#Mantra Device Service

[spookyspecterino]

Back to You Again

Tangerine x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Injury, mention of blood, mention of death/fear of death, arguing/bickering, swearing. Serious idiots in love who have a little trouble expressing their feelings and choose the wrong time to do it.

You've been gone a little while. A few months to be specific. Why? Tangerine can only guess, but he's not happy about it.

Requested by @nocturnest. I'm so sorry this took so long. I started it thinking it was going to be short and then 7K words flew out. 😬Anyway, thanks for your request. It's been a long time since I wrote anything seriously and this was really good for me. Hope you enjoy!

“Laser cutter. Three auto-rifles. Two handguns. Three boxes of ammo each.”

Check.

The binoculars are heavy duty, and the metal texture grates your fingers as you pull them up to peer through the lenses into the next building over. A high-rise that had at least 30 floors. All windowed at least, which made this a little easier on you.

“In through the fifth-floor service area. Through the employee hallway to the service elevator.”

A map of the building laid next to you on the gravel roof. It hadn’t been easy to get your hands on it, but it was worth it for a building as secure as this. No security measure had been overlooked by this man and as paranoid as he seemed it went a long way to his credibility.

“In and out through the service elevator. 20 mins tops. Oh, the jammer.”

A handheld device that you’d paid top dollar for. Yes, it has duct tape holding pieces of it together, and the screen was a repurposed old Gameboy front, but it is the best your back-channel dealer could provide.

How did anyone do anything without a handler these days?

The jammer would save you the trouble (if things turned sideways) of dealing with reinforcements. It flickers to life by flipping a switch smoldered to its side. The thing really does look like a piece of garbage.

Several frequencies and networks flashed across the screen, all of them belonging to the building you were surveying. Scrolling through, only a few needed to be shut down, too many and it would raise alarms.

Wifi was the last to be turned off and then you would really need to book it inside.

Everything planned out to a T. Entrance and exits mapped. Back-up plans (and back-up plans to those back-up plans) in place. Extra weapons and ammo in case you had to go out guns blazing. This should be no problem.

“Office-penthouse on the top floor. Computer terminal on the desk, west side.”

Get to the computer, get the files, destroy everything. If you happened to kill the son of a bitch, well, that was a bonus.

You sigh and rub your face, trying to work out the stress lines that seemed to make a permanent home between your brows. “Now I just need to stop talking to myself.”

It was an unfortunate habit you’d picked up in the last few months of working alone. Usually, you had… no. This was no time to think of them, or of him. You have to focus. After this is done, you can go back and apologize, even grovel if you have to.

But now is the time for focus.

In the middle of repeating this mantra, one you’ve been repeating for the last month, you happen to look up at the street. Not for any real reason, nothing had drawn your attention. Nothing was amiss in your perfect plan.

Except two very familiar faces walking down the sidewalk.

Lemon and Tangerine.

Clad in their typical attire. Snazzy suits, dress shoes, and ties.

Your stomach does several things. First it flips at the sight of Tangerine as he saunters with his hands in his pockets, then it sinks and twists into painful knots.

“No, no, no!”

They can’t be here! Anywhere but here!

The two walked casually down the sidewalk, as if they were taking a nice midday stroll. No rifles, no car, nothing. Either they were ballsy as hell…or wildly misinformed about this building and the man inside.

Something in you hoped, prayed, they would pass the building. That they were going somewhere else.

They took a sharp turn to cross the street—toward the building entrance—and your breath turned ragged, your blood chilled. At the same time, your mind was churning with practicality, cold and calculated ideas. Some nasty part of you that had gotten you this far in such a dangerous career, that had nestled in you a long time ago and only now resurfaced in the months of being alone.

You could just walk away; they have their job, and they’re professionals. They can handle themselves.

You could go in after and clean up without ever being seen. Easy. The plan you made could still work, Tangerine and Lemon would be a perfect distraction.

But you were already moving. Lega working on their own and putting you into motion. Fingers tapping off the Wi-Fi signal on the jammer while you slung your duffle bag over your shoulder.

This was not the plan, you argued with yourself as you flew down the back stairs. You’ll get yourself killed being this reckless and impulsive. What happened to in and out in 20 mins?

With every point you made the other side of your mind made a counterpoint.

They’re underprepared. They’re misinformed. They don’t have the firepower to walk in the front door, hell, they don’t have enough bullets to make it to the second floor.

“God damn it!” You yelled, taking the stairs down two at a time. Your voice echoed off the walls in the cramped stairwell. The rifles in your duffle bag clattered and banged together.

They’d be killed. Tangerine and Lemon would be killed. You couldn’t let that happen.

. . .

“I say we take a hostage and negotiate our way up.”

“Yeah, sure, Lemon.”

“This guy’s what, a tech billionaire, or something?”

“Probably.”

“Ok, so he’s a nerd. Easy job.”

“Uh-huh.”

Lemon shoots his brother a less than happy look. Tangerine is staring off into space with a slight frown, hands shoved deep in his pockets as he hunches over a little. Which wasn’t new, he’d been doing that a lot lately. A reflection of his dour mood.

Lemon rolls his eyes. “Oh, mate. Come on. We’re on a job.”

Tangerine shrugs, frowning harder. “I’m fuckin’ aware of that, Lemon.”

“Then stop with your sulking! What have I told you?”

“No—” Tangerine waves a hand, “—you don’t need to say it again—”

“Just send her a letter or something. She’d love it.”

Tangerine groans, he’s starting to get a headache now as they near the target building. “As I’ve said before, I attached letters on the flowers I sent.”

Lemon opens his mouth, but Tangerine cuts him off. “And I sent more than one bouquet. For fuck’s sake, her house probably looks like a tropical rainforest by now.”

“What about—”

“I’ve sent her presents. Jewelry. Perfume. A new phone in case hers was broken. Fuckin’ hell I even had her porch repainted.”

“And she didn’t say anything?”

“Nothing.”

Lemon hesitates. “Did you say you’re sorry?”

Now Tangerine was about to lose it. His eye twitched, not that his brother could see it. “Sorry for what? She’s the one that up and disappeared without a word.”

“I still think you should say it. Just to cover your bases.”

“I’m not apologizing. We were all perfect and you know that. She was happy as a clam and if something was wrong, she would have told me.”

“Then why’d she—”

“You’re really getting on my fucking nerves, Lemon.”

They were across the street from the main entrance now. Two glass doors with golden handles reflected the brothers. In sync they both took a sharp turn toward them. Through the glass they didn’t see anyone else in the lobby and there was a long, chest high counter with a clerk along the far back wall.

Neither of them blinked at how empty the lobby was. Their client had said this target was some kind of informant, but that was about it. They’d paid half up front and sent them on their merry way.

Tangerine yanked open the glass door, holding it for Lemon. He was beyond pissed and just wanted this to be over with. Despite his complaints he was still mulling over what his brother said. Should he apologize, even though he had done nothing wrong? He didn’t think he’d done anything wrong, and he had thought back on all the times you’d been with them, working a job or not.

He’d been happy, he thought you were happy too.

The white floor tiles of the lobby were so shiny they could check their reflections in them. The whole place was upstanding and flaunted wealth. On both sides of the spacious lobby were two silver elevators. The clerk, a lady in her mid-thirties, looked up at them as they walked in. She picked up a phone and turned away as she spoke.

It took them 10 seconds to reach the desk, and, in that time, Lemon had pulled out his gun.

He pointed it at her now. “Hang up the phone.”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Not the usual response someone has when a gun is pointed at them, but she slowly hangs up.

“Come out from behind the desk, slowly.”

There’s a moment when she does nothing. Then, “No.”

Tangerine blinks, then pulls out his own gun. “Did you really just say no? Listen lady—”

She leans forward over the desk, leering. “Turn around and get the fuck out.”

Lemon shoots into the wall slightly to her left. She doesn’t even flinch at the sound. “I will fucking shoot you. Get out. From behind. The desk.”

She leans back. “Cute gun.”

Tangerine starts to get a sinking feeling. He turns to Lemon, about to say they should take a walk (maybe find a back entrance to this place instead) when the woman pulls out .22 Uzi from somewhere in the desk. They only catch a glimpse of the muzzle before they start shooting wildly and ducking.

Lemon takes a shot to the chest with a grunt. Tangerine hears the bullets whizzing past him and shattering glass.

The desk clerk turns disappearing behind an employee door seamlessly built into the wall.

They crouch down next to the desk. Tangerine’s head pounds, as it usually does when a job gets out of control.

“You alright?” He reloads his gun, watching his brother carefully.

Lemon checks himself over, patting his chest and stomach. “Yeah, all good, the vest caught it. This is fucked what do we do—”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish as both elevators open and squads of heavily armored men pour out. They all have automatic rifles and black Kevlar vests.

“Behind the desk!” Tangerine shouts, pulling Lemon up.

They jump over just as the bullets start flying. Glass shatters, wood splinters, tiles crack. It’s utter chaos and Tangerine and Lemon can only sit behind cover.

“I think we might be fucked!” Lemon shouts, checking his gun.

Tangerine grits his teeth, mind racing. “The client didn’t mention this level of security! I’m going to wring their fucking neck!”

“We’re outmatched!”

“No question, Lemon! Thanks for pointing that out!” Tangerine can feel his brother’s rising anxiety as he shifts his weight from foot to foot.

 “What do we do?!”

“We hope to God this is all of them and try our best to make it out of here!”

“You’re saying—”

Tangerine fires blindly from behind the desk. “Yes, we bail on this job and break our client’s fucking legs!”

The onslaught never seems to end. These assholes are top security and they’re trained well. Their shots chip away at the desk piece by piece, Tangerine and Lemon can feel the bullets violently embed themselves in the wood against their backs.

Tangerine glances at the employee door, there’s no handle and no way to pry it open. He figures there’s a remote control that opens it somewhere from behind. He tries to remain calm, think of a way out that isn’t behind at least 10 guys with rifles.

What would you do in this situation? His heart feels like it’s been pierced with a lance as he thinks of you. Obviously, you would never be caught in a situation like this. You were careful, practical, methodical in the way you planned out jobs.

He wished you were here with him.

Instinctually, his hand reaches into his pocket, grabbing his phone. Lemon watches him with something close to sympathy on his face.

Your number is on speed dial. Tangerine presses a button and holds it up to his ear.

It goes straight to voicemail.

The automated answering machine has become very familiar to him these last few months. Were you checking his voicemails? He’d left you enough to fill up your mailbox, he was sure of it.

“Please leave a message after the tone.”

He hopes you can hear him over the sound of gunshots.

“Yeah, look. Lemon and I, we’re in a bit of a pickle. I was really hoping you would answer this time ‘cause we need help. Since you didn’t, I just wanted to say that you’re a real prick for leaving us the way you did. And you haven’t said a single thank you or anything for all the gifts I’ve sent. Poor Lemon has been wondering where you went off to.” He pauses. This wasn’t the way he wanted to start this message, but every other attempt at getting your attention has failed.

“You know how I feel, I’ve made that pretty clear. But right now, I’m just pissed. Nothing has worked, so I’m going to break into your house and wait for you to come home.”

Lemon gives him a startled look, shakes his head from side to side.

Tangerine frowns. “Don’t take that the wrong—Alright, I won’t break into your house, but I will wait on your doorstep. Every day, I’ll be there until I see you.”

Lemon is still frowning, but Tangerine ignores him.

“This is all because…Well, I…” He struggles, throat turning dry and closing around the words he wants to say. Instead of continuing, he hangs up.

Sitting back against the desk he exhales. The gunfire has stopped to an occasional patter here and there.

Lemon runs a hand through his hair. “Bruv, what the fuck was that?”

“A last-ditch effort at getting some backup.”

They fell into silence; the lobby was eerily quiet. They knew the security team was just waiting for them to come out from behind the desk. The air crackled with energy.

Lemon checked his pockets. “I’ve got two clips left, you?”

“One and a half.”

The look they share conveys their doubts, their dread. An unspoken conversation passes between them.

Tangerine puts it in the back of his mind. “I’ll run out first, then you go a few seconds later.”

“No way, we go at the same time.”

He shakes his head but arguing only puts off the inevitable.

“Go to the opposite side of the desk.”

They split, crouching behind opposite corners. There was no way either of them would be able to make it two steps without taking 10 rounds to the chest. The image of you stays in Tangerine’s mind. He just wished he could see you again. Whatever comes next, afterlife or not, he hoped you—or some form of you—would be in it.

Tangerine gives Lemon one last look, finds that his brother is watching him, and gives him a somber nod. He holds his gun up, takes a deep breath, gets ready to run…

He’s out from behind the desk, gritting his teeth and firing in a flash.

He hits one, another to his left falls from Lemon’s bullets. His legs are shaky, he can feel them trembling.

Rifles take aim.

Tangerine opens his mouth to urge Lemon on.

And a grenade goes off.

The loud bang startles him, his ears ring and a second later he’s shrouded in white, smokey fog. Tangerine stops, confused, looking around to try and find Lemon. But a strong hand yanks him and drags him back. He stumbles, scattering empty bullet shells along the ground, and falls onto the tile.

He’s back behind the desk. Lemon falls next to him.

A pair of legs stands between the brothers. Next to them lies a green duffle bag. Empty rifle shells fall to the ground. Tangerine didn’t even realize guns were firing. He followed the legs up in one long sweep of his eyes.

. . .

A million and one things were going through your mind as you fired an automatic rifle at the security team in the lobby. The biggest thing was holding back every fiber of your damn being from screaming at Tangerine and Lemon for being so foolish.

