#more conner stuff in the works stay tuned!

[jesncin]

Who is (don't call me) Superboy? Conner (as Paul Westfield) confronts Lex Luthor.

I think Conner bearing a stronger resemblance to Luthor opens up more possibilities for his complicated relationship with his sense of self as a Superman clone.

[incoherentbabblings]

On the Twelfth Day (2/2)

AO3 Link Here.  TimSteph Christmas Fluff.

-7-

Fancy dinner did not occur. Or rather, they had their starter, but a certain Robin bird crashing through the crystal domed ceiling had put an end to the dinner, and they had rushed out to change and help against Mr Freeze who was having a whale of a time in central Gotham. Stephanie had slipped at one point on a mountain of ice, and had bruised her spine in the fall. She lay on the sofa in the manor, Tim sat on the floor in front of her at quarter to twelve, whilst the family were out cleaning up the mess Freeze had left behind. They watched as the countdown began. Steph jolted as her memory was triggered by the sight of Gotham’s clocks.

“Oh! Tim, my handbag. I was going to give you my present at dinner. Open it before midnight! Hurry!”

He crawled over, having changed from one formal suit to his super suit to his jammies, and tugged over her little brown bag.

She watched, more nervous than she had been with any of the other gifts, worried about what he would think.

“A watch?” His voice wasn’t offended, thank God, but she still felt the need to justify.

“I just thought… I know Bruce gave you one, and you have your dad’s, so okay, maybe you don’t also need one from me, I mean it’s not as fancy…”

He kissed her, long and sweet, using whatever he could to distract her from her worries. “Fancy doesn’t matter. This is one I can wear everyday, tell people my girlfriend bought me it.” He turned just as on the tv the clock stroke midnight. “Ah! Happy New Year.”

Stephanie pressed kisses to the back of his head, his damp hair smelling sweet from the bath they’d shared earlier. “Happy New Year.”

Tim put on the watch, setting it to midnight, and kissed Stephanie again.

-8-

“Not very exciting this time I’m afraid honey.”  Tim mumbled. He was buried under the bed covers, not really wiling to get up and start the day.  He waved vaguely over in the direction of the wardrobe.

“Implying that I don’t love chocolates… false.”  Stephanie shuffled over, settling on the bed next the lump under the duvet that was her boyfriend.  Wincing with her back pain, she began to stuff her face with the selection box.  She looked down at Tim and smiled.

“Timmy, open up.”

Tim poked his head out from the covers, dark hair ruffled with sleep.  She popped a chocolate into his mouth, watching him smile, then disappear back under the covers.

-9-

“Catch!”

In the cave, Stephanie threw a large wicker basket at Tim, which he managed to grab hold of before it hit his head.  He swayed at the weight of it.  Stephanie trotted over, fully in costume, whilst Tim had yet to put in his mask. Tim turned and rested the basket on a nearby table.  Opening the flaps, he went to peer in, but Damian appeared, shoving Tim out the way.

“Honey?  Really Brown?  You raid a farm or something?”

“Damian!” Dick pulled Damian’s judgemental look and stature away from the pair, shooting an apologetic look at them.

“He’s not totally wrong.” Stephanie sighed.  “It is a lot of farm stuff.  Hamper food.”

Tim began rummaging through the tissue, pulling out jars of chutney’s and jams and cheese and dried fruits. Two small bottles of beer were also nestled in.

“Steph…”

“I know the weather has been… pure shit.  And there isn’t really anywhere we can go but…”

“We can go to SanFran.” Tim looked at her, eyes smiling. “Next weekend, before college starts up again.  Conner says it’s been dry.  Not warm. It never really is over there but…” He trailed off and looked at Steph, still facing forwards.  “You’ve never spent more than a night at the tower have you?”

“No.”

“Well you have right to. It’ll be nice!”  He squeezed her hand reassuringly at her nervous look. “This is really sweet Steph, thank you.”

“You can thank Conner and Kara, half this stuff is from Kansas!”

-10-

The Fourth of January was more than a little stressful, Tim had had an awkward conversation with both Crystal and Bruce (and Alfred, hovering like a bee) which had led to Dick swamping Tim in the manor corridors.

“Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii know what you’ve done!  Gonna tell Cass!”  He sang, smiling so broadly that Tim became faintly petrified of Dick’s teeth being put on display.  Immediately alarmed, he began to slap Dick on the arms, legs and gut, as if that would shut him up.

“What do you know?”  Tim hissed.  Dick just laughed and sprinted away.  Tim gave chase, throwing himself onto his elder brother’s back.  He clung tight, and began to tug at Dick’s perfectly curled hair. “How did you find out?  What are you? Psychic?”

“Just nosy!”  Dick spun in a circle bent in half, Tim hanging off his back like a monkey.

“Don’t say anything!” Clinging tight and trying to choke Dick from behind, Tim entered a blinding panic. No-one was supposed to know!

“Oh, come on!  You have so little trust?”

“That’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said, and you know it!”

“Who’s dumb?”  

Steph appeared out of Cass’s room, several strings of strawberry laces hanging from her mouth being chewed obnoxiously, curious at the racket.  Tim leaped off Dick’s back like he was made of fire.

“Nothing!  C’mon, I was grabbing you for your present.”

Stephanie smiled, shoving the rest of the candy into her mouth. Waving goodbye to Dick, who waved glibly back, Tim watched with horror as he snuck into Cassandra’s room, no doubt to gossip.  

Goddammit.

Pulling her into his room, Tim rushed to the bed, then held out a large picture frame, nearly as wide as his arm berth.  She took it gratefully and looked at the collage Tim had compiled.  It was many candids and posed shots of her, Tim, their friends and family.  From them aged fifteen, to photos Tim had taken just the other day with his new camera, it was their lives together compiled into one frame.  There was a gap of about two years in their mid-teens, but otherwise, it was all their history in one frame.

She set it back down on Tim’s bed.  Pointing at one image of them when they were younger, their cheeks pressed together, Tim half out the frame, but they looked so young, so fresh.

“That’s mine.  I had a bunch posted above my bed… Did you take them?”

“I ‘borrowed’ them, made copies for this.  Your mom helped.”

Stephanie nodded approvingly.  “Ahhhh, I see.  Going behind my back now is she?”

“Oh, how the tables have turned.” Tim teased.

Stephanie huffed, then pressed a kiss to his cheek.  “This is unbearably sentimental Tim.  Thank you. But just wait until tomorrow.”

-11-

Tim had been hurt this time. A sprained ankle which had swollen up to an impressive size.  He’d hurt it catching some poor kid jumping out of a building to escape a fire.  The rice treatment had ensued.  Rest, ice, compression and elevation.  It as an old rule, but it was one Alfred stood firmly by. He had dozed off, waiting for Stephanie to return from patrol. Their plans to go to San Francisco had been delayed, since Tim was going to need the week to recover. Stephanie had tired not to let her disappointment leak through. These sorts of things were bound to happen, and it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Not truly.  

She stared at a sleeping Tim, his skin looking warm in the lamp light.  She then looked down at the package in her hand and decided to unwrap it for him.  This one she had been working on for over a month, and it had become increasingly tricky to hide it from Tim due it’s ever growing size.

Unravelling the hand knitted blanket, she sat down on the sofa next to Tim, and spread it over them both. Tucking it under his chin, she settled into his side, and shut her eyes.

When Tim started awake later from a vague and fuzzy nightmare, he woke to the rain on the windows, the room softly lit, and his girlfriend resting at his side.  His foot had flopped down off the table when he had jerked, so wincing he raised it once more to the table.  Noticing then the blanket she had thrown over them, Tim picked absently at the thread, noticing almost immediately that this was a new one, and although it was neat, it wasn’t as uniform as what a machine would do.

He knew she had been working on something.  He’d seen the receipts from different craft shops across Gotham, but he’d assumed it was something for herself, or maybe the other Batgirls.  

The blanket was a deep gem blue, and as large as the sofa.  Not only that, it wasn’t just one large square, she had done different stitches along the rims and even a circular pattern in the centre.  She had worked extremely hard on this, in between college and Batgirl-ing and Stephanie Brown-ing.

Tim shifted his arms, wrapping them tight around Stephanie under the fabric.  She sighed happily in her sleep, and nuzzled into his chest.

“Love you.”  He murmured.

Even in sleep, Stephanie smiled.  

-12-

Taking down the decorations was always intensely depressing.  It meant there was no more twinkling lights or shiny paper to catch the winter light (what little there existed of it in Gotham).  No, now the grim winter had truly begun.

Tim was still sat on the sofa, carefully wrapping the decorations in tissue and bubble wrap. Amongst them was Steph’s first gift of the robins. He stared at the chubby pair hard, then set them aside. They cold stay out until Spring at least.  He occasionally side glanced at Stephanie getting into an argument with two sets of Christmas lights.  One set she was wearing on her head and shoulders, the other tangled around her arms and outstretched legs on the floor.  She huffed and puffed and cursed.  He tried not to laugh, as that might have set her temper off properly, which was the last thing he wanted for today.

“Tim? Change the music? The bass is too much and…”  And she continued to grumble to herself, tugging unnecessarily hard on to lights that had crossed over each other and gotten tangled.

Tim called for his speaker to switch radio stations, flipping to a classical music channel. To his relief, it was playing a soft piano tune, and Stephanie’s grumbling lessened in response.  

They worked in silence for a moment, and Tim was struck by how peaceful it felt, how domestic. Safe.  

Putting the lid on one of the storage boxes, Tim noticed his hands were shuddering.  His nerves were kicking in.

“Stephie?  Can I borrow you for a sec?”

Always weak to him calling her that, and somewhat relieved to be distracted from the lights, she leaped upwards.  “Is it your ankle?  Need a cold press?”

“No, no.  Just, can you swap the boxes for me?  Done with that one.”

She did as she was bid, but before she could replace the box with an empty one on the seat, Tim tugged her down.

Thinking he wanted a kiss, she swiftly leaned in for a smooch.

Not wanting to jostle his foot too much, she clambered onto him, finding she was sorely needing an unscheduled make out session to vent her stress.  

She felt his hands twitch. One held her neck, the other had drifted downwards, fumbling around his hoodie.

“Steph.”  He broke away, bringing his hand up to her cheek. He suddenly looked horrendously nervous, which only served to make Stephanie on edge.  He gulped, then squeezed his other hand in between their chests.  “Steph… your last present… you don’t have to say yes, if you don’t want to, you’re not ready, or… or if you don’t feel the same way…”  The sadness that permeated his expression broke her heart as she began to understand what was happening.  What the point of the twelve days of Christmas gift exchange was for. A ploy really, a stinkingly sweet plot.

