#what are the first signs of kidney stones

[seikkoi]

ꜱᴜɢᴀʀ | dom!tony stark x sugarbaby!reader ( ᴄʀɪᴍᴇ!ᴀᴜ )

ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ [1, 2] | ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀᴏ3

There was nothing that could keep Tony from having exactly what he wanted—and he deserved a little sweetness in his life. All he had to do was keep from ruining you in the process.

content/warnings: 18+ minors do not interact. non-canon, non-superhero au, sub/dom undertones, slight emotional/verbal manipulation, obsessive + possessive behavior, age gap (reader described as mid-twenties, t.s as mid-forties), mildly dubious consensual situations, explicit mentions of alcohol and drug use, generally not for the light of heart, rough sexual content, reader described as petite word count: 12k a/n: new year, new format. sorry for the delay! wrestled w this for a bit.

You believed him, obviously. 

You drank in every malefic word. It’s only the easiest thing in the world to do. Any voice that suggests your wanton attachment was becoming self-destructive died without a fight. You tell yourself that’s impossible–that you couldn’t see your life without him anymore because it was obviously better with him. 

Sure, maybe you had some suspicions about his work, and maybe he could be a tad austere demanding, but that was child’s play compared to anything in the past. 

You let your body curl beside his, savoring every ounce of his cologne in the air. It’s unfamiliar, feeling his bare skin against yours, but you’re thankful for it. The sandman visits quickly this time, sending you sleep as a calloused hand strokes your cheek. 

There’s a beautiful sight awaiting Tony when he wakes the next morning–you, all tangled in silk sheets, warm arms wrapped tight around his midriff. 

Almost every hour it feels like he finds a new beauty in you, another reason you’ll stay on his mind every moment of the day. This time, he’s noticing how breath-taking you look asleep, peaceful and holding him like you’re scared he’ll disappear.

Your form is casked in a shy early morning light as he trails his fingers across exposed skin gently, watching the slow rise and fall of your breathing. Tony would pay just about anything for you to see what he saw (which was absolute, unwavering perfection, in case you were still unsure). 

Eventually, the sun rises high enough to illuminate the faint, pale marks on your hip–and only part of him wishes he showed more restraint.

No matter how much he wanted to take things slow with you, bring you in little by little, he needed your trust–your loyalty–so much more. He’d never cared much for delicacy when it came to love or attraction, especially not after Pepper. After all the bullshit with her, he wanted every living thing to feel the same desolate anger that fused in his bones. Scorched earth seemed too gentle of a policy. 

It’s easy to say the end of their relationship came the second he found out, that all his feelings faded into nothingness and no further harm was done. It’s easy to pretend like he’s always been this way–this sharp-edged, arrogant man who commands loyalty and respect. It’s infinitely more difficult to acknowledge that his love for Pepper went away more like a kidney stone than a dying light. 

That hot-headed arrogance, the one that soared at your proclivity for mistrust, or hints of leaving, that had been around for ages. The arrogance and fear of losing what he valued most burrowed together, growing slowly over the years into an obsessive need for control. It had laid dormant, waiting for that strawberry blonde catalyst. 

The faint patches on your skin gave him a sense of satisfaction–you were his, and he tried to know that that would never change now. He realizes all his calculated moves probably weren’t needed, that he could’ve been more of himself with you sooner. Tony’s anger let him run clean over any worries that you’d leave at the first signs of his true colors. He really wanted to be the kind of man that was all sugar and no spice, but someone ruined that for you a long time ago.

Certainly, it at least wasn’t what you needed. Tony knew what you didn’t, that you could have any man you wanted. You could have chosen some run-of-the-mill, 9-to-5 guy. One who buys you flowers once a month while you live your own boring life with a dead end job, but you chose him for a reason.

You didn’t need coddling, just a bit of control–direction. All the worry he had about the ink in his life staining you could go away. Sleeping beside him, you looked just as pure and innocent as ever, dreaming peacefully. Hiding his life from you is exactly what led to last night’s events anyway. He made a mental declaration to be less conservative with himself, to give you exactly what you claimed to want (him–entirely and unconditionally). 

He feels bad for past-him, who had to wait all those months to hear you cry out his name, to feel how easily your body submitted to him. Truthfully, you weren’t resisting him enough to justify the tight hold he kept, but every movement of your body needed to be his doing. 

Maybe he should have just ripped off the bandaid sooner. You didn’t need things as fickle as slowness and patience, you needed to know where you belong–right here beside him, blissful and wearing the marks of his obsession. 

Every fiber in his being hated doing it, but Tony pulls out of your sleepened embrace. The sudden loss of your warmth is almost physically painful, but he manages to rise from the bed. Your face scrunches slightly, sheets dragging to accommodate your shifting frame. 

He contemplates waking you, if anything just to make sure your thoughts aren’t still set on leaving him. Tony’s not a betting man, but he takes the look on your face after coming to his room as a positive sign. Besides, he doesn't like the idea of waking you this early when you need rest more than anything. 

There’s money waiting to be made, but he won’t deprive himself of this phenomenal view to do it. A rosewood table identical to the one in your room is moved closer to the bedside, right where he can keep you in his line of sight. 

That’s exactly where you find him when you wake, hours later–already dressed in a black polo and dark pants, peering over his laptop. It’s a heavy knock on the door that stirs you, causing Tony to swear when he sees your eyes open. 

The papers scattered about the table are shoved into a folder as he checks his watch and swears again. You’re almost too groggy to process voices at the door, turning just in time to see a wooden box transferred into Tony’s hands before the door shuts as quickly as it opened.

An apology is already spewing when he turns to you. 

“You’re fine, it’s fine,” you waved your hand, starting to sit up. 

You swing your legs over the edge, yawning and trying to think the last bit of sleep away. You might’ve forgotten about last night for a tiny longer had you stayed down. You feel the tenderness of your body before seeing it. Tony notices the subtle twitch of your brow, waiting for your reaction to worsen as he tucks the box into a leather duffel on the floor.

“We should leave in a few hours.”

There’s a flatness in his tone that pulls a puzzled look from you. He puts more papers away, now not even sparing a glance your way. It’s not out of contempt, just the last remnants of fear about you leaving. He had nothing but confidence when you were asleep–obviously feeling safe and enamored enough to lie beside him.

Now though, Tony’s forced to think ahead in time, trying to plan responses to questions and arguments you haven’t even made. 

Maybe all Pepper did was make him insecure. (He’d never admit such a thing, though)

“What was that about?” you asked gently, even though you were genuinely trying not to wonder.

“Just work.” He strides back around the bed, planting a kiss to your forehead. 

You manage not to pry, or give much of a reaction at all, simply smiling and still trying to stretch the weariness from your body. Your quiet demeanor comes from your own internal battle about his mood, nothing more. Tony though, for all his talents, sadly isn’t a mind reader. What he is however, is sure it’s his own fault.

Tony lets out a huff when he remembers he decided to be less withholding. You’re confused until the wooden box is brought back out. The bed makes a depressing noise under Tony’s weight as he sits across from you.

He can’t stand the apprehensive look in your eye, and figures there’s no time like the present.

“You wanna ask what’s in the box, don’t you, doll?” He says smugly, tapping the container against your knee lightly. 

Trick questions aren’t really his style, but you don’t think there’s a right answer. 

Tony’s expectations seemed to grow more complex the longer you were with him, and right now, you’re not certain what’s expected of you. The last ten hours in your mind was a feature film, full of depressing internal monologue about how little you really knew about him. 

You know you should trust Tony’s words over the whispers of others, but they’re hard to separate when both sources are drenched in ambiguity. 

“Look, I,” he pauses to sigh heavily, looking away from you for a moment. “I was completely open with Pepper–full transparency, no secrets, the whole nine yards.”

Vulnerability in any form was without a doubt his least favorite thing, especially with this. It almost petrifies him that you’ll see him differently. Mostly because he doesn’t know what he’d do if you really did leave. Somewhere, swimming in back of his brain is the idea that you’ll pull the same stunt she did. That train of thought always leads him down dark roads he’d prefer to ignore. 

“I guess I was a little too open because I woke up one day and suddenly everything’s gone to shit.” 

Tony’s phone rings, and for the first time ever, you see it declined without a second glance

“I cannot have that happen with you. You can ask me anything, if you can promise me you won’t leave if you don’t like the answer. If you can’t do that, you should go.” he ends coldly, and it sends a shiver through your frame.

You wouldn’t–whether he told you the truth or not. So, naturally, you nod in agreement.

A visible wave of relief rushes through him with a sigh.

“Okay, go ahead, shoot.” 

What Tony’s expecting is questions about his work, about Pepper, maybe about Steve. The preparation for those questions is immaculate, answer trees with presumed added points of inquiry. Instead, you ask something he feels moronic for not planning for sooner. 

“What are we doing here? With us? And don’t say it’s up to me.” You don’t ask how you normally do, with a hint of snide or taste of anger. It just comes like a whisper. 

Stark sucks at very, very few things, but this is certainly one of them. Words never seem to do him justice. How he feels, what he wants to say, and what he ends up saying, never quite align. Hence why he much prefers action to rhetoric (hence why last night didn’t end in the screaming matches you might be used to from others). 

Tragically for Tony, you’ve got that damned candied look on your face again that he absolutely cannot stand disappointing, even if you don’t know it. 

Still, he takes a beat too long to formulate a response, so you continue. 

“I mean, what are you telling all these other people who think you’re still married?”

“I don’t owe anyone an explanation about my life, doll.” he says a touch too sternly, without meaning to. 

He continues before your face can turn too sour, placing an apologetic hand atop yours and sighing.

“Truthfully? No one asks, it's–I think everyone’s able to put two and two together with Pepper gone. If they did, I’d say you were my girlfriend, maybe partner. But honestly, that feels a little inaccurate.” 

“Inaccurate how?” you ask tentatively, hoping it wasn’t somehow less than that.

“Underwhelming.” Tony smiles and laughs a bit, making your face warm. 

“Promise me that you won’t change your mind about me.” he continues exasperatedly, half joking. 

For once, you can read the emotions on his face clearly–it’s obviously not a world of fun for him to say any of this, and you know it’s the closest you’re getting to an apology (and a direct answer). 

“I won’t, I promise.”

You don’t fully comprehend the metaphorical contract you’ve just signed, more permanent than any marriage certificate in his eyes. 

For your sake, Tony hopes you aren’t the type to break promises.

-

It’s early in the day once you return to New York, and while you managed to stay awake on the flight, your eyelids shut the moment Tony closes the car door. 

You realize you must have nodded off when you open your eyes to the familiar cluttered horizon. As the buildings come into sharper focus, you also realize that the car is completely stationary right outside your apartment. 

You shift in the leather seat, turning to see Tony tapping at his phone screen. A wide grin spreads as he catches your eye. 

“How long have we been here?” you yawn.

“About an hour.” Tony mutters absently, brow furrowed at whatever his phone displayed. 

“You could’ve woke me, you know.” You felt a teeny bit guilty for keeping him when he definitely had better things to do. You shake the soreness from your body, slipping your shoes back on your feet and gathering the items you had spread throughout the car.

“You looked tired,” he says dismissively, pocketing his phone and turning the car back on. “and I don’t mind.” 

The apology you want to give is interrupted with the painful reminder that you still have a shift at the bar tonight. Tony watches the realization wash over you, laughing as you dramatically groan and toss your head back. 

“What’s the matter?”

“Wish I could go back in time and tell Alicia hell no on closing tonight–” 

“Uh-uh, nope, you’re not allowed to complain.” he interjects, shaking his head comically. 

“Why not?” you laugh hesitantly, already guessing what the answer would be.

“Honey, it’s almost physically painful watching you waste your time there knowing I can take care of everything for you.”

Was this the first time Tony indirectly suggested you quit working? Not in the slightest. Lately, a week could hardly pass without even a small mention. In theory, it sounded lovely to you ( as someone who never planned on staying a bartender this long but had no other goals to stand on). Reality bore different fruit that told you independence was probably better.

So, as you’ve done before, that’s exactly what you tell him. You liked making your own money. It causes the billionaire to chuckle as if you’ve told the funniest story ever, making you feel like a paranoid freak.

“No one said anything about taking away your independence.” he chuckles, turning the key. “If making cocktails makes you happy, go for it, but I would at least make sure it’s a nicer location–with bottles worth drinking.”

“I don’t recall you having any issue drinking all those cheap cocktails.”

“I’d drink anything if you were the one serving them.”

You have to try hard not to swoon at his words, watching him leave the car and pop the trunk before you can say anything else. You follow before long, standing to the side as he moves your bags from the car to the sidewalk. 

“It’s just hard–what I want to do isn’t really a money maker. People don’t get into art for the paycheck.”

He laughs again, and you’re starting to find it very infectious. 

“Maybe I’ll single-handedly revive the field of patronage. Pay you to build whatever kind of gallery you want, if you let me keep a few.”

With a wink, the bags are carried by Tony to the front door, where he gives you a long, slow kiss that leaves your head spinning. Something leaves his lips about taking you to breakfast in a few days, but you’re too charmed to hear it. 

