#tech uses pomade

[vivaislenska]

it's late and Tech's pomade can't keep up with him 🍤

[vixenpen]

Rapper’s Delight Hobie X Black Fem Reader (1970s coded)

This is for my biggest fan @kyankyannnn

This is what a Black girl from the Bronx talks like @ohsanghoe and @kyankyannnn since it was so confusing before! 😂 anyway, this was HELLA fun to write! Hope y’all enjoy 😉

You gazed around at the brick faces of Camden’s shops and the graffiti peppering random surfaces with awe and fondness.

This was your first time in Hobie’s hometown, and it felt at once familiar and foreign. From the grey and brown square buildings to the peeling, painted signs adorning their façades, the neighborhood was so distinctly working class; you half expected to see a hotdog vendor or a bodega.

“Y’alright, America?”Hobie asked, quietly. His large hand rested on your arm.

“Oh! Yeah, I’m cool.” You replied.

“Not scared yet are ya?” Smiley, the dimpled bassist of Hobie’s band asked. His signature toothy grin lit up his medium brown face.

“Not at all,” you laughed. “Feels like home.”

“Let’s see if you’re still singin’ that tune when we take you to The Sub.” Silas, the perpetually stoned drummer, added.

Despite its name, The Sub, was in fact not a late night spot to get sandwiches. According to Hobie it was one part basement club, one part speakeasy. Not unlike the warehouses the DJs threw dance parties in back in your hometown of the Bronx New York.

It was beyond trippy having another spider friend in the same timeline as you. The Spiderverse often either felt vast and disconnected or—whenever you were in the spider society— claustrophobic and overwhelming. So it was a major relief when you’d met Hobie, aka Spider Punk, another spider from Earth-138. The two of you had immediately hit it off being the same age, nineteen, and major music lovers.

The punk scene was practically non-existent in the Boogie Down Bronx and the same was true of the brand new hip-hop/rap scene of your home. But you were curious to see how these London cats got down, so when Hobie had invited you to Camden for an extended stay, you’d enthusiastically agreed. Hopefully New York could behave itself for a few weeks while you were gone.

Being that you weren’t a full time member of the spider society, Hobie had mopped some tech to make you a watch giving you the opportunity to transport to his place with the press of a button.

As you and the band headed to The Sub, you took note of the rest of the crowd, who were mostly dressed similarly to Hobie and his bandmates. Ripped skinny jeans, leather vests studded with silver spikes, chunky stainless steel jewelry and so much spiked up hair you were almost certain you could see a trail of hair spray and pomade in the air. There were a few people who were more casual in band tee’s or Jean vests, but you in your sparkly bell bottoms and matching top certainly stood out. Especially with your bouncy afro compared to the—mostly white—girls with their immobile Mohawks.

The Sub was actually a record store called: ‘Subwoofer Record Shop.’ It was closed to the public, but a trail of punks were all rounding the side of the building to the alleyway.

“Man, I’m psyched for tonight!” Smiley enthused. “Y/n, you gotta be front row and center cheerin’ us on, yeah?”

“I gotta be front row and center to see around these people’s hair.” You joked.

“Hey, that fro a’yours ain’t exactly flat, innit?” Hobie grinned, tweaking a tight curl near your ear. The motion made your cheeks burn.

“Picked to perfection.” You countered, playfully, ignoring the way your heart revved.

The boys led you down a flight of crumbling, concrete stairs where a handrail wrapped in multicolored Christmas lights and a surprisingly bright street lamp led the way. At the base, grungy looking characters in black leather clothes and heavy eyeliner smoked and chatted in tight circles. Their scary expressions immediately brightened when they saw Hobie and his crew.

“Oi, dickheads! ‘Ow the ‘ell are ya!” A tall, rail thin guy with an electric blue mohawk exclaimed, slapping hands with the band as they crowded the floor by the doorway.

“Ah, ya know! Nother day nother disaster.” Hobie greeted him.

“Right ‘bout that, mate.” The blue haired guy chuckled. “Oi, Si? Ya still on earth with us?” His accent made the ‘th’ sound like an ‘f.’

“Always an never.” Silas waved a joint between his ringed fingers. You had no idea when or where he’d gotten it.

“Can’t wait to hear you blokes blow the house down t’night.” A girl with fire red hair that matched her kilt exclaimed.

“S’gonna be one helluva a show, that’s for sure!” Smiley replied.

“See you all in there.”

The exchange had been so snappy you’d gotten whiplash just listening to it. The boys let themselves in with Hobie holding the door for you, a soft smile on his face.

“Welcome to The Sub, America.”

You gawked around the shockingly huge room. It had a black floor, a wall to wall stocked bar, darts at the far end and an elevated stage at the other. The walls were decorated with band posters advertising past and future shows. Some had been ripped off, others looked freshly tacked on. A wall of records hung from a shimmering curtain behind said stage and a gaggle of musicians were tuning up in a discordant symphony of riffs and scales. Colorful stage lights bathed them in hues of red, blue, and purple.

“Holy shit.” You marveled.

“Pretty cool for a group of weirdos, right?” Hobie whispered beside you. You could hear the casual excitement in his voice— clearly pleased at your reaction.

“Dynamight!” You exclaimed.

“C’mon, let’s grab a seat up front.” Smiley suggested.

Being that mosh pits weren’t uncommon in the space, “up front” actually meant at the end of the bar closest to the stage. The space surrounding the stage, was clear of tables and chairs in case of moshing.

The band on stage currently began playing and you were immediately impressed with their sound. They were a tight unit.

“Who are these cats?” You asked, Hobie.

“The singer’s name is Chris and the drummer is Byron.” He replied.

“I mean what’s the name of their band?”

“Oh, they ain’t a band, love. Chris sings folk music and Byron usually plays keyboard with a jazz quartet.”

Your head swiveled toward Hobie.

“You mean they’re not a band? And they sound that good together?”

“The drummer’s a bit slow on the pickup, but they’re all solid.” Hobie shrugged, swiveling in his stool until his knees kissed yours.

“Ok, Mr. Musical Savant.” You mocked a posh accent. “But you have to admit, they’re pretty tight together.”

“No doubt, but they won’t compare to our sound.” Hobie replied matter of factly.

 “Ohh? Big talk, Slim Jim.” You smirked, giving his shoulder a gentle punch.

“Yeah,” Hobie’s hazel eyes danced with amusement as he fixed you with his humorous half smile. The one that secretly made your heart race. “With the flavor to match.” He winked.

You thought you’d melt off the stool. Your mind raced as you tried to conjure up a response, but before you could Smiley interrupted.

“Oi, when you kids’re done whispering sweet nothin’s, the stage is clear.”

The pair of you swung your head in Smiley’s direction. You could swear you saw a bashful, almost embarrassed expression flash across Hobie’s chiseled features, but he was smirking in a blink.

“Sure, sure.” He replied, standing along with his bandmates. Before he made the short trek to the stage he turned to you. “Be right back, yeah? Dun let any creeps try an pull one over on ya.”

“London,” your voice lowered as you leaned forward on the stool. “You took the girl outta the Bronx not the other way around.”

Now it was Hobie’s turn to look stunned. He scanned your face and seemed about to say something before Silas tugged him away.

“Let’s go, Romeo!” The stoned bassist quipped.

You giggled as Hobie shrugged.

“Don’t talk to strangers, y/n.” He playfully warned.

As the band climbed on stage a piercing wolf whistle sounded in the crowd along with a loud smattering of applause. It was clear Hobie’s band were well known amongst this crowd.

“Ri’,” Hobie chuckled. “Look, we got a friend here, yeah? She came all the way from America so you blokes better make us look good!”

“Even if we suck!” Silas added, sitting down at the drum set.

The crowd laughed. So did you, a fond smile lingering on your lips.

With that introduction out of the way, the boys began tuning up. Immediately, you noticed a different between their sound check and the slapdash ensemble that’d gone before them. You sat up, admiring your friend bathed in hues of blue and purple that seemed to caress his high cheekbones and emanate from his deeply melanated skin. The sight was enough to make a flush rise up your neck. You crossed your legs and propped your chin on your fist. The boys started out the gate swinging with a piercing guitar riff that hyped the crowd, followed by Silas’ bombastic drums.

The crowd went crazy, and you lowered the drink you’d gotten in awe. Wow, so this was what Hobie got up to in those unpermitted shows? Back where you were from, there were black rockstars, certainly. Jimi Hendrix,  Betty Davis, Prince, but you only knew a couple cats who played rock like Hobie. Bad Brains and a little band out of Detroit called Death.

