#What is competitive analysis

[liveblack]

Competitor Marketing Strategy | Liveblack

Staying ahead of the competition is highly demanding in this fast-moving age. Because everyone wants to be on top and to be on top, you have to have some knowledge about who your true competitors are. You need to identify ways to outperform competitors with the help of competitive analysis. Explore how competitor analysis can be done and focus on optimizing your business to the next level.

What is competitive analysis?

Competitive analysis in marketing is gathering information about competitor’s services, sales, and strategies, identifying their strengths and weaknesses to gain insights and discover opportunities to do better than competitors.

It will help you keep track of market trends to drive brand awareness, customer engagement, and opportunities to grow your business.

What is the purpose of competitive analysis? Well, the purpose varies depending on what you want to research. It will also help you see through your advantages, unique points, and barriers to growth to strengthen your business strategies. We can also conclude some of the key points such as,

Identify opportunities in the market

Highlight your competitor’s weaknesses

Discover new market trends

Detect flaws in your strategy

Compare your performance with other competitors

Promote your unique value proposition

Discussing the purposes and key points to stand apart in the market through competitive analysis, let us now move to — how to research a market. Is there a specific way to research the market? What are the tools that work for you to better understand the market?

As we all know, market research is crucial to achieve success. Gather data and shape your business plan accordingly to meet your goals and achieve success. The Internet is a handy and easily accessible option to do market research. However, it has its flaws. The information published on the Internet may be incomplete or not updated with the time or not relevant to this date.

Another option you can think of is surveying. Surveying can help you get meaningful insights. Get connected with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders, you’ll get a better idea about how your product or service is helpful to them or what the pain points it has.

Feedback can provide real help to businesses. Genuine feedback from customers and other stakeholders gives you some straightforward views to look into your business strategies and change according to the time being.

To gain more into the competitor analysis let’s dive into the types of competitor analysis. There are mainly 3 types of analysis that can help your business improve leads, revenue, and brand awareness.

Social media competitor analysis -

Social media has the power to drive customers to businesses. It leads to customer engagement and brings sales. However, it’s important to know where your audience is and how to get their attention.

A well-planned digital marketing strategy will pave the way for your business. Conducting social media competitor analysis will give you a chance to look at what social networking sites your competitors are using, what type of content they use to interact or engage with their audience etc. what strategies they have that effectively work in their favor.

Also, look into how frequently your competitors post on their social media platforms with what kind of posts or topics they choose to share. Videos, images, humor, captions, etc. can be the true examples to delve into. How they interact with their followers is also an essential part of your competitor analysis to check.

PPC competitor analysis -

This analysis involves keywords and phrases your competitors are bidding on. Here, the main goal is to get better results and drive leads than your competitors. You have to study the types of ads they are paying for. Are they paying for expensive keywords or have they mainly focused on improving brand awareness?

Do they create landing pages for every campaign? Are you reviewing their CTAs? All these features provide you with an insight into a competitor’s budget and goals.

SEO competitor analysis -

Have you checked for what type of SEO keywords your competitors are ranked for? Figure out the real deal with SEO competitor analysis. Also, you can check these techniques such as,

Compare backlinks

How to rank for more keywords

Compare your website performance with competitors

Keeping track of your competitors has many benefits. Competitive analysis is a continual process to update your business strategies now and then. The Benefits of a Competitive Analysis includes,

Understanding the market

Develop USP (Unique Selling Point)

Discovering competitor’s weaknesses

Improving your business & marketing strategies

Understanding economic climate

Minimizing repetitive mistakes

Explore new trends

Discover target audience

Stand out from competitors

We have all these benefits and types of different competitor analyses. However, many competitor analysis tools help you effortlessly collect data. Here are the few examples we’ve mentioned.

Sprout Social — understand competitor’s performance on social media through various points

SEMRush — Widely used SEO tool. Explore keywords, monitor rankings, site audit, etc.

MozBar — Check how authoritative a website is

Buzzsumo — Check on better-performing content

Similarweb — A tool for content & SEO

Facebook Ad Library — Search for ads in a better way

These are some of the finest competitive analysis tools free not fully but have some features you can use for free to stay ahead in the competition.

Competitor marketing strategy is made up of well-done research, planning, and tactics to stay ahead of the competition in the market. This strategy covers activities such as advertising, customer support, exploring trends, content marketing, etc. to analyze how your business sets a benchmark.

Do you know about 4ps of the marketing? If you want to know more about how your competitors are ahead of you, you must know these 4ps to take the lead.

First is Product — What products they are selling? How are their products different from yours? What is a special feature of your competitor’s product or service? What are the better features they have in their product that your product lacks?

Second is Price — What price model their product is? What pricing structure do they follow? Do they have low or high pricing? What’s that point that attracts customers for the pricing structure they’ve set?

Third is Promotion — How do they promote their product? What offerings are they offering? What digital marketing strategies are they using? What social networking channels are they on to promote their product or service? What are their promotion strategies?

Fourth is Place — Which place do your competitors have their stores? Are they fully selling online or have local retail?

Working on these 4ps can help you gain information about your competitors and allow you to focus on strengthening your business.

Competitive advertising research used by businesses is a way to make the consumer realize how you are different and better from your competitor.

A competitive analysis template can provide you with sufficient space where you can compare the different fields with a detailed analysis of your competitors. This way you’ll get a clear idea of how you can stand apart and excel beyond the rest.

How does SWOT analysis help you in competitive analysis? Well, to stay ahead in the market, you should know about your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, and that’s where you need SWOT analysis. It is used for strategic planning and helps you explore the mentioned points to develop a good business strategy.

We at Liveblack, a full-stack digital marketing agency work on every aspect of marketing to help you evolve your business. By reading how this competitive analysis works, we can provide you with practical solutions and advice to manage every one of your needs.

[mochiri]

A SouMako Essay in 2024...

It took me a long time but I finally caught up with free! and remembered why Tachibana makoto is the man of my dreams. But on my watch I realized as it went on Makoto and Souske interact a bit more post Eternal Summer?? The chemistry they have is actually really sweet… and flows naturally well. although it’s def not as much as I would like… here’s why Tachibana Makoto and Yamazaki Sousuke are actually kind of perfect for each other? Sorry it got way longer than I meant it to be LOL

They balance each other out 

Makoto’s sweet, clumsy gentleness complements Sousuke’s no-nonsense, grounded demeanor. Makoto’s kind and nurturing nature has a way of softening Sousuke’s tough exterior and easing his tension, while Sousuke’s firm, straightforward attitude helps ground Makoto, counteracting his tendency to overthink and shoulder everyone else’s feelings.

Together, they create a dynamic that is equal parts comforting and steadying, bringing out the best in each other.

They naturally look out for each other 

Makoto looking out for Sousuke’s shoulder even though he barely knew the guy back in eternal summer. Plus the most precious sweetheart face when he finds out sousuke's shoulder was a success.... if sousuke say that face he'd grumble and be like "don't make such a big deal out of it..." but would appreciate how happy makoto was....

Even helping Sousuke with rehab hello?? i'm going to talk about that more later but it's very fitting the person who was worried about sousuke's shoulder gets to be the one to help him too!

In the Final Stroke part 2 Sousuke is telling Haru Makoto is worried for him. One, probably to tell Haru to chill out and relax, but two because Haru should know that Makoto being worried means Makoto is worried. It’s Makoto for Christ sake. And Sousuke’s probably spent enough time with the guy to know how much he thinks about Haru. Sousuke is telling Haru this for both Makoto and Haru’s benefits. 

Unfortunately this is not part of the show/movies but part of the coco’s 2021 collab is short but shows why those makoto and sousuke balance so well. Natsuya asks Makoto to help him recruit 8 people for the summer cafe. Makoto was able to recruit two people, but he didn’t want to bother the others because they had swim practice. So the guy tries to work an understaffed cafe himself!! Sousuke, who sees poor Makoto frantic about hiring people who APPROACHES Makoto and he’s like “hey let me help you out.” And volunteers his time!! BUT he’s also like “and I’ll ask rin too Makoto. Why don’t you ask Haru?” And makoto’s all worried about them having practice. But practical Sousuke is just like “why don’t we just ask? It won’t hurt.” (source)

I think here…. Sousuke’s levelheadedness was able to calm Makoto and find a solution that works better for him. Sousuke noticed that Makoto was about self sacrifice (YET AGAIN) but Sousuke came with a new solution since Makoto was thinking about everyone’s feelings again instead of thinking about his own wellbeing!! 

Here Sousuke is both looking out for Makoto AND balancing him out. All while finding a solution that doesn’t make makoto sacrifice himself.

They admire and respect each other

Makoto, when he first saw Sousuke at the garden, they talk about Sousuke getting surgery and going back into swimming. To swim somewhere amazing because Sousuke just spilled his dreams to Makoto on the rooftop (romantic). Makoto calls Sousuke amazing because wow… going back into swimming and working hard. And Sousuke doesn’t even know how to react because Makoto gave him such a genuine compliment to the point where Makoto even challenges him.

And then Sousuke immediately asks him out on a date out to eat, basically LOL.

Sousuke’s admirations are unfortunately not in the anime either but these desktop chibis where Sousuke compliments makoto in ALL of them and makoto does not know how to respond to said compliments. Sousuke's looking at Makoto's muscles, his strength in swimming, and his shooting skills:

Sousuke – “Hah, you’re pretty good at this, Makoto.” Makoto – “I have some confidence in gunshooting games.” Sousuke – “Makoto, your swimming style is pretty wild.” Makoto – “Huh? Is that so? I can’t really tell myself…” Sousuke – “Makoto, you have really nice muscles, what kind of training do you do?” Makoto – “Umm… somehow my body just seems to build muscles easily.” (Source)

Sousuke calling Makoto big. Idk about you but from an athlete, that’s a compliment. LOL. But when Rei calls Makoto gentle, Sousuke says that a guy who swims with that hungry of a swimming style should not be called gentle. From an athlete who loves swimming... that's def a compliment LOL. (source)

Sousuke calling Makoto surprising. I think here he’s surprised about makoto’s competitive and cocky nature from the eternal summer ova. As Nao says Makoto is actually prudent, daring, stubborn, competitive and inhibitive. Which is the surprising/not gentle side of Makoto Sousuke is probably talking about with Haru. (source)

And Sousuke a competitive guy. He appreciates other competitive guys lol. I think Sousuke is quite pleased at Makoto's competitive drive.

