#hacking windows 10

[pc-98s]

remotes into server at large company. server is running on unlicensed windows 10.

[chopp-6467]

HI! Happy cyber security month!

you should really stop using winRAR btw, not sure if it still gets updated but i know it doesnt auto update so its better to play it safe :]

alternatives I recommend is 7zip!

[hackeocafe]

How to Install MACOS and Any PC Using a Windows Computer | COMPLETE GUIDE, Step by Step!

[blackmoreops]

Kali Linux VirtualBox Setup Guide for Windows 10 and 11

Setting up Kali Linux VirtualBox on Windows 10 and 11 is the quickest way to run this powerful penetration testing distribution without dual-booting or permanently altering your system. The pre-built VirtualBox image allows you to have Kali Linux vBox running within minutes, making it perfect for cybersecurity professionals, students, and ethical hackers. Kali Linux Virtualbox – vBox Image with…

[e5e5e5e5e5]

Hip Hop Drummer's First Time Hearing RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

So what the AI does for this video.

That's what my job used to be.

Cutting stem tracks out from masters.

To get around copyright.

My life changed when Lamb Of God released free drum stems like 2 decades ago.

From that point onwards, why charge just to produce music. I could set Reason up to do it for me.

[jadesaidshedneverchangeherurl]

Windows 7 is no longer supported by microsoft - it is no longer receiving necessary security updates which steam relies on to not get hacked and leak all of your data. Windows 10 is a good OS just update to it it's really not that big a deal. Also the google thing is just because parts of the steam store are an embedded chromium browser. surely you knew this already it looks and behaves like a browser and has a URL at the top. it is not as insidious as you seem to think.

Reminder that steam is not only "no longer supporting windows 7" ,. they will be actively disabling all clients on this OS by end of this year. No, you can't run offline. No, you can't run the games standalone. The official steam position is go fuck yourself. Their reasoning is due to intertwinement with some google features, which imo is just making it even fucking worse, because why the fuck do google need to be involved in me playing a game I bought in 2013? And why do they get to say I can no longer access this game?

If you want a workaround, hit up this but in future, just use GOG.

This isn't about the OS, so don't even start with me. Deliberately disabling access to items you've already purchased with no recourse is the highest order of bullshit.

[crazy-hazy-sims]

Hey everyone it seems there a malicious individual trying to hack the sims cc community again and fill it with malware you need to stay vigilant as a creator and a downloader so

i have some tips for both to stay safe while downloading:

1- sims cc file extension is always .Package never download anything that is .exe

2- do not auto unpack zip files and rar files into your mods folder directly, open each zip or rar individually check the file extensions and drag them to your mods folder one by one

3- the only mods that have a .ts4script extension are ones that affect gameplay or how the game works, understand that if you are downloading cas or bb items you shouldn't have a .ts4script file

4- if you are downloading gameplay mods that do have .ts4script make sure that A) the creator hasn't announced on their pages that its infected B) you are downloading from a link provided by the creator of the mods themselves not something off of google or a link you got sent and make sure dates of upload match dated of announcements

5- if the mod or cc creator has retired and hasn't posted for a while LOOK AT THE DATES OF THE UPLOAD if it has been "updated recently" after the creator has left the community its most likely re-uploaded by a hacker and infected

6- download mod gaurd by Twisted mexi and keep it updated and keep your windows defender or malware detector Program up to date and always running do not disable it

7- make sure everything you download comes from a direct link from the cc creator, in this day and age do not trust link shortners, adfly, linkverse, etc get the universal bypass extension and ublock extension to stay safe but genuinely NEVER CLICK ON THOSE no matter how much the creator reassures you its safe it. is. NOT.

8- this is more of a general saftey precaution but, create a system restore point weekly before you run the game with new mods that way if anything happens you could have a chance to restore your windows to an earlier date before you downloaded anything.

9- BACK UP YOUR SHIT im serious right now either weekly or monthly put your files somewhere safe like a usb a storage card a hard drive even an online cloud if you dont have any of the previous.

10- files you should back up are your media from games and media everything else, any mods, games saves, work files, passwords, saved bookmarks, any documents txt files word files pdfs, links you saved, brushes or actions for Photoshop if you have any, any digital bills or certificates if you have any, and keep a physical list of all programs you have installed and where you installed them from

11- turn on any 2 factor authentication and security measures for any account you have

12- google and firefox have the option to check your paswords and emails against any data leaks USE THIS FEATURE and change any leaked passwords

13- regularly check your logged in sessions to make sure all the logged in devices or computers are yours and log out any that aren't and any old devices or unused sessions do this for every website and app you have an account on if available

14- change your passwords often. I know this is a hassle i know its hard to come up with new passwords but changing your passwords every few months will help you against anything mention previously that wasn't detected.

15- and as a cc creator check your cc and the accounts you host cc on and its uplaod and update dates make sure nothing has been changed without your permission :(

16- generally try not to get swept up in the "i must get it" fever you do not need to "shop" for mods weekly or monthly you do not need to download everything by that one creator you do not need to download new cc everytime you want to make a sim, im guilty of this so i know how hard it is to resist but take a breath and think "do i want this or do i need it" before downloading.

These are prevention methods i cant claim they are 100% will prevent any hacking but its better to be safe than sorry and these do keep you safe so

Brought to you by someone who has had their laptop ruined and data leaked from downloading cc once upon a time

[kristiliqua]

my fav song in msr is trying not to think about it bc its bittersweet feeling and resonates with me the most (by a long shot) .

is that worrying orrr . like what does that say about me . erm

[itbabasachinsharma]

अपने कंप्यूटर में इंटरनेट की स्पीड कैसे बढ़ाये ? Net Ki Speed Kaise Badhaye CMD Se | By Sachin Sharma

[darlingsblackbook]

Zayne x Crushing Nurse!Reader | Part Three

Mc messing with Nurse!Reader for 30 minutes straight - A compilation.

