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emmiesoverthemoon · 16 days ago

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my guilty pleasure

pairing: seo changbin x reader wc: 1.9k summary: you know those artists that you listen to in secret? you—the ultimate cute pop princess—are changbin’s sweet secret, and he attempts to not lose his mind when he finds out you two will be performing at the same event. tags: fluff. idol!reader

“yo, the final performance lineup just dropped,” chan read the email, scrolling through his phone as the others half-listened from the couch.

changbin barely glanced up from his protein bar, pretending to be occupied, pretending not to care. it was just another event, another show, another packed green room where jisung would forget his in-ears and hyunjin would somehow bring three outfit changes.

“any surprises?” seungmin asked, already yawning.

chan blinked at the screen. “wait… wait—no way.”

changbin’s heart dropped. and then picked up speed. and then dropped again.

please not her. please not—

when chan read the full lineup, he choked.

“this is the list”

literally choked. like full-on, should-not-have-audibly-reacted kind of choke.

you were going to be performing. in all your sugary saccharine glory.

“bro?” jisung spun around. “you good?”

changbin slapped his chest twice, coughed like it was casual, like he had not just short-circuited over the mention of your name. “yeah,” he croaked. “just dry.”

lame. you are so lame.

“seriously?” felix echoed, leaning over to see. “whoa, she never does these kind of lineups.”

“right? i thought she was on a break,” chan said, tilting the screen toward them.

changbin did not look. he would not. could not. because if he saw your photo on that screen—cute, polished, probably surrounded by soft pastels and sparkles—he was going to lose it.

“she’s cool,” felix complimented.

“real earworm type,” seungmin squinted.

“no, it’s so fun! catchy stuff,” hyunjin rebuked.

changbin folded his arms tighter. “she’s fine,” he said. “not really my thing.”

they all turned to look at him.

“didn’t you hum her song last week in the car?” jisung squinted.

“i did not—”

“you did,” seungmin said. “it was the one with the glitter in the chorus.”

“it was ironic! for the bit!”

felix grinned. “sure, man.”

changbin clenched his jaw, already spiraling.

you were going to be there. you. you. the literal embodiment of soft pop princess perfection. and he was going to have to stand there like a normal person while his internal organs screamed and his brain played your entire discography on shuffle.

he could not meet you. he could not breathe near you. you probably smelled like strawberries and sparkles and he would spontaneously combust.

he needed a plan.

step one: do not freak out. step two: keep it cool. step three: delete the fan edits from his phone. immediately.

this was going to be tough.

it was fine.

he was fine.

it was just an event. you would be there. he would also be there. that was it. no reason to act like he had not memorised every syllable of your last album, or dramatically lip-synced and performed your choreography while your music videos were on the big screen when he thought no one was home.

he sat in the studio, headphones on, trying to finish a verse, but all he could hear was pink venom in my veins, got sugar on my tongue.

which was your lyric.

from an unreleased b-side.

not even a new single. he was doomed.

“you’re being weird,” minho said suddenly from the corner, not even looking up from his laptop.

changbin flinched. “what?”

“you keep sighing. like—long, emotional sighs.”

“i’m writing.”

“you’re spiraling.”

he was, but he would die before admitting it.

he buried his face in his hoodie and scrolled through his playlist. private playlist. the one named “do not open i swear to god.” the one filled with your discography, remixes, and one very sweet live recording that still made his chest ache with admiration and endearment.

he hovered over the delete button. hovered. then immediately locked his phone instead. coward.

he showed up to dance practice the next day in a black hoodie and darker sunglasses, hoping the vibe would disguise the panic in his bloodstream. jisung took one look at him and said, “you look like you’re going to cry or fight someone. what happened?”

“nothing,” changbin muttered.

“is this about the event?”

his soul left his body.

“what event,” he said. flat. monotone. suspicious.

chan raised an eyebrow from the mirror. “the one with that girl you like on the lineup?”

changbin did not answer. just stared into the distance like a man at war with himself.

the teasing was getting worse. felix had walked past him humming fairy tale fade this morning just to watch him twitch. hyunjin kept dropping “casual” mentions of your outfits. someone had set his phone background to a photo of you from your last tour.

he was not going to make it.

and worst of all, the event was tomorrow.

how could he mentally prepare for this in less than twenty four hours?

he had promised himself he would be normal.

that was the plan. normal. casual. a nod if you made eye contact. maybe a polite smile. definitely no staring. definitely no—

“hi!”

you.

you were there, in the flesh, walking into the backstage lounge like you were not the very same voice that had soundtracked his insomnia for the past year and a half.

changbin froze like his operating system had crashed. spine straight. jaw locked. soul hovering somewhere near the ceiling.

you were radiant. not even in a fancy way—just… bright. warm. clad in a soft sweater, butterfly clips in your hair, glitter on your nails and that voice, that voice, chirping out a sunny “hi!” like you had not just ruined his whole entire life by existing within a three-metre radius.

he did not speak.

you looked around the room, smiling politely at the stylists, exchanging greetings with a staff member. and then you looked at him.

eye contact?

oh god.

he nodded.

too fast. too stiff.

to be frank, he looked like he was trying to hold in a sneeze.

you smiled. waved a little. “you’re changbin, right?”

he opened his mouth.

no sound came out.

he panicked. “yeah.”

you laughed, soft and musical, and his brain nearly shorted out. “i really liked that freestyle you posted last month. the one in the stairwell?”

“...thanks.”

say more. say literally anything else. tell her she is the entire reason he believes in bridge sections. tell her he watched that one acoustic performance seventeen times and had feelings. tell her he—

“i like your sparkles,” he blurted.

you blinked. “my… sparkles?”

changbin briefly considered setting himself on fire.

“your nails. i meant. they’re… cool.”

a beat of silence.

then—your grin widened, eyes warm. “thank you. that’s really sweet.”

he felt his ears go red.

you turned to greet someone else and changbin turned slowly, silently, like a man who had just seen god and needed to go scream into a soundproof booth.

jeongin sidled up next to him. “you good?”

“no.”

“wanna sit down?”

“i cannot feel my legs.”

he was doing fine.

really.

his arms were crossed, shoulders tense, expression locked in neutral. the camera panned past him once and he didn’t flinch. what a miracle. he was the image of calm. no one would know he had sweated through two layers of clothing.

but then you came out.

spotlight. sparkles. glossed lips and a grin that lit the whole stage. your intro track rolled in—a dreamy, synthy swell—and the crowd screamed, but changbin couldn’t hear them. he could only hear you.

you were wearing that outfit, the one that had gone viral. and singing that song, the one he had once dramatically whispered into his studio mic at 3 a.m. when no one was around.

he swallowed.

he could do this. just nod along. casual. unimpressed. totally unbothered.

and then—then you looked at him.

not vaguely. directly. mid-chorus. you scanned the crowd, smiling like it was nothing, and your gaze hit his and held.

and he cracked.

just a tad.

his eyes widened. mouth parted. he shifted forward in his seat without realising. his foot tapped. his hand lifted like he might wave. he caught himself a second too late.

“...oh my god,” jisung whispered.

felix turned. jeongin blinked.

changbin snapped back in his seat, face burning. “what.”

“you just made eye contact with her,” chan muttered under his breath. “and then you smiled like a disney prince.”

“i did not.”

“bro,” hyunjin hissed, pointing. “you were glowing.”

he looked up again. you were still singing. still dazzling. still laughing between lines like you were having the time of your life.

and changbin? he was a man undone. hands clenched in his lap. heart clattering like a snare drum. every lyric felt personal. every beat synced with his pulse.

and in the back of his mind, one thought stuck deep inside like a hook caught to a fish:

he was so screwed.

after the overall performance portion had wrapped up, changbin was in hiding.

technically, he was resting behind the vending machine in the hallway next to the staff kitchen. but he was also very much hiding. curled in the shadows. hoodie up. heart still pounding from watching you sing like you had been summoning him personally.

he had survived the performance, barely. now he just had to survive the aftermath. he would wait five minutes, then sneak back to the dressing room and pretend he had been in the bathroom the whole time.

and then—

“found you.”

he jerked.

you leaned around the corner, lips glossed, cheeks still flushed from the stage. “you really are bad at hiding,” you teased.

he stood up too fast and nearly knocked over a folding chair.

“i was not— i was just— i was… stretching!”

you smiled like you could see straight through him.

“so,” you said, stepping closer. “did you like my set?”

“it was fine,” he said. voice deep, arms crossed. lying through his teeth.

you tilted your head. “only fine?”

he blinked. “i mean. yeah. like… it was energetic. or whatever.”

your grin sharpened. “hmm. must’ve been someone else who was making heart eyes at me from the third row.”

his whole face flared red.

“i was not—!”

“you were literally swaying.”

“that was muscle tension.”

“you mouthed every word.”

he covered his face with both hands. “please stop.”

you laughed, light and unbothered. “okay, okay,” you teased. “i’ll go easy on you.”

you paused.

then handed him your phone.

“here.”

he blinked down at it.

“what?”

“type your number.”

his brain stopped working. “...why?”

you shrugged. “in case i need a gym partner. or a rapper. or someone to teach me how to hide my fangirling poorly.”

he stared.

you nudged the phone into his hands.

he typed so fast he accidentally double-saved it with a heart. he panicked and tried to delete the heart but hit send instead.

you laughed again. “changbin, with a pink heart. you’re cute.”

he made a noise that could only be described as distressed victory. you winked and walked off, waving over your shoulder. “see you later, my fanboy.”

as soon as you disappeared around the corner, he exploded.

“oh my god,” he gasped. “oh my GOD.”

he sprinted back to the dressing room, burst in like a man on fire.

“GUYS—”

“you got her number, didn’t you,” seungmin said flatly, without looking up.

changbin flung himself on the couch, clutching his phone to his chest. “she called me HER fanboy and she SMILED and i think she WINKED and i do not know how to live anymore.”

“you’re being calm about this,” chan said mildly.

changbin shook his head. “i’m gonna marry her.”

the room exploded with teasing remarks. teasing changbin relentlessly? this was too good an opportunity to lose.

“you really are a fanboy huh?”

“support.”

“have you picked rings yet?”

“what’s the wedding dress code?”

“wonder what you’ll say on your first date”

changbin rolled over and screamed into a pillow.

soft changbin you have my heart for the rest of my lif

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#emmiesoverthemoon #changbin x reader #seo changbin x reader #changbin #seo changbin #stray kids x reader #skz x reader #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids imagines #stray kids oneshot #skz imagines #skz fanfic #skz oneshots #changbin oneshot #changbin imagines

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princess-angelheart · 3 months ago

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age-appropriate beauty activities🧼🐤🛁

hi guyssss this is basically a post of some cute activities to do while you're regressed, but are health/beauty/hygiene related. sometimes when we're little, doing things like applying makeup isn't a good idea, because it could go in our mouths, or we could poke ourselves, etc.! this post is a list of things you can do to still fill that need while being safe. these activities can also help you regress 🫧🧼🐤🛁🌟🧽🐳🐠✨🪮

!! will be editing post as i think of more stuff !! small tw for EDs at the bottom

THIS POST IS NOT FOR YOU IF YOU ARE A NSFW OR K!NK ACCOUNT

ages 2-5 🫧🧼🐤 🫧brushing/combing hair, your own or a doll's 🫧styling hair your own or a doll's 🫧hair clips, bows, headbands 🫧chapstick 🫧lip gloss 🫧lotion 🫧bubble bath 🫧body glitter 🫧bath bombs 🫧fun scented body wash, shampoo, and conditioner 🫧nail polish 🫧 fun shaped loofahs 🫧 fun towels 🫧 play dress-up! 🫧pretend makeup (plastic eyeshadow, plastic lipstick, plastic blush, etc) 🫧pretend hair tools (straightener, curler) 🫧video games where you can style hair, paint nails, or apply makeup 🫧draw/print a picture and add hair, nail polish, or makeup to it

ages 5-10 🛁🌟🧽 🛁all previous, and: 🛁apply makeup to a doll or Barbie head 🛁body spray 🛁kids version of getting mani/pedi 🛁face masks made for kids 🛁other skincare for kids 🛁sticker earrings 🛁rhinestones to decorate face 🛁temporary tattoos 🛁using rollers to curl hair (not heat tools) 🛁play makeup (i mean differently from pretend makeup; this is actual makeup that goes on your skin, but it's often softly pigmented or in bright colours. it's restricted to things like eyeshadow, blush, and lip gloss, and doesn't include things like foundation, concealer, or mascara) ages 11-13 🐳🐠✨ 🧽all previous, and: 🧽real earrings 🧽face masks made for teens 🧽pore strips 🧽simple skincare routine 🧽dying streaks or tips of hair (may require supervision) curling or straightening hair with heat (also may require supervision) 🧽fake nails (may not be appropriate for everyone) 🧽real makeup, but still age appropriate(clear or soft mascara, pencil eyeliner/eyebrow pencil, blush, neutral/softly pigmented eyeshadow, concealer, powder, lipstick, skin tints, highlighter) 14+ 💄👗🪥 🐳all previous, and: 🐳 these following activities may not be suitable for everyone, check with yourself and/or your cg! 🐳whitening teeth 🐳acrylic nails 🐳beauty services like adult mani/pedis or eyebrow maintenance 🐳dying hair completely 🐳full face of makeup

what is NEVER okay, no matter your big or little age⛔🚫👎 🚫starving yourself 🚫 engaging with diet culture in general 🚫comparing yourself and your eyes, hair, makeup, face, beauty, etc. to others 🚫 hurting yourself to look more beautiful 🚫not taking proper safety precautions (for example if you are clumsy without a cg, then make sure you have one around when handling hot tools!) 💗 your body, your face, your lack of hygiene, does not make you less of a regressor or less of a person. we all struggle and we are all beautiful in our own ways. i hope by taking care of yourself like this you can appreciate and show yourself some love!

