#americans stop acting like everyone is american challenge

[skzstannie]

"Did you know?"

SKZ-> ot8 x 9th member! reader

genre: angst, hurt/comfort wc: ~4,500 cw: slight violence, swearing, reader has to go to the hospital

summary: some online rumors cause turmoil within the group, and it seems the members’ concerns were certainly not without reason

A/N: Here's another angsty 9th member fic for you guys, hope you enjoy! My requests are still open, so if you have any ideas, feel free to send them in!

Likes/reblogs and feedback are greatly appreciated!

Part 2 | Happy Scrolling! | Masterlist

Today was the first date of your North American tour, landing you guys in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, California. Your managers allowed you the morning to explore the city, given you had constant security. They made you specifically promise to abide by these rules, as you had a habit of sneaking off to see fans on your own. What can you say? Security could be annoying, and your fans were always the sweetest.

This little habit of yours not only made management anxious, but also your members. They knew you could be innocent and credulous when it came to other people, always wanting to believe there was good in everyone. While this may be true, people's best intentions sometimes went out the window when confronted with their favorite Kpop idols.

"Ok, first the art museum for Hyunjin, then Griffith Park, and then the nice breakfast cafe down the street from the venue. Anything else?" Chan reads off your planned itinerary, glancing upwards at you guys.

"Yea, I said I wanted to go to the Santa Monica Pier. They have the cutest attractions there," you say, repeating yourself for what felt like the hundredth time that day. You were the only one wanting to go, all the other members not wanting to risk getting sick on fair food and carnival rides before the concert.

"Yes, and I already acknowledged the fact that we will not be going there today. And we, includes you, meaning you will also not be sneaking off to go by yourself," Chan pointedly looks to you, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"What makes you think I'd ever do that?" you give him a cheeky smile, tilting your head ever so slightly.

"Don't look at me like that. You know exactly why I'd think that."

You drop your innocent act, giving him a bored look in return.

Chan gets notified that the vans have arrived, so you all pack up your things and head to the hotel elevator. The boys roughhouse in the hallway, Seungmin almost tackling Jeongin to the ground. This is quickly stopped by Minho, reminding them they can't get hurt before the concert tonight. They roll their eyes at him but oblige.

Leaving the hotel, you all jump in the cars, embarking on the short drive to the art museum. Your van consists of Seungmin and Felix sitting in the middle set of seats, while you're squished in the back between Chan and Minho. The air is weirdly tense and quiet, everyone seemingly too occupied with their phones. Besides Chan describing the itinerary this morning, everyone has been quiet all day.

You feel Chan's watchful gaze slide to your screen, and you pull away, leaning towards Minho. "Do you mind?" you sass.

"I do actually. What are you looking at on there, any cute boys?"

"Give me a break, we have a dating ban," you scoff, turning your phone back off and sliding it into your crossbody bag.

You continue to sit in silence until you arrive, not wanting to deal with Chan's wandering eyes on your Instagram feed.

Finally arriving at the art museum, everyone piles out of the vans. Fans line the sidewalk, and a grin spreads across your face. You step out of line quickly, wanting to go over to a particularly young fan. She looks around 8 or 9, and she has a poster of you in hand with a black Sharpie. What's the harm in giving this young girl a quick signature?

Within your first few steps, your arm is aggressively pulled backwards, and you stumble into Minho. He gives you a stern look, and you know, especially with this many people around, not to question him. You fall back in line, looking back to give the young girl a sympathetic smile as you're guided the rest of the way into the museum.

You guys walk through the entrance of the museum, officially out of sight from all the fans. Minho gives you another pointed look, finally releasing your arm from his grasp. "We told you, no funny business today. Tonight's important, and we need you in one piece for it."

Your eyes widen at his tone of voice, not appreciating the seriousness behind it. You know you tend to break some rules here and there, but it's always light-hearted. You'd never intentionally put yourself or anyone else in danger.

You guys explore the museum exhibits in peace, security doing an excellent job of keeping the fans outside. You, not having much of an interest in art, spend most of your time watching Hyunjin and the way he admires the artwork. He really is an artist at heart, and you love the way he can appreciate each individual piece.

While staring at Hyunjin, who's admiring an intensely beautiful painting of a riverbed with flowers, you suddenly feel eyes on you. You quickly spin around to be met with the stares of Felix, Jisung, and Jeongin. They quickly look away, busying themselves looking at the statues next to them.

You give them a squinted look, walking over to them. "What is wrong with you guys today? Why is everyone acting so funny?" you confront them, furrowing your brows.

Jisung stumbles over his words, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Felix jumps in, giving Jisung a strange look, "We were just talking about how beautiful you look today." He comes over to you and wraps an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into his side.

You don't stay there long, removing his arm from around you and walking away. "Weird," you mutter to yourself.

You guys finish up in the museum shortly after. Piling back into the cars, you're once again stuck between Minho and Chan. This time, however, Chan keeps constant conversation with you. He rambles on about the concert that night, what he had for dinner last night, practically anything to keep his mouth moving. While this is still strange behavior, you prefer this to radio silence.

Arriving at Griffith Park, you guys make your way up the hill terrain. All the guys want to take pictures, planning to post them to Instagram later that week. You think the perfect spot for pictures would be the Hollywood sign, so you start to make your way towards it.

You don't think to alert anyone, as it's within eyesight, and you prefer to take your own pictures, anyway. You came prepared, bringing your tripod in your backpack.

Before you make it very far, only walking about 25 feet away from the group, you hear your name being yelled. You turn back around, seeing an angry Minho storming towards you.

"What'd we say about going off on your own? Why are you being so difficult today?" he asks, his voice rising with every word he spits at you.

You don't know what's gotten everyone's panties in a bunch today, but you've just about had enough. The atmosphere has been tense all day, and you're officially sick of it.

"Why is everyone being so tense today? Gosh, I'm only going up to the sign!" You throw your arm behind, motioning to the spot only about 50 feet away from where you and Minho stand.

"No, you will not be going up there, especially not by yourself. Stay with the rest of the group and stop being stubborn!" Minho's overly-critical eyes stare you down. He steps toward you, grabbing you by the elbow for the second time that day.

You wretch yourself away from him. "I've had enough with being man-handled today. I'm done! I'm going to wait in the van. Have fun without me!" you yell at him, stalking off towards the parking lot.

You see everyone had stopped what they were doing upon hearing the loud yells, and they're all watching you as you hurriedly make your way back to the vans. Your face flushes, embarrassment taking over your features.

You pull on the door to the van, realizing it's locked. You stomp your foot and whip around, finding everyone still staring at you with varying expressions. "Someone please unlock this door before I have a mental breakdown," you beg, feeling the beginnings of an anxiety attack taking over your body.

The driver, just feet away sitting on a bench, searches for the keys in his jacket, finally unlocking the door for you. You climb in, slamming the door behind you.

You stumble over the front row of seats, laying down in the back away from the concerned gazes of your members and the rest of the staff. Your chest feels constricted, the air in your lungs feeling limited in supply. Tears stream down your face at the unwanted advances of an anxiety attack.

The fight with Minho paired with the building tension all day, along with the nerves for tonight's concert mixed into a deadly concoction in your brain, all too much for you to handle.

You're not left alone with your thoughts for long, the door to the van opening only minutes later. Hyunjin crawls in, shutting the door behind him.

"Hey, hey, shhh. It's ok, everything will be ok," he coos, rubbing your back. He's squeezed himself down in between the middle row of seats, his elbows resting on the armrests beside him.

"I'm sick of today," tears slide down you cheeks, your voice audibly shaking. "Everyone is being so distant and mean. What'd I do?"

"No honey, you didn't do anything. Everyone's just a little stressed for tonight. There's been some stuff circulating around online putting everyone on edge, but it'll all be fine," he reassures you, trying to roll you onto your other side so he can see your face. Your mind is too pre-occupied to register his words, letting them travel in one ear and out the other.

You allow him to turn you around, uncomfortably shifting in the small space. Your glossy eyes meet his, and he's quick to wrap you up into a tight hug, your own arms squished against his chest.

"Everyone's finishing up out there, then we're going to head to the venue a little earlier than planned. Does that sound ok?" he asks, affectionately running his fingers through your hair.

"Yea," you sniffle, pressing your face firmly into his shoulder. "I don't want to sit by Minho. Please don't make me," you cry harder at the thought.

"Alright, alright, shhh. You're only working yourself up more. You know we have to stay in our assigned vehicles, but I'm sure Seungmin and Felix will switch spots with him and Chan."

After a few more minutes of consoling from Hyunjin, everyone else has finished their photoshoots. Hyunjin leaves, but not before giving you another firm squeeze. Seungmin and Felix pile into the van first, both of them coming to sit beside you. You telepathically thank Hyunjin for asking them in passing.

Felix rests a comforting hand on your knee throughout the ride to the venue. Chan and Minho are silent, completely engrossed in their phones once again.

Once at the venue, you stay far from Minho, not wanting to deal with his negativity. You notice the security is amped up a bit compared to last tour, guards standing at every door leading to your dressing rooms. You figure it's because your band has gotten so much bigger, the Stay Family always growing exponentially.

In your dressing room, Felix occupies the chair by the mirror, your stylists brushing shades of brown and pink across his eyelids. Changbin stands nearby, the hair stylist just finishing up with a couple extra spurts of hairspray. You lay on the couch while you wait, playing Among Us with Jeongin and Hyunjin who reside in the other dressing room.

Changbin and Felix offered to go with you to your dressing room, and you gladly accepted their offer. You explained to them you didn't necessarily want to be alone; you just didn't want to be by Minho.

The stylists start to work on you once they're done with the boys. They finish your hair and makeup just in time for soundcheck, applying some last minute powder to your nose before sending you off to the stage.

Rehearsals go by smoothly. You and Minho are able to put your issues behind you for now. Your fans are so important to you, and the last thing you want to do is ruin their night because of some petty argument.

Management sends you off to the dressing rooms once again, satisfied with the quality of the soundcheck. You follow your members off stage before departing down a separate hallway in search of the bathroom.

You walk for another few seconds, taking a few random turns before your met with the door to the ladies' restroom. You do your business and take your time getting back to the dressing room as you guys don't go on for another hour. The venue your playing is beautiful, so you take a slight detour, admiring all the nice architecture.

You're startled from your peaceful thoughts once again by a furious Minho. "I cannot believe you'd go off on your own again. After all we've told you today, how could you possibly think that's ok?" he throws his hands up in disbelief, his tone snarky.

"I had to use the restroom! You guys have never had a problem with me walking around the venues by myself, why now? You have been up my ass all day. Leave me the hell alone for awhile." You push him out of the way, ramming his shoulder with your own in the tight hallway.

"Do you think this is fun for me, huh? Yelling at you all day long? Did you ever stop to think for one second that there may be something bigger going on here?" His voice sounds exhausted, leaving you slightly concerned because you still have hours of performing to do. However, your anger gets the best of you, and your concern gets pushed deep below the surface.

"Well, I'm sorry that I can't read your damn mind. If there's something bigger going on, then why hasn't anyone told me? I'm a big girl, not some toddler. I am a part of this group the same as everyone else, so why are things being kept from me?"

Minho starts to speak, but you immediately cut him off, not wanting to hear the lame excuses you're sure he's come up with. "You know what, I don't even wanna hear it. My mental health has went to shit today because of you, and if I wanna be able to perform in 30 minutes, I need to be away from you. We can talk about this later," you finish, rushing off to your dressing room, leaving Minho standing alone in the hallway.

Everyone seems to have deemed your dressing room the hangout spot until the concert officially begins, as all the other boys have gathered around, making themselves comfortable amongst the laid out furniture in the room.

You all make conversation, laughing at Changbin's cringey jokes; you're happy for the distraction, allowing your mind to wander from the fight you had with Minho.

10 minutes before you go on, management comes to fetch you to get ready, providing you all with in-ears and microphones.

Your pre-performance jitters have made themselves known, but you've been doing this long enough that you can turn that nervous energy into excitement.

5 minutes before you go on, you and the boys gather in a circle. Chan leads, knowing exactly how to get everyone hype before going on.

You're all standing now just outside of view from the fans on the side of the stage, waiting for your cue from management. Once they give it, you all make your way out onto the stage, relishing in the sounds of the screaming Stay that form the crowd.

All is going smoothly as you finish your center part during the bridge of Lalala, and you make your way to the side of the stage, waiting for the part in the song where you re-enter the choreo. With all your attenton focused on the performance, you fail to notice the commotion coming from the crowd just a few feet from you.

Your attention is pulled away from the performance when you're tackled from behind. You scream in agony and fear, having landed painfully on your wrist. If the snap you felt is anything to go by, it's definitely broken. However, this isn't your main concern at the moment. You open your eyes, and they’re immediately drawn to the shiny pocket knife the man has in his hand. He's quick to slash a small cut into your forearm before he is aggressively pushed off of you. Your attacker is taken down by security; they immediately throw a pair of handcuffs on him, taking him off stage.

The crowd has broke out into panicked cries, all of Stay wondering what happened and if you're ok.

Your members are quick to rush over to you, abandoning the remainder of the Lalala choreo. While it's felt like an eternity since you were tackled, it really only took security a few seconds to get the situation under control, and only a few more seconds for your members to surround you.

"What hurts?" Chan panics, crouching down beside you.

"My wrist," you sob, totally overwhelmed from all the commotion. The crowd is still roaring and your wrist throbbing like crazy. The cut on your arm is no comparison to the pain radiating from your wrist.

"Alright, let's move her off stage," a paramedic pushes through the barricade your members have formed around you and helps you stand to your feet. You quickly move off stage, wanting to get out of the crowd's view as soon as possible.

Once off to the side, one paramedic inspects your wrist, gently grasping your forearm to hold you steady, while another wraps the cut on your other arm.

"It definitely looks broken. We should get you to the hospital to get it X-rayed and possibly casted," he explains.

Minho steps up next to you, your earlier arguments swept from your mind. "I'll go with her. You guys finish up here. Probably should cut the setlist short anyway; we're already behind schedule."

You follow behind the paramedics, them leading you outside to the ambulance. Minho walks beside you, providing you familiarity in this uncomfortable situation.

The ride to the hospital is silent except for the beeping of the machines the paramedics have you connected to. Minho holds your unbroken hand the whole ride, your disagreements on the backburner for the moment.

The more time that passes, the sorer your body becomes. Your arms feel heavy, and your back feels like it was beaten with a hammer. You realize you've probably been in shock this whole time, and the attacker did more damage than you originally thought.

You finally find yourself in a hospital room, Minho pulling the chair up beside you.

"Well," the doctor says, pulling your X-ray up onto the screen, "This cut doesn't require stitches, just keep it bandaged and medicated. We'll give you a Tetanus shot for it, though, since it was done with a knife. As for your wrist, it's definitely broken. The good news, though, is that it doesn't look like it will require surgery. What color cast do you want?"

You're expression appears dazed to Minho and the doctor, your mind completely preoccupied. "Black," you mumble, just loud enough for him to hear you.

The doctor nods his head, disappearing from the room to retrieve the supplies to apply your cast and the shot.

You look to Minho, finally feeling like you have processed everything that's happened. "What the hell happened? How did that guy get past security, and with a knife especially?"

"Honestly, we're not sure. Management and security are reviewing the camera footage now. We were trying to be cautious; there was so much extra security tonight. It should've been impossible for anyone to get to you."

You process his words, a realization forming in your mind. "Did you guys know something about this beforehand?" Your eyebrows furrow. If they knew something, they for sure would have told you, too, right? "Is this what you were talking about in the hallway before the concert?"

"Y/N," he sighs, giving you a look full of remorse.

"No. I don't want any bullshit," you snap, "Did you or did you not know something was wrong before the concert? Is that why you have been giving me a hard time all day?" You start to put the puzzle pieces together, the day replaying in your head.

The overprotectiveness, the extra security, them not wanting you to go on your phone- they knew.

Minho looks to the ground, his shoulders slumping. "Look, we find out about some rumors going around online this morning, but-"

"Get out," you say, your voice tense.

His head snaps up, his remorseful eyes meeting your fiery ones. "What?"

"I said, Get. Out." Your unbroken hand aggressively points to the door.

"I'm not leaving you here alone. Let's just talk about this-"

"You had all day to talk to me about this, but now that I'm injured and traumatized you want to talk about it?" Your incredibly angry, and your words are filled with venom. "Get out, get out, get out!"

"Do you really think it's the best idea to be by yourself right now?" His eyes are filled with sorrow, his hands in dire need to reach out to you.

"If you don't leave right now, I will scream."

His watchful gaze rests on you for a couple seconds, before he finally gives in, rising to his feet. He walks toward the door. "We'll send a car to come get you when you're ready. There's security out here waiting, and your manager is out in the hall. I'll see you when you get back to the hotel."

He disappears out the door, once again leaving you alone with your thoughts. How dare they not tell you? There are threats going around online about you, and you're the last one they tell? In what world does that make any sense?

The doctor comes back in the room just a few minutes later. He's quick with putting your cast on, and he sends you on your way, requesting you stop by the front desk to sign a few documents before you go.

You follow him out the door, meeting up with your manager and security right outside the room.

After signing the paperwork, your manager leads you outside to the car that has been called for you.

Fans must've found out which hotel they took to you, and the outside of the hotel is flooded with Stay. Normally, you'd be ecstatic to see so many of them. However, you're exhausted and hurt, so you bring your hood over your head and stare at the ground, thankful for the security that surrounds you.

You climb in the back of the car, your manager following suit. "Why was I not informed about the threats online?" you question, your eyebrows furrowing in anger.

"The concert was going to go on no matter what, so we figured it'd be easier to get you out there if you didn't know about them."

Your jaw drops at her statement. "That is not fair, how can you just assume that? I had a right to know about this," you argue.

"This isn't really up for discussion. It's the way we chose to handle it, and that's that."

You're in disbelief at her careless attitude. "How did the guys find out about it then?"

