#Safety and security label

[mossy-covered-bones]

I openly use it/its alongside they/he in a queer org i help run irl. Since i figure if im open abt that other people will be less nervous abt asking people to use it/its or neopronouns and shit like that. And i wasnt really expecting people to use it for me, since lotsa people arent comfortable w that and i had other options. And let me tell ya how cool it is to see a newer member show up and just go ‘oh im like you, i use he/it!” And see one of my fellow exec, in a message where she had exactly one pronoun referring to me, use it. Its so fucking nice, let me tell you, i love being Vocally Queer :]

[bob3160]

FCC’s New ‘Cyber Trust Mark’ - Shining Shield or Shiny Sticker

[seemabhatnagar]

"UP High Court Upholds Food Safety Standards: Sugandhit Supari Classified as Food Product Under FSSA, 2006"

The court held that "sugandhit supari" is classified as a food item under the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006, and not merely a tobacco product under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. The summoning order passed by Additional Session Judge Jhasi and the non-bailable warrant issued by Additional District Judge Jhasi were upheld. The application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing these orders was dismissed.

Jagdish Prasad & Another v. State of UP & Another

Crl. Misc. Case No.11772/2024

Before the High Court of Allahabad

Heard by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal J

Fact:

The applicants firm M/s Balaji Traders Orai was involved in the manufacturing and sale of a product named "sugandhit supari".

An inspection was conducted by the Food Security Officer on 20.02.2020 at the manufacturing unit of the firm.

During the inspection, 370 packets of "sugandhit supari" were found, four of which were purchased and sent for analysis.

The food analyst's report indicated that the product contained tobacco, was of substandard quality, and did not meet labeling requirements.

A complaint was filed, leading to the summoning of the applicants and the issuance of a non-bailable warrant.

Legal Issue

Whether "sugandhit supari" is classified as a tobacco product or a food item under the relevant laws.

Whether the proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA, 2006) are valid if "sugandhit supari" is a tobacco product.

Point of arguments

Applicant's argument

"Sugandhit supari" is a tobacco product, and thus proceedings under the FSSA, 2006 are erroneous.

The product should be regulated under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003).

Even if considered a food item, the applicants hold a valid license, making the invocation of the FSSA, 2006 incorrect.

Opposite Party's Argument

"Sugandhit supari" is a food item and thus falls under the purview of the FSSA, 2006.The applicants failed to present a valid license at the time of inspection.

Court's Observation

The FSSA, 2006 regulates food items to ensure safety for human consumption, while the COTPA, 2003 focuses on regulating and controlling tobacco product.

It considered the inclusion of betel nut (supari) under the definition of food and primary food in the FSSA, 2006 and its standards under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: Defines "food" as any substance intended for human consumption and includes primary food (Section 3(1)(j)). Betel nut falls under this category as it is a primary food product derived from agriculture.

COTPA, 2003: Regulates tobacco products listed in its schedule. Betel nut (supari) is not listed as a tobacco product under COTPA, 2003 unless it contains tobacco as an ingredient.

[gaza-giving-tree]

Imagine knowing you have only hours left in a place you once called refuge—because the bombs are coming. Imagine being told you have to flee again, this time with just a mattress and a few clothes, to find a sliver of sand near the sea where thousands of other displaced families have already pitched makeshift tents. You're only 200 meters from a declared evacuation zone, and every moment that passes feels like a deadly countdown. There is no safety, no certainty��only the urgent need to survive one more day with your children.

Images: (Top) Hossam and his children, sitting stop the ruins of their home before Hossam cleared out the debris and did his best to rebuild what he could. (Bottom) A recent photo of Bashar, Hani, Diana and little Habiba, eating food bought with money raised from your donations.

@habob-family

Written by @rumiandroses

Hossam Al-Qazzaz, his wife Hanan, and their four young children (Bashar, Hani, Diana, and baby Habiba) have been displaced again and again. For months they have endured bombardments, lived in a fragile tent, survived on scraps, and risked their lives just to secure the resources they need in order to survive. Recently, Hossam described navigating chaos and gunfire just to reach a foreign aid center—leaving at 2 a.m., dodging bullets, watching others die for food.

Now, what little fragile stability they have is crumbling again.

An evacuation notice from the IDF, issued to Hossam's region.

TRANSLATION:

Top text: To all those present in blocks 47, 106, 108, 109 in Khan Younis Governorate

Red zone label (center): Dangerous combat zone

Blue box (bottom right): The Israeli Defense Forces will operate with full force in your area of presence. The terrorist organizations, led by H*m*s, continue their terrorist activities in the civilian areas where you live! For your safety, evacuate immediately westward to Al-Mawasi.

Box with QR code (left side): Scan the QR code to view the block map

Hossam and his family are just 200 meters from the evacuation zone. Israeli forces have ordered mass evacuations in Khan Younis. With nowhere else to go, Hossam walked to the beach to scout a small patch of ground between the tents of other displaced families. He will move his wife and children there—closer to the sea, and further from any known safety.

“We’re being cornered,” Hossam wrote to us. "They’re pushing us all into a narrow strip on the coast.”

This is not just a crisis. It is a relentless and systemic stripping away of dignity, shelter, food, and hope.

Please pray for Hossam and his family. Please share. And if you’re able, please donate to help them survive another forced displacement. Your help may be the only lifeline left.

You can donate to the Al-Qazzaz family's campaign here:

We also are sponsoring a Chuffed campaign to assist the family with evacuating, and rebuilding their lives when possible:

The Al-Qazzaz family's campaign has been vetted by @gazavetters and is (#287) on their list of verified campaigns.

[writingsbychlo]

BUY ME PRESENTS | draco malfoy

summary; draco loves you, and you love him. he just needs a little push to make things official. OR, draco malfoy fighting for his life when he realises just how much everyone wants his girl.

word count; 8928

notes; this is based on christmas eve, but I'm posted a couple days later! this fic puts us half way through our slytherin boy holidays! I'm not sure how the one I expected to be the shortest became the longest one so far. like, seriously, I know I keep saying this but wtf? why can't I write a short fic?

Dinner had already been served by the time you made it to the Grand Hall, the smells of roasted meats and seasoned potatoes filling the air, your mouth watering as you navigated between the throngs of people. Your seat had been saved, of course. A spot on the bench between Draco and Daphne, and as you neared, your friends noticed, smiles rising and waves in your direction. 

Sinking into your seat, you pressed a kiss to the cheek of the blond boy beside you, his face tipping up to receive it and lips twisting into a smile, attention moving to you as you sat. 

“Good day?”

“Better now that it’s over.” You smiled, a chuckle falling from him, and his hand came to rest upon your thigh, squeezing comfortingly while you helped yourself to a plate of whatever food was left. “What are we talking about, what did I miss?”

“Not much. Just Theo telling us all about Christmas in Italy.” Mattheo rolled his eyes, as though you all hadn't heard this exact same speech since that very first Christmas you’d become friends. Most of the group seemed to have simply tuned it out, laughing and nodding at the correct times as they whispered their own conversations. 

A swipe of a thumb over your thigh as you finished filling your plate with food, and you shifted your attention to Draco. “So, what are your Christmas plans, Dray?”

Shuffling a little bit closer now that your plate was full, his arm moved to lay across your shoulders instead, letting you snuggle up into his side. “Oh, you know, the usual.” 

He smiled, and your world seemed to get a little bit brighter, his lips brushing your hairline as he left a barely-present kiss there. 

“Typical Malfoy-family Christmas. I get to do the tour with my parents, visiting every other rich-arsehole couple they know. Christmas Eve party. The pleasure of my father’s annual ‘you’re growing up now, son, it’s time to get serious about the world’ over the dinner table on Christmas Day. Open some presents I don’t want, on a schedule I don’t like.” He sighed, clearly used to it by now, but it didn’t make it sound any less awful.

“Well,” You smile, nudging him playfully with your elbow. “Maybe we could write to one another, or even get a little visit in?” 

The hope in your voice was evident, and Pansy gave you an encouraging smile across the table. You’d been meaning to ask Draco this question for weeks now, and your last chance had been fast approaching. Since the summer, you and Draco had been hooking up. It was no secret among your friends, or even the students; your affections for one another were hardly contained, but it wasn't official. 

You wanted the labels, the security, and the safety of knowing that he was yours and you were his, and nobody else could come between you. You wanted to be introduced to his parents, be his date at events, to have him be proud to call you his girl. But Draco had been hesitant, avoiding every conversation that might inch into the ‘so, what are we?’ territory, keeping a safe distance from any kind of real commitment. 

It wasn’t enough for you anymore, not by a long shot, but trying to talk to Draco about it only ended up with him shutting it down, or skilfully diverting the conversation and you were growing tired of his games. 

Draco only made a vague noise, neither an agreement nor disagreement, and looked away from you as he picked up his drink to take a sip. “I don’t know… maybe. I can get pretty busy over the holidays, I’d hate to let you down.”

Another skill of his, making it seem like cancelling or delaying or not doing something at all was your idea. He was clearly hoping you’d brush it off, and tell him not to worry about it, but instead, you kept quiet. Not giving him the satisfaction of any easy win, this time. 

Pansy caught your eye across the table, shaking her head disapprovingly, and shooting a glare at an oblivious Draco. She had been your confidant these last few months, every update and development in your situationship, she’d been informed of. Every decision, she’d been a part of. She was practically as invested as you were, at this point, and she certainly did not approve of his nonchalant behaviour either. 

“Speaking of parties,” Mattheo cut Theo off, clearly having had enough of the annual rehashing of ‘that one Christmas when Theo was eight’ for today, and changing the subject, “Who’s got their dates sorted for the Malfoy Christmas Eve Ball, and who’s daring to go solo and have Narcissa set them up like a matchmaker all night long?”

Chuckles rang out among the group, and Pansy smiled, leaning into Blaise’s side with a love-struck grin. “I think we’re safe this year.”

“I’m going solo, but, I did tell Aunty Cissa that I have my eye on a girl in one of my classes, and I’m seeing how it plays out. So, she’s not setting me up anytime soon, since she believes I’m already onto someone.” Enzo smirked, and Blaise congratulated him for his clever tactics. 

You smirked through your mouthful of food, listening to Mattheo explain his complex excuse, to Reggie mournfully spill the story of how he’s already been set up by his parents witha ‘potential bride to meet’, and how he hopes she doesn’t show up. You laugh with the others as Tom simply raises an eyebrow, knowing that even Narcissa doesn’t attempt to set him up anymore, lest he scare away any more of her friends’ daughters. Theo, ever the player he is, is looking forward to dancing with every single lady he can find, and taking his pick at the end of the night.

“I suppose nobody needs to ask Draco who his date will be.” Mattheo grins, wiggling his brows at the pair of you as you smile, leaning a little further into the man at your side. 

“Hey, who knows?” He chortles, and your eyes narrow a little, “I’ve had plenty of offers. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“Oooh.” Enzo’s eyes went wide, the other boys joining in, and Pansy fixed him with a glare. Daphne leaned around you with her jaw dropped at his statement, and you sat up from his embrace, lips pressed flat and a brow raised. 

The boys snickered, ‘he’s in shit’ and ‘someone’s in the doghouse’, but he lived for the spotlight, a drama queen at heart, and he smirked down at you. 

“Oh, c’mon. Don’t look at me like that, babe.” The playful nickname was one he only ever used when joking around. When he was sincere, he was much more romantic; darling, sweetheart, beautiful. “What am I supposed to say? ‘Hi mum, hello father, meet the girl I’m skipping class to shag! Thanks for paying my tuition!’, I don’t think so.”

The boys all laughed, Daphne scoffed in sync with her sister behind you, and Pansy looked like she’d lunge across the table at any moment, if it wasn’t for her chastising Blaise for laughing, instead. ‘You and Draco can share that couch you’ll both be sleeping on tonight’, she’d said. ‘See how funny you think it is then’.

The words stung as he spoke them, dismantling your relationship down to the bare minimum; to sex and physical connection and nothing else. Like the nights spent talking until the sun came up were nothing, the times you’d held him while he cried, or washed him in the bath when he was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. Like he didn’t rub your stomach for hours every month when you got cramps, or had a stash of your favourite snacks in his bedside table for whenever you came over. 

You knew that Draco Malfoy lived you, just as much as you loved him. It was evident in everything he did, every kiss and every word. But, he needed a little push.

“I suppose you’re right,” You sigh lightly, giggling along with the laughing boys around the table. “I’m not so sure Lucius wouldn't burst a blood vessel then and there.”

“Exactly.” Draco hummed, and you glanced back to Pansy. She was shocked, only for a second, before taking in the subtle signs of mischief on your face. Her own smirk stretched out in return, and her gaze flickered once to Draco, before back to you. 

A new game was afoot, and Draco wasn’t going to stand a chance.

Slipping your coat from your shoulders, the annual Malfoy Christmas Eve Ball was well underway. Your parents had disappeared into the crowds before you’d even stepped out of the carriage, uncaring of where you were as long as you weren’t causing trouble. They were here to mingle with the other importants, and you were just here to learn the ropes of proper socialising.

The garment was taken from you, your small bag clutched in hand as a ticket was given to you for it, and you brushed down the front of your dress delicately. Pearls moved under your touch, beading along the bodice flat and perfected, and you felt your confidence rise as you looked at yourself once more in the reflection of a dark window. Adjusting the small lace gloves on each hand, you took a step towards the dining room. 

Elegant music was playing from a live band up on a stage, the room was decorated this year to look like a winter escape. Pale and frosty, like a palace of ice, twinkling lights and glittering decor, crisp white tablecloths and ice sculptures. A layer of goosebumps travelled along your skin at the sight of it all, despite the warming charms that took place for the guests. 

Scanning the room, you quickly found your table. The designated kids table, despite you all being legal adults and far beyond such status. You’d all be the babies of the ball until the new generation emerged, no doubt. Moving through the bodies and crowds of people politely, Theo was the first to glance up and spot you, his mouth falling open, and a rush of confidence took over as he raised two fingers to his lips and whistled. 