→ where can i buy some of these things? ✨ you can get a lot of cheap makeup, hair accessories, and hairbrushes at the dollar store, toy stores, or claire's! ✨ i would NOT recommend putting dollar store makeup on your face if you have sensitive skin, but it's okay for giant barbie head. she has special skin that doesn't get irritated and is happy to model it for you!! ✨ toy makeup you can obviously get at toy stores or online, and it's pretty easy to DIY some ✨you can get fun scented soaps and lotions at the dollar store (sometimes), department stores such as walmart or target, claire's and bath and body works. ✨ bath bombs can be found at lush and department stores ✨ face masks/skincare for kids: department stores, claire's, toy stores (maybe? haven't checked) ✨ sticker earrings, rhinestones, temporary tattoos: claire's, online, toy stores

→ help! i used a new soap/lotion/etc. and now my skin is irritated! oh, no, i'm so sorry!!! you should let your cg know, if you have one. then also check the bottle for instructions on what to do. it will probably say wash the area with mild, non irritating soap and warm water. discontinue use of the product as well! you will most likely be okay after removing it from your skin. and remember to never drink or consume any cosmetic item, no matter how yummy it smells or looks or even TASTES :0 i hope this was fun to read and you get to do fun stuff !!! say safe everyone, i love u, and i'm taking suggestions as well for stuff to add!! lots of love 💗🪽

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valiwrites · 4 months ago

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alluring ✧.* daniel ricciardo

: ̗̀➛ pairing: daniel ricciardo x fem!kalogeras!reader : ̗̀➛ warnings: age gap; reader is 25, daniel is 35, hate comments, gosspi accounts : ̗̀➛ smau

: ̗̀➛ summary: she’s the oldest kalogeras, and he’s a former f1 driver. when fans find out, they completely break the internet.

yourusername ✔︎

liked by elianakalogeras, noahrisling, danielricciardo, demitrakalogeras, sundaykalogeras and 1.3m others

yourusername editing the new video for y'all 😘

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user1 in y/n we trust ☺️

user2 i still don't know who's the oldest

user3 y/n is the oldest she's 25 then sunday she's 21 then demitra she's 18 and then eliana she's 17

user4 what's y/n's hair type??

user5 i'd say 3a or 3b

user6 i might be crazy...but is that daniel ricciardo in the likes??

user7 i thought it was a glitch!! omg he actually liked her post

elianakalogeras send me that picture pleaseee

yourusername ofc that's all u ask for 🙄

yourusername ✔︎

liked by yourbff, demitrakalogeras, danielricciardo, chrissturniolo and 3.2m others

yourusername life lately

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user1 she has a bf?? oh ma gawd will he be in the next vid??

user2 that would be epic but i doubt it

elianakalogeras just so y'all know that man could be her father 🙂

yourusername ELI!! STOP IT!

user3 lmao she's into older guys?? i get it i get it

user4 who is it please tell us!!

user5 do you guys think it's daniel??

user6 nah but he is suspiciously liking her posts 🤔

user7 he could just be a fan like us

user8 he's 35 i doubt he watches four girls on youtube for fun

user9 i put my bet that its daniel

kalogeras_news

liked by 64k users

kalogeras_news y/n kalogera accidentally shared faceless pics with her new mystery boyfriend—probably meant for her ‘only friends’ or private account! the photos were up for just a minute before getting deleted, but over 4k people already saw them. still no word on who the guy is…

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user1 it’s gotta be daniel, he’s always liking her stuff

user2 nah, i’m not convinced it’s him, could be someone else

user3 wait, daniel ricciardo? i can totally see it tho

user4 but like, why would she post it if she didn’t want anyone to know?

user5 that's why its called an 'accidental post' sherlock 🙄

user6 i lowkey thought it was a random dude but the likes make it suspicious

user7 i bet it’s someone from her friend circle, not him tho

user8 people are saying daniel because of the likes, but what if it's a whole different person?

user9 honestly, the way daniel likes all her posts, it’s gotta be him

user8 nah i don't think so. i mean she liked a lot of pedri's posts before and they aren't dating

user10 maybe she just didn’t want to make it public yet, idk

user11 either way, i wanna know who he is!

yourusername

liked by danielricciardo, sundaykalogeras, noahrisling, elianakalogeras, demitrakalogeras and 2.3m others

yourusername i ain't saying anything 😤

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user1 yo that tattoo looks like daniel’s, am i tripping?

user2 that leg tattoo is too recognizable, c’mon now

user3 if that’s not daniel, i’ll eat my hat

user4 a lot of people have tattoos like that tho…

user5 okay but you look fire in these photos, y/n

user6 y/n really out here serving looks

user7 you look so good, forget the tattoo, we need more of these pics

demitrakalogeras gurl is that my bag??

yourusername yes? i'm the oldest i can take anything i want

user8 not sure why people are acting like daniel would ever date her, lmao

user9 if you’re gonna hate, at least make it creative. this is weak

yourusername

liked by elianakalogeras, demitrakalogeras, yourbff, danielricciardo and 3.5m others

yourusername i guess i do like older men

user1 i knew it was him! y'all look so cute together

user2 called it!! i knew daniel was the one she was talking about

user3 yoooo i was right all along, it was him! love this for you guys

user4 she’s 25, he’s 35… kinda creepy, no?

user5 yeah, it’s kinda weird. i’m not sure how i feel about it

user6 i mean, age gaps like this are more common than we think. not a big deal

user7 idk, i feel like people make a bigger deal out of age gaps than they need to

user8 10 years difference is wild, but okay

user11 i love you y/n, but i’m not feeling daniel. he’s just too old for you, girl

user12 honestly, why does it matter how you feel about it if she’s happy? let her live her life

kolagerascompalations ⤑ y/n and daniel being the best couple for 2 minutes straight

y/n stood next to eliana on the ice, talking to the camera while noah struggled to keep his balance on his skates, holding the camera steady. y/n turned her head to see daniel sitting on the bench, scrolling through his phone with a coffee in his hand. she skated away from the camera, and it followed her as she went to hug daniel. eliana let out a soft “aww,” while demitra chimed in with a playful “eww.”

---

while everyone’s getting ready for the video, daniel hums a random song, and y/n immediately joins in, singing the lyrics out loud. eliana and sunday give them weird looks, but daniel and y/n just smile at each other like no one else is around. “okay, that was cute,” y/n says, and daniel gives her a playful wink.

---

while filming a fun video with her sisters, demitra suddenly asks y/n, "how would you scream if you caught daniel in bed with someone else?" y/n raises her eyebrows, laughing. "that's a dramatic question!" demitra smirks, "let's recreate it!"

demitra and daniel hop into bed together, with demitra pretending to be the 'random lady.' y/n stands at the foot of the bed, taking a deep breath. "okay, here we go!"

y/n throws her hands up dramatically and lets out a loud, exaggerated scream, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" daniel bursts out laughing while demitra tries to stifle her giggles.

y/n dramatically points at demitra. "how could you betray me like this?" she fake pouts. daniel can’t stop chuckling and says, "babe i'm sorry!"

y/n finally drops the act, shaking her head with a smile. "okay, but for real, I would probably cry, not scream!" daniel stands up from the bed and leans over to her, chuckling, “I’d never do that to you, I promise!”

---

y/n and her sisters are gathered around a pottery wheel, filming a fun video. y/n glances at the camera and says, “you know, guys are really hot when they do pottery. there’s just something about it.” demitra nodded agreeing with her

just then, daniel walks into the frame, looking curious. y/n smirks at him. “what do you think? can you be a hot potter?”

without hesitation, daniel grabs a lump of clay and sits down at the wheel next to y/n, saying confidently, “watch and learn.” he starts shaping the clay, glancing over at y/n with a cheeky grin.

“okay, this is getting serious. look at you trying to prove you’re hot!” she playfully rolls her eyes, but she can’t hide her smile.

as daniel works on his pottery, y/n pretends to critique him. “that looks like a blob, daniel. I think you need more practice.” he looks over, feigning shock. “excuse me? this is art!”

eliana, watching from the side, laughs and says, “honestly, you both are cute, but i definitely wins the pottery competition!”

daniel playfully huffs, “well, I can be cute and hot at the same time, thank you very much!”

---

as daniel carries y/n, noah zooms in, teasing, “look at this simp, carrying his girl like a queen!”

---

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jarofstyles · 8 months ago

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Cabernet

This can be read as a standalone I think, but! Here is a second part of Merlot! It's spicy and sweet so I hope you guys like it. Unsure if there will be any more parts (I’m open if you guys have more ideas!) but I do love a good dilfrry.

Check out our Patreon for early access and 200+ exclusive writings!

WC- 4.1k

Warnings- smut, age gap relationship, anal (for those who asked ur welcome!), unprotected sex, cumplay, Dom/sub elements

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Harry was by far the best man she had ever dated.

Their age gap was evident at times, but not in a bad way. It was rather cute when he had been confused about videos she sent or his own excitement to show her the movies or books he was referencing. The added element of their dynamic was learning from one another. Harry had been teaching her about publishing and helping her flesh out the first draft of her book while she sat in his office some days, helping him out in return by getting him coffee or lunch or an occasional shoulder massage when he got particularly stressed. An unofficial assistant of sorts.

“I feel like if I have to write the word ‘said’ one more time, my brain is going to explode.” She grumbled, pushing her laptop across the couch and leaning back on it. The leather seat in his office was by far the most comfortable one she had sat on and he happily invited her to come into the office to see him as often as she wanted. It was both practical and selfish on both ends.It was easier to work in a space like this and with the understanding that Harry really did have work he was doing, she focused on her own stuff. A quiet pair of people working in each other’s company.

Add in the fact that he was the boss man, it made it much easier for her to come and go as she pleased.

“Mm, sometimes authors get stuck with words in their novels. They’ll have phrases they repeat a few too many times, usually gets called out in editing and fixed. It’s not a bad thing. But with words that are action words like that, there are options. Y’know, depending on the scene and tone. Murmured, muttered, peeped, whispered, whined, moaned, huffed, grumbled. Those sorts of words.” He tapped his pen against the desk as he lifted his eyes to her.

It didn’t get old. Seeing her pretty face sitting in his office looking the way she did, much more comfortable than the night they’d first met, but still appropriate for an office setting.

Sometimes he did let his mind wander into the roleplay aspect, wondering if she had been his real assistant if he would have made a move. If Y/N was the Y/N he knew now? Probably. Scandalous.

Today she wore a pair of black flowy pants and a matching turtleneck, but on top she had a chunky knit cardigan that was utterly adorable. It had yellow moons and stars, a deep purple color with sleeves she had to push up so they didn’t hide her hands. His girl leaned into the office aesthetic when she came in so she didn’t stick out too much but with him or when they were at his place or out together, he loved seeing her dressed in her normal clothing. She looked soft, whimsical almost. Like a little fairy.

