#Scout Full Text Search

[olderthannetfic]

Is there a way (including by extension) to search works just by content instead of the summaries and metadata? I would like to make a script to search works for instances of a specific string (ex. sandwich) or list of strings (ex. sandwich, scout, yell) and then give results based on number of times they appear (ex. TF2 "meet the sandwich" fics at the top), but I'm not sure if that's possible.

--

Yes!

I never did finish my "Do Namjin really drink more Malbec?" project, but the way you do this is to mass download, put everything into a recent version of Calibre, and run that function that indexes the full text.

Google indexing of AO3 is spotty. AO3's own search does not search the body of a work.

[shameshomalo]

HIIIII this is my new pressure OC!!! Her name is Remora :) I’ve been super anxious to share her because I’m worried this’ll get no traction loll but i figured why not Yk? No but really i would really appreciate it if y’all can take a quick gander at it. Much love XX

This is her file, its obtainable by a quest she offers. If y’all can’t read the file lmk and ill post the text under the cut :)

This is her a few months at UrbanShade, she was still very upset about the experiments here. And the pic or her on the right is her fully transformed (still working on her full body ref, pls bear with me 😭)

LOREEEE UNDER THE CUTT XX

I’m gonna try and make this as short as i can so y’all aren’t reading too much but i do have a lot to talk about lolol. Feel free to ask any questions, my inbox is always openXX.

Remora (Aka Lurker, H-576)

BASIC INFO

9’4

31 years old

She has suction sticky pads under her hands and stomach, she will stick to you walls because its fun.

Her jelly bulb radiates colors when feeling certain emotions but most of the time it rests against her head and stays translucent.

Her purpose is to search, retrieve, scout, spy.

She is mixed with:

Sea angel

Gulper Eel

Galacus Atlanticus

Re◼️◼️ ◼️◼️

Sarcastical fringehead

Man o war

Great white shark

◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️

◼️◼️◼️◼️

Lore about her/sebastian

She mostly appears between doors 15-85 and is always a friendly entity unless tirelessly provoked.

Ever wonder why there is just random files and DNA strewn around the facility? That because of Remora! During her time at UrbanShade she was always doing little tasks for the staff members and due to that she gets restless and irritated if she has nothing to do. During the lockdown she encountered Sebastian and decided that she would literally stick to him and as a way to get her to leave him alone he would send her out to collect items for his shop. After awhile this became a habit for the both of them and an alliance was formed!! One time Rem accidentally left a stack of files out and an expendable came across it and carried it with him to use for trading, this sparked an idea sooo irritatingly for Sebastian she would go out of her way to leave assets out to be collected. (Sebastian is NOT happy about it but it keeps her busy and costumers coming through so its an unfortunate win-win)

Encountering Rem mid-run info

Rem has a few rare interactions such as a 50/50 chance of seeing her in Sebastians shop (common). Sometimes she’ll try and gift you an item or files but Sebastian always yells at her not to.

If you encounter her outside of the shop there’s an 75% chance she’ll give you whatever files she has on her at the time (between 80-350 divided equally amongst your group), and a 30% chance she will give you a random item. You almost always get at least one battery.

Her nickname (Lurker) comes from the fact that she will follow you throughout your run, don’t think its cute though, she’s HUGE and always gets in the way of things, mainly you, she always tries and sticks to you, will get mad if you shoo her away. You can catch her peeking at you randomly through windows, vents or cracked doorways.

She does have a quest its common if its the first time you meet but becomes rare if completed/ declined. Since she LOVES searching for things (as per her DNA) she will ask that you hide a certain favorite item of hers in any random spot throughout your run since Sebastian never wants to. That’s it, nothing complex but you get a badge for it (I don’t have a name for it yet, sigh)

Super rare encounters are that she’ll warn you about an entity if she happens to spawn at the same time as another entity

Obtaining her file isn’t necessarily complex but if you complete her quest you will notice a random file Sebastian has to offer you. (You do not get a notification for obtaining this file, the only way to notice it is if you check the files you already own).

OKAYYY SO THATS IT FOR NOWWW I’m working on more lil drawings of Sebas and Remora so pls bear with me as they get uploaded. THANK YOU THANK YOUUU if y’all have made it this Farr i really appreciate and love all of you big smooches to y’all ehe. (Might come back and add more info later we shall see anyways love u guys xoxo)

[glaciertea]

Masterlist here

Tales the Songs Weave

Ch.13<< >>Ch.15

Notes: Lovely date night at a very sensual and romantic spot.

CW: Hot and steamy, but passionate and longing sex. Oral pleasure (F receiving), PinV, light spanking, the neighbors will hear, smut... and maybe slight drama.

Chapter 14: Every Time I Get a Bit Inside, I Feel it

Word count: 9K

Zipping back and forth from your bedroom to the bathroom, you stumbled over your two feet, desperately locating the other thigh-fishnet stocking while trying to put toothpaste on your toothbrush.

“I just had it right here! Did it fall into the freaking void?”

You dipped and scrambled all around the floor near the bed.

“You know what? I’ll come back to it in a bit.” You darted back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

Tonight was a special night for you two. It was your first date as a 'semi-official' couple, and you had no clue where exactly he was taking you. All you know is that you woke up to a text specifying what would be the best attire for this particular outing.

A lovely, formal casual is something you could manage. A form-fitting, long-sleeved mini dress, wedges, and your fishnets, if you could find the other one.

Not a single word could describe the anticipation that was bubbling inside. You skipped around, singing your heart out as you got ready, only to lose track of time from bumbling too much. Spitting out the toothpaste residue, you rushed back to the room, aimlessly scouting for that missing piece. 

Bending down on your knees and laying on your torso to search under the bed, you heard the bedroom door squeak open.

“Mm, this is a delightful sight to walk in on.”

Repositioning yourself back up, you twirled your head and gleamed at Miguel. “Miggy! My gosh, every time you dress down, you always have to put me to shame, don’t you?”

“Too much?” He peered down at his tight white button-down, black jeans, and opened blazer.

“No, no, está bien.” 

You rose to your feet and drifted towards him. Noting that one of his arms was behind his back, you closed off any space left between you two. “Going to tell me what’s hiding back there?”

Miguel smirked and leisurely revealed a beautiful bouquet of pink tulips and white daisies, evoking a squeal from you.

“Oh, Miggy, thank you! These are gorgeous. I’m going to quickly put these in a vase right now. Also, can you help me find my other fishnet stocking? The moment it’s found, the sooner we can leave.” You cradled the assortment.

“Si, mi Luna. And take your time; we still have forty minutes left until our reservations.”

“True, but I know you like to be punctual. Gotta have that jumpstart!” You sang out, stepping into your living room to find a new home for the floral.

Miguel smiled and scanned your room. “By the way, you look radiant.” He called out to you, spotting the lone material, loosely tucked underneath a pillow.

“Thank you, but not on par with you." You held the vase before placing it right on your dresser.

“Hey, you emit more beauty than all the moons in the entire universe. And more than me, mi hermosa Luna.” He handed you the fishnet, gazing longingly into your eyes.

“Do you always turn up the charm whenever you're near me?” You slipped past, leaning on your bed to put the tight on.

“Possibly. I will never tell.”

A grin snuck its way up on you. “Thank you for finding it. My shoes and purse are all upfront. Are you ready to head out?” 

Without another comment, Miguel offered his arm, and you gladly took it. 

The night’s sky was clear. A full moon was shining ever so brightly as Miguel hailed a cab for you two. Miguel handed the driver a piece of paper as you questioned where exactly you were headed, but he kept it hushed, saying all would be revealed in due time. Opting to be compliant, you went with the flow as you chattered about whatever sprung up in your minds.

Arriving at the place, you gawked at the corner brick building. Stringed maroon lights suspended down the windows and doors as two granite pillars erected proudly, displaying the entrance sign in brilliant neon cerise, reading Dusk N’ Twilight.

Miguel paid the driver and trekked his way over to your side, opening the car door for you. You took his hand, your eyes fixated, exuberant stare not leaving the exterior.

“Do you like it, mi Luna?” 

“Do I like it? I love it! I've never been to a jazz club before, so I am super excited.”

You shuffled from one foot to another, wrapping your arms around his muscular one.

“Though, I would've expected more people. Especially on a Saturday night.” Wheeling your head back and forth, focusing on the lack of traffic for such a swanky establishment.

“Vamos, mi Luna. Let's not stand out here forever.”

You nodded, and together you took even steps, with Miguel showing off his chivalry by holding the main entry door open.

“Such a gentleman.” You winked and sashayed in, putting on a show for him by wiggling your behind a bit. 

Miguel eyed your figure, his fangs drawing out as he licked them before retracting them. “Cálmate, cálmate. Acabas de llegar.”

Miguel stepped behind, and you took in more of the interior. An erotic, deep red inundated around, even spilling into the hidden crevices. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and a lone piano perched in a corner, with a giant stage loaded with different instruments and a microphone adjacent to it. Loveseats, booths, and regular tables lined up, taking up the unoccupied spaces.

You scratched the top of your head in confusion. At the moment, there were only four people, excluding you and Miguel. The waitress and a man maintaining the bar, which was stocked with fancy alcoholic beverages.

Where was everyone else? Was this place exclusive or a gem so hidden that no one has ever heard of it?

“You must be Mr. O'Hara?” The waitress politely smiled at you two.

“Yes.” Miguel pulled his phone out as the waitress glanced down and nodded.

“Alright, perfect. Follow me.”

Grasping your dainty hand once more, you and Miguel traveled near a table less than fifteen feet from the stage.

It was already set with fine china, a bottle of wine chilled in an ice bucket, and rose petals garnishing the silk tablecloth.

Miguel pulled your chair out as you dumbfoundedly plopped yourself in it, bewildered eyes observing all that surrounded you.

The waitress poured the wine into your glasses and rested two menus in front of you both. “My name is Cheyenne, and I will be your waitress this evening. The live music will be out in a few minutes, and the bar is, of course, unlimited. I will give you a bit to glance at the menus, but I'll bring out fresh bread in the meantime. If you need anything, simply call out for me.”

“Thank you.” Miguel bowed his head in acknowledgment as you gave a weary thumbs-up.

“Tha-thank you.” You gulped.

The second she trailed away, you pinned your hands on the surface.

“Miggy, what the heck?” 

Caught off-guard, he planted the menu down and removed his shades, concerned. “What's wrong, mi corazón?” 

“What's wrong? Where is everyone else? Unlimited drinks? Personal service?” You waved your limbs, gesturing to it all.

“It's only going to be me and you tonight, mi Luna.” He plucked the menu back up, skimming over it once again.

Muddled, you flickered your eyelids open and shut before shaking your head.

“Miggy! You didn't have to dip in so much for all of this! How much did this cost?! I will help pay it back if need be; you didn't have to do all of this!”

“Mi corazón, payment wasn't a problem. Everything is okay. Don't worry, mi Luna.”

“Payment wasn't a problem... Mi Estrella, this clearly would have cost a pretty penny if you seemingly rented out the entire buidling.” 

Miguel only shrugged. “It wasn't, honestly, that pricey. It was only a few thousand, nothing too bad.”

