Ron And Hermione Share A Bed

Drowned, betrayed, and humiliated—Brandon’s life ended in the most pathetic way possible. But when he opened his eyes again, he was no longer Brandon. Reborn as Noah Weaverheart—in a novel he had read—the spoiled yet talentless son of a duchess, he quickly realizes a cruel truth: he’s nothing more than a stepping stone, fated to die in the first 30 chapters of this world’s story. But fate isn’t set in stone. Because he now has the Sovereign Bond System, a power that allows him to share everything from the women he bonds with—but at 10,000 times the quality. — [Ding! You have bonded with Neko Neko.] [Ding! You have shared the affinity and talent of Neko Neko.] [Ding! You have obtained the affinity: Ice (SSS rank) and the talent: Sovereign of Ice (SSS rank).] Noah’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. If this world wanted him to be a stepping stone, then he’d crush the so-called protagonist, steal his harem, and rewrite destiny itself. Discord link: https://discord.gg/Y7S3ZH5qPy Characters art by @Darkstar116.

Ertrunken, verraten und gedemütigt – Brandons Leben endete auf die erbärmlichste Weise. Doch als er seine Augen wieder öffnete, war er nicht länger Brandon. Wiedergeboren als Noah Weberherz – in einem Roman, den er gelesen hatte – der verwöhnte, aber talentlose Sohn einer Herzogin, erkennt er schnell eine grausame Wahrheit: Er ist nichts weiter als ein Sprungbrett, dazu bestimmt, in den ersten 30 Kapiteln dieser Welt zu sterben. Aber das Schicksal ist nicht in Stein gemeißelt. Denn jetzt besitzt er das Souveräne Bonds-System, eine Macht, die es ihm erlaubt, alles von den Frauen, mit denen er sich verbindet, zu teilen – aber in 10.000-facher Qualität. — [Ding! Du hast dich mit Neko Neko verbunden.] [Ding! Du hast die Affinität und das Talent von Neko Neko geteilt.] [Ding! Du hast die Affinität erhalten: Eis (SSS-Rang) und das Talent: Herrscher des Eises (SSS-Rang).] Noahs Lippen kräuselten sich zu einem wissenden Lächeln. Wenn diese Welt ihn zu einem Sprungbrett machen wollte, dann würde er den sogenannten Protagonisten zermalmen, seinen Harem stehlen und das Schicksal selbst umschreiben.

In a world where kingdoms rise and fall on loyalty and power, A princess always stands carried tje weight of her kingdom with pride-fierce, determined and selfless, and unshakably devoted by her people. When her homeland faces the rising thread of a powerful Koch Dynasty, she sets out to seek help from an unlikely ally-Prince arnold, a newly crowned ruler of a powerful neighboring kingdom. Though Arnold offers her his aid without conditions- a letter left behind by his late father suggest a union between them: a proposal of marriage between their children. Caught in a strom of politics, war and growing emotions, Ariana must navigate her kingdom or will it cost her heart? With was looming and loyalties tested, she faces the greatest decision of her life. A princess, a deal and a promise is a tale of love legacy and the powerful bonds between hearts and nations. Though romance, battle, and unbreakable friendship and understandings, this story provesthat sometimes, the greatest strength lies in promise made-and kept.

tells the tale of Khalid, a young man born with one arm and one leg in a small desert village. Despite his physical limitations, Khalid strives to support his mother and help his fellow villagers. When their peaceful existence is shattered by a group of traders and their ruthless guards, Khalid finds himself in the midst of chaos and violence. Forced to leave his home, Khalid embarks on a journey where he must confront his limitations and face challenges head-on.

Raised in the quiet countryside, Aaron never imagined he was anything more than a good cook with a sharp punch and a braided head of hair. Alongside his adoptive brother Helios life was simple, predictable, and peaceful. But peace never lasts. Hello guys ! This is my first novel, so if you have any advice, I'm open to every criticism

