#Hand Hygiene Solutions

[miradorhealth]

Hand Sanitizers: The Ultimate Defense Against Germs

In today’s world, maintaining good hygiene is more critical than ever. Amid global health concerns and daily encounters with germs, hand sanitizers have emerged as a cornerstone of personal hygiene. Their convenience and effectiveness make them an indispensable tool in our defense against harmful pathogens. This blog will delve into the various aspects of hand sanitizers, including their history, types, effectiveness, usage tips, and role in public health.

The Evolution of Hand Sanitizers

The journey of hand sanitizers from niche products to household essentials is fascinating. Although the concept of using alcohol to cleanse hands dates back to the late 19th century, it wasn't until the 1960s that hand sanitizers began to resemble the products we use today.

The modern hand sanitizer was invented in 1966 by Lupe Hernandez, a nursing student from Bakersfield, California, who combined alcohol with a gel to create a portable cleaning solution. This innovation lay dormant until the 1980s when it was reintroduced by companies like Purell, making hand sanitizers widely available. The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have further accelerated their adoption globally.

Types of Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers come in various formulations, each suited for different needs and preferences. Understanding the differences can help in choosing the most effective product for specific circumstances.

Alcohol-Based Sanitizers

Composition: These typically contain 60-95% alcohol (ethanol, isopropanol, or n-propanol).

Effectiveness: Alcohol-based sanitizers are highly effective against a broad spectrum of germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They work by denaturing proteins and disrupting the lipid membranes of microorganisms.

Usage: Ideal for general use, especially in healthcare settings, public spaces, and during travel.

Non-Alcohol-Based Sanitizers

Composition: These use disinfectants like benzalkonium chloride instead of alcohol.

Effectiveness: They are less effective against viruses compared to their alcohol-based counterparts but can still kill bacteria and some viruses.

Usage: Suitable for individuals sensitive to alcohol or for situations where alcohol use is restricted.

Natural and Organic Sanitizers

Composition: These often include essential oils, plant-based alcohols, and other natural ingredients.

Effectiveness: While appealing for their who prioritize natural products and seek to minimize exposure to synthetic chemicals.

How Hand Sanitizers Work

The effectiveness of hand sanitizers lies in their ability to disrupt the structure of germs. Here's a deeper look into how they work:

Alcohol-Based Sanitizers: The primary germ-killing action comes from alcohol. Alcohol disrupts the cell membranes of bacteria and viruses, denatures their proteins, and dissolves lipids, leading to cell death. For maximum efficacy, a hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Higher concentrations can further enhance germicidal activity but may also dry out the skin.

Non-Alcohol-Based Sanitizers: These rely on chemical agents like benzalkonium chloride to destroy microorganisms by breaking down cell membranes and denaturing proteins. While they can be effective, their germ-killing spectrum is narrower than alcohol-based products, and they might require longer contact time to achieve similar results.

Natural and Organic Sanitizers: These typically include antimicrobial essential oils like tea tree oil or thyme oil. While they can provide a degree of germicidal activity, their effectiveness is generally less compared to conventional sanitizers. They are best used as supplements rather than primary means of sanitization.

Correct Usage of Hand Sanitizers

To maximize the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, proper usage is crucial. Here are some key steps:

Application: Apply a generous amount of sanitizer (about the size of a dime or quarter) to the palm of one hand.

Spreading: Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Continue rubbing for at least 20-30 seconds until your hands are dry.

Reapplication: Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, especially after touching high-contact surfaces, coughing, or sneezing.

Avoidance of Certain Conditions: Hand sanitizers are less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. In such cases, washing with soap and water is recommended.

Benefits of Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers offer numerous benefits, making them an essential part of personal hygiene and public health:

Convenience: Portable and easy to use, hand sanitizers provide quick disinfection on the go, making them ideal for use in public spaces, during travel, and when soap and water are not available.

Effective Germ Control: High-alcohol formulations can kill a broad spectrum of pathogens, reducing the risk of infections.

Complement to Handwashing: While not a substitute for handwashing, hand sanitizers are a valuable adjunct, especially in situations where soap and water are unavailable.

Reduced Spread of Illness: Regular use of hand sanitizers can significantly reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, benefiting both individuals and communities.

Limitations of Hand Sanitizers

Despite their many benefits, hand sanitizers have limitations:

Reduced Efficacy on Soiled Hands: Hand sanitizers are less effective on visibly dirty or greasy hands. Soap and water remain the preferred method for thorough cleaning.

Skin Irritation: Frequent use of alcohol-based sanitizers can cause dryness and irritation. Using moisturizers can help mitigate these effects.

Limited Range: Non-alcohol-based sanitizers may not be effective against all types of germs, particularly certain viruses.

Potential for Misuse: Over-reliance on hand sanitizers can lead to neglect of handwashing, which is crucial for removing dirt and certain pathogens.

The Role of Hand Sanitizers in Public Health

Hand sanitizers play a vital role in controlling the spread of infectious diseases, especially in public health scenarios:

Outbreaks and Pandemics: During outbreaks, such as the H1N1 flu or COVID-19, hand sanitizers have been crucial in curbing the transmission of viruses in settings where handwashing facilities are limited.

Healthcare Settings: In hospitals and clinics, hand sanitizers are essential for maintaining hygiene standards, preventing healthcare-associated infections, and ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.

Educational Institutions: Schools and universities use hand sanitizers to reduce the spread of germs among students and staff, promoting a healthier learning environment.

Public and Community Spaces: Hand sanitizers are commonly placed in high-traffic areas like malls, airports, and public transportation hubs to encourage good hygiene practices and reduce the risk of infection.

Choosing the Right Hand Sanitizer

Selecting an appropriate hand sanitizer involves considering several factors:

Alcohol Content: For effective germ control, choose a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.

Formulation: Gel formulations are easy to apply and control, while sprays can cover larger surfaces quickly. Wipes offer convenience for on-the-go cleaning but may not always be as effective as liquid forms.

Ingredients: For sensitive skin, look for sanitizers with added moisturizers or natural ingredients to minimize irritation.

Certifications: Ensure the sanitizer is approved by relevant health authorities, such as the FDA or WHO, to guarantee its efficacy and safety.

Conclusion

Hand sanitizers have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering a convenient and effective means to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of germs. Their role in public health, particularly during outbreaks and in healthcare settings, underscores their importance. By understanding their types, proper usage, and benefits, we can make informed choices and use hand sanitizers effectively as a part of our overall hygiene practices.

In a world where germs are an inevitable part of life, hand sanitizers stand as a reliable defense, helping us stay healthy and safe. Whether at home, work, or on the go, keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer within reach is a simple yet powerful step towards better health and hygiene.

[wisdommanufacture]

How Hand Dryers Work: Types, Benefits, and Why They're an Eco-Friendly Choice

Hand dryers are an essential part of modern hygiene facilities. They are commonly found in bathrooms, public restrooms, and commercial spaces. While we use them daily, many people don’t fully understand how these devices work to dry hands efficiently. In this blog post, we will explore the mechanics behind hand dryers, how they function, the different types of hand dryers available, and why they are an eco-friendly and hygienic choice.

What is a Hand Dryer?

A hand dryer is an electric machine designed to remove moisture from hands after washing them. By using warm or high-speed air, the device works to dry hands quickly and efficiently. Hand dryers are seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to paper towels because they eliminate the waste associated with disposable products. However, the effectiveness and hygiene of hand dryers have been debated, especially when compared to paper towels.

How Does a Hand Dryer Work?

The basic concept behind a hand dryer is simple: it blows air over your wet hands to evaporate the water. However, the process is much more sophisticated than it appears on the surface. Let’s break it down into key components:

1. Activation

The user typically activates the hand dryer by either pressing a button or, in the case of automatic models, by waving their hands in front of a sensor. The sensor detects motion and triggers the machine to begin operating. This motion-sensing technology eliminates the need to touch the device, which promotes hygiene by reducing the spread of germs.

2. Motor and Fan

Once activated, the motor inside the hand dryer powers a fan, which begins to draw in air from the surrounding environment. The motor typically works with speeds ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 RPM (revolutions per minute), allowing for high airflow to quickly dry the hands.

3. Air Heating (Optional)

Some hand dryers are equipped with heating elements to warm the air before it is blown over the hands. This is particularly useful in colder climates where the cold air can make the hand-drying process less efficient. However, not all hand dryers have heating elements, especially high-speed models that rely on the sheer force of air to dry hands quickly.

4. Airflow Direction

Once the fan blows the air, it is directed through nozzles or vents designed to create a concentrated stream of air. This airflow targets specific areas of your hands and accelerates the evaporation process. The power and design of these nozzles can vary based on the hand dryer model, with some offering multiple nozzles for more even air distribution.

5. Moisture Evaporation

The key to the hand dryer’s effectiveness is its ability to increase the evaporation rate of the water on your hands. Air blowing over your hands removes the moisture, causing it to evaporate into the atmosphere. Some models even use high-speed jets of air that forcefully blast the water droplets off your skin. These powerful air streams can significantly reduce drying time, with some high-speed hand dryers drying hands in just 10-15 seconds.

6. Automatic Shutoff

Most modern hand dryers are equipped with automatic shutoff features. After a certain period, if the user’s hands are no longer under the airflow, the sensor will detect the absence of motion and power off the dryer. This feature helps save energy and prevents unnecessary use.

Types of Hand Dryers

There are several different types of hand dryers available on the market. Each has its unique mechanism and benefits.

1. Conventional Hand Dryers

Conventional hand dryers, often seen in public restrooms, work by blowing warm air at a moderate speed. These models can take longer to dry hands compared to newer technologies, typically requiring 30-60 seconds. While they are effective, they are not the most energy-efficient or hygienic option.

2. High-Speed Hand Dryers

High-speed hand dryers utilize faster airflow (up to 200 miles per hour in some models) to blast water off your hands rather than relying solely on evaporation. These dryers often dry hands within 10-15 seconds. Though they are noisier than conventional dryers, they are much more energy-efficient and can save significant amounts of money in the long run.

3. Jet Hand Dryers

Jet hand dryers are similar to high-speed dryers but are distinguished by the nozzle design. These dryers use air jets to target specific spots on the hands, typically at an even faster speed than regular high-speed dryers. They can produce a more concentrated airflow and dry hands even more quickly. However, the force of air can sometimes be uncomfortable for users, especially if their hands are positioned too close to the nozzle.

4. Hand-in Hand Dryers

These are newer designs where users insert their hands into a vertical slot, and the machine blows air from all sides of the hands. These dryers are often more energy-efficient and faster than conventional hand dryers, but they can be less intuitive and take up more space in a restroom.

5. Airblade Technology Hand Dryers

Airblade hand dryers are a popular high-speed option known for their efficiency. These dryers use a unique design where a sheet of high-velocity air is forced through narrow slits to create a “blade” of air that dries the hands. Airblade technology reduces drying time to around 10-15 seconds, making it one of the most effective and energy-efficient hand dryers available.

Benefits of Using Hand Dryers

Hand dryers provide numerous advantages over traditional paper towels. Here are a few benefits:

1. Eco-Friendly

One of the primary benefits of hand dryers is their environmental impact. Traditional paper towels contribute to waste and consume natural resources, particularly trees. By contrast, hand dryers reduce the need for disposable paper, lowering the waste generated in public restrooms. This is a major reason why many businesses and public institutions opt for hand dryers instead of paper towels.

2. Cost-Effective

While the initial cost of installing a hand dryer may be higher than purchasing paper towels, over time, hand dryers can save significant amounts of money. This is because they eliminate the need to constantly restock paper towels and reduce labor costs associated with maintenance and cleaning.

3. Hygienic

Hand dryers help reduce cross-contamination because many modern models feature automatic sensors, meaning users do not need to touch the device. Additionally, since they use air to dry hands, there is less chance of bacteria and viruses being transferred from the paper towel dispenser or bin.

4. Convenient and Efficient

Unlike paper towels, which can run out and need to be replaced, hand dryers are always available as long as the power is on. High-speed dryers also offer a fast drying time, making them ideal for high-traffic areas where people may not have time to wait for traditional towel drying.

Hand Dryers vs. Paper Towels: Which is Better?

While hand dryers have several benefits, they are not without their critics. Some studies suggest that paper towels may be more effective in removing bacteria and viruses from hands due to the mechanical action of wiping. Others point out that hand dryers, especially those with slower drying times, can spread germs in the air or across surfaces due to the force of the air.

Ultimately, the choice between hand dryers and paper towels depends on the priorities of the facility, such as cost, environmental impact, hygiene, and user experience. Many modern hand dryers are designed to minimize the spread of germs, but ensuring that restrooms are kept clean and well-maintained is still essential.

