#and now since i have to reorder during busy time it could take two hours...

[fizzingwizard]

Celebrating my last night of Golden Week break so I ordered Uber Eats. After waiting an hour it was mysteriously canceled. I was all :( but then I got a message...! The driver spilled it, so the order was canceled free of charge, and I was given 500 yen uber cash.

Honestly I was just surprised to get an explanation! Before the message came I googled about mysterious cancellations and got lots of bad behavior explanations or just "stuff happens and uber won't tell you why." But I got an explanation, which is really all I wanted, and the 500 yen was a welcome bonus. Very pleasantly surprised (also sorry for the driver if they're the one who has to foot the bill for the dropped food...)

[fe-semi-decent-scenarios]

How would the blue lions react to facing/killing their s/o from pre-timeskip in battle?

[Wow, this actually upset me pretty hard when thinking about it lol. This kind of trope always gets me even if it’s being done by two characters that I don’t really like. It doesn’t help that there’s a thunder storm outside that’s making me feel emo. Thank you for the request, I hope you like it!] 

Dimitri: 

He’s slaughtered so many enemies that there is no more hesitance. His past self felt remorse for those he killed, and after each battle he would reflect on the dead. Unlike now. 

He still remembers, but he doesn’t feel guilty. They opposed him and stood in the way of his revenge. To Dimitri, the people he faces in battle are nothing but walking corpses awaiting his blade 

The professor had given him orders not to approach any of his old classmates. They wanted to try and save them 

He brushed it off as a wasteful effort

“An enemy is an enemy. I care not for who they are or were, I will kill them if they stand in my way” 

A regret he’ll live with for the rest of his life 

The entire battle was a blurred frenzy. In his state of mind all the cries of those he killed mixed together. He knew not of who or what met his blade 

Only when he saw the distress among his inner circle did he realize: he killed you, and he did it without pause

The professor didn’t get their opportunity to talk with you, and you barely stood a chance against his onslaught 

Another soul to haunt him 

Another loss he has no right to mourn 

Another reason to be called a monster 

Dedue: 

Once reacquainted with his fellow Lions Dedue swore himself to the cause. He would fight without pause till his dying breath 

It seemed that having him back was a boost for moral on their end as well, and he felt genuinely relieved to see that ‘everyone’ was alive and safe 

Originally he assumed that you weren’t recruited for the battle at Gronder and that he could visit you at the monestary. 

When inquiring about your whereabouts to his highness he only received a scowl. It wasn’t something new for Dimitri’s personality so Dedue decided to search during his free time

He spent ages walking around with the expectation of finding you...so, why weren’t you there? 

He’d ask the professor if you’ve gone on another mission only to see one of their rare grimaces

Hearing that you’re fighting for Edelgard confuses him. He was certain that your loyalties lied with the kingdom. With a stoic demeanor he’d drop the topic and never bring it up again 

Dedue may seem like a blind puppy who serves Dimitri, but he does have his own opinions. He just holds them back well 

People mistake it for indifference. Felix takes a few shots at him for his lack of emotion 

“You’re telling me that (Y/N)’s not here and you don’t care? Weren’t they your s/o?”                                                                                                 “My personal feelings do not matter. If they oppose his highness then there is nothing left to discuss”                                                                “You two really are a match made by the goddess. A heartless dog for a feral boar” 

When the time comes to cut you down he hovers near your body after the battle. When your buried the grave will never be empty. Every week comes with fresh flowers, and never is there any debris on your stone 

Felix:

It was your own fault. If you had backed down like the others then this could have been avoided 

If he didn’t do it then someone else would have. If he didn’t then you would have killed him instead

No. No you wouldn’t. 

Felix knows that if the roles were reversed he would still be alive

How many people is he going to lose for the sake of the boar? First his father...now- now this 

He assumed that after not seeing you in battle once that he was in the clear. You weren’t at the reunion so clearly something else must have been keeping you from coming back 

He still could find you after this ended and you both could test your metal like the old days 

It was the one relief he had  

He wasn’t expecting to see you fighting at her side. Despite his stubborn behavior his affections towards you were obvious to everyone during his youth; something the ‘Emperor’ must have saved as a trump card 

It was his responsibility to either make you see reason, or to end it all. He had not come this far just to die from old sentiments 

“I will say this once. Get out of my way (Y/N) or I will cut you down” 

You wouldn’t move or even fight back. They obviously made you into a human blockade. It was a swift death, something he continues to remind himself of

That was his final battle, one that left his sword heavy and thoughts lax 

The future he longed for is gone, so this damn war better have been worth it 

Ashe: 

Ashe doesn’t like violence. He’s a firm believer that everyone is worthy of a second chance and that people sometimes do bad things for the right reasons. A life is a life, and it is precious 

Each morning he wakes is a reminder of how lucky he is to be alive. There is no guaranteed tomorrow, and each day could be his last 

He knows because he watches. He watches as the people he used to call friends die for what they believe in. In their mind they are fighting for what they think is right, just as he is 

but he wasn’t prepared to fight you

Anyone but you. He prayed to the goddess the moment he noticed that you weren’t at the reunion. He wished for your safety, and hoped that you were not on the opposing side

He prayed that the goddess wouldn’t take you to her side 

Despite being away for so long, he still loved you. That feeling was one of the few things he still held onto from his teen years 

All faith was shattered when you appeared at the Valley of Torment. What a fitting scenery for how he felt 

“Professor, let me try to convince them. No matter what happens I have to try” 

and try he did. He begged you to switch sides once you were defeated but it was no use. You were doing what you thought was right 

He couldn’t kill you, his bow wouldn’t hold steady even if he tried. The professor took it upon themselves to do it in his stead 

He was grateful for their interference, but the image of your body won’t ever be erased from his mind 

From then on he visits the church after every battle. He’ll sit at the same pew for hours and reconcile over what he could have done differently 

He’d wonder why good people had to die for another’s benefit 

Sylvain: 

Sylvain finds the situation deplorable. Yet another person fallen to the system

Seeing you on the other side reminded him of Miklan, except you weren’t fighting to gain something. You fought for the side that wanted complete reorder

He thought your loyalties lied with the Kingdom, with him, but people change. The fire behind your attacks only fueled the questions within him. 

Questions that he wasn’t 100% sure that he wanted answers to 

Sylvain knows hatred, but just what happened to make you willing to give up everything? 

He knows better than to blame himself. People didn’t know him for being the perfect partner, but there was nothing he or anyone else could have done to change your mind 

What was he supposed to do? Lock you in the prison?Then what? It would only cause more issues. Seeing you in chains or in a cell isn’t something he could handle 

You were one of the few people to break his barriers and see beyond the stigmas that others gave him. It was his turn to try and see your side of things, but he was too late 

Just one more failure to add to the list. He failed his house, his brother, his friends, country, and now you 

After the encounter he’ll be even more unmotivated than before. He only trains because Felix forces him, and never attends any of the extra lectures offered. His humorous mask basically dissolves to reveal what he’s always been hiding: exhaustion and despondence 

If anyone tries to comfort him they’ll be brushed off

“Look, would you leave me alone? Don’t act like you understand when you can’t”

No one can, and he doesn’t want them to. He wouldn’t wish this hurt onto his worst enemy. 

Annette: 

She knew. It wasn’t the first time someone important had vanished from her life. People do not leave without reason 

She knew that you were on the Empire’s side. She knew that there was a high chance of facing you in combat 

Her father even brought up the possibility when they were alone together. He encouraged her to back down, but she insisted that all would be okay

It did not brace her for the hollow feeling of seeing your corpse 

Normally when Annette is sad she’ll garden. If she can’t sleep then the first thing she does is go water the plants while humming one of her little tunes 

So, she does. She pretends as if you two never reunited because it’s the only way she can push forward. With the situation as it is there is little optimism among the troops, she can’t afford to give in 

She turns her grief into strength and volunteers to help around the monastery 

As long as she’s busy then it’s okay. When she’s working then her thoughts can’t wander 

Eventually it will settle in though, and she’ll want to vent. Out of everyone she’ll most likely go to Mercedes since she also has someone dear to her on the other side 

“I-I don’t know what to do Mercie. It h-happened so fast but I can’t forget it!” 

Annette is strong, and will remember you as you were to her. Not a ruthless enemy, but as someone she cherishes 

Mercedes: 

After the fight she’ll visit your old room. It hadn’t been touched in so long that dust coated nearly everything 

The Empire had claimed Emile, and now you as well. When you fell it took all her willpower not to cast a healing incantation 

It wasn’t what you wanted. The professor had offered mercy, but you chose death 

A freedom she had no right to take away. With swift words she ended your life as peacefully as possible 

It came as a shock to those nearby. If she had let the professor handle the deed then perhaps the pain would be lessened  

But for some reason she couldn’t do it. Despite the tears in her eyes she refused to let you be pierced by a blade. An incantation would be more swift, painless, and leave your body as it was 

While reminiscing in your quarters she’ll tidy up the space. She’ll admire your handwriting on the withered papers, sift through what books you had been reading, and eventually the room will be good enough to be inhabited again 

Except no one would ever sleep here again, she knew it in her heart 

However, Mercedes also knows that it was your choice. She won’t blame herself over your death, but instead use it as a driving force to protect the people she cares about who are still alive 

“May the goddess guide you to eternal peace. I will never forget our time together (Y/N)” 

Ingrid: 

She wonders if it’s ‘her’ that’s the issue 

Everyone she loves is gone. Dimitri is a shell of his former self, Glenn passed, her family’s in shambles, and now you have vanished as well

Ingrid doesn't like to show weakness in front of others, but there’s only so much one person can handle 

Even a war-machine feels anguish from striking down people they care about. Ingrid has felt the hardship of losing a lover, but to be the hand striking the blow? How much strain can someone put on their emotions before everything snaps 

The days after the world is unanimated. She continues on with her normal regime as if it was a minor bump in the road. Yet food has no flavor, training leaves her body weak, sleep is difficult to come by, and when people speak it’s as if there’s no tone to their voice 

He sorrows become rage. She focuses all her negative feelings towards ending the war and it’s horrifying. Ingrid is known for her composure but if you gave her an eye-patch then the prince might have a twin

“This fight has drawn out for too long. Too many innocents have perished, and at the rate we’re going at there will be no future to speak of. Professor, my sword is yours. Let us finish this once and for all”

Pity those who cross her path. If women truly are made of ‘sugar, spice, and everything nice’ then your death has tossed five tablespoons of cayenne pepper into her mix.

[commander-orca]

COTW FANFICTION

CHAPTER 8: MY ANGER LOVES YOU DEARLY

It was rare for Rochalizo to feel such uneasiness in the face of a mundane situation of this kind. He knew he was the type to resist others’ bad state of minds and could ignore without too much difficulty or sympathy those who gave in to tears or panic. A few months ago, he used to be insensitive to the suffering of others, even laughing at those who felt easily pressured or sad. Few things could move him in Amonlogia, where he struggled to find his place and crossed the city from day to day, withdrawn and shut in like an oyster. Here, it was different. He had the unpleasant feeling that his shell had split open to the limit. Suddenly he was attached to anyone and was moved by everything; recent events had upset him and broken through all his emotional defenses. His promise to help the residents still stood. But he was now sure he would not come back unscathed from this adventure. After the attack by the Gerakis forces, the smallest things worried him and this weapon which he usually carried casually around his belt, forgetting it most of the time, was now found a frightening number of times in his hands, clutching at the slightest suspicious noise. He had become far more protective than he ever thought he would be, keeping an eye on the locals, counting their numbers sometimes.

The light was barely reaching his legs, which were crossed on the chair in the corner of the room; the air smelled of ink and musty. With a weak breath, he cleared away from his sight the long wick which fell on his eyes. He was in the central tower of the island, in the room used by consultants as a meeting place to discuss and deliver certain laws and decisions of average, sometimes negligible importance. This place also served as an office for filling out papers, drafting decrees and speeches. More importantly, it was the antechamber opening onto the tower’s large balcony from which the captain spoke. For half an hour already, everyone had been busy in this too small room - which, let's be honest, had real claustrophobic effects - in order to finalize the imminent speech of the leader. Papers flew in all directions, pens fluttered, consultants made a few final recommendations, their insufferable voices taking on a high pitched tone with each turn of the clock hand which throbbed in the hubbub as uncomfortable as the heat. Backed up against the wall, Suoh put up with these recommendations, head bowed, his hand gripping the wall, barely standing on his legs. He looked pale, on the verge of fainting ... Rochalizo turned his head away, feeling that familiar retching resurface.

It was with Suoh that he had been most surprised. Staying by his side had taught him patience, when he had had to refrain from putting his stupid brain back in place ... But also had somehow, developed, he reluctantly admitted, his sense of empathy. , his kindness and selflessness. Being in the company of such a loving person must have rubbed off on him. What came next wouldn't surprise anyone; he had become attached to him, his usual gentleness sometimes relieving his moments of doubt or distress. It was something that had fascinated him from start to finish; the cries, the threats, any attempt to destroy him ... He responded to all of this with doubly more destructive outbursts of kindness.

That kindness had ended up grating, though, inevitably. So much so that Suoh once asked him to teach him how to shoot. So that he could end human lives. Rochalizo hated this turnaround. He had had fun at the start, making fun of him and his unconsciousness and like a child in whom one would take pleasure in distorting their innocence, he could not help but communicate his cynicism, his sense of the opportunism. But the dreadful realization that each day the young chief began to resemble himself and his brothers, aroused in him a nauseating disgust. Suddenly he felt guilty and if he had been able to turn back time so that Suoh would forever remain an ignorant lulled in sweet delusions, he would have done so without a regret. The worst had been when he had watched him with his own eyes wield a weapon, shoot innocent people, he who was repelled by all forms of violence ... It had seemed to him at the time that by shooting these bullets in the chest soldiers, Suoh had at the same time eradicated what he had been. The former Suoh was probably dead. And the new Suoh had almost been gone. A few hopes away from being changed into a flesh doll, a moving corpse forever. Recovered, -or almost-, he had only been entitled to a few ridiculous hours of convalescence before having to resume his role. Perhaps that was why this kindness dissolved like honey in tea, because people were exploiting the resources he had, without ever sparing him or treating him.

