#I don't think Planned Parenthood is the answer

[moonxknightx]

♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ : UNBREAKABLE BONDS : :;

╰┈➤ ❝ [PAIRING] ❞ Hugh Jackman x F!Reader

・❥・GENRE: Angst but fluff at the end :))

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆FANDOM: RPF

ੈ✩‧₊˚ WARNINGS: Emotional Conflict, Breakup and Separation, Pregnancy and Unplanned parenthood, Emotional Reconciliation

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥SUMMARY: When Hugh reveals he doesn’t want more children, it creates tension in your otherwise happy relationship, leading to a painful breakup. Months later, you discover you’re pregnant and choose to keep the baby, keeping the news from Hugh. An unexpected encounter in the park brings the revelation, leading to a deeply emotional moment as you face the future and navigate the complexity of your new reality.

THE SUN STREAMED THROUGH THE CURTAINS, CASTING A WARM GLOW OVER THE ROOM AS YOU STRETCHED, FEELING THE SOFT SHEETS AGAINST YOUR SKIN.

Beside you, Hugh was still asleep, his arm draped protectively over you. You smiled, gently moving to not disturb him, and slipped out of bed.

Padding softly across the room, you made your way to the living room where a small, fluffy ball of energy was waiting for you. Loki, your playful husky puppy, greeted you with enthusiastic licks and a wagging tail. You laughed, scooping him up and nuzzling your nose into his soft fur.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as you settled on the couch, Loki curling up beside you. Life was perfect. You and Hugh had been together for two years, and every day felt like a new adventure. From spontaneous weekend getaways to quiet evenings spent cooking dinner together, your relationship was filled with love and laughter.

One lazy Sunday morning, as you both lounged on the patio with Loki playing at your feet, the conversation turned to the future. Hugh, sipping his coffee, mentioned how content he was with your little family. The words were casual, but they carried a weight that settled uncomfortably in your chest.

"What about kids?" you asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "Do you ever think about having more?"

Hugh's expression softened, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I love you, and I love our life together," he said, reaching for your hand. "But I don't see myself having more children. I'm happy with the way things are."

You nodded, forcing a smile, but inside, your heart ached. You had always imagined having children of your own, and hearing Hugh's definitive answer left you feeling lost.

It started small, as many arguments do. You had been out shopping and found a charming little onesie, unable to resist its allure despite Hugh's stance. You brought it home, hiding it at the bottom of your shopping bag. But later that evening, as you both unpacked the groceries, Hugh found it.

"What's this?" he asked, holding up the tiny garment with a puzzled expression.

You swallowed hard, trying to keep your voice steady. "I just thought it was cute. Maybe for the future..."

Hugh's face hardened. "We've talked about this. Why are you doing this?"

"It's just a piece of clothing, Hugh," you replied, feeling defensive. "Can't I have a little hope for the future?"

Hugh sighed, placing the onesie on the counter. "I thought we were on the same page. This feels like you're trying to push me into something I'm not ready for."

The conversation ended with a strained silence, the first crack in your seemingly perfect relationship.

The small arguments began to escalate. One evening, after a long day at work, you came home to find Hugh cooking dinner. The sight, once comforting, now brought a wave of resentment.

"Hey," he greeted you with a smile. "I made your favorite."

You forced a smile, the stress of the day weighing heavily on you. "Thanks."

As you sat down to eat, the conversation turned to your weekend plans. Hugh suggested a quiet weekend at home, but you had been looking forward to a trip you had planned to a nearby city.

"I just think it would be nice to get away," you said, trying to keep the frustration out of your voice.

"We've been traveling a lot lately," Hugh countered. "I thought it would be nice to relax here for a change."

The argument escalated quickly, voices rising as you both defended your positions. The dinner, meant to be a gesture of love, ended with you storming out of the room, tears of frustration streaming down your face.

The arguments became a regular occurrence, each one chipping away at the foundation of your relationship. The final straw came one night when Hugh came home late from a work event. You had prepared a special dinner, hoping to rekindle the romance that seemed to be slipping away.

Hugh walked in, looking tired. "I'm sorry, I got held up," he said, giving you a quick kiss.

"It's always something," you snapped, unable to hide your disappointment. "Do you even care about us anymore?"

Hugh's face fell. "Of course I do. But I have responsibilities, and sometimes that means being late."

"You always have an excuse," you shot back. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm the only one fighting for this relationship."

The argument that followed was the worst yet. Harsh words were exchanged, emotions running high. Finally, Hugh said something that cut you to the core.

"Maybe we're just not right for each other anymore."

The silence that followed was deafening. The realization hit you both that despite the love you shared, your futures no longer aligned. With heavy hearts, you decided to part ways.

The weeks following the breakup were the hardest. You moved into a small apartment, taking Loki with you, and tried to rebuild your life. It was during this time that you started feeling unwell. A visit to the doctor confirmed what you had never expected: you were pregnant.

The news was both a shock and a beacon of hope. You decided to keep the baby, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement about the future. Telling Hugh, however, felt impossible. You didn't want him to feel trapped or obligated, especially after the difficult decision you both had made.

Months passed, and your belly grew rounder. Loki stayed by your side, his playful energy a constant source of comfort. You threw yourself into preparing for the baby, focusing on creating a warm and loving home.

One crisp autumn day, you were walking through the park with Loki when you heard a familiar voice. Turning, you saw Hugh standing a few feet away, his eyes wide with surprise and a mix of emotions.

"You... you're pregnant?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

You nodded, unable to find the words. Hugh took a step closer, his eyes searching yours. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to burden you," you replied, tears forming. "We made a decision, and I didn't want to complicate things for you."

Hugh reached out, gently placing a hand on your swollen belly. "This is our baby," he said, his voice breaking. "I want to be a part of their life, and yours. If you'll let me."

In that moment, you realized that despite everything, the love you shared hadn't disappeared. It had simply been overshadowed by fear and uncertainty. With tears in your eyes, you nodded, allowing Hugh to pull you into a tight embrace.

"I never stopped loving you," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "I thought I was doing the right thing, but I can't imagine my life without you."

Tears streamed down your face as you clung to him, the months of pain and loneliness dissolving in his arms. "I never stopped loving you either," you said, your voice choked with emotion. "I was so scared, Hugh. Scared of losing you, of raising this baby alone."

Hugh's eyes filled with tears as he looked at you, his voice trembling. "I was scared too. Scared of not being enough, of failing you. But seeing you here, carrying our child... I realize how much I want this, how much I want us."

Together, you walked through the park, Loki trotting happily beside you. The future was uncertain, but you knew that with Hugh by your side, you could face anything. And as you felt the baby kick for the first time, you knew that this new beginning was the start of something beautiful.

The days that followed were filled with a renewed sense of hope and love. Hugh moved back in, and you both prepared for the arrival of your baby, embracing the journey ahead with open hearts. You spent your evenings talking about names, decorating the nursery, and imagining the life you would build together.

When the day finally came, Hugh was by your side, holding your hand as you brought your child into the world. The moment you laid eyes on your baby, the room filled with love so powerful it brought you both to tears. Hugh kissed your forehead, his eyes filled with wonder and joy.

"We did it," he whispered, his voice trembling. "We made something so perfect."

As you held your baby close, you felt a sense of completeness you had never known before. The path to this moment had been fraught with pain and uncertainty, but it had led you to a place of profound love and happiness.

In the quiet moments, as you watched Hugh gently cradle your child, you realized that the struggles had only made your bond stronger. The love you shared was unbreakable, and together, you could overcome anything.

Your family, with Loki at your feet and your baby in your arms, was a testament to the resilience of love. It was a love that had weathered the storms and emerged stronger, ready to face whatever the future held. And as you looked into Hugh's eyes, you knew that this new beginning was only the start of a beautiful journey, one filled with endless love and unshakable unity.

(A/N) I hope you enjoyed the story and was what you expected! 🫶

If you want to be tagged in future works about Hugh Jackman let me know!

