#City Year San Antonio

[cyborgrhodey]

new york or chicago living sounds pretty cool but the truth is im a small city guy at heart

[surrexi]

rang in the new year playing baldur's gate 3 and comforting my dog when the fireworks/firecrackers were too close/loud

[lostberet]

˚ ༘ ♡ ⋆.˚ WORLDTOUR teaser | ot7 (m)

𐙚 synopsis: The year 2026 has arrived, and instead of returning to their loving jobs as Idols, Bangtan is stuck serving South Korea after a mysterious outbreak. However, what these two jobs have in common is their World Tour.

༘⋆ genre: explicit (18+) ; angst , romance , violence, suspense , smut ; military au , idol au? ,

༘⋆ disclaimer: Violence, Gore, Graphic Violence, Use of Weapons, Mention of death, eventual smut, Sexual themes, If you’re not 18+ please, PLEASE, do not interact. Be mindful of the warnings. Let me know if I miss anything.

༘⋆ a/note: ANOTHER SERIES, hello my jelly fishies, this is a series that will be broken up into a mini-series for each member, please let me know who's tour you'd like to read first!

South Korea, Jeju Island     time: 7:35 pm

“I apologize, but there is not enough space for you and your crew at this moment, captain.” There was commotion, each service worker going into their own phone calls answering, some sobbing and others yelling in frustration, “Please stay safe, I will send a boat whenever there is one available.” 

Yoongi removed the head-phone caller from his head, taking in a deep breath as he stared at the large screen before him. A world map showing multiple red dots of the Korean Military’s location, and some of them were his friends. 

“They’ll be fine.” A familiar voice said beside him, Yoongi turned his head, meeting NamJoon’s. Yoongi only remained silent and Namjoon took his silence as a rejection, “SeokJin wants to have dinner together.”

Namjoon tired again, trying to bring his older brother back from his dark thoughts, “I can’t stomach anything right now.” Namjoon nodded, a faint smile on his face as he patted Yoongi’s back, “I know.. But whole they’re out there━ surviving━ so are we back here.” 

Japan, Tokyo               time: 7:37 pm 

“Hyung!” Hoseok turned from his still-position, his vision blurry from the heavy rain, “yeah?”  Squinting, he was able to make up one of his members, “Hyung, time for dinner, chief also has some information regarding international news,” Jimin’s voice was calm, his body turning to look out into the city. The rain filled the silence between them. Hoseok only swallowed, he was worried, nervous━ yet, what he was feeling was nothing compared to what Jimin felt. 

Jimin will be able to know more about the two younger ones. The two who were selected to actually fly across the world in where they had absolutely no contact. Hoseok held onto Jimin’s shoulder, “I’m sure everything is fine!” Hoseok chirped, a bright smile on his lips. Jimin only gave a small smile back. He was just thankful that among all this chaos, he had a brother with him.

United States of America, Texas - San Antonio      4:30 am

“We gotta get moving, let’s go soldiers!” an American soldier commanded as he waved the small group into a building, shutting the door behind him. 

The American soldier removed his helmet, turning to another American soldier, “when is the plane arriving?” The American took a while to respond as he checked his watch, “In about 5 minutes, captain.” 

The American Captain nodded, clenching his jaw as he looked at his small team, his eyes landing on the two foreigners, “Ya hear that, you two?” The Captain bit back a grin, “you motherfuckers are going back home.” 

Jungkook leaned against the concrete wall, panting from running a few miles, a toothy smile visible as he heard the Captain’s words. He looked over at Taehyung, who smiled at the thought of going back to Korea. 

“We’ll have to go down to Mexico, from there, the flight will be directly towards Jeju Island.” The American soldier informed the crew, earning nods in response. 

The clock had struck 4:35 am, and the door’s of the safe house were opened once more, the American Captain commanding his troops to run towards the plane location━ 1 mile away. 

Taehyung jogged behind the Captain and one other American soldier, Jungkook was right behind him. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the dark morning. Taehyung wasn’t tired, he’d trained to the point that running miles didn’t make his heart pump to the point of fainting. So, why was his heart pumping so fast? 

It became so loud to the point that he only heard his heartbeat against his chest━ it didn’t take long for him to realize that something was right, his whole body felt it, but he kept moving forward. He’ll be on the plane home no less than a mile away. 

“Get down!” Before Jungkook could process the foreign warning, a building on his far left exploited━ sending building pieces flying towards their direction and with it, the familiar grunts and screams of death. “Everyone run!” 

It took a second for Jungkook’s body to react before he started springing to the desired location. His eyes focused on Taehyung’s back. As the group got closer to the military base, sounds of gun-shots started taking over the grunts and screams. Startled by the sudden fire, Jungkook dropped to his knees, covering his ears━ a bad reflex response his body had come up. However, his arm was being pulled by one of the American Soldiers, “Get up━we’re almost there!” 

Almost being dragged by the American, Jungkook stumbled upon his feet, running alongside them. His reaction had cost him some time. Upon entering the gate to the military airport, he witnessed Taehyung entering the plane, along with 2 others. 

20 feet more and Jungkook will also be in that plane. 19 more feet and Jungkook was tackled down on the floor, the sound of fire getting louder and louder━ but Taehyung’s call was the only thing Jungkook could hear. 

And as the door of the plane closed and the plane rose from the ground up to the air━ the last image of Taehyung Jungkook will never forget was how he still reached for him.  And the last image of Jungkook Taehyung got to witness was how he was being dragged off the ground by the American Captain, his gun firing at the dead. 

It was 4: 50am when Taehyung threw his helmet against the metal floor of the plane, pacing around, his body trembling as he tried wrapping his head over what had just happened. He wasn’t going back home without Jungkook.

It was 6:00 am when Taehyung had come up with a plan to return to America and find Jungkook. It was also the time the plane began to share the same trembling as Taehyung’s body. It was 6:15 am when Kim Taehyung’s plane crashed into Mexico, Monterrey. 

South Korea, Jeju Island     time: 8:05 pm

The small lobby held a few soldiers, it only held the ones who had loved ones internationally━ So, SeokJin, Yoongi and NamJoon found themselves in that same room, awaiting their turn to receive their news. 

“Jun-ha,” The Captain called out, “Your sister is doing just fine in Thailand. The Thailand Military will bring her home, she’ll take a plane back to Korea in about a day.” The sound of sobs echoed in the room, 

It was 8:15 when the group was dismissed, bringing panic and confusion among the oldest Bangtan members, “Captain, what about our boys?” SeokJin called out, earning a few looks from the leaving soldiers, “Hoseok and Jimin are just fine in Japan.” 

“We know they’re fine, we’re talking about Taehyung and Jungkook.” NamJoon butt-in, his eyes dancing across the Captain’s face, trying to find any sense of emotion. The Captain only licked his lips, avoiding eye contact, “about that..” 

“I swear to god, if something happened to them━” Yoongi stepped in, panic running through his veins before the Captain spoke, “They are fine. Separated but fine.” 

“What do you mean?” 

Japan, Tokyo               time: 8:10 pm 

“Okay.. Taehyung is on his way..” Jimin muttered, his leg bouncing as he tried to calm his nerves, “What about Jungkook?” Hoseok looked between the Captain and Jimin, “Jungkook will take his plane from Miami, we’re not sure when, but he’s safe.” 

South Korea, Jeju Island     time: 8:13 pm

“Thank God..” Seokjin sighed, his head falling into his arms, relief falling into his body. His boys were coming home. Not together, but soon. 

Japan, Tokyo | South Korea, Jeju Island              time: 8:30 pm

Jimin and Hoseok stood on top of the military base, guarding and scanning the area. It was their turn to stand guard for the night. Jimin felt drained, his eyes only focusing on the far distance of the safe house. His thoughts eating him away. 

“Park, Jung, you two copy?” The Captain’s voice echoed through their radio, Jimin slightly turned his head towards Hoseok. Hoseok grabbed his radio, “Yes, Captain, over.”

“Come to the lobby.” 

South Korea, Jeju Island     time: 8:33 pm

“You told us they were fine!” Yoongi yelled, his eyes burning with tears, “The plane fell near a safe base, I’m sure if━” 

“Sure of what?! Do you even know if Taehyung is alive?” Yoongi cut the Captain off, SeokJin bringing Yoongi to sit back down on the chair, “Yoongi’s right.. I don’t want to jump to conclusions.. But.. we want to know if Taehyung survived..” 

United States of America - Dallas, Texas          6:36am

“What..” Jungkook’s voice came out faint, almost a whisper as the color of his face drained, “We’re sending the Mexican safe house near the accident to check the place.. In the meantime, you will head to Miami for your flight.” 

“I’m not going anywhere until I know about Taehyung.” Jungkook said, the American Captain only sighed, “You’ll know, but you need to get to Miami, go back home.” 

Mexico, Monterrey         10:25 am

Taehyung coughed, his eyes opening as he scanned the area, the beaming sun burning his face. The air was very hot against his face, and with a grunt, he pulled himself from the ground. The moment he stood on his feet, he felt the pain run through his spine, he hissed and crunched down. 

“Fuck..” he muttered, his hands running through his body. He hadn’t broken a bone, thank god for that, but his thigh was bleeding, a deep cut, too. He looked around, but there wasn’t much he could do. Just walk it out. 

12:09 pm

Taehyung reached a point where his leg couldn’t keep up, causing him to stop near a small town. Silence welcomed him, no life in sight, and he didn’t mind. His uniform was becoming unbearable, and his thigh was hurting too much. 

He stumbled upon a small store, entering and blocking the entrance behind him. And just like that, Taehyung found a small place that kept him safe for the day. When Night time fell, the heat of Mexico kept him warm, but his thigh still ached. He couldn’t find anything to fix it, he’ll have luck next time. 

That was if he wasn’t found first. 

2024 © LOSTBERET, all rights reserved. please do not copy, plagiarize, translate, repost, or steal my work.

[cat-in-a-mech-suit]

Transmasculinity Throughout Time: Antonio de Erauso

Alright everyone, fasten your seatbelts. This historical trans man had a wild and complicated life! Be warned that this history deals with violence, war and colonialism as it is set in 1600s Spain and South America. Also, if you are reading this post looking for a hero to look up to, you will not find one. Read a different post.

Historians aren’t sure if Antonio was born in 1585 or 1592, but we do know he was born in Spain, and from an early age, showed an interest in traditionally masculine things, like the art of warfare. He was confined to a convent as a nun, much to his distaste, from the ages of (we think) 4 to 15, after which, in 1600, he escaped and started passing as a man.

He became a fugitive, first going to Vitoria and staying with a distant in law who did not recognize him as a boy. The man he was staying with began abusing him, so he left again, and this time went to Valladolid and became a page for the king’s secretary. He worked there for seven months. One day, his father came in to ask about his missing “daughter” to him while he was working there, and did not recognize him! After that, he left and went to Bilbao. There, he got into a rock fight after a group of boys started harassing him, and he spent a month in jail. So, he went to Estella, and became a page again for a lord for two years. After that time, he went back to his home town of San Sebastian and continued life as a man, regularly interacting with people who he was related to and knew before - they all didn’t recognize him.