They watch out for each other 

Makoto literally takes Sousuke through rehab after his surgery. He trains him, takes his swim times, does whatever coaches do at a pool idk 

Also in Coco's 2021, Makoto offers to do the dishes since Sousuke cooked a lot and Sousuke tells him NOT TO HURT HIMSELF CAUSE HE KNOWS MAKOTO IS CLUMSY HES JUST WASHING THE DISHES BUT HONESTLY SSK’S RIGHT…. Makoto needs someone to watch out for him… he’s a hazard sometimes… Showing Sousuke being worried about makoto's clumsiness AGAIN

Makoto thanks Sousuke for pushing him to ask more people and sousuke’s like “well if it’s just you Makoto everyone will worry” and makoto’s like “oh is it because I’m unreliable…?”

And Sousuke's like “you’re always doing the utmost for people Makoto. It’s that they couldn’t leave you alone, you know.” (source). Sousuke…….. are you talking for yourself….. the ever observant Sousuke notices the Makoto who’s always doing stuff for others volunteers and helps him get more people……. He couldn't stand watching makoto be all stressed out... Showing how sousuke's level headedness eases a frazzled Makoto and helped him find a solution!! (Like a good boyfriend LOLOL) 

During Haru's race Sousuke noticed how worried Makoto is for Haru. He verbally tells Makoto to relax and lets him know that he's not alone in his feelings! But also noticing how worried Makoto was in the first place... Also look how cute they are in their official matching Mizuno jackets... (source)

They would be such sweethearts to each other but still be able to challenge each other

Those two work hard to look out for others and the people they love… of course they would look out for each other too… 

Makoto I bet is so patient during rehab. He helped Sousuke bring his shoulder back into shape and had him swim on a national team. To swim with rin again. Sousuke knows how much makoto’s helped him. And that boy does not take friendship for granted.

I can’t help but to be so happy that makoto who was worried for him back in season two got to heal him and bring Sousuke back to his dream at the end (?) of the series. All while finding a dream for himself and coach professional swimmers! Which he’s very good at by the way!! So so proud of Coach Tachibana 😭😭 and Makoto puts them boys to work he's got Sousuke and Hiyori sweating

I wish this got longer scenes cause it’s such a pivotal moments in BOTH their careers but it was like “teach me how you move your body, makoto!” And makoto’s just like “of course!” 

They would be so funny 

They went bunny plushy shopping together for Kisumi's birthday, can you imagine what they even talked about? (source)They would probably take forever choosing one cause Makoto would try to think about what Kisumi would want and Sousuke’s like let’s choose any. And they bicker about it in the aisle and eventually Makoto wins cause of course the bunny has to be extra special. It’s a present, it has to seem like you thought about him! And Sousuke grumbles and picks the one that looks like Kisumi or something LOL

Sousuke cooks and Makoto is canonically bad at cooking/handling the kitchen. When they ate nabe with rin and haru sousuke saw the mushrooms and were like “why do these look like they were cut by demons…” and makoto’s all flustered and talking about how bad he was at cutting and then makoto says he made dessert. And Sousuke’s like oh wow is this tuna surimi?! It looks delicious! And Makoto’s like… actually it’s strawberry jello…. And Sousuke’s like…. "…. Sorry." (source)

LIKE HOW IS THAT NOT ANIMATED fr!fr! the final stroke version... Kyoani pleaseeee im begging (they’ll never do it)

They play basketball with Kisumi. Can you imagine that… isn’t that adorable… (source)

When they went to the cake buffet (source) and makoto grabbed all those cakes and Sousuke’s like “you eat a lot…” because he’s so stunned how many cakes Makoto grabbed LOLOL my sweet tooth loving Makoto…. I bet they would go on cafe dates all the time…  oh wait they do… with all their friends 🤣 they most def went by themselves before 

Two people who have an intense amount of loyalty to their best friend… wishing to be the one that makes him have the drive he has… to be the one to save him…

Makoto’s love for Haru and Sousuke love for Rin are the two most important relationships in free! …. After Haru and Rin’s relationship. And that’s just what the series is. The competitive relationship between Haru and Rin. But here it leaves Makoto and Sousuke who love their friends with all their hearts, yearning for…? Someone to see them as an equal…? Idk what it is but that’s kyoani’s fault for not letting Sousuke and Makoto share the screen for more than 60 seconds at a time

I just rewatched the first final stroke movie. I can't believe makoto and sousuke both say such sweet and motivational words to haru and rin respectively together at the end credits!! Talking about how much they love and appreciate their them and the friendship that they have... I'm convinced Makoto made Sousuke do that omg LOLOL

Last point: Sousuke can probably carry Makoto. Or Makoto can carry Sousuke. Or both. I’m pretty sure both. They both deserve that for each other, congratulations to the happy couple!

Bonus: i'm pretty sure these two coordinated this attack on rin and haru. They're already doing couple hijinx...

[alaynestone]

honestly really appreciate how much you care about both sam AND dean as characters and their relationship to eo. like lowkey kind of exhausting reading tireless meta from either sides talking abt sam is a manipulative sociopath that doesn't deserve his brother or dean is sam's abuser that's stolen all of his autonomy like they're brothers <3 and even though it's getting rarer on tumblr dot hell it's nice to see a blogger give both of them the care and frankly leeway and space to be dirty and nasty and terrible to each other bc it's needed for the sickeningly sweet, caring, loving, endless devotion they have for each other. they're literally each other's blorbos :/ true bibroism is getting lost to the arts </3

thank you, anon!! i appreciate you taking the time to send me this.

yeah, i'm never gonna get behind this tiresome ..cancel culture approach to fiction. sam and dean could be a hundred times worse both individually and to each other and they'd still be sympathetic complex characters deserving of understanding.

[cherrysnax]

im very silly but sometimes it annoys me when people don’t enjoy something the exact same way I do. and it’s suuuuch a bad trait and I’m working on it 😭

[nemesis-is-my-middle-name]

Do you think in-universe that there's actual pokemon levels? If so, how do they measure it? And if not, how do they keep things like the battle facilities level-capped? I remember you mentioning before that you think battles are largely for show, and that in gym battles the leaders/trainers will basically "fight down" to whatever predetermined strength level they've trained their pokemon to fight at depending on how many badges a person has. And that basically they're not actually "fainting" from some kid's baby pokemon, they just have a set amount of damage they can take before they concede the win. Assuming I'm remembering correctly anyway.

But like... are those standards just arbitrary? I assume the various Leagues have rules about that kinda thing, so their gym leaders and Elite Four/Champions are trained rigorously (gym leaders more so, I think, because they'd have to learn eight different levels of difficulty by heart, whereas the Four and Champion only need to abide by one difficulty level). But in a battle facility or tournament, you're not just limiting what your pokemon are allowed to do, you're also somehow making sure that your opponents are doing the same, at the exact same difficulty level. If there were actual levels I think that'd be easier (although I'm still not sure of the actual mechanics of how it'd force them down to level 50 or whatever), but if there's no levels and it's all arbitrary, then literally how would they even tell or enforce it?

Or is this the kinda thing that's just me entirely overthinking video game mechanics that have no logical or reasonable in-universe explanation. Because maybe it's just because it's really late here, but I'm drawing a blank. Although, I guess the pokemon universe does have some mind-bogglingly advanced tech that would in no way work in ours, like Bill's machine that turned him into a clefairy or a functional doomsday device 4,000 years before the modern era or even just the PC system as a whole, so I guess if there are levels it'd make sense that there was some kind of tech that could measure and suppress them?

oooh, really tough question.

so your first paragraph summary is basically right lol—what makes most sense to me is if pokemon battles are like, for show, or honor duel type things, where they're—generally speaking—stopped long before the point where either party would do lasting harm to the other. (there are exceptions, like in the case of frenzied alphas or other certain wild battles, but usually if it's not a scenario that is legitimately life or death, they're not gonna fight like it is.) it's just a matter of demonstrating that one is stronger, and their opponent conceding. & yeah, the corollary that goes along with that is that gym leaders and other high level fighters really are, as they rightly should be, much more powerful at a baseline than you are when you fight them—but to make the fight fairer, they'll try to match strengths with you.

levels though. yeah, it's kind of a toughie. even if you don't assume the above, levels are kind of tough to make coherent in-universe. this might just be one of those situations where game mechanics sort of run up against inworld depiction, yeah, like when an npc tells you to press the B button to run? or the apparent metaphysical law of reality preventing anyone from having more than 6 pokemon on their team at once. it might be that in reality, "strength levels" (inc. not just xp levels but also EVs/IVs and that kind of thing, since some trainers (ingo again) have also shown that they can modulate those) are just sort of a thing a high-level trainer and their team gets a general feel for as they advance, and then maybe they have to do some extra training to actually do the moderation, but the general sense for different strength levels is already there. like, maybe it's not as granular as "okay, now be level 37," it's just "yeah put in like... 40% of your normal effort. great."

but then yeah, the idea that there's no hard and fast rule for it makes stuff like the battle subway kind of hard to explain. since like, there's no way to actually stop someone from cheating and going over 50, and if they do there's no actual Numbers for them to point to and say "no, you've gotta take it back a bit." they can only rely on vibes to determine whether someone isn't strength scaling appropriately? that seems like they wouldn't be a fan of that.

on the other hand i do love the idea that modern day pokemon people have invented some kind of machine that can just scan your pokemon and output a bunch of numerical summaries of their general stats. ooh, maybe that's one of the things a pokemon center machine is doing when you heal, it's giving them a lil blip and updating their info chip in the pokeball-or-however-it-works with their latest info. if it was anything that was actually enforcing a level standard i think it would have to be based around that, since modern pokemon are at least partially data based and i think it would make some kind of sense to be able to sort of. put checks on that data.

alternately, there's no actual physical limitations, it's just that if you try that you will be kicked out of whatever you're participating in. and there would probably be like, sports news drama about it, depending on whether you were participating in some kind of tournament. so people generally don't bc the payoffs of winning once aren't worth it when it's so immediately obvious to everyone that they're breaking the rules. (there could even be some kind of like, known scammer's/cheater's art of trying to just barely toe the line of "rule-breakingly strong" without anyone being able to strictly prove it and punish them for it. but for the most part that's more investment than people want to do for not a lot of gain, it's easier to just fight normally)

...but then the thing you always circle back around to when talking abt this is like. from the battle subway forwards, you're not just going down to 50, they can make you go up to 50 too. which is like, how the fuck, even. how are they juicing the fuck out of my level 20 starter to make them match with everyone else. which is why i feel like there might not be any physical in-world numbers about it, and it's just a matter of it being accepted that both opponents should play down to whatever the weakest party member is, and 50 happens to be the standard level the games represent that as for ease of calculation.

