#how to increase blood flow during periods

[crystallinestars]

NSFW Alphabet - Jiaoqiu

The 2.5 story quest destroyed me, so I wrote this to cope. This is probably the most detailed and longest alphabet I have written so far. Jiaoqiu ended up being kinkier than intended, but I hope you guys enjoy. These HCs take place some time before 2.5.

Jiaoqiu x fem!Reader

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

As a doctor, Jiaoqiu is good at spotting any signs of discomfort in your body and knowing what to do to help you feel better. He usually runs a warm bath with herbs for both of you to soak in to alleviate any soreness or fatigue and clean yourselves up. If a bath is not an option, he’ll wipe you down with a damp cloth at the very least.

Jiaoqiu carefully massages any parts of your body that have been restrained or forced into one position for too long to stimulate blood flow. He's gentle with you, carefully caressing your face and kissing any mark he left on your skin as if saying sorry for being too rough on you. He also makes you drink water to keep yourself hydrated.

He’s very caring toward you but can underestimate or ignore his aches and pains, so he appreciates it when you return the favor and take care of him, too.

If he’s not too tired, Jiaoqiu also whips up a simple but delicious meal for you to enjoy and regain your stamina if either of you has business to attend to afterward.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

Jiaoqiu likes to joke that he’s perfect all over—from his looks, down to his abilities— but if he were to be serious, the foxian would choose his hands as his favorite body part. Despite the war making him doubt his worth as a healer, the fact remains that his hands saved the lives of many soldiers. Moreover, his hands allow him to cook delicious and nutritious dishes for others to enjoy and seeing their happiness at eating his food brings Jiaoqiu a sense of satisfaction. Being able to touch and caress your body is also a huge plus, so how could he not favor his hands?

On you, he adores your face. More specifically, your facial expressions. Don’t get him wrong, he finds you very pretty from head to toe, but Jiaoqiu simply loves the various expressions you make. Whether it’s the way your face lights up in delight when eating his cooking, or how your brows scrunch and lips purse into a thin line while glaring at him for teasing you, or the way you wince in pain when sampling his super spicy dishes, or the soft way you look at him when saying you love him—Jiaoqiu adores them all. Even if you’re not very expressive, Jiaoqiu will try his best to get a reaction out of you because he likes seeing the different sides of you. Plus, the expressions you make when orgasming or when he pleasures you also fill him with pride. He likes knowing he makes you feel good, and that these cute faces of yours are reserved for his viewing pleasure only.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

Jiaoqiu’s semen is an off-white color and has a jelly-like consistency. His cum tastes a bit salty.

Jiaoqiu enjoys filling you with his cum or painting your skin with it (especially your lower belly or back), though he does have a slight preference for ejaculating inside you, be it your pussy or mouth. He also enjoys pouring his cum onto bits of good and feeding them to you (more on that in the kinks section).

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Jiaoqiu won’t tell you outright, but he has a keen nose and can smell where you are in your menstrual cycle. Your needy scent during your most fertile period increases his horniness, so he tends to get more handsy with you during that time.

He can also smell when you are about to get your period, and preps for it by cooking dishes infused with herbs meant to alleviate cramping and pain.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Before joining the war as a medic, Jiaoqiu did have one partner he was intimate with, though the relationship did not last long. As such, he has a bit of experience. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough for Jiaoqiu to know what to do.

Even so, he pays careful attention to your guidance and reactions when having sex. He may have experience, but he knows each person has different preferences, and he wants to learn all the ways you like being touched so he can cater to your needs.

As a doctor, he’s very knowledgeable about the body, so he knows which areas can bring great pleasure when stimulated just right. There’s a good chance he will find an erogenous zone on your body that you didn’t even know you had.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Jiaoqiu really likes positions where you’re on top. Cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, lotus, etc… are all ones he likes because he can sit back and let you do most of the strenuous work. He keeps his hands securely on your hips and helps guide you up and down his cock, admiring the view of your body bouncing on his lap.

Additionally, he is fond of spooning. Laying on your sides with his elbow under one of your knees, hiking your leg up in the air while he leisurely thrusts into you is both comfy and hot for him. It also allows him easy access to kiss and mark your neck or shoulders, and whisper sweet nothings in your ear.

Jiaoqiu also enjoys upright doggystyle and pronebone. Regular doggystyle is fine, but he likes to press your back flush against his chest, wrap his arms around your waist, and rest his chin on your shoulder so he can watch how your jaw goes slack and eyes glaze over while he fucks you nice and deep. After all, he loves to watch your expressions of pleasure.

The foxian is a bit possessive, particularly when he’s feeling jealous or horny from smelling you during your fertile window. Pronebone is a great position for him because it makes him feel like you’re his and his alone. Trapping you under his weight, fucking you deeply while marking your neck, shoulders, and back in bite marks gives him a primal sense of satisfaction.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

Jiaoqiu can be a little goofy or serious depending on your needs, but he’s typically a nice blend of both. He tries to keep the mood lighthearted with an occasional harmless taunt or tease to get a reaction out of you, but he doesn’t overdo it. He approaches sex responsibly, and does his best to relax you and take your feelings seriously. It’s important to him that you enjoy the experience, after all. If a little joke or a whispered reassurance helps you feel more at ease, then he’ll do whatever is necessary to make you comfortable.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

He has a bush of curly pink hair down there that he keeps neatly trimmed, but it lacks the ombré of the rest of his hair. It’s one solid, dark pink hue.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Jiaoqiu isn’t one to wax poetic during sex, but he does bring his version of romance into it. You can feel his love for you mainly through his actions. His touches are always gentle, never rough or bruising. His lips leave kisses all over your skin, covering your face, neck, shoulders, and back in a branding of love.

Jiaoqiu always holds you close to him, desiring the feeling of your bodies pressed flush together as you make love. Whether you’re on top or he is, his hands gravitate toward your body and trace the contours of your figure, admiring how he can call someone as beautiful as you his lover. He didn’t think he would fall in love again after the war left him so numb and afraid of attachment, but you and Feixiao helped to heal his wounded heart, for which he is forever grateful. He holds you in high regard for you made him feel alive with your mere presence and touched his heart deeply where he thought nothing but ashes remained.

Jiaoqiu likes to cup your face when you have sex and trace his thumb along your cheek in a tender gesture. Even if you look like a drooling mess from what he’s doing to you, he gently cradles your face and murmurs how cute you look before leaning in for a sweet kiss. The healer is always loving toward you, even while engaging in kinkier play.

On the occasions where you two have romantic sex, Jiaoqiu lets his guard down and exposes his vulnerable side. He seeks comfort in your closeness, treating your body with gentleness and reverence, and feels overwhelmed in a good way when you treat him just as tenderly in return. Times like these result in slow lovemaking and whispered “I love you”s where he holds your hand and touches his forehead to yours, your gazes meeting. During such moments, Jiaoqiu is more vocal about his feelings, murmuring quiet compliments and praises about how happy he is to be with you.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Jiaoqiu has a healthy sexual appetite, and masturbates about three times a week, mainly as a way to relieve stress. That number went down once he entered a relationship with you since he finds sex more fun than jacking off by his lonesome.

When he wants to masturbate, Jiaoqiu chooses moments when he’s completely alone, though he still muffles his voice just in case. He likes to start slow, leisurely pumping his cock to stoke the flames of desire in his abdomen, before speeding up and gripping his dick tighter. He sometimes uses toys to help him reach release faster, like vibrators or warming lube for the added sensation.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Jiaoqiu is a switch. He’s comfortable being dominant and taking the lead in the bedroom, enjoying having you at his mercy. Likewise, he can be submissive and find relief in relinquishing control and being taken care of, but can be a bit bratty as a sub due to his sharp tongue.

As a foodie, it’s no surprise that he enjoys food play. Garnishing your body in tasty morsels and drizzling sauces (not spicy) over your skin makes you look like a delicious treat. Like a hungry cat, he licks his lips before diving in to consume the food off your body, licking up every crumb. He loves your body, and he loves good food, so having both at the same time is like heaven.

Aside from decorating your body with food, he also enjoys the idea of covering food in your or his cum. He likes gathering up some of your slick onto a bite of food, like a strawberry, before consuming it. Similarly, he likes smearing some of his ejaculate onto food and feeding it to you with his cum acting as garnish.

Along with food play, Jiaoqiu is into temperature and sensation play. He likes blindfolding you and watching your reactions to him running feathers, ice cubes, warm towels, his tail, and many other textured items along your skin and erogenous zones. He’s also a fan of receiving this treatment since his other senses become heightened with the loss of his sight, and the stimulation feels novel and exciting. If you stimulate his erogenous zones using this method, he’ll become aroused quite quickly.

Additionally, Jiaoqiu enjoys mirror sex. As much as he loves reverse cowgirl and doggystyle, these positions obscure your pretty face from him, and it’s a pity because he loves your facial expressions. The perfect solution to his dilemma is to have sex in front of a full-length mirror. It allows Jiaoqiu to see how your face slackens with pleasure, how you bite your lip to muffle a moan, or how your eyes roll back when he hits a good spot. He doesn’t want you to miss out on how ravishing you look, so he cups your chin and gently guides your head to make you look in the mirror and see the debauched state you’re in, murmuring for you to watch how well you take his cock.

Another one of his kinks is hair-pulling. He enjoys it when you lightly tug on his hair, whether when he’s got his face buried between your legs or during sex. He sometimes lets out a soft growl when you do that.

Jiaoqiu enjoys a bit of pain. He mainly prefers things like biting, hair pulling, or electric shocks to get that high, but can handle whipping and spanking if you’re gentle with him. Despite his attraction to pain, he doesn’t enjoy rough treatment. He can also enjoy light choking (receiving) provided you can do it safely and build up trust with him.

To add to the long list, Jiaoqiu also likes light bondage with scarves or handcuff (giving and receiving), and if you’re willing, he’s interested in trying shibari on you. Some of his other kinks are biting and marking, edging, blindfolds, and dirty talk.

However, not every session with Jiaoqiu is this kinky. He does enjoy vanilla sex where you can both just relish in the intimacy and romance of the connection, sharing sweet kisses and tender touches.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Jiaoqiu prefers having sex at home where things can be kept private and he has access to all kinds of equipment to spice up your sessions. He wouldn’t risk doing it in other places and potentially getting caught since he has an image to maintain as Feixiao’s retainer.

At home though, almost every room is fair game except the kitchen. Jiaoqiu considers the kitchen his workspace and doesn’t like the idea of having sex where he works to make medicine. Otherwise, places like the couch, office desk, and bathtub are all potential lovemaking spots, though he does prefer the bed since it makes it easy to cuddle and fall asleep afterward.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Usually, when you stroke Jiaoqiu’s ears, he feels a sense of peaceful relaxation, but if you rub the sensitive spot at the base of his ear or run your fingers along the rim of his ears just right, the pleasurable tingles can become arousing for him.

He also gets turned on by your obvious desire for him. Give him a few sensual caresses, whisper a tasteful innuendo in his ear, a lustful look, and his interest is piqued. He finds excitement in a sexually charged game of cat and mouse, regardless of which one of you is chasing or being chased.

Jiaoqiu can smell when you're ovulating. The scent is weak, but his sharp nose can pick up on when you're feeling horny, and it influences his libido. As mentioned previously, he can get more handsy with you during that time.

Another thing that arouses Jiaoqiu are your reactions to his teasing. If his teasing manages to fluster or arouse you, he’ll keep pushing your buttons to make you even more flustered. Something about your flushed cheeks, shallow breaths, and wavering voice makes him want to tease you more and get a greater reaction out of you. You look so cute when flustered, positively adorable, even. Just how much cuter would you look and sound if he touched your chest? Kissed your neck? Made you moan? Why don’t you show him, darling~?

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Absolutely no sharing. Jiaoqiu gets jealous easily, so threesomes get a hard no from him. He is also prideful, and dislikes being humiliated or degraded. It’s an instant turn-off for him.

Although he's okay with being hurt, he won’t do things that might harm you, such as asphyxiation, impact play, or knife play. He’s a healer—he could never bring himself to hurt you that way, even if you begged him.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Jiaoqiu loves eating not only hotpot but also pussy. He could spend hours between your legs, burying his tongue into your cunt and lapping at your slick. He wants to see you fall apart under his mouth, so he snakes one arm around your hips and pins them down, taking your clit between his lips. He softly sucks on it while deftly flicking his tongue over the bud, ears twitching when he hears you moan.

To truly bring you over the edge, Jiaoqiu slips two fingers into your dripping cunt and curls them to find that roughly textured spot he knows will make you keen for him. The dual assault of his mouth and fingers never fails to make you see stars as you orgasm, and Jiaoqiu opens his eyes to soak in the sight of you unraveling under his touch. It turns him on to see you feel this good because of him, and he can’t get enough of the experience, so he ends up eating you out for a while longer, making you come undone over and over until you’re tugging at his hair to spare you from the overstimulation.

He’s always breathless by the end, face glistening and dripping with your juices, but the look of desire in his golden eyes promises he’s not through with you. Not when you’ve got him so hard and aroused from watching you fall apart on his tongue.

If you want to return the favor, the foxian healer will be more than happy to watch you go down on him. When you blow him, Jiaoqiu tends to be more vocal, unable to fully hold back his soft sighs and strained moans. If you rub the base of his tail while sucking him off, he’ll buck into your mouth with a soft hiss of your name.

Jiaoqiu has a tendency to keep at least one hand on your head while you work your mouth along his cock, guiding your pace or gripping your hair when he feels his orgasm approaching. The closer he is to orgasm, the more he will squirm, running his hands through your hair, gently urging you to take him deeper or bucking his hips into your mouth. Jiaoqiu's usually sly smile gets replaced by a flushed, slack-jawed expression of pure pleasure, tail lashing in excitement behind him. However, he still tries to maintain his composure and murmurs gentle encouragements and praises so you'll keep going, before his words get cut off by a choked moan as he spills down your throat. He also goes weak in the knees when you suck his testicles.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Jiaoqiu likes to take his time with foreplay, prolonging it for as long as possible, but for the actual act, he enjoys a more moderate pace. On a rare occasion, he might play around with the speed of his thrusts, going from moderate, to slow, to fast just to tease you, but overall, he likes to maintain a moderate and steady space. Not too slow to the point it feels teasing, yet not too fast so you won't wear yourselves out too quickly.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

As mentioned above, Jiaoqiu likes to take his time with foreplay and draw out the session, but he can be convinced to go for a quickie if you show your strong desire for him. Though if either of you are horny enough to want a quick fuck, Jiaoqiu would prefer to settle it with oral sex.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Jiaoqiu is willing to take risks in the bedroom to an extent. He’s eager to try new things to see if there’s something either or both of you can discover you like, but he isn’t willing to have sex in public places or get rough with you. He would much rather be the one treated roughly than hurt you.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

This foxian healer doesn’t exercise much, so his stamina isn’t high. He lasts an average amount in bed and goes for only one round, but his foreplay is usually drawn out for quite a while, making the session lengthy. Sex is more than just the act of copulation, he says. Foreplay is just as important, if not more so.

If he’s under the effect of an aphrodisiac, then Jiaoqiu lasts another 1-2 rounds, but he becomes dead tired afterward and is likely to pass out quickly once it's over.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Jiaoqiu owns a few toys for himself, mainly a bullet vibrator. The vibrating sensations against his cock and other erogenous zones provide a powerful stimulation that gets him going.

For you, he has a whole box of toys he want to try. Blindfolds, handcuffs, vibrators, dildos, anal plugs, electric wands, etc… He’s eager to test them out on you to see how you’ll react. Will introduce toys he thinks you might like into your sessions, though you don’t have to accept them if you don’t want them.

He’s not opposed to you using toys on him, particularly the electric wand, wax candles, and handcuffs. He might put up a fuss, but he does enjoy it when you play with and stimulate his body. Just make sure to properly care for him afterwards.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Jiaoqiu loves teasing others, and you are no exception. He enjoys messing with you in your daily life to see your reactions, but he loves teasing you during sex even more. He teases you by tying you up and stimulating your sensitive spots with sex toys or feathers, giving you just enough pleasure to feel good but not enough to make you orgasm, until you’re writhing and begging for more stimulation. While fucking you, Jiaoqiu can also switch up the pace of his thrusts from moderate to slow or completely still just so he can hear your frustrated whines and watch you desperately push your hips back against his, before suddenly pounding into you at a quick pace.

Jiaoqiu is even better at verbal teasing, particularly while edging or fucking you silly. He might say “Oh my, there’s drool running down your chin. Does it feel that good?” Or “You’re dripping wet, dear. Can you feel how easily my fingers slide inside your pretty pussy? Aeons, you’re squeezing them so tightly, do you want me inside you that badly?” and the like.

If you decide to tease him back, it’s best that you’re nice about it. Jiaoqiu might kick up a fuss at first since he’s more used to teasing than being teased, but he can enjoy having you tie him up and run your hands along his body or stimulate him with sex toys. However, he doesn't take kindly to being edged for a long time because he gets impatient and frustrated easily for being denied. The next day, he'll cook a super spicy dish full of foods you dislike and makes you eat it as revenge, or he'll edge you to oblivion the next time you have sex.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Jiaoqiu has two modes depending on who is in control. If he’s dominating, he’ll have better control of his voice and will let out grunts and soft moans. He also talks a lot, making teasing comments or talking dirty to rile you up.

If you’re dominating, he’ll be whinier. He lets out choked gasps, quiet hisses, and louder moans. Will also try to shake your control by responding with witty retorts to your teasing, but if you successfully maintain your authority, he’ll reluctantly submit and whine.

In either scenario, when he gets close to orgasm, his voice turns breathless and obtains a raspy quality, and he tends to call out your name.

Jiaoqiu is a huge fan of hearing your voice. Even if you're the quiet type, he does his best to make you moan louder because he loves hearing you feel good. If you moan his name, it riles him up so much that he has to resist the urge to cum on the spot. He really loves hearing you call his name in that wanton voice.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Jiaoqiu knows how to make aphrodisiacs. If anyone’s watched The Apothecary Diaries where Maomao made aphrodisiacs, it’s similar to that. Jiaoqiu makes chocolate or chocolate-covered fruit (or another kind of dessert if you’re not a chocolate fan) with aphrodisiac properties. He likes the idea of using aphrodisiacs to occasionally spice up your sex life, but he only gives them to you with your explicit awareness and consent. He would never sneakily give it to you.

Jiaoqiu can adjust the dosage and potency to make the aphrodisiac quick or slow acting, stronger or weaker, etc… depending on the kind of sex you’re looking to have. It’s so much fun to watch how your gaze clouds over and your behavior changes once the aphrodisiac kicks in. He loves seeing you needy for him, it’s a massive turn-on. Whether you pin him down and have your way with him or become a needy, pliant mess for him to do with as he pleases—either outcome is fun. He just loves feeling desired by you and making you crave his touch. 

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Has a slender cock with a slight upward curve and a couple of prominent veins along the underside. 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) in length and 10 cm (3.9 inches) in girth.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

Jiaoqiu has a healthy sexual appetite and craves sex a few times a week. However, due to his busy life as Feixiao’s retainer and personal healer, he’s sometimes too drained to engage in lovemaking as often as he’d like. Still, he tries to squeeze in some intimate time with you 1-2 times a week. Even if they're not frequent, the sessions last a long time due to his love for foreplay, so it is usually enough to satisfy his needs.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

If he has nothing to attend to afterward, Jiaoqiu will help you clean up and then cuddle under the sheets. Even when he feels the pull of sleep, he resists it so he can enjoy the afterglow with you. During moments like these, he likes to chat about anything and everything, like how your day went, which dishes he plans to cook for you tomorrow, what hotpot place you should visit during a future date, the silly shenanigans he got up to with Feixiao and Moze that day, etc… it’s just a sweet time to catch up before you both succumb to sleep.

When settling in to sleep, Jiaoqiu likes to spoon. He’s fine with being the big or little spoon, though has a slight preference for big spoon because he likes burying his nose in your hair and smelling your scent. It’s comforting to him. If he senses you're about to fall asleep, he kisses your forehead and wishes you goodnight before hugging you closer and covering you with his tail.

He also lets you gently pet his ears or tail, finding the caresses soothing after a strenuous round of sex. If you’re gentle enough, your touch can relax and lull Jiaoqiu to sleep. Though it might be hard to tell he’s asleep at first glance due to the natural state of his closed eyes, his lack of verbal responses and slow, even breathing will give him away.

[gubsbuubs]

tmi but i’m on my period rn so could you maybe write spencer taking care of reader when she’s on her period?

thank you so much<3333

More Than Enough

Warnings: Period Talk, pure fluff.

The morning sun gently filtered through the curtains as I stirred from my restless sleep. My body ached with the discomfort of cramps, and just as I tried to mask my pain, I felt Spencer's comforting presence beside me.

"Good morning, sweetheart," his soft voice murmured, a warmth in his eyes that went beyond the sunlight. "How are you feeling today?" He gently placed kisses on my face.

I managed a tired smile, appreciating the genuine love in his gaze. "Not very good. My period started yesterday, and I feel... well, not great."

Spencer's brow furrowed with empathy. "What can I do to help?" he asked, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I sighed, uncertain. "I don't know."

"I have an idea," Spencer said, disappearing into the kitchen, leaving me to wonder about his mysterious plan.

He returned with a tray adorned not just with food—a beautiful golden toast and tea—but also a small bouquet of flowers he had picked from my garden. "Let's start with a bit of nourishment"

Spencer sat beside me while I ate, caressing my thigh and sharing quiet conversations that almost made me forget the pain.

"Come, sweetheart, drink your tea; it will keep you warm," he said, handing me the mug, our fingers brushing in a tender exchange.

"And take these, it should help." Spencer spoke in a sweet voice, handing me a couple of painkillers.

"I read somewhere that using a warm water bag can help alleviate menstrual cramps by providing soothing heat to the lower abdomen. The warmth helps relax the muscles in the pelvic area, reducing the intensity of cramps and relieving discomfort. This gentle heat also encourages increased blood flow to the muscles, promoting a sense of relaxation and easing tension." He reached for a hot water bag, gently placing it against my stomach.

As I sat on the bed, feeling the persistent ache of menstrual cramps, Spencer tenderly joined me. He sat on my side, creating a comforting cocoon of warmth. With a gentle touch, he caressed my stomach, offering soothing strokes that seemed to ease the tension within. I instinctively laid my head on his shoulder.

As the pain relievers kicked in, Spencer turned down the lights, creating a soothing ambiance. "Are you feeling better, baby?"

I simply nodded as my arms hugged him tightly.

"Here, let me try something else," he spoke as he broke away from my embrace. He moved on the bed and motioned for me to lay on my stomach. "Massages on the lower back can help alleviate menstrual cramps by promoting blood circulation, reducing muscle tension, and triggering the release of endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers. The gentle pressure applied during a massage can target specific areas of discomfort, providing relief and promoting a sense of relaxation." He spoke, accompanied by the work of his soft hands. With a skillful touch, he began massaging my lower back. "Just relax. I'm here for you."

As his fingers skillfully worked, I couldn't help but think how thankful I am to have such a caring man by my side. The soothing touch provided relief from the menstrual cramps, and in that moment, I felt warmth not just from the warm water bottle but from the genuine care he showered upon me. His comforting presence made the pain more bearable. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment and appreciating the tenderness he poured into every gesture.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" he asked.

"Just having you here is more than enough," I smiled.

—x—

A/N: Hi everyone, I hope you all enjoy it, and any and all comments are appreciated 🍒

My requests are open!

[johannestevans]

hi, unless i’m imaging things i think you’ve mentioned having written an article about different treatments for vaginal atrophy. do you have a link?

Hey there, Anon!

I have a big, exhaustive guide to vaginal and vulvar stimulation, and I do discuss the impact of vaginal atrophy and a few options toward treating it, but it doesn't go into specific detail.

Vaginal atrophy is caused by decreased estrogen production, and effectively what happens is that the soft, wet tissue on the inside of your vagina - the parts that are formed of mucous membranes - become thinner and dryer. This can lead to pain during sex, difficulty getting sufficiently loose or lubricated for penetration, and it can make the skin there tear a lot more easily, because when it's thinner it's less flexible and has less support from the surrounding tissues, not to mention the increased friction from lack of lubrication.

It's important to remember that while we're at our wettest during sexual arousal, the inside of the vagina - much like the head of the penis inside the foreskin - should always be a little bit wet. That wetness is really important to the vagina performing its regular activities, keeping itself clean and healthy, and not receiving too much friction just from things like walking around.

Even your rectum has important mucous inside it to keep things running a bit more smoothly and to ensure it's never too dry, and this is why too many enemas in a short period can be bad for your anal and rectal health, and your anus is a lot more closed naturally than your vagina, you know?

While more lube during sex is often the first thing people bring up in response to vaginal dryness, that's actually only one facet of potential issues - for people who are on T, for people going through menopause, for people who for whatever reason have an E deficiency or insufficient E in this area, it can cause other problems too - your vaginal canal might get a bit shorter, muscle weakness in the area (especially of the pelvic floor) can make you need to pee more often and more urgently, you might have some spotting, abdominal pain, uncomfortable or burning sensations when urinating.

In combination with the fact that vaginal atrophy can make you more prone to injury, your bacterial flora can be thrown out of whack by this process too, and these are really really important to maintaining a healthy vagina, producing appropriate amounts of discharge, but also to fighting off infection - vaginal atrophy is also associated with recurrent UTIs and other infections.

So, what can we do?

Firstly, pelvic floor exercises are unbelievably helpful, and everyone should be doing them regularly, regardless of gender or genital make-up.

Here's an NHS guide """for women""" but it mostly doesn't use any gendered language for your actual body parts:

These exercises will help strengthen your pelvic floor, and strengthening these muscles will not only help with stuff like potential urinary incontinence or give you a tighter grip that you can better control during penetration (more control in this area can also help you if you're prone to reflexive tightness under stress, e.g. with vaginismus), but when those muscles are stronger and have more density to them, they provide more support to the surrounding area, which can help blood flow and give more structure to the tissues we're trying to support.

Secondly, as well as good lubricants, there also exist vaginal moisturizers - depending on the extent of your atrophy and how much it's a problem (it might be worse, for example, at some points of the month than others), these might help - you apply them every few days and they help your vagina maintain its lubrication.

If pelvic floor exercises and lube and moisturizer isn't helping, your next step is different forms of estrogen - your medical provider will need to tell you what's available in your area and to you particularly, but there's honestly all sorts.

You can get topical estrogen gels and creams that you smear inside the vagina, you can get suppositories that you insert and are then absorbed, you can get rings that you insert and then stay in place for a few months, slowly releasing E over time.

If you're using testosterone, it's more likely that your medical provider would suggest these latter than taking E orally - the great thing about these topical applications is that the E stays very localised to your pelvic region where you need it, much like when you get an IUS and the progesterone stays relatively localised. Taking E orally, you're introducing estrogen to your whole system, and depending on your current hormone cocktail, it might be harder to figure out dosage and effect, especially over time.

If your medical provider hears you're experiencing vaginal atrophy and, if you say that lube and moisturizer aren't sufficient, they immediately suggest moving to vaginal dilators or pain killers, or if they talk about easing your "discomfort" during sex (especially with a presumed male partner) without talking about pleasure or satisfaction, or especially if you've brought up vaginal atrophy for reasons other than sex and their priority immediately jumps to the imaginary partner they want you to be satisfying, I would recommend getting a new medical provider as soon as possible, and probably telling that one to shut the fuck up.

Many doctors, as we know, are scumbags, but some particularly cunty ones' automatic focus for someone with a vagina is that you're providing sex to your (cishet male) partner - they automatically focus less on your pleasure or satisfaction, let alone your health, and more on the idea of reducing pain you're experiencing enough that you'll let that partner fuck you as much as they desire to.

This is not a medical provider that has your best interests at heart, and if they don't afford you humanity in this area, I would have doubts as to others.

If you're having difficulty with a medical provider, I would always, always advise:

Bringing a chaperone with you. You're entitled to a chaperone, you can always bring one, a lot of the time they'll want to say a chaperone can stay out of the room "for your comfort/privacy" but for your comfort and safety, you can also bring them in with you. A chaperone might be a friend or family member or partner, and they don't even need to say anything a lot of the time - just having a witness there can make a medical provider think twice about bullying a patient. I've served as a medical chaperone for quite a few friends, especially because I'm a thin white man, and even as a faggot, doctors humanise me slightly more than they do friends of mine who are perceived as women, who are POC, who are fat, etc.

Ask your doctor the reasoning behind denying a course of treatment, and ask them to document that they are refusing treatment at this time. Once they write it down, it becomes something that's documented and that they can't deny in court, which tends to make them a bit more flexible.

Don't be afraid to go into the doctor having done a bit of your own research. Doctors will tell you not to google things as many doctors have fragile egos and become nervous at empowered patients - with particularly egotistic doctors, you can always phrase your research in the form of questions to make them feel like you're appropriately aggrandising them. "Are there suppositories for this, or creams? Could my UTIs be related to my vaginal dryness? My mother mentioned vaginal atrophy during her menopause, but I didn't really understand what it was. Could you explain? Could that be me?"

Cisgender women are generally better doctors than cisgender men (statistically, despite being underpaid and underrepresented), but obviously cisgender people are often... very cisgender, and cisgender women can be even more painfully cisgender than cisgender men. Most providers won't bat an eyelid at you requesting a female doctor over a male one for a gynecological concern, but you can't go around asking for the most clocky doctor they've got in the back.

What you can do if you're having trouble at your GP is look for your local GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinic, and see if they'd see you and talk to you about vaginal atrophy - I know several trans people who work as nurses and practitioners in the GUM field, and in general, GUM practitioners will be way more chill about this field.

Unlike your GP, there's no chance of them getting flustered, nervous, or religiously conservative about sex or genitalia, and GUM practitioners are often more chill about queer, trans, and intersex patients because they already see us a lot more, whether because queer people are more on-the-ball about STI testing, or just because many of us enter sex work, and they're more likely to see sex workers. The benefit of this, though, is that you're almost certainly not going to be their first or only patient with x or y element of your body or identity, which can mean they humanise you a bit better and are generally less shit.

I hope that helps, Anon!

[not-poignant]

Hi Pia!

In response to your recent post, I have carpal tunnel and stretching actually does not help. I do try to rest my wrists and fingers a lot, but do you have any other tactics you’ve used that have worked for you? Not looking for anything to follow as proper medical advice, just curious for new ideas to try out!

Take this with a grain of salt (not a doctor, as we all know! Just someone who writes a lot and has chronic RSIs in both wrists) but the type of rest you do is really important.

For example, wrist splinting can be really helpful, but only in specific ways.

Soft splints are best during the day, but both hard and soft wrist splints can make the pain worse if you're someone who unconsciously compresses the nerve further by bending your wrist into the splint throughout the day. If you can train yourself to stop doing this, soft wrist splints during the day - esp during rest periods - can help a lot.

Hard splints overnight can be amazing, but only if you don't contort your wrists while you sleep. This one is tough. I am a chronic wrist bender at night, and have literally woken up with my hands completely numb because of it. So hard splints are out of the question for me. It's been suggested to me to wear them for the first hour of lying down because I don't fall asleep straight away, to give my wrist a solid chunk of time of pure rest and then take it off before sleeping. 30 minutes of hard splinting where you can stop yourself from bending into the hard part is better than 30 minutes without it. Ditto a soft splint.

Carpal tunnel can be brutal, don't rule out seeing a physiotherapist or physical therapist who specialises in hand issues, or an occupational therapist who does the same. And my grandma had surgery for her carpal tunnel (twice!) and doesn't regret it. I also believe cortisone injections can be helpful, but come with the downside that they're more likely to increase pain in the long-term due to how steroids act on tissues overall. So cortisone should be used cautiously imho. (As in, it's not a long-term solution. It doesn't cure anything. And it can actually make some things worse).

I personally found hot and cold soaks pretty helpful. I have some arthritis in my hands so this is part of it. Ymmv on this one. Cold soaks reduce inflammation, hot soaks increase blood flow. Both can help with nerve impingement and joint pain. There will be guidelines online as to the best way / how long to do these.

Keeping a log of the pain specifically in your wrist / thumb, or the discomfort or numbness. Rating it on a level, and writing down everything you did in the hours leading up to bad flares. For me, learning that cross-stitch was actually the worst thing I did for my ulnar nerve entrapment was the thing that has helped most in knowing what I need to stop doing immediately when symptoms flare. I thought it was my writing, and I was wrong. My writing set up is actually pretty comfortable for my hands (see below), but once the cross-stitch caused a flare, writing perpetuated it and I'd mistakenly think the writing was the problem because I do that every day. You might be surprised which things can cause your worst flares. (Or not!)

Rest is rest. This one is hard. When it's our hands, we use them for literally everything. Often when we 'rest our wrists' it means stopping doing the things we know are direct triggers, but nothing else. But it actually means near complete rest from cooking, preparing food, petting our animal companions, holding our phone or tablet in bed or at a table, etc. This is where soft splints come in handy, they show us just how much we're using our wrists by how inconvenient they are to wear re: daily operation. As a teaching device we see quickly 'oh shit I twist my wrist badly for brushing my hair, oh shit I contort it for petting my dog behind the ears, oh shit, I've been stirring this pot at a weird angle for 10 minutes.'

Imho I don't wear splints for showering / bathroom / food. But will put it on during complete rest (which I reserve for pain + numbness flares). I will give myself about 2 days of that, and I try to treat it as seriously as a virus or flu because I don't want surgery! And obviously surgery for nerve and hand issues runs in the family.

Look into the ergonomics of the things that cause you flares. Often carpal tunnel can be exacerbated by how you hold your shoulders and elbows when you're doing the the things that cause flares. Look at whether the size of your mouse is too big for your hand (most are), look into how your wrists rest when you type on a keyboard, all of these things when adjusted for can make a big positive cumulative difference.

Getting a small Roccat Kone mouse, while expensive comparatively, stopped some of the issues in my right thumb. Because finally I had a mouse that fit my hand. (Most computer mice are designed for AMAB hands, as a result most AFAB people who use them basically long-term hurting their hands without realising - the heel of your palm should be able to rest on the mouse pad, your index and middle fingers should comfortably always be able to reach the left and right clickers without ever stretching and the thumb should rest naturally in the thumb rest if there is one. Most mice don't let the heel of the hand rest on the mouse pad without stretching for most AFAB people).

If you're using a laptop keyboard, stop as soon as you can and find a keyboard (ideally mechanical switch) that isn't high impact on your fingertips and use that. There are a lot of good, cheap bluetooth options these days. I cannot stress enough how bad laptop keyboards are for fingers and nerve issues in the hands. I type millions of words on my keyboard, I have callouses on all of my fingertips because of it. Trust me when I say you want something that will encourage your fingertips not to slam into the baseboard.

Don't get me started on if you do most of your writing on your phone. x.x The cramped positions we have to put our fingers in to both hold our phone and type is - to say the least - something younger folks get away with and older folks pay for. It's not healthy for our hands. Or wrists. Or elbows. Or shoulders. There's very few ways to make this healthy. Phones are just literally not designed to have a comfortable typing process re: cramping fingers and palms and wrists. They're designed for convenience, not carpal tunnel.

Be extremely wary of nerve flossing exercises that aren't designed for your specific issues. A lot of the Tiktok type ones are 'stretching in disguise' and can make pain worse. There's often no harm in trying them, but if the pain doesn't go away after a few days and/or gets worse, stop. I personally cultivated a curiosity atttiude. 'I'll try that for a few days and see.'

As always, professionals know more about this stuff! But make sure you're seeing hand specialists, otherwise you're likely to get more outdated information.

[rottendollface]

Jar O' Kinks Headcanons.

Characters: Childe Tartaglia | Ajax.

Warnings: NSFW, female reader, description of various kinks (vanilla and popular kinks aren't included in further list), breath play, CNC, kidnapper/hostage role play, knife play, blood play, sex during period, humiliation, monster fucking, abusive mentally unstable Childe, misogyny, exaggerated patriarchal system of relationships, toxic masculinity, Childe in Delusion and Foul Legacy, sex under drugs (mist pollen), electrical sexual stimulation, 18+.

Dominant and breeding

Childe believes in traditional established roles in relationships between man and woman. He won't let you dominate him and you better forget that idea. He gladly and with pleasure helds control over you, builds a perfect scenario where you can obey him and gets angry every time something goes different from his fantasies. He sees himself as an exemplary protector and caregiver – and Childe doesn't care about your opinion on this. He brushes off all your complaints about his behavior and treats them like a childish whims of a woman's character.

During sex he prefers positions with him on top, his favorite is missionary – nothing busts his arousal more than seeing your petite body trapped under his. Childe likes to push your legs up to your chest after he came, as he thinks it increases chance of your pregnancy, and doesn't hurry to pull his cock out, using it to block his cum from spilling. Childe keeps an eye on your menstrual cycle and sends you to see gynecologist regularly, makes sure you don't use any contraceptive. He wants you to birth him at least four healthy children and can't wait to hear news about your pregnancy.

Overstim and orgasm control

Childe has tremendously high stamina and is almost never satisfied with only one round. He won't stop fucking you until he feels pleased enough to give you rest before the next day comes: his masculine power is notoriously known in Morepesok and Snezhnaya's capital, so you have to service his needs almost every day. He overstimulates you on purpose and prohibits you from cumming until you beg for release. In the end of a second round your pussy is extremely sensitive already and feels painful from all the ruined orgasms. It feels different to pound you when your insides are trembling and clenching around his length uncontrollably, and your body shaking in response to his every action, wanting to reach it's painful orgasm. Childe feels a kind of sadistic pleasure when he looks at your cunt all red, with a quivering hole, that is leaking with his cum and your juices, and labia, and clit swollen since blood flow became intensive in stimulated zone. He gives you a proper aftercare after sessions like this and doesn't initiate new intimacy until you recover.

Monster fucking, knife and blood play

Delusion. Childe uses this form of his rarely as it becomes very easy to hurt you accidentally, but it adds extra interest and excitement to the game. He likes to scare you by showing you how easily he manipulates pure electricity and causes lightnings and thunders to impress you, chuckles every time your hair stands up because of the electric aura that surrounds him. Childe brings usage of Electro without your consent, as the atmosphere of tension and fear during foreplay with Delusion drives his polluted by mist pollen mind crazy. He is almost cumming by your worrying face and spasming cunt every time sparks of electricity shocking different parts of your body. While fingering you he is using it on your clit, then tingles your insides to intense sensitivity. The strong smell of mist pollen affects both of you, turning Childe into a sadistic beast and bursting his sex drive, and making you a perfect numb cocksleeve, as it befuddles your brain and blocks all the healthy criticism and thinking process. In this state you take everything Childe gives you and just moan in pleasure when he hits your nipples and clit with electricity while fucking your obedient pussy until it takes the shape of his cock. You can sense only his thick dick pressing all the right spots inside and his palms squeezing your breasts. Childe won't stop until you are drunk of mist pollen and his sperm, doesn't scorn to fuck your tight throat after he is done with your pussy, then leave you dumb and numb. When he is sober, he will bring you back to senses and bath you. 

Foul Legacy. Childe becomes more violent and nasty in his desires, as he represents the pure filth and malice with this form of his. For him, as a demon, the philosophy of pleasure gets a remark: in this state Childe thinks that pleasure and pain are going along. His guise of a soldier in shining armor falls off, exposing the nature of a libertine and malefactor: it's impossible to describe what a great bliss he feels, flouting a beautiful and pious girl. Childe takes all the pain gladly while forcing his monstrous cock down your throat and causing big crystally clear tears to fall from your eyes. You just look too cute with wet traces of tears on your cheeks and under your nose, choking on his dick and trying to keep your jaws apart. Childe will take you by your hair and use your throat as a fleshlight at a fast pace, then hold your nose, while cumming, to make you choke and drink his thick sperm until the last drop. He will degrade you for being such a slut and taking his cock so easily, hit your cheeks and forehead with it, smearing your saliva and remnants of cum on your face. Cursing and growling, he loses everything human.

As an Abyssal creature Childe draws strength from ancient forbidden rituals, one of which requires maiden's blood. Childe gets disgusting and greedy, makes you participate in during your period and still leaves cuts on your body with a ritual blade to spill more of your blood on an Abyssal altar. Demon inside him wants to taste blood, and your aching core seems even more attractive than before: pain and pleasure mix together forming a perfect harmony, Childe dives his tongue deep inside your pussy savoring your menstrual blood and bringing you a fragile relief from cramps. When you are close to your orgasm he pulls his tongue out, let droplets of your blood to fall from it on the dark stone. He replaces his tongue with his leaking cock, and your messy pussy takes it gladly to finally reach the desirable pleasure. The energy that gets released during the ritual enhances his power and health in a Foul Legacy, so he wants to cum together with you to get the maximum of it. The ritual blade never leaves his hand, and Childe presses the cold steel to your skin flatwise, reveling in the beauty of a cursed metal decorated with runes contrasting with your clean and tender skin. Pounding your pussy sensuously and steady, he licks your arm before cutting out his demonic name on it. You have nothing to worry about: you won't have scars or bruises after, he will heal you and reward you for enduring the ritual and its necessities.

Choking/choked

Childe loves to grab your throat not only during sex but during arguments and just because he feels bored, too. He thinks your neck is a masterpiece, the goddess of beauty gifted you with it to steal men's gazes and drive them crazy, make them fantasize about leaving a kiss or a hickey on it. Refined and long, with a perfect velvet skin – Childe buys you necklaces decorated with the most expensive gems. His palms fit it perfectly, and every time he squeezes your neck, he feels blessed. The way your eyes roll to your skull, the way you part your pink lips to whisper to him something without making a sound and the way they lose their vivid color and fading to gray makes Childe hard in his pants.

Childe loves being choked by your bare thighs. Wrap your legs around his neck without fear to hurt him, constrict him harder when he begs you to torture him more. Reduce him to fainting state, make Childe dig his nails into your soft meat in an unspoken plea to give him some air. It is something erotical in seeing Childe suffocating from your legs on his strong throat. The way he finally inhales fresh air makes your panties wet, and something is clicking in your head to please you in a psychological way. This little piece of power you have over him is your outlet from everything he is doing to you, but Childe will never admit that sometimes he lets you dominate.

Bimbofication

Pretty pink dresses, naive smile and stupid gaze – this is what Childe used to imagine real women are. The destructive image of women in cinema and in Snezhnaya's most popular philosophers speeches made him think that girls are all about money, handsome husband, makeup and other girly shit that he hated while being a teenager. Childe didn't even notice when he started to like this exaggerated image of a woman, but this is exactly how he wants you to look in front of his colleagues. Childe saves the best of your intelligence and character for himself, and for others it's enough to think of you as a braindead slut who cares about her look only.

Spanking/spanked

In this world Childe likes only two things: a good fight and your bruised ass – and sometimes he combines them. Pounce him like a furios panther, give him a hit or two, leave a slap on his face and he will stare at you in awe before giving you a good behavior lesson: it creates such a great chemical burst in Childe's mind so he falls in love with you again. You don't have to be quiet when he is spanking you — you can scream as much as you want. Childe treats your skin carefully not to make it calloused, but it's hard for him to control himself: your fat ass looks so delicious when it jiggles from a hit, so he hits you more and more until it takes a deep red color and your muscles tense.

Public

Childe doesn't like to show affection in public normally, but sometimes he feels especially jealous and just needs to make others know who owns your soul and body. He doesn't have to fuck you in front of them, it's enough for him to make them hear your muffled moans and show all the bite marks and hickeys he had left on your skin by giving you exposive dresses.

Wax play

Childe treats it as a form of art therapy and a good foreplay when he wants some sensuous and slow sex. It gives you a good stimulation and a good massage too before the actual part of the session. Childe likes how confident and relaxed you are after wax play as his hands were giving you a good rub on your tensed tired muscles and his mouth told you the loveliest compliments.

Piss play

Isn't oftenly used by Childe because of it's untidiness but it is happening almost every time during plays with Electro. Childe is enjoying the fact that the way he rubs on your clit and teases it with electricity while pounding your sloppy pussy makes you piss yourself, but the necessity of changing bedsheets and leaving you senseless in a messy bed until his return disgusts him – even his sadism has a line, and such a broken state of yours makes him feel pity for you.

Role play and rigger

Childe doesn't like to play roles, and scenarios with doctors, teachers and bosses aren't funny to him. He prefers to play kidnapper with you being his hostage: threatenings, blackmailing, bruises on your hands and neck from a tight rope, rough sex in a cold basement on old matrass – this is what Childe needs in role plays since he had never treated you this way in real life. Restrained, obedient and scared to death – Childe's sadistic inclinations are begging to be pleased, his dick gets so hard it sticks to his abdomen when Childe sees you looking lost, not being able to distinguish reality from play. He loves to keep your hands tied behind your back while fucking you in a doggy style, one of his palms holding your hip and other is used for leaning on. Saying his disgusting praises of you being such an obedient captive, Childe starts to mistake the reality with fantasy as well. The fact that you admit the conceivability of him losing his mind and locking you in a basement one day makes Childe grin and laugh even more.

CNC

The great guilty pleasure of his. Childe finds it more arousing to win everything in a fight: it can be material things or something carnal, it doesn't matter for him until he takes it on the right of a victor. When he feels the urge to break you and take over your mind and emotions your consent seems unnecessary to him, more to say, it can spoil everything. The true nature of a warrior is cruel, you can't blame him for what he is doing — and if you start, he will outplay you one more time by shading fake tears and asking to forgive the "bad Ajax" that is ruining his life since he fell into the Abyss and survived all the horrors of being trained and raised as a demon in his early teenage years. Childe knows you will forgive him and some time later he will force you into intimacy again, make you look at his face during the process and tell him how much you love him through your tears. You shouldn't forget that your life is possible because he wants you to live, you get tasty food and enough water because he wants you to be fed well, you get beautiful dresses and accessories because he wants to make you glad – and you should thank him for it every time he is molesting your body by or without your will.

Feet

Childe isn't into a foot fetish but ankles and thighs are his soft spot. He adores seeing ankles with these protruding little bones decorated with bracelets and chains, it grants him with aesthetic pleasure and Childe just watches such beauty in awe.

Soft and warm thighs are the best place for him to keep his arm on. The delicate skin of such a private feminine part makes him go crazy and shower it in kisses and love bites. Your thighs are a good alternative to your pussy and rarely Childe catches the mood when he needs to bury his dick in between your thighs and stroke it slowly with your supple meat.

Pet/owner

When Childe was younger he liked the fantasy of a woman acting like a dog. He used to imagine how he would walk his girlfriend on a leash and make her eat from a bowl but when Childe became mature and got sexual experience, he found more exciting fetishes to try and the idea of a pet-woman was forgotten.

Gags

Childe loves to humiliate you with a muzzle gag, makes you wear it every time you dare to raise your voice at him or show any signs of rebellion. He is always threatening you that he will force you to wear it on public as well to show everyone how a scolding woman should be treated. He doesn't even need to perform anything sexual to you as it pleases him in different way.

Somno

Due to his work Childe oftenly comes home late at night and finds you sleeping peacefully in a shared bed. You look so adorable Childe can't resist to leave a kiss on your forehead and caress your hair. You know he needs a special treatment from all the stress he gets from a Harbingers job, so you always let him do everything he needs while you are sleeping. Childe is pleased when he pushes his fingers in your warm hole and feels your wetness moistening them, so he doesn't waste any time for preparation and dives his cock in your core. Licking your lips and sucking on them gently, Childe lulls you back to sleep, not to break your comfort every time you start to move. Childe misses the feeling of your tongue on his, but he can't wake you up just because he is in a soft mood – you are future mother of kids, and you need to rest without any interruptions. Childe touches you all over, gropes your breasts, gets impatient, thrusts in you faster and closes his mouth with his hand to muffle loud moans. Your cheeks flushing red and your body is hot – you probably are seeing a lewd dream without realizing that everything is real. Your pretty lips are parted and your breath is fast and heavy; Childe's fingers find your hard clit and stroke it rapidly, as he is close to release too. Your pussy spasms around him tightly, sucking his length deeper and making Childe finish inside. He doesn't care to pull out, lays near you and moves your body in a perfect position for cuddling and cockwarming, ready to find the rest for his stressed out mind.

[optimal-living-lab]

The Importance of Rest Days in Your Workout Routine

In the pursuit of fitness goals, many individuals focus intensely on their workouts, often neglecting one crucial aspect of any effective training regimen: rest. While pushing your limits in the gym is important for progress, allowing your body time to rest and recover is equally vital. Here's why rest days are essential in any workout routine:

1. Muscle Repair and Growth:

During exercise, especially strength training, muscles undergo stress and tiny tears occur in the muscle fibers. It's during rest periods that these tears repair and rebuild, leading to muscle growth and increased strength. Without adequate rest, this process is disrupted, and muscles may not have the opportunity to repair fully, hindering progress and increasing the risk of injury.

2. Injury Prevention:

Overtraining is a common pitfall for many fitness enthusiasts. Pushing yourself too hard without proper rest can lead to overuse injuries, strains, and even more serious issues like stress fractures. Incorporating rest days allows your body to recover from the stress of exercise, reducing the risk of injury and promoting longevity in your fitness journey.

3. Energy Restoration:

Intense workouts drain not only your muscles but also your energy reserves and central nervous system. Rest days provide an opportunity for these systems to replenish, ensuring you have the energy and mental focus needed to perform well during subsequent workouts. Without adequate rest, you may find yourself feeling fatigued, unmotivated, and unable to give your best effort in the gym.

4. Mental Well-being:

Exercise is not only physical but also mental. Constantly pushing yourself without breaks can lead to burnout, decreased motivation, and increased stress levels. Rest days allow you to recharge both physically and mentally, reducing the risk of exercise-related burnout and promoting a healthier mindset towards fitness.

5. Improved Performance:

Contrary to popular belief, more is not always better when it comes to exercise. Incorporating rest days into your routine can actually enhance your performance over time. By allowing your body to recover fully between workouts, you'll be able to train at a higher intensity when you're back in the gym, leading to greater gains in strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

How to Incorporate Rest Days:

Schedule Them: Plan rest days into your weekly workout schedule just like any other workout session.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to signs of fatigue, soreness, or decreased performance. If your body is telling you it needs a break, listen to it.

Active Recovery: On rest days, you can engage in light activities like walking, yoga, or stretching to promote blood flow and aid in recovery without putting additional stress on your muscles.

In conclusion, rest days are not a sign of weakness but rather a crucial component of any successful workout routine. By allowing your body time to rest and recover, you'll not only reduce the risk of injury but also optimize your performance and overall well-being in the long run. So, embrace your rest days, and let your body thank you for it.

[achyutapriya]

hiii i had a question which has been bothering me a lot. im new to seva of kanha and sri radha and i been seeing a lot of stuff about periods and how they're impure and such. many people say that you shouldn't do close to or touch your home murtis and stop doing physical seva. is this true? i just don't want to make kanha and radharani upset

Hi anon I am so sorry for the late reply but to answer your question yes, ideally one should not do seva of Vighrahas during the menstrual cycle. The main reason I have come across is there is an increased flow of Rajasic Guna (mode of passion) in our bodies *note : in Sanskrit, menstrual cycle is also called rajasrava: flow of rajas* which increases attatchment to the material world and also gives rise to emotions such as irritation, frustration and mood swings which is not ideal for spiritual practices.

You would also notice seva of Vighrahas is not done around the time of birth and death as they are clearly very emotionally charged times so the individual is exempted from spiritual duties more so out of concern rather than disgust. As for offending Kanha and Radharani, I think that's pretty hard to do but we should always follow the scriptures regarding worship of Vighrahas. It is clearly understood that menstruation is a natural process and not something to be disgusted by, Draupadi was going through her menstrual cycle when she saved by Shri Krishna, Menstruation of goddess Kamakhya is celebrated in Kamakhya Devi Mandir etc. (as for menstruation being called "impure" other things which are considered "impure" during the worship of Vighrahas is saliva, sweat, blood(even from a cut). For eg. If a man/woman is bleeding from a cut ideally one should wait till the bleeding stops, wash it off and then continue the worship).

Kanha is a sweetheart and he accepts everything which is offered to him with love. Btw you can always chant their names, sing songs, try to meditate on them, dedicate your actions to them or simply just keep them in your thoughts!! In fact mental worship is considered one of the highest forms of worship❣️

[chickensarentcheap]

In a Heartbeat- Chapter Three

ANDOM: EXTRACTION

PAIRING: TYLER RAKE AND ESME DRUMMOND (ESTABLISHED OFC)

WARNINGS: angst. Big time angst.

SUMMARY:  Dhaka nearly ended everything before it even began.  In it’s aftermath and with Tyler’s life teetering on the threshold between life and death, Esme is about to realize just how strong she can be.  And that love happens when it happens. There’s no rules. No rhyme or reason. No timeline.  

Warnings: profanity, angst, mentions of childhood cancer and death, brief mentions of blood, brief mentions of gun violence, brief mentions of depression and anxiety

Link to Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48691714/chapters/127504024

Tagging: @tragiclyhip @youflickedtooharddamnit @secretaryunpaid @munstysmind @themaradwrites @ninjasawakenedmystar @asirensrage @residentdormouse @kmc1989 @karimac @arrthurpendragon @ocappreciationtag @occommunity @alisbackalleybbq @thebewingedjewelcat

****

One week later

“Tell me about the place. In Austria.”

His eyes are closed as he speaks, and his voice is low and quiet. It has started to lose the raspiness; a side effect from the irritation caused by prolonged dependency on life support. And while every day his wakeful periods increase, the weakness continues to ebb and flow: brief bouts of having the strength to attempt to feed himself mixed with moments of barely being able to lift his head from his pillow.

During those tough and trying times, he wears his emotions so plainly upon his face: the frustration that comes with the inability to properly hold utensils and the embarrassment that follows when she’s quick to tend to him. Always so patient as she does; never complaining or viewing him as a burden as she carefully and gently spoons soup or oatmeal into his mouth or holds the straw in place as he sips from a cup of ice water. And each time, it leaves him wondering what he’d ever done to deserve someone like her. A woman whose heart is so much larger than her diminutive frame; loving with every ounce of her body and soul.

Regardless of whether she receives the same -or even close to it- in return.

“You WERE able to hear me.”

“I don’t know if I heard everything you said, but I heard a lot. What I can remember, anyway.”

There’s a faint, audible squeak as she pushes her chair away from the side of the bed. “I probably annoyed the shit out of you, huh? Just talk, talk, talk, talk. I bet you were just dying to tell me to shut the fuck up.”

“Why would I ever tell you that?”

“Because I’m a chatty Cathy and you’re not. You’re a man of few words. I’m a woman of many.”

“Well, what’s that saying? Opposites attract?”

“We are about as opposite as you can get,” Esme muses. “In EVERY way. We make a pretty odd couple, you know. I mean, let’s start with the obvious. The enormous size difference.”

“I’ve only got a foot and three inches on you.”

Giving a small laugh, she perches herself on the edge of the bed. “‘Only,’ he says.”

“And about a hundred pounds.” His eyes flicker open as one of his hands comes to rest on his stomach; brow immediately furrowing. “Okay, maybe not that much NOW.”

“I wouldn’t stress too much about it. You’ll put the pounds back on in no time. I’ve seen the way you eat.”

A grin tugs at the corners of his mouth.

“And you haven’t lost THAT much muscle tone. The way YOU fight when the personal support worker tries to get you out of bed to take a shower? You’re like a man possessed. All those months in a coma, and you’ve suddenly got the strength of five grown men.”

“I don’t want his help. I don’t want some guy holding me up while I take a shower. It’s…I don’t know…wrong.”

“Tyler…” She clasps one of his hands in both of hers.. “...it’s his job. Impressive as it is, your dick isn’t the first he’s seen. And it won’t be the last.”

“I don’t give a shit. I don’t like it. The idea of it. So if you can’t do it, I’ll go a week without showering if I have to.”

“You’d be pretty damn ripe, that’s for sure. I was there, remember? In that warehouse. In that sewer. At Gaspar’s before you took a shower. I distinctly remember what you smelled like. And believe me, it wasn’t pleasant.”

“You didn’t complain about it then.”

“I was too in lust to think anything bad about you. You smelled like a man. MY man.”

“And now?”

“And now we’ve gotten past the honeymoon stage of being scared to insult one other. We’re in the comfort zone now; we’re able to say whatever we want without hurting feelings.”

“You’ve gotten past the honeymoon stage. You’ve had six more months than I have.”

“Through no fault of your own. And you still smell like a man. MY man. Just a much more pleasant version. I have to say, it’s pretty delicious; the whole coconut and honey and milk thing you’ve got going on. I’m starting to understand why you like it so much. Why you used to sniff my hair when I was sleeping. In Dhaka.”

“I never ONCE did that.”

“You admitted to it. When we had that fight.”

“I never said I sniffed your hair. Or you in general. I said I wanted you to stick close to me. So close I could smell your hair.”

“Mmmhmmm. Sure. You may have said that, but it’s not what you meant. You were just being a total creeper, weren’t you? While I was asleep.”

“If you only knew the things I would do while you were sleeping next to me.”

“Oh, I know the dirty things you were up to, young man. I wasn’t asleep EVERY time.” She laughs when a blush creeps into his cheeks; spreading along the line of his jaw and down onto his neck and all the way to the tips of his ears. And she leans in to peck the corner of his mouth; palm gently cupping his cheek when he turns his face into hers and kisses her in earnest. A long, dreamy sigh escaping her lips when she pulls away; her eyes closing and her nails lightly scratching at his beard as she rests her forehead against his.

He’s surprised by how much he enjoys it. How much he enjoys HER. The sound of her voice and her laugh, the familiar scent that clings to her hair and clothes, the touch of her hand and the taste of her lips. It’s profound and all-consuming; the depth of his feelings and the strengths of his wants and his needs. Emotions he’d long thought dead the moment he’d condemned himself to a life of solitude; punishing himself for the horrendous mistake he had made and opting to live the rest of his existence drowning himself in booze and painkillers while wallowing in grief, regret, and tremendous self-hatred.

It was what he deserved, after all. For abandoning his wife and child when they needed him the most. It was a loathsome, vile, and completely unforgivable thing he'd done; showing up at the hospital to say goodbye and not even having the courage to even go into the room. And only a monster would betray his own child like that; allow himself to be seen lingering in the hallway and then witnessed callously turning his back and walking away.

He’d been desperate for it to all end. The guilt and the regret and the profound grief that he just couldn’t shake. Lacking the courage to pull the courage himself, he’d instead prayed for a different ending; hoping he’d find himself in the direct path of a sniper’s bullet. Although he had briefly considered just staying in the water that day; simply allowing his air to run out and surrendering himself to the darkness that had haunted him since the day he’d walked away from his son.

But something had told him that it wasn’t his time yet; he still had unfinished business to tend to. He didn’t understand it, nor did he bother to question it; instead, he listened and obeyed and headed home. And within an hour, he’d discover the reason he was meant to continue his journey. All five feet, a hundred and ten pounds of it.

He wants to be better for her; willing to commit to whatever it takes to be the man that she already sees him as. Someone that she can be proud of and show off and brag about. The kind of partner that she wants and needs. And deserves.

He just doesn’t know where to begin.

She pecks the bridge of his nose and pulls further away. One hand still tightly gripping his as she reaches out with the other to clear wayward strands of hair out of his eyes and off his forehead. “What do you want to know? About the place in Austria?”

“I don’t know. Everything, I guess.”

“Well, it’s in the middle of nowhere. Rural Gmunden. VERY rural. And it’s just a little place; a cabin, more or less. There’s two decent size bedrooms, an open-concept kitchen, living room, and one and a half bathrooms. It’s pretty dated, though; I don’t think it’s been renovated or re-decorated in about twenty years. But we can worry about all of that once we’re in there and you’re back on your feet. STEADILY.”

“Whenever that’ll be.”

“It looks so beautiful, Tyler. Where it is. Surrounded by mountains and trees. And there’s a little lake practically right out the front door. We can fish and swim. Maybe even skate once it freezes over.”

He arches a brow.

“Okay, so I’LL skate. You can just hang out on the sidelines. And bring me hot chocolate. With tons of marshmallows and whipped cream. And maybe even coconut shavings on the top of it all.”

“Whatever you want. I’ll make you all the hot chocolate in the world. All day long. But you’re not getting me on skates. I just got my knee replaced. Let’s not take a chance and blow it out, yeah? ‘Cause I could do without another hospital stay. For the rest of my life.”

“You and me both, buddy. It’s been an adventure. To say the least. It’s almost over, though; it won’t be too much longer. And I know we’re going to love this place. It’s tucked away and it’s quaint and it’s cozy and it’s perfect for two people that are still in that ‘getting to know you’ stage. Mind you, most don’t immediately jump into living together, but…”

“I’m sure we’ll manage. I’m sure I won’t drive you completely insane the first week. I can’t make any promises about the second, though.”

“I think we’ll do just fine. If we can co-exist in that shitty little hotel room in Dhaka, I think we’ll be able to handle things in paradise.”

“Your definition of paradise is a lot different than normal people.”

“It’s nature at its best. Its most beautiful. I can’t think of anything better than that.”

“I keep forgetting. You’re a ‘freezing your balls off’ kind of weather girl.”

“I promise you that your balls will remain exactly where they are. I think it’ll be good for us; being away from noise and chaos and tons of people. And you were living like that before I ever came along. Not to mention you were completely alone. At least this time, you’ll have company. Unless…” Her eyes narrow as she quickly drops his hand. “...this is some passive-aggressive attempt on your part to say you don’t WANT company. Especially MY company.”

Heaving a sigh of disdain, he casts a scowl in her direction. “You really didn’t just say that.”

“I mean, a girl likes to know where she stands. And it’s not that we've been able to really talk about this kind of thing and…”

“You think you’d still be here if I didn’t want you to be? That if I didn’t want you here, I wouldn’t have just told you to ‘fuck off’ already?”

“Like, could be passive-aggressive or…”

“I don’t do ‘passive aggressive’. I know we haven’t known each other that long, but that should’ve been pretty damn obvious from the start.”

“You’ve got a point there. You’re nothing if not honest. Brutally, at times.”

“With you?” He scowls, trying to wrack his brain for a time and place. A moment -within the past week or even during their time in Dhaka- that he’d been unintentionally cruel to her; a moment when he may have been frustrated or tired and taken it out on the wrong person. Of all the people in the world who don’t deserve that treatment, it's her; all the patience and tenderness she continues to show and that assertive, tenacious way in which she fights for what’s best for him.

“You tried to choke me out,” she reminds him. “In Dhaka.”

“That’s not what I was trying to do.”

“But first, you threw a temper tantrum. When we got back to the hotel. You totally lost it on me, remember? Just completely pulled rank and flipped out and expected to get away with it.”

“Well, if you had just listened to me…”

“I don’t listen to ANY man. You’re not special.”

He smirks.

“Okay, MAYBE you are. Just a little bit special. But don’t let it go to your head, okay? Because I’m not afraid to put you back in your place.”

“You know, you’re awfully cocky for someone so tiny. Someone I can pick up and put in my pocket and carry around all day.”

“It’s always the little ones though, isn’t it? That you really have to watch out for? That cause the most trouble?”

“In your case? Yes.”

“I bring only the best possible trouble.”

“Yeah? And what’s the best possible kind of trouble?”

“The one that comes with blow jobs and orgasms. What better kind of trouble could there be?”

“Don’t talk like that. It’s going to be a while. Before anything like THAT happens. Hope you realize you’re in for a long wait.”

“How long could it possibly be? Months? I’ve already lasted six. I think I can handle a couple more.”

“What if it’s even more than that? Before things are working again?”

“Jokes on you, buddy. I’ve gone a lot longer than that without. I’ve gone YEARS. Besides, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. I’ve got two hands. I know how to order toys off the internet. You’ll just have to learn how to use them. I’m sure we can teach an old dog some new tricks.”

“You’re an evil little human, you know that?”

“However long it is, I’m sure we’ll both survive. We’ve gone this long, haven’t we?”

“I didn’t really have a choice. I wasn’t exactly conscious. You, on the other hand, stuck in a place with all kinds of single doctors. I’m sure you could have found one to…”

“You were in a coma and I wasn’t interested. I know how good the goods actually are. And believe me, they’re well worth the wait. And as far as this living in Austria thing…”

“Not this again. I don’t know what more you want for me. What else you need me to say.”

“I just want to make sure that we are on the same page. A girl likes to know where she stands. Especially when it comes to a guy. And if I’m just yapping on like a stupid bitch and you don’t want me there…”

“I can’t imagine NOT having you there. I didn’t know you needed me to say it. Or that you wanted me to ask you to come along. I guess I just assumed you knew. I thought it was pretty obvious; considering everything that’s happened in the past six months…”

“Sometimes women like to feel wanted. They like to HEAR it. They want to know they’re needed.”

“Believe me, you’re needed.”

Smiling, she leans in to peck the corner of his mouth; giving a small, startled squeal and then a musical giggle when a hand aggressively seizes the nape of her neck. A long, content sigh escaping her when he kisses her in earnest.

God, how she’d missed it; the taste of his lips and the delicious scratch of his beard against her skin. It had been so long; since they’d been able to share any of the most innocent and simplest forms of intimacy. And while she knows the wait will be long until they can finally venture further, she also knows -from first-hand experience- that it will be more than worth it.

******

“Mmmm…” She’s smiling as she pulls away. “That was…nice.”

“That’s it? ‘Nice’? For the first REAL kiss in six months? I spend half a year in a coma and put in all the hard work to wake up and all I get is ‘that was NICE’?”

“It was very nice,” she assures him, and presses a kiss to the top of his nose. Her eyes closing as she rests her forehead against his, and a hand reaches up to toy with his thick, unruly dirty blond tresses. It’s growing on her; the extra length and how it curls around his ears at the nape of his neck and the way it falls across his forehead.

“I need a haircut.”

“As soon as you’re released, we’ll get you to a barber. Or get one to come to you. Clean you up a bit.”

“For what it’s worth, you did a pretty good job. Keeping things under control.”

She laughs. “A hair stylist and beautician, I am not. But at least you don’t look completely homeless.”

“You did alright. I think I’ll keep you on the payroll.”

“Yeah? And what’s the hourly rate?”

“No actual pay. Just benefits.”

“And just what kind of benefits are we talking about?”

“The best possible kind. The only kind that matters, actually.”

Grinning, she affectionately ruffles his hair and then moves to the bedside table, winking at him as she lifts the remains of a takeout cup of tea to her lips. “You’re going to have a lot of benefits to hand out when you’re finally feeling up to it.”

“Well, hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later, yeah? For both of us? Keep our fingers crossed that it won’t stretch on until we’re both really old and really gray and I can’t get it up for other reasons?”

“Don’t worry, baby. If that ever happens, I’ll slip Viagra in your prune juice.”

“If I ever need that stuff, you have my full permission to shoot me in the head. With a very large calibre bullet.”

“Sorry, no can do. I like having you around too much. For reasons that far surpass your ability to…what’s a delicate way of putting it…pitch a tent.”

“You can’t tell me you’d be happy if it never happened again.”

“I wouldn’t be thrilled. I mean, I’d miss it. Being with you in the biblical sense. But it wouldn’t be the end of the world. I’m not solely with you because of your penis.”

“Solely?” He smirks. “So what you’re saying is that it plays a part.”

“I’m saying you have a very nice penis. And you know how to use it. Boy…” Sighing, she swallows the last of her tea. “...do you EVER know how to use it.”

“You’re not making me feel any better here.”

“Look, I’m with you for your body AND your brains.”

“Sure you are…”

“You can’t fault me for enjoying what you bring to the table. Maybe if you weren’t so good at certain things…”

“First you say shit like ‘that was nice’ and now you have the balls to complain about my skills? You certainly didn’t have a problem with them in Dhaka. When you were pulling my hair and biting my neck and shoulders and telling me to…”

“The only complaint I have is that we didn’t get longer than five days. Through no fault of your own, by the way. A bullet to the neck can really spoil the mood.”

“Technically speaking, I was actually shot six times.”

“And yet here you are, alive and well. And…” she shoots him a wink. “...already being an enormous pain in my ass.”

“I’m kinda bitter about things, too,” he admits. “That I only got five days to prove myself worthy. I never even got the chance to bring out the really big guns.”

“Oh, I’ve seen and experienced the REALLY big gun. It’s been six months and I’m still not walking properly.”

“I’m talking skills-wise. I didn’t give everything away. In Dhaka. I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

“That are even better than the ones you already spoiled me with?”

“I mean, I’m my opinion, yeah.”

Frowning, she dramatically slams her empty cup down on the bedside table. “Now who’s the evil one? I can’t believe you have the goddamn audacity to tell me something like that! Especially when you know I have to wait Lord knows how long to find out if you’re bullshitting or not!”

“Doesn’t really matter, does it? Even if I did have the strength and the energy, it would be impossible. I still have a tube up my dick so I can take a piss.”

“Look on the bright side! You’ll be graduating to a bedpan soon.”

“Lucky me!”

“Does it soften the blow if I promise to wipe and powder your ass REALLY well afterwards?”

“Don’t make me call security and have you thrown out of here.”

“You should consider it both a privilege and a blessing that I’d even consider it, let alone do it. I don’t just wipe the ass of every man I know.”

“That’s not what I heard. I’m not the only one that has a rep in this circle.”

Smirking, she tosses the empty cup in his direction. “You cheeky fuck.”

He watches her as she tidies up the bedside table. Busily clearing away the remnants of that afternoon’s cafeteria-purchased lunch, the scissors, comb and nail clippers that she’d used to ‘tidy him up,’ followed by one many magazines she’d purchased the evening before at the gift shop. And the pen and pad she’d procured in order to let him doodle and scribble; a simple exercise for fine motor skills that wouldn’t take too much thought or strength and wouldn’t tire him out. At times resorting to providing ‘hand over hand’ support; when his movements became fluid and precise and needed a bit more control.

The admiration runs deep. And constant. This tiny, incredible woman that had been dropped into his life and showed no desire to leave. Her dark hair thrown up into a messy bun; loose tendrils brushing against the nape of her neck and dangling down the sides of her face. That petite frame clad in a jumpsuit; one of many outfits Nik had brought her within the past month alone. The shade of orange sorbet; the simple, smooth cotton boasting white and yellow pinstripes. And with no makeup gracing her features, he can clearly see the freckles that decorate the bridge of her nose and spread onto the tops of her cheeks. Making her look years younger.

“You’re beautiful.”

A slight blush creeps into her cheeks as a smile curves her lips. “I look like shit. But I appreciate you trying to boost my confidence.”

“You couldn’t look like shit even if you tried.”

Her smile broadens. “Those meds they have you on must be really good. You’re hallucinating.”

“I am completely lucid.”

“So you’re biased, then.”

“Just take a compliment, would ya?”

“Thank you. I still think you’re biased, though.”

“Maybe I am. Just a little bit. Doesn’t make it less true, though.”

Holding up a styrofoam cup of ice water, she raises a brow as she waves it in his direction. And when shakes his head, she returns it to the table before once more taking a seat on the edge of the bed. Regarding him with adoration as she reaches out to push the hair off his forehead and out of his eyes before once more taking one of his hands in both of hers)

“I’m sorry.”

She trails a fingertip along the scar that graces the bridge of his nose. “For what?”

“I got a little shitty. With you. I don’t mean to get that way. Especially with you.”

“I think you’re entitled to your less than sun-shiney moments. I mean, you were shot more than half a dozen times, you were clinically dead, spent six months in a coma, and you have a tube in your dick so that you can go to the bathroom. I think you’ve earned your right to be ‘a little shitty’ from time to time.”

“I don’t mean to get grumpy. Not with you, anyway.”

“Tyler, let’s be totally honest here. You were grumpy long before any of this ever happened.”

“I really will have you kicked out of here.”

“Bullshit, you will. You’d miss me way too much.”

“I would, actually. I really would.”

Smiling, she leans in to peck his lips.

“How long do you think it’s going to be? The whole being released thing.”

“I don’t know. They haven’t even given me an estimate, let alone an exact number of days. Gotta give it some time; you’ve only been conscious for a little more than a week. It’s going to take a bit.”

“Shouldn’t I be farther ahead than this? They haven’t even tried getting me the fuck outta this bed. I can’t lie here forever. Just going insane, staring at the fucking walls.”

“You’re not ready to get out of bed.” She keeps her voice gentle and soothing. Patient. I know you THINK you are, but you’re just not there yet. Like I said; you were clinically dead and in a coma for half a year. You lost weight and muscle tone and it’s going to take a while to get any of that back; to build up your strength and your stamina.”

“It’s just hard, you know. Being this way. I’m not used to this. Being this weak. This pathetic.”

“You’re not weak OR pathetic. You’re recovering. From one hell of an ordeal. Believe me, you are in way better shape and are healing a lot faster than most people would. Don’t rush things, alright? I know it’s frustrating; being stuck in bed. But your body is healing. Let it do its thing.”

“Can’t it do its thing any faster?”

“It happens WHEN it happens. You’re just going to make things worse; if you try and do too much. The more you force it, the bigger the setback will be if something goes wrong. I don’t want that for you. Complications keeping you in here even longer than you need to be.”

“I just feel like they’re wasting time. They could be working on things. Working on ME.”

“Babe, the first -and last time- they tried, do you remember what happened? How bad it went?”

He nods.

“You refused to use the walker for balance and wouldn’t let them help you and you fell. Flat on your face. And you ended up with six stitches in your forehead and a concussion to show for it. Can we NOT have a repeat of that, please?”

“I can’t live like this. Stuck in bed, completely fucking useless. I can’t…”

“This isn’t a permanent thing, Tyler. Sometimes it may seem like there’s no end in sight, but I promise you; you’re not going to spend the rest of your life like this. It’s just a setback. A little detour. And a year from now, we’ll look back on and find something to laugh about.”

“It’ll probably be about me falling on my face. You probably laugh about that already. When I’m asleep.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m laughing WITH you. Not at you.”

He scowls.

“I’m kidding. Obviously. I would never laugh about that. But I am telling you right now, you fall on the ice in Austria? I will be in absolute fucking hysterics. I’ll be on the ground and everything. Just dying. Peeing my pants and all. Because that shit is funny.”

“You really ARE evil.”

“I promise I will not laugh at any of your misfortunes. At least not out loud.”

A grin plays at the corners of his mouth. “Fuck off, Esme.”

“We both know you don’t mean that. You’d hate it if I weren’t around. I keep things interesting.”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

Leaning in, she pushes a hand through his hair and presses a kiss to his forehead). “Listen, you’re doing great, okay? Everyone here? They didn’t expect you to even breathe on your own once they took you off the machines. And yeah, you need some help and it’s a struggle to do even the simplest of things, but you’ve got a lot of time left, Tyler Rake. To re-learn what you need to. To get your feet back under you. You shouldn’t even be on this side of the ground. But here you are. ALIVE.”

He sighs. Tears brimming his eyes as he considers her words.

“I know it’s frustrating; someone like you being cooped up like this. You’re so used to being able to rely on your body and your skills and your instincts and all of that. But you paid one hell of a price back on that bridge. For your mistakes. But you know what? You’ve made your amends. The slate’s been wiped clean. And now it’s time to rest. Believe me, you’ve earned that.”

“Have I?”

“Yes, you have. You have more than earned it. And now that we’re talking about more serious stuff…”

“I don’t think I like the sound of that.”

“Your primary nurse and I were talking; about how drastic your mood changes can be. How quickly you can go from chatty and upbeat to just downright…well…how can I put this? You can go from being friendly and cute to being a miserable fucking prick in two seconds flat.”

“Not with you.”

“You’re never like that with me. Probably because you know how fast I’ll put you in your place. But no one else can even get close to you without having their head bitten right off. They’re just doing their jobs. They’re trying to help you.”

“I don’t want their help. I have you.”

“But I’m not a professional. I’m not a nurse or a therapist or a doctor. I can only do so much, you know? But these people? They get paid to take care of you. And other people like you. They have the experience. So let them use it, okay? You have to trust them, Tyler.”

He shakes his head.

“They’re not the enemy. They aren’t here to hurt you. They’re here to HELP you. I mean, you trust ME, right?”

“With my life.”

“Then trust everything I’m saying. Let them help you. The sooner you comply and you let them do their jobs, the sooner you’ll get out of here. So if you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for ME. Because I don’t want to see you hurting yourself or complicating things. I want you out of there just as badly as you want to be out here.”

“And these meds? That they want me to take?”

“It’s a combination. Of an anti-depressant and an anxiety med.”

“I’m not crazy.”

“No, you’re not. You’re sick. You’re healing. And what you went through? It was very traumatic. And it would fuck with anyone’s head. I was there. I saw everything. I know how bad it was for me, let alone you. If it helps, I’m on meds.”

“You are? When? When did that happen?”

“About three months after we got here. I fought the idea, too. I kept telling everyone I was fine. That I was just tired and stressed and worried. And if it wasn’t for Nik and Yaz nagging the shit out of me every day? About MY moods? Who knows where I’d be now. Probably completely insane.”

“So I AM a burden. To you.”

“No! No! That’s not what I said. And it’s not what I think. It’s the situation. It’s hard; seeing the person you care about go through something like this. And not just the coma and the ‘will he or won’t he’ when it came to dying. But what happened on that bridge; the things I saw and the things I had to do. It was a horrible, horrible thing to witness. And none of it was your fault.”

“If I had done things differently. That first night. If I hadn’t called Gaspar…”

“No. We are NOT doing that. We’re NOT playing the ‘what if’ game. Because it won’t lead to anywhere good. You did the best you could. You made the decisions you had to make. And no one is questioning that or blaming you for the outcome. Especially not me.”

“And these meds will help?”

“It’ll take a few weeks; to really notice the difference. And sometimes you have to try a couple of different kinds. But yeah, they will. They’ll help you. And that’s all I’m trying to do. Get you help?”

“If you keep taking yours, I’ll do it. I’ll take them.”

“Perfect!” She lightly tousles his hair. “Teamwork! We can be accountability buddies. Was it really that hard? To agree?”

“It hurt. A lot.”

“Smart ass. Now…” She kisses each corner of his mouth, followed by his lips, and then slides off the bed. “...you need some rest. You’ve been up a long time. The longest you’ve stayed awake since coming out of the coma.”

“I’m not tired.”

“Well, I am. I am in desperate need of a nap. So I’ll take on the chair, you take on in your bed. I mean, I’d climb in there with you if I could. But I don’t think that would go over well with your doctors. So…”

He snags her by hand when she turns away, fingertips pressing into her skin in order to capture her full attention. “Did you mean what you said?”

“When? You’re going to have to be a little more specific. I say A LOT, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“I heard what you said. Right before I woke up. The whole ‘love’ thing. Did you mean it?”

“I did. I DO.”

“I was wondering if maybe you just said it because of the situation you were in. It was a hell of a thing you went through, too. Not to mention you put your entire life on hold for a guy you barely knew. Fought for him to get the care he needed. Didn’t give up on him like everything else did.”

“I knew you were fighting your back. I also knew you needed time to do it. I wasn’t going to let them win. They were not taking you off that machine until you were good and ready.”

“Thought maybe it was all that…all the stress and the fear and whatnot…that made you say what you did.”

“I meant it, Tyler. I meant it then and I mean it now. And I needed to get it out there. Into the universe. You needed to hear it and I needed to say it.”

“I even thought maybe I imagined it. I’m still not sure what was real and what wasn’t. When it comes to stuff I heard. If I actually DID hear it or my brain just made it up.”

“You heard. It was real. And I don’t regret saying it. I needed to be honest with you and myself. So…” She shrugs. “...I was. And look, I don’t expect anything from you in return, okay? I don’t want you to feel pressured into saying it back. I know that it’s all so crazy. We haven’t known each other that long, and really, minus the time here, we only spent five days together. So don’t think you have to spare my feelings, alright? You don’t HAVE to say it back.”

“Esme…”

“I didn’t tell you to get another in return, is what I’m saying. I did because I felt it and I needed to say it out loud, you know? To really make it real. You probably think I’m totally nuts. Or that I’m some kind of weird, obsessive stalker or something; falling in love that quickly. But I swear; I am normal. Well, as normal as you can get, considering…”

“Esme…”

“You just take your time, okay? Don’t rush on my account. I can’t wait as long as it takes. Until you’re feeling the same thing. I can wait to hear it. Because I want it to be real when you do. Not just something you’re saying to make me happy.”

“Esme…” He tightly squeezes her hand to grab her attention. “...can I get a word in here?”

“Sorry. I ramble. When I’m nervous. I’m sure you noticed that already. In Dhaka. The morning after we…you know…the first time. And I was worried you were regretting it and that you were going to tell me it was a huge mistake and that it was NEVER going to happen again…”

“I love you.”

She takes a sharp inhale of breath, then releases it shakily. Her free hand coming up to her face; fingers fidgeting with the loose tendrils of hair that brushes against her left cheek. “Don’t say that. Not unless you mean it. I’ve had that happen before; someone saying it and getting my hopes up only to totally ruin me. In more ways than one.”

“I’m not him. I’m not anything like him.”

“I know that. I do. But when you get used to something, it’s hard to expect anything else. And that’s not a slight on you, believe me. It’s all me.”

“I’m saying it because it’s true. You should know by now; I don’t say shit unless I mean it.”

“Not even in a circumstance like this? To someone who’s spent half a year at your bedside? Taking care of you? Not even then?”

“Not even then. Not under ANY circumstance.”

“You REALLY mean?”

“I really mean it.”

“People are going to think we’re nuts. I’m sure a lot already do. Or at least they think I am. Giving up my entire life for a guy I barely knew. Falling in love with him so fast. Don’t you think it sounds crazy? That it SEEMS crazy? To feel this way so soon?”

“All I know is that it feels right. And that’s another thing you should know by now. I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks.”

“You do march to the beat of your own drum.”

“Who cares what people say? It’s just ‘cause they don’t understand it. ‘Cause it’s never happened to them. I sure as hell never thought it was possible; feeling this much, this soon.”

With a firm grip on his hand, she sinks down onto the edge of the bed. “It’s scary. How quickly this is all happening. It’s not normal, is it?”

“If you really think about…how we met and how things happened and everything on that bridge…you’d realize you and I are far from normal.”

“So what now? Now we’re both feeling it? Now that we’ve both said it?”

“We go to Austria. Shack up in that little cabin. And hope for the best. I might drive you crazy after a couple of months.”

“I’ve dealt with crazier than you, Tyler Rake. What if I drive YOU nuts?”

“You’re already there.”

Laughing, she leans in to peck his lips. “Asshole.”

Reaching up, he loops strands of hair behind her ears, then tightly grips the nape of her neck. “We just get to Austria, shut out the rest of the world, and take things one day at a time.”

She smiles. “Sounds good to me.”

“But first, I gotta get the fuck out here. And…” Lifting the blanket, he scowls as he nods down at the remaining tubes attached to his broken body. “...we get this tube out of my fucking dick.”

[aguanteactivewear]

Boost Your Speed: Essential Types of Runs for Better Performance

To run faster and perform better, mixing up your training with different types of runs is important. Each type helps improve different aspects of your running. Aguante is here to support your journey with gear that enhances your performance and comfort.

1. Long Slow Distance (LSD) Runs

LSD runs are long runs at a slow, easy pace. These runs help build your endurance, making it easier to run for longer periods without getting tired. They increase the number of small blood vessels (capillaries) in your muscles, helping deliver more oxygen and nutrients. LSD runs also improve how your body uses energy by making it better at burning fat for fuel.

Key Benefit: Better endurance and energy use.

2. Tempo Runs

Tempo runs, or threshold runs, are done at a “comfortably hard” pace, slightly slower than your race pace. These runs help your body handle running at a fast pace for longer by improving your ability to clear out lactic acid, which causes muscle fatigue.

Key Benefit: Run faster for longer periods.

3. Interval Training

Interval training involves short bursts of high-speed running followed by periods of rest or slow running. This type of training increases your VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise. It also strengthens fast-twitch muscle fibers, which help you run faster.

Key Benefit: Increased speed and endurance.

4. Hill Repeats

Hill repeats involve running up a hill at a fast pace and then jogging or walking back down to recover. Running uphill strengthens your leg muscles and improves your running form, making you more efficient.

Key Benefit: Stronger legs and better running form.

5. Fartlek Training

Fartlek, a Swedish term for “speed play,” mixes continuous running with random bursts of speed. This type of run improves both your aerobic (long-distance) and anaerobic (short, fast) fitness, making you more adaptable to different running conditions.

Key Benefit: Improved speed and adaptability.

6. Recovery Runs

Recovery runs are short, easy runs that help your muscles recover from harder workouts. They increase blood flow to your muscles, helping to clear out waste products and reduce soreness.

Key Benefit: Faster recovery and less muscle soreness.

7. Progression Runs

Progression runs start at a slow pace and gradually get faster. These runs teach you how to pace yourself and finish strong, which is useful for races.

Key Benefit: Better pacing and strong finishes.

Conclusion

Including these different types of runs in your training routine will help you run faster and more efficiently. Each run has a specific purpose, and understanding these can help you train smarter. Aguante’s gear is designed to support you in every type of run, helping you achieve your running goals. Get out there, mix up your runs, and see your performance improve!

Visit our website for the Running Collections: https://aguante.in/collections/running

[ftmtum]

okay but that omegaverse sorta-roleswap idea i had (with the omega going into heat and getting the alphas pregnant). im thinking about how an omega's heat would work and heres what i have

heat is similar to periods in that it lasts usually around a week and is on a regular schedule but has a lot of variation between people. HOWEVER, it's highly dependent on how fertile an omega is (aka if an omega has a higher sperm count they will go into heat more often etc). but usually the average is every 8-10 months

omegas in heat have a highly decreased focus, higher awareness of natural pheremones, higher sensitivity especially in erogenous zones, etc etc. bc of this they have to take off work if they go into heat. its basically like a "leave immediately if it happens" type thing

omegas bodies make a lot more semen if theyre in heat, so over the course of a heat if an omega doesn't cum enough their balls get bigger (and the medical condition that can result is the origin of the phrase "blue balls".) however the skin is really really elastic so once an omega has cum enough it goes back to normal

during a heat an omega can knot an alpha (knotting isnt possible outside of a heat. its something to do with the increased bloodflow of a heat) (also cumflation can happen during a heat bc of something something the way knots work something something)

(also something something increased blood flow during a heat means omegas in heat can be erect for an extended period of time without it being a problem at all)

omegas in heat can smell if someone's an alpha. alphas can smell omegas if theyre in heat. other than that its not really possible to tell what role someone fits

[h0neywheat]

1 month on T update

I can’t believe it’s been a month already but here’s what I’ve noticed this month:

my throat feels scratchy and goes hoarse pretty easily. this could be allergies or from dust and dander that got pushed around while moving apartments. or…it could be T who knooooowwwsss

i wash my hands a lot at work and noticed my forearms feel…firmer? like slightly more toned

so sweaty. sweat smelling kinda different very suddenly like “oh what’s that smell? [sniff] oh it’s me” not bad but like…normal body odor smell I guess

don’t know if it’s placebo and paying more attention to my body hair…but arm and tummy hair possibly looking darker??? may just me being hyperaware and excited but who knooooowwwws :3c

for real with hair though: some wiry hairs on my upper lip and a bit more stubble on my chin (already had some pre-t)

my face is breaking out like it did it high school :/ skin is getting oiy. but looking duller ?? it may just be my shitty diet during the last few weeks plus stress and plus exhaustion from moving. eating vegetables is my favorite activity rn

one big symptom(?) I’ve noticed is the need to stretch? and they are BIG stretches and feel SO GOOD. I did some research and apparently this is normal for some when starting T due to increased blood flow to your muscles and your body composition changing. your body just wants to get that blood circulating. you’re growing and going through puberty :)

(genital and menstruation talk below)

related to stretching, being touched by my bf sometimes triggered these stretches. possibly linked to sensitivity and increased libido? I’m a stretchy guy and feel good moving that way :)

libido is still high. still in horny jail.

possible bottom growth idk??? I didn’t pay that much attention to the look of things before T. I know for a fact blood is flowing in that direction tho because it feels like a tiny shock to the clit when having horny thoughts

this is the teen boy experience. im 28 but my body feels 13

i started T the same week my cycle starts so im monitoring pmdd symptoms rn and i definitely noticed a big drop in my confidence within the last week compared to when I first started T. nothing extreme but body negativity did creep up in my thoughts a few times. we’ll see how my actual period is this month, curious how fast that’ll disappear for me.

[beautifulreflections]

Blog Post 4: Looking back to move forward.

Blog Post 4: Looking back to move forward.

This week I’m remembering the why. I truly believe your willpower will only be as strong as your why. So, I’m taking you back to my why, which takes us back almost six years to the birth of my second son. It was a beautiful day, when He was born with His big brown eyes and brown hair making me the proud mom of two healthy boys. Except I still remember the nurse coming in every hour and pricking my youngest son’s feet. It was horrible. I was tired, He was tired, my husband was tired, and all I wanted to do was sleep, but the nurse had to check His blood sugar.

Why? Well because I had gestational diabetes all during the pregnancy leading up to the birth of my second son. My Dad had triple bypass surgery about three years ago, His mom had type 2 diabetes and later developed Alzheimer’s, and my aunt has type two diabetes as well. The gene pool clearly wasn’t flowing in my favor and the sickness seemed to trickle right down to me. The symptoms were low mood and a lack of energy, but I was mom. So, I chalked it up to job description. I mean, all moms are exhausted right? Apparently, these were warning signs of what was to come, I just didn’t know that at the time.

I ate sugar free chocolate pudding every day after dinner to curb my sweet tooth in a healthy way and took walks when my sugar was especially elevated. After I had my son, and after the heartache of hearing Him cry when the nurse checked His blood sugar, I moved on with life, sweets, and all. But a couple years ago I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis and acid reflux. So, this is when I became a vegan. I let go of the meats and cheeses, filled up the fridge with vegetables, and watched many documentaries about how diet is connected to overall health. My favorite documentary is still “What the Health” by Kip Anderson. In this documentary, Kip uncovers the secret to reversing chronic diseases.

After years of living a vegan lifestyle and seeing the health benefits including clear skin, good digestion, and overall increase in energy, I began to get lax in my efforts and became a vegetarian, and now I eat meat again. The point is that those habits are only as effective as my ability to maintain these healthy eating choices consistently and over a long period of time. Now I am focusing on eating healthy foods overall. I’m pulling back out those old but loved vegan recipes including crispy tofu with quinoa and steak seasoned zucchini. I even put some of the candy from my Christmas bag into the communal candy pile for someone else to devour. This may sound small to you, but it’s a big deal for me.

I said no to Super Bowl brownies and key lime cake last night, as well as all the diet sodas that I used to love. My favorite soda used to be cherry coke zero. The point is that Americans, myself included, consume too much sugar. I know I did, and I now must come up with a game plan to leave the sugar where it needs to stay, on the shelf for special occasions. According to the American Heart Association Americans on average consume 20 teaspoons of sugar per day while the recommended daily amount of sugar is 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Beverages make up most of our sugar consumption at a whopping 47% which include soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. The second leading cause of excess sugar comes from snacks and sweets at 31%.

The point is, sugar consumption has gotten way out of control, especially in the United States, and we need to be aware of the risks associated with excess sugar which include chronic inflammation, tooth decay, acne, advanced skin aging, weight gain and obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, brain loss, cancer, and premature death. Sugar though sweet can be deadly. It’s recommended by John Hopkins Medicine that we avoid sodas and other sugar sweetened beverages, reach for fruits instead of candy, cookies, or other sweet treats, read ingredient labels, and watch for sugar aliases. As it turns out, smoothies with no added sugar still taste sweet because that’s how they are made naturally. If we stop and think before we run to the sweets isle, in the future we will be happy with the choices we make.

            “Always begin with the end in mind.” - Ellen Muth

References:

“How much sugar is too much?” American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much

Ndumele, Chiadi. “Obesity, Sugar, and Heart Health.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/obesity-sugar-and-heart-health

[fitnessdivas]

The shocking truth about pre-workouts. You won't believe what they do to your body!

Pre workout supplements are designed to enhance your performance during exercise by providing you with an energy boost, increasing your endurance, and improving your focus. But how exactly do pre workouts work on the body, and what effects do they have? In this blog post, we'll explore the science behind pre workouts and their effects on the body.

One of the main ingredients in pre workouts is caffeine, a natural stimulant that is found in coffee and tea. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, which are responsible for regulating sleep and wakefulness. This leads to increased alertness and improved cognitive function, which can help you focus and concentrate during your workout.

Another common ingredient in pre workouts is beta-alanine, which is an amino acid that helps to reduce muscle fatigue and improve endurance. Beta-alanine works by increasing the levels of carnosine in your muscles, which helps to buffer against the buildup of lactic acid during exercise. This means that you can work out for longer periods of time without feeling fatigued, and you'll be able to recover faster between sets.

Get High quantity of Beta-Alanine per scoop in QNT Hydravol.

Creatine is another popular ingredient in pre workouts, and it works by increasing the levels of ATP in your muscles. ATP is the primary energy source for your muscles, and by increasing its availability, creatine can help to improve your strength and power output during exercise.

Finally, pre workouts may also contain nitric oxide boosters, which are designed to increase blood flow to your muscles. This can help to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, which can improve your endurance and delay the onset of fatigue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pre workouts work by providing your body with a combination of caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, and nitric oxide boosters. These ingredients can help to increase your energy, improve your focus, reduce muscle fatigue, and improve your endurance. 

However, it's important to use pre-workouts in moderation and to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

[basicsofislam]

ISLAM 101: Your Purification: Part 4

The Major Ritual Impurity and the Full Ablution(Ghusl /Ritual Bath):

Things which Require a Person to Perform Full Ablution:

There are certain things which require an adult Muslim to perform full ablution (ghusl) before engaging in the prayer or circumambulating the Ka‛bah. Before he performs such ablution, he is said to be in a state of a major ritual impurity.

These things are as follows:

Ejaculation with pleasure and by any means, while asleep or awake. Ejaculation involves the expulsion of seminal fluid, a thick whitish fluid, from the urethra of the penis during orgasm, which is generally followed by a feeling of lethargy and inertia

Sexual intercourse: This involves penetration even if it does not lead to ejaculation. In fact, mere penetration of the glans into the vagina provides sufficient grounds for performing ghusl, i.e.taking a ritual bath. The Qur’an says, “If you are in a state of major impurity, then purify yourselves.”(Soorat Al-Maa’idah, 5:6)

Menstrual blood and post-natal bleeding

•Menstrual blood is a natural type of blood, which flows from the uterus of women and occurs at roughly monthly intervals during a woman’s reproductive years. It usually lasts more or less seven days with some variation from one woman to another.

•Post-natal bleeding: This bleeding takes place following a delivery in the post-natal period and lasts for a number of days.

Menstruating women and women experiencing their post-natal bleeding are exempt from fasting as well as from performing the prayers. They must, however, make up for their missed fasts but not for the missed prayers. During this period, a husband and wife can satisfy their sexual desire but without having an intercourse. At the end of menstruation and post-natal bleeding, women must take a ritual bath (ghusl).

As the Qur’an states, “They will ask you about menstruation. Say, ‘It is an impurity, so keep apart from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they have purified themselves. But once they have purified themselves, then go to them in the way that Allah has enjoined on you.’” (Soorat Al-Baqarah, 2:222)

How to Remove the Major Ritual Impurity (Janaabah)?

To perform the full ablution, It would be sufficient for a Muslim to wash the entire body with water with the intention that it is for the purpose of purity and worship.

However, the best method of taking a ritual bath is to wash oneself in the same way one cleans oneself after answering nature’s call, perform wudoo’ and then wash the entire body with water. Doing so increases one’s rewards, as it is in accordance with the guidance of the Prophet .

After taking a ritual bath that way, there is no need to perform wudoo’along with it. However, the best method of removing the major ritual impurity is to perform the full ablution which includes wudoo’, for this was the very practice of the Prophet .

What to Do in Case One Is Unable to Use Water

If a Muslim is unable to use water to perform wudoo’ or take a ritual bath (ghusl) due to illness, when water is not readily available or when using the available water for wudoo’ or ghusl would leave insufficient water for drinking, he can resort to pure earth as a substitute for ablution. This is called tayammum, and he can continue to do so until he finds sufficient water or becomes able to use it.

Manner of Performing Tayammum:

(1) Strike both hands slightly on pure earth once,

(2) wipe the face with them,

(3) wipe the back of the right hand with the palm of the left, and then the back of the left hand with the palm of the right hand.

[ronqueesha]

Damn now my mind is stuck thinking what it must feel like when Iona bites you.

She’s not a vampire, so she doesn’t have any mystical ability to hypnotize someone and keep them placid while she bites and feeds. And her fangs aren’t quite as long and sharp as a full vampire’s, although they can still easily break skin.

Is it a sharp sting, or something more intense? How does her tongue lapping at the flowing blood feel when she starts to get her fill?

Iona doesn’t need to drink blood to survive, it’s entirely a hedonistic/pleasurable/sexual act for her. She enjoys not only the taste of her partner’s blood, she loves the whole process of getting it. Especially if the blood spills and they react to what she’s doing. Them squirming in pain would just make her enjoy it more, and perhaps encourage her to increase the pressure or open the neck a little more.

I’d like to think that it’s not much worse than a hickey. And the sensation of her ravenously licking at the fresh wound is more than enough distraction from the lingering ache. Especially because 99% of the time, she’s doing more than just licking their neck, but doing lots of other things to their body that I shouldn’t mention on tumblr. But do I need to adjust my idea and make it more painful?

Although I do have a headcanon with @arcandoria in our shared commander AU that Iona can’t feed from Rellihn more than once a month. Because she gets very greedy when she drinks, especially from a half-elf with some orc ancestry, which makes the taste uniquely good. So if she wants Rellihn to not pass out in the middle of battle while they recover from the blood loss, she has to pace herself and let the wounds heal from her vigorous feeding.

So maybe it doesn’t hurt too much during the night, when she’s not only drinking her lover’s blood, but engaging in all sorts of other distracting and sexual deeds. But there would be a long period of aches and possibly embarrassing pain that would require someone to wrap a bandage around their neck for a few days in the aftermath.

[hekatenz]

Busting The Common Myths About Menstruation

Even though it's something all women experience at some point in their life, talking about periods and menstruation is a taboo topic that shouldn’t be discussed openly, even among women. The silence makes a lot of women feel ashamed of experiencing periods and suffer in silence if they are experiencing pain or illnesses.

Because of this misogynistic stigma, it’s no wonder why a lot of myths are formed when it comes to menstruation; often these myths are damaging and serve no real benefit for women.

But things have changed and more women are opening up in talking and listening regarding the truth about periods and a lot of researchers are now myth-busting these false stories. Here are some of the common myths about periods and explanations that debunks these hysterical beliefs.

Myth #1 Period blood is dirty

A lot of women believed that period blood is rejected body fluids such as urine, or the blood that runs through our veins but that isn’t the case; period blood is the combination of blood, uterine tissue, mucus lining, and bacteria that flows from the uterus through the cervix and out of the body through the vagina. There is nothing icky about it at all (even if it does feel icky sometimes). It’s a natural process a woman’s body goes through and we should accept it as it is.

Myth #2 Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is all in the head.

Eh, false! Women’s estrogen leading up to the days when her period comes plummets so low that her progesterone increases fast. Progesterone is linked to the part of the brain associated with fear, anxiety, and depression.  Because of this change in hormones, women go through a PMS period where their mood fluctuates drastically and they often feel irritated, easily fatigued, anxious, and have bouts of sadness before and/or during the period. Aside from that, women can also feel their breasts feeling tender, getting mysterious headaches, and bloating.

The next time you’re feeling down in the dumps, don’t invalidate your feelings and brush them off as just hormones and do nothing about it. You can ease PMS symptoms by getting enough exercise and sleep, eating healthy, and avoiding vices such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. You can take over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin to ease physical symptoms and prescription medicines, such as hormonal birth control, antidepressants, and diuretics. If you think PMS is interfering with your daily life, talk to a gynecologist to help you find ways to alleviate them through lifestyle changes or medication.

Myth #3 Women Shouldn’t Take a Bath When They Are on Their Period

It’s an old wives tale that taking a bath or a shower or even swimming during a period is unsafe because the water stops bleeding which can have ill effects. However, this isn’t the case. Yes, a period may stop while your body is immersed in the water but it only temporary prevents your blood from gushing out of your vagina because of the water pressure. It doesn’t stop your period from bleeding. So, there is no concrete reason why you should wash yourself during your period. It’s best to clean yourself to wash out all the bacteria in your vagina. Use a mild and fragrance-free soap to clean your genital areas to avoid infection. Taking a warm bath can help improve your period pain symptoms such as cramps and bloating and make you feel loads better.

Myth #4 Using tampons will take a woman’s virginity

This ridiculous and damaging myth unfortunately has many women, especially the young ones, believe that this is true. This is due to the fact that tampons can break the hymen, a fleshy piece of tissue that is around the vaginal opening when it is inserted. But that’s not the case of a woman losing her virginity or not. Losing one’s virginity isn’t a case of breaking one’s bodily tissue but rather when one is becoming sexually active. And anyway, virginity is a social construct that society has defined women on how pure they are and this can be damaging to the woman’s self-worth and dignity. So don’t be scared of using tampons— it doesn’t equate to you losing your virginity.

Myth #5 Pain during your period is normal and you just have to get used to it

While cramping is common during your period, extreme pain to the point that it’s hard to move around and breathe at times is not normal at all. You could be experiencing dysmenorrhea and having that condition is not something that you should suck it up and deal with it. You shouldn’t be made to feel by anyone that putting up with this immense pain is part of a normal period. You should see your health care provider or a gynecologist to provide you with a period pain treatment to ease the symptoms and not make life a living Calvary for you whenever Miss Flo visits you.