"Nosy little shits," she laughs, but you're not sure how she's finding any humor in this situation. "They saw them online themselves. We practically had to threaten their contracts to get them not to tell you."

Your heart constricts at this new information. Emotions flood your system, and you're suddenly feeling incredibly guilty for your interaction with Minho in the hospital room. All the arguments between the two of you flood your mind, and remorse rushes your body.

They have just been trying to keep you safe all day. Trying to keep you off your phone, not letting you wander by yourself, the whispers behind your back. It all makes sense now. And you realize you've been a royal bitch all day to the wrong people.

You turn to look out the window for the remainder of the drive, knowing it's useless to argue with your manager. What she says goes. This doesn't mean you're not angry with her and the rest of management, though. This conversation needs to be had in a professional setting, not in the backseat of a car when you're by yourself.

Once you arrive at the hotel, your quick to jump out of the car, wanting to be away from your careless manager. However, you stand directly outside the door, patiently waiting for security to escort you to your room.

They walk you all the way up to your shared room with Seungmin, and you're not surprised to find all of them waiting for you when you open the door.

They're conversations halt, all eyes snapping to you. You walk in and set your bag down on the bed. Your eyes well up with tears for what feels like the hundredth time that day. "I'm so sorry," you cry, afraid to meet their concerned gazes. "Today has just been so overwhelming, and my manager sucks, and my back hurts, and I have been so rude to you guys all day-," your words are cut short by another sob wracking through your sore body. You sniffle some more, bringing your sleeve up to wipe at your face. "Min, I'm so sorry for kicking you out. I should've just listened to what you had to say. I'm such a horrible person."

All the guys are quick to stand, not wanting you to rile yourself up anymore. Hyunjin comes over to you first, gently guiding you to sit on the bed. Everyone else follows, all of you now gathered on the queen sized bed. "Listen," Minho starts, comforting you, "Absolutely none of this is your fault, you hear?" He pulls you down next to him, his arm coming up around your shoulders. "Today has been an awful day, and you don't need to work yourself up about how you treated us."

"Yea, but-"

"No buts, you need to rest. We are not mad at you."

"Not one bit. We love you so much, and we're so sorry you had to go through that. Are you ok? How's your wrist?" Chan asks from the edge of the bed, placing a comforting hand on your ankle.

"It hurts, but the doctor gave me some painkillers to take for the next few days. My cut didn't need stitches, but I have to keep it bandaged until it heals," you explain, your words coming out steadier than before.

Your cries eventually calm down, leaving you sniffling every now and again. Felix notices you've calmed down, and he nudges your leg, opening his arms for you. You crawl into them, relaxing into his calm and comforting embrace. The rest of them are quick to follow, creating one big group hug.

You know this situation is certainly not over. I'm sure you guys will press charges, and you'll probably have to release a statement of some kind. It seems that management and you guys have come to a silent agreement to deal with everything in the morning, and you couldn’t be more grateful for it.

~ ~ ~

Part 2

[astonmartinii]

ballad of lovebirds and puppy dogs | lando norris social media au

pairing: lando norris x fem actress!reader

face claim: rachel zegler

everyone is a hunger games fan, even if you say you're not a hunger games fan you are. this includes lando norris.

based on this request: could you please do a lando norris smau with rachel zegler as the fc!! where the ballad of songbirds and snakes recently came out, twitter could be freaking out over it, and then someone spots her with lando or something!! take it from there queen that’s just my like base plot‼️‼️ - @inejghafawifesblog

MASTERLIST | BUY ME A KO-FI?

yourusername

liked by tomblyth, landonorris and 1,231,866 others

tagged: tomblyth

yourusername: kinda have a movie coming out, have yall seen it?

view all comments

user1: ANNOUNCE RELATIONSHIP NOW

user2: friendships can exist between men and women you know?

user3: look at her holding his arm though that shit ain't platonic

hunterschafer: my favourite girl in the whole world

yourusername: that's crazy because you're my favourite girl in the whole world too

hunterschafer: crazy when that happens huh

tomblyth: does that mean i'm your favourite man in the whole world

yourusername: my lawyer said i can't answer this question

tomblyth: god you get a boyfriend and all of a sudden i don't mean shit

this comment has been deleted

tomblyth: does our frolicks in the woods mean nothing to you?

user4: WE SAW THAT GRANDPA

user5: sooooo. there is a man.

user6: and it's not tom :( so disappointing their chemistry was insane

user7: babe that's called acting

user8: lando norris in the likes i knew my man had TASTE

user9: i knew there was a reason i liked that man

f1gossipandtea

liked by user13, user14 and 12,309 others

tagged: yourusername, landonorris

f1gossipandtea: lando norris was spotted multiple times out in monaco with y/n y/ln !! this comes after his appearance at the premiere of her new film the ballad of songbirds and snakes. do you think they're a cute couple?

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user15: try not to say parents challenge (impossible)

user16: has someone looked into my brain and pulled out my dream threesome and made them a couple

user17: i need them to give me a chance for real

user18: i am defo anti-paparazzi but thank you for these absolute gems xx

user19: those motherfuckers must've been camped out cause literally got the whole itinerary

user20: this feels like such a random couple but after watching the BTS of tbosas they defo have very similar personalities

user21: i did a lil bit of sleuthing and tom has posts of him at races? so do we think he suggested lando? or showed him to y/n?

user22: i also had a wee look and y/n follows basically all of the grid and a couple of the retired drivers so that tells me she likes the sport? like if she just liked lando surely she'd only follow him and maybe some of his friends?

user23: so like my vision is y/n y/ln either performing or singing the national anthem at one of the american races

user24: someone get this gal in the fia stat

user25: who is this girl? she's too irrelevant for lando ...

user26: and who are YOU? he's not going to pick you girly

user27: she's in the top film in the world for weeks now ... let's not be silly

landonorris

liked by danielricciardo, yourusername and 1,833,209 others

tagged: yourusername

landonorris: what the paps didn't get ...

view all comments

user28: screaming, crying, throwing up i did not know i needed this so much

user29: i am so unwell this is so cute

user30: i was so on the y/n and tom train but i am happy to say it has been hijacked by lando

yourusername: paps didn't get our good angles :(

landonorris: i'd like to keep the best angles to ourselves

yourusername: no for real, for MY eyes only

maxfewtrell: god you people are obnoxious...

landonorris: you literally told me to stop complaining about being lonely and now i'm being attacked 🤨

maxfewtrell: NOT LIKE THIS THERE ARE CHILDREN HERE

yourusername: fuck them kids

landonorris: what y/n said

danielricciardo: free enchante promotion, y/n you're invited to my wedding

yourusername: the girlfriend effect x enchante goes crazy tbf

landonorris: are you saying i didn't dress well?

yourusername: you either didn't dress well or can't pack for shit you came to GEORGIA IN THE SUMMER WITH A SUITCASE FULL OF HOODIES

landonorris: but that's my brand :(

georgerussell63: the twitch quartet formally announce our disappointment about finding out about this relationship via @f1gossipandtea, we expect a big apology and perhaps and visit from tom

tomblyth: i am THERE

yourusername: eh i think that's on lando .... but real question is who follows @f1gossipandtea

georgerussell63: me duh, i need to check for potential GDPA incidents

alexalbon: i also follow it 👍 no real reason i just like the drama thanks @charles_leclerc and @carlossainz55

yourusername: LMAO

charles_leclerc: i am disappointed in you lando. ALEX WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN

carlossainz55: ???

landonorris: lol would you have even believed me ?

georgerussell63: no

alexalbon: no

charles_leclerc: no

yourusername

liked by hunterschafer, landonorris and 1,339,309 others

tagged: landonorris

yourusername: some cheeky behind the scenes pics, including lando demanding to be pampered while i was in hair and make up

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user31: i hope lando can fight (i have brass knuckles on, sorry not sorry)

landonorris: UMMMM ???

yourusername: soz babe they're just passionate

user32: HE WAS ON SET? HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING?

landonorris: how dare you !! the makeup girlies LOVE ME

yourusername: sure, if that's what you wanna believe

landonorris: they liked me better than you they said so :p

yourusername: they were just being nice i told them you're fragile

landonorris: i am NOT FRAGILE I AM SOFT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

user33: okay now i get them 100%

maxverstappen1: so this is why you didn't play fifa with me 🤨

oscarpiastri: so this is why you abandoned me at the airport 🤨

danielricciardo: so this is why you blocked me after i called you seven times in a row it was an emergency you ASSHOLE 🤨

carlossainz55: so this is why you've ditched golf dates the last couple months 🤨

alexalbon: so this is why you didn't come to watch tbosas with me and lily 🤨

georgerussell63: so this is why the GDPA chat was muted on your phone 🤨

yourusername: i ain't reading alla that, i'm happy for you or i'm sorry that happened, i'll see you all in the parking lot at the vegas gp

landonorris: ...sorry?

user34: Y/N IS GOING TO THE VEGAS GP?

maxfewtrell: actually could you have him more often?

landonorris: AHAHAHAA :(

yourusername: gladly :)

landonorris: :)

f1

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tagged: landonorris

f1: lando's new helmet for vegas... we wonder where this inspiration came from?

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user38: IS THAT A BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES HELMET

user39: maybe men do deserve rights

landonorris: the ballad of songbirds and snakes is out in cinemas everywhere now !!

yourusername: i knew they should've given you a cameo

landonorris: THERE WAS A CHANCE OF THAT?

yourusername: no, but it would've been funny tho

landonorris: don't get me excited like that :(

danielricciardo: maybe you could have a cameo in snow white, you are what the kids call a short king... sorry

yourusername: LMAO

landonorris: can we stop bullying me on my special post :(

yourusername: sorry babe, i love you and i love your helmet, thank you xxx

landonorris: THANK YOU :)))))

maxverstappen1: so you're telling me i sat through whatever the fuck that opening ceremony was when you could've had y/n perform the whole time?

yourusername: new agent incoming?

landonorris: I KNEW YOU WATCHED THE FILM

maxverstappen1: i am a supportive friend?

landonorris: you didn't even know her?

maxverstappen1: i saw you at the premiere, went through your instagram, saw you only followed her, put two and two together, went to see the film because we're friends by proxy now 👍

yourusername: i am scared and impressed

landonorris: fine... that's kinda cute

user40: okay soz i love this relationship and all the friendships starting

user41: okay but @yourusername who is winning the games

yourusername: fernando or valterri they scare me

fernandoalo_oficial: compliment!

valterribottas: i'll take it

landonorris

liked by maxfewtrell, yourusername and 1,723,990 others

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landonorris: i wanted to impress her :( she's a lot better at her day job

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user46: (i'm glad he's okay) lando really was the 'this one is for you babe' and misses meme this weekend

landonorris: not wrong

yourusername: GET OFF YOUR PHONE AND STOP TALKING DOWN TO YOURSELF

user47: currently picturing y/n whisper yelling positive affirmations at lando

yourusername: yes !! baby boy is way too hard on himself and NOT on my watch

landonorris: :)))

yourusername: you did so well this weekend, i loved watching you do what you love - don't be too hard on yourself !!

landonorris: i just wanted to do your helmet proud :(

yourusername: i am more than proud

landonorris: can you sing to me in your country accent again?

yourusername: of course

maxverstappen1: is this a kink?

landonorris: 1. no it's not a kink 2. ASK ME IF I'M OKAY BEFORE YOU TRY TO KINK SHAME ME

maxverstappen1: you're actually spelling even better maybe a concussion was what you needed

yourusername: TOO SOON MAX

maxverstappen1: did you just send me a picture of lando pouting

yourusername: yes ! say sorry now !!!!!

maxverstappen1: fine. i'm sorry lando. i'm glad you aren't hurt and that you don't have a country accent fetish

user48: are these the new terror trio?

yourusername

liked by alexalbon, landonorris and 1,552,589 others

tagged: landonorris

yourusername: don't listen to this bozo, he's the most talented boy in the world

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user49: THEY HAVE A CHILD?

user50: that's a dog...

yourusername: just because i didn't birth him, doesn't mean mr. fluffy isn't my biological child

landonorris: i'm not a step dad i'm the dad who stepped up 🆙

tomblyth: tom blyth erasure

yourusername: boo you whore

tomblyth: ermmm EXCUSE ME?

yourusername: lando appreciation post must be mean to all other men, sorry !!

tomblyth: understandable, continue.

landonorris: the most talented??? coming from you??? this is high praise

yourusername: and you BETTER take it

landonorris: yes ma'am

maxverstappen1: is this another kink?

landonorris: MAX?

maxverstappen1: it's winter break i'm bored and you have a GIRLFRIEND so i can't terrorise you in person :(

yourusername: attempt to kink shame us one more time and i'm sending mr fluffy at your ankles

yourusername: fuck it i'll send ankle biter yuki in as well

yukitsunoda0511: i'll do it

yourusername: @landonorris i see why he's your favourite now

landonorris: yuki-san!! can we give mr. fluffy a brother?

yukitsunoda0511: i love you guys but i see you way too much as it is

yourusername: harsh crowd

landonorris: at least you have me?

yourusername: TRUE

user51: my life pre and post y/nxlando was so vastly different - i love them

note: thank you for the request !! i have been swamped with work... and recovering from my birthday weekend. i hope you enjoyed it!! i love the hunger games and i can't wait to see tbosas !!

[assembletheimagines]

Ok so (😳) bucky Has a crush on y/n, and he Doesn't notice, Until y/n kiss him in a dare(They're playing truth or dare) and he He realizes that he Really wuns y/n (Wink wink nudge nudge)

Thanks for your time (;

A/N: I have it like Bucky has a crush he refuses to act on, so like everyone but you knows and so his friends take the initiative to do it themselves. It's kind of cute, I think.

Warnings: None, sorry

You can definitely find Bucky, Sam, Steve, Natasha and you in the common room drinking after a particularly rough mission.

Bucky already a little tipsy after going shot after shot with Natasha so he's actually feeling relaxed, his hand loosely holding a modified beer as his eyes happen to wander towards you.

You, who has a soft pink glow on your cheeks as you nurse your third Moscow mule Natasha happily made you. You, who is leaning back on the arm rest of the couch opposite of Bucky, your head tilting back as you laugh at something Sam said. You, who gives Bucky a bright smile before making your way back to Natasha for your fourth drink of the night.

Bucky eyes trail after you before he feels a nudge on his shoulder and his eyes flicker from your smiling face and over to his left where he meets an annoyingly familiar pair of blue eyes. He sniffs, rolls his eyes and promptly ignores his best friend. Which only makes Steve's smile grow, much to Bucky's dismay.

"You know what we should do?" Sam's bright smile brings everyone's attention to the tipsy man. He's practically bouncing in his seat in excitement that Natasha has to place a hand on his thigh just to stop him from sloshing his drink to the ground. "We should play truth or dare!"

"What are we, teenagers?" Natasha snorts and Sam dismisses her with a quick wave of the hand.

"C'mon, it'll be fun!" Sam words may or may not be slurring as he speaks them but you're leaning forward, an amused smile playing on your lips as you give a relaxed shrug.

"I'll bite," you giggle and Steve's surprising Bucky by agreeing too.

So, with that said. The five of you sit in a circle on the ground, giggling like fools as you try and decide who to start with.

Natasha is the clear winner, adding in rules that if you don't perform the dare or answer the truth you've back asked, then the penalty is to take a shot.

-

As the night progresses, Sam's down to just wearing his boxers and mismatching socks. He's also two shots done. Natasha is actually wearing Sam's clothing, a smirk permanent on her lips, since so far she's the only one who has done all of her dares and truths. Steve's had to run up to the roof only wearing the American flag and has taken three more shots.

Bucky's refused to answer some truths, much to Natasha's delight, and in consequence is the most at four shots down. And you're no better, matching Steve's three shots all while keeping innocent at only picking truths.

But that doesn't last long. Natasha's green eyes gleaming as she shares a look with Sam. She gives a subtle nod and Sam's locking eyes with you. "Truth or dare?"

You're already knowing you'll probably regret it but you refuse to only pick truth so you quickly gather up your courage and squint your eyes at Sam in a challenge. "Do your worse, dare."

"I dare you," Sam pretends to think on it, tapping his chin with his pointer finger as he looks around at the ex-assassins and super soldiers in the room. "I dare you to kiss Bucky."

And Bucky's blinking, head tilting slightly at Sam's words. He doesn't have time to process before he's watching you lean up onto your knees. "Easy," you murmur softly and Bucky's trying to figure out why his heart starts to race.

His eyes following you as you turn your attention onto him. Fuck, Bucky's mind seizes for a second as you crawl on your hands and knees to him. His fingers twitch and he tells himself to stay absolutely still as you give him a grin and stop right in front of him.

"Bucky," you whisper like you're going to share a secret with him. And he can't focus on anything else, blinking dumbly as you giggle and shuffle closer to him. You tilt your head cutely at him and ask, "can I kiss you?"

And yes, Bucky's touch starved. And yes, he may have nodded his head a little to quickly but then you're in his lap, arms wrapped around his neck as you lean in close not hesitating to press your lips to his.

And Bucky groans, he can't help himself, arms wrapping around your waist as you melt into the kiss. Lips parting, tongues exploring as you both fight for dominance.

Bucky's mind begins to fog as the kiss deepens, because your making the cutest noises as Bucky bites your bottom lip. Your hands twist into his hair, tugging and earning a groan from him in return.

You two are so caught up in one another you almost don't hear Natasha's: "boys, our work here is done." As the redhead collects Steve and Sam, escorting them out with her.

[charliedawn]

Hi, I really like your blog. Can you please do the slashers and the Russian nurse. She came to America to exchange experiences. She is quite strong and tall, she can effortlessly throw Jack on her shoulder and carry him to the room. As soon as y/n arrived at the hospital she acted like a stereotypical Russian, cold, stoic, not talking or smiling, with a neutral expression on her face. But after some time in the hospital, when everyone is assembled, she starts laughing and says that she likes to play pranks on foreigners that way. In fact, she turns out to be very kind, smiling, cheerful, a little cheeky and flirtatious. She's very understanding and you can share anything with her. I'm sorry if my query makes you feel cringe, прошу прощения

Freddy :

Freddy : "So...You're the new girl, huh ? Wasn't expecting Hulk in a dress."