Then he set off to travel to the Americas in search of wealth (yikes..). He began as a cabin boy on a ship destined for the new world. He headed to Venezuela and confronted a Dutch pirate ship, emerging victorious. Later he killed his own uncle and stole 500 pesos from him, lying to the crew about it. The journeys continued until a strong wind destroyed the ship and only Erauso and his master survived. They went to Zana together and acquired a home. They also bought slaves (yikes again…).

He got into another fight and this time cut the guys face entirely off. A deal was made for him to marry a specific girl to avoid another prison sentence, but he refused to marry her and simply moved again, to Trujillo. The guy who got his face cut off came to challenge him again, bringing company this time. He won the fight again and killed someone, and went to jail again, and his master paid the bail. He got a letter of recommendation to become a shop manager in Lima. After nine months of working there he got fired for inappropriate relations with a woman (his master’s wife’s sister). He got recruited by a company trying to conquer Chile, became a llama driver and then a soldier.

The secretary of the governor in Chile was his own brother, who did not recognize him. They got into a fight (likely over a girl) and he was banished to Paicabi, where he gained a reputation for being skilled with weapons. There he was promoted to captain. He was not promoted any higher than this because he was too violent, even by the standards of other Spanish colonizers, so in retaliation, he started killing people indiscriminately, burning crops, vandalizing places, and generally being an extremely dangerous individual. He killed the chief auditor of the city of Concepción which led to him being locked up in a church for six months. After he got out, he killed his own brother in a duel (who still didn’t recognize him). That got him eight more months. Then, he fled again, and was briefly taken in by a villager in Tucamán but left again after promising marriage to two girls - ditching both of them. He kept their gifts though, including money and fine clothing.

After that he became a soldier again and killed even more people. He got accused of a crime but this time, he actually was innocent. Shocker. He still got tortured though, but they never found out he was trans. Then he started smuggling wheat and cattle, and also killed another guy. He was sentenced to death, but released at the last minute. He stayed in the church to have sanctuary, after he got into a duel with a jealous husband. He got sentenced to death again in La Paz, but he fled again to Peru.

In 1623 he was arrested in Peru because of a dispute. He was again on trial for execution. In his defense, he confessed to being assigned female and a virgin and was spared for these reasons and sent to Spain. He died in 1650 and a statue of him is on display in Mexico, with his birth name.

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Just a few years ago, maternal mortality was the rare reproductive justice issue that seemed to transcend partisan politics. In late 2018, Republicans and Democrats in Congress even came together to approve $60 million for state maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) to study why so many American women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Donald Trump—not exactly famous for his respect toward pregnant women and new mothers in his personal life—signed the bill.

But some Republicans’ enthusiasm for these committees began to wane at around the same time abortion rights advocates began warning that draconian restrictions on reproductive care would only push the shamefully high US maternal mortality rate—the worst among affluent countries—even higher. Nor did conservatives, like Idaho lawmakers, appreciate the policy recommendations that came out of many MMRCs.

Texas, whose record on maternal mortality (and maternal health more broadly) has been an embarrassment since long before Dobbs, has a history of controversial attempts to play down potentially unwelcome findings from its MMRC. After the Dobbs decision, when the state committee was working on its report examining maternal deaths in 2019, Texas officials decided to slow-roll its release until mid-2023—too late for lawmakers to act on its recommendations. “When we bury data, we are dishonorably burying each and every woman that we lost,” one furious committee member told the Texas Tribune. Ultimately, officials released the report three months late, in December 2022. Soon afterward, the Legislature reconfigured the MMRC, increasing its size—but also ejected one of its most outspoken members.

Now Texas officials have stirred up the biggest furor yet, appointing a leading anti-abortion activist to the panel. Dr. Ingrid Skop, an OB-GYN who practiced in San Antonio for 25 years, will join the MMRC as a community member representing rural areas (even though she is from the seventh-largest city in the US). But she also represents a largely overlooked segment of the anti-abortion movement: researchers who seek to discredit the idea that abortion restrictions are putting women’s lives in danger. To the contrary, Skop and her allies argue that abortions are the real, hidden cause of many maternal deaths—and that abortion restrictions actually save mothers’ lives.

One of several doctors suing to revoke the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, the medication abortion drug at the center of one of this term’s blockbuster Supreme Court cases, Skop has been a familiar face on the anti-abortion expert-witness circuit for more than a decade. She has frequently testified in favor of strict abortion bans in court cases, state legislatures, and before Congress. In a high-profile case this winter, she submitted an affidavit stating that a Dallas woman named Kate Cox— who was seeking a judge’s permission to terminate a nonviable pregnancy—did not qualify for an abortion under Texas’s medical exception. The Texas Supreme Court rejected Cox’s petition, and to get medical care, the 31-year-old mother of two had to flee the state. Apparently, Skop’s hard-line stance against abortion-ban exemptions extends to children. At a 2021 congressional hearing, she testified that rape or incest victims as young as 9 or 10 could potentially carry pregnancies to term. “If she is developed enough to be menstruating and become pregnant, and reached sexual maturity,” Skop said, “she can safely give birth to a baby.”

Skop’s relatively new role as vice president and director of medical affairs for the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, has solidified her standing in the anti-abortion firmament. Lozier, which has positioned itself as the anti-abortion alternative to the Guttmacher Institute, described Skop’s role as “coordinat[ing] the work of Lozier’s network of physicians and medical researchers who counter the abortion industry’s blizzard of misinformation with science and statistics for life.” Elsewhere on its website, Lozier notes that Skop’s “research on maternal mortality, abortion, and women’s health has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals.”

What her Lozier bio doesn’t mention is that three of the studies Skop co-authored about the purported risks of abortion were retracted by their publisher this February. Attorneys representing Skop and her fellow anti-abortion doctors had cited the studies in the FDA-mifepristone case. As my colleague Madison Pauly reported, an independent review of the papers found “fundamental problems,” “incorrect factual assumptions,” “material errors,” “misleading presentations,” and undisclosed conflicts of interest between the studies’ authors (including Skop) and anti-abortion advocacy groups (including Lozier). In a rebuttal on its website, Lozier called the publisher’s move “meritless,” adding, “There is no legitimate reason for [the] retractions.”

Skop’s work on maternal mortality hasn’t received the same attention as those papers—yet. But her reflections on maternal deaths in the US have raised plenty of eyebrows.

Skop has argued repeatedly that abortions are directly and indirectly behind the rise in maternal mortality in the US. In a 53-page “Handbook of Maternal Mortality” she wrote for Lozier last year, she says that CDC maternal mortality data can’t be trusted in part because “there is much unreported maternal mortality and morbidity associated with legal, induced abortion, often obscured due to the political nature of the issue.” She claims that a history of abortions puts women at risk in pregnancy, childbirth, or during the postpartum period—whether from maternal complications she contends are linked to prior abortions, or from mental health problems, such as drug addiction and suicide, purportedly caused by abortion regret.

In another paper co-written with some of the same co-authors as in her retracted studies, Skop and her colleagues call for an overhaul of how states and the CDC collect maternal mortality data, urging the inclusion of “mandatory certification of all fetal losses,” including abortions.

And whereas the vast majority of public health experts predict that maternal deaths and near-deaths will increase in states with abortion bans, Skop takes the opposite view. In yet another Lozier paper, she lists 12 reasons why states with abortion bans will have fewer maternal deaths. For instance, she argues, because of abortion restrictions, women will have fewer later-term abortions, which tend to be more dangerous to women than first-trimester procedures. (In fact, researchers report, that state bans have led to an increase in second-trimester abortions.) She claims that since women who don’t have abortions won’t have mental health problems supposedly associated with pregnancy loss, their alleged risk of postpartum suicide would be reduced. (In fact, the idea that abortion regret is widespread and dangerous has been thoroughly debunked.) Skop makes a similar argument about abortion’s purported (and disproven) link to breast cancer, arguing that fewer abortions will mean fewer women dying of malignant tumors.

Much of Skop’s advocacy work has been done in collaboration with colleagues who share her strong ideological views. MMRCs, by contrast, have a public health role that is supposed to transcend politics—their focus is on analyzing the deaths of expectant and new mothers that occur within a year of the end of the pregnancy. Typically, committee members come from a wide range of professional backgrounds: In Texas, these include OB-GYNs, high-risk pregnancy specialists, nurses, mental health providers, public health researchers, and community advocates. Panels also aim to be racially and geographically diverse, the better to understand the communities—Black, Indigenous, rural, poor—where mothers are at disproportionate risk of dying. In a country that hasn’t prioritized maternal health, MMRCs are uniquely positioned to identify system failures and guide policy changes that can save lives.

Texas’s most recent maternal mortality report found that 90% of maternal deaths were preventable, racial disparities in maternal outcomes weren’t improving, and severe childbirth complications were up 23%—all before the state’s abortion bans took effect.

It remains to be seen how someone with Skop’s background and agenda will fit in with her new colleagues, especially at this dire moment for women in the state. Maternal health advocates aren’t optimistic: “This appointment speaks volumes about how seriously certain state leaders are taking the issue of maternal mortality,” Kamyon Conner, executive director of the Texas Equal Access Fund, told The Guardian. “It is another sign that the state is more interested in furthering their anti-abortion agenda than protecting the lives of pregnant Texans.”

Skop, contacted through Lozier, didn’t respond to a request for comment. In a statement to the Texas Tribune, Skop said she was joining the Texas MMRC because questions about maternal mortality data deserve “rigorous discourse.” “There are complex reasons for these statistics, including chronic illnesses, poverty, and difficulty obtaining prenatal care, and I have long been motivated to identify ways women’s care can be improved,” she said. “For over 30 years, I have advocated for both of my patients, a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and excellent medicine shouldn’t require I pit one against the other.”

Meanwhile, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criticized Skop’s appointment, asserting that members of any maternal mortality review committee should be “unbiased, free of conflicts of interest and focused on the appropriate standards of care.”

“The importance of the work done by MMRCs to inform how we respond to the maternal mortality crisis cannot be overstated,” the group said in a statement. “It is crucial that MMRC members be clinical experts whose work is informed by data, not ideology and bias.”

[cartermagazine]

Today In History

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. became the first African American astronaut to take a spacewalk on this date February 9, 1995.

Harris, Jr. was the Payload Commander on STS-63 (February 2-11, 1995)—the first flight of a joint space program.

Special Honors: 1996 Honorary Doctorate of Science, Morehouse School of Medicine. Medal of Excellence, Golden State Minority Foundation 1996. NASA Award of Merit 1996. NASA Equal Opportunity Medal 1996. NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal 1996. The Challenger Award, The Ronald E. McNair Foundation 1996. Award of Achievement, The Association of Black Cardiologists 1996. Space Act Tech Brief Award 1995. Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Zeta of Texas Chapter 1995. Election of Fellowship in the American College of Physicians 1994. Distinguished Alumnus, The University of Houston Alumni Organization 1994. Distinguished Scientist of the Year, ARCS Foundation, Inc., 1994. Life Membership, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. NASA Space Flight Medals 1993, 1995. NASA Outstanding Performance Rating 1993. JSC Group Achievement Award 1993. Physician of the Year, National Technical Association, 1993. Achiever of the Year, National Technical Association, 1993. American Astronautical Society Melbourne W. Boynton Award for Outstanding Contribution to Space Medicine 1993. Achievement Award, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity 1993. Who’s Who Among Rising Young Americans Citation 1992. Certificate of Merit, Governor of Texas 1990. City of San Antonio Citation for Achievement 1990. NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award 1989. NASA Outstanding Performance Rating 1988. NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award 1988, 1989. National Research Council Fellowship 1986, 1987. Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society 1985. Outstanding Young Men of America 1984. University of Houston Achievement Award 1978. Achievement Award 1978.

