#Class 12 Maths Chapter 7 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

javierpenaismyhusband · 9 months ago

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Chapter Four: Wear my clothes

Javier Pena x m!reader

Chapter summary: Caleb kicks off his day with a morning coffee date with Javier, teasing him about the upcoming history test and setting a playful tone. At school, he breezes through math, physics, and gymnastics, but his mind keeps drifting back to Javier. He crosses paths with Jacob in the hallway, throwing a sarcastic line before catching Javier’s eye from across the room. In history class, Caleb sits in the back, sending suggestive glances and playful gestures that only Javier catches, leading to some "special" consequences afterward. Post school, they retreat to Javier’s place for a cozy evening filled with sex and cuddles.

Chapter warnings: a lot of smut, smut in classroom, anal, blow job, fingering, Top!Javier Bot!malecharacter, unprotective P in A, Teacher Student Relationship, Age gap (Javier is 35 and Caleb is 18), fluff

Note: I loved writing this chapter, so I hope you enjoy reading it.

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The next morning, I woke up before my alarm, the soft light of dawn creeping through the blinds. My body was still sore, but not nearly as bad as it had been. The bruises on my ribs and face had faded into dull, yellowish patches ugly but manageable. I stretched in bed for a moment, shaking off the lingering stiffness before sitting up and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

I stood and headed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. I stared at myself in the mirror, a little amused at how much had changed in just a few days. The bruises, the fight, Javier’s visit... It was like my whole world had taken a turn I hadn’t expected.

After a quick shower, I bandaged up my hand and got dressed. I kept it simple with a black hoodie and jeans, just enough to feel comfortable without looking like I was trying too hard. As I brewed my morning coffee and make some breakfast, I couldn’t help but think about Javier how things were so different between us now. It wasn’t just that he’d come to my place; it was the way he acted, the way he looked at me.

On impulse, as i was purring my coffee to my thermos, I pulled out my phone and started typing a message.

“Would you like to come to school earlier to drink coffee together?”

I stared at the screen for a second before hitting send. My heart raced a bit, like I’d just taken a small leap off a ledge.

I continued with my routine, finishing my breakfast as i was getting to my roof to smoke my first cig of the day. The morning air was crisp, and I watched the sun rise slowly over the horizon, painting the city in soft oranges and pinks. As I smoked, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.

It was Javier.

“I would love to.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I typed back.

“See you at 7:15?”

I glanced at the time. It was 6:45, and I had just enough time to meet him before the school day started.

After about a minute, his reply came through.

“Yeah, see you at the tree outside my classroom.”

I tucked my phone back into my pocket, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. School didn’t start until 8:30, but I didn’t mind getting there early if it meant spending some time with Javier.

As i was finishing my cigarette, I headed back inside to make one more thermos with coffee for him as i grab my bag and jacket, i made my way to the car. The drive to school felt lighter than usual, like there was something exciting waiting for me. When I pulled into the parking lot, the place was nearly empty. Only a few early arrivals milled about, heading inside.

I parked and walked toward the familiar tree outside Javier’s classroom. The cool morning air nipped at my skin, but I didn’t mind. I leaned against the tree, checking the time 7:12.

And then I saw him. Javier walked up, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, a smile playing on his lips as he spotted me. The quiet confidence he carried was still there, but I could see something more relaxed in his eyes, like this wasn’t just another morning at school.

“Hey,” he said, stopping in front of me.

“Hey,” I replied, trying to keep things casual, even though my pulse had kicked up a notch.

“Coffee?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, pulling out the thermos I’d brought with me. “Yeah. Black, no sugar. Figured you wouldn’t mind.”

Javier chuckled, taking the thermos from my hands. “You know me too well already.”

We stood there for a moment, sipping coffee under the tree as the school slowly began to wake up around us. The quiet between us wasn’t uncomfortable; it was like we both knew there was something more, but neither of us was in a rush to name it.

I took another sip of coffee and leaned back against the tree, watching Javier as he glanced around the nearly empty schoolyard. "How are you?" I asked, trying to read the look on his face.

He looked back at me, his brow furrowing slightly. "Good... just a little anxious. I’ve got a lot to do with the test coming up. You know how it is."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Please don’t push yourself too hard. It’d be a real shame if the history teacher keeled over from stress before we even had the test."

Javier chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, you’re concerned about me now, huh? I’ll have to remember that when I’m grading your paper."

"Hey, I’m just trying to keep you from burning out," I said with a smirk. "Besides, if you’re too tired to give us a hard test, I might actually pass."

He shot me a playful glare, though there was warmth behind it. "Don’t count on that. I’m still going to make you work for it."

I rolled my eyes, grinning as I took another sip of my coffee. "Sure, sure. But seriously, take it easy. You can’t be all work and no fun."

Javier shrugged, sipping his own coffee. "Fun, huh? What do you suggest? Skipping out on class and going on a wild adventure?"

"Maybe," I teased, giving him a sideways glance. "But you’d never do it. Too responsible."

"Oh, you think so?" He raised an eyebrow, challenging me. "I’ve got a wild side, you know."

I laughed, the idea of Javier cutting loose so out of character that it felt almost absurd. "Yeah? Prove it. What’s the wildest thing you’ve done recently?"

He paused, pretending to think hard about it. "I had two cups of coffee before 9 a.m. yesterday. That’s pretty wild, right?"

I groaned, shaking my head in mock disappointment. "Wow. Living on the edge, huh?"

Javier laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "What can I say? I like to keep things dangerous."

We both stood there, the early morning still quiet around us, the warmth of the coffee in our hands and the playful energy between us making the moment feel... cozy. It wasn’t just the teasing or the jokes. There was a comfort in being around each other, like the space between us was filled with something more than just words. I found myself relaxing, the usual tension of school life and everything else fading away, even if just for a little while.

"Okay, okay," I said, finally breaking the silence, "just promise me you won’t have a third cup of coffee. I don’t want to be responsible for you spiraling out of control."

He smirked, raising his cup in a mock toast. "Deal. But you’re still showing up to class, no excuses."

I smirked, leaning casually against the tree as I tossed the playful comment his way. "I will, you know," I said, my voice low and teasing. "I wanna see you teach. It turns me on."

Javier stopped mid-step, his back still turned to me for a second before he slowly pivoted around, a surprised look crossing his face. His eyebrows shot up, and he gave me a look like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

"Oh really?" he asked, his tone both amused and challenging. He stepped a little closer, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You have a thing for history teachers now, huh?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my grin in check but failing. "I guess I do. Especially ones who get all serious about ancient civilizations and make students work hard."

He crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in that way he did when he was about to counter something. "Well, if that’s what turns you on, Caleb, you’re in for a real treat today. Lots of dates and battles on the agenda."

I laughed, tilting my head to the side. "Oh, I can’t wait. I’ll be hanging on every word."

Javier chuckled, but I could see the slight flush creeping up his neck, even as he tried to play it cool. "You’re something else, you know that?"

"Yeah, I’ve heard," I said, still smirking. "But seriously, you in front of the class? Might be the highlight of my day."

He shook his head, finally breaking eye contact as he glanced away, a mix of amusement and disbelief on his face. "You better behave in class, Caleb. No distractions."

"Scout's honor," I said, holding up my hand as if to swear it. But the teasing glint in my eye told him otherwise.

Javier gave a soft laugh and glanced at his watch. "Alright, smartass. I’ll see you inside." With one last glance, he turned and walked toward the building, shaking his head slightly as if still processing the banter.

I watched him for a moment longer, still grinning to myself. Today was definitely off to an interesting start.

After Javier walked away, I took out my phone to check my class schedule. History was the last class of the day, of course, and I couldn't help but smirk at the thought. First up, though, was math, then physics, followed by gymnastics, lunch, biology, and finally, history to wrap things up. A full day ahead, but at least I had something to look forward to.

As I made my way inside, I spotted Jacob his nose bandaged up and his eye showing a nasty yellowish bruise from the fight. Couldn't help myself. As I passed him, I shot him a sly grin. "You look good, Jacob," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

He didn’t reply. He just tensed up, his eyes burning with anger as he tried to lunge at me. But before he could get far, his friend grabbed him by the arm, holding him back. There was a moment where I thought he might break free, but then I saw movement in the corner of my eye.

Javier.

He was standing a little down the hallway, watching the whole thing. Our eyes met for a split second, and I gave him a quick blink, like everything was under control, before I casually walked past him, not bothering to look back. I knew he had seen it all, and for some reason, that made the moment feel even more intense.

After passing by Jacob and giving him a little nudge of sarcasm, I headed to my first class: math. The classroom was already half-full when I walked in. Mrs. Reed, our math teacher, was setting up the projector. She was strict but fair, with a sharp sense of humor hidden beneath her no-nonsense attitude. I slid into my usual seat near the back, dropping my bag on the floor.

As I settled in, she looked up and caught my eye. "Caleb, ready for today’s lesson, or should I expect you to daydream again?"

I smirked. "I’ve been brushing up on my daydreaming skills. Top of the class, Mrs. Reed."

She rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. "I’ll take that as a no, but you better keep up today. Test next week."

Great. A math test was just what I needed. I pulled out my notebook and leaned back, half listening as the class started, my mind already wandering a little.

The morning passed by in a blur math wasn’t too bad, but physics was a different beast. Mr. Graves, the physics teacher, was always full of energy, explaining concepts like he was on a caffeine high. He caught me zoning out halfway through class, though.

"Caleb, care to tell me how inertia works?"

I blinked, snapping out of it. "Uh… objects in motion stay in motion?"

"Close enough," he chuckled. "At least you’re awake. Let’s keep it that way."

By the time I hit gymnastics, I was ready to move around. The physical activity helped shake off the mental fog from earlier. Coach Daniels was his usual pumped-up self, encouraging us to push harder. "Let’s see some effort, Caleb! Show us what you’ve got."

"Yes, Coach," I muttered, giving him a halfhearted thumbs up. Still, it felt good to stretch my muscles and burn off some of the tension from the last few days.

Lunch came around, and I headed to the cafeteria. The smell of food hit me as soon as I walked in, and I quickly scanned the room for a spot. I grabbed a tray, loaded it with a sandwich, fries, and an apple, and found a seat near the window. It was nice to get a break in the day, just watching people go by outside. I checked my phone, wondering if Javier had texted again, but nothing new.

Biology was next, and honestly, it was one of my better subjects. Mrs. Carmichael was explaining cell division, and though I half-paid attention, I wasn’t struggling like in other classes. She noticed my focus and nodded approvingly.

"You seem more with it today, Caleb," she said as I handed in my worksheet.

"Trying my best," I replied with a small smile.

"Good. Keep it up. You’ve got potential when you apply yourself."

Finally, the day came to an end, and it was time for history Javier’s class. I felt that familiar knot in my stomach as I walked down the hall toward the classroom. This wasn’t just any class; it was a continuation of the strange dynamic that had been building between us. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew one thing: this wasn’t going to be your typical history lesson.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of Javier's history class, I made my way to the very back, slipping into the seat where I knew no one else would notice me. Well, no one but Javier. I had a plan today, and it didn’t involve actually paying attention to the lecture.

Javier started the class as usual, pacing in front of the board while explaining something about ancient civilizations. I wasn’t really listening. My eyes were fixed on him, and after a minute, I caught his gaze. That’s when I started.

I blinked at him slowly, dragging my eyes over his figure like I was admiring something else entirely. His expression didn’t falter, but I saw the way his grip on the marker tightened. I smiled to myself and leaned back in my chair, making sure he could see I was deliberately not taking notes. When he glanced at me again, I licked my lips, just enough to make him blink hard, and he immediately turned his back to the class to scribble something on the board.

I stretched my legs out under the desk, my foot brushing the back of the chair in front of me. When Javier’s gaze landed on me again, I ran a hand through my hair slowly, dragging my fingers down the side of my neck. His voice stuttered for a second, but he quickly recovered, though I could see his knuckles turning white from gripping the desk.

I leaned forward a bit, pretending to adjust something on my desk, but in reality, I was just making sure my shirt slipped down a little lower. The movement caught his eye, and I swear he froze for a second before continuing his lecture. I bit my lip, staring right at him, daring him to react.

Javier’s face stayed neutral, but I could see the faintest flush creeping up his neck. His eyes kept flicking back to me, and I could tell he was having a hard time focusing on the lesson. No one else seemed to notice the silent tension that had been building between us, but I knew exactly what I was doing and it was working.

As the class dragged on, I took it a step further. I leaned back, spreading my arms over the back of the chair, tilting my head lazily like I was lounging at home instead of in class. I caught his eye and raised an eyebrow, watching his expression tighten for a brief second before he glanced away.

When he handed out some worksheets, I made sure our fingers brushed as I grabbed mine, holding his gaze just a little too long. The look he gave me was a mixture of frustration and something else. Something darker. I felt a thrill go through me.

I was driving him crazy, and he couldn’t do a thing about it.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, the other students packed up their things and shuffled out of the room. I stayed put, my eyes still on Javier. He didn't look at me right away, busying himself with straightening the papers on his desk, but I could feel the tension between us still simmering.

Once the last student left, Javier moved toward the windows. I watched as he began closing the curtains, one by one, his movements calm but deliberate. My heart raced a little as the sunlight started fading from the room, leaving it dim and private.

When he was done, he turned, his gaze finding mine, something intense flashing in his eyes. Without a word, he walked toward the door and slowly turned the lock. The faint click echoed in the now quiet classroom. I swallowed, suddenly aware of how alone we were.

Javier leaned back against the door, crossing his arms, his expression unreadable but his eyes fixed on me. "You think you're funny, don't you?" he asked, his voice low and controlled, but there was an edge to it.

I smirked, leaning back in my chair. "Maybe. Did I distract you?" I asked, my tone playful, knowing full well what I had been doing all class.

Javier let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "You have no idea," he said, taking a step closer. There was a glint in his eye, a challenge. The classroom felt a lot smaller all of a sudden.

He came closer, his presence filling the space between us. "You’ve been pushing my buttons all day, Caleb. Enjoying it?"

I tilted my head, looking up at him from where I sat, my smirk still in place. "Maybe a little. Did you?" I asked, my voice teasing but low.

Javier’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t answer right away. Instead, he just stared at me, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. Then, without warning, he leaned down, his face inches from mine.

"Careful," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're playing with fire."

For a moment, neither of us moved. The intensity between us was almost electric. He was so close that I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin. I swallowed, my pulse quickening, but I wasn’t about to back down now.

"I might like the heat." I said, locking eyes with him.

Javier’s eyes darkened, his gaze sweeping over me like he was trying to decide what to do next. Then, almost as if he made up his mind, he straightened up, taking a deep breath.

"You know I can't do this," he muttered, running a hand through his hair as he stepped back. But his voice lacked conviction. He looked at me again, conflicted, but unable to walk away.

Javier’s words hung in the air, heavy and charged. He took another step toward me, his eyes locked on mine, and for the first time since we’d started this little game, he didn’t look like he was holding back. There was no pretending, no distance between us now.

"But I don't care right now," he said, his voice low and intense, as if he had made a decision he couldn’t take back.

Javier's jaw clenched, and for a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he reached out, his hand gripping the edge of my desk. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear.

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, his kiss hard and demanding. It was everything I had imagined and more raw, passionate, and laced with forbidden desire. My hands instinctively moved to his chest, gripping his shirt as I kissed him back, pouring every ounce of longing and excitement into the contact.

The world around us seemed to dissolve, lost in the intensity of our connection. Javier's tongue slid into my mouth, exploring eagerly as his hands moved to cup my face, holding me firmly in place. I moaned softly against his lips, my body reacting instinctively to the need building within me.

Breaking the kiss, Javier pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and hungry. "Stand up," he ordered, his voice husky with desire.

I obeyed instantly, standing before him as he stepped closer, his hips pressing against mine. He wrapped one arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him while his other hand slipped beneath my shirt, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns along my skin.

"You’ve been asking for this since the beginning, haven't you?" he murmured, his voice rough with need.

I nodded, unable to form words as his touch sent waves of pleasure coursing through me. "Yes," I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

He let out a low growl, his grip tightening as he pushed me backward until my legs hit the front edge of his desk. "Get on the desk," he commanded, his voice brooking no argument.

I scrambled onto the desk, lying back as Javier followed, his body hovering above mine. His eyes trailed down my body, pausing at the bulge in my pants that matched his own. "Undo your belt," he instructed, his voice hoarse with anticipation.

My hands shook slightly as I fumbled with the buckle, finally freeing myself from the confines of my pants. Javier's gaze never wavered, his eyes burning with a hunger that made me feel both vulnerable and thrilled.

Once undone, Javier reached down, sliding his hand under the waistband of my briefs and tugging them down slowly. The cool air of the classroom brushed over my exposed skin, heightening every sensation as his fingers grazed the base of my erection.

"Such a naughty boy," he whispered, his thumb brushing lightly over the head of my cock, making me shudder. "You want this so badly, don't you?"

Unable to speak, I nodded again, my entire focus centered on the incredible sensations Javier was unleashing upon me. He continued to stroke me, his grip firm but not too tight, eliciting soft gasps from me with each pass of his hand.

"Tell me," he demanded, bending down to nuzzle my neck. "Admit it."

"I want... I want you," I panted, my voice strained with desire. "And you know it."

"Open your mouth," he commanded next, his voice dripping with authority.