The sound caught the attention of the others’ chatter fading to quiet as they all turned to look for the object of his cat-calling, Enzo’s eyes widened, Pansy cheered loudly, and even Mattheo looked momentarily speechless. You’d had the same reaction when you’d seen yourself in the dress too, your stylist had truly outdone herself for this one. 

You looked flawless, and you looked expensive, and utterly elegant. Doing a little spin as you approached, a smile broke free on your lips as you stopped before the chair with your name card before it. 

“Merlin, babe,” Pansy started, drawing your attention straight her her, “You’ve got every eye on you tonight. If I was single, I’d be all over you.” 

She winked when you laughed, and Blaise rolled his eyes but smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek affectionately. 

“Pretty necklace,” She commented, and your fingers rose to the pretty string of pearls and diamonds that you had. 

“It was a gift,” You simply hummed, tugging at your gloves. Glancing at the others, you gave each a polite smile, eyes lingering on Draco as he stared. In any other style, this dress would be scandalous for an event like this. A low neckline, spaghetti straps, no sleeves. Tight and fitted to every curve of your body, and yet the classic designs and vintage nature elevated it to the kind of class Audrey Hepburn would be proud of. 

He looked just as good, a dark suit, a fresh white shirt, a champagne-coloured tie that made the colour of his eyes and his hair stand out and your mouth dried out a little. Silver rings adorned his fingers, the Malfoy signet standing out, clenched so tightly around his whiskey glass that his knuckles were almost white. 

You’d worn soft, golden makeup effects today, a dusting of glitter along your cheekbones and eyelids, a shade of pink on your cheeks and lips that you knew was his weakness. 

“Someone really wanted your attention with that, huh?” Your best friend teased, and your eyes snapped away from Draco, back to her. 

“I suppose so,” You muse, hand coming up to touch one of the beads on your ear, “Since they also got me this lovely pair of matching earrings.”

Pansy made a dramatic show of admiring them, and Blaise gave a funny look, glancing at the jewellery, and then back at Draco, who was frowning. Before you could reach for your chair after placing your clutch down, Enzo was shooting to his feet from beside you, tugging out the chair for you. 

Draco scoffed as you gave him a thank you, settling into your seat, and he glared at the man beside you. Enzo didn’t flinch, however, smirking at Draco as he spoke;

“What? It’s called being a gentleman, cousin.”

Crossing your leg delicately, you’d hardly even removed your gloves, before a tray was coming down by your side, and a young waiter with a dazzling smile was looking right at you. 

“Champagne, ma’am?” Not a planned pawn in your game, but a welcome addition, you smiled sweetly in return. 

“Oh, I’d love some. Thank you.” Taking the single glass by the stem, you lifted it from the tray and the man’s smile stretched wider as you sipped the bubbly, holding his eye. 

“Of course, miss. If you need anything, anything at all, I’ll be at the bar, happy to serve.” His flirting was heavy enough that normally you’d want to roll your eyes, but tonight, you suppressed that urge, playing into it as you bat your lashes. 

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Thank you.”

He took the dismissal, staring appreciatively as he walked away, another look over his shoulder to you as you watched him go. 

“Stop eye-fucking the help.” Draco snapped, and your focus moved to him slowly, just to find his icy glare on you. He didn’t scare you, though, all that mean bravado, but you knew what was underneath. 

“I was doing no such thing.” You tut, placing down your drink. “Don’t be jealous, Dray. You look even better in that suit. If you want compliments, just ask. No need to be mean.”

He seemed rather placated by this, his ego settling down, even if the others did laugh at him.

The conversation seemed to continue around you as you settled in, avoiding Draco’s heated stare and sipping at your champagne. The rush of warming alcohol through your veins settled every dancing nerve, and gave you the calm confidence to do what you had planned. Sitting forwards, just enough, you angled your body so that Draco might have the perfect view over your cleavage as you feigned interest in the chatter around you. 

He took the bait, his gaze falling right where you wanted it, the gems of your necklace dangling just over the swell of your breasts, and he licked his lower lip, pulling it between his teeth.

Raising your hands and catching the swinging gem, you toyed with it carefully, letting it run over your fingers. Time melted away as Draco’s gaze flicked between your nimble touch, your lips, and your chest, shuffling in his seat every so often, and gulping at the bubbly in his glass. 

He was on his third refill by the time food started to be taken around, and you took pity on him momentarily, sitting back in your chair and angling away from him, ready to receive your first course. 

As the starters came around, you turned to thank your waiter, surprised to see it was the same man from the bar who had brought you your champagne. You’d given him little thought since he’d walked away, and you’d never spotted him again, but perhaps that was exactly why he was delivering your food now, as he beamed at you and set down the plate. 

Men did love a little attention, after all. 

Reaching for the bottle of champagne cooling in the centre of the table, the waiter never looked away from you as he refilled your glass without being asked. Draco finally seemed to notice as he finished adjusting his napkin, gaze narrowing on the man serving you. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” He muttered.

You pretended to take no notice, smiling at the man and waving your fingers flirtily as he walked away.

“I’m going to get another drink at the bar,” He announced, leaving without his glass and without asking if anyone else wanted one. You knew where he was truly going, if the lock of his jaw and the stamp in his step were any indication. You doubted you’d be seeing that waiter again.

As you poked at your food, Pansy excused herself too, only a few bites into her meal before she disappeared with a wicked grin and no explanation to anyone. Enzo just chuckled beside you, glancing around the room like he was watching all the cogs of a machine in motion, before turning his gaze on you. “You do look lovely tonight, do you know that?”

“Of course I do. I spent days on end trying on dress after dress to find this.” You sighed, admiring the gorgeous piece of art on your body as you set your cutlery down. 

“And is it serving the purpose you need it to?” He teased, voice knowing, and you nodded. Flicking your gaze over the patrons and guests in the room, you searched for Draco, finding him talking politely to one of his mother’s friends at the bar. 

“It is, I think.”

“Let’s hope it stays that way.” He whispered, your focus still on the man who truly held your heart, who was making his polite excuse and walking way, back towards you all. His gaze locked on yours, only for a second, before Pansy was calling your name and drawing your focus elsewhere. 

When you looked up to her, she was grinning, a man by her side. “This is Elliot, he’s been wanting to meet you for some time. I promised him I’d introduce you both tonight.”

You offered the best smile you could as his cheeks reddened, and Pansy merely patted him on the shoulder, slinking away as you offered your hand to him. “Lovely to meet you, Elliot.”

“You too. As embarrassing as that introduction was, it’s true. I have wanted to meet you for some time.” He had a kind smile and pretty eyes, and he seemed far too nice to be dragged into your game tonight, but he seemed almost like a willing participant, and you weren’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. As Draco took his seat, Elliot continued, “Pansy has told me so much about you. You know, if you’re free one day before you go back to that fancy boarding school of yours, I’d love to take you out.”

“Yeah? What have you got in mind?” You smile, twisting a little more to face him, and your encouragement only brightens his expression as Draco’s darkens in your peripheral.

“A night in London, perhaps. We could get dinner, and see the opera?”

“She doesn’t like the opera.” Draco sneered, openly staring at Elliot with enough contempt to scare away lesser men. Elliot tugged at his collar, glancing at Draco, and then back to you as you tried to hide your shock at his behaviour.

“The theatre, then?”

Draco looked ready to snap again, and before he could, you nodded, sparing your unwilling partner. “That sounds wonderful, I’ll see what my schedule says. I’ll get in touch with you through Pansy if I can find the time, is that okay?”

“Perfect.” He smiled, sneaking another wary glance at Draco who was not backing down from glaring at him unflinchingly, but Elliot shook it off, bravely. “It was a pleasure to meet you, truly.”

“And you, Elliot.”

Soon after he left, the plates were being cleared. You tried not to smirk as a different waiter, and one who very pointedly did not so much as even catch your gaze, cleared your dishes away at record speed. 

You knew that Draco had something, everything, to do with that. He was jealous by nature, a spoilt single child who did not like to share his favourite toys, and that is exactly what you were betting on tonight.

You stood, taking a lap around the room with Pansy to settle your food before the next course, and to get another drink. She took the opportunity to fill you in on how her first Christmas event with Blaise’s family had gone, and when you returned, you made sure to surreptitiously place yourself behind Draco’s chair. 

You placed a hand on his shoulder, a friendly gesture, squeezing and rubbing enough that your thumb swept over his collar and across his neck. His pulse jumped under your touch, and he tipped his head closer, into your touch. 

As he did so, your heart leapt in your chest. To others, it might look like a friendly gesture but to you, it meant so much more. You were tempted to cave then and there, to live with this being enough, to settle, but you couldn't. You didn’t want this to be it, you wanted to follow this by leaning down to kiss him, to have him smile against your lips in public the way he did when you were alone. 

To arrive at these events together, arms linked, and to stumble out tiredly together too. To sit by him, his hand on your thigh, to rest your head on his shoulder, to kiss him on the dance floor. The thought was enough to push you through. 

He twisted his head, to kiss your hand like he often did when you did this. Carefully, you slipped your hand away just in time, knuckles brushing across the nape of his neck as you stepped away, and back to your seat. 

His sights moved to you, but like a saving grace, the servers began to appear with more dishes, and dinner soon distracted you all. A delicious serving of salmon and potatoes, and the hall fell quiet enough for you to hear the beautiful music playing when chatter fell low. 

Low conversation, drinks refilled, and that perfect mood set across the room, as people took to the tables and quieted down. Your favourite part of the night, usually. Good food, your friends, and a chance to catch up without the usual weight of it all sitting on you. Regulus was talking, telling the rare story that had him caught up in a long conversation where he usually just observed quietly, but your attention was fixed on your lover. 

Until, Theo spoke up. 

“Oh, merda,” He muttered across Reggie’s’ story, his gaze cutting to you alarmingly quickly. “I forgot to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Your heart skipped a beat, a flash of panic.

“My cousin flew in last minute for the party, and he wants to speak to you.” Theo’s words soothed your panic, and you offered him a flat look for the dramatic way he’d put it. Taking a sip from your glass, you raised a brow.

“When?”

“Now.” He confirmed, sights lifting to sit just behind you, and before you could even turn, a chair was being pulled up beside your own from another table. Turning your head to the owner, a smile burst across your face at the man sitting before you. 

“Dario!” Your arms were around his neck before you could stop yourself, and he was chuckling as he bundled you into an equally enthusiastic hug. He chuckled lightly, pulling back only far enough to press a friendly kiss to your cheek, and you cupped his face as you parted from him. “You’re growing a beard!”

“My mother hates it.” He chuckled, rubbing a hand over it. As you twisted a little more towards him, he reached down, practically manhandling you as he reached for the edge of your seat by your legs, tugging it sideways to face him. You squealed as the chair jolted, screeching on the floor, tugging you closer as he leaned in. “Sei incantevole.”

“Are you charming me in Italian?” You smirk, a boyish smile on his face as he lounged back in his seat. “What are you doing here, anyway? Theo said none of you were flying in this year! I thought you couldn't make it.”

“I couldn't,” He sighed, shrugging, “But, then I heard that you would be here, without a date, and I knew I just had to make it. So, here I am, la mia bella donna. You think a short flight from Italy would stop me rushing over here to you?”

Your giggle was against your control. Even if he was more like family than a romantic interest, the way his accent twisted around coyly spoken words, was enough to bring a blush to even the most unreceptive woman’s face. “Cut it out, you flirt.”

“You’ll save me a dance later, right?”

“We’ll see.” He rose his brow, and you lifted your glass, taking a sip of bubbly to hide your smile, leaving him hanging. “Depends on how much more of your cheesy flirting I can endure.”

“You mean my wonderful Italian charm?” He teased, pinching one of your cheeks, and deepening the flush he had already created. “Don’t think I don’t see the way I make you blush.

You could only scoff, mouth dry as you tried to think of a retort, and you didn’t miss Theo muttering in Italian behind you, curse words you’d picked up on tumbling from his mouth. 

“Perhaps this can convince you,” Dario reaches for his inner pocket, producing a small, slim box. An excited squeak breaks from you as he hands it over, your fingers brushing the elegant leather, an Italian name embossed across the front. “Open it later, alright?”

You could only nod, admiring it happily, before slipping the box safely inside of your clutch. He took your hand, kissing your knuckles as he stood. A final wink as he offered you hid charming goodbyes, and a farewell to the rest of the table, before returning his borrowed chair to where he had taken it from. 

You watched as your friend left, disappearing into the crowd, no doubt to mingle and socialise as he had always been so good at, before you swung back around in your chair. 

“He taught you everything you know, huh, Nott?”

Theo only shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face. “What can I say, tesoro? We Nott men just have charm. We’ll woo your panties right off.” He winked, the cockiness not lasting long as Draco swung at him, a fist landing roughly on his arm as the Malfoy heir scowled, glaring at his best friend. 

“Cut it out.” He growled the words through gritted teeth, and your hand shot up, rubbing at your lip to hide your grin as Draco made no effort to hide his own emotions. Theo only laughed, rubbing at the patch on his arm he’d taken the hit.

Dessert was served, a beautiful display of ice cream and winter berries that almost looked too good to eat. The key word being almost. You hadn't been able to resist, however, and the first small groan you’d let out as the sugar hit your tongue had Draco’s gaze snapping straight to you. I did not leave, once, after. 

Instead, he watched, through a dark gaze, every curl of your lips around the spoon, every swipe of your tongue to catch the juice of burst berries. If you’d put on a little extra show, just for him, nobody else had to know. 

It was like he was staring right into your soul, so intense, even after the meal was long since finished. Finally, you indulged him once again, turning to look at him and raising a brow. “Yes, Draco?”

