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[deja-you]

Starling: Act II

bucky barnes x reader

masterlist | series masterlist | previous part | next part

word count: 2.1k

summary: You don't mean to fall into a routine with the man down the hall, but somehow you do. Neither of you talks about it--and neither of you stops it, either.

You’ve slept in. 

It’s not unusual for you to do so, you usually work late shifts bartending at a bar a couple blocks away, and you prefer being awake during the quieter hours of the night (much like a certain neighbor of yours). So waking up around noon has become pretty standard for you. 

You open your door to find a mason jar of butternut squash soup and a candle labeled Emotional Intimacy and Other Lies. You know exactly who left it there, but you pick up the note and read it anyway.

For the wounded stray and her emotionally repressed soulmate. - Soraya

She’s written a postscript: P.S. Keller filed another noise complaint. 

You roll your eyes. Of course he did. 

Soraya is a kind woman in her late forties who lives with her partner and two dogs, and she has an awful habit of leaving soup on your doorstep every Sunday, often accompanied by candles she makes herself and sells on her Etsy shop called Wick’d Woman. You have an Etsy account under a false name where you secretly buy candles from her as a way to pay her back for her kindness. 

You’re opening up the candle to see what this one smells like when you hear the door handle on the apartment down the hall twist. Your eyes flick up to meet steel blue eyes and both of you pause for a second. He breaks eye contact to lock his door. 

Bucky walks by your door on his way out and pauses a couple feet away from you. He smells like old leather and something warm – like the space between clean laundry and a storm rolling in. Familiar, like something you won’t admit you missed. Like home, maybe, if that’s something you believed in. 

He eyes the note Soraya’s written out in her loud penmanship. 

“Soulmate?” He questions. 

You screw the lid back onto the candle. Soraya uses the same mason jars for her soup as she does for her candles. You make a mental note to see if you can taste any wax the next time you reheat the soup, or if you can smell any butternut squash the next time you light a candle. Either way, you remind yourself to clean out the mason jars and return them to her front door once you’ve finished your soup or burned through your candles. 

“She ships us. Aggressively,” you respond.

“What does that mean?”

A smile tugs at your lips. “Don’t worry about it, Grandpa.” 

He grumbles something under his breath and then he’s headed down the stairwell. 

-

You stare at the package on your counter–lightweight, padded envelope, no return address. You stare, and it doesn’t stare back… because it’s an inanimate object. You sigh and scoop it up, ripping it open with your keys.

Inside: three vacuum-sealed packs of tactical knife oil. 

You blink. 

No note. No context. Just violence in liquid form.

Two seconds later there’s a knock at your door. 

You open the door to find Bucky holding your crushed box of protein bars like it personally offended him.

“Yours,” he says.

You hold up the half-open package. “So’s this, I’m guessing?”

You exchange packages in silence.

“You don’t look like a double-fudge protein kind of guy,” you offer, just to twist the knife a little.

“You don’t look like you order mission-ready weapon lubricant in bulk.”

You blink.

“Okay, that’s fair.”

He looks back at you.

“I don’t understand how this happened.”

“Well, one of us has a federal record. I’m assuming you’ve cursed the USPS.”

“I didn’t–” he cuts himself off, eyes narrowing at you. “Why are you ordering this much protein?”

“Why are you oiling that many knives?”

“They need to stay sharp.”

“So do I.” 

A smile pulls at the corner of his mouth. He mutters thanks. You nod. The door shuts.

That’s the end of it. Except it’s not. 

Three days later, you’re crouched in the hallway with a bent screwdriver trying to realign a loose outlet plate. You’re muttering under your breath, swearing vengeance on the guy who installed it like he was being paid by the crooked angle. Your screwdriver is garbage.

The handle’s cracked, the head’s stripped, and honestly, you only keep it because it’s the one tool you haven’t lost in a move. You're crouched in the hallway prying a loose outlet cover back into place when you hear a familiar shuffle of footsteps behind you.

You don’t turn. You just say:

“If you're here to report me to building management again, take a number. Mr. Keller beat you to it.”

“I think Keller reports you in his dreams.”

You glance up. Bucky stands there, arms crossed, expression unreadable except for the faint twitch in his eyebrow. You hold up the screwdriver.

“This thing’s a tetanus lawsuit waiting to happen.”

“It’s got character.”

“It’s got a death wish.”

“So do I,” you shoot back.

He snorts—quiet, but there.

“Can I borrow it?”

You blink.

“What, the death wish?”

“The screwdriver.”

“You're gonna fix something?”

“I have skills,” he says flatly.

“Yeah. Brooding. Glowering. Now minor home repairs?”

He grabs the tool without dignifying that with a response.

Just then, Soraya’s door opens down the hall. She’s in pajama pants and a slouchy tee that says Manifest or Die Trying. Mug in hand.

She pauses, mug in hand, eyebrow already raised.

“Well, well. Sharing tools now. Domestic.”

“Soraya…” you warn.

“I just think it’s beautiful,” she says, unbothered. “What a meet-cute. I ship it.”

“It’s not a–”

“Say you’re cooking him something nice tonight. I’ll bring wine.”

“Please go away.”

Bucky mutters something under his breath and walks off, screwdriver in hand.

Soraya just sips her tea and says, “Told you. Soulmates.”

The screwdriver comes back the next day. Sort of.

It’s sitting on your doormat when you get home—no note, no announcement. The cracked handle is gone, replaced with black grip tape wrapped perfectly tight and trimmed flush.

You stare at it.

You don’t smile.

…you might smile.

A couple nights later, you cook. Door cracked open. Not for a reason. Just... open.

Yesterday you found a bag of groceries propped up against your door, no note, no explanation. If you didn’t know any better, they could have all been poisoned or there could have been a bomb at the bottom of the bag. But you do know better. And without any note, you know they were dropped off by your brooding neighbor down the hall. 

The playlist’s on. Your usual chaotic noise is blasting through the speakers. 

Halfway through chopping onions, you hear him.

Not footsteps. Just the hesitation of breath at the doorway.

You don’t look. You don’t say anything.

You stir the garlic into the pan.

Behind you, you hear him shift.

Then—

“You always leave your door open when you cook?”

“Nope.”

You don’t offer more. He doesn’t ask.

You keep cooking. He steps inside.

Quietly.

Like it might break if he moves too fast.

He leans on the counter. Watches.

“Is this what you always listen to?” He grumbles. 

Your eyes meet his and you raise an eyebrow. “You got a problem with that?”

He mutters something under his breath along the lines of kids these days. 

You roll your eyes at his comment, and if you add some Sam Cooke and Al Green to the queue later on that evening, neither of you mention it. You notice his fingers tap along subtlety to the more old school tunes. 

“Smells good,” he says, not quite looking at you.

“That’s the garlic. It does all the work.”

“I brought you groceries the other day,” he adds. “Thought I got too much.”

“You did. So I used them.”

“Figured.”

He leans on the counter. You pretend not to notice.

“Soraya’s still watching, you know.”

“Let her.”

You toss the pasta into the pan, and hand him a knife wordlessly and he picks up where you left off chopping the onions. He’s skilled with the knife, which doesn’t surprise you at all. 

“She’s not wrong, you know,” you say suddenly, not looking up.

“About what?”

You glance at him. Smirk a little.

“You are good with your hands.”

He stares.

You arch a brow.

He walks past you to grab two bowls from the cabinet like he’s done it a thousand times.

Neither of you mentions the door when it shuts softly behind him.

-

Dr. Raynor doesn't look up right away. She's flipping through her notepad, pen moving like she's more interested in the way silence makes Bucky squirm than whatever she’s actually writing.

“You mentioned her again.”

Bucky shifts in his chair. Crosses his arms. Uncrosses them. Leans back like he’s trying to disappear into the cheap faux-leather cushion.

“She’s just... around.”

Dr. Raynor hums like that’s the most fascinating thing she’s heard all week.

“Around like you let her in, or around like you haven’t figured out how to avoid her yet?”

He scowls at the wall. Avoids her gaze. His jaw works through the silence like he’s chewing on something too bitter to swallow.

“She’s... not nosy.”

Raynor glances up then, arching a brow.

“That’s a weird compliment, but okay.”

“She never asks questions,” he adds after a beat. Voice quieter now, rougher around the edges. “But she notices things.”

There’s something unspoken in that. Something he hasn’t quite figured out how to say out loud. Dr. Raynor sees it. She doesn’t press. Not yet.

“And you like that?”

He doesn’t answer right away.

Leans forward, elbows on knees, staring down at the threadbare patch in the rug beneath his boots.

“Yeah.”

It’s barely audible. Like it wasn’t meant for the room.

Dr. Raynor watches him for a long moment, then flips to a new page in her notebook.

She doesn’t ask again.

-

You’ve put off taking out the trash until a perfectly lovely rainstorm. It’s moments like these that make you rethink all your life decisions. It’s the kind of rain that soaks through clothes and makes the fire escape groan. 

Today your walls feel too close and your kitchen smells of burnt rice and you’re almost relieved to have the task of throwing out the trash to get you out of your apartment. You had considered grabbing the umbrella, but decided it would be more trouble than it was worth. Your hoodie is already damp and the slippers you swore you wouldn’t wear outside again are absorbing rainwater quickly. 