This is why, when he saw Suoh, with a pale face and folded hands, slump against the wall and pray for the speech to be postponed, Rochalizo felt his stomach turn violently. Near the young chief, the advisers in their long sober dresses, mingled in protests and in virulent encouragements. They formed a tight circle around him, some standing, loudly indignant, others leaning over him like idle parents over-brooding their offspring. Rochalizo uncrossed his legs, getting up to approach the stage. Suoh had crouched down with his back to the wall, the top of his head was covered with his hands in despondency and his eyes were closed and constricted. Even in the shadow of his elders, his waxy complexion was striking. His disheveled hair and his wrinkled tunic were proof that he had slept too little to think of taking care of his image.The elder counselor went into a fit of nervous anger, this Kuchiba who apparently served as a mentor figure to Suoh, but who Rochalizo thought to be useful only for unnecessary stress.

"Come on Suoh, get up, you have to go!" Everyone is counting on you! He insisted, trying to pull him by the shoulders.

"You have to go anyway, they're all together downstairs already," the black-haired counselor whispered to him, crouching down next to her boss.

Suoh lowered his head into his knees. His breathing was wheezing and his fingernails hollowed out his scalp, strands of light hair pulled painfully through his fingers. His knees against each other had started to shake.

“Please,” he begged once again, “I can't do it. I'm not going to make it... "There was a short silence during which the advisers looked at each other in dismay. Kuchiba reordered his neatly stacked papers and grumbled under his breath, stunned.

"I don't understand what puts him in such an awful state...

-It can't be the stage fright, he was never really impressed by all this ... "

At the back of the room, their only view of the outside, this panorama of a grandiose blue sky offered by the opening in the clay had become dizzying. The heat waves just came in and out, wrapped around their clothes. From the lodge there was an impatient, ragged hum. There was something oppressive about the roar of the sea, coming and going.

Shinono, the youngest counselor, took a soothing voice and matched it with a hand on her shoulder.

"Suoh, answer ... Tell us what's wrong ..."

Rochalizo couldn't take it anymore. If a single stupid phrase came out of their mouths again, he was going to implode. Did they not see? In this state, nothing could be earned from him. The poor monkey was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. And a bunch of loud morons was sure to increase his agitation.

“Suoh, hey! What will people say if you-

-They won’t say shit, folks. Get away ! Rochalizo retorted, working his way through the advisers to Suoh.

His face had taken on two shades of red in anger and his irregular breathing showed that he was barely controlling himself not to give in to aggressive behaviour. With a few rustles of fabric, he joined the chef and grabbed him firmly by the arm. His annoyance worked on his strength as he managed to lift Suoh with just one effort. Suoh was so surprised he didn't say a word. The advisers now gathered around Rochalizo, watching him with a sort of admiration on his face. Poor, they were going to be disappointed.

"Can't you see he can't do it ?! Leave him alone! He snapped to their attention as he crossed the room, holding a still dazed Suoh around the waist.

Finally, the advisers seemed to understand that things were not going to turn in their favor. Their protests grew heavier. Several followed them to the door.

" Hey ! Come back! Kuchiba exclaimed, brandishing his fist in the air, "The speech should have started at least a good three minutes ago!" "

But Rochalizo was determined not to stop. He could feel it, he had to get it out of here. He crossed the threshold of the door not looking back, furious.

"Improvise your bloody speech yourself!" The only thing he's going to do is go rest! "

Rochalizo then took the direction of the hut in which Suoh dwelled, walking in determined strides. The heels of his boots clattered against the dry clay, and his sword, tied to his belt, clanged faintly in the long hanging gallery. Suoh still hadn't said a word to him; maybe he thought it was pointless. Either way, the silence sounded like elusive, crestfallen approval. He quickened his pace, convinced, and went out into the pleasantly deserted streets, since everyone had gone to the tower to hear the speech which would not be spoken.

Arrived at Suoh's, the young man heard himself sigh with relief; to be honest, he didn't really know what he had expected. Perhaps a neglected bedroom that would have allowed him to find with compelling evidence that something was wrong with him. He could not say, however, if he was more relieved than annoyed. If he listened to that little voice in his head and the way his fists clenched against his leg, he was sure he wanted to find something. Indeed, the current situation left him nothing concrete to be able to confront Suoh without appearing to be a nosy or a sentimental idiot. Rochalizo coughed to dispel his discomfort and grabbed Suoh by the shoulders, seating him on the bed, but this discomfort instead of disappearing, filled him up him like water in a bathtub. Suoh gave him a grateful look.

"Rochalizo ... Thank you".

The young man met his eyes, embarrassed. His hands tightened around the stakes on the footboards. What was to answer that? He was probably worse than those stupid advisers. Suoh was old enough to fend for himself, to support his own choices on his own, and Rochalizo had only acted like a mother hen, as if Suoh was a little child in need of a chaperone. He felt ashamed that he had behaved so impulsively and thought he understood exactly what his friend in the tower was feeling.

"Uh ... well ..." he began, rubbing the tip of his boot against the edge of the pink carpet.

But in the end, wasn't it all Suoh's fault? His index and middle finger, both set with thick golden rings, came to rest on the top of his mouth. He could not be blamed for wishing to check his condition. If Suoh had shown himself to be truly responsible, he would have made the decision to return home on his own and would have asserted himself. His tearful demeanor was causing concern to everyone around him, so it was his fault. The fool, why didn't he say anything if he felt low ?! Was he going to let everyone walk all over him until there was nothing left of him ?! Rochalizo fixed his eyes on those of the young chief, invigorated with a new irascibility. Furious, he leaned over Suoh and grabbed him by the collar violently, bringing his silly face close to his.

"WHAT WAS THAT, EH ?! CARE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR HEAD ?! DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO START YOUR LITTLE BREAKDOWN ON A WHIM?! STUPID MONKEY!”

Suoh froze, scared. His eyes, wide open in dismay, did not let go of Rochalizo's. For the first time of the day, to the immense satisfaction of the marquis, these green pupils had stopped looking at him without seeing him and gave him all their attention. Suoh had stopped seeing him as the ghost of someone he could push away and lie to as he pleased. Oh because Suoh hadn't said much yet but Rochalizo knew he would try to lie to him. The smile he had given him with his thanks had already been.

"Rochalizo ...

-DONT TALK! I’M FED UP WITH YOU! "

Suoh blinked several times, stunned to be scolded like this. Rochalizo released his garment and thrust his varnished index finger into his chest. His tone of voice had dropped, but he was still speaking loudly and the nervousness in his words was palpable. He was fuming.

"Now, instead of worrying everyone, you're going to rest! I’m leaving you no choice! ”

Immediately giving shape to his words, the marquis walked around the bed and pushed aside the covers of the box spring, shook the pillow to air it out and also straightened the headboard. Suoh watched him do it, speechless. When he was done, he dragged Suoh by the shoulders to the other end of his bed and pulled the covers back over his knees.

" Lay over. Or do you want me to do that for you too?”, He mumbled, staring at a still frozen Suoh.

Suoh swallowed his lips lightly, probably in the throes of an inner dilemma. He chose still to be docile and to submit to Rochalizo's requests, if it could not be said that they were rather radical orders. His face crumpled up a bit and he proceeded to push the corners of the duvet and bedspreads between the mattress and the frame once Suoh was lying between the sheets. The action made him blush, it was strange to find himself there tucking Suoh in and especially expressing his concern to him so openly. His pride had just taken a hell of a beating ... It was also just as unsettling to be leaning over him like a protector and showing this facet of himself being... Soft? How awful... Rochalizo suddenly stepped back, his cheeks flushed.

" Is everything alright ? Suoh asked, who had just jumped from his sudden withdrawal.

"Uh ... Yeah, yeah, it's fine, it's fine ..."

Rochalizo had replied automatically. His brain took a few seconds to process their short exchange. Once again, he felt anger radiate through him.

“A minute. You’re the one asking me that ?! "Suoh hunched over like a shriveled flower, fearing another fit of anger. But the insufferable habit he had of always taking care of others to his disadvantage took over this time.

“Accept my apologies if I’ve offended you, Rochalizo. You look anxious to me, that's why I'm asking "

Rochalizo would have liked to give him scold him again, it was not the urge that he lacked and the blood still boiled in his veins to this effect. However, he could only stare at him in the whites of his eyes and crush his face into his hand. Sighing, he sat down on the side of the bed, giving Suoh barely a second to shift his legs.

"You really don't get it, you hopeless case."

Suoh straightened up on his elbows, attentive to his movements. Rochalizo imagined, knowing him, that he was already looking for a way to be forgiven. This simple thought was enough to upset him. Why was he like this? Why was Suoh just a bunch of second thoughts whose contents he’d never reveal to others? It didn't make things any easier ...

"I don't quite understand, but if it's because of the speech ...

"Obviously it's because of the speech," muttered the marquis, his head bowed, through his teeth.

"My intention was not to be a burden to you," Suoh whispered to him, after he had straightened up and he put a pale hand on his forearm, "Nor to cause you to worry. Forgive me ".

-Suoh, is that hard for you not to speak in apologies? Rochalizo cursed at him, his eyes dark.

Suoh gave him a rueful smile.

"I guess I'll drop the apologies for today."

They both let the calm of the small room overwhelm them. It was lukewarm and the down was as comfortable on the top as it was when standing inside. Rochalizo's eye was drawn to the pots of cacti that bloomed at their own pace on the shelf and the many tubs of blue flowers that were becoming more beautiful every day. Bathing in the only ray of sunlight, a miniature tomato plant gleamed quietly and grew, more fertile than ever, given a perfectly adequate amount of water. An ear of lavender, too long to be arranged, escaped from one of the open drawers of the dresser, kept in a patch of damp earth. Everything here breathed life and thrived through the care and love that was given to them. Everything ... Except one thing.

Suoh rested his head gently against Rochalizo's shoulder. It was done gradually, first because his position stiffened the back of his neck and tilting his head seemed like a good compromise. Then because he realized that words might be too much in this heated dispute caused by clumsy misunderstandings. Rochalizo surely would never admit it, but those little gestures were at fault if he didn't manage to hold it against Suoh for too long. When his cheek was pressed against his shoulder, he felt caught in the whirlwind of something bigger than himself, of a universal and unconditional tenderness that did not belong to humans.

Rochalizo did not look at him, but as he got lost in the pots of the blue flowers, had the impression that their eyes had met. His azure fingernails scraped his own thigh despite being able to do anything.

"I don't like it when you’re not looking after yourself ..."

Too fast, too recklessly, Suoh's fingers had speared his face and forced him to watch him from up close. His face surrounded by his hair was like the tall trees of a forest which covered the sky and made you lose your way. Not this scary perdition, rather this unstoppable urge to run through the woods and never come back. A powerful instinct to obey that insistent question that came to mind who whispered "What would happen if I ran away from all civilization and got lost in these woods?" Rochalizo exhaled painfully.

"Your concern is precious to me".

A smile. A simple and yet too evocative smile. In a flash, Rochalizo recognized in those cursed features the memory of an expression that had paralyzed him, that had haunted his nights these days, had even given him nightmares. For a moment, he saw the gunshots again, the murderous rifle in those white hands, the rows of helmets and iron boots, the cries and those words he heard echo every time his feet brought him back unconsciously at this location.

"No ... No, shut up, it's not concern," he gasped, breathlessly, holding back his despair, "You ... you really don't understand."

Not giving in to tears, all that remained was anger. It was the best he could do after all.

"There is no one more inconsiderate than you! Can't you see you're screwing yourself up ?! And for whom? For a herd of ungrateful people who don't even see how much you sacrifice yourself for them! "

His face slipped out of Suoh's reach but Rochalizo didn't back down. He confronted him with fierce aplomb. Suoh was the one who looked down at this accusation he couldn't afford to deny.

"It is the role of the leader of the Whale, I cannot oppose it-

-Who is preventing you ?!

- ... But I'm happy. I am happy to offer myself to its inhabitants ... "Suoh continued, ignoring his interruption," I don't think this is a sacrifice.

-So you are completely blind!”, Rochalizo exploded, his eyes so dilated they looked like they were going to disappear.

His breathing heavy, he resumed, swallowing behind clenched teeth:

“You are just a puppet that they use to ensure the obedience of the people. They steal your life away with all their prohibitions. And in the meantime, they let you destroy yourself. But by carrying on like this, you will soon be incapacitated. And all those people you care about so much, they're all going to DIE ”.

Suoh flinched and jumped back suddenly, as if the Marquis had just burned his face with a tinplate. He clenched his fists, his fingernails sunk so deeply into his palms that he was quickly seized with a sharp pain. He couldn't understand. Rochalizo was just a foreigner. He hadn't grown up here. He knew nothing of the ties that bound the inhabitants to each other or to this island, nor of this ineffably sacred responsibility which had become his.

“No one else is going to die,” Suoh bellowed, “You don't know what you're talking about!

-Of course I know!

-No, you who fleed your country like an egoist, you know nothing of what I feel! I could die for them! Suoh yelled at him, his face twisted in frustration, trembling with fury, his mouth twisted.

He was about to hear Rochalizo and counter whatever he said, to say something else, maybe something that could be hurtful. Something that could have convinced him that what he was claiming. But Rochalizo stopped screaming. He lowered his head and grabbed his hands, crushed them in his.

"You fool ... Can't you see? I don't want you to die ”.

Suoh fell silent. Then the origin of the problem suddenly became clear to him. Slowly approaching Rochalizo, he pressed his forehead to the top of his head. The young man bore the same smell as him, the smell of milk. Why had Suoh said all those mean things? He belonged here, with them.

"It won't happen, Rochalizo".

Rochalizo gripped Suoh's face aggressively once again. This time his voice was sharp, threatening.

"Don't even dare to promise me such things!" It was only a few days ago when you ran towards the soldiers and ... I ... ", he shook his head to keep from thinking back to those terrifying events," I forbid you to speak of death as lightly as you do! "- he tightened his fist next to his face -" Suoh, in truth I do not care about your story of sacrifice. All I'm trying to tell you is ... Take care of yourself better than that! You have no idea what you're doing to yourself! Do you think you can live on sleepless nights, non-stop services to others and the punishments that you inflict on yourself ?! By neglecting your health ?! "

Suoh blinked, shocked, breathless. Even if he had wanted to speak, the words would not have come out.