Freddy was...Freddy. He looked at you and bam, big women jokes just kept coming out. He couldn't have stopped himself, even if he wanted to.

But, he wasn't expecting you to play dumb.

"Whatever do you mean, Mr. Krueger ? I am confused.", you replied with your best poker face and Freddy almost spit out his morning coffee.

"You gotta be kidding me...Superhero ? Tall ? Green ? Strong ?", he tried to describe the Hulk to you, but you tilted your head and frowned at him.

"...I am even more confused."

He then proceeded to go on and on about all the heroes of comic books and try to 'open your horizons'.

You never told him that you actually knew the Avengers, it was best to keep quiet and let him try to culture you on what he thought was 'true American culture.' It made him talk, and it was nice to hear him talk about anything else than dirty jokes.

It didn't mean he sometimes didn't let himself crack a dirty joke or two in your presence, or even attempted flirting from time to time.

Freddy *smirks* : "...You know...I wouldn't mind you sitting on my face sometimes. I always fantasized on how it would feel like to die by big woman suffocation ?" *cheeky wink*

You laughed and Freddy was so surprised, he almost fell off his chair.

"....WAIT. HOLD UP. YOU CAN LAUGH ?!"

Pennywise :

Pennywise : "It's going down, girlie. I can assure you that you ain't as strong as me."

He tried to assert dominance right away.

Let's get something clear.

Pennywise is one of the short ones. He's not as tall as any of the others, but he's the strongest. Hands down.

He could run a marathon with Penny on his back and not break a sweat. It's one of his strong points and he'd be caught dead before letting anyone deprive him of that title.

So, he would of course try to gain the advantage and make it a competition.

He'd ask you to compete with him by carrying heavy things around, arm wrestling and other various challenges..

Pennywise *grumbles under his breath in annoyance when you succeeded in carrying Brahms for a whole day*

At the end, he did learn to respect you, especially when you made sure to let him win sometimes—as to not lose face in front of the others.

He doesn't understand why or how you managed to become so strong, but even though Pennywise is technically a god—you managed to push him to his body's limits...And that's no easy feat.

Jason Voorhees :

You : "Jason ! Bath time !"

Oh no...

Nope.

No water.

He ran. He ran faster than he had ever ran in his life, not expecting you to course after him.

You : "Jason ! You come back here !"

He kept running...until he hit a wall and fell backwards.

He was certain you wouldn't be able to move him if he was completely still—but was surprised when you almost effortlessly lift him up and started walking to the bathroom.

He tried to get off, but had to eventually give up as you started humming to yourself and didn't seem to mind the slasher trying desperately to escape bath time...

The other slashers were stunned when they saw the both of you and Jason was red in the face under the mask.

He frantically tried to escape again, but was once again unsuccessful.

Freddy tried to open his mouth—but as if you had the same Freddy senses—you and Jason both glared at him.

You : "Don't. You're next."

Freddy's smile dropped and Pennywise guffawed beside him while you kept walking.

Jason didn't like being carried around—but he had to admit, it was nice to have someone stronger than him.

Brahms Heelshire :

Brahms was very suspicious of you at first—staying hidden and making sure not to make his existence known until he was sure you were nice.

He observed your reaction to his doll very closely and when you started singing to it in your native language and cradling it gently in your arms—he knew that you were trustworthy.

He showed himself to you and you smiled.

You : "Ah. You must be Brahms. Nice to meet you."

He nodded before suddenly pulling you into a hug.

Brahms' way of saying: you too.

He then proceeded to show you around and his favorite toys.

He was excited to have a new friend an when you started bringing him russian stories and toys—his eyes literally sparkled in pure joy.

Brahms would then ask you to read them for him and even try to learn Russian so he may talk with you in your native language.

Brahms would become curious and happy to find out new things with you and share his own personal childhood stories with you.

Michael Myers :

Michael did find it strange when you first appeared.

He doesn't normally trust strangers and tends to stay away, but he did eventually get used to you.

Problem is...Low and behold, the great Michael Myers can and did become jealous of you when you started becoming a role model for the youngest slashers.

Michael is technically their father. He is very protective of his (adopted) children and Myers eventually found you someone to undermine his authority.

Myers *glares at you from afar when you wave at him and walks away*

He was aloof at first. Didn't think he needed you.

But, that quickly changed when he tried to help Jason with his truck and it ended with him, actually trapped underneath the car.

He tried to move it, but had to eventually give up and Jason had to go find you.

You immediately ran outside and started using your strength to pull the car off Michael. He crawled from underneath and once he was out, Jason and Brahms came to pull him up.

He finally realized that having you around wasn't such a bad thing and even thanked you.

He wanted to apologize too, but didn't find the words.

When you smiled, he knew you understood and smiled back.

Jack Torrance :

"...Mr. Torrance. It is the third time I am telling you that it is time to go to sleep.", you reminded Jack who was still hunched over his writing machine, like an old grumpy leprechaun trying to protect his pot of gold.

"Oh yeah ? You're gonna do...what ? Punish me and send me to bed without cookies ?", he mocked and you replied in all seriousness.

"Carry you on my shoulder and tuck you in bed like a teeny-weenie baby."

"...You wouldn't.", he tried to call on your bluff—but was met with a raised eyebrow and a challenging smirk.

"Попробуйте. (Try me.)"

Now, Jack is the only one who knows a little Russian, since his ex-wife was from Russian descendance through her great grandmother or something...

So, he would understand most of the things you say.

And, it was funny when you would pretend to have a whole conversation in front of the others when it would simply be an exchange of random Russian words with absolutely no context..

But sometimes...You would use the language to know you were being serious and Jack knew better than to protest.

So, he sighed in defeat and stood up.

"You know I could kill you, right ?", he told you as you were about to leave and you stilled for a second or two before smiling mysteriously back at him.

"ложиться спать (go to bed), Mr. Torrance."

Truth was, there was absolutely no way he would do that—and you both knew it.

Norman Bates :

You : "Please. Let me hug you."

Call it Russian intuition—but you knew Norman needed a hug the moment you met.

There was just something that made you convinced that the man deserved one. And, it was quite strange as you hadn't even exchanged names yet.

However he didn't seem to mind as he simply tilted his head and asked.

"...On what grounds ?"

You shrugged in response.

"On the grounds that I wish to hug you."

Norman seemed a little taken aback—but not actually opposed to the idea. He stared at you for a while, trying to find out if there was anything in your eyes that could have been interpreted as bad intentions but...He found nothing.

He then crossed his arms over his chest and asked.

"Even if I decide to kill you afterwards ?"

You took two seconds to think about it before nodding.

"Never been so sure of anything in my life."

Norman seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally sighing in defeat and opening his arms.

"Fine. 5 seconds.", he indulged.

"10.", you attempted.

"4.", he said adamantly.

"Да. (Fine.)", you finally agreed and hugged him.

You stayed like this for 4 seconds exactly before Norman pulled away and you sighed. He did say 4 seconds...

"So, ready to die ?", he asked with a small playful smile and you nodded.

"It was worth it.", you replied with a small playful smile of your own and for a moment—Norman thought about actually killing you.

But, he only extended his hand forward.

"My name is Norman Bates."

You looked at the outstretched hand and smiled before shaking it.

"I'm Y/N."

And let me tell you, Norman had never felt such a powerful handshake in his life.

Penny :

"Friends."

"Friends."

There wasn't much to say.

Penny immediately knew that you were trustworthy and didn't waste any time befriending you.

But, what was even funnier was that he perfectly knew Russian and when you were alone—he would often start talking to you in Russian just for the fun of it.

He found the language funny and liked the way it made his tongue feel weird.

But, Penny is also a mind reader. And he would sometimes make sure to creep the others out by finishing your sentences for you.

So, you would sometimes start shouting in Russian and he would loom over you from behind and start repeating your sentences word for word for dramatic effect—or support you.

You *after seeing Jason and Freddy fight for the third time this week* : "Сколько раз у нас должен быть этот разговор, пока ты не поймешь, что нужно себя вести ?! Ты хоть представляешь, как мне грустно видеть, как вы все время ссоритесь ?! (How many times do we have to have this conversation until you figure out how to behave ?! Do you have any idea how sad it makes me to see you guys fighting all the time ?!)

Penny *behind you and giggling maniacally* : "Идиоты (Idiots...)"

Esther and Five Hargreeves :

You were about to ask Five and Esther to go to sleep when you barely managed to miss a bullet coming from their room.

You sighed.

"Children...What did I say about firearms indoors ? What is the meaning of this mutiny ?", you asked before entering their room and found them with angelic smiles on their faces.

Esther : "Well...we concerted between ourselves, and came to the conclusion that—as adults—we should no longer have a bed time."

You *sigh again and pinch the bridge of your nose tiredly* : "Bed time is for children and adults alike. I have a bed time too. And I cannot go to sleep until I know that you are in bed."

Five *chuckles* : "Too bad..We're not going to bed tonight."

"Дети", you tutted in fake disappointment—hiding your smile. "...Do we really have to do this every night ?"

Esther giggled and Five smiled darkly.

Esther *gets out knives* : "Don't tell us you don't like it."

Five *pulls out the gun he was hiding* : "Besides, you perfectly know we don't like it when people call us children. Gotta remind you somehow."

You *laugh and shake your head before shutting the door behind you with your foot* : "Fine. Let us play for a little."

Needless to say, they eventually got to bed.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Mira Lazine at LGBTQ Nation:

Yesterday, nearly 200 Democrats and Republicans wrote amicus briefs asking the Supreme Court to rule in favor of transgender rights in the upcoming L.W. v. Skrmetti case, which challenges Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. It is the first such case that the Supreme Court is hearing. “While the government has a role in keeping kids safe, that role is limited, and it does not justify the State second-guessing the judgments of parents acting in good faith who are best positioned to know what their children need,” the Republican signatories wrote in their brief. “States have no business overruling the decisions of fit parents who make an informed medical choice for their children that is supported by their doctors, by the medical profession more generally, by the children themselves, and by their conscience.”

The Republican brief was signed by numerous former and current Republican politicians and notable officials like Kentucky state Rep. Kim Banta; former U.S. Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Denver Riggleman (R-VA), and Deborah Price (R-OH); former Republican National Committee National Press Secretary Kirsten Kukowski; Republican campaign manager Colin Reed; and the late Sen. John McCain’s chief of staff and advisor Mark Salter. It was also notably signed by former Rep. Ilena Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the mother of Advocates for Trans Equality executive director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen.

[...] 164 Democratic legislators signed their brief. The group was made up of 11 U.S. senators and 153 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and their brief stressed the discriminatory nature of Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban. “The current rash of bills targeting transgender people is merely the latest round of discrimination faced by transgender individuals. Lower courts have cataloged the “widespread private opprobrium and governmental discrimination” faced by transgender individuals,” they wrote in their brief. “But amici believe enough is enough. Tennessee has no ‘proper legislative end but to make [transgender adolescents] unequal to everyone else. This [Tennessee] cannot do.’—so the Court should reverse.” The politicians seen in this brief include Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), among others. They also argue that animosity towards trans people played a large role in passing Tennessee’s bill. They note that Tennessee is a “hotbed” for such animosity, having nearly twice as many anti-LGBTQ+ laws as any other state. They refer to hateful rhetoric from Tennessee politicians. The core argument in this brief is that there is a medical consensus that gender-affirming care is safe, medically necessary, and backed by numerous reputable organizations across the United States and the world. They argue Tennessee is discriminating against transgender individuals by blocking them from accessing safe and effective health care. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Campaign both supported the brief.

Nearly 200 Democrats and Republicans filed amicus briefs in support of gender-affirming care in the United States v. Skrmetti (L.W. v. Skrmetti) case, with 164 of those being Democrats.

These are just two of the pro-trans amicus briefs filed in Skrmetti.

See Also:

Erin In The Morning: Families Split Apart: Families Fleeing Anti-Trans Laws File Amicus In Supreme Court Case

[joelsmochi]

Desperation - Javier Peña

Plot — [ofc] Jackie is visiting Columbia for a short getaway and meets a man who can satisfy her…In more ways than one.

Part 2 here.

Warnings: horrible spanish sentences + grammar (bare with me y’all i haven’t studied in a few years), speaking of spanish there is quite a bit of spanish conversation in (mostly in the beginning but some during the… act), some typos (edit: i did a lazy proofreading) smut (MINORS DNI beyond this point).

Smut Warnings: this will be disgustingly long and descriptive and perhaps a little awkward to read so this is your warning now, cocky!Javi (as expected), unprotect piv (it's a story y’all std’s don’t exist in this timeline), choking, hair pulling, light (?) slapping (out of praise), squirting, good girl bombs, daddy bombs, oral (f & m receiving), LOADSSSS of pet names, anal + (judge me 🤗), drinking + tipsy sex, vaginal creampie, possible ooc javier?

Word count: 6.9k (i didn’t mean to i just couldn’t stop writing😭)

translations will be in purple at the end of paragraphs ! so the format will be a lil ugly but ik not everyone speaks spanish + if my spanish is worse than i remember/could figure out then i want y’all to know what i’m trying to say without having to scroll up and down [BIG SORRY]

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ✮ ✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚

The warm air is thick tonight, pooling a layer of sweat over Jackie's skin as she swings her hips around to the music. Her newly made friend, Angie, startles her by yanking her arm and pulling her from the middle of the bar.

“Jackie, miras!” Angie exclaims. Jackie finds a smile playing on her lips at how pretty Angie sounds saying the most simple words; she admired how beautiful the language is, and how much more precious it sounds coming from the Colombian woman. “Este es el hombre del que te hablé,” she says while pointing to a blonde-haired man. Jackie’s lips curl downward as she examines him, impressed with his leather jacket and choice of haircut. “Se llama Steve Murphy. Èl es muy, muy lindo, ¿verdad?”

[Jackie look! // That's the man I was telling you about. // His name is Steve Murphy. He is very cute, right?]

“Meh,” Jackie mumbles, “No es mi tipo, pero… Tú y èl, veo, pero ¿conmigo? No.” She looks from Angie back to this Steve Murphy, suddenly seeing a man just as well dressed by his side, but much more her type. Dark hair, tan skin, and pants that give her flashbacks to the 1970s (which made her all the more interested as hers were as well). He seems a little more brooding than the other man, but Jackie isn’t one to back down from a challenge especially when it consists of getting a fine man like this one’s number. “Angie… ¿Quién es el hombre en la derecha?” She wonders while looking at her friend.

[He's not my type. I can see you and him, but me? No. // Angie, who is the man on the right?]

“Hmm,” Angie mumbles. “No sè. ¿Por qué?” She drunkenly giggles. “¿Crees que él lindo?”

[I don't know, why? You think he's cute?]

Jackie scoffs, batting her eyes back at the man whom she makes eye contact with. She maintains the stare they are sharing while she responds with, “No. No lindo. Él es sexy.”

[Not cute. Sexy.]

“Well,” Angie urges in English which catches Jackie's attention once more. “Go say hola, perra.” Jackie laughs at her friend’s persistence and stumbles over her heels after being gently pushed. The man watches her strut over to him and his friend, eyeing her outfit up and down and making the mental note that she’s not dressed like the average Colombian woman.

[perra = bitch]

American? He wonders.

“Buena,” she says after reaching their bubble. “¿Cómo estáis?”

[Hello, how are you (guys)].

“Somos bien,” the dark-haired man says with a cheeky smile, “¿y tú?” Jackie watches his eyes follow the curvy lines of her legs and hips. He finds the way she bats her eyes a huge turn-on for a reason he cannot explain and he almost falls to his knees when she sends him a more-than-obvious flirty smile.

[We're good, you?]

“Mas o menos,” she shrugs earning a curious looks from the two men, “me sentiría mejor si me dijeras que eres soltero.”

[More or less... I'd feel better if you told me you were single.]

“What’s she saying?” Steve asks with a questionable expression.

“She’s flirting with me, shut up,” Javi utters out of the side of his mouth. Jackie threw him off of his own game, making him feel slightly incompetent but it intrigues him nonetheless. Although he finds her formality a bit strange. “Eres Americana?”

[Are you American?]

“Sí. Mi español es poco formal, claro… Espero que encuentre lindo… Mister.” Jackie sends the tall man a sensual look through her eyelashes, watching his partially exposed chest rise and fall with anticipation. She hopes that maybe he will find her lack of cultural exposure cute or funny enough to keep him intrigued which works wonders on him — he chuckles at her words, admiring her confidence despite the jab he made.

[Yes, my Spanish is a bit formal, of course... I hope you find it cute.]

Why is she here, he thinks, vacation? School? Family? Relocating? He wants to—needs to know more.

“Sí, sí. Eres formal, mm-hmm, pero no limitada,” he adds before offering her a cigarette. She takes it gently and he swears she has the touch of an angel, though he is already a bit tipsy so he might just be being dramatic.

[Yes, true. You are formal, but not limited.]

“Cómo se llama, Papacito?” She daunts seductively after he lights her cigarette.

[What's your name?]

“Me llamo Javi, y el es Steve.”

[My name is Javi and this is Steve.]

“Ah-huh, my friend thinks you’re sexy,” she says to the blonde man. She raises an eyebrow as if she misspoke. “Well, cute. She used the word cute.”

Steve obviously blushes, but slaps his hands on his knees and shakes his head bashfully. “Lo siento, but I am a happily married man.”

[lo siento = i'm sorry]

She feels a bit saddened for her friend but Angie always bounces back fast, so Jackie turns to find her friend dancing in the crowd on a random guy; laughing she looks back at Steve and shrugs. “Looks like she’s already forgotten. She knew you by name though, you come ‘round here often?”

“Yeah, sometimes,” is all he says. He senses the tension between his colleague and Jackie but notices the tension in Javi's pants a little more.

