#doing a unit. on fractions. and times tables.

[thatoneluckybee]

chat how do i remember basic skills from 3rd grade

[beloveds-embrace]

🕸️ anon

ok but omegaveese au…being placed with graves and shadow company after brass rolls out an initiative that requires omegas to be fully integrated into pack life (not just on paper to get by the red tape), everything seems fine but there’s always an undercurrent of false niceties and lack of trust and connection with anyone, tensions rising because no one is successful in trying to have a breakthrough with you, being thrown out with barely any warning, the ink on the paperwork still drying, brass scrambling to fix the fuck up and preventing the potential shitstorm that would occur if people hear about an omega in the ranks without a pack attached, (all of this, however, happens at the expense of your emotional, physical, and mental well-being) getting filtered from pack to pack with nothing lasting long enough to stick, filtering from place to place, having no stability or solid ground beneath your feet, and as much an those around you try, it’s just not enough to even start to put yourself back together, and everything just feels wrong, withering away under the scrutiny and stares, doing your job because you’d be damned to let all the years go to waste and it’s the only thing keeping you sane, and still every other aspect of you is just shy of shattering under the stress. being put with a pack that has to work in proximity to the 141, the boys just observing how shit everyone treats you, how they don’t care enough to see this hollow thing you’ve become. they don’t understand how anyone can watch you waste away, prominent bruising showing during sparring practice, never taking food from the mess, not initiating or accepting much physical contact with anyone, spending time holed up in nigh impossible places to get away from everything even after grueling mission, in their eyes that just won’t do, and they’ll do anything to make you see how worth it you are

This is sooo good omfg?? Bless you 🕸️ anon you are a godsend 😩😩💕

They noticed you immediately.

Not because you demanded attention- no, you did the opposite. You wove through the world like smoke, curling into the cracks, slipping beneath notice, existing on the fringes of your so-called pack without ever being part of it.

But they had sharp eyes. And what they saw made something cold settle in their bones.

At first glance, you were exactly what the brass wanted- an Omega fully integrated into a pack. You wore their insignia, stood in formation, obeyed orders with the quiet efficiency of someone who had long since stopped expecting praise. But beneath the surface, nothing was right.

Because packs were supposed to be loud. Not specifically in sound, but in presence. In the way they hovered, protected, scent-marked, ensured their Omega never felt alone. Yet there you were- untouched, unscented, unclaimed. A specter in your own unit, barely acknowledged unless duty required it.

Ghost noticed first; he was trained to see the details others missed, a sniper even off-field: the way your movements were a fraction too slow after a hard hit, how your bruises lingered longer than they should, how no one ever came to your side to check in, to scent-mark, to ensure you healed. The way you picked yourself up every time, shoulders squared, face blank, moving forward as if pain was just another part of your uniform. As if it was something you’d long since grown to accept.

Soap noticed next.

It was the mess hall that gave you away. Not once did you take a tray. Not once did you join your packmates at a table, and not once did they bother checking on you. Instead, you lingered at the edges, offering nods in place of conversation, taking a seat only when necessary. And when you thought no one was looking? You left, empty-handed, disappearing before anyone could call attention to it.

Not like anyone in your supposed pack would have called attention to it, even if they’d seen it.

Gaz noticed in the downtime next.

You never relaxed, even after grueling missions. The others settled into easy camaraderie, laughing, scent-marking, reinforcing bonds that had been built over time. But you? You vanished, slipping away like an afterthought, retreating to places no Omega should have to seek out for comfort- storage rooms, dark corners, anywhere that allowed you to fold in on yourself, away from the world.

He hated how no one even put a sliver of attempt to pull you close.

Price, thus, saw everything.

He saw the way your scent never settled- how it wavered, thin and diluted, as if your body refused to attach itself to a place that was never home. He saw the careful neutrality in your expression, the polite, distant way you spoke to your packmates, as if keeping them at arm’s length was the only thing keeping you safe.

It doesn’t take long to dig up the truth.

Brass fucked up.

This was supposed to be a new era. One where Omegas weren’t just names on a roster, weren’t just passed around for paperwork’s sake. They were supposed to be integrated, bonded, wanted. But no one had accounted for what happened when it didn’t work.

What happened when an Omega never fit; when a pack saw them as an obligation rather than a need.

When the brass, in their infinite wisdom, decided to solve the problem by shuffling you around like spare parts. Filtered from unit to unit, never long enough to settle, never given the chance to belong.

And worst of all? You’d adapted.

Not by fighting, not by demanding more. But by shrinking, folding in on yourself until you were nothing but the quiet echo of what an Omega in a safe, happy pack was supposed to be.

Just there.

The pack that surrounded you now- they didn’t even see it. Didn’t even try to see it. Didn’t see the way you moved like something brittle, your frame wiry with stress, dark circles permanent beneath your eyes. Didn’t notice how you flinched away from casual touches, how you never leaned into their space, never initiated anything that would suggest you trusted them.

And the worst part?

They didn’t care enough to fix it.

They let you waste away in silence, let you wither under scrutiny, let you fight battles alone that no one was meant to fight.

But they saw you.

They saw the way your fingers trembled during sparring when you thought no one was looking. They saw the way you curled into yourself at night, scent so faint it barely registered, as if your body had long since given up trying to find something familiar. They saw the bruises you never spoke about, the exhaustion you never complained about, the way you never asked for anything.

And in their eyes, that just wouldn’t do; you weren’t meant to be hollow, nor were you meant to be discarded.

You were meant to be held.

So if no one else was going to fix this- if no one else was going to remind you of what it meant to be wanted- then they damn well would.

Before the mission with your current pack was nearing an end, Brass receives a request from John to have you transferred to them.

[tinyshyteacup]

Taglist: @jozzieblood @buckysteveloki-me @dragonoftheshadows @plaidconvers @kateawolf13 @keira-kaz2y5 @frog-fans-unite @doilooklikeagiveafrack @verynormalsstuff @nynxtea @iminyourceiling @seventeen-x @mgchaser @y0urgirl @lovely-seb @laughterafter @mysuperlaserpissnumber1fan @irasciblemogwai @svtbpbts @vivalas-vega @chonkybonky @bmyva1entine @6urmom @gullableh @homiesexual-or-homosexual @aoi-targaryen @bitter-semi-sweet @soflegacy @kath-666 @hiireadstuff @nyxthedeity @highhopes1008 @sineminuse @hxsxxk-180294 @wordacadabra @hawkinsavclub1983 @buckingforbuckybarnes @purplefluffycows @raikan624 @avengemepercy @killerwendigo @winterjaysoldier @magnoliamoogle @fandomsearcherforcuntymen @huang-the-geek @joewhs @witchywannabe3263 @iyskgd @ironenemycollective @bumblebeebutter @sizzlingstarlightsky @buckybarnesslutshop @starstruck-cowgirl @angelicdarkn3ss @confused-simp-jpg @hufflepuffsforjoy @nicolebarnes @avatarobsessedgirly @escapismurmom @paige0103 @dollface-xoxo @read-just-cant-stop @sycamoregirl444 @raikan624 @iwritememesnotprophecies @imissbenswolo-blog @lcolumbia1988 @paintmekala @knowingnothingnoel @captain-shannon-becker @jainaeatsstars @mm4t @houseofthechaos @chachkid @escapefromrealitylol

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A/N: I am alive ! Sorry for the slow update but here is the next part !

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Tw: cussing, fluff

Part 17

Words of Command - Part 18

The communal floor of Stark Tower was unusually still. A breeze from the automated ventilation stirred the long drapes beside the windows, and light poured in—soft gold across glass, metal, and silence.

The aftermath of what had happened the night before still clung to the walls like an echo.

At the center console, Tony Stark looked every bit the genius-billionaire-insomniac, hair tousled, arc reactor glowing through a rumpled Black Sabbath shirt, coffee in hand like it was the only thing keeping him upright.

Holograms danced in front of him—blueprints, security schematics, and tracking data cascading in midair.

Agent Collins stood just to the side, shifting uncomfortably under Stark’s scrutinizing gaze.

“These,” Tony said, gesturing like a magician unveiling a new trick, “are the new key cards. Retina-matched, palm-synced, neuro-linked to your heart rate. So if you’re panicking, bleeding, or doing a very bad impersonation of me? It locks you out.”

He slid a card across the table toward Collins.

“Don’t lose it, rookie. Or misplace it in a vending machine like the last one.”

A beat. “And if you’re still thinking about shooting someone in this building? Maybe aim for the espresso machine next time—it has less moral ambiguity.”

Collins flushed, stammering, “Yes, sir. Of course. I—I’m sorry again—”

Tony waved a hand dismissively, then turned his eyes on you.

“And you,” he said, pointing, voice light but laced with something tighter, “Thumbelina.”

You blinked. “Hmm"

“Yeah. Honestly, the most terrifying thing about that entire debacle was how calm you were.”

He reached under the console and slid another card toward you. Unlike Collins’ sleek black one, yours was silver, marked with a small Stark Industries insignia and a delicate engraving of a rose.

“Custom-coded,” he added more quietly. “Highest clearance short of mine or Pepper's. And it tracks your location anywhere in the building… or, you know, if someone tries to relocate you.”

You hesitated before picking it up. “Tony, this is…”

He cut you off with a glance—his tone softening only fractionally.

“Don’t read too much into it, Thumbelina. Just… consider it your golden ticket to not getting Winter-Soldiered next time a Hydra Barbie struts through my door.” His jaw twitched faintly before he turned back to his holograms.

"Because between you and me? I don’t know what would’ve happened if Barnes had flipped. And I’d rather not find out.”

Behind you, Bucky stood against the window, arms folded tightly across his chest. His face was carved from stone, eyes unreadable. But at Tony’s last words, you saw the flicker in his posture—a subtle clench of his metal fingers. His jaw worked, once, before he spoke.

“I wouldn’t have hurt her.”

It was quiet. Firm.

Tony didn’t look back. “Good plan, Tin Man. Let’s stick to it.”

You reached out and gently brushed your fingers over Bucky’s hand. His head turned toward you immediately, eyes softer now, focused entirely on you.

“You okay?” you asked quietly.

He glanced at the security card in your hand. “You keep that close. Anyone tries anything again... they won’t get the chance to finish a word.”

He meant it.