All in all, you do end up working a lot less. Mostly because you don’t need to. Over the next month or two, Tony manages to persuade you to get what he wants. Okay, so it was less persuasion and more necessity. 

Two weeks after your trip, your roommate gets a job offer out-of-state and moves out faster than you can make up the difference in tips. Originally, you weren’t going to mention it in the slightest. Plan A was to beg your landlord for more time, and plan B was to write a bad check and hope you had enough by the time he tried to cash it. 

For weeks straight you worked non-stop doubles to try and close the gap. You were making progress, but steadily wearing yourself down to a dull nub. By the end of it, you were beyond burnt out and completely forgot that Tony knew nothing about it. You fucked up by inviting him over one night, not realizing that the sudden absence of half of everything inside would tip him off (that and the deep bags under your eyes).

Immediately, he asked how on earth you were still paying rent this month, and absolutely despised your answer. Tony had never been shy in telling you how wasted your talents were, and this night was no exception. Especially considering you hadn’t still made enough and planned on working another double tomorrow.

You had little energy or reason to argue with him about it. 

Now, you assumed it was a one time thing, just to help you get re-stabilized, maybe find another roommate. Neither really panned out. Every hit on Craigslist gave serial murderer vibes, and tips were starting to trickle as summer ended. The following month, you walked down to the leasing office, last month’s check in hand, only to be told it was taken care of. 

Do you think the bitchy lady at the front desk answered you when you asked how that was possible, or do you think she ignored you and called out next in line? 

It’s the latter, leaving you forced to call Tony and find out from him. You wouldn’t let yourself trust him, so it’s only right he does it for you. Tony always gets what he wants one way or another after all, causing the same story to be told next month, and the following, and every month after for the foreseeable.

You can’t say he isn’t right, though. Less shifts just means more free time to do all the things you’ve put off for the last five years. And so, your life changes once more. All the paintings, books, and movies that sat abandoned finally get some well-deserved attention. You fall into a mellow routine: spending your mornings ahead of a new blank canvas and afternoons buried inside forgotten novels.

An odd shift is picked up here and there, the appropriate amount to stay on staff and keep some semblance of a normal routine, but not consume your life. You adapt surprisingly well, skipping that awkward stage of persistent guilt for having someone else handle your bills. It’s especially effortless when your now empty evenings are filled by Tony. It becomes easier to relax around him, oddly enough. You never thought that time would come, anticipating a lifetime of tiptoeing or a fiery end.

Funny, it feels like only yesterday when you were reeling at him buying a simple dress.

Between spending more time with Tony and less time working, you see more of what the city has to offer. The heightened level of status that dating Tony Stark brings unlocks a plethora of galleries, restaurants, and events you’d only dreamed of attending. Co-existing with the brazen personalities of the 1% could still be a pain, but now you know how to smile and pretend when it counts.

You even have the temerity to attend some alone. It’s much more fun with Tony, though. Your evenings almost always end inside your apartment, staying up and keeping Tony far later than you should. He rarely minds, often halfheartedly leaving to handle some issue or another. If your luck is high enough, no one needs Tony Stark, leaving him to occupy his time with his favorite person. 

If you’re even luckier (or simply brave enough to ask) he’ll slide a taunting finger behind whatever teasing skirt or shorts you’ve chosen (specially to incite this reaction), whisper in your ear how perfect you taste and make your eyes roll. You’ve tried to reciprocate–an embarrassing number of times. Short of actually ripping his clothes off, you don’t know how else to get the message across. 

Tony only takes your attempts as a sign that he’s succeeding at keeping your mind elsewhere. 

During one of these late-nights, he’s working on doing just that when he notices you’re distracted for other reasons. He’s standing behind you in your dim bedroom, slowly working the zipper of your dress down as he trails the soft revealed skin with heavy kisses. Normally, you’d be panting, pressing against him trying for any bit of friction. Instead, he can see your tightly wound brows, the glossy flesh of your bottom lip jutting between two front teeth, thinking far too hard for how good this felt. 

“Penny for your thoughts?” he hums lightly, turning you by your waist as the dark fabric pools at the floor. 

Tony doesn’t still his lips at all, leaving tender marks down your neck and chest. The good news is it gets your breath choked and heavy just how he likes it. Unfortunately, your half-presence remains. He stops right before the airy lace of your bra begins, causing you to catch his eye. 

“How come you’ve only taken me to the tower once?” 

You don’t have a set event that prompted this question. The realization only dawned on you today. You’ve been dating one of the richest men on the planet for the better end of a year, and he’s taken you to his home a grand total of one time. Your brain is good at forgetting that night most days, but today you can’t shake it. It feels almost karmic to bring up bad memories, as if just speaking about it will bring it back into existence. 

He laughs a bit when your issue proves so elementary. 

“Seriously,” you stress, even though your voice wavers with the arousal he’s building. “We’ve been together all this time and I’ve never really seen where you live.”

“Promise you aren’t missing much.” Tony smiles, capturing your lips and guiding you backwards until your legs hit the edge of the bed.

“It’s only one of the largest companies in the world. Guess seeing the inside once is pretty lucky.” you sigh, feigning a dramatically sad tone. 

You’re really trying to guilt him, making a purposeful effort not to soak into the heat of his touch. Hot hands snake up your thighs, thumbs brushing small circles into the inner skin. He dips below you as you sit, still humming his way up your legs with butterfly kisses. 

“Might have been followed, couldn’t risk taking you home.” he mutters, preoccupied. 

It’s not his fault you look too good to argue with right now (which you knew and were definitely using to your advantage). The dress you wore tonight might as well have been see-through– it hugged you like cellophane, and he made a mental note to buy you more in the same material. 

While Tony’s busy leaving more hickeys on your thighs, a shiver runs through you. What would have happened had someone followed Tony’s car? 

Your mind goes to work crafting all types of theories, and Tony recognizes the look plain as day. He stops with a stout sigh, leaning back on his heels. It pulls your attention back to him, looking down at him with uneasy eyes.

“You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know.” 

Even if you’re not entirely sure what you need protecting from.

“Good, now do me a favor and lie back.”

You do as you're told, of course, more than enthusiastically. 

Balance is important after all, though. So, while Tony gets what he wants now (as he usually does), he indulges you as well.

You made an off-hand comment about never actually seeing a broadway show in person, despite living in New York for literal years. Tony finds any missed luxury in your life unacceptable and naturally drops a small fortune to orchestrate a private show. While buying out the theater was partially for the romance, it would have also been too much exposure for him otherwise. 

Afterwards, he makes a very notable detour from your usual route home, pulling you away from your long ramble about how awe-striking the show was. Asking just gets you a cheeky smile and turns your attention towards the tower. 

You get the full tour that you weren’t afforded the first time (given the circumstances). The lobby you recall, with its marble floors and high ceiling. It’s well in the evening, leaving the tower empty minus a few guards and late-night staff. 

You regret never paying attention in science when Tony guides you through the labs and workshops. 

As you pass through room after room, each unnerves you. Most things of the scientific nature are lost on you, but you’re certain the high amount vials and chemicals you see would floor even Einstein. 

You can’t place why they unsettle you, looking so out of place and painfully high-tech in stereotypical white walls. It also doesn’t help that Tony spiels about the building and not what lies on the tables three feet away.

You swallow your questions, fearing that the answer to be even remotely similar to the one that drove Pepper away. 

Tony mentions having dinner upstairs, to which you smile and follow him into an adjacent elevator before you can stress yourself out further.

The doors open to a penthouse apartment that you don’t remember walking through before (definitely too caught up in thinking you were about to be dumped over a drunken mistake). You obviously expected Tony to live in the same luxury he exudes, but the decor and imported wood reminded you just how wealthy he was. He leads you to his office, tucked behind a frosted glass door that you do remember from last time. 

“This,” he starts, swiping a small card against the door’s thin black reader with a quiet beep, “is where the magic happens, but it is off-limits without my permission.”

You give an understanding nod when he turns back, although you wanted to laugh at how quickly he switched from sounding like a complete nerd to stony-faced. Tony leaves the door open once you enter, tucking the card back into the pockets of his slacks. 

You are naturally more curious than most (for better or for worse), and make quick work walking around the vast space, eyeing each shelf, table, and weird gadget. A pair of soft couches mirror one another in the center of the room, surrounding a cluttered coffee table of notes and books. A whiteboard stands nearby, covered in what’s probably math but could pass for ancient Greek. Every inch of the walls is lined with something–be it awards and diplomas or more books with words you’re convinced are made up. It strikes you then that the office lacks any windows, and you wonder if that’s by design or sheer chance. 

At the back wall shines various lights and screens, below it a thin, large clear desk where Tony sits. The desk holds more of the odd, transparent screens, which Tony closes with the swipe of his hand as you approach. A compliment of some capacity about the decor is brewing when you notice the picture frame sitting nearby. Two figures pose in front of a row of trees, one clearly Tony, and the other a young man, with dusty brown hair and pristine in dark blue graduation robes. Tony’s arm wraps around the younger, smiling bigger than you’ve ever seen. The young man holds a slender booklet and a matching smile.

Predicting this, he answers the question before you figure out how to ask it. 

“That’s Harley–don’t start getting any ideas, he’s not Pepper’s.” he says, pulling you by the waist into his lap. 

“Is he your nephew or something?” you question, resting your head against the velvety fabric of his shirt.

“Howard Stark was a man of one child, to his disappointment, so no. Harley’s a family friend.” 

“You just run around befriending random college kids?” you joke, dangling your legs over the edge of the chair.

“If I’m feeling generous enough.” 

In the corner of your eye, you see a figure appear across the room in the empty door frame. A tall, older man waits–hands clasped behind his back in black pants and pressed white button up.

“Mr. Stark, there’s a visitor for you.” 

He speaks as quickly as he appears, with an unexpectedly posh accent. Tony taps your knee, and you leave his lap very begrudgingly and watch with even more unnecessary sorrow as he exits the room. A promise is given about returning soon, but you know better than to believe that.

A word is exchanged between the two that you can’t hear across the large office. When Tony’s figure leaves, the other man enters. You notice his blue eyes as he comes closer, deciding to take a seat on one of the couches.

“Mr. Stark has requested I quote–keep you from dying of boredom–in his absence.” he says, standing at the head of the couch across from you. 

“Has he now?” you laugh lightly. 

The thing they don’t tell you about rich boyfriends? It takes time to make all that money, keeping them busy and away from their easily bored girlfriends. So, you nod when the man smiles, making a permissive motion towards the seat. 

“My name is Jarvis, I work for Mr. Stark.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m [y/n]”

“You need very little introduction, ma’am. Mr. Stark has talked a great deal about you over these last several months.” he laughs, crossing his legs.

“Really?” you ask. It’s not extremely surprising, you just assumed Tony was perpetually occupied talking about other things. He did make a good move though, Jarvis is much more pleasant company than he usually keeps. 

“Indeed, he’s quite fond of you.”

You aren’t used to hearing this–from anyone really. Everyone you know has no idea Tony exists (for better or for worse) and everyone he knows seemingly despises you. It’s a breath of fresh air that does wonders for your insecurities about this whole relationship. Not a complete cure, but the start to some form of remedy..

“And what do you do for Tony?” you ask, not wanting to be rude and keep the conversation entirely on yourself. 

He ponders this for a moment, giving you the impression he’s never had to explain this before. 

“I assist Mr. Stark in his day-to-day activities, so that he may devote more energy towards the company.” 

What was with this calculated nature everyone around him seemed to take on? Still, Jarvis appeared to be a beacon of kindness (the accent might be biasing you). It’s bright enough to tempt you to ask Jarvis what you were too hesitant to ask Tony, mostly out of trepidation over the answer. 

“I have to admit I’m a pretty terrible girlfriend–I don’t even know what Tony does.” you sigh and pout slightly. 

Naivete was an old trick you didn’t mind pulling out of the bag now and again. 

Jarvis chuckles, an optimistic sign that your tactics are working.

“Stark Industries is a manufacturing and research company that specializes in pharmaceuticals and biotech.” 

Now that line sounds more rehearsed. More accurately, it’s strikingly similar to the first line that pops up when anyone searches up Stark Industries. 

“Doesn’t sound much to me like a merchant of death.” 

You might have been better off forgetting Steve’s words, but it’s all you can think of when you picture what lives in the labs just below you. As much as you wanted to play out the rest of your life with Tony in blissful ignorance, you were constantly exposed to things that made you question if it really was bliss. 

You expected maybe a twitch of the brow from Jarvis, the face trying to compensate for what the mind already knows. Instead, Jarvis’ mouth turns downward, cocking his head in confusion at the moniker.

“Where did you hear that?” 

Before you can answer, Tony’s voice bounces down the hallway. In the next second, he’s back in the office, and Jarvis is standing. You’re disappointed (and shocked) that Tony didn’t take as long as usual, having to cut the conversation short. 

The older man shoots you a curious glance as he leaves—an unspoken reassurance that he does indeed expect an answer at a later point. 

“Everything okay, doll?”