“Hm. Good point. I need to write down all the synonyms in my notes app and defer to that because if I’m getting tired of writing it, I know whoever ends up reading it will get tired of seeing it too.” Her lips puffed to blow a strand of hair that had fallen from her bun, brows furrowed as she failed and made her hand ready up to tuck it behind her ear instead.

Again, cute.

“Not necessarily.” He replied, leaning back in his chair. “We’re our own harshest critics. I doubt they’re paying that much attention to that. The majority of people will be paying attention to world building, character development, plot, sex scenes, all that fun stuff. The exact wording isn’t always the most important thing. But it shows that you care about quality.” He shot her a grin. “So you will be successful.”

“Mmm… and not because I’m fucking the publishing head?” She grinned as she stood up, stretching her arms out.

“Well. That helps.” He wouldn’t deny it. She had a leg up, but he wouldn’t publish just anything. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t publish shit work. It isn’t worth the reputation of my company. Your writing is genuinely good, my sweet.” He knew the drill by now. Her heeled boots were kicked off by the couch and she made her way over to him, the tiredness starting to hit her as she happily perched herself on his lap.

“Good to know.” She snorted before pressing a kiss to his scruffy cheek. The facial hair had grown but he was shaping it currently. She promised she’d be okay with whatever he did to it but didn’t want anything to happen to the mustache. That wasn’t allowed to go. “What are you working on? Anything fun?”

“No, nothing incredibly interesting I’m afraid.” His hand squeezed her hip underneath the cardigan. “I was working on some contracts earlier but every so often I pick up some submissions and read through them myself. This one is very bland, unfortunately. There’s potential, absolutely. Their writing style is lovely, but the plot falls flat and the characters are one dimensional. S’like they chose a specific stereotype and did nothing to differentiate them.” It was unfortunate.” It was a shame he came across all too often.

“It’s obvious this person is trying but they’ve never observed or met someone with these traits. I don’t think you absolutely have to follow the rule ‘write what you know’, but I think a lot of the best works come from drawing from our own experiences. Romance, for them, doesn’t seem to be a passion. They’d do better with mystery with their writing style as it is, but they have to improve on other aspects first.”

“Is it hard for you to see stuff like that?” She asked curiously, fiddling with the collar of his shirt. “I can tell you’re a little disappointed with it, so I have to wonder if it happens a lot.”

“It does. And it is hard when you see someone with potential not living up to it but I have faith that if we send them some constructive criticism notes that maybe they won’t see it as an attack but as a place of genuine care. I’m going to have someone meet with them I think, give them my notes and have them explain it in nicer terms than the plain ones I used. Maybe they can work on it again and add more and we’d have a best seller.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I can see they care about it in the way they put details in, but it needs more.”

There was something incredibly attractive about listening to him talk about it. It was always attractive to see someone care and talk about their passions; but Harry was on another level. She could see it on his face that he was disappointed and knew the person could do better. While it made it all the more nerve wracking for her own novel, she had him working with her along the way.

He never told her where to go with her story in terms of ideas, but how to improve the mechanics. Reading over bits and telling her to take away a certain detail and add more in other places, or giving suggestions about how things could flow smoother. He’d listened to her storyboard, after showing her the author equivalent of it, and gave his honest feedback from a publisher's point of view and then from a boyfriend’s point of view.

Sometimes it was more obvious that he was the one with miles more life experience in these instances but she couldn’t be upset about it when it only aided in strengthening their relationship.

“I see.” She looked at the manuscript on the desk with the red pen of doom. “Oof. The red pen is out… and you’ve used it a lot.”

“Well, there are errors.” He chuffed, kissing her cheek in return. “Did you get enough done?” The word count goal had been 3,000 for today, but he didn’t make it for her. It was all on her. He simply helped keep her accountable.

“I did more. I think… 4.5?” She tilted her head trying to remember. “Now my head feels like soup.” It did feel like mush right now. That was why the laptop was closed and abandoned and she was finding comfort in the man. It was like a reward.

“That’s ace, my dove. Amazing.” He praised. The pride he felt for her was earned fair and square. She had been applying herself more now than ever. Since their first night together they hadn’t really separated, seeing each other at least a few times a week. Her work ethic was there as she had zeroed in on what she wanted. “Why don’t we finish this up and go back to mine, mm?”

Harry had been holding off all week. He’d gone a bit rough one night and even though she said she was fine, he wanted to give her body time to relax. As much as he loved sex, he had wanted her body to enjoy it more than anything else. Not be overly swollen and sore the next day.

Today was going to be the day to break that. A full week of nothing but heated kisses, and she was as needy as needy could get. He felt her perk up at the mention, sitting up straighter in his lap.

“Please! Let’s go. We can get food on the way home but I think we have some pressing matters to attend to.” She sniffed, standing from him and offering a hand to help him up. “Chop chop. Get a move on, mister.”

——-

Two rounds in and he knew she could take it. Her poor cunt was a mess and he knew that as pretty as it was all drippy and swollen, she had been aching for him to get a try into her other hole. They’d had a proper discussion about it, and he had effectively been edging her the entire night. Fair? No, but she knew how he rolled. The promised pleasure first, experiments after. Just in case she wanted to stop, she got something out of the night.

She’d been warming his cock for a bit as he held her in his arms, cooing soft praises about how good of a girl she was, how brave she had been to ask for something new tonight when he felt her get impatient. She didn’t need to say it. He knew her well enough now to understand what she wanted. Pulling his cock out and rubbing the tip against her asshole, pressing against it and spreading the sticky cum over the rim. “Want me t’fuck this tight little ass too? Fill you from both ends."

“Wanna try.” She nodded, panting as her cunt contracted and his cum dribbled out of her pussy. “You’re so big I… I dunno if I can take it. Go slow.” Y/N knew she was slightly cock drunk but she also trusted him. He’d made her feel good already, took his time with everything else why wouldn’t she want to test this with him?

“Okay, my sweet. Just relax.” Harry wasn’t nervous, but he was cautious. His girl was precious cargo, and he wanted to make sure it felt as good as it could. He’d done the work of stretching her with his fingers, but it was going to be a challenge to get him in there regardless. He slowly pushed his thick head past the tight rim of her back hole. Watching her face intently, his own contorted with pleasure. "You're doing so good, doll," he encouraged softly. "Just relax and let me in. You can take it."

The pressure was intense, and she hissed out a breath as he slowly pushed more and more of himself into her. His thick head stretched her wide, and he paused, letting her adjust to the new sensation. "Breathe." The reminder was whispered as he realized she was holding her breath, his hand carding through her hair tenderly.

"That's it, baby. You're taking it so well. Always do so good f’me." He praised, his voice low and soothing. He slowly pushed more of himself into her, inch by inch, his thick prick spreading her wide. She could feel every vein, every ridge, as he slowly filled her up.

As he slid deeper, Harry could feel the intense pressure and stretch around his girth. Her tight little hole was gripped tightly around his shaft, the muscles fluttering and contracting as he pushed his way inside. She felt like she was being split in two, her body struggling to accommodate his bigger size- but she was. Slowly but surely, he sunk into her fully.

She had done it.

“Fuck.” She sobbed out, clinging to him as he got down to the base. Never in her life had she felt so full that way, so stretched. Only Harry could make her feel this way. It wasn’t just the physical feeling, but the emotional one too. She trusted him more than she trusted anyone else. His guidance was priceless.

"You're doing so good, You’ve got it all in. Jus’ gotta let it adjust." he soothed, his voice strained as he fought to keep control. Giving her a moment to adjust, his hands stroking her hair and her cheeks, his thumb brushing away her tears. "You feel so hot around me, doll. So tight. Knew y’would be."

“I wanna be… I want you to feel good.” She whispered, looking at him with wet eyes. “It’s just so big. I’m tryin’ to take it.” It surely wasn't a beginner cock but she wasn’t known for taking the easy way.

"You're doing so well, baby," he reassured her, his hands never leaving her. He slowly pulled out halfway before sinking in again, a little faster this time. "That's it... take me all the way in."

It was the fourth time he did it that she felt the pleasure. Both from the action and the thatch of hair at the base of his cock rubbing against her swollen clit, making her gasp. Her eyes fell shut as she leaned her head back, slowly relaxing into the bed.

He watched her face contorted in pleasure, his heart swelling with pride. "Look at me," he commanded, his voice rough. As she opened her eyes, he began to pick up the pace, his hips pressing against hers. "M’so proud of you. Look at you, taking every bit of me.”

Y/N sent him a blissed out smile as her hand slipped between them, rubbing her own clit slowly as he fucked into her ass. There was nothing rushed about it, nothing frantic, and it felt good just to be. Her muscles relaxed, making it feel even better as his cock filled her hole. Soft moans left her mouth as she curled her other hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down so he was close. “Are they the best holes you’ve had?”

Harry’s face was lax in his own pleasure as he felt her tight ass clench around his cock. “Fuck, baby,” he groaned, his breath hot against her lips. “They are. So fucking tight, so perfect. Can’t compare them t’anything else.” He kept up his steady rhythm, loving how her body moved with his. “You feel so good. Can never get enough of you.” He whispered, brushing a stray hair out of her face before stroking her puffy lip. They were so pretty. Kissing wasn’t something he’d thought much of before, but he hadn’t kissed Y/N. She had changed everything for him.

“Better than that silly ex wife?” She prodded, watching with a little smirk as she watched him think it over. Y/N had a feeling she was by the way be was acting, but she wanted to hear it.

"Way better." he grunted, his hips snapping forward. "Little minx, y’just need to ask that, hm? No need to be jealous. She never gets t’have me again. Only y-you." He stuttered as her hand moved around his neck and she squeezed down hard on him. "Her holes were nothing compared to yours, doll. Nothing."

Y/N giggled as she choked him a little bit, watching his eyes widen before pulling. It was obvious that while he was the big man in charge- she could have fun too. “That’s what I like to hear. I’ll tell you a secret, Harry.” Her lips brushed his as she kept the grip on his throat. Her lips were swollen and sensitive, the coarse facial hair brushing it and making her want to moan. “None of the boys my age have ever made me cum. They never fucked my ass. Never fucked me raw. And you did it all.”

"And I'm gonna keep doing it," he rumbled, eyes burning with lust as she kissed him. His hand tightened in her hair, tugging gently and pulling her deeper into the kiss. “You’ve got a man now, no need to think of those boys.You want me t’keep being nice to you? Keep making you cum?”

“If you keep fucking me like this, I do. Want my man to be so, so nice to me.” She gasped as he pushed all the way in, balls rested snug against her ass as he slowly humped into her, the comfort of the fullness making her fingers work harder on her clit. “Gotta- Gotta prove you can keep up with me, old man. That you c-can live up to the hype. I like the bit of silver at your temples but…” Her moan was broken as he pulled out and pushed back in, jostling her. “Gotta prove why older guys are b-better for pretty little things like me.”

"Oh, I'll prove it to you," he growled, picking up pace as he pounded into her tight ass. She had no idea just how badly he’d needed her to walk into his life. Thank god she had. This was everything he had ever wanted. "And right now, you need me to wreck this little hole until you can't walk straight. You need me to show you how a real man handles his woman. I'll give you everything you crave, everything you need. You just have to let go and trust me.” The man had every intention of proving how much better he could be for her than she could ever imagine.

"Fuck, look at this cunt." He muttered, reaching down to spread her dripping pussy apart. "It's absolutely soaked, just dripping down. Love it, hm?” The smugness in his tone would usually make her scowl but there was no denying it. The proof was right there. It was undeniable. “You're so turned on, baby. It's making it easier for me to fuck this tight little ass of yours." The glossy, hard flesh glistened with slick, dripping down onto the bed beneath her. His own cum intermingled with her own, making his movements smoother as he pushed in and out of her, coating her holes with their combined essence.

Her face was a mask of pure ecstasy, her eyes rolled back in her head as she whimpered in pleasure, her hands gripping the sheets beneath her. Her asshole clenching and unclenching around his thick cock with each thrust, trying to milk him for all he was worth. Her body was feeling tingly, her legs trembling as he fucking into her ass, the sound of her arousal and his hips hitting her skin filling the room. She was completely lost in the pleasure, her mind clouded by the overwhelming sensation of being thoroughly fucked.