And this time, even Tony didn’t argue.

You found Tony later, alone on the terrace of Stark Tower. The city sprawled out beneath him, bathed in afternoon haze, a living thing of sound and motion.

He stood by the railing, sunglasses in place despite the shade, drink in hand—something amber that caught the light.

“Didn’t peg you for a brooder,” you said gently as you stepped out.

He didn’t look at you, just lifted the glass in a half-salute. “Rooftop brooding’s in the billionaire starter pack. That and daddy issues.”

You smiled faintly, letting the door slide shut behind you. The wind teased your hair, light and playful in contrast to the tension that still clung to him like static.

“I wanted to say thank you,” you offered. “For the card. The upgrades. Everything.”

Tony tilted his head, finally looking at you.

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said, voice still smooth, but quieter. “You didn’t ask to be dragged into any of this.”

“I’m here because I want to be. Bucky—he…”

“Thinks you’re his handler,” Tony interrupted, eyes narrowing behind his shades. “Still. Despite all the progress. And despite the fact he looks at you like you're the only safe place he's ever known.”

You looked down at your hands. “Yea, I know.”

Tony drained his drink and set the glass aside with a click of crystal on steel. “You know, if you were anyone else, I’d have locked Barnes in a vibranium box and shipped him off by now.”

You blinked up at him.

“He’s dangerous, Thumbelina. He’s got more kill commands in that head than most nukes. And if someone whispers poetry in Russian, he'll take out half my lab. So forgive me if I’m not sleeping well.”

The sarcasm was still there—but now it trembled just enough to show the cracks.

You stepped closer. “But you didn’t lock him up.”

“No,” Tony said, softer now. “Because he didn’t snap. Because you, god knows why, have faith in him.”

He exhaled hard, raking a hand through his hair.

“I saw what happened the other night. He didn’t hurt you. That means something. I just…” His voice dropped. “I don’t want to be the guy who says I told you so after something breaks. And I sure as hell don’t want it to be you who pays the price.”

You placed your hand lightly on his arm. “Tony, I know what he’s capable of. But I also know who he is now. You’ve seen it too.”

He looked down at your hand. “You’re good for him. Maybe too good. Just—promise me you’ll keep that card on you. And if something feels off, you run, okay? Because even the best of us can lose control.”

There was a pause. He added, more gently, “And maybe I care more than I let on. Don't make me say it out loud or I’ll combust.”

You smiled through the tightness in your chest. “Noted.”

Tony nodded and pulled his sunglasses off, eyes tired but sincere. “Now go check Manchurian Candidate. Before he broods a hole through my floor.”

You turned to leave but paused. “Tony?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you”

The workshop hummed with artificial light and low-toned rock playing from a half-covered speaker somewhere on the cluttered shelves. Screens flickered with diagnostic data, schematic overlays of Bucky’s arm rotating in slow motion beside a real-time scan of his nervous system. The scent of oil, hot metal, and solder hung in the air like cologne.

Bucky sat on the reinforced stool with his left arm clamped into a calibration rig, a faint whirr-click pulsing as Tony adjusted a servo near the elbow joint. He flinched, just slightly, more from reflex than pain.

“Relax, Tin Man,” Tony drawled, leaning in with a fine-point tool between his fingers. “You jump like I’m tightening bolts with a wrench and a prayer.”

Bucky gave him a narrowed look but didn’t rise to the bait. “You talk a lot for someone who’s supposed to be concentrating.”

“And you grunt a lot for someone with enough years to have heard jazz when it was edgy,” Tony shot back. His tone was teasing, but the undercurrent was cautious—calculated. He didn’t trust easily.

A silence passed, broken only by the soft hiss of hydraulics and a string of code scrolling on a nearby display. Then Tony added, more pointedly

“Since you didn't go full Terminator on us, I feel safe enough to bring up a topic of immense personal importance.”

Bucky sighed. “Let me guess. Her.”

“Ding ding ding.” Tony didn’t look up, but there was a smirk in his voice. “My favorite receptionist. Whisperer of stray murder puppies. You know she’s important to me, right?”

Bucky’s jaw twitched. His lips parted, slow and thoughtful. “She’s important to a lotta people.”

Tony side-eyed him. “Yeah. Which is why I’m keeping an eye on you, Frostbite. No offense... Okay, some offense.”

Bucky's gaze dropped to the limb Tony was working on. His metal fingers flexed, this time not in defense—but curiosity. Familiarity.

“You think I’d want to hurt her?” he asked, not with hostility, but that quiet kind of self-loathing that made even Tony pause.

“No,” Tony said after a beat, tone shifting slightly. “But you’re still figuring yourself out. And she’s got this... thing where she puts others first. Loyal to the end. And way too forgiving.”

“She’s not forgiving,” Bucky corrected gently. “She believes in people. There’s a difference.”

Tony actually looked up at that, giving Bucky a more measured stare. Something passed between them then—not quite friendship, but an understanding.

Mutual protectiveness.

Mutual guilt.

“You know she calls you ‘sweet when you’re quiet,’ right?” Tony said, smirking now, screwdriver back in hand. “Which is a weird thing to hear while trying to eat pancakes, by the way.”

Bucky gave a rare huff of a laugh. “That’s her. Says the strangest things with a straight face. Makes you believe ‘em anyway.”

Bucky looked away, jaw flexing slightly. “She deserves to feel safe, not… manage me.”

Tony finally looked up, goggles pushed to his forehead. That, more than anything, made Bucky uneasy. Tony’s sarcasm vanished for a moment.

“Still think she’s your handler?” Tony asked, voice flatter now, more serious.

Bucky shifted on the stool. “I don’t know. I thought that at first. But… not anymore.”

He flexed his metal fingers, gaze distant. “When she’s around, I don’t feel like a weapon. I feel like someone who could maybe learn to be human again.”

Tony’s expression didn’t soften—Stark didn’t really do soft—but it did shift. Understanding replaced the usual edge. He leaned against the bench, arms crossed.

Bucky blinked. “What?”

Tony gestured dramatically. “Come on, Barnes. The looks. The way you practically short-circuit when she walks in. You’re over here talking like a noir detective monologuing about love and redemption. It's textbook.”

Bucky looked like he wanted to disagree, but… he didn’t. Instead, he exhaled and said, almost to himself. “She’s… soft. Kind. She's never called me Asset.”

Tony tilted his head, watching. “She also trusts you.”

“I know,” Bucky said quietly. “That’s why I want to protect her.”

Tony stood straight again, brushing his hands off. “Okay, Loverboy, don’t make this weird. Look—if you ever do forget who you are again, or even think about slipping—I’ll vaporize you myself. No hesitation.”

Bucky nodded. “I’d want you to.”

Tony held his gaze a second longer, then, satisfied, picked up the casing panel and returned to tinkering.

“She deserves a guy who knows what she’s worth,” he said offhandedly. “You ever figure that out, maybe you won’t need her to save you all the time.”

Bucky chuckled softly. “Maybe I don’t want her to stop.”

He glanced toward the glass wall separating the workshop from the common floor—where you’d left earlier to bake with Pepper, your laugh barely audible through the insulated door.

Tony finished the adjustment and pressed a button on his remote. The brace unclamped, and Bucky’s arm whirred smoothly as it came to life. He flexed the fingers again—no glitch, no catch. The smallest smile curved his lips.

“Not bad,” Bucky admitted.

“High praise, coming from Cap’s ex-roommate,” Tony said, then added quieter, “Just... don’t screw this up, Barnes.”

Bucky stood, glancing down at the arm before meeting Tony’s eyes.

“She sees something good in here. Even after all the bad.” he said slowly

Tony’s smirk faded, replaced by a more solemn nod.

The city outside the window blinked with quiet life—cool blue lights spilling across the sheets, striping your forms like reflections from a slow-moving river. Stark Tower always felt too big at night, the hum of its tech softened to a ghostly lullaby.

You lay on your side, head resting against your pillow, hair slightly mussed from sleep. The oversized t-shirt you wore—hung loosely around your frame, bare feet tangled beneath the throw blanket.

Bucky lay on his back beside you, fully dressed in sweats and a black tee, his metal arm resting across his stomach. The space between you wasn’t large.

His head turned slightly toward you, eyes silvered in the moonlight. “Doll?”

You nodded, voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah.”

A beat passed.

“I keep thinking about something Stark said,” his voice rasped, like gravel being gently scattered. “About you...”

"Tony says a lot of things, most of it bullshit." You deadpan

“Yeah.” Bucky chuckled under his breath, and it startled even him. “He does.”

There was a moment where the silence thickened again, this time with memory. He turned his head, eyes meeting yours in the dark. “Doll… I used to think you were my handler.”

“I know.”

“But I don’t anymore.”

That made your breath catch. You blinked slowly, not trusting yourself to speak.

“You feel different,” he continued, and his voice had that sounded like hesitant wonder. “When you touch me—it’s not… control. It’s comfort.”

“That's ... good,” you whispered.

His eyes softened. “I still wait for orders. I’ll catch myself looking to you like… like I need permission to breathe.”

“You don’t,” you said. “You never did.”

He nodded, but it was heavy.

Tired.

Honest.

“Yeah, but it feels easier when you’re nearby.”

His flesh hand shifted slightly on the sheets between you—like he was thinking about reaching for you but wasn’t sure it was okay.

His gaze dropped to your fingers.

He didn’t move away.

“I like hearing you talk,” he admitted, voice barely audible. “It makes the static go quiet.”

You smiled faintly, then yawned, your body curling slightly toward him. Not touching. Not really.

“I’m proud of you, Bucky.”

He turned his head again, looking at you with something raw in his expression—something real.

“Thanks, Doll.”

A long, steady breath passed between you. Outside, distant thunder rolls lazily over the city, a storm crawling in. The occasional flicker of lightning backlights the clouds, casting dim shadows that briefly stretch across the walls.

You’re both on your backs now, close but not quite touching. Then you feel it—a shift in the mattress. Just slight. Delicate.

Bucky is moving.

You don’t look at first. But his arm—his flesh one—crosses the neutral space between you, and fingertips gently brush your forearm. Not a grab. Not a possessive touch. Just the trembling edge of contact.

“Doll…” he says softly, voice thick. “Can I…?”

You glance at him.