You step around the corner to throw out the trash. That’s when you meet his gaze. You both freeze. 

Bucky is in a black leather jacket, soaked. In one hand he holds a black pet carrier. 

Inside, a very unimpressed white cat. 

You stare at the cat. She stares back at you. She meows once. Indignantly. If a cat can even be that. 

Bucky is still frozen. Caught. He doesn’t flinch but his expression reads as deep resignation.

“Barnes, don’t tell me you stole that cat,” you say dryly. 

“She… followed me.” 

You eye the little folder of paperwork tucked beside the cat in the carrier, unconvinced. “In that carrier? With a microchip?” 

A beat. 

“...the shelter was slow with the paperwork,” he admits quietly. 

A small smile spreads across your face at his admission and you take this moment to step under the awning next to him. The rain drums overhead. Bucky wordlessly takes the bag of garbage from your hand with his free hand and effortlessly tosses it in the dumpster. 

You kneel to look into the carrier. The cat blinks at you. You blink back. She presses her face against the mesh and meows once, softly this time. You reach out and open the carrier slowly. Bucky doesn’t stop you. 

The cat pads out of the carrier, regal and unbothered, and winds around your ankles before climbing straight into your lap. 

Bucky scoffs in disbelief. “Traitor.” 

You meet his eyes with a grin. “She has excellent taste.” 

You’re petting her absentmindedly while Bucky watches with a grim sort of defeat. 

“You name her yet?”

“She’s white… so… Alpine.” 

“Alpine?”

“I’m not creative.”

You laugh softly. “Better than ‘Cat.’ Leagues ahead of most men.” 

Bucky hadn’t planned on adopting her. Not really. He saw her curled up alone at the shelter. Small. Overlooked. Something about it felt too familiar. He doesn’t say it out loud, but like usual, you seem to silently understand and accept it. You don’t mock him or overreact. 

Instead, you lift Alpine gently and place her against Bucky’s chest. She meows in protest. Bucky’s holding her awkwardly, like he’s afraid to be holding something so breakable. You open the back entrance for the two of them.

[from-memphis-with-love]

Just Because - an Elvis Presley oneshot

Synopsis: When she wrote Elvis Presley a letter so many years ago, she had no idea he'd become her destiny.

TW: None! This is a fluffy story about Elvis and his new bride on their wedding night. Enjoy <3

Las Vegas glittered outside the window of the Flamingo Hotel, a carnival of neon and promise. Inside suite 702, Elvis Presley turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open, standing back to let his bride enter first.

"Well, Mrs. Presley." Elvis dropped the room key on the side table and loosened his black tie. "Think we gave ‘em enough of a show?"

Lizzie kicked off her white satin heels, wiggling her toes against the plush carpet. Her wedding dress - a simple, elegant sheath - whispered around her ankles as she moved.

"If I had to smile for one more camera, my face might have cracked." She massaged her cheeks. "Pretty sure my jaw is permanently damaged."

"You looked beautiful the whole time," Elvis said. "Even when Senator Wilkins talked our ears off about his hunting dogs."

"I counted," Lizzie said, laughing. "Seventeen minutes about beagles. I timed it on your watch."

"Atta girl. Always paying attention to the details." Elvis shrugged off his tuxedo jacket and slung it over a chair.

The suite was extravagant even by Vegas standards - a sprawling living room with a crystal chandelier, plush white couches, and a panoramic view of the Strip. Flowers covered nearly every surface, congratulatory bouquets from friends, fans, and industry people. A table by the window held a pyramid of champagne bottles and gift boxes wrapped in silver and white.

"Did ya see who sent this?" Elvis called, holding up a bottle of champagne from the collection and wiggling his eyebrows. 

Lizzie unzipped her small suitcase on the king-sized bed. "If it's the one with the red ribbon, that's from Frank."

"Sinatra knows his champagne." Elvis studied the label. "Think we should save it?"

"For what?" Lizzie pulled out her nightclothes, neatly folded. "Another special occasion? Elvis, we just got married. I think this qualifies."

"Good point." He searched for glasses. "Although technically, we've been married for" - he checked his watch - "eight hours and twenty-two minutes. The special occasion ship might have sailed."

"Are you saying our wedding night isn't special?" Lizzie arched an eyebrow.

"I'm saying" - he popped the cork with practiced ease - "that every night with you is special, so we'd better start drinking now or we'll have a serious backlog of champagne."

Lizzie laughed, the sound warm and real in the artificial perfection of the suite. She turned back to her suitcase, unpacking with methodical precision. A sundress for tomorrow, toiletries, a dog-eared paperback.

As she lifted out a pale blue nightgown, something slipped from between the folds - a piece of faded pink stationery that fluttered to the carpet.

Elvis, crossing to hand her a glass of champagne, bent to pick it up.

"What's this?" He turned the worn paper over in his hand. His eyebrows lifted as he read the envelope. "Elizabeth Colasanti Presley." He whistled low. "Been practicing that name for a while, honey?"

Lizzie lunged across the bed. "Give me that!"

Elvis held it up, just out of reach. "September 1956," he read from the top corner. "Dear Elvis Presley." He looked at her with growing delight. "Is this what I think it is?"

"It's nothing." Her cheeks flushed pink. "Just something silly."

"Don’t look like nothing." He unfolded it carefully. "This paper's been folded and unfolded a hundred times."

"That's private." But there was no real fight in her voice.

"Not if it's addressed to me," Elvis countered, eyes twinkling. "Besides, what kind of secrets could my wife be keeping on our wedding night?"

He perched on the edge of the bed, smoothing the letter across his knee.

"'Dear Elvis Presley,'" he began, his voice in a singsong imitation of a young girl. "'I saw you on Ed Sullivan last Sunday. My daddy says you're corrupting the youth of America.'" Elvis glanced up. "Your daddy sure changed his tune."

"Keep reading." Lizzie hugged a pillow to her chest. "It gets worse."

"'I told him music that makes people feel something real can't be bad.'" Elvis paused. "That's pretty profound for a teenager."

"I had my moments."

"'When you sang "Don't Be Cruel," I felt like you were singing just to me-'"

"Oh God." Lizzie buried her face in the pillow. "Skip ahead."

He ignored her. "'My mama's been sick, and sometimes your songs are the only thing that makes the house feel normal. Like there's still good things in the world.'" His voice softened. "Lizzie..."

"I was sixteen," she said, her voice muffled by the pillow. "We found out mom had cancer that spring. It was a rough time."

Elvis continued reading: "'I know you'll never read this. But sometimes I imagine you're just a regular boy from Tennessee, not a star, and we might run into each other at a soda shop. You'd smile at me, and I'd finally work up the courage to tell you how your music makes even the bad days better.'"

His eyes moved down the page. "'I'm going to be somebody too someday. I'm saving up for design school. Maybe one day I'll make costumes for your movies, and you'll never know that the girl fixing your collar once wrote you this letter.'"

Elvis looked up at her, his expression soft with wonder. "'Yours truly, Elizabeth Colasanti.'"

For a moment, neither spoke. Then Elvis carefully refolded the letter.

"How long have you been carrying this around?" he asked.

"Since I wrote it." Lizzie lowered the pillow, her embarrassment fading. "It's my good luck charm. I take it whenever I'm starting something new. First day of design school, first apartment, first job..." She shrugged. "First marriage."

"You never mailed it."

"Of course not. Famous people don't read fan mail from nobody girls in Maryville."

"I read my fan mail." Elvis looked wounded.

"You read some fan mail. You get thousands of letters a week, Elvis."

"Still." He tapped the letter against his palm. "Funny how things work out."

"Funny strange or funny ha-ha?"

"Both." He nodded toward her suitcase. "You keeping anything else I should know about? Lock of my hair? Chewed gum?"

"Very funny." She snatched the letter back. "You know very well I didn't even talk to you until Blue Hawaii. I wasn't some obsessed fan."

"Blue Hawaii." A smile played at the corners of his mouth. "You never did give that handkerchief back. I kept waiting."

"You remembered that?" Lizzie looked genuinely surprised.

"’Course I did. It was my lucky one. Had Dodger embroider EP on it and everything."

She moved to her suitcase and carefully extracted a small fabric square from an inner pocket. "You mean this old thing?"

Elvis stared at the worn handkerchief. "You actually kept it? All this time?"

"It was my something blue today." She placed it in his palm. "I figured after the wedding I should finally return it."

His fingers closed around it. "Three years for a handkerchief to find its way home. That might be a record."

"I did try to return it the next day," Lizzie said. "But you were filming that beach scene-"

"-and you decided to keep it instead."

"I was going to mail it to you."

"Sure you were." He tucked the handkerchief into his pocket. "Hold that thought."

Elvis went to his suitcase, digging beneath his clothes until he pulled out a wooden box about the size of a cigar box. A small crown was burned into the top.

"What's that?" Lizzie asked.

"Just a little collection." He sat beside her on the bed and opened the lid. Inside were dozens of folded notes, ticket stubs, and small scraps of paper.

