#email hosting comparisons

[lanf1an]

DREAMS lando norris pt.1 When your childhood bestfriend Flo had convinced you to get the fashion design job at her brother's company Quadrant, it finally paid off when Louis Vuitton was announced as the new sponsor for F1.

pt.2 pt.3 pt.4 pt.5 pt.6 pt.7 wordcount: 1378

Flo's voice filled the room as she scrolled through her phone, her excitement palpable.

"I'm telling you, this is perfect for you," Flo said, thrusting her phone in your direction.

You squinted at the screen, trying to make sense of the email she was showing you. "A job at Quadrant? Flo, I’m studying fashion design, not... whatever that is."

Flo looked up, her brows furrowed as if you’d just said something ridiculous. "What do you mean? It can be. Look at Tommy Hilfiger. Or Lewis Hamilton—his fashion work, hosting the Met Gala, working with big brands. F1’s bigger than you think, and it’s not just about cars."

"Haha, Flo, what are you talking about?" you said, shaking your head at the idea. "F1 is not really the place I want to be for my fashion stuff."

You paused, realizing you hadn’t really thought about it like that before. You’d never paid much attention to Formula 1, aside from the occasional updates Flo gave you about Lando. It had been years since you'd spent any real time with him. As kids, you'd catch fleeting glimpses of each other whenever he wasn’t off karting or, later, racing. But you knew Lewis Hamilton. He had enormous influence. He’d collaborated with brands you admired and pushed boundaries in the fashion world.

"Maybe not," Flo said, leaning forward with a knowing grin. "But there could be great opportunities"

"And trust me, Quadrant desperately needs someone like you. You’ve seen their merch, right? It’s..." She continued.

"Basic?" you offered, arching an eyebrow, Flo had already showed you the designs before in an attempt for you to improve them.

"Exactly! They’re looking for someone to revamp their designs. You’re always talking about how things could be better.''

You sipped your coffee, considering her words. It wasn’t your dream job, but the thought of improving a brand and the opportunities that came with it was oddly tempting.

"Fine," you said, setting your mug down. "I’ll think about it."

Flo grinned like she'd won the lottery. "You’ll kill it. Trust me."

-

The buzz around Quadrant’s new merch started slowly but picked up pace when a few photos of Lando wearing your designs at the paddock made their way online. Suddenly, it wasn’t just fans buying hoodies and tees, people in the fashion and sports world were taking notice, and journalists started to make comparisons you weren’t sure anyone expected.

“Is Lando Norris the next Lewis Hamilton?” one article headline read.

Another went deeper: “From driver to brand icon: How Lando Norris and Quadrant are reshaping athlete influence.”

It had been surreal to watch the shift, you had worked hard. Max had been supportive from the start, seeing the vision. Keegan had actually become a reliable creative partner, having similar styles and taste. Lando had been the same as when you were kids, you had barely seen him, too busy racing, handling his CEO duties from afar.

And now, after months of hard work, it was all leading to something bigger.

-

The first time at the paddock was overwhelming. The heat, the constant movement, the blur of media, mechanics, and drivers navigating their way through the chaos—it was a world you still didn’t quite belong to. Even though it did bid a uncanny resemblance to the chaos of the fashion world, which intrigued you.

You watched as the photographers snapped pictures of Lando and the team in their latest Quadrant pieces. The collection had taken months to finalize, and the response had been overwhelming—more press than usual, more attention, more recognition.

“You’re the one behind all this, aren’t you?”

You turned at the voice, surprised to find yourself face to face with Lewis Hamilton. He was dressed effortlessly, a silk LV shirt under an unbuttoned suit vest, sunglasses perched on his nose.

You blinked. “I—uh. Sorry?”

Lewis smiled knowingly. “The Quadrant collection. It’s you.”

You hesitated. “I mean… it’s a team effort.”

“Sure,” he said, his grin widening. “But I know talent when I see it.”

Her stomach flipped. Compliments were one thing, but this—coming from him—felt different.

“I’ve been following your work,” Lewis continued, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You’ve got a fresh perspective. Louis Vuitton is partnering with F1. They want to bring in new talent, I tipped you.” Your breath caught. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

You stared at him, waiting for the catch, but there wasn’t one. He was just… offering this. Just like that.

“I—” You glanced over at the Quadrant shoot, where Lando was laughing with the guys, completely unaware of the conversation happening across the paddock. “Thank you so much.”

Lewis smiled. “You’ll be hearing from them soon. Excited to work together.”

And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the paddock like he hadn’t just cracked your entire world open in a two-minute conversation. Flo had turned to be right after all.

-

Louis Vuitton had officially announced their F1 partnership, and with it, their campaign featuring a select group of drivers. The second she saw Lando’s name on the list, you knew there was no avoiding it. You hadn’t expected it, even though it made sense after Quadrant’s succes and having already worked together. Still, you hadn’t expected to be working with him again, especially not like this. He hadn't shown too much emotion when you left Quadrant, but you knew he wasn't happy about it.

Now, standing in the Louis Vuitton studio, flipping through the fitting schedule, you could feel his glare when the door opened before looking up.

"From Quadrant to Louis V," Lando mused, his voice light but edged with something unreadable. "Look at us."

You finally glanced up. He walked around inspecting the room, sunglasses perched on his head, fingers brushing against the fabric of a tailored jacket. His expression was casual, like he wasn’t really thinking about what he’d just said. Like it was just an observation.

You gave a small shrug. "Who would've thought."

He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he turned toward the fitting area. "Thought you could get rid of me, huh?"

“Alright, first look,” you said, flipping through your notes without looking up.

Lando sighed dramatically. “Do I really need to try all of these on?”

You shot him a look. “Unless you suddenly developed a sense of style overnight, yes.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue, grabbing the set from the rack.

You turned you back as he changed, focusing on adjusting the pins on one of the outfits. It wasn’t the first time you’d been in a fitting with Lando, but this was different. The Louis Vuitton studio was quieter than Quadrant HQ, the lighting softer, there was no Max, no Keegan, no distractions.

“Okay,” Lando said, stepping forward. “What do you think?”

You turned—and fuck.

The suit fit him unfairly well. The sharp tailoring, the way the fabric moved with him—it was annoyingly perfect. Which meant you had done a great job.

You forced yourself to be professional, stepping closer to fix his collar. “Hold still.”

Lando stayed quiet as you smoothed the lapels, fingers brushing against his chest. The silence felt thick, aware of how close you were.

“Looks good,” you said, voice even. “But the pants need adjusting.”

You knelt down, reaching for the hem.

You could feel his eyes on you as you adjusted the fabric, fingers skimming his ankle, making sure the length was right. You refused to look up, but you could hear him breathe in, then exhale slowly.

“Comfortable down there?” he asked, voice casual, but you could hear his smirk.

You rolled your eyes, unable for him to see. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Lando huffed out a laugh, but when you did glance up—just for a second—his jaw was tight. Like he was the one struggling.

You stood, smoothing out the jacket. “Alright,” you said, stepping back, regaining distance. “I think we’re done here.”

Lando tilted his head. “You sure? Thought you liked bossing me around now.”

You smirked. “If I really wanted to boss you around, Lando, you’d know it.”

He blinked, caught off guard for just a second.

Then he grinned. “Noted.”

WN: new storyyyy wooooop, literally already had this fashion job at quadrant in my drafts and then the LV partnership was announced i had to implement that and post it

[gojhoes]

my good neighbor

synopsis: You've lived next door to Geto for nearly a year, yet your neighbor remains all but a mystery. But as for you- he knows everything about you, from the shampoo you use to the books you keep by your bed.

warnings: MDNI 18+, NSFW contents: geto x fem!reader, yan(?)!geto, age gap, breeding, masturbation, no curse au, dubcon(?), SOMNO, toys!, p-in-v, panty kink, creampie, size kink, corruption kink, daddy kink lowkey wc: 6.3k

It all starts when an Amazon package with your name on it somehow ended up in Geto's mailbox. He would later refer to this occurrence as his greatest gift from God; the most blessed twist of fate to ever work in his favor.

A pink cardboard box sits on his counter, jarringly bright in comparison to the deep neutral design of his apartment. If the package's appearance wasn't proof enough, printed on top is an address nearly identical to his own, except his is 3-D, not 3-C. Clearly, it belongs to the tenant to his right- an easy mistake to be made by someone who reads hundreds of names and address every day.

Geto knows that he could march back down to the mail room and leave the package in the correct mailbox. He could walk away without another thought but given that the box is this specific shade of pink, he figures it might be something you're really excited for. You're probably wondering about it right now, peering confusedly at the 'Delivered' notification from your email. Besides, you both live on the third floor, so he'd be saving you an extra trip. He's just being a good neighbor.

But then he starts to think- he recognizes this shade of pink. His ex-girlfriend had once received a very similarly shaped package in the same color. Inside that package had been a vibrator that he'd grown quite familiar with over the course of their relationship. Could it be the same thing boxed up right here addressed to you?

Your door is cracked when steps out of his apartment with the package in his hand. From this angle, all he can see is the door to the coat closet directly to the right of the entrance. In his apartment, the same closet is on the left, confirming his suspicions that your bedrooms do, in fact, share a wall.

It also meant that your living rooms were connected, but Geto was already well aware of that. Yours seemed to be the gathering place for all of your friends and given the amount of chatter that trickled through the wall every evening, you had quite a few of them. Not that he minds- he works nights as a pharmaceutical lab tech, so it's not like he's there when you're having your get-togethers.

It was less bothersome during the week than on the weekend, which was when you hosted your entire gaggle of acquaintances for what sounded like game night. He was still working out the details of all the different voices, but over time, he'd developed the ability to recognize certain voices by the pitch and cadence of their speech.

It hadn't been on purpose, but the walls were stupidly thin, hardly a step up from a curtain. It was impossible not to eavesdrop, especially when the voices dwindled to only yours and another that was undeniably male. Geto'd glue himself to the wall trying to hear what the two of you were getting up to, but it seemed you weren't that kind of girl.

Or maybe Geto was assuming incorrectly that there was any type of romance going on. But for the last several weekends, he would hear the two of you chatting, then it would be quiet for a bit, as if you were pausing the conversation to make out. He has not, however, heard any sounds of pleasure from your side of the wall, and that alone has piqued his curiosity.

However, during the day, your side of the wall typically was quiet. Just as he would be getting out of the shower in preparation for bed, he'd hear your alarm blaring right at 7am. If it was loud to him, he could only imagine how your ears still functioned properly after such repetitive torture. He'd hear you getting ready through the walls and smell the coffee you brew while you take a shower. By eight o'clock, there is a jingle of keys followed by hours of silence, and he sleeps just fine.

It had to have been nine months or so since you'd moved in, yet Geto hasn't laid eyes on you even once. Your apparent opposite schedules have managed to keep the two of you from crossing paths despite living just inches from each other.

As he stands between your neighboring doorframes, he thinks about how strange it feels to know someone's daily routine despite never having glimpsed you. Based off your schedule and the lively nature of your social life, he's deduced that you must be an undergraduate student at the nearby university. He himself had graduated the semester before, but the rent was cheap and moving was too much of a hassle.

But what were you, 19? 20? With your own apartment, an 8-3 schedule, and enough time to hang out with your friends nearly every day? He couldn't be sure of your age, not without seeing you, but your behaviors made him sure that you were young.

Geto glances down at the box again, reading your name aloud to test the sound of it on his tongue. He eyes the opening of your door again, craning his neck to see what else might be behind it, but no dice. Maybe if he should just go in and leave it on the counter. He would get to see your place and hopefully satiate this prolonged curiosity, even for just a moment.

Besides, you've left your door cracked. Every front door in the building locks automatically when closed, so technically, it would be your fault if this was a robbery situation, regardless of the value of your things. It's too tempting- he's been too intrigued by the box clutched in his hand. It was fate for the two of you to meet this way. Every time you held it to your clit as you came, you'd think of the moment you saw him with the box in his hand at your door.

His hand hovers over the doorknob- is he really about to do this? Wherever you've gone, you'll likely be back any minute if you've been so careless about your door. No, it's not the right time. He's already nervous about how you will react, even more so knowing he's going to be seeing you for the first time.

You know when someone just sounds hot? The music your body makes is so human, yet so graceful and controlled until your friends come over. You sound perfect when you're just simply existing by yourself. He feels, in so many ways, that he knows you so well already. It wouldn't take him any time at all to learn how to give you what you want. Maybe he'll tell you that, if the moment presents itself.

He's fortunate yet again for the lack of insulation used by the contractors. There is a rushed set of footsteps echoing from the stairwell at the end of hall, giving him enough warning to take a step back until he's standing just the perfect distance between your two neighboring doors. He looks up as the footsteps close in, and his heart skips a beat when he finally, finally sees you.

"Hi!" you chirp. "You must be my neighbor."

The last few steps you take give him enough time to drink you in. You can't be older than 20 with plush lips and a pretty smile, one that lights up your face and showcases your lack of smile lines. And what you're wearing makes his mouth go dry. It's a baby blue pajama set with thin straps and the shortest goddamn shorts Geto has ever seen in his life. He's staring, he knows he is, but you're even more gorgeous than he could've imagined. Your hand shoots out to shake his, small and soft enveloped within his grasp for just a wink of time.

It's not enough, not even close to satisfying the desire you've instilled in him. He forces himself to look at your face and not at the tops of your tits threatening to spill out of that useless pajama top. God, and he can see your nipples straining against the thin fabric-

"I believe this belongs to you," he says, holding out the pink box.

Your face lights up impossibly as you pull it into your hands, and Geto thinks he might die right there. He smiles at your excitement; he was right- you were excited to get this. God, he would be so good to you if you'd let him.

"Oh, thank you!" you say enthusiastically. "I've had a lot of packages go missing lately, so it's really nice to actually get this one. Thank you so much."

You're practically worshipping him with the sinful sweetness dripping from your words. So well-mannered. Would you be this polite if he brought you into his bed and offered to give you his cock? Would you smile at him as you are now, and say please every time you ask him to fuck you? He'd do it for you- he'd give you everything simply just for being such a sweet girl for him.

Geto smiles and introduces himself. "It seemed like a pretty important package."

He catches the way your shoulders tense and the slight flush of your cheeks- shit, was it actually a vibrator in there? Clearly, you're embarrassed, so it would make sense, but there's no need to be ashamed of getting one.

But you're smiling sweetly again, any trace of worry wiped clean. "It's nice to finally meet you, Geto," you say, and he swears that he sees your eyes flick down to his lips.

He hums, tilting his head to side as if to study you. "Likewise."

You send him one more polite smile before disappearing into your apartment. As he's closing his own door, he's imagining you making a cup of coffee like you do every morning. Are all of your pajamas that pretty? He's met you once, but already he can tell that you're a princess. He bets your parents pay your rent and send you money for groceries anytime you ask. A girl as sweet as you was probably well-accustomed such doting and pampering.

Someone was taking care of you, but were they making sure you were safe? Who was reminding you to keep your doors locked? You were a young pretty girl living on your own in the city- anything can happen. Clearly it seems that you need someone to look out for you, and who could possibly be better for the job than him? He lived so close by already; checking on you would be no problem at all.

And after seeing your perfect thighs in your little shorts, the swell of your breasts straining against the blue fabric...he'll do anything if it means he might get to see that again. He'd come up to you from behind and wrap his arms around your waist, pulling your ass against his hips. One hand holding your chin as he kisses the side of your neck, squeezing your thigh with the other...

You need him. Someone older and more mature to nurture you properly. Besides, he was just being a good neighbor.