Jackie squints at Steve for his shortness but regains focus on her original intention. She raises her head to watch Javi fold his glasses into his shirt pocket, trying her best to not drool over the prodding veins in his arms or the peak of hair on his chest. Instead, she maintains eye contact (with the occasional glance at his lips) and takes a small step closer to him.

“May I pull you away from your friend?” She asks, just barely speaking above the music. Javi catches the briefest glance into the gaping space between her cleavage and chest, in fact, the glance is so brief that Jackie doesn’t even notice it. He begins to think about what her nipples looked like as well as if she has any hidden tattoos anywhere and if she did, then what would they look like? He can see she’s not one to wear a bra so that makes him wonder if she’s not wearing panties either.

“Only if you tell me your name,” he says hoarsely.

“Jackie. Jackie.”

Jackie Dawns, what a pretty name, Javi thinks, very fitting for the beauty standing in front of me.

She catches Javi looking towards Steve for permission to which Steve doesn’t give him much of a reaction or response, just a sly smirk. Growing impatient, she grabs one of Javi’s hands and pulls him gently. “Only for an hour or two,” she promises.

Well, the hour or two slipped away pretty fast and the sun is beginning to set painting the sky oranges and pinks. The pair can’t seem to get enough of each other, it certainly rolled Steve’s eyes more times than anybody could count, who, by the way, is beginning to regret not bringing his wife as they had originally planned. Watching Javi and Jackie dance together, whether it was slow or fast or romantic or sexual, makes Steve realize how little he has done to show his admiration for his beloved spouse so he gets up from his seat after paying for their drinks and walks towards the tipsy couple.

“Hey, Javi, I’m gonna get home to the misses,” he says in his real thick accent.

Jackie notices the time on a clock nearby, immediately feeling guilty. “Sorry, I musta let the time slip,” she says.

But Steve shakes his head. “No, don’t apologize. Real quick though, when a lady becomes your wife does she still want flowers?” Jackie squints at him again but with more annoyance laced throughout her features. Steve takes that as a yes and nods stiffly. “Flowers it is.”

“Get her flowers she actually likes, not roses just because they're a classic.”

Steve stiffens up even more. “I—…” Guilt riddles his face and Jackie gives him an incredulous look, basically calling him a lousy husband without actually saying it. “I’m gonna go now, uh… See you in the office Monday? All right, bye Javi.” He gives Jackie wide eyes indicating either annoyance or intimidation. “Jackie.”

Javier laughs at Steve as he walks out before turning back to you. “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen him speechless,” he laughs.

“Dumbass doesn’t know his wife’s favorite flower,” Jackie as well. She places her hands on his chest and he smiles down at the red nail polish on her long nails. “See something you like?” She flirts after they’ve begun swaying to the music again, both of them noting the Phil Colins song Another Day in Paradise playing.

“Your nails are pretty, just like you,” he practically coos. She touches her nose to his warm one and smiles big and wide. “So… What are you doing here in Colombia?”

“I could ask you the same,” she says, “but because you asked first… I am in medical school.” Javi gives her an impressed look which bothers her, but not for any reasons he could control. “I hate it. It’s not what I wanna do.” She slowly puts space between their faces so that she can look at the specks of sunspots barely showing along his cheekbones.

He shrugs. “So why do it?”

She scoffs and looks down for a moment. Her nails tangle together behind his neck and her cheeks blush at the way he looks at her. “Because my parents would cut me off if I didn’t go.”

“So?”

“You say it like it’s simple.”

“It is.”

She slaps his chest playfully. “Stop using that tone, it’s rude.”

He chuckles. “Sorry, honey.”

Jackie finds herself smiling even harder at the nickname wishing she could hear the way it rolled off of his tongue a hundred more times before the night ends. He has a way of speaking that makes her feel like a teenager in lust again. She feels his hands dip an inch below her waist, and if she could take him on one of the counters nearby she would have her way with him. Those sultry brown eyes of his are the only thing she is praying to see for the rest of the night, though she is willing to sacrifice looking at him if it meant him fucking her through an orgasm.

But she played it cool. A little too cool for Javi’s taste.

“What d’you mean? It’s simple?” She asks.

He wishes he wasn’t so nonchalant about it, knowing good and damn well it’s not that simple most of the time. But he knew what he truly meant. “You won’t get to enjoy any pieces of your life if you ask for permission for everything.”

Jackie is amused, her expression not hiding it either. “Oh, this is coming from the grown-ass man who was about to ask his coworker to dance with a pretty girl?! That is rich.”

Javi takes the hit with stride, using her laughter as a reason to bring his lips to her ear. “You know if you like asking for permission so much… I can make you beg.” He pulls back to look into her now idle eyes. “All you gotta do is ask,” he teases in a whisper.

“What kinda car you drive?”

“Uh…” He is confused by the change in topic. “Cherokee, why?”

“Bigger than mine.” She slowly steps away from him to the door nearby. “I hope that’s okay, Mister?” She pouts at him, waiting for a few seconds.

He pushes the door open and walks behind her. “It certainly is, honey.” They reach his car and he leans her up against the trunk door, hanging his head over hers. “The sunset looks beautiful,” he speaks quietly, gently tracing his calloused fingers over her smooth jawline.

“You’ll look even more beautiful once I get you moaning my name,” she mumbles against his lips.

While he certainly did not doubt her abilities, he wanted to appear stronger than that. “Oh, mi amor, I’ll get you speechless before I’m done with you so then you can beg me to stop.” She shuffles her legs a few times to relieve some tension on her clit, to no avail of course. She’s hoping he’s not all bark and lives up to the aura he gives off. Javi noticing her prolonged silence smirks and gives her lips a sensual kiss. “Looks like I’ve already done it.”

Rolling her eyes, she can’t contain her smile. “Your dick better be good, you little cocky smart ass.” He laughs and opens the passenger door for her, but she just lets herself into the back seat. “Drive somewhere secluded.” He obeys without question, and after only about five minutes of driving he sees her moving in the backseat but before he can process what’s happening she sits her panties over his jean zippers.

He adjusts his rearview mirror so that it’s down on the seductress and sees her eyes reflecting a devilish grin his way. Then he sees her hand trail over her slit, watching her pretty red nails work wonders around her folds to get her juices flowing. He can see that as desperate as she is to please herself she is saving her most sensitive bit for him. His foot presses harder on the gas pedal causing her to giggle; he looks at her reflection again and watches her spread her slit open for him to see. He lets out a heavy sigh and palms his stiff length through his tightening jeans.

Javi makes it to a secluded part of a beach not too long after, wasting no time getting in the back seat next to Jackie; he moans loudly when he presses his lips to hers in hunger, loving the way she clings to him so perfectly. He lays her on her back and gently curls his nails over the outside of her thighs making her whimper. He savors the taste of tequila on her tongue and the smell of her Love’s Baby Soft perfume.

As their tongues tangle together Jackie reaches between their heavy bodies for his belt buckle. He lifts his hips a little to give her more room to work with, but she fumbles over her own eager hands regardless. “You’re an impatient little thing, aren’t ya?” He laughs over her chin once his pants are unzipped. “Gonna have to teach you some manners.”

“Oh yeah?” Jackie quips, Javi responding with a hum. “How you gonna do that?” She coos while palming him beneath his briefs.

“I can show you better than I can tell you, pretty girl.” She moans and giggles at his response, throwing her head back on the seat and running her hands up his back just to dig her nails into his shoulder blades, dragging them down his back. He hisses at the pain but chuckles regardless. He smacks this side of her thigh a little sharper than he intended, but she doesn’t seem to mind. “I was gonna be a gentleman about it, but—“

“No,” she interrupts, “I want you to use me.” Her nerves are becoming needier and needier, making her feel antsy and more submissive. She doesn’t want just to fuck anymore, she wants to feel controlled and tamed which is out of character for her. Javier normally doesn’t mind obtaining a dominant stance, but he worried he wouldn’t be able to fulfill her particular desires. She seems much more in tune with this realm than he is and the thought of not being able to please her enough crosses his mind more than once…

Much like her, however, he doesn’t back down from a challenge.

“You want me to use you?” He whispers.

“Yes.”

“Is that it? Huh?” He slides his trembling hands up her stomach to her chest to her neck, gripping it tightly causing her to choke and cough a little bit, but the smile on her face tells him to not remove his hand so he tugs at her neck to lift her face to his. “Is this what you want?” He groans. She only nods, feeling out of breath from her excitement, but grips a little tighter making sure he isn’t hurting her. “Use your words.”

“Yes.” She tries to kiss him but he pulls back feeling unsatisfied with her shortness, urging her to use her words once more. “Yes, Javi, te deseo mucho. Dentro de mi.”

[I want you a lot. Inside of me.]

“Mm, mm-hmm,” he moans finally releasing her neck, “Not yet.”

“What?” She exclaims, propping herself up on her elbows. She watches him untuck the rest of his shirt before sliding down to her naval, kissing it tenderly and sending a devious smirk her way. She jumps at the ticklish feeling, giggling out of embarrassment which he finds cute. His mustache scratches at her inner thigh where he places his kisses as she constantly bucks her hips upwards in an attempt to get his lips to her clit, succeeding after a minute or two. He forces her hips down onto the seat and glares at her. “Please, please, I’ll be so good if you do this one thing for me.”

“Well,” he says tauntingly, “that’s an offer I just can’t refuse now, is it?” He drags his tongue all around her vulva for a few seconds to see how impatient she grows but to his surprise, she remains pretty steady, so he decides to reward her with a juicy kiss to her clit.

Her body had been begging for stimulation for so long that the single kiss he gives her is enough to eject a loud moan out of her, one that was full of relief. He chuckles at her response and kisses it the same way again, only this time darting his tongue out for a quick second to get a taste of her skin. He doesn’t taste much, so he goes down to her slit, using his thumbs to spread her sopping lips before laying his tongue flat on her entrance and giving her a series of kitten licks; he moans at the combination of saltiness and sweetness, swearing to himself that he can also taste the fruity shots she was taking earlier. The mix of alcohol and hormones coursing through his body has him feeling more pleasure from eating her out than he would have ever expected. He loves the way her hair falls over her eyes, how her hands fondle her breasts and nipples over her shirt to add to her physical experience as well as his visual one, and how gentle but confident she sounds while she pleads for him to keep licking the way he is—all of the little things he normally doesn’t pay attention to just adding up and giving him reasons to keep going.

His lips permanently planting themselves atop her clit so that he can begin sucking on it is what drives her to the edge. She hits the top of her head on the door behind her from how hard she throws her head back, but she ignores the pain. Realistically she has no choice but to ignore it with how rough he is sucking her into his mouth, still managing to maintain some comfort with his slick lips. As the tingles build deeply inside of her clit her fingers go flying to grip the short hairs on his head. She feels layers of sweat pooling on her forehead and her inner thighs, and her nipples perk up indicating her nearing her orgasm. She cries his name louder and louder, before remembering she promised to be good.

She asks, “Can I come? Can I please come?!” He refuses to lift his head up out of not wanting her to lose this feeling, so he just nods eagerly onto her clit while mumbling mm-hmm’s. “Fuck,” she screams, “yes, please, please, please—“ Her pleas are interrupted by air getting caught in her throat when he clit begins to throb.

Javi almost cums at the feeling of her pussy throbbing between his lips so he lifts his hips a little to halt any friction from the seats. He shakes his head up and down to make a grinding motion on her clit wanting her to feel this good for as long as possible. Her thighs tremble around his ears and his scalp begins to sting with how hard she’s pulling; the knots in her stomach only seem to get bigger and she refuses to pull away. Not like he’d let her anyways, that is until his jaw begins to hurt. He comes up to kiss her again not even bothering to wipe his face clean.

“You wanna be used?” He asks against her lips.

“Mm-hmm,” she moans into their kiss.

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“How do you want me to use you, baby?”

“Use my mouth.”

His brows raise and he grins wide while she licks her juices off of his stubbly chin. “Your mouth?”

“Mm-hmm,” she repeats.

“How ‘bout…” He pauses to analyze her facial features, spotting some wet mascara on her cheekbone beneath her fallen curls; he smirks as he knows it from her squeezing her eyes shut so hard from her orgasm. “…You ride me until you’re about to cum… And then you let me fuck that pretty little mouth of yours?” She melts beneath him at his request, fluttering her eyes shut and peppering kisses along his cheeks. “Does that sound good?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, daddy,” she corrects. He gives her hip a few love taps, helping her up onto his lap. For the time being neither of them even bother taking his pants off, she just pulls his semi-hard shaft out and traces his warm tip along her folds, sinking onto him slowly. They both gasp the closeness, indulging in the feeling of him stretching her out gently. She pops a hand behind his ear, the other laying flat against his sheened chest. She feels his member twitch and grow harder inside of her, and gives him pleading eyes as she fully sinks him inside of her. “Daddy?”

“Yes, baby?” He encases her face in his clammy palms, adjusting his posture to get more comfortable for her.

“Can I come just one time on you first?”

“No, baby, I told you what I wanted.”

She whines, rolling her eyes. “Just one time, it’ll be so quick—“

“Don’t be stubborn,” he hisses, landing a smack on her ass cheek. He struggles to maintain his composure at how it practically jiggles back into his hand. He smacks it a few more times just to watch her ass move against him, grinning wide at her her body moves. “You said you’d be good for me.” She bites her lip nervously, annoyed at her promise. His dick is now fully hard and he admits, “Your stubbornness is sexy, though.”

She grins bashfully and lifts her hips slowly. “Mmm, I have that effect on you, huh?”

“Sí, mama, me gusta una reto.”

[Yes, mama, I like a challenge.]

“¿Una reto? ¿Qué eso?” She questions as she builds up a steady pace. “A challenge?”

[qué eso = what's that]

“Verdad.” He gently tugs at one of her nipples, memorizing how her discharge feels pooling around the base of his shaft onto his balls. His face contorts when she digs her nail into his chest and feels her walls swell around him.

[Correct.]

He loves the way he fits so perfectly inside of her, the way they both curve into each other is majestic for the pair. She props her feet up onto his thighs and rocks her hips in a grinding motion which makes her pussy feel tighter as he enters and exits repeatedly. His hands grip her hips so tight his knuckles slowly turn white, and he notices that she is out of breath but continues fucking him relentlessly. She had never been so needy for a fuck before; her hair is sticking to the sweat on her forehead, her shirt is clinging to her back, her hips aching from the grip this man has on her — all of these uncomfortable things and all she could think about was riding him as he told her to.

Jackie switches from a grinding motion to bouncing, rounding her shoulders so that her head isn’t hitting the roof. Javier’s fingers find their way to her top to tug some of the buttons loose. He goes to pull it off of her so she moves her arms to make it easier but ends up losing her balance which makes him slip out of her and she nearly falls off of his lap. She laughs at how evident her being tipsy is.

“You okay?” He asks after lifting her back up, placing a few kisses along her newly exposed collarbone.

Giggling some more she nods. “I didn’t realize how much I was leaning on you.”

He smiles, pulling her hands behind her waist and slouching himself further down after putting his aching cock back inside of her. “Let me help you out,” he says, his tone hinting at yet another dare. Locking her arms in place he begins thrusting up into her heat going well beyond her g-spot, but never too far. Her walls begin to spasm against his length and he grunts seemingly angrily. “You better not cum.”

Insistent, she shakes her weak head. “I’m not, I’m not, I promise.”

“Good girl.” He raises one hand up to smack her cheek lightly; she buries her cheek into his palm afterward to signal she wants him to make it feel better which he does. She holds his forearm with her locked hands, scratching at the skin nicely just to feel as much of him as possible. “Cógeme, cariño, ¡cógeme como un rey!”

[Fuck me, honey/love/darling! Fuck me like a king!]

She moans, starts bouncing on him again earning the freedom of her arms, and touches her forehead to his. “Eres el rey de mi mundo, Javi.”

[You are the king of my world, Javi.]

He sweeps her lips up into a kiss as if he were trying to swallow the words as fast as they had come out. Despite his typical confidence with women, he must admit that no one has ever made him feel the way she does. He likes the excitement and the praise, hell her looks alone were getting him rock-hard earlier. He can’t even respond with words, he just reaches his arms around to grab handfuls of her ass to bring her in closer while still kissing her sweetly. Jackie feels the pressure inside of her growing again intensify when Javi uses the pads of his fingers to rub tiny circles on her clit. She claws at his neck and shoulders to draw out the feeling as long as possible without cumming again and before she knows it she hops off of him and kneels between the small space of his legs and the center console.

She practically shoves whatever she can fit of his cock into her mouth, gagging when his tip tickles the back of her throat. His fingers tangle themselves in her hair and he pushes her head down carefully, craving the feeling of her throat closing around his dick. She bobs her head up and down occasionally stopping to take him in her throat whenever she can; a few tears fall from her eyes after gagging so many times so she pulls his length out of her mouth to stroke it with her spit-covered hands and props her mouth on his balls, sliding her tongue around every inch she could reach.

“Oh, fuck, babygirl,” he moans, “you’re doing such a good job… Yeah, you’re doing so good right now, cariño.” His muscles tense and he flinches when her thumb rubs around his tip so she goes to put him back in her mouth but he stops her. He stares at the strings of spit mixed with her precum all over her chin before enveloping her in a sloppy kiss. He moans at the taste of his cock mixed in with her juices and licks her lips much like he did her clit earlier. “Will you lay down for me right here?” He coos after wrapping his hand around her jaw, the other holding the back of her head in place. She nods and hums to confirm. “Yeah?” He smacks her cheek and it makes her smile. “You like that, princess?” He smacks her a little rougher this time.

“Yes, baby, I love it,” she says.

“Good…” He pecks her lips and taps her jaw a couple of times. “Lay back right here.” They switch spots so that she’s laying where he was once sitting and he removes his pants and boxers. Although her neck feels a bit stiff from her head being pushed up against the back of the seat she knew that once he fills her up again with his cock the pain wouldn’t even be noticeable. She eyes his thick shaft and tip while he slaps it over the skin of her pussy, her eyes growing wide when he slides the head over her sensitive bud. “You want it, baby?”

