pushing his cum further inside of you, his mind elsewhere as he flits his gaze between your face and your pussy. 

“You look so pretty with my cum inside you, princess,” he nearly giggles, satisfied with his work and the euphoric look in your eyes. “Think we can keep this up for the rest of the week?” he asks, breathless, offering you that same sideways grin you fell in love with years ago. 

This makes you toss your head back, mirroring his laughter and clenching around him with every exhale. You reach your arms out, and he leans back over you, placing several kisses on your chest and neck—his nose brushes against your cheek, waiting for your response. 

“Let’s get some rest first. You look like you’re about to pass out from dehydration,” you say, amused at his shift in demeanor. 

His arms wrap around your frame, rolling you over so you now lay on top of him, fingers tracing invisible words on your back. He is still inside you, keeping his seed nice and warm, not allowing a single drop to escape.

“I made sure to have plenty of water today, and you know I can go for hours when the moment calls for it,” he delivers his statement with one shallow thrust, just enough to rub against that spongy spot inside. 

Too overstimulated to try for another round, you place your palms on his chest, resting your chin on the back of your hands as you admire his features. He plants a few pecks on your forehead before he moves a hand to caress the side of your face, thumb swiping gently on your cheek. His eyes bore into yours as you lay there for a minute or two, taking each other in. 

“You think that was enough?” you ask, nuzzling your cheek deeper into his palm to place a kiss on his wrist.

“If that wasn’t enough,” he looks down, gesturing at the mess of cum between you. “I’ll make sure it will be by the end of the week,” he says reassuringly, leaning in to claim your lips in a kiss. 

After today and the amount of cum dripping out onto the mattress, you do not doubt his ability to put a baby in you. 

The rest of the week continues the very same, and if you thought you’d already made love on every surface of your home before, then you’re wrong. Kuroo finds new places to take you that you never thought imaginable, and his stamina has become endless in his mission to get you pregnant. 

➣

About a month and a half later, you find yourselves hovering over the bathroom sink, waiting for the plastic sticks you arranged in a row to reveal their results. It’s only been a few days since your period was supposed to arrive, but you can’t help being excited at the possibility. 

Minutes pass, and the first stick displays two pink lines, the second and the third following right behind with the same result—you both lean in closer. Tetsurou’s eyes quickly shift between the instructions, the test, and your face. He takes in your expression—shock and absolute joy— and pulls you into a tight hug, lifting you slightly off the ground as happy tears fall from your eyes. 

He kisses your face, setting you back down to leave another on your lips. You hum against him in complete bliss, satisfied with the results of your love. 

Tetsurou pulls away, sporting the cheekiest grin that nearly stretches from ear to ear.

 “Told you I’d make sure it was enough.”

don't forget to like + reblog and let me know what you think ! love yall <3

[zoniteillusion-pyritedreams]

Could you do how Heeseung acts and peruses his crrush too?☢️☢️☢️☢️

“How Heeseung Acts When He Has a Crush... The Tarot Files ft. Aphrodite’s Hot Tea”

Okay babes, so I lit a pink candle, spritzed some rose water and Chanel #5, called on Aphrodite with my softest voice, and pulled cards to ask:

“What does Heeseung do when he’s got a crush?”

The tea? PIPING. Let’s break this down like a teen girl writes a diary entry with a glitter pen and semi unhinged energy.

Phase 1: Internal Chaos and Denial

Cards: 8 of Pentacles reversed, Moon reversed, Knight of Wands reversed, 9 of Wands reversed

Heeseung? Trying to act unbothered, but he’s out here spiraling lowkey. He might slack off in other areas when the feelings hit suddenly can’t focus, suddenly daydreaming too much. He overthinks, second-guesses if it’s real or just a fleeting attraction, and maybe even pulls back a little just to “protect his peace.”

(Spoiler: it's not working. Sir is to deep in and spiraling like a ballerina spinning.)

Phase 2: The Spark Awakens

Cards: Page of Wands, Ace of Wands, Magician

OH! But once he decides he’s into it for real and stops running away?

Flirt mode: ACTIVATED

He’s cheeky, energetic, and lowkey bold. You’ll catch him sending flirty eye contact, dropping hints, joking just a little too often but still keeping control of the narrative. He’s got charm, talent, and timing and he knows how to use it.

Phase 3: Okay But What If I Mess It Up?

Cards: Tower reversed, 5 of Cups reversed, 6 of Wands

Just when you think he’s confident all the way? BOOM! Internal emo boy shows up.

Heeseung definitely gets hit with the “what if I ruin everything?” wave. There’s a fear of rejection or awkwardness that makes him soft-pedal his pursuit. But if he sees a green light from you? Oh he’s stepping up like it’s a k-drama confession scene.

Phase 4: Soft Boy Sentiment Unlocked

Cards: 6 of Cups, Page of Cups, The Emperor

He wants to Build Something Real, not just a fling. He’s nostalgic, romantic, and probably writes secret lyrics about you. When he’s really falling? He turns protective, thoughtful, and emotionally invested. He tries to stay composed ( Down bad Husband material alert) but you’ll see that little sparkle of boyish sweetness in the way he teases you or remembers tiny details.

Overview of ; “Heeseung When He Likes You”:

Pretends he’s chill but spirals silently.

Flirts like a witty golden retriever with poetic undertones.

Worries it’ll all fall apart but still risks it if he feels hope.

Turns into a soft romantic nerd with leader energy and baby deer eyes.

Heesung is low key whipped before he even dates you if you catch his eye. This man is soft boi hours trying to be a nonchalant cool guy. He's testing the waters but never making the moves super obvious. Instead he's more of the scoping out the playing field. Would probably also end up using mutual friends or members to sit there and fish around just to make sure that you're not interested in somebody else and if you are. He's going to sit there and definitely try to be even cooler than that person or what he perceives as why you might like them.

It's very much giving that this man probably sits there and paces around the room at night while holding his phone and has the notes apps open. Has noted down every little thing that you've done that he likes but also sat there and noted down every little thing that he did that he thinks might make him seem weird or too desperate or like he actually likes you. It's very much giving definition of like loser in a hot guy's body. He kind of turns into an adorable soft boy nerd when he likes someone but he'll never show it and he doesn't want them to know it so it's consistently sitting there and trying to be like

"Oh no I am saying this because everyone wants it and not because I just happened to remember that this was your favorite coffee order and I just bought it for you and then thought of everyone else afterwards which is why everyone else has basic coffee and you have your matcha Thai latte with vanilla coconut milk cold foam and the chocolate drizzle on top. I totally did not sit there and memorize that at all not even a little bit."

He kinda just cute. His cool guy persona seems to completely dissolve when he catches feelings.

(Also is this a bit better or do y'all enjoy me making little. Personal notes in between the readings whenever I feel like it or should I just wait to the end to add all my thoughts let me know.)

[sheepispink]

⋆˚｡⋆୨✧୧˚ 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑺𝑪𝑶𝑹𝑻 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑻𝑶𝑪𝑶𝑳 ˚୨✧୧⋆｡˚⋆

CHAPTER 5: Aftermath in Miami

SERIES MASTERLIST PREV NEXT

A/N: sorry guys this chapter is lowkey crap i might scrap and remake one day but like the whole series has been delayed for weeks from this AWFUL chapter. This chapter literally took everything out of me so🫡

Summary: After the events of the bioweapon, you’re left dealing with the aftermath all by yourself in Miami. Leon returns for a few days, taking a break from his duties to ensure that you give yourself a break aswell. He can see it’s eating at you, knows it’s not his place but he knows he has to do something.

————————————————————————

If you talked to yourself three months ago, you’re positive that you didn't expect to be frowning as you looked out onto the stunning view of Miami and it’s beaches. Even though it’s been four weeks since the incident, you still kept yourself wrapped in bandages, the off white peeking through the white shirt you’re wearing. The weather is like it’s permanently perfect here and you’re not surprised it’s everyone’s go to destination. Of course, you were eager to come here too when you first found out but despite that giddy feeling that you held when anticipating all the things you could do here, it faded to nothing now. The escort job to Miami was the simplest by far, as all you had to handle was booking the travel arrangements with the budget they gave you. Unlike the others, you’d rarely escort him to meetings and if so, you’d have to wait by the reception to not eavesdrop a single word. In truth, you were sort of a glorified document holder and personal reminders app.

You roll over and stare out the glass windows of the hotel room you’re currently splayed across the bed of, a long sigh escaping your lungs. It’s the third day you’ve been here in Miami, a Thursday, and you’re supposed to be leave on Saturday evening. So basically, you’ve wasted your entire vacation away. By wasting, you mean catching up on the work you missed out during your stay in the hospital which lasted a weary three weeks. You attempted to finish most of it before the trip, however the medication you were on had made you drowsy much faster and you’d often fall asleep atop the papers on your desk.

Thankfully, Leon had been out for the better half of the past few days, investigating a suspicious looking building that was disguised to be a part of a waste treatment plant built on an island off the coast of Miami. That means you’ve been left to your own devices; no one is there to stop you from tiring out your barely healed body by overworking yourself. In your own eyes, you were a damn useless escort if you couldn't do your paperwork and considering how they quickly found a replacement for you before, you don't exactly want to witness it happen again because of what you call ‘slacking off’.