That evening, he rearranges his room so that the head of his bed is flush against the innermost wall of his apartment, the one that he shares with you.

*** Geto will admit that somewhere deep inside, he does feel guilty. This part of him is disgusted and ashamed, constantly wishing he could be different and cursing himself because he's not. But he was going to make you love him. Once you let him in, you'll wonder why you hadn't come to him sooner. You'll see- he'll prove it to you, and then you'll understand that everything he does is for you.

But the rest of him, the more dominant parts of his personality, run rampant once he's fallen for you. He isn't acting right, deep down he knows that, but he can't stop. He doesn't want to stop. He wants to know every secret you might be hiding. The home a person keeps says so much about them, and he wants to know everything. You won't have to hide from him, not ever, and he'll make sure you know that. Maybe he's obsessed, but can you blame him? You're just so perfect.

He's starving for you, but he's got to be subtle; if he's too forward, he risks upsetting you or scaring you away. He doesn't want to stress you out, either, but it's essential that he sees your apartment. He needs to check your locks, especially the one on your balcony and make sure that you're keeping up with your cleaning.

It means taking advantage of the several minutes you leave your door cracked when you've gone down to the basement to do your laundry. Every Saturday afternoon, before your friends come and steal you away, you gather your basket and leave your deadbolt extended to avoid locking yourself out.

He's managed to pull it off twice, the first time being harder than the second. It took him three days to work up the courage to even try thinking of a plan, but after moving his bed to the wall, closer to you, he's descended quickly into absolute agony. It's a stroke of luck- no, of fate- that has made you put your bed against the same wall- and he can hear everything.

A few days have passed since the package mishap, and by that point, Geto had almost forgotten about the contents of the box. That night, just as he's getting ready for a shift at the lab, he hears a strange buzzing as he's brushing his teeth. It's an electric toothbrush, so his first thought is that maybe it's time to replace it. But as he rinses out his mouth, he finds that the buzzing had not ceased. It's go to be you, he thinks, immediately drying his face and flying over to the wall to press his ear flush to it. He's just in time to hear the beautiful, merciful sound of a mewl escaping from your lungs.

A shaky breath passes his lips. He's dumbfounded by the pleasure that flows through his abdomen when he realizes what you're doing. He'd totally been right about the package. Even through the wall, he's able to recognize the same vibrations. Maybe he's just been Pavlov'd, but immediately he can feel the blood rushing south as a faint throb starts in his cock.

He knows without a doubt that you've got the cutest pout on your lips, maybe a few strands of hair falling into your face as you lay your head back. "Feels good," he whispers, despite knowing that you can't hear him. Do your hips buck up into your hands, or do have those plush thighs squeezing them tight while you try to cum?

Is this really happening right now? Heat creeps up his neck and high on his cheeks as another moan, albeit quieter this time, blesses his ears. He can't stop his hand from finding his cock and palming at himself as he eyes slip shut.

He's dying to know- he wants to see you right now, wants to watch as you spread apart your folds and fuck yourself until you're trembling. He needs more, he needs everything that you can give him- and you will give him all that you can. He knows you will because you're just that good of a girl.

Fuck. He's got to get to work on time before the cultures expire and he fucks up three weeks' worth of data, but you are killing him with each sweet little moan that leaves your mouth. He's picturing you on your knees with your ass in the air, two fingers pumping in and out of your tight cunt while your other hand has a death grip on the vibrator.

He's waited so long to hear your pathetic little whines as you fuck yourself as fast you can on your too-short fingers. You're so desperate, and with how hard you're trying, it's obvious that you're getting frustrated. He wants to help you- it's clear from your desperate cries that you need him to. He would help you cum, over and over if that's what you wanted. "It's okay," he breathes. "Keeping going, it's okay."

Using a vibrator for the first time can feel almost painful if you're not used to the intensity. You're so overstimulated that you're struggling to reach the orgasm you chase so desperately. He feels genuine pity for you as cry out, "please! so close...mm." If you'd just asked him, he would've been able to introduce it your sensitive clit the right way.

He's begging you more, anything you could give him. He knows you'll do it for him soon. You were just that good of a girl, and maybe you were too sensitive to cum without a little bit of a help. If he was inside you, you'd have creamed all over his cock by now, too fucked out to ride him anymore as he pounds into your pretty pussy from behind.

As much as he would love to see you beg for it, he truly thought that you deserved to cum and felt frustrated for you. You were such a sweet girl; the only reason it took you so long to try your new toy had to be because you were nervous. Good girls deserve the best orgasms, after all.

Shit, were you still a virgin? Did you even know how to make yourself cum yet? That would explain why he hadn't ever heard those pretty sounds before. Fuck, you were going to make him lose his goddamn mind if you didn't cum in the next 60 seconds. "Y-you'll cum for me, right? I know you can do it."

Geto did not make it to work on time that day, quintessentially ruining over 300 specimens all because you wanted to play with your pussy right as he had to leave for work. It was terrible timing, but he can't say he regrets bringing himself to one of the best orgasms he'd ever had without even touching you. It wasn't enough, though, just hearing you. He needs to see it, needs to feel your warm, tight cunt squeezing him dry while you moan into his ear.

A plan comes to him, albeit a risky one. The next time you leave to do your laundry, propping your door open like always, he slips into your apartment. It's an inverted copy of his own- the same appliances, same gray tiles, a balcony at the back of the living room. Your apartment is so girly, so shamelessly you, and not to mention spotless. Geto makes a poignant effort to keep his place clean, but only a control freak would keep their apartment this organized. You must be an anxious person- but that's okay, because he'll be there to help you through it.

Two minutes pass- you should be back any moment, and while he has an idea of what he'll say if you catch him, he really wants to avoid scaring you. He can't have you feeling scared around him, so he turns to leave- he can always come back another time after he's more prepared. But then he sees a set of keys lying on your counter, and the gears in his head start turning.

You've left your door open, so you'll be able to get back in- he doesn't have to worry about that. He knows you won't be leaving anytime soon. He's confident that he'll have enough time and he doubts that you'll notice your apartment key missing if you're not actively needing it. So, he pockets the whole set and slips right back out as silently as he'd come.

Early on Monday morning, Geto waits until he hears the jingle of your keys and the click of the deadbolt as it slides into place. The smell of coffee lingers, and his clock reads 8:06, but he can't risk you coming back, so he forces himself to wait a little longer. He's nearly vibrating with the anticipation of getting so much unadulterated time in your apartment. The copied key in hand is representative of everything he's done to get closer to you. This observation will help him learn who you are- what shampoo you use, what you keep on hand in your fridge, what toys you have hidden away.

He decides it's been long enough when 20 more minutes pass, and Geto makes a beeline for your bedroom. Compared to the rest of your apartment, your room is much more lived-in. The white comforter topping your bed is rumpled, exposing light pink sheets under a plethora of stuffies and pillows. He's more interested, however, in the nightstand on the side.

He pulls open the single drawer and sure enough, there's the white vibrator that you've been using quite often lately. Aside from a bottle of lube, there's nothing aside from some medications and a pair of nail clippers. His suspicion that you're a virgin persists from your lack of sex toys- no wonder you were so embarrassed when he hinted at the contents of your package. Already, he was half-hard thinking about how good he was going to make you feel. He was ecstatic to think that no one else had touched you yet. Whoever that guy was, the one you your often spent evenings with alone, wasn't going to stand a chance.

Geto steps away to make toward your bathroom, and feels something soft under his foot. He glances down and bends to retrieve the black lacy thong you've left so mercifully on the floor. It's foul, it's intrusive, it's perfect- he brings the fabric to his face and breathes in your scent. His cock throbs in his pants, begging for attention- for your attention, but he can't have you yet. No, it has to be perfect because you are perfect, and you deserve nothing less.

He shoves the thong in his pocket before going into the ensuite bathroom.

Later that week, the universe finally gives him a break.

That fateful Friday evening, he calls in sick to work. His throat is a bit sore, and he knows the ache in his muscles isn't from last night's workout, so he opts to take his temperature, which reads 38.2°C. He knocks back some cold medicine before burying himself in the blankets on his couch, dozing in and out as the effects sweep him away.

He's roused by a rap-rap-rapping on his front door, and even through his medicated haze, his heart jumps- is it you? Is he really about to get this lucky? He glances at the clock above the stove to see that it's half-past 11, and from the din coming through the wall, he knows that you've got your friends over. As he crosses to answer the door, he does feel a bit better aside from the persistent fog clouding his brain.

And it is you, dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink top that shows off your midriff. Your cheeks are painted with a light flush and your hair is bit disheveled, obviously tipsy from the way you're swaying a little. He smiles at you, drinking in the soft curves of your hips that he's been dying to dig his fingers into.

"Hey," you say. Your speech isn't quite slurred, but there's a lilt to your words that says all he needs to hear. "I'm so sorry to bother you like this, I know it's a little creepy, but-"

He doesn't mean to cut you off, but the words spill out of his mouth before he can stop them. "No, it's no trouble at all. Bother me all you want."

You're tipsy enough that the line works- you even laugh a little, and the sound makes his heart skip a beat. Every sound you make is so sweet

"Right," you say. "D'you have a wine bottle opener by chance?"

He shoots you his best disarming smile. "I do."

"Could I borrow it for a moment? I promise I'll bring it right back, I'm right next door."

He'd give you his left lung if you asked for it. He considers inviting you in, but the state of his illness deters him. All the lights are off in his apartment and he hadn't bothered to change out of his gray sweats and black sweatshirt. His hair is down, likely tangled and flat from dozing on his couch. No, you deserve to see him at his best- he'll get you to come over soon enough.

"Of course," Geto says. "Just a second."

He leaves the door cracked in the same way he's seen yours over the last month. Your fingers linger on his own when he places the wine opener in your hand. Even that slight contact sends a wave of excitement through him.

"Swear you'll come right back?" he teases, smirking a little.

You smile again, making him fall even harder when shoot him a wink before disappearing back inside of your apartment without a response. If this was your way of flirting, he's even more enamored with you. So coy, yet so sweet as you look at him over your shoulder before the door closes.

Geto goes into his kitchen to heat up a bowl of broth. Your tits sat so pretty in that little top- did you always dress like that? Not too revealing, showing off just enough to drive him mad with desire. He didn't get to see your ass, but if it was anything like he remembered, he knew that those jeans would cling to it like a film.

As he's sipping on his soup and scrolling mindlessly through his phone, there's another knock. He's on his feet and at the door in seconds, not even bothering to hesitate to swing it open so he can see you again. This time, you're holding a bottle of rose (because of course, you are) and his wine opener.

"Can you do it for me?" You're looking up at him with what he swears is a pout, and with how you bat your eyes through the question, how can he refuse? It would be criminal not to help, especially when you're asking so nicely with that cute look on your face. "None of us can get it open."

He's delighted that you've asked him. Were there no boys over there to help you? Did you choose him over them, or were you truly just too clumsy to do it yourself?

He cranes his neck to see if anyone else stands in the hall, but it seems deserted save for you, so he pushes forward. Geto does his best to seem mildly disinterested yet nice, not wanting to scare you away with the words he really wants to say. If he didn't fuck this up, maybe he wouldn't have to wait so long to get you to come back. His plan would get to move so much faster, but he had to be careful.

"I should probably do this over the sink," he says, reaching out to retrieve the bottle from your grasp. He purposefully lets his thumb brush the tip of your pinky- enough to test the waters, but not so much that it can't be played off as sheer coincidence. As he turns to go into the kitchen, he says over his shoulder, "Feel free to come in, by the way."

The suggestion is very forward considering you've said less than 20 words to the guy since moving in a year ago. Had you been of a better state of mind, you would have politely declined- you barely knew the guy even if your beds were separated only by a few inches of drywall. But you can't deny your curiosity; not once have you glimpsed what lies on his side of the wall. So you indulge yourself and step over the threshold, making sure to pull the door as you do so.

There's no way he's getting this lucky right now. All the plotting, the strategic timing of your meetings, and his careful research are finally paying off. You are walking right into his apartment without him having to lift a finger. He doesn't think you can get any more perfect- he hasn't even touched you yet, and you seem to already know what he wants. It was proof that the invisible string was real.

You stand at a safe distance on the side of the bar opposite from his, watching intently as Geto works the wine opener into the cork. There's a satisfying 'pop' as he gives it a firm tug. What would've taken you an embarrassingly long amount of time is accomplished with one quick flex of his forearm and a small grunt of effort.

"What's the occasion?" he asks.

You stare at him blankly. "Huh?"

He returns the wine opener to its rightful drawer, drawing out the motions to maximize how long he's got you in his apartment.

"It's champagne, so I figured maybe it was for something special," he explains. "Or are you just fancy like that?"

You're smiling at him again and his heart soars. He prays that you'll always look at him like that, and only him, but he gives no indication of the depth of his feelings. He wraps his hand around the neck of the now-open bottle and extends it toward you as he rounds the side of the counter.

"You could say that," you reply with a giggle. "Thank you..um, it's Geto, right?"

He nods. "Anytime. What's mine is yours."

It comes out wrong- way too intense to say if he's trying to stay above ground with you. But you don't seem to mind. If anything, the flush on your cheeks deepens as you take the bottle from him. From where he stands, he can make out a faint scar dragging across your exposed collarbone. He wonders what it might feel like to run his tongue across you delicate skin and leave marks. Would you keen into him and clutch at him as the quick, sharp pain pulls a whine out of you?

"Um, I'm sorry if I'm ever loud or anything," he says. "I work nights, so I think we have opposite schedules." A white lie, but he doesn't want you to leave yet. If he just keeps you talking, maybe he'll get the chance to ask you to hang out. He's desperate, honestly, but he tries to hide it as he stands between you and the front door.

Your face lights with a carefree wave of your hand. "Oh no, I can hardly tell you're there most of the time. I'm a super heavy sleeper, too, so don't worry about it."

He hums and shoots you a grin. "Guess I've been worried for nothing, then."

"Same to you, though," you continue. "I have people over like, all the time, I know they can get really loud."

It's awkward now, as you stand there with your eyes darting around the room and occasionally meeting his. You're nervous, he realizes, shifting your body in a way that makes your hip jut out. He doesn't want you to leave, but he's less apt to make you too uncomfortable, so he makes to walk you out.

"Thank you again," you say, smiling at him widely. He returns your thanks, and watches you disappear into your apartment once more. Already, his mind is reeling as he checks the time. Your friends should be leaving in a couple of hours- the noise usually diminishes around 2am, which will be no trouble to stay up until.

And he makes it despite taking another dose of medicine, having long since grown used to being awake during these hours. You should've have mentioned that you were a heavy sleeper, because now he has to do this.

His clock reads 3:10 when he quietly turns the lock with his copy of your key. The lights are off and it's silent, such a vast difference from the earlier commotion. He leaves his keys on the counter in case there's an unfortunate jingle when he finally enters your room.

You sleep naked- god, you make it so easy for him to love you. Your lips are parted and the passive rise and fall of your chest signals just how deeply you're sleeping.

He slides a hand between inner your thighs, unable to help himself any longer. He teases at your entrance to see how wet you are, dipping his fingertip in just far enough to get a taste of you as he brings it up to his mouth.

And fuck, his index finger slides right in and your cunt flutters around it.

But you don't stir; there's not even a hitch in your breath as he curls his finger into that spongy tissue that he's sure should've roused you. You weren't exaggerating about your being a heavy sleeper, and Geto silently sends praise to whatever gods that were helping him pull this off. However many drinks you'd had earlier were keeping you pulled under the sea of unconsciousness.