-ok wait a second i just went to check and according to bulba in post-bw games, like in the battle maison and further, they stop doing that scale-up-to-50 thing. it's just the fucking battle subway that does that?? hi?? hello?? out of universe i guess this makes sense from a gameplay perspective, since they're a much earlier-game and generally more accessible facility than other regions, so it's actually unlikely that a player would have a level 50 team when first boarding. in-universe, though?? what the hell are you guys doing over there???

[bobzora]

while im at it shoutout im glad youre evil too. perfect song.

[jasoncoleman88]

What is SWOT Analysis

Product and marketing managers should have proper knowledge of what is SWOT analysis as it works as an effective tool to drive automated market analysis. Access your position, opportunities, and strengths compared to others. This can also help with strategic product development and improvement planning for better marketing business products or services.    

[ninallthatjazz]

I feel like the fact that Lucius is mostly holding multiple cigarettes but we barely see him actually smoking them in contrast to Izzy taking a big fucking drag is supposed to symbolize something. I'm just not sure what it is yet.

"And you? You're happy with this?"

NATHAN FOAD as Lucius Spriggs & CON O'NEILL as Izzy hands in OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH (2022— ) Episode 2.05

[zedxspacess]

This might be a controversial opinion but after listening to hours of interviews and promos at work, i really can’t shake this comparison.

Ospreay in AEW is giving me lots of babyface MJF vibes and their general energies remind me a lot of each other. Ofc Will is going full genuine face while Max still had the “I’m your scumbag” and exaggeration to his performance. Will is unmatched as an athlete and Max’s ability to work a crowd is otherworldly. But both share a genuine passion and high energy for what they do and command a crowd like a next level star. Just two really passionate neurodivergent boys who hyperfixate on wrestling, have a history with theater/performance, and have big mouths on them they sometimes can’t control.

But while I still love Max and defend his reign where some fans have turned on him, there were def big flaws and I feel that people like Swerve and Will have adopted what worked for Max and tweaked what didn’t work for their own presentation. I just hope Max can find a way to reinvent himself in this new AEW with such a stacked roster and gear shift into sports-like presentation. Because I think Will has taken his role of larger than life star/babyface. Combined with the crazy match quality that outshines Max’s and in-ring style that better fits AEW’s identity, Will is more of a complete package and representation for AEW. Even in promos, he has the same high charismatic energy but without the questionably offensive things Max would say as a heel/scumbag babyface. What I loved most about babyface Max is the surprising amount of sincerity in his interviews at the time, and while some of that went into the shows, I feel like Will has brought that to the main stage consistently. MJF is still Max but exaggerated certain aspects to be a performer or has to constantly be an entertainer; Will is just himself plain and simple. And dgmw, Max is really good in the ring but it’s just a testament to how special Will is as an in ring performer, just look at how crazy Will’s 2023 was. But all the crazy plot stuff happening towards the end of Max’s reign has hurt many ppl’s trust in him representing AEW, when originally the company represented an alternative to that style of presentation. That said, I’d like to see them feud one of these days, Will even name dropped Max in the Full Gear media scrum to challenge for the title of “best wrestler in the world/once in a generation talent”. The potential is still there for both wrestlers to be top guys and faces of the company bc when Max needs to ball, he plays ball and I hope all the new competition in the locker room brings out the best in him.

tl;dr I really like these two wrestlers and I think they have a lot more common than people realize despite completely different wrestling styles, and I hope they feud and bring out the best of each other

[bueckets]

Competitive Stamina

Pairing: teammate!Paige x reader

Genre: fuck buddies with unresolved issues, unbearable sexual tension, dom!Paige, strap, degradation, slapping, edging, post-game aggression sex, possessive paige, rough sex that solves nothing, idk just porn w minimal plot (I KNOOOOOW)

WC: 6.3kish?

Bus rides after a loss were a special kind of hell.

The stale air of the charter, the overhead lights too dim to be useful but too bright to let you sink into oblivion, the stiff-backed seats that creaked with every shift—everything grated on your nerves. The taste of failure sat heavy on your tongue, thick and bitter, and no amount of Gatorade could wash it away.

You sat near the back, arms crossed, jaw tight, replaying every goddamn second of the game like a goddamn. masochist. Every blown rotation, every missed shot, every second too slow on defense. It was a fucking disaster.

The low hum of the engine did nothing to drown out the tension hanging in the air. Some of the team sat slumped in their seats, headphones jammed in, pretending like they weren’t reliving the same nightmare. Others were scrolling through their phones, avoiding the inevitable post-game analysis that would come the second you all got back.

And then there was Paige.

Slouched in the seat across the aisle, one long leg stretched out, the other knee bouncing restlessly. Her arms were crossed tight over her chest, the muscles in her jaw flexing every time she gritted her teeth. The blue glow of her phone screen flickered across her face, but you could tell she wasn’t actually looking at it. Just brooding.

You tried not to look at her. Tried to keep your glare aimed out the window, at the blur of highway lights cutting through the night.

But the energy rolling off her was impossible to ignore.

Fucking furious. The kind of anger that vibrated beneath the skin, white-hot, impossible to smother. She was pissed in a way that she wouldn’t let go of anytime soon, the kind of loss that would eat at her, keep her up all night, have her in the gym first thing in the morning with her hoodie up and music blasting like she could outwork the ghosts of the game.

Your fingers curled into your palms.

Because yeah, you were mad too. Mad at yourself. Mad at the team. Mad at how fucking avoidable it all had been. But mostly, you were mad at how much you felt it—how the weight of it sat heavy on your chest, suffocating. You knew you wouldn’t sleep tonight. Not because you didn’t want to, but because your brain wouldn’t let you. Wouldn’t stop dissecting every mistake, every misstep.

Paige exhaled sharply, a sound more bite than breath.

You glanced over, barely turning your head.

Her fingers drummed against her bicep, rapid, restless, a nervous tick she only ever had when she was barely keeping her frustration in check. Her knee bounced faster.

Then, she turned her head, and her eyes found yours.

Sharp. Burning.

And just like that, you were both back on the court. Back in the moment she’d called the switch and you hesitated a fraction too long. Back in the second where everything unraveled.

The muscle in her jaw flexed. You could practically hear what she wanted to say. The words sat heavy between you, unspoken but loud.

What the fuck was that?

You swallowed hard, refusing to be the one to break first. You weren’t about to sit here and get chewed out on a moving bus, in front of everyone.

But the fire in her eyes told you that this wasn’t over.

Not even close.

The door barely slammed shut before Paige was on you, shoving you back so hard your shoulder blades smacked the wall. The cheap dorm drywall rattled behind you, a picture frame nearly toppling off its hook.

Her breath was sharp, jagged, her whole body coiled so tight with frustration it looked like it might snap. She was still in her jersey, the fabric clinging to her sweat-slicked skin, strands of blonde hair stuck to her forehead like she hadn’t even thought about peeling them away. But it wasn’t exhaustion in her eyes. It was fury. Blazing. Undiluted.

“What the fuck was that?” she spat, stepping into your space like she wanted to press you through the goddamn wall.

Your own irritation flared, heat crawling up your spine, but she wasn’t done.

“I called it. I fucking called it. You hesitated." Her voice cut like a whip, her breath hot against your face. “You don’t hesitate.”

Your jaw clenched. “I heard you, Paige. It wasn’t just me. We all fucked up.”

“Oh, fuck off with that.” Her laugh was sharp, humorless, nothing but teeth. “I don’t give a shit about them. You were supposed to have my back. You were supposed to listen to me.”

You bristled, hands curling into fists at your sides. “Don’t act like you’re the only one who fucking cares. You think I wanted to lose? You think I don’t feel like shit right now?”

Paige’s glare burned straight through you. Her jaw clenched, her nostrils flaring, like she wanted to say something even sharper, even worse, but she just looked at you. Like she was daring you to take the blame. To admit it. To fold under her fire.

But you weren’t folding. Not tonight.

“You wanna fight me over this?” you snapped, stepping forward, barely an inch between you now. “Fine. Take a fucking swing, Paige.”

Her breathing hitched. For a half-second, something flickered in her eyes—something reckless, something raw. You thought maybe she would hit you, thought maybe you wanted her to.

Instead, she shoved you—hard. Your back hit the wall again, and this time she followed, grabbed your jersey with both hands, yanking you into her.

And then her mouth crashed onto yours, all teeth and heat and fucking rage.

You gasped against her lips, but she didn’t care—didn’t even give you the space to breathe. Her fingers dug into your jersey, nearly lifting you off the ground as she pressed you into the wall, her body flush against yours, hot and furious and unrelenting.

You bit down on her lower lip, hard, just to make her feel how pissed off you were too.

Paige growled, a low, dangerous sound, and then she was yanking you off the wall, turning, dragging you with her, stumbling toward the nearest surface.

Your hands found her hips, fingers slipping beneath the hem of her jersey. She was still in her shorts, her body taut with adrenaline, with the remnants of competition. You could feel her heart pounding beneath your palm as you pressed against her, pushing back just enough to let her know you weren’t going to just take it.

But Paige didn’t give a damn about pushback. She just grabbed the front of your shirt, dragging you with her as she stumbled backward, lips never leaving yours. She was all fire, all pent-up rage, and you were more than willing to be the thing she burned through.

“Fucking—” she muttered against your lips, frustration bleeding into something else as her fingers tangled in your hair, nails scraping against your scalp. “You drive me insane.”

“You’re the one losing your shit,” you bit back, but the words barely made it out before she was kissing you again, harder this time, as if she could shut you up with the force of her mouth alone.

The room spun as she shoved you back, barely making it to the couch before you tumbled onto it together. Her body was already on top of yours, pressing you down, thighs tight around your waist. Every inch of her was tense, electric, and you could feel it—the way she trembled, the way her breath came too fast, the way her fingers flexed against your skin like she didn’t know if she wanted to fight you or fuck you.

Maybe both.

Your hands roamed, slipping beneath her jersey, tracing the heat of her back. She sucked in a sharp breath as your fingers ghosted over her spine, but she didn’t stop you. If anything, she leaned in harder, her hips pressing down, mouth dragging along your jaw, your neck, teeth scraping just enough to make you shudder.

“I hate you,” she muttered, but her hands were already working at your jersey, pushing it up, fingers skimming the bare skin underneath.

You laughed, breathless. “Yeah? Feels like something else.”

She growled, actually fucking growled, and suddenly she was yanking your jersey over your head, tossing it somewhere behind her. The air was thick, charged, your bodies too close, too desperate, too much.