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

idk if this is a sex ed question, or if you're the right person to ask, sorry, but do you have any reputable sources about what testosterone *actually* does?

i see people saying it limits your emotions, that it gives you breast cancer, that it makes you malnourished, its a second more dangerous puberty, etc, and I'd like to think im good at picking out lies, but there's a lot of stuff that sounds like bullshit coming from blogs i thought were trustworthy.

if not, all good, thank you in advance!

hi anon,

I'm really glad you sent this ask, because this kind of scaremongering misinformation is deeply upsetting and I'm so happy to provide a better information.

there are tons of reputable sources as to what testosterone does; some that I'll be pulling from in this answer include Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco, Mayo Clinic, the Society for Endocrinology, and Planned Parenthood.

so, what's up testosterone?

testosterone is a hormone produced in everyone's bodies, either in the testes or the ovaries depending on which set of equipment you're working with. all bodies produce both estrogen and testosterone, usually in different levels. regardless of the genitalia you were born with, how you understand your gender, or what levels of testosterone you have in your body, testosterone affects things like your sex drive, your hair growth, muscle and bone density, and the production of red blood cells.

in people born with testes, puberty usually comes with an increase in testosterone that kicks off changes such as growth of the penis and testicles, the production of sperm, an increase in hair growth all over the body, deepening of the voice, greater production of oil on the skin, and an increase in height, weight, and muscle mass.

either an overabundance or a deficit of testosterone can have health complications, just as having more or less of any hormone that a body needs can cause complications.

people who choose to transition by taking testosterone will experience many similar effects as cisgender men going through puberty, including the increase in body hair, skin oils, and muscle mass, as well as a deepening voice. while people on testosterone are unlikely to experience significant growth in terms of height unless they start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at a fairly young age, testosterone does frequently cause a redistribution of fat on their bodies to be more similar to that of cisgender men. bottom growth, the increased size and sensitivity of the clitoris to more closely resemble a penis, is also common; the clitoris and the penis are homologous structures (they're made out of the same goo when embryos start developing genitalia), hence why they react similarly to testosterone.

to address your specific concerns:

testosterone does not limit the range of a person's emotions. while it may impact a person's mood and the severity of their feelings, the same is true of any hormone - for instance, people also report mood changes when they take antidepressants or birth control. the sometimes drastic mood fluctuations experienced during puberty are not tied to a specific hormone; this is a turbulent time regardless of what hormones your body is producing the most. testosterone is stereotyped as making people angry and violent, but all people are people regardless of their biology and are shaped by much more than the hormones in their body.

while cisgender men and trans people on testosterone can both get breast cancer, testosterone does not pose any particular risk. several of the sources linked about don't find any significant link between taking testosterone HRT and an increased risk of breast cancer, reporting that transgender individuals who take testosterone are not at any particularly higher risk of developing breast cancer than cisgender women. for more detailed information about potential health problems affiliated with taking testosterone, I recommend the "Risks" section of the linked UCSF document. yes, there are health risks affiliated with taking testosterone; this is true of literally any medication and, more importantly, is also true of just being a person with any kind of hormones in your body. cis men and women also have health conditions affiliated with being cis men and cis women, this is the price of admission for having a human body. nobody gets out unscathed.

there is no evidence that testosterone causes someone to become malnourished. people undergoing a testosterone-based puberty, whether they're cis or trans, are likely to experience a great deal of growth and bodily changes that will use a great deal of calories, which means they may be hungry and need more food than they did previously. this is a normal effect of puberty on a body, and is only a risk for malnourishment if a person isn't able to eat in sufficient amounts to keep their body properly nourished.

there is nothing about a testosterone-based puberty that is "more dangerous" than an estrogen-based puberty, which is what I assume is the point of comparison. puberty is a completely natural process that does not pose any significant dangers unless you want to be a real dipshit about it and pull some shit like "puberty is dangerous because you grow breast tissue and then you're at risk for breast cancer," in which case sure, great job, Sherlock. you solved it, puberty is cancelled forever. I cannot emphasize enough how stupid this is, conceptually; roughly half the human population goes through this kind of puberty every day and they're fucking fine. puberty by itself is not a risk factor of anything.

I don't know what particular interest the blogs you've been following have in making testosterone-based puberty sound like it's going to turn you into an emotionally stunted skeleton with breast cancer, although I fear it's transphobia hidden unsubtly behind concern trolling and disdain for cisgender men.

if you're interested in taking testosterone and are concerned about the changes you might see in your body please, for the love of god, consult with reputable health resources and a doctor rather than whatever nematode is posting about testosterone ruining your life.

[117luv]

THE PARENT TRAP — LHS | CHAPTER 7

synopsis: jungwon and ni-ki met each other at a summer camp and found out they were fraternal twins. this leads to events where the two ex-lovers, heeseung and yn, are reunited after 14 years by their children.

genre: exes to lovers, smau, fluff

pairing: lee heeseung x fem!reader

warnings: cursing, poor attempts in humor, grammatical errors, marriage, pregnancy, parenthood, miscommunication

taglist: CLOSED!

a/n: hi my loves! starting next week, ill be more consistent w/ the updates since school is FINALLY over so more time and also im sorry if it took so long to release this chap but besides that i hope you enjoy this and love ya !!

masterlist | previous | next

The boys have many questions for their parents. Such as why they are apart, how come they both don't mention they had a twin who belongs to another parent, or how their parents could have just worked it out so all of this mess wouldn't have happened in the first place. But they know their parents don't like this arrangement, and it shows how much the two of them profusely apologize to them for all of this mess. Yn and Heeseung know that this arrangement shouldn't have existed if they weren't stupid years ago, but all they can do is make up to the twins for their mistake and loss of time. Jungwon spoke up first and asked "Mom, I know you and dad had a rough past hence why this arrangement even existed in the first place but were you even planning to tell me that I had a twin all along if I didn't met Ni-ki at camp?" and she replied "I been thinking to tell you about him and your dad but I didn't know what will I do if you asked about their whereabouts when I don't even have your dad's contact number, let alone their address. Despite all that, I was ready to tell you but I just kept pushing it to avoid confrontation. This also had to do with me and your dad arrangement, is where we will claim one twin and never talk nor find each other whereabouts hence you never knew about your twin." Her answer cleared up a question he had been dreading to ask her after all the events unfold. Yn asked the boys why the two of them weren't shocked to learn about them being twins, and they explained to them that the reason why they weren't surprised was because they had already put the pieces together back at camp, from them being allergic to peanuts to them having the other half of a picture of their parents from years ago. As the four of them kept talking until the boys were visibly tired, she asked them to get ready for bed. It was getting late, and Ni-ki asked Heeseung if he could just stay overnight, which you both agreed to and helped him get settled in Jungwon''s room. Once the twins were settled down, he quietly got out of the house as she assisted him to his car. He called for her name and rolled down his windows. "Did you forget something inside? I can get it for you, she said as he looked at her. "No, my things are all here. Just come closer to me, he said, which she did, and he quickly pecked her forehead and rolled his windows up as he quickly left her place. Leaving her speechless in what just happened moments ago and Heeseung blushing as he drove back home as he remembered what he did. As this all unfolded, the twins were witnessing it from their window and thought of a plan to make their parents get back together.

taglist [CLOSED] : @yangwaa @emikisses @yohanabanana @arizejkt19 @skuwu-blog @beatr2x @svarcq @softiehee @enhastolemyheart @deobitifull @emxshu @bucketofhiros @lost-leopard-beanie @soobin-my-beloved @azurez @flwrshee @beomgyusonlywife @lalalalawon @yanagisprettygf @astrae4 @myjaeyunn @sesame-street-lol @yumilovesloona @jhopesucker @omgjwon @yoonjunshi @wannatinyus @yeahhemmings- @coupscheri @useraerin @neozon3nha @mevalemadrws @wonyoungsvirus @ilvsoup @dneltrise @chirokookie @noascats @sxftiell @onionzzzs @nokacchan @i-yeseo @02zluvbot @iamliacamila @nicholasluvbot @ilovewonyo @ddazed-lhs @tobiosbbyghorl @youmenotyummy @minhoie @enhaz1

[palskippah]

🌟How does Toadsworth react to Mario's pregnancy?🌟

I'm thinking that Toadsworth goes through a wide arrange of emotions when he's told, because:

His baby girl is going to become a mother (father's happiness, he's going to be a grandfather!)

