#industrie-texter

[contentcafe]

Industrie-Texter

Als spezialisierte Industrie-Texterin erstelle ich präzise und zielgerichtete Inhalte, die dein Angebot klar hervorheben und deine Zielgruppe überzeugen. Ob Website-Texte, Broschüren oder Social Media – ich finde die richtigen Worte für deine Branche.

[earthyaries]

Astrology Observations pt. 19

🕷️ Mutable moons need solitude / alone time. These people are introverts

🕷️ Capricorn ascendents w a Gemini 6H are great employees, but it’s nearly impossible for them to stay at one job for longer than a few years (or even less 👀)

🕷️ Everyone I know w a weak Mars placement or Mars in detriment have low spice tolerances & those who have a prominent Mars placement or an exalted Mars love spicy foods

🕷️ Fixed Mercuries run the music industry

🕷️ I swear Taurus placements are always late to everything lmao

🕷️ If you have Mercury square/conjunct/opposite Neptune in your chart, you need to be vocal & clear to others about what’s on your mind. Prone to misunderstanding- it’s in your best interest to get a second opinion, & be direct but civil when you feel wronged (bc there’s a high chance it’s not as bad as you’re thinking lol)

🕷️ Oppositely, ppl w their Mercury trine/sextile Neptune are so good at putting themselves in others’ shoes & seeing things from different perspectives. Excellent mediators !!

🕷️Capricorn placements: stop taking care of ppl financially just bc you care about them. Send a nice text or something 😭 (yea this is a self callout)

🕷️I could be biased but imo no one plays the victim like someone w Cancer or Libra placements

🕷️Libra & Cancer placements do be bad. tho. Literal ass & titties of the zodiac

🕷️Name me one fire sun woman that isn’t LGBTQ+ (impossible edition)

🕷️You’d think that ppl w 3H Mercuries would be good texters, but the ones I know either 1) forget to text back 2) stay on DND, or 3) prefer to call or FaceTime

🕷️ Aquarius Venus ppl are so fun to talk to, they’re all straight up clowns

🕷️ Someone w a 2H Chiron will literally go flat broke before they ask anyone for financial help. Their self esteem is strongly attached to their finances & material possessions so to be caught lacking in that area would be their worst nightmare

🕷️ As someone w Cardinal placements, Cardinal placements are so dramatic lmfao

🕷️ The Sagittarius Neptune generation (1970-1984) & all their escapist tendencies ☠️ whether it be drinking, dr*gs, traveling, gambling, working 24/7, or watching lots of TV..

🕷️ The Aquarius Neptune generation (1998-2011) & their internet activism :/ great in theory! But needs improvement. “Cancel culture” turned cyber-bullying, online desensitization, & “influencers” are some of the results from this generation. They might feel like an activist for posting on their story, but it will take more than that to create serious change

[floralcrematorium]

FACE ask: how would the rest of the family respond to each member going to ER?

i got this one the last time i requested for people to send in asks and it immediately made me laugh because?? it felt so random. i'm not shaming you at all, anon, but it was such a tone shift from the fluffy asks i'd been answering that night

i'm not sure whether to answer this or not in the context of humanverse or nationverse so we'll just go based on... vibes?

If I have to rank them from most concerning to least concerning...

Arthur (Least likely to go to the ER due to the fact he downplays his injuries and hardly ever visits the normal doctor)

Matthew (Is not someone who gets hurt. If he gets hurt so severely he needs to go to the ER, it's going to be bad)

Alfred (Has had the most ER visits which is why he's towards the bottom of how concerning it is to hear he's at the ER, but he's not at the bottom because the manner in which he injured himself this time will always be concerning)

Francis (I can't really elaborate on why he's the least concerning, I just think that if he's in the ER, he actually does need the medical attention)

More details below the cut

Francis

I'll be honest, Arthur was probably with him when whatever happened happened. Francis makes a show of the whole thing, even if he really is in serious pain.

"Arthurrrr fetch the nurse! I'm going to die."

"You are not going to die! The doctor said you probably fractured your ankle."

"These could be my last moments and you waste them like this?"

Anyway Francis having an ER visit is a rare occasion, he doesn't get hurt often, so it may raise a little alarm for the NA bros. Matt's asking Arthur for updates and Arthur is such a blunt texter that his responses raise concern regarding Francis' state of being

Alfred

This man is in thousands of dollars of debt to the American healthcare industry (I say half jokingly but also through gritted teeth).

I fear the rest of the family's reaction is "concerned AND disappointed... but not surprised." He's broken so many bones doing stupid shenanigans.

He's the type to only visit the ER in absolute emergency situations. Said emergency situations are typically the result of him saying "no, it'll be fine!" and it getting worse due to a lack of medical care.

He is most likely to take a selfie in the "I lived, bitch" image.

Matthew

Matthew's generally pretty careful and cautious. He's not fragile, but he's not one to take unnecessary risks. So out of everyone, he has the lowest chance of getting so severely hurt it requires an ER visit.

I think him getting hurt raises a lot of alarm bells. Not that there's favoritism, but Francis and Arthur are more panicked when they hear that something's happened to Matthew because he hardly ever puts himself in harms way... whatever happened must have been bad. Alfred's worried, too, but not nearly to the same degree as FrUK.

Arthur

Arguably the most concerning due to the fact that he does not seek medical care. It's not that he doesn't believe in doctors, it's just that he downplays any injury or illness until it's severe. He's genuinely like The Father Who Never Goes To The Doctor.

Francis would call their boys about the situation and it might trigger some alarms seeing as how Arthur doesn't like to make a big deal regarding his health.

TLDR: I don't think there's a lack of concern if any of them need serious medical intervention, but there are different levels of concern for different family members due to being prone to Shenanigans or lack thereof

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

Aita for going out for lunch without a friend?

Everyone here is 20F.

So my friend, who we'll call Sarah, recently got out of an abusive relationship. It was really bad. He was hyper controlling of her and really restricted her social circle. Since the relationship ended, she's been trying to get back out there.

I've been out with her as much as I possibly could have this summer. I work a lot but I've been making an effort to see her because I know she's been shut up away from people and I want to help her get her groove back.

We have another close friend (Issy) who hasn't seen her as much, but Issy regularly works 13 hour shifts and sometimes that is what it is when you're working in the service industry. Issy is also a really bad texter. She's not malicious she's just very forgetful.

Last week I ran into Issy by chance in town and we decided to go out for lunch. It was a spur of the moment decision. I wasn't thinking about Sarah tbh and we went out just Issy and me. While we were out, Issy's BeReal went off and she took a picture with the two of us and our lunch (I don't have BeReal but I don't mind being in other people's).

I didnt think about the situation again until I saw Sarah two days later. She was very upset that we had gone out without her and felt very abandoned. She was so upset that she'd dyed a strip of her hair green in the moment, which really concerned me because that's a very intense reaction to a lunch. I explained the situation but I don't think she believes me (?) She's acting like I conspired to leave her out and I truly didn't, I just ran into someone I know and went for lunch. I understand she's been through a lot though, and maybe I should have been more sensitive to that and told her we were going out? I feel really awful about it, but Issy says she's overreacting and we didn't do anything wrong.

What are these acronyms?

[reputationshqs]

it's time for our first meme monday, y'all! for our first meme monday we have decided on a "who, what, when, where" theme! it's a way for everyone to get a little more in depth with their celebrities and for others to get to know them, as well. we do want to stress that participation is not mandatory, it's totally up to you. we ask that if you are participating please reblog this post on each character. we're allowing three days to send questions so you can send them till wednesday 8/14. you will have the whole week to answer them till that friday 8/16. we understand ask limit is a thing but please make sure to try to send memes to everyone who reblogs it. we want everyone to feel included!

𝐖𝐇𝐎

⭐ — who is your current celebrity crush? 📱 — who is the last person you texted and what did the text say? 😠 — who in the industry do you dislike the most? 🤩 — who is the person you would love to get a chance to work with? 💕 — who is your biggest role model? ❓ — who do you go to for advice?

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓

💎 — what is one item you can never leave the house without? 💪 — what is your long term goal for this year? 🍎 — what is the last thing you ate? ❌ — what would you if all your exes were in a room? 📖 — what would the title of your autobiography be? 🎒 — what would you say to your ten year old self, if given the chance?

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍

💋 — when did you have your first kiss? 😭 — when did you last cry? 📸 — when did you first realize you were famous? 💖 — when is the last time you were genuinely happy? 🎮 — when have you felt the most challenged? 💀 — when was the last time you were jealous and why?

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄

🏠 — where do you feel the most at home? 🪟 — where did you get the idea to go into your chosen profession? ✈️ — where is your favorite travel destination? ✨ — where do you go to be alone? 🗝️ — where do you see yourself in the next ten years? 🐣 — where did you grow up? how do you feel about it?

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓

❄️ — summer or winter? ☕ — coffee or tea? 🐦 — early bird or night owl? 💫 — night in or night out? 🍭 — sweet or salty? 🥛 — glass half empty or half full? 🍿 — binge a show or one episode a week? 🍍 — pineapple on pizza... yes or no? 💬 — serial texter or voice notes? ⚡ — be invisible or read minds?

[jojoturnip]

Everyone, pls reach out to 210-899-8332 or your local scam texter/caller and (with kindness, they are real ppl to) let them know what they're doing to human beings.

I genuinely think we can stop the scam industry by making them look inside themselves and reflect.

[invitationtoher]

You're in my Way, Cage. | Chapter 2: Kitana

Masterlist

Summery: Kitana Edenia, smart, beautiful, and stressed. With dreams of becoming a doctor due to her sister, Mileena, having a major case of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Throughout her entire school life she's been focused on her goal of getting into the very same college that her mother and father went to and fell in love at, Mortal Kampus University (MKU), an ivy league school where the only people are intelligent as they are talented. Kitana vows to make her mother proud with no distractions, at least that was the plan until she met an obnoxious dirty blonde in her English Class.

Jonathan Carlton? No, he's Johnny Cage! Hollywood's next big star! He may not act as smart as he actually is, but he shines when it comes to entertainment, if it's on the screen or behind the scenes Johnny can do it all, thanks to the Carlton family being in the film industry for generations. Thanks to his parents money and his acting and martial arts talents (as well as writing), he got a scholarship to MKU's theater department! He knows MKU will be a good time, it's his chance to make his own name. When he sees a pretty girl in his English class whose walls seem unbreakable, he vows to break down those walls and see the real her by showing her a film.

                Keeping your head down in college is much easier than keeping it down in high school, it seemed like most of my classmates had the same idea. Yet, it was only the first day, anything could happen, just like how those planners to help students stay on top of their work will disappear next week.

            I was grateful that our professors seemed to be rather chill today, yet again, it was only the first day. We learned a little bit about the history of computers, mainly that ENIAC was the first electronic computer, and that the Colossus was the first programmable computer, I’m no tech nerd but so far it makes sense to me. Chemistry was about the first chemists, since it was a lecture instead of the LAB, Microbiology about LAB safety by watching a cheesy 80’s video (I have a gut feeling I’d have to rewatch it in my chem LAB tomorrow), the day was long but still not over.