“Shut up,” she ordered, and then her lips were on your collarbone, her teeth nipping at sensitive skin, her hands gripping your waist like she was trying to anchor herself—like she was afraid if she let go, she’d lose herself completely.

You weren’t sure if you wanted to stop her or let her.

Your laugh died in your throat the second Paige’s fingers dug into your waist, her grip rough, possessive. Her body was hot against yours, muscles tight with lingering adrenaline, her breath ragged as she straddled you. Every inch of her was taut with frustration, with need, with something far more dangerous than simple post-game aggression.

You swallowed hard, pulse hammering, and then your hands were on her hips, squeezing, dragging her closer, feeling the way her thighs flexed beneath your grip.

“Oh, you wanna be a smartass?” Paige growled, her fingers already sliding beneath the waistband of your shorts, snapping the elastic hard against your skin. Her eyes were wild, blown wide with something dark, something hungry.

You grinned, challenging. “What are you gonna do about it?”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.

A sharp crack rang out as her palm met your thigh, the sting immediate, heat blooming across your skin in its wake. You gasped, your body jerking at the impact, but Paige just smirked, her fingers soothing over the mark she’d left behind.

“That’s what I thought,” she murmured, and then her hands were pushing at your shorts, yanking them down with the same force as her frustration. “You know what your problem is?”

You arched a brow, breath hitching as she ran her fingers down the inside of your thigh, deliberately avoiding where you needed her most. “Enlighten me.”

Paige hummed, slow, teasing, dragging her nails lightly across your skin before she leaned in, her lips brushing your ear. “You don’t listen.”

And then her teeth were on your neck, biting, claiming, distracting you just long enough for her fingers to slip lower, tracing over your already-soaked underwear.

Your hips jerked up, chasing her touch, but she pulled back, clicking her tongue.

“No,” she said, voice sharp, commanding. “You don’t get to be greedy. Not after that bullshit on the court.”

You groaned, frustration curling tight in your stomach. “Paige—”

Another sharp smack against your thigh. You gasped, your body trembling as the sting settled into a dull, aching heat.

“You’ll take what I give you,” she murmured, pressing a kiss over the mark she’d just made. “And you’ll be grateful for it.”

You barely had time to respond before she was moving again, shifting off you just long enough to grab something from her bag. Your breath caught when you saw it—the familiar black strap, the sleek vibrator she loved to tease you with.

Your pulse spiked.

“Color?” she asked, voice low, dangerous.

You exhaled shakily, your body already aching, already desperate. “Green.”

Paige smirked. “Good.”

And then she was on you again, pressing you down, pinning you beneath her as she reached for the harness, her hands sure, practiced.

“Now,” she murmured, buckling it into place, her blue eyes gleaming with something wicked. “Let’s see if you can pay attention this time.”

You barely had a second to breathe before Paige moved—gripping you with both hands, flipping you over like you weighed nothing, shoving you down onto the couch with a force that stole the air from your lungs.

The cushions barely softened the impact.

Your cheek pressed into the rough fabric, your pulse hammering against it, every nerve in your body already on edge, already buzzing with anticipation.

Then—her hands were on you again.

“On your knees,” she ordered, her voice low, firm—no room for negotiation.

A shiver ran through you at the sheer authority in her tone, and you scrambled to obey, pushing yourself up, ass in the air, legs spread just enough to keep your balance. Paige didn’t hesitate. Her hand came down hard against your ass, the sharp crack echoing through the apartment.

You gasped, your whole body jolting at the impact, the sting radiating outward in a hot, delicious burn.

Paige hummed behind you, pleased. “Fuck, I missed this,” she murmured, her fingers smoothing over the mark she’d just left. “You’re so fucking pretty when you take it.”

Another slap. Harder.

Your hands clenched into fists, your breath stuttering as the pain twisted into something dangerously close to pleasure.

“You like that?” Paige taunted, her palm resting on your already burning skin, her fingers digging in. “Answer me.”

“Yes,” you gasped, voice unsteady. “Fuck—yes.”

“Good,” she muttered, reaching for something behind you, the couch shifting with her movement. A small click—then the unmistakable slick pop of a cap flipping open. The scent hit first. Sharp, clean, something cool against the heat simmering beneath your skin.

She shifted behind you, knees pressing firm into the cushions, the heat of her body radiating against your back, against the backs of your thighs. Her breath ghosted over your skin—too close, not close enough.

Then—her fingers.

She didn’t give you time to prepare.

A rough fistful of your hair, yanking hard, forcing your spine into an arch so deep your ribs strained, your lips parting in a sharp, unbidden gasp.

The pull was brutal, just shy of painful, the roots of your hair screaming—but the way her grip anchored you, controlled you, owned you—

You swallowed, legs trembling beneath you.

“Stay fucking still,” she warned, pressing the head of the strap between your thighs, teasing, dragging it through your wetness, spreading it around. “I’m gonna ruin this fucking pussy.”

She thrust, pushing in hard, deep, no warning beyond the stretch, the sheer fullness stealing the breath from your lungs.

You whimpered, your arms shaking as you fought to stay upright, your body clenching around the intrusion, the burn sharp, perfect.

Paige groaned behind you, her grip tightening in your hair. “Jesus fuck, you take it so well,” she muttered, rolling her hips, dragging the length in and out, slow at first, teasing, letting you feel every inch.

Then—another crack against your ass. Your moan was shameless, your body jerking forward, only to be pulled back by her grip on your hair.

“Fuck, you sound so good,” Paige rasped, voice thick, wrecked. Her grip on your hip tightened, her fingers digging into your skin like she wanted to brand herself into you. Her thrusts were deep, relentless, knocking the air straight out of your lungs with every snap of her hips. “You like it when I use you like this?”

Like it?

Like it?

You could barely hold yourself up, fingers curling into the couch, your body betraying you in every possible way—hips arching back without thinking, legs shaking, thighs slick with everything she’d already wrung from you.

Your mind was a haze, a mess of static, the sharp sting of her fingers bruising into your hip mixing with the raw aching stretch between your legs. There was no room for thought, for pride, for anything except the unbearable, devastating need to keep her right fucking there.

She pulled back—almost all the way—leaving you empty, your walls clenching around nothing, a sharp, helpless noise slipping past your lips before you could stop it.

Then she slammed back in.

A cry tore from your throat, your body jerking forward with the force of it, pleasure spiking so sharp it hurt.

“Yeah?” she breathed, amusement curling at the edges of her voice, sharp and teasing, like she could feel how fucked out you were, like she loved it. “Fucking say it.”

Say it. Admit it. Let the words fall from your lips and cement exactly how pathetic you were for her.

You clenched your teeth, breath ragged, body trembling beneath her. The stubborn part of you—the part that fought—clawed at your ribs, held your tongue, refused to give her the satisfaction.

Her palm cracked across your ass—sharp, punishing, hot—and your whole body jerked. A strangled whimper escaped you, high and wrecked, and before you could so much as breathe, she yanked your head back by your hair, forcing your spine to arch, forcing your mouth open on a choked gasp.

“You wanna fucking test me?” she growled, voice low, dangerous, pressing in—so deep you felt it in your fucking stomach.

Your pulse slammed in your throat. You bit your lip hard enough to taste copper, every muscle locking tight, refusing to give her the satisfaction, refusing—

“I love it,” you gasped, your voice breaking as she spanked you again, making you clench around the strap, making your whole body shake. “Fuck—Paige, please—”

She growled, a low, feral sound, and suddenly her hand left your hip, reaching for the vibrator she’d left on the couch.

“You wanna beg?” she taunted, flicking it on, pressing the toy right against your swollen clit. “Then fucking beg for it.”

Paige yanked your head back by your hair, making your back arch, making your ass push up even higher, exposing everything to her. The stretch in your scalp sent shivers straight down your spine, the sharp pull mixing with the brutal way she was pounding into you. Deep. Hard. No mercy.

“Look at this greedy fucking pussy,” she growled, voice dripping with filth, eyes locked on where she was splitting you open. “You’re dripping all over my cock, fucking yourself on it like a desperate little slut.”

Your moan was ragged, broken, the force of each thrust knocking it right out of your lungs. Your arms trembled, struggling to keep you up, but Paige didn’t give a fuck. She loved seeing you like this—wrecked, used, hers.

She shifted behind you, digging her nails into your hip as she slammed into you harder, deeper, making the couch creak under both of you. Every thrust sent wet, obscene sounds echoing through the apartment, slick, filthy, undeniable.

“Listen to this messy fucking hole,” she hissed, smacking your ass again, fingers digging into the flesh right after. Your skin was burning, tingling, the heat radiating through your whole body. “You love it when I fuck you like this, don’t you? Like a dumb little slut, letting me wreck you.”

You gasped, nodding frantically, not trusting yourself to speak—not when every thrust hit something devastating inside you, making you whimper like you’d lost your mind.

“Use your fucking words,” Paige snapped, yanking your hair harder, forcing you to arch so much you thought you might break in half. “Tell me what you are.”

“Y-Your slut,” you choked out, the words barely making it past your lips before she spanked you again, harder than before, the sting rocketing through you, making your whole body twitch.

“Damn right you are,” she muttered, her breath hot against your ear as she leaned over you, still fucking into you, still ruining you. “So fucking wet. So fucking tight. You were made for me, weren’t you?”

“Yes,” you gasped, your voice high, needy, desperate.

Paige groaned, pulling out almost all the way before slamming back in, making you scream. Your arms collapsed, your face pressing into the couch, your body unable to hold itself up anymore—but she didn’t stop.

“Oh, fuck no,” Paige laughed, dark and wicked, reaching for your wrists and yanking them behind your back, pinning them there. “You don’t get to tap out now. I’m not done with you yet.”

You sobbed against the cushions, pleasure and overstimulation crashing over you in waves. The way she had you—spine arched, arms pinned, completely fucking helpless—made your head spin. And then—fuck—she reached for the vibrator again, pressing it right against your clit.

You howled, your whole body jerking at the sudden intensity, at the way she wouldn’t fucking let up.

“Oh, you’re squirting for me, huh?” Paige teased, her voice full of pure fucking ego as she felt the mess dripping down her thighs. “Can’t even handle my cock without making a mess, can you?”

Your mouth opened, but nothing came out—just a sharp, shuddering breath, a wrecked sound that barely made it past your lips. Your throat felt raw, your body trembling, pushed beyond its limits but still, still chasing more.