You know what’s funny? These days, every so-called villain story is the same. Some guy gets betrayed, turns cold, starts playing 5D chess with people’s lives, acts heartless—but deep down, he’s always the victim. Always wearing that mask of pain to justify why he’s screwing others over. It’s become a trend. If he’s not manipulating the heroines, crushing the hero under his boots, and pretending like he’s saving the world by destroying it, people say he’s not a real villain—just another edgy antihero. But me? I don’t see villains like that. To me, a villain is just… a human. A man who’s kind when he chooses to be, cruel when he has to be. He’s not trying to prove anything to the world—he just refuses to be someone else’s puppet. And yeah, sometimes that means breaking rules, breaking trust, even breaking people. This story? It’s not about redemption or pity. It’s about a man the world calls a villain, but who’s just doing what he must to survive in a world that was never fair to begin with. He plays fate like a rigged game. The heroines? Destined for someone else? He rewrites that. Make them love him... because he can. The ‘son of heaven’? He crushes him, not for glory—but to show the heavens he’s not below them. Yeah, he lies. Makes promises he never plans to keep. He takes what he wants, even if it means tearing down everything in his way—including love. But if you look a little closer… beneath all that chaos and manipulation… there’s a heart. Not soft. Not perfect. But real. This isn’t the story of a man trying to be a villain. This is the story of a man who stopped pretending to be one. In this story, the heroines will feel. Really feel. Not just cry on cue or exist to fall in love—they’ll ache, rage, doubt, hope. And the villain? He’ll feel too. But not in the way that makes him soft or fragile. No, his emotions make him terrifying. He doesn’t run from what he feels—he owns it. Wields it. Turns it into fuel. So when he falls for someone, it’s not a weakness—it’s a warning. Because once he decides he wants her, he’ll make sure she falls too. Not by luck. Not by fate. By design. That’s the difference. He doesn’t fall in love hoping to be loved back. He falls in love, and then bends her world until it becomes inevitable. And no, he won’t save her out of pity. He’ll destroy anyone who touches what’s his—but never out of mercy. His pity is saved for people who were too shallow to understand him in the first place. See, this villain isn’t the typical archetype. He’s not cold for the sake of being cold. He’s not pretending to be empty inside. He feels more than anyone else—more than the heroines, more than the so-called heroes. That’s what makes him dangerous. He can love deeper. Hurt harder. Manipulate smarter. And that’s why he has to be just a little more ruthless than them all. Because in a world that demands you hide your heart to survive—he doesn’t hide it. He sharpens it. TAGS— Villain MC, Antihero, R-18, Dark, Manipulative Protagonist, Netorare (NTR), Smut, Possessive Male Lead, Yandere, Harem, Reverse NTR, Mature, Psychological, Cold Protagonist, Revenge, No Redemption, Scheming MC, Ruthless MC, Obsession, Overpowered MC, Seduction, Love and Betrayal, Dark Romance, Emotional Manipulation, Heartbreak, Love-Hate Relationship, Power Play, Mind Games, Tragic Past, Slow Burn, Dominant Male Lead, Twisted Love, Alpha Male, Dark Fantasy, System, Morally Grey MC, Complex Relationships, Red Flags, Gaslighting, Unforgivable Actions, Villainous Love Interest, Control, Domination, Ambiguous Morality, Forbidden Romance, MILFs

In a world where all Audrey had ever experienced was pain and abuse, meeting people who directed even the littlest bit of care or love unnerved her. Audrey saw the world as black and white , nothing in between, she saw Asher as a pretentious perfect chiché boy. But one thing Audrey forgets is that everyone has secrets , some more scarier than others. But when those secrets become a threat to Audrey's life does she flee a person that has shown her only love.

Description: Love. Lies. And a shadow that watches her every move. When Ahaan Shaikh, an elite undercover spy, is wounded on a secret mission, he lands in the hospital of Dr. Mahi Shaikh — the woman he once loved and abandoned, using a false identity. She doesn't know who he truly is. He doesn't know that she's the next target. And neither of them know... that someone else is watching. Someone who loves Mahi with a dark obsession. Someone who believes she belongs to him, not Ahaan. Someone who will do anything to claim her. As Ahaan fights to protect Mahi from a faceless enemy, he's given an impossible order: Kill the woman he loves… or be killed. He refuses. So they send someone else. Mishri — a deadly operative with her own secret: She’s been in love with Ahaan for years… and she’ll destroy Mahi to have him. Caught between a lover who lies to protect her, a woman who wants her dead, and a man in the shadows who’s falling deeper into madness — Mahi must survive a game she never agreed to play. "A Spy and a Scalpel" is a romantic thriller packed with obsession, betrayal, and secrets sharp enough to cut. He fell first. She fell harder. But someone else… is willing to bleed for her.