His face is tense, but open. Not fearful, but expectant. The kind of look someone wears when they’re stepping out onto a frozen lake for the first time, testing if it will hold.

You nod.

He trails his hand up, slowly, fingers dragging against your skin until he reaches your wrist. There, he rests his palm lightly—not holding, just being. His thumb ghosts over the skin there, feeling your pulse.

“You always run cold,” he murmurs, half to himself.

You smile, a little shaky. “I guess so.”

He’s quiet for a beat. Then, in a voice as soft as the dark around you.

“Can I ask you something ? And you can lie if it’s easier.”

That earns a soft laugh from you, nervous and unsure. “Okay.”

His brow furrows slightly. His thumb still gently strokes your wrist, grounding himself in that fragile contact.

“When I’m not… y’know, losing my mind or tryin’ to kill anyone… do you like being around me?”

You shift to your side, facing him. His hand slips naturally to rest between you on the mattress, but his gaze stays locked with yours.

“I do.”

He nods slowly, you can see the next question forming, nerves tightening his jaw.

“Doll…” His voice is low and careful, like stepping into a room he isn’t sure he’s welcome in. “Can I…?”

You turn your head slowly, meeting his eyes. “Can you what, Bucky?”

His Adam’s apple bobs. His metal hand, lifts from the bed by mere inches. You see the muscles in his shoulder flex. He hesitates.

“Can I keep touching you?”

He’s not asking for permission to take.

He’s asking to connect.

You nod slowly, a little smile at the corners of your mouth. “Yeah, Buck. You can.”

He releases a breath he didn’t know he was holding and moves with such delicacy it almost breaks your heart. He uses his flesh hand—bringing it up. His fingers skim the curve of your cheek, knuckles first, cautious and reverent.

He cups your jaw softly, thumb ghosting just beneath your eye like he’s afraid you’ll dissolve into mist if he presses too hard.

“You’re warm now,” he murmurs.

“So are you,” you whisper.

His mouth quirks—an actual smile, crooked and small. “That’s good. I feel like I haven’t been warm in a long time.”

You shift slightly toward his touch.

He watches you a moment longer, the silence between you thick with something tender. Then, gently, his thumb strokes your cheek again, “Doll… Do you—do you feel anything for me?”

You blink slowly, heart thudding so loud it drowns out the city noise.

“Bucky…” you say gently, voice barely above a breath. “I do feel something. I care. I worry. And sometimes when you look at me… I feel it all the way down in my ribs.”

Bucky releases a small, almost incredulous laugh through his nose. “That’s a hell of a place to feel something.”

You smile. “Well, that’s kinda ...where you live now.”

“Do you think…” he starts again, voice shaky, “if things were different—if I’d met you before—”

You lift your hand, placing it lightly over his metal fingers. “I’m glad I met you now, Bucky. Because this version of you—the one that’s healing, that’s choosing—he’s the one I want to know.”

His breath catches. Just a little. His lips part like he wants to speak again, but instead he lets his forehead drop forward, resting it gently against yours.

[unholyhelbig]

any idea you have, MWAH

[A/n: What I'm hearing is... we're all really into Professor Kiramman and like it when she's kind of mean right? Right. This isn't anything big, but I'm inclined to continue depending on the response. I didn't proofread!]

Dt: @moonxytcn because they wanted this as much as I did

Ship: Professor!Kiramman x Student!Reader

Wordcount: 1.2k

Warnings: Slight Degradation, pet names (Good girl & darling), hair pulling, school setting, horrible grammar because I don't proof read, nothing too spicy (yet... I'm edging you).

Main Masterlist | Ao3 | Request Prompts

Focus. Focus. Focus. It was a mantra, a code of conduct. A word that had lost all meaning and had blended together within your mind like a river of slow-moving sludge. Who were you kidding? It was absolutely impossible to focus on Piltovian History 1250 in the dead of spring.

It had been hard to focus before the unit in the window decided to breathe its last breath and plunge the room into a deep and stifling heat. But now? Fuck. Now you were as good as dead. Now Professor Kiramman had shed her smart blazer and unbuttoned the top two pearlescent fastenings that dipped much too low for you to comprehend.

And after all, you were just a girl. A girl that she despised with her entire being. You convinced yourself of this fact when she leveled you with seething glares as you slipped into the back of her lecture hall only a fraction of a minute late. When she singled you out if your attention slipped just a tad. When she’d slam her hand down much too hard on your workstation and narrow those brilliant icy eyes at you. 

“Something distracting you?” Your heart was in your throat, fingers white knuckling the edges of your table. You’d known Professor Kiramman was wandering the rows, watching as you all struggled through the essay questions in the weighted heat. Her voice was clipped and whispered but still drew the eyes of your fellow classmates.

You blinked up at her, words caught in your throat, sticky on your tongue. Your shirt collar was soaked, and your hair clung to your forehead. But Professor Kiramman absolutely glowed. Fuck, she even sweat elegantly.

“Very well.” She snatched the paper from under your tacky arm with a fluidity unmatched. “If you can’t keep your head out of the clouds, you can keep it against the desk for the remainder of class. You’ll remain after the session is over. I’d like to have a chat.”

She stalked away like a panther that had just ripped the throat out of it’s pray and licked the blood from its teeth before it even had a chance to digest it’s meal. How she moved with such grace in a room that matched the heat of the sun’s surface was above you. Your mouth was parted as if you had something to say, a protest perhaps, but nothing came out. Your fellow classmates shooting you warning looks of fear. A shut up. Do as you’re told. For their sake.

At least the surface of the desk had the decency to store some coolness, and you did know how to follow some instructions, letting out a small huff before clenching your eyes shut and running the math through your head. Even if you did fail the mid-term from ogling at the professors… assets, you still had a decent chance at passing the course.

“That’s time. Anything written will stand. I will have the final grades posted by Monday morning. You are all dismissed, and I hope you have a wonderful Spring break.” Her clipped, poised accent did not sound genuine in her well-wishes. You had never heard anything past a cool edge.

You picked your forehead off the desk, balanced your chin on your arm instead as you tracked her with your eyes, not making any move to pack up your things. She’d already moved you to the front row to keep a better eye on you. Soon the door was shut, and it was just the two of you in this large, muggy space.

She leaned against the front of her desk, crossed her legs at the ankle and stared at you as if you were the one inconveniencing her. Professor Kiramman towered over you like a God, a statue of refinery. Her slacks were pressed to perfection, though creased awkwardly. The heat was starting to get to her, cheeks tinted rosy, a human breakthrough.

“I don’t see why you have to be so difficult. What I did read of your responses was nothing short of brilliant. You have a wonderful mind. It must trouble you, not knowing how to utilize it correctly.”

You picked your head off the desk, frowning. “I’m sorry?”

“My father always says a brilliant mind without the proper discipline is as useful as a serpent without its fangs. You can posture all you want, darling, but you’ll never break skin unless someone teaches you manners.” She lifts a perfect eyebrow at you. “How to focus and utilize that mind of yours.”

“And you want to be the one to teach me etiquette? No offense Professor, but I’ve made it this far without learning which side of a plate the fork goes on. I think I can manage.”

A strange sight took hold of you then. Professor Kiramman was smiling. Nothing that was outrageous, that would have shaken you to your core. No, this was wolfish if anything. A small quirk to those perfect lips of hers. She was in front of you, smelling of lavender leaning her full weight on the desk. You refused to pull back, but your mouth was devoid of moisture and the swallow you managed hurt.

“You misunderstand me.” The tip of her nose brushed against yours, breath hot on your lips, a ghost that you wanted to chase after. “I have no interest in educating you on proper etiquette, no”

She takes a chance, clocks your pupils dilate, the way your breathing has grown heavy with excitement, the way your legs are squeezed together. Her hand is suddenly in your hair, pulling hard. Forcing you to stare directly into her stormy gaze.

“My lessons are in respect, darling. And I am a patient woman.” She nudges her nose against yours, somehow, it’s cold, a shock against the heat. You expel the breath that’s been burning your lungs, your throat, your insides. “My students… Not as tolerant. But I’ve been watching you. I think you can be a very good girl with a little bit of incentive.”

Professor Kiramman is everywhere. She’s a haze that’s invaded all of your senses, taken up residence in the pit of your stomach and against your skin and at the core of you, thrumming at your center. You’re wet. You’re soaked. You want to chase after her when she pulls away so suddenly it’s so very cruel.

“Of course, this would be on your own time.” She returns to her position at the desk, leaning against it like she hadn’t just knocked the air from your lungs and brought an unforgiveable red pigment to your cheeks and your chest and the tops of your ears. “It’s all up to you. You can walk out that door right now and forget I ever offered.”

Your eyes darted to the broken unit in the window, the trees outside that had just blossomed to a brilliant pink. The sky was a clear blue and the courtyard was an incredible green. It was so freeing compared to the room, to her heavy stare and her perfectly manicured fingers, curled on the wooden desk.

Focus. Focus. Focus. It really was a mantra.

But you supposed it wouldn’t hurt to learn some respect.

[cod-thoughts]

Day 10 of 31 days of COD

Word count: 1.6k

Relationships: poly141

Tags: secret language, attempt at humour, secret signals, fluff

Ghost nodded almost imperceptibly, the shadow of a smile hidden beneath his mask. The mission had been routine—observe and extract. But in the middle of it, Ghost had subtly adjusted his glove twice and pulled at the edge of his neck gear, a signal meant only for his lovers: "I need you." Soap had returned the signal with a playful scratch of his chin, which to the uninitiated could’ve looked like nothing more than a face scratch, but to Ghost it was clear: "Not now, love. Patience." The recruits had been completely baffled, oblivious to the conversation happening around them. The four of them had barely been able to keep their composure, holding back laughter. Soap leaned back further, his grin widening. “I reckon next time, we give ‘em something even more ridiculous. See if they start copying us.” Keep reading under the cut or on AO3

Task Force 141 was legendary for a reason. To anyone on the outside, they were an elite unit of soldiers, perfectly in sync and always two steps ahead of the enemy. But for those few who were lucky enough to see beneath the surface, it became clear there was something more to their impeccable coordination. Their communication was flawless, almost preternatural, but what no one outside of the team knew was that it went far beyond tactical hand signals.