Tony asks, because you're too busy thinking to mind your face, and it looks troubled. You shake it off though, smiling and taking the hand he holds out. 

The two of you have that dinner, though the entire evening you catch weathered blue eyes watching you from afar. 

Remember that thing about rich boyfriends and their busy jobs? Yeah, that becomes a pain quickly. You could handle the phone calls on dates or distracted answers while an email is answered no problem. But once Tony brought you to the tower, he didn’t see a reason to keep you away anymore. You happily started spending most of your nights there. You just didn’t fully process the implications of Tony living where you work. Most days he manages to spare an hour here and there, interrupted by phone calls and meetings. So, often you roam around, trying to not wonder just what your boyfriend has to do to earn all that money. 

You pick up on a lot of little things about his life from pure close-hand observation. The Tony you know is sweet and passionate. Tony working is almost an entirely different breed. You thank god that you’re just dating him and not working for him. The sternness  he tended to use with you wasn’t exclusive, but dialed to an eleven when he came to his work.

The most jarring, however, is the constant presence of armed guards at the Tower, even in Tony’s penthouse. You think back to every date so far, scanning memories for shady figures waiting by exposed exits. A few potentials stand out, but you can’t be certain your memories aren’t being falsified by present events. 

One morning, you pass one of the men on your way to the kitchen. It’s an early morning, at least for you, coming down the stairs as he pours a cup of coffee. It strikes you, since they normally keep near the elevator and you’ve never seen them do anything except stand around. 

The bald man nods towards you, and out of nothing more than courtesy and habit, you nod back. He retreats to his post without another word soon after. 

Despite the early hour, Tony’s already risen before you and is likely tucked away somewhere working. Peace is a valued comfort, of course, but the tower gave you an overwhelming sense of emptiness without Tony around.

Any mess you leave is miraculously cleaned (you learn this is Jarvis’ doing), and most of the tower is off-limits for you. Still, you enjoy being relatively closer to Tony than you were most days, so hanging around isn’t too much of a burden. 

That morning proves fruitful as well, as you get to speak to Jarvis again. That’s not to say you haven’t seen him. In fact, he’s almost always somewhere nearby. The issue being that it’s normally coupled by Tony or other parties. This time, he’s alone. 

You’d entered the kitchen that morning in a determined search for caffeine, planning to spend your day shopping for something new to wear for a gala that’s a ways away. It’s a much calmer experience without crowds, so you got an early start.

Jarvis enters soon after the guard leaves, setting fresh kitchen towels onto the island. 

“Morning, ma’am.” he says, opening a cabinet across from you. 

You laugh lightly, finding it odd that a man old enough to be your father would waste such honorifics on you. You inform Jarvis of such, to which he gives a chuckle of his own.

“It’s simply out of respect and the nature of my work, nothing more.” he explains, delicately laying each towel in the small space. 

“You don’t find it weird calling people younger than you sir and ma’am?” 

It’s a pretty genuine question, having never been in such a role yourself. The cabinet is shut with a soft thud as Jarvis turns towards you. 

“I do not.” 

He goes for the recently emptied coffee cup beside you, refilling it before you can tell him that’s not necessary. 

“Might I inquire to you about something?” he questions, handing you the warm mug.

You were expecting a continuation of your earlier conversation. You had prepared questions of your own, of course. Mostly about Steve, and definitely a few about Pepper. A nod of agreement leaves you as the warm liquid slides down your throat.

“Do you not find it–strange, romantically involving yourself with someone so much older than you?” 

The raise of his brow tells you he is similarly being genuine. This floors you though. Ironically, that was one of your main reasons for rejecting Tony all those months ago. But lately? You barely even thought about it. You’d stopped paying attention to the odd snide comments and the occasional bizarre look. Really, the fact only comes back to you when Jarvis mentions it. Come to think of it, you can’t recall Tony ever bringing attention to it either. 

“I don’t really notice the little jokes and weird looks anymore, so no, not at all.” you shrug, taking another sip.

“I mean no disrespect, simply curious.” he laments.

“None taken, don’t worry.”

“Might I also ask then,” he pauses, testing out the words in his mouth first and waiting for your approval. “–how your family’s temperament is towards Mr. Stark?”

“My parents died when I was really young, and they were both only childs, so I’m gonna say it’s pretty neutral.” 

Jarvis goes a tinge red at this, immediately apologizing as if it was somehow his fault. You can’t help but laugh at the contrite attitude. He stops once he sees the grin on your face, breathing a sigh of relief that he hadn’t seriously offended you.

“You’re fine, really, I’m surprised Tony never mentioned it to you.”

“Mr. Stark is typically a private man, and I doubt he would share such information with anyone without your permission.” 

“Yeah, that can be– annoying.” you sigh.

“I understand, naturally is,” Jarvis nods towards you, walking past you to exit before halting. “Employ a bit of patience, if you can. Mr. Stark’s stress is greatly alleviated with your continued presence.” 

If his behavior now was relaxed, you didn’t want to imagine how he was prior. 

That afternoon, you returned to the tower, spoils in tow (and paid for with Tony’s matte black card). Despite the time, there wasn’t a sign of Tony anywhere. Most of the lights were off when you entered, causing you to pull out your phone flashlight like some kind of horror movie. You made your way through the penthouse, flipping switches and checking rooms. 

Kitchen, empty. Office, empty. Gym, empty.

Your voice bounced through the hall as you climbed the stairs, calling out Tony’s name. Disappointedly, you were only met by silence. Out of the last forty-eight hours, a grand sum of eight of them you shared with him. One out every six hours (and most of those you were asleep). The recurrent solitude made an evening in your own home suddenly sound much more favorable. 

You traipse into the bedroom, tossing the gown that you were very excited to show Tony into one of the massive closets. The random handful of items you had scattered around the room are thrown into your bag. Some you leave in their place–you knew you wouldn’t be away long. A bright light shines in your face when you fumble with your phone, reminding you to turn it off. It also gives you the literal lightbulb idea to text Tony.

[ heading home for the night, call me when ur free ]

In the still quiet of the penthouse, a beep reverberates behind you. Puzzled, you turn, noticing the golden light trickling from under the bathroom door. 

“Tony?” you call out again, crossing the room towards the door. 

On the other side, water runs for a moment, followed by the click of the lock as the door opens. 

“Hey, honey.” he drawls, walking out with a sniffle. 

“You okay?” you ask tentatively. “It was like, pitch dark in here.”

He pulls you into a welcomed embrace, wrapping large arms around your body tightly.

“I’m fine, they’re just timed. Gotta be eco-friendly, right?” 

Tony punctuates his sentence with a kiss on your forehead. You stay in his embrace as long as possible, resting your head against his chest. His heart thumps heavily, beating like a rabbit through the soft cotton of his shirt. 

Eventually, the embrace has to end, mostly so that Tony can plead to you to stay another night. He promises that he’s yours for the evening, and given that this was what you preferred anyway, you oblige. 

First though, Tony has a surprise. One that he swears will make the tower feel more comfortable for you. His surprises are typically rather ornate or sickeningly expensive. This one, however, is moderately less materialistic than usual.

Down the hall from the frosted door of Tony’s office is a room that you were initially told was off-limits. As you reach the end of the hall, Tony explains he needed just a little more time for some ‘finishing touches’. 

Another keycard is produced from his pocket, swiping on a reader much similar to the one in his office. When it beeps in response, the card is planted firmly in your hands. 

“Go ahead, check it out.” he grins, motioning towards the door. 

Tentatively, you enter the previously inaccessible space. Once inside, your jaw nearly drops. It’s not a large space, but it takes a while for you to process everything within. 

Shelves stand tall with various jars and tubes of paint, elegant brushes and canvases of every size. Tables sit near pristine walls, freshly painted and holding any medium you could possibly want. The walls are bare, save for the antique painting hanging by the window. You recognize it instantly, not believing your eyes at first. Tony doesn’t need to say it for you to know–this was all for you. 

What Tony does feel the need to say is that if everything isn’t to your liking, he can have it changed in a day. He worries as you stand silent, not reacting in explosive joyful glee like he hoped. 

“No, no, it’s perfect.” you swiftly add, turning to him beaming. 

You’re still in awe as relief passes through him as your arms wrapped around him. Somehow, Tony always manages to redefine what you thought you deserved. There’s a painting worth half a million dollars sitting less than 10 feet away, and it was purchased just for you. 

An impressive length, all for a simple smile. How the hell could you ever settle for anything less from anyone else? 

Sure, you don’t realize this is a purposeful gift to encourage you to stay around the tower more, and the knowledge wouldn’t change anything anyway. 

After you thank him excessively for the next ten minutes (to which Tony’s response can mostly be summed up as ‘has literally no one done anything nice for you? ever?’), the dress you bought earlier comes to mind. Tony thought you learned by now that he’d buy you the world if it was for sale, but indulges in your feverish gratitude for the time being.

You do the leading this time, back into the bedroom where he waits on the black duvet for you to change. It’s a magical feat that you manage to get it zipped up alone. Stubbornness also plays its own role. 

When you reemerge, it’s Tony’s turn to be rendered speechless. A sleeveless auburn number wraps your body, cinching at your waist and following to the floor. Cut-outs show off your midriff, letting the cool air cover your skin. The high level of regality is new to you, but you weren’t risking the embarrassment of being underdressed a second time. It’s also Tony’s favorite color to see you in (which you totally didn’t know and totally weren’t exploiting for this very purpose). 

“Well?” you start, give a small twirl. “What do you think?”

There was a worry that he might find it too much. Another thing you picked up on over the last few weeks was Tony’s subtle disdain for clothing he found tacky or too revealing. You hadn’t managed to hit that threshold so far, and knew it better to avoid.

“As amazing as you look, I think you need to take that off before I end up ripping it to pieces.” he responds, voice low and hungry. 

Solace finds you, pleased that you didn’t make a wrong choice. It’s brief though, because a second glance at Tony reveals that while he liked the choice, (almost too much, really) he also wasn’t joking in the slightest. 

A raise of an eyebrow says it all–don’t make me repeat myself. 

So, under his fervent commands, you wind up pinned below him, dress long discarded on the plush carpeted floors as his fingers curl inside of you. A hand keeps your wrists pinned tightly above your head, keeping you at his mercy. If you could call his unrelenting fingers mercy.

You quickly grow more frustrated than ever at the barrier of clothing on his body. It’s always goddamned there, holding back the warmth you can feel radiating through. His restraint prevents you from taking the friction you need. You’re further burdened by the teeth grazing your neck, sucking slow and teasingly on your pulse point. All the man had to do most days to turn you into a needy mess was kiss you, but after so many busy days, this was sweet torture. 

Tony knew it too. The increasing pitch in your whine was music to his ears. It’s not before it’s broken and whimpery, your excitement coating his fingers. Every movement was overwhelming, and yet still managed to leave you desperate for more. 

“Please, Tony, fuck-” you plead, interrupted by your own moan when he curves his fingers again. 

“Aw, do you need something, darling?” he whispers, moving away from your neck. “I know I taught you better than that–use your words, pretty girl.”

This isn't an uncommon taunt of his, loving the embarrassed shy look that crawls over your face each time. He’s pleasantly surprised tonight, however, as you just about had it enough to give in. The award for longest time to make someone wait under they verbally beg for you to fuck them goes to Anthony Edward Stark, with an impressive record of eight months.

Your brows furrow, trying to find your center again to speak with clarity and not falter under his gaze.

“Would you stop being an asshole and just fuck me, please?” you sighed exasperatedly. 

Manners would be something to correct later. For now, Tony’s happy to focus on rewarding your needy pleas. 

Your wrists are granted all too short reprieve, as he takes little time undressing, climbing back on top of you and attacking your neck with hard, bruising kisses. The hard member you’re used to having constrained by high-end slacks feels larger pressed bare against your folds–hot and heavy as he returns a hand to your wrists.

His free hand aligns him at your entrance, stopping when he notices your tightly shut eyes. Now that simply won’t do.

“Open those pretty eyes.”

It’s a short and breathy order, the tone earning your instant compliance. Tony’s eyes are dark above you, catching them only for a moment before he swiftly sinks into you (he’ll allow it this time).

 There’s little resistance, as you were already a mess from earlier, but his thick member still stretches your walls. You cry out when he reaches the hilt, snapping his hips into you only to withdraw and fully sink back into you with the same speed. 

Tony gains a new found appreciation for the philosophy behind a reward being sweeter the longer you wait. There’s nothing more delectable in the whole world right now than the fractured moans escaping you, despite your visible attempts to bite them back. As much as he wants to commit this coy little expression of yours to memory, he’s clearly not doing his job if you’re able to hold anything back.

The hands above you let go, gripping your hips instead to thrust deeper into you. It does just what he needs to do, listening to the sweet sounds of your whines as his cock reaches right where you needed to. All this time without h, combined with his fast and hard thrusts has moan after moan falling from your lips. 

Tony can hardly contain himself either, high off the sticky mess you're making. Your neck is perfectly dotted with tender marks from his mouth, only driving his ecstasy further. 