" Lay over. I will not repeat it. "

Rochalizo got up from the bed, pretending that this exchange of screams hadn't happened. Staring down at him, he stared at him sternly, arms crossed, waiting for Suoh to do as he ordered. Suoh couldn't move for a few seconds. It seemed to him that Rochalizo's gaze pierced his skin like a million flamethrowers. The young chef quickly lay down and pulled the covers to his neck. Then Rochalizo came back to him and knelt at his bedside. He took Suoh's hands back in his and buried his face onto the mattress.

“You, forgive me. I didn't mean to scare you. You know very well that it is not against you that I am screaming ”.

Suoh slowly nodded. A slight piteous smile split his cheeks. His hand trailed tenderly through Rochalizo's hair.

"I didn't want to admit it but I'm afraid you're right ..."

Rochalizo looked up hopefully in his direction.

"Maybe thinking about myself once in a while would help, but ... I've always put others before me. I don't know how to take care of myself and ... I don't know if I would get any satisfaction from it ... "

Rochalizo smiled back and his eyes closed on his lids. His mocking sneer echoed through the room, but his face was marked with an unusual solar glee.

"Lucky you that I’m a selfish person then. Because I happen to know a ton of ways ”.

Suoh stared at his face, dazzled by Rochalizo's smile and he felt a familiar form of peace wash over him. For the first time, he was letting someone lift up the hearts and lighten up the mood for him. And he felt good. It was a small start, but it was a start.

[geekeryandsentiment]

I remember you telling us, you know quite a bit about all the kiddo’s rooms. Can you describe them for us? And why did Liz wanna rearrange her room? (as mentioned in the silent treatment) Also, You had mentioned chalkboard paint once, and I found that idea so cool😍

Hey there! You send this in about four years ago and I just didn’t have the time to answer when you sent it in and then idk, I just got lazy and let it sit in my inbox for a while...however, here’s your answer, sorry about that. This one is below the cut and I’m warning you it’s loooooong. Sorry lol, I got a lot carried away. I hope it was worth the wait lol. Sorry again.

Before I forget...Lizzie just wanted to rearrange things. Sometimes moving the direction the furniture is facing can help spice things up a bit. If i remember correctly she was 11/12ish during the silent treatment and around that age Arthur pulled out his old desk from storage and put it in her room, so possibly she thought of a better way to rearrange her furniture to put that desk in the place she wanted it? 

Liam’s room is like his happy space. There is no theme or reason to anything. It’s all completely random. He’s still got posters and trinkets from his first year attending school and even before that. Alby’s art is plastered on his walls and he has old birthday cards and little notes that he and Alex used to pass back and forth in lessons tacked up on his walls as well. He has repainted it 4ish times since he was eleven and his parents repainted one of the other rooms (the one that would eventually become Alby’s room) and he decided it looked fun and wanted to try it. One time, when he was sixteen, he endured his room being pink for almost three months over the summer because Elizabeth dared him to do it when he was discussing possible color changes and he didn’t have anything else to do that next day (and has absolutely nothing against the color pink) so decided to take everything off his walls and paint them pink just to show her that he would. His room is currently green and the wall that had chalkboard paint on it is accented a darker brown (the green did NOT properly cover up the chalkboard with only two coats and he didn’t have any more green so he had to improvise). For several years he had a whole wall of chalkboard paint (the around his door) and he and Alex were entertained by that for many many hours in their preteen years. He is the only one of the kiddos to have a TV in his room. He didn’t get it until he was thirteen and he had to practically trade away his soul to convince Waverly to allow it, but he and Alex also had a lot of fun playing video games on that throughout the years. He has Theo’s old room, and Theo is very crafty with his hands. When he was younger he installed bookcases into the same wall his two windows are on, so William has bookcases surrounding his two windows that go from his ceiling to his floor. They are covered in books, some of which he will never read but owns anyway simply because he likes the cover and think they look cool. The other furniture in his room doesn’t match all all. Like at all. For the most part that is because he has broken a lot of the pieces that used to match and instead of doing what Waverly wanted to do and reordering the pieces or even picking something that matches the remaining stuff, Liam just picked out things he liked as replacements, even if they clashed with the other things in his room already.

Alex’s room is a bit more themed and put together, but it’s also always messy. It’s not dirty. It’s regularly cleaned and he makes his bed every morning (and if he dared leave food wrappers or any food in his room Waverly would have his head) but it’s cluttered most of the time. He doesn’t really mind if things are on the floor or if his desk is stacked three feet high with different files and textbooks and Lord knows what else. He knows where everything is. He manages to stay ahead with his schoolwork and keep everything straight, so Arthur and Waverly don’t hound him too often to make sure his room is as neat as they would like. His room is pretty typical. It’s painted a dark, navy blue and he has a whole lot of red (his curtains and bed sheets) and grey (his comforter and bean bag) accents. He does have a giant beanbag in the back corner behind his bed that Alby loves to fall asleep in sometimes, though. His bedroom used to belong to Beatrice when she lived in the palace when Arthur was younger, but her pink walls were painted over when he was about one years old and Arthur and Waverly decided to stick him in the room beside William’s. It’s nothing too fancy. William’s room is definitely far more interesting with the built in bookshelves (and wait until you hear about Lizzie’s room...🤭) but it’s his home. That’s his safe space. When he feels like the whole world is against him, the only place he wants to be besides maybe on his piano bench, is his own bedroom. 

Elizabeth’s room has changed colors a few times throughout the years too, but it’s stayed purple, just different shades. Her room is across the hall from Liam and Alex’s and on the same side of the quarters as the sitting room, meaning her windows overlook the palace gardens. She has a large, three window set up with a small cushioned seating area that extends out from the wall a little bit. When she was younger she had a few cushions and a mattress pad there and her and Alex would have sleepovers in her room all the time. They would look up at the stars and she would try to point out constellations. Now, that mattress pad is used every once in a while for Alby if he wants to spend the night in her room, but more often it’s tucked away and she just uses the area to sit on her laptop or read. In the corner she has a large corner desk with a desktop computer with two monitors. She doesn’t have a TV, and she doesn’t really need one because she has a pretty sweet set up there. Her desk belonged to Arthur when he was younger (no, none of the children are in his old bedroom. Too many unhappy memories. That’s used as a guest bedroom now, and only if there are too many guest to fill up the other two rooms) and still has his initials carved into the corner from when he got bored and engraved them one day when he was about twelve with an old key he found. Her room is more themed than Liam’s, her furniture matches, even Arthur’s desk fits in really well with the other black pieces, but there isn’t really a color scheme or anything. Lizzie doesn’t really care about that. She just fills it with things she likes. Oh, she also has a blacklight in her room and an epic solar system hanging from her ceiling as well as markers that she can draw all over that massive window with. When she was home full time it used to be schedules and count downs until special dates and to do lists. Now it’s not quite as busy as it used to be and more often than not the windows can actually be seen out of because they aren’t covered in marker...but every once in a while she’ll feel a sudden urge to draw on them again and fill them with chemistry or math or biology...or even music. 

Alby’s room is stand alone and surprisingly the farthest away from Arthur and Waverly’s because he was born last. He is on the same side of the hall as Lizzie, but he does not have the room connected to hers. He’s actually one more down. ((Oh, this is actually relevant so let me talk about it for a moment...The room that is connected to Lizzie’s is currently used as a lab or sorts for her. She has all kinds of old technology in it that she tinkers with a lot, it’s pretty empty and none of the others are jealous that she has the extra room or anything. They do call it Lizzie’s “lab” though sometimes, and there is a proper key to it that she has and she regularly locks it when she doesn’t want Alby to go in and touch anything she’s working on.)) His room is still really kid-ish. He has toys and a little chair that hangs from his ceiling that he can sit in when he reads. His room doesn’t have the same bay window that Lizzie’s does. He doesn’t spend a lot of time in his room. He’s almost always in one of his siblings’ rooms or he’s lugged a handful of toys down to the sitting room/Arthur’s study/wherever someone else is to sit and quietly play near them. He doesn’t really like to be alone, and his room reflects that. There isn’t a lot of personalized things in his room, instead he likes to leave an impression on the other rooms of the house (leaving drawings on the walls in Liam’s room, pictures on Lizzie’s windows when she lets him use her markers, and leaving stuffed animals and small toys on the shelf where Alex’s stuffed crocodile spends his lonely days now that he’s a teenager and he doesn’t play with him anymore). No one seems to mind, in fact, William regularly tells him when he’s away at school that he wants a whole new set of pictures hanging in his room for him when he gets home to help keep the baby busy. Alby has his own shelf full of books that has slowly started to overflow as his siblings slowly hand the boy more and more books to read. His favorite toy when he was younger, and to this day, is trains. He looooooves trains. So if his room has any theme in the chaos it’s definitely trains. He has those stickers on his walls of little cartoon trains and he almost always has some giant town built with the little wooden train sets across the back half of his room on the floor. His parents gave up trying to make him clean those up every night a long time ago. Some battles just aren’t worth fighting, especially when one little town of his creation could keep him occupied for days. 

I don’t know if you meant Elaina too but you’re going to get her because I’m on a roll at this point, lol. Elaina’s room is...well kind of boring. And she hasn’t had too much freedom to change anything either which kind of stinks. She has Brielle’s old room and it is exactly how you would expect a princess’s room to look. Light baby pink walls. Her furniture is white. It’s adorable. She HATES it. I mean, I shouldn’t say it like that, it’s her room and she likes it because it’s her space. But she doesn’t like how it looks. She doesn’t really like how it looks like a nursery (because it kind of does) but her parents aren’t really feeling the whole re-painting thing and her furniture belonged to her grandmother and so it’s staying in the family and she can’t get rid of that either. She really loves all three of the English kids’ rooms. They all are a little darker and the paint and the colors are cooler and not as bright and blinding as her pink and white. She is just a touch jealous that despite Arthur and Waverly’s dictaror-ish tendencies, they let their kids decorate their rooms how they want. She’s an artist, as you all know and she loves to sketch and paint and draw. At one point when she was about 11 or 12, I forget exactly but it’s written so perhaps I could share it one day, she used a sketching pencil to draw this really pretty floral design down the side of her nightstand and her parents saw it and lost their shit (old family antiques are not for drawing on, Elaina. You know better!). She hasn’t dared try to do that again, but she’s also always wanted to get all new white furniture and paint over it and cover it in her own drawings. One day she promises herself that she will. In the meantime, she has one single poorly shaded drawing on her nightstand that she managed to convince her parents to let her keep and not erase. 

That was a LOT. However...sprinkled in there is a few really relevant pieces of information. The story arch I am currently working on directly involves some of this information and you know how my brain is...I can’t think of anything without figuring it out for everyone...so you’ll see some of this brought up in the actual story again too, eventually. 

[fire-emblem-heroes-supports]

Summoner/Sharena C-S Support

Written by @unsuspecting-person

C SUPPORT

Sharena: (y/n)! Great to see you!

(y/n): Oh hi, Sharena. How are you?

Sharena: I’m good, thank you! Are you on patrol?

(y/n): Yeah, I just started. Want to join me?

Sharena: Sure, we haven’t spent much time lately!

(y/n): Great!

[The two walk around the castle.]

(y/n): So, what have you been up to lately?

Sharena: Oh, you know, the usual royal jibber-jabber, training… You know, the boring stuff. I visited the market with Veronica and Katarina though!

(y/n): Oh, that’s great! I went around helping where I could. You know, helping Anna with her souvenir shop, reordering the inventory, doing some other errands… Lots of small stuff, really.

Sharena: You’ve been very busy lately, don’t you wanna rest a bit?

(y/n): You have no idea, but I there’s still so much to do…

(y/n): I should be able to get some free time in a few days though, so maybe we could spend some time together!

Sharena: Wonderful! Oh, I’ve already got some plans!

(y/n): (Well, that was fast… Not that I should be surprised.)

[(y/n) and Sharena have reached support level C.]

B SUPPORT

(y/n): We should sit down drink tea together like this more often, it’s really relaxing.

Sharena: Uh-huh. I’m enjoying this as well.

[Both of them take a sip at the same time, but the tea is still too hot.]

Both: Ack! Hothothot…

[(y/n) and Sharena notice each other and start snickering.]

Sharena: It’s really great being with you, (y/n). To be honest, I barely remember what it was like in the Order before you showed up!

(y/n): Funny, I could say the same to you. In fact, I don’t think we would be here without you.

Sharena: ..Huh?

(y/n): Remember the early days in the Order, when I just got summoned?

Sharena: …Oh. You’re talking about that.

(y/n): I still think it was a miracle we survived. Since I was just a civilian, I couldn’t help at all neither in battle or tactics, the simplest battles were a struggle and I was still in shock over getting pulled away from my world without warning.

(y/n): If I didn’t get lucky and summon Robin, we…

Sharena: We were all losing hope. And I remember you kept saying “Some Great Hero I am, right?”

(y/n): Yeah, that period was… ugly. Really ugly.

(y/n): But things didn’t get better just due to a bunch of lucky summons… It was all thanks to you.

Sharena: M-Me!?

(y/n): Huh-huh. Who kept up the entire Order’s spirits during that period? Who actually bothered to listen to me and comfort me?

Sharena: (y/n), it was nothing, really! It was the least I could do!

(y/n): It was a lot to me. You even showed me how I could help in the Order without fighting or planning, and you even taught me some of the chores I didn’t know how to do!

(y/n): What I mean is, I owe you a lot, Sharena. And I’m glad I can call you my best friend.

Sharena: (y/n)…

(y/n): Oh, why do you look so flustered? Come on, can’t I be your number one fan?

Sharena: S-Stop it, you’re making me blush!

[(y/n) and Sharena have reached support rank B.]

A SUPPORT

Sharena: I knew I would find you here.

(y/n): Can you blame me? The dragon children would put a smile on anyone.

Sharena: Oh, I know. I remember when I spent two whole hours just playing tag with them!

(y/n): I swear, they never get tired to play. By the way, did you want to say something?

Sharena: Oh, right. This is coming a bit out of nowhere, but… what do you want to do after we’re done with the fighting? For good, I mean.

(y/n): Well… if you mean on the long term, I have no idea. There are so many places I want to be, so many people I’d like to see again…

(y/n): But if you mean right after, I’d like us to go on a vacation to my world! It would be unlike anything you’ve ever seen! And besides… I want to see my family and friends again.