CARTER™️ Magazine

[labrxnth]

Prison Break- Part 2 (Leon Kennedy x Reader series)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

CW: Death Island spoilers (obviously), suicidal thoughts/tendencies

WC: 1858

Summary: You and your field partner Leon continue your search for Doctor Antonio Taylor on Alcatraz

A/N: Sorry This was late, I had a busy schedule and major writer’s block

The first thing you noticed about the harbor is that it smelled like salt. Saltiness and almost a tackiness filled the air as you looked out of the rolled down window. Your hand traced circles on the car seat absentmindedly as you watched the boats and people the car was speeding past.

“What’re you thinking?” Leon asked, his hand drifting dangerously close to yours. When he got to an inch away, he stopped, his hand giving a deadly space between the two. If you were paying full attention, it would’ve made you upset, but for some reason this mission really wasn’t sitting right with you.

Call it survivor’s gut or intuition, but this mission was sitting funky in your stomach.

You took a deep breath and turned your head to face your partner. “I don’t like this… Maria being involved with Taylor means that someone like Arias wants a robotics engineer,” You answered and shifted a bit in your seat.

“I don’t like it either,” Leon replied. The two of you were always good at having each other’s back and making the other one feel validated. That was your whole friendship, being the person that each other needed.

You were the person Leon needed after, well, everything he had gone through. Raccoon City, Project Javier, Los Illuminados and Simmons were hard for him to shoulder alone. His life felt like a dark and foggy hallway, a trail of blood and cynicism following him. But in the midst of everything, you were a light. You were with him through everything for the past few years, carrying a candle filled with your aura that scared off the darkness and the fog in his hallway.

You were the one person who hadn’t run away or died, and he’d like to keep it that way.

He was the one person he hadn’t run away or died, and you would like to keep it that way.

Leon S. Kennedy was an enigma to you when you first started working for the D.S.O. under recommendation from Hunnigan. Through the past few years of working together, the two of you started out as drinking buddies then quickly became actual friends. It was over for you when you looked into his eyes and saw who he truly was for the first time. The mission in New York, the summit, the look on Leon’s face were all seared into your mind. His blue eyes tossing your heart just like a human thrown overboard into a vast ocean.

But you were convinced the look he gave you that night was just for your façade; the role the two of you played. If you never spoke life into your feelings, he never had to reject you.

“You’re doing it again,” Leon’s voice cut through your memories; bringing you back to the streets of San Francisco and dragging you away from the dinner party in New York.

“Huh?” You asked, blinking a few times, trying to adjust to the setting Sun in your eyes.

“Getting lost in that big head of yours,” He replied and chuckled lightly. “You do that more lately…. Ever since that mission in NYC.” His eyes looked at you, almost as if searching for an answer for an unasked question.

“I’ve just been thinking about things,” You said, trying to pass it off as nothing.

“Thinking about…..?” Leon asked, his eyebrows raised.

“Life stuff… like if fighting half dead people and gross science experiments is gonna be the rest of my life,” you said, making an excuse. You didn’t like to lie to Leon, but this one thing you made an exception for. And it was true, sometimes you did think about how your life has taken a turn after college.

Leon hummed in response, looking out his own window. The autumnal setting sun reflected in his eyes and hair, making his irises shine like diamonds and his hair shining a dirty blonde in the rays. When the sun hit him, it was a reminder of who he was, the dirty blonde hair and full blue eyes that he had that night in Raccoon City. He thought that Rookie Cop died that day, but maybe all he needed was a constant sun in his life; someone who brought his hope back.

“Don’t start thinking about that stuff, it’ll drag you down,” he warned. “Trust me.” His voice had an edge to it that you had only heard a few times before. The edge that reflected a tinge of sadness, but resilience.

The car stopped at the dock, you and Leon getting out of the Uber and taking in your surroundings. To the public, the only way to get to Alcatraz was a ferry tour, but luckily the two of you could call in a few favors and pull a few strings.

“Follow me, the boat should be at the Marina.” Leon said. He walked in front of you, making his way towards the docks. With no other option, you walked with him, trying not to look at how his blue shirt hugged his biceps a little too well.

The two of you quickly made your way towards a boat with a big branded D.S.O. logo on it.

“Couldn’t have been more covert?” You asked flatly.

“Gotta warn them before we blow their shit up,” Leon said, half joking. He got in the boat, slinging his duffle bag off his shoulder and putting it on a seat. You climbed on after him and looked around the small speed boat.

“You sure this thing has ballistics?” You asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s American, it can blow something up as long as you try hard enough,” He replied with his shit-eating grin. You chuckled in reply and got into the seat next to him, giving him the chance to drive for once. Leon noticed you not fighting for the wheel and he took the opportunity to start the boat and pull out of the Marina.

“So, (Y/n),” He said, putting the boat in drive and starting to steer to Alcatraz. “I’ve been thinking…” He added.

“That’s never a good thing,” You said snarkily and chuckled a bit.

“Very funny,” Leon said and rolled his eyes.

“But for real, what’s up?” You asked and looked at him. He was really focusing on what to say with how much his eyebrows were knitted and the lines next to his eyes were visible.

“It’s bad timing… we can talk about it later,” he said and looked at you, smiling.

You shrugged, thinking nothing of it. The sun setting over the bay was beautiful, it being the only thing that could peel your attention away from Leon. Your eyes tracked the sun, squinting slightly at how bright it was, but smiling at how the waves reflected the red and orange haze it was.

You went to say something to Leon and saw the same look in his face that you’d only seen once before. Amidst fancy clothes, cocktails, and fake friendships, was Leon’s face having the same look as he did now.

It was gone when he realized your eyes had met his. In a blink of an eye, he was back to his normal, scanning the area with a neutral facial expression.

Leon parked the boat at the back of the island and the two of you put on your combat gear: vests, harnesses, etc. once you two were ready to go, you were getting out of the boat and heading towards a tunnel opening.

“Munitions tunnel, should get us in,” You said and nodded towards it. Leon nodded in response and followed you into the tunnel. Eventually, the tunnel opened up to sewers, you two finally being able to fully stand up.

You turned to Leon to say something when you heard a loud BANG! The two of you locked eyes and your handguns were both drawn, aimed towards the other end of the sewers where the explosion came from.

After walking forwards a bit, the sewer split two ways, one to your left and one ahead. The sewers were set up on a block system, like a city.

“I’ll go forward, you go left,” Leon said and turned his ear com on. You nodded, copying his movements and doing the same.

The two of you gave each other a nod and separated hesitantly. Whenever the two of you separated, things never went well. Understandably, it was a necessity, but it still never went well.

You turned your flashlight on and walked to the left, then down the hallway. The light illuminated the tunnel and the sinking feeling you had gotten earlier hadn’t gone away. With Leon gone, it got more prominent.

Your boots hit the cobblestone, echoing with each footstep. Looking around, you were finding absolutely nothing. Out of the corner of your eye, the flash light reflected off of something metallic. You turned towards where the shimmer had come from and found an indented doorknob.

Silently, your hand opened the door and you slipped through it, closing it just as quietly as you opened it. Overhead lights turned on and revealed you to be in a hallway. Holding your gun up, supported by your flash light, you kept on forward.

The door at the other end of the hallway was open, revealing a more open hallway. As you walked, a small electronic buzz hit your ears as you saw one of the security cameras move.

“(Y/n), (L/n) how interesting,” A voice over the PA system said. You swiveled around, your gun up, staying silent.

A sharp pain hit the back of your neck and your hand shot to where the pain was coming from, feeling nothing unusual. Your eyelids fluttered shut as the world went dark and your knees buckled, sending your body falling towards the floor.

“At least you’ll bring me Leon Kennedy.” The voice added.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* : ｡ﾟ☆. ───

Leon marched on forward, trying to keep his head in the mission. Usually, he was good at compartmentalizing and having a one track mind for the mission. That was, until you became his partner; even now, he was worried about how you were faring.

He knew you could handle yourself, but still he worried about you. He didn’t want you getting hurt, or worse, like everyone else in his life.

Leon heard the sound of boots hitting the cobblestone path in front of him and held his gun up, ready to shoot. He rounded the corner and the barrel of his gun got grabbed, sending him into a sprawl. Him and the other person he was fighting with were both trying not to wind up in the sewer water, dangerously close to their feet.

After a few seconds of exchanges, Leon recognized the familiar brown color of hair he was fighting. His eyes finally adjusted to the darkness and he took in the bigger picture, seeing an all too familiar face. The two of them backed off of each other and took the other in.

“Well, if it isn’t Jill Valentine.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* : ｡ﾟ☆. ───

Catch it early on my A03!

[tieronecrush]

a slight malfunction

javier peña x f!reader

rating: E (18+ ONLY, MDNI. you will be blocked if you don’t have age/range in your bio)

word count: 6k

summary:

I think there's been a glitch, oh, yeah / Five seconds later, I'm fastening myself to you with a stitch, oh, yeah / And I'm not even sorry…

You’ve hated Javier Peña since he left you in the dust after six months of dating, or hooking up, or whatever you want to call it. That was six years ago, right before he left for Columbia to chase after the cartels. Now, you’ve moved back to your hometown of Laredo, and the hero of the hour Javier has done the same. You hate him, so why does it feel so good to be around him?

spotify playlist / apple music playlist

warnings: NO USE OF Y/N, previous relationship, use of pet names (cariño, querida, mi cielo) very basic spanish so please correct anything in here, unprotected sex, fingering, praising, soft dom javi <3, undefined relationship, alcohol use, slight angst

a/n: i originally had some flashbacks written in about their relationship before so lmk if y’all would wanna read those as little separate one-shots to get to know these two more :) & please lmk if you wanna be included in my taglist!! i’ve got part 2 for water in your hands in the works as well as some shorter fics for javi & frankie & joel <3 love ya smooches xoxo

Flashing strobe lights briefly blind you as you open your eyes to scan the dance floor for your friends. The bass of the music is thumping where your feet touch the ground, sending shockwaves of vibrations to your chest. There’s a slight sweat on your brow, from dancing and from the sticky humidity of all of the bodies pressed in around you.

You had your eyes closed, feeling the music take control over your body. It was easy to do when you were tipsy; you were here to celebrate your friend’s going away. She was one of the last of your group left here, and you were hoping to use tonight to forget about the fact that despite your best efforts, you have been sent back to your hometown of Laredo, Texas after trying it in the big city nearby, San Antonio. It was kind of pathetic to you, how you couldn’t make it work. But you knew that a part of you was always going to think about him when you were in your apartment there, walking down the streets you used to take, or eating at your favorite restaurants. He tainted the city that you had escaped to, the two of you burning bright and fast for that summer, and you hated him for it. You hated him for the fact that he caused so much hurt that you abandoned your dreams and slunk back to little old Laredo. That was years ago now, but the alcohol in your system made the pain burn just as bright as it did back then.