Confused but unable to resist, I complied, parting my lips just as Javier grabbed his own throbbing erection through his pants. He freed himself quickly, his cock springing free, already slick with pre cum. He wasted no time, guiding the tip to my lips.

"Suck," he ordered, pushing forward enough to press the head of his cock against my open mouth.

I hesitated for only a second before accepting his command, taking him into my mouth. The taste, combined with the realization of what we were doing, sent a jolt of excitement through me. My tongue flicked out instinctively, tasting him as he groaned above me.

Javier began to move, thrusting slowly at first, allowing me to adjust to the feel of him filling my mouth. His hands tangled in my hair, holding me in place as he set a steady rhythm, each thrust sending fresh waves of pleasure through me.

"Good boy," he murmured, his voice thick with satisfaction as I continued to take him deeper, my throat working around him. "You’re doing so well."

His praise made my cheeks burn with embarrassment and pride, fueling my determination to please him. I focused on sucking him harder, using my tongue and lips to maximize his pleasure, hoping to drive him wild.

After several intense minutes, Javier gripped my head tighter, his breathing becoming ragged. "That's enough," he gasped, pulling out abruptly, as i got up he turned me around facing the desk.

Instantly, he grabbed the condom and tore open the packet with expert precision, rolling it down his length methodically. Next came the lube, squeezed directly onto his fingers. He positioned himself at my entrance, his gaze locking onto mine as he prepared me.

"Oh i hope you are ready Caleb." he asked, his voice barely controlled, yet brimming with urgency.

"I am." I breathed, my body tensing in anticipation. "Please, Mr. Pena"

Javier's fingers tightened around the base of his cock, guiding it to my entrance. He paused, his breath hitching as he felt the heat radiating from my body. The room was silent except for our heavy breathings, the tension between us was palpable. Javier's eyes locked into my hole, with a slow, deliberate motion, Javier pushed forward, the head of his cock breaching my tightness. I gasped, my hands gripping the edge of the desk, knuckles white with effort. Javier paused, giving me a moment to adjust, his own breath coming in shallow pants. The sensation was overwhelming, the tight warmth of my body surrounding him, making his head spin.

"Fuck," he muttered, his voice rough with need. "You feel so good."

My eyes fluttered shut, a flush spreading across my cheeks as i tried to relax. Javier could see the effort it took me to let go, to trust him completely. It made something twist deep in his chest, a mixture of pride and protectiveness.

Gently, he pressed further inside, inch by agonizing inch. Each movement was careful, calculated, to avoid causing me any unnecessary pain. The sound of our skin meeting filled the room, a slick, wet noise that sent a shiver down his spine. my fingers dug into the wood of the desk, his nails leaving faint marks behind

"Shit, Javier," i choked out, my voice trembling. "It's... it's too much."

he froze, his heart pounding in his ears. "Tell me if you want me to stop," he said, his voice strained.

I shook his head quickly, "No, just... give me a second," i breathed, my forehead creasing in concentration.

Javier waited, his muscles tense, every nerve ending on fire. When i finally nodded, a small, determined smile tugging at his lips, Javier couldn't hold back any longer. He pulled out slightly before thrusting back in, this time a little deeper. I moaned, a sound that went straight to his cock, making it pulse with need.

Slowly, he began to move, his hips rocking against my ass. The rhythm was steady, controlled, each thrust measured to ensure i could handle it. My breath hitched with each push, my body arching slightly off the desk as he filled him. The angle was perfect, hitting places inside me that made my toes curl.

"Ah, god," i groaned, as my voice was breaking. "That feels... so good."

He grip on my hips tightened, his fingers biting into the soft flesh. He could feel my body responding, clenching around him, urging him on. The sight of me spread out before him, his chest heaving with each breath, his face flushed and lips parted, was intoxicating. His control was slipping, the need to claim, to possess, becoming overwhelming.

"Look at you," Javier murmured, his voice thick with desire. "So beautiful, taking me like this."

"Then make me yours," i told him, my voice hoarse.

The words were like fuel to Javier's already burning fire. With a growl, he picked up the pace, his thrusts becoming harder, deeper. The slap of skin against skin echoed in the quiet room, punctuated by mine increasingly desperate moans. He could feel the walls of my ass gripping him, milking him for everything he had.

"Fuck, Caleb," Javier panted, his vision blurring with the intensity of his need. "You’re mine. All mine."

My response was a strangled cry, my body shaking with the force of Javier's thrusts. Javier could feel his own release building, an unstoppable wave threatening to crash over him. He reached down, his hand sliding between our bodies to find my cock, already hard and leaking.

"Come for me," he ordered, his voice commanding. "Let me hear you come."

My eyes rolled back, my hips bucking into Javier's hand as he stroked me relentlessly. The pressure built and built, until finally, with a keening wail, i came, my cum spilling over his fingers, coating his hand and my belly. The sight of me losing control, shattering beneath him, was enough to send him over the edge.

He thrust one last time, burying himself deep inside of me as his own orgasm ripped through him. His vision went white, stars bursting behind his eyes as he spilled inside the condom, his body trembling with the force of it. For a moment, there was nothing but the roaring in his ears, the feeling of my body clenching around him, holding him close.

Javier collapsed forward, his weight resting on me, his forehead pressed against the back of my neck. We both panted, our breaths mingling in the silence of the room. Javier’s heart still pounded in his chest, the echo of our passion settling over them like a shroud.

Javier smiled, a small, satisfied curve of his lips. He pulled out slowly, careful not to jar me too much, and straightened up, disposing of the condom in a nearby trash can. When he turned back, i was sitting up, my legs dangling over the edge of the desk, and my eyes still hazy with pleasure.

Javier paused for a moment, his hand hovering over his bag, before glancing up at me with that knowing smirk. The moment between us had shifted again, the air still charged with something deeper, but now it felt more familiar. He wasn’t rushing. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying dragging this out, staying calm and collected, even with everything that just happened.

I watched as he reached into his bag, pulling out a few wet wipes. His movements were precise, like he was going through some practiced routine. First, he wiped his hands, his touch careful and deliberate, before moving toward me. His fingers brushed against my skin as he cleaned my stomach, and I could tell he was being extra gentle, almost like he didn’t want to ruin the ease we’d found in the last few minutes.

Javier’s focus shifted to the desk, wiping it down in the same neat, methodical way. There was something amusing about the way he was so careful. I leaned back in my chair, just watching him, this strange mix of intensity and routine.

Once he finished tidying up, Javier retrieved the used condom from the trash. He wrapped it in a wet wipe and slipped it into his bag without a word, like it was just another part of the day.

I smirked, watching him, and leaned forward. “Don’t you even think about taking out your wallet,” I teased, grinning as I reminded him of that first night at the bar.

He stopped, meeting my gaze with a raised eyebrow and that half-smile. “You’re not letting that one go, are you?” he asked, a laugh hidden in his voice.

“Never,” I shot back, chuckling. The tension between us from earlier had faded, replaced by something that felt like a strange comfort. Whatever was happening, it didn’t feel out of place anymore just the new normal between us.

I buckled my belt and grabbed my bag, feeling the weight of everything that had just happened settling in. As I glanced toward the window, ready to sneak out, I saw Javier heading for the door. Just when I thought we were both about to leave quietly, he stopped and turned to me.

"Would you like to come to my house?" he asked, his voice casual, but there was something in his eyes that made it feel more than that.

I paused, taken off guard. “Yeah, but I’ll need to stop by my place first take a shower, grab some clothes.”

He gave me this soft smile and shook his head. “You don’t have to. You can shower at mine, and I’ll lend you some clothes.”

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Alright, then. Send me your address. I drove today.”

He pulled out his phone, quickly typing something before I felt mine buzz in my pocket. “There. Done. See you at my place.”

I climbed out the window, taking a quick look around before heading straight for the school parking lot. My mind was spinning, barely able to process what had just happened. It was like a blur half surreal, half exhilarating. As I approached my car, I spotted Javier walking to his. He glanced my way and winked, that same cocky smirk on his face. He knew exactly what was coming next.

I pulled out my phone, entering his address into the GPS, and started driving to his place. The whole way there, I couldn’t shake the mix of excitement and disbelief. This was happening whatever this was.

When I arrived at his house, I parked and waited, the engine still running. It felt weird being there before him. Five minutes later, I saw his car pulling up. As he stepped out, Javier spotted me and laughed, shaking his head.

"I can’t believe you beat me to my own house," he chuckled, walking over to me with an easy grin.

I smirked, leaning against my car. “What can I say? I’m full of surprises.”

“Clearly,” he said with a teasing smile, unlocking the door to his place. “Come on in. You’ve got a head start on me already. Might as well keep up the pace.”

As soon as we stepped inside, Javier wasted no time. He pushed me gently against the door, his hands firm on my waist as his lips crashed into mine. It took me by surprise, but I kissed him back without hesitation, feeling the heat of the moment intensify. His body pressed against mine, and for a second, all I could focus on was the feel of him the weight, the urgency in the kiss, the way he tasted.

I grabbed onto his shirt, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. The door at my back felt cool compared to the warmth of him against me. Everything about the moment felt raw, electric, like the tension between us had finally snapped, and we were caught up in it.

His hands moved from my waist, sliding up to my face, holding me there, as if he couldn’t let go. I pulled back for just a breath, my heart racing, and looked at him, his eyes filled with the same hunger that had been building between us for days.

"You’re full of surprises too," I whispered, a smirk tugging at my lips.

Javier smiled, leaning in again. "You have no idea."

Javier's hands trailed down my chest, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. The air between us crackled with electricity, and my breath hitched as his fingers ghosted over my nipples, sending shivers down my spine.

"You're so responsive," Javier murmured, his voice low and husky. "I love how you react to my touch."

My eyes fluttered shut, while my body arching into his touch. I felt exposed and vulnerable, yet a part of me thrilled at the idea of surrendering to him. "I trust you," i whispered, my voice hoarse with desire.

Javier's smile was triumphant as he continued his exploration, his fingers dancing over my skin, mapping out every inch of my body, tracing every line of my muscles, the curve of my hips, and the dip of my waist.

My hands roamed over his body in return, my fingers tangling in the dark hair at his nape, pulling him closer. As i was kissing his neck, leaving a trail of open mouthed kisses and gentle nips, his breath hitched and he groaned softly, his hands gripping my hips possessively.

"I want to taste you," Javier said, his voice rough with desire. "I want to make you feel good."

My heart raced at the thought. The idea of being pleasured by Javier, of being the center of his attention, sent a rush of excitement through me. "I want that too."

Javier's hands moved to the hem of my hoodie, slowly pulling it up, revealing the defined muscles of my abdomen. He kissed every each inch of my exposed skin, his tongue darting out to taste my sweat. While my hands fisted in his shirt, his body trembling with anticipation.

As Javier's mouth trailed down my chest, my eyes fluttered open again, my gaze locking with his. The intensity of the moment was palpable, and i felt a surge of desire so strong it took my breath away.

"You're beautiful," Javier said, his voice thick with emotion. "So fucking beautiful."

My chest tightened at the words, and i felt a rush of affection from him. I reached out, cupping his face in my hands, as i pulled him closer for a deep kiss. Our tongues tangled, exploring and claiming, as if we were branding each other with our touches.

When we finally broke apart, gasping for breaths, Javier's eyes were dark with desire.

Javier gently pushed me towards the bedroom. He guided me down the bed, his hands roaming over my body with a mix of reverence and desire. He kissed my neck then my chest and last my stomach, leaving a trail of wet kisses and gentle bites, while he was taking down my pants and boxers

My body was on fire and my skin sensitive to every touch. I moaned softly, as my hand was running through his thick hair, pulling him closer. His mouth found my erection, and he took me into his mouth, sucking gently, his tongue swirling around the head of my cock.

My back arched off the bed and my hands gripping the sheets tightly. The sensation of his mouth on me was overwhelming, and i felt a rush of pleasure so intense it threatened to consume me.

"Oh God, Javi" he panted, his voice thick with desire. "Please… That’s amazing."

Javier's eyes glittered with triumph as he continued doing his job, his mouth and hands working in perfect harmony. He kissed and sucked at my nipples, his fingers trailing down to tease my entrance. My breath hitched, and i felt a rush of excitement at the thought of him inside me.

His fingers probed gently, stretching and preparing my hole, like he didn't fuck me an hour ago in his classroom.

As his fingers worked their magic, my body responded and my muscles clenching and relaxing around him. I moaned softly, and my hips lifting off the bed, seeking more of his touch.

"You're so tight," Javier murmured, his voice thick with desire. "So good for me."

My eyes snapped open, and looked at him. "Please Javi" i said, his voice steady. "I want you inside of me."

Javier's eyes glittered with triumph as he positioned himself at my entrance. He paused, his eyes searching for mine to give him permission to go, i looked at him and nodded, his breath catching in his throat.

His body pressed against mine, and he slowly pushed forward, stretching and filling me with a slow, deliberate pace. My body accepted him, welcoming the invasion, and he groaned softly, my eyes shut closed from the pleasure.

As his body filled mine, my muscles clenched around him, our bodies moving in perfect sync. The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of pleasure and pain, and my eyes still squeezed shut.

Javier's hands roamed over my body, his mouth finding my neck and kiss it softly. "You're mine," he whispered, his voice thick. "So fucking beautiful."

I reached out, my hands framing his face, as i pulled him closer for another passionate kiss, our tongues tangled, exploring and claiming, as if they were sealing their bond with every touch.

As our kiss deepened, Javier's body moved with mine a slow, steady rhythm that built pleasure with each thrust. My hands gripped his shoulders, my legs wrapping around his waist, pulling him closer.

The room was filled with moans and the soft slapping of flesh on flesh. My body was on fire, every nerve ending alive with sensation. Javier moaned softly, his eyes squeezed shut, lost in the pleasure.

"Come for me, Caleb," Javier panted, his voice hoarse with desire. "Let me feel you around me."

My body responded to the command, as i came all over Javier stomach. I cried out, my body shuddering, as pleasure washed over me in waves.

Javier's body followed suit, his release powerful and explosive. He groaned, his eyes closed in ecstasy, as he emptied himself into me, our bodies remained connected for a moment.

As our heart rates slowed, Javier's eyes opened, his gaze locking with mine. He smiled, a soft, tender expression on his face, and gently pulled out of me. He reached for a towel, cleaning both of us with gentle strokes.

After we had both settled into bed, Javier shifted beside me and turned his head to look at me. His expression was soft, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Where you calling me ‘Javi’ the whole time we were fucking?" he asked, a teasing smile forming on his lips.

I blinked, realizing what I’d said. "Did I? Sorry, it just slipped out."

He chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Why are you sorry? I like it."

I smirked a little, feeling the tension between us lighten. "Yeah? Well, Javi it is then," I said, the nickname sounding more natural now, as if it had always been there.

"But only while we’re alone," he said, his tone light but serious enough to make the boundaries clear.

Javier smiled, his tone lighter this time. "It’s just that in school, I’m your teacher. Outside of it... well, I don’t even know what I am," he said with a chuckle as he lay back on the bed, fingers gently playing with my hair while I curled up against him.

I grinned, feeling the warmth of his body next to mine. "Yeah, outside of school, you're just... Javi," I teased, enjoying the way his fingers moved through my hair.

He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Yeah, I guess so. Just Javi." His voice had a playful edge, and the tension from earlier seemed to drift away.

I nuzzled closer, my head resting on his chest as I felt his heartbeat beneath me. "I like just Javi," I mumbled.

"Yeah?" he asked, still toying with my hair. "Well, I like this too when you’re not causing trouble in my class."

I chuckled. "No promises."

Javier rolled his eyes, but I could feel him smiling. The moment felt easy, like everything that usually complicated our situation didn't matter right now. It was just us, in this little bubble away from the rest of the world.

After we spent some time just cuddled up in bed, feeling the quiet comfort of being close to him, Javier eventually shifted and sat up. He stretched a little and glanced down at me with a soft smile.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

I nodded, feeling my stomach rumble. "Yeah, a little."

"What would you like to eat?" he asked, standing up and heading toward the door still naked.

I thought for a second, not really sure what I was in the mood for. "I don’t know… what do you have in mind?"

Javier grinned. "How about eggs with bacon? That sound good?"

"Yeah, that sounds awesome," I said, smiling back.

As he made his way toward the kitchen, I propped myself up on my elbows and asked, "Hey, is it okay if i take a shower?"

He paused, looking over his shoulder at me. "You don’t even have to ask. The bathroom’s right there," he pointed. "It’s got plenty of hot water, and I’ll leave some fresh clothes for you here when you’re done, okay?"

I looked at him, appreciating the gesture. "Thanks, Javi." He just smiled, nodding before disappearing into the kitchen.

I made my way to the bathroom, still naked from everything that had just happened. The air felt cool against my skin, contrasting with the warmth of the recent events. I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over me, feeling it relax my muscles and rinse away the remnants of the moment. I stood there for a few minutes, taking it all in, the steam filling the space around me as I let myself breathe.

After cleaning up, I turned off the water and grabbed a towel, drying off before heading back to the bedroom. As I walked in, I noticed a neat pile of clothes laid out for me Javi had left a black shirt, some gray sweatpants, and a pair of boxers. I smiled at the small gesture, appreciating how thoughtful he was. I slipped on the clothes they were a size larger than mine but the soft fabric felt good against my skin, and made my way toward the kitchen.