If you had been a breath later, a second too late, these idiots would be laying in a pile of their own blood on the floor. That thought definitely won’t haunt you for a few months.

The other thing you were concentrating on was ignoring the way Tangerine was staring at you right now. He’s not hurt—you kept repeating, over and over again. He’s ok.

The security team was scattering for cover, but finding little, making your job easy as the last of the smoke cleared. They hadn’t been expecting someone to come in from behind and you’d shot a few in the back before throwing the smoke grenade. Only a few were left now.

They seemed to get over their surprise and began firing back, opening the elevators, and using the inside cabins for cover. Keeping the doors open would stop them from being sent back up for more goons to come through. That was good.

You duck down behind the desk. They were still staring at you.

“Yes! Hello!” You stubbornly gritted out while staring into the wood.

Tangerine’s mouth opened and closed many times, but no words came out. That didn’t mean Lemon wasn’t able to say anything.

“Did you get his message?” He was grinning like some kind of fool.

“Message? Which one?”

Was he talking about the hundreds of messages—texts, voicemails, and letters—Tangerine had been sending on a weekly basis? Yes, you’d gotten them. Read every single one. It had been hard enough sleeping normally, after all that you hadn’t been able to sleep at all. The guilt was overwhelming.

Lemon’s eyes dart to his brother. You did the same and regretted it immediately.

Tangerine’s eyes were practically bulging from his head. His mustache twitched.

Oh, he’s pissed.

You quickly look away and clear your throat. “Are you on a job?”

“Yeah, a shit one. We were just trying to bail.”

“Can’t blame you. What happened, bad intel?”

Tangerine’s voice resembled a growl, it grated against your ear, but it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. “Understatement of the century, love.”

Love. Love. Love.

Lemon wipes his forehead. “What’re you doing here?”

“I have my own problems with your target.” You turn to Lemon but feel Tangerine’s eyes burning a hole in your back. “I was about to sneak in when I saw you two walking down the street.” You check your gun, then rummage through the duffle bag for another clip.

“A massive coincidence then?” Lemon was holding back a smile, eyes darting to Tangerine occasionally. It was as if they weren’t just about to die only five minutes ago.

“If you two still want to bail, that’s fine with me. I’ll give you a window after taking the rest out. I’m going to push on.”

Tangerine spins you around by the shoulder to face him. “Are you fucking mental?”

You’re very close together. The determination it takes not to just lean in and…

Speaking slow, you’re focusing your words and hoping it gets through to him. “Your target has info on me that could get people hurt and ruin my reputation. I need to wipe his computer.”

For all his credit, Tangerine takes you seriously in that moment, even as he looks like he might commit murder. He looks to Lemon—they do that ‘sibling conversation’ without words that they’re so good at.

“We’ll stick around to help.”

“You sure?”

Something in him ignites. There’s a fire behind his eyes. “Fuck yes, we’re sure.”

He’s giving mixed signals now. Is he angry? Probably. But apparently not angry enough to leave you on a job alone.

“Alright…” You say, slowly backing away.

You search through the duffle bag, cold objects graze your fingers, you can identify them each by touch. The laser cutter has a rubber handle. “Lemon—" You toss it to him. “—Cut a hole in the employee door. Tangerine—” You grab another rifle, placing it into his hands. “—Help me take out the last of the guys.”

He takes the rifle and for a moment your hands touch. You expect him to flinch away, or recoil, but he lingers there for a moment. His golden rings gleam—of course he wore them, he never leaves them behind—and catch your eyes until he takes the gun from you.

Fucking confusing.

It had been months, but the three of you worked together like no time had passed at all. Tangerine falling in sync with you, watching your back. Working in tandem, the few remaining riflemen dropped like flies.

“Doors open!” Lemon shouted tapping you and Tangerine’s shoulder.

The three of you waste no time dashing into the small service hallway. Tangerine grabbed the duffle bag and slung it over his shoulder. You were just about to pick it up, but he gave you a look.

There wasn’t as much polish to this part of the building, the lighting was dimmer, and it lacked the white tiles, replaced by a steely gray metal flooring instead. The hallway was long and narrow, its walls matched the floor in color.

“This should lead to an employee elevator. That will take us to the top office.” You panted, oddly exhilarated.

Lemon was looking down the hallway as he crouched. “Watch out for the desk clerk, she went this way.”

“Still can’t believe you both just walked in the front door…”

“We don’t all have your sense of planning, darling.” Tangerine huffed, hiking the bag higher on his shoulder.

“Did you have any sense of planning?”

“Lemon had a plan.”

You turn halfway back to face him. “You—Tangerine!”

He fixes you with an odd look. “What?”

“Lemon doesn’t even read the briefs! And you let him make the plan?” You shoot an apologetic look to Lemon. “No offense, you’re really great in every other area.”

He gives you a half smile. “I appreciate that.”

Tangerine grinds his teeth. “In my defense, the intel in the brief was already bad.” He steps closer, into your personal space. “And you always come up with the plans.”

You don’t shy away from him, in fact, you inch closer. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to make them, but you should know better—”

Lemon sighs, long and loud. “Can you two please focus? We’re in the middle of a dangerous situation here.”

It took a moment for you and Tangerine to resume, the closeness was intimate. Electricity crackles in the air between you.

You both say ‘Fine’ at the same time, like stubborn teenagers. The tension hadn’t settled one bit.

If Tangerine needed to be ignored for the remainder of this mission, then ok. That’s fine. No problem. That doesn’t bother you one bit. Nope.

The three of you empty the duffle bag of its contents, splitting the ammo and giving Lemon the pump action shotgun. That shotgun was your Hail Mary in case shit hit the fan—which, by your definition, it had.

You three were your own personal attack squad now, armed to the teeth.

The employee lift was at the end of the twisting hallway, metallic doors shining like a beacon. The panel to call it only had the arrow pointing up, a one-way lift. You’d poured over the maps late into the night leading up to your personal mission, often with a glass of wine, and it had struck you as odd that it only offered a one way up.

You jab at the button, and the little golden light is stark against the greys around it. Tangerine stands just behind you; you can hear his breath over your shoulder.

“Why’s it only one way?” he asks, hushed and tense.

“I asked the same question.” You responded turning a little to look at him. “I thought it might be security measures.”

“Doesn’t really make sense though, does it? It lets people like us up.” Tangerine zeroes in on your frown. “What is it?”

“There might be internal controls from the top office. This guy doesn’t fuck around with security.”

“Who is this guy anyway?” Lemon sniffs, casting a look back down the hallway.

“An asshole that likes snooping into people’s personal business.”

The brothers trade looks.

“He also works in satellite tech, undercover ops, information gathering.”

There’s a gentle bump into your shoulder. “He’s been snooping into your business, has he?”

How long is this elevator going to take?

“He has.”

“Did he try to blackmail you?”

“Yes.”

“What did he find?”

The elevator dings and the sleek metal doors slide open. The inside is full of ominous red and gold hues. The luxuriousness of it gives you the impression that the boss of the building takes it regularly.

Instead of answering, you step inside and forcefully hit the button for the top floor. Tangerine watches you carefully, studying you. Somehow, he looks like a kicked puppy, yet holding the rifle he takes on a much more sinister tone. He still looks dashing as hell in his suit though. You can see the little gold chain of his necklace around his broad neck.

Focus, focus, focus!

His mustache twitches a bit as he catches you staring. And to top that off, he stands in front of you, very closely in front. Either trying to shield you or irritate you. Possibly both.

He’s wearing the cologne you got him as a present almost a year ago.

“If there’s in house security for this lift, we should be prepared.” You shift a little to see Lemon over Tangerine’s shoulder.

“What do you suggest?”

“They know we’re coming, so we have to be fast. Their access to elevators has been blocked. All remaining security teams will need to take the stairs. This elevator opens to another employee hallway that we’ll have to exit in order to reach the office. That’s assuming—”

The elevator stutters, something above you screeches in the elevator shaft, and the panel lights flicker. All three of you stumble as it comes to an abrupt stop and the dim emergency lights switch on. They coat the interior in a faint red light, turning it into a nightmare scenario.

 You groan. “That’s assuming they don’t just turn the elevator off. Fuck.”

Lemon places the shotgun on the floor and motions to Tangerine. Together they pry the paneling off to reveal the switchboard underneath. Lemon fusses with the wiring, using a knife to cut through some and connect it to others.

Sparks fly, flashing in the dim light. Your anxiety ramps. Trapped in an elevator was not on your list of things you wanted to deal with today.

While Lemon fussed with wires, Tangerine turned back to you. “Relax.”

“Excuse me?”

“Try to stay calm, we’ll be out in a second or two.”

Your blood boiled hot. “Don’t tell me to be calm.”

Tangerine smiles at you. “I know you hate elevators.”

“They’re fine, I just particularly hate being trapped in them.”

“Just relax, I’ve got you.”

“That doesn’t help at all!”

More sparks and flickering lights and the elevator doors open an inch. Tangerine has the audacity to smirk in that moment and he touches your chin briefly. His eyes gleam in the dim light.

If you all lived, you were going to kill him.

The twins work wordlessly to pry the elevator doors open. It takes a tremendous effort and both of them are sweaty and breathing hard at the end, but there’s enough space for a person to climb through. Except, you’re going to have to jump down into the office below. Half the elevator is blocked.

“Well, good news is…” Lemon says, scratching his head, “we can get out. And if the elevator can only fall downward.”

“The elevator only goes up, Lemon.” You choke out.

“Oh. Right…well, best get a move on then.”

“I’ll go first.” Tangerine volunteers.

On instinct you reach for him. He sees the slight movement before you hold yourself back.

As if it was easy, he’s crouching down, squeezing through the doors, and jumping into the office below. All with his gun in his hand. Meanwhile, your heart is doing summersaults in your throat.

He holds his hands up, beckoning you. “Come on. You’ve done harder things than this.”

You force yourself to move, crouching down and inching toward the opening. You toss him your rifle. “Like when?”

“Like when you jumped between rooftops in Venezuela.”

“I wasn’t thinking when I did that! And in hindsight, it was fucking stupid of me.”

He laughs. “I’ve got you. Come on.”

You squeeze through the doors, imagining the elevator crashing down, the doors snapping shut, something—anything drastic, and then throw yourself at Tangerine. He catches you with practiced ease and holds you close to him.

He says something you don’t catch over the sound of your trembling breaths. There’s a pat on your shoulder, Lemon is out.

Regaining yourself, you move away from Tangerine and straighten your clothes. His brow furrows, mustache tilts down. Maybe it was your imagination, but did his fingers grip your clothes? A silent plea for you to stay?

You do your best to ignore it. “Let’s go. Did anyone catch what floor we stopped on?”

“37th.” Lemon says, handing over your gun.

“Two floors short.”

“You think they’re waiting for us?”

“I’d bet money on it. Be careful, both of you. I don’t want to see any heroics.”

Tangerine’s eyes follow you as you move to the front and lead them through the hallway at a jogging pace. The single door at the end is much like the one you entered on the first-floor lobby. There’s a control panel for it to the side. As you run up to it, you press your ear to the other side.

No noise.

Your hand hovers over the button. With one last look behind you at the twins you give them a nod, then press it. The door clicks open a fraction, and everything goes to shit.

They were waiting for you on the other side of the door and the gunfire started up immediately. Your vision was blocked immediately, and you were pushed and tugged out by a strong hand—the world was a blur of loud shots, ringing ears, and scrambling. Grey cubicles shoulder-height tall were set up along the floor, which made spotting the enemy incredibly hard. All the fighting was done in the tight walkways between the office spaces.

Your shirt had blood on it, but you had no bullet wounds. Tangerine sat beside you, holding an arm. He’d been shot in his right arm.

“I said no heroics!” You practically shrieked.

Lemon was firing between cubicles, and from the sound of it, he was holding his own.

“What was I supposed to do, love?” Tangerine pants through the pain.

“You’re supposed to let me handle it!” You’re shouting as you pull out some gauze. The bullet went straight through his upper arm. He’d need stitches but, overall, he would be ok. You poke and prod gently as he hisses with each touch.

His teeth are gritted as he grunts out, “You wanted to get shot?”

“I’d take a bullet for you, happily. You know that.”

“I feel the same way, which is what I was doing.”

“I still don’t want you to!”

“I don’t want you to, either!”

Something bounces off your back. It’s a stapler. Both you and Tangerine stare at it for a moment, confused.

“Oi! You two! Get over yourselves and actually talk about your feelings for once!”

You whip around to stare daggers at Lemon. “Did you just throw a stapler at me?!”

He’s taking cover behind a grey cubicle not too far away. “Yeah, I did! I’m sick of you two avoiding an actual conversation. Talk—it—out!”

Tangerine sits up, pushing against your hands on his chest in your weak attempt to keep him down. “You’ve lost your mind, mate!”

“Thomas would say to express your feelings, that bottling them up is bad for you! So, express them!”

“Is it really necessary—” You pick up your rifle and fire blindly down the walkway, “—to do this now? We’re a little busy!”

“It’s now or never, I know you two! Once all this stops, you’ll avoid it!”

Tangerine looks perplexed, like he’s really considering it, and you try not to look at him again. “Fuck this job!” You shout, before rolling into the walkway and opening fire.

The two or three men that hadn’t been behind cover are caught by surprise and the bullets chew through the walls of the cubicles. A deadly silence permeates the office floor, only the ringing in your ears remains.

Another shot rings out and you feel like your shoulder’s been ripped from the socket.