You’re about to push yourself up, reminding yourself of that part time course you have to complete in order to get the certificate to prove your own ethical hacking skills when the faint buzz of the keycard against the door rings out. Your eyes snap up from where you lay lazily on the bed, not expecting room service to come by at six thirty. “If you’re naked, you have five seconds to cover yourself.” A gruff voice rings out, clearly tired from another strenuous mission that tested his patience as well as his muscles. Leon walks through, noticing how you sit up awkwardly on your bed, his on the other side of the room. “Did a bus hit you? Your hair’s a mess.” That earns him a glare as you slide off the bed, placing your feet into your sliders and despite the hot climate of this city, you’re fully covered. “I could say the same to you; bioweapon blood isnt the best look you’ve had.”

He rolls his eyes up at you, dumping his gear in the closet on the right, one hand reaching down to loosen the belt upon his waist. You can’t help but notice how heavy it must be, with his gun hoisted on one side, magazines on the back and first aid sprays weighing down the other end. “Are you back until we leave?”

You ask, tilting your head at him and he shakes his head as he walks to the minifridge, about to grab a beer to gulp down before deciding it’d taste better after a shower and just gets water instead.

“Nah, I need to drop the samples off to another agent in Florida tomorrow night. Won't be back until Saturday morning, but i’m here for tomorrow mornin’.”

You hum quietly, nodding up and down as you sit at the small desk, powering on your laptop. He only raises a brow as he fishes out a clean towel from the drawers, room service having just replaced them before he returned.

“Still working?” He remarks, coming to stand behind you as he peers over your shoulder, watching you log into the course and the lessons appear on the screen. “Yeah, just finishing some things off..”

He doesn't bother to argue, still a little awkward after everything that has happened between you two over the past month. The guilt still swallows the blood in his heart sometimes and he feels himself breathing a bit harder to compensate for the loss. As he steps into the large bathroom and soon lets the hot water rain down on his sore muscles, he starts to let his mind wander, mainly about you again—-it’s not like he wants to think about those ugly creatures he saw today anyway. He hasn’t been with you much during the week nor talked to you much recently but he can tell there’s something off about you. Sure, it could be the aftermath of all your injuries; broken ribs seriously were no joke and he could still remember the disgusting crack of them when that creature went after you.

What he does definitely know is that you’re a hard worker, always putting the job and others first while taking care of yourself. However, he’s beginning to wonder if somehow that trait had crossed the line towards overworking rather than keeping on top of things. The only issue is, he doesn't exactly want to pry too much into your personal ordeal nor does he think you’ll even let him try. Even if you had forced your way through a crack in his armour, managing to shake him enough to change him just a little, he knows it’s not the same for you. After all, you have brick walls and everything he does just feels like bullets that bounce off it. Not as if he’s particularly done much anyway, if anything he probably made your life much worse. He turns the handle, cutting the water to a stop before climbing out to dry himself off, the pool of diluted muck near the drain left ignored as he stands near the sink. He knows he has no right to stop you from being you, but he also knows he can at least try to get you to relax if not for a bit.

The next morning, somehow you manage to wake up before him, already downstairs for the hotel’s all inclusive breakfast. He sits opposite you as you tap away at your laptop, eyes looking a little heavier than they should be. “Any good places in Miami?” He hums, cutting into the classic breakfast he ordered which is practically two eggs and some rashers. You blink, not expecting the question and shrug your shoulders at him. “Huh? Why would i know? This is my first time in Miami.”

That causes him to raise a brow, knowing his suspicions were somewhat true but he at least had a little hope in you. “Didn’t you go out when i was gone? You had plenty of time to visit the beach at least.”

You freeze, teeth gritting awkwardly before you just shake your head, figuring he wouldnt even care all that much about your lack of relaxing on this trip you’ve had named as a vacation on your calendar for months now. “I didnt find much time.”

Liar. You had plenty of time, you just spent all of it doing you work until you fell asleep. To him, you’re the complete opposite yet exactly the same, determined to follow you work until you drop and yet even he knows how to take a break every now and then. Seeing as you’re a couple years younger than him, he’s not exactly surprised by the fact you’re like this. Hell if he was back in that police station he’d be pretty much the same if not worse.

He closes the lid of your laptop halfway, shoving an egg into his mouth as he chews it down messily, his hair falling into his place as if he hadn't even brushed it before coming down here. “Perfect. I need someone to accompany me when I deliver these vials today.,”

”But, Mr Kennedy, this is my vacation i’m doing—“

He cuts you off as he leans his elbows against the table, pulling his best somewhat stern look that he picked up from Chris’ towards the rookies. “Exactly, you’re free, so you’re coming with me.”

Before you know it, you’re dressed in a thin button up shirt and straight leg trousers while he sports a similar look though far less neat. His sleeves are rolled to his shoulders, the blue shirt unbuttoned at the top and black jeans all too familiar from how often he’s worn it. All the cars here in Miami are stunning, exactly why the DSO let you rent out the shiniest chevy for this trip and you climb into the passenger seat with awe as you look at the interior. “So.. why exactly do i need to accompany you for a.. drive?” He rolls his eyes in response to your words,turning the keys in the engine as the car rumbles to life. “I thought you’ll need a rundown of the next few places we plan to visit soon for more investigations.” You dont argue for once, nodding quietly as he pulls out of the parking space and starts the journey, the early morning bringing a quietness you dont usually receive

Cruising down these streets is nice, especially with the way the wind blows in your face, tangling in the threads of your hair and pushing them far from your vision. You close your eyes for a mid second, the early sun warming your cheeks in a way that is so much more refreshing than any cold drink. Leon even glances at you as you lean on the side, watching as the palm trees pass, swaying like you do in this breeze. Your sleeve is slightly ridden up, almost near your elbow but what he can only focus on is the still visible marks of a purple bruise. He’s all too aware of how those look; the mirror is a painting of those. It also means he’s well aware of the hematoma that’s likely creeped up your back— seeing as you got thrown back multiple times.

The thought makes him mentally grimace, that someone as young and innocent as you would wear the same scars he has worn, and he has to drag his eyes back to the road before he starts to prod at you for answers. He wants to know if it still hurts, if that really is why you refuse to show any skin in the slightest, if that’s why you’re sweating. But he can't pry and he knows that so he carries on driving, eventually stopping near a mall. You look up in confusion, wondering why on earth anyone would pass over vials in the middle of a mall but he just gestures you to get out of the car and follow.

“I thought you were going to pass them at night?”

You question, following him into the mall and immediately craning your head up at how high it reached. “Last plan got infiltrated, it’s better if we do it somewhere more public. We just look like tourists on an outing.”

It makes sense why he dragged you along now so you don't protest much longer, letting him guide you towards the shops. “They won't be here for another half an hour— why don't we do a bit of shopping hm?” You can't help but look around at the clothing on display, pretty summer dresses, some of the most trendy jeans and even a few bomber jackets that looked eerily similar to his regular one. Minus the dirt and grime of course. “If you say so…”

The next hour or so is spent beside him, shopping to your heart’s content, especially since payday had been last week. You’d underestimated how heavy the pay from the DSO really would be, and you’re damn sure no interns get this much either. If yours was this high, you could only dream about Leon’s— even if he didnt dress the part most days. “What d’ya think?” You turn your head, immediately snickering at his own grin as he steps out with a Hawaiian shirt on, jorts included. You giggle for the first time in a while, shaking your head. “Are you impersonating Chris?” That makes him snort in return, finding your words to be pretty true especially with the postcard Chris had sent him last year on vacation. “Never on purpose.”

Soon you’re sitting in the food court, sipping lazily on your water bottle as you wait for Leon to return. You can faintly make out his person on the second floor, disappearing into a random shop with the other agent, meeting to exchange the vials that he collected from the laboratory. Your hands absentmindedly rub over your arm, the soreness there not as prominent but the memory of it was. It’s weird, you hadn't even believed in those bioweapons until you started handling Leon’s paperworks, no less than you’d be involved with one. It still makes you shiver, the sight of them, and despite how many times Leon congratulated you for how brave you were, you still can't shake off the feeling that the DSO didn't care about their people at all.

“If you think any harder, your brain will explode.” You turn to give him nothing short of a glare only to be met with the cold side of a cup; the condensation is pressed against your cheek as he snickers at your shocked expression. “Didnt know which flavour you wanted, so I asked for the best seller. C’mon, our business here is done— unless you want to catch yourself with a big scary monster again?” Now holding the cup in your hand, the ice chills your palm, a mix of colours inside as you realise he had bought you a slushie. A big one at that, it was nearly the size of your head. His smile grows when he sees that grin flash on your face, something he hasn't seen in nearly a month and he shoves down the part of him that tells him he missed it.