“You look beautiful tonight, I am simply admiring.” He let his gaze move across you slowly, making his admiration apparent, and his gaze lingered a fraction of a second longer on your neck. He stared at you with open adoration, the kind of look that told you exactly how he felt, even if he was fighting it, but he was close to breaking. He was close to losing this game he didn’t know he was playing. Then, his gaze flickered over your shoulder, sweet observation morphing. His brows drew together, his open hand slamming down on the table hard enough to make the glass rattle. “Oh, fucking hell…”

Mattheo erupted with sudden laughter, loud and brash, and there was a tap on your shoulder before you could even ask him what had him in such hysterics. A young man you did not know, perhaps a few years younger than you, and glanced around the table to see which of your friends had put this one together. Each seemed to have caught on in their own time, and had a hand in adding to the fun, to watch Draco suffer more, but none of them were laying any claim to this one. 

“I’ve been watching you all evening, and you are beautiful.” He smiled, stuttering over his words slightly, and Draco made no shy show of his disdain, rolling his eyes and making a disapproving sound. “I was wondering if you might grant me the pleasure of a dance?”

“She would dance with you,” Enzo interrupted, before you could speak at all, leaning forward toward the edge of your chair from his own, and you could have kissed him in gratitude for saving you. “But, she promised me her first dance. Isn’t that right, love? And I think now is the perfect time. Let’s go.”

Offering you his hand, you took it, letting him sweep you away without a second’s delay, navigating you both to the dance floor and twirling you expertly into his arms. One hand clasped your own, the other sitting at a respectable place on your waist, your own on his shoulder, and he fell into the well-rehearsed steps of a classical ballroom dance he’d been doing since he could walk. 

You let out a shaky sigh, relief flooding your veins as you looked back to your seat, noticing that the boy had taken Enzo’s rejection well and disappeared, not hanging around and waiting for your return. 

“You’re killing him slowly, like a predator playing with its prey,” Enzo smirked, neither of you needing to clarify who you were talking about, as he brought up his cousin. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” He chuckled, spinning you out before pulling you back in, sharp actions that made you dizzy with their accuracy, and you grinned as he brought you tumbling right back into his arms, perfectly. If he’d been trying to win you over, his dancing alone would’ve had you swooning. “You just show up to a fancy event like this, dripping in diamonds and pearls and looking like a million bucks, supposedly single. You mean to tell me you didn’t know that all these rich London boys wouldn't descend on you like vultures?”

“Not my fault I’m single and hot, Enz.”

He just laughed, dipping you a little. “We do struggle, don’t we.” You wove between people, a happy silence falling between you both once again as he guided you over the floor, back and forth, “Are you, though? Single, I mean.”

“That is up to your cousin.”

“Touché.”

You continued to move, until your feet were sore from all the twirling, clinging to Enzo in fits of giggles as he spun and twirled and dipped you more, hands on your waist as he lifted you through the air, making a show of his dancing. 

He may have seemed altruistic in his gestures, sweeping in to save you and Draco from your dance with the boy, but he was using you too. Enzo was taking every opportunity to show off his moves to every lady around the room watching, a flirty smile on his face between conversations and he glanced around, and you wouldn't be surprised if he received more offers than Theo or Dario by the end of the night. 

As the third song came to an end, and the music fell for just a second, you panted slightly, arm around his neck now, looking up at him with flushed cheeks and a bright smile. “Can we take a break?”

“Tired, already? You only gave me three so far.” He smirked at the way your jaw dropped, your face going hot and you knew your cheeks were red. You untangled yourself from his body, barely making it a step away from his laughter before he wrapped an arm around your waist, tugging you into his side. “Oh, c’mon. I thought the aim was to flirt and make him mad?”

“He’s not even here to listen!”

“I’m practising,” Enzo murmured, steering you towards the bar, and leaning on the wood as he flagged down the bartender. You were quickly served, by a woman who fawned over Enzo as she passed by, and you had to snap your fingers in front of his face to snap his gaze away from her retreating form. “So, how long are you going to make him—”

A tap on Enzo’s shoulder cut him off, and he turned to look, straightening up instantly from his slumped position. As soon as he moved so you could see, your relaxation melted away too, as you found yourself face to face with Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. 

“Lorenzo, I’ve hardly had a chance to talk to you all evening. I want to ask you about your schoolwork.” The impressively formal and deep voice of Lucius Malfoy settled over your skin like fresh snow, cold but smooth, and you shuddered. 

Narcissa only chuckled lightly at her husband’s words, her eyes on you. “You’ve been busy, though. Who is your lovely lady?”

“Uncle Lucius, Aunt Cissa. This is my friend, (Y/n).”

It wasn’t exactly the circumstances you’d wanted to meet them under, but you smiled nonetheless, nerves running wild as you offered your hand to them both, shaking politely just as your parents had taught you. 

“Ah, (Y/n). Yes. I make a point of knowing all of Draco’s school friends, but I’m in business with your father, aren’t I?” Something like a small kernel of sweetness was buried in that statement, his interest in his son’s life, even if he tried to hide it behind formalities, but it wasn’t your place to comment. 

“Yes, sir. That is correct.”

“They’re very proud of your schoolwork. They were telling me about your latest project. You synthesised a new potion to grow murkweed faster, is that true?”

You were surprised he knew so much, your small project submitted for Herbology was the last thing you’d expected Lucius Malfoy to know of, or take an interest in, and your mouth felt like sandpaper as you tried to form words. “Yes. Yes, sir. That’s right.”

“Interesting.” That calculating gaze scanned over you, analysing you from head to toe, like he could see right through you with a single glance. “That is impressive, for someone of your age. I’d be open to learning more. Are you considering making a future out of your alchemy talents? I have connections that I could contact for you.” 

You were speechless, your stomach going wild with butterflies born of both excitement and anxiety. He smirked, a look that would set you on edge if you weren’t sure deep down that this was in your interests, not against them. 

“Perhaps we can discuss it more soon, when we next see you. With Enzo?”

Enzo’s arm around your waist shifted, a reassuring weight that you were sure had been your only grounding presence for this surreal conversation. He patted your hip encouragingly. “Oh, no, we aren’t…” 

Motioning between you both, Lucius’ brows furrowed, and Narcissa tried to hide her sigh.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Aunt Cissa. (Y/n) isn’t mine, though it is wonderful that you approve.” Before either could question him, or expand on their confusion, Enzo gave your waist a final rub, before removing his touch from you entirely, and stepping towards his family. “Shall we go and discuss schoolwork then, Uncle? You have questions, and I have answers. I hope the ones you want.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss (Y/l/n).” Lucius politely offered you his hand again, shaking it firmly, and that was about as friendly a dismissal as you’d ever get from him, you’d heard. This was only supported by the surprised look on Narcissa’s face, and the beam Enz gave you as he guided his uncle away. 

“I hope to see you again soon, (Y/n). You look wonderful this evening, thank you for coming.” Narcissa murmured, before following her husband and nephew, glancing back at you only once over her shoulder. She knew. The woman was far more cunning than she let on, the true embodiment of a sneaky Slytherin, observing quietly and taking everything in. Her eyes glinted. She knew you knew she knew, too.

Your heart was pounding, cheeks warm as you lifted your fingers to them cautiously. The disappointed waitress placed down two drinks before you, Enzo long gone without his, but you smiled at her with appreciation, fingers shaking a little as you lifted the glass to your lips to take a sip. 

You’d spoken to Draco’s parents. 

They’d liked you. Lucius had offered to put you onto the career path, and Narcissa had complimented your dress. A soft laugh of disbelief slipped free, your eyes sliding closed for just a second as you revelled in the moment. 

It hasn’t been what you’d set out for tonight, but it was far more than what you’d hoped for. Opening your eyes again, to head back to the table and find Draco, you were met by the sight of a stranger leaning before you on the bar, grinning down at you in amusement. “Hello.”

“Hi.” You gave a terse smile, and a single nod. “If you’ll excuse me—”

“I didn’t even get to ask you to dance yet. Saw you out on the floor with the Berkshire boy, earlier, and I thought—”

“I’m dancing with her next, mate. Piss off.” 

Draco rarely sounded that mad, a chill went down your spine as you felt an arm slide around your waist, tugging you back into his chest. “Dray…”

The stranger only scoffed, glaring at Draco as he wandered away, and your hand reached for his forearm on your body. He snatched it away too soon, however, tugging on your hip to turn you around. His jaw was clenched tight, eyes more frozen than the coldest glacier. “Dance with me.”

Not a request, and he didn’t wait for an answer, before plucking your drink from your hand and slamming it down onto the bar, guiding you back to the swaying bodies. Standing before you, you offered him your hand, your hand sitting lightly on his shoulder. He didn’t take the respectable route, instead, his arm wrapped tight around your waist, sweeping you close to his body, and beginning to move you both in simple steps. 

It was several minutes before he relaxed, your arm sliding further around his neck in a more intimate hold, bringing the two of you much closer, swaying slowly. The tension in his body gave way with every step, and with a resigned sigh, he finally spoke, “You met my parents.”

“I did. They were lovely. Very curious about Enzo and I’s relationship.”

His hand clenched on your waist, and you tipped your head at him as his piercing gaze drilled into you. One more move…

“Oh, don’t be so mad, Dray. We’re only shagging, after all. You’ll find a new girl if I get swept away by someone else.”

His eyes narrowed, jaw clenching, and a fire burned in those silver eyes now, melting the ice away with rage. Checkmate.

“You win, alright? I’m not playing this stupid game any longer.” He took a deep breath, and another, fingers twitching on your back as jealousy bubbled under the surface. “For fucks sake, how many pieces of jewellery from other guys are you wearing? Who bought you those earrings, that necklace? I should be the only one buying you gifts. I should be the one spoiling you. You want the Malfoy family ring? I’ll go yank it off my mother’s engagement ring from her finger right now, just take all this off.”

He studied you for a second, confusion growing at the smirk that grew on your lips. Victory was yours, and you leaned in, pressing a delicate kiss to his cheek. Letting the hand from his neck smooth down his chest, his gaze stayed locked on the jewels around your neck, glaring angrily. “No.”

“No?”

“No. It’s pretty. I’m going to keep wearing it all, let it remind you what you have. Next time you piss me off, forget a date, or use the last of my shampoo, I’m going to put it all back on so you can remember how many guys would jump at the chance.” His nostrils flared, but he stayed silent, wisely knowing when to keep his mouth shut. “I don’t want your family ring, Malfoy. Not yet. I just want a proper title, and the respect that comes with it. I’m not your booty call, or your side piece. You don’t want to play games anymore? Then don’t.”

“You already won.” He whispers, his head dropping down to let his forehead rest on your own. “You know how much you mean to me.”

“Yes, I do. But I want the whole world to know it, too, Dray.”

He didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he twisted his head, enough to press his mouth to your own, silencing any more arguments between you both as he kissed you. His lips claimed yours, a tender and loving kiss, showing everyone just how much you meant to him. There was no mistaking the emotions within it, not as his arms wrapped around your body, holding you to him as the pretence of dancing was given up, your hand on the back of his head, fingers in his hair, meeting every push and pull.

When he pulled away, your smile took over, bashful now under his openly adoring gaze, and he stole several more pecks from your lips. A happy sound escaped you as he tugged you in, tucking his face into your neck, and swaying you both to the music. 

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

“You have, but I’d be open to hearing it again.” Your hand smoothed over his hair, and he chuckled against your skin, leaving a kiss on the crook of your neck before raising to meet your eye. 

“You are breathtaking, darling. I’m in awe. This colour is my favourite, you know.”

“Why do you think I wore it?”

His fingers trailed down your spine, eyes sparkling even more at that revelation. “How about we get out of here? We’ll make our goodbyes to my parents, and head out.”

“Our goodbyes?” You repeated as he took your hand, lacing your fingers together. 

“Yes. From their son and his girlfriend. I think you deserve a proper introduction, after all.”

Tugging you across the floor, he gave you no time to prepare, and certainly, none to disagree, as you smoothed your hair and attempted to control the blush he’d brought to your cheeks. Through the crowds he wove, until he was pulling to a stop just shy of his parents, and Enzo looked as though he could have cried with relief when Lucius’ intense focus was taken away from him. The boy quickly slipped away as both of Draco’s parents turned to face you. 

“Miss (Y/l/n), when we said we hoped to see you again soon, I didn’t realise you’d take it quite this literally.” He murmured, voice as low and calm as always, and your lips parted, a different kind of heat flooding your features. 

“Oh, behave now, Lucius,” Narcissa grinned, her gaze dropping to your clasped hands, before she reached up to her son’s face, pinching his cheek with a smile. “Draco, darling, I’ve hardly seen you all evening.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you Mother, but we’ll be leaving early.” She only gave him a knowing look, ignoring Lucius’ displeased huff, as if she wasn’t surprised at all. 

“‘We’?”

“My girlfriend and I.” He said, proud and strong, before tugging you forward a little more to stand in front of him. His hand left your own, circling your waist instead, and she offered him a smile at the news. 

“I see.” She smiled, patting her son’s cheek affectionately, before turning that knowing gaze on you. “Now Lorenzo’s evasiveness whenever I asked him about you makes sense.”

“You asked about me?” Your words were a rushed squeak, which only seemed to amuse Narcissa more. 

“Of course, dear. I wanted to know more about you. I’d ask you to sit and chat with me for a spell, but I believe my son might combust if I did.”

“Mother!” He gasped, and Lucius only tutted. 

“Draco.” His father growled softly, shaking his head, and the red on his son’s cheeks only grew.

“You both may go, for now. But I hope you’ll visit me soon, and we might talk?”

“You mean… just us?” Your words tapered off to a near whisper, and Lucius smirked to himself as Draco rolled his eyes. 

“Yes, dear. We’ll have tea.”

You could only nod, bidding your final farewells to them both in a state of awe, before Draco was hurrying you along. Tight hands gripping your waist, lips on your neck as he loved you through the crowds, swiping up your bag and giving you barely a moment to say goodbye to your friends before sweeping you away again. It was only due to the snow falling outside, you were sure, that he allowed you to stop long enough to get your coats. 