            I was lucky that the academic resources building was right next to the technology building, my whole schedule today was pretty much walking a huge square, and I’d most likely do the same thing tomorrow as well. I was the first person to arrive in the lecture room, my professor greeted me and made a playful quip about how early I was that I must be excited to learn English. I gave him a pitiful laugh to entertain him, his friendly expression turning into a prideful one that I laughed at his lame joke.

            I sat down in the second row before the last on one of the edge seats, I always preferred to sit closer to the back during my dual enrollment classes I took, it kept me out of the sight of people and usually by the end of the second week the people that sit in the back eventually move to were ever their friends were sitting. No one ever sat next to anyone either, which means I have enough space to scatter my planner, my laptop, and notes that I took on my iPad. It also meant that I was free from unwanted socialization.

            I pulled out my phone from my bag to check in on Mileena when I noticed the time, 12:15. I felt heat rising to my cheeks in embarrassment after realizing that I was 30 minutes early to my class, I bit my bottom lip, tasting that same strawberry lip gloss I just reapplied after Micro-bio ended.

How’s your day been? ┃

            I sat there and waited for the three dots in the bubble to appear, it didn’t take long for Mileena to text back, it never does. She was a fast texter, always replying as fast as she could with her thumbs going fast enough to leave a trail of fire behind them.

┃Good, boring, how’s urs been?

  Just great. ┃

I arrived at my English class half an hour early. ┃

And my teacher thinks he’s a comedian. ┃

┃Oh u poor thing 😢

┃I’ll make you some cookies for ur troubles

            I rolled my eyes at her words; I could practically hear the sarcasm spewing through the screen.

            Mileena’s day seemed… uneventful. We talk about our classes and what we’ve done so far to kill time, she already decided that her world history class would be her “fucking around” class since she so happens to be an expert on it all (doubtful, since they’re starting with a government unit.), as she so gracefully puts it.

            She’s always been good at history, she’s definitely one the biggest history buff I know; she says that the class is like reading a whole book on the world and the mysteries of what happened before us, that the history textbooks we were forced to carry around were just a book filled with short stories that happened so we could learn from our mistakes and triumphs.

┃Have u talked to anyone?

┃U know dad’s gonna ask when he calls tonight

┃He wants u to get out there and meet people this year

┃And so do I…

┃I’m tired of them asking when I’m gonna meet a guy 😭

┃And have brats 🤢

┃As if I go outside at all even on a good day

            I pressed my lips in a thin line, the once fun mood turned into a serious one as those three dots bounced on my screen message after message with her horrendous texting grammar.

┃Look

┃I’m gonna bffr Sis

┃Ur pretty and smart

┃Just like me 🤭

┃U listen too much to mom

┃U work too hard

┃Have fun this year

┃Meet a guy (or girl if ur into that😉)

┃It’s time for some romance in ur boring dull life

            I looked up as I heard the door open and a stampede of shoes walk into the classroom to try and get a seat away from people, the professor smiling and welcoming them all to the class and to sit anywhere they pleased, but the class just studied the seats, trying to figure out where to sit and who to sit by. The grilled chicken wrap churned in my stomach at the feeling of all the eyes of my peers on me.

            I looked back down at my phone, reading the text choppy strings of text again. She was right, I know she was right. But I’m not going to just push all my hard work aside just for someone who I’m not even sure I’ll end up with. My thumbs dance across the screen in a rush to respond- something to show her that I’ll take it into consideration but it’s not definite- as the class is about to start.

I’ll try.┃

            As I put my phone away, I heard a chair scrap against the floor of the classroom, a chair that sounded way too close to me for my comfort. I glance beside me to see a bulky man leaning back against the chair, he had Ray-Ban sunglasses that prevented me from seeing his eye color, his head was tilted back and supported by his large hands that were interlaced behind his head and into his dirty blonde locks that were styled, his elbows pointed up and his large muscles on his biceps slightly covering his face. His blue button up shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, the fabric of the shirt that was held closed by the buttons stretching across his broad chest. His legs spread out in a man spread, his knee barely grazes my thigh.

            My face turned pale at the slight contact, I quickly pulled my leg away and turned my head. I hear a small chuckle from beside me, from him. I bit my bottom lip and hesitantly turned my head to face him again, his hand pulled down his sunglasses to the bridge of his nose, his sparkling brown eyes staring at me. His lips formed a smirk as he gave me a flirty wink just like the kind a jock would give a cheerleader in a Hallmark movie my mother plays for the cats when she leaves the house.

            I scoffed and rolled my eyes before looking in front of me, great, looks like I got stuck next to a guy that can only think with his dick. I’ve encountered a few people like that today, but I was watching from a distance. Looks like it’s my turn to have an interaction with one of the most insufferable types of people that could be on a college campus.

            I know it’s not exactly nice to assume that about my seat neighbor, but what happened to “Hi, how are you?”, “My name is blank, what’s yours?“, or any sort of chivalry. I could hear him grumble quietly, disappointed that I didn’t give him the reaction he wanted.

            As I looked around the room, I noticed that everyone was sitting side-by-side, but there was enough room for another chair in the middle between each group of two.

            “I like the buddy group system.” He says, answering all our silent questions, “I was always a shy kid in school, never wanting to get up and ask for anyone to be my partner for a project. Think of it as useful for when you guys do your peer reviews and projects. If you have an issue with your buddy after the first essay, then you can talk to me about switching, fair?”

            The class all mindlessly nodded. Great, now I’m stuck with him until our first essay. I sigh and rest my face in the palm of my hand, my neighbor letting out a small hum in amusement. ‘The buddy peer review system’ was always a pain in my ass in high school. I usually just asked if I could have my sister at home review it, most of my teachers said sure, but others said no. Which is understandable, they wanted me to get out of my comfort zone

            “Now, we’re going to do an activity to get to know your partner, that way you guys get to know each other. Maybe you’ll find things you guys have in common, maybe you’ll end up as friends. Don’t be shy.”

            He explained, as he placed a paper in front of each student. My shoulders slump, I glanced slightly at my “peer review buddy” to see him smiling playfully, his sunglasses off and his eyes glancing at me as well. As soon as our eyes met, I looked away quickly, he let out another small chuckle.

            “Keep staring, princess, looks like you’re not going to get rid of me that easily.”

            I try not to roll my eyes and look up at the clock, silently praying that whatever is out there will have mercy on me and speed up the clock, I don’t think I can last the semester without strangling this guy.

© invitationtoher 2024

[drchenquill]

OC Questionnaire~

Thanks @illarian-rambling for the tag!!!

My questions are:

Do you have a favorite cryptid?

How do you cheer people up?

Are you a healthy eater?

Answering with Sophie and Azul from "The Memories of The Future"

• Do you have a favorite cryptid?

Sophie: "Bigfoot! I mean, it's huge and fluffy! I bet it gives amazing hugs! And technically speaking are the chances of bigfoot existing pretty high, considering the fact that it's a big ape-like creature! And, I actually saw it once! So, eat that, non-believers!"

Azul: "Cryptids don't exist. If they did, I wouldn't need to transform into bigfoot, just to keep the magic of it all alive, and to make Sophie stop pouting because she wants to see it."

• How do you cheer people up?

Sophie: "I try to understand the situation that they are in and then try to list all the positive aspects about it. And then give them a hug most probably."

Azul: "I- I have no idea. Everytime Sophie get's upset, I panic. Nobody cheered me up, ever. I don't know how that works."

• Are you a healthy eater?

Sophie: "Of course I am. I'm still sixteen and need to keep myself healthy so that I can grow into a strong wo- " Azul, from the other room: "She's lying! She eats so much junk food, the industry has trouble keeping up with the production."