Lizzie picked up a faded receipt. On the back was her handwriting: Coffee, black. Two sugars. I noticed. She looked at him. "You kept this? It was just a coffee order."

"It was the first time anyone had paid attention to how I take my coffee without being told." He shrugged, almost embarrassed. "The little things matter."

She sifted through more papers. "There must be fifty notes in here."

"Fifty-seven." He didn't hesitate. "Including the one you left on my dressing room mirror after our first fight."

"Our first fight wasn't a fight," Lizzie protested. "It was a minor disagreement about your inability to be on time for anything."

"Sure felt like a fight. You didn't talk to me for three days."

"Two and a half." She picked up another note. "'Elvis - Dinner at 7. Not 7:05, not 7:15, and definitely not 7:45. Some of us respect punctuality. - LC.'"

He grinned. "You were so mad."

"You showed up at 8:30."

"But I brought flowers."

"Dead flowers. You left them in the car with the windows up. In August."

Elvis laughed, the deep, genuine laugh that so rarely made it to television or film. "I did, didn't I? God, you're the only woman I know who would've thrown them straight in the trash."

"I have standards."

"You certainly do." He nudged her shoulder. "Lucky for me, punctuality wasn't a deal-breaker."

Lizzie's fingers found a movie ticket stub. "Our first real date."

"Was that a date? I thought you were just taking pity on the poor ole lonely movie star."

"You asked me to go. You paid for the tickets. You bought me popcorn. That's the textbook definition of a date, Presley."

"Huh." He took the ticket, studied it. "Guess I've been dating you longer than I thought."

Her expression softened. "Remember what you said after the movie?"

"I said a lot of things. I was nervous."

"You said, 'It's nice seeing a movie without being in it.'"

"I meant it. That night..." He hesitated. "That was the first time in years I felt like a regular guy."

Lizzie picked up another scrap of paper. "What's this one?"

He glanced at it. "List of baby names."

"Baby names?" Her eyebrows shot up. "Whose baby names?"

"Yours and mine, someday." He took the paper gently. "You fell asleep in my trailer last year, and you were talking in your sleep. You said we'd have a daughter with hair like mine and your mother's eyes."

"I don't remember that."

"You wouldn't. You were out cold. Lettie Ann and Celie Jane, those were the names you said."

"And you wrote them down?" Lizzie looked at him with soft surprise.

"Told you. The little things matter." He touched her cheek. "You matter."

In that moment, Lizzie saw not the Hollywood draw or the magnetic presence that dominated every room, but the boy from Tupelo, Mississippi who'd once been as ordinary as she was. She leaned in and kissed him softly.

"Who would've thought?" she whispered against his lips. "The fan and the star."

"I'm not the star tonight." He kissed her back. "Tonight I'm just the luckiest man in Vegas."

"Now who's being profound?"

"Must be your influence." His smile faded to something more serious. "You know what's crazy? If the Colonel hadn't insisted on those sequined costumes for the charity show, and if the regular costume designer hadn't quit in a huff, and if they hadn't hired your boss as a replacement..."

"...and if I hadn't been assigned to your dressing room..."

"...we never would have met." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Thank God for small miracles."

The mmemory rushed back, vivid as yesterday:

The Blue Hawaii set, 1961. Lizzie sat in a corner of the costume tent, struggling with a torn Hawaiian shirt. Her first week as a junior costume assistant, and she was already drowning in a sea of alterations.

"Need that in five, Colasanti!" Mr. Hanson barked as he passed by, arms laden with garments.

"Yessir," she mumbled, jabbing the needle through the fabric with more force than necessary.

She'd been working since five that morning. Her fingers were sore, her back ached, and the humidity was making her hair curl in ways that defied professional appearance. But she wasn't about to complain. Jobs like this didn't fall into the laps of girls from Maryville who were seven credits short of a design school degree.

"You're new here." The voice came from behind her, casual as a Tennessee breeze.

Lizzie nearly stabbed herself with the needle. Elvis Presley stood not three feet away, wearing street clothes instead of his costume, twisting a ring over and over on his finger.

"Yes." She managed the single syllable. "First week."

"Tough break, getting stuck with the repair pile." He nodded toward the mountain of clothing beside her. "Hanson's got a reputation."

"He's just particular." She defended her boss automatically.

"That's a nice way of putting it." Elvis smiled, and it was different from his album covers. Even better in person. "You from back home? I can hear Tennessee."

"Maryville," she admitted. "Nothing special."

"I've played Maryville. Good people."

"I know. I was there." The words tumbled out before she could stop them. "At the Parkway Theater."

Something lit in his eyes. "No kidding?"

"You wouldn't remember." She bent her head back to her work, feeling foolish. "It was sold out."

"The Parkway's not that big." He leaned against the workbench. "Good acoustics, though."

"Need something, Mr. Presley?" Mr. Hanson emerged from the racks of costumes, his voice sharp.

"Just checking on my blue shirt for tomorrow." Elvis straightened. "The one with the palm trees."

"Being pressed as we speak. I'll have it delivered to your trailer within the hour."

"Thanks." But he made no move to leave. Instead, he watched as Lizzie fumbled with the needle, her hands suddenly clumsy under observation.

"Colasanti!" Hanson snapped. "That's the third time you've threaded that needle. Stop wasting time."

Lizzie's cheeks burned. The needle slipped again, and she pricked her finger. A bright bead of blood welled up, threatening to stain the pale fabric.

"My fault," Elvis said, stepping forward. "I was distracting her with questions."

Before anyone could react, he pulled a pale blue handkerchief from his pocket and gently pressed it to her finger.

"You'll want to use peroxide on that," he said to her, his voice quieter now. Then to Hanson: "Got any of those blue and green shirts for the backup dancers ready? I'd like to see one."

Hanson hurried off to find the requested items, leaving them momentarily alone.

"You didn't have to do that," Lizzie said.

"Do what?" Elvis winked. "Just looking out for the costume. Blood's hard to get out."

She tried to return the handkerchief, but he shook his head.

"Keep it for now. Might need it again in this place."

As he turned to go, she noticed the embroidered initials in the corner: EP.

"I'll return it," she called after him.

He glanced back, that half-smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "I'm counting on it."

But she never did.

"Earth to Lizzie." Elvis waved his hand in front of her face. "Where'd ya go?"

"Just thinking about that first day." She smoothed the handkerchief between her fingers. "You were kind to me when you didn't have to be."

"I'm always kind to pretty girls from Tennessee."

"Uh-huh." She rolled her eyes. "That's why you have such a sterling reputation."

"My reputation is greatly exaggerated." He sniffed with mock offense. "Unlike my talents."

"Modest, too."

"Never claimed to be modest." He gathered the scattered notes from the bedspread, returning them to the box. "Just talented."

Lizzie watched him, this man who now belonged to her in a way the teenage girl who wrote that fan letter could never have imagined. Not just the most famous man on the planet, but the man who kept handwritten notes and remembered her coffee order. Who'd asked her father's permission to marry her with the same nervousness as any other suitor.

"Hey." Elvis grabbed a sheet of hotel stationery from the desk. "We should write a new one."

"A new what?"

"A letter." He found a pen in the desk drawer. "To mark the occasion. Your letter brought you to me. Maybe this one..." He shrugged, suddenly self-conscious.

"Maybe this one what?" Lizzie prompted.

"Maybe this one carries us forward." He sat beside her, their shoulders touching. "I'll start."

He wrote a few lines, then passed the paper to her. Lizzie read silently: To my wife on our wedding night. I used to think fame was the best thing that would ever happen to me. Then I met a girl from Maryville, Tennessee. 

"Your turn," he said.

Lizzie took the pen, her handwriting a stark contrast to his bold scrawl. I used to think loving your music meant I knew you. Now I know that the real Elvis Presley talks in his sleep, can't match his socks to save his life, and makes me feel like the most important person in any room.

She passed it back. Elvis read her words and smiled. "I don't talk in my sleep."

"You absolutely do. Mostly about food."

"Lies and slander." But he was already writing again.

They passed the paper back and forth, adding lines, building something new together. Outside, the lights of Vegas continued their electric dance, but in suite 702, time seemed suspended.

I promise to cherish our quiet moments above all else - the ones where it's just us, with no cameras or crowds, Lizzie wrote.

I promise to always hear you, even when the noise of everything else gets too loud, Elvis added.

Lizzie finished the letter with a final line: I promise to keep every moment, good or difficult, like a note in a wooden box - safe, cherished, and ours alone.

She placed the pen down. "There. What do you think?"

Elvis read over their joint creation, his shoulder pressed against hers. "I think we write pretty well together, Mrs. Presley."

"It's strange, hearing that name." She turned to face him. "Good strange."

"I like how you say it." His voice dropped lower. "Like it's just another name, not something that comes with a whole lot of baggage."

"To me, it's just your name." She reached up to touch his face. "The name of the guy who saved my button-sewing career."

He laughed quietly. "Is that all I am to you? A career savior?"

"Among other things." The space between them had shrunk to almost nothing.

"What other things?" His eyes held hers, gentle but intent.

Instead of answering, she kissed him. This time, the kiss was honest, a little clumsy, and entirely theirs. His hand came up to cradle the back of her head, tender as if she might break.