Still, you couldn’t deny, the band’s sound was tight. Loud, but tight. Hobie’s fingers were flying. The rest of the band was amazing too, but you couldn’t take your eyes off your fellow comrade. You’d never seen him so in the zone. His expression was relaxed, but his entire body was locked into what he was doing. His head bobbed with the rhythm of his guitar.

“Woowoooo!” You whooped, bouncing in your seat. The cheering got Hobie’s attention and he glanced at you with a smile.

When the band was done, the room practically shook with applause and cheering. You jumped from the stool to join the noise.

“Jeez, how’re you blokes gonna act when we really start playin’?” Smiley joked, making the crowd laugh.

Hobie lifted the hem of his shirt to dab his forehead, and you could have sworn you heard the entire female demographic of the audience swoon. Not that you weren’t one of them.

“Ri’,” Hobie spoke up, “but I wanna introduce our girl. A friend of ours who came all the way from America to�� visit.”

“Gwen!” Someone shouted.

You snickered. You almost forgot Gwen hung out with Hobie on a regular basis.

“No, not Gwen.” Hobie chuckled. “This is another friend. She’s in the music scene too.”

I am????

You thought.

“An’ I think she should come up here an’ join us, how bout you lot?”

The crowd cheered again. Your eyes widened.

What. The. Fuck?!

No way were you going up in front of this crowd. Everyone in there looked like they could kill you with their bare hands. Was Hobie crazy?

You sank down in your seat, but Hobie gestured to you broadly.

“Y/n, come up’ere. You know we ain’t gonna let ya off the hook.”

You looked around as if trying to find who he could be talking about, but all heavily made up eyes were on you as the punk crowd cheered you on.

“Yeah, c’mon y/n!”

“Be a sport!”

“Show us how they do it in America!”

Then the crowd began chanting your name. A thousand British accents practically singing “y/n, y/n, y/n!”

You could only gawk at Hobie whose pierced brow was quirked as he smiled slyly at you.

‘Come on’ he mouthed, holding out a ringed hand.

‘Seriously?’ You shot back?

‘Seriously.’ Hobie confirmed.

You prayed the moment would pass, but with everyone cheering you on and Hobie smiling gallantly at you like some knight in shining armor, you didn’t think you were getting out of this one. So with a quick ‘Ima kill you,’ to Hobie, you downed the rest of your drink and slid off the stool.

The applause got louder as you joined the band on stage, grabbing Hobie’s hand.

“Wow, umm, ok.” You chuckled nervously. “Look, I’m not from here, so my music probably isn’t gonna be you guys’ speed.”

“Try us!” Someone shouted from the crowd.

Alright. You would. You turned to Hobie with a half baked idea in mind. Time to bring a little Boogie Down to Camden.

“Yall know Rapper’s Delight?” You asked the boys.

All three members scoffed, almost offended at the notion that they didn’t.

“Yeah, love, we know Rapper’s Delight.” Hobie replied.

“You lead the way, y/n, we got ya covered.” Smiley winked.

“Alright, I guess ima kick yall something outta my hometown. Cool?”

The crowd responded favorably. You turned to the band, heart hammering nervously, and nodded.

Silas counted the band in.

“One.. two… one, two, three!”

Silas picked it up with the drums and Smiley quickly came in with the bass. Hobie was last.

God you were nervous, but man, the beat was way too funky to stay still so you bounced along. And when the beat gave way you started with the unmistakable intro of: “I said a hip hop the hippy the hippy to the hip hip hop and ya don’t stop the rock—“

But instead of biting Sugar Hill’s flow completely you decided to freestyle like the cats back home.

Now I know that you know that you ain’t eva heard this befo’, but layback and relax and let me kick you this flow.

Cuz in the boogie down, groove comes naturally to us and if you wanna be down and get down wit’ me now, you need proper influence. Boogie down B-town is where it really be happenin’ and I’m deliverin’ from Bronx and straight into Camden.

“Oooohhh!” The crowd chanted.

You laughed through your freestyle. Surprised by how much fun you were having. The crowd was jamming and the band was grooving right along with you. By the time the dance break came along, everyone was grooving along with you.

With an outro you thanked the crowd and were practically drowned out by their applause.

You slotted the mic back onto the stand only to be scooped into a hug by Hobie who spun you around. You laughed.

“That was amazing, y/n!” He exclaimed.

The rest of the boys joined you turning it into a group hug.

“Still wanna kill me?” Hobie asked.

“Yes!” You tried to glare at him, but your smile was too big. “But you made me sound good so I guess I’ll let you off the hook.”

Hobie laughed.

“I’ll take it.”

[cansofttechnologies-blog]

The Best Salon Pro Hair Products to Get That Perfect Style

Salon Pro hair products are essential to creating that perfect style. From hair creams, serums, and textured powders for a light-hold style, to wax, texturizing hair spray, paste, mousse, and pomade for a medium-hold style, Salon Pro has the perfect product for any look. Chic Cherie is one of the best distributors of Salon Pro hair products in Canada, so you know you're getting the best quality. 

In this blog post, we will be taking a look at the best Salon Pro hair products to help you achieve that perfect style.

Chic Cherie - A top distributor of Salon Pro hair products in Canada

Are you looking for the best salon-grade hair care products to get that perfect style? Look no further than Chic Cherie, Canada’s top distributor of Salon Pro hair products. These products are made with the highest quality ingredients and are specifically designed to give you that salon-quality look without the salon price tag. 

From creams and serums to waxes and texturizing sprays, Chic Cherie has it all. Chic Cherie is committed to providing customers with quality products at an affordable price. All of their Salon Pro hair products are produced using only the best natural ingredients and never include parabens or sulfates. 

No matter your hair type or texture, Chic Cherie has a solution for you. From curly to straight, thick to thin, their hair care products will provide you with salon-style results every time. With their easy-to-use formulas and variety of options, you can create the perfect style for any occasion.

Chic Chérie is a Canadian brand that is dedicated to serving Canada’s salons, individuals, and beauty entrepreneurs with a wide selection of high-quality spa and salon products, equipment, and furnishings. The company's mission is to be the best source for all of your beauty needs as a professional.

Chic Chérie's vision is to stay ahead of trends and technology to ensure customer, vendor, employee, and community satisfaction. Founded in Vancouver by combining a hair salon and a tech company, Chic Chérie has become one of the top distributors of salon-grade hair care products in Canada.

Why Salon Pro hair products are the best

Salon Pro hair products are specifically formulated to help create the perfect style.

The product range includes everything from creams, serums, and textured powders to wax, paste, mousse, and pomade.

Salon Pro hair products provide a medium hold that will last all day without compromising the integrity of your hair.

Their products are made with natural ingredients that nourish the scalp and hair follicles for healthy hair growth.

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They are easy to use and provide quick results so you can get that salon-style look in no time.

The different types of Salon Pro hair products

Salon Pro hair products come in a variety of types that can help you achieve a range of different looks. Whether you are looking for something to give your hair volume, texture, and hold, or something to nourish and hydrate your locks, Salon Pro has something for everyone. 

Salon Pro's range of hair creams, serums, and textured powders are perfect for giving your hair a medium hold while still keeping it natural and healthy. Their hair wax, texturizing hair spray, paste, mousse, and pomade products are great for achieving more structured styles with medium hold. If you are looking for something with a stronger hold, their gels provide maximum control for any style you desire. 

For those who want to add shine and nourishment to their hair, Salon Pro also has a range of oils and treatments that can be used before or after styling. These products contain natural ingredients that will keep your hair hydrated and healthy. 

Finally, for those who like to experiment with their hair, Salon Pro has a range of color products such as dyes and toners that can be used to create highlights or even complete color transformations.

How to use Salon Pro hair products to get that perfect style

Salon Pro hair products are an excellent way to achieve the perfect style. They offer a wide range of products designed to enhance your hair’s natural beauty and help you create that desired look. Depending on what style you want to achieve, there are many different Salon Pro products you can use. 

If you’re looking to add body and volume to your hair, Salon Pro hair creams are the perfect product to try. The lightweight formulas won’t weigh down your hair and they add shine while adding definition. 

For a more polished look, try using a medium-hold styling product such as texturizing hair spray, paste, mousse, or pomade. These products will help create more structure and hold for your style, allowing it to stay in place for longer. 

For those with wavy or curly hair, hair serums are great for achieving definition and control. They provide extra moisture and will help keep frizz at bay. Salon Pro also offers textured powders that can be used to give extra texture and definition to your curls. 

With the right products, you can create any look you desire with Salon Pro hair products. Whether you’re looking for a natural everyday style or something more glamorous for a special occasion, Salon Pro has the perfect product for you. 

With the help of Chic Cherie, Canada’s top distributor of Salon Pro hair products, you’ll be able to find the right product to get the perfect look.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for a stronghold or a softer style, Salon Pro hair products have the perfect product to help you achieve the look you desire. Chic Cherie is one of the leading distributors of Salon Pro hair products in Canada, offering the highest quality and best value for your money. 