Tim popped the tiny black box open to reveal an engagement ring.  It was one of those rings that looked like it were three, crossing over in the middle, one filled with round diamonds, the other rubies, the final a plain band of white gold.  Stephanie had pianist’s fingers, long and thin with bumpy knuckles, and Tim had spent an embarrassingly long time deciding what would look good on Stephanie. When he had spoken to Crystal the other day, to try and be good as ask her permission, Crystal had only pursed her lips at the sight of the ring, face giving nothing away. She did say yes to Tim asking, so that was something. The very same day he had also spoken to Bruce, for whatever reason Tim couldn’t recall.  Just a small part of him that still craved Bruce’s approval, which, to Tim’s utter shock, he had given.

He had done one thing though, which had ticked Tim off at the time.  Bruce had hummed at the sight of the ring and suggested that Tim could have gone bigger.  Tim must have looked so offended that Bruce quietly corrected himself and said it would probably do.  Tim was old enough now to know when Bruce was being deliberately cruel and when he had just put his foot in it.  The guilty look on Bruce’s face suggested the latter and Tim tried to quell his feelings of inadequacy.  

Now, with Stephanie’s eyes growing wet and her mouth smiling, he thought the ring was indeed fit for purpose.

“Will you marry me?” He asked.

Tears dropped down her cheeks, and her eyeliner began to run horribly.

“You want to marry me? For real?”

God they were both insecure as anything.  Tim had been petrified of the concept of her saying no, she had seemingly not expected him to ever ask, to even want to ask.  

“Stephie, I wouldn’t… I do. For real.”

“Me too!”  She sobbed.  She nodded again and again.  “Yes, yes, yes!”

Tim fumbled taking the ring out of the box, sliding it onto her finger.  He struggled a bit at getting it past her lower knuckle, but once it got past it fit neatly around her ring finger.  Stephanie laughed, tilting her hand in the light to see it glitter.  More tears dripped down her face, then she kissed Tim once more, happier than she’d ever been.

“Rubies?”  She asked, pressing their foreheads together

“Thought amethysts might be too on the nose.”

“Red for you then?”

“For Robin.  Both of us.”

Another kiss.  “Utter charmer.”  She murmured, settling in on his lap.  Tim picked up her hand, and began fiddling with her finger and ring, smug as anything that she was wearing it.  That she had said yes.  

“Last day to say it Tim… Merry Christmas.”

“Heh.  Merry Christmas.”

[buckys-forgotten-plum]

Kindergarten Crush

Prompt: thank ya girl @kpopgirlbtssvt for this!

Y/n is a kindergarten teacher who has decided to take her kiddos on a ~super duper~ field trip to the museum where she finds herself a little too interested in one of the exhibits.

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Word count:  5094

Warnings: language...maybe? Length also? I have a problem with over writing my stuff and I feel like it gets boring and too lengthy. Also my computer always fucks up the formatting so that might also be an issue. 

Here we gooooooooo

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

“Alright come along my little ducklings!” You smiled happily, leading a small line of children off a yellow bus and out into the parking lot of the Smithsonian.

“Miss y/n how come we have to go to the museum? It’s soooooooo boring!” moans a small boy who huffily stomped down the stairs of the bus.

“Joey, that is actually a very good question! but we’re gonna have to work on your manners,” you smile while making sure to wave a stern finger at the cute little boy. “Can anyone remember what we were learning about yesterday and our word of the week?” you ask lightly, making sure that all children are accounted for before entering the large building.

Multiple children raised their hands excitedly, wanting to be the first to answer the question (most likely because you rewarded each child who answered correctly with either a small piece of candy or a cute pencil topper) You looked around, making a thoughtful face as you decided who to pick on. Your mind became set on a red haired boy named Connor. He had been quite respectful during the bus ride over and had been nice enough to give his early morning juice box to a clumsy girl who had dropped hers. “Connor? Would you like to answer?”

As the rest of the kids lowered their hands in slight disappointment Connor smiled happily and took a second before answering, “um we um we learned about uh the uhm the first airplanes! And then um the uh the word was um respect!” he answered happily.

You giggle at his slightly rough response and hand him a small piece of strawberry taffy, his favourite and gave a quick response, “Good job Connor! we are learning about the very first planes and how they’ve helped us in history. Your also correct for our word of the week being respect. Now can anyone tell me what respect means?”

Another round of hands shoot into the air and you waste no time before choosing the next student, “Charlie go ahead,”

“Respect is when you are super nice to someone,” the little girl smiles sweetly as she answers the question.

“Good job charlie, here you go honey,” You giggle at her cuteness while handing her a little kitty pencil topper that she gladly took before putting it into her pocket.

“Thank you miss y/n!” she yells happily, making you smile down at her with a grin of your own.

Before going into the museum you wanted to make sure that all your students knew how they needed to behave for the day so you whistled a fun little tune to get everyone’s attention (they were suppose to attempt to copy it back to you but most of them failed each time... it was extremely cute)

“Alright guys, we gotta make sure to be super respectful to all the people and exhibits. That means no shouting or touching things you’re not suppose to, so always ask beforehand okay buddies?”

The children all replied with a synchronized chorus of “Okay buddy!”, another one of your fun rituals.

A wide grin was painted onto your lips as you lead all the kids and chaperones into the museum with the hope of a fun day following beside you.

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

“Miss who are they?” one of your students asks quietly and points to the most populated and well maintained exhibit in the entire museum.

“That’s Steve Rogers and his best friend, Bucky Barnes. Mr. Rogers is Captain America and that’s what he looked like way back when he first started being a hero, same with his friend there.” your explanation was quiet and you spent a bit more time looking at the handsome face of the Winter Soldier when the old timey video paused to share a few facts of the metal-armed soldier.

You were pulled from your small day dream by an even smaller hand gripping your shirt, “Can we go closer miss y/n?” Conner asked, which was quickly followed by a small chorus of please’s by the other three kids in your touring group.

You nod kindly before responding, “of course guys, remember to stay near me though,”

The group of you go over to the small room, full of World War Two memorabilia and everything having to do with the famous super soldier known as Captain America. A video played on repeat as the sound echoed throughout the dimly lit room softly. The four children that accompanied you slowly spread out, keeping mind to stay close enough for your comfort as you slowly made your way around the room, being careful to read everything that was presented to you.

The history behind Steve Rogers was interesting, but after a little bit, you started to notice how interested you were in Bucky. He was, after all, your favourite Avenger so it wasn’t too surprising to you that he was what caught your eye the most.

Best friends since childhood, Bucky Barnes and Steven Rogers were inseparable...

It was a sad story...the origin of The Winter Soldier.

Barnes, was the only Howling Commando, to give his life, in service of his country.

The video clearly needed to be updated... Though you knew deep down that, even though Bucky was alive, he’d had enough trauma and life experience for an entire soccer team. You couldn’t imagine what went through his head everyday and the extraordinary weight that he carried on his broad shoulders.

Very handsome broad shoulders at that...

“Miss y/n! Can you come help me be as tall as Captain America please?” Conner asks from across the room rather loudly.

It caught the attention of a few bystanders, including an extremely tall man who was giving you weird vibes with his hooded figure and dark clothing. You only glanced at the mysterious man before going over to the small boy looking up at the screen that held Steve Rogers height before and after the serum.

“Connor, I’m not even as tall as Mr. Rogers before the serum, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to lift you up enough...” you admit gently, not wanting to upset the small boy.

“That’s okay, I just wanna know what it’s like to be taller,” he smiles widely, making you laugh.

“I’d like to know what it’s like to be taller too, Connor” you joke with a light giggle before trying to lift him up as far as possible.

“Look miss y/n! we’re just as tall as Captain America,” Connor laughs, almost making you drop him. 

In your defense it’s generally just hard to lift anything with how small you are. 

“I wanna try!” 

                                                               “Me too!”

                         “Wait I wanna be tall too!” 

Your small group of kids all ran up at once as you gently put Connor on the floor, their loud voices ringing throughout the small room and earning a few glares from the other people trying to enjoy history. 

“Keep your voices down everyone, remember what we agreed to outside?” 

“Respect” they all chorused quietly, earning a breathy laugh from yourself and a chuckle from the strange man who had been looking at you earlier.

You squint your eyes in suspicion at the loss of distance that had occured within the last few minutes between your group and the tall stranger. It made you a little nervous and left a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach, but you brushed it off as being a paranoid teacher. Although it could totally be a human trafficker... Maybe a modern day Ted Bundy? What if he was a weirdo who was gonna try and take your purse?

bzz..bzzz..bzz...

you were pulled out of your thoughts by the soft feeling of your phone going off in the pocket of your skirt. 

“Hey guys this is one of the other groups, don’t go anywhere alright? I’ll be back in a jiffy,” You state quietly and walk a few feet away, turning your back from the slightly noisy children who were now trying to lift each other up to the height of the glowing screen. 

“Hey gretta, everything okay?” 

“Everything is fine, y/n. I was just calling to say that all the kiddos in my group are getting a bit hungry and was wondering if we would head to the park soon for lunch?” Gretta, who was a mom of one of your students was really your right hand during field trips like these.

She was always extremely helpful with snacks, reservations, carpool, everything really. Gretta was also a close friend of yours and it was always a comfort to have her around for support when times got stressful.

“Yeah, go ahead and tell the other group leaders to head down to the entrance in...15 minutes? That way we can all walk together,” you state, taking a quick glance back at your students. 

“alright, you got it boss. Everything going alright?” she asks gently, wanting to make sure you weren’t too stressed out. 

“Everything has been great so far. Although there’s this one dude-” “Ooohhh! Go get him y/n!” Gretta jokes, her heavy laugh having no trouble being heard from the small phone in your hand. 

“What? No that’s not what I was gonna say... He is really tall though,” 

“Everyone is really tall compared to you,” your friend laughs even louder, making you hold the phone away from your ear for a few seconds before returning to its original position. 

“Mean-” “But true” “Okay I’m leaving now,” “Love ya y/n!” 

You sighed heavily, a smile on your face due to the strange friend you had. The smile didn’t stay long before you turned around and spotted the sight in front of you. All your kids were laughing happily, one of them lifted in the air so high that she was taller than the height of their favourite super soldier. 

“Excuse me, put her down right now!” your brain was going a mile a minute as your feet furiously carried you over to the stranger who was holding two of your students. All of your students ceased their laughter as they see the angry face of their teacher. 

“What makes you think you can start picking my students up without even knowing who they are!? Honestly what kinda creep-” “I’m sorry, doll. Must’ve been quite the scare to see a creep like me helping your kids out,” The stranger apologizes as he puts the two kids back on their feet, pulling his hood down to show you a shiney, white-toothed, smile. 