The guilt grows in his gut each time he watches you wince as someone brushes past you, even if it’s a tiny squint of your eyes. He apologised after everything happened and you even accepted his words readily, telling him you didn't hold it against him in the slightest. As he drives you back to your hotel, he finds it difficult to keep his thoughts from lingering on you again but he tries to keep his mind off it, deciding to fill you in on where he’ll be visiting next over the following days. Your responses grow quieter, sentences reduced to a few words until you’re only humming in response. He cant take it anymore, speaking up after a moment of silence. “Hey..” He nudges you will his elbow, watching as you look like you’re about to nod off in the passenger seat already.

“Mhm?” You tilt your head towards him, mouth full of the remaining ice from your slushie and he chuckles, the car gliding smoothly around the bend. “Why haven't you been out once this week? You wouldn't shut up about Miami before.” You don't answer, looking out of the window at the people who walk by, kids with their families, friends linking arms and the like. Here you are, sitting in a car with a guy you’re sure prayed for your downfall since the moment you met. “I just.. didn't want to..”

You murmur, still refusing to tell him the truth, that you can't bear to walk around knowing you could be the same thing again.

He sighs before he finally parks the car, but he doesn't prepare to leave just yet, watching you as your back still faces him. “The scars will fade.” He murmurs, hand twitching like he wants to place it on yours but he doesn't, staring forward as the waves lap at the beach across the street. In his periphery he can see you turn your head, eyelashes flittering as you process his words “Even if you don't think they will. Just.. trust me, okay?” He’s always been crap at this, the whole comforting thing, he can just never get the words out right. But he wants you to be okay, he doesnt want you be as miserable as he is, and so, he’d rather make a right fool of himself. He reaches over again,ruffling your hair just enought for you to swat him away before he gets out the car, leaving you alone before you can think about challenging his words.

————————————————————————

PREV NEXT

[wadork]

hi

this is my work for an AR integrated postcard about a manor (conac) situated on the mystical land of Moldova.

The App is called Artivive, you scan a picture inside the application, and if it has a video integrated in its database, it plays it inside the picture's parameters.

the information provided on the back of the postcard [translated to ENG] reads so:

46.2 ha of Japanese trees, silver firs, American jackfruits, Siberian conifers and Canadian maples - Țaul [pronpunced tsàul] the largest park in Moldova hides the story of Andrei Pommer's Manor.

The manor, a Gothic-style building with two floors, built between 1901-1912, supplied with water and lighting, served as a summer home for the Pommer family and the starting point for the creation of the dentrological park, planted over the course of 10 years by the landscape architect Ipolit Vladislavski-Padalka.

After 1944, the Soviets took over the estate, and in 2013 it came under the management of the local administration. The Pommer Manor remains a symbol of national heritage with a tourist potential and a grandeur that is difficult to replicate.

------------------------- My thoughts

I think this project was pretty neat. It nearly brought the whole class to its knees though. The task was too complex for most of us, considering that we're the 1st gen Animation department, and some gamers in our class never drew digitally before enrolling in this Uni.

Our mentors had to cut us some slack seeing as how most experienced burnout cus of this project, provided us guidance, invaluable feedback and for some, even edited/compiled shots together. Bless. This project sounded so innocent back in October when it was pitched to us. I spawned a meme in my class because of just how much pressure we had to juggle this and assignments at the same time.

We pulled through though! We are finally out of the trenches.

I can share this shit publicly so that its easier to view, without the exclusivity of AR integration.

As for what I think of my result? Meh. I think its aight. A part of me thinks that i could have remade so many things but once I finished the animation (1st! a whole month ahead of class!) I didnt wanna bother anymore. We presented our work in 2 pretty big art festivals and thats probably the last 5 minutes of fame we're gonna have. We didnt get paid shit anyway.

Thanks for reading. Tumblr, dont flop this post.

[irlplasticlamb]

I really enjoyed your post where you shared all your past old works! 🥹 I love your style so much and see how it evolved is very interesting 🫶🏻 I'm curious, at what point/how did your old style take the final leap and started to build up and grow into your current one? 🥺

From: a digital artist beginner who's impatient to stop texting brushes without knowing what I'm doing and fish around rather than finally see my style developing and settling in 😭 any advices? 🥺 I love your art so so much!!

ahhh thank you so so much! that’s so lovely of you :) honestly i think all of it happened very organically for me but i must admit switching from paint tool sai and a wacom tablet to procreate and an ipad was probably a major point in my art journey! i know procreate gets a lot of slack but i honestly never felt more comfortable using a drawing app than with procreate! so i’d say sometimes experimenting with your program of choice can help — in my case i finally found a lineart brush that i REALLY love (narinder pencil from the sketching section) and even though i did have a phase of using a different one ultimately i just stayed with narinder pencil and focused on really refining my drawing technique with it!

i still experiment with colouring because honestly i’m never satisfied with it for long hahah but instead of doing a total 180 i focus on the same method with minimal changes — the basic steps are the same (base colour -> texture brushes -> texture layers) it’s just that i might switch one of the texture brushes to another to see if i like the end result better

what also personally helped me with colouring is to start from black and white to build up my values and contrasts and then to play with gradient maps (again - something that i find works very well in procreate!)! i don’t know if you noticed but i don’t do a lot of hmm more realistic? colouring anymore (yanno when the skin colour is the skin colour etc etc) except for the majority of my commission work + some singular artworks here and there! i found that this method streamlined my process and allowed me to focus more on things i enjoy the most about art — lineart + playing around with crazy colour palettes

i don’t know if that’s helpful i tend to yap a lot but YEAH LMAO thank you again for being so so kind!

[smuttyaf]

SouthSide Serpent

Word Count: 4.8k

Rating: R

features; childhood friends to lovers, loverboy ashton, literally ashton has been pining for y/n, & sum good old smut :)

a/n: idek what to say but hi! i’ve been in retirement for like 4 years and rediscovered this account. i got nostalgic & decided… shit why not write again?

please cut me sum slack tho! i wrote this on my notes app & it’s been years since i’ve written so i would love to hear feedback!

& yes i am hella descriptive and like to build suspense! i can’t help it >.<

also! y/n is heavily based on serena from mtv downtown ( i love her ) & this picture of ashton ( xx )

-

The crisp October breeze blew through your hair as the dull taste of your cigarette burns on your tongue; your forefinger and middle finger clenching the nicotine filled paper and pressing it against your lips, drawing in the vapour.

Your head nods along to the music playing before you just two doors down on the opposite side of your street. There was Ashton and his band, either playing covers of their current favourite songs, oldies, or new ones that they’ve all come together and created.

The usual guitar flow and drum beat of Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs blasted through the speakers in the garage as the sound of Luke’s voice sang along on top of the tune.

You hum along to the lyrics as you glared in the direction, your lips peeling away from the filter and letting the smoke settle in your lungs before releasing it. The four boys were all dressed in their usual attire: white shirt, black trousers, beat up old chunky Doc Martins, and their signature SouthSide Serpents leather jackets.

As the wind picks up again you let your free hand tear away from your windowsill and tug the flying strays of your hair in front of your face behind your ear, the chipped black polish on your almond nails coming into view as you remind yourself you needed to get them done.

The bridge of the song is now blaring down the street, causing you to raise your cigarette back to your lips and think to yourself, what a coincidence this song is playing; the lyrics, the time frame, and the memories that all come flowing back as you hear the familiar melody.

It was 2009 and Ashton had invited you over during Christmas break to play Garage Band since Santa gifted it to him because that was the only thing he asked for on his wish list. You were both 8, banging on the drums and singing songs that you both were too young to know or remember from when your parents would play them on the drive home from school. But, for some reason this is the song that stuck with you both the most. Maybe it was the easy lyrics or the amazing beat but from then on it had you hooked to this alternative sound.

Now fast forward to a year ago, your now ex boyfriend Xavier was laying on your bed, finger pads heavy weight on your skin as he drew sloppy hearts on your hip. The wire of the headphones tangled between your shoulder and his wrist as you both listened to his playlist. The familiar intro notes to the song beginning to ring throughout the buds and the tug of your maroon lined lips turn into a smile.

“Already like the song?” He asked, brown eyes rested on top of dark circles scattered with freckles as he smirked down at you.

“I love it.” You sheepishly said.

The wind knocks you back into reality as it pushes through your window again, only making you remember how much you loved October; the weather changing, leaves blooming, smell of the rain just before it hit the concrete, the sound of the leaves dragging along the pavement, and the endless horror movie marathons that would run on AMC.

The orange, brown, and green leaves spin in the breeze and rustle along the branches as the sun stood brightly among the houses along the horizon. From your view on the windowsill you can see houses upon houses before you see the local water tower and old plazas that scream they need new merchant signs and fresh cement.

Your eyes flick to the lonesome string popping out of your black long sleeve before the sound of your phone’s text tone goes off, your eyes darting to the message running across the screen.

Stop watching me

Ashton’s text read, making you roll your eyes before placing them on the dark hair boy who had a goofy grin on his face from your view, his drum sticks were stuffed in one had and the other held his lit up phone.

With a smile on yours, you let the hand that rested in the crook of your neck tear away from the warm flesh and your middle finger stand in the air as a response.