Part One Part Two

Love and Deepspace Masterlist

I | MC started calling you “Nurse Heart-Eyes” under her breath. Zayne overheard and said, “She does that.”. You still don’t know if he meant the nickname or the heart-eyes.

II | You caught MC raising a brow when you were adjusting your hair and scrubs in front of the door to Zayne's office.

She said, “Want me to knock so you can pose first?”

You said, “What? No!”

She banged on the door. Three times.

III | You once laughed too hard at Zayne’s dry remark.

MC just muttered, “Classic.”

You said, “What’s classic?”

She said, “The symptoms.”

Zayne: “Of what?”

MC: “A very obvious crush.”

You : 👁👄👁

IV | You reached for a clipboard at the same time as Zayne and flinched when your hands brushed.

He didn’t notice.

Mc's cackled told you she did.

V | You once tried to subtly ask MC if Zayne was “seeing anyone.”. She looked at you and said, “Yeah. Every day. Usually around 10 a.m.” You nodded for a full five seconds before realizing you were being clowned.

VI | Zayne once complimented your efficiency with a curt, “Good work.” Your smile looked like it was about to tear the muscles in your face apart. MC noticed. Later she whispered, “If he ever says you’re ‘adequate,’ propose immediately.”

VII | You nervously asked MC, “So, you and Dr. Zayne… are you two… close?” She smirked. “We’ve bled on each other. Is that close?” You didn’t respond. MC patted your shoulder. “Didn’t think so.”

VIII | MC once caught you spying into the office through the window. She got up and positioned herself with her back to the window - facing Zayne who was leaning against his desk as he spoke to her- in a way that made it look like they were about to kiss. 3, 2, 1- SLAM!

"Doctor Zayne!" You yelled out of breath. Zayne turned his head towards you, you could almost see the buffering icon right above his head as he's trying to figure out what is wrong with you.

Mc turned towards you and stuck her tongue out, "Are you alright, heart eyes?" You stayed silent. Zayne moved on with their convo as if nothing happened. "As I was saying-"

IX | MC gave you a cooling pack as she was visiting one morning. You asked, “Why?” She said, “For when you watch Zayne do literally anything and get flustered.”

X | Zayne once asked, “Why are you acting strange today?” MC leaned into the doorway and said, “Just today?"

XI | MC caught you fiddling with your necklace after Zayne walked by. She asked, “That a nervous habit or are you imagining he gave it to you?” You dropped the necklace. She laughed.

XII | Zayne felt something was off about you today. He wanted to call you to his office to make sure you were okay. "Y/n, can I speak to you for a moment?" You looked at him with wide eyes. Mc raised her eyebrows, "Is it finally happening?"

XIII | You once saw Mc put her hand on Zayne's arm as they stood right in front of you. You froze, eyes locked onto the hand. Zayne looked up and said, “Are you alright?” MC smiled,“She’s just calculating how many years she’d get if she hacked my hand off”

XIV | You tried to ignore MC’s presence for a day. She leaned in and whispered, “Your strategy is adorable. Ineffective, but adorable.” You hissed, “I’m being neutral.” She said, “You’re vibrating.”

XV | Zayne started answering your questions with one-word responses. You told yourself he was just focused. MC leaned over and said, “You’re not subtle, and he’s allergic to emotions. This is gonna be fun.”

XVI | You overheard Zayne complain about a nurse to Mc and mutter, “People are distracted this week.” You were the one who helped him mainly this week. MC later passed by you and asked, “Need a sign that says ‘I'm just in love, not incompetent’? I can make one.”

XVII | MC once deliberately called Zayne by a ridiculous pet name—“Zaynie Boo” just to see your reaction. You dropped the tray you were holding. Zayne didn’t flinch. “Don’t do that.” MC: “Why? It gets results.”

XVIII | You once said, “You two make a good team.” Mc answered, "Yeah, in many ways."

XIX | Zayne once asked if you were sick because you were so jittery. MC said, “Only with longing."

XX | Zayne asked you to assist him one-on-one. You nearly tripped walking toward him. MC whispered, “good luck, little nurse.”

You heard her. Zayne didn’t.

But when he caught your trembling hands, he paused, looked at the doorway, then quietly said,

“She’s messing with you again, isn’t she?”

All Rights Reserved © Darlingsblackbook

I love the Mc/nurse dynamic, here are some more moments. In the next part there will be more Zayne🤭

Taglist : @sylusgirlie7 @jeonjenny @notsurewhattocallthisblog8888 @draftbeerbibi @weebinator01 @satorustorm @asilaydead @ninaandtuna @gremlinartstudio

[hackeocafe]

Raspberry Pi 5 Mastery: Create a Powerful Home Server/Home lab

Learn how to become a Raspberry Pi 5 Master. Create a Powerful Home Server/Home lab using just a Pi 4 or 5 using Docker.

[techgeeg]

Best Programming Language for Web Development

Best Programming Language for Web Development – Are you a web developer?  looking for the best programming language to use for your jobs in 2023? In today’s article we will be considering  “The Best Programming Language for Web Development“. What is a Programming Language? A programming language is a formal system of communication designed to provide instructions to a computer or computing…

[coldilikeit]

Yandere Batfam x Camp half-blood

(Neglected reader)

DC x Pjo

Part 10

______________________________

Present

"This is so unfair" Percy says as he scrubs the pots and pans

It would be fine if it was normal dirty dishes and normal water...

But it's magical dirty dishes and you have to wash them with molten magic iron...

Great.