Conclusion

Hand dryers are a modern solution to a common problem—drying hands efficiently and hygienically. Whether you opt for a conventional hand dryer or a high-speed Airblade model, these devices work by using air to accelerate the evaporation of moisture. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and, with the right maintenance, can provide a hygienic hand-drying experience for all users.

As technology advances, hand dryers are becoming even more efficient and user-friendly, and it’s clear they will continue to play a crucial role in public hygiene for years to come. So, the next time you step up to a hand dryer, you’ll know exactly how it works to keep your hands dry and clean!

[pureclean-supplies]

Ultimate Guide to Commercial Cleaning Products at Pure Clean Supplies!

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[ravinderimarc]

IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 11.4 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.29% during 2024-2032. The market is experiencing moderate growth driven by the rising concerns regarding healthcare-associated infections, the implementation of stringent regulations and standards, increasing public awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare settings, and ongoing technological advancements.

[bishtmeenakshi]

Global Hand Dryers Market: Trends, Insights, and Future Prospects

The global hand dryers market is a sector within the hygiene and sanitation industry that focuses on the manufacturing, distribution, and use of hand dryers as an alternative to traditional paper towels for drying hands in public restrooms and commercial spaces.

[alwayscorvus]

Hello! I like your headcanons and I would like to suggest an idea. Can I request Jiyan from Wuthering Waves with a reader who was a slave in childhood and still has a barcode on his/her neck? I'm sorry if there are mistakes. English is not my native language 💕

Barcode on my neck

malereader x Jiyan, fluff;

warning! some heavy topics mentioned but no drastic details and no sexual aspects about reader

Brooo thats such a good idea. Like I would want to read something similar myself, I just don't know why exactly I got this request when I don't have enough telent to use this potential :”) Still thx and here it is:

And don't worry about your english, i'm not a native speaker either

Officially no more Jiyan request, I ran out of screenshots to make graphics [*] nah jk jk but this profile is really changing from wuwa profile to jiyan profile while im better with other characters…

You were never ashamed of your “mark,” as you used to call it. You also never hid your past. Yes, it may not have been bright and you would have given up a lot to be able to avoid it. But it also made you who you are right now. It turned you into a tough person. True, you could have grown up that way under less tragic circumstances. But at least you tried to take comfort in the fact that maybe thanks to your sacrifice someone else didn't have to suffer. That maybe you took someone else's place. Place of someone who wouldn't have had the will to fight to survive. Persistence that would allow them to free themself from this chains. Besides, ever since you regained your freedom you have been doing your best to crack down the idea of slavery for good.

You gained strength and attitude while still being young. Since childhood you served under corrupt nobility. Cleaning, running with tea, feeding farm animals. Year after year carrying heavier and heavier goods. From behind the curtains, watching your master, negotiating more and more deals.

This gave you the foundation for starting your own organization. Sure, at first you worked alone. But over time, others joined in. People with the same ideas, those you saved, or those who lost their siblings in similar circumstances.

At first you had to dispense justice by force. As infamous as it may sound. With tricks, you snatched victims from the hands of their oppressors. With fights you made them understand to never make the same mistake again. Back then, it was the only solution. When army couldn't help. And even refused to, bribed with money stained by suffering of innocents. When law changed, people got more aware, and slavery finally became a fact, not just a taboo topic swept under the rug, it was easier for you. Since society began to exterminate what you were fighting against, you could move on to less drastic methods.

You pretended to be important figures, gathered evidence, brought anonymously to the court. You traveled around and saved more and more. Even though you could never get enough, you were proud of what you had accomplished.

For some time. Until you met him.

Jiyan. He was the sweetest and most caring person on world. Always looking out for others. Put other people's well-being above his own. Never forgot to send his subordinates on much-deserved vacation. While he himself stayed up all night in the base. He rushed them to lunch and dinner while he forgot to eat. Moved to the front line, taking the most damage and rescuing his close ones. He was just so kind. So generous, thoughtful. And what's more, so intelligent, hardworking, resourceful. You were totally head over heels for him. And no, you would never in your life suspect him of supporting slavery or showing no sympathy for those who went through it. But you were still afraid of his reaction. Suddenly you felt dirty. After all, conditions in which you “worked” were awful. Especially when they sent you to the animals. You didn't maintain basic hygiene. You weren't worth wasting water on it. Except the time of guests visits, you walked around the residence in sacks. Until they tore to the rest. Your master didn't even bother to look at you. Would it have been the same with Jiyan? Would he feel disgusted? Start keeping you at distance? Or would he take you at his mercy? Start looking at you only through the prism of your past? Stop using your full potential?

Your heart would probably break at this sight that would accompany it. You wouldn't be able to stand it.

For the first time since childhood, you began to feel ashamed of the black ink adorning your neck.

When visiting Huanglong for the first time and meeting Jiyan, you put your organization on hold and covered your neck with thick turtlenecks.

You joined the army as a volunteer. Served under Jiyan's command. You spent more and more time together, and your friendship grew. You matched each other perfectly and both of you caught each other's eye. Your relationship moved smoothly to a higher level.

General never picked too much interest your unusual tastes. But one particularly hot summer he began to look suspiciously at your closet. Worried about your health, looking for potential disorders in your sense of temperature that could later threaten your well-being. He began to ask if you weren't feeling too hot. Whether everything was alright. After all, he covered himself up pretty well, but his clothes were made of a special, highly breathable fabric. To ease the situation you followed his footsteps and provided your closet with similar outfits. Though in a different color theme. Jiyan was satisfied, but only for a moment. It was really starting to get suspicious. Especially when you started sharing a bedroom with each other. He could understand sleeping wrapped up in the winter. But during the vacations? Were you ashamed of him? Jiyan began to feel insecure. He started to blame himself.

You saw this and couldn't forgive yourself.

Yet you were still afraid.

In the end, Jiyan couldn't stand it. At one evening, he pulled you onto a bed for a talk. You avoided his gaze while he looked at you hopefully.

You both held hands. Jiyan gently massaged your palm with his thumb, trying to give you some encouragement. And you squeezed him to the point when it started to feel unbearable.

Finally, you let him go. A shudder of anxiety went through Jiyan. Had he overstepped the boundaries? Did he make you feel uncomfortable? Did he just ruin everything that you two had built together? Do you want nothing to do with him anymore?

But you just closed your eyes, took a deep breath and reached for the hem of your clothing. You pulled it upward. Slowly exposing your body. You tossed the material aside and waited.

Jiyan looked at you surprised. Concerned, he began to scan your body. Too worried to be carried away by feelings that caused him to blush slightly at the sight of your sculpted stomach.

General was searching for something. Some kind of mark. A scar or a birthmark. Something that could “taint” your chest. He furrowed his brow unable to see anything.

You waited and waited. But after no response, you sighed again. You leaned your neck to expose it better. A row of numbers and a barcode made with some crappy ink appeared in front of Jiyan's eyes.

He froze. You could only hear him gasping for air in shock and when a pile of thoughts rushed through his head. He involuntarily lifted his hand up and you shuddered slightly.

-Can I?

You nodded. It's not like you could take it back anymore.

You felt a touch on your neck. Gentle, warm fingertips caused a pleasant tingling sensation. Forgetting the meaning of your mark, you earned a flush similar to that adorning your partner.

-Is that-…?

He wanted to confirm but words got caught in his throat. He was devastated. And at the same time so bloody sorrowful.

-Yes. It's a barcode. Exactly like the ones worn by slaves. Same ones to which I also belonged.

You explained briefly not wanting to prolong the moment. It was hard for you anyway. Not exactly because you were going back to the past but rather because you were worried about the future.

Jiyan didn't know how to respond. He never showed his emotions too boldly. He didn't have any special communication skills. Oh how damn sorry he was when he couldn't pour out all his feelings onto you. This sympathy and love that was once taken from you.

He clenched his fists tightly and ground his teeth.

You knew him well enough to know that he didn't know how to deal with this. This information had to be too overwhelming for him. Exactly as you expected. His well-being was the most important thing for you. So you had to reassure him as soon as possible.

-It happened when I was still a kid. I got sold at young age. I was mainly a helper, bottle washer. I got hit a few times, but as you can see not often enough or-... hard enough- to leave any scars. I didn't live in the best conditions, but for the men it wasn't the worst. You don't have to worry about that. My owners have never crossed the line.

You stuttered out quickly. As you got older, you talked about your feelings unmoved. Trying to take away any impact from these events. Not wanting to burden Jiyan more and really get over it.

You were afraid of rejection.

But it never came.

Not from Jiyan. Your Jiyan.

-Oh, [M/N]-

General let out a concerned voice, which you heard from his mouth for the first time in your life. After a moment, you got locked in a tight hug.

-I can't undo what you had to go through, but I can promise that I will try to make each of your future days the best ones in your life. To me, you will always be my [M/N]. And nothing will change that.

He assured, and your eyes filled with tears. You could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After a night full of thrills, a new day had come. With a fresh approach to life, you borrowed some looser black shirt from Jiyan. Revealing your barcode, you felt yourself radiating a powerful and intimidating vibe once again. A confident smirk appeared on your face.

As you passed by the soldiers on your way through the camp, you could feel their stares. Familiar whispers, exchanged remarks. An experience so well-known to you. Once again, you felt comfortable in front of others, making them aware that such things really did happen.

But this too had to end. As you sat in your office chair, looking through a pile of documents, with your feet carelessly thrown over a table. You heard someone gasp. One of the recruits, by coincidence one of those you helped to train recently. He stared in fear with his eyes wide open and mouth gaping. Almost burning a hole in your barcode.

Again, an unpleasant shiver went through you. You didn't know why it set you off so much, after all, he reacted just like dozens other people you've passed today, maybe just a little more abruptly. Or... maybe you knew. What made this situation different from previous ones was Jiyan's presence. You were used to these reactions, he was not. Again, you were afraid of how this would affect him. Again, unnecessarily so.

General stood by a wall with a large screen displaying Huanglong's territories under threat of attack. He was analyzing next moves till he got startled by a sudden silence. The way you stopped looking through papers and clanking with a mug of hot coffee.

He turned around in a hurry and situation that he found definitely didn't please him.

He cleared his throat.

-If you have nothing to say rookie, I would advise you to return to your work immediately - Jiyan replied coldly.

Without considering any questions from the soldier.

Young boy panicked slightly, while you smiled triumphantly at that.

This possessive, fierce side of Jiyan that you hadn't known before, especially towards his subordinates... You liked it damn well.

[jaystardust]

‎𖦹 ༘⋆𓇼ִ ࣪🐚⋆｡ LIKE HOT SUMMER

Pairing: sim Jake x fem!reader, ft. lee heeseung, sungchan of riize

Genre: brother best friend, beach au, fluff, angst

Warnings: angst, suggestive, sungchan is kind of a toxic ex, cheating, alcohol consumption, slut shaming...

Summary: After a tough school year and a heartbreaking breakup, you escape to a beach house with your brother Heeseung and his best friend Jake. Amidst sun-soaked days and ocean waves, you find an unexpected connection with Jake growing stronger. Just as you begin to heal, an unexpected event stirs up unresolved emotions and complicates your summer retreat.

Words count: 9.4K

The feeling of sea salt drying on your skin, the light breeze flowing through your hair, and the hot sand beneath your feet can seem so near yet so far at the same time.

It was your last day of exams before the summer break, and to be honest, some vacation was needed. It's been a tough year, and as intense as it sounds, it's been hard to combine classes with your part-time job. You were working at a coffee shop near the campus, which was exhausting. That's where you met your boyfriend, Sungchan, well... ex-boyfriend.

The break-up was still fresh, so fresh that you had trouble getting used to it, or at least realizing it.

A week ago, when you had to go to your shift – an unscheduled shift, as you had to replace a colleague – you caught your boyfriend hooking up with one of your colleagues in the supply room... very hygienic, by the way…

As luck had decided not to be on your side on this one, and as if you hadn't already had enough, this summer's vacation would be spent with Sungchan. The trip to Greece you'd been looking forward to had fallen through, and so had the money you'd put into it. Neither the ticket nor the hotel was refundable so close to departure. And it was out of the picture to spend time in the presence of your ex, even if the sea at hand would have been a wonderful opportunity to drown him.

As your older brother, Heeseung, noticed that you were feeling down about not having any plans for the summer due to your recent break-up, he came up with an idea. He knew how hard you had worked all year to make the most of your summer, and it was difficult for him to see you feeling that way.