-

Clothes were thrown in every direction of your room as you let your eyes drag along your frame in the mirror, your loose knitted black sweater hung off one of your shoulders as low waisted charcoal jogging pants rested on your hips. Your hair was in its loose waves as your curtain bangs swept against your temples, your fingers curling into themselves in frustration as you tried to not stress over how you look.

You didn’t want to over enhance your appearance to see Xavier since he wanted to meet up to get “closure” -even though he was the one who called it off despite your many pleas- but you wanted to make him feel bad for even deciding to drop you.

A frustrated sigh left your wine stained lips before turning around and sticking your feet into your ruined Converse. The low muffled sound of Xavier’s Prelude is heard out your window and you feel your heart drop.

You never understood why you always felt this way about him and why you couldn’t just get over this stupid boy who likes to break up with you every other month, a new reason every single time. The constant tears, text threads, and blocking to unblocking seemed to never get exhausting to you because you were always back in the same place, wondering if you overdressed to see your ex for closure.

The chime of Xavier’s specific text tone rings through your room and you already know what it says, so without checking you twisted your foot into your shoe to fit perfectly before you reach over and grasp your phone in your hand and tug your way to the window sill. Fingers pressing the frame up and letting the fall air sweep into your room before crouching down and fitting yourself through the frame and safely scale down the roof, onto the sturdy vine wall filled with dead clematis that prickled on your palms the way down before your feet landed on the short cut grass.

As you turned away from the wall and begin tugging your feet towards the black coupe, your eyes catch on the tall frame standing on their front step as an amber light glows slightly illuminating his face. You already know this is Ashton, so with a slight smile you let your index finger rest against your coated lips, a gesture to him to be quiet.

The only response he gives is his head nodding off to the side with smoke trailing out of his mouth.

The smile quickly falls as your fingers clench the car door handle and tug it open, the smell of him crashing down on you as you sit in the familiar leather, the hum of the engine vibrating under you as the car peels off.

~

The tinge of tequila burned on your buds as you felt the room spinning, the sound of chatter and shouts are heard from below you as the bass of Destroy Lonely’s song can be heard in the room you barged into when you gave up on waiting for Tabitha; who said she wouldn’t be long with the curly haired new kid in her history class.

Red solo cup was loosely clenched in your right hand as left was lazily running through your hair at random moments as you laid against the cottage floral bed sheets.

Here you were, back in the same spot you always found yourself in: drunk, heartbroken, and thinking about a boy who doesn’t even care about you. The constant routine of wanting him, then wanting to be far away but craving him every other second burned into your heart. The comfort and familiarity of him that you missed always overlooked every excuse he gave you whenever he broke things off.

Last month he said he needed time to himself, this month he told you that he was confused and didn’t know what he wanted; frankly he lost feelings for you, at least that was what he says now. Those words kept on replaying in your mind as if that was your favourite song. The way he sounded emotionless yet unsure that, that was what he really wanted.

And just with those thoughts, tears were flowing down your temples. Eyes blurring as the voice replayed in your head, the memory of him sitting beside you and saying that, to then recollect memories of how sweet and endearing the boy you loved in the beginning grew cold to your touch and looked into your hopeful eyes with detached ones.

The popcorn ceiling was fuzzy in your sight as the tears spill over your waterline and beads down the sides of your face. You already knew your cheeks were heated up, the liner and eyeshadow that was occupying your bottom lashes was smudged and probably slipping away with the liquid as a sniffle wrinkled through your nose.

God you hated this; the empty feeling of missing someone who you know you shouldn’t want but yet crave so badly. Why him? Why you?

As you were deep in thought you hear the rustle of the door knob before it turns and the music that pours from outside reaches into the empty depths of the room, the sound of footsteps halting and a sharp intake of breath being heard, but you don’t dare look away at the ceiling. Frankly, you could care less about who sees you crying your eyes out on this outdated duvet with ruined make up.

“Fuck my bad!… Wait Y/N?” The recognizable voice of your childhood friend is heard before the door is closing shut.

The weight of him sinks next to you on the bed as you let your eyes close and the final stream of tears leave your eyes.

“I look desperate don’t I.” You state, voice raspy from the strain in your throat as the usual feeling of a ball is formed.

“I think you look sad,” He points out, making you snort as the hand that was lazily playing in your hair tears away and feels the sheet below you.

“No shit,” You mumble before letting your eyes peel open.

“You and Xavier broke up again?” Ashton questions, the sound of his zippers clashing from his jacket as he shuffles around.

You only hum in response before you let both of your arms sit you up on the bed, your back standing straight as your hands cradle the solo cup. Your eyes stare down at your ruined pantyhose beneath your mini lace black skirt before they flicker to look at the hazel boy.

Eyes connecting with yours, you hear his breath hitch as he draws in your appearance. Cheeks with a glow of cherry red sweeping the bones under your eyes that are damp with black eyeshadow, your eyes were still puffy and red rimmed as they batted slowly up at him.

“He doesn’t know what he wants,” You let out, your eyes rolling before letting your plum coloured lips take a sip of the warm mixture of Pepsi and tequila.

“Oh?” He says in confusion, bushy eyebrows coming together trying to figure out how that could be since he saw you two together three nights ago.

“I’m so sick of being with these screwed up guys all the time,” You state, hand tearing away from the cup to dig your nails into the rips of your stockings.

“Really?”

“I have such crummy luck or taste? What is it with girls like me? All a guy has to say is, he can’t express his feelings or he listens to Deftones and it’s like my head tips right over and my brain start to slip out of my ear.”

Ashton lets out laugh, the beer bottle he’s holding by the neck resting on his knee as he stares down at you. “So which one is Xavier?”

“Both,” You scoff while sticking out your tongue in disgust.

“You know… if you wanted to, I’m sure you could have a different great guy to go out with every night,” Ashton assures, a smirk tugging on your lips as you decide to ignore the glint of promise in his eyes.

“No way, I’ve always been a mess. Remember Cleo?” Your second boyfriend that seemed to be stuck on your hip but ironically found someway to cheat on you every weekend yet you still dumbly went back to him every. single. time.

The feeling of your sheer button up rubs against your arm as you let your hand fall against your hip and feel your black crop top tight to your skin.

“Maybe you just need to talk to someone who isn’t your usual type,” Ashton points out. Your head nods a few beats as your thick wedged heeled boots run over the wooden flooring.

“Maybe I’ll be luckier if I tried dating someone nice for a change,” Voice hopeful as your eyes dart away from the bubbly dark liquid into Ashton’s brown hues.

“Nice guys,” Ashton says with a smile, both of his hands tearing away from his knees as if to gesture to himself in this equation.

A laugh escapes your lips before your eyes run over Ashton’s frame from head to toe.

“What are you getting at Irwin?” You say with a pointed brow, playing stupid to the implication.

“Oh nothing..” He sings while tearing his eyes from yours, toothy smile still spread on his lips before he takes a swing of his beer.

You shake your head with annoyance before your hazy eyes look down at your lap, your hands resting on the cup and drumming a random tune.

“Honestly Y/N… I think you’re a really great girl and…. I just think maybe…” His words a scrambled mess and trailing off. You smile to yourself before turning to look back at him.

“Mm?” You question, the fifteen percent liquor coursing through your bloodstream and giving you confidence as you lean into this chest, eyes never tearing away from his. Because if Ashton was going to give you hopeful eyes and stuttering speeches you might as well put the ‘nice guy’ to the test and see if he was really about what he said.

That only made his lips break into a smirk, his tongue sneakily gladding along his bottom lip to wet it before looking into you daringly.

That only made you squish your plucked eyebrows together in question. How did the stuttering boy from just a view seconds ago all of a sudden turn cocky and confident? How many drinks did he have? Or was it the weed that clung to his jacket that gave him the boost.

“I think you should give me a chance,” He nips back, and before you can even respond to him, you watch his neck crane down and press his lips against yours.

The crisp taste of his beer stung your lips as they opened and immediately danced along with his tongue. White liquor and brown meeting together to taste each other and leave an acquired flavour in your mouths.

You hummed along to the feeling of his tongue circling against yours before peeling away and molding your lips to sink against each other. Your heart was beating through your chest, nails now digging into your plastic cup and head ducked back as you continue to press your mouth against his.

The feeling of his cold hand pressing against your neck caused you to shudder and tear away from his lips for a second, your eyes peeling open as they look in front of you. Black hair loosely falling on his forehead, the smell of his husky cologne clogging your senses, and the feeling of his fingers now dancing along the back of your neck.

“What are we doing Ash?” You breathe against his lips.

“Something that I’ve always wanted to do,” He says, making your heart launch. You bite down on your bruised lip and tear your eyes away from his, your stomach twist as you try and gain some self control as you almost fling yourself on top of him.

Something that he always wanted to do? You never really found yourself desirable to the point we’re men would see you in that type of light? But maybe what Ash said was just a simple lie, just so he can get what he wants and frankly you don’t even care. You’ve heard lies your whole entire life when it came to boys and this wasn’t any different, maybe you should just let your mind shut off from your stupid ex and just be in the moment for once.