As I entered, I saw Javier he was fully dressed now and he look very focused at the stove, focused on making something to eat. The smell of sizzling bacon filled the air, and I couldn’t help but smile. Without thinking, I walked up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head on his back. He paused for a moment, feeling my presence, then smiled as he continued cooking.

“You’re gonna distract me like this?” he teased, his voice light and playful.

I grinned, my face pressed against his back. “Maybe… but I think you’re doing fine.”

He chuckled, flipping the bacon in the pan. "Well, I’m glad you approve."

I tightened my arms around him a little, enjoying the quiet moment between us.

Javier turned around slowly, still holding the spatula in his hand, and looked at me with a soft smile. His eyes scanned me up and down before landing back on mine. "I like you in my clothes," he said, his voice warm, a hint of something playful beneath it.

I smirked, tugging at the black shirt a little. "Yeah? Feels pretty comfortable. Might just keep them," I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I don’t mind. But if you keep 'em, you might have to come back for more."

I leaned back against the counter, folding my arms. "Is that your way of getting me to stick around?"

"Maybe," he said, stepping closer. "But if you look this good in my clothes, it’s not much of a sacrifice, is it?"

I laughed, enjoying the lightheartedness between us. "You know, you’re getting pretty smooth with these lines, Mr. Pena."

He smirked at the nickname, his hand lightly brushing my side as he went back to the stove. "Only for you," he said, glancing at me over his shoulder.

The moment felt easy, like we’d known each other for longer than we had. It was strange, the kind of connection that wasn’t forced, like we were just... falling into place.

"You hungry yet?" he asked, plating the eggs and bacon with a quick glance in my direction.

"Starving," I replied, pushing off the counter and joining him at the small table. "Smells amazing."

"Well, I don’t want you to waste away on me," he joked, placing the plates down and pulling out a chair for me.

I sat down, shaking my head. "Yeah, I’ll need my energy... Especially with all the school stuff coming up," I said, catching his gaze as he sat across from me. "And, you know, whatever this is."

Javier raised an eyebrow but didn’t break the smile. "You mean us?" he asked, leaning back a little.

I shrugged, feeling the playfulness mix with something a little more real. "Yeah... us."

He looked at me for a moment, the teasing fading slightly as he nodded. "Well, we’ll figure that out as we go."

I smiled, feeling that same warmth between us that had been there all morning. Whatever this was, I knew it was just getting started.

As we finished eating, I leaned back in my chair, twirling my fork absentmindedly. “So, about the test… It feels like a mountain of work for someone who hasn’t even been in your class for two weeks.”

Javier looked up from his plate, a teasing grin forming on his lips. “Well, the bet is a bet. If you ace it, I’ll pass you. If not… sorry, but that’s how it goes.”

I raised an eyebrow, smirking back at him. “So, my entire academic future is riding on a bet? That’s a lot of pressure, Javi.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Pressure makes diamonds, right? But don’t worry. If you don’t understand something, I’m here to help you. Just remember, I’m not giving you the answers.” He winked, his tone playful.

“Great, a tutor who’s also my partner in crime,” I replied with a laugh. “But seriously, I could use all the help I can get.”

Javier leaned back in his chair, folding his arms with a confident smile. “You’ll do just fine, Caleb. I believe in you. And who knows? We might even have a little fun along the way.”

“Fun?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow. “Like what? Study parties with snacks?”

“Exactly!” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “We can make it a thing. And I promise I’ll keep the answers to myself.”

“Deal,” I replied, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect of tackling the challenge together. With a little help from Javi, maybe I really could surprise myself.

I stood up, gathering the plates and everything we’d used for dinner. “You cooked, so I’ll handle the cleanup,” I said, heading toward the sink.

Javier glanced over, eyebrows raised. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”

“Nah, I want to,” I replied with a small smile as I turned on the faucet and started washing the dishes. The warm water running over my hands felt soothing as I scrubbed away the bits of food.

Javier came up beside me, leaning casually against the counter, watching as I worked. "I could get used to this," he said with a playful smirk.

I laughed, shaking my head as I rinsed off another plate. “Don’t get too comfortable, Javi. This is a one-time offer. You’re on dish duty next time.” i joked

“Oh, I don’t mind sharing the chores,” he said, stepping closer to bump my shoulder lightly. "I’ll even make the coffee in the morning."

“Sounds like a deal," I replied, looking over at him as I finished up. “Just as long as you don’t burn the toast.”

Javier laughed softly, his eyes catching mine for a moment longer than usual. There was something about this moment this simple, everyday routine that felt unexpectedly... right. Comfortable. As if we fit together in the most ordinary of ways, even with everything going on around us.

As I stood at the sink, washing the last of the dishes, I heard Javier rustle behind me. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lighting one up with a quick flick. The soft glow of the flame reflected in the kitchen window, and soon the familiar scent of smoke filled the room.

He took a slow drag, then looked over at me, eyes glinting with something playful. "You want one?" he asked, holding the cigarette between his fingers.

I grinned. "Yeah, please. I haven’t smoked all day."

Without a word, Javier came up behind me, his chest lightly pressing against my back as he reached around, placing the cigarette between my lips. I took a long drag, the smoke swirling in my lungs, then exhaled, feeling the tension from the day begin to fade away.

He took the cigarette back from me, taking another hit himself, the smoke curling lazily in the air. Then he leaned against the counter, studying me for a second before asking, "So, what's your plan for the rest of the day?"

I wiped my hands on a dish towel, thinking for a moment. “No big plans, honestly. Just taking it easy... unless you’ve got something in mind?”

Javier smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he was already plotting something. "Well, I might have a few ideas," he said, letting the sentence hang in the air, teasing.

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Yeah? And what ideas are those?"

Javier took one last drag of the cigarette, stubbing it out in a nearby ashtray before turning to me with a thoughtful look. "Well," he began, leaning back against the counter again, "would you like to go out, maybe grab a drink somewhere? Or..." His voice trailed off, a soft smile playing on his lips. "We could stay in, relax, and watch a movie on the couch."

I glanced over at him, considering the options. The idea of going out sounded fun, but there was something about the thought of staying in, curled up together on the couch, that felt a lot more appealing.

I smiled, stepping closer to him. "A movie sounds good to me. Besides, your couch looks way too comfortable to pass up."

Javier chuckled, reaching out to lightly brush his fingers against my arm. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that." He tilted his head toward the living room. "Go ahead and pick something out. I'll grab us a couple of drinks."

"Deal," I said, grinning as I made my way into the living room, already scanning through the list of movies in my head.

As I scrolled through the movie options, I found one that caught my interest and quickly put it on the TV. Satisfied with the choice, I settled into the couch, waiting for Javier. A few moments later, he walked in with two beers, a casual smile on his face.

"Sorry, all I’ve got is beer," he said, handing me one.

I shook my head, smiling back. "Beer’s perfect, don’t worry."

Javier sat down next to me, and without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. I leaned into him, feeling the warmth and ease of the moment.

As the movie played, we both settled into a comfortable silence. Javier absentmindedly played with my hair while I traced circles on his stomach. The steady rhythm of the movie was almost calming, but after a while, I glanced up at him. He noticed and turned his head to meet my gaze.

"Everything alright?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

"Yeah, I just... can’t believe how fast things have changed," I replied, my voice thoughtful.

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated, thinking about it for a second. "I mean, not even a week ago, I couldn’t stand you... and now, here I am, in your arms, feeling... I don’t know, different. "Javier smiled softly.

"I like how we are now," Javier said softly, his voice low and warm, his eyes locked on mine with a kind of sincerity that made my chest tighten.

"Me too," I replied, barely above a whisper. The way he looked at me, like this was something real and not just a fleeting moment, made everything feel different, more significant.

We sat there for a moment, just staring at each other, the quiet between us comfortable. Then, without thinking, I moved closer. My hands rested on his shoulders as I slowly slid onto his lap, feeling the warmth of his body beneath me. His hands found my waist, his fingers pressing into my skin like he didn’t want to let go.

I leaned in, our faces just inches apart, the tension building. My heart pounded as I closed the gap and kissed him, softly at first, but it quickly deepened, slow and deliberate. His hands tightened around my waist, pulling me closer against him, like he wanted to erase any space left between us. The kiss felt different, more meaningful, like we were both saying things we hadn’t quite figured out how to say with words yet.

His breath hitched slightly as he tilted his head, kissing me back with that same intensity, like we were both savoring the moment. The room felt smaller, quieter, like the world outside didn’t exist. And for a while, it didn’t.

As i climbed off of Javier's lap i slowly start getting on my knees without breaking eyes contact. My heart raced inside my chest as i reached out for Javier's sweatpants. I could feel butterflies in my stomach as i slid them down with his boxers, revealing his big hard cock.

I looked up at Javier with eager eyes before running my fingers along the length of it. "Fuck," Javier mumbled under his breath as pre-cum leaked from the tip.

Without hesitation, i leaned forward and placed a kiss on the head of his cock before licking at it gently. The taste was intoxicating as i ran mine tongue up and down licking every inch of his dick.

Javier moaned softly from above, tangling his fingers in my hair. "That feels so good," he groaned.

i took more of Javier dick into my mouth inch by inch until i had taken all of it in, fully amazed at how well i took all of his length without gagging

The room was filled with the sound of saliva and soft moans as i bobbed my head up and down on his cock. I used my hand to stroke the part that i couldn't fit in my mouth.

Javier's grip on my hair tightened as he tried not to thrust into my mouth. "Fuck, baby. You're so good at this," he grunted.

i could feel Javier getting harder in my mouth, the veins pulsing against my tongue. I continued to suck him off eagerly, wanting nothing more than to make him cum.

Javier let out a loud groan as he felt himself getting closer to the edge. "I'm gonna cum." he said through gritted teeth.

I looked up at him with a mischievous smile before taking all of his cock back into my mouth, deepthroating him until he felt the warm of his cum shoot down my throat.

Javier moaned loudly in ecstasy as i swallowed all of his cum, living nothing go to waste, As i pulled away and licked my lips, savoring the taste of his cum on my tongue.

We stayed like that for a moment, catching our breaths and basking in the afterglow. Then I climbed back onto the couch and straddled him once more, our lips meeting in a sweet kiss.

After I pulled away, catching my breath, I got up on my knees, still straddling him, and licked my lips, grinning a little. "I like seeing you like this," I teased, my voice soft but playful.

Javier raised an eyebrow, smirking back at me. "What, like naked from the waist down?" he asked, a hint of mischief in his tone.

"Yeah," I replied, my grin widening. "I wouldn’t mind without a shirt too." I added, my tone playful, but I wasn't joking at all. My eyes trailed down his chest, making it clear I meant every word.

Javier laughed, his hands moving to rest on my thighs. "You’re trouble, you know that?" he said, his voice low, but I could see the glint of amusement in his eyes

I grinned, leaning in closer as I teased, "Why, because I made you cum three times in one day, old man?"

Javier’s laugh was deep and genuine as he shook his head, playfully narrowing his eyes at me. "Who did you just call 'old man'?" he asked, still chuckling.

I shrugged, smirking. "Just calling what i see."

“Okay, honestly, how old are you, exactly?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Javier rolled his eyes dramatically. “I’m turning 35 in a couple of months.”

I raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. “Oh.”

He leaned back, crossing his arms with a playful smirk. “What? Am I too old for you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Hell yeah!” I shot back, grinning widely.

Javier burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. “Guess I’ll just have to find some anti-aging cream, then.”

I looked at him with a teasing smile. “No, no, you don’t need to! I actually like seeing those little lines on your face.”

Javier’s eyes widened in mock horror. “I don’t have any lines in my face stop!” he protested, a playful frown forming on his lips.

I chuckled, leaning closer. “Oh, come on! They’re like little badges of wisdom,” I said, poking his cheek gently. “Each one tells a story.”

He rolled his eyes, unable to hold back a smile. “Yeah, a story of bad decisions, apparently,” he shot back, laughter bubbling in his voice.

“Hey, at least you have good company for those bad decisions now,” I replied, grinning at him.

Javier laughed, shaking his head. “I think I could use a shower after all those bad decisions,” he said, standing up with a mock serious expression.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “A shower? What’s that? You mean to wash away all that wisdom?”

“Exactly!” he replied, pretending to be offended. “I need to scrub off these stories before I’m wise enough to teach history again.”

I leaned back on the couch, a playful smirk on my face. “I don’t know, Javi. I think your students would appreciate your… life lessons.”

He turned to head toward the bathroom, glancing over his shoulder with a grin. “Just don’t peek while I’m in there!”

“Who, me?” I replied, a mock gasp escaping my lips. “I would never!”

Javier chuckled, shaking his head as he disappeared into the bathroom. The door clicked shut, and soon enough, the sound of running water filled the air.

I let out a small sigh and got up from the couch, stretching as I made my way to the window. The view outside was calm, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this unexpected twist in my life.

As the water continued to run in the background, I thought about everything that had happened between us. There was something refreshing about being around Javier, something that made me feel... at ease, like I didn’t have to pretend to be anything but myself. The teasing, the tension, the way we connected it was all new, exciting, and I couldn't deny how much I liked it.

"Don't peek!" Javier's voice called from the bathroom, a playful edge to his words, bringing me back to the moment.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Don’t flatter yourself!" I yelled back, smirking as I leaned against the wall. The sound of his laughter echoed through the door, and I found myself grinning again.

As I lit up the cigarette, Javier emerged from the bathroom, wearing nothing but his underwear. The steam from the shower still clung to his skin, and droplets of water glistened on his chest and arms. I couldn’t help but smile as I looked him up and down, taking in the sight of him standing there.

He walked over to me, his presence filling the room effortlessly. I reached out, my fingers brushing against his mustache as I took a slow drag of the cigarette. The warmth of his skin beneath my touch sent a thrill through me.

"You’re so beautiful," I said softly, my voice low as the smoke escaped my lips.

Javier’s eyes softened, and a playful grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He leaned in slightly, his hand resting on my waist as he gazed at me.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” he replied, his tone teasing but his eyes full of something deeper.

The moment felt intimate, electric, as if the air between us was charged with a quiet understanding. I took another drag, my fingers lingering against his face for a second longer before I smiled and leaned back against the wall, feeling like I could stay in this moment forever.

I took one last drag from the cigarette, letting the smoke curl into the air as I glanced over at Javier. The moment felt comfortable but full of unspoken things. “I think I should get going,” I said, my voice softer now. “We’ve got school tomorrow.”

Javier gave me a slight smile, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. “You could stay here if you want,” he offered, his tone casual but with an underlying suggestion.

As tempting as it was, I shook my head, grinning a little. “I think it’s better if I head home.”

Javier nodded, stepping back with a small sigh. “Alright,” he said, accepting it.

Just as I was gathering my things and getting ready to leave, I paused. “Oh, I almost forgot about my clothes.”

Javier looked at me, amused. “Don’t worry about them,” he said with a smile. “I’ll clean them and bring them to you.”

I glanced down at the clothes I was wearing his black shirt and sweatpants and chuckled. “Well, I’ll make sure to wash these and give them back to you, too.”

Javier raised an eyebrow, smirking. “No rush. They look good on you,” he teased.

I laughed, shaking my head as I headed toward the door. “Alright, Mr. Peña, I’ll see you tomorrow at school then.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, see you tomorrow, Caleb,” he said, his voice warm as I slipped out of his place. The cool night air hit me as I left, a small smile tugging at my lips as I thought about the day and the strange, exciting path that lay ahead of us.

Next Chapter

#pedro pascal #pedrohub #pedro pascal characters #javier pena fanfiction #javier pena smut #javier pena x reader #javier pena x male character #javier pena x male reader #javier pena narcos #fuck me javier pena #so hot and sexy #make me beg

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neet-aspirant · 1 year ago

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20–01–2024, Saturday

struck off everything from my to-do list for today! wonderfully productive day :D dropping neet coaching classes and taking up individual private tuitions for phy, chem and maths (2 hours each) was an amazing idea. it saves so much time and anyways coaching mein ghanta kuch padhai nahi hota tha, sirf time waste for 7-8 hours on weekends, so this is much better and also i get much more time for self studying, which is the best!! will also take up a bio private tuition in april when i start class 12

learnt my current psych chapter

made notes for the new psych chapter

started Glycolysis in Respiration

watched a video lecture

practiced neet mcqs from cell cycle and cell division

practiced conic sections

revised structure of atom and practiced it's numericals

revised thermodynamics in physics

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zialltops · 2 years ago

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East Side Of Sorrow

Word Count: 76,093

Chapters: 16/22

Rating: Explicit

Warnings/tags: Minor underage, no piv till 18, Graphic Descriptions of Violence, loss of virginity, older man/younger woman, reader is 17-18, Joel is 49-50, asphyxiation, voyeurism, face slapping, knife play, mask wearing, somnophilia, breeding kink, slow burn, murder mystery

Summary: It started at one of two points when you were sixteen, but for the life of you, you cant recall which came first. All you know, is a defining moment led you to the stark realization that you didn’t like the boys you sat beside in math class, weren’t interested in the seniors on the football field under Friday night lights—you didn’t want to dance with a boy at your high school prom, or have your first kiss under the bleachers.

You wanted a man.

