#and is willing to explain his decisions and amend his mistakes

[unofficialadamtaurus]

About the affection post, in a brighter note:

James meeting Adam and after beating each other up and teaming up to not to die, Ironwood slowly introduces affection to Adam, like someone who rescued a feral cat.

It can go two ways, 1) platonic/fatherly love or 2) Ironbull.

Funnier if this happens before RWBY, the idea of Adam snitching to James and ruining Cinder's plan is so funny to me

Listen, I'm not saying having a father figure in his life would've saved Adam, but it absolutely would not have hurt after Ghira dropped the ball so hard it broke through the floor and killed a small child.

[hc-geralt-23]

Broken Promises

Once upon a time, in a world ravaged by a deadly fungal infection, you found solace in the arms of a man named Joel Miller. He was your rock, your protector, and the one person you thought you could trust in this unforgiving post-apocalyptic world. You had made plans together, dreams of starting a new life, away from the horrors that surrounded you.

But fate had a cruel twist in store for you. One day, as you were scavenging for supplies, you stumbled upon a heart-wrenching sight. Joel, the man you loved, was locked in a passionate embrace with Tess, his long-time friend and companion. Your heart shattered into a million pieces, and the pain was unbearable.

Feeling betrayed and hurt, you made the difficult decision to leave Joel behind. With a heavy heart, you sought refuge in Jackson, where his brother Tommy resided. You hoped that being away from Joel would help heal the wounds he had inflicted upon you.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. You tried to rebuild your life, but the memories of Joel haunted you. You wondered if he ever thought of you, if he regretted his actions. And then, one fateful day, Joel arrived in Jackson with a young girl named Ellie.

As you caught sight of Joel, your heart skipped a beat. He looked older, wearier, and there was a sadness in his eyes that mirrored your own. Ellie, the perceptive young girl, noticed the tension between you and Joel. She couldn't help but ask, "Who is she, Joel? Why do you look so sad when you see her?"

Joel hesitated, his gaze shifting between you and Ellie. The weight of his guilt was evident as he finally spoke, "Her name is (Y/N). She was... she was someone special to me. But I messed up, Ellie. I made a terrible mistake, and I lost her."

Ellie's eyes widened with understanding, and she turned to you, curiosity etched on her face. You took a deep breath, gathering the strength to face Joel once more. "Joel, why did you do it? We had plans, dreams together. You promised me a future, and then you shattered it all."

Joel's voice cracked as he replied, "I can't explain why I did what I did, (Y/N). I was scared, lost, and I made a terrible choice. But I never stopped loving you.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you listened to Joel's words. The pain of his betrayal was still fresh, but seeing the remorse in his eyes, you couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. "Joel, love isn't just about words. It's about trust and loyalty. You broke that trust, and it's going to take more than just words to mend it."

Joel nodded, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know, (Y/N). I understand that I hurt you deeply, and I don't expect you to forgive me right away. But I want you to know that I've regretted my actions every single day. Being with Tess was a mistake, and I lost sight of what truly mattered."

Ellie, who had been silently observing the exchange, spoke up. "Joel, if you love her, then fight for her. Show her that you're willing to change, to make amends. Actions speak louder than words, remember?"

Her words struck a chord within Joel, and he turned to you, determination etched on his face. "You're right, Ellie. (Y/N), I want to make things right. I want to earn back your trust, to prove to you that I'm committed to you and only you. I'll do whatever it takes."

You looked into Joel's eyes, searching for any signs of deceit. But all you saw was genuine remorse and a flicker of hope. Slowly, you nodded, your voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, Joel. But know that rebuilding trust won't be easy. It will take time, patience, and a lot of effort."

Joel reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he gently cupped your cheek. "I'll do whatever it takes, (Y/N). I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if I have to. I love you, and I'm so sorry for what I've done."

A mix of emotions swirled within you, but deep down, you still loved Joel. You wanted to believe in the possibility of forgiveness and a future together. With a shaky breath, you leaned into his touch, whispering, "I love you too, Joel. Let's take it one step at a time."

And so, in the midst of a broken world, you and Joel began the arduous journey of rebuilding what was lost. It wouldn't be easy, but with love, forgiveness, and a newfound determination, you hoped

that you could find a way to heal the wounds and create a stronger bond than ever before.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Joel proved his commitment to you through his actions. He was there for you, supporting you in every way possible. He listened to your fears, your doubts, and never once dismissed them. He showed up every day, proving that he was willing to put in the effort to regain your trust.

As time went on, the pain began to fade, replaced by a cautious hope. You saw the changes in Joel, the way he had learned from his mistakes and grown as a person. The love you once shared began to rekindle, slowly but surely.

One evening, as you sat by the fire in Jackson, Joel approached you, a small smile playing on his lips. "I never thought I'd have a second chance with you, (Y/N). I'm grateful every day that you gave me that opportunity."

You looked up at him, a soft smile gracing your face. "It hasn't been easy, Joel, but I see the effort you've put in. I see the changes in you, and I believe in us."

Joel took your hand in his, his touch warm and comforting. "I promise you, (Y/N), I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'll never let you down again."

And in that moment, as the flames danced before you, you knew that forgiveness had found its way into your heart. The scars of the past would always be there, a reminder of the pain you had endured, but together, you and Joel would face the challenges that lay ahead.

As the days turned into years, you and Joel built a life together in Jackson. The wounds of the past slowly faded, replaced by a love that had weathered the storm. And as you watched Joel interact with Ellie, the bond between them growing stronger, you couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. For it was through their journey that you had found your way back to each other, stronger and more resilient than ever before.

In this broken world, where trust was a rare commodity, you had managed to find solace in the arms of the man who had once shattered your heart. And together, you would face whatever challenges came your way, knowing that love and forgiveness had the power to heal even the deepest wounds.

And as the years went by, your love with Joel also  blossomed and grew, and soon, your family expanded. Two beautiful children came into your lives, a testament to the love that had been rekindled between you.

Your daughter, Hope, had Joel's piercing blue eyes and your infectious laughter. She was a beacon of joy and innocence in this harsh world, reminding you of the beauty that still existed amidst the chaos. And your son, James, inherited Joel's strong build and your determination. He was a constant reminder of the resilience and strength that ran through your veins.

Joel embraced fatherhood with a newfound sense of purpose. He was there for every milestone, every scraped knee, and every bedtime story. He cherished his role as a father, making sure to instill in your children the values of love, loyalty, and compassion.

Together, you and Joel created a safe haven for your family within the walls of Jackson. You watched with pride as your children grew, their laughter filling the air and their smiles lighting up the darkest of days. They were a testament to the love that had endured, a symbol of hope in a world that often seemed devoid of it.

As you sat together as a family, sharing stories and laughter, you couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the second chance you had given Joel, for the love that had been rebuilt, and for the beautiful family that had emerged from the ashes of the past.

In this broken world, where darkness loomed at every corner, your love and the bond you shared with your children became a beacon of light. Together, you faced the challenges that came your way, knowing that as long as you had each other, you could overcome anything.

And so, in the midst of a world ravaged by infection and despair, you found solace, love, and a family that would forever be a testament to the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit.

[firewalkzwit]

runt // jonathan crane x reader. (30)

Chapter 30.

cross-posted on AO3

masterlist.

Y/N hadn't attended Arkham in what had felt like months, but had only been three days. Bruce had left messages, but the only reason she'd reached out to her phone was to disconnect it, for she no longer wished to hear his grating voice plea to see her to amend a mistake he couldn't even identify. Her mind could only process one thought and it surrounded something as mundane as what she'd wear. For all she knew, it could be the clothes she died on, and even if she didn't, whatever awaited her after Armageddon was uncertain and prompted very deadly either way. She had grown very soft, and the determination that had come with a fresh loss wasn't as vibrant as it used to. Even though she had assumed that the emotional tolls that her decision would cost her were something she was willing to tolerate, she was naively ignorant of how much that would affect her performance. Naturally, she'd dug her nails into her palm as she clenched her jaw in some sort of mild physical punishment for the mistakes of her past self. Curled in bed, she had not thought of Jonathan for the entirety of the day.

The knock on her door had snapped her out of her distraught, rapidly shifting her once independent attention to the thought of Crane. Immediately her mind was invaded by gloom, the mere thought of him caused her an anxiety so intense her chest weighed on her. As she approached to open the door, her eye peering through the peephole perceived a much taller male on the other side. Crane could never acquire such shoulders no matter how much he used suits to disguise his smaller frame. The man on the other side had to be over six feet, which explained why the poorly placed spyhole could hardly allow her to see a blur of a face terribly deformed by the curved glass, especially under the strange disguise of sunglasses and cap he wore like a celebrity.

"Who is it?" A nervous voice emerged from her throat instead of her usual self.

"It's Bruce." Of course it was. She hesitated whether she'd open the door or not, permeated by a sensation of alarm that inspired no confidence in her hand which approached the chain lock. A man the size of Bruce could easily tackle the door and its little symbolic lock down like a car butts a transit cone. Although she couldn't picture someone with Bruce's personality ever doing that, she knew if he ever felt the need he could manhandle her little door and body like a dollhouse with its Barbie. The thought of it terrified her, and she struggled to open the door.

"What are you doing in this neighbourhood?"

"I needed to see you." Y/N finally thought it to be reasonable to let him in, it was after all a threat for him to be on his own in Park Row. As she opened the door, her hand placed on his back to gently rush him inside as she looked to the sides, making sure no one had seen him.

"What was so urgent that you had to come here? You didn't get your butler to drive you, did you?"