So with that final thought, not having a care in the world, you drop the red cup in your hand and let your lips launch back onto his. Ashton follows your movements and the sound of the nearly empty beer bottle drops onto the hard wood, his right hand now resting along your neck as you both kiss each other.

Warm breaths, beating hearts and the sound of music is the only thing heard in the room as you lick into each others mouths. Soon you feel the weight of Ashton nudging you to lay back on the bed as he lies on top, you feel the cold zippers from his jacket press against your skin and all you can do is moan.

The feeling of his left hand tears away from the hairs on the nape of your neck and dance down your collar bone before letting it cup your breast in his hand, kneading the soft tissue which only makes another moan slip through you.

He pulls away from your lips and begins to suck and press kisses along your pulse, your hands that lie by your side now running up the sleeves of his jacket and into his hair.

A whimper spills out as you feel his hand tug your tank down and free your naked breast, he engulfs it in his cold palm making you let a shaky breath escape before you’re curling your fingers in his hair, the feeling of him twisting your nipple makes you bite down on your bottom lip. The pleasurable pain you feel running up your spine making your shoulders slightly buck off the bed.

“Hmm…” Ashton hums in your neck before tearing away, his eyes once such a light brown and green hue, now a chestnut and forest green colour filled with lust.

Your fingers tug away from his hair as he now descends down your body, his warm lips pressing kisses to your exposed skin as you let your hands tear your blouse and tank off. Your eyes never leaving his as he watches you undress. His lips now press against your pieced belly button as his fingers tear away from your chest and roughly takes your skirt by the band and peels it down your hips, your stockings following soon after.

Not wasting a moment he lets his mouth press against you covered core, lips pressing small kisses against your heat making you quietly moan. You wanted so desperately to tug Ashton into you and make him start devouring you right there but instead you let your hands trail back into his hair and play around with his locks.

Small kisses soon turn into open mouth licks, his wet muscle running up and down your clothed slit that it had your head digging back into the sheets, your legs spreading wider and whimpers endlessly trailing out.

“Ash.. please..” The words slip out so quiet that you assume he didn’t hear from the pulsing music below you, but instead your met with the feeling of his finger pulling your panties to the side and his tongue finally meeting you were you desired.

It circles around your clit gently before you feel his lips suck it into his mouth, a moan drawls from your throat due to the sensation. Soon enough, he’s letting his mouth discover the way you taste which only elects a moan from him. His tongue now dipping in between your two lips and curling around your insides.

“Oh my,” You moan as your fingers dig into his hair, eyes closing shut as you begin to slowly move your hips to the movement of his tongue.

The feeling of his right hand breaks away from your thigh and flows to your hips, his nails leaving small indents as you feel his other hand move away from your panty and rub against your clit.

The feeling of him humming against you sends a vibrating pleasure down your back as he continues to lick you, this only made your toes curl and your hands to fall out of his hair and onto his leather shoulders.

“Fuck,” You moan, your hands tugging him gently away from you as you feel your climax about to overcome your nerves.

And just as you feel it on the tip of your toes, the mouth between your legs pulls away beginning to press wet kisses up your thigh, his hand that once laid against your heat now meeting with the other at your hips.

A groan leaves you as your eyes tear open and look down at him. He mischievously looks up at you, his kisses now run up your stomach once again to lead to your neck.

“Upset?” He teases, only making you shudder at the rasp in his voice.

“I want you Ash,” You say breathlessly, turning your head to knock his out the way and look him in the eyes. “Please,” You utter, fingers now leaving his shoulders and brushing against his rip cage covered by his white tee.

Without any hesitation, Ashton is pulling away from your embrace and leaning back. He shrugs off his jacket, tugs his shirt over his head, his fingers going to the back of his baggy jeans to pull out his wallet to dig through before you see a gold package flash. If your cheeks could burn any brighter they differently would.

The mixture of his clothes and yours are strung through out the room, both of your shoes kicked to the bottom of the bed as he now shuffles his way back up to his original position.

Without question your hand meets the band of his boxers as you begin to inch them down his waist, wanting to return the favour.

“I think that can wait love, I rather be in you right now,” He breathes against your neck, only making your heart stutter. A sheepish smile tugs at your lips as you feel him twist around and lay on his side, his hands laying on your hips, turning you into the same position.

Your head rested on his arm as your back laid against his chest, hips aligned with each other as the feeling of his smell overcomes you. His knees prop up your legs as you hear the tearing of the condom package.

Deciding to distract yourself you let your eyes fall looking at Ashton. His black hair a tossed mess from your fingers, hazel eyes drawn to wear you both meet as he begins to run his member against your heat.

A whimper leaves your lips as you close your eyes when you feel him push inside, his hand now propping up your thigh as he eases into you.

He nudges your head forward and begins sucking kisses down the expanse of your neck, the feeling of his heart beating against your back and the smell of his sweat mixed with his cologne was filling your nose.

“Feels so good,” He mumbles against your skin, his arm that rested under your head turning slightly as he runs his hand against your wrist and takes your fingers into his, lacing them together as you continue to feel him stretch you out.

You never expected Ashton to have a thick piece but you also didn’t expect to be in this exact position right now, literally. Your childhood friend having his way with you while you were both drunk off each other and the alcohol in your systems.

His hips meet your backside before drawing back and pushing back in, your walls expanding with each thrust as you feel him begin a good pace. Moans begin to fall from your mouth, your eyes fluttering open every few seconds as your skin burns from the bruises soon to appear on your pulse from the black haired man beside you, skin still stuck to his lips.

“You’re moans are so pretty,” He breathes against you, his hand that was holding up your thigh runs up your hips to your chest, letting your leg fall as he takes one of your breasts and squeezes it gently.

All you can do is hum at his words because you’re too overstimulated to speak. The feeling of his thickness drawing in and out of you so heavily has you nodding off at the sensation, his fingers intertwined with yours beings to squeeze them together as the hand that was on your breast meets with his head at your neck.

“You like me fucking you,” He says into your ear as his hand squeezes your throat gently.

You nod your head as you feel your eyes slip close, and you were completely wrecked. He was so dirty yet gentle with you, peppering you with kisses yet digging into you so devilishly that it had your mind distraught.

“You like the way I feel inside you,” He continues, his hand growing more tight around your throat.

“Ash…” You say breathlessly, as your hand that rested against the bed sheets rises up and places it against the one making you breathless but encouraging your climax.

“Mm I like the way you feel around me,” He eggs on, and that makes you cry out, your back pushing pack and meeting his hips.

The feeling of your stomach twitching and legs quivering to close makes your head tip back even more against Ashton as you feel your orgasm on the brink.

That has him taking his hand away from your throat and slips it to lift your thigh back up as he continues to thrust into you, his lips press more kisses against your neck.

Your toes curl as the knot in your stomach expands and releases, the satisfying sensation washing over you as you let a deep breath break through your lips with a moan.

“Fuck,” Ashton hisses as he feels you twitch around him, the contractions from your high throwing him into his; his hips stutter before rocking back into you slowly, teeth gently digging into your skin, his breath being blown over the expanse of it.

The thickness of him slips out which causes your eyes to open, his hand dropping your thigh to wrap around your hips as his head buries into your neck.

The room is quiet for a moment as the only thing that can be heard is your hearts calming down and the chatter from down below.

“I would give you more kisses but I’ve made a mess on your neck,” His voice vibrates against you, that only makes you let out a broken laugh.

“I don’t even wanna know what it looks like,” You reply, your hand that rested on the duvet linking with his that rest along your stomach.

This felt nice, the amazing sex and cuddling session after. The room just being quiet and the only thing that can be heard is your breaths and beating hearts. This was so spontaneous that you still can’t even wrap your mind around what happened.

“How would you feel about doing this more often?” Ashton says after a few minutes, his chest moving as he pulls his head away from your neck to lie back against the pillows.

Having casual sex with him? You ponder on the idea. It was definitely one of the best you have ever had, he felt amazing and checked off every box when it came to how to please you. You couldn’t even lie and say that you didn’t find Ash attractive, you are also now officially single, free to due what we you wanted, so fuck it.

“Like… Friends with benefits?” You say, your thumb running against his hand still linked with yours by your head.

“Yeah, friends with benefits,” He confirms.

You let your head swish from side to side as you feel the burning sensation of his love bites strain against your neck as you let out a sarcastic hum to yourself as if you’re thinking it over.

“I wouldn’t mind that.”

[rigelmejo]

Tips for starting to read in the language you're studying. While this might seem critical in a language like japanese, it also helps if studying a language you think you can sound out.

So at some point, yes, you will read without technology or tools to help you. In fact if you feel like it, you can always do some practice with no tools/aids immediately. You can always mix using tools to help, along with sometimes using no tools to see how you handle the skill on your own. So these suggestions are just tips for when you DO use tools.

1. As a beginner, if you're learning new words: listen to audio of word pronunciations! At least sometimes! Whether that means studying on an app like anki with flashcards that include audio, or hearing new words PRONOUNCED in a show you watch, or listening to an audiobook While you read a Graded Reader with new words. Or even just clicking the audio icon on Google Translate when you look up a new word or phrase, so you hear audio for how the new thing is pronounced. Get SOME audio exposure to how new words sound.