He thinks about sliding his hands under your thighs and burying his face between them, licking and sucking at your clit to properly taste you. Surely you'd have to wake up from that, but his patience is wearing thin.

He needs this- he needs you. He's so desperate to finally sink into you, to fuck you like he's been aching to for months. His hands are on the waistband of his sweats and he's pulling out his cock, the tip already weeping as he thumbs at his slit. He wraps his hand around his shaft and starts thrusting into it, finally letting himself begin to unravel as he lets out a pleasured sigh.

God, he doesn't know where to start. Your perfect tits bounce ever so slightly with every rise and fall of your chest. The collarbones he's been wanting to bite are so vulnerable and delicate, sitting right there for the taking. But he doesn't want to ruin the moment by waking you from too much stimulation. He leans over your still body, holding himself up on his palms as he glimpses your pretty face.

He feels that he might die if he doesn't fuck you right now, lining up his cock with your entrance before he buries himself inside you.

"Ohh, fuck," he breathes. So tight, so warm, so perfect- his own perfect little pussy, so much better than anything he could've imagined. He fears that he might cum right then, digging his fingers into the sheets in attempt to steady himself. Even in such a deep sleep, you're soaking his cock with each slow thrust. Are you dreaming about him fucking you right now? Is that how your slumbering brain is making sense of all the pleasure?

Once he's got some semblance of control, he rolls his hips into yours, sinking back into you until. It's too good, and he needs more, he needs to have his cock as deep as you'll take him. He moves his hands to your knees and bends your legs until your thighs are pressing against your chest. It's desperate, the way he fucks you, but somehow, you remain as still and quiet as you'd been when he first came in. Your body jostles with each thrust and he sees the tip of your tongue creeping out from between your parted lips- fucked dumb, even fast asleep.

He knows he should probably pull out, but he's too fucked out to think straight, not to mention the cold medicine running through him right now. It's not right, but with how fucking good you feel, he doesn't care. You're going to wake up with his cum dripping out of your aching cunt, wondering obliviously if your period came early. Traces of him will be all over you and he just knows you'll love the feeling. He can already tell you're going to be his little cumslut- you're too sweet to deny him such a pleasure.

His thrusts get faster until his balls are full on slapping against your ass and his muscles tense all over. You're squeezing him so fucking tight, it's a wonder he's lasted this long, especially with how needy you've made him.

An involuntary flutter of your cunt sends him over the edge. His orgasm wracks his entire body and he's trembling with each spurt of his cum that covers your gummy walls, uncaring as to what consequences might await him. He moans out your name, panting as he empties every drop into you, and you just take it so well. Just as he's about to pull out, your eyes flutter open ever so slightly.

But you're so tired- you don't even notice that it's Geto hovering over you before they slip shut again. "Mm," you murmur. "Wh-what are you..mm." The words trail off, and a moment later, your breaths are soft and even again as sleep takes you once more.

You're adorable. He slips out of you as gently as he can, he waits until he can see his cum start to trickle down to the curve of your ass. He lifts a hand to stroke your cheek and brush away the stray hairs on your face, but he doesn't want to risk waking you when you're already so sleepy. With how pliable and motionless you are, it's clear that you need your beauty sleep.

As he slips out of your apartment and back into his, he can't help but think of how lucky he is. He's so lucky- how is it that fate has blessed him so richly? He was going to make you his. You were going to get so addicted to his cock, to his scent, to his taste that you'd never dare to leave him. You'll belong to him, free for him to use and praise as he pleases. But he will always reward you for being his sweet girl.

And, he thinks, you are so so lucky to have such a good neighbor.

i felt like a mad scientist the entire time i wrote this. if you've thought about trying to write fanfic, JUST DO IT because sometimes it's really fun.

[yutaan]

❄️ Holiday sale! ❄️

Hey there, my lovelies! Once again, the end of the year is fast approaching, which means we’re all looking for gifts for our loved ones (or to keep for ourselves - after all, you lovelies all deserve gifts too)! And what’s a wonderful present for a fandom-savvy giftee? That’s right, it’s ART!

Everything in my INPRNT shop is 10% off for the entire month of December with the code "WH53WI"! And below, we have a wide array of beautiful papercraft originals AND other fabulous fare, all pre-made, packaged, and ready to be shipped to YOU! (Please note that due to tumblr’s image resizing, the artworks are not necessarily displayed at an accurate size in comparison to each other.)

Note: IF YOU ARE PURCHASING A PIECE WITH MULTIPLE VARIATIONS (i.e. one of the mini papercraft/Harrow/Gideon/Howl/Haku), and would prefer a specific one, you may indicate in your email which one you prefer (i.e. "I would like the top right WangXian mini set, please!"), and I will do my best to accommodate you! HOWEVER, I cannot guarantee that the specific piece indicated will be available. If your most preferred variation has already been claimed/purchased but another variation of that piece is still available, you will receive that second choice instead. I apologize for any inconvenience, lovelies!

~

BUSTS & WAIST-UPS (approx. 4-5″ tall)

Marcille (Dungeon Meshi) - $75 [SOLD]

Haruhi (Ouran High School Host Club) - $70 [SOLD]

Gideon, Harrowhark (The Locked Tomb) - $85 each [ALL SOLD]

Liu Qingge (SVSSS) - $75 [SOLD]

Jiang Cheng (MDZS/The Untamed) - $85 [SOLD]

Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey's End) - $70 [SOLD]

Ed (Fullmetal Alchemist) - $80 [SOLD]

Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries) - $80 [SOLD]

Toph (Avatar: The Last Airbender) - $80 [SOLD]

Oscar (The Rose of Versailles) - $70 [SOLD]

Cherry (Sk8 the Infinity) - $75 [SOLD]

Jasmine (Aladdin) - $45

Meg (Hercules) - $40

Tohru, Yuki, Kyo (Fruits Basket) - 6" tall - $160 [SOLD]

Yugi & Yami Yugi (Yugioh) - 8" wide - $210

~

FULLBODIES (approx. 6″ tall)

Aerith (FFVII) - $80 [SOLD]

Wirt - $100, Greg - $75 (Over the Garden Wall) [SOLD]

Reigen (Mob Psycho 100) - $95 [SOLD]

Kagome (Inuyasha) - $75 [SOLD]

Anthy (Revolutionary Girl Utena) - $100 [SOLD]

Princess Tutu (Princess Tutu) - $100 [SOLD]

Howl (Howl's Moving Castle) - $120 each [ALL SOLD]

Haku (Spirited Away) - $120 each [ALL SOLD]

~

MINIS (approx. 3-3.5″ tall) - $30 each, three for $80, five for $125

Lan Wangji, [ALL SOLD] Wei Wuxian, [ALL SOLD] Lan Xichen, Jiang Cheng [ALL SOLD], Jin Ling (MDZS/The Untamed) [SOLD]

Yor (Spy x Family), Nezuko (Demon Slayer)

Ciel, Sebastian (Black Butler) [SOLD]

Batman (DC), Elphaba (Wicked) [SOLD]

Chat Blanc (Miraculous Ladybug) [SOLD], Hunk (Voltron), Astarion (BG3) [SOLD]

Bakugo (BNHA), 2B (Nier: Automata)

MINI SETS (approx. 3-3.5" tall) - set of two for $60, set of three for $80, set of four for $105

HuaLian, FengQing (TGCF)

BingQiu [ALL SOLD], QiJiu [SOLD], MoShang (SVSSS) [ALL SOLD]

WangXian [ALL SOLD], Twin Jades, Jin Ling + Jiujiu (MDZS/The Untamed) [CLAIMED]

Sebastian + Ciel (Black Butler)

WangXian + Sizhui (MDZS/The Untamed) [SOLD]

Yunmeng Siblings (MDZS/The Untamed) [SOLD]

Junior Quartet (MDZS/The Untamed) [SOLD]

~

SIMPLE PAPERCRAFT (approx. 5" tall) - $20 each

~

ZINES (5x7") - $15 each

Battle Damage - 28 pages, multiple artists, matte cover, rated T

Death & Decay - 28 pages, multiple artists, foil cover, rated T

~

KEYCHAINS

small size - 2" - $10 each, three for $25, five for $40

sparkle effect (JC) - 4" - $15 each [ALL SOLD]

sparkle effect (Usagi) - 2.5" - $13 each

large size/sparkle effect (Phos) - 2.5" - $8 each

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you are interested in purchasing any of these artworks, please email me at yutaanchan23@yahoo.com with the subject line “Holiday Sale.” In the body of the email, please include:

Which piece(s) you wish to purchase

Shipping address (please note that shipping outside the US may cost extra)

Preferred email address for Paypal invoice

If you have a tumblr username and would like to include it so I can recognize you, you can also do that! :D But it’s not a requirement.

~ 

Pieces are first-come, first-served, so please be quick! (Likewise, please note that I cannot reserve a piece for you indefinitely unless you are able to pay for it or place a down payment on it at the time you contact me. Thank you for your understanding!) This post will be updated throughout the month to show which pieces have been sold.

Happy gifting, lovelies! ❄️

[sulfies]

Thoughts on William Miles? I was listening the Assassin’s Creed Lorecast podcast and one of hosts always talks about how much she hates him. I wont forget how he punched Desmond in face :/

I do not think he was a good father, I do not like him but also I do not think after hearing Desmonds voicemails I hate him as much as I did before.

maybe not a good comparison but...think of the Abuela in Enchanto who everyone was like "she needed to be punished more she sucks!! how can they forgive her??" when Mirable and Bruno forgave her. The thing is, no matter what, she was their family, and she was tough bc she thought tough love was what kept the family afloat after all that happend and for kids; letting go of family when they show they are capable of change even the tiniest bit is hard especially for ethnic families. Most kids want to hear a "I am sorry I was wrong" rather than revenge and they are drawn to hope of "maybe they will change" like a moth into the flame.

I think Desmond is in a similar boat, he knows that his dad sucks and how he was raised was fucked but he also longs for his family and what they could be. You can see their convos change once Desmond saves Will. Will softens a bit more even his emails show it once he realizes he might die there and I think that hit Desmond hard as well as Will. Same thing when Desmond asks if Will searched for him and Will replied with "everyday" you could see that He misses his father, it takes a lot for a person to fully give up on their family and Will stepping one step onto his side gives him hope he cant let go of.

He is an abusive father 100% but I dont think he abused Desmond just to abuse him, He is basically a military general having to juggle so many stuff he does not know how to be anything else. He probobly was raised in somewhat similar manner and thinks tough love is what will make Desmond survive. "Let him hate me if thats what gets him to fight/live/listen" is probobly what his brain is wired to and at one point he forgot his fatherhood so much it turned worse.

It is not healthy, it does not excuse the stuff he did but explains. I understand the people that hate him and maybe dont agree with me 100%. I also hate that he even dared to get physical w Desmond!

As I said he is not a good man but I also understand why Desmond is willing to forget and forgive, he lived thru so much his dad punching him probobly doesnt make it to top 10, cutting off family is hard and Desmond already did that once! people usually constantly look for small reasons to stay connected, + Desmond while going thru all of this kidnapping/mindgames/fights/brainmelt/bleedingeffect probobly did not want to also lose his father again since its one of his few safeish constants.

I also dont think Desmond would ever let it all get swept under the rug if he lived, he would hold his father acountable for many things and look for explanations. The talk probobly would go for hours and they would have many shouting matches and who knows how it would end but I'd like to think they could begin repairing their relationship

Long story short I do not like him, Id probobly cheer if Desmond punched him back but I also dont think he hated Desmond or didnt love him. He loved him but how he showed his love to protect him was wrong and abusive. It did more harm than good as tough love approach usually does.

Ps: I think Desmonds mom also sucked bc like clearly she didnt step in when shit happend in Desmonds youth, tbh hearing her voice was weird bc I expected a stren teacher like voice and heard a bubbly woman

[quanruionechancepls]

The Albatross - Chapter 2: Moth to a Flame

Frontman!Hwang Inho x Host!Reader

Content Warning: Dubious Consent, NSFW

For more information, check Masterlist

--------------

At your ripe age of 30, life is good, especially after your dad died. Being his illegitimate child who was only accepted into the family after your mom died when you were 10, there was no way you could inherit the company, but you weren’t particularly hurt by this reality. That job was for your spoiled, sheltered, and annoyingly sophisticated brother. When the word ‘nerd’ comes to mind, his face is the one that would pop into your mind. Everything from his huge square glasses, his everyday plaid sweatshirt with a blouse underneath, and that horrid gelled, side part hairstyle made your skin break out in goosebumps. It’s no wonder he had to get an arranged marriage to even dream of feeling the touch of a woman other than his own mother.

In comparison, you were the hot sibling. Being illegitimate never stopped you from having suitors even though your partners wouldn’t inherit much wealth. Insultingly, many assumed you were stupid and naive because of your baby face. Yes, your doe eyes, button nose and perfectly-proportioned plump lips made you look like a real life doll, but you were a far cry from a trophy wife. There’s a reason why you never bothered to compete with your brother for the company, but jumped at the opportunity to host the games once that brain tumor was discovered.

Even your lifestyles were completely different. Your brother slept at 9pm sharp every night, falling asleep in bed after dozing off while reading a book. Your niece and nephew followed a similar lifestyle, with strict tutoring sessions everyday on various subjects way past their comprehension level at the ages of 7 and 9 respectively. You can’t even fathom how nerdy you have to be to teach a 7 year-old philosophy.

Alternatively, you were a wild child, going to bed at dawn and waking up at noon whenever you didn’t have responsibilities like school. Your step-mother once tried to correct your behaviour, which resulted in her Van Cleef necklace and Cartier bracelets going missing. Missing where? In your jewelry box, obviously. She couldn’t even beat you for it, because despite your dad’s neglect, you knew she would get it if she even touched a hair on your head.

Still, you studied hard and got good grades, entering university like every other rich kid with heavy expectations did. Even though you could never be the CEO, your brother probably wanted you to be the CMO or something, not that it would ever happen. The last thing you wanted out of life was to sit at a desk for 8 hours everyday, sifting through paperwork and answering dozens of mind numbing emails. You had enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life, you had no need to work.

You first met Inho when you were 21, when you were first introduced to the existence of the Squid Games. Sure, his handsome face was nice eye candy, but his determination and ruthlessness was what pulled you in. He had no qualms about getting his hands dirty if it meant he could advance to the next game. This was what led him to win the 2015 Squid Games. Very fitting, for a disgraced ex-police officer.

Some found his age gap a little alarming, but you and your raging daddy issues didn’t see a problem with a slightly older man— slightly being a 19 year age gap. It’s not like you were even in love with him. Love was reserved for the dumb and overly-emotional, both of which being traits you didn’t possess. Instead, you wanted him to be your new toy. After all, there was nothing standing in your way after his wife died of liver cancer while pregnant. Very sad, but it wasn’t your problem.

Once his wife was out of the picture, all you had to do was swoop in at the right time and heal all his problems like a saint.

-

You convinced your dad to approach Inho a few months after his wife passed. The timing was very important. Too soon, and he would be too resentful to listen to anything you had to say. He could even turn violent, which would be disastrous for a fragile old man like your dad. Even before the tumor, it’s not like he was a bodybuilder who frequently went to the gym and remained physically strong. No, he was always a skinny, weak old man.

If you contacted Inho too late, he would’ve moved on with his life and the memory of the Squid Games would likely be forgotten. Again, the timing was very important. You had to ensnare him at the perfect time to drag him back to the Squid Games, even if he wasn’t coming back as a participant. He was an intelligent man after all, and despite your dad being willing to pass on the legacy of the games to you, you weren’t too keen on the paperwork and planning that would come with it. In short, Inho was the scapegoat that would get you out of work. If he was willing to play along as your toy, even better.