That's why he offered you to spend the vacation with him and his best friend Jake at the beach. His best friend had invited him many times to his family's beach house. So when Heeseung mentioned your situation to him, he immediately asked if you would like to join them.

You were not very well acquainted with Jake, but you truly appreciated this thoughtful gesture. Even if you knew that he probably just did it to help his best friend, or at least to help him get some peace of mind so he could have a blast all summer with him.

After considering it for some time, you concluded that this well-deserved vacation was a great idea. You'll have all the time you need to unwind and put your break-up out of your mind, even if it means sharing the space with your brother and his best friend. While they are out enjoying themselves, whether by getting drunk or getting laid, topics that hold no interest to you.

---

Sitting on your suitcase so that it could close was not a solution, and yet there were plenty of movies where you'd seen people do it. The only way out was to get some stuff out of it, but that was not an option. The number of outfits you had planned for this trip was not negotiable with the size of your suitcase. And that's why you finally decided to add another travel bag

The boys had already arrived at the beach house,  it was agreed that you would join them shortly after their arrival. They'd had to go there a few days before because of some big campfire party on the beach or something like that, but to be honest, you hadn't followed it up. You were too busy organizing your bikini collection when Heeseung came to tell you about their supposedly amazing program.  

The plan was for you to take the bus-- the perks of being broke --and for Heeseung to pick you up at the nearest bus station. Knowing that the journey was going to take some time, you took along a book, earplugs, and a sleep mask. Not wanting to be disturbed during the nap you were about to take. It had been an emotional week, and you'd lost count of the sleepless nights you'd spent studying or crying over the fact that you'd been cheated on...

The bus ride seemed to stretch endlessly, with the rumble of the engine and the gentle swaying of the vehicle creating a soothing backdrop for some well-deserved rest. As the miles passed by, you found yourself drifting off into a peaceful slumber, finally able to catch up on the sleep that had eluded you for so long. 

When you finally arrived at the small coastal town, you were surprised to find that Heeseung was not waiting for you at the station. Instead, you spotted Jake leaning against his car with a relaxed smile, ready to greet you.

You wiped away any trace of surprise from your face to avoid appearing hostile. You grinned back at him as you struggled towards him with your luggage.

Seeing you struggling with your bags, Jake reacted immediately and came to help you by taking both of them off your hands. "Hey! Let me help you with that."

He lifted them with ease, and it was hard not to notice his biceps flexing as he carried them. You thanked him for this gesture and followed him to his car. You couldn't help but notice the sun-kissed glow on his skin, evidence of the few days he had spent outdoors. His arms, displayed in a sleeveless shirt, revealed his noticeable nice tan.

As you gazed at him, you silently thanked yourself for wearing sunglasses. You didn't want to appear too intrusive, but couldn't help but admire him. The way the ocean breeze played with his hair and the sunlight kissed his skin was simply perfect.

"Hope the ride wasn't too rough," Jake said as he loaded your bags into the trunk. "Heeseung got caught up with a bad hangover, so he asked me to pick you up instead."

"Thank you, Jake. It was fine. Just long," you replied, sliding into the passenger seat.

As you both made your way to the beach house, you couldn't help but admire the short yet scenic drive, with the picturesque coastline providing a perfect backdrop. Despite the beautiful view, your mind kept wandering back to Jake. Heeseung's best friend was even more attractive than you could remember, and his easygoing smile made your heart skip a beat.

--

The beach house surpassed all expectations with its charming white-washed walls, expansive windows that flooded the rooms with natural light, and an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the ocean. Upon arrival, Jake graciously assisted you with your luggage and guided you to your beautifully appointed room.

"This is your room. Make yourself at home," he said, opening the door to a cozy room with a large window overlooking the beach. The walls were painted a soft, calming blue, and the bed was piled high with fluffy white pillows and a matching comforter. 

"I hope you'll find it comfortable. If you need anything, my room is right next door."

"It’s perfect, thank you," you said, admiring the view of the sun beginning to set over the water.

Jake's warm smile lingered in the doorway as he extended an invitation. "We're having a barbecue tonight. You should join us," he said. 

"I'd love that," you replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. The idea of spending the evening with Jake and Heeseung sounded wonderful.

As the sun began to set, you changed into a light sundress and joined the group outside. The backyard of the beach house was spacious, with a wooden deck that led down to the sandy beach. String lights were hung around the area, casting a warm, inviting glow. Heeseung, looking a bit worse for wear from his hangover, was manning the grill, while Jake was setting up a bonfire nearby. The sound of laughter and the smell of grilling food filled the air, and for the first time in weeks, you felt a sense of peace.

"Hey, you made it!" Heeseung exclaimed with a wide grin as he caught sight of you. "Feeling better?"

"Much better," you replied, sinking into the chair beside Jake, who handed you a plate of delicious food.

"You look great," Jake remarked, his gaze lingering on the delicate fabric of your sundress before meeting your eyes with a warm smile. "I hope you're hungry. We've got plenty of food."

"I am, actually. Thanks," you said, feeling a pleasant flutter in your stomach at his compliment.

As the evening progressed, you found yourself drawn to Jake's easygoing nature and genuine kindness. The conversation flowed effortlessly between the three of you, and for the first time in weeks, you felt like yourself again.

But beneath the surface, there was a tension brewing, a silent acknowledgment of the forbidden nature of your growing attraction to Jake. Heeseung may have been your brother, but there was an unspoken rule about his best friend being off-limits.

As the night wore on, the deep navy sky was adorned with twinkling stars, creating a mesmerizing spectacle overhead. Despite the enchanting atmosphere, you couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to be closer to Jake. But you pushed those thoughts aside, reminding yourself of the complications that would arise if you were to act on your feelings.

You thought of every shared laugh and exchanged glances, the connection between you two only grew stronger, deepening with every passing moment. And for the first time in days, you went to bed thinking about things other than your breakup.

--

The next morning, the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the faint calls of seagulls served as your natural alarm clock. You stretched languidly in bed, feeling more rested than you had in weeks. The gentle warmth of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, inviting you to start your day.

You took your time getting ready, savoring the peace and quiet. The beach house was still and calm, the boys probably still asleep or nursing their hangovers. After slipping into a comfortable pair of shorts and a tank top, you headed downstairs to find some breakfast.

In the kitchen, you found Jake already up, sipping on a cup of coffee and scrolling on his phone. He looked up as you entered, his face breaking into a smile.

"Morning," he greeted, setting his mug down. "I made some coffee. Want some?"

"Yes, please," you replied, returning his smile. "Thanks."

He poured you a cup and handed it to you. "How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a long time," you admitted, taking a sip of the rich, aromatic coffee. "This place is amazing."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," he said, his eyes softening as he looked at you. "We were worried you might find it a bit overwhelming, especially after everything you've been through."

You appreciated his concern but shook your head. "No, this is exactly what I needed. Thank you for inviting me."

Jake shrugged modestly. "It was the least we could do."

You both fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying your coffee and the tranquil morning atmosphere. Heeseung stumbled wearily into the kitchen, with his tousled hair and bleary eyes. Despite his fatigue, he wore a warm smile.

"Morning, sunshine," you teased, watching as he squinted at the bright light streaming in through the windows.

"Ugh, morning," he grumbled, reaching for a cup of coffee. "What are you guys up to today?"

"I was thinking of going for a swim," Jake said, glancing at you. "You up for it?"

"Absolutely," you replied, feeling a thrill of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with him.

--

The water was refreshingly cool against your skin as you waded into the ocean. Jake was already out further, diving into the waves with ease. Heeseung had chosen to remain at the house, still recovering from his rough night and promising to join you later.

You took a deep breath and dove under the crystal-clear water, feeling the stress of the past few weeks melt away. When you resurfaced, Jake was gracefully swimming towards you, his radiant smile contrasting against the dazzling backdrop of the sparkling sea.

"This is perfect," you said, floating on your back and looking up at the clear blue sky.

"Yeah, it is," Jake agreed, floating beside you. "I'm glad you came here."

You turned your head to look at him, feeling a rush of affection for the boy who had shown you such kindness. "Me too."

For a while, you both just floated there, enjoying the serenity of the moment. Then, Jake's playful side emerged as he splashed you with water, making you laugh.

"Hey!" you protested, splashing him back.

A water fight ensued, full of laughter and playful shouts. It was a liberating feeling, letting go of your worries and just having fun. After a while, you both retreated to the shore, exhausted but happy.

You collapsed onto the sand, catching your breath. Jake sat beside you, his damp hair glistening in the sunlight.

"Thanks for that," you said, looking over at him. "I haven't had that much fun in ages."

"Anytime," he replied, his gaze meeting yours. There was a moment of silence, the air between you charged with unspoken feelings.

Before you could say anything, Heeseung appeared on the deck, waving you both over. "Lunch is ready!"

Reluctantly, you got up and followed Jake back to the house. The rest of the day passed in a blur of delicious food, beach games, and laughter. However, as the sun began to set, you found yourself drawn to Jake once more.

--

That evening, as the sky turned shades of orange and pink, you found yourself sitting on the beach with Jake. Heeseung had retired early, leaving the two of you alone.

"Tell me something about you I don't know," Jake said suddenly, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

You thought for a moment. "I used to want to be a marine biologist when I was a kid," you confessed. "I loved the ocean and everything in it."

Jake smiled. "I can see that. You seem so at peace here."

"Yeah," you agreed, feeling a pang of nostalgia. "What about you? Any childhood dreams?"

"I wanted to be a pilot," he said with a chuckle. "Flying seemed like the ultimate freedom."

"Do you still want that?" you asked, curious.

"Not really," he admitted. "I've found other passions."

"Like what?"

"Like music," he said, surprising you. "I love playing the guitar. It’s become a big part of who I am."

"I had no idea," you said, genuinely intrigued. "You'll have to play for me sometime."

"I'd like that," he said, his eyes meeting yours. There was a warmth in his gaze that made your heart race.

The moment stretched out, filled with possibilities. You wanted to lean in, to close the distance between you. But the fear of what it might mean held you back.

Instead, you just smiled at him, "It's getting late. We should probably head back."

Jake nodded, though a subtle flicker of disappointment crossed his face. "Yeah, you're right."

As you walked back to the house, the tension between you remained, simmering just below the surface. And for the first time, you allowed yourself to wonder what it would be like to give in to that tension, to see where it might lead.

--

The days at the beach house began to blend in a blissful routine. Mornings started with coffee and easy conversation with Jake, followed by long, lazy afternoons spent on the beach. Heeseung often joined you two, but there were moments when it was just you and Jake, and those were the times you cherished the most.

One evening, after another barbecue dinner, Jake suggested a walk along the beach. The air was cool and refreshing, and the moon cast a silver glow over the water. 

You walked in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the gentle crash of waves and the occasional call of a seagull.

"Can I ask you something?" Jake's voice broke the silence, his tone tentative.

"Of course," you replied, curious.

"How are you really doing? With everything that's happened... with Sungchan," he said, his eyes searching yours.

You sighed, looking out at the ocean. "It's been tough. I thought I was over it, but being here, away from everything, has made me realize how much it still hurts."

Jake nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. You deserve so much better."

"Thanks, Jake," you said softly, feeling a warmth spread through you at his words. "It's getting easier, though. Being here helps. You and Heeseung have made it better."

"I'm glad we could help," he said, his voice sincere.

You continued walking, your hands brushing occasionally as you walked close together. Each touch sent a spark of electricity through you, and you couldn't deny the growing attraction you felt for Jake. But you also knew that pursuing anything with him could complicate things, especially with Heeseung being your brother.

--

Later that night, after the walk, everyone decided to sit on the deck and have a few drinks. The sound of laughter filled the air as they shared stories and reminisced about old times. The stars overhead twinkled brightly, creating a perfect backdrop for the evening.

After several drinks, you felt the alcohol coursing through your veins, making you bolder and more carefree. Heeseung had already stumbled off to bed, leaving you and Jake alone under the stars. 

After a short while, Jake noticed you yawning and realized it was time to tuck you into bed.

"Jake..." you slurred slightly as you made your way through the room, leaning closer to him. "You told me that if I needed anything, your room was next door. Do you remember?"

"Yes, of course, Y/N," Jake replied, his brow furrowing with concern. "What do you need?"

You looked at him, your eyes filled with a mix of longing and desperation. "I need you."

Jake's eyes widened, and he took a step back, his face conflicted. "Y/N, you're drunk. I can't—"

"Please," you whispered, reaching out to touch his arm. "I don't want to be alone tonight."

Jake gently took your hand, his expression pained. "I can't, Y/N. Not like this. You're not thinking clearly, and I don't want to do anything we'll regret."