"I took a cab." Her chin rested on her hand as her arms hugged her chest, biting on her nail as she shook her head in anxiety. "I needed to see if you were okay."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Look, I won't bring it up again, but I didn't know if you'd be okay with... him." Immediately she rolled her eyes. While not being under the influence allowed the aggressive burst of emotions that ignited her lungs, the only thing that differed from her previous outburst was merely her self-control.

"Yes I'm fine." The desire to thank him for his preoccupation crept through but didn't manage to get past her mouth, as her pride contained the urge to feel gratification for such a minuscule display of empathy; Crane was really starting to grow on her.

"That's good." By the look of his expression he seemed to want to say more, yet he kept to himself as his feint of speaking was halted in the middle of lifting his eyebrows to mutter another pair of words.

"That's all? I don't mean to kick you out like this but I have to run some errands." Lies after lies, she couldn't be straightforward about how little she wanted to see people at that very moment, although she urged him to be quick to spit whatever he was biting in.

"You're not safe here." She scoffed immediately. "I could accommodate you in a residency for a couple of days." Her head looked away following her rolled eyes, biting her lip in disbelief. Bruce's hesitant approach to her was rapidly interrupted by his own usual faltering. He knew her body language exuded an enormous tentativeness to reject his offer, but he knew the lack of an immediate no presented consideration beyond the offence taken. "Something bad might happen."

Her head turned abruptly, the petty smile in her face rapidly replaced with a perturbed grimace. Her heart sank with anxiety at the idea of Bruce even sensing what was about to come. For all she knew he could be partners with Falcone and know about what was happening; about her. She had no guarantees his philanthropy wasn't a façade, and she was rapidly taken aback by his words. Her mind had no space to dwell on the obviousness of her expression, only panic and hope her wide inquisitive eyes would give away how desperate she was for further explanations. But he refrained to speak, instead assuming the frown in her dead expression was only a reprimand for his insinuations.

promised and delivered lol. this chapter is very crying lightning by arctic monkeys

[babymetaldoll]

The List (Spencer Reid / Reader)

Prompt: What's on the list of things Spencer will never do again?

Summary: Reader wants to know which are Spencer biggest regrets. But he refuses to share, instead, he keeps saying he ain't got anything on his "Never again" list.

Category: Slightly fluff...

Content Warning: none

Pairing: Spencer/Reader

- “I can't believe you don't have one of those!”- (Y/N) turned to Spencer in shock. He just stood next to his desk trying to understand what was the big deal.

He didn't have a list of things he was never in his life going to do again. So what? From his point of view, it meant he had made fewer mistakes, which felt like something to be proud of, not embarrassed.

- “He doesn't have what?”- Morgan overheard the conversation and walked over, a part of him curious, and another part of him happy he had a tiny excuse to avoid paperwork for a while.

- “The dreadful "I'll never do this again" list”- (Y/N) explained and turned to Spencer- Not even one thing?

- “Well... there are a few chess games I wish I had played differently”

Morgan rolled his eyes and tapped on his back.

- “Kid, come on, you are from Vegas, there has to be something there”

- “Yeah! You said you were banned from a few casinos! That has to be a juicy story!”

(Y/N) stared at him biting her lips in excitement, but Reid just blinked and hesitated before saying

- “Not really... what's in your "never again list"?”

Spencer looked at his best friend and smiled. She gave the question a little thought. There were tons of things on that list, but she wasn't sure she wanted to share them with him. She had the biggest crush on Reid, and thought she was never going to act on it, she didn't want him to have a bad image of her.

- “Let's see... I really regret most of my teenage fashion decisions”

- “Boring”- Morgan teased- “You gotta give something good”

- “Like what?”- (Y/N) crossed her arms on her chest and raised an eyebrow- “What's in your regret list?”

- “Dating girls who can legally carry guns is the first”- he answered right away- “Getting my highschool sweetheart an engagement ring is the second”

- “A ring?”- (Y/N) stared at him in shock and Derek chuckled, nodding completely guilty.

- “She was my first, I thought it was forever... What can I tell you? I'm a hopeless romantic”

Spencer and (Y/N) stared at each other with a knowing look

- “And what do you have, pretty girl? bad outfits can't be it”

- “Well... I'm never going on a blind date again, especially on dating websites blind dates...”

- “Man!!”- Derek laughed and covered his face, catching the rest of the team's attention- “You must have been desperate!!”

(Y/N)'s cheeks were burning red as she looked down and shook her head. Emily and Penelope walked over to join the conversation chuckling, as Spencer stared at his friend in shock. He had no idea she had ever done that, and he was pretty sure he knew her well. He remembered everything she had said to him from the day they met. It wasn't something he tried to do, his eidetic memory just worked that way. But he didn't even try to forget a word of every conversation they had shared.

- “I was sick and tired of dealing with my friends forcing me to find a date... and... with this job you don't really get many chances to...”

- “Wait, wait...”- Morgan wide opened his eyes and (Y/N) regretted answering his question in the first place- “You did this while being in the BAU?”

- “No... yes... never mind, what's important here is the fact Pretty boy doesn't have anything on his never again list... which means he is missing a lot of bad decision in his life”- (Y/N) turned to Reid and grinned. He blushed and looked down.

- “Yeah kid, we have to take you out to the world!”

Spencer closed his eyes in pain as he felt Derek's hand tapping his back.

- “We should go out tonight!”- Penelope nearly jumped on her spot, clapping her hands- “Let's get out baby boy drunk as a skunk and watch him take all the bad decisions he can!”

- “I'd rather not”- the young doctor whispered and sighed- “I think I am fully capable of adding things I don't want to do again... I would start with this conversation, I'm not willing to repeat this awkward moment”

Spencer chuckled and turned to the kitchen to make himself another cup of coffee.

- “That dating website wasn't that bad”- Emily teased (Y/N) and smiled

- “It was awful, you know it”

- “How was the guy?”- Morgan asked, a silly grin hanging on his lips as he looked at the girl blushing in front of him.

- “He was an asshole... he looked hot in the pictures... and he wasn't really bad looking in person, but...”- (Y/N) made a pause, and her eyes involuntarily traveled through the room and found Spencer waiting for the brewing.

- “He didn't have an IQ of 187, right?”- Derek asked the obvious question, and (Y/N) smiled

- “I'm not sure he had an IQ of 50...”

Spencer stared at the coffee pot as he waited. He kept trying to think of things he regretted doing. Interesting things at least... He also tried to remember (Y/N) saying anything about going out on a date, but he didn't recall it. Was she making it up? no, it sounded real, and the embarrassment on her face couldn't be faked.

It bothered him not to remember something so important. And it also bothered him to know she was open to date other guys. Not that she had to date him, not that she had ever told him she wanted to date him. Not that he wanted to date her, thought he did.

- “Hey”- Penelope's voice nearly gave him a heart attack. he jumped and turned to see her grinning behind him

- “Do you want to kill me?”

- “Never... so...”- she just looked at the resident genius with a smile and waited

- “I'm sorry... I don't get what you are trying to say, did I miss something?”

- “Yes boy wonder! you missed the one thing you have in your Never do again list”- Spencer frowned even more confused

- “What?”

- “You should never again in your life miss all the signs that tell you someone is in love with you, or you are gonna miss your chance to be happy”- Garcia tapped on Reid's shoulder and walked away, and the sound of her heels was the only sound Spencer could hear for a minute.

The frown on his face didn't fade until he walked back to his desk and sat down.

Signs? there had never been any signs. He never got any... and from who? no one was in love with him. What the hell was Garcia talking about? Spencer couldn't shake it out of his mind.

- “Hey!”- (Y/N) walked over and left a small chocolate bar on his desk, as she smiled at him with rosy cheeks- “Sorry about that, I didn't mean to embarrass you or whatever”

- “You didn't...”- he whispered and smiled back at her

- “Anyway, I got you a tiny offering to make amends”- and after another small smile, his best friend walked back to her desk.

Doctor Reid followed her with his eyes until she sat behind her desk and continued with her paperwork.

Of course, his "Never again list" wasn't empty, he just didn't want to share with her. He knew he was never going to use Dilaudid to avoid pain. He was never going to let anyone tie him to a goal post. He was never going to be kicked by a nine years old girl (unless it was his daughter and they were playing).

And most important: he was never going to look at (Y/N) the same after facing the truth: he was in love with her, and he had no idea how to deal with it.

[melodiesofblueroses]

Star Boy (Yoosung x Reader) Bonus: Alternate Ending

★ ━ 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 1.2k

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Yoosung had went and done it again. He made the same grave mistake twice: Yoosung had forgot to put the stars up in the sky. He knew the consequences of such actions for Jihyun had told him about the dangers of neglecting one’s job. Yoosung was to become stardust, forever lost in the vast night sky and adding to its beauty. 

(MC) knew of the consequences. It was practically drilled into the mind of every working celestial being during training. If one doesn’t fall in place and do a proper job, they will become stardust. But she wanted to neglect the fact that it was inevitable for Yoosung. He had been given two chances, yet he proceeded to blow them, all for (MC). He truly was a lovestruck fool. 

When he visited that night for the final time, (MC) couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes much less utter a word to him. She wondered if there was something she could’ve done differently to prevent Yoosung from walking down the path he chose for himself. (MC) must’ve messed up someway down the road if it all bubbled down to this. It was painful, and Yoosung could clearly see how much she was suffering. 

