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Como o Crazy Egg Transforma a Análise de UX e Otimização de Conversão

O Crazy Egg é uma ferramenta essencial para profissionais de marketing e UX designers que buscam insights profundos sobre o comportamento do usuário em websites. Por meio de funcionalidades como mapas de calor, testes A/B e rastreamento de cliques, o Crazy Egg permite identificar como os visitantes interagem com cada elemento da página. Neste artigo, exploraremos como o Crazy Egg ajuda a aumentar…

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Trophy Husband - Chapter 1

Hyunjin x Reader (fem.) Genre: Arranged Marriage au!, Marriage of Convenience-ish, Romance, Angst, Frenemies-to-Lovers, NSFW (eventual) mdni Warnings: tw-panic attack, mentions of cheating, cursing, crude language, somewhat proofread WC: 6.1k A/N: did anyone catch the easter egg for this series in last chapter of “The Youngest Son”👀. ALSO, had to create a surname for y/n for plot sake. Feedback, Reblogs, Likes are greatly appreciated! Happy reading! ── MASTERLIST

Synopsis: Two individuals with polar opposite lifestyles are thrown into an arranged marriage for the benefit of both their families, or so they claim. One is a frivolous playboy, living off familial wealth, while the other is an overly controlling workaholic. Navigating their marriage with a business-like approach, their relationship is marked by a whirlwind of bickering, banter, and societal pressures. Amid misunderstandings, they uncover layers of unexpected qualities, eventually discovering a sweet love neither saw coming.

CHAPTER 1 ───────────────────

It was common, very common amongst the elites to let their children mingle, to marry them into wealthier families, alliances through marriage that brought benefit for both parties. 

Yet, even after living amongst them, growing up with such a common custom. One that automatically came to those in the upper tax bracket, like a built-in lifeline, Y/N could not grasp exactly what was happening to her.

No.

She understood. But why was it happening to her?

Y/N was the only child of wealthy parents who had poured their souls into building their business, yet as their only child, she felt an immense disdain for their corporate empire and everything that came with it. From a young age, she was told it all belonged to her. Groomed to inherit it. The deals, the ties, the connections.

The headaches, the stress, the immense boredom of it all.

From a young age she was told that it was her duty, to ensure it continued to thrive, continued to grow bigger than it was. A duty to fulfill her father’s ambitious vision. To nurture an inner ambition that her parents didn’t realize, is not a quality one inherits.   

Y/N harbored no such ambitions. 

Her heart beat to the rhythm of creativity, her fingers itching to paint, to sculpt. Drawn to the array of colors that lured her with their vibrancy. Passions she had managed to hide away from her parents’ scrutinizing eyes. 

Until she couldn’t.

The discovery of a double life that led to countless fights, trashed materials the young girl filtered out the dumpster. Cold shoulders, arguments ending with tears and leaving home quite often. By the time it reached that turning point where her father realized he could no longer control her rebellious streak, he sat her down.

A discussion that ultimately resulted in what one would only describe as a compromise.

“You get what you want now, and one day you pay me back.”

The then teenager keenly agreed, her aspirations of going to art school, and starting her own gallery with her father’s aid, took the front seat. 

She chased after those colorful streaks.

Over time, busy with the whirlwind of establishing her own artistic success, her freedom, she almost managed to forget the bargain she thought she struck with her serpent-like father.

Almost managed to.

Of course it came back to bite her in the ass.

Y/N stared at her father incredulously, hoping his next words would reverse the bombshell he’d just dropped. 

   “Tell me you’re joking—no, you have to be joking.” Her voice wavered with disbelief as she looked back at his stern expression.

   “Hwang Hyunjin!? HGroup’s second son, Hwang Hyunjin? Dad, have you gone crazy?!” Incoherent stutters left her lips in disbelief. 

   “No, this must be a prank.” Her head darted around the room, eyes raking the emptiness in hopes that someone would pop out with a camera.

Someone would laugh in her face saying “haha, got you!”

But no one does, and she only stood under the intent gaze of her father.

The older man’s stern expression intensified, and he sucked in his teeth sharply before pointing at her, his finger wagging as he spoke.

   “That’s no way to talk to your father.” He admonished firmly. “You heard me right. HGroup has sent a proposal for your hand, and I’ve accepted.”

She blinked rapidly, clearly caught off guard by the news delivered so quick, one after another. A repeat of the crazy talk he had ambushed her with the moment she had arrived.

   “What is this, the nineteenth century?” She retorted incredulously.

   “Why in the world would you accept without consulting me? I’m never marrying that-that dimwit!” She huffed, watching as her father’s expression hardened, unyielding. 

   “I’m your father, I know what’s right for you. Marrying into that family is not only going to be good for you, but good for us as well. Don’t you understand? They view you in such a positive light, itching to make such an accomplished woman a part of their family. They jumped at the opportunity.”

She let out an unamused laugh, but it quickly stilled into clenched teeth, a sign of her frustration and anger simmering beneath the surface. Coming to one conclusion.

   “Dad…Then just say you’re selling me off.” 

Her father furrowed his brows deeply, pointing at her once more, but this time he was at a loss for words. He couldn’t immediately retort to her objections, maybe because he was stunned by the absurdity of them.

Or maybe deep down he knew there was some truth to what she had said. 

She could see it in his eyes.

   “There’s no way you’re doing this for me. It’s obvious why you’re doing this. Your company needs HGroup to back it up. And you’re just using me to get to them—maybe even taking it out on me because I didn’t want to inherit your business.” She asserted firmly, arms crossing over her chest, her eyes brimming with frustrated tears.

A speck of silence settled between them, before the old man’s expression softened, hoping that perhaps a cooler tone would allow his steadfast daughter to at least hear him out.

   “I need someone to take over once I retire. You think I could leave it in the hands of that good-for-nothing cousin of yours?” Her father countered, finally revealing his true intentions, his voice was tinged with exasperation.

   “—And you thought Hwang Hyunjin is a better choice? Dad! Don’t you know what kind of person he is? He’s the farthest from responsible!” She refuted, her voice only growing louder, more defensive.

Once again, her father found himself unable to respond to her pointed objections. Instead, he reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. An action that made her flinch because she knew what he was trying to do.

   “Right, I know he isn’t the best choice. But with his family’s backing, and perhaps a push from you, our business can flourish for many more years.” He reasoned, his tone softening even more so, as he tried to persuade her.

As if he was on her side.

Except Y/N wasn’t five anymore, no longer the little girl who skipped around her father. She brushed his hand off her shoulder, taking a step back.

   “Then listen closely. There is no way I’m going to do this.” She declared firmly, her voice wavering slightly with emotion.

Turning on her heels, she moved towards the door, hastily wiping away the tears that had slipped down her cheeks.

   “If you want to keep that art gallery of yours standing, you’ll do exactly as I say. Remember, you owe me this.”

Her father’s words were cold, the softness in it long gone. The daughter halted in her tracks immediately. Her figure tensed with surprise and disbelief as she slowly turned back towards him, wide eyes staring in shock at the weight of what he had just uttered. 

How could he hold this against her? 

She must have been foolish indeed.

Similarly in another part of the city, the Hwang Hyunjin in question, stared at his father in the same contempt and shock.

   “Father!” His shout had resonated, rising abruptly from his chair and staring down at his father behind the desk in disbelief. 

   “Marriage? Are you kidding me?”

The father, who would have ignored him if it was up to him, handed his assistant some files as he spoke, not even sparing Hyunjin a glance.

   “No one asked your opinion. We’ve agreed to marry you into the Yeom family.” His father replied coolly, unaffected as he leaned back in his chair.

   “That makes absolutely no sense. Do I not get a say?” He demanded, looking towards his father’s assistant for support, but the older man remained silent, avoiding eye contact.

   “You’re serious? This isn’t some kind of drama. Why are you jumping to such extreme measures—” His frustration peaked, but before he could continue, his father’s hand slammed loudly against the desk with a resounding slap. 

The sudden noise stunned Hyunjin into silence, and he took a step back, his angry expression replaced by wide-eyed stunnedness.

   “You think this is just about you getting arrested? You good-for-nothing slob. You’re damaging both your and HGroup’s image, and I’ve been letting you get away with it for far too long.”

Hyunjin narrowed his brows, feeling the weight of his father’s words bearing down on him. He couldn’t find a way to argue against the truth in what the man was saying. 

   “I’ve had enough of it. This time you’ve gotten your brother involved and I’m not going to let you ruin his reputation as well.” His father continued, his tone firm and resolute.

Hyunjin’s eyes shot up in surprise and stiffened at the mention of his brother, instinctively falling silent as he processed the gravity of his father’s statement. Sure, there was a small hiccup, sure he had been taken to the police station, his brother rushing after to prevent him from being thrown behind bars, but it was not all Hyunjin’s doing.

But would his father even understand if he told him it really wasn’t his fault this time? That his brother only got involved because he just happened to be there? That he didn’t start that drunken brawl.

Hyunjin chose to stay silent, listening to his father berate him, eyes cast downward.

   “There will finally be something good attached to your name and you’re refusing? Hah!” His father’s laughter dripped with sarcasm, and he pointed at his son, glaring.

   “Listen closely. You are getting married to that Y/N Yeom, and staying out of trouble. Got it?”

Hyunjin stayed silent, his angry gaze silently screaming at his father, who refused to give in this last time.

   “If you don’t, I’m cutting off your expenses. If you want to be a homeless slob, be my guest.” ─────────────────────── The gallery director’s arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face twisted in displeasure as she observed her to-be husband from a distance. He sat with legs crossed, nonchalantly sipping iced coffee, sporting black sunglasses on his nose. His relaxed figure, leaned back against his chair as he tapped on the cafe table, glancing around, as if he’s come sightseeing.

She sighed deeply, steeling herself to approach him. Determined steps finally approaching him. Clearing her throat to get his attention, she leaned forward, closing the gap between them at the table. The dark-haired man peered over his glasses, observing Y/N as she stood tall, almost towering over his seated figure.

Hyunjin slowly took off the sunglasses, hooking them onto his shirt, his expression studying her frigid figure once more, easily guessing she wasn’t too thrilled to see him.

   “You.” Her tone was laced with bitterness.

   “Are you aware that because of you my human rights are being violated? Why in the world did you agree to marry me? We barely know each other?”

Hyunjin blinked, a little taken back by her sudden bombardment of questions before his brows relaxed if he’d come to a conclusion. She was definitely not thrilled to see him.

Y/N’s emotionless tone managed to catch his attention. Her gaze, her words, were oozing of some superiority complex, clearly looking down at him, like everyone else around him does.

He eyed his future wife up and down once more before clearing his throat and setting down his glass.

   “Why? Anyone would be ready to marry me. Don’t I have the perfect face for the future son-in-law of Yeom Co.?” He leaned in, cupping his face in his hands, parading his looks with a pretty smile.

Y/N rolled her eyes and let out a sarcastic laugh. The sound of her chair being pulled back, harsh as she settled into it and sat across him.

   “You think I want to marry you? Don’t be fooled, you’re nothing but your pretty face.” She stated, arms crossing over her chest.

Hyunjin’s smile faltered at her harsh but truthful words. He leaned back, squinting at her upset expression before finally letting out an exasperated sigh. His head dropped for a second before looking at her.

   “Look, we’re both in the same boat. It’s tiring trying to argue about it. We just have to get along, that’s all.” He answered nonchalantly, as if his father hadn’t threatened him only two days ago.

The headache Y/N was getting from conversing with him was inexplicable. Running a frustrated hand through her hair, she took a deep breath.

   “I don’t want to be in the same boat as you. From which angle do the two of us look like a good match?” There was a bitterness dripping from each word she spoke.

His lips twitched, fingers tapped on the table, suddenly sitting up and leaning closer. Offended slightly.

   “And exactly what makes you a catch? What makes you so high and mighty?” He asked, tired of the insults she kept throwing at him.

Her mouth fell agape for a brief second, stunned by his directness and the shift in tone. The stupid expression on his face was no longer apparent, instead replaced by a cold gaze she was surprised to see.

   “Hey, Hwang Hyunjin, you idiot. My father’s ready to sacrifice nine years of my hard work just for you.” Y/N exclaimed, incredulous.

He glared at her, biting the inside of his cheek.

It wasn’t like Hyunjin himself had gone to her father to ask to marry her. This woman he only encountered in social settings, getting glimpses of her face here and there. The only similarity shared between them was the school they attended together. But even then, they didn’t even exchange a glance, let alone a conversation.

  “You’re not the only one being threatened.” Hyunjin began.

Then a thought zoomed passed in his mind, a sudden question that he didn’t want to ask because he had an inkling he knew what her answer would be.

But still he asked. As if he was actually looking forward to being further insulted.

   “Would you have been happier if it was my brother sitting here instead?” He asked, studying her frustrated expression.

His gaze had narrowed into a slight frown as he asked. But she only rolled her eyes. Clearly disgusted by even that idea.

   “I dislike both of you. If I had a choice, I’d rather stay single forever. Besides, what did your father threaten to take away from you—no, what do you even have to protect?” Her blunt words stung, further aggravating the usually cheerful, usually patient man.

The dark-haired man sitting across fell silent, his expression unreadable.

   “Listen to me straight, speak to my father. Tell him you’re against this marriage—”

   “Nope.” His abrupt refusal cut her off.

   “I’m gonna marry you. I’m gonna make sure you become my wife.” 

His gaze was no longer playful, instead replaced with an anger and darkness she had never seen in them.

   “H-hyunjin…” Her voice trailed off, realizing his ego was preventing him from listening to her, though her provoking hadn’t helped either.

But something about this wasn’t right.  

He sighed, noticing her expression. Amused that Y/N could even make such a face. 

Hyujin chuckled. His fingers covering his mouth to stifle his laugh. Amusement in her shocked expression, in the big eyes she stared back at him with, unsure of exactly what was so funny in their situation. 

   “I’m joking. I’m really not a fan of all this as well.” He chuckled, observing her blink in confusion. 

   “But I really have no say either. You’re giving me too much credit for even thinking your father would hear me out.”

Neither of their opinions seemed to matter, an arrangement so ridiculous she kept having to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming such a horrible dream.

But why wasn’t her opinion valued?

Why was she suddenly being pushed to reform the screw-up Hwang son?

She looked at him silently, her mind processing his words. Her eyes trailed over his smug expression, the tug of his lips that thinned into a pitiful smile. Perhaps pitying himself. Their situation.

Hwang Hyunjin, the black sheep of his family, a fact as clear as day. 

Whenever responsibilities came knocking at the door, he would find a way to slip out another exit. 

This had been the pattern ever since Y/N had known him, known of him. 

Their acquaintance, though distant, spanned quite a long time. They had grown up together, their small social circle ensuring frequent encounters that neither of them particularly cared for to remember. And though they had never been close, his reputation made sure everyone knew of him. 

Hwang Hyunjin was the embodiment of a pampered rich kid. While his older brother dutifully managed family affairs, Hyunjin indulged in a lavish lifestyle. Wore the trendiest clothes. The shiniest accessories. He vacationed in the most exotic places, had passion for flying planes, driving sports cars. Preferring excitement over corporate boardrooms, suffocating under the intent gazes of the corporation, the suits and the pale, dull walls.

His personality was clearly written on that beautiful face of his.

Carefree. Careless.

Meanwhile, Y/N, the daughter of ambitious, business-oriented parents, had fought hard to carve her own path away from their influence. Just when she believed she had finally gained independence, fate intervened, entangling her deeply in a complicated situation involving none other than this greatest playboy Hwang Hyunjin. 

   “Don’t you have a girlfriend?”

   “Mmmm… I’m gonna have to end it.” He shrugged, as if it were no big deal.

She rolled her eyes, not entirely surprised by his response. That was Hwang Hyunjin for you. Tales of his flings and situation-ships managed to reach even her ears every now and then.

But a sudden thought gnawed at her. An imaginary scenario arising in her thoughts, one that made her stare at him with a sudden intensity.

   “And what if I had a boyfriend. One I truly loved?” She questioned with a raised brow.

Everyone knew there was no such guy. That the only thing Y/N Yeom truly loved was her gallery and her career.

Still, he nodded, as if considering the possibility. “I know you’re depressingly single, but since this is a what-if situation—” He began, while her expression darkened at his jab.

   “You can continue it behind closed doors, I won’t judge. You’re in love after all.” He grinned, pretty confident that it was an ideal answer, the right one she wanted to hear.

But instead, her expression fell, and she clenched her jaw in frustration.

It was clear where his morals lay, and she really didn’t want to continue sitting here, let alone be associated with him.

Except she could only recall her father’s words. No, his threat replayed in her mind once more. 

The only thing that kept her sane amid the suffocating environment, the success she thrived in, independent from her father’s empire, was being dangled in front of her. It made her blood boil, and seeing her “to-be husband” sitting in front of her, nonchalant about the whole ordeal, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

It angered her that her father thought this man was worthy of her. This man that had zero care for anyone but himself. This man that had zero value for marriage, let alone respect for his “to-be wife” even if they were practically strangers.

Y/N slammed both her palms against the table between them, an action that startled him.

      “Listen here. There’s one thing that’s not going to happen if we go through with this ridiculous ordeal. That is infidelity.”

He narrowed his brows, confusion etched on his face.

   “Surely in a perfect marriage, but everyone has their needs—”

   “Jerk Off.” She cut him off, stunning him with her response.

   “Watch porn if you’re that desperate! But If I ever catch you having some extra-marital affair, I swear to god, I will make your life a living hell.” There’s anger on her face, words laced with a sudden disgust that finally poured out. 

It was clear to the stunned man across, the notion of cheating was a touchy topic for her, but Hyunjin only narrowed his brows.

...Cheating? 

Would it even be cheating if they didn’t really love each other? 

But Hyunjin wasn’t really hung up on that. Instead, he wondered if she demanded such a thing because she looked down on him. That she thought he was a loose man who had no control over his play-boy instincts.

      “Why? Afraid I’ll show up in an article? ‘Hwang Hyunjin of HGroup, caught cheating on his wife, daughter of Yeom Co.!’” His voice carried a mocking edge, as though he were already reading the headline from a real newspaper. 

A laugh escaped his lips, tinged with a hint of self-deprecation. His jaw tightened at the sight of disgust in her eyes.

She could only take a deep breath, shaking her head. Y/N exhaled, pondering his words.

      “There’s that too... but that is where I draw the line.” She stated, sitting back in her seat and crossing her arms again.

He let out an exasperated sigh once more, clear frustration on his face. They suddenly sat in a tense silence, furrowed gazes observing, watching each other. But neither budged. 

Neither wondered why they still sat there when it was clear as day that they would never get along.

Their thoughts differed, their values didn’t align. Like oil and water, things that could never mix together, no matter how hard you stir.

And finally after a long moment of consideration, Hyunjin gave in with a sighed “fine...”, though she’s not totally convinced.

      “Look.” She softened her tone, sitting straight in her seat, closing her eyes tightly for a brief second, unable to believe what she was about to say.

      “You don’t have to do anything. Live your life, spend money. Flash some pretty smiles every once in a while. Like the perfect trophy husband. How does that sound?”

Y/N wasn’t sure when the tables had turned, how she was the one now convincing this rake to agree to her terms of their impending marriage. One that was starting to become clear in their near future. Because deep down she knew she had no other choice.

Well she did have another choice, but this was the easiest path. One that would bring nothing but headaches, having to stare at this pretty but insufferable face. It was better than giving up on her career...right?

A part of her tried to to see where her father was coming from. He valued his hard-work, his company, his empire. She tired to understand, as a business woman. As the ambitious daughter who chased after her own dreams.

Perhaps her father was right. If she could mold Hwang Hyunjin into a husband that doesn’t get in her way, push him into a role that didn’t require too much of her attention, this all might work out. Even though the idea of even standing next to him still aggravated her.

The dark-haired man let out a deep breath, annoyingly sipping the last bits of his drink, the ice clinking loudly against the glass. While she only watched in an irritation that grew with each smug smile he shot her between his sips. Purposefully grating on her nerves.

      “Deal.” He finally voiced.

His acceptance didn’t offer Y/N any comfort though. Instead, it confirmed her worst fears, that this absurd marriage was truly going to happen after all. 

That Hwang Hyunjin, who she had avoided like some insect growing up, was going to be attached to her side, tied to her in the pretense of whatever sham of a marriage that was going to happen.

      “Will you marry me, Y/N?” He asked, his lips thinning into a grin.

He extended his hand for a shake, sealing a deal that had suddenly been made, and although she wanted to walk away from all of this, she sighed because she knew she was going to return his handshake. ─────────────────────── The wedding was as grand as one expected it to be. 

Why wouldn’t it be? 

It was celebrating the union of two of the wealthiest families in high society. 

There were whispers about the unexpected couple. Murmurs of curiosity and excitement.

The rumors that were spread, created a love story straight out of a movie. That the couple had crossed paths again at a high-profile auction. Instead of falling for the pretty paintings and glimmering trinkets, Hwang Hyunjin’s eyes were drawn to Y/N Yeom, who seemed radiant as she shared her insights about a particular piece, her passionate ramble captivated him. Enough to make him forget his playboy past and hand her his heart.

It was an ideal scenario. Curated specifically for this crowd of their elite society, eating up the narrative, the romantic drama. The gossip.

Yet, amidst all the grandeur, Y/N sat in the bridal room, staring at her good-for-nothing cousin who had just dropped yet another bombshell on her.

Anger and shock simmered beneath her calm facade as she crossed her arms over the silk of her wedding gown. She composed herself.

      “I already knew. I’m surprised you found out this late. Did you expect me to throw a tantrum and walk out of here?” Her lie was remarked coolly, though inwardly, that’s exactly what she wanted to do.

She actually had no idea what this idiot was talking about. But she couldn’t give him an opening. Allow him to attack her when she was vulnerable, allow him to get under her skin, something this parasite was really good at. Before he could utter more nonsense, she cut in, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

      “Get the hell out, I’m not done getting ready.” She muttered.

Of course he huffed and puffed. Probably the only thing he was good at, before he exited. As soon as his figure disappeared out the sliding doors, the sound of it clicking close, Y/N’s legs instantly faltered.

Alone at last, the weight of the situation and the sudden onslaught of information hit her like a tidal wave. Her cousin’s words repeated in her mind, wide eyes stared into the shine of the tiles. Her legs gave out, and she staggered against the makeup station, clutching onto its hard surface to steady herself. Makeup products scattered around her, but her eyes seemed to disassociate from the chaos in the room, welling up in tears.

The silence was deafening, yet a ringing sound in her ears was getting louder at each passing second. Normally, Y/N wouldn’t have reacted in such a way. Maybe she would have said something snarky, make the younger cousin cry from frustration even. Something she was good at. But it seemed like everything was finally crashing down on her, as if it dawned on her all over again that this was really happening.

There was a knock at the door that she barely registered amidst her struggle with her rising panic attack. Without waiting for a response, the door slid open, revealing her future husband’s lean figure as he let himself in.

      “What are you trying to pull now?” Hyunjin’s voice cut through her turmoil, but Y/N couldn’t bring herself to reply. 

Her fists balled tightly. So hard, her nails dug into her palms, she tried to calm her trembling figure. But tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, her eyes catching his reflection in the mirror. His narrowed gaze morphed into shock immediately, concern etching his face.

Hyunjin was taken aback for a moment before swiftly spinning on his heels to peer out the large doors, checking if anyone was outside, then closing them with urgency.

      “Woah, what’s wrong with you?” His voice was laced with worry this time, as he hurriedly locked the tall doors.

Turning to face Y/N, he found her almost folding onto the ground, and rushed to her side.

The groom had come to check if his outfit clashed with his bride’s wedding gown. Despite their agreement to be civil through the wedding preparations, she still failed to show up at the dress shop to pick out their attire. Something about being too busy, of course. Though Hyunjin truly had no care for any of this either, he didn’t want to look tacky standing next to her. 

In their ideal scenario, of the Y/N who met Hyunjin at the auction, she might have complimented him on his striking appearance in his black tuxedo, and he might have looked at her with love-filled eyes. 

But that couple did not exist. Just part of a curated story.

Nothing about this was ideal.

Hyunjin did not expect to find her in such distress. Yet he almost froze as he looked down at her trembling form, almost gasping for air.

He had been called a lot of things, but he wasn’t heartless. He could not ignore her. Although he wasn’t sure what to do either. He crouched down, awkwardly extending his hands to graze her back, gently patting it as his voice dropped to a stern whisper. Soft pats that slowly fell into a rhythm.

      “Breathe.” He coached her.

Her fingers tugged at his free hand almost desperately, trying to follow his instructions. Trying to soothe that burning feeling that seemed to ignite her fully.

      “Deep breaths. Slowly.” He continued, squeezing her hand softly, brows knitting with a worry he didn’t think he’d have.

But as his eyes trailed over her crouched figure he felt a sting. 

The silence between them was heavy as she fought to regain control. Her nails dug into his skin, and he found himself breathing deeply, loudly, hoping she would mimic his steady breaths.

      “Yes, keep breathing.” He urged softly, exhaling slowly, trying to match his breaths to hers.

And after what felt like an eternity, Y/N began to breathe steadily, the burning sensation in her chest eased, leaving a dry, scratchy feeling in her throat.

She glanced sideways and saw Hyunjin still beside her, his face etched with concern as he took in her disheveled state. An expression she didn’t think he could make.

      “Did you know?” She finally croaked, tears smudging her makeup further.

      “About?” Hyunjin’s confusion was evident.

She closed her eyes briefly, composing herself. 

      “It was my father who proposed this marriage. Yours accepted because I would fit well into your family. I could keep you in check, the ideal daughter-in-law for his screw-up of a son.”

Hyunjin blinked, his expression softening despite her sharp words. He had assumed she had known all along about their families’ arrangement. One which her father had proposed with sweet talk and buttery words.

But even she was left in the dark.

Probably because Y/N was capable of actually having the courage to back out of all of this if she truly wanted.

His silence confirmed her suspicions, and she let out a bitter laugh, almost pitiful for herself, realizing the full extent of her father’s schemes.

      “He planned for this since he made that deal with me all those years ago…My father did sell me off after all.” There was a mix of hurt and bitterness in her voice that she had tried to bury, that came out pouring with her tears.

Hyunjin sighed aloud before he slowly stood, gently guiding her to sit properly in front of the makeup station, his touch lingering on her arms as she staggered into the seat.

He wasn’t sure what he could say to make her feel better. What he could do to make all this less shittier than it was. 

Hyunjin had already weighed the outcomes of marrying Y/N. And although it sucked that he didn’t have the option to choose his own partner, he truly did not see how this marriage would affect him negatively. 

It seemed only she had gotten the short end of the stick. And it tinged at his heart, making him feel guilty for a decision he did not make.

Hyunjin was not heartless.

      “We can go out there and ruin everything right now if you want. I’ll create a scene, and truly live up to my screw-up reputation.” He offered with a half-smile, brushing a tear-stained strand of hair from her face, a move that came almost naturally.

      “Or, we can get married and then figure out a way to screw all of them over.” He suggested seriously, meeting her gaze with a determination she hadn’t seen before. 

      “Your choice.”

Y/N looked at the man she had branded an asshole since they first met, the man who would soon be her husband if she agreed. The man who looked at her with a new intensity. Steadfast... worried.

At that moment, she realized. 

She had really been stuck on the same boat with Hwang Hyunjin, ever since she made that deal with her father nine years ago.

Everything felt like a blur. Y/N wasn’t sure what had happened or how she managed to compose herself as she walked down the aisle.

Was she even smiling? Did she appear to be the shy but happy bride everyone had created an image of?

The bouquet felt heavy, the dress even heavier. She felt like she was trudging. She felt herself focus on her steps. Right, left, right...

Suddenly, Y/N found herself standing before Hyunjin, his eyes locked onto hers.

The officiant had to call her name a second time, pulling her back to the question he had asked. One she hadn’t heard through the chaos in her mind. Though she hadn’t heard anything he had said at all since she stood here.

The silence in the hall and the intensity of Hyunjin’s gaze snapped her out of her thoughts. He squeezed her fingers in his grip.

Now was the moment. It was clearly written in his eyes.

She swallowed.

      “I do.”

Suddenly, they were married.

The cool touch of the wedding band felt foreign.

Surreal.

She already felt like she was dreaming. Everything felt so unreal. So when Hyunjin’s lips pressed onto her, she froze. A kiss that had truly caught her off guard.

It was something they had briefly touched on during the endless preparation meetings. Ones Y/N managed to show up to but hadn’t paid any particular attention, allowing Hyunjin to take the reins, which he reluctantly did. Of course, since he didn’t have anything better to do after all.

Still, she was surprised. Amidst the whirlwind of all her emotions, she had forgotten entirely about the kiss newlyweds typically share, though she expected only a peck. Perhaps just a light graze even. A brief press of their lips for the cameras to snap. 

But Hwang Hyunjin had a reputation to uphold.

Hwang Hyunjin had to show everyone he was truly in love. With the girl he supposedly fell head over heels for at that high-end auction.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, fingers latching tightly onto her hips, pulling her close to engulf her lips with his. 

A kiss that made her gasp into his mouth. Eyes growing big with surprise at his sudden action.

She could feel his smirk against her mouth, his breath warm and teasing.

A new emotion bubbled within her. One that made her furrow her brows. Hyunjin’s daring act pushed away the anxious thoughts that still had seemed to cloud her mind. Instead, it was replaced with a sudden competitiveness.

Refusing to let him taunt her like that, Y/N responded to his kiss, fingers gripping at the smooth fabric of his blazer to pull him closer, to kiss him deeper, feeling him grow stiff. A surprising action he did not expect her to return with more intensity.

Hyunjin had perhaps met his match.

The audience erupted into applause.

The groom stared at his bride, stunned eyes taking in her content expression as she pulled away, a hint of mischief in her gaze.

      “Smile.” She muttered, her lips thinning into a smile themselves, turning to face the crowd with a wide grin.

Hyunjin inhaled sharply, mirroring her expression, playing his part. Waving to their guests who cheered the newlyweds on. Yet he couldn’t help but glance at Y/N. His bride who was full on laughing now, at the camera flashes, at their families, the wide smile on her face radiating as they started making their way down the altar as a couple.

As if minutes ago she wasn’t lost in her thoughts.

As if her hands weren’t trembling in his.

Hyunjin’s chest tightened. An unknown feeling that pricked him. A little irritated that she could so easily mask her inner turmoil with show-smiles.

A little upset that she had to make those expressions, her eyes twinkling, her smile bright.

A little of something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

The new bride and groom seemed to radiate under the spotlight.

Waving, smiling, pretending.

Suddenly they were married. And that unknown feeling persisted. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ to be continued.

── ask to be tagged! (18+) - @jellyleggz, @binniesbabe, @bookswillfindyouaway, @lemonn015, @scarlet789, @onlyhyunjin, @freekyfangirl, @candyquokka, @jehhskz, @stayjinnie, @minh0scat, @qwonyoung23, @lemonn015, @kpopjackie, @rundontwalkshesaid, @sheerfreesia007, @thecutiepieme, @danihwang882, @hyunebunx, @seeeeking-skz, @hanadulsetaad, @velvetmoonlght, @alrm02, @tirena1, @suzyhhj, @d34thon2legs @dessianna1, @hityoulikebahng, @tsunderelino

[mystic-writings]

closing time | robin buckley

PAIRING — robin buckley x fem!reader

SUMMARY — robin has a crush on you. what happens when you're locked in keith's office after the store closes?

WARNINGS — fluff, banter, love confessions, mentions of panic/anxiety & season three

WORD COUNT — 2,353

NOTES — something short and sweet for my beloved robin!! i hope y'all enjoy and don't forget to leave feedback please! also, this was very loosely inspired by sparks fly by taylor swift

masterlist | navigation

Robin Buckley was utterly, helplessly, in love. 

There was no denying it anymore; Robin was completely in love with you. She would light up every time you walked into class; her heart stopped every time you smiled at her, and spluttered back to life when you’d say her name. Her mind ran away from her every time you shared a shift at the video store, full of daydreams of what you and her would even do if you dated, only to be shut down by the brutal fear of rejection. 

 But you didn’t know that.

As far as Robin Buckley was aware, you only thought of her as your anxious, rambling friend who, more often than not, spent her shifts making fun of your co-worker Steve and his almost inexplicable lack of game. 

Most of the time that she was around you, Robin was forced to ‘act normal’, as if she’d ever done that before. It usually resulted in useless rambles about something weird she’d read about, like gingivitis or how most of the backdrop scenes from Star Wars were actually just still paintings. But you usually seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, and that took some of the uncomfortable anxiety away. And sometimes, you’d even laugh. A genuine one, too, and it would make Robin’s day.

Tonight was a lot like that. It was Friday, and the typical customer buzz around the store was enough to keep you, Robin, and Steve occupied for a while. But by 9pm, the clientele died out, and the three of you were behind the counter playing a round of Crazy 8s. 

“Hah!” Robin said, slamming her palm to the pile of cards. She pulled it back to reveal an 8 of clubs, a proud smile on her face. “Suck it, Steve! Last card,” she huffed, leaning on the counter as you and Steve stared expectantly at her. “Oh, right. And it’s hearts now.”

Steve huffed, glancing at his cards before taking one from the pick-up pile. “Dick move, Buckley.”

“Dick face, Harrington.”

“What does that even mean?” You asked, looking at yours before placing a 3 on the pile. 

Robin just shrugged, her lips forming a smirk as she placed her final card down. “I win!” 

“Alright, I’m out,” Steve huffed, tossing his cards on the pile. You couldn’t help the overwhelming amount of clubs he had, causing you to stifle a giggle. “See you losers tomorrow.” 

“Good luck with that, Steve, ‘cause I won’t be here.” You mentioned, scooping the cards into your hands. “Mom’s taking me to Indianapolis for some family thing. Had to cancel my morning shift, which means…” 

Steve, who had been retrieving his jacket and car keys from under the counter, turned back with what you could only describe as a look of horror painted on his face. “No,” 

“Yep,” you said, popping the ‘p’.

“No! You can’t do this to me, Y/n!” 

“I already did, Steve.” You began shuffling the cards. 

“But Keith always smells like eggs in the mornings! And he hates me,” Steve whined. “I can’t believe you.” 

“Sorry,” you shrugged half-heartedly. “Can’t un-cancel my shift now, Keith’ll be pissed if I call him this late.” 

Robin scoffed, arms folded across her chest as she watched you shuffle the cards intently. “No, he won’t. He’s practically in love with you.” 

You shuddered at the thought. “Ew, gross. Please never say those words to me again, Robin. I beg of you. I think I’ll die, or… contract something if I think about it for more than 30 seconds.” 

“Okay, okay, I’ve gotta get outta here,” Steve said, spinning his keys on his finger. “See you weirdos later.” 

You and Robin shouted farewells as he exited the store, the bell ringing, signifying his departure. Glancing up at Robin from your focus on the deck of cards, you asked, “Another round?” 

The girl nodded, a shaky exhale leaving her lips. You were closing together, and while it wasn’t uncommon, time alone with you was something Robin treasured. And the way you looked up at her through your eyelashes… Robin was going to be combating the butterflies in her stomach all night, it seemed. 

The next hour seemed to fly by with no issues. 

No customers came by after Steve left, so you and Robin played cards and watched a movie on the big TV hanging from the ceiling until your watch beeped, signalling 10pm — closing time. 

The pair of you worked in tandem, one of you counting the cash and working out what the deposit would be while the other made sure that everything looked nice and that the return carts were empty — of course they were, Steve had done them long before he left. 

Disaster struck when you went into Keith’s office to finish closing for the night. 

The analog clock on Keith’s desk read 10:18pm when you passed it, Robin just behind you. All that was left was to write up the deposit in an email and send it to the regional inbox. It was a delicate procedure, to say the least, but with Robin reading everything out to you as you typed it up made things a lot easier. 

“You got that?” Robin asked, hopping off the desk beside you. 

You glanced at her, fingers typing away. “Yeah, Robin, I think I can remember how many five dollar bills were put in the deposit envelope.”

Robin snorted beside you, the already-open safe door creaking as she pulled it. Slipping the envelope inside, along with the deposit slip, she shut the door with a loud clang, causing you to flinch slightly. 

“And…” you pressed a few final buttons on the keyboard, the computer trilling as the email finished sending. “We’re off! Let’s shut this place down and get the hell out of here.”

“As if I’d actually want to stay,” Robin grimaced as you powered down the computer. “This place smells like…” Robin sniffed the air, her face scrunching further. “Cheetos and B.O.” 

You giggled, pushing the chair into the desk. “Gross,” 

Robin made her way to the office door, a giddy smile on her face. “What? I’m right! It’s like Keith doesn’t know what air freshener is. Or a shower.”

She pulled on the door, her smile falling as she twisted the knob. 

“What? Robin, what is it?” 

“I— I don’t know,” Robin twisted the doorknob again, pulling the door toward her, to no avail. She twisted again, frantically, panic setting into her gut. “I think it’s locked!” 

“No,” you nearly gasped. “It can’t be locked!” 

“Okay, well, I’m turning the doorknob and it’s not moving, so…!” Robin said, voice shaking as she turned to look back at you. 

“Let me try, Robin. Maybe it’s just stuck.” You suggested. Robin relented, stepping to the side as you grasped the cool metal. You twisted and pulled, your movements growing frustrated and frantic as you realised that the door wasn’t stuck — you were, in fact, locked in. “Damn it!” You exclaimed, kicking the door. “I can’t believe this,” 

Robin’s hands flew to her hair, grasping at her scalp as she tried to calm herself down. She watched you begin to pace, chewing on your thumbnail, thinking of something, anything you could do to get yourselves out of this office. 

You were suddenly beginning to feel cramped, like the walls were closing in on you. But you took a breath, eyes scanning the room, landing on the phone conveniently placed on Keith’s desk. “Ha!” 

Robin watched you rush to the other side of the desk, picking up the receiver and beginning to dial a number. “Are you calling the police?”

“The police?” You scrunched up your nose, holding the receiver to your ear. “No, that’s stupid. I’m calling Steve.” 

“Calling the police when we’re locked in a room with no way out is stupid?” Robin scoffed, taking up your previous state of pacing. 

The phone rang in your ear as you sat down on the chair. “Of course it is, Robin. Steve has a set of keys, and there’s pretty much a guarantee that no one’s going to answer a Friday night call. They’re all out busting parties and pulling over drunk drivers. They’re gonna put us on the back burner. But Steve won’t. Besides, he’s not doing anything tonight, his date cancelled on him this morning.” 

Robin barely acknowledged your words, mind running wild with the thoughts running through her head. Steve would help, of course he would. Ever since Starcourt, he knew how much Robin hated being stuck somewhere with no way to get out. She just hoped he’d get here quickly. Being stuck in a room with no real way out was one thing, but being stuck in a room with the girl you’re practically in love with was something entirely different. 

“Steve!” You practically shouted with joy.

“Jesus,” Steve groaned. “Tone it down, please! What’s up?”

You huffed, leaning back in Keith’s chair. “Look, Robin and I locked ourselves in the office, somehow, and we need you to come by with your keys and let us out.” Steve sighed on the other line. “Pretty please? I’ll buy you Burger King on Sunday.” 

“Fine. But I’m taking my sweet time getting there. I’m on the other side of town, if you even care to know.” 

“I know where you live, Steve.” You rolled your eyes. “Just hurry up. I think Robin’s losing her mind in here.”

“When is she not losing her mind?” 

“Steve,” you warned, sighing a farewell as he hung up on you. “Okay, he’ll be here soon. I think.” 

“God,” Robin groaned, palms pressed to her forehead. “My mom’s gonna kill me. My cousins are coming into town for the week and I’m supposed to clean tomorrow and instead I’m stuck here, in a room that smells like death, where I’ll probably actually die! Of, like, dehydration or starvation or something meanwhile my cousin Evan is happily sitting on my mom’s couch eating cookies or something!” 

“Starvation?” You asked yourself as you stood from the chair. “Robin, it’ll be fine. Steve’s on his way,” 

The girl barely acknowledged you, still pacing, arms flying around as she spoke. “And, by the way, starvation? A really painful way to die! It hurts, Y/n, a lot. Or, at least, that’s what I’ve read, but who am I to judge! I mean, I’ve never starved to death before! Not until now, at least!” 

You sighed, stepping in Robin’s path, making sure to grab her shoulders firmly, eyes locked onto hers. “Robin,” you said, eyebrows raised as the girl fell silent. “Steve should be here anytime soon. We won’t starve to death. All we have to do is wait out the half an hour before he gets here, max. We’ll be fine.” 

Robin’s eyebrows cinched before she shook her head. “But what if something bad happens, Y/n? Then what are we gonna do? We’ll die! And I can’t die! I haven’t seen Evan since I was 9! He lives in Pennsylvania! Hershey, Pennsylvania! Do you have any idea how far that is?”

“It’s, like, an 8 hour drive, Robin,” you said, voice quiet. Your eyes stayed locked on hers, watching the anxiety swim through her green irises. It was like you could see the gears turning, clicking and grinding to form more anxious thoughts for her to spew out in a breathless panic. 

“Not to mention the smell in here! It’s horrible! I mean, seriously, could Keith not afford a fan, or-or some sort of air freshener! And the windows! They’re so small, and they barely open, and—” 

Robin’s words ceased when you pulled her forward, crashing your lips onto hers. Her muscles tensed for a moment, eyes wide, until she realised you were kissing her. You were kissing her. Robin barely had the time to kiss you back, to place her hands gingerly on your waist before you were pulling back, sucking in air. 

“What was that for?” Robin asked, voice squeaking. 

You only smiled. “I really needed you to stop talking.” You joked, a hesitant hand reaching up to brush some of Robin’s hair from her face. “Besides, I’ve been wanting to do that for, like, 6 months.” 

“Oh,” Robin said, nodding briefly before she smiled, cheeks burning red. “Can you do it again?” 

You smiled wide, nodding ecstatically before placing your hands on Robin’s neck, pulling her closer so that you could kiss her again. 

It was slower this time, a test of the waters as you both melted into one another’s touch. A delicate kiss, one that said a lot more than either of you could find the words for. Robin’s fingers dug into the flesh of your waist, her mind barely comprehending what was happening right now. 

The rest of the world seemed to fall away at that moment, so much so that neither of you paid attention to the soundscape around you, failing to hear the sound of keys jingling in the lock — the door to the office squealing as it opened, and the subsequent screams of Steve Harrington. 

“What the hell, guys!” Steve screamed, covering his eyes as you and Robin jumped away from one another, lips swollen and cheeks burning. “I leave you by yourselves for an hour and a half and you’ve got your tongues down each other’s throats!” 

“Thanks, Steve,” you said, sheepish as you took Robin’s hand, leading her past his gobsmacked form. 

“You owe me a hell of a lot more than just Burger King for making me see that.” 

“Sure thing!” You called out as you and Robin slung your bags over your shoulders.

“Thank you, dingus!” Robin shouted over her shoulder, smiling wide at Steve, following you out of the store.

You huffed a laugh and smiled at Robin, swinging your hands as you grabbed your keys from your pocket. “Want a ride home?”

“Sure,” Robin smiled, relishing the feeling of your hand in hers. She made sure to keep it there during the entire drive to her house, and as often as she could after that, too.

forever taglist: @mazerunnerrose @theboldandthebootyful @miraclesoflove @heliads

robin buckley taglist: @sunshine-daisies-library (open!)

taglist form here!

[devoqdesign]

Data-Driven Design: Using Analytics to Inform UI/UX Decisions in Elementor Projects

In today’s digital age, UI/UX design goes beyond just creating visually appealing websites. It’s about crafting user experiences that are intuitive, effective, and, most importantly, data-informed. Gone are the days when design decisions were based on assumptions or gut feelings. With the rise of powerful analytics tools, designers can now rely on data to make informed decisions that enhance user satisfaction and drive business goals. In this blog, we’ll explore how to leverage data and analytics to inform UI/UX decisions in Elementor projects.

What is Data-Driven Design

Data-driven design refers to the process of making UI/UX design decisions based on data collected from real users rather than relying solely on intuition or personal preferences. By using data insights, designers can optimize their websites for user behavior, resulting in more intuitive and efficient designs. This approach helps improve user experience, boost engagement, and increase conversion rates.

When using Elementor, a popular WordPress page builder, data-driven design becomes even more powerful. With its flexibility and customization options, Elementor allows you to implement changes quickly and see the immediate impact, making it an excellent tool for data-informed design strategies.

Why is Data-Driven Design Important in UI/UX

Reduces GuessworkDesigning a website without data is like flying blind. You may think you know what users want, but without real insights, it’s all speculation. Data removes the guesswork, providing solid evidence of what works and what doesn’t.

Improves User SatisfactionBy basing design decisions on actual user behavior, you can create interfaces that cater to their needs, ultimately improving user satisfaction. A better user experience means visitors are more likely to engage with your content and stay on your site longer.

Boosts Conversion RatesSmall tweaks in design can have a significant impact on conversion rates. Data can show you where users are dropping off, where they’re clicking the most, and how you can streamline their journey to achieve business goals more efficiently.

Key Analytics Tools to Use for Data-Driven Design

To make the most of data-driven design, you’ll need to rely on a few key analytics tools that integrate well with your Elementor projects. Here are some of the top options:

1. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is one of the most widely used tools for tracking website traffic and user behavior. It provides insights into page views, bounce rates, session durations, and user flows. By setting up goals and tracking specific events (such as form submissions or button clicks), you can better understand how users interact with your site and what needs improvement.

2. Hotjar

Hotjar provides heatmaps, session recordings, and feedback polls that give you a visual representation of how users interact with your website. Heatmaps show you where users click the most, while session recordings allow you to watch real-time user behavior, revealing friction points or confusing navigation paths.

3. Crazy Egg

Crazy Egg offers similar features to Hotjar but adds A/B testing capabilities. This allows you to test different design variations to see which one performs best based on real user interactions.

4. Google Optimize

Google Optimize is a free tool that integrates with Google Analytics and allows you to run A/B tests, split tests, and multivariate tests on your site. It’s ideal for comparing different design elements (like buttons, CTAs, or layouts) to determine which one leads to higher engagement or conversions.

5. UserTesting

UserTesting provides in-depth user testing through recorded sessions with real users. You can ask them to complete tasks on your site while capturing their thoughts and actions. This is useful for understanding the "why" behind their behavior.

Steps to Implement Data-Driven Design in Elementor Projects

Now that you know the tools, let’s look at how to implement a data-driven design process in your Elementor projects.

1. Define Clear Goals

Before diving into analytics, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Whether it’s improving user engagement, boosting conversions, or reducing bounce rates, defining your goals will guide your data collection process.

2. Track User Behavior

Set up tracking for key user actions such as clicks, scrolls, time spent on the page, and form submissions. In Google Analytics, use event tracking and create conversion goals. In Hotjar or Crazy Egg, analyze heatmaps and session recordings to identify any usability issues or patterns in user behavior.

3. Analyze the Data

Once you’ve collected enough data, dive deep into it to find patterns. Are users clicking on the elements you want them to? Are they leaving the page sooner than expected? Are certain buttons or links being ignored? By identifying these trends, you can uncover hidden barriers in your design.

4. Make Design Adjustments

Use your data insights to make informed design changes. For example, if you notice users are abandoning a form halfway through, simplify the form fields or move it higher up on the page. If users aren’t clicking on your CTA button, try making it more prominent by changing its color, size, or position.

5. Test and Iterate

After making design adjustments, it’s essential to test their effectiveness. A/B testing tools like Google Optimize or Crazy Egg allow you to compare two variations of a page to see which one performs better. Keep testing different design elements, layouts, and content until you find the version that drives the best results.

Real-Life Examples of Data-Driven Design

To bring this concept to life, let’s look at a couple of real-life examples of data-driven design in action:

1. Improving CTA Conversion Rates

A client noticed that their CTA button wasn’t getting enough clicks despite being placed prominently on the landing page. After analyzing heatmaps, they found that users were clicking more on an image right next to the button. By redesigning the page and replacing the image with a larger, more visible CTA button, they increased their conversion rate by 25%.

2. Reducing Bounce Rates with Simplified Navigation

Another website saw high bounce rates on their homepage, with users leaving after just a few seconds. Using Hotjar’s session recordings, they discovered that the complex navigation menu was confusing visitors. By simplifying the navigation and adding a search bar, they reduced their bounce rate by 30%.

Best Practices for Data-Driven Design in Elementor

Here are some best practices to follow when using data-driven design in your Elementor projects:

Prioritize Mobile Data: With more users browsing on mobile, make sure to analyze mobile user behavior separately and optimize your design for small screens.

Keep it Simple: Don’t overload your site with unnecessary elements. Minimalism often leads to better performance and a more intuitive user experience.

Combine Quantitative and Qualitative Data: Use both quantitative data (Google Analytics metrics) and qualitative data (user testing feedback) to get a complete picture of how users interact with your site.

Conclusion

Data-driven design is essential for creating optimized, user-friendly websites that resonate with your audience. By using analytics to inform your UI/UX decisions in Elementor projects, you can craft designs that not only look good but also deliver the results you’re aiming for. From defining clear goals to continuously testing and iterating, data ensures that every design decision you make is backed by real user insights, leading to better experiences and higher conversions.

Visit my Upwork project catalog :  Elementor Developer

[mediatechgroup]

Top 5 Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Tools for Small Business Websites

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Expand Your Business Reach with the Best CRO Tools

As a business owner, you recognize how crucial it is to drive traffic to your website. But is that traffic turning into paying customers? Many businesses find conversion rate optimization (CRO) challenging, yet the right tools can transform your outcome. These tools are specifically designed to boost sales, generate leads, and enhance overall success. At Media & Technology Group, LLC, we have a wealth of knowledge on optimizing websites, and we’re eager to share our expertise with you.

The Need for Conversion Rate Optimization

CRO combines both science and creativity. You spend time and resources attracting visitors, but how do you make sure they take action? This is where CRO comes in. Simple changes in your website design, messaging, or user experience can make a big impact on conversion rates. Yes, it’s that effective. No matter your industry, knowing how to use the best CRO tools can help you achieve better results.

What Makes a Good CRO Tool?

When selecting the best conversion rate optimization tools, focus on usability, features, and support. These tools should offer valuable insights without being overwhelming. Choose tools that integrate easily with your current systems, particularly if you are utilizing technologies from Media & Technology Group, LLC.