Chapter List & Links

1. Summertime’s Close

2. Hey Driver

3. Fear & Fridays

4. Spotless

5. Ticking

6. Tourniquet

7. Smaller Acts

8. Jakes Piano - Long Island

9. Jakes Piano - Long Island (Part 2)

10. Tradesman

11. Nine Ball

12. Deep Satin

13. Sarah’s Place

14. Darling

15. The Outskirts

16. The Good I'll Do

✨spotify link here✨

#joel miller #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal #the last of us #archive of our own #joel the last of us #east side of sorrow #joel tlou #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal fanfic #tlou

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jimebookjourney-18 · 20 days ago

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Fifth entry (chapters 28-34)

A Fish in a Tree

After Shay said Ally was a dumb person, Mr. Daniels told Ally she was actually the opposite, she was very clever. So, Ally finally told someone (Mr. Daniels) her "secret", the why she thinks Shay was right. She told him that she can't read. But Mr. Daniels already knew that, and explained to her that she might have dyslexia and that can be treated.

This quote from Albert Einstein has become one of my favorites right now. Is the quote Mr. Daniels tells to Ally, and I think is the most important message of this book.

We are used to live in a world where knowing maths, reading a lot, solving equations, and having the best grades at school, is the only important thing to be considered a genius. However, I think that idea is totally wrong. Besides the 12 or 7 types of intelligence (that yes! It really has a point in here) we all can be geniuses.

"If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live his whole life believing that it is stupid" If you judge a painter by it's ability to paly basketball, it will live his whole life thinking is worthless. If you judge a writer by it's ability to do mathematics, it will live his whole life believing he is dumb or stupid. And so it goes with dancers and scientists, historians and actors, musicians and speakers. The point is, we grew up thinking in only one way of being smart, when in reality there are a lot of things we are smarter at. If you put an artist in a basketball class, of course it would suck at it, and if you judge him by it, he would feel useless. But, if you put him on an art class, it would happen quite the opposite.

We all are smart in different ways, we all operate in different areas, we are all different and cannot be judge on a single characteristic and area. If we do that, I'll be like you are lowering the person and ignoring his narural talents and abilities.

Ally is a smart kid. She express herself really good, has a huge imagination, is good at maths and has a leader potential. They by judging her for not being able to read, one skill that she doesn't have, they are ignoring all this skills that she actually has.

We all are steel pennys, unique, magical and important, and that's because who we are and how we get to be our own kind of genius. I think this "all of us are different and smart in our own way" is the message of this book. And I love it. 𓆡⇢★ッ

The pin/image is from here:

#books #unique #be unique #intelligent #albert einstein #quotes

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thiccpettybitch · 2 years ago

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🕸 Bitter Sweet - Ch. 7 Miguel O’hara x F!Reader 🕸

Hey guys!

First off, thank you so much to everyone, for your lovely comments, support and vaguely loving yet threatening ask for when Ch. 7 will be out! Here it is baby! I hope you enjoy it! 🥰

I will be taking a small break when it comes to Bitter Sweet, just to finish a few chapters, as I like being ahead of the curve and have time making any changes, I find necessary. I also have a bunch of asks and request from you guys, that’s right! I have them and they are in the works as they fit in well with some of my WIPs.

*Sweats heavily as over 12 WIPS stare at me write another chapter for Bitter Sweet*

So do not worry, I will NOT abandon it I just have a few other projects to get out, with Bitter Sweet being more of a longer chapters, yet more… infrequent? Thing? I dunno, I say this and you might get five more chapters this week, (don’t quote me, I live by the grace of my unmedicated ADHD lol.)

Keep the requests coming in, keep commenting it LITERALLY makes my day! Love all the likes- oh and we hit 1000 LIKES?!?! Thank you so much! I love you guys and please enjoy this chapter! 🥰

At the bottom you will find a visual representation of Miguel under his mask! During the end of the story~ The art was done by the wonderful: @shuploc . If you haven’t already please check out their art, it’s amazing! Go leave them some kudos and enjoy their art!🥰

Part 8

As you made your way to school, music streaming through your earbuds, a cheerful tune filling your ears, the warm sun caressed the side of your face, bringing a smile to your lips. It had been a while since you felt this genuinely happy.

Feeling light-hearted and carefree, you practically skipped your way to school, replaying the events of the previous day in your head.

Gwen held on to your wrist, inspecting the braided bracelet. ‘’Did he tell you why he gave it to you?’’ she asked.

‘’Not… really? He just said it would be something for me to smile at,’’ you said shrugging.

As you both grabbed your books, getting ready to head to your separate classes, Gwen kept giving you these mysterious and knowing looks. Finally, unable to contain your curiosity, you turned to her with a raised eyebrow.

‘’Why are you looking at me like that?’’ you asked, confused.

Gwen shrugged, the books in her hands shifting, ‘’I dunno’, you just look… happy.’’ Rolling your eyes playfully, you bumped into her, and she responded with a nonchalant shrug. Eventually, it was time for the two of you to head to your respective classes – you to science and her to math.

You stepped into the science class, clutching your books against your chest. Your eyes scanned the room, and there he was – Miguel, sitting at a double desk, his head resting lazily on his hands as he cast a casual glance in your direction. Your heart skipped a beat for a moment as you debated where to sit.

The question nagged at you: Should you take the seat next to him? But then, you wondered if you might be too eager, and if he wanted some space, not to spend every class together. A frown crossed your face as you swiftly made a decision – the desk in front of him seemed like a safer choice, right next to... Reilly.

As you walked past Miguel's desk, out of nowhere, he nonchalantly kicked the stool next to him. The stool flew at you with surprising force, smacking you in the side. It didn't hurt, but the suddenness of it shocked you, causing you to nearly drop your books as you caught the chair to keep it from toppling over. Miguel glanced at you, his head still propped up on his hand, seemingly amused by the whole incident.

Placing your books on the desk, you settled into the chair, but not without catching the disapproving look your teacher shot your way. You quickly fixed your hair, trying to keep a low profile as you quietly hissed.

"Could have just asked me to sit next to you," you mumbled under your breath, feeling a bit flustered by the whole ordeal.

Miguel, ever the cool and collected one, just shrugged with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. "You're the one who decided to sit down. I didn't say anything~," he teased, clearly enjoying the moment.

Feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment, you turned your head to give him a sharp look. As you gathered your books, preparing to stand up and move elsewhere, Miguel acted swiftly. He grabbed hold of your chair and pulled it back, effectively keeping you in place. His smooth and effortless movement left you momentarily stunned.

Leaning in, Miguel's gaze remained fixed on the front of the class as he whispered playfully into your ear, "don't disrupt the class, tontita." Despite trying to ignore the shiver that went down your spine, you couldn't help but feel a bit rattled by his proximity.

As if sensing that something was amiss, Miguel continued in a hushed voice, "You feel alright? Your face is a bit red." The slight concern in his whisper made you bite down on your lip, trying to keep your composure in check.

"I'm... fine," you managed to respond, your voice wavering slightly as you felt him leaning in closer. His proximity was almost intimate, his lips teasingly brushing against your ear.

He tutted playfully, his voice dripping with warmth and affection. "Don't lie to me, amorcito. Clearly, something's got you feeling very nervous."

You nervously licked your lips, trying to avoid his intense gaze as you glanced out the window, trying to focus on anything but him, or the way he was eyeing you.

"Or is there another reason your heart is beating that fast, hmm?" he teased, his fingers gently resting against your wrist, the sensation made your eyebrows furrow, and you turned to look at him.

His voice turned hushed, and the Spanish words flowed effortlessly from his lips, sending shivers down your spine. "¿Te pongo nerviosa?’’ he asked, eyeing you curiously, ‘’¿Te gusta cuando hablo en español?" he asked, and you struggled to catch the meaning behind the words, too busy focusing on your breathing.

Turning your head to meet his gaze, you couldn't help but be mesmerized, your breath catching in your throat. His head tilted slightly, a small smirk gracing his lips as his eyes roamed over your face, lingering on your lips.

Then, he spoke again, his thumb tracing gentle circles over your knuckles. "If you wanted me to whisper sweet nothings to you in Spanish, all you had to do was ask, amorcito." The way he said it, the warmth in his voice, it made your cheeks flush, giving away your feelings.

Class seemed to fly by, and by the time the bell rang, you were almost as red as a tomato. Grabbing your books, you hurriedly left the room, trying to compose yourself.

The rest of the day was a blur as you attempted to focus on your other classes, though your mind kept drifting back to Miguel. As you made your way to your final class, your heart pounded in your chest. You flinched when you felt a hand on the small of your back, gently guiding you into the Spanish classroom.

Miguel was behind you, and even though he didn't make direct eye contact, a small smirk played on his lips. He led you to your usual table, but just as you were about to sit down, he playfully moved you to the side, letting you take the seat by the wall and the window.

Huh?

Maybe... this was a perk? You couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to show you how much he cared by being considerate. Now that you two were a bit closer, maybe he wanted to be nicer and show a sweeter side of him?

But, as you glanced down to the hand he had on your thigh, your thoughts quickly shifted. Sitting there, perfectly still, he made sure no one would notice, especially since you were on the inside of the table. That's why he gave you his seat, you realized.

The sneaky bastard!

He was hunched over, his head resting on his hand as he used his other hand to point at different Spanish words and prompt you to say them. Your thighs instinctively twitched, and you tried to discreetly close them, feeling a rush of embarrassment wash over you. You dared to glance up at his face, and he met your gaze with a small, almost innocent look – well, as close to innocent as Miguel could manage.

However, his hand on your thigh didn't move; it didn't trail or retreat. It just stayed there, driving you crazy. He wasn't blatantly groping you, but he wasn't keeping his hands to himself either. The internal struggle was real – your body ached for him to move, to touch you, and you found it hard to concentrate on the Spanish lesson. Your cheeks grew an even deeper shade of red.

Trying to maintain some composure, you cleared your throat and managed to continue with the lesson, but his proximity and the teasing touches kept you on edge. Every time his fingers lingered on your thigh, your heart raced, and your mind went blank. It was a mix of excitement and frustration, all happening while you were surrounded by other students and trying not to make a scene.

Despite your best efforts to focus on the Spanish words, your thoughts kept drifting back to Miguel and the tantalizing tension between you two. You silently prayed for the class to end soon, eager to escape the moment and get some fresh air.

"Why are you doing that?" you hissed, glancing up at him.

"Hm?~" Miguel hummed, sporting the same nonchalant and innocent look on his face.

Pfft, innocent my ass!

"Your hand, why... what are you doing?" you asked, feeling a bit awkward about bringing it up.

"You want me to move it?" he replied, his tone taking on a touch of seriousness, as if he wanted to assure you that all you had to do was tell him, and he'd comply.

Your cheeks flushed a darker shade of pink as you slowly shook your head. "I didn't say that... just... if you're not going to..."

"Well, you haven't asked me to do anything. Not yet, at least," he responded in a husky tone.

If your cheeks got any hotter, your head might just pop. Suddenly, he used his other hand to flick your forehead, and you blinked, looking at him with confusion.

"Enfoca esa cabecita tuya. Say that word for me," he said, pointing at the paper.

Despite the teasing and playful banter, you couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nervousness. Miguel's presence had an undeniable effect on you, leaving you unsure of how to react to his teasing yet tempting advances.

The rest of the lesson followed a similar pattern. Miguel would point at words or sentences, and you'd do your best to repeat them in Spanish or explain their meaning in English. At this point, there was no denying that he knew the effect his Spanish had on you. His hand either lingered on top of yours or rested on your thigh, serving as a constant reminder of his presence beside you – a tall, broad, and undeniably handsome man fully invested in, well… you.

Glancing up, you caught him staring at you with a certain glint in his half-lidded eyes – a mix of mischief and alluring darkness. You couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, but with the way his thumb softly stroked the inside of your thigh, you had an idea- or two.

The atmosphere was charged with a tantalizing tension, leaving you feeling both flustered and strangely exhilarated. Miguel's proximity and subtle touches had your heart racing, and you found it increasingly challenging to concentrate on the language lesson.

---

Walking away from your locker, your bag hanging off your shoulder, you stared straight ahead, your heart hammering inside your chest. He was walking behind you, a silent agreement that you were going to walk home together. There was something so mysteriously exiting about the fact that he didn’t join you at your side, but instead just walked behind you, close enough that you could smell his cologne.

Swallowing hard, you stole a glance back at him, and instantly, your cheeks flushed with heat. The way he looked at you was intense, his eyes devouring every part of you. You felt a tingle of nerves as his gaze traveled up to your hips and ass, his eyes half-lidded with an alluring smirk slowly forming on his face. You watched as his canine tooth teased with a slight peek, you found yourself momentarily entranced, and in that split second, your steps faltered, nearly causing you to trip. Swiftly recovering, you straightened up, forcing your gaze forward.

Finally, he caught up and walked beside you, emitting a small chuckle that made you feel a tad embarrassed. Just as you were about to break the silence, he surprised you by grabbing your backpack, effortlessly slinging it over his shoulder, and intertwining his fingers with yours. Your face turned bright red, and you were acutely aware that people passing by were stealing glances at you, which only intensified your blush.

---

As the train gradually slowed down, approaching your stop, he gently lifted your hand, planting a tender kiss against your knuckles. Handing you back your bag, he smiled at the way your eyes fluttered, nervously taken aback by the sweet gesture.

"Get your ass home, amorcito," he teased, and you found yourself simply nodding in response. As the train pulled away, you watched him smile slightly, and you let out a deep breath, slowly shaking your head in disbelief.

Making your way home your head was filled with one thing and one thing only; Miguel O’hara. His eyes, his hair, his skin, his face, his hands- oh god his hands… The way he smiled, the way his canine would stick out almost looking like a fang, his body, his voice-

The list went on and on, and your brain started slipping into more impure thoughts. You wondered what it would feel like to have his hand against your bare thigh, to watch his half-lidded and lustful eyes look at you, perhaps from a different angle – looking down at you, running his tongue over his lips and those inviting fangs, as he smirked. Imagining him looking down at you, head tilted to the side, with one hand in your hair as you--

"Y/n!" you heard your name being called out and turned around to see your aunt standing there, enthusiastically waving at you. You hadn't even realized you were already outside your home, but there she was, heading towards her car.

You watched as your aunt made her way into the car, a friendly smile on her face as she waved you over. Intrigued, you made your way over to her, "aunt May, where are you off to?"

"To the bank, sweetie. I need to get some paperwork done and sort out a loan," she replied, her expression showing a mix of determination and mild concern.

You furrowed your brows, wondering why she needed a loan. "Do we have money issues? I could get a job and help out if you need me to."

Her smile softened, and she shook her head. "Oh, no, dear. It's not that serious. They've just been taking their sweet time with your uncle's pension is all, and it's been a bit frustrating. But don't worry, we'll figure it out."

You opened the door, tossed your bag in the back, and joined her with a reassuring smile. She looked at you, pleasantly surprised, and asked, "You're coming with me?"

"Of course! I won't let any snooty banker mess with you," you replied, your smile mirroring hers, as she started the car.

---

As you sat there, observing the bank clerk giving you the most fake and greasy smile you'd ever seen in your life, you mentally sighed, feeling socially exhausted. This was definitely not how you had envisioned your afternoon, but you weren't going to leave your aunt to deal with this jerk by herself.

You watched as he flashed your aunt a sickeningly sweet, pearly white smile, appearing impeccably put together from head to toe. Despite his polished appearance, there was something about him that just rubbed you the wrong way. It was as if you could sense his true intentions beneath the facade as he pretended to help your aunt while suppressing whatever unkind thoughts he had. He tried to mask it with false sweetness, but his unpleasant nature was unmistakable.

"I am so sorry, ma'am, I fully understand what you are saying; however, there is nothing we can do here today, at least not from my end," he said, clasping his hands together on the desk.

"I see... well, where would we have to turn then? This is mortgage money we are talking about, a roof over our heads!" your aunt said, glancing at you with a mix of sadness and embarrassment. Had this situation been more significant than you realized? Perhaps she had been keeping you in the dark to spare you from worry. Your aunt and uncle had always wanted you to focus on your education rather than getting a job, which made sense, but if they needed help, they should have told you.

You looked up at your aunt, offering a sad yet reassuring smile.

"Well, that would be the line, right over there!" The clerk cheerfully pointed towards a line that seemed to stretch endlessly within the bank.

"We already stood in that line; we've been here for over two hours already. They directed us over to you," your aunt explained, clearly exhausted.

"Yes, well, that is the line you need to be in, so..." he replied, his unpleasant smile remaining on his face.

"She just told you; they sent us over to you. We're not standing in a line for another two hours to be told we need to leave as it’s closing time," you said, your patience running thin. "So, help us, let us speak to someone that deals with pension stuff, specifically."

He eyed you, his smile faltering for a moment before he caught himself. Your aunt mumbled something about not being rude to him and flashed him an apologetic smile.

Ah, I caught that, dirtbag.

The clerk opened his mouth to say something, but you leaned forward, hands on the desk, staring up at him with intense eyes. "I get that this is your job, and you just want to get through the people behind us until the clock hits six and you can stamp out. But this is our home, our livelihood you're neglecting, so please. Help us."

You watched as the corner of his mouth twitched, his smile almost faltering again. "Listen here--- kid," he said, then flashed your aunt a smile, which made her eyes narrow. He leaned towards you, and you sensed his insincerity. "I'm telling you, I can't--"

Suddenly, he stared past you, a look of pure fear on his face before he quickly ducked down under his desk, leaving you and your aunt sitting there, blinking in confusion. Suddenly another desk came flying past the desk you were sitting at, and you and your aunt let out a scream, crouching down on the floor.

