#Life Policies for Business Owners

[levelinsurance]

Protect Your Loved Ones and Your Home with Life Insurance and Homeowners Insurance in Houston

Life Insurance Houston

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company. In exchange for regular payments (premiums), the insurance company agrees to pay a death benefit to your loved ones if you die.

Why Do I Need Life Insurance?

Life insurance is important for everyone, but it is especially important for people with families. If you die unexpectedly, life insurance can help to provide financial security for your loved ones. They can use the death benefit to pay for funeral expenses, cover debts, or replace your income.

Life insurance is also important for people who are self-employed or who own businesses. If you die, your business may suffer financially. Life insurance can help to keep your business afloat and provide for your employees.

How to Choose the Right Life Insurance Policy

When choosing a life insurance policy, there are a few factors to consider:

The type of coverage you need: There are two main types of life insurance coverage: term life insurance and whole life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period of time, such as 20 or 30 years. Whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire life.

The amount of coverage you need: The amount of coverage you need will depend on your individual circumstances. Consider your debts, income, and expenses to determine how much coverage you need.

The cost of the policy: Life insurance policies can vary in cost. Compare rates from different insurance companies to find the best deal.

The Benefits of Working with a Local Life Insurance Agent

Working with a local life insurance agent can offer a number of benefits, including:

Personalized service: A local life insurance agent can take the time to understand your individual needs and help you choose the right policy for you.

Local knowledge: A local life insurance agent has knowledge of the specific needs of people in your area.

Access to multiple insurance carriers: A local life insurance agent has access to multiple insurance carriers, so you can compare rates from different companies.

How to Get a Quote for Life Insurance in Houston

To get a quote for life insurance Houston, you can contact a local life insurance agent or visit the website of an insurance company. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your name, age, address, and health history.

Homeowners Insurance Houston

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance that protects your home and your belongings from financial loss. It can cover a wide range of risks, including fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Why Do I Need Homeowners Insurance in Houston?

Homeowners insurance is important for everyone who owns a home, but it is especially important for homeowners in Houston. Houston is vulnerable to a number of natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Homeowners insurance can help to protect you from financial hardship if your home is damaged or destroyed in a disaster.

Homeowners insurance can also protect you from financial loss if your home is robbed or vandalized. It can also cover your liability if someone is injured on your property.

How to Choose the Right Homeowners Insurance Policy

When choosing a homeowners insurance policy, there are a few factors to consider:

The type of coverage you need: Homeowners insurance policies typically cover a variety of risks, including fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. However, some policies may offer additional coverage, such as flood insurance or earthquake insurance.

The amount of coverage you need: The amount of coverage you need will depend on the value of your home and your belongings. You should also consider the risks that your home is exposed to.

The cost of the policy: Homeowners insurance policies can vary in cost. Compare rates from different insurance companies to find the best deal.

The Benefits of Working with a Local Homeowners Insurance Agent

Working with a local homeowners insurance agent can offer a number of benefits, including:

Personalized service: A local homeowners insurance agent can take the time to understand your individual needs and help you choose the right policy for you.

Local knowledge: A local homeowners insurance agent has knowledge of the specific risks that homeowners in your area face.

Access to multiple insurance carriers: A local homeowners insurance agent has access to multiple insurance carriers, so you can compare rates from different companies.

How to Get a Quote for Homeowners Insurance in Houston

To get a quote for homeowners insurance Houston, you can contact a local homeowners insurance agent or visit the website of an insurance company. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your name, address, and the value of your home.

[jbffinancialalberta]

Are you looking for affordable and lifelong protection from a life insurance policy? Stop right there. Get the peace of mind you deserve at an affordable price by comparing whole life insurance rates with one of our registered brokers. Visit website to Book a Meeting.

[baroque-hashem]

@sephardigf put these tags on on a reblog of a post I reblogged, and it inspired me to make a post about this topic.

Goyim who assume that Jews are "white" and "oppressors" and have always lived the good life in America are truly laughable. Jews have never been treated as white. We were even victims of segregation. And if you notice all the new "No Zionists Allowed" signs on American businesses these days, we still are segregation's victims.

In the 1950s, the ADL looked into segregation of Jews by businesses in the US, and what they found was depressing to say the least. So many businesses, in all fifty states, had policies of discrimination and ostracization against Jews. Many places were designated "Gentiles Only". Jews started compiling travel guides to help each other know where was safe to visit. These guides later inspired African Americans to do the same. And Jews definitely saw ourselves in the struggles of African Americans for rights. Jews helped organize the NAACP and marched right alongside African Americans in their demonstrations demanding civil rights.

Don't you dare tell me Jews are "white" or "oppressors". We know all about oppression, from the perspective of the oppressed.

And this was the case no matter what kind of Jew you were. The goyim didn't distinguish between Ashkenazim or Sephardim. We were (and still are) just Jews to them. And we were "other".

Anyone who has the chutzpah to say that Jews are oppressors and "white colonizers" is a schmuck, no doubt about it.

You can ignore the realities of Jewish oppression all you want. But ignoring reality won't make it go away.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[gothhabiba]

An Appeal to Our Food and Hospitality Community to Take Action Now for Gaza

Dear Industry Friends, 

We have come together as chefs, farmers, media makers, business owners, beverage professionals, and food workers from across our industry to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. support for Israel’s war crimes. We must break the silence around the genocide in Gaza. As of today, more than 7,000 Palestinians have been massacred in less than three weeks. Nearly half of them are children. Over 8,000 bombs have been dropped on Gaza, killing a Palestinian every 5 minutes. After hospitals run out of fuel,  the death toll will rise exponentially. Every second we choose to stay silent, without demanding that our government stop arming Israel with billions of our tax dollars, we allow another massacre to take place. 

We can prevent this violence by refusing to allow our government to fund and arm Israel’s decades-long military occupation. History has shown us that peace and safety for all in the region cannot come from the violent subjugation of Palestinians. We grieve the loss of all innocent life. However, violence begets violence, and we know this latest eruption did not occur in a vacuum. For 75 years, Palestinians have been killed, imprisoned, tortured, and robbed of their land and homes. In Gaza, 2.2 million people — more than half of whom are children — have been living under an inhumane siege for almost 17 years, and are cut off from the world, without access to water, food, or basic amenities needed to live a dignified and healthy life. For those living in Gaza, the last decade has been a slow genocide. 

As cultural stewards in this country, we have the power to counter the dehumanization of Palestinians. Israel has long weaponized food, erasing Palestinian people while claiming their cuisine. Here in the U.S., the appropriation of Palestinian foods as “Israeli” has led to more than Israelis profiting off of Palestinian culture; it is an erasure that has had real implications for Palestinians. It allows us to negate their cultural currency, and turn our attention away with more ease when we see Palestinian death. 

We must join our voices with Palestinians pleading for justice and protection right now. The situation is dire, and no amount of media coverage has discouraged Israel from its policy of ethnic cleansing and land theft as the U.S. government continues to protect Israel from global pressure for a ceasefire. We have been called upon by Palestinian civil society to join their struggle for freedom by joining the global movement for divestment and cultural boycott of Israel until it ends its horrific human rights abuses.

We ask our fellow food and beverage community to take a stand against genocide and ethnic cleansing and commit to three actions with us:

Call your congressional representatives to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to unconditional U.S. funding of Israel. 

Divest from products, events, and trips that promote Israel until it dismantles its apartheid system and military occupation. 

Invest in events and projects that promote justice for Palestinians, whether connecting to a local organization to learn how to support, or amplify Palestinian voices and support them to share their food and culture on their own terms.

We recognize that this may be difficult given the frightening pressure put on us to remain silent. McCarthyist tactics cannot marginalize and divide us – we know we are not alone as the whole world is rising up against injustice and genocide. Thousands of artists worldwide have publicly endorsed BDS and the cultural boycott of Israel, including musicians, DJs, filmmakers and actors, visual artists, Black artists, Latin American artists, and countless others across all fields and continents. This is in spite of efforts made by Israeli government-linked lobby groups to suppress this solidarity. 

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We are all in this industry to affirm life and dignity for everyone. As those who care for others, it is our moral imperative to actively contribute to the care that Palestinians need right now as they struggle to survive and get free. Food and beverage colleagues – it’s time for our community to extend our hospitality and join the movement for a Free Palestine.

Add your name – sign the pledge

[wildemaven]

he makes life better | joel miller

-> pairing: no outbreak!joel miller x reader

-> word count: 1335

-> content warning: 18+ blog; bad day, annoyed with work, dealing with flat tire, joel being sweet, lots of fluff

-> note: this is for my sweet friend @gnpwdrnwhiskey hoping this brings a smile to her face 💞 this isn’t beta’d either so it’s probably filled with mistakes lol.

masterlist

Joel ❤️: How’s your day going Honey?

I’m so ready for my shift to be over. I’d rather read the dictionary, front to back, than deal with the shit they have me doing today. 

RING

“That bad, huh?” Joel’s voice brings you an instant smile when you answer his call, silently stepping away from the mess that you were dealing with at work. 

“You have no idea. It already feels like it’s been the longest week, today has just added to the shit show life keeps throwin’ at me lately. Went to leave for work this morning and I had a flat tire. Ugh! I’m sorry for complaining.” You vent to him, tucking yourself in a secluded corner. You were going against policy by taking a personal call while on the clock, but you didn’t care about company policy or the outcome of you were to get caught at the moment— Joel was your only focus right now. 

“Hey, none of that. Don’t apologize for being stressed. Why didn’t ya call me ‘bout your tire?” Joel asked. 

You know he would’ve dropped everything the minute did call him, which is also why you didn’t. He had been stressing over starting at a new job site, one of the biggest ones he had been hired for. The last thing you wanted was to add to his already busy day of things he had to deal with. 

“You’d already left for work and had that new job you’ve been talkin’ about. Didn’t wanna bother you with it. I called AAA and had them put the spare on for me so I could drop it off at the tire shop. Now, I’m unexpectedly the owner of 4 new tires.” 

“I don’t care how busy I am— you need something, you call me, no matter what. Got that, Honey?” 