“Nothing too—nothing too bad?! Only a few thousand?!” you exclaimed before you caught your tone.

Beginning to sort out any confusion, he was interrupted by steaming, toasted bread brought down and a bowl of whipped butter.

“There we go. Are we ready to order or still need more time?”

“More time, please.” Miguel picked up the serving tongs and placed some bread on his plate and yours.

“Alright. And the entertainment is on its way.” Cheyenne scuffled back into the kitchen, fairly intimidated by Miguel's presence.

“Now, as I was saying, I wanted this to be special, and…”

He was forcibly cut off once again when an entourage of people in button-ups, unraveled ties, slacks, and spiffy dress shoes marched to their respective instruments and took their spot.

The band waved at you two as you meekly bent your fingers, trying to copy the eager motion. And Miguel only gave a half-wave.

Tarrying on the musicians for a bit more, a woman in an off-the-shoulder sequin gown swayed out and took the mic in her hands. Her hair flowed elegantly as the red highlighted the dress, giving it that flare.

“Welcome to Dusk N’ Twilight this fine night, lady and gentleman. Tonight is a very special one, as we have a stunning couple out in the audience. So let me take you two on a magical voyage of velvety wine, shimmering stars, and melodies to fuel that insatiable appetite for love and lust.”

Notes from the saxophone, bass, piano, and singer enriched the scenic environment that connected the two.

“Mi Luna, mi corazón, please let me treat you. You've done so much for me; let me return it by giving you a night to look back with amazing memories.”

That entrancing hold—how the hue blends in with his crimson-brown ones—yet you still see the raw, passionate scorch in them.

You couldn't help but smile.

“Okay, mi Estrella. I'll let you spoil me. Only–only for tonight. But I still have some questions.”

His face crinkled into a high-cheekbone grin as he showed off his pearly whites. You adored every line and scar on his earthy face.

“¿Cómo tuve tanta suerte? ¿Yo, entre todas las personas, terminó con un alma tierna como la tuya? But yes, I will answer whatever question you have; after we order, mi Luna hermosa e iluminadora.”

Wiggling in your seat, you picked up the menu, glancing at the yummy items available. Placing your orders, you both leaned forward, dreamingly, captivated by each other's hypnotic gaze, letting the songs whisk you into the infinite galaxy.

Taking a few sips of wine and bites of bread, you smacked your lips and laid your elbow on the cloth.

“Alright, now tell me. Since when does...” You scrunch your eyes, finding a way to prevent his hero identity from slipping out. “When does your, dutifully, work pay? I thought you did that just because.”

“It doesn't pay.”

“So how the heck did you manage this?”

“You are aware that I have a good amount saved up?”

Miguel could almost see the malfunctioning error processing in your brain.

“No?! How? I know you have that other job, but that doesn't explain much because it's dealing with something in a theoretical sense.”

“A theory that has been proven.”

“Right, right, but it still doesn't explain the seemingly vast amount of, you know.”

“I did tell you I was the leader and founder of the organization, correct?”

You bobbed your head. “Yes, but not the founder part. I don't ever remember you mentioning that you're the creator of it.”

“Huh. I didn't? Strange. Guess I'm fittingly comfortable around you that my brain believed I told you. And I also assumed it was a given because you need permits for properties such as that, and you've seen my high-rise apartment.”

“Yes! But you live there! I'm thinking it's paid for in return for your work!” 

Miguel picked up his wine glass, swirling it. “No. Yes, I live there, but I'm the one who wanted it so I could be closer to my job. It's easier that way.”

He mindlessly took a sip. “There's also the fact that I'm essentially a retired geneticist as well, so I get a pension from that. An evil company, but weird ethics when it comes to rightful pay.”

His eyebrows scrunched, and then he fixed his attention on you. “Didn't I also tell you I made codes and a few inventions that are used throughout parts of the city?”

You were helplessly bemused and overwrought by the newfound information that had been casually lobbed at you. Your fingers tensely gripped at your hair, mortified, both elbows now on the table, as your eyes nearly popped from their sockets.

“Mi Luna? You okay?” Miguel dwindled his head down to meet your flushed expression.

“Have you been telling me, all this time, that I've been dating a suave, millionaire CEO man? Oh my God, oh my God, if Ronnie ever finds out—if my family ever finds out! Oh my God, can I disappear? Maybe, just maybe, if I contract so hard, I can blip myself out of existence! Yeah! That can work!” 

“I'm not that rich.”

You immediately clenched up and began to strain your body.

“Mi Luna.” 

Miguel gave a remorseful look. His eyes glazed, wondering if any of that was appropriate to tell you. He wanted to answer your questions, but not if it'd upset you.

Abruptly stopping, you noticed his reaction. Getting up from your chair, you made your way over and plopped your forehead on his.

“I'm so sorry, mi Estrella. I didn't mean to make you feel so disheartened. It was unanticipated news I wasn't expecting; there is still no excuse for my behavior. Please forgive me for that heinous response.”

Miguel pulled you in for a deep kiss before moving away. “All is forgiven. I know there wasn't any ill-intent; you were surprised. It wasn't the reaction I wasn't expecting.”

Sharing a laugh, the two of you embraced closely, praying it would never end. Eventually you broke away when the meals arrived, as you both began to chow down.

Enjoying each other, you two chatted non-stop. Learning more and more about one another.

“So, as you are a handsome Renaissance marble sculpture on the runway, have you ever had fair gents or maidens run to you with open arms?”

Miguel suppressed a snort and took a swig of his beverage. “Is that what I am to you? A Renaissance marbled what now?”

“A handsome Renaissance marble sculpture on the runway.”

“I'll make sure to remember that. And yes, I had a few one-night stands with both. Nothing too crazy. What about you? I don't think I've ever asked about all that.”

“Nothing too crazy here as well. Had two partners before hand, sexual relations with the first, none with the second. He apparently was getting too cozy with others and ended up leaving with something. So, I dodged that bomb there.”

A contemptuous scowl appeared on Miguel. “¿Quién engañaría a alguien como tú? A veces, no entiendo a los idiotas tontos.” 

He angrily chewed a piece of his steak.

“Everything okay?”

“Si, mi Luna. I'm trying to wrap my brain around why anyone would treat you so lowly.”

You gave a simple shrug. “It happens. It did sting at the moment, but I moved on. Very indifferent a month after the breakup. So, it wasn't a complete loss.”

“Still. Ay, you are so gentle, I swear... hey, mi corazón?”

“Mhm?” You glance up from your food.

“What is your family like? I tried not to speculate on what they’re like, so I am curious about them.”

“Mom and dad are living in some other state, I think Washington? And I have an older brother. Barkley. Exactly six years apart. I’m close with my parents—not too close. And my brother. We were super attached growing up. He was my best friend. Then something happened when he went to college, cut us all off with no explanation, and then vanished.” You traced the rim of your wine glass.

“Last I heard, he left the states and is doing odd jobs now.” Your face fell, melancholy rupturing the more intimate jazzy sounds.

Guilt plastered over him. He pressed his lips together as anguish washed over him for bringing up a sensitive topic. He imagined that by bringing up Gabi in the past, you would be ecstatic to ramble on about your family too. Even at the end of the day, he still inferred something about your personal life.

“Mi corazón, I-I didn’t mean to bring the mood down.”

A lopsided grin upturned on your face. “Hey, you wouldn’t have known; it’s okay. It does hurt, still to this day, but I try to carry on. I do think about him a lot, and I have a bunch of repressed feelings that go deep within, so what I try to do is help the ones around me and myself from time to time. Show that generosity. It may be altruistic to some; who knows? You can’t always have that pep, but you can try and kindle kindness.”

“I don’t think that's altruistic.” Miguel said it sincerely.

“I would say you're being a bit biased, and I could agree with you, but let's take a look at your job. It's a much grander scale of helping people, so wouldn't that make me a hypocrite?”

“How so?”

Your smile never leaves. “We both use our energy to seemingly help others. So I can't say that me specifically going out of the way to aid someone doesn't have any altruistic undertones. Yours is just…bigger.”

He shook his head. “Maybe I am being biased. But from your view, it comes from the heart.”

“And yours does too.”

His heart thumped. You were perfect for him in all shapes and forms. He knew if he were to declare that, you would instantly deny it. Maybe there was a reason why you would, but even with your flaws, he will still be there. If times get hard, he will still be there. He would follow you for an infinite amount of time, and it still wouldn't be enough for him.

“Ay, eres perfecta, mi Luna.” 

And you shook your head.

“I'm not perfect; I still have things that may bother and upset you.” You teased him, eyeballing him as he got up and came to your side.

“That may be true, but I know I will still want you.” 

“And I will still want you, mi Estrella. I know if challenges were to hit us, we wouldn't back down.”

Three strings popped.

“Dance with me, mi Luna.”

Surprised by the suddenness of the request, you let him take the lead, swaying to the satisfying and powerful vocals that wreathed the tender love you two shared in the middle of it all.

The rest of the night went on without a hitch. Nearly finishing the wine bottle, you were slightly tipsy, and Miguel was still functioning as if he didn't have three glasses. After finishing the three-course meal, you both gave a standing ovation to the performers.

Tipping the service well, Miguel hailed another cab. Giving the driver your address, you both slid in one after the other.

You were both giggly, doing your best to hold it in and not be too loud. Miguel would sneakily glide his hands up your dress, as you would pretend nothing was going on.

Scooting alongside you, his unsheathed hands caressed your body. Biting your bottom lip to stifle any moans from escaping, you gazed at him from the corner of your eye.

“Ay, mi corazón, wait till we get back to your place. I'm not ready for this night to end.” He whispered low enough so only you could hear his husky, seductive voice.

His watchful eyes observed the driver, making sure he wasn't peeking as one of his talons scraped over the inner thigh and right in-between your legs. By subtly parting them, you allowed him to leave ghost-like circles over the dampening undergarment.

A sharp inhale nearly made its way out as you pretended to cough to mask it. A single sweatdrop rushed down your face as he continued his treatment on the spot. He then prodded the nub with a sharp nail.

“Not one sound. We don't want to get caught, do we, mi Luna?" He nipped at your ear before glossing his tongue down to the lobe.

Your heart was in your eardrums, teeth refusing to leave the bottom lip, to the point where you believed it was bleeding.

Eventually reaching the front of the building, you quickly paid for the fare as you both staggered out of the vehicle and hobbled straight towards the elevator doors.

The anticipation rose as you anxiously eyeballed the yellow light trickling down each number so agonizingly slow.

4… 3… 2…

The second it reached one, you clambered in as you impatiently pressed the close button, silently begging it to go faster.

When the lobby was out of sight, Miguel swept you off the ground, pinning you to the wall behind.

You immediately encased your legs around his waist, your tongues attacking as you bruised each other's lips. Your hands roamed all over his strong shoulders before Miguel seized them and slammed them over your head with one claw. His other hand delicately punctured some skin on the outer thigh, making you moan in sheer ecstasy.

The elevator dinged as Miguel swung you onto his shoulder, making you yelp at the action.

His calloused fingers gripped close on your behind as he dug for his key in his pocket. Eventually finding it, he fumbled with the lock. You offered to have him let you down so he could open it, until you heard the click.