As she reached the peak of her orgasm, he took over and began rubbing her clit with his own thumb, the sensation sending waves of pleasure cascading through her body. She cried out, her pussy gushing as she came harder than she would have imagined being fucked like this. She was so overwhelmed that she could only hold limply onto his arms as he continued to pound into her, his thick cock stretching her hole as it thrust through the waves of her intense orgasm.

His face contorted, vein bulging in his neck as he struggled to hold back. "You feel too good, baby. I can't... I can't hold back any longer." His heavy balls drew up close to his body, ready to unleash another load inside of her. The feeling of her taut muscles milking him, the way she clung to him with every fiber of her being, it was too much. He was sensitive himself, but he wanted to deliver everything she wanted.

"Please, Harry...Please,come inside me... I wanna feel you fill me up. Want it everywhere." She panted, her voice desperate with need. Half of the fun of sex was seeing him lose that control he so easily held in all other scenarios. She wanted to make him feel just as good as he made her feel. He deserved it.

His restraint shattered at her words. "Fuck, you're gonna get what you asked for."

With a guttural groan, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and let go, his hot load pulsing into her hole in thick ropes. She felt each ribbon scalding her , marking her as his. "That's it, take it all... That’s m’girl.” He kept cumming, his cock twitching as he filled her. Ribbon after ribbon filled her up until she was overflowing with his load, almost overwhelmingly so. He finally slowed, his chest heaving, before gently pulling out of her ass, his cock glistening with the evidence of their fuck.

With a sense of possessive pride, he watched as his cum began to leak out of her stretched hole, dripping down her thighs. It was satisfying in the filthiest way. Primal and caveman in every sense of the word, he loved knowing that he had done it. He’d taken every one of her holes and made her his in the dirtiest type of way. He gently spread her cheeks apart, admiring the sight of his mark leaking from her. "Look at that... You're so full of me, S’that what you wanted?”

“Mhm.” She smiled, slightly drunk on the orgasm and the fact that he had pushed her further than anyone else had before. it was a good feeling in her body, the beginnings of soreness and the calming heat of his hands as he caressed her the way he wanted. “Exactly what I wanted. Think M’gonna have to keep you around so we can do that again.”

“I’d hope so.” He laughed tiredly, pushing back down to take her mouth for another kiss. “I’m far from finished with you, sweet little thing. But I think I’ve ravaged your body enough. Think you need a bath and some tea, get you ready to sleep.”

Aftercare wasn’t something she’d experienced in any other relationship either, but she realized now it was probably a Harry exclusive thing. He was phenomenal at it. A lot of things, honestly. He experimented with her responsibly, took care of her after every round of sex, checked in on her, made sure she was eating proper meals, and helped her with her career. She’d lucked out with him. Whatever his ex wife was thinking, she had no clue- but she wasn’t about to waste a single bit of him.

“Do you have chamomile?” She asked softly, pecking his lips in return.

“What do you take me for? Course I’ve got it.” He scoffed, pinching her chin. “But if I didn’t, I’d find some for you. Know it’s your favorite. Added it to the grocery list, along with your cereal, your rancid battery acid energy drinks, and the sweet and salty popcorn.”

“It’s good battery acid, I’ll have you know.” She giggled, carding her fingers through his hair. He did have a bit of gray going on the temples but it was sexy. Just hearing how much he cared and put effort into the tiny things made her giddy.

“Yeah, yeah. We can talk about your poison in the morning. It’s time to get clean and go t’sleep. Tomorrow may be the day you write five thousand words. You never know.”

#jarofstyles #harry styles one shot #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry styles smut #harry writing #harry styles imagine #harry drabble #harry styles blurb #harry styles writing #harry styles au #harry styles fic #harry one shot #harry styles fluff #harry styles age gap #dilfrry #Merlot #soft Harry

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slutoru1207 · 3 months ago

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i NEED more viltrumite mark vs modern technology 🙏 like reader tries to teach him more about phones, games, computers, other tech stuff………… PLEASE 🙏

here ya gooo beautiful

Viltrumite Mark vs. Modern Technology

Mark Grayson x Fem!Reader

You had just gotten back from another day of saving the world, your mind buzzing with all the things that had happened. You were ready to relax—maybe grab a snack, scroll through some memes, and catch up on a show. But, of course, Markwas already sitting on the couch, his eyes narrowed at the screen of your phone, looking completely lost.

"Uh… hey," you said, trying not to laugh at his confused frown. "You okay there?"

He looked up at you, blinking a few times, clearly frustrated but trying to hide it. "I just don’t get it," he said, his voice low and serious, like this was a matter of great importance. "What is the point of these... 'apps'? Why would anyone use this device for something other than its intended purpose?"

You raised an eyebrow, walking over to sit next to him. Mark was holding your phone like it was some kind of foreign object—completely out of his element. A small part of you found it endearing how this Viltrumite warrior, who could destroy entire cities with a single punch, was utterly flummoxed by something as simple as a smartphone.

"It's not just for 'calling people,' Mark," you explained, pointing at the screen. "Here, let me show you how it works." You swiped through the phone, opening your social media feed. "You can use it to talk to friends, watch videos, play games, or even read news. It’s like a small computer, in your hand."

His brow furrowed further, his eyes scanning the phone like he was trying to decode a complex alien artifact. "So… I can talk to anyone with this thing, no matter where they are?"

"Exactly!" you said with a grin. "See, that's a video call. You can talk and see each other at the same time. It's like magic, but it’s technology."

Mark squinted at the phone in your hand. "I still don’t understand. This tiny thing has more power than the communication systems I used to help the Viltrumites conquer planets… I guess I’ve been living under a rock."

"You’ve been literally living under a rock," you teased. "Come on, let me show you something fun." You handed him the phone, unlocking it. "Let’s play a game."

"A game?" He looked at you like you had just suggested that he solve a galactic puzzle with no instructions. You swiped through the apps until you found a game that was simple but addicting: a puzzle game that involved matching colored blocks.

You handed the phone over to him, and for the next few minutes, Mark's intense focus was on the game. You watched as he tapped away, trying to make sense of the mechanics, his lips muttering to himself.

"This is… harder than I thought," he admitted after a while, his competitive side clearly coming out. "I don’t understand how anyone could be good at this. I’ve fought intergalactic armies, but this... this is a different kind of challenge."

You couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re doing fine, Mark. It’s just about strategy. Just think of it like a mission. You have to plan ahead."

Mark’s eyes glinted with determination. "I can do this," he said with a grin, leaning forward as he swiped the phone with more force. A few minutes later, he finally cleared a level, and his face lit up with victory. "I did it!" he exclaimed, making you giggle at how proud he looked.

You smiled. "See? It’s all about strategy, just like your battles."

Then, you decided it was time for something a bit more advanced. You pulled up your computer and opened a video editing program. "Alright, now this one’s gonna be tricky. It’s how I make some of my videos. I think you’ll find it interesting."

Mark looked at the screen, his eyes narrowing. "That’s a lot of buttons," he said, clearly overwhelmed. "How am I supposed to know what any of this does?"

You sat next to him, taking a deep breath. "Okay, let’s start with something simple. This is your timeline where you can add clips and sound. You can use this tool here to cut and arrange them." You showed him the basic steps, your hands guiding his, even though he didn’t quite get the concept of “editing” yet.

He paused, looking at you. "You create these videos yourself?"

"Yeah," you replied, “I like to make them when I have free time. It’s relaxing, you know?"

"I see..." Mark said quietly, his eyes watching you as you spoke. "It's incredible that you can create something like this with just a computer. I’ve never had to do anything like that before. All I’ve ever known is fighting... saving the world."

You chuckled, nudging him playfully. "Well, you might just be a hero in battle, but you’re definitely a rookie when it comes to this tech stuff." You paused, giving him a warm look. "But it’s okay. I’ll teach you all the cool stuff. Slowly."

Mark blinked, his cheeks flushing a little as he gave you a sheepish smile. "I guess I can’t be the hero in everything, huh?"

You reached over, lightly brushing your fingers against his. "Not if you’re busy being a nerd with me," you teased. "But don’t worry, you’re still my favorite superhero, even if you’re not exactly up to speed with every piece of technology in the world."

Mark chuckled, shaking his head as you both turned back to the screen. Maybe the Viltrumite warrior still had a lot to learn about Earth, but for now, he was happy to learn from you.

#mark grayson invincible #mark x reader #invincible comic #invincible x reader #mark grayson x reader #invincible season 3 #invincible fanfic #invincible x you #invincible #nerdy mark #viltrumite mark

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favefandomimagines · 7 months ago

Text

Labyrinth (j.b)

Summary: the six most prominent moments in Joe’s relationship with Y/N Y/L/N

AN: a little combo of regular fic and an SMAU fic!! My first Joe Burrow fic too so there’s a lot of firsts going on lol

She’s a long one!!! And I hate the ending but oh well

One.

It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon at the Bengals’ practice facility, and Joe Burrow was seated next to the host of a Barstool podcast.

He didn’t do these interviews often but with the pre-season in full swing, he had a couple on his schedule. After answering a slew of football-related questions, the session took a lighter turn when the host decided to inject some fun into the conversation.

“Alright, Joe,” the host said, his voice playful. “We’ve been talking about your game on the field, but what about your game off it? Who would you say is your celebrity crush?”

Joe leaned back in his chair, scratching his neck thoughtfully. For a moment, he seemed like he was genuinely debating his answer. Then, a small, almost shy smile spread across his face.

“Celebrity crush?” he repeated. “I guess... Y/N Y/L/N from Outer Banks. She’s got this whole vibe—talented, gorgeous, and just really cool. Yeah, definitely her.”

The room erupted in laughter and teasing comments. The host muttered, “Good taste,” while the other joked, “Sliding into her DMs soon, Joe?”

Joe chuckled, shaking his head as if to brush off the attention, but the damage was done. Within hours, the clip of his admission was circulating on social media. Sports accounts, entertainment outlets, and fan pages had all picked it up. Memes popped up with captions like:

When your MVP is also a hopeless romantic, and Quarterback Joe Burrow shoots his shot.

Across the country, Y/N was sitting in her trailer on the set of Outer Banks, scrolling through her phone between takes. She hadn’t even made it halfway through her notifications before Madelyn Cline burst into the room, phone in hand.

“Did you see this?” She asked, her tone giddy.

“See what?” Y/N asked, setting her script aside.

“Joe Burrow—like, the Joe Burrow—just said you’re his celebrity crush during a press conference.”

Her brows shot up in surprise. “Wait, seriously?”

Madelyn thrust the phone toward her, showing her the clip. Y/N hit play, watching as Joe, clad in his Bengals gear, casually named her as his celebrity crush. At first, she laughed—a light, disbelieving sound—but as the video looped, she couldn’t help but notice the genuine look on his face. It wasn’t cocky or rehearsed. It was… sweet.

“Well,” Madelyn said, smirking, “looks like someone’s got a fan.”

“Yeah, a fan who’s, like, an NFL star,” Y/N quipped, trying to brush it off, though her cheeks had turned a noticeable shade of pink. “He probably says stuff like that all the time.”

“Oh, no way. That guy does not look like he just ‘says stuff.’ You should DM him. Or better yet, I’ll DM him for you!”

“Absolutely not,” Y/N said, laughing as she snatched the phone back. But later, when she was alone, she replayed the clip a few more times, unable to shake the warm, fluttery feeling in her chest.

Across social media, fans were having a field day. Football fans and Outer Banks fans joined forces, shipping Joe and Y/N like they were characters in their own romantic drama. Someone tweeted:

Joe Burrow x Y/N? A crossover episode I didn’t know I needed.

Even Y/N’s manager brought it up during a call the next day. “The press is eating this up. We could lean into it if you’re comfortable.”

Y/N sighed. “He seems nice, but… let’s not make a big deal out of it.”

“Noted,” her manager said, though the tone suggested they were already envisioning the headlines.

Still, the attention lingered. For Joe, it became an inside joke with his teammates.

“You think she’s seen it yet?” one of them teased during practice.

“She probably has,” Joe said, trying to sound casual, but the truth was, he kind of hoped she had.

And for Y/N, every time she opened Instagram or Twitter and saw a fan edit pairing her with Joe, she couldn’t help but smile. Little did either of them know, this was only the beginning.

@y//nofficial: my babes (also being the celebrity crush of a nfl player is my finest achievement in life 😉)

Two.