“Got it, Joel. Thank you.” You smile into the phone at his concern for you, always finding ways to make you fall even deeper in love with him. 

“Good. Hey, I gotta go. Tommy looks like he’s about ready to break his back. I should probably go help him before he actually does and my insurance takes a hit. I’ll see ya tonight then, sweetheart?” 

“Yeah. I should be outta here in 3 hours.” The end to your long shift, almost over. 

“That sounds great! I love you, Honey. I’ll see ya later.” You can faintly hear Tommy cursing in the background. 

“Love you too, Joel.” You tell him before the line goes dead. Giving yourself a few minutes of quiet before heading back to join your team and the never ending line of customers. 

The rest of your shift goes by fairly quickly. Joel’s phone call must have been just the moral boost you needed to sprinkle a little bit of extra positivity into your day.

The minute the clock hit 5 pm, you wasted no time clocking out and logging out of your computer for the day. Deliberately bypassing your usual exit path to avoid any chatty coworkers, Joel and home your main focus of the rest of your day, you weren’t going to waste any time stuck in drawn out conversations. 

Your purse thrown over your shoulder, work apron crumpled in one hand and the other holding your empty tumbler that once held the warm delicious coffee you had hoped would sustain you through the day, now wishing it was filled with something a little stronger to help you unwind when you got home. 

It’s a struggle trying to juggle your things as you search for your keys, lost somewhere in the depths of your purse along with the rest of your life's necessities. You pause in the middle of an empty parking space near where your jeep is parked to give the search your full attention. After some thorough digging, you locate your keys and let out an exasperated sigh, one step closer to being home. 

Taking a step forward as you press the unlock button on your key, you look up to see an unexpected sight. A familiar truck in the parking spot next to yours, and the most handsome man leaning on it. He looks like he came straight from the job sight, too. His peppered grey hair disheveled, but his soft curls were still intact even after a long day. The sleeves of your favorite green flannel are rolled up over his flexed forearms that are crossed against his chest, the fabric stretched over his broad shoulders. 

The sight of him is enough to melt away any of the bullshit you had endured over the past week, a completely welcomed surprise. 

“What are you doing here?” You ask him, letting your feet carry you the rest of the way to him. 

“Heard you were havin’ a shitty day. Couldn’t let my lady end it on a bad note.” He croons, pushing himself off the side of his truck, opening his arms to you. 

You melt into him, your face nestled into his shoulder. His rugged scent of musky vanilla and natural pheromones is permanently infused into the fibers of his shirt, it’s your favorite thing ever. His strong arms wrap around you as he presses a soft kiss to your temple, prompting you to straighten up, looking into his amber eyes. 

“Hi, Cowboy.” You beam at him. 

“Hi.” He says, leaning in to gently mold his lips over yours. “I’ve got a surprise for ya, Honey.” 

“This was enough of a surprise for me. What more could I need?” Stealing another kiss from him. 

“If I tell ya, it won’t be a surprise then, will it?” He says, tilting his head slightly as he looks at you. 

“I guess you have a point.” 

“We’ve gotta get going though, it’s time sensitive.” He grabs for your things and walks you around to the passenger door, holding it open as you climb in. “We’ll grab your jeep in the mornin’, if that’s okay with you?” 

“Whatever you say, Cowboy.” He leans back in for another kiss, before making his way around into the driver’s seat. 

*

The drive isn’t long. Down some familiar roads that lead to a dirt one off the main highway. His truck travels down the gravel road lined with a barbed wire fence. After a few minutes he’s pulling off to the side and killing the engine. 

“You brought me to my favorite place.” Looking over to his side of the truck, where he’s already looking in your direction. Your heart grows at how he thought to bring you here, knowing how much joy it brings you every time. 

“Thought you could use it. Look, here they come.” He says pointing to your window. 

Off in the distance, the small herd of cows were in pursuit of their evening meal and water break. Mamas with their little rambunctious calves trailing behind, trekking along the same path they travel each evening. 

It’s a calming sight. Their heads bobbling with each dramatic step. Tails whipping over their rear ends to swat away the annoying flies. A few stopping mid trek to look in your direction, letting out a long drawn out moo. Their friendly hello, it’s good to see you again, then back on the move. 

The sky is painted in pinks and purples as the sun dips below the horizon. Your day feeling less shitty as you sit silently in the cab of Joel’s truck. His hand resting on your thigh while his thumb draws soft circles over thick denim seam. 

“Thank you for this. Didn’t realize how much I needed it. I love you, Joel.” You tell him, rolling your head over the headrest in his direction. 

“I did it because I love you, Honey. And s’what I’m here for.” There’s a low rumble in the air as he turns the key over, shifting the truck into drive. “Now, how ‘bouts we head on home and I spend the rest of the evenin’ show you all the other ways I love you?”

“Take me home, Cowboy.” 

[starsandhughes]

Penalty Box Series— Luke’s Birthday Edition

22-23 Season/Summer Masterlist

yourusername

liked by lhughes_06, jackhughes, and 12,436 others

yourusername my baby brother isn’t so baby anymore 😭 happy 20th birthday, lukey moosey! you’ve accomplished so much in your 20 years on this floating rock we call home (your biggest accomplishment is naming me sissy obviously… definitely not your career…) and i can’t wait to see what life brings you next <3 you’re gonna pop off so hard this season! pls don’t get many penalties because my job is hard enough with tweedle dumbass and tweedle bumblefuck!

p.s. the first photo is of me at 6 and lukey moosey (or apparently “rusty” now) (but not to me) at 3 during the few months that he’s 3 years younger than jack and i! he instantly grew and became taller than me 0.2 seconds after this was taken, so i cherish it deeply🫶

happy birthday, baby boy precious pants❤️ i love you!

tagged lhughes_06

view all 173 comments

lhughes_06 thank you, little miss shorty sissy boo boo! i love you, too!

yourusername break your back so i can give you a forehead kiss!!

lhughes_06 i have a career i’d rather not ruin

yourusername i leave the love of my life to see you yet it’s like you don’t even love me anymore… somebody got grouchy in their 20s… i’m selling you on the black market

jackhughes @/yourusername they’ll just ship him back

yourusername @/jackhughes i’ll get a no return policy

jackhughes @/yourusername what if they just set him loose????

yourusername @/jackhughes that sounds like a future luke problem

lhughes_06 @_quinnhughes if sissy sells me on the black market will you buy me?

yourusername @_quinnhughes BEST FRIEND CONTRACT

_quinnhughes @/lhughes_06 learn boy scout tricks and pray

user7 don’t talk to me i’m so emo over luke turning 20😭 happy birthday!

trevorzegras @_quinnhughes dibs on tweedle bumblefuck (HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKEY BOY!! GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW OWNERS!! @/lhughes_06)

lhughes_06 thank you! as a present can you convince your fiancée to not sell me?

trevorzegras @/lhughes_06 she’ll give me a penalty and stand guard outside the bathroom until it’s over

lhughes_06 that sounds like a future trevor problem

yourusername @/lhughes_06 maybe lindy will buy you

_quinnhughes i’m not so sure bumblefuck was meant for you

trevorzegras @/yourusername say it ain’t so

yourusername @/trevorzegras i will not go

_quinnhughes “suck it” -sissy about 8k times a day

njdevils happy birthday to our favorite hughes of the day!!

yourusername it’s normally me, right?

njdevils yes of course!

lhughes_06 thank you?

user21 i hope luke gets a good ass cake for his birthday

user14 what did you get him???

yourusername i painted a digital photo frame and uploaded pictures of us, the family, him and his friends, him and his various teams, etc and then as a joke i made a hockey card of myself!

lhughes_06 her stats: height: 5’1 / weight: none of your business / position: best hughes / hugs: not enough / love for me: way past the edge of the universe

user14 I’M SCREAMING THAT’S SO CUTE

user89 SOBS

jackhughes dear sissy, you’re not my favorite sister today, it’s @/lhughes_06

lhughes_06 i feel like bullying shouldn’t be allowed on my birthday

jackhughes @/lhughes_06 happy birthday!!! love you bro!

yourusername ig i’ll accept this

lhughes_06 maybe the black market isn’t a terrible idea…

yourusername @/lhughes_06 well now i don’t wanna

lhughes_06 @/yourusername and that’s what we call “reverse psychology”

jackhughes @/lhughes_06 wow! did you learn that in college before you dropped out?

lhughes_06 @/jackhughes i learned it from johnny

yourusername @/lhughes_06 fucking harvard…

_quinnhughes @/lhughes_06 need another $200 pool stick for your birthday?

lhughes_06 yeah maybe i’ll start winning again

yourusername @/lhughes_06 against who? cuz it will not be against me

_quinnhughes @/yourusername we get it you’re good at one thing

trevorzegras @_quinnhughes give her some credit! she’s good at a lot of things!

yourusername @/trevorzegras this is why i love you

trevorzegras @_quinnhughes like falling!

yourusername @/trevorzegras 10 minute misconduct. get in the bathtub.

lhughes_06 @/yourusername your clumsy percentage should’ve been on the hockey card

yourusername @/lhughes_06 istg i’ll take you out before you can make it to 21

umichhockey happy birthday @/lhughes_06! we miss you!

_alexturcotte they grow up so fast😭 happy birthday @/lhughes_06!

lhughes_06 thanks turc!!

yourusername damn right they grow up fast! i said he grew in 0.2 seconds!

_alexturcotte @/lhughes_06 FREAK

lhughes_06 @_alexturcotte @/yourusername THAT’S PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE

yourusername @/lhughes_06 have you ever heard of a hyperbole? or a joke?

dylanduke25 hyperbole: noun. “exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.”

dylanduke25 joke: noun. “a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.”

yourusername @/dylanduke25 college is paying off for you, son! so proud of you!

_alexturcotte @/lhughes_06 this is what you get for being a dropout! things go right over your head!

lhughes_06 @_alexturcotte YOU’RE ALSO A COLLEGE DROPOUT AND @/yourusername YOU DIDN’T EVEN GO TO COLLEGE

yourusername @/lhughes_06 i am business woman whom’s business THREW YOU A BIRTHDAY PARTY

trevorzegras @/lhughes_06 fix it.

_quinnhughes @/lhughes_06 fix it.

lhughes_06 @/yourusername i love you and i’m proud of you and thank you for my party

yourusername @/lhughes_06 ……. i love you, too

user2 i need to be a fly on the wall at this birthday party😭

dylanduke25 @/lhughes_06 lookin’ like a snack in that last picture 🥵 wyd later?

lhughes_06 probably taking care of drunk sissy

yourusername @/lhughes_06 uno reverse and you KNOW IT

dylanduke25 @/yourusername are you implying that you, an adult, are encouraging the act of underage drinking?

yourusername @/dylanduke25 new jersey statute 2c:33-17 subsection a allows a person under the legal drinking age to consume alcohol inside a private property (a home) when a parent or guardian is present and gives said alcohol to said minor

dylanduke25 @/yourusername you don’t classify as a parent or guardian???

yourusername @/dylanduke25 i am your MOTHER and you will treat me with RESPECT

lhughes_06 @/dylanduke25 i’m getting white girl wasted tonight

dylanduke25 @/lhughes_06 MY BOYYYY

[somedaylazysomeday]

Good Intentions Part Nineteen

Another event, another fancy outfit, and a surprise.

Silco x fem!reader

Rating: Explicit. Minors, please do not interact.

Word Count: 4,800

Warnings: Ongoing references to sex as a form of payment, references to poverty, mentions of pollution and addiction, mentions of alcohol, fingering, unprotected sex, intercrural sex

Previous | Next | Masterlist

---

There were many parts about running a charitable outreach that surprised you. From the sheer amount of paperwork to the fact that too many donations could be a bad thing, this life was full of unexpected twists. 

The twist that occupied your mind the most at the current moment was how you were expected to have outfits for formal occasions. A lot of your life was spent doing dirty work or cleaning up messes - literal and figurative. That didn’t translate well to high heels and tailored outfits. 

But special occasions required appropriate outfits, and the grand opening of Jazper’s apartment complex was a very special occasion indeed.

The complex - one Jazper had named Stonesea - was beautiful. You had toured the apartments and found them spacious and well-designed. There were rooms for meetings and community gatherings both inside the building and out, on screened-in balconies overlooking the Lanes. 

The massive structure was built in a square, surrounding a protected courtyard. Jazper had explained that he brought in a botanist from Piltover to design the courtyard's gardens. They had worked together to curate a selection of plants that purified the air and dirt without requiring a lot of sunlight. 

The majority of the day’s celebration was to take place in that courtyard. At the moment, the crowd was standing outside of Stonesea, waiting for Jazper to cut the ribbon bound across the front entrance. But when everyone did enter, the courtyard was stocked and staffed, ready to serve a light lunch to all invitees and new residents. 

At first, you had been wary, concerned that the people there would close themselves away and become a shut-in society, frightened of the Undercity outside. But Jazper had considered that as well. One day a week, on a rotating day, local shop owners would be invited into the courtyard for a small specialty market. Or on days when the air was clean, they could hold the market on the street outside. 

Not every apartment had been filled, but the building was rapidly working toward full occupancy. Many of the residents were people who had either been through the Haven or knew people who had been. All of them were aware that there was a zero-tolerance policy toward Shimmer possession or use inside Stonesea. 

You and Jazper both knew that the Shimmer ban was unlikely to be enforced. There wasn’t much he could do about a resident using Shimmer, not unless they damaged the property or harmed another resident. But it was the appearance of the ban that was the most important. 

A year ago, openly refusing to allow anyone to use Shimmer on the property would be seen as an act of outright aggression against Silco. Stonesea would have been avoided by anyone with half a brain, fearing the repercussions that the chem baron would bring down on Jazper and his business. 

The Undercity was changing, though. You had to admit that Silco had played the game masterfully. Most of the work had been done by you and others like you, but he was seen as indulging the small neighborhood around the Haven, and even people who worked for him thought Silco only let you continue your work because the futility of it amused him. 

In any case, residents seemed to take their promise to avoid Shimmer seriously. And that, more than anything, gave you hope. If enough people made a pact to keep Stonesea Shimmer-free, it would reduce the chances of anyone bringing the drug in. If there were enough people who decided to keep Shimmer use out of the neighborhood, maybe it could stand even without Silco’s manipulation of the drug market. 

Not that you had any plans of ending your deal. No, Silco had dropped several hints that your deal would not be broken without bloodshed and death. That probably should have bothered you more, but all you could really think about was that you had an excuse to keep being around him. 

And that bothered you. 

You let yourself be distracted from your snarled thoughts by a technician walking across the front of Stonesea and testing the microphone that had been set up there. Electronics tended to suffer in the Undercity’s atmosphere, but it seemed to be working when he beckoned across the space. 

Jazper half-jogged over to the microphone and was met with a smattering of applause. You cheered as loud as you could, and were rewarded with a beaming smile from him. “Hello, everyone! Thanks for coming to the grand opening of Stonesea. I’ve had the pleasure of opening several buildings, but this is the first one I’ve made in– in this area.” 

You grimaced at the slip - Piltover architects, like anything else from Piltover - weren’t especially welcomed in the Undercity. But no one seemed to take offense, letting Jazper continue his speech. 

“I hope to bring comforts and useful amenities to the people who choose to make Stonesea their home,” Jazper continued. “And I hope to be as helpful to the neighborhood as you all have been to me. I will proudly say that this is the most excited I’ve been about an apartment complex since my first one. I can’t wait to show you all what we’ve been working on.” 

Jazper accepted an oversized pair of scissors from the same technician who had set up the microphone. “Welcome to Stonesea.” 

He sliced through the ribbon in a decisive snip, gesturing people inside before the halves had fluttered to a rest against the sides of the entranceway. The technician scarcely managed to snatch the microphone and stand out of the way before people began to pour into the building. 

You let the rest of the crowd go first. You had seen Stonesea in various stages of being built and finished, so it only seemed right to let other people see it before you did. When you trailed in at the back of the group, you couldn’t help but smile. The courtyard looked stunning, of course. It always did. The air felt fresher, though you were mostly certain that was a trick of the mind. 

No, you couldn’t help melting a bit at the reaction of the Undercity residents. The crowd had been made up of local business owners and a few of Jazper’s associates, but it also held a considerable number of ordinary people. Some of them were the future Stonesea residents, but others had heard the promise of a free lunch or were simply curious. They stared around in open-mouthed awe, more than one stroking the leaves of the foliage with something approaching reverence. 

Jazper told you that Stonesea was designed at roughly the same level of decoration as his Piltover apartment complexes were, just with different materials to lower cost and protect against the dangerous air of the Lanes. But as far as the residents were concerned, it could be the finest place they had ever been, on par with a Piltover mansion. 

It reminded you what you were working toward, and you were filled with a quiet contentment as you wandered around talking to people. 

When Jazper tapped you on the shoulder, you turned around and immediately offered your beaming congratulations. “It’s perfect, Jazper! I’ve already heard half a dozen people talk about applying to live here. With the amenities and the rent cap, you’ve built the perfect place for the Lanes.” 

“Thank you, thank you,” Jazper said, offering a playful half-bow. “But maybe you should save some of those congratulations for yourself. Or at least for both of us.” 

“I’m… sorry?” you asked, at a loss for what that could mean. 

“If you’ll follow me to the Innovation meeting room?” Jazper requested, holding out an arm as he indicated for you to lead the way. 

Fortunately, you knew Stonesea’s layout well enough to do exactly that. You arrived at the meeting room in record time - your eagerness to know what Jazper had meant made you walk even faster than usual. 

When you were in the room with the door closed behind you, Jazper turned to you with boyish excitement. “Do you know where you’re standing right now?” 

You tilted your head slightly. “The Innovation meeting room.” 

“No! Well, yes, but the important thing is what will be happening here in only a month.” Jazper’s eyes sparkled as you leaned in as if to encourage him. “In one month, Stonesea will host the very first meeting of the Undercity Innovation Committee, right here in the Innovation room.” 

“The Undercity Innovation Committee?” you repeated slowly, trying to guess at the purpose behind the too-pleasant name. “What is that?” 

“That is a group of like-minded business owners who are finally becoming aware of the untapped market of the Undercity,” Jazper told you. “Limited to those who have businesses or organizations in the Undercity and operate them with an eye toward improving the lives of Undercity citizens.” 

“Those will be small meetings,” you said with a smirk. It disappeared when Jazper’s grin widened. “Unless-?” 

“Yes!” Jazper was positively beaming. “After seeing how fast Stonesea filled and the tax breaks the city gave us for building here, I have a few colleagues who have bought buildings in the Lanes. They’re all set to break ground on new businesses within the next month.” 

Your jaw was starting to ache with the breadth of your smile. “That’s- Jazper, that’s incredible! What kind of businesses?” 

“They span a few different industries,” he explained. “One will be a grocer, hiring people for shipping, transport, and store staffing. There will be another apartment complex mirroring Stonesea’s business model, which will offer housing and train staff. A mechanic’s shop, looking to train a group of apprentices on repairing most common appliances and sending them to fix things across both cities-” 

You laughed loudly enough to interrupt Jazper, but he didn’t seem to mind. “That will be… I can’t even begin to think about how many lives that will change. Jazper! I don’t want to get too eager, but it’s starting to feel like we can really do this! We can change the Undercity!” 

“I know,” he said, resting a hand on your shoulder. “I’m trying not to get excited too soon, but it finally seems like we’re getting somewhere. It’s exciting! And, of course, everyone wants for you to be part of the Undercity Innovation Committee.” 

“Me?” you asked, trying to blink away the tears that rose. “The Haven isn’t a business, not really…” 

“But it’s what started all of this,” Jazper countered. “Having proof that there were some Undercity citizens not addicted to Shimmer was what gave me the confidence to start working on Stonesea. If anyone deserves a place on the committee, it’s you.” 

You nodded shakily, not trusting your voice enough to say anything aloud. Jazper seemed to understand, offering a sympathetic smile and nodding toward the door. “Come on, let's go enjoy the party.” 

And you did, eating and chatting and basking in the growing feeling of community until you had to leave. Unfortunately, your next meeting with Silco had fallen on that day. 

If you were being honest, that made you slightly nervous. If you and Jazper could sense the tide turning against a Shimmer-obsessed society, surely Silco could, too. He had told you openly that his funding came from sources other than Shimmer sales, but you suspected that he couldn't be happy about the changes. 

Still, he would be even less happy if you missed your appointment, so you made your way to The Last Drop in the early afternoon. The building was as empty as you had expected it to be, and you went directly upstairs to Silco's office. 

“Hello, pet,” was the greeting you received. Other than the nickname, it was as mildly pleasant as you would have expected with any business associate, and it put you more at ease.

“Hello,” you greeted in return. After a moment observing his desk, you asked, “Paperwork?” 

Silco glanced from you to the haphazard scatter of papers across his desk. A wry look crossed his face. “Indeed. It is never ending, as you well know.” 

You nodded in commiseration, though you were seized by a sense of strangeness. You and Silco did many things together, but exchanging pleasantries was not among them. 

“Fortunately, I have far more pleasant activities with which to distract myself,” Silco said, replacing his pen in its holder. “You're looking well, my little philanthropist. Special occasion?” 

You had changed out of your celebration outfit, but he could apparently still see the care you had taken with your appearance that morning. You lifted one shoulder in a shrug you hoped came off as carefree. “Just trying something different.” 

He gave an enigmatic hum at that, but didn't reply. Instead, he swiveled in his chair, looking up at the window behind his desk. “Join me.” 

It was a request rather than an order, and that enticed you to comply from sheer curiosity. When you got to the window, standing beside his chair, you didn’t see anything you hadn’t expected to. The street outside held a few people, but not many. The neon signs across the way were unlit, and the gray stone of the Undercity stretched away in every direction. 

But the look on Silco’s face was almost blissful, so you looked again. 

The people on the street weren’t rushing nervously, they were greeting each other and falling into occasional conversations. The signs were dark because the sky was lighter than it typically was, murky sunlight illuminating the Lanes. From The Last Drop, you could see a lot of the surrounding neighborhood and were struck by the idea of Silco’s watchful eye keeping guard on his people. 

“It’s wonderful,” you admitted, surprised that you honestly thought it was. 

“It is,” Silco agreed. “I wish everyone could see Zaun as I do. As we do. I well remember our conversation about it being unfinished. We have far to travel if we are to build the Zaun our people deserve, but I believe it is important to appreciate the wonderful moments.”

“Our people?” you repeated before you could fight the question back. 

Silco gave you a sidelong look, seeming more than a little amused by your question. “Yes, our people. Do you think I have missed the work you have done for Zaun?” 

Guilt twisted in your stomach. “I don’t-”

“And I am hardly the only one to see it,” Silco interrupted. “Is that not why Jazper invited you to the grand opening of his venture?” 

“Stonesea is close to the Haven,” you pointed out. “It would be awkward if he didn’t invite me.” 

“Perhaps,” he agreed, shifting his weight. That tiny motion closed the gap between you, pressing his arm against yours. “But he shared the news of Zaun’s upcoming growth with you. Surely that implies more than a professional courtesy.” 

You turned to him, eyebrows flying upward. “You know?” 

Silco smiled. “Of course. I know every important development in Zaun, and especially those that impact this neighborhood. Did you think I would overlook it?” 

“I- You never-” You took a quick breath the reset your snarled thoughts. “I was unaware you were so well-informed.”

He chuckled. “Then your subtlety was an attempt to hide the new businesses coming to the Lanes? My dear, you are vastly entertaining when you underestimate me.” 

You rolled your eyes. “Yet I consistently underestimate your ego.” 

“Mmm, foolish,” Silco agreed, leaning over to nose along the line of your jaw. It made you shiver, but he only pressed closer. “An ego fit for a king. You would do well to keep up.” 

Your mouth opened and you started to ask how he meant it - was Silco telling you to remember that his ego was a force to be reckoned with, or did he want you to grow a similar ego? - but his lips pressed to the side of your neck, followed by the sharp sting of his teeth. With your mouth already open, you had no hope of containing the gasp that escaped you. 

Silco’s mouth stayed on your neck even as he began to nudge you, guiding you steadily toward the window. You went willingly enough, letting his pose you with your hands braced against the window - one on the frame and the other on the window itself. When he had you where he wanted you, he turned his attention to other things, stripping you of your clothing with quick, efficient movements. 

“Look at it, pet,” Silco purred in your ear. He pressed himself to your back, and you could feel every bit of him against your bare curves. His hands slipped around you, one cradling your breast while the other worked steadily down your stomach and toward your mound. “Look at Zaun. We have far to go, but look what we have built so far.” 

“I’m not sure-” 

That was as far as you got before Silco’s fingers delved between your legs, parting your folds and stroking between them with steady, inexorable motions. You gaped at the window, staring blankly at the street beyond the glass panes as your world narrowed to one of feelings rather than sight. 

“No matter,” Silco continued. “I am certain enough for the both of us.” 

You had lost the thread of the conversation, but you didn’t mind - especially when one of Silco’s long fingers steadily worked its way inside of you. His thumb strummed at your clit, his other hand playing between your breasts as you tried to guess at where the sensations would stem from next. It was difficult, which kept you poised on the edge of uncertainty. All you could do was feel. 

There was no way to track the passing time, but you were grinding against Silco’s hand by the time he finally drew away from you. If he had told you that you were dripping onto the floor, you wouldn’t have been surprised. 

You whined as his hands disappeared from you entirely. Silco tutted behind you. “Patience, lovely, patience. Take in the wonders of Zaun from your vantage point while you wait. I will not be long.”

The glass panes of the window were fogged, outlining the shape of your palm and spread fingers. “Silco, please. Whatever you’re doing, hurry.” 

“‘Whatever I am doing’,” Silco repeated, tone full of teasing that you were too keyed-up to appreciate. “With minor effort, I am certain you could work out what I am doing.”

It was true - you could hear the rustle of clothing and myriad other sounds of a person getting undressed. “I was commenting on how long it’s taking. Even you don’t have that many buttons on your clothes.” 

Silco chuckled. “Untrue. I have articles of clothing with more fastenings than you could imagine. I simply did not realize that ease of access would be such a vital part of choosing my outfit for the day.” 

“Never-” You had to stop and swallow before your tongue would cooperate enough to form words. “Never thought I would be able to accuse you of not planning ahead.”

Silco hummed at that. “You must rob me of my ability to think clearly.” 

You would have rolled your eyes at the overly complimentary nature of that comment, but Silco plastered himself against your back. His pelvis pressed flush against your ass. You could feel his length pressing against you, perfectly aligned with you.

Whatever he said, it was obvious that Silco was the one who kept you from thinking clearly, not the other way around. 

You canted your hips and pressed yourself backward toward him. With the angle you had chosen, he could feel every drop that his earlier ministrations had wreaked on you. 

Silco's jaw clenched - you could hear his teeth clicking together beside your ear. You grinned as you amended your earlier opinion - maybe you and Silco wrecked each other's concentration. That made you feel better, even if it seemed bad for the safety of the Undercity. 

“Are you ready, pet?” Silco asked, his voice filled with more grit than you could remember hearing it hold. 

You laughed, glancing back over your shoulder to find him looking almost irritated. “Are you serious? Can you not feel the answer?” 

“My good manners are wasted on you,” Silco lamented. 

Your mouth was opening around a sarcastic reply when Silco pulled his hips back the slightest bit. The small movement notched the head of him at your entrance, and he thrust forward in the next second. He rammed into you at top speed, not giving you any chance of adjusting to the intrusion. 

With your lips already parted, you had no chance of holding back the desperate sound that he pushed out of you. It bounced off the window, echoing back loud and strangely flat. You could clearly hear Silco’s chuckle, likely because he was standing with the sharp point of his chin hooked over your shoulder. 

“Good girl, letting me hear you so clearly,” he commented. “I think we can keep it going, hmm?” 

The instant his hands closed around your hips, Silco was pushing further into you. Your stance widened, both to keep your balance and to give him better access to you. It would have been easier to lean forward into the window - that would have left him plenty of space. But with the way his grip was biting into your skin, you had a feeling he wasn’t going to let you go that far. 

A cruel little punch of his hips made him bottom out inside of you, and you felt the length of him buried in your heat so deeply that you would almost swear he was a part of you. 

You gasped, pulling one hand away from the window grame. Your intention had been to place it against your lower belly, to see if you could feel him from outside of your body. Before you could pull away from the frame, Silco’s hand lashed out, grabbing yours and pressing it back where it had been.

“Stay still,” he ordered, voice like velvet. “You are utter perfection here, like this.” 

You nodded, but he didn’t move his hand. Instead, it stayed covering yours as he began to move. That first time he withdrew from the depths of you sent shivers over your entire body, and your eyes fluttered shut with the feeling. 

“I know, pet - it is overwhelming.” Silco kissed the side of your neck, the quick flash of his tongue against your skin making you suck in a breath. “Yet I cannot help but admire the view.” 

You managed to open your eyes just enough to see the window in front of you beyond the reflections of Silco’s office. It was an enthralling view…. But you also realized that the gray light falling through the glass panes illuminated your body, gilding it enough to be visible from Silco’s perspective. 

Even as you watched, Silco moved his hand from your hip, stroking it downward from between your breasts to the apex of your thighs. He parted you deftly as you watched breathlessly in the reflection of the scene. He found your clit with ease, giving it a leisurely stroke as your head tipped back to rest on his shoulder.

When those fingers left you, they simply drifted backward to tease along your folds. The stimulation there was nice, but the pleasure was muted and tickling. It was only when you shifted your weight unhappily that you realized Silco was teasing the base of his own cock. 

The selfishness of that should have irritated you - or at least exasperated you - but you found it intensely compelling instead. To be used for his pleasure was a humbling thing, but you found that your walls gripped him a little tighter. 

Silco hissed at the contraction of your body around him. “Are you close, dearest?” 

You thought about that for a moment. You were, in fact, so you nodded, leaving the rest of the explanation to fade into the recesses of your pleasure-soaked brain. 

“Good.” Silco’s voice was slightly unsteady, and you didn’t think it was due only to the harsh desperation of his thrusting. “Let’s get you over the edge.” 

His fingertips teased back up, traveling over folds and tracing the lips of you until he found that utterly devastating cluster of nerves. Rather than continue his teasing, Silco stroked your clit mercilessly. You were left gasping and twisting in his arms, sobbing out your pleasure before you even knew that your orgasm was getting closer. 

Silco continued to push in and out of you, his fingers toying with your clit until you were standing slack in his arms. When he did release you, it was only to alter your stance until your feet were closer together. A few strokes in your sensitive channel, then he withdrew with a sharp groan. 

It took a moment to process what he was doing, but you eventually caught on - Silco was pressing his throbbing length in the scant gap he had created between your thighs. 

He fucked into that tight space furiously, tipping you forward with it. Your hands against the window and his arm looped around your waist were the only things keeping you standing when he grunted, thrusting forward with all of his strength. 

Hot cum dripped down your inner thighs a moment later, and you could only be grateful that Silco had removed your pants entirely instead of leaving them to shackle your ankles. 

You slumped against the window, uncaring at the moment that you were naked as you stood watching the not-empty street. You had long since noticed that everyone was too scared of Silco to stare up at his window, so there was a reasonable chance for privacy. In any case, there were good odds that you wouldn’t make it anywhere else in the office. Even the thick slide of Silco’s softening cock out from between your thighs left your knees trembling. 

“Give me a moment to catch my breath and I’ll help you clean up.” 

The offer made you feel a little better - at least you weren’t the only one who had been affected by your session. 

By the time your heart rate and breathing had slowed to a normal pace, a soft handkerchief was smoothing wetness from the insides of your thighs. You were still facing away from Silco, which was the only reason you managed to force the question from your lips: 

“How much of that did you mean?” 

Silco didn’t ask you to elaborate. Instead, the silence turned thoughtful as he wiped the last traces of himself from your skin. “I’ve never considered myself royalty. A leader of Zaun, perhaps, but nothing so authoritarian as a king.” 

“Glad to hear it.” You glanced around, quickly locating your clothes in a neat little stack. 

With a chuckle, Silco asked, “And what does that mean, pet? You think I would be a poor king?” 

“I don’t think Zaun needs a king.” You stopped short, startled at how natural that had felt to say. When had you started thinking of the Undercity as ‘Zaun’? Or was that true at all? It could have been a slip after hearing Silco say it so often. More importantly, when did you start thinking about what would be best for a potential country that didn’t yet exist - that might never exist?

Silco hummed understandingly. “And that is why I believe you could also be another leader for Zaun. You have shown a remarkable understanding for what she needs.” 

“I don’t agree with that,” you told him, dressing yourself with motions that felt stiff and unnatural. 

“Perhaps not,” he conceded, “but that doesn’t mean it is untrue. You care for Zaun - it is evident in how you care for her people at their most desperate. In our first session, you argued with a dangerous man to help a random addict living on the street. If I am not mistaken, you offered him your own lunch.” 

“Maybe I just knew I didn’t like you.” You tossed the insult out with bated breath, but Silco only smirked. 

“You had not yet seen me. You simply could not bear the idea of leaving someone homeless and helpless, at the mercy of the streets.” His smirk softened into something that was almost a smile. “Do not be offended, pet. It was a sign of your dedication to the people of Zaun, proven later when you made a deal with me on their behalf.” 

It wasn’t quite an accurate portrayal of events, but you didn’t want to argue with him. Not when he was implying that your meeting and eventual deal had been on purpose. Besides, you were fully dressed and had other places to be. 

Well, you didn’t, but you would find or invent them. 

“Speaking of our deal,” you redirected, “I’ll see you in two weeks.” 

“Of course, pet,” Silco agreed, inclining his head. “As always, I look forward to it.”

---

Author's Note - And we're back! Thank you all for your patience during my Fanfic February hiatus.

Good news: I reread this story from the beginning and was able to plot out the rest of it. I know myself well enough not to reveal my estimate of how many chapters are left because then I'll write dramatically too much and mess up my count. Suffice it to say that we still have plenty of story left, but I hope to post a chapter a month until it's over. No more hiatuses.

As always, I would adore your feedback. Thank you for reading and I'll see you next month!

[amasiusblog]

100 years after the first exchange student program of the three worlds

long post, no pronouns for the reader, gender neutral!mc i'm feeling soft so y'all can have this before i decide to write angst

it's been a long time since the first human exchange student came to the devildom. dozens of humans followed but none left a mark as remarkable as the first. after your stay, you've become an ambassador of sorts and live in the house of laminations, helping human students with their tasks and serving a role in the student council (yes diavolo made a position for you, yes you cannot get out of student council many have tried no one has succeeded).

twenty years into the program and a few humans started living in the devildom full time, every one of them freely choosing to upheave their lives in the human world to permanently stay (the brothers keep cracking jokes about how they all followed in your footsteps, you keep a heavy book on hand to whack them with).

forty years into the program and there was a thriving suburbs full of humans and their demon partners and their half-demon offspring. diavolo couldn't be happier, he frequently visits, much to the dismay of lucifer and barbatos (please sir their schedules).

of course, not everyone in the devildom was happy with the changes. you yourself have been caught the middle of fights brawls arguments between the new human residents and the demons, but you were never alone and eventually the fights came to a complete stop after 60 years.

time passes and you don't notice. calendars have no purpose in the devildom with their long life spans and you frequently forget to check the date because of how busy you are. the three worlds are now open to each other permanently. diavolo is overwhelmed with joy and you are celebrated as the person to make his dream a reality. you try to tell him that you alone couldn't have done it so he relents and makes a holiday celebrating all humans in the devildom (and the celestial realm makes a sister holiday for their own humans). time passes and you don't notice but 80 years have passed.

more time passes and one day everyone comes out to celebrate your century in the devildom. luke is taller now and is the proud owner of a sweetshop based in the devildom. simeon grew out his hair and lives in the human world, moving from major city to major city to find inspiration for his next installment in the TSL series. diavolo and barbatos are the same but joy colors them both and they greet you with warmth and casual affection.

the hall of lamentations is different, too. the kitchen is now stocked with food from the human world and the celestial realm (beel is thrilled he has so much more variety now), there's a spare room for the exchange students, the curses are more muted now (courtesy of solomon after he deemed you a capable sorcerer), and cereberus while still very deadly, no longer attacks on sight (satan and lucifer spent many many training sessions with him, they also taught you to command him).

the brothers are... mostly the same but their lives are so entwined with yours that it's hard to imagine life without them.

lucifer built your study to connect to his five years after you started living in the hol. you do paperwork together, he brings you tea and your meals when you forget to go to downstairs for dinner and you do the same when he's busy.

mammon brings you along to his money-making schemes, his arm casually flung across your shoulders. it took him a while, but now when he tell you he loves you his face is serious and his eyes never leave yours.

levi has an open door policy for you and you spend every thursday night in his room, falling asleep after a broadcast of a new episode. when he plans for a cosplay event, he never forgets to include you.

satan's wrath is quieter with you. after having a reading session interrupted by a collapsing pile of books, you both spend a week building bookshelves in his room. on days when you're both free you go to bookstores together and look for little cafes in the human world. he shares his books with you and when you spend nights in his room, he reads to you until you fall asleep.

asmo spoils you. you'd think that it would mellow out after a hundred years of knowing you but you're pretty sure it's only gotten more intese. he leaves care packages on your bed every other night and he frequently begs you to join him at the spa. on rough nights when things are bad he brushes your hair and holds you until you fall asleep, 18 step night-time skincare routine be damned.

beelzebub learns to cook human food for you. he saves you a plate when you're late for dinner and shares his snacks with you when you work out together or watch something in the common room. he teaches you how to play fangol and you teach him recipes that barbatos and luke taught you. his control over his sin gets better and he celebrates it by cooking you a feast and refuses to take a bite (you spoonfeed him of everything half don't worry)

belphie helps you study and fiercely guards your dreams, doing his best to keep the nightmares at bay. he takes revenge on every demon who tried to hurt you by making their nightmares worse and invading their sleep. during his waking hours he naps close to you. he has a special couch in your study so he can sleep close to you while you work. he's the first brother to agree to therapy and his hatred of humans turns into fierce protectiveness.

and you? you're a little older but you stopped aging when you hit 35. after decades of training, solomon has deemed you capable enough to beat him in a fair fight. luke and barbatos meet with you ever other week to iron out the kinks in their new recipes. diavolo gives you the responsibility of handling the exchange program.it's a sign that he trusts you deeply but damn you're sure that you get grey hairs from the stress alone.

you celebrate your 100 years in the devildom surrounded by the people who love you, pride burning through you at your achievements. you don't question why you stopped aging because it chips away at everyone's fears that you would one day die.

you're happy. there's no such thing as 'peaceful' when you live with and are surrounded by very busy and very powerful demons (and angels and one sorcerer) who smother you but you bask in the quiet moments with them, hoping that you get another century to spend.

[unclefathersantateddy]

Can't believe Hugo is the Fresh Meat character with the most angst lol.

He's not only heartbroken that Linda left him for someone else, but he's DEVASTATED to discover the person she left him for is absolutely repugnant.

Like canon, Hugo is a stickler for rules, regulations, and policies. But Fresh Meat Hugo is slightly more extreme with his affinity for cleanliness. He sees cleanliness standards as quite binary, you either meet/exceed his standards, or you're gross.

Fortunately, Hugo is the (day shift) health inspector. So he isn't the designated inspector for Bob's restaurant, which is primarily open at night. So he's not aware of the Exact Type of Business(tm) that goes on there. He's just aware that there's a Greasy Diner that BARELY passes regulation, which immediately causes him to disdain the owner, initially on a purely bureaucratic level.

It's not until Hugo's (at work) in the office, a (night shift) health inspector (probably Tommy Jaronda) discusses that he performed at Pesto's Pizzeria the night prior, mentioning seeing a "beautiful dark haired woman with the biggest red glasses and a milf ass that won't quit" drinking at Pestos, claiming to work at the diner opposite. This piques Hugo's attention and interest. He knows that description all too well. Triggering his obsessive neuroticism, Hugo needs to know if it's her- the love of his life. The one that got away.

So he visits Ocean Avenue. Finds Pesto's and of course the diner opposite. "This? This is the place of 'Bob the hot shot restaurateur'? It can't be, this place is disgusting." Hugo thinks aloud.

"Uhhhm, thank you?" responds a hoarse and awkward voice coming from the dirty, mustachioed man, who had previously been sweeping the sidewalk.

Hugo's heart sank. This couldn't be the reality. Is, THIS, Bob? Bob the hot shot restaurateur?? It couldn't be. Linda is a classy and sophisticated woman with standards. She wouldn't... She wouldn't??? No, of course she wouldn't. You two were engaged for crying out loud!

"Bob?" the one and only word that Hugo could utter.

"Um, yes? I mean, yes. I am Bob. Do I know you? Or- I mean- do- did you want a burger? Business hours are normally later than this."

This stammering greaseball is Bob. The Bob. THIS, is who Linda - the love of your life, the apple of your eye - left you for.

C R A C K.

Not a cloud in the sky, yet a bolt of lightning shoots through your heart and mind. You feel your soul being torn in two. Your reality crumbles and dissolves away.

What is this feeling?

It's,

Hatred.

[covid-safer-hotties]

School’s back and so is a COVID-19 surge: Protecting kids and precarious workers - Published Aug 30, 2024

While the chance of dying has decreased, we should be concerned about the serious long-term complications that can follow an infection.

The 2024 school year is beginning amid one of the biggest COVID-19 waves of the pandemic.

One U.S doctor states, “This is a very significant surge. The levels are very high. They’re the highest we’ve ever seen during a summer wave.” It might be hard to think about, but we’re still in a pandemic and experts are warning against COVID-19 complacency in schools.

Dying with COVID-19 in the acute phase may have decreased, but complications from an infection exist — more than 2 million Canadians have “long COVID” (LC). In this context, societies that see themselves as equitable, inclusive and just need to consider if they’re doing the best job protecting their more vulnerable members, like children and many precarious workers. Research shows governments are not doing the best protecting the rights of children in a crisis, and reports from workers indicate some feel abandoned and left to deal with scary health situations, largely on their own. For school staff, students, their families and communities, this all seems quite cruel. It does not need to be this way.

Organizations are working to make Ontario schools safer. Ontario school safety advocates for cleaner air in schools and research shows schools are safer when things like masking and vaccination are in place. However, these measures are generally not being followed.

Dr. Pantea Javidan writes, “the lack of health and safety in schools resulting from zero-mitigation policies continues to cause great physical and psycho-social harms to children and families.” One study found 14 per cent of adolescents who have gotten COVID-19 developed some LC symptoms. Another study found 45 per cent of infected children with at least one persisting LC symptom. For workers with LC, about 14 per cent have not returned to work within three months since their infection. Many people have been knocked off career paths because of LC. It is a public health crisis for workers and youth.

Allowing uncontrolled spread in communities and schools will likely see the crisis grow, so schools need to be made safe. Not making schools safe violates children’s rights because children’s rights to education include the right to an environment that is safe and not harmful to one’s health.

Kids are major spreaders of COVID-19 and with certain policies, the schools they attend can be safer. HEPA filters should be in every classroom and always on.

Businesses like the Apricot Tree Café in Mississauga are committed to clean air, use HEPA filters and are considered a leader in COVID-19 safe business practices. The owner reports not being sick in four years despite working in a high-risk industry. If a private restaurant can provide clean air, so can the public school system. Not doing so may violate certain human rights.

Dr. Javidan argues “policies threatening the life, health, and education of children are cause for alarm among defenders of human rights.” Importantly, human rights overlap into workers’ rights. In the U.S., workers have been disabled at an unexpectedly high rate since the pandemic began, and researchers are wondering if there’s a COVID-19 connection.

My research looks at precarious occasional teachers (OTs) in Ontario during COVID-19 and ways to make work safer for them, which makes schools safer for students. For example, hiring more secure contract teachers can reduce class sizes making them safer. Higher OT pay, basic income, and paid sick days could help by enabling sick people to stay home. OTs in B.C. make significantly more money per day than Ontario OTs, so higher wages are possible.

Ontario OTs have no paid sick days and can be exposed to multiple schools and hundreds if not thousands of students and staff, which puts them and others at risk. Higher wages and/or a universal basic income allows OTs to have a buffer due to lost income from days absent. A policy of paid sick days can stop sick workers going to work and helps a robust economy.

There are many educational and employment policy options available to reduce COVID-19 levels and protect students and workers during the 2024/25 school year. To uphold the rights of children and workers, these policies should be advocated for by community groups and unions, and adopted by governments and school boards.

[beardedmrbean]

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors made their way through the streets of Philadelphia Sunday night as they demanded a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. What they did outside of a Jewish restaurant drew harsh criticism from local and federal leaders.

The White House on Monday joined Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in calling what happened in Center City "antisemitic" and "completely unjustifiable." Shapiro on Sunday night called it a "blatant act of antisemitism."

The pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Rittenhouse Square and marched through the area and University City, including the University of Pennsylvania campus.

In a Facebook post, the Philadelphia Free Palestine Coalition had urged supporters to "flood the streets" Sunday night.

Video posted on social media showed demonstrators also made their way to Samson Street, where they gathered outside the Jewish restaurant Goldie, one of several restaurants in the city owned by Philadelphia-based Israeli chef Michael Solomonov.

The group of protestors is accused of shouting antisemitic remarks, and stickers with pro-Palestinian slogans were reportedly left on the doors, though when CBS Philadelphia checked back early Monday morning they had been removed.

Video of the crowd outside Goldie was posted on social media around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Later that night, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the clip, writing, "Tonight in Philly, we saw a blatant act of antisemitism — not a peaceful protest. A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli. This hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history."

Shapiro said in another post that he reached out to Solomonov and the team at Goldie to share his support.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement it's "completely unjustifiable to target restaurants that serve Israeli food over disagreements with Israeli policy."

Bates continued, "This behavior reveals the kind of cruel and senseless double standard that is a calling card of antisemitism. President Biden has fought against the evil of antisemitism his entire life, including by launching the first national strategy to counter this hate in American history. He will always stand up firmly against these kinds of undignified actions."

Congressmember Brendan Boyle also weighed in Sunday night, writing, "I can't believe I even have to say this, but targeting businesses simply because they're Jewish owned is despicable. Philadelphia stands against this story of harassment and hate."

Solomonov owns multiple restaurants in the city under the banner CookNSolo, including Zahav, Laser Wolf and K'Far Cafe. Following the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, Solomonov announced he would donate 100% of all sales to Friends of United Hatzalah, a nonprofit emergency medical service.

CBS Philadelphia has reached out to the group that organized Sunday night's rally but has yet to hear back.

[hotxcheeto]

can you do a chloe x fem! reader where they go out for the night, then it gradually turns to smut. so like fluff-smut. also i love your work so much🙌🙌🙌 i hope school gets easier

━ 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓

𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜(𝙨) - Chloe Price x Fem!Reader 

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 - Cursing, smut, oral ( r! receiving ), vaginal fingering ( r! receiving ), flirting, mentions of alcohol, mentions of smoking, chloe being chloe

𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 ? - Yeah/Nope

𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 - I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG, I'VE HAD A TERRIBLE CASE OF WRITERS BLOCK AND MY LIFE HAS BEEN EXHAUSTING. ily sm anon, thank you for requesting, school has been... school lol

The room smelled like stale tobacco and cheap alcohol. People all around you both getting drunk or chatting with cigarettes in between their fingers. Not giving a single fuck about the policy that the owners had practically made nonexistent. The signs only there for decoration.

It made up for the dingy white walls, only saved by the victorian styled windows and classy timeless decor.

It was a small town on your map of the state, a town you both decided to stop in and stretch your legs. Get a good nice sleep in some cheap motel bed, cuddled up and able to drink hot coffee in the morning that you didn't buy in some drive-through.

Maybe sit down and actually eat some real food as you hadn't sat at an actual table in a long while. Chloe claiming, 'the smaller the town, the better the food' and the diner this morning made you inclined to agree.

"Ready to go?" You turned your head to look at your girlfriend, snapping away from your thoughts as you examined her. An empty beer in her hand, and her newly met acquaintances having decided on taking a leave as well. Waving goodbye to you as you returned the favor.

"I want to get some ice cream." Chloe went to protest, most likely asking you to wait for the morning, but you'd cut her off before she'd even got half a chance nor a word out.

"You promised Chlo.." Your tone mixed with your pretty puppy dog eyes could always win over, and she knew it too. Huffing and looking away towards the rest of the room.

"Fuck Y/n.." She rubbed her face, the arm around you pushing your head to rest on her shoulder. "You're letting me sleep in tomorrow." "Well that ruins my plans to wake you up at six in the morning. Early start."

She looked at you as if you were insane, a little giggle leaving your lips in return.

"Would you still love me if I did that?" You watched as Chloe's eye ran over your face, almost distracted before she answered. "Of fucking course... just maybe a little less." You gasped dramatically, your girlfriend pulling away and sliding out of the booth before turning back to you and stretching out her hand.

"C'mon you big baby, it's late I want to get back to the room before crackheads start asking us for a threesome." You clicked your tongue, gripping her hand and allowing her to pull you from your seat.

"You don't want a nickel to tickle their pickle?"

"Never, ever say that again."

You laughed obnoxiously and sarcastically, skipping your way out of the bar and onto the rather busy sidewalk. Looking around at the everyday people that probably walked the streets a trillion times in the area, and yet you'd only be here for a little while until moving on once again.

You wondered if one day you'd be like them once again. Settling down in some rando town that you and Chloe had grown to love. Nothing like Arcadia yet screamed with the same remanence.

"C'mon, there's a corner store down here." "Twenty-four hours?" You peaked at your phone, the time nearing one o'clock while Chloe guided you along. Her hand resting on your lower back.