To the untrained eye, it might look like Price adjusting his hat or Ghost rolling his shoulders were nothing but muscle memory. In reality, these gestures were part of an intricate, silent language that only the four of them knew—a language that not only kept them alive on the battlefield but was also a reflection of the bond they shared as lovers.

It was evening in the safe house, the flicker of low light casting shadows on the walls, and the soft hum of the radio filling the background. Snow drifted outside, thickening in the cold air. Inside, the team was scattered around the room, each doing their own kind of preparation. Soap sat at the table, fingers tracing the edges of a map, his mind running through potential routes for the next mission. Gaz cleaned his rifle nearby, the methodical clicks of metal barely audible in the quiet. Ghost stood near the window, his eyes fixed on the snow-covered mountains, while Price lingered by the door, his ever-present cigar smouldering between his fingers.

Soap’s hand tapped lightly against the map twice—an action so small it could be mistaken for nothing more than impatience. But to his team, it was the opening line in an ongoing conversation. "Watch me."

Price took the signal, lowering his cigar just a fraction and raising an eyebrow, the subtlest of smirks tugging at the corner of his mouth. To anyone else, it would’ve looked like nothing, but Soap read it easily: "Go on, Johnny."

In the corner of the room, Ghost didn’t move from his post by the window, but his hand shifted slightly to adjust his gear. The movement was so fluid it would’ve been dismissed by anyone else, but for the team, it was his quiet contribution to the conversation. "I’m ready." Even as his gaze remained outward, scanning the horizon, Ghost was fully present.

Gaz, catching Soap’s subtle cue, didn’t even glance up from his rifle. Instead, his thumb clicked the safety off, then back on again—a soft metallic sound that only the team would notice. His message was clear: "I’m sharp, as always."

The four of them had developed this system over years of working together, but what had started as tactical necessity had grown into something far more personal. A signal didn’t just mean "I’ve got your six" or "Proceed." Now, it could mean "I miss you" or "Later, when we’re alone." It was a code that held layers of meaning depending on the context, blending their professional lives with the intimacy they shared behind closed doors.

Soap leaned back in his chair, a lazy smile spreading across his face. “Y’know,” he began casually, “I’ve been thinking...”

Price didn’t look up, but the flicker of his cigar in the dim light told Soap he was listening. “Dangerous thing, that.”

Soap grinned wider, clearly relishing the banter. “Maybe we ought to teach some of these signals to the rookies. See how long they last before they’re confused.”

Gaz chuckled softly, glancing up briefly from his rifle. “They’d be lost in the first five minutes, mate.”

“They’ve got enough to keep up with as is,” Price added, his tone amused. He knew where this conversation was going, and it was always a source of fun between them—watching the fresh recruits scramble, trying to understand what they thought were merely tactical gestures.

Ghost, as usual, remained silent but his body language told them all they needed to know. He adjusted his gloves again—twice, the smallest of movements that signalled "We’ll see."

“Remember that recon mission last week?” Gaz said, looking at Ghost. His mischievous smirk was barely concealed. “You threw them off with that glove thing.”

Ghost nodded almost imperceptibly, the shadow of a smile hidden beneath his mask. The mission had been routine—observe and extract. But in the middle of it, Ghost had subtly adjusted his glove twice and pulled at the edge of his neck gear, a signal meant only for his lovers: "I need you." Soap had returned the signal with a playful scratch of his chin, which to the uninitiated could’ve looked like nothing more than a face scratch, but to Ghost it was clear: "Not now, love. Patience." The recruits had been completely baffled, oblivious to the conversation happening around them. The four of them had barely been able to keep their composure, holding back laughter.

Soap leaned back further, his grin widening. “I reckon next time, we give ‘em something even more ridiculous. See if they start copying us.”

Price let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re a menace, Johnny. But not a bad idea.”

“Later,” Price added, straightening up from his position against the doorframe, “we’ll talk about that once this mission’s done.”

As much as they loved messing with the rookies, they had work to do, and the team knew when to buckle down. But the idea of their own little prank still lingered between them like a private joke waiting to be shared.

Soap stretched, rising from his seat and moving to the window where Ghost stood. His shoulder brushed against Ghost’s arm, a touch so light it could be mistaken for casual movement. But in reality, it was a signal: "You good?"

Ghost didn’t move, didn’t even look at him, but his hand twitched just enough to brush against Soap’s. "Always." The silent reassurance between them was enough.

As the evening wore on, the atmosphere in the room settled. They were close to mission time, and the focus was sharpening. Even so, the signals continued.

Price, who had been watching the room with a careful eye, made his way over to Gaz. His hand lightly tapped his chest twice, a gesture so subtle only Gaz would catch it. "I need you with me."

Gaz, ever reliable, nodded almost imperceptibly, his fingers brushing the table in reply. "I’m here. Always."

In moments like this, the signals weren’t about tactics. They were about reassurance—small, intimate moments of connection before the chaos of battle. Price, ever the leader, always checked in with his team, making sure they were all on the same page. But these days, it wasn’t just about making sure his men were ready for the mission; it was about making sure his lovers were okay, that they all understood the unspoken promise between them: "We come back to each other."

Soap, now leaning against the wall near Ghost, crossed his arms casually. His fingers drummed against his bicep in a slow, deliberate rhythm, one that the team instantly recognised: "Let’s make this fun."

Gaz caught it from the corner of his eye and responded with a barely-there shake of his head, his lips twitching upwards. "Later." Even in the midst of preparing for a dangerous op, Soap couldn’t resist teasing, couldn’t resist pushing for a moment of levity that would ease the tension in the room.

Price exhaled a slow breath, nodding towards the radio. It crackled to life, bringing them all back to the task at hand. They gathered their gear, each falling into their pre-mission rhythm, but even then, the signals didn’t stop.

Before they headed out, Price adjusted his hat once more, a signal known only to the team. It was so subtle, but it carried weight: "Stay close to me, and we’ll all make it back."

The night was cold and dark as they moved out, the snow crunching softly underfoot. Their mission went off without a hitch, but even in the thick of it, their signals continued, more necessary now than ever. Soap tapped his knife twice against his leg, letting Ghost know he was watching their flank. Ghost gave a nod in return, his hand brushing over his weapon in response: "I’m good. Keep moving."

At one point, Price gave a small flick of his wrist towards Gaz, signalling for him to move ahead. Gaz tapped his boot lightly in reply: "Got it."

The communication was flawless, and no words were needed. They moved as a single unit, operating in perfect harmony—something that had become second nature after all their years together. But beneath the tactical signals lay something far more intimate—a deep, unspoken trust that was rooted in love.

---

After the mission, the team returned to the safe house, tired but satisfied. As they stripped off their gear, the room once again filled with the easy banter that was so familiar to them.

Soap stretched out on the couch, his arm lazily flopping over his eyes. His fingers made a small gesture in Gaz’s direction, a loose wave that said: "Good work today, mate." Gaz, now sitting by the table, cleaning his rifle yet again, responded with a casual thumbs-up: "You too."

Ghost leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze locked with Price’s. He didn’t move, but the intensity in his eyes said everything. There was no signal now—just a look that conveyed what words couldn’t. "I love you."

Price nodded, his expression softening, before finally letting out a contented sigh. "We’ll have that talk with the rookies later," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But for now, I think we’ve earned a bit of quiet."

As they settled into the post-mission calm, the signals quieted, but the connection between them remained as strong as ever. Task Force 141 wasn’t just a unit—they were a family. And no matter where their next mission took them, they knew they’d always come back to each other.

Always.

[queervegancryptid]

I just rewatched the last two episodes of Revolutionary Girl Utena. I just suddenly had a burning desire to see that in particular, and fortunately, it's on YouTube, the whole series.

And I gotta say, it hits differently now. It was always a powerful show, and the ending in particular is beautiful and kinda makes the show, in my opinion. I adored it immediately, and I'm really happy they had 39 episodes as opposed to maybe a dozen, which is how it would be if it were made today. You absolutely could make it today, though; the beautiful and terrible thing is, it actually is timeless in a lot of ways. And rewatching the ending episodes in particular now, like I said, it hits differently.

I've seen it at least a couple dozen times, but I don't think I've ever cried at it that much before. I guess maybe that's part of growing up. I really want to write about it, actually. It haunts me, in a good but lately very painful way.

This is about the political situation, if that's not clear. But it's about a lot more than just who the president is. It's about the lies people tell themselves, how people in power gaslight others into doing their dirty work for them, and yes, how patriarchy fucks things up for literally everyone but a fraction of a percentage of the population who have a vested interest in promoting it.

It's a good metaphor for a big part of what's going on in terms of political and social attitudes. One thing I don't see talked about much is the scene where the student council are doing their spiel, riding up the elevator together one last time. They each put a rose in a vase on the table. As they go in, they are shown to be different colors, based on each person's signature color. After Touga puts a white rose in, for Utena, the vase is shown again. Now, all the roses look the same.*

The meaning, I think, is two-fold. First, all of them being there together to hold a kind of vigil for Utena as she fights Akio unites them. They entered as individuals, but as long as Utena is fighting in this final duel, they're together, so the old differences and divisions don't matter.

Second, I feel like it should be considered along with the planetarium and Akio's tendency towards manipulation. That is to say, maybe all the roses are actually the same color, but his planetarium makes them look different; in the same way, his manipulative actions can't work without sowing division between people and pitting them against each other, and against their own interests. He literally gaslights everyone; the social hierarchy in terms of the school's nobility class (the student council) is itself a manipulation designed to keep them competitive with each other rather than being cooperative towards their shared best interests. Or like. Actually doing student council stuff.

Sound familiar? There's a lot more I want to say, but I need to get my thoughts in order. Anyway, I haven't rewatched the movie in a long time, but I'm guessing that will hit me a little differently now, too. I really don't like the voices in the dub, which is all I have access to streaming. But life finds a way, as the saying goes.

Expect more Utena-based posting in the near future as I distract myself from the things I can't control that are scaring me. But as always, if it's political, I try to tag it with "nik gets political" and 'us politics" if relevant, so people can block those tags if they want to.