His baby isn't a baby any longer [father anguish, she grew up too fast! (never mind that she's thirty-one now)]

His baby isn't married to the man she's going to have a baby with (father's wrath? Maybe he's old-fashioned like that and thinks that they should do the whole thing correctly!)

Overall, he's very happy, and congratulates both Mario and Peach eagerly, and goes on and on about how the experience of parenthood can be wonderful and has a lot of many great moments. How he remembers when Peach was a baby and how happy it makes him to see her grow and become the woman she is now- until he stops and realizes that Mario and Peach are going to have a baby.

And goes: "Wait, a baby? And you're not even married!"

Mario and Peach look at each other briefly, while Toadsworth frets about it and says that they must get married as soon as possible, before the baby is born. But Mario and Peach actually planned to get pregnant, and say so to Toadsworth, and they have no intention on marrying sooner because of that.

So, he's like, "But princess! The baby will not be a princess or prince if you don't marry by the time they're born!"

"They'll be royalty either way if we marry later," says Peach smiling, trying to take the seriousness out of the matter. Because she really, really doesn't want to get married yet*. "If we marry now, I'm certain I will not enjoy it, Toadsworth, and that's the least I want for the day I marry the man I love."

Mario's like respectfully listening and all, and goes 🥰 for a second at her words, and then serious again.

Toadsworth's like :c but still accepts that she wants to take her time on that matter. He sighs resignedly and shakes his head while Peach is clearly waiting for his answer on it, unsubtly worried (something silly like her with them big ol' eyes looking directly at him).

Finally, he says, "You're very set on your ideas, princess... But I think that's on me, I raised you like this." His words have a nice tone to it because he's smiling and looking at Peach fondly. She sighs relieved, and smiles brightly too, and leans down to hug her father again. She's glad he's comprehensive about it.

Eventually, Toadsworth gets over the fact that Mario and Peach are merely boyfriend and girlfriend and have no intention on marrying soon. Although, it does take him a very long time to come to terms with the fact that his baby is going to have her own babies, when just yesterday it seemed that she was too small for her crown.

Almost through all of Mario's pregnancy Toadsworth has these moments where he's nostalgic and remembering when Peach was younger. He's very happy for them, and hopes the babies have a likeness to Peach (they'll be the cutest babies if that were the case!)

Also, Toadsworth has a respectful relationship with Mario, because he's the man that always looks out for his daughter and also he's earned Toadsworth's respect through all his actions. Mario also has him in high regard due to the fact that he's Peach's father figure, and he's never given him a reason not to.

But Toadsworth still very, but very rarely asks to feel the babies, and Mario doesn't mind one bit about it (especially because he asks very nicely and Mario never feels like he can't say no), but the old toad is still a bit hesitant about it. He mostly does it when the babies are very big already and can easily be felt if you place a hand on Mario's belly.

Toadsworth mostly has conversations with Peach about the babies, when Peach asks for stories or advice on parenting. He gladly goes on long monologues (like the old man he is-) about his experiences while raising her, while Peach listens attentively.

And when the babies are born, he's best grandpa and gladly takes care of the girls whenever he can.

Nettarina and Mariella may look like two mini Marios, but they remind him very much of when Peach was a baby. He takes them on walks in Peach's stroller, talks to them about his day, and also reads them stories. Sometimes he gets emotional about how similar yet different it is from back then :'v

*Peach doesn't want to get married to Mario yet, and it has to do with Bowser's kidnappings. Maybe I'll do a post where it's more explained :y and also where it shows when they do get married, years later when the girls are older.

[girl-failure]

Transwoman needs answers

this isnt an easy post to write and it's going to be full of info about me that's personal and embarassing but I am desperate for answers and assitance so please bear with me. Long story short, im almost 3 years hrt (may 19th will be exact) and it's like nothing has changed. More info under the cut.

I'm going to try and explain everything to the best of my memory, but exact dosages and stuff might be fuzzy and inexact. I began HRT on May 19th 2021, when I was 22. I took one and a half 2mg pills, twice (morning and night) daily. I took them sublingually. I was also prescribed Spironolactone, though the exact dose escapes me (i remember it was 1 pill nightly). I had only come out as trans in the December the previous year, so i considered myself unfathomably lucky to get to start so soon. I had done this through informed consent at a planned parenthood and was excited by the possibility of a future where my own body didn't make me want to die. The idea of changing my body gave me a feeling of control in my life that had been entirely absent until that point. I knew I wanted all the help I could get with breast development (the women in my immediate family are well endowed) and I had read & heard from other trans women that prog could help, but I'd have to wait to ask for it.

I think it was on December 15, 2021, I was officially prescribed 100 progesterone nightly. At this point I had began to notice softer skin, lighter hair, the few bits of acne left over from high school had gone entirely, and the inklings of breasts beginning to form. My libido had all but dissipated entirely at that point, but I was told (mostly by other trans women) it would come back, especially after starting prog, and that my body would likely experience pleasure differently, and that my orgasm would be very different. The fat from my stomach (i wasn't overweight or underweight, i was pretty average for a man my height, but I did have a masculine stomach I despised) hadn't relocated at all, but I knew HRT wasn't a sprint, but a marathon, and I had a long way to go. This continued for a long time, eventually i would be bumped up to two 2mg of E (sublingual pill) twice daily (8mg total), and my Spiro would change to 200mg a day EDIT: My Spiro dosages did fluctuate, though again I don't recall the exact dosages, (I initially got it confused with my prog dosage, sorry), though there was the occasional few week period where I'd be bumped back down to one and a half E pills because I had timed my blood-work poorly. It had been a while since starting HRT and I was starting to worry. My libido never came back, I was unable to feel the sensation of pleasure entirely, my breasts & nipples never became sensitive or had growth pains, and my breasts really hadn't grown at all. My stomach still made me feel awful and masculine because fat continued to pile up there instead of in the feminine places I was told and led to believe it should!!! I was scared and frightened and upset. I'd say I developed an eating disorder but my eating was already disordered. I was afraid of food. Afraid it'd just make me look manly, instead of going to my hips/waist/whatever and breasts like it was supposed to. I began to feel like the hrt that was supposed to save my life was just making me feel worse.

On October 23rd, 2023, I finally started seeing a doctor again after 9 years of not being able to afford it, and only then because a parent got insurance through their work. I was officially prescribed Estradiol Valerate (.3mL intramuscular, and the bottle itself is 20mg/mL) , and quit Spiro outright. Now that I was talking to a doc, especially one who had been working with trans people in my area for years, I was starting to have hope again that maybe injections would solve my problems. After all, they're supposed to be more powerful right? Well after some blood-work revealing that my T levels were so low they were undetectable, we started fiddling with my injection dosages. I went down to .25mL. Nothing changed. I went down to .2ml. Nothing changed. I stayed at .2mL and was prescribed a med called EstraTest (.625mg E and 1.25mg T), a single pill which has both E and T in it, to try and raise my T levels back to measurable levels and hopefully find that golden ratio of E and T where maybe my body will start working again and start changing. But that brings us today. I still don't feel any sensation of pleasure (masturbating is pointless, intimacy just feels like I'm disappointing my partner), let alone a female orgasm (which as embarrassing as it is to admit, I was really looking forward to), my nipples still don't get sensitive and my chest doesn't get sore or get growing pains. My breasts look the same way they did 4 months into hrt. I've still had practically no fat redistribution, though I've gotten better about eating and not being afraid of food. I'm even beginning to notice my acne slowing starting to come back. I feel like I'm losing my mind. Why has nothing worked? Why does it feel like I'm regressing? I lost my health insurance earlier this week, and I can't afford to see my doctor again with my dumb pizza delivery job, so I haven't been able to ask to try anything more drastic to try and fix these issues. My current theories are that maybe my body is just more resistant to E? Which would be awful, but might be handled by just tripling my dose or something? Or

that my receptors are fried, and that the only solution would be to stop taking my HRT for a while (maybe even a long while). I pray that isn't the case, because I'd sooner off myself then let my body regress any further.