When they pulled apart, the air between them had changed. Three years of knowing each other, of careful waiting, of building something real beneath the spotlight's glare - it all converged in this moment.

The truth was, they'd come close before. In the darkness of his car after late-night drives, in stolen moments between filming scenes, even once in her small apartment when a thunderstorm had knocked out the power. They'd explored each other in countless ways over these years, his hands and lips teaching her body things she'd never known to want. But they'd always stopped short of this final intimacy - this sacred line that Lizzie had determined to save for marriage.

"Lizzie." His voice was rough at the edges. "We don't have to-"

"I know." She smiled, though there was a slight tremble to her lips. "I want to."

A single tear slipped down her cheek before she could catch it.

"Hey." Elvis brushed it away with his thumb. "What's wrong?"

Lizzie took a shaky breath. "I've never done this before."

"I know, honey."

"But you have." It came out smaller than she intended, almost a question.

Elvis hesitated, then nodded. "I have."

Her eyes dropped, and something like a pout formed at the corner of her mouth.

"No, no." He tilted her face back up. "That's not a bad thing, Lizzie. It just means..." He paused, searching for the right words. "It means I know how to make it good for you. I'll show you."

"You'll show me?" The tension in her shoulders eased slightly.

"I'll be gentle," he promised. "We'll take it slow." His fingers traced the line of her jaw. "I want this to be something you remember for all the right reasons."

Lizzie nodded, leaning into his touch. "I trust you," she whispered, and the simple truth of those three words seemed to affect him deeply.

"I won't let you down." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Not in this. Not ever."

She moved closer, her nervousness giving way to curiosity. "Will it hurt?"

"Maybe a little," he admitted, honest even now. "But then it gets better. I promise."

"You'll tell me what to do?"

The hint of vulnerability in her question made his expression soften. "You don't need to do anything but be yourself. That's all I've ever wanted."

She nodded, drawing courage from his steadiness. 

With the same deliberate care he'd shown that first day with the handkerchief, Elvis reached out and turned off the bedside lamp. In the semidarkness, the neon lights of Vegas filtered through the curtains, painting patterns across the ceiling.

"Come here," he whispered, and she did.

The first hint of dawn was breaking when Lizzie stirred awake. For a moment, she was disoriented. Then she felt the weight of her husband’s arm around her waist, heard the steady rhythm of his breathing, and remembered: She was Mrs. Elvis Presley now. The thought made her smile.

"What're you smiling about?" Elvis's voice was husky with sleep, his eyes still closed.

"How do you know I'm smiling if your eyes are shut?"

"I can feel it. You radiate when you smile. Like a little sun."

"That's the corniest thing you've ever said to me."

"Give me a break. It's not even eight AM." He opened one eye. "And I stand by it."

She shifted to face him, studying the familiar lines of his face, softened now by the dim light and intimacy. "Did you ever imagine this? Back when I was just the costume girl with the bleeding finger?"

"Not exactly this." His thumb traced the curve of her shoulder. "But I knew I liked you a lot.”

"I was terrified of you."

"No you weren't." He grinned. "You're not scared of anything."

"I hid in the supply closet three times that first week when I saw you coming."

"Yet here you are."

"Here we are," she agreed.

Elvis reached over to the nightstand where their letter lay beside the wooden box. "One more for the collection."

He folded the paper with careful precision and opened the box. As he placed the letter inside, something in his expression shifted, grew serious.

"You know it’s not gonna be easy, right? Being married to... all this." He gestured vaguely, encompassing not just himself but everything his name entailed.

"I didn't sign up for easy." She propped herself up on one elbow. "I signed up for you.”

"There will be lies in the papers. Rumors. People who want pieces of me that I can only give to you."

"I know."

"Tours, movies, time apart."

"I know that too."

"So why'd you say yes?" His voice held genuine curiosity. "You could've had a normal life with a normal guy. White picket fence, Sunday dinners, no flashbulbs in your face."

Lizzie considered this. "Remember that song you did? 'Just Because'?"

"Sure."

"That's why." She settled back against the pillows. "Just because."

Elvis whistled, a sound that conveyed both surprise and pleasure. "I've heard a lot of answers to that question in interviews. That might be my favorite."

"Good." She yawned. "Now go back to sleep. We've got brunch with the guys at eleven, and you're impossible when you're tired."

"Yes, ma'am." He settled beside her, his arm finding its place around her waist again.

Just before sleep reclaimed him, he murmured, "Lizzie?"

"Hmm?"

"I just remembered. You've got another letter to write."

"What's that?"

"Thank you note to Ed Sullivan. For getting us together."

[joyousjoyfuljoyness]

Just learned about the new GPSR Compliance rules coming into effect in a week...

It's requiring anything sold and shipped to the EU to have the following:

Product Compliance

Ensure your products meet applicable EU safety standards (e.g., EN71 for toys or REACH for textiles).

They must also be safe under normal and foreseeable use, including proper testing and risk assessments.

Labeling Compliance

The following information must be included on the product or its packaging:

Your company name, address, and contact information.

Your EU Responsible Person's (EU RP) name, address, and contact information.

A product identifier (e.g., serial, model, or batch number).

Any applicable symbols, such as the CE Mark for toys.Safety warnings or instructions must be in the official language(s) of the EU country where the product is sold. For example, in France, all labelling must be in French. I've included more information regarding safety warnings/instructions and exemptions.

Self-Explanatory Products: Translations/Warnings Required?

Under the GPSR, self-explanatory products like books or candle holders may not require additional instructions or translations.

The key is whether the product's use and safety considerations are transparent to the average consumer without further explanation.

If so, the GPSR does not mandate additional instructions or translations.

Assessing each product individually to ensure compliance is essential. When in doubt, providing clear instructions in the appropriate language(s) is always a safe approach.

Appoint an EU Responsible Person (EU RP)

The EU RP acts as your legal representative in the EU. They are responsible for:

Holding compliance documentation (e.g., testing reports, technical files, declarations of conformity).

Ensuring labelling and documentation meet EU requirements.

Acting as the first point of contact for EU authorities if any compliance issues arise.

Yeah..... I can't comply with this, especially the appointing an EU Responsible Person. Really burdensome on most small businesses!

So I unfortunately had to turn off all shipment to the EU. Sigh.

[our-ftm-experience]

i wanted to ask- is trans tape packaging discreet?

I just checked and yes! "Your order will arrive in a plain brown box with a standard shipping label and the return address will read "TT" instead of "TransTape."" <-from the site

[homestuckconfession]

Why are you posting asks that are pro proship when one of your first rules is literally that you won't answer asks that are about Incest or pedophilia like???

People are discussing the actual content of Homestuck and its spinoffs and have a right to discuss all sides of it, including fandom reactions and discourse associated with it. What I don't intend to publish is people going "ong stridercest so hotzzzzzz" or "I love those creepy nsfw babysitting hiveswap fanfics so much". Commenting on fandom in general or offering opinions on reactions to stuff in fandom is not that.

Further, an admission to being "proship" is not the same as an admission to liking such things, as you may be surprised to learn that proship is about every relationship that is or has been demonized by the self-described "antiship" community on the same level (that being where the name came from), including things that are not implicitly abusive, such as "lesbian x man" (my personal introduction to the discourse--how many lesbians dated men before they found out they were gay?), "disabled character x abled character" (especially if the disability happens to be autism, I wish I was joking), and "what if they worked out their issues and lived happily ever after instead of being in a toxic relationship". I've even seen people say that interracial ships are inherently bad because fetishism or systemic racism creating a power imbalance or whatever. Not to mention the whole can of worms that's "terf antiship" which, as you might guess, works with the assumption that trans women are rapists and blasts ships accordingly. Anyone remember that anon who went around claiming Jade raped Rose on the basis that she had a penis?

Not to mention, as evidenced by all the messages I've gotten that are upset that HSBC might address incestuous abuse, the antiship discourse has warped how fandom analyzes media to the point that just talking about any kind of abuse, even in a negative light, is seen as being just as bad as glorifying it. I would say nobody in this discourse would survive watching Utena, but I learned recently that there's actually people who watched the show and, in response, spouted that it's evil proship BS because it portrayed pedophilia and incest in the process of sending a message that pedophilia and incest are bad. When you've seen stuff like that, it's hard to support the antiship cause, which often means you'll be considered proship by their standards. There's no in-between label for "sane about fiction", so you'd be lumped in with proship just for not aligning with antiship even if you're disgusted by glorification and fetishization of abuse.

Having once been wrapped up deep in shipping discourse myself, where I witnessed all of this first hand, I have a hard time making the assumption that everyone who says they're proship is those specific people who are out there beating themselves silly to incest and pedophilia. I mean, something like 80% of self-identified proshippers are kids barely old enough to use the internet, for crying out loud.

tl;dr: The topic is relevant because Homestuck made it relevant. Also, shipping discourse is a lot more nuanced than "people who have a fetish for pedophilia and incest vs people who think that's bad".