Three months after the 2015 Squid Games ended, you entered your dad’s office to pitch an idea to him: making Inho your future right-hand man. Your dad rarely listened to what you had to say, shutting you up with a hefty allowance every month to make up for the relationship you didn’t have. This time, it seemed that he was also intrigued by Inho, because he found him with swiftness once you mentioned his name.

Unfortunately, all his attempts to lure him back were failures. He tried everything, from more money, to blackmail. Inho, who was freshly widowed and still reeling from the overwhelming grief of losing his wife and unborn child, couldn’t be bribed with anything.

By the time he was rejected the fifth time, your dad gave up and told you to forget about it. What he underestimated was your greediness and determination to get what you wanted. With every rejection, your interest in Inho only grew.

“Men are so useless! Must I do everything myself?!” You groaned to yourself, laying on your bed kicking the mattress and squeezing the life out of your pillow. Your wailing ended quickly, as you grabbed the notebook on your vanity and clicked your pen, furiously scribbling your game plan to capture Inho.

-

It was a rainy day in Seoul, and you were in a convenience store scanning one of the aisles. Your appearance was a far cry from your usual styled, blow out hair, acrylic nails and flashy dress. Instead, your hair was put in a messy bun, and you were in a hoodie, sweats, and a puffer jacket with an umbrella in your hand. Normally, you would rather die than leave the house looking like such a mess, but this was your disguise; this made you look like a normal person.

This convenience store was near Inho’s apartment. Despite the large sum of money he received from the Squid Games six months ago, he hadn’t bothered upgrading his apartment, splurging on luxuries to treat himself, or any of the usual behaviours you saw in winners. Instead, his life spiralled as he usually laid in bed staring at the ceiling, only leaving the house to buy some instant ramen at the convenience store and immediately going back home.

You tracked his life down to the minutes. He woke up at 10am everyday, brushed his teeth at 12 after wallowing in bed for two hours, and made himself some instant ramen at around 12:30. On Saturdays, he would restock on his ramen at his nearest conveniemce store at 7pm. He was quite particular with the type of ramen he would buy too. It seemed he enjoyed spicy food, because his go-to was the spicy Buldak ramen.

And what a coincidence! Here you were, in his local convenience store at 7pm, holding the last packet of spicy Buldak ramen. It seemed this store was experiencing supply chain issues, resulting in your current situation as Inho looked you up and down, eyeing the ramen in your hand longingly and occasionally looking up to glare at you. He looked rough, with visible stubble on his face and dark circles under his eyes.

“Why are you glaring at me like that?” You asked, feigning defensiveness as you clutched the ramen closer to your chest.

“That’s my favourite ramen. You’re holding the last one,” he replied, putting extra emphasis on the word ‘last’ to make sure you really understood his situation.

“Well, I got my hands on it first. I’m not giving it to you just because it’s your favourite,” you countered, taking a step backwards, ready to make a run for it. You didn’t even like this ramen, you just wanted to irritate him.

“What do I have to do to make you hand it over?” He pressured, taking a step towards you. With each step you took backwards, he took one forwards.

You thought about it for a second. He didn’t have anything he could give you that you lacked, so you were kind of stumped. “Uh, maybe treat me to a meal? I’m only here because I’m hungry, you know,” you improvised, feeling proud of yourself for making it up on the spot.

He sighed into his hand, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache, thinking long and hard. You wouldn’t be surprised if he really did have a headache, considering how unhealthily he’d been eating for the past couple of months. “Okay, you win. Where do you want to go?”

“I’ll figure it out,” you replied as you made your way to the cash register.

“Hey, you said you would give it to me!”

“I’m bringing it to the cash register so you can pay for it and take it, duh!”

You placed the ramen on the counter and watched as the cashier scanned it. “1,000 won please.” You simply stared at Inho as he took out a bill and paid, putting his singular packet of ramen into a bag.

Just as you were about to leave, the cashier said something that made both of the blood in your bodies run cold. “You two look like a good couple,” he complimented, and both of you grimaced at lightning speed.

“She’s a stranger,” Inho replied.

“He’s a stranger to me too,” you backed up. You were glad the feeling was mutual.

The cashier looked at you two weirdly, as if questioning your behaviour. It was only then when you realized how close the two of you were standing, so close that you could feel his his chest on your back, his breath on your neck, and if you really focused, his heartbeat as well.

You could feel the blood rushing to your ears— not out of love or affection or anything of that sort, but embarrassment. It wasn’t very ladylike to be so touchy with a man you just met. Your step-mom would probably throw a fit if she saw you like this.

“Hey, you said you’re hungry, right? Let’s go. I want to go home,” Inho snapped, and you rolled your eyes as you were brought back to reality with his voice. As the automatic doors slid open, you two walked onto the street where surprisingly, it wasn’t pouring rain.

“What do you want to eat?” He asked, the impatience evident in his tone. It was a bit shocking to have anyone talk to you that way. It only happened briefly when you were first brought to your dad’s at the age of 10, but everyone was quickly fired and replaced when you brought it up.

“I don’t know,” you responded. You rarely ate anything other than fancy steak at restaurants or the meals cooked by your private chef.

“You don’t even know what you want to eat?” Inho groaned, exasperated.

“Well, I rarely eat anything that isn’t homecooked, so excuse me if I’m not familiar with what options I have!”

“You act like a foreigner even though you speak perfect Korean,” he mumbled, and you kicked him in the shin. After he was finished clutching his leg, he decided for you. “We’re getting Korean barbeque. Can’t ever go wrong with barbeque,” he noted as he grabbed your wrist, dragging you to the nearest restaurant.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was a little loud for your liking, with drunk men yelling at each other with soju in their hands, increasing the volume with each shot. There was a crying baby at the table beside you, crying ear-splitting screams that could nearly break glass. The only redeeming quality about the restaurant was the delicious scent of meat that permeated throughout the entire building.

“How often do you go to places like this?” You groaned, rubbing your temples to avoid an incoming headache. Inho had already ordered for you upon realizing you had no idea what you were doing.

“Not often. Barbeque can get expensive, especially if you have a large family,” he responded, and you were taken aback by his humble answer. Why was he so frugal with money when he’s a millionaire now?

“This better be the best meal of my life because I’m losing my mind with all this noise,” you grumbled. Your definition of a restaurant was a quiet, serene atmosphere with dim lighting and mini candles at the table to illuminate the area. The main sounds you could hear were quiet chattering and the sound of the cutlery on plates.

“No one I know has ever been upset with barbeque,” he shrugged.

Soon enough, the meat arrived, and your jaw dropped. “It’s not even cooked! What the hell is this?” You sputtered, preparing to stand up to complain at the counter.

“Sit down! This is how it’s supposed to be! Have you never had barbeque in your life?” Inho yelled, grabbing your wrist and pulling you back down. Luckily, the drunk men helped drown out your little fit and no one stopped to stare at the scene you were making.

Once you sat back down, huffing and pouting at the raw meat, Inho sighed again. “You’re either the stupidest person ever or you’re a sheltered rich girl who’s never had anything other than foie gras and Dom Perignon.”

“I don’t eat foie gras, it’s unethical!” You countered.

“Well that answers my question,” he sighed again as he began to cook the meat. You watched curiously as it sizzled and juices began to leak onto the hot stove. When he flipped it, the meat had turned brown. When he was done, he poured an unfamiliar sauce into a bowl and placed it in front of you, picking up the meat with his chopsticks and moving it onto your plate.

You picked up your chopsticks and blew into the steaming meat, dipping it in the sauce and taking a bite. When you realized you couldn’t bite off a piece, you quickly covered your mouth and stuffed the rest in, ears blushing from embarrassment.

It wasn’t impressive, by all means. There’s only so much you can do with regular meat and some sauce. Even so, it wasn’t so bad, and definitely not bad enough for you to spit it out. You recall having similar meals with your mom you were younger.

“So? Do you like it?” Inho asked expectantly.

“It’s good,” you replied, giving him a thumbs up. It wasn’t necessary to go into details about how you’ve had better.

He seemed to loosen up a little with your approval, and placed a few more strips on the stove, cooking for the two of you. The two of you ate in silence for a while before Inho suddenly straightened his back and looked you concerningly. “Wait, how old are you?”

“21, why?” You answered between your munching.

He groaned, his hands flying to his face as if he’d encountered something extremely exasperating. “What are you doing hanging around with an old man like me? Do you lack common sense or have no sense of danger?”

“If you were to do something, you would’ve done it already,” you shrugged.

“That’s not how the world works! Do you know how many women marry men and then get beaten around like a ragdoll everyday?”

“Are you that type of man?”

“No, of course not!”

“Okay, then I have nothing to worry about,” you concluded, and he shook his head.

“You have to be more alert than that. Just because I’m not going to hurt you doesn’t mean other people won’t.”

“Ugh! You sound like a dad!” You groaned. The peaceful atmosphere the two of you had was thoroughly ruined now. It wasn’t a big deal though, because in between his yapping and your responses, you two had cleared every piece of meat brought to your table.

“Are you still hungry?” He asked, staring at all the empty plates.

“No.”

Inho called out for a waiter and the bill was promptly presented to him. His eyes widened a little at the price, but he paid without complaints, stuffing his arms through his jacket holes and zipping it up while the waiter grabbed his change at the register.

Before you two went your separate ways, you grabbed his arm. “Give me your number,” you demanded.

“What? You’re too young to date me, and I’m not interested in dating,” he scoffed.

“No, you idiot! I’m getting your number so you can show me around Seoul!”

“Why should I do that? I already treated you to dinner, and you gave me my ramen. Anything else is not necessary.”

“So you’re going to leave a college student who’s living in an unfamiliar city to survive on her own?” An obvious lie to guilt trip him— you were born and raised in Seoul.

“Where are you from?”

“Busan.”

“Show me your Busan accent.”

“What! You’re so mean! I have a complex over my Busan accent, you know! It’s embarrassing!” Another lie, you have no idea how to speak in a Busan accent.

Inho sighed again. You wondered if it was a habit of his or if he just wasn’t used to someone so enchantingly amazing as you. “Give me your phone.”

You watched as he typed his number in along with his name, as if you didn’t know that already, but it occurred to you that you two never introduced yourselves but already had a meal together. He passed you his phone and you did the same, but adding a little heart emoji to the end of your name, and he scowled. “Is this necessary?” He pointed to the heart.

“It’s just for fun. You’re free to delete it if you want.”

He mumbled something under his breath but kept the heart in your contact name, shoving his phone in his pocket. He offered to walk you home since it was getting dark, but you rejected his offer, spotting your driver’s car across the street. You were surprised at how gentlemanly he was.

After waving him goodbye, you crossed the street, opened the car door, and sank into the car seat, breathing a sigh of relief. You opened your phone and called your dad. “I’ve met with Inho. Give me a few months and he’s ours.”

-

Getting close to Inho wasn’t as hard as you thought. Underneath the cold, sometimes brutish man who was still grieving his family, was a deeply lonely person. He’d told you about his family situation, from his divorced parents, step-mom and half-brother, to his wife and unborn kid. You never pried, you just let him tell you whatever he was willing to say.

He met up with his family once a month at most, but they rarely talked to each other on the phone. He said something about brother wanting to get closer with him, but their age gap and different life experiences made it awkward and hard to connect. He also still held a bit of resentment for how his parents broke up and his dad immediately remarried.

His disappearance during his time at the Squid Games combined with his isolation due to his grief also meant he lost the majority of his friends. The only one he had lived abroad, all the way in Switzerland. In short, he was in the perfect condition to be lured back to the Squid Games.

Inho was so starved for any sort of social interaction that it only took around two weeks for regular meet-ups to be arranged, and around a month for daily conversations through text. You were essentially his unpaid sugar baby, not that you’ve gone that far yet. You still needed to find a way into his pants.

Around three months after meeting him, you messed up big time. You two were walking down the street after having dinner together, the usual. It was a quiet night, with no one around, and he had cracked a joke that made both of your laughs echo throughout the streets.

After stopping by an empty park and playing around with the slides and swings, there was a brief moment when you noticed him staring at your lips. Being the opportunist you were, you closed your eyes and leaned in, but instead of feeling his lips on yours, a warm hand firmly covered your mouth. Once he removed it, you could clearly see the shine of your lip gloss on his hand despite the dim streetlights.

“I don’t want this kind of relationship, and you’re still too young for me,” he said curtly, walking away without a word, leaving you dumbfounded.

You silently screamed to yourself once he was out of sight. It was the worst calculation error you’ve ever made in your life. You thought that since the light had come back in his eyes because of your presence that this calculated kiss would definitely work on him. You underestimated how much he loved his wife.

‘Too soon,’ you thought to yourself, wondering how you were going to come back from this mistake.

In the end, you couldn’t. The conversations dried up immediately, and all your attempts to meet up with him were met with silence. He even had the audacity to leave you on read, driving you crazy. Being left on read was one of your biggest pet peeves. Eventually, you had to give up on him just like your dad did.

-

A month before the the 2016 Squid Games were held, you heard whispers of VIPs who were also interested in Inho. You managed to eavesdrop by feigning ignorance, playing on your phone with noise cancelling earbuds while your dad discussed with the other businessmen. Of course, none of them had seen your face, being perfectly hidden behind a masquerade mask.

You weren’t sure what the VIPs exactly wanted with Inho, especially because he had long won the previous year’s games. If they wanted to do something to him, wouldn’t it be easier to do it when he first won, while he was still on Jeju Island and easy to kidnap? It didn’t make any sense to you.

Turns out, they wanted him at his lowest, when he believed he had nothing to live for, to completely break him. It was apparently the idea of a female VIP who found him attractive. They would take him when he had nothing left to lose, use him like a toy, and wash their hands of him as if nothing had happened. They were certainly rich enough to completely cover up his disappearance if they wanted to.

By all means, you weren’t a saint who wanted to save him from this predicament. After all, you wanted a piece of him too. You simply didn’t want him to completely break and then get tossed aside. He was too useful for you to waste his potential like that.

So when he was kidnapped and brought back to Jeju Island, you jumped at the opportunity to bring him back to your side. The VIPs were quite serious about him, judging by how they had him cleaned up while he was unconscious and left him in only a robe for their easy access. Even the bed was huge, enough for multiple people to lay on it at once. Anyone with a brain knew what would happen to him if you didn’t step in.

Every VIP knew exactly who you were. Your distinct masquerade mask stuck out like a sore thumb in the sea of full, golden, head masks that each looked like a different animal. Even if you threw tantrums or acted bratty, no one had the guts to oppose you, because pissing you off meant you’d tattle to your dad and have them kicked out from being a spectator of the games. They already pay millions annually to keep up these games, they’re not willing to risk their highlight of the year over a young woman who will eventually inherit the position of Host.

With your advantage of being able to access all the security, it wasn’t difficult for you to find out where Inho was being held. Luckily, it seemed you didn’t have to try too hard to find him in the maze of VIP rooms, because he was only a hallway away. He had already awakened by the time you found him, and was trying to find a way to pick his handcuffs.

You speedwalked to his room. Running was not an option in your heels, especially because you hadn’t broke them in yet. You brought the masterkey of all the locks with you, since you were sure the VIPs had taken the handcuffs from one of the toy bins in the lounge. Even if you were wrong, you could always pick his lock.

You slowly cracked the door open and pushed slowly, wincing at the sound of the creaks. He was visibly startled by your presence, trying to appear brave but you could clearly see him trembling slightly.

“Get away from me!” He yelled as you approached him, causing you to immediately cover his mouth.