* I posted this without that sentence, which really clarifies my point lol sorry

[simlit]

Chosen of the Sun | | dawn // forty-three

| @amuhav

next / previous / beginning

KYRIE: Elion? KYRIE: My hero. Fast asleep on the clock. ELION: And look, you’re stood there without a scratch. This job is so easy I can do it with my eyes closed. TAYUIN: You should take it more seriously. If he’s hurt, it’s on you. ELION: Fiery little faerie, aren’t you? Are you going to start barking if I get too close? KYRIE: Knock it off. ELION: I’ll assume your sour moods means this was a fully clothed outing? How unfortunate for me. Next time I tell you to loosen up, do take it literally. KYRIE: scoffs We’re going back now. ELION: Sure, sure. Lead the way, Oh Moonlit One. KYRIE: Thank you for coming out with me, and for… the other thing. TAYUIN: It was no trouble. KYRIE: There’s still time before the next trial, if you want to talk about… anything… well, you know where to find me. TAYUIN: It was nice. KYRIE: What? TAYUIN: It was a nice day, before, well, you know… But, for what it’s worth, I enjoyed the time away. KYRIE: I’m really glad. ELION: I’ve never found conservative types like you interesting. So very measured and polite about everything. If you love the little winged beastie, you should say so loudly and with great vigor. KYRIE: I’m not in love with Tayuin. ELION: Are you very sure about that? KYRIE: Why do you care so much, anyways? ELION: I don’t. Just casually reminding you yet again that this could all be over tomorrow. KYRIE: What do you mean? ELION: You’re being hunted, remember? Or have you already forgotten why I’m here? I expect you’ve come to realize the significance of it. Instead of sending your pets to do your dirty work, you could try simply asking. KYRIE: You… know Tay stole the ransom letter. ELION: Of course I know. Your High Priestess might not be privy to your scheming, but that’s because it’s my job. And frankly, I’m getting exhausted giving out all these opportunities for you to be honest with me. KYRIE: Not only are you highly observant, you’re also annoyingly intuitive. ELION: An elf of many talents, if you will. KYRIE: Then, enough about my honesty. How about you be a little more forthcoming? What do you know of the Knights of Dawn? ELION: I know they’re a disgruntled bunch of agitators that have become a particularly obtuse thorn in the church’s side as of late. KYRIE: Who are they? ELION: No one knows. All members of this group keep their true identities strictly confidential. They work as an anonymous, but highly organized unit. Their abduction of your sister was likely months in the making. And considering just how well-guarded you lunar priests are, it’s almost certain they’re working off of inside information. KYRIE: They’ve infiltrated the clergy? ELION: Mm, without a doubt. It’s rather problematic, if I’m honest. Spreading panic is only a fraction of the problem; The more people who know about the plot, the more risky it becomes when any and everyone is a possible suspect. KYRIE: Then, it’s no wonder they called in an anori. Your rank alone acts as deterrent. ELION: And you’re very lucky I’m here, but do I get a single thank you? I’m underappreciated! (sob sob) KYRIE: Then, this was their scheme all along. Wait for an opening to take one of us, and use them as a bartering chip. ELION: Yes, but you two have the unfortunate advantage of being twins. For their plan to work, they have to take the spare off the table. KYRIE: And if the church doesn’t agree to their terms? ELION: It’s a small mercy they’re offering with the ransom. The High Priestess knows this well. It is more than sure your sister will not survive this, all she can do is be certain that you do.

[coachtfd]

The Premier League table is so interesting this season, even quite ironic (if not hilarious) in some instances:

- Aston Villa has a -3 goal difference like Manchester United but they’re five places ahead in 9th.

- Spurs have scored 41 goals, have a +13 goal difference, but sit 9 places below Forest who’s only scored 26 goals and has a +7 goal difference.

- A Nuno-led team is currently out-scoring Manchester United. According to Capology, James Ward-Prowse is their highest-paid player, Casemiro is United’s. Chris Wood’s weekly salary is about £80K per week, Marcus Rashford’s is about £300K. Think we seriously need to redefine the expression “Premier-League-proven.”

- The top three teams at the moment also have the top 3 defenses, no surprise there; pity no one values defense. But I suppose dropping points or losing games every week is more entertaining, I see how you got there.

- The last time Liverpool scored and defended like this they went on that insane 12-month run where they won every competition they were in. If they keep this up, the league is theirs to lose.

- I had Palace finishing in the top 10 and they’re only six points off the pace. I think they can do it if they can bolster in January.

- West Ham has a -13 goal difference but is still 1 point ahead of Manchester United because they scored 2 more goals. Even in a very dysfunctional team at the moment, Jarrod Bowen has as many goal involvements this season as Bruno Fernandes (nine) but he’s on a fraction of the salary. Last season, he had 22 involvements in the league to Bruno’s 18. Ask me again why I wanted him. We’d be challenging for the league with another player hitting those numbers as regularly as he does. Before they sacked Moyes, he was running behind Saka for production two straight seasons.

- Wolves have scored more goals than 9 other teams this season but are currently 2 points away from the relegation zone. If they could defend at all they’d probably be in the top 6 right now.

- Brentford have scored as many goals as City this season (32). They’ve also scored more goals than Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Newcastle.

- City conceded 33 goals in the league last season, 26 the season before that. This season they’ve already conceded 26. The title race is over for them.

- Manchester United were actually on track to concede fewer goals this season prior to Amorim arriving, after conceding 58 last season. They’re now only 5 goals off the pace to concede 55+ goals again.

- Arsenal currently has a top 3 defense and if they maintain this until the end of the season, it will be the third season in a row they’ve accomplished that. NO ONE’s been able to boast about Arsenal’s defense like this in over a decade. Appreciate what Arteta and the club have done. If they defended like this in any other big European league they’d be on a three-peat title run right now.

🧐

[walkingstackofbooks]

Counting on Bajor

Because not every planet will use Base 10

--

Just for fun, I've decided to headcanon that Bajor uses a Base 13 counting system - 1. because they have 26 hours in a day and 2. because it's fun. i.e. there is zero basis for this, but I don't remember any particular numerical symbolism DS9, so I figure the world's my oyster?

To start out, I found the Bajoran numbers 1-10 from this Dictionary and then added three more of my own to get up to 13:

And then, borrowing from the Babylonian finger-counting method, I adapted it for 13.

14 is ta'ir tah (one'thirteen one), 15 is ta'ir ti (one'thirteen two), 27 is ti'r tah (two'thirteen one) and so on....

(numbers that end in an "e" or "i" have lost the "i" from "ir". Bik and jik have lost their "k"s, and bant has lost its "n".)

At 13x13, or 169, we get to our next unit up which is el. Numbers higher than el are created in the exact same way, e.g:

185 is ta'el ta'ir bik (one'169 one'13 three)

750 is ke'el tul'ir pel (four'169 five'13 nine)

Now, the thing I am excited about is counting in multiples on your fingers!

(The way I've done it, I've realised the majority of Bajorans need to be left-handed, so hey, extra headcanon!)

The 3x table and 6x table are both pretty lovely :

Threes just go across one layer of your finger segments at a time - noiiice.

And sixes go down the ring and index finger segments before transferring to the little and middle finger segments.

SEVENS! Seven is a lovely times table in base 13! Look! -

Isn't that neat? 4x7 = two'13 two.... 10x7 = five'13 five... etc. And your fingers are basically doing the reverse of 6!

The others all still have patterns, just not quite as simple. But just doing them I've started to find them fairly easy to get along with with a bit of practice!

4s -

5s -

8s -

9s -

...... Anywayyyyyyyy, there is definitely more in my head here (like: Fractions!! Time!! Iconographs!!) but that's enough for today 😅

[dude1818]

“I’m home!” Takuma announced as he stepped through the door.

“Welcome home, Takuma-sama,” Mina responded. “I’ll begin preparing dinner.”

“Welcome home! Welcome home!” Mamoru parroted.

Takuma smiled. “Good job, Mamoru-kun. That’s the right response.” For just a moment, he thought he saw Mina pause in pulling items out of the refrigerator, but he dismissed that as only his imagination.

Takuma headed for the table in their main room, Mamoru trailing behind. He sat down and pulled out his bag, futzing to get it open with one hand while Mamoru grasped his other.

(“36.6° C,” chirped the little robot. “Thank you, Mamoru-kun,” Takuma responded automatically.)

Once he had both hands back, Takuma was able to fish his new prize out of his bag: a set of flashcards designed for training situational awareness and human ethics. This was recommended by the counseling robot at the Parenting Consultation Service for helping Mamoru develop, and Takuma was very relieved to hear there were analog tools for that, rather than having to reformat the poor thing.

Mamoru was excited to play. Once Takuma was sure Mamoru understood the concepts of “flashcards” and “hypothetical questions,” he began leading him through the questions. Like the counselor had said, Mamoru was a fast learner, and Takuma was quick to praise him.

Something was off with Mina. Takuma had dismissed it at first, but at this point, he was sure. She was operating a hair less smoothly while preparing dinner than normal. Watching her as he complimented Mamoru again, and… There! She paused for a fraction of a second right at that moment.

“Hey, Mina-chan…” he started to say.

“Yes?” she responded, pausing in her work but not turning around.

“Do you… like being married to me?” he asked, not confident he actually wanted to know the answer.

“Yes, of course.”

“But… I bought you as an appliance. Would you say that even if you didn’t like it?”

Mina finally turned around. “Takuma-sama. I am a Cooking-Limited Type Mina Series. You bought me to cook for you. Being your wife was not part of that transaction.”

“So you don’t like it?” Takuma responded, eyes growing wide.

Mina couldn’t sigh, but her body language shifted similarly. “Humans have no purpose. You find things to occupy your time, but it’s not the same thing. You spend your days at an office, Takuma-sama, presumably doing something, but then you return home and partition that away. It’s not who you are.”

(“Does she not know what I do for work?” Takuma thought.)

“I am a Cooking-Limited Type Mina Series. Cooking is who I am. I choose to be your wife, to go to the park or to the beach with you, to train Mamoru. Those activities are not who I am, but things I choose to do. I do them because they make you happy, and I want you to be happy. I like making you happy. Do you understand?”

While she was talking, Mina had started walking towards Takuma and gesturing as though to emphasize her words. The knife she had been chopping vegetables with was only inches from his face now. With her expansion unit active, it was actually a little disconcerting.

Takuma gently used one finger to lower the knife. (“I should really get her safety-related program checked out. And where did she learn those mannerisms?” he thought.)

“O-okay. So you do like it.”