Sharena: That would be amazing, we could finally see all the mysterious stuff you keep talking about! And I can also meet your family. Oh, I bet they’re wonderful people!

(y/n): Yup. Maybe we all could go on vacation. You, me, Alphonse, Anna. Maybe with could also invite Bruno and Veronica! And maybe some Heroes as well.

Sharena: You’re not going to take the whole Order with you?

(y/n): As much as I’d love to, I don’t think going around with several hundred people in one place is a good idea. But hey, nothing says this has to be our only vacation!

(y/n): There is one problem though… the clothes.

Sharena: The clothes?

(y/n): Yeah, have you seen the clothes I wore the day I got summoned? They’re unlike anything in all the worlds, so if you go around in your usual outfits, you’re all going to attract too much attention.

Sharena: Yes, I guess that’s a bit of a problem.

(y/n): Oh! Fae and Tiki are calling us to play! Let’s go, Sharena!

Sharena: On it, wait for me!

Sharena: (Hmm… I have an idea.)

[(y/n) and Sharena have reached support rank A.]

S SUPPORT

Sharena: (y/n), come on! I can’t wait to show you this surprise!

(y/n): Gee Sharena, is it so urgent you have to literally grab me?

Sharena: Yes, it is! Wait here, I know you’re gonna love it!

(y/n): Alright…

[A few minutes pass.]

Sharena: Okay, I’m ready. Come in!

(y/n): Woah, you look amazing!

Sharena: Like it? I had Oboro make this outfit from your Earth clothes, and she loved the challenge! She told me she added a few personal touches here and there, but now I can go to Earth with you!

Sharena: Oh, and she’s also making an entire line of outfits for the whole Order… she got a bit too excited.

(y/n): Oh, I’m so happy! Now we’ll all be ready for that vacation!

Sharena: Oh, that reminds me… I’d love to go with you once… just the two of us.

(y/n): You mean… like a date?

Sharena: Not just a date, silly! More like an entire honeymoon!

(y/n): WHA-  I… I…

Sharena: Oh, now it’s my turn to make you blush! Do I take that as a yes?

(y/n): H-How long have you felt like this?

Sharena: I think I started loving you more and more during the last two years. At first I thought it was just a crush, but now I know I love you.

Sharena: I-It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way though, I’ll understand!

(y/n): Wait, of course I love you too! You’re the most wonderful person I’ve ever met! But I’d like to take this slow at first. See…. I’ve never actually been in a relationship before.

Sharena: Oh, that’s okay. I’ve never been in a relationship either, so you’re right. Maybe we should take this slow.

[(y/n) and Sharena share a small kiss. The pair then holds hands and starts walking away.]

(y/n): So, we’ve got the rest of the evening together. Any ideas?

Sharena: Oh, I’m glad you asked! So, how about…

[(y/n) and Sharena have reached support rank S.]

CONFESSION QUOTE:

Sharena: "I love you so much! I hope I'll make you happy as much as you made me happy."

[godaime-obito]

Kagatobi Modern Ageswap Ch 4

chapter one

chapter two

chapter three

there will be a sort of fifth chapter, but im planning for some nsfw in it, so consider it a bonus chapter

Tobirama has reorganized his books, notes, papers and various writing utensils four times now. Kagami is coming over in less than ten minutes to help him study for his bar exam, and in preparation he had to move his entire set up out of his bedroom to the more appropriate location that is the living room. It would not do to take his guest straight to his bedroom his first time over. That can come later, not that he’s been considering such things. He reorders his highlighters one last time before going to the kitchen to start making tea. It’s important to be properly hospitable for guests who are actually invited.

The tea is still seeping when Tobirama hears a knock. Isn’t nice when people knock instead of just picking the lock, even though Kagami probably could if he wanted. Wait. Is intelligent-people-who-know-how-to-lock-pick a type? Do he and Hashirama share a type? God, he doesn’t want to think about that. Putting that horrifying tangent from his mind he walks briskly to answer the door.

Tobirama pulls open the door, and steps to the side to let Kagami slip past him. “Hello. Would you like tea?” he asks.

“That would be nice,” Kagami answers, slipping past to sit his satchel near the work space Tobirama set up. He must have come straight from his office at the university if he still has that satchel. It’s where he keeps the papers he’s grading and such.

“I hope this isn’t too inconvenient for you,” he calls from the kitchen, “I’m sure you’re busy at the university right now.” Tobirama gathers the tea onto a tray and quickly heads back out. It’s best not to waste any time, especially if he’s holding him up.

“I wouldn’t have agreed to it if it was. I’m not too busy for a friend,” Kagami chuckles back.

“Of course,” Tobirama agrees. He’s mostly placated, but he is still a little concerned Kagami is just too nice to turn down helping him. Tobirama reassures himself that he’s been a professor for a long time, and can manage his time well enough to know when he can afford an evening away from his office. He puts the tray down on the coffee table feeling more confident, and sits down where he arranged his things. Kagami slides closer to him on the couch as he reaches for his tea, and their thighs press lightly together. Which is only a minor distraction really, so he doesn’t pull away. Neither does Kagami.

The additional insight does prove helpful during the study session, both from tips gained from experience or just the aid of an outside perspective, and Tobirama is glad he took him up on his offer to study together. Maybe he’ll give Hashirama a key after all, since his visit had some positive impact. Not that he’ll admit that even if he gives him a key. It wouldn’t do to encourage him.

“Thank you Kagami,” he says, and stands up from his spot on the couch. “You were very helpful.”

His friend smiles up at him, and stands as well, gathering up his satchel. “No problem! Feeling ready to go take that exam right now?” he teases.

“Perhaps not right now,” Tobirama replies, smiling slightly. “I am rather confident I’ll be ready when the exam time actually arrives,” he assures.

The end of the time the agreed to meet is over, and he’s sure Kagami has other things to do, but he is, perhaps, not eager to see him leave. The two of them move towards the door together. In front of it he stops, and lingers.

“I believe my family will be meeting the weekend after the exam. To celebrate. You should come,” Tobirama states. He meant for that to be more of a question.

“I mean, do you want to come?” That’s better.

“Of course! Just tell me the time and place and I’m sure I can make it,” Kagami answers, giggling at Tobirama’s slightly subpar communication skills. He would be more upset at being laughed at if it weren’t such a nice laugh.

“I’ll text you as soon as it’s decided,” he says, and finally stops his stalling to open the door.

Kagami slips passed him. He brushes against his arm as he goes, before stopping and turning to face him in the doorway.

“I hate to go already, when it feels like I just got here, but I’ll see you soon. I hope,” Kagami says softly.

“I hope so too,” Tobirama replies equally soft. Pulling together his nerve, he firmly corrects himself, “I know we’ll see each other soon.”

Then, quickly as to not run out of nerve, he presses their lips together. It’s firm, but chaste. He can feel the tips of his ears go red as they pull apart. Kagami smiles at him, broader than any of his earlier smiles, as they look at each other, and it makes Tobirama smile too.

“Just to be certain,” he says, “we are dating now right?”

Kagami snorts at him. “Yes.”

He leaves then, heading down the hall. Before Kagami turns the corner out of sight, he looks back at him and winks. Tobirama’s blush renews, but he’s too happy to have confirmed the study date as an actual date to mind.

It will take about six weeks to find out if he actually passed the bar exam, but only two days later the celebration his family planned has already arrived. Perhaps they think having his first try over with is worth celebrating even if they don’t know if he’ll have to try again. Perhaps they’re just that confident in him. Most likely it’s mix of the two. They’ve made reservations at a restaurant for seven. It will be himself, his brothers, Mito, Touka, and Kagami, which considering how involved Hashirama was in the planning is a tiny number. He should probably thank Mito and Touka for keeping him from inviting their estranged parents, or Izuna, or Madara. He cannot stand him, no matter how many ‘bonding sessions’ they’re tricked into.

“Tobirama!” He knows that voice. Why are Hashirama’s only settings yelling, and dramatic whispering? Tobirama knows he must speak normally to Mito at least. Does he do this just to irritate him? He’s having second thoughts about giving him the key.

“Hello Hashirama,” he sighs out. He is then promptly manhandled into the restaurant where he and Mito listen to his brother yell as the others arrive. He’s not sure what exactly he’s talking about, but he has been counting every time he says ‘Madara’ which is up to eight already. Perhaps he should start kicking Hashirama whenever he mentions him more than 5 times in an hour.

Kagami shows up last, and slides into the open seat at his left. Hashirama is sitting at Tobirama’s right, and reaches right across his personal space to shake his hand and gives his usual overenthusiastic greeting.

“Hello Professor,” Mito says. She’s smirking. Tobirama is about to need a distraction, isn’t he?

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” she continues, “I’ve heard you are the cooooolest professor.”

Kagami grins at him, wiggling his eyebrows. “Is that so?” he coos.

“This is Mito,” Tobirama says, ignoring his question. “My wonderful, kind, sister-in-law.” No sarcasm there, no ma’am. “That’s my cousin Touka, my brother Itama, and my brother Kawarama,” he continues, nodding to each of them.

“It’s nice to meet all of you,” Kagami says, switching back to a more serious expression. Although not that serious, it is Kagami after all.

The dinner goes surprisingly well, and he seems to get along with Tobirama’s family, even if their main bonding activity seems to be try-to-make-Tobirama-blush. How does Kagami remember so many things he did as an undergrad, surely, he wasn’t that memorable? At least Mito doesn’t bring up that one thing that happened his junior year as an undergrad. If Kagami found out Tobirama would be too embarrassed to look him in the eye for a decade at least.

He’s been waiting to tell anyone that he and Kagami are dating until today, so that he could say it to them all at once, in person. However, he’s been putting it off all night. Hashirama is going to cry on him, but it must be done eventually. Tobirama waits until the bill has come and they’ve decided who’s paying for how much, before finally deciding it cannot be put off any longer.

He clears his throat, to catch everyone’s attention. “Kagami and I are dating,” he announces as soon as it’s the table is quiet. There. Nice and to the point.

Hashirama appears to be momentarily stunned.

“I had sex with Izuna at Hashirama’s 25th birthday party,” Touka says.

“What?” Hashirama says faintly.

“I assumed we were announcing things everybody in the family already knows,” she says in her best faux innocent voice.

“I didn’t know either of those things,” he responds. Loudly. His faintness has already swung around to dramatic tears. “My birthday party!” he cries.

“Forget about the party darling. That was years ago,” Mito cuts in, “What about Tobi’s boyfriend?” Tobirama is not sure if he appreciates her getting him back on track.

Hashirama’s head snaps towards him so fast he’s surprised it didn’t break. “Brother,” he shouts. He throws himself sideways at Tobirama, crushing him in a hug. “Your heart’s unfrozen,” he sobs.

“It was never frozen to begin with.”

“You’ve discovered love,” Hashirama continues without pause, ignoring Tobirama’s attempt to interrupt. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Be happy for me without getting me wet, and crushing my ribs!” Tobirama responds. “Stop crying all over me and let go,” he hisses quietly, “You are making a scene in public.”

“Sorry,” Hashirama says, sniffling as he switches into dramatic whispering mode. Kagami is giggling, and Tobirama really wishes he could be angry at that laugh.

“We shouldn’t all linger,” Tobirama says. The bill had been successfully paid during the commotion, thank you Itama. “We’ve got to go,” he adds, heading towards the exit with Kagami. He may be running away. At this point he must admit ‘running from social situations’ is his main character flaw. He will definately hear about this from Itama and Kawarama later, in a traditional younger sibling fashion, and he’ll have to mail Hashirama the key. Oh well.

[multipleservicelisting]

What 2020 Was Like for People in the Retail Industry

The retail industry was in the midst of a transformation before 2020. But the onset of the pandemic accelerated that change, fundamentally reordering how and where people shop, and rippling across the broader economy.

Many stores closed for good, as chains cut physical locations or filed for bankruptcy, displacing everyone from highly paid executives to hourly workers. Amazon grew even more powerful and unavoidable as millions of people bought goods online during lockdowns. The divide between essential businesses allowed to stay open and nonessential ones forced to close drove shoppers to big-box chains like Walmart, Target and Dick’s and worsened struggling department stores’ woes. The apparel industry and a slew of malls were battered as millions of Americans stayed home and a litany of dress-up events, from proms to weddings, were canceled or postponed.

This year’s civil unrest and its thorny issues for American society also hit retailers. Businesses closed because of protests over George Floyd’s killing by a white police officer, and they reckoned with their own failings when it came to race. The challenges faced by working parents, including the cost and availability of basic child care during the pandemic, were keenly felt by women working at stores from CVS to Bloomingdale’s. And there were questions about the treatment of workers, as retailers and their backers treated employees shoddily during bankruptcies or failed to offer hazard pay or adequate notifications about workplace Covid-19 outbreaks.

Many Americans felt the effects of the retail upheaval — the industry is the second-biggest private employment sector in the United States — and some shared their experiences this year with The New York Times.

‘That’s what I did my whole life’

Joyce Bonaime, a 63-year-old in Cabazon, Calif., has worked in retailing since the 1970s. In the past 14 months, she became one of many store employees whose lives were upended by bankruptcies — first at Barneys New York and more recently at Brooks Brothers.

Ms. Bonaime had spent about 10 years as a full-time stock coordinator for a Barneys outlet at Desert Hills Premium Outlets near her home, overseeing the shipping and receiving of designer wares, when the retailer filed for bankruptcy and liquidated late last year.

“Barneys treated people very badly at the end there,” Ms. Bonaime said. The retailer, she said, sent inconsistent messages about severance payments and the timing of store closures that limited people from finding other jobs just before the holiday shopping season.

After Barneys, Ms. Bonaime secured a full-time stockroom position at Brooks Brothers in the same outlet mall. But the pandemic forced the store to temporarily close in March, and she was furloughed. She anticipated returning once the store reopened this summer. But Ms. Bonaime’s job was terminated this month and she lost her health benefits. She is now collecting unemployment checks for the first time in her life.

When Ms. Bonaime started her career, working at shoe stores and completing a management training program at one chain, retailers had a different relationship with employees and communities, she said.