“Oh my god...” you mutter and nearly choke on your spit as you look up at the man in front of you. 

“Miss y/n he’s not a bad guy! He’s the cool robot guy from the video,” Connor exclaims happily. 

“That’s me, alright. The Cool Robot Guy” he nods and waves, a shiny metal hand coming out from his hoodie pocket. 

“Uhm... Mr. Barnes, hello. I’m so sorry I yelled...it’s just, I thought you were-” “Nah I get it, some tall scary dude messing with little kids is a scary sight, you did the right thing. Also please don’t call me Mr. Barnes, it’s Bucky,” 

“Right, Bucky. It’s very nice to meet you sir, my name is y/n, these are my students- Charlie, Connor, Anna, and Fargo. We’re here on a field trip today to learn about planes but got a little distracted,” You laugh lightly, trying to cover up the embarrassment of telling off one of Earth’s mightiest heroes. 

“That’s quite exciting guys. You know, I get to fly planes all the time,” Bucky states, his smile growing at the gawking children in front of him. 

He continued to tell your small group of students all about his adventures from being a superhero, answering every single question they asked him. You had skillfully started to move the group towards the stairs, knowing full well that it was time to take the kids to lunch. There wasn’t a moment of silence as Bucky handled the curious children and their prying questions. He didn’t hesitate to answer anything that was thrown at him, which you admired wholeheartedly. The kids asked how his arm worked, what it felt like, if they could feel it. Anna even asked if he could take it off. That one made Bucky pause and you noticed the slight movement of the metal panels clenching in stress from the invasive question. 

“Um, no sorry hun. It doesn’t really work like that,” he answers quietly before looking back at you, “You’re pretty quiet, dollface. You got any questions for me?”

“No, sir. I think I’m okay just listening for now,” you smile politely, blushing at the nickname that had so beautifully fallen from his lips.

He gives you a wide grin and puts an arm behind his head to mess with his dark hair, “jeez, really making me feel old with all that ‘sir’ garbage you’re throwing around,” 

A laugh escapes your lips at his joking comment and you can’t help but to mutter a quiet ‘sorry’. It didn’t take too long to find the rest of your class and the parents who had agreed to help out for the day. When your group finally came into view, Bucky in tow, any idea of going to lunch was thrown out the window immediately as the small army of children began to shout in excitement. 

It was great meeting Bucky Barnes, but honestly you were so hungry. 

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

You were extremely nervous. 

Your hands couldn’t stop pulling at the soft fabric from the sundress that you had put on in hopes of impressing your date for the night.

That date being Bucky Barnes...

“Oh gosh...” Your hands roughly move down your face in a stressed manner.

“Why did I say yes? Why would I think, at any moment in time, that this, was a good idea,” 

“What if he hates my dress? This is my favourite dress...” you mumble to yourself, a sad expression falling onto your face as you think of how someone as dark and brooding as Bucky would like the light yellow dress you had on. 

As you were about to go to your closet to change into something more...Bucky, the doorbell to your small apartment went off, making you jump and let out a small squeak of surprise. There was no other choice but for you to go and open up the door to reveal the nervous soldier standing outside of it. 

“Hey, y/n. You look absolutely gorgeous,” He compliments quietly, looking down at your small frame before handing you a very pretty bouquet of baby pink teacup roses. 

“Thank you, Bucky. You look really nice too,” The smile on your face was bright as you smelt the lovely perfume of the cute roses you held in hand. 

It was true, Bucky looked really good. He wasn’t wearing anything fancy, just a dark blue Henley shirt with nicely fitting, black jeans. His hair was put up into a messy bun that suited his sharp jawline and gave a lovely view of his pretty blue eyes. 

“Thanks dollface, you ready to go? I got a whole day planned out for us. A movie, nice dinner, and then I was thinking coffee afterwards?” Bucky held an excited smile on his face.  

“That sounds quite nice, is it okay if we go somewhere that has hot chocolate though? I don’t really like coffee all that much,” You mumble out the last part, not wanting to be too much of a bother. 

“No problem pretty girl, let’s get goin” He smiles down at you once again and places a hand out for you to take, which you gladly do.

It was impossible to fight the large grin on your face as Bucky lead you out of your apartment, officially starting the most stressful, yet exciting date of your life. 

You really hoped it would go well.

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

“Buck stop! It tickles too much!” your laughing bounced around the room as the slightly scary man with a metal arm tries giving you a leg massage.

“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong though... So weird,” he mumbles, acting oblivious to the fact that he was trying to tickle you into into a coma.

It had started out as a calm day in when Bucky had called you to hang out at the Avengers Tower with him during the God-awful storm that had torn its way through New York. You had watched movies, gotten lunch together, you had even played cards just because Bucky didn’t believe you were better at gambling than he was. Now, you were both in his room, you laying across his bed on your stomach and Bucky straddling your lower back as he gently pushed his fingers into the back of your thighs.

“I’m gonna kick you in the face if you don’t stop right now James Barnes!” You warned, the venom that was supposed to be in your voice, falling flat.

“Oh no I’m soooo scar- OW” he shouts as the ball of your foot hits Bucky right in the chin.

His hands leave your thighs and go up to cradle his face. He slides off of your back, allowing you to flip over and sit up to properly face the hurt “man” in front of you.

“Oh you poor baby,” you mock worriedly and gently place your hands on his, “you want me to kiss it better, bunny?”

Bucky rolls his eyes at the nickname but still muttered out a quiet ‘yes’ which makes you giggle. It had been two months since you had met James Buchanan Barnes at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and it had been the best two months of your life in all honesty. He was such a kind person.and every second you spent with him was another second your heart spent melting. Although the first date was a bit awkward because of your shy personality and overwhelming amount of nerves, Bucky still wanted to keep seeing you. 

“I’m waitin’ doll,” he mumbles, puffing his lips in a slight pout, and you couldn’t help but to just squish his face in your hands from complete adoration. 

“You’re just so adorable, I don’t wanna close my eyes,” you respond, lips copying the same movements as his. 

“sometimes you just gotta make sacrifices lovie,” Bucky states, pulling you onto his lap and wrapping his arms around your waist.

Your face was the color of a goddamn strawberry at the sound of such a cutesy nickname coming from the former assassin. “Buck...” you stumble shyly, pushing your face into his shoulder to hide the embarrassment. 

“Nuh-uh, up here doll, my face is still wounded and I need you to heal me,” He argues, hooking his index finger to the tip of your chin and tilting your head upwards for Bucky to see. 

You puff out your lips and he lightly pecks them, a proud smile displayed on his handsome face. After one kiss, Bucky couldn’t help himself and decided to plant lovely little pecks all over, from eyes to nose, left temple to right. You laughed at his cute antics and tried to push his face away in attempts to make him stop. 

“Bunny stop it!” You giggle out, mushing his face between your small hands while trying to shy away from his kisses. 

Bucky laughed along with you as you held his face back, making it look incredibly silly. 

“Shweethart, you ghatta shtop,” he chuckles, pressing his fingers into your hips as his tap out. 

Your hands drop from bucky’s face, going to rest on his own hands that were still squeezing your hips. Both of you stayed silent, just enjoying the sweet moment at hand. Bucky Barnes was such a strange guy in your eyes, on the outside he was a hardcore, beefy, assassin. But, on the inside, it was like he was made of cotton candy and those cute little chocolate-filled crackers that were shaped like pandas. 

“Bunny can we go get food?” You ask, hand going to your stomach to feel the small grumble. 

“Of course, lovie,” Bucky responds, placing a soft kiss on the apple of your cheek and lifting both of your bodies up to begin the short journey to the kitchen.

Your legs were wrapped around Bucky’s hips, arms around his neck, and forehead resting in the crook of his neck. It was so hard to keep yourself from hugging Bucky, he was always so warm and even though he was super muscley, it was so comforting to be in his tight embrace. He had a specific way of hugging you too, he would wrap one arm around your shoulders and the other around your waist, pushing his face into the fluff of your hair. Your legs would be so close, sometimes he would pull you onto his feet just to lose those few extra centimeters of space and each time, after the hug was over, he would nudge his nose along your cheek before giving you a cute little peck on either your nose or lips. 

“You want a snack or do you want me to make you something?” He asks, setting you down on the counter and going over to the fridge, but not before giving your hips a soft squeeze.

“It’s okay bunny, I can make myself something,” you state, beginning to hop off the counter. 

Bucky stopped you, “It’s alright, I’m hungry too so I’ll just make something for us both. You want mac n’ cheese, baby?” 

“Yes please,” you respond in a quiet tone, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth in a shy manor.

Bucky smiled happily at you, running the pad of his thumb over the exposed part of your lip and making it come out of its hiding place, “don’t do that lovie, you might hurt yourself,” he grumbles lowly. 

“Right, sorry buck. Can I go get my phone, maybe a ponytail to put your hair into as well?” It wasn’t like you needed to ask, but due to the fact that it wasn’t your house and that you haven’t met all who resided within the pristine tower, you felt it necessary. 

“Of course sweetheart, you remember which room is mine?”

“The one on the left with the big wolf on it,” you nod your head in satisfactory, when bucky gave you a thumbs up to signal you had answered correctly. 

Pushing off the counter, you head back to Bucky’s room, thankful that you didn’t run in to anyone on the way. You had yet to meet Bucky’s two best friends Steve and Sam, as well as many of the other Avengers. Although, you had, had the pleasure of meeting Tony Stark the first time Bucky had invited you to come over. Out of nervousness and really just wanting to make a good first impression, you had bought a basil plant for the billionaire. Tony had laughed at your nice gesture, taking the plant and giving you a kind hug afterwards. He had thanked you and told Bucky that you were more than welcome to stay as long as needed. 

It didn’t take you long to find your phone and a ponytail to put up Bucky’s pretty hair. But, you most definitely got distracted by the thought of wearing a Super Soldiers hoodie. That’d be pretty badass, you thought. So, before going back out to enjoy the tempting meal that was now giving off a very wonderful smell that drifted through the air, you ventured into Buck’s closet and began to look through his sweatshirts in order to find the softest one. It didn’t take you long, he didn’t have too many sweatshirts to choose from, but you settled for an extremely soft, navy blue sweatshirt with a small symbol on the breast that showed a little toy gun on it. It didn’t seem very ‘Bucky’ to you so you just assumed it had been given as a gift. 

You slowly made your way back to the kitchen, almost instantly noticing the extreme hail that was pouring down outside. It made you uneasy and nervous to drive back to your apartment, and as you walked into the kitchen, phone shoved into your face to see the newest weather updates, you spoke your unease to Bucky.