A man with four mechanical arms attached to his torso, laughed as his steel appendages pushed desks, chairs, and people out of his way. Your aunt crawled over to you and pushed you behind her, instructing you to keep low as she glanced around, and the bank clerk hid behind her as well.

‘’I'm here for the money, but I don't mind crushing a few of you, if you tempt me," the man declared, turning around with an smile on his face.

A metal arm pointed towards you and your aunt as he spoke, "YOU! Open the vault!"

Both you and your aunt realized he was talking to the bank clerk behind you, the one shrinking back and shaking, holding onto your aunt's shoulder.

"I... I can't!" the clerk stammered, which seemed to send the man into a fit of rage.

The metallic arms slammed into the ground, pulling the man across it and towards the three of you. You watched in horror as one of the arms smacked into you, sending you flying to the side with a painful cry. Your aunt cried out for you, reaching for you but was pulled to the opposite side, being held down by one of the metal arms. You yelled for her as the man picked up the clerk by his arm, hoisting him above all of you and staring at him, teeth gritted together in a snarl.

"OPEN IT!"

"I CAN'T! I- I WOULD IF I COULD! I SWEAR!" the clerk cried out, but the man scoffed and flung him away, sending him towards a wall with deadly force. However, he was saved just in time as a web flew out and caught him, lowering him to the ground slowly.

"That's not very nice of you, Doc Ock. These fine people are just here to do their daily banking," a voice said.

You watched as Spider-Man dropped behind the villain, tilting his head to the side as he observed him. Doc Ock turned around, an evil smile on his face as his shades slid down his nose ever so slightly, taking in the sight of Spider-Man.

"Why don't we take this outside, buddy," Spider-Man said, his arms crossed over his chest nonchalantly.

"Oh, I don't know~ I'm here to make a withdrawal myself, and I do so hate standing in line," Doc Ock replied.

You watched as the metal arm tightened around your aunt, pulling her up from her feet and hoisting her over to him, above the floor. She cried out, and you panicked, eyes darting around in a haze, searching for anything to grab onto. Spider-Man tensed up, as if he was about to charge him, only to freeze as another arm flipped out a large sharp blade.

"Ah, ah~" Doc Ock tutted at him, "we wouldn't want to—"

His head shot forward, the metallic arm letting go of your aunt, allowing her to crawl away in fear as you swung the heavy metal lamp against the back of his head. Doc Ock swung around, a metal arm coming up and grabbing you by the throat, lifting you into the air, choking you. Your face went red as you spat at him, telling him to get his stinking hands off your aunt. He pulled you close to his face, a snarl on his face as he was about to say something.

Suddenly, he dropped you as a pair of legs flew into him, kicking him into the opposite wall. Dropping to your knees, your hand clutched at your neck as you let out a few dry coughs. You watched as Spider-Man landed back on his feet in front of you, a worrying hand held out towards you before he froze. As you looked up at his masked face, you saw him staring down at you, the eyes on his mask looking almost wide, as if he recognized you.

Did he recognize you from when he saved you before?

Suddenly, your head whipped around as a piece of the wall that had been broken off on his impact came flying towards you. You barely had time to close your eyes when Spider-Man caught it, without even looking away from you, his masked face glued to you. He dropped the piece of broken-off wall at your feet, blinking to regain himself. He looked at Doc Ock and then back at you. Grabbing the front of your shirt, he pulled you safely behind a desk and leaned close, his eyes turned into slits as if he was glaring at you.

‘’DO. NOT. MOVE.’’ He said, making it sound more like a warning than a request.

You watched, glancing past the desk as he moved forward. His fists clenched tightly, then abruptly released, fingers arching as the tip of them extended in to sharp talons. You sat there, mesmerized, as he effortlessly leaped into action, crashing into Doc Ock and sending him hurtling towards the wall. The impact shook the room, and the battle commenced with an electrifying intensity.

Your aunt crawled over to you, her hands on your shoulders, inspecting you with fear in her eyes. She rested a hand on your cheek, and you responded by placing your hand over hers, flashing a small smile. Together, the two of you watched the intense battle unfold, with metal arms flailing and grabbing onto anything they could to toss at Spiderman.

People started rushing out of the bank in a frantic frenzy, the blaring sirens adding to the chaos outside. Amidst the panic, your aunt tightly grabbed hold of your hand, urgently guiding you towards the exit. However, in the rush, you stumbled and fell to your knees, a sharp hiss escaping your lips from the pain.

Despite the discomfort, your aunt didn't relent, pulling you up as she continued towards the door. Unfortunately, a mass of people suddenly converged, bumping into the both of you, causing you to lose your balance and fall to the ground again. Struggling to keep up, you called out for your aunt amidst the commotion as people unknowingly trampled and tripped over you.

Finally, a security guard noticed your aunt's distress and quickly rushed to her aid. He helped her back up on her feet and then guided her towards the exit, leaving you behind for a moment. As you glanced up, your aunt's worried face appeared through the crowd, her arms outstretched, urging you to join her. However, before you could reach her, the tide of people pulled her away and outside.

You swiftly gathered yourself, managing to regain your footing amid the chaotic scene. Pushing aside a man who nearly trampled you, you rushed over to a nearby pillar, using it as cover while you surveyed the room. The situation inside the building was becoming even more dangerous, as canisters were shot inside the building and scattered across the floor. One of these canisters landed dangerously close to you, and you found yourself frozen in shock, unable to move.

In an instant, the canister burst open, releasing a thick cloud of smoke that quickly filled the room. Despite the haze and disorientation, you remained focused on finding an escape route. Your eyes darted around, searching for any possible way out of the suffocating situation.

You caught a glimpse of a small window to your right, determination took over, and you sprinted towards it, desperate to find fresh air. However, in your haste, you accidentally collided with a woman, sending her stumbling backward. You quickly reached out a hand to help her up. She took your hand with a shaky 'thank you,' and without a moment's hesitation, the two of you ran towards the window together.

But before you could react; the woman was pushed down to the floor, and you found yourself pinned against the wall, a metal arm pressing down on your throat, making it hard to breathe. You watched as Dr. Octavius, emerged through the smoke, his metal arms moved with eerie grace, skimming the floor as they carried him forward.

"You!" His snarl echoed through the chaos as one of the menacing metal arms lunged towards your face, giving the impression of a malevolent creature eager to sink its jaws into you. A mix of fear and adrenaline surged through your veins, prompting you to grab hold of the arm in a desperate attempt to defend yourself. However, your resistance proved futile as Dr. Octopus effortlessly lifted you off the ground, his iron grip constricting your throat and robbing you of precious air. Gasping for breath, you struggled to break free, the room spinning around you as the grip tightened, leaving you feeling helpless.

Another one of Dr. Octopus's menacing metal arms shot out, catching Spiderman by surprise as he attempted to lunge at him from behind. The villainous doctor swiftly seized Spiderman by the ribs and slammed him into the wall right beside you. A pained grunt escaped Spiderman as he collided with the unforgiving surface, leaving him momentarily stunned.

As Spiderman looked up, his eyes met yours, and he froze at the sight of you pressed up against the wall, a sharp claw held menacingly at your throat. Tears welled up in the corners of your eyes, the terror of the situation overwhelming you.

The eyes on Spiderman's masked face shot up in shock, but he wasted no time. With a growl of determination, he slammed his hand above your head, his talons digging into the wall to anchor himself in place. Despite Dr. Octopus's attempts to pry him away, Spiderman held his ground, using his other hand to grasp the claw around your neck, attempting to pry it open.

The claw emitted whirring sounds and sparks flew, as if it were a living creature in pain, but Spiderman persisted. With a forceful motion, he ripped the claw away from your throat and pushed forward, delivering a swift kick to Dr. Octopus's face. The impact sent the villain stumbling backward, his metal arms releasing Spiderman to support their master instead.

Spiderman sprang into action, showing remarkable strength as he swiftly grabbed both you and the woman on the ground under his arms, carrying you both like bags of potatoes. With incredible agility, he dashed toward the window, leaping out with ease despite the added weight of carrying two people in each arm. In a split second, he released the woman, tossing her safely towards a group of cops who awkwardly caught her.

Turning his attention to you, Spiderman was about to set you down, but his instincts kicked in just in time. He jerked his head up and shot you into the air, catching you on his back and webbing onto a nearby building. Just as he did, two clawed metal arms came flying toward him, digging into the ground where he had been standing moments ago.

"I know you're not a fan of heights, but I don't really have much of a choice, I'm afraid," Spiderman quipped as he firmly dug his claws into the building's wall, scaling it with impressive speed.

You clung tightly to his back, your legs wrapped around his hips and your hands gripping his shoulders. As he mumbled a quiet "hold on tight," you glanced back and found your hand instinctively digging into his shoulders, a small whimper escaping your lips.

Spiderman looked back at you and then glanced down at what caught your attention. There was Dr. Octopus, scaling the building behind you, his metal arms slamming into the surface and propelling him upward.

"Man... this guy just DOESN'T. GIVE. UP!" Spiderman muttered, emphasizing each word. As he continued climbing, he carefully moved you from his back to his front, ensuring you were safely pressed against him.

"We gotta stop meeting like this," he joked, then webbed onto a part of the building. Using his legs and arm, he kicked himself and you higher up the building, one hand securely holding your back to keep you close and safe.

"I... I didn't think you'd remember me!" you joked back, glancing down to find that Dr. Octopus was no longer following you. A slight worry creased your brow as you anxiously looked around.

Spiderman's head perked up, and for a moment, he stopped and locked eyes with you. "You kidding me?" he asked, glancing down to scan the area. "Who'd forget a face as pretty as yours?" he said with a playful smirk behind the mask, trying to lighten the tense situation.

The building shook, causing you to hold onto him tighter, fear gripping you as you looked up at him. Just as he leaned in, seemingly about to say something, you noticed a danger above. Your eyes shot up in panic, and you urgently warned him to watch out.

Reacting swiftly, Spiderman grabbed your hips, pulling you off him and tossing you into the air, like a cheerleader doing a basket toss. You cried out in surprise as you landed on a part of the building with a large ledge, barely able to regain your footing before witnessing one of Dr. Octopus's metal arms slamming into Spiderman, pushing him against the building and then pulling him away roughly.

"No!" you screamed, reaching out for him.

"I will be right back, promise! Don't—uh, MOVE!" he managed to get out before being pulled away from you and the ledge you sat on.

You were now perched precariously on the ledge, your back pressed against it, aware that any wrong move could send you tumbling to the pavement below. Your head spun from the height as you watched Spiderman engaging in a fierce battle with Dr. Octopus.

Amid the struggle, Doc Ock caught Spiderman and looked between the two of you before turning his head to Spiderman with a twisted smirk. "Didn't you get the memo?" he taunted, pulling Spiderman close to his face. "It's not take your girlfriend to work day!" With a forceful move, he raised Spiderman into the air and threw him into another building, sending him crashing through a window.

Fear engulfed you as Dr. Octopus turned his attention towards you. Panicking, you reached for anything around you, trying not to move too much. His metal arms pushed him off the building he was on, and he quickly approached you. His claws dug into the walls next to you, making you flinch and nearly slip off the ledge. One of the arms wrapped around your midsection, preventing you from falling but leaving you hanging over the edge of the building.

Spiderman swiftly landed on the roof in front of you and Dr. Octopus, his head moving between the two of you frantically before stopping at Doc ock.

‘’Doc… don’t. There’s no need to hurt anyone else!’’ He said, his hand held up in surrender.

You couldn't help but whimper as Dr. Octopus pulled you closer to his face, while Spiderman flinched, as if wanting to intervene but restraining himself. "Well, my dear, what is so special about you, hm~?" Dr. Octopus inquired, tilting you slightly to get a better look at your face. Your gaze darted between him and Spiderman, a mix of confusion and terror etched across your features.

‘’Nothing is! It’s just kind of in the job description to save all citizens.’’ Spiderman defended, adding a sheepish, ‘’Sorry kid, no offense!’’ Despite his attempt at humor, you cried out, feeling the pain intensify as Dr. Octopus's arm tightened around your ribs.

"NO! STOP!" Spiderman's voice rang out, a potent mix of anger and fear in his tone.

Threateningly, Dr. Octopus warned, "Lie to me again, and I'll crush her spine." He shifted you to a more visible position, causing the arm to tighten further, and you let out a whimpering gasp.

"OKAY! Okay, just-!" Spiderman growled, his clawed fist clenching tightly as he looked up at Dr. Octopus. "She... she's special! Okay?" Dr. Octopus seemed intrigued, and the arm holding onto you moved back slightly, loosening its grip, allowing you to breathe again. "How?" he asked, eyes focusing on you.

"JUST LET HER GO!" Spiderman roared, making you flinch.

Dr. Octopus turned to look at him, a sickening smirk on his face as he casually shrugged. "You got it, Spidey," he replied nonchalantly. In an instant, you felt the arm release you, and you began to fall, hurtling towards certain death below.

"NO!!!" Spiderman's desperate cry pierced the air as you fell. Time seemed to slow as you made eye contact with him, his masked eyes wide with fear and shock. You reached out for him, your hand trying to bridge the distance as your hair obscured your vision.

Reality hit, and you realized you were falling to your death.

________________________________________________________________

Find the translations on my AO3 page!

(A visual representation of Miguel under his mask! Once again thank you to the wonderful and talanted @shuploc . Please make sure you check out their art, it’s amazing!)

#miguel x y/n #miguel o'hara #atsv miguel #miguel spiderman #Bitter Sweet #spider man 2099 #spiderman across the spider-verse spoilers #spider gwen #hobie brown #miguel o'hara smut #miguel ohara x reader #miguel ohara fanfiction #miguel ohara x y/n #spider verse #spiderman 2099 #spiderman 2099 x reader #atsv #miguel x reader #miguel o'hara x reader

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krimsonkatt · 11 months ago

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Stacy Ninato (Final Apcolyptis Ver)

Stacy Ninato, a party member in my game Chronicles Meteorfall. She is a ditsy, timid, yet kind summoner in training who lived in the floating city of Aetheria. She is of the wingli race, a race of winged humanoids blessed by Seraphim Eternos in ancient times. She possesses fairy wings like all female members of the wingli race, though she is not a fairy herself. Male wingli possess angel wings instead.

While Stacy has fully functional wings, she never learned how to fly, only how to glide. This caused her to be teased by the other wingli children, not helped by her status as an orphan. However, her life was turned around when she was adopted by the legendary summoner Sensayu when she was 7 years old. Sensayu taught Stacy how to read and write in multiple languages, world history, and general math and sciences. Sensayu also discovered that Stacy had incredible potential in summoning magick, and decided to train her as his apprentice and potential future successor.

However, tragedy struck as Sensayu was suddenly murdered! Due to this all of Sensayu's scions, summoned beasts, the 12 zodiacs, were released from their contract and let free to cause havoc across the world. After Stacy and her new friends Koros, Tayo, and Zenith found the true perpetrator, Oracle Aria who body swapped with King Azul in order to trick the people of Aetheria, Stacy joined Koros' group to obtain all of Sensayu's lost scions and fulfill Sensayu's legacy.

Stacy is 17 years old. Her S-Class is the "Enchantress" class, the ultimate magick wielding class who uses powerful spells of nearly every element to annihilate the enemy. This includes powerful arts like Scathe, an almighty spell that does unreal almighty damage to all foes while lowering all foes stats by two stages. The enchantress' talent art is especially powerful. The talent art "Chainspell" allows one ally's spells to be used twice in a row for 3 turns, pratically doubling the damage of all magick users. The enchantress uses spears, bows, and staves.

Stacy's exclusive S-Talents include "Summon" and "Bellowing Gale." The "Summon" S-Talent allows stacy to summon a scion based on what scion animus is equipped in Stacy's special armor slot. Unlike other S-Talents, Stacy's summons require AP to use, but as a compromise only cost 50% TP. If no scion animus is equipped, the summon S-Talent fails and nothing happens with the AP and TP still being spent, so make sure you have an animus equipped before you use it! All scion's damage scales based on level so even low tier scions can be useful long-term, but generally the later you can obtain the scion, the better the scion probably is and the more damage it deals. Here is a list of all the summons, where to find them, and what their special move does.

Lepus: tier 1. Element: Healing. Zodiac: Rabbit. Where to find: The entrance of Banna Catacombs in Banna Woodlands after recruiting Stacy Art: Healing Helper (Heal a ton of HP for all allies based on level. Also heals all ailments).

Caledon: tier 1. Element: Smash Zodiac: Boar Where to find: Buy animus from Xelos' Shop in Aetheria/Eternia. Requires you to complete at least the first part of the sidequest "the shady seller." If after Chapter 8, the Aetheria section of the sidequest (part 2/3) will be skipped automatically straight to the Eternia section (part 3/3). Art: Primal Force (Deal massive smash damage to one foe based on level. If user's Lv > target's Lv, instant kills. (unless immune))

Ratatoskr: tier 1. Element: Dark. Zodiac: Rat. Where to find: Buy animus from Xelos' Shop in Aetheria/Eternia. Requires you to complete at least the first part of the sidequest "the shady seller." If after Chapter 8, the Aetheria section of the sidequest (part 2/3) will be skipped automatically straight to the Eternia section (part 3/3). Art: Devious Rumor (Deal massive dark damage to one foe based on level while draining HP/AP equal to 50%/5% of the damage).