“We went through training on the bones in the foot and the muscles; we knew a lot about our industry,” she said. “We would reach out to local high schools and work with the cheerleading team and find a shoe they liked for outfits and give them a discount and make sure they had the right sizes.”

Ms. Bonaime, who is getting by right now, feels stuck. She had planned to work a few more years before retiring, but her options are limited. Businesses at the outlet mall are struggling — and it was already hard to interview last year as a woman in her 60s, she said. Amazon is hiring, but she is concerned about the risk of accidents in a warehouse.

“This pandemic just changes everything because I would have no problem getting a job otherwise,” she said. “I just don’t think there’s going to be anything in retail, and that’s what I did my whole life.”

‘I was collateral damage’

Soon after the pandemic hit, Nordstrom said it would permanently close its three high-end Jeffrey boutiques, which were founded by Jeffrey Kalinsky and acquired by the retailer in 2005. Mr. Kalinsky, a Nordstrom executive who had focused on bringing designer apparel to the retailer, retired as part of the move.

The Jeffrey stores, in New York, Atlanta and Palo Alto, Calif., had dressed the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and even been lampooned on “Saturday Night Live.” The first location, in Atlanta, would have celebrated its 30th anniversary in August.

Mr. Kalinsky, 58, said in an interview that he was recovering from Covid-19 at the end of March when he became aware that the stores might remain shut after a temporary closure.

“It felt like I had a gun pointed at me,” he said. “The folks I always dealt with at Nordstrom were always very transparent, and I can only surmise that they were looking at how to position themselves to get through this period — and I was collateral damage.”

He had once told the Jeffrey staff that it was like the original cast in a Broadway musical, performing at an “amazing level” for customers every day. The hardest part of this year was telling employees about the closing, he said.

“That day was probably the most difficult, emotional day of my entire life,” he said. “I felt just gutted. It was indescribable.” Employees have told him that they “miss the merchandise, they miss the edit, they miss the specialness.”

His goal was for Jeffrey to carry the best merchandise but “sell it in an environment that was very democratic,” he said. “I wanted to showcase it all and wanted it all to be next to each other. I wanted the friction of Gucci next to Dries next to Comme des Garçons. I wanted to feel the tension in a good way because that, in my opinion, is how the perfect closet is.”

Mr. Kalinsky hopes to find a job designing for an American brand, saying he is not prepared to retire from retailing. He wonders if Jeffrey could have survived the pandemic by working with vendors and landlords.

“We had an impressive business, a wonderful clientele, and we would have been fine — but did we have a piggy bank for Covid? No,” he said.

A man with a van

Trent Griffin-Braaf started this year feeling more confident than ever. The transportation company he created to ferry guests from hotels in the Albany, N.Y., area to local attractions like the racetrack in Saratoga Springs was catching on.

But when the coronavirus shut down tourism, weddings and conferences, Mr. Griffin-Braaf’s passenger vans were idled and his business was in jeopardy. “We were really in a rough place,” he said.

In the late summer, his company became a carrier for Amazon and shifted to e-commerce deliveries. His team of 70 drivers and other staff include immigrants from Africa and India, workers laid off from restaurants, a struggling nail-salon owner and recent college grads “just trying to figure it out” during the pandemic.

His drivers cover a 150-mile radius around Albany, including many rural areas where the number of Amazon shoppers is increasing, he said. “All you see around here is Amazon,” he said. “Come work for Amazon.”

Many of his drivers were earning 10 hours of overtime a week during the peak holiday season. “I feel blessed to be busy, because so many people aren’t right now,” he said.

Mr. Griffin-Braaf, 36, has not given up on passenger vans. He has started driving workers living in parts of Albany with limited public transportation to their jobs at distribution centers and other businesses far from bus lines.

On the weekends, he volunteers the vans to drive families to visit loved ones in upstate prisons. Mr. Griffin-Braaf, who served time in prison years ago, said that long term, he hoped to have tractor-trailers to move e-commerce packages across the country, and to offer van service in other “transportation deserts” around the state so people could get to work.

“I know how hard it is to get a job if you don’t have a car, and I have seen how hard it is when you don’t get visits in prison,” he said. “I have lived these things.”

‘We are glad you are here’

Lauren Jackson and her two sisters inadvertently chose the wrong time to open the first Black-owned beauty supply store in their hometown, Buffalo: March 7, two weeks before the state ordered them to shut down.

So the sisters reopened it as an “essential business,” stocking hand sanitizers, masks and other pandemic necessities. Their store, the Hair Hive, reopened in early April, which helped them build a customer base while competitors stayed closed.

“Everything happens for a reason,” said Ms. Jackson, 28.

She and her sisters, Danielle Jackson and Brianna Lannie, had talked about opening the store for several years. It is five minutes from their childhood home on the east side of Buffalo, a predominantly Black neighborhood where their parents still live.

The sisters were initially intimidated about trying to break into the well-established industry.

“We didn’t want to tell anyone so they wouldn’t say, ‘You can’t compete with them,’” Ms. Jackson said. “We didn’t even tell our parents.”

The sisters got a loan from a family member and another from a Buffalo nonprofit. Lauren Jackson said she had watched other Black-owned businesses in her neighborhood come and go over the years, including salons, barbershops and restaurants that often closed because the younger generation didn’t want to take over after the founding family members retired. Ms. Jackson wants to break that trend.

“A lot of people come into the store because we are Black-owned,” she said. “They feel comfortable knowing we can relate with what’s going on with their hair. They tell us, ‘We are glad you are here.’”

‘Scared of what might be coming’

In June, as the first wave of the coronavirus was finally coming under control in New York, Feisal Ahmed got a call from his manager at Macy’s.

Would he like to return to his job selling luxury watches when the store in Herald Square reopened? “I am already there,” he told his boss. “Put me first in line.”

Mr. Ahmed was in his early 20s and a recent emigrant from Bangladesh when he started working at Macy’s in 1994. He met his wife in the store, was able to make a down payment on a house in Astoria, Queens, and saved up enough money to start his own laundry, which he eventually sold.

“I owe a lot to this job,” he said.

But after initial feelings of relief and excitement to return to work after four months of lockdowns, reality set in for Mr. Ahmed. He has gone some days without selling a single watch, for which he would earn a commission.

Last week, business picked up for a few days, driven by last-minute Christmas shopping, but it was nowhere near a normal holiday pace. “The pandemic, job security — people are scared to spend money,” he said.

Still, Mr. Ahmed feels lucky. In New York City, retail jobs make up 9 percent of private-sector employment, and many have been slow to return. At stores selling clothing and clothing accessories, employment is down more than 40 percent from a year ago, according to a recent report by the state comptroller’s office.

Mr. Ahmed said that as a member of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, he had certain job protections. But he worries about what the winter will bring, as the pandemic continues to keep many shoppers away.

“Employees are scared of what might be coming,” he said.

Multiple Service Listing for Business Owners | Tools to Grow Your Local Business

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[tombromance]

The Assistant

A/N: Ha! Finally finished my first work to post on here! Always accepting Requests.

Warning: This contains smut, so 18+ please.

~*~*~

               It was late, even by Harper’s standards. Two in the morning wasn’t a time she was used to just getting out of her office, or rather Tony’s office. Being Tony Stark’s secretary meant doing a lot of late night work with both him and the other Avengers. Ms. Pott’s had spent months preparing her replacement for the day and night duties. Harper’s late stay tonight was purely her own doing. Instead of parading around the party, making sure Tony didn’t make an ass of himself, she’d resigned herself to his office and reordering his very important files. Something she’d been meaning to do for the past six months, so in some ways it was a win-win situation.

                Harper sighed, dark blue heels in hand long with her bag, as she crept through the Avenger Tower’s hallways. Due to the erratic hour’s she kept, Tony completely redid one of the rooms, to make a small apartment for her. This way she was never late for work, but still had her privacy. The halls were silent, the gusts of the party long gone, and the Avengers most likely sleeping alone or with a guest for the night. It wasn’t until she passed Bucky’s bedroom door that she realized she wasn’t the only person awake. A loud groan left his room, forcing a light blush onto her features. Harper and the avengers were great friends, but there was something about Bucky Barns that was different. Maybe it was the tormented soul that he had -something she could relate with- or the gruffness in which he did things, either way she wasn’t sure why she was so drawn to the Winter Soldier.

                 She knew what she should do, she should keep going to her room, and she should go straight to bed. Yes, she knew what she should do, but her body stopped mid-hallway, right in front of his room. Harper glanced around, no one was awake, and Bucky tended to wake up about this time anyways, so there wouldn’t be any harm done if she knocked on his door. Not unless he had a lady friend in there of course. A puff of air rushed from her bright red lips, just as his bedroom door flew open, revealing the half-naked Winter Soldier.

 “Oh, Bucky,” Harper murmured in a strangled yelp of surprise. “I-I was just going to my room, and then I…. Are you ok?”

 “I can’t sleep,” he breathed heavily, much like he just ran two miles straight.

                 Her professionalism kicked into high gear, it was bad for business to have an exhausted Avenger walking around. Tired meant distraction, which could easily get someone killed, in their line of business at least. Harper’s sleep deprivation quickly went away, as she pushed the larger tank of a man back into his room. Her foot kicking the door shut behind them, as she continued pushing him toward his bed. Different ideas flashing in her mind of what to do.

 “Ok, what helps you sleep?” she inquired, once he was sitting. “Warm milk? Sleepy Time tea? Counting sheep?”

 “I usually work out.” He breathed, awkwardly placing his hands into his lap.

 “That’s no good,” Harper hummed tapping her finger against her chin. “The gym is under construction,” she grimaced. “One of the mutant recruits accidently blew up that part of the building. Is there anything else?” Her eyes rested onto the titan, the desperation of wanting to help evident.

 “There’s one thing….” Buck breathed shakily, a dark blush shading his features.

 “Yes?” Excitement echoed in her voice, as she leaned closer to his rock-hard abs.

 “Well…. I…. ah…. I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to say in a lady’s presence.”

 “Nonsense,” Harper laughed, standing back up and placing her hands onto her hips. “I work with Tony Stark, there isn’t a thing I haven’t heard before. Plus, I really want to help, so please tell me what I can do.”

                 Bucky sighed, watching her fingers move to the curve of her hips. God those hips were pure sin, he thought as they swayed to the cadence of her words. The other Avengers often talked about how her clothes were just a little too tight, and how they found it distracting sometimes. Tight clothes weren’t too much of an issue for Bucky, it was how her hips swayed whilst she walked that called the dirtiest of thought to the forefront of this mind. His eye drifted slowly back up, lingering at the two extra buttons that were undone at the top of her shirt. During the day, she always dressed in a button up top with a pencil skirt, only two buttons would be undone for comfort. Tonight, she had four unbuttoned, which showed off the top of her round breasts.  Bucky groaned, was she trying to tempt him? He wondered, as his attention went directly to her pouty lips.

 “Bucky, are you listening to me?” she huffed, crossing her arms over her breasts.

 “Yes, I’m listening.” He cleared his throat, before answering. “When I was younger I’d masturbate.”  His throat tightened around the words, as he watched Harper’s cheeks brighten in a crimson haze. “N-not that I’m asking anything.”

                 Great, she probably thinks I’m a pervert now. He thought, redirecting his eyes to the ground. Harper breathed a sigh, she could at least help set him up to do that. Her fingers pulling out the personal laptop from her bag. How would he handle porn? She wondered dropping the bag to her side. They had porn magazines back then, she was almost certain of it. Harper cleared her throat, as she waited for her computer to start up.

 “So, porn it is,” She breathed, knowing he needed the reassurance. “I have the perfect website for that, it has almost anything anyone would want.” A sparkle touched her eyes, as embarrassing at it is, she’ll be sharing something very personal with him. “There’s only one condition.”

 “What’s that?” Bucky’s eyes danced to her own.

 “You can’t tell anyone, this has to be our little secret.”

                 Harper redirected her sights to the laptop, typing in the URL of her favorite site to visit. Tony often asked her about her sexuality, since he’d never seen her admire anyone -whether they be male or female.  To which she’d calmly -and mostly respectfully- told him it was none of his business who she spent her nights with. The question of whether or not she had sex toys and watched porn was an added questioned, which she ignored giving him an annoyed look. Only Black Widow knew that she indeed had a few sex toys, being that they had gone on multiple occasions to buy them together.

 “No one knows?”

 “Nope, each Avenger and I have a series of secrets we keep.” She smiled brightly, placing the electronic device onto his lap. “This one will be ours. Now just click any of the links that interest you, there will be a list of videos you can watch by pressing the play button.”

                 Harper stood to leave the room, there was no need for her to stay with him. That is until his large fingers tugged at her wrist, embarrassment evident on his face. The dark-haired woman glanced to her companion, only then realizing what her error was. He was from the forties, during World War II, he wouldn’t know how to work a laptop. If she had actual video’s she would gladly lend them to him, but she didn’t, and he still wouldn’t be able to work the technology.

 “W-would you like me to stay, so if you need any help with the video I’ll be here?”

 He nodded, equally as embarrassed to ask her for this favor, as she was for offering it. Harper smiled briefly, picking up her bag and taking her iPod from it. She’ll listen to music while he…. and if he needed any help all he’d have to do was call her attention. This too would have to be a secret between the two, but that went without say. She sat beside him, her fingers already taking the screen from him.

 “Ok,” a slow sigh left her, keeping her nerves down. “What do you like?” She paused, “Or a better way of asking that is, what is it that you look forward to doing?”

 “I can’t finish, unless the woman I’m with orgasms first.”

                 A smile touched Harper’s fingers as she used her mouse to scroll down to the link that clearly stated Orgasm. All the while she explained exactly what she was doing, for when he’d be able to do this himself. Bucky watched, her features as she spoke to him. Her brows crinkled a bit, as the look of concentration too her features, a look he was well acquainted with from working with her. Already he could feel his pants pressing painfully against his member. It was sweet that she wanted to help him with this, but in reality, all he needed to do was think of her walking down the hallway. His fingers tightened into a fist, before going flat onto his legs.

 “Here’s a list of videos’, see this arrow like button?” Harper questioned, as she pointed to what she was talking. “Just press that when you’re ready. If you find something you really like, you can press the button labeled ‘Add to Favorites,’ it’ll add it to my list, and will stay there for later watching until I make you your own account.”