“Bunny, is it okay if I stay longer than we talked, I don’t wanna drive in hail and google says-what..” your voice fades away as you see two more tall men in the kitchen then there was before you left. “Uhmm,” 

Your heartbeat immediately picked up to an unnatural speed and you subconsciously took a few steps back, not liking the three pairs of eyes staring down at your short frame. 

“Hey y/n, I thought it might be time for you to meet these guys,” Bucky speaks softly, almost as if you were a frightened animal that might dart away into the forest to hide. 

“Um,” you shook your head microscopically in disagreement, why didn’t he warn you? 

Bucky took a few steps to reach you and gently put his hands on either side of your face, “lovie I know you get nervous, but Steve and Sam aren’t gonna bite, okay? They just wanna meet you because of how important you are to me,” He gives you a reassuring smile when you nod your head in hesitant agreement. 

“Okay, Bunny...kiss?” you ask quietly, wanting just one more thing to boost your confidence. 

Bucky lets out a gruff chuckle before giving you a gently kiss, something you happily melted in to, “Look really nice in my sweatshirt too, doll” he mumbles against your lips before giving you a few more pecks. 

A small smile made its way to your lips as Bucky turned to his two best friends, “Alright guys, this is y/n. Y/n, this is my best friend Steve Rogers and some guy who follows the both of us around,” He jokes, motioning towards the tall men stood across the room.

“Screw you Barnes. At least my girl doesn’t call me by the name of a little fluffy animal-” “I’ll kill you right now bird boy,” Bucky threatened the laughing man, an edge to his voice but a smile on his face. 

“Hello, nice to finally meet you, I’m-” “Steve Rogers, I know. I studied you in college and... I mean your Buck’s best friend too” you mumble out shyly, face going red in complete embarrassment. 

The three men laugh at your small demeanor, finding your shy personality charming, “I’m Sam Wilson, I’m the normal one of the trio. No serum or metal arm, I’m all natural,” he states, a wink following his smart comment.

“You’re one comment away from gettin something metal shoved into your eye,” Bucky grumbles, his metal arm making a light tinking, as it flexed in stress.

You knew how Bucky was about his arm, even if it was a comment from a good friend it still tweaked something inside his brain. You decided it best to slowly slide your fingers between his metallic ones and give a small squeeze, hoping to help a little bit. Buck looked down at you and gave a grateful, half-smile, silently thanking you for the small gesture. 

“Is the food done, bun-er um Bucky?” The correction didn’t feel good in your mouth but if refraining from calling Bucky ‘bunny’ helped ease the tension, you would tough it out. 

Bucky noticed it right away and gave you a confused glance, but quickly brushed it off and answered you with a nod of his head, “yeah sweetheart, I got it all plated for you,” 

“Thank you,” you smile up at him and tug at his arm, Bucky knowing exactly what you wanted, leaned down to your eye level. 

Before you could connect your lips to his, Bucky pulled away slightly, “What’s my name, dollface?” “Buck-” “No, try again,” “Bunny,” 

He smiled and leaned in to give you a quick peck, but you didn’t want to settle for that, so you put your hands on either side of his face and deepened the small kiss just a bit. 

“I think I’m gonna need to schedule a dentist appointment after watching all of this,”

Sams comment went unnoticed by the two of you. Both of your brains were solely focused on the lovely kiss that sent shivers down your spine and had you tightly gripping Bucky’s shirt. Buck gently bit down on your lower lip, causing you to let out a small whine. You were sure that this would have continued if it weren’t for the startling sound of someone clearing their throat in the background.

Bucky pulled away slowly, letting out a small, exasperated sigh,  “It’s on the table, sweetheart,” he smirks, feeling proud about being the cause of the flustered girl in front of him. 

Your face was beet red as you silently made your way over to the small table that was sat by a window, all of the men in the room followed you with their eyes before all going to sit down at the table with you. Bucky sat down beside you and Steve and Sam sat across, both of them leaning forward and putting their elbows on the table. Bucky immediately let out a light cough and began shaking his head, a signal to his friends that they needed to undo their actions.

“she’s really picky about table manners,” He smiles, putting a comforting hand down on your thigh. 

“That’s alright, so why don’t you tell us about yourself? How long have you been... Friends with B-” “She’s my girlfriend Steve,” Bucky laughs loudly, “not completely a secret,” 

“He asked me last week,” you smiled down at your bowl of cheesy noodles, “Made a whole day of it and everything,” 

“I would have never thought that Bucky Barnes, the guy who use to get any girl he wanted, has finally found his anchor,” The grin on Steve’s face could only be described as an ecstatic one. He was so happy that his best friend had finally found his person, and a good one at that. 

“She’s mine alright, stuck with me forever,” Bucky grinned down at you and leaned in to place a soft kiss on your temple. 

“I’m okay with that though. It just means you’re mine too. My bunny,” 

It had been a good day, and you knew there were plenty of more to come with just you and your Bunny. 

[thelastspeecher]

Spy au, Stan and Fidds are undercover and got swept into trick-or-treating wit the other neighborhood kids

14. Trick-or-treating

Thank you for giving me an excuse to write Stangie taking de-aged Ford and Fidds trick-or-treating during the White Picket Fence mission.  It was so lovely and so cute to write.

Send me a number for a fall-themed prompt!

              There wasa knock on Fiddleford’s door.  Fiddlefordpaused fighting with his clothes.

              “Comein,” he said, his voice muffled by the fabric his head was stuck in.  The door opened.  Fiddleford heard a small chuckle.  Someone carefully fixed his outfit.  His view now unobscured, Fiddleford looked athis rescuer.  It was Stan.

              “Youknow, you coulda asked for help,” Stan said. Fiddleford sighed.

              “I know.”

              “Here.”  Stan handed Fiddleford a basket shaped like ajack-o-lantern.  “Angie and Ford arewaiting downstairs.”

              “Okay.”  Fiddleford flipped up the hood of hisdinosaur costume.  Stan grinned.  “Please don’t make any comments ‘bout howcute I am.”

              “Fine.  I won’t.”

              “Good.  Let’s go.” Fiddleford and Stan went downstairs, Fiddleford stumbling a couple timesin his unwieldy costume.  He could hearStan making small noises of amusement. “Stop.”

              “I’m notsaying anything.  And it’s damndifficult, by the way.  You’re reallycute.”  Fiddleford stopped on the laststep.  He turned to scowl at Stan.  “You’re not helping your case.”  Stan looked away for a moment, a dreamy lookin his eyes.  “Wonder if my kid ‘ll be ascute as you.”

              “Stanley.”

              “Yeah.  He will.”

              “Youdon’t know the sex yet.”

              “I got afeeling about it,” Stan said confidently. Fiddleford stifled another sigh as he and Stan headed towards the livingroom.  Both Stan and Angie had beenstruggling to deal with the news that Angie was pregnant while undercover.  Fiddleford and Ford agreed that this mostrecent reaction – subdued excitement – was better than the initial reaction ofpanic.  Even if it meant that Ford andFiddleford were the frequent subjects of unsubtle glances and comments abouttheir cuteness.

              In theliving room, Angie was fussing with Ford’s hair.  She was dressed in a classic witch’s costume,complete with a broom on the ground next to her.  Her costume was clearly meant to go withStan’s wizard one – long robes, a pointed hat, and staff.  In contrast, Ford was dressed up as anastronaut, as his cover, Nicky Young, wanted to be one when he grew up.  Ford finally slapped Angie’s hands away.

              “Stop.  This costume comes with a helmet.  No one will be able to see my hair.”

              “He’s gota point, Ang,” Stan said.  “And anyways,it’s impossible to do anything with the Pines family hair.”  He got that faraway look again.  “Stan Jr.’s gonna have a hell of a time withit,” he said softly.

              “Wearen’t namin’ our son that,” Angie said briskly.  She looked over at Fiddleford with asmile.  “HQ found some darn cute outfitsfer the two of ya.  A lil dinosaur and alil astronaut.”

              “Do wereally have to do this?” Fiddleford asked. He winced, realizing that his question had accidentally come out as awhine.  Stan gave him an affectionatenoogie.

              “Yep.  Gotta keep up the cover.”

              “If Clarkdidn’t invite himself to come with us, we could have stayed home,” Fordmuttered.  “And even though he did invitehimself, you two could have put a stop to it.”

              “That’snot something that Laura and Conner Young would do,” Angie said.  She licked her thumb and rubbed it on Ford’scheek.  Ford let out a squeak and jumpedbackwards.

              “Hey!”

              “There wasa smudge,” Angie said.  Ford glared ather.

              “Youdidn’t have to lick me to clean itoff!”

              “Sorry.  Instinct.” Angie smiled apologetically at Ford. The doorbell rang.  “That must beClark.  Nicky, why don’t you let yourfriend in?”  She dropped her accentmidway through the sentence and referred to Ford with his cover name.  The message was clear.

              It’s showtime.

----- 

              Stanwhistled a merry tune to himself as he strolled down the street.  It had been a long time since he’d lost gonetrick-or-treating (he could remember going a few times in high school, to stickit to Filbrick, who had claimed teenagers were too old to gotrick-or-treating).  He’d been worried hemight not enjoy himself, given that he was both working and wouldn’t get anyfree candy for wandering around in the cold. But surprisingly, he was having a good time.  Clark ran ahead, dragging Ford with him.

              “Come on,Nicky, the best house is right up here!” Clark enthused as he pulled Fordaway.  Ford looked back at Stan with ahelpless expression.

              “Stickclose, boys!” Stan called.  Clark slowedhis pace slightly.  Stan looked down atFiddleford, who, to maintain both their covers, was holding tightly to hishand.  “Are you having fun, Ryan?”

              “Yeah,”Fiddleford said in a small voice.  Stanlooked away, biting back a comment about how adorable Fiddleford was in theslightly-too-large dinosaur costume. Being around Ford and Fiddleford while they were children only fueledhis excitement over his as-of-yet unborn child. In his mind, he pictured a young boy about Fiddleford’s current age,with the Pines family mop of brown hair and Angie’s laugh.  Someone grabbed his free hand and interlacedtheir fingers with his.  Stan lookedover.  He smiled.

              “Hey,Laura.”

              “Hey,yourself,” Angie said sweetly.  Sheleaned her head against his shoulder. Her witch’s hat tickled Stan’s chin. “Looks like this is something we’ll be doing for a while, huh?”

              “Yeah.”  Stan kissed the top of her head.  “Following around kids dressed up likecowboys and astronauts.  Yelling at themto slow down and not leave our sight.  Teachingthem how to properly egg a house.”

              “Mm-hmm.”

              “They’llhave better costumes, of course.”