Paige’s smirk deepened, her amusement curling at the edges of your desperation. She leaned in close, her breath rolling hot against the sweat-damp skin of your neck. The tip of her nose ghosted over your jaw, her lips brushing the shell of your ear—not a kiss, just enough to taunt, to tease.

“Pathetic little thing,” she murmured, her voice all velvet and cruelty, her words sinking deep into the mess she’d made of you.

Her hips rolled, the strap dragging slow, deliberate, pressing deeper just as the vibrator ground into your swollen, aching clit. The sensation sent a violent tremor through you, your fingers clenching into useless fists, every nerve frayed and screaming.

Paige hummed, pleased.

“What if I just kept you like this?” Her tone was almost thoughtful, but there was something darker beneath it, something that made your stomach flip, made the heat between your legs flare so violently it nearly hurt.

She rocked her hips again, slower this time, grinding the strap deep, her other hand pressing the vibrator harder, no mercy, no relief.

Your back arched, legs twitching, your body caught between pain and unbearable pleasure. Your mouth opened again, but the sound that tore from your throat was nothing human—a choked, broken whimper, your breath catching on the sheer force of it.

Paige’s grip tightened at your hip, steadying you, owning you.

“Kept you bent over,” she murmured, almost absentminded, like she was imagining it, like she was picturing every second of it. “Stuffed full, dripping all over me, shaking so fucking hard you can’t even hold yourself up.”

Your muscles seized, heat crashing through you like a live wire. Your nails scratched at the couch, desperate, useless, but Paige just laughed, feeling the way your body convulsed, the way you clenched down tight around the strap, your walls fluttering, trembling, breaking.

“Go ahead, baby,” she groaned, biting down on your shoulder, hard enough to leave a mark. “Cum on my cock. Fucking scream for me.”

Paige laughed as she felt your body convulse beneath her, as she felt your cunt squeeze down around the strap, milking it like it was real, like you couldn’t help yourself. The moment your orgasm tore through you, she didn’t stop—kept fucking into you through it, kept the vibrator locked tight against your clit, holding you down as you twitched and shook, your body betraying you.

You screamed, legs kicking, but Paige just grinned, watching you break.

“Fuck, this is so hot,” she muttered, dragging her lips over your spine, biting down hard enough to leave marks, hard enough to own you. “Look at this greedy little hole—still clenching, still soaking my cock.”

Your brain was fried, barely able to process the overstimulation, your whole body shaking, but Paige didn’t care.

She pulled out slowly, dragging the strap through your swollen, ruined folds, making you feel every inch as she left you empty, used, gaping. Your thighs were soaked, your pussy wrecked, your skin hot and buzzing from the spankings.

Then—another slap, this time right over your dripping folds, her palm catching the mess you’d made.

You jerked, gasping, pleasure and pain crackling through you at once.

Paige chuckled, sliding her fingers through your wetness, gathering it up before shoving them into your mouth, forcing you to taste yourself.

“Suck,” she ordered, and you obeyed, wrapping your lips around her fingers, your tongue swirling over them, licking up every drop.

She groaned, watching you, eyes burning.

Paige dragged her fingers from your mouth, slow, deliberate, her touch lingering just long enough to make you chase it—your lips parting instinctively, tongue flicking out as if to pull her back in.

Wet pop.

The slick, obscene sound echoed in the space between you, and Paige exhaled, something dark, something satisfied curling at the edges of her breath.

“That’s a good fucking girl,” she murmured, her voice thick, heavy, sinking straight into your bones. Her fingers brushed over your cheek, smearing the mess she’d just pulled from your mouth, her thumb pressing against your lip, teasing, taunting.

Then—she moved.

Fast. Unyielding.

Hands at your hips, gripping tight, flipping you like you weighed nothing, like you were just another thing for her to use. The cushions barely had time to register your weight before she was spreading you open, her fingers pressing into the soft flesh of your inner thighs, pushing until there was nothing hidden from her.

You barely processed the shift before cool air hit your soaked, swollen skin, the contrast so sharp it sent a full-body tremor through you.

Your thighs were quivering, slick shining under the dim lights of the apartment, your pussy swollen, throbbing. Paige ran her fingers over it, barely touching, watching the way you twitched, still overstimulated.

“God, you look fucking ruined,” she smirked, gripping the base of the strap, tapping the tip against your still-sensitive clit, making you jump. “Think you can take more?”

Your breath was ragged, your body wrecked, but fuck—fuck, you needed it.

“Yes,” you whispered, voice shaking. “Please.”

Paige’s eyes darkened.

“Then spread those fucking legs wider,” she commanded.

And you did.

Paige smirked as you obeyed, spreading your legs wider, exposing yourself completely—flushed, dripping, needy despite how wrecked you already were. But she didn’t give you anything. Not yet. Instead, she pressed the tip of the strap just against your entrance, teasing, not pushing in, just barely letting you feel the pressure.

Her fingers traced lazy circles over your trembling thighs, pressing down on the spots she’d spanked raw, making you flinch, making you feel every mark she’d left on you.

“You really think you deserve more?” she taunted, dragging the tip of the strap through your soaked folds, never giving you enough. “After that fucking disaster on the court?”

You whimpered, your body twitching, desperate for more friction, but Paige just smirked, gripping your chin, forcing you to look at her.

“You cost us that game,” she murmured, her voice low, dangerous. “Didn’t you?”

You swallowed, cheeks burning.

“I—”

Slap.

Paige’s palm met your inner thigh, hard, making you jolt, making you yelp.

“Try again,” she said, her grip on your chin tightening, nails digging in. “Say it.”

You shuddered, your body betraying you, thrumming under her control, your pussy clenching around nothing.

“I—I lost us the game,” you admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

Paige hummed, pleased, dragging the strap down again, teasing, but still not giving you what you wanted. “Louder.”

You whimpered, your face burning hotter.

“I lost us the game,” you gasped, the words tasting like shame, like submission.

Paige grinned. “Yeah, you fucking did.”

And then she thrust in, hard, no warning, splitting you open in one smooth, devastating motion.

You screamed, your back arching, your whole body shaking at the sudden stretch, the sudden fullness.

Paige groaned, rolling her hips, making you feel every inch of it. “That’s what a fucking loser like you deserves, huh?” she muttered, one hand gripping your throat, the other pressing the vibrator right against your clit. “Getting fucked like a brainless little toy.”

You sobbed, your body already teetering on the edge, too much, too fast, but Paige just grinned, watching you struggle, watching you break.

Then—she stopped.

Everything.

No movement. No friction. The vibrator still humming against you, but not pushing enough to get you there.

You whined, your hips bucking, trying to chase it, but Paige held you down, her grip on your throat tightening.

“Oh, no,” she mocked, tilting her head. “You think you’re getting off that easy? After you fucked up my game?”

You gasped, your body shaking, the pleasure so close, so unbearable—

But Paige just smirked, lips brushing against your ear as she whispered, “You’re not cumming until I say you can.”

Your breath hitched, your entire body screaming for release, your skin hot, your muscles tight, that unbearable edge turning into something sharp, almost painful. Paige was still inside you, thick and unyielding, the vibrator right there, your clit swollen, throbbing—but she wasn’t moving. Just watching. Waiting.

Fuck. Fuck.

You needed it, needed her to just move, just do something, but the moment your hips jerked forward, chasing friction, Paige’s hand tightened around your throat, pressing down just enough to steal the air from your lungs. Your back arched, your body helpless, caught between pain and pleasure, oxygen slipping from your grasp.

“You don’t listen,” Paige murmured, shaking her head, like she was disappointed in you. “I told you—you don’t get to cum yet.”

Her grip eased up just enough to let you breathe, let you speak.

Your jaw clenched. Your pride flared—some stubborn, defiant part of you that hated being told what to do, even if your body was betraying you, even if you were dripping around her, desperate for more.

Fuck that.

Your hands snapped up, grabbing at her wrist, trying to pry her fingers away from your throat.

Paige’s lips curled into a slow, wicked grin.

“Oh, you wanna fight now?” she taunted, laughing at you, mocking you, like you weren’t even a threat, like you were nothing more than her plaything.

Rage flared in your chest, heat curling in your gut, fueled by humiliation, by desperation. Your nails dug into her wrist, and you bucked your hips hard, trying to throw her off, trying to gain some kind of control.

Bad fucking idea.

Paige growled, low and dangerous, and before you could blink, she had your wrists pinned above your head, her weight pressing you down, her breath hot against your ear.

“That was fucking stupid,” she muttered, her voice dark with something dangerous, something predatory. “Now I’m gonna make you beg for it.”

You struggled, tried to fight back, but she was stronger, her grip iron, her body unshakable.

“You love this,” she whispered, grinding her hips down, making the strap press deeper, making you whimper. “You love being under me. Love getting used. Love being my little fucking toy.”

You clenched your teeth, shaking your head, your breath ragged.

“N-No—”

Slap.

Paige’s hand cracked across your face, your head snapping to the side, heat blooming across your cheek.

Your gasp was sharp, shocked, but the second she grabbed your jaw, forcing you to look at her, forcing your eyes to lock with hers, your stomach dropped.

Because she knew.

She saw it. Felt it.

The way your pussy clenched around the strap. The way your thighs trembled. The way your lips parted, breath hitching, body betraying you entirely.

Paige smirked.

“Oh, you liked that,” she mocked, pressing the vibrator harder against your clit, making you jolt, making you whimper. “Fucking filthy.”

You hated how right she was.

Hated that you were fucking soaked, your body burning, your pride cracking under the.

She leaned in, her lips brushing your ear, her voice slow, teasing, cruel.

“Say it,” she whispered, rolling her hips, dragging the strap out of you, just enough to make you ache, to make you chase it.

You clenched your teeth, fighting it, fighting her.

She laughed, mocking, pressing the strap just against your entrance, right there, but not inside, not giving you what you needed.

“Say it,” Paige murmured again, her voice slow, dragging over the syllables, rolling them over her tongue like she relished the sound. Like she knew she had you. Like she owned you. “Say you love it.”

Her tone was laced with something dark, something dangerous, but it was her eyes that truly wrecked you—those piercing blue irises locked onto yours, drinking in your desperation, your humiliation, your surrender.

You shook, your entire body trembling, every nerve burning with the unbearable edge she had you dangling over. Your pussy was clenching around nothing, aching, needing her to just move, to just fucking fuck you, but she wouldn’t. Wouldn’t give it to you until you admitted it. Until you broke completely.

Your fists clenched above your head where she still had them pinned, nails biting into your own skin as you tried to fight it, tried to hold on to the last shreds of your pride.

But it was slipping.