Tears filled your eyes as you nodded, understanding his reluctance. "Okay," you whispered, pulling your hand away. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," he said gently, his voice filled with concern. "Let's get you to bed, okay?"

He kindly ushered you through your room, making sure you were comfortable before he left. Ensuring that you were settled in before bidding you goodnight. As you lay in bed, the events of the night unfolded in your mind like a vivid movie, and you found yourself experiencing a complex blend of embarrassment and relief.

Jake had done the right thing, even though it stung in the moment. You knew that you needed to sort out your feelings and find a way to move forward without the haze of alcohol clouding your judgment. And as you drifted off to sleep, you resolved to face your emotions head-on, knowing that Jake would be there to support you, no matter what.

--

The next morning, you woke up with a slight headache, the events of the previous night replaying in your mind. You cringed at the memory of your drunken confession to Jake and wondered how you would face him. Taking a deep breath, you got out of bed and made your way to the kitchen, hoping a strong cup of coffee would help you feel more human.

When you entered the kitchen, you found Jake already there, making breakfast. He looked up and smiled warmly at you. "Morning. How are you feeling?"

You managed a small smile in return. "A bit hungover, but I'll survive. Thanks for helping me last night."

Jake poured you a cup of coffee and handed it to you. "No problem. How about some breakfast? Might help with the hangover."

You nodded, grateful for his kindness. As you sat down, you couldn't help but notice the way he moved around the kitchen with ease, his presence comforting.

After a few moments of silence, you decided to address the elephant in the room. "Jake, about last night... I'm sorry if I made things awkward."

Jake sat down across from you, his expression gentle. "You don't need to apologize, Y/N. I understand. You were vulnerable, and the alcohol didn't help. But I'm glad we didn't do anything we might regret."

You nodded, appreciating his honesty. "Thank you for that. I guess I was just feeling a bit lost."

"It's understandable," he said, reaching out to squeeze your hand briefly. "But we're here for you. And I'm here for you, as your friend."

His words brought a sense of comfort, and you felt a weight lift off your shoulders. "Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it."

The rest of the day was spent in a relaxed manner, with you, Jake and Heeseung enjoying the beach and each other's company. The awkwardness from the previous night slowly faded away, replaced by a renewed sense of camaraderie.

One evening, a few days later, you found yourself sitting on the beach alone, watching the sunset. The colors were breathtaking, and the gentle sound of the waves provided a soothing backdrop to your thoughts. You had been reflecting on your time at the beach house, the moments shared with Jake, and how much you had grown to care for him.

As if on cue, Jake appeared beside you, sitting down on the sand. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," you replied, smiling at him.

You both sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Finally, Jake broke the silence. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said the other night."

You turned to look at him, your heart beating a little faster. "You have?"

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Yeah. And I want you to know that my feelings for you haven't changed. I care about you, Y/N, more than just as Heeseung's sister."

Your breath caught in your throat. "Jake..."

Before you could respond, a voice interrupted the moment. "Y/N?"

You turned to see Sungchan standing a few feet away, looking awkward and out of place. "Sungchan? What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you," he said, his eyes darting between you and Jake. "I realized I made a huge mistake, and I want to make things right."

Jake tensed beside you, his jaw clenched. "I don't think now is the time, Sungchan." You answered.

Sungchan ignored him, focusing on you. "Please, Y/N. I know I messed up, but I still love you. Can we at least talk?"

You felt a wave of conflicting emotions. Part of you wanted to tell him to leave, but another part of you felt a need to get closure. "Fine. Let's talk, but not here. Jake, I'll be back soon."

Jake's eyes softened as he nodded, though you noticed a flicker of frustration in his expression. "Okay. I'll be here if you need me."

You walked a short distance away with Sungchan, just far enough to have a private conversation. "What do you want to say, Sungchan?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with regret. "I know I hurt you, and I'm so sorry. I was an idiot, and I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I want to try and make things right. I miss you."

You shook your head, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. "Sungchan, you cheated on me. You broke my trust, and that's not something you can just fix with an apology."

"I know," he said, his voice cracking. "But I want to try. Please, Y/N."

You looked back towards Jake, who was watching you from a distance, his expression unreadable. Turning back to Sungchan, you sighed. "I don't know, Sungchan. You've hurt me so much. Being here has helped me start to heal, and I don’t want to lose that progress."

"I understand," he said, his shoulders slumping. "But I love you, Y/N. I do. I was a fool, and I want to prove that I can change."

You felt a pang of confusion and hesitation. You had loved Sungchan deeply, and part of you still did. But the betrayal was a wound that hadn't fully healed. "I need time, Sungchan. I can't just jump back into things."

He nodded slowly. "I'll give you time. But please, think about it."

You watched him walk away, feeling a strange sense of relief mixed with uncertainty. Returning to Jake, you sat back down beside him, the weight of the conversation heavy on your shoulders.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I don't know," you replied honestly. "Sungchan wants to make things right, and part of me still cares about him. But I don’t know if I can ever trust him again."

Jake's jaw tightened, and you saw a flash of jealousy in his eyes. "He hurt you, Y/N. Don't forget that."

You sighed, leaning into him for support. "I know. It's just... complicated."

Jake wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer. "It's okay to be confused. Take the time you need to figure things out."

You appreciated Jake's comforting presence and the warmth of his embrace. The waves continued their rhythmic dance, and the stars began to twinkle above, casting a serene glow on the beach. The complexities of your feelings for Sungchan and Jake weighed heavily on your mind, but you knew that rushing into any decision wouldn't be wise. For now, you decided to enjoy the tranquility of the moment, enveloped in Jake's comforting presence.

–--

The next morning, you woke up with a renewed sense of clarity. You decided that while Sungchan deserved a chance to explain himself, you needed to focus on your own healing first. You couldn't rush back into a relationship that had caused you so much pain without giving yourself the time to fully understand your own feelings.

You took a deep breath and stepped out onto the deck, the salty breeze playing with your hair and the sound of waves crashing against the shore providing a soothing background. Heeseung and Jake were already there, chatting and enjoying their morning coffee. The sight of Jake made your heart flutter, but you reminded yourself to stay focused on your own well-being.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Heeseung greeted with a grin. "We were starting to think you'd never wake up."

"Good morning," you replied, smiling as you grabbed a cup of coffee and joined them. "I just needed a little extra sleep."

Jake's eyes met yours, a spark of warmth and something deeper lingering in his gaze. "Sleep is important. You deserve all the rest you need."

You felt a rush of gratitude for his support. Despite the complicated emotions swirling within you, you felt a sense of peace being there, surrounded by the calming waves and the company of people who genuinely cared about you.

The day was spent enjoying the simple pleasures of the beach. You, Heeseung, and Jake walked along the shoreline, the sand warm beneath your feet and the ocean breeze tangling in your hair. The rhythmic sound of the waves provided a soothing backdrop as you explored the coast, collecting seashells and marveling at the intricate patterns etched into each one.

Jake found a particularly beautiful shell, its surface iridescent and shimmering in the sunlight. He handed it to you with a soft smile. "This one's for you. It reminds me of you – beautiful and unique."

You blushed, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "Thank you, Jake. It's lovely."

Heeseung interrupted the moment with a playful shout. "Hey, look at this one!" He held up a large, conch-shaped shell and blew into it, producing a surprisingly loud sound. You and Jake burst into laughter, the sound mingling with the crashing waves.

As you continued walking, the three of you came across a smooth stretch of beach perfect for skipping stones. Heeseung, ever the competitive one, challenged you and Jake to see who could skip a stone the farthest.

"I used to be the champion of skipping stones," Heeseung declared with a grin, selecting a flat stone and expertly sending it skimming across the water's surface.

"Challenge accepted," Jake replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He picked up a stone, giving you a quick, encouraging glance before sending it flying with a flick of his wrist. The stone bounced across the water, outdistancing Heeseung's.

"Not bad," you said, smiling at Jake. You chose a stone and took your turn, but it only skipped a couple of times before sinking. "Okay, maybe I need a bit more practice."

Jake laughed and moved closer to you, his hand brushing against yours as he handed you another stone. "Here, let me show you."

You felt a jolt of electricity at his touch, your heart racing as he positioned himself behind you, his arms guiding yours in the correct motion. "Just like this," he murmured, his breath warm against your ear. Together, you sent the stone skipping across the water, this time managing several bounces before it sank.

"Much better," Jake said, his voice filled with pride.

You turned to face him, your heart pounding. His eyes lingered on yours, and for a moment, the world around you seemed to fade away. The connection between you was undeniable, and it left you both exhilarated and terrified.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the heat became more intense, and you decided to take a swim. The water was refreshingly cool against your sun-warmed skin, and you relished the feeling of weightlessness as you floated on your back, staring up at the clear blue sky.

Jake swam over to you, his presence both comforting and electrifying. The way the sunlight danced on the surface of the water reflected in his eyes, making them appear even more captivating.

"This feels good," you said, smiling at him, trying to ignore the butterflies in your stomach.

"Yeah, it does," he replied, his voice soft. "Being here with you makes it even better."

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, and you felt a rush of emotions. You were acutely aware of his proximity, the water doing little to diminish the heat between you. But before you could respond, Heeseung called out from the shore, waving you over to join him for a game of beach volleyball.

Reluctantly, you and Jake swam back to the shore. As you reached the shallows, Jake offered you his hand to help you out of the water. You hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking it, feeling the strength and warmth of his grip as he pulled you up.

"Let's show Heeseung what we've got," Jake said with a wink, his playful confidence infectious.

The three of you set up a makeshift volleyball court using driftwood and an old fishing net Heeseung had found. The game was filled with laughter and friendly banter, the competitive spirit between you all making it even more enjoyable.

Despite your best efforts, Heeseung's volleyball skills were impressive, and he quickly took the lead. Jake, however, was determined not to let him win without a fight. He dove for the ball with impressive agility, his athleticism on full display.

At one point, Jake managed a spectacular save, sending the ball soaring back over the net. He landed in the sand beside you, grinning up at you as he caught his breath. "Not bad, huh?"

"Show-off," you teased, unable to keep the admiration out of your voice.

As the game continued, you found yourself growing more comfortable, the tension between you and Jake easing into a natural rhythm. The playful competition brought out the best in all of you, and for a while, you were able to forget the complexities of your emotions and just enjoy the moment.

By the time you all collapsed onto the sand, sweaty and out of breath, the sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. Heeseung declared himself the winner with a triumphant grin, while you and Jake laughed and applauded his victory.

"Okay, okay, you win," Jake conceded, still smiling. "But next time, we'll be ready for you."

Heeseung laughed, patting Jake on the back. "We'll see about that. Good game, guys."

As you lay on the sand, watching the sky change colors, Jake turned to you with a thoughtful expression. "Thanks for today, Y/N. It was fun."

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you that had nothing to do with the sun. "Yeah, it was. I'm glad we did this."

Jake's eyes lingered on yours, and for a moment, you felt that familiar spark between you. But before either of you could say anything, Heeseung called out, suggesting you head back to the house for dinner.

You got up, brushing the sand off your legs and following Heeseung. Jake walked beside you, his shoulder occasionally bumping against yours in a way that felt both accidental and deliberate. Each touch sent a thrill through you, and you couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to close the distance between you and let yourself fall into his embrace.

Dinner was a casual affair, with Heeseung manning the grill and Jake helping to prepare the sides. You set the table on the deck, the warm evening air filled with the scent of grilling meat and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

As you all sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and stories from the day. Jake's hand brushed against yours under the table, and you felt a rush of heat at the contact. He didn't pull away, his fingers lingering against yours in a way that felt both comforting and tantalizing.

After dinner, you all decided to take a walk along the beach. The moon had risen, casting a silvery glow over the water and turning the sand into a sparkling carpet. You walked between Jake and Heeseung, the three of you talking and laughing, the day's events still fresh in your minds.

At one point, Heeseung stopped to examine a particularly interesting shell, giving you and Jake a moment of privacy. You turned to Jake, your heart racing as you met his gaze.

"Today was amazing," you said softly, feeling the intensity of his stare.

"It was," he agreed, his voice low. "I wish every day could be like this."

You felt a pang of longing at his words, the same longing reflected in his eyes. Before you could respond, Heeseung called out, showing you the shell he'd found. The moment was broken, but the connection between you and Jake remained, a silent promise of what could be.

That night, as you lay in bed, you replayed the events of the day in your mind. The way Jake's eyes lingered on you, the feel of his hand brushing against yours, the electric charge of his touch. You couldn't deny the growing attraction between you, but you also knew that you needed time to sort out your feelings.

You drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Jake, the warmth of his presence a comforting balm to your soul. For the first time in a long time, you felt a sense of hope, a belief that things could get better.

–

The next morning, you woke up with a mix of determination and dread. You had agreed to meet Sungchan today to discuss what had happened, but the thought of facing him made your stomach churn. You knew it was necessary to get closure and to move on, but it didn't make it any easier.

As you stepped out onto the deck, you found Jake and Heeseung already there, enjoying their morning coffee. The sight of Jake brought a sense of comfort, but also a flutter of nerves. He looked up, his eyes filled with concern as he noticed the tension in your expression.

"Morning," Jake said softly, his gaze lingering on you.

"Morning," you replied, forcing a smile. "I'm meeting Sungchan today."

Jake's jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of jealousy crossing his eyes. "Do you want me to come with you?"

You shook your head, appreciating the offer but knowing you needed to face this on your own. "Thanks, Jake. But I think I need to do this by myself."

He nodded, his expression softening. "Just know that I'm here if you need me."

With a deep breath, you left the beach house and headed to the café where you had agreed to meet Sungchan. The walk seemed to take forever, each step weighed down by the impending confrontation. When you arrived, you saw Sungchan sitting at a table, looking uncomfortable and out of place.

"Y/N," he greeted, standing up as you approached. "Thanks for coming."

"Let's get this over with," you said, taking a seat across from him.

For a moment, there was an awkward silence. Sungchan fidgeted with his cup, avoiding your gaze. Finally, he spoke. "I know I messed up, Y/N. And I'm really sorry. I want to make things right."

You sighed, feeling the weight of his words but also the anger and hurt they couldn't erase. "Sungchan, you cheated on me. You broke my trust. I'm not sure there's any way to make that right."

He looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and something darker. "I know I made a mistake, but it feels like you've moved on pretty quickly. I saw how you were acting with Jake."

His words stung, the accusation laced with jealousy and bitterness. "Jake has been a good friend to me, that's all."

Sungchan's expression hardened. "Really? Because it sure looked like more than that. You were practically throwing yourself at him. It's like you couldn't wait to get over me."

Anger flared in your chest. "That's not fair, Sungchan. You don't get to judge how I handle my feelings after what you did."

He leaned forward, his voice low and harsh. "Maybe if you hadn't been so easy to replace, I wouldn't have looked elsewhere."

The words hit you like a slap, leaving you breathless with shock and hurt. "How dare you."

"Just calling it like I see it," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You were all over Jake. Maybe you were just looking for an excuse."

Tears filled your eyes, the pain of his words cutting deep. "I don't have to listen to this." You stood up abruptly, knocking over your chair in your haste to leave.

"You know I'm right," he called after you, but you didn't look back.

You walked back to the beach house, tears streaming down your face. You tried to compose yourself before you arrived, but the emotions were too overwhelming. As you reached the door, you quickly wiped your eyes, hoping no one would notice. But as you stepped inside, Jake was there, his eyes immediately locking onto yours.

"Y/N, what happened?" he asked, concern etched across his face.

You shook your head, trying to hide your tears. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

But Jake wasn't convinced. He gently took your arm, guiding you to your room. "Come on, let's talk."

Once inside, you broke down, the weight of Sungchan's words finally crashing down on you. Jake held you close, his arms wrapping around you protectively.

"He said such awful things," you sobbed. "He made me feel like it was my fault, like I was the one who did something wrong."

Jake pulled back slightly, his eyes filled with anger and tenderness. "None of this is your fault, Y/N. Sungchan is just trying to manipulate you. You're amazing, and you deserve so much better than him."

You looked up at Jake, feeling a warmth spread through you at his words. He gently wiped away your tears, his touch sending a shiver down your spine. "Thank you, Jake."

He leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours. "I care about you, Y/N. More than you know."

The intensity of his gaze took your breath away. Before you could overthink it, you closed the distance between you, pressing your lips to his. The kiss was filled with all the emotions you had been holding back – the pain, the longing, the desire.

Jake responded instantly, his arms tightening around you as he deepened the kiss. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in a bubble of shared passion and comfort.

As the kiss ended, Jake pulled back slightly, his eyes searching yours. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

You nodded, a small smile tugging at your lips. "I am now."

Jake smiled back, his thumb brushing gently across your cheek. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."

You spent the rest of the evening together, talking and holding each other, the connection between you growing stronger with every passing moment. For the first time in a long time, you felt a sense of hope and happiness, knowing that you were finally moving forward with someone who truly cared about you.

The next morning, you woke up wrapped in Jake's arms. The warmth and comfort of his presence made it hard to get up, but the sunlight streaming through the window signaled the start of a new day. You gently extricated yourself from his embrace, careful not to wake him, and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

As you looked at your reflection, the events of the previous day replayed in your mind. Sungchan's harsh words still stung, but Jake's comfort and support had made all the difference. You knew you were on the path to healing, and you were grateful for Jake's presence in your life.

After getting dressed, you went to the kitchen to make breakfast. The smell of coffee and pancakes soon filled the air, and you heard Jake stirring in the other room. Heeseung joined you shortly after, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Morning, sis," Heeseung greeted with a yawn. "What's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes!" you replied, setting a plate in front of him.

"Smells amazing," Heeseung said, digging in with enthusiasm.

Jake appeared moments later, his hair tousled and a sleepy smile on his face. "Good morning," he said, his eyes lighting up when he saw you.

"Good morning," you replied, feeling a flutter in your chest at the sight of him. "Breakfast is ready."

The three of you sat down to eat, the atmosphere relaxed and filled with easy conversation. Despite the lingering tension from the previous day's confrontation with Sungchan, you felt a sense of peace and normalcy returning.

After breakfast, you decided to spend the day at the beach. The sun was shining, and the water looked inviting. Heeseung suggested a new friendly competition of beach volleyball, and you eagerly agreed, excited for the distraction and for the volleyball revenge.

As you set up the net, Jake walked over to you, his expression serious. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked softly, his eyes searching yours.

You nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, Jake. Yesterday was tough, but I'm feeling better today. Thanks to you."

Jake's expression softened, and he reached out to gently squeeze your hand. "I'm here for you, Y/N. Always."

The game of volleyball was just what you needed. You, Jake, and Heeseung played with enthusiasm, the friendly competition lifting your spirits. The laughter and playful banter helped you forget about Sungchan and focus on the present moment.

---

As the sun began to set, you all decided to build a bonfire. The glow of the flames cast a warm light on your faces as you roasted marshmallows and shared stories. Jake sat next to you, his arm casually draped around your shoulders, a silent reassurance of his support.

Heeseung went inside to grab more marshmallows, leaving you and Jake alone by the fire. The crackling flames and the distant sound of the waves created an intimate atmosphere.

"Jake," you began, turning to face him. "I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. You've been amazing."

Jake smiled, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "You don't have to thank me, Y/N. I care about you, and I want to be here for you."

You felt a surge of emotion at his words, and before you knew it, you were leaning in to kiss him. The kiss was gentle at first, but it quickly deepened as you both gave in to the passion that had been building between you.

When you finally pulled away, you were both breathless. Jake's eyes were filled with intensity, and he brushed a strand of hair away from your face. "I've wanted to do it again for so long," he admitted, his voice husky.

"Me too," you whispered, feeling a mix of excitement and vulnerability.

Jake leaned in to kiss you again, and this time, there was no holding back. The connection between you was undeniable, and you both knew that this was just the beginning of something special.

---

The next few days were filled with moments of closeness and shared affection. You and Jake spent your mornings walking along the beach, your afternoons swimming and lounging in the sun, and your evenings sharing stories and laughter around the bonfire. The bond between you grew stronger with each passing day, and you felt a sense of happiness and contentment that you hadn't felt in a long time.

One evening, as the sun set in a blaze of colors, Jake took your hand and led you down to the water's edge. The gentle waves lapped at your feet as you walked along the shore, the sky painted in hues of pink and orange.

"Y/N," Jake said, his voice soft. "I've been thinking a lot about us. About what happens when we leave here."

You felt a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving the beach house and returning to reality. "Yeah, me too."

"I don't want this to end," Jake continued, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I know things will be different when we go back, but I want to be with you. I want to make this work."

Your heart swelled with emotion at his words. "I want that too, Jake. More than anything."

He smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. "Then let's do it. Let's make this work, no matter what."

You nodded, feeling a sense of determination and hope. "Yes, let's. do it"

Jake pulled you into a tight embrace, his lips finding yours in a kiss that was filled with promise and love. As you stood there, wrapped in his arms, you knew that this was just the beginning of your journey together.

---

The last night at the beach house was bittersweet. You, Jake, and Heeseung sat around the bonfire, reminiscing about the past weeks and making plans for the future. There was a sense of finality in the air, but also a feeling of excitement for what lay ahead.

As the fire burned low, Heeseung excused himself to go to bed, leaving you and Jake alone. You turned to him, your heart heavy with the knowledge that this was your last night at the beach house.

"I'm going to miss this place," you said softly, looking around at the familiar surroundings.

"Me too," Jake replied, his voice filled with emotion. "But we'll always have these memories. And we'll make new ones."

You smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in his words. "Yeah, we will."

Jake leaned in to kiss you, and you melted into his embrace, savoring the feeling of his lips against yours. The kiss started slow, gentle, but quickly deepened, becoming more urgent as if he was trying to convey all the emotions he had been holding back. His hands cupped your face, his touch tender yet firm, and you could feel the warmth of his palms against your skin.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer, feeling the heat radiating from his body. The world around you seemed to blur and fade away, leaving only the two of you, tangled in each other. Jake's hands moved from your face to your waist, his fingers tracing soft patterns along your skin, sending shivers down your spine.

As the kiss grew more passionate, you felt a surge of desire coursing through your veins. Your hands roamed over Jake's back, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt, and you could sense his breath hitch as your touch grew bolder. The taste of him, the feel of his lips moving against yours, was intoxicating, making you dizzy with longing.

He captured your lips again, his kiss more demanding, and you responded with equal fervor. You could feel the hunger in his touch, the way his hands roamed over your body, exploring, claiming. His fingers found the hem of your shirt, and with a gentle tug, he lifted it over your head, leaving you exposed to the cool night air.

Jake's eyes darkened as he took in the sight of you, his gaze filled with admiration and desire. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, his hands trailing down your sides, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

You felt a flush spread across your cheeks at his words, but there was no time for embarrassment. You reached for his shirt, pulling it off in one swift motion, your fingers grazing the smooth skin of his chest. The feel of his bare skin against yours was electrifying, and you couldn't help but gasp as his hands found their way to your back, pulling you even closer.

The night air was filled with the sound of your mingled breaths and the gentle crash of the waves in the distance. Every touch, every kiss, seemed to heighten your senses, making you acutely aware of every movement, every sensation.

Jake's lips left yours to trail kisses along your jaw, down your neck, his breath hot against your skin. You tilted your head back, giving him better access, and he took full advantage, his mouth leaving a path of burning kisses down to your collarbone.

As the night wore on, the connection between you and Jake grew stronger, the bond forged in shared desire and deep emotion. Every kiss, every touch, seemed to bring you closer together, weaving an unbreakable thread between your hearts.

You lost track of time, lost in the pleasure of each other's embrace, the world outside forgotten. The stars wheeled overhead, a silent witness to the love and passion unfolding beneath them.

As you lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, you knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, you would face them together. The feelings and connection between you were strong enough to withstand anything, and you felt a deep sense of contentment knowing that this was just the start of your journey together.

The night might have been filled with passion and desire, but it was the trust that you shared that truly made it special. As you drifted off to sleep, you felt a sense of hope and happiness that you hadn't felt in a long time, knowing that with Jake by your side, you'll be safe.

---

The next morning, you packed your bags with a mix of sadness and anticipation. The beach house, with all its memories and moments of closeness with Jake, had become a sanctuary, a place where you had found healing and hope. Leaving it behind was bittersweet, but you knew you were also embarking on a new chapter with Jake, and that brought a thrill of excitement.

Jake helped you with your bags, his touch gentle and reassuring. As you both loaded the car, Heeseung appeared, his usual playful grin in place. "Well, it’s been an amazing summer, hasn't it?"

"It really has," you agreed, glancing at Jake, who gave you a warm smile in return.

Heeseung pulled you into a quick hug, then turned to Jake with a knowing look. "Take care of my sister, alright? I might be her older brother, but I’m not that oblivious or blind."

You felt your cheeks flush, realizing what he was implying. "Heeseung, we—"

He held up a hand, cutting you off with a laugh. "No need to explain. I just wanted to let you know that I'm not as oblivious as you might think. I don't usually take that many naps.”