Percy sighs "I have been getting dreams... Of Grover, he tells me he's trapped on an island being held hostage by a... Cyclops, and the thing we need to save Thalia's tree is there as well- golden poncho or something"

"golden fleece. Percy, it's a fleece" you smile

"right. Fleece"

"so this calls for a quest" Annabeth says with a hint of excitement in her voice

"but..." She says

"but?" Percy questions

You grumble and scrub harshly "Tantalus won't allow it, he wants Thalia's tree to die so the barrier breaks completely, thus putting all of us at risk"

Annabeth smirks as she places the last of the dirty pot "Then we have to propose the quest to him in a way he can't say no"

______________________________

Past

"it's not (Name), maybe they switched them out, or cloned them, I just don't believe it" Damian says as he glares as the sitting figure in the garden of their house

The office is dark and a bit humid, Jason speaks up "When 'it' got out, they couldn't remember anything and 'it' only started to remember after a few minutes, like it was processing memories, 'it' could be a clone"

"Even if it is a clone, it doesn't matter, same DNA, same memories, 'its' a carbon copy, if it keeps Bruce from crashing out, 'it' can stay" Stephanie says

A "mission gone wrong", that's all it was, reports of people going missing after entering a certain hotel

We investigated, Batman sent (Name) inside the hotel to see the area, but comms were cut the moment they entered

Tim tried to hack, but there was no gadget to hack, not one inside the Hotel, Damian got so fed up, he threw a grenade at a window, but the hotel didn't budge, (Name) still hasn't come out of the building

Then they saw it, through a window, hundreds maybe even thousands of people, in one hotel, some were wearing ball gowns from like the 1700's, some were in punk 80's style, some were dressed in ancient Greek clothing, like time was mixed in the hotel

The problem was workers, no one paid them any mind as they just stood at a rooftop from a building near the hotel

Tim went to the entrance and was greeted by workers "Sir! Would you like to come in? We have a spa, a bar, a golf course, a race track, a pool, a climbing area, an arcade-" the worker continued to ramble

"Hello sir, would you like to try some of our lotus candies? They're complementary" another one smiled

It was creepy.

He immediately went back to report "It's like they want people to go inside, and none of the evidence shows that everyone who went missing was forcefully shoved in the hotel, they went in willingly, I think it's best to not enter, there's this weird vibe to it, like the hotel itself is the problem"

The silence was deafening, and Batman whispered "So you're telling me I sent my kid to a trap?"

They tried everything, they went back almost everyday, bombing the hotel, shooting it, the hotel would remain pristine, the only way was to enter

And it was after two years that passed that (Name) walked out of the hotel, they were out of their bat costume, instead they were in some clothes you'd wear to go gambling

Their minds were fuzzy at first, it didn't matter to Bruce, all he saw was his kid that he sent to hell and god knows what happened in that hotel

'it' would try to make inside jokes that (Name) made during missions

Batsibs were all happy when Bruce laid 'it' off from the vigilante job

Cassandra couldn't bring herself to talk to (Name), avoiding 'it' by closing her eyes

(Name) didn't act differently, no signs of trauma, in fact they testified the hotel was awesome, (Name) claimed that the hotel was so breathtaking they forgot about the mission, but it was fine, (Name) claimed they were only gone for 20 minutes

This was not (Name), no way...

______________________________

Present

"We know how to heal Thalia's tree! We know the place to go and everything!" Percy announced at the dinner table

Everyone murmured and Percy continued "Me and a select group of friends will go on a quest"

Tantalus roared "I didn't approve of this! I'd rather you all die in this wretched camp than- I mean..." He stopped yelling

But now the campers were yelling as well

"You already went on a quest, give others a chance!"

"You just want all the glory again!"

"Greedy Poseidon child"

With the new uproar Tantalus smirked "Well... The quest shall be approved, if! I choose who's going, and I choose you! Clarisse Daughter of Ares! You may choose two selective friends to go with you"

"But I was the one who-" Percy tried to reason

Tantalus glared "Do you all know a story? Where stupid children, anger the Great and smart and beloved me? Do you know what happened to that kid? You want it to happen to you?"

With that Percy shut up

I leaned in and whispered to Annabeth, Percy and Tyson, "So we are still going right?"

"Oh definitely" Percy said

______________________________

Okayss man there's this hurricane in our city and it hit yesterday, while I was outside, literally got the storm warning at school, so school was dismissed early but it was too late, it was flooded, then we had to parkour on some of the cars (not a joke, the car owners were like so understanding and let a bunch of students step on their hoods so we can pass) to get to higher ground

It was fun ngl

@delias-stuff @sadslasher13 @ellaprime7 @wpdarlingpan @mountvesuvu @chinxinsomnia @nathaly36 @vanessa-boo @bat1212 @ceramic-raven @sweetconnoisseurgardener @dhanyasri @bella-wolf100 @shortnsweetsposts @roseapov @d3sperate-enuf @d3kstar

[os2warp]

i got this thing recently. its a 2019 windows 10 machine. 3.7ghz i3, 8gb ram, 240gb ssd, one pcie slot, one pciex16 slot. boring. modern.

*these might not even be possible, but trying is the fun part.

[theseh00perscanh00p]

10 Moments That Led Me Back to You : Part 2

paige x azzi

a/n: The songs I've attached to each chapter sets the tone so I definately recommend giving each one a listen to get a better feeling of the vibe I'm trying to convey. Other than that I hope you enjoy!

word count: 5.3k

The Failed Blind Date

“Supalonely” – BENEE ft. Gus Dapperton

Three Years Post Break-up

The group chat was already on fire by the time Paige rolled over and squinted at her phone. Ten unread messages. Twelve, and counting new texts rolled in with each blink of the eye.

She groaned into her pillow. Please let it be memes.

Nope.

UCONN’t Be Serious

Jana: Paige.

Jana: Paige.

Jana: Paige.

KK: She’s ignoring us again…..Classic avoidance behavior

Nika: Haha give it ten minutes before she comes back and says she’s “journaling”

Paige: Jesus. Can I get ten minutes alone?

Nika: Not when you’ve been celibate by choice for 9 months & have a situationship with your throw pillow

KK: plus only person you flirt with these days is ur Uber Eats driver… and even she began leaving your order at the door

Paige sighed and rested her phone on her forehead. Today was not the day she wanted an intervention.