He nearly broke the door from opening it, pulling you back down, retaking your earlier position, and ramming your lips back on his. Kicking the wooden door shut with his foot, he took off his shoes and made his way to the couch, flinging you on it, as he kneeled in front. 

His hands roamed over every bit of your draped body, tongues in a sloppily dance. You tugged at his hair, grinding your hips up to him. He pulled away as you both took in heavy breaths of air, as if you had gone without oxygen for days.

“Mi Luna, mi corazón, I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to take so much care of you. I want to make love to you. I will make love to you. Will you allow me to do that, Mi Luna?”

All you could do was nod.

“I will only do it if you say it, mi Luna.”

“Yes! Mi Estrella, yes, please make love to me! Por favor, si, anyth-”

Miguel cut you off, his tongue nearly sliding down your throat. Restlessness took over as he hauled your dress over your head and threw it over the sofa. 

You reached down and started to take off your wedges when Miguel shoved your arm over your hair.

“Leave your fishnets and shoes on.”

Miguel dipped down, a carnal growl making its way from his throat as his tongue teased and explored your neck and collarbone.

Whining out, your back arched into his warm, wet appendage, loving every nip and bite from him. You moaned as his teeth gently clamped down on the crook of your neck. You felt every suction, every stroke from the tongue, and the vibrations whenever he groaned.

Your panties dampened even more. He was voracious with his mouth, his hands moving to firmly grope your breasts, hips, and thighs.

“Oh, mi Luna, la única para mi. Eres tan bueno, tan bueno conmigo.”

He peered into your lustrous eyes, his blazing ones never fleeting as his thumbs parted your lips, talons brushing against your tongue. You wrap it around one of them, sucking on it, not wanting to break contact, until you get lost in it. Lapping the digit in circles, you bob your head back and forth, causing him to purr and tug your head back.

“Such a naughty girl, making papi hot and bothered like that.”

Heavy pants heave out of you before you take Miguel back into another amorous kiss. You latch your tongue around his, your squeaks filling the room, causing Miguel to groan, squeezing your chest.

Moving away, he peeled you off the couch and hoisted you in his arms, bridal style, carrying you to the bedroom and dropping you wearily on the bed.

“I'm going to devote every second to pleasuring this body.”

“I know you will, mi Estrella.” You contentedly sighed out.

Claiming those sweet lips one last time, he tears the bra off your body.

“Miggy! You have to stop ripping my clothes!” You squirm and pout.

“You know I'll buy you a new one. I'll buy you an entire new wardrobe if it means I get to see this body.” He kneads your breasts, pinching the nipples and receiving a gasp.

“So responsive. One thing I adore so much about you.”

Taking your left nipple in his clutch and chewing on it as his fangs threatened to draw out, he had to consciously keep them in check. His tongue lapped and sucked the bud as trails of spit leaked down your breast.

“Oh, Miggy. So good, that feels so good.” You shuddered at the feeling.

Pulling back with the areola still in-between his teeth, he released it, then delved into nibbling the valley of your bust, leaving faint traces up and down your stomach and thighs.

Your whimpers drove Miguel up into the stratosphere. His jeans were unbearably constructive, and his body was burning with full lust. He removed his blazer and tossed it, his mouth not once leaving, wanting to mark all over you. Your body relaxed, humming at the nips and laps from his tongue.

“You are so amazing, mi Estrella.” 

He smiled, popping your right nipple out of his mouth. “And you are even more so, mi Luna.”

Surveying the purplish-red bruises, he nearly patted himself on the back, prideful over what he did. He leaned up until your face was in view. You couldn't make much out, as the room was dark, with only a shimmer of lights protruding from your window. 

The one thing you could see was the fiery, vermillion irises feverishly longing for you.

Grazing your luscious figure, Miguel trailed his hands down to your panties, stroking and playing with the waistband. “Mi Luna. Don’t think I didn’t take notice of you shaking that perfectly cute ass for me at the lounge. You wanted to rile me up; I know you did.”

His heated breath on your chest and neck made goosebumps spring all down your body. 

“Mm, you were such a gentleman; it was only fair to reward you with a little something, papi.” 

“Now let me reward you.” Miguel pecked at your collarbone.

“For what?”

“For being you. For being so amazing to me and taking the time to... care for someone like me.”

Your hands brushed along his neck until each one was placed on either side of his cheeks. Raising him to you, you displayed your love.

“You deserve it all. You are worth it all.”

His stomach and chest fluttered as the kiss he gave held so much devotion, fondness, and ardor. He wanted to give you everything—to give all of him to you.

Bracing himself on his knees, he speedily unbuttoned his shirt and paused.

“Sit up, mi Luna.” He commanded as you followed the direct, confused.

He wrapped the fabric around your backside, took each of your arms, and slid them into the sleeves.

“Fóllame…” he croaked out.

It was loose on you, as one part drooped off your shoulder. Seeing you like this made something tick. A carnal desire. A primal rage.

The wedges, your wetness leaking down, messing up your thighs. The love-bites on your perfect breasts and neck. The fishnets have tiny, damp spots, and you're wearing his shirt. Your scent mixing with it.

The image alone nearly made him explode.

"Miggy, are you okay?” You tilted your head.

And that was it. That innocent call of his name. You checking in on him. That lovely voice. That voice he always wants to hear.

He slumped on the floor, grappling your legs and anchoring them over his shoulders.

“I want you to scream out. I want them to know who is making you feel so good, mi corazón.”

Arousal and fear settled in your eyes—that blazing desire you saw within. How you craved it so much.

“I want you, Miguel.” 

He dove in.

His tongue lapping up the streams that trickled from your inner thighs, making sure to leave love-bites in his tracks.

“Mines, you're mine. Eres mía. Eres mía.”

You wail out, grasping onto your bedsheets. The firm push of his tongue against your clothed opening had you spying stars. The cotton becoming slicker and stickier with each lick around the folds nearly had you releasing.

“I need these gone.” With a swift rip, your underwear was torn off, and you couldn't help but snarl at him.

“Miggy! No more ripping—oh fuck!” 

You cried out. Miguel plunged deep within your damp opening, jutting his tongue in and out as he felt every clench of your walls around the muscle.

A possessive, guttural growl reverberated from his chest, making your legs tremble from the resonance.

“Miggy! Take your time! Oh fuck! Please take your time!” Your hands gripped your face, raising your upper torso.

“I'm sorry, mi corazón; you're so good. So, so sweet.” His tongue swirled around your labia in rapid succession, provoking a screech.

“Ple-please, Miggy! Slo-slow down!” 

He had to force himself away from his delicious meal. His claws pierced into your thighs, and he fought to regain his breath.

“Te pido disculpas, mi Luna. You just taste so good; you are my addiction. But for you, I'll go take my time. I'll start when you're ready.”

An admiring smile embellished on your face. How it managed to elevate your beauty even more, he would never know.

“Gracias, mi Estrella. I'm always ready for you.” You stroked his soft curls before Miguel took his claws and interlocked them in your fingers.

Lining himself back up, the tip of his tongue carefully lapped around the edge of your folds, taking in every whimper and mewl leaving you, blessing his ears.

Relieving all stress, you relaxed your body, yearning to feel every part. The passion from every glide over your vulva to the flicks on your clit sent you to a blissful heaven. Your defenseless moans of intimacy ricocheted off the walls. Miguel battled the inner frenzied side wanting to unleash its assault on you as he steadily made eights around the clitoris and entrance.

“Mi-Miggy.” You slurred out, “Go faster. You can go faster.”

His eyes glinted at you, a fierce scarlet, as that beastly part didn’t take that request for granted. Miguel took a hold of your legs, pushing them up a bit more until your wedges dug a bit into the upper part of his back. A few sweat drops ran down the side of you, attempting to backtrack, but it was too late.

Miguel shook his head briskly, his tongue wiggling madly, making out with your pussy. His mouth engulfed you, and a raw scream of his name departed your lips, having your neighbor knocking on the barrier in-between.

“Mi-Miggy! I can’t be too-”

“What did I say? Let them hear you. Let them know who is doing this to you.” 

He slurped and sucked on your cunt, letting the murky fluids leak from the sides of his chin. He devoured every inch of you as you desperately bucked your hips up to his face, sobbing out.

Miguel came to a sudden halt, his tongue still buried deep in you. With a disoriented gasp, you jerk your head down, bewildered by the sudden stoppage.

“Keep going! Why did you stop?” You sobbed.

Yanking his tongue out, a wicked grin appeared along with his pearly, razor-sharp fangs. 

“I sensed your desperate rocks. So, mi Luna, you’re going to do some work as well, as much as I love to worship my prey.” 

Rising to his full height, he removed his jeans and the confining briefs, the glistening shaft springing out, throbbing madly. You immediately clenched around nothing, a longing gasp huffing out.

Crawling near you, he unceremoniously guided you towards the headboard as you nervously shuffled until your back hit the cool wood. You gulped loudly while one of his knuckles stroked the side of your cheek.

“I'm going to fuck your little pussy until you fall apart over and over.”

Clinging his claws to your waist, he flipped positions in such a way that he was on his back and you were straddling his waistline, feeling him poke against the cusp of your bottom.

“On my face.” He ordered with that husky grunt.

You hesitated when a firm hand smacked your left asscheek. A surprise cry left as Miguel spanked it again.

“No stopping, mi Luna. On my face, por favor. And remember, you're going to go at your pace.”

Squirming your way up to him, you hovered over when Miguel dropped you down. Kissing the crevice around your folds, he plugged his tongue in your hole, not moving a single inch. 

Luckily, you connected the dots, rocking your hips in a circular pattern. His muscular arms kept you sturdy as your velvet sex squeezed and squished around it. Miguel's nose swiping your stiffened nub whenever your hips propel forward.

Throwing your head back, you felt the release creeping up, and you pressed on more and more.

With him allowing you full control, Miguel lays there as your fluids cover the bottom half of his face. You whined out, tears pricking in your vision, your mind in a frenzy.

You didn't want this to end. He wasn't doing anything, and he was still making you feel like your head was in the clouds. 

You were on top of the universe.

His hand roams up your soft thigh. His thumb and pointer pinching, rolling your clit in between, creating a split low moan between you two.

“I'm going to—I'm going to cum, Miggy!”

Deciding to help you out, his tongue drove into you with immense momentum. You squished from every thrust, your juices splashing about, and your walls squeezing tight.

“Miggy, Miggy, Miggy, close, I'm close, I'm- I'm-”

Rasping out, you bucked alongside. When his tongue dipped in, you'd dip down. A shrill left you and your body maniacally spasmed.

“Miguel!”

Your orgasm was potent. Digits curled in his hair, your body slightly curved backwards before slumping over with hard, heavy breaths. He cleaned up a bit of the mess, wanting to still keep some as a remainder.

“Mi Estrella… fuck me. You are too good at that.”

Plucking you off and settling you on your back, he nuzzled his face into your chest, before enveloping his lips around yours. You waltzed your tongue around, tasting all of you.

“So sweet; how fitting for a woman like you.” He kissed your cheek multiple times.

“I think it's more tangy, so someone's taste buds are broken.” You both laugh, placing your foreheads together.