“Shhhhh!” You shushed through gritted teeth. “Do you want them to discover you before I even take your handcuffs off?”

He immediately shook his head. “That’s what I thought,” you mumbled as you freed him from his handcuffs. You noticed the red chaffing on his wrists as he rubbed them.

“Where are we?” He asked firmly, although his voice wavered.

“Jeju Island. The 2016 Squid Games are currently under production,” you answered.

“Squid Game? I already won last year! Why am I back in this dreaded place?!” He whisper-yelled, shaking you by your shoulders.

“What do you think?”

“..Am I a wanted man?” He was starting to get nervous.

“Yes, but not in the way you think. The VIPs want to host an orgy in this room.”

“So you’re saying they want to rape me,” he responded dejectedly after a moment of silence.

“Bingo. But I’m willing to save you, but not without my own conditions,” you offered.

“Great. My options are getting raped and your unknown ulterior motives,” he groaned.

“I can guarantee whatever I ask of you is leagues better than what the VIPs will do to you once they get here. With them, your asshole will never close up again, and they might even kill you and cover up your disappearance as if you’d never existed,” you reasoned.

Inho sat down on a nearby couch and buried his head in his hands. The sound of footsteps could be heard from afar, but you weren’t going to pressure him. Yet.

“What’s your offer?” He finally gave in.

“You’ll be my right-hand man. Your role will be determined later. Also, I do want to play with you every now and then,” you responded.

“You’re going to rape me too?” He whisper-yelled, his face getting red with anger.

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that. I’ll only do it when you agree to it, but you have to do it at some point. I won’t allow loopholes where everytime I ask you, you just reject me. Both my conditions need to be fulfilled faithfully,” you explained, “So? What’s your decision.”

Inho’s jaw was clenched as he trembled with anger, the glare in his eyes defiant. He appeared even more lively than the three months you were in contact with him. The VIPs were wrong about him having nothing to lose. Clearly, even when he had nothing but a pile of money that couldn’t buy him an ounce of happiness, he still had his pride.

As the footsteps drew closer, you observed as Inho peered at the door, contemplating the most important choice he would ever make in his life. Either way, his pride and dignity would be ripped from him, it all depended on whether or not he would be alive after it was ripped away.

Mere miliseconds before the VIPs burst through the door, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his head hung with shame for what he was about to do. “I accept your offer.”

You internally cheered. “Good choice.”

As a large group of VIPs poured into the room, you turned to face them with a smile. “Wow, I didn’t know you’d gotten me a gift! You all are so sweet!” You exclaimed excitedly, trying not to giggle as they instantly froze where they stood.

“Miss, there seems to be a misunderstanding—”

“Oh,” you said dejectedly, “This isn’t for me?” You pouted, pointing to Inho.

“Miss, please. Let us explain what’s going on—”

Too late, you started your crocodile tears. All those tedious days of joining Drama club as a mandatory extracurricular and forcing yourself to stare at the mirror for hours to make yourself cry on command finally paid off. You were pretty grateful for your high school self in this moment.

The VIPs nervously glanced at each other. Some of them had come in with erections, although those were long gone due to your performance. They knew that one wrong move and they’d be thrown out of Jeju Island with swiftness.

Finally, the VIP who appeared to be the leader stepped up. It was the woman who came up with the plan. “Oh, Miss! Of course we brought him in for you! You two would look perfect together!” She came in closer, pulling you into a hug.

“If you try and pinch me, I’ll call my dad,” you whispered in her ear before she could do anything.

“You win this time, but don’t get in our way ever again,” she threatened with a whisper.

“I don’t plan on it. He’s the only one I want,” you responded in a whisper.

She pulled away after a convincing amount of time and motioned for the other VIPs to leave, leaving you alone with Inho. You could tell Inho wanted to breathe a sigh of relief as the main threat left, but he was still wary of you and your conditions.

After a bit of thinking, you shut the door the VIPs left open and took off your mask, turning to face Inho. The expression on his face was one you’d never forget. It was betrayal, shock, anger, hatred, anything and everything you can imagine.

“You— was this your idea?!” He shouted, all his wariness leaving his body, replaced with pure anger.

“Of course not. I was planning on letting you go when our conversations dried up. I wasn’t expecting the VIPs to do what they did, but what can I say? I’m an opportunist at heart! How can I not take it when they did all the work for me?” You grinned mischevously, watching as his anger slowly dissipated into resignation.

“What will happen to me if I ask you to let me go? Will you hand me back to the VIPs?” He asked, slumped on the couch.

“I don’t need to hand you back for them to immediately realize you aren’t under my protection. They have access to every player that’s ever participated in these games; they can choose to observe every moment of your life if they wish to. The only way they can’t reach you is if you’re with me,” you explained, although you couldn’t help but let a tinge of giddiness slip through.

“And who are you for you to hold so much power within these games?”

To answer this question, you walked up to him and grabbed his jaw, gripping it firmly and making eye contact with him. Now that he knew of your identity, he was less scared and you were aware he could freely break away from your grip if he wished to, but all his hope had disappeared and he surprisingly remained obedient. “I’m the daughter of the man who created these games,” you told him in a low voice, releasing his jaw.

His jaw went slack, almost as if it had broken and was no longer attached to his body. It took him a full minute for him to close it again. “Why me? Why did you have to take me out of everyone?” It was clear he still didn’t understand how he ended up in this position, despite sealing his fate the moment he decided to enter the Squid Games last year.

“You’re intelligent. You’re ruthless. You’re incredibly competent. You’re the perfect person to help manage the games, even if you don’t see your own potential yet,” you replied matter-of-factly.

“...I don’t want to be the reason hundreds of people die. I’m a police officer! I’m supposed to protect innocent civilians, regardless of their financial status!” He argued, and you almost burst out laughing.

“You’re an ex-police officer. You got fired, remember? Besides, the life I’m offering you isn’t so bad, is it? You get to sit back and relax for 9 months out of the year, only working three months prior to the annual games. You’ll never have to worry about money, being harassed or mistreated, and most importantly…” you placed your hand on his thigh, “Your desires will always be fulfilled.”

“You’re a demon,” he spat, the defiant look returning to his eyes.

“Maybe I am, but you’re the one who signed my contract and agreed to my terms, so why don’t we begin carrying out the terms now?” You snickered, motioning to the bed. “I mean, they made so many preparations just for us.”

“Fine, I’ll give you what you want. It’s the only reason you chased after me in the first place,” he snarled, his hands gripping your waist hard enough to leave bruises as his lips crashed into yours, as if to assert the dominance he didn’t have.

Unsurprisingly, he was an amazing kisser, although anyone with eyes could’ve seen that coming from a mile away. You had no doubt he was a retired playboy who left a trail of broken hearts everywhere he went before he decided to settle down. He was a biter too, nipping on your bottom lip just hard enough to make you gasp, but not enough to draw blood. As you two made out, you decided you’ll never doubt your intuition ever again.

You broke the kiss as his hands travelled to your ass, pushing him away slightly. “Why’d you stop? This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” He mocked, causing you to roll your eyes.

“You’re going to learn to be obedient,” you declared, motioning for him to get on the bed, which he hesitantly obliged to.

“Lean on the headboard and lift your arms above your head,” you ordered, which he questioned silently with a raised eyebrow. You had to pull out a walkie to implicitly threaten him into submission. You pulled out a pair of pink fluffy handcuffs and cuffed his wrists together, making sure to attach it to the headboard so he couldn’t move very well.

“I didn’t know you were into that kind of thing,” he commented, the one of the only unmalicious things he said while in this room.

“I wasn’t the one who bought it, and I’m only using it to make sure you don’t choke me during sex or something along those lines,” you explained, gently raking your nails down his chest as you opened his robe until you reached his stomach. His body was lean, yet muscular from his time as a police officer, but it was obvious he wasn’t at his peak condition.

“Your intuition is unnecessarily strong,” he said before freezing as you placed a chaste kiss on his neck, still raking your nails through his torso.

You climbed onto his lap before you continued, although this time, you amped it up with the occasional lick. Turning up the intensity even further, you started nipping, kissing, and licking his neck until you found a particular spot that made him gasp. Grinning to yourself, you latched on and sucked, smiling into his neck as an even louder gasp escaped his lips. You knew you were getting him riled up, evident by the bulge pressing against your ass.

It made you even determined to make him scream when you pulled away, witnessing the litany of hickeys on his neck that would surely bruise in the upcoming days while he struggled to catch his breath. Perhaps you were too old for them, but you justified it using the looming threat of the VIPs.

“Stay with me, we haven’t even gotten started,” you laughed, moving down to his chest as you palmed his cock through the cloth of the robe, causing him to shudder beneath your touch. It seemed that no matter how severe his grief was, his body would always react in front of an attractive woman. You doubted he even touched himself at all after his wife passed, considering how he wallowed in bed and only got up to eat and shower.

You slowly untied the belt around his robe and pushed the cloth aside, his cock springing up in front of your face. You were actually a bit scared it would slap you in the face. After taking a good look, you realized it was the biggest cock you’ve ever had, not that you’ve had much experience with well-endowed men. You preferred men who were closer to the average 6 inches considering your petite stature, but now you were face to cock with 7 inches. Not a horse by any means, but still larger than what you were used to.

“Why are you staring at it like that?” Inho asked, a hint of a chuckle in his voice, as if amused by your internal battle.

“I usually go smaller..” you mumbled to yourself, giving his tip a cautious lick. The moment your tongue touched his tip, it twitched violently and he sucked in a deep breath, likely to avoid making any sounds.

His reaction gave you the confidence to be a little bolder. Slowly, you took him in your mouth until you felt him hit the back of your throat. Your mouth wasn’t big enough to take him all in, but it didn’t stop him from instantly throwing his head back. If you’d been any less experienced, you would’ve definitely gagged and thrown up on the spot, but your body count was between you and god. You slowly began bobbing your head up and down, swirling your tongue on the underside of his shaft.

The whole time, he’s as stiff as a statue. His eyes are squeezed shut, and he’s biting his lips so hard you swear you see blood.

‘He looks so pathetic,’ you think to yourself as you take your mouth off his cock, watching him buck his hips at the sudden loss of stimulation. When it looks like he’s calmed down a little, you blow air on his cock, and he groans, clearly caught off guard.

Something snaps within you, and you start stroking his cock with your dominant hand, making sure to occasionally swipe his swollen tip. By now, he’s struggling against the cuffs. It’s so obvious he wants to pin you down and just take what he needs, but that’s exactly why you have the cuffs in the first place. He needs to learn obedience and patience.

When it looks like he’s about to cum, you stop, and he sits there, shaking and gasping for breath. “Why’d you stop?” He asked between gasps.

“You’re not allowed to cum. Not yet, at least,” you grinned at him. If you had a mirror in front of you, you would surely be twins with the Grinch.

“So that’s what this is about?” He sighed, his body stiffening again as you licked his tip.

“I like how you look right now, that’s all,” you replied before taking him back in your mouth, and he instinctively thrusted. You immediately took him out again, coughing a little. “If you do that again, I’m gonna leave you like this for two hours.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please don’t do that,” he backtracked, the only thing on his mind was his overwhelming need to climax.

You gave the base of his cock a hard squeeze as a warning before opening your mouth and welcoming it back in, reveling in every twitch. Looking up at him, he was once again trying to keep his mouth shut the best he could. You hadn’t even begun sucking yet, and it seemed like he was already close to cumming in your mouth.

You repeated the process of blowing him, stroking him, and teasing him with repeated edging. You hadn’t exactly set a timer to decide when you were done toying with him, but you knew for sure you either wanted him to scream or start crying.

Usually, for this type of sex, according to your friend who was well-versed in BDSM, you needed stuff like safewords to avoid going too far, but this time you decided to gloss over it because you wanted to push Inho to his absolute limit. You could always go slower and gentler later. It didn’t seem like he was familiar with this either.

In the end, your goal of making him scream and cry were both achieved. He stopped holding back his voice around the 30 minute mark, moaning as if no one except you could hear him. He didn’t exactly burst into tears and start sobbing, but you did see a stray tear drip down his cheeks. That was your sign to stop teasing him.

You checked the clock. It was exactly one hour after you had initially started, and you decided it was more than enough. Taking your hand off his cock, you reached for your panties and slowly slipped them off your legs. You didn’t even realize how wet you’d gotten.

You figured you didn’t need any prep or foreplay because of how wet you were, so you lined your pussy at his tip and slowly put it in, feeling the pain and pleasure of him stretching you and filling you up. “Don’t move your hips, you warned him,” as you went excruciatingly slow.

When you finally bottomed out, he let out a loud gasp followed by an equally loud moan. You can tell it took everything in him to listen to your words and not start thrusting like a madman. Brushing his wet bangs out of his eyes, you leaned forward and cupped his face.

“You can cum now,” you smiled, and boy did he take you up on that offer. He came immediately after those words left your mouth, his cock twitching violently in your pussy as he spilled rope after rope. He could barely moan at this point, only loudly gasping for just enough air to enter his lungs.

You waited for him to come back down to Earth to remove yourself from his cock, undoing his handcuffs. A few blisters were forming from the extreme chafing, and you frowned a little, making a mental note to apply ointment on his wrists later.

As he sunk into the bed and laid there breathing heavily, you presented your pussy to him. “Clean up your mess, will you?” You asked sweetly, and he was too consumed with lust to argue with you.

He pulled your hips down so you were firmly sitting on his face, his strong arms preventing you from squirming. He fucked you with his tongue, slurping up all his cum without complaints, making you see stars. Once he couldn’t taste any more of his cum, he moved to your clit and sucked, scissoring you open with two fingers at a punishing pace. You could tell he was trying to make you orgasm as fast as possible, not that you cared because you were too blissed out to even feel the effects of time. Seconds felt like minutes and minutes felt like hours.

Your fingers gripped and tugged at his hair, impossibly trying to force him even closer. His warm, sweaty scalp was the only thing keeping you from believing you’d entered a completely different realm, and you swear you scratched it up until it bled.

You reached your orgasm with a scream, and Inho, the sneaky bastard he was, prolonged it by continuing to finger you until you were so spent you collapsed onto the bed. That was definitely his way of taking revenge on your actions of edging him for an hour.

Once both of your breaths steadied, you sat up and were about to walk to the toilet when Inho suddenly sprang up. “Wait! We didn’t use protection!” He pointed out nervously.

“It’s fine, I have an IUD,” you responded sleepily. You wanted to hurry up and put ointment on his wrists and pass out for 12 hours.

Inho calmed at your revelation, and laid back down on the bed. By the time you returned, he was nearly asleep when you woke him up again with the sting of the ointment. “Seriously? Can’t you do it tomorrow morning?”

“If you want to get an infection, sure,” you sassed, and he instantly shut up, letting you do whatever was necessary.

You climbed into bed with him, too tired to clean up or care about clean sheets. You slept on the opposite of him, as far as you could be, but you knew that you had won him over for good.

As you imagined the future glory of the Squid Games under your combined efforts, you fell asleep with a smile on your face.

‘He’s so mine.’

[broadway-stuck]

Auditions OPEN 5/19/25

It's springtime once again, everyone! And this time, we've got even more roles to fill!

Right now we are hosting auditions for:

Jane Crocker

Jake English

Roxy Lalonde

Gamzee Makara

Eridan Ampora

Lyricists

Artists

AUDITION RULES

-You must be 18+ to submit an audition.

-Cast member auditions should be acapella, at least 1 minute long to showcase your range. Title your email/audition with the character you are auditioning for, and send your audition in a .MP3 or .WAV file format.