Jana: We got you a reservation. Tomorrow. 7:30. Candlelight. Tapas. Her name is Riley. She’s in med school. She owns plants. Not one red flag on her Instagram.

Paige: What if I say no?

KK: And then we hack your burner playlist or whatever and leak your post-game thirst tweets.

Paige: You wouldn’t.

Nika: “Thinking of her is cardio” ……..

Jana: You also said, ‘Her laugh still lives in my jawline.’ What even is that, Paige. Is it haunting you? Is it a poltergeist?

Paige chewed the inside of her cheek. Annoyed by her friends but unwilling to block them.

Paige: I hate all of you.

KK: You love us. Wear the blue shirt. It really brings out the color of your eyes.

She hurled the phone across the bed and lay staring at the ceiling. The city was waking up outside, but it was still quiet enough inside her apartment to play pretend.

One drink, she told herself. One smile. One shot to show you are not still caught up in the ghost of someone who stopped calling three years ago.

She rolled out of bed, and opened her closet. Half of it was basketball shorts and sweats. The other half of it was a borrowed hoodie graveyard, most of which weren’t even technically hers. She removed one, grazed her thumb over the known stain on the sleave and shook her head.

Not tonight.

She plunged one hand in and pulled out the blue shirt, then reached past it and grabbed the white one instead.

As she tugged it over her head, the group chat pinged once more.

Jana: You’re going. No takebacks.

Paige: Yeah. I know.

The restaurant was dark in the cool-kid kind of way indie music playing quietly under the clatter of silverware. Paige reached the door a little bit annoyed but slightly proud she even showed up.

She made her way to the hostess stand and tried to crack a joke, “Sorry I’m late. I found myself in a long-term relationship with my couch, and she wasn’t letting go."

The hostess blinked. Politely. But unamused in the slightest, “Name?”

“…Paige.”

She was led to a two-top tucked near a window, where a woman — tall, brown hair, med student chic in a structured blazer — stood up to greet her.

“Hey,” the woman said warmly. “You must be Paige. I’m Riley.”

They shook hands. Paige took a seat. Everything felt rigid, as if they both were wearing clothes that didn’t quite fit.

The first 10 minutes were textbook: drinks ordered, polite smiles exchanged, compliments hit back and forth. Paige laughed a little too loudly at something Riley said about organic chemistry. Then, in order to kill the silence, she began to tell a story about getting locked in a campus training room by mistake in her junior year.

“…and the worst part?” Paige leaned in, “I wasn’t even injured. I just wanted to sleep where no one could find me.”

Riley chuckled, polite again. “I mean, honestly? That’s kind of relatable.”

They clinked glasses. Paige drank more than she needed to in one big gulp.

The food came. Paige barely touched hers. She kept talking — about her experience overseas, about summer league drama, about a viral clip that made her want to erase her entire digital footprint. She tried to be funny. Charming. Normal.

And she could feel herself failing in the moment.

Because Riley was just fine. Perfectly smart. Perfectly sweet.

And perfectly not-it.

Paige used one elbow to prop herself up on the table and smiled even as her mind raced its black-and-white highlight reel. She sensed how forced it all was — the way she’d ask questions, the way she’d make eye contact too long, the way she’d laugh at things she didn’t really find funny.

She swore she could hear KK’s voice in her head: Just act natural.

Yeah. Okay.

She sipped her drink. Laughed again. Tried to convince herself this was her life getting better.

But under the table, her foot was tapping. Fast. Restless.

And when Riley began talking about rec league ball, Paige didn’t think much of it — not until she used the name.

“Yeah, I played against Azzi one time. She subbed for a short-handed team one week. Cool as hell.”

Paige froze.

The fork fell from her hand, dropping just slightly on to her plate.

Riley didn’t seem to notice. She kept talking. But Paige had already zoned out.

Because it didn't matter the quality of the wine, didn't matter how pretty the girl across from her was...

The sound of Azzi’s name still made the hairs on the back of her neck raise and the ache in her heart flare.

And now, the date was over. Even if it hadn’t ended yet.

Flashback: Six Years Ago Prior to The Blind Date

The first date.

It had been raining that morning — not pouring, but enough to add the already building anxiety in anticipation to make the night perfect.

Luckily the sun had come out and the anxiety disappeared with the morning clouds.

This night was different.

Not that it was the first time she and Azzi had hung out alone. God knew they’d done it a hundred times.

It was different because it was going to be — Paige made it so.

She borrowed her teammate’s car. She, looked up “best local takeout that doesn’t feel like takeout” for the 237th time. Changed her outfit twice. And when Azzi arrived in Paige’s oversized gray UConn pullover, the one she’d “borrowed” weeks earlier to keep warm and never gotten back around to returning. Paige forgot how to breathe.

“You’re really trying to show out for me, huh?” Azzi joked as she climbed in, “What’s next? Roses in the trunk?”

Paige laughed as they pulled out of the parking lot. “Damn. You mean I overdid it?”

Azzi gave her a glance, the kind you give with a smile behind it. “No. I like it.”

They found themselves at a secret overlook just off campus. They'd been there with teammates in the past but never like this, never just the two of them. Paige opened the trunk, grabbed a folded blanket and two bags of takeout and then walked ahead as if she’d rehearsed this.

Like it mattered.

She wanted Azzi to feel that.

They took a seat on the blanket, their legs spread out in front of them, eating noodles while laughing about their teammate’s awful dance moves. No one else was around. The sky had cleared just enough that the moon was able to make an appearance. Paige passed Azzi a couple of chopsticks but Azzi just laughed and took a bite of hers instead.

“You’re gonna be sorry,” Paige said between mouthfuls. “I go hard for my pad thai.”

Azzi rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and I’m starving. Sharing is inevitable.”

There was no nervousness. No awkward silences.

Just the soft acknowledgment that something was happening — and neither of them was afraid of it.