Twelve years ago, Kathy’s mother took her own life without a warning, without a note — just silence, Daisy-- the girl who once held her hand-- vanished too. Now at nineteen, by pure accident, they reunite at university. no warning, no plan, no closure. but the past doesn't just stay buried. But Daisy doesn't know-- doesn't know about the silence, the bruises and Kathy finally speaks... Twelve years and a funeral is a slow-burn story of grief, love, guilt, and the heartbreaking reunion of two girls. TW: suicide, domestic violence, mental health, emotional trauma, some coarse words, cheating, Intimacy.

Meili is a once-in-a-generation beauty raised in secrecy in the inner courtyards. To keep her safe from the palace concubine selections, her family conspires to make everyone, including her, believe that she's ugly. The secret's revealed when 3 peeping Tom’s get more than they bargained for spying on the 'ugly sister' bathing. The perverts are best friends, a young commander, the second prince, and an admired poet, and the 3 young men compete fiercely for her affections. As Meili emerges from 16 years in seclusion, her deeply rooted body dysmorphia has hilarious consequences as she misreads her interactions with men and proves to be a far more complex puzzle to woo than any of them are equipped for. A cdrama romcom where a young girl is a glittering prize trying her hardest not to be won. [#teen #lovequadrangle #historicalromance #romcom #chinesedrama #sweetromance] EXTRACT: Meili slipped out of her robe and sat on a ledge in the warm pool. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, tiny silver bells tinkled as she moved. It felt wonderful to be free of her chest binding. It was starting to get quite painful. She didn't dare stop wearing it in case it encouraged her already disconcertingly large breasts to keep expanding. It was onto this scene that the Commander, the Prince and the poet happened, as they soundlessly raised their heads above the peaked roofline. For a full minute not one of them moved or breathed. Her long hair covered her generous curves, allowing tantalising glimpses. She reached behind her neck to push back her hair. Commander Bai, realising what was about to happen, clamped each of his hands firmly over the eyes of the Prince and Tan Bowen. A fight broke out on the ridge-line as the men clawed and scratched in a panicked attempt to see what came next. Meili looked up in fright, just as the commander forcefully pushed his two friends, sliding them down the steep rooftop. For just a split second, the eyes of Commander Bai and Meili met.

“This world didn’t kill me. But it stole everything.” Rio was just an ordinary office worker in Tokyo—a 24-year-old man living in a world slowly drowning in fear. Three years ago, a blinding white light erased the only person he ever loved: his mother, a victim of a mysterious phenomenon known as the Sleeping Blank Syndrome. Since then, thousands have fallen into unexplained comas. And one terrifying truth has come to light: > “If they don’t wake up within five years… they never will.” Time is running out. Rio has only two years left. But one night, with no warning and no sign, the same light returns. And this time, he vanishes. When he opens his eyes, Rio is no longer human. He awakens in the body of a frog—in a strange world of magic, monsters, and the ruins of a burnt-down clan. With the blue scarf still wrapped around his neck, the only remnant of his past, Rio makes a vow: > He will find his mother. He will return. He will fight this world if he has to. But this is no world for a frog. And time... ...keeps ticking. ---

Mother got close to son very much and ended up falling in love with her 19 year old son

#Sweetnormal kids #Sweet fast-paced novel with little misunderstandings. Her life was lost to a man she thought would love and free her from all the miseries she went through. She was a groomed assassin from a young age and a total orphan without a family; after loving and completing missions for this man, she loses her life to the same man who takes her life away, depriving her of any chance to be alive! But miraculously, her soul gets transmigrated to another girl of the same world as her. But this time, she gets a perfect man as her husband. She gets to be a mother of three beautiful babies who were triplets! Author: What do you think about this life? It's a second chance, Tang Fei... Tang Fei; "It's my first time being a mom, but I will learn. After all, I was infertile in my previous life, so this is a bonus!" Author; What about the man? "It's okay, I can learn how to be a good wife; after all, it's my first time to be married and be a wife; nothing is difficult, so long as he loves and pampers me! And probably cry below his arms, who knows!" Author; What about my past life? "Of course, that man has to call me Sixth Auntie, and I will be an elder to him; how hilarious, right? But I still will avenge my past life, they don't deserve to live a good life through my sweat!"