Heeseung gave you both a warm smile, his playful demeanor softening. "Seriously though, take care of each other."

Jake laughed, clapping Heeseung on the back. "I will. Thanks for everything, man."

"Yeah, yeah," Heeseung said with a wink, his finger pointed like a gun in Jake's direction. "Just remember, I know where you live."

You rolled your eyes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and affection for your brother. "Alright, enough with the threats."

With one last look at the beach house, you climbed into the car. The drive back to campus was filled with laughter and shared memories. Jake recounted funny moments from the summer, making you laugh until your sides hurt. The bond between you felt stronger than ever, fortified by the time you had spent together and the experiences you had shared.

As you drove, the scenery changed from the serene coastal views to the bustling streets near your campus. The familiar sights brought a pang of nostalgia for the summer you were leaving behind, but they also stirred a sense of excitement for the future. You glanced at Jake, feeling grateful for his presence and the promise of what lay ahead.

When you finally arrived back at the campus, Jake parked the car and turned to you, his eyes filled with love. "Welcome back," he said softly, leaning in to kiss you.

"Thank you," you replied, your heart swelling with happiness. The kiss was sweet and tender, a preview of all the good things to come.

As you stepped out of the car and looked around, you saw your friends and classmates, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement. Some waved, while others approached to greet you. It felt strange and yet comforting to be back in the familiar surroundings of your campus.

One of your closest friends, Karina, hurried over, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Y/N! You're back! And... Jake?" Her gaze shifted between the two of you, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "So, what’s the story here?"

You exchanged a glance with Jake, who squeezed your hand reassuringly. "It’s a long story," you said, smiling. "But the short version is that Jake and I are together now."

Karina's smile widened. "I knew something was up when you kept mentioning him in your texts. I'm so happy for you!"

As more friends gathered around, you felt a sense of warmth and belonging. Everyone was eager to hear about your summer, and you and Jake shared stories, each one bringing laughter and excitement.

Throughout the day, Jake stayed by your side, his presence a constant source of comfort and joy. The transition from the serene beach house to the lively campus was made easier by his support and the love that had blossomed between you.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the campus, you and Jake found a quiet spot under a large oak tree. You sat together, his arm around you, watching as students milled about, catching up with friends and preparing for the new semester.

"I can't believe summer is over," you said softly, leaning into Jake.

"It might be over, but this is just the beginning for us," Jake replied, his voice filled with conviction. "We have so much to look forward to."

You nodded, feeling a sense of contentment and excitement. "I know. And I'm ready for whatever comes next, as long as we're together."

Jake pressed a kiss to your temple. "We will be."

The evening air was cool and refreshing, and you felt a deep sense of peace as you sat there with Jake. The challenges of the past were behind you, and the future was filled with endless possibilities. You knew that there would be ups and downs, but with Jake by your side, you felt ready to face anything.

As the campus lights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the grounds, you realized that this place, with all its memories and promises, was where your new journey with Jake would truly begin. And you couldn't wait to see what the future holds.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taglist : @heelovesmeknot @dreamiestay @anormieee @citylightsdoll @tiffanyyamarr-blog @ak-aaa-li @capri-cuntz @dreamiestay

[itzpookiepooh]

hi! I love how you write Zayne's character, it's the most that I've seen that is true to who he is in the game. I don't know if you write for just one Li specifically but if you do can I ask your take on Zayne with a partner who has a similar attitude to him, but slightly more expressive (?). This is me projecting as the eldest daughter of an Asian fam who gets told too much that me liking Zayne the most wasn't anything short of expected. thanks a bunch!

Thank you so much! I write for all of them and I try my best to make it match something they would say or do even if I might go outside the lines a little 😅 I can try my best to write this! 🤍

Similar

You and Zayne are in sync

You and Zayne have known each other for a long time. In that time you’ve pretty much been attached at the hip. Your friend group teases you guys about basically being the same person in different bodies because you guys act so similar. So it wasn’t unexpected when you both started dating. You guys fit like puzzle pieces in each other’s lives.

Now don’t get it confused your attitudes towards things are similar not you both being a carbon copy. What solidifies this? One night you and Zayne decided to take your much needed day off and spend it going out trying different foods and enjoying one of Linkon’s many festivals. In between many sweet treats that Zayne allowed both of you to indulge in, his toothaches causing him to completely freeze. You stared at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Are you alright?” You ask him waiting for a response as he rolls his shoulders, shaking off the uncomfortable feeling.

“Fine.” He brushes you off making you blink at him. Of course you didn’t believe him. You really didn’t believe him because you knew recently he got a call from his dentist telling him about his cavity. Zayne usually kept up with his hygiene but that’s hard to do when you love sweets as much as he does.

“Lying isn’t a good trait to have.” You tease him. He eyes you not making a sound. He was trying to figure out what to say next.

“Who says I’m lying?” He stands taller making you shake your head. You push your index finger into the space between his eyebrows.

“Your dentist.” You bluntly state but he refuses to give in until you restrict his sweets.

“If you don’t take it seriously now you’ll be eating mashed carrots by the time you’re 35.” You inform him making him grimace at the thought.

“It’s one toothache. You’re also exaggerating.” He states clasping his hands together. You copy his action as seriousness is written all over your face.

“Am I?” You challenge—he stares at you as if testing you as well. You raise an eyebrow at him to which he just straightens himself out. You treated him exactly how he treated you in times like this and made him slow down on the sweets he was eating.

Another time you matched his attitude was when you guys were bickering. Not arguing, not yelling just both bickering. His tone doesn’t go any higher and neither does yours. You both stop before you sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose.

“I don’t want to fight with you.” He tells you sincerely. You put your hand down giving him your full attention. All of his emotions in his eyes.

“I don’t want to fight with you either.” You reassured him. You both stand there for a moment before you give him a small smile and grab his hand to which he laces them together.

“We can figure out a solution later. Let’s take a breather and come back with solutions.” He explains to you to which you agree with a smile. He kisses your forehead as a way of letting you know all is well.

I really hope this is good ☹️

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Purse Essentials For Day & Night (or Any Activity In Between)

Daytime Handbag Essentials:

Keys

Wallet/cardholder (ID[s], credit/debit cards, spare cash – enough for an emergency cab/train ticket, a bottle of water, and a cheap snack plus a little extra is my formula)

Phone/phone charger

Airpods/headphones

Mini sunscreen

Hand lotion

Floss picks in a travel floss dispenser

Mini disposable toothbrushes

Breath mints

Portable stain remover wipes

Hand sanitizer

Lip balm/your everyday lip color

Eyeliner

Brow pencil

Power foundation

Contour/blush stick

Oil blotting sheets

Roll-on perfume

Hair ties

Foldable mini hair brush

Feminine hygiene wipes

Panty liners/pads/tampons

Travel case bandaids

Condoms (not in a wallet, please)

A pen or two

Portable sticky notes

Travel pack of tissues

Spare glasses/contacts & contact solution

Sunglasses

OTC pain relief medicine

Water bottle

Non-perishable snacks (I recommend Larabars, Lupini beans/roasted chickpeas/edamame, roasted nuts/trail mix snack packs, Lupii/Raw Rev vegan protein bars, and freeze-dried fruit)

Nighttime Handbag Essentials:

Keys

Wallet/cardholder (ID[s], credit/debit cards, spare cash – enough for an emergency cab/train ticket, a bottle of water, and a cheap snack plus a little extra is my formula)

Phone/portable phone charger

Mini sunscreen

Hand lotion

Floss picks in a travel floss dispenser

Mini disposable toothbrushes

Breath mints

Portable stain remover wipes

Hand sanitizer

Lip balm/your everyday lip color

Eyeliner

Brow pencil

Mini power foundation

Roll-on perfume

Hair ties

Foldable mini hair brush

Feminine hygiene wipes

Panty liner (and maybe a pad/tampon, depending on the time of the month)

Portable makeup remover wipe (or two)

Portable cleansing towelette (or two)

Travel case bandaids

Condoms (at least two – not in a wallet, please)

Disposable foot socks

OTC pain relief medicine

Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D supplement (one of each – for after or the morning after drinking)

Necessary Edit: This list is meant to be a comprehensive guide, designed to be personalized. If you don't think you need some of these items, [pick and choose at your discretion].

[lesbxdyke]

Decided to steal my own tags from This Post because I didn't want to detract from the very good points being made about wheelchair accessibility in the art

So I'm disabled. And I often have to use crutches as a mobility aid. Sometimes one, sometimes two. And even with that, I still sometimes can't get around.

There have been numerable occasions in my life where something has been marked as 'accessible' that is not accessible to me, because it was made with ONLY wheelchair users in mind.

And like I said in my tags, it's a genuinely great thing that things are now being made with wheelchair users in mind! I am genuinely heartened and happy that wheelchairs users are being recognised in public spaces and accommodated for!

But they are not the be all and end all of physically disabled people.

I need the extra space of a disabled bathroom. Especially as another physical disability of mine causes me to often require space to change underwear or clothing.

However, if I'm having a bad pain day, I can't wash my hands. Because the only sink is at the height for a wheelchair user. So my options are to eschew hygiene and pray that a cleaner wipes down the door handle regularly so others aren't interacting with a thing that I have touched without washing my hands, OR risk furthering my own pain by bending to reach the sink, which could end in me stuck in the bathroom as my back seizes and I cannot move.

As I'm sure you can imagine from reading that, neither option is a good option, but one is a safer one for me. And I hate it. I'm 'lucky' in that I have to always carry baby wipes with me anyway so I'm somewhat able to mitigate the hygiene issue, but what if I didn't? What if I didn't have the extra disability and just had the back problems that required the extra space of the disabled bathroom for my mobility aids? What then?

I also have a radar key (for those not in the UK: disabled bathrooms are often locked. A radar key is a skeleton key for disabled bathrooms all around the UK) so I can always gain access to the disabled bathrooms. Except... I often have to find staff to help me open them anyway because the door handles are low and I can't bend to press them.

Now this post isn't me saying that the world should be built only to cater to me in particular (tho gods it would be nice!)

This post is talking about competing support needs and how my experience as a disabled person, struggling with how so much 'accessible' stuff is only designed for wheelchair users is just as valid as a wheelchair user celebrating that they can use an ATM and a public bathroom without needing the aid of a stranger or a carer.

I've seen quite a lot of people, in real life and elsewhere on the internet, want to call it Ableist when people ask for there to be a different option that would be inaccessible for a wheelchair user to use within an accessible area like a bathroom. They think it's able bodied people, or parents (since often in the UK, disabled bathrooms also double as baby changing, which is a whole different kettle of fish) demanding we take away the accessibility that the bathrooms are there for. They don't think about people on crutches, or canes, or with mobility that changes by day, or who can walk unaided but cannot bend, or, or, or.

Two sinks in a disabled bathroom would change my life. One wheelchair accessible, one not. I could wash my hands. Other people who needed the bathroom could wash their hands. Everyone could be hygienic in an accessible way!

Two ATMs, side by side. One lower, one higher. I can access my money. Wheelchair users can access their money. Everyone can withdraw their money safely in an accessible way!

Maybe there's no solution for some (like the door handle) but if others were solved, then the remaining ones would bother me a lot less. It's a lot less frustration and humiliation inducing to say "Hey, can you open the bathroom for me?" When you know you'll be able to wash your damn hands once inside, yknow?

[lastoneout]

It's also like super fucking infuriating to see people continue to argue that generative AI is the best way for disabled and/or poor people to make art because like, you know what helps make art more accessible? Giving poor and disabled people money.

Like take me for instance, I'm disabled. I get severe migraines and intense leg/back pain if I sit at my computer for too long, my hEDS makes holding pens and pencils hard, my ADHD makes it hard for me to start certain tasks and/or stop them before I potentially hurt myself, my neck also hurts if I look down too much, my dyslexia AND my ADHD both make it difficult to keep track of a story as I write and use correct spelling and grammar, plus, I need to prioritize taking care of myself and going to appointments and keeping my house clean and that takes up a lot of my free time. All of these things make creating the kind of art I want to create difficult if not occasionally impossible.

So what do you think would solve my problems better? Giving me money so that I can have a drawing tablet and desk chair that won't hurt my neck or back, another tablet + pen and a lap table and comfortable body pillows for drawing in bed, easier transportation to my doctors appointments, effective treatment for my chronic pain and migraines, the ability hire someone to help me keep my house clean, a spelling/grammar checker that isn't complete ass, and a therapist and psychatrist who can help me manage my ADHD better?

