#top public health schools

[aldercaps]

In other news, changed my major to printmaking! Will start that after this first group project in March. Looking forward to linocuts and etching, we just did screen printing last year and it wasn't my favourite.

Also talked to a dr about referrals to a psych so I can maybe get referred for top surgery! Last year when I tried I got rejected for not being trans enough for the surgeons (aka non-binary and not presenting as a stealth trans man 🙃) despite having severe chest dysphoria literally every day since I was thirteen. Now maybe if I get a psych to prove my mental distress I can get put on a waitlist...

Also it's finally autumn which means hopefully in a few weeks it won't be sensory hell to be outside during the day

[faeriekit]

"Okay." Danny slowly laid the already cold body back onto the table, ready to slide back it into the refuge of cold storage. "Okay. Dead guy. Stay there."

The body didn't move.

"Fantastic. Now. Hang out while I pour the embalming fluid into the pump, alright? It should only be a minute."

And it usually did; working in a funeral home wasn't extremely glamorous, but it paid the bills, and Danny had already been used to the rhyme and rhythm of negotiating death with the public by the time he sent in his mortuary school application. It had been a transition that made sense. And in the end, the degree had only cost him a few extra years post-graduation and a little dig into student loans, and now Danny had a stable 12-8 job and health insurance valid in the state of new jersey.

Today, though, the pump had that decided enough was enough. With a bang and a boom, the pump spat out a cloud of smoke and clunked uncomfortably.

The dead body sat up.

Danny scrambled over to push it back down. "No. We talked about this. Dead people don't move. If you want to stay here and have me put you back together all the time, you have to stay put. Got it?"

Whatever the weird gold-eye corpses were on in Gotham, they at least listened to him on occasion. They weren't ghosts, per se— they never pinged on any of the ghost detection devices Mom and Dad had packed in his going-away-to-college bag— but they were, despite being occasionally animate, perfectly deceased.

Weird. Danny had never gotten used to it. Still, they came in droves, too eager to sit on the top of the basement stairwell and lurk in the corners and stare endlessly at them with their weird, avian eyes, and sometimes they heralded the arrival similarly weird-ass bodies that had lost their heads or their arms or their limbs through the more conventional channels.

"I'm losing too much thread to all y'all coming in all the time," Danny complained to the dead body, who, at the moment, was the only person present to blame. "Stop getting your limbs cut off. This stuff is expensive, you know. It's a specialty order."

The body didn't even have the courtesy to blink. Rude.

"At least let them bury you this time. Every time one of you darts off when my back's turned, my boss thinks I'm stealing corpses. My coworkers think I'm building my own Frankenstein or something."

The corpse neither verbalized nor blinked, but Danny hadn't expected it to; with a sigh, he rolled the corpse back into cold storage, locked its little door (not that locking it in had ever stopped it) and called it quits for the night.

It's not like anyone was paying him for the extra hours anyway.

The whole fic on ao3

[queers-gambit]

What Goes Around, Comes Around

prompt: ( requested ) Billy's known for his temper and being obsessed with his pretty little girlfriend - which gets her severely injured by his past transgressions.

pairing: Billy Hargrove x female!cheerleader!reader reader and Billy are both 18+, seniors in high school

word count: 6.7k+

fandom masterlist: Stranger Things

note: you're a liar if you didn't immediately start singing Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around... Comes Around".

warnings: remember there are different responses to trauma! some people shut down, stop talking; others jabber and chatter nervously. reader is the latter. we got angst, we got literal hurt and comfort, established relationship. term "going postal" is used, cursing, technically underage drinking, not edited, author mildly gave up at the end. triggering content: depictions of physical violence, depictions of injury and blood, depiction of abuse, violent plots, Billy's girl gets physically assaulted (but it's minimally detailed).

DO NOT read if this content can potentially trigger you. you are NOT missing anything, you will miss NOTHING by skipping this, but i do try to keep the details as neutral as possible. again, prioritize yourself, mental health, and emotional state - this ain't worth the read if it's gonna upset you, i promise. author loves you all

"That's fucking her, I swear to God."

"You sure?"

"100%. That's Billy's little bitch he's obsessed with."

The three guys smirked at one another, eyeing you across the living room as you giggled and drank with a few friends in adorable, fashion forward outfits. Someone started a game of beer pong, you on the sidelines to cheer, giving them a full-show of your form.

"She's hot," Jake mused. "I can see why he keeps her so close."

"Nah, not tonight," Lawrence frowned, "heard they got in some huge fight at school. Like, she walked home and he sped off in his car."

"Hm, heard he's ridiculously protective of her... She must've really pissed him off," the third boy, Steven, nodded. "So, he's not here tonight?"

"Doubt it," Jake nodded.

"Go find out," Steven advised. "There, the basketball bros - one of them would know. Or a cheerleader," he eyed the crowd. "Chrissy's over there, Brittany's beside her - they'd be the best bet in my mind."

"We seriously considering this?" Lawrence asked with a small, nervous chuckle. "I mean, it's kinda crazy, isn't it? We're gonna send Billy Hargrove a message by roughing up his girl? There's not some better way?"

"I'd love to hear it," Steven scoffed. "Billy's too comfortable at the top of the school, broke my fucking nose and deviated Jake's septum. Didn't he fuck your sister the first week he was here, Lawrence?"

"I mean - "

"Broke her fucking heart, didn't he?" Jake tacked on.

"Well, yeah," Lawrence sighed, shrugging.

"You tell me, dude, was that shit fair?"

"No," Lawrence looked down.

"So, yeah, I know, it's bad to hit a lady - but what about my boot? Huh?" Steven smirked, nodding. "Go find out what you can. Last thing we need is Billy walkin' in the party, right?"

Jake nodded with enthusiasm, leaving Lawrence behind. He hesistated but then did as Steven asked; asking the present basketball team members if Billy gave indication he was coming. The cheerleaders assured he wouldn't dare show up when you were there after a very public fight, and if he did, it would be to cause another scene.

So, after reporting back to Steven, a plan was formed. Lawrence didn't seem fully on board, but in an effort to save his own skin, he went along with what Jake and Steven were plotting - even if that meant roughing up a woman. Something his mama and grandmama vehemently taught him not to do...

Something churned in his stomach when he heard how the two lads were nearly foaming at the mouth to get their revenge. So, he casually went to grab another drink - pausing where a few of your friends were. "Oi," he whispered, earning their attention.

"Hey, Law," Chrissy smiled.

"Hey, Chris," he sniffled, glancing around. "Listen, uh, you seen Billy 'round?"

"No? Why?"

"Hmm, just, uh... Heard his girl was all upset, thought maybe her drinking all that much was a bad idea without him around."

"Oh," Chrissy blinked, looking up at her boyfriend, Jason, as he approached the group with two drinks in hand. "I didn't think about it like that, Law."

"What's wrong?" Jason asked.

"No, nothing, Lawrence just pointed out how shitty it is to drink without someone watching your back," she pouted.

He nodded, "You lose your friends, man?"

"No, just tryna look out," Lawrence shrugged. "Few girls here drinking a lot, not a lot of defenses 'round them."

Jason frowned, "That's kinda their man's job, isn't it?"

"What if their man isn't here?"

"I'm gonna be right back," Chrissy smiled, parting ways with her girlfriend in tow - and when Law looked, they were using the kitchen telephone. He prayed they were phoning the Hargrove residence.

Lawrence sighed in slight relief and nodded to Jason; the white boy just nodding back silently and letting the other athlete pass him by to head back for Jake and Steven. He grabbed an unopened beer on his way to maintain appearances.

"Hey, we got it," Jake smirked at the third boy, "she just went outside, we should move now."

"Huh?" Law mumbled.

"C'mon," Steven growled, pushing off the mantle and stalking for the backdoors to follow your retreating form.

"Wait, what're we doing?" Law asked, trying to keep up with the drunken, elongated strides of the two dickheads he called 'friends'. "Hey! Guys, c'mon - what's going on?"

"Just - shut up, pussy boy, let's go, fuckin' keep up," Steven sneered, shoving the glass door out of his way and nearly cracking it.

Outside, the in-ground pool was alight with multicolored lights. There were teenagers littered all around the pool deck; some lounging and some standing, all drinking. There was a kegstand in play, ping pong table hosting another game of Beer Pong, and the thick stench of cigarette smoke in the air.

"She's over there," Jake pointed, their sights turning to see you leaning over to huff on your cigarette while Tammy May Flipsen lit the end of it. Your smile was genuine as you thanked her, just stepping two feet away to gaze up at the stars - a perfect time to strike.

The alcohol in everyone's system made them slow, vulnerable, and downright stupid; leaving Steven and Jake the opportunity to seize either of your arms and literally rush you around the corner of the house without anyone intervening.

Once in the remote side yard, the sickening plan commenced.

Lawrence could barely approach, managing to watch with tears in his eyes as the noises of the party masked the noises of pain you emitted; two nearly full-grown men took out their anger towards your boyfriend on you. You cried, begged for reprieve, sounded so confused and broken that it shattered Lawrence's heart - briefly thinking what if someone did this to his sister...

That made him spring into action. "Hey! No! No, this ain't right! Get off her!" Lawrence barked, shoving the two away from your body on the ground. "That's enough - back off - fuck is wrong with you!?"

"What the fuck do you think you're doing!?" Steven demanded.

"Bitch has it coming!"

"What? You fuckin' her, too? Got you pussy whipped like Billy Boy?"

"Just fuck off, beating on a girl!" Lawrence snapped, but it was a huge mistake. Jake and Steven shared a single look before launching at the third boy, beating him as they had you - but much harder. He swore he earned a concussion, their heels stomping his neck, collarbones, wrists, ribs, ankles; exactly the same as they did to you.

"Tryna defend her now!?" Jake heaved, giving a swift kick to Lawrence's kidney. "Huh? You're so scared of Billy but you're gonna mess with his girl?" He laughed. "She must have a magic cunt or something!"

"You're so fucking pathetic, you have to beat up a girl!?" Law shot right back, earning a swift kick to the jaw from the lad that used to play soccer (or American fútbol). "Huh? Two on one? Such big men, aren't yah?" He sneered again, spitting blood to the side.

"Leave it," Steven halted Jake when he charged again, "they're both pretty fucked."

"Well, that dumbass should learn a lesson 'bout interfering!"

"Law's learned - he has, bro, and if he wants, he can learn again," Steven spat on Lawrence's form, Jake doing the same to you - both eventually stalking away like bored toddlers walking away from broken toys.

Slowly, Lawrence grunted as he pulled himself up to sit against the side of the house. "Fuck's sake," he whispered, wiping his eyes and wincing when he felt the sore skin - trailing a finger up, wincing again when he discovered split skin above his eyebrow. "Ohhhh, fuuuuck," Law drawled when you slowly peaked up from your fetal position on the ground. "Hey, hey, you all right? Stupid question," he hissed in pain when he moved to try and assist you.

You cried out when his grip laid on you, but powered through to let him help you sit against the house, too. "Holy shit," you whispered, blood dribbling from your mouth; teeth feeling loose, a headache already assaulting you, and cuts stinging in the bitter night.

"I'm so sorry."

"N-No, you - it would've been so much worse if you hadn't..." You trailed off, sniffling, "You didn't have t'jump in, you got hurt 'cause of me."

"You got hurt 'cause of Billy," Lawrence frowned.

"Huh?"

"That's why they're so pissed off," Lawrence explained, spitting more blood to the side; his jeans stained with mud, blood, and grass. "Billy got their asses few weeks ago, they're still pissed... I heard them," he deflected smoothly, "talkin' about teaching Billy a lesson through you. Didn't feel right, but I should've stopped them so much sooner. I-I'm sorry I didn't do more, Y/N."

"You did more than anyone else," you whimpered, drawing your knees into your chest to lock your arms around them. "I don't even know them, they go to our school?"

"We're all in AP History with Snyder."

You paused to nod absently, not even bothering to try and recall any interactions you might've had with Steven and Jake. Instead, you eyed your savior, mumbling, "You're Lawrence, right?"

"Yeah," he breathed.

"Your sister's... Cara? Sarah? No, no," you paused to think, his frown deepening as you seemed so nice and authentic. "Your sister's name is Natalie, right?"

"Yeah," he half-smiled. "You know her?"

"She's a sweetheart, has those cute glasses? Yeah, I like her; she just joined cheer, right?"

"Yeah, that's her."

You eyed him for a moment, ignoring the blood dripping off you both from the beat down; then whispered with a sniffle, "Is that why you helped? 'Cause your sister's on the cheer squad, too?"

"No," he replied instantly, sounding quiet (like you), "I'd like to believe if I saw something I know is wrong... I'd be the type of person to step in, try to stop it."

"You did tonight."

"I should've done more a lot sooner."

"You could've been really hurt, Law."

"Like you?"

"I'm just - look, two guys? Beatin' on me? Yeah," you scoffed, wiping blood from your split lip, "like I ever stood a chance. But you didn't have t'do all that, they wanted Billy, found me instead. You could've walked away, but instead, you jumped in, and you could've been really hurt. That wouldn't help anyone."

"I'm still sorry..."

You sniffled, but before you could respond, you heard footsteps thundering over the lawn; a voice shouting your name in frantic, panicked little outbursts. Looking up, you caught sight of a black leather jacket and unruly blonde curls, frowning deeper. "Oh, fuck," you whispered, withdrawing into yourself, "oh, no, no, not now. Not now, Goddamnit. Think I can make a run for it to the street before he sees me?" You asked Law quietly, nearly hissing your whisper.

"Ain't that Billy?" Law asked, finger pointed.

"He can't see me," you rushed in a panic, eyes wide and tears welling. "Lawrence, he can't!"

"Why?"

"He'll go on a fucking rampage, Lawrence! Ever heard going postal? Yeah, Bee gives that shit new meaning."

"They'd deserve whatever Billy wants t'do," Law frowned, tensing up when Billy had turned, caught sight of you two, and made an angry beeline for you in the grass. "U-Uh, Billy's approaching," he warned you as your boyfriend arrived, trying to pull back to give privacy, but wincing in pain that made him stop.

"The fuck is going - ? Oh, my fuckin' God," Billy trailed off, then whispered when he saw you huddled on the ground; your dress in tatters. Your head was bowed, knees drawn in, refusing to meet his eyes; making your leather-clad boyfriend lower himself to a knee. "Baby? Hey, look at me, sweet girl, lemme see... C'mon, baby, please, look at me."

You only sniffled.

"It was Jake and Steven," Lawrence told Billy, trying to find his feet; falling over and just giving up.

"Hell happened to you, man?"

Lawrence frowned, looking nervous, but your voice answered, "He saved me, Bee. Jumped in, took some of the beating."

Billy looked between you and Lawrence, but focused on you - seeing the injuries to your face and chest in full light. "Oh, my God," he breathed, looking you over in shock. Those pink, pillowy lips you adored licking and sucking on were parted in shock.

You half-smiled, "Think you pissed a few of the wrong guys off."

"Jesus Christ, sweet girl. What happened? Tell me, please, before I start making assumptions," he demanded, reaching for your cheek - making you recoil hard enough that your head banged on the house supporting your exhausted body. "Hey, hey," he whispered, looking physically wounded by your action, "'s just me, baby, it's just me, it's Bee, I'm not gonna hurt you. C'mon, sweetheart, lemme help you."

You sniffled, letting him reach for you again and caress your cheek so he could direct your head left and right; giving him a full view of your injuries that continued to weep. He stiffened as he took note of a new cut or bruise upon every new sweep of his eyes, his anger skyrocketing with every passing moment.

"It hurts," you whimpered. "Apparently, you beat the shit outta those guys weeks ago - guess they were waiting for an opening to strike back."

"You don't deserve this," he growled angrily. "Fuck - look at you! Goddamnit, I'm so sorry, princess, this is my fault. All my fucking fault, shit," he hissed, looking close to tears, "I put you here, I'm so sorry, baby."

"Got Lawrence his ass beat, too," you pouted.

"Sorry about this, man," Billy instantly offered the other boy, who was practically slumped over in the grass. He still managed to give a thumbs up. "But, uh, thank you for stepping in. You know, not a whole lotta people would."

"Nah, it was the right thing to do," Law frowned, waving him off.

"You said Jake and Steven did this?"

"Mhm," Law nodded. "Jake Chastain and Steven Barton."

"Yeah, I know 'em," Billy shook his head, "and I'll fuckin' kill 'em - "

"Can we get cleaned up first? Before we go murdering high school jocks?" You pouted in pain.

"Hey, man. You got a friend here or something? Someone to help us?" Billy asked Lawrence, still caressing your face with his thumb sweeping the apple of your cheek.

"My sister's 'round, yeah..."

"Want me to grab her?" Billy offered awkwardly.

"I'd actually appreciate it," Law whispered. "Gotta get home, yeah?"

"Yeah, man. Stay here, I'll grab her," Billy agreed. "What's her name?"

"Natalie, she's a cheerleader. Um... Y-You dated her beginning of the year?"

"I remember," he sighed, standing to his feet. He told you earnestly, almost sweetly, "I'll be fast."

But the thing is, you knew Billy all too well by now. "Wait, no," you gasped, trying to stand, "Bee, don't!" It was too late, he was already gone by the time you and Lawrence stumbled out from hiding; just in time to watch Billy point Natalie towards where you and her brother were. Then, he turned and surged up to an unsuspecting Jake and Steven; launching an all-out brawl against the two.

Neither of them stood a chance when Billy was THIS angry. Nobody did. In fact, if Jason, Tommy H., and two other guys hadn't pulled him back, surely, there'd be a lot more than a couple of broken bones. However, when Billy told the other basketball players in a spit-flying rage that these two cowards had attacked his girlfriend (a few turning back to get a look at you), it launched a new, mutual anger. Chrissy and a few other cheerleaders wanted to step in when the "fight" (more like attack) started again, but when they saw you, Lawrence, and Natalie, nobody said a single word. Nobody interfered. Nobody interrupted, and luckily, nobody else joined in...

Before Jake and Steven could lose their lives or sustain serious injury that would result in any arrests, Billy was pulled back by Lawrence - of all people. "Hey, hey," the beaten boy barked, "hey, man, chill - chill! These guys deserve it, yeah, I fucking know, but look, hey!" He grabbed Billy's shoulders to prevent him from turning back for the fray. "Hey! Your girl needs you, man. She needs you more than these bozos. C'mon, you can't go to jail over this shit, right? Right? How mad you gonna be if you get bagged 'cause of these jackasses?"

This seemed to force Billy back to reality and out of his homicidal rage. A few dudes who played football stepped in to hoist the unconscious jocks over their shoulders just to leave them on the curb a couple houses down the street.

Billy raced back to you.

Chrissy and Natalie were helping wipe blood from your skin and hair; clothes damaged, ripped, stained, beyond repair, and another cheerleader was holding a bag of frozen peas to your head as you leaned on her stomach. He slid his jacket from his shoulders, easing you off the girl's belly to leave it around your trembling form and then taking the girl's spot, supporting your body as you were tended to.

Eventually, Chrissy sighed, "I think that's the best we're gonna get you, honey. You want us to come over in the mornings? Help you get dressed and do your make-up?"

"No offense, but I don't think that's necessary... It's not like what happened is a secret," Natalie whispered, looking you over.