              “Duh,”Angie scoffed.  Clark rushed back tothem, Ford following more slowly, reluctance evident on his face.  “Did you get spooked by something?” Angieasked in a teasing tone.

              “Pfft,no,” Clark said.  “I just remembered thatthis wasn’t the place with the best house. The best house is the next street over, and we have to get there before they run out of candy.  That’s why I’m hurrying.”

              “Ah.  I see.”

              “Youdidn’t get candy from the house you thought was the good one,” Stan said.  “What’s with that?  You even rang the bell and everything.”

              “Thehouse I thought was the good one is actually the worst one,” Clark explained. “They only hand out weird old people candy.”  He got a panicked look.  “Not that there’s anything wrong with oldpeople!  Just…the candy’s not good.”  Angie and Stan exchanged an amused look.

              “Apparentlywe’re old now,” Stan remarked.

              “You’renot old.  You’re a silver fox,” Angiesaid flirtily.  Stan kissed her.

              “Gross,”Ford and Clark said together.  Clarkgrinned at Ford.

              “Whatkind of candy does that house have?” Fiddleford piped up.

              “Oh, ithas the best candy!  Reese’s cups,full-size Snickers and Twix, a bunch of Nerds flavors.  Seriously, you’ll love it,” Clark gushed.

              “No, thenot good house,” Fiddleford said.

              “What?  Why do you wanna know that?”

              “Justcurious.”

              “Oh.  Okay.” Clark’s voice shifted from unbridled excitement to the carefully politetone reserved for younger siblings of friends. “Well, like I said, it’s got old people candy.  The stuff no one likes.  Butterscotch, those weird caramels, this brandof, like, molasses flavored something? It gets stuck in your teeth and you taste molasses for days.”  Angie looked over at Fiddleford, a smallsmile on her face.

              “You meanOld Sass’s Hard Molasses?” Fiddleford asked eagerly.  Stan looked at him.  Fiddleford was more animated than Stan hadseen him in days.  He was nearlyvibrating with excitement.  Clark frownedat Fiddleford.

              “Uh,yeah.  That’s what it’s called.  How do you know that?”

              “It’s myfavorite!”

              “Really?  Why?”

              “I just-I really like it,” Fiddleford mumbled. He seemed cowed by Clark’s reaction. Stan let go of Fiddleford’s hand and noogied him.

              “Hey, youdon’t need a reason for a candy to be your favorite,” Stan said.  “Your mom’s favorite Halloween candy ispopcorn balls.  That’s not even candy!”

              “Agree todisagree,” Angie muttered.

              “Come on,kiddo, let’s go right up to that door and get you some of that molasses candy,okay?  Your mom can take Clark and yourbrother to the ‘good house’ in the meantime.”

              “Meet up atthe ice cream place on Slough Avenue?” Angie asked.  “They’re selling a special Halloween sundaetoday.”

              “Soundsgreat, sweetie,” Stan said, nuzzling Angie. He took a hold of Fiddleford’s hand again.  “Say bye, Ryan.”

              “Bye,”Fiddleford mumbled.  Angie kissed the topof his head, waved, and then walked away, Ford and Clark following herclosely.  Once they were gone, Fiddlefordsighed.  “Stan, we don’t actually have togo to that house.  I know you were justacting like the overprotective father-”

              “Fiddlesticks,shut your tiny mouth, okay?” Stan hissed. Fiddleford stopped talking.  “We’regonna go to that house and get you that shitty candy you like for some reason.  When Clark said they were handing it out, youlooked happy for the first time in a week.” Fiddleford remained silent.  “Thisjob sometimes sucks, and I know firsthand that being a kid again especiallysucks.  There aren’t a lot ofupsides.  Getting your favorite candy forfree?  That’s a hell of an upside.  So we’re gonna do that.  Got it?”

              “Got it,”Fiddleford said.  He was still quiet, butthe happy note to his voice had returned.

              “Good.  Now, let’s get you that molasses whatever.”

              “Old Sass’sHard Molasses.”

              “Yeah.  That.”

[notebooknebula]

Jeremy Knauff - His Inspiring Story of Surviving A Health Crisis

https://www.jayconner.com/jeremy-knauff-his-inspiring-story-of-surviving-a-health-crisis/

If you are interested in hearing and learning the most inspiring story that Jay Conner heard this year, stay tuned and watch this video.

Jay is in the Mastermind group with a gentleman who is phenomenal. His special guest today has experienced a health crisis and survived it.

In today’s episode, they are going to dive deep into the inspiring story of Jeremy Knauff.

Jeremy has become successful not because of brilliance, charm, or a superpower, but rather because he’s always learning and refuses to give up. He is a speaker, author, and founder of the digital marketing agency Spartan Media.

He is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, author, proud father, husband, and a US Marine Corps veteran. Today, he runs Spartan Media, a digital marketing agency where they provide web design, SEO, social media, and PPC marketing services.

“A lot of the people I work with come to me because they have a website but they aren’t getting enough new business out of it. Other people come to me because they’re losing business to competitors, or because they don’t think their website presents their company to potential customers very well, or even because they’re starting a company from scratch and they don’t want to screw it up and waste a ton of money. If that describes you or sounds like anyone you know, let’s connect.” – Jeremy Knauff – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyknauff

If you want to learn how to get funding for your deals using private money, get on over www.JayConner.com/trial  for 30 days of free access to Private Money Academy.

Real Estate Cashflow Conference:

https://www.jayconner.com/learnreales...

Free Webinar:

http://bit.ly/jaymoneypodcast

Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. Without using his own money or credit, Jay maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $64,000 per deal.

#RealEstate

#PrivateMoney

#FlipYourHouse

What is Real Estate Investing? Live Cashflow Conference

https://youtu.be/QyeBbDOF4wo

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Jay Conner (00:04):

If you are interested in learning and hearing one of the most inspiring stories that I've heard this year, I want you to stay tuned. I'm in a Mastermind group where the gentleman that is just phenomenal, he has taken his filter off totally. And he has made it through and survive on the other side, just a very serious health crisis. And so if you are going through a health crisis or, you know someone that is going through a health crisis, stay tuned right now, you're about to be inspired.

Jay Conner (00:45):

Well, welcome to another episode of Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner. I'm Jay Conner also known as the Private Money Authority. And on today's show, we're going to take a little bit of a detour. We're not going to dive deep into real estate per se, but we are going to dive deep into a very inspiring story that can change your life and make a difference. But before we get to my guest, I have got a gift for you. And that is if you're interested in getting funding for your real estate deals, without relying on banks, mortgage companies, any kind of institutional lenders, then here's my gift. I launched earlier this year, it's called the Private Money Academy membership. And twice a month, I go live on a private Zoom coaching call, and I interview successful students. We taught deals. Talk about how we're finding real estate deals, how we're getting them funded with private money.

Jay Conner (01:43):

Again, without relying on banks and institutional lenders. We talk about all kinds of real estate, but I want to give you a free gift. Come join us and check us out at www.JayConner.com/Trial, after the show, get right on over to www.JayConner.com/Trial, And again, if you're on a YouTube or iTunes or Google play, we really appreciate it for you to like share subscribe, rate, and review and on YouTube, be sure and tap that little bell. So you'll be notified. So you don't miss out on any of these fantastic shows and guests that I have on here. Well, as I mentioned or alluded to a moment ago, I'm so excited to have a friend, and fellow mastermind brother, come on here to the show to tell his story and make a difference in your life. So let's bring out of the green room or right on here up front. Mr. Jeremy, Jeremy, are you there?

Jeremy (02:48):

I am here. How are you doing today, man?

Jay Conner (02:49):

Scott, I lost connection. So I'm going to sign out real quick and hop right back in. I'll be right back.

Jay Conner (03:00):

There we are. Jeremy, can you hear me?

Jeremy (03:02):

I can hear you.

Jay Conner (03:03):

All right. Well, welcome to the show, Jeremy. I appreciate so much. You've taken the time to come on and join me.

Jeremy (03:10):

Thank you. It's my pleasure.

Jay Conner (03:11):

You bet you. Well, as I mentioned to everybody here in the opening you and I are in a Mastermind together and a few weeks ago, I heard you speak on stage and I just really appreciated your authenticity and et cetera. But before we jump into your story of breaking through and living through the health crisis tell her about your background story and how you gotten to where you are today and tell a little bit about Spartan Media.

Jeremy Knauff (03:44):

Yeah, so I've had kind of a, an interesting ride. You know, I finished high school joined the Marine Corps, bounced all over the world there for a while. And then started my first business, which was a colossal failure. Pretty much lost everything went into massive debt from there. Spent a few years kind of rebuilding started my second company an agency, and ran that successfully for many years until the episode that you had briefly hinted at in the beginning here, when I had a health crisis that almost killed me. And then, you know, racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical expenses and bills and burn through all of our savings. Basically had to start over from zero, well from less than zero, really because we had racked up debt and, you know, then I had the additional challenge of starting over, which in the marketing world, you know, at that point, I was pretty much on my death bed for about two years. So there was no case studies, there was no examples, there was no clients. So I had to start over from less than zero at that point. And now here I am today.

Jay Conner (04:52):

Wow. So I want us to get into your health crisis story and lessons. We can learn from that, but before we do tell everybody about Spartan Media and what your company does.

Jeremy Knauff (05:04):

So Spartan media is a, basically it's a full service digital marketing agency, but what we've been focusing on lately is taking people and turning them into an authority within their industry. Right now the website doesn't really reflect that because the cobbler's kids always gets shoes last, but what we've been doing lately is taking people and turning them into an authority within their industry. So there's a particular example that I like to use. And that's this example was kind of the pivot point for me. At one point in time, me and a good friend of mine, I ran my marketing agency, he ran a printing company, a particular client together. You know, he did all the printing stuff, we did all the marketing design and all of that. Well, at some point in that relationship, he decided to sell his printing business and go work for client.

Jeremy Knauff (05:58):

And he quickly moved up to become the Chief operating officer. But then because of some things that happened with the founder the company was kind of in turmoil. And they got to a point where I think it was 19 franchisees were walking away from the organization. They were trying to organize a class action lawsuit. They had all kinds of online reputation management problems to deal with. It was just, it was a complete toxic mess from top to bottom, but what happened was because of all the things we were doing for them with the search engine optimization, the social media, the PR, all of the various marketing components. He went from basically having no experience, being nobody in the industry. I left out a piece. He, the founder had to step down and he had to step up and become the CEO because at that point, the relationships were just destroyed.

Jeremy Knauff (06:49):

So as a result of all of the things that we were doing for them, he ended up becoming so recognized. And so authoritative within his industry that last year, before all this COVID stuff happened, I was actually in DC with him. He was lobbying Congress on behalf of his industry. So he went from basically being nobody in that industry to now he's up here talking with congressmen and senators about the laws that affect that industry. So we develop that into a front end service where we basically take someone and turn them into an authority within their industry so that they can get more media coverage, get in front of more people charge more money and you know, make more profit.