He knows he’s being more than rough, pounding into you relentlessly–you’re just taking him so well, your nails leaving tiny red crescents on his thighs. It drives him wild, possession does go both ways after all. Every erratic breath and tremble of your legs came from him. You were his–who begged for him and moaned his name. 

The fast, rough pace pushes you to your peak not long after, and Tony recognizes the stuttery pitch of your voice. 

“Go ahead, darling.” he whispers into your ear, voice soft and gentle despite how deep he was inside you. 

Your legs wrap around his waist as your core swells with pressure, desperate for him to be impossibly closer than he was. It’s not long after your voice breaks altogether, falling into a slight plea as your walls tighten around him.

The feeling of you losing yourself around him sets off something entirely new in Tony. He’d never miss another chance to make you his like this. A deep groan echoes in the bedroom walls, unsteady hands holding your hips tighter. 

He was absolutely nowhere near done with you. 

Before you can catch your breath, it’s taken as he slams into you with renewed energy. A string of curses leave him when your back arches into him, straining against his hold. 

Your body feels white-hot with pleasure. You were used to Tony pushing you into orgasm after orgasm, alternating between his mouth and fingers until you’re a pile of jelly below him. This was entirely different, hit that spongy spot inside of you over and over as your walls shutter. It leaves your whole form trembling, mind blanking each time he bottoms out.

“Shit, Tony, I can’t,” you whimper.

It’s a broken plea, already feeling your body go taunt a second time. Still, you hope for a bit of reprieve, just enough to bring your mind back to earth. 

“You will for me, darling.” he groaned, voice heavy and breathless, bringing a hand to your hair and exposing your neck to his teeth for another assault. “I know you can take it.”

A shiver runs through you as his latches onto your neck, deciding you could stand to have more marks across your skin. You’re completely lost in the throbbing member splitting you apart, aimlessly grabbing at the soft sheets below you. He leans back, pulling your hips up to keep slamming to you, letting a hand wrap around your throat and press against the fresh mark left there. 

“All mine, aren’t you?” Tony moans above you, close to his own peak. He just needs to feel your body to submit to him one more time.

The tender pain in your throat mixes deliciously next to the sweeping euphoria. You want to answer (mostly because you know he’s expecting one), but all your mind can zone into is how electrified your skin is.

“Aw, is my girl too fucked out to answer me already?” he taunts, even if the sight of you this blinded by pleasure nearly sends him over. 

No one else could ever have you like this, he’d make sure of it. You were past shame over how his words left you, cruel or praiseful. Any utterances that made it known you were his turning your body into melting sugar. 

Tony’s own hips stutter, bucking into you as your peak hits you again, your moan silenced by the tight hand around your throat. He’s close behind you, keeping his rhythm until the shake in your legs lessens. 

He sinks into you, caressing your face and burying himself back into your neck. A long moan floods your ears, feeling him still inside of you and paints every inch of your walls white. Hot, heavy breaths cover your ear as he fills you, not withdrawing until he’s certain you’ve taken every drop. 

You’re an exhausted pile of bones below him, leaving him feeling quite prideful. Stark on the other hand is oddly energetic. He disappears for a moment, returning after putting his boxers back on and grabbing a towel.

He lies beside you, watching the rise and fall of your chest. Soft praises and peppered kisses follow, trailing along your face and shoulders. He tells you over and over how perfect you did, though you're still barely present. 

You’re focused on calming your breathing, so Tony’s praises fall onto distracted ears. You aren’t that distracted, though, as his next words ring through clear as day.

“I love you, doll, you know that?” It’s barely above a whisper, spoken between into the delicate skin of your collarbone.

You turn your head almost instantly, blinking rapidly because surely you didn’t hear that right. The words left him before he knew what he was saying, caught up in the swirl of post-coital bliss. In an unusually empathetic act of vulnerability, he stands by it. The declaration is repeated louder to your stunned face. 

He’s not that vain that he expects an immediate reciprocation–though you eagerly give one anyway. That's all good and well, except he senses concern in your voice.

“That’s just how every guy wants to hear that, thank you.” Tony jokes, propping himself onto his elbow with a grin. 

“That came out wrong, I just,” you chuckle softly, trailing off. “You are being genuine, right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he asks matter-of-factly.

“I guess–be honest, you really don’t mind being with someone like twenty years younger than you?” 

He throws his head back in laughter, and you use the little energy you have to swat at his shoulder. 

“You’ve been talking to Jarvis, haven’t you?

“How the-what do you mean?” you fully turn on your side to face him, more puzzled than before. You also worried you somehow crossed a line discussing Tony with someone else in private.

“Don’t sweat it–Jarvis is more of an old friend than an employee, regardless of whatever the old bat says. He’s just overprotective.” 

“And he was worried about us?”

“More about you, specifically, that you were some covert gold-digger playing the long game for a chance at the Stark inheritance. He didn’t believe that I had to damn near beg on my hands and knees for a simple dinner.” he says indignantly, and you have to roll your eyes.

“What if I was? You don’t know.” 

“Please, no one trying to woo me for my money would start as many arguments with me as you do.” 

“I do not start arguments, if anything you’re the one-” you start to defend yourself, then Stark raises an eyebrow and the sentence dies on your tongue. “Okay, point taken.”

Tony pulls your naked form towards him, your head resting on his chest as your body curls beside his. You’re more than spent, the sound of his heart still racing after all this time doesn’t process under the lure of sleep.

For now, you’re too in love to care. 

-

When you wake, Tony’s absent from your side. This is not unusual in the slightest for any night you spend here, but it's barely four in the morning. 

You scan the dark room momentarily before switching the bedside light on. Groggily (and on sore legs), you rise, tying a short robe around yourself. Thinking of yesterday, you actually check the bathroom this time to find it empty. You ventured out of the bedroom to an empty and pitch black hallway. Deja vu feels like an understatement. 

You start to call out his name just like before, stopping once you see the light flowing from the kitchen downstairs. As you descend, Tony’s voice grows louder. His back comes into view once the final step is crossed, with another figure in front of him. 

Tony swivels slowly when you enter, and you notice the person he’s speaking to is the same young man from the photo. You cross your arms over your body as best you can when you enter the space, suddenly feeling very underdressed for meeting a stranger.

“Sorry, did we wake you?” Tony asks apologetically, to which you shake your head and yawn. 

“Harley, this is [y/n], [y/n], Harley.” he continues.

Harley holds a blue duffel in his right hand, giving you a curt wave with the other. Under the bright kitchen lights, however, he gets a better look at you. You don’t understand why in the moment, still half-asleep, but he makes an unsettled face at you before darting his sharp eyes back to Tony. After which Tony tells you he’ll be up in a moment and you return back to the warmth of the sheets without protest.

It’s not until you step into the bathroom later in the day that you figured out why he looked at you that way. A few tender marks still spotted the left side of your neck and the top of your chest. While not the best first impression, it sends a wave of excitement through you at the sight. A bit of concealer goes a long way after you shower. 

Tony explains that Harley is just stopping by briefly, and that he’ll be leaving after dinner tonight as you get dressed. You obviously spend the entire day worried about it, convinced any further interaction with Harley will be painfully awkward and uncomfortable for you both. 

Unfortunately, you end up wishing things were just awkward. 

Jarvis prepares an excellent meal, and you make it through the first two courses with Harley’s eyes piercing you across the large dining table. It’s not constant, as he manages to dart away each time Tony speaks to him as if he never looked your way. Engaging in conversation becomes troublesome under his gaze (though it’s mostly just Tony asking Harley about some trip he took). You almost start to think you’re imagining it, wondering what the hell his issue could possibly be.

Thankfully, Tony has to excuse himself for a phone call, leaving the two of you alone.

The moment Tony’s out of earshot, Harley leans in, placing his elbows on the table and clasping his hands. 

“Are you even old enough to drink?” he questions dramatically.

“Are you?” 

“Funny.” he snorts, taking a bite of roast potatoes.

He stays quiet for a second as Jarvis clears away empty dishes from the table. 

 “That’s not a yes, though.” he hums in a high pitch.

“If it would get you to stop staring, I’m twenty-six.”

Harley hums in approval, sitting back in his chair. 

“Was that really your problem? You know you could’ve just asked at literally any point in the last hour, or hell, asked Tony.”

“Oh, I did.” he scoffs, shrugging his shoulders. 

Tony returns, taking his seat in the same breath that Harley wipes his mouth and stands. 

“Well, I’ll leave you and your child bride to it.” he declares sarcastically, turning for the exit.

“Excuse me?” 

Tony’s voice stops Harley in his tracks, rising and closing the distance to the young man. You heard worse, but based on the tightness in his jaw you can assume Tony hasn’t.

“Oh, come on. She’s not even four years older than me. What else would you like to call it?” Harley jests, laughing.

“You have a flight to catch, don’t you?” The edge in his tone shocks you, and cuts Harley’s laughter straight away. 

He takes his leave without another comment, but he does give you another overdramatic wave on the way out. You tell Tony what passed between you two in his absence and ask what all that was about, but Tony just shakes his head and apologizes. 

You’re not sure why–it hardly bothered you as much as it did him. 

Later that night you overhear Tony on the phone. You presume it’s with Harley, hearing Tony mention something about ‘showing more respect’ and ‘minding your own business’. You hope it isn’t Harley–even though the kid was an ass, Tony speaks with a ferocity that unnerves you just as the eavesdropper. 

Fall passes by without more pop-up visits from impolite guests. 

While painting will always be one of your first true loves, even the strongest of loves can grow tiring. The technical term is typically referred to as a lack of inspiration. You can’t get a single image out of your brain and onto a canvas. It’s a well deserved burnout though, the rest of the studio space lined with finished paintings. A consistent month and half of work proved quite the endeavor. Most are simple plays with color, though there are a few you came to be very proud of.

Yeah, a break would probably do you some good. 

There’s more than one traditional seat for you to choose from, all extremely lush and definitely better for your back. The floor works a lot better though, so you stand and stretch the soreness from your body. Would you learn your lesson and sit in the chair next time? Nope. 

The evening was growing near, evident by the lemony sky. Your hyperfixation meant a lot more nights indoors, even on the sparse evenings Tony was free. All signs pointed towards taking advantage of what was likely one the last warm nights of the season. 

You wasted little time changing out of your paint covered sweats, throwing on a simple blue skirt and white sweater. 

On your way downstairs to his office, you spot Jarvis in the kitchen preparing a drink you presume is for Tony. 

“Oh, I can take that to him.” you intercept him at the bottom, taking the cold glass in your hands. 

“Very well.” he nods to you, taking in your dressed up state as you walk away, not expecting either of you to leave the tower that night. “Shall I have the car ready for you and Mr. Stark?”

“For me, definitely. Can’t promise anything about him.” you call back to him, increasing your volume as you head further into the hall.

You knock once you reach the glass door, waiting idly until you hear his voice call out come in. Tony doesn’t lift his head when you enter, scrawling away at something atop his desk. You hear him muttering to himself softly, shirt disheveled and unbuttoned. 

You’re certainly not silent as you cross the space. Your heavy boots made a mild thud on the hardwood floor, surely loud enough to get the average person’s attention, you thought. 

Nope, wrong. 

He does know you’re there, however– the screens in front of him are switched off as you approach the desk, head never lifting from the papers.

You wait patiently beside his desk, setting the drink down the corner. His attention doesn’t yield for no less than five minutes after. When he does finally address you, it’s with tired eyes and gleams. 

“My, my, my,” he whistles, guiding you over to straddle his lap. “What a fantastic surprise.”

Tony’s hands can never be idle more than a moment, already snaking them under your skirt to the supple skin of your backside.  He’s much more interested in that than anything you say about leaving the tower. Who could blame him, really. Any red-blooded man would after hours of phone calls and calculations. 

You twitch when he squeezes hungrily, sensitive from the same hands the night prior. He’d nearly forgotten, and the remainder is a good amusement. 

“You know, I could get so much more work done with you just like this.” he hums, lifting your sweater to graze your stomach. 

“You’re welcome to join me.” you point out, linking your arms around his neck. 

“There’s nothing more I want, but I have a few more things to take care of here.”

You figured as much, of course. Knowing that answer was coming doesn’t make it any less disappointing. Conversely, seeing your smile falter for any reason is akin to a tragedy for Tony. 

“How about this, it’s still early– you go out, have fun, I’ll pick you up for dinner later.” he concedes.

That fixes the problem, earning Tony a very satisfied kiss from you. It’s long and heavy, nearly enough to make him consider sending you out on shaky legs, but he resolves to bring that fantasy to life another time.

An hour or so drifts away as you take in the fresh autumn air, window-shopping from store to store. Close to when you're due to meet Tony, you stumble across something you can’t be sure is a really bright bar or a super dark restaurant. As you go for a better look through the towering windows, the doors beside you swing open. 

You spot Steve first, getting a clear view of a reddened cut above his eye. You fail at turning away from the door in time. It was worth a shot, even if he was just five feet away.

“Oh, would you knock it off–I’m not gonna bother you.” he exclaims exasperatedly, a deep slur in his words (so that solves that mystery).