You’re thrown back onto the ground. It must have been a heavy round, your left arm is completely numb, do you even have an arm left?

There’s shouting and more gunshots, the grey office walls and floor merge into one as the room spins. You’re getting pulled off the ground, someone is prodding your arm. Absentmindedly, you swat at whoever is doing it.

“Listen, hey, open your eyes!”

Tangerine…

You obey. He’s inches in front of your face, brows furrowed, a vein in his forehead sticks out.

“I’m fine.” You cough out. “Just fell down, is all.”

“You’ve been shot!”

“Oh.”

He struggles, he looks like he has more to say, but stays silent. You swat at Lemon who’s wrapping your arm—or shoulder, more accurately. “I’m fine, let’s keep going.”

“You’re not fine.” Lemon grunts, pushing your hand away. “It was a .308 round. You’ll be lucky if you have any bones left in your shoulder.”

“Why’d you do that?!” Tangerine is shouting, running his hand through his hair. You both match now, he’s bandaged up on his left arm too.

“Do what?” You ask through gritted teeth as Lemon tightens the bandage.

“Run out like an absolute lunatic?”

“I told you I’d take a bullet for you.”

His eyes bug out. “You threw yourself into the line of fire!”

“All in a day’s work. Now, can we get back to it?” You don’t wait for a response, instead pushing yourself to your feet. Your left arm hangs to the side, limp and numb. A dull throb pulses through your side.

Tangerine watches you. “We need to have a serious discussion when this is over, love.”

You huff out a breath, swaying slightly. “Noted.”

The three of you push on in tense silence. Tangerine makes sure you’re behind him while the rest of the floors leading to the main penthouse office are cleared. He’s acting so stubborn, blocking you at every turn, holding you back with a gentle, yet unyielding hand. The vein in his forehead never goes away.

Finally, the double doors leading to the office are before you. Platinum gold, of course, with carved handles. This guy’s style was beginning to get obnoxious.

Lemon kicks open the doors with as much anger and prejudice as you feel (yet can’t muster at the moment). Instead of what you were expecting, the target stands alone behind his desk. He smirks, giving off a Wall Street investor impression with his pressed suit and perfectly cut hair.

He spreads his arms wide. “I really should have known you three would be together for this.”

“Shut up, wanker.” Tangerine shouts, pointing his gun.

The target opens his mouth to say more, but Tangerine doesn’t let him. He empties the clip into the man’s chest.

The target dies with a startled look on his face, falling back over his desk.

You move past Tangerine, fighting his hands that grip at your clothing. “Thank God for that.”

The computer is easily hacked, the files you’re after are on the desktop. Maybe the dead man was looking to bargain—or gloat. You glance at his dead, glazed over eyes.

Bastard.

Tangerine paces, looking at you often. His job is done, the confirmation is sent to the client through Lemon’s phone.

Your files are downloaded onto an encrypted flash drive, and you rip the wiring out of the computer’s back, smashing the server tower. Mission accomplished.

“I guess now that you have what you need, you’ll disappear again.” Tangerine is glaring at you, chewing his lip. His bandage is bloody.

The flood gates open.

“I needed these files!” You shout, worsening the headache you already have.

Tangerine shouts back, taking a step closer. “I would have understood if you had just told me!”

“I couldn’t have told you!”

“Why not?”

“Because—well—I didn’t—It doesn’t matter now!”

“So, you disappear for months, without a word, for something you won’t even tell me about?!”

“I didn’t want to involve you! I wanted to get this done myself!”

“I’m involved now!”

“It was a shitty coincidence you showed up here today, and I’m sorry you got hurt because of this job!”

“I’m not concerned about me!”

“Well, you should be! I care about your safety!”

“And I care about yours!”

In the corner, Lemon shakes his head.

You hold your arm, trying to work some feeling back into it. It throbs and you wish you hadn’t. “I would have come back after this was done.”

“Oh, really?” Tangerine laughs dryly. “How was I to know?”

You groan, throat turning dry. “You’re so impatient! I just needed a little time!”

“You know how often I tried to reach you—?”

“Yes! I heard every message, got every bouquet of flowers—and thank you for my porch, that was really nice.”

Tangerine flounders a little, he still wants to argue, but some of the steam has been let out. “A thank you would have been nice.”

“I’m thanking you now!”

“A whole good that did when I thought you were done with me—” He shoots a look at his brother, “—and Lemon!”

“I’ll say I’m sorry a thousand more times, Tangerine! Is that what you want?”

He turns his back to you, grumbling something.

“I don’t understand why it was such a big deal to you, we’re contractors! We kill people for a living, and you’re freaking out—”

He spins back around. “It’s a big deal because I thought you were hurt.” He stalks closer, you notice his hair has come undone from the neat gel, curls flair out around his neck. “I thought something happened to you!” He’s within arm’s distance now. “It’s a big deal because I love you!”

And then he stops. His eyes go wide, as if he’s just spilled a secret.

Fuck, he did just spill a secret. Maybe you had known, but he’s never said anything. It was always just little guesses here and there, a thought—a feeling—and inclination. Late nights, especially recently, that you spent thinking about it, wondering.

Your mouth falls open in the silence. “I—I…love…” but damned if your mouth just wasn’t getting it out.

Arguing and bickering was so much easier.

But he knows, he can see it in the way your eyes soften, in the way you swallow with a dry throat. In the way your hand reaches to him, and your body leans forward.

“You know…” Lemon says, looking up from his phone, “Most people would kiss at this point. Just a suggestion.”

A quip, a very fitting one, comes to mind and you’re about to tell Lemon just how you’re not normal people, when Tangerine pulls you to him. Your chest presses to his and his lips are on yours in an instant.

Hungry, needy. It’s desperate, an urgent need be close, to be touching. Burning with desire and hot with passion. You give into it.

His mustache scratches at your lips and you pull him into you, threading your fingers through his curly hair, mussing it up even more. His hands grip at your back, pull at your clothes.

Closer. You need to be closer.

Fuck air, the feeling of his lips moving against yours is the only thing you’ll ever need again.

Your arm throbs and the dull pulse shoots up to your chest. You sigh, half in pain and half in pleasure. Unfortunately, Tangerine pulls back. There’s blood on his lips and he looks concerned.

“Wait…” You mumble, trying to pull him back to you. He’s your lifeline now.

“You need a doctor, love.”

“Just a little longer.”

Tangerine chuckles, wrapping an arm around your back. “After you’re patched up. I promise.”

…Bonus…

“You’re going to ‘break into my house and wait for me to come home’?”

Tangerine groans, throwing his head back as you walk into the small office. Private clinics with ‘respectable’ doctors. Gotta love ‘em.

“Love, I didn’t mean it, I was in a life-or-death situation—I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking—”

You give a good-natured laugh, sitting next to him. You’d been patched up first, Tangerine was just waiting for some blood work to come back.

Tangling your fingers in his you give his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m just teasing, Tan. I know.”

“Ok.” He sighs, giving your hand a squeeze back. “Good.”

You ruffle through your pockets to pull out your phone, your arm stings, but the pain medication the doc gave you does wonders. “I thought about it, I think you deserve to know why I was after your target.”

He looks at you with new interest now.

You tilt your screen to show him.

It had pictures of you and Tangerine. Pictures of you sitting together at lunch, laughing. Pictures of you walking down the street together, arm in arm. Pictures of you looking like a couple.

“Oh,” he breathes out, “I see.”

“I was worried you’d be put in danger if these…well, if they got into the wrong hands.”

“Didn’t want our clients to think we were softies either, huh?”

“That too.”

He presses his face into your hair. He hasn’t expressed his feelings for you again, but you’re starting to realize he always had—just through actions instead. A gentle hand on the small of your back. Wrapping an arm around your waist. Leaning down to speak softly into your ear.

These were just as much of an expression as words.

“Will we have to do this every time?” he asks, voice muffled slightly.

“Every time what?”

“It’s only a matter of time before more pictures of us make it into someone’s hands.”

“Oh. That’s a good point.”

He pulls you a little closer. “I’ll be dammed if I have to stop taking you out over that.”

“Then I guess we’ll just have to kill whoever tries something like that again.”

“We’ll do it together next time, yeah?”

“Absolutely.”

[gynarchyboi]

MsReneeLane isn't available at this time day 9

For those of you who have gone through my training on Fetlife you know these 10 rules of male submission by heart. It's time to share them on Facebook. Submission is a 24/7 and 360 degree commitment that reaches deeply into how a man lives his life.

1.Exercise Daily: Be physically fit for general physical and mental health. A woman cannot train someone too weak to accept her discipline.

2.Eat Healthy: Deny yourself the empty calories of white sugar and starchy foods. Think of your female owner, when you deny yourself. Diet is part of your spiritual path.

3.Read good books. Talk about them: conversation and communication is a cornerstone of good relationships. By increasing your knowledge and expanding your horizons you make yourself a more interesting companion.

4.Volunteer: Be active in your community and give back to society. Join a service organization, pay the dues, volunteer your efforts. By becoming active, you increase the number of people you interact with and you make yourself a more well-rounded person.

5.Accept Discipline. Stay chaste most of the time.: Gain focus and determination by harnessing your sexual desires.. Remaining chaste for the woman in your life allows you to focus on serving her more diligently. If you are single, limit orgasms to the weekends. If you are partnered, surrender when and how you orgasm to your domme. Practice wearing a chastity device until it becomes a natural part of you. Submit to a weakly discipline session from your domme to help you on your path of submission. Never make mistakes to enhance this punishment. Instead, be slavishly devoted and thankful for any discipline a woman gives you. Always do your best.

6.Clean: Maintain a clean and organized living space. Dig in and do the boring drudgery of housework. Your efforts will give your woman enough energy to dominate you. If you are single, live as if a woman might inspect your quarters at anytime.

7.Promote and Support Women: Promote the practical and political needs of women. Doing this will give you a deeper understanding of women. Vote for women in whatever politics party you find yourself. See the promotion of books like mine as something practical you can contribute to hasten the coming matriarchy. Consider how much easier finding a domme could be if there was a movie you could direct a prospective woman to see. You could point at my sub in the movie that I hope to make and say, "I dream of living like that man for the right woman." She will see the love and devotion of this sub and become interested.

8.Respect All Women: Treat all women as if they were the key holders of your chastity belt. Especially treat women with respect who because of age or looks don't have a lot of sexual power. Other women will see this and they will be impressed by your sensitivity to women.

9.Disengage: Abstain from pornography and live in the real world. Limit yourself to 30 minutes a day of leisure activities online. Limit television. Spend your free time working, reading, playing, and loving others.

10.Recite Your Mantra: Intone it several times daily. Do this out loud. Recite it for your ears to hear, "I am only a slave; it is a privilege to serve." This simple act, overtime, will redirect your focus towards serving all women and especially the woman in your life. This mantra will empower you.

Do all 10 of theses. Don't leave one out. Women are always watching. Our eyes scan the herd, looking for the right man to cull and make our own. Make yourself the perfect prey.

Date Jun 24, 2019.

[supercorpkid]

Where do we go now?

Final part.

Supergirl, Baby Danvers, Lena Luthor x Reader, Kara Danvers x B!D, Alex Danvers x B!D

Word Count: 3500.

Part 1.

They are working hard to bring Kara back. You’ll give them that. They’ve been running around the Tower tirelessly for days. You try and help here and there, but you’re not usually much of a help and with all of this, you’re basically a worthless sack of nothing.

Which is a hard thing to feel, especially in this situation. Knowing that you can’t do anything to bring your sister back, to save her from the nightmare she must be living, the nightmare you all have been living without her around.

“You’re not useless.” It’s what therapist Kelly tells you to repeat to yourself like a mantra. But it’s easy for her to say when she just got a new suit and a cool hero name.

So you stay in the Tower, walking around the place like a damn ghost. Seeing Kara everywhere, but at the same time nowhere around. 

Alex finally takes pity on you and tells you to go help out in the lab, because Brainy could use some extra pair of hands, and you have those and are eager to be at service. But it’s not Brainy you find, once you make your way there. 

Lena is working with something huge, you’re not even sure what it is, when your eyes meet through the lenses of the device. 

And it’s like you’re back there, in front of her apartment, months ago. Mouth agape and unable to move. Shocked and terrified; life looking as horrible as it could get. A chain of apologies wanting to leave your mouth in a rush. Sorry for lying, sorry for breaking your heart, sorry for deceiving your trust, sorry for loving you, sorry, sorry, sorry…

Lena raises her head, looking at you. Face etched with sorrow. Doe-eyed, and so, so soft. She doesn’t even have to say it, because her face says it all. But the thing is, there’s too much to be said, to be sorted, to be apologized for. You know it, and Lena obviously knows it too. 

“Oh.” It’s what leaves your mouth, when you make sense of why you’re here. To help Brainy, even though he is nowhere to be found. “Wrong lab, I guess.”

You take a step back, without breaking eye contact and Lena raises her hand to stop you. But nothing comes out of her mouth. She just looks like she wants to say something, and you don’t know what it is that is stopping her. 

So you keep walking backwards, ready to leave, “Wait. Y/N, please, stay.”

“I should be helping Brainy with some sort of –”

Lena points at the device, and you agree with your head slowly, convinced. So you make your way closer.

“What’s that?” 

"Phantom trapper. I feel like we might need it once we go out there or something.” She looks down, toying with the machine again. Then looks up to you. “I could use your help.” 

“I’m not good at –” you point at what she’s doing, but your mouth keeps going anyway. "Anything."