So this is a call for help. If anyone has any idea what could be causing these problems for me, or knows how I might be able to fix them, PLEASE let me know. I've lost hope in having a future as a woman, or even just feeling apathy towards my body (instead of intense self-loathing) at this point.

Here's my ca$happ if anyone wants to throw some money my way and maybe I'll be able to see the doctor again. cash.app/$occultChloe

[genderqueerdykes]

hello, I'm a younger transmasculine person and I was curious about a few things (for reference I live in the us in a fairly left state)

- how do you get started on testosterone?

I've never gotten a clear answer on this, some people said it took a two year queue, others could start immediately. idk when I want to start, but i dont want to be confused on what to do when I get the ball rolling

- are there alternatives to shots, and do they work better or worse?

I dont think I could do the shots myself unless there's no other options, something about them just makes my bones hurt

- how often do you have to apply T, and what happens if you forget to take it?

I'm pretty forgetful and I'll probably not take T on the scheduled date at least once, I hope that won't screw with anything because I don't really know if you've got to be consistent with it

- do you have any tips for clothing/voice training?

I think I pass at least a little okay but my voice is one of the things I'm most self conscious about. I also find myself spending 10-20 minutes every morning pulling my shirt against my chest to see if my binders working, and just end up wearing the same sweater I have for the past few weeks

sorry if that's alot, even if you're a stranger you're the first person I've been able to ask about these things. thank you so much

these are all great questions, i'm so glad you're taking the time to ask! this is extremely thorough and well thought out!

How do you get started on testosterone?

That's a great question, i feel like a lot of people have barriers to this one. if you are in a state where you have access to Planned Parenthood, this is usually a good place to start. check to see if you have a transgender resource center in your area. if not, go to whatever local lgbtq organization you can find, even one in a college. it is also possible to search gender affirming care [area], but clinicians aren't always available via Google

Here is a list of informed consent clinics that provide gender affirming care services, you may want to look here.

The process looks different for literally everyone, that's why no one can give you a clear answer, i'm so sorry! it's such a chaotic process for all of us. some trans men will literally get their prescription for testosterone within a month, others it does take years. do some research and see if therapy is required before hormones will be prescribed in your area. if not, you will likely have a much faster and easier time getting your hormones. if you don't need therapy, generally you'll just need to sign some consent forms and waivers stating that you are aware of what you are going to do to your body.

Are there alternatives to shots, and do they work better or worse?

all forms of testosterone are equally effective, it just depends on the dosage and the person. currently in the united states, you can get topical testosterone in the form of an alcohol based gel! it is applied topically to the upper forearms or abdomen, generally daily. it works just as well as the injectable testosterone, so long as you respond well to it! there is also the option of having your clinician do shots for you if you don't respond well to gel, as well.

nebido also may be available for FtM HRT in your area!

How often do you have to apply T, and what happens if you forget to take it?

Daily for topical gel, anywhere between twice a week, once a week, to once every two weeks for shots, depending on the person, how well they tolerate the medication, their transition goal, and the dosage.

Do you have any tips for clothing/voice training?

In terms of vocal training, AmaRoseLessons, Zoey Alexandria, and Trans Vocal Training are YouTube channels that can help with vocal training exercises, and i can also recommend the r/transvoice subreddit as well if you need help figuring out how to practice and ways to integrate what you learn into how you speak naturally!

For clothing, really anything goes, it depends on what you're going for and how you want to look. Remember that your personal style still gets to be included in the mix! Generally speaking, bulkier shapes that obscure the shoulders, hips and chest help a lot, layering of clothes, and wearing clothes with "boxier" cuts. Heavier shoes like boots may help, you may also find you like dress shoes. it really depends on your personal look, but generally speaking, i say go into the "men's" section and go nuts. Whatever they wear, you can wear too, and it gets the point across.

Hope that helps! Thanks for laying out your ask in such a concise way, that's much appreciated! If you need any more help feel free to ask!

[talesofhestia]

ASUL Siblings: Incorrect Quotes XXV

Shanks: I woke up last night 'cause I heard noises in the kitchen. It was the voices of four gremlins, aka the most chaotic brothers of all time. I heard Luffy ask Uta, "Are we sure about this idea?" and to Uta answering "Trust your older siblings". Then I heard Ace and Sabo's voices going over what seemed to be a plan. I don't think I've ever run after someone as much in my life as I did last night. Benn Beckman, nodding: That's true. Makino and I are witnesses. It's funny what parenthood can do to a person. Even if that person is Captain. Shanks, sarcastically: Thank you so much, Beck. I appreciate you too.

[antiendovents]

// vent, medical ableism

tldr; my fucking DOCTOR is pro-endo and her source is a dumbass paper that proves nothing and now my healthcare is at risk!!

just had my appointment with my gender wellness doctor. she asked how i've been and i mentioned finding a 2nd therapist for specific stuff. she asked what and i said dissociative disorders. i wanted to be vague but she pressed me to talk about it and reluctantly i talked about having alters and answered her questions bc i struggle with saying no.

i told her i was ok with doing an adverse childhood experiences scale but that i had stuff i wanted to talk about (like my hrt not being at the pharmacy for months) she said "we'll get to it".

after the assessment she asked abt it causing distress and she was talking about how in the office they use the term "plural identities" i said that was fine but that its still a disorder. she was like "disorder is negative" and compared it to how it used to be called gender identity disorder (comparing the two as if she has any place to talk on it, being cis and a singlet) but its better to use "plural identities"

i was like "thats fine as long as its still seen as a disorder and caused by trauma" and she was like "no its not always caused by trauma" and i straight up said "do you have a source for that?" and she was like "google my husbands name" and i did and THEN she moved on to my actual issues with struggling to get hrt for months.

the whole time after i had to mask how i was feeling so i could get basic healthcare. after she hung up i burst into tears. its been like 10 min and im still crying and feel sick. ive had doctors say they dont know what DID/OSDD-1 is before. ive had them say DID is a personality disorder. ive never had anything like this before and i feel unsafe. the fucking endo community IS affecting healthcare. i dont feel like i can ever talk to a doctor about this stuff again. she completely talked over me and then moved on like it was nothing

btw this is the stupid study her husband worked on. read it and its not even PROVING ANY OF WHAT SHE SAID. its just "oh well some people THINK theyre plural and of course disordered people have to be miserable so if you like ur alters they must be magically there!" and was from the plural association. its fucking disgusting this is being used as fact when theres nothing but subjective opinion.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S246874992300042X

i genuinely think im going to go to planned parenthood from now on. i cant work with her anymore. its been 2? maybe more years of working with her but im done. im sorry to ramble so much. im still having a breakdown over this.

-arachnid anon

im really sorry about that arachnid anon. That sucks and if you can we hope you manage to get a new doctor because she is clearly causing you distress. This really sucks, I feel like endos don't always realise how dangerous this stuff can be for actual systems. If doctors don't see it as a disorder then they won't treat it as such, meaning you won't get the help you need and you won't feel safe with her (as you said), which like,, isn't good. She's not a specialist meaning if anything she shouldn't really be saying stuff about DID/OSDD at all, because that's not her job or her place ((I understand you brought it up, but still. She should keep her opinions out of her damn job))

[heich0e]

Liv you don’t have to answer this if you’re not comfortable with it but I was just wondering if you have any tips on how to have safe sex? I feel like those kinds of conversations are so overlooked in media and as a person who’s never been sexually active im kinda nervous and scared. I know having a condom it’s important but what else? Like, how to prevent infections or something like that… anyway yeah, sorry if that was an intrusive ask. I hope you have a nice day!