“¿Estás bien, mi Luna?” He trailed a line of affectionate pecks from your cheek to the crook of your shoulder.

You nodded your head, your upper limbs entwined over his thick neck. “I'm always okay whenever I'm with you.”

A coy smile spread on your inviting lips.

“Mi corazón, I'm going to worship every inch of you. It's just me and you.”

Miguel leaned downward, catching you in a fierce, sloppy open-mouth kiss. You gladly returned, your body the hottest it has ever been.

He cast you back up, hitching your legs around his waist. Rotating so your head would prop up against your pillows, he sank his body weight down, entrapping you.

“Las cosas que me haces, Luna mía. Las muchas cosas.” Miguel muttered in your ear. 

“Are you ready, mi Luna?”

“Always.”

Lowering himself, his erection rubbed against your folds, lubricating you both as much as possible. You croon, eyes half-lidded, leaning up to suck and lick the crook of his neck.

“I'm going to start pushing. Relax, mi Luna, relax.” 

The tip lined up to your entrance, gently nudging it in to stretch you. Groaning out together, Miguel's compulsion nearly took over from your tight heat clenching him for dear life.

“Ne-need to adjust. I'm sorry!”

“Shh, it's okay. Your pace, corazón, your pace.”

Miguel slid further in, your walls pulsating with any single shift. Half-way, you grinded up against him; loosening yourself. Miguel gritted his teeth, taking every inch of your reaction.

“Go–go ahead. All of it, please!” you cried out.

When he bottomed the rest in one go, you both froze. Every twitch against your fluttering, wet muscles causes cascades of heavy grunts from him and sultry moans from you.

“Apretado, apretado a mi alrededor. Muy bien, eres muy buena mi Luna hermosa.” 

He starts to pump. Withdrawing himself to the head before ramming it back to the hilt, contouring it until it was perfectly molded. Flinging your head back, a lusty moan leaves your mouth.

His hips smacking against your hip bones, your painted nails digging into Miguel's back, leaving more marks and scars that will bring loving memories instead of anguish. Your whines are bouncing over the bedroom walls, driving him wild.

Slightly angling your hips up some more, Miguel found that sweet spot as those more modest whimpers devolved into pure, lustful adulterous screams. Miguel took pride as you squelched with every thrust, your juices covering his entire length. 

“Music. Music–ah, fuck. Such a beautiful song leaving that alluring mouth.” 

“Mi-Miguel!” You wailed his name like a trance you couldn't escape. The only word you moaned as he relished it.

“Yes, my moon, speak only my name. How did I get you? How did I get so lucky to get you?”  

Bodies coated in sweat, some of Miguel's trickling on you as he pressed his forehead on yours, gazing longingly into those fervent eyes.

He never wanted this to stop. He never wanted it to end. He didn't want to lose you.

Because at this moment, nothing matters. At this time, he only focused on you and your shared admiration.

It was only you two.

“Only us, mi Luna. I need to... I need you.” 

Miguel crashed his lips into yours, muffling your cries, tongues whirling in a wild duel. The bedframe creaked aggressively, his sharp piston humping causing the headboard to ram against the wall, provoking a knock from the neighbors, but Miguel didn't care.

Your arms cloaked around his backside, dragging your nails all over. The wedges chafing against his lower back, as his tip brutally assaulted your cervix.

“Mi Estrella! I love you, mi Estrella! Oh fu-fuck!” Your head turned towards the side of the pillow, causing a growl to rumble out of Miguel's throat.

“No, look at me; let me see that gorgeous face.” He forced your head back.

Flushed and flustered, your mouth opened, your tongue flopped out, and saliva dribbled down the sides. Your pupils dilated, with more tears welling up in your lashes and staining your face.

His tanned cheeks were red as you locked on to his hungry, driven, and lustful stare, yet you could make out the authentic love. Your heart swelled, and your affection, passion, and love for him rang true wherever he was around.

You never wanted this to end.

“I'm close. I'm so close, mi Estrella!”

“Yes, mi Luna. Let me appreciate you. Cum for me, cum on this cock, corazón.”

The sweet musk and strawberry champagne perfume radiating off you attacked his nostrils, his brain swirling with lascivious urges. 

His penetrating eyes appeared redder than ever. His member was pulsating with every plunge. His balls snapping against your folds sent you in a spiral.

"S-so tight! Tight only for this cock destroying this—Ngh, this beautiful pussy?"

"Yes! Just for you! Only for you! Miguel!"

Your senses blurred, and the coil finally burst.

Your back arched off the bed, your chest squishing into his as your legs trembled wildly. Shrieking his name violently, there was another irked knock, although it went unnoticed.

Miguel grunted as his length was vehemently squeezed from the intense orgasm. His claws were harshly clutching the bedsheets, leaving tears.

Attempting to come off your high, you shivered, still sensing the palpitations from Miguel's shaft. Your emotions were going haywire. You moaned in his ear.

“Come for me, Miguel. Please, mi Estrella. I need you. I need you rooted deep in me!”

When those words flowed out, he grabbed your ass before yanking you up into his lap. You yelped, your hands clutching his broad shoulders.

“Be careful with what you ask for.” He licked your earlobe before kissing your sweaty forehead. “Te voy a dar exactamente lo que quieres. Tú. Son. Mía.” 

Checking to make sure your legs were locked and steady, taking your behind in his gigantic claws, he pulled out until it was just the tip before shoving it back in one go, vigorously impelling you down on him.

You screeched, your toes curling, still very sensitive from your previous climax. You kissed his bulky chest and shoulders in no particular order. Taking in his heavy musk, the cedarwood aroma from him. It was so intoxicating that you could be addicted to it.

The air filled with gushing, wet slaps as it harmonized with your and Miguel's moans.

“Mi corazón, my moon. You are the only one. Mines... nunca querrás perderte.”

“I'm only yours, my star! I will always be yours!”

Miguel released an animalistic growl as he nearly pounded into you with his inhuman speed. The wooden legs holding the bed up threaten to snap. The headboard surely left streaks of chipped paint after this.

Miguel would drag you down while simultaneously pushing his pelvis up to meet your behind, and as you shamelessly dripped onto the torn sheets below, you added more to the murky puddle underneath.

Your bodies collided in a rhythmless dance of lust.

“Mis ojos adornados por la Luna. Para bien de mí, no te merezco. ¡Joder, corazón!”

Miguel was reaching his limits.

He thought of you together, far away. Happy, full of felicity and hope. Trying for the first child, the first one who will have your smile, that will have his ruby-red eyes. The one with your caring personality. The one with his head-strong personality.

And as the snow turns into flowers and the green leaves transform into many shades of warm colors, there will be more. More with his glimmering, crimson-eyed and your smile running around full of that love and compassion. Maybe wrestling, or doing fun experiments, or in the mini-farm picking those fresh fruits and vegetables.

He will finally be happy with his family once more.

Three more strings snapped.

His movements grew sloppier. His mind is only on filling you up. He grasped the back of your head, carefully wrapping his long appendages in your hair, and tugged you close to his mouth.

“I want you stuffed. Seal you to the brink with my seed.”

“Yes! Yes, yes! I love you! I love you!”

His name was heard for all of Nueva York.

Miguel's fangs snuck deep into the side of your neck. Snarling, he coated your heated, moist cavern with thick, heavy spurts, threatening to leak out.

Talons pricking your bottom as a bit of blood colored the tips. Even your blood was sweet. Still very fitting.

You shivered at the pleasurable pain from your crashing finish and his bite. How easily it was inserted into your skin made you hum with delight. The venom coursed through your bloodstream as you began to lose mobility in your body.

Miguel idly opened his eyes before a short burst of panic forced them wider as he promptly retracted his fangs.

“Mierda. I'm sorry, mi Luna, I-I lost control and-”

With the last few bits of strength, you uncoordinatedly and gently whacked his shoulder before it flopped down.

“It's okay. All okay.” You slurred with a grin on your face.

Miguel searched for any discomfort before a smile was placed on his lips.

He licked the puncture wound clean; he gradually pulled himself out as a satisfying pop rang out, causing him to grunt and you to groan.

“You're going to be immobilized for a good minute. I injected a bit too much.”

He pulled your shoes and fishnets off, but decided to leave his shirt on you. You couldn't move a thing, but you did not mind. In fact, you accepted that this may have been a new experience you will thoroughly enjoy in the future.

Your eyes glazed over, observing Miguel assiduously clean you before your eyelids grew heavier before shutting them all the way.

 

A piano and saxophone blended within the stars. You pivot back and forth, only to see him there. He shimmered more than the ones penning against him.

You floated over, taking his harsh claw into your hand. But yet, it was pleasant and gentle. 

His arm around your waist, he gazes at you as you spin around the skies, the stars, comets, and planets.

The illuminated dance and song of naturalism and intimacy swirled alongside you both. 

You are the moon and he, the shining star.

• • •

“Pete- E-616 Peter!”

Jess waved her wrist, refusing to go through the ordeal of having a bunch of Peters point at themselves, deducing who she wanted.

“Hey, Jess! What's going on?” His short, shaggy hair, five-o’clock shadow, and huge, but tired, brown eyes popped into frame.

“I need to talk to you about something.” Her head whirled back and forth. “Privately.”

Peter scratched the back of his perplexed. “Uh, okay.” 

He lagged behind her, seeking out any answers to the questions he imposed, but she stayed hushed until they reached a hallway that he was highly unfamiliar with.

“Is this part of the medical bay?”

His head rolled back and forth between the white panels and blue tiles.

“No. This is a restricted area that not many know about. There were only supposed to be two people made aware of this location.”

“But with me here, I'm the third person who knows of it.” He leaned against one of the walls, still lost on where exactly he was and what Jess exactly wanted.

She shook her head. “You're the fourth person who knows of it. Can you guess who the others are?”

Squinting his eyes, he began to conjure up suspects. “Well, obviously you, so that's one. Me being two. Miguel! He created this, so it makes sense. And the fourth?”

Creasing his brows, he went through the list of potential candidates before swaying his head after a minute passed.

“I got nothing for the last one.”

Jess tapped her foot and nodded her head. “Okay, let me get this out of the way. I know you have a soft spot for Miguel, and like myself and others, you want the best for him.”

“Yeeess?” Peter crossed his arms, wondering where she was headed with this. 

“And we want him to be happy. Well, as happy as this man can possibly reach, which isn't high.”

“Jess, I'm confused.” 

“Over the past week or so, I've been gathering records and information on where Miguel goes and the people he's been bringing here.”

She taps away on her watch, pulling up an undisclosed document. “You have your officials, building regulators, the usual. But there's one person, specifically a woman, he's been ‘slyly’ bringing into this establishment.”

Jess closes out the file, then plants her hands on her hips. “With that newly added info, care to take a gander at who the fourth person is?”

Peter bit his lip and stumbled on his brain to object to any of that.

“Still no clue. And come on, Jess, keeping track of where he goes and who he invites is a bit… of a helicopter parent move. He isn't a teenager; he's a full adult with a life to live. So surely it shouldn't be anything bad.”

“Peter, I'm not trying to helicopter him, but when he's being more sneaky about what he's doing more than usual, that's where we have to draw the line.”