Azul: "Have you seen me? Have you seen how hot I am? I have to be a healthy eater."

~~~ Your questions are: 1. Are you a loner or a leader? 2. Imagine this: You need to sacrifice someone you hold dear for the greater good, who would you sacrifice and why? 3. Are you a texter or a caller?

Tagging, with no pressure, @juggling-plasticplates , @excessive-vampires , @minamaybe , @just-emis-blog and open tag~

[kasururigoth]

kasuka headcanons

- love language is gift giving and he’s the absolute best at it.

- has a collection of a very niche topic (cats probably? idk I just see him gathering little cat-related trinkets. or a cat character, like garfield)

- immaculate taste when it comes to literature and cinema. absolute no knowledge on music tho. this boy probably only listens to white noise (and his girlfriend’s music.)

- brings dokusonmaru everywhere with him. can’t leave him alone at home, no one knows what that cat could be planning.

- he’d have more cats if he could, but sadly his schedule doesn’t allow him of. also dokusonmaru is friendly but he has severe only child syndrome (spoiled)

- it takes him at least five business days to process an emotion. sometimes more if there’s high demand.

- he started modeling while he was still in high school, but surprisingly no one gave him shit for that because “that’s shizuo’s little brother and you really shouldn’t mess with him.”

- has absolute no sense of fear.

(*kasuka when his brother tries to throw a whole fridge at him, some yakuza threaten him to cut his pinky off, a guy points at him with a knife, or a serial killer lands in front of his car* “another tuesday…”)

- remembers the paparazzis faces and refers to them with their names, which freaks them out all the time.

- he’s great and unbeatable at card games. (demian do you mean poker-type of card games or yugi-oh-type of card games? yknow what. both.)

- great but odd sense of fashion. could be wearing a vintage trench coat from the thrift store that was previously owned by an old, dead person. along with an overpriced yves saint laurent belt. a dollar-store plain shirt. a pair of pants that were a hand-me-down from shizuo from ages ago. and some expensive designer sunglasses.

- he believes in the lost art of love letters, but at very mundane occasions. he leaves notes to ruri around the house if he’s not going to be there. but not normal notes nonono. they’re 1900’s-esque purple prose with the most devastatingly romantic lines.

- oh, but he’s also the world’s most driest texter. he absolutely sucks at it and cannot reply in any ways that’s not monosyllables only.

- has very weird social media presence. mostly pr team has to take care of his accounts. his fans do enjoy more when it’s him posting, since no one knows what the hell do his posts even mean.

(kasuka posts a funny picture of a cat looking oddly into the camara, his manager tells him “delete that, yuuhei. it’s unprofessional.” the picture already has hundreds of thousands of retweets. it’s too late)

- sometimes he tries to come up with something funny during interviews so lighten up the air, as a lot of celebrities do. but due to his flat affect, no one can tell if he’s dead serious or just joking.

- he’s very much a loner. he doesn’t have any friends in the industry because of how unapproachable he seems like, neither did he have friends at school. but he doesn’t really mind. he comprehends that’s he’s hard to get along with, and why people don’t bother with him. so as long as he has his brother, his cat, and now ruri, by his side, he can be completely fine. also he has ton of fans around the world that love him exactly for the way he is.

- he appreciates every role that he plays as because his characters are the way he copes with what he’s missing. being an actor helps him deal with the emptiness of his being. he doesn’t do it for the fame, or for the money. he does it because, what else in the world could he do best? he learned to grow passionate about it.

[lilacmermaid25]

Ted Lasso Fanfic Challenge 2024 - November

November’s Challenge:  Communication!

The Rules: There are none, EXCEPT that your piece must deal with Communication in some way. Write about Sharon feeling proud when one of her patients finally opens up and makes a breakthrough in therapy, or two characters with very different opinions finding a way to converse respectfully. Consider a story where the main plot is spurred on by an unexpected text or phone call or email. Think about a story told entirely through letters and tweets and press releases; think about Roy's atrocious handwriting, or Deborah being really bad with technology. Imagine a worldwide outage that disrupts all telephone and electronic communications. Write about Roy being a huge texter but Keeley much preferring phone calls; write your take on The Unreturned Voicemail. Consider Rebecca and Ted after he returns to Kansas, finding an innovative way of keeping in touch. Think about carrier pigeons or coded messages or ESP; think about braille or sign language or body language. Imagine AFC Richmond finding a new way to communicate with the fans, a method that the traditional sports media does not understand and no other teams are using. Write an AU where the characters are journalists or politicians or in some other industry where communication is central to the job.

Any character, any setting, any premise - anything goes! I’m calling it November’s challenge, but there is absolutely no deadline. And no word limit either - make it a drabble or a one-shot, or the longest multi-chapter you’ve ever written. (I can’t claim to need new things to read these days, but I love multi-chapters all the same). It doesn’t even need to be fic - I’d be thrilled if any of these challenges inspired a gifset or some other form of fanart!

Want to participate but aren’t able to write something at the moment? That’s fine too! Just describe what you’d like to write about for this month’s challenge. I’m curious what ideas all of you have in your heads!

Please add your fic to the AO3 collection HERE, and tag it with Ted Lasso Fanfic Challenge anywhere else you post!

Feel free to check out any of my prompts if you’re looking for inspiration. My Masterpost here is very much a work-in-progress, but I hope to revamp it soon.

Bonus Challenge: Feel like setting an additional challenge for yourself? Send  me an Ask and I’ll give you a character or premise to write about!

Good luck!

Previous Challenges:

2022

2023

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

[cinnamoncosmetics]

TOP 10 BEST MAKEUP BRANDS

TOP 10 BEST  MAKEUP BRANDS ACCORDING TO THE  EXPERTS 

In the ever-evolving world of beauty ,certain brands consistently rise to the top and capture the heart of the consumer with their innovative products and commitments to quality. This article explores the top 10 beauty brands that are setting trends and redefining the  standards of beauty . From luxurious skincare lines to cutting edge makeup collection,these brands have not only garnered loyal followings but have also made significant impacts on the industry . join us as we delve into what makes these brands stand out and why they deserve  a place in your beauty routine .

BEST BRANDS ACCORDING TO EXPERTS 

CHANEL

DIOR

HAUS LABS 

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK 

RARE BEAUTY 

 SEPHORA

E.L.F COSMETICS

VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY

FENTY BEAUTY

KYLIE COSMETICS 

CHANEL

FORMULA AND TEXTER 

Les Beiges Foundation boasts an ultra light ,fluid texture that blends effortlessly into the skin.The formula is enriched with moisturizing ingredients and antioxidants,making it comfortable to wear throughout the day. It provides hydration without feeling greasy which is ideal for those with normal to dry skin type 

Pro - Lightweight and comfortable,Natural,Radiant finish,Buildable coverage,SPF 25 protection,Elegant packing 

Cons - Premium price point , May not provide enough coverage for those with  Significant blemishes or pigmentation 

DIOR

Pros - Silky,blendable texture,Rich pigmentation,Wide range of shades and finishes,Long lasting wear, Elegant packaging with mirror and applicator 

Cons -  Expensive price point that limits accessibility,Some products have a limited shade range and might not be suitable for all skin tones.

HAUS LABS

Pros - Hydrating Formula,Build Coverage,Wide Range Shade,Bendability ,Long Lasting,Skin Friendly,

Cons - Shade Matching,Price

MAYBELLINE

Maybelline Lash Sensational  Sky High Mascara  is praised for its ability to deliver significant length and volume with a lightweight feel. It's particularly  loved for its flexible brush that makes application easy and effective . While the waterproof version offers great staying power, it can be a bit challenging to remove

Pros - Lengthening Effect,Volume,Flexible Formula,Washable & Waterproof Options,Comfortable Wear,

Cons - Drying Time,Removal,Wand Design

RARE BEAUTY

Rare Beauty, created by Selena Gomez, has gained attention for its inclusive approach to beauty and skincare. The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes have been particularly popular.Reviews for Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes are mostly favorable because of their shade variety, blendability, and durability. They are ideal for people who value a lightweight, buildable formula and would rather have a natural color flush. Rare Beauty's blushes are definitely worth checking into if you like liquid blushes and want a product that comes in a range of shades to match different skin tones

Pros - Rich pigmentation,Easy to blend,Buildable,Long-lasting,Wide shade range

 Cons - Bulky packaging,Higher price point,Availability varies 

SEPHORA

Lipsticks from the Sephora Collection are usually well-liked because of their extensive color selection, reasonable price, and range of finishes. They are appealing to both casual consumers and makeup enthusiasts who want high-quality products without going over budget. There's probably a lipstick from Sephora that matches your preferences for a matte, satin, or creamy texture. Individual preferences can differ, just like with any cosmetic product, therefore it's always best to test formulations and hues in-store if at all possible, or read reviews for more detailed information.

Pros - Wide selection of beauty products,Premium brands available,Convenient locations,Rewards program Beauty Insider

 Cons - Can be expensive,Some products are exclusive,Customer service can vary

ELF COSMETICS

ELF primers are well-known for being reasonably priced and having a wide range of uses, which makes them perfect for beginners or anyone on a tight budget. Although the results may differ depending on the kind of skin and preferences of the individual, they efficiently smooth the face and prepare it for makeup application.

Pros - Affordable,Lightweight texture,Helps makeup last longer

Cons - May not work well for all skin types,Some users find the packaging basic

VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY

The eyeliner by Victoria Beckham Beauty is highly recognised for its long-lasting formula, flawless application, and opulent texture. It's perfect for people who are prepared to spend a premium on eyeliner and appreciate fine cosmetics. It may be more expensive, but consumers frequently find that the performance is worth it, making it a top choice for anyone searching for a stylish and dependable eyeliner.

Pros - Luxurious packaging and design,Creamy and smooth texture,Intense pigmentation,Long-lasting and smudge-proof,Versatile for different eye looks

Cons - Higher price point,Availability can be limited

FENTY BEAUTY

With the release of its Pro Filter Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Fenty Beauty—which Rihanna founded in 2017—has had a tremendous impact on the beauty market.In the beauty business, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filter Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is unique due to its performance and universality. It is a dependable choice for people looking for a foundation with a matte finish that lasts all day because it works well for a range of skin tones and types.

Pros - Extensive shade range,Long-lasting formula,Matte finish

Cons - Pricey,Can emphasize dry patches

KYLIE COSMETICS

Established by Kylie Jenner, Kylie Cosmetics has garnered recognition for its lip cosmetics, especially the lip kits that come with a coordinating liquid lipstick and lip liner.Kylie Cosmetics lip liners are a creamy, long-lasting, and highly pigmented composition that makes them a fantastic addition to any makeup collection. They are great as stand-alone lip colors or as the foundation for matching lipsticks because they come in a variety of tones and have a pleasant matte texture. Even though they require occasional sharpening, their overall quality and performance make them a good investment.

Pros - Creamy texture,Good pigmentation,Long-lasting wear

Cons - Limited shade range,Can be expensive

BEAUTY, SEPHORA, E.L.F COSMETICS, VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY, FENTY BEAUTY, and KYLIE COSMETICS, are leaders in innovation and creativity in the dynamic makeup industry. Whether it's the opulent textures and chic finishes of CHANEL and DIOR foundations, the striking and powerful hues of FENTY BEAUTY, or the reasonably priced yet potent products from E.L.F COSMETICS, every brand has something special to offer.

These companies provide a wide range of choices and solutions for beauty, from dazzling pigments and long-lasting formulas to faultless coverage. With each application, they enhance natural beauty and give people the confidence to express themselves via makeup. Whether you want bold eyes, a perfect complexion, or a statement lip, these companies featured in this blog, which include CHANEL, DIOR, HAUS LABS, MAYBELLINE NEW YORK, RARE .

INFORMATION BY : CINNAMONCOSMETICS

[tecxter]

Stay Ahead of the Curve: Top Emerging Software Technologies for 2024! How Texter Can Help You Harness Their Power