[jiveyuncle]

Hi omg!!!!! I just saw the book you posted for TNAHP and I am dying! It looks GLORIOUS!!!!! Turned out so beautiful binded like that! And the art is absolutely stunning, may I ask what company printed it? Like what shop did you use? I’ve wanted to print certain stories just for myself so badly over the years but there are so many places and I can’t decide and this is exactly what I’ve been looking for!!!!! 😍😍😍 thank you so much for sharing!

Hi, anon! Thank you! 💕 I was so happy getting to hold it and put it up on my shelf! Look!!! 😭💕

I want to preface everything I’m about to say with this: if you use a third party service to print any material (fics, art, art in fics, etc.) please, please, please reach out to the author/artist and get permission to use the service before printing! It doesn’t matter if someone else already has permission, make sure *you* have permission. Also consider if the art in the fic belongs to someone other than the writer (like if the work was a collaborative piece or if it features fanart of the fic) and get permission from them, too! You may have to wait for a response, or you may never get one (in which case, don’t print without permission), but it really is worth it to make sure the authors/artists feel comfortable and confident that they keep control over their own work.

This is the first service I’ve used, and I have no experience binding, so I’m just sharing what I did and what I noticed with my untrained eye.

First, the service I used is Barnes and Noble Press. Here’s a link:

You can make books publicly for sale or books strictly private for personal use. If printing fanfic, be certain that you are creating a “personal” print. It will appear like this in your projects section (note the “PERSONAL” banner above the cover art):

As you can see - the price is pretty decent as far as books go! After tax, shipping, and handling costs, this book turned out to be $21.82.

You can choose how you want to customize the materials your book is made up of. Different materials cost different amounts (i.e. printing color pages inside is going to increase your price a lot). If you don’t know where to start, here’s the preference settings I selected for my copy:

Now, understand that they are not editing your book for you - you’re still going to have to do all the formatting and arranging in a document yourself and designing your own cover (so be prepared to still spend a lot of time on this project). They simply print and physically put all the pieces together for you.

Lastly, I want to address quality. While this is far better quality than I could manage on my own, it’s still not 100% up to quality of most books I can purchase in a store. For comparison, I’ll show a couple side-by-side images of the fic print next to my favorite published book, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

Dust jacket: Feels great! Literally no complaints.

The hard cover: A bit cheaper feeling. Definitely noticeable difference with a printed visual texture instead of real texture. The printed texture creased and wore away to reveal the white beneath. It’s visible here after just a few openings of the book. Also, unfortunately, you cannot customize the hardcover under the dust jacket, so no spine labels and you’re stuck with this color blue:

Finally, my biggest concern, the binding of the pages: looks a lot more like a paperback that had its cover glued onto a hardcover than an actual standard hardcover. Again, I’m no expert and idk if that’s normal, what anything is called, or how this affects the lifespan of the book, but you can even see where the spine kinda hovers away from the hardcover casing and how that compares to the The Raven Boys.

Anyway, the service isn’t perfect, no, but it works for what I wanted, looks nice, is user friendly, and allows me to hold a fic I otherwise never would have had the opportunity to. I appreciate it for that.

Hope this was helpful! Print responsibly 😊

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT ECOMMERCE NEWS (INCLUDING ETSY), LATE JULY 2024

Things have been hectic so this is a long one update - all the Etsy and other ecommerce news from the past month, broken down for your convenience!

Next week could be a big Etsy news week, with the 2nd quarter report being released, and the mature items ban kicking in. I'm also working on analysis of the new Creativity Standards, but we may not have more substantial information on those until Etsy makes another move. Right now the categories are a mess, but that could change.

A reminder that you can receive more timely updates plus exclusive content - including live chats with me on select topics such as Etsy's new Creativity Standards - by supporting my Patreon: patreon.com/CindyLouWho2

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

The European Union is considering making packages valued under 150 euros subject to customs duties when entering the EU. This is widely seen as a way to reduce Shein and Temu orders. 

The Etsy Creativity Standards announced on July 9th have a lot going on; here is my short summary so far. [post by me on Patreon] While I would not worry too much about this just yet, I expect them to be more important in the near future.  Etsy adding "Made by", "Handpicked by" to every listing is currently full of errors, but more disturbingly, even when a seller points out these errors with arguments from the written policy, Etsy Support is sometimes insisting that the designations are correct. For example, original paintings are lumped in with AI designs and digital downloads. [Post by me on LinkedIn] 

Amazon is imposing new rules regarding on-time delivery rates (OTDR); sellers that do not meet the standard of 90% on time delivery will not be able to continue selling. Businesses are exempted if they use the following tools: Shipping Settings Automation, Automated handling time, and Amazon Buy Shipping. Amazon is allowing only 5 days after shipment for products to arrive within the US. You can read the announcement and vigorous forum discussion here, and EcommerceBytes did a summary of the changes and some complaints.

ETSY NEWS 

As Etsy's widespread ban on many adult-themed products is about to take effect on Monday, I considered why Etsy felt the need to take far more drastic steps than Amazon & eBay has in the same markets. [post by me on Tumblr] The upcoming ban started by getting media attention from Mashable, and quickly escalated to the New York Times [not a gift link; soft paywall]. Etsy is still not commenting on why they are doing this. From the NYT article: "Even before the ban, it was getting harder to run his business, Mr. Goldstein said. So, he thought, “Why don’t we just make our own marketplace?” This year, he started the website Spicerack as an independent alternative to Etsy. The online boutique already has about 75 sellers, which are vetted to make sure they’re not “dropshippers” or simultaneously listing products on e-commerce behemoths like AliExpress or Amazon. Mr. Goldstein said that Spicerack is in the process of adding about 100 more sellers, half of whom signed up when the Etsy ban was announced." From the BBC: “In many countries there is pressure on platforms, sometimes backed by new legislation, to do more to prevent under-18s from encountering explicit content, and to remove illegal or "harmful" content from their platforms. Payment processors are also increasingly wary of working with platforms that enable sex based commerce....those concerns could be addressed by more clearly labelling and separating adult product listings..." The Guardian interviewed a few sellers who are affected.

While Etsy previously stated that the new shop set-up fee would be $15 USD, they quietly changed that, to whatever they feel like charging. [post by me on Patreon]

In case you missed it, the new listing form seems to be triggering Etsy Ads campaigns to start without the seller’s knowledge. [post by me on LinkedIn] Since my post, there are still more reports of this happening, and even more. 

I regret to inform you that Etsy’s Search Analytics are going to disappear after August 14 [post by me on LinkedIn], per a banner on the page.

Canadian sellers will have to pay a 1.15% “Regulatory Operating Fee” on all of their sales income (including shipping and gift wrap) starting August 15. This is likely due to a new law taxing large ecommerce platforms 3% of their Canadian income, which came into effect June 28. The tax applies retroactively back to the beginning of 2022, so Etsy is likely overcharging us to cover those earlier amounts. 

Sellers having difficulties with the domestic pricing tool not working correctly may want to try these tips from an Etsy forum thread: Set the domestic price to the global price amount, save, and then go back in and change the domestic price to your preferred amount, then save again. This apparently works for both new and existing listings, but there are 3 drawbacks: 1) it is time-consuming, 2) it needs to be done any time a listing is changed/edited (including renewals), and 3) it doesn’t seem to work for France. (I don’t ship to France so I cannot test the last point.) Remember, if you have a sale go through for the wrong price, contact Etsy and demand to be compensated the difference. 

Still don’t believe that Etsy is serious about shipping on time? See this Reddit thread by a seller who ignored a 30-day warning, so all of their items were removed from search. From this screenshot, it appears their average order value was fairly high, but that doesn’t mean Etsy will tolerate late shipping from shops with cheaper items, so beware. 

Etsy is testing filtering out digital items from search results unless the terms match a digital item search. See Etsy forum threads here and also here. 

A new academic study calls out Etsy and other online marketplaces for allowing illegally-killed bats to be sold on their sites. “We refute any assertion that the online bat trade is ethical. Again, statements that bats were captive-bred are absurd—bat farms are nonexistent—and it would be impossible for suppliers to find bats that have died naturally in the kind of condition and numbers needed to supply an ornamental trade. These bats were hunted.” The New York Times has also now covered this story [soft paywall]. 

The virtual seller education event Etsy Up is scheduled for September 10. You can register here, but there is no program yet. Usually this event has almost nothing worthwhile for experienced shops, and Etsy generally uses it to push their paid services and integrations along with basic info. 

Etsy is looking for sellers to join their Advocacy program and “share your story”. Beware that sometimes Etsy’s “advocacy” is as much for Etsy as for its sellers, so they are looking for stories that fit Etsy’s own goals. 

The Etsy Design Awards have opened; the final date for submissions is August 8. 

Etsy’s second quarter results for 2024 will be released July 31.

ECOMMERCE NEWS (minus social media)

General

Shein and Temu are facing investigations under the EU’s Digital Services Act. “In a press release, the EU said it’s asking Shein and Temu for more information about measures they’ve taken to meet DSA obligations related to what’s known as “Notice and Action” mechanisms, which should allow users to notify the marketplaces of illegal products.It has also requested info related to the design of their online interfaces, which the pan-EU law mandates must not deceive or manipulate users, such as via so-called “dark patterns”.” Temu is also being sued by Arkansas for having an invasive app that is accused of harvesting data without user permissions. “According to the complaint, Temu is allegedly obscuring its unauthorized access to data through misleading terms of use and privacy policies that do not alert users to the full scope of data that the app can potentially collect. That includes not telling users about tracking granular locations for no defined purpose and collecting "even biometric information such as users’ fingerprints."