Paige reached for her soda and accidentally brushed Azzi’s hand. Or maybe not by accident. Either way, neither one of them budged.

“You ever think about it?” Paige said suddenly, without turning to her.

“Think about what?”

“This.” Her voice dropped a little. “Us.”

Azzi didn’t respond immediately. She put down her drink, angled slightly toward her. “All the time.”

Paige’s breath caught.

“I just wanted to know if you felt it too,” Azzi said, more quietly now, but sure. “Or if I was imagining it.”

“You weren’t,” Paige said. “You aren’t.”

Azzi didn’t say anything. She only grinned, slow and wide, and eased her head down to Paige’s shoulder as if it had been waiting for it all along.

And so they sat until the night began to fade away and the leftover noodles grew cold.

Once back in the car, Paige cued up a playlist she’d assembled on her phone — her not-even-knowingly-made-one, of songs that reminded her of Azzi. She didn’t voice that thought, but Azzi must have known.

Because she leaned over, linking their pinkies together across the center console and whispered, “This feels different.”

Paige looked over. “It is.”

They ended up wandering.

Paige and Azzi had planned to go for a walk back to Azzi’s dorm after dinner, maybe linger on the front steps for a while, maybe find the courage to kiss her. But no, instead, they took a purposeful wrong turn off campus and kept going. Past shuttered cafes and closed-up bookstores, past the sounds of weekend traffic way off in the distance.

It was fall, in the night air just cool enough for Azzi to pull Paige’s hoodie tighter around her. Just warm enough that Paige didn’t flinch when their fingers touched.

They wound up on the���rec center’s empty soccer field. Hopped the gate like they were still teenagers and flopped onto the center circle as if it was a well-worn blanket laid out just for them. Paige barely registered the chill coming up through the grass — not with Azzi laughing next to her, eyes closed as if she were wishing on the stars.

“What are you thinking about?” Paige said, rolling onto her side, her elbow supporting her.

Azzi blinked over at her. “I just thought — this is our first real date.”

Paige’s stomach fluttered. “You mean ordering you additional fries at the dining hall didn’t count?"

Azzi grinned, lazy and soft. “That was a bribe. This is a date.”

Paige nodded slowly, as though she wanted to take a mental snapshot of the weight of those words in the air. “Then I’m glad I managed to get it right.”

They both stayed silent for a moment, both soaking in the moment like if they spoke to soon it would all vanish away.

Azzi turned her head. “So what’s next?”

Paige maneuvered her nightstick, deep breaths filled with the sound of her own heartbeat. “Next?”

“Mhm.” Azzi smiled, teasing now. “Do I get walked home like a lady?

Paige pressed close so that her nose almost touched Azzi’s. “Only if you promise to let me hold your hand the whole time.”

Azzi didn’t promise. She simply kissed her — slow, and sure, and it was nothing like the almosts between them before.

And Paige … Paige felt it everywhere. That tug in her chest, that dizzy, aching softness. That thing you can’t put a name to at the time, but always know afterwards.

This was it. The difference.

It wasn’t the food, or the field, or the kiss. It was the knowing. That this was no longer a maybe.

It was real.

Six years later and Paige would still be trying to evoke exactly what she was feeling, also known as trying to recreate the feeling of happiness, simplicity, and the just sure easiness she felt that night.

They laid there under the sky for sometime continuing to soak in the night.

Azzi pulled a blade of grass between her fingers and twisted it slowly. “You know what’s weird?” she asked.

Paige turned her head. “You?”

Azzi smirked. “Besides that.”

Paige shrugged, grinning. “Hit me.”

Azzi did not immediately glance at her. She looked up instead, speaking softly but with certainty. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been so sure of something as I have before the thing even really started, in my life,” she said.

Paige’s shy smile blushed into something more intimate.

Azzi kept going. “Like, it’s not something I even have to overthink. You and me. I don’t have to do the math or try to figure out the catch. I just… feel it. You’re it.”

Paige swallowed, hard. Her mouth was full — of heat, of fear, of something she didn’t know how to hold yet.

“I will keep that in mind,” Paige said softly.

Azzi turned to look at her, her cheek resting against her hand. “Good."

Paige didn’t know it yet, but she’d return to that line in years to come, in hotel rooms and locker rooms and half-asleep thoughts.

I just… feel it. You’re it.

That was the moment. The one that wouldn’t register as a memory until much later.

Then, as the night wound down — as Paige walked Azzi back to her door, their fingers linked and their shoulders just barely touching — she allowed herself to believe it could be that easy.

Two individuals choosing each other, that’s it.

And, for a while, it actually was.

They walked without rush. In the kind of comfortable silence that only really made sense when you didn’t want the night to be over.

Azzi’s hand stayed in Paige’s, but it hung between them, their fingers ticking against one another with the same anxious rhythm that only happened now, when neither wanted to be the one to let go first.

“Ya,” Azzi said, nudging her shoulder lightly into Paige’s, “this is when things get, you know, awkward.”

Paige raised a brow. “Are you attempting to manifest that or …?

Azzi laughed. “Just saying. I don’t think most first dates feel like this.”

Paige’s lips curved slowly. “Also most first dates don’t happen after four months of pretending we were just friends.”

“Three,” Azzi corrected. “You were delusional the first month, at least.”

Paige let out a mock gasp. “Wow. That’s crazy. I don’t recall asking for that type of slander on this most beautiful evening.”

Azzi squeezed her hand. “You’ll survive.”

They slowed as they arrived at the steps of Azzi’s building. Paige’s heart sped up in that stupid, predictable manner — just like in movies she used to make fun of. But now, standing here, she got it. That feeling that you wanted to delay the crossing of the threshold because you knew the second you crossed the threshold it would become past-tense.

Azzi didn’t let go just yet. She gripped Paige’s hand at the foot of the stairs, leaned in a bit, looking between her eyes.

“You know what else?” Azzi said.

Paige tilted her head. “What?”

“I think I’ll be remembering this night for a while.”