With the right product and some styling tips, you can be sure that you will have a great hairstyle that lasts all day long. So don’t wait any longer - get the perfect style with Salon Pro hair products today!

[missroserose]

all you touch and all you see

“So...why are we here?”

A moment of silence.  Fingers tighten around a trendy reusable mug.  Green eyes flick up, meet his, far more sincere than he could have imagined, even a week ago.

“I can’t explain it.  I’m just...more myself, when you’re around.”

Sam Wesson is dreaming.  Well, half-dreaming; awake enough that he can tell that he’s lying in bed on sheets with some ridiculous thread count, covers bunched around his legs, the cool constant breeze of the ceiling fan blowing over his sleep-warm chest.  At the same time, he’s sitting in the passenger seat of an old muscle car, rain tapping on the roof and hissing beneath the tires.  The thrum of the V8 permeates his whole body as he flips through papers, research for the next job.  The automatic reverse on the tape deck clicks over, and Sam wonders how many times Dean’s played this exact Led Zeppelin album on this very deck.  A hundred?  A thousand?

Dean.  Dean is there in both worlds, beside him.  He glances over to where this Dean is squinting through the rain.  Takes in his scruffy jacket and worn shirt, hair standing on end in places, the ketchup stain on his jeans from his lunchtime drive-through burger.  It’s such a contrast to the Dean beside him in the bed, the Dean of suspenders and suits and Brylcreemed hair, the environmentally conscious vegetarian Dean who wouldn’t be caught dead driving a car that got fewer than thirty miles to the gallon.  

And yet, there are tells.  Little commonalities, signs that the two of them aren’t as different as they might look.  The way their eyes narrow slightly when faced with something they don’t immediately understand.  Their absolute disdain for talking about feelings any more than strictly necessary.  Their unbridled fierceness when they take on a threat, corporate or noncorporeal.

The way they both love Sam.  Fierce.  Devoted.  Protective to a degree that makes Sam wonder, sometimes.  Or would, if he weren’t every bit as smitten.

Sam isn’t sure what to say to that.  It’s disconcerting, seeing Dean in casual clothes—still natty in a sweater and slacks, but his hair is carefully (and attractively) mussed, his posture a fraction looser.  He keeps quiet, keeps his face open.  Knows, somehow, that this is the best way to keep people talking.

“You bring out something good in me.  If I’m going to keep climbing the corporate ladder, I need someone to help me remember I'm not actually in hell, you know?”

Sam can’t blame Dean for staying at Sandover, not really.  He’s on the fast track, in a position most people their generation would kill for.  Especially with the economy the way it is, steady jobs with good salaries and benefits are nothing to sneeze at.  Working as an executive is prestigious; it’s not like he was a cubicle jockey, subject to the indignities of unflattering uniforms and unsavory coworkers.  Dean is on his way up.

Sam, meanwhile, was on his way out.

The week after his slightly dramatic walkout, he’d been making serious plans to go hunting alone.  Spent his days poring over newspapers, looking for strange deaths or weird occurrences; imagined sniffing out supernatural threats, saving people.  He applied for a loan for a car—found a great deal on a Dodge Charger—and dedicated an afternoon to looking up supplies he might need to kit it out properly.  It was terrifying and exhilarating reading, realizing how much might be out there, how many beings he had yet to encounter, how much studying there was to do.  What to look for, what to pack, where to even begin.

Perhaps most saliently, his dreams—the strange, inexplicable dreams that had haunted him during his entire three weeks at Sandover, where he hunted things, where Dean was his partner, continually present—had stopped.

Then Dean Smith had called and asked him for coffee.

Dean’s eyes meet his again, just briefly, before dropping, a charmingly bashful smile spreading over his face.  “Look, I’m not asking you to marry me or anything,” he says, rubbing the side of his neck, looking away.  “It’s just, if you wanted...I think we could have a good time together.”

They do have a good time together—it’s a little surprising, really, the uptight executive and the slacker cubicle jockey pairing off.  But they share a love of bad action movies, and a passion for video games; Sam hasn’t had his ass kicked so thoroughly and consistently in Halo 3 since college.  But even beyond that, it was like their rhythms are aligned; they fall into cohabiting in Dean’s tiny apartment almost immediately, as if they’re already entirely used to living in each others’ pockets.  Work during the day.  Chores on weekends. And at night—

Well, of course, there’s the chemistry.  The sheer blinding-white magnesium-flame heat of the two of them together, as bright-burning as it is undeniable.  The way Dean’s eyes, green as his own, darken, pupils dilating, when Sam stands just a little too close.  The pulse-pounding rush of need that hits him when Dean’s mouth curls up at one corner in just the right way, the way that indicates Sam is about to come harder than he ever has in his life.  The soft, broken noises he knows Dean makes, that they both make, when they teeter together on the edge, a bare breath from tipping over, entwined.

“I know you don’t think this is our life.  What we’re meant to be doing.”  The words give the air around them strange twin taste—resigned and relieved, both.  “But Sam—it’s a good life.  It’s the life I’ve wanted, the one I never thought I’d be able to have.  God knows my dad didn’t think I’d make it.  Nobody did.  But here I am.”  His eyes meet Sam’s again.  “Here we are.”

Those beautiful manicured hands on him feel right in a way Sam’s never experienced before.  It’s not even sexual, not really—the sensation is there as much when Dean musses Sam’s hair as it is when Sam is shaking apart with Dean knuckle-deep inside him.  There’s just something about the two of them together that’s...centering.  Liminal.  Like they form their own shelter, the eye of the hurricane when the chaos of the world is howling around them.

Sam asked Dean once if he felt the same. Dean had quirked a brow at him, given a little smile—”What, like some kind of past life thing?  You going to start telling me we’re soulmates?  Whatever you say, Samantha—” and yet there’s something in the way he touches Sam at times.  Reverent.  Almost disbelieving.

Like Sam, too, is something Dean had never thought he’d be able to have.

“I’ve got some connections at my old firm.  I can make a few calls, get you an interview for a decent job.”  He takes a drink of coffee, forcing a pause; shielding himself for a moment from Sam’s reaction.  “I know it’s not your dream.  But you could stay.  With me.”

And yet, in a way, it is Sam’s dream.  Because Sam’s been having dreams again, almost from the day of that fateful coffee date.  Dreams where he and Dean do everything together that Sam had imagined, had read about.  Where they hunt demons, vampires, demigods—creatures that make Old Man Sandover look like something out of Beetlejuice.  Where they spend what feels like half their life in the boredom of long drives or library research sessions, punctuated by the heart-pounding adrenaline rush of a hunt, a fight.  Where he and Dean save each others’ lives over and over, where they would die for each other, probably will sooner rather than later, but where they’re alive now, where they retreat victorious with whiskey or beer to their shitty motel room—

Somewhere more private.  Lips swollen from kissing.  A hand on the side of his face, long fingers threaded in his hair.  Green eyes on his once more, open, honest.  Vulnerable.

“I’d like you to stay.  God, Sam—please.  Stay.”

—and where they never, ever touch.  

So Sam took the job.  Let the loan application lapse, eventually deleted the various websites on ghosts and mythology and monsters from his bookmarks.   He spends his days working in IT security, which is at least more interesting than tech support—it turns out he has a knack for breaking into systems, for getting into places he’s not supposed to be, for ferreting out information companies would prefer remain hidden.  And his nights—well, if spending his nights in Dean Smith’s bed (and on his couch, and over his desk, and in his office chair, and) is the consolation prize for growing up and letting go of childish dreams, it turns out adult life has its perks as well.

He takes one last look at the scruffed-up Dean—still pretty, Sam thinks, fondly; there’s just no way to make a face like that look common—and lets the dream fade.  The vibration of the engine, the hiss of tires on wet asphalt, even the dry-dusty smell of the Impala’s heater all grow distant; Sam moves his fingers, stretches, moves just enough to scoop his lover into the crook of his shoulder.  Dean nuzzles him, murmurs a few nonsense syllables, and sighs, settling back into sleep.

Sam takes a deep breath through his nose.  Hair pomade.  Cologne.  Sweat.  Dean.  It makes him happy, in the kind of way that leaves his chest a little tight, that brings tears to the corners of his eyes.

Most people don’t even get one life with Dean.  He gets two.  Gets to tread the thin line between them, the one where Dean is his perfectly ordinary lover, and the one where he’s—both more, and less.

As dreams go, he’ll take it, and be grateful.

[justhereforthefanfiction]

Subtle Induction: Matteo x Adele drabble/one-shot

Whatttt!!! Okay, I did say I didn’t have time to commit to a fanfic, but this scene popped into my head and I thought, heck. Fine. I can smash out a drabble. 