Amazon

Amazon now has an AI shopping “assistant” on its US app, called Rufus. “Customers can ask questions about products, comparisons and buying considerations. The AI can provide suggestions for specific tasks or projects.” As per usual with AI, “tests show Rufus doesn’t always provide accurate information.” A review from Marketplace Pulse notes that “Amazon’s AI assistant fails to help shoppers find the best product among the millions in the catalog. It transforms broad questions like “What are the best cycling gloves for winter?” into a few links to product searches — the same searches a shopper could have typed themselves. It refuses to make product recommendations, show specific products, or suggest from the thousands of options. It can’t directly answer the question, “What are the cheapest batteries for my TV remote?”

Any sellers who had items removed for being plants or seeds when they actually aren’t should follow the instructions linked to here to get the situation resolved. An Amazon employee warned sellers: “Please do not acknowledge the violations as these will result in the deactivation of your listings.” Affected businesses should instead appeal the flags.  

Amazon is planning a discount drop shipping from China section, widely seen to be competition to Temu and Shein. However, “[i]t is not clear if these shipments will be made using a U.S. trade provision that exempts individual packages worth less than $800 from U.S. customs duties.”

The European Commission has asked Amazon for more information on “recommender systems, ads transparency provisions and risk assessment measures.” 

Only 1% of US Amazon sellers also offer their items outside of North America. “Due to its proximity to the U.S., Canada has more successful sellers from the U.S. than Canada.” If you have a unique product, this could be an opportunity.  Amazon returns are creating huge workloads for UPS stores and other retailers that accept them. “Amazon “makes up about one-tenth of our profits, but it takes up about 90 percent of the working day,” said Jeremy Walker, a store associate who worked at a UPS Store near Dallas that received between 300 and 600 returns per day.”

Depop

After trying it out in the UK, Depop is removing selling fees for the United States, starting July 15. Payment processing fees still apply. “[B]buyers will now be charged a "marketplace fee" of up to 5% plus a fixed amount up to $1.”

An interview with Depop CEO Kruti Patel Goyal reveals they plan “to bring Depop to a bigger and broader audience over time.” 

eBay

eBay is slowly rolling out changes to the Active Listings page. 

eBay sellers can now get cash advance loans through Liberis, the balance of which gets paid as a percentage of the seller's sales. 

New sellers in the UK might see “automated feedback” on some of their orders, to "help [users] buy and sell with confidence". It will say "This seller successfully completed an order", and is removed once the actual buyer leaves feedback. 

Michaels MakerPlace

Abby Glassenberg reviews Michaels’ MakerPlace popups inside their retail stores. Results seem mixed.

Shopify

A few hundred thousand Shopify users may have had their names, addresses and other data put up for sale on July 3 after a breach. Shopify denies it had any security issues and claims the data came from a third-party app. There was a known data breach at Evolve Bank and Trust in June; that institution is a supporting partner for Shopify Balance. It does appear that Shopify is notifying the affected individuals.

Walmart Walmart is adding pre-owned collectibles to its marketplace. “Eligible categories include Toys (Figures, Dolls, Trains, Plushies, Games, LEGO, Funko, Diecast Cars & Hot Wheels); Media & Music (Movies, Vinyl, Music, SteelBooks, Musical Instruments & Entertainment Replicas); Trading Cards; Comic Books & Books; Sports Memorabilia; and Coins.”

All Other Marketplaces

Indiegogo is opening an ecommerce website for items created through crowdfunding campaigns on the platform, called IndieShop. 

Etsy-owned Reverb now has an “outlet” page, where businesses can sell off their overstock, seconds and out-of-date models for 20% off and free shipping. Most products sold through the main portion of Reverb are used, not new, so this competes with regular sellers. 

Not sure if selling on Faire is right for your business? Here’s a handmade-focussed review of the wholesale site.

Payment Processing

Klarna is now available through Adobe Commerce (previously Magento). 

Shipping

USPS rates for labels on most platforms went up July 1, ahead of the previously-announced July 14th increases. Ina Steiner re-posted the numbers from eBay and Pirate Ship. 

USPS released the addresses and other data of logged-in Informed Delivery users to Meta, LinkedIn and Snap. The company claims it didn’t know the data transfer was happening. 

The free USPS Priority medium shipping tubes are no longer being made, but you can still order existing stock. 

Royal Mail’s Tracked 28 & 48 are now available at post offices. 

UPS’s holiday surcharge rates for the US have been released; the lower surcharges start September 29th.

Shippo has new Canada Post rates from now until January, and the Tracked Packet rates to everywhere but the United States are cheaper than Etsy’s (which are based on Level 4 of Solutions for Small Business). Remember that Shippo makes you pay for a higher tier of service if you use over 30 labels per month.

[leportraitducadavre]

I don't know if you've written about it already, and if so you can just redirect me if you'd like, but there's obviously a lot of gay undertones to Naruto and Sasuke's relationship, and all the suggestive illustrations. How much of it do you think was consciously intentional by Kishimoto?

I'm sorry but what "clear undertones" are you referring to? Why does the friendship between two males have to be represented in a particular (usually Westernized) way so that it's not confused with romantic interest? It's prototyping homosexual romantic relationships so that they are labeled within a standard that the reader identifies them with.

It's perfectly fine to ship SNS if that's the desire of those who consume the manga, but to justify that choice on the premise that "Kishimoto planned it because there are clear indications of what I consider a homosexual romantic relationship to be" is dangerous (encapsulating homosexual relationships inside one specific dynamic diminishes the relevance of romantic LGTB+ bonds that do not develop on the same premise), and fetishizes same-gender relationships.

Kishimoto wrote similarly premised relationships throughout the manga, highlighting the relevance of having a "rivalry" between two people within shinobi culture, in that sense, Sasuke and Naruto are no different from other characters.

At the same time, this idea of a "romance clearly planned by the author" usually also hides the shipper's ideology that romantic love is intrinsically superior to any other kind, nullifying the relevance of other bonds that do not fall into this category. Sasuke is constantly relying on his love for his family to carry on throughout the manga, yet that bond is diminished by many SNS fans in order to give more relevance to his bond with Naruto. His friendship with the main character is also of incredible importance, yet somehow Sasuke considering Naruto his best friend isn't as relevant as him seeing him as a romantic partner, as that kind of bond is, to them, superior.

There is a huge market for queer products to enjoy within Japanese media and that is a much better place to explore such dynamics, as they are specifically designed to address such a demand. Seeking queer representation within products aimed at a largely cis-male, heteronormative audience encapsulates LGBT+ relationships under toxic and/or heteronormative codes and behaviors by stripping them of their self-identity and fetishizing their interactions in the process (here).

Furthermore, I've seen people questioning Kishimoto's own sexuality because "he's clearly a closeted gay as he wrote SNS" which destroys their whole stance as "LGTB+ supporters" because not only did they decide to publicly question the sexuality and "out" an author based on his fictional work, but also decided to lock same-gender relationships into a single dynamism, where the idea of "romance" is encapsulated in a largely antagonistic relationship with obsessive undertones. We call that "toxic" when it's a heterosexual relationship, so why wouldn't it be for a homosexual couple?

What exactly is different about that dynamic that allows an LGBT+ couple to explore the kind of bond that we consider toxic and unbalanced within a heterosexual relationship? Usually, many of these issues fall back on an internalized misogyny where, because women are usually inferior both physically and mentally to men, they cannot develop this kind of union in the same way that men can. The relationship remains equally toxic and dangerous for both parties, but because they now don't find a concrete visualization of this imbalance (because, again, they perceive women as inherently inferior to men), they do not regard it in this way.

As I've said, shipping SNS it's alright, I personally can't see any romantic dynamic to get behind in the manga (which is, again, a personal preference of mine as I don't think Kishimoto cared much for those types of bonds), finding queer subtext in media is a common practice and was born out of the need for representation of a minority within a highly repressive society; but to see it as the only valid reading of a product and justify the lack of canonization of the couple under the premise of "social homophobia" within a community that the shipper usually does not know anything about (such as Japan) is a dangerous and senseless practice. Even more so considering the well-known and mainstream Japanese Yaoi market that exists and could use more support.

I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude to you in any manner, but your ask allowed me to explore a difficult and important topic that I tried to address very carefully because I think that people got completely desensitized with and, in their attempt to become a "supporter", they fetishized LGTB+ relationships.