“(MC),” he softly mumbled, gently taking her hands in his. They were cold but not entirely devoid of warmth. Ah, she was so much like an angel, so delicate and soft and to the touch, as if one wrong move would break her. Her touch kept him grounded and reminded him of why he had done what he did: it was all for his love towards (MC). “I-”

“You are a fool Yoosung!” She suddenly cried out, no longer hiding the tears that were welling up inside her. She couldn’t deal with the pain anymore, and it all exploded. “How could you lose everything?! Your life, your job, your future, our relationship...How could you throw it all away?” Her voice cracked near the end, dying out into a faint whisper as (MC) looked away, ashamed. “Did it mean nothing to you? You couldn’t keep the promise you made to me that night.”

Before she could run away, Yoosung grabbed her by the arm, embracing her in a tight hug that seemed to last for hours. He softly stroked her hair to calm her down. No words were delivered for a few moment, just Yoosung and (MC) reveling in each other’s touch for the last time. Yoosung didn’t know quite what to say to appease (MC). He knew that he had broke her and anything amends he would try to make would clearly fall on deaf ears. There was no fixing what he had done. 

“I’m sorry,” was all Yoosung could muster and choke out. He had to try and explain himself to the love of his life, but would she be willing to listen? “I...I just wanted to prove myself. No, I wanted to carve my own path, decide my future. Throughout my life as a celestial being, everyone always looked down on me, only seeing me as nothing more than a mere child. Even now, I’m probably nothing more than a foolish boy that threw away his life for some girl.” He stopped for a moment, running his fingers over (MC)’s knuckles before planting a soft kiss. “But I don’t regret my decisions. At long last, I feel like someone who could take care of you. I finally feel like, well, a man. I wouldn’t hesitate to put my life on the line if it meant protecting you.” Before he could continue on, (MC) put a finger to his lips. 

“Even if everyone sees you as nothing more than an idiot, you’ve grown and matured so much since the first time we met. You chose this path, and you’re ready to face the consequences because you believe what you did is right. You believe in yourself. Even though we won’t see each other again, I’m so proud of you.” (MC)’s usual eloquency was nowhere to be found, instead her sentences coming out as choppy in between long-winded silence where she tried to compose herself. Yoosung still understood what she meant, however, and her words put a smile on his face. 

Leaning in, Yoosung closed the gap between them with a kiss. He didn’t have much time left before he would disappear, but he was ready to make the most out of his last few moments. (MC) quickly melted into the kiss, not wanting this moment to end. But alas, after a few seconds, the two of them pulled away, foreheads resting on one another. Yoosung was beginning to disappear, starting from the bottom and making its way up. His legs were already starting to turn into bits of stardust, and (MC) couldn’t resist the few tears that fell. Oh what she wouldn’t give to have Yoosung by her side. 

Yoosung caught on to her crying and cupped her cheeks. His body was now disappearing, becoming stardust in the nighttime sky. “Shh,” he whispered, wiping away the tears. “Stay strong, for me (MC).” Oh how the tables have turned. During their first encounter, it was (MC) who comforted Yoosung, but now it was the other way around, except this time, (MC) wasn’t sure if she could keep her head up high. The scene was too much for her faint heart, and (MC) desperately wished that this was all a dream. It was very much real, however, and she saw with her own eyes as Yoosung slowly disappeared from her gaze. “And one more thing.” (MC) looked up, red puffy eyes staring into longing purple hues. “I love you.” It was his last words before he was at last taken in by the sky, finally becoming one with it. 

~

It was the night of the Perseids star shower, a grand show that had even the celestial realm looking forward to it. It was one of the events that allowed the beings responsible for meteor showers to showcase their talents. It truly showcased the pride that these beings held for their artwork. All the celestial beings would gather with friends or family, and together they’d sit outside in silence as they watch the stars zoom across the sky. It was very similar to the fireworks shows the humans down below seemed to highly enjoy. 

When nighttime fell, (MC) found herself feeling rather lonely, sitting atop her beautiful moon. She wasn’t particularly close with anyone, opting to view this spectacle all by herself. As the stars began to shoot across the sky, one by one, (MC) smiled at the view. It was rather peaceful and relaxing, allowing her to mindlessly wander in her thoughts. Sighing, she snuggled closer to the tiny star that hung beside her moon at all times, this time holding it in her lap for this special occasion. Its dim light had never once dulled. It truly was the brightest star in the entire nighttime sky.

[readbeneaththelines]

Giving Him Control Pt. 9

A/N: The contract between a Dom and a Sub can be vital to prevent any misunderstandings or complications in the relationship. It can be negotiable, and can include whatever is agreed upon between both parties.

Characters: Ravi x Reader

Warnings: soft Ravi?, maybe fluff?

Word Count: 1905

Please remember, this is NSFW. There is the Dom/Sub aspect of the characters, so if that is a trigger, please proceed at your own discretion.

Definition of contract

 (Entry 1 of 3)

 : a binding agreement between two or more persons or  parties  especially one legally enforceable                                                                                                      : a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price  make parts on contract                                                                                            : the act of marriage or an agreement to marry                                                      : a document describing the terms of a contract

You wanted to get each thing written down, that way you knew your ‘role’ and his, what you could and couldn’t do, and what exactly he could and couldn’t do as punishments. You wanted to take this ‘agreement’ seriously, for both your sakes. No guilt from you or him. If you were going to make this work, you had to know your position, just like at any job. Even though you liked Ravi, a lot, you didn’t want him to second guess choosing you. To be honest, you were willing to play any ‘role’ in order to get to his heart, to find out about his secrets, and to break through his walls. Whatever it took.

Grabbing your coffee, you started for the study, him following behind you. You pulled a chair up to his desk, reaching for a pen and some paper. He came around, sitting in his chair, watching you with a serious expression.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I am going to write down what I expect from you as your submissive. I want you to take your own pen and paper, and do the same. When we are done we then write down our expectations as far as our ‘relationship’. Finally, we are going to talk about what our limits are for each other, such as the no touching and punishments, etc. There are things I am willing to try, but there are also things that I am not budging on, and I will list those. Same for you, I expect.”  you continued to ramble as you began jotting things down.

 Putting pen to paper, he started his own lists. It took you both almost an hour to finish. He handed his lists to you, wanting you to review them.

“If there is something that you think is out of line, make a note next to it. We can discuss those things later.” he took your paper and began reading.

What I Expect From You

1: Treat me with respect

2: Be understanding, I am new to this, you aren’t

3: Give me free time each week, even if it’s just a few hours

4: Ask for my input on decisions that involve me

4: If I am deserving of punishment, refer to my limits

5: If I make a mistake, explain what I did wrong so I will know in the future

6: Talk to me, we need to communicate in order to learn about each other

What I Expect From Myself

1: I will respect you and trust you

2: I will do my best to understand you

3: I will keep myself healthy, letting you know if I do not feel well

4: I will follow your directions, to the best of my ability

5: I will strive to better myself, aiming to please you

6: I will keep my mind and body in the best physical condition, so that I am able to please you

7: I will talk to you if I have any concerns with our agreement

Limits That I Have

Soft:

Sexual toys, except for a vibrator, being used without my consent

All extremities tied down

Sex during my monthly cycle

Choking or being gagged

Staying naked during  normal daily routine

No videos or photographs without my consent

No third party, again without my consent

No marking me in places that I can’t cover

Hard:

 Physical Abuse of any kind

No degrading or derogatory name calling

Anal sex, even with toys

Slavery

Giving me to someone else, sexually or otherwise

Depriving me of basic needs

Neglect

Our Relationship

1: I expect to be called either your friend or girlfriend, not your submissive

2:  Treat me with the same respect as you would the aforementioned labels

3: If you decide to end this relationship/agreement, you will allow me time to find other living and financial arrangements

4: If this relationship/arrangement is ended, we will not seek further contact with each other

Once you had completed your lists, you turned them over and set them aside. You waited patiently as he finished his. Setting his pen down, he then flipped his own pages over. Sliding them to the side, you both reached for the other's paper, flipping them over to read. 

What I Expect From You

I expect you to be accepting of your role. I know this is new for you, but please set forth the effort to fully accept the role and rules.

I want dedication from you. Not in a give your everything way, but dedicate yourself to this agreement. This will take work, dedicate yourself to making this work as hard as I do.

Be honest with me. In everything, I want complete honesty. If we don’t communicate, this will not work and someone will get hurt.

Effort in completing the tasks I set forth for you. Give your best, willingly, to comply with my expectations in any given situation.

Trust me. You are new to this, I am not. I will teach you how to be my submissive, trust that your best interests, along with mine, are important to me. I will do my best to keep you safe and cause no harm to you.

I need you to be patient with me, just as I will be patient with you. I am still learning about you, your wants, desires, needs. Give me time to learn these, and I will give you time to learn mine.

This is a relationship of sacrifice. You are expected to sacrifice your own self in order to please me. In turn, I will sacrifice my time, on occasion, to please you. But you must remember, my wants and needs come first. (See amendment A)

A: You are allowed to forgo my needs if your health, be it physical, emotional, or mental, is in jeopardy. This will be discussed if the need arises.

I  expect you to maintain your health and body. Keep yourself well groomed and manicured, as I see fit, at all times. Your cycles does not give an excuse to disregard your appearance.

You should always be prepared to please me sexually. (See amendment A)

A: During cycles, you may receive reprieve from sexual activity. This shall be discussed as needed.)