-Mixer auditions should showcase your ability to combine instrumental tracks with vocals. You must show proper timing as well as the ability to balance volumes between instrumental and vocal tracks. These can be full length songs or snippets over 1 minute. These can be sent in a .MP3, .MOV, or .WAV file format

-For artists, auditions should be two (2) of your art pieces. If the work passes the initial review process, we will then send for a callback in the form of a quick sketch/mock-up of track art. This can be in .png, .jpeg, .gif, etc. (Basically, any file format that can be opened through gmail is acceptable.)

-For lyricists, auditions should be two (2) parodies of songs you've made, along with the name of the original song for comparison. They do not need to be Homestuck related. If they pass the review process, we will ask you to rewrite the first verse & chorus of a song from a pre-determined list as a callback.

All auditions are to be sent to:

broadwaystuckmods@gmail.com

and titled with what you’re auditioning for.

Any questions regarding the process can be sent to that same email or to our ask box!

There is no deadline for the auditions, but if we ask for a callback, we would prefer if you respond between two weeks and a month after the request!

Thank you for all your love and support, and happy auditioning! <3

[allaboutkeyingo]

9 Best Places To Buy Windows 11 Keys

The lastest Windows 11 is one of Microsoft’s best OSs . Not only it is stable, but it also comes with a host of new features like Windows Hello, Dark Mode, and advanced security，Android Gaming, Remote connections， To access these features, you’ll need to activate your Windows 11 or Windows 11 Pro , meaning a product key will be necessary, so where are the best places to buy Windows 11 Keys?

Microsoft Store Amazon Newegg Walmart BestBuy Keyingo Microcenter TigerDirect On the Hub

As most branded laptops come with windows 11 without activations, and the PC you build by yourself, you might have to get a windows 11 key from these legit market places !

The best place to buy Windows 11 keys is through the official Microsoft website. However, you can also buy from other trusted websites like Bestbuy, Amazon, Walmart, Newegg，Keyingo, On the Hub.

Then you can activate your Windows 11 and make the most of the OS.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Read on as we examine some of the best places to buy Windows 11 keys.

Microsoft Store

Microsoft is hands down the best place to buy Windows 11 keys. Purchasing product keys from the official website gives you the peace of mind that you’re buying a perfectly legal product that won’t have any issues in the future.

While the Microsoft website doesn’t allow you to purchase a product key independently, you can still acquire a product key by buying the different Windows 11 packages.

Windows 11 Home is best for household and personal use, licensed for one PC. Windows 11 Pro is perfect for small businesses and users in need of enhanced functionality, while Windows 11 Pro for Workstations — as the name suggests — is perfect for advanced users and businesses.

Investing in any of the above products will give you a product key that you can find in the email (confirmation) sent after purchasing Windows.

Or, you can find the product key in the packaging box your OS came in.

Keyingo

Keyingo store is among the few trusted websites that deal with product keys.

The website sells various digital products and software ranging from operating systems, office suites, packs, antiviruses and security software, and graphic design products.

You’re also likely to find Windows 11 products at a lower price when buying from Keyingo Store

However, the good thing is that Keyingo deals with legitimate products, meaning you won’t suffer any losses when purchasing directly from the site.

You can track your order or make any inquiries about Windows 11 product keys without having to wait for ages to get a response.

The site also has a software blog that helps users learn a thing or two about making the most of their devices and software.

Amazon

Amazon is also a great place to buy Windows 11 keys. All you’ll need is to head on to the site and search for Windows 11 Home.

You’ll spot several products sold by the official Windows store. However, to avoid making a wrong purchase, paying close attention to the product and its features is crucial.

Amazon allows you to buy Microsoft Windows 11 Home as a DVD, or as a USB that’ll ship to your location. Unfortunately, finding just the digital download copy of Windows 11 Home these days seems to be a bit of a challenge.

It is similar in comparison when considering Windows 11 Home. The main difference is that a USB version or digital download are obtainable and popular choices.

According to Amazon reviews, the USB version is a lot easier to install than the DVD version.

Just because Amazon is a trusted e-commerce site, that doesn’t mean you let your guard down when buying products on the platform.

Pay close attention when purchasing software like Windows 11 to ensure you buy from trustworthy sellers.

And since some software can have identical names and titles, don’t forget to closely check the name to make sure you don’t walk away with the wrong software !

Newegg

It’s hard to talk about online marketplaces for PC components and software without mentioning Newegg.

Formed in 2001, Newegg has established itself as one of the best tech-focused e-retailers in North America and worldwide.

Newegg sells Microsoft products like Windows 11 Home at relatively lower prices than you’d find on the official Microsoft website.

Even better, the site regularly updates its prices, allowing customers to buy software and PC parts at considerably low prices.

While the price cuts won’t be as significant compared to when buying to marketplaces like Kinguin, Newegg allows clients to reduce costs through discounts and promo codes.

Newegg also offers free shipping to clients in the US, which can cut your costs even further.

You’ll receive the activation key upon purchasing the product. On most occasions, the code will be super tiny and strategically located under the ‘scratch off’ sticker.

You can easily scratch off the product key on your package, so it’s best to scratch slowly and carefully.

Walmart

You can also buy Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro on the Walmart website.

One advantage of buying at Walmart is you’ll be eligible for free shipping, and you can buy the product at slightly lower prices than buying directly from Microsoft.

Based on client reviews, you’ll find the key on the Windows 11 product package. Remember to scratch gently to reveal the code.

Walmart also gives you access to a host of other genuine Windows products, making it a great option if you want to buy legit Windows 11 keys without having to pay the full price on the Microsoft website.

Microcenter

Microcenter is another legitimate online store to purchase legitimate Windows 11 for your PC.

The website exclusively deals with tech, computer, and software-related products, making it a great place to hunt for affordable Windows 11 Home or Pro product keys.

Similar to other genuine Microsoft merchants, you’ll get your Windows 11 keys on your packaging.

So, scratch gently to avoid removing the tiny product key figures. Microcenter allows clients to purchase a maximum of ten keys per household, which is a great way to limit further reselling.

TigerDirect

Tigerdirect is another great place to purchase Windows 11 and get a product key for activation.

While the prices aren’t as affordable as you’ll find on several other sites, Tigerdirect is still cheaper than Microsoft.

That means you can ship via TigerDirect if you find buying directly from Windows to be expensive.

Tigerdirect is a lot faster than other sites when it comes to shipping.

And although you won’t get massive discounts on the site, the knowledge that you’ll be buying legitimate Windows 11 keys should give you peace of mind.

Besides fast shipping, Tigerdirect also stands out due to its highly responsive support team.

Clients who’ve bought from the site claim the support team is dedicated to resolving client issues in the shortest time possible.

On the Hub

On the Hub has partnered with hundreds of schools, universities, and colleges from various countries to make Microsoft products and a host of other products available to students.

However, only students with valid school IDs and institution email addresses are eligible for the discounts provided on the site.

To make the most of the offers on the site, you’ll first need to key in your country, state or province, and school.

This information will allow the system to determine the deals and offers you’re eligible for based on your school’s agreement with On The Hub.

Although not suitable for everyone, On The Hub is an excellent website for students looking to purchase or get Windows 11 keys for free.

If you’re a student, then you might want to consider trying out On The Hub if your institution is registered as an academic partner

[renee-writer]

Who are the least of these?

Matthew 25:40-45, "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."

The least of these are those who need our help. When we choose to walk past without helping, how are we any better than the priest and Levite who walked past the man in need, Luke 10:30-37, "And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

Jesus told us this parable to motivate us to be like the good Samaritan. He asks us to help those in need. When the church does this, God is pleased, and His love is witnessed by those around, thus drawing them to Him. We could go to the ends of the earth to spread His message of love, but we can also help those in our neighborhood.

God loves us all, and He wants us to be loving. He wants us to share our abundance with the least of these. How could we do anything else, John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." He gave up everything for us. Everything we have in this world pales in comparison to what He offers us in eternity, 1 Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Who are the least of these? We are. And He came to offer us an abundant eternal life.

God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the Quarterly Newsletter, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.

[digitaldetoxworld]

"Telegram Marketing Hacks: Build Your Audience and Drive Conversions"

 Telegram has emerged as a powerful platform for entrepreneurs. With its robust functions, high engagement rates, and developing international consumer base, Telegram offers specific possibilities for manufacturers to connect with their target audience. This manual explores how to leverage Telegram for marketing success.

Creating keyword-rich content for Telegram marketing

Why Choose Telegram for Marketing?

1. Massive User Base

Telegram has over 800 million month-to-month lively users (as of 2023), making it a fertile ground for accomplishing a diverse target audience.

2. High Engagement Rates

Telegram customers generally tend to interact more with content in comparison to other social media platforms. Its notification machine ensures that messages are visible through a huge percentage of subscribers.

Three. Secure and Private

With cease-to-stop encryption, Telegram is a trusted platform for customers concerned approximately privateness, which enables construct credibility to your logo.

4. Rich Features

Telegram gives channels, companies, bots, and media sharing capabilities that allow companies to execute diverse advertising strategies.

Getting Started with Telegram Marketing

1. Create a Telegram Account

Start by way of growing a Telegram account and set up a commercial enterprise profile. Use a expert profile photo, together with your brand logo, and write a compelling bio that describes your commercial enterprise.

2. Choose Your Marketing Approach

Decide whether or not to apply:

Telegram Channels: Best for broadcasting messages to a huge target audience.

Telegram Groups: Ideal for fostering network and direct engagement.

Bots: Automate customer service, surveys, and lead generation.

Building Your Audience

1. Promote Your Telegram Channel or Group

Share your channel hyperlink across other social media systems, your website, and e-mail newsletters.

Offer incentives, along with distinct content, reductions, or giveaways, to encourage sign-ups.

2. Use QR Codes

Generate QR codes related in your channel and encompass them in offline materials like posters, enterprise playing cards, or product packaging.

3. Collaborate with Influencers

Partner with influencers for your niche who have an active Telegram presence. They can sell your channel or group to their target market.

4. Optimize Your Channel Description

Use key phrases to your channel’s description to make it searchable on Telegram. Include a clean name-to-movement (CTA) that encourages customers to subscribe.

Content Strategies for Telegram Marketing

1. High-Quality Content

Post visually attractive and well-crafted content material. Use pix, films, infographics, and concise textual content to seize interest.

2. Consistency

Maintain a consistent posting schedule. Analyze your target market’s lively hours and put up as a consequence.

Three. Personalized Messages

Use Telegram's personalization functions to segment your target market and send tailored content material. For example, you may use bots to deliver personalised offers.

4. Interactive Content

Encourage engagement by posting polls, quizzes, and questions. For instance, a clothing brand may want to ask, “Which fashion do you decide on?” to collect insights and engage fans.

Leveraging Telegram Features

1. Channels

Channels are excellent for one-manner communique. Use them to:

Share updates, promotions, and announcements.

Provide exclusive content material, together with at the back of-the-scenes movies or early get right of entry to to income.

2. Groups

Groups permit -way verbal exchange. They are top notch for:

Building a community around your emblem.

Hosting Q&A sessions or discussions.

Collecting comments and ideas out of your audience.

Three. Bots

Telegram bots can automate tasks including:

Sending reminders about promotions.

Providing instant customer support.

Collecting email addresses or different leads.

Four. Polls and Quizzes

Use polls to accumulate critiques or comments. Quizzes may be used for academic content or to gamify engagement.

Best Practices for Telegram Marketing

1. Don’t Spam

Avoid overloading your subscribers with messages. Respect their time and keep your updates relevant and concise.

2. Offer Value

Ensure each message can provide price, whether it’s information, enjoyment, or a unique provide.

Three. Encourage Sharing

Make it clean for users to proportion your content. Use CTAs like “Forward this to a friend” to increase your attain.

Four. Monitor Analytics

Use Telegram’s integrated analytics equipment to tune subscriber increase, engagement rates, and content performance. Adjust your method based on records.

Examples of Telegram Marketing Campaigns

1. Product Launch

Use a channel to announce new merchandise. Share teasers, countdowns, and at the back of-the-scenes content material main up to the launch.

2. Exclusive Discounts

Offer specific discounts in your Telegram subscribers. For instance, “Get 20% off with the code TELE20, best for our Telegram community!”

three. Community Engagement

Create a group where customers can speak your brand, percentage opinions, and ask questions. Moderators can ensure the conversation remains fine and relevant.

Four. Educational Content

Share guidelines, tutorials, or courses related to your niche. For example, a fitness brand could publish exercise routines or meal plans.

Measuring Success

1. Engagement Metrics

Track the quantity of perspectives, clicks, and stocks for each put up.

2. Subscriber Growth

Monitor how speedy your channel or organization is growing. A regular growth suggests effective marketing.

Three. Feedback

Use polls, surveys, and direct messages to gather comments from your audience. Ask what content material they find most valuable.

4. ROI

Calculate the go back on investment (ROI) by way of evaluating the cost of your Telegram advertising efforts to the sales generated.

Challenges in Telegram Marketing

1. Building a Subscriber Base

It can take time to develop your target audience, especially inside the preliminary degrees. Consistent promotion and valuable content material are key.

2. Keeping Subscribers Engaged

Maintaining engagement calls for sparkling and thrilling content material. Avoid repetitive posts.

3. Handling Negative Feedback

In agencies, you may come upon grievance. Respond professionally and use poor comments as an possibility to improve.

[muskanbarii]

Web Hosting: Choosing The Best One for Your Business Needs

Hosting is crucial for businesses operating online. Therefore, choosing the right web hosting is one of the most critical decisions for your website’s success. Depending upon the nature and size of your business, hosting will impact your website’s performance, security, and scalability.

As there are numerous hosting providers in UK, choosing one that serves your purpose is definitely a difficult task to do. However, choosing a cheap UK web hosting that’s appropriate for your website becomes easier with a few simple tips:

Analyse your website requirements

Assess your website’s needs by understanding the type of website you are building, traffic you are expecting, and advanced features (database, email hosting, and custom application), as well as your budget.

For a personal blog, resource requirements are minimal. However, big online stores have a more robust hosting requirements, considering the expectations like traffic, security, and loading time.

What would be the most suitable hosting type?

There are different types of hosting, like shared hosting (offering limited resources, it’s suitable for small websites),VPS or virtual private server hosting (a little expensive, it is suitable for growing businesses with moderate traffic), dedicated hosting (suitable for high-traffic websites), and cloud hosting (suitable for websites with variable or high-traffic).

Expected features

While choosing hosting providers, consider features like performance and uptime, scalability, security, customer support, and ease of use. All these features are crucial to determine the worth of your investment. A hosting that can’t accommodate your growing business needs doesn’t offer you any value.

Get recommendations and read reviews

It would be a great idea to get recommendations from your business networks who are already using great hosting services. Recommendations from industry experts and peers in your network can provide a valuable insight. You can also use online searches to come across some reputable hosting providers. To determine their credibility, check their online reviews and customer feedback.

Compare packages

Budget is an important factor for any business. Therefore, you can think of comparing prices and packages. Apart from that, also find out what features are included in the price, and if there are any hidden charges. Comparison allows you to settle with the best yet cheap UK web hosting for your business website.

Web hosting is a crucial service to let your business function online, so you need to practice caution to come across a reputable service provider and choose the best package.Take your time, do your research, and choose a host that sets your website up for long-term success.

[eweballwebhosting]

Top Web Hosting Solutions on https://eweball.com/

Choosing the right web hosting solution can be a daunting task, given the myriad of options available. This is where https://eweball.com/ comes into play, offering an extensive comparison of top web hosting providers, tailored to meet various needs and budgets. In this blog post, we will explore different types of web hosting solutions available on https://eweball.com/ and help you find the right one for your needs.