Famous last words, eh?

This was inspired by one of my Titanic prompts - Christmas (Modern/Urban) AU, but leans closer to a Workplace AU. Not chrismas-sy though :(

Subtle Induction | Titanic AU | Matteo x Adal

Click. Click. Click.

She stared at the spreadsheet despondently, figures swimming in front of her eyes.

NG-Organise? More like NG-bullshit. 

She sighed heavily.

48 hours. That was all it took for her world to come crushing down. 

Adal moved to London upon accepting a job offer that seemed too good to be true. A passionate activist of women's rights, Adal was currently putting herself through a political science degree by working tables at the local pub. One night, she overheard one of her patrons waxing lyrical about the emerging tech giant that was going to change the world. Immediately, she was enamoured. She looked up their careers directory and applied for a place on their PR team. 

To her surprise, what she thought would be a shot in the dark became a dream come true when she received an email invitation for an interview. Mr. Vasari had taken her interview, shown her around the workplace, and offered her a position. His deep baritone, steady gaze and fierce intellect made her feel safe and listened to, and she believed if this was any indication of the level of leadership she had to look forward to, the job would be a slice of heaven.

Little did she know she made a deal with the devil.

She huffed, rubbing the bridge of her nose tiredly. The hairs of her neck began to stand. Her eyes flicked over the barrier to the cubicle in the corner. 

He was looking at her again. 

Rolling her shoulders back, she met his inquisitive gaze heads on. He did not look away. Instead, he quirked one thick eyebrow up, an insufferable smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Matteo Vasari was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. But little did he know, she was no lamb. 

Adal scoffed. He had set her on this path. Convinced her that this was the exact progressive workplace she wanted to be in. That this was the job of a lifetime. Convinced her to move to London, quit her job, uproot herself and her sister to seize the opportunity to make a difference.

Within 2 days of starting, the facade of the dream came crashing down. 

James Eisler, the British division’s CEO had invited her and Matteo to discuss her role and responsibilities. She left that meeting white-knuckled, with her breath caught in her chest. It was evident that she was a token hire, a woman and person of colour that would raise the profile of their company to several key stakeholders they wanted to impress. And what better way than putting her in-charge of publicity. A public face for a public role. 

Immediately she saw what she didn’t see right there before. A predominantly anglo workplace. No women in managerial or senior positions. A white saviour mindset permeating throughout their work in various sectors. None of their practices took into account local expertise in the countries they assisted. It was shocking. A complete contrast to their current image. 

No wonder why they splash the big bucks on PR, Adal rolled her eyes.

Click. Click. Click.

She couldn’t just cut loose. Her apartment and Hileni’s new school placement was tied up with NGOrganise. They had offered it as part of their reloaction service, and Adal took them up. Now everything was at stake. 

Worse still, she was tasked to win over Zetta Serda, beloved Oscar-winning actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador for the past 5 years. To convince her to be part of their charade in spreading awareness and goodwill across the globe.

Scowling at her screen, she hears the rolling of a chair in the distance. Sharp footsteps pad towards her. Adal kept her eyes glued to the screen, her hand twitching in anticipation. Not long, the telltale strong, spicy scent of his pomade invaded her senses. A small cough. She reluctantly lifts her eyes. Matteo throws her a short, wry smile and nods towards her screen.

“Having trouble?”, he tucks his hands under his arms, his forearms exposed by crisp rolled-up sleeves. His wristwatch glistens under the fluorescent lighting. 11.45am. Gods, the day had barely begun.

“Trouble e-stalking a celebrity, tracking down her movements and formulating a false impression of our work for the campaign? Now why would you think that?”

He smirks, finding her candor refreshing.

“You look like you’ve been kicked by a horse”.

She gasps. His smirk deepens. 

“Well, I happen to have a lot on my mind.”

Matteo’s smirk fades and he nods, deep in thought.

“And how is your sister settling?”

Adal’s back stiffens. Matteo sees how it’s taken and immediately shakes his head, hands raised, cool demeanour gone.

“I meant, with school and everything. I understand it was a big move for her too.”

A beat passes, Adal’s face an inscrutable mask. 

“Great. We’re grateful to NGOrganise for putting her at St Rose’s Girls. Not an easy school to get into, from what we hear.”

The unspoken implication of the statement hangs heavily between them. It is known that girls that look like Hileni do not go to prestigious, high crust institutions like St Rose's.

Matteo nods. He hesitates over what he says next.

“Adal...we take care of our own here at NGO. You needn’t worry. You have every reason to believe that we have your best interests at heart. James is a man of his word.”

“And you?”

Adal sees his eyes flash for a split second, and then flicker with something heavy. She thinks calling it remorse would have been too generous.

His voice drops.

“I’m not your enemy. Look around you. People like us, we got to do whatever it takes to keep those doors open.”

Matteo falters. He takes a deep breath, but thinking better of it, stops himself. He steps towards the back of her chair. Alarmed, Adal’s breathing jumps. 

He bends over her shoulder, an arm at the back of her seat, his face and hers side-by-side, inches away from each other.

She tries to avoid it but she can’t. From the corner of her eye, she can see every line, every hair on his face. 

Belatedly, she registers that he is reviewing her work, his eyes fixed on her screen.

She thinks she can’t possibly hide her reaction to him, but hopes against hope that he hasn’t noticed his affect on her. His face is a passive mask, but the glint in his eye betrays him.

After a tortuous 15 seconds, he points to the screen and turns towards her, his breath shallowly wafting across her face. Their lips are inches apart.

“Add a column here for resources. As long as it is a prospecting expense, you may use it however you like”.

He straightens up to leave. Adal feels her face warm up. As he walks away, she releases her breath and hangs her head in annoyance and confusion. Or rather, annoyance at her confusion. Wasn’t he Enemy #1 a moment ago?

Before she could complete the thought, Matteo turns around, his eyes flicking to her screen.

“By the way, good job.”

She hesitantly smiles.

“I want it in my inbox before lunch time”.

She scowls as she watches him walk towards his desk, grab his laptop and head towards James Eisler’s office. 

Don’t look a gift horse in it’s mouth, is that what he is trying to tell me?

She shakes her head, her hand going for her mouse. 

Click. Click. Click.

Her eyes look for him across the room. 

No matter what he says, he had full knowledge I was a token hire. He encouraged me. Deceit is deceit.

Matteo strides into the boardroom, laptop in hand. Their eyes connect.

No matter how pretty his words are.

Determined, Adal looks at her screen and gathers her thoughts. She wasn’t going to be a pawn in someone else’s game. So what if she was a diversity hire? She knew her worth, and no amount of commiserating over shared experiences was going to stop her from being who she was. She was more than her race and gender. She needed to walk away from this unscathed, on her own terms, her own way. And she would.

Whatever it took.

---

Author's note: 

Hellooo Life 2.0 cameo! Doesn't Matteo come across a little like Jaime, in the sense they are both aware of the POC ceiling at their respective workplaces?

Also, leaning towards Mena Massoud as a face claim for Matteo. He is a little prettier, and his face is rounder, but look:

Kinda? Maybe?

Still trying to find the perfect face claim for Adele, but no luck. I do think Naomi Scott would do a kickarse job as her, if she was cast. 

There, the plot bunny is out of my head (for now).

[gingeralehux]

RULES: repost, don’t reblog. just pick a muse of yours and fill it out.

MUSE: Aldwyn Hux

— basics ▸ is your muse tall/short/average? Tall - 6′1″

▸ are they okay with their height? Hux is perfectly fine with his height. He feels his height truly makes the FO general’s uniform perfect, and the gabber wool greatcoat fits perfectly on his tall frame. 

▸ what’s their hair like? Short, a muted fiery red (not super common), and constantly in a state of perfect order with copious amounts of pomade. When he doesn’t have his hair set in pomade, Hux’s hair is quite plain, though a little dry due to the use of sonics versus regular water allotted to higher officers. Sonic showers get things done quickly and efficiently. 

▸ do they spend a lot of time on their hair/with their grooming? Well, he puts copious amounts of pomade in his hair, but he usually has it down to getting his hair set in under five minutes. That includes styling with pomade, and allowing it to set. 

▸ does your muse care about their appearance? Yes, and no. He was more concerned about his appearance when he was a child. He was thin to the point many assumed he was ill with some wasting disease. Now, as an adult, he still does care about his appearance. While tall, he’s still lean, bordering on lanky, so he does have added padding in his uniform, plus the padding of his greatcoat. 

▸ does your muse care about what others think about them? He’s learned to brush aside others’ thoughts on him. Again, growing up, he was constantly worried about what others thought of him, especially being Commandant Hux’s illegitamate bastard son. Now, he’s mostly concerned with what higher ups in High Command think of him, and those who are ranked below him who were former Imperials. 