Introduction:

In the present quickly developing mechanical scene, remaining on the ball is fundamental for organizations and people. As we look forward to 2024, a few arising programming innovations are ready to upset different ventures. In this article, we will investigate these state-of-the-art advances and how Texter can help you saddle their ability to accomplish your objectives.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:

Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning have previously had a tremendous effect in different fields. In 2024, we hope to see significantly more noteworthy headway around there. Man-made intelligence-fuelled applications can robotize monotonous undertakings, upgrade dynamic cycles, and give important experiences. Texter has practical experience in creating man-made intelligence and ML arrangements modified to your particular prerequisites, engaging you to open up the maximum capacity of these advancements.

Blockchain Technology:

The decentralized and secure characteristics of blockchain have led to its increasing adoption. We predict a broader industry use of Blockchain in 2024, encompassing banking, supply chain management, healthcare, and other sectors. Texter provides blockchain development and consulting services, assisting companies in implementing blockchain technologies to improve transparency, expedite processes, and safeguard data integrity.

Extended Reality (XR):

Extended Reality (XR) is the result of the confluence of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). It is anticipated that XR will advance significantly in 2024 in sectors like gaming, healthcare, education, and training. By generating immersive and engaging experiences, Texter can help you fully use the potential of XR and connect with your audience in a way that has never been possible.

Internet of Things (IoT):

The way we live and work is still changing as a result of the Internet of Things. IoT makes it possible for common things to be connected to the internet, improving automation, data collecting, and analysis. We may anticipate much more IoT integration in industrial processes, healthcare systems, smart cities, and smart homes by 2024. To assist you in making use of the promise of IoT for increased productivity and efficiency, Texter provides IoT development and consulting services.

Edge Computing:

A decentralized computing infrastructure referred to as "edge computing" moves the storage and processing of data closer to the location wherein the data is generated. Edge computing is anticipated to resolve issues with latency, bandwidth, and security in the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence age by 2024. By using edge computing technologies, Texter can help you give your apps better security, lower latency, and quicker processing.

Quantum Computing:

Based on the ideas of quantum physics, quantum computing bears the promise of revolutionizing processing power and providing effective solutions to challenging issues. We anticipate notable developments in this sector in 2024. Texter continues to be at the forefront of research on quantum computing, providing advisory and development services to investigate opportunities and fully use the potential of this new technology.

Conclusion:

2024 has a plethora of fascinating opportunities in the realm of software technology. Businesses can obtain a competitive advantage and individuals can discover new prospects by adopting these modern technologies. As your guide on this revolutionary trip, Texter offers its experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, XR, Internet of Things I edge computing, and quantum computing. Keep up with the times and use Texter to better create the future of your company by utilizing the versatility of these cutting-edge software innovations.

[jhavelikes]

“When you have these very powerful engines that are, in a way, relentless, it somehow awakens a part of us that we didn’t know existed,” Madi said. The feeling is not totally unrelated to the psychedelic experience, which can create a fresh layer of powdered snow on the well-worn ski tracks that make up our typical thought patterns. Madi’s new book of poetry, Invasions, is a collection of his efforts to strike back by replying to robotexts with his own poetry. His next step is using that volume of data to train an artificial intelligence model to reply to spam texters using his own voice. “It’s the ultimate subversion. Now I’m using artificial intelligence to answer robots,” Madi said. “It feels like insanity, but there’s also something about it that makes me laugh, and that means there’s potential.”

What San Francisco's AI Industry Boom Means for Up-and-Coming Writers

[hazbinned]

Valentino opened his mouth, fully intent on using a mocking voice to repeat what Visage was saying... and then he remembered that she was right there, and would hear it, so he didn't.

It was a split-second save that could have cost him this whole thing.

"Oh!" he said, instead; a toothy smile spreading across his face. "Yeeaaahh... I remember you. Miss Dry Texter! You should try using more emojis, it was boring messaging you."

Valentino took careful note of the Hellhound's... interesting body language, and then started forward, waving her after him. He had to deliberately walk slower than he wanted, as not to totally ditch her in the hallway.

He was ten feet tall; it came with the territory.

"Are you freaked out?" Valentino asked after a while, not out of genuine concern, but just because he wanted to press her. He still had that same smirk on his face. "Here I was, thinking someone else in the industry would love this stuff. We're almost to the elevator, and still zero compliments!"

He took a detour to pose next to a rather sultry-looking poster of himself with Angel Dust, and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Eh? Eh? Pretty good, right?"

Angel could use some work, though. Maybe a different expression? Different position? He'd remember for next time.

With a sigh, the moth let his arm fall from beside the picture frame and reached into his pants pocket, feeling for something. When he found it, he offered it to Visage.

"... A mint for the guest?"

The hellhound Overlord stared blankly at the moth for several long wordless moments--this was the infamous Valentino? With the way so many across Hell spoke of him as though they were describing some sort of infernal bogeyman, she was expecting something a lot more ... not this. Crossing her arms over her chest, one of her brows slowly raised. "Visage...? I literally texted you I was coming less than twenty minutes ago." This had to be an act, right? Surely she was being messed with. There was simply no way. She had to assume she was being played, while still keeping a facade of unsuspecting acceptance of the 'show' he was putting on. The suggestion to take their conversation elsewhere made sense on the surface, but ... what if it was a ploy to get her someplace isolated before making his move? How stupid would she have to be to fall for so obvious a trap? Still--would it not be even more dangerous to refuse...? The only outward indication of this internal struggle was the slight flattening of her ears before they returned to a more normal position. "But, uh ... sure, lead on." Thankfully, though, the hellhound had had the foresight to not come completely unprepared. Sheathed at the small of her back, hidden beneath her jacket, was the custom-built handgun gifted to her by her 'benefactor' upon first rising to the status of Overlord--constructed of sleek dark purple metal embossed with the insignia of her Grimfang Cartel, an ethereal pale white glow emanated from somewhere within the barrel of the weapon ... the only indication of its capacity for inflicting a more permanent sort of damage. As much as she loathed the man currently in her company, she hoped against all hope that he wouldn't give her a reason to use it. At least ... not yet. Not this early in the game. She had to keep reminding herself that she was here for Angel Dust--nothing else mattered, in that moment.

[here2bbtstrash]

party on you (explicit)

genre: SMUT SMUT SMUT with an extremely small side of fluff lol

pairing: hoseok x reader

summary: the only thing stronger than your social anxiety is your big dumb crush on hoseok - and you're certainly not expecting it when he tells you the real reason he threw this album release party.

word count: 9.8k

contains: explicit sexual content aka PORN !!!! idol-verse, literally takes place at the JITB album release party, friends to lovers, erotic hand holding, they're both cute and dumb, a studio hookup 👀 dirty talk, thigh riding, cunnilingus, a single pussy slap lol, taint touching (?), HOBI EATS ASS, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, throat fucking, reader gets a facial, and a lil bit of cum eating, it's cute 😌

A/N: so, hi, i went to hobipalooza lmao. this is actually lowkey a songfic ??? charli xcx was one of the earlier acts on hobi's stage and. my god. seeing her live was a religious experience, and when she performed party 4 u i was like hnnnhghg this should be a fic. and now it is !!!! and i hope u enjoy 🥺🥺 i tried some new stuff in here, both soft and freaky lmao so i'm nervy to share!!! as always your support and feedback means the world to meeeee ok ilysomuch bye~

read on AO3 !

~*~

You collapse back against the cushions of your couch with a soft whine of distress.

The whole thing is really so ridiculous. You told yourself when this started that you could be chill about it. People get crushes every day. It doesn’t have to be a huge fucking deal. You’re a sane, rational adult, perfectly capable of admiring a man quietly from afar while doing your best to be a good friend to him.

And, yes, maybe also obsessing a little too much over what to wear when you hang out, and what to post on Instagram in case he might see it, and dear god, how long his hair is getting. All normal crush things.

But now, as you press your phone to your chest with both hands and sigh forlornly, you wonder if it might actually be possible to yearn yourself to death. To like somebody so much that your heart just fucking explodes. If anyone could be capable of inciting spontaneous combustion, it is absolutely Jung Hoseok.

And he wants you to come to his big fancy party– has specifically sent a day-of reminder text, like you didn’t already receive a formal invitation weeks ago.

You purse your lips, fighting to keep a smile off your face despite being alone in your apartment where no one can perceive you. Hoseok is always so good at keeping in touch, even when he’s in an insanely busy season of his life. You can picture him now, probably bustling around his place in a robe, getting ready while simultaneously sending everyone their own personalized message.

Everyone– when you last chatted about the party, he rattled off enough of the guest list for you to know that easily half the industry will be there tonight. And even Lizzo has gushed about how great of a texter he is. You try to ease yourself off the ledge with the comforting thought that this has to be just one courtesy text of dozens, his pretty painted thumbnails working overtime to send gratuitous emojis out to every idol in the city.

And somehow also to you. Because your big fat crush made you stupid enough to say yes to what is arguably your worst nightmare: A party full of cool famous people, where you will know no one except the guest of honor.

Skipping the party is not an option becomes your internal refrain as the hours tick by. You have to remind yourself of this even more emphatically when you wind up on the floor of your bedroom, having tried on every article of clothing in your closet and having decisively hated it all.

Skipping the party is not an option, you think again, grabbing your phone to check the clock. Your heart sinks when you realize how much time you’ve wasted being an anxious wreck��� you had planned to be ready to leave five minutes ago, not laying half-naked on the floor, hair and makeup still undone.

But skipping the party is not an option. A pre-party cry, however, might be on the table.

Pushing yourself up to sit on your heels, you force the tears back while you aimlessly sort through a pile of clothes. You’re barely looking at what’s in front of you, but you pause to do a double-take as your hand passes over a particularly enjoyable texture.

When you manage to extract the item, you realize it’s a dress you’d forgotten about entirely– something a friend made you buy a lifetime ago that you’ve never worn because you’ve always been uncomfortable with how short it is. But it’s smooth baby pink satin, and as different from your usual as it may be, you recall not being mad about the way it stuck to your curves like water.

Fuck it. You’re already late, and if there’s ever a party where you can take a fashion risk, it’s one thrown by Hoseok. You can only imagine what he might have on tonight; it honestly wouldn’t surprise you if he showed up in the same fucking dress.

The thought of seeing him is enough to make your heart leap in your chest, and you do your best to speed through your usual makeup and hair routine despite the way your hands are starting to tremble. By the time you grab your purse and make it out the door, you’re thirty minutes late. That thirty minutes quickly stretches into a full hour before you’re stepping off the elevator onto the 19th floor of HYBE headquarters, feeling like an asshole.

Gorgeous idols and various other famous people stream in around you, dressed in clothes that appear casual but you’re sure cost double your monthly rent payment, looking less than unbothered about showing up late. You do your best to slip in unnoticed and stick to the perimeter of the massive room, feeling like an absolute fraud.