"Yep. Drove there the other night." "To get what?" You raised an eyebrow, unaware she'd even left the motel room the day prior. "That coffee you had a very nice time drinking this morning." "You fuck, did you drink the rest and not tell me?" She shrugged, earning herself a nice nudge to the shoulder.

"Hey, you had some to drink and you weren't complaining." "Yeah but you left me." "You had no idea."

You glared at her.

"You still did it. That's like saying, 'I burned your house down without you knowing, and you didn't know until after I rebuilt it and replaced everything you owned, we're still besties for the resties, right?"

You stared at her while she scoffed in amusement, then she laughed.

"Have I ever told you, that you're fucking crazy." You grinned, taking her hand from your waist and instead holding it in your own, unphased at the heat it lacked. "Plenty of times, yet you're still in my bed every night."

"Ha, ha." Chloe laughed sarcastically, but the blush on her paled cheeks was enough to give her away. Not meeting your eyes and instead looking forward, seeing the lights of the store slowly getting closer into view.

"I want chocolate and vanilla." "Seriously?" She glanced to you while you nodded, swinging your intertwined hands back and forth. "Yep." You popped the 'p' making sure to turn to give her a cheesey grin.

"And you love me so you'll buy them both." "I'm beginning to question how much I love you." You groaned, yawning slightly as you both finally arrived, Chloe pulling open the door for you, allowing you to step inside first.

It was bright, the fluorescents burning your eyes while you squinted to try to save your sight. A shiver sent up your spine and the chilled room, only a single worker sat behind the counter. Distracted by their phone and seemingly bored out of their mind.

"Ice cream only." Chloe muttered, turning you towards and aisle and walking you back towards the freezers. "Can't we get a few beef sticks too?" You bargained, knowing those were at least top five in her favorite snacks.

"Make it quick princess." You grinned, walking passed a few aisles until you spotted the familiar packaging. Only picking up a couple before making your way towards the counter, spotting yours and Chloe's shared candy you loved.

You quickly placed it on the counter, Chloe meeting your side at the same time.

"Really?" "They need the money." Was all you said, a shit eating grin on your face as Chloe glared you down. Pulling her wallet out from her jeans pocket and handing the cashier a few bills.

"Thank you." You said quietly, smiling at the worker before grabbing the bag and walking ahead of Chloe, skipping farther down the road with her in toe.

"Y/n." You spun around, feeling the cold of the ice cream hit your legs as the bag swung around and collided with your knees. "What?" "Don't go so far." "Aw, miss me already? Worried someone will snatch me into a dark alleyway? Maybe one of the crackheads?"

You were barely a meter and a half in front of her, rocking back on your heels as you waited for her to meet your side. Hand grabbing yours again before she reached across you and grabbed the bag from your fingers.

"I also don't trust you handling the nearly thirty dollars worth of shit I just bought for you." You hummed with a light giggle, laying your head on her chilly leather jacket.

It wasn't a long walk back to the motel, the time close to two o'clock now due to your stop at the store. Not that you minded, though a bit tired to eat your desert you'd begged the girl behind you for.

You'd changed the moment you'd gotten inside, leaving you in nearly nothing but a thin pair of sleep pants and a thin long sleeve while snuggled underneath the think blankets the motel offered.

Chloe watching you from the corner of her eye while messing with her bag of clothes.

"Chlo will you c'mon.." You huffed, stretching upward and revealing your hardened nipples through the white fabric of your top. It was cold in the room despite the cheap heater trying it's best to do its job.

"Yeah, yeah." "No, not 'yeah' get your ass over here." You muttered, "M'coming, give me a second." "What're you even looking for?" You slumped onto your stomach, arm dangling off the mattress while you watched her pull out a black t-shirt.

"This." She peered over at your body, blanket and waistband low on your hips. The back of your top having ridden upwards just enough for a peek at the swell of your breast.

"What're you looking at?" You spoke sarcastically, lifting your head up off the pillow with a raised eyebrow. "My sexy girlfriend." Chloe responded, throwing the shirt onto your blanket-covered legs. Stripping herself from her jacket and what was underneath.

"Mm, I should decide who the sexy one is." Your eyes raked over the girl in her black bra and jeans, absentmindedly biting your lip in the process. "I'm the top, so you get no choice." Chloe decided against the shirt, moving to straddle your body, her knees on either side of your hips.

"What're you doing?" "I say we sleep in late tomorrow, night drives were always your favorite, right?" "Chloe..." You dragged her name out with a light groan, your girlfriend bending down to kiss up your neck.

"C'mon... just a couple minutes," You snorted, the girl taking great offence to your amusement, grabbing your face softly. "Oh c'mon, don't believe me?" You shook your head, giggling some more while Chloe rolled her eyes, tugging away your blanket in order to see you whole.

"You're a dick.." "Mhm, shut up and kiss me." Chloe leaned, doing exactly that before hurriedly pulling away. "What the fuck?" You scoffed, her cold hands suddenly making you shriek as Chloe practically ripped off your pajama pants. Throwing them behind her and out of your sight.

"Chloe, what the fuck?" You laughed this time, hearing her light laughter. "They were in the way." She looked down at your bareness, realizing you hadn't had any underwear on unerneath.

"M'tired, hurry it along." You giggled, seeing her glare peeking up at you from her place hovering above your belly. Kissing the skin that showed underneath the top that had since ridden far up. Goosebumps rising along your arm at the light kisses.

"I'll stop if you want, hotstuff. Get you your much need beauty sleep." Hurriedly, you shook your head, feeling the painful ache between your legs growing as the seconds slowly passed. "Yeah that's what I thought too."

Chloe moved to spread your thighs apart with her chilled hands, making you shiver, though the adrenaline kept you warm.

"Please.." You said quietly, whispering into the quiet room, the TV slightly muffled in the background with some reality show playing.

"I know." Was all your girlfriend said, kissing your inner thigh, smiling when you squirmed in discomfort. Feeling yourself pulsing for her touch, yet she held it back from coming.

"Chloe.." "I want some that ice cream.." You went to respond, lips parting only for a strangled cry to take its place, her warm mouth finding itself on your clit. Sucking harshly, pleasure shooting up your belly making your thighs mindlessly squeeze around her.

She stared up at you, watching as your head dug back into the already flat pillows on the old bed.

"Chlo– oh fuck–" "You better hope we don't have neighbors." She laughed, going back into eat you like you were her last meal. "Do–Don't say shit like that– oh fuck!" You smacked a hand over your mouth, a muffled cry following only made your girlfriend grin harder.

"It's probably the closest they'll get to a girl." You rolled your eyes at her words, trying your hardest to keep quiet. But she had another idea, kitten-licking at your clit, bringing her favorite sound from your lips as girly cries passed by into the warmed air.

"Oh my fuck!" You took in a shrieked breath, looking down at Chloe with wide eyes while squirming away from her mouth. "Y/n.." She went back, holding your thighs tighter around her head.

She continued the assault, picking up her pace along with her movements while flattening her tongue.

"Oh my God Chloe.." You covered your entire face, burning hot as her fingers began to circle your hole, only pausing when her eyes searched for yours.

"Y/n.. look at me." Reluctantly, knowing she'd stop, you pulled your arms from your face, peering down at Chloe.

"Fingers?" "Mhm." You nodded, barely allowed a breath when she pushed her two in and smiled at your filled gasp. "Faster.. please.." "I just got in hotstuff." She laughed, but nonetheless began pumping in and out, fucking into you while lapping her tongue over your sensitive clit.

"Oh my god, Chlo.. oh fuck." She stayed quiet, watching you intently as wet sounds filled her ears. "Chlo.. I– fuck–" You could feel it in your belly, balling your fists in the sheets as your body mindlessly tried pulling away from the pleasure.

"M'gonna–" She only watched you, drinking in your reactions that she created. That you wanted her. "Please.." With a whisper, you smacked a hand over your face, muffling your scream as you came, shaking against her tongue, Chloe making sure not to waste any of you away.

"Oh fuck–" You breathed, tears pricking the corners of your eyes, hips jerking towards her face before she finally pulled away.

She didn't say a word, coming up to meet your lips, letting you taste yourself on her tongue.

"You ready for bed now?" She muttered, pulling away from you and pressing her forehead against your own. "Mhm." It was soft, Chloe chuckling at your quietness.

"I'm gonna need my pants back though."

"Oh c'mon, don't I get something?"

A/n: I didn't know how to end it this thing gave me writers block so bad omg

[gauloiseblue]

Private Love Hotel

[Giorno Giovanna × Reader]

Warning: kidnapping, dub-con, yandere

In the wealthy area of Naples, there was once a private hotel owned by the mafia. Only people within the organization who could rent a room, as the hotel itself is just a cover front. Beneath the surface, there was a filthy business going on. Illegal guns, drugs, booze, high-class brothel, and even killing contracts. It was notoriously known as a killing ground, before there was a new policy imposed by the boss. Any killing that happens in this hotel won't be forgiven, and the killer would pay a heavy price—with their own life.

Besides drugs and killing, there were lesser businesses that made people stay for a night. It was the prostitution. Even though it's not as heinous as those top businesses, it still shared the same atrocities. The demand of the escorts were high at that time, and so to meet their demand, they relied to the human trafficking business.

Naples is known for its raving tourism, and it's not a surprise that it added some numbers to the overall missing cases. Although it's not always caused by the human traffickers, it still contributes a hefty part of the cases. Lone travelers, or even local girls were often targeted by them.

But after the great war within the organization, the hotel fell into the hands of the renegades. As a result, it no longer becomes the hotspot for the criminals. There's no more drug trades, and the abducted girls were released discreetly. Of course, there was an outrage from the old pack, but they were quickly shut down by the young rebels.

In the beginning, only a few knew about the existence of such place. But now, there's only one person who can actually enter the hotel.

The reason? Quite simple. Because he's the new owner.

—

"We've arrived, sir."

The man in the back seat slowly blinked away from his thoughts. It seems like the endless ride from Cosenza to his city has finally ended.

"Grazie, Bono."

The chauffeur lowers his head politely, before he opens the door for the young Don.

When he stepped out from the car, he let out a satisfied sigh, as he finally touched the ground. His bones are aching, and he wants nothing but a long and hot shower.