EDIT: i say this below the cut, but i want to add it here too i am not an expert i am just a person speaking from what i know and sharing what resources i can.

first of all please DON'T apologize!! this is such an important question/subject and i think it's very sweet you came to me with it, and i appreciate you trusting me to help!!

off the top of my head the three biggest things that came to mind were condoms (the big obvious one) but also ideally a backup birth control method if contraception is necessary, making sure you and your partner are tested for STDs/STIs (also probably obvious) and just generally are able to communicate about stuff like that, and (something that i wish more ppl talked about!!) lube. lube helps reduce friction, which prevents any tearing (both internally but also for condoms!! just make sure the type of lube you're using is ok to be used with whatever kind of condom you're using.) i've been saying for years that more ppl need to get on board with using lube because it is there to help!!

when it comes to sexual hygiene it's going to differ a lot for every person, not just depending on your anatomy but because everybody's body is different. everyone says "pee after sex to prevent UTIs!!" but the reality is that sometimes that just doesn't help—i know ppl who deal with chronic UTIs because they have a rly sensitive PH/flora and sex just fucks with it (no pun intended.) yeast infections can happen too. the most important thing is that you know this is NORMAL and is not something you need to be scared of or embarrassed about.

please for the love of god my sweet angel if you are a vagina haver do NOT use internal "feminine washes." they are BAD for you and your snatch. no matter how "natural" or "ph balanced" they claim to be they are not meant to go inside you and can rly fuck with your body chemistry. use gentle unscented soap around the area and otherwise JUST water to clean inside. (here's a link to a webpage from the royal women's hospital on dos/don'ts for hygiene! it covers everything from washing to menstrual care to sexual hygiene, but it is specific to vaginal care.)

i'm not an expert, or a doctor, i'm just a girl on the internet who's sharing what she knows with you. but i want you to be informed and feel empowered and reassured by that information, so i found some resources on safe (/"safer") sex for you in case you want to read some stuff from people who know what they're talking about.

scarleteen - this is the largest online resource for "comprehensive and highly inclusive sex and relationships education, information and support." This is an incredible and regularly updated source for info on EVERY possible subject related to sex, bodies, and relationships.

the safer sex toolbox from the american sexual health association - after skimming through this seems like a very helpful and incredibly detailed resource!

planned parenthood resources - they have pages that talk about everything from birth control, to healthy relationships, gender identity, and even sexual pleasure.

love you little friend, and i am very proud of u for asking and wanting to know this info. you're doing amazing!!

[terresdebrume]

Oh hey also, guess who's started on the next down on my knees installment x)

"Jenny."

Jenny's shoulders stiffen, and for a second it almost looks like she's trying to pretend like she hasn't heard Crystal, which in the one hand is kind of fair since she doesn't have a long lunch break, but on the other hand Crystal really, really needs some pointers right now.

"Jenny!" She hisses, like she needs to be quiet, "I need advice!"

"Why, Crystal?" Jenny sighs, slapping a hand on the table and levering Crystal with the most baleful glare in her repertoire—and Jenny's kind of the archetypal goth. She's really good at glaring. "Why do you keep coming to me for advice?"

"Do you see another adult in my life I could go to?" Crystal asks, wide eyed in disbelief. "I'm not asking you to be my fucking mom, I just want your opinion on something!"

"The deal was," Jenny says, visibly giving up on her sandwich and starting to fold the foil around it again, "that I don't ask questions and you don't bother me. I was very explicit when we signed the lease!"

"Okay, and how many times in the past year have I come to you for life advice?"

The answer is three times that Crystal can recall. When she first moved in and she didn't know how to get her colleagues at the supermarket to stop treating her like a baby, when she'd figured out she actually did want to go to college but wasn't sure if she should ask her parents to help her with it, and when that one random hookup decided to slip the condom off in the middle of things and she was so out of sorts she didn't remember [Planned Parenthood] was a thing until Jenny sat her in the car and drove her there. Three times in almost a year and a half really isn't that bad, honestly. Jenny must agree, too, because she heaves one last big sigh and gestures for Crystal to come into the kitchen and sit at the table.

"It's not gonna take that long, I promise," Crystal says as she sits down. "It's just. Remember how I told you I was bringing a guy home last night?"

Jenny's entire demeanor changes immediately.

"What did he do?" She demands, "Did he take your shit? Did he hurt you? Did he try to force you into something? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm okay!" Crystal promises, raising her hands as placatingly as she can manage. "I'm okay! He's nineteen too, his name is Charles, we had a lot of fun and in fact, I'm planning to ask for his number because he seems pretty cool."

Jenny frowns in a way that makes it really hard to remember she's only nine years older than Crystal and not her mom. Not that Crystal has that much experience seeing her mom react to her problems, since she doesn't go to her parents with them, but their assistants certainly seemed to make that face often. Crystal waits while Jenny's pinches the bridge of her nose and takes three big breaths, and then Jenny puts on the strained flat-mouthed expression that means 'I am thinking of different ways to kill you right now' to say:

"I fail to see what the problem is."

"Well," Crystal sacrossing her arms over her chest, "he's kind of uh. Still here."

Jenny glances up at her wall clock, which Crystal knows for a fact says it's about a quarter to one. Jenny make a considering face, then with an air of profound regret she says:

"At the risk of learning more about your sex life than I ever wanted to know, at what time did the two of you finish yesterday?"

That's also easy to know. Crystal hadn't planned on bringing anyone back yesterday because she wanted today free to take care of her hair and re-dye her tips, and whe's learned the hard way not to do that when she's exhausted. The only reason she asked Charles back, aside from the dimples and the easygoing nature and how he's the exact opposite of David so far, was because they ran into each other early and she figured coming home at midnight would give them time to have fun and still get some decent sleep. The last thing she remembers before falling alseep is watching her alarm clock tip over to one thirty in the morning.

"And you let him hang around for eleven extra hours?" Jenny exclaims, shocked.

"He's not 'hanging around'," Crystal corrects with the most sarcastic airquotes she can muster. "I know how to handle the morning after conversation! He's still asleep."

"Oh my fucking god!" says Jenny, dropping her head into her hands.

"I'm trying to be nice!" Crystal protests, but that doesn't stop Jenny from groaning for at least a minute straight.

[jungle-angel]

Sunshine Of His Life (Calvin Evans x Reader)

Summary: Spring has finally arrived in your home town and Calvin has a little surprise for you and your daughter

Warnings: Mentions of pregnancy, birth, parenthood etc.

Tagging: @floydsmuse Meggy dahling, he's back!!!!!! (lol).

"Alright buddy, c'mon, lets head home," Calvin said to Six-Thirty, loading him up in the car.

Six-Thirty yipped before Calvin unhooked his leash and pulled out of the parking lot of the college. Spring fever was already beginning to set in, not just with the students, but with the teachers as well, the weather nice enough to be able to hold classes outside and thank God he had two weeks off for spring break. No lessons, no planning, no having to be up at some ungodly hour to be at the college for eight in the morning. Just you, him, Six-Thirty and the baby.

He had parked the car next to the sidewalk, relieved that the little dress shop on the corner was still open. All week he had his eyes on the two dresses in the window, both of pale blue lace and the smaller baby's dress coming with a pair of little white buckle shoes to match. All week long Calvin had passed by the window, envisioning both you and Baby Ellen in those matching blue dresses, sitting with him, his mother, father, siblings, nieces and nephews in the pews at St. Mary's on Easter Sunday. After two weeks of scraping together the money for them, he could wait no longer.

He let Six-Thirty out, once again hooking the leash to his collar before going in. The tiny bell above the door rang and Mrs. O'Neil's gaze soon met his.