You shake the anger loose from your mind, continuing your search for your friends, or even a stranger to keep your mind off of the embers of heartbreak that your anger was fanning. Lights of all different colors flashed across the faces of the dancers around you, some coupled up, some groups of women moving together, and others totally on their own like you. As your eyes move back and forth in search of someone to distract you, the beat of the song lines up with a blink of the strobe light. Your eyes stare directly ahead, and the sight you catch a glimpse of sobers you in an instant.

You don’t believe in ghosts or supernatural powers. But it dawns on you that the only logical explanation for the face you just saw had to have been a paranormal force. Or your buzzed mind playing cruel tricks on you. Eyes stick to the same spot, wondering if the vision will strike twice. If it did, you definitely needed to go sit down and drink some water. The beat of the song sends another flick of the strobe light in the dark room, the same illusion crossing under the beam, except this time it’s a few paces closer.

Nerves turn in your stomach, a chill is sent across your skin and down your spine despite the severe heat of the room. There’s no way this is real. You blink a few times, squeezing your eyes shut to focus your brain on anything else. When you open them again, the lights are flashing quicker as the song picks up the tempo, and the hallucination you’ve produced is moving closer. Each flash sends it a step closer, the bodies around it moving out of the phantom’s way, commanding energy rolling off it. The movement of the lights makes everything feel as if it’s in slow motion, and the alcohol in your system isn’t helping you speed away.

Eyes screwed shut again at one last attempt to pull yourself out of this dream, or nightmare, you can’t tell at this point. When they open, the figure you’re imagining is two steps in front of you. The strobe hasn’t hit their face again for a few moments, both of you watching the other in the darkness. Just as the song is finishing, the lights flash in quick succession, illuminating the figure enough to get a good look at them.

Javier Peña. Fucking Javier Peña.

Hands move of their own volition, reaching out in the slow motion of the lights flashing, touching his chest. You feel the fabric of his linen button-up and the hard press of his muscle underneath your touch, confirming your worst fear.

You weren’t imagining it, and he’s not a ghost. Javier is standing right in front of you.

The sudden realization makes your hands burn against his body; you quickly pull them back but his reflexes are faster, more precise. His large fingers gently wrap around your wrists, holding them between your bodies as his head leans down to speak clearly in your ear over the loud house music.

“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, cariño?” His baritone reverberates against your ear, tepid, humid breath skating across the skin of your neck.

Javier takes a step back, an impish smirk spread across his face and a glint of teasing in his eyes. The familiarity of the look isn’t lost on you, your heart constricting at the reminders of his words and his presence. His proximity does something to your body, the shaky adrenaline high making you feel as if you’re floating. Immediately, your brain tries to shut down any of these physical responses to him, searing into your mind memories of you crying alone in your bedroom, your roommates gently checking in on you for days after he left; memories of you moving out of San Antonio months later, hating your job and hating the reminders of him in your everyday life. Your body reacted to these instead, steadying your hands and hardening your expression.

“Fuck off, Javier. Leave me alone.” You pull your wrists from his hold easily, hitting his shoulder as you walk past him to get lost in the sea of people.

His presence follows you, a burning heat felt from the back of your head and down your spine as you continue to weave through the bodies around you; you know he’s following you and you know he’s going to catch you. It was a big part of his job description after all.

A rush of cooler air surrounds you when you break free at the edge of the dance floor. You take a deep breath and scan quickly for anyone familiar to find safeguard in; one step takes you forward towards the bar when you feel that same touch on you. The same touch you could feel in dreams over these years, only marginally different with a bit more roughness from being out in the field. It sends a current over your body and straight to your brain, your nerves firing off before you have the chance to think further. Turning towards the direction of the hand, you’re met with those big brown eyes giving you that damn puppy dog look. Javi’s doing it on purpose, obviously knowing it got him pretty far with you before. It nearly breaks you this time, but something switches on again in your brain, your heart freezing over once again as you pull your arm back to your side.

“I said, fuck off, Javier. I don’t have anything to say to you.” The words grit out from your teeth, coming out louder than normal to be heard over the music and from the anger behind them.

He sighs, the pleading look still swimming in his eyes. He nearly reaches for you again - clenching his fist and flexing his fingers out to hide the compulsion to touch you.

“And what if I have something to say to you?” He raises an eyebrow in question, moving his hands to his hips in that Government Agent™ fashion that is supposed to intimidate you or tell you he doesn’t have time for your shit.

This all makes you scoff, rolling your eyes and crossing your arms against your chest. A stone-cold stare pierces through his composure, a bit of his confident demeanor faltering under your anger.

“I would tell you that you’re about six years too late, Peña. We have nothing to talk about that we both haven’t moved on from. I’ll even say we can be friends at some point if it gets you the fuck away from me tonight.”

“Cariño, you know I --”

“I don’t wanna hear it, Javi. I don’t --- Don’t bring me back there. And stop calling me that.” You are the one pleading now, feeling just as pathetic as you did the day he left. You can’t bring yourself to face him any longer, the memories that are rushing back fill your chest with concrete; it’s solid, unmoving, constricting. With nowhere to go, you find an empty table towards the back to take a moment to yourself. You close your eyes and breath, willing yourself not to shed another tear over him.

A glass is set down in front of you, your favorite --- a G&T with lime. Eyes follow the manicured hand that placed it on the table to a waitress with sympathy in her eyes. 

She leans down and says gently to you, “Been there, hon. This is from that guy over there --” She points behind her and you see Javi looking over at you with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He presses his lips together and raises his glass the tiniest amount, a pathetic cheers and attempted olive branch extended. The waitress continues, “He’s the one you’re upset over? It’s none of my business, but he seems like a decent one. Real respectful and polite.”

Nothing could make this worse. Even a complete stranger was charmed by Javier Peña, enough to try to convince you to hear him out. Shaking your head, you push the drink away from you and look at her. “You don’t know him like I do, unfortunately. Don’t let the eyes fool you, he knows they work for him.”

She laughs at that, nodding. “My boyfriend had the same tactics…Now we’re married with two kids. Never know what could happen.” Those were her parting words as she headed back to the bar. You stare down the drink, not bringing it any closer and not daring to take a sip from it. You don’t want any reason for him to feel like he won any part of this. It was his turn to feel rejected, left behind, and lonely when the dust settles.

The avoidance of the drink is not enough of a deterrent it seems; familiar, tight around the thigh blue jeans come into your line of vision for a moment before getting replaced with the burnt orange short sleeve button up strained across his chest and then his face. He’s sat across from you now in the small booth, toying with his own glass between his two hands.

“I know you’re going to tell me to fuck off again, but do you think we could just maybe have a normal conversation? As friends, like you said before?”

“I said that to get you to fuck off, Javi.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. But it’s the only thing that I can say to maybe get you to indulge me. Just gimme ten minutes. Then you can tell me to fuck off all you want.”

You give him a look that tells him to go on, annoyance clear in the way you suck your bottom lip between your teeth and raise your eyebrows expectantly.

“Alright, uh, I’ll take that as a yes to one conversation…” He pauses for a beat, looking down into his glass and back at you, “So, uh, how are you? What’s brought you back to Laredo from San Antonio? I thought you loved it there.”

You stare at him incredulously, mouth hanging open slightly. You scoff for the second time around him, shaking your head as you look around for whatever hidden camera is going to pop out and tell you that you’re on some prank show. There’s no way he could be asking you those questions without knowing the answers already.

“Are you seriously asking me that? I was doing a lot better before tonight. And you’re the reason I’m back here. Most of it, at least. I hated my job and I hated San Antonio after you left me there. Couldn’t leave my apartment without finding some stupid reminder of you. It was torture,” your words spill out before you can think, something overriding all of your judgment to keep this filed inside your mind and locked away. “Did you just want to talk to fuck with me, Javi? To be cruel?”

His eyebrows draw together, the shadow of the line between them darkened further in the dim lighting. The corners of his mouth draw down with a pout, his lips parting as he searches for his words. It feels like you’ve kicked a puppy, those big brown eyes drilling into yours. Your brain short circuits, your heart powering your movements and thoughts as you nearly reach to comfort him. You hold off as he finally speaks, his volume just enough to be heard over the music, but restrained enough to convey his hurt.

“I would never be cruel to you, cariño. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Now or then?” Your voice still has a biting edge to it, more than you meant to have at the moment.

“Both.”

The simple word completely overrides your thoughts at that moment, the weight of the truth and emotion behind it evident in his eyes. It all swims around in the brown pools, the slightest gloss washing over and catching the strobing lights.

Like a puppet of yourself, your hand moves with a mind of its own to his laying on the table. His skin on yours continues to fry your logical thinking, the currents from feeling his touch on you sending shockwaves all the way down to your toes. The line between his brows laxes, fingers wrapping around your hand to join it with his completely. Unsaid words are spoken through touches, eyes communicating to each other that you both felt the voltaic charge zip through your bodies and singe your nerve endings.

Part of your brain screams at you that this is a bad idea, a malfunction in your judgment. You aren’t exactly sure if Javi fully understands what he did to you, the pain he caused, and if he knows what he was apologizing for all these years later. But you don’t really care at the moment. If the two of you never went beyond this night, you could live with the closure that the simple apology gave you.

At this moment, all you want to do is feel him. Be close to him. Press yourself against his figure, sparking together to generate the heat you feel with him.

Hands grip firmly as you stand, his tugging you slightly back to the table to keep you near before he realizes that you’re leading him with you. A knowing look on your face, the slightest of friendly smiles, and your feet pointed towards the dance floor clue him in completely. He rises from the seat, eyes never leaving you as he lets himself be dragged through the sea of bodies. 

His hand squeezes yours tighter as more people crowd around you as if he didn’t hold that tight that you might disappear entirely. You reach the crowded center of the dancefloor and turn back towards him, the bump of the R&B music vibrating the floor and rippling throughout your limbs to the tips of your fingers.

The music charges your touch even more, the press of your hands on Javi’s chest shocking him into submission. Eyes trail over his full shoulders, the linen fabric of his shirt scratching under the pads of your fingers. The low thumps of the bass in the song make your hips start to move rhythmically, swaying side to side smoothly like a pendulum hypnotizing him. His hands move quickly, much faster than the rest of his body has taken to catch up to the moment, resting on your hips to feel the swing and pull you closer to his front. Large palms slip around to span across your ass, fingers gently squeezing to bring your body tight against his. Your bodies move in syncopation with the muddy thuds of the bass line, a sheen of sweat building on your cleavage and his neck.

The first thought you have in minutes is the idea to lick the perspiration off of his skin, leaning in closer to fit your head in the space between his neck and shoulder. Parted lips exhaled even more humidity, eyes watching as the glossy skin of his neck continued to catch the light with ever different movement. A hand holds the other side of his collar, holding him in that position to allow you space to ghost your lips over the sticky skin. A featherlike kiss pressed to the surface makes the veins in his neck pop out in surprise, hands on your ass gripping tighter. The denim of his pants digs into the exposed skin of your skirted thighs, rough sensations balancing the soft, syrupy ones of your lips on him.