Jackie doesn’t even bother trying to come up with something witty or bratty to say, all she can say is yes over and over until he teases her dripping entrance. “Javi, te quiero mucho. I want you to fill me up with your—“ A gasp interrupts her begs of desperation after he slides the tip in slowly. He quickly readjusts his legs and pushes her thighs back so they’re flesh against her stomach. “Fuck,” she drags out, “it’s so fucking big.” He fills her up only halfway which gets her to tighten her legs around his hips in an attempt to push him in deeper but he remains idle and slaps her breast. “Please,” she whispers. After he asks what she wants she answers, “I want you—fuck, I love the way you stretch me out, I wanna feel you deep inside of me, baby.” He barely slides inside of her a little more earning whimpers from either of them but mostly her. “Please,” she begs.

[te quiero mucho = i want you so much (in this context).]

He presses his palm onto her pelvis with fingers pushing into her stomach so that she can feel him in even the deepest parts of her body. She whines out at how deep he goes, thankful he’s doing just enough to not hurt her cervix. She feels an awkward urge to pee but before she can say anything her squirt begins to splash everywhere.

“Look at that!” Javi boasts, not even thinking to stop his rhythm. “My God, girl, you are just full of surprises, aren’t ya?” Profusely blushing at his compliment she puts her hand down to signal she needs a break, but he just frowns at her and goes, “Move your hand.”

She decides to defy him and tries to wiggle out of his grip to get a reaction out of him. “No,” she quips with a grin.

“I said…” He slams her hand above her head and buries his cock deep inside of her. “Move your fucking hand.”

She sarcastically pouts. “Awe. What are you gonna do? Punish me?”

In the blink of an eye, his warm hand is wrapped around her neck. “I can do that.”

But still, she doesn’t let up, wondering how much she can get away with. “How you gon’ do it? Stick it in my ass?”

He incredulously chuckles and ponders on whether or not this is just an extremely vivid dream he’s having. He decides speaking would just egg her on to push his buttons even more so he pulls out, lines his tip up with her ass, and pushes it in slowly. She gasps with alertness in her expression—she didn’t think he would really do it. Most guys she asked didn’t, and if they did they asked if she was sure.

Not Javi. Not tonight. Not after the shitty fucking week he had. He took this woman’s confidence as a sign to take what he wants as long as the offer was on the table.

That’s what makes her even more aroused.

Watching his spit drip from his lip straight down to his dick before he slides deeper inside of her Jackie finds herself rubbing her clit and admiring the man above her. A man that knows what he wants, she thinks, and takes it? I like him. She knows the chances of them ever seeing each other again were slim to none, but she’ll always remember him.

Javi. Dark and unruly curls, soft brown eyes with harsh wrinkles surrounding them, broad but slender shoulders and calloused hands that touch her so gently, and a voice so deep it nearly rumbles inside his chest.

She bites her lip trying to ignore the pain she feels. Instead, she focuses on his mannerisms: his chest rising and falling while he slides his length inside her tight hole. The way he will pause to glance up at her ensuring her comfort. He feels her tighten around him so many times he was sure it must have hurt but every time he looks at her he sees her pleading for more with her pretty and low eyes. He manages to get about two-thirds of the way in before it becomes too tight for him.

“That feel good?” He questions, pursing his lips anxiously after she says yes. He spits a couple more times to help relax her muscles, but he notices her eyebrows furrow. Placing a few kisses on her forehead he tells her, “I got you, honey. Tell me what you need.”

“I’m fine, it’s just been a while,” she chuckles nervously. “That’s good!” She squeaks when he settles at a steady pace. He smiles down at her and slips his tongue into her open mouth, moaning at the sound of her whines. He rubs his thumb over her clit and fights her tongue with his own, letting her into his mouth eventually. She moans at the taste of her still on his lips, digging her knees into his sides and tugging at the ends of his hair. Her wetness overflows onto his cock helping lubricate her entrance. She tightens around him to add more stimulation for him and that causes him to collapse atop her body. His body is overwhelmed but he can’t get enough of how dirty she is by letting him have her—all of her. “Quiero hacerte amor con mi culo, papi,” she shouts. “Mi cuerpo te pertenece.”

[I want to make love to you with my ass, daddy. My body belongs to you.]

“Tu español suena mejor con mi reata dentro de ti, ¿sí o no?” He grips her ass to lift her hips higher, to make her more level with him.

[Your Spanish sounds much better when my dick is inside of you, no?]

Jackie trembles in his arms, crying out at the feeling of constantly being stretched out by him. “Claro, claro que sí,” she screams breathlessly. She reaches to grab the door nearby as she doesn’t want to scratch him and her fingers wipe away some of the thick fog on his car windows. She glances outside and notices how dark it has gotten, but she didn’t want him to stop edging himself inside of her. She sees how much he loves being in her mouth, her pussy, and now her ass, she just doesn’t know how much more pounding she can take.

[claro = of course; claro que sí = of course it does (in this context).]

Sweat drips down from his temples to his jawline from the thick air inside of the car and the amount of restraint it’s taking him to not finish inside of her ass. He isn’t sure where she wants it, so before he cums for her he pulls out so suddenly it takes her a few seconds to realize he’d done it. “Where do you want it, babygirl? Hmm?” He whispers against her ear.

“Hmm?” She questions.

They nibble and kiss each other enjoying the small break. “My cum. Where do you want me to cum?”

“Wherever you want,” she speaks strongly with a shrug of her shoulders. “Didn’t I just tell you that my body belongs to you, daddy?”

His eyes roll beneath his heavy eyelids. “If you had to choose…” He says regaining his composure (or what was left of it).

“If I had to choose?” Jackie grabs his dick and lines it back up with her vagina, forcing her hips forward to push his tip inside of her. “My pussy.”

He likes her answer so he just presses the rest of his dick inside of her. “Mm, I’m thinking right…” He rubs the deepest parts of her with his swollen shaft. “Here.” Her nipples harden at the feeling of him grinding himself against her walls and the stubbly hair on his pelvis tickles her clit enough to elicit a few moans from her. “You’re still so goddamn tight for me, my fucking God.” She clenches even harder around him at his little praises, telling him thank you and littering kisses all around his neck and shoulders. “Sweetheart, if you wanted I would fuck you every day.” At last, he pumps in and out of her, telling her, “You’ve been such a good girl for me tonight… You anything else you want me to do—do for you?” He grips her ass even harder, holding off his nearing orgasm as long as possible.

Her fatigued eyes barely open to look up at him, and she sloppily pushes her wet baby hairs out of her face. “I ju—oh, I just want to feel your cum.”

“Yeah?”

She cups his face in her hands lovingly with a persuasive smile on her lips. “I want you to empty your balls inside of me.”

“Oh, fuck.” His face drops into the curve of her neck.

She feels his cock twitch inside of her and it encourages her to keep talking. “I want you to fucking use me, use my pussy to cum. Yes!”

He buries himself as deeply as possible for a few thrusts, and she feels him pouring his seed inside her. Their moans and pleads mixing in the air is just enough to get one final, but short orgasm. Nothing near as powerful as before but an accomplishment for her nonetheless. He pushes his shoulders up and off of her to give their warm bodies a sense of space, but he fails to stay up for long and lands right back on her chest once again which gets a tired laugh out of her.

After a short while, he pulls out and spreads her shaky legs apart to watch his cum slowly pour out from between her wet lips. Admiring how pretty her messy body looks he leans down to place a warm kiss on her clit one last time. She flinches at the feeling but remains still in her position. She rests her eyes and runs a hand over her stomach.

He remembers that he has some napkins in his glove compartment, reaching for them and then carefully cleaning her up before he cleans himself. He sees how much more worn out she seems than him so he helps her move to give him space beside her, then twists her legs into his lap. He grabs his cigarettes from the car floor along with a light; he pops one in his mouth and hands another to her.

The pair are silent for about five minutes as neither of them feel the need to speak immediately to fill the air. They want to enjoy their highs and prolong it with nicotine. After they smoke up half their cigarettes and air out the car a bit by rolling a window down an inch or two Javi finds himself the first to break the silence.

“¿Cómo estás ahora?”

[How are you doing now?]

“Muy, muy bien, querida. Thank you for being so gentle with me.”

[querida = love/dear/darling]

It takes him a moment to realize that despite the domination she was seeking from him she still wanted to be cared for. “Of course, sweetheart. You don’t need to thank me.”

“Mm,” she groans before tossing her cigarette out of the window just before he does the same, “I know that, but you’re a man who deserves all the praise.” He smiles at the comment, reaching a hand between her hair and jawbone. “You never answered my question… Why are you in Columbia?”

“Work, confidential bullshit.”

She reaches for his chin to give it a small pinch. “I’m sure you’re amazing.” He scoffs and shakes his head. “Come ‘er.” They move so that he is lying between her legs and his head is resting on her chest.

“Hey, Jackie?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s your favorite flower?”

She laughs loudly at this and plays with his hair while she thinks of her response. “Tulips. I love tulips.”

“Tulips, eh?”

“Don’t be surprising me at my job with some damn flowers now.”

He pops his head up defensively. “I’d have to know where you worked to do that… Where do you work?”

They both laugh and she gives him a tender kiss. “I actually don’t work right now, I’m living off of trust fund money.”

“Ah, where do you live?”

She frowns seemingly offended. “I am not telling you where I live after only knowing you a day!” He can see through her bullshit easily. She wants to see him again, she’s just being cautious. Not like he blamed her for it, but he found her attempt at lying cute.

[fruitcoops]

hi!! been loving all your fics lately 😍

I’m wondering if you’d have fun writing something where logan and sirius (and talker? someone else?) are playing video games with the headsets on and talking to each other and then somebody steps away and accidentally leaves the headset on and the other two overhear stuff with the boyfriend(s) 👀

could be coops or o’knutzy or both, could be before everyone knows about whichever relationship or after, or both!!

Silly fluff on a Thursday! Utterly non-spicy, too :) Character credit goes to @lumosinlove!

“Fucker.”

“From the bottom of my heart—and know that I mean this with every bit of my soul—I hope you die.”

“Oh, sh—fuck, sorry guys.”

For just a moment, their dismay harmonized. The sounds of battle ceased and the screen went dark.

Sorry, You Died.

“I mean, maybe if you two didn’t discuss half your plans in French…”

“Woah, woah, hey, come on,” Logan protested over Sirius’ indignance. In the small icon to the far right, Thomas raised his hands with a look that distinctly lacked apology.

“This is aggression against Canada,” Sirius scoffed. “Classic Americans.”

“Aggression against Canada?” Thomas spluttered.

“Yeah,” Logan chimed in, adjusting his headset over one ear as he reached for a handful of chips. “That. Totally.”

“Tremzy, if you eat those into your headset, I will crawl through the screen and suffocate you.”

Logan narrowed his eyes at Sirius’ video square and made sure his microphone was in prime position to capture the deafening CRUNCH that followed.

Twin groans answered; Thomas removed his headset with a fake gag. “That just echoed across my living room, you little weirdo,” Sirius grumbled.

“Get a headset like the rest of us, lame-ass.”

“It’s worse that way,” Thomas chimed in.

“I told you,” Sirius continued with a whine Logan wished the press could hear before lauding him as some solemn superhero. “It was supposed to be here today.”

“Oh, yeah?” Logan said mockingly, just because he could. “Where is it, then?”

Sirius groused a little more under his breath; the sound of aggressive clicking followed as he moved his character over to whale on Logan’s for a few seconds. It didn’t damage his XP too much, but Logan filed that away for later. Somebody wasn’t getting his extra tincture of healing at the next checkpoint.

The Field of Regeneration was further from their goal than he would prefer—it had taken them an hour and a half to get to the mountains the first time, but he had faith that the fourth time would be the charm. There was a saying about that, he thought. Something like it. He rolled his ankles under the coffee table as their characters moved over the hills in a pack, bracing his arches against the table leg for a better stretch. His toes popped and he grimaced; they really hadn’t moved much today. Then again, early summer was made for lazy days in front of the television with his friends.

Sirius swung by the boulder pile and collected the healing kits the same as before. Logan didn’t bother waiting for him—they had been though this section enough that he could catch up on his own. He had promised Leo they’d reach a stopping point by 6:30, anyway, and there was no chance he would pick video games over acting as a sous chef, paid in kisses.

The chirps faded as they made their way past challenges that had once been world-ending. Logan was glad they weren’t dragging this out longer, too focused on reaching the checkpoint to fuck around. It was one of many reasons he would choose Sirius and Thomas for weekend games over anyone else; they had fun, but they knew how to settle down and win.

Logan grimaced. Hockey brain was supposed to be banished until at least July.

“Let us know when your setup gets here, Cap.” Thomas’ voice startled him; he barely avoided stumbling into a ravine.

“Ouais, we’ll give it a test run.”

They were coming up on the edge of the forest, now. Logan swapped his inventory around and carefully sidestepped the spike trap he had (unfortunately and with great embarrassment) fallen for the second time around.

Sirius’ mouth twitched. “Hey, Tremz, watch your—”

“Shut up, god, I hate you so much.” Their digitized snickering filled his ears and he made sure to be on solid ground before freeing a hand to flip them the bird. “I’ll go call Sunny and Kuns to play instead. See if I care.”

“Don’t you have two boyfriends within arm’s reach at all times?”

Logan rolled his eyes. “They are on a date, if you must know. And Leo hates character games.”

“Ew, you know what kind of video games they like?” Sirius teased.

“Aren’t you literally married?”

Thomas skipped past a cursed runestone and reclined back in his seat. “I think we can all agree that I’m winning here.”

“If you were here in person, I would throw something at you for that,” Logan informed him. Did it matter that he was greatly looking forward to having Thomas around for Christmas in a few months? No. Not here, not now, not while he was within chirping range. The very lenient penalty for dating his sister had been clear from the start. Logan couldn’t let him get too comfortable.

The greatest threat to achieving their goal appeared just as they reached the base of the mountains. Logan was feeling so proud of their quick time before that.

“Which game?” Remus asked from the corner of Sirius’ frame, unloading his pockets on the side table.

Sirius tilted his chin up for a kiss to the cheek, like he had no respect for Logan’s poor, innocent eyes. “Legendborn, with T and Tremzy.”

Remus hummed. He tugged at the collar of Sirius’ shirt with one finger, biting at his lower lip. Logan’s stomach dropped through the fucking floor. “Want to come upstairs for a bit?”

“NO!”

Remus flinched hard at the resounding shout from three different voices, then burst out laughing; Sirius reddened faster and more vibrantly than Logan had ever seen. “Dear god, Loops!” Thomas sounded downright scandalized. “The man doesn’t have a headset! Give us some grace! Some warning!”

Logan wrenched his microphone closer to his mouth with a clumsy hand. “You’re paying for my therapy, Lupin.”

Remus managed to pull his face from Sirius’ shoulder long enough to stumble through part of an apology before breaking down into laughter again. “Fuck—my bad, my bad, I didn’t realize.”

“Clearly!”

“Keep your husband under control, Captain!”

Sirius turned a lecherous smile on them, then caught Remus by the front of his shirt and pulled him down to lick a long, wet, horrendous stripe up his cheek. Logan threw his controller aside and flopped backward on the couch, hands over his eyes, as hysterical laughter and Thomas’ spluttered protests filled his ears.

“I thought you two would finally be normal and boring after you got married,” he groaned, sinking deeper into the cushions. Sirius, the menace, was damn near cackling. “Can you stop being freaks about each other for two fucking seconds?”

“Nope!” Remus said cheerfully. “It’s state-sanctioned now, actually.”

“Marital bliss,” Sirius agreed. “You’re just jealous.”

Logan peeked through his fingers and found Thomas shaking his head. “T, if I ever lick one of my boyfriends, I want you to take me out behind the rink like Old Yeller.”

“Jealous,” came Sirius’ singsong answer. Remus made himself comfortable with his chin on Sirius’ head, grinning madly.

Losers, the both of them. Lame and sweet and married to a nauseating degree. God, Logan couldn’t wait for his turn. Preferably, though, it would wait until after he had logged off.

[asetoblog]

A Seto psychological assessment

So, I said I was gonna do this and now I finally did it. Behold, a Seto Kaiba psychological assessment about interpersonal relationships! (I'm gonna try to make this as simple as possible for everyone <3)

I'm gonna consider original dub Seto ONLY, since the american version totally fucked his character up.

ATTACHMENT STYLE

According to Ainsworth and Bowlby's studies there are 4 Attachment styles:

Anxious/Preoccupied

Avoidant/Dismissive (ding ding ding!)

Disorganized/Fearful

Secure

What are Attachment styles (or Internal Working Models)? In children, we can find that they behave in different ways according to the presence or absence of their parents in an environment: anxious children have a deep fear of being abandoned or left alone so they act really upset or even cry when their parents are not around; avoidant/dismissive children usually hate to depend on others and don't care if they are left alone (they like minding their business); disorganized children are harder to understand since they act fearful towards their parents but at the same time they want to be close to them; finally secure children have a healthy relationship with their parents.

I think you've already noticed which one fits Kaiba the most: of course he's gonna be an Avoidant child!