"Wondered when or if you'd finally cave and come by Calvin," she laughed. "How are you?"

"Not too bad, Mabel," Calvin answered. "Just getting off work."

"Ah I see," Mabel O'Neil answered. "And who's this handsome gentleman you've brought in? I don't think we've met before."

"Six-Thirty usually comes with me to work during the week," Calvin explained. "(Y/n)'s home with the baby at the moment."

Mabel gasped. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed. "You know, I remember your mother telling me when the rest of the girls were at the house for our Friday game of mah-jongg, but I hadn't seen head or tail of her since then. Are you here to buy something for the both of them? I am so sorry, me talking your ear off."

Calvin laughed a little bit. "Yes actually," he said. "If the two blue dresses in the window are available, could I by any chance take them?"

"Oh by all means!" Mrs. O'Neil told him. "And since it's getting close to Easter, I'll give you half off for the trouble."

"Oh no Mabel you don't have to...."

"Calvin, I insist," Mrs. O'Neil told him. "The other day Doris Barone and Anna Rubenstein were in here and they saw Freida Burns in here trying to buy it for that impossible pig of a niece of hers. (Y/n) and the baby deserve it more than that spoiled, wretched brat anyhow."

"Thanks Mabel," Calvin chuckled.

Mabel quickly took the two dresses and the shoes and packed them carefully in tissue paper. "Oh," she said suddenly. "I almost forgot. The wicked old witch was eyeing this too, but I certainly wasn't about to let her have it."

Out of the jewelry case, Mabel took a little pearl baby bracelet and placed it in a white and gold box with a little bit of cotton packing. "A little gift from me and Lenny, to you and (y/n)," Mabel told him.

"Aunt Mabel this is really too much," Calvin said with a huge smile. "Thank you so much."

"Think nothing of it," Mabel told him. "Last thing I'll give you is a Milkbone for Six-Thirty and send you on your way. Oh and let your mother know that Mariah Daniels and I will be at the house on Friday for mah-jongg and for Easter dinner if you can."

"Thanks Aunt Mabel, I'll let her know," Cal told her as soon as he had the box and had paid for it.

He left the shop and headed back to the car, carefully placing the box in the trunk and letting Six-Thirty lay down in the back seat. Calvin couldn't wait to get home and see the look on your face when you opened your gift.

********************************

You absolutely loved spring and summer, the time of year when you could really be outside in the sunshine and when the weather was warm and perfect for gardening.

You clipped and pulled away all the old debris that had piled up in the fall while Ellen played on the red checkered picnic blanket. You smiled hearing her little baby giggles as she mouthed her favorite ball. You yourself were busy digging in the rose beds, clipping the stems back and covering the ground with fresh mulch and making sure your bluebells had enough room to grow too.

Your face lit up when you saw Calvin pulling into the driveway, letting Six-Thirty out into the yard, the dog making a beeline for Ellen who giggled as he sniffed and licked her face. "Well somebody's happy to be home," you chuckled.

"That makes two of us," Calvin said, sitting in the green grass next to you and pressing a lingering kiss to your lips. "Missed you two all day."

"And so didn't Ellen and I," you told him. "God I can't wait for that new teaching position at the college. It'll be so much less stressful and not only will the girls be able to help me, but I'll be able to teach the way I want for once."

Calvin hummed as his lips ghosted over the soft skin of your cheek. You felt your legs clench just a little bit as he pressed a feather-light kiss in that spot. "I got you a little something on the way home," he said.

"Oh?"

Calvin made his way to the car and back with the box, returning to his spot next to you. You carefully opened it up and gasped at the sight of the two blue dresses inside.

"Oh Cal! These are beautiful!" you exclaimed happily. "I'm afraid to touch them, I don't wanna get them dirty."

Calvin laughed before you kissed each other again. "I saw those in Aunt Mabel's dress shop and couldn't resist," he explained. "Besides, you and Ellen deserve to look your best on Easter Sunday."

You kissed your husband again before he went to go scoop Ellen up into his arms, littering her round little face with kisses. You carefully covered the box and brought it inside with you, following Calvin, Ellen and Six-Thirty inside for lunch. You stowed the dresses away and rejoined your husband in the kitchen, excited and happy beyond words at the little surprise he had brought home for you.

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

hello ! i am also a sex educator and i thought i would be helpful to the people in your askbox to know that if u have a sex ed question, planned parenthood has an awesome chat/text service where you can message a real trained sex educator and ask questions and get advice! i know bc i volunteered for it, and was one of the people answering questions ! it is straight up real actual human people who are trained and also have access to a fuck ton of medically accurate resources you can provide chatters about the questions they ask. it is geared towards people living in the US, as they tend to ask about your zip code so they can refer you to the closest clinic if they think a doctor could better answer your questions. they also have a spanish version as well if that's the language you're more comfortable speaking. just thought i would share the resource !

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/online-tools/chat

(on anon because i prefer to keep my tumblr blog small and don't want a ton of people following. ALSO i don't mean to discredit what you do here, it's awesome! just thought i would share another option. have a lovely day! )

hell yeah, always great to have more resources!

[allyouneedisteaandlove]

no one asked but here's what I would do if I could rewrite the Parkers arc on TVD:

starting out Kai would leave after taking Jo's magic. I don't even care where he goes or if his final line in season six is "have a good life, sissy" but my boy would disappear and go run free for a while and leave mystic falls behind. So no second stent in a prison world or being a blood-bag for a bunch of heretics (like y'all wonder why he came back to the wedding swinging).

Listen, do I still want him to become a heretic ??

Yes, 100%.

But we'd need to figure out how to avoid killing Jo and Liv in the process, so we'd be relying on some silly TVD loophole. As coven leader his ass should be able to sever the ties binding them.

(or maybe jo gets given vampire blood at the hospital pre wedding and when he stabs her she wakes up too but as a vampire i don't KNOW and i don't care but we keep the three of them alive end of discussion. the Red Wedding is so deliciously evil of him part of me wants to keep it but maybe we focus on making it about killing their awful dad/the abusive family and leave the siblings out of it).

so yes, Jo would somehow make it through the wedding unscathed, leaving Caroline out of the horrible gemini baby incubator plot line.

Liv and Tyler get back together post wedding gate, and in season 7 they're hopefully enjoying college and making plans for the future. She's still broken up about Luke, obviously, but she's finding ways to heal. He's helping her, she's helping him, they're healthy and adorable and 100% on track for marriage.

In season 7 we'd see Jo and Ric adjusting to pregnancy/parenthood, with the mystic falls gang rallying around them to help.

We'd get an occasional check in on Kai: i want him off being ridiculous on islands and in europe and just vibing being a menace wherever he'd like; maybe the MFG call him for magical advice since he's wicked smart where the witch histories are involved or maybe hes still hung up on bonnie and calling every few months to see if she misses him yet (she'll never admit she does).

In Season 8, the saltzman girls start to get their powers. The gang hasn't heard from Kai in a while, maybe we haven't even seen him in town since he left in season 6. But he shows up unannounced one afternoon on Jo and Ric's porch (they've upped to a family house) asking if he's missed dinner. It's a holiday: my boys got an awful sweater on, a baked good in one hand and a sack of presents for the girls in the other. I'd also like a santa hat with a little bell if it's christmas.

The loophole about Jo saying she'd kill him if he ever came back is that now she's a mom, and the girls are confirmed witches (which makes them official members of the coven) so if he dies they die, and he doesn't think Jo will kill her own kids.

Obviously he's right, so a super weird and uncomfortable "family" dinner ensues. The girls have no idea who he is at first, but they're thrilled to meet a new Uncle. They have questions about their mom growing up, and questions about Kai now and where he lives, and Josie, especially, has questions about what's wrong with them.

Lizzy is nervous around new people, but Josie isn't even the tiniest bit afraid of him. She peppers him with question after question, hardly letting him catch his breath:

If he's a siphon like her, how come he has magic of his own now? Can she ever have that, too? Does letting her magic drain out ever stop hurting? Will she ever be as good a witch as Lizzy? Why were they born like this?