You could feel yourself unraveling, piece by piece, your body betraying you, betraying everything, and fuck—fuck, she knew. She could see it.

Her smirk deepened, her fingers tightening around your wrists, pressing them harder into the cushions, her body looming over you, suffocating in the best fucking way.

She waited.

She didn’t repeat herself. Didn’t need to.

Your breath hitched, caught in your throat, your thighs quivering where they were still spread wide open for her, still needy, still so fucking wrecked.

And then—

“… I love it.”

The words were barely a whisper, barely more than shame slipping from your lips, and the moment they left your mouth, Paige fucking grinned.

Her fingers released your wrists, only to slide down, wrapping around your throat again, squeezing just enough to make your vision blur, to make your breath stutter.

“Good fucking girl,” she purred, her voice thick with pride, with ownership, with pure fucking satisfaction.

And then she slammed back in.

Hard.

No warning. No buildup. Just a brutal, unrelenting thrust that forced a wrecked cry from your lips, your back arching, your body convulsing under her.

She didn’t ease you into it. Didn’t fucking care that you were still trembling, still shaking, still so fucking sensitive. She just used you, fucking into you with brutal, merciless strokes, making your breath punch out of you with every thrust.

Her hand tightened around your throat, her other hand grabbing your hip, holding you still, forcing you to take it, to accept it, to submit completely.

“Say it again,” she growled, her lips brushing against your ear, her voice dripping with sin, with dominance, with something feral.

You whimpered, your whole body wrecked, already tipping toward that unbearable edge again, already so fucking close.

Her hips snapped harder, her cock splitting you open, dragging against every sensitive spot inside you, ruining you.

“Say it again,” she snarled, her grip on your throat tightening, the vibrator pressing harder against your clit, sending a white-hot shock through you.

Your entire body twitched, fire spreading through your veins, through every nerve—

And then—

“I love it—fuck, I fucking love it.”

Paige moaned, deep and guttural, her hand sliding up, gripping your jaw, forcing you to look at her, forcing you to see how much she was enjoying this. How much she loved seeing you like this—ruined, helpless, hers.

“That’s fucking right,” she spat, pounding into you harder, her fingers digging into your cheeks, her nails biting into your skin. “You fucking love it. Love getting used. Love being my little fucking slut.”

You sobbed, pleasure crashing through you, your whole body convulsing as she fucked you through it, as she held you down and forced you to take every second of it.

And fuck—fuck—she wasn’t stopping.

She had you right where she wanted you—under her, wrecked, body trembling, clenching around the strap, soaking both of you. She was fucking you through another orgasm, grip tight on your jaw, vibrator still pressed to your swollen, abused clit, your body unable to do anything but take it.

Her breath hitched, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips as she watched you fall apart.

“God damn,” Paige grunted, her gaze locked on the way your thighs shook, the way your fingers clawed at her forearms, the couch cushions, fucking air—like there was anywhere to go, like she wasn’t going to hold you right there until you had nothing left.

“You’re so fucking pathetic like this.”

You sobbed, every nerve fried, pleasure tipping past unbearable, white-hot static frying your goddamn brain—

BANG BANG BANG.

Your whole body seized. Paige froze.

For a second, the only sound in the room was the both of you panting—loud, breathless, soaked—

Then—

“HEY!”

A voice from the other side of the door. KK. Your stomach dropped.

“Oh my fucking god,” you whispered, mortified, pure horror crawling up your spine.

Paige, though? She fucking laughed.

“Yeah, we’re serious,” she called out, still breathless, still inside you, still fucking smug. “What do you wan?”

A groan. Another thud of a fist against the door.

“It’s two in the fucking morning! Some of us don’t wanna listen to your freaky-ass sex life all fucking night!”

You covered your face with your hands. Paige grinned, completely unbothered, shifting her hips just enough to make your breath hitch, like this was funny, like this wasn’t the worst moment of your entire fucking life.

“Maybe you should get some fucking earplugs,” she shot back, smirking.

“Or maybe you should go fuck in a soundproof basement like a normal goddamn person!”

Paige snorted, her body shaking from how hard she was holding back laughter.

“Not my fault this bitch is loud as fuck.”

You kicked her.

Hard.

Paige cackled, her whole body shaking on top of you.

“Jesus Christ!” KK groaned, slamming the door one last time before stomping away, voice trailing off as she disappeared down the hall. “Fucking lesbians, man…”

Silence.

Then, Paige propped herself up on her elbows, grinning down at you, still breathless, still flushed, still inside you.

“Well,” she smirked.

She rocked her hips—slow, teasing, devastating.

“Where were we?”

A beat.

Then, from the depths of your absolute humiliation, you mustered the last bit of strength in your body—

“KK! YOU’RE GAY TOO, BITCH!”

Silence. 

A door slammed down the hall.

Paige lost her shit, laughing so hard she actually collapsed on top of you, her whole body shaking, still breathless, still inside you.

You groaned, throwing an arm over your face. “I hate you.”

Paige propped herself up, still grinning like an absolute psycho, eyes gleaming.

“No, you don’t.”

[madhumadishetty]

Competitive Analysis

As a business owner, you need to know the ins and outs of your industry. This is where competitive analysis comes in.

Competitive analysis is an in-depth look into what your competition is doing and how they’re doing it. It takes into account how their strategies, products and services may affect your own. By clearly understanding the competitive landscape, you can develop more effective plans to gain more market share and increase profitability.

In this article, we’ll cover what competitive analysis is, why it’s important, and how you can use it to stay one step ahead of the competition. We’ll also go over the key elements of a successful analysis, including how to identify competitors, analyze their strategies and create actionable insights for your own business strategy.

What Is Competitive Analysis?

Competitive analysis is an essential tool for businesses, both new and established, to understand their competition and effectively position themselves in the market. It’s a research process that examines the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors compared to your own product or services. This process helps to identify both direct and indirect competitors, their strategies, and any areas of opportunity that may exist.

Put simply, competitive analysis evaluates your competitor’s products, services, pricing models, target audiences, marketing tactics, advertising campaigns, market share size and other relevant factors. Ultimately, this analysis will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each competitor, including your own business, so you can make more informed decisions about how to best position yourself in the marketplace.

The Goals of Competitive Analysis

Competitive analysis is a research tool used to gain insight into a company’s competitors and the market. The goal of competitive analysis is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of competitors in order to gain an edge over them in terms of market share, product offering, and customer service.

Competitive analysis helps businesses to:

·   Assess their competitor’s strengths and weaknesses

·   Understand the market dynamics

·   Identify opportunities for growth and expansion

·   Establish strategies for improving their offerings on the market

·   Monitor trends in the industry

·   Develop marketing campaigns geared towards customers’ needs.

Conducting Comprehensive Competitor Research

Competitive analysis is the process of understanding what a company’s competitors are doing, how they’re doing it, and what strategies they’re using to outperform you. Through conducting comprehensive competitor research, you can gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors and create a competitive advantage for your own business.

Here are key elements to consider when conducting competitive research:

1.     Industry Landscape – Get an understanding of the industry as a whole by researching market size, trends, and projected growth rate. This will help you identify other players in the industry, who they are, and their respective market share.

2.     Competitor Profiles – Analyze competitor’s marketing strategies, including pricing models, promotions, advertising campaigns and unique selling points (USPs).

3.     Competitor Products/ Services – Analyze your competitor’s products or services in depth along with their features, benefits, pricing and distribution networks.

4.     Customer Reviews – Examine customer reviews for competitor products or services to understand better user sentiment towards them as well as identify any areas of improvement for your own offerings.

Leveraging Competitive Information to Strategize

Businesses can use their competitor’s analysis strategies to uncover their weaknesses and capitalize on them. Leveraging competitive information is a great way to develop an effective business strategy. By doing so, you can gain insights into what your competitors are offering, how they’re structured, and how your own services or products can outshine them.

Here are a few things you should focus on when leveraging competitive information for your strategy:

1.     Market Share: Researching competitor’s market share will give you an idea of what portion of the market your competition is capturing – giving you more insight into the strength of their brand. Knowing this information will be instrumental in helping you decide what products or services to invest in.

2.     Product Features / Benefits: Find out what features and benefits your competition is offering and try to determine what kind of value they’re providing customers with. Then figure out ways to improve upon these features, so that your product or service stands out among the competition.

3.     Pricing Strategy: Analyzing competitor’s pricing strategies can help you create a better pricing structure for your own business and give you insight into how much customers are willing to pay for similar services or products.

By taking the time to thoroughly research your competitors, you’ll be able to find unique opportunities that can be supplemented with a thoughtful strategic plan and budget structure – enabling businesses, both large and small, to get ahead in the competitive landscape.

In-Depth Analysis of the Competitive Performance

Competitive analysis dives deeper than just surface-level observations, to provide an in-depth look at the competition’s performance. It goes beyond analyzing a competitor’s market share and website traffic, to also include factors such as their brand perception, current products or services, and product pricing.

This kind of comprehensive analysis allows you to really understand what is working for the competition and why. With this information in hand, you can:

·   Identify potential strengths and weaknesses of the competing businesses

·   Uncover areas where you can gain an advantage

·   Look for opportunities to expand your own offerings

·   Assess risk associated with entering a certain market

Understanding all these elements will guide you in making informed decisions on how to optimize your operations and strategy. A well-done competitive analysis will provide invaluable insights into your industry and help identify new opportunities for growth.

Uncovering Opportunities Through Competitive Analysis

Competitive analysis can be a valuable tool for unearthing untapped opportunities for your business. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors, you can gain insight into potential areas where you can capitalize and gain an advantage.

At its core, competitive analysis is designed to compare the monetized value of your competitors’ features, services and benefits. Here are some key considerations when conducting competitive analysis:

Competitor Mapping

Using competitor mapping can be helpful in understanding your rivals’ market strategies, uncovering new opportunities and developing strategies to either compete or differentiate yourself from them. It helps to think of competitors not just in terms of their specifics (products/services they offer), but also in terms of their overall positioning within the market. What are their brand values? What is their target demographic? What resources do they have that you don’t?

Strategic Benchmarking

Strategic benchmarking is about comparing how you measure up against your competitors over time. When it comes to pricing, consider researching how prices vary across different geographic regions, or look at what discounts or promotional offers they may be offering customers. On the flip side, see what types of benefit packages they typically offer employees, what kind of technology they use, or how they go about marketing their products/services. This data can provide invaluable guidance in developing your own competitive strategies.