— preferences ▸ indoors or outdoors? Indoors. Hux really hates nature. It’s too dirty to him, but forests aren’t too awful if he just bears through the hatred he has for nature.  ▸ rain or sunshine? Neither. He hates the rain, and the sun just makes him burn, though he’d probably be a bit fine with the sun. Rain is numbing, and it reminds him too much of his childhood, if you can even call it that.  ▸ forest or beach? Honestly, neither, but he’ll go with a forest if push really comes to shove.  ▸ precious metals or gems? Metal ▸ flowers or perfumes? No real preference, though he supposes light scented colognes are usually fine. He hates anything overpowering in scent.  ▸ personality or appearance? Personality  ▸ being alone or being in a crowd? He prefers being alone, though he’s required to work with a crowd ▸ order or anarchy? Order ▸ painful truths or white lies? A mix of both - He’s given out painful truths and covered things up with white lies.  ▸ science or magic? Science ▸ peace or conflict? In his twisted mind, he’s striving for peace, but it’s at the cost of using conflict. ▸ night or day? Night (He’s a night owl.) ▸ dusk or dawn? Dusk  ▸ warmth or cold? That’s hard to choose. He’s grown so accustomed to the cold, but he’d prefer warmth.  ▸ many acquaintances or a few close friends? He has a few close friends, though he prefers treating them more like acquaintances.  ▸ reading or playing a game? Hux prefers reading.

— questionnaire ▸ what are some of your muse’s bad habits? Hux has a whole list of bad habits. Despite looking like he’s the poster boy of the FO, he’s anything but that, even if he’s good at hiding it. His eating habits are absolute shit, and he’s taken to setting reminders on his data pad to eat an actual meal once in awhile, not a chalky little ration bar. What even is a healthy sleeping schedule? He abuses stims far too often to the point it’s a miracle he hasn’t dropped dead on the bridge. He also has a nasty inferiority complex he’s done well to hide from others, but every once in awhile, it eats away at him. 

▸ has your muse lost anyone close to them? how has it affected them? His biological mother – Keelin. While he wasn’t close to her, it was still jarring enough of an event to see her dead body in the kitchens of the Arkanis Academy during the siege. Evidently, Brendol had chosen to completely sever ties with his one-time mistress, and Aldwyn unfortunately had to discover her body before he was taken off-planet during an escape. It’s scarred him something fierce. 

▸ what are some fond memories your muse has? Define fond memory. Hux doesn’t really have fond memories, only memories where he’s made achievements in FO tech, weaponry, and ships. It’s his crowning achievement. Now, if there was ever a memory he was ‘fond’ of, it would probably be seeing his own father die and making the announcement of his father’s death to the FO. 

▸ is it easy for your muse to kill? Yes. It’s far too easy for him to kill and order others to kill for him. 

▸ what’s it like when your muse breaks down? Depends. A mental breakdown will have him withdrawing in on himself to the point he’s almost catatonic. He’ll usually drink himself into a stupor. He’s usually pretty dazed during these episodes. Otherwise, if he’s beyond pissed, he will make it known. He’s damaged his vocal cords once from actually screaming enough. 

▸ is your muse capable of trusting someone with their life? Not really. Closest person he trusts would probably be Phasma, and even then, Hux knows she could turn if she really wanted to, that he has to be careful with her. 

▸ what’s your muse like when they’re in love? Define love. Hux is more in love with his work despite having dallied in the occasional romp when he was in his late teens/early twenties. He wouldn’t define those moments as love, more like lust. If Hux does fall in love or experiences platonic love, he’d be a bit overly protective. 

TAGGED BY: Stolen from the dash on my non- SW blog. XD

TAGGING: Whoever wants to do the thing

[freeloveadvice]

5 Thoughtful Valentine's Gift Ideas for Him in 2022

It creeps up almost unexpectedly every year. January feels like it’s all about post-holiday recovery and resolutions and then suddenly – bam! It’s February and Valentine’s Day already?

Have no fear. You’re thinking ahead and searching for that perfect Valentine's day gift for him — one step ahead of most!

Having had brothers, uncles, and boyfriends in my life, I know the challenge of choosing a thoughtful gift for a guy. Practical is a fabulous route, but on Valentine’s Day, you want to put some extra thought into your gift to show how much you care. I love the combination of practical AND thoughtful.

>>Read More: How To Impress Your Husband, Boyfriend or Girlfriend

Personalized gifts – A wonderful way to create a special moment and a one-of-a-kind item he will cherish. Just keep in mind that it can take some extra time for the shop to customize your item so leave plenty of time ahead!

Experiences – Whether it be tickets to a concert, movie, sports game, spa, or vacation, you will both fondly remember a special experience gift.

Romantic gifts – Gift him a coupon book of things you might like to do with him (wink wink). Or, blindfold him and take him on a little excursion to a surprise hotel for a night away from home.

Budget gifts – If you’re watching your wallet then try a night in with a homemade dinner, Netflix, and a modest-yet-tasteful gift.

Hopefully, by now I’ve got your wheels turning for a few ideas. This year, I happened to be prepared during the holiday gift rush and kept some romantic gift ideas fresh in mind. I want you to have your gift all wrapped up by February 14th. Without further delay, here are my favorite Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him in 2022.

1. Chocolate Valentines Day Gift: You would be hard-pressed to find a guy who doesn’t love a box of chocolates, especially when they deliver a sexy massage! If you’re looking for a gift that is guaranteed to make him smile, this box of chocs from Diamond Chocolates will do the trick.

Choose from three different phrases and let him know you love him, especially in his birthday suit.

If your man loves the finer things in life (and he must, because he’s with you, and you’re fiiiine), he’ll delight in receiving a box of chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat. Make no mistake about it, these Parisian chocolates are seriously gourmet. Inspired by French master chef Nicolar Clouseau and handmade using the finest ingredients, each chocolate will sweep him off his feet. And, hey, if you play your cards right he might even share with you!

>> Read More: How To Impress Your Husband, Boyfriend or Girlfriend?

2. Personalized Leather Bracelet: Take your guy’s style up a notch with this sweet-yet-masculine personalized leather bracelet. Choose his initials, the coordinates of a special place, or a special message of up to 20 characters. It would also be a nice accent to his Fitbit or Smartwatch!

3. Personalized Leather Wallet: Get him a slim and stylish wallet that can also help protect his identity. This cleverly designed, super-slim, leather bifold wallet with RFID protection is the perfect gift. As a bonus, it can even be customized with laser engraving, initials, a sentence, or a logo! The premium full-grain leather construction ensures that this wallet will last for years to come.

4. Grooming Subscription Box: Who knew grooming could be fun?! With a monthly subscription from Birchbox, your man might just start looking forward to the daily maintenance of his face and body.

Every month, Birchbox will deliver 5 deluxe samples to your guy – everything from deodorant to soap, lip balm, pomade, and more. He’s sure to find some favorite new grooming products and be reminded of your thoughtfulness every time he receives a new box!

Oh, and best of all, the subscription is only $10/mth, making it super affordable and flexible.

5. Smart Mug: Now here’s a gift idea for the man who likes to be on top of the latest tech and enjoys a hot cup of joe (or tea!). The Ember smart mug lets you control the exact temperature of your beverage. It’s app-controlled, battery-powered (comes with a charging coaster), and, well, super cool!

Love is in the Air, Celebrate it With Your Beau! Now that the new year has arrived, Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. Let us know how you’ll be spending the day with the love of your life. Practical, experience, romantic, splurge – whatever gift you choose, have a warm and wonderful V-Day!!

[cherrynika]

It’s nice to see Alex again though he usually avoids former partners. It’s simply been long enough since their breakup that no trace of awkwardness is felt, simply a sense of familiarity. He’s more or less the same, having decided to keep the facial hair Jipyeong had always hated. It’s as sleazy-looking in real life as it is in the instagram photos he pretends he’s not scrolling through. That’s a pointless exercise that makes him wonder if he’d be more successful if he had chosen to stay in San Francisco, or if he’d still be the same person but with shittier fashion sense. It does, however, answer many questions that he’d like to ask (have you neutered Tim Tam yet, yes), prefer not to (are you married, 2 girlfriends and what was probably a sugar baby later, the answer is no), and never wondered (Crossfit is indeed life-changing; hot yoga gives you 10 more IQ points!).

Alex is cordial and professional at the Sandbox, offering Jipyeong nothing but a handshake before they sit down to grade the baby startups. But he lingers conspicuously in the meeting room after all the other judges leave. Jipyeong fingers a piece of his hair that’s come loose despite the pomade and waits.