Paige swallowed, then nodded. “Me too.”

Azzi mounted the first step, this time a little taller, and leaned down with that lop-sided, mocking smile that always made Paige feel as though storm and stillness were happening in her all at once.

She leaned in closer, close enough to hesitate — and then kissed her. Soft. Certain. No hesitation. Just a quiet knowing.

It wasn’t fireworks. It wasn’t cinematic.

It was something better.

Paige didn’t stir when it was over. Stared, just stared, transfixed into silence as Azzi smiled as if she’d known all along that this would happen precisely like this.

“Night, P” she said, walking inside.

And when the door latched behind her, Paige stood alone on the sidewalk, the sensation of her lips tingling, the sound of her heartbeat deafening.

She looked up at the sky and whispered to it, “Goddamn.”

Because that was the night that she stopped running from it.

And years later, it was that night she returned to as it lived rent free in her mind.

Flash forward: The Failed Blind Date

Paige had excused herself from the table to try and rein in her wondering thoughts while she was still in the middle of the blind date.

Paige squinted at her reflection, her eyes wrinkling and then creasing trying to erase the flushness from her own face. She leaned her hands on the marble sink, exhaled and looked at herself as if she was her very own head coach in the middle of a time out.

“Okay,” she muttered. “Let’s get a grip.”

She peered at the mirror as if she might receive moral support from it. It didn’t.

“She’s nice. She’s pretty. She said a stupid little Grey’s Anatomy joke and you laughed. That’s… progress.”

She nodded, and, as if she could actually convince herself. It didn’t.

“And yes, she did say Azzi’s name. But like—what? You think Azzi created basketball? You think you’re incapable of getting through just one dinner without crumbling at the mention of your ex's name??"

Her reflection didn’t answer.

“God, I hate that word,” Paige said and she combed her fingers through her hair like she was trying to strangle the thoughts out of her own brain. “This is why they think you’re emotionally constipated.”

She took a deep breath. “You’re going to go back out there. You are, after all, going to sit like a regular person. You will drain your glass of wine and ask her a considerate question about med school. You are going to be flirtatious but not over the top and not mention your ex even once, and you are most certainly are not going to experience an unwarranted flashback again, do you understand?”

Paige blinked. “Jesus Christ, I’m bickering with myself in a mirror.”

“Sorry!” A voice called out from the stall behind her. “You’re killing it, sweetie.”

Paige nearly choked.

A toilet flushed. A stranger emerged, grinning, and washed her hands alongside Paige, the twinkle in her eyes evident. “Whoever she is, I hope she’s worth the destruction.”

Paige nodded her head shyly. “She was.”

Followed by, quickly correcting herself: “I mean uhh she is... I mean uhh yeah Riley. The girl I’m on a date with. Right now. Actively. I’m… gonna go.”

The woman gave her a thumbs-up as if she’d just seen a reality TV confession. “Good luck, mirror coach.”

Paige nearly ran out of the bathroom, muttering, “I never should be let out side.”

Her shoulders squared up as she swerved back toward the table. She was going to get it together. She was going to be charming. She was going to prove — mostly to herself — that she could.

But, the instant she saw Riley’s warm, waiting smile…

She felt like a fraud.

As long as Riley was perfectly fine, no matter how good the wine was or how many pep talks she gave…

Her thoughts were still on the campus lawn, under the moon light, with someone who hadn’t just felt like a date.

Azzi had felt like home.

And tonight, when she had all the parts she needed right in front of her, Paige worked hard to not let it show how she still missed home.

When they were seated again at the table, Riley glanced up from the menu and pushed a stray piece of hair behind an ear with a polite smile.

“There you are,” she said, not unkindly. “Everything okay?”

“Yep,” Paige said too fast. “Totally fine. Had to, y’know uhh just check in with my brain.”

Riley tilted her head. “Did it respond?”

Paige’s laugh was a little too loud. “Barely.”

She sat down and arranged her napkin as if it had offended her. The wine she had left behind had just warmed up enough to taste like regret. She took a sip anyway.

Riley nibbled from the bread basket. “So I was explaining to you about my clinical rotations ”

“Oh, right. Blood and guts. Sexy.”

That earned a blink. Paige winced internally. She attempted to pull it back, but her mouth just kept running faster than her heart.

“I mean, not that med school isn’t hot! Like, intellectually hot. Hot in a — you’re-ambitious-and-clearly-better-at-life-than-me-hot way.”

Riley’s laugh this time was soft, but there was a softness in it now. A caution. As if she was beginning to understand that Paige might not be entirely there.

Paige speared a piece of lettuce. “Sorry. I deflect with humor. It’s a profoundly pleasing response to trauma.”

“I figured that part out,” Riley said, his voice gentle. “It’s okay.”

It wasn’t. Paige could feel herself coming apart — not visibly, not to make a scene. Just in small, quiet ways. The sidelong glances she kept throwing at her phone. How the guilt creeped in.

Because it was her fault.

She was why she was feeling like this. That she missed Azzi the way you miss muscle memory. Why she couldn’t look across her at someone good — someone nice — without feeling like a thief. As if she were stealing time from them both.

She had not been forced into heartbreak.

She’d walked there willingly. Built the road herself. Laid the bricks with good intentions and ambition and the sort of love that said, not right now, assuming we’d always have a later.

And here she was, three years post break up, six bites into a kale salad and trying not to ghost someone in real time.

“So,” Riley said, “What do you typically do when you’re not being dragged out on to uncomfortable blind dates?”

Paige smiled. It didn’t quite make it to her eyes.

“Usually?” she said. “Stifle my emotions, rewatch game tape, and eat like… two full pints of Ben & Jerry's pretending to sort of have my life together.”

That earned a real laugh.

But Paige felt it — in the brief flare of warmth that followed, the still, sinking truth that she didn’t want Riley to like her too much. She didn’t want to hurt her. And that meant she needed to start falling back before it got too late.