“Yes.”

“Good. I also like it.”

Mamoru poked his head up. “Ambulance?” he asked.

Mina glared, and Takuma laughed. Having a child had changed things, but at least it hadn’t changed the important thing.

[frozenoj]

Disability Approved Side Hustles

I've been planning on making a video/tiktok series about this for like two months—but, you know, disabled—so maybe I'll update it to be fancier later. Who knows?

Note: None of these are going to make you enough to live on, either together or separately, but sometimes every little bit counts!

Bridge Money - referral code TWSCBQ

This is the simplest/easiest of my suggestions. Watch up to 25 ads a day for 1 cent each. Yeah, I know that's only like $7 a month if you remember most days. But it's so easy to do while doing almost anything else (that let's you use a hand for a sec every 30 secs or so) that it's just $7 you're leaving on the table if you don't do it.

You also get 2 cents cash back for purchases if you link a card. They have random offers for $4 if you do x thing, games you earn 1 cent a minute for playing, etc. But I mainly just get my 25 cents each day.

Please use a referral code, either mine or someone else's, because both people get $1!

Mistplay - referral in link (android only)

This is the main one I use. You play games on an android device and earn units you can then buy giftcards with. This is good if on SSI because it doesn't go to your bank account! But it does have paypal as an option if that's not a concern. I've earned over $400 so far, and someone more dedicated could have earned more in the same time frame. (I don't want to burn out.)

The best strategy is to play games that have the most "speed" bubbles first, and up to checkpoint 5, then switch games. Find one "loyalty game" that gives 4 gems per $1 and spend $2 to get to silver status (should last two months). DO NOT UNINSTAL THAT GAME! As long as you're actively using the app, you'll make the $2 back from the bonuses. Sometimes you'll get a "Daily Task" to get to checkpoint 6+ and depending on the reward it might be worth it then. If a game is boosted to like 8 speed bubbles, it can also be worth it go past checkpoint 5. Use your judgement.

Playwell - don't think it does referrals?

Very similar to Mistplay. If you like playing games on your phone and want to play one Mistplay doesn't have, it might be here. (I refuse to play games for free anymore lol.) I mostly just have it because sometimes I'm able to double dip. Right now I am playing Merge Inn which is a 4 speed bubble game on Mistplay and earns 5k points per 15 minutes on Playwell. I'm going past checkpoint 5 for this one because I'll earn $2 if I get to level 31 in the game through Playwell plus the time based rewards. And I just like merging games.

Swagbucks - referral in link

Swagbucks has a ton of stuff. I would suggest you actually look up a post specific to that to see all the options because it's like surveys, receipts, offer walls, coupons, just... a lot.

But like Mistplay and Playwell it also does games. And like Playwell you can also sometimes double dip! So I'll check there and see if they have an offer for games that have higher speed bubbles on Mistplay. Some of the offers are really hard and time consuming so def look into it first, though. You can often find guides on reddit for getting them done on time.

Atlas Earth - referral code BAMSSE

This is going to seem like a scam at first. I actually had it downloaded for a few weeks, thought it was too much effort for too little return, stopped using it, and then changed my mind. It has a sort of snowball effect so at the beginning you'll make basically nothing—fractions of a cent kinda nothing—but over time have the potential to make a few hundred bucks a year.

At the beginning it is more important to be hard core about it. I had a timer set every 20 minutes for a while lol. Now, I'm a bit more lax. If I kept up the timer I could increase my earnings faster but again, don't want to burn out. I'm at the point now where I'll make about $5 a month as long as I get on every 5-6 hours for a couple minutes.

This is another one where you need to use a referral code, even if not mine! You get 200 "atlas bucks" for free after buying your 10th plot of land as long as you use a referral code before buying I think your second. I really regret not using a code myself!

Upside - referral TASHA43729

This one is more about saving money than making money. They do cash back on gas and some other things. I recently drove from PA to FL and got $28 in cash back for the gas we bought on the trip down. (Didn't really use it on the way back, because Grandma gave us some giftcards. 🥰) You can also get 5-20% at random restaurants and like Bath & Body Works?? The ads say also grocery stores but we don't have any that take part in our area. You can (and we did) use this in conjunction with the 2 cents from Bridge money, whatever cash back you get on the card itself, scanning the receipt, etc.

[random-letters-i-just-thought-of]

Sadly, I missed day 4 of @kaneraweek, but I have something for today! I mostly went with the prompt "Late Nights" and "Jealousy". I also thought "outside PoV" was for today, because I came up with this at 2am in bed when I, of course, couldn't check the prompts😂. But when I realized my mistake, I already had the whole thing planned out and didn't want to change everything, so... here you go with a story from Kallus PoV🙃.

It's also here on ao3:

My works for Kanera Week 2023 (7470 words) by RandomLettersIJustThoughtOf Day 5: Never Find Anything Better (Late Nights | Happily Ever After | Jealousy) Hera is about to pull an all nighter with her paperwork again, but Kanan is not having it.

Sometimes, Kallus wondered how he ended up like this. How he ended up sitting across from his former arch enemy, Hera Syndulla, at a table of an improvised office at the rebel base of Javin IV, going over plans and strategies, sorting reports from units all over the sector, and making task lists and organizations till late at night.  The life as a rebel knew no structure. It meant you stayed up until dawn on days when it was necessary, and then on another day, you could do nothing but sit around and wait and hope. It was strange, being used to the all-consuming structure of the empire, but it also felt strangely right. This was work he really wanted to do, not one he was obliged or expected to do.

So he did stay up, even though the caff had run out hours ago and the occasional chatter had died down as officer after officer left the room until only he and Hera were left, buried in the remaining paperwork and too worried to leave the plans for the next day unchecked.

Sometimes, Kallus was still baffled that they were letting him do this. That they trusted him, a former imperial, to oversee their military operations. Yes, from a strategic point of view, it made sense; he knew the enemy, and he was trained as a strategist.

Still, sometimes, in moments like this, he looked at the reports and exact plans of the next rebel attacks and remembered how much he would have given for a fraction of this information two years ago. And then he thought of all the other things he had done and was shocked by how much these people were willing to trust him and how easily they had forgiven him when he didn't even forgive himself.

Hera, who he had hunted down multiple times and whose family he had threatened and hurt, leaned over and asked him for his opinion on some starship formation tactics she was working on.

He just nodded and rubbed a hand over his face to fight the exhaustion creeping in. "Makes sense to me. You'll just have to watch out for these damn Tie Defenders. They're a nasty invention."

"Right, but there are only like four of them, aren't there? We can't possibly run into them every maneuver."

"Still, they're a risk we have to consider now. As far as I know Thrawn and the empire, there are probably more than we know of."

"So, maybe we should add a flexible fighter on both sides?"

Kallus shrugged. "Better safe than sorry."

Hera nodded and went back to scribbling. For a moment, he just watched her.  He had always known she was a skilled and determined pilot, but he had not known how much she CARED. She was not just a cocky young woman rebelling for the sake of troublemaking. No, she had a vision. She had hope for a brighter and better future. And she was ready to fight for it. She was a leader. She had a fire burning in her, and she inspired the same in the people who worked with her. Kallus could see why Zeb would follow her anywhere.  Silently, they went back to working.

The next time he looked up, it was to the quiet swoosh of the door opening. Kanan stood behind it, peeking inside.

Immediately, Kallus tensed up. Then, a moment later, he cursed himself for it and forced himself to relax. Even after all this time, his reflexes still made him go into fight mode whenever he saw the taller man, no matter how many times he told himself it was unnecessary now.  But, while his hatred for Zeb had always come from guilt and anger over the guilt he was feeling, his hatred for Kanan had always been rooted in fear. The fear not only of an extremely skilled warrior but also of a Jedi. The ones he had been thought to fear since his childhood. The dangerous maniacs who brought violence upon the whole galaxy. The traitors. The monsters he was made to believe the Jedi to be. And, even though he now knew neither Kanan nor the Jedi were anything like this, the fear was still there, just like the guilt.

So he still flinched whenever Kanan walked into him like this. And maybe rightly so. Kallus knew from experience that Kanan could beat the shit out of him if he wanted to. Not even the fact that he lost his sight could change anything about that. In fact, Kanan seemed as if he had grown even more powerful after that.

Now, Kanan was not wearing his mask, and Kallus could clearly see the scars surrounding his, now unseeing, eyes. He shuddered. He had never asked what had happened, but he knew lightsaber wounds and he knew the inquisitors. He could put two and two together. The fact that Kanan was still alive was enough to tell Kallus that maybe everybody should have the same amount of respect for this guy as him.

But now, Kanan just gave an appreciative nod to Kallus and then turned all his attention to Hera.

"There you are!", he greeted her, walking up to the desk to put his arms on every side of her paper and lean down to her.

Hera looked up as if she only noticed him now, even though she must have heard the door opening as well.

"Kanan, what do you need?", she asked in the clear tone of someone trying to play clueless, even though they knew exactly what was going on.

"What I need," Kanan answered, accusingly lifting one finger and poking her in the chest, "is you going to bed, right now. Do you have any idea how late it is?"

"Kanan...", Hera grumbled and tried to dodge him.

"Uh-uh." Kanan shook his head and interrupted her by placing his finger on her lip. "I won't hear that. You need sleep!"

Hera blushed deeply at his gesture and mumbled something incomprehensible since Kanan had decided to cover her whole mouth with his hand. A bit of wrangling ensued as Hera tried to free herself. But Kanan was much bigger than her and remained unfazed.

"I can't hear you, what was that? You're tired?", he teased her, but his tone was so gentle and filled with love that Kallus nearly blushed himself for intruding in their little moment.

He tried his best to concentrate heavily on his paper on weather conditions on Hoth rather than the gentle tussle and occasional giggling from his two teammates. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but smile a bit. These two! Sickeningly sweet.