Understanding What Web Hosting Is and Why It’s Essential

Web hosting serves as the foundational service that allows websites to be accessible on the internet. Essentially, web hosting providers offer the technology and resources necessary to store your website's files on a server, ensuring these files are available to visitors at any time. Without a reliable web hosting service, your website would not have the infrastructure required to stay online. One of the critical aspects of web hosting is its impact on your website's performance. Factors such as server speed, reliability, and security directly influence the user experience. A fast-loading website with minimal downtime not only improves user satisfaction but also positively affects your search engine rankings. Security features, including SSL certificates, regular backups, and firewalls, help protect your site from cyber threats, making web hosting a crucial component in safeguarding sensitive data. Different types of web hosting solutions cater to varying needs. For example, shared hosting is suitable for beginners or small businesses with low traffic, while VPS and dedicated hosting are better for growing sites requiring more resources and control. Cloud hosting offers the scalability needed for websites experiencing fluctuating traffic levels, and managed hosting provides professional server management for those who prefer a hands-off approach. Choosing the right web hosting solution is pivotal for your online success, influencing everything from website speed to security. Understanding these elements can help you make an informed decision, ensuring your website performs optimally and remains secure.

Shared Hosting – An Affordable Option for Beginners

For those just starting their online journey, shared hosting is often the most economical and accessible option. This type of hosting involves multiple websites sharing the same server resources, which helps to keep costs down. It's ideal for personal blogs, small business websites, and portfolios that do not anticipate high traffic volumes. One of the main advantages of shared hosting is its user-friendliness. Many providers offer intuitive control panels and one-click installations for popular platforms like WordPress, making it easier for beginners to set up and manage their websites without needing extensive technical knowledge. Furthermore, shared hosting plans often come with essential features such as email accounts, sufficient storage space, and customer support, providing a solid foundation for those new to website ownership. Despite sharing server resources, many shared hosting providers implement measures to ensure fair allocation and minimise the risk of one site affecting the performance of others. The plans available on https://eweball.com/ often highlight these features, helping you choose a provider that balances affordability with reliable performance. Shared hosting is a great starting point for anyone looking to establish an online presence without a significant financial commitment. As your website grows, you can easily upgrade to more advanced hosting options to meet your evolving needs.

Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting – A Step Up

As your website expands, shared hosting might fall short in meeting its growing demands. This is where Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting steps in, offering a perfect middle ground between shared and dedicated hosting. VPS hosting allows your website to benefit from dedicated resources within a shared server environment, ensuring improved performance and greater stability. With VPS hosting, you gain more control over your hosting environment. This includes the ability to install custom software and make advanced configurations tailored to your specific needs. This flexibility is invaluable for businesses experiencing increased traffic or requiring more robust applications. VPS hosting is also characterised by enhanced security compared to shared hosting. Since your site operates within its own virtual space, it is better insulated from the potential vulnerabilities of neighbouring websites. This makes VPS an attractive option for e-commerce sites or any platform handling sensitive information. The scalability of VPS hosting is another significant advantage. You can easily upgrade resources such as RAM, CPU, and storage as your website continues to grow. This adaptability ensures that your site can handle increasing traffic without compromising on performance. Providers listed on https://eweball.com/ often offer a variety of VPS plans, making it easier for you to find a solution that fits your budget and technical requirements.

Dedicated Hosting – Ultimate Performance and Control

For websites with high traffic or those handling sensitive data, dedicated hosting offers unparalleled performance and control. Unlike shared or VPS hosting, dedicated hosting provides an entire server solely for your website, ensuring optimal speed and reliability. This exclusive access to server resources means you can customise the hardware and software to meet your specific requirements, allowing for extensive modifications and fine-tuning. Dedicated hosting is particularly beneficial for large enterprises, e-commerce sites, and platforms requiring robust security measures. The isolation from other websites eliminates the risk of neighbouring sites affecting your performance or security, providing a stable and secure environment for your data. One of the standout features of dedicated hosting is its ability to handle significant traffic spikes without compromising on performance. This makes it ideal for websites experiencing high volumes of visitors or running complex applications that demand substantial resources. Providers listed on https://eweball.com/ offer various dedicated hosting plans, often including premium support services, regular maintenance, and advanced security features. These additional services ensure that your server runs smoothly, allowing you to focus on your core business activities. While dedicated hosting comes at a higher cost compared to other hosting types, the investment is justified by the superior performance, security, and customisation options it provides. By exploring the dedicated hosting options on https://eweball.com/, you can find a solution that aligns with your technical needs and budget.

Cloud Hosting – Flexibility and Scalability

Cloud hosting leverages a network of interconnected servers to provide flexibility and scalability, accommodating fluctuating traffic levels with ease. Unlike traditional hosting that relies on a single server, cloud hosting distributes your website’s resources across multiple servers, ensuring high availability and resilience. This setup allows your site to seamlessly scale resources up or down based on real-time demands, making it an excellent choice for businesses with variable traffic patterns. Cloud hosting is designed for optimal performance, with features like load balancing and automated failover to maintain uptime and speed. This means your site remains accessible and performs consistently well, even during traffic spikes or server outages. E-commerce sites, media platforms, and growing businesses particularly benefit from cloud hosting's adaptability and robustness. Security is another strong suit of cloud hosting. The distributed nature of cloud servers helps mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks and other security threats, as the traffic load is spread across multiple servers. Additionally, most cloud hosting providers offer advanced security protocols, regular updates, and continuous monitoring to safeguard your data. The hosting plans showcased on https://eweball.com/ often come with comprehensive features, such as easy resource scaling, robust security measures, and efficient load balancing, making it straightforward to find a cloud hosting solution that aligns with your requirements.

Managed Hosting – Let Experts Handle It for You

Managed hosting is a fantastic option for those who prefer to delegate server management tasks to experienced professionals. With managed hosting, the provider takes on the responsibility of maintaining the server, performing regular updates, backups, and security monitoring, thus allowing you to focus solely on your business operations. This service is particularly advantageous for businesses that may not have a dedicated in-house IT team. In managed hosting, providers often offer enhanced support services, including 24/7 monitoring, automated performance optimisation, and advanced security measures. These features ensure that your website runs smoothly and securely, minimising downtime and protecting against potential threats. Another benefit is the proactive approach to problem-solving. Managed hosting providers typically identify and resolve issues before they impact your website's performance, offering a layer of reliability and peace of mind that is hard to achieve with self-managed hosting. Additionally, managed hosting plans frequently include a suite of useful tools and services, such as staging environments, caching solutions, and CDN integration, which further enhance your site's performance and functionality. This comprehensive support enables you to deliver a seamless user experience, even during peak traffic periods. Managed hosting is also scalable, allowing your website to grow without the hassle of manual upgrades or configurations. The plans available on https://eweball.com/ highlight these benefits, making it easier for you to choose a managed hosting provider that aligns with your needs.

WordPress Hosting – Optimised for WordPress Websites

WordPress hosting is crafted to enhance the performance and security of WordPress sites. These specialised plans often come with pre-installed plugins and themes, optimised server configurations, and automatic updates, ensuring your site operates at peak efficiency. Enhanced security measures, such as malware scanning and daily backups, offer added protection against potential threats, while dedicated customer support can assist with WordPress-specific issues. Performance-boosting features like caching and CDN integration are typically included, facilitating faster load times and smoother user experiences. As highlighted on https://eweball.com/, leading providers offer WordPress hosting plans that cater to various needs, from personal blogs to high-traffic commercial websites.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Service

When selecting a web hosting service, it’s important to evaluate several key factors to ensure it meets your specific needs. Start by identifying the type of website you plan to create and your expected traffic levels, as different hosting types (shared, VPS, dedicated, cloud, managed, and WordPress) cater to varying demands. Assess the reliability and uptime guarantees offered by potential hosts, as consistent performance is crucial for maintaining user engagement and avoiding revenue loss. Budget is another significant consideration. While cheaper options may appeal initially, they might lack essential features or scalability. Carefully examine what each hosting plan includes, such as storage, bandwidth, and support, to ensure it aligns with your requirements. Pay attention to any hidden fees and renewal rates, which can differ substantially from initial promotional prices. Customer support quality is also vital; opt for providers offering 24/7 support through various channels like live chat, phone, and email. This ensures prompt assistance whenever issues arise. Additionally, consider the scalability of the hosting plans. As your website grows, you'll want a host that allows easy upgrades to more robust packages without causing downtime or complications. Lastly, review security features like SSL certificates, regular backups, and malware protection. A secure hosting environment safeguards your data and enhances user trust. By considering these factors, you can choose a web hosting service that supports both your current and future needs.

Best Practices for Migrating Your Website to a New Host

Migrating your website to a new host requires careful planning to ensure a seamless transition. Begin by thoroughly backing up all your website data, including databases, files, and emails. This ensures you have a complete copy of your site in case anything goes wrong during the migration process. Next, gather all necessary credentials and access details for both your current and new hosting accounts to streamline the transfer. Utilise a temporary URL or staging environment on the new host to test your site before making it live. This allows you to identify and rectify any issues without disrupting your current site’s functionality. Ensure that all links, forms, and functionalities are working correctly in this test environment. Update your DNS settings to point to the new host once you’re confident everything is functioning as expected. Keep in mind that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully. During this period, some users may still be directed to your old site, so maintain your existing hosting account until the transition is complete. Communicate the migration to your audience, especially if any downtime is anticipated. Clear communication can mitigate frustration and keep your users informed. Lastly, resources available on https://eweball.com/ offer detailed guidance on the entire migration process, helping you navigate any complexities that may arise.

Understanding Web Hosting Costs and Pricing Structures

When evaluating web hosting costs, it’s important to understand the various pricing structures offered by different providers. Monthly and yearly billing options often differ significantly in price, with many providers offering discounts for longer-term commitments. Additionally, be aware of promotional pricing that may increase after the initial term, impacting your long-term budget. Transparent pricing comparisons on https://eweball.com/ can help you identify any hidden fees, such as setup charges or costs for additional features like SSL certificates and backups. Analysing these details will ensure that you choose a web hosting plan that fits your financial needs without compromising on essential services and scalability options.

Enhancing Website Performance with the Right Hosting

Selecting the appropriate web hosting service can significantly elevate your website's performance. Crucial elements such as server location, bandwidth, and resource allocation directly influence your site's speed and responsiveness. Hosting solutions that incorporate content delivery networks (CDNs) are particularly advantageous, as they cache content across various servers, facilitating rapid load times for users regardless of their geographical location. Another key factor is the server technology employed by the hosting provider. Solutions featuring SSD storage, high-speed CPUs, and ample RAM can markedly improve performance. Some hosts offer performance-boosting features like caching mechanisms and optimised software stacks, which further enhance loading speeds and user experience. Load balancing is also an essential component of high-performance hosting. By distributing incoming traffic evenly across multiple servers, load balancing ensures that no single server becomes overwhelmed, maintaining consistent performance even during peak traffic periods. For those operating e-commerce sites or media-heavy platforms, opting for a hosting solution with robust scalability options is crucial. As your website grows, being able to seamlessly upgrade resources without downtime is vital for sustained performance. In addition, choosing a hosting provider with a strong uptime guarantee minimises the risk of your site going offline, ensuring a reliable user experience. With the detailed comparisons available on https://eweball.com/, you can identify hosting solutions that offer these performance-enhancing features, allowing your website to operate at its best.

Security Features to Look for in a Web Hosting Provider

Website security is paramount for maintaining user trust and protecting sensitive information. When evaluating hosting providers, prioritise those that offer robust security features. SSL certificates are essential, encrypting data transmitted between your website and its visitors to prevent unauthorised access. Regular backups are also crucial, allowing you to restore your site quickly in the event of data loss or corruption. Firewalls act as a barrier between your website and potential threats, filtering out malicious traffic before it can cause harm. Additionally, malware scanning and removal services are vital for identifying and eliminating harmful software that could compromise your site. Advanced security measures such as DDoS protection help safeguard your website against distributed denial-of-service attacks, which can overwhelm your server and cause downtime. Some providers offer additional security layers, like intrusion detection systems and security audits, to further bolster your site's defences. Providers with a dedicated security team monitoring for threats and vulnerabilities can offer an added layer of protection, proactively addressing issues before they become serious problems. Features like two-factor authentication (2FA) for account logins can enhance security by requiring an additional verification step, making it harder for unauthorised users to gain access. It's also beneficial to choose a provider that offers security patches and updates automatically, ensuring that your website stays protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities without requiring manual intervention. By focusing on these security features, you can ensure your website remains secure and trustworthy.

Customer Support – The Backbone of Reliable Hosting

Effective customer support is crucial for any web hosting service, providing the assurance that help is available whenever you encounter issues. Seek out hosting providers that offer 24/7 support through multiple channels, such as live chat, phone, and email, ensuring you have access to assistance at all times. A responsive and knowledgeable support team can swiftly resolve technical problems, minimising downtime and maintaining your website's performance. Look for providers that boast a robust support infrastructure, including comprehensive knowledge bases, detailed FAQs, and community forums. These resources enable you to troubleshoot common issues independently, which can be particularly useful outside of regular business hours. Additionally, some hosting providers offer dedicated account managers for a more personalised support experience, guiding you through complex technical challenges and optimising your hosting environment. Providers that invest in customer support training and continuously update their teams on the latest technologies tend to offer superior service. Pay attention to customer reviews and testimonials available on https://eweball.com/ to gauge the effectiveness and reliability of a provider's support. Opting for a host with a proven track record in customer service can significantly enhance your hosting experience, ensuring that expert help is just a call or click away when you need it most.

Reviewing Top Web Hosting Providers on https://eweball.com/

Navigating the web hosting landscape can be overwhelming, but the extensive reviews and comparisons on https://eweball.com/ simplify this process. The platform meticulously evaluates leading web hosting providers, considering factors like performance, security, customer support, and pricing structures. Each hosting type, from shared to dedicated, is analysed to help you find a solution that aligns with your specific requirements and budget. By leveraging the detailed insights available, you can easily compare features such as uptime guarantees, scalability options, and advanced security measures. Whether you're running a small personal blog or managing a high-traffic e-commerce site, https://eweball.com/ offers the information needed to make a well-informed decision. User testimonials and expert reviews further enhance the reliability of the recommendations, ensuring that you choose a hosting provider capable of supporting your online growth.

[not-poignant]

Apologies if you’ve answered this already. I was just seeing this Ream thing. I’m a Patreon subscriber, but dollar for dollar would you get more from Ream? I’ll switch over if so, I just wanted to make sure since idk what the fee comparisons are.

Hi hi!

I have an introduction to Ream, lemme link it. This explains why the tier prices on Ream are higher (adjusting for inflation + only charges once a month instead of twice).

What is Ream and why is Pia there now?

The tl;dr of it all is that the rewards on the tiers are the same, but yeah I do think I actually make more money through Ream overall (I mean for a start, the tier prices are higher - not everyone will be comfy with that, I tried to find I happy medium re: the once a month charge where I wasn't doubling the Patreon price, but wasn't settling for a half-price either).

I have high trust with Ream, but currently limited options for how I list. Y'all still get all the same rewards (though I do still need to put up chapter commentaries for years previous to 2023, everything posted on Patreon in 2023 is now up/accessible there in their respective tiers), and folks who have used Patreon say it's fairly similar / simple to navigate and set up a membership.