“Actually I think –” She licks her lips. Moment stretching out so thin between the two of you, anyone would be able to cut the tension with a knife. “you would be perfect for this.”

It’s funny how all of a sudden she looks exactly like your Lena. Like that Lena who asked you a million questions and in so little time got to know all of you. She looks like the Lena you would tell all your secrets, except how desperately much you love her. No, that one you would just leave between the lines. 

But she’s not your Lena, is she? She never once was yours and you got a broken heart to show for that.

You blink your thoughts away, giving her a sad smile. “Ok, so, um, what do I do?” 

She explains what she’s doing, merging a DEO protogun and L Corp’s portal energy, and you pretend you’re following, though you have basically no idea what she’s talking about. But at least you know how to use a screwdriver and that’s what she needs you to do, while she does the actual science thing behind it.

“Um, ah.” Lena tries. She’s been trying to talk to you for the longest time but keeps stopping herself when you raise your big eyes at her. “How – How are you?”

You blink at her. Waiting for the rest. How does she think you are, when your sister is missing and she hates the shit out of you?

“Well, Lena, I’ve been better.” It’s mumbled out of your mouth, without second thought, face going back to the machine in front of you, so you don’t have to look at her while admitting. “There was a time where my sister was home and my best friend didn’t hate me.”

“She doesn’t – I don’t hate you.” She says, voice strangled inside her chest, as you finish what has been asked of you. 

You haven’t seen Lena in months since her (valid) outburst with you. Since she said she hates you, and called you a lying monster. And no matter how much time has passed and how many things have happened ever since, that’s how you still feel around her. You feel like a monster.

You stare at each other for a few seconds. The moment is tension-filled, electrified, all wrong. Everything feels wrong and you don’t know if things will ever feel right.

“I’m not gonna say that I’ve never hated you.” Lena sits on the chair next to yours, and breathes out. “Because at that moment, I did. I hated you for breaking my heart. It took me more time than it should’ve to realize exactly why I was so mad at you, specifically.”

You swallow deep. Eyes filled with tears, heart squeezed in anticipation. 

You weren’t always the most honest person, you admit. Little white lies, always trying to make people feel better, to make yourself feel better. But you never once told Lena a single lie, except the ones involving Supergirl. And it’s fair that she felt betrayed by that, but it hurts you even more to know that it was out of your control all along.

“I felt betrayed by your sister because she was my best friend and lied to me, and sure, I was mad at all of our friends for lying to me too. But you – Y/N, the reason why I was so mad at you is because it felt like heartbreak. Felt like I was being lied to by my person. I know we were never – “ She bites her tongue and you nod.

“We were never.” You agree.

Were never, will never. All the same now.

Lena’s hand makes way to your face, but then something shifts inside her, just like that. And you can see it in her eyes that something changed, you just don’t know what. So her hand never really reaches you, though you can still feel the ghost touch and the burning sensation of almost feeling her again.

“And we will get your sister back. I promise.” 

You can’t hold the tear to fall, but you’re quick to clean it. 

“I just miss her.” 

As to an explanation to why you’re crying, though it isn’t the only reason and you guess she’ll never know all of the other ones that involve her. 

“I miss her too.” Lena confesses, swallows deep right after, searching your face for anger, because she thinks it’s her fault your sister is gone. But you’re sure that even if she never went along with Lex’s plans, he would’ve found a way to do what he did.

So you just nod at her, understanding. Tears falling silently, regardless of the fact that you get it. It doesn’t stop hurting just because she’s hurting too. 

“Hey,” she finally pulls you closer, your head resting on her chest like it just belongs there. “You can cry, my love.” 

And it’s so unfair that she can just use the pet name again after so many months with dead silence from her end and make your heart almost burst inside you from happiness, either way.

“Lena.” It’s a whine out of your mouth, and you wonder if she gets all that is inside it, if she had the faintest idea of what you’re trying to convey with that only. But you don’t know, because you keep crying and crying, face buried in the crook of her neck, while she runs her fingers through your hair, gently. 

“I know, little —“ she leaves it like that, but you look at her with pleading eyes, and she smiles, understanding you perfectly. “You’re fine, little one. It’s going to be alright, I promise.”

So of course you believe her. Even though she is a liar, and you’re a liar, and all that you two have done so far is lie about your feelings and keep secrets from each other.

You let go of her, wiping the tears from your face, and force a sad little smile. “Thanks, Lena.” You tap on the device in front of you. “Ok, I’ve exhausted my abilities on this, so I’ll go check on Brainy.” 

“Yeah, ok. Sure, yeah.” Lena says, looking like she doesn’t want to let you go. But she does. Because not letting you leave would involve being honest and that’s something none of you can do, apparently.

When you wake up the next day. Wait, actually to wake up, you would need to have fallen asleep, which you haven’t done an inch of. While you repeated the whole interaction you had with Lena the day before. 

My love. Her love. We were never. Might never.

But when you do get out of the bed, in a jump scare from Alex yelling at you that some phantoms went loose and you have to get out from the Tower immediately, you still meet them and hear bits of their meeting.

“I may already have a fix for that, I couldn’t sleep last night so —“ Lena starts and you two share a look, because she wants you to know you’re the reason she wasn’t able to. And you think she can see it on your face that you haven’t either. 

The rest of the meeting is lost with you inside your thoughts. You only come back from it when Kelly tells you she is giving you a ride home, so they know you’re safe.

You don’t want to be home alone, worried sick about what’s happening to them. So you go back to Kara’s apartment, because even though she is not there, some of her still is. 

And it’s unsurprisingly unsettling to be inside Kara’s apartment with no idea whether she is ever coming back. No idea of what’s happening out there with your family, friends, and Lena. So you walk around, thoughts consuming all your energy and what’s left of your sanity. 

When Alex picks you up days later, they have a way to get Kara’s location and are going into the phantom zone to find her. She tries to convince you not to go along, telling you it’s dangerous and they all might get lost there, for God knows how long. But if everyone is in the phantom zone, then what the hell would you be doing on Earth alone? 

“Are you sure you want to come with us? I know you want to be there when we rescue Kara, but stepping into a new dimension isn’t something you –” Alex rethinks her next words very carefully before adding, “signed up for.”

“Signed up for? Are you serious right now, Alexandra Danvers?” You give her a harsh look and she rolls her eyes at the use of her entire name. “Our sister is out there! So you either take me with you or I’ll find a way to go without you.”

So there’s no arguing, no matter how much she tries to.

“Alright, pack up, little rascal. We’re gonna save our sister!”

And afterwards, you think your sister is actually happy you’re there. Rescuing Kara without her little sister around would’ve felt wrong, no matter how protective of you she is.

So you stick around the back, while everyone takes position in the ship and gets ready to go follow Kara into the depths of the universe. 

J’onn mentions that phantoms might try to get inside your minds, making you all very weak by showing you your worst fears. You think you’re currently living them, so you are probably safe with that, at least.

Then something goes wrong, Alex yells for you to follow Lena so you’re not alone and no matter how reluctant you are with being alone with her, in the middle of the chaos and you understanding shit about it, you just follow orders.

You step into the elevator with her, she nods apprehensively at you, somehow trying to ease your mind. When the elevator stops she murmurs, “stay behind me, ok?”

And then she’s just gone.

“Lena?” You ask, looking around. You couldn’t have missed her, she was just in front of you. How could she have disappeared? “LENA?”

She appears in front of you, a heavy coat you don’t remember she was wearing a few minutes ago. 

“Y/N.” Your name is said with so much disdain it burns a hole through your heart and you flinch. “What?” Her long finger goes to your face, under your chin, and she raises your head so you can look her directly in the eye, “you thought I could love you?”

“What —“

“Oh no,” her eyes burning green into yours. “Oh you poor thing,” she cleans a tear that leaves your eye. “You actually thought I felt something for you, didn’t you? What part of I hate you got lost in that little dumb head of yours?”

“You’re being mean.” It’s what you can say after swallowing the lump on your throat. 

“No, you stupid little girl. You’re weak, and immature. I guess that’s why you fooled yourself. I couldn’t even love Kara, the mightiest of heroes. What chance did you have?” Lena’s hands tight around your face, holding it so strongly it hurts your jaw. “When will you finally understand that I do not, cannot, will not love you.” 

What? That sounds exactly like something you’ve thought before.

You only realize that when her hand tightens around your neck and you start losing your breath. 

“You’re not —“ you’re lifted from the floor by the neck. Gasping desperately for air, while trying to kick and push the image from your mind. “my Lena!”

You get up from the chair you were on, look around to see yourself still in the command room. 

“J’onn?” Alex asks, voice small filled with fear.

And you look around to see everyone waking up together from some sort of trance.

“This is real. You are free of the phantom’s powers. You did it. You all did it.” 

But there’s no time to celebrate this win. Not when you’re almost there and everyone starts running around and Lena just pulls up a fucking yellow sunlight blast to recharge Kara’s powers and so on, and before you even realize what just happened,

“Kara?” 

Your sister rushes to the door, inside Alex’s embrace. 

She’s here! Kara is actually here!

“Brainy get us out of here.” You hear J’onn’s voice and breathe out knowing you are all safe and heading back home. 

Kara’s eyes lock into yours, on the other side of the room. “Get in here, little one.”

And your heart almost stops when you hear her voice, but you run into her embrace and breathe her in. Kara is here. God, she is here. This is all you could have asked for.

Kara is found. Saved. Rescued. Home. 

Well, she goes to her home, not yours, by the way.

“When did you move in?” Kara asks when you and Alex take her home. 

“I — I didn’t.”

She looks around. Her apartment should look empty, lifeless, dusty. But it doesn’t. It looks lived. You left some clothes by the couch, and there’s food on the counter, dishes on the sink, the bedsheets are messy. You look up to her, an embarrassed look on your face. 

But Kara pulls you in and kisses the crown of your head. “I hope you’re staying while I’m here, as well. I could use your company.”

“Yeah, sure.” 

And you should be happy. You should be thrilled. Because Kara has escaped the inescapable, and Lena is back on the team and around, completely forgiven, returned to her rightful role of being Kara’s best friend. 

But something is still off whenever you see her. There’s still things over your heads. Things you shouldn’t have said, things you should have, secrets kept from each other, and feelings, oh, the feelings!

So when you can finally come to life, you just don’t. You still walk around the Tower like a ghost, like something’s missing though everything is already here. Broken and blue, hiding in the background, hoping for someone to notice you, but also praying that no one does.

“I thought I saw you around.” You hear Lena’s voice behind your back, and your heart still beats fast in anticipation. She sits next to you on the floor. “You ok?”

“Yeah, I’m – Sure.” You agree with a forced smile, and she gives you a soft one in return.

“You’ve been hiding.” She says, sure. And there’s no way you can deny it when you have been hiding and you know she has noticed. “So, I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you’re actually ok.”

You bite the inside of your mouth. Holding the tears and the words inside. 

“Kara is back.” Lena points out and you agree with your head. “And I am –”

“You are –?”

“Here.” Lena scootches closer. Rests her head on your shoulder, and takes a deep breath there. Her breath is hot on your neck, giving you goosebumps. “I’m here. By your side. And I never should have left.”

“But you did. Because I lied, because I’m a lying mons –” The word is cut short when her lips touch your neck, soft and sweet.

“You’re not.” Lena whispers next to your ear. Warming up not just the place, but your entire body. “I’ve missed you.”

You close your eyes hard, trying to hold back all that you’re feeling. All the emotions that seem to be trying to get out of your control.

“You said –”

“Some mean things when I was blinded by anger.” Lena finally raises her head, searching for your eyes and encouraging you to do the same. “I’m sorry. I should’ve led with that.”

“I’m sorry too.” You try, because you have tried to apologize before and that didn’t go well.

“I know. I know. And we can spend our whole lives apologizing for what we did back then, or we can just let it go. Move forward. Be honest this time around.” She pleads gently. And you agree with your head because she is right. What good can come from revisiting all the mean things she said to you? All the lies you’ve told her about your sister’s real identity? When she is here, and knows all that and still chooses to stick around. 

“I’ll go first.” Lena whispers again, while her hands envelop yours. It’s sweaty and shaking, so you know she is nervous. “I know I said we were never.” You look down on your tangled up hands, then back at her eyes. “But I wanted to. I –” She takes a deep breath before confessing. “I want to.”

“When Kara was just gone, just like that –” She swallows the tears, but you can’t hold yours back. You never could. “I just kept thinking how I never told her what she meant to me. And then I thought of you, and how I didn’t want a single day to go by without me telling you how I truly feel about you.” Lena cleans your tears, and her touch is so good, so real, you lean into it without a second thought. “I’ve been in love with you for years now.”

“I’ve been in love with you for years.” You whisper back, small and under your breath, but so desperately honest you’re sure she can tell.

Lena pulls your face closer, kissing your tears, then your eyes, your forehead, temple, cheek. 

“Lena.” In a plead whisper and this time you know she understands all that you mean by chanting her name alone.

“I’m here.” She promises, another kiss on your cheek to clean your tear. “And I’m never leaving you again.”

It’s you that cut the distance between your mouths. A soaring kiss you’ve been meaning to share with her for the longest time. Tasting her lips as you’ve always needed to do. Easing her mind like you should’ve done in months, years, íons ago. 

“Where do we go now?”

“Now,” Lena punctuates with a peck on your lips. “Now we move forward.”