My Limits:

Soft Limits:

Role Play/Reversal

Third Party Participants

Sex Toys except for Vibrators, Straps, cuffs, and Cat-Of-Nine-Tails

Breath Play

Touching my face

Hard Limits:

No Touching of my chest, stomach, ankles 

Fire/Ice Play

Watching me have sex with another person

Oral sex with a vibrator, or strap on

Anal Sex

Our Relationship/Agreement:

I am not looking for an emotional relationship, I need you to understand that first and foremost. We have agreed to this, on mutual terms, as something you want to explore. I have personal reasons for what I expect and why I need this form of agreement. I will address you as either my friend or partner, since very few people know of my situation. I would ask that you do not tell anyone of our agreement, I keep my life private, please keep it private too. I will treat you as anyone in a ‘normal relationship’ would be treated. I will spoil you when you are good, treat you to trips and special ‘you days’ as you deserve and earn them. There will be punishments for you mistreating my treats for you or for misbehaving. We may appear as a couple, but do not explain it as that. Respect my wishes, please. Anything mentioned in our contracts are up for negotiation as time proceeds. We will discuss these changes before adding them to our contracts. If either of us choose to end this agreement, we shall part ways, allowing no contact or breach of this contract. Neither participant shall disclose details of this agreement at any time during or after said agreement.

Picking up your pen, you immediately signed his terms of agreement. He watched your curiously, raising an eyebrow.

“Do you not have any questions? You are willing to accept what I set forth without argument? That’s very bold of you, considering you are new to this.”

“You said things are up for negotiation, as of right now I don’t see anything that needs negotiating.” you returned dryly.

With a smile and a nod, he in turn signed your agreement. Taking both packs of paper, he clipped them together and placed them in an envelope. Opening the safe beneath his desk, he placed the envelope in and locked it back.

“Well Y/N, now that that’s done, ready for your first lesson?” his smirk wide, eyes lit up with excitement.

“I thought you had to work today. You can’t do much teaching if you have to leave soon.”

“Oh, but my dear, I can. I have scheduled you at the salon and spa for this afternoon. They know exactly what I want you to have done. I expect to come home to a well manicured, deeply scrubbed, and pampered body. You will not cut any length from your hair, but you may color it any natural color close to your own. You may go lighter or darker, but no shade change. When I get home, I expect my favorite drink to be waiting. You will be dressed with the clothes I have selected for tonight dinner, hair down, make-up natural. You will cover all marks you have that are visible, even if they may be seen, cover them.”

“Anything else? And what shall I call you at home? Sir or Ravi?”

“I told you before, I am not a master or formal person to you. Ravi at home and with friends, Wonsik when we are at dinners and formal events. If you slip up, that will be punishable.”

“What shall I say if someone at one of these events asks me about our relationship ? What do I tell them?”

“Tell them that we are childhood friends, and you are in town for a long visit and I invited you.” he nodded at you, waiting for you to nod back in understanding.

You threw on some regular clothes, knowing you would be mostly undressed at the salon and spa treatments. He dressed up, wearing an all black matte suit, with a pink Oxford shirt and tie that matched. When he was fixed up, his aura gave off the allure of confidence and sex appeal. He gathered his briefcase and keys, calling for you to leave. You ran down the stairs, meeting him at the door. 

“I will arrange for someone to pick you up after your appointment. Do not leave them waiting, please.” he informed you as he started the car.

“What time shall I expect you home?” you asked while looking out of the passenger window.

“I will be sure to call you when I am leaving.”

When he stopped in front of the salon, he grabbed your hand. You turned to face him before opening the door.

“Have a good time today and try to relax. I will see you later.” he lifted your hand to kiss your knuckles.

With a nod, you were out the door, you trying to hide your blushing face. You gazed into the storefront window, nervous about what he had scheduled for you. Turning back to the car, you smiled and gave him a thumbs up. With that you headed off into the small building.

@aspaceformyself @trapped-inside-my-head @beautifulseoulliar @maxinaptak @seoulsunshineandstories @xjamlessparkx @sugababemyg @kpop-addictedloser  @min-shookga-yoongi @agustd-suga-yoongii @astronomyturtle @dreamyoongi @holy-yoongi@trashkazuya @micky1518 @rosiemilas @karri570  @kwonnansi

[shrikeofficial]

💎💕

💕 tell us about one of your favorite characters and why you like them!

TUC: I kind of want to do both Luxa and Gregor bc they both are so perfect...

Luxa is such an amazing character. She goes through so much development over the course of five books, from a young, naive girl, into someone who has the makings of a great leader. From someone who has closed herself off from the world, lost in what she’s been taught, to someone willing to open her eyes, listen, learn, and understand others for their differences. At the beginning of book 1 she can be a bit bratty, lol, and it’s amazing to see her real personality start to break through and reveal itself. She’s loyal to a fault, willful, headstrong, a bit hot-headed, and with more determination than you would think is possible for one person. She’s brave and kind and has a really gentle and fragile heart, despite the strong face she always puts on. Luxa is the type of person who is almost always true to her word, but if it means she could jump into danger to save a friend, she would lie in a heartbeat. She’s AMAZING. I love that Luxa is someone who will acknowledge her mistakes and apologize, and explain herself to avoid misunderstandings. She may be proud, but she tries hard to not let her pride get in the way of recognizing her shortcomings, making amends, and learning from them.

Gregor is a really really sweet kid who didn’t deserve all the trauma he was dealt. Willing to risk and even straight up give up his life for the Underlanders? Yep. He’s an example of a character that is really truly GOOD at his core and is still such an interesting and dynamic protagonist. I loved his struggle within himself throughout the series. Whether to fight or not to fight? Which is the right answer? And the eventual decision he came to at the end. Gregor is so thoughtful and gentle. He really just wants to help people and have his family and friends safe. I love his snark. I think the way he can be a bit snarky and still have his sweetness shine through is so precious. He doesn’t want anyone messing with his family. He WILL roast you if u do. (And you’d know u deserve it.) Gregor also is really compassionate and always thinks hard on his mistakes. I just love him so much ;A;

Hanako: I love this boy sooo much ;;;; ❤️ He’s so dorky and adorable. Acts like he’s super smooth, but actually he’s way more shy than you’d think. Deep down he really just wants friends and love and to atone for what he’s done. Seeing him try so hard (and fail) to be completely apathetic and not get attached to his friends is such a journey. He can’t help caring for them. Can’t help falling for Nene, despite himself (which is just SO ADORABLE ;W;;;;). It makes me so sad to think of all the things he had to go through when he was alive, and all the things he missed out on. And he’s so convinced that he can’t experience them now that he’s dead, either.... Send this ghost to the moon pls. I really just ;;;W;;;; every time I see him smile. The mystery of his backstory is KILLING me and I need to know more. I love how Hanako has a degree of moral ambiguousness at times, but still clearly has a good heart and good intentions at the base of it all.

Honestly I love the rest of the main four so much too but I already cheated by adding Gregor and I’m exhausted from flying so I will leave it here for now uwu

[journeywithmo]

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the release of resentment; it replaces the negative feelings often harbored toward offenders with neutral feelings or in some cases, positive feelings. Forgiveness doesn’t automatically mean reconciliation.

All of us have been hurt a time or two rather that was by a friend, family member, stranger or even often ourselves. Pain is something that is inevitable to dodge. It’s a part of life and it’s a part of who we are. The pain inflicted on us or on others have in one way or another shaped our lives rather that was for better or for worse. When you are hurt it’s not an easy thing to get over depending on what it is. Some pain lasts a lifetime while others last only moments. But with pain comes the word forgiveness. I know you often hear “you have to forgive” and in the back of your head I know you’re thinking “NO I DON’T!” You’re thinking that person or thing is not worthy enough of your forgiveness. Some people don’t even care if they are forgiven and not in fact, they don’t think or even know that they hurt you but the thing about forgiveness is it’s for you and not for them. It’s a cliché but it’s so true. In your mind I know your response is “it ain’t for me I’m good with or without them” or some of us have even tricked ourselves into believing that we have forgiven someone. Now ya’ll wondering how I know the all these thoughts and it’s only because I know the feeling all too well.

I’m extremely good at suppressing my emotions. To the point of people calling me heartless, numb, or a little boy lol. I will go about life like almost nothing bothers me until I’m ready to explode. Suppressing is my way of dealing with things. I don’t want to feel no emotions behind hurt because then that makes me vulnerable and to me vulnerability is a sign of weakness and let’s be clear I’m not weak and I don’t want to be looked at as weak in the eyes of nobody! But what I’ve learned is suppressing those emotions are not a good thing. The feelings come back up one way or another and it usually shows itself at the smallest thing or when I least expect it. What I’ve learned is suppressed hurt manifests itself in other ways. For me it comes out in the way I treat people, how I communicate, how I love others and myself. Hurt and pain shows itself as jealousy, anger, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, rage, lack of self-love and many other things. I am quick to cut a person off without notice I won’t explain my reasoning or the hurt behind my decision until I absolutely have to.