Helping you, he lifted the garment onto you from behind, kissing your cheek as he reached around your body to fasten it. His elegant coat was already on, and leather gloves were on his hands as he offered you one. Lacing your fingers through his own, he smiled, tugging you out into the freezing night, and ushering you around the side of the Manor, away from the stream of cars lined up for guests as they left. 

“Where are we going, Dray?” 

“To one of the gardens near the path.” He never turned back, leading you carefully around patches of ice and slippery snow as you moved, the light from the house fading. It was almost pitch black, before he mumbled a small spell, and the garden lights glowed to light, glittering on the fresh blanket of ice. 

Sitting on the grass was an old-fashioned sleigh, enchanted to keep dry, even in the snow, and two reindeer sat happily in the snow snuffling at the grass and scattered food. 

The landscape stretched out far before you both, trees and grass and walls all covered in snow like something from a Christmas card, and the sigh that left your lips clouded in the air before your face. 

“Oh, Draco…” Taking a few steps closer, snow-tipped over the tops of your heels as you stepped off the pathway onto the grass, chilling your feet for only a second, before Draco was following. Scooping you up into his arms, you kicked the ice from your feet with a giggle, your arms looping around his neck. “What’s all this?”

“This is your Christmas present. I didn’t realise that was the kind of ice you wanted instead.” He muttered, eyes flicking down to your neck, as he carried you carefully through the snow and towards the ornate sleigh. As you leaned in to kiss his cheek, he smiled shyly, avoiding your gaze as he became embarrassed, “I wanted to do something romantic for you. We can take the sleigh back to the town, get a cab, and take the jet anywhere you want to go. Pansy already packed a bag for you.”

He placed you down on the edge of the sleigh, letting you shuffle across onto the warmed leather. With another kiss to your lips, he scoffed at your smile. 

“Merry Christmas, my wicked little girlfriend.”

“I can’t believe you arranged all this.” You were practically bouncing in your seat, watching as Draco nervously tugged on the reins, prompting the lazy animals to stand back up, before settling into the sleigh himself. Like they knew just what to do, they took off in a slow trot, tugging the pair of you along through the snow. 

“Maybe if you’d have waited, instead of making me fight for my life tonight, you’d have been surprised.”

His arm was splayed along the back of the seat, and you snuggled in a little closer to him. Curling his arm around you, he pressed a kiss to your forehead, shaking his head and burying his nose in your hair. “If I didn’t make you fight for me, Dray, you’d probably have introduced me to your mother as your study partner. I gave you a little push, that’s all.”

“Is that so?” He muttered, guiding your face up so he could peck your lips. “Who do you think helped me arrange all of this for my ‘lovely lady friend’, hm? I’ve been writing to my mother about having an interest in someone for months now. You underestimate me.”

“You never gave me any other indication!” 

“Oh, please. You walk me like a damn dog, you knew how I felt.” His mouth closed over your own, stealing a kiss, and you couldn't help but smile into it. “I think tonight just proves it.”

The sleigh trotted on as Draco kissed you in the back, beyond thought and reason, your hands tucked into his coat for warmth as he kept you cuddled in close to his side. 

Minutes melted away, the two of you lost in your own world as you jostled and trotted through the fields, back toward the town. Whatever he had planned, it had been in motion for days, and the thought only made you fall a little more in love with him. Perhaps you had underestimated him, but none of it mattered now, not when he was kissing you like you were his only way to breathe, and you had him in your arms, properly, at last.

“So, Pansy knew about your little plan?”

“Yes. I told her days ago.” 

“Hm…” You loved her, and it was perhaps her knowledge of Draco’s actions that made this all the funnier. “So, she knew about your plan, and mine. And still, she made sure to introduce guys to me all night. She played us both just for her own amusement.”

As you thought of her, your fingers lifted to your neck, sitting on the delicate jewellery there, and Draco huffed. Looping his finger underneath it, he tugged lightly. “Can you take this off now, please?”

“Why would I do that?” His pout deepened, glaring at the offending item, and you gave in with an airy laugh. “Pansy, Daph and Tori picked it out personally.”

“What?” His head snapped up, pout gone as his jaw dropped, and he was not laughing like you were. “You let me believe another guy decked you out in diamonds all night! What about the matching earrings?”

“Blaise.”

“The bracelet?”

“Theo and the Notts.” 

At that mention, his eyes narrowed again, searching for your clutch and finding it resting in your lap. “But Theo’s cousin Mario gave you a separate gift.”

“Dario.” You corrected, and he mimicked it childishly, scoffing afterwards. “Well, that part was real. He truly was flirting, and I have no idea what it is, I haven’t opened it yet.”

“Give it to me.” He reached for your bag, a second too slow as you swiped it away from him with a gasp. He didn’t give up, still trying to snatch it as he leaned over you, pressing you back into the seat through fits of laughter, the two of you fighting over the bag until it was pressed to your chest, your eyes wide as you stared up at him, shaking your head. “Give it to me! I’m chucking it, hand it over!”

“No, it’s mine!” He slumped back into his seat, panting for breath and smoothing his hair back down. He was pointedly staring away in the opposite direction, and when you leaned in closer with a chuckle, he leaned away. Grabbing his shoulder, you planted yourself firmly in his lap, kissing the underside of his jaw. “I’m keeping it, but your present is better, I just know it. Whatever it is, could never beat this.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, Dray.” 

He gave in, wrapping his arms around your waist, tugging you in closer to his body and pressing a happy kiss to your cheek. “Fine, but I’m buying you a new necklace when we get off the damn plane. I don’t care who bought that one.”

[comatosebunny09]

one in the head, two in the chest | sylus

— summary: the universe had a shitty way of reminding you of your place. — cw: headcanon format, character death, reader is not mc, written with female reader in mind, profanity, mentions of alcohol, blood & injury, sex mention, self-destructive behavior, jealousy, mutual pining, unrequited feelings, melodramatic af, ooc, mdni — notes: is it bad i’m laughing ‘cause @alfredosaws had me singing the chorus for “you give love a bad name” while writing this? listen, don’t judge me i needed to get this out, okay? thank you for reading this dramatic dribble. — now playing: riverside - agnes obel bullet to the heart - jackson wang

It was a partnership of convenience. A mutual agreement.

The terms were simple: Sylus offered you protection, a renewed sense of purpose, and redemption. You handled his opposition, luring them from the shadows and snuffing them out like a candle’s flame. 

You performed at his clubs while moonlighting as an assassin. His right hand. His femme fatale. The perfect cover. 

You also made money for him, attracting new clientele. It was a win-win.

You struck fear into anyone who would dare sully his name while he got to keep his hands clean.

He never badgered you about your past, and you never pried into his.

The arrangement was flawless. Until it wasn’t.

You didn’t bank on falling for him. 

There was no singular moment. No ‘aha!’ No record scratch in a romcom where you, the protagonist, realized, ‘This guy’s got my heart in a bind.’

No.

It was a culmination of things. A gradual descent into irrevocable madness. It was terrifying, like sinking into the depths of a murky sea, only you weren’t thrashing about as water filled your lungs.

Not at first.

You feared letting him down. Feared his rejection and disrupting the lifestyle you had grown so accustomed to. 

It was comfortable, the hodgepodge life you constructed with him, the twins, and Mephisto. 

You had his back, and he had yours. You were Bonnie and Clyde. You shit-talked and flirted, but it was harmless. 

Initially.  

Sometimes, the flirting was accompanied by lingering gazes, accidental touches, and lasting smiles that held a little too much yearning.

His treatment towards you didn’t help matters. 

He gave you free rein of his mansion. Gave you the codes to his safe houses around the city, his armories. Bought you expensive clothes and intricate costumes to wear when you performed at his clubs. 

Cars, jewelry, property. You named it, and Sylus gave it to you. 

He held you a little too possessively when you accompanied him to galas and banquets. Never corrected the other guests when they referred to you as ‘his lady.’

Anyone go to his nightclubs specifically requesting you? ‘No. Not this one. Choose someone else.’

He often summoned you to his quarters following your missions to tend to your injuries personally. 

Even let you fall into his bed when he filled you with too much wine over dinner at the mansion or when it was too cold to sleep alone.

Nothing ever happened, much to your dismay. He was always such an insufferable fucking gentleman. 

Your relationship was far beyond that of employer and employee. Yet you dreaded labeling it, fearing your dynamic would shift for the worst if he knew how you felt about him. You weren’t allowed to feel things for him.

One day, you’d become a liability he couldn’t afford to keep around. 

But he was so fucking nice to you. Showed you kindness and temperance in a fast-paced and vapid world. You didn’t deserve this warmth, but you didn’t want to let it go.

You didn’t have to run anymore. Didn’t have to jump from city to city, changing your name, hiding behind your glamor. 

He offered you security, safety, and predictability, where you didn’t know if tomorrow would be your last day on Earth. 

He coddled your need for independence. Wasn’t stifling or controlling, but he was your security blanket in case you needed him.

He showed you fleeting tenderness that gave you a glimmer of hope that maybe…

Just maybe he pined for you as much as you pined for him.

But you’d never admit it aloud, content with staying at his side, paying off an unspoken debt, even as your heart squeezed each time he showed you a flicker of affection.

Enter Little. Miss. Dazzling. Charming. Irresistible. Hunter.

She swept in like a whirlwind, turning your life upside down on its axis. 

He forced her on you. Never explained the intricacies of their relationship, just that she owed him a debt, and he brought her around to collect on it.

You unwillingly became her guardian, tasked with showing her the ropes and dragging her on missions or to meetings.

You hated the arrangement at first. She was all bright-eyed, smiling, and optimistic. Reckless. Strong-headed. In some ways, she was like you. A reflection of the woman you were years before the world robbed you of your innocence.

And she was a Hunter of all things. She could turn you in at the drop of a hat. You served on different sides of the law. There was no telling what information she was feeding the Association behind your backs.

Most of all, you grew to despise how she changed him. How his attention shifted, and she became the center of his universe.

He carted that fleeting softness he’d once shown you, to her. 

The man was playing Kitty Cards and sneaking plushies into the mansion for crying out loud. 

Singing, wearing bright colors, showing mercy.

The hunter was disarming in a way that you weren’t. Snuck into the fissures of his heart, effortlessly snatching him away from you.

You’d spent years getting accustomed to him. Getting him to crack a rare smile. It took her a matter of months.

You wanted to hate her so much. But with time, she grew on you, too. 

Crept her way into your heart with her waywardness, banter, and determination to make herself useful. To prove her worth. To find her niche. 

She surprised you time and time again. You thought she would crumble beneath the pressure. That she would eventually give in, realizing the nefarious life you led wasn’t for her.

But pressure formed diamonds, and she became more of an asset than a liability.

And before you knew it, you accepted your fate.

Like with Sylus, there was no singular pivoting point in your relationship. She just…grew on you like a benign tumor. 

She became something of a friend—someone you wanted to keep safe. You were inadvertently grooming your replacement. She was no longer your baggage. No longer a thorn in your side.

You had someone else you wanted to protect. Another relationship to nurture.

You started to look forward to the days she’d light up the mansion with her animated stories and colorful personality. Where’d she blunder up your missions but pull through in the end.

You were Thelma and Louise.

And she made Sylus smile in a way you never could. Laugh in a way you never could. Seeing your seemingly cold boss lower his defenses so much was nice, even if it wasn’t your doing. 

You sensed their relationship was cosmic. Something orchestrated by the universe. They were so close. So familiar. They had history, a connection that existed long before you stumbled into Sylus’ life. 

You found yourself quietly bowing out of a competition you constructed in your mind. She was the better match—the better woman. 

Her hands were clean. Yours were crusted with blood.

You never stood a chance from the start. 

The closer you grew to Ms. Hunter, the larger the wedge between you and Sylus became. 

There was no definitive title to their relationship, at least not one you had heard of. But out of respect for whatever brewed between them, you bowed out, reverting to the rigid partnership you initially shared with Sylus.

To cope with your unrequited feelings, you became self-destructive.

You thrust yourself into missions, trying to keep your mind off things. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t snuff out the feelings you still had for your boss. How shitty of a friend you were, pining for someone who never was yours. Could never be yours.

You drank more. Sought out pleasures of the flesh from people whose faces and names you could never remember.

You skipped meals. Slept like shit. Your Evol was dwindling more each day, reflecting the decaying state of your psyche.

You were punishing yourself in a way. Didn’t think you deserved anything more than a quick fuck. Something to curb the urge. You wanted to be used. Wanted to feel something other than this gut-wrenching pain. This emptiness. 

You pushed everyone away, donning that mask of nonchalance you were known for. 

Sylus caught on, but you were too wrapped up in your emotional turmoil to notice. 

You felt like you were submerged in water, slowly drowning, your hand held out for someone to save you. And Sylus was reaching for it, desperately trying to pull you out. To pull you back to shore.

But you were too prideful to take it. Too prideful to admit you weren’t okay. That you were envious. Resentful. Falling apart at the seams. You were paranoid. You were quietly being shoved out of the picture, and one day, Sylus would no longer find you valuable.

Not when you were molding someone else to fill your shoes. 

You felt worse each day because people noticed you weren’t okay. You hated when anyone worried. When people pitied you. You were a big girl—you could take care of yourself. You’d been doing it for years.

Ms. Hunter forced you to confront your feelings one day.

Grabbed you by your shoulders as the sun set over Destiny Cafe, shaking the shit out of you, the table rattling between you. Told you anyone with eyes could see the chemistry brewing between you and Sylus and how you were running from it like a fucking coward.

You were both lovesick puppies, walking on eggshells around each other.

He changed, too. Your cold shoulder, your demeanor—it made him more wary. Careless. Wounded.

‘If you don’t talk to each other, I’m gonna lock you both in a room, and neither of you is coming out until you resolve whatever’s going on between you,’ she said, exasperated.