It will help you develop a listening recognition of the word, instead of only a reading recognition.

(You can see how that's important in japanese where the same kanji in 2 words may be pronounced totally different, but it also helps with basic things like getting used to the sounds of the specific language and what spelled syllables are pronounced like in different words. Or in say chinese's case it lets you notice how tone pairs sound in different combinations, how chinese chi or ci or zi sounds different, how those pinyin spellings are pronounced different in chinese versus how another language you know would pronounce those pinyin letters etc).

It will also, critically, help you develop a mental impression of how the language sounds. It seems unimportant as a beginner to even be thinking about that - and you don't need to think about it. But do include audio exposure to new words for a WHILE. It will build your ability to hear differences in sounds in the language, separate words you hear mentally, have a mental sound of the Rhythm of sentences, have a mental sound you'll eventually be relying on for your own pronunciation when speaking and your ability to parse listening to people speaking.

(I slacked on listening to french as I learned, the first year, and so my mental voice for french was... mostly english sounding, which as you may guess meant while my reading gradually improved... my listening skills were zero because I had nothing even remotely useful in my mind for french pronunciation. So I couldn't recognize any words I heard! I spent a few months at that point, a year in, listening to french pronunciations of words and podcasts for learners, and that alone just helped SO MUCH in forming a mental sound for "if I see X syllable in french it sounds in the ballpark of Y" so when I said words they were at least somewhat understandable in french, and when I read words to learn more I developed a decent enough guess of how those words sounded that I'd recognize them later in listening. When I started learning chinese, I learned my lesson lol, and I listened to all new words at least once in Google Translate or any app with an audio button - like Memrise, Anki, Pleco, Google Translate, etc. I was able to watch cdramas, and guess which pinyin to type for what I heard - like say zi versus ci, or zhi versus chi - within a few months. The ability to distinguish those sounds, and to notice how they do Not sound like english zi or ci, was very helpful. In japanese, including listening to new words can help you learn kanji readings WITH words, and like any language how the japanese sounds are unique versus other language mental sounds in your head. If you say study two romance languages like french or spanish, then putting even just a few months of initial time getting used to pronunciation differences helps you build mental sound models SPECIFIC to the languages. So you don't get spanish or french confused after a few months, because you can notice how different they sound - when maybe initially you could not.)

2. As a beginner, when you read, use audio as you read at least sometimes. Simple ways you can do this: read digitally and use a tool to hear the pronunciation of new words (in Pleco or Readibu this is clicking a word and the speaker icon, in Google Translate its pasting in the new word and pressing the speaker icon, in a web browser its right clicking then use Translate then use the Translate pop-up's speaker icon etc). You can use TTS (text to speech) such as on a web page (Microsoft Edge Read Aloud TTS is quite nice), or in an app like Pleco or Kindle (or any ebook Reader app should have TTS read aloud option). You can watch shows with audio and subtitles in the language you're learning (so you practice reading the subtitles as you hear the audio). You can use a transcript with a podcast, or an audiobook with a novel (or a Graded Reader and TTS or audiobook). You don't always need to listen when you read. But do it at least once in a while. So that you keep learning the pronunciation of new words. You'll want to do this at Least until you have a basic mental sound of the language, and if it's a language like chinese ot japanese you may want to Keep getting audio-text exposure every so often to ensure in chinese you learn correct pronunciations with new words (and tones), and in japanese you learn correct pronunciations of new words. This doesn't have to mean novels either, it can be as simple as shows with same language subtitles once in a while, or a transcript (or auto generated captions) for some youtube video or podcast once in a while. Even in languages like english or french or russian, spelling doesn't always equal actual pronunciation, so even once you have a basic mental sound model you'll want to keep getting some text-audio exposure if you want to build up the skill.

[deepautumncolors]

Book Review

I love epistolary novels and books that are written in any kind of format with journal entries, emails, or text messages, so @ohmyg0sh recommended this to me and I got it from the library. This one is composed entirely of conversations within the Slack instant messaging system. It takes place during January and February, which I didn't know ahead of time, so it turned out to be the perfect time of year to read it. It's a quick read because the messages don't take up much room and there's a lot of empty space on each page, so it only took me a few days. I could have finished it even faster and you could easily read the whole thing in one sitting, but I took my time with it on purpose in order to make it last. This book is a satire about a small group of people who work together at a PR firm in New York City.

One day when a man named Gerald tries to upload a spreadsheet, somehow his mind accidentally gets uploaded along with it. His consciousness becomes trapped in the internal channels of the Slack app while his lifeless body is stuck sitting at his computer in his apartment. He tries to ask the Slackbot for help getting back into his body, but it doesn’t provide him with any support and keeps repeating the same several phrases over and over. Meanwhile back in the real world, the characters are dealing with a crisis regarding some poisoned dog food that has killed a bunch of Pomeranians across the country. A few of them start working from home due to a snowstorm and various other reasons, so they communicate via Slack in different chat rooms based on certain topics. Their conversations include typical workplace drama, emojis and gifs, inside jokes, information about their personal lives, and a secret office romance. The Slackbot’s messages gradually become more unusual and sentient as Gerald chats with it, since he has nothing else to do while he’s online all the time. Eventually, they somehow swap places where Gerald becomes the Slackbot, and the Slackbot ends up possessing Gerald’s body and causing glitches in the Slack chats. Will Gerald be able to escape from the void and return to his body?

Although I've never used Slack before, I'm definitely familiar with the office environment. I worked in my company’s building for eight years until Covid started in 2020, and I’ve been working from home since then. My department has a group text and we also have a virtual meeting every morning. So I found this book to be extremely relatable, but not everyone will.

Something very odd happens towards the end, and I thought the ending was a little abrupt. A couple of the subplots could have been explained better because I’m still not clear on what was going on with Lydia, for example.

This book is very quirky and there is definitely a creepy sci-fi element to it. It’s a dark humored parody of corporate life in the modern world, especially when it comes to the way we communicate online. I haven't read a lot of satires so I'm not really used to them, but I interpreted this as a metaphor for spending so much time at work that it can literally suck the life out of you. Maybe the author didn't intend for it to be about burnout and mental health, but that's how I took it. And maybe it means that if we spend too much time looking at computer screens and corresponding over the internet, we might forget how to interact in person? Or maybe it means that if we keep creating AI products, the robots will start to become more lifelike? Perhaps what he's trying to portray is simply that technology is taking over our lives. Those are my guesses but even if I'm wrong, I still really enjoyed it and I wish it had been longer!

[uncloseted]

do you have any tips on how to deal with post work need for playtime 😭 i work with kids as a tutor as a full time job while i’m in Uni and i love it but its takes a toll since im constantly interacting and always have to be thinking and present during my sessions that when i come home, i have no energy or desire or motivation to do my own schoolwork or studying. i just lay down and scroll or hang out with my friends bc im so drained of dopamine from work, I want to lock in with uni and the gym but after working all day, i just want to play around or i just want to turn my brain off and scroll and sleep 😭 how i can find more energy and feel less tired/dopamine seeking after work? :)

Anonymous asked:

any tips on how to have more energy? i work and have uni so when i come home all i want to do is rot and have no energy to workout or do hw or even hobbies, i either want to rot or hangout with my friends bc im so dopamine starved or too tired to do productive stuff

Okay so the first thing that I want to say here is you may just be expecting too much of yourself. Being a full-time student plus working full-time is 80 hours of work a week. I think it makes a lot of sense that after that, all you want to do when you get home is to turn your brain off. Plus, there's not a ton of good research on this, but from what I could find, people feel their best when they have around 4-5 hours of downtime per day. If your brain doesn't get the chance to recharge, adding anything extra to your schedule will be really difficult. I say all of this just as something to consider. I know we live in a world where relaxing can feel like we're wasting our time and that we should be productive every hour of the day, but that's just not a sustainable way to live. If you can, it may be worth looking into whether you can reduce the number of hours you're working or reduce the number of classes you're taking to give yourself a little more free time. If that's not possible, try to cut yourself some slack. What you're doing right now is hard, and it's okay if you don't have the bandwidth right now to add more things to your life.

All that said, there are a few things you can try in order to make the most out of the free time you do have. The first thing I would suggest is trying to carve out time throughout your day to do the things you want to do instead of waiting for the end of the day. Maybe when you wake up in the morning, you read a book or journal for 15 minutes and then have a 5 minute exercise routine, so that even if you don't get anything done after work, you've still done something for yourself. Maybe you do squats while you're brushing your teeth or push-ups while you wait for your toast in the morning. Maybe you take five minutes of your lunch break to do deep breathing or a quick meditation practice. Grabbing little moments throughout your day can help you to feel like you're taking care of yourself, and they really do add up over time.

For after work, what I would suggest is starting small. Maybe you tell yourself that you'll do just ten minutes of studying or just fifteen minutes of exercise or just twenty minutes of a hobby before you start scrolling. A lot of the time, when we get over the initial hump of starting a task, it becomes much easier to keep going on it. And even if you don't, ten or fifteen or twenty minutes of doing something every day is better than doing nothing at all. As you start doing things after work, you'll start building up more mental stamina, and it will become easier to do them over time. For these tasks, I would also try to make them as easy to do as possible, and I would try to make scrolling as hard as possible. For example, maybe you make sure that your homework is on the table or your gym shoes are out or that all of the items you need for your hobby are within reach and you block social media apps on your phone for an hour after work.

The last thing I'll say is that when it comes to schoolwork, it may be a good idea to work smarter rather than harder. For example, NotebookLM can take your class notes, readings, and other documents and give you summaries, answer questions for you, and even generate a podcast of your notes to make the content easier and more engaging. Tools like NotebookLM can make it easier for you to study while on the go (like walking/driving to uni and to work), and can shorten the time you need for studying.

[pixelpii]

How to Choose the Best Software Development Company for Your Business

Finding the best software development company isn’t just about picking a company that can deliver code. It’s about trust, quality, and ensuring the team understands your vision. A bad choice can lead to missed deadlines, wasted money, and a product that doesn’t meet your needs. Getting it right matters more than ever in today’s competitive market. This guide gives you clear steps to find a partner who aligns with your goals, works well with your team, and helps your business grow.

Understanding Your Business Needs and Goals

Before you start searching for vendors, you need to know what you want. Think of it as building a blueprint for your project.

Define Your Project Scope and Objectives

What’s the main goal? Do you need a custom app, a mobile platform, or to connect existing systems? Clarify exactly what you want to achieve. Clear goals help you find a team capable of delivering that vision without unnecessary extras. For example, if you're creating an e-commerce app, focus on features like shopping carts and payment integration.

Assess Technical Requirements and Skills

Identify which technologies your project needs. Will it run on iOS, Android, or web platforms? Do you require specific features such as user login, data analytics, or real-time updates? Understand the skills your project demands, so you can look for developers with proven expertise in those areas.

Determine Budget and Timeline Constraints

Set a realistic budget early on. How much can you spend? How long do you have to launch? If your budget is tight, your project scope might need to be smaller or phased. Outlining deadlines keeps everyone on track and prevents scope creep. Remember, rushing can compromise quality, so balance your needs with your resources.

Researching Potential Software Development Partners

Evaluating Experience and Portfolio

Review their past work. Do they have case studies similar to your project? Check if they’ve built apps or systems of a similar size and complexity. A solid portfolio shows they can handle your needs and deliver quality solutions.

Checking Client Testimonials and Reviews

Read feedback from their previous clients. Do they mention reliability, communication, or problem-solving? Positive reviews, especially from clients who returned for other projects, are a good sign. Long-term relationships show trust and satisfaction.

Evaluating Technical Expertise and Methodology

Assessing Technical Skills and Technologies

Confirm they’re proficient with the technologies your project requires. Look for certifications or awards in those areas. If your app needs Node.js or React, the team should have proven experience.

Understanding Development Methodologies

Find out what approach they use. Agile, Scrum, or DevOps? These methods focus on flexibility and continuous improvement. Pick a methodology that matches your style—if you want regular updates, Agile is often best.

Ensuring Quality Assurance Processes

Quality matters. Ask about their testing methods, code reviews, and how they handle bugs. Teams that emphasize quality minimize delays and deliver a stable product. Continuous testing and user feedback loops ensure your project stays on the right track.

Analysing Communication, Collaboration, and Cultural Fit

Communication Skills and Responsiveness

Test how quickly they respond to emails or calls. Clear, prompt communication shows they value your input. During initial conversations, see if they listen well and clarify your questions.

Collaboration Processes and Project Management

Understand how they manage projects. Do they use tools like Jira, Trello, or Slack? Clear processes help monitor progress and catch issues early. Agree on how often you'll receive updates and who your main contacts are.

Cultural Compatibility and Time Zone Considerations

Choose a team that matches your work style. Consider language skills and working hours. Overlapping time zones make meetings easier. Shared values and work ethic also matter—they help foster trust and smoother collaboration.

Comparing Proposals and Cost Evaluations

Review detailed proposals. Do they address your goals, timeline, and budget? Beware of quotes that seem too low—they might cut corners. Balance cost with quality to avoid future headaches.

Choosing the best software development company is about much more than finding someone who codes well. It’s about understanding your needs, doing thorough research, assessing expertise, and ensuring good communication. Pick a partner who shares your values, fits your culture, and is committed to your success. With due diligence, you’ll set your project—and your business—up for growth and achievement. Take action, ask the right questions, and choose wisely for long-term success. For more details, please visit our website: https://www.pixelpii.com/

[beyondblogs786]

Common Hackathon Mistakes and How to Avoid Them for a Successful Experience

Participating in a hackathon is an incredible opportunity to learn, innovate, and connect with like-minded individuals. However, many beginners and even seasoned participants make mistakes that can hinder their success or enjoyment of the event. Understanding these pitfalls can help you navigate your next hackathon more effectively—whether it’s a global event hosted by Hack4Purpose or a local competition.

Here are some common mistakes and practical tips on how to avoid them.

1. Not Understanding the Problem or Theme Fully

One of the biggest errors is jumping into development without thoroughly understanding the hackathon’s theme or challenge.

How to avoid: Before the event starts, carefully review the problem statements and guidelines on the official hackathon page. Clarify any doubts early with mentors or organizers. Align your project with the core objectives to stay relevant.

2. Overambitious Project Scope

Trying to build a perfect or fully-featured product within limited time is a recipe for burnout and incomplete submissions.

How to avoid: Focus on delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that highlights your core idea. Prioritize essential features that demonstrate your concept clearly. You can always expand later.

3. Poor Team Communication

Lack of coordination often causes duplicated work, confusion, or missed deadlines.

How to avoid: Set clear roles and responsibilities from the start. Use tools like Slack, Google Meet, or Trello to communicate effectively. Hold quick check-ins to stay aligned throughout the hackathon.

4. Ignoring User Experience (UX)

A technically sound project may fail to impress if it lacks usability and clarity.

How to avoid: Spend time designing a simple and intuitive interface. Test your app or prototype with teammates or friends unfamiliar with the project to gather quick feedback.

5. Neglecting Presentation and Pitch

Many participants focus so much on coding that they overlook the importance of a compelling pitch.

How to avoid: Prepare a concise pitch that covers the problem, solution, technology used, and potential impact. Practice delivering it confidently within the allotted time.

6. Not Utilizing Mentors and Resources

Hackathons like those organized by Hack4Purpose offer mentors and workshops, but some participants hesitate to ask for help.

How to avoid: Approach mentors with questions and feedback requests. Their experience can save you hours of troubleshooting and elevate your project quality.

7. Last-Minute Submission

Rushing to submit at the deadline risks technical glitches or incomplete uploads.

How to avoid: Aim to finalize and submit your project well before the deadline. This buffer allows time for any unforeseen issues.

8. Not Having Fun or Networking

Focusing solely on winning can cause stress and cause you to miss out on the social and learning aspects.

How to avoid: Enjoy the process, connect with other participants, and learn from every experience. Hackathons are about growth as much as competition.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding these common mistakes can greatly enhance your hackathon experience and increase your chances of success.

Remember, every hackathon is a learning journey, and even projects that don’t win can open doors to new skills, connections, and opportunities.

If you’re ready to dive into an exciting hackathon experience, visit Hack4Purpose and register for the next event!

[prestigebfs]

Virtual Assistance: Provide Administrative Support Remotely in 2025

Meta Description:

Explore how to launch a successful career in virtual assistance. Learn how to find virtual assistant jobs, deliver remote administrative work, and thrive as an online personal assistant in 2025.

Introduction: Why Virtual Assistance Is a Smart Career Move in 2025

The digital economy continues to grow, and with it comes a rising demand for virtual assistants (VAs). In 2025, more entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals are outsourcing tasks to VAs to streamline their workload. Whether you're organized, tech-savvy, or skilled in communication, becoming a virtual assistant is a flexible, profitable way to earn income from home while providing remote administrative support to businesses worldwide.

You don’t need a degree or extensive training to get started. All you need is the right skill set, a reliable internet connection, and the willingness to help clients succeed as their go-to online personal assistant.

What Is Virtual Assistance?

Virtual assistance involves providing administrative, technical, or creative support services to clients from a remote location. Instead of working in a traditional office, VAs operate online, using tools like email, cloud storage, video conferencing, and task management software to support clients.

Common Services Offered by Virtual Assistants:

Calendar and email management

Data entry and spreadsheet organization

Customer service support

Social media scheduling

Travel booking and itinerary planning

Invoicing and bookkeeping

Research and lead generation

Online store management

Benefits of Virtual Assistant Jobs

Becoming a virtual assistant comes with many advantages, especially for those seeking flexibility and independence.

Key Benefits:

Work from anywhere with internet access

Set your own hours and rates

Choose your clients and services

Build a remote career with low startup costs

Enjoy diverse tasks across different industries

Whether you want to work part-time or go full-time, virtual assistant jobs allow you to design your work life around your lifestyle.

How to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant

1. Identify Your Strengths

Assess what services you can confidently offer. Are you great at organization, writing, tech, or communication? Pick 3–5 core services to start.

2. Set Up Your Business Tools

You’ll need:

A computer and reliable internet

Communication tools like Zoom or Slack

Project management apps like Trello, ClickUp, or Asana

Payment platforms (PayPal, Wise, Stripe)

A professional email and resume/portfolio

3. Create a Profile or Website

Promote your services through:

Freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer

Virtual assistant agencies like Belay or Time etc.

Your own website and LinkedIn profile

Social media (especially Facebook groups for entrepreneurs)

4. Apply for Remote Administrative Work

Search daily for remote administrative work listings on job boards like:

FlexJobs

Remote.co

We Work Remotely

Indeed (search "online personal assistant")

How Much Do Virtual Assistants Make?

Virtual assistants in 2025 typically earn:

Beginners: $15–$25/hour

Intermediate VAs: $30–$50/hour

Specialized or executive VAs: $60+/hour

You can also offer retainer packages or monthly service bundles for stable income.

Tips for Success as an Online Personal Assistant

✅ Be reliable and responsive – Clients expect timely communication ✅ Keep learning – Stay updated on software tools, platforms, and best practices ✅ Track your time and results – Use tools like Toggl or Clockify ✅ Request testimonials – Positive reviews help you land more clients ✅ Set clear boundaries – Define working hours, availability, and turnaround times

Final Thoughts: Build a Profitable Remote Career Today

If you're looking to work remotely, earn a steady income, and support businesses from behind the scenes, virtual assistance is the perfect path. With thousands of virtual assistant jobs available globally and growing demand for remote administrative work, now is the best time to position yourself as a professional online personal assistant.

Use your existing skills to build a career on your terms—flexible, rewarding, and fully remote.

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Keywords Used: virtual assistant jobs, remote administrative work, online personal assistant

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"Your One Stop Shop To All Your Personal And Business Funding Needs"

Website- https://prestigebusinessfinancialservices.com

Email - anthony@prestigebfs.com

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[education-courses]

Courses for Software Developers: Best Programs to Upskill in 2025 

Software development is one of the most dynamic, in-demand fields in tech today. But staying relevant takes more than just knowing how to write code. The industry moves fast—frameworks change, tools evolve, and businesses want developers who understand the full product lifecycle, from architecture to deployment. 

Whether you're just entering the field or looking to level up, the right courses for software developer profiles can help you stand out and grow your career. Let’s explore the most valuable learning paths, what skills are trending in 2025, and how to choose from the best software development courses online. 

What You Need to Learn as a Software Developer Today 

Modern software developers aren’t just coders—they’re problem solvers, product thinkers, and tech strategists. While your core programming foundation is crucial, it’s equally important to learn: 

Full Stack Development – Frontend + backend + database integration 

Version Control (Git/GitHub) – Collaboration and code management 

DevOps & Deployment – CI/CD pipelines, Docker, cloud platforms 

Cloud-Native Development – Building apps for AWS, Azure, or GCP 

System Design – Architecting scalable, reliable applications 

Agile & Collaboration Tools – Jira, Confluence, Slack, Trello 

The best software development courses combine technical depth with hands-on project work and industry exposure. 

Top Courses for Software Developers (India + Global) 

Here’s a curated list of the most impactful online programs to learn software development in 2025: 

 NIIT Digital – Full Stack Product Engineering Program 

Covers JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, MongoDB 

Hands-on coding with Git, REST APIs, and deployment tools 

Live sessions + industry mentorship 

Career services: Resume building, mock interviews, placement support 

Why it’s recommended: Perfect for serious learners ready to build real apps and transition into product-focused tech roles. 

Scaler Academy – Software Development Program 

Structured mentorship for Indian developers 

Focuses on DSA, system design, backend engineering 

Great peer learning and interview prep 

Great Learning – Advanced Software Engineering Certificate 

Offered with reputed universities 

Covers Java, Spring Boot, DevOps, and cloud computing 

Includes projects and mentor sessions 

Specialized Tracks Based on Your Goals 

Depending on your interest, here are key tracks and their relevance: 

What Makes a Course Worth Taking? 

If you're exploring courses for software developer pathways, don’t just chase certificates. Look for: 

Project-based learning – Build apps, tools, or APIs to showcase 

Mentorship access – Direct guidance makes a difference 

Job readiness – Resume help, mock interviews, placement support 

Updated content – Tech changes fast—avoid outdated stacks 

Platform credibility – Recognized by recruiters or industry 

The best software development courses focus as much on outcomes as on content. 

Career Outcomes After Completing These Courses 

Depending on the course and your background, you can target roles such as: 

Frontend Developer 

Backend Developer 

Full Stack Developer 

Software Engineer 

DevOps Engineer 

Cloud Application Developer 

Final Recommendation: Build Skills That Scale With You 

The tech world rewards action-takers and lifelong learners. If you’re ready to take control of your software development career, start with a course that matches your learning style and career goals. 

NIIT Digital, Coursera, and Scaler are just a few of the top platforms offering in-depth, project-driven programs. Whichever path you choose, remember—great developers don’t just know code. They build solutions, collaborate effectively, and stay curious. 

Invest in the right course, commit to hands-on learning, and keep building. Your next opportunity is only one line of code away. 

[ethanblogger]

ToggleTimer vs. Traditional Time Tracking: Why Modern Teams Are Switching

Introduction Picture this: The month ends, and your team rushes to put together timesheets. One team member didn't record hours for a key project. Another entered their time twice. At the same time, your boss wants a report on how productive everyone was last quarter—but the info is spread out in spreadsheets, on Post-its, and in people's fuzzy recollections.

This mess isn't unique. Teams have used old-school time tracking for years - paper sheets, clock punches, or simple digital timers. But work is changing. We now have remote teams, clients all over the world, and quick-moving projects. These old systems can't keep up anymore. Let's look at why modern teams are switching to smarter ways to track time and how this change affects how much work gets done how accurate the records are, and how the team feels about their job.

Why Old-School Time Tracking Doesn't Work Anymore

The usual methods like spreadsheets, punch cards, or written logs all have the same problems:

Human Error: Manual entry results in typos forgotten tasks, or inflated hours.

Example: A 2022 study revealed that companies lose up to 4 hours per worker each month to fix timesheet mistakes.

Lack of Context: A figure on a spreadsheet doesn't reveal how someone spent their time—just that they spent it.

Real-life pain: A design team missed a deadline because their handwritten logs didn't highlight that 30% of "work hours" went to software troubleshooting, not designing.

No Real-Time Insights: When people compile the data, it's too late to change direction.

Scenario: A project manager finds out about a budget overrun after the client invoice is due.

Poor Integration: Separate tools make teams switch between timers, calendars, and project apps.

The Rise of Modern Time Tracking Solutions

Today's tools tackle these gaps by zeroing in on automation, context, and useful insights. Here's how they're changing the way we work:

1. Automation Cuts Out Busywork

Problem: Old-school tracking wastes time that could go to real work.

Solution: Auto-timers log hours as you go, link up with calendars, and sort tasks.

Example: Teams that use these auto-tools save over 5 hours each month on paperwork.

2. Data with Real-World Meaning

Problem: Just knowing you spent 8 hours on a project doesn't explain why it took twice as long as you planned.

Solution: New platforms tag time entries with projects, clients, or tasks showing where the holdups are.

Case study: A marketing agency cut project delays by 40% after they found out (through tagged data) that client feedback loops were eating up 25% of their schedule.

3. Real-Time Decision-Making

Problem: Monthly reports can't correct inefficiencies from the previous month.

Solution: Dashboards display real-time progress allowing teams to adjust before budgets or deadlines go off track.

Example: A team of remote developers identified a time drain in QA testing shifting resources to maintain their schedule.

4. Smooth Integration

Problem: Jumping between timers, Trello, and Slack breaks concentration.

Solution: Current tools connect with project management, communication, and payroll applications creating a unified information source.

Why Teams Are Switching

Apart from solving existing issues, up-to-date time tracking offers new benefits:

Better Spread of Work: Reports show which team members have too much on their plate letting managers even things out.

Spot-On Client Charges: Computer-made logs cut down on arguments and build faith with exact checkable records.

Staff Freedom: Teams handle their own time without bosses breathing down their necks giving them more control.

What's Next for Time Tracking

New trends are taking these tools to the next level:

Smart Guesses: Programs guess how long projects will take based on past work.

Health Checks: Keeping tabs on deep work vs. rest time to stop people from burning out.

Worldwide Rules: Adjusting on its own for different labor laws or money types across countries.

Conclusion: Progress Matters More Than Tools

The move from old-school to new-age time tracking isn't about fancy software—it's about seeing time as your team's most valuable asset. New solutions cut down on boring tasks, give meaning to work hours, and let you make quick calls. This helps teams zero in on what's important: doing top-notch work, not just writing down what they did.

Written By Toggletimer