So she did what she always did when she wasn’t able to give what someone deserved.

She de-loved herself.

She overcompensated. Interrupted too much. Told a self-deprecating story about a one-night stand with someone who had toe rings. Brought up her ex again, calling it “funny timing,” and finished with a non-convincing attempt of the argument “I swear I’m normal, just in small doses.”

And Riley — bless her — remained civil. Kind. Patient. But with each minute that went by, the gap between them widened a little more.

By the time the bill arrived, both of them knew what this was.

Or rather, of what it wasn’t.

The sidewalk was chillier than she recollected. Paige slipped her hands into her jacket pockets, as though that could prevent her from saying anything too sincere.

Riley looked at her, with a polite smile still in place — the kind of polite smile you make when you’re trying to be nice but you’re already composing a “hey, I think you’re great but…” text in your head.

Paige cleared her throat. “Well. That wasn’t… so tragic.”

Riley laughed softly. “No flaming car wrecks.”

“A little emotional fender bender.”

“Mm,” Riley nodded. “And a side of unresolved baggage.”

Paige grimaced and returned a mock salute. “You got me there. Impressive.”

“I’m good at diagnosing people,” Riley deadpanned. “Emotionally and medically.”

Both of them just stood there, swaying awkwardly like friends doing that thing when you don’t know if hugging goodbye is acceptable so you try to time it right.

“I had a good time,” Paige said, lying as gracefully as possible. “You’re cool. You know, obviously-too-cool-for-me cool.”

“Not so bad yourself,” Riley advised, gently. “A little chaotic. But… weirdly charming.”

“‘Weirdly charming’ is what they’ll put on my tombstone.”

“Shouldve been a podcast title.”

“I’ll pitch it,” Paige joked. “Right after I spiral in my bathroom later.”

Riley smiled and leaned in her seat. “Well … I should uh order a Lyft.”

“Right. Yeah. Totally. Unless…” Paige stuttered, then shook her head. “No. Nope. No ‘unless.’ Just… yeah. Have a good night.”

“You too.”

For a moment it was as if they looked like they might try to hug — that they ought to, as a matter of politesse. But they didn’t. They stayed there a second too long, then nodded like office mates saying goodbye at a work retreat.

Paige began to make her way towards her apartment.

She sighed.

She then muttered to herself, “Nailed it.”

By the time she turned the corner toward her apartment, she was already fishing out her phone, thumb hovering over a draft message she did not actually plan to send:

“You’ll be relieved to know I only brought you up five times tonight. New record.”

She didn’t send it.

Instead, she scrolled. Of course the first thing on her feed was no other than news about Azzi being traded to a new team. Paige looked at it for a long time, then hit the home button and locked the screen as though that could keep the ache out.

She then retreated to pull her phone out again and began to type out her text to the group chat:

UCONN’t Be Serious

Paige: Okay I panicked

KK: On the date??

Paige: I heard her name and my brain exited the building

Nika: Hell no not even dessert first

Jana: Hahaha hold up howwww did Azzi even come up in conversation??

Paige: Rec league or something. I don’t know. I blacked out after that

KK: So you’re just sitting there like 🧍‍♀️

Paige: Literally

Paige: I had to give myself a mirror pep talk in the bathroom...

Nika: You’re unwell

Paige: She said Azzi. The rest of the night, the entire mixtape of the playlist I made to capture the feelings of our entire college played in my head on repeat...

KK: We need to get you on the injury report

Jana: Is this your way of saying you’re not ready

Paige: Do you guys really think I've ever been ready??

Nika: Do not make us answer that...

Paige: Imma go throw my phone in the ocean

KK: Take a selfie first

Jana: We love you. Even if you’re emotionally unstable from a break up you caused years ago...

Paige: Thanks... for the reminder.

Paige kicked her feet out of her sneakers as if they were individually insulting her. One bounced off the wall. The other hit the laundry basket and flopped around as if it, too, had thrown in the towel. She didn’t even flip on the light; she simply allowed herself to sprawl, facedown, upon her bed.

The night had been �� something.

Well, no the thing is it would have been entirely ordinary. Which was the problem. Riley was nice. Like, annoyingly nice. She asked intelligent questions. She could laugh at herself, in a disarming kind of way. She even handed Paige the last of the bread and didn’t think twice.

But the instant she’d said Azzi’s name?

Paige had been toast. Emotionally gone. Lights on, nobody home. The type of spiral from which there’s no clawing your way back once it began — the kind where you excuse yourself to the bathroom and give yourself a mirror pep talk that immediately devolves into a half-sarcastic TED Talk on the topic of romantic self-sabotage.

And now, here she was. Alone in bed, one sock on, scrolling through her phone as if it were a personal archive of every single way in which she was not over it.

She opened Instagram. Azzi’s profile was still grayed out — but not blocked. Because Paige was not that type of ex. She was the type who preferred to have the option of self-inflicted damage at 1:00 a.m.

There she was. Smiling in a new jersey. New team. New city. And looking annoyingly good about it.

“Fantastic,” Paige grumbled, throwing her phone to the far side of the bed as though it might be radioactive. “She looks happy. We love that for her.”

She rolled over and gazed at her bedroom ceiling, as if it had the answers she was looking for.

“All right,” she whispered to the darkness. “So I’m unwell. That’s fine. This is fine.”

She opened Spotify. Scrolled right past her gym playlist, her post-game wins playlist, her “Absolutely Not Crying” playlist.

And there it was.

Azzi’s Mix.

She hadn’t used it in over a year. Had told herself it was for own sentimental, not emotional, feelings.

The first song that played?

The one Azzi would hum to herself while she was cooking eggs on Sunday mornings. The one they waltzed around the kitchen to barefoot, before either one had said I love you out loud.

Paige hit pause immediately. Sat there in silence. The kind that echoed.

Then she murmured to herself, the ghost of a laugh tugging at her lips, “Poor Riley never stood a chance.”