"Make-up might irritate the injuries," the other girl offered softly. "But it might cover some of those bruises, I just would avoid the cuts."

"I'm okay, girls, but thank you," you assured softly. "Bee's here t'help."

"Yeah, taking you straight to the hospital," he decided stiffly from behind you.

"What?"

"Think I'm not gonna get you checked out after this? Two men attacked you, I gotta make sure ain't shit's seriously wrong, baby. Don't fight me on this, please."

Billy's mind was warped with memories of sitting in ER's and other clinics with his mother nursing a broken wrist or damaged eye socket. His father's anger had always been a temperamental switch, something Billy felt he always had to outdo. Being in the hospital with you felt too similar, another bolt of rage zinging through his blood; hating the idea that you were the victim, and like his mother, he wasn't able to protect you.

Unlike his mother, this situation was directly his fault. He didn't even remember why he beat the shit outta Steven and Jake all those weeks ago, but whatever the reason, it cost him now. Cost you both.

The party continued inside the house, but Billy walked around the side yard, down to the front, then towards the street full of parked cars with you secure in his arms. After getting you settled safely in the passenger seat of his Camaro, Billy rightened and shut the door; seeing Lawrence and Natalie approaching their own car, the bag of peas now held to his jaw and cheek.

His sister was under his arm, helping him hobble. Billy gulped, realizing Lawrence was beat to hell, too, and if he hadn't jumped in, Lord only knew what state you'd be in now. When the two men caught one another's eye, Billy offered a nod of respect and thanks; the other lad returning it as if to say he was welcome. Billy raced for the driver's door, sliding in, and without turning any music on, drove off towards the hospital.

You were grumpy to be there, but one look at you had the medical staff moving at a quickened pace to help you; offering speedy aid. You were cleaned and cared for; questions regarding the level of assault making you nervous, but you answered honestly that two classmates had jumped you at a party. This meant the police were called; tears in your eyes and down your cheeks when you had to tell Chief Hopper (a close family friend) exactly what happened.

Billy provided their assailant’s full names and promised they wouldn't be in the best shape when (slash if) the two were found.

After hearing your story and writing the names down from Billy, Hopper sighed in empathy, "Kid... Don't admit t'anything."

"I'm not, I'm just making a casual note," Billy countered. "You know, people don't take too kindly to people hittin' a woman. Less so when she's drunk, alone, and they fuckin' stomp on her - "

"All right," Hopper tried to halt his built up anger. "Let's just take a breath here - "

"Uh, Chief?" His deputy interrupted. "Them boys? Uh, a... Jake Chastain and Steven Barton? They were just wheeled in from an ambulance."

"Interesting," Hopper noted, sparing Billy a small look. "From where?"

"A neighbor called them in, said there's a party few houses from her on Hawthorne."

Jim Hopper sighed and turned to you and Billy with his hands on his hips. His face was passively angry. "Sound familiar?" He asked, tongue sweeping over his teeth.

"Yes," you answered for you both, "that's where it happened, Chief."

His eyes softened when he looked back at you. "All right," he nodded, looking to his partner. "Go stand by their room, keep an eye - I'll be there in a second, but the victims made a positive ID. Doc's will treat 'em and we'll book 'em." When left alone, Hopper took a suspicious look around the hospital floor before sliding the curtains shut around your bed; moving to your other side, removing his hat, and kneeling. "Listen, kid," he whispered, taking your hand softly, "I got a daughter at home, too, and if anyone - and I mean, anyone - laid a hand on her the way you were tonight, I'd burn this town to the fucking ground."

Billy snorted in amusement, "Know the feeling."

Hopper nodded, "So believe me when I say, I need to know, off the record, what really happened tonight. Your father will need to know that I am doing everything to help - but I need to know the truth."

"I don't know what to tell you, Hopper," you frowned, matching his quiet tone, "I've told you what I know. I was a few drinks in, stepped outside t'smoke, and that's when they grabbed me, took me t'the side yard, and started wailing on me. I dropped, they kept goin', that's when this other boy stepped in. He got beat up pretty good, too, but he helped get them away. Billy showed up, we came here - "

"I hit them," Billy interrupted, making you squeak lightly. Hopper just laid his other hand over yours so he cocooned it; glancing around the under skirts of the curtains to make sure you remained alone.

Then he asked, "When?"

"After I made sure Y/N was okay," Billy explained, petting a hand over the back of your head; never looking away from Hopper. "I found her friend's sister, made sure someone knew where they were, and then I hit them... And I didn't stop hitting them."

"Kid - "

"Some teammates pulled me off, don't worry - it could've been so much worse. But when the others found out what they did to my girl?" He hissed quietly, "They took matters into their own hands by themselves, sir. My girl was attacked, I couldn't let that just slide, Chief, I hope you understand."

Hopper sighed, "Well, I can't condone the violence, but since it was a group effort, be a helluva lot more paperwork bringing you in versus those two who started it."

Billy nodded absently, your free hand laying over Hopper's to stack. "Did you call my dad?" You asked nervously.

"Not yet," he frowned. "I gotta check on the suspects, but I can after."

"Could you not? For me, please?" You sniffled. "He'll just worry and would get all pissy 'cause his trip has to be cut - "

"He's not home?" Hopper asked in earnest confusion with knitted brows.

Your head shook, "Chicago for the week."

"He left eight days ago," Billy snipped.

"Bee," you reprimanded sharply.

"Hey," Hopper squeezed your hand, "it's okay, you're over 18, I don't have to call him. But El and I are gonna drop by later with dinners and to check on you, her little friend, too, probably. You know, the, uh... The little red head?"

"Max?" You asked.

"Yeah, her. Nice girl."

"She's Billy's step-sister," you snickered, wincing when your broken ribs protested.

"You should rest," Hopper bid, "and thank you for being honest," he stood to his feet while nodding at Billy. "Tell you what, I won't report you starting the fight - technically... It'll be reported as a randomized group effort after they were caught assaulting Y/N."

Billy nodded, too shocked for words as Hopper patted your hand, placed his hat on, and exited the little curtained room. "Wow," your boyfriend breathed. "Since when are you friends with the Chief of Police?"

"He and my dad go way back," you eased.

"All cops like him?"

"Fuck no, you know that." After a beat, you reached for his hand to lace your fingers with him, "Hey," you bid, "I-I'm really sorry."

"Baby, just - don't even start - "

"No, for earlier, for our fight," you interrupted, "and for feeling petty enough to go to the party alone when I know you don't like that... For drinking, not being more aware like you taught me. I didn't use the buddy-system when I went t'smoke, it was a major fuck-up, I know, but I'm just sorry. I feel like I've disappointed you or something - "

"No, hey, sweet girl," he rushed, sitting on the edge of the gurney to stare at you directly, "don't you ever feel that way - you didn't do nothing wrong. Hear me? You didn't put yourself in this position, you didn't deserve what happened, you didn't - no, just," he sighed deeply, "you didn't do any of this, sweetheart. Okay? If anything... If anything, this is my fucking fault and I'm the one who is so sorry."

Your head shook, but Billy continued,

"They did this to you because of me." Tears filled those sweet baby blues. "Because I don't have a hold of my temper - I fucked them up, so, they fucked you up. This is my fault, I'm so sorry. But look, hey, I'll fix this, okay? I swear to God - I'm gonna fix this."

"The cops got 'em, we don't have t'do anything else," you mumbled. "You don't have to do anything else, Billy."

"Maybe not, but I can't let this go - look at you," a single tear dripped. "Fucking look at you, my sweet girl. In the fucking hospital 'cause of me - I can't - this ain't right. I gotta make it right."

You couldn't answer because a technician was arriving to take you for a CT, MRI, and X-Ray - all of those scans that would tell them what was going on internally. Hopper was seen outside the two boy's rooms - Billy following your bed closely as you where wheeled away. Every scan or test he could remain close for, he was; stepping back when needed, but being sucked right back to your side when able.

By the end of the night, you were released into Billy's care because all patients with head injuries had to have some kind of chaperone, and a few floors up, Steven and Jake were being handcuffed to their hospital beds by Hopper.

"Real lucky I wasn't there when you hit her," Jim Hopper seethed quietly, tightening the cuff on Jake to an uncomfortable grip. "Your parents would need money for your funerals - not bail," he offered one single more glare before leaving the next shift of deputies on duty. He sped all the way home and held Eleven in a suffocating hug.

Turns out, you sustained decent injuries from that night.

A (cleanly) broken ankle. Six different broken ribs. Split lip that required two stitches. Stitched earlobes from where piercings were ripped out. Severely bruised collarbones, bordering on broken. One blackened eye. Along with other generic bruises and cuts, more seemingly discovered as the days drug by slowly.

Billy was ready to mow down anyone in his way at any point, but his only ability to get through the school day was that he saw you everyday afterward. He dropped whatever sport and / or club that held his interest, collecting coursework you missed, then driving Max and "Jane" Hopper to your place. He would've lashed out if this was any other situation, but because you asked him to behave and bring you the materials you needed, he did. He played nice.

The two assailants, Steven and Jake, had been arrested by Jim Hopper. They apparently had a rough ride to the station, but that wasn't here or there. What they did to you was far worse that nobody batted a single lash when the two were brought in the station for booking, looking freshly beat up and bloodied. A judge also rejected their bail.

Billy brought you whatever work you missed during your recovery at home, most teachers shocked to see him so diligent in showing up and making the collections. He didn't understand whatever the teachers told him about the work, but you did - and it was fascinating to him, watching you work or study. He usually sat by your window to smoke, but on the occasion, you asked for a toke and wouldn't care about where the smoke blew. So, as weeks passed, he stopped specifically going over to your window; just leaving it open for ventilation so he could remain at your side.

Anything you needed, he got. He did. He gave you. Guilt was one helluva motivator and Billy was chalked-full; so, he did the only thing he knew he could, being acts of service.

You were laid up, it made sense. He could bring you into the shower, get naked himself and help you bathe. He could carry you downstairs, cook for you, help out around the house by keeping it clean because he knew it stressed you out. He would collect the mail, water plants, do dishes, just turned into a househusband that made your stomach and cheeks feel all warm and fuzzy. Never did you think Billy had the ability to be domestic, but here he was, in your great-grandmother's kitchen, wearing a stained apron while trying to bake cookies while you worked on a physics project.

"Hey, Bee?"

"What's wrong?" He asked instantly, setting the hot tray to the stove.

"No, hey, calm down," you smiled with a small laugh. "I was just wondering... You know, like... What's gotten into you?"

"Huh?"

"You know what I mean," you huffed, setting your pencil down. "You literally haven't let me out of your sight except when you're at school."

He shrugged, "You need help."

"You don't ask if I do."

"I don't need to ask when I can just see it."

"Billy."

He sighed and begrudgingly scraped cookies off the hot tray to rest on the cooling sheets. "Your dad asked me to stay close," he offered.

"Bullshit."

"No, really," Billy insisted. "He's in and out with work, so, he asked me to stick around, just in case."

"Okay, fine, but it's more than that. Billy, tell me the truth, baby, please. It's not a bad thing, I'm just curious what's really going on."

"I'm just... I'm just nervous, you know?"

Your head cocked, "Why's that?"

"Look what happened to you," he chuckled ruefully. "All fucked up, can't even go t'school until your ribs are healed - all 'cause of me. 'Cause I fucked up and went too far - "

"William," you snapped, making his wide, shocked eyes meet yours. "I'm not gonna listen to this anymore. Okay? I know you're sorry, you tell me everyday, andI know you're feeling guilty, but this isn't your fault, you're not the one who put hands on me - "

You flinched when he lobbed the cookie tray into the sink, causing a ruckus, his voice yelling over the noise, "FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"

"William!"

"I'm trying to protect you!" He yelled, tears swelling when he whipped around to face you. "I-I don't know what else to do! Look, okay, say what you fucking want, but the truth is, those two assholes came at you 'cause of me. Okay? 'Cause I had to be myself and beat the shit outta them 3 months ago, they never forgave - they didn't forget. I put you in this situation, that now? Now, yeah!" He laughed without humor. "Yeah! I'm fucking nervous leaving you alone! Fuck knows what could happen to you, and who's to say there aren't more people out there just waiting for this kinda opportunity! Baby!" He rushed for you at the kitchen table, your mouth sewn shut in shock as he found his knees in front of you and took both your hands in his. "Baby, listen to me. You're the only thing - no, I'm serious!" He insisted when you looked ready to protest this sentiment you've heard before. "You're the only thing I fucking care about, that I want to protect, and they all know it - I don't exactly hide it. I love you so fucking much, they'd do this again - they'd fucking hurt you to get to me and that idea just..." He sighed, looking lost.

You pulled a hand free to instantly caress his cheek, turning his attention upward until his eyes met yours. "Billy," you whispered, "baby, nobody's after us. This was just a freak accident, this was a fluke, okay? You're worried anyone else is gonna come at me, at us, but I know nobody else is that fucking stupid. They wouldn't test you, and Jake and Steven took advantage of an already bad situation. Okay? We had a fight - which was pretty public. So, people knew we were at odds, and when I showed up at that party alone, started drinking, it was their perfect opportunity to strike."

"You can't say that, we don't know if anyone else is gonna test us," he sniffled. "I've made a lot of mistakes... Pissed a lot of people off. One of them might've grown a pair."

"Okay," you relented, "then I guess we're gonna have to stick together, you know... So you can keep me safe, right?"

He chuckled dryly, "I'm trying, princess."

"Well, we can work out a better way - one that doesn't run you into the fucking ground, Billy, Jesus," you searched his face. "Are you sleeping? At all?"

"'Course I am - "

"Don't lie to me."

He sighed, deflating a little, "I sleep... Only when I stay here."

"Billy, you stay only a couple nights a week when Daddy's home."

"I know."

"So, you basically only sleep when Daddy's out of town and you stay here?" You squeaked, watching him nod; pouting and feeling your own guilt brew. "Baby... Look, can we just agree that this isn't either of our faults? Right? Yeah? If I'm not allowed to think this was my fault, you aren't either."

"I was the one they wanted t'hurt," he shook his head. "They did this 'cause of me, sweetheart, how can you be so - so - fuck! So fucking understanding a-and forgiving?"

"Because I love you," you answered like it was common knowledge, even giving a small giggle.

"That doesn't... But that doesn't even - "

"What? Mean anything? Bee, it means everything," you smiled at him. "I love you, so, when you make mistakes, I forgive you - even though there's nothing you've done. I mean," you winced slightly, "sure, maybe we could reduce the kids you bully or beat up, you know, limit the enemies we might make. And this is something that can be redeemed, can't it?"

He stared at you from the floor, slowly deflating, "Can it? I've fucked up so much, doll, I don't think I deserve whatever forgiveness you wanna give me."

"You can't keep beating yourself up," you snipped. "Hey? Hear me? Look, it happened - it fucking sucked, but it happened and it's fucking over. We both need one another to help move on, okay? So, I need you back, Bee, I need my man back because we need to get through this together. You don't get to sulk in your guilt, I don't get to stew in my regret, we need to help each other out of this."

Billy sniffled, "How? How do we move on when you've still got stitches in your lip?"

"They'll dissolve in a few days," you shrugged meekly. "We move on together, okay? Maybe you pick up basketball again, try to distract yourself. Billy, we need some normalcy again, right? You know?"

"Doll, being away from you makes me feel like my lungs are gonna pop," he shook his head. "I'm afraid something might happen if I'm not there, it's fucking scary after finding you in your own blood."

"Then I'll be at every practice," you eased. "You can drive me to and from school, then you know where I am - you'll know I'm safe."

Billy stared at you a moment, fully dropping to the floor as his energy finally drained. He ran a hand through his hair, rustling the curls, admitting in a soft voice, "I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to not feel so guilty, how to move forward."

"There's no playbook," you agreed. "Guess it means we gotta figure it out ourselves, but again, we do it together. C'mere," you sighed, lowering yourself to the floor with your booted ankle held out.

"No, don't - "

"Fuck off, I'm not totally unable to do shit," you grunted, adjusting yourself and reaching for him. "Come here, please, I wanna hold you! Been cuddling me this whole time, lemme be the big spoon, please."

"Just told me to fuck off, sweetheart, kinda sending some mixed signals, aren't'cha?" He chuckled, turning so his back was to your chest; leaning so you supported him in his slump. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he muttered, holding the arm around his collarbones. "I really - if I knew this was gonna happen, I'd never of fought them."

"I know, and I forgive you," you whispered in his ear. "But we can't keep doing this back and forth, okay? I forgive you, Billy, no more apologies."

He sighed, "Yeah... All right..."

"Steven and Jake are arrested, we won't have t'see them again. Hopper will make sure of that," you smirked against the shell of his ear. "And the doctors said I should be good to return to school next week, but I'm out of cheer and everything."

He groaned, "Just something else I've fucked up for you."

"Oh, please, I love the time off," you teased. "Gives me all the time I need to watch my man on the court, huh?" He half-chuckled at your words. "You know I'm ahead in all my classes now, too? Teaching myself at home is far superior than the teacher's bitching at us for eight hours."

"You're gonna love college, baby," he chuckled, the two of you lulling into a comfortable silence. You held him tightly, nuzzled into his neck; both sitting in your emotions, trying to navigate a way out.

"We good?" You whispered.

"We're good," Billy agreed, just as soft. "No more apologies... Try to have less guilt. But you're gonna let me stay close, right?"

"I want you clinging to me so hard, I can't fucking breathe," you smirked. "And if Daddy really asked you to stick around, then you're welcome to stay here longer, even if he's here... Where I can have you close to me," you whispered, licking the skin under his ear. He stiffened.

"No - you better not," he squirmed when you licked again, adding a little teeth in a scrape.

"Billy," you pouted. "It's been weeks!"

"You're still hurt," he argued, turning on the floor to look at you. "I'm not gonna be responsible for breaking another of your ribs 'cause we were horny."

"I'm doing so much better, though!"

"Tell you what," he smirked. "Next business trip of your dad's, I'll fuck you all weekend - wherever you want, however you want."

"He has one in two weeks."

"Mhm, and you have a check up before he leaves."

You eyed him for a moment, "When did you become responsible?"

"I've always been."

"No, this is new. You're remembering dates and my doctor appointments and my dad's work schedule."

"Maybe I just like taking care of you," he whispered against your lips with a growing smirk. After pecking you lips, he quipped, "So, shut up and let me."

"Yes, sir."

requesting rules and masterlist

Stranger Things masterlist

[reasonsforhope]

"A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a real-time air monitor that can detect any of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants that are present in a room in about 5 minutes.

The proof-of-concept device was created by researchers from the McKelvey School of Engineering and the School of Medicine at Washington University...

The results are contained in a July 10 publication in Nature Communications that provides details about how the technology works.

The device holds promise as a breakthrough that - when commercially available - could be used in hospitals and health care facilities, schools, congregate living quarters, and other public places to help detect not only the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but other respiratory virus aerosol such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well.

“There is nothing at the moment that tells us how safe a room is,” Cirrito said, in the university’s news release. “If you are in a room with 100 people, you don’t want to find out five days later whether you could be sick or not. The idea with this device is that you can know essentially in real time, or every 5 minutes, if there is a live virus in the air.”