[ Book is on hold, the author lost the draft and planning because of a car accident ] Young and talented witch Xiao wants to kill herself to escape a future arranged marriage, so she offers herself as a sacrifice to a demon. The charming demon gives her a counter offer: release him from his prison, and he'll make all her dreams come true. Any sane person would not make a deal with a demon, but Xiao is not sane, and the Demon Trix is in this for the long run. As the years went by, Xiao grew to be the strongest magic user in the kingdom, and she started to see the demon as more than just a mentor. Meanwhile, time traveller Prince Alexander is trying to save the love of his life from death and his best friend Xiao from falling into the hands of a demon. Said love of his love is also stuck in a time loop.

A group of mercenary kids or whatever.

In the future, there are many more men than women in the world. At first, things were normal, but slowly women became fewer and fewer. Many women were sad and started to give up on life, so the leaders made new rules to protect them. People could live a very long time, but having babies became harder. To keep the world going, new laws allowed women to have more power and share husbands. This story is about a girl named Fifi growing up in a world with lots of men and learning how to live and love.

The story follows the journey of Matthias, a boy who awakens from death to fulfill a destined fate. As he wanders, he begins to uncover his origins, and the questions that once haunted him are slowly answered. Matthias endures countless trials, battling beasts and enemies that stand in the way of his destiny. Along the way, he discovers the truths he needs and the understanding he has long yearned for. Join him on his path-from an unexpected resurrection to a final, fateful battle.

Four rich and handsome brothers up against one girl! Asher, Ashton, Ashley and Ashal are the four quadruplet sons of the Rollins family, the wealthiest family in the country of Danvarr. They’re notorious for being sexy, smart businessmen like their father. The brothers never use their real names in public spaces and all go by ‘Ash Rollins’. They all wear the same hairstyle and swap identities almost all the time. Even their parents can’t always tell them apart. Only the brothers can. Demi is a sweet, hardworking twenty years old girl who works at a book store. When her boyfriend cheats on her because she wanted to wait till marriage, she makes a poor decision to drink for the first time. Her night is so crazy she wakes up at home with a marriage certificate in her hand signed by one Ash Rollins. The problem is she can’t recall much and doesn’t know which of the brothers she married. Typically, all the quads deny her claim and the billionaire family kicks her out of their mansion. Demi’s fate changes when the annulment of the marriage threatens the social image of the Rollins Empire. The family proposes Demi plays their daughter-in-law for a year till the tension blows over. Demi accepts only to teach the quads a lesson. Since her true husband won’t step up, Demi is allowed to choose any of the quads to be her husband. Her ‘real husband silently grows restless seeing her with his brother, but he isn’t the only one falling head over heels for the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins empire. All the brothers compete for Demi’s heart because she’s nothing like the women they’re used to. Will their obsession to win her heart finally tear the brothers apart or will Demi’s big secret do the trick? Which ‘Ash Rollins’ will win the girl in the end?

Glen was reborn into the body of a young man from a noble Baron family. He, who had just adjusted to his new world, discovered a big secret that had been hidden in his family lineage. Getting this secret, Glen was surprised because the world of magic actually existed in the world when he came. With the help of his beautiful maid he manages to come into contact with the world of magic, and from there his new adventure begins. Wizards, kingdoms, different races, love, magic schools, world secrets, everything was ready for him to open and contact one by one. ###### This first book tells the story of the secrets of the magical world, Glen's magical school life, and his adventures. There is no system, Glen will only rely on his own abilities to be able to stand in the wizarding world. The magic found in Glen's school, summoning magic, spell casting magic, flying magic, potion magic, elemental magic, and combat magic etc.