You give a half-hearted surrender with your arms, watching him head for the street corner. Mid-way, he stops, turning back unsteadily.

“You still with Stark?” he questions.

“What’s it to you?”” you scoff, rolling your eyes. This was what you wanted to avoid–annoying people and their annoying judgements.

“Just don’t tell him you saw me, okay. I don’t need more shit with him right now.” 

Remarkably, Steve sounds genuine. Well, as genuine as a drunk man can sound. A grand opportunity presents itself. Someone with a lot more information than you needs something of you. 

“Sure, okay.” you agree, watching a breath leave Steve. “If you can tell me what you meant at the party.”

Steve, having drunk every drop of Kentucky Bourbon on the block, happily obliged your question for the small price of not dealing with Stark. 

If asked to make a list of all the things you guessed Tony was involved in, your brain would assume the best of the worst to ease its conscience. Steve’s answer is, tragically, nowhere on that list. 

You wander around for a bit playing moral adjudicator in your mind. It’s a consuming task, and in your concentration you space completely on the fact that you were expected somewhere. In your bag, your phone buzzes to no answer, muffled in the city’s noisy ambience. 

You have to see for yourself, which makes the tower your destination after you’ve calmed your nerves enough. It’s been ages since you’ve taken the subway anywhere, though you somehow manage to work through the busy platforms. You remember you live in the age of technology, deciding to rely on your phone for navigation. 

Two missed calls and around five unanswered texts from the past half hour await you, all from Tony. You swear to yourself as the train car rocks, hurriedly typing a response. 

[ where are you? ]

[ on the way back now. didn’t feel well. ]

Lying feels like swallowing a bitter seed. You know that ‘s not an answer. You know you’ll have to find some way to explain the missed calls later. Honestly, that might be the harder task than covering a lie. All you hoped was that New York traffic would play in your favor and you could make it back before him. 

The luscious bells of victory are right in your sight as elevator dings! open. Your genius plan to check his office is foiled quickly, the black card reader blinking back at you tauntingly. 

A moment passes where you question your own motivations. Why were you even bothering to let someone else get into your head again? You could ask him anything, so why lie to him when you chose to stay in the dark–

You all but fly up the stairs, striding through Tony’s bedroom and into the bathroom. It takes a while for you to find it, having to scour the numerous cabinets one by one. Your hands touch a rough leather pouch, right under the sink.

You open it tentatively, praying for Steve to be wrong, but your fingers find the small plastic baggie within, and your stomach flips when you know he was telling the truth. 

You don’t have long to process it. The elevator sounds again from below

Shit.

You thought you had more time to craft a better excuse.

“What happened? Everything okay?” 

His voice is stern even if his words are sweet, turning his body towards yours as you enter the kitchen. Your hands reach for a glass to fill with water, needing a distraction to ward off his gaze. 

“Got a little dizzy, took the subway back.” 

“You took the subway alone? This late?” 

You can’t tell if he’s wrestling between concern and suspicion, or just pissed. Although, here would be where a normal person would remember that under a year ago you took the subway later than this five nights a week. 

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m just going to get some rest.” you smile weakly, swallowing the rest of your water and heading to walk past him. 

Tony makes a quick step to the side to keep you there, looking down at you with pointed eyes. Despite the small heat in his eyes, a hand caresses your jaw, thumb stroking your cheek. 

“Who were you with?” he asks slowly.

“No one.” you replied, keeping your voice light and confident.

Or so you thought. Tony’s fingers wrap the base of your nape, tilting your head slightly to see if you have the gall to lie to his face.

“Is there a reason you’re lying to me?” 

“How long?

“How long what?” he scoffs, unyielding. 

The tiny plastic you’ve been white-knuckling for the past few minutes is dangled inches from his face. That hardened jaw falters, shortly returning with a dry chuckle and sly smirk.

“How long have you been meeting Steve behind my back?”

part four coming soon

tag request: @those-late-night-feels

[raayllum]

for snake boy callum 2.0 week day 2, snakes + stars

It takes time, but eventually Callum is pieced together enough, and Ezran can't evade enough, that Soren sits them down to have a conversation on castle security. About assassinations.

One of the guards who'd stuck around through everything—had deserted Viren's army, had fought in the tower with Soren and survived the night, had sworn true service to Harrow's heir—sits with them. A familiar face as any, but Callum still eyes her warily.

She's not his family, and she's not even Soren, and...

"There are enchantments I can set around the castle," Callum says. Sky spells are sound like alarms when sound pings off. Sun spells he can craft with help from Aunt Amaya's resources for lights and morse code, shadow traps and truth crystals, just to make sure everyone is being honest.

"Won't some elves maybe know how to undo them, though?" Ezran inquires. He's sitting in a regular chair and his feet can't touch the floor.

He's so tiny, still, and while Callum has seen first hand how capable his brother is, how much he shouldn't be underestimated—He's strong and brave, he'll get it, he'll save the egg!—Callum shakes his head.

He hates the circumstances that led them here. The assassination, the murder, and there's peace now, but their family—and the silver lining of it all isn't even here, now, and—

"It's not elves we have to worry about now, Ez," Callum says darkly. "The other human kingdoms aren't happy with you or Aanya. Even our own is..."

"At least we do not have to worry about more Moonshadow elf assassins," the guard says with a tiny, joking smile, not seeing the warning signs Soren makes with his hands, and it takes all of Callum's self control not to demand she be thrown out of the room.

In the end, he sulks and studies in his new office. Viren'd had a primal stone too once upon a time. There has to be something in his notes, loathe as Callum is go through them of course, that could be a worthwhile measure to implement. Or maintain.

Not that any of them were enough to protect his father from Moonshadow assassins in the end, but... Ez will be different. He has to be different.

Eventually, he turns to a book that's propped half open in the corner of a bookshelf he hasn't really explored yet. The sketch of a soulfang serpent pokes out, and Callum goes and pulls it from the shelf, cracking the tome open.

It hits like a blow to the chest, to be reminded of the Midnight Desert after—he focuses on the eery green glow of their eyes, the shimmering grey of their scales. They look nothing like dark magic chains at least. A passage is circled about their connection to the Moon arcanum and souls (that's almost enough to make him put the book away) and Viren's cramped handwriting: Two head — switch?

I'd switch places in a second, he'd said to Claudia that day in the library, and she'd run off with an excited gleam in her eye.

It curdles his stomach now to wonder what it was, but... They'd found a basket with snake feces in it in King Harrow's room afterwards. Opeli had shown them the court records once she'd thought they could bear it.

Maybe Viren had...

But it's awful, from the sound of it. Wearing someone else's face, your soul in a stranger's body. It's not as though Katolis doesn't have surgeries—there's the baker's son who'd needed a new kidney, a few years back—but to take a wholly healthy body and... It's the worst kind of dark magic.

Ez finds him out on one of the balconies later, feet slipping just like Callum's had on the climb up. (He can't quite manage to summon his wings again, yet, but... he's working on it.) Callum grabs his hand to help haul him all the way up. It's a moonless night, clouds obscuring the slim crescent that is there. Stars twinkle in between.

"I'm not going to get assassinated, you know," Ezran says, nudging him in the shoulder.

Callum exhales. "I know," he says, because he won't let it happen. "I just..." Tears build, cold on his face in the mid-autumn air. "You're all I have left, Ez."

"She'll come back."

Callum looks away and wipes at his nose with his scarf, sighing when Ezran wraps an arm around his shoulder. He's the big brother, he's supposed to be comforting Ezran, not the other way around.

"I saw the notes you left," Ez continues quietly. "Well, the ones Viren left, I guess. About the soul fang serpent." He runs his fingers over one hand thoughtfully. "D'you think Dad...?"

"I don't know," Callum says. "But—there's no way Dad would've agreed, even if he was given that kind of deal."

The magic was awful. It wasn't precise enough. If the spell could swap souls and bodies, maybe—let the corpse fall and then put you back in, heal up the wounds—let you be yourself, and the other person's soul and body would be severed but buried, then—

Callum pushes those thoughts away. No. No, even if Harrow could've kept his body, even if he could've kept his face, it still wouldn't be fair to whosever soul died on that blade. Not fair to the family, or husk left behind, or...

Callum buries his fingers in his hair and breathes through his nose, in and out. Ezran rests his head on his shoulder.

"I'm glad you're High Mage now," his little brother says, stifling a yawn. "I wouldn't know how to handle all this magic stuff without you."

Someone had to make these kinds of decisions, Callum reminds himself. Or at least consider the possibilities, the paths spreading out before them, even if they weren't all going to be—shouldn't be taken.

He has to be more than Ezran's high mage. There are humans, and dark mages, and someone has to know what they might be up against from the Pentarchy. Ezran needs a shield, from whatever he can still be shielded from.

And that person is him.

"Hm." Callum kisses him on the forehead once Ezran he's asleep, then shifts and picks him up.

Ez is getting heavy for this, but—Callum manages to make his way down, carrying him all the while. He passes Ezran off to Soren in the hall, the king snoozing as the crownguard hefts him up and then heads down the hall to the king's tower.

Callum hauls tome after tome off the shelves after, full of dark magic—grotesque images and wicked spells—carrying them up to his spot on the balcony, a primal flame in his hand as he begins to read. The stars have nearly blinked out by the time he stops and goes to bed.

He had to know what his brother's enemies could be capable of if he wanted to be able to stop them, after all.

(Later, he will know what he's capable of, too.)

[dira333]

Unwavering IV - Ibiki x Reader

this is for @snuggleboots (taglist is open)

Warnings: Reader is dealing with psychological aspects of her work and she's having trouble with alcoholism. Please do not read if this triggers you.

Masterlist - Part III

The lights are on when you get back. 

You’re still wearing the daring green dress. With the cold air hitting your back it now only feels like a kidney infection waiting to happen. You should have known that you can’t seduce Ibiki with a pretty dress and some bright red lipstick.

When you open the door, Neko mewls loudly in greeting.

“I’m home, little tyrant.” You call out softly, scratch her behind the ears when she comes to the door. “Where’s your owner?”

Neko mewls loudly again and plops down in the entryway, begins the ardent task of cleaning between her hind legs, a clear sign she’s done talking to you.

Ibiki’s neither in the living room nor in the kitchen, even though the lights are still on. You find him in his office, back to the door as he writes something.

You’re hardly ever in this room but there are a few photographs scattered through the room that you want to look at forever.

There’s Ibiki at six, face split with an awkward smile that showcases a missing front tooth. Next to him are his parents, you believe, looking so much like him and yet so different at the same time. 

There’s Ibiki how you remember him from the Academy, his mother behind him, her face set in stone. He carries someone in his arms, the baby’s face scrunched up to the point you can barely recognize a human being. You wonder if that’s his brother.

There are more pictures but you never get far enough into the room to look at them, to learn more about him.

“Hey.” You stop at the doorway like you’ve done all the other times before. “When did you get home?”

“Two hours ago, I think.” His voice doesn’t show any emotion, but you’re used to that. It doesn’t make things easier though.

“Can we talk?” You hate how soft your voice comes out, not at all teasing or demanding.

But he nods and gets up.

“Sure.” 

If you thought talking to his back was hard, coming face-to-face with him proves you wrong.

Fear tightens its hold on your neck, making it hard to breathe.

If this goes wrong, you can kiss this friendship goodbye.

.

“Do you wanna get something to drink?” He asks when it becomes clear that you’re not going to open your mouth soon.

You nod helplessly and follow him down the hallway. He’s wearing his usual loungewear, looks like the Shinobi he is while you’re dressed like you’re a film star waiting to accept an award.

You feel ridiculous. For wanting to dress up, for doing it. For being the kind of Shinobi that you are. For falling in love.

The anger, even though directed at you, gives you strength. You dig your feet into the ground.

“Do you think I’m pretty?” You ask, almost managing to slip the teasing lilt into your voice that you’re famous for.

Ibiki looks up from the kettle he’d been filling.

“Why do you need everyone to to tell you what you already know?” He asks. 

The words feel heavy on your tongue. “Because it matters who I’m hearing it from.”

He watches you for a second. “Yeah, you are pretty.” It doesn’t sound like he means it, more like he’s placating a child.

You take another step forward.

“Why did you kiss me if you don’t think I’m pretty?” You ask, unable to keep your anger from your voice.

Ibiki straightens, puts the kettle on the stove and turns to you. He’s always been imposing, his height, his looks. If you’d know him any less, you might have been frightened.

“You’ve got a scar on your lower lip.” He points out. “It’s not visible under your lipstick.”

“Did you feel it?” You ask. “When you kissed me?”

That’s when it happens. Ibiki shudders like your question runs down his back with icy fingers.

It’s the first involuntary reaction you’ve ever drawn from him. 

You wonder what it means.

“Do you want to feel it again?” Your voice is barely above a whisper.

-

When you wake up, you’re facing the wall. Ibiki’s chest is pressed into your back, one arm slung around you, the other cushioning your head. His breath ghosts over your neck.