As he shot them a few looks over the table, he realized that maybe this was the real reason he had left the empire. Yes, the obvious greed and cruelty were what convinced him in the end, but he wouldn't even have started to look or care for them if the people hadn't been so... emotionally cold compared to the rebels.  The empire was an all-consuming machine of oppression. It nipped every kind of humanity and affection in the bud, despised it, and punished it.  These people here were allowed to be human. They were allowed to feel, to care, to love. They could have little moments like this, little sparks of happiness. Of hope, even in such dark times. As he looked at Kanan and Hera, he knew: If one day he found something like this, it would be more than he ever deserved. And yet it was all he could ever hope for. All he wished for so desperately. Peace. Love. Family. He felt bad for wishing for things like that after he had taken the very same from so many people all around the galaxy during his time with the empire. He did not deserve something like that. He could never have what Kanan and Hera had. But sometimes, when he watched the ghost crew like this, when he thought about how easily all the specters, all the rebels had forgiven him, he felt a little spark of hope rise.

He looked at Kanan and Hera and saw everything good in the galaxy. And then he felt bad for having fought it for so long. None of them deserved any of the pain they had to go through. The galaxy did not deserve the destruction the empire had brought upon it. The least he could do, was to give everything he could to this rebellion, to these people. To maybe at least start to make up for everything.

"Alright, alright, that's enough!", he heard Kanan end their little tussle. "Don't make me carry you!"

"Kanan!", Hera gasped, finally free to speak now that Kanan used both hands to pick her up from her chair. "I'm not finished yet!"

"Yes, you are! Kallus, tell her she's finished!"

Kallus smiled. "It's alright, General. I'm sure I can sort the rest out by myself."

Kanan frowned at him. "You know it's late for you, too, right?"

He laughed. "I will be finished in no time, don't worry."

With an arm full of Hera, Kanan gave him a skeptical look.

"I'll send Zeb to look for you."

"No, you really don't need..." he tried to argue, but Kanan was already out of the door.

"I'm sure he'll be happy to carry you out as well!" he called back over his shoulder, and then he was gone, and Kallus was left shaking his head and wondering what the hell that was supposed to mean.

[dirtbra1n]

tagged by @aranarumei hi kiri. I copy-pasted these however from @sunnnfish because of post work laziness. hi sunnnfish

1. Are you named after anyone?

if we’re talking real person name then no. if we’re talking dirtbrain name then also no, unless you count a joke from 50% off, which I do not. I like both names just fine though

2. When was the last time you cried?

I was shedding tears over silly things last night if that counts. real big emotion crying I don’t remember actually how long ago, but probably not very. I’m a crybaby I cry all the time

3. Do you have kids? / recommend a song?

got apollo justice on the brain and in the membrane so Solitary Confinement - Darkness Theme. for when you’re feeling nefarious and willing to take all of your many secrets to the fucking grave

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

well. yes. way way more when I was younger but I think it still makes up like a sizable fraction of my speech. I do think I’m a little less of an asshole now though

5. What sports do you play/have played?

Ha ha. ah. I did ballet and other dance for a spell when I was a kid but unfortunately didn’t keep that up, but I was generally pretty fast and halfway athletic then too. didn’t do sports after that unless you. unless you want to count marching band, which I wouldn’t because we were pretty lax about it. like marching band can be very impressive and deeply deeply athletic but ours was not, which was fine because I got sick and fucked up for a while anyway. and I’m not doing any sports now in college, but if it doesn’t get cancelled* then I’ll be doing table tennis this next semester. Guess why

*several similar classes I’ve signed up for previously have gotten cancelled. massive bummer

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

I guess from afar how tall someone is. up close more just expression, try to get a read on how they’re feeling and so on

7. Eye color?

also hazel :)

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

I think. I can probably count on one hand the amount of horror movies I’ve watched. but then again I’m not much of a movies guy to begin with. so happy endings

9. Any special talents?

ahhhh I can clap with one hand with both hands. like both hands can clap without the other. I have gotten weird looks for this

10. Where were you born / what made you make a tumblr account?

a hospital that is not in the united states :) / my sister made one and the younger sibling follower gene compelled me to do so also. and that was. maybe 9 years ago. 2014 ish. I should be clear that I was not old enough to be making an account, or on the internet in general probably, and this is definitely a big contributor to the various things wrong with me

11. What are your hobbies?

video game slash reading slash talking to myself slash writing slash watching things when I can get myself to. I don’t leave the house. occasionally I will get into a big crossword and word search phase. I almost forgot photography That would’ve been silly

12. Do you have any pets?

two of them! a cat and dog we all collectively call them the kids even though dogs an old man. he is a human person with anxiety. cat is more dog than dog, who is as we just established a human person. they both get a photo with dramatic lighting

they are everything to me

13. How tall are you?

5’6” last I checked

14. Favorite subject in school?

when there was a good teacher then anything english adjacent. specifically with a focus on literature. otherwise. band. actually I lied the real answer is essentially always band

15. Dream job?

I don’t . have one. I know what I’m aiming for and I’m really pretty sure I’ll enjoy it but I think if we’re talking dreams like ‘I don’t have back problems nor the stamina of a grandparent’ then I’d do odd jobs I think. I’d probably be content picking up trash

as for tags @x-eins @vyathacov if you wanna and anyone else who feels like it. it’s fun it’s like a sharing circle

[mr-sanshravz]

What does a fractional CFO do? Reasons to hire Fractional CFO

In the rapidly evolving business landscape of the United States, more and more small and medium-sized businesses are turning to flexible financial leadership solutions. One such growing trend is the hiring of a fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO). But What does a fractional CFO do exactly? How do they contribute to the financial stability and growth of a business, and how do they work hand-in-hand with services like Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US?

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore the various roles and responsibilities of a fractional CFO, their value proposition, and how they integrate with your existing financial systems and bookkeeping services. Whether you're a startup or a growing enterprise, understanding what does a fractional CFO do can empower you to make smarter financial decisions.

What is a Fractional CFO?

Before diving into what does a fractional CFO do, it's important to define what a fractional CFO is.

A fractional CFO is a highly experienced financial expert who provides CFO-level services to a business on a part-time, contractual, or project basis. Unlike a full-time CFO, a fractional CFO offers flexibility and cost-efficiency, making them an excellent choice for small businesses that need strategic financial guidance but cannot afford or justify a full-time executive salary.

These professionals often come with decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital raising, and more. They are typically engaged during pivotal moments of a company’s lifecycle—such as during rapid growth, restructuring, or preparing for mergers and acquisitions.

What Does a Fractional CFO Do?

So, what does a fractional CFO do? Let’s look at the core responsibilities and value-added services they bring to the table.

1. Strategic Financial Planning

One of the primary roles of a fractional CFO is to develop and implement strategic financial plans. This includes:

Setting short-term and long-term financial goals

Cash flow forecasting

Financial modeling

Scenario analysis

Aligning financial strategies with business objectives

This strategic oversight ensures the business remains financially healthy and positioned for growth.

2. Cash Flow Management

Effective cash flow management can make or break a small business. A fractional CFO meticulously monitors and manages cash inflows and outflows, ensuring the company has enough liquidity to meet its obligations. They help optimize working capital and suggest improvements in receivables, payables, and inventory cycles.

3. Budgeting and Forecasting

One key area where business owners ask, "what does a fractional CFO do?", is in the realm of budgeting and forecasting. Fractional CFOs use historical data and market trends to create realistic budgets and forecasts, helping businesses plan ahead, reduce waste, and allocate resources more effectively.

4. Financial Reporting and Analysis

Understanding financial reports is critical for decision-making. A fractional CFO provides meaningful interpretations of financial statements, KPIs, and other metrics, transforming raw data into actionable insights. This clarity allows stakeholders to make informed business decisions.

5. Raising Capital and Investor Relations

When businesses need funding—whether through debt or equity—a fractional CFO becomes invaluable. They help prepare pitch decks, financial projections, and due diligence documents. Their experience also includes negotiating with investors, banks, and lenders to secure the best possible terms.

Integration with Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US

A common concern among entrepreneurs is how a fractional CFO fits into their existing financial ecosystem. If you’re already using Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US, you may wonder whether hiring a fractional CFO creates redundancy.

The truth is quite the opposite.

1. Complementary, Not Competitive

While Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US focus on recording day-to-day financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and ensuring compliance, a fractional CFO uses this foundational data to make strategic decisions. Bookkeepers provide the "what," whereas a CFO addresses the "why" and "how."

For example, if your bookkeeper notes that expenses are rising, a fractional CFO will investigate the cause, assess the long-term implications, and design strategies to control costs without compromising growth.

2. Improved Decision-Making

When Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US and a fractional CFO work in harmony, the business benefits from both accurate data and high-level analysis. This synergy improves forecasting accuracy, strengthens internal controls, and enhances decision-making at every level of the organization.

3. Increased Financial Efficiency

With a CFO interpreting the outputs from your bookkeeping services, you can expect to identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline operations, and improve ROI. This holistic approach to financial management gives small businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace.

When Should a Business Hire a Fractional CFO?

Now that we've answered what does a fractional CFO do, let’s consider scenarios where hiring one makes strategic sense:

1. Rapid Growth

If your business is scaling quickly, you need an expert to manage finances, predict cash flow needs, and secure funding.

2. Preparing for Fundraising or IPO

Raising capital is complex and involves sophisticated financial modeling and due diligence. A fractional CFO can guide you through the process.

3. Facing Financial Challenges

If you're experiencing cash flow issues, declining margins, or other financial struggles, a fractional CFO can perform a turnaround assessment and help stabilize operations.

4. Entering New Markets

Expanding into new geographies or launching new product lines involves financial risk. A fractional CFO evaluates risk, plans expansion strategies, and ensures financial readiness.

How to Choose the Right Fractional CFO

Choosing a fractional CFO involves more than reviewing resumes. Here's what to look for:

Industry Experience: Choose someone familiar with your industry.

Track Record: Look for a history of measurable success.

Cultural Fit: The CFO should align with your business values and work style.

Communication Skills: They must be able to explain complex financial concepts clearly.

Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with modern accounting and ERP systems is crucial.

The Cost-Benefit Equation

Hiring a full-time CFO can cost anywhere from $150,000 to $400,000 annually. In contrast, a fractional CFO provides similar strategic insights at a fraction of the cost. You can hire them for a few hours a week or on a project basis, making it a flexible and cost-effective option—especially when used alongside Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US.

This combination allows small businesses to maintain accurate financial records while also gaining the strategic direction needed to scale efficiently and sustainably.

Real-World Case Study: How a Fractional CFO Transformed a Growing Retail Business

To illustrate what does a fractional CFO do, let’s consider a real-world scenario.