Or an AI program that takes my input and spits out a drawing or story made of stolen content glued together that, in the case of the art, I cannot meaningfully edit without starting over, which also destroys the environment in the process?

Seems pretty obvious to me. I don't need AI, I need help to manage the things that are actually stopping me from being able to write and draw.

Or take my mom. She's had severe rhumatoid arthritis since she was a small child, her hands are deformed and she relies on her wheelchair to get around. She doesn't need AI to help her paint, she needs special paint brushes she can actually hold, a table her wheelchair will fit at, and someone to help her with personal hygiene/keep her house clean/take her to doctors appointments so she actually has free time to paint.

Does that poor kid growing up in public housing with parents who are too poor to afford art classes or supplies or to send them to college really need a computer program to draw for them, or do they need support to help them take those classes, buy drawing supplies, and money so they can go to college.

Blind people can paint, deaf musicians exist, people with missing limbs find all sorts of ways to make art, people with parkinson's paint with typewriters, my mother can't hold a normal paintbrush and she makes some of the most beautiful watercolor paintings I've ever seen, Van Gogh had bipolar disorder and only sold like one painting when he was alive, I mean for real how many different artists have you heard of who's biographies start with them being born into poverty?

This is not meant to be inspiration porn, these people are just ones who were able to find ways to make art despite their struggles. They shouldn't have had to struggle at all, but god imagine how many more artisrs and writers we could have had if none of them had to overcome those struggles. It breaks my heart to think of all the wonderful art that never got to exist because no one helped the people who could have made it actually have the time, money, support, and safety they needed to make it. AI would not have saved them because making art isn't the problem, being disadvantaged is the problem. Living in a world that refuses to make room for you is the problem. Being fucking poor is the problem. Humans have always found ways to make art despite huge barriers, the solution isn't a computer that makes art for them, it's SUPPORT AND MONEY SO THEY CAN OVERCOME THOSE BARRIERS AND MAKE THEIR OWN ART.

As a last example: I love watching dancing and I would love to be able to dance, but I'm terrible at it(I got kicked off a dance team for not being able to learn the dance at all despite spending weeks on it, idk my brain wasn't made for dancing) and my disabled body makes it more pain than pleasure if not actively dangerous, anyway. Having a robot dressed to look like me dance next to me while I get to watch would not make me feel like I'm getting to dance. It would actually be extremely fucking demoralizing and frustrating. I would hate that!!

Having an AI spit out a painting or book would not make me feel like I got to paint or write a book. It's a fucking anamatronic doll running on stolen ideas and it will never be the same as getting to actually expirience the joy of creating art first hand. AI is not the solution. Helping people who need it is the solution. And I am CONSTANTLY pissed to think about all the time and money that goes into these fucking AI programs that would be better spent helping disabled and poor people get the help they need so they can make art themselves, all while the people running the nightmare plagiarism pollution machines pretend that their horrible inventions exist to help people like me.

[whisper-in-the-night]

Undesirable

Plot: Thomas is omega who will never find his true mate. Or no?

Warnings: omegavers; deviation from the canon; omega!Thomas Hewitt, alpha!male!reader / Y/N; mention of murdering, cannibalism, blood, little angst.

Note: hey everyone. I finally finished this chapter :) Thanks for reading this, don't forget to eat properly and drink water, love ya

•••

Part 4 || Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

After a while, you got along quite well with this unusual family. At first it was a little difficult, they had their own rules in household management and home life, but you quickly adapted to this and began to help. It was good for the family that another strong man appeared in the house, which greatly facilitated Thomas's life.

Besides, you were still working. Early in the morning you left for another city, and in the evening you returned, even brought groceries with you, for which Luda was immensely grateful to you, considering that her shop did not pay off much. The meat in this family really bothered you, because you had never eaten such a slightly bitter and tough meat, but you put it down to unsuitable storage conditions, after all, it was always hot during the day, and even the darkened cabinets did not create cold meat. You offered your family to buy meat as well, but no one supported your idea. It's probably a matter of habit.

And yet, you decided to try cooking with this meat. One evening, you made something like a quick marinade for meat from apples and garlic that you bought earlier after work, and left the meat like that until the next dinner. In the evening, you used your favorite seasonings and cooked a very tasty soup. It was the easiest and fastest dish, and you knew how to cook it well. And the whole family really liked your culinary skills. Especially for Hoyt, who is tired of eating solid hard meat and small potatoes in broth. The meat has softened a little, and the apples have removed this strange bitterness. In general, you have found a solution to the problem, for the most part. Luda also appreciated that there was another person in the family who could literally feed the family, so now it was your unspoken duty. And you were only there once to help this tired woman.

You've become very close to Thomas. He turned out to be a very nice and kind person. Just a giant with a kind heart. Something about him made your heart beat faster every time. Maybe it's his skillful hands, able to sew various little things, if necessary. Or maybe it's his strength: this man is able to lift you up in the blink of an eye with one hand and not even sweat. Although he was mute, you were still able to find a language of communication. Body language, head shaking, or facial expressions on the exposed part of his face. You mentally cursed yourself for giving up extracurricular sign language lessons at a young age. And yet, little by little, Thomas taught you sign language himself, which made communication much easier. Other family members wondered how you could understand each other so easily. It made you very angry when Hoyt treated Tommy like some dumb dog. On days like these, Thomas would come to your bedroom late at night, he knew you were still awake. Already clean after a hard day (you taught him the basics of hygiene, it just didn't make sense for the guy to follow them very much before), he lay his head on your lap, and you gently fingered his dark wet stripes. You could have sworn Thomas was making a little purr. There was a slight sweet scent of peaches in the room, which you liked so much now. Who would have thought that this big guy was an omega? You thanked yourself for your foresight and for having drunk your dose of suppressants earlier in the day. This man was too cute. He even started you.. Do you like it? Maybe. Before that, you weren't particularly attracted to representatives of both the opposite and your own sex. As a child, when you were still in elementary school, relatives often asked if you liked any 'bride', pointing to pictures of girls in a shared photo. You just shrugged your shoulders. Were you wrong? Is it bad that you don't like anyone? Then why did your heart yearn tenderly at the sight of this big boy?

Thomas wandered absently up the stairs, loosening the ropes of his work apron along the way. He was tired. All those screams and screams of the victims, and then Hoyt's complaints about his sluggishness and slowness. The man hastily took a shower and changed his work clothes for more comfortable ones: a loose short-sleeve shirt and light sleeping shorts. His feet were already automatically leading him to the cherished room. The click of a door handle and the creak of an old door. He climbed onto your lap and let out a relaxed sigh. My head was buzzing with unpleasant thoughts. All he wanted was to melt into your arms. Your hips were soft and comfortable, his personal pillow to rest on. Your gentle, strong fingers immediately found their way to his hair, massaging his skin. His hair was a little unpleasantly tangled, and small drops of water dripping from his dark hair soaked the fabric of your clothes. But you didn't seem to mind. You were humming softly to yourself, and it caused Thomas a strange pleasure in his chest. No one had ever been so kind to him. But that will surely change if you see his real face under the mask, won't it? This is only a temporary pleasure and peace of mind, when you see his real one, you will definitely want to leave him. Closing his eyes, Tommy instinctively leaned towards your touch, relaxing with his eyes closed. It was good. You're so gentle and caring. You always meet him with a warm dinner after work, bring him sweets, give him a massage and comb his hair. Thomas liked it, very much. You were so good, like he.. liked you.

When you finished helping Luda with cooking dinner, you wiped your hands with a towel, listening to the sounds in the house. Hoyt and Monty went somewhere not so long ago, before handing out 'tasks' to all the remaining household members. You smiled while watching Luda work. In the last three weeks, she's become like a real mother to you.

"Mom, where's Thomas?" You asked with a slight smile. You liked to address her that way, and the woman herself didn't seem to mind, on the contrary, she was glad to have another child in her house.

"Tommy is sorting things out in the barn, dear. Go and tell him that dinner is coming soon, okay?"

You nodded curtly and left the house. The sun was baking, shining unpleasantly into my eyes. Beads of sweat instantly appeared on your forehead, which you hastened to remove with the back of your hand. It's been even hotter than usual lately. Although the nights were cool. And yet, this did not cancel out the heat of the day, which burned the lungs unpleasantly.

The wooden door of the barn creaked open, unpleasantly jarring to the ear. It was dusty and hot inside. There was dust and old hay everywhere, in some places you could see old parts from disassembled cars, and somewhere there were children's things, as you assumed, that belonged to Thomas.

The man was standing almost in the middle of the barn and sorting out old boxes. His dark hair was tied carelessly in a ponytail, and his shirt had been taken off and was lying on one of the old shelves, so now you had a view of Tommy's muscular chest and his beautiful ass. Strong muscles flexed beautifully under his tanned skin with every movement.

You slowly approached the man from behind, putting your hand on his hip, and pulled him towards you, attracting attention. Your nose is filled with the smell of sweat mixed with a little dust and the already favorite peach sensation on your lips. Your mouth curled into a grin when Thomas turned in your direction.

"Hey, handsome," you said softly, enticing Thomas's lips into a wet, clumsy kiss. It was hard to kiss his bitten lips through the mask, but you didn't complain. After a couple of minutes, the man let out a light sigh and closed his eyes, awkwardly responding to the kiss. You've already kissed a few times, but he still didn't do very well. Thomas's hands found your waist, pulling you closer to him as he turned around in your arms. He backed away and sat down on one of the boxes, pulling you onto his lap. This guy was too fond of using his size. You wrapped your arms around his neck, burying your fingers in his damp, night-black hair. Finally breaking away from the sweet lips of your lover, you smiled. "Mom asked me to said to you that dinner is ready, y'know." Thomas muttered something indistinctly, but nodded, squeezing your hips in his hands. You could have sworn that something big was pressed against your body.

•••

And yet, you had a strange feeling. On the first day of your arrival here, you were going to go back to Luda's store to take that boy and his friends to the city they needed, but Hoyt immediately stopped you, saying that when he returned home, no guys were there. It seemed strange to you, because there was hardly frequent transport in this place. Although, perhaps some friend picked them up?

Sometimes you heard strange sounds, it seems, from the basement. It's like a dog whining or even gnashing. You tried not to make a big deal out of it, but the sound was getting too intrusive. It got on your nerves.

Nothing bad will happen if you just check on the poor animal, right?

The night was quite bright, the full moon shone brightly in the starry sky, reflecting on the screen of your phone. In only pajama pants and a light shirt, you slowly descended to the first floor, trying not to wake anyone from home. The floor creaked unpleasantly underfoot, but no one in the house seemed to hear it. Your hand was on the cold cellar door. A high-pitched squeak filled your ears, causing your body to shrink in slight fear. Goosebumps ran down my spine. You shone your flashlight on the stone steps, which were flooded with water for a couple of inches.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Plop.

Your feet touched the cold water, and you let out a soft sigh. It wasn't so hot at night to enjoy this coolness. You slowly picked up the phone, shining your flashlight on the walls. The basement was damp and dirty, smelled of dust and the acrid smell of metal. The light from your phone was slowly sliding along the stone walls. There were a lot of tools, meat hooks and other things.

A chill ran down your spine.

You pointed the flashlight at the center of the room, and your stomach clenched. On a table in the center of the basement lay something that looked like a man. An almost gnawed skeleton without a pair of limbs and with a bald spot in some places on the head. Long dirty hair was lying on the table, and the body was covered with dirt, blood and something else. The eyes were missing, as were the internal organs under the ribs. It was.. creepy.

Clang.

You jumped slightly, pointing the flashlight in the opposite direction from the table. God. There, against the wall, in a pile of boxes.. the boy you were driving was sitting there. His face was disfigured and his jaw was visibly broken. His leg was amputated to the knee, and there were strange stitches on the side. He looked very pale and weak, scared. His broken mouth made whining noises, but it seemed that he had already resigned himself to his fate.

You slowly stepped back. Your gaze darted between the poor half-dead boy and the body on the table. There wasn't so much meat, it looked like they were being eate-

Your stomach clenched painfully, and your throat burned. Your entire dinner immediately ended up on one of the stone steps. Suddenly it became so difficult and painful to breathe, it seemed that your heart was tearing in your chest. It hurts, it hurts so much, like it's beating in your head. Panic has gripped your mind. Did you live in a cannibal house?

Your movements were fast. You ran out of the basement without even bothering to close the door behind you, and grabbed your car keys from the housekeeper in the hallway. The front door slammed hard, and you could hear the grumbling in the house. The lights started to turn on immediately. You quickly reached the car, inserting the key into the ignition with shaking hands. My eyes burned, but there were no tears. It seemed like a primal fear for your own life filled your body, wanting every breath to be very painful.