Asterius: tier 1. Element: Smash/Force. Zodiac: Bull. Where to find: Buy animus from Xelos' Shop in Aetheria/Eternia. Requires you to complete at least the first part of the sidequest "the shady seller." If after Chapter 8, the Aetheria section of the sidequest (part 2/3) will be skipped automatically straight to the Eternia section (part 3/3). Art: Titanic Rend (Deal massive smash and force damage to one foe based on level. Lowers target's DEF/RES by two stages.)

Sleipnir: Tier 2. Element: Strike/Force. Zodiac: Horse. Where to find: Aetheria Skylands in the Isle of Paths after recruiting Stacy. Art: Pegasus Strike (Deal severe strike and force damage to one foe based on level that pierces 60% of DEF. Afterward, raises the user's SPD/DEX).

Bakkayo: Tier: 2. Element: Smash/Thunder. Zodiac: Tiger. Where to find: In Magitek Gardens 2F. Post-Ch8 he can be fought in the Skyseal Ruins at an increased level. Art: Raging Tiger (Deal severe smash and thunder damage to all foes based on level. Deals more damage the lower the user's HP).

Suzaku: tier 2. Element: Fire Zodiac: Rooster Where to Find: Mt Gara 1BF in a side room after Stacy is recruited. Art: Flames of Rebirth (Deal severe fire damage to all foes based on level. Heals all allies fully.)

Jormungondr: Tier 3. Element: Water. Zodiac: Snake. Where to find: In the Lakeside Cave during "low tide" (day) after Stacy is recruited. Art: Tidal Tempest (Deal unreal water damage to all foes x2 based on level. If user's lv > target's lv, instakills).

Anubis: Tier 3. Element: Dark. Zodiac: Dog. Where to find: In Beasteria Peak during the night after Stacy is recruited. Art: Death Judge (Deal unreal dark damage to all foes based on level. If the target(s) have any ailments, instakills.)

Adramelech: Tier 3. Element: Force. Zodiac: Goat. Where to Find: Wandering the abandoned Ozma Keep after Jeht is recruited. Art: Abomination (Deal unreal force damage to all foes based on level. Inflicts every ailment.)

Shinryu: Tier 4. Element: Water. Zodiac: Dragon. Where to find: In Accursed Well 1BF. Use tempra stone to unfreeze and fight. Art: Origin Breath (Deal colossal water damage to all foes based on level while fully healing the user.)

Wukong: Tier 4. Element: Smash/Light. Zodiac: Monkey. Where to find: In Omegas Badlands in a stone egg. Use a golden needle to unseal. Art: Rising Son (Deal colossal smash and light damage to all foes 4x based on level).

There are 3 other scions to find, but those are secrets!

Stacy's other S-Talent is "Bellowing Gale", which does unreal force damage to all foes while granting the party +2 press turns. Stacy's ultimate weapon is the "Stardust Destiny", a staff that grants her innate AP Turbo.

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itzsephig5 · 3 months ago

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1 (Starlight)

My Masterlist

This story on Wattpad

Intro 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Updated Character Info 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Final Character Info

Important info for this chapter:

A phone call is written like this

Y/n's POV:

I sat up on my bed in my dorm room. I rubbed my eyes as I looked around the room. I was exhausted because I had spent most of the night in the campus lab working on a project. I rubbed my eyes before I heard my phone ringing. I let out a groan before looking at my phone and seeing that Wanda was calling me. I answered the phone and put it on speaker. "What do you want?" I grumbled. "Wow. You sound amazing." Wanda tells me. I rolled my eyes. "Did you just wake up or something?" Wanda questioned. "As a matter of fact, I did just wake up." I say. I hear her laugh over the phone. "Wow your sleep schedule sucks." She commented. "I was in the lab most of the night. I had a project to work on." I responded. "That must suck." Wanda says. I just sighed. "What do you want and why are you calling me?" I finally asked. "Oh right." Wanda says. "Did you want to meet me at the cafe? I don't have any missions or anything and I haven't seen you in person in like a month." She asked me. I think about it for a moment. "Sure. I don't really have to do my project today because I basically finished it last night. What time are we going to meet?" I say. "An hour? I have to see if Happy will drive me." Wanda says. "Yeah, in an hour works." I say. "Okay I'll see you in an hour. I love you." She tells me. "I love you too." I say before hanging up my phone.

I finally got off the bed before going to the closet and picking an outfit out for the day. When I finally finished getting ready, I noticed it was around the time that I need to get to the bus stop so I could make it to the cafe in time. I grabbed my bag before walking to the bus stop and getting on the bus. About five minutes later, I made it to the cafe. I walked into the cafe and saw that Wanda was sitting in the corner, away from everyone else, which was understandable. I walked over to where she was sitting at the table before I sat across from her. "Hey, you made it." Wanda says. I nodded my head before I noticed the coffee that was in front of me. "You didn't have to buy me the coffee." I say before taking a sip from it. "Yeah, yeah. Just keep drinking it." She says. I rolled my eyes at that. "How have you been doing? Busy with classes?" Wanda asked me. I nodded my head. "Engineering is completely different from journalism." I commented. "Well, no shit." Wanda responds. I just took another sip of my coffee. "But to be fair, you are like super smart. I mean, you graduated high school at 14, graduated NYU for the first time with a journalism degree at 18 and now you're already a sophomore at NYU for engineering at 21. That's actually insane." Wanda says. I just shrugged. "It's not that hard." I say. Wanda scoffed at that. "Bullshit. I can't even do complex math at all, let alone as quickly as you do. It's crazy." She tells me. "I'm just really good at math." I say. "Uh huh. And what's your IQ again?" Wanda asked. I let out a huff knowing she had me there. "175." I mumbled. "Exactly." She responds. We both sat and caught up with each other. "Why don't you come with me back to the compound. I want to keep hanging out with you, and there are not enough women in that place. It's too much testosterone." Wanda says. I just laughed at the last comment. "I don't know. I think I would feel awkward around everyone." I say. I wasn't completely lying, I would feel awkward, but I had other reasons that I didn't want to go there. "Oh, come on. Please!" Wanda begs. "Everyone is so nice, and I think they would really like you." She adds. I just sighed. "Okay fine, I'll come." I tell her. "Yay!" Wanda says excitedly. I finished my coffee as Wanda finished her drink. "Come on. Happy is waiting in the parking lot for me, and I'm sure he'll be okay driving you as well." Wanda says as she stood up and dragged me to the car. I noticed that it was a fancy car, but I wasn't sure why I was shocked. "Hey Happy!" Wanda says as she gets into the car making sure I also got in. "Who's your friend?" Happy asked her. "Oh, this is Y/n! We've been friends for a while now." She explained. I just waved at the guy. "Well, it's nice to meet you." The man said. I nodded. "You too." I say quietly. I noticed that Happy was looking at me through the rearview mirror, like he was trying to figure me out. "Are you guys ready to go?" He asked us. "Yeah, let's go."

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etcetraetcetra · 2 years ago

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•12.11.23• D-15/30•

Maths is next! I love doing maths but the syllabus is too huge. We need to complete revising 12 chapters. But we also have a long gap of 5 days. So far I have completed revising 6, 6 more to go! Recently I have started following James Scholz from YouTube. Although after the 11.5 hrs he studies, when it ends, I become completely burnt out (which is generally not the case when studying alone), I have started to enjoy studying with him. It’s less distracting and I have a structured schedule about when to take a break and when to study. Hope I do good in maths!

Things I did today-

Study theory of Permutation and Combinations

Practice solving problems on PnC

Studied theory of Binomial Theorem (I literally forgot everything about it. Took up a huge chunk of my time)

Practice solving problems on Binomial Theorem

Revise the formula of Trigonometry

________________________________________________________

PS- I am going to my Bio tuition after an entire month. I was suffering from pox for which I didn’t go there for 2 weeks and then the exams on the exact class timings prevented me from going for another week. I missed 2 tests and my teacher once asked my mom about it. Although she was told by my mom I had pox and I was absent, it’s kinda scary to go again today. She already removed 7 people from the group chat coz they didn’t attend for a week. I am absolutely fucked I think.

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random-mailbox · 2 years ago

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Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 46 - Tutoring

Back to our regularly scheduled programming after the excitement of @usamamoweek2023 (check out the blog for various contributions, master post is coming in a couple of days to allow for any late submissions).

This week we look at fics where Mamoru takes on the role of a tutor for Usagi in various settings - ranging from high school to university. Some are more lemony than others.

Reminder that @smquickies2023 are next week! August 6-12 (and is open to any SM pairings).

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

we are absolutely made of glass - @cgsf

This one shot is a lemony culmination of years of build-up that led to Usagi convincing Mamoru to help her graduate.

The Physiology of Tutoring - @uglygreenjacket

Usagi’s dad gets Mamoru to become her tutor for Biology because Ami’s methods were clearly not working. Leading to higher grades for Usagi, but also a lot of miscommunications and half truths spoken that will have to be cleared up.

A True Hero: An Essay by Usagi Tsukino - @linlamont

Mamoru, who has been dating Rei for a bit, agrees to tutor Usagi in English in spite of his girlfriend’s protests. In this enemies to lovers fic, Usagi and Mamoru slowly discover how to co-exist before realizing what they mean to each other.

i should tell you to leave ‘cause i (know exactly where this leads) - @goddamnelsa

Usagi thought that taking a physics class in university would be easy if she does it with her friends. Except Ami has too much on her plate to help, so she has to rely on her TA. With their tutoring sessions moving from office hours, to the library and eventually his apartment, Usagi and Mamoru have to make a decision on what they want to become and how ethical that might be. Make sure to read the entire series of stories!

Stuff Tippy Wrote -- Sailor Moon edition: Chapter 20: Usagi is bad at math - @tiptoe39

Mamoru is trying to help Usagi understand how to solve for X in a new way - using Choco Pies!

---

That's it for this week. Here is the schedule for the next month:

August 7 - Thunderstorms

August 14 - Food

August 21 - Proposal

August 28 - Locked In

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on title name to go to the post) - I will keep updating the list every week as new posts come up:

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

Week 17 - New Years

Week 18 - High School AU

Week 19 - Slice of Life

Week 20 - Coffee shop AU

Week 21 - Huddle for Warmth

Week 22 - Friends to Lovers

Week 23 - ❤️Valentines Day❤️

Week 24 - Do a Grouch a Favour Day (or Cheer Up Fics)

Week 25 - Soulmate AU

Week 26 - Amnesia Fics (and resources)

Week 27 - 🍀St Patrick's Day🍀

Week 28 - Fix it Fics

Week 29 - Prompt: Mug

Week 30 - Flowers

Week 31 - Traditions

Week 32 - Dreams

Week 33 - Friends

Week 34 - Body-Swap

Week 35 - Medical Assistance

Week 36 - Sex Pollen

Week 37 - Psychometry

Week 38 - What If

Week 39 - Missing Scenes Part I

Week 40 - Green Jacket

Week 41 - Dr Chiba

Week 42 - Birthdays

Week 43 - Fluff

Week 44 - First Kiss

Week 45 - Reviving Shitennou

#sailor moon #usagi x mamoru #fic rec #fic list #tutoring

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 2 years ago

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By: Anna Krylov and Jay Tanzman

Published: Oct 2, 2023

Note: A version of this article will appear as an invited chapter in the forthcoming volume The Free Inquiry Papers edited by Robert Maranto, Lee Jussim, and Sally Satel.

1. An age of unreason

The liberal enlightenment, humanism, and democracy are under siege. A once-obscure postmodernist worldview, Critical Social Justice (CSJ) [1-3], has escaped the academy and is quickly reshaping our institutions and society at large. Long-standing merit-based practices in science are rapidly being subordinated to practices based on the tenets of CSJ theory [4]. Increasingly, scientists must compete for funding, no longer only on the basis of scientific merit, but also on the basis of how their proposed research will promote the goals of CSJ. As an example, an NIH neurology program requires grant applications to include a “plan for enhancing diverse perspectives” with the goal to “bring about the culture change necessary to address the inequities and systemic biases in biomedical research….” [5] Similarly, funding for fundamental research in chemistry and physics now depends on researchers demonstrating their commitment to “promote equity and inclusion as an intrinsic element to advancing scientific excellence” [6].

In the academy, faculty hiring and administrative appointments are increasingly made on the basis of the candidate’s identity [7-9]. Merit-based admission to schools and universities is being weakened, with standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT being abandoned on “social justice” grounds [10,11]. K–12 is affected as well. Some school districts have stopped giving D and F grades in order to improve “equity” [12]. In math classes, activist teachers claim that getting the right answer and showing your work are white supremacist concepts and are advocating, instead, a supposedly anti-racist CSJ pedagogy [13,14]. Accelerated mathematics programs for gifted students, necessary to prepare them for advanced training and careers in STEM [15], are being dismantled in the name of “social justice” [16-18]. Many school districts have eliminated honors classes altogether in the name of “equity” [19]. The resultant weakening of the workforce has already contributed to the fall of the US from its position as the world leader in science [20].

In the university, faculty and staff are instructed to use Newspeak—neopronouns and other neologisms—in their written and verbal communications for the purpose of “inclusivity” [21,22]. To be avoided are such apparently un-inclusive terms as “strawman,” “brown-bag lunch,” and “picnic” [22–25]. Professional societies and corporations are following suit, proscribing terms such as “field,” “dark times,” “black market,” “double-blind study,” “nursing mother,” “hip-hip hooray,” “smart phone,” “homeless,” and “the French” [26–30].

In biology, an education paper recommends that teachers emphasize the sexual diversity across species in nature, which includes “organisms such as ciliates, algae, and fungi [that] have equal-size gametes (isogamy) and do not therefore have gametic sexes [that is, binary sexes, as mammals do].” This is supposed to promote inclusivity of LGBTQIA2+ students in the classroom [25]. Chemistry education also needs to be reformed, according to the journal Chemical Education, which published a virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) collection of 67 papers exploring such topics as decolonization of the chemistry curriculum, chemistry and racism, and gender and sexual orientation identities in the chemistry classroom [31]. A recent paper in the same journal describes “a special topic class in chemistry on feminism and science as a tool to disrupt the dysconcious racism in STEM,” which explores “the development and interrelationship between quantum mechanics, Marxist materialism, Afro-futurism/pessimism, and postcolonial nationalism.” “To problematize time as a linear social construct,” the paper says, “the Copenhagen interpretation of the collapse of wave-particle duality was utilized” [32]. No, Deepak Chopra was not a co-author of the paper.

In STEM, prospective faculty are asked to pledge their commitment to the ideology of CSJ and to document their activism in advancing DEI [8,9,33,34]. Medical schools are abolishing long-accepted assessments of competency in order to improve racial parity in residency programs [35]. A pamphlet published by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health claims that public health anti-obesity campaigns are an example of “fatphobia,” that public health’s “focus on body size is rooted in racism,” that “higher weight is not causal to worse health outcomes," and that “focusing on weight ignores systematic injustices” [36,37]. Under the doctrine of gender-affirming care, adolescents are offered life-changing transgender treatments, often after only perfunctory psychological assessment, despite the poor understanding that medicine currently has on the risks and benefits of these treatments [38–40].

[ Unreason and intolerance. Upper left: Yale students protest “offensive” Halloween costumes (2015). Lower left: Activists burn books by J.K. Rowling (2023). Right: Students at UC Davis disrupt a film viewing by throwing a bag of manure into the room. ]

Free speech itself, the cornerstone of liberal democracy, is under attack. As viewed by CSJ activists, free speech is dangerous, harmful, and equivalent to violence [41]. Adherents of DEI ideology believe that DEI should trump academic freedom [42]. Institutions essential for providing a platform for the marketplace of ideas, information exchange, and debate have largely abandoned their mission in the name of social justice activism. Articles in the press are infused with CSJ ideology [4]. Scientific publishers from Scientific American to the flagship journals Science and Nature have become mouthpieces for CSJ [43–56]. Universities, whose primary mission is education and truth seeking, have become complicit in censorship, scholarship suppression, indoctrination, and intimidation [57–59]. Universities and professional organizations have compromised their mission as seekers and communicators of objective truths by abandoning traditional institutional neutrality in favor of political activism, taking official positions on elections, police reform, abortion, wars, and other social issues [60,61], leaving dissenters out in the cold. Where debate, constructive disagreement, and discussion were once cultivated, conformity and dogmatism, enforced both top-down (by CSJ-infused DEI trainings [62,63]) and bottom-up (by ideologically driven activists [58]), now reign.

On campus, another essential provision of democracy, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, no longer guides procedures for resolving conflict. Suspensions and terminations of professors without a hearing in response to offense taken by students, faculty members, or administrators has become commonplace (see, for example, Ref. 64–67). A predictable consequence is that there is now an unprecedented level of self-censorship by students and faculty [57,68,69]. Proposed changes to Title IX regulations will further erode the free speech of students and the protection of due process [70].

CSJ adherents accuse dissenters of being indifferent to existing inequalities and historic injustices, of being bigots, of having nefarious motives, and of perpetuating existing power structures. We reject these accusations. We oppose the practices of CSJ because they harm everyone, including those groups they purport to elevate [71-73]. It is precisely because we care about the existing problems in the world and about real social justice that we oppose CSJ.

What we are witnessing today—curriculum “decolonization,” the elimination of honors classes in schools, the ubiquitous war on merit [4], the imposition of political litmus tests for academic positions, Newspeak, the renaming of everything in sight, and on and on—are not isolated excesses perpetrated by a handful of overly zealous but otherwise well-meaning individuals; they are symptoms of a wholesale takeover of our institutions by an illiberal movement that currently has the upper hand. The current situation is not a pendulum that has swung too far and will self-correct [74]; it is a train hurtling full speed toward a cliff. Those of us unwillingly to go over the edge can either jump off—leave academia (or maybe start up alternative institutions)—or fight to get the brakes applied before it is too late. The remainder of this chapter is about the latter course of action.

2. Why we should fight

To put it simply, we should fight because it is the right thing to do. It is not only our duty to the next generation, but an opportunity to pay our debt to the previous generations of dissenters who fought against forces of illiberalism to create the free and prosperous world that we enjoy today [75,76]. By fighting, we, too, can fend off the forces of unreason and restore the values of humanism, liberalism, and The Enlightenment. Inaction and submission will only enable the further spread of illiberalism. The history of past illiberal regimes, such as the USSR and Nazi Germany, provide ample lessons and motivation to stand and fight today. The train is gaining momentum; the longer we wait, the harder it will be to stop it. We must act now, while we still can.

Although there are uncanny parallels with totalitarian regimes of the past [23,77–80], we are still living in a free, democratic society. Despite the advances of illiberal ideology, manifested by the rise of censorship, the spread of cancel culture [23,57,58,81–83], and the proliferation of institutionalized structures (such as DEI bureaucracies) to enforce CSJ ideology, the dissenters of today do not face incarceration in prisons, labor camps, and mental hospitals. Nonetheless, we can learn from history.

In his book To Build a Castle: My Life as a Dissenter [84], Vladimir Bukovsky [85] describes his experiences as a dissident who refused to comply with the Soviets and challenged the regime. Bukovsky describes the apathy and complacency of the majority of the population at that time. People understood the corrupt and inhumane nature of the regime, but they chose to keep their heads down because—as the Russian proverb goes—“No man can splay the stone” (in Russian: плетью обуха не перешибёшь).

Because of this complacency, the economically bankrupt, oppressive, and inhumane Soviet regime lasted as long as it did (70+ years). But it was the actions of dissidents that ultimately catalyzed its downfall. Consider, for example, the impact of the books of Solzhenitsyn, who told the world the truth about the atrocities of the Soviet regime [86]. In addition to meticulously documenting the scale of the atrocities, Solzhenitsyn explained that they came to be, not due to deviations from the party line or shortcomings of its individual leaders, but as the direct result of Marxist-Leninist ideology.

In Bukovsky’s time (the late 1950s to mid-1970s), open dissent was rare. Growing up in the Soviet Union, I [Anna]—as most of my peers—did not even know dissidents existed. It wasn’t until Perestroyka in the late 80s, when I read Solzhenitsyn’s books and learned about Sakharov [87] that I found out. Yet, it is through the actions of the dissidents that the West came to understand the Soviet regime as an “evil empire,” and this understanding propelled the political forces in the West that ultimately decided the outcome of the Cold War. The impact of the dissident movement on the Soviet regime has been illuminated through a series of memoranda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, stolen and published by Bukovsky in his book Judgment in Moscow [88]. The acts of individuals splayed the stone after all.

I [Anna] was born (in the then-Soviet state of Ukraine) into the luckiest generation in the history of the USSR—the generation that witnessed the fall of the Wall when they were still young. We could escape to the free world, live as free people, and build successful and fulfilling careers in the West. Had the regime lasted another 20 years, my generation would have been yet another of the long list of those whose lives were ruined by the Soviet regime. I feel a personal debt to the dissidents of the day.

Now, it is our turn to be the dissidents and to fight the good fight.

Fighting for what is right is not just the right thing to do; it is empowering. Standing up and speaking your mind is liberating, even exhilarating; while hunkering down in fear, hoping the storm will pass, is a bleak experience. Being honest feels good, while being complicit in lies is dispiriting. Fighting the good fight puts you in control, whereas passive submission leaves you helpless. Whether we ultimately win or lose this fight, those who choose to remain silent will look back and ask themselves why they did not act when they could. As Martin Niemöller wrote after World War II,

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Eventually, this illiberal movement, like those of the past, will come not only for the dissidents, but for the silent bystanders as well (and, eventually, for its own vocal supporters).

There are myriad excuses, as old as the history of totalitarianism and oppression itself, invoked to justify inaction, complacency, and collaboration. Bukovsky [84] enumerates a few of the more familiar: “What can I do alone?”; “I’ll be more effective after I get the promotion”; “It’s not my job; I’m a scientist.” “If I don’t collaborate, someone else will anyway (and I’ll probably do less harm).” These reasons may seem logical, even compelling; however, they are self-deceptions. Not pushing back against bad ideas allows them to spread. Not fighting back against illiberalism allows it to grow. Not standing up for truth permits the lies to flourish. Not confronting the CSJ ideologists permits them to advance. And when they advance, we lose. It is a zero-sum game.

The choice to fight in the face of potential consequences is personal [89] and not an easy one to make. But as you contemplate whether to act or to lay low, consider the importance of truth and integrity in your life. To paraphrase Bari Weiss: Worship truth more than Yale. As she says:

[D]o not lose sight of what is essential. Professional prestige is not essential. Being popular is not essential. Getting your child into an elite preschool is not essential. Doing the right thing is essential. Telling the truth is essential. Protecting your kids is essential. [90]

Sure, no one wants to become a martyr for free speech or experience bullying, ostracism, and professional damage [81,91–93]. Cancel culture is real, but the risks are not what dissenters to totalitarian regimes faced historically or face today—cancel culture does not put you in jail. One still can write a dissenting op-ed without the fear of being stripped of their citizenship and expelled from the country, as Solzhenitsyn was for his writings [83]. We still can criticize DEI policies without fear of being put under house arrest, as Sakharov was for his vocal opposition to nuclear weapons and his unwavering defense of human rights [87]. But if we delay, some of the totalitarian nightmares of the past may become a reality. There are already worrying signs of this totalitarian-style repression in America: parents opposing CSJ in schools have been accused of terrorism and investigated by the FBI [94]; a journalist who wrote about collusion between the government and social media was paid a surprise home visit by the Internal Revenue Service [95]; a student who questioned the concept of microaggressions [96] at a mandatory training was expelled and forced to “seek to psychological services” [97]. These incidents in America today are chillingly similar to practices in Russia in the Soviet era, when the KGB routinely investigated dissidents, and dissent from Soviet ideology was considered a psychiatric disorder [84,88]. In the absence of resistance, this illiberal movement, like illiberal movements of the past, will gain ever more power, and we will face ever worse repression and erosion of individual freedom.

Inaction does not guarantee survival, but fighting a successful fight does. The only way to defend yourself against repression by an illiberal ideology is to stop the spread of the ideology.

The dangers of inaction are real, but how much risk one should take must be a personal decision [89]. Above all, it rarely does any good to get fired. Getting fired is playing into their hands. It’s one less enemy in the organization to fight against its ideological capture. Should all the dissidents get fired, the ideology wins. Full stop.

But it’s not hopeless. As we elaborate below, there are ways to maximize the impact of your actions and minimize the chances of negative consequences of resistance.

3. How to fight

Although there is no sure-fire roadmap to solve the current crisis, there are some do’s and don’ts. A recently published handbook, Counter Wokecraft (which we highly recommend), written by an anonymous STEM professor, provides concrete recommendations for staging the resistance [98]. It convincingly explains how small but deliberate actions add up to big change and elaborates on the perils of delaying action. In what follows, we offer our view on how to fight, and we share examples of successful acts of resistance that give us reason for hope. Small contributions add up, so do something rather than nothing. As Gad Saad writes in The Parasitic Mind:

The battle of ideas knows no boundaries, so there is plenty to do. If you are a student and hear your professors spouting postmodern nonsense or spewing anti-science drivel, challenge them politely and constructively. If you are a graduate and your alma mater is violating its commitment to freedom of speech and freedom of thought, withdraw your donations—and let the school know why. If your Facebook friends are posting comments with which you disagree, engage them and offer an alternative viewpoint.... If you are sitting at your local pub having a conversation about a sensitive topic, do not refrain from speaking your mind. If your politicians are succumbing to suicidal political correctness, vote them out of office. [99]

1. Educate yourself; knowledge is power.

To effectively counter the ideology of CSJ, it is crucial to understand its nature and the tactics it employs. As two-time Nobel Laureate Marie Sklodowska-Curie said:

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so we may fear less.

Although Curie was referring to phenomena of the natural world, the observation applies equally to the world of ideas. By understanding the origins and tenets of CSJ, we can fear less—and fight more effectively.

For me [Anna] and my former compatriots, who were forcibly schooled in Marxist-Leninism and experienced its implementation as Socialism firsthand, it is easy to recognize the current illiberal movement’s philosophical roots [78,79]. We recognize the familiar rhetoric and the Orwellian co-option of the language: the media outlet of the Communist Party, which disseminated its lies, was called Pravda (Правда), which is Russian for “truth”; victims of Red terror were called “enemies of the people” (враги народа); Soviet troops invading other countries were called “liberators” (освободители); and nuclear weapons were developed with the slogan “nucleus for the cause of peace” (атом—делу мира). We are used to looking behind the facade of nice-sounding words and seeing their real meaning to those in power [100]. It is not hard to see that today’s “Diversity,” “Equity,” and “Inclusion” have about as much in common with the noble concepts of diversity, equality, and inclusion as Orwell's Ministry of Love had to do with love or his Ministry of Plenty had to do with plenty. (A more-fitting operational definition of DEI would be Discrimination, Entitlement, and Intimidation.) This linguistic tactic is used because it works. It has fooled many STEM academics and ordinary citizens and has enabled the illiberal ideology to get its foot in the door [3].

As Counter Wokecraft explains, the tactics CSJ employs to gain power in our institutions include the use of liberal-sounding “crossover words” to shroud the illiberal aims of the movement [98]. The concise essay “DEI: a Trojan Horse for Critical Social Justice in Science” by the same author offers insights into the philosophy that undergirds the CSJ movement and clearly elucidates its aims [3]. For a deeper dive into CSJ, we recommend the book by Pluckrose and Lindsay [1].

2. Use all existing means of resistance, but first and foremost, the official ones.

Mechanisms of resistance are available through existing institutions, even if the institutions themselves are failing to protect their mission [101]. These mechanisms can be exploited to change the institution from within.

Bukovsky describes how their dissident group worked within the legal boundaries of the Soviet regime [84]. He contrasts this approach with anarchism and revolutionary destructivism, which, he argues, lead to outcomes that are worse than the original evils. Bukovsky and his dissident comrades structured their activism and resistance within the framework of the Soviet constitution—which many legitimately considered to be a joke. When allowed to speak in court, Bukovsky framed his defense to emphasize the constitutional rights of Soviet citizens, for example, to peacefully demonstrate. Bukovsky attributes their success to this strategy. As an example of an important victory, he describes how he and his fellow political prisoners managed to resist and ultimately eliminate mandatory “corrective labor” for political prisoners. Following legal protocols, they rolled out a concerted effort of filing official complaints. Although isolated complaints never had any effect (they would be registered, duly processed, and dismissed), by flooding the bureaucratic system with a massive number of such complaints (which each had to be properly registered and responded to), they pushed the system beyond its limits. The sheer number of complaints compelled administrative scrutiny of the prison and its officers. And the prisoners won the fight.

Today, we can work within the system of our universities and professional organizations, even if they have already been ideologically corrupted. We can participate in surveys; communicate our concerns to leadership; nominate candidates committed to liberal principles to committees and leadership; vote against CSJ ideologues; speak up against practices that violate the stated mission of the institution [43,102,103]; publish well-reasoned opinion pieces [4,14,15,23,82,83,102]; and insist that our institutions adhere to their stated institutional (and legal) commitments to free speech and non-discrimination, such as being equal opportunity employers. Counter Wokecraft [98] provides concrete suggestions on how to effectively oppose the advances of the CSJ agenda by simply insisting that standard protocols of decision-making be followed—that is, through formal meetings with organized discussions that adhere to a set agenda, vote by secret ballot, and so on. In short, the existing governance structures and institutional policies can still be utilized to defend and even restore the institutional mission, even when the institution’s workings have been undermined by CSJ activists.

The following success stories illustrate the effectiveness of working within the system.

At the University of Massachusetts, a faculty group fought—and won—against a proposed rewriting of the university mission statement, which would have redefined the purpose of the university as engaging in political and ideological activism, rather than pursuing the truth [104].

Faculty at the University of Chicago succeeded in having departmental statements that violated institutional neutrality (by voicing collective support for specific social and political issues in violation of the University’s Kalven Report [105]) rescinded [106].

Also at the University of Chicago, in response to faculty complaints to the institution’s Title IX coordinator and general counsel, at least seven programs that gave preferences to specific races or sexes in violation of Federal regulations were discontinued [106].

The faculty of the University of Washington voted down a proposal to require DEI statements for all tenure and promotion candidates [107]. As reported to us, an email campaign initiated by a single faculty member was decisive in defeating the proposal.

At the University of North Carolina (UNC), the Board of Trustees adopted [108] the Chicago Free Speech Principles [109] and Kalven Report [105]. The former articulates the university’s commitment to free speech and is considered to be a model policy on this issue; the latter ensures institutional neutrality, prohibiting units of the university from taking stands on moral, political, or ideological issues, unless they directly affect the mission of the institution.

Also at UNC, responding to a faculty petition, the Board of Governors moved to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements from its hiring and promotion process. The mandate states that the university “shall neither solicit nor require an employee or applicant for academic admission or employment to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles regarding matters of contemporary political debate or social action as a condition to admission, employment, or professional advancement” [110].

In California, mathematicians organized a petition that has, so far, blocked the implementation of radical, CSJ-based revisions to the K–12 math curriculum [18]. At the time of publication, the fight is not over; but they’ve won so far.

A new nonprofit, Do No Harm, has been formed to fight against the encroachment of identity politics in medicine [111]. Among their successes, filings with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against two medical schools has resulted in the elimination of race as a requirement for certain scholarships. Scholarships “meant for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, [a] worthy goal, can and should be met without racial discrimination,” writes the organization’s founder [112].

Adverse publicity and mockery, too, can cause Universities, which are sensitive to their public image, to roll back woke policies, as the following examples illustrate.

The administration of MIT reversed its own decision and reinstated the use of standardized tests for admission [113], the elimination of which had been mocked by dissidents [114].

The Stanford University “Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative” website, which listed 161 verboten expressions, including “beating a dead horse,” “white paper,” “insane,” and even “American,” was taken down after sustained mockery in the press and on social media. The university’s president ultimately disowned the initiative and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to free speech [29].

At the University of Southern California, the interim provost made a clear statement that “the university does not maintain a list of banned or discouraged words” in response to the mockery [115] of an earlier memorandum the university's School of Social Work announcing the cancellation of the word “field” as racist [26,29].

At Texas Tech, the administration announced that it was dropping mandatory DEI statements from the hiring process [116], after details of how these statements influenced hiring decisions had been publicized [9].

These examples illustrate the maxim that sunlight is the best disinfectant [117]. We can use social media and the press to shine a light on the excesses of CSJ to bring about change.

Pressure from state governments can also force universities to change course away from DEI ideology. Facing threats from the state assembly to cut funding, the University of Wisconsin system has announced it will eliminate mandatory DEI statements for job applicants. As we are writing this chapter, the state assembly is also threatening to eliminate funding for administrative positions at UW dedicated to DEI [118].

Arizona has also dealt a blow to DEI ideology. The state’s Board of Regents has mandated that public universities drop the use of DEI statements in hiring. The move was in response to a finding by the Goldwater Institute that DEI statements, which were required in over three-fourths of job postings, were being used “to circumvent the state’s constitutional prohibition against political litmus tests in public educational institutions” [119].

Organizations such as the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) have successfully used institutions’ own governing policies and bylaws as well as the law to defend scores of scholars who have been attacked for their extramural speech and threatened with administrative discipline or firing [120,121].

A move is afoot to strengthen universities’ commitment to academic freedom by encouraging them to officially adopt the Chicago Trifecta (the Kalven report, the Chicago Principles, and the Shils report). The “Restoring Academic Freedom” letter [122], which calls on universities to do so, has garnered 1700 signatures so far.

3. Don't play their game: You can’t win.

We are trained to seek compromises and solutions that bring different groups on board; we seek consensus. That is a fine approach under normal circumstances, when all agents are acting in good faith. But we must recognize that we are up against agents who are driven—knowingly or unknowingly—by an ideology whose goal is to take over the institution. Every compromise with them brings them closer to their goal [1,3,74,98,123]. Therefore, we must stand our ground.

A major advance in the spread of illiberalism has been the establishment of DEI bureaucracies in our intuitions to enforce CSJ ideology through policy [3,8,98,124-127]. It is important to understand the power of this system and to distinguish the system from the people. A DEI apparatchik can be a nice, well-meaning individual, who has been fooled by the movement’s deliberately deceptive language [1,98]; a cynical opportunist who seeks power and career advancement; or a True Believer. A DEI administrator may be completely unaware of the philosophical origins of CSJ, whose goals the DEI machine has been installed to implement. But just as a Soviet apparatchik need not have read Das Kapital to have been an agent enforcing conformity to Marxist doctrine, a DEI apparatchik need not have read the works of the critical theorists Gramsci, Derrida, Foucault, Bell, Crenshaw, and Delgado to be implementing CSJ-inspired ideology. But even participants who are naive of the movement’s history, philosophy, or ultimate goals are furthering its aims; they are still cogs in the machine. Do not be fooled by DEI administrators who may naively or deceptively deny that they are advancing CSJ ideology. They are, whether or not they know it or acknowledge it.

The power of the system—the DEI bureaucracy—and its ideological foundation make the motivations of the individual participants irrelevant. The story of Tabia Lee illustrates this point [128]. Lee—a black woman who directed a DEI program at a community college in California—questioned anti-racist and gender orthodoxy, declined to join a “socialist network,” objected to land acknowledgments and Newspeak terms such as “Latinx,” “Filipinx,” and neopronouns, and supported a campus event focused on Jewish inclusion and antisemitism. Lee describes her non-orthodox worldview as follows:

I don’t have ideological or viewpoint fidelity to anyone. I’m looking for what’s going to help people and what will help our students and how we can be better teachers and our best teaching selves. [128]

This attitude was found to be incompatible with the ideology of DEI. When Lee refused to change her worldview to comply with the orthodoxy, she was terminated from her position [128].

The establishment of the DEI bureaucracy in our institutions represented a tectonic shift from CSJ as a grass-roots movement to CSJ as an official power structure within the university equipped with a massive budget to promote its ideology [124,126,129-132].

A 2021 report by the Heritage Foundation [130], which documented the size of this new bureaucracy, identified 3,000 administrators with DEI responsibilities among the 65 universities they surveyed [124,131]. This number is in addition to the already extensive staff of Federally mandated Title VI, Title IX, and disability offices, who also perform DEI-related tasks. The new diversicrats already outnumber the mandated staffers. For example, the average university examined had 4.2 DEI personnel for every one ADA compliance administrator [124]. Given the sheer number of DEI officials and their generous salaries (one-third of chief diversity officers are paid more than $200,000 annually [132]), it is not surprising that DEI budgets are enormous; for example, in 2021, UC–Berkeley dedicated 41 million dollars to DEI [129].

The DEI bureaucracy is given official status within the university and is empowered to interfere in faculty hiring, to disseminate CSJ ideology by means of mandatory trainings, to infuse the ideology into teaching [10,13,16,25,31], and to curtail academic freedom [42,127]. Khalid and Snyder provide insight into the logic and financial incentives behind the DEI machine:

This attitude was found to be incompatible with the ideology of DEI. When Lee refused to change her worldview to comply with the orthodoxy, she was terminated from her position [128].

DEI Inc. is a logic, a lingo, and a set of administrative policies and practices. The logic is as follows: Education is a product, students are consumers, and campus diversity is a customer-service issue that needs to be administered from the top down. (“Chief Diversity Officers,” according to an article in Diversity Officer Magazine, “are best defined as ‘change-management specialists.’”) DEI Inc. purveys a safety-and-security model of learning that is highly attuned to harm and that conflates respect for minority students with unwavering affirmation and validation.

Lived experience, the intent–impact gap, microaggressions, trigger warnings, inclusive excellence. You know the language of DEI Inc. when you hear it. It’s a combination of management-consultant buzzwords, social justice slogans, and “therapy speak.” The standard package of DEI Inc. administrative “initiatives” should be familiar too, from antiracism trainings to bias-response teams and mandatory diversity statements for hiring and promotion. [127]

The DEI bureaucracy is a categorical enemy. Don't deceive yourself that you can work with it to accomplish good for your institution [128]. This bureaucracy is founded on ideas that are in direct opposition to the liberal enlightenment and humanism [1,3,4,42,79,99,125–128,133,134]. Their goals are not your goals; consequently, you cannot ally or compromise with them. We must, instead, focus our efforts on stripping the DEI bureaucracy of its power, ideally, ridding the institution of it completely. This will not be an easy fight, but neither is it an impossible dream. State legislatures are already taking action against DEI. At the time of this writing, 35 states have introduced bills that would restrict or ban DEI offices and staff, mandatory DEI training, diversity statements, and/or identity-based preferences for hiring and admissions [135]. Recognizing that such bills could go too far and compromise academic freedom, the Manhattan Institute has drafted model legislation that would abolish DEI bureaucracies on campuses while preserving academic freedom [136]. To date, at least one state, Texas, has enacted legislation based on the Manhattan Institute’s model [137].

Another reason not to attempt to work with the DEI bureaucracy is that CSJ ideology leaves no space for rational dialog. As explained by McWhorter [71], Pincourt [3,98], Pluckrose [1], Saad [99], and others, CSJ is not a rational or empirical worldview, but an ideology whose adherents have accepted a set of unfalsifiable tenets that may not be questioned. Thus, CSJ ideologues are not open to reasoned arguments that contradict their worldview; it is, thus, futile to argue with them. We need, instead, to reason with those of our colleagues who have not yet drunk of the Kool Aid.

Finally, since the goal of CSJ is to take over the institution, small compromises with them ultimately lead to large losses for us. Give CSJ an inch, and it will take a mile. Consider, for starters, the following example, in which the dean of the Duke Divinity School made the mistake of conceding to student activists, which led to ever-increasing demands and personal attacks on the dean herself [138]. “The chickens have come home to roost at Duke’s divinity school,” writes John Staddon. Dean Heath, the dean of the school, fully allied herself with the CSJ agenda, rolled out a variety of DEI initiatives, issued a self-flagellating editorial admitting the “structural sins” of the school, and forced non-conforming faculty to resign. Yet, despite these concessions, the demands of “marginalized groups” only grew stronger, culminating in uncivil acts, such as the disruption of the dean’s state-of-the-school address by “four dissident female students bearing bull-horns and chanting, ‘I am somebody and I won’t be stopped by nobody,’ followed by a rap, a little theatrical performance [of a rude nature].”

Staddon writes:

There is poetic justice in this incident. Despite the dean’s earnest attempts “to provide a welcoming and safe place for students,” even after she designed “a space for the work of Sacred Worth, the LGBTQIA+ student group in the Divinity School”—even after disciplining, and losing—Professor Griffiths [a non-conforming faculty], in spite all this, she has apparently not done enough! The LGBT folk want more, much more, in the form of 15 demands. “We make up an integral part of this community, and yet our needs remain deliberately unheard.”

The demands include:

“To appoint a black trans woman or gender non-conforming theologian” as well as “a tenure-track trans woman theologian” and a “tenure-track queer theologian of color, preferably a black or indigenous person.”

A dissident MIT website, the Babbling Beaver [139], illustrates the same point by a mock resignation statement by MIT’s former President Reif:

You would think giving them a Women’s and Gender Studies Program, hiring six dozen DEI deans and staffers, most of whom couldn’t pass 18.01 [MIT’s introductory math course] if their lives depended on it, and cancelling invited lecturers to appease shouting Twitter mobs would be enough,” lamented the weary lame duck. “But noooo ... The only thing I accomplished by giving in to the incessant demands was encouraging additional demands, each more strident than the last.” [140]

The statement is satire, but the concessions made by the president and the ever-increasing demands were real.

Stories of how CSJ, once it is let in the door, rapidly infiltrates the organization and eventually takes it over are too many to enumerate. We present but one example, where the process has been meticulously documented. The report, spon.sored by the organization Alumni and Donors Unite, explains how CSJ took over University of San Diego “first gradually then suddenly.”

Gradually, over the course of a decade, CSJ-DEI became sown into the university’s fabric through changes in hiring committees and curriculum. Then suddenly in 2020–2021 the administration, outside all normal channels of decision-making, initiated a hostile takeover of USD and adopted a radical woke agenda into nearly all facets of the university’s life. [141]

The devaluation of merit and intellectual honesty in the guise of social justice that we now witness will inevitably lead to the decline of our institutions, if not to their destruction [4]. A case in point is The Evergreen State University, which, in 2017, experienced a notorious CSJ uprising on campus [142]. Since then, the university has suffered a 25% drop in enrollment and has lost 45 faculty through lay-offs and attrition [143].

Learn how to recognize and take on categorical enemies [98]. Remember—it is a zero sum game.

4. Focus on truth, not partisanship. Do not fear verbal attacks.

When you take on CSJ, there is something you will need to come to terms with: you are going to be called names, and your views and beliefs are going to be distorted and misrepresented. These are standard tactics of the CSJ movement. Since the adherents of CSJ have adopted an ideological, rather than a rational, worldview, they cannot rationally defend it; so they use the only tools they have: personal attacks and strawman arguments. They will call you transphobe, racist, misogynist, alt-right, Nazi, etc., no matter what you say or do. They will use deliberate misrepresentation of your expressions to subvert and discredit them [98]. They will use the “Motte and Bailey” trick [144] to derail conversations. Learn about these tactics so that you can anticipate, recognize, and counter them [98]. As Gad Saad explains:

The name calling and accusations are locked and loaded threats, ready to be deployed against you should you dare to question the relevant progressive tenets. Most people are too afraid to be accused of being racist or misogynist, and so they cover in silence.… Don't fall prey to this silencing strategy. Be assured in your principles and stand ready to defend them with the ferocity of a honey badger. [99]

Because you will be attacked no matter what you believe, what you say, or how carefully you say it, there is no point in affirming in your interactions with CSJ ideologues that you are committed to traditional humanistic, liberal values. They don’t care. In her essay “I'm a Progressive, Please Don't Hurt Me,” Sarah Haider calls this practice of hedging “throat-clearing” and explains why it is not effective [145]. She also points out the hidden bigotry of it, that is, the implicit assumption that those on the other side of the aisle are inherently evil. Haider writes:

Before touching on any perspective that I knew to not be kosher among other Leftists, I tended to precede with some version of throat-clearing: “I’m on the left” or “I’ve voted Democrat my whole life.” I told myself that this was a distinction worth insisting on because 1) it was the truth and 2) because it helped frame the discussion properly—making clear that the argument is coming from someone who values what they value. But there was another reason too. My political identity reminders were a plea to be considered fully and charitably, to not be villainized and presumed to be motivated by “hate.” The precursor belief to this, of course, is that actual conservatives should not be taken charitably, are rightfully villainized, and really are motivated by “hate.” But I’m done sputtering indignantly about being mischaracterized as “conservative,” or going out of my way to remind the audience that I really am a good little liberal.

She goes on to explain that throat-clearing is counterproductive because: (1) it doesn’t work, you won't be spared; (2) it is a tax on energy and attention; (3) it is bad for you; and (4) it is bad for the causes you care about.

So we should stop worrying about our group loyalties and focus on our cause. Truth wears no clothes, so do not try to dress it up in partisan attire. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and move on.

It may be tempting to stay out of the fight in order to preserve friendships. It is true that some people you thought of as friends may turn against you—privately or even publicly. It has happened to us, and it hurts. But it also lets you know who your real friends are—those who stick up for you whether they agree with your views or not. And you will find new friends and allies who share your values. These relationships, forged fighting the good fight, will be enduring and empowering.

5. Do not apologize.

We cannot stress this enough. Your apology will be taken as a sign of weakness and will not absolve you—in fact, it will make matters worse. Apologies to the illiberal mob are like drops of blood in the water to a pack of sharks. Additionally, your apology can be interpreted as an admission of guilt, which can come back to haunt you in the event you need to defend yourself legally or in an administrative proceeding. The Academic Freedom Alliance advises: “If you confess to an offense you didn’t commit, or if you concede to a claim or accusation that is factually inaccurate or not truly an offense, the admission can and will be used against you.” [146] Recognize that the CSJ activists on Twitter do not care about your apology; they care about publicly flaying you in order to sow fear among other potential dissenters [147]. Someone claims to have been offended by your speech? Someone claims it caused them pain? Fine, that's their problem [148]. You know what your views are. And your friends do too. Stay on message.

6. Build a community and a network.

Communities and networks provide moral support and there is safety in numbers. Some groups already exist. The Heterodox Academy (HxA), for example, provides a platform to organize communities (e.g., HxSTEM is a community of STEM faculty) and to connect with colleagues who are open to reasoned debate, as per the HxA statement, which each member is asked to endorse: “I support open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement in research and education.” The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) also provides resources and support to those who push back on anti-humanistic policies, especially in schools, universities, and in the medical profession.

Organizations like FIRE and the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) provide educational resources, opportunities to network, and—most importantly—protection, including legal representation. Join and support them. Build groups and act as a group—e.g., write an op-ed piece with a group of co-authors. Ten people are harder to cancel than one. Counter Wokecraft describes how to identify the allies among your colleagues and how to build effective resistance at your workplace [98].

Stand up for others. Next time they will do it for you. When you see a colleague being ostracized for what she said, think first, “Which parts of her message do I agree with?” not “Which parts do I disagree with?” If you agree with the main message, say so, and be charitable about imperfect expression. Way too often do we hear colleagues justifying their silence with excuses like “I agree with her in general, but she should have been more careful about how she said this or that.”

Some communities, including mathematicians and psychologists, in response to CSJ takeovers of their professional societies, have simply started new ones [149,150]. Perhaps we need more of these to send a strong message to the old societies that they need to change course. We see evidence of the effectiveness of this strategy; for example, the American Mathematical Society [151] cancelled its CSJ-dominated blog shortly after the establishment of the new Association for Mathematical Research [149], whose apolitical mission is simply to “support mathematical research and scholarship.”

In 2022, in response to increasing ideological influence and censorship in their profession, behavioral scientists founded the Society for Open Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences, dedicated to “open inquiry, civil debate, and rigorous standards” in the field [152]. It publishes the Journal of Open Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences, which commits to “free inquiry,” “rigorous standards,” and “intellectual exchange” [152]. Notably, its terms and conditions state that the journal will base retraction decisions strictly on the basis of the widely accepted COPE guidelines [153]; otherwise, the terms and conditions state, “We will never retract a paper in response to social media mobs, open or private letters calling for retraction, denunciation petitions, or the like....” [154]

There is even a new university—The University of Austin (UATX)—established in response to the current crisis in higher education [155]. The message on the UATX webpage—“We are building a university dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth”—makes clear what void in the American academy UATX aspires to fill [156]. That the university received over $100 million in donations and over 3500 inquiries by professors from other institutions within six months of the project’s announcement, makes clear the demand [157].

The success of such new initiatives will inspire more educators and scientists to stand up and defend the key principles of science and education. And it will send a strong message to our leadership. Even if we cannot appeal to their sense of duty, the financial considerations (Go Woke, Go Broke [158]) and the effect of negative publicity of the excesses of CSJ (such as DEI loyalty oaths, “decolonizing” the curriculum, renaming everything, and Newspeak [9,23,24,139]) may provide incentives to straighten out their act.

4. Conclusion

Will we succeed? Will we stop the train before it goes over the cliff? We do not know what will happen if we fight. But we know what will happen if we don’t. The task ahead might look impossible. But remember the USSR. It looked like an unbreakable power, yet in the end it collapsed like a house of cards. The Berlin Wall looked indestructible, yet it came down overnight. Recalling his 20 years’ experience in the gay marriage debate, Jonathan Rauch told us: “I can tell you that the wall of received opinion is sturdy and impenetrable...until it isn't. And that it's the quiet people in the room who are the swing vote.... and please illegitimi non carborundum [159].”

We are not helpless. We have agency and we should not be afraid to exercise it. We should fight not just because it is the right thing to do, but because fighting brings results. If we behave as if we were living in a totalitarian society, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Afterword

A Russian proverb says, “Fear has big eyes” (у страха глаза велики), meaning that people tend to exaggerate danger. Accordingly, it may feel like resisting the mob will inevitably lead to career damage. But this is not the case; the flip side of risk is reward. In recognition of her activism, including her publication of “The Peril of Politicizing Science” [23], which “launched a national conversation among scientists and the general public,” Anna Krylov, co-author of this chapter, was awarded the inaugural Communicator of the Year Award, Sciences and Mathematics, by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences [160]. In “Victory Lap” [161], Lee Jussim, co-editor of the book in which this article will appear, documents how as a result of his public resistance to a mob attack on a colleague falsely accused of racism, his career enjoyed a variety of benefits including additional conferences invitations, massive positive public support for his activism, national attention to his scholarship, and an appointment to a departmental chair (with commensurate increase in salary), which he was offered because he had demonstrated that he could take the heat.

Stop saying "nO oNe iS sAyInG aNy oF tHiS!!" They are. You know they are. Dotted throughout the article are references to sources for quotes and claims. For the list of references, see: References.

Liberalism really is under attack. It's always been under attack from the religous right, but its influence has diminished over time, with society becoming increasingly secular and irreligious, or at least indifferent to religious influence. And principles like the US's First Amendment keep it, at least in theory, from breaching the threshold.

But where the religious attack is on the downswing, the attack from the illiberal left is on the upswing, and both more rapid and more successful, having infiltrated everything from government to science and even knitting clubs. And it hides behind nice-sounding words like "equity" and "diversity," people don't recognize it for what it is, and welcome it inside in a way they don't welcome religious intrusion.

This isn't about left vs right. It's about do we want a liberal society, or do we want a rampantly illiberal, or indeed anti-liberal society?

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