(Mind that I think his attachment style CHANGED after he and Mokuba got adopted by Gozaburo, so there's gonna be a paragraph about their biological parents' death, because I think Seto's behaviour was much different before the whole orphanage and adoption thing)

The attachment style of a child is of course going to define their behaviour as adolescents and adults. The attachment styles of teenager/adults are pretty much the same and now I'm gonna list any behaviour that confirms Seto's attachment (Avoidant/Dismissive): as the Adult Attachment Interview (the AAI, a psychological test) suggests, avoidant people tend to belittle or even ignore their own emotions concerning their relationships with anyone (Seto openly admits to love and care about Mokuba and no one else, but even this happens rarely in the series and when it does he's pretty much always ALONE, when no one can hear or see him. It happens only once in Noah's Arc in the anime, when he gives us that ssweet face in front of Yugi and Co). The fact that he avoids his emotions about relationships and attachment with caregivers is also held up by the fact that he never brings up his parents, nor even with Mokuba. In Noah's Arc only Mokuba says something about them; Seto doesn't answer. Avoidant people also tend to devaluate their attachment with their caregiver (in this case we're gonna consider Gozaburo as the “caregiver/parent” because he gave our boy big trauma): if I remember correctly, Seto says he stopped calling Gozaburo “father” at one point. HOWEVER, the rest of the Avoidant assessment doesn't really fit Seto's behaviour, because he remembers very well what Gozaburo did to him (being physically and psychologically abusive) and doesn't idealize him as a good parent (which is what Avoidant people tend to do), so I think he's got also a little bit of Preoccupied and Secure characteristics in him (I'm gonna talk about this in a sec) and I believe it's because he's got a little of the positive influence of his biological parents in him AND he's not an easy guy to control/influence.

According to the AAI, Secure teenagers/adults are fully conscious of the abuse they suffered (I think Seto totally is, he just – you know – AVOIDS it) and are able to find a way to be happy and healthy again (I mean, I don't really think made it to the end, but he's still young and he's got a long road ahead, maybe he'll fully heal some day and I believe he's capable of doing that, because we've already seen his character development since the begninning of manga to the movie DSOD. Mokuba has been his strength and, you may like it or not, Yugi and Co (especially Atem) being a good challenge, nosy and friendly helped him too, which is cute (also Atem and Jonouchi made him reconsider playing games for love and fun, instead of only winning, so he found that old spark he loved playing games for again). Also, this is a little unrelated to the attachment itself, but a Secure person can also be defined as an autonomous and functional adult and I think he is, since he's a freaking CEO(?).

Now, let's talk about the Preoccupied people a little: a part of the AAI says that some individuals feel anger and/or conflict towards one or both parents. I mean. I don't think I have to explain this one, but Seto perfectly shows he hasn't moved on from the hatred he feels fro Gozaburo (and rightly so, I might say lmao). In Battle City he destroys an entire Island just to get rid of Gozaburo's memory and Obelisk representes his wrath and hatred (the soundtrack itself is called Wrath of God).

So, there we have it: Seto's an Avoidant child/teen, with some Secure and Preoccupied behaviour.

Some time later, another theory entered the chat: Lyons-Ruth presented her classification system of the attachment adding new styles, which are Hostile and Helpless. HH behaviour indicates that traumas are still present and working (ouch).

Hostile individuals are busy trying to control their own unwanted emotions and feelings of vulnerability (lol, Seto I see you): they are pretty much in denial, trying to hide their feelings of fear and helplessness. They also tend to identify themselves as their abusive parent and they hate it (yeah... I mean, this is so Seto).

Now, as I said in the beginning, I'm gonna talk a little bit about his attachment style BEFORE the orphanage thing. Seto used to smile (a lot), play many different games with Mokuba (which suggests they grew up in a positive environment where the parents were loving and the family as a whole was functional, since there seemed to be no hostility betweet the two brothers), be supportive, be happy and active. This is important, because this indicates that the little guy had good caregivers (as I said the family was functional and he had and still has a good relationship with his younger brother) and that means: Secure attachment style. Being Secure means not freaking out about a caregiver's absence and this might be a little stretch since grief is no joke at all, but even if it's a traumatic event, Seto handled it like a champ. (Of course this doesn't mean that didn't hurt and he didn't suffer. Quite the contrary. But he's been very strong since childhood).

I think this is it for the attachment style! Moving on to ...

GRIEF IN CHILDREN

So, we all know Seto and Mokuba lost their parents in an accident when they were children (I think Seto was about 8 or 9 yo and Mokuba was 4). Studies suggest that 4 yo children start to understand how death works (it's irreversible and universal, that means that they know who dies won't come back and that everyone will have the same fate sooner or later), whilst 6 yo and older children fully understand other implications (e.g. vital functions - like breathing - stop, and so on).

Now, of course this is considered as a very traumatic event for children to go through, but they can be calmed if treated right. Which didn't happen with Seto and Mokuba of course (poor babies).

Not only they suffered the sudden loss of their parents, but they also had to face heartless relatives who didn't want them and abandoned them in an orphanage. At that point Seto decided to step in as a father for Mokuba, which is HUGE for an 8 yo child who doesn't even know to tie his shoes yet (but is really great at chess, yo!)(just kidding).

What the studies tell us is that children who suffer a sudden loss of their parents also lose their only source of safety and support, which will make them feel like they're in danger and abandoned. What emotional reactions this may cause: sadness, anger, anxiety, apathy, shame and guilt. I'm pretty sure Seto felt all of this, but ignored it and tried to stay focused for Mokuba, which is sweet and a great proof of psychological stregth.

Physical symptoms: headaches (I'm sure Seto gets a lot of them), anxiety, sleep disorders (like, come on...), always scared of what could happen to other people (you may argue Seto doesn't give a shit about anybody, but everytime Yugi and Co are in danger, Seto's always there ready to help even if he doesn't admit it), always on the alert.

However, the most interesting bit is what a loss like this causes to children's relationship with their peers: they start to isolate themselves and start to show aggressive or hostile behaviour, which is exactly what Seto does. He's definitely a loner even as a teenager and he's a little hostile and dismissive towards everybody, especially his peers.

So, I think that's all...? If anything else comes to mind I will edit this post and add it, but I think that's pretty much it. I hope you enjoyed this!

PS: I'm sorry if there are mistakes or weird sentences, english is not my first language. I tried! 💀

[covid-safer-hotties]

COVID isolation continues four years later for some residents at higher risk - Published Aug 30, 2024

Sara Anne Willette has spent more than 1,620 days in isolation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New Jersey resident took health precautions in public before the pandemic because of her common variable immunodeficiency, which means she doesn't make enough antibodies to fight infections.

Simple tasks like going for a walk down the street or taking a trip to the grocery store are laden with safety hurdles and anxiety for Willette.

Stressful tasks, like moving from Iowa to New Jersey during the pandemic for her husband's new job, are now even more taxing. The two drove overnight to avoid crowds at gas stations and rest stops, and she's prepared to do it again. The substantial health precautions in her day-to-day life are forcing her and her family to pack up their life once more and look for a new home in the countryside.

"I'm angry that society is largely inaccessible and I have to risk my life for the bare minimum, like medical care," Willette told ABC News in a phone call. "Why live in civilization if all of it is completely inaccessible?"

More than four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Willette is among the immunocompromised and disabled Americans who've complete changed their way of living to survive.

Her anger was tinged with disappointment as she talked about how the rest of the world has gone back to normal despite the hundreds of people across the country dying from COVID-19 each week amid a summer surge of the virus.

COVID-19 has also been a debilitating event for tens of millions of people who have or are currently experiencing long COVID, which in some cases has been defined as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. With some lawmakers beginning to propose mask bans in hopes of reducing crime, it's no longer an option for some to live life normally among the rest of society.

Willette was among the people ABC News checked back in with after previously talking to them about isolating two years after the pandemic began.

Finding a new normal There are simple joys that Willette misses: having a garden, running, walking, letting her dogs run without a leash and drinking coffee on a porch.

She's planning on moving to the mountains -- somewhere between New Hampshire and Virginia -- and gaining enough acreage to allow her and her family to embrace the activities they lost during the pandemic. However, being alone out in the countryside isn't the goal for Willette.

Rather, she intends to build a pathogen-aware community. That means buying enough land so other disabled, immunocompromised or health-conscious able-bodied people who don't want to get COVID-19 can join them and create a home of their own.

"We want something that feels like normal but is set up in a way that we decrease harm for everyone in the community," Willette said. "We can't do that in an urban area or even in a suburban area. There are too many risks."

Her mother and mother-in-law intend to move and join Willette, her husband and her son on the property as well.

For Charis Hill, a California resident who has a systemic inflammatory disease and takes immunosuppressive medications, it's been hard to access an in-person doctor's appointment since many safety precautions for COVID-19 are no longer being taken in medical care facilities.

As someone with "high-level medical needs," the lack of COVID precautions has even made seeking routine care a challenge.

"Just the fact that a medical environment that is supposed to know what a virus can do, most medical environments no longer require masking, and that's what makes it unsafe for people like me to go, for anybody to go," Hill told ABC over the phone.

"The impact of the delayed care, where people can't go get routine care, that's going to affect the whole health care system. Emergencies happen because of delayed care."

Despite the stress and forced isolation, they find moments of joy growing their own food in their garden, and stay busy by working to reduce the local feral cat population through Trap-Neuter-Return practices.

They break their isolation monthly to meet at a park with a close-knit circle of friends who take similar safety precautions -- they're all masked, socially distanced and have tested beforehand.

"That's really the only way for me to meet strangers and also to make new friends," Hill said.

Mask bans would further bar immunocompromised people from public life, according to Hill.

Such bans "make it unsafe for us to exist," Hill noted, because people may feel pressure not to wear masks when they're sick or if immunocompromised people are worried about backlash for doing so.

With more people testing positive for COVID this summer, and with the fall and winter virus season ahead, Hill says society's "new normal" should involve free testing, vaccines, access to at-home antiviral therapy paxlovid and flexible hybrid working options to mitigate the spread of illnesses.

"We need a new normal, and a new normal that is equitable for everyone, and that not only prioritizes high risk people, but that also reduces infection overall," Hill said.

COVID concerns for the immunocompromised population Immunocompromised people -- about 3% of the adult population in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health -- continue to face potentially serious medical complications or death when it comes to COVID-19. Even for those who were not previously at risk now have seen life-changing heath impacts.

"Long COVID can happen to anyone, and I have certainly seen young, healthy, vigorous athletes have prolonged, debilitating symptoms from long COVID," Dr. Jeannina Smith, the medical director of University of Wisconsin's Transplant Infectious Disease Program, told ABC over the phone.

However, society has largely appeared to have moved on. The CDC stopped recording some COVID-19 related data and some politicians have proposed mask bans as a potential solution to crime.

"It takes us a step back for public health," Hill said. "We have other pandemics that are coming, and it's going to make it harder to reenact mask mandates if we need them in the future."

For the immunocompromised, regular society could seem like a minefield, according to Dr. Cassandra M. Pierre, the medical director of Public Health Programs and the associate hospital epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center.

She noted that people at higher risk for complications "are still, unfortunately, in our hospitals today. We see that they have this forced risk of going on to develop critical COVID or potentially even die. This is still occurring. COVID is still happening."

This is all happening despite a better understanding of disease transmission and the information needed to be better equipped to empower communities to protect their health, Pierre added.

Patients have been harassed or mocked for wearing masks in public, Dr. Jeannina Smith noted, despite international and national medical organizations emphasizing the importance of mask wearing as a mitigation tactic for illnesses. Hill has experienced this first hand.

"You can't look at someone and know that they're receiving immunosuppression for an organ transplant or an autoimmune condition, and they remain at risk," Smith said.

"Even if you don't have individual risk, any person can still spread COVID to someone who has higher risk," she said. "In fact, much of the spread continues to be from asymptomatic person. The very idea that we would criminalize wanting to protect our fellow citizens is pretty horrific."

The federal government has recently changed its tune amid the summer COVID spike and is preparing for the upcoming fall and winter season by approving and granting emergency use authorization for updated COVID-19 vaccines and restarting its free at-home COVID tests program.

[femmesandhoney]

i know a girl who tries to "make it" without her family's help. she works as a waitress, rents a bedroom, pays for the supplies we need for class with her own money (allegedly). i always thought she was struggling until she broke her foot and couldn't work for weeks and still didn't get kicked out or stop doing her artsy stuff. nothing changed without weeks worth of minimum wage. coincidentally this was around christmas break, and one day we were all talking about how we celebrated the holidays with our families and she pulls out her phone and starts showing pictures of her grandma's christmas dinners in her big ass family mansion. literal generational wealth type stuff. apparently she never hid that she comes from money OR that she pays for everything by herself working as a waitress. i just wasn't around her enough to know this and only heard her complain about how expensive our materials for school were

these people can't be this delusional, if one of her rich family members buys her work and showcases it enough it's inevitable that she'll get recognition. this isn't to say that she isn't good at what she does, but she could not fail if she tried, there's no point on adding extra steps to feel like you've experienced "hardship" like everyone else. acknowledging the fact that you have money and that it helps you get ahead is a lot more dignified imo

reminds me of a somewhat famous sociological study that after it was published as a book was found to be a bit unethical for similar ideas. Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich was her going undercover to investigate the working poor and she left her cushy job and apartment to go live in the same conditions these working poor people were in by surviving on minimum wage jobs. while her work was monumental and revealed a lot to a wider audience of americans, the fact was that she never really was living under the same threats that actual working poor were. at any time she could have stopped her study and gone back home to her apartment and job and her money. there was an unethical side to her acting like she was 100% living as they lived when you consider that. and some other stuff, but yeah. while for Ehrenreich it was for a social experiment, so many rich kids have no real reason to be doing that shit and pretending at the same time that they aren't rich and have safety nets. it's good to teach your kids how to provide for themselves and the challenges, but most of these kids also do not learn anything from it bc they always know their parents or family will swoop in to help them if needed.

[hotluncheddie]

I absolutely love your chubby!Steve series!

I think partly because it challenges the fckng fatphobia my family has raised me with, acting like anyone who doesn't "fit" into their clothes anymore is fat and that's bad. Which *i* think is fckng stupid. I'm personally more at ease with my body. While being skinny (always was) ... ever since puberty or hitting my 20s I'm not a stick figure. I have some curves and while that's really nice if you feel comfortable in a woman's body - i've been struggling with gender and my little tummy fat, my thighs, my ass and always felt too feminine. I know I have a nice body (I feel strange about saying that) but in my eyes it's a lot of femme sexy not masc sexy. If it makes sense. But to get to the point 😂 I think your series has helped me too with reevaluating my depiction of whats masc and what's femme. And also how curves on men are hot and good and beautiful.

I'm obviouely not 100% there and probably won't ever be. But it helped a tiny bit! So pleaaaaaase never stop!! It's so good!

I really hope this all makes sense

(at first I wanted to make this anon but I'm gonna be brave about it! And yes it would be okay posting this publicly. But you can also answer if you want, privately)

hello friend!! ty for being brave and sending this! im so so so glad you’re enjoying them!!!

sorry i’m only just answering this too i kept thinking about what i wanted to say bc i never expected these stories to cause these kinds of thoughts. but it’s so cool!!

there is something so interesting about the way androgyny is so connected to thinness. and curves with femininity. like i saw an insta reel and this girl was doing butch outfit inso but she was a bigger, curvy woman and it kinda blew my mind like id never seen it before! they looked great!!

like masculinity and femininity is performance but i totally get the frustration of like having to counteract your ‘base’ in order to perform the way you feel most comfortable. if that makes sense. like i so often want a t-shirt to fit me like it would a skinny skater boy but i also think i look pretty hot naked haha and i know that’s me with my traditionally ‘feminine’ body shape. so i feel like i get what ur saying? sorry if i’m way off

but yeah i’m also sorry you’ve been struggling with your gender i hope it hasn’t been too dysphoric for you!

its just really interesting that you’ve sent me this tho. when thinking about like, how everyone interprets art differently. like, i honestly just started writing them bc i find bigger people really attractive. i wasn’t really trying to say anything about fat phobia but i totally see how it’s all connected. like i just think bellies are hot and i find peoples chests hot, like, boobs or pecs, whatever, its just a really nice, beautiful area. so i kinda wanted to just get that attraction out in writing because im trying to be less embarrassed about what turns me on. maybe that's why i write eddie so goofy, thats me still being a little embarrassed but also just maybe makes it all more accessible to people. idk.

but yeah i guess it’s just nice to talk about different body types, especially with such a traditional american male character like steve. i’ve just never found like a six pack very attractive, personally. i find strength and curves and softness and bigness really nice so idk i hope i’m giving a little more representation to that.

[disneyprincessabby]

How do you headcannon Radiator Spring residents and their relationships with Lightning?

*sorry this took so long! I’ve been working on this during my lunch breaks/when I’m not at work, and honestly I struggled to form my thoughts for this one a bit*

I love these kinds of asks!! These questions are super easy but supper difficult because it comes more easily for certain characters (like Doc, Sally, Mater, etc...), and then for some characters it's a little more challenging (like Lizzie, Red, etc..) but anyway, here's what I think everyone's relationship with Lightning is like:

Doc: is Lightning’s dad. Fight me.

Sally: Pretty sure this one goes without saying, but I'm gonna say it anyway. They've been together for the better part of a decade, and I personally like to think they're married (though I really wish Pixar would release a short or something to establish what their relationship status is but anyway), and they are both completely and hopelessly in love with each other. Sally is by far one of the absolute best things (if not the best thing) to ever happen to Lightning, and she feels the same way about him.

Mater: Lightning is like the little brother Mater always wanted as a kid; someone he could go on crazy adventures with (and get into loads of mischief with).

Sheriff: acts like McQueen is an inconvenience to him, but *not so* secretly really cares about the kid. (this is actually pretty much established in all three Cars movies but whatever) I like to think that Sheriff thinks of Lightning as a son to some extent, but they don't really have the same father-son bond that Lightning has with Doc (though that bond got a little stronger shortly after Doc passed...)

Flo: loves him like a son, and isn’t afraid to give him a little ‘though love’ when he needs it. She is definitely as brutally honest/ blunt with him as needed, and while Lightning's never said it out loud, he appreciates that Flo cares enough about him to tell it like it is.

Ramone: Lightning is basically Ramone’s Guinea Pig; Ramone has complete artistic freedom when it comes to paint jobs (in Carsverse)/ coming up with a sick tattoo design (I headcanon that Ramone is a tattoo artist in a human AU) and McQueen trusts him completely.

Luigi: Luigi loves cooking authentic Italian food and Lightning loves eating it. They have heated (jokingly) debates over which racing circuit is better (European or American) that can go on for hours; Sally and Guido have to get them to stop sometimes because otherwise they would go on like that forever.