You scoffed. There was no way Sylus had feelings for you, too. Not when she was in the picture. Not when you were something of convenience, something to further his agenda, protect his assets. His shield. His ever-reliant guard dog.

You didn’t think yourself worthy of affection. You were a weapon. A murderer. Crass. Damaged goods. He deserved better. 

But she told you to give him a chance. To stop being so fucking blind. It was driving her ragged, watching you both tread thin ice around her.

She wanted to smack some sense into you. You smirked, placatingly patting her hand on your shoulder. You were rubbing off on her. She was rubbing off on you.

You tried to be more attentive thereon. 

Noticed every lasting, yearning look Sylus cast your way with those scarlet eyes. Every errant brush of fingers over your hand, wrist, neck, back. How his voice affectionately sloped whenever he spoke to you, a boyish gleam to his eyes. He was gentle and homely and trying. 

And you weren’t used to it. You were afraid of it. 

You still had your moments when you ran. When you shoved him away, thinking things were too good to be true.

An overwhelming part of you still believed you weren’t good enough.

But he was trying. Really trying. He didn’t even use you as bait anymore. Rarely sent you on missions where he knew you’d encounter some strife. He was more protective. More considerate, and it made your stomach twist.

Things came to a head one fateful evening. 

He called you as the sun sought refuge behind the horizon. You’d been dodging him for weeks.

You were seated at a cafe, trying to breathe. 

The conversation was intense. Emotional. You were misty-eyed as it drew to a conclusion. Voice all croaky, throat rubbed raw. 

You were tired of running again. Exhausted with pushing yourself to the back burner in favor of others. You needed to know what his intentions were with you. If he was serious about you. If he was sure you were what he wanted.

He told you he’d never been more sure of anything in his life. 

You cried. You fucking cried, pacing around in that stupid cafe. You hadn’t cried in years. You hated how it made you feel. You were pathetic. 

When his voice broke through the static on your cell phone, it simmered with emotion. He sounded suspiciously close, telling you to turn around.

You did as he instructed, accustomed to doing what you were told without a second thought.

He stood before you, his phone still held to his ear, anguish screwing up his brows, a forlorn smile curving his lips. 

You watched him, misty-eyed and wobbly-lipped. 

The cafe’s wispy curtains fluttered between you. The setting sun limned both your bodies in amber. It was like a dream. 

Unspoken words hung in the air, nebulous like a cloud. Neither of you had to say a thing. This feeling between you, it was practically tangible.

He was wordless when he conquered the space between you in two long strides, tugging you into the circle of his arms.

He smelled so good. Felt so warm. So strong. So safe. You crumbled. He held you as you cried, stroking over your back, whispering words of affirmation into the crown of your head. Apologized over and over again.

You felt stupid. Melodramatic. But he came for you. 

It felt kind of nice—having someone chase you for once. Having someone pour every bit of themselves into you when all you’d known were crumbs.

He made love to you later that night. 

Made. Love. 

You were used to hot, furtive, emotionless sessions where you often forgot your partner’s name.

But Sylus, he…

He was so fucking gentle and patient and attentive. Asked if you were alright every chance he could. Handled you like glass, ensuring your needs were satiated long before he pursued his own.

He made you feel full. Warm. Revered. 

Filled you to the brim. Covered you like a warm blanket on the coldest night. His praise made your toes go numb. Made hot tears scorch down your face as your tongue wrapped around his name in pleasure once more.

Your relationship blossomed thereafter. 

Your insecurities still beckoned you with their scraggly fingers from time to time. But Sylus treated you more like a lover. An equal. A partner. 

For the first time in over a decade, you felt genuine happiness. You were healing.

But it was short-lived. There was always a nagging voice in the deepest reaches of your mind, reminding you everything good would eventually meet its end.

You were awaiting a fireworks show at the pier with Sylus, Ms. Hunter, and her friends. The carnival was in full swing.

You were browsing the stalls littering the boardwalk. Ran your fingers over various trinkets, your lips aching with a smile.

You decided to grab snow cones for two of the most important people in your life. It was a sweltering summer night, the kind of weather that covered every bit of exposed skin in a fine sheen of sweat.

Your purchases were in your hands, and you returned to them. Your heart pulled at the sight that greeted you.

They were standing together—Sylus and the hunter—leaning against the rail. Laughing, smiling, teasing. They looked so comfortable. So cozy. Something out of a painting. So natural.

Even long after you and Sylus became exclusive, you still had days when your feelings of inadequacy crept in. 

But they still looked like they fit together better than you did. You felt like an interloper. Like you were witnessing something you had no business being a part of. The universe was sending you signals. Warnings you should’ve heeded long ago.

The snow cones melted in your hands, their sticky, cold sweetness dripping down your knuckles, you had been watching them for so long.

Someone called for you through the cacophony of the other carnival-goers, dredging you from your thoughts. You turned, plastering on a fake smile as you acknowledged Tara. 

You jogged towards her, tamping down those nagging feelings. Sylus loved you. They both did.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl.

There was a familiar whizzing sound. The smell of carbon. Smoke. A sharp pain in your chest. You were moored to the spot as your smile melted away.

The snow cones fell from your hands. It hurt to breathe. Hurt to stand. You looked down as the crowd erupted in horrified screams. 

Red lazily spilled onto your shirt between your ribs until it was all you could see. You looked up, your vision bleary as Tara’s panicked face blurred in and out of focus. 

You sank to your knees, the air siphoned from your lungs. You didn’t scream. You couldn’t. You were falling. Sinking to the ground when—

Hands. Hands were pulling at you from all angles onto your back. Frantic, muddled voices. Screaming. Shouting. Shoving.

The boardwalk rocked beneath you as people ran every which way. You couldn’t keep your eyes open. Couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, your voice gurgled and wet. The taste of iron was dense on the back of your tongue.

You felt weightless. You were being pulled into a familiar embrace. Swaddled in that familiar scent. Your cheeks were wet, but not from your tears.

Scarlet. You recall scarlet eyes flitting in and out of clarity as your vision darkened around the corners like a vignette. You reached up to touch them. To touch that warm, stubbled cheek. Trace those pretty, petal pink lips. That beautiful nose.

You were cold. So cold. So weak. Shaky. You managed a smile as blood flooded your chest. Filled the space between your teeth.

Your hand fell away, thudding against the floorboards. You couldn’t move. Why couldn’t you move? Why couldn’t you—

You were slipping away, the homely call of darkness pulling you under.

You don’t think you’ve ever heard him scream like that. It was blood-curdling. Devastating. Fire and brimstone. Like demons tearing through hell’s gates.

You wanted to comfort him. Never wanted to hear that sort of anguish in his voice again. But you couldn’t. Fucking. Move.

You were dying.

Maybe this was your punishment for tempting fate—his punishment for choosing you over what was already predetermined. 

Fate always had a way of mucking things up, didn’t it?

[breelandwalker]

Magical Oil Recipes - Baneful Blends Edition

For anyone looking to brew up a potion with a less-than-friendly bent, here are some recipes I've created that you might find useful.

To prepare them, blend the ingredients in such proportions as feels correct for your purposes (or as supplies allow). Use dried material except where indicated. Place a few spoonfuls in a mason jar with a screwtop lid and fill the jar with a bland oil of your choice. (Vegetable oil of the sort you would buy for cooking works fine.) Screw the lid on tightly and shake well to combine, then leave the jar in a dark dry place for 2-4 weeks to steep.

Once steeped, prepare a clean storage bottle (also with a secure lid) and label with the type of oil and the bottling date. Strain the oil through paper towels or cheesecloth to remove the plant material, then bottle immediately. Store away from sunlight and heat for up to one year. Use for spellwork as you see fit.

(Please note that NONE of these potions are meant to be taken internally by any means. Observe all proper safety measures related to glass, fire, and potentially harmful plants as necessary during preparation.)

*- Ingredient is potentially harmful if inhaled or ingested. **- Ingredient should not be used or handled if you are pregnant or nursing.

All-Purpose Hexing Oil For general hexing, cursing, and baneful magic.

Dried Chili Pepper

Fresh Lime Peel

Lemongrass (dried or fresh)

Rusted Nail (place in bottle with finished oil)

All-Purpose Hexbreaking Oil For general negation of baneful spells cast by oneself or others.

Agrimony**

Cinquefoil

Fennel

Vervain

Solomon's Seal Root (place in bottle with finished oil)

Backhanded Blessing Oil For blessings that are anything but benevolent.

Burnt Cinquefoil

Bay Leaf

Pine Needles

Bayberry Root NOTE: Prepare as you would a blessing oil, then twist the blessing into a curse, i.e. May You Get Everything You Deserve.

Done in the Dark Concealment Oil For secrecy, confidentiality, and general deception.

Juniper Berries

Licorice Root

Black Hemp (Dogbane)

Ferns or Dried Seaweed Note: For the final ingredient, use whichever is easier to obtain. Both bracken and seaweed work well for basic concealment spells.

Eye of Newt Disruption Oil For disrupting and confounding magical efforts against you.

Black Mustard Seeds

Bloodroot**

Nettle Leaf

Garlic (1 clove, bruised)

No Rest For The Wicked Hexing Oil For punishing one's enemies.

Chili Pepper (any)

Horseradish Root

Cramp Bark

Bayberry Root

On Your Own Head Retribution Oil For counter magic and revenge hexes.

Elderberries*

Bloodroot**

Devil's Shoestring**

Vetiver

Tangled Shoelaces Binding Oil To impede someone's ability to move or act against you.

Pine Needles

Devil's Shoestring**

Scullcap**

Coffee Grounds

Iron Nail in master bottle

Wicked Witch Heavy-Duty Cursing Oil For occasions when a regular-strength hex just won't do.

Wormwood* **

Ghost Chili Pepper (or the hottest chili you can get)

Lemon Seeds

Lobelia* Note: Use With Extreme Caution And Cover Your Ass.

Witchbane Warding Oil For repelling and countering harmful spells.

Bay Leaves

Elderflower

Star Anise

Birch Bark

Should the reader require supplies, I recommend the following:

Penn Herb Company

Starwest Botanicals

Bulk Apothecary

Mountain Rose Herbs

Specialty Bottle

Image Credit - Shaiith

All recipes are (c) 2017 Bree NicGarran, published in Pestlework: A Book of Magical Powders & Oils. Please check out the book if you would like more recipes.

If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, tune in to my podcast Hex Positive, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop.

[von-koopas-muse]

Agere sensories - visuals! (things I see!)

Seeking:

fairy lights, night lamps, aquarium lamps, lava lamps, LED strips, christmas lights

online you can search up toy commercials, toy unboxing, pinterest, or the website that you're on right now, Tumblr! however make sure your blocked tags and phrases are secured before going through social media, especially as a little

if you're feeling confident, visit toy stores, libraries' kids sections, playgrounds! they're very stimulating, but remember to stay respectful on your visits :)

There's more to artsy life than coloring books! Bead bracelets, clay, stickers, collecting various things, journaling, baby books, finger painting, glitter!

To my fem leaning regressors, hairclips, jewelry, bright make-up (I do not recommend kids make-up as it doesn't have regulations, use adult make up in a childish way), animal headbands! To my neutral/masc regressors, pins, patches, funky shoelaces, sticker tattoos, keychains! Decorate yourself to stimulate yourself on gloomy days!

get food for kids! More colorful, maybe with a cute animal or a smile or dinos, the pretty juice bottles with cartoons? don't get me started. You can also get shape cutters for your veggies/sandwiches

stimboards, gifs!

customize your devices! Wallpapers, keyboards, AOD, widgets! You can even use gifs!

decorate your room and gear too! Coloring pages or other craft you're proud of, showing your favorite toys (if you're safe) colorful rugs! Make custom pacis, add stickers to your bottles, add cute labels!

stim toys, glow in the dark toys! Water toys, squishy balls with colors in them, orbeez, snowglobes, slime!

Avoidant:

Have nap times! They don't have to be a nap time, but you can make an hour to yourself, covering the windows and turning off the lights

There are settings on modern devices specifically targeted for visuals. Lower the brightness, get yourself a dark mode, have eye safety on

Get yourself fuzzy nighttime blindfolds, cute sunglasses, hats or hoodies that will limit your eye view (be careful to be protected, but functional if you're outside)

this is universal for any sensory suppression, but items for babies are your best friends if you're looking for less eye straining gear. (Especially with the beige mom trend being more popular, ha ha)

if you still want to watch baby shows, check low-stimulation lists. Also, usually shows directed at younger age range are slower. I also find vintage cartoons less overwhelming (but they're not guaranteed to be always slow and not stimulating)

You can order online instead of throwing yourself out to the chaotic, overwhelming stores

limit your screentime! Short-form content is easily overwhelming, and staring into a bright screen for x hours doesn't do your eyes a favor. It's okay to need breaks and not always be up to date with everything

if possible, pick safe times to do your errands where there's not a lot of people, like weekend mornings.

have a list of safe cartoons, safe colors, safe places, or other "safe" sensories. It's sometimes better to know what you're comfortable with!

remember, if it gets too much, it is always okay to back out. This is YOUR coping mechanism and nobody else's, it's up to YOU what you're okay and not okay with

[loveemagicpeace]

Lunar Energy & Self-Care

Lunar energy -It is related to how we feel when the moon changes. The moon affects our well-being and how much energy we have and where we invest it. How we express emotions, where we feel safe and comfortable. What can we do when the moon is in a certain sign and what is the most favorable energy for then.

People with a moon in a fire sign will feel best when the moon is fiery, because they will feel emotionally active - for them, it can be challenging if the moon is in a water sign, because they can sometimes be emotionally uncomfortable.

People with a water moon will feel best when the moon is in a water sign because it will give them security, comfort, and a connection to their inner world. They can also connect well with water at that time. For them, a moon in an air sign can be challenging because it can push them too much to express emotions or be logical.