By taking this approach to analyzing your competitors, you can establish concrete goals for improvement and better understand the business landscape you’re competing in for maximum success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a deep understanding of competitive analysis and how it works can help any business keep ahead of the competition. To remain competitive, businesses must have the right strategies in place that involve understanding the competition, market trends, and customer needs. Competitive analysis can be used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a company’s competitors as well as how to better position the organization in the market and develop effective marketing strategies. It is essential to select the right metrics and research techniques to ensure a successful competitive analysis.

[elsa16744]

Unveiling the Power of Market Research: A Comprehensive Guide

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, understanding your target market and staying ahead of your competitors has become paramount. This is where the practice of Market Research comes into play. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the realms of Market Research and Competitive Analysis, uncovering the significance of these strategies in today's business world.

Market Research: Unraveling Insights for Success

Market Research is not just a step in your business strategy; it’s the foundation upon which your success is built. It involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information about your market, customers, and competitors. The insights gained from thorough Market Research empower you to make informed decisions, tailor your offerings to customer needs, and seize untapped opportunities.

Why Market Research Matters:

Understanding Customer Needs: By comprehending your target audience's preferences, pain points, and behaviors, you can design products and services that truly resonate.

Spotting Trends: Market Research helps you identify emerging trends and changing consumer behaviors, enabling you to adapt proactively.

Validating Ideas: Before investing resources in a new product or service, Market Research validates whether there's a genuine demand for it.

Strategic Planning: Informed decision-making is the cornerstone of a successful business strategy. Market Research provides the insights needed for effective planning.

The Competitive Edge: Leveraging Competitive Analysis

An integral part of Market Research is Competitive Analysis. This involves studying your competitors, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and identifying gaps in the market that your business can fill. Competitive Analysis isn't about imitation; it's about differentiation. By knowing what your competitors offer, you can tailor your value proposition to stand out.

Key Aspects of Competitive Analysis:

Identifying Competitors: Pinpointing direct and indirect competitors helps you understand the competitive landscape.

SWOT Analysis: Evaluating Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of your competitors aids in devising a strong market entry strategy.

Differentiation Strategy: Armed with insights from Competitive Analysis, you can highlight what makes your business unique and appealing to your target audience.

What is Market Research All About?

In essence, Market Research is the process of gathering and interpreting data to comprehend your market environment better. It encompasses various methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and data analysis, to paint a complete picture of your audience's preferences, behaviors, and buying patterns. The ultimate goal is to optimize your business strategies, enhance customer experiences, and maximize your ROI.

Dig Deeper: Exploring Market Research Techniques

If you're ready to embark on your Market Research journey, consider these effective techniques:

Surveys and Questionnaires: Gathering direct feedback from customers through well-structured surveys helps you gain insights into their needs and expectations.

Social Media Listening: Monitor social media platforms to gauge public sentiment, identify trends, and address customer concerns.

Data Analytics: Dive into data-driven insights to understand customer behavior, preferences, and buying patterns.

Focus Groups: Facilitating focus group discussions provides qualitative insights that go beyond numbers, helping you understand the "why" behind customer actions.

Conclusion

In the realm of modern business, Market Research is not just an option; it's a necessity for sustained success. By unraveling the intricacies of your market, understanding your competitors, and aligning your strategies with customer needs, you're poised to thrive in the dynamic landscape of today's economy.

Ready to unlock the potential of Market Research and gain a competitive advantage? Learn more at SGAnalytics Market Research Services and discover how data-driven insights can transform your business strategy.

[dadrielle]

While it is deeply subjective, I do think that the constant threat of Otohan hanging over the party fills that niche. The Vanguard and the Unseelie Court were in cahoots and operating primarily in their own planes, so I would say she, as the one responsible for killing not just multiple party members in traumatizing ways, but also their closest ally and patron in Eshteross, as well as very nearly killing Keyleth, is something of a stand in for both factions. She's their boogieman. Like, Laudna checked that scry ball a meme-worthy amount. The Judicators didn't threaten the Hells directly because they didn't know about their involvement; random attacks there would have not made sense (and while presumably the folks that team Issylra let return to Vasselheim would have told them, sending was still down until 5 days before the Hells walked in to Vasselheim themselves). The other constant threat was simply time itself; the entire campaign was on a tense timer and it lead to less rests for the Hells and therefore put them in danger of being low in resources in fights fairly often. Just as a quick look, dividing number of encounters by days passed in each campaign, you get 0.44 for the Nein and 0.82 for the Hells. That seems to indicate that despite having fewer encounters by a wide margin, that averaged out across the full campaign, the Hells had nearly double the number of encounters on average on any given day. The effect of the time dilation on everything from the mood to the strategy to the danger of the campaign is pretty intense.

Honestly, I suspect the effectiveness of those threats narratively are contingent more on an individual's attachment to the party and storytelling style preferences more than their actual presence, because they were there fairly consistently throughout. I personally found the narrative threat very present and compelling, but I love the Hells and a lot of the campaign narrative and structure was very much to my tastes. The Hells and the Nein and Vox Machina are all different in most ways, and each campaign is gonna work for people differently based on their preferences.

I've been thinking about @utilitycaster's post about C3 combat since it was posted because I've been similarly rolling around in my head, like, then what the hell was runtime being spent DOING then, and I keep thinking, like, wild there was not more combat because there was so much to-do about how the Vanguard AND the Judicators were both looking for members of the Grim Verity. Yu threatened that if the Hells didn't hold up their end of the bargain, that other agents of the Unseelie Court like them were going to hunt them down. We should've had far more combat simply trying to dodge all three of those groups at various times. Why didn't we have a Hotis- or Caedogeist-style ambush ever? Fjord got attacked by servants of Uk'otoa carrying out their mission to free the Leviathan Lord three times, after all.

It would've made the campaign feel properly dangerous and would've given more weight to the Hells' role in all of this and made them being part of this or knowing anything feel more significant.

Like, in hindsight, it's like.... why wasn't that a thing? It would've strengthened the core conflict here and helped inform the party's struggle with picking a solution while actually adhering more to the pitch of a more deadly campaign.

[mxrcurysb1tch]

⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ 🌷 Venus through the signs pt. 1 🌷 ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆

𝜗𝜚 Venus is the planet of love, connection and beauty. Where she is located in your chart (ie your venus sign) is how you love and connect with other people (both romantic and friendship, I believe). It can explain if you’re a quiet or loud lover, if you’re adventurous or cautious, romantic or practical. As always, take what resonates and leave the rest bbys! Xo

𝜗𝜚 Aries Venus- jump first, think later. These people fall into love hard and fast. It’s love and attraction at first sight. If you capture their interest they’ll jump head first and won’t look back. They’re bold in love and unafraid to make the first move (although they’ll be very impressed if you beat them to it!). The risk is that they run in blind without taking the time to consider if this person is truly the right fit but hey, to an Aries Venus that’s part of the fun. They might get bored once the initial spark wears off but if they’re committed they’re extremely loyal and protective. Certainly not one to wallow about loves lost.

𝜗𝜚 Taurus Venus- like any good earth sign a Taurus Venus is going to be super picky. And not in the way that Virgo is wanting you to be perfect or Capricorn wanting you to be useful. No, Taurus just doesn’t want to let anybody in who will disturb their sweet inner balance and comfort. Taurus Venus will move slowly, making you prove that you are worthy of them. They know real love won’t be rushed and they’re more than happy to wait it out, sometimes for too long and they miss the opportunities right infront of their eyes.

𝜗𝜚 Gemini Venus- This Venus has somewhat of a reputation. I don’t think they’re actually as bad as everyone says but if you’re boring to them you’re out. They need to be intellectually stimulated and they might not always be able to find that in a single partner. This is why they might play the field before committing, they’re looking for the most interesting option and they won’t be caught lacking. I wouldn’t say they have high standards but they do want someone who will capture their attention and who is as interesting as they are. They’re flirtatious and quick with words which draws people in. A Gemini Venus is looking for an intellectual partner and freedom. Controlling, codependent types will make them run a mile.

𝜗𝜚 Cancer Venus- These people’s ability to romanticise anything is truly unparalleled. They have a big heart and a way of making their loved ones feel truly seen and appreciated. They’re somewhat needy and naive lovers and their need for security and roots is what drives their mate choice. A cancer Venus is not one for casual hookups or empty promises. They’re easily hurt in love so it may take them a long time to trust if they’ve been burned before. If you’re prepared for intensity and dedication from day one though they’re truly sweet, warm and loyal and will make you feel cared for like no other. Once they’ve set their sites on love though, moving on may be a challenge and they’re prone to being just a little clingy.

𝜗𝜚 Leo Venus- Leo Venus just wants to be adored and in return they will adore you. They’re into grand gestures and they expect them from their partners. They long to be shown off like the prize that they are, so don’t keep them as your little secret. They’re not shy in love but they can air on the side of caution if they feel like they’re not being appreciated in the way they deserve to be. They are truly uplifting and they will make sure you know that you are loved and special to them. Leo Venus is extremely warm and pretty romantic but they must remember that love is not a one person game or a competition. They must also remember not to use grand gestures to mask feelings of insecurity in love.

𝜗𝜚 Virgo Venus- Thoroughly unimpressed by the fluffiness of romance, the Virgo Venus seeks to approach love in the only way they know how, by careful observation, analysis and precision. Obviously, they’re not devoid of sensitive loving feelings but it can certainly seem that way. It’s just that romance doesn’t come easily for them, and it is safer for them to have a plan. They won’t get carried away by romantic fantasies that can get them hurt. This is the Venus that will settle for the secure option and then gradually reform their partner from the ground up into exactly what they want them to be, and you’ll let them because really they’re making your life better. You may become annoyed by their constant critiquing but you’ll stay because like any Virgo placement they have a sweet healing serenity to them and kind eyes that want to help.

I hope you guys enjoyed! Stay tuned for part 2 ;)

[etherealrin]

ᯓ★ thinking about academic-rival!rin

“you…you’re my rival!” an angry, red-faced itoshi rin had foolishly declared in second grade, after you’d scored a perfect 100 on the latest math test—he’d only received a 98.

rin hadn’t seriously meant it back then, but you took it very much personally. over the ten years which ensued, the two of you had developed an odd dynamic. it was intense, to say the least. you took the competition very seriously, taking every advanced course your school had to offer, and rin followed right alongside you. the obvious result was matching schedules; each year you’d chosen virtually identical classes. you’d decided to hate him, and your rivalry was no secret either, with your and rin’s name always occupying two of the top three spots in class rankings. despite that, he’d never done anything to suggest dislike for you. even the teachers had taken to teasing the two of you, they seemed to love pairing the two of you for group projects, watching you both struggle to outperform the other on presentation day.