Guido: Guido doesn’t speak much English (he knows a few words, but not enough to have a full conversation), so Lightning makes an effort to learn some Italian so he can talk to Guido in his native language. Luigi teaches him enough to have a conversation, and he eventually picks up a few more words after listening to Guido and Luigi talk.

Lizzie: She loves to tease (and low-key embarrass) Lightning in anyway she can (kinda like an older aunt/ great-aunt would), and she can get away with it because she's a 'crazy old lady'. However, she's actually super thankful Lightning crashed into town and revived the town she and Stanley built. She's confident her little town will be in good hands when she's gone.

Red: It took some time for Red to warm up to Lightning (considering he killed his poor flowers), but after a couple of months they started to become friends. When Lightning realized that Red was mute, he started looking into basic sign language and other forms of communication to make things easier for Red.

Sarge: Lightning is one of the few residents of Radiator Springs who actually enjoys listening to Sarge's war stories, and while he would never show it or admit it, it makes Sarge so happy. It also helps him with his PTSD/depression/survivor's guilt he sometimes experiences when McQueen just sits there with him for a couple of hours and lets him just talk about it.

Fillmore: they both have similar tastes in music which is how they’ve bonded over the years. They have really deep, philosophical conversations sometimes (sometimes they can talk for hours, sometimes the topic goes over Lightning’s head: there’s no in between). McQueen has definitely smoked with Fillmore at least once (that Doc knows of).

[amberlynnmurdock]

New Love, New Haven

Chapter Fifteen: A Change of Heart

Pairing: Benjamin Tallmadge x Original Female Character

Summary: After the Battle of Lexington & Concord, things shift dramatically for Ben and Sadie.

Ao3 Link

The Battle of Lexington and Concord happened on April 19, 1775. The British army set out for Lexington in hopes of capturing Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Other British troops made their way to Concord, Massachusetts, to steal and destroy the rebels’ weapons. But before either plan could be played out, it was leaked to the rebels’ side, giving them ample time to prepare for defense. This battle kicked off the American Revolution and inspired more colonists to stand up to the British and fight for their freedom. 

April 1775 

Wethersfield

Ben Tallmadge stood outside the General Store, reading and re-reading the headline of today’s paper. 

AMERICAN SENTIMENTS FOLLOWING BATTLES OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD; YOUNG MEN VOLUNTEERING TO FIGHT.

Something stirred in him—if it were possible for time to completely stop, then it certainly had for Ben at that moment as he continued to read the newspaper article about the bloody battle. It wasn’t the act of reading the headline itself that made him feel uncomfortable, but the fact that he agreed with the rebels. 

Well, perhaps discomfort wasn’t the word…but something along the lines of anticipation. Anticipation for what? He wasn’t exactly sure. 

Ben glanced around and looked at the hustling and bustling of people in Wethersfield, people paying no mind to the news he was reading about. And why weren’t they reading about it? Didn’t they care to see what happened to their brothers who fought in the battle and won? Didn’t they realize what this meant, what was about to happen in this country?

“Sickening, innit?” A man Ben didn’t know said aloud, reading the same headline. “Damned bottom-o-the-barrel men attacking the people who keep us safe. Shameful,” the old man spat on the ground. It was clear where his loyalties lay. Ben tensed his shoulders. This was strange territory to be in—suddenly uncertain how to act around people when topics like war are brought up. 

“It is terrible,” Ben utters, which isn’t untrue—war is bloody. And if this battle meant anything, it meant it wouldn’t be the last. Many men lost their lives for this one victory. One victory of many, many to be won. It’s terrible that impending war comes with a price. 

“Hopefully that’ll be the last and those rotten rebels will realize how much the King provides for us here,” the man spits again, shaking his head. Ben uses all his strength to not frown and gesture around the town—provide what exactly? Nearly all of the town has Red Coats living in other people's homes, taking more of the ration for food, and drinking their ale. What exactly is being provided for the people who live here? 

At first, these thoughts were merely just challenging the reality in which many colonists lived—but to see something like this battle take place, a glimmer of hope that no, we all don’t have to live this way, was invigorating—terrifying, and unclear. But, what if there were more of them than the Red Coats? These thoughts swarmed in Ben’s mind, more so in the past two years. 

Ben adjusted his satchel on his shoulder, wished the old man a good day, and was off on his way to school—itching to write to his dear friend, Nathan Hale. 

☆☆☆☆

Ben has been teaching the same group of boys since his first day at Wethersfield. They were all a bit more grown now, a little more mature, but all around the same fun as they were. No longer did Ben have to remind them to straighten their backs and have their ink and quill out. No longer did Ben have to settle them down from being rowdy.

“Good morning, everyone,” Ben announced as he walked into the school room and placed his bag on his chair. 

“Morning, Mr. Tallmadge,” they all said in unison. 

“I hope you all had a good evening and are ready for today’s lesson: Shakespeare. Please, pull out your books.”

The young men all ruffled through their bags and plopped their books on their desks. Ben turned around and began to write on the chalkboard the theme they’d be focusing on which was tragedies—a rather darker subject, but one that must be taught. Ben liked to start with the heavier topics before getting to the lighter ones. 

“Please turn to page 150 and read the first act of Hamlet,” Ben said, still facing the chalkboard. When he turned around, he saw all but one student reading the book. 

Joel, the youngest of the class, sat towards the back right of the room, quietly staring down at his empty desk. Ben furrowed his brows. 

“Young Joel?” Ben called. “Could you please bring out your book?”

Joel looked up from his desk, afraid to meet Ben’s eyes. Other kids started to get distracted from the conversation as they glanced up from the pages quickly.

“I don’t have it, sir,” Joel said quietly. 

“Oh,” Ben answered, “did you forget it?”

“No, I did not, sir.”

Ben sensed there was something Joel wasn’t telling him—it wasn’t like him to not have his book, and offer no good reason as to why. Well, if he didn’t forget it, then where was it? Ben made eye contact with a few distracted students and gave them a look that said focus. He walked quietly to where Joel sat and crouched to meet him at his level. 

“Joel,” Ben said gently, “Is everything all right? If you haven’t forgotten your book, then where is it?” When Ben met Joel’s brown eyes, it was then he saw how tired the young man looked—looking far more tired than any 10-year-old should. And now that he saw it, Joel didn’t even have his bag with him. 

“It was taken,” Joel said quietly, voice quivering. 

“Taken?” Ben questioned, “Someone stole it? Do you know who?”

“You know the battle that just happened, Mr. Tallmadge?” Joel asked, finally making eye contact with Ben. 

Ben shifted nervously, looking around at the other students to make sure they were focused on their reading and not their conversation. He nodded. “Yes.”

“The soldier staying in my house got very angry. He drank all the liquor in my father’s cabinet, bottles he’d been saving for a long time. He ruined everything in the house, and took my bag and ripped everything out,” Joel explained, his throat bobbing from keeping from crying. “I’m sorry, Mr. Tallmadge, all my work is ruined and the books you gave me are ripped apart.”

Ben’s mouth fell agape as Joel explained this to him. He felt a rush in his veins, a weight on his heart—and above all, rage. 

Ben clenched his fists behind his back. “Joel,” Ben said calmly, “are you safe at home?”

“As long as he doesn’t come back,” Joel whispered, “he was called by his officer to leave for Boston.”

“So the soldier isn’t staying at your house anymore?” Ben asked. 

“Not now,” Joel said. 

“Okay,” Ben nodded, “Good. Joel, I’m very sorry you had to witness something like that. If you need anything, please let me know. I can talk to your parents after today’s lesson. You can use my book for the time being,” Ben gently patted Joel’s back. “You don’t need to be sorry for anything.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Tallmadge,” Joel said quietly. “It’s been a horrid few weeks at home.” 

Ben pursed his lips. This wasn’t right. None of it. As he looked around the room of his students, he wondered who else was silently suffering, sharing space with a Red Coat in their home. 

For the first time, Ben wished it was the end of the day already. As his students continued to read, he sat down at his desk and began to write his letter to Nathan. 

☆☆☆☆

Middletown

Sadie Hale wandered the aisles of the local herbalist in town, gathering stems of lavender and garlic for the patients she and Genny were tending to. After two years of learning about healing, it was finally time for her and Genny to put what they’d learned to the test. It was humbling for Sadie to find out that healing was her true calling. 

It seemed her fears of being stuck in New Haven were not true at all. Moving to Middletown with Genny and her father was the best decision she could’ve made. New people, new places, and most of all, new learning opportunities. To be brief, Sadie was happy with her new life here without a parent looking over her shoulder and not a person she needed to ask if they wanted more ale. 

She even got to see Nathan occasionally, now that he was teaching in a town not so far from Middletown. When he and Genny weren’t spending nights together, Sadie was spending time with her brother, who still shared his notes with her and kept her up to date on his teachings. Sadie was happy to hear he continued to teach girls early in the morning. 

“I’ve told them about you,” Nathan gave a crooked smile to Sadie as she was preparing baskets for the early morning. “My youngest sister Sadie, who loves to learn and one day will be a teacher herself.”

“Oh, please,” Sadie laughed softly, “you have not.”

“I have!” Nathan said incredulously, “They need someone other than me to look up to, you know. An older woman who also loves to read and learn.”

“I am not that much older!” Sadie said in playful horror. 

“I know,” Nathan laughed, “You know what I mean. Older than them, at least.” 

“I’d love to come visit one day,” Sadie said with hope, “I’m not sure how that would work, but I’d love to.”

“You could be a guest speaker! It’ll be grand!” Nathan smiled brightly, bringing Sadie in for a side hug. 

Sadie smiled at the memory from not too long ago. She continued to walk the aisles of the shop when her mind drifted to Benjamin. 

Oh yes, Ben. Her best-kept secret. The thought of him brought a protective warmth throughout her chest and her heart leaped as she realized it was the weekend she would secretly be visiting him. 

With the help of Genny, who had to make runs for special herbs to Wethersfield occasionally, Sadie would come as her assistant—except, she wouldn’t stay or help Genny at all. She was dropped off at Ben’s small cottage on the way. 

It was like the early days in New Haven—Ben and Sadie seeing each other in secret. It was frowned upon for a young girl like Sadie to be seeing someone who wasn’t yet her husband—let alone staying in his house. Another thing was the Red Coats. They needed not to find out about Ben and Sadie. Especially the Ensign who stayed with Genny, her father, and Sadie in Middletown, who’s taken an uncomfortable liking to Sadie. 

When Sadie was done grabbing what she needed, she paid for the herbs and stepped outside, greeted with a warm breeze that hinted that May was around the corner. The warm, peaceful moment was quickly seized as a tall Red Coat in large brown boots stomped his way over. 

Ensign Williams, with his jet-black hair and to other ladies of the village would think is a dashing smile, walked right up to Sadie, who seemingly followed her from her home. 

“Ms. Hale, let me help you with your basket,” he offered, already reaching for it. Sadie pulled it quickly away. 

“It’s alright, Ensign Williams. I’ve got it myself,” she mustered a smile. 

“Oh please,” the Ensign said urgently, “I insist.” 

“It’s fine, really,” Sadie smiled nervously as Ensign Williams stepped in front of her, blocking her from walking forward. 

“It’s impolite to refuse help from a soldier, Ms. Hale,” Ensign Williams cocked an eyebrow. “After all, we do so much to protect your household. Especially after that wretched battle, those men think it’s such a victory. If anything, it has caused more money to be spent to help healour men.”

And what about our men, Sadie wanted to say. She flinched at how aggressively the Ensign was speaking to her. She nodded her head, hoping he was done with his tangent. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.

“You know, our army could use your help, if things go awry,” he said in a much softer, chilling tone. He placed his thumb on Sadie’s chin, and Sadie flinched again. 

“What are you so afraid of?” He said smugly, “I said we protect you. I protect you,” Ensign Williams caressed Sadie’s chin some more before he grabbed her basket. “Let me help,” he commanded. 

Sadie swallowed hard, feeling her heart hammer in her chest. Finally, he let go of her chin and began to walk Sadie home. He smiled at other people in the town, tipping his tricorn hat and wishing them all a good day—being otherwise pleasant and approachable. How can he easily fool everyone? Although she hated housing a red coat, Sadie missed the previous soldier they had staying—an older gentleman, who never bothered any of them.

Ensign Williams was insufferable, and more often than not Sadie felt unsafe in his presence. 

“You’re awfully quiet, Sadie,” Ensign Williams spoke up as they began to exit the center of town. “Don’t you have anything to say, to entertain?”

Sadie huffed softly, “Not really. I’m a bit tired.” She lied. 

“Tired? You didn’t look tired inside the herb shop,” Ensign Williams cocked an eyebrow.

“You followed me?” Sadie questioned. 

“It’s my job to protect the people of the house I’m staying in.”

“That doesn’t mean you follow them everywhere,” Sadie gently argued. The Ensign stopped in his tracks and grabbed Sadie’s left arm roughly. She gasped and met his dark eyes. 

“Should someone see you grabbing me like this, I’d think you’d be in trouble,” Sadie quickly said, her voice shaking. 

“Should they see me, they’d think you’d done something to provoke being grabbed. Now listen carefully,” the Ensign lowered his voice. “I don’t appreciate the way you speak to me when all I’ve offered is kindness and help. Should this continue, you’ll have to learn some new manners.” 

Sadie wanted to talk back, but she bit her tongue and held his cold stare. His fingers were deeply digging into her skin, squeezing. When he let go she hoped it wouldn’t leave a mark. 

The rest of the walk to the house was silent and awkward. Sadie stared at the ground and watched her feet take each step, when all of a sudden she heard the Ensign curse under his breath as they approached the house. 

“Christ,” he cursed, “What is he doing here?”

When Sadie looked up and saw General Howe standing with two other men, her heart dropped and then leaped at the same time—this could only mean one thing. 

“Ensign Williams,” General Howe greeted. When he saw Sadie next to him, his expression softened into a smile. “Ms. Hale.”

“Lovely to see you, General Howe,” Sadie smiled. “What brings you here? Should I heat up some tea?” Ensign Williams shot Sadie a suspicious look at her sudden hospitality. 

“Oh, we’d love to stay, but that won’t be necessary,” General Howe said, “I’ve come to collect Ensign Williams. I’m so sorry you’ll be absent a soldier in your home, especially after the recent battle. But I assure you, your home will be assigned a new soldier in no time, so you feel safer at night.” 

“Where are we off to, General? I would’ve hoped for a correspondence to let me know I’d be leaving,” Ensign Williams said in a controlled voice—unhappy with the surprise. 

“Well, speaking of the battle, we’ve been called to move further south to New Jersey. We’ll have to leave Connecticut for a short while. I’m afraid we must move quickly to meet the rest of the men at the harbor.” 

Sadie would jump with glee if she could—not only would it be less stressful around the house, but it would be much easier to leave with Genny tonight and see Ben. 

☆☆☆☆

Wethersfield

While Ben tidied up his abode for Sadie tonight, he couldn’t stop thinking about the battle, Joel, and the current state of affairs. He dusted his desk and straightened the chair. He lined his leather books against the wall and fluffed his pillow. No matter what he tried to focus on, his mind was occupied. He gasped when he realized he never finished his letter to Nathan earlier at the schoolhouse. Ben immediately drew his chair out and sat down. He ruffled in his bag for the letter and spread the paper out on his desk, continuing his thoughts from earlier today.  

Brother Nathan…

Ben began to question himself—should he be joining the cause? His job as a teacher is important right now, but what if he was capable of doing something even more important? What about the risks? 

Does Nathan remember those side conversations they’d had at Yale, about questioning why things were the way they were? And what about where Nathan is now? 

Was I in your condition, I think the more extensive service would be my choice. Our holy Religion, the honor of our God, a glorious country, and a happy constitution is what we have to defend.

Ben is startled from writing when he hears the clops of hooves on the gravel outside. Peeking through his window curtain, he sees a lit lantern on a horse carriage, and a hooded person hopping off the carriage. Soon enough, the carriage and horse are off and the lantern is blown out. 

When he hears the familiar pattern of knocks on the door, Ben opens it hurriedly and rushes Sadie inside, the cool night air of May briefly blowing in. Ben shuts the door and locks it as Sadie takes off her hood and places her basket on the floor. Before Sadie can even greet Ben, he’s already wrapping his arms around her frame and breathing in her scent. 

“Ben,” Sadie chuckles, melting into Ben’s warm embrace. He kept his eyes shut, imagining his worries and anxieties from today melting away, now that Sadie was here. 

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her neck. Sadie gently pushed him off so she could see him in the warm glow of his home. His blue eyes bore deeply into hers as he placed his hand on her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. Sadie turned into his palm and kissed him.

“I’ve missed you, too,” she says softly. Ben tilts her face up slightly and leans down to kiss Sadie’s lips. He lightly brushed his lips over hers before molding his lips on top, kissing her slowly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, which prompted Ben to lift her and carry her over to his bed. 

“Remember when you’d sneak into my room?” Sadie asked as she ran her fingers through Ben’s golden brown locks. He smiled down at her and nodded. “Now it’s me sneaking into your home.”

“You were always good at it,” Ben said softly. “But I can’t wait until the day we don’t have to be together in secret.”

Sadie sighed as she fell back into Ben’s pillow, lazily untying her lace corset. Ben prodded her fingers away and slowly untied them for her, watching her face carefully, wondering if she picked up on his subtle message. 

But she kept her eyes closed, a peaceful expression falling over her face. He wondered if she looked this peaceful at home, away from him—he hoped she did. Sadie deserved to feel content all the time, even if that weren’t possible. He smiled a little and continued to loop the lace out of each hole of her corset, her dress loosening. 

He first slowly ran her right sleeve all the way down to her elbow, Sadie’s skin forming goosebumps from the touch. Ben clenched his jaw at the sight and continued to Sadie’s left arm sleeve. When he slowly pulled down the sleeve to reach her elbow, he pulled back immediately as if he touched a hot iron. 