“Is it still about the paperwork? I thought you all caught up with that?”

“It's not about the paperwork, Peter! It started with that, but it descended into more when he would randomly leave his post for hours on end, lying about making codes and inventions, or bringing in some random woman who isn't a spider!” 

She threw her hands up, slapping them back down to her sides.

“Well, he might have reasons for them. He can do what he likes, you know? Sure, he's been slacking a bit, but we all have our slump moments.”

He pushed his shoulders up before bringing them back down.

“Peter–”

“I have moments where I disappear. I do it all the time, and I still get my work done. Maybe that's where Mayday gets it from; it might be a Parker thing, but still, all goes well! And besides, I think she's good for him. But what do I know? I mean, I remember when Miguel blew a gasket over some harmless prank E-573 and E-25667 did. My God, that man needs some type of break, like all the breaks–”

“Wait, wait, backtrack. Did you just say she's good for him?”

Peter's eyes squeezed tightly, ‘ah, fuck me,’ on loop in his brain the second he slipped up.

Jess sucked in her teeth and bowed her head. “You only get one. One. One chance to tell me where he is right at this moment.”

Her arms connected over her jutting stomach.

“Forgive me… He's on a date with her. That's all I know. But, I don't know where they could be at this very hour.” Peter scrunched up, discomfited.

A critical laugh escaped from Jess. “Wow, okay. You knew exactly where he was and who he's with, and still tried to play dumb with me?”

“And that was wrong of me, and I'm sorry, Jess, but he's a grown man. He's allowed to also go out and enjoy himself as well.”

“I'm not saying he's not allowed to do any of that. If he wanted to go to a damn nightclub five times a week, then whatever, it would be his life!”

“I feel like a lounge would suit him more…” he sardonically mumbled.

“PETER, I-”

Jess brings her hands up to her lips in a prayer position to calm her nerves.

“I'm trying not to be the bad guy here. We all have needs and things we want to do, but skimping out on tasks he highly enforces and expects us to do? Sneaking an outsider into the HQ like he is some goddamn teenager, Peter?”

Peter lowered his head, pretending that Mayday, his source of comfort in these distressing times, was right there.

“Who's to say what trouble that would be put on us if it was someone else attempting that? He needs to be able to also balance this out, but that's the problem!”

He pressed his lips in a thin line as he allowed her to continue.

“This man is so unstable that he doesn't know how to exactly balance these things! We all went through the training and council meetings for these reasons. To understand the situation we are in. We did, Peter.”

She firmly pointed at herself, then at him.

“Yet him?” She's turned toward Miguel's office. “Not even once, yet still expected and expects every one of us to do it.” She spun her pointer finger.

“Well, Jess, how would you exactly know that?”

“Lyla.” Her voice was assertive and full of control.

“Yo, yo.” She pixelated between the two.

“Give me the file for Miguel's family training, counseling sessions, or anything in that department.”

Lyla opened up a screen in front of her. A minute passed as Jess patiently waited, and Peter stood awkwardly until the monitor disappeared.

“Uhh, yeah, so about that. They don't-”

“They don't exist. Thank you, Lyla; you can go.”

The A.I. left as quickly as she arrived.

Peter glossed over, having no more rebuttals. "So, what's going to happen?”

Jess’s shoulders slumped. “I'm going to talk to him,” she held up her hand when Peter tried to interject, “And find a smart resolution on how he can still do his job and still see this girl. I won't go hard. He will have to face repercussions, but it'll only be temporary.”

His eyes lowered to his fuzzy, pink slippers, eliciting an exhausted sigh from her. “And if I need help, I'll call for you.”

“You think he will take it well?”

“Depends. How much does he like this girl?”

“Enough to get you on his tail more so than you regularly are.” He joked, gaining a smirk from her.

“That's a lot. But I won't do it immediately. I still need to know what I want to say and make sure all things are in order.”

Jess clicked at her device, dragging items into folders.

“Promise you won't go too hard on him. It's nice seeing him happy.”

“I'll try not to, Peter. I'll try.”

• • •

“Hey.”

“Hm?” Miguel stroked your back, his eyes fluttering open.

“The solace reached a hundred percent.”

“It was already there, but what makes you raise it all the way?”

“We're the neighbors who found it within each other.”

You felt the vibrations in Miguel's chest as you both huffed out a chuckle.

The light continues to glow; it continues to shine on the object that wants to be seen. He's able to sit up. 

But the strings can reconnect.

And the darkness can still swallow that light whole whenever it wants.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@ella-janehaven @prozacgooble @sanguwuxyoonbummy

[adanelahi9]

improve amazon search results

How to Improve Amazon Search Results: The Ultimate Guide to Ranking Higher and Selling More

If you're selling on Amazon and you're not showing up on the first page of search results, you're basically invisible. It’s harsh, but it’s the truth. Over 70% of Amazon customers never click past the first page. That means if your product isn’t ranking high, you're leaving serious money on the table.

Improving your Amazon search results isn’t just about throwing keywords into your listing and hoping for the best. It’s a full strategy that involves optimizing your listings, understanding the A9 algorithm, delivering great customer experiences, and constantly testing and refining your approach. Let’s break down how to actually improve your Amazon search rankings so you can drive more visibility, more clicks, and ultimately, more sales.

Understanding Amazon’s A9 Search Algorithm

Before diving into tactics, it’s important to understand the brain behind Amazon search—the A9 algorithm. Unlike Google, Amazon's algorithm is obsessed with one thing: sales. A9 wants to show products that are most likely to convert. It factors in relevance, performance, and customer satisfaction.

Here are the core elements the A9 algorithm looks at:

Keyword relevance (in titles, bullet points, and backend fields)

Conversion rate

Click-through rate (CTR)

Pricing competitiveness

Product availability (in-stock rate)

Fulfillment method (FBA > FBM, generally)

Customer reviews and ratings

Sales history and velocity

Now that we understand what Amazon values, let’s break down how to improve your rankings step-by-step.

1. Keyword Research is Non-Negotiable

Your first job is to figure out exactly what your customers are typing into the search bar. If you miss this, nothing else matters.

Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or Amazon’s own autocomplete to find high-volume, relevant keywords. Focus on both short-tail and long-tail keywords. Short-tail gets volume; long-tail converts better. You need both.

Once you have your keyword list, prioritize them by search volume and relevance. Don't chase keywords that bring traffic but not sales. You want buyers, not browsers.

2. Optimize Your Product Title

The product title is the most critical piece of real estate on your listing. Amazon heavily weights the title in its ranking algorithm, and it's also the first thing customers see.

A good product title should include:

Primary keyword

Brand name (if applicable)

Key features (size, quantity, material, color)

Use cases or value proposition

Keep it clean, readable, and keyword-rich without being spammy. Make sure your top keyword is close to the beginning.

3. Bullet Points that Sell and Rank

Amazon gives you five bullet points. Use them wisely. Don’t just list features—sell benefits. Think like your customer. Why should they care? How does your product make their life easier or better?

Also, sprinkle in secondary keywords here. Amazon indexes the bullet points, so they’re a great place to reinforce relevance without stuffing your title.

Make each bullet punchy. Use CAPS to start each point for clarity (like “DURABLE MATERIAL – Built to last through rough use”).

4. Compelling Product Description

While the product description has less weight in search ranking, it still matters—especially for conversion. This is where you tell your story, build trust, and seal the deal.

For sellers with Brand Registry, use A+ Content. It allows you to add visuals, branded modules, and comparison charts that enhance your listing and reduce bounce rates.

If you’re using plain text, keep it easy to scan. Use short paragraphs, and bold benefits where you can.

5. Use All Available Backend Search Terms

This is your secret weapon. Amazon lets you enter up to 250 bytes of backend keywords. Use them to add misspellings, synonyms, foreign language equivalents, or any relevant terms you couldn’t fit in the listing.

Don’t repeat words already in your title or bullets. Don’t include competitor brand names—it’s against policy. Use every character wisely.

6. Price Competitively

Amazon loves products that sell, and pricing is a huge part of that. If your price is way above your competition, your conversion rate drops, your rankings sink, and the A9 algorithm buries you.

Use tools like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to monitor historical pricing trends and make sure your pricing is realistic. Don’t race to the bottom, but make sure you’re in the competitive range.

7. Use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

FBA isn’t just convenient—it boosts your ranking. Why? Because Amazon trusts its own fulfillment. FBA listings get Prime eligibility, faster shipping, and better customer service.

Plus, it improves your chances of winning the Buy Box, which in turn increases conversions and drives more data to the A9 algorithm that your product performs well.

8. Get More and Better Reviews

Reviews are social proof. They’re also a key part of Amazon’s ranking logic. Products with more positive reviews rank higher—simple as that.

To increase your review count:

Use Amazon’s “Request a Review” button for every order

Enroll in the Amazon Vine program if eligible

Provide excellent customer service to avoid negative reviews

Follow up with customers via email (within Amazon’s TOS)

Don’t buy reviews. Amazon’s bots are smarter than that. One slip and your listing could be nuked.

9. Boost Click-Through Rate (CTR)

CTR is a ranking factor that many sellers overlook. If shoppers are seeing your product in search results but not clicking, Amazon sees that as a red flag.

To improve CTR:

Use high-quality main images with a clear white background

Add infographics or lifestyle images to show use

Make sure your title is clean and appealing

Price smartly

Use coupons or strike-through pricing to make the listing pop

The more clicks you get from search, the more Amazon rewards you with better placement.

10. Increase Conversion Rate

Amazon wants to make money. If your product converts well, Amazon will push it higher.

To boost conversions:

Offer multiple product images (at least 6-7)

Add video if possible

Answer customer questions quickly

Include a clear, benefit-driven product description

Keep your stock levels healthy

Use A+ Content to create a rich shopping experience

Every single detail matters. Don’t cut corners.

11. Run Amazon PPC Ads (Intelligently)

Paid ads can help you gain traction with keywords that are hard to rank for organically. But you need to play it smart.

Start with automatic campaigns to gather data, then move to manual campaigns where you target specific keywords.

Use Sponsored Products for visibility and Sponsored Brands if you have multiple products. Monitor your ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sales) and adjust bids based on performance.

The goal is to drive enough traffic and conversions that your organic rank starts rising. Once that happens, you can reduce ad spend and ride the organic wave.

12. Track, Test, and Optimize Regularly

Improving Amazon search results isn’t a one-and-done thing. The marketplace is dynamic, and your competition is adapting too.

Use tools like Helium 10’s Keyword Tracker or Jungle Scout’s Rank Tracker to monitor keyword positions. Run A/B tests on titles, images, and descriptions using Amazon’s Manage Your Experiments feature.

If something’s not working, change it. You have to stay hungry and data-driven.

13. Keep Inventory In Stock

Amazon will tank your ranking if you go out of stock. Even for a short period, your listing can drop off the radar.

Use inventory management software or alerts to stay ahead. If stock is running low, reduce ad spend to slow down sales and stretch your remaining units. Avoid stockouts like the plague.

14. Leverage External Traffic Sources

Amazon loves traffic, especially when it comes from outside its own platform. If you can drive traffic from Google, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or email, Amazon sees your listing as more valuable.