[inafieldofdaisies]

WIP Whenever | Tagged by @stacispratt and @adelaidedrubman ❤️

A snippet from Chapter 1 of John's misadventures as a lawyer. Leslie and other familiar faces are in this universe too, baby.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into Portland. Please turn off all portable electronic devices and stow them until we have arrived at the gate. In preparation for landing, be certain your seat back is straight up and your seat belt is fastened.  Please secure your carry-on items, stow your tray table, and pass any remaining service items and unwanted reading materials to the flight attendants. Thank you.", the long-awaited announcement was music to John's ears as he looked through the window at the city and its twinkling lights below. 5 hours had passed in what he could only describe as torture. His day before that hadn't gone too well either, it felt like anything that could go wrong had, in one way or the other. His alarm not going off and almost making him late. Showing up at the firm only to find out Preston Manning, his second chair on the case, had called in sick and wasn't going to be making the trip with him. Penny slipping him her number for heaven knows what time and offering him a "quickie" in the bathroom for "good luck". More like a quick and proven way to get me a meeting with HR. Traffic and a flight delay (not unsual but still absolutely nerve-grating paired with everything else). The TSO officer taking way too long fondling him, as if he could have been hiding anything under a simple suit. The airline double booking his seat and giving him another last minute, which had doomed him to sit next to a menace of a passenger. In many ways he was happy to have left Manning behind in Atlanta, but he also couldn't deny the fact despite all his flaws he would have been more tolerable than the man that was currently using his shoulder as a pillow. He had lost count how many times he had shifted in his seat, tried to shake off the pesky passenger, hoped eventually he would stir up and move away, giving back his personal space. He better not have drooled all over my suit, or I'd be meeting with my client in jail sooner than anticipated. And we'd be wearing matching outfits.

It's all he could think about as he nudged the man away yet again and absolutely not-so-gently with his patience worn completely thin. "We're landing.", John muttered under his breath when an annoyed look was sent his way, like he was the one being out of line. He brushed off his dark gray pinstripe suit before crossing his arms over his chest, and focused his gaze outside once more, refusing to pay further attention to the crude individual next to him. Deep down, he didn't mind having to fly over to meet with the people he would be representing, he found a certain type of thrill in being up in the sky, had dreamt of becoming a pilot for as long he could remember, but being forced to share such a tight space with others was definitely testing his limits and making him deal with not so pleasant thoughts. "Ladies and gentlemen, our crew welcomes you to Portland. The local time is 10:22 pm. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisles clear until we are parked at the gate. The Captain will then turn off the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign, indicating it is safe to stand. Please use caution when opening the overhead compartments and removing items, since articles may have shifted during flight." The man next to him yawned over the voice of the flight attendant, his hand almost smacking John in the face as he went to stretch after his long nap. Don't do anything. Don't say anything. The mantra played on repeat in his mind and he could already imagine himself in his hotel room. The promise of a shower and soft bed was the only thing that got him through the loud clapping from "Naptime Sam" and each slow step that led him off the plane and into the airport. John clutched the strap of his leather bag he always used as carry-on, ignoring the excited chatter around him, his eyes darting from suitcase to suitcase in anticipation of his own finally showing up on the baggage carousel. Just as he spotted it and moved ahead to grab it, a child rushed past, bumping into him in the process. "Ah, I'm so sorry, Mister.", the redheaded girl said quickly, sending a apologetic toothy grin his way as she clutched a small rainbow duffelbag. He waited for the annoyance that usually came from every human interraction to swoop in, instead he ended up returning the smile while he heaved his suitcase off the line and headed for the exit. "Savannah Mae.", the girl breezed past, running towards a sharp dressed woman and grabbing her outstretched hand.

Cool air hit his face as he stepped past the sliding doors of the airport, gaze shifting between the cars parked out front and his phone that for some reason refused to turn on. Goddamn it. I charged you, I know I did. Penny had sent him a message with the details of the driver that was supposed to pick him up, as well as his hotel reservation, and he had no way of accessing either. "Welcome to Portland, sir.", an older gentleman reached for his luggage, and he breathed out a sigh of relief, telling himself his night was starting to look up. The man hoisted his suitcase into the trunk of the black SUV and swifly jumped into the driver seat, peeling off down the road just as John reached out for the door handle. "What the-" "Mr. Duncan?", a voice came behind him, partly drowned out by the shock that coursed through his body and rooted him to the spot to watch the vehicle disappear out of view and take his suitcase with all his belongings along with it. "Mr. Duncan. I'm sorry I'm late, there was a traffic accident…", John swiveled around, doing his hardest to keep his temper in check. He breathed in deeply, his tone taking a dangerous note and making the man in front of him wince, "What did you say?" "I-I- I'm here to pick you up.", the driver gestured to his own car behind him and forced a smile, "You're Mr. Duncan, correct? You're traveling light." "FUCK.", the word broke free before he could stop it while a hand ran over his face. This isn't happening. No. Not to me. No. "Mr. Duncan?" He opened his eyes again, fingernails digging into his palm, grounding him as he spat out, "I was robbed." The man blinked in surprise, "Robbed? Here? Now? How?" "My suitcase.", he shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh, "My damned suitcase." "Someone stole your luggage?" "Yes.", it was all he could muster, already feeling done with the conversation, with the day itself, with Portland, with the onlookers staring his way, with "Naptime Sam" that chose the moment to walk through the doors.

"Oh my god, I-" John brushed past the driver, throwing his small bag into the backseat and slipping after it with a growl. Shitstorm. Ah, Clive? He watched the man scramble around the front of the vehicle in confusion, the car door slamming shut after him putting a stop to his line of thought. "Mr. Duncan,-" "Do you have a phone charger?", he asked impatiently, making it his priority to figure out which hotel he was supposed to be staying at without having to deal with Penny. Shaky hand reached for the glovebox, pulling out a charging cord and passing it over, "Shouldn't you talk to someone at the airport? Report the theft?" And watch them flail around and tell me I was technically on the street, find a damn loophole so it's not their problem? "Mr. Duncan?" "Drive me to a police station, I don't care which one, uh, I didn't catch your name…", he finally replied as he stared down at the device in his hand, waiting for it to turn on. The screen refused to light up no matter how long it stayed plugged into the car's port, making him release a sigh of defeat. You're dead, aren't you? "Robert. And are you certain, sir?" "Yes." The man nodded, turning the key in the ignition, "May I ask, how did your luggage-" "I don't want to talk about it.", John trained his gaze out of the window, pocketing his phone as the realization that his night was far from over set in. The idea he no change of clothes for his first in-person visit with Mooney in the morning and was probably going to get no rest before it, felt like the final straw. And knowing his luck since being handed over his newest case, he was about to deal with an incompetent police officer next.

The scenery outside passed in a blur, making him zone out while fatigue fough to take over his body. No matter how many hurdles life threw his way, he refused to give up, promising himself he was going to win the court battle, prove Clive he had made the right choice by naming him partner at "Westbrook, Harrison and Jones". "and Duncan", now. Robert cleared his throat to draw his attention, announcing, "We're here, sir." "Thank you.", John muttered as his fingers wrapped around the door handle, the man's next words giving him a pause. "I won't be able to wait around… I have another pick-up arranged and it's on the other side of town. Would you be okay on your own?" "Sure.", he would have been lying if he was to say had expected anything else as outcome. "Have a good night, Mr. Duncan.", Robert called out and drove off, leaving him in front of an off-white building, the silver letters above its entrance spelling "City of Portland Police Bureau" confirming he was at least at the right place. He muttered a silent prayer as he pushed past a set of double glass doors and stepped inside the precinct. One win. Give me one win tonight. No more tests. No run-ins with inadequate officers of the law.

He took in the beige and dark blue interior, noting the dead quiet ruling over the lobby as the doors shut behind him. His feet carried him over to the front desk, the human shaped silhouette behind its protective glass giving him hope despite the lack of greeting upon his entry. Any hope he harbored died a horrible death the second he reached it, and an unmistakable muffled snore carried over from the officer that was reclining back in his chair. "Excuse me,", John gritted out, frowning at his name tag, "Officer Bradley.", but the curt words failed to wake the man up. "Excuse me.", he tried again, louder this time around, yet the officer was as unresponsive as his phone. Just when his hand rose, ready to bang against the glass in another attempt to grab his attention, quick footsteps sounded behind him followed by a melodic voice calling out a simple, "Hello." that made him spin around. His narrowed gaze was met by the most expresive pair of hazel eyes he had ever seen, and he blamed the exhaustion for how they almost knocked the wind out of him for second. A wave of familiarity washed over his system as he scanned the woman standing in front of him, his baby blues running over the gray streaks framing her face then down to the freckles scattered across her nose until they stopped at her lips just as they parted, "Can I-" You... Detective Donovan.

He didn't know if he wanted to laugh or curse at fate and its idea for a joke. He'd read over the information on potential witnesses for the upcoming trial for weeks, had stared at her picture enough times to memorize her features, yet the grainy image he was presented with paled in comparison to seeing her in person. He'd expected to meet the detective in court, looked forward to it, in fact, especially after everything her personnel file had revealed. He wasn't supposed to come face to face with her when he was having an unarguably awful night and on the verge of cracking. Close to grabbing one of the lovely chairs you have for visitors and throwing it at your welcome desk. Because I'm not feeling very welcomed, currently. "Your colleague is sleeping on the job.", John interrupted whatever she was about to ask him, but her smile didn't waiver at his sharp tone and the demeaning way he had used the word "colleague". Like Bradley was beneath him. And she was too, just by assosiation. If it wasn't for the spark of defiance in her eyes, he would have guessed she was completely unbothered. "It's the first quiet night we've had in a long while, Mr-" "Duncan." Anticipation coursed through his system as he waited for her to say his name back, and he refused to think too much about what her presence alone was doing to him. How it was threatening to unravel his already fragile composure. And how much he wanted to hear his name again the second she uttered it out. "Mr. Duncan, what can I help you with?", she continued smoothly, biting down on her lip as she regained him. John crossed his arms, nodding to the messenger bag she had hanging over her shoulder, her attire hinting at the fact she was headed out, "Shouldn't that be Officer Bradley's job? Are you even on the clock?" "He'd point you to a division, just as I would."

His lips quirked up at her blunt reply, "I've come to report a crime." All he got this time around was a nod. She was expecting him to continue, to give her more than stating the obvious. "I landed at PDX and,", he paused, hating the idea he had to admit he had fallen victim to such ridiculous con, "a man blindsided me by pretending to be my driver and stole my luggage." "That's-" "Awful?" He was too keen on how he was drinking in every little mannerism she displayed, like how she pursed her lips in displeasure at the news, before saying, "Follow me." "And what about your colleague?", he remarked as he fell into step behind her. His gaze was drawn in by the belt of her black oversized coat tied in a loose bow swaying with every movement she made, and he couldn't help but scowl at how her body was almost completely covered by the garment and then at himself for even entertaining the thought, when he had more important matters to deal with. "Lenny's wife just gave birth recently.", she explained quietly, "Letting him catch some rest is the least I can do." A bleeding heart. It's what you have, Detective. On paper and in person.

Detective Donovan led him down a long hallway, moving past multiple doors that seemed to open up to offices for different divisions until she came to a halt and knocked on a door marked with "Robbery". Seconds passed without a reply from the other side, instead of rapping again, she grabbed the door handle and pushed it open, revealing a series of empty desks. Of course. She turned around with an apologetic look, "I think they're out on a case." John raised an eyebrow, "All of them?" "Understaffed. It's what happens when you get people retiring and on sick leave all at once." He exhaled in frustration, but aside from that kept his silence. "I can check who is on duty and call them…" "And you?", he ignored her suggestion, suspecting he wouldn't get anywhere at that late hour, especially with an offence that would be considered "low priority" in comparison to other cases. "Me?" "You didn't tell me your name or division." Another smile. He was becoming addicted to those. Why didn't you smile in your photo, Detective? That right there, is a robbery on its own. Then, a hand was offered to him, and he wasted no time, enveloping it in his. "Sabrina Donovan. I'm a Detective at Missing Persons. So I fear I won't be of much help with your case, Mr. Duncan." The handshake was getting past the line of socially acceptable, but he couldn't bring himself to let go, "I see, tracking down missing belongings isn't really among your duties."

Sabrina pulled her hand out of his grasp, walking into the office ahead of them and aiming for a large bulletin board at the far end. Her index finger traced over a sheet of paper pinned there before she was on the move again. "Give me a second.", she said as she stopped at the desks, picking up the phone receiver and dialing whoever was supposed to be reachable from the team. "Stockton. You or any of the others planning on heading back soon?", she was back to chewing on her lip while she listened to the man on the other end of the line, "And some kind of ETA for me?", there was a pause, "At PDX. A suitcase. No, and no as far as I'm aware. Vic came straight to the precinct." After what felt like forever where she listened intently about his potential options, she wrapped up the phone call with a quick thank you and walked back to where John was leaning against the door. Her face told it all - she wasn't bearing exceptionally good news. "They're unsure when they would be back, but a couple of hours at the very least." His eyes darted to his watch, "It's almost midnight." Sabrina winced, "I know. The suggestion was you either wait up for them here, return in the morning or-" "Or what, Detective?" "I can jot down notes for them, anything you can provide right now, take down the report and pass it along, to get your case moving as soon as possible…" He frowned, "Basically, do their job for them and deal with something below your paygrade? Weren't you headed home?" He hadn't missed the way she had avoided his question prior, how she had stayed behind when she appeared to be leaving in the first place.