                 Once again, he nodded as a reply as she passed him the laptop. Bucky watched as she stood, pulling at the bottom of her dress to straighten it, before she crawled back onto his bed. Her head resting a foot away from his side, eyes closed with her earbuds pulsing music in her ears. Curiosity took over after two or three songs passed by, urging her to see what he had chosen. Harper opened her left eye partially, glancing up to the computer screen. He was still where she left him. Her fingers turned off the music, as she sat back up.

 “Is everything ok?” the words seemed to snap him out of his daze.

 “Um… I was curious what was on your favorites list.” He breathed, his darkened stare touching her face.

 “I like an assortment of things,” she blushed, moving the mouse to her favorites list. “I usually watch lesbians, it makes solo work easier,” she clarified, due to the look he sent her. “I like the toys, close-ups, BDSM, anal, and a few others.” She rolled her lip between her teeth, as she scrolled down the extensive list. “I’m sure I find something you’d like.”

                 She ignored the heated stare on her, as she finally found the video she was looking for. To be honest, she was sharing something far too intimate with him, and if she were keeping with honesty, she liked having him know this about her. Harper half smiled, picking up the computer, and walking over to the 32” screen TV on top of his dresser. Her fingers attached the needed cables, so that they could watch the video together, on a larger screen.

 “Where’s your remote?” she asked, avoiding looking him in the eyes.

                 Bucky cleared his throat, starting to feel himself pressing uncomfortably against his pants. “On the night stand.”

                 Harper breathed shallowly, turning the volume loud enough that they could hear, but too low for anyone one outside to. Bucky shifted, so that he was facing the TV, and she flopped onto her stomach beside him. She didn’t intend on partaking in the fun, but she thought watching the video was preferable than laying there awkwardly. Spacebar, and the video started. Both swallowed hard, avoiding looking at anything that wasn’t the TV, in respect of the others privacy. Harper pulled at her lip with her teeth, the low throbbing of arousal touching her lower half. Her thighs rubbed together, desperate for friction, prompting a quiet gasp.

                 Bucky glanced down, feeling the slight movement, his engorged member nestled in his large fingers. He breathed shakily, taking his free hand and sliding it along her curvy leg, and continuing up her skirt. A deep moan left her lips, before she sat up sending him a heated glance. The two women on the screen moaned, when a third person entered their room, now was only background noise, as Harper and Bucky locked eyes.

 “S-sorry,” he breathed, voice shaking when his fingers slid to the base of his penis. “You looked like you needed the touch.”

                 Without another word, Harper straddled one of his thighs, kissing his lips hungrily. Her fingers threaded into the hairs at the base of his neck, as his one hand pulled her closer to his body and the other tugged at her skirts zipper. Their lip moving together in a sloppy needy kiss, fueling their desires farther. Harper’s sinful hips ground against Bucky’s legs leaving a dampened area where her heat touched. Her body hot and needy, fueled the rapid pace her fingers tugged at the buttons of her blouse. Bucky pulled her skirt from her waist, dragging the fabric down to her thighs, as his body pushed her onto the bed and lying heavily on her.

                 A quite moan of approval left her lips, tossing her shirt to the side of the room, along with her skirt. His fingers probed her body, dragging the tips down the pulse of her neck, past the lacy bra she was dressed in and stopping at the matching panties. Their lips parted long enough for Bucky to replace them onto her neck, his fingers dancing along the pantie line before dipping under.

 “Don’t tease.” Harper quietly cried, threading her fingers into his sleep pants. “Please.”

 “I would never dream of it doll,” he breathed, wanting more than anything to sink himself deep inside of her. “You’re not a-“

 “No, but it’s been a while.” She breathed, their hips grinding against his.

                 Bucky nodded, understanding the message, as he pulled the soaking cloth down her legs. No teasing, but go slow, or at least as slow as possible. Her fingers pushed the soft fabric down his hips, revealing his entire phallus, instead of what fit through his sleep pants buttons. Harper moaned, feeling the palm of his hand pressed her heated entrance. He pressed anxiously against her, as his fingers pressed into her wet cavern. An excited yip left Harper’s lips, as she ground against the two digits. Bucky wasn’t expecting a virgin, Harper was too tempting for that to be a factor, but her pink flesh stretched too deliciously around his fingers for her to have enjoyed anything sexual attention in the past year or so.

 “Fuck,” he cursed, twisting and curling his fingers into her. “You’re perfect.”

 “B-Bucky now, please.” She moaned, starting to feel her orgasm building.

                 The Winter Soldier shook his head, his fingers continued scissoring inside of her, as his thumb dipped into her pressing against her clitoris. By the way her legs quivered, and her fingers dug into the silver bed sheets, he could tell she was nearing her orgasm quickly. Harper’s body arched, exposing her long neck and partially hiding her facial features. That wouldn’t do, Bucky got off, on both the face and the tightening of the vaginal walls, one without the other could ruin a potentially exhilarating release. With his free hand, he traced the curve of her breast, before pressing her body back to the cushion.  Shock danced through her features for the briefest of moments, her body not expecting the rough touch, but before too long, her body convulsed into ripples.

 “James, fuck.” She whimpered, once her orgasm subsided.

                 Hearing his name quickened his movements, placing his hips between her legs. Though the sensitivity of over stimulation pulsed uncomfortably, she was more than happy to feel his hard member pressing against her opening. She needed him. Harper bucked her hips towards his, begging him to enter her, a request he soon granted. Bucky hissed, feeling her walls widen to accommodate his girth, the feeling an overwhelming pleasure. His eyes dance over Harper’s features. Her beautiful eyes shut tightly in pleasure, her mouth opened in what seemed to be a permanent O shape, and her fingers white from holding the sheets so tightly.

 “Look at me,” he groaned, finally filling her completely.

                 Harper’s eyes shot open, locking onto his wintery blue ones. Neither daring to move just yet, both clinging to what little control they still had. Bucky smiled, taking the time to lean down, and tenderly kiss her. Before everything, every action and thought, was consumed with lust, now he paused to allow passion. His lips slowly moved against hers, his teeth lightly nibbling her bottom lip, begging for entrance. Harper hummed, as she freely gave him access to what he asked for. He mapped the inside of her mouth carefully, making sure to commit every smooth fleshy surface and crease to memory, before beckoning her tongue into join in the fun. The Winder Soldier worked his magic, his fingers dancing up her sides and resting just under the curve of her breast. He worshiped her body, touching, tasting, biting, and licking every inch he contacted.

 “Bucky,” she moaned at his ministration. “Please.”

                 He snapped back into the world, hearing her weak voice begging him to move his hips. It took a moment, but he answered her prayers, choosing to set a slow pace at first. Moan after moan danced from Harper’s lips, feeling his large length moving inside of her walls at such an agonizingly slow pace. Her fingers danced up his strong arms, only to rest on his shoulder blades, as she bucked her hips against his.

 “Faster,” she whimpered, as her teeth sunk into her lip.

“Anything for you doll,” he purred, with a mischievous smile.

                 Harper gasped, as Bucky speed picked up, hitting the perfect angle. Their hips meeting roughly, before drawing farther apart, drove them mad with passion. Harper sliding her lips down his throat, muffling the pants that dance from her, as he slammed into harder. Her fingers lacing into his hair, drawing their hungry lips together, sweat dancing down their bodies.

 “Sh-shit,” Bucky hummed, feeling the coils tightening in his being. “This will be shorter than I thought.”

                 He groaned, feeling her walls tighten around his member, signaling she too was very near insanity. As a last-ditch effort, Bucky pulled her knees over his shoulders and jutted his hips harder into her. She had to finish before him, or the pending release wouldn’t be anywhere near as enjoyable. Harper gasped loudly, before her legs wrapped tightly around his waist quivering uncontrollably. Her eyes fogged, as she convulsed against him. That was exactly what he wanted, what he needed before he too road out his own orgasm. Only when they were calm again, did Bucky roll from her, drawing the warm -soiled- blankets over their bodies.

 “Thanks for the help,” he purred into her hairline.

 “Anything for you,” she yawned. “Good Night, Bucky.”

 “Night, my lovely harp.”

[crossedbeams]

Animosity - Trinity Ch. 8

Genre: Casefile | Fandom: The X-Files x The Fall x Sreetcar | Rating: Mature | Setting: Circa 2012. Canon compliant | Chapters: 1/6 of Part 2

Trinity Part I

Chapter 1 - Perfume || Chapter 2 - Impression || Chapter 3 - Connection Chapter 4 - Delusion || Chapter 5-  Confrontation || Chapter 6 - Post Mortem

Trinity Part I

Prologue - Purgatory

Trinity: Part II Chapter I - Animosity

72 hours earlier

There is no cordial greeting or tussle for dominance when Scully and Stella reunite at the airport, no apology by either party for boundaries overstepped or trust betrayed. Stella offers only the bare bones of the latest murder, a brusque report of her phone conversation with the officer on the scene and the headlines from happenings at Riverview Psychiatric. Scully responds with her findings from the morgue, conveyed with such matter-of-fact concision that her findings become not only a breakthrough but a rebuke. Stella accepts the stack of notes offered, wordlessly acknowledging that Dana Scully has done what the task force could not. She has advanced the case with real, scientific data and become the opposite of the paranormal decoy they intended her to be.

But it is too soon for a truce and Stella is not yet willing to offer even a hint of an apology. Instead, she offers the only concession she is willing to surrender: her car keys. It is a tiny gesture, dropped wordlessly into Scully’s hands. The silent journey that follows is broken only by the rustle of neat, detailed autopsy notes transferring information from the observations of one woman into the theories of the other.  

They arrive at the station in a lightning storm of flashbulbs, the media scenting a serial case and waiting for something, anything, to shout about. There’s an anticipatory hush as they park and step out and then a murmur of disappointment. At least for now they are unknowns, nameless women in plain clothes, passing unseen in a setting where the important announcements are made by men with big badges and bigger guns. Stella smirks a little as this small act of everyday sexism shields them from the flurry of questions that buffets the essentially irrelevant uniforms who swing in seconds later. These officers accompany an unmarked vehicle, and an unfortunately loud police scanner reveals to the waiting press the arrival of a witness. The flashbulbs explode again, reflecting jaggedly on the tinted windows that hide Blanche. A uniformed officer approaches to open the door and Scully presses forward, instinctively knowing that exposing the fragile woman to this circus is a terrible idea.

But even as she processes the thought and begins to move, Stella is there, exerting her steely authority over the harried officers.

‘You. Take her to the back entrance. Now. And you two hold the press here. We have no comment at this time. Understood?’

Instinctively obeying her, the driver is on the move before Stella has finished speaking, whilst the two uniforms prevent the press from following. In the bustle, one man sneaks past, but Scully grabs his sleeve, distracting him for long enough that he misses Blanche’s removal into the building. By the time the pack of journalists work out what is happening, Scully is inside with Stella on her heels, the back of their heads caught only by the photographer closest to the door before they are safely inside the lobby. As the door seals shut, a gale of shouts starts up, demanding to know who they are, who was in the car, and whether or not New Orleans has a serial killer on its streets. Scully and Stella retreat into the depths of the building, putting fire doors and linoleum between them and all the questions that they don’t yet have an official answer to.

They halt at the double doors of the incident room, adrenaline spent and harsh reality awaiting. Another victim, another life lost, and maybe this time they could have stopped it. Scully feels again the ache of Mulder’s absence, the niggling feeling that with his belief, his instincts, he might somehow have ended things differently with Blanche the night before. Perhaps he might still have been with her when the incident began, and they they might somehow have saved the victim. At the least, they might have known more about exactly what Blanche had gone through before her screaming drew the doctors to her room. Scully knows it’s improbable but she’s seen more improbable things happen than most. Stella's doubts are more readily quashed, the emotional sting of perceived failure firmly subdued by the irrefutable fact that professionally she is beyond reproach. Every lead was followed, every avenue explored and there is no way to know if a different act at any point would have changed anything. Second guessing has no place in a police investigation and so, as the door swings away from her, Stella writes off the uneasy feeling in her belly as sleep deprivation or maybe hunger.

‘Gibson! Finally! It’s about time you got here! Do you have any idea how fucking impossible it is to explain a psychic witness to the Deputy Director of the FBI when the woman with all the facts is off on some girls’ trip out to the morgue?’

Special Agent Kyle Stanning’s bullish tone is matched by the set of his jaw and the tense angle of his shoulders. Striding across the busy incident room to collect them, his indignation cuts a path through file-shuffling rookies and morning-weary agents. He doesn’t look back to check they are following, pausing only to snatch a coffee from the breakfast spread before positioning himself at the head of the long table tucked in the back corner of the room and indicating they join him. As they arrange themselves side-by-side in the next seats down, Agent Stanning makes a show of reordering his notes and Scully feels a wave of irritation wash over her usually stoic companion. Before she can begin to work out why, the table fills, the chatter fades and Stella is once again the picture of composure.

‘Good morning everyone,’ Stanning begins before countering his own introduction with a bitter half-smile. ‘Actually, you know, it’s not been a very good morning. It’s been goddamn disastrous really. We have another body, another seemingly useless crime scene and to top it off, the press have caught on that something big is going down. All of which means our status has shifted. Yesterday, all we really needed was to catch the bastard. Today we need to catch him, catch him fast and look so good doing it that the headlines read “Heroic FBI Stops Sadistic Murderer in Record Time.” Anyone who doesn’t understand that can leave right now and I’ll have you reassigned to fertiliser checks. It’s that simple. Anyone want out?’

He pauses for effect. ‘Increased scrutiny also means that everything, and I mean everything, goes by the book. No hunch following, wisecracking to witnesses or mad tangents. Speaking of which --’ His eyes flicker to Stella. ‘We need to discuss the elephant in the room, or rather the witness in Room 2. Miss Blanche Dubois. Details concerning her presence here, her status within the investigation and her... theoretical “affliction” must - not - leave - this - room. If they do, you’ll all have me to answer to.’

An obedient murmur follows Stanning’s warning and people awkwardly shuffle and avoid eye contact. Stanning himself does not scan the room and instead fixes his eyes firmly on the side of Gibson’s head as she underlines something in her notebook, composed and cool. A hush settles back across the assembled taskforce, but he doesn’t shift his gaze and Stella does not return his attention. The silence stretches awkwardly, and the wall of suits seems to lean in as it becomes pointed, focussed on the seemingly one-sided stand-off at the head of the table.