Thankfully it’s only a few steps before you find a table taken up entirely by pre-filled flutes of champagne, and you eagerly grab one, mostly just grateful for something to do with your hands.

It occurs to you how little you know about celebrity culture, because the party doesn’t even seem to have started yet: early 2000s R&B is bumping through the speakers, and it feels like every few minutes the elevator chimes to let another group of people trickle into the space. You find an unoccupied section of wall to lean against as you sip your drink slowly, hoping that if you try hard enough, you might actually manage to become one with the wallpaper.

Tipping your head back for another sip of champagne, you nearly choke at an unexpected voice from over your shoulder.

“You look like you hate parties as much as I do.”

You manage to not inhale your drink, instead giving a polite smile as your eyes drift across the crowded room. You’re too nervous to immediately steal a glance at whoever is speaking to you, though you’re sure it just makes you seem rude. “Hate isn’t exactly it.” You have nothing against parties, or people who enjoy them. “I just… haven’t figured out what I’m supposed to be doing, exactly.”

“I think talking to people is generally expected,” the voice quips. “So, hey, you’re doing great already. Keep it up and they might even think you’re an extrovert.”

You exhale a soft laugh, a slight heat of embarrassment creeping up your neck.

“But Hobi said I didn’t have to meet and greet if I didn't want to. So I’m taking that as full permission to enjoy free alcohol and read webtoons on my phone.”

Your gaze snaps over at the familiar nickname, and your mouth goes dry as you realize you’ve been casually conversing with none other than Kim Seokjin, who is absentmindedly fiddling with the thin green strap of the bag slung over his shoulder.

Fuck. Embarrassing yourself in front of random famous people was exactly what you were trying to avoid when you picked this wall to lean against. You’d figured the other members would all be out mingling in the center of things, not hiding in a corner. Who knew celebrities were just like you?

“I-I’m sorry,” you stammer, immediately dropping your gaze to avoid making eye contact when Jin looks up. He probably assumed you’d sidled up next to him on purpose, like some kind of creepy fan. “I’ll leave you alone, I actually really didn’t mean to–”

You glance up again only to realize Jin is laughing, shoulders shaking slightly.

“Wow, I’m so bad at this. That wasn’t me telling you to fuck off. I was just trying to sympathize.” He gestures lazily towards the stage at the front of the room. “Thankfully it looks like you don’t have to suffer my conversation any longer.”

A Jack in the Box graphic has started to flash, projected onto the screen. After a few seconds, the image stills, and a spotlight clicks on, following Hoseok as he emerges from backstage. You lean forward to set your drink on the closest table so you can join in the applause for him.

Hoseok looks as effortlessly cool as he always does, but even more so tonight, like someone has cranked his charisma up to the max setting. A real fucking popstar, a rockstar, even: baggy clothes, multiple layers of necklaces, chunky black boots, dark hair pushed back with a few strands falling into his eyes. He somehow even manages to make wearing sunglasses indoors look cool– probably because they’re immediately offset by the wide, sweet grin of his mouth as he addresses the crowd. You can hear that he’s nervous by how hard he’s trying to keep his voice even, and it’s enough to make you feel the flutter of butterfly wings in your throat.

As you pick your drink back up for another sip, you can’t help but wonder if Jin can literally see the hearts in your eyes, or a nervous little teardrop floating above your head like an anime character. You do your best to hide your smile behind your glass.

“J-Hope is pretty cool, huh?”

You bite down on your bottom lip, answering Jin’s question with a shy nod.

Hoseok descends the stage as the lights lower, and then the album intro is starting and there’s no more time for conversation. You watch from across the room as he drops down on the large built-in stairs next to Jungkook, who immediately wraps a supportive arm around his waist while Hoseok laughs like he’s embarrassed. You’ve always been in total awe of the way Hoseok can light up and command the energy of a room easily, then squirm away from it at the next second.

Jin gets waved over and gives you a small nod as he departs, and then you’re alone again with the champagne in your hand and the wall against your back and Hoseok’s music thrumming through your nervous system.

The album is nothing like you expected– you didn’t know what to expect, really– and you absolutely love it. You’ve always felt like you have a stupidly limited vocabulary when it comes to talking about music, particularly around Hoseok, but even you can manage to string together the thought that these songs are fucking special.

But then again, so is he.

In what feels like the blink of an eye Hoseok is taking the stage again to giggle through his thanks, bent slightly at the waist in overwhelmed appreciation, and then the pop playlist is switched back on and the lights are dimmed and you suddenly feel your palms start to slick up against your champagne flute.

You can’t help but wonder what the fuck you’re supposed to do now.

The obvious choice would be to finally go talk to Hoseok, but of course, he’s the man of the hour, so every other person in the room seems to have the same idea. You choose to hang back and watch as he weaves through the growing crowd, putting on a bored expression to pose for pictures, laughing excitedly as people shake his hand and speak to him in hushed tones, and flashing thumbs ups and peace signs left, right and center.

It looks exhausting, you think to yourself with a small smile. And this is why you’re not famous.

For the second time tonight someone manages to sneak up on you, and this time it’s accompanied with a gentle call of your name. You nearly drop your drink as you whip around.

When you find yourself face-to-face with Park Jimin, it takes a few seconds for you to remember how to close your mouth. What is going on?

“I thought that was you.”

You double-blink, unable to find any words at all. You have never met this man before in your life. Seen him dozens of times on your TV screen, sure, but certainly never formally introduced.

“I’m Jimin,” he says, and you have to swallow the urge to giggle in his face because, yeah, no shit.

“Hi, Jimin.”

“Hoseok is going to be excited that you’re here.” Jimin scrunches his face up a little, like he knows he shouldn’t be telling you this. “He kept asking me if I thought you would show or not. He really wouldn’t shut up about it.”

You find yourself stammering again, trying to figure out how the hell to respond. Why, out of everyone on the guest list, would Hoseok be concerned about you? And he’s talked to Jimin about you enough for him to know who you are, that he can recognize you on sight alone? Your head starts to spin, despite the fact that you’re only halfway through your glass of champagne.

“Since you don’t like parties,” Jimin says, like it’s common knowledge, as if it’s totally normal for this very busy and famous kpop idol to keep tabs on your socialization preferences.

You nod dumbly. “I, yeah. I’m just not very good at them.”

Jimin nods, pushing up the sleeves of his white Chanel sweater. “You just have to get comfortable with talking to people about boring shit. Did you try the food?”

You shake your head– the very thought is enough to make you feel a little sick. “I get, like, a nervous stomach?” You hate that it comes out like a question when it clearly isn’t.

“Aish, you and Hoseok are so alike,” Jimin rolls his eyes, hands on hips, but you can see he’s smiling a little. “I haven’t been able to get him to eat anything all day. And we ordered so much food, I don’t even know why. Like half the people in this room aren’t on fucking diets.”

“Jimin-ah!”

Both of your heads snap up at the sound of Namjoon’s voice from the other side of the room, distorted slightly by the thudding bass.

“Ahh, they’re doing pictures,” Jimin says with an exaggerated sigh, like it’s just so hard being desirable and photogenic. “Do you want to get a photo?”

You shake your head as emphatically as possible. “No, nope, absolutely not.”

Jimin pauses, squinting at you for a second in a way that makes you think that if you were closer friends, he’d be dragging you across the room regardless of your answer to the question. You watch as he clearly attempts to restrain himself.

“Well, don’t drink too much on an empty stomach, okay? I’ll make you a to-go plate of food before you leave.” He starts to walk backwards away from you, raising his voice a little so you can still hear him. “And please talk to Hoseokie when we’re done! Maybe then he’ll calm the fuck down!”

You can’t hide the smile that blooms across your face, and Jimin wiggles his eyebrows for emphasis before turning around and pressing his way through the crowd to the photo wall.

The members take turns passing Hoseok around, punctuated by the snap of the camera: pinching his cheeks, leaning into him, clinging to his shoulders, wrapping an arm around his neck. You laugh out loud when Taehyung hikes a leg up high on Hoseok’s hip and tips back, a hand draped across his forehead, eyes shut, so fucking dramatic.

Hoseok stares down the camera like a professional, only to immediately dissolve into giggles between shots, tongue poking out between his teeth like he can’t quite handle all the attention. It’s enough to have you nearly fighting for your life.

The members crowd in for a few group shots, posing cutely until Jimin finally waves everyone back off to the dancefloor. He keeps Hoseok behind with one hand gripping his bicep, and your heart drops into your stomach when Jimin leans in to whisper something in Hoseok’s ear.

Oh, fuck.

You try to calm yourself down, reasoning that he could be talking about any number of important things, but then Jimin pulls Hoseok’s sunglasses off his face, turns him unmistakably in your direction, and gives his shoulders a hard push. It’s clear Hoseok doesn’t quite know where he’s going as he stumbles forward and squints at the party lights, so you throw back the last of your champagne for some assistance, set the empty flute on a table, and force yourself to be brave.

You run your palms nervously over the sides of your dress, trying to focus on the feeling of smooth satin as you cross the room to meet him.

“Hobi.” His eyes find yours and you watch as his face, still in party mode— all perfect straight lines and severe grace and supermodel apathy— softens, brightens.

“Oh thank god, you made it,” Hoseok huffs a disbelieving laugh. “Come here.”

He pulls you in for a hug, not the lazy one-armed greetings you’ve seen celebrities give each other all night but a real, solid embrace, both arms crossed firmly over the small of your back. You press your nose into the crook of his neck, the thin fabric of his tank top brushing against your skin. Heat radiates off of him in waves, and he smells so good, like expensive cologne. It’s dizzying.

“Hi,” you murmur, and it’s punctuated with a soft giggle when you realize you’re speaking directly into his collarbone. You move to extract yourself, but his grip tightens.

“Five more seconds,” Hoseok says with another half-laugh, and you gladly allow yourself to melt back into his arms.

He sounds slightly hoarse, you notice, probably from talking all night. You think for easily the millionth time that you have no idea how he does it, but this moment of softness makes you wonder if being the life of the party is a little more difficult than he lets on.

Hoseok hums a little, and the feeling rumbles through your chest, buzzing all the way down to your fingertips like an electric current. When he finally releases you, it’s with a soft sigh, something that almost sounds like reluctance. Your heart backflips at the thought.

The lights flash waves of rainbow color over his face, each one painting his perfect features with a slightly different energy: pink, blue, orange, green. You momentarily forget how to talk, but Hoseok doesn’t miss a beat.

“Are you having fun?”

You nod as decisively as you can. “I’m just awkward, but that’s not your party’s fault.” He giggles, gaze flitting nervously around the room, as you continue. “Seriously, it’s a great party. And I’m not just saying that because you have free booze.”

“Did you want more?” He asks quickly, then seems to think better of it. “Or, well, how much have you had? Do you need water?”

You smile a little despite yourself. “I’m fine, Hobi, thank you. You have better things to do tonight than look after me because I nursed a single glass of champagne. And besides, Jimin already tried to mother hen me earlier.”

A look of serious anguish crosses Hoseok’s face, and he glances back over his shoulder, but Jimin has evaporated into the crowd of beautiful people. “God, I specifically told him to leave you alone.”

You shrug. “It’s not a big deal. He was sweet.”

Hoseok’s gaze lands back on you, and it feels like your chest lights up from the inside out. You almost can’t look directly at him– it’s not unlike staring into the sun. You blink up at him once, twice, more than dazed, and then he laughs again, nose scrunching slightly as if to cringe at himself.

“Agh, I feel awkward. I don’t know what to say.”

You’re smiling, too. “That’s okay,” you say, because it is. You’re perfectly content to just stand here with him, unconcerned with the chaos of the party around you.

“I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“And– well, I guess you’ve never been here before, right? Can I give you a tour? I can take you downstairs and show you my studio.”

Your cheeks start to burn from all the questions, from how fixed his gaze is on you. It’s overwhelming. “Hobi, this is literally your party. You should stay here. I was doing fine holding up the wall over there.”