Indulging in your thoughts, your tongue peaks out from between your parted lips, your head bending to the exposed skin from between the top few undone buttons of his shirt. The muscle swipes up the sweat at his and replaces it with the gleam of your saliva, an audible groan rolling from Javier’s lips and straight into your ears. The sound halts you for a second, repeating over and over in your head. The lack of control at the moment allows for Javi’s sizable hands to work back to your hips and twist you around, a quick tug pressing your back fully against his chest and ass against his growing bulge.

The shock from the quick change in dynamic makes you whimper from the loss of control over him, quickly replaced with soft, breathy moans as his hips grind into your backside. You arch against him, one hand laying over his larger palm that’s commanding the wave of your bodies together, the other of yours moving up and back to grip the nape of his neck. Eyes close, losing one sense to focus on the others. You want to hear every breath, every little sound that leaves his lips, memorize every brush of his fingers or the friction of his jeans against the cotton of your dress.

Javi’s head lulls down towards your open neck, lips marking the glossy skin with heated kisses and bites, tongue soothing over any irritation. The two of you are completely intertwined, easily fitting back together as you did years ago as if no time or heartbreak had passed at all. Flashes of thoughts cross your mind that you should pull away, walk off, never speak to him again. But, with every single one of those thoughts, his hips grind against you or lips graze your skin, and another stitch is sown to keep you two together longer.

Songs bleed into the next, Javi and you making your own rhythms to keep yourselves as close as possible and his dominating contact letting you shut your brain off to feel in the moment. You can’t even tell how much time has passed when you finally turn halfway in his arms, his hands still clutching you at any spot they can reach. It could have been minutes or hours, you didn’t really care. It just felt good. A small motion of your hand brings his head down to yours, ear tilted towards your mouth. Your lips brush over the shell of his ear, a breathy suggestion extended to him.

“Do you wanna get out of here?”

Touches catch on each other as the two of you exit the sweaty bar into the chilled late-night air of early fall. Humidity was still thick in the air, but rolling out of the clammy dance floor, the moist air was refreshing. Deep breaths fill your lungs with clean air, the breaths you take stolen intermittently by heady kisses from Javi. His arm is hooked around your waist, palmed splayed on your stomach to hold you impossibly close. Feet stumble over each other in your tangled mess, but eventually, you both make it to your apartment a few blocks away in the tiny downtown of Laredo.

Your current focus is on fishing your keys from your bag on your arm, Javi standing behind you with his lips on your neck distracting you from the task at hand. Without pulling away from you, he reaches into your purse and pulls out house keys hooked onto his index finger. You snatch them eagerly, fumbling with the two locks. Javi all but carries you inside, hands once again finding any part of you they can reach. Waist, hips, breasts, ass, thighs. Rinse with a breath away from his making out with you, and repeat. The movements are programmed into both of you on your way to your bedroom, discarding shoes and clothes as touches skate across each other’s skin.

Right at the edge of your bed, the backs of your thighs pressing against the edge of the mattress, Javi pulls away in a half-lidded stare, voice husky with lust.

“Are you sure? I didn’t think this was gonna happen, it wasn’t my goal when I saw you --”

“Wow, way to make a woman feel wanted, Javi.”

“No, no. Not what I meant. At all. I very much want you and am absolutely going to ruin you if you just say the word,” his eyes darken with the images of what he’s been waiting from you again, yearning over the course of years to be in this exact situation, “But, I want to be sure that you want this.”

“Yes, Javi. I want this. I want you to ruin me.” A smirk crawls across your face, watching the composure slightly crumble behind his eyes before being replaced with pure hunger. The expression doesn’t last for long - lips catch yours in an inebriating kiss. The smallest parting of your lips invites Javier’s tongue in, the muscle dominating yours into submitting to his movements. Hands grip your waist and the side of your jaw, fingers sprawling to lock you into place.

He tilts his head down, yours falling back in a lull - completely drunk on the taste of him. Your tolerance had lapsed from years apart, and now every morsel of him bursts adrenaline throughout your body.

Javier cages you in, arms lowering you down to first sit, then using one of his expansive hands to press against your stomach to urge you to lay back. Legs dangling over the side, his shoulders push your thighs apart while he sinks to his knees and inches closer to your panty-covered heat. Slick floods the fabric, and just by one look in his eyes, you know he can feel it as he presses two fingers against the small strip of cotton and lace.

“This from missing me, cariño? Is your pretty little pussy still crying for me after all these years?” His timbre reverberates in your chest, whimpering pathetically at his words. Fingers press against your clit through your panties, slow wide circles jerking small twitches out of you. It feels so foreign yet so familiar to have his hands on you again, the calluses rougher but the shapes and pressures the same. It takes him a moment to remember the rhythm you like, muscle memory guiding him in opening you up further. A soft moan escapes your lips, the sound turning into a whine at your frustration to be given more.

“What, mi cielo? Do you want more? Use your words. I’ll give you what you want if you can ask for it.” Dark, desire-filled eyes lock into yours as he awaits any response from you.

“Please, Javi, I wanna feel you. Need your fingers, or your mouth, or your cock. Something, please.” The intensity of your fervor for him spills out the words in whimpers and begs. The expression on Jack’s face turns smug for a moment, relishing in the effect he still has on you all this time later.

“Good girl. Buena chica. I’ll give you all of that and more, just cause you asked so nicely.” His lips graze the soft skin on the inside of your thighs, hot breath fanning over the wet cloth covering you. Fingers reach to hook into the waist of your panties, tugging them down as they catch on your ass against the mattress. Discarded somewhere in the room with the rest of your clothes, your panties are forgotten as Javi’s focus zeroes in on the arousal glistening against your outer lips. A soft groan falls from his mouth, tongue wetting his lips and Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows the flood of saliva.

His index and middle finger of one hand reach up between your thighs, spreading your lips slowly to reveal your soaked pussy fully to him. Propping up on your elbows, your eyes find him staring as if he’s seeing a precious jewel or having an epiphany. Eyes blown wide, jaw dropped open just so. It makes you feel powerful for a moment, knowing you cause this reaction in him.

The power trip doesn’t last long - Javi’s free hand touches his fingers to your clit, a jolt of electricity is sent through your nerve endings, thighs twitching. He’s mesmerized by the cause and effect, fingers working agilely in circles to draw more shudders and soft sounds from you. Fingers that were spreading you open drop from this spot, nudging your entrance to collect some of your wetness. As another whimper escapes your lips, Javi’s two fingers slip into your entrance effortlessly, whimper turning into a louder moan. Thrusts and circles of his digits work you closer, the ones inside you hooking with every uptick to press against that spot you and anyone besides Javi couldn’t seem to find.

Greedily, he removes his fingers from inside of you, studying your slick on them for a moment before slipping the two into his mouth to clean them. He hums in satisfaction, leaning in after taking them out with pop; his breath sends humidity against your seeping cunt, his voice incredibly thick with craving.

“Been waiting to taste that again for so long, cariño. Didn’t think I’d ever get to again. You’re the sweetest I’ve ever tasted. Dulzura.”

“Better savor it now then, Peña. Don’t know when or if you’ll get it again.”

At your quip, he sends a restrained slap to the side of your ass, a smug and entertained expression crossing his face when you gasp.

“Think we both know that after tonight, you’re gonna be begging me for more. Just like before, querida. Won’t be able to satiate you. I told you I was going to ruin you. I meant I would ruin you for every other man. Nadie va a ser tan bueno como yo.”

His tongue swipes up your slit, swirling around the fingers still working your clit and making its way to your entrance, kitten licking in and out. He consumes you like a ravenous man. His tongue and fingers work you up quickly, walls tightening around the thick fingers that pushed inside you while his mouth sucks at your swollen clit. Eyes screw shut, visions of shapes and colors against the black as your body tenses up for that glorious release. Your sweet sounds with his name mixed in have made him painfully hard, his hips rutting against the edge of the bed to find some relief while he drew out your first orgasm.

Short breaths draw cool air into your lungs, and your tension relaxes completely. Javi stands from his kneeling position, eyes pouring over your body laid out on the bed. You look at him through half-lidded eyes, still coming off of your intense peak.

“Look so pretty all fucked out, cariño. Missed that face of yours, like you can’t think of anything but how good I make you feel,” he chuckles, satisfied in himself, while giving slow strokes to his length already dripping with pre-cum. The sight makes you sit up more, lips moving closer to his waist to try to grab a taste. He grips your shoulder, shaking his head and tsking down at you.

“Next time, mi cielo. Such a good girl wanting to taste me,” his hand against your shoulder pushes you back down against the mattress and his head nods up in a silent demand for you to move further up the bed. You obey, scooting up as he climbs over you.

Your legs spread wide to give way, his hands pushing down on your thighs. The stretch makes the muscles in your hips burn slightly. His gaze locks onto the mess of arousal slicked around your heat. Tongue pokes out to lick his lips, his eyes crawling up from your open legs to your eyes.

“Such a pretty pussy, cariño. Missed it so much. Can I have it again? Gonna make you feel so good. Coño perfecta. Voy a hacer que todo sea mío otra vez. No soporto verte con nadie más.”

“Please, baby. I want you. I missed you, dreamed about you all the time,” you sound breathy, eager for him to make good on his promises, even if you don’t fully understand the ones in his first language.

Your consent with a confession tacked to it darkens his eyes, his dominance over you still having a soft, warm edge. His brown eyes were still sweet, promising you without words that he would take care of you. That there was an endless apology to give you.

A rousing kiss connects the two of you again, stealing your breath as he notches himself at your entrance. The kiss pauses as you exhale a throaty moan, Javi thrust into you with a dull stretch. The modest burn of pain is sent through your thighs and hips, his cock only buried half hilt. You purr out a moan for more and he loses all poise, bucking his hips to fill you completely. After a minute to adjust to his size again, he finds a rhythm of movement that coaxes out whimpers and moans with every hit inside your walls. Javi’s lips attack your neck, marking you with a love bite at your collarbone.

“Haré realidad cualquiera de tus sueños. I’ll give you whatever you want, cariño,” his humid words fog out against your sticky skin, hands gripping your hips as his thrusts move quicker. He works you up, his words and hoarse groans nudge you closer with every sound.

“Feels so good, Javi. ‘M close, fuck,” you gasp as he hits just the right spot inside of you, sending a shock of pleasure through you, arching your back off the mattress.

“Que buena chica. Let go for me, wanna feel you come on my cock.”

Words and quick, hard thrusts send your brain and body into a short circuit, his name falling from his mouth over and over in a glitch. Your walls tightening around him send him over the edge a few short hits later, warm spend filling inside you as his hips slow. His chest moves up and down in deep breaths, eyes studying your euphoric release.

A warm, comforting limpness softens your form, Javi separating from you with a small groan. He migrates from his position between your legs to lay beside you, turning you to bring your back against his chest. Limbs tangle together after he brings the blanket up over the both of you, exhaustion from the night quickly pulling you into sleep. You hear his voice once more before dozing off completely.

“Te extrañé mucho, cariño. No quiero volver a perderte. Sé que tú eres mi media naranja.”