“You look fluffier. Fatter.” Of course Alex’s first words are about his weight.

“I started eating rice again. I hated low-carb.”

“Rice or tteokbokki?” Alex smiles. “Anyway, it’s not a bad change. Let’s go to Gotgan. I have a reservation for 7pm.”

“You made a reservation for two?” Alex has always been overly confident, but that’s his charm.

“If you say no, I’ll ask Dongchun.”

Jipyeong considers him, looking almost exactly the way he did when Ms Yoon first introduced them 5 years ago. She’s always been able to look right into him and see what he wanted. As much as he respects her, he’s never wanted to tell her that her matchmaking attempt worked. Nothing he does today will have the tiniest effect on the future. All that’s in the past. All that’s waiting for him are Yeongsil and his big silent bed. So he gathers his notes into his satchel and fishes out the keys.

“Let’s take my car.”

“Let’s take the subway. It’s not far and we’ll probably get drunk.”

__

They stay sober. While getting drunk is fun, Jipyeong’s most regrettable moments (bar one that has surfaced intermittently for the last fifteen years) have all occurred when he was intoxicated (crying at a class KTV when Mrs Choi’s favourite song came on, dancing to Wonder Girls in front of a girlfriend’s parents). Staying sober is for the best.

Alex makes some noises about heading back to his hotel room. They both know he doesn’t mean it.

“I want to show you my new place,” Jipyeong says when they’re halfway there. He’s forgotten how private the sidewalks can be at night, cars on one side, the river on the other, blanketed in the dark. “It’s bigger than the one I had before I went to America.” Waves of headlights wash over them, illuminating Alex’s face before dipping them back into darkness. Everyone is rushing somewhere that only they think is important.

“I’d be surprised if apartments could be any smaller.”

“They’re always getting smaller.” Jipyeong jostles against him to avoid a woman on a bicycle. Alex puts his arm around him and doesn’t let go. In San Francisco this is what couples do. In Seoul they’re just old friends. Skinship, being a mentor, being a sunbae--these are all great excuses for what Jipyeong really wants to do. Even through two shirts and a lined blazer his body wants Alex’s body.

They walk in silence though the lobby, past the doorman whose chief qualification is knowing when not to look and float skywards in the lift.

--

“We have to take our shoes off, I just want you to know. You can leave them over there. Yeongsil, lights please.” The lights flicker on, Yeongsil is clearly having a good day.

“You know, I don’t let people wear shoes in my house either… That’s not Alexa.”

“It’s Yeongsil, it’s an AI speaker. It’s one of Ms Yoon’s more promising startups. It’s… more interesting than Alexa.” Jipyeong says, taking off his jacket and leaving it on the table. “It told me you were coming last week.”

“No, no, I told you that I was coming.”

“Yeah, but before I got your email. He tells fortunes too and he told me someone from my past was coming.”

“Everyday you meet someone from your past. And you shouldn’t let it listen to everything you do. It’s going to get hacked.”

“Astrology is in, everyone is going to love that feature,” Jipyeong shrugs. “Nothing I do here is worth any money, they can just hack my bank accounts.”

“You’re not paranoid enough for someone who works in tech.” Alex says, as he almost fondles Yeongsil.

“I’m actually trying to reduce my paranoia.” Jipyeong takes Yeongsil from Alex and stuffs him under the jacket. “Does that make you feel better?”

“No.” Alex continues to touch the other things in his apartment without permission. “Is every photo here of yourself? I know you don’t have family photos but that’s so vain. You should’ve kept some of the gang at 2STO or at least something to remind you of me.”

“The internet is filled with pictures of you. Anyway I still have the Grandpa Rudin you lent me, it’s more useful.”

“Did you really finish it?”

“I just wanted to know why everyone complains about it.”

“Well, now you know I guess. If you liked it don’t tell me.” Alex has moved on to the cardboard sign that proclaims Jipyeong the 2001 winner of the Inter High Schools Investment Competition brushing a finger over the scratch mark Tim Tam made on it before Jipyeong decided it would be safer in his closet. “I like the lamps. Are you into art now?”

“The seller had it staged, I just decided to buy it the way it was. I think it looks very cohesive.”

“So that’s why it looks like no one lives here. It’s like you don’t have any stuff.”

“No, I have the plants and I keep the EXO and Apink merch in the walk-in closet, it’s too personal to have it out here.”

“Red Velvet is better. I wish it weren’t so bloody creepy to be an uncle fan.”

Alex is still the only man with whom he can talk about Eunji and Kyungsoo and not feel dirty. He’s stumbled upon Dongchun’s Twitter (which is, in his own defense, a fascinating read) and knows too much about his deep love for TWICE. There is something a little unsettling about ajusshi fans, even if he is one himself.

“I think there’s something more interesting we can do here.” he takes the sign and puts it back on the top shelf. “I haven’t been laid in 6 months. I’m going to burst.”

“Couldn’t you have picked someone up at a nightclub?” Alex is smiling in such a familiar way; they both know this old dance.

“They’re full of university students.” Jipyeong says while helping Alex out of his jacket, which surprisingly, is only GAP. “You smell like metal.”

“It’s Sartorial, remember? From Penhaligon’s? It’s got that magnesium note.”

“You still haven’t finished it?” Jipyeong bought it as a gift while in London for him. It was so long ago, almost like a dream. He’s had dreams, whenever he’s been alone for too long, of undressing another person, but he can never remember what happens afterwards. The dream-person’s shirt has no smell, no trace of sweat. He slips Alex’s shirt off his shoulders. No undershirt as expected.

“Nope. I bought another bottle. It’s different from all the other man-perfumes. It doesn’t just smell like tonka bean.” He slips a finger over Jipyeong’s mouth, smearing his summer lip balm before dipping inside and scratching his gums lightly with a fingernail. “Your mouth is as lovely as you are horrible. Have you learned anything since we split up?”

“Test me,” Jipyeong says.

The only light in the bedroom is light pollution from the city below. It’s still more than enough to see by, despite the fact that Jipyeong’s night vision has gone to shit from more than a decade spent staring at a computer screen.

[this part not written yet]

--

He dozes off without meaning to and wakes up to the sound of engines. Alex is playing F1. He must have gone through his closet and found the playstation Jipyeong has been trying and failing to quit.

“You’ve got some very impressive beard burn on your jaw. ” Alex says as he overtakes Rosberg. He’s chosen the Singapore circuit. Onscreen the city is cloaked in darkness, the only thing that exists is a winding silver road and cars driving nowhere at 300 miles an hour.

He leans over and takes the controller from Alex, crashing into a Ferrari before spinning out into the barriers. “Are you bragging?”

“No, I’m just being honest.”

It’s a strange mirror of their early days when he would wake up to Alex on a coding binge, the clacking of the keyboard starting and stopping with his thoughts, the weak light of his laptop throwing huge shadows on the wall.

Jipyeong rolls forward on his belly; he wants to see Alex properly. “What do you like about Samsan Tech?”

“I like their engineering. Dosan’s incredibly talented. Their CODA algorithm builds on existing knowledge, and is an improvement on it.”

“And that’s your professional opinion?”

“What else would it be based on?” Alex fixes him with a look.

“Well. People say that you can’t be emotional as an investor. But how can it not be emotional?”

“Jipyeong. I’m excited in the way that I am when I see something beautiful. I wish you could see it too. I still can’t believe you’ve gotten so old without learning to read code.”

“I can code.”

“I don’t mean using OCaml to code a model.”

“There’s only so many hours in a day.” He rolls over and watches the dead light from the screen play across the ceiling. “I can always ask an expert.”

“I’m going back to America after Demo Day, you know. As fun as it would be to stay here and pretend we don’t know each other I have a job I have to get back to.”

“I meant other experts.”

“There are none like me.”

“Well. Talking to you is more fun.” He tangles his fingers with Alex.

“You’re not still posting loss porn on Wallstreetbets are you?”

“I just did. Lost fifty thousand on Apple puts.”

“You’re going to end up living in a corndog stand again.”

“Actually, I won’t. I didn’t tell you yet but I found her last month. She’s in a food truck now. So there’s nowhere I would go.”

“Can I meet her?” Alex perks up. He’s always loved a good story. “I want to know what you were like as a kid.”

[kbeeeh]

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Argentine Mega-star Lionel Messi Has Arrived a In this manner, follicularly talking considering that his morning in Barcelona. The platinum was star had been on very top of the match over the pitch and also onto his bonce.

 "You are able to view somebody has time plus Attempt to have this colour since it truly is maybe not a straightforward one to receive," notes Carr. "Proceed to some body who is fully competent and can colouring each and every moment. You may undergo the procedure of shaving it then after you'd need to spend a silver sock that can make down it and eliminate the apples and also perhaps the yellows you never desire.