Matapos ilaan ang ilang taon sa pagtulong sa kumpanya na maghanda para sa initial public offering nito, handa na ang aking nobya na ihayag ang aming relasyon sa publiko. Malapit na niyang gawin ang anunsyo. Gayunpaman, bago pa niya magawa ito, inunahan siya ng kanyang mayabang na assistant, na noon pa man ay hindi na gusto ako. Kumpiyansang naglakad siya sa entablado, inilagay ang kanyang braso sa baywang niya, at ngumiti nang mapanghamon. "Akala ko nagkasundo tayo na maghihintay pa ng ilang taon? Hindi mo na ba mapigilan ang sarili mo?" pangungutya niya, ang boses ay puno ng sarkasmo. Hindi na nagpaliwanag ang aking nobya. Sa halip, inabot niya sa kanya ang isang dokumento—ang share transfer agreement—at idineklara sa audience na siya na ngayon ang pinakabagong stakeholder ng kumpanya. Nagulat ang buong silid, mabilis na kumalat ang mga bulong at usap-usapan. Ang assistant, na malinaw na nasisiyahan sa atensyon, ay idinirehe ang kanyang kayabangan sa akin, naghahagis ng mga subtle na insulto sa aking direksyon. At ang aking nobya? Hindi siya gumawa ng anumang pagsisikap para pigilan siya. Sa katunayan, ang kanyang boses ay malamig na yelo nang idagdag niya, "Malaki ang iyong naiambag sa kumpanya, ngunit ang kanyang mga kasanayan ang kailangan natin para sa mas masaganang hinaharap." Nanatili akong matatag, hindi nag-aalok ng anumang argumento. Sa halip, ngumiti ako, tumango, at magalang na ibinigay din ang aking natitirang mga shares sa assistant. "Tingnan natin," pagmumuni-muni ko sa aking sarili, "kung paano nila papatakbuhin ang kumpanyang ito nang wala ang pangunahing investor nito." Sa ganoong pag-iisip, umalis ako.

Mira Thornfield never asked to inherit a haunted inn—especially not The Midnight Roost, a sentient Victorian B&B where the guests are all dead, the waffle iron is a literal hellmouth, and the health inspector is a banshee who deducts points for "lack of ectoplasm." After burning out as a hospice nurse, Mira suddenly finds herself the new owner of this very peculiar establishment, complete with: Vlad the Vampire, who complains his "sunny-side-up eggs" are too literal. Marrow the Skeleton Chef, whose "bone appetit" pancakes are to die for. A Yelp-obsessed poltergeist concierge drowning in paperwork (literally). Armed with a snarky Hospitality HUD and skills like [Therapy Magic] and [Necro-Filing], Mira must: Keep her guests happy (even the ones haunting their own ashes). Upgrade the Roost (choose: Haunted Hot Tub or Zombie Beehive?). Survive the Yelpocalypse when a 1-star review summons a Complaint Hydra. But when she discovers her uncle’s ghost is trapped in the foundation—and a mysterious guest named "Lucifer M." books Room 666—Mira realizes the Roost isn’t just a business... It’s a battleground between the dead and the damned.

College was like a wake-up call for most people. Especially the likes of Christopher Owen, who spent the rest of his high school years messing around and pining for the boy he never had. Having had a frustrating high school year, he decided to dedicate himself to his studies in college.   He flew many miles away from home, changed his looks, and hid his real identity from everyone.  His plans were simple: study hard, pass well, no dating. But then he realized two things: life was anything but easy without the backing of his last name. And... he wasn't sure how long he could last before he jumped his roommate, who was obviously not gay. But lust wasn't love, right? Maybe he could indulge a little? Just a little, I promise. ***** EXCERPT: "THAT ARROGANT, GOOD FOR NOTHING, DEMONIC IDIOT! I HATE HIM SO MUCH!" "O-kay... what is going on?" A friend asked him, watching as he paced around the room he just entered. "After battling for a long time. A LONG TIME!" he breathed heavily before continuing, "I... I confessed to him today." The other sat up, eyes wide. "For real?" "And then... with that stupid lollipop in his mouth, he just looked at me and said Okay. OKAY!" Gasps. "I didn't even know people said "okay" to love confessions, but he said "okay" to me!" -- Meanwhile, while he was there panicking, the one who had been confessed to remained seated where he was in the room. He had not moved an inch from that position since he got confessed to. But if one looked closely, they would notice how red his face was, up to the tips of his ears. He suddenly chuckled to himself. "That idiot," he muttered, looking at the door the other had taken.