Months had passed since Joe casually admitted to the world that Y/N was his celebrity crush, and while the media had gradually moved on to other stories, the moment had left a lasting impression on both of them.

For Joe, it had been nothing more than a lighthearted, honest answer in the moment. But as he followed Y/N’s career—watching interviews, catching glimpses of her on magazine covers, and finally binge-watching Outer Banks during the offseason—he couldn’t deny that his admiration for her had only grown.

For Y/N, Joe’s comment was a flattering blip in her increasingly busy schedule. Between shooting a new season of Outer Banks and fielding scripts for movie roles, she hadn’t thought much about it—at least, not until their paths crossed in the most unexpected way.

It was the night of the ESPY Awards, a glittering evening celebrating the best in sports. Joe had been invited after leading the Bengals to a playoff run that cemented his reputation as one of the league’s brightest stars. Y/N, on the other hand, was there as a presenter.

The after-party buzzed with energy. Athletes, actors, and industry power players mingled in the event space. Joe wasn’t one for crowded events—he preferred the quiet camaraderie of a locker room—but tonight, he was making an exception.

As he sipped a drink and scanned the room, his eyes landed on her. Y/N was standing near the bar, wearing a sleek, gold dress that caught the light every time she moved. She was laughing at something one of her co-stars had said, her smile lighting up the space around her. Joe’s heart skipped in a way he hadn’t felt before.

“Dude, you okay?” one of his teammates asked, noticing the quarterback’s sudden silence.

“Yeah,” Joe said, setting his glass down. “Be right back.”

Joe didn’t overthink as he crossed the room, his long strides purposeful yet casual. For someone who thrived under pressure, he was oddly nervous. As he got closer, Y/N glanced up, her gaze locking with his. Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed by a warm smile.

“Hi,” Joe said, extending a hand. “I’m Joe.”

“I know,” Y/N said with a teasing glint. She took his hand, her touch firm yet delicate. “I’m Y/N.”

“I know,” he shot back, his grin widening. The exchange was simple, but it broke the ice between them.

For the next few minutes—or maybe it was hours; neither of them kept track—they talked like old friends. Joe told her about his first football game as a kid, the way his dad had coached him to stay grounded, and the chaos of his rookie year in the NFL. Y/N shared stories about her early auditions, the nerves of landing her breakout role, and the unexpected challenge of filming on a boat in stormy weather.

“So,” she said at one point, her tone light but playful, “am I really your celebrity crush, or was that just something you said for the podcast?”

Joe laughed, a deep, genuine sound that made her smile. “It wasn’t just for the podcast. You’re… incredible. I meant it.”

Y/N’s cheeks warmed, but she didn’t shy away from his gaze. “Well, thank you. That’s sweet of you.”

The night wore on, and the party began to thin out, but Joe and Y/N stayed rooted in their little corner of the room, oblivious to the time or the world around them. By the end of the evening, Joe had her number saved in his phone under her name, followed by a football emoji she insisted he add.

As they said their goodbyes, Y/N looked at him and said, “It was nice meeting you, Joe. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Definitely,” he replied, his smile tinged with quiet determination.

The next day, during an interview recapping the night, Y/N was asked if she had fun at the ESPYs. She smiled knowingly. “I did. I met someone who made the night memorable.”

Joe, back at the practice facility, saw the clip during a break and couldn’t help but grin. “Made her night memorable, huh?” his teammate teased.

Joe didn’t answer, but the glint in his eyes said it all. It was the beginning of something new, though neither of them fully realized it yet.

@y//nofficial: I had no business being at the ESPYs but I’m SO HAPPY I was! It was a very memorable evening! 😏

Three.

The photo that broke the internet wasn’t planned. Joe and Y/N had been dating quietly for a couple of months, their blossoming relationship tucked away from the public eye. They liked it that way.

Joe could focus on football without fielding endless questions about his personal life, and Y/N could work on her projects without worrying about being cast as “so-and-so’s girlfriend.”

That morning, they had decided to grab coffee at a small café in Cincinnati. It wasn’t one of those flashy celebrity spots—just a cozy, tucked-away place where they could sit and talk without interruption.

Y/N was in between filming seasons of the show and had some time off, so she spent it in the Midwest.

She wore an oversized hoodie and leggings, her hair pulled into a messy bun. Joe had on a Bengals cap and a casual sweatshirt. To anyone passing by, they looked like any other young couple enjoying a quiet moment together.

But someone did notice.

A fan walking out of the café spotted them holding hands as they strolled back to Joe’s car. The fan discreetly snapped a photo—not to be invasive, but because Joe Burrow and Y/N together?! It was too good to keep to themselves.

By the afternoon, the photo was everywhere.

@fanaccountt: Joe Burrow spotted with Outer Banks actress Y/N Y/L/N all coupled up! Is this the beginning of a new power couple?

Joe was in the middle of reviewing game tape when his phone buzzed incessantly. He ignored it at first, but when his teammate Ja’Marr walked in grinning, he knew something was up.

“You’re trending,” Ja’Marr said, tossing his phone onto the desk.

Joe picked it up and immediately saw the photo. There he was, arms wrapped around Y/N, the internet going wild over their apparent relationship.

“Crap,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

“What, you mad about it?” Ja’Marr teased. “Dude, people are shipping you two like crazy. You’re a power couple now.”

Joe sighed. “It’s not about being mad. I just… I wanted to keep it private for a little longer.”

“Well,” Ja’Marr said with a laugh, “welcome to dating a superstar.”

Y/N wasn’t faring much better. Her phone had been blowing up all day, her group chats full of messages from co-stars and friends.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re dating Joe freaking Burrow?!”

“Is this why you’ve been smiling so much lately???”

Her manager even called. “So… about that photo…”

Y/N groaned, rubbing her temples. “I didn’t think anyone would notice us! We weren’t even in L.A.!”

“Well, they noticed. So now the question is, do we address it, or let it fizzle out?”

Y/N bit her lip. She and Joe had talked about how they’d handle going public, but they hadn’t expected it to happen like this. After a quick call to Joe, they decided to keep it simple—acknowledge it without making a spectacle.

A few days later, Joe had a press conference. The media had been chomping at the bit to ask him about the photo, and as soon as the football questions wrapped up, one brave reporter dove in.

“Joe, there’s been a lot of buzz about your personal life lately. Care to comment on the photo of you and Y/N that’s been circulating?”

Joe’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Yeah, I’ve seen the photo,” he said, his tone light but measured. “Look, I get it—it’s part of the job. But, yeah, Y/N and I are dating. She’s incredible. I’m lucky to have her in my corner.”

The room buzzed with excitement, but Joe didn’t elaborate. He kept it short and sweet, knowing anything more would only add fuel to the fire.

Meanwhile, Y/N was promoting the upcoming season of Outer Banks on a popular morning talk show. Inevitably, the host brought up the photo.

“So, Y/N, the internet is losing it over this photo of you and Joe Burrow. Can you confirm—are you guys officially a thing?”

Y/N laughed, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I guess the photo kind of confirmed it for us, didn’t it?” she said, her voice warm and genuine. “Joe’s great. He’s funny, grounded, and so supportive. I’m really lucky.”

Fans swooned. The internet exploded again, dubbing them the It Couple of the year.

That night, Joe and Y/N sat on the couch in his living room, scrolling through the headlines together.

“‘NFL’s Golden Boy and Hollywood’s Sweetheart,’” Joe read aloud, smirking. “That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

Y/N leaned her head on his shoulder, laughing. “Get used to it, superstar. This is our life now.”

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “As long as I’ve got you, I think I can handle it.”

@y//nofficial: well…I guess it’s out there now 🧡 @joeyb_9

Four.

It was a moment that underscored just how much Joe and Y/N had come to mean to each other—not just as a couple but as a team. Their worlds were so different, but they’d found ways to support each other, even when the demands of their careers kept them apart.

The moment happened on one of the NFL’s biggest stages: the AFC Championship Game. Joe had led the Bengals to the brink of a Super Bowl appearance, and the eyes of the world were on him.

It was a freezing January evening, the kind where the air burned your lungs and every hit on the field felt twice as hard. But Joe didn’t seem fazed; he thrived in the cold.

Y/N had cleared her schedule weeks ago to make sure she could be there. She was bundled up in a Bengals hoodie and beanie, sitting in a private box with Joe’s family, but she might as well have been on the field with him.

Every play made her heart race, and she cheered as loudly as anyone when Joe threw a perfect touchdown pass or scrambled for a first down.

When the Bengals sealed the victory in the final minutes, the stadium erupted. Y/N stood and clapped, her face lighting up with pride. Cameras panned across the crowd, catching her celebration, and the broadcasters couldn’t resist a mention.

“And there’s Joe Burrow’s girlfriend, Y/N,” one of them said. “She’s been a fixture at games this season, always showing her support.”

Joe’s post-game press conference was filled with the usual football questions, but one reporter couldn’t resist asking about the glimpse of Y/N on the broadcast.

“You’ve talked a lot about your teammates being in your corner,” the reporter began, “but it seems like you’ve got a pretty special fan in your corner too. How important has Y/N’s support been during this season?”

Joe’s face softened, a rare moment of vulnerability on full display. “She’s been incredible,” he said. “We both have demanding schedules, but she always finds a way to be there when it matters. Having her support—it means everything.”

@y//nofficial: in my WAG era @joeyb_9

Later in the week, Y/N was gearing up for the premiere of her latest film, a romantic drama that was already generating Oscar buzz.

The red carpet was a dazzling frenzy of flashing cameras and shouting photographers, but Y/N glided through it with ease. Dressed in a custom gown that seemed to shimmer under the lights, she was the picture of Hollywood elegance.

When asked about her role and the film, she was all business, talking passionately about the story and her character. But, inevitably, a question about Joe came up.

“Your boyfriend, Joe Burrow, just led his team to another Super Bowl appearance,” the interviewer said. “How does it feel to be dating someone who’s at the top of his game, just like you?”

Y/N smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Joe works harder than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s so focused and driven, but he’s also incredibly humble about everything he’s accomplished. Watching him do what he loves at such a high level—it’s inspiring. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

The clip of her response went viral almost immediately, fans swooning over her heartfelt words.

Joe couldn’t attend the film premiere because he was deep in Super Bowl preparations, but that didn’t stop him from supporting her in his own way.

On the day of the premiere, Y/N woke up to a surprise delivery at her hotel: a massive bouquet of her favorite flowers with a handwritten note.

“To my superstar,

Wish I could be there to cheer you on tonight. You’re going to be amazing—just like always.

Love, Joe.”

Y/N smiled as she read it, her heart swelling. Later that night, after walking the red carpet and enduring endless interviews, she called Joe.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, her voice warm with affection.

“Of course I did,” he replied. “I hate that I couldn’t be there, but I wanted you to know I’m thinking about you.”

“Well,” she said, “you’re officially the sweetest boyfriend ever.”

Their mutual support didn’t go unnoticed by fans or the media. People loved how they celebrated each other’s successes, even from a distance. Someone tweeted:

Joe Burrow sending flowers to Y/N before her premiere? That’s the kind of MVP energy we all need.

Another wrote: Y/N calling Joe’s season ‘inspiring’ is proof they’re the real deal. Power couple status confirmed.

@y//nofficial: 🤍❤️

Five.

By the time the Super Bowl rolled around, Joe and Y/N’s relationship had become a fixture in both sports and entertainment media.

They were admired not just for their individual accomplishments but for the way they seemed to amplify each other’s strengths. Fans loved their humility, their chemistry, and the quiet way they handled their fame.

But this was Joe’s moment—a chance to bring a Lombardi Trophy home to Cincinnati, something that had eluded the franchise for decades.

As game day approached, the buzz was electric. The pressure was immense, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Y/N had spent the week leading up to the game in New York, doing press for the new season of Outer Banks. She wanted to fly to LA early to be with Joe, but he insisted she focus on her commitments.

“I know how much this season means to you,” he told her over the phone. “I’ll be fine. Just promise me you’ll be there on Sunday.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said.

On the morning of the game, Y/N arrived in LA, joining Joe’s family in their private suite at the stadium. Dressed in a Bengals jersey with “Burrow” embroidered on the back, she was a bundle of nerves. Watching Joe on the field was always intense, but this was different. This was the Super Bowl.

The game was a nail-biter. Joe played brilliantly, showcasing his trademark composure under pressure. Every throw, every scramble, every audible sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Y/N found herself clapping, cheering, and even pacing the suite at times, her heart pounding with every play.