“Come on, I really want to. Please?” He leans in towards you slightly, glancing around as if to make sure he’s not being overheard. When he speaks into your ear, his voice drops to a lower register for privacy, and you can’t ignore the chills that dot up your spine. “I can’t talk to one more person that isn’t you right now.”

You nod, every nerve ending in your body now hyper-aware of how very close he is to you. “If you’re sure. I’d like that.”

“Thank you,” he says softly, and you breathe a soft giggle at how ridiculous it is that he’s the one thanking you at this moment. Before you even realize what he’s doing, his hand finds your hand, delicate fingers intertwining with yours. The skin of his palm is soft and warm. “Let’s go.” He chases the words with a gentle squeeze.

Hoseok leads you into the elevator and presses the button for a lower floor. You’re a little surprised when he slumps back against the wall with a heavy sigh as the doors close, still holding your hand.

“Oh, I’m tired.” He says quietly, almost like he’s talking to himself rather than to you. “It just hit me now. That was a lot.”

You squeeze his hand back, and his eyes flutter open to look at you. You press yourself up against the wall next to him. “You sound like me after any social event. And here I was thinking all night that you made it look so easy.”

Hoseok smiles. “I’m good at faking it. But I always collapse after stuff like this.” His eyes drift away from you and he stares into the empty space in front of him, his expression darkening slightly. “I just really hope they liked it. It’s so hard to tell what people think, or who’s only bullshitting you when they tell you it’s good. I’d rather they be honest with me.”

“Well, if it means anything, I loved it.” You say softly, your eyes searching his face. “And I’m not a bullshitter.”

Hoseok blinks, then nods once, his eyes not meeting yours. “You’re not. I appreciate that.”

The chime of the elevator seems to snap him somewhat out of his headspace, and he tugs on your joined hands to pull you through the doors as they slide open. “It’s just at the end of the hall.”

There’s something about Hoseok that comforts you all the way to your core, laps gently at the edges of your shyness until it recedes a bit. He just makes you feel like you can say anything without fear of judgment. Conversation comes easier with him, like this.

“How do you feel about it?”

“The album?” He asks.

You shrug. “Everything.”

“I’m very nervous,” Hoseok answers immediately with a bright peal of laughter, squeezing your hand again for emphasis. “I’m working really hard but… it all feels like uncharted territory. It’s so different to do it alone.”

His eyes jump from studio door to studio door as he leads you down the hallway. “I don’t know if people are going to like this side of me or the things I have to say. I don’t know if anyone will still care now that it’s just me. And ugh, I’m so unsure about the music festival. I’ve never done a whole show on my own before. I practice so much every day and I still don’t know if I can do it. Or if it will be any good.”

When he stops you outside of the final door at the end of the hallway, he seems to remember himself. “Wow, look at me. You were probably only being polite and I threw so much at you. This is just what goes around in my head. Every day and every night.”

“You sound stressed,” you say softly.

Hoseok purses his lips for a second. “I guess. I just really want to do well. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I would– what?”

It isn’t until he asks the question, regarding you with a confused expression, that you realize you’re shaking your head. The smile that has crept across your face is a mixture of disbelief and appreciation.

“I’m sorry,” you’re practically laughing. “Please, keep going.”

“No, no, what is that face?”

You chew on the corner of your lip, trying to figure out the best way to word it. “I just… I don’t want to dismiss your concerns, because I absolutely understand all of them. And I would be shitting a brick, no question. But you…” Hoseok’s eyes widen a little as you pause, drinking him in, the way concern tugs down the corners of his mouth. “You just have no idea. No idea what it’s like to watch you from out here. And I wish you could see yourself the way I do.”

He pauses as if to consider your words. “What do you see?”

You don’t even have to think about the answer. It feels as steady and honest as the beat of your heart behind your ribs. “I see a fucking star. I see somebody who was born to do exactly what he’s doing. And, I mean, I think being nervous is a good thing, and I don’t say this to try and invalidate how you’re feeling at all. But I don’t see any possible future where you don’t succeed, Hoseok. It’s just... not an option. You’re going to get up there and kill it, I know you are. Because it’s you.”

Hoseok’s hand slips out of yours, and you can feel the warmth of his palms as he presses them to your waist to pull you close. Anticipation sparks through you. His eyes search yours intently, like he’s looking for something. “You really feel that way?”

“Completely. There’s no doubt in my mind.” Your gaze drops to his mouth, the way his full lips are parted slightly, and it occurs to you that maybe you’re talking about more than one thing now. “It feels predestined, to me… I don’t know. Inevitable.”

Hoseok makes a soft noise as he continues to close the distance between you. “Inevitable?” You tilt your chin up towards him, every cell in your body humming. “Like this?”

The way he kisses you is so gentle and sweet, you swear your heart leaps into your throat. You allow a second, maybe two, to move your mouth against his and get lost in it, and then you force yourself to break away, your mind reeling.

“I’m sorry,” he says automatically. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”

“Hoseok,” you murmur, eyes squeezing shut as you attempt to navigate the discomfort of being vulnerable. “I– you should know that I really, really like you.”

“Really?”

The shock in his voice makes your eyes snap open again, and you can’t help but make a face of utter disbelief. “I thought it was obvious.”

“Looks like I’m not the only one who doesn’t realize how other people see me. You’re actually very hard to read.” Hoseok slips one hand off of your waist to push down on the door handle behind you, then gestures for you to step through. He keeps talking as he follows in after you, letting the door shut behind him. “I second-guess myself all the time with you. Jimin is so fucking tired of hearing about it.”

“Wow,” you say dumbly. “I had no idea.”

“You didn’t even text me back about tonight! I had no idea if you were coming.”

You start to laugh as the realization washes over you: you’d been so busy sighing forlornly and stressing about what to wear, you’d forgotten to actually reply to his messages.

“Okay, this time was actually an accident. But…” You sweep your gaze over his studio, trying to think. “I don’t know, I just always feel like I’m bothering you. Your life is so big and important. Even now: you should be upstairs being the star of your own party. Not down here with me.”

Hoseok shakes his head immediately. “I don’t want to talk to anyone up there the way I want to talk to you. I was such a wreck today when you didn’t answer.”

You can’t believe what he’s saying, even as he takes a step in towards you, his mouth invitingly close to yours again. “Why? I am quite literally the least important person on the guestlist.”

“Because,” Hoseok pauses for a second, then sighs. “I like you, and I was scared that you’d decided not to come, when I…” He’s practically grinning, and the tell of his scrunched up nose makes you realize– he’s embarrassed. “I threw this whole party just to have an excuse to see you.”

Your jaw drops open. “You what?”

“Please don’t make me say it again.”

“Hobi.” You both start to laugh as you stare in disbelief, trying to process the most ridiculous statement you’ve ever heard in your life. “You could have just called me.”

“I tend to overthink these things.”

He’s close enough that you barely have to move to slide your hands up his chest and grip the lapels of his white button-down.

“I think I can help with that,” you murmur, and then you tug him back down into a kiss that makes your head spin.

The sweet nervousness of your first kiss has been replaced with urgency now, Hoseok’s mouth moving over yours like he’s hungry for it. You tug gently on your fistfuls of his shirt to move him towards you, stumbling backwards until you find purchase against the door of the studio.

Hoseok moves skillfully, tongue licking into your mouth while one of his strong thighs shifts to tease your legs apart and press between them. The quick succession of the two is enough to make your breath hitch, and it seems to encourage him more. The rough denim of his jeans grinds into your center, and your already-short dress has ridden up enough that the pressure drags hot sparks right over your core.

Your jaw goes slack as your focus slips, and you tip your head back against the door with a soft whine, circling your hips for more friction. “Fuck, Hoseok.”

His lips drop down to the exposed skin of your neck. The warmth of his mouth has your back arching, your nipples rubbed into stiff peaks under the thin fabric you couldn’t wear a bra with.

“You look so fucking good tonight,” Hoseok groans. “Driving me crazy in this little dress.”

There’s the soft brush of a hand on your thigh, and he teases the hem of your dress up higher and higher as your hips keep moving; his tongue darts out to lick a languid stripe over your collarbone. His other hand slides up from your waist to cup your breast over satin, deftly rolling the bud of your nipple between his long fingers, pinching with just enough pressure to coax a moan out of you.

“I like the sounds you make. Don’t want you to be shy with me.” Hoseok murmurs over your skin before he starts to suck deliberately at your neck, right on your pulse point. You couldn’t stifle the sound his mouth pulls from you even if you wanted to.

With all your attention drawn to grinding your clit against his leg and the warmth of his palm cupping your breast, your grip on the fabric of his shirt has loosened. Moving in a haze of pleasure, your hands fumble at his denim jacket, attempting to push it down his shoulders. Hoseok pulls back slightly when he realizes what you’re doing, though his fingers still lazily squeeze at your nipple.

“Let me just– hang on–” Hoseok untangles himself from you entirely with a sheepish grin, and you take the moment to collect yourself, your chest heaving in shallow breaths. You can feel the way your panties are soaked through as you press your thighs together, desperate for continued friction.

He’s moving quickly as he slips out of his oversized jacket and button down beneath it. You can clearly see the wheels in his head turning as he lays the pieces over the back of his desk chair, then immediately scrunches his face up as if to think better of it.

“Agh, sorry, sorry, one second–” Hoseok shakes out the jacket, then the shirt, folding both in quick yet precise succession before stacking the neat rectangles together and gently setting them on the small couch next to his desk.

Even in the dim studio lighting you can see his face is flushed pink with embarrassment as he returns to press you back against the door.

“I just– I don’t want wrinkles,” he says softly, and you’re very grateful that you no longer have to suppress the urge to take his face in your hands and kiss him.

“I like you so much,” you giggle into his mouth, and it’s punctuated with a squeak when his hands slide down to firmly grab your ass. The fabric of your dress is so thin that it hardly feels like it’s there at all.

Hoseok must have the same thought, because he releases his grip only for as long as it takes to push the skirt of your dress up over your ass; now there’s nothing separating his fingers from your skin when he squeezes you again.

“Like you,” he agrees, his voice husky. “Want to taste you.” Your core aches for his touch, clenches around nothing when he releases his grip and cracks a hand over the soft flesh of your asscheek.

“Please, Hobi.”

You find his mouth with yours again for a needy taste of a kiss, tongues sliding together. Your arms wrap around his shoulders in an attempt to pull him impossibly closer.

In one swift move he presses you flush against the door, and his hands slip to hitch your legs over his waist before moving back to your ass, hoisting your hips up to properly straddle him. You whimper at the grind of his erection through his jeans, right over your rubbed-sensitive center, and at the thought that he could fuck you just like this, up against this door.

Hoseok’s mouth doesn’t leave yours as he turns and carries you the short distance across the room, hands sliding to your hips so he can set you down on the desk. His lips are full and kiss-bitten red when he pulls back to look at you, pupils blown dark with lust.

“Sure this is okay?”

You meet his gaze, reaching up to dust strands of hair out of his eyes. His mouth chases the heel of your hand so he can press those soft lips into the center of your palm, chaste and sweet. 

“It’s so much more than okay,” you murmur.

He’s smiling as he leans forward for another kiss, only pulling back to press his forehead to yours once you’re both breathless. “I have wanted to do this for so fucking long. You have no idea.”

His hands hook under the backs of your thighs to scoot you gently forward until you’re perched at the very edge of his desk, and then he sinks to his knees. Your legs that were slipped around his waist find new purchase thrown over his shoulders and you tense a little when your high heels scrape over his back.

“I can take these off,” you start, but he’s already shaking his head as his palms encourage your thighs apart.

“I like it.”