It’s not the closest you’ve ever been to him, but you think you might prefer this. When he allows himself to be open, to show what he wants - in this case, him being the big spoon.

His breathing changes and you smile, waiting for him to wake up properly. 

“Morning.” He grumbles into your ear. 

Neko mewls loudly from the hallway as if that greeting had been meant for her.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sleep in.” You point out half an hour later. Taking a shower together had not cut the time needed in half, but he doesn’t seem to mind as he pours you coffee.

“I think we need a bigger bed.” He points at the bread instead of looking at you. When you nod, he begins preparing your breakfast. 

Not for the first time you wonder how he can be like this one moment, but provoke you mercilessly the next. How it could have taken you two months to kiss when he’s been making you breakfast two weeks into you living here.

“Nah.” You take a sip of coffee and add a bit more milk. “It’s fine. I like having you close.”

He smiles, the quickest of movements, but you see it, and it lights up your heart like a lightning strike.

“How are we going to do this?” You ask, taking the sandwich from him and sinking your teeth into it with the delight that only good food brings. “Kakashi and Guy know that I was going to confess to you.”

He stops, butter knife raised over his bread. His brows furrow.

“What do you mean, confess? That wasn’t a confession.”

“Sure it was! Didn’t you hear me last night?”

“I did. You said something along the lines of ‘If you rip my dress I’m going to make sure you die a slow death.’”

“Before that.” You wave your hands around. “I said I want to stay with you. Forever.”

“Ah, I thought you meant the part where you don’t pay rent and eat all my food.”

“Like I could ever take Neko’s role.” You’re only half-joking. There’s still a part of you that’s jealous over how easy it is for Neko to get him to smile.

.

A comfortable Silence settles between you. Ibiki puts the butter knife away and assembles his sandwich. It’s Sunday, almost time for lunch and you’re barely making a dent into your breakfast. 

You could let him eat his sandwich in peace and ask him about everything else when he’s gotten some food in his system. 

But honestly, when have you ever played nice?

You pull his plate toward you before he can grab his sandwich, move from your seat to his before he can open his mouth.

Now you’re sitting in his lap, grinning like the cat that got the cream.

“Hi.” You smile up at him. “Pay attention to me.”

He lifts one eyebrow. “I just did. We’re having breakfast together.”

“Yeah, yeah.” You sling your arms around his shoulders and pull yourself closer until your nose touches his. “But that’s not enough.”

“You can have more of my attention if you let me eat first.”

“Or you can give me your attention now and eat later?” You ask, brushing your lips over his in the hopes of convincing him.

A heartbeat later you’re sitting in your own seat and he takes a bite from his sandwich, sending you an unamused look when you huff in annoyance.

“Not fair.”

“Drink your coffee.”

“Are we going to get pet names?” You ask, picking up your cup. “You could call me Princess.”

“You’re not Royalty.”

“That’s not the point. It’s cute. I call Ino Princess and she loves it.”

“Exactly. You’re not six years old.”

“How about Baby?”

“You’re not an infant.” He takes a sip of his coffee and levels one of his signature glares at you. “And you’re not a kitten either.”

“How’d you guess that?” You can’t help but laugh. “But if you won’t call me that, I’ll just do it myself.”

“What do you-”

“Ibiki, Baby.” Your smile is pure saccharine, your voice as sweet as honey as you cock your head. “Snookums. Honeydrop. Apple of my eye.”

Ibiki groans. “You’re awful.”

“You love me.”

“I do.” His voice is quiet but steady. It blows you away.

He smiles when he realizes that he’s left you speechless once again, leans over the table to press a kiss to your lips before he gathers the dishes and makes the trek to the sink.

…

“Don’t tell Inoichi.” Ibiki’s leaning in the doorframe as you pack your bag. “We can tell him together.”

“Sure.” You look through your stuff and furrow your brows. “Have you seen my book? The one I was reading?”

“It’s in the living room-” He stops you when you try to squeeze past him. “Hey. You’re okay with this, right?”

He sounds less demanding now, almost timid in his question if that’s even possible for him.

“Sure.” You step into him, let yourself fall even though you really should get ready. “I understand why you want to keep this a secret for now. Besides, who cares about what I’m doing with my love life?”

“Raido does.” It only sounds half-joking and you respond by knocking your knee against his.

“Raido can suck ass.” You remind him. “He’s not the one I want to come home to.”

He holds you for a minute, just long enough to let you know he’s not happy, that even Ibiki can open himself up to you.

“I’m going to be fine.” You remind him. “Besides, we need new people to interrogate or it will get boring at work.”

“Stay safe, okay?” He kisses the top of your head. “Come back in one piece.”

-

“Did something happen this weekend?” Inoichi asks when you set up your tent. Chouza’s preparing Dinner.

“What do you mean?” You ask, struggling with a knot. “Guy made Jonin so we had a little get-together.”

“You’re different.” Your brother points out. “Not chewing my ear off with gossip. Not whining about the parties you’ll miss while on mission.”

“You’re glowing,” Chouza calls out from the fire. “Reminds me of when Inoichi and Miwa first got together. He was basically floating.”

Inoichi’s eyes zero in on you. You swallow thickly.

“I… can explain?”

“You’ve got a boyfriend?” Inoichi sounds strangely… tense.

“Maybe?”

“Do I know him?”

“Maybe? I will introduce him to you soon, don’t worry. It’s just… we just got together this weekend… officially, you know… and he wanted to wait a bit before we tell our families.”

There. That’s not completely a lie.

Inoichi huffs. He looks worried.

“What got your panties in a twist now, Inoichi?” Chouza asks. “You look like she told you she’s fallen in love with Orochimaru.”

“It’s just…” Your brother huffs again. “It’s not my place to tell but… maybe let me tell Ibiki, okay?”

You blink. “What?” 

“You know, he’s a little sensible when it comes to you.” He points out as if it’s obvious. It isn’t.”

“What?” You squeak again.

“Oh, Ibiki?” Chouza nods like he knows exactly what your brother is talking about. “Yeah, it will break his heart that you’re no longer single. It’s hard to tell what’s going on in that brain of his, but I think he was planning on kidnapping you and forcing you to become his girlfriend.”

“Like I’d ever fall for that!” You exclaim, finally untangling the knot that had been giving you grief. “I’d rather die than…” You stop and hesitate. Than what? Date Ibiki? You’re already doing that. “Well, I’d rather die than date someone who’s using violence like that.”

Your voice has lost its momentum and Chouza picks up on it right away.

“Poor Ibiki.” He sighs. “Don’t tell him he would have had a chance if he’d made a move.”

.

They keep reminiscing about the fact that Ibiki has a crush on you. It’s surreal and also funny, leaving you with enough ammunition to annoy him for at least a month, if not longer. You’re also not really sure if they’re both good at reading people or just guessed correctly this one time. 

.

When you meet up again, Chouza’s face is bruised and your brother has a black eye, but they look fine otherwise.

You have no scratch on your body and the blood splattered over your skirt is not your own, but you don’t feel fine. You feel hollow and dirty and disgusting.

It’s not often that missions mess with you like this, but when they do, oh they do.

.

The first hour of your trek back Inoichi keeps talking about Ino. It’s a surefire way to distract you. From the violence, the way you hate how you have to use your body some days, from the people that Chouza is carrying, knocked out and tied up

At some point, Chouza takes over. He tells you about Chouji, his little boy's love for butterflies, how he’s got the appetite of his father but the softness of his mother.

“I’m a little worried about him.” He says. “He’s not good at making friends on his own and he’s lonely most of the time.”

“Did you know that Ibiki has a cat?” The words break from your lips like butterflies from their cocoons. “Her name’s Neko and she’s incredibly fat.” 

Chouza blinks at you. You want to keep talking, tell him how she puked on you the first night you slept over, or how she likes to wake you up from naps by landing right on your bladder or your stomach. How she mewls in the morning to remind you that she’s more important than staying in bed. 

But that would mean you’d have to explain why you sleep over so often so you shake yourself out of your stupor and smile.

“Met her once when we discussed a new strategy. I just thought, if Ibiki isn’t good at making friends and seems to have a good time with his pet, maybe that would be a good idea for Chouji too?”

“Ah… my wife’s allergic to cats.” Chouza points out. You shrug.

“Doesn’t have to be a cat. Pet’s come in all shapes and sizes, right?”

“Just think of Shikaku and his deer!” Inoichi calls out from behind. 

The walk home is a little easier after that. You think of Neko and her soft fur, how she’s going to complain when you don’t feed her the amount she wants but the amount she needs.

You don’t think of Ibiki, don’t dare to, but Neko is fair game.

taglist: @snuggleboots @missalienqueen

[oneshotnewbie]

Maybe a oneshot where B!D gets diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

---

You sighed and ran your hand through your hair for seemingly the three hundredth time in half an hour while you were nervously waiting for your GP, who had summoned your sisters and you to her office.

For weeks you had no idea what was happening to you, denying every symptom as if it were kind of like a flu that caused them but didn´t break out properly; the excessive drinking and double the amount of urination, the increased hunger and urge to eat while losing weight and throwing up at the same time, getting up tired from a nine hour sleep and the weakness your body carried with it.

Not to mention the most violent mood swings your sisters have ever experienced with you.

The silence and your ongoing thoughts were interrupted by a heavy swing of the opening door before your doctor walked in. She was young, in her early thirties yet she was far better than anyone that has ever treated you in your life. "Hello, Y/n. Nice that you could come so quickly."

"You said it was urgent so I wasted no time."

Convincingly, she nodded with a soft smile and shook hands with each of your siblings in greeting. Wasting no time, your doctor settled into her much more comfortable looking chair than you were sitting in, being careful over her coat so it didn´t crumple under her.

"So Y/n, I have good and bad news." she started to speak, looking down at her tablet to review your blood results, letting the panic in you rise further with each second that passed. "The good news is; your blood results are almost perfect and you have no signs of kidney failure or anything close to the symptoms."

At that moment, an incredibly large stone fell from your heart and the adrenaline disappeared from your body. However, the panic was not immediately banned; only afterwards did you think about her choice of words and got stuck on one- almost.

"Almost perfect? Doctor, what does that mean?" Kara had taken the question out of your mouth; she too was probably confused by what the doctor said.

"Well, all but one." your doctor now shifted her gaze between the blonde and redhead, probably to add depth to her words. "An increased glucose value can be seen in your sisters venous plasma, and auto antibodies can also be detected in her blood, which should not normally be there."

Alex shifted uncomfortably in her seat and leaned further forward to rest her elbow on the young woman´s wooden desk. She had covered her mouth with her hand and widened worryingly her eyes at you as if she knew what was about to come.

After all, she was the only one of the three of your who had completed medical school.

"Y/n, unfortunately I have to tell you that you have type 1 diabetes." Your heart suddenly dropped and your stomach felt like a roller coaster, the lump in your throat expanded to an abnormal size. You slumped back in your seat, eyebrows furrowed in uncertainty.

Diabetes. You´d had it for roughly four weeks, hence why you felt like crap.

"For understanding; Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by your pancreas not producing enough insulin. Insulin is the principle hormone in regulating the glucose in your blood and without it, the glucose will not be absorbed properly, resulting in higher blood glucose levels. Higher glucose levels can result in polyuria and polydipsia which means an increase in urination and in thirst which you´re already going through- they are the first steps into this illness."

You only understood half of what she said to you, some words that she had in her vocabulary so complicated that you would have needed a dictionary and a ten-page guide if she wouldn´t explain to you how the further process would work.

"You need to start poke your finger with this little needle poker device here." From a drawer in her desk, she pulled out a burgundy, funny-looking thing and laid it in your hands that you had already outstretched, longing for this device that´s gonna save your ass probably more times that you´re going to count.

Your sisters also leaned into you to see for themselves what it was. They listened intently to offer you the best support they could give you, swallowing every information they could get. "And then you have this little thing here, which will read the level of your blood sugar. Also you have to inject yourself insulin manually into your leg or stomach- wherever you´re comfortable."

You rolled your eyes and put the thing back on the table; annoyed.

To put it into other words- type 1 diabetes was a fucking annoying disease where your body randomly decided to give you a big "FUCK YOU!" and stop giving your body what it craved. And unless you got it under control, your organs could fail.

But you didn´t seem aware of this.

[burgundybmw]

Guitar String of Fate

MASTERLIST

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1,759 (plus twitter posts)

Warning: Addiction mention, drug mention.

Summary: When the band Daughters of Lilith tour bus breaks down in the middle of Indiana, they are left stranded for a few hours waiting for help. Y/N (also known by Echo) sees a bar in the distance with a giant LIVE MUSIC sign in bright neon lights, she tells the girls they might as well find some entertainment while they wait. The local favorite Corroded Coffin is playing, and when she locks eyes with the guitar player for the first time, Y/N can’t help but feel the electricity in the air. Will this be a missed connection? Or will the strings of fate bring them together again?

Author’s Note: A short chapter, but with the kidney stone and grad school I wanted to get something out to y'all. Hope you guys enjoy!

Part III

"Wake up!"