The Super Bowl had been everything Joe and the Bengals dreamed of—except for the ending. They fought hard, battled down to the wire, but ultimately, they fell short.

The scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort, the heart, or the grit Joe and his team had shown on the field.

As the confetti fell in the Ram’s colors, Joe stood on the field, his helmet dangling from his hand. He was stoic, as always, but those closest to him could see the weight of the moment settling on his shoulders.

In the stands, Y/N felt a pang of sadness for Joe. She had been there for his triumphs and his setbacks, but she knew how much this one hurt.

As the Ram’s celebrated, Y/N stayed rooted in her seat, watching Joe as he lingered on the field, congratulating the victors with quiet grace.

When he finally made his way toward the tunnel, she slipped past security and met him in the hallway.

Joe looked up and saw her standing there, wearing his jersey with a pair of leather pants, her eyes filled with nothing but love.

“Hey,” he said, his voice hoarse.

“Hey,” she replied softly.

Without another word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He let out a deep sigh as he held her, his chin resting on her shoulder.

“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.

Joe pulled back slightly to look at her. “For losing?” he asked, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone.

“For leading,” she corrected. “For playing your heart out. For being the guy everyone looks up to—on and off the field.”

Her words seemed to ease some of the tension in his jaw, and he managed a small smile. “Thanks for being here,” he said.

“Always,” she promised.

Joe faced the press soon after, answering questions with his usual composure. When asked about the loss, he acknowledged the disappointment but praised his teammates for their effort and determination. Then, one reporter asked a more personal question.

“Joe, we saw Y/N in the tunnel with you after the game. How much does her support mean to you on a night like this?”

Joe’s expression softened, and for a moment, he seemed to forget the cameras and the crowd.

“It means everything,” he said simply. “Win or lose, she’s always there for me. Having someone like that in your corner—it’s more than I could ever ask for.”

Days later, Y/N was asked about the game during a podcast appearance.

“Your boyfriend played an incredible game, even though the team didn’t get the win. What did you say to him after?” the host asked.

Y/N smiled. “I told him I was proud of him. Because I was. He gave it everything he had, and that’s all anyone can ask for. Joe doesn’t measure his worth by wins and losses, and neither do I.”

Her response resonated with fans, many of whom took to social media to praise her unwavering support.

For Joe and Y/N, the Super Bowl wasn’t the ending they had hoped for, but it became a defining moment in their relationship. It reminded them that true partnership wasn’t about sharing only the victories—it was about standing together through the defeats, too.

As Joe said to Y/N that night, as they sat side by side on the couch in their hotel room, “I might not have won the trophy, but I’ve already won the most important thing in my life.”

Y/N looked at him with a soft smile. “And what’s that?”

“You,” he said, pulling her close.

And in that moment, the loss didn’t seem so heavy anymore.

@y//nofficial: so unbelievably proud of @joeyb_9 you played your heart out and left it all on the field. You never cease to amaze me. I love you always and forever 🧡🖤

Six.

The offseason after the Super Bowl had been a whirlwind for both Joe and Y/N. Between his post-season press appearances and her press tours for Outer Banks and her latest film, finding time for each other wasn’t easy. But they made it work, prioritizing quiet moments away from the spotlight.

It was during one of those moments—a secluded weekend at a lake house in Ohio—that Joe decided it was time.

Y/N had always loved the simplicity of the lake house. It was peaceful, tucked away from the chaos of their public lives.

On their second evening there, Joe suggested a sunset boat ride, something they’d done countless times before.

Y/N didn’t think anything of it, even as Joe packed a small picnic basket with her favorite snacks and a bottle of wine.

As they floated on the calm waters, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink, Joe grew quieter than usual.

“You okay?” Y/N asked, tilting her head to study him.

He smiled, but there was a hint of nervousness in his expression. “Yeah,” he said. “Just thinking about how lucky I am.”

“Lucky?” she teased. “You’re Joe Burrow. I’d say you’ve got some skill in there too.”

Joe chuckled, shaking his head. “I mean lucky to have you.”

Before Y/N could respond, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Her breath caught as he opened it, revealing a stunning, timeless diamond ring.

“Y/N,” Joe said, his voice steady but full of emotion, “you’ve been my partner through everything—the highs, the lows, the crazy schedules. I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?”

Tears filled her eyes as she nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face. “Yes, of course I will,” she said, throwing her arms around him.

The ring sparkled in the fading sunlight as he slid it onto her finger.

They decided to wait a few weeks before announcing the engagement, savoring the joy privately with close family and friends. But the news broke one sunny Monday morning when Y/N posted a picture on Instagram.

@y//nofficial: Forever ❤️💍 @joeyb_9

Within minutes, the post exploded with likes, comments, and reposts.

Joe shared his own announcement on Instagram.

@joeyb_9: She said yes and now she’s stuck with me. @y/noffical

Fans were ecstatic. Social media buzzed with excitement, and hashtags like #JoeAndYNGoals and #PowerCouple flooded timelines.

One fan tweeted: “Our QB1 is officially off the market, and honestly, we love to see it. Congrats, Joe and Y/N!”

Another wrote: “Joe Burrow just won the Super Bowl of life. Y/N, you’ve got the real MVP!”

During a press conference later that week, Joe was inevitably asked about the engagement.

“Joe, congratulations on your engagement,” a reporter said. “Can you share how you proposed?”

Joe smiled, his signature calm demeanor softening. “Thank you, I appreciate it,” He started. “But I don’t think I’m going to talk about that just yet. Let’s just stick to football.” He finished, a smirk on his face.

He wanted to keep some part of their engagement special. Keep the details and the moment just between them, something that the prying eyes can’t touch.

Y/N, appearing on a late-night talk show around the same time, was asked the same question.

“It was so Joe,” she said with a laugh. “Thoughtful, intimate, and a little bit unexpected. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better moment. That’s about all the details I’m going to give!”

As the engagement news continued to dominate headlines, one thing became clear: Joe and Y/N weren’t just admired for their individual accomplishments—they were celebrated for the love and respect they showed each other.

For their fans, the proposal announcement was a fairytale come to life. But for Joe and Y/N, it was just the beginning of a lifetime of chapters yet to be written—together.

#imagine #imagines #joe burrow bengals #joe burrow x y/n #joe burrow x you #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow imagine #cincinnati bengals #bengals #2024 nfl season

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cosmogyros · 7 days ago

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language-learning advice from a pro

(I started writing this post just now as a message to a friend who asked for language-learning advice. But I’m a GIANT NERD when it comes to language learning, so it got wayyy too long to be a message. So I’m posting it here in the hopes that it might help others as well. I have not edited this or even read through it all yet – it just poured straight out of my fingers – so please let me know if you spot any typos!)

Okay, first of all, there are two parts to language learning: active learning and passive exposure. You can choose to do only one or the other, but you’ll have the most success if you do both.

ACTIVE LEARNING

Active learning is pretty much what it sounds like: actively focusing on the language, learning new words, sounds, phrases, idioms, etc. It’s often centered around a textbook, sometimes with accompanying audio, but you can do active learning in other ways too. For example, you can read a news article online and check a dictionary for every word you don’t know. Or do the same thing with a foreign film – when you hear a word you don’t know (or see it in the subtitles), pause the movie and look it up.

Active learning makes you progress fast, but it also tires out your brain and overwhelms it with new information, making it easier to forget things you’ve already learned. That’s why it’s best to space out your active learning sessions and fill the gaps with passive exposure.

PASSIVE EXPOSURE

The goal of passive exposure is for your brain to randomly encounter words and phrases it learned recently and go “Hey! I recognize that!” This is SO important not only for reviewing and consolidating your memory, but also keeping up your motivation! If the only place you ever encounter your TL (target language) is in your textbook, on some subconscious level your brain will think it’s not that important… because after all, you never encounter it out there in the real world, do you?

Passive exposure can include any of the following and much more: listening to music in your TL; watching a movie in your TL (either with English subs, or with no subs at all and just don’t worry if you don’t understand everything that’s going on); skim-reading a book or a short story or a news article or a blog post in your TL and looking for words you recognize, even if you can’t 100% remember what they mean; finding speakers of your TL in real life and eavesdropping on them; watching instructional YouTube videos or short documentaries in your TL (the visuals ought to help you understand some of what’s going on, even if there are no subtitles); etc.

The idea is to let your TL wash over you without straining your brain at all. Zero effort, just relaxation and fun. You will inevitably notice and understand a few words or phrases, and that percentage will increase as time goes on, but you’re not actively studying when you’re doing passive exposure. Remember the two things you’re trying to achieve with passive exposure: 1) effortless review/practice, by inevitably re-encountering some stuff you’ve already learned; 2) reminding your brain that this language is a real cool thing out there in the world, not just a boring chore located in a textbook.

But there are also two more extremely important benefits to passive exposure that are drastically neglected by most language-learners: 3) picking up the correct pronunciation and accent; 4) gaining an instinct for natural, native-sounding language.

These are two things you will not learn in a language class or from a textbook. You can’t learn them except by doing a LOT of listening and reading in your TL. But the good news is that it doesn’t need to be the “Active Learning” kind of reading and listening; it can absolutely be the “Passive Exposure” kind, and you will still pick this stuff up.

The most important thing, above all else, is to figure out a method of passive exposure that works for YOU personally. This means: do NOT force yourself to repeatedly do something that you don’t enjoy, because you won’t benefit from it. To pick the right method, think of your interests and the things you like to do in your free time: watching movies? reading books? listening to music? writing in your journal? surfing the internet? You can do any of this in your TL, too. Yes, you will encounter a lot of stuff you don’t understand at the beginning. But A) that’s good for you, it helps you learn patience, which every language-learner needs, and B) the internet has free translation tools everywhere you look.

COMBINING BOTH

Personally, I like to pick a well-respected textbook with accompanying audio (Assimil is my favorite; Teach Yourself and Colloquial can also be very good, especially the older editions; Linguaphone used to be fantastic but I’m not sure if it’s still around) and work my way through it, doing one lesson per day if possible. That takes only about 10 to 20 minutes, so that leaves a lot of time for passive exposure. My preferred method is listening to music (I learned a good 50% of my German from just obsessively listening to German pop music in high school), but here are some other things I like to do:

find an internet talk radio station in my TL and put it on in the background

same deal with a podcast

translate a few keywords related to my favorite hobbies/interests into the TL and then paste that text into YouTube and watch random videos in my TL

read a news article in English, and then find a news website in my TL and see if I can find an article about the same topic in that language

watch bad reality TV or soaps in my TL with no subtitles, just trying to guess what’s going on from context

etc.

No Duolingo. No Rosetta Stone. (I’ve written a whole post about the latter here.) You don’t need to spend any money at all, though if you e.g. use a pirated resource to learn and find that it really helps you, I strongly suggest buying it from the original producer after the fact, to say thank you.

MEMORIZATION

This is very much a “YMMV” piece of advice, but: if you’re having trouble memorizing stuff, just don’t. Don’t bother trying to remember anything. Remember that “passive exposure” bit? It does a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of memory. If you keep bumping into the same word or phrase over and over again, you will incorporate it into your body of knowledge almost effortlessly. Of course this is easier with more common words that turn up again and again – but you’d be surprised how well you can get by, especially at the lower levels, with only the more common words!

Intentionally memorizing vocabulary can of course be very beneficial, so there’s nothing wrong with it. But I notice that it’s often one of the biggest pain points for language learners, and I believe language learning should be pain-free.

FROM INPUT TO OUTPUT

Once you’ve gotten a good grasp of the basics of the language, a really effective way to consolidate the knowledge you’ve gained is to use it actively and creatively yourself, in speech or writing (or ideally both!). For speaking practice, besides simply making friends who are native speakers of the language, you can search for a physical or virtual tandem. This is when you meet up with someone who’s a native speaker of your TL and is trying to learn your own language. You can meet for, say, an hour, and chat together for half an hour in your native language, and then half an hour in their native language. So both of you benefit!

Don’t underestimate talking to yourself, too. Whether it’s narrating your actions, complaining to your pet (okay, I guess that’s not technically “talking to yourself”), or simply having an imaginary conversation with someone else, it’s actually a good way to practice.

I also really enjoy writing in my journal in my target languages. The act of hand-writing a word does a lot to help me remember it. If you like writing, of course, you could also look up penpals who speak your TL.