You’re nearly gasping for breath with anticipation as his long fingers slip under the band of your panties and you lift your hips up so he can pull them down. You manage to extract one leg to drape back over his shoulders, leaving the lacy fabric to dangle off the other as you open up for him.

Hoseok’s thumbs press to either side of your pussy, gently spreading your lips apart to admire how soaked you already are. Anyone else examining you like this would have you squirming away self-consciously, but there’s just something about Hoseok that’s different. You want him to know every part of you fully, intimately.

“God, you are so gorgeous.” His breath is hot over your skin, makes your cunt tighten needily as if to beckon him closer.

You lean back to brace your forearms on the desk behind you and Hoseok’s gaze jumps up to meet yours. He doesn’t drop eye contact as he leans forward to press an open-mouthed kiss to your slit, both of you groaning at the contact.

His mouth moves just as it did against yours, and you let your eyes flutter closed as pleasure sears through you like a hot knife. Hoseok grunts a little, low in his throat when he adds tongue to his kisses, licking softly but deliberately to part your slick folds.

“Hobi,” you whine, rolling your hips up into him as he starts to apply more pressure with his tongue. “Fuck, ah, feels so good.”

Hoseok pulls off of you with a throaty gasp, like maybe he was so focused on eating you out that he didn’t quite remember to keep breathing. When you look down at him, his lips are wet and glossy, spread in a wide smile. “You taste so fucking good.”

You don’t even have time to ask for more before he’s hooking his biceps around your thighs and tugging your hips towards him, pulling you even closer to bury his face between your legs. This time he licks a stripe straight up to your swollen clit, pulling the bud into his mouth to suck on.

“Oh my god,” you gasp, digging your nails into the desk beneath you as sparks shoot through you and your clit twitches in his mouth.

Hoseok hums steadily around you, as if to once again encourage you to be vocal. He starts to nod his head as he sucks, his nose pressed flush against your pubic bone. Your hips fall in time with his rhythm, grinding back down on him.

“Yes, yes, yes,” you whimper. “Shit, Hobi.” Your voice catches on a dazed, disbelieving laugh. “You’re gonna make me come if you keep doing that.”

He doesn’t let up, squeezing his grip on your thighs that much tighter when you start to quiver beneath him. Your arousal coils tight and hot in your core as he works more not-so-shy noises out of you, breathy moans, needy whines.

You cling desperately to the edge of his desk, teetering equally on the edge of your own release. The wet slick wash of his tongue is lush, decadent, lapping at your clit between pulses of suction, and it’s all too fucking much.

“Yes, Hoseok, fuck!”

You cry out, your heels digging into the hard plane of Hoseok’s back as he works an intense, shuddering orgasm out of you. Your cunt throbs over and over as you come, a rush of arousal painting the crux of your thighs.

When you catch your breath it’s in uneven, shaky gasps, and the movement of your hips sharpens into jolts as you become hypersensitive to Hoseok’s mouth. He releases you almost reluctantly, still hovering close, continuing to dart his tongue out to gently lick up your folds.

“I don’t want to stop,” he says with a shy, blossoming laugh, the light catching the shine of his lips and chin when he glances up at you.

You’re dazed, beyond blissed out, unable to believe that any of this is real. You like him so much.

“Can I keep going?”

Just that sentence is enough to make you tighten all over again with anticipation. “I–” you laugh a little too despite yourself. “I want that. But I think my clit needs a second.”

Hoseok’s touch is featherlight as he circles a digit lower, over your entrance, as if to ask permission. “What about here?” Your pussy lips twitch even under so gentle a touch, but you ache for more; you like that it’s overwhelming.

“Yeah, yes. There, please, fuck,” you babble. He’s added a second finger to tease now, and you whimper when they finally press together into your sensitive cunt.

Hoseok is watching his fingers intently, and you can hear the way your pussy squelches as he pumps them slowly, can feel the tremors of your orgasm still shuddering through you, causing slick to drip from your center. You can only imagine what his view must be like, how you must look: dripping, needy, trembling for him, fingers gripping the desk and head lolling back.

“So pretty,” he murmurs, his voice low and soft, and then he dips his head down to lap below your entrance, tasting the juices that have leaked out of you. He pulls back to smack his other hand over your whole cunt, light enough that you barely feel the tap, but just the visual of it makes you squirm beneath him.

“So cute,” he smiles. His fingers rub circles into your front wall, becoming more insistent, and you breathe in shaky waves as you start to grip tightly around him.

“Hoseok,” you breathe, letting your eyes drop closed. Arousal blossoms through you like a heavy weight, your second climax already building, when you feel his other hand cup the join of your ass and thigh.

A soft whimper spills out of you as Hoseok starts to massage below your entrance, thumb working at a new bundle of nerves, like nothing you’ve ever felt. It’s pleasure that makes you hot all over, makes the muscles in your legs shiver and tense when it’s paired with the crook of his fingers still working your pussy.

“Fuck,” you pant, “Hobi, what are– that feels so–” You’re starting to lose a grip on your words, sentences going incoherent as your head spins. It’s hard to think over all the sensation, the way your body is lit up like a live wire, and the sound of your cunt gushing around him as he fucks into your g-spot.

“Has anyone touched you here before?” He asks softly, thumb tapping at the thin bridge of skin between your pussy and your ass. His head dips down for a chaste kiss there, then a second, adding a languid lap of tongue.

“N-no,” you whimper, toes curling in your shoes as he continues to drag his tongue over this delicate, sensitive place. “Keep going.”

Hoseok pulls back, a string of saliva still connecting him to you, and he lets it loose with a swipe of his hand over his mouth. His fingers slip out of you as he pairs a question with a smile. “Turn over for me?”

Your legs would be shaking even if you weren’t in fancy party heels, and you do your best to be graceful as you unsteadily spin, one arm keeping the fabric of your dress hiked up over your hips.

“Brace yourself on the desk,” Hoseok instructs, and you do, leaning forward until your stomach and forearms are flush with the wood, your bare ass hanging off the desk, presented for him. You spread your legs apart again and can feel the way your pussy drools arousal down your thighs. “That’s it,” he coaxes.

His fingers massage firmly into the flesh of your asscheeks, and your back arches up as you groan at the feeling. He spreads you just a little, enough for cool air to tease at your slick center; your hips wiggle towards him on instinct.

“Pretty back here, too,” he murmurs. “Tell me how it feels, okay? Won’t do it if you don’t like it.”

You clench for him in both places, even your fists grip tight in the fabric of your dress. “I’ll like it. Please, baby.”

“Baby,” Hoseok repeats back with a shy exhale. “I like that. I like you.” He leaves a sweet kiss pressed halfway up your thigh.

“Hobi–” you choke out a whine of his name as his breath ghosts over you, hands still firmly keeping you spread. His tongue returns to your perineum again, licking a hot, slow stripe that keeps moving up, up, until you feel the tease of warmth and wetness over your ass. “Oh, fuck.”

You’re so sensitive here, just the lightest drag of his tongue over your rim makes you moan, feet kicking listlessly as pleasure shudders through you.

“It’s good–” you manage to whimper, voice muffled slightly as your forehead drops against the desk, too, your whole body pinned down by his mouth. “–ngh, really good, Hobi.” Your cunt throbs when he does it again, as he falls into a consistent pace of long, steady laps that set off fireworks behind your eyes.

The ache in your core begs for touch, friction, and you oblige needily, tucking a hand under the weight of your hips pressed into the desk, a sweat-slicked palm for your mouth-wet clit.

Hoseok doesn’t miss a thing. It’s only for a second that he pulls off of you, but you whine at the loss of his tongue, sated slightly by the gentle brush of his lips over the small of your back. “Gonna get yourself off while I eat you out?”

You grind a circle down with your hips, hissing at the white-hot pulse against your hand. “Yes, baby, please.”

He doesn’t need any more encouragement to dive back in, fingers gripping harder to spread you and tongue licking deliberately, tracing patterns that work more arousal out of your pussy. You’re unraveling fast from humping against your palm, hips jolting forward to make your clit twitch and backwards to press towards Hoseok’s mouth.

You’re already wound so tight that you’re too desperate for words, reduced instead to little breathless gasps– “ah, ahh”– as you speed up the rub of your hand, your hips. Hoseok’s tongue never falters, firm pressure laved over and over your sensitive, flexing ass.

With a soft hum of effort, you feel him press a little harder, tongue barely dipping in past your tight ring of muscle, and the sweet stretch of it is the final push you need.

You roll your clit just right over your palm a final time and then you’re shaking and moaning as everything starts to pulse. The all-over clench pushes a fresh wave of fluid from your cunt, rolling down the backs of your thighs, fat droplets of arousal that Hoseok chases with sloppy kisses as the waves of your orgasm shudder through you.

It takes a moment before you can say anything, do anything, limbs too heavy and brain too fucked-out dumb. You do your best to slide gracefully off the desk, but your legs shake with aftershocks that betray you, and you stumble.

Hoseok is quick to wrap his arms around you and guide your hips down to the floor next to him. You collapse in a heap of giggles, him tangled over your waist, the skirt of your dress still pushed up, your bare ass on his studio carpet.

“Are you okay?” Hoseok laughs, and you bury your face in the fabric of his tank top as an answer, not convinced your coherency has returned to you yet.

“Too good,” you murmur, words slurring. “Fucked me too good.”

“You’re so hot.” You can tell he’s blushing just by the tone of his voice, and you start to come to a little, slow-blinking back to reality and rolling over to look up at him. His dark eyes shine as he smiles. You don’t want to come all the way down from this dazed, happy place yet, you realize, and you curl a finger into the loop of his jeans, tugging him closer.

“My turn.” Your hands start to fumble to undo his belt buckle. His jeans are oversized, but not enough to obscure the print of his hard cock pressed against his thigh.

“Let me take you home,” he says softly, running a fingertip along your jaw. “This should be– I want you to be comfortable. I want it to feel good.”

“It all feels good,” you say earnestly, sitting up to tug at the button of his jeans, undeterred. “And you can take me home. But you’ve been so good to me, Hobi.” You manage to work his fly open, and you lift your gaze to meet him. “Let me be good to you.”

You resume your work, wriggling Hoseok’s jeans down his thighs until his hands cover yours and he takes over, stripping himself of his shoes as well. He reaches back between his shoulder blades to pull his tank top over his head, and your eyes sweep over his body, taking in his lithe figure and smooth, hard muscles. You trail the tips of your fingers down the defined lines of his chest.

“Fuck,” Hoseok starts to smile self-consciously, one hand drifting over his dick straining against tight black briefs with a slightly darker spot in the center where he’s left a kiss of precum on the fabric. “I don’t have any condoms here.”

You sit up on your knees in front of him, considering this. “Use my mouth.” The high of your orgasm has subsided enough now that you’re not quite shameless anymore, and heat blooms in your face as you continue. “Like, fuck my throat.”

He tries and fails to suppress a groan, and his delicate hands reach to cup either side of your face, thumbs rubbing circles into the hinge of your jaw. “You–” he laughs softly. “You can’t just say things like that.”

“I mean it,” you say simply.

“But you really want to?”

You nod, half play-acting your shyness now, letting your lashes flutter as you blink up at him. “I’ve done it before. I like it.”

“Fuck,” Hoseok breathes. “I want to do everything you like.”

“Please?” You ask sweetly, and Hoseok is already getting to his feet, one hand still cupping your jaw.

“Pretty,” he murmurs, tongue darting out to wet his lips. “So pretty when you beg to suck my cock.” You’re smiling, your fingers slipping under his waistband to slide his briefs down his legs.

“Take your dress off, baby,” Hoseok instructs as he steps back to finish pulling off his underwear. “Don’t wanna ruin it.”

You do as you’re told, staying on your knees to pull it over your head, your heart squeezing again when he takes it from you and treats it as gently as his own clothes. It’s oddly domestic to watch him fold the smooth fabric with shaking hands, naked except for his jewelry, his hard dick leaking against his stomach.

When he turns back to you, you take the opportunity to properly admire him. His cock is as flushed and gorgeous as the rest of him, thick and dripping wet from his tip. You duck down to press a kiss to the sensitive spot under his head, then slide your lips up to gloss over his slit, slicking your mouth with his precum.

You look up at him, hands gripping the backs of his thighs; Hoseok’s eyelids are heavy with lust as he watches you work, tongue toying at the corner of his mouth. He groans a little as you pop just the head into your mouth and swirl your tongue over it, tasting the salt of him.