 "Some times you can not do All of It in a Single Sitting as that you really do not desire to hurt or extend your own entire scalp. A shade tech may understand from the durability of one's own hair and assessing its own elasticity if you need multiple "

 Sergio Ramos

Whilst Real Madrid center Again Sergio Ramos May perhaps not qualify as the best player the moment it regards his on-field drama with his own hair really is equally as eloquent and clean since they are come. "Ramos has hair that is great," enthuses Carr. "The blossom really helps a complete ton also. Minus the blossom, it may seem overly sterile and also force you to look fairly younger. We do not beg t call anybody no school-boy.

 "Spray this appearance using significantly less merchandise also it Will drop down by natural means and make an amazing feel for it. Even though in the event that you set extra product init to carry up it it is going to feel as a pompadour or even higher quiff drifted across the sides and back. You will likely be needing to goto the barbers as soon as each week, perhaps not trimming on the shirt every moment, however, only retaining the sides clean "

 Neymar

Just like Pogba, Paris Saint-germain ahead Neymar can be really a guy who's perpetually altering his own hair from directly and spiky such as some thing out of Dragonball Z into the natural glow. "it offers inspiration for visitors to modify their own hair and also stylists the independence to make," says Carr.

 Do Keep in Mind that always shifting Your own hair such a stunning method can raise your odds of harm. "The blonde is not proper just how into the origins, Thus if you aren't moving all of the way in which it may hurt the very best coating however afterwards you may cut off it and also the re-growth wont get ruined the pores "

 On either side, it is a brassy bald Fade, radically contrasting the curls in addition to It is intentionally messy S O Do not elect for anything much more durable when compared to the sea pepper spray.

[1dreality]

(4/5)

By Neil McCormick, music critic

30 OCTOBER 2017 • 2:53PM

Hair piled up in a pomaded quiff, dressed in a floral brocaded blue-and-gold suit, playing a big-bodied Gretsch guitar, Harry Styles looks very much a retro-obsessed country rocker. It could have been a young Chris Isaak channelling Gram Parsons in the Flying Burrito Brothers. Backed by a tight, unflashy four-piece band, the charming seventies-inflected pop-rock of Styles’s debut album was gorgeously buffed and burnished. Ballads shimmered in a haze of harmonies and sensitively picked acoustic guitars, rockers ripped it up with dirty swagger.

Steely Dan: sumptuous but indulgent -O2, review

If Styles had been playing in a scruffy hipster rock venue, from Shoreditch to Nashville, he wouldn’t have been out of place. The old Art Deco walls of Hammersmith Apollo have certainly resounded to the riffs of plenty of hot little guitar bands like this over the decades – a thrilling version of Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain seemed designed to establish their place as a link in a chain stretching all the way back through the annals of rock’n’roll.

The only thing unusual about all of this was the audience. I’m not saying Harry Styles fans are short, but I’m only 5’10” and it is quite rare for me to be able to see over everybody’s heads at a gig. Five thousand girls (most of whom were too young to use the empty bars) sang emphatically, screamed sporadically, chanted noisily and treated the occasion like a teenage rave. It was like seeing The Jayhawks being greeted with Beatlemania. Some of them had been camping out under Hammersmith flyover all week, just for the opportunity to grab a spot close to the stage. The show had to be stopped twice to rescue girls who had fainted in the crush, whilst Styles (who has past experience in such matters) spoke soothingly, asking everyone to look after their neighbours.

Although Styles held the centre with a calm, focused charisma, the former boy band idol’s smooth between-song patter erred on the side of showbiz blandishments, as he perpetually thanked fans from the bottom of his heart with a clichéd sincerity that betrayed his manufactured pop training. These shows represent Styles first live forays away from One Direction, a series of (relatively) small gigs before next year’s Arena tour. His self-titled debut album in May was something of a surprise, forgoing the hi-tech fizz of modern pop for a quirky, retro-inflected collection of intimate, whimsical Americana. It suggested someone intent on making the difficult transition from pop idol to credible singer-songwriter.

I have heard whispers and grumbles that his record company were not best pleased with the change of (One) direction. While his debut reached number around the world, sales were modest and faded quickly, and it has only produced one hit single. Yet in a live setting, with a superb band, the melodicism and emotion of his quirky songs seemed powerfully resonant. Ballad From The Dining Table essayed a mournful beauty that called to mind Ryan Adams. Stonesy rocker Kiwi was a room-shaking showstopper, with Styles hurling himself about with the lithe swagger of a young Mick Jagger.

'A fascinating delve into pop history' – Tears for Fears, Royal Albert Hall, review

It helped that his devoted fans knew every word to every song, adding some of the most tuneful choral backing vocals I have ever heard at a rock concert. Their enthusiasm made you wonder: why shouldn’t country rock be considered pop music? For many of these young fans, it probably sounded as fresh as it did in the heyday of The Eagles. When Styles threw in rocked-up versions of 1D hits Stockholm Syndrome and What Makes You Beautiful, performed with relish rather than irony, the two strands of his career fitted together surprisingly well.

Saving his sole hit, Sign of the Times, for a suitably epic finale, this show felt like the beginning of a beautiful musical journey, for audience and star alike.

[surveysonfleek]

405.

1. Top 3 ice cream flavors: 1. cookie dough 2. bubblegum 3. rainbow 2. Top 3 disney movies: 1. aladdin 2. mulan 3. lion king 3. Top 3 vacation destinations: 1. san francisco 2. amsterdam 3. toronto

4. Top 3 places to shop: 1. h&m 2. bath and body works 3. any department store 5. Top 3 school subjects: 1. visual arts 2. design and tech 3. english 6. Top 3 make up products: 1. highlighter 2. lipstick 3. brow pomade 7. Top 3 music artists: 1. rihanna 2. the weeknd 3. beyonce 8. Top 3 spices/herbs: 1. pepper 2. garlic 3. rosemary 9. Top 3 drinks: 1. root beer 2. creaming soda 3. bubble tea 10. Top 3 apps to use: 1. instagram 2. snapchat 3. facebook 11. Top 3 months of the year: 1. december 2. january 3. september 12. Top 3 clothing items: 1. oversized tees 2. shoes 3. leggings 13. Top 3 tv shows: 1. the office 2. antm 3. psych 14. Top 3 romantic dates: 1. dinner date 2. traveling 3. cooking at home 15. Top 3 kinds of flower: 1. peony 2. tulip 3. orchid 16. Top 3 christmas movies: 1. elf 2. home alone 3. idk what else 17. Top 3 OTPs: 1. honestly never had otp’s lol 2.  3.  18. Top 3 quotes to describe your life: 1. ugh, i hate quotes! 2.  3.  19. Top 3 characteristics you love about yourself: 1. loyal 2. funny 3. inquisitive 20. Top 3 kinds of candy: 1. crunch 2. swedish fish 3. red frogs 21. Top 3 ways to exercise/be active: 1. cross trainer 2. walking around a city  3. cycling  22. Top 3 spirit animals: 1. dog 2. panda 3. sloth 23. Top 3 pet names: 1. my love 2. baby 3. idk 24. Top 3 books: 1. harry potter series 2. memoirs of a geisha 3. dan brown stuff 25. Top 3 most used websites: 1. youtube 2. facebook 3. reddit 26. Top 3 people you last texted: 1. my boyfriend 2. irene 3. sinead 27. Top 3 hashtags you use: 1. these three on this survey lol 2. 3. 28. Top 3 instagram accounts you follow: 1. badgalriri 2. taramilktea - i don’t know much about her but her travel pics are amazing 3. bruno mars 29. Top 3 guilty pleasures: 1. napping 2. baked goods 3. smoking 30. Top 3 summer activities: 1. going out at night 2. laying under the a/c 3. beach days 31. Top 3 things to draw: 1. i never draw lol 2.  3.  32. Top 3 aesthetics: 1. face 2. body 3. clothing style? 33. Top 3 things you’d buy if you gained three million dollars: 1. an amazing house 2. round the world trip 3. a tesla 34. Top 3 ways to treat yourself: 1. food 2. makeup 3. perfume 35. Top 3 celebrity crushes: 1. avan jogia 2. bruno mars (don’t ask lol) 3. rihanna 36. Top 3 books from your childhood: 1. babysitter’s club 2. goosebumps 3. sweet valley 37. Top 3 accents to hear: 1. spanish 2. boston 3. swedish 38. Top 3 scents: 1. j’adore by dior 2. freshly baked bread 3. summer rain 39. Top 3 “friends” quotes: 1. didn’t really watch it 2.  3. 40. Top 3 cupcake flavors: 1. red velvet 2. chocoate 3. cookies and cream 41. Top 3 fruits: 1. banana 2. apple 3. rockmelon 42. Top 3 places you’ve had amazing pizza from 1. is it bad that pizza all tastes the same to me? 2.  3. 43. Top 3 sports teams to watch: 1. lakers (’09-’10 days) 2. 3. 44. Top 3 crayola colors 1. turquoise 2. pink 3. orange 45. Top 3 things you hope to accomplish in college: 1. i’ve finished college 2. 3.  46. Top 3 fanfictions you’ve read: 1. haha i don’t read fanfictions 2. 3. 47. Top 3 people you miss right now: 1. boyfriend 2. my dad 3. some of my friends 48. Top 3 fears: 1. losing someone i love 2. cockroaches 3. things not going to plan 49. Top 3 favorite literary devices: 1. meh idk 2. 3.