And that’s about it. As always, I am more than willing to answer specific questions on language learning, as this is something of a specialty of mine and I absolutely love to help other folks get started on their own language-learning journeys. Please feel free to drop me a line if you need any concrete advice or are struggling with some aspect of your current language-learning efforts!

#language #languages #language learning #learning languages #langblr #cosmo gyres #i am a dormant giant when it comes to this shit hahaha #i've been accumulating knowledge in this area for a couple of decades now and rarely get any chance to share it #so it genuinely makes my day when i get to share some tips and help folks out #language learning should not be scary! it should be fun! and more people should do it :D

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anitalenia · 19 days ago

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˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ౨ৎ˚₊ 𝓱𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓸 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮!! I’ve been getting so many requests and messages about the resources I use to make my graphics + dividers soooo I made this cheat sheet for the resources + apps I use. Please keep in mind not everything is free to use or easy to use!!! These are the apps & browsers that I’ve been using for years and they work for me. I’m sure there are better & easier ways of doing things but this is what works for me and that’s okay <3 I also didn’t have the patience to make this aesthetically pleasing like I always do… so forgive me 😭

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 ᝰ.ᐟ Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform designed for inspiration and idea curation. Unlike traditional social media apps focused on social interaction, Pinterest centers around interests.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use pinterest for PNGs, theme inspo, basically what the app is used for. My Pinterest is this, you can follow me if you want and see all my boards!!! I’ve had it for years so it’s a little chaotic, but one thing at a time…

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: You can create your own boards + sections. It’s very good for organizing your different thoughts and aesthetics. Can be used for different purposes. I have boards for writing, my OCs, really just random things. Has a lot of different aesthetics, every one you can think of from angelcore, mcbling, Sanrio, cybercore, goth, etc. You’ll have a harder time not finding something you want or like.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: A lot of artwork is published on there with no clear credit to the original author who made it. A lot of photos are also recycled so you’ll start to notice there’s a lot of the same aesthetic icons or photos under different accounts. This can be a pro or a con just depends on how you see it.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I love this app a lot, I use it for so many things. A lot of my PNGs come from here for my dividers and what not. Usually I edit them too so I’m not directly taking something without giving it my own twist.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐆𝐈𝐏𝐇𝐘 ᝰ.ᐟ GIPHY is a GIF search engine and creation platform—basically the internet’s go-to hub for finding and sharing short looping animations (GIFs), stickers, and reaction clips.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use GIPHY strictly for stickers. They’re animated PNGs I use for dividers from time to time. GIPHY is a pretty goofy place so there’s a lot of goofy things that don’t fit my aesthetic. With that being said there is also a lot of stuff that is cool and worth using once you take the time to find it. You can find accounts that are more professional & aesthetic that post cool stickers.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Has png animated stickers you can use. Has accounts that are pretty cool and post cute & aesthetic stickers. Easy to download images and easy to use in general.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Doesn’t really go by aesthetics like Pinterest does. If you type in an aesthetic it doesn’t really post things relating to it. Hard to find cool stickers worth using (in my opinion)

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 7/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐓𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐑 ᝰ.ᐟ Tumblr is a microblogging platform and social network that blends creative expression, personal aesthetics, and niche community vibes all in one. It’s a hybrid space where users post multimedia content—text, images, GIFs, videos, quotes, and audio—onto their customizable blogs.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I think it’s pretty obvious what i use tumblr for. But on a business basis it’s good for PNGs and divider inspo when you need it.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Creative freedom, fandom & subculture heaven, expressive & honest environment, aesthetic curation, no algorithm timeline, anonymity, ad-light. You can really find your community here and stick with them. You can post whatever you want, design your blog however you want, expression is fun and encouraged. A lot of creators give dividers & PNGs for free with only a credit requirement.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Bots, gets political sometimes, trolls. I never deal with them or have to deal with rude comments or bots, but they exist. People can steal your works as use as their own (hasn’t happened for me but ik it’s happened to some). Sometimes the database doesn’t work randomly (can’t tag others, can’t queue, etc.) minor grievances that happen randomly and can take hours to days to randomly fix itself.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: Overall I use this app for running my own blog (obviously). I do use it for inspo a lot but because I make my own graphics I try not to use anybody else’s. And if I do use someone else’s graphic I always try to edit it my own way to fit my blog. Be aware of creators rules & guidelines if you’re going to use their things, everyone has their own regulations when it comes to content recycling.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐘 ᝰ.ᐟ Etsy is an online marketplace focused on handmade, vintage, and unique goods. It’s the go-to platform for shoppers looking for personalized, artistic, or non-mass-produced items—and for creators who want to sell them.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: To be honest, I might only use this option like once or twice a year but I’ll go ahead and add it anyway. Sometimes if I’m feeling lazy or unmotivated I’ll buy a digital set of dividers I build off of. Obviously Etsy is its own thing but I’m just speaking on a divider editing purpose.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: You can find digital downloads of dividers, PNGs, anything virtual related you might need. Sellers have cute borders and PNGs handmade from them that they sell for others. A good starting point if you don’t have any entirely original or creative ideas but need to start somewhere.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Obviously because this is a store you have to buy the products. They’re usually pretty cheap for a set of lace borders or PNGs, nothing I’ve used in the past was over $5 but I don’t use this option enough to have real understanding of its cons and pros 😭

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐄 ᝰ.ᐟ PicCollage is a fun, beginner-friendly photo editing and collage-making app that lets you easily create aesthetic collages, scrapbooks, cards, and digital layouts using your photos, stickers, text, and backgrounds.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: This is my primary way of making gif dividers. It’s a weird option for sure but it goes to show you don’t need really high tech software and fancy apps to make beautiful things!!! I’ve been using this for a while and it does the job so I never bothered looking for anything else. Maybe someday I’ll upgrade lol

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: You can add gifs and still images to the same post.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: There are no transparent background options, you have to remove the background from another source. Unless you pay for its services it gives you a watermark when you’re done. Makes the collages into videos if there is an animated GIF in it.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: This one is iffy for me as I use it in my own way with my own understanding of how to make it work. I’m sure there are better options out there like actual photoshop I just don’t have the patience to buy a pc and do it. I do everything from my own phone so this is from an entirely IOS standpoint.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 6/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐕𝐀 ᝰ.ᐟ Canva is a graphic design platform that makes it easy for anyone—beginner or pro—to create beautiful visuals. From social media graphics to business presentations, Canva gives you drag-and-drop design power without needing to learn complex software.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I actually don’t use Canva, maybe once or twice in my history. I do reference it from time to time but it’s very rare. I’m only adding it in because it is a good platform to use with reliable PNGs and beginner friendly software. You don’t need to be a pro.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Has a lot of good resources and once you find aesthetic and cool creators you can follow them. It’s easy to use and has a lot of good stuff made my people or uploaded by others.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Some stickers / PNGs you need to have some kind of subscription for them or pay for them + AKA many features have a paywall. Doesn’t include advanced photo editing software.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I do like this app I just don’t use it personally. It’s good for business / professional matters with a lot of good templates to use. It can also be used for aesthetic tumblr purposes if you know what you’re doing :).

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀 ᝰ.ᐟ VITA is a mobile video editing app that’s perfect for creating aesthetic, stylish, and professional-looking videos—especially for social media. It’s beginner-friendly but packed with trendy, powerful features.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use it to make my edits of the gifs I use for my very once in a blue moon super rare fics.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: You can add effects and words to gifs and make an aesthetically pleasing short edit. It’s a good beginners point if you do want to go into editing videos. I really like the effects and the way I can write on gifs. I believe it’s pretty easy to use for editing purposes and offers a lot of cool effects and options.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: VITA uses a watermark but I believe you can turn that off for free. It saves any animations you make as videos so you have to turn it back into a gif using a second source. Some features are behind a paywall but I’ve never needed them so I don’t worry about it.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I really do like this app for making a small cutesy edit for a fic or a pinned post or something. It’s not something to use for real video editing where you can manipulate more specific cuts, audios, etc.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐓 ᝰ.ᐟ Picsart is an all-in-one photo and video editing app that lets you turn ordinary content into aesthetic, creative, and eye-catching art. It combines the power of Photoshop-level tools with the ease of a mobile app.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use picsart for just about any divider I make. My account is this, where I also provide stickers and resources on there. Of course I haven’t posted everything I’ve ever used as I couldn’t be bothered to edit every single png and post it but you get the idea. I use the transparent background which is key to making dividers. You want to avoid having to remove the background from images as much as possible as it can make it look grainy and weird.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Has soooo many cute and aesthetic PNGs & stickers for making dividers. Like I said, I use this primarily to make mine. It’s very versatile for a photo editing software that incorporates cropping, drawing, effects, overlays, collage making, transparent backgrounds, etc. Many core features are primarily free. You can follow accounts with cute stickers and reference them for any post / divider you make.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Like many other services Piscart’s pro features are behind a paywall, you’d need a subscription to access everything (which I have because that’s what I want to do and it makes it easier for me). When you’re like me who makes dividers a lot having the subscription is a lot easier than not. With that being said you can still access very cute and aesthetic things to make something dazzling, you don’t need the subscription in order to use the app how you want to, it’s just a bonus.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: None, I think I got my point across.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐎 ᝰ.ᐟ Phonto is a simple yet powerful mobile app (iOS and Android) focused exclusively on adding text to photos—perfect for creating quotes, social posts, invitations, and more.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use it for a lot of my posts, especially my pinned posts or more aesthetic posts. I use it anytime I need an image of works or when I need words for my dividers.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Has a simple, user-friendly interface. Has a massive font library where you can also upload your own fonts (I use dafont.com and always have). Has highly customizable text options where you can make your own colors, resize, curve, center align, shadow, spacing, etc. The app is completely free and so easy to use. I use it for everything honestly. No sign-up required, you start creating immediately.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: none really, it’s not a photo editing software it’s strictly only text on photos.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I’ve been using this for years. Get it if you don’t have it trust me.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐑 ᝰ.ᐟ Polarr is a robust and versatile photo‑ and video‑editing platform available on mobile (iOS/Android), web, and desktop (macOS/Windows). It blends professional-grade features with an approachable, user-friendly interface—ideal for both beginners and seasoned creators.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use it to edit any PNGs or dividers I want to make a more cohesive color. I use it to edit photos, change hues, etc. Another app I rely on religiously.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Despite the many advanced photo editing features it’s very easy to use and understand. It has precision masking and selective editing, my go-to for editing photos or dividers to match the theme I’m going for. It’s also good for a lot of professional photography as well. I really love how many aesthetic filters are on there and you can follow the creators you love as well as make your own filters. You can also find a lot of filters on Pinterest and easily upload them to Polarr.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Like many other things advanced features are behind a paywall. In my opinion if you don’t have the subscription to it it’s not worth using unless you wanna watch a 30 second ad after every filter you apply and save to camera roll. When you use it once in a while it’s fine but when you’re like me who’s constantly editing something it’s better to have the subscription than not. Also, while it does have advanced features I can see that those would be intimidating to new users. It’s a learning curve you need patience with if you do wanna apply effects to your own photos.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I will say this is one of those apps that if you don’t have the subscription to it’s kinda annoying to use, but the subscription is so worth it and it’s not that expensive. Obviously I pay for the subscription but there’s other alternatives like Photopea you can apply filters to for free. I just like this one more because I’m comfortable with it and it’s more convenient than having to get a PSD, go on Photopea, duplicate layer, blah blah blah 😭

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 ᝰ.ᐟ DeviantArt is a social platform where artists and art enthusiasts connect by sharing, discovering, and critiquing all kinds of creative work—digital art, traditional drawing, photography, literature, animation, sculpture, and more.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use it strictly for PSD’s that I use for my gif edits. I don’t really use it or actually go on it only when I need a photo effect or PSD.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Speaking on a strictly divider making premise it’s not really used for that but there are PNGS and virtual download options you can use. I only use it for PSD’s for Photopea and most of the time I can get them for free.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Some PSD’s you need to pay the creator or however DeviantArt works 😭 I just don’t get those and get a free one instead.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none really

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈 ᝰ.ᐟ Remini is a powerful AI-powered photo and video enhancement app—available on iOS, Android, and web—that specializes in restoring low-quality visuals through one-tap magic.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I actually don’t use this anymore, I used to back in the day and thought it was worth mentioning. I used it to enhance any photos that were blurry or grainy. It makes them smooth and removes the blurriness & graininess.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Helps make dividers or PNGs AI-enhanced and gets rid of any grain or blurriness.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: The free version is limited and ad heavy. You have to watch an ad before the photo or video is enhanced. I don’t use it that often or really at all so I don’t mind the ad every once in a while.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐈𝐗𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐔𝐓 ᝰ.ᐟ Pixelcut is an AI‑powered photo and graphic editing platform—available as a mobile app (iOS/Android), web tool, and even via API—designed especially for e-commerce sellers, content creators, and small teams.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: Another website I don’t use as much. I use it to remove the background from photos from time to time and it’s not that bad in my opinion. I’m offering it as a second option to my main option.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none, just a backup for remove.bg.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ pixelcut website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐄𝐙𝐆𝐈𝐅 ᝰ.ᐟ Ezgif.com is a free, web-based toolset focused on creating and editing animated GIFs—but it also supports formats like APNG, WebP, AVIF, and offers basic video editing functionalities.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use this website for anything gif related. Cropping, resizing, removing gif background, turning videos into gifs, etc. It’s a website I swear by and if you don’t use it yet or haven’t used it yet you really really should. Whenever I make dividers I use this to make an image into a gif (moving sparkles, moving objects, etc).