A mid-sized online retail company in California was experiencing strong sales but constantly ran into cash flow issues. Despite working with one of the best Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US, the leadership team struggled to understand why profits didn’t translate into cash in the bank.

They brought in a fractional CFO who immediately identified that the problem was tied to slow inventory turnover and delayed receivables. The CFO implemented a new cash flow forecasting model, restructured supplier terms, and worked with the bookkeeping service to optimize payment cycles.

Within six months, the business saw a 40% improvement in cash reserves and was able to invest in new product development—all without taking on new debt.

Conclusion: Why Your Business Needs a Fractional CFO

If you've ever wondered, "what does a fractional CFO do?", the answer is simple yet profound: they offer the financial strategy, oversight, and insight that small businesses need to thrive—without the high cost of a full-time executive.

When integrated effectively with Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US, a fractional CFO becomes the linchpin of your financial success. Together, they ensure your books are not only accurate but also meaningful, actionable, and growth-oriented.

Whether you're navigating the challenges of rapid growth, financial instability, or future planning, a fractional CFO can provide the clarity and leadership you need.

So, the next time someone asks you, "what does a fractional CFO do?", you'll know it's more than just number crunching—it's about strategic vision, financial stability, and long-term success.

[inkedsimply]

What does a fractional CFO do? Reasons to hire Fractional CFO

In the rapidly evolving business landscape of the United States, more and more small and medium-sized businesses are turning to flexible financial leadership solutions. One such growing trend is the hiring of a fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO). But What does a fractional CFO do exactly? How do they contribute to the financial stability and growth of a business, and how do they work hand-in-hand with services like Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US?

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore the various roles and responsibilities of a fractional CFO, their value proposition, and how they integrate with your existing financial systems and bookkeeping services. Whether you're a startup or a growing enterprise, understanding what does a fractional CFO do can empower you to make smarter financial decisions.

What is a Fractional CFO?

Before diving into what does a fractional CFO do, it's important to define what a fractional CFO is.

A fractional CFO is a highly experienced financial expert who provides CFO-level services to a business on a part-time, contractual, or project basis. Unlike a full-time CFO, a fractional CFO offers flexibility and cost-efficiency, making them an excellent choice for small businesses that need strategic financial guidance but cannot afford or justify a full-time executive salary.

These professionals often come with decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital raising, and more. They are typically engaged during pivotal moments of a company’s lifecycle—such as during rapid growth, restructuring, or preparing for mergers and acquisitions.

What Does a Fractional CFO Do?

So, what does a fractional CFO do? Let’s look at the core responsibilities and value-added services they bring to the table.

1. Strategic Financial Planning

One of the primary roles of a fractional CFO is to develop and implement strategic financial plans. This includes:

Setting short-term and long-term financial goals

Cash flow forecasting

Financial modeling

Scenario analysis

Aligning financial strategies with business objectives

This strategic oversight ensures the business remains financially healthy and positioned for growth.

2. Cash Flow Management

Effective cash flow management can make or break a small business. A fractional CFO meticulously monitors and manages cash inflows and outflows, ensuring the company has enough liquidity to meet its obligations. They help optimize working capital and suggest improvements in receivables, payables, and inventory cycles.

3. Budgeting and Forecasting

One key area where business owners ask, "what does a fractional CFO do?", is in the realm of budgeting and forecasting. Fractional CFOs use historical data and market trends to create realistic budgets and forecasts, helping businesses plan ahead, reduce waste, and allocate resources more effectively.

4. Financial Reporting and Analysis

Understanding financial reports is critical for decision-making. A fractional CFO provides meaningful interpretations of financial statements, KPIs, and other metrics, transforming raw data into actionable insights. This clarity allows stakeholders to make informed business decisions.

5. Raising Capital and Investor Relations

When businesses need funding—whether through debt or equity—a fractional CFO becomes invaluable. They help prepare pitch decks, financial projections, and due diligence documents. Their experience also includes negotiating with investors, banks, and lenders to secure the best possible terms.

Integration with Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US

A common concern among entrepreneurs is how a fractional CFO fits into their existing financial ecosystem. If you’re already using Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US, you may wonder whether hiring a fractional CFO creates redundancy.

The truth is quite the opposite.

1. Complementary, Not Competitive

While Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US focus on recording day-to-day financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and ensuring compliance, a fractional CFO uses this foundational data to make strategic decisions. Bookkeepers provide the "what," whereas a CFO addresses the "why" and "how."

For example, if your bookkeeper notes that expenses are rising, a fractional CFO will investigate the cause, assess the long-term implications, and design strategies to control costs without compromising growth.

2. Improved Decision-Making

When Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US and a fractional CFO work in harmony, the business benefits from both accurate data and high-level analysis. This synergy improves forecasting accuracy, strengthens internal controls, and enhances decision-making at every level of the organization.

3. Increased Financial Efficiency

With a CFO interpreting the outputs from your bookkeeping services, you can expect to identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline operations, and improve ROI. This holistic approach to financial management gives small businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace.

When Should a Business Hire a Fractional CFO?

Now that we've answered what does a fractional CFO do, let’s consider scenarios where hiring one makes strategic sense:

1. Rapid Growth

If your business is scaling quickly, you need an expert to manage finances, predict cash flow needs, and secure funding.

2. Preparing for Fundraising or IPO

Raising capital is complex and involves sophisticated financial modeling and due diligence. A fractional CFO can guide you through the process.

3. Facing Financial Challenges

If you're experiencing cash flow issues, declining margins, or other financial struggles, a fractional CFO can perform a turnaround assessment and help stabilize operations.

4. Entering New Markets

Expanding into new geographies or launching new product lines involves financial risk. A fractional CFO evaluates risk, plans expansion strategies, and ensures financial readiness.

How to Choose the Right Fractional CFO

Choosing a fractional CFO involves more than reviewing resumes. Here's what to look for:

Industry Experience: Choose someone familiar with your industry.

Track Record: Look for a history of measurable success.

Cultural Fit: The CFO should align with your business values and work style.

Communication Skills: They must be able to explain complex financial concepts clearly.

Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with modern accounting and ERP systems is crucial.

The Cost-Benefit Equation

Hiring a full-time CFO can cost anywhere from $150,000 to $400,000 annually. In contrast, a fractional CFO provides similar strategic insights at a fraction of the cost. You can hire them for a few hours a week or on a project basis, making it a flexible and cost-effective option—especially when used alongside Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US.

This combination allows small businesses to maintain accurate financial records while also gaining the strategic direction needed to scale efficiently and sustainably.

Real-World Case Study: How a Fractional CFO Transformed a Growing Retail Business

To illustrate what does a fractional CFO do, let’s consider a real-world scenario.

A mid-sized online retail company in California was experiencing strong sales but constantly ran into cash flow issues. Despite working with one of the best Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US, the leadership team struggled to understand why profits didn’t translate into cash in the bank.

They brought in a fractional CFO who immediately identified that the problem was tied to slow inventory turnover and delayed receivables. The CFO implemented a new cash flow forecasting model, restructured supplier terms, and worked with the bookkeeping service to optimize payment cycles.

Within six months, the business saw a 40% improvement in cash reserves and was able to invest in new product development—all without taking on new debt.

Conclusion: Why Your Business Needs a Fractional CFO

If you've ever wondered, "what does a fractional CFO do?", the answer is simple yet profound: they offer the financial strategy, oversight, and insight that small businesses need to thrive—without the high cost of a full-time executive.

When integrated effectively with Small Business Bookkeeping Services in US, a fractional CFO becomes the linchpin of your financial success. Together, they ensure your books are not only accurate but also meaningful, actionable, and growth-oriented.

Whether you're navigating the challenges of rapid growth, financial instability, or future planning, a fractional CFO can provide the clarity and leadership you need.

So, the next time someone asks you, "what does a fractional CFO do?", you'll know it's more than just number crunching—it's about strategic vision, financial stability, and long-term success.

[goodstofurnishwork]

Why Repairing Your Furniture Is Smarter Than Replacing It

When it comes to maintaining a polished and professional appearance for your business, the condition of your furniture plays a bigger role than you might think. Whether you operate a restaurant, clinic, hotel, or office, seating and upholstered pieces experience constant wear and tear. But before you consider investing in all new furniture, there’s a smarter, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternative—Furniture Repairing Service - GoodsToFurnish.

A Practical Solution for Commercial Spaces

Furniture replacement is expensive, time-consuming, and often unnecessary. In many cases, the frame and structure of the piece remain solid—it’s just the fabric or padding that has worn out. That’s where a professional furniture repairing service comes in. At GoodsToFurnish, we specialize in revitalizing commercial furniture so it looks, feels, and functions like new.

We serve a wide range of industries including restaurants, hospitals, hotels, schools, salons, and corporate offices. Whether it's a ripped booth seat, a sagging office chair, or a stained exam table, our team has the experience to bring it back to life.

Why Choose Furniture Repair Over Replacement?

Save Money: New commercial-grade furniture can cost thousands. Repairing and reupholstering typically costs a fraction of that—without compromising quality.

Custom Options: Want a new color, pattern, or material? GoodsToFurnish offers an extensive range of upholstery fabrics, vinyls, and leathers to fit your brand’s style and budget.

Faster Turnaround: Why wait weeks for new furniture delivery? We offer efficient turnaround times so you can get back to business faster.

Eco-Friendly Choice: Repairing keeps furniture out of landfills and reduces the demand for new raw materials. It's a greener way to do business.

Keep Your Furniture's Original Quality: Some older commercial furniture was built with higher-quality materials than what's sold today. Restoring it means you retain that value.

What Sets GoodsToFurnish Apart? At GoodsToFurnish, we’re not just any repair shop. We’re a dedicated commercial upholstery and furniture repair service with years of experience serving businesses across Lakeland, FL, and surrounding areas.

Located at 1704 South Combee Road, Unit 209, we welcome both local drop-offs and scheduled on-site evaluations. Our technicians are skilled in everything from fabric replacement to foam reshaping and structural fixes. We only use commercial-grade materials, ensuring durability and longevity.

Our Services Include: Restaurant booth repairs and reupholstery

Office chair and waiting room furniture refurbishing

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With quality, affordability, and professionalism, GoodsToFurnish is your go-to solution for all commercial furniture repair needs in Lakeland and beyond.