"Won't be my first time of working overtime or helping a fellow detective. The sooner we have an official case started, the quicker they can locate the guy. I'm sure after flying, the last thing on your mind would be to sit around at a police station for hours, when you could be getting some rest." It was obvious she was prioritizing his wellbeing and that of the front desk officer before her own, and knowing her records by heart at that point, he suspected she wouldn't give up on the idea easily, so all he could do was agree, "Okay." She pushed past him at that, her scent teasing him at the closeness in the doorway and haunting his senses as he followed her further into the building and towards an elevator. "We're on the second floor.", Sabrina stated and pressed the call button, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. The doors opened promptly with a ding, and they both stepped on, the ride feeling disappointingly short for his liking. "I suspect my stolen suitcase wouldn't be much of a priority?", John guessed as she followed a similar path to the one on the first floor. "I didn't say that." "But simple larceny wouldn't be as serious as whatever case the on duty officers are following at that time of the day." "Ah, I'm not really at liberty to discuss that." "Naturally."

"And you, Mr. Duncan?" "Me?", he mimicked her earlier question. "What do you do for a living?" He could sense even the smallest amount of curiosity in her words, making him smirk, "I'm a defense attorney." She laughed, and he couldn't decide which was better - her smiles or her laughter, "That explains it. And judging by your attire, well, would have been my first guess." "Oh? Should I feel offended?" He was flirting. With, no doubt, a future witness. Clive would ask what had taken over him and why he'd even entertain things further. Good thing he's not here. And I'm not really someone to do things by the book. "No.", she shrugged as she stopped in front of her own division's sector, "You certainly have that aura about you." With that, she pushed the door, open, drawing the attention of a fellow detective inside. "Rina,", the man called out, "Didn't you go home already? Should I push you out the door?" "Ollie. Behave." The man's eyes stopped on John finally, noticing his appearance for the first time as he moved his feet off his desk, "Do we have a case?" "No, no, I'm doing Stockton a tiny favor." "Again?" The word piqued his interest, same for the strange looks "Ollie" kept sending his way. "Don't start, Oliver."

John paid the man no mind and took a seat in one of the chairs across Sabrina's desk as she removed her coat until she was down to a simple gray shirt that was unbuttoned halfway to reveal a dark turtleneck underneat it. His eyes shifted from her to her work space, noting how tidy it was, especially compared to her colleague's, and had a couple of framed pictures he wished he could see. "Fine. But you know, Leslie wouldn't be that easy to silence in voicing his concerns." She ignored the warning, gaze moving back to John's, "Name." "John Duncan." He noticed how she silently mouthed his name as she typed it, and doubted it was a habit she was aware of. The next minutes consisted of marking down his basic information, and he loathed having to recall the slip up, how he had fallen for such a silly trap, especially when he was anything but incompetent. "It's good you remember a partial plate. That, paired with the car's description, and, the fact, PDX would no doubt have footage of the incident…" "You're confident they'd find my belongings." "The perp, most likely. Belongings, I can't say. At least, the things of most value." Oliver walked over, placing a cup in front of Sabrina before leaning in closer to whisper something that caused her to giggle and mutter a quiet, "Stop it, Ollie. Absolutely not." She cleared her throat as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and took a sip of coffee when the man wandered back to his own desk, "Would you like a coffee, Mr. Duncan?" She was yet to say his first name, and he wondered how it would sound coming from her, if she would utter it out as playfully as she did Oliver's. Doubtful. "No, thank you." "Well, I think I have everything noted down. If you don't have any further questions for me…"

She was wrapping things up, sending him on his way, putting an end to whatever time he had in her presence. Then it hit him, "Can I ask to make a phone call?" "You're not under arrest, Mister.", Oliver remarked jokingly. He ignored the jab, his focus remaining completely on the woman in front of him, "My phone died, and I have no idea which hotel my reservation has been made at…" "Ah, I see.", Sabrina reached for her bag, pulling out her phone and passed it over to him after she unlocked it. At the same time he produced the little folded post-it note Penny had crammed into his pocket that morning, trying his hardest to hide the ruby red lipstick stain on it out of Sabrina's view. Her homescreen wallpaper gave him a pause. It was a candid picture of a familiar looking redheaded girl, Sabrina and a man that- What in the- If I squint I can almost convince myself he looks like me, Detective. He doubted she'd appreciate the observation, yet his curiosity about the man's identity and relation to her only festered while he punched in Penny's number. Just as he was starting to wonder if she would pick up, her voice came through, and he rushed to quickly get the needed information, trying to keep the interraction as short as possible. Sabrina pushed a notepad towards him, together with a pen to note down the address, Penny was relying in an overly excited manner despite the fact he had called her for assistance at almost 3 am. "Thank you, Penny. Have a good night.", he muttered flatly and hung up, returning the phone to Sabrina. "She must be worried." Are you fishing for information? "She's not my girlfriend, just an assistant at my firm.", he blinked at the confession that he had blurted out, despising the fact Oliver was there to witness his slip-up and laugh at it. My firm? "I, um, I wasn't really-", Sabrina shook her head, deciding against whatever she was about to say, "I sent over the report to Detective Stockton, he will be in touch soon. I will note down your hotel information since you're having phone issues, so he'd be able to call there and get a hold of you through reception for the time being…" "Thank you."

She rose up, quickly gathering her things and putting her coat back on now that she had sorted out his report, "I will see you out then." John followed suit, exiting into the hallway first as she announced to Oliver, "I'm heading home for real this time, Ollie. You better not snitch to Leslie." "We shall see about that.", he hollered back, "Good night to both of you." As they made their way down to the lobby, Officer Bradley was finally awake and staring at John with a similar to Oliver's expression, "Staying late again, Rina?" Sabrina only laughed as she passed his post, "Bye, Lenny. Hope things stay quiet." She pushed open the doors before John could do it, wrapping her hands around herself as they stepped out into the chilly night. "Thank you again.", his voice was even, perfectly hiding the disappointment he felt on the inside because they were parting ways. "Of course." He expected her to leave at that, especially with the hint of awkwardness that remained in the air after he had mentioned Penny. Seconds passed by in silence where he clutched his only bag and wondered if she'd look at him the same way and be so eager to help him if she knew he was representing one of the most hated men in Oregon. Someone she herself had a run-in with. You wouldn't, would you? You'd probably curse at me. Call what happened to me premature karma.

Instead of wishing him a cheery goodbye and leaving him to his own devices to watch her disappear like the car of the man that had stolen from him, Sabrina gave him another small smile as she stuck her hands in her coat's pockets in an attempt to warm up, "If you don't mind me asking… you do have a way to get to your hotel, right?" John quirked an eyebrow, taking his time to respond and enjoying every moment of where she shifted in place as she waited for him to reassure her he would be alright. It was too bad he wasn't about to do that. Not when it meant she would feel content to head home. Not when the alternative was stealing a few more minutes with her. And he liked his second option more. Field work. You'd call it a "stakeout", wouldn't you? Getting to know my future oppponent. The promising young detective that had apprehended Mooney and was bound to make defending him a challenge. There was no doubt the jury would love her. Feed on her genuity and charm.

"I do not.", he muttered out slowly, watching her face closely, memorizing how the street light above them picked up the gray strands in her hair, "I assumed I could grab a cab, despite my lackluster luck tonight." She nodded along to the idea, but made no move to leave, "You certainly could." John could sense an in, and he took it shamelessly, a step bringing him closer to her until her sweet scent invaded him again, "Were you about to suggest something else?" Cross the line. Offer your help again. "I-", a shake of her head cut off her words as she frowned. She was putting up a wall once more, guarding her thoughts just like she had on his oversharing about Penny. "Yes?", his hand reached out to tuck a piece of her hair that the wind had picked up behind her ear, voice growing huskier when he added, "Tell me." Her breath hitched the second his fingers grazed her cheek, probably feeling the same current that passed over his skin at the contact and still clutched him even when his arm dropped by his side. Sabrina blinked away the haze they seemed to be sharing, "I was going to offer you a ride, Mr. Duncan." "John. Call me John, Sabrina." Something flashed across her face at his correction, "Hm?" "It's my name after all." It was as if all the background noise ceased to exist as he waited for her lips to form the word and he suspected even if the detective he was supposed to wait on or the criminal himself that had wronged him showed up right there and then, he wouldn't care. She was the sole holder of his attention. "I was going to offer you a ride,", she paused, "John. But I'm not-" "Yes.", the word rushed out, cutting off whatever excuse she was about to make about it being a bad idea, probably thinking of the grinning man on her homescreen. Doesn't matter who he is, Detective. I can recognize interest when I see it. And damn, if I don't want to hear you say my name again. His eagerness seemed to be obvious and… amusing to her, "You sure?" "Are you planning on driving off with my carry-on, Sabrina?" "Cross my heart. I won't.", she gestured to the street behind her, hiking her bag further up her shoulder, "I'm parked over there." A smirk appeared at the fact he was winning, "Lead the way then, before you freeze."

Tagging, @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @strafethesesinners @strangefable @voidika @aceghosts @nightbloodbix @madparadoxum @jillvalentinesday @euryalex @corvosattano @poisonedtruth @purplehairsecretlair @josephslittledeputy @josephseedismyfather @g0dspeeed @trench-rot @cassietrn @chazz-anova @clicheantagonist @dumbassdep @thesingularityseries @theelderhazelnut @florbelles @simplegenius042 @shegetsburned @v0idbuggy and anyone that would like to share a little something this week

[indigosabyss]

So like Gwen would be like the show ‘Community’ really. They started crazy, it wasn’t proving profitable, they were asked to tone it down Season 3, and so toned it up, cancellation be damned, with each season after it produced as if they weren’t coming back, because every year they thought ‘this is it’, and even when they were finally cancelled on losing Donald Glover they still managed to stick to their ‘six seasons and a movie’ mantra because a streaming service decided to pick them up (Yahoo), that streaming device crashed and burned, then a second streaming service then got the rights to air the series outside America over the pandemic (Netflix), leading a third streaming service to finally order the movie to finish it all off (Peacock), giving them the money to get Glover back, and shooting this year.

See, it's a good allegory. I do in fact like the idea of Gwen going from crazy-bc-shes-excited-to-be-here then toning it down, and then thinking, fuck it, I'm going to get canceled anyway let's do what I want consequences be damned.

But unlike Community, there's no "other streaming service" to pick her up. If editorial wants her out, she's out. It's up to the fans to prove that she's worth it.

[chrismkundaliniservices]

𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰

Music and spirituality are deeply interconnected. Spirituality often initiates the inspiration for the creation of music.

Music has a very strong transcendent property, throughout history, music has been used in various spiritual ceremonies and rituals in the form of singing, chants, drums, and prayers.

Listening to devotional music such as mantras and prayers music regularly can bring about more positivity, balance, and healing when the soul and karma are ready to receive it.

It can elevate mood, foster relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem. In some cases can even speed up the recovery time from illness or injury.

When you start paying closer attention to how music conditions our daily lives, and feelings, you can use music as a tool to help your spiritual process in this chaotic, frantic, modern living.

The important components and power of this album are the meaning of the lyrics and the Kundalini frequencies of the voice. This is one of the reasons why this album can be so powerful in your life. Master Chrisms Kundalini put the songs together from start to finish.

It is capable to connect us to something greater than ourselves to our inner divinity and consequently, positively, affecting our spiritual development and quality of life.

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲:

https://m.soundcloud.com/user-696984179/kundalini-sacred-music-preview

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖:

•want more positive programming toward grace in your life

•want protection against negative entities and negativity

•want to receive shaktipat energy transmission via master Chrisms voice

•want to introduce more conditioning towards Kundalini into your life

•want to receive healing via the music put together by master Chrisms Kundalini

•want to receive many benefits of master Chrisms Kundalini sounds

•want to work towards a Kundalini activation if you don’t have it yet

•want a more Kundalini oriented lifestyle and routine

•want to learn about Kundalini safeties

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:

•➤improved Kundalini lifestyle

•➤information on the Kundalini safeties

•➤ increased presence of grace in ones space

•➤a greater level of protection

•➤increased levels of Kundalini in one’s life and environment

•➤ Shaktipat energy reception via master Chrisms voice

•➤ greater peace and balance in one equation especially if the music is played frequently particularly overnight

Price: $15

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒆𝒔:

► You place your order by private messaging here or on the given email on the flyer

► You will make your payment via Pay Pal

► We will give you a Google Drive link where you can download the mp3 tracks plus the album cover with the song list and cd label

► You are free to upload the music on your smartphone device or burn a cd then print off the cover and label

► We suggest leaving the music on slightly playing in the background throughout the day and night if possible due to its many benefits within one’s Kundalini equation

𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗹: 𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝟯𝟲𝟵@𝘆𝗮𝗵𝗼𝗼.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆:

➤ Please note that in some cases the ego might resist certain information reception and application and this has nothing to do with the quality of the given service and guidance by master Chrism.

➤ The payment is non refundable. Part payment is available.

➤ This service is not for personal profit gain but for the support of this Kundalini community

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for further information.

[prernasinghal]

How Much Does Flutter Application Development Cost?

The cost of your next Flutter app depends on multiple aspects and features that you wanna add to your final product. However, as per the latest US market norms, a simple Flutter application cost will range between $10,000 to $50,000, while if you go with the most advanced features then it will lie from $50,000 to $200,000 onwards. Major highlighting factors like advanced UI/UX designs, and API integration, along with custom features, and third-party services also impact the final cost of your Flutter application.

You can reach out to the Flutter app experts of Spiral Mantra to develop a fully functional application that works seamlessly across all platforms and devices - Android, iPhone, iPad, and Windows.