Jay Conner (07:31):

So what is your like ideal client? Like what type of industries does your service work well for?

Jeremy Knauff (07:38):

Generally, it comes down to somebody in a, like a professional business services, right? So it wouldn't be necessarily good for a restaurant owner. I mean, although it, theoretically it could help them in some ways it's not going to have the same impact that it might for somebody like you, where you want to be recognized as the person to talk to when it comes to this kind of stuff, private money, hard money lending, stuff like that. So generally somebody that's in a professional business service is going to see the most impact from this.

Jay Conner (08:06):

Okay. That makes sense. Well, let's let's dive into your personal experience and your personal story.

Jeremy (08:13):

Yeah.

Jay Conner (08:13):

So I'm going to turn it over to you to tell that story, Jeremy, and I'll interrupt you when I think I need to.

Jeremy Knauff (08:19):

Okay. All right. So this one was a, this was an interesting ride. I touched briefly on the crisis itself, but basically what happened was I was kind of on top of the world, had plenty of clients had plenty of money. Everything was going great. And then out of the blue, I get hit with this, with this health crisis. And, you know, I went to every doctor under the sun. I was going to the emergency room three to five times a week. I was trying to figure this out. Nobody had any answers and it just kept getting worse and worse and worse. So, I was pretty much on my bed for the first two years of this. You know, we did all kinds of things from a pharmaceutical perspective, from a diet perspective, I was seeing all kinds of specialists. I was seeing, you know, things I would have never considered like, you know, energy healers and acupuncturists and all kinds of non-traditional approaches.

Jeremy Knauff (09:13):

And throughout the beginning of this, it was incredibly frustrating because the doctors didn't know what it was. So they just dismissed it. It was, Oh, well, you're having a, you're having a panic attack. You're having an anxiety attack. Well, I knew that wasn't the case, right? Because I had this pain from basically head to toe from the skin down to the bone and it was constant. It was 24 seven. And it was a level of pain that I have never felt in my life. It was a 10 on my chart. And to put that in perspective, I took a tattoo off with a drum sander once. All right. So I have an abnormally high pain tolerance. So I've got this excruciating pain in basically every cell of my body, no doctors have any answers. There's no idea as to when it's going to end.

Jeremy Knauff (09:58):

And there was a point where I'm walking around my house, as you know, as this stuff is going on. And I didn't mention this on stage, but I have a lot of weapons in my house. A lot of firearms I'm Marine, this shouldn't surprise anybody, but I remember walking around and I would see these weapons in various rooms. And I would be feeling this incredible pain. And I knew that there was no answer. There was no idea as to when it was going to end, how it was going to be solved? And I got to a point where I actually understood how people got to a point where they chose to take their life.

Jeremy Knauff (10:39):

And it got to the point where I actually took everything, disassembled, everything tossed in a duffel bags. And I called a friend and I was like, look, I, we don't really have anything to worry about yet, but I'm just letting you know that I may ask you to come pick these up and store them at your house for a little while. Right. So I've got all these thoughts that are just like, absolutely outrageous. Like I've never had these kinds of thoughts before. And then right around that time, one of the toughest guys I've ever met, a guy I served with, his name was Todd Grant ended up taking his life.

Jeremy Knauff (11:18):

And as Terrible as that situation was, I also feel like it was a sign, right? Like I'm going through this, this happens. And I figured at that point, this is going to be, it's a sign. And we're going to find a silver lining in this situation. And where I saw from that was, this is an opportunity to help fellow veterans. I don't know if you're aware of this, but within the veteran community, we're losing 22 roughly per day to suicide. So from that point, I made it my mission to, despite going through this insane health crisis, despite being in massive pain with no idea what the hell is causing it, or when it's going to end, or if it, if we even could fix it. I'm going to get out there. I'm going to get back on top. I'm going to serve as an example to the other veterans, to the other people who are struggling. Even non-veterans everybody, people who are struggling, people who don't know what they're going to do, they don't see a solution to their problem.

Jeremy Knauff (12:22):

And, you know, I began being very vocal about the challenges I was going through. I was very vocal about what's going on, what you know, how to overcome these things. I was just completely transparent in all of this. And at the same time, I started reaching out to people who I knew were struggling, fellow veterans, as well as civilians. And it got to a point where my number was just freely passed around. And pretty much everybody knew that if somebody was struggling, they could give out my number freely to anybody. And as a result of that, I, there are several people that I've talked to. I've probably counseled hundreds of veterans over the several years that this health crisis has gone on. I remember one particular one that was really moving for me. And that was a buddy of mine from high school, reached out to me one night and he's like, Hey, we've got this guy.

Jeremy Knauff (13:20):

You know, he just got back from Iraq. He's going through all these issues. We've sent him everywhere. He's gone to all the counselors. He's gone to all the, you know, the doctors he's done everything and nothing's working. And he's like, do you mind if I give him your phone number? I was like, absolutely, have him call me. So the kid called me we were out of town visiting a friend of my wife's. And so I take the call. I go outside and I'm talking to this kid for, I don't know, probably two, three hours, get him to a point where I think he's in a good spot. Come back in the house now because of my health crisis, I've got my phone set to where at a certain time in the evening, it goes into do not disturb mode. So it's not going to ring things will still show up on the screen, but it's not going to make any noise.

Jeremy Knauff (14:06):

So, I come back in the house just a few minutes after he and I had talked and I got this little thing that dings up on the phone, no noise, just notification on the screen, it's a voicemail. So I pick it up and listen to it. Cause it was, it was him. And I'm like, well, maybe, maybe something went wrong. Maybe he's still got a problem, whatever. I listened to the voicemail and he's just sobbing uncontrollably. And he's like, I just, like, I don't know what to say. I've talked to all these counselors, nobody's had any answers. And like, I talked to you and you just, you get it. And now I'm like, I'm in a place where I see a light at the end of the tunnel and I see what's possible. And like I'm in a, such a different place than I was even before I was in the military.

Jeremy Knauff (14:45):

And he's like, you know, just thank you. And it was just such an emotional message. And that's the kind of thing that I took out of this whole experience is the silver lining here is had I not gone through this? Had I not had this pain, had this health crisis, had all this stuff happened to me, lose everything, start over and get to a point where I understood how people could take their lives. I may not have ended up on this path where I started helping other veterans and helping other people who are struggling. So that was something that I think I took out of that whole experience, just, you know, to be able to give back into the world in that way and, you know, save people who are struggling in that regard.

Jay Conner (15:28):

Wow. That's amazing. So I know you can't summarize a three hour conversation in three minutes, but what I mean? So you've council just, you know, a lot of people that have had suicidal thoughts and, you know, really, I mean, one of my best friends in the world is I mean, he actually speaks at my live events and a few years ago he took his filter off. And I mean, he had actually gotten to the point of, you know, Googling, you know, how to commit suicide. He'd actually figured out how he was gonna do it. And so he's got his story, but for people that are out there and you know, when the times are going on now, average suicide rates are just out the ceiling before, you know, as compared to historically. But what are some strategies or some therapies that you could share that maybe you have as a common thread when you're talking to people?

Jeremy Knauff (16:42):

From what perspective, as far as like somebody, for somebody who's trying to,

Jay Conner (16:47):

Yeah. Obviously you listened to them in every story is different because every person is different. But is there a way you can share, what are some ways that you get into think about to get into a better place as you?

Jeremy Knauff (17:02):

Yeah. So ultimately you have to look at the situation as an opportunity because every situation is an opportunity provided that you can allow yourself to see it that way. You know, and this was what I went through in the beginning of mine. It was like, well, why me? Why this, this is. Why should this, why should I have to deal with this? But the reality is things happen. The why doesn't really matter. It's up to us to figure out what value we can take from a situation. So what value I took from this, you know, I'm going through this particular thing. And then on top of it, a guy that I served with took his life. Well, I had to find some kind of value in that. And that was how I was able to get through this because now, I mean, think about it, what the hell happens if I decide to take my life? All these hundreds or thousands of people who have been looking up and I've got this thing, I call it the cookie jar, and this is something we'll actually touch on here shortly. Cause this is another way that can help get through these. But like, I've got various messages that I got from people over the years of, you know, how my posts have inspired them or motivated them to push through this particular challenge or that challenge or whatever. So that's a good way to do that is, is having that, what we call it cookie jar, but, had I not done this, had I not found that value in it.

Jeremy Knauff (18:22):

I would not have gone down this path. And I know I don't have the exact count in my head, but I know there's a certain number of people who would not be here today. So, let's say that I didn't, let's say that I got to a point where I took my life. What the hell is that going to show to those people? So now that that meeting is there. That's something to carry me through no matter how bad things get. So as long as we have a strong, why we're going to be able to get through anything, that's why you see, you know, the military doing things that ordinary people can't do. It's because they have a mission and it's not just the mission on paper. It's not, Hey, go kill these guys or blow that up or whatever. It's their mission is the guy to their left and their right in combat.

Jeremy Knauff (19:04):

It's their brothers and their sisters. So when we have a strong, why we have a powerful mission behind what we're doing, that allows us to go through something. And that's why people in general don't accomplish their goals because they want to do it. If it's convenient, they don't want to do it no matter what, they just want to do it when it's nice and simple. So that's, that's one aspect is having a really strong why. The second aspect is the cookie jar thing that I talked about, where you basically take things that you've overcome in your life, right? Like we've all had some pretty terrible things happen to us. So if you can go back and look at those significant challenges, those difficult times and use those as motivation. It's like, Hey, I got through this, I got through that, I got through this.

Jeremy Knauff (19:51):

Then you can use that as fuel. Well, that's just another case of this, right? So now you just, you have that, it's like, I've already done this. Let's just do it again. And the cookie jar, you can look at it in a number of ways. You can have it be something in your head. You could have it be something tangible, like the collection of messages that I've got from various people. It could be, you know, maybe you've got a what a buddy of mine in the military used to call his, I love me wall, all the awards and the recognition and the things he had accomplished. When we have this kind of thing that shows us that what we've done has prepared us for what we're going through now. And I mean, you can even purely look at that from a physical perspective, right?

Jeremy Knauff (20:32):

You know, you look at what we do in the military, or you look at what an elite athlete does, and they're not, let's say you're going to go run a three mile race. You're not going to go run three miles. Your training is going to consist of you running, you know, six, nine, maybe twelve miles. You might do a series of sprints. You might do all these different things that are larger than what you're actually trying to accomplish. So when we look back at the things that we've actually done to prepare for what we're doing in the totality, we've already overcome the thing that we're facing. We just haven't put all the pieces together to realize that.