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: It’s totally free and easy to use. You can add simple / basic effects, adjust settings + hues, remove background, crop, etc. for gifs and it really comes in handy for simple things you need to do.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: It doesn’t use advanced features for video / gif making like Photopea. I’ve found that some of the tools are a little wonky to use like overlays. It can seem confusing at first when it comes to optimizing, tint hue, things like that that are a bit more specific.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: This is my go-to for any basic function I need to use on a gif or divider. For simple animated dividers like moving sparkles, moving hearts, etc. This is what I use by making several still images into gifs.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ ezgif.com . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄.𝐁𝐆 ᝰ.ᐟ Remove.bg is a fast, AI-driven background removal website and app that automatically isolates subjects—people, objects, animals—and removes the background in just seconds, with a single click.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: This is my main go-to for background removal on PNGs or anything I need the background removed from. It’s my first option and is always super reliable.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Easily removes backgrounds clean and easy with a tap of a button. Provides eraser or restore tools to areas you don’t want erased or need to erase.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: Back when I started using it everything was completely free, but I’ve noticed that for an hd version of the finished protect you have to pay for it. I’m not sure what the difference is but it looks like the site is getting popular enough to put a paywall on its features. Be wary 😭

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I’ve never had to pay for anything, and I’m sure that it offers other services but I just use the remove background tool, so you’d have to explore on your own.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ remove.bg website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐀 ᝰ.ᐟ Photopea is a browser-based, ad-supported graphic editor that runs entirely in your browser—no uploads, no installations. It processes files locally, keeping your data private.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: Okay so Photopea is definitely a more advanced software even I haven’t fully understood yet. I use it to add PSDs, combine gifs, or whatever else I need to do that involves gifs or photos. I’m not perfect at it and really only know how to do the things I need to if that makes sense. It’s another version of photoshop but I just prefer using this one as I’m on my phone and it’s easier for IOS users 😭

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: It offers many advanced features like photoshop, and is my favorite one to use since I can’t really use photoshop on my phone. It supports a wide range of file types like JPG, PNG, PDF, etc. It’s free to use and you don’t need to pay for anything. It’s a browser and there is no installation needed. It’s fairly simple to use in my opinion when you have experience with photoshop / editing (as I do), so it’s even easier to use once you really know what you’re doing.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: There are ads in the free version but likeee I don’t use it as a professional so idk what a paid version would offer as the free version offers everything you need. The interface is definitely complicated to new users and can be intimidating. Not as refined as Photoshop itself but it’s definitely a good mobile version.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: I personally really do love this browser and once you learn the basics of what you’re doing it’s much easier to understand.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 9.3/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ photopea browser . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 ᝰ.ᐟ This website is what I use to edit my text colors & gradients. It offers, single color, three color gradients, two color gradients, & rainbow gradient.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: This is your go-to website for making gradient texts on your posts. It offers variety on what kind of gradient you want and is so easy to use. I obviously use it for any colored text I have in my posts.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Gives you a variety of gradient options and is very simple and easy to use.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ text gradient website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐎 ᝰ.ᐟ Amino is a mobile-first community-based social network where users join or create “Aminos”—small, interest-driven communities (like anime, K-pop, gaming, art, writing, LGBTQ+, and more) to chat, share, and connect .

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I don’t use this much anymore but I definitely think I should mention it. I know Amino is its own thing but it has good pages with cute symbol combos and aesthetic blog designs. That’s all I ever used it for.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: This app isn’t used specifically for symbol combos but you can find pages that offer cute aesthetic symbols and designs. I used to go on here a lot for them but then I just started making my own for the most part or going to my other website mentioned below.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 6/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ amino website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐉𝐈 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐒 ᝰ.ᐟ This website is used for the majority of my aesthetic symbol combos I use on posts if I don’t make any myself.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use it for every symbol combo you’ve ever seen on my page. I make a lot of my own symbol combos using these and sometimes I just copy and paste.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒔: Has many aesthetic symbol combos made by users + you can make your own. There’s a search engine where you can type in what kind of symbols you want and it always provides based on what you searched. This is my go-to.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔: There’s not really any cons but I definitely see political statements from users from time to time.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ aesthetic emoji combos website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐏 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄 ᝰ.ᐟ This is a website that offers many photo editing services such as cropping, resizing, rotating, any more. All free of charge with no account or sign up needed.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: Pretty self-explanatory. I use this to crop really really thin dividers because picsart has a limit on how thin you can crop something.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ crop image website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑 ᝰ.ᐟ ImageColorPicker is a streamlined, web-based tool that lets you extract exact color codes from any image, entirely within your browser—no uploads or accounts required.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use this to help me make gradient text to match a color centered post. Every fic I’ve ever written follows a color scheme mostly, and I’ll use this to help me pinpoint exactly what color to make my gradient text to match the theme I’m going for.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ color picker website . . .

જ⁀➴₊⊹ 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓 ᝰ.ᐟ Color Hunt is a popular, curated platform for discovering and sharing beautiful color palettes—perfect for designers, artists, developers, and anyone in need of color inspiration.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓: I use this as another way of editing a photo to a certain color scheme / mood. I upload my color palettes from here to Polarr and use that as a coloring scheme / overlay whenever I need to.

‧₊˚✧ 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄.: none

‧₊˚✧ 𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂'𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 10/10

. ݁⋆ ۶ URL ৎ ݁˖ . ݁ color hunt website . . .

At the end of the day making dividers or graphics takes time and effort. I’ll spend all day on just one or two things 😭 It takes creativity but there’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from others. I hope this helped a little bit for those who wanted help in getting started on their own. Once ya’ll get into it and find your own websites + apps that work for you I’ll be out of a job 😫🩶🤍

#❀⋆ ─ 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 ⊹❀ ֙⋆#─ ·˚꒰ 𝙍𝙀𝙋𝙇𝙄𝙀𝙎. ꒱ ₊˚ˑ #`✦ 𝓫𝓸𝓫𝓫𝓵𝓮𝓼ˑ ִ⊹#graphic help #dividers #aesthetic #pink themes #pink #pink dividers

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alphajocklover · 9 months ago

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InstaJock: Going Viral

**Hey! This is my entry for @occamstfs Viral Transformation Challenge. Congrats on getting 2,000 followers, and thank you for beta reading this and helping me edit it. I hope I can get to 2,000 followers myself one day! For those who are new to my stories, this does connect to the plot established in my blog, but the concept is simple enough you should be able to follow along even if you don't usually read my stuff! I hope you all enjoy!**

When I talk about the InstaJock App Phenomenon – which I seem to do a lot. What is this, the 17th InstaJock related post? I need to diversify more – I usually talk about the transformation aspects and not the app itself. That’s partially because the transformation is the most interesting and hottest part, but it’s also because I haven’t been able to take a good look at the app. Even with all the protective spells and equipment I have, I can’t use a phone with InstaJock on it for very long without getting an urge to set up an account.

Until now.

With some help from the devilishly handsome (and literally devilish) Nick, I’ve been able to get my hands on some better equipment and better explore the app. I was able to spend a couple hours on it before I needed to quit, and actually got some very interesting information, mainly about how the app works post-transformation. I had always assumed that once a user got transformed into a jock, they’d ignore the app from then on unless they wanted to change someone. I was very, very wrong, not just about that but about the purpose of the app itself. It’s not just for making people into jocks: it’s for finding the best ones.

The app generally works like any other social media app, with its members posting about their interests. It’s set up is a lot like Instagram, where pictures and videos are the main format used for posting, but what really makes it different from other social media apps is the content. You can probably guess what an app full of buff cocky jocks looks like, but I’ll confirm it for you: the app is a thirst trap paradise.

The entire app is stuffed with half naked – and sometimes fully naked – photos of buff jocks, ones of all different kinds. If you can think up a jock related stereotype, they have a full hashtag dedicated to it. Just buff jocks playing sports, flexing and making out with other hot people, for as far. I know that doesn’t sound too different from normal social media apps, as most have a healthy NSFW side, but the posts have more in common then just showing jocks. Each and every post, every one that I saw, mentioned a Master. Some were talking about how they were getting pumped up at the gym for Master, some were talking about how they loved being jocks and were so glad Master had found them, and some were literally begging for Master to notice them, often wantonly describing how they’d debase themselves and be the sluttiest jock ever, all for him. Everyone on the app would post at least once a day about this mysterious Master. It doesn’t seem to matter if the jock is a dom, a sub, a top, a bottom, in a relationship, single, gay or even straight, all of them wanted this mysterious unnamed master – so much so they seemed to completely change personalities whenever he is mentioned. It seems instaJock has an additional side effect I didn’t know about till now: complete and utter devotion to their Master.

It took me a while, and some covert interviewing of a number of jocks in their DMs, but I think I figured out what's happening. The Jocks aren’t just posting for fun, they’re competing with each other. InstaJock isn’t really a social media app, it’s a sort of ranking app. Every day the jocks log on, post a picture of themselves with a caption somehow related to their Master, and leave likes on some of the other posts, usually the ones they find hot. If a jock’s post gets enough likes though, they get what every jock wants, what all of them are trying to get. They get to Go Viral.

Going Viral on IntsaJock isn’t like going viral on a regular app. It essentially means you’ve gotten enough likes, been reposted enough times, and have become popular enough on the site… that Master has noticed you. That's what the social media part of the app is really for. It’s just a way for Master’s jocks to organize themselves so only the hottest ones show up on his feed. If he really likes you, he’ll do more than just look too. Soon that Jock will disappear from his regular life, never to be seen again, whisked away to become a part of Master’s personal harem. This entire time the app has been about one thing: creating lovestruck sex slaves for the man who created InstaJock.

Like most actual social media apps, InstaJock jumps from one thing to another, and what's viral is always changing. But there are two tags that are always trending on InstaJock. The first, and most popular, is #JockMaster, which is only ever used by this mysterious Master when he makes a post. I’ve seen his account. He never shows his face on it, but from what little of his body that makes it into the photos, he’s… enchanting. As much as I hate to admit it, seeing just a bit of that creep almost made me drool. He usually only posts a couple times a week, as opposed to the jock who posts daily, but everything he posts goes viral on the app in moments. I’ll admit, there's something about his posts that is just… hypnotic. I almost set up an account after seeing one myself, and probably would have if Nick wasn’t there to stop me.

The other tag that's always trending is… more interesting, at least to me. It’s #MastersBoyfriend. It’s another tag used only by Master, and one he uses whenever he posts a picture of one particular member of his harem.

Whenever he posts pictures… of my Uncle John.

I finally know who took my Uncle. I know who this Master is. I suspected it was him for a while, but now I’m sure. The man who made InstaJock and the man who turned my Uncle into a slutty buff himbo are one in the same. I finally have proof.

So now what?

**The identity of the person behind InstaJock AND the person behind my Uncle's transformation and kidnapping has finally been revealed! Been working up to this for a long time, and I'm glad to keep this story moving forward! Hope you liked it as much as I do! Thank you to @occamstfs once again for being absolutely awesome and inspiring!**

#muscle growth tf #muscle tf #jock tf #jock transformation #jockification #nerd to jock #instajock tf #occam2000 #The Master TF

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