What I also like about it, is that you can sign up and be a free follower there - no tiers, just join the Follower tier. In the future, I think this will make a preferrable 'Newsletter' feed for folks who want email updates for the State of the Pia. It also means I can put things like the Patreon Schedule / Round-up post there, and you don't have to just hope to see it in your Tumblr feed, it can be in your inbox!

Basically, yes, I will make more money there in terms of dollar-for-dollar value. I do still pay Ream a fee because they handle foreign tax for me etc. and are obviously hosting my stuff / giving me a space to do this.

It's basically a Patreon mirror - same stuff, two sites, initially I joined because I actually love its concept (it supports all fiction, including taboo content, and is very 'putting the power back in the hands of storytellers' -> it's for authors), and then I became active on it because Patreon has made it impossible for some folks to subscribe because of bank nonsense.

The tiers and tier art and tier descriptions are the same between the sites! There's literally no difference there. When I update Patreon, I update Ream with the exact same thing, with the exact same writing, in the exact same tiers.

For folks who find the 'twice a month' charge thing on Patreon confusing, Ream might also be simpler for those who really just want the comfort of knowing they get charged once a month and only ever once a month!!

[i-cast-teatus-deletus]

Part 3 Entertainment - Books Part 2

I finally(!) learned about Stuff Your Kindle Day (SYKD), which is a bit of a misnomer as it's

Not amazon- or kindle-exclusive

Multiple times throughout the year

but it's a day where indie publishers/author promo groups all sell free books at once, adding up to dozens or hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of free books at a time, for a single day. If you were thinking about getting some ebooks to help pass the time at consults/after surgery, it wouldn't take very many out of those large number of free books to have plenty of reading material. I've been able to confirm that, outside of the US, this is also available in Canada, the UK, and Australia. Other countries may be participating as well, but I'm struggling to confirm one way or another, and the same book may not be free in all regions.

It's worth mentioning that Kindle, Apple, Nook, and Kobo all have free apps if you don't have an ereader (or would rather use a tablet than have a dedicated ereader), and that all of these storefronts are, to my knowledge, participants in all of these events. I will say that I was initially hesitant to get an ereader and waited a long time to get one, but I don't regret it. I have been, in particular, VERY vocal in recommending them to people who struggle to read paper books because you can change the font/font size/margin to make them more accessible, including using the OpenDyslexia font.

SYKD originally was romance-exclusive, and the "official" STKD events are still heavily romance-focused, but there are other publishers and groups coordinating similar, smaller events in other genres ("Book Blast" seems to be the current popular name for discount events not associated with the original group running SYKD).

If you know me at all, I am a pretty prolific category romance reader (especially at places like the doctor's office, where a romance novel is a nice time-waster that doesn't require wifi and allows me to not be fully immersed while I listen for my name to be called), so I'm quite excited for the official announcement for STKD, likely happening in March. In 2023, for some measure of comparison, SYKD happened on March 31, June 30, September 20, and December 27.

Romance Bookworms is the home of the "original" SYKD and allows you to sign up for email alerts (or substack) when they announce the dates for 2024, which are a closely guarded secret. SYKD is the largest of events by FAR with about 2,000 books available in the December 2023 event. Romance is the primary genre, but other books in other genres are free for SYKD as well. Several sources indicate that Romance Bookworms has sections on their SYKD listings specifically for BIPOC authors and for books that feature LGBTQ+ protagonists.

Romance Book Lovers is an unrelated group that is hosting a Romance Book Blast, with the next listed date as April 23.

The Cozy Mystery Book Club has coordinated several Cozy Mystery Book Blasts in the past, including in January of 2024, with the next event listed publicly as April 25.

Witchy Bookworms coordinates the Witchy Book Blast, which ran last on January 27 and already has the next date listed publicly as April 27.

Fantasy Book Dragons just ran their first "Stuff Your Kindle with Fantasy" event in January and have mentioned plans for another event in June with no date announced yet.

YA Bookworms runs a similar YA-focused event, the last one I can find info on happened on October 7. They also have a substack.

Terrify Your Tablet seems to run on October 31 only each year (This is the same event as Spook Your Kindle; they changed the name to clarify that it's not amazon-exclusive).

Thriller Blast appears to be a similar event for mystery, suspense, and thriller books, with a similar hook of waiting on an email announcement for dates and no clear indication on the landing page when the last event was held. I also wasn't able to confirm anyone participating it in via reddit, or anywhere else, so your guess is as good as mine.

Romance Audiobookworms also runs a similar event for audiobooks, Stuff Your Earbuds, with an event announced for spring but the date still unannounced, just like SYKD. This is still a relatively new event, unlike SYKD.

There's a lot of whining online about the quality of the books available for these events (especially SYKD, which I'm sure is unrelated to the fact that it's mostly romance and the general feelings most people have about romance as a genre), but the fact of the matter is that books available on kindle, especially for free, vary wildly in quality all the time no matter what. I've quit reading a lot of duds in the year I've owned an ereader, but I've read a lot of things I liked, too, and I assume the offerings for these events are a similar mixed bag.

Considering how many new events have cropped up in the past 18 months or so, I'll be excited to see in any new author groups decide to run similar promotions in the future or whether more groups decide to align with SYKD.

[serverp]

Choosing the Right Control Panel for Your Hosting: Plesk vs cPanel Comparison

Whether you're a business owner or an individual creating a website, the choice of a control panel for your web hosting is crucial. Often overlooked, the control panel plays a vital role in managing web server features. This article compares two popular control panels, cPanel and Plesk, to help you make an informed decision based on your requirements and knowledge.

Understanding Control Panels

A control panel is a tool that allows users to manage various features of their web server directly. It simplifies tasks like adjusting DNS settings, managing databases, handling website files, installing third-party applications, implementing security measures, and providing FTP access. The two most widely used control panels are cPanel and Plesk, both offering a plethora of features at affordable prices.

Plesk: A Versatile Control Panel

Plesk is a web hosting control panel compatible with both Linux and Windows systems. It provides a user-friendly interface, offering access to all web server features efficiently.

cPanel: The Trusted Classic

cPanel is the oldest and most trusted web control panel, providing everything needed to manage, customize, and access web files effectively.

Comparing Plesk and cPanel

User Interface:

Plesk: Offers a user-friendly interface with a primary menu on the left and feature boxes on the right, similar to WordPress.

cPanel: Features an all-in-one page with visually appealing icons. Everything is sorted into groups for easy navigation.

Features and Tools:

Both offer a wide range of features, including email accounts, DNS settings, FTP accounts, and database management.

Plesk: Comes with more pre-installed apps, while cPanel may require additional installations.

Security:

Plesk: Provides useful security features like AutoSSL, ImunifyAV, Fail2ban, firewall, and spam defense.

cPanel: Offers features such as password-protected folders, IP address rejections, automated SSL certificate installations, and backups.

Performance:

Plesk and cPanel: Both offer good performance. cPanel is designed for faster performance by using less memory (RAM).

Distros:

Plesk: Compatible with both Linux and Windows systems.

cPanel: Works only on Linux systems, supported by distributions like CentOS, CloudLinux, and Red Hat.

Affordability:

cPanel: Known for its cost-effective pricing, making it preferred by many, especially new learners.

Preferred Hosting Options

If you are looking for a hosting solution with cPanel, explore web hosting services that offer it. For those preferring Plesk, Serverpoet provides fully managed shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting solutions. Serverpoet also offers server management support for both Plesk and cPanel, including troubleshooting, configuration, migration, security updates, and performance monitoring.

Conclusion

In the Plesk vs cPanel comparison, cPanel stands out for its cost-effective server management solution and user-friendly interface. On the other hand, Plesk offers more features and applications, making it a versatile choice. Consider your specific needs when choosing between the two, keeping in mind that cPanel is known for its Linux compatibility, while Plesk works on both Linux and Windows systems.

[transcuratorsblog]

What Your Competitors Are Doing with Content That You Aren’t

If your competitors are outranking you, getting more engagement, or consistently showing up in your ideal customer’s feed—there’s a reason. And it’s not always their product or pricing.

It’s their content.

You might be blogging regularly, posting on social media, or even running pay per click services—but if you’re not doing what your top competitors are doing with their content, you're missing massive opportunities for visibility, authority, and leads.

Here’s a breakdown of the content strategies your competitors are probably using—and how you can catch up or even get ahead.

1. They’re Investing in Original Research and Thought Leadership

Most brands repost what others have said. Competitors who stand out? They create what others quote.

They do this by:

Publishing proprietary research or survey results

Creating trend reports and industry predictions

Hosting expert webinars and repurposing the insights

Why it works: Original content earns backlinks, builds trust, and gets shared. Google favors it. So does your audience.

What you can do: Start small with original polls, case studies, or interviews with internal experts. Thought leadership doesn't need a massive budget—just unique thinking.

2. They’re Nailing Content Distribution, Not Just Creation

Publishing a great blog post isn’t enough. Your competitors likely have a distribution strategy that gives each post extended life and reach.

They:

Share content in email newsletters

Break down blog posts into LinkedIn carousels or Twitter threads

Run retargeting ads on posts with high engagement

Repurpose content into YouTube videos or podcasts

What you can do: For every new blog you publish, create 3–5 supporting content formats to distribute across channels. Treat content like an asset—maximize its value.

3. They’re Optimizing for Buyer Intent, Not Just Keywords

Basic SEO isn’t enough anymore. Your competitors are going beyond keyword stuffing—they’re aligning content with search intent.

That means:

Creating bottom-of-funnel content like comparisons, case studies, and pricing pages

Using schema markup and optimizing for featured snippets

Targeting long-tail keywords that mirror how people actually search

What you can do: Audit your top-performing pages. Are they addressing problems, or are they just filled with keywords? Add buyer-focused CTAs and update older blogs with clearer next steps.

4. They’re Integrating Content with Sales and Customer Success

The smartest brands don’t silo content. They use it across departments.

Their sales teams:

Send curated blogs to warm leads

Use video explainers for faster decision-making

Their support teams:

Turn FAQs into searchable content

Share tutorial blogs to reduce ticket volume

What you can do: Collaborate with your sales or customer success team. Find out which questions they get asked every week—and create content that answers them clearly.

5. They’re Targeting Niche Communities and Micro-Audiences

Your competitors aren’t just chasing high-volume keywords. They’re going niche, building brand loyalty in smaller, more engaged circles.

That includes:

Creating content specifically for sub-industries or roles (e.g., “PPC for Healthcare Startups”)

Posting value-first answers on Quora, Reddit, or industry-specific forums

Creating Slack communities or private Facebook groups around their niche

What you can do: Segment your audience better. Instead of just writing “SEO tips,” write “SEO for B2B SaaS founders.” Specificity gets attention—and builds credibility.

6. They’re Leveraging Paid Content Promotion Strategically

Yes, organic content is essential. But top competitors use paid promotion to amplify what already works.

They:

Run Facebook or LinkedIn ads on their best-performing blogs

Use YouTube pre-roll to push explainer content

Pair blogs with pay per click services to dominate both paid and organic SERPs

What you can do: Use analytics to identify which posts get the most time-on-page or conversions. Run a small ad campaign to boost it. With the right audience, even $50 can go far.

7. They’re Updating Content Regularly

Your competitor’s top blog post from 2021? It probably looks nothing like it did when it first went live.

They refresh:

Statistics

Screenshots

Internal links

Meta descriptions

Google loves fresh, relevant content—and so do readers.

What you can do: Build a quarterly content audit process. Start with your top 10 blogs and update them for accuracy, readability, and performance.

Conclusion: It’s Not Just About Creating More—It’s About Creating Smarter

Your competitors aren’t winning because they’re publishing more. They’re winning because they’re using content more strategically. They connect the dots between SEO, social, paid media, and real customer needs.

So if you're investing in SEO, blogs, or pay per click services, ask yourself: Are you maximizing your content’s potential, or just keeping up appearances?

Bridge that gap—and you won’t just catch your competitors. You’ll outperform them.

[shadowymawblizzard]

Which is the Best E-commerce Website Builder in 2025?

If you’re planning to sell products online, choosing the right e-commerce website builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your platform should be fast, secure, mobile-friendly, and powerful enough to handle everything from product listings to payments and shipping.

With so many platforms out there — from Shopify to Wix to WooCommerce — the big question is: Which is the best e-commerce website builder in 2025?

Let’s dive into the top contenders and help you decide the best fit for your online store.

🥇 1. Shopify – The Best All-Around E-commerce Builder

Best for: Businesses focused on online sales (all sizes)

Why Shopify Stands Out: Shopify is built exclusively for e-commerce. It's fast, reliable, and packed with features to help you manage inventory, accept payments, offer discounts, handle shipping, and more. Whether you’re selling 10 products or 10,000, Shopify scales effortlessly.

Top Features:

100+ customizable store themes

Integrated payment gateway (Shopify Payments)

Abandoned cart recovery

App store with 6,000+ integrations

Multi-channel selling (Instagram, Amazon, TikTok, etc.)

Built-in SEO & analytics tools

Pricing: Starts at $29/month Free Trial: Yes

Verdict: Shopify is hands-down the best for anyone serious about running an online store.

🥈 2. Wix eCommerce – Best for Beginners & Small Stores

Best for: Small businesses, first-time store owners

Why Wix is Great: Wix offers an easy drag-and-drop interface with beautiful templates tailored for online stores. It’s perfect if you want to get up and running quickly without technical skills.

Top Features:

500+ templates including e-commerce designs

Built-in store manager and inventory tools

Mobile-optimized product pages

Secure checkout & multiple payment options

Marketing and SEO tools included

Pricing: Starts at $27/month (Business Basic) Free Trial: Yes

Verdict: Ideal for beginners or small businesses that want a visually stunning store with minimal setup.

🥉 3. Squarespace Commerce ��� Best for Design-Focused Brands

Best for: Creatives, boutiques, artists, and lifestyle brands

Why It’s Popular: Squarespace combines sleek, professional design with robust e-commerce functionality. If you want your store to look high-end and polished, this is a great pick.

Top Features:

Award-winning templates

Inventory and order management

Digital product sales

Integrated email marketing

Subscription and donation tools

Pricing: Starts at $27/month (Business), $36/month (Commerce Basic) Free Trial: Yes

Verdict: Best for brands where image and design quality matter just as much as sales.

🛠 4. WooCommerce (WordPress) – Best for Customization

Best for: Developers, tech-savvy users, or complex store needs

Why It’s Powerful: WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress, giving you full control over your online store. It’s open-source, highly customizable, and perfect for businesses that need more flexibility than a hosted platform offers.

Top Features:

Full access to code and customization

Large plugin ecosystem

No monthly fee (but requires hosting/domain)

Sell physical, digital, or subscription-based products

Strong community and developer support

Pricing: Free plugin, but hosting and extensions cost extra

Verdict: Great for tech-savvy users who want a fully customized e-commerce experience.

⚡ Quick Comparison Table

PlatformBest ForEase of UseDesignScalabilityPrice RangeShopifyAll business sizes⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐$29 – $399/monthWix eCommerceSmall to medium stores⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐$27 – $59/monthSquarespaceDesign & creative brands⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐$27 – $65/monthWooCommerceAdvanced customization⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Varies by setup

Final Thoughts: Which One is Right for You?

✅ Choose Shopify if you want the best all-in-one e-commerce solution with powerful tools, security, and scalability.

✅ Go with Wix if you’re new to e-commerce and want an easy, affordable way to start selling online.

✅ Pick Squarespace if your brand relies heavily on visuals and design.

✅ Use WooCommerce if you need advanced flexibility and already use WordPress.

No matter your budget or experience level, there’s an e-commerce website builder that fits your needs. Start with your business goals and choose the platform that helps you grow without limits.