Y/N opened her eyes to find her band mates surrounding her bunk on the bus, Chrissy armed with the pillow she used to swat her face. They all had the same look on their faces, eyebrows furrowed and frowning lips. It was certainly not the best wake up call, especially with a killer hangover.

"Christ Chris, what's your damage?" Y/N grumbled as she sat up from her too thin mattress. If it were up to her they'd be memory foam, but Murray argued she'd never get out of bed if they were too comfortable. The overly rational ass.

"My damage? Have you not checked your phone! Twitter is blowing up and Murray has been bombarding our phones for hours!" Chrissy said as she swatted her again with the pillow.

"Why the hell is Twitter blowing up? How is this my problem!"

"Check your phone" Eden grumbled, clearly unimpressed with the display. Y/N looked over find her screen buzzing with notifications, all of them from Twitter. When she finally opened up the app, she was met with what exactly Chrissy's damage was.

"Oh shit..." There it was. In all of it's a glory. A drunken thirst tweet in the wee hours of the morning, all over that hot guitarist from the Hide Out. The headache radiated behind her eyelids, nausea rolled in her stomach. This was bad, very very bad.

"Oh shit is right! Do you have any idea what this means? All of our fans are out looking for him!" Barb yelled, making Y/N's headache worse.

"Did they find him?" A part of her hoped they did, she knew she felt something watching him play. It was electric, a full body pull towards this mysterious musician.

"You better hope they don't. Have you even read the responses?" Eden asked, her voice grave and serious. Y/N shook her head, earning a collective groan from the girls on the bus.

"Most of it's good, but you know how fans be. They can get obsessive. People are already starting. Look, they started a hashtag" Eden held up her phone, a long winded thread before her. Y/N's eyes widened with shock, the responses were certainly not what she was expecting.

#1 Echo Stan @totaldolface We need to find this guy for Echo! Does anyone know who he is??#Echolocation 2k Retweets 6k Likes Show replies STREAM #A MAUSOLEAM KNIGHT'S DREAM @dolhead Oh she has good taste!! He's so hot I could die!! I totally ship them!! #Echolocation Stella @ Echo Drunk Tweets @stellababy_02 I can totally see it now, total rockstar power couple. What should their ship name be?! I can see the fanfics already! #Echolocation Emi @edengardengirl Until we have a name my vote is #EchoLock #Echolocation 275 Retweets 471 Likes Sam DolFace @ogvickiestan Where did you get the Lock from?? @edengardengirl Emi @edengardengirl @ogvickiestan the guitar he's using is a B.C. Rich Warlock Chrissy Step On Me @dolstan @edengardengirl OMG THAT'S SO CLEVER!!! #EchoLock #Echolocation Billie @barbstan05 Strangers to lovers, mutual pining, 500k words. Already starting the #EchoLock tag on AO3. #Echolocation Mabel / WHERE IS THE HOT GUITARIST?? @ogecholock @echolock I hate you for taking the @ #EchoLock #Echolocation Missy @echolock @ogecholock you snooze you lose babes 💅 Chrissy Step On Me @dolstan UPDATE!! Apparently the Daughters of Lilith tour bus broke down in Hawkins, Indiana last night!! TMZ just reported it!! Here's the link >> https://www.tmz.com/2022/09/06/daughters-of-lilith-bus-breakdown-in-small-town-indiana/ #EchoLock #Echolocation 3k Retweets 7k Likes Billie @barbstan05 @dolstan Isn't that Chrissy, Vickie, and Barb's hometown??? Chrissy Step On Me @dolstan @barbstan05 It is!! Daughters of Lilith Slut @dolbaby My cousin lives in Hawkins! I sent her the tweet and the article and I am waiting for a response now! #Echolocation #EchoLock Mabel / WHERE IS THE HOT GUITARIST?? @ogecholock @dolbaby OH MY GOD DID YOU FIND HIM!! Daughters of Lilith Slut @dolbaby @ogecholock I have a first name! My cousin doesn't know his last but she's looking through her yearbook as we speak! His name is Eddie!!! #Echolocation #EchoLock 715 Retweets 2k Likes Emi @edengardengirl We need a new ship name!!! #EchoLock #Echolocation Sarah @ EDDIE CAN SPIT ON ME @dolstanz #EddiEcho??? #EchEd??? #ESquared??? #DoubleE #Echolocation #EchoLock 2k Retweets 5k Likes Mabel / WHERE IS THE HOT GUITARIST?? @doubleE #DoubleE is the best #Echolocation Missy @doubleestan @doubleE Normally I would argue to get the @ but you are so right it's the best ship name #Echolocation #DoubleE #1 Echo Stan @totaldolface #DoubleE is already trending!!! We need to find out more!! Who is he? How old is he? Is he single? Come on y'all!!! #Echolocation #FindEddie Sean @metalheadalways That's the guitarist for Corroded Coffin! I saw them play at this small venue in Indy! Dude totally kicks ass #Echolocation Lana Del Slay @echoxlana His name is Edward "Eddie" Munson. He was born on February 14th in Hawkins, IN and went to Hawkins High School, no college. His Twitter is @ EDDIEMUNSON which is public, his Insta is @ metalheadmunson, and he runs the Corroded Coffin Insta which is just the band name. They play at The Hideout on Tuesdays in Hawkins when they aren't elsewhere in Indiana. #Echolocation #FindEddie #DoubleE #EchoLock 15k Retweets 21k Likes Mabel / HOT GUITARIST FOUND @doubleE @echoxlana HOLY SHIT I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU FOUND HIM!!! Lana Del Slay @echoxlana @doubleE it was nothing. Once I got a name and a place it took mere minutes. God bless social media! #1 Echo Stan @totaldolface We have found him!!! Great job everyone!! #Echolocation #FindEddie #DoubleE #EddieIsFound 1k Retweets 4k Likes

"They found him..." Y/N couldn't believe it. In the span of 12 hours her fans had managed to figure out who he was, and only with a picture at that.

"What?!" the girls collectively screamed. Y/N handed over the phone to show them the most recent updates on the thread.

"Eddie Munson! Yes! That was it! Ugh, it was driving me nuts that I couldn't remember him" Chrissy began, "I used to buy drugs from him back in high school"

"He sold to you?" Y/N asked. All the girls knew about Chrissy's old drug problem, it was the inspiration for the song Hemlock. Y/N remembered it like it was yesterday, the night Chrissy told the girls about her past. No one would have guessed the preppy cheerleader used to be an addict.

It was in the early days of Daughters of Lilith, playing small venues in LA for cheap. There was a battle of the bands filled with local talent and everyone was invited to this massive afterparty. It was in an abandoned warehouse turned nightclub, flashing lights and loud music blasting everyone's ear drums. The girls had never been to an event like it, everything was still so new to them. They had wandered to another band's booth, the runner ups of the event. Sanctified was their name, an ironic one at that. Each member was doing something unholy, bumping lines of coke, dry humping random girls, popping pills, everything and anything. The girls were satisfied with their cocktails, but Y/N immediately noticed Chrissy's change in mood the second the white powder came out. She was absent, her eyes laser focused on the white tally’s on the table. Her normal bubbly personality gone by the wayside. She had taken Chrissy to the bathroom with her, ask her what was up with her. The rest of the girls followed suit to find their star drummer bawling her eyes out in a dingy bar bathroom.

Everyone has their demons, Chrissy was no exception. An abusive mother, shitty ex-boyfriend, the whole nine yards. She was embarrassed, mortified by how quickly she fell down the hole. It only took one party after an incredibly bad fight with her mom to pull her under. A girl from the cheerleading squad brought some of her grandma's oxy's and passed them along. Chrissy took one. That was the beginning of the end.

Nobody knew about it, not even her then boyfriend Jason. It started with oxy, but when the local dealer went to jail her supply ran dry. She tried to get by on just weed, but it wasn't enough. The oxy's made her feel numb, made her sleep. She just wanted to sleep. She was so tired all the time. It took her three years to get sober.

"Not the pills, mostly weed" Chrissy began, "I bought K off of him once my senior year, but when I came back the following day begging for more he told me no"

"Isn't that his job though? Why'd he turn you down?"

"Eden" Y/N reprimanded.

"He said I was too young to form a habit like that. He felt bad selling it to me the first time"

"A drug dealer with a heart, who'd have thought" Eden said, her signature eye roll fully in place. Y/N didn't really know what to think.

"I remember he was really nice though! Made me feel comfortable and everything, wasn't weird or creepy! Totally good in my book!"

That was good to know. A pretty face only does so much. Y/N stared at the thread on her phone, the curiosity to check out Eddie's accounts growing stronger by the second. She knew what Pandora must have felt like in that moment, the box filled with unbearable temptation inside just begging to be touched. Y/N's fingers moved of their own account, typing in his name before a hand swiped her phone away.

"Hey!" Y/N shouted. She tried to wrestled her phone out of Eden's grasp, but the girl grew up with over half a dozen siblings. It was a worthless endeavor.

"Don't even think about it! Not until we talk to Murray to see how much trouble we're in!"

"Why would we be in trouble? It's one tweet, it's not the end of the world!" Y/N was talking out of her ass. They all knew it. Murray was sure to blow a gasket the second they stepped foot in the LA border.

"In case you forgot darling, we're famous. This Eddie guy is in for a media storm because of us. Murray will know how to handle it, so don't make it worse by adding fuel to the fire!"

Y/N knew she was right. Of course she was, Eden was always right. As much as it pained her to admit it, waiting was the smarter move. She wasn't a random girl who could post whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. One tweet could make or break the band. Her actions had consequences.

Y/N just hoped it wasn't a bad one.

Tag list:

@onlyangel-444 , @kikis-writing-world , @sweetpeapod , @cevans-winchester , @hopingforromanoff , @nativity-in-black , @esoltis280 , @celestialsxturn , @magicalchocolatecheesecake , @penny4yourthoughts , @thatredlipped-classic , @panagiasikelia , @glitteringraccoon , @elleeeee21 , @bitchilli , @fangirling-4-ever , @cottagecori , @seasonsofstyles , @andromeda-andromeda , @porcelaindoll-exe , @shinydixon , @elleeeee21 , @thatredlipped-classic , @panagiasikelia , @pistachoz , @streamafterlaughter ,

[dragon-communion]

I am tempted to write a couple drabbles or something to warm up my brain for the day. I don't think I've been getting weird enough, so I'm just going to fling some ideas out:

Do you think bosses with transformation sequences get dysphoria or phantom limbs? Rykard in particular is the most obvious choice to me, actually. He's a reptile now. Sort of. Do you think he can feel those second-phase limbs, squeezed tight in the living pressure cuff of a body that is also him? The limbs are in such odd places too, I imagine trying to walk around in second phase is a miracle and a half. Is the snake bothered by having a second face in her throat? Does it hurt, every time those vestigial limbs move? Can they feel the people they've eaten?

Do you think the Crucible Knights feel their extraneous spell-conjured limbs even when they're not present? Do the ones with wings have this consuming itch to preen that can never be satisfied?

I really want to stick Lusat and Azur in an MRI machine. Alberich too. Do crystals growing from your flesh hurt? Do they start under the skin, or in a follicle? What's the care treatment, do crystal growths get infected? Maybe it's like freckles at first. Maybe the crops and water and animals in Liurnia are so infused with trace amounts of glintstone that it glitters in the hair and claws of apex predators. After all, if a contaminant is going to show up anywhere, it's hair and nails. Maybe tears.

Oh gods. What if kidney stones in Liurnia have glintstone in them. Bezoars have medieval significance, etc etc, so.

Don't even get me started on the linguistic impact of the Ancient Dragon Cult. Considering the fact that we learn our incantations from prayerbooks, I'm pretty sure we're literally weaponizing prayers, and a lot of the different schools come from different enough regions and gods that I 100% believe faith casters end up with a terrible chimera of half-understood languages. Imagine realizing what the words mean in the middle of casting just because of the context. I am now severely tempted to write a fic just to slip in some references that will probably only entertain me. (ex: the Cannibal Hymn of Pharaoh Unas, the Enuma Eliš, the original Hippocratic Oath, maybe something from the Lokasenna for giggles, the PGM)

I think the Golden Order has moral opinions on sign language and Braille. ....though it wouldn't be called Braille. Something about the speech of the Two Fingers being movement and the speech of the Three Fingers being fingerprints.

[nakedmonkey]

Alexxxx prompt 5 or 12 from the prose section of the big swiss list <3 shivlina ALWAYS !

<3

12. Shame was something you passed like kidney stones, and it was leaving her body at last

Shiv never thought she’d make it to this point, but finally, it seemed, this was how she’d win the war. With her father buried underground along with her marriage, and whatever revenge plot she thought she could birth into the world medically evacuated from her body. All for the best, all for the best, she told herself. Not that she needed a mantra. She felt lighter already. Lighter than she had in months. Her future seemed so much more tangible now, within reach. She smiled in the elevator through the cramping her doctor warned her about, because it was a sign of it. It must be. Of the end of it all. Or the beginning. She’d learned by now that endings and beginnings looked pretty much the same up close. 