His hand slides to the back of your head, tangling in the hair at the nape of your neck, and his adam’s apple jerks in his throat as he swallows.

“Tap my foot if you need to stop.” Hoseok’s voice is quiet but firm, and his socked toes wiggle, brushing against your knee pressed into the carpet. “Okay?”

You hum your acknowledgement and maintain eye contact as he holds you still and slides his cock into your mouth. He starts off at a gentle pace, and you hollow your cheeks around him, pressing your tongue flat so it drags over his shaft as he starts to pump in and out of you.

As much as you want him in control, there’s a part of you that can’t help yourself– you lean forward, eyes fluttering closed, wanting to prove to him how much you can take. The head of his cock starts to stretch down your throat and you focus on breathing steady through your nose, your muscles jumping around him in a half-swallow.

“Fuck,” Hoseok groans, his voice dark and rough-edged. You can feel drool starting to leak out of your mouth, and the mess just makes it better. “You take it so well.”

His hips keep rolling, withdrawing his cock into the heat of your mouth only to push it back down the tight clutch of your throat. It gets easier as he starts to move faster, the weight of him pressing bright on your gag reflex in shorter and shorter bursts. It’s just enough to make tears well up in your eyes. They eventually spill over, staining your cheeks until your face is slick and wet, like the sounds of him hitting the back of your throat, all of it obscene and hot.

The hand in your hair tightens as he pulls you all the way down on his shaft until your nose is flush with his abdomen and your throat bulges, filled with him. He holds you there, eyes roaming hungrily over your face.

“You look so sweet with my cock down your throat, baby.”

The hum of agreement you try makes you gag a little, and he quickly releases, pulling out to let you gasp for air. Your tongue lolls out of your mouth as you smile up at him, dazed, and catch your breath.

“Was that too much?” His brows pinch together slightly with concern. You wipe a hand over your nose and shake your head.

“I want more, Hobi,” you purr, moving your face back towards his dick. You lean forward to lazily drag your tongue up his shaft for emphasis. “Want you to come on my face,” you admit as you fix your gaze on him.

You swear you feel his knees almost buckle when you take him in your mouth again.

“You are so fucking sexy,” Hoseok practically growls, hand returning to the nape of your neck. He pushes himself back down your throat and starts to pick up the pace. You want him all and take it easily now, drool slicking your neck and chest when you swallow around his length.

“Oh my god,” he gasps, and you can feel his cock twitch on your tongue as he fucks roughly into your mouth, chasing his orgasm. “Oh my god.”

Hoseok’s grip on your hair goes slack and he pulls out, hand pumping fast over his drool-glossed cock. He tips his head back, exposing the column of his throat with a heady whine when he starts to come. You’re up on your knees and ready for it, nose bumping his fist, face presented for him to paint. Warm spurts of cum hit your cheeks, tongue, lips, and you giggle a little as you try to hold still, as he makes another throaty grunt of effort and release.

“Shit,” he hisses as the movements of his hand slow, as he works out the last of it, stray drips already trailing down your neck, between the valley of your breasts. “Fuuuck.” His breathing is ragged, and you press a wet kiss to the tip of his dick as he recovers.

He’s clearly already focused on the mess he’s made of you, spinning in a dazed semi-circle before reaching to grab a box of tissues off of the desk. His bare knees thud on the carpet as he sinks down next to you.

You’re surprised when he leans in to kiss you, humming softly against your mouth, tongue even darting out to lick at the cum that drips off your lips. You smile into it, teeth gently grazing over his bottom lip.

“Hi,” he huffs a laugh as he leans back. “Was that okay? Not too much?”

You shake your head. “I liked it,” you say again, though your voice comes out a little hoarse. “Wouldn’t have asked for it if I didn’t. I like you. I–” your breath hitches slightly with nerves, and it’s funny to you, that it’s easy to ask him to fuck your throat, but hard to talk about the bigger feelings underneath. It’s more intimate, somehow, to be earnest. “You always worry so much about everyone else. I just want to take care of you.”

“You can.” Hoseok’s voice is gentle and warm. “We both can.” He pulls a tissue loose from the box, hovering close to you. “Let me clean you up.”

You’re too blissed out to stop yourself from giggling. “You have a whole party to get back to.” You nod dumbly at the verity of your own statement as he uses tissues to wipe cum and drool off your face, tear stains and smudged makeup from your cheeks.

“This,” he swipes a thumb down over your bottom lip, chases it with another quick kiss, “was so much better than a fucking party.” He adds the last of the dampened tissues to the small pile he’s made on the floor, tilting your jaw with his hand to inspect his work, to ensure perfection as he does with everything. “But I probably don’t have much longer before people start looking for me.”

“You should go,” you say quietly, trying to ignore the drop in your stomach.

His hand slips into yours for the second time tonight. “Will you come with me? I know it’s not really your thing.”

You falter momentarily– not because you don’t want to, but you can’t shake your own self-consciousness, this sense that you don’t belong here, rubbing elbows with all these famous people. But it’s hard to feel like any of that matters with the way Hoseok is looking at you, the soft turn of his lips in a barely-there smile.

“Are you sure?”

“Very.” He gives your hand an affirming squeeze. “Do I need to remind you that this entire party is literally for you?”

You shake your head, rolling your eyes at his antics despite the laugh that bubbles up in your throat. “I still can’t believe you. What is this, The Great Gatsby?”

His laugh is high and sweet, hand untangling from yours to wrap both arms around your waist, and he pulls you into his chest, bare skin on bare skin, hearts beating together. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes, Hobi,” you relent. “I’ll go back with you. Besides, Jimin promised to feed me.”

You can feel Hoseok’s smile as he presses a kiss to your temple. “Come on, then. I promise it���ll be fun. If we get Jungkook drunk enough he’ll probably start dancing on the stage.”

“Now that I have to see.”

[mostlysignssomeportents]

$100 billion later, autonomous vehicles are still a car-wreck

Autonomous vehicles were always a shell-game. The last time I wrote about them was a year ago, when Uber declared massive losses. Uber’s profitability story was always, “Sure, we’re losing money now, but once we create self-driving cars, we can fire our drivers and make a bundle.”

https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/30/death-to-all-monopoly/#pogo-stick-problem

But Uber never came close to building an AV. After blowing $2.5b, the company invented a car whose mean-distance-to-fatal-crash was half a mile. Uber had to pay another company — $400 million! — to take the self-driving unit off its hands.

It’s tempting to say that Uber just deluded itself into thinking that AVs were a viable, near-term technology. But $2.5b was a bargain, because it allowed the company’s original investors (notably the Saudi royals) to offload their Uber shares on credulous suckers when the company IPOed.

Likewise Tesla, a company that has promised fully self-driving autonomous vehicles “within two years” for more than a decade. The story that Teslas will someday drive themselves is key to attracting retail investors to the company.

Tesla’s overvaluation isn’t solely a product of the cult of personality around Musk, nor is it just that its investors can’t read a balance-sheet and so miss the fact that the company is reliant upon selling the carbon-credits that allow gas-guzzling SUVs to fill America’s streets.

Key to Tesla’s claims to eventual profitability was that AVs would overcome geometry itself, and end the Red Queen’s Race whereby adding more cars to the road means you need more roads, which means everything gets farther apart, which means you need more cars — lather, rinse, repeat.

Geometry hates cars, but Elon Musk hates public transit (he says you might end up seated next to “a serial killer”). So Musk spun this story where tightly orchestrated AVs would best geometry and create big cities served speedy, individualized private vehicles. You could even make passive income from your Tesla, turning it over to drive strangers (including, presumably, serial killers?) around as a taxicab.

But Teslas are no closer to full self-driving than Ubers. In fact, no one has come close to making an AV. In a characteristically brilliant and scorching article for Bloomberg, Max Chafkin takes stock of the failed AV project:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-10-06/even-after-100-billion-self-driving-cars-are-going-nowhere

Chafkin calculates that the global R&D budget for AVs has now exceeded $100 billion, and demonstrates that we have next to nothing to show for it, and that whatever you think you know about AV success is just spin, hype and bullshit.

Take the much-vaunted terribleness of human drivers, which the AV industry likes to tout. It’s true that the other dumdums on the road cutting you off and changing lanes without their turn-signals are pretty bad drivers, but actual, professional drivers are amazing. The average school-bus driver clocks up 500 million miles without a fatal crash (but of course, bus drivers are part of the public transit system).

Even dopes like you and me are better than you may think — while cars do kill the shit out of Americans, it’s because Americans drive so goddamned much. US traffic deaths are a mere one per 100 million miles driven, and most of those deaths are due to recklessness, not inability. Drunks, speeders, texters and sleepy drivers cause traffic fatalities — they may be skilled drivers, but they are also reckless.

But even the most reckless driver is safer than a driverless car, which “lasts a few seconds before crapping out.” The best robot drivers are Waymos, which mostly operate in the sunbelt, “because they still can’t handle weather patterns trickier than Partly Cloudy.”

Waymo claims to have driven 20m miles — that is, 4% of the distance we’d expect a human school-bus driver to go before having a fatal wreck. Tesla, meanwhile, has stopped even reporting how many miles its autopilot has mananged on public roads. The last time it disclosed, in 2019, the total was zero.

Using “deep learning” to solve the problems of self-driving cars is a dead-end. As NYU psych prof Gary Marcus told Chafkin, “deep learning is something similar to memorization…It only works if the situations are sufficiently akin.”

Which is why self-driving cars are so useless when they come up against something unexpected — human drivers weaving through traffic, cyclists, an eagle, a drone, a low-flying plane, a deer, even some pigeons on the road.

Self-driving car huxters call this “the pogo-stick problem” — as in “you never can tell when someone will try to cross the road on a pogo-stick.” They propose coming up with strict rules for humans to make life easier for robots.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/3/17530232/self-driving-ai-winter-full-autonomy-waymo-tesla-uber

But as stupid as this is, it’s even stupider than it appears at first blush. It’s not that AVs are confused by pogo sticks — they’re confused by shadowsand clouds and squirrels. They’re confused by left turns that are a little different than the last left turn they tried.

If you’ve been thinking that AVs were right around the corner, don’t feel too foolish. The AV companies have certainly acted like they believed their own bullshit. Chafkin reminds us of the high-stakes litigation when AV engineer Anthony Levandowski left Google for Uber and was sued for stealing trade secrets.

The result was millions in fines (Levandowski declared bankruptcy) and even a prison sentence for Levandowski (Trump pardoned him, seemingly at the behest of Peter Thiel and other Trumpist tech cronies). Why would companies go to all that trouble if they weren’t serious about their own claims?

It’s possible that they are, but that doesn’t mean we have to take those claims at face-value ourselves. Companies often get high on their own supplies. The litigation over Levandowski can be thought of as a species of criti-hype, Lee Vinsel’s extraordinarily useful term for criticism that serves to bolster the claims of its target:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/02/02/euthanize-rentiers/#dont-believe-the-hype

Another example of criti-hype: the claims about the risks of ubiquitous drone delivery — which, like AVs, is half-bullshit, half self-delusion:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/08/05/comprehensive-sex-ed/#droned

Today, Levandowski has scaled back his plans to build autonomous vehicles. Instead, he’s built autonomous dump-trucks that never leave a literal sandbox, and trundle back and forth on the same road all day, moving rocks from a pit to a crusher.

$100 billion later, that’s what the AV market has produced.

Image:

Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Gartner (modified): https://www.gartner.com/en/research/methodologies/gartner-hype-cycle

[Image ID: A chart illustrating the Gartner hype-cycle; racing down the slope from the 'peak of inflated expectations' to the 'trough of disillusionment' is the staring eye of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, chased by speed-lines.]