And for the first time that night, she laughed in a genuine manner.

Just once.

It was soft and bitter and perhaps a bit hopeful.

Because if nothing else — at least she was being honest.

Now — Seven Years After the Break-Up

I didn’t mean to open the Notes app.

It was just… there — muscle memory, right next to Instagram and click. I didn’t even realize my thumb had hovered over it until the screen lit up and that same old note stared back at me like it was waiting.

“10 Moments That Led Me Back to You...”

I tapped in.

Scrolled past the blinking cursor and the list I’d written weeks ago. When I hit the top, I paused. Let the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding crash into my chest.

Then, finally, I started to type.

1. The Failed Blind Date

It wasn’t supposed to be anything.

It was dinner. With someone safe. Someone who’d never seen me in a baggy hoodie or sat courtside for my shittiest game. Someone who hadn’t heard me cry into a pillow over a missed free throw or snuck out of practice to make me laugh when I forgot how.

Someone who didn’t know what my laugh actually sounded like — when it was real.

She was perfect on paper. Said all the right things. Smiled like someone who still believed people were inherently good. You could tell she was trying. I could tell I was trying. But the second she said your name, my brain yanked the emergency brake.

Suddenly, it wasn’t dinner anymore. It was damage control.

I started oversharing. Making weird jokes. I went full disaster mode and I knew it. But I let it happen.

Because the truth is, I wasn’t trying to fall in love again.

When she mentioned you, it cracked something open. A memory I didn’t know was still right there under the surface — takeout, your laugh under the stars, my hoodie on your shoulders like it had always belonged there.

She talked about rec league. I thought of your first layup drill at UCONN. She said you were good. I almost said good doesn't even begin to describe her.

But I bit my tongue. Smiled. Made up an excuse to go to the bathroom and had a full-on conversation with the mirror about how I’m “fine.”

I am not fine.

I mentally ghosted her before dessert. I meant it. She deserved better.

She deserved someone present.

Not someone who’s still time traveling back to the version of themselves they only liked when they were with you.

That was the first time I admitted it — even just to myself.

I’m not over you.

Not even close.

So yeah.

That was the failed blind date.

And just a small moment that plays a big part to the rest of this story.

[19burstraat]

ketterdam dashboard simulator

goedmedbridge420

who up boeking they canal

10,345 notes

drydens follow

I can't believe some of you log on here and thirstpost about barrel vagrants. it makes me so sick. these men are the very pits of society and have never honoured ghezen a day in their lives. there are so many other young men who make their living in a reverent way. have some dignity.

#ghezen #inghezenssight #ghezenhonouring #churchofghezen #handofghezen

2 notes

kooperomno1fan

lionsroar12 follow

omg HOW is kaz brekker winning this he's SO problematic he's not even good for the economy he killed members of his own gang and kidnapped councilman van eck's son

dregsundrained

cranky coz your gang fell apart aren't you

17,860 notes

oskervoexchange follow

guys is this a mandela effect or what bc I SWEAR this painting used to be in the university district art museum, I literally saw it this week??? but I went today and it was GONE?????? there wasn't even a plaque?? guys pls I'm so confused why is everyone acting like this is normal for ketterdam? do priceless antiques just VANISH? am I being gaslit?

450 notes

stadhall-clerking

guys I'm so sorry I've been MIA :( I found out that my landlord was using my rent on the staves rather than fixing my black mould problem so I pushed him out the window and told the stadwatch he must have fallen and died because he wasn't honouring ghezen and got away with it. anyway I think maybe the black mould explains the dirtyhands/sturmhond fic I was writing sorry :( but I WILL finish my fairy queen of istamere meta post once I've moved into my new lodging

670 notes

dregsconfessions follow

SUBMISSION: sometimes I lie awake thinking about the time I fell down an entire flight of stairs at the slat when kaz was at the bottom, and he just stared at me (still lying on the floor), and then asked if I'd changed the beer kegs at the silver six yet. GIRL NO?!?!?!

#submission #dregs #dirtyhands #admin comment: laughed so loud my upstairs neighbour threatened to shoot me

546 notes

dregsconfessions follow

ADMIN NOTE: if the razorgulls don't fucking stop sending anon hate to this blog we'll tell dirtyhands n he'll send you your own IP address back

#see what happens you hack job seagulls

500 notes

kerchtourismboard

it's us, the real kerch tourism board, here to tell you what we're putting in the new summer season pamphlet. we got 1) three pages all about kaz brekker that end up being more of an advertisement than a deterrent 2) list of slipperiest spots in the barrel where you will fall over and get a concussion when ur drunk 3) top 10 ways to get your wallet stolen by a child in broad daylight 4) paintings of the komedie brute 5) advert for sten's stockpot 6) map of public toilets

570 notes

kerchtourismboardreal follow

we are not affiliated with any degenerate impersonator accounts who claim to be us. we are the only real kerch tourism account.

23 notes

kerchtourismboard-real follow

grafcanal smells like piss and you should bite everyone you see wearing the mister crimson costume

450 notes

stensstockpot follow

it's all 'fuck sten's stockpot' and 'I got food poisoning from the special at sten's stockpot' until you realise you don't have the money for cilla's fry, and then you come CRAWLING back to the loving arms of sten's stockpot and our special. you fucking traitors. you'll be back! you'll all be back

canaljumpings follow

what's in the special sten's stockpot

stensstockpot follow

it's a surprise ;)

bertskerch follow

nah I thought this was the real stens lmao

stensstockpot follow

bert smit you still have 45 kruge to pay on your tab and if you don't cough up we'll send our debtors to break your legs

230 notes

exchangingbabey follow

my grisha girlfriend who still wears a kefta and says things like 'nikolai lantsov is a bastard': ugh they're still debating whether or not the council of tides should be able to control kerch shipping, I hate inter-country politics

me: I think I hauve the queen's lady

4500 notes

(insp) (insp)