People with an Earth Moon will feel their best when the Moon is in an Earth sign, as they will feel productive and organized. However, they may find the Fire Moon most challenging, as it pushes them to do something immediately.

People with an air moon will feel best around an air moon because it will give them a sense of expression, reflection, and new ideas. However, the most challenging moon for them can be a water moon because they may feel like they don't have complete control over their thoughts or aren't as objective during this time.

♈️ Aries Moon → Movement & Action

Burn off restless energy with exercise or dance. Try something spontaneous like a solo adventure.  Take a hot shower or bath to reset your energy Go for fast walks, boxing, running, dancing, or martial arts. Do something spontaneous and courageous — wear what you want, say no, or make a bold move. Go for bold colors (especially red or scarlet), structured clothing, or statement accessories.

♉️ Taurus Moon → Sensory Comfort

Indulge in skincare, massage, or a cozy night in. Enjoy rich, comforting foods mindfully. Spend time in nature or with grounding scents like vanilla & sandalwood.  Taurus Moon and self-care blend naturally like a soft ritual — it’s about creating comfort through beauty, sensuality, and consistency. A Taurus Moon needs grounding through the senses: warm baths with essential oils, soft fabrics, nourishing homemade meals, music that soothes the soul, and spaces that feel like sanctuary.

♊️ Gemini Moon → Mental Stimulation

Read, journal, or explore new ideas to feed your mind. Connect with friends & have meaningful conversations. Engage in creative self-expression—writing, music, or storytelling. It’s caring for the mind as much as the body — reading a new book, writing thoughts into journals, calling a friend just to laugh, learning something random but exciting. It’s changing up routines when they feel stale, finding comfort in movement, conversation, and ideas. Self-care here isn’t stillness — it’s flow. It’s walking through a city with headphones on, following thoughts like constellations, making space for all your voices and feelings without needing to label them.

♋️ Cancer Moon → Emotional Nurturing

Create a cozy home sanctuary with soft blankets & candles. Cook a comforting meal or drink warm tea. Write about your feelings or spend time with loved ones.It’s about holding space for your feelings without rushing to fix them. Self-care becomes a cocoon: cozy blankets, home-cooked meals filled with love, time alone to feel and come back to yourself. It’s memories, music that touches your heart, old letters, familiar scents. It’s taking care of your inner child, letting yourself rest deeply, creating emotional safety.

♌️ Leo Moon → Self-Love & Creativity

Express yourself through art, dance, or fashion. Bask in sunlight or do mirror affirmations. Treat yourself like royalty—luxury skincare, a photoshoot, or a self-love ritual. It’s care that celebrates rather than hides: dressing up even when you’re staying in, dancing like you’re on stage, affirming your worth out loud. It’s giving yourself the attention and admiration you often give others, choosing joy as medicine, and creating moments that feel golden. Self-care is expression — through art, movement, play, drama, and presence.

♍️ Virgo Moon → Order & Healing

Declutter your space for mental clarity. Focus on holistic wellness—herbal teas, breathwork, or clean eating.  Write a to-do list to ease stress & bring structure. It’s cleansing your space to clear your mind, making lists to soothe anxiety, preparing nourishing meals with care. It’s tending to your body like a sacred ritual, tracking your cycles, simplifying your surroundings, creating routines that bring calm. Self-care is in the details: the right tea, the perfect playlist, the satisfaction of things in their place.

♎️ Libra Moon → Harmony & Beauty

Pamper yourself with skincare or a beauty ritual. Listen to soothing music & create a peaceful ambiance.Spend quality time with people who bring you balance. It’s lighting candles just because it feels good, curating your surroundings to reflect calm, connecting with others who bring softness to your soul. Self-care is aesthetic, relational, thoughtful — writing love letters to yourself, finding the perfect blend of music and mood, creating time for stillness and companionship alike. It’s about giving yourself the same grace you give others, learning that your own needs matter too.

♏️ Scorpio Moon → Deep Healing & Transformation

Do shadow work or meditate on your emotions. Engage in deep self-reflection through journaling or tarot. Take a ritual bath with candles & essential oils for emotional release. It’s diving into your emotional underworld, feeling it all, and coming back stronger. Self-care here is about privacy, protection, and power — taking time alone to recharge, practicing emotional alchemy through journaling, shadow work, or silence. It’s long baths in the dark, rituals under the moon, music that touches your depth, and safe spaces where your intensity is honored.

♐️ Sagittarius Moon → Adventure & Freedom

Go on a spontaneous trip or long walk. Read about philosophy, spirituality, or cultures. Spend time under the stars to connect with something bigger. It’s giving yourself space to roam, whether through travel, ideas, or dreams. Self-care means saying yes to adventure, learning something new, chasing sunsets, or journaling in the sun with your favorite book by your side. It’s releasing emotional weight through movement — hiking, dancing, wandering — and trusting that joy is a compass. It’s being honest with yourself, even if it shakes things up.

♑️ Capricorn Moon → Grounding & Stability

Set personal goals & structure your self-care routine. Practice mindfulness or yoga for inner stability.  Spend time in nature—hiking, mountains, or a peaceful retreat. It’s finding peace in routine, safety in solitude, and pride in all you’ve endured. Self-care here is practical, grounded, and earned: making plans, setting boundaries, building a life that holds you with stability. It’s long walks alone, slow sips of coffee before the world wakes, tending to goals that matter deeply. But it’s also learning to rest without guilt, to feel without controlling, to soften without losing your edge.

♒️Aquarius Moon → Unconventional & Inspired

Explore astrology, energy healing, or humanitarian causes. Try an innovative self-care ritual like sound healing. Engage in brainstorming or vision boarding for future dreams. Self-care here is unconventional, intellectual, and liberating. It’s retreating into thought-provoking books, exploring new ideas, or connecting with like-minded souls who spark your curiosity. It’s finding joy in creating space to think differently, allowing your emotions to flow freely without judgement. Healing is found in progressive change, detaching when needed to gain perspective, and giving yourself the freedom to be uniquely, wonderfully you.

♓️ Pisces Moon → Dreamy & Spiritual

Take a bath with salts, flowers, or essential oils. Channel emotions into poetry, music, or painting. Prioritize deep rest—lucid dreaming, guided meditation, or soft music. Self-care here is fluid, soulful, and spiritual. It’s surrendering to the ebb and flow of your feelings, allowing yourself to rest deeply, dream freely, and connect to a higher sense of purpose. It’s healing through art, music, or nature, creating a sanctuary where your emotions can drift like clouds without needing to control them. Self-care is about softness, compassion, and releasing what no longer serves you. It’s tuning into your intuition, trusting your inner voice, and letting yourself flow — knowing that in stillness and surrender, you find peace.

-Rebekah⭐️

[austinbutlerslovers]

The Ball Game

Label Mature 18+

Summary Austin brings you with him to Wrigley field to watch a ball game in VIP with fellow celebrities. Shy in the midst of such a large crowd he leans to your for comfort, reserved in public about what he really wants to do back at the hotel.

💝 Romantic Smut 💝 Austin doting boyfriend • Austin shy • Austin reserved pda • smitten •fluff • affectionate • edging • sweet talk• praising • body worship• love making • orgasm •cream pie 🔗Masterlist

✨Inspo Latest pics/vids of him enjoying baseball in Chicago 🥰

The Ball Game

The sun blazes over Wrigley Field, a jewel of green and red brick nestled in Chicago’s bustling North Side. 

The ballpark is teeming with action, vendors selling hot dogs and beer, their voices cutting through the chatter of the crowd, while the organ belts out jaunty tunes. 

The Cubs are facing the Rockies today, and the energy is frenzied, a mix of exhilaration and anticipation that makes you fill with excitement.

Austin is somehow both commanding and unassuming as he navigates the VIP section. He’s dressed in some of his favorites: a dark navy Capco steel cap pulled low over his blue eyes, a fitted white tee hugging his broad chest, and a soft blue button-up hanging open with light tan cargo pants that accentuate him in all the right places.

Despite his fame, Austin still clings to wearing certain clothing pieces like a security blanket, their worn-in familiarity grounding him in a world of flashing cameras and non-stop public commitments.

You’re seated next to him right behind the batting cage, a prime section secured for him as a VIP with the other celebrity guests in attendance.

With Austin just filming Caught Stealing as Hank, a baseball player with a gritty edge, the excitement of being so close to the pitchers mound radiates from him. 

He turns to you, his full lips curving into a boyish grin. “You good, babe?” he asks, his voice low and warm, those blue eyes searching yours with a tenderness that makes your heart melt. 

He’s reserved in public, but with you, he’s all softness, leaning into you like your presence is his safety net.

“I’m great,” you reply, squeezing his hand. His fingers are long and warm, as he gives you a gentle squeeze back, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. 

You can tell he’s thrilled to have you here, his usually guarded demeanor loosening as he glances at the field, then back at you, his blue eyes glinting with affection.

Around you, the VIP section is filled with familiar faces. Jeremy Allen White, Austin’s co-star in their upcoming film Enemies, is seated to his right, his shorter frame slouched casually in a white tee and khakis, a tan cap tilted low over his eyes.

Jeremy’s got this brooding energy, all half smirks and quick wit, his crystal blue eyes lighting up as he chats with a curious Austin about the meaning of his tattoos. 

Yesterday, Jeremy took Austin to roam his hometown of Chicago together, grabbing coffee at Doma Cafe in Andersonville. They were spotted by fans almost instantly and Jeremy being the kind humble guy that he is when mistaken for “looking exactly like Jeremy Allen White,” just nodded in agreement. 

Austin kept his head low, thinking he would be spared, but was nabbed by an even bolder fan who flat out asked for his phone number, which in true Austin style he graciously declined.

Among the other VIP celebs in your section, David Harbour is seated to your left. His burly frame sprawled across the seat as he trades stories with Jason Bateman, who’s impeccably dressed in a black tee and Cubs hat. 

David’s laugh is a deep, rumbling thing, and he’s got this dad-like warmth that you admire from his role on Stranger Things, his kindness almost tempting you enough to ask him about the next season. 

Jason, meanwhile, is all dry humor and wit, his sharp blue eyes scanning the field as he quips, “If I’d known we’d be this close to the action, I would have brought my catchers mit.”

They’re all so down-to-earth, these larger-than-life men who could command any room, but choose instead to blend into the chaos of the ballpark,  just like any other group of guys enjoying a sunny afternoon.

The game kicks off with a roar from the crowd, and Austin stands, his hands stuffed anxiously in his pockets, cheering reservedly as the Cubs take the field. 

He’s shy about being in such a large crowd , his shoulders hunching slightly, but his eyes light up, wide and bright, taking in the vibrant green field, the players practicing swings just infront of him.

When the organ starts playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, he sways a little, singing softly, his voice low and melodic blending in. You join him, and he glances at you, his grin widening, a spark of pure joy in his expression. You lean close so he can hear you over the noise, your elbow nudging his.

“Having fun Austin?” you tease.

“More than I thought I would,” he admits, his gaze sweeping the stadium before settling on you. 

The moment is perfect and Austin, in a rare display of public affection, shifts closer slipping his arm around your shoulder, his touch warm and heartfelt. 

For someone as reserved as he’s become, the simple gesture feels monumental as his long fingers slide down to your waist and he gently pulls you into his side. 

When you glance at him, his cheeks are flushed a soft pink under the brim of his cap, and his blue eyes are soft and smitten. He leans in, clearly wanting to kiss you, but a sudden wave of shyness pulls him back a bit, and a wide grin spreads across your face. 

Austin pauses, his own bashful smile forming on his lips, his eyes laced with affection as he takes in your reaction, completely charmed by you.

Jeremy, catching the moment, leans over with a sly grin. “Smooth Bulter” he teases, his tone pure mischief.

David and Jason join in, chuckling, David’s deep laugh rumbling as he adds, “C’mon, man, you’re breaking our hearts out here with all this romantic tension,” 

Jason, ever the dry wit, leans back tilting his Cubs hat up slightly as he quips, “Gotta give the man points for effort,—bold move in a full stadium.” and David slaps his knees, laughing.

Their playful ribbing fills the air, the group’s easy chemistry turning the moment into a warm, lighthearted spectacle blending with the stadium’s cheers. You can’t help but grin at their antics, your cheeks warm, your heart swelling at Austin’s shy courage.

Austin plays it off interlacing his fingers with yours his bashfulness eating him alive as he leans in to whisper. “You okay?” his voice soft, checking in like he always does.

“More than okay,” you whisper back, still grinning, and he smiles, that quiet, smitten smile that’s just for you.

When the game ends with the Cubs winning against the Rockies 3-1, you and Austin leave with the other VIPs long before the crowd spills out. After a day of cheering and reveling under the Chicago sun, you and Austin are both drained but happy.

Back at the hotel, a sleek suite at the Peninsula with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, you’re both too tired to do anything but collapse. 

Austin flops onto the king-sized bed, sprawling on his stomach, his cap tossed aside, his sandy blonde hair a mess. “I’m dead,” he groans, his voice muffled by the pillow.

“Poor baby,” you tease, climbing onto the bed. You straddle his lower back, your hands caressing over the tense muscles of his shoulders and he sighs under your touch, his body relaxing as you work out the stress from a long day. 

“Mmm, you’re so good to me,” he murmurs, turning his head to peek at you, his eyes heavy-lidded but warm with affection.

He reaches back, guiding you down gently until you’re lying beside him. He props himself up on one elbow as he looks at you, his gaze tracing your face. “I really wanted to kiss you out there,” he confesses, his voice soft with emotion.

“I know,” you respond, brushing your fingers gently along his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your touch. “You can kiss me in here,” you smile, and he grins in return, his blue eyes twinkling with adoration as he leans in and kisses you, slow and deep, his hand cradling your jaw.

You kiss him back, your fingers trailing through his sandy brown hair, and he shifts closer, his touches growing more insistent. His lips move against yours with a quiet hunger, and when he pulls back just enough to speak, his breath is warm against your skin. 