Di tengah kemegahan istana kekaisaran, hidup seorang kasim muda bernama Yu Fan. Tampan, putih bersih, dan bersuara lembut, Yu Fan nyaris tak bisa dibedakan dari seorang gadis istana. Namun di balik wajah cantiknya dan tubuh ramping yang selalu dipuji para dayang, ia menyimpan rahasia getir: harga dirinya sebagai lelaki telah lama dikorbankan demi kedudukan di istana. Walau tubuhnya semakin indah setiap ia berlatih bela diri—lebih mirip selir ketimbang penjaga—Yu Fan tetap setia menjaga Putri Kaisar dengan segenap nyawa. Sampai suatu malam, saat ia ikut dalam penggerebekan rumah bordil ilegal hanya karena penasaran, nasibnya berubah selamanya. Saat membuka sebuah kamar terlarang yang basah dan beraroma aneh, ia menemukan benda aneh tergeletak di ranjang: sebuah batang giok berkilau, menyerupai… sesuatu yang telah lama hilang darinya. Terpikat oleh rasa ingin tahu yang tak wajar, Yu Fan membawa pulang benda itu diam-diam, menyimpannya di balik bantal dan mulai menelitinya. Tak disangka, sebuah kecelakaan konyol membuat batang giok itu jatuh tepat ke selangkangannya. Ia pingsan seketika. Saat terbangun, tubuhnya terasa berbeda. Sangat berbeda. Sesuatu yang tak pernah ia impikan kembali… telah kembali. Dan bukan hanya itu—benda misterius itu memberinya kekuatan baru, menyala setiap jam naga, dan konon bisa berkembang menjadi Dragon Rod, pusaka tertinggi dalam dunia kultivasi pria sejati. Namun kini, Yu Fan menghadapi dilema hidup dan mati: bagaimana menyembunyikan kejantanan barunya di tengah istana yang penuh mata tajam… sembari menjaga kesuciannya dari godaan tubuhnya sendiri yang mudah terangsang, para dayang cantik, dan—yang paling bahaya—Putri Kaisar yang semakin dekat? Dengan kecerdasan, kepolosan, dan kekuatan ‘spesial’-nya, Yu Fan memulai petualangan penuh kultivasi, intrik politik, dan tawa lepas. Dari kasim menjadi legenda. Dari batang kecil, tumbuhlah keabadian.

*Updates whenever I have time to write* They hurt you, they do it intentionally just to make sure you won't be better than them.  They pull you down so you can't go up.  They drown you so you don't have breath to cry. Fame has blinded them for so long, now they can't see what you used to mean to them. So they stab you and use your blood as the red carpet. And you know it, But you can't escape this torturous life. You know why? Because you still love them. What a waste of feelings, now you can't love anyone else, even yourself.

A collection of stories about the lifetime of one great King, and what happened with in it. It starts with the labors of the future king and it's end is with the death of the king. In between, many battles occur and many die, but many more are brought to the great kingdom.

In a world teetering on the brink of chaos, The Echoes Of A Shared Past follows the harrowing journey of Amelia, a woman driven by grief, vengeance, and an insatiable desire for justice. Betrayed by her former lover Valerius, and haunted by the tragic loss of Kaelen, the man she loved, Amelia embarks on a perilous quest to harness the dark powers of the Spider Weed—a fabled plant said to grant immortality and unimaginable strength at a great cost. Amelia’s path is riddled with trials, both physical and emotional, as she delves into forbidden caves, battles her own inner demons, and faces the monstrous guardian of the Spider Weed. Along the way, she encounters Syra, an enigmatic old witch who serves as both a guide and a warning, foretelling the dire consequences of Amelia’s thirst for revenge. Meanwhile, Valerius, a man torn between his duty and the lingering affection he harbors for Amelia, is drawn into the fray. Unaware of the full extent of her ambitions, he seeks to find her before the darkness consumes her entirely. As allies become enemies, and the line between good and evil blurs, both Amelia and Valerius must confront their pasts and the painful truths that bind them. The story reaches its crescendo as Amelia transforms into something far beyond human, standing at the gates of Valerius’s palace—a being forged by rage and sorrow, poised to exact vengeance. But as the weight of her choices bears down on her, the question remains: will she destroy everything she once loved, or will she find a way to reclaim her humanity? Echoes Of A Shared Past is a tale of love, loss, and the consuming power of vengeance. In a world where ambition and destiny collide, Amelia’s journey is a haunting reminder that the cost of revenge is often far greater than imagined.

I realize that I attracted by a boy which makes me annoy a lot. He never stops probing me and I finally yeild and start to fall in love with him...