And Kai can't help but fall for her. No one answered his questions when he was a kid, so he takes his time telling her the truth now. He still doesn't know why the spirits did this to them and not their sisters - but there's nothing stopping Josie from being as powerful as she wants to be.

(Except him, of course, but she doesn't need to know that.)

At dinner, Jo and Ric sit at either end of the table, and Kai sits in the middle across from the girls. Lizzy's warmed up to him now and keeps asking him for special tricks. They haven't seen a real witch except for Aunt Bonnie, and having one so close for the evening - let alone someone they're actually related to, is a novelty they can't pass up.

Suddenly Kai flicks his wrist, and the girls freeze in their seats. "They're cuter than I thought they'd be," he admits.

"What did you do to them?" Ric growls, starting to stand. But Kai keeps him in his seat with another wave of his hand, smiling at both of them.

"We need to have a little chat," he tells them, "grown ups only."

"So send them to their rooms," Jo snaps, "we don't use magic on our children-,"

"Oh nice," Kai nods, "good on you for breaking the family traditions. But this will only take a moment, sissy, and they won't remember a thing. Pinky promise."

"Fine," Jo says, "what is it?"

"Simple question," Kai sighs. "I know which one of them is my favorite, but how about you two?"

Jo and Ric can only stare at him.

"You probably like Lizzy best, right?" Kai asks, rolling his eyes at Jo. "But what about you, Ric? Does Josie being a little freak bother you? Or does it not really matter, since you've never been a witch anyway?"

"Kai-," Jo tries to stop him, but he brushes her off.

"Don't pretend you don't have a secret favorite," he says. "You and I both know every parent does. Now tell me which one it is, and I'll unfreeze them."

"Why would I ever do that?" Jo asks. "I don't HAVE a favorite, I love them both."

"Well," Kai hums. "I suppose I could kill them both, if it's what you want. But between us it only really needs to be one of them. I thought you'd at least want to pick which one you got to keep."

He flicks his wrist, and the girls go back to peppering him with questions. Jo and Ric exchange panicked, horrified glances.

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" Kai asks, making sparks dance on his fingers for the girls. "I'm being nice, or did you miss the part where I said you could keep one of them?"

*

Later, after Ric and Jo have had a heated debate on what they should or shouldn't do, Jo takes the girls into the living room where Kai's waiting.

"Oof, bit harsh, sissy," he says, standing, "making one of them watch?"

Jo doesn't say anything, she just stops before him, the girls standing between them.

"Who's it going to be?" He asks, cracking his knuckles.

"I don't know," Jo says, "because I can't decide, and I'm not going to."

Kai tips his head back, groaning. "Come on, that wasn't the deal-,"

"I didn't agree to any deal," she reminds him, keeping a tight grip on each of her daughters. "I love them both, Kai, equally. If you want me to pick Lizzy because she's the easier option, I'm not going to do it. Josie is just as much a witch as any of us, and I'm not going to give up on her just because we might have hard days. I'm their mother, I can't make this choice."

Kai glares at her, knowing where she's headed.

"So if this is really what you want to do, then you look at your nieces right now," she orders, "and pick."

Kai rolls his eyes. This is her big plan?

Fine, easy.

He drops down to his knees before the girls, looking at each of them. Josie shuffles a bit closer, tugging the edge of his sleeve.

"Uncle Kai," she whispers, "did we do something wrong?"

Kai's expression falters. "No," he says, "you - you haven't done anything."

"Then why are you and mommy fighting?" Lizzy asks, tilting her head.

"Because your mom is being difficult," Kai pinches the bridge of his nose, "can you two just be quiet for a minute?"

"Sorry, Uncle Kai," Josie shrinks in on herself, drawing her little hand away from his arm.

He stares at them, and they stare right back at him. It should be easy - but it isn't. Josie has his eyes, his hair, his curse. And Lizzy can't shut up to save her life, she's twitching now with the need to ask him something else.

"You're both so - small," he says, one hand on each of their cheeks. "You're kids," his eyes flick up to where Jo still stands above them, "they're just kids."

"I know," Jo agrees, "so were we."

and just like that, we've got an immortal coven leader and no need to ever do a merge again

anyway thanks for coming to my ted talk

[winterspiderpurrs]

Omega Steve who previously had to be closeted being taught how to enjoy life with modern omega Peter? Thinking platonic but whatever you feel like :)

Steve wasn't like other omegas. When he was younger, he was sickly. So sickly that the doctors didn't think he would be able to even carry when he got older. Even if he could get pregnant he would most likely die.

But surgery was a big thing they couldn't afford. A nurse told them about planned parenthood and they were able to get an implant so he couldn't get pregnant. The one big thing with this experimental implant was that it changed his scent.

He gave off beta scent now. Which helped him out as he was so much smaller. And once he got in his twenties? He started working out constantly and got a degree as a nutritionist. Recently, he got a job at a facility in Queens, and that's how he met Peter.

He found a decent apartment near work, but to help make things easier he put out an add for a roommate. Omegas only to apply. When Sam offered move in Steve had to disclose he was an omega. Only Bucky knew since they grew up together. And Bucky helped teach Steve how to act like an Alpha. Having a beta scent helps, but no one could find out he was an omega. They could easily take advantage of Steve before he got healthy and in shape.

Most of the omegas who applied didn't stick around after meeting Steve. Steve who looks and acts like an Alpha, thrown off by his beta scent. But that didn't scare Peter Parker.

3 weeks later Peter moved in, and Steve offered to help him.

" This is a lot of pillows and blankets... the heat works good here. Of course we haven't had a bad winter yet so far"

And Peter giggles.

" Thats for my nest! Honestly its not really that much. I have some friends who have a whole closet worth!"

Steve looks down on the two large plastic bins before looking back at Peter. " Oh. I mean yeah. Sure."

Peter tilts his head and looks at Steve, he seems to hesitate for a moment before he nods a little.

" If you want I can make my nest and you could join me? I can show you how I set up...and if you like it we can go shopping and see about you making one in your room?"

By this point, Peter is in a ramble of talks as they unload boxes and bins.

Maybe after several months, Peter asks.

" You know... its okay if you don't wanna answer...but like.. Um I'm a bit of a scientist. Biochem... but I think we have some options to where if you wanna do an implant still...but we get your omega scent back... you were young when you first got it your scent wasn't fully developed yet. Might get a little sick as your body adjusts"

Steve staring at Peter, cause this was something he had debating about for years. Worried if he took the implant out, how would it affect him.

Peter turning red a little bit.

" could have a forced heat... but... I uh. I'm not sure if you have had one... and I've never smelt any ummm..slick... around the apartment... so uhh dunno if that was more of a medical issue or if ya know an Ace issue. Which no not an issue i mean like if you ace your ace and totally valid. Just wanted to help out incase that.... wasn't the issue"

After time Peter invited Steve to his lab he shared with Bruce Banner. Taking samples experimenting with different hormones levels and others additives

Steve finally introducing Peter to Sam and Bucky. And Peter whispering to Steve that he should snag a shirt from Bucky for his nest.

Maybe Steve even sneaks one from Bucky's place.

Steve was in a panic a week later, waking Peter up because his boxers and bed/nest were soaked. Peter giggles and explains things. Steve stared at Peter in horror.

" So. Any time I could get like this by something I like? And and.. other's can smell it to?"

" You've probably smelt others before just didn't realize what it was. The implant you had was extremely out of date and experimental at the time you got it. And since you were so young... you scenting skills are underdeveloped... we will get through this. "

Peter and Steve lived together for another 3 years before they decided to move out. Steve was moving in with Bucky, and Peter was moving in with Tony Stark himself.

[tb5-heavenward]

Hello!!!!! Just read your fic 'Talented Amateurs' and its soooo totally awesome and the writing is AMAZINGGGG!!!