Balmy Texas morning light filters through the windows of your bedroom as your eyes peel open. You move to reach a hand up to rub the sleep from your eyes, fingers brushing against Javi’s arm causing him to stir slightly. You turn over in his arms, feeling fully awake with the burst of adrenaline from the fact that Javier is laying right next to you after so much time away. Eyes comb over his features, noting the small changes in his face, just barely deeper wrinkles next to his eyes and between his brows, a few small scars from cuts littering his skin. His mustache is fuller than it was before, aquiline nose still creates his signature profile.

“Mmm, you’re staring, cariño. See anything different?”

“Some things. But different isn’t bad.”

At that, his eyes crack open, squinting in the morning light. The warm browns fleck gold and caramel in the sunlight, melting your heartache. His hold around your waist pulls you closer, a look of genuine care sending a shudder down your spine from its intensity.

“Does that mean I might have a chance still? Even though it’s different?”

“I don’t know. Are you leaving again?” The question is the one that has been plaguing your mind since seeing him again. This could have just been a one-night thing, he could be escaping back to Colombia tomorrow, leaving you behind again.

“No. I’m retired, technically. Working on my dad’s ranch with him.” He searches for any response in your eyes, the gears of your brain overworking as you think about what this all means. Before you can say anything to him, he continues, voice soft and low.

“You were the first person I wanted to see when I came back, cariño. I’ve regretted that day since it happened; you have no idea how many times I sat by my phone down there, your number memorized. I could never hit the last digit. I knew if I heard your voice, I’d be on the next flight home to try to win you back. I just - I couldn’t do it. I knew it would hurt too much to talk to you about everything and have to stay there. I couldn’t get out until now. And you’re all I have been thinking about since I came home. Ever since someone said you were back in Laredo, I’ve been looking for you in every store I enter, every time I come into town. I wanted to see you. I’m sorry for springing it on you last night, for not calling to say I was back. But when I saw you, I couldn’t let you go again. Not without a fight. I am so sorry I hurt you, cariño. I love you. Tú eres mi media naranja. You’re my other half.”

Silence falls over the room, the only sound is sheets rustling with small movements. Thoughts rush all over your mind, conflict rearing about what to do next. Part of you says to hurt him back just like he did to you, deny him. Logic says to take a moment to think, to have space to look at the big picture. But the largest, loudest part of you tells you that even though you went into everything last night thinking you two probably didn’t have a chance, you would regret it even more if you didn’t try. All you can say is that, as stupid as it might turn out to be, you haven’t stopped thinking about him either. Every guy in between hasn’t sweat him out of your system; you feel your resolve breaking down in the best way, letting go of the past and wanting to just start fresh.

“I love you, too. But you’ve got a lot of groveling to keep doing, Peña. Better get to it.” You send him a playful wink and bite back a laugh, his eyebrows raising at the comment. He nods and moves to climb over you, a wide boyish grin on his face.

“Oh, you better believe I’ll make it up to you. As many times as you want. Te amo, cariño. Eres mío para siempre.”

edit: realized my spanish translations didn’t copy over so here they are!!

cariño - honey, love

querida - dear

mi cielo - my sky, my heaven

dulzura - sweetness

Nadie va a ser tan bueno como yo. - Nobody is ever gonna be as good me.

coño perfecta - perfect pussy

Voy a hacer que todo sea mío otra vez. - I am going to make it all mine again.

No soporto verte con nadie más. - I can’t bear to see you with anyone else.

Haré realidad cualquiera de tus sueños. - I'll make any of your dreams come true.

Que buena chica. - Such a good girl.

Te extrañé mucho, cariño. - I missed you so much, love.

No quiero volver a perderte. - I don’t want to lose you again.

Sé que tú eres mi media naranja. - I know you are my other half.

Te amo, cariño. - I love you, honey.

Eres mío para siempre. - You’re mine forever.

taglist: @swiftispunk @joelsversion @pedrit0-pascalit0 @ok-anon @milla-frenchy @livinxdeadxgrl @theelishad @comicswhore @reuss7 @pdrpscllvr @oneofutoo @kaletastrophes @asirenbyanyothername

[kernyen-xo]

Long time!

Firstly, how y’all been? I’ve been wandering in from time to time and reading some of your posts. I just haven’t felt like posting myself until now.

Here we go.

What In the World: I walked out of Daiso and almost gave this woman a heart attack trying to get into my parked vehicle. My first thought was why in the world was this lady sitting in my vehicle, and why in the world the driver’s seat of all things?! I mean, why not the passenger side or the backseat?? And, why won’t my key unlock the door!? And then, almost immediately, after trying to open the door a second time, I was like, “Hold on now.. Uh oh. Oh no, this isn’t my vehicle!” Holy hot pockets! I immediately backed away, put up my hands, and told her, “I’m sorry,” several times, and then said, “My mistake, wrong car.” She just stared at me through the closed window, scared shitless. In case she didn’t understand what I said, I stepped back and gave her a respectful bow, and then hurriedly got into my car, which was parked in the next row. I hoped that when she saw me drive away, she was able to put 2+2 together because we had the same vehicle (same make, model, and color). Needless to say the humiliation of it all stuck with me the remainder of the day. I am such a dweeb.

Houston, We have a Problem: Went to Houston last month for my niece’s wedding. I just want to say that I don’t get why Houston is the 4th most populous city in our nation. I mean, the weather. It is pretty miserable. It was super humid and most of us were bitten by these mutant mosquitoes! Every wedding event my niece had was outdoors or it didn’t have A/C. Like the inside pickleball courts. She had a farewell outdoor crawdad boil for her guests, and the wedding and reception were also outdoors. All the events were pretty much held in the Heights area, which despite the weather is a nice historical area. But, you know what? I was glad that I went to Houston because my niece had a great wedding. I loved catching up with my nieces and nephews! I loved the serve yourself margaritas machines! Great people and great food and drinks! The kid and I went to Tenfold, a popular coffee place where I had my first cold brew with lemonade. It was was delicious and refreshing. On another day, the kid and I walked to have breakfast at this cafe with a great vibe. Attached to it was an antique shop, which we perused after we ate. We also did some shopping at Rice Village. We wanted to visit San Antonio but our schedule couldn’t spare the time.

The Kid Jr: My granddaughter graduated from the 8th grade last week! I’m so proud of her. I gave her a Kindle, which I was pretty excited about because she’s starting to enjoy reading, something she didn’t like before.

Saying Good-bye: I also attended my aunt’s funeral last week. Out of 8 kids, it’s just my mom and Uncle Junior that remains. It seems like yesterday when my generation of cousins were kids and our parents were still young and getting into their own shenanigans. It was a sad and bittersweet day. There were a lot of relatives that I didn’t even know, all of them cousins.

Books: I splurged. I decided I needed to start building up my personal library. It’s been a while since I’ve bought an actual book. I have been reading on my kindle or listening to audiobooks from the library app, Libby. It was time to start reading from actual books and adding to my home library. I used to have over 1,000 books but I got rid of most of them because it was becoming too much to pack and move them - especially when I was moving about 3 times a year. But now I have my own home and I’m not planning to move - at least for 5 years.

So, let the book buying begin!

The current book:

If you love birds, you’ll enjoy this book. Amy Tan’s backyard is a bird’s paradise. In this world of birds, you’ll learn about their habits, heartbreak, wonderful curiosities about the whys and why nots of birds’ actions. A lot of times unexplained, but if you are an avid bird watcher like Amy, her reasonings as to why the out of ordinary behaviors were interesting and entertaining. You will enjoy her drawings too.

The Kid and Me: Here’s what we did at the wedding 😆

The beautiful bride and her groom:

(Houston, The Heights May 2024)

How can they look so good in the sticky weather?

The Kid takes a picture of Yours Truly: (Grass Valley, May 2024)

My Loves:

(Sac-Town May 2024)

This post has been brought to you by Toodles, Inc.

[beardedmrbean]

OAKLAND, Calif. - A fed-up group of Oakland neighbors is calling on the city to make their streets safer.

After years of complaining, the neighbors told KTVU they finally took matters into their own hands by installing tires, filled with dirt and rocks, on busy streets, to stop reckless driving.

Homeowners along the stretch of East 21st Street in Oakland’s San Antonio neighborhood are outraged.

City crews encountered hecklers Tuesday afternoon while snatching up dozens of tires from the center lane.

A group of neighbors admits to taking matters into their own hands by installing the tires as a barrier to prevent reckless driving, including sideshows.

"They almost killed someone," said Michael Andemeskel. "There’s a school up there. Kids have been hit on this street. There are people whose cars have been crashed into and totaled."

Neighbors claim the city isn’t doing enough to protect them.

Odelson Souza said his two-year-old son almost got hit by a speeding car coming down the sidewalk.

"Look, please help us," said Souza. "Who else we gonna call? Superman?"

Neighbors also made three of their own roundabouts, reflective tape included, on nearby 18th Avenue about three months ago.

They illegally parked two vehicles in the intersection Tuesday to block city crews from taking down a roundabout.

"Well, we are protesting this. It feels crushing," said Lauren Blanchard. "We want the city to pay attention to our neighborhood."

During our interview, Oakland Police drove through the intersection several times in a patrol car, without taking action.

"So disappointed with the city’s inability or unwillingness to respond to clear and present danger," said Wendy Jung.

Sean Maher, Oakland's Citywide Communications and Engagement Director told KTVU in part, "We all want safer streets, but increasing the risk to the public by installing hazards is not the solution. The city will be promptly removing these unauthorized, dangerous installations."

"Enough of the performative, you know, making everyone feel better, renaming streets after dead rap artists," said Andemeskel. "Do your [expletive] job."

Neighbors said a reckless driver hit one of the tires on Saturday, causing the car to land on its side.

They hope it will teach other drivers a lesson.

They vow to keep installing more barriers until the city comes up with a permanent solution.

Neighbors want the median removed from 21st street, and speed bumps installed.

[fromthedust]

John Margolies (American, 1940-2016)

John Samuel Margolies was an architectural critic, photographer, and author who was noted for celebrating vernacular and novelty architecture in the United States, particularly those designed as roadside attractions. For almost forty years, he documented the most remarkable examples he found, publishing some of his discoveries in books and consigning the rest to an archive, which has now been purchased by the Library of Congress who, in a wonderfully gracious move, have lifted all copyright restrictions on the photographs. (see link below)

Gatorland Zoo alligator statue - Route 1, St. Augustine, Florida - 1979

Deschwanden's Shoe Repair (The Big Shoe) - 10th & Chester, Bakersfield, California - 1977

Wigwam Village #2 - office teepee and several teepee cabins - Route 31W, Cave City, Kentucky - 1979

Wigwam Village #6 - Route 66, Holbrook, Arizona - 1979

Jantzen sign - Stamie's Beachwear - Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida - 1990

7-Up Bottling Company (two views) - NE 14 & Sandy Boulevard, Portland, Oregon - 1980

Coca Cola Bottling Company (two views) - 14th & Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California - 1977

Coca Cola Bottling Company (detail view of door) - 14th & Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California - 1977

It'll Do Motel (office) - Jonesborough, Tennessee - 1987

Joy Theater marquee - San Antonio, Texas - 1982

White Castle - Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio - 1980

Mammy's Cupboard (two views) - Route 61, Natchez, Mississippi - 1979

Dependable Used Cars sign - Division Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan - 1982

Stan The Tire Man statue - Broadway, Mount Vernon, Illinois - 1988

Bomber gas station - Route 99 E., Milwaukie, Oregon - 1980

World's Largest Redwood Tree Service Station (1936) - Route 101, Ukiah, California - 1991

Peach water tower - Frontage Road, Gaffney, South Carolina - 1988

Christie's Restaurant sign (cowboy shrimp) - Houston, Texas - 1983

Roadside flamingo statue - Frog City, Route 41, Florida - 1980

www.publicdomainreview.org/collection/john-margolies-photographs-of-roadside-america/

addendum: seen (not photographed) in a 2007 trip to Garibaldi/Nehalem/Manzanita Oregon — The Wheeler Inn with a wheelbarrow on the roof with a clothed female mannequin loaded into it . . .