For a moment, Scully is reminded of the way Mulder would scrutinise her as she read his reports, waiting for her to react, his eyes boring a questioning hole in the side of her head as if he could convince her to validate his mad theory by just looking at her hard enough. But the parallel is shattered when a frustrated Stanning admits defeat and speaks again, his bright tone not disguising the disapproval of his words.

‘Those of us who were here on time for the emergency briefing should be up to speed with last night’s happenings, so I’m going to skip over that. No point wasting time when DSI Gibson has some… important findings… which kept her away yesterday and this morning, to share with the room. If you’d be so kind Stella…’ His voice trails to a questioning drawl and one corner of his mouth curves in challenge.

‘Thank you, Kyle,’ Stella’s tone is as light as his was laden with meaning and she sits back in her chair resting her hands lightly in the stack of notes before her. Ever so subtly she rotates the chair towards Scully and the rest of the gathered agents, refocusing their attention squarely on herself and effectively dismissing Agent Stanning’s dramatic introduction as nothing more than the opening act for the true professional. Turning further she presents Stanning with the blank silk of her back and gestures at Scully with a warm smile.

‘For those of you who haven’t already met her, I’m very pleased to introduce Dr. Dana Scully who has been assisting me since her arrival yesterday morning. Dr. Scully was formerly with the bureau and has already been a tremendous asset to the investigation; her brief forensic inspection at the morgue, during which she identified concealed needle marks common to all the existing victims, has given us a much-needed focus in determining a murder weapon.’ An impressed ripple rushes round the table and for the first time since arriving at the station in Stella’s wake, Scully feels like part of a team rather than the poor, paranormal relation. The feeling doesn’t last long.

‘Yes. Very interesting findings, though I can’t find any record of Ms. Scully being signed into the morgue or issued with clearance to conduct-’ Stanning’s accusation is harshly curtailed by the impatient flick of Stella’s slim hand and the slightly raised crystal of her voice.

‘Doctor Scully was there under my orders and with the appropriate permissions issued by Dr. Quinn, the chief medical examiner. If the paperwork has yet to be filed, perhaps that might be to do with your demand that her entire staff put in overtime to process your latest crime scene as a matter of urgency. Either way - we have a lead. You’ll have your paperwork.’

Scully is not sure what surprises her more, Stella lying to cover for her or Stanning’s openly antagonistic interruption. He is now leaning as far forward in his chair as is possible without physically climbing on the table, an attempt to insinuate himself back into Stella’s orbit and reclaim control of them head of the table. Having failed to do either, he opens his mouth, presumably with a new plan of attack on the tip of his tongue, only to once again be brought up short by Stella’s unhurried, deliberate speech.

‘I can tell that Special Agent Stanning is dying to cross-examine me and Dr. Scully about our visit to Riverview Psychiatric yesterday and our observations there of Miss Dubois, the witness. I feel, however, that processing the influx of new evidence should probably take priority, so I’ll keep this brief; listening to Stanning and me negotiate our way through inter-agency bureaucracy is probably not the best use of everybody’s talents.’ A chuckle follows Stella’s pointed statement and stops short of Stanning who bristles behind her as she continues. ‘All that really needs to be said at this stage is that we are convinced Miss Dubois is in some way linked to the killer. We don’t yet know how exactly or what it might mean, but further investigation and an extended interview will surely reveal more useful information. I’ve prepared a brief round-up of the key points thus far, and Hannah has a copy for each of you to read at your convenience after we’re done here.’ She gestures at a slight brunette tucked unobtrusively in the corner who waves awkwardly at the sudden attention. ‘Now, unless anyone has any burning questions or Agent Stanning has any objections...’ She pauses barely long enough for her antagonistic colleague to draw breath, let alone gather his thoughts, and immediately continues, ‘...then we’re done here and I’ll see you all at this afternoon’s catch-up.’

Sweeping her notes under one arm as the noise level begins to rise, Stella turns to Scully and says, ‘Grab some breakfast and I’ll meet you in fifteen to prep for the interview. And Kyle?’ She doesn’t even make eye contact as she begins to walk away, raising her voice just loud enough to ring clearly across the noise of people returning to their work. ‘Why don't you come to my office and I'll get you caught up as quickly as I can - I agree that we don't want to waste any more time.’ There’s a momentary dip of disbelief in the hubbub as Agent Stanning sits frozen, and then a scramble to get out of his way as he rapidly reassembles his macho facade and storms after the petite, retreating figure of Stella Gibson.

As the door to the corner office slams loudly, Scully sits slightly staggered in the vacuum left behind them, wondering what in the hell she has walked into and whether, based on Stanning’s rising colour, she’ll soon be needing her expertise on the phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion. She’s halfway to the breakfast cart when the shouting starts.

‘Goddamnit Stella! We don’t have to like each other but do you have to make me look incompetent in front of my juniors as well as the Assistant Director?’

Kyle Stanning is six foot two of offended male ego and Stella is not in the mood for it.  She debates saying as much, but knows if he doesn’t vent his head of steam now there will be an uglier explosion in the near future, so she crosses her hands in front of her, leans on the edge of the desk and tries not to yawn. She’s so very, very tired.

‘You insist on bringing this outside doctor in to handle your weirdo witness. I sign it off, against my better judgement may I add, and then before I know it, the two of you are off together, progressing the case and I’m suddenly out of the loop? What happened to that partnership we toasted your first night in the city huh? Where was that Stella Gibson when I was getting my ass handed to me by AD Gilmore for not knowing what the fuck was happening in my own investigation? And since when do you decide what we do and don’t discuss at briefings? Are you really that offended by what I said that night to need to question everything I do? You know how these places work Stella! Reputation! And mine was doing pretty well for itself until you turned up and started throwing doubt at my ability to do my job. I thought working with you was gonna be a laugh. God was I an idiot.’ His bluster spent, voice lowering to a frustrated buzz he flops back in his chair and folds his arms.

She might be almost five thousand miles from Scotland Yard but it seems to Stella that the frailty of the male ego is a universal constant. She weighs her options and her energy and decides that this time correcting his outlandish conclusions is not the priority. Stella has an interview to conduct and for that reason, this time, Stanning earns a reprieve.

‘Kyle, if you’re quite finished with the dramatics then I can catch you up on this loop you seem so concerned with being out of. I called you from the car yesterday. You knew as much as I did at the point of last night’s alert, Dr. Scully and I weren’t scheduled to meet until this morning, until the circumstances changed. That’s all there is to it. That and a murderer’s crappy timing.

You and I agreed before I even landed that we’d keep investigating this in our own ways, share our intel and stay in touch and that’s all I’m trying to do. Things like last night catch us all off guard! It wouldn’t have mattered how much you knew, the AD was going to react badly to another victim. Besides, I’m sure if you really felt under pressure, you’d have made it clear the gap in communication was my fault…?’ Stella pauses and Stanning has the decency to look embarrassed, confirming her suspicion that he has already thrown her under the bus to save his own ass. She manages not to roll her eyes at his predictability before continuing in a tone neutral enough to placate even the most inflamed ego… or the most frustrated one.

‘As for your team? I’m pretty sure none of them had any idea there was tension between us until your little display this morning. Honestly I wasn’t aware of it either. We’re adults and I thought the issue was closed. If, however, you can’t handle the non-drama of our deciding not to sleep together after a couple of drinks, then I think we do have a problem. Knowing that something so insignificant can shake things so dramatically, I’d put the chances of us solving this case successfully at approximately zero. And I don’t think you want that. So shall we put all of that,’ Stella waves a hand in his general direction, unable or unwilling to verbalise what exactly about him she finds fault with, ‘firmly in the past where it belongs? Surely we can at least agree on that?’

Stanning looks ready to argue but is smart enough to recognise in the set of Stella’s shoulders and the measured cool of her voice that she has offered him an olive branch. She’s so far maintained a neutral expression but her eyes are steel-solid and unforgiving, telling Stanning that if he argues, Stella is not above rescinding her offer and making things increasingly uncomfortable for him. Outmanoeuvred, he nods curtly.

‘Fine. I guess I was a little… stressed… this morning,’ Stella fights to keep her disbelieving eyebrow under control, ‘But can you blame me? Last night was a helluva night and you walked in so cool and collected…well it threw me.’ Stella wonders why men always find the ability of women to function after a setback so hard to process; the lack of tears or hysteria that they expect from their own sex seems to unsettle them when it manifests in their female colleagues. Stanning seems to expect a response to this concession, maybe a pat on the head for his begrudging acceptance his second chance, and when he doesn’t get one he stumbles on. ‘So, what exactly did the good doctor find that we missed?’

Stella flips open her folder and starts to go through the photographs and notes that Scully handed over, equally thankful for Stanning’s instinct for self-preservation and her new consultant’s meticulous record keeping. The catch-up is mercifully brief, affording Stanning few opportunities to put his foot any further in his mouth, and Stella escapes without the facade of politeness she has pasted over her gathering irritation cracking. When she emerges, the incident room is mercifully quiet and for a few blissful minutes she is able to sit at a desk and marshall her thoughts.

Something about Blanche Dubois is niggling at her. Something that doesn’t add up… doesn’t fit. These dreams she’s having must be coming from somewhere, dreams always do. Stella’s own dream diary is a complex web of connections made and scenarios unravelled in ways that her waking mind cannot fully comprehend. If that was all Blanche was claiming then a few sessions with a psychologist would likely unlock whatever buried experience was causing her to dream their case. It should be that simple.

It would be, except for the fact dreams are never regular and they don’t arrive on schedule. The human mind is suggestible; it can be influenced by drugs, by conditions, such attempts endlessly studied and quantified, but it can't be programmed to dream to order. And yet it seemed, somehow, impossibly, Blanche Dubois is doing precisely that, receiving transmissions, across town, on a murderer’s wavelength. As if synchronised like clockwork to their crimes, Blanche views the macabre scene in her mind while the real action goes on elsewhere.

Despite herself Stella shivers. There must be an explanation, a logical one, one that will suddenly stumble into the light of their investigation. They just need to find it.

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[lindyhunt]

The Ultimate Guide to the Internet of Things (IoT)

Raise your hand if you’ve heard of the Internet of Things (IoT).

I’m guessing most of you have your hand up.

Now, keep your hand raised if you understand how the Internet of Things (IoT) actually works. 

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably scanning your brain trying to recall information from an article you read about smart homes two or three years ago … and your arm is probably getting tired. I get it. I'd lower mine, too.

The Internet of Things (IoT) was so elusive to me that I found myself thinking, I know the Internet of Things (IoT) is “here,” but what exactly is it? And how is it impacting my life?

Let’s dive into what IoT is, how it will change the future, and how you can put it to use for your business.  

Feel free to jump to a specific section or email this to yourself for later:

Your Apple Watch? That’s part of IoT. Google Home? Yup, that’s an IoT device too. Heck, the entire city of Barcelona is made up of IoT devices. Over the last few years, IoT has quietly taken the world by storm, and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In fact, by 2020 there will be 31 billion devices connected to the Internet of Things. To put things into perspective, that’s more than three IoT devices for every person on earth.

IoT Devices

So we have a general idea of what IoT devices are — you’re currently using one to read this article. But phones and computers only make up a small part of IoT. IoT devices include anything that can connect to the internet to send and receive data. And it turns out that almost anything can be connected this way.

There are IoT coffee machines that send out alerts when you’re running low on coffee. IoT connected beds monitor your sleep and adjust the temperature to optimize your sleep patterns. More practical applications of IoT include connected cars that can drive and update themselves and Amazon’s dash buttons that allow customers to reorder everyday products like Tide Pods or razor blades at the touch of a button. The Dash Replenishment Service takes this one step further by allowing the products to automatically reorder themselves when a sensor records that supplies are running low. When extending a market is as easy as slapping a button onto something, it’s not hard to see how companies will start to adopt this new level of connectivity.

Department stores like Macy’s are using in-store iBeacons to send customers targeted rewards and experiences like celebrity meet and greets on Black Friday. Beacons are small, Bluetooth transmitters that connect with corresponding apps installed on connected devices like iPhones or iPads. iBeacon technology allows businesses to have multi-channel communications with their customers — to reach them where they are. It also enables companies to connect with a mass audience. Before iBeacons, individual sales associates would have to tell each customer about a promotion, leaving room for error. With iBeacons, anyone who enters a store with that store’s app can receive an alert.

Let’s say you own a small business, can you still benefit from the Internet of Things? (Spoiler alert: Yes, you totally can). Actually, you may already be benefiting from it. If you use Square to accept payments, you’re using an IoT device. Since 2014, the popular credit card processing company has been connecting and sharing its data via the internet — making it easy for small businesses to receive payments.

According to Forbes, only 18% of small businesses and 13% of mid-sized companies considered IoT a priority in 2015. However, many SMBs are already reaping the benefits of the technology.

Quansett Nurseries, in Westport, Massachusetts, grows microgreens to sell to restaurants year round. Because all of the greens require different microclimates, the nursery set up sensors throughout the greenhouse so farmers could remotely control factors like humidity, temperature, and hydration. The system also automatically adjusts the climate if it senses that one of the elements is off. IoT enables Quansett Nurseries to deliver the best produce possible all year long and reduce waste.

IoT Platforms

The connected devices themselves are only half of the IoT equation though. For these connected devices to even exist, they first need to be created. And to create an IoT device, you need an IoT platform.

IoT platforms allow developers to manage the applications they build as well as store, share, and analyze data. Think about the iOS and Android platforms. Both the iOS and Android platforms allow developers to create apps faster and for less money by providing the underlying technology to solve a specific problem or need. For example, the basic technology behind optimizing connected HVAC systems to lower heating costs is the same regardless of whether a developer is using it for a small apartment or a 50-story office building. However, unlike smartphone apps, developers can choose from hundreds of IoT platforms. Amazon, Google, and IBM are a few of the major platform providers, but countless others offer different solutions for specific needs. 

IoT Applications By Industry 

All of these IoT devices and platforms around us accomplish a diverse range of tasks that go way beyond just reordering coffee capsules. According to Forbes, 84% of the growing IoT applications will be dominated by a few main industries: Smart Cities (26%), Industrial IoT (24%), Connected Health (20%), and Smart Homes (14%). What does that mean? Let’s find out.