[vaniveautyvlog-blog]

Good morning! Let’s talk brows!! I used to have beautiful, full and perfectly shaped brows. When I moved to Nashville, it was impossible to find a good brow tech! I went to a few different places and even tried out European Wax Center. But no one did my brows like my girl back home in Miami. So I just stopped trying to find someone to do my brows. I’ve been plucking and trimming my own brows for about 4 years now and I’ve lost a lot of shape and depth from it. I’m no brow expert, so obviously I’ve been ruining my brows little by little. For the past six years, I’ve been using @nyxcosmetics #EyebrowCakePowder and have loved it! It’s inexpensive and effective. It’s been an amazing product to use. But as I’ve begun my journey with prestige brands, I wanted to try out a new product. @anastasiabeverlyhills @norvina @anastasiasoare #DipBrow #Pomade in #Taupe is the BOMB!! A little goes a long way, so this isn’t a product to cake on heavily. The left brow in this photo is done with Dip Brow and the right brow is bare. WHAT A HOLY DIFFERENCE! I’m in love with this product and can’t wait to continue blessing my brows and this feed with more #ABH Brows! Like, wow. I’m still shook. Whose brows are these?! 😂 https://www.instagram.com/vaniveautyvlog/p/Bw1ui32pg6a/?igshid=1hapfi6j67t68

[cap7597]

2/24/17 - Same as the other days this week. Used the Gillette Ranger Tech. Also got Skin Brazer aftershave. It's been a while since I've used it. Still smells great! @reuzel is the bomb!!! Video up later today! #linkinbio #stache #moustache #mustache #wetshave #srs #straightrazor #shave #pomade #shaving #followme #guys #men #style #instapic #instagood #safetyrazor #instadaily #instaphoto #photo #picoftheday #photooftheday #sotd #shaveoftheday #shavelikeyourgrandpa #dfs #bbs #youtube #liamcruz

[harpergetsfannish]

I feel the need to break this down.

1. a. What are we thinking Iggy uses in his hair? Mousse? Pomade? There’s some back-combing happening for sure. Maybe one of those hairsprays that are like concrete.

b. Devotion (tm).

2. a. That thing on the back of Noct’s glove would really hurt if he hit you with it. 

b. Bed hair don’t care.

3. Camera maintenance fills me with glee and I don’t know why. You think Prom confiscates Noct’s phone on the regular to wipe it down? Prom’s a tech bro I can it happening.

4.  Prom has really nice nails. Much nicer than most of the guys I know. Now I’m just imagining him sitting around with his little manicure kit doing his nails on the regular. “We’re camping. That doesn’t mean I have to live with ratty nails.”

5. The Softbrous Dorkicus is resting. Please note how he keeps his charge within arms reach even while seemingly absorbed in his book. The protective instincts of the Softbrous Dorkicus are some of the strongest ever observed.

[Hotel Scene]

[cashdiamondsgold]

trophy wife makeup tips?

Yes!!! Natural Glam FTW.

You want your makeup to be noticeable yet classy not and not over the top. The key is to enhance your existing features not to mimic others. You don’t have to contour your nose!

Keep your lashes wispy and suited for your eye shape. Eyelash extensions are a good choice because your lash tech will know how to open your eyes or make them more sultry etc. And that’ll make it easier to do your makeup in the morning. Hybrid lashes are the best.

Meduim coverage foundations are perfect because they are versitle. I like Fenty Beauty Pro Filter and for low coverage Lancôme Skin Feels Good bb cream.

NARS Exhibit A or raizin by MAC are good blushes for WOC. Anastasia BH also has really good highlighting palettes for every skin tone.

A liquid eyeliner is a must have. Make sure to get one with a felt tip. And you need a neutral palette with warm and cool neutrals.

Some really nice lipsticks are Baswe Lady by the lip bar or Creme in your coffee by MAC. They are universally flattering. Brown lip liner is a must have for WOC.

For formal events or a night out add more drama and for everyday add less drama. Your makeup should be appropriate for whatever dress code your following. For example makeup is not needed for the gym and more then lip gloss is needed for a gala. Your go to look should be something like this:

Tip: practice on brows a lot. I see too many overfilled brows and it will ruin your entire look. Consider getting them microbladed if you struggle with them. Always keep brows shaped up/ clean. Fill in your brows according to your natural shape not the trends and use the right color pomade as well. Removing excess facial hair altogether will make makeup application easier and more flawless. It is okay if you do not have thick brows like the girls in the photos. Do not overfill please lol. You can use eyebrow razors for peach fuzz.

[lookaftermi-blog]

5 top Eyebrows Embroidery in Singapore

Eyebrows are one part of the face that requires extra attention, especially for thin eyebrow owners. A variety of product choices are used so that the eyebrows always look great and on fleek. Starting from the eyebrow pencil, brow powder, brow pomade, to brow mascara to trim the eyebrow hairs to stay in place. However, to get a neat brow finish, many women choose to shape and trim their eyebrows in the salon in the hands of experts. Both the waxing and threading methods. Well, if you're interested, here are 5 salon recommendations for trimming your eyebrows that you can try!

Spa Aperial Beauty & Wellness

Spa Aperial offers a wide range of High Technology Germany Facial Treatments, slimming treatments and massages. They are proud of their Award Winning Premium BABOR STEM CELL Treatments & Products from Germany. All of their face body, spa & nail indulgences are professionally performed by our friendly and certified therapists and beauticians. Spa Aperial has gained vast experience and is, therefore, able to serve your individual needs and let you escape the stressful everyday's life. Known for its high-tech facial treatments, Spa Aperial also offers brow embroidery services. Dedicated to delivering quality services and effective results, Spa Aperial also believes in building a strong rapport with their clients so they can understand their needs better.

Try their 2D Eyebrow Embroidery with us here and get a better offer for your appointment.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-9pm

Location: 308 Telok Kurau Road Vibes Singapore - 423858

Perfect Brows by Desi

Desi has made it her mission to perfect all eyebrows in Singapore. A skilled therapist, she has an incredible technique and an eye for beauty. She will ensure that your eyebrows and lips suit your personality, your face shape, and your desired look. Enjoy a peaceful and comfortable setting with wonderful staff who will make your brows perfectly. Book their 15-minute eyebrow embroidery with Lookaftermi today!

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11pm-7pm

Location: 10 Anson Road Singapore - 079903

Beauty Recipe Aesthetics

Beauty Recipe is most well known for their Korean Semi-Permanent Makeup. Their therapists and trainers are experienced, well trained and updated with the latest semi-permanent makeup in Korea every year to bring you the latest trends with the best techniques available out there to ensure customer satisfaction as their priority. Their organic color pigments used are fully plant-based from Korea for their Eyebrow, Eyeliner and Lip Embroidery so it is safe for their clients, produce the best results and will not change color over time. They believe in using only pure organic plant-based color pigments on their clients because it’s safe even on sensitive skin, is more long-lasting, and very importantly, don’t change color over time. Therapists are also trained in Korea to be updated with the latest trends and techniques. Book with us now!

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11pm-9pm

Location: 277 Orchard Road Singapore - 238858

: Blk 104 Jurong East Singapore - 600104

Browart Studio

Browart Studio is a leading permanent make-up salon in Singapore. They are famous in Singapore for eyebrow, eyeliner and lips embroidery. They take into account your face shape, features, and lifestyle to design and create your perfect, personalized look. They attract customers from around the world for the quality of their service.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-8pm

Location: 112 East Coast Road, Singapore - 428802

Arch Angel Brow

Nestled in a cozy corner of Clementi Central, Arch Angel Brow was started by two young aspiring lady entrepreneurs with a combined experience of over eighteen years in the beauty industry. Together, they specialize in eyebrow embroidery, adapting the latest techniques and trends from the Korean peninsula. Try their 45 minutes Creative eyebrows with us now!

Opening Hours: Mon- Sat 11pm-9.30pm

Location: 321 Clementi Ave 3, Singapore - 129905