[wolfhidewinter]

I was wondering how does shipping work? I thought I read 10 pounds worldwide, but is that limited to some countries, or is it a case to case thing? I'm from south america and was considering ordering one to arrive on the usa when I visit for holiday, but if it's the same price, I might simply have it to my house. It does sound strange though that the fee stays the same, so I'm asking here

Hello, worldwide is anywhere outwith the UK or Europe. The shipping cost ranges anywhere from £7 - £11+ depending on the country I send it to as it's weight specific. Due to sending packages of varying weights and covering the costs of packaging materials and time, I made worldwide a blanket £10 which covers the vast majority of overseas countries. It would be too difficult to guesstimate per country the exact cost involved down to a tee due to parcels fluctuating depending on what products people buy. They all do fit in the 'large letter' category though across the board which starts the shipping at a higher amount. Hope that helps :) if you have any more questions feel free to ask! Edit: The USA for instance averages about £9.20 (if more than a book is bought), just for shipping, without including packaging etc ________________________________________________________ On the topic of shipping costs as this was totally new to me. Depending on the service you use here you have weight categories and the lowest (and cheapest) weight here caps out at 100g (the book weighs more than that lol), so I'm pushed into the next category which has an upper limit of 750g and a height of 1 inch on packages. They also add on costs for the type of delivery after you've worked out their base charge and the weight charge. I opted for heavy duty cardboard mailers because I know the postal service isn't overly kind in transit to things that look like they shouldn't be bent (which also adds extra weight). The absolute cheapest I can send things for would be via standard economy which is basically 'your parcel might arrive in the next 90 days, who knows'. I go for the higher cost for Standard delivery which has a 3-5 busines day aim for Europe and 6-7 days for the rest of the world. It's still often over this aim just due to backlog in certain countries and strikes etc. I know this is a lot of waffle for a simple question but I like to be as transparent as possible and also help people understand shipping processes :D This is just my personal experience with it so far this year. Also the packing process is done by meeee by myself. I have to manually take the info from the shop to open online address labels, fill in a spreadsheet with the items from the order to make sure everything is correct before I take it to the other room to pack it all, weigh each parcel, then come back to sort the postage and customs information for each order to make sure it satisfies a countries importing criteria. then I pay and print the labels and have to go back through to match them all up. And my favourite part is where I go stand in the post office and watch a grumpy af worker lament their frustration at having to scan and enter the post codes of each parcel cause of course I only exist to make their job harder.

[dhruvdymoindia]

Label fast, mail smart and look sharp with DYMO LW Labels

[mailscannedmediamail]

USPS Media Mail Guide: Shipping Educational Materials at Lower Costs

When it comes to shipping educational materials, textbooks, and other printed media, finding a cost-effective option is crucial. USPS Media Mail is an ideal solution for sending such items without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what USPS Media Mail is, its benefits, how to use it effectively, and important considerations to keep in mind.

What is USPS Media Mail?

USPS Media Mail is a specialized postal service designed specifically for sending educational materials and media at reduced rates. This service is offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and is particularly beneficial for shipping books, manuscripts, CDs, DVDs, and other educational materials. It provides a cost-effective alternative to standard shipping methods.

Benefits of Using USPS Media Mail

Cost Savings: Media Mail is significantly cheaper than other USPS services like Priority Mail or First-Class Mail. This makes it an excellent choice for bulk shipments or for businesses looking to reduce shipping costs.

Tracking and Delivery Confirmation: While Media Mail is an economical choice, it doesn’t skimp on essential features. USPS provides tracking and delivery confirmation options, ensuring you can monitor your shipment's progress from start to finish.

No Weight Limits: Unlike some shipping methods, Media Mail has no weight limit, which means you can send large quantities of educational materials without worrying about extra charges.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Media Mail rates, your shipment must meet specific criteria:

Content Restrictions: Media Mail can only be used for shipping educational materials such as books, manuscripts, sound recordings, and films. The content must be educational or informational. Items like advertisements, catalogs, and promotional material do not qualify.

Packaging Requirements: Ensure that your items are properly packaged. Media Mail packages should be securely wrapped to prevent damage during transit. It’s also important to label your shipment accurately to avoid delays or additional charges.

How to Use USPS Media Mail

Prepare Your Package: Start by securely packaging your items. Make sure the package is well-sealed and durable enough to withstand handling during transit. Use sturdy boxes or padded envelopes as needed.

Labeling: Clearly label your package with the recipient’s address and your return address. USPS Media Mail requires a specific address label and postage. You can print these labels using the USPS website or at your local post office.

Postage: Calculate the postage required for your shipment based on its weight and dimensions. USPS provides an online postage calculator to help you determine the correct postage amount.

Drop-off or Pickup: You can drop off your Media Mail packages at any USPS location. Alternatively, you can schedule a pickup if you have multiple packages or prefer the convenience of having your mail collected from your location.

Important Considerations

Delivery Time: Media Mail is a cost-effective option, but it can be slower compared to other shipping methods. Delivery times may vary based on the distance and volume of mail being processed. On average, Media Mail delivery takes 2 to 8 days.

Restricted Items: Ensure that your shipment meets all eligibility criteria for Media Mail. Items that do not qualify may incur additional charges or be returned to the sender.

Insurance and Tracking: While Media Mail includes tracking, you may want to consider additional insurance for valuable or fragile items. USPS offers insurance options that can be added to your Media Mail shipment for added peace of mind.

Conclusion

USPS Media Mail is a fantastic option for shipping educational materials and media at a lower cost. Its affordability, combined with reliable tracking and delivery confirmation, makes it an attractive choice for both individuals and businesses. By understanding the eligibility requirements, preparing your packages correctly, and considering important factors like delivery time and restricted items, you can make the most of this cost-effective shipping solution. For further information or assistance, visit the USPS website or contact your local post office.

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Mail Scanned Media Mail – ​​​Wix

[lostwithspace]

@galranrepard

@lostwithspace Danika tried her best to look convincing. Her eyes trained on the fellow blade. Judging by the bow rather than a salute she could tell that he probably wasn't in the military anymore. Luckily the fellow galran knew that he was an ally of the blades so the lieutenant commander didn't have to address that. "I see that. Looks like this ship could use some repairs. Nothing that our soldiers can't fix up while I come aboard to inspect your ship." She addressed being careful as not to alert the others of her true mission here. The blue, red, and white galra was short statured and curvy. However, she proudly held her form that athletically built to handle any dire situation. Hence why she was one of the few that ranked high in the Galra Empire. Without that and her wits she wouldn't have been able to keep her status nor be a member of the Blade of Marmora. Following her uncle's footsteps from fantasy to reality came with hard work and dedication. Danika ordered the few sentries and soldiers to help repair the smaller ship while she walked towards the entrance to where Rio was waiting. Once behind closed doors she could finally reveal her real intentions of coming to see her fellow blade brother. "So....why are you out here in this? Must be pretty serious if you have to go through an ion comet storm and have my commander bring me down to inspect on such short notice?" She noted. Her tail flicking behind her in agitation.

"The Moth has been through worse, but doesn't mean it handles well running into an ongoing storm without some preparations." The taller galra grumbled. "Just need to make sure the engineers get their work done properly to make sure I don't fly off with a landing gear still on the pad."

"I mean, it isn't a standard galra ship," he tried to correct himself infront of the higher ranked officer, "they may not know the proper ins and outs."

Rio escorted the officer up into the ship and to the entrance hall area, a utilitarian area with dim cool lighting around the edge.

To the left through two different arches was a connected bar and dining area. One room's wall lined with vending machines of various food options, tables with either chairs or benches were scattered across the floor, a bar with various spirits and drinks lined behind it and stools infront, all over looked by a window looking out the rear of the ship. The connecting room led to a more open area, a few tables lining around the outside, but with a pool table laying in the centre, and a few cabinet game machines near the hallway entrance

To the immediate right is an open doorway to a small shop, most shelves lined with general store inventory of food, drinks, non-standard amenities, but one corner has a collection of a few handmade or unique items from independent makers that Rio had obtained deals with. The back wall had a repurposed galran soldier droid with a shop keeper's apron wrapped around his front, standing next to a till and a small centre to send or receive packages.

Next to that entrance as a fourth door, closed, but stated to be "sleeping quarters" based on the painted label on the door.

Finally, across the entrance area from the large entrance that the gangplank was a more innocuous doorway, which if it wasn't currently open, would appear more of an outline on the wall. Beyond the opening lead to a more bare walkway, leading up to the upped side of the ship.

"Wait, don't you- Oh, of course, I guess with your own officer's club, my ship isn't as well known. I can't say what your commanders might be saying, but I was recently scheduled to come through for your crew." He gestured towards the few doors to either side.

"I'm part of a contract to offer some R&R to crew members on ships that don't get to stations or planet-sides too often, as a bit of escape. I'm here for a few rotations, your crew comes in, gets to drink, relax or stock up on some things they may not be able to get in their commissary. I also will take messages to the closest relays or delivery ports, have a bit of package deliveries if need be, or some can get a rest away from their cramped or crowded sleeping quarters." He listed it off very much in a fashion of someone who was sympathetic to some of those plights.

"I was expected," he put emphasis on that word with mild disgust, "but there was no warning message sent about the storm. Coming in from hyperspace into that rattled us up a bit. I do have a delivery to make here as well, Command sent me with parts for some upgrades, but I'm not sure if that's worth an immediate inspection unless there's a Blade to your throat."

Rio looked around a bit, and gave Danika a questioning look but went on with a professional tone. "Where did you want to start first? The flight deck and my quarters are up front where you can access the engines as well, I have the area back here, and the cargo hold down below."