"Pick me up at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning will you, Bono?" He asked, and the old chauffeur replied with 'certainly, sir.'

He dismissed the old chap before he went to the grand buildings in front of him. The buildings have an overall white exterior, with a hint of gold embellishments. There are some wisteria flowers creeping on the wall, and they seem to always bloom. He looks down to the marble tiles under his shoes, it seems like they've been polished. It appears that his henchmen did a great job on keeping this place beautiful when he was away.

The waterfall sound greets him as he opens the door, the replica of Fontana del Nettuno silently watches him as he enters the place.

The elongated pool from the fountain ripples softly when he dips his hand, the water is pleasantly cool. It was something that he usually does whenever he came, though he wasn't quite sure why. Maybe it's because he always wanted to do that before he owned the place, or maybe it's just a peculiar habit of his.

He wanted to sit by the fountain for a bit longer, but he needed to see his cara.

Oh, yes. A woman after his own heart, with a pretty name—(Y/N). A woman with a perseverance in her eyes, burning with hatred. Just like a wildfire, and it's beautiful.

When you were first brought to him, he shivered the moment he met your eyes. You had a certain intensity of willingness to fight, and it mesmerized him. He had planned to release you along with the other girls, but within that second, he changed his mind.

He hums as he presses the lift button, and the familiar 'ding' is heard when the lift has arrived. He ignored the other floors and immediately thumbs the 7th floor button.

The door is closed, and he leans his head to the back as he crosses his hands. He stares at the ceiling, and he finds himself staring at his own reflection. His weariness makes him look far softer, and he no longer looks like the ruthless Don Giorno Giovanna. But he doesn't mind, because at the end of the day, he just wants to come home to you.

As he reaches the 7th floor, he steps into the red-carpeted hallway. This particular floor was exclusively reserved for the higher ranks, as the rooms are bigger than the others. The statues made of marbles are standing on either side of the hall, decorating the place with the touch of arts and plump bodies.

Even though he only uses one room, he keeps most of his wealth in the other rooms. Golds, money, arts, his wide collections of booze and jewelry, and everything unimaginable. Some of them are priceless, and Mista had commented that it's a bad idea to keep them in just one place. But he has his teroso in this hotel, so he might as well put his valuable things in here.

When he opened the door of your room, he noticed that the room was quiet. It's no surprise, given that you always try to hide from him. But when he turned around, he suddenly saw something swing at him at a light speed.

Alas, Golden Experience was faster than you as it caught your hand before you could hurt him.

"Cara." He spoke in a calm manner as he saw you with your hand suspended in the air, holding a screwdriver. And to your horror, the tool in your hand had slowly turned into a white lily.

"How clever of you, you managed to steal this thing from my men when they came here." He commented as he plucked the flower from your hand, "But certainly not patient enough to kill me in my sleep."

There is a visible rush in you as adrenaline makes you tremble, but there's also an unmistakable fear in your eyes. Of course, you didn't know what's going on due to the fact that he never used his stand against you before.

You shrieked when he suddenly twisted your arm painfully and pinned you to the nearest wall. Your cheek was the first one to hit the hard surface, and it would be a lie if it didn't hurt.

"Let go of me!" You shouted and kicked around, but he just chuckled at your futile attempt to fight him.

"How can I become so sure that you won't try to kill me again?" He said with a sneer.

A surprised yelp escapes your mouth when he tears your pants down, cool air begins to kiss on your exposed skin. He called out his stand to keep you pinned to the wall, before you heard the sound of metal clinking and zipper from behind.

"No, no, Giorno, please don't." You protested.

"Relax, (Y/N)." He pried your legs open so easily, even though you had put all of your strength to keep it shut. You almost lost your balance when he pulled your hips toward him, and soon enough you felt him lining his member in front of your lower lips. You screamed when he entered you in just one thrust.

"Please, please Giorno—" Your voice choked up when he began to move. The initial thrush didn't hurt you much, but with every snap of his hips, the pain was gradually increasing. Even though you despise his touch, he never treated you like anything but a lover. But the way he treats you now is like how you were being used in the past, and it shouldn't bother you but it did. Unknowingly, you begin to sob.

You feel the weight that has been holding you against the wall disappear, before Giorno presses himself against your back. He slips his hand under your chin, and guides you to face him. You feel his lips grazing on your wet cheek. "Why do you always want to run away from me, cara?" He began to speak as he kissed you, "All I ever did to you was to make you happy, and I only asked you to love me in return."

"It's not fair," You cried, "I didn't ask for all of this."

"Oh, cara." He cooed to you softly, "You just haven't realized how much you need me. But I'll wait for you, I'll wait for however long it takes."

He begins to return to his usual pace, where he takes you in a slow and loving manner. Although you still refuse to give in, he no longer sees any resistance from you. He smirks, you were just like a wild thing, but it seems like he finally got you under his control.

[stoupax]

@mapeslyrup ehehe, if you say so...

Areum Roseroad's a middle child, between older brother Daris and younger sister Senna. he becomes the patriarch of the house when their father grows too senile. Daris is the lead engineer/architect of the family business, Senna married a man in their ancestors' homeland of Koryo and lives in Kara-Tur, and Areum practices law. he wanted to go into bill-drafting for public works, but the powers-that-be in Baldur's Gate were like hmm seems like a conflict of interest, since your family operates primarily as a construction magnate, so he ended up specializing in trade policy. this means he's had the pleasure of dealing with mister arms dealer Lord Gortash over the years.

his wife and the love of his life is Narae, a renowned wizard and magic theorist, and they have one son: Sarim.

...or two sons, since Areum's longtime animal companion is the grey parrot, Cath. Areum loves birds and maintains an aviary in the glass conservatory attached to the Roseroad manor.

Areum's father (Sarim's grandpa) passes away just before the events of BG3. Areum returns to work after some bereavement time, and finds that Gortash has specifically handed him a weird case that needs immediate attention. irritated and unwilling to wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to get this done (Areum wants this shit off his desk ASAP) he goes and handles the menial aspects of it himself. it includes inspecting a small storeroom of confiscated property from an Elturelian tiefling moving into Baldur's Gate.

among this guy's stuff is a scroll case. it's the only thing Areum can actually get into out of all the crates and chests. it turns out to be some kind of IOU to the owner: a djinni wish in exchange for an old favor. the djinni tied to the scroll is surprised, because Areum is not the guy who is supposed to redeem this wish, and his circumstances since asking the tief for the favor have changed drastically: he's stuck in an empty demi-plane of Air. the djinni and Areum are both dumbfounded by each other, and there isn't time to figure out wtf is going on here, because This Is When The Nautiloid Flies Over the City.

Areum shuts the scroll case in a panic and unthinkingly shoves it in his pack, tries to leave the warehouse to see wtf is going on, but guards keep him inside. Sarim, in another part of town, is abducted.

(in an alternative timeline, Areum does get out of the warehouse, and is abducted instead. he's just a fucking lawyer, so when he's on a crashing illithid ship, he quickly makes a pact with the djinni in the scroll out of necessity. congrats Areum, you are a level one warlock! eldritch blast your way back to Toril!)

in the days following the Nautiloid flyover, Areum and Narae are wrecked by the disappearance of their son. he's considered one of the countless missing civilians, and they take part in search efforts, trawling wrecked parts of the city for him. soon they're called upon to identify a body that matches Sarim's description. it turns out to not be him, but it freaks them out more than it brings them relief, and then Areum remembers the scroll. he fills his wife in on it and they open it together, to see if they can wish Sarim back.

due to wibbly wobbly Netherese magic, the djinni can't whisk Sarim from wherever he is. he cannot locate him, and even if he could, can't guarantee that bringing him here won't have dire consequences. not wanting to go back to the lonely darkness of his inexplicable prison, the djinni suggests a pact. he doesn't want to lose this tether to the Material Plane, and Areum seems a much better character than the tiefling the djinni originally owed the wish to. Narae's very skeptical of warlock pacts, but if this can help them figure out what's going on and how to get Sarim back, then it's a chance worth taking. with his wife as a witness, Areum ties himself to the djinni, and the scroll is destroyed.

somewhere else, the tiefling is PISSED that he lost the scroll. he had plans for it, damnit. (surely this won't bite Areum in the ass, right?)

incidentally: the djinni, whose name is Iram (UNINTENTIONALLY CLOSE TO AREUM, LMAO) is the father of Sarim's "ex," an air genasi named Ayaz (who was also abducted by the Nautiloid). it's a little while before the dads realize this connection. I love Dad Pact and I can talk about it forever. Iram, Ayaz, and the rascally tiefling mentioned above belong to @kota-stoker.

[good-old-gossip]

“The recent surge of settler terrorism in the West Bank is the inevitable culmination of years of policy decisions. Over the past decade, successive Israeli governments have unabashedly armed settlers.

The motive has always been crystal clear: to embolden settlers as enforcers of the Israeli government’s agenda, spreading chaos and instilling fear among our Palestinian communities.

Since 7 October, our communities have been subjected to more than 700 documented attacks, with a daily average of four incidents. Perhaps most chilling is the undeniable involvement of the Israeli military in these settler attacks.

This disturbing collusion, combined with a paltry 3% conviction rate for settler violence cases, lays bare a systematic effort to shield perpetrators from accountability.

The recent coordinated settler attacks on Palestinian communities throughout the occupied West Bank struck fear deep into our hearts and left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Life for us as Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has become unbearable.

The Israeli army’s imposition of checkpoints and detours, often to facilitate the protection of settlers, suffocates our freedom of movement. I’ve personally felt the impact of these restrictions acutely. I now find myself visiting my elderly mother and family in Nablus far less frequently, despite living only an hour away.

Towns like Huwwara, once a bustling economic centre, have become a shadow of their former selves amid recurring settler attacks.

The devastating impact of these attacks has forced many business owners to abandon their livelihoods and relocate in a desperate bid to survive. Soon, we may find ourselves trapped in even more isolated urban pockets, surrounded by the constant spectre of settler terrorism.

We’re becoming prisoners in our own homeland; our very existence is threatened. Will the world shake off its slumber and put an end to this descent into catastrophe before it’s too late?”

✍️ by Falastine Saleh