Use Amazon Attribution to track this traffic and its effect on sales. Combine influencer marketing, content marketing, and paid traffic to diversify your audience.

External traffic = more sales = better ranking.

15. Build Your Brand Authority

The long-term way to dominate Amazon search is to build a brand, not just push products. Brand Registry gives you access to A+ Content, Sponsored Brands, the Brand Story module, Amazon Storefronts, and more tools to improve conversion.

Customers remember brands. Brands build loyalty. Loyalty drives repeat sales. Amazon notices and rewards brands that customers trust.

Final Thoughts

Improving your Amazon search results isn’t about hacks or shortcuts. It’s about playing the long game with smart strategies that align with Amazon’s goals. If you help Amazon make more money by delivering great products that customers love, Amazon will help you get more visibility.

Nail your keyword research. Optimize your listings. Run smart ads. Get reviews the right way. And keep testing and adapting. The Amazon game is competitive, but with the right mindset and tools, you can absolutely climb to the top of the search results and stay there.

Want help optimizing your listings or running your ads? Let's talk strategy. What product are you selling right now?

[spirehubsoftwares]

How to Hire Dedicated Developers from India

India has become a global hub for providing quality and skilled developers, offering businesses the opportunity to hire dedicated developers at affordable rates. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, hiring skilled talent from India ensures access to expertise and cost-efficiency. If you’re looking to hire dedicated developers from India, here’s a simple guide to help you navigate the hiring process efficiently.

1. Why Hire Dedicated Developers from India?

Highly skilled talent: India produces a huge number of highly skilled tech professionals skillful in the latest technologies and programming languages.

Cost-effective solutions: Hiring developers from India can expressively reduce your development costs without compromising quality.

Time zone advantage: Indian developers can work round the clock, ensuring faster project completion with whole collaboration across time zones.

2. Describe Your project needs.

Before start your search, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your project requirements.

What technologies platform and skills/Experience are required?

What is the project scope, timeline and budget ?

Do you need a developer with niche expertise or a generalist?

3. Choose the Right Hiring process.

India offers several hiring process that cater to different business needs:

Hire Full-time developers: You can hire for full time for long-term projects.

Hire Part-time developers: Hire part time developer for smaller projects with small work.

Hire Hourly-based developers:  Hire projects wise or task wise flexibility in hours.

4. Discover the Right Developers

Hire through Freelance platforms: If you want to hire directly you can choose freelance platforms like Up work and Freelancer allow you to connect with skilled Indian developers.

Outsourcing with top companies: Several companies offer the ability to hire dedicated developers from India through outsourcing. This ensures expertise, quality control, and responsibility.

Job boards and LinkedIn: Influence professional networks to scout potential candidates.

5. Estimate Candidates Sensibly

Review portfolios: Check and review his/her previous projects and technical skills.

Conduct technical interviews: take a technical interview and check his/her expertise in relevant technologies.

Assess communication skills: Check his/her communication skill and Ensure the developer can collaborate effectively and understand your project needs.

6. Manage the Onboarding Process

Provide a clear project brief with text or graphics.

Set up collaboration tools like slack, linear, Jira, or Trello for effective communication.

Ensure all developers are aligned NDA with your project goals and deadlines.

Conclusion

If you are looking Hiring cost-effective dedicated developers from India is an excellent choice for businesses. By clearly defining project requirements, choosing the right hiring process, and sensibly evaluating skill candidates, you can ensure a smooth and successful collaboration with capable Indian developers.

[vlacas12]

Just a short text I wrote for the following prompt on r/WritingPrompts:

[WP] You hear the thundering of horses, and a cart comes to a stop in front of you. A knight in full armor calls down to you. "Get in, peasant, we're going questing." - u/reallygoodbee

"Where are we going to?", I asked. The knight, a fellow who introduced himself as Sir H. Morgan, only answered: "The land of Moder. A mystical place whose king is said to be the keeper of the Holy Grail." I've heard of it, of course. Every few years a knight would grab some young lads from the farms and take them to search for Moder. I doubted that most of them even expected to find it or come back at all. And a year later a relief party would be sent out in a cursory show of effort to look for them. Most weren't found. The few that managed to come back were either mad from what they've seen or only lived long enough to say a few heroic words and fall gracefully from their horses.

"What's your name?", Morgan asked me, interrupting my thoughts. "It's Clarence, Mylord." He nodded at that and concentrated on the horses again. "So, you're one of us now.", I heard someone say. I looked around in the dark interior of the cart, finding myself face to face with two young tramps like myself. "I am Richie and that's Eiwyn. We've been with Sir Morgan for a year or so now." I introduced myself again. "How is Sir Morgan as a master?", I asked. "He is okay. Not like certain others, who use their retinue as pawns to scout out possible danger or face a Pas d'armes for them."

Eiwyn spat out. "Like my buddy Darren. That bastard Sir Robin ordered him to challenge the tenans of Quinones 'couple of weeks ago. Got a mace o'er his head for the trouble. And then the 'glamorous' Sir Robin just trampled his killer with his warhorse. But he has bards singing tales about him, so the court and all the world think he is a hero."

"What did you have to face already?" Richie thought for a minute or so before answering. "There was that cult of druids four months ago. Wanted to sent us on a impossible quest. Something to do with fish. Sir Morgan had none of that and threatened the bunch of them. Asked them, how they would like it, if he came back with some more of his buddies and burn their forest down. They were suspiciously compliant after that. And there was the old bridge keeper at the gorge of eternal peril or something. He was so ecstatic over someone finally coming his way again after everyone used the scouted paths for the last two or three decades, that he didn't notice the ground ending under his feet. Didn't even get the chance to ask us his questions, the poor sap." He shook his head at the memory. "Well, better get some sleep. No point in wondering if you'll face a dragon or a rabbit come tomorrow. But I bet you one in a million that it'll be the rabbit. They're vicious little things." I really hoped we would get the dragon. But as everyone knows, it's rabbits nine times out of ten.

[learntechsolution]

Laravel Scout is a powerful package for adding full-text search capabilities to your Laravel application. When combined with Vue.js, you can create a seamless and responsive search experience for your users. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Laravel Scout with Vue.js for full-text search

[learntech-solution]

Laravel Scout is a powerful package for adding full-text search capabilities to your Laravel application. When combined with Vue.js, you can create a seamless and responsive search experience for your users. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Laravel Scout with Vue.js for full-text search

[learn-tech-solution]

Laravel Scout is a powerful package for adding full-text search capabilities to your Laravel application. When combined with Vue.js, you can create a seamless and responsive search experience for your users. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Laravel Scout with Vue.js for full-text search

[learn-techsolution]

Laravel Scout is a powerful package for adding full-text search capabilities to your Laravel application. When combined with Vue.js, you can create a seamless and responsive search experience for your users. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Laravel Scout with Vue.js for full-text search

[agried]

(tumblr deleted my previous attempted rb in the middle of this. welp. i'll start again. these are just the basics, there are other halloween events/limited time missions/sometimes co-op related events but i don't want to get into that unless you want to know)

OKAY take two. i don't know where guides are. there probably are some, likely on the english enstars wiki, but i learned how to navigate jpstars because i started in the english server which, while it isn't the exact same, still gives me a pretty good idea of how it works. so here i go.

here's my home menu! i hope it isn't unbearably grainy. it's got everything except my diamonds (also shortened to dia) on it. i changed the background and characters on it through the room button with the little chibi head on it on the top right- you can also change the bgm and character outfits there.

take note of the right side- that's where more of the important things are. there's some english text there.

story tab explains itself. if you open it there's like, 5 different things there, but basically the three tabs that have little red dots in my screenshot all have readable stories in them. if you read a chapter of a story for the first time, you get a dia for scouting with.

card tab lets you see what cards you have.

if you tap on a card you can see how far they are in level and in idol road. top button is level, bottom button is idol road. increasing either increases the ability of the card, which lets you get higher point scores in songs.

in the card tab, there's also a second tab on the left. that's. the archive? lounge? something like that. you put the cards you don't use in there, and if your card tab is too full new cards that you've scouted will go in the lounge automatically.

you can move cards from lounge and card tab by using the blue button on the bottom left.

scout tab is gacha. enough said.

live stage button. i don't know how much you've played, but since you're rank 9 that has to mean you've probably played the rhythm game part before. so i'll just let you know that there are sorting options at the bottom of the song play list.

leftmost lets you search by unit, high score, combo, and times played on the bottom when you click it. here's the english enstars version of the tab that pops up when you click it:

second to the left lets you choose what color of song you want to see in the list. second to the right sorts by all, favorites list, campaign songs (when there are no events going on, there are drop bonuses of exp tickets/certain gems in some songs), and songs with special difficulty. rightmost button puts you on a random song that is in the sorted list.

also, if you're trying to get idol gems, put the idol you're farming for as the solo of the song. they'll have a boosted chance of getting gems. if you go into a song and click the second tab, you should be able to select the solo, unless you're in a one-member group's song. here's an engstars version of how it looks.

there is also that 'live challenge' pop-up on top of the live stage button right now- that is a new special difficulty song that you can challenge and potentially get a title from. technically right now there are two new special difficulty songs in the live challenge but i play neither because i'm not a good rhythm gamer despite playing.

ensemble live button. that's enstars' co-op. it's just the rhythm game but now with more waiting (joking)

the office button takes you to your office. here's mine (jpstars is not my main, so it's sparse).

the bottom leftmost button tells you your office rank. the higher the level, the higher you can increase your department levels (accessed by the button next to it). these departments give benefits to your work and work tickets, but frankly jpstars idol work is a snail's crawl. i usually don't do it unless i'm farming an event (non-event idol work gives 250 event points)

the animal button takes you to a different office, one with animals. you get L$ from them. if you're curious, ask me more after you see this rb.

the shirt button lets you see what work outfits you can make for your idols. those outfits give more stats so you can clear idol work. the button to its right lets you see the base stats of your idols. if you finish an idol work, one member of the idols you've selected to do it will gain a stat point. to be able to start an idol work, you need to click the work button, select which work you want to do from the many lists, and have one of the orange work tickets. you can also use bp in it for more drops. those drops are like, thread, buttons, cloth and stickers, which are used to create outfits.

finally, the event button, the big ol one that currently has tatsumi's face on it. currently the event is over, but the past event was a song event, which gives a new song to the game to be able to challenge with 100 event passes. you get 10 event passes from using 1 bp, and 1 event pass from using 1 work ticket. using a single bp and clearing a live, you automatically get 2000 event points plus a number of event points based on your point score (or 'high score') from that specific song play. on a successful event song play, you get 10000 event points plus a number of event points based on your point score of that song play. you get your first copy of the event 5 star at 3.5 million event points.

i'm getting tired, so if you want to know more about the other main type of events, called tour events, ask me again later. hope this covered the basics for you. this took a while to type up lol so sorry if i sound dead inside, but i do hope you see this and enjoy your rhythm gaming

hello (JP) enstars fandom i need your help

i’ve been trying to get more into enstars lately but it has been a bit hard because i’m playing on the JP version and i don’t understand a single word of japanese

i’m pretty sure i shouldn’t be the only one in that case so i’m wondering if anyone had any tips about that because i can barely do anything ingame..

i follow event story through the enstars wiki but otherwise there are so much mechanics i don’t understand, i’ve been playing for almost 2 years now and i’m only lvl9

anyways, if anyone can share their knowledge or anything, please do (i also can’t find any guide online?? i’m probably stupid but yeah)

i need to farm crystals for rei and souma 😿

[codesolutionstuff]

Laravel Full Text Search with Scout

New Post has been published on https://www.codesolutionstuff.com/laravel-full-text-search-with-scout/

Laravel Full Text Search with Scout

Good day, artisans today We'll talk about the full-text scout search in Laravel 9. You will have learned how the scout elastic search functions from today's tutorial. Using the Laravel/Scout package, we'll acquire elastic search. Let's examine how to integrate elastic search into our Laravel

[mentalisttraceur-software]

Why/when/if you should use Emacs

Famous joke: "Emacs is a great operating system - shame it doesn't come with a good text editor."

I think this actually is the most productive way to view Emacs - as an operating system. It's got a GUI framework, which is text-centric but not limited to text. It's got a package manager. It's got a shell and a file manager. Just like Linux, every distro ships with vi, and if your distro doesn't ship with a full vim you can just install it (that's Emacs' Viper and Evil packages). It's got a sizeable "batteries included" standard library. Modern UX niceties, like fast interactive fuzzy search, are only a package install away. The pieces of functionality it provides are widely reusable - if you ever think "I wish I could use [that thing] when working with [this thing]", you can - at worst with some effort. It's got great built-in help and introspection.

Don't reach for Emacs when you want a better text editor. A lot of people swear by it as a text editor, but honestly, I think out-of-the-box it's a bad text editor for most people.

Reach for Emacs when you're tired of software preventing you from implementing the workflows and interfaces that are best for you, and you just need a force multiplier and reduction of barriers. In Emacs, practically everything can be customized, all with the one embedded language, and enough integration that your customizations aren't trapped like they so often are within single libraries, programs, running process instances, computers, and so on.

But reach for Emacs knowing that there will be a serious learning curve - a programming learning curve, not a text editor learning curve. Expect that you will not have the time, energy, and patience to make great use of it until one day you hit at critical mass of fluency with its innards. The first several times you give Emacs a serious try are scouting missions - try to move in but expect to move out.

Emacs is best thought of as a platform for crafting exactly the tools and experiences you want.

When you want to make a text editor which works best for you - or a shell, or a file manager, or a git porcelain, or terminal, or terminal multiplexer, or note-taking app, or e-mail client, or window manager, or [...], then Emacs is a pretty good tool for doing that - but not necessarily the best at any one of those jobs.

It's when you want to make several of those, and you want to put them together in an integrated way that also works best for you, and you want to minimize how much your efforts are frustrated or outright stopped by limitations and bugs in the software you're trying to reuse to get there - that's when Emacs is the best tool I've found.

[pedrito-friskito]

the way we were / the way we are - chapter 14 - nothing left for you

summary: Austria is beautiful, you stay out of Ultron’s way, and things take an unexpected turn.

warnings: angst, angst, and more angst

a/n: oh I remember writing this and ACHING I just want bucky to be happy

| series masterlist | main masterlist | ao3 |

Late the next morning, the team departs for the African Coast, and you’re ready to leave for Europe as soon as inhumanly possible.

The plan is a long-shot, and you know it. When you tell Steve, his face is nearly unreadable, but he gives you the go-ahead. “It’s a start,” he tells you.

Sam is hungover, but agreeable enough, and you nearly fall over when Tony hands you the keys to one of the Quinjets. “Just don’t make a mess of the seats, okay?”

You hug him hard in response. Then they’re gone, and so are you.

The flight to Austria is quiet, and you spend most of the ride studying the files again. You can feel Sam watching you out of the corner of his eye, but the look on his face is mostly of concern.

“What?”

“Nothin’,” he shrugs. “Steve just asked me to keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t think he meant literally.”

Sam’s brows raise. “Someone is touchy this morning.”

“Sorry,” you say, blowing out a breath. “I’m just…anxious.”

He goes quiet, just giving you a tight nod. It’s a few minutes before he speaks again. “You really think he remembers you? After…everything?”

You pull at your bare knuckle. Its become a nervous habit, of sorts.

“I do.”

+

When the Enhanced slips into his mind, shows him the dance hall in Brooklyn, Steve’s knees nearly give out.

The place is full, jammed with some faces he recognizes, others he doesn’t. A familiar song echoes through the hall, and as he walks through, his eyes land on two familiar figures on the dance floor.

He blinks, and a spotlight appears, illuminating the two of you. You’re smiling and laughing, as beautiful as you were the day you married Bucky. Steve remembers every detail, your pretty white dress, the gold rings you’d exchanged, the beaming grin that didn’t leave Buck’s face the whole day.

The two of you sway in the spotlight. Bucky holds your hand in his own, clasped to his chest, and there are easy smiles on both your faces.

You were perfectly matched, in every sense.

“Steve?” a familiar voice calls, and he turns to see Peggy Carter standing before him, dressed in blue, her lips painted a sinful red colour. “Are you ready for our dance?”

The music cuts off, and when Steve looks back, you and Bucky are gone.

“The war is over, Steve. We can go home. Imagine it!”

He turns back to Peggy, but she’s gone too. He spins on his heel. The dance hall is empty.

Something glints at him in the middle of the dance floor, and he runs over to it quickly.

There, in a small pile on the floor, sits a set of silver dog tags, and two golden rings.

+

Not long after the Quinjet touches down in Austria, a message comes through from Maria on your phone. News articles and videos, depicting the destruction caused by the Hulk and Iron Man in Johannesburg. They haven’t called for Banner’s arrest, is the message attached. Yet.

A text from Steve comes in a little while later, while you and Sam are canvassing the streets, searching for any clues, any signs, any trace of Bucky. Laying low. Any news?

Nothing yet, you type back. Heard you took a hit.

I’ll shake it off, is his only reply.

You start with a few of the safe houses, but each of them is empty. Completely. Not a book out of place, not a speck of dust shifted. After that, frustrated as anything, you and Sam make your way to where the HYDRA facility had once stood. It’s surrounded by forest now, but Steve had marked it perfectly on your map. You take a path through the trees on foot, while Sam scouts overhead, commenting multiple times that your revamp of the Falcon suit is much more comfortable than the army issue.

All that’s left of the facility is rubble, and Sam continues to scout while you pick through it, looking for anything Bucky might have left behind. If he was even here.

Sam keeps circling overhead, and you make your way to the tree line that circles where the facility once stood. “What exactly are you looking for here?” Sam asks, his voice loud through the com link in your ear. “What kind of sign would he have left you?”

You let out a sigh, bracing your hands against a tree. “I don’t know,” you respond finally, feeling defeated.

What if him leaving the tags behind was his way of saying goodbye? What if you’re wrong, and he doesn’t want to be found?

You spend a few days in Austria, using the safe houses to your advantage and keeping your eyes peeled. Vienna is beautiful – you’d always wanted to see it – and you and Sam wander the city, taking in the sights. Steve keeps you updated on the Ultron problem as best he can, and Tony checks in to make sure you’re keeping your distance. Seoul is far enough not to pose a threat, but when things start to turn sour in Sokovia, they both want you the hell out of dodge.

But you’re not ready to give up.

“I’m staying put,” you tell Tony. “If Ultron gets any closer, I’m gone, but I can’t leave. Not yet.”

Tony grumbles, but yields. “No sign of the hubby?”

“Goodbye, Tony. Be safe.”

It’s a few more days after that, and you watch most of the fight in Sokovia unfold over the news, Maria sharing updates when she has them. You nearly fall over when Fury shows up and saves the day, you and Sam watching everything unfold from the security feeds on your tablet. Steve checks in when they’ve returned to New York, mostly intact, and asks when you’ll be coming back. You’re still hesitant, but you’re half sure Sam is ready to throttle you for being so stubborn. So you promise to get on the Quinjet the next day.

You leave the safe house that night for a snack, heading for the little bodega around the corner you’ve been frequenting. Sam is already asleep, unsurprisingly; you’ve been quite the night owl lately. As soon as your hand twists the knob, a piece of paper slides through the crack beneath the door, hitting your boots. You wrench the door open, but there’s no one there.

You pick up the piece of paper; it’s folded in half, clearly torn from a book. The title of the book is printed on the front, and it makes your heart leap in your chest. You unfold the paper, and written inside is an address. Right there in Vienna.

+

You take a gun with you, just to be safe. Just a precaution, nothing more. You’ve gotten in the habit of having one on you, and the repulsor suit Tony had made for you wasn’t exactly inconspicuous. It didn’t fly, and it wasn’t fire engine red, but even still.

The address leads you to a bookstore in a quiet part of the city, the streets empty and silent. You can’t stop yourself from grinning. You pull your hood up, stuff your hands in your pockets, try to look as normal as possible. The few people that are on the sidewalk don’t really glance your way, and you kill time inspecting the display in the front window. You can’t make out any of the titles; you don’t speak German.

You’ve been standing there less than five minutes when a figure appears a few steps behind you, his face obscured in the reflection.

“You need to stop looking for me,” an all too familiar voice murmurs. “I’m not who I used to be. I’m not who you think I am.”

Bucky. You can feel the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

“You are. I know you are. I saw it in your eyes, that day in D.C., after you pulled Steve from the river.”

“After I shot you?”

You turn, slowly, carefully, like he’s a scared animal. He is, in a way. “You didn’t shoot me. That wasn’t you.”

“But I still did it.” Your heart breaks in your chest. He’s wearing a black jacket, a dark green shirt peeking out from underneath. There’s a hat on his head, the brim obscuring his eyes, and he’s got both hands stuffed in his pockets. For a moment, you’re mirror images of each other, holding the same stance, silently inspecting each other.

There’s a tingling in your fingers as you pull one hand from your pocket, lift it in the air between you. He flinches at first, and you pull back, your shoulders bumping the glass. But you watch as he pulls his (flesh) hand from his own pocket, reaches up and pulls the hat off his head. His hair is long, but half of it is tied up, tendrils brushing his shoulders and curling against the back of his neck.

And he’s…broad. Broader than you remember, broader that he’d looked in that assassin’s outfit back in Washington. The muscle on him is on par with Steve, and you have to stop yourself from reaching out and dragging your hand down his chest.

But what really gets you, is the eyes.

Blue fire.

“I know,” you say quietly, your voice shaking. You swallow, try again. “I know what they did to you.”

“How are you alive?” he asks, and it’s nearly unnoticeable, but he shuffles a few inches towards you.

You can’t look away from his face. You’re scared if you blink, he’ll disappear. “It’s a long story. I was asleep for a very long time.”

He looks confused, but accepts the answer. “How do I know that…that they didn’t send you?”

You blink, and then it dawns on you. HYDRA. “I’d offer you something that only you and I would know,” you say, choosing your words carefully, “but I don’t know what you remember.”

“You’re the only thing I remember so far. You and…” He trails off, brow creasing. “Him. Sort of. More you than him.”