I completely understand if you're not planning on finishing it but was wondering if you had any ideas about the ending you'd thought of? Was super curious as to how the rest would pan out!!!

Thank you <333333

oh man, I am sorry for how absent I have been lately! I have actually spent the past few years moving home to Canada from the USA, and getting settled at home again with my family. I've been split between semi-single parenthood, immigrating my husband from his home country back to mine, and then three or four different jobs across two different countries, depending upon how one counts that, and the rigamarole of generally getting life back into a manageable state. I've been through so many big changes over the past few years that I more or less have to conceptualize just the whole first half of my thirties as having been about just Getting Settled.

As to TA and writing in general, I would love to get back to it someday, the nature of writing for me is that I do end up taking long breaks in order to Live Life for periods of a few years at a time, but I always do mean to come back. I don't want to promise anything, but theoretically things will start to settle back into a real and actual routine in the latter half of 2024, as I whittle my days back down to just working one job, taking care of one household, and having my kid back in school for the bulk of the day.

It's not the only big project or big property I squared myself up against, but it is one that has a very clear roadmap of a plot in my head, so no fear there. As far as Heavenward having been kind of a jumping off point for what I thought the most interesting aspects of TAG Season 1 were, talented amateurs was really the same as far as what I thought about where Season 2 left things, and where I would have gone with what I thought was the other most interesting aspect of the show as a whole, that is to say Penny/Gordon, and the notion of the whole cast as adults with relationships.

The most terrifying thing about TA as it exists right now is that it's maybe only about 30% of the story I ever intended to tell, which speaks to just how awful it is to have my brain. Basically, the intent was always for it to be three parts long, each about 200k words, one for each trimester of the pregnancy it centers around, and for that to unfold in ways that I thought would be entertaining. As a story it is genuinely never far from my head or my heart (I reread it myself with embarrassing frequency) and the broad strokes of the answer to that question of where it goes next actually hinge on whether or not Jeff Tracy is alive or dead in TA's version of the TAG universe, and I never quite settled that question for myself. After how long it's been though, I think I at least have enough perspective to know which way I'm leaning.

I'm very much due for a rewatch of the series, and hopefully I can carve out time sometime soon to make that happen.

As far as something that may or may not resemble a glimmer of hope for a future where I get my ass back in gear, here's a cut and the first half of the chapter I left off in the middle of writing, for whatever that's worth!

61 - knit and purl

Grandma Tracy hasn't had much to knit in a while, and her fingers ache slightly, her muscle memory for the task having gone somewhat to rust. There's no great call for hats and scarves in the South Pacific, no one particularly in need of cableknit when there's Gore-tex and nanofleece to be had. Still, it had all come back quickly enough, and the bag she'd brought with her is no longer full of knitting needles and yarn, but of a gift for her grandson.

Not, crucially, the one whose birthday it actually is, though she'd caught Alan's sideways glances and nods of approval during the flight over, so it's not as though she thinks he minds.

Alan is presently in the process of very carefully putting TB2 down in an empty patch of farmland alongside a dirt road stretching between two fields. The windbreak around the farmhouse is in sight, as is the hulking green pickup truck rumbling along the road towards their appointed landing coordinates. From over her shoulder, Grandma Tracy can feel the intensity of Virgil's silent attention where he leans forward in one of the passenger seats, not wanting to backseat drive, but equally not wanting Alan to fudge the landing. John's still down in the cargo bay, hopefully buckled in.

Grandma isn't worried, though she can see her youngest grandson's tongue caught between his teeth and poking out between his lips as he concentrates. When the Thunderbird finally settles gently to the earth below, she watches him let out a great big breath and grin to himself, and when he glances across the cockpit towards her, she can tell he's after reassurance, and she's only too happy to oblige. "Nicely done, kiddo."

"Not too bad," Alan agrees, though his smile widens at the praise. He pushes his seat back, unbuckling his harness and stretching before hoisting himself upright and clambering back into the cabin proper. "I'm gonna get changed. You okay, Virg?"

Virgil's slept most of the flight through, and could probably do to get up and move around himself, but with his leg still in a cast and TB2's interior not exactly friendly to those in a state of reduced mobility, he's going to need help getting up and out of the ship. "Fine, Al. Good job. Give Grandma a hand before you go."

Grandma Tracy waves Alan away as he turns around, already extending a hand in her direction. "No, no, I'll sit a minute. Go get in your civvies, sweetheart. We're not in a hurry."

Alan shrugs and reverses course, giving Virgil's shoulder a light punch as he passes by, heading for the lockers and showers tucked back behind the cockpit. Virgil looks mildly disgruntled to have been overruled, but his expression softens slightly when Grandma turns in her seat to give him a gently knowing smile. "Hard to be back in your bird and not be the one flying, hm?"

"It sucks."

There's a blunt, uncharacteristic bitterness there that's hard to miss, the past few weeks have been hard on Virgil, in no small measure because they've been hard on his brothers. The pressure release of Gordon's circumstances seems to have done little to improve Virgil's mood, and it's hard to tell if he wants attention drawn to his attitude. She suspects not, and doesn't comment, only nods sympathetically. "Well, we're all on the ground now, and you can take it easy for a while."

This gets no better answer than an non-committal grunt, and the fact that Virgil's been taking it easy for weeks now hangs in the air, obvious but unstated, and then dissipates into nothingness as the cargo lift hums from behind them, and John returns from the lower cargo bay, with the little plexiglass sphere that houses his AI companion held loosely in one hand. "Al getting changed?" he asks, stooping slightly as he moves through the cockpit, coming to the front just in time to offer his grandmother a hand to her feet.

"Showering first," Grandma informs him, and accepts his help to stand and stretch. "Help an old lady back down to terra firma, won't you, dear?"

"Of course," John answers immediately, and offers his arm in a solicitous and genteel fashion, at odds with the way he's often written off as cold and distant. There's a rarely seen streak of gentility in John, most often only seen by his grandmother, who has the fortune of being one of the few recipients of his softer affections. Her hand on his arm is steadied when his palm closes lightly over her fingers, and he contrives to help her aboard the cargo lift in a way that doesn't make her feel doddering and weak. "I'll be back for you in a minute, Virgil, unless Alan gets you first," John attempts to tell his younger brother, but the only response is another dismissive grunt, and this is lost in the hydraulic hum of the cargo lift.

"Never mind about him," Grandma says, tipping her head lightly against her grandson's shoulder when he sighs aloud. "Gordon will cheer him up one way or the other, mark my words."

[rvnawaytrain]

🔥

SEND🔥 FOR AN UNPOPULAR OPINION (ABOUT ANY TOPIC) | OPEN & ACCEPTING

I won't lie, 'OC friendly' & 'Female Character Friendly' are utterly meaningless labels to me at this point, they're copy-paste labels people lift from other blogs yet at no point do they put ANY action behind those words, as if saying that will undo the attitude exuded by their actions.

You're 'OC friendly' but how many ocs do you write with regularly? How many do you have ships with, romantic, platonic and otherwise? Do you write verses with them? If the answer to that is less than three, then guess what! You're not nearly as 'oc friendly' as you seem to think you are.

You 'appreciate' female characters and female portrayals, but do you put female characters and their narratives second to male characters? Do you consider them second-rate unconsciously? If presented with a male character, will you still write with the female character actively? Do you sort your female characters into digestible catagories you don't apply to your male characters? (mother, mom friend, older sister, etc.)

ALSO ON THAT NOTE: 'But I'm a woman/lesbian/woman attracted or identifying! I CAN'T be sexist and perpetuating the ingrained sexism and patriarchal attitudes in the roleplay community!' I HATE TO TELL YOU PEOPLE, but you want to know the group most vocal in putting down women that don't abide by the 'accepted' form of femininity? ITS OTHER WOMEN. go to any planned Parenthood protest and visit any Instagram comment section and the pink war is waging. Women writers are UNIMAGINABLY cruel to female characters and their writers and that's a conversation the roleplay community isn't ready for.