Jay Conner (21:06):

That is wonderful. Now, you mentioned a moment ago that people you get feedback from people really being inspired and helped with your post. Where could people see your posts and, you know, the types of things that you're posting?

Jeremy Knauff (21:23):

I mean, I'm pretty active on especially on Facebook, but I'm active on most of the social media platforms. I'm not a hard guy to find considering what I do. I'm pretty public and pretty out there. So Yeah.

Jay Conner (21:36):

So Scott, let's put Jeremy's name up there. And so folks, the spelling there is, and if in case you're just listening is Jeremy, J E R E M Y. And his last name is K N A U F F as in farmer farmer. And I guess it's okay to give out your email since we've got it up there on the screen.

Jeremy Knauff (21:57):

Already out there now. It's all over the place anyway. So it's all good.

Jay Conner (22:03):

There you go. So Jeremy says it's pretty easy to find him folks if you want to start following him, I've got one curious question I have is you've talked with all these people. You've helped a lot of people that have considered taking their life. Do you think, or have you heard back and I think I know the answer to this question. Have you heard back, or do you think some of those people that you helped are now out there doing the same thing you're doing and that is helping other people with that situation?

Jeremy Knauff (22:35):

You know, that's a good question. I stay in touch with a lot of them. I don't know if anyone's doing that, but I would hope so. Right. Like, I think that that's something we all should be doing, not just this particular topic, but whatever the topic, right? Like I think we all should be putting value back into the world. And if you know that you've already struggled with the thing and overcome it, then you've got that knowledge, you've got that empathy. You can deal with it in a way that others can't. So I hope, I certainly hope they are. It's. I mean, if you've already got the background, we need to be adding value back to the world in that way. So yes, I hope they are.

Jay Conner (23:10):

Well, you know, it all comes down to serving and I mean, clearly Jeremy, you have got a servant's heart and you said it beautifully, you go through this thing, you overcame the thing and now you can help others do the same thing. I mean, in my education business, the Private Money Authority, it's the same thing I was, no, it's not the same thing. You're not the same thing. The concept is the same. I was, I mean, I've been relying on local banks to fund my deals for the first six years of investing. And this story pales in comparison to yours as far as its importance. But I was cut off from the banks. Then every way to fund my deals, I found a great way to get my deals funding with private money. And then what I started doing two years after that is just teaching other people what I know to do. So, you know, or how to fix the problem now, a mentor mindset years ago, I said, you know, Jay, if people didn't have problems, they wouldn't need us.

Jeremy Knauff (24:17):

This is very true.

Jay Conner (24:20):

And guess what? the world is your oyster because everybody's, got problems. So as we wrap up here on the show final comments Jeremy.

Jeremy Knauff (24:32):

Final comments, I just, I guess, look for ways to add value back into the world. You know, too far, far too often people look at, Hey, what can I get out of this situation or this deal, or this person or whatever. When we look at how we can make something, a win for everybody involved, it creates more value as a whole, and we all rise. So I just think more of us need to take that approach.

Jay Conner (24:57):

Excellent. So one more time folks. Jeremy's very, very easy to find all the social media and all the platforms. Again, you spell his name, J E R E M Y. Last name K N A U F F as in farmer and his company, www.jlknauff@SpartanMedia.com If you are any type of professional and you're looking to be known as the authority and expert in your space, then you definitely want to check out Jeremy and his team it's www.jlknauff@SpartanMedia.com. There you have it. Folks, another show, Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner. I'm the Private Money Authority, and I'm wishing you all the best and here's to taking your business to the next level. We'll see you on the next show.

[notebooknebula]

How To Spot a Private Lender Scam (Part 2) - Free Coaching Friday

https://www.jayconner.com/how-to-spot-a-private-lender-scam-part-2-free-coaching-friday/

Join Jay Conner every Friday, live on Facebook for Free Coaching Friday where he will teach you strategies that will help you take your real estate investing business to the next level.

Jay Conner’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jay.conner.marketing/

Today’s strategy: “How To Spot a Private Lender Scam (Part 2)”

Timestamps:

0:01 – Get Ready To Be Plugged Into The Money – Free Coaching Friday!

1:42 – What is Free Coaching Friday?

2:09 – Who is Jay Conner?

2:27 – What is Private Money?

5:23 – Jay’s new book – “Where To Get The Money Now? – https://www.JayConner.com/Friday

7:49 – “How To Spot A Private Money Scam!!!” (recap of Part 1)

11:53 – How To Spot a Private Lender Scam (Part 2)

12:27 – The email came from an individual, not a company

13:00 – They offer 100% unsecured loans

16:52 – They asked for your bank statements

17:48 – Asking for any kind of fee

19:16 – They want your social security number https://www.JayConner.com/Trial – join the Private Money Academy

Private Money Academy Conference: https://jaysliveevent.com/live/?oprid=&ref=42135

Have you read Jay’s new book: Where to Get The Money Now?

It is available FREE (all you pay is the shipping and handling) at https://www.JayConner.com/Book

Free Webinar: http://bit.ly/jaymoneypodcast

Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. Without using his own money or credit, Jay maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $64,000 per deal.

What is Real Estate Investing? Live Private Money Academy Conference https://youtu.be/QyeBbDOF4wo

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/RealEstateInvestingWithJayConner

iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/private-money-academy-real-estate-investing-with-jay/id1377723034

Listen to our Podcast:

https://realestateinvestingdeals.mypodcastworld.com/11449/how-to-spot-a-private-lender-scam-part-2-free-coaching-friday

How To Spot a Private Lender Scam (Part 2)

Jay Conner: (00:06)

Oh, here we are again. And I have got a question for you and that is, do you need or want more money and funding for your real estate deals? Regardless of whether you’re a brand new real estate investor? Or you are a wholesaler and you want to stay in some deals and you haven’t been able to because you don’t have the money? Or are you a seasoned real estate investor and you just want more money in funding without paying stupid high rates and you know, the hard money lenders and all that kind of stuff? Well, if you answered “yes” to any of those questions, don’t go anywhere because I’m getting ready to plug you into the money and the funding right now here in just a moment. In fact, I have got a brand new book that I’m going to give you for free that’s going to plug you into this funding and money for your real estate deals.

Jay Conner: (00:52)

Welcome to Free Coaching Friday. I’m Jay Conner here in Morehead City, North Carolina in a little, teeny, tiny town. Me and my wife, Carol Joy, we’ve been investing in real estate here since 2003. And good morning, Dan Mewhorder. Glad to see you here on Free Coaching Friday. In fact, if you’re just signing in now on the live stream, or you are watching the replay, all these instructions that I give you work perfectly, whether you’re watching the live stream or the replay. And I want you to type in, of course, we got your name here in the comments, but type in your city and state where you’re tuning in from and say hello to everybody. So what in the world, if you’re brand new, what in the world is Free Coaching Friday?

Jay Conner: (01:44)

Well, for a number of years now, every Friday morning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, that I can, if it’s possible, I go live here on this Facebook page and I give, I share tips and strategies, resources that I’m using in the real estate investing business. Of course, we talk a lot about private money. I’m known as the Private Money Authority. And, you know, when I started out back in 2003, from 2003 to 2009, I relied on local banks to fund our deals. But then like the rest of the world, we lost our funding at the bank, traditional funding, and started using private money. Well, what in the world is private money? It’s doing business with individuals, human beings that fund our deals. And so yes, hello there, Scott, welcome to Free Coaching Friday. If you’re just tuning in, type in your city and state where you are tuning in from, and also on today’s Free Coaching Friday, after I give you and show you how to get this free book, which is called, “Where To Get The Money Now.”

Jay Conner: (02:47)

Today’s topic on Free Coaching Friday is, “How To Spot A Private Lender Scam – Part 2.” Now last Friday on Free Coaching Friday, we started this conversation about how to spot a private lender scam. And I’m going to review in short what we covered last week on Free Coaching Friday. But Part 2, I’ve got even more details for you on last week’s Free Coaching Friday. One of the attendees, Elaine, posed a question and said, “Look, I get, you know, these offers from private lenders. How can I really know if they are scams or not?” So I asked Elaine to email in here to our office, one of the emails or the emails that she’s gotten from a supposed private lender and I would dissect it and share with you all on today’s Free Coaching Friday exactly what this email says and how you know to spot that it is a private lender scam.

Jay Conner: (03:56)

I don’t want any of you all to be taken advantage of like this. In fact, when you do the business, the way that I do it and the way, and when you do private money, the way that I do it, you’re not going to have to worry about being taken advantage of and scammed by these supposedly private lenders. But first things first, I promised you when we just started out a couple of minutes ago, that I’m going to plug you into the money and funding whether you’re a newbie, a wholesaler, you want to stay in deals or you’re a seasoned real estate investor. So I’ve got a gift for you, by the way, if you’re just joining us now on the live stream and you haven’t yet, type in the comment bar, your city and state where you’re tuning in from and say hello to everybody.

Jay Conner: (04:39)

And as I’m going over this information today on Free Coaching Friday, type in any question you have in the comment bar, and I’ll get your questions answered. And that goes for you, if you’re watching the replay as well. So right now, whether you’re watching the replay or you’re watching the live stream right now, I need your help. Help me get as many people here on the live stream as possible right now. So right now hit, tap your share button, your share icon below the video, and let’s get as many people right now here on the live stream as we can. All right, the free book. Hey, I’m loving all the likes. Send me lots of likes and lots of love everybody. I need lots of love. You’re on Free Coaching Friday, here’s the book that I was telling you about. Look at the hearts coming in. This book, “Where To Get The Money Now: How And Where To Get Money For Your Real Estate Deals Without Relying On Traditional Or Hard Money Lenders.” Folks, I just recently released this book and it shows you step by step, how to get the funding for your deals without using traditional lenders.

Jay Conner: (05:51)

In fact, this book shows you how to receive multiple checks on every transaction that you do. This will show you step-by-step how to never have to take money to the closing table on deals that you purchase. In fact, my book will show you how to get a big check every time that you buy. This shows you how to get in control of your real estate business and fix your cash flow problems. So here’s how you get the book, go to www.JayConner.com/Friday. I’ll rush the book right out to you. Yes. I am going to ask you to spend a couple of bucks to cover shipping and handling, but the book itself is free.

Jay Conner: (06:45)

That���ll save you 20 bucks on Amazon. Now, before I get into today’s training on How To Spot A Private Lender Scan Part 2, I want to see who’s tuning in. So let me get my glasses on and come up here. I got Greg, thank you, Greg, for putting that in the comment bar. Dan, thank you for putting that in there. And we’ve got Willie, all the way from Rock Island, Illinois. Hello, everyone. Greg is from Hopkins, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And we’ve got Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We got, oh my lands. There’s an old-time follower from Durham, North Carolina, from Huntsville, Alabama. We got Scott and yes. So again, and there’s Larry. Good morning, Larry. Good to have you again. If you’re watching the live stream or the replay, I want to know where you are tuning in from. So type in your city and state and say hello.

Jay Conner: (07:39)

All right, let’s go ahead and jump in right now to today’s training. Now last week, let me give you just a quick little summary for those of you that missed out last week on spotting scams. Hello, Steven, from Florida. Glad to have you, Steven. So here is a summary what we covered last week. Let me go ahead and give you the bottom line right now. Here’s the bottom line. How do you spot a private lender scam? Here’s the bottom line answer. If suppose, a private lender, it doesn’t matter, company, whatever. If they ask you to send them, wire them any money whatsoever, any money whatsoever prior to you going to the closing table to purchase the property, you know it’s a scam because if you send anybody any money prior to going to the closing table to purchase the property, they are going to disappear on you and they are not going to be wiring you any money, regardless of what they told you in an email.

Jay Conner: (08:49)

Now, these scam artists, they will ask for money at different points of the deal in the process. In fact, I’ve got right here, I’ve got an exact email right here, a copy of it that Elaine forwarded to us since last Friday’s Free Coaching Friday. And I’m going to read this email to you here in a second and, and listen, these people, I’m going to say, they sound like they know what they’re doing. Yeah. They know what they’re doing, all right. But in this email, I’m going to show you how to spot exactly how you know that it’s a scam, that are scam artists that are emailing you. Now here’s the deal. Let’s see here, Larry just typed in something. Let me see what you got here, Larry. You got, “Lost $2,000 in a deal like this.” Absolutely, Larry.  

Jay Conner: (09:40)

And that’s like the ballpark. Listen, folks, if you’ve got, if anybody has experienced this, that I’m talking about, or if you have a question about what I’m talking about, be sure and type that in the comment bar, I’ll get those answers for you. Now they asked these scammers. They asked for this money at different points in the process of the deal before they even reviewed your deal and ask you to send in the details of the deal. They may ask you to send them an application fee, right? They may ask for 250 bucks or something for an application fee, and then along the process, guess what? You’re going to send them details of your deal and guess what? They are going to approve your deal. Oh yeah. They’re going to approve your deal and guess what they’re going to do next? Then they’re going to ask you to wire them more money before they send money to your real estate attorney for the closing.

Jay Conner: (10:44)

So somebody just chimed in here. Let me see. Yup, Dan. “So many of these scams and groups on Facebook.” Exactly. Dan, thank you for sharing. So, you know, do lenders get, like hard money lenders? Do they get paid? Do they get fees? Absolutely. But when do legitimate lenders get paid? They get paid from the proceeds of the closing by your real estate attorney. Right? So, you know, a traditional lender is going to require down payment for you to bring money to the closing table. And they’re going to charge points, origination fees. In the book, you’re going to learn that using real private money, we never pay points. We never pay origination fees. Okay. But traditional lenders do. Well, when do they get their money? They never get the money up front. Prior to the closing, when you close, they’re there with the real estate attorney, then the real estate attorney is going to disperse funds.

Jay Conner: (11:47)

And it’s at that point in time that the lender is getting paid. So let’s pick up in Part 2 as to what’s happened since last Friday’s Free Coaching Friday. So as I said, Elaine was here on the live stream. And she said she received some of these emails. And we asked her to send us a copy of this email and I’ll analyze it for you. And here it is. So she got this email, this was on October the fourth. And guess what? I mean, just for the sake of privacy, I’m not going to read out here the exact Gmail address, but this email comes from an individual, all right. So it’s not coming from a company. It’s an individual with a Gmail address. And here’s what the email says. “Hi there. I’m a direct private money lender currently looking to get connected with individuals and companies that are in need of financial assistance.”

Jay Conner: (13:00)

Now listen to this. This is a big red flag right here. “We also offer 100% unsecured loans.” Folks, if that ain’t a red flag, we offer 100% unsecured loans. Look what private lender in the world that does not know you is going to offer you unsecured money and not ask for the money to be collateralized by, you know, by the real estate? Somebody’s chiming in here. “Yeah, big red flag fraud.” You got that right. Greg, big time. So listen to this offer. We have a hundred percent unsecured loans. Are you ready for the interest rate? Are you ready for the interest rate? This private lender is offering at 4%. Hey, listen, folks. When your mama told you when you were growing up, if it sounds too good to be true, guess what? It is too good to be true.

Jay Conner: (14:10)

A hundred percent unsecured loan at 4% interest rate. Are you ready? For a period of 1 to 35 years! Give me a break. For a period of 1 to 35 years with a 6 months grace period. Who in the world knows what that means? I mean, I know what a grace period is, but in this context, who knows? And listen, “And no early repayment penalty.” These people don’t even know what to call it. The actual correct name is a prepayment penalty. This is called a repayment penalty. My guess is this Gmail person might be from overseas somewhere, who knows? What’s Greg typing in there? Absolutely, Greg. All right, now here’s the call to action, “Please reply backs. Not ‘back,’ ‘backs.’ “Please reply backs if you are interested to provide you with further details.” This person can’t even speak correct English here.

Jay Conner: (15:13)

“If you are interested to provide you with further details.” All right, so, Elaine sent this to us to Ashley. And so here’s the instructions that we gave Ashley. We said, “Ashley, if you would reply to this email and tell them that you would like further details,” here are the further details. Boy, this ain’t red flags. Okay, so here’s the reply that she got with this same Gmail address that says, “Thanks for reaching out to me regarding the loan you’re looking to borrow. Before we proceed. I’d like to walk you through the processes of securing a loan with us, hence our terms and conditions as stated below.” So you see how this person is trying to engage Elaine in this conversation. “Number 1, our loan is granted.” What in the world does that mean? English people don’t speak like that. Our loan is granted, should say funded.

Jay Conner: (16:12)

“Our loan is granted at 4% interest rate per annum with flexible monthly repayment analysis plan.” What in the world does that mean? “That will suit your monthly income.” Boy, has that got scam written all over it right there. “And we’re going to set a monthly payment up for you.” You poor, pitiful, pathetic real estate investor, wanting to borrow money. Good night. “That will suit your monthly income.” “Number 2, you, the borrower should be above the age of 20 years.” Not 20 years old, but 20 years. “It must be responsible for the amount he or she is to borrow.” “Number 3, the borrower should provide us with two recent bank statements.” Hello! Two recent bank statements. So a person that’s reached out to you is asking for your bank statements. Do you know what is on your bank statement? That’s right. Your personal account number, maybe even a routing number. Driver’s license, red flag, government-issued ID card, proof of employment, with, guess what else they want? Your social security number.

Jay Conner: (17:20)

Right? Look, I don’t mind giving my social security number if I’m knocking on somebody else’s door, right? But not somebody knocking on my door. “Our loan is usually funded using bank-to-bank transfers and wires, Bitcoin.” Yeah, give me a break. “Paypal or certified mail check.” Can’t even speak English. “The borrower is to choose, which is suitable for him or her. Number 5.” Here’s the biggest red flag in this entire email. Listen carefully. “The borrower,” that’s you or Elaine in this case, “the borrower is to provide a one-time security commitment fee, which will be used in the total cost of funding the loan.” Listen, the said fee cannot be added or deducted from the principal loan amount, which means, and with these people, you cannot bring the commitment fee to the closing table. They want you to send the commitment fee to them up front before they supposedly fund the deal you send. And as Larry just shared, he lost $2,000 on a scam like this.

Jay Conner: (18:26)

The ranges are typically like 1,500, 2,000, $2,500 that they want up front. “Number 6, the borrower is to provide correct information when completing the loan application form with necessary documents, as stated in clause 3 above,” I wonder why they’re trying to sound so legal beagle. Listen, “Our loans are not credit-based.” Okay, this person isn’t even making sense. If their loans are not credit-based. And by the way, by the way, in the real world, doing business with credible private lenders, your credit’s got nothing to do with it. We are collateralizing the note, but guess what? Since your credit’s got nothing to do with it, with the way we do private money here, this person says our loans are not credit-based. Well, here’s my question up here in item number 3, they want your social security number. Well, listen here. If your loan is not credit-based, why do they need your social security number?

Jay Conner: (19:30)

They need your social security number to scam. Not only take your money on a fraudulent private lender deal. Well, they want your personal information so they can steal your identity. This is like a double scam artist right here. “If you find the term suitable for you, we’ll begin the process of having your loan request, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this email at your convenience with possible consideration of moving forward.” So of course, Elaine is not going to give any of this information to these scam artists. But I did ask Elaine to reply back to that Gmail address with, “Yes, I would like to move forward.” What happens next and ask them for a website. I guarantee, well, I can’t guarantee you, who knows? Maybe they will come back with a website, but if these were legitimate hard-money lenders, they would be providing a website address.

Jay Conner: (20:27)

So there you have it folks. Hey, look, if you found this information helpful to where you’re not going to be scammed and taken advantage of people right now, whether you’re watching the live stream or the replay, give me a bunch of thumbs up right now. Give me some thumbs up, send me a bunch of hearts, send me a ton of hearts. And even better than that type in the comment bar right now, “I love it, Jay.”  If you’ve got any questions, go ahead and type those in. Somebody just sent a comment and let me see here. Oh yeah, Dan Mewhorder. Thank you, Dan. Posting of the book. “Now they’re going to steal your identity.” Exactly Greg. I mean, this is like a double scam thing. So anyway, folks there, you have it. Another Free Coaching Friday.

Jay Conner: (21:10)

Let’s see here. Larry says, “Good info.” Thank you, Larry, for sharing. So there you have it folks. I want to rush the book out till you get to, as Dan just typed in the comment bar, JayConner.com/Friday. We’ll rush the book out. Yep. Thank you, Greg. Thank you for participating. Well hit the share icon folks cause I know you’ve got some friends out there that need this information so they don’t get scammed as well. And, hey, I’m wishing you all the best. Have a fantastic Friday and Lord willing, we’ll see you right back here on next Friday’s Free Coaching Friday. One last comment coming in here again. Thank you, Greg. JayConner.com/Friday. We’ll ship the book out and if you’re watching the replay type your comments in and your questions and I’ll get those answered. I’m Jay Conner, the Private Money Authority wishing you all the best. Here’s to taking your real estate investing business to the next level. And I’ll see you right here on the next Free Coaching Friday. Love you guys and gals. See you next time. Bye for now.