[scotianostra]

23rd February 1836 saw the first day of the Siege of the Alamo.

I think a most of us grew up watching the film and John Wayne as the eponymous "hero" Davy Crockett, but did you know there were at least four Scots born men there during the siege?

The four known Scots were Richard W Ballentine, John McGregor (piper), Isaac Robinson and David L. Wilson many of men were of Scots ancestry among the defenders.

The Alamo, according to what I have read, is the busiest visitor attraction in America and has inspired hundreds of books and more than one Hollywood film. According to local legend, Crockett endeavoured to maintain the spirits of his men on the eve of battle by playing on his fiddle. He knew, and they knew, that they all faced certain death, but often ignored is the fact that accompanying him on the bagpipes was John McGregor.

Inside the church on the Alamo site stand the flags of all the countries and states which lost men at the battle. These include the Scottish saltire, the Irish tricolour and the Welsh dragon, as well as the flag of St George.

Davy and Jock took to their respective instruments it is also note that they sung songs to keep their spirits up, one of those songs was a rendition of Rabbie Burns song Green Grow the Rushes O. Now there is one legend that that the song, sung by the dozens of soldiers in the fort of Scottish heritage, is the reason that Mexicans use the term "Gringo" Think about it, can you imagine the Spanish speaking Mexicans outside the fort listening to the besieged men singing the song "....I'll sing you two-o Green grow the rushes-o...." Well it's one version, and why not! This might be ridiculed by some, but the epic film I spoke about, with the late great John Wayne, was also ridiculed for its inaccuracies almost 60 years ago, so why not indeed.

One fact we know though is that there is a stone in the Texas city of San Antonio remembering all those years ago the four Scottish natives who died at the fort.

[tailschannel]

Here's a complete recap of everything featured in this year's Sonic Central presentation

New collaborations with LEGO, an upcoming Sonic Frontiers DLC update, and a first look at Part 2 of Sonic Prime were among the major highlights in this year's Sonic Central presentation.

Here's everything you need to know.

Sonic Frontiers

Details on the second major content update for Sonic Frontiers was revealed in the Sonic Central. Titled "Sonic's Birthday Bash", it's scheduled for a release on 23 June 2023.

Sonic's Birthday: Celebrate Sonic's birthday in Sonic Frontiers with a new birthday theme, including a festive HUD, environment objects, a new birthday skin, and more!

Open Zone Challenges: Explore the Open Zone with all new challanges scattered throughout.

Spindash: The iconic Sonic move makes a return in Sonic Frontiers!

New Kocos: Some Kocos seem to dawn new outfits and some do seem a bit bigger than usual.

New Game Plus.

Sonic Superstars

A new teaser was shown promoting the new Sonic Superstars and LEGO collaboration, featuring LEGO Eggman as a pre-order bonus.

Following the presentation, SEGA dropped new renders and descriptions for all the characters featured in the upcoming game.

Trip: Not much is known yet about Trip, the mysterious girl first encountered by Fang on the Northstar Islands. While a bit clumsy, Trip is heavily armored and has been enlisted by Fang and Dr. Eggman to protect and guide them around the wonders of this uncharted region.

Fang the Hunter (formerly Fang the Sniper): Fang is a springy jerboa that is light on his feet and is always looking for the next big score. A bounty hunter by trade, Fang the Hunter has been known by many different names over the years, likely due to his “WANTED” status with the authorities. Always trying to stay one step ahead, he’s constantly modifying and upgrading his primary mode of transportation, the Marvelous Queen.

You can check out the rest of the descriptions for Sonic, Amy, Tails, Knuckles and Eggman here.

The official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube channel also uploaded a new 3-minute video featuring Superstars producer Naoto Ohshima and Sonic Studio creative officer Takashi Iizuka.

They "talk in-depth about Superstars, including inspirations, challenges, and what it's like to create a new character."

Sonic Symphony World Tour

Here are the official tour dates for the Sonic Symphony from 2023 to 2024:

Sept 16, 2023 - London, Barbican Hall

Sept 22, 2023 - Paris, Le Grand Rex

Sept 30, 2023 - Los Angeles, Dolby Theatre

Oct 14-15, 2023 - São Paulo, Brasil Game Show

Oct 21, 2023 - Boston, Emerson Colonial Theatre

Oct 28, 2023 - Chicago, Auditorium Theatre

Nov 17, 2023 - Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle

Dec 15, 2023 - San Antonio, Majestic Theatre

Dec 29, 2023 - Atlanta, Cobb Energy P.A.C.

Jan 05, 2024 - Seattle, Paramount Theatre

Jan 06, 2024 - San Francisco, Davies Symphony Hall

Jan 20, 2024 - Washington DC, Warner Theater

Jan 27, 2024 - Kansas City, Kansas City Music Hall

Feb 11, 2024 - Tokyo, LINE CUBE SHIBUYA

Feb 17, 2024 - Toronto, Meridian Hall

Mar 24, 2024 - Montreal, Wilfrid-Pelletier Theater

Mar 29, 2024 - Portland, Schnitzer Auditorium

For more information such as ticket pricing and availability, check out the above links.

Sonic Prime

A new extended clip of the upcoming second content drop of Sonic Prime was previewed. It's scheduled to make its debut on Netflix in 13 July.

With the help of his ragtag group of Shatterverse allies, Sonic battles the Chaos Council for control of the powerful Paradox Prism, one Shard at a time.

Sonic Dash and Speed Battle

A new Classic Super Sonic skin will be joining SEGA HARDlight's flagship titles Speed Battle and Dash soon.

Other things of note, as reported last week:

To coincide with the release of the 2nd season of Sonic Prime, characters from Prime will be playable in Dash, including Boscage Sonic, Rusty Rose, and Tails Nine.

Alongside the Prime characters, Super Silver and an all new Dragon Hunter Lancelot will make their debut in Dash and Speed Battle later this month.

San Diego Comic-Con 2023

With Comic-Con coming this summer, a new pop-up restaurant featuring the blue blur will open near the show floor.

More details will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Merchandise

New Death Egg Set from Jakks Pacific: Based on the Sonic 4 Episode 2 final boss, fight The Egg Heart in the new Death Egg set.

Streetwear brand Hypland announced their collaboration with Sonic the Hedgehog: The limited edition collection features an assortment of graphic tees and hoodies featuring Sonic and his friends meshed into contemporary streetwear designs.

S-Fire Sonic Statue: Pre-order the new Sonic & Shadow statue today with augmented reality compatibility.

Sonic has officially announced a collaboration with the popular shoe brand Crocs. As reported back in late May: it's available in adult and kids sizes, for $49.99 USD and $44.99 USD respectively. Besides the shoes themselves, Crocs will be offering Jibbitz charms. They will be coming in a pack of 5 with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Shadow, offered at $19.99 USD.

Other things of note: a Sonic-themed Playmate cooler from Igloo, a themed guitar from ESP Guitars, and Sonic and Shadow Cable Guy figures.

Sonic Origins Plus

With Origins Plus out, SEGA released a new launch trailer.

With more content than ever before, and a new premium physical version, Sonic Origins Plus is the definitive way to play 16 classic Sonic games in one timeless collection.

LEGO

SEGA officially previewed the Death Egg Robot set, now scheduled for a release in August.

As reported via a leak earlier this month, it contains a Sonic mini figure accompanied with his speed sphere mechanism and the launcher to it; and the Death Egg Robot piloted by Eggman, and Cubot.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central

As reported, the upcoming Samba De Amigo: Party Central will be featuring the world's famous hedgehog as a guest character.

The game will feature two iconic Sonic tunes, Escape From the City and Fist Bump, alongside the City Escape stage itself.

IDW Sonic the Hedgehog

Today's Central presentation made a brief mention of IDW Publishing's upcoming one-shot issue for the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series: Amy Rose's 30th Anniversary.

You can read more details in our report from earlier today.

Sonic Speed Simulator

Despite the developer's controversies, the officially-licenced Speed Simulator got a mention in the Central presentation.

Users can celebrate Sonic's birthday in style with the new Tuxedo Classic Sonic skin, out now.

Lastly...

TailsTube got a shoutout, and voice actor Mike Pollock dropped some fire bars in the LEGO collaboration video.

...and that's all! For news and updates anytime, be sure to follow @TailsChannel where you are on social media.

(Files contributed by the Tails' Channel Newsfeed.)

[toffeelemon]

I don’t feel like our love is brand new. There must have been lovers, soulmates, before us, experiencing what we get to have. And it’s giving me comfort to imagine there will be many more like us to come. Our kind of love is the kind of love that makes this rotten world worth living in.

prince simon in madrid

a pilgrimage along the world that @prince-simon created 🥹

Simon’s neighbourhood, Chueca

“It’s actually the Queer Neighbourhood of Madrid, and coincidentally also where I live.” He lowered his voice as if to tell a secret, “It’s actually not a coincidence at all.” (chapter 2)

Casa de Campo (view from the Royal Palace lol oop)

Wilhelm didn’t even recognise himself. He didn’t think he’d ever looked that happy. And Simon… his eyes were closed and his curls were a mess and Wilhelm had never seen anyone more beautiful. (chapter 3)

El Retiro

Simon looked at Wilhelm much too adoringly for a statement this goofy. “The ducks are gay!” He yelled at Santiago and Paula, “Just so you know!” (chapter 9)

Palacio de Cristal

“Here’s a funny thought - bear with me, okay? But just imagine. Flowers. Everywhere, like on the ceiling, up the walls. Fairy lights scattered all through it. It would be so gorgeous as a- uh, like. For a wedding…” Realising where his train of thought had gotten him, Wilhelm fell quiet, looking at Simon with wide eyes. (chapter 9)

El Palacio Real de Madrid (more specifically the Throne Room lmfao)

Simon traced his fingers over the bruises on Wilhelm’s neck and in the opening of his dress shirt, humming contentedly. Wilhelm followed the movement in the mirror, and marvelled at how good they looked together, how well they fit together and how much Simon belonged right here – on the throne, with Wilhelm. He deserved the world and so much more. (chapter 12)

Museo Nacional del Prado

Around them, the other visitors kept moving, admiring the art on the walls, and for the moment Wilhelm felt infinite, imagining himself a painting, looked at and analysed hundreds of years from now. El Abrazo de los Príncipes.

Lo Spasimo, Raphael, 1515-1517

“Are we allowed to kiss in front of Jesus on his way to crucifixion or is that tasteless? Because I really want to kiss you right now, Simon.”

Las Meninas, Diego Velázquez, 1656

“He made me look at Velázquez in the painting and how he was looking back at the viewer, at me. I still remember the exact tone of his voice, how he was so certain when he told me that I had every right to be where I am. That I am the subject of this painting, the king being painted. All those tyrants, King Felipe and Emmanuel and all those that came in between, they are trapped in that mirror forever while I am here, alive, we’re here. Velázquez is looking at two queer princes, ready to paint us.” (chapter 13)

Casa Alberto

“So, tell me more about this special part of Madrileñan history.” He was slightly teasing but mostly actually curious. 

Simon seemed all too eager to answer that question, and it hit Wilhelm how genuine Simon’s care for his city — his country — and its people was. It made him a little sad to know that a lot of people didn’t get to see that because they only focused on Simon being too gay or too Latino, or even just too carefree and enjoying life because he was young, to be their future king.

bonus content:

Iglesia de San Antonio de los Alemanes (where Simon goes to church)

“I think I need to go somewhere.”

“Oh?” Wilhelm said softly, “Right now?”

Simon hesitated before he nodded. “I need to- get some clarity? Or - I hope that I’ll get it there?” He whispered, voice shaky.

“Do you want to tell me where you’re going?”

“To- uh, to pray? I mean- to church? I don’t know if I’ll pray…” Simon’s voice was shaky, uncertainty shining in his eyes when he dared to look up at Wilhelm. (chapter 11)

[rizzstappen]

*sets up folding chair, lays blanket along my legs* Just gonna....get comfy real quick. Don't mind me. 👀👀👀👀

Okay this strays so far from the original tags lol but I was feeling extra soft especially after traveling myself. So this is kinda about the feeling of the ache of your body and returning home and how that’s such a good feeling.

It is a little shorter then last time but it is set in the same universe as my college au!

This is my second time writing maxiel so still figuring it out but of course any questions to comments are welcome!

So I hope you enjoy it Danni! 🫶🏼

Pov: snapshots of college Daniel and Max’s texas road-trip

-

Orange. That’s all Daniel saw as he drove down the Texas highway away from the border. The sun was setting behind them painting the desert landscape in hues of oranges and yellows against the brown of the dust. The week had been filled with memories Daniel would never forget.

On the first day, Max had peeled oranges in the passenger seat as they started their way through Texas stating:

“Of course they’re the best snack Daniel!”

Before he fed a slice to his boyfriend. They had agreed to do a road trip through Texas. They lived in Austin after all but had never ventured out of the city.

~

An hour into the trip, they stopped at a local winery. Of course, they had to get a couple of bottles to remember the trip.

“Look this one has a cool label,” Max said showing Daniel.

“It’s like us. You’re the orange and I’m the blue,” Daniel replied.

The label was a magnificent swirl of blue and orange hues with yellows in between. Daniel nodded “let’s take it,” he said before they went to check out and keep driving.

~

A stop in San Antonio resulted in a visit to the Zoo because of a new Australian exhibit. Of course, Daniel explained how he’d seen these kangaroos in the wild

“When you visit Maxy we’ll see them all along the side of the road” he nodded promising his boyfriend a grand tour of the red-orange Australian desert.

~

An afternoon was spent among the orange and yellow poppies in a canyon in Texas. That year had brought a lot of snow and once the heat of the summer melted the water the seedlings were able to bloom at the base of the mountain.

“Let’s have poppies at our wedding. This is beautiful” Daniel whispered as he lay with Max in the grass picking an orange poppy and sliding it into his soft blonde hair “I’ll even let Charles do the center pieces” he joked.

Max laughed softly against his boyfriends shoulder. His eyes shut “sounds like a plan Daniel” he whispered contently

~

Next came the salsas in El Paso. Green. Red. Orange? The lady had tried to explain in her best English that it was made from an extremely spicy pepper. Chile de árbol. By the end of the meal, both Max and Daniel had tears in their eyes but complimented the local taco shop on how amazing the food was.

It was Max who attempted in broken Spanish “muy bueno. Gracias!”

After that, it was time to go.

~

Daniel’s muscles felt sore and stiff from driving eight hours but finally, they were back in Austin. He parked the car before he looked over at a sleeping Max. Curled into the door of the old car his parents had lent him enough money to buy. An orange hoodie around his chest kept him warm since Daniel preferred a cold car keeping the a/c on.

“Babe wake up we’re back” he whispered placing a small kiss on his boyfriend's forehead “let’s go inside” he hummed shutting the car off.

~

The water ran down Daniels back. Getting the stale smell of his car off of himself was his first priority so a shower was in order.

The shower curtain opened and Daniel saw the silhouette of his boyfriend step in while he brushed the water out of his eyes.

“You’re gonna use up all the hot water” Max mumbled still half asleep from his nap in car. Daniel laughed as he squirts shampoo from the orange bottle into his hand.

“So you decided to join me?” He asked with a soft grin.

“It’s the only way I don’t have to take a cold shower” Max said sliding close to Daniel to get his own body wet.

Daniel stepped aside to rub the shampoo in his hair letting it suds up in his curls as he watched his boyfriend under the water.

He was glad to be home.

As close to home as they could each get.

Well, Daniel was always home with Max.

~

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

In a week when parts of the state are getting triple-digit temperatures and weather officials urge Texans to stay cool and hydrated, Gov. Greg Abbott gave final approval to a law that will eliminate local rules mandating water breaks for construction workers.

House Bill 2127 was passed by the Texas Legislature during this year’s regular legislative session. Abbott signed it Tuesday. It will go into effect on Sept. 1.

Supporters of the law have said it will eliminate a patchwork of local ordinances across the state that bog down businesses. The law’s scope is broad but ordinances that establish minimum breaks in the workplace are one of the explicit targets. The law will nullify ordinances enacted by Austin in 2010 and Dallas in 2015 that established 10-minute breaks every four hours so that construction workers can drink water and protect themselves from the sun. It also prevents other cities from passing such rules in the future. San Antonio has been considering a similar ordinance.

Texas is the state where the most workers die from high temperatures, government data shows. At least 42 workers died in Texas between 2011 and 2021 from environmental heat exposure, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers’ unions claim this data doesn’t fully reflect the magnitude of the problem because heat-related deaths are often recorded under a different primary cause of injury.

This problem particularly affects Latinos because they represent six out of every 10 construction workers, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Unions expect heat-related deaths to go up if mandated water breaks go away.

“Construction is a deadly industry. Whatever the minimum protection is, it can save a life. We are talking about a human right,” said Ana Gonzalez, deputy director of policy and politics at the Texas AFL-CIO. “We will see more deaths, especially in Texas’ high temperatures.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting highs over 100 degrees in several Texas cities for at least the next seven days.

Heat waves are extreme weather events, often more dangerous than tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or floods. High temperatures kill people, and not just in the workplace. Last year, there were 279 heat-related deaths in Texas, based on data analysis by The Texas Tribune.

In 2022, Texas saw its second-hottest summer on record, and an extreme drought swept the state. This summer is not expected to be as hot as the weather pattern known as La Niña eases, which typically brings dry conditions to Texas, state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said.

Still, climate change amplifies the effects of heat waves, said Hosmay Lopez, an oceanographer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who studies heat waves. Climate change causes heat waves to stretch for longer periods of time, reach higher temperatures and occur more often than they would otherwise. The problem is especially pronounced in dry areas of the Southwest due to a lack of vegetation and soil moisture, which in wetter regions produces a cooling effect through evaporation.

At the same time, he added, increased urbanization across the U.S. — especially in places like Texas where cities are expanding — makes more people vulnerable to health dangers from extreme heat due to the “urban island” effect. Essentially, the combination of concrete and buildings, plus a lack of green spaces causes ground-level heat to radiate, increasing the temperature in cities.

“The impact of climate change on extreme heat is not only enhanced [by weather events] but also enhanced through social dynamics as well,” Lopez said.

HB 2127, introduced by state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, is perhaps Texas Republicans’ most aggressive attempt to curb progressive policies in the state’s largest, liberal-leaning cities. Under the new law, local governments would be unable to create rules that go beyond what state law dictates in broad areas like labor, agriculture, business and natural resources.

Beyond eliminating mandated water breaks for construction workers, opponents of the legislation argue that it will also make it more difficult for cities and counties to protect tenants facing eviction or to combat predatory lending, excessive noise and invasive species. Labor unions and workers’ rights advocates opposed the law, while business organizations supported it, including the National Federation of Independent Business, a lobbying group with more than 20,000 members in Texas. Abbott said it would “provide a new hope to Texas businesses struggling under burdensome local regulations.”

Supporters of HB 2127 say that local regulations on breaks for construction workers are unnecessary because the right to a safe labor environment is already guaranteed through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Water breaks are better solved by OSHA controls, argued Geoffrey Tahuahua, president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas. Tahuahua believes local rules impose a rigid scheme that, unlike OSHA guidelines, does not allow the flexibility needed to tailor breaks to individual job site conditions.

“They try to make one size fits all, and that is not how it should work,” he said. “These ordinances just add confusion and encourage people to do the minimum instead of doing the right thing.”

David Michaels, who was head of OSHA from 2009 to 2017, disagreed with the approach of HB 2127 proponents.

“Under OSHA law, it is employers who are responsible to make sure workers are safe,” said Michaels, now a professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health. “And we have compelling evidence that they are doing a very poor job because many workers are injured on the job, especially in Texas.”

Michaels pointed out that OSHA does not have a national standard for heat-related illnesses and issues citations only for over-exposure to heat after an injury or death, but not before that occurs.

“The better solution would be to have a national standard, but since we do not, local ordinances are very important for saving lives,” he said. “Prohibiting these local laws will result in workers being severely hurt or killed.”

Gonzalez, from the Texas AFL-CIO, disagrees with the idea that local regulations hurt businesses.

Mandated water breaks “were passed in 2010 in Austin and construction is still growing, especially in the state’s largest cities,” Gonzalez said. “It is simply false, an excuse to limit local governments’ power and an intrusion into democracy.”

HB 2127 does not impede the enactment of a state law establishing mandatory breaks for construction workers, and during the regular session, two bills were filed to that effect.

House Bill 495, authored by Rep. Thresa Meza, D-Irving, sought to establish 10-minute mandatory breaks every four hours for contractors working for a governmental entity. House Bill 4673, by Rep. Maria Luisa Flores, D-Austin, would have created a statewide advisory board responsible for establishing standards to prevent heat illness in Texas workplaces and set penalties for employers who do not comply with them.

Neither bill made it through the legislative process.

Daniela Hernandez, state legislative coordinator for the Workers Defense Project, said she hopes legislators will push for a state law mandating water breaks for workers. She added that she would not discard the possibility that cities sue to try to keep their water break ordinances.

“Without an ordinance or a law, there is no safeguard. There is no guarantee that the worker will have those water breaks,” he said. “We will keep fighting.”