[f-shipping]

Top 4 Ways To Save Time and Money Through Proper Packaging at Logistics Services In Dubai

It is more crucial than ever to reduce company expenses since prices are rising as a result of inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages. By using the right packing strategies, suppliers and retailers withlogistics services in Dubai may guarantee increased cost and time efficiency. Here are four quick ways that altering how you package your shipments might help you save time and money.

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE, PROTECT CONTENTS

When planning your supply chain, packaging is sometimes disregarded. But it plays a crucial role in maintaining both customer happiness and a sustainable profit margin. Your chances of receiving a damaged or delayed cargo, which is expensive for you and invariably results in lower customer satisfaction, are reduced if you package your shipments correctly and quickly. 

There are a few strategies to make sure your packages are correctly wrapped, including:

Not leaving any voids in your packaging. Empty space is an ineffective use of space and can allow items to move during travel, harming them.

Always position the object in the box's center, leaving about 6 cm between it and the side walls.

Shipping many items inside of a bigger product using separators for increased efficiency.

Use a strong seal to shield the package from weather (moisture) damage. Additionally, this will assist guard against the loss of items in transit.

Invest in good shrink wrap, and fasten items with care. 

DECREASE THE WEIGHT

During the logistics services in Dubai weight and breakage frequently go hand in one. The number of pallets required per truck may be calculated with the aid of the appropriate weight for the various shipments. Some strategies for lightening your shipments and improving their effectiveness include:

Obtaining precise measurements through the use of vendor boxes, packaging that is standard size, or choose and pack in boxes for different sizes. By selecting the proper sizes, you may comply with regulations and avoid any carrier fines. 

Using lightweight or weight-efficient packing to reduce shipping expenses.

Using well-designed packaging can make moving your packing easier and preserve your inventory more effectively (for example, when packaging is piled on top of one another during transit).

SIMPLIFY PACKAGING

Businesses frequently utilize the same size package types for a variety of shipments to streamline the process during logistics services in Dubai. Although this appears to be a terrific approach to streamline and improve your shipping process, you could be missing out on longer-term cost reductions that are more significant. 

Dimensional weight pricing is one strategy for lowering weight and dunnage. This pricing strategy refers to setting a package's price based on volume as opposed to size. This might assist you in selecting the appropriate-sized box for your product and lowering your shipping expenses as a whole.

PROPERLY LABEL YOUR SHIPMENTS 

This is a crucial step in the procedure to lower claims, lower the number of missing shipments, and much more. Correct labeling guarantees that the contents, destination, etc., are accurately documented. You may appropriately label your shipments in the manner listed below:

Using high-quality label materials produced on industrial/commercial printers, clearly identify the sender and recipient addresses on the contents of the box.

Place the label where it belongs on your packaging. Never place the label for an LTL shipment on top of a pallet; always place it on the sides.

For tracking and visibility purposes, make sure the tracking number is distinct and apparent.

Utilizing a third-party logistics provider (3PL) like Focal Shipping might help you improve the efficiency of your shipping process given the number of variables to take into account. Call or stop by Focal Shipping to find out how we can assist you in choosing the best packaging options for your shipments so that you may improve revenue, satisfy customers, and save time.

[exponentialjest]

My daylight job is part of the legs of the shipping process but I don't want to get specific.

I see a lot of people who hate the post office because they had a package get lost or something came really late.

I don't think people fully realize that their mail carrier is also making last leg delivery for a lot of the carriers. If you ever get a shipping label that has multiple shipping companies listed or isn't really clear who's carrying it, it's usually has the USPS somewhere in it's journey.

Amazon contracts the USPS for a bunch of last-leg shipments because they are they only way to get them in rural areas. By last-leg, I mean that usually these will get sorted to the nearest regional facility for th carrier before it's passed off to the USPS for the last sorting and delivery.

They make it look like they work more with UPS but, frankly, they are just using UPS for package drop offs and returns. This could lead me into a whole other rant about QR codes and rural communities but not today.

They also have way more Amazon delivery drivers out now but in my rural ass area, we get both their drivers and USPS last-leg.

What I'm saying is that corporate America has already been leeching on USPS for a while. That's why the service has been bogged down like this for several years. Every USPS worker I interact with is tired and overworked.

And maybe this is a little bit of reach but these maga fucks have already poisoned like 75% of social media platforms. Seems like now their also going after the old ways of communicating with each other.

Like, you can send someone a postcard anywhere in the US for about $0.60 if you use a postcard stamp. You can get something like 80lbs-100lbs index cardstock, standard 8.5"x11", and split it into equal quarters. You could also do this with A4, if you have that, for some reason. Congrats, you now have 4 blank postcards that are the right proportions for a postcard stamp, which is far cheaper than an forever stamp.

Stamp goes in the right top corner; the recipients address goes in the middle but can be the middle left if you need space; Your return address (optional) goes in the top left corner.

Sure, the internet is free, but I am already seeing homemade postcards like this being sent to politicians. I've seen them going through the EDDM system to carpet neighborhoods.

Don't you think that's part of why they're targeting the post office?

Next time you're around when the mail gets delivered, ask your delivery person if they're understaffed or not.

But don't hold them up too much, they have a lot of work to do.

[aslahmoblog]

Top Industrial Packaging Companies in UAE: Supporting Logistics, Manufacturing & Oil & Gas Growth

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rapidly evolved into one of the leading industrial and trade hubs globally. With its strategic location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and robust industrial development, the country has seen a growing demand for dependable and innovative packaging services. This demand has paved the way for the rise of the top industrial packaging companies in UAE, which play a crucial role in ensuring seamless operations across logistics, manufacturing, and oil & gas sectors.

             In this article, we explore the key packaging services these companies offer, their benefits, and why they are integral to the region’s supply chain efficiency.

Understanding the Importance of Industrial Packaging

Industrial packaging goes beyond simple boxing or crating. It involves designing customized, heavy-duty, and secure packaging solutions that can withstand long-distance transport, extreme temperatures, and handling by heavy equipment. The industrial packaging UAE market addresses various needs, from corrosion prevention and export compliance to shock absorption and hazardous goods safety.

Types of Packaging Services Offered in UAE

1. Wooden Crates and Pallets

These are the most common forms of export packaging used for machinery, automotive parts, and fragile industrial items. Wooden packaging is strong, reusable, and complies with international standards like ISPM-15, which is essential for global shipping.

2. Vacuum Packing and VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor)

Industries such as oil & gas and marine rely on vacuum-sealed and VCI packaging to protect sensitive equipment and metals from moisture and corrosion, especially during storage or sea freight.

3. Shrink Wrapping and Stretch Film Wrapping

These are lightweight packaging solutions ideal for securing items on pallets and protecting goods from dust and minor abrasions. They are widely used in the logistics and manufacturing sectors.

4. Dangerous Goods (DG) Packing

Certain UAE packaging companies specialize in packing hazardous and sensitive materials under IATA, IMDG, and ADR guidelines. This ensures safety and compliance during international and inter-emirate transport.

5. Heavy-Duty Custom Crating

In sectors like oil & gas or aerospace, customized crates are built to transport oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped items safely. These crates are often reinforced with steel or shock-proof padding.

Impact on the UAE Logistics Sector

The UAE’s logistics sector, which includes global players and regional giants, depends heavily on logistic packaging services in UAE. Proper packaging reduces damage rates, improves warehousing and handling efficiency, and ensures cargo safety throughout long-distance shipping routes—from Jebel Ali Port to international destinations.

Packaging companies offer on-site packing, load securing, and labeling services that help logistics businesses meet international regulations and minimize cargo rejection.

Boosting Manufacturing Efficiency

With Dubai Industrial City and Abu Dhabi’s ICAD zones flourishing, manufacturers are constantly looking for packing solutions in UAE that are fast, reliable, and budget-friendly. Industrial packaging companies offer scalable packaging services suitable for high-volume operations, ensuring consistency and protection across supply chains.

From machinery components to consumer electronics, everything is professionally packed to avoid transit damage and ensure customer satisfaction.

Support for the Oil & Gas Industry

The oil & gas industry in the UAE requires top-tier packaging to move specialized equipment, drilling machinery, and pressure-sensitive components. Leading packing services companies in UAE design rugged packaging that withstands vibration, impact, and temperature fluctuations—critical for desert and offshore environments.

Their services include:

VCI and anti-rust solutions

Shock-proof and moisture-controlled packaging

Hazardous goods handling and labeling

Why Choose Professional Packing Services in UAE?

Here are the reasons why UAE businesses are opting for professional packing services UAE:

Compliance with international export laws (e.g., ISPM-15)

Reduced product damage and loss

Enhanced brand reputation through neat, branded packaging

Efficient space utilization in containers and warehouses

Faster customs clearance

As industrial demand grows in the Emirates, choosing the right packaging partner becomes more than a logistics decision—it’s a strategic business move. The top industrial packaging companies in UAE are vital players supporting the smooth operations of logistics, manufacturing, and oil & gas sectors.

By investing in quality industrial packaging solutions, UAE businesses can ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, and a competitive edge in the global marketplace.