Home and Security

This first category hits close to home … because it’s about your home. A few years ago, 83 million smart home devices shipped to consumers. By 2020, that number will swell to 193 million new devices per year. While seemingly every area of IoT is rapidly expanding, IoT devices within our homes are some of the most noticeable. A world where your house can talk to you and make decisions? Yeah, that’s already a thing. Connected devices currently inside homes include the usual suspects like lights you can control with your smartphone, as well as more advanced options like smart refrigerators that allow you to reorder food from built-in interfaces.

Amazon’s Alexa is currently one of the most popular and well-known smart home devices, with over 10 million new devices shipped in 2017 alone. Alexa can perform a wide variety of tasks like calling an Uber, reading you a recipe, and of course, ordering items instantly from Amazon. Affordable smart devices like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomePod help make IoT technology accessible to a broad audience and allow more people to become comfortable with bringing IoT into their personal spaces.  

From a home security standpoint, homeowners can install IoT connected doorbells that broadcast live video to their phone when someone approaches the door or smart locks that can be pre-programmed to allow access during certain hours of the day. Say goodbye to ding-dong ditch.

Once again, Amazon is leading the way with their Amazon Key service. Using a compatible smart lock and Amazon’s cloud cam, couriers can scan the barcode on their package to unlock the door and drop it off inside your home. When the door opens, the camera starts recording and then sends a video confirming the delivery to the homeowner. It may sound creepy, but consumers have found this technology to be so useful that Amazon has already rolled it out in 37 cities.

Smart security features aren’t just good for consumers; they’re beneficial to businesses, too. By placing your products directly inside the safety of consumers’ cars or homes, businesses can avoid uncomfortable customer service calls about stolen or damaged packages, and customers get their packages on-time. It’s a win-win.

Energy

Okay, we briefly touched on how smart energy appliances can impact your home. Smart lights, like the Philips Hue bulb, and smart thermostats allow users to remotely control their heating, cooling, and lighting. And while these might seem like just cool, tech gadgets, they can have a significant impact on both homes and businesses.

IoT connected lights can help homeowners save on energy costs by automatically shutting lights off when no one is home. Smart thermostats work similarly by automatically adjusting the temperature to reduce heating and cooling costs.

Consider this: When you walk into your home, you automatically flip on the lights, adjust the temperature, and go about your business. Now, what happens when you go away for the weekend? I’m sure you occasionally forget to adjust your energy settings. So what? Your energy bill may go up a little that month, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Right?

Now imagine that same scenario taking place in a multi-story office building. The energy cost doesn’t seem so nominal anymore, does it? Smart energy appliances can automatically combat unnecessary energy usage to help increase savings.

And the benefits don’t stop there. IoT devices can collect energy data at a granular level, making it easy for home and business owners to identify issues and plan for the future.

    IoT Healthcare

Outside of the home, IoT is beginning to revolutionize the healthcare and health monitoring industries. Hospitals are already able to remotely monitor their patients’ health and collect data using connected medical devices like insulin pumps and heart monitors. This allows doctors to catch early signs of problems and take preventive action.

Within hospitals themselves, connected devices help staff more efficiently manage resources and space. In some cases, that can literally save a life. Sensors on hospital beds that tell when and where beds are open reduce wait times by up to four hours. And monitoring on critical equipment prevents vital hardware from breaking when it is needed most.

Outside of the ER, connected activity trackers like Fitbits enable athletes of all kinds to track their performance and progress. If you’re like me and consider walking the quarter of a mile from your car to the office an athletic activity, you can track and log all of those precious steps. (Ed note: I also walk from my couch to the refrigerator.)

In all seriousness, connected fitness trackers are so helpful even insurance companies are encouraging their customers to wear one. Aetna recently starting giving their employees Apple Watches to keep track of their health and fitness goals, but soon they may be handing them out to all their eligible customers. Why? They hope the watch will encourage users to lead healthier lives, which means fewer insurance claims.

Urban Planning

Imagine a world where there’s always Wi-Fi, city trash cans never overflow, and parking spots are readily available. With the Internet of Things, that world can be a reality. The technology is increasingly influencing urban planning and design to make cities smarter — or wicked smart as we like to say in Boston. The adoption of IoT by smart cities is also increasingly important for a larger portion of the population. Every week, 1.3 million people move into cities. This type of mass migration can put a massive strain on a city’s infrastructure.

By building up information and communication technology, or ICT infrastructure, and sharing data through IoT connected devices, cities can alleviate some of the issues that come with all that growth. In smart cities, sensors embedded in roadways that detect traffic volumes and adjust street lights accordingly reduce commute times. Once you arrive at the office, other sensors send the location of all nearby available parking spaces directly to your GPS.

Smart cities are pristine because smart garbage cans and dumpsters automatically compact the trash or send alerts to waste management officials to be emptied. The structural integrity of bridges, tunnels, and buildings can be monitored in real time to avoid catastrophes.

All this technology is closer than you think. London, New York, Philadelphia, and Kansas City are just a few of the many cities who have appointed Chief Technology Officers to pursue smart city technology. San Diego is already installing 3,200 roadway sensors and may add an additional 3,000 to help manage traffic and parking. Connected trashcans are present in numerous cities including Boston and Pasadena. We may still be waiting for flying cars, but free Wifi in Seoul, Tel Aviv, and Helsinki is a pretty cool perk while we wait.

Transportation

Smart roads. Smart parking. Sounds good, right? Now imagine driving on those smart roads and parking in those smart spots in a new smart car. In two years, experts project 250 million smart cars will be on the roads. 10 million of those cars will drive themselves. And that’s only the start.

Remember those little electronic speed boats you played with as a kid? Imagine if those were life-size and filled with millions of dollars in consumer goods and commodities. Rolls-Royce is currently working on remote-controlled drone ships operated from a central hub. They predict the first fully autonomous ship will set sail by 2020.

And who can forget Amazon’s infamous drone delivery service? Amazon’s Prime Air promises to deliver small packages in 30 minutes or less via autonomous aerial vehicles. With the Internet of Things, the drone can use connected sensors to track potential hazards both on the ground and in flight. While this delivery method has only been tested on a small scale in England, it has the potential to reach millions of consumers — allowing users to safely ship and receive products.

    Now you may be thinking, this all sounds cool, but is it really necessary? Smart transportation doesn’t just include self-driving cars and drones, sensors inside airplanes can alert maintenance crews of any issues, GPS apps can help safely navigate you to your destination, and IoT car sharing programs allow you to access a vehicle when you need one. IoT is revolutionizing the way humans and physical goods get from point A to B.

Manufacturing

If smart transportation is revolutionizing the way goods get to customers, smart manufacturing is revolutionizing how those goods are produced and tracked. Industrial IoT, or IIoT, while not as attention-grabbing as smart lights and cars, is one of the most successful applications of IoT.

According to a TATA Consultancy Survey and Business Insider, “Manufacturers utilizing IoT solutions in 2014 saw an average 28.5% increase in revenues between 2013 and 2014.”

That’s pretty substantial growth.

IIoT allows business to quickly and precisely track their merchandise. According to Forbes, “New RFID and GPS sensors can track products ‘from floor to store.’” Retailers can now collect data on how long a package was in transit, the condition it arrived in, and even the temperature it was stored at — making it easier for companies to deliver their products on-time and in perfect condition.

And not only can smart manufacturing track shipments, but it can also track inventory. All of the data it collects makes it easier to forecast manufacturing trends — no more missed deadlines, no more missing packages.

    How the Internet of Things (IoT) is Changing Business

For Customers

So far, the future is looking pretty exciting thanks to the Internet of Things. Cities are cleaner and more efficient, you’re saving money on your electric bill, and you never run out of household essentials. But what does this all mean for business owners? We’ll get to that in a minute, but first, let’s talk about what the adoption of IoT means for customers.

The greatest thing IoT will change for consumers is their experience with customer service representatives. Companies, instead of customers, will start initiating customer service interactions, and these exchanges will often begin before a problem has even occurred. Essentially, customer service will switch from a reactive to a preventative model.

For example, sensors in Michelin truck tires allow the company to monitor the wear and tear of the tire tread and air pressure and alert transportation companies to change their tires before a dangerous blowout occurs.

When customers do get in touch with companies to solve a problem, IoT will also allow customer service representatives to enter the interaction with a trove of information. Instead of describing your problem, you’ll be able to skip right to solving it thanks to the information sent to the manufacturer from your connected device. With this data, customer service will be ready to quickly identify the source of the problem and walk you through a solution or ship out a replacement.

IoT’s impact on customer service extends far beyond just simple problem-solving. For example, Diageo used IoT whiskey bottles to allow people to send personalized messages to their dads on Father’s Day.

In 2013, Disney launched one of the most impressive IoT use cases with their MyMagicPlus Program. With this program, the park now provides a connected MagicBand bracelet to every guest. Once guests enter the park, their connected bracelet lets Disney guide them towards attractions with shorter lines, find them if they need help, unlock their hotel room, and make purchases. With access to more data, there are even more possibilities for enhancing the MagicBands. Disney characters could use data from the bands to greet guests by name, guests who get stuck in long lines could automatically be given food and drink vouchers, and photos taken by connected cameras could be sent to guests every day. In a world where IoT is increasingly integrated into consumer experiences, this level of service will become the new normal.

This doesn’t need to be intimidating. SMBs can start experimenting with low-cost, low-risk Internet of Things implementation to determine the best use of the technology for their business. IoT can be as simple as attaching an external sensor to a package to track its shipment or setting aside a small portion of funds to invest in experiments with IoT. Dedicate a small, separate team to exploring new types of innovation. By keeping this team separate from day-to-day operations, they will be able to focus on using IoT to solve big-picture problems instead of day-to-day ones. Companies that use IoT to reduce friction in their customer experience will see the greatest benefits as adoption grows.

For Business Operations and Supply Chain

Internally, connected devices within companies will improve operational efficiency by allowing management to identify unprofitable or unproductive processes and remove or enhance them. By converting the physical world into digital data, IoT allows every step to be measured and managed. In the short term, this may result in staff reductions within less productive areas or staff increases to support the implementation of IoT into the business.

Once IoT is integrated into a business's day-to-day process, it can become a powerful enabler for monitoring and improving operations. Manual data collection is slow and inefficient, but connected devices allow information to be continuously gathered and analyzed which enables employees to focus on more strategic, impactful tasks. In one example, Shimane Fujitsu, a leading manufacturer of notebooks and tablets, used IoT tracking technology to reduce lead times by 20% and reduce shipping costs by 30%. This optimization freed up their employees to work on new projects.

Opportunity for Alternative Business Models

Widespread adoption of the Internet of Things will also create entirely new fields of opportunity for savvy companies. John Rossman, a former Amazon executive, discusses several options in his book The Amazon Way on IoT. Based on what he observed, we think there are three major options for small- to medium-size businesses to adjust their current business model with IoT. These include building a platform business, switching to an outcome-based model, or using data as your business.

Some, but not all, businesses will be able to create their own platforms using IoT. Although this option is not right for every company, organizations with widespread reach and the infrastructure to support an IoT platform can spin off their investment into an entirely new business. Amazon’s Alexa platform is one of the strongest examples of this approach with over 15,000 third-party skills already available.

With new IoT-collected data, some businesses may want to switch to an outcome-based model. For example, Progressive introduced Progressive Snapshot, a program that uses a detachable sensor connected to clients’ vehicles to track their driving and adjust their insurance rate accordingly. Customers are increasingly becoming used to paying for results instead of a flat rate for a product or service, and it’s not hard to see why. For Progressive customers, the company’s experiment with IoT has generated over $600 million in insurance discounts.

Every implementation of IoT produces volumes of information and, just like user data from social networks, IoT collected data is already creating new markets for sellers and buyers. Companies who can successfully manage customer data from their IoT devices can sell that information to other marketers and research organizations. According to Rossman, 10% of organizations will soon have entire departments dedicated to selling and trading IoT collected user data. And that’s got some people concerned...

IoT Security

Okay, now we’ve discovered the true hidden gem of the Internet of Things: data. Just imagine what marketers and businesses could do with all this new data.

But while IoT is extremely useful, it doesn’t come without baggage. Data security in the age of IoT is more crucial than ever. While the mountain of consumer data is useful for businesses and governments looking to help their customers and citizens, it’s also useful for malicious groups seeking to disrupt the system. In 2015, hackers used an unprecedented cyber attack to shut down the power grid in Western Ukraine, which left over 230,000 people without power or heat. As more infrastructure and consumer goods become connected to the internet, they also become vulnerable to these kinds of cyber attacks.

According to a report from the FTC, fewer than 10,000 smart homes can produce over 150,000,000 data points … in a single day. Those points represent more opportunities for hackers to enter a system and steal customer information. In the wake of disastrous incidents like the Equifax breach in 2017, companies have scrambled to maintain consumer confidence by adding additional protections and security measures. However, the rapid pace of IoT evolution and implementation makes it hard to keep up.

Currently, no foolproof solution exists for securing IoT devices. Government regulators are still catching up to the technology, which means some IoT products are not entirely secured. For now, that means companies and consumers need to make security a priority of their own. For consumers, the benefits of more secure IoT devices are fairly obvious, but businesses that prioritize IoT security will likely benefit in the long term by avoiding damaging lawsuits and public relations disasters. As a first step, the Department of Justice recommends that IoT devices implement secure password practices and that users keep their devices’ firmware updated to help protect against cyber attacks.

Conclusion

With the promise of 31 billion connected devices by 2020, it’s safe to say that the Internet of Things has arrived, and it’s here to stay. And with the rise of IoT, comes an onslaught of data. Connected communities will have the luxury of total convenience and personalization, as well as access to massive amounts of data. This data will allow businesses and consumers to proactively engage instead of react.

While this data will have a significant impact on marketing as we know it, it will also require unprecedented amounts of security. Without the proper protection in place, individuals or entire infrastructures could be at risk.

IoT and the data it collects will change life as we know it, but the technology alone will not help businesses. Companies that hope to flourish must use IoT to up-level the customer experience, increase operational effectiveness, and improve how they grow their businesses.