“not again,” you groan as you realize that rin was your partner. rin mirrors your displeased expression from across the classroom. your english teacher smiles at you both, thoroughly entertained.

“you two will be assigned romeo and juliet,” she says, feigning indifference. you swear she’s trying not to laugh. the rest of your class inevitably snickers: of course the two who hate each other would have a blast presenting the iconic love story!

“no, no, no, no!” you find yourself telling rin as you pace around his room, pointing at his computer then back to him, anger evident in your tone. “juliet is not stupid, she’s only trying her best to save herself from never seeing romeo again, and inevitably divorcing paris,” you exhale. of course rin couldn’t be trusted with the character analysis of juliet—he was so cold that he probably couldn’t comprehend the idea of love. in your fit of annoyance, you’d walked closer to rin, fully invading his personal space. to be precise, your faces were barely inches away, but you only continue your rant. “you probably don’t even get what love is, just let me do the analysis!” you huff, arms crossing.

you’re met with his clear azure gaze, and, weirdly, he laughs, low and melodic.

“do you really think that?” rin asks, leaning in just a bit closer, breath tickling your nose. “that i’m not capable of love?”

“well-“ you falter, unsure of your answer. and why the hell was he so close to you? why did his cologne smell infuriatingly good, was it le labo santal 33?

“why do you act like you hate me?” he whispers. there’s no hint of mockery in his voice, it’s genuine.

“because i do?” your voice shakes. you’re not even confident of that—but wasn’t he supposed to be your rival?

“hmm, but i don’t think so,” he breathes. his fingers move to ghost up your face and cup your jawline. you’re hesitant to move away; honestly, you don’t want to move. the tension in the air is thick enough to slice and you can’t help but indulge in the enigma of itoshi rin—what would be his next move?

maybe it was all just a ploy to make sure you failed english?

“here, let’s pretend you’re juliet and i’m romeo,” he says suddenly, still hovering above your face. “since you think my analysis is so bad, maybe i’m a hands-on learner.” his hand trails down your waist as he speaks, his touch dizzying. you were probably malfunctioning, because you should have seen the red lights and sirens in your head. yet you’re frozen still, all you can do is stare back stupidly wide-eyed at him, letting him slot his lips against yours and you hate how perfect he feels, how he tastes faintly like the peppermint gum that you love.

it feels like sparks rushing through your veins, you feel high on something else entirely. you feel him smirking into the kiss, like he’d known all along that you would fold the second he tried something. because you had never truly hated him, not one bit.

you give into his touch, into the kiss, as rin pulls you closer, fingers skimming through your hair. rin was the smarter one, unfortunately. he’d known that your little rivalry was only a product of misplaced feelings, because how could the second grade him tell you that he liked you, admired that you were smart?

“you win, rin,” you admit once he lets go of you, gasping for air.

“…i thought so.” he replies. “is now a good time to mention that i might’ve bribed our english teacher for this project?”

“you what?”

a/n: i never forgot when lya posted ab this omg. ooc rin probably but idc! ugh i’m sorry this isn’t the best

masterlist.

[relicsongmel]

Iris, Miles, and their mutual "secret"

The Ace Attorney fandom is no stranger to discussions of homoerotic subtext in the game's script—pretty much everyone who's spent more than five seconds here will be able to tell you that. Screenshots of lines that imply romantic tension between same-gender characters are all over the place, to the point that many fans are drawn to the series purely by its reputation as "the gay lawyer game." Some scenes are more well-known than others, but one I find brought up fairly regularly is this conversation between Miles and Iris:

This is optional dialogue that can be triggered by presenting incorrect evidence on Iris' Psyche-Lock during the Investigation portion of Bridge to the Turnabout. The argument here is that the "secret" Iris is referring to is the same as her own: that being, a romantic interest in Phoenix Wright. Which is definitely hilarious when you consider that Iris has known Miles for less than a day and she's already reading him for filth (granted, she could have been clued in by the similarly infamous "indispensable friend" line, and she's also exceptionally good at reading people despite Miles thinking otherwise). As a Narumitsu shipper myself I am not immune to enjoying that interpretation; however, I feel like there's a lot of nuance in this scene that isn't often addressed by the fandom at large. Which is unfortunate because watering it down to just Iris calling out Miles for being the gayass he is (to be fair. she's not wrong) does a MASSIVE disservice to both of their characters, and I'll explain why.

My bone to pick with the usual analysis of this scene is mostly centered around the larger conversation to be had regarding the treatment of female characters in fandom spaces. All too often they tend to play second fiddle to the male characters, and a similar principle holds true for ships with their canonical male love interests: mostly ignored in favor of the the more popular M/M ship(s). At best these women are sidelined, at worse they are flattened into wingmen for the boys (as is frequently the case with many AA girls and Narumitsu, Iris included), and at the absolute worst they are demonized for their perceived "competition" with whatever gay ship is most popular and therefore the Only Valid One for the male characters involved (as exemplified by some very "passionate" fans that I generally try to avoid interacting with). Whenever this scene gets brought up, the focus is almost always exclusively on Miles and what the interaction says about his relationship with Phoenix; Iris is only relevant insofar as she's the one initiating Miles' Homosexual Moment™—you could replace her with almost any other character and there'd be a similar level of neglect for their role in the interaction. Only very rarely will you see attention given to what Iris' question about Miles' secret means when she is the one asking it, and what it can tell us about her relationship with Miles/what she thinks of him, and vice versa (absolutely wild how even Miles himself is often flanderized despite being the fandom's golden child). It's all too characteristic of the systemic misogyny that has plagued fandom since its inception, which is deeply frustrating to me as someone who adores Iris as much as I do (if that wasn't obvious by now). So that said, let's dive deeper into what I think the missing link is here: namely, the Iris-Miles dynamic as it pertains to their relation to Phoenix.

Iris and Miles is one of my favorite relationships to explore in the whole series—but as I've described above, unfortunately a lot of people get it wrong in my opinion. Discussion about the two is frequently centered around Narumitsu Love Drama—which is a conversation worth having, don't get me wrong—but the elements at play there aren't always represented the way I envision them, which again, is frustrating. Take the idea of potential jealousy, for instance: it's pretty standard love triangle fare that can be (and often is) quickly turned into demonization when it's used in a shipping context, character assassination be damned (re: Narumitsu fanfic authors that project their personal dislike of Feenris onto Miles via his jealousy of Iris and/or how they tend to portray Iris unfavorably). However, it's not inherently a bad thing to explore: personally, I do believe that there is mutual jealousy between the two of them. Miles might not have the full context of Iris' history when this conversation takes place, but he's emotionally intelligent enough to pick up on what Iris means to Phoenix, and vice versa. And him being a jealous hoe about it isn't out of the question when you consider that he's a bit of a loner by nature and doesn't have many close friends or outlets for socialization outside of his job. The crucial element that's sometimes missed, though, is that Miles not only lacks the self-awareness to realize he's a jealous hoe...he's also a self-sabotaging jealous hoe.

And the same can be said for Iris, who is similarly introverted and doesn't often leave her home at Hazakura Temple.

The whole reason Miles is peering into Iris' heart in the first place can be found in this exchange, after he breaks her Psyche-Lock:

Miles uses the Magatama in order to gain the answers he needs to bring the truth to light and get Iris acquitted, and he does so for the express purpose of reuniting her with Phoenix so they can find closure—in fact, he reiterates this to her multiple times. He obviously recognizes how Phoenix is suffering from what happened between them (I'd argue he sympathizes with Iris' plight as well) and has resolved to do what he can to help him heal, but there's no reason for him to be so insistent that she rectify things with Phoenix when it does nothing but harm his own chances with him. Unless, of course...that's the whole point.

To convince Iris to reveal her secret so he doesn't have to face his own, because he thinks himself undeserving.

And Iris, noticing this because she empathizes with that feeling of unworthiness, calls him out on it in an almost uncharacteristically forward manner when she asks him what he's hiding.

Takes one to know one, indeed.

Iris highly respects Miles for taking on her defense despite the risk to his job as a prosecutor. She's willing to trust him after hearing he's a friend of Phoenix, hearing him out and letting him reason with her. She still keeps her cards close to her chest in some regards, but she's more honest with him than she's been with anyone else in her life apart from her sister. She sees his commitment to the truth and how it starkly contrasts with how she's lived her life to this point, and thinks that this is the type of partner Phoenix deserves—not someone like her, who only knows how to survive using lies and deception. She sees so much strength in him but still recognizes the insecurity lurking beneath his tenacity, which is why when he falters in his logic, she takes a leap of faith and gives him one last chance to examine his reasons for pushing the burden of his unspoken affections onto her, as if to say: "Look in the mirror. Is this really for me? Or is it for you? Do you really seek the truth for its own sake, or do you merely hope to find one truth so you might run from another?"

Her question to Miles is a gamble—a coin flip of self-sacrifice. If she loses and he presses on, she has to face the secret within her heart she's been suppressing for five years. But if she wins and he gives in to the truth in his, she has to live the rest of her life watching it unfold and knowing she threw away her chance to finally stop living in fear of her own love.

Either way, there's no escaping heartache for her anymore.

Miles and Iris both want what's best for Phoenix and prioritize their vision of his feelings over their own. However, they are also both deeply emotionally repressed people who find difficulty in being direct with their feelings, and are predisposed to self-sabotage due to childhood trauma. These tendencies may manifest in different ways for both of them, but the fact remains that such people would likely not compete for a person's affection in the traditional sense, which is exactly what we see with how Iris and Miles deflect their feelings for Phoenix. These selfless, lovestruck idiots toss that man around like a game of hot-potato because their mutual self-hatred for the ways they've harmed him has rendered them terrified of the reality of what he means to them, and desperate to find a way out of admitting to it. It's the most compelling explanation I can think of for why the usually unassuming Iris makes such a bold judgment about what Miles might be keeping locked away, and why Miles goes to such lengths to make sure she talks to Phoenix and tells him the truth—his agreement to defend her was conditional on that exact promise. They go through this whole song-and-dance of playing wingman to ignore their own feelings while still trying to bring Phoenix the happiness they think he deserves—and then they wonder why seeing Phoenix give the other one attention burns them up inside.

Because they’re dumb. And I love them.

TL;DR the Iris Psyche-Lock scene in BttT is so much more than just "haha Miles gay" and I wish people talked about it more. Also Iris and Miles are way more similar than they appear at first glance and if I think about it for too long it makes me physically ill thank you for coming to my TED talk