“Kissing in here is so much better,” he smiles, his thumb stroking your cheek. 

“Why because you don’t have an audience,” you grin cheekily, your eyes mischievous.

“No because I can do more than kissing,” he replies, his voice a promise, as his fingers slip down the straps of your top, sliding it off with a gentleness that makes you kiss him again.

You surrender to him, helping as he unbuttons your jeans, easing them down your legs with care, leaving you in nothing but your bra and panties. His eyes, are soft and reverent as he takes you in. “So beautiful,” he whispers leaning in his voice low and sincere against your ear. 

He sits up slightly, sliding off his blue button up then his white tee to reveal the lean, toned planes of his chest, the soft light catching the contours of his muscles. His cargo pants follow as he kicks them off leaving him in gray boxers, his movements unhurried and purposeful.

He leans over you, his lips finding yours again, kissing you with a passion that’s both gentle and consuming. His hands roam softly, tracing the curve of your waist, his touch warm and worshipful. “You’re so special to me,” he whispers against your lips, his voice heavy with emotion as he moves to kiss along your jaw, and down the column of your neck. 

His fingers unclasp your bra sliding it away, and he presses soft kisses to your collarbone, his breaths hot against your skin. His lips trail lower, brushing over the swell of your breasts, each kiss intensified, his hands cradling your sides as he whispers, “I can’t wait to feel you,” his voice a soft vow.

His hand drifts lower, knuckles brushing over the fabric of your panties, a slow, deliberate touch that sends a shiver through you. 

He strokes the lips up and down through the thin material, his movements gentle but teasing, his eyes locked on yours, watching your reactions with a mix of adoration and desire. 

“It feels so good Austin,” you whisper, your voice a shaky hush as your hands lower to your hips. You help him as he pulls your panties off, both of you staring as he spreads you gently, his fingers slick, his touch careful but confident as you gasp at the soft intimacy. 

He lingers there, his fingers trailing slow, strokes up and down, his lips finding yours again in a deep, languid kiss. His breaths mingle with yours as he presses soft kisses to your cheek, your jaw, your lips, building the anticipation with every touch.

He shifts, positioning himself above you, his body warm and solid, his eyes never leaving yours as he pulls his boxers down, his hard cock sliding out as you both watch. 

He rubs the tip gently against you, teasing your slickness, his mouth parting in a quiet gasp as he savors the pleasure of it. “I love you,” he whispers, his voice raw with emotion, and then he pushes forward, sinking all the way in, your mouth opening in bliss as your eyes lock in a shared moment of ecstasy. 

He kisses you slowly, his lips moving with yours as he pulls your leg over his hip, pressing closer. His movements are steady, passionate, each thrust gentle but deep, his hands cradling your body like you’re something precious.

“So perfect for me,” he whispers kissing you softly, then more urgently, his praises a constant thread as he moves faster—“You’re everything,” “I’m so lucky,”—he whispers against your skin as he moves with you.

His breaths grow heavier with his eyes locked on yours, filled with a vulnerability that makes your heart ache. He cups your face, his thumb  brushing your cheek, “I’m getting close baby,” he whispers his voice shaky with emotion, his softness just for you. 

The intimacy of his words, the way he bares himself, pushes you closer to the edge. You feel the tension building in your body, responding to his every touch, his every breath. As he moves he satisfies you so well with each thrust that you begin to orgasm, your moans breaking off in soft, shuddering waves, raw and unrestrained. 

The pleasure crashes over you, overwhelming, your gasps mingling with his as your body trembles beneath him, every sensation heightened by the way he knows you, loves you, bringing you to the peak of pleasure with such care and devotion.

He moans with you, his thrusts growing messier, more desperate, his hips grinding against you as he chases his release. His sounds are deep and pleasurable, his low groans vibrating against your skin, and you feel the force of him as he climaxes, his movements relentless yet tender, drawing out your pleasure as he surrenders to his own. He begins to come with a shudder, his breath hitching, his body tensing as he holds you close, his lips pressing onto yours in a desperate final kiss.

You lay together, panting, your bodies still entangled, the afterglow wrapping you in warmth. His head rests against yours, his breaths uneven, his hand gently stroking your hair as he whispers, “You’re my everything,” his voice soft and sated. 

You smile, your hands reaching over to stroke his temple as his eyes flutter shut. “I’ll never stop loving  you like this,” you promise your voice a soft whisper, filled with devotion.

The city of Chicago sounds softly beyond the windows, but in this moment, it’s just you and Austin, your bodies intertwined, his love a vow in every touch, every kiss, and every breath, always holding you in his heart.

END ⚾️

🔗 Masterlist

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[rosy-crow]

The thing I would say is commonly misunderstood the most about Sephiroth is his reaction to discovering that he was “created.”

People get baffled by the Nibelheim Incident and say, “I guess finding out you were an experiment would be upsetting, but why would that fill him with so much rage that he started killing humans and wanting to destroy the entire planet?”

But it’s more like….no, imagine you were born inherently different from everyone else. Forget the extra tragic background stuff that some of us know for a moment. Just take that basic idea about being “born special.”

You are distinctly isolate. It’s in your literal DNA. You are physically and biologically “other” your entire life. Not with a disorder or deformity, but with some completely unique and separate make-up as a living being.

And you don’t like it. You don’t like being special and different. It’s a type of different that can be utilized because it manifests in unnatural, destructive power. Your physical strength and endurance are beyond human and are most suited to war and bloodshed. This strips you of the ability to assimilate into the world. It makes you fit best as a weapon.

You don’t get a family, home, or sense of secure, ordinary life. You don’t get to connect with the planet. You live in a completely different world from everyone else and look out at them through glass and steel.

Sure, they idolize you. Cool. They worship the physical otherness that you were born with. They admire your godly strength, they fawn over your looks, they obsess over your presence, blah blah. But it’s all distant noise to you. There’s no fulfillment in it. You don’t want praise and worship from behind glass and steel, you want something or someone to connect to.

You want your mother — because SHE would give you love, safety, acceptance, and humanity. You could feel human if you could run into the arms of the human that birthed you. The existence of your mother is proof that you are human for the time being. You need her so much.

But none of this is given to you and even though you look for answers, they somehow evade you for your entire life.

MEANWHILE, the only ones to steer and guide you are the company that brought you up and at least gave you a place to reside, a place to find purpose. In your mind, since you were born special, maybe this company is a type of salvation, even if you don’t like everything they do or…..anything about them at all, actually.

But hey! They still guide your power and strength. They still give you something to hang onto. They don’t attack you for being special, they just steer you to employ your abilities and that’s SOMETHING to hold onto. It’s a place where you can assimilate and be accepted in some way. Even if it hurts you. You OWE them.

Now cut to Nibelheim. You uncover it all. Every. Single. Lie. And lies on top of lies. What you discover isn’t even the full truth, but you THINK it is. You think you’ve just finally found out all the answers!

And it starts with your birth. Turns out you were created. You’re not human at all. You were created from the remains of an ancient being that was dug up from the earth and labeled as a separate species by humanity. It’s even dubbed a monster by some, and boy…does it sure look like one.

All of those differences you grew up with, all of those feelings of otherness, all of those fucking isolate traits that FORCED you to live in a cold, different world and that conveniently suited the needs of the greedy, corporate businessmen that raised you were produced and crafted by them.

Your “special existence” that took away every chance at normal, human life was not something you were born with and had no control over. It was literally the result of horrible, unethical experimentation. All of your years of trying to accept it and just do your job are now pointless. It’s like a robot discovering it never had any autonomy or soul because it was always a product made with false ideas about itself.

And to make things worse? Your mother is the other victim of the company that created you. They had her all along, trapped inside an experimental hellscape and hooked up to tubes and wires. Treated like a revered object the same way you were. She’s not human either. That means she’s the only one that can be one with you and understand you. Or so you believe.

All those years you spent separated from her, trying to make peace with what you thought was a natural difference in your DNA…all of it was meaningless because you were being lied to, controlled, used, and treated like the creation you were from the start. You were being kept from your mother and even told she was dead.

Of course you would break.

This is just the core of Sephiroth’s story and I’m not even mentioning all of the additional horror that goes into his life, but this alone would make anyone enraged beyond reason. It would send anyone into deep despair.

Sephiroth only climbed out of that pitch black despair by using hatred, rage, and the drive to return to his mother. He reshapes his entire person to embrace the monster Shinra created. He embraced what he believed they made him to be without his consent, and turned his back on the “others” besides himself and his mother.

[writteninlunarlight-years]

Their sleeping habits/ How they sleep with you

Adam

He is a heavy sleeper who absolutely sleeps through everything without questions. He has seen and experienced everything, so nothing disturbs him.

He has 14 alarms set to wake him up because he won't wake up any other way. He really struggles to even wake up with the 14 alarms, but if you coax him awake, he is good.

You two must be touching, with his arm wrapped around you or your legs intertwined. He doesn't really care; he just needs to know you are there with him.

He has a whole night routine with you. While you get ready for bed, he dims the lights and gets out the wing grooming kit. He really likes to let you work on his wings to unwind.

Once all is well, he will pull you close, and you two will talk about your days softly and mentally check in with one another. As you drift off, he will turn off the lights and fall asleep himself.

He may be the world's first dick, but he is also a soft, caring man when it comes to you. He fucked up twice already. He is eager to atone for everything by giving you his all.

Alastor

He doesn't sleep often, and when he does, he is such a light sleeper that the slightest noise or feeling will have him bolted up, ready to flee or fight.

He only has one alarm, and that is all. However, his internal clock tells him when it is time to be up and moving around on the rare occasions he slept that night.

He isn't a fan of cuddling; he finds it too hot, sticky, and overwhelming. However, he occasionally indulges to see you happy and excited.

He is content with you two sleeping on your separate sides of the bed, and just feeling the dip of your side lets him feel comforted and reassured he isn't alone.

Due to not sleeping much, he likes to mostly help you with your night routine, from pulling your PJs out for you to brushing your hair and reading to you.

He sees rest as a time to wind down and relax, so he won't bother you with the trials of your day this close to bed. Instead, he turns on some smooth jazz and hums for you.

His favorite thing to do is gently caress your hair once you are fully asleep and stroke your face. He is happy with the knowledge that you let your full guard down around him as he does you.

Lucifer

Lucifer is a heavy sleeper; he has been depressed for years, and he has mastered the art of sleeping through a lot of things just cause he is too sad to care.

He only has 4 alarms all with varying labels of severity, typically depending on which one he actually gets up too is the one that will tell you how his day is gonna go.

He is a complete cuddler and will hold you captive in bed, no questions asked. He will wake up completely if he does not have you wrapped up in his arms, where he knows you are safe.

His whole routine is about bonding and being close to one another in the safety of your bedroom. He draws a bath/shower, massages, soft talks, and a white noise machine.

He liked to wrap you up in his arms and wings, thinking it gave him extra security that you would not just up and leave him randomly like Lilith did.

He loves matching PJs cause it is a cute way to wake up and remember his world didn't end all those years ago when Lilith walked out on him and Charlie.

Husk

He is a regular sleeper, not heavy or light, and it truly depends on the alcohol content the night before and if Alastor is lurking nearby or not.

He has 2 alarms. They are thirty minutes apart from one another, so that way, he knows that he has successfully pissed Alastor off. Yet you manage to help him avoid getting his contract held over him quite often.

He likes to have an arm lazily wrapped around you while he spoons you. He is afraid you will see him how he sees himself when he is so vulnerable, so he likes to be the one holding you.

Night routine-wise, you spend a lot of time pampering him since he refuses to care more than a little about himself. You make sure his fur is well groomed, his wings are preened, and his side of the bed is perfectly acclimated for him.

He likes to talk about the future with you. It's not too crazy or fast-paced unless you want to go that far, but he likes how you entered his life and gave him something to hope for.

He likes to wrap his tail around your leg and inhale your scent as you two fall asleep. He can never fully comprehend how he landed someone so perfect in his life.

Vox

He is a light sleeper. Having dealt with Alastors' onslaught of attacks before he joined the Vees and being one of the trio's powerhouses, he is afraid of being attacked.

He doesn't use an alarm; he wakes up when the sun does and goes to bed when his body is ready to sleep. Really, he is the best at sleeping out of everyone.

He likes to sleep on his back with your head nestled on his chest. With the widescreen, it is tough for him to rest on his side to hold you.

A night routine involves many soft domestic things you wouldn't expect from Vox. He likes to help you undress, shower, put on your pajamas, and tuck you into bed before he even considers caring for himself.

He likes to watch TV shows with you to wind down, so he will turn on the best hits or even find old shows he watched long ago for you two to bond over and invest in.

Once you are sound asleep, he will power down for the night and sit in sleep mode. He likes to stay alert, though, in case any danger may come your way.

Prompt assistance: @literallurker

[dellieghtful]

LADS: Getting Locked Out During A Blackout

SYNOPSIS: What would happen if the guys get locked out of their homes during a blackout?

🍓 A/N: Not connected to any of the series but it's something that's been on my mind for a while, definitely something I might probably sorta kinda work on in the future if writer's block doesn't get to me first lol ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ happy reading!

p.s: this was done with absolutely 0 direction to plot, i swung with what my brain could process at 930PM

📍characters: Xavier, Zayne, Sylus (separate)

XAVIER

Without a doubt is the reason for the whole blackout (was caught multiple times by residences practicing nearby the eletric generators that supply the ENTIRE BUILDING with electricity)

Always leaves his keys indoors, doesn't bother to leave spare keys (or even get spare keys for that matter lol)

Destroys the door in 9/10 blackout occurences because: "sword's are just a makeshift keys" (proceeds to brutally stab his own door to carve a whole and reach the knob)

Once waited out in the dark hallway near your door to ask for help after being given a last and final warning by the building owner about door-slashing

"Oh my God, Xavier! Don't creep up on me like that" you say, as you feel your back press against your hard door.