1. Google Optimize

Google Optimize is a free and powerful platform for comparing different versions of your web pages. It works well with Google Analytics, letting you use your existing data for tests. Its A/B testing feature allows you to experiment with headlines, images, or calls-to-action to identify what performs best. It’s simple yet powerful enough for most small businesses.

2. Hotjar

For understanding visitor interactions on your website, Hotjar is an excellent choice. Features like heatmaps, session recordings, and feedback polls give insights into user behavior. You can see what’s effective and what needs improvement, vital for any optimization strategy. Understanding user journeys can also greatly aid in website redesign efforts.

3. Optimizely

Optimizely is a premium CRO tool offering advanced features like multivariate testing and personalization. It's ideal for businesses looking to delve deeper into CRO. With Optimizely, you can personalize content based on user behavior, creating a unique experience for every visitor. While it is more expensive, its robust features make it a valuable option.

4. Crazy Egg

Crazy Egg specializes in visual analytics, such as heatmaps and scrollmaps. It’s like having an X-ray of visitor actions. Featuring A/B testing, it allows you to adjust site elements to see what connects more. Its user-friendly dashboard is especially appealing to small business owners who may not have a tech team.

5. VWO (Visual Website Optimizer)

VWO offers a wide range of tools that include A/B testing and full user feedback management. The platform makes it easy to experiment with different website versions. Their customer support is a standout, offering extensive resources and assistance whenever needed.

Implementing CRO Tools Into Your Business

Now that you know about some of the best CRO tools, it's time to use them effectively. Begin by setting clear goals and understanding your current conversion rates. Use these tools to gather data and run systematic tests. You'll discover that even small changes can significantly improve your business performance.

Why Choosing Media & Technology Group, LLC?

Incorporating these tools is simpler when you have the right partner. Media & Technology Group, LLC specializes in website design

[mariabrenan]

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools https://mariabrenan.weebly.com/blog/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find-the-best-website-analytics-tools Website analytics and user behavior tools are essential for businesses aiming to optimize user experience. While Hotjar is a popular option for heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback, there are numerous alternatives that may better fit different needs or budgets. In this guide, we explore the best Hotjar alternatives for 2024. If you're searching for comprehensive reviews, visit the Hotjar Alternatives page at Sprout24. Why Consider Hotjar Alternatives? Hotjar is a powerful tool, but it isn't perfect for everyone. Businesses that need more advanced analytics, better pricing plans, or specific integrations may find other tools more suitable. Some alternatives provide additional insights such as A/B testing, better form analytics, or real-time customer interaction tracking. It’s worth exploring these other options to find the perfect match for your company’s specific requirements. If you're interested in a detailed comparison between different analytics platforms, head over to the Sprout24 home page for more expert reviews. Best Hotjar Alternatives for 2024 1. Crazy Egg Crazy Egg is one of the top alternatives to Hotjar, particularly for its detailed heatmaps and scroll maps. The tool also offers advanced A/B testing and robust analytics, helping businesses pinpoint which design elements are working and which are not. It’s a great choice for those looking for actionable insights on visitor behavior. 2. Mouseflow Mouseflow excels in session replay, offering users detailed insights into how visitors interact with their website. It provides segmentation, which allows users to filter sessions by user type, device, or even geographic location. Its advanced funnel analytics make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking deep insights into conversion rates. 3. Lucky Orange Lucky Orange provides an all-in-one solution for heatmaps, session replays, form analytics, and live chat functionality. It’s an excellent tool for businesses that want to directly engage visitors while analyzing their behavior in real-time. For businesses needing advanced live chat integration alongside their analytics, this is one of the top Hotjar alternatives. 4. Freshmarketer Freshmarketer by Freshworks is a powerful tool that combines session replays, heatmaps, and A/B testing. Freshmarketer stands out for its integration with Freshsales and Freshdesk, making it ideal for companies already using Freshworks' ecosystem. 5. Plerdy Plerdy is a versatile tool that offers heatmaps, SEO alerts, and conversion funnels. It is perfect for companies looking for a mix of user behavior analytics and SEO performance tracking, making it a unique choice among the Hotjar alternatives. How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Business When deciding on the best Hotjar alternative for your business, it's crucial to first understand what specific analytics tools you need. For companies focused on heatmaps and session replays, tools like Crazy Egg and Mouseflow offer advanced functionalities at competitive pricing. Businesses that need live chat alongside analytics may prefer Lucky Orange. If you're looking for seamless integration with sales or customer support platforms, Freshmarketer offers comprehensive capabilities that link with Freshsales and Freshdesk. For a more balanced approach that includes SEO and conversion tracking, Plerdy is a fantastic choice. Visit the Sprout24 website for more in-depth reviews and comparisons to find the best analytics tool for your business needs. Via https://sprout24live.blogspot.com/2024/09/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find.html from Sprout24 - Blog https://sprout24.weebly.com/blog/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find-the-best-website-analytics-tools via https://sprout24.com/ via Maria Brennan - Blog https://mariabrenan.weebly.com/blog September 16, 2024 at 12:58PM

[owenwatkins]

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools https://owenwatkins.blogspot.com/2024/09/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find.html Website analytics and user behavior tools are essential for businesses aiming to optimize user experience. While Hotjar is a popular option for heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback, there are numerous alternatives that may better fit different needs or budgets. In this guide, we explore the best Hotjar alternatives for 2024. If you're searching for comprehensive reviews, visit the Hotjar Alternatives page at Sprout24. Why Consider Hotjar Alternatives? Hotjar is a powerful tool, but it isn't perfect for everyone. Businesses that need more advanced analytics, better pricing plans, or specific integrations may find other tools more suitable. Some alternatives provide additional insights such as A/B testing, better form analytics, or real-time customer interaction tracking. It’s worth exploring these other options to find the perfect match for your company’s specific requirements. If you're interested in a detailed comparison between different analytics platforms, head over to the Sprout24 home page for more expert reviews. Best Hotjar Alternatives for 2024 1. Crazy Egg Crazy Egg is one of the top alternatives to Hotjar, particularly for its detailed heatmaps and scroll maps. The tool also offers advanced A/B testing and robust analytics, helping businesses pinpoint which design elements are working and which are not. It’s a great choice for those looking for actionable insights on visitor behavior. 2. Mouseflow Mouseflow excels in session replay, offering users detailed insights into how visitors interact with their website. It provides segmentation, which allows users to filter sessions by user type, device, or even geographic location. Its advanced funnel analytics make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking deep insights into conversion rates. 3. Lucky Orange Lucky Orange provides an all-in-one solution for heatmaps, session replays, form analytics, and live chat functionality. It’s an excellent tool for businesses that want to directly engage visitors while analyzing their behavior in real-time. For businesses needing advanced live chat integration alongside their analytics, this is one of the top Hotjar alternatives. 4. Freshmarketer Freshmarketer by Freshworks is a powerful tool that combines session replays, heatmaps, and A/B testing. Freshmarketer stands out for its integration with Freshsales and Freshdesk, making it ideal for companies already using Freshworks' ecosystem. 5. Plerdy Plerdy is a versatile tool that offers heatmaps, SEO alerts, and conversion funnels. It is perfect for companies looking for a mix of user behavior analytics and SEO performance tracking, making it a unique choice among the Hotjar alternatives. How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Business When deciding on the best Hotjar alternative for your business, it's crucial to first understand what specific analytics tools you need. For companies focused on heatmaps and session replays, tools like Crazy Egg and Mouseflow offer advanced functionalities at competitive pricing. Businesses that need live chat alongside analytics may prefer Lucky Orange. If you're looking for seamless integration with sales or customer support platforms, Freshmarketer offers comprehensive capabilities that link with Freshsales and Freshdesk. For a more balanced approach that includes SEO and conversion tracking, Plerdy is a fantastic choice. Visit the Sprout24 website for more in-depth reviews and comparisons to find the best analytics tool for your business needs. from Sprout24 https://sprout24live.blogspot.com/2024/09/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find.html via https://sprout24.com/ via Owen Watkins https://owenwatkins.blogspot.com/ September 16, 2024 at 11:29AM

[sprout24live]

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools https://sprout24live.blogspot.com/2024/09/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find.html Website analytics and user behavior tools are essential for businesses aiming to optimize user experience. While Hotjar is a popular option for heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback, there are numerous alternatives that may better fit different needs or budgets. In this guide, we explore the best Hotjar alternatives for 2024. If you're searching for comprehensive reviews, visit the Hotjar Alternatives page at Sprout24. Why Consider Hotjar Alternatives? Hotjar is a powerful tool, but it isn't perfect for everyone. Businesses that need more advanced analytics, better pricing plans, or specific integrations may find other tools more suitable. Some alternatives provide additional insights such as A/B testing, better form analytics, or real-time customer interaction tracking. It’s worth exploring these other options to find the perfect match for your company’s specific requirements. If you're interested in a detailed comparison between different analytics platforms, head over to the Sprout24 home page for more expert reviews. Best Hotjar Alternatives for 2024 1. Crazy Egg Crazy Egg is one of the top alternatives to Hotjar, particularly for its detailed heatmaps and scroll maps. The tool also offers advanced A/B testing and robust analytics, helping businesses pinpoint which design elements are working and which are not. It’s a great choice for those looking for actionable insights on visitor behavior. 2. Mouseflow Mouseflow excels in session replay, offering users detailed insights into how visitors interact with their website. It provides segmentation, which allows users to filter sessions by user type, device, or even geographic location. Its advanced funnel analytics make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking deep insights into conversion rates. 3. Lucky Orange Lucky Orange provides an all-in-one solution for heatmaps, session replays, form analytics, and live chat functionality. It’s an excellent tool for businesses that want to directly engage visitors while analyzing their behavior in real-time. For businesses needing advanced live chat integration alongside their analytics, this is one of the top Hotjar alternatives. 4. Freshmarketer Freshmarketer by Freshworks is a powerful tool that combines session replays, heatmaps, and A/B testing. Freshmarketer stands out for its integration with Freshsales and Freshdesk, making it ideal for companies already using Freshworks' ecosystem. 5. Plerdy Plerdy is a versatile tool that offers heatmaps, SEO alerts, and conversion funnels. It is perfect for companies looking for a mix of user behavior analytics and SEO performance tracking, making it a unique choice among the Hotjar alternatives. How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Business When deciding on the best Hotjar alternative for your business, it's crucial to first understand what specific analytics tools you need. For companies focused on heatmaps and session replays, tools like Crazy Egg and Mouseflow offer advanced functionalities at competitive pricing. Businesses that need live chat alongside analytics may prefer Lucky Orange. If you're looking for seamless integration with sales or customer support platforms, Freshmarketer offers comprehensive capabilities that link with Freshsales and Freshdesk. For a more balanced approach that includes SEO and conversion tracking, Plerdy is a fantastic choice. Visit the Sprout24 website for more in-depth reviews and comparisons to find the best analytics tool for your business needs. via Sprout24 https://sprout24live.blogspot.com/ September 16, 2024 at 10:58AM

[carolineleavit]

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools

Top Hotjar Alternatives in 2024: Find the Best Website Analytics Tools https://carolineleavit.blogspot.com/2024/09/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find.html Website analytics and user behavior tools are essential for businesses aiming to optimize user experience. While Hotjar is a popular option for heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback, there are numerous alternatives that may better fit different needs or budgets. In this guide, we explore the best Hotjar alternatives for 2024. If you're searching for comprehensive reviews, visit the Hotjar Alternatives page at Sprout24. Why Consider Hotjar Alternatives? Hotjar is a powerful tool, but it isn't perfect for everyone. Businesses that need more advanced analytics, better pricing plans, or specific integrations may find other tools more suitable. Some alternatives provide additional insights such as A/B testing, better form analytics, or real-time customer interaction tracking. It’s worth exploring these other options to find the perfect match for your company’s specific requirements. If you're interested in a detailed comparison between different analytics platforms, head over to the Sprout24 home page for more expert reviews. Best Hotjar Alternatives for 2024 1. Crazy Egg Crazy Egg is one of the top alternatives to Hotjar, particularly for its detailed heatmaps and scroll maps. The tool also offers advanced A/B testing and robust analytics, helping businesses pinpoint which design elements are working and which are not. It’s a great choice for those looking for actionable insights on visitor behavior. 2. Mouseflow Mouseflow excels in session replay, offering users detailed insights into how visitors interact with their website. It provides segmentation, which allows users to filter sessions by user type, device, or even geographic location. Its advanced funnel analytics make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking deep insights into conversion rates. 3. Lucky Orange Lucky Orange provides an all-in-one solution for heatmaps, session replays, form analytics, and live chat functionality. It’s an excellent tool for businesses that want to directly engage visitors while analyzing their behavior in real-time. For businesses needing advanced live chat integration alongside their analytics, this is one of the top Hotjar alternatives. 4. Freshmarketer Freshmarketer by Freshworks is a powerful tool that combines session replays, heatmaps, and A/B testing. Freshmarketer stands out for its integration with Freshsales and Freshdesk, making it ideal for companies already using Freshworks' ecosystem. 5. Plerdy Plerdy is a versatile tool that offers heatmaps, SEO alerts, and conversion funnels. It is perfect for companies looking for a mix of user behavior analytics and SEO performance tracking, making it a unique choice among the Hotjar alternatives. How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Business When deciding on the best Hotjar alternative for your business, it's crucial to first understand what specific analytics tools you need. For companies focused on heatmaps and session replays, tools like Crazy Egg and Mouseflow offer advanced functionalities at competitive pricing. Businesses that need live chat alongside analytics may prefer Lucky Orange. If you're looking for seamless integration with sales or customer support platforms, Freshmarketer offers comprehensive capabilities that link with Freshsales and Freshdesk. For a more balanced approach that includes SEO and conversion tracking, Plerdy is a fantastic choice. Visit the Sprout24 website for more in-depth reviews and comparisons to find the best analytics tool for your business needs. from Sprout24 https://sprout24live.blogspot.com/2024/09/top-hotjar-alternatives-in-2024-find.html via https://sprout24.com/ via Caroline Leavitt https://carolineleavit.blogspot.com/ September 16, 2024 at 11:28AM

[rubelhasanrokib]

What is Conversion Rate Optimization?

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is the process of increasing the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a form. Here are some key steps and strategies involved in CRO:

Analyze Current Performance:

Metrics: Look at conversion rates, bounce rates, average session duration, and exit rates. Tools: Use tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, or Crazy Egg to gather data. Understand User Behavior:

Surveys and Feedback: Collect direct feedback from users. User Testing: Conduct usability testing to see how users interact with your site. Identify Areas for Improvement:

Funnel Analysis: Identify where users drop off in the conversion process. Heatmaps: Visualize where users click, move, and scroll. A/B Testing:

Hypothesize Changes: Develop hypotheses about what changes might improve conversions. Test Variations: Create and test different versions of pages or elements to see which performs better. Optimize Content and Design:

Headlines and Copy: Ensure they are clear, compelling, and relevant. Call-to-Action (CTA): Make CTAs prominent and persuasive. Forms: Simplify forms to reduce friction. Enhance User Experience (UX):

Load Speed: Ensure your site loads quickly. Mobile Optimization: Make sure your site is fully responsive and easy to use on mobile devices. Navigation: Simplify site navigation to help users find what they’re looking for easily. Personalization:

Targeted Content: Deliver personalized content based on user behavior, preferences, and demographics. Dynamic Recommendations: Use AI and machine learning to recommend products or content. Leverage Social Proof:

Testimonials: Display customer testimonials and reviews. Case Studies: Showcase successful use cases or customer stories. Monitor and Iterate:

Continuous Testing: CRO is an ongoing process. Continuously test new ideas and improvements. Adjust Strategies: Adapt based on the results and changing user behaviors or market trends. Tools for CRO:

Google Optimize: For A/B testing and personalization. Optimizely: Another popular platform for experimentation and optimization. Unbounce and Leadpages: For creating and testing landing pages. By systematically analyzing data, testing hypotheses, and making incremental improvements, you can significantly boost your conversion rates and overall business performance.

[kai-uh-arcadian]

Ackersmith Cafe 

Pieck x Reader

Word Count: 2.7k Cw: minor cursing Disclaimer! This is my first story/fic/head canon type thing ever, so feedback is much appreciated! ( :

enjoy!

* Lots of wholesome fluff ( : <3 *

Ships involved: Pieck x Reader, Hitchani, Eruri, Yumihisu,  Implied EreMika, Implied Niccolo x Sasha

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

⁃ Ackersmith cafe, a quaint, dark academia type coffee shop

⁃ Leading local competitor “mom and pop shop” of the Shiganshina county against Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and Bakers Dozen

⁃ Used to be called “Smith Cafe” owned Grandma and Grandpa Smith before Mr. Erwin took over and married Mr.Levi

⁃ You and your parents have been going here since you could remember! Even before Mr.Erwin won his battle against cancer but lost his arm

⁃ Even though you’re in college now, it’s still walking distance from Paradis University and the neighbor university—Liberio University

⁃ You introduced your college friends, Sasha, Mikasa, and Annie to this place

⁃ You go here almost everyday to study and do uni homework

⁃ “Mr. Erwin!” You announced every time you walk in with Annie, Sasha, and Mikasa as the bells of the cafe ring

⁃ “(Y/nnnnnnn!)” he says waving his bionic arm that Hange, the other barista, made for him

⁃ (Hange chooses to work here every other weekend as a way to “relax” from their researching job, crazy right?)

⁃ “Hey twerp, when did you get so tall?”Mr. Levi flashes a smile from behind the counter, remembering you getting hoisted up on your dads shoulder while ordering a hot chocolate from when he was a trainee here a few years ago

⁃ “Mr. Levi, it’s been years since I was your height” you chuckle glancing at Mikasa, Sasha, and Annie stifling back a laugh at they witness this interaction

⁃ “Tch. You brats, I’ll kick you out any second!” he jokingly gets defensive

⁃ “Levi” Mr. Erwin puts a hand on the small of Mr. Levi’s back “Be nice to my favourite and most important customers! You’ll drive out our daily revenue” he laughs

⁃ “Yeah yeah whatever. The usual, brats?” Mr. Levi rolls his eyes holding back a soft smile

⁃ “Yep!” You all say in unison

⁃ “Should’ve guessed” as his rings up your guys’ total “I’ll bring it right out for you guys” he says before disappearing into the brewing station

⁃ You, Sasha, Mikasa, and Annie go to your usual booth right by the front window of the cafe

⁃ You 4 begin to pull out your computers and begin to do homework

⁃ Sasha and Mikasa are typing away on a shared Google Slide for a project they were both assigned to for their ENGL 2273 class they both happened to have together while you and Annie are looking out the window dozing off

⁃ “(Y/N),” Mikasa says grabbing your attention “Do your work.”

⁃ “Alright alright” you begin opening up a blackboard assignment your Professor assigned to you

⁃ “Slacking off again (L/N)?” Mr. Levi’s voice startles you as you look up

⁃ “No!” You shyly smile at him as you pretend to type away at the assignment

⁃ “Tch. Anyways, a white chocolate mocha latte with a glazed donut for you Annie, a hot, unsweetened, caramel latte for you Mikasa, a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant with a cinnamon dolce frappe for you Sasha, and a matcha frappe for you (Y/N). Anything else brats?” He smiles as he hands everything to you guys

⁃ “No thank you!” You say in unison once again before he nods and walks away

⁃ As you sip on your delectable drink, Annie’s face lights up and it’s not from the donut (this time)

⁃ “Eh? Annie, what’s got you smiling?” Sasha says nervously chewing on her croissant at Annie’s surprised face

⁃ “Oh.” Annie’s face goes back to the typical stoic look “nothing, it’s just I know those people about to walk in” she gestures to a tall, muscular blonde man, a tall, brunette who is visibly sweating, a dirty blonde man with an undercut, and breathtaking black haired women with languid eyes and a perpetual soft smile

⁃ “Huh? How?” Mikasa looks up from her work and towards the girl sitting to her left shoulder, peeking a glance at the group about to walk in

⁃ “Eh, I went to Marley high school with them. I had a few classes with each of them throughout the years but never really interacted too much. They aren’t mean or anything— I just recognize them. I think they go to Liberio university” she says taking another bite of her donut

⁃ “Her names Pieck Finger” Annie said with a mouth full of donut directly at you “I’m guessing you were wondering” she smirks

⁃ Your face heats up. Did Annie notice you were staring at her?! Oh no… if Annie noticed… did this mean that Pieck girl also notice?!”

⁃ “No no” you laughed it off, “I wasn’t wondering I was just staring off into space!!”

⁃ This earns a chuckle out of Mikasa, she read you like a book

⁃ The Liberio squad orders as your little Paradis squad begins to pack up after being there for about hour and a half

⁃ “Annie?” The muscular blonde says from a few tables over

⁃ Annie lights up a bit at the seemingly familiar voice coming from behind her

⁃ “Reiner?” Annie walks over to the table as you, Mikasa, and Sasha continue to pack up

⁃ “Oh! These are my friends (Y/N), Mikasa, and Sasha. We usually come here almost everyday” annie says as each of you light up at the sound of your name

⁃ “Nice to meet you all! This is Bertolt, Porco, Pieck, and I’m Reiner”

You 4 wave to the Liberio 4 and you make direct eye contact with Pieck, she smiles softly at you

⁃ “It was nice seeing you all again, we were just on our way out” Annie waves to the group

⁃ “It was nice meeting you!” You, Mikasa, and Sasha say in unison

⁃ You made eye contact with Pieck once again before exiting

The next day

⁃ you text the group chat during your last class of the day “Ackersmiths?

⁃ Annie replies “Hitch nagged at me this morning claiming she deserves more attention so I'm taking her on a date tonight. ”

⁃ Mikasa replies “I’m being forced to meet Niccolo today😐”

⁃ “Okay so you all hate me😩I’ll go alone” you respond to the group chat

⁃ “Yeah that’s exactly what we mean (Y/N)😪😪😪” Sasha replies

⁃ “Yeah whatever.😫 I’ll be over later tonight and bring you guys your usuals if you want” you reply

⁃ “You’re a saint!🛐” Sasha says

⁃ “Sasha’s dorm as usual? I’ll be there around 8 o’clock” Annie says

⁃ “Perfect, I’ll see you guys then, i know you guys love me🥰🥰🥰🥰” you sent the text and began walking to Ackersmith’s

⁃ you walk in and greet Mr.Levi and Mr.Erwin like always “Mr. Leviiiiii! Mr. Erwin!!! It’s your favourite customer!”

⁃ “Oh? I didn’t see Sasha walk in though?” Erwin banters back as you walk towards the counter

⁃ “Yeah yeah, be glad or else you wouldn’t have any pastries left to sell today” you laugh “could I get the usual please?”

⁃ “Of course! I’ll have Levi bring it out to you in a second” Erwin beams and heads towards the machines

⁃ You begin to head to the table usually sit at when you aren’t accompanied by your usual gang but it seems to be taken

⁃ “Grandpa Arlert!?” You exclaim

⁃ Distracted by your excitement, that ethereal black haired Pieck, walks in and sits at a table closest to the entrance by the window. She instantly notices you chatting with (in her eyes) a random sweet old man

⁃ “(Y/N)!” He begins to get up

⁃ “How’s Armin doing? I haven’t heard much from him while he’s been in France but Mikasa tells me so much, maybe too much,  about Eren’s studies abroad”

⁃ “He’s doing well, I miss seeing you 4 all the time. I’m about to be on my way but come see me anytime kiddo” he pats you on the head

⁃ “I’ll come by this weekend okay Grandpa Arlert?” He nods as you sit down and pull out your computer

⁃ Pieck is gazing out the window but every now and then she glances at you. She can’t help but find you adorable when you focus on something— you furrow your brows a bit, squint, and bite your bottom lip

⁃ As Pieck is totally engrossed in your cute little studying quirks, she quickly averts her eyes and your head snaps in her direction as the entrance bells chimes and a couple walks in

⁃ You focus on the couple as the blonde one in a flowy pink dress pushes the stroller to nearby table and the taller brunette one in slacks and a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow goes to order (for the blonde one as well, you assume)

⁃ The gears in your head are shifting as you begin to figure out who the hell that couple could be as they are SO familiar to you

⁃ Then. A lightbulb! “Historia?!” You say to the women about three empty small tables away

⁃ (It’s a local favourite, how could you not see people you know here?)

⁃ (Y/N)?! You get up and start walking over to Historia’s table accompanied by a stroller

⁃ (Y/N)? The tall brunette walks over with a strawberry pastry and a plain croissant

⁃ “Ahh, Ymir!” You exclaim embracing her

⁃ “And who might this little one be?” You question while lovingly waving to inside the stroller which held a baby with dark hair, freckles, and bright blue eyes

⁃ Somehow(?) a perfect mix of Ymir and Historia

⁃ “This is baby Freida” (after her late sister) Historia grabs the about 7-month baby girl and gives her a kiss on her chubby cheek

⁃ “Sooo this is what you’ve guys have been doing since we left high school. I always wondered where you guys took off! You both completely went AWOL “ you chuckle while holding your index finger out as baby Freida grasps it

⁃ “Yeah, after high school I decided to take a gap year and Historia decided to become a CNA, I’m working on my realtor license” Ymir says taking a chomp out of the croissant

⁃ “I’m so happy for you guys! Seeing you guys and plus this cute little one just made my day. Could I hold her?” Your eyes looks as if they’ve been possessed by literal stars

⁃ “Of course!” Historia gingerly hands you baby Frieda and to your surprise, little Frieda giggles while you rub your cheek to the baby’s chubby one smiling

⁃ While this interaction is happening, Pieck has her eyes GLUED to you

⁃ Her heart is bursting at the seams right now. From seeing you interact with the sweet old man you refer to as Grandpa Arlert to you holding a cute ass child AH! Her heart IS exploding

⁃ It’s like she’s emitting a pink aura out of her body and little hearts are circling her as well

⁃ You hand baby Frieda back “it was nice chatting with you guys, text me if you guys are ever back in town!” And with that you retreat back to your original spot

⁃ Hyper focused on what you’re supposed to be doing on your screen you’re interrupted by Levi’s booming voice

⁃ “Hey brat, sorry it took so long. The blender got jammed, probably from all the stupid ice it took to make your dumb frappe”

⁃ “Also, you’re probably too oblivious to notice but, don’t look now, there’s a dark haired girl by the window who has been making googly eyes at you the moment she walked in”

⁃ (WINGMAN LEVI?!?!?!)

⁃ You nonchalantly glide your eyes over to where he was talking about and he referring to Pieck

⁃ THE PIECK FINGER from yesterday

⁃ Your face turns red as you grab the drink from Mr.Levi and begin to stutter

⁃ “I— uh-“

⁃ “Don’t think I didn’t notice your little interaction yesterday” he scoffs hiding a smirk

⁃ …is he referring to me staring at Pieck from the window????

⁃ (That sounds creepy but in an innocent young teen/adult puppy love way)

⁃ “If you’d like, I can send a drink over from you. She ordered the weirdest frappe-combo-shit yesterday so I remember it. It was a matcha frappe with strawberry purée and strawberry drizzle with matcha dusted on top of the whip cream…” he scoffed “but what do I know? I’m just an old married man”

⁃ WINGMAN MR. LEVI!!!!!!

⁃ “Yes! That would be perfect, I trust your gut Mr.Levi!” You hand him your card and he smiles as he begins to walk away

⁃ At this point you’re nervous. Yes you’re looking at your computer but you CANNOT think about anything else but how Pieck will react

⁃ Does she have a boyfriend? That (stupid) undercut guy?

- The tall sweaty guy?

⁃ Or maybe the muscular guy

⁃ No no, she looks too smart to date a meathead

- She seems too outgoing to date a super nervous guy

⁃ Or a seemingly fuckboy

⁃ But who am I to judge her preference?

-Is she even gay?

- She probably has a girlfri--

⁃ “Thank you for the drink” a sweet voice danced in between your clouded thoughts

⁃ You look up and you meet eyes with the one and only, Pieck

⁃ “May I sit here?” She gestures at the empty seat in front of you

⁃ (Mr. Levi’s plan worked?)

⁃ “Of course!” You shyly smile rubbing the back on your nape

⁃ “Your names (Y/N), right?” She took a sip of the drink

⁃ “Hmm.. Doing a bit of stalking I see. How’d you know my exotic drink of choice?” Those heavy words came out so smoothly you could barely react to the accusation

⁃ “Oh! Uh— no it’s not that” you instantly became flustered

⁃ The laugh she let out was so beautiful that it made you stop in your tracks

⁃ A bit of the puree was on her lips, which made them glossy and her head tilted back which let her flowy silky black hair waterfall off her shoulder

⁃ A bit of confidence shot through you

⁃ “Actually, a little birdy told ME that you were the one “stalking” and they decided I should do something to get your attention” you raised an eyebrow

⁃ Pieck’s angelic laughter came to an instant halt and her face become the same colour of the little bit of strawberry purée on her bottom lip

⁃ Now YOU were the one giggling at her reaction

⁃ “Don’t worry don’t worry! You waved your hands in a surrendering motion “in all honestly Mr. Levi said he saw you looking at me today and remembered your ..interesting.. drink from yesterday and also remembered about how I was looking at you when you walked in with your friends and suggested I send a drink over to you” you reassured

⁃ Oh shit

⁃ She giggled at how red your face got after realized what you had just told her

⁃ “Well if you’re going to be honest I will too, I thought you were the cutest thing yesterday. Today really solidified that thought because I mayyyy… have noticed you with that cute little baby” she gave you a languid smile fiddling with her hair nervously

⁃ Taken a bit aback from this

⁃ Are you hearing this correctly???

⁃ “Could I possibly get your number? Maybe later this week we could go on a proper date or something?”

⁃ “I’d love nothing more than that, (Y/N) she gives to the sweetest most genuine smiles there can be

After you exchanged phone numbers, you and Pieck spent about 2 more hours there talking about everything and yet nothing at the same time. You both shared pointless stories about each other’s upbringing, majors, fun stories about your mutual friend Annie, your own friends, and little sarcastic shots at one another here and there before walking her back to her dorm at Liberio University (about a 30 minute walk back to Paradis University)

She thanked you for the fun night by giving you a small peck on the cheek.

When you both returned to your assigned dorms

Pieck spent the night fangirling about you to Porco, Reiner, and a 4th year named Zeke

While you spent your night fangirling to Annie, Sasha, and Mikasa

“Oh (Y/N)!? Speaking about great things you find at the cafe, where’s the drinks? ” Sasha asked after your little spiel about Pieck

“Shit!”

Ackersmith Cafe has always held a special place in your heart but the love you’ve had for the place just got deeper.

sorry if the ending sucks but lmk your thoughts!!!!!! (:

- Kyah

[alpasboxcontactus]

The Best 10 Animated Explainer Video Companies 2021- Alpasbox

Animated explainer videos are a great way to communicate ideas online. They're an excellent option for businesses that want to reach their target demographic, but don't have the budget for traditional video production. If you need help finding the best company out there, then this blog post is just what you need! In it, we'll discuss the top 10 animated explainer video companies and provide all of the information you'll need to help find your perfect match. Read on for more details!

Marketing agencies and businesses are constantly looking for new ways to introduce their brands with creativity. Explainer video companies come in handy when a company is at that point, providing gold standards of advertising or classics which can be relied on upon through time periods. However, if the marketing tactic becomes too old-fashioned it will become ineffective- as people grow tired of them over time.

A video is a great way to make your business stand out among the crowd and offer something fresh to customers. Short commercials, marketing videos, product demos, app introductions, or trade show videos – all of these may impress prospective customers even more if you amplify them with eye-catching animation.

If you want to outshine your competitors and create the best video advertising of all time, then why not consider hiring a company that’s specifically an animated explainer video production company? No one is better at challenging conventions in creative ways than these animation geniuses. Here are some examples from this year! Did we mention they have experience working for companies across industries with years of knowledge under their belts?

What are the criteria for choosing an explainer video company?

We know you're eager to see our list of the best explainer video companies, but first, we need to talk about what makes for a great animated video.

· Quality matters. It is important to pay attention to the quality of videos in a portfolio because it's not always easy for you or me as designers, but that simple factor- whether we like them or not - will be our best guide!

· Stand out from the competition with custom designs. If you need a unique and stand-out video that doesn't rely on templates, contact one of our animation companies today for your design needs!

· The best way to choose an explainer video company is by looking for one that has a detailed process, communicates well with its clients, and follows through on all the details. These companies will be willing to go out of their way in order to make sure you get exactly what you want from your video while still delivering quality work.

· Feedback from customers is key to ensuring the success of any company. Reviews can help you make a more informed decision about your business partner, and it's important that they are both genuine and recent!

· It is true that you get what you pay for. So, if a company has the cheapest prices on offer - don't expect to find your perfect piece of art with them! They are probably not skilled enough and must be using their low pricing as bait to draw in more customers who want something they can afford.

The best explainer video production companies will make your complicated ideas easy to understand. Check out this list of the top five and see who can help you with your needs!

Alpasbox :

Alpasbox is a creative agency that has been creating the best explainer videos for over Four years! They have won awards and are now considered one of the top innovators in animation. If you're looking to create an animated video, they will not disappoint with their work which includes captivating graphics and animations. Many people all around the world enjoy Alpasbox's high-quality product so if you want your company or idea brought alive through motion pictures then this is where it starts off at

Alpasbox explainer video production company's services:

Explainer Video, Corporate Video, Animated Explainer Video, Live-Action Explainer Video, Whiteboard Explainer Video, Product Explainer Video, App Explainer Video

What people say about them: "First of all, I wanted to thank you for the great job you've done! You really delivered what I was looking for. The video is awesome, even better than I expected!"

Explain Ninja :

Explain Ninja is an explainer video company and animation studio based at the heart of Poland, Warsaw. The team excels in producing different animations for startups like Google to iconic brands such as Atlassian and Codio with hundreds of award-winning videos since its foundation in 2013.

Demo Duck :

Demo Duck is a US-based company that helps brands grow their conversions and revenue by providing them with animated videos. Demo Dunk's animation captivates viewers, making it easy for businesses to convey complicated ideas in an understandable way.

Video is one of the most powerful tools to use in marketing and Demo Duck knows that better than anybody. Their portfolio includes work for big brands like Netflix, Dropbox, Crazy Egg, and others- just check their videos!

Wyzowl :

https://vimeo.com/359087395

Wyzowl is an animated video production company headquartered in the UK. In 2020, they have shown exceptional results in global competition and received many awards. What has amazed us indeed is their number of videos- 2500!

The team at Abstract Pixel has been producing animated videos since 2009, always striving for creativity and high quality. They have worked with 40 countries worldwide - the majority of their clients are located on either coast in the US but they're available to work internationally as well!

Studio Pigeon :

https://vimeo.com/396890878

Studio Pigeon is the leading provider of high-quality animated content with headquarters in Warsaw, Krakow (Poland), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). They specialize in explainer videos, cartoon series, commercials motion design, and animation.

Studio Pigeon provides a wide range of services including Animation for Explainer Videos; Cartoon Series; Commercials Motion Design & Animations 2D + 3D animations Visual Content Marketing Advertising Infographics Post-production

Epipheo :

https://vimeo.com/439265790

Epipheo is a video production company that has been creating videos for businesses and organizations across the nation since 2009. The studio's work includes animated courses, commercials, branding projects, educational films of all sorts, as well as various other types of communication content such as e-learning modules or trade show presentations.

Ephipeo produces visually stunning videos for their clients. They are noted in the industry because of how they highlight client peculiarities and research them to make sure that each video is tailored specifically to your needs.

Switch video :

Switch Studio is a Canadian animation production studio that specializes in 2D animations, whiteboard explainer videos for IT companies. They have managed to make more than 1,200 videos for numerous clients in 15 countries and 15 languages and among their customers is IBM.

Switch Studio's main goal is to unlock the full potential of their customer's businesses through high-quality animated video productions with specialized expertise such as storyboarding or voice-over recording at affordable prices!

Common Craft :

If you are looking for a way to introduce your product or service in an interesting and engaging manner, there is no better option than animated explainer videos. Common Craft has made it easy by providing templates with downloadable visuals that make creating the video simple! It's not just about introducing; Elite also offers ready-made animations to help businesses get their message across as quickly and succinctly as possible.

Common Craft is a company that provides easy-to-understand videos for difficult topics like physics and history. They also offer templates, lesson plans, and other educational tools to make it easier on both students and professors alike.

Yum YumVideos :

Yum Yum Videos is a top global animation studio that specializes in high-quality work, including award-winning animated videos. They have more than 20 years of experience and their clients include international brands such as Wal-Mart, Docusign, Fox Entertainment Group Red Bull Media House McKesson among others.

The animation style of Yum Yum Videos is adorable and minimalistic, which makes it easy for viewers to identify the works. They offer many revisions that are customized as well in order to best suit your needs.

Thinkmojo :

https://vimeo.com/393751190

Thinkmojo is the best explainer video company on the market. It has gained trust from some of today's biggest companies like Google, Twitter, Slack, and Zendesk to name a few. ThinkMojo believes that videos are your body language in this digital age so they use them as one way for brands to express their ideas better than ever before

What is the best price for an explain video?

When it comes to creating an explainer video, you need a production company that can bring your brand's message and identity into the digital age. Luckily for you, we have listed 10 of the best companies on our list so far! These firms are all unique in their approach but do offer varying price ranges - some as low as $350 or high up to $35,000.

With so many different styles of videos to choose from, how do you know which is right for your business? The price also varies depending on the length and content. Keep in mind what information it should contain as well as its total running time before deciding!

When you are looking for a top-notch animated explainer video, don’t expect the best to come cheap. We advise having a budget of $3,000 – $10,000 in mind when hiring one of our professional companies from this online directory.

Conclusion

In this article, we have collected some of the best explainer video companies. We include their size and specialization just in case you need that information to make a decision on which one is right for your business or project. It's important not only to consider quality but also style because each company does things differently than others so it may be necessary to view portfolios first before making an order as well as checking reviews from past clients who used them before deciding if they are the perfect fit! You can contact any company with questions about what they offer too; most of them will gladly answer all inquiries and even give suggestions based on previous projects like yours.

Don't let your brainstorming go to waste. Alpasbox has answers for you!

We're here at Alpasbox, and we're ready to help you with any of the questions that might be going through your mind about how to find a good animation studio. With our selection on this page as well as some information from us, hopefully, it will lead you in the right direction while having all those ideas flying around in there somewhere too!

[devoqdesign]

How to Leverage Data Analytics in UI/UX Design: Making Informed Decisions for Web and Mobile App Development

In the ever-evolving world of digital design, creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) is crucial for the success of web and mobile applications. While creativity and design principles play a significant role, leveraging data analytics has become increasingly important in making informed decisions throughout the design process. By harnessing the power of data, designers and developers can create more effective, user-centric products that meet the needs and preferences of their target audience.

The Role of Data Analytics in UI/UX Design

Data analytics involves collecting, processing, and analyzing large sets of data to uncover patterns, trends, and insights. When applied to UI/UX design, it enables designers to:

1. Understand user behavior and preferences

2. Identify pain points and areas for improvement

3. Validate design decisions

4. Optimize user flows and interactions

5. Personalize user experiences

6. Measure the impact of design changes

By incorporating data-driven insights into the design process, teams can create more effective and successful digital products.

Key Data Analytics Metrics for UI/UX Design

To leverage data analytics effectively, it's essential to focus on the right metrics. Some key metrics to consider include:

1. User Engagement: Time on page, session duration, and bounce rate

2. Conversion Rates: Sign-ups, purchases, or other desired actions

3. User Flow: Navigation patterns and drop-off points

4. Error Rates: Frequency and types of errors encountered

5. Page Load Times: Speed and performance metrics

6. User Satisfaction: Net Promoter Score (NPS) and customer feedback

Collecting and Analyzing Data

To gather the necessary data for analysis, designers and developers can use various tools and techniques:

1. Web Analytics Tools: Platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Adobe Analytics provide valuable insights into user behavior on websites and mobile apps.

2. Heat Maps and Click Maps: Tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg visualize user interactions, showing where users click, scroll, and focus their attention.

3. A/B Testing: Comparing two or more versions of a design element to determine which performs better.

4. User Surveys and Feedback: Collecting qualitative data directly from users through surveys, interviews, or feedback forms.

5. Session Recordings: Observing real user interactions with the product to identify pain points and areas for improvement.

Applying Data Insights to UI/UX Design

Once you've collected and analyzed the data, it's time to apply these insights to your design process. Here are some ways to leverage data analytics in UI/UX design:

1. Optimizing User Flows

Analyze user flow data to identify where users are dropping off or encountering difficulties. Use this information to streamline navigation, simplify complex processes, and create more intuitive user journeys. For example, if data shows that users are abandoning their shopping carts at a specific step, you can focus on redesigning that part of the checkout process to increase conversions.

2. Personalizing User Experiences

Leverage user behavior data to create personalized experiences. This could involve tailoring content, product recommendations, or interface elements based on individual user preferences and past interactions. For instance, an e-commerce app might display different featured products on the home screen based on a user's browsing and purchase history.

3. Improving Information Architecture

Use data on user search patterns and navigation behavior to optimize your information architecture. This can help you organize content more effectively, improve menu structures, and create more intuitive categorization systems. If analytics show that users frequently search for specific terms, consider making those topics more prominent in your navigation.

4. Enhancing Visual Design

Heat maps and click maps can provide valuable insights into how users interact with your visual design elements. Use this data to optimize the placement of important elements, improve the visibility of call-to-action buttons, and refine your overall layout. For example, if a heat map shows that users rarely scroll below a certain point on your homepage, you might need to restructure the content to ensure important information is visible "above the fold."

5. Refining Microcopy and Content

Analyze user behavior and feedback to improve your microcopy, error messages, and overall content strategy. If data shows that users are consistently misinterpreting certain instructions or getting stuck at specific points, focus on clarifying and simplifying the language used.

Challenges and Considerations

While leveraging data analytics in UI/UX design offers numerous benefits, there are some challenges and considerations to keep in mind:

1. Data Privacy: Ensure that you're collecting and using data in compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and respecting user privacy.

2. Balancing Quantitative and Qualitative Data: While quantitative data provides valuable insights, don't neglect qualitative feedback from users. Combine both types of data for a more comprehensive understanding of user needs and preferences.

3. Avoiding Analysis Paralysis: With so much data available, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Focus on the most relevant metrics and insights that align with your design goals and business objectives.

4. Maintaining Creativity: While data should inform design decisions, it shouldn't stifle creativity. Use data as a guide, but don't let it completely dictate your design choices.

5. Considering Context: Remember that data doesn't always tell the whole story. Consider the context in which the data was collected and be open to alternative interpretations.

Conclusion

Leveraging data analytics in UI/UX design is no longer optional – it's a necessity for creating successful web and mobile applications in today's competitive digital landscape. By incorporating data-driven insights into your design process, you can make more informed decisions, create more user-centric products, and continuously improve the user experience.

As you embark on your data-driven design journey, remember that the goal is to enhance the human-centered aspects of design, not to replace them. Use data analytics as a powerful tool to validate your creative intuitions, uncover new opportunities, and ultimately create digital experiences that truly resonate with your users.

Devoq Design Company is a leading UI/UX Design Agency in New South Wales and UI/UX Design Agency in Victoria, delivering specialized design solutions that cater to the unique needs of businesses in these Australian states. With a focus on creating user-centric and visually engaging interfaces, Devoq Design Company helps clients in New South Wales and Victoria achieve exceptional digital experiences and drive user satisfaction.

[weasleydream]

Family reunion - Part 1

Here we are for some George imagine! I think it will be in 3 parts. I would love to have feedbacks, it could help me. Enjoy!

Masterlist

It seemed like Harry was right: everyone needed to laugh. Fred and George’s joke shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, had an unexpected success, and that, since its opening. Last year, when the boys had decided to leave Hogwarts before the end of the year, I had followed them. I knew I couldn’t have stood Umbridge one more day, so when my boyfriend, George, had told me about their departure, I had simply answered that I would go with them. I had helped them setting up the shop and I was now working with them. 

It was really fun, and Merlin knew we needed it. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back and getting stronger and stronger, the Daily Prophet had announced massive breakouts from Azkaban, and the disasters multiplied, both in Muggle and magical worlds. The boys’ shop was like another world, one where the problems didn’t exist and where you didn’t have to fear for your family’s life. It was just full of laughters, kids’ amazed eyes and products truly magical. 

On this wednesday morning, the shop was relatively empty. The beginning of the Easter holidays was only two weeks later, and when they weren’t urged by their children, the parents entering the store were rare. That’s why our helper, Verity, didn’t have to come. Oh, how I despised this girl! Always flirting with George and batting her eyelashes while calling him Mr Weasley… Obviously, the boys found the situation very funny. Fred loved to call his brother stupid pet names mimicking Verity when I was here. Under normal circumstances, I would laugh with them but lately, I had found myself upset way too easily. That’s why when Verity arrived in her magenta robe, all smiling and “I wanted to come and help… It doesn’t bother you, does it, Y/N?” I lost it. George, who had been sitting next to me since there was no one, watched me speechless while I stormed off and rushed to the little flat above the shop. 

I ran into the bedroom George and I shared, slamming the door in passing. I sat on the bed and hugged a pillow. Why did I have to be so stressed and terrified and sensitive? And above all, why did I have to throw up my breakfast everyday since the beginning of this awful week? Because it was exhausting to say the least. George had thought it was overwork. Fred blamed George’s eggs. Well, in front of me, because I had caught a conversation between the twins and Fred was confessing his twin he was afraid whatever I had could be worse than overworking. 

“Here you are, Y/N, our dearest Mr Weasley wonders where you are.”

Speaking of the devil… His stupid imitation of Verity upset me more than I would have admit. A sob that I couldn’t contain escaped my mouth and Fred was immediately by my side. 

“I didn’t want to make you cry kiddo… What’s upsetting you?”

He was gently stroking my back with the most serious face I had never seen on him. I didn’t respond, fighting against another sob. However it won the fight and escaped my lips too. Fred reacted pretty quickly. 

“GEORGE! BRING YOUR ARSE HERE!”

He had pulled me against his chest, his hand now stroking my hair. 

“Y/N, we are so worried about you… You know you can tell us everything, right?” Then he moved away and tried to meet my eyes. “Wait… It isn’t about George, is it?” 

I shook my head. 

“Okay, just to be sure.”

George barged in the room, panting and clearly panicking. 

“Sorry, there were customers and… Y/N what’s happening?”

He immediately kneeled in front of me, grabbing my hand and watching me with pleading eyes. I couldn’t talk, I didn’t even know why but my body had decided to relieve all the stress and I was a sobbing mess. I missed a significant look between the twins and Fred left, not without kissing my hair and assuring me he would always be here for me. He gently closed the door, leaving me alone with my terrified boyfriend.

“Did I do something wrong? Y/N, did I upset you? I’m sorry, I didn’t know, I promise -”

“Shut up and hug me.” I whispered. 

My voice was broken and I saw how much it hurt George just before he engulfed me in a bear hug. I hid my face into the crook of his neck, smelling his perfume, the one he always bought because I loved it. I felt his hands on me and his face buried in my hair. Slowly but surely, I was calming myself, only thinking about my luck. When my breathing finally returned to its normal state, George slowly cupped my face with his hands, as if he didn’t want to scare me. It reminded me of our first kisses, our first intimate moments, when he was still unsure of himself and afraid he would make a bad step. He looked at me in the eyes, his beautiful brown orbs full of tears probing my soul as if it could prevent me from expressing what was hurting me. However, he couldn’t find the answer, I didn’t know it myself. Finally, he spoke, his voice really low.

“Y/N, baby, what’s wrong?”

A simple question that instantaneously brought back tears into my eyes. Without thinking, George pulled me against his chest once more. This time, I managed an answer.

“Verity, she’s always...with you… And You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters…your family… George I’m terrified! I don’t want you to die, I don’t want Fred, your family, everyone, even Verity, I don’t want them to die!”

He chuckled sweetly.

“Even Verity? You’re so kind.”

This time, it was my turn to let out a watery chuckle. George grabbed my face, gently forcing me to look at him.

“Listen babe, I won’t let anything happen to you, you hear me? I will fight every Death Eater that threats you, you or any family member, I would fight You-Know-Who if it was for you. You’re gonna be okay, we’re all gonna be okay, that’s a promise. And don’t worry about Verity. There’s only one witch I love, and right now she’s in my arms.”

“Really?” Of course I knew he loved me, but I needed a confirmation.

“I promise. Plus, you wear the uniform way better than her.” 

“Idiot.”

With a little smile, he pulled me on his torso and we lied on the bed. His hands took their habitual place, one in my hair and the other on my back. I could hear his heartbeat, and his sweet voice when he told me to sleep, that everything would be okay and that he would stay with me. 

I was pretty sure I hadn’t slept more than an hour when my painful stomach woke me. I just had the time to notice that George had kept his promise and was softly snoring before I felt the urge to go to the bathroom. I pushed Fred aside in the corridor and ran only to fall on my knees in front of the toilets and throw up. Fred had followed me and took my hair, calling for George. His brother arrived soon and started to stroke my back as I was emptying my stomach. After what felt like hours, I finally stopped throwing up and tried to stand up, exhausted. George hold my waist, afraid I would fall, and made me sit on a chair Fred had just brought here. 

“You okay?”

I nodded, drinking the glass full of water my boyfriend had handed me. I looked at him, then at Fred, and saw how much they were worried. 

“It’s the third time this week, isn’t it?” Fred was frowning.

“Yes, I think so.” 

I didn’t want the boys to worry about me, the joke shop was enough. 

“Shall we bring you to St-Mungo’s?”

“No, it’s okay, really.”

None of them seemed reassured. George was holding tightly my hand, probably considering stupefying me and bringing me to the hospital, when I almost saw a light turning on on Fred’s eyes. I couldn’t understand what it was. Fear? Uncertainty? Excitement? 

“It’s been a while since, you know, you… Well since you threw me a pillow in the face because I was speaking too loud in the morning, don’t you think, Y/N?”

I looked at George, hoping he would have understood what Fred meant, but he seemed think that his brother was definitely crazy. 

“What the hell does that mean?”

Fred’s face was bright red. I really didn’t understand what had gotten into him. Yes, it had been a while, but I only did that when - Oh. Fuck. 

“He’s right…” I muttered. 

George looked at me in disbelief. 

“I really don’t understand…”

“My periods George! I only throw pillows at Fred when he bothers me during my periods!”

It was even a sort of joke between us. When he would speak too loud in the morning and I would throw him the first pillow I could reach, George would laugh at the scene and say that it was that time of the month where I would become a real tigress. Anyway, the realization was clearly visible in my boyfriend’s eyes.

“Oh. Fuck.”

To be continued 

[frostsinth]

The Secret We Keep - Pt. 4

Part 1|2|3  - MasterList -

I’m going to get secondhand embarrassment from these two. And its a killer. Seriously though, I almost can’t stand it myself. AND I’M WRITING IT.

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback on the last post. The comments had me smiling all day. This one’s a little shorter, I think, but hopefully just as good a read. Enjoy! Keep telling me how much you’re suffering! It makes me feel some strange, devilish glee...

After a horribly restless night, the next day had me up at dawn. I couldn’t seem to sit still, and so began carrying the stones out of the pit in the center of the yard. I stacked them alongside the ramshackle stable, careful to keep my injured palm well under wraps. Unfortunately, that only occupied my hands, leaving my mind free to wander. Nerves wrapped cool coils around my gut, and I jumped at every little sound. My thoughts were filled with visions of a huge, dark green-grey orc, as big as a barn and with wild black hair like a lion’s mane around broad shoulders.

Blessedly, a little later in the morning had customers streaming in; the previous day’s roast had piqued the interest of the village it seemed. Many were returning customers, officially placing orders including deposits. The rest of my day was filled with making arrangements and setting scheduled pick ups. One customer even brought chickens they wished cooked; two for dinner that night, the last to be salted for later. I was more than pleased to receive a huge basket of eggs in exchange for the job. It reminded me of old times, back when I was a child before my father became sickly. We had never made much money, but we had never wanted for anything. People had always been willing to trade with the local butcher.

This included, it seemed, the blacksmith down the road. He and his teenaged son stopped by just after noon. Some haggling had a price set for a large amount of meat in exchange for a new set of knives. I was so excited I nearly dislocated his shoulder shaking his hand so hard. But he was genial about it, and promised the work to be completed within a day or two.

I spent the early evening out at the farms, bartering for the animals I would need to fill the orders. The farmers were hardy people, and stubborn as rocks. It was difficult going to procure sales that left me with enough profit to warrant the work. But I enjoyed every second, and had a smile on my face throughout the day, despite how far I had to walk in the heat.

By the time night had fallen, I was eager to collapse into bed. Though I had hoped my exhaustion would bring sleep easily, I still spent half the night staring up at the ceiling in the dark. My mind racing and my heart pounding. When I did finally fall asleep, it was to dreams filled by a pair of broad shoulders and fading footsteps

The next day dawned wet; I knew instantly when the rain started, as it began dripping through the roof onto my nose. I spent the first part of the morning placing buckets under holes in the house to catch the leaks in the thatch. Four in all, at least that I had found. It was the first summer storm in a while, and I stretched myself in the doorway, breathing in the damp air. My yard was already mostly mud, and there was a large puddle forming in the cooking pit. I looked at it regretfully, wishing I had been able to fill it before the rain had hit. But I was relieved to feel the refreshing chill the storm brought to the air, knowing tomorrow the scorching heat would be back.

I skittered across the yard with my apron over my head to avoid the worst of the rain, ducking into the protective cover of the shop front. I kept myself busy prepping some of the work I had pending, and packaging out jerky and salted meats for orders due to be picked up later. I kept my notes meticulous, and scratched the quill neatly over the parchment to mark each package. Then I gathered up my skins in a bundle, tying those with twine, and was able to fill an old flour sack with the feathers from the plucked chickens. I had a barrel full of hollowed and cleaned horns, as well as one with hooves. I placed the feathers and skins on top of those, thinking perhaps I might be able to sell or trade those as well.

The soft scrape of the wood door against the floor surprised me; I had assumed the day would be quiet until the heavy rain let up. I came up from behind the counter, curious who had bothered to venture out in such weather.

My heart leapt into my throat as the big orc hunched his shoulders and ducked into the shop. I didn’t have time to suppress my grin as he dropped the hood of his cloak and closed the door behind him. Muffling the sounds of the rainstorm once more.

“Hans!” I exclaimed, quickly wiping my hands on my apron and coming around the front of the counter.

I stopped short, suddenly fearing my overeagerness would put him off. I smiled, but shuffled my feet and rubbed the back of my neck as he slowly moved deeper into the shop. I looked for something to say, or wondered if perhaps I should go embrace him, or tell him how much I had been thinking of him. But I did none of these things, instead just standing there like a buffoon as he shook the rain off his cloak.

When his slate eyes found mine, I felt my breath catch in my throat. I hoped that maybe he would be braver in that moment, or give me some sort of lead to follow. He stood there silently for a moment, then cleared his throat and took one hesitant step forward. I smiled again, wringing my hands and glancing at the ground. Uncertain exactly where we stood now, or what he expected of me. I tried to remember what had preceded our previous encounter. Wondering if I could recreate it enough to bring us back to that moment.

“...A-are you hungry?” I finally managed to stammer, feeling heat rise to my cheeks, “I probably have some salted pork around…” I turned, rushing back over to the crates and barrels behind the counter, “I’d invite you back to the house for some gin, but there are so many leaks in the roof, we’d be better off standing outside.” He turned, scowling, his attention perked at my words. “Luckily I have almost everything we need here-”

The big orc gave a hearty growl, cutting me off, then turned, stomping across the shop. He ducked out the back door into the driving rain. I managed to dart over to the doorway just in time to see him reaching the house. He hadn’t bothered to pull up his hood again. I quickly yanked my apron back over my head and followed after him.

“I-is something wrong?” I called in confusion as I reached the door, dropping my apron. 

At first, my heart raced, thinking he had decided to take matters into his own hands. To be more forward, rather than doing our usual dance. But the orc in question was studying the leaks, rubbing one big hand over his chin. I saw him assess them with a critical eye, including the buckets and jars half full of water beneath them. I barely had time to move out of the way as he bustled past me again, back out into the rain. I started to call after him, even stepping one foot back into the yard. But Hans ignored me, striding over to the pile of wood he had brought with him the last time. Selecting several pieces, as well as a hammer and some nails, he strode back over to the house. After leaning the long slats against the wall, he dragged over one of my larger barrels, testing it before clambering on top. I groaned internally; at this point, I should know better than to wonder at his strange desire to fix all my problems as soon as he learned of them. In fact, I blamed myself for mentioning it at all.

“Hans, come inside!” I had to practically shout to be heard over the din of the heavy rain, “It's too wet right now, you’ll get hurt! The leaks aren’t that bad, really!”

From the barrel, he was easily able to reach up and grab hold of the edge of the roof. I gasped nervously as he hoisted himself up. Unsure if the old roof was ready to hold the weight of such a huge orc.

“Hans!” I shouted again, coming around to the front of the house to look up at him. I cupped one hand at my forehead to keep the rain from running into my eyes. “Please! Be careful!”

I watched him shuffle the thatch around, finding the first hole. Before he could come back to the edge, I rushed over and lifted one wooden slat, passing it up to him. He growled, giving me a dark disapproving look. I knew he would probably rather I wait inside. But I wasn’t about to do that when he was up there getting himself drenched in the rain. And perhaps the less he moved up and down off the roof, the less likely it was to come crashing down around his ears.

He worked quickly, hammering the slat into place and rearranging the thatch on top. I watched anxiously as he carefully navigated the frame of the roof. I passed him the next slat, and the next. I heard the old wood groaning in protest, and at one point there was an audible crack that had me jumping out of my skin. But it held, and soon the big orc clambered back down, dangling his legs over the side before dropping the last few feet.

I practically shoved him with both hands into the house, unconcerned about his soaked boots or the water dripping off of every inch of his body. Between the two of us, the dirt floor inside was soon slick mud.

“Are you crazy?” I demanded, closing the door behind us and spinning on him. “You could’ve been hurt! How did you know that old roof would even hold you?”

Hans merely snorted, wiping the streaming water from his forehead with the back of one hand. He seemed to be avoiding my gaze, and shuffled his feet awkwardly in the center of my tiny house. I rolled my eyes, gritting my teeth. I moved over to the table, dragging of of the benches closer to the oven and propping open the door to let the warmth of the small fire out.

“Strip your wet clothes and sit!” I ordered, hands on my hips. Brow furrowed.

I saw him raise one large brow at this, and seemed to consider me for a moment. I wondered if my frustration was seeping smoke out my ears, for it certainly felt like it might. But when I thought about how reckless he had been? All for my sake? I nearly collapsed from the shock of it.

Apparently I looked serious enough, for he reached up and began unstrapping his armor. While he did, I grabbed a few more small logs from by the door and stoked up the fire as well as clearing the table. As he removed his armor, I spread it out there to dry, then grabbed a spare line of twine to string between the rafters over the stove. I barely glanced at his bare chest as he passed me his shirt and obediently sat by the fire in just his trousers. I reached up, standing on my tip toes, and draped his tunic over the line.

Next I went to the bed, pulling off my large comforter and carrying it over. I dropped it around his burly shoulders as he bent down to remove his soaked boots and stockings. He glanced over at me as I did, and I saw his nose twitch as his big fingers curled into the blanket and pulled it around himself. I found I was still fuming, even after all that. Kicking his boots closer to the fire, I spun to him again, hands back on my hips.

“Of all the absolutely outrageous, dangerous, stupid…” I shook my head biting my tongue, “You would think you had never heard of the ills of working in the rain. I’ve heard of the stubbornness of orcs, but by the Gods! The leaks were hardly going to-” I stopped again, tossing up my hands and sighing in exasperation.

I turned, going over to the shelf and pulling down a bottle of gin and a drinking horn. Bringing it back over to him, I practically shoved the cup into his hand, still scowling as I worked the cork off and filled it to the halfway mark.

“Here. This will warm you faster than the fire.” I grumbled, “And hopefully if we’re lucky you won’t catch your death.”

Hans caught my hand as I went to recork the bottle, and I finally looked at him. His deep blue eyes were soft, studying my face as his hand gently stilled my motions. He ran his thumb over my knuckles, and glanced down at our hands briefly before looking back up at my face. I felt my frustration and will power waver at his touch, felt my breath catch as I saw his big eyes staring up at me. I struggled, holding on to whatever was left, resisting the urge to melt before him.

“...You are drenched too.” He pointed out, his deep voice quieter than usual.

That did give me pause. I looked down at my soaked dress, and felt my wet hair plastered to my neck. I realized I must look quite the sight. The warmth of the orc’s hand against mine sent my mind spinning, and the last of my anger fizzled out. Perhaps he saw my expression softening, because I felt him give my hand a light squeeze. Making it nearly impossible to stay mad at the fool.

I sighed again, nodding in agreement. So he released my hand, somewhat reluctantly, and I slipped over to the corner. I had no other dresses I could wear, I realized, and glanced at him over my shoulder. I found his eyes following me, and felt my ears grow a little hot. He cleared his throat awkwardly, and turned back to face the stove. But he was right. I could not stay in the wet clothes, and now that I was calmer I could already feel goosebumps tracing across my damp skin.

Slowly, hesitantly, I reached up and undid the tie at my throat. Then the one at my waist. Swallowing nervously, I checked back over my shoulder. But the orc’s broad back was still to me, and I heard him slowly sipping at the gin. I let the dress fall away, revealing my thin slip underneath. Perfect for sleeping in hot weather. Not exactly the most appropriate thing to wear with company.

Digging through the old, worn chest at the foot of my bed, I pulled out my woolen shawl and wrapped it around my shoulders. Not a perfect fix, but better than nothing. At least the important parts were covered.

Gathering up my damp clothes, I walked back over and reached up on my tiptoes again to drape them beside Hans’ tunic on the line. I tried to ignore the heat rising into my cheeks as I went over and grabbed a horn for myself. I could almost feel his eyes on me, and my tongue felt dry in my mouth. I briefly wondered what he was thinking, but found if I lingered on that train of thought too long, my knees went weak.

I had left the bottle by Hans on the bench, and slowly walked over to it. He saw my intent and quickly picked it up, popping the cork. When I held out my horn, he carefully filled it, then replaced the bottle on the bench beside him. I took a shaky sip, feeling the burning liquid slip down my throat.

His hand found my wrist again, and I looked over at him as he gently wrapped his fingers around it. He placed his own cup down, then reached out with his other hand to catch my elbow. I took another nervous sip as the big orc gently pulled me towards him.

Spreading his knees slightly, he drew me to stand before himself, his fingers trailing along my arms. I let him take my horn and place it beside his, my breath quivering past my lips as it haltingly left my lungs.

From his sitting position, we were almost perfectly eye level, and he quickly dropped his gaze almost shyly. I was glad, for I was certain if I met his eyes with mine, I’d become permanently lost to the world. My lips started to tingle with the memory of his kiss from the day before, and I swallowed the anxiousness forming in my throat. Threatening to strangle me. For his part, he ran his fingertips lightly up and down my arms, then caught my hands in his to trace his thumbs over my knuckles and gently squeeze my fingers.

We stayed like that for a long moment, neither of us quite daring to meet the other’s eyes. Neither of us willing to pull away. He studied my hands as he gently ran his fingers over them, I watched the way his chest slowly rose and fell with each deep breath. I even dared trace my eyes over the large, defined muscles of his shoulders, down the length of his arms. I bounced my gaze back to his collarbone, then down the center of his chest. I felt heat prick the balls of my cheeks as I did, and shuffled my feet nervously.

“You know... I-I… I can’t seem to stop thinking about you…” I muttered softly, barely above a whisper, then felt my face catch fire.

He gave a soft sound, unlike any I had heard him make before. It rested deep in his throat, seeming to bubble up directly from his chest rather than from his mouth. At first, I could have mistaken it for a growl. But as his hand slipped to my waist, then around to my lower back, I decided it had been much more akin to a tender chuff. He pulled me a little closer, until he was forced to turn his head up, or otherwise have his face buried against my chest.

My breath stopped as our eyes met, and I gingerly slid my arms around his neck. Resting them lightly on his shoulders, my fingers buried in his hair. I saw his dark, slate blue eyes dart to my lips, then back up to my eyes. My heart skipped several beats, and I felt myself quivering beneath his gaze. His thumb slowly traced circles in the small of my back, and he slid his other hand up my arm and over my shawl to hesitate on my shoulder. The warmth of his skin against mine left me reeling, and I wanted nothing more than to completely melt into his arms. I could feel it through my thin slip on my back and even through the woolen shawl.

“....I would like to be bold again.” He said finally, and in his deep, rumbling voice the softness of his words seemed to blend them together in the air between us.

I felt my heart skip another beat before returning to its racing pace, putting a hummingbird to shame. I couldn’t keep my eyes from flickering down to his thick lips briefly before returning back to his slate blues. I realized after a few belated moments that he was asking my permission.

A tiny smile twitched the corners of my mouth. “Please do.” I replied, my voice barely above a breathy whisper.

At my answer, his big hand ran over my shoulder, then buried itself in the hair at the base of my skull. And he slowly, gently, pulled me down into a kiss.

A loud pounding at the door had us both jumping in surprise. I even squeaked, jerking backwards and nearly falling over myself. Hans’ arm steadied me until I had leveled my feet beneath myself again. Now it was a deep, angry growl that filled his throat.

The big orc stood, his eyes lingering on me momentarily as he stomped over to the door. I wrapped my arms around myself to keep from quivering in the aftershock of his touch, pulling my shawl tighter around myself. It suddenly occurred to me that the big orc was going to answer my own door for me. I felt a slight panic rising, as I wondered exactly how the person on the other side would react when a huge orc greeted them instead of me. I could only imagine what the village would think, and visions of pitchforks and torches harassed me as I started to rush after Hans to intercept whatever horrible misinterpretation was about to take place.

But as he yanked open the door, I recognized the orc from a few days previous standing there, rain streaming down his face and every other available inch of him. I raked my brain, trying to remember what Hans had called him in between wondering what he was doing at my door in the middle of a rainstorm.

If looks could kill, the unfortunate smaller orc would have been dead before Hans could have even opened the door. He seemed to sense the larger man’s rage, and had hunched himself into as non-threatening a shape as possible. Even holding up his huge hands apologetically. Not that he could look particularly imposing at the moment, absolutely drenched in rain as he was. I decided instead he looked like a wet cat, guiltily seeking shelter in its master’s house after having run off with the breakfast sausage earlier that same day. I would have laughed, had I not been trying to make myself as small as possible to avoid his notice.

“I’m so sorry, Boss,” The smaller orc began, and the returning thunder from Hans had him shrinking back into the rain even further, “I apologize, you know I would normally never… ah...but we… uh,” His eyes darted over to me briefly before he looked back at his companion, “We have an, uh…. An emergency… That needs your immediate attention…”

Hans seemed to be considering strangling the man. I saw his brow set into a dark, heavy scowl, and he ground his teeth together audibly. I almost winced at the sound.

The door cracked loudly against the frame as the huge orc slammed it in the others’ face. I jumped, skittering backwards a few steps in surprise. Hans turned, grumbling angrily under his breath.

As soon as his eyes settled on me, though, his entire body seemed to soften. The furrow between his brow, the scowl on his lips, the tautness in his shoulders. Quietly, he walked over, reaching easily over my head to pull his tunic down off the line.

“... I have to go,” He mumbled, and I thought he sounded a little guilty.

I glanced back over at the door as he pulled the shirt over his head, then began collecting his armor. 

“Is everything alright?” I asked tentatively, rubbing my hand up and down my arm.

He gave a grunt in response, and I recognized it as one of his affirmative ones. I was surprised with how quickly he donned his armor, despite the fact that everything was still soaked. He shook out his cloak quickly before settling the damp fabric over his shoulders once more. I watched, even opening and closing my mouth a few times. My fingers shook when I reached up to push my hair back out of my face.

“... Can I help?”

Slate blue eyes flickered over to me again, and perhaps it was my imagination but I thought his features softened even more. He shook his big head, damp locks slapping about his shoulders as he did. Slowly, he came over, standing over me once more. I craned my neck back to look up at him. He hesitated, then lifted his hand and ran it along my jaw.

“... I’ll be back as quickly as I can…” He promised, then hesitated again, glancing down at his booted feet as he shuffled them, “... If you will have me.”

I nodded breathlessly. “O-of course, but-”

He didn’t let me finish my question, dropping his hand and taking the three short strides over to the door. I saw him shoot one final glance at me over his shoulder before he yanked the door back open and ducked out into the rain.

Leaving me standing more than a little bewildered in the middle of my muddy kitchen.

...

Bar’tok skittered quickly to keep up with his boss’ long stride, spitting rainwater out of his mouth.

“I-I didn’t mean to interrupt,” He stammered quickly, following Hanste’kosh out the gate to the street beyond, “And you know I absolutely wouldn’t if-”

The larger orc’s growl echoed like thunder over the pounding rhythm of the rain, and had the younger orc sputtering to a halt. He cleared his throat, nodding as he tried to adjust the cowl of his cloak to keep at least some of the rain at bay.

“Yes, right, sorry, ah… We caught Bhalt, at the border.” He explained, casting a quick glance around to make sure no one else was listening. “The boys have him tussed up nearby, but time is of the essence if we want to catch-”

Hans waved his hand, silencing his second with a grunt. He knew the costs without explanation. Still, he couldn’t ignore the itch in his neck to look over his shoulder. The burn to forget everything and simply go back to the tiny little house behind the butcher shop. He snorted, trying to shake the thoughts from his head as he made his way over to his mount tethered by the village gate under a particularly large old oak.

“I already sent word ahead,” Bar’tok called to him through the rain, ducking under the branches to follow him beneath the tree. His own hog was snuffling through the underbrush a few feet away. “I know you wanted to have first crack at him.”

The big orc paused, his hands already buried in this mount’s tough mane. He chewed at the inside of his cheek, thinking over everything for a moment. Then, with a snarl, he bounded onto the beast’s back. First he had to take care of this. Then he would be back.

...

UPDATE:  Part five HERE

[the-obsession-ship]

New in town (Jim Hopper x Reader) Part 1

Pairings: Jim Hopper x female!reader

Warnings: Abusive Ex, Some violence, Mention of abuse in the past, Language.

Type: Drama and Fluff

Word count: 3,000+

Okay, this took me longer than expected I’ll admit, but I’m kinda proud of it? I tried a different writing style for this one so let me know if you like it or not. Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated. The idea for this fic came to me in a dream which is pretty cool.  This is the longest part one fic I’ve ever written.

“Joyce, all I’m asking is for you to introduce me next time she comes into the store” Hopper leans on the shelf next to Joyce, arms crossed, it feels like he’s 16 again asking his friend to talk to the girl he likes for him.

“Why can’t you just talk to her? You're the Chief after all and she just moved here, you’ll have to speak to her eventually” 

“But, it’s not that easy, I’ve seen her around town for months and yet I haven’t figured out how to just talk to her. I-I don’t know Joyce, next time she comes in just bring up my name or something-” 

“Okay, okay, just leave it to me, Hop” The bell rings in the front of the store, signally a new customer is here “I’ll be right there!” Patting Hopper on the shoulder assuring the flustered man that she’ll take care of it.

“Oh, Y/N! I didn’t think I’d see you here today, I guess you're taking a break from house hunting?” Joyce smiles at your sleep-deprived form.

“Yeah, moving really took it out of me, so I thought I’d spend the day doing some much-needed shopping” Knowing all too well if you had to spend another night on Flo’s cramped ancient couch, you’d at least have to get a better pillow.

Flo used to babysit you when your parents lived near Hawkins and when you moved here a few months ago, she welcomed you again with open arms until you found a place to live, but seriously that couch is going to be the death of you.

Hopper stood awkwardly by the checkout line Joyce was tending, his presence reminding Joyce what she agreed to do “Oh, I don’t think you two have met, Y/N, this is Chief Hopper” Joyce points you towards the handsome man leaning on the shelves in front of you, he gives you a kind smile.

“No, I haven’t had the chance to introduce myself, I’m Y/N, I’m kinda new in town” Smiling up at the man who in height makes you feel very small, you reach out to shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Chief”

Hopper takes your offered hand in his large one shaking your hand gently “It’s nice to meet you too, Y/N, Flo mentions you a lot” Joyce smiles while watching you bring out a new, bashful side of the Chief.

You chatted with Joyce for a bit, then said a quick goodbye to them both, not wanting to hold them up form their jobs any longer.

You couldn’t quite get Hopper off your mind after you met him, skimming over the candle section, a place you always wound up even though you had no need for another scented candle, your thoughts were elsewhere, Chief Hopper was a much-needed distraction from worrying about your ex, and a very handsome one at that.

Flo hadn’t questioned much when you moved to Hawkins, she never brought up your ex and she never asked about the bruises on your arms or your lack of belongings.

Leaving in the night was your best way to get away from Adam, you had been planning to leave for a while, but the night before you left he had gotten a little too rough with you, going to the police should have been the first thought on your mind but your past experience with the police didn’t go so well, and they ended up dismissing your case for lack of evidence against him. 

The day you left he had come home from another night out with his friends and passed out on the couch, taking this as the opportunity you needed, you gathered what you could and shoved it into a small suitcase and backpack then left without even leaving a note.

You decided on Hawkins because you had grown up not far from there, you had known Flo from a very young age, it seemed like the safest place for you.

Until Adam had shown up this morning.

.

It had been a slow week at the office for the Chief, one he really needed, he didn’t mind his job but the continuous calls about crazy dogs and cats going missing filling of his days were enough to drive anyone insane, a moment of peace and quiet was much needed.

Coming in from his forth smoke break of the day, he overheard Flo talking to someone on the phone, “He came by earlier this week, I just wish she would talk to me about it, you know?”

In the quiet office, Hopper could hear her talking while he refilled his coffee, stopping when he heard your name being brought up. “She told him he shouldn’t come by and that she didn’t want anything to do with him anymore. Now, I don’t like prying into her business, I just want Y/N to be safe”

Hopper was so into the conversation about you he didn’t notice the coffee spilling from his overfilled cup until it was burning his hand and spilling down the counter “Shit!”

Flo’s conversation had plagued Hopper’s mind for the rest of the day, who’s this guy that showed up? An ex? Was Y/N in danger? Flo didn’t sound too happy about the whole situation but she didn’t allude to much either. He considered asking Flo about it but decided he didn’t want to pry.

At home, Hopper's mind was still on you and what he overheard today, the late-night television show was long forgotten as his thoughts raced. Downing the last of his bottle, he got up to get another one, opening the nearly bare fridge proved only one thing “Damn, I’m out of beer” deciding he’d probably forget to go to the store tomorrow and end up coming home with nothing in the house, going now probably was for the best.

.

Flo wanted to run to the store remembering she needed a few items, you told her you’d go instead, insisting you needed some things yourself, but you honestly just wanted to get out of the house, the thought of Adam being in town had you holed up in her house most of the week, you couldn’t live in fear of him forever, now could you? Besides you needed beer anyway.

Deciding sweatpants and an oversized top would do, I mean it’s late in a small town, chances are you’ll only get weird stares from the teen at the counter.

Walking into the supermarket, the smell of floor cleaner and fluorescent lights hitting you at once making you rub your tired eyes. Pulling out the list Flo had kindly given you, you grabbed a shopping cart and decided the eggs and milk would be your first stop.

Grabbing everything on Flo’s list along with some of your own items, you remember the reason you talked yourself into this late shopping trip, beer.

Softly humming to the David Bowie track that echos throughout the nearly empty store, you turn down the alcohol aisle smiling when you spot a familiar face, “Chief Hopper, I didn’t expect to see you here this late”

Hopper turns towards you, holding the same brand of beer you always buy, he looks tired and he’s wearing a white shirt that clings to him a little too well and his work pants. Tired and disheveled he still looked really handsome. You caught yourself staring a little too long. “Grabbing beer and dinner, what’re you doing here?”

“Flo needed some stuff so I volunteered, can you pass me one of those?” Pointing at the beer he was holding.

“Oh, yeah” He grabbed a pack and placed it in your cart “You drink this shit too?” Hopper laughed making his tired demeanor lighten a bit.

“Yep, it’s cheap and does the job” You smiled at him noticing his ‘Dinner’ was most likely the bag of chips he was holding. “Is that all your going to eat?”

“I can’t cook and I’m always too tired anyway, so yeah it is usually tortilla chips and salsa” You nodded, an idea coming to you.

“You should really come by for dinner sometime, I can’t say I’m the best chef, but I do pretty well” Was this considered flirting? Would he assume you were flirting with him? You sure hope he did.

“Oh yeah? I might just take you up on that one of these days” Hopper’s smile changed a bit, expressing that you were both testing the waters on flirting.

“How about Thursday?” 

“What?” He questioned, catching him off guard, clearly not ready for how straight forward you were being.

“Dinner, Thursday night? Around 7, I’ll cook spaghetti or something” Your confidence wavering as you remember your asking out the Chief of police of this town, a man who had a lot more life experience than you and might not even be that into you.

“Right, that sounds great. I’ll be there” Hoppers smile returns before he says a quick goodnight to you and heads to check out. Guess you’re going to have to pick up some more ingredients.

.

Thursday comes quickly and Hopper is already on edge and it’s only 2 in the afternoon.

Puffing away on yet another cigarette to calm his nerves, he wasn’t used to being this nervous around women, but you’re younger than him and even though he’s definitely into you, he has no idea why you’d consider him. It’s making his nerves worse just thinking about it.

His day had been kept quite busy as he didn’t want to risk working overtime and canceling your dinner, he contemplated if he should change before tonight, but he didn’t really have anything better to wear at home, unless he wanted to wear jeans and a t-shirt, he didn’t think that would impress you very much.

It took everything in Hopper not to call you again and ask if tonight was still on, you had gotten his number from Flo and called to let him know that she would be out with a friend for dinner that night, so it would just be the two of you, and he had restrained himself from asking then if this really was a date or not.

Watching the clock every hour felt like it took twice as long for it to go by, he rubbed his eyes and downed the last of his coffee.

.

You were busy getting the ingredients together before Hopper came over tonight, Flo was happy to hear you invited over the Chief for a dinner date, not seeming to mind the age gap of you two. She informed you that she couldn’t remember the last time she’s seen Hopper this happy, the whole week she had told you was a nice change from his usual demeanor, he seemed to have a passion to actually come to work again.

Flo had told you a few days ago she would be out having dinner with a friend on Thursday, solving the problem for you on how you were supposed to have a dinner date with Chief Hopper if Flo was going to be there, not that you minded at all, it just made you even more excited for tonight.

Deciding that the pasta could wait until it was closer to 7, as it was only a quarter till 4 and you were already watching the clock, your makeup and hair are done, you even bought a new dress for tonight, as this was the most alive you’ve felt in quite a while.

The doorbell rang throughout the house, you weren’t expecting Hopper for a few more hours and Flo wouldn’t ring the doorbell, who would be at the door? An all too familiar chill ran down your spine.

Holding onto the doorknob and taking a deep breath before the knocking started again and startled you, hoping for anyone but the one person you knew deep down it was.

You pulled the door open “Hello, sweetheart, took you long enough” 

“Adam, what are you doing here?”

"Oh, do I have to have a reason to visit my girlfriend?" Adam leans against the doorframe with an overpowering smell of alcohol coming off him you're surprised he even made it here in one piece.

"I’m not your girlfriend anymore Adam, we’ve talked about this” He brushed past you and went to sit on the couch propping his feet up on Flo’s antique coffee table, which upset you, Flo didn’t even have a water ring on that, you wouldn’t be able to stand it if he left a scratch on it.

“Actually, no we haven’t talked about this, remember you skipped town on me” Sighing, you really didn’t need this tonight, this was going to be the one night you actually enjoyed yourself and he had to come and ruin it. “Listen, I’m busy tonight Adam unless you have something you needed, you should really be going”

“You have plans, huh? Like a date?” leaning against the open front door, you cross your arms and glare at him. You two are not dating anymore, why do you have to explain yourself to him?   

“Yes, Adam I do have a date tonight and I really do need you to leave!” You gesture towards the open door next to you. Holding your ground, but knowing all too well how upset he was getting.

“Who is he?” Standing from the couch his towering frame moving closer to you, hand reaching around you to slam the front door “Dammit, Y/N who is he?!”

You didn’t want any harm to come to Hopper because of you, so you kept your mouth shut, making Adam even angrier. You try and duck under his arm but he pins you against the wall “S-stop it, Adam, let me go!” reaching up you drag your nails across his face, leaving bright red scratches and drawing blood.

“You, little bitch!” Adam had finally lost it, you knew it would happen one day I mean that’s why you moved in the first place but as he raises his hand to you, your body still freezes in shock, as a sharp pain in your left cheek makes tears spill down your face.

Having no one else to turn to that knew about your abusive ex, you called Flo to tell her everything and apologize for the vase Adam had broken in his anger before he left, she was as always, incredibly understanding but Flo begged you to come into the station and file a restraining order.

As you looked at your swollen face in the mirror, the bruise was deep purple now on your upper cheek, making your eye swell a bit, the pain was bearable now, only leaving you with a throbbing headache.

You sighed and dropped towards the sink, you were frustrated and tired but one thing you were for sure of as you pulled your head back up to look at your bruised face, you definitely had enough evidence now and you knew exactly where to go.

.

Hopper had just finished his last papers for the day, he was leaning back in his chair after lighting a fresh cigarette when Flo barged into his office “Thanks for knocking, Flo” he sighed and sat back up in his chair.

“One more case for the day Chief” Flo threw down the papers to file a restraining order as she looked up at the clock “She’ll be here in about 15 minutes, I assume”

“Wait, Flo, I’m done for the day, are you sure this can’t wait until tomorrow?” Flo didn’t want to give any more details then she had too, you were more than able to explain yourself.

“Oh, I’m sure, I’ll let her in when she gets here” Flo left without saying another word, leaving Hopper to his cigarette she was pretty sure he was going to need.

.

You threw on whatever you could find, sad to see that the pretty dress you bought will go unworn in the shopping bag you left it in, it will have to wait for another time, your date night was ruined and you really didn’t want Hopper to see you like this, not after the night you had planned, but it can’t be helped, Flo wasn’t going to take no for an answer and you knew you couldn’t either.

In the car you found a pair of old sunglasses you tossed into the glove box years ago, they were too big for your style but it hid your face enough to feel like people wouldn’t stare as much.

When you got to the Police station, you were immediately greeted by Flo “Oh, sweetie come here” giving you a much needed hug that you wished you could have made last longer but you knew too much comfort was going to make you break down again and not you or your swollen eye needed that right now.

“I’m okay, just ready to get this over with, I don’t ever want to see Adam again” Flo nodded and escorted you straight to Chief Hopper’s office as the little sign read on his door. Flo pushed it open and led you inside, sighing you hoped you didn’t look that bad. “She’s here Chief”

.

Hopper wasn’t expecting you to walk in with Flo, “Y/N?”

“Yeah, this wasn’t how I wanted tonight to go Hop” you took a seat across from him as Flo quietly shut the door, leaving you both alone.

“Why are you filing a restraining order? What happened?” Hop could tell you looked tired and the sunglasses worried him.

“My ex got angry and one thing led to another” Standing up and making his way over to you, Hopper leaned down to look at you, reaching up and hesitating for moment in case you wanted to stop before he gently pulled your glasses off, Hopper’s eyebrows furrowed together, anger coursing through him at the bruise that grazed your lovely cheek.

“I’m tired of this Hopper, I never want this to happen again, I don’t want to be scared anymore” Tears flowed freely from your eyes again, as Hopper pulled you into his arms.

.

.

Let me know if you want a part two!

Tags: @rabbitnextdoor  @l0ve-0f-my-life @kate110199