#avoiding change order risk

[asestimationsconsultants]

How a Construction Cost Estimating Service Helps Minimize Project Risk

Risk is an unavoidable part of construction—but with the right tools and expertise, it can be effectively managed. One of the most proactive ways to reduce risk early in a project is by hiring a professional construction cost estimating service. From budgeting to procurement, these services create financial clarity that helps avoid delays, disputes, and cost overruns.

What Are the Main Risks in Construction?

Common project risks include:

Budget overruns

Scope creep

Material and labor shortages

Unforeseen site conditions

Poor contractor pricing

Scheduling delays

Each of these risks can lead to added costs, contractual disputes, or missed deadlines. An experienced estimator helps manage and reduce these variables from day one.

How Estimating Services Reduce Risk

Accurate Budget Forecasting By analyzing drawings, specifications, and historical cost data, estimators deliver realistic budgets that reduce the chance of surprise expenses.

Contingency Planning Estimates often include contingency percentages to account for design changes, market volatility, or hidden conditions. This buffer helps prevent budget shocks.

Detailed Takeoffs and Cost Breakdowns By providing itemized quantities and pricing for materials and labor, estimators eliminate guesswork. Contractors and clients alike benefit from clear scope alignment.

Market-Specific Cost Data Estimators use regional pricing data to ensure the estimate reflects actual market conditions—critical for preventing underbidding or underfunding.

Bid Analysis and Comparison Some services assist in reviewing contractor bids, helping clients identify errors or inflated pricing before contracts are signed.

Scenario Planning and Value Engineering Estimators can present alternative design or material choices that lower cost without sacrificing quality—adding flexibility to respond to unforeseen issues.

Who Benefits from This Risk Management?

Homeowners with tight budgets

Commercial developers with financing milestones

Government agencies with strict cost controls

General contractors managing multiple trades

Architects needing early-stage cost guidance

Conclusion

Construction cost estimating services do far more than generate numbers—they provide critical risk-reducing insights that support sound decision-making. By identifying potential financial pitfalls early, estimators help ensure projects stay on track, on budget, and on time.

[teaboot]

Things you can do as a security guard instead of acting like a dickhead: a vent post disguised as advice

Offer alternatives: IE, “Sorry, nobody’s allowed to hang out over there, but we have seats over here you’re welcome to use”. I recommend getting familiar with local parks, public seating, free food programs, outreach, mobile aid, etc., just in case those are needed.

Be polite: IE, “Excuse me, sir”, “I beg your pardon, miss”. This should go without saying but everyone deserves dignity.

Avoid phrasing requests as orders: IE, “Don’t stand in front of that” VS “Excuse me, could you move a bit to the side?”. This works best with an explanation, like, “There’s a sign behind you”, or, “you might get clipped by someone”. This helps communicate that you are asking for a reason, not just throwing your weight around. If you don’t have a reason, rethink whether or not you need to be doing anything.

Avoid directing blame or fault. Don’t say, “The owner says you gotta go” when you could say, “I’m not supposed to let people be here for X period” or “do X thing”. Again, try to have alternatives ready so people can use other resources or do something else instead of just abruptly changing plans.

Come from a place of compassion whenever you can. People are gonna tell you to get rid of the crazy screaming guy. They say that because they’re frightened and don’t know what to do. Your best approach is, “Hello sir”, followed by, “How are you today?”, “how’s it going?”, “are you doing alright?”, etc., depending on what the person is ACTUALLY doing / saying when you get there. You can offer help from there if needed, or leave them alone if they’re not in danger or a risk to anyone.

Remember you’re not a cop. This can mean whatever you need it to mean. For me personally, that means that with incredibly rare exception (like trying to sell to kids, contaminating other’s food or drink) I won’t report you for drugs. If I find you doing drugs on my site I’ll tell you a different place where you can do them instead and ask you to do them there. I have interrupted drug deals to ask the client and the salesman to both kindly move 15 feet to the left, I’m not kidding, I do not care.

Know who you can throw under the bus. Sometimes you gotta enforce rules and be the bad guy and if that’s the fault of some dipshit in a suit 200 miles away, you can say that. Sorry man, I can’t let you park your car on the lawn. I know you’re not hurting anyone and frankly I think lawn culture is stupid but there’s other parking stalls and if my boss sees you I’ll get a write-up for not doing my job. Shit sucks sometimes but if it wasn’t me telling you it’d be the new guy, and between you and me he’s an idiot and he’ll probably just report you to bylaw.

Don’t just act like you’re their friend, genuinely try to be a good friend. If you know that someone is doing something that will only result in a bystander phoning police, don’t let them go down like that. Let them know, “hey man, you seem like you’re having a shit time and I get it, I’ll do what I can, but we gotta have this conversation somewhere else ‘cause we’re freaking out the old ladies.”

Swallow your tongue. You can’t fix the world. People are gonna bitch at you about communists and 5G and gangster rap ruining the neighbourhood, that’s just part of the deal. Nod along, remain neutral, shut down any hate speech, redirect if you can, and keep a limit in mind where you’ll have to shut things down.

Accept that sometimes there are no solutions. Yes, that angry guy who blasts music will be back tomorrow. That homeless woman who asks you to help her find her dog that she hasn’t had in 30 years will ask again, and yes, you’re still going to take a description and promise to keep an eye out. That kid who smokes crack behind the building has been clean for a few weeks and still stops by to say hi, and you hope he’ll get his life together and be happy, but he also might relapse and OD before he hits 25. Sometimes you just have to do the best you can, even if nothing is guaranteed.

Be kind to teenagers. Being a kid is hard, and everyone’s on their ass all the damn time for everything.

Remember that the vast majority of bad people aren’t bad, just unhappy. The guy who keeps showing up drunk and puking on the carpet is unhappy. The lady who bitches about the service every single time and keeps coming back anyway is unhappy. The guy who leaves trash everywhere is probably unhappy. If they were happy, maybe they’d do better, but they’re not, and that’s kinda sad. You don’t have to let them get away with their shit, but they probably aren’t actually a worthless human being either.

It doesn’t matter if 12 is true or not. You need to believe it or you will become a harsh and bitter person. Look for evidence that people are not terrible and invent it if you have to

Don’t let yourself become a bastard

[rawme-price]

We need a part two of the malnourished gator!reader plsss 🙏

(no rush tho)

On it boss🫡👍

Malnourished gator!reader who spent the rest of the day and night in the private medical room, not allowing any visitors. They give you an IV drip for essential vitamins, and you think that's it, but a nurse comes in with a clipboard. She asks you alot of questions, ones you personally know are for risk assessment for things like eating disorders and suicide. You've learned from ur mistakes in high school, though, carefully crafting ur responses to be acceptable without a blatant lie.

Do you find urself obsessing over food? No, not at all. Do you deliberately avoid certain foods over others? Well i have foods i dont like, but so does everybody. Do you hold a poor self-image? I dont mind myself, I like the way I am.

All carefully practiced, trimmed and clipped from times you prefer to forget. Its actually pretty easy, falling into that mindset. Something about the sterile white room, the slightly judgemental look of the nurse, the tug of the IV in your arm. It feels oddly nostalgic in a way you know wont end well.

Ur handed a handful of pamphlets, the nurse rattling on about dietary changes. You dont pay attention, really, until suddenly "Alright, im going to let captain price know he can come back. The rest of this treatment is relevant to him."

You have to stop urself from shooting up, mindful of the IV and the fact ur still very dizzy. Besides, shes already human and humans hate when you make sudden moves. "What?! No, he doesnt need to know about this." You hiss, frantic. The nurse doesnt listen, and in seconds a knock is sounding at the door. How did he get here so fast?

The next half-hour is mortifying. The nurse goes over with price the exact details of everything ur expected to eat, and u can tell by the set of his jaw that he'll make sure it happens. This feels horrible. Having to be fed like a child? Seriously?

It makes you want to lash out, but the more reasonable part of ur brain tells u not to. So you endure and stay silent, and stay that way the entire walk to ur room. You dont care if the silent treatment is childish, you cant stomach the thought of talking to price or gaz right now. Even as price talks to you, tail swaying and letting out the occasional snuff, you dont react. Or when gaz shows up near ur room, chirping a greeting and asking if ur okay. You just duck into ur room, lock the door, but you can sense gaz a bit farther out, hovering.

So u pace and pace ur room, tight circles in the center from where you pushed everything against the walls. Its horrible, you cant rest properly or even sit down. Will they make you eat in front of them? Will you have to eat in front of the other soldiers on base? You dont think you can even stomach the amount of food discussed.

Something horrible and rancid is blooming in ur chest again, sprouting through the mud, the seed planted years ago. You feel uprooted in a way you never did back home. You look down at ur claws, at ur scales, feeling too monstrous to even exist in this body.

You cant do anything, so you pace and pace and pace. The one time you tried to leave ur room gaz was coincidentally down the hall. So you just...dont leave the rest of the day. Or. That was the plan until a knock came to ur door.

"its price, kid. Lunch time, doctors orders. Come out." Hes blunt, gruff. He sounds like hes willing to force you out, but you feel frozen in fear and anxiety.

[michanvalentine]

I was thinking about what Spawn Astarion says when Tav/Durge hints at leaving him: “Oh, shit, did I do something wrong?”

I’ve often seen people interpret this line as proof of how low Astarion’s self-esteem is—how he immediately assumes that it must be because of something he did wrong or something fundamentally flawed about him. And that’s absolutely true. But I also think this statement reveals just how much he has actually grown and changed compared to before.

Throughout the adventure, Astarion has consistently avoided accusations or responsibility for many things.

• “Killed is such a strong word. Not many corpses have your vigor,” he says when he loses control during the bite scene.

• “Don’t look at me like that—Cazador’s orders,” he tells the Gur children when they confront him about his actions.

• “It’s just six of them, and they’re vampire spawn,” he says about his siblings.

• “I’d have bedded you three times over by now if you were normal,” he tells Karlach during their first night together, shifting the blame onto her.

• “They’re as good as dead, they’re starving, they’ll cause a massacre,” he argues when justifying sacrificing the souls to Mephistopheles.

He deflects, downplays, and avoids responsibility.

But when Tav/Durge hints at leaving him? Astarion doesn’t hide. He doesn’t deflect. He directly asks if he did something wrong—even at the risk of hearing yes, that he actually did.

That’s not a small thing. To me, it shows openness, a willingness to be vulnerable, to take responsibility, and to accept the possibility of being hurt. It’s not just his low self-esteem talking—it’s also the courage and strength he has gained.

And that’s it, I just wanted to share this little thought of mine about this line.

[kabr0ztrousers]

hey could you write about a pussy portal? with whatever monster you feel like! also could it be semi-public (public but hidden)? also knotting is appreciated!

Kabr0z Writes episode 53: Hornyposting

Find the rest of the Kabr0z Writes anthology here!

CWs: portal sex; knotting; public sex; cum in vagina; unknown male; freeuse; recieving cunnilingus; age gap; implied impregnation; interspecies; portal fucking

A/N: I do love writing portal fucking, though I'm not sure I understood the prompt properly on this one, so enjoy reading about fem!reader being fucked by a knotted cock while falling to avoid notice

Also, any requests etc, please drop an ask!

#######################################

When you bought something called a "telepresence glory hole" you weren't honestly expecting what you got. It arrived OK, and came with a phonebook of a disclaimer which you didn't bother reading. What was really interesting was, it actually seemed legit. In the box you got a pair of panties, and a handheld device that looked kinda like a fleshlight. Both had strange disks integrated to them made of some kind of metal. You spent the next hour going through the manual, registering them to a phone app and generating a friend code.

Testing went without a hitch, you plugged the friend code into the app, and the link established with a faint buzz. Next came the fun part. You broke the link, before taking to the internet. Would you believe there's a whole community centred around these things?

You got changed, a nice sundress to go out in, those panties underneath. A quick picture later and you posted your selfie and your code, out in the aether. You set off, walking to the cafe, locking the app as you left. For the next 4 hours, you're open for business.

The bell on the café door jingled as it opened. The local corporate chain, you weren't going to risk getting chucked out of a café you actually liked, but even if the coffee sucked here the wifi's free and there's plenty of people around. You joined the back of the line and inched towards the counter.

You felt a draft down below. A breath across your cunt. There were still a few people ahead of you. A shiver ran up your spine, it's starting already.

A wide tongue grazed your outer lips, starting slowly. You tensed your cunt a little to egg whoever this was on. You'd said in your post that you were up for any guy to give you a fuck, though maybe you hadn't mentioned what you'd be up to in the meantime... But that's very much what things like this were designed for, nobody's wearing these for a quiet night in.

The tongue came again, holding back a little less this time, coating the outside of your pussy in drool as it licked up and down your-

"Hi! What can I get for you?" The rictus grin of the cashier snapped you out of your thoughts

"C-cappuchino please. Large" you stammered out, speaking fast to try and avoid your voice giving you away.

You paid noiselessly, tapping your card on the machine which beeped compliantly before stepping over to the other counter with your receipt and the order number printed on it.

The tongue got more aggressive. Your knee buckled as it circled your clit. You squeezed your eyes shut a moment as it threatened to slip into your eager hole. You leaned on a low wall behind you, trying to look nonchalant as you checked your forum post.

WolfDaddy1969 had replied to you "Don't need to tell me twice" was this the person so diligently licking you out? He didn't have a profile picture. God, but whoever this was, they're good with their tongue. You rolled your head backwards in ecstasy, trying to disguise it by rubbing the back of your neck, but the quiet whimper you gave drew the eye of the suited woman beside you as she stepped forward to grab a tray of paper cups.

"Order 42, large cappuccino, regular milk"

Your legs threatened to betray you as you as you stepped up and took the almost litre cup of coffee with your order number stuck to it. You turned to try and find a table, almost stumbling as you did. The movement was shifting your pussy lips, moving them subtly against one another as the tongue pushed between them. You fell into a seat, legs spread. You could feel moisture leaking around the edges of the portal, the combination of drool and your pussy juice starting to slick your crotch.

The tongue had barely let up before you felt something else pressing against you. Hard and drooling, there was no mistaking it. You'd been with a lupine before, you knew how they start squirting precum almost as soon as you get them hard. You imagined it, if this wolf really was born in the late 60's then he'd have been in his thirties before you were even conceived... It turned you on knowing this cock was old enough to be your father.

He pushed in, or maybe down? Your pussy making up the business end of the toy he was fucking himself with. He slid in easily. Your toes curled in your shoes as you gripped the table in front of you, clenching your teeth as he started fucking you properly. He angled his toy, only slightly but enough that you could feel him thrust up into your g-spot before continuing into you. Despite your efforts, you could feel yourself making small, choked sounds with every thrust. His thumb hit your clit. You groaned as your legs started to shake, failing to hide your release as people started to take notice. A mix of worried and disgusted looks fixed upon you, some people clearly having an idea of what was happening.

The cock filled you up. The clenching of your aching cunt getting to the cock inside you. You felt the knit start to inflate. It was pulsing so deliciously, your mouth sagged open in a silent wail of delight and release.

The cashier from before was next to you "I think you should leave" his smile was gone, he just looked tired.

You nodded and got up, The movement of your legs rolling the swollen knot inside you, forcing you to walle away, your drink forgotten as you tried to ignore the mix of arousal and cum dripping down your legs.

The outside air was cold on your skin, the wetness covering your thighs stinging as it cooled in the brisk February air. At least you're within walking distance of home, though it's anyone's guess if you'd get back before the wolf was done with you.

He was still using you to jerk off, the knot thrusting up and down as you tried to walk, dictating the rhythm of your steps. You weren't hiding your noises any more either, there were fewer people on the suburban streets, but every one of them knew you had something going on down there. Some hurried on, some threw dirty looks, one or two gave wolf whistles and catcalls, only making you wetter.

You were halfway home when the knot started twisting in you, this way and that. You grabbed a lamppost as you moaned out, trying desperately to keep from falling as your knees gave way and your cunt gave another squirt of girlcum. He turned his cock again and again, feeling how you clenched and milked his knot, wringing every morsel of cum from him, before withdrawing with a pop.

That tongue came back. You slid down the pole, landing on your knees as the wolf licked deep inside you, tasting his cum as it mixed with your essence. You could swear it hit your cervix as you groaned and whined for all to see.

The tongue withdrew. The portal shut off and you were alone again, leaking onto the floor underneath you. You staggered to your feet, still clinging to the street furniture as you got your breath back. Legs still shaking, pussy still twitching, you got home.

The portal buzzed to life again. You checked your post. You'd been pinned to the front page, it looks like WolfDaddy left you a glowing review "10/10, tight pussy, would impregnate again"

You were going to have a lot of fun with this

#################################

There's a little narrative dissonance between where it started and where it went here, but I thought it shook out pretty well, and you're not here for tight editing.

As always, any requests, ideas, thoughts, questions or fanmail is appreciated! My DMs and asks remain open for use!

Also, see below for a surprise poll!

[allsteddie]

And what about a soulmate AU where everyone sees in black and white until they finally touch their soulmate for the first time?

Steve is disappointed when nothing changes after he and Nancy start dating, and even more disappointed when Nancy and Jonathan turn out to be soulmates not long after she breaks up with Steve.

He goes in a lot of dates, with a lot of girls, makes sure to always touch them somehow to see if something happens. Still nothing.

Then one day he’s working at Scoops Ahoy when Eddie Munson walks in, a bunch of his nerdy friends tagging along. Robin is on her break, so it’s just Steve there to deal with everybody’s orders. Fifteen minutes, a lot of arguing between the nerds and four satisfied customers later, Eddie hands Steve a couple of bills to pay for everyone’s ice cream and that is the moment Steve’s life changes.

Their fingers brush and, suddenly, his black and white world explode in color. It’s so overwhelming the money slips from his hand and Steve has to grab the counter to steady himself, the world around him seeming to spin.

“Hey, Eddie, are you okay?” one of the nerds (Gareth?) asks.

Steve blinks, still dizzy and trying to understand what the hell is going on. When he lifts his head, he sees Eddie pretty much in the same state as him, two of his friends holding him up and supporting him as the man looks dazzled, the third one holding his forgotten ice cream and looking lost and distressed.

“What the fuck did you do to him, Harrington?”

But Steve can’t bring himself to say anything, he’s too busy freaking the fuck out. Because Eddie Munson is his soulmate, apparently. Eddie fucking Munson. What kind of joke is that!?

“Get off me,” Eddie says, pushing his friends away until he’s standing by himself.

He’s still struggling, that’s quite clear, but Eddie Munson has always been stubborn and has always refused to show any kind of weakness. He’s not gonna start doing it in front of Steve of all people.

“Look, man,” Steve starts, not really knowing what to say, but needing to say something. Eddie doesn’t let him finish, though.

“No, shut up. Don’t even start,” he says, fierce. If looks could kill, Steve would be dead right now. “I don’t wanna hear anything, I refuse. Fuck this. It doesn’t change a single thing, you hear me? It changes nothing.”

“And who says I want it to change anything? You’re not exactly my dream come true, Munson.”

“Fuck you.”

“Fuck you.”

“You wish, Harrington.”

“What is happening here?” another one of Eddie’s friends whispers to the others, who are just as confused.

“Shut up, you too!” Eddie snaps at them. He takes a last look at Steve, then turns his back. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Steve watches as Munson marches out of the shop, his friends trailing behind him and trying to catch up with his pace, and that’s all he can do; watch. Because what else would he do? Ask Munson to wait so they can talk about the fact that they are fucking soulmates? As if. Steve would rather flush his own head in the toilet.

After that, they avoid each other like the plague. And if not knowing who his soulmate was had been bad, knowing it is not much better. Steve still can’t understand how the universe, or whatever force chooses this soulmate shit, came to the conclusion that Eddie Munson would be his perfect match. For the first time in his life, Steve wonders if these things could be wrong somehow; if maybe some soulmates were just not meant to be.

The next time Steve sees Eddie, the man is holding a broken bottle to his neck and threatening to kill him. Eddie is terrified, eyes frantic and the hand holding the bottle is trembling, and Steve is so relieved he’s okay he would probably hug him if the risk of getting stabbed wasn’t so high.

“We’re on your side,” Dustin pleads. “I swear on my mother. Right, guys?”

And there’s a change there, in Eddie’s eyes. A flicker of recognition and hope as he looks at Steve before letting him go. The others don’t notice, but Steve does. He’s hyperaware of everything Eddie does, every small movement and look. He sees the nervous fidgeting and the touch of hysteria in Eddie’s words, but also the trust the other man shows when he agrees with Dustin’s plans, and how it helps him with the anxiety. And it’s weird for Steve, being so in tune with whatever is going on in Eddie’s mind that he can actually read the guy like a book, but is also comforting somehow.

By the time Dustin finishes explaining his plan, Steve’s not so sure the universe was trying to fuck with him when it chose Eddie as his soulmate. Not anymore.

[frailsituation]

Tips for writing internal conflict

1. Define the Core Dilemma

• Internal conflict occurs when a character faces a choice or emotional struggle within themselves. This dilemma should challenge their values or identity.

• How? The struggle should feel deeply personal and tied to the character’s motivations.

• Example: A character who values independence but must rely on others in a life-or-death situation.

2. Make it tied to their core values

• The conflict should challenge what the character holds dear—whether it’s their morals, desires, or goals.

• How? The inner conflict should push the character to re-evaluate their beliefs and priorities.

• Example: A soldier torn between duty and personal ethics, forced to choose between following orders and doing what’s right.

3. Amplify with external consequences

• Link internal conflict to external consequences that impact the character and those around them. The choices they face should have significant repercussions.

• How? Show how the character’s internal conflict influences their decisions in the real world.

• Example: A character haunted by guilt must choose whether to admit their past mistakes, risking their career and relationships.

4. Show the pressure building over time

• Internal conflict intensifies when it’s compounded by time, increasing stakes, or mounting external pressure.

• How? Create scenes where the character feels the weight of their choices growing heavier with every passing moment.

• Example: A character whose addiction threatens to ruin their life, struggling to break free but tempted by old habits every day.

5. Conflict arises from competing desires

• Internal conflict often stems from having two equally strong desires that cannot coexist.

• How? Put your character in situations where they must choose between these desires, both of which seem vital.

• Example: A character torn between pursuing their dream job across the country or staying to care for a dying parent.

6. Explore their fears and insecurities

• Internal conflict can also be driven by the character’s deepest fears or insecurities, which affect their actions and decisions.

• How? Fear of failure, rejection, or loss can prevent them from acting, making every decision feel like a battle.

• Example: A character who has been hurt before refuses to let anyone in, even though they deeply crave connection.

7. The power of self-sabotage

• Let the character’s internal conflict lead to self-sabotage. They may avoid decisions or create obstacles to protect themselves from facing their own feelings.

• How? Show how the character's fear or internal resistance undermines their progress.

• Example: A character constantly pushes away someone they care about because they fear their own vulnerability.

8. Use internal dialogue to show the battle

• Let readers hear the character’s internal struggle through thoughts, doubts, or justifications. Internal dialogue can make the conflict feel more immediate and real.

• How? Keep the internal dialogue sharp, reflective, and in line with the character’s voice.

• Example: “I want to tell them the truth, but what if they leave? Can I really risk that?”

9. Drive change through resolution

• The internal conflict should lead to growth or change in the character. They should evolve, learn, or make peace with their internal struggle.

• How? The resolution should feel earned and reflect the character’s journey.

• Example: A character who fears commitment learns to trust and embrace vulnerability in the face of love.

10. Let it affect the bigger picture

• The resolution of internal conflict should impact the story’s larger arc, showing how the character’s inner change leads to progress or a new direction.

• How? The resolution should tie back to the theme and forward momentum of the plot.

• Example: A character who learns to forgive themselves is able to take the final step in reconciling with a loved one, mending broken relationships.

Follow for more!

[astrolook]

👩‍❤️‍👨Spouse Observations🌈

Note: These are all my personal observations and patterns I've noticed over the years. Take what resonates with you more and leave the rest. Lemme know in the comments if it hits home!

If 7th lord Sun is in 5H, spouse might be the eldest or the only child in their family. A protective spouse and would be a strict parent to your children. Spouse would be educated and could be in a high ranking position or hold certain authority over people at work. Spouse would be attracting a lot of attention from the opposite sex as well. They're definitely a whole package when it comes to marriage.

If 7th lord Mercury Rx is in 3H, spouse can have a bad handwriting and may have little to no friends. Spouse would look a lot like their father and can be wearing glasses since childhood.

If 7th lord Moon is in 10th house, spouse would be the favorite child for their mom. Spouse would support your goals and would help you with your career just by being there for you. You can rely on them completely. Spouse would be dependable and would expect you to be close with their mother.

If 7th lord Moon is in 11H, spouse would resemble a lot like their grandma/grandpa. They can be overly sensitive at times and gets frustrated and irritated when surrounded by people or in crowds in general. Spouse might even avoid family gatherings or leave as soon as possible.

If 7th lord Venus is in 8H, spouse would be mysterious, secretive and beautiful / handsome. You might meet them when you hit rock bottom in your life or going through a bad or depressive phase of your life. Spouse would be wealthier than you and it points to someone, you, taking risks and everything in order to have that person in your life like leaving a bad circumstances, becoming sober, giving up bad habits, cut off ties with certain people, changing your career direction,etc.

If 7th lord Mars is in 1H, spouse would approach you and they would be the chaser in a bit over the top way. They might nag you at times and you're constantly on their head. A half of their day would be spent thinking about you and plotting different ways to woo you or to be with you. They might be a little bit clingy and bit possessive as well.

If 7th lord is Jupiter Rx, spouse might be an alcoholic or into drugs or be having certain addiction. However, after meeting you they either get sober or get into extremes, depending on other placements. This also indicated that spouse would be wasting their time on things and people that don't serve them and can be surrounded by enablers or people who take advantage of them. Interestingly, your spouse would be self aware to know this but still goes with the flow. That's the beauty of Jupiter Rx.

If 7th lord is Saturn, spouse would be matured but can restrict you at times, depending on the house it sits. Saturn in 3rd, restricts the way you communicate with others. Saturn in 9th, spouse won't travel much faraway from home. If so, they travel alone. Saturn in 11th, decides your network and other connections.

If 7th lord is Saturn Rx, spouse would be a homebody. Smart worker. Can be lazy at times and wants things the easy way. Saturn Rx in 1st, spouse wants you to accompany them everywhere and you end up having a lot on your plate. Saturn Rx in 4th, spouse might resign their job and might become a stay-at-home partner. Saturn Rx in 10th, spouse's career takes off in their 30s and can get into lot of trouble at work. Spouse can become unemployed for sometime in their late 20s or early 30s.

If 7th lord is Venus, your spouse would be beautiful/handsome than their peers.

If 7th lord Mercury is in 12H, spouse would have the ability to understand things that's beyond our physical realm. Spouse might even be an astrologer/tarot reader, psychic, ghost writer or in the movie-industry, etc. Spouse would talk in their sleep as well. They would be interested in the paranormal and strange phenomenons. Spouse can hide certain things about their interests/hobbies fearing they would be deemed crazy. Can indicate mental health issues in some cases. A foreigner.

If 7th lord Mars is in 8H, spouse would be multifaceted and it's like living with 5 people at the same time. High libido. Can be stubborn in what they want and can be "my way or the highway" type. Spouse can run into lot of trouble involving finances, in extreme cases, can get arrested and serve jail time.

If 7th lord is Mercury Rx, spouse would be prone to migraines/headaches, can either stutter or wear glasses or think of 250 words all at once and ends up speaking very little. Spouse can have the habit of biting their nails or their hands might sweat a lot of they're nervous. Spouse might have an eating disorder, in some cases. In some cases, OCD. Spouse can have dark circles under their eyes. Can be good at drawing and a late bloomer for sure.

✨🔍Wanna dive deeper into your chart's layers? 🌙💬 Check out my pinned post for pricing and more info 💫💸

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

why taking commissions for fanfics can KILL Archive of Our Own and fanfic culture as a whole

okay, so thing is, fanfics are allowed — as in they’re not banned — because nobody is supposed to be profiting off of copyrighted characters.

this is why popular site like Archive of Our Own is allowed to be up and running, because no one is supposed to be making money from fanfics.

the fact AO3 is allowed to be up and running, unfortunately, can and will most likely change if people start normalizing commissioning fanfics and making profit off of them.

because the second those big companies learn people are profiting off of their copyrighted characters, the target they will attack after you (in terms of legal action) is a platform like Archive of Our Own, which will likely ruin it all for everybody and every fandom.

imagine Archive of Our Own getting shut down because fanfics were banned because people were profiting off of them. (I know AO3 isn’t only about fanfics, but since it’s mostly known for fanfics, it will most likely get targeted and that will most likely mean it’ll get shut down if worst comes to worst.)

honestly. most people write fanfics in their free time for free out of passion and love they have for their favorite characters.

people read fanfics for free because that’s their source of happiness.

I’m not saying there will be no fanfics left in this world if they really are banned, because people will always find a way. but it WILL be so much harder having to sneak around and find a way to post fanfics without them getting removed at best, the authors getting sued at worst. and it WILL be harder for readers to find your works if we have to censor key words and character names in order to avoid getting caught.

it’s so much easier like this, we can freely post fanfics without having to hide and censor key words or worrying about anything.

no, I’m not making this post for the sake of those big companies. this post isn’t about “hey, don’t profit off of their characters”. it’s about “hey, don’t risk ruining fanfics culture as a whole for everybody by profiting off of them and putting a platform like Archive of Our Own in jeopardy.”

if you don’t want to live in a fandom without AO3, keep fanfics free.

[asestimationsconsultants]

How a Construction Cost Estimating Service Helps Reduce Project Risks

Construction projects involve numerous risks that can impact budgets, timelines, and overall success. A professional construction cost estimating service plays a crucial role in identifying, quantifying, and mitigating these risks through precise financial forecasting and planning. This article explains how cost estimating services help reduce project risks and contribute to smoother construction management.

Identifying Cost Risks Early

A detailed construction cost estimate highlights potential financial risks by thoroughly analyzing project scope, material requirements, labor needs, and equipment usage. By identifying high-cost items and volatile pricing elements upfront, estimators allow stakeholders to prepare for uncertainties before breaking ground.

Accurate Budgeting and Contingency Planning

Accurate cost estimates help establish realistic budgets, which are fundamental for managing risk. Estimators include contingency allowances—reserved funds to cover unforeseen expenses such as design changes, delays, or unexpected site conditions. This financial buffer minimizes the chance of project stalls caused by funding shortages.

Managing Price Volatility

Material prices and labor rates can fluctuate rapidly due to market conditions, supply chain disruptions, or labor shortages. Construction cost estimating services monitor market trends and incorporate escalation factors in their estimates, allowing projects to anticipate and budget for price increases effectively.

Supporting Decision-Making and Value Engineering

With detailed cost data, project teams can make informed decisions about design choices and construction methods. Estimators provide value engineering options that reduce costs without compromising quality, thus lowering financial risks while maintaining project goals.

Improving Bid Evaluation

Accurate cost estimates provide benchmarks against which contractor bids can be compared. This helps owners and managers avoid low bids that might lead to cost overruns and ensures bids reflect realistic pricing, reducing the risk of selecting underqualified contractors.

Enhancing Schedule Risk Management

Estimators analyze how construction timelines influence costs, including potential expenses from accelerated schedules or weather delays. Understanding these impacts helps plan realistic timelines that balance cost and speed, mitigating risks related to rushed or extended projects.

Facilitating Transparent Communication

Detailed cost estimates serve as a common reference point among owners, architects, contractors, and financiers. This transparency reduces misunderstandings and fosters collaborative risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

FAQs

Can a construction cost estimating service prevent all project risks? While estimating services significantly reduce financial risks, they cannot eliminate all uncertainties like weather or unforeseen site issues.

How do contingency allowances work in cost estimates? Contingencies are percentage-based reserves added to estimates to cover unexpected costs. Their size depends on project complexity and risk factors.

Are cost estimates updated during construction to manage risks? Yes, estimates should be revised as design or site conditions change to maintain accurate risk assessments.

Conclusion

A construction cost estimating service is a vital tool for reducing financial and scheduling risks in construction projects. By providing detailed cost insights, contingency planning, and informed alternatives, these services support proactive risk management and contribute to successful project delivery.

[letters-to-lgbt-kids]

My dear lgbt+ kids, 

Someone requested „unhinged life advice“ and I will try my best to provide some - but firstly, and at the risk of sounding like a buzzkill, I need to say something very annoying: 

A lot of the things that’ll make you feel happier and make your life better are - frustratingly - very, very hinged. They’re just the things you expect them to be: try to eat at least some veggies, fruit and fiber. Try to drink enough water. Go to bed early enough to get eight hours of sleep. Try to move your body, for example by taking walks or exercising. Avoid alcoholic drinks (altogether if possible but at least in excess). Quit smoking. Try to do at least some things in your free time that are not just passive consumption of content and instead challenge your brain, like learning a language or doing puzzles or writing short stories. Try to have at least some pleasant social interactions, ideally even in person. 

These pieces of advice aren’t fun. They also aren’t easy. I think we are so fascinated by the concept of „unhinged life advice“ because we are tired. We hope for something easier, for a magic quick fix, for a „this one little thing changed everything“ - while in reality building new habits needs patience and determination and time. 

So, I think the best pieces of „unhinged life advice“ are the ones that help to build these habits! I’ll share some of them. I’ll also throw in some pieces of advice that are just unhinged in the sense of „weirdly specific“ (since that’s another possible interpretation). 

Without further ado: 

If putting chicken nuggets in a salad makes you actually eat a salad you otherwise would never eat, then chicken nuggets are a healthy choice. 

If you struggle with eating fruit because the texture is so unpredictable, try frozen fruit (eaten straight out of the freezer). Frozen fruit has a predictable texture! 

If frozen fruit hurts your tummy or you don’t like that texture, either, here are some more ideas: make smoothies, or purée fruit and mix it into yoghurt, or purée fruit and add it to tomato sauce (sounds weird but a little sweetness can work great in tomato sauce), or bake fruit into muffins (if you cut them up very finely or blend them into the dough, they are often barely noticeable) 

Moving your body doesn’t have to look like exercise. Going on a walk (maybe to look for pretty stones on the sidewalks? or even just to get a coffee!) counts! Dancing to your favorite song (even alone in your room) counts too! Crawling on the floor like a dog (just for the silliness of it, which is also great for your brain) also counts! 

Sleep rituals can help a lot and they don’t need to be fancy! Just do the same thing before you go to bed and over time your brain will associate it with getting sleepy and calm down once you do it. This could be something like making a cup of chamomile tea, listening to soft piano music, praying or meditating, writing down one thing you’re grateful for etc., but also something whimsy like saying good night to your favorite plushie! 

A great way to get some steps in and also challenge your brain is to go to museums. If you feel like you are not the museum type because you don’t „get“ art, try this little trick: just don’t try to get it. Don’t focus on finding the meaning or find hidden symbolism for now. Instead, just try to find three things you like about the art piece. This doesn’t have to be anything smart or deep. It can be something like „I like the blue color the artist used“ or „I like how fluffy the clouds look“. This approach will help you relax and actually learn to appreciate the art… which is what you need to do in order to allow your brain to look for meanings

There’s probably at least one vegetable you think you hate but you really just hate the way your mom prepares them (no offense to your mom). It can be a fun challenge to revisit some foods you decided you hate as a kid and to see if that’s still true. 

Allow yourself to be bored. „I need to look at two screens simultaneously at all times to avoid a thought from occurring“ is not as funny in real life as it sounds as a meme. Your brain needs to be bored sometimes. Your thoughts need to wander sometimes. If that’s hard, then start by just doing certain things more intentionally: do not watch YouTube while eating. Just eat. Do not scroll through TikTok while on the toilet. Just poop. Your brain will reward you for actually getting some time to sort through and process stuff. Even if it’s just while pooping. 

Allow yourself to gameify those boring adult tasks if that works for you. Pretend to be on a cooking show while chopping onions. Sing a silly song about laundry while doing laundry. Beat your own record for speed-cleaning. Give those dishes a nice pool party in your sink. 

Reading of all kinds still counts as reading. Yes, it can be a rewarding challenge to finally finish that bestselling novel that is totally outside of your genres or interests, or that classic piece of literature that everyone should know. But if it’s too overwhelming and kinda stops you from reading altogether, then just put it aside and read something that’s actually fun for now! It can be a graphic novel or a children’s book or fanfiction or Wikipedia articles, too. 

Make lists. I may be biased because I love lists and make lists for everything (I even have a list categorizing all my lists…) but lists can be such a great tool! Any task becomes much more satisfying when you can cross it off a list.

When people say things like „someone should empty the dishwasher“ or „we should take out the trash today“, they often mean „I want you to empty the dishwasher“ or „I want you to take out the trash“. They’re not even being confusing on purpose or playing mind games, they just assume that wording it so indirectly is nicer and more polite.

If you safely can, then go to Pride events (and queer spaces in general) in small towns or rural areas! They’re often the ones who need support the most. And since they’re smaller, they can also be more accessible (in terms of less noise, less crowded etc.)

I don’t think this one is rooted in science but I’m a big fan of having little comfort items. Just little „emotional support trinkets“ or lucky charms you can carry with you and look at or fidget with when you get nervous. Of course it’s important to not fall into overconsumption with that (impulsively purchasing lots of items you then do not end up actually using or even just purchasing them for the thrill of purchasing), but, if done intentionally (only picking a limited number of items that you actually form an emotional attachment and assign personal meaning to), I believe it can be a simple way to boost happy feelings. It can also work well as your own little „secret“ Pride item! If you don’t feel safe or comfortable wearing rainbow accessories but want something to affirm your identity for yourself, it can be a great idea to assign your own meaning to something totally random. Good way to train your creativity too! 

With all my love, 

Your Tumblr Dad 

[divadepreshawn]

𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒊𝒕

Aaron Hotchner × Fem!reader

Summary: Patience has always been a constant in your life, until an impossible case breaks it, making you revisit traumas you thought you had overcome. Warning: mentions of silent treatment, difficult childhood and some generalized anxiety. Physical aggression (slapping). Aaron being an idiot. WC: 2 020

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You are known for being a calm person.

The kind of person who doesn't get stressed about almost anything – because it's not worth the wrinkles.

Did you receive duplicate emails? Okay, answer one and delete the other.

Is someone asking stupid questions? Answer with a polite smile.

Is someone having a bad day and giving you blunt answers? No problem, just stay out of the way.

Patience is perhaps one of the few virtues that you have always maintained with some kind of consistency throughout your life.

But everything has a limit and you were reaching yours.

Seven days.

Seven long, drawn-out days, in which you survive on a thin bed, bad coffee and questionable local cuisine.

This is, without a doubt, the worst case you have ever worked.

The crimes are brutal and happen in quick succession. There is no pattern or signature. The geographic profile is distinct, incoherent. Victims with diverse appearances and no apparent connection. No witnesses. No slip-ups.

It's like hunting a ghost.

And it's eating you up inside.

Everyone is exhausted, a hair's breadth away from a meltdown. Shoulders hunched, dark circles under their eyes, and slow steps.

Derek and Penelope no longer have the energy for their usual teasing.

Reid's hand is shaking slightly, a consequence of the absurd amount of caffeine he's ingested.

Rossi has an ocular tic due to stress—an irritating twitch in his right eye.

JJ's lips are chapped, chewing the skin on his lips until it bleeds as he reviews the testimony, desperately trying to find a pattern that connects the victims.

Emily paces back and forth in front of the whiteboard, eyes scanning the notes, trying to see if she missed any details.

But without a doubt, the worst of all for you is Hotch.

Everything about him screamed tension: his jaw clenched, his posture rigid, his gaze unfocused for too long, his answers as sharp as a blade.

You've been together for a year. Long enough to notice what others don't.

You know the suit is irritating him by the way he breathes – three short breaths, followed by a long, tense sigh. You know that sleep deprivation distorts how he receives and interprets his surroundings.

He was on edge – you can tell by his clenched fist – and you risk saying he was on the verge of a breakdown.

So you try to lighten your load a little, you rearrange the statements in chronological order to help the team. You fix small things so the team only has to talk to him when necessary. And you ignore the blunt answers he gives you, taking a deep breath and swallowing a fitting response, because you are mature enough to recognize that this is not your Aaron. This is Agent Hotchner.

But you hate doing this. You hate it because it reminds you of your childhood.

It's like being five years old again, living in an environment surrounded by tense adults with a suffocating silence. Having to walk on eggshells. Feeling like everything you touch is made of extremely fragile glass, while trying to go unnoticed so that your frustration isn't taken out on you.

You've been to therapy, and by this stage in your life you should have gotten over it, or at least learned how to deal with it.

But the armor always breaks when you get angry, and in cases like this, you need twice as much self-control to remind yourself that they're not mad at you, and that the silence isn't meant to punish you.

However, some habits just won't change, and no matter how hard you try, you still end up repeating them – like avoiding speaking out loud, drinking or eating anything around them, swallowing the lump in your throat every time you have to interrupt someone to ask for help.

It's frustrating, to say the least.

You want them to relax a little. You need them to give you a half-smile or at least soften their eyes as they look at you.

A little tea for everyone should help.

You need confirmation, a visual sign that you are not the root of the problem.

It’s pathetic, you know the problem is a killer and not you. You know it. Yet your idiot brain refuses to accept the logical explanation.

So you make the tea, handing out a cup to each one – receiving nods and sighs of relief – making sure they are okay.

You stand there for a moment, your eyes blurry, your stomach churning with exhaustion and anxiety. A persistent lump in your throat. Everything inside you is screaming to leave, to hide in some dark corner and cry yourself to sleep.

When they finish and decide to call it a day, you go to Aaron, leaving a sandwich and a coffee on his desk.

“You should take a break, just for ten minutes,” you mumble, gripping the edge of the desk to hide the trembling in your hand.

“I need to finish this,” he replies, not taking his eyes off the report. The crease between his eyebrows deepens with each word he writes.

“The brain consumes 25% of every calorie we ingest, you won’t be able to think on an empty stomach.” You place the sandwich closer to his hand.

He stops writing, putting down the pen and raising his eyes to yours. “No, this isn’t about me. This is about you! I need to focus on this case, and it would be a big help if you would stop doing that. What? Do you want a reminder every five minutes that I’m not mad at you? Should I set it on my phone alarm?”

oh, that hurt.

Your body reacted before your brain. Your hand went up on autopilot. Automatically regretting it as soon as the heel of your hand met his right cheek.

The sound of the slap echoed. The tingling sensation in your hand and the combination of his skin starting to turn red resonated with you, regret sinking into your chest.

You swallowed hard, the hurt and regret being replaced by anger. Because how dare he? You care for him all the time, caring for his health and safety, caring for and protecting Jack as if he were your own. So how dare he be so petty?

“Who the fuck do you think I am?”

His eyes flickered, realizing what he had just said. He came closer, trying to touch your arm. “Honey, I’m sorry-”

“I’m trying, Aaron. I’m ignoring your rudeness, organizing what you need to review, and fuck, I’m trying to spare you simple questions, splitting them into five because you’re tired.”, sigh, rubbing your temples, “I’m trying hard to understand you and not take this personally. Because I love you. And because this case sucks.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that,” he tries to get closer again, getting up from his chair and walking around the table to get to you.

You pull away from his touch, letting out a dry laugh, your eyes flashing with anger.

“You’re going to use what I told you against me? Seriously? Who do you think you are?” You step closer to him, placing your index finger on his chest. “You motherfucker, do you think I’m not taking this seriously? I motivated your ass Aaron, who held the fort when you gained more responsibility at work? Who took care of your son when you were swamped with reports?”

He swallows hard. He’s never seen you so nervous, not even during the most intense interrogations. Not even when an unsub insulted you.

“I-I..”

You raise your hand, he immediately shuts up, unable to think of anything he could say to redeem himself.

“No. Treating me like this, do you think you’ll get another one like me? Even if you have to go all the way to hell!” you scoff, the words dripping with venom, as you walk away from him. “I’m done for today.”

You walk towards the door, not waiting for an answer.

— The slap wasn’t enough.

And as if the silence had swallowed him – the empty room, reports, lack of evidence. All of them now silent, reminding him of the mistake he made. Because that was it. A stupid, gigantic, irreversible mistake.

You pulled away from him as if his touch had shocked you.

And honestly? How could he blame you? You should have hit him harder. Slapped him again.

“You’re going to use what I told you against me? Seriously?”

He can still hear your voice in an incredulous tone, it was as if you were sticking a dagger in his chest. Because he knows. He knows exactly what you meant. And he hates, with every fiber of his body, being the one who took you back to that place.

He sits down slowly. And as if gravity had multiplied, his shoulders slump. The report unimportant now. Just him, the messy table and the untouched sandwich. A bitter reminder, you were trying to take care of him, even if he wasn't capable of taking care of you.

He should never have said that, you are so constant with your generosity. And the fact that you can convert your suffering into benevolence is so noble, he loves that about you.

—

The bedroom doorknob turned with a soft click.

Aaron walked in slowly, trying not to make any noise. You were in bed, lying with your back to the door, the smell of soap and body lotion filling the room. He knew you weren’t asleep yet by the way your back moved as breathed.

You heard the door close, but you didn’t turn around.

He puts his bag on the dresser more carefully, his movements restrained, as if he were about to break something – again.

“Do you want me to sleep on the couch?” asks, his voice low.

He waits for an answer, some sign that you’re paying attention. All he gets is silence – it’s not a punishing silence, you never do that. It’s just you pondering your answer, and what he did needs more time to be forgiven.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I know that nothing I say now will be able to erase what I said. Your care will never be a negative thing. And it will never, ever be a weakness.”

Silence.

It’s okay, even if he feels his heart sinking with every second that passes without hearing your voice. He deserves this.

“I can see if Rossi is still awake and spend the night there, I know you want to be alone-”

“I didn’t mean to hit you, I’m sorry,” you murmured, turning to look at him. The guilt and shame were eating away at you—no matter how much he hurt you, aggression is never the best way. “I really didn’t mean to do that. My body just… reacted automatically.”

Aaron shakes his head slightly, not looking away. “No, it’s okay, really. I honestly think it was an appropriate reaction.”

You looked away, playing with the frayed thread of the blanket. “You’re not my father, Aaron,” your voice is soft, “but you made me feel like I was back in that house.”

He holds his breath, the words piercing him like needles, piercing every muscle in his body. Guilt weighs like lead in his stomach.

“You don’t have to sleep on the couch, it’ll make your lower back pain worse.” You finally say, turning your gaze to him.

Aaron continues to stand by the furniture—his shoulders tense and his eyes hesitant—unsure of what to do with his body.

“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice low, almost scratchy.

“When I take care of you, I’m taking care of myself and Jack. Because relationships are a two-way street. I’m not saying to give myself a prize every time I do this, I just want you to acknowledge it and let me take care of you.”

“I know that I’ve been an idiot this week,” he confesses, his voice low. “Just saying sorry isn’t enough, but I’ll… I’ll earn it.”

“No, it’s not enough,” you agree with a small smile, “but it’s a start.”

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English is not my first language are sorry for any mistake :)

[novy2sirius]

LIFE PATH PURPOSES © novy2sirius

· HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER

· LIFE PATH 2 EXPLANATION

ᯓ life path 1: to be a leader, to work hard for things you want in life, to become your most confident self (not egotistical though), to create new things, to be independent, to be aggressive (not a bully but you have to be the first to stand up for something, say something, or do something often)

ᯓ life path 3: to find a creative outlet and communicate an important message to the world, to write, to make people laugh, to be social and use your charm to improve your life by making connections

ᯓ life path 4: to work really hard and become financially stable, to have a good routine and be disciplined, to be the best worker in their workplace, to be stubborn in order to get the things they want

ᯓ life path 5: to travel a lot, to improve physical health, to learn how to constantly change for the better, to embrace your freedoms, to use your social skills/charm to receive opportunities, to use your beauty to receive opportunities, to take risks, to control your lustful desires

ᯓ life path 6: to have a family, to be a loyal friend and family member, to be loving toward others, to be responsible, to nurture others to the best of your ability, to live a simple life and fall in love with the simple things, to get married

ᯓ life path 7: to teach others, to becoming more spiritually intelligent with age, to learn to embrace how independent you are, to pay attention to your intuition, simply to continuously learn and gain knowledge, to make an impact on the technological world

ᯓ life path 8: to be able to live a righteous life while being in a position of power, to avoid creating negative karma for yourself, to bounce back from hard times, to be a leader, to be materialistic (but not cocky about wealth)

ᯓ life path 9: to break any toxic cycles that were learned in your childhood, to become a powerful manifestor, to surround yourself with positive and successful people since you easily adapt to your surroundings, to use your emotions to create art, to perform

ᯓ life path 11: to pay close attention to your intuition, to control your emotional energy, to use your charisma to get farther in life, to find love

ᯓ life path 22: to share your wisdom with the world, to achieve lots of things, to manifest your dream life, to be a leader, to be your most confident self

ᯓ life path 33: to influence and teach others, to change negative public opinions, to become more spiritually evolved, to be family oriented/have a family, to learn how to handle your high vibration

[dulcebloodhnd]

THE BLUE HOUR

pairings: jack abbot x poc!reader/reader

warnings: age gap; medical inaccuracies; angst

summary: jack has been avoiding you during a mass casualty event, you have had no time to process your feelings when things come alight.

authors note: please don’t come at me with my medical inaccuracies; this was not beta read; this was not edited so give me a break pls; thank you for reading and enjoy!

please reblog, comment and follow! i would really appreciate it :))

word count: 1.3k

COPYRIGHT ® 2025 DULCEBLOODHND. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS ORIGINAL WORK IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE REPOSTED ON ANY PLATFORM IN ANY FORMAT OR FED TO AI.

Abbot was avoiding you and with effort as he dodged you between patients, monitoring the chaos and acting accordingly. He’s been distant. It’s not out of the normal for him to be reserved but not like this. You gave up after the fourth hour. There were more important things at risk than your relationship.

Triage was a controlled chaos, bodies lined the corridors filled with people and blood. After news hit that it was a mass casualty event, the hospital was on lockdown. It was all hands on deck. Samira intubating a patient, Robby running all over the place, Javadi and Whitaker passing down emergency blood bags. Abbot had left abruptly as soon as Mel came running back into the centre of the emergency department.

Your hands were full by keeping and maintaining pressure on a woman’s abdomen, volumes of blood were seeping the gauze as you were changing it to fresh new dressings. You exchanged glances with Mateo as you signalled to him if he had the tourniquet before putting the instrument around the patients body and tightening it all the way. You searched for any signs of extra blood and checked her pulse before ordering another nurse to finish administering extra fluids before transferring up above for surgery.

Gloves were thrown into the allocated bin, new ones put on as you rushed into South 15. A boy, Callum, sat upright upon the cot with a gash across his head. He was mumbling incoherently as you approached him. You checked his head, pustules of oxidised blood bubbled from beneath. Callum’s head dropped down, his head had suffered more trauma. The bead was brought down into a horizontal position as the boys body was locked in place. To minimise the pressure, a tube was placed to relieve tension and allow the blood and any fluid drain from the brain. Callum’s blood pressure went back to a normal range.

It was a lot. The suffering and the death. Many innocent lives lost because of one person’s selfish action.

Abbot entered into the open area and made brief eye contact with you. His eyebrows were pinched and in his sternness he got to work in aiding Mohan with a man’s collapsed lung.

Air was needed. You made your way outside into the triage zone to see if Shen and Ellis needed help with any incoming patients. More importantly, you just wanted a breather, a reprieve from inside.

The cool wind caressed your face, blanketing your anxious state in a film of protection. You took a deep breath before addressing both Doctors.

“Anymore incoming patients?”

“Do you want to impart your words of wisdom, Shen?” Ellis said.

Shen smiled, “Don’t worry, I learned my lesson. No one will be surprising us.”

Honks from the other side of the buildings could be heard before a black sedan crashed into a line of parked gurneys.

“You just had to say something,” Ellis remarked as she ran to the drivers side.

You were praying for the night to end.

The shooter was pronounced dead—a self immolation with a bullet to his own head. What a coward. The emergency room was being cleared up of all messes and walk-in’s being allowed back into the hospital.

All the light drained from your face. You were dehydrated, hungry and exhausted. Before anyone could call on you, you locked yourself in accessible bathroom stall. Looking at yourself in the mirror, a small speck of blood dotted your cheek. Warm water ran from the tap as you rubbed at your face before splashing the water all over. Hands gripped the porcelain sink tightly, your chest felt heavy. You could not breathe for a moment, tried focusing on the physical objects. Everything was wrong. You didn’t feel like yourself. You had one more hour of your shift. You could get through this.

You exited the bathroom and came into contact with hard chest. Jack Abbot. His arms steadied yourself against him. The warmth of his hands seeped into your clothes.

You had to break the silence and said, “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” You stepped back from his hold.

“You good?” Jack replied. His mouth twitched, a slight frown decorated his face.

Your head jerked up. “Yeah…yeah. I’m fine. All good. Nothing to worry about here.”

“Uh huh. And, I’m Mother Teresa.” Jack scoffs. “You need to talk about it. Even if it’s not me. You need to speak with someone.”

“Someone should be taking their own advice then.” You retort without a second to lose. “Don’t Jack. Just..don’t.”

You felt Jack’s stare as you kept on walking away. The man was confusing. He’s committed and caring, the next he is aloof and avoidant. You squared back your shoulders and completed the last hour of your shift. Your bed was calling you.

Miscellaneous things were scattered around your apartment, some would say it’s homey and live in. Your mother would say it’s a mess. Most things you disagreed on but this was the opposite. Loose receipts and scribbled paper were binned, the knitted blanket folded and draped across the sofa and incense burned to rid of the negative energies that burdened your house and your mind.

You were clearing up the last of scattered items before a hard knock invaded your space. Why would anyone be visiting you at this hour? The bolt and lock was undone and you peeked through the slit before opening the door to Jack. His bag hung over his shoulder with one hand in his scrubs pocket. You were surprised that he showed up to your house.

“What are you doing here?”

Silence ensued.

“Wanted to check on you to see if you were alright.” Jack leaned against the door. His foot toed the line as he asked, “May I come in?”

You opened the door wide and let him in before closing it gently and taking a deep breath before facing him again. Jack placed his bag down by the sage couch, and sat upon the armrest. You continued to stand with your arms crossed against your chest.

“Why are you here, Jack?”

“We need to talk.”

You scoffed at his statement. “What did you think I was trying to do for the past week?”

���I know and I’m sorry. Also, having these conversations at work are not appropriate.”

“Right…because work was the first time I brought up needing to have a conversation with you. Like, I have not been messaging you or calling you. Maybe, work was the only place to ambush you. But, even that didn’t work.”

“I’m here now, aren’t I?”

You charged closer to him and swiped across to sit on the opposite side of the sofa. Your legs tucked underneath you as you stared up at Jack.

“So, what is it that you want to say,” you whispered.

Jack cleared his throat and you could tell that what he would say would not be great news. His eyes watered and were slightly red but he looked straight into your eyes when he said the most heart shattering thing.

“It was never going to work between us. You need to understand that.” Jack sighed as he looked down at his feet. “You are half my age, darling.”

“What were these past six months then? A fling? I’m some hot young resident to mess around with?”

Jack looked at you with a pained expression.

“Just be honest with yourself and say that you’re a coward and you didn’t want this relationship to last.”

“I ain’t a coward.”

“Well, you’re a man who clearly doesn’t know what he wants,” your voice trembled.

Jack looked away clearing his throat. His voice was gruff as he said, “I…I thought I did.”

You didn’t believe him. But, maybe he was telling the truth because the man that stood before you, well, you didn’t recognise him anymore.

[kaira-diaries]

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞

✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Insinuation of self-harm || fluff || intimacy avoidance || mention of smut

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: fem!reader x Frontman

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Inho isn’t one for intimacy. Until he asks for it.

✯𝐚/𝐧✯well hello there 😏 (𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙣 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙗𝙞 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩) haven’t posted on here in a while, yk work…anyway It's been crossing my mind lately that In-ho has GOTTA have some issues with intimacy after losing his wife...right? maybe? Guys MAYBE? The fandom is lacking rn so have no idea how this will do but here’s my take on Inho wanting to try cuddling. Enjoy enjoy !!

᯾᯾᯾᯾

You were curled up in bed, cocooned in the oversized blanket you'd splurged on weeks ago. It was thick, soft as clouds, and smelled faintly like lavender detergent. The kind of blanket that embraced you after a long day of work.

You tucked your knees to your chest, wrapping the blanket tighter around you like a makeshift burrito—your favorite little ritual. Safe. Simple. Yours.

You glanced at the clock—2 a.m. Still no sign of In-ho.

There wasn't much to do on this godforsaken island besides work, especially this late. But if anyone could breathe life into even the dullest corners of this place, it was him. In-ho had always been a social butterfly—though he'd scoff at the title. Not loud, not flashy, just effortlessly magnetic. The kind of man who could lean against a wall and still become the center of gravity in any room.

Your lips curled faintly at the memory of one of the Squid Game anniversaries—gold trim on everything, string quartet in the corner, champagne bubbling in delicate flutes. In-ho had taken you without hesitation, tugging you into the fray like you were the only person he needed beside him. He introduced you to masked VIPs with a casual charm that made even the most guarded guests laugh. Conversations about the blandest things—vintage wine, imported cigars, weather patterns—somehow felt electric in his voice.

That was him. Not the mask. Not the black uniform.

That—his voice, his ease, his steady presence—that was the real In-ho. Buried, maybe. Faded, definitely. But not gone.

You pulled the blanket tighter around you, feeling the ache behind your ribs stir quietly again. Wondering where he was tonight.

In-ho never told you much about his past—but he didn't have to. You'd learned enough between the physical scars on his arms he didn't explain and the nights he indulged too much in his liquor to understand one thing clearly:

He wasn't the kind of man who sought out softness.

Intimacy, no. Sex, yes. That, he took freely—grasped for it like it was a release valve. And maybe it was.

When things between you turned physical, it was never tender. He used your body the way he used a weapon. A way to burn off the weight he carried, to forget—for a moment—that his world had ended once.

You never questioned it. How could you?

The man lost everything at once: his wife, his child, his reputation.

It only made sense that closeness, real closeness, would frighten the hell out of him. Maybe it was easier for him this way—to get just close enough to feel human again, without risking the ruin that always seemed to follow him.

No strings. No promises. Just need.

But over time, that line blurred for you.

You stopped seeing him as just your coworker, your partner in crime, the one who barked orders and disappeared for hours at a time, returning for a quick shameless fuck.

You saw more—noticed the muted change when he'd linger beside you after meetings or the way he'd make sure you always had a second glass ready when he poured his own.

You began to want more. To feel it. To mean something.

But you'd never say it. Never ask.

Because you knew the walls he'd built weren't meant to be climbed.

And that had to be enough.

You heard the elevator chime softly down the hall, followed by the unmistakable rhythm of his boots. Each step echoed like a warning down the hallway.

You'd left your door cracked, just barely, and the hush of the corridor made every sound sharper. A faint clink of glass. The low pour of whiskey. Then silence—just for a moment—before the soft thunk of the glass hitting the table.

And then, the footsteps again.

Closer this time.

You didn't move, barely breathed, as the sound drew nearer—boots clicking against polished marble, the cadence so familiar it lived in your bones by now. You could almost feel the weight of him through the door.

A soft knock shattered the stillness, pulling you from the cocoon of warmth you'd wrapped yourself in. You sat up slowly, your black satin nightgown slipping down one shoulder as the blanket pooled at your waist.

There he was.

Leaning against the doorframe, still masked—his silhouette carved in shadow and gold beneath the low amber glow of your bedside lamp. The sharp edges of the black mask caught the light, casting jagged reflections across the hallway floor. He didn't speak.

He was watching you.

And even though you couldn't see his eyes, you felt them—anchored to you with the weight of something unspoken, something smoldering just beneath the surface.

You tilted your head slowly, your hair slipping over your shoulder like a whisper. The nightgown clung to your curves, soft and inky black against your skin, catching the low amber light.

"Take that thing off, baby," you murmured, a pet name not often used. Your voice was soft, coaxing, a hint of a smile playing on your lips. "Let me see who's hiding underneath."

He didn't move at first.

Just stood there—leaning against the doorframe, catching the glow of the bedside lamp. But something shifted. The way his head tilted slightly, the subtle drag of his gaze over you even through the mask.

"You sure?" he asked, voice low, like gravel and heat. "Thought you liked the enigma."

"I like the man more," you said, barely above a whisper.

"Even if he's terrible at knocking sometimes."

That earned the faintest huff from him—something barely audible, but it warmed the air between you. Maybe it was a laugh in another life, softer than he ever let on now. He pushed off the doorframe, each deliberate step punctuated by the click of his boots against the floor.

He didn't speak. Just sat on the edge of the bed, close—but not too close—his presence pulling at you like gravity. You shifted slightly, purring with quiet contentment at the familiar weight of him in your space.

Then, his fingers found the strap of your nightgown, brushing it with the barest touch—more study than seduction.

"Here," you murmured, voice like silk. "Let me."

You reached up gently, your hands moving to the edge of his hood. You eased it back, careful and unhurried, revealing strands of dark, slightly tousled hair. Then your fingers found the edges of the mask, lifting it away with reverence as if peeling off a second skin.

You placed it on the nightstand beside you.

"Long day?" you asked, watching as he leaned back on his hands, the faintest crease between his brows.

He nodded once. "The bastard's relentless."

You let out a low breath. "Gi-hun?"

Another nod, slower this time.

You smoothed your hands over your thighs, thoughtful. "Why don't we just kill him?" you asked, voice calm, almost casual. "Would save everyone the trouble."

In-ho's jaw tensed, but he didn't look at you. "No," he said finally. "Better to let it play out."

You didn't press him. This was his game—his theater. If it were up to you, you would've ordered the recruiter to put a bullet in Gi-hun the moment he resurfaced. But you'd learned not to question him. Not when it came to strategy.

You nodded, settling into the quiet.

That's when he stunned you.

"I want to try something, sweetheart."

You blinked, unsure you'd heard him right. "What?"

He didn't answer right away. His eyes dropped—not in shame, but in hesitation. You weren't used to seeing him like this. Exposed.

Stripped of that control he wore.

Finally, he looked up. "Can I just—" He exhaled, jaw tightening before continuing. "Can I hold you tonight? Nothing more."

That silenced you.

Oh. Oh....

You realized he wasn't asking for your body, at least not in a let me fuck you way. He wasn't asking for power. He was asking for presence. For comfort. For something painfully intimate.

"Lie down with me," he added, quieter now. "Just for a while."

Your heart caught in your throat.

For a man like In-ho, this wasn't simple. This wasn't small. This was everything he was afraid of—real touch, absolute serenity, without pretense or escape. To let himself be vulnerable with you—no masks, no roles, no sex as a shield.

You smiled, small and sincere.

"Just holding?" you teased softly, brushing your fingers against his hand.

"That almost sounds... romantic. I might get the wrong idea."

He didn't flinch. Didn't smirk like he usually would.

His eyes just searched yours, still waiting as if afraid you'd turn him down.

Your teasing softened, your thumb now gently tracing over his knuckles.

"Okay," you whispered. "Yeah. I'd like that."

᯾᯾᯾᯾᯾᯾

In-ho had showered first—rinsing off the sterile scent of the facility, the metallic ghost of blood and bleach, the weight of duty.

When he finally slipped beneath the blanket beside you, the mattress dipped gently beneath his weight. Your blanket had already warmed from your body, but his presence added more. His skin ran hot, like always.

You turned over to face him, the blanket shifting quietly between you. His eyes met yours in the low light—tired but softer than usual.

His hair was still damp from the shower, a few strands clinging to his forehead. You reached up, brushing them back with slow fingers, your touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary.

A small, quiet smile tugged at your lips.

"Hi," you whispered, voice like a secret just for him.

You let your hand drift down, resting lightly on his bare chest where the blanket dipped. His breathing was steady beneath your palm, but you could feel how alert he was. Awake. Present.

"Do you ever sleep?" you asked quietly.

His lips twitched—not quite a smile. "Sometimes."

You tilted your head. "And tonight?"

He exhaled slowly, voice low and almost tender. "Tonight feels like it might be different, darling."

He looked at you then, thoroughly—his eyes studying your face like he hadn't let himself do in a long time.

"You know," he said, "when I first met you, I thought you'd leave."

You blinked. "Why?"

"You were too good for this place. Too smart. Too... alive."

He paused. "It felt wrong. Having you here. Still does."

You traced the edge of the blanket absently, heart beating in your throat. "But you let me stay."

He nodded.

You swallowed, the air between you tightening like a thread. "You ever regret it?"

His hand moved—slowly over yours where it rested on his chest.

"No," he said. "But I regret not telling you that sooner."

You let the quiet between you stretch warm and heavy, not responding.

Then, slowly, afraid to scare him off, you shifted forward beneath the blanket, your body gravitating toward his.

Your cheek brushed his collarbone as you tucked yourself gently against him, your hand trailing up his chest to rest at the base of his neck. He was warm—radiating heat like he always did, but tonight, it wasn't suffocating.

It was grounding. Real.

In-ho didn't move at first. Unsure.

But then his arm wrapped around your waist, dragging up your back beneath your nightgown, slow and steady, pulling you just a little closer.

His chin dipped, breath brushing over the crown of your head as you exhaled into his sweet skin.

You felt his heartbeat beneath your cheek.

Steady. Human. Fragile.

"See," you said, "not so bad, huh?" You cooed, pressing a kiss to his skin.

In-ho's fingers splayed gently at your shoulder blade as he exhaled—gently.

He hummed softly.

"No... it's more than I expected."

[mariacallous]

In February, several Justice Department officials resigned rather than obey a directive to drop their corruption case against New York City Mayor Adams. After they did, another DOJ official signed the order to avoid people being fired.

Complying or resigning are not the only options. Federal employees sometimes have another: In the words of Mrs. Reagan, sometimes they can “just say ‘no.’” In fact, sometimes that’s their duty.

The Trump administration has begun a broad attack on many activities of the federal government it now controls. It has acted aggressively to implement its agendas, to stop programs it disagrees with, and to fire members of the civil service on allegations of “poor performance” without evidence. Some of these actions are lawful implementation of the president’s agenda. However, as various court decisions show, many are not.

Under federal law, employees who call out violations of law, fraud, waste, or abuse receive whistleblower protections. Agencies cannot legally fire them, demote them, or remove them. Those same statutes provide a “right to disobey.” They protect employees who refuse an order because doing so would violate the Constitution, laws, agency rules, or federal regulations. Federal employees need not resign or comply. They can just say “No.”

The law doesn’t permit civil servants to disobey solely because they disagree with a policy. However, when federal employees join the federal service, they sign an oath to “… well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office … So help me God.” That oath doesn’t change from administration to administration. It clearly includes complying with the nation’s laws. If directed to do something that violates the Administrative Procedures Act, federal personnel statutes, published federal procurement rules and regulations, or an appropriation enacted by Congress and signed into law, federal personnel may legally refuse to obey and, under their oath of office, arguably must.

That right to disobey was what Congress sought to protect when it unanimously passed the Follow the Rules Act during the first Trump administration. During the first Trump administration, Congress strengthened these protections—unanimously. The original statute covered only orders that would “violate a law.” In 2017, Congress expanded that protection to include refusal to obey “an order that would require the individual to violate a law, rule, or regulation.” President Donald J. Trump signed the Follow the Rules Act into law.

Some federal officials have taken the third option and just said “No.” Before Kash Patel was confirmed as FBI Director, then-acting Director Brian Driscoll refused to fire agents guilty of no offense, other than obeying an instruction to investigate Jan. 6 rioters.

What should federal employees do when faced with an order that would violate their oath and that they reasonably believe to be unlawful? Many advise consulting a lawyer. However, faced with an immediate order, most federal employees don’t have the time or money to consult legal counsel. They must rely on their own knowledge, experience, and reasoned judgment to decide for themselves.

This administration has proven that it will fire federal employees who disobey an instruction that would have them violate the law—even though that firing would be illegal. So, many will comply even when they know they should not. However, as Mr. Driscoll shows, some will stay true to their oaths. If their legal protection—the right to disobey—were better known, more might do so. Each person who did so would slow or stop implementation of unlawful orders.

Furthermore, law-abiding-but-fired federal employees have remedies. Career civil servants who were fired, demoted, or reassigned because they have refused an order can appeal to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), created by Congress to investigate violations of personnel law and rules. In cases where OSC believes there has been an unlawful “prohibited personnel action,” it will advise the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Congress chartered the MSPB to police the federal personnel system. It can require reinstatement into the job, retroactive back pay, and payment of legal fees.

These protections are more than just theory: Only a few days ago, the MSPB, acting on a recommendation from OSC, temporarily reinstated six provisional employees who had been fired in an apparent violation of federal rules. It’s worth noting that the Trump administration has attempted to undermine both the OSC and MSPB by removing their leaders. However, Congress by law required good cause before either can be removed, and thus far courts have overturned most of these dismissals.

So, why don’t more federal employees just say no? The main reason is that many employees cannot afford to lose their jobs and wait for reinstatement. The remedies for wrongful personnel actions can take months, even in normal times, and these are not normal times. It’s also important to note that some believe that it’s important they continue to do the other parts of their job.

But there are other reasons. Based on conversations with lawyers, advocacy groups, and public interviews, there are many:

Some who do disobey see no benefit in publicizing that fact, as public whistleblowers can and do become public targets.

Many don’t know they can say “No.” As of this writing, there are no descriptions of the right to disobey on the websites of major federal unions or the Partnership for Public Service.

Advocacy groups fear being seen as giving legal advice. Some educational webinars actually start with a notice that “this is not legal advice”.

Even some lawyers representing federal employees in wrongful personnel action cases are unaware of the law, focusing on the more widely discussed protections for whistleblowers who disclose rather than employees who refuse to act.

Federal employees confronted with orders they believe are illegal must make their own decisions—with or without legal counsel—about how to comply with their oath to the public they serve, despite the genuine personal risks. That’s a part of public service, too.