“Sadie,” Ben breathed, looking in horror at the red marks on her upper left arm. Sadie’s eyes shot open and realized what Ben was looking at—she’d completely forgotten about Ensign Williams grabbing her earlier today. “What happened?” 

Sadie sighed in exasperation. She knew that no matter what way she told the story, Ben would be very unhappy. 

“Do you promise not to get upset or worried?” 

“No,” Ben answered, examining Sadie’s arm in the dim light.

“It was the Ensign staying in our house,” Sadie said regretfully. Ben met her eyes in concern when she said this, a flash of anger brimming in his blue eyes. 

“A red coat did this to you?” Ben said with distaste, feeling his heart pound against his chest. “Christ! What—what have we allowed to happen?” 

“It’s fine,” Sadie tried to calm him down, running her hands over his shoulders. “It’s a long story. But the good news is that he’s not staying with us anymore. General Howe took him away to go to New Jersey because of the battle.”

Ben shook his head—nothing she could say would make him feel better that someone grabbed her like that, let alone a red coat. This, on top of everything he found out about Joel today, was beginning to be a lot for one day. 

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Ben asked softly, rubbing his thumb over her bruise. Sadie sat up in his bed and placed her hands on either side of his face. 

“Yes,” she sighed, “now that I’m here with you.”

Ben’s lips turned into a half smile and Sadie caught him in a kiss. Recently, their nights spent together have been like this: not much talking in the beginning but more touching and kissing. Not only did they have to catch up on how each other had been since they last saw each other but it was that overwhelming longing and need for touch that had to be fulfilled, before anything. They were close enough now that so much was said from an embrace alone. 

Ben brushed Sadie’s hair with his fingers, gently tracing over the back of her neck. Sadie melted to his touch and closed her eyes. Two years had gone by and no more were they awkward when being intimate with each other—well, at least Sadie wasn’t awkward anymore. Two years taught her a lot. 

Her breasts were fully exposed in front of Ben and never has she felt more free to be like this with him. It just felt right and felt even better when he finally trailed down to cup each of them in his hands. Safe and secure is what she felt when she was with him. Ben slipped his arms around her waist now and gently laid her back down on his bed, peppering kisses over her collarbone. 

“A kiss for each day that’s passed since I last saw you,” Ben whispered against her skin. 

“Seven.” 

“Or so. Just in case, here’s five more.” Ben kissed her neck slowly and trailed his lips from her neck to her jaw, and finally to her lips. 

With more kisses, touching, and eventual lovemaking, the night ended with Sadie falling asleep in Ben’s arms—like it always did. 

☆☆☆☆

Sadie woke up to the sound of a spoon clinking on in a small metal pot. She was completely wrapped in Ben’s sheets, naked under the covers. She opened her eyes to see Ben sitting in front of the fireplace, warming up a cup of tea. 

“Good morning, Mr. Tallmadge,” Sadie stretched and yawned. Ben was wearing a loose tan shirt and breeches, hair still showing signs of just waking up as well. He placed his tea on the floor and met Sadie on his bed. 

“Good morning, Ms. Hale,” he smiled. 

“How did you sleep?”

“Very well. It’s hard to have a bad night’s sleep when you’re in bed with me.”

“I suppose there’s truth to that,” Sadie laughed, “I sleep better when I’m with you as well.”

“Do you want some tea? I made a fresh pot,” Ben said, already getting up to get her a cup. Sadie nodded anyway and decided to get out of bed with the covers still around her. Ben walked into the small kitchen connected to his room. 

Sadie looked around his small home—though she’d been her plenty of times, she still took her time to take it all in. The wooden panels, the dried flowers that sat in a vase by the window, his leatherbound books lined against the wall on his desk. Sadie walked over smiling to herself. Many of these books she recognized from when Ben lent them to her: Shakespeare, books on the constellations. 

Never one to invade privacy, Sadie saw he had an unfinished letter open on his desk. Normally she would move on, but when she saw the letter was addressed to Nathan, she couldn’t help but wonder what Ben had to say to him. 

She picked up the letter and smiled at the address: “Brother Nathan.” It warmed her heart that the two of them were still close and referred to each other as such. Even the silly nicknames they gave each other amused Sadie. 

It wasn’t until Sadie kept reading on that her smile began to fade, and her expression turned to worry and anger. Sadie read, and re-read, what Ben wrote to Nathan and the message that it implied. With all that was going on, obviously, tensions were higher than they had ever been, but never in her wildest imagination did Sadie think the outside world could directly affect her own and the people she loved. And here she was, reading a letter Ben wrote encouraging it. 

“Here’s your tea—“

“What is this?” Sadie shot as she held up the piece of paper. “What—what are you trying to say in this letter to my brother?”

“Sadie,” Ben began carefully, but she was already cutting him off.

“Are you truly trying to encourage my brother to enlist to fight in this war? If there ever will be one?” 

Ben placed the cup of tea on his desk and carefully glared at Sadie—he wasn’t sure if he was upset with himself for leaving it out or for Sadie reading it. 

“I’m not encouraging anything,” Ben said carefully. “I’ve been having thoughts myself and thought I would communicate them to my friend.”

“My brother,” Sadie retorted, “you’re encouraging him to enlist in an army for war. That’s—I can’t even wrap my mind around something like that. Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

“Sadie,” Ben walked over to her but Sadie took a step back. “Sadie, do you see what is happening out there? Of course, you do. Those men laid down their lives for that victory. I’ve been—I’ve been thinking I’m not supposed to simply be here in Wethersfield teaching while big events are happening elsewhere.”

“Big events like what? Men killing each other? You want to be a part of that and you want my brother to as well?”

Ben shook his head in exasperation, “Sadie, do you realize what could possibly be happening in this country? A revolution. There are people revolting against what we’ve been dealing with for the past few years.”

“I—I know, but that doesn’t mean we have to be a part of it. The whole thing it—it makes me uncomfortable!” 

“I know,” Ben said more gently, “Sadie. There’s a student in my class who had a red coat housed in his home. After that battle, he went on a drunken rampage and ruined my student’s books and work. It’s starting to affect people around me. It’s affecting you! Look at your arm, look at what that bastard did to you!” 

“I know!” Sadie raised her voice, “I know it’s terrible! But that doesn’t mean my brother should enlist and join the army! You know him, Ben—he will do anything just to prove to himself he did. He follows his heart but all it takes is one letter from someone like you for him to actually do it! He won’t take into consideration how I feel or our father.” Sadie was shedding tears down her cheeks. She slammed the letter on the desk and covered her face. Ben opened his mouth to speak, but Sadie interrupted. 

“Nathan is my brother—my closest brother. Regardless of how I feel about this, I don’t want my brother to put himself in such danger where nothing is certain. I’d rather the people I love stay safe and home.” 

“There won’t be a home we own if we don’t fight for it, Sadie,” Ben said softly, “we don’t own these places we live. The King does. Aren’t you tired of it?”

“I’m tired of it, but I’m not ready to make a stand like that. Clearly, you are, and you seem quite all right with leaving everything here—leaving me.”

Ben looked at her like she just stabbed him in the stomach—speechless. “Leaving you?” He asked incredulously. “Sadie, I would want to do this so I could be with you freely. Openly. In a bigger house than this and—,” Ben shook his head, biting his tongue and failing. “Christ, Sadie, I didn’t want to tell you like this but I—I want to marry you one day. I want to make you my wife and I your husband. We can’t have that if this country remains in control of them. We could, but we wouldn’t be completely free. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted with you. Complete freedom.” 

If it were possible, Sadie was sure her heart shattered into a million pieces. Why did the simplest of things come with such risks? Was it always going to be like this for them? A period of happiness of security, followed by another of uncertainness and danger? 

“Please,” Ben begged, stepping closer to Sadie and wrapping his arms around her frame, “Listen, Sadie. It’s for a greater cause, all of this. If I enlist, and if your brother joins as well, I swear to you I will protect him. I’m doing this for us. And I promise you I will marry you, if you’ll have me.”

Through bleary eyes, Sadie looked up at him and felt that familiar warmth spread through her chest. Of course, she would have him. She’s just scared. 

Sadie rested her head on Ben’s chest, with nothing more to say. The only thing that was certain was this very moment they had. 

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

There was a time in which a lot of people didn't think climate change was real or serious or required change to meet the challenge and financing the change. That time is over, and that's good news--and if you think that "nobody cares" it's a reminder that most people do, and you're not alone. (Blaming the public or portraying human nature itself as the problem, while often done by people who fancy themselves radical, avoids addressing the real roadblocks, the elite minority with a lot of power.)

Mark Gongloff at Bloomberg writes: The first step in solving a problem is recognizing you have one. And indeed, most Americans say they know we’re facing a monumental climate threat. They just need to be convinced that other people tend to feel exactly the same way and that they have the power to do something about it.

With every disaster-filled year, it becomes easier to convince people that the climate is turning against them. As we speak, tens of millions of Americans from Texas to Florida are suffering under relentless record heat and humidity. After years of being wracked by climate-fueled disasters from heat waves to hurricanes, solid majorities of voters in even reliably conservative Texas and Florida believe climate change is real and requires more action, according to recent polls.

The results are consistent with public opinion across the US, including in states that haven’t been quite as besieged by catastrophe. In the relatively cool swing state of Michigan, for example, a poll this spring by advocacy group Climate Power found that nearly two-thirds of registered voters agree that climate change is real and that something should be done about it.

Recent events presumably reinforced those views. In the past few days, Michigan and neighboring states have been choking on smoke from record-smashing wildfires in Canada. The air quality in Detroit as of this writing is “very unhealthy,” according to the EPA.

Individual heat waves and wildfires aren’t necessarily caused by climate change, but a warming planet makes them more likely and more intense. These repercussions will only get worse as we burn more fossil fuels and spew more carbon into the atmosphere.

The Sunbelt states most at risk of climate catastrophe have also been the country’s fastest-growing areas for the past several years. People have come seeking jobs, affordable lifestyles or maybe just an end to shoveling snow and having to talk to Democrats. Now natural disasters are making their lives more difficult and less affordable. Merely insuring a house in these states has become a challenge.And because these voices are usually the loudest ones on TV and social media, it’s easy for everyone else to feel marginalized or ridiculous for worrying about climate change. A study last year found that, while at least 66% of Americans (similar to shares in Texas, Florida and Michigan) want to see more action to fight climate change, those same Americans believe support for such policies is actually closer to 40%. If you’re a Texan worried about climate change, then there’s a good chance your neighbor is, too, and you just don’t know it.

Despite these glaring issues, leaders in many of these states are still pushing fossil fuels and rejecting stronger efforts to slow emissions and fight further warming, their rhetoric dripping with denialism. In perhaps the most extreme example, politicians in Texas seem determined to end its status as a national leader in renewable energy — even as solar energy has helped carry the state through its latest heat wave without significant blackouts (knock on mesquite).

Maybe if more people understood they weren’t alone, they could find their voice to push for more change. Measures such as last year’s Inflation Reduction Act are a good start, but only that. This country still needs a faster exit plan for transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy and the money to make it happen. Political will and consumer demand together can provide the impetus for such big, scary steps, whether in red states or blue ones. There’s strength in numbers.

[Rebecca Solnit]

[lady-lazagna]

What was that? You want to hear some of my Tsubasa and Madina relationship headcanons? Well, if you insist! :D

-They meet right before the second world championships (that I'll definitely write about one day I swear) at a party for all the teams, and really bond over their similar laid-back vibes. They then keep in touch throughout the championships, giving each other advice and comfort during their own challenges and occasionally running into each other (including a certain formal event for the teams), until their teams are preparing to fight each other in Australia and they officially get together.

-They initially bond over their similar attitudes towards life, their love of nature, and their backgrounds (I hc Tsubasa's dad as Native American so they're both Indigenous). Later on, Tsubasa finds himself attracted to Madina's incredible logic skills, her weird earthy and autistic vibes, and her undying love for the people she considers family. Madina, meanwhile, likes his weird, suspiciously charming aura, his hidden storm beneath his calm, and his devotion to what he believes in.

-Surprisingly big on physical affection. Like, they're almost always touching in some way or another- holding hands, leaning on each other, brushing each other's hair, Madina clinging onto him koala style- ALWAYS. TOUCHING. Some say it's adorable (Madoka), some think it's obnoxious (everyone else).

-They have a lot in common personality-wise, like their "carefree" attitudes that hide immeasurable insecurities. Tsubasa opens up about that to Madina first, admitting to her that it caused him a lot of trouble and pain in the last championships in the hopes that she'll stop trying to repress her stronger emotions- both in battle and in their relationship.

-If you're not going for a barefoot walk in the woods just after sunset with your partner, are you even dating? Do you even explore rockpools together? Or go swimming in the rain? Or dancing in the rain?? Yikes🙄 they can't relate💏

-I've said it before and I'll say it again, their song is From Eden by Hozier. And maybe also Never Let Me Go by Florence and the Machine.

-Madina gets the word "aquila" tattooed on he collarbone and a small wing on her left ring finger. Tsubasa gets a pinup mermaid tattooed on his ribs and a small fish tail on his left ring finger. They also both get tattoos over some of their various stab wounds🥰

-Madina moves to Japan to live with Tsubasa at 20/21 when he becomes the Director of the WBBA, and they get married at 24/25. Once they've had their first two children, they move back to Australia together to have their third and raise the family there- at least until mysterious circumstances befall the current acting director of the WBBA, so Tsubasa moves his family back to Japan to resume his role👀

[kellanved-ammanas]

TF2 Drabbles: Spy/Soldier - Hidden Sides

Summary: could i request a fic where soldier shows that he's much more gentle than he lets on, and everyone finds out and they're like "what the 😦"??

[A/N]: I decided to focus this mostly on Spy because I really like Freedom Fries.

~

“It’s not my fault, honest,” Scout said. “How was I supposed to know she’d run off like that?”

“Because I told you she would.” Spy had made it pretty damn clear that if his bedroom door was left open, Bijou would get out. Which was yet another reason why he didn’t want anyone in there when he wasn’t around. Not that that ever stopped Scout who seemed to take every locked door as a challenge to pick it.

“I just wanted to pet her. You can’t just keep a cat in your room and expect me not to sneak in to see her.”

“So you left the door open.”

“On accident! And I tried to catch before she got too far but that only made her run away faster. I’m fast and all, fastest man alive and all that but she’s small and can fit in places I can’t so she’s got away. But I came and told you about it as soon as I realized I’d lost her. I think I should get some credit for that because I didn’t have to, you know? I could’ve just let you find out she’s missing all by yourself.”

He had a point. Owning up to his mistakes wasn’t something Scout did often. If Spy weren’t mad at him he probably would’ve been proud.

“Fine. Help me find her. And if anything bad happens to her, I’m holding you responsible.” The area around the base was dangerous for a cat and even if she stayed inside, she posed a threat to Medic’s birds which put her in danger if Medic caught her acting on that threat. Not to mention all the various dangerous chemicals she could get into in Demo or Medic’s lab or she might get her tail or paw caught in one of the machines in Engie’s workshop. Or who knows what else? There was a reason Spy had been keeping her in his room, only letting her out under his supervision.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. We’ll find her in no time, I’m sure.”

~

They didn’t find her in ‘no time.’ Despite searching high and low and eventually getting most of the rest of the team in on the search there was no sign of Bijou anywhere. She was simply gone. Spy was just about to head outside to look for her out there in hopes of her still being nearby when…

“Yo, we found her.”

Spy turned to face Scout. “Where?”

“The shooting range with Soldier.”

Given Soldier’s proclivity for yelling and violence, as well as the fact it was the shooting range where he would be actively firing explosive rockets, Spy didn’t like the sound of that. So without further ado, he turned and started that way, Scout falling in step with him.

Upon reaching it, the rest of the team was inside already, gathered around presumably Soldier.

“… not allowed to move,” Soldier was just finishing up saying.

“You know,” Engie said, “I wouldn’t have thought you of all folk would be the type to who’d be so against the idea of mildly inconveniencing an animal.”

“It is not a mild inconvenience. She is sleeping. It would be un-American to wake her.” Soldier even spoke quieter than usual.

Spy quickly sidled into the group, forcing his way to the front to see what was going on. Soldier sat in the chair next to the table meant to lay out one’s ammo and guns. His rocket launcher was on it as were some rockets. He didn’t seem to be paying attention to using it though as on his lap was Bijou, curled up and asleep.

“Has she been here this whole time?” Spy asked in lieu of letting out a sigh of relief. As odd was it was to find her cuddling with Solider of all people, at least she was safe and not in danger of getting hunted by coyotes.

“Yes. She showed up as I was about to start my target practice. I sat down to pet her but then she jumped up on my lap and fell asleep. I have been here ever since.”

“Thank you very much for keeping her safe.” Spy approached, intending to pick her up. Before he could touch her though, Solider lifted the hand that had been stroking her to block him.

“She is sleeping. Do not move her.”

Spy didn’t like to disturb her when unnecessary either but there were limits. “You are aware she’s a cat, right? Cats can sit and sleep for hours at a time. You can not intend to sit there for that long.”

“If that is how long she wishes to stay, that is how long I will sit here for. Unless an emergency happens like if the enemy attacks.”

“Wow,” Scout said from somewhere behind Spy, “and here everyone was thinking you were just dumb and violent. Turns out you also like cats but I guess who doesn’t like cats.”

“Cats are nice,” Soldier said as he lowered his hand to stat petting Bijou again, very gently and lovingly.

Scout had a point though, everyone including Spy, had discounted Solider as just ‘dumb and violent’. Everyone had sides, Spy knew that well and delighted in sneakily finding the sides people liked to hide away. He hadn’t given much thought to attempting to do so with Soldier though, thinking it’d be a waste of time. Perhaps he should start paying more attention though and finding out what other kinds of depths Soldier has within him. For now though…

“Very well, I will leave her in your care for now. If you would kindly return her to my room after she wakes up and moves herself, that would be much appreciated.”

“Yes, sir. I promise she will be safe with me until then.” He even saluted. How… endearing.