#Cars are an integral part of our lives. Getting to the office

[redpill-tfs]

Red Wave Rapture

Inspired by the work of @transform4u and his #RedWaveRapture series

Logan slouched on the couch, idly scrolling through his phone. His uncle, Don, stood in the doorway, a familiar expression of exasperation and disappointment on his face.

"Look at you," Don said, shaking his head. "Eighteen years old, just graduated, and doing... nothing."

"I’m figuring things out," Logan muttered, not looking up from his screen.

"Yeah? Figuring out how to waste your life?" Don retorted, stepping into the living room. "You don’t have a job, you don’t have a plan, and frankly, you don’t have any direction. You’re living in my house, eating my food, and playing activist online. That’s not going to cut it, Logan."

Logan groaned and put his phone down. "Here we go again. You’re mad because I’m not living up to your big, conservative expectations."

Don’s face hardened. "Let’s get one thing straight: I’ve tried to be patient with you, but your whole ‘I’m gay and proud’ thing? I don’t get it. Never have, never will. And this whole aimless, rebellious phase of yours isn’t helping anything."

Logan glared at him. "My ‘phase’ isn’t going anywhere. You can be disappointed all you want, but I’m not changing who I am."

Don smirked. "You’re right; I can’t change who you are. But maybe discipline can. Let’s make a bet. You’ve got one month to find a job and stick with it. If you can’t, you’re enrolling in the police academy. Maybe some structure and pride in something bigger than yourself will do you good."

Logan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like I’d ever wear one of those uniforms. Deal. But when I win, you’re going to drop this whole cop thing and let me live my life."

"Fine," Don said, offering his hand. Logan shook it, determined to prove him wrong.

Four weeks later, Logan sat in the passenger seat of Don’s car, his arms crossed as they pulled into the police academy parking lot.

"Guess what?" Don said, his tone smug. "You didn’t get a job, so now it’s time to face the music."

"This is stupid," Logan muttered. "I don’t belong here."

"You belong somewhere, and right now, that’s here," Don said firmly. "Who knows? Maybe you’ll surprise yourself."

The academy’s orientation was every bit as rigid and overwhelming as Logan had feared. The other recruits were clean-cut, driven, and eager to prove themselves, while Logan stuck out like a sore thumb in his skinny jeans and rainbow wristband.

By mid-afternoon, the recruits were herded into a dimly lit auditorium. A commanding instructor addressed the room.

"Recruits," he began, "this is the beginning of your journey. The video you’re about to watch is a core part of your orientation. It’s called Red Wave Rapture, and it will help you understand what it means to be one of us."

Logan stifled a groan as the lights dimmed and the projector flickered to life.

The video began innocuously enough—majestic images of American landscapes, stirring orchestral music, and a deep, commanding narrator’s voice.

"Strength. Honor. Duty," the voice intoned. "These are the values that define us as officers. These are the pillars upon which our nation stands."

Logan smirked at the blatant patriotism but found himself strangely unable to look away. The imagery shifted to officers walking proudly through their communities, citizens cheering them on.

The narrator’s voice seemed to grow louder, more insistent. "You were born for this. To protect. To serve. To stand as a beacon of integrity and strength in a world that needs heroes."

Logan’s smirk faltered. A strange warmth spread through his chest, and his breathing slowed as the words seemed to penetrate his mind.

"Let go of doubt," the voice continued. "Let go of weakness. Embrace your destiny."

Logan’s gaze fixed on the screen as the images and words washed over him. The rainbow wristband on his arm caught his eye, and for the first time, it felt out of place.

"You are no longer an individual," the narrator declared. "You are part of the Red Wave, united by duty and honor."

Logan felt a strange, undeniable pull, as though the words were reshaping him from the inside out.

The images on the screen shifted to young recruits stepping into their uniforms, their expressions proud and confident. Logan could almost see himself in their place, wearing the uniform, standing tall, and exuding pride.

"Rise," the narrator commanded. "Rise and become who you were always meant to be."

Logan’s body tensed as a surge of energy coursed through him. His thoughts swirled, and his resistance crumbled under the relentless rhythm of the narrator’s voice.

When the lights came back on, Logan blinked, disoriented. He glanced down at his wristband, removed it without a second thought, and slipped it into his pocket.

By the end of the day, Logan had changed in ways that startled even him. He volunteered for every exercise, pushed himself harder than he ever thought possible, and began forming bonds with his fellow recruits.

That evening, Don met him at home with a curious look.

"How was your first day?" Don asked, sipping his coffee.

Logan’s posture was straighter, his expression more serious. "It was... eye-opening. I think I was wrong about this place. It’s exactly what I needed."

Don raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised. "Well, I’ll be damned. Maybe there’s hope for you after all."

Logan hesitated, then added, "And, uh... about the other stuff. You were right about that, too. It doesn’t really fit who I’m becoming." He took his rainbow wristband and threw it in the trashcan.

Don’s face broke into a grin. "Now that’s what I like to hear."

Over the following weeks, Logan’s transformation continued. He excelled in his training, adopted a clean-cut appearance, and fully embraced the academy’s values. His once vibrant and outspoken personality gave way to a disciplined, no-nonsense demeanor.

More than that, his priorities had shifted entirely. He no longer identified with his old self, instead finding pride and purpose in his role as a recruit. His previous liberal and rebellious views seemed laughable now, relics of a misguided youth.

Graduation day arrived quickly, and Logan stood tall in his new uniform, his badge gleaming on his chest. Don stood in the audience, beaming with pride.

After the ceremony, Don pulled him aside.

"Look at you," he said, shaking his head in amazement. "You’re everything I hoped you’d become."

Logan smiled, his stance confident and assured. "Thanks, Uncle Don. I couldn’t have done it without you."

"And I wouldn’t want it any other way," Don replied, clapping him on the shoulder.

Logan posed for a photo in front of a big American flag, standing proudly in his uniform. As Don looked at the image, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

His nephew was no longer the aimless, defiant gay boy he had taken in. He was now a man of discipline, duty, and conservatism—a man Don could be proud to call family.

And for Logan, the uniform didn’t just represent his new role. It represented his transformation, a testament to the strength and pride he had discovered within himself.

[deliciousangelfestival]

I'll be sad if you... | Lloyd Hansen-Part 1

Character: Lloyd Hansen x CIA!Reader

Warning: Kidnapping, manipulation, dead Character.

Summary: You and your partner are criminal profilers; you studied one criminal, Lloyd Hansen, to get one agent who went rogue. 

Part 1, Part 2,-

Main Masterlist || Buy me Ko-fi please

I am sorry. 

I'm going to show you what the hell is. 

That's the bloody letter the CIA received from one of their agents who turned rogue.

Before the letter arrived, a few agent handlers mysteriously died. It turns out it's all because of one person. 

The rogue agent was in a program called 'Zombie' where he couldn't be killed, he was an expert in leaving confusing traces; his name is Agent Shane, even though it's a high chance, not his real name. 

Agent Shane went crazy because his partner from the same program got killed. The reason was unknown, but Shane blamed the creator of the program. 

Like everyone at the office, Y/N, one of the profile criminals in the CIA, was desperate to catch him. 

You and your partner Noah work as a criminal profiler in the CIA. Both of you were assigned to study one criminal whose name is Lloyd Hansen. But this time, the CIA director gave an order to get an advice from Lloyd on how to beat Shane.

Lloyd is unique. A Harvard Law graduate joined the CIA and built his own security business. It turns out he's a cold-blooded contract killer. 

He got caught because one of the CIA agents shot him. Lloyd woke up from his coma in a prison hospital. He didn't say anything when he got into the trial. Even when the judge gave him a life sentence, it didn’t bother him.

The injury left a significant impact on his psychology. He agreed to the interview if he got what he wanted, like a new bed, sparkling water, healthy food, and a 70-inch TV. His reason was, “If you want me to live rotting in this small prison cell, at least let me enjoy it.”

You and Noah disagree with his request, but you don’t know how his demand got granted. Perhaps his influence outside the prison is still significant. 

Back to the present time, inside the integration room, there are three people. You, Noah, and Lloyd. He looked at Shane's photo and documents. 

"The 'Zombie Program' one of the agents went rogue and went on his killing spree." Because of the handcuffed, Lloyd couldn't cross his arms. 

He leaned back to the chair and said, "This program is more deadly than Sierra. Director Nathan must be worried for his life right now."

You gritted your teeth when Lloyd mentioned Nathan. 

Lloyd tilts his head. "He's your father figure, right? You reminded me of someone."

He tapped his fingers on the table and said, "The only thing to stop Shane is to kill him. He indeed has a deep grudge towards everyone involved with the program. About Shane, he will never hurt civilians if you want the director to be safe. Always put innocent bystanders near him.”

“That's…”

Before you could argue with Lloyd, Noah already moved from his chair to make an emergency call.

After Noah left the room, Lloyd looked at you and said, “Finally, there’s only the two of us. When I’m healthy, I will ask you for a date.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Hansen, you’re not allowed to leave.”

Lloyd scoffed, “Oh, sweetie, I could leave this place whenever I want.” He raises his wounded hand. “There’s two reasons why I stay. One, I need a good rest. Two, it’s you.”

“Me?”

“You're my favorite person."

This conversation is nonsense. You gather all your stuff and prepare to leave him. When you opened the door, you heard “Word of advice: when you are near the Director, stay away from the window. I'll be sad if you get hurt."

"Thanks for your concern." 

Before he says anything, you already got out and saw Noah end his call.

"Noah, will you listen to him and use innocent bystanders as human shields?"

"If we could protect our Director, we will get promoted. Don't you want that?"

You didn't reply and got into the car. You need to leave this place ASAP.

In the next few days, you and others are protecting Nathan, the director. 

Nathan saw you being on guard, even though he told you to stay away. He became a father figure because he's your father's best friend, and after you lost your father when you were a teenager, Nathan continuously checks on you. 

"I'm sorry you got into this, kid. To get this position it's not by luck. I backstabbed others and did everything in between to make it. What I did, and others with those agents, were dirty. I understand why Shane wants to get his revenge. So, it's not worth risking your life for me."

"Nate, I…" Suddenly, the light went off in the building. 

"He's here. Prepare your weapon."

"Run away, Y/N."

'BANG!'

One bullet shot went through the wall.

"He's here!"

'BANG! BANG! BANG!'

Rain of bullets coming through the windows

"Argh!" One bullet hit your left shoulder, and you hit the floor. Looking at your left, you see Nathan already on the ground. You see blood on his stomach. 

"Run… Run…!!!" Nathan screams towards you. 

You didn't listen to him. You tried to stand up and drag him. 

Nathan pressed down his bullet wound and said, "He's not alone. The bullets came from all directions. Who wants to work with him…"

You turned to him and saw a bullet hole on his forehead, then fell to the floor. 

"Noo!!!" 

Suddenly, there's an explosion, and your body gets thrown away and hits the wall. You could feel there's blood running down from your head. You're not able to since you thought all your bones were broken. 

"I told them specifically with a yellow note not to hurt you. Now look at what they've done."

You sighed heavily. You knew this voice. It's him. 

He appeared out of the mist. For months, you only saw him in a prison uniform.

"You're the one who helps him."

You should've known that Lloyd was part of this. There's no way a man would be silent; he wants revenge, too.

Lloyd gently brushes the dirt from your face with his right hand. 

He looks at you being weak and lost. Lloyd clicked his tongue. "I need to put a leash on Shane's neck."

Lloyd saw your eyes looking at him but was too weak to speak, but he understood what was in your mind. "He's my lap dog. The drugs he got from the program make him loyal and listen to every word I say."

Lloyd snapped his fingers to signal his soldier to carry you.

"Let's get you treated. You are needed for my plan."

He smirked, seeing his plan work. Do they think Lloyd Hansen will stay silent and give up while people who ask him to do their dirty work don't suffer? 

He doesn't think so. It's a nice coincidence that he and Shane have the same vendetta. And he got you, the key to his freedom. 

Taglist:

@sabrinaselina55, @magnificentsaladllama , @cherrybubblebullet @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters , @bagoffeelings @darkofimagination, @starsofcloud, @thatzolagirl , @distancedss, @mswgtsd @chibijusstuff

Hello to everyone who I put into the tag list. I put anyone who reblogged and liked the previous post of Cold But Sweet. If you want to be removed, you could inform me.

[remembertheplunge]

June 11, 2005

Beginning of last volume of my 40’s I guess. It’s Saturday.

So, since Gay Pride  Parade in San Fransisco is June 27, from now until my birthday on June 20th will be a study of my first 50 years and of gaydom at large!

Age and gay: Elephants in the living room.

“Poets, artists, writers, rebels, and thinkers. “Fringe” people. From the book “Gay Money” page 117.

“Their councils are largely closed to us.”

“…if that means pushing us aside, tossing us out, or running us over if we get in their way.”  Gay Money page 123.

“Looking back, we now understand why we had to abandon that which seemed to define our life before. In many ways that life has ended…”.  Gay Money. p. 106

Jim and I sit in the den and watch “Next Food Network Star!”

A commercial.

A man has a big mansion. A fancy car. A sining group entertains him

15 minutes of fame.

Next scene: The house is in foreclosure. The car is being towed away.

Jim said to me “It’s you!  Ha ha. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

(After being fired from the Public Defender’s  office in 1997, I lost my house to foreclosure and had to declare bankruptcy.)

Ellen Kushner’s National Public Radio’s show “Sound and Spirit is on now.

It’s theme is marriage.

“Marriage is full integration into human society, the wedding results in a social unit. The union is recognized.

 My margin note to above dated 6/19/2006:   (Regarding my relationship with Jim:)   “ Our wedding is imagined. As if it happened and is vaguely forgotten."

End of this part of the entry

[pavitrtimes]

When Stars Align: The Magic of Celebrity Brand Collaborations

Imagine if your favorite ice cream flavor could sing your favorite song, or your dependable sneakers could moonwalk. Wouldn't that be a treat? Well, that's the kind of magic we get when celebrities and brands create harmonious tunes together. Welcome to the sparkling world of celebrity brand collaborations, where glitz meets goods, and star-studded endorsements transform everyday products into items of desire. These partnerships are more than just a handshake and a smile for the camera; they are a creative concoyleash new dimensions of both fame and business.

A Dash of Glamour, A Pinch of Strategy

When celebrities and brands tie the knot, it's a marriage of creativity and commerce. Think about that famous pop star releasing a line of glittery makeup or that action hero endorsing a high-octane energy drink. Each collaboration is like a special episode in a TV series that you can't miss. From limited edition sneakers that sell out in seconds to luxury watches adorning the wrists of cinema giants, these deals craft narratives that consumers love to be part of.

The Recipe for Success

What's the secret sauce in these celebrity brand deals? Authenticity mixed with a big spoonful of fun! Audiences can sniff out a forced marriage from miles away, so the fit has to be just right. It's like casting for a blockbuster movie - the role and the actor need to sync up perfectly. And when they do, it's box office gold. Brands achieve a halo of cool, and celebrities solidify their status as trendsetters. Oh, and let’s not forget the memes and buzz on social media – priceless!

Beyond the Billboard

Celebrity brand collaborations often transcend the usual billboards and TV spots. They break into social media feeds, pop up in music videos, and even step onto the red carpet. Imagine a high-tech backpack being part of a hit song’s music video – suddenly, it's not just a bag, it's a piece of pop culture. This integration makes the product a star in its own right, featuring in selfies and hashtags across platforms.

Seasonal Specials and Surprise Features

Just like TV shows have special holiday episodes, brands love to drop seasonal specials with their celebrity partners. Limited edition? Check. Seasonal flavor? Check. Special packaging signed by the celeb? Double check! These are not just products; they're collectibles. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, they hit you with a surprise feature—maybe the perfume bottle lights up, or the headphones come in a special case that’s also a puzzle. It’s about adding that extra layer of excitement.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Starry Collaborations

As we rocket further into the future, expect to see celebrity brand deals taking us into new territories. Virtual reality experiences with sports stars, AI-driven personal shopping assistants voiced by celebrities, or even eco-friendly cars recommended by your favorite environmental activist celeb. The possibilities are as limitless as the universe of stars above us.

So, buckle up, and keep your eyes peeled. The next celebrity brand collaboration might just be what dreams are made of, turning the mundane into the magical, and filling our world with a little more starlight. After all, who doesn’t want a sprinkle of stardust on their daily lives? Welcome to the era of celebrity-endorsed magic, where every product has a story, and every story deserves a Hollywood ending.

[thebusinessmagnate]

Tekedra and Dmitri: Trailblazing Co-CEOs Leading Autonomous Driving Tech at Waymo for Efficient Transport

We all must have thought about this at least once in our lives. Driverless rides. How it would feel to sit in a car and to be driven to your destination without a driver behind the wheel. Like in the fictional movies, where they used to show rich businessmen traveling in driverless cars, fully autonomous, and voice-activated even! Well, once just a dream and fiction, is now a reality. 

Presenting autonomous driving, manufacturers and engineers around the globe collaborate with experienced professionals in other brands and organizations in bringing out projects envisioning a world that could one day start having autonomous driving technology, and it would become the ‘new normal’. 

Sustainability initiatives, Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), and environmentally conscious practices are being adopted by organizations with a mission aimed toward achieving zero carbon emissions, decreasing pollution levels and greenhouse gases, and reducing the reliability of fueled vehicles. This transitional shift towards a more clean, green, and renewable-powered source is already taking place with electric vehicles. The next step in technology innovation is being targeted towards manufacturing and engineering fully autonomous cars that are driverless. 

Autonomous driving technology integrates both hardware and software systems to achieve its mission. With machine learning (ML) systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI), sensors, processors, and algorithms, these cars are engineered to map out and store details of their environments and surroundings, using high-definition mapping and radar imaging, decision-making technology, and environmental perceptions. The common aims that automotive manufacturers and engineers who work on autonomous driving technology projects are to accomplish certain goals, such as – reducing road accidents, eliminating man-made errors, reducing traffic congestion, improving mobility and transport, and encouraging sustainability initiatives and practices. 

Therefore in this article, we will be sharing insights into the explorative story behind one such company – WAYMO, which was founded in 2009 in California, USA. The Co-founders – Anthony Levandowski and Sebastian Thrun initially led Google’s self-driving car program as part of Alphabet. The present co-CEOs – Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov took over and are now together leading Waymo, in its mission – “to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going using autonomous driving technology”. The trailblazing duo is paving the path for efficient transportation and mobility with self-driving cars for future generations to experience on their roads. 

About Tekedra and Dmitri – co-CEOs at Waymo:

The co-CEOs at Waymo are – Tekedra N. Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov. Both of them came into office and were appointed in the year 2021. The headquarters of Waymo is established and located in Mountain View, California, USA.

Tekedra Mawakana’s education was a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Political Science, Economics, and Women’s Studies from Trinity Washington University. She also has a Doctor of Law Degree from Columbia Law School. Tekedra has a career working in various companies in leading positions such as – Associate, Board Director, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Advisory Council. Joining Waymo in 2017, she climbed the professional ladder quickly and worked as the Chief External Officer (CXO), Chief Operating Officer, and Board of Directors, and then was promoted to co-CEO alongside Dmitri, in the year 2021. Leading the company with years of experience in leadership, technology, automotive, mobility, and entrepreneurial sectors, Tekedra has been a powerful influence in the industry. 

Dmitri Dolgov is the co-CEO alongside Tekedra Mawakana at Waymo. Having a Master’s Degree in Physics and Maths from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and a Ph.D in Computer Science from the University of Michigan. After being Google’s distinguished Software Engineer heading software in the company’s self-driving car project and the Chief Technology Officer, Dmitri was appointed as co-CEO at Waymo. 

These two influential pioneers and co-CEOs are successfully leading the “World’s Most Experienced Driver”. 

About WAYMO:

Waymo was originally co-founded by Anthony Levandowski and Sebastian Thrun, as a project and program in self-driving cars under Google’s Alphabet. Waymo was founded in the year 2009 and is established in California, USA. 

Waymo One is “The World’s First Autonomous ride-hailing service.” Available all day and night to pick you up and drop you at your destination, Waymo One meets you at whichever part of the city you are in, such as – San Francisco and Phoenix. This self-driving ride-hailing service provided by the company offers people the needed convenience, consistency, and safety. The autonomous car is completely electrically powered which is sustainable to the environment and the ecosystem. 

Waymo shares that there have been over 1.35 million recorded vehicular deaths where drivers have crashed, out of which around 36,096 road deaths were recorded in 2019, in the United States alone. The company states that 94% of car crashes are due to human-made errors. Hence with the commitment to safely take care of the passengers inside and outside the cars, Waymo has provided the people with safety and ease in getting them wherever they want to go. To reach and engage more with the people, and to be available and easily accessible, Waymo has developed an app downloadable on the Apple Store as well as Google Play. Therefore with Waymo, “the future of transportation is here”.

Visit More : https://thebusinessmagnate.com/tekedra-and-dmitri-trailblazing-co-ceos-leading-autonomous-driving-tech-at-waymo-for-efficient-transport/

[tech-developer]

How Smartphone Technology Changes The World

Phone technology has revolutionized the world in numerous ways, profoundly impacting almost every aspect of our lives. These powerful devices have transformed the way we communicate, access information, conduct business, entertain ourselves, and navigate the world around us. They have become an indispensable part of modern existence, truly changing the world we live in.

One of the most evident ways smartphones have changed the world is through communication. With the advent of smartphones, traditional phone calls and text messages were no longer the only means of staying connected. Today, we have instant messaging apps, social media platforms, and video calling options available at our fingertips. This has allowed people to stay in touch with loved ones, regardless of geographical boundaries, improving relationships and fostering global connections.

Furthermore, smartphones have become a powerful tool for accessing information. Prior to their existence, we relied primarily on computers or physical libraries to gather information. With smartphones, we can now access the internet and browse search engines or specialized apps from virtually anywhere. This instant access to an incredible wealth of knowledge has transformed the way we learn, research, and solve problems. It has democratized education and made information readily available to the masses.

Not only have smartphones transformed communication and access to information, but they have also revolutionized the way we conduct business. In the past, it was necessary to be physically present in an office to perform work-related tasks. However, smartphones have enabled us to work remotely, breaking the shackles of the traditional 9-to-5 routine. With the advent of productivity apps, cloud storage, and email integration, professionals can now collaborate, manage their workload, and stay connected with colleagues from any location. This newfound flexibility and mobility have not only increased work efficiency but also opened up new opportunities for entrepreneurship and freelance work.

Smartphones have also greatly impacted the entertainment industry. With high-resolution screens, powerful processors, and immersive audio technologies, these devices have become portable entertainment centers. Streaming services, music apps, and gaming platforms have revolutionized the way we consume media and entertain ourselves. We now have instant access to our favorite movies, music, and games, transforming mundane moments into enjoyable experiences.

Additionally, smartphones have left a significant mark on travel and navigation. Gone are the days of carrying paper maps or asking for directions from strangers. With built-in GPS technology and map applications, smartphones have become our personal navigation guides. They help us find the quickest routes, locate points of interest, and discover new places. In fact, many people now rely on smartphone apps for booking flights, hotels, and even planning entire vacations.

Of course, smartphone technology also has some negative impacts. For example, smartphones can be addictive, and they can be used to spread misinformation and cyberbullying. However, the overall impact of smartphone technology on the world has been positive. Smartphones have made our lives easier and more convenient, and they have given us access to new information and opportunities that were not possible before.

Here are some specific examples of how smartphone technology has changed the world:

Mobile banking: Smartphones have made it possible to do our banking on the go. We can now check our account balances, transfer money, and pay bills all from our phones.

Ride-sharing services: Smartphones have made it easier to get around town without having to own a car. We can use apps like Uber and Lyft to request a ride at the touch of a button.

Food delivery apps: Smartphones have made it easier to order food from our favorite restaurants. We can use apps like DoorDash and Grubhub to order food and have it delivered to our door.

Social media: Smartphones have made it possible to stay connected with friends and family all over the world. We can use social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share photos, videos, and updates about our lives.

Online education: Smartphones have made it easier to access education and learn new skills. We can use online learning platforms like Coursera and Udemy to take courses on a variety of topics.

Overall, smartphone technology has had a profound impact on the world. It has made our lives easier and more convenient, and it has given us access to new information and opportunities. While there are some negative impacts associated with smartphone use, the overall impact has been positive.

In conclusion, smartphone technology has undeniably changed the world in profound ways. From revolutionizing communication and access to information, to transforming how we conduct business, entertain ourselves, and travel, these devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. Their impact is evident across virtually every industry and aspect of human existence, connecting us with the world like never before. As smartphone technology continues to advance, its influence will only continue to grow, shaping the future of our society.

[shwetasrdv]

Making Travel Easy with Travel Portal Solutions

In a world where travel has become an integral part of our lives, the importance of efficient and user-friendly travel portal solutions cannot be overstated. Whether you're planning a vacation, a business trip, or a quick getaway, these digital platforms have revolutionized the way we explore the globe. In this blog, we will delve into the world of travel portal solutions, exploring their significance, features, and the impact they have on the travel industry.

The Significance of Travel Portal Solutions

Travel portal solutions are online platforms that enable travellers to plan, book, and manage their journeys with ease. These solutions encompass a wide range of services, including flight reservations, hotel bookings, car rentals, travel insurance, and even curated travel packages. Here are some key reasons why travel portal solutions are so significant:

Convenience: Travel portal solutions offer the ultimate convenience to travellers. They provide a one-stop-shop for all travel-related needs, eliminating the need to visit multiple websites or consult travel agencies. With just a few clicks, users can plan and book their entire trip.

Cost Savings: Many travel portals offer competitive prices and exclusive deals, allowing travellers to find the best value for their money. Users can compare prices across various airlines, hotels, and service providers, ensuring they get the most cost-effective options.

Accessibility: These solutions are accessible 24/7, enabling users to make travel arrangements at any time, from anywhere. Whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go, you can access travel portal websites or mobile apps to plan your trip.

Personalization: Travel portals often employ advanced algorithms and user profiles to provide personalized recommendations. This helps travelers discover destinations and experiences that align with their interests and preferences.

Real-time Information: Travel portal solutions provide real-time information on flight availability, hotel occupancy, and travel advisories. This ensures that travelers are always up-to-date and can make informed decisions.

The advent of travel portal solutions has had a profound impact on the travel industry:

Increased Competition: Travel portals have opened up the market, allowing smaller airlines, hotels, and travel agencies to compete with industry giants. This competition has led to more choices and better pricing for travellers.

Digital Transformation: Traditional travel agencies have had to adapt to the digital age by embracing online booking systems and portal partnerships, further enhancing their reach and service offerings.

Streamlined Operations: Travel portal solution have streamlined the booking process for both travellers and service providers. Automation and online management tools have reduced the administrative burden and improved efficiency.

Enhanced Customer Experience: With personalized recommendations, real-time information, and 24/7 accessibility, travel portal solutions have significantly improved the overall customer experience.

Conclusion

Travel portal solutions have redefined the way we explore the world. They offer convenience, cost savings, and personalization that were once unimaginable. As technology continues to advance, these platforms will likely evolve further, providing even more innovative features and services to meet the evolving needs of travellers.

For more details visit our website: https://www.srdvtechnologies.com/blog/travel-portal-solution-for-online-travel-agencies

[dwrakaexpressway]

The Future of Luxury Living with Emaar Digi Homes

The future of luxury living has arrived at Emaar Digi Homes. Emaar Digi Homes is an award-winning developer and owner of some of the most high-end homes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It offers customized home automation services that make it possible for you to create a personalized lifestyle with the best amenities and technologies available on the market today. The company's goal is to create a new standard for luxury living by introducing technology into every aspect of your home including security systems, lighting controls, thermostats and more!

Introduction to Emaar Digi Homes and the Future of Luxury Living

Emaar Digi Homes is a company that specializes in luxury living. Their goal is to provide comfortable homes for people who want to live a luxurious lifestyle. Emaar Digi Homes has been around since 2008, but they are just getting started with their new age of technology and design. They have already designed some amazing homes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and London! In this article we’ll talk about what it takes to create a successful luxury home with Emaar Digi Homes:

Customizable Home Automation for Personalized Luxury Living at Emaar Digi Homes

Home automation is the technology that allows you to control your home remotely. It can be used for many purposes, including controlling lights and locks, music and media playback, security cameras, temperature control and more.

Home automation is not just another trend in home design; it's an emerging trend in luxury living that allows you to create a personal style for your home even if you don't have an architect or designer on staff (which most people don't).

Health and Wellness for Balanced Luxury Living at Emaar Digi Homes

At Emaar Digi Homes, we understand that health and wellness are integral to every aspect of our lives. We recognize the importance of providing our residents with the highest-quality services, so that they can enjoy balanced luxury living at its finest.

Our mission is to provide personalized services and amenities that will help you achieve your personal goals—whether it's healthy eating habits or getting more sleep under the stars on a secluded beachfront villa’s rooftop deck.

Home Office Spaces for Productive Luxury Living

Home office spaces are a great place to work and be productive, creative, social and more.

With an Emaar Digi Homes design you can have your own private home office space that is connected to the rest of your home so you don't have to leave when it's time for work. The best thing about this is that it allows the homeowner access to all their favorite activities without having any restrictions on where they can go or what they can do in their own home!

Location Advantage for Luxurious Living at Emaar Digi Homes

Location advantage is one of the major factors that differentiate luxury living from ordinary homes. At Emaar Digi Homes, you will enjoy a location advantage in Dubai with its convenient accessibility to all parts of the city and its surrounding areas. The residential community is located within 10 minutes’ drive from Jebel Ali Port and close to Sheikh Zayed Road, making it easy for you to reach anywhere on time with your car or motorcycle.

Moreover, our project offers many amenities including 24 hour security guard services, swimming pools surrounded by lush greenery gardens at each floor level as well as city views from every apartment window!

Modern Architecture for Contemporary Luxury Living Experience

Modern architecture is a style of architecture that is inspired by the past, but also uniquely suited to the needs of today. The modernist movement began in the late 19th century as a reaction against Victorian-era styles and traditions. The goal was to create buildings that were more functional, durable and efficient than their predecessors while maintaining an aesthetic value that did not clash with current tastes or trends in society.

Modernism's emphasis on functionality has led many architects to embrace new materials such as concrete, steel and glass; these can be combined with traditional building materials such as brick or stone to create highly advanced structures capable of supporting heavy loads without needing extra support structures underneath them like traditional buildings do (such as reinforced concrete beams).

Ease of Living for Effortless Luxury Living at Emaar Digi Homes

Emaar Digi Homes Gurgaon is a leading developer of luxury residential properties. The company has a wide range of luxury residential properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other GCC countries such as Oman and Qatar.

As part of their commitment to providing the best quality homes for their customers, Emaar Digi Homes has partnered with some of the world's leading designers including Pierre-Yves Rochon & Associés (PYR), Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Foster + Partners (F+P).

Personalized Services for Bespoke Luxury Living Experience

Personalized services for bespoke luxury living experience

Emaar Digi Homes is a leading developer and builder of high-end residential projects, with a focus on creating unique homes for discerning clients. With Emaar Digi Homes' expertise in property development and construction, we can help you create the home of your dreams that is exactly what you are looking for.

The Future of Luxury Living with Emaar Digi Homes

The future of luxury living is bright. The region is home to some of the world's most exciting and innovative developments, including Emaar Digi Homes.

Emaar Digi Homes has been working hard to bring luxury living back into fashion as it was before the financial crisis hit Dubai in 2008. With new construction underway at all levels, from villas to apartments and penthouses—and even high-end serviced apartments—you can expect your options for high-quality living in Dubai to increase over time as well.

Discover the Future of Living with Emaar Digi Homes

The future of luxury living is here, and it’s set to change the way you enjoy your home. Emaar Digi Homes has been working with some of the world's most innovative technology companies to create a new generation of homes that deliver access to everything you need in one place—from personalized services and automated features to location advantage and modern architecture.

Take comfort in knowing that as our society becomes more connected with technology, there will be less reason for anything but convenience at every turn.

As a luxury real estate developer, Emaar Digi Homes is committed to offering innovative solutions and services that will transform the way people live. We believe that technology should be used to enhance everyday life, not replace it. Our technology platform allows for personalized home automation, productivity workspace and modern architecture as well as help ensure ease of living for effortless luxury living at Emaar Digi Homes Sector 62.

Get in Touch! Website - www.emaardigihomesgurgaon.com Skype - shalabh.mishra Telegram - shalabhmishra Email - enquiry.realestates@gmail.com Mobile - +919990536116

[aaluminum]

Uncovering the Staggering Impact of Life Without Aluminum

Aluminum is everywhere. We use it to build homes and skyscrapers, to make cars and airplanes, and to package and preserve food. But what would life without aluminum be like? A world without this essential metal would be a drastically different place. Its staggering impact on our everyday lives would be hard to fathom. From the technology we use to the food we eat, aluminum is an integral part of our lives. Without it, we would be unable to lead the lifestyles we enjoy today. To truly understand the significance of aluminum, it’s essential to take a closer look at what life would be like without it.

What is aluminum, and why is it important?

Aluminum is a lightweight metal found in abundance on the Earth’s surface. It’s silvery-gray in colour and has many unique properties that make it incredibly useful in various applications. Its low density and high strength make it an ideal material for construction projects. Its ability to conduct electricity and heat makes it helpful in manufacturing electronics. Its corrosion resistance and non-magnetic properties make it useful in various other applications.

Aluminum is also a very abundant metal. It makes up 8% of the Earth’s crust and is the third most abundant element in the world. It’s also relatively easy to extract from its ore, making it a cheap and plentiful resource. All these factors combine to make aluminum an essential part of our lives.

How aluminum affects our everyday lives

Aluminum is used in countless ways in our everyday lives. From the cars we drive to the buildings we live and work in, aluminum plays an integral role in the infrastructure of our world. It’s also used to package and preserve food, create electronics, and manufacture countless other products. Without aluminum, many of the daily products would be unavailable or too expensive to be practical.

But aluminum doesn’t just affect the products we use. It also affects the way we live. Aluminum's lightweight, strong, and durable properties make it ideal for transportation applications. It’s used to make cars, airplanes, and ships, allowing us to travel quickly from one place to another. It’s also used to make bicycles and other vehicles, allowing us to explore our world more sustainably.

Aluminum’s impact on transportation

Aluminum plays an important role in the transportation industry. It’s used to make cars, airplanes, and ships, allowing us to explore our world easily. Without aluminum, these vehicles would be much more cumbersome, limiting our ability to travel.

Aluminum is also used to make bicycles, scooters, and other forms of personal transportation. This makes it easier for people to get around in an environmentally friendly way. Aluminum is also used to construct public transportation, such as subways and buses, which helps reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

Aluminum’s impact on construction

Aluminum is an essential material in the construction industry. Its lightweight and strong properties make it an ideal material for building homes, offices, and other structures. It’s also corrosion-resistant, making it an ideal material for long-lasting structures. Aluminum is also used in the construction of bridges, allowing us to traverse large bodies of water with ease.

Aluminum is also used in the construction of high-rise buildings. Its lightweight properties make it perfect for tall, multi-story buildings. Without aluminum, we would be unable to build the skyscrapers that dominate our cities today.

Aluminum’s impact on food packaging and preservation

Aluminum is also used in the food industry. It’s used to package and preserve food, allowing it to last longer and stay fresh. Aluminum foil is used to wrap and store food, preventing it from spoiling. Aluminum cans are used for packaging drinks, which helps preserve their flavour. Aluminum is also used to make cooking utensils, such as pots and pans, which makes cooking more accessible and more efficient.

Without aluminum, food would spoil quickly and be much more expensive. This would make it challenging to feed large populations and could lead to widespread hunger and malnutrition.

Aluminum’s impact on technology

Aluminum is also used in the technology industry. It’s used to make computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. It’s also used to make wiring, which is essential for powering these devices. Aluminum is also used to manufacture solar panels, which are increasingly used to generate clean energy.

Without aluminum, many of the gadgets and devices we use daily would be unavailable. This would drastically change how we live and work, as many of our most important tasks are now done using technology.

Aluminum’s impact on the environment

Aluminum is also an important part of the environment. Its low density and corrosion resistance make it an ideal material for recycling. Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely; when it is recycled, it retains most of its original properties. This makes it a perfect material for use in a variety of applications.

Recycling aluminum also helps reduce the energy needed to produce new aluminum. This helps reduce the emissions associated with aluminum production, which helps reduce the impact of climate change.

Alternatives to aluminum

While aluminum is an essential material, some alternatives can be used in some applications. Steel and other metals can be used in place of aluminum in some applications. Composite materials, such as plastic and fibreglass, can also be used in some applications. These materials may not be as strong or light as aluminum, but they can still be used in some applications.

Conclusion

Aluminum is an essential material in our everyday lives. From the cars we drive to the technology we use, aluminum is an integral part of our world. With it, many of the products and services we rely on would be more affordable to be practical. Its impact on our everyday lives is staggering, and it’s important to recognize the importance of this essential metal.

 Who are we

We are driven by the opportunities that Aluminum provides for creativity. We make it easy for customers in Canada and the USA to obtain the supplies they need for their creative projects. With us as your resource, you can explore endless options for inspiration!

 Make sure to take full advantage of this one-stop opportunity to purchase the best Aluminum Coil, anodized aluminum sheets, and various coloured aluminum wire & foil. Plus, we provide immediate delivery - no waiting is necessary. Contact us at toll-free 866–860–0652 or visit our website for more information about our products or services. Now is the time to get the highest quality materials available right now!

[robin-josephette-biden]

A Statement Through Horror: BDG and YouTube

In his video announcing his departure from Polygon Bryan David Gilbert [BDG] stated, “I want to make things that one day people will make a show like unraveled about.” [Paraphrasing here]. Since that announcement he has made some of the most interesting and engaging comedy videos on the platform. On Bryan’s channel, there is a section called “bdg’s scaries” that contains three videos. The first how to make jorts was released April 27, 2019 and will not be part of this analysis, as we are focused on the other two videos. These two videos are Earn $20K EVERY MONTH by being your own boss which was released on October 25, 2020 (two months before his final Unraveled video and departure from Polygon) and Teaching Jake about the Camcorder, Jan '97 which was posted March 3, 2021. If you have not seen these videos yet you should stop reading immediately and go watch them both (honestly everything on his channel is amazing, especially the surprisingly compelling and personal Dances Moving! series) before continuing to read this as I will be spoiling both of them. The position of YouTube celebrity has been the source of a good bit of commentary as short form online media has become more and more central in our culture. Bryan has created two videos that I feel do an excellent job of exploring the relationship between youtuber and audience. I should also point out that this is merely my interpretation of these videos and is in no way BDG’s intended message. I’ll start by going over the first video. Earn $20K EVERY MONTH by being your own boss opens with BDG outside an apartment building, standing in front of a black car. BDG points up at one of the windows and says, “Three years ago I was living in that apartment right there. Third floor, leaky windows, cockroaches, the worst.” I do not know if the real life BDG actually lived in that building, but the 3 years timeframe does line up neatly with his beginning to work at Polygon. BDG continues to bad mouth his old apartment and mentions how he has turned it all around stating, “But just last week I paid off my very first Subaru Impreza. And I own my own house in Nebraska.” This radical change in life-style he credits to, “. . . [working] from home, [making] my own hours, and [being] my own boss. And you can do it too.” I think that it is interesting that BDG’s career up to that point mirrors that of his character, going from newly graduated content creator making small videos in his apartment to one of the most popular creators on Polygon. And all that being accomplished through work that many (rightly or wrongly) would not see as fitting into the mold of the traditional 9 to 5. The idea of making millions working from home, at your own pace, and with no boss is intrinsically tied to the mystique of the YouTube celebrity. Moving into BDG’s office he explains that he makes $20k a month working on spreadsheets. A massive spreadsheet appears behind him that is dated, 01.12.88 (nothing of note happened on January 12, 1988 and the only thing that happened on December 1, 1988 is a large cyclone that struck Bangladesh, January 12, 1888 is the day of the Schoolhouse Blizzard which struck the midwestern US and killed 235 people (remember this for later)) and is filled, seemingly randomly, with garbled nonsense symbols. Many of the cells are the same as other cells and there are empty cells scattered haphazardly throughout the spreadsheet. BDG explains that he got this strategy from Dorian Smiles. In exchange for working on these spreadsheets BDG receives $10k - $20k a month (an amount that lines up pretty damn well with the amount he should be getting through his Patreon page currently, I don’t know if this was true when the video was made though) from Dorian. Wanting to know where the money is coming from BDG asks his bank and they explain that he is wiring the money to himself from another account he has. He grows confused as to the nature of this work and the disproportionately large amount of money it brings in, explicitly mentioning his confusion as to how the money is coming from someone with, “. . . my name and my voice.” and sets about to find and confront Dorian Smiles. BDG sets off for Center Nebraska, which is close to where Dorian lives (a small town in the northeast corner of Nebraska). He states that Dorian’s address hasn’t existed since 1888 (that’s a familiar year isn’t it?) when it was supposedly condemned during an enormous blizzard and is, “. . . just woods now.” The video then transitions to BDG walking through dark woods while his narration talking up the Dorian Smiles program continues becoming increasingly broken. He comes across a figure sitting in the woods that is convulsing strangely, when he calls out to it the figure turns and is him (heretofore named Dorian). Dorian slowly puts his hands over his nose and mouth while staring at BDG at which point the narration cuts out. BDG copies Dorian and when Dorian removes his hands in a flourish, BDG does the same to reveal that he no longer has a mouth. The video quickly cuts back to BDG in his office talking about the program, he asks the viewer, “Why don’t you join me?” and then sits back and smiles while that line repeats without him moving his mouth. The most pressing mystery is who Dorian Smiles is. I think the most likely answer (and one I know I am not the progenitor of) is that Dorian is a reference to The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde, the story of a young man that has a portrait that ages and takes on the ravages of the debauched life its subject lives while Dorian himself does not. BDG would therefore be the unwitting recipient of that blessing, reaping massive rewards while his double, Dorian, lives in poverty and solitude. I like this explanation for Dorian, but I find it to be far more mechanical than thematic. On a metatextual level you could read that Dorian represents the character of BDG. The person that is in all of BDG’s videos, and the one with whom so much of the audience forms a parasocial relationship. In this lens the parallels with BDG’s own life make more sense. By this point in BDG’s career it is not difficult to imagine him feeling stifled creatively at work (I feel comfortable saying this given how soon after this video came out that he departed Polygon). His character had grown too large, potentially becoming alien to him, no longer reflecting the art he wanted to make and so he made a video about a distorted version of himself stealing his voice. In this way the video becomes a statement on his artistic integrity and his desire to test new boundaries and go in different directions. In hindsight, with the knowledge of his departure and then success after leaving Polygon, the video becomes almost heartwarming (if it weren’t terrifying) in the same way that a before and after picture of someone improving themselves can be. We will return to the Dorian Smiles system, but now we must move to the second video, Teaching Jake about the Camcorder, Jan '97. I’ll save you the blow by blow breakdown and aim for a quick summary instead. This video is a simple stationary shot of an old CRT tv. A VHS tape is inserted and a video of a man teaching his, evidently young, son how to use a camcorder plays. It is relatively wholesome and corny in that way that all home movies are and when it ends the tape rewinds and the segment plays again, this time with a few deviations. Over replays the father becomes aware of what is happening and begins trying to reason with Jake through the camcorder begging him to stop watching the tape and move on. The father is menaced by a large shadowy figure that does not speak or move when confronted. Eventually the father resorts to simply taking the camera and recording his own screams of pain. On the final rewind the father simply says, “Attaboy.” before calmly walking out the room and into the dark hallway, a doorway opens at the other end, filled with orange light, and the father walks through and down stairs. The final shot of the video is of the television, showing the hallway, as orange light begins to flicker in the background of the left side of the TV. The sound of the father descending the stairs transitions from the TV to diegetic and a shadow appears briefly in the light. On one level the video is clearly a statement about loss and about trauma. Jake is losing himself by watching these videos on repeat, trying in vain to relive a happier time. In that desperate desire to regain what was lost he is distorting it, making it into something it isn’t, hurting it. At the beginning the father says, “Never ever press the rewind button, otherwise you might record over a precious memory. We always keep the recording going forward . . .“ I think there is an additional, and more personal for BDG, reading however. The father is the modern character of BDG, and we, the audience, are Jake. He is pleading with us to leave the past behind and move on. This was only his 3rd video that he posted after leaving Polygon. It is a plea from him to leave the old character behind and stop trying to make one into the other. To stop obsessively comparing the new videos to the old. To let the future be the future and let the past be the past. He is telling us that his new work will not be like the old, that he has progressed past that and that now his viewers need to as well. The detachment and confusion of Earn $20K EVERY MONTH by being your own boss has transformed into a desire to move forward. But he needed to ensure that his audience was ready to come with him, and so he made a video about loss and the dangers of sinking too far into it. I know that there are some of you that feel I am reading too much of what I assume to be BDG’s thoughts and emotions into these interpretations, and I am the first to admit that I might be. In no way am I trying to say these are the only interpretations of these videos or even that they are correct. I think there is so much more of an artist that they put into their work than they realise. I do not know the mind of BDG, only he does, but these videos made me feel that I had a glimpse into the feelings of a man whose work I admire. These videos are either longer or a drastically different tone to the material he has put on his own channel and as such they stood out to me. They felt different, and they seemed to ask for a different level of scrutiny. On some level maybe BDGs videos can not be divorced from the story of BDG as a content creator, the same as any modern internet semi-celebrity, or indeed any artist. I guess there was also a part of me that wanted to answer the call to action I heard when BDG left Polygon, to unravel his work. I hope in some small way I’ve been able to do that.

[a-cupof-jo]

Summer End, Love Begin

Intern!Jeno x Intern!reader

fluff and light angst

words: 3.2K

warnings: drunkenness

~~

Y/n starts a summer internship with NCT Inc. and quickly learns that summer heartbreak comes in the form of Lee Jeno.

~~

“I love you,” a hiccup fell through his lips. His body was pressed into your side. It would be a lie if you said that the words didn’t make your heart jump. Lee Jeno was nothing short of a heart throb. Smart, handsome, kind, he was the definition of a perfect person. You had known that from the first moment you walked through the doors to NCT Inc.

All of the interns had been ushered into a room and told to mingle as you waited to be directed to your mentors and teams. A boy sat next to you, glasses perched on his nose and a smile gracing his face.

“Hi, I’m Jeno, HR Intern,” he reached out a hand for you to shake.

“Y/n L/n, Talent Acquisition Intern,” you grinned back at him as he released your hand. “Sounds like we’ll be seeing a lot of each other here in the future.” Jeno nods in agreement as the internship director stood in front of the group.

“We are so glad to bring you all on,” he clasped his hands, smiling and nodding at you all. “Many of you already know me, Johnny Suh. I work primarily with the TA Interns, but I'll help you all get settled your first couple of weeks. So now that you know me, we'll get you all separated into teams and you can be on your way!” He read down the list separating out management, IT and accounting interns. Jeno had settled in next to you as three other boys also moved close to you guys. “Jeno, Y/n, and Mark you guys will be collaborating throughout the summer. Make sure you guys get to know each other well over the week. Mark, Jeno, you can go meet up with Taeil and Doyoung. Y/n you’re staying with me.”

You nodded to both of them as they started to leave. Mark grinned and Jeno smiled back, “It was nice to meet you, Y/n. We’ll exchange information later.” You willed yourself not to blush as he threw back one last smile before exiting the room.

“No, Jeno, you don’t,” you shifted him so his head was resting more on your shoulder. “There is someone else you love.”

Mark and Jeno got along instantly and it didn’t take long for you to get integrated into their new friendship. Mark was boisterous and a go-getter whereas Jeno was quieter but had equally as important input on tasks and projects you were placed to work on together.

“Jeno?” Mark inquired. Jeno’s signature eye smile made way on his face, “I’ll be there.”

“So I was thinking,” Mark spun the pencil in his hand as he leaned back in his chair. “We are about done with this assignment. Why don’t we get together for a celebration after it’s completed. I already talked to Donghyuck and Jaemin and both of their teams are almost done. We were thinking of doing it for all the management interns.”  

“That sounds great!” You glanced up from the paperwork. You grin at the excitement on Mark’s face. “Send me the details once you get them figured out.”

A week later you had shown up outside a small house with light shining through the window and music drifting through the air. You knocked on the door waiting for a response. A tall, lanky boy opened the door and gave you a small grin. “Hey Jisung,” you greeted him as you walked through the doorway. “Sorry I’m a bit late, Johnny needed me to finish up some documents.”

“Oh, Jeno’s got a crush,” you heard someone singsong from the other room.

“Please, Donghyuck,” you hear Jeno plead.

“Oh, you should hear him at work. Do you think she’ll stop by today? Do you think that she’ll like my project plan? Barf,” Mark had joined in the teasing. You felt your heart drop as you listened to them talk. The small crush you had been harboring on Jeno had grown exponentially in the 5 weeks you had been working together. Did you like him in that you would date him if he asked? Absolutely. Did you think he would ever ask? Not now.

“Y/n?” Jisung said quietly from beside you. You hummed at him, “Are you okay? Do you need me to get you water or tylenol?”

“I’m fine, Jisung,” you gave him a tight smile. “Why don’t you lead me to the others? It sounds like we’re all going to be making fun of Jeno.”  Jisung didn’t look convinced as he led you to the living room. “I heard we were making fun of Jeno.” You forced a smile on your face as you sat next to him. “So who’s this crush of yours I’m hearing about?” You pinched his cheeks as he blushed at you. “Oh, I bet it’s Kim Yerim from IT!”

Jeno pushed at your hands, “Y/n, not you too.” He pouted as the group laughed. You couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t deny it and instead his cheeks turned a darker shade of red.

The following weeks felt awkward. Maybe you were the only one who felt it because Mark and Jeno were acting the same as always. Well, Mark was acting weird and Jeno was ignoring him. You couldn’t help but catch the looks Mark was sending Jeno’s way.

You were running late one morning when you overheard part of a conversation you knew you weren’t supposed to be a part of.

“When are you going to ask her?” Mark stood at his seat shuffling the papers sitting in front of him.

What did Jisung see? You thought you had heard that Yerim had been recently broken up with. Maybe that’s what Mark was talking about. Now would be Jeno’s chance to swoop in. You felt your heart ache as you paused a moment before pushing through the door. “Hey guys,” you grinned at the two of them. “Let’s get this started.”

“Never,” Jeno shrugged, but the question in his voice gave way to his thoughts.  

“Dude,” Mark looked up at him with surprise in his eyes. “You were there when Jisung told us what he saw. You’ve got the chance now.”

You raised an eyebrow at Jeno the second time you caught him staring at you. “Are you feeling okay, Y/n?” Mark raised his eyes in concern as Jeno’s words met your ears.

You glanced between the two of them before sighing, “Just a headache. It’ll pass soon.”

Jeno reached down to the bag he had sitting by his feet, “Here,” he handed a bottle across the table. “We can’t have the best member of our team sick.” His eyes smiled at you as you grabbed the bottle and gave him a small smile. As you swallowed down the pills, you accepted that even if Jeno never liked you back that getting over was going to be the hardest part of this summer.

“Whad are you takin bout,” Jeno’s eyebrows furrowed as he stared at you. His eyes held onto the drunken haze he was in and you couldn’t help but sigh as hair drooped down into his eyes. “I really…” His voice faded out as he looked out at the river. Shaking his head he looked back to you, “I really, really like you.”

“If you really mean that, then tell me that when you’re sober,” you pushed the hair out of his eyes.

As you neared his apartment building, Jeno tried to lean in closer to you, “Why d'nt cha believe me?”

You watched as he punched in the building code, his fingers fumbling over the keys, “You would have never said all this if you were sober, Jeno. You are letting the alcohol get to your head.” You helped him get to the elevator. The doors opened almost instantly. “You can get to your apartment from here?” You looked up at him.

“Don’t leave,” Jeno grabbed your hand as you turned away from him. “Please, don’t say goodbye tonight.” Jeno’s eyes were pleading with you.

You shook your head as you stepped out of his reach. He didn’t like you. The alcohol on his brain did. “Jeno, you know I can’t.” Tears stung at your eyes. Oh, how you wanted to stay with him, to believe his alcohol induced words. “I’ll see you on Monday. Make sure you drink lots of water and take some tylenol.” You turned quickly out the doors rushing down the street before you could turn back around and accept his invitation.

“I can’t believe this is our second to last week,” Mark ran a hand through his hair. “I mean, it’s crazy, this doesn’t feel like it should end.”

“Maybe it won’t,” Jeno grinned as he typed away at his laptop. “Some of us are bound to be put on as full time employees. You and Lucas from IT are probably going to get offers.”

“But it won’t be the same,” Mark whined as he draped himself across the desk. “Neither one of you will be there. What am I supposed to do without the bomb squad?”

“What?” You laughed as you watched Mark, “The bomb squad?”

“Yeah, that our team name,” Mark looked at you confused.

“I wasn’t aware of this,” Jeno threw a look at you.

“Me either,” you shrugged.

“Here have mine,” Jeno handed over the umbrella in his hand.

“Well now you know,” Mark nodded as he glanced down at his computer screen. His face lit up as an email notification sounded from the computer. He giggled as he typed out a response and turned to both of you. “Donghyuck’s throwing another get together this Friday. He says that it’s one last internship hooray before we all have to present our summer projects this upcoming week. You guys can’t say no. I will drag you there myself if I have to.” You rolled your eyes teasingly at Jeno before agreeing to Donghyuck’s party.

\

You shook your head at him, “Jeno, I can’t take that. You’ll get all wet.” Unexpected showers had made the end of your Friday workday dreary. You had stood under the office building awning for 10 minutes waiting for the rain to lighten up when Jeno had stepped up next to you. Both of you had stood there watching it for another few minutes before Jeno pulled out an umbrella and held it out for you.

“It’s okay. I’ll just run to my car,” he motioned out to the parking lot. “It’s not that far.”

“Jeno, really I can’t.” You pushed the umbrella back towards him.

“Well then at least let me walk you to your car,” he pleaded with you. You nod at him and he grinned, opening his umbrella and letting you step under it with him.

You unlocked your car as you two stepped up next to it, “Thank you.” You voice quietly carried over the rain.

“Of course,” Jeno looked stunning standing under the umbrella watching as you entered your vehicle. “I’ll see you tonight, right?”

“I’ll be there,” and his smile lit up the overcast sky as you stared at him.

You woke up to a headache and the sound of a buzzing phone. The phone on the nightstand slipped onto the floor as you rolled over to reach for it. The buzzing continued as you laid on your bed face down on a pillow. It was Thursday and the entire week Jeno refused to talk to you much less look at you. Everyone was starting to see the tension between the two of you and were starting to approach you about it. First was Jaemin, the nosy marketing intern who claimed that Jeno was sad because of you. Next was Donghyuck and Mark, they had cornered you during lunch break and tried to force out of you whatever happened between you and Jeno Friday night. They wouldn’t accept the truth of nothing happening. Jisung didn’t approach you, but would let his stare linger on you, making you feel less than comfortable sitting at your desk. Perhaps the worst person who asked you about Jeno, didn’t even approach you and you hadn’t been expecting him to pick up on you and Jeno’s strained relationship.

“Why aren’t you guys talking,” Lucas had blurted out, causing the meeting you were sitting in to come to a stand still. Confused and amused looks were sent his way, “Jeno, hasn’t even talked about Y/n at all this week.”

“Lucas, I don’t think this is the ti-” Taeyong the founder of NCT Inc. stood at the head of the table.

“I knew something was wrong when Jeno called me first thing Saturday asking what happened the night before,” Renjun commented from down the table. With those words all of your questions surrounding Jeno were answered. Your eyes fluttered shut as you willed away tears.

You opened your eyes to see your mentor sitting across from you with a concerned look in his eyes. A cough sounded down the table and you minutely shook your head at him. He grimaced but didn’t say anything.

“He did the same thing to me,” Donghyuck’s loud voice carried through the room. You stared down at the table listening as others gave confirmation of the same thing.

“Why didn’t you believe me?” Your head snapped up as Jeno’s voice reached your ears, “Why don’t you believe me? Sober minded or not, Y/n, I love you.” You listened to a gasp go up around the room. “You told me to tell you when I was sober. You wouldn’t believe me any other way. So, here I am, telling you infront of all our mentors and friends, completely sober, I love you.” You stared at him completely slack jawed. You tried to form words but your voice wouldn’t come, “I knew that I was going to fall for you the moment that I met you. And how could I not have when I was working with a talented, smart, beautiful person like yourself.”

“Jeno,” your whispered voice sounded strangled.

Jeno stumbled into his apartment. You had left him. Turned your back and ran. He couldn’t blame you. If you didn’t like him then he’s not going to force you into anything. You had looked so broken when he had spoken the words he wanted to tell you from weeks ago. It wasn’t even three weeks into this internship that he decided that he was taken by you. A week later he confessed to Mark that he was crushing, hard. You never treated him any differently then your other co-workers, and so Jeno knew you just viewed him as a close friend. That is, until Jisung said that he thinks you like him. Jeno denied it on all accounts, but then Mark got involved and got Jeno’s hopes even higher.

He shouldn’t have gotten his hopes so high. There was no way you liked him back. That was clear tonight when you had rejected his confession several times. Jeno laid back on his bed,head already pounding and stomach churning. His phone rang in his pocket. He didn’t check the ID as he answered it. “This is Jeno,” he tried in his clearest voice possible.

“Jeno!” Lucas’s voice boomed through the phone causing Jeno to cringe. “Did you make it home okay?”

“Define okay?”

“Are you sitting in your apartment with minimal to no bleeding, bruises, or wounds of any sort?”

“Physical or emotional?”

“Dude, what’s going on? Are you okay or not?”

“Lucas, I think I got rejected tonight,” his voice slurred over the phone.

“Shit,” Lucas breathed. “By Y/n?” Jeno hummed in confirmation. “Did she say specifically that she doesn’t feel the same way?”

“I… I don’t think so, but she said that I shouldn’t be telling her that and that I couldn’t actually mean it.”

“Jeno, you just have to go for it,” Mark turned to him while they sat alone in the conference room. “You can’t give her the cold shoulder and expect her to know that that means you have the hots for her.”

“Try again,” Lucas sounded distracted and further away, “Make a note, tell her again when you can think clearly and have good judgement.” Jeno reached for the pad of paper that sat on his bedside table jotting down ‘tell her’ before flopping back down on the bed, but before his head hit the pillow he was out.

\

Jeno glared at him, “I know. I’m just scared. She’s already rejected me before. I’m sure of it, but I don’t know what I’d do if she rejected me when I can remember.”

“Jeno, you can’t worry about that,” Jisung slipped through the door. “Both of you are miserable and the only way to fix this is to talk. If you don’t do it soon. We will.”

Jeno wasn’t expecting the group to dump it on him in the middle of a meeting. Especially one with their mentors and the owner and founder of NCT Inc. and if he hadn’t seen the look on your face when he gave the soft spoken confession he would be mortified.

You hadn’t realized you had stood up until you heard a voice clearing down the table. Doyoung sat with a conflicted look on his face, “Why don’t we break for lunch.” He along with the others stood up quickly before leaving the room.

Jeno stood from the other side of the table and quickly walked around the table. You reached out and stopped him before he was right in front of you, “I…You never gave any indication that you liked me. How was I supposed to believe you,” your voice softly carried over to him.

“I thought I gave you plenty of hints, getting you drinks, giving you aspirin, walking you to your car.”

“I thought that you were just being nice! I’ve seen you do that with Mark and Renjun, and Jisung. How was I supposed to know that you meant it differently for me?”

Jeno’s small smile dropped further off his face contemplation taking its place, “I guess there was no way for you to know. You never said anything either. You haven’t said anything.” He looked nervous, scared, ready to put his walls up.

You took a deep breath before grabbing his hands, “Jeno, I really, really like you.” You watched as Jeno’s face pinched, “Just give me a little bit. It won’t be hard to fall in love with you. Believe me I am already on the way there.”

Jeno grinned as you finished your words and without hesitation, scooped you into a large hug. “Y/n, you don’t know how happy you’ve made me. When I woke up Saturday morning and saw a note reminder. You don’t know how scared I was. I was going to talk to you on Monday, but you looked so on edge. I just didn’t know what to do.”

“I’m happy too,” you pulled slightly away from him. “I thought that you really didn’t mean it. It took you all week. I thought that I had ruined our friendship.”

“No, of course you didn’t,” he pulled you back into him. “I was just so nervous. I really, really like you, Y/n.”

“And I you.” You smiled up at him. He grinned down before bending down to kiss you. His lips moved against your gently before he leaned away. You preased your forehead to his shoulder, “Do you want to go get lunch together?”

“You know they’re all going to jump us once we get out there, right.” he let his arms drop away from you and instead grabbed your hand.

You shrugged, “Yeah, but maybe we can just convince Taeyong to buy us lunch, call it a company lunch-in.”

“You’re so smart,” Jeno grinned and pulled open the door. “But, how about we just go get our own lunch. I only want to be with you.”

~~

Repost from previous blog

~~

tag list: @qianinterprises @stayctday

[black-paraphernalia]

Hello Black Paraphernalia followers and blogger who have supported this blog with likes and reblogs, First and for most we would like to say, thank you to everyone that followers, likes and support. Everyone have shown good support and love for the short time Black Paraphernalia have been on the scene.

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The staff at Black Paraphernalia strive to share the Black history of truth about our Black race as a people in American past and present so in the future we will not repeat the same horrors in the worst way. We also like to share informative information and narratives on what is happening now that will affect our community. 

We welcome respectful intelligent discourse of one’s opinion. We do agree that not always someone will agree with what we post. However, in keeping with our above mission statement your opinion if not adding to the mission should be keep to yourself or blog. Because........  what we at Black Paraphernalia AIN’T going to do is ......( yes I said ain’t ) is accept......

People who write excuses for racism

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People who have not read any part of our blog to get a understanding of what BP is about but want to criticize a particular post.

WHY ARE WE POSTING A BLACK PARAPHERNALIA PSA

1. The other day one of the Black Paraphernalia post was reblogged (which was not a problem in it’s self) However the blogger did not reblogged it properly and posted a long list of RHETORIC That had nothing to to with the Black Paraphernalia blog and made it look as the complete post was of Black Paraphernalia with at the end saying the source was that of BP.

THIS IS A LINK TO THE ACTURAL POST bit2tumble, or whatever the name is, did

https://bilt2tumble.tumblr.com/post/658358372941316096/black-paraphernalia-garcia-navarro-critical

Black Paraphernalia post stopped and CRT and this person and the GOP and other rhetoric onto Black Paraphernalia post without the proper reblog, making it look at it all was part of BP post. not cool and refuse to change or delete it when they were called to task on it.

We vet each blog that is like, reblog or followed by Black Paraphernalia staff. After see our reblog with the additional rhetoric post added to our CRT post, we messaged bit2tumble asking to correct or delete this misleading reblog post. We were disconcerted when we did not get any response. This one of the reason for this PSA. 

Black Paraphernalia post with integrity to the message of facts for the black community. We do not post opinions as facts, slander or spew hate toward other race, community or gender. Black Paraphernalia post clear and concise messages with a point and purpose not stupid rambles that offend. 

2. The other day we receive a message in our inbox from a person stating their opinion on one of our post or the blog in general ( who knows ) The initial response prompted was indignation but after prayer, consultation, consideration (of the source) and deliberation with the other staff we have decided to address this and other issues we have found bothersome during our time on Tumblr.

THIS IS THE INBOX MESSAGE FROM jerseyee  (copied and pasted)

“I'm for all lives matter but what I don't understand is that when a person gets shot from being pulled over by a cop why is it always the guy screaming waving his arms running back to the car why can't he just get pulled over put his hands on the wheel and stay calm buy them acting nervous you make the cop nervous they want to go home to but nobody says that I've been driving for 30 years and I got pulled over three dozen four dozen times and I've never gotten a ticket because I always shut off my car I put on my interior lights if it's night time and I act cool and I make them feel okay not threatened but these assholes get pulled over and right away they were waving their arms screaming going underneath the seat what the f*** do you expect the police officer to do regardless if these black white or anything else if you stay calm you'll make them come if you act like a nut job you're going to make them nervous”

WE WANT TO THANK JERSEYEE FOR THE INBOX BECAUSE THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE STINKING THINKING ON RACISIM THAT HAS PERPETUATED THE STEROTICAL IMAGE OF THE BLACKS IN AMERICA. 

ALSO IT HAS GIVEN US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISSIMULATE THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT COME TO OUR INBOX AND ALLOWS FOR A DIDACTIC OCCASION FOR TRUTH AND UNDERSTANDING.

We at BP purposely posted Jerseyee post and put black highlights we intend to address in what we will call this series 

THE BLACK PARAPHERNALIA PSA SERIES

This part 1 of the Black Paraphernalia PSA - PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK BACK FOR THE REST OF THE PARTS

PART 2 WILL BE ON WHEN PEOPLE SAY 

ALL LIVES MATTER 

AND WHY IT IS AN INSULT TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY

BLACK PARAPHERNALIA DISCLAIMER- IMAGES FROM GOOGLE IMAGE

BELOW ARE SOME LINKS OF OUR MENU SECTIONS, MISSION STATEMENT, DISCLAIMER AND HOME PAGE 

https://black-paraphernalia.tumblr.com/redirect_to/settings/blog/black-paraphernalia

https://black-paraphernalia.tumblr.com/tagged/WHILE-BLACK

https://black-paraphernalia.tumblr.com/tagged/THIS%20IS%20AMERICA

https://black-paraphernalia.tumblr

COMING SOME PART 2 PLEASE STOP SAYING ALL LIVES MATTER

[tchallasbabymama]

M’Baku’s Love-Chapter 1

Hey y’all, sooooo this is inspired by Sylvie’s Love. It was such a sweet movie that made me feel all the feels, so I felt the need to write a love story for our Thicc Kang. Seriously, go watch it on Prime if you can. Let me know what y’all think, and check out my masterlist if you haven’t already! I have a few one shots and a series for both our king and our prince. 

This one’s on the shorter side, but enjoy!

Word count: 2992

When M’Baku integrated the Jabari into the rest of Wakandan society he had some concerns about there being some cultural friction. Having been separated for centuries, M’Baku assumed his people would have a hard time with adjusting to the new union, but as it turned out he didn't have to worry. Above all, he was worried about lowland Wakandans possibly subjecting his people to their prejudices, but it turned out that they have a pretty similar society to the Jabari and they meld really well. The different tribes of Wakanda all live in their separate provinces and have their own ways of living just like the Jabari, the only difference being that they interacted with the larger community that included the rest of Wakanda as well. 

The chief’s misconceptions and prejudices about the other Wakandans were soon wiped out and replaced with a love of his country. The whole of it, as opposed to just his domain. He even began to enjoy his trips to the city, still finding the advancements unnecessary but amazing nonetheless. Over time, he grew curious of the outside world after befriending Prince N’Jadaka. The prince would regale him with horror stories of life on the outside, some were personal others were from around the diaspora. 

However, M’Baku still couldn't understand the outside world, so King T’Challa decided  it would be best if he get to experience it for a while. At first, he was against it. Why would he want to experience such a horrible place? After much effort, T’Challa was able to convince him to spend three months in Oakland at the Outreach Center. At first, M’Baku thought the time span was excessive. He was Chief of the Jabari and had important duties to attend to, after all, he couldn’t just go galavanting halfway across the world just because he couldn’t grasp the concept of white supremacy. 

M’Baku made his way through the hallways of the royal palace and when he arrived at the large ornate door to the king’s office, the guards saluted him before parting and letting him pass. He raised his fist to knock when T’Challa spoke up from inside.

“Enter.”

M’Baku cautiously opened the door and looked at the king with confusion written all over his chiseled face.

“How did you-”

“The heart shaped herb gives me enhanced hearing among many other things. Come, sit down. How has the tour been so far?”

In addition to his time in the outside world, M’Baku had chosen to learn more about the tribes of Wakanda. He had spent one weekend a month with a different tribe to understand their way of life. He only just started but so far the river tribe was in the running for second favorite.

“It is going well, umhlobo wam. You all are not too different from Jabari, aside from the frivolous gadgets.”

T’Challa smiled at his stubborn friend’s unwillingness to accept their technology. Getting him to wear Kimoyo beads was harder than bathing a cat, but he eventually came around but only for communication purposes. Some Jabari, especially the younger ones took right to it, but most were still living their traditional lives. 

“I noticed the same thing when I stayed with you...the second time, clearly.” 

The two chuckled at the now fond memory of the king almost dying at the hands of his newly beloved cousin. 

“Clearly. So have you decided on a departure date yet?”

“Yes, I will be leaving with you and staying for about a week to check on the centers myself and help you acclimate. Obviously N’Jadaka will be there as well but I figured you’d want someone with you that’s a little more…”

“Level headed?”

“N-, well, yes, but also no. He is doing well at the Center, but he is still...himself.”

The prince was a wildcard. One you want to have in your hand, but a wildcard nonetheless. M'Baku  needed someone with a slightly longer fuse and a calmer disposition to show him around. 

“Well I would not have it any other way, he is quite entertaining at times.”

A grin creeped up the king’s face as he thought of how his cousin’s progress had allowed for the parts of personality that aren’t rooted in anger to shine through. 

“I agree. So, since I’ll be accompanying you we have to leave tomorrow.”

“I will alert my council.”

——————

The heat in California was marginally better than Wakanda, but still too high for M’Baku’s liking. He would have preferred to visit in the middle of their winter when the temperatures were milder, but anything over 60 degrees felt like a sauna to him. He also wasn’t used to having so much unprotected skin showing, but the weather called for his arms and legs to be free from fabric. His size and physique made him hyper visible and he noticed several of the volunteers doing double-takes as he and T’Challa walked through the halls of the Wakandan Outreach Center. He knew some of the attention was because the king didn’t visit often, but when he would catch eyes lingering on him he’d smirk and keep on moving.

T’Challa took him on a tour of the Center that ended with N’Jobu’s memorial in room 1401, which was preserved like a museum exhibit. The room stood as a reminder of Wakanda’s dark past, and a promise to never repeat it. M’Baku walked around the memorial, silently paying his respects to the murdered Wakandan prince and taking in the scene. The small plaques around the room gave visitors information about Prince N’Jobu, his family, his mission, and his death.  

“Why did you go with these instead of virtual pages? Or whatever they are called...” M’Baku asked.

“Holograms. I felt it would take away from the feeling of heaviness this room invokes on you when you enter. This memorial needs to be both seen and felt for it to be effective.”

M’Baku nodded slowly, eyes still roaming around the room.

“Come, my friend,” T’Challa clapped him on the shoulder. “You will have plenty of time to come back here if you wish. For now, let me show you to your office.”

“Office?” The two walked down yet another hallway and headed up to the top floor.

“Yes, you didn’t think this was a vacation did you?” The king chuckled.

“Well, no but I assumed it would be more study than work.”

“It is both. You will be our Jabari Ambassador while you are here. I would like for you to come up with a skillshare program that will allow for the kids here in Oakland to learn your ways. One of the purposes of our Outreach Center is to bring about cultural understanding between us and our diaspora siblings, who we are now referring to as the Lost Tribe at the prince’s request. For now, we just have Oakland but eventually I plan to expand the program. Shuri is over the STEM program, Nakia handles social outreach, and N’Jadaka keeps the whole thing running smoothly, and you will make sure the Jabari are represented in our curriculum.”

“It would be my honor to bring Jabari ways to the Lost children.”

“I’m glad, now here is your office,” T’Challa pointed to a corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of the bay. “It is not a throne room, but it is quite nice.”

The king then took the time to show him the basic technology he would need to use and some of the more advanced technology at his disposal he knew he would probably never touch.

“You will have plenty of time to settle in tomorrow, for now I will show you your apartment,” T’Challa led the way back through the center and out to the car which took them about 10 minutes away to an apartment building. 

“Our buildings are much more impressive,” M’Baku remarked.. It warmed T’Challa’s heart to hear his friend refer to Wakanda proudly instead of just his own corner of the country, and he let out a chuckle. Things really can change…

“I completely agree, my friend.”

The apartment turned out to be a loft that was the perfect size for the large Jabari Chief. The high ceilings, the open space, the floor to ceiling windows, the exposed brick...M’Baku actually liked it. 

“Worthy of a chief?” T’Challa asked.

“That it is,” M’Baku said, walking around and taking in the space. The restaurant style kitchen was fully stocked with all his vegetarian favorites and some soon to be new favorites as well. He picked up a square package and stared at it in confusion, never having seen the meat-substitute before. “What is this to-fu?”

“It’s a very popular protein source made from soybeans.”

M’Baku nodded then moved to the living space, surprised to see a television, but the king explained he would need to stay up on current events, or maybe even watch a movie every now and then.

When T’Challa showed him the thermostat, he was so ecstatic he immediately put it on the lowest setting.

“I should leave before you freeze me out. If you need anything I’m just a kimoyo bead aw-,” T’Challa cut himself off when another, more important thought occurred to him. “Oh, I forgot to mention you’ll be getting an assistant. I sent three files to your beads, take a look and hire whichever one fits you best”

“Thank you, brother.” The two shook hands and saluted each other before the king left to give M’Baku his space. 

The chief admired the Jabari wood furniture and the furs on the couch, plopping down to try to figure out how to work the television. After some time, he found a news station and only lasted about 5 minutes before he needed to turn it off. Instead, he accidentally switched to a thing called HBO Max and clicked on a show where the main character looked familiar somehow.

“In West Philadelphia, born and raised,” the theme song played over and over and over as M’Baku binged his first tv show, laughing the whole way.

A few hours passed and he was brought back from tv land by a rumble in his stomach. Not in the mood to cook, he decided to explore the neighborhood and look for food instead. 

After just a few minutes M’Baku came to a stop in front of a place called Cafe V. He stopped to take a look at the menu in the window when he felt a small, or regular sized, person bump into his side. His eyes travelled down to see who would dare shove Lord M’Baku, Chief of the Jabari, when his eyes landed on a caramel-complected goddess with a bright teal fade. His face immediately softened as she stammered through an apology.

“I-I am so s-sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. I got a text and, it doesn’t matter, are you ok?”

He struggled to find the words.

“Yes, are you? That was quite the impact.”

She was surprised by his kindness and gave him a smile.

“It was, wasn’t it?” The two shared a quick laugh. “I’m sorry, I’m running late to meet a friend...literally.” 

“Well I would not want to keep you, but please be mindful of your surroundings. I am sure everyone is not as nice as I am.”

“That’s for sure. Oh, and by the way,” she leaned in as if to tell him a secret. He leaned in to listen to whatever she had to tell him. “There’s a Black-owned vegan restaurant around the corner there.”

M’Baku’s eyes lit up, “Two things I love.”

“Black people and vegan food?” 

“Precisely,” a grin overtook his face and she couldn’t help but stare at his adorable gap. 

“Well I really have to go, nice meeting you stranger!” 

And with that, she was off before he could even get her name. The best he could do is hope she’d crash into him on the sidewalk again one day.

“I really hope she is more careful,” he said to himself as he rounded the corner to The V Spot.

——————

Monday morning, M’Baku arrived at the outreach center full of nervous energy. He had wanted to look nice for his first day, but his tunic felt like it was cutting off his circulation the closer he got to the building. When he finally arrived in his office, he found it full of royals. 

“Nigga you look uncomfortable as hell in that,” N’Jadaka was, naturally, the first to call out the obvious. Thankfully, the Queen came to his rescue.

“Stop it Daka, you’d look uncomfortable in Jabari attire,” Nakia said as she undid his top button. “There. Better?”

“Much. I did not want to ruin the look.”

“Turning blue ruins the look, genius,” Princess Shuri chimed in. 

“Sister, he wasn’t blue...yet. If we hadn’t gotten here when we did the Jabari would’ve been out a Chief,” the king added. 

“Ha. You all are very funny. Are you done?”

“We’re just fucking with you, man. How you liking the loft?”

“It is wonderful. I am almost embarrassed to say I have watched the television for several hours. Have you ever seen the Fresh Prince of Bel Air? It is hilarious!”

“Aw hell yeah, that’s like thee funniest show hands down. You know what? While you’re here, I’m introducing you to alllllll the Black entertainment. You’re gonna love it, niggas stay laughing at something.”  

“Speaking of, I thought… that word-“

“You can say nigga. You’re a nigga too, my nigga.” 

T’Challa leaned over to M’Baku, “It is an adjustment, but the reclaiming of slurs can be a powerful thing for oppressed peoples. And it’s just so versatile.”

“What an interesting language…”

“Are we teaching an English class or are we meeting about curriculum…?” Shuri asked impatiently before her brother pinched her arm.

“Ouch! I’m telling mother.”

“Go ahead, I’ll tell her you’ve been sneaking out at night to hang with your little friends.”

Shuri shot her cousin a deadly glare, making him put his hands up in surrender.

“I didn’t say shit. He’s a walking lie-detector, I don’t know what to tell you.”

Nakia and M’Baku snickered at the situation they had no part in. Nakia, because she knew her husband had known for quite some time and would never snitch on his baby sister, but always had Dora following her at a safe distance. M’Baku enjoyed the moment because he and the Princess had a love-hate relationship and seeing her in “trouble” tickled him. 

The moment passed and the five of them moved to a conference room to discuss the upcoming summer. Shuri advocated for a nanobots workshop on weekends and Nakia laid out her plans for summer programs. The king and prince listened closely and N’Jadaka gave his input here and there. T’Challa mostly nodded along, as this was more so his cousin’s job than his. He just signs the checks. 

“...and Monaé just hired three new dance instructors because our classes are so popular with the community. She’ll discuss it in the Department Head meeting later-“

“Is that not what this is?” M’Baku asked, genuinely confused.

“If anything this is more of an executive meeting. We each oversee our departments, but have help running them. That’s who we will meet with in about 15 minutes.” Nakia responded, checking her beads for the time.

The executives finished their meeting just as other people started to roll in. Kitchen staff brought up some breakfast for everyone, and as soon as M’Baku stood to grab a bagel his knees nearly buckled. There she was, Miss In A Hurry herself. He tried to play it cool and keep his smile under wraps, but when she caught sight of the blinding whiteness from the other side of the room she recognized him immediately and waved. 

“Friend of yours…?” T’Challa asked quietly with a raised brow. The man had only been here 24 hours…

“She ran into me on the street the other day and recommended an amazing restaurant. I should go say thank you…”

“Yes you should...why aren’t you?”

“I-“

“Mhm,” T’Challa said before turning to the rest of the attendees. “Everyone, please welcome Lord M’Baku, Chief of the Jabari. He will be here the next three months integrating Jabari culture into our curriculum. As many of you know, the Jabari-“

M’Baku tuned T’Challa out, staring instead at the girl with the teal fade. The look on her face when the king introduced him made him want to go hold her. It was painstakingly obvious that she was embarrassed to have almost run over royalty. 

“-until we started the integration process a year ago. Now, Lord M’Baku you may have the floor.”

M’Baku cleared his throat and shook himself from his daydream. 

“Uh, hello. I am sure it will be a pleasure to work here with you all. I would like to meet with each department head at some point this week to discuss how to make your programs more inclusive of Jabari customs. We can start scheduling those after we are finished here.”

The meeting went on for about an hour with M’Baku and the department heads furiously taking notes. M’Baku was pleasantly surprised that he wasn’t the only one using a physical notepad and pen. He looked to the stranger from earlier and noticed her bright notebook with a multicolored neon leopard cub in the middle. The name on the side read “Lisa Frank”, but he wasn’t sure if that was her name or the artist. She used several different colored pens to take her notes, and the red cat eye glasses he didn’t see on her face the other day kept slipping down her nose. She was a colorful one, that was for sure.

By the time the meeting ended he still hadn’t caught her name, but he knew she was head of the Arts department and that he would meet with her the next day. He could wait until then.

Next Chapter

[something-fanfiction-ie]

Guardian Angel

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader

Warnings: Mentions of abuse of kidnapping. Again, details of murder/crime scenes, curse words.

A/N: Hello, hello, hello! So, again, I find myself having to cut this in half. I originally planned on the team getting to you at this point in the story but I got a little carried away. I’ve been thinking about this series so much that it’s ridiculous. Low-key wish I’d been able to direct a CM episode like this. The things I could do with a camera... solely focused on Matthew for a 45 minute episode. Heh. Anyways, remember to like, comment, reblog, send me asks, and basically do the job of producing serotonin for me like my brain is supposed to do naturally. Thank you so much for sticking around and I’ll be sure to get the next part out to you ASAP!

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[ Part One | Part Two | Part Three ]

It was hours later before Spencer felt the incessant buzzing of his phone against his thigh.

Immediately annoyed and already tired of the day, he didn’t even bother to look at the caller ID before sending it straight to voicemail. Blindly, he rummaged around in the bottom of his satchel for his keys. Spots danced across the back of his left eyelid as he tried to rub the exhaustion away.

Everything about today had been awful. From finding out the girl of his dreams, who he had only known for three weeks, mind you, could be a serial killer to the fact that, without you, nothing made any sense in this case. Even if you weren’t the unsub, you were an integral piece to finding out who was.

After you had left the office earlier this afternoon, Spencer had made it his mission to investigate every other person connected to you. He’d even gone so far as to track down your father to the other side of the globe, having somehow made his way to Europe in order to stay out of you and your mother’s lives.

Try as he might, every possible lead led to a brick wall spray painted to say, ‘She’s the killer.’ Having spent most of the day trying to convince himself that you were the unsub, he was tired of fighting his instincts for fear of compromising himself. Something wasn’t right in this investigation and he just couldn’t figure out what it was.

When his phone started to buzz again as he pushed the key into the key hole, he couldn’t help the sudden surge of anger that seemed to take over his body. Hastily yanking one hand from the door, he reaches into his pocket and presses the answering button.

“Hello, this is Dr. Reid.” His tone is harsh and mechanically echoes back into his ear. Whoever is on the other side of the line is quiet for one second, then two. For five seconds no one responds and Spencer has the time to balance the phone between his cheek and his shoulder so that he could go about removing his bag and shuffling into his car.

“You really thought it was her, didn’t you, Dr. Reid?” Although the natural pitch of the voice suggests a woman, or maybe even a young boy, there is an underlying tone that suggests that it’s a man. Spencer is frozen in place, his bag sitting in the passenger seat of his car, one hand on the inside of the door and the other on the steering wheel.

Slowly, he reaches up to relieve his shoulder from the duty of holding his phone, his long fingers curling around the device. His eyes squinted, the way they usually did when he was thinking. With his other hand, nervously, he reaches up to push away a curl that has escaped from behind his ear.

“Who is this?” He regrets the question the moment it falls from his lips. Someone who has gone the painstaking lengths that this man has gone through to keep himself out of the investigation would not simply reveal his identity when no one even had a suspicion of him.

“Wrong question, Doctor. Try again.” Swallowing past the lump that has started to form in his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the action, Spencer stretches back across the driver seat of his car to grab his bag. The leather strap digs into the palm of his hand and he drags it toward him, feeling like he was stuck on rewind as he goes about undoing everything he’d just done.

“What do you want?” The click of the door lock is the only sound for three seconds before the man responds again, a sadistic excitement escalating the pitch of his voice.

“Out of life? From a specific restaurant? Be specific in your questioning, Doctor.” He laughs a little breathlessly. In the moments where he doesn’t talk, Spencer strains to hear anything that could help him, but he can’t even hear the guy breathe let alone identify background noise.

“What is your purpose in calling me?” Getting back into the building is a hassle while on the phone, but he manages it nonetheless. There would be no sleeping tonight after a call like this. The elevator button glows a pale yellow as Spencer stabs it with one of his long fingers. For now they are steady, his hands that is, but the full effect of what is happening and what it means hasn’t actually hit him full force yet.

“To inform you of two things; the first being that you are wrong. I killed all those people and I killed them because of you.” The breath in his throat hitches. All of his worst dreams and nightmares have come crawling out of the woodworking and across his skin like thousands of tiny spiders.

“The second being that I’ll be hanging out with our mutual friend for a while, so you may not see her for a little bit.” There is a creaking of a door before he hears you. Your voice is already hoarse from screaming and the sound of restraints clacking against a concrete flooring puts the picture of you in a dungeon deep into his head.

“Spencer?! Spencer his name i-” The sound of a hand making contact with skin makes Spencer’ blood boil with rage.

Curling into the corner of the elevator, hunching his shoulders into himself and covering an ear with the palm of his opposite hand, Spencer speaks slowly and deliberately into the speaker.

“Do not touch her.” The man on the line chuckles, reaching out to run a finger along the edge of your jawline. You snatch your head away, your slapped cheek already turning pink, and push back against the wall.

“I’m afraid it’s already too late for that. Happy hunting.” The doors of the elevator open as soon as the line goes dead. Everything in Spencer kicks into overdrive, his mind flying so fast that he could barely manage to keep up with it himself.

Hotch, ready to leave for the day, stands in the opening. The tired look in eyes only grows when he sees the young profiler standing in his way, his face drained of blood and his phone still desperately clutched to his ear.

“What’s happened?”

Not so far away, the door to the empty, concrete basement shuts you in by yourself. Around your ankle is a handcuff attached to a car chain that is anchored to the floor. If you crawl to it, dragging your injured leg behind you, you can see the shoddy soldering done to create this makeshift dungeon.

In the corner is a mattress with a thin cotton blanket probably from dollar general or somewhere equally as cheap. A lamp sits beside it, the wooden bottom nailed into the floor to keep you from using it as a weapon. The only other thing is a wooden chair that is planced just below a high rectangle window. A couple of desperate shakes against the leg confirms that it is also nailed to the floor.

With nothing of use, save maybe the blanket, you go about taking a collection of your injuries.

The top of your head is leaking a steady stream of blood that drips down the side of your face and sticks your hair to your cheek. The sight of so much blood coming from your head is alarming at first, but just as quickly as you started to panic, you remember that head wounds can bleed quite a lot. No matter how small.

On the opposite side as your head injury is a deep cut on your cheekbone. It has stopped bleeding, dry blood clogged around the torn skin and flaking along your cheek when you run your finger over it.

Your thigh is a different issue all together, the knife wound throbbing with pain no matter how you shift or apply pressure. You’ve coated your hands in gloves made of your own blood trying to staunch the bleeding, hissing and whimpering the whole time.

All three injuries had happened in a matter of minutes, starting with the knife to your thigh.

You drove for an hour and a half toward nowhere in particular, only pulling off the road when the gun jammed into your neck and Harvey snapped at you from the back.

“Turn right on the dirt road.” The tiny car bumped and bounced around the dirt and gravel, driving straight for another fifteen minutes. You were surrounded by nothing but trees and hills and although you’d been familiar with the area where you’d pulled off the road, you weren’t sure where you were.

When the gun jammed back into your neck and Harvey screamed for you to stop, you slammed so hard on the brakes that he rocked forward and hit his head on the back of the passenger seat. The crunch of his breaking nose was sickening to your ears, but the bite of the seat belt digging into your collarbone and neck was enough to keep you from vomiting.

“You bitch!” He cried, the hand not holding a gun to your neck flew up to catch the blood that fell from his nose. Despite his attempts, a drop or two still managed to fall to the floor and soak into the fabric. His DNA would be on this car, you could only hope that he was in some sort of system. Even now, after everything you’d been through today, you still trusted the team of FBI Agents to find you before it was too late.

The safety on the gun made a clicking noise, your entire body freezing in place as you looked at everything around you. You were in a big dirt field, trees surrounding a patch of land that may have once been the grounds for a home. Now, only your car, a red SUV, and red soil were the only things there to see.

Harvey moved around in the back seat, you could see him in your rear view mirror as he pulled tissues from his pocket and shoved them into his broken nose. When he was finished he pulled out a pocket knife. His eyes were two beady slits of black as he met your gaze in the mirror.

“We’re going to get out of this car, and get into that car right over there. I’ll get in the driver’s seat, and you get in the trunk. Understood?” Sweat slicked your hair to your temples as you shook your head, your grip on the steering wheel so tight that your fingertips had started to tingle.

“You aren’t a good shot, Harvey. The moment we get out of this car, I’ll run.” The knife in his hand popped to attention at your words, gleaming in the sunlight. Somehow, it was only four o’clock in the afternoon and you had already been through hell.

“You won’t be able to.” He said, his hand shooting forward and sinking into your leg. Through the shock of it all, you’d barely felt it even after he pulled the bloody knife back and flipped it shut. You gaped at the wound, watching as the blood seeped out, soaked into your pants, and smeared onto the leather covering of your seat.

The back door opened, the car still alive and thrumming underneath you as he hurried over to your side of the car. You didn’t think, you just acted, throwing the car out of park and letting the adrenaline pumping through your veins mask the pain it caused you to slam on the gas.

Maybe you would have made it, drove out of here and been able to make it to a hospital before you bled out in your own car, but it had been raining nearly nonstop for three weeks and your car was not made to go fast in mud. Your tires spun long enough for Harvey to throw your door open and slam the butt of his gun into your head, causing your face to slam into the steering wheel and render you unconscious.

By the time you came back to yourself, Harvey had been carrying you down the steps and into a basement or cellar of some kind. You had no idea where you were or how long you had been out, only that your entire body was sore and cold.

“Ah, you’re awake. Good. I wanted to apologize about earlier, you just made me a little angry. But we’re better now. I even took those bloody clothes off you. I’ve got your room made up for you and if you’re good, I might let you talk to a friend of ours.” His tone is cheerful, his dark eyes complimenting the dark bags underneath them.

Harvey had been in several of your classes when you went to Georgetown, a friendly face amongst all the older kids who used to sneer at you when you tried to do anything. You wouldn’t actually say you were friends, just two people who were kind to each other. Later, once you parted ways after graduation, he became the personal assistant of your agent. He told you he was just trying to make ends meet while he was going back to school for his masters. It was such a surprise to see you again!

Then last month he quit after the death of his mother, thanking your agent for the experience and moving back to whatever town it was he used to lived in that you never bothered to ask about. Agents have multiple clients, yours was no exception, so you thought nothing of the change in personal assistants based solely on the fact that you barely noticed. Her life didn’t revolve around you and yours didn’t revolve around her.

But now, locked in a basement wearing nothing but your underwear and a tank top, blood soaking through a bandage around your thigh, with the really cute man you’d based a character on believing that you were a serial killer, you wish you’d noticed him more.

...

Garcia was the one to suggest looking at the security footage of the parking lot. She’d been clacking away on her tablet and trying to not seem disappointed about being dragged back to the BAU so quickly, when someone asked where you would have gone from here.

“What if he took her from here?” Everyone had looked at her with varying degrees of peculiar looks. Someone being kidnapped from the parking lot of a building full of FBI Agents? It would be comical if kidnappings weren’t a serious issue. Ironic. That’s the word Penelope was looking for. It was ironic.

“I mean, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to look at the security footage but her lawyer walked her to her car, it was broad daylight. What are the-” Prentiss’ mouth snaps shut and her lips purse just a little when Penelope brings up the video on the big screen.

Just thirty minutes before you walk outside, a small and stocky figure jimmies open your back door and slides in. He must slide to the passenger side of the backseat because he disappears from view. While he isn’t dressed in an extremely unusual manner, the hat and the black hoodie he is wearing help to hide his identity from the camera hanging over him.

Fast forward thirty minutes and all eyes trained to you as you drop your keys and bend to pick them up. Guilt hits every single member on the team, Spencer probably more than the rest, when they watch your head drop into your hands once you’re in the confines of your car.

An arm extends across the backseat, coming into view of the camera as the unsub presses a gun into your neck. In a matter of fourty-five seconds, you start the car and pull out of the parking spot.

“So we can rule out Jeremy.” Spencer says plainly, shuffling the papers in front of him as he thinks. Across the table Hotch nods his head in agreement. Jeremy was tall, maybe an inch shorter than Spencer, and he while he had an athletic build it was more lean muscle than the wide and stocky build the unsub had.

Penelope is quick to gather her things and head for her office, already planning on trying to follow your path through traffic cameras. It would be a grueling process, but it was the least she could do after digging through your life to, unintentionally, frame you for eight murders you didn’t commit.

“We interviewed everyone she has a connection to, in state or not. She’s an extremely low-risk victim, her circles don’t run that big.” Morgan has his own tablet pulled into his lap and he tilts his chair this way and that. A coin weaves in and out of his fingers and his forehead wrinkles as he goes over the list in his mind.

“Then we’ve already talked to our unsub, we just have to figure out which one it was.”

The first names to go are those out of state; your mother, your father, your best friend, and a handful of people you were connected to through the publishing firm. While the remaining names are few in numbers, it still puts Spencer on edge. They didn’t have the kind of time to be wasting energy of persons of interest, they needed one name identifying their unsub.

Nevertheless, the names are split amongst the group of profilers who work tirelessly through the night. The sun soon rises and glares through the window of the BAU conference room, putting Spencer Reid right into it’s spotlight.

There are bags under his eyes, eyes that take longer to open every time he blinks. He’s read the same paragraph eight different times, his cheek perched against the heel of his palm and his elbow propped on the tabletop. When he pushes back from the table, taking the file with him as he tries to walk away the exhaustion, it isn’t for the first time that night.

All he can think about is that final look you gave him as you walked out the door. It was a look of complete and utter betrayal, like you’d been trying to convince yourself that he was somehow oblivious in your being accused of the murders and seeing him there had been a punch of truth in the gut. He’d gone forward when you stumbled, reflexively reaching out to steady you on your feet before his mind could process the action.

Spencer has been doing that since he met you, trying to protect you like he was a giant ball of bubble wrap around you. He’d done it that day in the bookstore, throwing all precautions to the wind when he held the back of your head to keep you from hitting that bookshelf. He’s done it several times at a coffee shop you both enjoy visiting on his days off, physically maneuvering your body when he realizes that your current trajectory will cause you to ram your hip into a table corner.

One time, he’d been walking with you across the street when a man on a bicycle had come flying out of nowhere. You’d been just a step in front of him, your head tilted over your shoulder and your hands flying around with animation as you told him a story. Truly, he wasn’t sure how he knew to reach out and grab your shoulders, you have a way of telling stories that makes the entire world fall away. Yet, as if he was Spider-Man or something, every cell in his body suddenly cried out and he didn’t hesitate in pulling you back.

The force Spencer used to pull your body into his chest had sent you both tumbling to the sidewalk behind you.

“Are you okay?” You’d said, turning so that you were hovering over him with the sun framing you like a halo around your head. Surely you could feel the rapid escalation of his heartbeat with the way you tenderly place one of your small hands over his chest.

In the end he had to pull you to the side of the busy street to put a band-aid on your elbow where it had hit the concrete. It had been in the bottom of your bag and it had Scooby-Doo on it.

Despite his eidetic memory, some moments always manage to fade a little more than others. Some moments stick out more, like when you had reached out to smooth a stray curl away from his face. Your fingers were featherlight against his temple, your head tilted just a little to the side, and a soft smile stretched your lips.

“You’re my guardian angel.”

Some guardian angel he was, accusing you of murder on eight accounts and then letting you be kidnapped by someone who had no qualms about slapping you. God only knows what else he was comfortable with.

“I’ve got a lead!” Garcia burst into the room, her chest heaving as she sent videos and pictures to the screen for everyone to see. Spencer couldn’t see her face as she bent over her tablet, punching in information and instructions, but he nearly peppered it with kisses when she started to explain what they were all seeing.

“I managed to track (Y/N) to a little town about and hour and a half away when she, probably on purpose, ran a red light just in front of a gas station.” The video of your car creeping through a four-way traffic light until it turned red and captured you on camera was time stamped for yesterday afternoon around four o’clock.

“If you look closely, she turns onto a dirt road just a few seconds later,” Sure enough, every eye in the room watches as your car disappears behind a cluster of trees across from the BP on the left side of the video. “Satellite pictures show that little dirt road leads to one house that burned down a year ago.”

Mouths open, cogs turns, but Penelope Garcia once again proves her intelligence when she merely waves one hand in their direction and uses the other hand to pull up several documents and articles.

“Don’t sweat it. There’s no connection at all. Belonged to a Martin and Elisa Lewis back in the fifties before it was abandoned in the seventies. It was a local haunt where teenagers went to smoke, get drunk, have parties, and do the crazy and reckless things teenagers love to do. One of these reckless things led to a fire and burned the place down. But what’s important is what leaves this place fourty-eight minutes and twenty seconds after (Y/N)’s car enters.”

The video jumps forward in time, resuming as a red SUV pulls off the road and comes back for the stoplight. They can’t manage to get a license plate, the car being recently purchased by the unsub and the paper temporary being stuck to the inside of a tinted window, and they don’t manage to get a good image of the unsub driving. It feels, for a quarter of a second, as if there is no lead at all, until Spencer jumps to his feet.

“We need to see if her car is still there.”

The hour and a half drive takes fifty minutes with their lights on, mud kicking up beneath their tires as they pull into the empty lot. Your car sits abandoned in the middle, your back tires sunk into a pile of mud. The mass collection of blood on your driver’s seat makes Spencer nauseas. Rossi gives him a reassuring pat on the back.

It does nothing for Spencer’s nerves. He is truly the worst guardian angel ever.

[detectivecarlosreyes]

In Case of Emergency (Ch 9/10)

Ao3 | 2.9/18.5k | Buddie | Status: Incomplete

Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter

Chapter 9: It’s about time  In which Buck and Eddie try to disclose their relationship; if only calls didn’t keep getting in the way. Set in mid-3x18: What’s next.

Things were going well between them. After recovering mentally and physically from Eddie’s ordeal, they were closer than ever, with Buck spending most nights in the Diaz household than he ever was before. He was there for Chris’s first sleepover party, being an incredibly helpful chaperone to a bunch of hyperactive 9-year-olds. He was as much a parent as he was both a form of entertainment for the kids and was a welcome relief to the stresses of parenting such an event.

It was good, practically perfect really, having him home all the time, helping, basically being an integral part of the family. He was rarely in his own apartment anymore, only returning to collect his mail and restock on clothes really.

Buck was effectively living with them full time, his wardrobe slowly but surely integrating into his own and their relationship had progressed to the point that it was near almost impossible for them to keep it to themselves anymore, considering how intertwined their lives had become. So now, in their downtime between calls, nearly every recount of what they did on their time off involved the presence of the other.

They were pretty sure the others were finally catching on. It was hard to miss the side-eyed glances when he mentioned something involving Buck and Chris or when Buck did the same mentioning him and Chris. They were also noticing long considering looks coming from Bobby, especially when they were doing something together alone when at the station, but it was hard to say whether he knew but was waiting for them to come to him or if he just suspected something was going on.

In any case, they knew it was long overdue for them to officially be seen as a couple in the eyes of the team and the universe, except the problem was, anytime they tried to get Bobby alone for a chat or tried to bring it up when there was a dip in conversation, something else became more important.

Their most recent attempt was the closest they had ever gotten, having managed to catch Bobby alone in his office looking at them expectantly behind his desk.

Buck had just managed to utter, “Bobby, there’s something that Eddie and I have been wanting to tell you. We’re in a--”

He was cut off before he could finish the sentence, the call alarm blaring for their attention and distracting them all from the conversation at hand. It resulted in a rushed promise from Bobby that they would finish the chat when they returned after the call.

The call being the train derailment; bringing Eddie face to face with a person that he has only ever heard of.

Abby.

Buck’s ex-girlfriend.

As soon as Buck appeared by his side and said her name Eddie knew exactly who she was. How could he not? Buck had been living in her apartment in the first half of the year of him knowing the man and he remembered how long Buck carried a torch for her. How long he desperately held on to the idea that she was still his girlfriend until he finally let go and moved out of her apartment.

And now here she was, just showing up after all this time; no text, no call, no warning at all that she was coming back into town. Returning with a fiancé no less. He saw the way Buck reacted, how that revelation affected him. And then Buck, his kind-hearted, selfless boyfriend goes and promises her that he’d bring back her fiancé with the heavy implication that he would make sure they brought Sam back alive.

He didn’t understand. He didn’t understand why Buck would make that promise, she had ghosted him for months before he had finally given up on the hope that she’d return. It made him nervous because he knew exactly how far Buck would be willing to go for a promise, and that terrified him.

And he was right. Buck wouldn’t listen to reason, so focused on being able to deliver on his promise that he seemed willing to ignore rational thought. He was so hell-bent on trying to save Sam even though there was no feasible way of rescuing him and the girl, that he was willing to put his life on the line. It was maddening and enough to make him snap out of fear and frustration in a last-ditch attempt to make Buck see reason.

“Buck, stop! Alright, I know you made a promise.”

And then for him to see Buck to back-track and fail to divulge pertinent information to Cap as to why he was acting the way he was, well, it set his teeth on edge and it had him spitting out, “Abby! His fiancé is Abby.”

Unable to look at Buck as he continued to blatantly disregard his own safety for a promise he shouldn’t have made, he left Bobby to deal with him, hoping that maybe the Captain would have more sway in talking Buck down from his dangerous plan. But it seemed not even Bobby could talk Buck down, especially when, much to his chagrin, he was offering admittedly sound reasoning.

That didn’t stop him from worrying about the man the whole time he was out there, hanging off the side of this awfully unstable car. It was one thing to be on the inside if it destabilised and falls, it was another thing entirely to be attached to it on the outside with no way to protect one’s self from the fall.

Thankfully, it was a situation that didn’t eventuate, and for that Eddie was enormously relieved because he wasn’t sure his heart could take it if it did. In the end, he was left with Buck watching as the ambulance drove away and could only imagine how Buck was hurting from seeing Abby and Sam together. It was enough to dispel any residual feelings of frustration and anger that he might have felt about the situation.

In fact, the whole situation was enough to put things in perspective for Eddie. Reminding him of how far he and Buck’s relationship has progressed and how much he wanted it to keep progressing and take the next logical step. But first, they were going to have to deal with Bobby who seemed to have remembered their previous meeting, despite the exhausting call, as he muttered to the two of them to join him in his office once they returned back to the station and restocked the trucks.

“Now what was it that the two of you wanted to talk to me about? Don’t tell me it has something to do with the way you were both acting today in that train car,” Opened Bobby when they finally joined him, looking up from his paperwork with a tired sigh.

“Well, it does, and it doesn’t,” Eddie answered vaguely, causing Buck to shoot him a look as he closed the door and took a seat beside him.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Eddie?” asked Buck in a hushed tone, half-turning in his chair.

“Nothing. We can talk about it later,” he muttered back, not wanting to talk about it right this second.

“If this is about Abby, you know I had no idea that she was coming back.” Pressed Buck.

Before he had a chance to respond to Buck and say that yes it was about Abby but not it the way that he thinks, Bobby was clearing his throat, reminding them that he was in the room and waiting for an answer to his initial question.

“Right, sorry Cap. What Buck and I have been wanting to tell you is that we’re in a relationship.”

Bobby looked between them as if he were trying to gauge whether or not he was joking and must have come to a conclusion because his next question was simply, “How long has this been going on for?”

“Over eight months.” Buck jumped in, answering resolutely, “We wanted to be sure before we told anyone.”

“Well, that clears up a few things.” They heard him mutter under his breath as he pulled out a manila folder from his top desk drawer before addressing them again, “I had a feeling this might come up at some point, I’ve been waiting with the paperwork for the last couple of weeks.”

“You knew?”

“Well,” Bobby drew out as he slid across the relationship disclosure form, “I didn’t know for certain, but I have been suspecting that something was going on, so have Hen and Chim, just didn’t realise exactly how long it’s been going on for.”

He waited patiently after handing a pen to them to fill out the form and sign it before sliding it back to him.

“As your friend, I am happy for the two of you but as your boss let me make one thing clear. If your personal relationship starts to affect your work on the job, I won’t hesitate to transfer one of you to one of the other teams in the station. Understood.”

“Yes, sir.”

“We promise to be 100 percent professional at work just like we have been when you didn’t know about us-”

Bobby raises an eyebrow at that, giving them a pointed look.

“- but we will try to do better at controlling our emotions if and when one of us is in a dangerous situation?” Buck tacked on questioningly, assuming that was Bobby’s look was alluding to.

Bobby nodded in approval before adding in good humour, “I should hope so, however, I have a feeling we might have to revisit this conversation sometime in the future.”

Eddie chuckled as he stood up, “That is entirely possible, but we will do our best to avoid it.”

“Good.” Bobby said with a grin as he offered his hand to both of them, grasping each of their arms warmly with his free hand, “I really am happy for you both. Now go, tell the others.”

With a sigh of relief, they left the office feeling somewhat liberated over finally disclosing their relationship. Admittedly, one of the reasons for their hesitation was that they weren’t sure they would be allowed to continue working in the same team and they wanted to prolong the moment for as long as they could, not wanting to be separated. But it seemed they were worried for nothing and now they could bring Hen and Chim into the loop.

Funnily enough, they didn’t have to look far for their friends, finding them not so subtly loitering nearby. Feeling Buck’s fingers thread between his own as they move to greet the other two, Eddie found himself unable to keep the smile from his face, knowing that this was something they could now do freely in front of their friends.

They barely had to say anything, with Hen immediately zeroing in on their joined hands and crowed in delight over their announcement before a group hug was instigated by Chim, celebrating their news, and declaring how overjoyed they were.  

“Can I just say you two are adorable,” Hen remarked when they relocated to the couches, causing him to blush over the comment, knowing that he and Buck had left little room between each other on the couch and had yet to relinquish the other’s hand. “And it’s nice to see that you guys are so comfortable about it after only a couple of months, I honestly thought you’d be more awkward about it.”

“Well,” Buck drew out in a contradictory higher register, “I’d say that’s because it’s been a bit longer than a couple of months.”

“Uhh, how long is ‘a bit longer’?” chimed in Chim, parroting the short phrase back at them.

Eddie looked at Buck who in turn looked at him, and they had a momentary silent conversation based on eyebrow movements and head tilts over who got to break the news. It ended with him sighing and turning back to the waiting pair, knowing what their reaction would be, “Some time since before Halloween last year.”

Their collective response to the admittance had him both wincing and trying to suppress the laughter that was bubbling in his chest over Chim and Hen’s affronted exclamations that they had waited so long to tell them.

“In our defence, we stopped actively trying to keep it a secret at the beginning of the year, we thought you’d figure it out sooner.”

“So, at all the gatherings this year, when you just happened to be dressed similarly and always also came in the same car together with Christopher and seemed to spend your days off together more often than not, that was you being a couple?”

“Yep!” Buck confirmed, popping the p as he relaxed further into the couch cushion and pressed himself more heavily into Eddie’s side.

“Oh my god, that makes so much sense. I can’t believe we didn’t see it.”

They watched as Hen and Chim withdrew into themselves re-evaluating all the moments together and realising what was so blatantly there. It was after a few more drawn-out minutes that Chim startled and stared Buck down.

“Wait, does Maddie know?”

Naturally just as Buck is about to respond, the call alarm sounded sending them all into a flurry to head down to the trucks. Chim however stopped at the bottom of the stairs and repeated his question more loudly. “Buck! Does Maddie know?”

Eddie watched out of the corner of his eye as Buck stopped mid-step and turned back to Chim gesturing for him to hurry up as he does so, “Yes Chim, Maddie was the first to know, now come on, we’ve got to go!”

This jump-started Chim back into action, “Right, yes, of course.”  But that didn’t stop him from muttering that he couldn’t believe she didn’t tell him sooner.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

It’s not until they make it back home, do they revisit the aborted conversation that started in Bobby’s office.

“So Eds,” Buck opened with from the bathroom doorway having just finished brushing his teeth, “it’s later. Want to tell me what you meant in Bobby’s office.”

He sighed, realising that he might have been a bit dramatic about the whole situation as he shucked on his bed shirt, “I didn’t really mean anything by it, honestly.”

“I feel like that sigh said otherwise,” Buck observed as he turned off the bathroom light and flipped back the covers, and slid into bed.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Buck! In that train car, I was just so worried about how far you’d go for that stupid promise. That’s all,” he ended up saying in hushed exasperation, turning on the bedside lamp and moved around the room to turn off the bedroom light before moving to climb into his side of the bed.

Buck wrapped an arm around his shoulder when he did and he let Buck pull him into his side, “I only said that because I was thrown. I haven’t seen or spoken to her in almost 2 years and she came back with a fiancé.”

He huffed at that and pushed his mild annoyance aside, relaxing into Buck’s embrace instead, “Okay, so maybe I was being a bit irrational too. But so were you promising to save him, you know that we’re not supposed to do that.”

“I know. And as much as I know I shouldn’t after the way things ended between us, I do still care about her, I didn’t want to be the reason she didn’t get to be happy.”

He repositioned his head to settle it more closely to Buck’s heart speaking softly, “I get it,” and then after a period of quiet as they listened to each other breathe he suggested, “You should go see her.”

The was a beat of hesitation from Buck, “…you sure?”

“Yeah, of course. I mean, I may resent her as your friend and boyfriend for what she did, but this is about you. You deserve to get the closure she owes you.”

There’s a long considering pause as Buck thought it over, long enough that Eddie actually thought he might have fallen asleep, so he shifted across Buck’s warm chest to turn off the lamp and resettle back onto his pillow.

“Eddie?” is spoken softly into the darkness, the sound of a head turning on a pillow.

Rolling back onto his side to face Buck even in the darkness, he places a hand on Buck’s bare chest, “Yeah Buck?”

“I just want you to know how much I love being part of your life. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I promise to do everything in my power to keep it that way for as long as you’ll have me.”

Smiling softly at the heartfelt declaration, he uttered immediately in response, “I love being part of your life too Buck and I know how seriously you take your promises." He pressed a kiss to the tip of Buck’s shoulder, "Don't worry, I don’t intend on letting you go anytime soon.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He felt as Buck adjusted his position slightly to drop a kiss to the crown of his head with a contented sigh.

The conversation trailed off after that and he could feel Buck slowly drifting off beneath him. He wasn’t lying, after everything the day had brought and the months leading up to it, Eddie knew one thing for certain; he wanted to take the next natural progression in their relationship and have Buck move in properly, officially. Now he just needed the assistance of one Christopher Diaz to make it happen.