"I got locked out," Xavier says, running his hand through his hair, with a sheepish grin plastered across his face. "and, the electricity is out for the evening until morning."

"That sounds super bad. Did they get anyone to fix it?"

"Yeah, I'll be helping the fixing tomorrow".

"Do you even know how to fix the generator?"

"No."

"Then why did you offer to help them anyway?" you screech at him.

In moments of emergency or when he feels like it, Xavier brings out the sun fuzzies and shines like a diamond during blackouts and crashes at your place because he doesn't like shining alone in the dark at his place

Got a new rule dedicated towards him (a.k.a no swordfighting near the generators) made by the building management (was also mentioned during the anual homeowner's meeting about safety and security)

Still receives occassional complaints from neighbors about door-slashing tendencies. Currently preparing a building-wide public apology fo address related concerns (which will be done again the succeeding week)

ZAYNE

Zayne? Leaving his keys at home and the door unlocked? That's unheard of! But, he actually once lost his keys to his own office at the hospital

Amongst the guys, Zayne actually has plans B to Z in case of blackouts. Computers aren't working? No lights? Urgent surgery? He's got it all worked out! except for losing his office keys lol

Zayne can actually form make-shift keys out of ice to unlock doors with ease

Has Zayne ever left his car keys in the car while it was parked at the hospital's parking space? Never. Did Zayne erase any available footage of that happening? absolutely yes.

Zayne always labels his keys for easy navigation but the one time his labels had gone missing had left Zayne a good 30 minutes trying to figure out which key unlocks his office door. Surprise! Surprise! Sylus proabably peeled it all off

SYLUS

Doesn't lose keys but is the reason why people lose their keys

Sylus? Locked-out of his own glorious mansion? that's crazy! BUT not impossible lol was actually locked out once due to unforseen circumstances that will never be released to the public

Sylus would probably never experience a blackout because man has enough money to fund an entire city with electricity! But once tried to cut off your building's power supply in hopes of convincing you to live with him

"Oh kitten, another blackout again? It must be hard living in such difficult conditions. Why don't you come live with me? We have fruit loops and cold milk".

"Ha! Nice try, but we both now that's enough to convince me. I'm in".

Would probably switch out your keys with fakes for fun (probably the reason why Zayne was locked out of the office)

While polishing his gun and humming a melody, Sylus could have never found a more perfect time to relax. The moment wad made even more perfect when your name flashes on his screen. Without a second thought, he swipes and your voice could be heard through the speaker. And it definitely DID NOT sound happy.

"Did you switch out my keys?"

"Why hello, kitten. What a pleasure to hear your voice after such a long time. Are you coming to visit?"

"Where are my keys?"

Soft jingling can be heard on the other side of the phone, confirming your suspicion that Sylus indeed has stolen your house AND bike keys.

"Need a lift or a joyride?" He asks, clearly you can feel he's smirking on his little grown-man chair while polishing his gun. You could only groan in annoyance, praying for an ounce of extra patience from above.

"Yes."

"I knew you'd come around, sweetie. I'll be there in 10".

[jtmportland]

I know this post is long, but it’s important to read to understand what’s going on. A lot of people are asking, “Why is Trump just out golfing while things are falling apart?” It’s simple: the emergency isn’t something he’s reacting to — it’s something he’s building.

Trump recently declared a national economic emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — granting himself sweeping authority over international trade by labeling foreign economic practices an “unusual and extraordinary threat.”

But here’s the real play: by declaring a national emergency, Trump didn’t just respond to a crisis — he created one. And in doing so, he unlocked access to over 120 statutory powers scattered throughout federal law. Many of these powers have nothing to do with trade — and everything to do with expanding presidential authority inside the U.S.

What This Move Enables: Expanded Domestic Powers

1. Control of Domestic Communications

- 47 U.S.C. §606(c): Allows the president to take control of, shut down, or regulate wire and radio communications — including the internet, social media platforms, broadcast networks, and telecom infrastructure — in the name of national defense. Originally intended for wartime, this Cold War-era law remains on the books.

2. Asset Freezing and Financial Surveillance

- Under IEEPA and related laws, the president can freeze the assets and bank accounts of individuals or organizations accused of aiding foreign threats. These powers are vague and can be stretched to include domestic political groups, journalists, or activists — especially if they’re perceived as having foreign ties or influence.

3. Domestic Military Deployment

- Under the Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C. §§ 251–255), the president can deploy active-duty U.S. military to enforce laws or suppress civil unrest within the country. In certain scenarios, this can be done without state governor consent — especially if the president claims state authorities are failing to uphold federal law.

4. Emergency Detention Powers (Non-Citizens)

- The Alien Enemies Act (50 U.S.C. §21) — a law dating back to 1798 — allows the president to detain or restrict the movement of non-citizens from nations deemed hostile. The criteria for “hostile” can be broad and undefined during a declared emergency.

5. Control of Energy and Transportation

- Under laws like 42 U.S.C. §6272 and others, the president can redirect or restrict domestic fuel production, electricity usage, or energy transportation. Additionally, 49 U.S.C. §40106(b) allows the president to limit, reroute, or suspend civil aviation, giving the executive branch near-total control over U.S. airspace in a crisis.

6. Suspension of Labor Regulations

- During a declared emergency, the president can waive federal labor regulations and override contract protections. This includes removing limits on hours, wages, and workplace safety for federal contractors and any industries deemed vital to national security.

7. National Security Letters & Warrantless Surveillance

- Emergency declarations expand the reach and use of National Security Letters (NSLs) — tools that let federal agencies demand financial, telecom, and internet records without a warrant. These also come with gag orders, preventing the recipient (e.g., Google or a bank) from disclosing that they’re under surveillance.

Why it Matters?

Even when legal domestic powers are limited, a national emergency lets the president:

- Frame the issue as a national security crisis, justifying aggressive action

- Bypass Congress and the courts by acting unilaterally

- Sway public opinion using fear, urgency, and patriotic rhetoric

Bottom Line

IEEPA is focused on foreign threats — but once the emergency is declared, the president taps into a hidden arsenal of domestic control powers. What began as a trade issue could quickly shift into civil liberties restrictions, mass surveillance, or even crackdowns under the legal shield of an “emergency.”

This isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about redefining the boundaries of executive power. Imagine if this economic crisis keeps getting worse — the amount of power he will gain.

[everywishway]

Unions and the Defence of Supergiant Games

Hey, so I'm pretty sure everyone and their mom has seen takes on Hades 2 rn bc of what one of the VAs said. This is causing a lot more harm then good rn and, while I don't claim to be an expert on unions, but even just basic research shows Supergiant is largely innocent and this is a misunderstanding.

Supergiant stated they will not be recasting and also they don't fall under the companies that can not be working or supported during the SAG- AFTRA strike.

Being an indie development company, they do not fall under the issues SAG is striking and possibly can not even sign said agreement because they are an indie company (i'd have to fact-check that). This strike is supposed to affect larger companies like EA, Sony, X-Box, etc who are pushing for AI. Below is a statement from Supergiant about the statement made by the VA.

When similar strikes happened for both SAG and the WGA, other smaller companies did not have to halt production because their work did not meet the guidelines that the strike fell under. Spindel Horse and GLITCH are both indie animation companies that did not have to halt production.

One other example is Dropout.TV where they did not need to stop under SAG rules and guidelines, they did so out of respect. While Supergiant could, they don't have too and why would they? Fans have been waiting for almost three years now and they are polishing at a record speed.

Secondly is the term "Scab" being thrown around when it comes to who Supergiant hires, which largely comes from people not knowing what a true scab is.

A Scab ISN'T any person working in a given position when a strike is happening. It's a member of SAID UNION who crosses the picket line or does work for lower pay then the Union states.

Unions have several levels of entry that not all people meet. Being under smaller workers unions for starters along with proof of employment and others.

Supergiant, being smaller and indie makes it so it can hire people who aren't SAG members and help promote them to be bigger names in the industry along with eventually becoming possible members of the unions.

For example, Michael Kovach (famous VA for Jax from TADC, Several characters from Poppy Playtime, One character in Billie Bust Up (IDK), and most famously the original pilot VA for Angeldust from Hazbin Hotel) is not a member of SAG but supports the union and has been in multiple roles since the SAG strikes began.

While I have not done research into who exactly is being called a "Scab" in terms of the Supergiant controversy, please keep yourself educated about the term because it is super derogatory and may cause these people to never be able to join the unions. Being labeled a "scab", even incorrectly, makes it nearly impossible for people to join unions.

A lot of the "If you don't join a union then your against unions" mentality I've seen from people creates a harmful, uneducated stereotype that large corporations want. They want normal consumers to see Union Supporters as aggressive and hopping down your throat to deny you money. This villainizes unions in the long run.

Overall, Supergiant is not doing anything wrong and the mob mentality jump on them comes from a lack of educated perspectives (esp since a large portion of this community is the younger demographic with not much union knowlege).

While I don't see it happening, the large explosion of this on social media along with the VA's lack of understanding may cause Supergiant (or even other companies) to not work with them again after Hades 2 is complete. This is a huge liability that is harming their company and, if they do proceed to go this route I do not blame them, and neither should you. This is safety and security in their brand so more games we appreciate can come out in the future. The VA is a grown adult who has made decisions and will deal with the consequences when/if they happen. Please send no hate to Supergiant or the VA who I have intentionally left nameless so nobody can attack them. Thank you.

[breelandwalker]

Magical Oil Recipes - Protection and Warding Edition

For anyone looking to brew up some magical protections or enhance their current warding measures, here are some recipes I’ve created that you might find useful.

To prepare them, blend the ingredients in such proportions as feels correct for your purposes (or as supplies allow). Use dried material except where indicated. Place a few spoonfuls in a mason jar with a screwtop lid and fill the jar with a bland oil of your choice. (Vegetable oil of the sort you would buy for cooking works fine.) Screw the lid on tightly and shake well to combine, then leave the jar in a dark dry place for 2-4 weeks to steep.

Once steeped, prepare a clean storage bottle (also with a secure lid) and label with the type of oil and the bottling date. Strain the oil through paper towels or cheesecloth to remove the plant material, then bottle immediately. Store away from sunlight and heat for up to one year. Use for spellwork as you see fit.

(Please note that NONE of these potions are meant to be taken internally by any means. Observe all proper safety measures related to glass, fire, and potentially harmful plants as necessary during preparation.)

*- Ingredient is potentially harmful if inhaled or ingested. **- Ingredient should not be used or handled if you are pregnant or nursing.

All-Purpose Blessing Oil For blessing, purification, and consecration.

Lavender

Sweet Basil

Bay Leaf

Patchouli Note: Use Olive Oil for the base.

All-Purpose Hexbreaking Oil For general negation of baneful spells cast by oneself or others.

Agrimony**

Cinquefoil

Fennel

Vervain

Solomon's Seal Root in master bottle

And Stay Out Ward Refresher Oil For strengthening household protections between castings.

Sarsaparilla

Oakmoss

Horehound

Sweet Basil

Banned From The Premises Banishing Oil For anointing doorways and banishing unwanted persons.

Oregano

Rosemary

Lemon Peel

Thyme

Blue Moon Curse Reversal Oil For turning and countering baneful magic.

Angelica Root

Lemon Verbena

Motherwort**

Elderberries*

Change the Locks Protection Oil For protection of the home from banished persons.

Cumin

Oregano

Rosemary

Thistle

Cradlekeeper Child Protection Oil For protection of infants and young children.

Daisies (any color)

Flax Seeds

Caraway Seeds

Lamb's Ear Leaf Note: Use to anoint the lintel of the door to the child's room.

No Soliciting Front Door Oil To keep unwanted visitors away from your home.

Ivy Leaves

Sweet Basil

Blueberry Leaf

Juniper Berries Note: Apply to your front door or threshold.

Safe Space Protection Oil To help one find sanctuary when it is most needed.

Blackberry Leaf (or Tea)

Allspice Berries

Fennel Tops

Clover Leaves and Blossoms

The Shielding Light Protection Oil For passive protective magics.

Caraway Seeds

Eucalyptus Leaf**

Lavender

Vervain Note: Passive protection magic functions as a shield, rebuffing or neutralizing harm. It is good for long-term spells that don't require much energy or maintenance.

The Shining Dark Protection Oil For active protective magics.

Coconut Husk

Thistle Leaf

Witch Hazel**

Angelica Root Note: Active protection magic functions as a sword, strongly deflecting or fending off harm. This is best for short-term or immediate-use spells that are not meant to last, but must kick in very strongly and very quickly. Excellent for emergency personal protections.

The Sorcerer's Tower Protection Oil To protect your witchy supplies and workspace from interlopers.

Juniper Sprigs or Berries

Blueberry Leaf

Thistle

Astragalus Root Note: Works best alongside mundane secrecy and privacy measures. To avoid damage, anoint containers, furniture, and doors rather than items. Do not use directly on books as it may damage delicate paper or covers. Use with caution on unfinished wood.

Thorn in the Door Warding Oil To discourage unfriendly witches from entering your home.

Rosemary

Bay Leaf

Sage (any color)

Solomon's Seal Root

Rose Stem (with thorns) in master bottle

Walking Ward Protection Oil For personal warding spells of all kinds.

Sweet Basil

Witch Hazel**

Fennel Sprigs Note: This works for both active and passive protection magics and may be used in conjunction other protective oils.

Wanderlust Traveling Oil For all-purpose protection and luck while traveling.

Feverfew

Cinquefoil

Witch Hazel**

Spearmint

Should the reader require supplies, I recommend the following:

Penn Herb Company

Starwest Botanicals

Bulk Apothecary

Mountain Rose Herbs

Specialty Bottle

Photo Credit - Shaiith

All recipes are © 2017 Bree NicGarran, published in Pestlework: A Book of Magical Powders & Oils. Please check out the book if you would like more recipes.

If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, tune in to my podcast Hex Positive, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop.