#patella slides

[on-a-lucky-tide]

Johnny's knee hurts. Price helps him feel better.

cw: messy blowjob. For the @continentcakeshop, who love Johnny.

Johnny shifted his foot for the third time in ten minutes and felt the now familiar twinge through his knee. He couldn't decide what was worse; the constant dull ache of keeping it stationary, like it needed to click, which was driving him batshit insane, or the sharp burn of a quick stretch that made his entire body jolt, knocking the table he was sharing with the boss man himself.

“You broken?” Price asked, tapping the blunt nib of his biro against the manilla folder by his form.

“Naw, sir. Jus’ me bum knee. S’givin’ me grief cause it's cald outside.”

“You been t’ the physio?”

“Not fer a few weeks. No time, ye know…” Johnny gestured aimlessly at the paperwork in front of him. When he'd signed up at fifteen and nine months, he hadn't expected to spend so long with a damn pen in his hand instead of a firearm.

Price hummed and Johnny watched his whiskers twitch as they tended to do when he was mulling something over. Then came the full face grimace as he considered his options. The biro clattered to the table moments later, the chair legs scraping against the concrete floor. “Olrigh’, can't ‘ave ya fallin’ behind. Keks down, leg up ‘ere.”

Johnny blinked owlishly, first at Price's hands as they patted his lap and then at the intense blue eyes watching him from beneath thick eyebrows. “Come again.”

“C’mon, MacTavish. Don't ‘ave all day. Boot off, drop ‘em. Quick rub down will make it feel better.”

Oh, he wasn't taking the piss. Well, shit. Johnny glanced at Price's hands again, big, weathered, with long clever fingers and a scar across the knuckles from where Price had skinned them open on the steel-plated jaw of a Kortac operator. The thought of having them on his body in any capacity made a sudden surge of heat fill his belly.

His knee gave another unrepentant throb and he stood awkwardly to undo his belt, jamming the heel of his boot against the toe of the other to kick it off before loosening the laces. He managed to slide his leg out, the knee support catching on his waistband, before slumping back into the chair. His foot hovered off the floor, suddenly conscious of how fuckin’ filthy his sock was. And how tight his boxers were.

“Ain't got all night,” Price said. “Stop bein’ a pansy. Ain't gonna ‘urt ya.”

Johnny scowled and extended his leg, setting it gingerly across Price's lap while his hands cupped over his crotch. “Naw one says pansy any more, old man.”

Price raised an eyebrow as he hooked Johnny's knee support and coaxed it down his calf muscle, bunching it at his ankle as he wrinkled his nose. “This sock ever seen a washin’ machine?”

“Oh feck, now ye really sound like me pa.”

“I was eleven years old when you were born, I ain't yer dad, MacTavish.” Price chucked the support and the filthy sock onto the floor and ran his thumbs up the sides of Johnny’s leg, pressing into the swollen ligaments and tendons either side of his patella. The sensation sat keenly on the threshold of pain and pleasure; Price couldn't press too hard without oil, but his pressure was damn perfect.

“Oh, fuck… mmm, aye, but I c’n still call ye dad–”

“If ya finish that sentence, ‘m gonna dislocate yer knee cap.”

“Aye, sir."

Johnny tried to stay quiet. He yapped when he was nervous and Jesus wept he was nervous now. Not because it hurt - god, fuck, Price’s hands were a damn dream - but because the heat in his belly was spreading out through the rest of him; a warm, fuzziness humming just below his skin. As the dull ache ebbed into a low throb, Johnny’s chin tilted down and his eyes lidded. He watched those strong hands work, manipulating his muscles and tendons like putty, pressing to and fro in easy glides that left Johnny lightheaded.

Johnny bit back a moan. Price was good. He knew what he was doing. Didn't stay only around the knee, but rubbed behind it and slightly down the calf to ease the resulting tension from where the rest of his leg was overcompensating. That was all fine… it was when those thumbs went up his thigh, one on the hairy outside, the other up the milky soft skin of the inner, that the whole arrangement got a bit spicy.

Johnny was getting hard. Proper hard, not just a cheeky little chubby. He could feel the wet patch in the cotton where his leaking tip was pushing up against his palm. Fuck, fuck. His eyes squeezed shut, and he tried to distract himself. Mentally listing off the steps for stripping a gun, the ingredients for a pipe bomb, the starting fifteen for Man City–

“Ev’ryfin olrigh’, Soap?”

Johnny’s eyes blinked open and he realised he'd been damn panting. Price hadn't stopped though. One hand had wandered a little higher, massaging his thigh muscle while the other cupped beneath his calf. Just a little higher and he could slide his cock into his captain's palm. Those callouses would feel unreal against the silky skin of his shaft… no, no, normal thoughts. Normal.

“Aye, sir. Sorry. Jus’... Uh…”

“Feels good,” Price finished for him. “Been a while for more ‘an jus’ physio then.” There was a wry amusement to his tone and Johnny’s lower lip pushed up in a pout, his face flushing red.

“S’not what it looks like.”

“Looks like yer hard from a little tenderness, sergeant.”

“Fuck, don't tell anyone, ah’ll do dogsbody in officer’s mess fer a whole month.”

“Oof, humiliatin’.”

“Not as humiliatin’ as Garrick takin’ the pish cause ah got a stonner for me captain,” Johnny blurted out, making it infinitely worse. “Fuck.”

Price snorted a laugh and Johnny’s eyes blew owlishly wide again. Those big hands were still working; any pain had faded, and only a warm pleasure remained, pressure coiling in his groin. Price hummed. “Maybe I can help ya with that too. If yer up for it.”

“What?” Johnny squeaked. Price was a gay man. That was no secret. He was one of the few gay men in the service that Johnny had ever encountered that endured precisely fuck all abuse about it. No cunt was daft enough to even try. Johnny had been too feart to own his sexuality, but Price had probably heard Grindr ping one too many times to be left under any illusion that Johnny was straight.

“Yer not the only one goin’ through a bit of a dry spell. Offer’s there.”

Johnny swallowed thickly. He couldn't lift his eyes from Price's hands, watching those strong thumbs circle either side of his knee again, prick throbbing in the confines of his boxers. Of all the days to wear his snug Calvin Kleins that left nothing to the imagination. The bulge had filled his palms now. He could pull away, put a stop to it, but he didn't want to. He wanted Price’s hand wrapped around his prick. “Aye.”

“Whot?”

“Aye, sir… ah’d like some… help,” Johnny finished lamely, his fingers tightening over his cock as he shifted his arse in the chair.

Price blinked at him slowly, leaning back in his chair. Johnny’s leg shifted a little, foot tilting out, and he saw it for the first time. A huge fuck off bulge in the front of Price's Carhartts. “Oh-ho, fuck me, look at the size of it,” Johnny wheezed, and then clicked his mouth shut, lips sucked in so he could chew on them before murmuring, “Respectfully… sir.”

Price chuckled, rubbing a hand over his face, nails raking down through his beard around the edges of his grin. “‘m gonna be glad ev’ryone's on leave, un’ I?”

Johnny flushed to the tips of his ears. “Ah can be wheesht.”

“Nah, don't be.” Price took Johnny's ankles and lowered his leg slowly to the floor. Johnny licked his lips as anticipation bubbled in his chest, hands still clasped over his crotch despite the futility of trying to hide his erection. His eyes somehow widening further as Price slipped from his seat and onto his knees between Johnny’s feet.

“Oh shit, oh shit,” Johnny breathed, hands shaking as Price took them and guided them away from where they still cupped protectively over his cock. He felt the warm puff of Price's breath over the hair on his belly and the damp spot on his boxers, and his toes curled against the floor. Those weathered fingers stroked up his thighs, over soft cotton to the elastic of his waistband. Johnny’s cock flicked gratefully free, ruddy and dark compared to the rest of him, and he sucked in a sharp hiss through his teeth as cool air found his wet slit.

“Well, pretty all over, ain’tcha, sergeant?”

Johnny knew he had a nice dick, good girth, nice upward curve to hit all the right spots and a respectable length. He'd taken enough selfies with it and then had his phone blow up to know, but to hear Price say it in that silky rumble made him go weak. His hips squirmed, and he bit his lower lip as Price's beard rubbed on his inner thigh, followed by the softness of his lips as he kissed a trail up. Johnny fingers bit into the outside of his legs as they pushed out, urging Price to get to his destination. “Please, sir…”

“Relax, soldier. I gotcha.”

Finally, Price grasped Johnny’s cock, fingers pushing through the coarse thatch of hair at the base. Johnny let out a soft whine, shaft flicking in Price’s grip as a thick pearl of precum welled from his slit. It was sweet, sweet torture. A mixture of relief and yearning that made his entire body light up. Price’s thumb swept below his waistband, brushing the swell of his sac, before he stroked up, fingers brushing over the flare of Johnny’s crown.

Johnny groaned, head flopping back because he needed to briefly thank fucking God for blessing his dick and promise to visit confession at some point in the next decade to repent for lusting after his captain's hands and mouth. He couldn't take his fucking eyes off Price for long, and he looked back in time to watch Price ease his foreskin back, the wicked tip of his tongue pushing though Johnny’s slit to lap it clean of pre. “Fuck, fuck, fuck… god, shite, ahh, sir, mmm.”

The lines around Price's eyes deepened in amusement, and then his eyes slid closed in what Johnny could only describe as bliss as he kissed the thick vein down Johnny's length, brushing the tip of his nose across silky skin until it buried against Johnny's groin with a soft groan. “Mm, fuck, ya smell good.”

Johnny spread his legs a little further, lifting his arse when Price tugged his boxers to bring them further down his thighs. The heat of his mouth enveloped Johnny’s balls, his tongue pressing down the seam, Johnny's cock resting against his cheek as he tasted his fill. Johnny panted through parted lips, one hand finally leaving his leg to slide around the back of his captain's head to pull his face closer. “Aye… sir, fuck… ahh.”

The moan that rumbled from Price’s chest rolled up Johnny’s body like an earthquake, and he heard the clatter of a buckle as Price fumbled with his belt to free his cock. Jacking himself off to the taste of Johnny’s sac in his mouth. When he finally drew away, he left Johnny's dark curls wet with spit, his blue eyes lidded, drunk on Johnny's musk and the pleasure of his hand pumping slowly up and down his own cock.

“God, yer a fuckin’ bonny picture, sir. Love tae suck cock, eh? Fuck.”

Price didn't say anything, just licked back up the underside of Johnny’s prick to draw the tip into his mouth. The wet glide of Price's tongue around his glans made Johnny groan, and he lifted his hips, pressing his tip over the ridges at the top of Price's mouth, fingers tightening at the back of his head. Price didn't need much encouragement to sink down, but he did so at his own pace, slowly, torturously, sucking Johnny deeper into the glorious wet heat of his mouth until Johnny’s head hit the back of his throat.

Johnny held him there for moment, admiring the stretch of his lips around the heft of his shaft, the lidded, fucked out enjoyment in his eyes, the way his broad shoulders were completely relaxed as he palmed himself lazily. Bonny was right. Johnny wondered what he'd be like on his back with his hands pinned above his head, what his moans might sound like when they weren't muffled by cock…

Price drew off, sucking greedily until he reached the tip, before lowering again in a steady glide, fucking his own mouth on Johnny's prick. Johnny moaned loudly with each dip of Price’s head, his thighs shaking as warm, irresistible pleasure curled in his hips, through his belly, his balls firming up beneath Price's chin. “Ah, ah, sir, fu-mm, fuck, yer mouth… is… ahh.”

And then Price swallowed him down proper. Johnny felt the pop as his head pushed into Price's throat, the clenching tightness made him choke out a low, trembling moan, Price’s nose buried against his groin. The sound of Price’s pumping hand, the wet slap of skin, grew more urgent and the thought that Price was even more turned on by having Johnny in his throat was dizzying. When he began to bob his head again, half choking on Johnny’s cock, Johnny knew he wasn't going to last much longer.

He didn't know where to put his hands, bunching Price's hair between his fingers, scrubbing them over his beard just to feel the bristles against his fingertips, sliding them down his throat to feel his Adam's apple bob and strain around his cock.

His heels lifted from the floor, toes pushing into the cold concrete, a sharp contrast to the blistering, pulsing heat of his captain's mouth as it milked him. He babbled incoherently, half Scots, half unintelligible English slurred out like a drunk at last orders, delirious with pleasure as saliva and precum pooled around his groin. His thumb stroked over Price's cheeks, pressing to feel the glide of his shaft through them and trace the damp of the tears that tracked from hazy blue eyes.

“Sir, ah’m, sir…” Johnny tried to tug him off because a gentleman didn't cum down a fella’s throat without asking, but Price fucking growled like a wolf having its meal stolen and that was enough to punch Johnny over into a heady climax. “Sir, fuck!” His stomach clenched, toes pushing against the floor as his hips lifted from the chair. Price kept sucking, drinking every drop offered by Johnny’s twitching prick. It coaxed him higher until he was whimpering in fucked out bliss, his fingers shaking in his captain's hair. Just as he was tipping over into oversensitivity, Price pulled off and pressed his face into the sweaty crease of Johnny's thigh, arm moving furiously, hips humping as he fucked his own grip.

“Yeah, g’won, sir, gonna come for me, liked havin’ my prick down ye throat, belly full of my cum.” Johnny stroked Price’s hair and watched his eyes roll back, his shoulders seizing, as he came hard into his fist. He panted between Johnny's legs, catching his breath for a moment, before he slumped back into his heels. Johnny took the opportunity to look down at his prick, still semi-hard, and he sucked in a breath. “Fuck, look at tha’ beast… ye top with tha’ weapon?”

“Only if you ya’sk nicely,” Price rasped. The sound of his throat, fucked raw, made Johnny's soft prick twitch against his thigh.

“How nicely?”

“State secret. S’classified.”

“I’ll steal L.T.’s clearance,” Johnny replied testily, and his hunch was rewarded with a quirk of the eyebrows. “Knew it.”

Price chuckled hoarsely. “Clean up. Got work t’ finish.” He rolled to his feet and for a beautiful moment his cock bobbed close to Johnny’s face. Be seein’ ye soon, sweet thing.

“Can't, ye jus’ sucked me brain out me prick.”

“Now, MacTavish.”

Johnny's mouth clicked shut, and then he mumbled a “yessir” as he pulled his boxers and jeans back up. He'd be lying if he said it was somewhat difficult to focus on the reports for the rest of the evening, especially when he lifted a foot to tease Price's crotch and the bastard spread his legs to give access. Didn't even flinch though. Wily git.

[pankowcrumbs]

Hi, i have this idea for a will x reader and i think you'd be good writing it.

Basicly reader is a (hip hop/dont really care) dancer, she is badass.

They are married and he hypes her up, posts about her, comes to her Performances, comments on her tik toks/ instagram. Heß just a prous husband.

(Hope the request is not to weird) :]

MasterList

Will Poulter Masterlist

There’s something strangely comforting about the blisters on my feet. Each one tells a story rehearsals that ran too long, choreography that pushed my body past its edge, the thrill of making it all look effortless under the lights. I twist my foot back and forth on the floor of our flat’s kitchen, still warming up my joints with a slow, lazy plié, even as the kettle clicks off behind me.

“You’re gonna snap your ankle one day if you keep doing relevés next to the toaster.”

I glance up. Will’s leaning against the doorframe, his blonde hair messy from sleep and his arms crossed, the way they do when he’s trying to look stern. Except he’s wearing Toy Story pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt that says “I Love My Dancer Wife,” so it’s hard to take him seriously.

“I’m warming up,” I smirk, grabbing two mugs from the cabinet. “Some of us have matinees.”

He walks over, kisses my cheek, and mutters into my skin, “And some of us are emotionally recovering from watching you drop into a knee slide on concrete yesterday. Honestly, Y/N, I heard your patella scream.”

I laugh, pouring the tea. “You’re the one who posted the video with the caption ‘How is she real?’”

“Because I’m in awe!” he says, eyes lighting up as he pulls out his phone. “Look ten thousand likes overnight. Read the comments! Everyone’s obsessed. You’re like… the Beyoncé of underground hip-hop fusion.”

“That’s not a real title.”

“Well, it should be.”

Being married to Will is like having a personal cheerleader, life coach, and chaos goblin all in one. He’s the softest human I’ve ever met kind-hearted, fiercely intelligent, and way too good at crying during Pixar films. And yet, he hypes me up like I’m a Premier League footballer.

The first time he saw me dance, I was in a warehouse with cracked mirrors and bad acoustics, spinning on dusty floors with seven other girls. He stood at the back of the room in a hoodie, arms folded, trying to look inconspicuous. But when the music stopped, he clapped so hard the speakers nearly fell off the shelf.

And ever since? He’s been at every show. Posted every flyer. Left dramatic fire emojis under all my rehearsal videos. The man has “Wife’s #1 Fan” in his Instagram bio, for God’s sake.

That afternoon, I’m backstage at the Old Truman Brewery, stretching in a corner while a flurry of dancers and stylists zoom past. It’s a collaborative performance with several troupes, and I’ve got three routines one freestyle, one duet, and a closing number that ends with me doing a gravity-defying jump off a set of metal stairs. I’ve rehearsed it so many times, I dream in eight-counts.

I’m retying my laces when my phone buzzes. It’s Will.

Will: Front row. Don’t fall on me or I’m suing.

Me: Only if you catch me dramatically and we go viral. Deal?

Will: Always.

I roll my eyes, cheeks already warm.

Minutes before curtain, I peek through the side curtain. There he is. Front row, just like he promised. Beaming. A beanie pulled over his ears and a ridiculous oversized hoodie that says “Dancers Do It Better.” He sees me and mouths, “You’ve got this.” Then adds a flexing-arm motion, followed by a thumbs up.

It’s stupid. And sweet. And exactly what I need.

The performance is a blur of sweat, music, and adrenaline. My body moves without thought, hitting every beat, every pause, every controlled slide like it’s coded into my bones. The duet section ends with me balanced precariously on my partner’s shoulders before flipping off into a landing that makes the crowd gasp.

But it’s the finale that really gets them.

The lights dim, the drums kick in, and I launch myself into a flying leap off the stairs like I’m escaping gravity itself.

I land hard. Clean. Impact sharp, powerful, flawless.

There’s a second of silence and then, the crowd erupts.

I don’t need to see Will to know he’s on his feet.

Later that night, I’m peeling off my tights in our bedroom, toeing off shoes that feel like medieval torture devices. Will’s sitting cross-legged on the bed, phone in hand, grinning at a TikTok someone posted already.

“You’re on the explore page again. Babe, look.”

He turns it towards me. It’s a slow-mo of the leap, with the caption: “WHO IS THIS QUEEN???”

“‘Queen,’ huh?” I smirk, climbing into bed beside him. “Not bad.”

“You could rule a small country,” he says, pulling me close.

“I’d make dance training compulsory.”

He laughs, pressing his nose to mine. “And I’d be the minister of snacks and cheering loudly.”

“I’d vote for you.”

He kisses my forehead and scrolls down to another post. “This one’s just a bunch of fire emojis and a crying face. You’ve got fans.”

“I’ve got a husband who reposts my content more than I do.”

“Because you’re phenomenal.”

I pause, hand resting over his heart. “You’re kind.”

He shrugs. “Nah. I’m honest. And honestly? You’re a badass.”

He says it like it’s gospel. Like it’s not even up for debate.

The next morning, I wake to the smell of burnt toast and the sound of Will arguing with our toaster.

“You had one job!”

I groan, dragging myself out of bed. My thighs ache. My shoulders feel like they’ve been pummelled. But my heart is light.

Will looks up from the countertop, sheepish. “I was trying to surprise you.”

“You did. I’m surprised I didn’t wake up to a fire alarm.”

He hands me a plate with what might be the saddest eggs on toast I’ve ever seen. The eggs are overcooked. The toast is charcoal.

But it’s made with love.

I sit at the table, pick at the corner, and smile at him. “You know… you don’t have to come to every show.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Of course I do. I’m married to you. It’s in the vows.”

“I don’t remember the bit that says, ‘I promise to watch my wife dislocate her hip to bass music three times a week.’”

“Must’ve been in the fine print.”

He sits beside me, hand on my knee, serious now.

“Listen. You make people feel things when you dance. You move in ways that defy logic and gravity and everything I thought I knew about the human body. And you do it with joy. You light up the room.”

I blink. “That was… poetic.”

He grins. “Thank you. I wrote it down during intermission. Gonna use it as a TikTok comment later.”

I throw a napkin at him. He catches it, triumphant.

It’s easy to feel small in a world that only sees you as a body in motion. People forget the hours of work. The injuries. The days you look in the mirror and wonder if you’re enough.

But Will never lets me forget.

He sees the bruises and the beauty. The failures and the fight.

He sees me.

And when he posts that I’m the strongest person he knows, or that watching me perform makes his heart race, I don’t roll my eyes like I used to. I let it in.

Because I know it’s not performative.

It’s love.

That evening, we’re curled up on the sofa, me in his hoodie, him under my legs, scrolling through the comments on my latest post.

“Look at this one: ‘Marry me please!’” he reads dramatically. “Should I be worried?”

“Very,” I tease. “Someone wants to whisk me away.”

He pouts. “They’d have to fight me first.”

“You’d win.”

“Damn right I would.”

He kisses my shin, then says softly, “I’m proud of you, you know.”

I nod. “I know.”

“And not just because you’re talented. But because you never give up. Even when it’s hard. Even when it hurts.”

I rest my head on his shoulder. “You’re the reason I don’t.”

He squeezes my hand.

“I love you, Y/N.”

I smile. “I love you too, hype-man.”

He grins. “Forever and always?”

“Forever and always.”

[lost-spoons]

I use mobility aids such as forearme crutches and braces on my ankles and knees. The ankle ones hold up well (they're a wrapping type with a single point of velcro at the end of the wrap) and I've only had to replace them 1 time so far, but my knee braces have been replaced 3 or 4 times already, due to over working the velcro.

The type I currently use is a Moxita knee braces with side stabilizers. It does what I need it to do but needs to be replaced often. The reason for the velcro stripping that happens to them is because I have to take them off when I'm sitting or have my knees bent for a long period of time, and anytime I want to stand I need to put them back on.

I use the braces for patella instability. My crutches help to lessen the amount of weight I put on them, but without the brace stability, I can't stand without my knees buckling and the knee cap sliding out of place.

I refuse to get surgery for this as the issue will reappear over and over due to the genetic condition.

So, does anyone have any recommendations on knee braces?

[curiouscornfieldcryptid]

the amount of girls I’ve seen wandering about in the slush and snow and ice in SHORTS and SLIDES is criminal. girl!! where are your PANTS? girl where are your shoes??? girl there are icicles hanging off your patellas!! this is teenage boy behavior!!

[nebulousboundsfloof]

So I follow a few spoonie bloggers and I don't know which one but one of them made a post a while back about using lacrosse balls as PT massagers and I finally had the extra cash to pick some up and OH MY GOD they are the best, I've used foam rollers and tennis balls, and raquette balls, and lacrosse balls are the best option I've ever found (also those things are solid rubber and I now understand why lacrosse has so many injuries, I'm surprised people don't die honestly)

The density is perfect they don't squish when I put weight on them, and the diameter is perfect for getting into those nooks behind the shoulder blades (I have slippery joint shit and am prone to a knot behind them) which are basically impossible to get without either another person or some sort of implement (before this the only tool I've ever found that worked was a percussion gun) they are cheap, I got a three pack for $11 and aside from using them individually, I put them in a lone sock and they were better than a foam roller, or a towel, or a rolled up yoga mat for opening that evil stingray shaped muscle in the middle of my back, I couldn't recommend them any more wholeheartedly if I tried oh my god.

(I'm also going to tentatively going to mention patella stabilizer bands because I don't remember where I heard about them, and they aren't the usual recommendation for knee issues, particularly my slippery patella/joint issues, I've only had them a few hours but they're comfortable and seem to be reducing sliding I'll wear them to work next week to get a better feel for them)

[zealctry]

@goddessrisen said: ❛ you’ll beg for more. ❜

he laughs ( although the notes carry more amusement than they do malice ; a matter of proportionality that makes all the difference ), his gaze slithering in a slow, breezy sweep as it ascends to meet hers, hooked by that one statement. hands pause in their self-appointed task ( briefly, still holding the delicate barrette he had just finished strapping back into place ), and Hidan lingers there, eyes cast upwards, fingertips sneaking in a slow brush along her ankle. on his knees before her, her elegant ( and doubtlessly expensive ) heel pressing upon his patella, she could almost be mistaken for a madonna ( demanding of adoration ) —the, the sinner before her ( bent in supplication ). she isn't. Hidan doesn't bother to treat her like one, either.

( she doesn’t press the sole of her shoe to his chest — a pity. she easily could have, given his prostrate position, and he wouldn’t have necessarily begrudged her. )

still. an eyebrow raises, a mocking, unspoken question. oh, will I?

his palm slides, deliberate, upwards, over the smooth, white expanse of her calf, to the back of her knee. pauses there. were he to yank, a brisk pull, she’d tumble all too easily into his arms. see, he’s a fucking gentleman, for he refrains. ( but the threat of it lingers. )

         “ nah. I don’t do the whole begging stick. �� he doesn't even bother to ask how will you make me ; instead, an unceremonious slap to her skin. “ up, princess. you're all fixed now, good as new. ”

[axgmented]

“Remember what you said before? I’m always with you too. I’ll come back to you, I promise!”

@spec-b

she wants to bark at him, to snarl in his face and scream at him to never make a promise he can't keep. She knows he wont be back; he has a family now. He has Tifa, the stone in his storms, and Marlene the princess that has him wrapped around her finger with those beautiful eyes of hers…and then Denzel, who stares at Cloud like put the stars in the sky: how Cloud looked at the general. He's out-- he's been out, turning his back on the whole operation and focusing on himself. Which he should, honestly. He deserves it.

Rem feels a burning sensation, coupled with a rapidly cooling, tacky feeling dripping down her elbow. Her eyes screw shut, a scream bit off by clenching her ivories together. Just because she was augmented, didn't mean it didn't hurt when bullets ripped at her flesh and stuck themselves in hardened muscles. Her palm is slick, pinky finger is nearly soaked from the wound. her tie comes out from under her collar, wrapping quickly around her bicep and teeth cinching it tight to staunch the bleeding. The turk wastes no time, stalking across the walkway to block the attempts on Cloud's life. She hears the distant blades of the chopper and knows Reno has it from above; her tongue pokes out and slides across her teeth like a hungry dog before aiming Nyx towards the beast that flanked the three puppets.

" i'm always with you, too."

his voice echoes in her head, drowning out the clap of her Ruger as she puts bullet after bullet into the disgusting creatures-- shadow creepers if she remembers the name correctly. The beast is large, but the bigger they were the harder they fell. With each bullet that leaves, she hears his voice-- that promise as if he were right behind her and whispering it in her ears. He won't come back; her eyes sting before another scream is bitten off with snapping ivories. Rem's forced to her knee as a bullet lodges just above the patella. Sweat darkens her roots, the dust mingling and creating smudges of soot on those high cheekbones, her eyes nearly pulsating with rage and the colour of crimson slowly bleeds into that beautiful blue that haunts both of their nightmares.

Rem knows he's on Fenrir, those tires eating the road like a starved beast. He's heading towards safety; he's running away. Her leg aches, fingers trembling as those glowing blues flicker down to her wound-- her lungs suck in a sharp breath and with her thumb and pointer finger, she digs the bullet out. Her teeth are pink, cheek bleeding profusely on the inside from how hard she's bit the muscles there. Nyx gives another clap as two bullets aim at Yazoo; he needs to be taken out first.

" i'll come back to you, i promise."

Rem stumbles faintly, jaw aching and chest feeling as if a shadow creeper were sitting directly on it. His eyes were so full of determination-- so full of promise. She knows better than to let herself believe him. She inhales shakily, a sob getting caught in her throat. She could handle her brothers; Cloud couldn't. He had… other priorities. It's just how it went. Her gun finds itself home in a holster, her uninjured arm pulling a cigarette from her blazer pocket before her lips part and teeth bite at the filter. She flicks the wheel against her thumb and lights the end before the zippo lands in a puddle of gasoline, the line of fire rushing towards a tipped-over truck. her lungs burn as she inhales, smoke obscuring her vision. The puppets don't seem to like the fire, hesitating almost. It gave her a short break-- just long enough to slowly lose herself in that madness: pupils narrowing into those of a feline.

"…no you wont."

[transitranger327]

That’s the thing, I don’t understand being weird about bones. Like, most bones are easy to feel. You can slide your patella around because it’s just strapped on with ligament. You can measure your femur and find it’s the longest bone in your body. You can count up how many bones are in your hands & feet and realize that’s more than half the bones in your body.

[meowsalotmeows]

Immortal Me

One step

And then another 

The patella sliding, the knee cap communicating 

The tendon crescendoing across the surface, still foreign to my body 

Blood curdling and clotting, pain blooming like lily pads across a lake, frogs leaping to twitch my nerves. 

 The sweet viola that utters the cries of my body, the brain sending chord strums of heady heat and cells to fix the job.

An unknown being in my body, a tendon that moves in the wake of its original owner, caressing the patella, attempting to become one with my body. 

Unknown

Foreign 

The concept that someone is inside of me without knowing, that they once lived a life and now reside in me in the wake of their death. 

Immortalized forever in the tendon of my knee, awake and embedded under my skin, curdling and clawing within my flesh.

With every step

[health-gates]

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

Location: Inside the knee joint, connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone).

Function: Prevents the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur; stabilizes the knee during rotation.

Common in: Soccer, football, basketball, skiing.

Mechanism of Injury: Sudden stops, changes in direction, awkward landings from jumps, or direct collisions.

Symptoms:

A popping sound at the time of injury.

Rapid swelling.

Instability or “giving out” of the knee.

Treatment:

Mild sprains: Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), physical therapy.

Full tears: Often require surgery and months of rehabilitation.

2. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)

Location: Runs along the inner side of the knee.

Function: Provides stability to the inner knee.

Common in: Football, hockey, skiing.

Mechanism of Injury: A blow to the outer knee that stresses the inner ligament.

Symptoms:

Pain on the inside of the knee.

Swelling and tenderness.

Feeling like the knee may “give way” under pressure.

Treatment:

Usually heals without surgery.

Bracing and physical therapy often sufficient.

3. Meniscus (Medial and Lateral)

Location: Two C-shaped pieces of cartilage between the femur and tibia.

Function: Cushions and stabilizes the knee joint.

Common in: Any sport with pivoting or twisting.

Mechanism of Injury:

Twisting the knee while bearing weight.

Degenerative tears in older athletes.

Symptoms:

Popping sensation.

Pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Catching or locking of the knee.

Treatment:

Rest and physical therapy for minor tears.

Arthroscopic surgery for severe or persistent symptoms.

4. Patellar Tendon (Patellar Tendinitis / Jumper’s Knee)

Location: Connects the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone.

Function: Helps extend the knee.

Common in: Basketball, volleyball, long jumping — sports involving frequent jumping.

Mechanism of Injury: Repeated stress causes micro-tears and inflammation.

Symptoms:

Pain just below the kneecap.

Swelling and tenderness.

Pain increases with jumping or running.

Treatment:

Rest and modification of activity.

Eccentric strengthening exercises.

In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

5. Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)

Location: Outer side of the knee.

Function: Stabilizes the outer knee.

Common in: Contact sports (though less often than MCL).

Mechanism of Injury: Blow to the inside of the knee or twisting motions.

Symptoms:

Pain and swelling on the outer knee.

Instability during lateral movement.

Treatment:

Often heals with conservative treatment like bracing and physical therapy.

[nursingwriter]

Literature Review on PT for Knee Injuries Introduction Knee injuries are extremely common, especially among athletes who participate in high-impact sports. The knee is a complex joint that is responsible for bearing a significant amount of weight and stress, which makes it susceptible to injury. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for knee injuries that can help to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and improve function. A physical therapist will design a personalized treatment plan based on the specific needs of the patient (Chirichella et al., 2019). Treatment may include exercises, stretches, electrical stimulation, ice or heat therapy, and massage (Culvenor et al., 2022). In addition to reducing pain and improving function, physical therapy can also help to prevent future injuries by strengthening the muscles around the knee. For these reasons, physical therapy is an important treatment option for patients with knee injuries. Anatomy and Physiology of Knee Joint The knee joint is a complex structure consisting of the femur, tibia, and patella, which are held together by a number of ligaments. The meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage that sits between the femur and tibia and acts as a shock absorber for the joint. The knee joint is essentially a hinge joint that allows the leg to bend and straighten. The knee joint is formed by the lower end of the femur (thighbone), which articulates with the upper end of the tibia (shinbone). The patella (kneecap) sits in front of the knee joint and protects it from impact. The knee joint is stabilized by a number of ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) provide stability to the knee joint by preventing it from moving too far in either direction. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are located within the knee joint and prevent the femur from sliding backward or forward on the tibia. The quadriceps muscle group straightens the leg at the knee, while the hamstrings muscle group bends the leg at the knee. Together, these muscles allow for a wide range of motion at the knee joint. The anatomy and physiology of the knee joint are closely interrelated. For example, the MCL is present to prevent dislocation of the knee joint; however, if the MCL is torn, it can cause instability in the knee joint. Similarly, the ACL prevents excessive forward movement of the femur on the tibia; however, a torn ACL can lead to instability and pain in the knee joint. Understanding how these different structures work together is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the knee joint. Pathology of Meniscus Injuries Meniscus injuries are relatively common, especially in athletes who participate in sports that involve contact or collision. The most common type of meniscus injury is a tear, which can occur when the joint is suddenly rotated or flexed beyond its normal range of motion, when the joint is twisted or when there is sudden impact to the knee, such as from a fall. Meniscus tears can range from small tears that cause minimal pain to large tears that may require surgery (Chirichella et al., 2019). Epidemiology of Meniscus Injuries The most common complication of a meniscus tear is chronic knee pain. If not treated properly, a meniscus tear can lead to degenerative changes in the knee joint, such as osteoarthritis. Treatment for meniscus injuries typically focuses on relieving pain and inflammation and restoring range of motion to the joint. Physical therapy can be an important part of this treatment, as it can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the joint, as well as improve range of motion. Additionally, physical therapists can provide instruction on proper joint alignment and weight-bearing, which can help to prevent future injury (Culvenor et al., 2022). This literature review will discuss knee injury types, risk factors, causes, management, and rehabilitation. Meniscus/Knee Injuries The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions the knee. There are two menisci in each knee, one at the inner edge and one at the outer edge. These menisci act as shock absorbers and help to distribute weight evenly across the knee joint. Tears of the meniscus are a common knee injury, particularly among athletes. Types/Symptoms There are two types of meniscus tears: acute tears and degenerative tears. Acute tears occur when the meniscus is forcefully compressed, such as when landing after a jump. Degenerative tears occur gradually over time due to wear and tear. Acute tears are usually the result of a sudden twisting injury, while degenerative tears occur slowly over time as the cartilage weakens and wears down. Both types of tears can be painful and may cause the knee to swell. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the meniscus. However, many people with meniscus tears are able to find relief with nonsurgical treatments such as ice, rest, elevation, and physical therapy (Chirichella et al., 2019). Symptoms of a meniscus tear include pain, swelling, and stiffness. The pain is typically worse when twisting or rotating the knee. The feeling of pain is often worse when the knee is bent, and it may be difficult to fully extend the leg. In some cases, a clicking or popping sound may be audible when the injury occurs (Mahmoud et al., 2022). Diagnosis A physician can diagnose a meniscus tear with a physical examination and imaging tests such as an MRI. An MRI is often used to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the extent of the injury. Treatment for a meniscus tear may include rest, ice, and physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the tear (Harput et al., 2020). Risk Factors Meniscal tears are more common in people over the age of 40 and in those with osteoarthritis of the knee. Other risk factors include prior knee injuries, genetic factors, and participation in high-impact sports. The majority of meniscus tears are thought to be the result of degenerative changes, rather than acute trauma. Risk factors ultimately depend upon the sociodemographic characteristics of the patient as well as psychological factors (Masten et al., 2014; Metz et al., 2021). Law et al. (2021) found that age, rehabilitation and surgery characteristics are re-injury risk factors for adolescents following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Impact on Quality of Life Knee injuries can have a significant impact on patients quality of life, due to the pain and loss of function that they can cause. In addition to the physical effects, knee injuries can also lead to emotional distress and financial burdens. Patients may struggle to return to activities that they enjoyed prior to their injury, and they may also suffer from depression and anxiety (Masten et al., 2014; Truong et al., 2020). Economic Burden The financial costs of knee injuries can be significant, as patients may need to pay for doctors visits, medication, and physical therapy. For some patients, knee injuries may even lead to lost wages if they are unable to work. In addition, knee injuries can become a major economic burden, with the cost of treatment and rehabilitation often running into thousands of pounds. Management With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many knee injuries can be successfully managed, allowing patients to return to an active and enjoyable lifestyle. There are three primary options for managing a meniscus tear: conservative management, surgical management, and other options. Conservative Management Conservative management includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The aim of RICE is to reduce swelling and pain in the affected area. Resting the joint helps to prevent further damage, while icing contributes to reducing inflammation. Compression helps to support the joint and prevent excessive swelling, while elevation helps to reduce pain and swellig by promoting drainage. While RICE is not a cure for knee injuries, it can help to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of further damage (Harput et al., 2020). Conservative management may also involve the use of over-the-counter pain medications or physical therapy. For some people, conservative management is enough to relieve symptoms and allow them to return to their usual activities. However, others may find that their symptoms persist or that their range of motion is limited. In these cases, surgical management may be recommended (Culvenor et al., 2022). Surgical Management Surgical management of a meniscus tear typically involves arthroscopic surgery. During this procedure, a small camera is inserted into the joint through a small incision. The surgeon then uses special instruments to trim or repair the damaged tissue. In most cases, surgery is successful in relieving symptoms and restoring range of motion. However, there is always a risk of complications, such as infection or bleeding. Surgery is often the recommended treatment for a meniscus tear, especially if the tear is large or the knee joint is unstable (Harput et al., 2020). The goal of surgery is to repair or remove the damaged meniscus and to stabilize the knee joint. There are several different types of surgical procedures that can be used, and the specific procedure will depend on the size and location of the tear, as well as the overall condition of the knee (Mowbray & Ireland, 2022). Other Options Other options for treating a meniscus tear include injections of corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). These treatments can help to reduce inflammation and pain. PRP injections are relatively new and there is not yet a lot of data on their efficacy. However, they may be an option for people who do not want to undergo surgery or who are not good candidates for surgery. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that can be injected directly into the knee joint. They work by reducing inflammation, which helps to reduce pain and swelling. PRP, on the other hand, is a concentration of platelets that is injected into the knee joint. Platelets are cells that play an important role in wound healing, and PRP has been shown to accelerate the healing process. In terms of effectiveness, there is some evidence that PRP is more effective than corticosteroids in reducing pain and improving function (Culvenor et al., 2022). Meniscus tears can be extremely painful and disruptive. However, there are many treatment options available that can help people to manage their symptoms and return to their usual activities. Rehabilitation Rehabilitation following a meniscus or knee injury is critical in order to restore full function of the joint. There are various methods of rehabilitation that can be employed, and the most effective approach depends on the individual case. Mahmoud et al. (2022) found for instance that a nursing rehabilitation program can improve knee function in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscus surgery. However, Metz et al. (2021) showed that not all programs are effective for all patients; in their study, they identified sociodemographic factors associated with decreased compliance to prescribed rehabilitation after surgical treatment of knee injuries in pediatric patients. Physical therapy is often used as it can help to improve range of motion and muscle strength. Other methods of rehabilitation include electrical stimulation, laser therapy, ultrasound, and biomechanics. Biomechanical rehabilitation is a type of physical therapy that uses principles of biomechanics, mechanical engineering, and neuroscience to help patients recover from injuries. Biomechanical rehabilitation specifically for meniscus tear/knee injury patients often includes exercises that improve the patient's motor control and proprioception (Theisen et al., 2022). Proprioception is the ability to sense the position and movement of one's body in space. Improving proprioception after a knee injury is important because it can help the patient avoid further injury by providing feedback about their movement and position. Biomechanical rehabilitation can also help to improve the strength, flexibility, and range of motion of the injured joint. In addition, patients may also receive education about how to protect their injured joint and prevent future injuries. The rehabilitation process should be tailored to the individual needs of the patient in order to maximize recovery (Walker et al., 2021). Different approaches may be more or less effective depending on the type and severity of the injury, so it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action, as there are a variety of factors that need to be considered when tailoring the rehabilitation process, including the type of injury or illness, the severity of the condition, and the patient's prior level of functioning. By taking all of these factors into account, healthcare professionals can develop a rehabilitation plan that is specifically designed to meet the needs of the individual patient. This tailored approach is essential for maximizing recovery and helping patients to regain their prior level of functioning. Conclusion With proper rehabilitation, patients can expect to regain full function of their knee and resume normal activity levels. Barring a severe tear, the literature recommends that patients first step in rehabilitation be to rest the knee and allow the initial swelling to go down. Once the swelling has subsided, patients should begin physical therapy, which will focus on regaining range of motion and strengthening the muscles around the knee. Depending on the extent of the injury, patients may also need to use crutches or a knee brace during this process. With time and dedication, most patients will make a complete recovery and be able to return to their previous level of activity. References Chirichella, P. S., Jow, S., Iacono, S., Wey, H. E., & Malanga, G. A. (2019). Treatment of knee meniscus pathology: Rehabilitation, surgery, and orthobiologics. PM and R, 11(3), 292308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.08.384 Culvenor, A. G., Girdwood, M. A., Juhl, C. B., Patterson, B. E., Haberfield, M. J., Holm, P. M., Bricca, A., Whittaker, J. L., Roos, E. M., & Crossley, K. M. (2022). Rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries: a best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews for the OPTIKNEE consensus. In British Journal of Sports Medicine. BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-105495 Harput, G., Guney-Deniz, H., Nyland, J., & Kocabey, Y. (2020). Postoperative rehabilitation and outcomes following arthroscopic isolated meniscus repairs: A systematic review. In Physical Therapy in Sport (Vol. 45, pp. 7685). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.06.011 Law, M. A., Ko, Y. A., Miller, A. L., Lauterbach, K. N., Hendley, C. L., Johnson, J. E., & Tsai, L. C. (2021). Age, rehabilitation and surgery characteristics are re-injury risk factors for adolescents following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Physical Therapy in Sport, 49, 196203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.03.003 Mahmoud, H., Fathy Ahmed Dawood, R., Ahmed Mohamed Eldesoky, H., Author, C., & Ahmed Eldesoky Author, H. (2022). Effect of Nursing Rehabilitation Program on Knee Functional Outcomes for Patients undergoing Arthroscopic Meniscus Surgery. In Original Article Egyptian Journal of Health Care (Vol. 13, Issue 2). Masten, R., Tuak, M., Straar, K., Zupanc, O., Drobni?, M., Marinek, M., & Kandare, M. (2014). Psychological factors of rehabilitation of athletes after knee injury. Zdravstveno Varstvo, 53(3), 226236. https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2014-0023 Metz, A. K., Bs, , Hart-Johnson, T., Blackwood, R. A., Crawford, E. A., & Md, . (2021). Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Decreased Compliance to Prescribed Rehabilitation After Surgical Treatment of Knee Injuries in ediatric Patients. The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(11). https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671211052021 Mowbray, M. A. S., & Ireland, J. (2022). Personal and narrative review of the current management of the injured anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in the UK with reference to surgical treatment versus rehabilitation. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8(3), e001410. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001410 Theisen, B. J., Larson, P. D., & Chambers, C. C. (2022). Optimizing Rehabilitation and Return to Sport in Athletes with Anterior Knee Pain Using a Biomechanical Perspective. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation, 4(1), e199e207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asmr.2021.10.028 Truong, L. K., Mosewich, A. D., Holt, C. J., Le, C. Y., Miciak, M., & Whittaker, J. L. (2020). Psychological, social and contextual factors across recovery stages following a sport-related knee injury: A scoping review. In British Journal of Sports Medicine (Vol. 54, Issue 19, pp. 11491156). BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101206 Walker, A., Hing, W., Lorimer, A., & Rathbone, E. (2021). Rehabilitation characteristics and patient barriers to and facilitators of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation: A cross-sectional survey. Physical Therapy in Sport, 48, 169176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.01.001 Read the full article

[dog-braces]

Dog Knee Pain Can Stem from a Variety of Issues: Understanding the Causes and Finding Solutions

Imagine your dog, your loyal companion, running around the yard, playing fetch, and then suddenly, they stop. They’re limping. You try to comfort them, but the limp doesn’t go away. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? Knee pain in dogs is more common than most people think, and it can come from a variety of causes that many dog owners might not be aware of. Whether it’s due to injury, aging, or even genetics, understanding dog knee pain and how to address it is crucial in maintaining your dog’s quality of life.

The Most Common Causes of Dog Knee Pain

There are several reasons why your dog could be experiencing knee pain, but some causes are more prevalent than others. Let’s dive into these and discuss how each can impact your dog.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Injury One of the leading causes of dog knee pain is an injury to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is similar to the ACL in humans. Studies show that around 20% of dogs will develop a CCL injury in their lifetime. This can occur due to an abrupt twist or excessive strain on the knee, often seen in active dogs. Larger breeds, like Labrador Retrievers, are especially susceptible to these injuries. CCL injuries can lead to lameness, swelling, and joint instability.

Arthritis Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, is another common culprit behind knee pain in dogs. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), about 20% of dogs suffer from arthritis. This condition is often a result of aging or previous injuries, and it causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Unfortunately, arthritis can be progressive, worsening over time and causing chronic pain for your furry friend.

Luxating Patella Luxating patella, or a dislocated kneecap, is a condition commonly found in smaller dog breeds. When the patella slides out of its normal position, it can cause pain, limping, and even lameness. This condition is often congenital but can worsen with age or due to injuries. It's particularly common in breeds like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Hip Dysplasia While primarily a hip joint issue, hip dysplasia can sometimes contribute to dog knee pain. When the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, it can lead to an abnormal gait, which places additional stress on the knees and causes pain in the knee joints. This is common in larger breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Saint Bernards.

Signs Your Dog May Have Dog Knee Pain

It can be tough to know if your dog is suffering from knee pain, especially if they aren’t vocal about it. However, some signs to look out for include:

Limping or favoring one leg

Difficulty getting up after lying down

Reduced activity or reluctance to play

Swelling or heat around the knee

Decreased mobility, such as difficulty climbing stairs or jumping into a car

The Role of a Dog Knee Brace in Pain Management

If your dog is dealing with dog knee pain, one option that might help alleviate their discomfort is a dog knee brace. These braces can help stabilize the knee, reduce inflammation, and allow your dog to move more freely while they recover. Custom dog braces can be especially beneficial, as they provide a snug fit, ensuring maximum support for the affected knee.

A dog leg brace can also aid in relieving the pressure on the knee joint and give your dog the stability they need to prevent further damage. For dogs with mild arthritis or a slight ligament injury, a brace can be the difference between a normal, active life and one filled with constant discomfort.

Conclusion: Help Your Dog Recover with the Right Support

Knee pain in dogs is often inevitable, especially in older dogs or active breeds. However, by understanding the causes and recognizing the signs early on, you can ensure your dog gets the help they need to stay comfortable. Whether it’s through rest, medication, or a dog knee brace, there are solutions available to improve your dog’s mobility and quality of life. Don’t let knee pain hold your dog back—take action and get them back to doing what they love.

[mygymdiet]

Knee Pain When Bending: Is It a Sign of a Serious Injury?

Knee pain while bending is one of those things with which most people can identify at some point in time in their lives. The pain can range from mild discomfort to excruciating pain that disrupts functions of daily living. Sometimes this condition can indicate some sort of underlying injury or medical condition, thus making it really important to assess the cause. Here, we shall look into the anatomy of the knee, causes of the knee pain when bending, when the pain indicates something more serious, an in-depth mode of diagnosis, treatment options and tips for prevention.

1. Understanding the Anatomy of the Knee

The knee joint is the largest joint in the body and assumes countless tasks during movement, such as walking, running and squatting. Pain while bending the knee is better understood with an insight into the structure and function of the knee joint:

Bone Structure of the Knee

Femur: The thigh bone, which is the longest and strongest bone in the body; the lower end of the femur constitutes the top part of the knee joint.

Tibia: Also known as the shin bone, this bone supports most of the body's weight in motion.

Patella: The small kneecap bone at the front of the knee protects the joint and allows movement and function of the quadriceps muscle. 

Cartilage

Articular Cartilage: This smooth tissue covers the ends of the femur, tibia and the back of the patella; it reduces friction and allows smooth movement in the joint.

Menisci: The menisci are C-shaped pieces of cartilage that sit between the femur and tibia. They act like shock absorbers, protect the bone and assist in movement and stability.

Ligaments

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): One of the best-known ligaments, keeping the knee stable by preventing the forward sliding of the tibia.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): It operates with the ACL at knee stability to prevent backward shifting of the tibia.

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): These provide medial and lateral stability to the knee and limit side-to-side motion.

Tendons and Muscles

Quadriceps Tendon: Connects the quadriceps muscle (the large muscle at the front of the thigh) to the patella.

Patellar Tendon: Connects the patella to the tibia and is important for extending the leg.

Hamstrings: The muscles toward the back of the thigh allow for bending of the knee and stabilizing the joint in motion.

Bursae

These are tiny sacs of fluid that allow smooth movement between bones, tendons and muscles. They are present in and around the joint, thereby reducing wear and tear.

All these structures are of utmost importance for the normal functioning of the knee and any injury to them can result in pain, especially at the time of performing activities like bending.

[tailwindpets]

Spotting the Signs of Knee Pain in Your Dog: A Guide for Pet Parents

Imagine this: you're out on your usual walk with your dog, enjoying the fresh air when you notice something off. Your dog, who usually sprints ahead with energy, seems to be limping behind, favoring one leg. At first, you brush it off, thinking it’s just a temporary stumble. But as the days go by, the limping continues, and you start to wonder, could your dog be experiencing knee pain?

As pet parents, we’re not always quick to recognize the signs of knee pain in our dogs. Unlike humans, dogs can’t just tell us when something hurts, and knee pain can be tricky to diagnose. Knee issues in dogs, especially those related to the patella (kneecap), can sneak up slowly, often becoming more noticeable over time. But spotting the signs early can make all the difference in preventing further damage and easing your dog’s discomfort. Here's what you need to look out for.

1. Limping or Favoring One Leg

The most obvious sign of knee pain in dogs is limping. If your dog suddenly starts to favor one leg, you may notice them limping or avoiding putting weight on it. While limping can happen for many reasons, consistent limping after physical activity or during walks is a major red flag for knee pain. It's crucial to observe whether the limp is isolated to a single leg, as this could indicate a problem with the knee joint.

2. Difficulty Rising or Sitting Down

If your dog struggles to get up from a resting position or has difficulty sitting down comfortably, it could be a sign of knee pain. This is particularly common in dogs with patellar luxation (dislocated kneecap), a condition where the kneecap slides out of its normal position, causing pain and stiffness. When your dog has knee pain, bending their leg can be painful, which may make them hesitant to sit or rise without assistance.

3. Changes in Mobility or Activity Level

A sudden decrease in your dog’s activity level can be one of the most telling signs of knee pain. Dogs experiencing knee discomfort might become more lethargic, avoiding running, jumping, or playing as they normally would. This is especially noticeable in younger, active dogs who usually love to run around but now prefer to stay on the couch. If your dog is suddenly avoiding their favorite activities, it could be due to knee pain.

4. Swelling or Heat Around the Joint

Swelling around the knee joint, along with increased warmth, is often an indication of inflammation. This can occur if there is an injury, arthritis, or an underlying knee condition. Swelling can make the knee joint feel tender to the touch, and your dog may react by pulling away or showing signs of discomfort when you try to touch or manipulate their leg.

5. Behavioral Changes and Irritability

Knee pain can also affect your dog’s behavior. If you notice that your dog is becoming irritable or more sensitive to touch, it could be because they’re in pain. Dogs, especially older ones, might become cranky if they’re dealing with persistent discomfort. They may also become more withdrawn or defensive when their knee is touched, signaling that something is wrong.

What Can You Do About It?

If you suspect your dog is experiencing knee pain, the first step is to consult your vet. They may recommend X-rays or physical exams to identify the cause. In some cases, a Dog Knee Brace or a Dog Leg Brace can provide support and help reduce pain by stabilizing the joint. For conditions like patellar luxation or arthritis, early intervention can make a significant difference in your dog’s quality of life.

Knee pain doesn’t just go away on its own, and ignoring the signs can lead to long-term joint damage. But with the right treatment, including rest, braces, and medication, your dog can regain their mobility and joy. Be vigilant, trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to seek help if something feels off.

Sources:

American Kennel Club (AKC): https://www.akc.org

PetMD: https://www.petmd.com

The Dogington Post: https://www.dogingtonpost.com

[countessofravenclaw]

To grow up…Love…let go: act four

Growing up is hard when you're trying to find your own path. You live, you learn, you fall in love, and when you find the one, your heart will never break... ...or at least thats what Laura Perida thinks right before she's about to start high school. She's ready to find her own fairytale romance, just like her parents, but maybe she doesn't realize that life is not always that simple, especially given what we know about her parent's actual romance.

“14-year-old female, bad landing on rollerskates. Collision to the head, multiple open fractures, dislocated patella, possible torn ligaments, tendons and bursae.”

“Morphine and fentanyl administered on the field, splint…” The paramedic’s voice trailed off as Laura was taken into a treatment room. 

“Hey!” Aurora had been following them ever since getting out of the ambulance. She moved really quickly so they weren't able to slam a door to her face. “What are you doing with her?”

“Someone handle her.” A person who looked like a doctor stared at her for a moment. “Get ID and get the information of the parents!”

“Hey! Let go of me!” Aurora had been grabbed by a nurse and dragged out of the treatment room.

“Listen,” The nurse let go of her, “this is probably really scary right now. Your friend is in good hands.” 

“I am not scared,” Aurora scoffed. “and she’s my sister.”

“Okay,” The nurse nodded and made some notes on a tablet, “how old are you?”

“16.” Aurora crossed her arms. 

“Well then, how about this?” The nurse nodded again, “We are gonna look after her. If you could do us a favor. Could you call your parents?”

Aurora went pale. Mom and Dad… “Yeah, I—I can do that…”

***

“Emilio, can you go check the backroom for another adapter?” Gastón said to his TA as he walked into the lecture hall.

“Yeah, of course,” Emilio Coroa had been looking something through on a tablet, “By the way, are we adjusting the lesson plan, since we’re ahead?”  

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Gastón shook his head, “We can go just ahead. If we finish the material early, we can revise. Freshmen always have questions anyway.”

“Yep.” Emilio nodded, “I’ll check on that adapter.”

Gastón opened his computer after Emilio had gone and quickly looked through the lecture material. He honestly didn’t need to do that, he knew the material by heart—Yes, he did use the same slides for every year, especially for the freshmen classes. He wasn’t crazy and didn’t love his job that much. 

He placed his phone on the table, or he would have done that if it hadn’t started buzzing at that moment. 

He looked at the screen and furrowed his brow for a moment. Aurora was calling him. 

None of his kids called almost anybody, they were teenagers. It was facetime for log chit chats with friends or texting when there was actually something to talk about. 

Obviously, the kids were always allowed to call him, but unless it was urgent, texting would have been much more convenient since he was at work. 

But he had come early, and the lecture didn't start for another 30 minutes if you accounted for the academic quarter. 

“Hey.” Gastón raised his phone to his ear. 

“Dad?” The voice of his older daughter came from the other side of the line. Gastón knew at once why whatever she was about to tell him had not been conveyed by text. Aurora sounded like she was holding back tears. 

“Aurora? What’s going on?” He pulled his hands free from his bag and put it on—Mom and Dad had been right about how useful those things were—so he could hear properly. 

“It’s a really long story…” Aurora’s voice started breaking. 

“Honey, take a deep breath. Start from the beginning.” Gastón started getting really worried. Aurora did not get in trouble, none of their children did, even if she had a quick wit and never hesitated to let her feistiness show. 

“Okay. Laura dragged me onto the rink today and…” Gastón placed his hand on the desk for support as Aurora kept talking. “...I don’t know what’s happening to her, but they told me to call you.”

“Okay,” He nodded and looked around the classroom for a moment. At that moment, he also noticed that Emilio had walked back in and was now looking at him. Gastón made a hand gesture to show that he was on the phone. “Are you at Swiss? Is Laura so you can give her the phone?”

“No.” Aurora’s voice broke again, “She…she hit her head or something. I don’t know if she was like awake. I don’t know what’s going on. They’re not letting me in there. I’m all alone here.”

“Okay,” Gastón thought for a moment, “April is still on vacation, and I don’t think they would believe you if you mention the Alzamentis… It’ll take me about 20 minutes. Tell them I’m coming.”

“Okay,” Aurora sounded so resigned, “Uh, do I call Mom?”

“No,” Gastón shook his head, “I’ll do it. Just be there, and do what they tell you, okay. Can you do that?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. I’ll be there.” Gastón nodded before adding, “Firecracker, it’s gonna be okay.” He wasn’t sure if he believed that himself, but this wasn’t about him.

“Everything good Prof?” Emilio walked to the desk and placed the adapter on it. 

Gastón looked up at him from his phone. “The class is canceled.”

“What?” Emilio stared at him. 

“I need to go.” Gastón closed his laptop and started putting it in his bag, “I already put the exercise packed and the slides online. Last year’s lecture recording is also on there and we are ahead anyway. Send an email blast, so no one comes here for nothing.”

“Uh.” Emilio didn’t seem to keep up. 

“Can you do that?” Gastón stared at him. 

“Yeah, of course.” Emilio nodded, “But… Is everything okay? You never cancel, especially with almost no notice…”

“My daughter is in the hospital.” 

“You have a daughter?” Emilio stared at him. Gastón reminded himself that he was still pretty green at this, only having started this year after his former TA had graduated. Emilion was recommended to him by another professor and extremely efficient but still new. 

“Two, actually.” Gastón nodded, “It’s not a secret, but still private information. Not something relevant in class. Believe it or not, there was a time when I didn’t exist according to my parents. The tabloids in the early 2020s were extremely disappointed that the child of the city’s business power couple was in fact a well-adjusted college graduate with a fiancee. You can look that up if you want, but I need to get going. Handle the emails.” 

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”

Gastón sighed as he got onto the hallway from the lecture hall. He sincerely hoped that he wouldn’t run into anyone. He took his phone and pressed the call button, begging that Nina had her phone on her.

***

Nina stared at the wall after drawing on for what had probably been hours. What was the time even? The diagrams she had drawn up were a complete mess, now that she was looking at them…

She needed a break. It would probably make more sense after a little while. 

She walked toward the kitchen as her phone started ringing. She hadn’t even realized that she had left it on the living room table. When the inspiration hit, she really lost her ability to focus on anything else. 

It was Gastón. Nina could have sworn that he was usually giving a lecture at this time, but maybe she was wrong. 

“Hello?” She raised the phone to her ear. 

“Nina?” Gastón’s voice came from the other end and it sounded like he was walking in some sort of a hallway. “Are you home?”

“Yes.” Nina answered, “I thought you’d be teaching right now, or did I mix up the schedules? Are you coming home early? The girls are at Roller, and I don’t think Oscar is planning on staying in the whole day—”

“Yeah, I know the girls were at Roller.”

“How do you know that? Laura wanted to go there while it was closed and dragged Aurora with her so she could use those independent hours. She’s probably just reading a book at the bleachers—”

“Nina, listen to me.” Gastón cut Nina off, “Are you sitting down?”

“No,” She answered, confused.

“Please sit down.”

“Okay.” Nina sat on the couch, “What is going on?”

“The problem is that I don’t really know either,” Gastón sighed on the phone, “but listen to me carefully. I know that the girls were at Roller…”

“Were?”

“They aren’t there anymore because… Aurora called me saying that Laura had done some sort of a trick that made her land badly and she got really hurt. She had to call an ambulance.” 

“WHAT!!!?!?!?!” It was a good thing she didn’t drop the phone. “What, what happened to her?”

“I don’t really know. Aurora said that she might have hit her head…”

“You mean…a concussion?” Nina stared blankly ahead of her. 

“Maybe. Aurora didn’t know. They’re at Swiss Medical. I’m going there now, but I can swing back around to get you.” Gastón’s voice continued. 

“No no no no,” Nina protested, “You’re in the completely wrong direction. Go straight there. I’ll come from here.”

“Are you okay?” Gastón's concerned voice came from the other end. 

“Yeah, I am,” Nina nodded, “That’s not important right now. You need to go.”

“Already going. I’ll see you there. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Nina let her phone fall after the call was cut. Laura was in the hospital? How was that even possible?

She got to her feet, taking support from the back of the couch. She really tried to shut all the images out of her mind, but… 

This couldn’t be happening again…

***

“You gotta be kidding me.” Oscar walked out of his room while speaking on the phone, “Don’t worry we are going to ace it.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like we took too much on our plate, just to impress Mr. Sirata.” The voice on the other end said. 

“There is nothing to be worried about.” Oscar countered, “And like you are super smart. We can do this—” 

He had stopped at the top of the stairs where you could see the whole living room from above. What his eyes fixated on was that Mom was just standing there, almost frozen. She didn’t look good. 

“Uh, Eliza, I have to go.” He said to the phone, “Talk to you later.” He cut the call abruptly and rushed down the stairs. “Mom!” 

“Wha… What?” Nina eyes snapped up at him.

“Are you okay? What’s going on?” Oscar rushed up to her. 

“Yeah, yes.” Nina blinked. “I…”

“What’s going on?” Oscar repeated.

“Laura.” Nina got out of her mouth. It was very clear that she wasn’t okay. “She’s…”

“She’s what?” Oscar asked. Hadn’t Laura dragged Aurora to Roller, which was an achievement, but maybe Aurora did possess some sort of empathy somewhere deep within. 

“In the hospital. She hurt herself on the rink.” 

“Seriously?” Oscar furrowed his brow, “Like how?”

“I don’t know.” Nina shook her head. Her gaze was not focusing, and her breathing had gotten heavier and more rapid. “I need to go there…”

“No,” Oscar quickly got out of his mouth. He maybe wasn't in medical school, yet…and Mom was having a kind of unusually strong reaction to this, but he wasn’t stupid. “You can’t drive right now.”

“I’m okay.” 

“No, you’re not.” Oscar shook his head. “I’ll drive you.” 

“You shoul—”

“Mom, I am being serious. LET ME DRIVE.” 

“Okay.” Nina finally nodded.

***

Gastón walked into the Swiss Medical hospital’s ER, and was scanning his surroundings. 

“Dad!!” A short figure wearing a blue blouse ran toward him and hugged him straight out.

“Aurora, hey.” He held her tight for a moment. “Are you okay?” He looked over her thoroughly after releasing her. His eyes fixated on her light washed-denim jacket’s sleeve that was stained with blood. 

“Yeah, I am.” Aurora nodded, scrunching her sleeve. “That's not mine.” 

“Do you know who I should talk to?” Gastón looked around the ER again. 

“Uh,” Aurora looked confused and resigned. “No… They just told me to stay here. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry Firecracker,” Gastón brushed some hair out of her face. “This isn’t your responsibility. I’m so proud of you. You did exactly what you are supposed to in this situation. I’ll handle this.” 

He walked to the nurse’s station in the center. “Hello?”

“Hello, how can I help you?” A nurse greeted him. “How can I help you sir?”

“Where is my daughter?” Gastón asked her. “Her name is Laura, Perida.”

“Perida?” The nurse looked through files on a computer, before looking up at him, “14-year-old girl, roller skating injury… You’re her father?”

“Yes.” Gastón nodded, “Where is she?”

“Follow me.” The nurse nodded and got out from behind the desk. Gastón gestured Aurora to follow him as they started following the nurse, unwilling to leave her out of his sight.  

“Dr. Corvo,” The nurse led them into a small room, which wasn’t a treatment room. “The father of your ped-trauma.”

“Gastón Perida.” Gastón shook the doctor's hand, even if he really wanted to move past the pleasantries. “You’re treating my daughter? Where is she?”

“Laura Jakinda Perida, yes.” The Doctor nodded, “She is right now in radiology.” 

“So, I can see her?”

“Not at the moment.” 

“You can at least tell what is happening?” Gastón tried not to sound too frustrated. Radiology took its time, he had experienced it himself. 

“Of course.” The doctor gestured to him to sit down. “She didn’t have any ID on her, so we only got her age and name from her sister. We aren’t allowed to ask intrusive questions of minors.” He handed Gastón a tablet, with a questionnaire.

“Okay,” Gastón nodded, while making a mental note about getting the girls ID cards, since they didn’t have driver’s licenses, and you couldn’t just carry your passport everywhere. “She was born 15.11.2032, DNI: 49283765. She was born here and was three weeks premature.”

“Okay, good.” The doctor nodded, “Is she on any medications?”

“Loratadine.” Gastón said, “For seasonal allergies.”

“So she has taken it today?”

“She should have, but I wasn’t there to see it.” Gastón nodded as he handed the doctor the tablet back after signing his name at the bottom.

“Good enough for us.” The doctor handed him another form on a tablet. “She has multiple open fractures, so we had to give her a blood transfusion. It was an emergency order, but I’d like retroactive consent for that.”

“Of course.” Gastón signed the form. “What is wrong with her?”

“We are still trying to determine the full scope of her injuries, waiting for the radiology report.” The doctor took the tablet back, “But as of now, it looks like she has a low garage concussion, and severe trauma to her left leg. Multiple open and closed fractures and soft tissue and ligament tears. What I can say is that she is stable and not in imminent danger as of now.” 

“Okay,” Gastón sighed in partial relief. 

***

“Hello? I am here for my daughter.” Nina said at once as she got to the ER. She had been able to gather herself enough during the drive, so she was able to somewhat function. 

“Mrs. Perida I presume?” The nurse at the station asked. 

“Yes.” Nina nodded. 

“Follow me.” 

“Well, that went swimmingly,” Oscar remarked from behind Nina, “I guess Dad’s got it covered… You said that he came here from campus.”

“Yes, he should be here,” Nina nodded. She was happy that Oscar was staying focused. Because they were at the ER, he usually loved to look at everything and anything and ask questions, since his aspirations were to become an ER doctor. 

The nurse led Nina into a hallway— 

“Gastón!” She ran straight into her husband's arms, as he had turned around as soon as they had entered the hallway. 

“Hey,” He closed his arms around her for a moment. 

“Where is Laura? What is happening with her?” Nina started asking. 

“They weren’t able to tell me much,” Gastón answered, “They were still in the middle of examinations.”

“You haven’t seen her?” 

“No, they haven’t let me,” Gastón shook his head, before looking at the nurse, “Which is getting ridiculous by the way. You can’t keep us in the dark, here, so can you please do something about this. Or do I need to get our lawyers involved?”

“We are doing our best. I’ll see if I can find a doctor for you.” The nurse nodded and walked away. 

“Do you actually think we need a lawyer?” Nina asked after the nurse had gone. “Is it that bad?”

“Not yet, but I thought maybe the threat could maybe get their attention,” Gastón ran his hand on her arm, “Maybe I was little harsh, but this… I don’t know, but they can’t keep us in the dark forever. If it keeps going on like this, we might actually need to at least call Ambar, even in an unofficial capacity.”

“Did they not tell you anything?” Nina asked him. 

“They did say that she was stable but had extensive injuries…” Gastón had moved his hand on Nina’s back and was moving his fingers in a circular motion. “Her leg, it seems to be quite messed up.” 

“It was completely bent.” Nina turned around at Aurora’s voice. She only now noticed her clinging to Gastón’s other arm now, and felt horrible. “I didn’t’ know what to do.” 

“No, no, no,” Nina rushed over to her, and pulled her in a hug. “You did everything right. You probably saved her life.” 

“Mr. and Mrs. Perida?” The nurse had returned, “Dr. Corvo wants to speak to you. If you would follow me.”

“Dad.” Gastón had just been about to follow the nurse when Oscar seized his arm. “Wait.”

“What is it?” 

“Uh, you need to know something.” Oscar ran his hand behind his neck, “About Mom, but I don’t know…”

“Tell me.” Gastón put his hand on his son’s shoulder. 

“Uh, okay, uhm, after you called her about Laura—” Oscar glanced in the direction where Nina had walked with Aurora, “—she… Okay, I know she gets anxious, but this wasn’t like that. I could have sworn she was about to pass out. I practically had to strong arm her to let me drive her.”

“Okay,” Gastón nodded, “Thanks for telling me. I know what you’re talking about—”

“You do? How?” Oscar looked at him, confused. “What am I even talking about? I don’t even know.”

“Trust me,” Gastón looked at him in the eyes, “I know. I’ve known her a little bit longer than you have. Don’t worry.”

***

“Your daughter has two compound fractures in the tibia, a complete fracture in the fibula, and multiple of her tarsals have displaced fractures. All of these need separate surgeries to be repaired. Unfortunately, we will have to wait before we proceed with those, because of excessive swelling. Also, we need to focus on the dislocated patella, which has caused the ligaments ACL, MLC and LCL to tear and the bursae to burst, which needs an immediate surgical intervention, if we want her to have any chance of walking again.”

“She might never walk again?” Nina asked, alarmed after the doctor had finished explaining. She grabbed Gastón’s arm for support. 

“We cannot know that for certain until all the damage has been repaired. With intensive physical therapy everything is possible, she’s young and does sports if I was correct, so her chances are quite high.” Dr. Corvo nodded. “The head CT didn’t allude to anything concerning with her second-grade concussion.”

“Can we see her now?” Gastón asked, while placing his hand on Nina’s shoulders. 

“No.”

“No?”

“I am sorry, I understand that this is distressing, but right now our first priority is to get her prepped for the OR.” The doctor handed them a tablet, “We’ll need the signed consent.” 

“You sign it,” Nina handed it to Gastón. “My hands are trembling so much; I won’t be able to write anything.”

“Here,” Gastón signed the form on the tablet and handed it back to the doctor. “Please take care of her.”

“Of course,” The doctor nodded, turning to the nurse in the room, “Get Laura Perida prepped for surgery and page the trauma team. I’ll be scrubbing in momentarily.” 

“Thank you,” Gastón nodded as the medical personnel left the room, before looking at Nina. “Hey. Are you okay?”

“She’s only 14,” Nina looked at him, distress evident in her eyes, “This is not happening. It’s happening again.” 

“Guys, can you give us a moment?” Gastón looked at Oscar and Aurora, who had been standing next to the door of the room. 

“But…” Aurora tried to protest.

“Just do it.” Gastón gave Oscar a meaningful look. He nodded, took his sister by the shoulders and ushered her outside.

***

“Get your hands off me!” Aurora recoiled out of Oscar's grasp as soon as they got to the hallway. 

“Okay,” He quickly answered back while glancing through the half open window on the door of the room they had just come through. “but… Something’s going on.”

“Well, geez, wonder how you came to that conclusion,” Aurora snarked back sarcastically, “I was there. You think I don’t know that?”

“No, I didn't mean Laura,” Oscar looked back at their parents again, “but I get that you’re freaked out.”

“I’m not freaked out.” 

“Really now?”

“Okay…I’m freaked out.” Aurora nodded, “But, what are you talking about.”

“There is something else going on with Mom,” Oscar explained, “She said to Dad that “It was happening again”.”

“What is?” Aurora looked confused. 

“I don’t know.” Oscar shook his head and moved closer to the door.

“Nina, talk to me.” They heard their father say through the door. “Oscar told me about what happened after I called.”

“I… It’s just—It’s all coming back.” Nina said with a wavering voice. 

“I thought that might be the case.” Gastón said with a reassuring tone. “This is kind of similar.”

“It is similar. I just can’t get the image off my mind. Like I’m back there, in 2027. Watching you…” Nina’s voice broke completely, “I thought you were going to die. I thought you were going to die.” 

“What?” Oscar and Aurora looked at each other confused. 

“When has Dad almost died?” Aurora repeated.  

“In 2027 I guess,” Oscar responded, “But I don’t get it… He didn’t die—”

“Obviously—” Aurora rolled her eyes. 

“I know,” Gastón continued, from the window it looked like he had pulled Nina into a hug, “but I didn’t die. I’m right here.”

“I know,” She mumbled, “I thought I had worked through it; this is just…triggering.” 

“I know, but it’s not happening again. Laura’s head trauma was very limited, she had not been unconscious for an extensive amount of time. She is alive. I’m alive. Our little girl is going to be okay.”

“How do you know that?” Nina seemed to respond, but there was a slight laugh in her voice.

“I don’t. I can’t know that. This is really scary.” Gastón continued, his voice breaking a little bit as well, “No one probably is equipped to deal with something like this. But we can only hope and believe. Have faith in a greater force.”

“You’re the one of us who actually got a religious upbringing.” Nina responded, breathing in a deep breath. “Okay…”

***

“Watch it Dad!” Matteo had walked up from the cellar of the house, which Luna affectionately called the Cave of Wonders, where he wrote most of his music, and almost crashed into his daughter. Stella had been dashing from her room with her skates on her shoulder. 

“Okay, you almost ran into me here,” Matteo protested, “so I am not the one who needs to watch out.”

“Oh, okay.” Stella shrugged. “You just never know when you emerge from down there. What were you working on?”

“Just a song,” Matteo responded. 

“Is it a love song?” Stella jumped briefly. 

“Aren’t you a curious creature?” Matteo laughed, “I can’t reveal it yet.”

“Okay,” Stella shrugged again, “I’m gonna go on my skate run.” And she bounced toward the door, leaving her phone on the living room coffee table. 

“Wasn’t it cute?” Luna, who had been lounging on the sofa, looked at him. 

“What was?” Matteo asked her, “That she almost ran into me? We all know who she has come to with that.” 

“No, when she asked you, is it a love song or not?” Luna shook her head, “I keep telling you. She’s in love.” 

“What are we doing for dinner?” Matteo avoided the subject and went to sit in the armchair next to the couch. 

“I don’t know. Leftovers?” Luna started staring at him, “Don’t change the subject. What do you have against Stella having a crush?”

“Nothing…” Matteo said defensively, “Just, I think you are grasping at straws here. She’s 15. They change their crush every single day. Who would it even be?”

“I don’t know. Someone from school? Uuuu, or maybe someone from the Roller team. Wouldn’t that be amazing, that she finds love there as well… Although, she has been acting like this before the team started—” Luna looked at Matteo again who was now lost in his phone, “—Matteo! Where did you go?”

“Nowhere,” Matteo's face snapped back up, “Just checking something.”

“What?”

“Nothing, just…Gastón hasn’t responded about that thing I asked him about three hours ago. That’s not usually like him, but he might be busy.” Suddenly his phone dinged. It was a message from Gastón. 

“Chico Fresa, what is it?” Luna raised her head in concern when Matteo covered his mouth with his hand.

***

“Hey.” Oscar and Aurora had been sitting in the hospital’s hallway when their parents walked up to them. 

“What’s going on?” Oscar asked. Few moments ago, a doctor had come and talked to them, this time Gastón and Nina not letting Oscar and Aurora into the room. 

“Nothing bad,” Gastón started. “They just, uh, well, there was just more damage than they initially thought, so they needed to change a few procedures in the surgery. They needed consent for that.”

“Okay,” Oscar nodded, “What’s gonna happen now?”

“We need to—” Aurora tried to interject.

“Look, we talked,” Nina and Gastón looked at each other, “and agreed that you two should go.” 

“Go where?”

“Here’s what you are gonna do.” Gastón continued, “Oscar you take the car and take yourself and Aurora home. There grab the things that you’ll need for a few days, and Kelvin obviously, and go to Luna and Matteo’s.” 

“When are you coming home?” Aurora asked. 

“We don’t know.” Nina shook her head. “We’re gonna wait here until Laura gets off of surgery, and they said it could take a long time. It’s not good for you to stay here, you still have school tomorrow, but we also don’t want you two to be home alone.”

“But…”

“No buts.” Gastón shook his head. “We promise that we’ll let you know if anything changes.” 

“You technically can’t tell me what to do anymore.” Oscar looked at them. 

“We know that,” Nina placed his hand on his arm, “And we aren’t trying to undermine your autonomy. We are asking you to understand us.”

“You can’t stay here, you have school and it’s getting late,” Gastón continued, “And Aurora shouldn’t be alone. This is for the best for you too, trust us on this. You’ve been 18 barely three months.” 

“Okay.” Oscar relented. 

“Aurora, come here for sec,” Gastón placed his hand on Aurora’s shoulder and he and Nina led her little bit further on the hallway. 

“What?” Aurora stared at them. 

“We just want you to know that, if you need to talk about what happened,” Nina started, “you can talk to Luna and Matteo. They know everything that’s happened. And you can always call us.”

“After we get Laura’s affairs sorted, we can see that you can talk to a professional,” Gastón added, “If you want.” 

“Okay.” Aurora nodded, “I’ll think about it.”

“We are really proud of you.” Gastón and Nina pulled her into a hug.

*

“Come on girl,” Oscar tapped the backseat of his car and Kelvin hopped onto it. Oscar ran his hand over her silky head, before burying his fingers in her fur for a moment, “Good girl. Aurora! Come on!”

“Coming.” Aurora emerged through the garage door and flung her bag into the trunk of the car. 

“Okay, let's go.” Oscar got into the driver’s seat and backed the car out of the carage. 

They didn’t speak at all during the 15-minute drive to the Balsanos. The close proximity had been intentional, it had been their grandmother who had found the house for Luna and Matteo, when they had been seeking to move to a proper house after Stella’s birth.

Oscar drove through the house's gate and parked the car next to Matteo's SUV. Luna didn’t drive, so they had made do with just one car, which was a bit of a contrast to home where they had three cars, plus Dad still kept his old car at Grandma and Grandpa’s. 

“Hey!” As soon as they had walked in, Oscar and Aurra were tackled into a hug by Luna. Even if she was a small woman in her forties, no one gave a bone crushing hug like Luna Valente-Balsano. “Are you guys okay?”

“What do you think?” Oscar laughed slightly and dryly as his godmother released him. 

“Of course you’re not.” Luna shook her head, while also patting Kelvin on the head, “This is horrible, but everything’s going to be okay.”

“And what she says, always goes,” Matteo laughed, as he also hugged the children. “We were going to eat leftovers, but now we’re just gonna order in.”

“Stella’s still on her run, but should be back soon,” Luna wrapped her arm around Aurora’s shoulder as they started walking toward.

“Yeah, actually…” Matteo had picked Stella’s phone up from the coffee table. “We really need to tell her to keep her phone with her, in light of the recent events.” 

“Yep,” Luna nodded. “You’re right…”

“Kelvin?” 12-year-old Milo walked out of his room on his phone, only looking up as Kelvin had padded up to him in search of a greeting and some scratches. “Cool! I didn’t know you were coming.” He put his phone away and ran to Oscar and started pulling his arm. “I got a new game on my SpectraX Elite. I need to show that to you.”

“Milo, leave him alone.” Matteo detached his arm from Oscar. “Come here for a sec.” 

He pulled his son on the side for a moment and spoke to him seriously. 

“Oh,” Milo seemed to understand. “I’m sorry.”

“No worries.” Oscars shook his head. 

“Can I take her out?” Milo asked, as Kelvin had parked back on his feet, waiting for belly rubs.

“Sure,” Oscar nodded, “She needs a walk.” 

“Don’t go far!” Luna yelled as Milo left out of the door. 

“Okay, that’s the food handled,” After a while, Matteo walked back to the living room, with Luna. “So, do you want to—”

“When has Dad almost died?” Aurora looked at them straight into the eyes. 

“What?” Luna and Matteo stared at her. 

“Mom went into a full crisis after finding out about Laura,” Oscar explained, “And then we heard her talk to Dad, and she kept going on about how she thought he was going to die and something happening in 2027.”

“That’s…” Luna and Matteo glanced at each other. 

“You two know what we’re talking about right?” Aurora continued, “There is no way you don’t.”

“You’re better at explaining this than me.” Luna said to Matteo. 

“Yeah,” Matteo nodded, and a grave expression fell to his face as he sat on the couch, “The direct answer is: Yes. We were there. How much do you know about the trip we took to Finland?”

“Uh, Laura found some pics before Christmas,” Aurora noted, “It was after Flor and Oliver’s wedding, right?”

“In 2027.” Oscar filled in the blanks, “Then you went to Finland, because Dad had a lecture at some Uni…and then you went skiing and met Santa Claus.”

“Yep.” Matteo nodded, “but they probably didn’t tell you how the trip ended.”

“No.”

“Yeah,” Matteo nodded again, “I thought not, since you don’t know. The thing is that…” Matteo seemed to kind of have a hard time recounting something. “We spent most of the time in Lapland skiing.”

“Mom doesn’t ski.” Aurora piped up. 

“No, Nina didn’t with us,” Luna shook her head. 

“So, what happened?” Oscar kept asking. 

“Okay, so we skied, and there was maybe a week left before we were set to leave, when the three of us. So, we and Gastón…” Matteo gestured to himself and Luna, before taking a deep breath. It seemed like Matteo didn’t really want to talk about this, “...we decided to take on a black slope. We really shouldn’t have done that…”

“Something happened there, right?” Oscar asked, “That’s why Mom once flipped out at me when I mentioned skiing.” 

“Uh, yeah,” Matteo nodded. He was still avoiding eye contact with either Oscar or Aurora. “There was probably ice on the slope, so he—he derailed on the path and fell into the trench. There were trees there, he got hit quite badly…” 

Matteo took a small break, breathing heavily. “He was unconscious for hours and they were saying that he most likely had a brain bleed.” 

“Brain bleed?” Oscar stared at Matteo. 

“He didn’t have a brain bleed,” Matteo added, “thank God. In the end he got away from it quite lucky. High grade concussion.”

“Why haven’t they ever told us this?” Aurora questioned. 

“Gastón doesn’t remember it,” Luna piped up, “I'm the only one who saw it.”

“I was facing away at the time.” Matteo added. “You have to understand, it was extremely hard for your mother. They were telling Nina that he might need brain surgery, or that he might have amnesia. It was probably a bigger possibility that he could have died than they ever even told us. It really put her through it…” Matteo took another break, “...which I understand. It was extremely hard for me too. You know how important your father and your grandparents have been for me.”

“So that’s why Mom always freaks out when Dad has a headache?” 

“I’m home!!!” Stella hopped into the living room, flinging her skates around. She clearly hadn’t looked around. “I’m starving, do we have food?”

“Stella.” Matteo raised his voice slightly to get Stella’s attention. 

“Oh,” Stella stopped and finally realized who was in the living room. “What’s going on?”

***

“I can’t believe this,” Stella shook her head as she turned the blender on in the kitchen. “I mean, I won’t say no to a sleepover…”

“Girls, it’s getting late.” Luna walked up to them. “It’s 10:30, already.”

“Yeah, we’ll just grab these.” Stella poured the smoothies into glasses and she and Aurora started carrying them to her room. 

“Stella,” Matteo stopped them, when he came from downstairs of the house with Oscar. “Oscar’s gonna drive you to school tomorrow.” 

“We’re gonna leave at like 7:30 or something,” Oscar added after Matteo had left them. He looked at Aurora, “Mom and Dad texted me, saying that the surgery should be done soon. There haven't been any more complications.”

“Okay. That’s good.” Aurora nodded. She started walking toward the hallways…before realized that Stella had not followed her. 

“I’m so sorry that this is happening.” Aurora held back a frustrated grunt, when she saw that Stella had stayed back to talk to Oscar. Even this sort of situation?

“It’s probably really hard for you…I mean all of you. Good thing we are here for you, and everything will be okay.” Stella was giving her best puppy eyes. Thankfully Oscar had proven himself to be the most oblivious person in the world. Which probably worked to his favor as Stella decided to hug him. 

“Uh, thanks.” Oscar looked kind of uncomfortable and confused as Aurora quickly came to his rescue and pulled Stella away, “Good night.”

“Good night!” Aurora started pulling Stella toward her bedroom. “Look, I am way too tired to start saying anything about that now, but can you not?”

“Okay, I’m sorry.” Stella shook her head as they sat on her bed with their drinks. She looked at Aurora with a concerned expression, “Laura seriously tried to do Abigail’s trick? She specifically has told us not to try it.”

“We’ll Alex had told her that he didn’t believe she could do it,” Aurora sighed, “He’s so lucky he’s going to Spain. If I’ll get my hands on him…”

***

“Mr. and Mrs. Perida.” Nina and Gastón got up from the waiting room chairs as Dr. Corvo walked in—wearing scrubs—with another doctor. 

“Yes?”

“We have successfully completed the surgery,” Dr. Corvo started speaking. 

“Thank god.” Nina gripped Gastón’s arm. 

“Is she awake?” Gastón asked. 

“Should be waking up as we speak,” the other doctor started speaking and offered her hand to them, “Anesthesiologist Dr. Anna Seth.”

“She’s going to be transferred into the PICU, for close monitoring. So, if you follow me.” Gastón and Nina started following him down a hallway. “We are hoping to proceed with the next surgery as soon as possible, but first we need to see how she fares overnight. She is still suffering from a concussion as well.”

Gastón placed his hand on Nina’s back as they entered the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“Clara, there are the parents of Laura Perida,” Dr. Corvo said to the nurse on the station. 

“Of course.” Clara nodded, “Room 6. Follow me.” 

“Laura!” Nina, who had been able to somewhat steady her emotional state during the waiting, but now she almost got paralyzed again—seeing her daughter in a hospital bed…

Genetics worked in curious ways. Oscar looked like Gastón, while Aurora was almost a carbon copy of Nina. Laura had always been more of a mix, with everyone having their own preference over which one of her parents she looked like. For Nina it always depended on the situation, and right now, Laura resembled Gastón so much. 

“Mom? Dad?” Laura opened her eyes slightly as Gastón and Nina rushed to her bedside. 

“We’re right here sweetie.” She looked so small and fragile, but at least she was talking. 

“Vitals were all good?” Dr. Corvo asked one of the residents in the room.

“Yes.” 

“Sander, make sure everyone keeps eye out of infections.” Another doctor suddenly walked into the room. “Open fractures are extremely vulnerable.”

“Dr. Alzamenti?” Dr. Corvo looked confused.

“Serena?” Gastón and Nina turned to look at the older woman. 

“Came to see the condition of this case personally.” The older woman, Dr. Serena Alzamendi, the head of the trauma department of Swiss Medical continued, “You probably weren’t yet aware, but these are Gastón and Nina Perida, the godparents of my youngest granddaughter, close friends of my daughter.”

“How did you know?” Gastón asked, “We haven’t told Delfi.”

“I think I can be trusted to know what happens in my own hospital.” Serena responded. “I’ll review everything about this personally tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

***

“There you are!” Oscar was pulling his backpack strap better on his shoulder as his best friend, Ethan Miller, almost crashed into him−that fast he had been approaching. 

“Yes?” Oscar looked at him, kind of confused. Ethan looked pretty concerned, which didn’t make sense since he didn’t know what had transpired. 

“You hung up on Eliza,” Ethan grabbed him by the shoulder, “What were you thinking? That is not the way to get the girl, my man.” 

Ethan was American and had moved to Buenos Aires when they were in sixth grade. He was fluent in Spanish but often spoke English when he really wanted to make a point. 

“Look, it’s not—” Oscar started saying.

“Is something wrong?” Ethan’s tone turned concerned at once. “I mean it was kind of odd that Eliza started asking me where you were. You didn’t answer me either. That's really not like you. Where were you yesterday?”

“How dare you hang up on me like that?” Oscar got interrupted when locks of absolutely gorgeous deep red hair filled his vision, as Eliza Topacio—his lab partner who had transferred to Blake in March of last year—rushed toward him. “I couldn’t reach you the whole evening. Where did you vanish to? I got worried.”

“Is everything seriously okay?”

“Guys, how can I even answer if you don’t let me get a word in!” Oscar let out frustration, looking at his friends, “No, everything is not okay.” 

Ethan and Eliza quieted. “What happened?”

“My sister happened.”

“What did Aurora do to get you in such a state?” Ethan asked. 

“It’s not Aurora.” Oscar shook his head. “Laura. She’s been going through a breakup with her boyfriend because he’s moving, so she lost all common sense and got her leg completely fractured and she might never be able to walk again. Not to mention that in the midst of this came a revelation that Dad almost got himself killed 20 years ago on a skiing slope, which they never told us about. So… It has been fun.”

“Oh my god!” Eliza’s face had turned horrified, and she jumped to hug Oscar. “I’m so sorry.” 

Behind them, Oscar saw Ethan smirking and made a few facial gestures toward him. 

“So… I forgot my pencil case.” Ethan quickly said, “See ya in class.”

Oscar almost rolled his eyes at Ethan’s very obvious hurried exit, before hugging Eliza back. Even if the situation was—It wasn’t great since he was worried about his sister—what it was, he couldn’t help but savor the fact that he got to hold Eliza close, even if he wasn’t brave enough to actually entertain any hopes about what it could mean. 

Although he also had to keep himself from getting too lost in the moment, so he didn't sink his fingers into her hair, no matter how much he wanted to do that. That and so much more, when it came to Eliza, and it was becoming increasingly harder every day.

“Is there anything I can do?” Eliza asked after Oscar pulled away from the hug—yep, it had been him to pull away first. He would think about what that meant later. 

“I don’t think so,” she shook his head, to avoid looking too deeply into her hazel eyes. Argh, what was with him? Had all the emotions of Laura’s and his family’s situation made him so much more vulnerable or something? He could usually control himself better than this. “There’s barely anything I can do. Mom and Dad sent Aurora and I to my godparents.”

“It must be hard,” Eliza nodded, “What exactly is wrong with Laura?”

“Multiple open fractures in the tibia and fibula, most of her knee ligament got torn. That kind of stuff.” Oscar explained. Something that he and Eliza had bonded over since the beginning had been their shared aspirations. She wanted to be a pediatrician. She would be amazing at that. 

“I’m sorry to say this…but sounds kind of fascinating,” Eliza said while they started walking onward to their class. “If it wasn’t like your sister. That is obviously horrible.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Oscar adjusted the buttons on his vest, mostly so as not to get his eyes fixated on how she brushed some hair behind her ear. “I hate to admit that it is really interesting. I don’t know if Mom and Dad would let me read the patient reports, but I don’t know. I’ll need to ask about that later. Not now obviously when it’s still going on.” 

He quickly glanced at his phone. “I texted them today, but they haven't responded yet.”

“They’re really lucky that you care so much,” Eliza smiled at him, “It’s really sweet.”

***

“Aurora!!” Aurora and Stella had just walked out of their classroom from their first period when she saw Ivory run toward her. As soon as she reached them, she started spewing something out of her mouth that could not be comprehended. 

“Can you maybe slow down?” Aurora asked her, even though she probably knew what Ivory was trying to say. Surely other people from Mom and Dad’s circles had been told about what had happened to Laura—certainly Simon and Ambar. Obviously Ivory would be worried about her. 

“I can’t believe this!! Arg, Alex’s so lucky he doesn’t go to Blake. Laura would never do that… I wanna kill him!” Yep, she knew. Ivory turned her crystal-clear blue eyes back to Aurora, “How is she?”

“Came through the first surgery fine.” Aurora started speaking, “But there are still a lot of things left.” 

“Mom and Dad didn’t let me go see her yesterday!” Ivory crossed her arm.

“What time did you find out?” Stella asked curiously. 

“10 pm.” Ivory shrugged, “Like that’s supposed to matter.” 

“Aha,” Aurora nodded. 

“Hey, Aurora,” Oscar walked up to them in the hallway, which usually was quite an unusual sight. Seniors didn’t usually talk to sophomores or freshmen.

“What is it?” Aurora turned to him a bit confused and concerned. 

“I just asked Mom and Dad for an update,” Oscar explained, “They don’t know yet when Laura will be taken into the second surgery, but she’s doing fine. We could probably go there after we're done here. So prepare to change quickly.” 

“Oh, okay.” Aurora nodded. 

“She’s really fine?” Ivory turned her attention to Oscar.

“Well, not fine,” Oscar shook his head, “but it could be worse I guess.”

“Is it true?” Lucas Arias—Delfi and Pedro’s son who was a junior—walked up to them, “I heard Mom and Dad talk about it this morning.” 

“Yeah, it is,” Oscar nodded, “Laura’s in the hospital.”

“That’s awful.”

“What is this?” Everyone rolled their eyes internally as Mrs. Kalais walked into the hallway. She was their social studies and philosophy teacher—which was quite a subject compo—who no one liked. She was always 100 % sure that every student was out to get her, even the starlet straight acers like Oscar and Aurora. “Why are you gathered into this hallway?”

“We’re talking,” Lucas retorted. 

“Really?” Mrs. Kalais stared at them suspiciously, which wasn’t that different from her normal expression. “You really think I’d believe that a senior, a junior, two sophomores and a freshman are just talking. What are you planning?”

“Nothing.” 

“What is going on here?” Suddenly they heard the voice of Jennifer Gyléne, the dean of Blake South College. She was the one everybody liked, and hoped she was going to succeed Mr. Ramirez as the headmaster.

“I was just about to break up this devious gathering,” Mrs. Kalais said to Ms. Gyléne. 

“Devious?” She looked almost amused, “How to make that out Agenes?”

“This is a very colorful crowd to just gather her for social purposes.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Ms. Gyléne looked over the kids. “You can probably see that this group is composed of an Arias, a Balsano, an Alvarez and two Peridas. All children of our alumni.” 

“I don’t see how that has to do with anything.” Mrs. Kalais protested. 

“Then let me explain,” Ms. Gyléne gestured to her to follow her.

“Why is she so awful?” Ivory huffed. 

“It doesn’t get any better the longer you are here,” Oscar shook his head. “I heard she once screamed at her finals prep class for an hour, because there was a sheet of paper on the floor.”

“I am not looking forward to that—” Lucas shook his head, before his face turned into few shades of anguish as they heard a high-pitched voice.

“LUKIE!” a girl with excruciatingly bright blonde dyed hair, Mirella, Lucas’ girlfriend—speaking off of people no one liked—ran to them and grabbed his arm. “Here you are! How many times do I need to tell you not to vanish!” 

“I didn’t vanish,” Lucas protested. “I had things.”

“More important than me?” Mirella gave everyone a look with narrowed eyes and tight lips.

“Of course not, but…” Lucas tried to diffuse the situation. 

“Let’s go.” Mirella started pulling his arm. 

“I still need to—” Lucas protested. 

“No you don’t.”

“I’ll text you if anything happens.” Oscar assured him. 

“Lukie?” Aurora made a face. “He needs to break up with her.”

“He has been trying for the whole summer.” Oscar shook his head. “Believe me, we have had lengthy chats about that, but he always chickens out.” 

“Oscar and Aurora?” Ms. Gyléne suddenly walked back into the hallway. “Can I talk with the two of you?”

“Yeah, sure.” Oscar and Aurora looked at each other and then back at Ms. Gyléne. 

“If you come to my office for a moment.” She gestured to them to follow her. 

“I’ll see you at class,” Aurora said quickly to Stella, before following Mr. Gyléne and her brother. 

“Is something wrong?” Oscar asked as they stepped into the dean’s office, “because, truth be told, we don’t need any more problems right now.” 

“I know,” Ms. Gyléne gestured to them to sit down. “That’s what I wanted to talk about. Your father called the office this morning. We know about the situation with Laura.” 

“Okay.” Aurora nodded.

“What I wanted to say is that we are aware, and she has the whole school’s sympathies,” Ms. Gyléne continued, “We hope she’ll recover as soon as possible, and we are committed to supporting her once she is ready to come back. Also, I want you two to know that we understand that this must be hard for the whole family, hard for you. The whole faculty is aware of this, and I want to assure you that you two have the understanding and grace of everyone.”

“Thanks,” Oscar just nodded too.

“Gastón and Nina are extremely valued alumni of the school. Your family’s legacy and importance cannot be measured, and we don’t take it lightly to have their support.”

“Well, that was unexpected.” Oscar remarked as they left the office.

“Yeah,” Aurora laughed sarcastically, “Wonder if they actually would even bother if our last name was Gonzáles or something.” 

“I don’t know,” Oscar looked at her, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Aurora didn’t meet his eyes. 

“Come on. You don’t need to be tough all the time.” 

“Okay, I’m scared, and I hate the fact that Mom and Dad just sent us away like tiny children.” Aurora huffed. “Not to mention the fact that Mom and Dad have kept some pretty important information stuff from us for 20 years, that basically almost made or broke our existence.”

Oscar didn’t say anything but pulled her into a hug and Aurora didn’t fight it. 

“I’ll see you in the car after school?” He said after releasing her. 

“Yeah.” Aurora nodded, “We will never speak of this to anybody.”

“Definitely.”

{}

Sooo, that was fun wasn't it? Gastina gets to relive some trauma (full experience being my 2023—2024 holiday fic). These are not great circumstances in the slightest, but I do love it gives me a chance to highlight everyone else, especially Aurora and Oscar, because I believe in a very strong Perida sibling dynamic. If you mess with one, you mess with all of them. I finally also got to write Oscar, who has been the most sidelined of the siblings this far even though I absolutelyl love him. Obviously as the oldest and tecnical adult he is given more responsibility when his parenst are busy with his younger sisters condition. We also got a glimple of his own things related to his own story, if you could tell what it was. The poor boy is totally oblivious on what to do when he finds himself being head over heels for this amazing girl—just like his father and grandfather before him. That what you get being the first born Perida son (Gastón's case the only one but it still counts). I don't know if people who read multitude of my fics have noticed, but I ahve taken this angle when it comes to portaying Blake. That place kind of sucks. The school has incrediple reputation, high demands on the level of it's education and gets it's sudent far, yes, but it also has elitist tendencies and tends to pander to their legacy over their important alumnies and influental families. You cannot tell me that this wasn't also the case in canon. Also, everyone say hi to Lucas Arias, the second oldest child out of four. It just makes sense for Delfi's son to have a terriple girfriend, and Milo Balsano, Luna and Matteo's second child.

[420thewritersroom]

Warhammer/Horus Heresy Kinktober 2024

Day 2: Emperor's Children/Blood-Gore-Torture/BDSM

Summary: Best friends are reunited under the worst circumstances. Hilarity ensues

TW: Gore, Blood, Torture, Rape, Mentions of Past Rape, Mentions of Past Torture, Tentacles, Hints of PTSD, Tentacles, no beta we die like Horus

Day two has arrived! I hesitate to call this BDSM and there's a more heavy focus on the gore and blood stuff than any sexy restraints, gags, and toys stuff. This one deals with some heavy topics, so do read at your own leisure and caution. Once again, this is in association with a Kinktober prompt that was made for this month. If you want to partake, check the end notes for the link!

Konenin flexed and twisted his fingers, watching a single eyeball slip & slide between his digits as he absent-mindedly played with the stray organ. His colored eyes would eventually snap to attention when he hears the familiar sound of pained rasping and gurgled breathing. Good, he's still alive. Konenin never doubted that Darnassis's Primaris healing would fail him, but this was the longest he was out cold after their prior "play time." Konenin watches as the Salamander struggles weakly against his restraints. Fleshly, tentacle-like growths keep the larger Astartes in place and instinctively tighten their grip with every micro-movement.

Konenin admires his previous work. The healing, finely cut lacerations that littered his obsidian body, painting his skin in the red of his blood. Some of the stains have dried or clotted. But Konenin makes a silent prayer of gratitude to the apothecary who provided him with the potent substance that slowed the healing. The ever-flowing essence of his past friend made his heart(s) swell with disgusting glee. Konenin's eyes linger further to the flayed open flesh down where his legs are. Skin pried open to reveal the patella downward. His bones were still stained red, and despite Darnassis's struggles, he tried to keep his lower half as still as possible. Muscle and skin struggled to heal themselves as the hooks and wires kept his being damaged.

Konenin wished he could do more to him, further exemplifying his hatred toward the Salamander. He wanted to sear firey brands on his skin, littering his uncorrupted flesh with the mark of the Excessive Prince. He wanted to slice open his back, watching his blade of choice carve through his back skin like a zipper as his spine was exposed to him like a wanting lover. Oh, to dig his fingers under his ribcage and caress the bones underneath. He would be soft with his touches, carefully exploring the inner workings of the Astartes body as he sought for one of his hearts and hold it in the palm of his hands.

But Konenin is but a novice of the blade. Moreso a hungry animal looking for a quick meal than a patient predator waiting for the time to strike. His Captain would say that his artistry in torturous acts has not been refined. But Konenin could not pass up the opportunity to break his nemesis after finally having the bleeding-hearted Salamander under his boot.

Konenin stands from his lounge bench, still toying with the eyeball with his fingers as he approached Darnassis. The Salamander had his head bowed, his body physically reflecting his labored breathing as his chest rose and fell with every breath. Konenin lifts a finger under the Salamander's chin, lifting his head slowly so that they may see eye to eye. Konenin smiles as he looks into the gouged cavity where Darnassis's left eye once remained, still seeping fresh red ichor as the wound hasn't healed yet. He leans in, licking the red on his cheeks and pulling away to savor his taste. Darnassis did not flinch, though he did grimace.

"Still holding on to that Salamander pride, I see? Didn't even squeaked after our last session." Konenin giddily says, placing the stray eyeball that once belonged to the Salamander before sucking and teasing the organ with his mouth and tongue.

He watches Darnassis closely, looking for a reaction. Looking for a flinch, a gritting of the teeth, even a furrow of his brow. With the way Darnassis was giving the steely indifference save for the slightly pained look, you might be forgiven that there may be a hint of that Imperial Fist stubbornness within the Salamander. He stares at Darnassis, rolling the eye on his tongue before finally removing it and setting it aside on a nearby tray alongside an assortment of torture devices. Konenin picks up and weighs a cat tail whip in his hand. Custom made by yours truly. The tips of the various leather strands were affixed with sharp metals and glass.

"We counted to 500 last time. Let's see if we can make it to another 500, shall we?"

A wicked grin spreads on the Emperor's Child's face as he cracks his whip on Darnassis's exposed bones and flayed flesh on his legs, relishing the pained but held groan Darnassis emitted. Konenin will break him. Break him like he broke. So that he knows what he went through.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~3 Imperial Timed Months Later~

Konenin stomps away angrily down the corridors of his fleet, disregarding, shoving, and even stepping on anyone who got in his way. He didn't even hear the crushing sound of a servitor being trampled by him, their disfigured body staining his pink steel armor boots. The little Black Templar bastard, humiliating him in such a manner in front of his brothers! He wanted to squeeze that little fucks body like a stress toy until he looked exactly like a perfectly swelled toy, head blimped up impossibly until he exploded. And that his Captain dared to scold him for his obsession with the tiny Templar, the bastard!

Konenin burst open the door to his private quarters, slamming it shut behind him as he sought for something to break. Throwing his personal trophies, destroying and ripping apart the precious gifts obtained from his other brothers. He unsheathes his sword and starts slicing away at his rarely-used mattress, sending feathers, cotton, and shredded clothes everywhere.

How dare he? HOW DARE HE!!! That miniature Templar would be lucky if they never met again for a millennium if the Warpstorms provided! To disgrace him in such a way, to defy the son of Fulgrim to such a degree that he would send Konenin falling into his own trap intended for Zephyr. To be tangled in his own meticulously crafted design just for the Templar to get away. He was like an active volcano right now, ever flowing with heat. Does he know who the fuck he was? He was a child of the Emperor, the Favored Thrall of the Yearning Moon, the Seeker, a Son of Guilliman-

...

....

.....

Stop; he doesn't want to think about that. An ebbing ember of shame suddenly surfaced as his mind thought of his prior genesire. Konenin stood silently in his room, surrounded by destruction, and left with only the audible heaves of his breath. He stares at nothing, an internal void gnawing at him. It was only made worse when he saw his reflection from a glass shard left on the floor. Heterochromatic eyes stared back at him, purple and blue; his half-buzzed blonde hair was a mess, messier than he would've liked it. He was bruised from the last battle, his lip still sporting a splitting wound, and his right ear heavily damaged. But despite what he saw, all Konenin could see was what he was before.

Noble, righteous, young, stupid, foolish, naive.

Konenin growls, shattering the shard under his foot and stomping away again. Needing flesh to rend, blood to spill. He needed Darnassis. He needed to break him at last. He needed to hear him scream, to see him in despair, to render him a disgraceful mess before he finally killed him.

Darnassis always knew what to say when he needed a word of comfort. When Konenin needed guidance, Darnassis seemingly had abundant wisdom to share. He never shied away from becoming his anchor, to steady the Ultramarine when-

ENOUGH! Konenin visibly shook his head as though doing so would make the intrusive thoughts fall off him. He did not need the encouragement from a walking savior complex; his wails and essence will be encouraging enough for the Emperor's Child.

He cracks open the doors leading to the Decadence Chamber, looking down the dark corridor for a brief moment, attuning his ears to the haunting wails and cries of the other victims, primarily looking for signs of his other brother's presence. Once he was confident he would be to himself, he pushed open the entryway and beelines for Darnassis's room. The blonde cringes inward as he forces his way into the room. If it wasn't for Konenin's annoyance with today's activities, one could assume that there's an air of desperation stenching off him.

Darnassis is slow to lift his head to bother Konenin with any acknowledgment, his face with iron defiance. The pair sat at a standstill until Konenin approached, grabbing Darnassis's chin in a tight, crushing grip and getting in his face.

"You're going to scream for me, you hear. The play gloves comes off today," Konenin looks into Darnassis's remaining eye with contempt as venom spills from his lips. Darnassis's insistence to deny him the pleasure of his woeful cries will not deter him today. He picks up a saw, teeth jagged and dulled that it wouldn't make a clean cut in the slightest. "One of us will have to give this baleful evening," Konenin doesn't even bother to produce a sinister smile this time, his face contorting to look more like a snarling animal, "and this will end the moment you scream. REALLY scream!"

And so the flaying of flesh began. Konenin cut and pulled at the bounded flesh on the Salamander's arms. Cutting and pulling the skin like string cheese, revealing muscle underneath, and waiting, WAITING, for Darnassis to scream. Not groan in pain, not huff and puff as he gritted his teeth and bit his tongue until he bleeds. No, he wants him to SCREAM! Howl, wail, screech, shriek, SOMETHING! The flaying went on for an excruciating hour, but for Konenin, it felt like forever as Darnassis refused to give in to his wants.

When stripping the Salamander of his flesh didn't make his scream, Konenin dropped the instruments of torture and went for fisticuffs. He mentally commanded the tentacle restraints that kept Darnassis in place. The tendrils slither across ebony skin as they forcefully lifted Darnassis's hands above his head, exposing his face and torso and feet dangling slightly off the ground. Before Darnassis could get a breath in, he makes an audible "oof" sound as a fist made contact where his ribcage was. Konenin didn't want his punches to be empowered by his gauntlets. No, he wanted their flesh to collide, to enjoy the sensation of nearly breaking his own knuckles against the rock that was the Son of Vulkan.

He hammers his fist into his exposed torso, relishing in the sounds of bones breaking and determining if his eyes can tell if Darnassis's skin changed color upon being beaten, even under his radiated skin. Soon, he moved from popping his chest to colliding his fist into Darnassis's face with a punishing left hook. So quick it was that Darnassis was still seeing stars when the right hook came. Breaking his skull and nose, letting teeth fly across the room. Darnassis would've been nearly unrecognizable if Konenin hadn't decided to move on to biting the Salamander. Biting his arms and ripping chunks of muscle until the bone was revealed, tearing at flesh.

Yet, despite all of this punishment, this pain, this abuse, Darnassis remained absolute. Never screaming, steadying his breathing as best as he could, focusing his mind on his Primaris teachings that the Covenant of Fire promoted, that his elder, Firstborn brothers had taught him. He sees Zephyr, the young Templar, and the raging fire fueled by his determination to see him again.

"SCREAM GODSDAMNIT!" Konenin digs his sharp nails into exposed muscle and bits at Darnassis's pecs, leaving a damning bitemark. Konenin was beyond mad; he was livid. How much longer does this Salamander fucker think he can deny the inevitable. He has abused his body, ruined him! Save for killing Darnassis, he's done it all!

His Captain would say that his artistry in torturous acts has yet to be refined. Konenin was a man who preferred quick results, not gradual succession. He was never a subtle man. When he doesn't get what he wants, he gets angry, and then he exposes himself. Konenin can already hear his Captain berating him for the show he attempted to display here. How he would be sent away from these chambers so that a "steadier hand" could handle Darnassis. It boils his blood more. He can hear them. Laughing, mocking, humiliating him. Konenin steps away from Konenin as his eyes were seeing red. He didn't even bother to take in the damage he had already done to Darnassis as he sought for something, anything, in the room that he could use next. He finds the Cat Tail whip and just starts blindly whipping him. Arms, legs, chest, back, anywhere he had access to, Konenin was whipping.

"SCREAM! SCREAM! FUCKING SCREAM!" Konenin hollers, his arms beginning to strain as he puts all his force and energy into each swing.

Don't you get it?

He abandons the whip and grabs a dagger, jabbing at Darnassis's shoulders and twisting the blade.

He's not like you, Konenin.

Konenin left the dagger stuck in Darnassis's shoulder blade and let out a pained, frustrated cry as he returned to biting the Salamander, his teeth not sinking in as deeply as his prior attempts. He tries to bite harder as he tries to fight back his own screams.

Blind to the world, save for the painful sensation of flayed flesh exposing muscle and bone. Left to hang and dry, adrenaline, both artificial and hormonal, kept him from going under. He won't let him die. He's unsure if he wants to die. Dying here and now, under the scalpel of the demented traitor, would be a stain to his honor. But at least he would still have his honor, his integrity.

"Stop!" Konenin snarls, his words only being relevant to himself.

He was being opened up, stitched back together, and opened again. Studied, explored, made, and remade under the Captain's delicate fingers. How torturously soft his caresses are, how enticing. The promise of liberation should he let go. His one, new, functioning eye follows the working hands of the Captain, almost admiring his work-

"STOP!" Konenin slams his fist into Darnassis's chest, his breathing becoming labored as he feels short of breath.

His torturer confuses Konenin. He would endure weeks, months, years, eternity of painful ministrations to his body. Whipped, chained, beaten, stabbed, flayed, crushed, forced to eat unspeakable concoctions. All of this and more under the corrupting hands of his lost cousin. But he, the Captain, Konenin saw it as a wave of relief when he was cycled over to him. He simply talked to him, the Captain did. Rarely ever lifting a finger on him. It was like reaching calm waters before another oncoming storm, to gather himself before the next sick-minded Chaos Marine decided to have their go at him. Sometimes, just sometimes, he would listen-

"-Nin..."

Konenin remains still, frightened by the choked and damaged sound of Darnassis's voice. The Astartes lift his head to meet Darnassis eye to eye, met with that same ironed look, but Konenin swears he can see what could only constitute as pity in the Salamander's eyes. He would know; he'd seen that look before. Neither say anything to the other. Konenin searches Darnassis for something that he can't even put a word to. Was he looking for signs of defeat? Of triumph? Sympathy? He was still hungry, a void needing to be filled, but he was unsure of what anymore.

"Are we done here, heretic?" Darnassis enunciated each syllable, his pained and labored throat and lungs finding it difficult to speak.

There it was; that's what he was looking for. That defiance, that fire within the child of Nocturne. Yet, that same flame would not ignite within the adopted Son of Fulgrim. His words stung like a killer wasp, it wounded his pride. Yet, he could not find the kindle needed to bite back. At least, through violent means.

Konenin gradually falls into a fit of laughter, sending another mental command to the bounding tendrils. "Done? I'm not even close to done here, follower of the False Emperor!" Konenin's eyes widened crazily as he watched the purple tentacles readjust Darnassis, exposing his lower regions, providing easy access to his ass.

"Let's see how much of a defiant little bitch you'll be with a cock shoved up your ass, hm?" Konenin threatens as he leans down towards Darnassis's puckered entrance.

He gives his round ass a few good hard slaps, watching with renewed glee how his body flexed and tensed upon the sensations. If pain wouldn't make the stalwart Salamander squeal, then he would like to see how well his Astartes resilience handles getting raped. Konenin licked with his inhumanely long tongue Darnassis's hole, chuckling as the hulking Primaris squirmed against his doings, even more so than when they were doing some torture foreplay.

An Astartes is built and trained to withstand all sorts of pain, torture, hazardous elements, and ailments. But nothing could ever prepare a Space Marine for the idea of being forced into by a hardened member. Because who would imagine the enemy would have the time to perform such an action, hm? In the middle of a roaring battlefield as a bolter was aimed at their face? In the discretion of secrecy as a knife slit their throat? Or even in the seat of their torturer's mercy? Konenin didn't think so. He was corrected severely for a month by multiple eager Emperor's Children. Bored of slicing at his flesh and wanting to reap from his bones in other ways.

Once Konenin had his lick-ful fill, he unraveled his flaccid cock, growling to himself when he saw he wasn't even at half mass. He strokes himself, eyeing Darnassis's hole, his struggling movement, that look of bewilderment on his pitifully naive face.

You were like that once.

Konenin blinks away the thought. He won't let this one chance to truly break his nemesis be ruined by his own personal pitfalls. Konenin could only get his cock partially hard, but that was fine. Even a half-hard prick can cause unspeakable damage. He lines himself up to Darnassis's unprepared asshole, giggling as he watches Darnassis attempt to struggle away from him, even trying to kick the fallen Marine away. Only for the tentacles to tighten their grip around him, minimizing his chances of escape.

He presses the tip of his cock at his entrance, kissing his hole with his slightly leaking tip before trying to force himself into his past friend. It was made only slightly inconvenient that Darnassis kept trying to tighten his hole, futilely denying him access. With a dry hole and a half-hard cock, it took some forceful determination to get even the head of his cock to breech Darnassis's body. The Salamander under him made a pained gasp as his body went abruptly still. Not a scream, not even close, but they'll get there.

"You feel that, cousin? That grinding, painful sensation reaching deep into your core? Yeah, that's my cock. Only the head of it, at least. But, don't worry, you'll be taking every last inch of me!"

Konenin shoved another inch, then another, before fully bottoming out inside his old friend. The ember within him was slowly being stoked as he watched Darnassis shake his head this way and that, squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his teeth, steadying his breathing as he experienced this new form of pain.

"Don't relax on me yet. We're just getting started!" With that said, Konenin pulled out halfway before thrusting fully back into Darnassis, the Salamander tensing and making a drawn-out, pained groan as Konenin fucked him dry.

The sound of flesh slapping flesh, the tightening walls clenching around his cock, it was euphoric to finally be on the other side of the fence. Having someone else under him, taking his cock for a change, and submitting to him. He barely hears his own moans as he focuses entirely on Darnassis. Watching his face twist in pain as he took every inch, his toes and fingers curling and tensing, his chest heaving up & down. Sometimes, he would even hold his breath as he tried to deny even a single exhale of air to escape him, only to come up for air like a drowning diver.

"Hehe, feels awful, doesn't it?" Konenin mewled, leaning in closer to get a better look at Darnassis and further taunt him. "Does it feel like a hot knife is searing through your insides? I bet you would prefer getting shot than being speared by a penis. A corrupted penis nonetheless," Konenin laughs.

"Oh, I can't wait to coat your insides with my cum. Having you filled up with my 'heretical seed,'" Konenin grabs at the back of the Salamander's calves and pushes them inward, forcing Darnassis into the mating press position as he hammered deeper inside. Konenin rolls his eyes, his face relaxing as spikes of pleasure electrify his spine.

"Fuck, that feels good. For me, at least," Konenin darkly chuckles. "I bet it feels like your body is tearing apart for you, isn't it? The feeling will pass. Mph! First comes the fear, then the anger, then the denial," Konenin was now up in Darnassis's face, getting an earful of his gasps as his hips snapped frantically into his hole, "Then finally, acceptance. And once you reach that stage, nothing in the world matters. They would've already fucked every line of thought out of your head while you have one in your ass, two in your hand, and another in your mouth."

Like they did you?

Yes...Like they did him. But it's different now. Now, he's the one on top. Now he had a hole he could fuck whenever he wanted, wherever he wanted. Perhaps he was going about this the wrong way. He should've had this bleeding heart of a Salamander taking his cock a lifetime ago. No matter how hard he tries to hold them back, hearing his muffled moans is like music to his ears.

Konenin can feel his cock fully hardened inside his former friend, his balls swelling and slapping against his ebony skin. Close already, but that's fine. They are Astartes; their stamina affects even their refractory period.

"I'll keep fucking you until I'm completely spent. Until I can get your belly swollen and fuck full my fucking cum. And I'll show off your stuffed, miserable, disgusting body to my brothers. They'll be so fucking jealous," Konenin can't even finish his sentence without going into a maniacal burst of laughter. "Jealous that I can corrupt your so-called pure and noble body with a pathetic cock like my own. Envious that they can't have you because I won't let them. Hey, I'll do you one better. We can go and find your fellow battle brothers and show them how good you take cock. How obedient you'll be when I tell you to suck me off in front of your Salamander bro-"

Konenin is cut off as Darnassis presses his lips to the fellow Primaris, shutting him up and sending a chill down his spine. Konenin fully expected Darnassis to tear at his lips, to bite and pull until he took at least his lower lips. But...No...He was...Kissing him...

Darnassis pulled away, heavily breathing and face flushed, but eyes still filled with hateful indifference, "You talk too much."

...

....

.....

Why...

Why did he do that?

Konenin had stopped pushing into Darnassis, vacantly staring at the Salamander in utter shock. He didn't know what to do, what to say, how to retaliate. Why would he kiss him? He's raping him. He's being raped! What obscene reason would he have to kiss him, his tormentor!?! Does he enjoy this? Was he enjoying this??? It angered him, it perplexed him, it...He didn't know what to think! Konenin bares his sharp teeth, snarling as he slams his hips into Darnassis. The sharp gasp he could not hear; all he heard were taunts. Darnassis must think he's some tough shit that he can handle, even something as traumatic as this, does he!! He insults the Seeker with his defiant moans, refusing to make himself truly heard, still holding on to that Imperial pride that was knocked into his stupid fucking brain!

"Think you're hot shit, huh? Some big, tough fucker who can handle being raped, huh!?!" Konenin couldn't help but punch Darnassis's sides. "So you can take anything, hm? Can take all this pain, all this suffering. Endure every horror in this universe, and for what? To save face for a brotherhood that's abandoned you? For a father who is dead? For the untold trillions who don't even know you exist!" Konenin digs his nails into his chest, trailing bleeding marks down to his belly. He growls again, but it's mixed with a desperate whine.

"Or maybe you think you're better than me, is that it? You want to be anywhere else, tortured by anyone else, but me!" Konenin can feel his heart(s) swell with a whirlwind of emotions he couldn't contain. All he could do was to continue to pathetically thrust his hips. "Then fine, I'll stop wasting your time! Then, you can return to being a so-called hero for the rambling masses. Saving someone that's worth your fucking time!"

I waited for you. I waited forever for you. You didn't come. I screamed, I begged, I prayed, and you weren't there.

Konenin makes a sharp exhale as he feels his body tense up. Shockwaves of ruined pleasure coarse through his veins and into Darnassis's tight hole. Konenin can't even say he felt like he orgasmed at all. It was there for a split second, and then it was over. Like waiting for a massive wave to surf, only to be created with a minor crashing of water upon the shores. The silence was deafening. He didn't want to be here anymore. He wanted to disappear.

In fact, he can do that right now...Yeah...He'll do that right now.

He swiftly pulls out of Darnassis, not even caring whether or not the Salamander came or not, not like Darnassis was begging for him to help him finish. Despite being the one performing the disgusting deed, Konenin felt dirty, filthy, repulsive. He tucks himself back into his uniform, turning away from Darnassis and leaving the chamber. The world was a deafening buzz as he made a beeline back towards his personal quarters, slamming the door shut and blocking it with anything that wasn't nailed down in the room.

Darnassis breathed heavily, hole gaping, his body almost wanting after the loss of Konenin's cock. He stares absentmindedly at the ceiling, unsure of what to make of the scene that transpired. Uncertain if he even wants to acknowledge what was done to him. His heart(s) ached as his mind scrambled to make sense of everything. He almost wished to disappear himself. Darnassis knew that one day, he and Konenin would meet on the battlefield, and they would have to fight to the death. Once close cousins, now unparalleled rivals. Fighting to see who deserved to live with the guilt of knowing what they could've had, had the universe not dealt the hand fate has given them.

Darnassis steadied his breathing, forcing himself to not wallow in sorrow. Forcing himself to remember the Promethean creed and his oath. To remember everything that wasn't what happened today, at this moment.

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Here's the Kinktober lists for anyone who wants to partake! Let's be extra horny this lovely October