Two weeks ago, today I decided to get baptized. I was visiting one of my sisters’ church and after service her pastor walked up to me and asked had I been baptized of course my answer was no. she followed up with the question why and in that moment the I just didn’t have a good reason. Now the thought of baptism had definitely crossed my mind plenty of times but for me I wanted to belong to a church home, be comfortable with my pastor and everything. I thought that doing something like that was super special and I just didn’t want anybody doing it. I wanted somebody who would be paramount in my walk with Christ. But when she asked that question none of my reservations or concerns came to mind. I agreed to get baptized that following Monday at 7pm. Now on my way home from church I was very emotional just crying and thanking God. Almost home my godmother crossed my mind. Now my relationship with my godmother has be strained for quite some time and we haven’t talked since March, but she was heavy on my heart and I cried like a baby. Ultimately my godmother was the person who introduced me to Christ she played a big part in my getting to know him so for me her not being there would be equivalent to her missing my wedding.  Now in that moment I just knew God was telling me to invite her to my baptism and make amends with her. So later that night I texted her to invite her to my baptism. The night went and the next day approached and I still hadn’t got a response from her, but I still went about my day. I got baptized and let me just tell yall it was really one of the best feelings in my life. After I came out the water the holy spirit just came over me. Now I couldn’t speak in tongues, but I felt closer to God. I felt renewed, more enlightened, lite, free and confident in who I am. The next day after my baptism I felt kind of heavy, and I remember feeling innocent. I didn’t want to go to work because I wanted to preserve all my innocence. Now while I was laying in the bed the thought came to my head that God wasn’t telling me to invite her, but he was telling me to forgive her. The pain and the hurt that I was holding on to (and still am) is what was holding me back from actually being able to be completely swept in the presence of God and begin to speak his Holy language. Since that was revealed to me, I’ve been on a mission to forgive. And it’s not for her but it’s for me! Holding on to pain that she may and may not know about is hindering my progress and my relationship with the father.  Now I’m not about to sit here and tell ya’ll that I totally forgive her, and I am just a walking perfect example for forgiveness. But I will tell you all that I’m putting in the steps. I’ve began studying my bible about the word forgiveness. I’m allowing myself to relive moments and feel all the pain that I have suppressed. I’m allowing myself to be hurt, disappointed and just mad! My next step after writing this is to allow myself to scream out to God how I feel and let him deal with the rest. I’ve read a scripture that has stuck out the most to me

Luke 6:36-37 Show mercy and compassion for others, just as your heavenly Father overflows with mercy and compassion for all.” Jesus said, “Forsake the habit of criticizing and judging others, and then you will not be criticized and judged in return. Don’t look at others and pronounce them guilty, and you will not experience guilty accusations yourself. Forgive over and over and you will be forgiven over and over.

That scripture alone has made me look at things in a whole new light! If God can forgive me repeatedly and never judge me based off the things that I’ve done I HAVE to extend that same mercy and love to others just like Christ has done for me. Like I said this thing is far from easy, but I dare you to begin sister. I dare you to allow yourself to feel and be hurt and I dare you to start forgiving. You are not in this alone I am there with you on this same journey as you. Taking all my power back that I have given to human beings who were designed to make mistakes. Once you begin to feel and begin to be honest with yourself all the other things will come easy. Write out what hurts you, pray about it, talk about it. if you don’t have anybody to talk to talk to me, I’m here open and willing to be of assistance. It is my belief if one woman is winning then we all are winning but most importantly we are in a better position to help one another. Therefore, allow me to help you so that you can be the help that another woman may need. You are my motivation! I support you! I believe in you and most importantly I love you!

[astro-onechampionship]

Santino Verbeek Reflects On Hard-Earned Debut Victory

Santino Verbeek started his ONE Super Series career with a thrilling split-decision win over Juan Cervantes at ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH on 6 September.

The Dutchman battled his English opponent over three rounds and impressed the fans in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with his heart and skill.

“I had a lot of good responses from the fight, everybody was crazy about it,” Verbeek recalled. “Some guys think Juan was the winner. But I knocked him down for a 10-8 and had a good second round, so I was confident I was the winner.”

Even though Verbeek scored a powerful knockdown in the first round, Cervantes answered the referee’s count with ease, then responded with strikes of his own. Impressed by what he saw, the Sokudo Gym representative commended his English rival's toughness and skills.

“Juan was a really tough fighter,” Verbeek said. “I gave him the eight count with a right hook. But Juan is especially a Muay Thai fighter, and I knew it would be difficult to fight him as he has a different kind of style [than] me.”

Even though Verbeek wanted a knockout win, he chose not to underestimate Cervantes’ power and experience.

“I wanted to knock him down for the second time, but my trainer told me to keep watching him because he would take a risk,” the athlete from the Netherlands said. “I thought I could take the risk and it might go wrong, or I could fight the next round and try to knock him down again.”

Instead, the 24-year-old did his best to engage the Englishman, but remained cautious of his opponent’s long knees and kicks.

“Cervantes did a good job, he kept me at a good distance, and it was difficult for me to keep the pressure on him and be close to him,” he said.

After a good first round of action by the Hoorn native, his opponent knew he had to make amends and dialed up the pressure in the second frame. But Verbeek held out till the round ended.

“The second round was also good for me, but in the last minute, Juan came back very well with a lot of knees and kicks,” the welterweight kickboxer explained. “He hurt me a few times with the knees to the body, especially to the liver, and it made me tired more quickly.”

In search of a climactic finish, Cervantes unleashed a flying knee, which wobbled the Dutchman in the third round.

Amazingly, Verbeek shrugged off the powerful hit and pressed forward.

“I didn’t want to lose in the third round, I kept fighting with my character. It was difficult, but I took it,” Verbeek recounted.

The two-time World Fighting League World Champion defended well against the subsequent barrage that followed and willed himself to the final bell after three exhausting rounds.

“You live so long for this fight, and you work so hard for it, you don’t want to give it up,” he said. “You want to give everything in your body to win.”

Verbeek may have left Ho Chi Minh City the victor, but the Dutchman believes he has something to learn from his battle against Cervantes.

“It was my first time in ONE,” he said. “I made some mistakes in the fight also. I talked to my trainers, and we know what we need to work on.”

The 24-year-old has a bright future ahead of him in ONE Super Series, and to him, this win is the first step to greater things.

“I’m looking forward to my next fight for ONE. I don’t know who will come to the welterweight division, but I want to be the next World Champion, so I will take on anybody,” Verbeek added.

Check out ONE Championship’s next event, ONE: CENTURY, the biggest World Championship martial arts event in history. No organization has ever promoted two full-scale World Championship events in one day.

But The Home Of Martial Arts breaks new ground as it features 28 World Champions, four World Title bouts, three World Grand Prix Championship Finals, and four World Champion versus World Champion matches.

The action happens at the famous Ryogoku Kokugikan on 13 October in Tokyo, Japan.

Download the ONE Super App to watch the historic event live and for free.

Read More From ONE Championship:

Kulabdam Reflects On The Pressure Of ONE Debut

Nong-O Not Surprised Brice Delval Gave Him His Biggest Test In ONE

Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat Looks Back On Breakout Performance In Vietnam

[goldendream-s]

tied down; pt. 2

part 1 masterlist || request

a/n; the gif is totally irrelevant but i couldn’t help myself LOL

Knocking on the door of the address his manager gave him, Shawn played with the strings of his hoodie. After a much needed month-long rest following his European and Asia legs of his tour, he’d be meeting his opener for his American shows. Shawn usually had opening acts who he was already familiar with, but this opening act was one he’d never met in person. After hearing some of his tracks, Shawn insisted on spending the day with the guy he’d be spending the next part of tour with. 

To be frank, Shawn would much rather be by himself figuring a way to win you back, but didn’t want to make any bad first impressions on Tyler, the guy he’d be meeting soon. 

The door finally swung open, removing Shawn from his drifting thoughts.

“Hey man, it’s nice to meet you. Sorry if I kept you waiting for long,” Tyler kindly greeted as he shrugged on his jacket and closed his door. He was slightly shorter than Shawn but had resembling black skinny jeans. His light brown hair was slightly quiffed and feet clad in converse. Shawn introduced himself, complimenting Tyler’s music as they got ready to leave. The two planned to go to nearby guitar shops in hopes of finding a new instrument to bring along on tour.

Tyler and Shawn quickly clicked together and Shawn could already feel a great friendship on the rise. The two were about the same age and shared the same love for guitar ballads, songwriting, and hockey, making every second of their conversation interesting. Sure, they had been talking over text for weeks now, but Shawn didn’t expect to relate to a new friend that easily. It was refreshing for him to meet someone who treated him like Shawn, the teen boy from Pickering who was obsessed with Harry Potter and magic. Not Shawn Mendes, who was touring the world and holder of numerous awards and multiple platinum titles.

Gazing across the wall decorated in electric and acoustic guitars, the two new friends requested for some to be taken down to try out. 

“Do you have any particular guitars that you came here for?” Tyler asked, eyeing a turquoise electric.

“Nah, I’m just gonna look around and see if any guitars would be good for the next album,” he replied, thinking about a song that he had written on the flight back home.

Although the last thing Shawn needed was another guitar to add to his already massive collection, he craved something to distract him from the thought of you.

Looking up from his feet while waiting, Tyler diverged the topic, “I hope this isn’t too random, but could I ask you a question? You know, about touring?”

Shawn nodded, understanding how scary it could be going on a big tour that would last for another set of months.

“So, this girl and I have been going out and I really wanna officially ask her out. I would do it in a heartbeat, but I don’t know if tour would get in the way of our relationship. I’ve heard stories of people feeling tied down, but I also feel so many things for this girl,” Tyler slightly rambled, a small blush grazing across his tan cheeks.

At his seemingly innocent words, Shawn merely choked, gripping tightly onto the neck of the guitar he was holding. It had been months, but the mention of being tied down hit too close to home. It was like he was seeing himself in a mirror reliving his fears again.

“How serious are you about her?” Shawn questioned. Although he hadn’t been in too many relationships, he was a hopeless romantic.

“Honestly? I think I love her,” he replied, “like, it’s so crazy how fast I fell for her but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Tyler continued.

Listening to Tyler’s sweet words made Shawn’s heart wrench. He admired how highly he talked about the girl, wishing he had told you how beautiful you were more often.

“If you’re sure about this girl, I would just do it. At the end of the day, sometimes a relationship can be so much more worth it than some random hookups and it seems like you really like this girl from the way you’re talking about her,” Shawn answered. 

“It’s great to have someone to keep you grounded. Of course, there’s going to be times where you miss her, but there’s no better feeling than to come back home to them,” he continued, giving the advice that he wishes someone would’ve told him months ago. 

He didn't want Tyler to make the same mistake as him. He didn’t want Tyler to spend nights drinking into oblivion or have a notebook’s worth of songs about a broken heart like he did. Didn’t want him dwelling on “what if’s” and “could have’s.” 

What he wanted, was to have you back in his arms - to get a chance to explain to you that he had made the biggest, dumbest mistake of his life.

Tyler nodded, a smile gleaming across his face. 

“How long have the two of you been talking?”

“We met through some mutuals just a few months ago. Her last breakup turned out bad and she said she was over it, but I don’t wanna rush her,” he explained as the employee brought out two new guitars.

“I think you’ll be able to know when she’s ready, but a tour is definitely a huge test for any relationship,” Shawn spoke, his mind taking back to the late nights he spent talking to you. He hated not hearing your soft voice for more than a day, but sometime down the road, Shawn somehow convinced himself that commitment was something he wasn’t into. He managed to tell himself that he was missing out on the rockstar lifestyle because he had someone waiting for him back home.

“Yea,” Tyler chuckled, strumming a bright melody, “I guess I still have a week to see how things work out.”

+

A few days had passed since Shawn’s day with Tyler and the moments before tour were ticking down. As he sat in his living room floor writing tags for his suitcases, marker cap between his white teeth, Shawn focused on using his neatest handwriting.

Shawn could practically hear your voice in the back of his head, remembering how you would always complain about his handwriting and inability to draw something as simple as a heart. You would always help him with the luggage tags anyway, so Shawn didn’t mind your teasing. He didn't realize how much he hated packing alone until he was sitting by himself, no one near to coax his worries for the next part of tour. 

It would be almost four months and half since Shawn has last seen you, but it was as if his love for you never died. You were intertwined in all of his best memories and every time he tried to rid of them, he seemed to be unravelling himself.

He wanted to call you so many times after that night in the hotel, but he shot himself down every time. As much as he wanted to beg you for your forgiveness and to give him another chance, Shawn told himself he’d wait until he could say it in person. 

He kept your note in the back of his phone and would read it when the pressure was all too much. He practically had the note memorized at this point but despised himself for doing so because it would always lead him to wonder if he was on your mind as much as you were on his. 

Shawn tells himself he hasn’t tried reaching out to you in person because you probably hate him, but knew it was really because he’d hate himself more for letting you go if he saw you again. Eventually, even Shawn’s team became tired of seeing him mope around and persuaded him to make amends before the American tour.

Finishing up with the last of his packing, Shawn made for his car. Earlier, he had called in for an order of flowers, nearly buying out all of the store’s pink carnations. According to the flower shop, they were great apology flowers and symbolized ‘undying love,’ which Shawn saw as fitting.

Shawn knew forgiveness from you would not be as easy as some flowers, but he felt obligated to do this to let you know he still cared. He wanted —no, needed— to let you know that he had made the wrong choice and that you were still the one for him. Shawn couldn’t get over you without at least knowing that he tried to make things better.

Pushing through the door to the hole-in-the-wall flower shop, the subtle aroma of flowers immediately filled Shawn’s senses. His mind couldn’t help but take him back to all of the times he came here to get you flowers, the sickly sweet smell suddenly going pungent at the thought.

“Shawn! I have your flowers right in the back, so let me go get them,” Brenda, a middle-aged woman greeted, already making her way to the carnations he had ordered the day before.

While waiting, Shawn made sure his button up was perfect and hair shaped. He planned to come by to your house later that day to try and to explain himself in hopes that you’d still be willing to talk to him. Shawn didn’t bother rehearsing any words, though because he knew he’d forget them as soon as he saw you.

He wondered if you’d look any different, pondered how much of your life he’d missed during his time away.

Shawn wondered if you ever cut your hair that you were too scared to chop off or if you ever got your ears pierced like you talked about before tour.

Wondered if you got that dog that you had wanted for so long. The same puppy that despite being allergic to dogs, Shawn nearly bought for you because he was addicted to seeing you happy. 

Brenda walked through the doors, arms full with the flowers. Shawn was quick to help her out as they walked to counter for him to pay.

“So, who’s the lucky girl?” Brenda curiously questioned. The question wasn't meant to be harmful, but it still tugged a little at Shawn’s heart.

“Um, well, she's actually my ex,” Shawn anxiously spoke, chuckling to lighten to situation.

Brenda’s luminous grin slightly faltered for a second before she nodded and swiped Shawn’s card. Wishing him good luck, Shawn thanked her for the flowers again before exiting the shop. 

Nervousness and fear flowed through Shawn’s veins as he set the last of his flowers in the back of his jeep. He didn’t know if he was making the right decision by coming to your house unannounced, but it was now or never.

Pulling up into your neighborhood, Shawn had to remind himself to take deep breaths. He had called your dad in advance to make sure you were home, to which you luckily were. Although your dad knew you were no longer with the singer, he still treated Shawn like family. Shawn even contemplated why your dad was so nice to him, curious if you ever told him how he really broke up with you.

As he rounded the turn onto your street, Shawn scrunched his eyebrows as he saw you already standing at front of your door. Eyes moving around your surroundings as he neared your house, he noticed that you weren’t alone. Although the boy’s back was turned to Shawn, he could see your glimmering eyes laugh at what must’ve been a joke the boy told.

You looked good. No, you looked drop dead gorgeous. Although you didn’t look drastically different, your features seemed to mature, eyes bright nonetheless.

Shawn was quick to recognize the black hoodie and skinny jeans from earlier this week as none other than Tyler’s. His hair looked more neat than the last time Shawn saw him, a bouquet of red roses was tucked behind his back.

By now, Shawn had parked his car a few houses away though you and Tyler were seemingly too preoccupied to notice. His heart continued to race as confusion mixed with the uneasy feeling in his body.

What happened to the girl Tyler was going to ask out? How did he know you?

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as each excruciating second pricked at Shawn’s heart. Tyler, as if on cue, leaned in as his lips met yours. Shawn’s rapidly beating heart seemed to shatter and drop to the pit of his stomach all at once. Everything around him suddenly felt too real as he took in the unveiling scene in front of him.

You were the girl Tyler was going to ask out. The same girl who came off of a bad breakup, the same one Tyler couldn’t seem to stop talking about. 

Shawn wanted to look away, but he couldn’t stop from noticing your smile that felt two times wider than he’s ever seen. He wanted to scream, wanted to throw away all of the flowers he had stuffed in his backseat. 

He needed something to distract him from the fact that he was simply too late. You had moved on with someone that wasn't Shawn.

It felt as if you and Tyler had been kissing for minutes now, though in reality, it lasted for only a fraction of that. Shawn watched from afar as Tyler’s hand rested on your hip like Shawn’s used to. He watched you put your hand along Tyler chest, heart sinking when he noticed you were no longer wearing your ring. He didn’t expect you to keep wearing it after things ended, but he didn’t expect for its disappearance to hurt so much either.

Leaning back into his seat, Shawn felt the irony of how he was the one that suggested seeing other people, yet he ended up being the lonely one in the end. As selfish as it sounded, Shawn wanted to let you know that no one could love you like he could. Watching Tyler give you the bundle of roses he had, Shawn wished he had just come to you sooner. Shawn wanted to run to you and get on his knees for forgiveness, but he was finally seeing your smile that he had longed to see.

It was hard to be completely upset when all Shawn wanted was to know that you were happy, yet he couldn’t suppress the overwhelming sadness. His vision clouded with the tears he was all too familiar with.

While Shawn was wondering if you would look any different, he should’ve been wondering how things would be different if he never let you go. He should’ve been wondering how dumb he was to think you’d want him back after what he said.

Shawn was ready to give you the world, yet you had already found your own with someone new.

feedback would be greatly appreciated!

+taglist:

@pinkanddepressed @softshawns @nocturnalmendes @mendesruin @itsabouttymeee @illuminatedestiny @mutual-shawn @ashtonwahs @everydaymendes @spn-marvel-nerd @ironfurycollector @kobeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee @ourlittleshawnie @ashwarren32 @super-fire-breathing-girl

[96thdayofrage]

A Threat To The Free Press

Make no mistake, this not just about Assange or Wikileaks—this is a threat to all journalism, and the public interest. The press stands in place of the public in holding the government accountable, and the Assange charges threaten that critical role. The charges threaten reporters who communicate with and knowingly obtain information of public interest from sources and whistleblowers, or publish that information, by sending a clear signal that they can be charged with spying simply for doing their jobs. And they threaten everyone seeking to educate the public about the operation of government and expose government wrongdoing, whether or not they are professional journalists.

Assistant Attorney General John Demers, head of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, told reporters after the indictment that the department “takes seriously the role of journalists in our democracy and we thank you for it,” and that it’s not the government’s policy to target them for reporting. But it’s difficult to separate the Assange indictment from President Trump’s repeated attacks on the press, including his declarations on Twitter, at White House briefings, and in interviews that the press is “the enemy of the people,” “dishonest,” “out of control,” and “fake news.” Demers’ statement was very narrow—disavowing the “targeting” of journalists, but not the prosecution of them as part of targeting their sources. And contrary to the DOJ’s public statements, the actual text of the Assange Indictment sets a dangerous precedent; by the same reasoning it asserts here, the administration could turn its fervent anti-press sentiments into charges against any other media organization it disfavors for engaging in routine journalistic practices.

Most dangerously, the indictment contends that anyone who “counsels, commands, induces” (under 18 USC §2, for aiding and abetting) a source to obtain or attempt to obtain classified information violates the Espionage Act, 18 USC § 793(b). Under the language of the statute, this includes literally “anything connected with the national defense,” so long as there is an “intent or reason to believe that the information is to be used to the injury of the United States, or to the advantage of any foreign nation.” The indictment relies heavily and repeatedly on allegations that Assange “encouraged” his sources to leak documents to Wikileaks, even though he knew that the documents contained national security information.

But encouraging sources and knowingly receiving documents containing classified information are standard journalistic practices, especially among national security reporters. Neither law nor custom has ever required a journalist to be a purely passive, unexpected, or unknowing recipient of a leaked document. And the U.S. government has regularly maintained, in EFF’s own cases and elsewhere, that virtually any release of classified information injures the United States and advantages foreign nations.

The DOJ indictment thus raises questions about what specific acts of “encouragement” the department believes cross the bright line between First Amendment protected newsgathering and crime. If a journalist, like then-candidate Trump, had said: "Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the [classified] emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press," would that be a chargeable crime?

The DOJ Does Not Decide What Is And Isn’t Journalism

Demers said Assange was “no journalist,” perhaps to justify the DOJ’s decision to charge Assange and show that it is not targeting the press. But it is not the DOJ’s role to determine who is or is not a “journalist,” and courts have consistently found that what makes something journalism is the function of the work, not the character of the person. As the Second Circuit once wrote in a case about the reporters’ privilege, the question is whether they intended to “use material—sought, gathered, or received—to disseminate information to the public.” No government label or approval is necessary, nor is any job title or formal affiliation. Rather than justifying the indictment, Demers’ non-sequitur appears aimed at distracting from the reality of it.

Moreover, Demers’ statement is as dangerous as it is irrelevant. None of the elements of the 18 statutory charges (Assange is also facing a charge under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) require a determination that Assange is not a journalist. Instead, the charges broadly describe journalism–seeking, gathering and receiving information for dissemination to the public, and then publishing that information–as unlawful espionage when it involves classified information.

Of course news organizations routinely publish classified information. This is not considered unusual, nor (previously) illegal. When the government went to the Supreme Court to stop the publication of the classified Pentagon Papers, the Supreme Court refused (though it did not reach the question of whether the Espionage Act could constitutionally be charged against the publishers). Justice Hugo Black, concurring in the judgment, explained why:

In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell.

Despite this precedent and American tradition, three of the DOJ charges against Assange specifically focus solely on the purported crime of publication. These three charges are for Wikileaks’ publication of the State Department cables and the Significant Activity Reports (war logs) for Iraq and Afghanistan, documents which were also published in Der Spiegel, The Guardian, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde, and republished by many other news media.

For these charges, the government included allegations that Assange failed to properly redact, and thereby endangered sources. This may be another attempt to make a distinction between Wikileaks and other publishers, and perhaps to tarnish Assange along the way. Yet this is not a distinction that makes a difference, as sometimes the media may need to provide unredacted data. For example, in 2017 the New York Times published the name of a CIA official who was behind the CIA program to use drones to kill high-ranking militants, explaining “that the American public has a right to know who is making life-or-death decisions in its name.”

While one can certainly criticize the press’ publication of sensitive data, including identities of sources or covert officials, especially if that leads to harm, this does not mean the government must have the power to decide what can be published, or to criminalize publication that does not first get the approval of a government censor. The Supreme Court has justly held the government to a very high standard for abridging the ability of the press to publish, limited to exceptional circumstances like “publication of the sailing dates of transports or the number and location of troops” during wartime.

A Threat to Free Speech

In a broader context, the indictment challenges a fundamental principle of free speech: that a person has a strong First Amendment right to disseminate truthful information pertaining to matters of public interest, including in situations in which the person’s source obtained the information illegally. In Bartnicki v. Vopper, the Supreme Court affirmed this, explaining: “it would be quite remarkable to hold that speech by a law-abiding possessor of information can be suppressed in order to deter conduct by a non-law-abiding third party. ... [A] stranger's illegal conduct does not suffice to remove the First Amendment shield from speech about a matter of public concern.”

While Bartnicki involved an unknown source who anonymously left an illegal recording with Bartnicki, later courts have acknowledged that the rule applies, and perhaps even more strongly, to recipients who knowingly and willfully received material from sources, even when they know the source obtained it illegally. In one such case, the court rejected a claim that the willing acceptance of such material could sustain a charge of conspiracy between the publisher and her source.

Regardless of what one thinks of Assange’s personal behavior, the indictment itself will inevitably have a chilling effect on critical national security journalism, and the dissemination in the public interest of available information that the government would prefer to hide. There can be no doubt now that the Assange indictment is an attack on the freedoms of speech and the press, and it must not stand.

[janeykath318]

Trouble In Paradise

Kirk x Reader

Requested by @slitherin-in-a-half

There was a storm raging in the Captain’s quarters. Jim had finally been released from Medbay, but he was about to be in the doghouse big time.

You’d tried to keep it in for as long as possible, but the fear and anger and disappointment over his lack of trust and communication finally found release in the fight of fights.

“I can’t believe you risked your life like that and then LIED to me about it!” You yelled, eyes blazing with rage. You’d only found out the truth when Leonard had pulled you aside and explained. Jim had sounded very nonchalant on the Comm, so you’d thought he wasn’t badly hurt. Turns out, he’d been trying to cover up what he’d done to save the mission, a.k.a. Volunteer for single combat: fight-to-the-death style.

“You have highly trained officers who could have done that. Spock’s three times as strong, for pity’s sake!”

“You know I couldn’t let that happen. It’s my responsibility to keep them safe,” Jim explained, not helping his case.

“You don’t have to do that by getting yourself killed,” you protested. “You’ve already done that once.”

Jim winced at the hurt in your tone. He knew he’d messed up big time and kept his mouth wisely shut as you went on.

“The worst part was the lying,” you bit out. “As your wife, I deserve to know the truth and since I work in Medbay, you should know better than to sugarcoat your condition to me. I see you still haven’t learned even after all this time.”

You pulled your blue uniform on and went to prepare for your shift. Leonard had said you didn’t need to come in, but you needed to get away for awhile. You were upset with Jim in a way you had never yet been in your ten months of marriage.

“I wasn’t allowed to say anything about it,” Jim sighed.

“When have rules stopped you before?” You snorted. “Listen, I’m going to work. If you want to have any kind of chance of being forgiven, you’ll keep your sorry ass in bed and follow ALL the instructions on this note. Trust me, you do NOT want me dragging Leonard down here to enforce your bed rest.”

Jim very meekly laid down, and watched you go with a heavy heart. He’d really stepped in it this time.

Leonard was surprised to see you, but quickly put two and two together and didn’t try to persuade you against working. You worked your shift as normally as possible, trying to keep a smile on your face.Leonard finally ordered you to take a break, seeing you were working yourself to exhaustion.

“Hey, Y/N, rest a minute. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine,” you lied, avoiding his eyes.

“No, you’re not. Come with me.”

Not having the guts to argue, you followed him into his office and sat down in the chair he pointed you to.

“Jim isn’t giving you crap is he? Because if so, I’ll find a few more hypos with his name on them as I bawl him out,” Leonard stated, eyes boring into yours.

“He wasn’t when I left him this morning, but dangit, Len, I’m so angry with him right now I can hardly see straight.” Your eyes blazed as you confided your emotions to the Doctor. “He straight up lied to me about the severity of his injuries after he got back from that suicide combat that he also kept a secret! I’m his wife! I deserved some sort of message at least before he fought that thing that nearly killed him. And he should now not to pull that crap with me any more than he would with you. Right now I can’t decide whether I love him or hate him!!”

Tears filled your eyes as you finished your rant and your composure crumbled.

Leonard looked pained and Came around to pull you into a hug, letting you cry on his blue shirt.

“I’m sorry my best friend is such an idiot,” he consoled. “Even for him this is s new low: Pulling his stupid martyr act and not even leavin’ so much as a goodbye. He’s gotta realize he’s got more than just the consequences to himself to consider now. I’m so sorry, Y/N. I’m assuming you two had a fight?”

“Knock down drag out,” you admitted, sniffling and wiping at your eyes. “He keeps harping on his captain’s duties and not wanting anyone to try and keep him from doing them; thus the secrecy.”

“Hmm, well if he hasn’t come around tonight, I’ll be glad to give him a talking to,” Len offered. “Goodness knows I don’t want the kid to ruin the best thing that ever happened to him.” He nodded to you.

You smiled weakly at him.

“You’re sweet, Len. I bet Carol’s a very happy woman.”

“I have my moments,” he said ruefully. “But I’ve learned a thing or two from my mistakes. If you need a place to crash for a couple nights, feel free to ask Christine. I know she enjoys your girls nights.”

“Thanks, Len,” you said gratefully. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jim, meanwhile, was lying in solitude, trying to watch a favorite holovid and unable to give it attention because of his inner turmoil and regret. He knew he’d screwed up and he was feeling horrible for causing you such hurt. He’d been so focused on Spock not finding out and stopping him, that he’d been extremely secretive, to the point of lying and he realized just how large a mistake he’d made.

The lingering pain of his healing wounds was nothing compared to the pain of knowing what he’d done to you.

All he could hope for was that you would eventually comeback and hear his apology. He’d willingly sleep on the couch for the next year, Eat nothing but salads, and take his hypos willingly as penance if necessary.