#python #flutterapp #programmer #iosdeveloper #kotlin #javascript #appdeveloper #technology #mobileappdevelopment #flutterdevelopment

[neenuasokan]

Mantra IT Solutions: Web Design Company in Ernakulam

At Mantra IT Solutions, we are dedicated to delivering top-quality websites that not only look great but also drive traffic, conversions, and sales for your business. As a leading Web Design Company in Kochi, we combine over a decade of experience in online marketing and web development to create professional, custom websites tailored to your unique business needs. Our team of skilled digital experts and web designers is committed to building responsive and SEO-friendly websites that offer user-friendly navigation and engaging content designs. We understand the importance of having a website that performs well on all devices, which is why we ensure that your site looks good and functions seamlessly across mobile, tablet, and desktop interfaces.

Choosing Mantra IT Solutions as your Web Design Company in Ernakulam means partnering with a team that is constantly innovating to help your business stand out in the competitive digital landscape. Our dynamic and responsive website designs give your business a competitive edge, enhancing your online presence and ensuring that your brand reaches a wider audience. As a leading Web Design Company in Kerala, we take pride in creating unique, SEO-friendly websites that make it easy for search engines to crawl and understand your content, ultimately improving your visibility in search engine results. Don't just take our word for it—see what our satisfied customers have to say about our exceptional web development services. Let us help you put your best foot forward on the internet and grow your business with a website that truly makes an impact.

[sustainable-treading]

Simple Steps to Becoming a Trendsetter for Green Living

The concept of living sustainably can often seem overwhelming, as if it requires a complete transformation of daily habits and lifestyle. However, sustainable living doesn't have to be complicated or daunting. At GlamourLoom and other eco-conscious brands, the belief is that sustainable living is about making thoughtful, intentional choices that align with individual values. These small yet impactful changes can benefit the environment and position individuals as trendsetters in the green living movement.

Everyday Actions That Contribute to a Sustainable Lifestyle

Living sustainably does not necessitate sacrificing comfort or style. It's about finding balance and making choices that positively impact the environment without disrupting daily life. Here are some everyday actions that can make someone a trendsetter in green living:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The classic mantra of sustainability remains one of the most effective ways to live green. It starts with reducing consumption by buying only what is needed and choosing quality over quantity. Brands like Patagonia are champions of this philosophy, encouraging customers to buy fewer, higher-quality items and even offering repair services to extend the life of their products. Reusing items, whether repurposing old furniture or using reusable shopping bags from companies like Baggu, is another key step. Finally, recycling materials properly minimizes waste and conserves resources.

Conserve Energy: Simple changes, such as turning off lights when not in use, using energy-efficient bulbs, and unplugging electronics when they are not needed, can significantly reduce energy consumption. Companies like Nest offer smart home devices that help monitor and reduce energy use, making it easier to conserve. Investing in energy-efficient appliances from brands like Bosch and utilizing natural light during the day are also beneficial practices.

Support Sustainable Brands: Purchasing decisions have the power to drive change. By choosing to buy from brands that prioritize sustainability, consumers support businesses committed to reducing their environmental impact. GlamourLoom offers a range of eco-conscious products that make green living stylish and effortless, while brands like Eileen Fisher focus on ethical and sustainable fashion, offering clothing made from organic and recycled materials.

Mindful Eating: The food choices made can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Opting for locally sourced, organic foods from companies like Thrive Market and reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products are effective steps. Growing herbs or vegetables at home can also be a rewarding way to embrace sustainability, with tools and supplies available from eco-friendly garden brands like The Green Conspiracy.

Eco-Friendly Transportation: Walking, biking, or using public transportation instead of driving are excellent ways to reduce a carbon footprint. For longer commutes, electric vehicles from companies like Tesla or hybrid options from Toyota offer more sustainable transportation choices. Carpooling and using ride-sharing services like Lyft with their carbon-neutral option can also be effective strategies.

Minimize Water Usage: Small changes, such as fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and using water-saving fixtures, can help conserve water. Brands like Kohler offer water-efficient faucets and showerheads that can reduce water consumption without sacrificing comfort. Collecting rainwater for gardening or using greywater systems are additional ways to reduce water waste, with companies like Rainwater Harvesting Supply providing solutions for home use.

Style Meets Sustainability

GlamourLoom is dedicated to creating products that are not only beautiful but also align with the principles of sustainable living. The collection is designed to make it easy for individuals to incorporate eco-friendly practices into daily life while maintaining a chic, modern aesthetic. Here’s how GlamourLoom and other brands can help lead a greener lifestyle:

Sustainable Materials: GlamourLoom’s products are crafted from eco-friendly, durable materials such as organic cotton and recycled fabrics. Similarly, brands like Allbirds use sustainable materials like merino wool and eucalyptus in their shoes, combining comfort with environmental responsibility.

Ethically Made: GlamourLoom prioritizes ethical production methods, ensuring that products are made with respect for both the environment and the people involved in their creation. By choosing GlamourLoom or brands like Everlane, known for their transparent and ethical supply chains, consumers support businesses that value sustainability and social responsibility.

Stylish Designs: Green living does not mean compromising on style. GlamourLoom’s custom-designed products blend sustainability with contemporary elegance, just as West Elm offers eco-friendly furniture and home décor that combines modern design with sustainable practices.

In embracing these simple steps and choosing products that align with sustainable values, anyone can contribute to a greener future without sacrificing the style and comfort of their daily lives. By supporting brands that prioritize sustainability, individuals can make a positive impact on the environment while enjoying the benefits of a stylish and eco-friendly lifestyle.

[ardhra2000]

Opportunity kicking On-Demand App in Health Sector

TelaDoc and American Well have accrued great profits of $245 and $141 respectively in there initial funds gained according to the figures shared in Forbes article from February. The potential of healthcare sector is always way more high as compared to Techno, Transportation and food segment. On Demand app has bring new revolution in the industry of Techno-economic where both technology and economy has been effected. 

The consumer side of healthcare might be different, but it is slowly encroaching on the standardized reactive system that has been dominating the on demand app development

Proactivity characterises the tremendous innovation and diversification of this sector. From personal biosensing devices to smart mobile apps, to personalized fitness and health care programs. This proactive system hinges on the development in the IoT concept that is the internet will be essential in converting most devices like smartphones and watches into healthcare supplying units, from consultation, to diagnostics and even the delivery of medicines at your doorstep.

On-demand app has facilitated the user in all the sectors of the industry but health being major one. On-Demand service providers are working to grab attention by providing best platform to the customer and enhance their business in global market. Unique concepts are the only mantra to survive in this era.

[websolutionss]

Choosing the Right Development Company: A Guide by Orange Mantra

In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses need robust and scalable applications to stay ahead of the competition. Whether it's a web application, mobile app, or a complex enterprise solution, selecting the right development framework and company is crucial. Orange Mantra, a leading name in the tech industry, specializes in delivering cutting-edge solutions across various technologies. In this blog, we'll explore why you might choose Django, .NET, or Java for your next project and why Orange Mantra is the perfect partner for these services.

Why Choose a Django Development Company?

Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. Here’s why opting for a Django development company like Orange Mantra can be beneficial:

Rapid Development: Django’s "batteries-included" philosophy means it comes with many features out-of-the-box, allowing developers to focus on writing the unique aspects of your application rather than reinventing the wheel.

Scalability: As your business grows, your application can grow with it. Django is designed to handle high traffic and large volumes of data seamlessly.

Security: Django takes security seriously and helps developers avoid many common security mistakes, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and cross-site request forgery.

Versatility: Whether it’s an e-commerce site, a content management system, or a scientific computing platform, Django is versatile enough to build any web application.

At Orange Mantra, our skilled Django developers leverage these advantages to deliver robust, scalable, and secure web applications tailored to your business needs.

The Benefits of Partnering with a Dot Net Development Company

Microsoft’s .NET framework is a versatile and powerful platform used for building a wide range of applications. Here’s why a Dot Net Development Company like Orange Mantra could be the right choice for your project:

Rich Ecosystem: The .NET framework provides a comprehensive and consistent programming model for building applications that have visually stunning user experiences and seamless and secure communication.

Interoperability: .NET is designed to work with other Microsoft products and services, providing seamless integration with tools like Azure, Office 365, and more.

High Performance: .NET applications are known for their high performance, reliability, and scalability, which are critical for enterprise-level applications.

Cross-Platform Development: With .NET Core, developers can create applications that run on Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing for more flexibility and a broader reach.

At Orange Mantra, our .NET developers are experts in leveraging the framework's full potential to deliver custom solutions that drive business success.

Why Java Development Company is the Go-To for Enterprise Solutions

Java remains one of the most popular programming languages in the world, particularly for enterprise-level applications. Here’s why you should consider a Java Development Company like Orange Mantra:

Platform Independence: Java’s “write once, run anywhere” capability means that applications developed in Java can run on any device that supports the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Robustness and Security: Java is renowned for its robustness, security features, and ability to handle large-scale, high-performance applications.

Community Support: Java boasts a large, active community and a wealth of resources, which translates to a strong support network and continuous enhancements.

Scalability: Java applications can easily scale to meet the growing demands of a business, making it ideal for enterprise-level solutions.

Orange Mantra’s Java developers have extensive experience in building secure, scalable, and high-performing applications that meet the specific needs of enterprises.

Why Choose Orange Mantra?

Choosing the right technology is just one part of the equation; selecting the right partner to bring your vision to life is equally important. Here’s why Orange Mantra stands out:

Expertise Across Technologies: Our team comprises experts in Django, .NET, and Java, ensuring that we can meet diverse development needs with precision and expertise.

Customer-Centric Approach: We believe in understanding our clients' unique requirements and delivering customized solutions that drive business success.

Commitment to Quality: Quality is at the heart of everything we do. From initial consultation to final delivery, we ensure that our solutions are robust, scalable, and secure.

Proven Track Record: With a portfolio of successful projects across various industries, Orange Mantra has a proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions that exceed client expectations.

In conclusion, whether you need a Django development company, a Dot Net development company, or a Java development company, Orange Mantra is your go-to partner. Our expertise, commitment to quality, and customer-centric approach ensure that we deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed your expectations. Partner with Orange Mantra and take your business to new heights.

[fervidus]

tw: substance abuse, drunk/intoxicated driving, car accident

Sophia Diaz is the oldest child or Ramon and Helena Diaz. While she breezed through school initially with easy As, she started to struggle with 'gifted kid burnout' around tenth grade, struggling particularly with math. Slipping grades were met with nothing but disappointed lectures and offhanded comments by her father that she should be doing better. The pressure from her father and struggling with schoolwork, particularly math, started to really get to her. She dropped away from her friend group as her grades never seemed up to par with theirs anymore and instead found friends in the wrong crowd.

Forget about your grades and your parents approval and enjoy life while you're young became her new mantra, earning her the title of the family wild child. Sneaking out of the house, secretly meeting up with boys, and finding any excuse to party were commonplace for the rest of high school. She started getting detention for skipping class, being late, or gossiping with her friends through passed notes. Ramon would ground her or make her take drug tests, but the harder he pushed the further Sophia fell away... especially when comparisons to her younger sister started. This placed a wedge between Sophia and Adriana, 'the golden child' that took nearly a decade to undo.

Upon graduation from high school, Sophia really lacked direction and blasted her way through many different jobs, moving on to the next thing whenever she grew bored. Working was only a means to pay her part in rent, buy cute outfits, and keep up with her partying lifestyle. She was drinking pretty regularly and also would partake in most drugs being passed around by her friends at hangouts or parties. She typically stuck to alcohol, marijuana, and hallucinogenics but would use stimulants (cocaine and Adderall) on occasion. It was exceedingly rare for her to say yes to opiates or benzos and she steered clear of meth.

One night she was driving herself and her best friend Valentina between houses. They were both far too intoxicated on multiple substances to be driving, but Sophia didn't think much could happen in a couple of miles. The car careened off of the road past a barrier on an old bridge, narrowly stopping before reaching the water of the Rio Grande River. Sophia doesn't have a recollection of what happened, but when she initially woke up int he car Valentina was unresponsive. Sophia had a meltdown as she got herself out of the car and tried to get to her friend.

The two walked away unscathed, which was a blessing considering the state of her car, but those moments that Sophia thought Valentina was dead stuck with her. In the end she was charged with a Class A Misdemeanor due to her BAC and her sentencing included 18 months of probation, 180 days of license suspension due to refusal of breathalyzer, 60 hours of community service, and about 2,000 dollars in fines on top of all of the classes she would need to take. Additionally, she would need to use a ignition interlock device for 8 months before she could drive freely again.

Between the general fees, paying her dad back for her lawyer, and the cost of probation and the IID she had to move back in with her parents to afford it all. Those months were spent with a lot tension between her and her parents, particularly Ramon. She was counting down how much money she owed her dad and the days until her probation was over. After visiting Eddie for his official firefighter ceremony, she was inspired to start her life over. When everything was wrapped up legally for her in Texas she boarded a flight and showed up on Eddie's doorstep -- hoping to find more support and a fresh start with Eddie, Tia Pepa, and Abuela around instead of her parents. In LA, she struggles with trying to forgive herself and find some self worth as well as find the person she wants to be all the while struggling with what sobriety has to mean for her.

I have to do work with the timeline a bit, but I'm aiming for Sophia showing up in Season 3 sometime shortly after the Christmas episode. She couch surfs while she tries to establish herself better until Adriana shows up with a lease on a 2 bedroom apartment. It takes a minute, but the sisters are able to sort the tension between them (mostly on Sophia's side) and grow close.