“Steve.”

He nods. “Steve.”

You chew your lip for a moment, scouring your brain. Then it clicks. “The night before you shipped out, we went dancing. You asked me to look out for Steve – he was a lot…smaller back then – and I got mad that I was losing you to the war. And you told me that you-”

“I told you I wasn’t in the business of breaking my promises,” he finishes, closing the distance so you’re standing nearly toe to toe. His hand reaches for the one not in your pocket, and your fingers thread through each other easily. It steals the breath from your lungs. “Especially not to you. Never to you.”

Slowly, you pull your other hand from your pocket. You hesitate, hand hovering in the air, but he gives you a slight nod, and your palm cups his cheek, your thumb swiping across his skin. You can feel his jaw tense beneath your hand, but he doesn’t back away.

“You were the first thing that came back,” he murmurs, and it takes you a second to realize that your hands are shaking. “You were the only thing that stayed. Always. No matter what they did to me.” His hand tightens on yours. “What happened in D.C., I…”

Your thumb drops, brushing over his mouth, and you don’t miss the way his breath hitches in his throat. “It’s okay. It wasn’t you. I know that.”

“But it was,” he says, and you can see the pain in his eyes. But they’re still blue. He’s still him. “It’s like…I can’t explain it. He had control, he was pulling the trigger, and I had to watch.”

You nod slightly. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I learned how to defend myself.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” he says, and your chest pangs again. “Not from me. And I…I don’t know if I can control it. I don’t know if…he’ll come back. What if I’m not strong enough?”

You pull your hand from his grip, lift it to his face so you’re holding his head between your hands. His hair is just brushing your fingertips, and when you feel a hand on your hip, a zap of electricity zips down your spine. “You are strong enough. I know you are. You’re James Buchanan Barnes, I married you in the March of 1943. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved; the only man I will ever love. And I-”

“My name is Bucky,” he whispers.

Then he’s kissing you.

All at once, it’s like every nerve in your body is set alight, fireworks exploding behind your eyes. Seventy years, you realize, it’s been seventy years since you were last kissed. Since Bucky kissed you. Since he held you, since you felt his body against yours. Seventy years.

And yet, it feels like it was just yesterday.

His mouth is soft and warm against yours, and he tastes the same as you remember. The hand at your hip snakes around you, palm flattening at the small of your back and pushing your body into his. It pulls a quiet gasp from you, and he swallows the noise, tongue slipping between your lips, teeth nipping at your bottom lip. Your hands dive into his hair, nearly yanking it from the half bun it’s in and you can’t stop your hips from sliding against his.

It’s been seventy years.

He pulls back, both of you breathless, and his other hand braces against the window behind you, metal fist resting on the glass. It glints in the streetlights and catches your eye. You let go of his face with one hand, reach out and brush your fingers along the metal. It seems to react under your touch, the metal plates whirring and adjusting.

“Can…can I see it?” you ask, and you can see the muscle in his jaw twitch. “The arm.”

He nods, leans in and brushes his lips against yours for a moment. It’s sweet, fleeting, everything you’d been missing. “Not here.”

+

You walk through the streets of Vienna, and the entire way, Bucky refuses to let go of your hand. His skin is nearly clammy against yours, but you don’t care. You let him lead you, following him down back alleys and through empty streets. It’s nearly half an hour from the bookstore, but you don’t care. You’d follow him anywhere. lol l

The apartment he’s staying in clearly belongs to someone else. It makes sense, you realize; you’d been checking HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. safe houses, while Bucky had been hiding in plain sight. “They’re on vacation,” he supplies as he lets you inside. “I checked before I let myself in.”

You nod, glancing around the darkened space. “Smart.”

He’s cleared some space for himself in the living room, and there’s a pillow and a blanket spread across the floor, a large backpack sitting beside it. Ready to go at a moment’s notice, you realize. In case the wrong person comes looking.

He’s quiet as he locks the door behind you, pulls a heavy chest of drawers in front of it. Then he walks over to you, shrugs out of his jacket, and pulls his shirt over his head, tossing them both aside.

You inhale sharply, and press your fingers to your lips.

The arm is impressive, but you’re more preoccupied with the broad expanse of his body. There’s a smattering of hair across his chest, deep lines defining his stomach, and you can’t deny the desire that’s been building since he appeared at the bookstore. He’s…glorious, but your eyes are quickly drawn to the metal, where it’s implanted into his shoulder, and the scarring around the edges. They’re thick, angry scars, and your stomach falls into your feet when you realize…

They look like claw marks.

You remember what you and Steve had concluded, that day in the car.

It took twenty years to break him.

Bucky is silent, watching you look him over. His jaw is clenched, and his hands are fisted at his sides. Slowly, carefully, you take a step towards him, your hand lifting again. “Does it hurt?”

He shakes his head. “Not so much anymore. Sometimes, but not always.” His eyes dart from your lifted hand to your face and back again, then he reaches up with his flesh hand and takes your wrist. He tugs lightly on your arm, and presses your palm against his chest, right over his heart. Your fingertips just brush the metal plates, the scars ridged beneath your skin.

“I thought I lost you,” he murmurs, and you have to blink hard against the tears that spring in your eyes. “You were the only thing I remembered, but I thought you were gone.”

“So did I,” you admit, and he presses his lips to your forehead. “I thought I lost you too.”

“You still haven’t told me how you’re still here.”

Your hand flexes against his chest. “It’s a long story, but I…I went into the ice with Steve. I got the same serum he did, as it turns out, and it kept me alive. I was weak when I woke up again, but Tony found a solution. And here I am.”

Something in his face changes. “Tony?”

“Yeah,” you say with a nod. “Tony Stark.”

Bucky steps away from you, his gaze going dark, body moving out of your reach. “You have to go.”

You blink. “What?”

“You need to leave, Y/N,” he says, and it’s the first time you’ve heard him say your name in seventy years. “He can’t find me. Him or Steve.”

You’re confused as all hell, but the response is instant. “Then I won’t tell him,” you say, taking a step towards him. “I won’t tell Steve, or Tony. I won’t tell them where you are. Just let me stay. Let me stay here with you.”

“No.”

“We could leave,” you continue, and you can hear the pleading in your own voice. “We could just go, disappear, find some island in the middle of the ocean and just live.”

Bucky shakes his head, eyes looking past you, refusing to meet your own. “This isn’t the life I wanted for you,” he says.

Your jaw drops. “You think I wanted this? I wanted Brooklyn, in 1945. I wanted to go home and grow old with you. Instead I got seventy years on ice and you got…” You trail off, not sure what to call it.

“Don’t,” is all he says.

“I just want to be with you, Bucky. That’s all.”

He shakes his head. “It’s too dangerous. I could hurt you, or someone else could, and I-”

You cut him off. “I’m not some fragile little thing anymore. I’m just as strong as you are.”

“I can’t.”

“You can,” you throw back, “you’re just choosing not to.”

He shakes his head again, picks his shirt up off the floor and pulls it over his head. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then don’t make me leave.”

His eyes meet yours finally, blue and wet with tears. “I have to. Steve will…Steve will take care of you. I can’t.”

Your gaze hardens. “I can take care of myself.” It’s a losing battle, you realize. He’s not budging. “I won’t tell them where you are. But you should find a new place. It would be easy enough to trace me here. Tony knows how.”

He just nods, hand fisting at his sides once more.

Before you can say anything else, before you can throw yourself back into his arms and refuse to let go, you turn on your heel and stalk towards the door. You grab the drawers blocking the door with one hand, shove it to the side, and it topples over, slamming into the ground. You hear Bucky’s sharp inhale, but you don’t look over your shoulder. You can’t.

Sam is awake when you return to the safe house. “Where’d you disappear to?” he asks. “Find something?”

“No,” you reply instantly, shaking your head. “I didn’t find anything.”

—————

bucky barnes tags: @thomasthetankson @matchat3a @moonlarking @whosfrankie @ancientbeing10 @woomen23 @itwasthereaminuteago @williamjzanders @enchantingqueenkitten @minxsblog @a-zterisk @randomwords3000 @i-simp-much @loonymagizoologist @pariahsparadise @greeneyedblondie44 @dead-pool-simp @ruhro7 @alyona-romanova @mrssarahpaulsooonn @katiebby04 @wh0reforbucknasty @shadowzena43 @arson-tm @evanstanwhore @rosepetalsinwinter @december16-1991 @simplyjaana @boliv-jenta

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[spirehubsoftwares]

How to Hire Dedicated Developers from India.

India has become a global hub for providing quality and skilled developer, and offering all type of businesses to hire skilled and dedicated developers at affordable rates. If you’re looking hire dedicated developers from India, here’s a simple guide to help you navigate the hiring efficiently.

1. Why Hire Dedicated Developers from India?

Highly skilled talent: India produces a huge number of highly skilled tech professionals skillful in the latest technologies and programming languages.

Cost-effective solutions: Hiring developers from India can expressively reduce your development costs without compromising quality.

Time zone advantage: Indian developers can work round the clock, ensuring faster project completion with whole collaboration across time zones.

2. Describe Your project needs.

Before start your search, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your project requirements.

What technologies platform and skills/Experience are required?

What is the project scope, timeline and budget ?

Do you need a developer with niche expertise or a generalist?

3. Choose the Right Hiring process.

India offers several hiring process that cater to different business needs:

Hire Full-time developers: You can hire for full time for long-term projects.

Hire Part-time developers: Hire part time developer for smaller projects with small work.

Hire Hourly-based developers:  Hire projects wise or task wise flexibility in hours.

4. Discover the Right Developers

Hire through Freelance platforms: If you want to hire directly you can choose freelance platforms like Up work and Freelancer allow you to connect with skilled Indian developers.

Outsourcing with top companies: Several companies offer the ability to hire dedicated developers from India through outsourcing. This ensures expertise, quality control, and responsibility.

Job boards and LinkedIn: Influence professional networks to scout potential candidates.

5. Estimate Candidates Sensibly

Review portfolios: Check and review his/her previous projects and technical skills.

Conduct technical interviews: take a technical interview and check his/her expertise in relevant technologies.

Assess communication skills: Check his/her communication skill and Ensure the developer can collaborate effectively and understand your project needs.

6. Manage the Onboarding Process

Provide a clear project brief with text or graphics.

Set up collaboration tools like slack, linear, Jira, or Trello for effective communication.

Ensure all developers are aligned NDA with your project goals and deadlines.

Conclusion

If you are looking Hiring cost-effective dedicated developers from India is an excellent choice for businesses. By clearly defining project requirements, choosing the right hiring process, and sensibly evaluating skill candidates, you can ensure a smooth and successful collaboration with capable Indian developers.

[soopersara]

A Tale of Ice and Smoke: Podfic

After eighty-six years of war, a new Avatar is born into the Southern Water Tribe. Fourteen year later, Katara realizes the full extent of her powers when she finds a child with strangely familiar abilities frozen in an iceberg and a prince comes searching for her. Along with Sokka and Aang, she flees for the North Pole, and Zuko is never far behind.

Chapter 58: Reconnaissance

The whole group takes a trip on Appa to scout out Zhao’s approaching fleet.

Text & Audio | Audio Only