Glumly, he did the few things he was allowed to do (paperwork) and spent the day resting. He was jolted out of his nap when he felt the pain in his abdomen return. He’d had major surgery there and it was obvious he was due for more pain meds, but he couldn’t move and get more as he was hurting to much.

He thought about calling Bones, but before he got his comm open, you were at his side.

“What’s wrong, Jim?”

“Need pain meds,” He gritted out. “Please?”

“Of course,” you nodded brusquely and went to get another hypo. You certainly weren’t going to let your husband suffer, no matter how mad at him you were. Jim watched from afar, trying to gauge your mood. The anger seemed to have dissipated, leaving behind sadness and exhaustion. He held his neck perfectly still for the hypo and sighed gratefully.

“Thank you so much, sweetheart,” he said. “You’d have every right to leave me writhing in agony after what I did. I’m deeply sorry for my lying and thoughtlessness. If I’d have been in your shoes, I’d have been every bit as hurt. I love you with all my heart and I hope you’ll be able to forgive me.”

You looked at Jim, bruised and scarred, eyes showing just how contrite he really was and you sighed, annoyed at how easily he could melt hearts.

“Dang you and those puppy eyes!” You muttered.

“Jim, you know there’s no way I won’t forgive you, but I’m gonna be annoyed with you for a few days at least,” you sighed, placing the empty hypo on the bedside tray. You’ve got to start trusting people not to try to interfere. If you’ve got to fight someone way bigger than yourself to save the crew, I prefer to have some knowledge of what’s going down, even though it terrifies me.”

“I’ll remember that,” he promised, taking one of your hands in his and caressing it. “I don’t deserve you, Y/N. Thanks for putting up with me.”

“Just.....don’t do it again, okay?” You implored, leaning down to lightly kiss his lips.

“The nearly dying part, I can’t promise, but the lying, I never will do again,” he said. “I love you, babe.”

“I love you too, Jim,” you returned. “Now rest up because Len’s gonna be here soon to check up on you and I’d better tidy up so he doesn’t make cracks about this place being a pigsty. You’ve given us a bad reputation.”

Jim’s smile returned “who me?” He joked.

“Yes, you, you adorable knucklehead.” You shot back.

Yeah, there were still issues to work out, but you felt sure Jim meant what he’d said and would be willing to have a plan in place to prevent such miscommunication from happening again. Despite his rash decision making and annoying Martyr tendencies, he really was willing to make amends and do better.

@goingknowherewastaken @wickedsingularity @thefanficfaerie @musikat18

[calacuspr]

Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Lewes FC & Gordon Elliott

Every Monday we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.

HIT – LEWES FC

Every year on International Women’s Day (IWD) we see organisations looking to align themselves with topics such as gender equality, female empowerment, and fighting bias. 

The theme for IWD 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge, encouraging individuals and businesses to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements to help create an inclusive world.

While it’s easy to produce words on the importance of such issues, it’s the organisations that have proved they are committed to enforcing change that have the most credibility in this space.

East Sussex football club Lewes FC offer a perfect example after the fan-owned club promised equal investment, support and pay for their women’s and men’s teams in 2017. Four years on, Lewes are still the only club in Europe to have taken the stance.

This unique selling point has made Lewes an attractive employer to work for, with former England star Claire Rafferty joining the club as a non-executive director and Equal Playing Field co-founder Maggie Murphy taking on the role of general manager.

“For me, there wasn’t any other football club that I was interested in joining. It wasn’t really about football, it was about changing football,” Murphy explained in an interview with The Guardian.

“Joining the club, a little bit was about putting my money where my mouth was and to try and see if it’s possible to create a better type of club. Lewes had already done all the hard work, they’d already established the equality principle in 2017. So for me, this was like, well, let’s see where I can help to take it next.

“Football has so much potential to influence and impact culture. If we don’t engage with football as a vehicle for social change, we’ll get there, we’ll get wherever we’re trying to go, but we might just get there 10 years later than if we had used football as that vehicle first, because in this country it is so powerful.”

In December, Lewes benefited from a six-figure investment from fashion company Lyle & Scott, with the ground-breaking collaboration helping provide the club with funds for new players and enabling grassroots community outreach and the development of club facilities.

“The fact that they were willing to back us with such an investment in the middle of a pandemic was a huge validation for us of everything we’ve been putting into place for so many years.

“In the US, in the summer, fans were buying [National Women’s Soccer League sponsor] Budweiser to give to the Houston Dash players. Women’s football fans are very loyal to brands that back the product.”

Lewes FC offer a perfect example of an organisation benefiting from success that has stemmed from putting purpose at the heart of everything they do.

Results on the pitch have also improved with the team accruing more points in the 2020-21 season than in any previous campaign, however, it is the way that the club has communicated its core values and key messages in recent years that has really resonated with their audience.

A BBC Sport study recently revealed that the overwhelming majority of sports now offer equal winning prize money to men and women at the top level, but the biggest gap remains in football, and by some distance.

The hope is that other clubs will begin to follow the lead of Lewes and take action to provide female athletes with the same opportunities as their male counterparts, or as Rafferty commented: “I hope one day we don’t have to have special days and every single day is International Women’s Day.”

MISS – GORDON ELLIOTT

There is regular debate about the well-being of horses through their participation in horseracing and high-profile deaths at marquee racing events.

The British Horseracing Authority understandably goes to great lengths to underline its commitment to horse welfare and says: “Responsibility for the care of our animals rests with everyone in the sport. British horseracing is run by people with a deep love of horses.”

So the reputation of the entire sport has been rocked over the past week with photos emerging of three-time Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott which showed him sitting on a dead horse.

Elliott did the right thing, making a statement on Twitter in which he explained the context for the image and promising to co-operate with The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) investigation.

He said: “I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused. I can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed.

While the way you react to a crisis often has a bearing on its longer-term consequences, it does not guarantee that those involved can come out unscathed.

The story has had devastating consequences with Elliott's yard sponsor eCOMM Merchant Solutions terminating their contract with the trainer.

Betfair also ended their sponsorship of Elliott last week, with a spokesperson for the firm saying: “While we recognise that Gordon deeply regrets and apologised unreservedly for his poor judgement his actions are completely at odds with the values of the Betfair brand and that of our employees. With that in mind, we have decided to discontinue our association with Gordon with immediate effect.”

Gigginstown House Stud, one of Ireland’s leading owners groups, said it will continue to support Elliott with joint-owner Michael O'Leary, backing the trainer despite his error

In a statement, O'Leary said: “The care and welfare of all our horses comes first with all our trainers. Sadly, from time to time our horses suffer injuries and/or fatalities and we expect all such cases to be treated with the care and attention they deserve.

“We accept that the photograph was a grievous but momentary lapse of judgement from Gordon, and not in keeping with our 15-year experience of his concern for and attention to the welfare of our horses. We all make mistakes, and what is important is that we learn from them and ensure we do not repeat them. We accept Gordon's profound, sincere and unreserved apology, and we will continue to support him and his team at Cullentra as they work to recover from this deeply regrettable incident.”

The story has taken on national importance, with Irish Sports Minister Jack Chambers admitting that Elliott should at least be barred from taking part at the Cheltenham racing festival in late March. 

Mr Chambers said: “I think he needs to be held fully accountable. I think anyone who saw it was shocked by it and we need to uphold the highest animal welfare standards in Ireland. 

“Any and every sanction should be on the table. It is important. We have a significant amount of equestrian activity in Ireland and we need to set a really high bar when it comes to welfare standards.” 

The British Horseracing Authority said it was "appalled" by the image and banned Elliott from saddling runners in Britain while the investigation was undertaken.

Elliott was subsequently banned from racing by an IHRB hearing for 12 months with six suspended and was also ordered to pay costs of €15,000.

The IHRB stated: “We consider that a suspension of Mr Elliott’s training licence is merited. In all of the circumstances of this case, to reflect the seriousness of the offence and the damage to the Irish racing industry, to deter other offences of this nature and having taken into account the mitigating factors we have heard we consider the period should be 12 months however the last six months of this will be suspended.”

Elliott made another statement after the verdict and said that he “will carry the burden of my transgressions for the rest of my career,” adding: “I will never again disrespect a horse living or dead and I will not tolerate it in others.”

However that ban looked toothless at the weekend when it emerged that Elliott’s horses could run under another trainer, Denise Foster, with a tweet from the stables, later deleted, saying that “Gordon will be available to assist her as she requires.”

Animal Aid Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall, admitted that the sport’s reputation had been hugely undermined by the verdict.

“Animal Aid’s dismay at this pathetically small level of punishment, follows the initial shock when the disgraceful images first appeared. The Board’s decision lacks integrity and backbone and has failed the horses who are the real victims of this industry. This shows that the industry cannot self-regulate horse welfare – there needs to be a separate and independent welfare regulator that can impose its own sanction on the industry and upon individuals within that.

“A key question which needed answering before the image emerged, and still does, is why are young horses dying in training. Morgan, whose lifeless body was treated with such contempt by Elliott, was just seven years old. He was a victim of racing, without a doubt.”

The sport suffered a further blow when a video of a jockey sitting on another dead horse was circulated on social media.

Rob James, who rode the Elliott-trained Milan Native to victory at the Cheltenham Festival last year, said he was “heartbroken by the damage” he had caused.

“To try defending my stupidity at the time would add further insult and hurt to the many loyal people that have supported me during my career. I have caused embarrassment to my employers, my family and most importantly the sport I love. I am heartbroken by the damage I have caused and will do my best to try and make amends to those hurt by my conduct.”

With horse welfare such a key issue, the actions of individuals can have a devastating effect on the wider reputation of the sport and it will take more than social media apologies to recover.