[vapehk1]

ALD Awarded Prestigious Title by the Shenzhen Quality Association

In 2024, ALD declared "quality first" as its annual business mantra, rigorously emphasizing the importance of quality issues and striving for perfection in both product and service quality. The company has always prioritized enhancing its competitive edge through quality, aiming to consistently deliver greater value to customers. This commitment recently received significant recognition. After a strict review and approval process by the Shenzhen Association for Quality, ALD has been honored with the title of Standing Director Unit. Shenzhen Quality Association: Pioneering Quality Standards Since 1987 Founded in 1987 under the guidance of the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, the Shenzhen Quality Association is a comprehensive social organization. As a backbone in regional quality development, the association boasts over 700 group members spanning manufacturing, construction, services, and governmental agencies. The role of Standing Director Units is pivotal, providing robust support for the association’s stable growth and industry quality improvements. The Shenzhen Association for Quality stands as one of the most authoritative and influential quality organizations in the region. It serves as a vital communication bridge between the government and enterprises and acts as a hub for quality construction, offering a collaborative platform for enterprises and quality professionals to exchange ideas and grow together. The criteria for selecting Standing Director Units are incredibly stringent, encompassing aspects such as the quality management system, product or service quality, innovation capability, brand influence, and social responsibility. Units must not only demonstrate significant quality advantages and competitiveness in their respective fields but also actively contribute to the association's development and industry quality enhancement. ALD's 15-Year Commitment to Excellence in Vaping Technology Over the past 15 years, ALD has deeply cultivated the electronic atomization industry, covering areas like Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Inhalable Medical Vaporization Devices (IMV). The prestigious recognition as a "Standing Director Unit" by the Shenzhen Association for Quality is a testament to ALD’s unwavering dedication to quality and innovation. This honor acknowledges ALD’s past efforts and fuels its future aspirations and motivations. Looking ahead, ALD will continue to prioritize quality as the lifeline of its business, uphold a broad perspective on quality, fortify its quality management foundation, and deepen its comprehensive quality management practices. By enhancing deep interactions with customers, ALD is committed to delivering superior products and services, driving the industry forward. With the united efforts of all employees, ALD’s journey towards quality excellence is set to broaden, laying a solid foundation for the company's long-term development. Join the Quality Journey with ALD As ALD continues to blaze trails in quality and innovation, stay tuned to witness how we push the boundaries of what's possible in the vaping and medical vaporization fields. Whether you’re a vaping enthusiast, a quality guru, or just curious about technological advancements, follow our journey for insights into a future where quality and excellence lead the way. Who knows, you might just be inspired to embrace the vapor trail! Read the full article

[ashif544]

What Are Some Creative Ways to Personalize Your Laptop Skin?

Laptop skins are an excellent way to add a touch of personality and style to your device while protecting against scratches and minor damage. While many laptop skins come in pre-designed patterns or solid colors, there are countless creative ways to personalize them to make your laptop unique. In this guide, we'll explore innovative and creative ways to personalize your skin of laptop, allowing you to showcase your individuality and make a statement with your device.

Custom Artwork and Designs

Creating custom artwork or designs is one of the most popular ways to personalize a laptop's skin. Whether you're an aspiring artist or graphic designer or simply have a knack for creativity, designing your artwork allows you to express your personality and style uniquely and meaningfully. You can use digital design software or traditional art supplies to create original artwork or designs that reflect your interests, hobbies, or favorite themes. From intricate patterns and abstract designs to illustrations and typography, the possibilities for customizing your laptop skin with artwork that speaks to you are endless.

Photographs and Memories

Another creative way to personalize your laptop skin is by incorporating photographs or memories with special significance. Whether it's a favorite vacation destination, a beloved pet, or a memorable moment captured on camera, adding pictures to your laptop skin allows you to carry your cherished memories wherever you go. You can create a collage of photographs or choose a single image as the focal point of your design. Many online printing services offer custom laptop skin printing options, allowing you to upload your favorite photographs and create a personalized skin that tells your unique story.

Inspirational Quotes and Sayings

Inspirational quotes and sayings are a timeless and meaningful way to personalize your laptop skin. Adding text to your laptop skin can provide daily inspiration and encouragement, whether it's a motivational mantra, a favorite song lyric, or a quote from your favorite book or movie. You can feature a single powerful quote or create a collage of meaningful phrases that resonate with you. Consider selecting fonts and typography styles that complement the overall design aesthetic of your laptop skin and help convey the tone and message of your chosen quotes or sayings.

Pop Culture References

For fans of movies, TV shows, video games, or other pop culture phenomena, incorporating references to your favorite franchises or characters is a fun and creative way to personalize your laptop skin. Whether it's a minimalist design featuring iconic symbols or logos or a detailed illustration of your favorite characters, incorporating pop culture references adds a playful and whimsical touch to your device. You can feature subtle nods to your favorite fandoms or create bold, eye-catching designs that pay homage to beloved franchises.

Nature and Scenery

Nature-inspired designs are a popular choice for personalizing skin on laptop, offering a calming and serene aesthetic that brings your device a touch of the outdoors. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an avid traveler, or appreciate the beauty of the natural world, incorporating elements of nature into your laptop skin allows you to escape into serene landscapes and breathtaking scenery. From lush forests and majestic mountains to tranquil beaches and starry night skies, there are endless possibilities for creating nature-inspired designs that evoke a sense of peace and tranquility.

Geometric Patterns and Abstract Designs

Geometric patterns and abstract designs are versatile and visually striking options for personalizing laptop skins. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant colors or understated and minimalist aesthetics, geometric patterns offer endless opportunities for creativity and self-expression. From intricate tessellations and optical illusions to simple shapes and patterns, you can customize your laptop skin with designs that reflect your unique style and personality. Experiment with different color palettes, line weights, and compositions to create dynamic and eye-catching designs that make a statement with your device.

Monograms and Initials

Monograms and initials are classic and timeless options for personalizing laptop skins, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance to your device. Whether you feature your initials or those of a loved one, monograms add a personalized and distinguished touch to your laptop skin. You can opt for traditional monogram designs featuring intertwined letters or create modern and minimalist interpretations using sleek typography and geometric elements. Monograms are a versatile option that works well with a wide range of design styles, making them a popular choice for users looking to add a personalized touch to their devices.

Abstract Art and Illustrations

Abstract art and illustrations offer a creative and expressive way to personalize your laptop skin, allowing you to showcase your artistic talents and creativity. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant abstract compositions or whimsical and playful illustrations, abstract art and illustrations add a dynamic and visually engaging element to your device. You can experiment with different brush strokes, textures, and color combinations to create unique, eye-catching designs that reflect your style and personality.

DIY Stickers and Decals

If you want a fun and budget-friendly way to personalize your laptop skin, consider creating your DIY stickers and decals. You can design and print custom stickers featuring your favorite images, designs, or illustrations using printable sticker paper or adhesive vinyl sheets. Cut out your designs using scissors or a craft knife, peel off the backing, and apply them to your laptop skin. DIY stickers and decals offer endless opportunities for creativity and customization, allowing you to create a truly unique and personalized laptop skin that reflects your interests and personality.

Textures and Materials

In addition to visual designs and artwork, consider incorporating textures and materials into your skins for laptops design for added depth and tactile interest. Textured materials such as leather, denim, or metallic foil can add a luxurious and tactile element to your laptop skin, creating a unique and sophisticated look. You can also experiment with 3D elements such as embossing or raised textures to create dynamic, interactive designs that stand out. By incorporating textures and materials into your laptop skin design, you can make a visually striking and tactilely engaging device that reflects your style and personality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, personalizing your laptop skin is a fun and creative way to showcase your personality and style while protecting your device from scratches and minor damage. Whether you create custom artwork, incorporate photographs and memories, or showcase your favorite quotes and pop culture references, there are countless creative ways to make your laptop skin unique. By exploring different design options and experimenting with textures, materials, and techniques, you can create a personalized laptop skin that reflects your individuality and makes a statement with your device. So unleash your creativity and let your imagination run wild as you personalize your laptop skin to make it uniquely yours.

[bradleyharrison]

Innovating Tech Solutions: ITAdOn IT Solutions at the Helm

Encountering technical hurdles? Whether you're navigating complex business networks or struggling with personal device issues, ITAdOn IT Solutions stands ready to be your steadfast partner in the world of IT services. Our mission remains steadfast: to provide forward-thinking solutions that cater to the diverse needs of businesses and individuals alike.

Proactive Maintenance: Ensuring Seamless Operations

At ITAdOn IT Solutions, proactive problem-solving is our mantra. Our approach includes:

Regular System Updates: Keeping your software and hardware finely tuned for peak performance.

Comprehensive Security Audits: Identifying and fortifying system vulnerabilities against potential threats.

Optimized Performance Tuning: Customizing your IT infrastructure for maximum efficiency and reliability.

Responsive IT Support: Agile Solutions for Every Challenge

Tech challenges can strike at any time, demanding swift action. With our responsive IT support, you can expect:

Round-the-Clock Availability: Expert assistance at your fingertips, ensuring minimal disruptions.

Efficient Troubleshooting: Our team swiftly addresses issues, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Strategic IT Consulting: Tailored Solutions for Your Journey

Every tech journey is unique, and we're committed to guiding you through it. Our IT consulting services offer:

Operational Optimization: Streamlining IT processes to boost productivity.

Robust Security Measures: Strengthening defenses to safeguard your data and privacy.

Scalable Infrastructure Solutions: Crafting adaptable IT solutions that grow with your business or personal needs.

Summary

At ITAdOn IT Solutions, we're not just service providers; we're your trusted partners dedicated to your tech success. Whether you're a business striving for innovation or an individual seeking reliable support, our comprehensive IT solutions are designed to meet your distinct needs.

ITAdOn IT Solutions

Address: 1500 Chestnut St Suite 1959, Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: +1 (888) 448 2366 Website: ITAdOn IT Solutions Google Map:

Ready to redefine your tech experience? Connect with ITAdOn IT Solutions today and embark on a journey of innovation and unparalleled support! Computer support and services | ITAdOn IT Solutions

[app-development1]

SEO Strategies for 2024: What’s New and What’s Working

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential aspect of digital marketing, constantly adapting to new algorithms and user behaviours. As we step into 2024, businesses must align their SEO strategies with the latest trends to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what’s new and what’s working in SEO for 2024, tailored for digital marketing services agencies like SearchMyExpert.

1. Emphasis on User Experience (UX)

In 2024, Google continues to prioritise websites that deliver outstanding user experiences. A seamless UX enhances user engagement and retention, which are critical factors for improving search rankings. To optimise UX, businesses should focus on:

Website Speed: Ensure your website loads quickly on all devices to reduce bounce rates.

Mobile Optimization: With mobile traffic dominating, a mobile-first approach is crucial.

Interactive Elements: Use interactive tools to keep users engaged and encourage them to spend more time on your site.

2. Content Quality Over Quantity

While content remains king, the focus has shifted from quantity to quality. High-quality, relevant content that addresses the needs of your audience will rank higher than ever before. Strategies for creating impactful content include:

Answering User Queries: Develop content that answers specific questions commonly asked by your target audience.

Use of Rich Media: Incorporate videos, infographics, and podcasts to make your content more engaging.

E-A-T Principle: Emphasise Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness in your content to boost credibility.

3. AI and Automation in SEO

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionise SEO by automating complex tasks and providing deeper insights. In 2024, leveraging AI tools can enhance various aspects of SEO:

Content Creation: AI can help generate content ideas and even draft initial content versions.

SEO Audits: Use AI tools to perform more frequent and thorough SEO audits.

Personalization: AI algorithms can personalise website content for visitors based on their browsing behaviour and preferences.

4. Local SEO and Voice Search Optimization

Local SEO remains a powerful tool for businesses targeting local customers. Voice search optimization is also becoming increasingly important as more users turn to voice-activated devices. Effective strategies include:

Google My Business Optimization: Keep your listings updated with accurate information and rich content.

Schema Markup: Use schema markup to help search engines understand and display your local business information.

Voice Search Keywords: Optimise for conversational keywords and phrases likely used in voice searches.

5. Video Content for Enhanced Engagement

Video continues to be a dominant form of content in 2024. Videos not only improve engagement but also boost a website's time on site, a key SEO metric. To effectively use video content, consider:

Video SEO: Optimise video titles, descriptions, and tags with targeted keywords.

Host Videos on Your Domain: Ensure videos hosted on your domain to drive traffic directly to your site rather than third-party platforms.

Engaging Thumbnails: Use captivating thumbnails to increase click-through rates.

6. Sustainable Link Building Practices

Link building remains vital, but the focus has shifted towards more sustainable and ethical practices. Quality over quantity is the mantra, with a preference for:

Relevance: Prioritise links from sites that are relevant to your business niche.

Authority: Seek out links from high-authority websites to enhance your own site’s authority.

Guest Blogging: Contribute high-quality content to reputable sites in your industry to gain backlinks naturally.

7. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

SEO is an ever-evolving field. Continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies and market changes are crucial. Stay updated by:

Following Industry Leaders: Keep up with thought leaders and SEO experts to stay informed about the latest trends.

Regular Training: Invest in SEO training for your team to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest SEO practices and tools.

Conclusion

SEO in 2024 is all about enhancing user experience, leveraging AI, and creating high-quality, engaging content. By adopting these forward-thinking strategies, digital marketing agencies like SearchMyExpert can ensure robust online visibility and superior search engine rankings. Remember, the key to successful SEO is not just to adapt to changes but to anticipate them.