How It Works

The team combined expertise in biosensing with knowhow in designing instruments that measure the toxicity of air. The resulting device is an air sampler that operates based on what’s called “wet cyclone technology.” Air is sucked into the sampler at very high speeds and is then mixed centrifugally with a fluid containing a nanobody that recognizes the spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That fluid, which lines the walls of the sampler, creates a surface vortex that traps the virus aerosols. The wet cyclone sampler has a pump that collects the fluid and sends it to the biosensor for detection of the virus using electrochemistry.

The success of the instrument is linked to the extremely high velocity it generates - the monitor has a flow rate of about 1,000 liters per minute - allowing it to sample a much larger volume of air over a 5-minute collection period than what is possible with currently available commercial samplers. It’s also compact - about one foot wide and 10 inches tall - and lights up when a virus is detected, alerting users to increase airflow or circulation in the room.

Testing the Monitor

To test the monitor, the team placed it in the apartments of two Covid-positive patients. The real-time air samples from the bedrooms were then compared with air samples collected from a virus-free control room. The device detected the RNA of the virus in the air samples from the bedrooms but did not detect any in the control air samples.

In laboratory experiments that aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 into a room-sized chamber, the wet cyclone and biosensor were able to detect varying levels of airborne virus concentrations after only a few minutes of sampling, according to the study.

“We are starting with SARS-CoV-2, but there are plans to also measure influenza, RSV, rhinovirus and other top pathogens that routinely infect people,” Cirrito said. “In a hospital setting, the monitor could be used to measure for staph or strep, which cause all kinds of complications for patients. This could really have a major impact on people’s health.”

The Washington University team is now working to commercialize the air quality monitor."

-via Forbes, July 11, 2023

-

Holy shit. I know it's still early in the technology and more testing will inevitably be needed but holy shit.

Literally, if it bears out, this could revolutionize medicine. And maybe let immunocompromised people fucking go places again

Also, for those who don't know, Nature Communications is a very prestigious scientific journal that focuses on Pretty Big Deal research. Their review process is incredibly rigorous. This is an absolutely HUGE credibility boost to this research and prototype

[batboyblog]

What Joe Biden has Done for LGBTQ+ People

I wanted to list out everything The Biden Administration has done for Queer people in the last 3 and a half years, but according to GLAAD it'd been 337 moves (and I noticed they missed a few things...) there was just no way to list every ground breaking first Queer person ever nominated to fill this or that job, every ally with a historic LGBT rights record nominated for a top job, every beautiful statement of support, every time he tried to get Congress to pass the Equality Act (support it!) So I've gone through and done my best to pick the ones I think were the most important, but everyone should check out the full list!

Day 1: Signs executive orders banning discrimination and ordering a full review of all federal agencies policies to better include and support LGBT people

Pete Buttigieg becomes the first openly gay person nominated and confirmed for a cabinet level post as Secretary of Transportation

Revokes Trump’s 2018 ban on transgender military personnel

Department of Housing and Urban Development implements LGBTQ protections in housing, becoming first federal agency to implement Pres. Biden’s executive order

First President to recognize and proclaim Trans Day of Visibility

Department of Justice Civil Rights Division issues an official memo that the Supreme Court's Bostock decision against LGBT workplace discrimination also applies to education through Title IX

HUD withdraws a Trump Administration proposed rule change, and reaffirms trans people's rights to seek shelters matching their gender identity

HHS announces the withdrawal of Trump Administration rules that allowed discrimination by healthcare organizations against LGBT people.

The State Department and later Homeland Security announce babies born to Queer couples overseas will be American citizens if one parent is American, in the past the child only qualified if they were genetically related to the American citizen parent.

The Justice Department files against a West Virginia law banning trans students from school athletics

Department of Veterans Affairs announces it will offer gender confirming surgery for transgender veterans. There are an estimated 134,000 transgender veterans in the U.S. and another 15,000 transgender people serving in the armed forces.

President Biden Signs a law making the Pulse Night Club a national memorial

The State Department creates an X gender marker for passports and other documents, allowing gender affirming identification for non-binary and intersex people for the first time.

The Census Bureau for the first time issues a Survey with questions about sexual orientation and gender identity

On the 10th anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Veterans Administration announces that soldiers discharged for homosexual conduct, gender identity or HIV status qualify for veterans' benefits

Dr. Rachel Levine becomes the first trans person confirmed by the US Senate when she was nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Health, she also became the first trans flag rank officer when she was sworn in as a 4 star Admiral for her job as head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, his makes her the highest ranked trans person in government

Holds the first ever vigil in the White House for Transgender Day of Remembrance

HHS announces rule change to reinstate and expand protections against discrimination in the Affordable Care Act, including denying coverage for gender-affirming care.

Social Security Administration reverses a Trump Administration policy and allows benefits claims by surviving partners in same-sex relationships, whose partner died before marriage equality was legal

President Biden signs the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (a bill he helped originally craft in the Senate) which for the first time has grant programs dedicated to expanding and developing initiatives specifically for LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence

The TSA announces new technology and policy shifts to improve the customer experience of transgender travelers who have previously been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas.

The Social Security Administration allows people to edit their gender and name on records for the first time without legal and medical documentation

The US Air Force announces it'll offer medical and legal aid to any personnel families affected by state level anti-trans youth bills.

Karine Jean-Pierre becomes the first Lesbian to serve as White House Press Secretary

on 50th anniversary of Title IX The Department of Ed strengthens protections for Students against sexual harassment and discrimination

Veterans Affairs announces survivor benefits now extended to partners from relationships before marriage equality was legalized in 2015

President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act into law enshrining protections for marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples

The Department of Ed announces new rules around athletic eligibility under Title IX, declaring blanket bans on trans students violate the law and setting up strike standards for schools

The White House announced a suit of new protections for LGBTQ people, including a new job at the Department of Ed to combat book bans, a joint DoJ Homeland Security effort to combat violence and threats and HHS evidence-based guidance to mental health providers for care of transgender kids

President Biden signs an Executive Order directing HHS to protect LGBTQI+ youth in the foster care system, a rule they later passed requiring Queer foster children to be placed in affirming homes

The Biden administration joins families of transgender youth in Tennessee and Kentucky in petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review and reverse a circuit court ruling allowing a ban on mainstream health care to be enforced

President Biden Signs a EO expanding on past EO on equality and helping underserved communities

The Department of Education's Civil Rights office opens an investigation into the death of Nex Benedict. President Biden in his statement said: "Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are, and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities. Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today. Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves. In memory of Nex, we must all recommit to our work to end discrimination and address the suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children.”

[rafesaddiction]

It's still not cheating when he's your best friend – Rafe Cameron x Reader (Part 2)

See here for part 1

Summary: You're excited to see your favorite band live. But a fight with your boyfriend threatens to cancel the trip, until someone you don’t expect to see, saves the day: your best friend Rafe Cameron.

Concept: best friend, only nice to her

Warnings: mdni! – smut, fingering, public, (kinda) dubcon, cheating (reader cheats on boyfriend), hints at a toxic relationship, name calling (reader is called slut), protective!rafe

Word count: 3.1k

a/n The past weeks have been really hard for me due to health issues. But I've finally been able to write again. I had fun writing this and I hope you won’t be disappointed reading it. Please let me know your thoughts.

Taglist @dream-pink @dope-trope-105 @rafeinterlude @baby19sthings @yootvi @aaronhotchswife @lilo7sworld

He almost ruined it. For months, you had been looking forward to seeing one of your favorite bands at the beach festival. The day before the concert, your boyfriend told you he didn't want to go and he didn't want you to go either. You had a fight that started over something stupid and ended with him accusing you that you just wanted to go to the festival so you could run around naked and fool around with guys, like the slut you were. You cried when he stormed out and shut your dorm room’s door with a bang. You cried all night.

Your boyfriend was supposed to be the driver. And now on top of all the personal pain you were feeling, you had to explain to your friends that you no longer had a ride to the festival. Neither you nor one of your friends owned a car. You tried to get your parents' car, but they needed it themselves. In the group chat you discussed all kinds of possibilities, until one of your friends wrote that he had organized a car. Everyone cheered at that, and even you, despite of all those tears that kept running down your face, were relieved that you and your friends could make the trip. You not only wanted to see the band play, more important to you was to get out with your friend and forget about the argument you and your boyfriend had.

Your friend also mentioned that the car's owner would join us to the festival, to which everyone naturally agreed and was excited. You even promised to bake cookies for the mysterious hero.

But you didn’t expect it to be him. You could have guessed because that friend also went to high school with you and they had been friends then. Still, it was kind of a shock and you froze when you saw a familiar car on the parking lot next to the dorms. The Cameron family SUV.

You hadn't talked to him since that one night. That one night that should have never happened. That one night that had been the best night of your life. That one night when you had had the best sex of your life with your best friend, Rafe Cameron.

Rafe wasn't much of a texter, but he had texted you. You had written six different replies and never sent one. You had wanted to write him or call him several times. Like last night when your boyfriend had made you cry again. Suddenly you were very aware of how you must look. Your eyes all puffy from the crying.

Rafe was at the back of the car, loading bags into the trunk with the friend who had invited him to this trip.

He hadn't seen you yet, his back was turned towards you, and you were glad about it, because you didn't know what to say, didn't know how to feel. So you were more than relieved when one of your friends arrived shortly after you, pulled you in a hug and decided that you two could already get into the car which was much cooler than standing around in the burning sun, while you could leave it to the guys to load your stuff into the car.

You sat in the middle of the backseat, your friend to your right. She started chatting right away and you felt somewhat relieved that she didn't comment on your boyfriend's absence nor your puffy eyes. Shortly after, the rest of your group arrived, you were six altogether, and luckily the SUV was really comfortable – more comfortable than your boyfriend's old minivan.

Rafe got into the driver's seat, and for a moment, he looked at you through the rearview mirror, before you turned your attention to your friend, as you felt your heart skipping a beat at that moment. You were unsure whether you saw a smile flash over his face, and you didn't dare to look again to check, afraid your face might reveal too much of your inner turmoil.

Though the drive took several hours, time flew by quickly. You had been right. It was good being with your friends and having fun. Everyone was in a good mood, the music was good, there was lively chatting and laughter, there was drinking and snacking, and even stupid car games were played. You might have been a little quieter than usual, but no one seemed to notice – no one except Rafe, who again and again looked at you through the mirror, but never directly spoke to you.

The parking lot of the festival site was already quite full, but Rafe managed to find a good spot for the car. When you got out of the car, you stretched your arms and felt the sun on your skin. It was a very hot day and the car had been nicely air-conditioned. Since it was so hot and the festival was on the beach anyway, your friends and you decided to just wear your bathing suits. You got out of your jeans shorts and shirt, as you were wearing your bikini underneath. You saw Rafe take off his shirt, and one of your guy friends commented that he should put it back on as it would make them all look like total wimps compared to him. There was laughter and Rafe smirked as he casually flexed his chest muscles. It was true. Rafe did look fitter than most guys. It wasn't too much muscles, but he was big and looked strong. Sometimes you thought he looked too good to be real, like a statue of some Greek god… Rafe had caught you staring at him and you quickly averted your gaze, feeling heat crawling to your face.

Since everyone was hungry, your friends and you decided to get some pizza and drinks, and after that more drinks. Everyone was relaxed and had a good time. You smiled a lot – except when you looked at your phone and saw the notifications. Your boyfriend had sent you several texts and voice mails. You didn't open them, you had already seen in the preview window what those texts were about. Obviously he hadn't calmed down. If anything he was even more angry, even more hurtful in his messages.

When looking at the phone, you also saw the time. The band you wanted to see was about to play soon. You asked your friends to go with you closer to the stage, but no one really wanted to move. They said you could hear the music perfectly well from their current spot, besides the booze was here. To that everyone cheered and raised their cups. Everyone but Rafe.

“I’ll go with you.”

“You don't have to. You can stay here, enjoy yourself. I'll just go on my own.”

“Quit that bullshit,” he said and came closer, he had put his cup away. “I'm going with you. So you won't get lost in the crowd. Besides, I know how much you want to see your third favorite band live.”

“You remember,” you gazed up at him, who stood now directly in front of you. You had to shield your eyes since the sun was shining so brightly, but you could definitely see a smile on his lips.

“Of course, I remember,” he said in a low voice, almost whispering and you couldn't help it, you gasped for air.

The smile on his lips turned into a smirk as he continued, “How could I ever forget you dancing to that one song for like all of junior year, hm? You're gonna do that dance again? Wouldn't wanna miss that.”

And he started moving his hips and his arms in a weird clumsy rhythm, imitating what was supposed to be you dancing. It looked ridiculous and you had to laugh.

You punched his shoulder. “Stop that. That's not how I dance.”

He kept on moving in that awkward way and you tried hard to stop laughing – suddenly feeling lighter and more relaxed than you had in weeks – since that night.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest and pushed out your lips, pouting, but couldn't fight the giggles, as Rafe tried some elaborate pirouette which caused him to stumble, but he stopped, directly in front of you. All of a sudden he was calm and there was something so soft in his features which you knew he rarely ever showed anyone.

“Let's go,” it was almost a whisper, then he added in a louder voice. “We don't want to miss that song and that dance.”

You punched his chest, your hand almost hurting as it hit the hard muscle – and felt his hot skin. But you let him take your hand and lead you from the group of your friends who were engrossed in some conversation of their own. His strong hand holding yours felt good, it felt right. Rafe was your best friend. He was the one you trusted most, he was the one who made you laugh, no matter what.

Rafe walked towards the stage and tugged you along with him. When there were more and more people around, he pulled you close to his body. Still holding one of your hands, his palm touched your back as he walked behind you, keeping you very close. He made sure you didn't get lost in the crowd. His body shielded you from anyone bumping into you or spilling their drinks on you.

The place got more and more crowded and he had to slow down. You turned your head to look at him.

“This is okay,” you said.

Rafe frowned as he looked at you. “No, it's not. We're going to the front row.”

“No, Rafe, this is totally okay. I can see enough from here.”

His frown deepened. “No, you can't. You're too tiny.”

At that comment you frowned. “I’m not tiny. You're just a giant,” you said and wanted to punch him with your free hand, but you didn't have enough space to move your arm, so you just ended up placing your palm on his chest. Feeling his hard muscle, feeling his hot skin, and his heart beating. He placed his hand on yours and your breathing hitched.

Rafe held you even tighter to his body as he proceeded to walk to the stage. His strong arms held you, protected you. And despite all these people around you, you only felt him, his presence, his closeness, all around you. Your skin tingled where it touched his, and that tingling grew stronger and became something else. Something that went so much deeper. And you felt a too familiar pulsing in your core.

Some people complained and pushed and shoved, but one look at Rafe’s face and stature and they made room for you and him. He really managed to secure a spot in the front row for you, right in the middle and you got the perfect view of the stage, standing directly behind the first barrier. Only a few feet of empty space separated you from the stage. Rafe was standing directly behind you, his hands to both sides of you, resting on the rail, his arms caging you in – shielding you.

You wanted to turn and thank him, but in that moment the band entered the stage and started playing their first song. You were captivated by their performance and the great atmosphere their music created. There was cheering, singing, dancing all around you. People were pushing and shoving, but you only felt a fraction of that as Rafe's body pressed closer to yours. He was shielding you from all the crowd's wilder movements, while you could enjoy being part of this experience safely.

You even danced a bit, your back rubbing against Rafe's front. When you craned your neck to look back at him, you saw him grin. And you felt a grin on your own face.

The set list was great too. They played all your favorite songs and the lead singer managed to put some kind of spell on the audience when they played a couple of slower songs. Or that spell was just on you, and not caused by the singer, but by something or someone else.

You leaned back a little, your head resting against Rafe's broad chest, feeling his heart beat. You closed your eyes and your hips swayed to the slow rhythm of the song. Your skin touched his skin. And you didn't mind the thin film of sweat covering his body from the heat of the bright sun and the crowded place. You smelled his scent so intensely, it made you almost forget where you were. It just made you feel.

Your eyes opened, your upper body leaned forward, resting your arms on the barrier. You watched the singer putting all his emotions into each and every note. Goosebumps crawled over your skin. But it wasn't from the singer's raspy voice. Rafe's hand touched your hip. Your back arched a little as your butt was pushed back. You gasped. Rafe's hand rubbed over your butt cheek, you felt the rough palm, the long fingers, the cool metal of his ring on your skin. The touch was light, too light, too gentle, too soft. Your mouth opened, but all sounds were drowned by the music and the noise of the people.

His fingertips, just his fingertips, tenderly touched the back of your thigh, moved to the inside of your leg. They moved up and one finger rubbed over the fabric of your bikini bottoms. It was like scratching and you flinched, but that didn't make him withdraw his hand. Instead, the finger pushed harder, pushed to part your folds, pushed to tease you, while the layer of clothes still was between you and his digit.

You felt heat rushing through your body, neither caused by the sun nor by the heat of the people moving around you. You did not perceive any of them. You just felt him, while your eyes were directed at the band on stage performing their emotional song.

Rafe’s finger moved along your slit with pressure. Through your bikini panties his fingertip was able to find your most sensitive spot at once and he began teasing it mercilessly. No one heard it, but you were sure, Rafe felt that you were moaning. You felt a growing need that threatened to take over all your senses. As if he knew that, felt that, perceived that, Rafe pushed the fabric aside – tantalizingly slow. And his fingers found you wet and yearning for his touch. A mewling sound escaped your lips as a finger pushed inside you. You felt your walls clench around the digit. And you felt Rafe tense behind you and you were sure you heard a groan.

The song had changed, you only now realized, its rhythm was faster, wilder. And so was Rafe's touch. His finger thrust into you, stretching your tightness, pushing deep, making you squirm. Your hands gripping the metal of the barrier for support. Your legs started shaking as Rafe added a second finger and began fucking you with his digits. He curled them inside you and your head went back to your neck as you moaned shamelessly. He pulled his fingers out completely, just to push them into you even deeper. Again and again.

The song grew louder, harder, fiercer – and so did his finger-fucking you. Your body trembled, your voice was hoarse and you were whining now. He pushed you further and further, closer and closer to the edge.

Then, all of a sudden, he leaned over you – maybe he was pushed by the crowd jumping about, maybe he needed to feel you closer too – and you could feel his hardness press against your back. You pressed your eyes shut as your climax hit you, hit you hard. The wave swept you away and carried you to another place, where all you did was feel, feel this, feel him.

His fingers fucked you through your orgasm. He had wrapped his arm around you, was holding you close to his body, and thus was also keeping you from falling, since your legs were shaking and you feared you no longer could trust them to support you.

Slowly he pulled his fingers out. And even though you still felt echoes of your high, this also left a feeling of emptiness inside you. A longing that was always there if he wasn't inside you.

You felt his breath close to your ear and heard him say something, but the music drowned his words. You turned your head, looking at him with hooded eyes and saw him lick his fingers.

The rest of the concert felt like in a haze. Rafe kept his arm around you, holding you close, while you watched the band play but could only listen to his heart beat, as your body was still shivering.

When the show ended, people started moving and Rafe took a step back to give you room to turn around to him.

“Thirsty?” he asked you, and you just nodded, not trusting your voice.

His hand on your back, Rafe guided you through the crowd back to your friends, and you had to admit to yourself that you wouldn't have found them on your own.

Rafe ordered something to drink for you at the nearby bar while you stood with your friends. One of them commented that you were glowing and that you looked totally blissed out. You touched your cheek and felt the heat, and felt that smile on your face. She asked if the show had been that good and you replied that it had been amazing. Your voice was hoarse and she suspected it was from you singing along with the band so loudly all the time. You didn't comment on that, just felt another wave of heat going through your body. As you turned, your eyes met Rafe's. A little smirk on his lips as he put a cup into your hand and took a swig out of his own.

[pocketramblr]

Please!

AU where both Izuku and Bakugou are rejected from UA Hero Course.

And to make it juicy. The reason for the rejections is the suicide baiting incident being known by UA. While Bakugou is rejected for obvious reasons. Izuku is rejected for his ‘own safety’ and because they won’t trust his psyche went unscathed.

1- The thing about Bakugou is that he was not particularly well liked by his classmates at Aldera. Oh, he had friends, and no one was willing to stand up to him, but plenty of students had grudges about how he acted. They rolled their eyes when Bakugou went on a rant about being the only one who could make it to UA, or his lackeys hyped him up, but then they'd look away without a word when he caught them and glared. No one was going to say he wasn't powerful and couldn't do it, just like they weren't going to say Deku had any chance. Sometimes, capable people are also very annoying, and you just have to deal with that, so the kids did. And if a few were in a small group chat that would sneak pictures or videos to show the kids not in their class and complain, well, that's what the kids did. And then one day, one filmed the conversation after school, after Bakugou threw out the notebook, and posted it publicly, as well as in the chat.

2- nothing came of this. Izuku had either blocked or been blocked by a lot of his classmates online, and hadn't really bothered to look for most of them anyway, so neither he nor Bakugou are aware of the video. The sludge villain sort of happened an hour later, and that's what got the big media buzz- the news couldn't publish the names of the teens involved if they ever even had them, but locally, people at Aldera knew who the kids on tv were.

3- the next year, UA has its recommendation exams. Every student is meticulously background checked before even being accepted as an potential for the exam and interview. A couple weeks later, they have the standard exam. The background checks will happen after this- UA after all has a very prestigious image. Bakugou wasn't wrong that if he took his lackey's cigarette and UA found out, his chances would be gone. Unfortunately for him, the video was still online. Mostly forgotten about... Until it contained not one but two potential UA students.

4- Nedzu and the six hero course homeroom teachers are on the board of student admissions, but so are two others each from administration, public relations, the school board, and the heroics commission. The top fifty scorers are ruthlessly picked through. The video is watched. Some want to exclude Izuku, some Bakugou, some both. Nedzu would prefer to have them both enrolled in separate classes, but is outvoted. He doesn't warn the board this will mean All Might will not be staying on to teach - he really can't, without telling secrets, but he does warn All Might the next night, and gracefully accepts his resignation.

5- a week after the exams, acceptance and rejection letters are sent. These are simply written on paper. Apparently neither of them are a good fit for the school. No further reason is given. Bakugou spends one day in his room, quieter than ever, then rush applies to other schools. Shiketsu is supposed to be UA's equal. Perhaps their admissions process will be less rigid. Or perhaps his rise to number one is "supposed" to come from humble starts, and Aldera Middle School wasn't that, but some mid rank hero school is. Meanwhile, on the beach, All Might tells Izuku that he actually ended up with the most rescue points in the exam, and his score was high enough to place him in top ten... It was just the screenings afterwards that did it. Perhaps the school was concerned about his health, with him breaking nearly every limb. Or perhaps his incorrect quirk registration was a red flag- either way, it's things All Might blames himself for, Izuku is the one who passed the test, and with only a few hours of having OfA too. So All Might asks Izuku what he wants to do- try for another hero school nearby? Toshinori probably can't get a job there on short notice without being suspicious, but he'll work to train him every day after, and come up with some other excuse for why he's in the field less. Or, should he reach out to I-island? Toshinori's even willing to see about setting up a personal internship with himself or Gran Torino, though he really kinda hopes Izuku doesn't pick that one. Izuku bursts into tears and apologies, having only held them back this long out of shame, they hug, and Toshi tells Izuku to take his time deciding, it'll be all right, because Izuku is here and he has full faith in him, regardless of what UA admissions thinks.

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Products & Services Worth The Splurge

Fashion:

A great couple of bras in black/nude (your best skin-toned shade)

Comfortable, breathable, and seamless underwear

Outerwear (Coats, jackets, blazers)

The perfect pair of jeans

An LBD that works from day to night

Comfortable, sturdy, sleek, and timeless footwear (a versatile black boot, a black heel, white sneaker, and a black flat/loafer/sandal)

A timeless and versatile crossbody or shoulder bag (a larger one for the daytime/work or school and a smaller one for nighttime/events)

One or two well-made classic jewelry item(s)

A conversation-starting item or accessory

Beauty:

Sunscreen

Any skincare/skin cosmetic products that are game-changers for you

A quality hair brush, comb, and hair towel

Your signature scent

A quality razor/hair removal product

Vitamin C/Retinol serums

Reliable hair tools and sturdy nail tools

A quality hair heat protectant/scalp cleansing or conditioning spray

Makeup brushes and beauty tool cleaners

Home:

Lamps/lighting

Couch/desk chair

Everything for your bed: Bed frame, mattress/sheets/pillows, etc.

Knives

Dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe dishes & cups you love

A full-length mirror

Vacuum

Storage solutions/cedar blocks or moth balls

Quality holders for everything: Paper towels, shower storage, hooks, mailbox/key bowls

Name brand paper products/household cleaners

Electric toothbrush & Waterpik

Sound-proof headphones/Airpods

MacBook Air

Health & Wellness:

High-quality lettuce and/or sprouts

Organic frozen fruits and vegetables (if fresh is too pricey)

BPA-free canned goods

Potassium bromate & glyphosate-free grain products

Snacks free of artificial colors

Quality coffee

An at-home massage tool/heating pad

Fur products for skin/hair removal

Vitamin C/Retinol serums

Quality running shoes

Anything that goes near your vulva or into the vagina: Sex toys, lube, condoms, toy cleaners, pads/tampons/menstrual cups, cleansing wipes, etc.

A yoga mat, resistance band, and a pair of small ankle weights

Spotify subscription

Books and audiobooks

Services:

Therapy

A top-tier haircut

House cleaning (even if it's only once every couple of months)

Top-tier hair removal/brow maintenance services of your choice

Best doctors, dentists, OB/GYN, and dermatologists you can get

At least one personal training/styling session in your life

Professional/Social:

Ownership of the domain for your full legal/professional name and/or business name

A CPA/bookkeeper/fiduciary financial advisor

Automation workflow/content management system software

A lawyer for contract review/LLC services

Personalized stationery/"Thank You" cards

Memorable client gifting for the holidays/milestone successes

Niche skill-based certifications (Google, AWS, Hubspot, etc.) or courses made by trusted professionals in your field

Subscriptions in world-leading and industry-authority digital publications

[planetkiimchi]

send my love | l.jh

featuring: music producer!jihoon x musician!reader, secret relationship

word count: 936 words

summary — jihoon accidentally exposes your relationship with a slip of his tongue… in front of an entire school of students.

author’s note: had sm fun writing this and doing the bonus part <3 inspired by the songwriter that came to my school today!

Jihoon stands backstage, listening to the first few seconds of your song, “breaking down walls”, play. When it stops playing, the chorus of voices doesn’t stop, and he’s shocked to hear the students singing the lyrics to the song the two of you co-wrote together, their voices loud and clear in the multi-purpose hall.

He’d thought it would stop, but he swears only the first 3 seconds of the song were played, yet they sing all the way to the chorus before stopping.

Still in a daze, he barely notices when he’s signalled to go onstage, but he pulls himself together and does exactly that. He’s prepared a presentation for the students, to let them know a little bit more about songwriting and how he came to write songs, and a few tips he has for anyone who might be looking to become a songwriter.

He was invited to speak because your song was a top hit, and the lyrics were about breaking down the barriers of mental illnesses with the help of medication, proper treatment, good relationships and healthy coping strategies.

Mental health is something that he’s struggled with for a while. Every time he feels low, and his mental health is waning, he writes a song about it.

He writes about other things, but his favourites are probably the songs that he writes coming out of a slump caused by executive dysfunction, when he manages to get his life back on track again.

The school he’s visiting is holding activities for mental health week, and this presentation he’s giving is among the last few before they wrap up the week.

Of course, Jihoon mentions you in his presentation, because you’re the singer of “breaking down walls”, a song that the two of you wrote over a series of months, rarely exiting the studio except occasionally to get food. He probably calls you stunning a couple of times—he can’t remember, but he’s always found you the better looking between both of you anyway. You’re also more popular, so he apologises that you can’t be there because you’re busy preparing for your concert the day after.

He was nervous getting onstage to speak to such a large audience, and he can’t say he’s ever been gifted at public speaking, but he thinks he does an okay job. The crowd is relatively quiet, and he hopes the soft buzz is just the students excitedly talking about the content of his presentation.

When he’s finished delivering his points, one of the music teachers that he briefly met backstage comes onstage. Two students bring out two chairs for the two of them to sit, and the Q&A segment starts.

Jihoon feels that this is the part he was most nervous for. Before getting onstage, he wondered what he would say when asked about this song. It’s very close to his heart, and while he’s co-written a different song before, with a different friend, about mental health too, it wasn’t really the same. It’s hard to explain, but the you and his other friend have different styles, and he thinks “breaking down walls” holds a special place in his heart. It’s truly an irreplaceable song.

Because of how important “breaking down walls” is to him, Jihoon finds it difficult to articulate his emotions without feeling extremely overwhelmed, and he’s afraid tears may start flowing if he thinks too much about it.

However, his fears are eased when the teacher begins speaking. The teacher asks Jihoon simple questions like what’s his favourite song he’s written, and one of your songs that he finds criminally underrated.

These are easy to answer; he barely hesitates before launching into a full-blown explanation for his two choices, and he’s bolstered by the cheers of agreement from the students.

Jihoon gets really into it when asked about “breaking down walls”, managing to word his feelings without getting too emotional. After all that worrying, he’s impressed with himself when he manages to phrase it as “writing lyrics from the bottom of his heart, with all of his soul”, expressing his gratitude for all the support the two of you have received for this song.

As the teacher brings the Q&A segment to a close, the students burst into a round of applause. Jihoon thinks you might want to see how much admiration they have for you, so, taking out his phone, he says, “I’ll send Y/n my love—I mean, your love.”

He doesn’t blush, but his palms grow sweaty. He subtly wipes them on his lap before hitting the “record” button on his phone.

”Hey, Y/n. I hope you’re having a good time preparing for the concert. There are some people who’d like to say hi to you.” He smiles, thinking about how you’ll look receiving his message in the middle of rehearsals, hoping he can give you a boost in energy.

He turns the camera around to show the students, who—to their credit—cheer so loudly his eardrums feel like they’re going to burst. When he turns it back to himself, Jihoon says, “That’s all I have to say. Enjoy the rehearsals!”

He stops recording, and turns to the students. “I’ll send it to them and let you know. Thank you so much for having me.”

He’s escorted away from the venue with a gift from the school, but all he can think of is the way he slipped up onstage. He still sends the video, but he receives a notification on X first.

Clicking it open, he finds something that makes his face turn pink. He’s glad he slipped up, after all.

—

Bonus (the tweet in question):

[covid-safer-hotties]

With the toll of new COVID-19 infections regularly topping 1 million a day and weekly deaths creeping toward the 1,000 mark, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a campaign aimed not at protecting the public from this ongoing pandemic, now in its fifth year, but at washing its hands of responsibility.

CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen held a press conference August 23 to review the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage the public to get their winter COVID-19, RSV and flu vaccines once they are made available. While bluntly acknowledging that “COVID is with us,” she tried unconvincingly to assure reporters and viewers that “we have the tools to protect ourselves.” She then added, as a way of shifting the blame, “We just need to use them!”

Dr. Cohen was silent on who was responsible for the failure of most Americans to get booster shots or otherwise protect themselves from a disease, which can be fatal for many and cause lifelong debilitation for many more.

She could have named the Democratic administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, which ended the COVID-19 emergency more than a year ago and treats the pandemic as a thing of the past. She could have named Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the promoter of quack remedies like ivermectin and bleach, who recently welcomed into his campaign the anti-vaxxer and enemy of science and public health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

And if she had been equipped with a mirror—and a conscience—she could have pointed to herself and other top CDC officials, who have collaborated in the anti-scientific rampage to shut down both mitigation efforts and even elementary data collection on cases of illness, hospitalization and death.

Most importantly (and therefore least likely) she could have acknowledged that within the framework of the capitalist system, the profits of giant banks and corporations are far more important than the lives of human beings. That is the meaning of the incessant claims that schools, factories, public transportation and facilities must be kept open, to save “the economy,” despite the inevitable spread of the infection as a result.

Dr. Cohen, like her predecessors and colleagues at the top of the public health establishment, puts political pressures above science and medicine. The nearly hour-long briefing was simply political theater, where a panel of experts attempted to place the public health agency in the best light despite acknowledging the monumental number of daily infections that have seen hospitalizations and fatalities climb.

Meanwhile, schools across multiple states have announced closures—affecting thousands—just as the new academic year has begun, in response to mass infections among faculty and students.

So far this year, more than 26,000 Americans have died from acute COVID-19 complications, and more than 800 per week are being killed by a preventable infection, a figure 20 percent higher than last year this time. At the current rate, it is expected that between 50,000 to 60,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 in 2024, a rate two to three times higher than fatalities from flu. However, these do not take into consideration excess deaths, and given the complete dismantling of the reporting systems, these figures are known undercounts.

Such figures could only appear low in comparison to the colossal death toll of the first three years of the pandemic, when 352,000 died in 2020, 464,000 in 2021 and 260,000 in 2022. In 2023, 76,000 COVID-19 deaths were recorded. All these numbers are underestimates, as excess mortality figures are considerably higher. The cumulative death toll from COVID-19 is likely well over 1.4 million in the United States and approaching 30 million worldwide.

Neither did the panel address any concerns over the fact that millions continue to suffer from Long COVID, which has taken a significant toll on the health of Americans and the world over. It bears mentioning that a recent study noted that 410 million people across the world have had Long COVID with a $1 trillion impact on global GDP. Yet, no treatment for this condition exists. Without health insurance and means, issues of brain fog, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances become part of one’s physiognomy.

Much about Dr. Cohen’s characterization of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is deeply flawed and should have been taken up by the press, who remained silent on the matter. First and foremost, her claim, in response to a direct question that COVID-19 “is endemic,” is completely misleading.

An infection is endemic when it is contained, not spreading uncontrolled and not causing significant impact on the society. COVID-19 is none of these. It remains a pandemic, with new waves of infections where millions are being infected daily by a virus whose mutation far outstrips the efforts of public health agencies and pharmaceutical companies to provide vaccines, medicines and mitigation practices. It continues to cause large-scale social disruption, economic loss and general hardship.

The opposition of both capitalist parties to any significant effort to fight the pandemic was on display last week. The Democratic National Convention, like its Republican counterpart in July, was a massive superspreader event, with thousands of delegates and media personnel congregating in an enclosed arena, where there was continuous cheering, shouting and singing. There are already anecdotal reports of widespread sickness in state delegations returning from Chicago.

As for the Republicans, Trump staged his appearance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday afternoon, beaming as Kennedy announced he was folding up his independent presidential campaign and endorsing the ex-president and would-be dictator. Kennedy said he was working with Trump on staffing agencies like the CDC, NIH, FDA and USDA from the standpoint of ending the “chronic disease crisis.” By this he means, of course, ending efforts to fight diseases and letting children, the elderly, and the entire American population suffer the consequences.

Fundamentally, all large epidemics and pandemics are serious social issues that require broad-scale infection control in place to disrupt and prevent disease. And with respect to COVID-19 and all future pandemics, these require an international collaborative perspective.

In 2024 so far, 179 million people were infected in the United States, a total that is eventually expected to surpass 2023, when more than 248 million Americans, or three-quarters of the population, caught COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 wastewater levels throughout the pandemic suggest that there have been more than 1.1 billion infections in the United States, between three and four for every person in the country.

This begs the question how are those most vulnerable, such as the elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic disabling medical conditions, which represent a significant portion of the population, to protect themselves from perpetual mass infection?

For the CDC director to present public health efforts as a matter of individual, personal choice is a gross falsification of reality. The policy of mass infection has been forced on the population.

As for having the tools to protect themselves, what is being offered are simply vaccines and more vaccines as a means to prevent COVID-19. As the WSWS recently noted, “Despite the limitations, the uptake of the vaccines is vital for the health of the population. The shots have a strong, proven safety record and do prevent severe disease and potentially reduce the risk of Long COVID, as studies have indicated. However, they do not prevent infections and the immunity they offer is short-lived given the constant mutation of the virus.”

The vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna carry a cost of $120 to $130 per shot. In some regions, these can be as high as $160 or even $200. However, the rescinding in March of $4.3 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services in COVID-19 supplemental funding means access to free vaccines for the 26 million uninsured and tens of millions more underinsured, essentially all from working class families, will only mean that the vaccination campaign will simply languish as it did last year when only 7 million Americans accepted the boosters within six weeks of their delivery to pharmacies.

As for other tools in their toolbox, Cohen refers to anti-viral treatments like Paxlovid, which are regularly being denied to patients by their physicians or when they actually are given a prescription, face the daunting price tag of $1,300 to $2,400 per course because their insurance denies them coverage. Meanwhile, repurposed medications like Metformin, a drug that treats diabetes, which has shown anti-viral properties and shown in randomized trials to reduce COVID-19 viral loads and decrease risk of Long COVID, remain unmentioned. In particular, this raises the question of why there are so few tools in the toolbox, and why some are being removed, such as the ability to wear N95 masks in public.

The arrest of an 18-year-old New York man in Nassau County on Tuesday who was wearing a black ski mask utilizing the recently passed mask-ban legislation will only embolden police departments and threaten the public who face possible detentions and arrest simply on charges of police suspicion.

At the Democratic National Convention, guidance was issued forbidding mask wearing by attendees unless “it was necessary due to a disability” and this at the discretion of security.

[averagelivingbeings]

The black magic tube, Part 2

Part 1

Top Blade/Bottom afab Dan Heng

Dan Heng has had enough of the ghost fucker’s antics now and rushes home in the hopes of not being demolished in public again.

Word Count: 3361

Tags: PWP, Afab Dan Heng, magic fleshlight, vaginal sex, cunnilingulus, big dick Ren, a little bit of pussy spanking, overstimulation, light dom/sub, rope bondage, two horny mfs, getting caught masturbating

AFAB language used for Dan Heng

——————————————

After the first time, Ren had decided to chuck the damn fleshlight into a box and hide it far away from his and boyfriend’s eyes. It was far too realistic and addicting to his liking and he refused to allow that thing to distract him from his boyfriend’s heavenly pussy. Nevermind the fact that this toy somehow knew how to imitate its behavior. Ren had practically memorised the way Dan Heng’s hole clung to him or reacted to different kinds of stimulation and he had even made sure to pay extra attention to it the next time they had fucked, yet still, the fleshlight did the same. He had sworn that if he ever were to pull it out for a fuck again, it wouldn’t be more than once a week and only if Dan Heng was gone and Ren missed him too much to resist.

Meanwhile Dan Heng thought he was growing insane with how frequently this phantom body (he had decided to consider it a body, given the fact it was always at least a pair of hands and a dick and they had to belong to something, right?) sought him out while he was out to fuck him dumb. It never happened at home, even during the week he called in sick and stayed at their apartment to work on his studies and cuddle his boyfriend. No, it always had to be when he was out, be it at work, university or whatever. He was starting to get used to the hygienic conditions in public restrooms, even the school bathrooms. What made the whole thing worse was that the ghost knew exactly how to rile him up and pound him, just like Ren always does. Dan Heng loved the sensation, surely, but he also loved Ren and only his boyfriend was allowed to touch him like that.

The next time he was waiting for the milk to heat up at the cafe and the thick, calloused fingers made their return, Dan Heng had enough. He quickly told Jing Yuan that he wasn’t feeling well again and would go home, which the man encouraged with a relieved smile, happy that Dan Heng, according to him, “finally took his health seriously”. Dan Heng himself didn’t have enough patience to witness his joy, as he hurried to yank his apron off and grabbed his belongings before rushing out of the cafe, while at the same time messily calling a cab. Usually it was just a fifteen minute walk to their apartment, but given the fact that the ghost took on average exactly as much time to fuck him dumb, that option wasn’t exactly ideal.

Such, he spent an awkward cap ride with his legs clenched together and the inside of his cheeks between his teeth to stop himself from moaning like a bitch, when he felt the all too familiar monster of a dick slide over his hole. In all fairness, it wasn’t much bigger or smaller than Ren’s cock, but that didn’t mean it was easy or not overwhelming to take.

By the time they had reached his apartment building as fast as possible, Dan Heng paid the dutiful driver and thanked him, before running away like he was chased by the hounds. The hounds being the dick that had started teasing his clit and spreading wetness around his pussy. Panting and with his face red as it could get, he rushed up the stairs fumbling with the keys on the way up. His strange antics earned him annoyed stares from his elderly neighbours, but Dan Heng had less fucks to give than he was currently being given by that damn phantom cock.

The second he threw the door open and slammed it shut behind himself though, the dick stilled as if Dan Heng had grabbed a ghost penis exorcism tool. He stood still for a while, feeling it simply rest against his pussy in a similarly tense manner in which he was leaning against the door.

… Fuck. Why was Dan Heng home? Ren thought, the icy reality of what kind of debauchery he was indulging in in his boyfriend’s absence crashing down on him. He held the fleshlight still, his lubed up cock touching the twitching pussy of the toy, as he listened to the sounds outside.

Nothing

“R-Ren?” Dan Heng called out. His voice was shaking and he was still panting from having rushed inside so hastily. The phantom dick at his pussy was still just resting there and he anxiously paid attention to the way it shifted minimally.

“Uhm, yes?” Ren answered hesitantly. Deciding his jerk-off session was ruined, he lifted the toy off of his dick quickly put the lid back on, before setting it down. “Are you okay? Shouldn’t you be at work?”

Huh. Dan Heng blinked, when the cock vanished just like that. He tried to feel around if there was any trace left, but there was nothing, just his sopping wet cunt all alone now. Which he found unfair, riling him up and then leaving the second he wasn’t in a public space anymore. Did the ghost have a public humiliation kink? “Well, yeah… I didn’t feel good. Are you in the bedroom?”

Absolutely great. Cursing under his breath, Ren tried to force himself to relax, he didn’t feel like getting caught shirtless with his dick rock-hard and a fleshlight next to him. It did not work at all, the shame, the excitement, the anticipation he had built up himself making sure his erection stood proud and tall in all its glory, far too large and thick to be stuffed into his underwear comfortably. “Yeah…”

“Good…” Dan Heng rubbed his temple, as he pushed the door to their shared bedroom open. “Cause I really need you to pound-“ The last words he had on his mind slipped away silently, when he met Ren’s equally red face, his tits, his abs and his huge cock out, as he sat on the bed with something akin to embarrassment on his face. “… Me… Was I interrupting something?” He raised an eyebrow at the scene.

“Well, no… Nothing important anyway.” Ren coughed awkwardly, stuffing his boner into his pants anyway, just for the sake of modesty, even though Dan Heng looked as flustered and horny as he felt. Noticing how weird the scene may look, he quickly added: “I swear I wasn’t cheating! You can check everything, the closet, under the bed, the...”

Dan Heng couldn’t possibly justify ripping Ren’s head off over cheating, if he was here regularly enjoying ghost cock in public. “Ugh, don’t worry, I believe…” He trailed off, when his gaze landed on the black tube on the bed. “Wait, where did you find this?” Snatching it up, he examined it, touching the lube-stained sides and turning it over. He caught a glimpse of the eerie sex shop’s logo and faintly remembered its equally creepy owner who sold the toy to him.

“On the shelf next to the TV. Did you buy that?” Ren came over wrapping his arms around Dan Heng and peering over his shoulder.

“I mean- Yeah, sorta.“ Dan Heng blinked, as he opened the tube and was greeted by the dripping wet pussy. He couldn’t quite remember it being so realistic and couldn’t resist touching it. At the same time, the ghost finger decided to return, poking his clit in a similar manner as Dan Heng himself poked the fake cunt’s clit. “Ah-!”

“Hengheng?” Upon feeling his boyfriend tense up and jolt, Ren perked up in alarm. The shame of Dan Heng discovering his masturbation escapades made him want to run away from the topic through any means possible.

“This…” Dan Heng narrowed his eyes at the tube and the pussy winking back at him suspiciously. Again he touched it, this time the labia, dragging his finger over it and lightly pressing against the bottom part of the hole. The phantom finger, which now coincidentally also felt smaller and less rough than before, did the same motion. “Ren…” Dan Heng slowly turned around to his boyfriend, turquoise eyes boring into wide crimson ones. “Did you fuck that thing?”

~/~

Ren was relieved. He had no need to feel guilty about cheating on Dan Heng or replacing him with a fleshlight, because it turns out the fleshlight was Dan Heng’s pussy and connected to him! Now that he and his partner had figured it out, he wasn’t surprised that it felt so good to be inside of it.

Dan Heng wasn’t exactly happy. At least the mystery of the ghost fucker was solved and he was at the very least glad it was just Ren playing with a sex toy. Ren also ending up fucking him via bluetooth in public and forcing him to jerk off in bathrooms was not cool. At least he had apologised and promised to not do it again, but Dan Heng had an uneasy feeling burning in his stomach, when he watched Ren pensively turn the fleshlight around in his hand. “So what-“

“I have an idea.”

Dan Heng flinched back, when his still shirtless, far larger boyfriend pushed him onto the bed and crowded him against the headrest. A shiver ran down his spine, when he looked up into his lover’s face, red eyes burning with lust and hunger and his lips pulled into a sadistic grin, as he leered down at Dan Heng. “R-Ren, what are you doing-?”

“You’re still horny, right?” Placing the fleshlight next to him, Ren gripped his thighs with both hands to spread them apart and massage them. His massive boner was still stretching the front of his pants and leaving a damp spot where the tip was trapped by the fabric.

“Well-“ Dan Heng averted his gaze, face flushing red, when his boyfriend’s hands travelled upwards until his thumbs were stroking his pussy through his pants. “What do you think…” He groaned a little, gripping Ren’s forearms tightly to keep his hands in place, as he ground his crotch up against his fingers. “You nearly fucked me in public again. Make up for it.”

“So awfully demanding…”, Ren hummed, freeing his wrists from Dan Heng’s grasp to slip his hands underneath his shirt and to shamelessly grope his lean, muscular torso.

“Ren…!” Arching his back to lean into the other’s touch, Dan Heng lifted his arms to allow Ren to pull his shirt off. The cold air hit his burning skin and caused him to shiver underneath Ren’s large palms which quickly moved on to strip him completely.

“And so wet already.” His palm rubbed over Dan Heng’s cunt, spreading the juices around, before giving it a good smack and causing the smaller man to whine in pleasure and pain. But before he could raise his hips to grind them against Ren’s hand, his boyfriend had pulled away and slid off the bed.

“Hey-! Come back!” Huffing, Dan Heng propped himself up on his elbows, cunt aching and expecting to get ravished today.

“Don’t you worry now, princess.” Ren bent down to rummage through a box underneath their bed. “I will indulge you, but…” Dan Heng’s eyes turned into saucers, when the other stood up again, holding a coil of red rope in his hands, the menacingly horny look in his eyes telling the other that today was going to be rough and so filthily good. “We’ll do it on my terms.”

Dan Heng’s throat bobbed, as he gulped and watched Ren creep over with the rope, uncurling it and putting one palm on Dan Heng’s chest to push him into a sitting position at the headrest.

“Ready?” He asked, inquisitively studying Dan Heng’s face. Despite the intensity of his burning red eyes, it gave the smaller man comfort, as it signalled him that his partner cared for him.

“Mhm-!” Dan Heng nodded, spreading his legs to let his boyfriend slide between them and tie his wrists together above his head. His turquoise eyes silently followed Ren who fetched two more lengths of rope which he used to tie his ankles to the bedposts, ensuring he kept them spread. By now, he was blushing even harder, as Ren leered at his exposed pussy, which was leaking and twitching at him invitingly.

“What a beautiful pussy you have~”, Ren hummed, as he stripped off his pants and laid down on the bed, absentmindedly stroking his cock and picking up the fleshlight. Dan Heng could do nothing but watch with wide, desperate eyes how his lover slowly unscrewed the lid and grinned at the replica of his very own cunt. “Mghhh~”

“Hahhh-!” Dan Heng whimpered, when Ren ran his tongue flat over the fake pussy. It felt exactly as if he had done it to Dan Heng himself. “R-Ren, please, anghh~ Hnghhh~!” A string of moans fell out of his mouth, as Ren started suckling on the toy’s clit, his own nub sending sparks of pleasure through his body.

“So wet and naughty…” Ren’s thumbs pushed the artificial hole open and Dan Heng whimpered at feeling his cunt being spread. He couldn’t help but feel jealousy burn in his throat at the way his boyfriend focused so intensely on the toy, licking and sucking at it as if it were the real thing.

“Ren, please…! Come over-!”, he begged, arms and legs futilely tugging at the rope, as he tried to scoot closer to his partner.

“Mm?” Placing a wet kiss on the clit, which caused Dan Heng’s cunt to twitch, Ren glanced over. “Greedy, huh? Doesn’t this feel good enough?” As if to drive his point home, he gently bit the clit, knowing full well Dan Heng would turn into a puddle from the mix of pleasure and pain.

“Hahhh~ Mghhh, w-want you here-!” Dan Heng tried to motion to the wide space between his legs. “Please-! Please fuck my cunt-! Not the toy…!”

“Hmm…” Stroking his big dick, Ren carefully placed the fleshlight down and thoughtfully assessed the mess that was his horny boyfriend. “Since you are already begging so sweetly~”

“Nghhh, Ren-! Sir-!” His legs twitched and shook, when the other rubbed his dick over his pussy, enjoying the wet glide over the swollen lips. “Please put it in…!”

“What a sweet, little slut you are~” After placing a gentle kiss on Dan Heng’s lips, Ren pressed the tip against his tight hole and thrusted inside.

“Ahhh, mghhh~” Dan Heng’s cunt clenched down on the hard flesh like a vice, as his eyes rolled back in ecstasy. Shameless moans spilled past his lips, when Ren started moving at a moderate pace, making sure to thrust in deeply and grind against every sensitive spot inside of him, before slowly pulling out and repeating the motion. “Feels good~!”

“How are you still so tight?” Ren groaned, speeding up his thrusts and putting more force behind them. “I just fingered and tongue-fucked you…” Feeling his tip hit something deep inside of his partner, he gave a few particularly harsh thrusts to slam his cock into it. “Seems like you don’t loosen up as easily as the toy does…”

Dan Heng only whimpered, throwing his head back and spreading his bound legs further as best as he could for Ren.

Suddenly, something wet and twitching touched his lips and when he instinctively opened his mouth, he tasted his partner’s saliva. “Mghh-!” He jolted, when something brushed against his clit and his eyes snapped open.

“Lick, Hengheng~”

The pressure on his pussy only intensified the mind-numbing effects of the pleasure Ren so expertly drove into him. It was only when he saw the devilish look in Ren’s eyes and the wicked grin on his face past a black cylinder, did he realise that he was mouthing the fleshlight.

“Come on, dearest~” The hand that wasn’t holding the fleshlight squeezed Dan Heng’s thigh harshly, the deep and harsh thrusts not losing their speed and power. “Be a good boy and lick~”

“Mfghhh-!” Dan Heng obediently opened his mouth, his body twitching, when the fleshlight was moved downwards, so he was tongueing its clit. At the same time, something wet flicked at his own and it took him a second to realise that it was his own tongue.

“Doesn’t this feel good?~”, Ren teased him, grinding the toy against Dan Heng’s mouth.

“M-Mhm-!” Dan Heng could barely focus on licking, as it sent overwhelming waves of pleasure through his body and with his boyfriend fucking him as deeply as he did, he came in no time. His orgasm crashed into him and shook his whole body in its ties, as he screamed into the toy’s cunt. His own pussy clenched down harshly on Ren’s still moving cock, as he squirted clear liquid all over the bed and his partner.

“Hahhh, ngrhhhh-! Almost, dearest-!” With a feral growl, Ren picked up the pace, slamming his thick cock into Dan Heng’s oversensitive hole. The screams and yells he punched out of his lover with his dick only added to the smaller man’s overstimulation, as he kept stimulating the fleshlight.

“R-Ren-! Ahhh~!” Dan Heng couldn’t think straight anymore, erotic moans freely fell from his mouth, as he was pounded into oblivion. His tongue was aching from the way the toy was pressing down on it and he reluctantly withdrew it to sloppily wrap his lips around the clit and suck on it.

This proved to be too much for his poor cunt, as he soon drove himself to another orgasm. This time, he only felt the beginning of it, as the mind-blowing force of it made his vision go black. Dan Heng distantly felt Ren’s big cock sink fully into him and spear him open to his limits, as he filled him with a huge load of cum. It felt good to be stuffed full and plugged up, but alas, all things had to end.

He awoke with an annoyed groan, as he felt Ren remove the fleshlight from his face and untie the rope around his wrists and ankles, before slowly pulling out. His sensitive walls clenched down on him, the drag from the languid motion hurts after two harsh orgasms in a row. With a whine he opened his eyes, blinking as he adjusted to the light and his partner’s face took shape in front of him.

“Are you okay, Dan Heng?”, Ren asked, pulling him into his embrace, his soft dick resting between their stomachs, as the two cuddled with each other.

“Mhm… Just…” Slowly and steadily, Dan Heng became aware of the excessive amounts of cum leaking out of his pussy and the slick juices staining Ren’s abdomen. “… You’re gross.”

In response, Ren only barked out an amused laugh. “Well, who made me this gross, huh?” Gently removing his partner from his embrace, he leaned over to grab a tissue and wipe Dan Heng’s pussy juices off his abs and pecs, before moving on to clean his leaking cum from his partner’s cunt.

“You started it… You wanted to fuck that thing.” Dan Heng pointed accusingly at the fleshlight next to them, the sun-kissed flesh glistening with spit.

“Right, right…” Discarding the dirty tissue, Ren thoughtfully picked it back up, absentmindedly putting arm around Dan Heng’s waist as he climbed onto his lap. “Steamy Oak… Is that the shop you got it from?”

“Mhm…” Dan Heng nodded, only now getting a clear view of the shop’s brand on the other end of the black cylinder.

“Huh… Never heard of that shop… Much less one that sells magic fleshlights…” Ren assessed the logo, running his thumb over it and scratching at it, as if it would reveal some kind of secret.

“I just stumbled on it by chance, cause it suddenly started raining…”, Dan Heng recounted, turning away from the toy to lay his head on his partner’s shoulder. He couldn’t even remember how it came to be, he just knew he accepted the merchant’s offer, filled out some papers on customisation, left and returned a week later to pick it up.

After a moment of comfortable silence, a thought occurred to him. “… Do you think they make magic dildos too?”

[causalityparadoxes]

people acting like its some terrible shame that anyone was speculating about Kate Middleton's whereabouts now we know its cancer. Oh shame for ever making fun of shitty photoshop jobs, don't you know she has cancer??

Nah mate. She married into a rich and powerful family thats been leeching of the British public and wider world for decades, centuries even. She is going to be given top treatment, probably at the expense of others. Hell despite the cock up they kept her out of the public eye for months so that's not a big stress either.

I'm sure it sucks for her and her rich spawn. I might even say I feel bad for the younger kids. I dont wish cancer on anyone but Charles etc, etc.

But lets not act like she's some poor single mother waiting on the NHS. Struggling on benefits or struggling to work while on chemo. Trying to feed her kids during cost of living crisis. Trying to just find time to be with them.

Kate has all the money in the world, her kids are in top schools with lots of rich relatives. They could easily be taken out of school and taught by top tutors to be more flexible with her health. She will likely be fine. And even if she isn't? She'll have had the best chance out of anyone. She would have the most comfort possible and people around her until the end.

So no. I literally do not care. I have no guilt or grief over memeing the every loving fuck out of a PR cockup by a bunch of royal leeches. To act like I should is absolute bollocks.

[girlactionfigure]

THURSDAY HERO: Ernst Leitz II

German businessman Ernst Leitz II, owner of the Leica camera company, saved hundreds of Jews from the Nazis by “transferring” them to Leica offices around the world. Ernst inherited the Leica camera company from his father in 1920. It was founded as Leitz Camera in 1869 and later took on the name Leica: Lei for Leitz + ca for camera. From the beginning the company stood out for the compassionate way they treated their employees, many of whom were Jewish. Leica provided health insurance, sick leave and retirement pensions.

After Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, the Nuremberg laws were enacted, depriving German Jews of the rights of citizenship. They were banned from schools professions, and lost many of their most basic freedoms. Ernst Leitz began receiving desperate calls from his Jewish employees, begging him to help them escape.

Leitz hatched a brilliant plan. He began “transferring” his Jewish employees, along with their extended families, to Leica sales offices in France, Britain, Hong Kong and the United States. After Kristallnacht, when hundreds of Jewish businesses and synagogues were destroyed throughout Germany, Leitz’ rescue efforts kicked into high gear. At this point, all of the refugees were being sent to America by ocean liner. Once they arrived in New York they were instructed to go to Leica’s office in Manhattan, where they received a Leica camera and a weekly stipend until they were employed. The Jewish refugees went on to careers in photography, camera repair, sales and marketing.

To save Jews, Ernst Leitz risked the company he and his father had lovingly built over 70 year. Indeed, he risked his entire life.

The Leica Freedom Train operated until September 1, 1939, when Germany closed its borders. The Nazis suspected that the Leica company had been illegally helping Jews escape, but they were unable to pin anything on Ernst Leitz, and instead arrested his top executive, Alfred Turk, who was imprisoned until his boss paid a huge bribe for his safe release.

Even after the borders were closed, Leitz’s daughter Elsie Kuehn-Leitz continued helping Jews escape from Germany. Elsie was captured by the Gestapo while smuggling Jewish women into Switzerland, and thrown into prison, where she endured harsh interrogation and frequent beatings before being released in the early 1940’s. By that point, the Nazis had forced the Leica plant to hire 800 Ukrainian women as slave laborers. Elsie spent the rest of the war advocating for these women and working to ensure they had acceptable working and living conditions, and were treated humanely.

Later to be known as the “Leica Freedom Train”, Ernst Leitz’ bold plan saved the lives of 200-300 Jews.

A rare light in a sea of darkness, the Leitz family never wanted publicity for their heroism. The story of the Leica Freedom Train only came out after the last immediate Ernst Leitz family member was dead.

For their courage and sacrifice, we honor Ernst Leitz and his daughter Elsie as this week’s Thursday Heroes.

[foreverisntenough]

‘OURS’

Summary: You were his and he was yours but what would it be like adding one more? Thrust into a whirlwind romance you never could’ve imagined that became your forever love. You continue building a new life across the pond with a very beautiful Scouser. A sequel to the ‘You’re Mine’ fic.

INDEX

Warnings: This series is 18+ and will contain fluff, suggestion, SMUT (unprotected sex,) pregnancy, parenting, mental health struggles, eating disorder, self doubt, body image issues, daddy kink, angst, alcohol consumption - not sure what else really… if i miss anything please lmk!

Note: Thank you for reading! Please be sure to like, comment, or message me what you think of the series! Try not to nitpick with any real pregnant/ baby logistics it’s better if you just read along happily :)

Chapter 25 - Honeymoon Heartthrob | ‘Ours’

word count - 9.8 k

Your dad had slid the New York Times under your door. He read it everyday and refused to switch to reading online but today you were thankful for that dated quirk of his. There was a short article in the latest issue announcing your nuptials, it was the first of a few publications your wedding was about to be in but this was particularly special and something you’d always dreamed of.  A Page Six article profiling societies happenings covering it had been traditional in your family, a New York dynastic family and layering Trent’s profession only heightened the focus on your wedding. 

“Good morning to the most beautiful wife.” Trent yawned sleepily running his hands down your bare back. You laid on his chest and woke up slowly the day after your wedding, tangled in bed dressed in nothing but bed sheets and morning sunlight. You hummed nuzzling your face further into him, loving the feeling of his warm skin on yours. 

“Morning, Mr. Alexander-Arnold.” You cooed with a tired giggle. He tilted his head inquisitively towards you. “Just wanted to say my surname.”  You smiled shyly, pulling yourself up his body using your arms draped around his neck, bringing your lips closer to his. 

“C’mere baby.” He whispered bringing you into a soft lazy kiss. His lips felt like heaven. Your lips pulled into an uncontrollable smile though mid kiss as you fell into a childish laugh. “What? What’s up with you, silly girl?” Trent asked as his own lips curled into his signature devastatingly handsome smile.

“This is weird…” you whispered to him ghosting your lips over his. “Like my husband is in my childhood home. I don’t know I can’t explain it.” You smiled back at him pretty sure you did a poor job explaining the really strange emotions you were experiencing this morning. Nothing was negative, things couldn’t be further from that but it just was crazy you had a husband now in this house, often when you entered through the doors you reverted back to feeling 16 again. “… and you’re hard right now too, T!” You giggled like a school girl blushing over the handsome boy in bed with a smug teasing grin.  

“Well, my wife isn’t wearing clothes so that’s really on you innit? You didn’t even bother with the t-shirt of mine that I know you packed, which by the way yes, I’m also aware you stole it, pretty girl and while you may be beautiful, theft doesn’t suit you.” He flashed you a cheeky smile and kissed the bridge of your nose. 

“Stoppp!!” You continued your childish giggles when Trent dropped his hands to the curve of your ass, kneading it, pushing your core further into him and unavoidably so you could feel him growing harder beneath you. 

“You’re on top of me!! What do you want me to do here!?!” He laughed holding you to his body.

“T! Our families are in the house right now!” You squealed childishly as if you didn’t enjoy the feeling of him. There would not be a single day of your life where you didn’t get the slightest bit of satisfaction from turning him on. To be fair, your parent’s house was massive. No one’s bedroom was remotely near the one you were staying in. There was an unspoken decision made to put you and Trent over in the south wing, everyone else staying in the north.

“Two things, beautiful. One, that’s never stopped you before, not even in the first week of knowing you and two, that definitely didn’t stop you last night.” His tone dropped down an octave and into a whisper as he began nibbling on your neck. You hummed in pure delight, letting your faux opposition drop. “Just be a good girl for me, yeah?” He cooed softly, running his tongue down your skin. He groaned as you started to work your hand up and down his length with some of your spit. 

“Just the tip, okay?” You cheekily teased knowing that was never going to happen. ‘Just the tip’ had never happened once in the years of your relationship and it definitely wasn’t going to start day one of your marriage. Trent rolled his eyes.

You had spoken to Bentley Brown from GQ, the man you had run into at the airport what felt like ages ago at this point and what had originally been discussed to be an article about yourself in GQ had escalated into into not only that, but another colleague of his had tacked on the idea to do a spread in Vanity Fair for an inside look into your wedding day. Deciding to give publications inside access to the biggest day of your life took a load of convincing but ultimately it did seem kind of cool and surreal that some of the largest publications in the world thought your day, Trent and yours love life was worth covering, you thought it was, of course, but the fact that they believed other people would want to read and have a look was wild. To say your Instagram following had grown in the last few years would be an understatement, so the intrigue about the wedding day was obvious. Although, you kept it all fairly under wraps. No one except those working the big day or attending it knew anything about it. That said, ‘coverage’ you allowed them was maybe a bit too big of a word, you allowed fairly minimal access to the more intimate moments, it was more like just having an additional camera crew around that weekend.  After your cheeky morning with Trent you had a photoshoot scheduled for said Vanity Fair piece. The shoot would take all day but it wasn’t so much of an inconvenience. You and Trent went to the beach early with the film crew, no one else, not even Teddy. It was a simple concept… you in a white bikini, Trent in linen trousers cuffed to avoid the water, and shirtless. Naturally they had pitched that you’d have a classic soccer ball, like the black and white octagonal ones to mess about with on the sand. It was playful and cute but also gave off a real luxury, old money vibe and you liked that you’d have the these photos forever, they’d be timeless. 

“Just a reminder that Bentley from GQ is coming to the house after our honeymoon for the like actual interview for his piece.” You cooed to Trent as you let a woman oil your legs for the photos. You assessed your body in the mirror as she worked the product in as the sun got higher in the day. The photographer nearly ready all the security and confidence you felt in your wedding drained. You felt it all drag out to sea with the crashing tides. 

“Yeah, I remember, baby. It’ll be great. Don’t look so nervous or remorseful about it. You won’t regret this. I wouldn’t let you do something that would hurt you.” He spoke softly coming to your side pressing a kiss to your cheek. A younger girl capturing content for social posts for the publication catching the interaction. 

“Do you mind giving us a minute?” You looked sheepishly around the room at everyone simply doing their jobs. You could feel a panic attack coursing through your veins, aggressively bubbling towards the surface and you did not care for that aspect of you to be captured. Trent placed his hand low on the small of your back and moved you away from the crowd of people. “T… I don’t look good. I don’t want to be photographed like this. Like I get the look. If I hear ‘young, fit, and sexy’ one more time I think I’m going to start crying.” Your body began to shake. That was part of the creative brief the photographer had been pushing. The fact that Trent was a professional athlete naturally it was going to be an element of the story but your fitness, your body type, your sex appeal for the masses was being really honed in. 

“C’mere sweetheart. You say the word, we call this whole thing, alright?” He whispered, pressing his nose to yours. You shut your eyes gently and let out a sigh and shook your head. “You look unreal, baby, honest. You know Ty has already spoken with both teams and in any interview, any of the photos they can’t mention your health, no postpartum, weight loss, fitness regimes, your body, it’s all off the table. If this, though...” He paused gesturing around you two out at the horizon where all the lighting for the shoot was being finalized. “This if it is upsetting, or it’s too much, you tell me, I'll be the fall guy, whatever you want, I will do for my beautiful girl, the most beautiful girl. I got your back, baby.” He flashed his signature toothy smile back to you. You pouted up at him as he swiped his thumb over your cheek. You dragged your hands down his bare chest and gripped his waist. You dropped your forehead to rest against him. 

“Thank you.” You whispered out quietly. “I’m sorry. I just don’t feel like I look good. It’s just a lot.” You embarrassedly admitted to Trent. He picked up your face by taking your chin in his hand. 

“You… are absolutely stunning. Every second of every day. Alright? Do you understand me?” He smiled before kissing your pouty lips. You’d be lying if his words didn’t make you feel a little better but it didn’t change your reflection. You went back and got ready for the shoot comforted by Trent but plagued by your anxieties.

“Where’s Jay and Judey? Where did they go?” Lauren cooed with a laugh pretending to look for both Jude and Jadon outside at your parent’s pool. A luxury in your life was always having someone who wanted to babysit Teddy for you if you were busy. Right now you had about 20 people who would but Lauren and Winnie took today along with Jadon and Jude. At the moment, their much too large frames were obviously hidden behind a tree although that wasn’t all that apparent to Teddy.

“Don’t knows!” Teddy yelped desperately helpless. “Win Win help!” She cried out with a huff starting to dislike the game they had begun playing ages ago. 

“Hmm... did you look over there?” Winnie giggled seeing Jadon shove Jude slightly more out into the open.

“Judey!!!” She squealed, running over to him. He laughed and scooped her up swinging her around.

“Ah! You found me, you’re too smart f’me Ted. You’re much better at this game than your daddy.” Jude joked with her. He had never played a hide and seek esc came with Trent to be fair but he’d take the opportunity to take a jab at him but also knowing it would elicit some sort of response from Teddy. 

“No Judeyy!” She humphed with a scowl. “My dada best. Dada is best!” She told Jude with some real vigor before he naturally had to concede to her puppy dog eyes. 

“Okay, okay, you’re right, fine. Dada can be the best.” He laughed rolling his eyes. He’d never convince her otherwise. Trent was everything to Teddy and in turn simply the best at everything across the board. She nodded with a proud smile. 

The following day you were laid out on the beach on a towel over the hot sand. Winnie laid next to you, Lauren and Jude in two chairs off to the side a little bit more in their own world. Trent was out in the ocean playing with Teddy and he looked glorious. The way his strong back muscles flexed in the sunlight that reflected off the water. The way the water ran down his tanned skin. It was a sight and on top of that seeing your little girl giggling away in his hold as he tossed her around in his muscular arms had you just about drooling and evidently Winnie understood the attraction to the scene in front of you two. 

“Somedays I think I get the pregnant thing.” She cooed honestly tilting her head a little bit and letting her sunglasses drop further down the bridge of her nose to get a clearer view of Trent and Teddy. Jadon was up back at the house with Marcel and Tyler so she assumed she’d be in the clear to make the comment. You furrowed your brow and let out a snide laugh. Winnie wasn’t exactly looking to start a family anytime soon and she made that clear from her recent purchase of Plan B this month but to say she didn’t think about being a mum at all at some point would be a lie. 

“That’s honestly so sexy.” Lauren chimed in from further away overhearing the conversation, her actions reflecting Winnie’s, the pair of Celine sunglasses of Jude’s she had on falling down her nose just the same. Jude rolled his eyes unimpressed with the entirety of the topic and definitely with Lauren’s interjection. He reached over and moved his her sunglasses back up her nose to their place. She laughed and kissed the inside of his palm.   

“Go get mama!” Trent cooed plopping a soaking wet Teddy onto her own two feet on the sand after he plucked her out of the ocean 20 or so minutes later from your conversation watching them.

“Oh wow!” You let out a breathy laugh when that very wet but cute little girl ran up to you and laid directly flat on top of your back pushing your body further into your towel unexpectedly. “Hi my beachy girl.” You cooed, continuing your laughter, very aware the weight on top of you could only be your Teddy.

“Mama!”  She giggled as she wiggled more, getting comfortable wrapping her now sandy arms and hands uncomfortably around your neck. 

“You didn’t want to dry off? Daddy didn’t want to get you a towel?” You asked Teddy but more so craning your neck to find Trent. Teddy was smart obviously but she didn’t know being wet and sandy would be a bother. She just wanted a cuddle, Trent… Trent knew what he was doing. 

“No, mama.” She unfortunately adorably answered you with a giggle. You shook your head and pulled her to your side before sitting yourself up right a little more. 

“Of course he didn’t.” You finally locked eyes with him and shot him a glare purposefully brushing some sand off of you to emphasize your point of feigned annoyance. He winked back at you and you simultaneously loved and hated that your heart faltered. “Want to tell me what you and daddy have been doing in the water for so long?”  You asked her pulling Teddy into your lap. She clumsily sat on your thigh and smushed her cheek against your boobs. 

“Errmmmm.” She drew out her moment of ponder with a cheeky smile looking at Trent for assistance. He just shrugged with a goofy smile silently telling her to keep thinking. “Oh! Mama! Dada and I swimmy with fwishies.” She yelped excited to relay her activity. God knows what that really entailed because you were in the north east of the united states it wasn’t really a swimming with fish type of place but Trent was imaginative and silly with her so despite your adult realities you knew they were having fun. 

“Yeah, Ted’s a better swimmer than the fishies, aren’t you?” Trent cooed squatting to your level next to your towel. Your eyes immediately and unavoidably darting to his crotch. You bit your lip and tried to avert your gaze  but Trent was faster sucking at his teeth in mocking disapproval for the raunchy direction of your gaze while you were talking about swimming with your daughter. 

“Dada! Go wawa ‘gan.” Teddy pleading looked to Trent with big brown eyes and batting eyelashes. She fussed in your arms so you let her go and allowed her to stand up. 

“Okay, want to go back?” Trent asked with a fun smile back to her. It made you melt how good he was with her. It didn’t matter how tired, how annoying, or whatever it was,  the ask was, if it would make Teddy happy he’d do it. You pulled at her ruffly pink one piece swimsuit before letting her scamper off adjusting the bottom bit around her bum. 

“Coming back for you.” Trent whispered, leaning forward into your ear. His warm minty breath hitting the shell of it sending a shiver down your spine causing you to lose focus on your task at the moment. He kissed your skin a few times and not in a silly lovey way, it was in a ‘I saw you staring at my cock and now I want to give it to you’ type way. Your lips curled into an embarrassed but excited smile. 

“Tay mama!” Teddy huffed annoyed that your hands were still holding her back by the fabric of her swimsuit. You laughed and apologized finally fixing it to your satisfaction and letting go tapping her cute bum setting her off and on her way to run to Trent. 

The sun was close to setting almost entirely, it was far past when you should've eaten dinner but you just couldn’t bring yourself to leave the beach and definitely not leave your current position laying on Trent’s chest on a towel. You were still awaiting to have your fun with Trent, but at the moment the feeling of the warm sun, Trent’s skin, the terry cloth… and all of a sudden tiny grubby hands pulling at your arm draped across him interrupted it all.

“Mama share!!” Teddy yelped standing above you and Trent in a huff. She had been preoccupied playing in the sand and building castles with Marcel but per usual once she had clocked you and Trent were together without her, her focus shifted fast as did her emotions, they transitioned straight into envy.

“No, sorry. Dada is mine.” You annoyingly and cheekily cooed back to Teddy flicking your eyes to her then back closed knowing it would rile her up. Who Trent belonged to was becoming a bigger and bigger debate in your home especially as Teddy was getting better and better at expressing herself. 

“You’re so greedy. She’s barely two. Learn to share” Trent whispered in your ear joking with you smiling through his words, his juicy lips moving pressed against your forehead. “Ted, come here, baby.” Trent cooed, pulling Teddy’s hand off your arm and over to him. She awkwardly stepped over you and plopped herself to take a seat on one of Trent’s thighs. Your bodies were a jumbled Alexander-Arnold family mess.

“Mmm, I love daddy the most.” You hummed teasingly before you made the beloved ‘mwah’ sound kissing Trent’s cheek. You kissed him, keeping your eyes locked on Teddy in mockery. Her brow furrowing shocked you were being so blatant, usually you conceded to her quicker than this.  

“No! Mama, no!” She yelled moving herself a little further up him and letting her body fall forward onto Trent’s chest attempting but unable to wrap her arms around him in a hug. She stretched her neck out and pushed her lips towards him echoing your ‘Mwah’ noise. You threw your leg over his other closet to you, the free one Teddy was not on and subtly rolled hips only gaining his attention obviously. 

“Baby, relax.” Trent laughed, running one of his hands over his face covering his massive smile. It was a dumb game of possession but of course he loved the attention and the cheek of it all. 

“Dada!” Teddy squealed once more reaching for his face with her hands adamant she received a kiss in return. He of course gave it to her. He cupped her cheek and gently pecked her identical pout. “My dada.” She stuck her tongue out at you, wrapping her arms around his neck. Your jaw slacked in offense but you couldn’t stop your laugh. What had Trent done to your little girl that she was that competitive and not only that but that sore of a winner.

“Daddy pay attention to me too!”  Winnie teased watching the tug of war. Teddy whipped her head around with frustration Winnie was piling on. She ran over to her with a huff yelling an adamant ‘nooo.’ 

“You just need me so badly, yeah? Marrying you wasn’t enough for you.” Trent cheekily rolled himself over top of you. He steadied himself above you resting on his forearms before dropping his body weight onto you squishing your boobs against him, to his delight. He pressed messy kisses all over you before gripping his hands behind your neck and pulling you into an aggressive make out. For a moment where you forgot where you were caught in the haze of his kiss. 

“Okay, okay get off!” You giggled pulling away from the kiss with a stupid smile after you heard Lauren whistle making fun of you two. 

“What mama and dada doing?” Teddy asked Winnie, turning and pointing at you two nearing on rolling around in the sand. Winnie pickled her gaze off her and glanced towards you. 

“They’re gross. Your parents are gross." Winnie laughed, shaking her head with a smug smile, jokingly covering Teddy’s eyes with his hands. 

“Alright, fine, fine. Can I say my teenage boy comment of the day though.” Trent cooed rolling off your side bringing his nose to push against yours.   

“Shoot, T.” You giggled brushing your nose left to right against his giddily excited to hear what he had to share. It was kind of a running joke you’d fallen into lately. You had made fun of a cheeky comment Trent had said to you in passing ages ago that it was like something a teenage boy would say so he now would preface his juvenile comments.

“Your boobs look so good in this.” He whispered slipping two fingers under the strap of your bikini top. His warm hands sliding against your skin. “Just want to peel this off.” He quietly spoke just to you. You felt butterflies fill your stomach. His dragged his fingers up under the straps material towards the tie behind your neck.

“Mama!” Teddy yelled wrangling herself away from Winnie deciding that she was not done trying to prove her point who Trent’s was not happy his focus was soley on you.

“Her timing is so good.” Trent whispered to you pressing a chaste kiss to your lips. Your lips curled into a cheeky grin. You gripped his face with one hand preventing him from turning his attention to a running Teddy. 

“Can take this off later, daddy.” You hushed with a subtle wink before pushing off his chest to stand yourself up. “Come here my cutie girl. We can share daddy, okay?” You cooed to Teddy scooping her up in your arms spinning her around loosely. She nodded with a 'tay' wrapping herself around you. Trent puffed out some pent up air taken aback by your comment before standing up having to adjust his shorts.  

“Do you think we should just bring her?” You cooed softly in the night sitting on Trent’s lap around a bonfire. It was late half the house had turned in, half of you still outside, Teddy learning about the art of the perfect s’more from Tyler. You watched them with a smile but you felt a tinge of guilt and sadness thinking about leaving for your honeymoon without Teddy. 

“Baby… she’s our whole life, you know how important she is and you’re the most amazing, sweet, beautiful mummy to her but please give me my week of just my Y/N.” He cooed with an exaggerated pout.

“I can do that.” You turned to face him more, still seated on his lap. His hands slipping from your waist up your exposed back and under the sides of your top moving cheekily closer up to under your boobs.  

“I want days of the most ridiculously small bikinis, I want these tits in my face all day…” he hummed, squeezing his hands around your ribs momentarily trying to be coy. He pulled you back while moving his lips closer to your ear. “I want my sexy, slutty, horny Y/N just for me for a whole week please. Let me fuck you all day on the beach. Let me eat you out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m begging you.” He whispered with a deep breath imagining it all.

“You don’t have to beg, T.” You quietly giggled. “Trust me I will be there, all of that guaranteed. It’s not that big of a shift to make. I have something to ask though…” You whispered back to him brushing your thumb over his high cheekbone staring back into his big brown mahogany eyes. He hummed inquisitively interested in what your question would be. 

“Well you’ve never fucked your wife on a flight before so I was just wondering…” You giggled with a whisper.

“Baby, baby, baby.” Trent cut you off gripping your face with one hand smushing your cheeks together.  “You’re mad if you think that wasn’t already happening Mrs. Alexander-Arnold.” He pressed a kiss to your lips and you giggled shutting your eyes. The light from the fire pit warmed your face and as Trent watched your nose scrunch up from your sweet laugh, he knew that he made the best decision of his life marrying you. 

You boarded your flight to the Amalfi Coast for your honeymoon and eagerly cuddled up on Trent’s seat with him wrapping yourself around him. You took a selfie video on your Instagram stories pinching his cheek and kissing his face repeatedly with the text overlay ‘finally a holiday with my husband’ and posted it to your close friends… or so you thought. You did not. The internet set aflame knowing that the wedding had finally happened.

“Ready for tomorrow?” Trent cooed nuzzling into you on the plane tucked under a blanket with you sleepily holding on to him. 

“What’s tomorrow?” You whispered back, running your hand over his head. You looked at him with questioning eyes because while some days of your honeymoon were pre planned and reservations were made, others you just left blank to go with the flow of the day and relax. Day one was set to be that but evidently not according to Trent. 

“A day for you, organized by me.” He informed you with a sweet smile that you thanked your lucky stars you got to see everyday. It was so beautiful. 

“Mmm interesting. What’s that entail?” You hummed moving your arms to drape over his shoulders. Shifting your position from the side of him to perched yourself on top of his lap, straddling his waist. You tilted your head slightly to admire his perfectly crafted face and waited for his explanation. 

“Everything you love, baby.” He answered you with a cunning grin. You raised your eyebrows. It was really sweet he had taken the time to think of making plans for you two as a surprise but it did run through your mind quite quickly that you hoped you packed outfits for whatever his plans consisted of. 

“So just a day with you?” You teased him, leaning forward to kiss his shoulder. A day with Trent was everything you loved. Anything with him was always amazing. The best day ever but again and again in different fonts. 

“Well…” he laughed. “I’m a given, I’m included in the day’s package but just trust me, alright?” He cooed and you nodded. Once you had landed, you made your way to a luxe hotel nestled on the rocky coastline of the Mediterranean. When you first broached ideas of where to go for your honeymoon it was a little bit of a joke that you should go to Italy because you went to an Italian restaurant on your first date and had told Trent it was ‘regular.’ He had said he wanted to honeymoon somewhere 'regular' so he could just be with you, focus on you, not have to worry about anything but it wasn’t a joke for long when you started researching and found this surreal hotel to stay in. Your suite was secluded and discreet with large windows overlooking the sea. It was a chic space with a few rooms, a lemon grove, terrace, and pool, just for you two. You were ready for bed after your travels but of course not without some cheeky fun in the shower with your new husband first.

 

“Up! Let’s go, wife.” Trent popped out from his morning shower and tapped your ass a few times as you laid sleepily in the king sized bed surrounded by morning light.

“T…” you groaned. You could hear his snickering giggle. You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide the smile it evoked on your face. It was quite possibly your favorite sound in the whole world. “What we’re not going to do is call me ‘wife’ again.” You quipped with a teasing yet sleepy smile. 

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry.” He laughed between a few kisses to your lips coming to sit on the edge of the bed next to your body. You knew he was kidding but so were you. “My beautiful, perfect, love of my life… can you please get up so we can get our day started and I can dote over you."

“That’s much better.” You giggled, kissing him before slinking off the bed and grabbing his hand pulling him behind you. He looked at you confused for a moment. “Well, you’re not going to let the beautiful and perfect love of your life shower alone are you?” You asked with a sly expression continuing to pull him into the ensuite. 

“Nah, I would never.” Trent responded, dropping the towel he was still in. He was still slightly damp but that wasn’t going to stop your morning plans. You had no intention of showering alone on this trip. Your day was perfect. Trent finally caved and did a pilates class with you on a rooftop, private of course, not a shot Trent was going to subject himself to embarrassment of not being spectacular at something out in the public eye but he’d do it for you. He wasn’t bad to his credit but he more so just was enjoying his view and it wasn’t the seaside he was so enamored with, it was you. You sported a Nike x Jacquemus white halter top and tiny shorts. Following your workout was a shower, not spent alone, a massage and a few other spa treatments interspersed with a breakfast.  You changed into embroidered, lace-trimmed linen mini-dress from Prada and gold heeled sandals after for some shopping. You went to Mui Mui for you and Louis Vuitton for Trent buying the latest collections, telling them to ship it all home for you, not carrying a single thing. After your spree you had a lunch at a beach club and despite a car being arranged you asked Trent to walk there which initially you had thought would be a nice time outside in the summer sun and coastal air. That changed quite quickly though. 

“The cobble stones are not my friend.” You pouted towards Trent after you stumbled for the umpteenth time. He shook his head at you. This was very much your idea but he would gladly listen to your complaints anyways.

“Nah, those heels you’re in are not your friend.” He quipped back with a smug grin. You only furthered deepened your pout and the crease in your forehead. 

“You said you liked them.” You looked at him with doe eyes only pausing to place one of your hands against a colored concrete wall on the side of the small narrow street to fix the strap of your shoe. Trent came to your side and bent down for you to fix them.

“I do, you look sexy in them. And I’d like if you would keep them on f’me when I fuck you later but right now your nails digging into my shoulder every 5 minutes so you don’t fall… not my favorite thing.” He cheekily laughed, standing up and leaning close to your ear. He rubbed his nose against your cheek.

“I’m sorry.” You apologized and you let go only to fumble once more. 

“Take them off.” He demanded with a silly expression.  

“They make the outfit, T.” Your pout returned in full force. You liked the fit and you didn’t want to ruin it. So what if you were late for the reservation at the restaurant that you’d been dying to try and had bookmarked on your instagram for a year… oh yeah… you did and he knew that.   

“Nah, take 'em off.” Trent’s smile dropped as he demanded as he squatted next to your feet again helping you undo your heels. You frowned but that changed as he guided you by your hand around him to climb onto his back. “Let’s go, pretty girl.” He grunted, readjusting his arms placement under your legs. You giggled and nuzzled your face into the side of his neck with a ‘thank you’ carrying your shoes in your hands now. You had lunch and then headed to the harbor to board a yacht late in the afternoon. To your surprise a few of the items from your shopping in the morning that Trent had pushed you to get were aboard already for you. You had gotten a metallic knit set from Loro Piana to wear with a white bikini underneath and a new pair of white oran Hermes sandals.  You stayed there for ages out in the sun until it set and then you had dinner on the deck of the bow. It was romantic and special. Plenty of flirty touches and sweet memories shared. You docked as the evening rolled almost into morning. 

“Now what we do is up to you, baby… I, yes, Trent Alexander-Arnold, your husband will take you to a club to dance and get drunk and make out with you in the middle of crowds just like I know you love or I can take you home just like I know you love." He explained to you. You found yourself in the mix of an intimate private club not long after that question was broached. You could feel the too many cocktails you had coursing through you, intoxicating you more and more by the moment but you weren’t sure if it was them causing the warmness in your chest and tunnel vision or if it was just Trent's effect on you. You were falling in love with him all over again with every thump of the bass, every touch of his hands, every flash of strobe lights, every kiss of his lips, you didn’t feel like you were parents for the moment, you just felt in love. You turned in his arms and nuzzled your face into his skin before licking up the side of his neck and down his jaw.

“Wow, so it was a good drink?” Trent laughed into your ear for you to hear. You had just finished a cocktail Trent had ordered but wasn’t loving. He said it was down to the flavor but the pink color and floral garnish was what you believed that he didn’t want. 

“I want to have your babies.” You hummed ignoring his initial question just in your own world.

“That’s good because you already got one.” He continued his laughs looking at you in wonder. You looked gorgeous clinging to him swaying in the club lights. There was a slight sheen to your skin from the warmth of the evening making you glow and little glimmer of lust in your eyes. You were in an impossibly scandalous GCDS dress you nabbed earlier and Trent was fucking really happy you had. 

“I want more.” You giggled, ghosting your lips over his. You attempted to drop your hand to palm over his growing bulge. 

“Nah, we’re leaving. I need you all to myself and in absolutely nothing but your jewelry, baby. Let's go." He gripped you with his hand on the back of your neck with some aggression. You felt your heart palpitating and you felt your pussy throb as he kissed you one last time in the club.

You caged him upon entry into your suite back at the hotel. You dropped to your knees in front of him. You felt the carpet settle under your knees as you ran your hands up his thighs before undoing his belt. He leaned back into the wall behind him letting you get to work. You let some spit drip from your mouth onto his hard cock as you played with his pre cum already leaking from the tip. You tapped your finger over his slit, drawing his arousal away creating a string of it connected to your fingertip. 

“You’re a fucking phenomenal wife.” He grunted as you moved to slowly take his whole length at once in your mouth. You cupped his balls and gently massaged them. He uncontrollably let out a moan he couldn’t control as you sucked his cock, letting it hit the back of your throat again and again. “Shit, that feels so good, baby... I remember when you sucked me off for the first time. Fucking hell.” He whimpered, letting his head drop backwards. You knew exactly what he liked now. You didn’t that first time but you figured it out quickly. You knew just where he was most sensitive. Every moan, choke, and gag coming from you taking him had him fighting for his life to not cum. “Good girl, just like that. Baby, I gotta cum. I can’t. “ You nodded running both of your hands up his strong thighs again. Trent knew that queue, something he had learned you liked since that first night. He ran his fingers through your hair and gently but securely grabbed your face letting him self fuck your mouth. You could feel your own wetness dampening your panties more and more until your focus shifted to the sensation of his warm cum filling your mouth and running down your sore throat. In swift succession you found yourself on top of the dresser in the room, legs spread open, Trent now on the floor between them. He had pushed your dress up your thighs before peeling those already soaked panties to the side teasing you relentlessly before his fingers found there way to play with your pussy.  His name fell from your lips in a hoarse moan the moment you felt his fingers running through your wet folds. With his fingers between your legs now, you were practically dripping for him. You looked down at him with your jaw slacked and lidded eyes. He unraveled you with each movement. 

“That feel good, baby?” He mouthed moving his mouth from your knee, dragging his perfect, dreamy, pouty lips closer and closer towards your core. The anticipation alone had you reelling. 

“Please, baby. I want you.” You begged with a whine. Trent wasn’t going to make you wait. He was on a high after the head you gave him. His fingers making quick work sinking knuckle deep inside you, his luscious lips finding your clit with a suckle. His fingers hit the perfect spot inside you with every thrust and curl of their tips. Your back arching uncontrollably. A puddle on the surface of the dresser you were sitting on formed, your juices running down his hand. The way his breath felt against you, his skillful tongue, the force of his fingers, it all had you rushing towards your first orgasm of the night. 

“Tell me baby. You gonna cum f’me? Am I gonna make you cum? You gotta tell me.” you could sense that his muffled words were said with so much smugness and self satisfaction. He knew you loved this and you knew he did as well. His big brown eyes flashed up to your shut ones and he let out a cheek laugh. The vibration only pushing you closer. You nodded, unable to say any words. You let out a pornographic whine though when he flattened his tongue against your clit letting out a growl tasting you. “You taste so good. Want this pussy everyday of my life.” Trent shut his eyes a little consumed by his own pleasure of your taste. He dragged his tongue through your folds again and again slurping you up. You were a complete mess. You could barely keep yourself propped up against the wall behind you. Your pussy clenched ruthlessly around his fingers. 

“T… T….” You whined. “Please. I’m cumming.” You whimpered with gasps of air and cried. Your pussy was dripping all over his face, you were absolutely soaked but you couldn’t think, your mind had gone blank.  

“Let go, baby. Be a good girl f’me. Cum f’me.” Trent said sternly instructing you and you wasted no time at all. He licked and sucked and toyed as you withered against the dresser. Your orgasm was never ending.  Trent persistently kept his finger at work inside of you, slowing slightly but drawing your high out.  “Good girl. So fucking good f’me.” Trent cooed as you attempted to hold onto his muscular arm to prevent him from moving any more. He gave way and removed his fingers as he worked kisses up your warm skin all the way up to your neck. He kissed your lips with his before he drew away and forcefully pushed his thumb in between your lips. You willingly opened them for him and looked at him doe eyed and desperate for more. He kept your lips agape as he slowly spit the taste of your cum into your mouth before hungrily kissing you again. Trent picked you up and you wrapped your legs around his waist. He carried you over to the bed and laid you down crawling on top of you. Not long after you were crying out his name again and again as he thrusted in and out of you. "Whose making you feel this good, baby, tell me.” He commanded you and you continued whining his name. 

“T… I’m gonna cum again. You’re gonna make me cum, baby. Trent oh my god.” You moaned pulling him down to you more by the back of his neck dragging your nails then harshly down his muscular back. He rested his forehead against yours sweetly as he continued to rail into you. 

“Cum f’me baby. Feels so good. Doing so well f’me.” He whispered between the lewd sounds of your squelching pussy. His thrusts sped up, rolling his hips into you as he chased his own orgasm. 

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I love you so much T.” You whined as your eyes rolled back. You inhaled a sharp breath feeling a lightheadedness come over with every stroke of his. He kept his beautiful brown eyes fixed on you. The pupils in his dark eyes dilated when he felt his cock pulse inside you. Every movement was slow, deep, and intentional. His lips curled into a smug smile hearing you tell him you loved him. You were completely his. You dragged your ankle down his back muscles. He was so gentle yet harsh all at the same time. Your pussy tightly clenched around Trent’s  cock and then fluttered. 

“Such a good fucking girl. Shit! Baby, I love you. Gonna cum. Shit. Take it all f’me” he sunk his teeth into his perfect lower lip. You silently begged him to. His head tilted back. Ropes of his cum filled the velvety inside of your pussy. He pumped you full gradually and slowly stilling. Your own orgasm crashing over you. Your pussy continued to flutter as you panted beneath him. Your chest rising and falling. He softly stroked your hair and gently kissed you. “I love you, baby. Did so good f’me.” You smiled breathlessly as he kissed you again in a way that you could feel just how much he adored you with each one. He loved you more than he could ever articulate with words but you could always feel it in the silences. He got off the bed and then cleaned you up before he tucked you neatly back in his arms. 

“Sleeping in?” Winnie asked with a coo and a laugh when Trent answered her facetime. She was looking after Teddy with your parents still out east in Montauk at their house. Your family didn’t get to see her as often as Trent’s did so she was a welcomed intrusion. 

“Yeah, yeah. You okay?” Trent asked through a yawn while groggily running his free hand over his eyes. 

“Yeah, good. Sorry, I tried to call Y/N.” Winnie explained starting to feel bad seeing Trent look so tired. 

“She’s still asleep.” Trent informed her through one more yawn. You were both naked under the covers of the bed. You shifted on top of him annoyed by the rumbling of his voice in his chest beneath you and the volume of it in the quiet late morning... well at this point it was essentially the afternoon. 

“Baby…” you groaned pushing your fingers to Trent’s perfectly plump lips. It wasn’t long until he heard a very familiar giggle getting closer to the phone. He could see your mum chasing Teddy in the kitchen corralling her over to Winnie.

“Can you wake up f’me?” Trent asked you likely for the millionth time of this trip and billionth time in your relationship. If you were in bed with him, you never wanted to move. He tapped your bare ass under the blankets.

“No, I’m sore, baby.” You whined pushing your face into him. Trent smiled down at you thinking your stubbornness was cute. Winnie’s eyebrows raised with a smug smile at your comment. Your mum less than impressed with the crude innuendo. Teddy popped herself up onto Winnie’s lap. Trent let out a gasp as did she. You didn’t put two and two together you were too tired so he tried to wake you once more. 

“Can you wake up for this cute girl on the phone then please?” He laughed, giving your daughter a silly smile through the screen. They caught up momentarily before situating yourself to lean onto Trent’s shoulder as you woke up more. 

“My baby girl!” You quietly sang. “You look so sleepy, did you just wake up?” You asked her with a pouty smile. She looked adorable. It was obscenely early for them and ridiculously late in the day for you. Teddy wasn’t great at sleeping when she was away from you and Trent and you could see it on her tired face. She was in her little pajamas and it made you want to just reach through the phone and squish her. 

“Mama…” Teddy whimpered out. It was mere seconds before she started bawling her eyes out. Teddy didn’t realize how much she missed you before she saw you, heard you. Winnie had kept Teddy diligently occupied since you parted ways. You worried that the days you had fled to New York after the final at Wembley before the wedding might have made things worse, her attachment to you worse, that she feared you'd leave unexpectedly again. You sat up in Trent’s lap some more. You shuffled and let him pull your back to his chest as you adjusted the sheets to cover your naked bodies. 

“Oh, it’s okay, Teddy girl. You’re probably having so much fun at the beach though and you can tell me all about it so soon!” You tried to console her from afar. You actually couldn’t wait to sit with her and hear her babbling away explaining to you all she’d done in her jumbled words. 

“We’re okay, right?” Winnie cooed, smushing a kiss to Teddy’s cheek reassuring her things were fine. She tried to tickle her tummy but to no avail, Teddy was upset. “We’re just tired and we miss you but tell mummy and daddy what we’re going to do today, Ted.” Winnie looked at her patiently waiting for her to speak up.

“Find my mama dada shell.” Teddy sadly mumbled with the most heartbreakingly cute puppy dog eyes and her lips rolled into an agape pout. She looked between you and Winnie making sure she was right about their plans to find shells to bring home for you and Trent, and that you heard her.  

“That’ll be so much fun! Can you find me and you matching shells on the beach?” You asked her and her pouty lips slightly turned upward, liking the idea. 

“Baby bear, you know what else you have to do today?” Trent cooed resting his chin atop your head in bed still. She looked at him with a tilt of her head before leaning back onto Winnie, getting comfortable. “You have to show Win how good of a swimmer you are!” Teddy’s eyes lit up. It was like she had forgotten that she was going to be able to swim this week due to how much she missed you both. 

“I heard Win is an even better swimmer than daddy.” You cooed cheekily. Trent dropped his head to come and bite your earlobe in retaliation to your remark. You let out a soft ‘ow.’ Winnie started to laugh. Teddy’s face pulled into a scowl not really believing you and for not really liking the idea that even someone she loved as much as Winnie was better than her dad. “Can you call me later and tell mummy who was better?” You asked and her scowl transformed into a greedy conniving grin excited to have something to do for you. Your phone call ended with a few more tears but it was okay ultimately. 

“I miss her…” You quietly whispered into Trent’s bare chest as you ran your hand up and down his warm skin.  

“I know, baby, but we're having a good time.” He reassured you, running his hands over your body. His hands on you always were comforting and were proving to be nothing less than that in this moment again. 

“Yeah, no, you’re right. Gotta make the most of our Teddy free time.” You laughed a little sadly. 

“Yeah, and we will. So what do you want to do today, beautiful?” He asked you with a smile after a sweet kiss to your shoulder after brushing some of your hair behind it. 

“You …” You cheekily responded with a little giggle rolling your body into his some more.   

“Yeah? Alright.” He greedily smiled and jumped up almost immediately at your words from the bed.

“Where are you going?” You laughed as his agile movements coming around to the other side of the bed and moving you towards its edge before picking you up. You wrapped your legs around his waist. 

“C’mere. Gonna make you cum on every. single. surface in this room.” He whispered to you between soft kisses. 

“That so?” You questioned his ability teasingly with a raised brow. “Wow, good luck to you.” You giggled with excitement, very aware he’d be more than capable of making that happen.

“Don’t need it.” He said softly with a wink pulling the straps of your tank top down. You gasped feeling his lips glide down your neck following his hands to your boobs. 

“That was cute.” You cooed after he kissed your cheek gently as you cuddled in the hotel bed after a very fun couple of hours messing about.

“Cute? I just fucked you for 3 hours, baby. Give me a little more credit than cute damn.” He quipped a little taken aback that was your response. You were more so just referring to the sweet kiss he just gave you after his more juxtaposed and rough way he just fucked you earlier. 

“Yeah, that was hot, sexy, dadddy, not this… this was cute mushy T.” You cooed in a softer voice cuddling into him.  

“You love when I’m a melt for you. Well don’t worry I am for the rest of my life. You’re like a witch.” He continued and at first you had a soft smile on your face but the latter of his words had your face twist in confusion. 

“Excuse me…?” You giggled not entirely sure what he meant calling you a ‘witch.’

“Nah, you know what I meant. I just don’t know what you did to me.” He explained with an adorably innocent face. His big mahogany brown eyes pooling into puppy dog ones just the way Teddy’s had earlier in the morning. He pulled them out of his arsenal as if to convince you had in fact done something.

“I didn’t do anything to you!” You squealed, whipping around out of his hold to face him with a playful expression on your face. Your cheeks started to hurt from being pulled so high and so filled. 

“You did. You do every day. Make me fall in love with you again and again and again.” He cooed, pulling you slowly back into him by taking your bottom lip in his hand. It was an unorthodox way to bring you in but it was sexy but simultaneously cute. 

“You’re cheesy…” You cooed with a soft kiss before tucking back into his arms getting settled again. You wiggled against his body with your back to his chest once more rolling your head back onto his shoulder. “I love cheese.” You giggled starting to get hungry all of a sudden. 

“You’re so fucking cute, baby” He leaned around you and bit your nose causing you to wince and shake him off after he kept his teeth bit into you playfully for a bit too long for your liking.  

“Do you ever feel like young when we’re like this… like alone, you know?” You asked him, falling into a more serious tone. You flicked your eyes up to him and waited for his response.  

“We are young baby.” He corrected you.  “Dare I say… we are ‘young, fit, and sexy'” He laughed a little. He was directly quoting and mimicking the way the photographer from your shoot with Vanity Fair had sounded and said again and again on repeat. 

“You know what I mean…” Your face fell a little. It looked less spirited in a way. “Sometimes I think like I get caught in a mum mode. With schedules and football and Teddy and I don’t know just life, it feels like… I don’t know, I probably sound stupid.” You got quieter at the end of your sentence starting to go shy moving a mere centimeter off of Trent but he caught your emotional and physical shift.  

“I understand baby. You don’t sound stupid at all. It makes sense. What can I do to make you see how much fun this ‘life’ really is though.” He cooed and you gave him a sad smile with a shake of the head. It was sweet but you head let your mind fall down a rabbit hole. “Come on. This is amazing. Let’s live a little, have some fun, fuck let’s have another baby.” Trent said it the same way he said ‘let's get the Mui Mui bag’ you had looked at and wanted the other day. 

“That’s fun to you?” You asked him a little surprised. You obviously weren’t talking about the ‘making’ component of babies but more so the home life with them. Yes, if you really deeped it it was so special, so perfect in it’s imperfection. Teddy’s face  alone made you want another baby but  the way she smelt,  the way she was developing a personality, when she asked you questions, when she first laughed, even ridiculous things like her hair getting longer or her growing out of her clothes, it was all beautiful and… maybe a little fun. 

“Yeah I’m having the most fun, aren’t you?” Trent asked you with a childish look on his face. You started to giggle. He was really fucking cute. It was hard to think the nights of no sleep were all that bad when they were with him.

“Yeah… I’m happy, T.” You cooed softly craning your neck upwards to come and give him a kiss. His lips were soft and pillowy like the always were. They were home.

“That’s all I ever want, all we ever need. Me and that cute little girl we made, that’s all we want.” He kissed you once more. You fell into a comfortable silence for a while cuddling in bed looking out the big open windows watching the waves of the sea crash into the cliffside and the breeze ruffle the long curtains framing your view. 

“Thank you, baby.” You softly whispered, breaking the quiet lull in the room.  

“I mean I really enjoy that as well so no need, baby.” He let out a breathy laugh, kissing the top of your head. You slapped at his still bare chest. “Alright, alright. Tell me for what, beautiful, what are you thanking me for?” he asked you more sincerely looking around you to make full eye contact.

“Our life, what you’ve given me, the whole thing. Everything.” You cooed softly cupping his cheek feeling yourself get a little more emotional than you thought you’d get today. You adjusted your place in bed and felt your body brush against his and while there was a sliver of your brain that was turned on, the majority of it felt all of the solace Trent had ever given you through that touch.  

“I mean I could say the same to you.” He quietly responded, keeping one of his hands tightly wrapped around your waist making sure you knew he had you. Literally and figuratively keeping you safely nestled with him. “I’d do anything to make you happy, baby” He pressed a kiss to your forehead. 

“Like call room service?” You cheekily giggled with a smiley that just about shattered Trent’s heart. It was perfectly innocent and yet filled with seduction. He didn’t have a shot in hell against you.  

“Wow… so you get to make jokes now. I see. That’s how it is now, baby? What do you want? The usual even though we’re in Italy?” You nodded before he rolled his eyes causing you to laugh like a little kid loving that you had him in the palm of your hand. “Honestly… An absolute melt. An absolute melt for you.” He muttered, reaching for the phone to order for you.

“What should we bring her?” You asked Trent seated on the terrace of a gorgeous restaurant high up on the coast. You and Trent had a game you did to find Teddy things on trips as gifts. It wasn’t about what she liked the most but a game solely between you two, to rile the other up about ‘winning.’  

“Oh I already won… I’m bringing mummy home.” Trent cooed with a boastfully proud face. You shut your eyes and shook your head in disapproval. 

“That is not how the game works. Mum and dad are off limits as gifts. Also, haven't you won enough today? Do you need to just rub it in my face? you won straight sets… twice, T!” You laughed making fun of his rare ability to be a sore winner. “Don’t you want to be nice to your wife, let me win a game or two, huh?” Trent’s face scrunched into a thinking expression.

“Erm.. nah, think I’m nice to my wife in other ways.” He cooed with a cheeky laugh sticking his tongue out at you. 

“Absolutely intolerable.” You giggled with a massive smile. 

“Absolutely beautiful.” He echoed following your faux jab at him, reaching his hand out to stroke your cheek.

“You’re beautiful… it’s the only way you get away with all your bullshit, baby.” You laughed, taking his hand in yours. “Beautiful beautiful boy.” You cooed. Trent shot you a cheeky wink before taking a big bite of his pasta chewing his obnoxiously big bite. You stuck your leg out under the table towards him hidden by the tablecloth and glided your foot up his thigh eventually to his crotch gently played around. Trent coughed, his eyes going wide, choking on his food a little. You laughed a little and shot him a cheeky wink of your own in return.

•

Thank you for reading! Please like, comment, or message what you think of the chapter 🤍

Next part - Chapter 26 xx

[reasonsforhope]

"Samuel Onyango’s office at Kibera Primary School is serene and spacious. His table is neatly arranged, with an assortment of files and an array of books. One side of his cream-colored office is decked with aggregate performance scores, and another shows off several trophies in a glass cabinet. Last year, Onyango’s school performed a traditional dance and scooped third place in the National Drama and Film Festivals, where schools across the country competed for the top prize.

But today Onyango, the school’s principal, is bragging about something much more basic: Thanks to an innovative community program, his students and teachers are no longer getting sick from dirty water.

Onyango’s school, with a staff of 30 and a student body of about 1,700, is in Kibera, a neighborhood in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that is widely known as Africa’s largest informal settlement. It is a community of houses made from mud or tin sheeting where residents have to hustle to meet even their most basic needs, like electricity or clean water.

It is also a community where creativity and innovation, at the heart of any hustle, are changing how some people can access clean water — and making major ripples in public health.

Onyango’s school has long gotten its water the same way many people in Kibera do: by buying it from independent suppliers, who truck water in and sell it for around $30 per 10,000 liters (about 2,650 gallons). But trucked water can be contaminated, despite suppliers’ promises, and Onyango’s students and staff were often using unclean water at home, too. It was common, he says, for both teachers and students to get sick and miss school because of waterborne illnesses.

Last November, Onyango’s school got connected to an aerial clean water system built by a local grassroots organization called SHOFCO, which stands for Shining Hope for Communities. “Once we got connected to SHOFCO’s water,” Onyango says, “cases of these ailments reduced to nil.”

SHOFCO’s water distribution system currently reaches about 40,000 people and distributes more than 3.7 million gallons of clean water per month.

Access to safe drinking water — and its equitable distribution — underpins public health. But for the estimated 250,000 people in Kibera, who live without any government infrastructure, clean water is often a luxury. Many people are using illegal water connections, which proliferate among the poor — there are nearly 130 in just three lesser-resourced Nairobi neighborhoods. But those DIY hookups can mix clean water with raw sewage, and Kenyan officials have recently warned of a looming public health crisis if water access is not prioritized.

Shifting weather patterns also increase the risk of waterborne illness, government officials say. The Ministry of Health and the Kenya Red Cross Society have called out severe flooding during the El Niño weather pattern as a source of a recent major cholera outbreak in parts of the country. Kibera was not spared this risk: The floods led to the contamination of various sources of water in the sprawling neighborhood.

But the aerial piping system SHOFCO built in 2012 — the one that brings water to Onyango’s school — saved some Kibera residents, quite literally. With collaboration from health and county authorities, SHOFCO has all but eliminated diarrheal disease in the communities that use its aerial piping system, according to Gladys Mwende, a program officer at SHOFCO. In the health facilities SHOFCO runs, the incidences of diarrheal infections have also gone down, she adds.

Pictured: People in Kibera’s Makina section pass by the signature blue pillars that hold up SHOFCO’s aerial water piping system. Visual: Sarah Waiswa/Harvard Public Health Magazine

“[Poor sanitation is the reason] that our water is aerial piped,” says Kennedy Odede, the founder and CEO of SHOFCO. Piping water in helps clean water maintain its integrity without interference from elements including tampering. In a huge community with no major infrastructure, piping seemed impossible — there was no money and no will to build a disruptive underground system connected to the city’s main water supply. Instead, Odede and his team put the pipes up in the air. “As somebody who grew up in Kibera, to see this clean water — which I have also drank — is powerful.”

SHOFCO’s water distribution system currently reaches about 40,000 people and distributes more than 3.7 million gallons of clean water per month — nearly 46 million gallons per year — at community water kiosks, which residents access with tokens linked to the mobile money platform M-Pesa. The water kiosks are pre-programmed to fill jerry cans that hold about five gallons at a cost of 3 Kenyan shillings, or about 23 U.S. cents.

A recent evaluation of SHOFCO’s clean water efforts, undertaken by the African Population and Health Research Center, shows diarrheal disease among children under age five have decreased by 31 percent where community members used SHOFCO water kiosks and received SHOFCO’s sanitation messaging.

“We don’t get as many cases of diarrhea even though now we are in the middle of the floods,” Mwende says. “Communities have not reported any outbreaks within the areas where we are working.”

Mohammed Suleiman is grateful for the change. Suleiman, 25, was born here, and it’s been his job for the last 18 years to fetch 135 gallons of water daily for his family’s personal needs and for their samosa business.

Two months ago, Sulieman contracted typhoid from the unsanitary water he was consuming. Once he recovered, he says, switching to SHOFCO water kiosks was a no-brainer.

“I don’t know where the other independent vendors get it from,” he says. But he trusts SHOFCO water. “Water sourced from SHOFCO is cleaner than that of other vendors,” he says. “I don’t have to treat water from [SHOFCO] kiosks before consuming it.”

And he’s the living proof: Since switching to SHOFCO water, Suleiman hasn’t been sick even once."

-via Undark, August 13, 2024

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #15

April 19-26 2024

President Biden appeared along side Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senators Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders to announce major climate action. Biden announced a program, Solar For All, 7 billion dollars aimed at supporting low income house holds install solar power in their homes. The program will support 900,000 households across the country getting solar. Lower the average energy bill for a family by $400 a month and avoid more than 30 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 25 years. The boost in solar installation will help create 200,000 new jobs across the country. The President also announced the launch of the Climate Conservation Crops. modeled on FDR's Civilian Civilian Conservation Corps and JFK's Peace Corps, Biden's Climate Conservation Crops will be a program where young people can connect with climate projects across the country and be paid to help protect the planet. The Corps will be 20,000 strong, with 2,000 openings listed right now on their webpage across 36 states DC and Puerto Rico.

The Department of Labor finalized a new rule on overtime. Currently employers are only required to pay overtime to workers making under $35,568. Under the new ruling that will be raised to workers making $43,888, and in January 2025 raised again to workers making $58,656 and under. This will bring overtime pay to 4 million more workers and transfer $1.5 billion from the pockets of companies to workers. It also fixes to raise the level with inflation every 3 years starting in 2027.

The EPA announced a $1 billion dollar program to help replace heavily duty vehicles with clean energy versions. There are currently 3 million class 6 and 7 vehicles, school buses, box trucks dump trucks, street sweepers, delivery trucks, bucket trucks, and utility trucks, in use. 70% of the funds will go to replacing School Buses with Clean energy buses and the remaining 30% will go to replacing Vocational Vehicles like dump trucks and street sweepers. Heavy Duty vehicles on top of green house cases release harmful nitrogen oxide and fine particulate matter and replacing them will not only combat climate change but improve public health.

The Department of Interior took actions to protect 13 million acres of Alaska wild land is protected and to secure the livelihood of Alaska Native peoples who rely on this land. The Administration refused oil and mining rights on the vast areas of Alaska land as well as a 210 miles road through the northern wildernesses. This area represents valuable habitat for caribou and endangered polar bears, as well as millions of migrating birds.

The Department of Transportation announced finalized rules requiring airlines to give automatic cash refunds for canceled flights and other inconvenience. The refunds will be automatic meaning passengers will not have apply for them, prompt the airlines are required to refund a credit card purchase in 7 days, and require repayment in full and in kind, airlines can not substitute travel vouchers for cash. The DOT also announced new rules to protect airline travelers from junk fees, airlines and ticket agents must now clearly tell travelers upfront about all fees so no one is surprised by a hidden fee.

The EPA announced finalized rules on emissions standards for fuel burning power plants. The new rules include a tightening of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, requiring a 70% reduction in mercury. It also had rules protecting ground water, new rules will require coal powered plants to remove 660 million pounds per year of pollutants discharged through wastewater, and for the first time federally regulates the dumping of coal ash, requiring safe dump sites that will not leak into ground water. Finalized rules require coal fired and new natural gas-fired power plants to capture up to 90% of their carbon pollution

Security of Transportation Pete Buttigieg attended the ground breaking of a new high speed rail project to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Biden Administration announced 3 billion to support the project 5 months ago. At 218 of all electric green rail the project promises to be the fastest way to get from LA to Las Vegas. Planned to open in 2028 just in time for the LA Olympics it is the first of many planned high speed rail projects. The Biden Administration has promised $66 billion for high speed rail and the largest single investment in Amtrak ever.

The FCC announced a new rule restoring Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality requires internet service pervaders to treat all websites equally and not slow certain ones now or speed others. In 2015 under Obama the FCC passed a rule requiring Net Neutrality. However in 2017, the FCC spread headed by Trump appointed Chair Ajit Pai repealed the rules. A patchwork of Democratic controlled states, lead by California passed state level laws requiring Net Neutrality forcing ISPs to de facto keep it in place. Late last year President Biden got the opportunity to replace Pai on the FCC, giving the FCC a 3 to 2 Democratic majority which voted this week to return to the Obama era rules and protect Net Neutrality nationwide.

The FTC passed finalized regulations to ban noncompete agreements in nearly all cases. These agreements, which cover 18% of American workers, about 30 million people, prohibit workers from joining or creating competing companies for a certain period of time. The FTC estimates that workers will earn an average of $524 dollars a year more and up to 8,500 new businesses will be created each year. The new rule will still allow noncompete for senior executives who make up less than 1% of the work force. Like with the FCC, two out of the 3 FTC commissioners who voted for the new rules are Biden appointees.

The Departments of Health and Human Services and Interior have announced a joint, $1 billion project to connect tribal communities to safe drinking water. Roughly half of Tribal households lack access to clean drinking water or adequate sanitation.

At the White House The Biden Administration announced plans to protect, restore and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams. This effort will include state, local and tribal government as well as private efforts along with the federal government to protect and restore the nations freshwater environments.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a new rule boosting privacy protection for abortions. Republicans in states like Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and Idaho have tried to make it a crime to leave the state to seek an abortion in a state where it is legal. The new federal rule would make it illegal for health information to be shared in these cases

Vice-President Harris announced a new rule requiring staffing standards at Nursing Homes across the country. The new rules will require registered nurses on duty 24 hours, seven days a week. This represents the first time the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have required specific numbers of nurses and aides in Nursing Homes that get Medicare and Medicaid funding.

The Biden Administration Announced a $6 billion deal with tech giant Micron to bring high tech manufacturing to New York. The deal is expected to see Micron invest $100 billion in Syracuse New York area as well as build a factory in Boise, Idaho. The deal will create 70,000 new jobs. It is part of the Biden Administration's effort to bring high tech chip manufacturing to America.

The Department of Education finalized the most comprehensive federal protections for Trans and other Queer students in the nation's history. The rules also overturn Trump era rules on how colleges should handle sexual assault and harassment.