Finally, the car started up, and you jerked the steering wheel sharply, pulling out to the road.

You drove as fast as you could. The heart was beating wildly in your chest, forcing you to turn around so that there would be no pursuers behind you. You would have been eaten too, wouldn't you? Where should you go now? Home? Police? You gripped the steering wheel harder, trying to bring yourself to your senses. God...

•••

"Fuck, I knew that! I knew that this boy was just like them! What should we do now? He's gonna tell the cops!" Hoyt screamed, clutching his gray hair with his fingers.

Thomas stared absently after the departing car. Hoyt was growling menacingly behind him, but the man didn't care. He was.. sadly. Painfully. My heart screamed unpleasantly, watching you drive away without even telling him yet. Did he do something wrong? Or did you know that boy? Did you love that boy? His heart ached uncomfortably at the very thought of it. He clenched his hands into fists, his nails leaving red crescents on his palms.

[f4unlette]

𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑠

꒰ some of my personal tips and some other things that i’d like to try. will be adding more to the list soon ♡ ꒱

𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑒:

⌗ brewer's yeast and zinc supplements for healthy hair, skin and nails

⌗ magnesium and sea moss supplements for fatigue, anxiety, stress, muscle and sleep regulation, migraines and blood sugar and pressure regulation

⌗ psyllium husk for constipation/ibs

⌗ vitamin c supplements for boosting collagen production, regulating boood pressure and boosting immunity

⌗ tiger balm for sore muscles, stomach aches and headaches

𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚:

⌗ magnesium and psyllium husk supplements to promote smoother bowel movements

⌗ yoga and stretching, as well as debloating exercises

⌗ renew life’s 3 day detox/body cleansing pills for a total body reset

⌗ stool softeners over laxatives

⌗ 2l of water daily/minimum and avoiding carbonated drinks

⌗ focusing on consuming fiber rich foods rather than protein

𝘩𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑠:

⌗ chamomile, fenugreek and mallow tea for acne and inflammation

⌗ green tea after every meal to avoid bloating

⌗ cardamom or clove and cinnamon stick tea for body cleansing and avoiding foul body odor

⌗ lemon ginger shots to promote gut cleansing

⌗ lemon, strawberry and cucumber water for clearer skin

⌗ daily detox smoothies

⌗ jujube tea for glowy skin and period cramp relief — from uraveragemillenial on tiktok

⌗ pear, rock sugar and moss drink — from crystaldao111 on tiktok

𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒:

⌗ turmeric soap for dark spots and exfoliation

⌗ pink vaseline as a lip sleeping mask

⌗ vitamin c oil for scars and wrinkles

⌗ rose water as toner

⌗ la roche posay cicaplast baume b5+ for and tattoo care, acne scars, pimples and other skin inflammations

⌗ panoxyl for skin texture

⌗ tretinoin and gua sha for smile lines

⌗ facial lymphatic drainage for face puffiness

⌗ eating black seed oil to clear up acne

⌗ qasil powder for acne

⌗ moroccan beauty secrets — from zawinamorocco on tiktok

𝘩𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒:

⌗ amla hair oil for rapid hair growth

⌗ nettle shampoo mixed with a few drops of rosemary essential oil for oily roots and hair growth

⌗ tsubaki royal jelly and camelia oil conditioner and hair mask for soft hair

⌗ jojoba oil heat protectant cream for hair mids and ends before blow drying

⌗ argan oil for healthy and shiny hair ends

⌗ going to sleep the day before hair washing day in a loose braid after applying argan oil throughout hair mids and ends and with a silk bonnet on

⌗ trimming spit ends at home with a good pair of scissors

⌗ avoiding tight hair ties and opting for silk scrunchies

⌗ heatless curls > hair curlers

⌗ direct hair dye > box dye

note: i have type 1a (straight, thin and low porosity) hair, so these listed products may not be adequate for many people

𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒:

⌗ dove original soap and turkish exfoliating bath glove for soft skin

⌗ whipped shea butter with coconut oil for soft skin and hydrated cuticles

⌗ the ordinary glycolic acid for hyperpigmented underarms, elbow and knee ditches and oily hair roots

⌗ roll on deodorant followed by spray deodorant

⌗ johnson’s baby powder as dusting powder to lock in moisture from moisturizing cream

⌗ cuticle trimming every week, as well as nail filing and nail polish application using pink transparent nail polish (don’t forget toenails)

⌗ soaking hand nails in olive oil for 10 minutes to avoid them from peeling and breaking whilst promoting cuticle hydration

⌗ hand exercises for slimmer fingers

⌗ cleaning behind ears and piercing holes with saline solution every day

⌗ foot care by trimming toenails, scraping dead skin off, moisturizing feet and applying tea tree oil in case of fungi

⌗ couto toothpaste (pasta dentrífica), teeth flossing, tongue scraping and mint mouthwash with no alcohol for good dental and oral hygiene

𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑚𝑒:

⌗ brown mascara > black mascara

⌗ lightly applying vaseline on eyelashes and also using it as eyebrow gel

⌗ rubbing vaseline on skin before applying perfume to make it last longer

⌗ spraying body mist on clothes

⌗ fresh fruity perfume: spring and summer. woody, aromatic and deep gourmand: autumn and winter

⌗ caravan, éclat and equivalenza perfume and body mists are great and affordable dupes for expensive fragrances

⌗ perfume oil on wrists and neck

𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠:

⌗ pilates exercises from nikola’s pilates, shirlyn kim, move with nicole, lilly sabri, pamela reif

⌗ rosie graham’s 30 day challenge

⌗ k-pop workouts, especially kazuha’s workout from lesserafim

⌗ just dance

⌗ walking and jogging

⌗ jump rope

⌗ bicycling

⌗ badminton and handball

[glowup-princess]

ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛᴏɪʟᴇᴛʀʏ ʙᴀɢ

A well-packed toiletry bag for daily use should have the essentials to keep you feeling fresh, confident, and ready for anything.

Daily Essentials

Toothbrush & Toothpaste (travel size for portability)

Floss or Dental Picks

Mini Mouthwash

Deodorant

Face Wash (small bottle or wipes)

Moisturizer (for face and hands)

Sunscreen

Lip Balm (with SPF if possible)

Beauty Basics

Compact Mirror

Hairbrush or Comb (foldable ones save space)

Hair Ties, Bobby Pins, or Clips

Makeup Essentials (if you wear makeup: concealer, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, etc.)

Blotting Papers (for oily skin)

Mini Perfume or Body Mist

Period Care

Pads, Tampons, or Menstrual Cup (whichever you prefer)

Feminine Wipes (gentle and unscented)

Hygiene Extras

Hand Sanitizer

Tissues

Wet Wipes (great for freshening up)

Travel Size Lotion

Emergency Must-Haves

Band-Aids

Pain Reliever (like ibuprofen or paracetamol)

Safety Pins

Stain Remover Pen

Optional Extras

Nail File or Clippers

Eyedrops (if you wear contacts or have dry eyes)

Contact Lens Case & Solution (if needed)

Chewing Gum or Breath Mints

Bag Tips:

Opt for a waterproof or easy-to-clean toiletry bag.

Keep travel-size items to save space.

Periodically check and restock essentials!

Be kind w yourself <3

pt. 2?

Like, comments and reblogs are appreciated <3

[fear-is-truth]

Hiya!!! :)

This is my first time requesting from you (and only my second or third time requesting anything at all I'm pretty sure) so I just wanted to say if I'm being overly demanding or weird with my request you can totally call me out!!

I was kinda wondering about the Evans with a reader who struggles with personal hygiene? So sorry if this is gross, don't be afraid to change it up, but I'm just curious to see how they'd react to a reader who just like genuinely forgets to shower for a week or will go days without brushing their hair.

I love you and I love your work!! You're amazing!! ♥️♥️♥️

⋆𐙚 ₊ the evans with an s/o who struggles with personal hygiene .ᐟ

ft. tate langdon ‧ kit walker ‧ frat!kyle spencer ‧ james patrick march ‧ cult leader! kai anderson

a/n: ahh thank you so much pookie for the request and liking my work !! i love you too <3

⟢ 𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐃𝐎𝐍.

tate would not mind at all, and in fact, he might even romanticise your “carefree” attitude.

in his mind, you’re like some grunge icon. you’re that high up.

he’d think your messy hair and unkempt appearance were part of your style, even finding it endearing.

if you forgot to shower for a week, he wouldn’t bat an eye. would probably just roll with it.

however, if he noticed you feeling self-conscious about it, he’d be quick to reassure you. “who gives a fuck? you’re cool just the way you are.”

if it got to a point where you were uncomfortable or struggling with your hygiene for deeper reasons, his solution would be offering to do things together, like showering together or brushing your hair for you.

he’d enjoy how intimate those moments are, even if it’s something as simple as untangling your hair while you sit between his knees. something he used to do for addie.

⟢ 𝐊𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐑.

kit would definitely notice when you go days without showering or brushing your hair, but he’d never be mean or judgmental about it. he’d approach the situation with a lot of patience and understanding.

if it’s something that happens occasionally, he’d gently bring it up in a delicate way that feels supportive rather than critical. “hey, how about we clean up together? it’ll make you feel better.”

if you forgot to shower, he’d offer to run you a warm bath or shower with you—not necessary a sexual thing but as a way to help you relax and make it feel less like a chore.

he’d have no issue brushing or braiding your hair for you if you went days without tending to it. “sit down, hun. let me take care of it for you.” he’d be so gentle, carefully working out any tangles.

kit would normalise your feelings around hygiene struggles, especially if you were self-conscious. he’d remind you that everyone has tough days and that it doesn’t make you any less lovable.

if you were open to it, he’d help you create a routine without being overbearing. make it a shared activity, like washing up before bed or starting a morning shower together.

also the small acts of care for you—offering a warm cloth to wash your face or gently massaging your hands with lotion.

the verdict is: his whole approach would be rooted in love and respect, ensuring you never felt embarrassed or shamed. 10/10

⟢ pre death .ᐟ 𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑.

kyle would approach the subject in the sweetest, most non-judgmental way. he’d never want to make you feel bad about it.

to subtly encourage you, he’d send a playful text, like a shirtless, mirror selfie captioned, “shower’s nice and warm today. wanna join me?”

if he saw you lounging around with messy hair, he’d grab a hairbrush and sit behind you without a word, gently untangling it while rambling about his day and ending it with “there, all better. You look amazing now—well, you always do.”

he’d make sure you never felt judged. If you were having a bad day and couldn’t manage, he’d shrug it off, saying, “it’s okay. you’re still perfect to me.”

⟢ 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇.

he would undoubtedly notice any lapses in your hygiene. given his meticulous nature and penchant for cleanliness, it would initially perplex him. however, his affection for you would temper his reaction.

at first, he’d approach it with subtle hints: “my darling, might i draw you a bath? i’ve had the housekeeper prepare the lavender oils you’re so fond of.”

while he would prefer his partner to maintain the same high standards of grooming as he does, he wouldn’t judge you harshly. instead, he’d see it as his duty to “help” you back on track—though he’d be tactful to avoid hurting your feelings.

on days when you simply forgot to shower or tidy up, james would have the bathtub filled with rose petals and champagne ready for after.

would try to frame hygiene tasks as shared rituals. for instance, he’d suggest dressing for dinner together, insisting on formal attire and a clean, polished look. “we must uphold appearances, my dear. after all, you are my most treasured companion.”

encouragement and flattery. “you are a vision, my dear, even in this state. but imagine the envy of the world if you allowed me to assist in your perfection.”

⟢ cult leader .ᐟ 𝐊𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍.

kai would be an absolute hypocrite about personal hygiene lmao. while he regularly skips showers himself, he’d still expect you to maintain a high standard of cleanliness, especially if you’re a woman.

if he noticed you hadn’t showered in a while, he’d bring it up very bluntly.

he’d rationalise his double standard with some sexist shit like, “a man can smell like a battlefield, but a woman is supposed to smell like a flower..”

if you pushed back against his comments, he’d get annoyed and huff something like, “fine. smell like a wet dog. just don’t complain when no one wants to be near you but me.”

if your hair was messy or tangled, he’d make sarcastic comments at first, but if he noticed you were genuinely struggling, he’d (begrudgingly) step in. “come here. let me fix this mess before you start looking like some burnout from the ’70s.”

would frame it as a flaw he needs to “correct” in you. kai would see it as his duty to whip you into shape. that said, if anyone else dared to criticise you, he’d get super pissed off.

if your hygiene struggles were related to emotional or mental health, kai would have the emotional depth to understand, and he’d try to manipulate you.