The elevator stopped, and it occurred to Shiv that this would be her first night in her new apartment. It was still only half furnished and she dreaded what she’d need to catch up after her medical leave, but she couldn’t go back to the other place. Not as she was now, with her new skin. She didn’t feel particularly different in a deep, existential way, but she did feel unrestrained somehow. Untethered. She felt good. 

So much of her adult life had been spent in a constant state of apprehension. So much of her life, the part that her father dictated, and it was a large part, was so often ruled by shame, that briefly, after his funeral, she considered she might be lost without him. She felt that about Tom, too. She let go of other things, other people, that didn’t ever contribute to the shame, out self preservation, she’d thought. They wounded her, those losses–self-inflicted wounds run deep, but that pain she was used to. It was the other pain, the loss of the shame she’d learned to trust as a constant, that she wasn’t sure she could survive without. She couldn't believe now how little it hurt to not have it anymore. 

Shiv slowed her pace as she caught sight of something at her door. A huge floral arrangement, and she hesitated in reading the card at first before finally pulling it from the tiny envelope. It read: Happy Abortion! 

She laughed softly. The first real laugh in a while. She knew who the sender was before she even got to reading the name at bottom. 

Mondale greeted her at the door, and she petted him after setting the flowers down on the counter. She reached in her back pocket for her phone and dialed. Karolina answered on the second ring. 

“Hey.” 

“Thanks for the flowers.” 

“Is it okay?” Karolina asked, and Shiv closed her eyes at the sound of her voice. It made the ache in her chest grow hotter, but she wanted it, needed it even. “Roman told me,” Karolina added. “I–are you okay? Was the doctor nice to you?” 

Shiv smiled at that as she walked over to join Mondale on the couch. 

“Yes. She was very nice.”

“Good.”

An unspoken thing hung in the silence that followed, and Shiv felt the imminent end of the conversation fast approaching, but something pushed her to not let it end. Some Eat Pray Love bullshit feeling inside her urged her to not let this moment end here. 

“Hey, so, catch me up. What’d I miss?” 

Karolina waited, and then sighed. 

“Matsson and Ebba might be…involved again.” 

Shiv laughed as she idly stroked behind Mondale’s ear.  

“You’re joking. After the whole thing with the blood?” 

“Yeah, well. I think they think they're being slick, but they’re very obvious, so I’m–preparing for whatever happens when it inevitably implodes.”

“Matsson and Ebba? Implode? No!” 

Karolina laughed softly. Shiv bit her lip, considered not saying what she wanted to say. Anticipated the shame that would follow, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. Shame was something you passed like kidney stones, and it was leaving her body at last.

“Hey, Karolina?” 

“Yeah?” 

“I miss you.” 

“I miss you, too.” 

[kaesaaurelia]

Thinking about the temple I went to briefly in college where a minyan was "any ten willing adults who made it here despite the weather -- sometimes we only get eight, though" because it was Central Illinois and they were mostly interfaith families, vs the shittiness of my mom's childhood rabbi who said he'd marry my parents without requiring my father to convert, then like three months before the wedding said, "Oh, actually I don't do interfaith couples." Thinking about the girl who deadass got up in front of my French class and argued passionately that every country in the world should follow rabbinical law (which version? idk, her version) and try boys old enough to be bar mitzvah'd as adults so they would be subject to the death penalty. Thinking about how exposure to that one single Central Illinois temple's idea of a minyan would've killed her stone dead.

Thinking about the neighbors that lectured my parents about "not raising me right" because we had a Christmas tree so I was clearly not being raised Jewish, and the next year, thinking about how my parents got the most obnoxious neon blinky star and put the tree in the window that faced their house. Thinking about my dad's family that kept giving me Jesus-themed presents for Christmas until we stopped talking to them, who could never acknowledge that my mother had a law degree. (Thinking about how my great-grandmother on my mother's side got her doctorate in French literature after her first husband died and she married her second husband, who was a rabbi. Exposure to my mother's mother's family would've killed my dad's family stone dead too, maybe.)

Thinking about how I grew up being made fun of for not "looking Jewish" even though that's not how anything fucking works, but my mom was adopted and didn't convert, so to lots of people she's not really Jewish and neither am I. Thinking about how in middle school my best friend (also Jewish, no adoption history) and I used to be mistaken for twins (so I do look Jewish, even though that's not how anything works), and about how now she and one of her other best friends (white Latina, like my mom's biological mom) are mistaken for sisters. Thinking about how both of us signed my friend's ketubah when she got married even though her other look-alike friend is goyisch, because the sweet old lady from her temple who was going to sign it got lost on the way to the lodge and, it being an interfaith wedding in rural Illinois, all the other Jews who got there that early were related to her. The rabbi said she considered it valid as long as the signers were unrelated adults, and as a female rabbi I assume she also has faced her share of accusations of Not Good Enough.

Thinking about how recently I had to explain to my doctor how I, a white woman, could have sickle cell trait. My doctor seemed shocked and appalled that an interracial union could produce pale-skinned descendants. Thinking about how my whole life has been an exercise in arguing about how little biological ancestry matters until suddenly it does -- suddenly it's a medical issue you're facing, a mystery kidney condition where they can't diagnose it and you maybe get a kidney removed for no reason and continue to suffer on and off (what happened to my biological grandmother), or, if you're lucky, you have a heads up that the doctor isn't very good and can convince him to hold off on the operation long enough for the Afro-Caribbean intern who knows his shit and has seen this before, to diagnose you properly (what happened to my mom), or you're me, thankfully you just have chronic anemia, mention the sickle cell trait, are disbelieved at first, and then are lectured by your doctor about the primary danger of sickle cell trait: if you have children (presumably with a white man) you are going to have to explain this VERY CLEARLY to him beforehand so he knows you didn't cheat on him, because why would he trust you?

(Thinking about the nurse who told my mom I might "come out black" because she had sickle cell trait, and how my mom had to be prepared to defend her fidelity to my dad.)

Kidney issues? Anemia? Well. I guess angry husbands are a greater health risk to women, after all.

(Thinking about all the times my mom has had to fight for barely adequate medical care; about how many times she has argued with the doctors, half-conscious, about one of her various life-threatening conditions, and forced them to listen for once to the sick fat woman who thinks she knows things; about how many times I could have never been born if she hadn't argued. And thinking about how hard it was to be raised by someone who still to this day can never acknowledge she might be wrong, and I'm not saying this justifies what she did to me, but goddamn, if I'd been fighting for consciousness that many times to yell about insulin or whatever, I'd be hard-pressed to back down, too. I'm not planning to have kids, by the way; the kidney issues are way more likely. Not that he asked.)

Thinking about my great-grandfather the rabbi and his ham bone seder, there being no other bones available for the seder plate in that town in rural North Carolina, and then I feel I have to clarify, no, he was my step-great-grandfather, and my mom was adopted, I'm not really related enough to him to claim him as an ancestor. But then again, what kind of rabbi would look at a ham bone on a seder plate and say it was good, and then look at me and say we're not family? I might not look like him, I'll never know, but I know my mother takes after him because we had a dog toy on the seder plate once and if that's not likeness I don't know what is. I don't think he ever doubted his own Jewishness; some of his family fled the Spanish Inquisition. But I think he'd think I was Jewish enough.

I don't know Hebrew and I didn't grow up going to temple, because that one rabbi sucked and all the other temples in town -- and we were arguably spoiled for choice -- were much more rigid in their interpretations of the rules. I never got bat mitzvah'd or even confirmed. Most damningly, I hate arguing. But I can, and I will, and I come from a long line of people who had to argue to survive, and also one guy who got caught in the middle of hog farm country and had to put together an unplanned Seder. And so, I think, if the ham bone was good enough, and any ten adults who made it to temple in a blizzard can be enough, probably so am I.

(Thinking about the time when I was four or so and learning to set the table, and I asked my father -- who is not Jewish -- why it was important that the forks be straight, and he said, "It's so they know we're Jewish." That one isn't a deep thought, my dad is just a troll. But I was probably eight or nine before I was like "hang on, that doesn't seem right..." and when I got older and tried to read the whole Torah for myself, I kept a sharp eye out for mentions of silverware.)

[popculturebuffet]

Sam and Max Beyond Time and Space Retrospective: Moai Better Blues (Patreon Review for WeirdKev27)

Hello all you happy freelance police and welcome back to my look at the sam and max telltale games! We're onto season 2 episode 2. After a little christmas in august we're having a science fiction double feature for halloween as this review ended up behind due to a new member of the family.

This is Maddie. She's 5, she's precious, she's very loud , and she's very attached to me.

But even new fluffy good girls with spangly collars can't stop the march of sam and max.

Following up from our heroes adventures in the north pole, this ep finds our heroes dealing with an adventure that's weird even by sam and max standards. And I want to let that sink in because we spent last season stopping a child star hynosis crime ring, starring in a one episode sitcom with a british chicken don knotts, inflitrating a mafia chuck e cheese, running for president against a horny lincoln memorial, murdering the internet and finally facing down with a sentient plankton colony via psychic powers and magic tricks on the moon. And that's not even getting into that guy who would never put his hands down. What was his deal?

So what lies in the greatest mountain of sam and max madness? Stoned Moai, triangular portals, sea monkeys, ghost godlfish, baby jimmy hoffa and horny statue love triangles. So join me under the cut for the madness.

We open with our heroes returning from the North Pole a month after the previous game, with it now snowing, providing a nice atmosphere to things. Before they can get back to the usual banter some fresh nonsense comes in: A triangle chasing their beloved friend Sybil.

It has a neat design too, red, pulsating with lines... it's an excellent triangle all things considered. B+

At any rate we need to stop it, so we go to the wisest sage for weird shit there is: Bosco. It's a nice way to keep him still useful while not having him be one of your item guys. Bosco is getting ready to bunker down from T.H.E.M.

But tells our hero their new foe is a bermuda triangle, an eldtirch shape that sucks people up to another place, and can only be stopped with most of the shapes. Most.. never come into play and are just for a good joke, like blue polyheadrons making them really want to roll them dice and maybe start a live play with a dungeon master with long hair and the voice of god.

The important one is red hexagons stop them.. and the game was REALLY unhelpful with this one. I did have my hints flavor blasted up to the maximum max could do without bursting a kidney.. but he just kept saying the shape and outright told me to go back to the office.. where it entirely wasn't. WE do have a new trophy though, boxing betty. So.. that's nice?

The solution lies in Stinky's diner, where i'd gone earlier since the Cops can't do buisness over the sound of screaming. Amateurs. Stinky can though even with the racket outisde and gives us a granite sandwitch that i'm pretty sure just.. sat in my inventory all chapter. Seriously you don't relaly use it for anything even when you think it'd be obvious like replacing a stone max's ear, and it's more just to set up getting a basalt sandwich from her later. It's on the kid's menu only though.

She is useful in that she has a stop sign for you and with some spray paint from your headquaters, you can make it deep red. Before we go though another beloved supporting character makes a cameo: Flint Paper. I just love how despite being grizzly and willing to beat up random strangers for money, as are we, Flint just.. cheerfully greets our heroes with a hey fellas every time. He's just so happy to see our heroes and they have a deep genuine admiration for him. Like with Sybil in the first episodes, it's nice to see someone our heroes actually like and unlike Sybil, it's nice to see there's at least one person they haven't traumtized. Yet. He's watching Bosco for Bosco's Mom who'se understandably worried about her son because you know, his whole deal.

For now though we go to stop the triangle in the name of love... only for hilariously this all to be mostly pointless as once Sybil stops, Abe shows up , gets sucked in and she goes after him. It's off to Easter Island!

Turns out Sybil and Lincoln are fine and are just enjoying the nice weather. Once again.. this is a dead end puzzle wise as the two are just there to move their subplot along. Unlike the sandwich though, it's at least entertaning.. and mildly creepy as Abe perves on one of the moai present.

Why the bermuda triangle lead to easter island.. is not something we'll be getting into here. What matters is the moai see sam and max as their savior. Well the middle one, a kindly lady moai abe's creeping ion, is. The left one has half his face buried and is contstantly upset, projecting storm clouds when pissed off that are naturally useful, and the right one is

And is largely useless, mostly just sniping at you.

Each has a power of the elements: Rain for the buried one, wind for the nice one and earth for the pedantic douchebag. The fire one was sadly was scattered to the winds long ago, but he did leave behind a son at least to carry on his legacy

At any rate before we can use the powers of nature itself for fun and profit, we have some problems: As it turns out the nearbye volcano is about to erupt and murder them all due to some understandable but tragic errors

Problem is someone's guarding his lair... and if you haven't played the game yourself, I warn you: You are not remotely ready. I sure wasn't. So whose in our heroes way? Why it's Jimmy HOffa in the body of a baby!

Yeah... look I love Sam and Max for being so gloriously weird. Weird as hell is one of my faviorite kinds of humor as long as their's direction behind the chaos. But It's still easily the biggest what the fuck moment the franchise has thrown me so far and that's with this happening last chapter

Granted I got spoiled there is some sort of payoff to the Mariachis via a thumbnail, and there is some actual logic behind this.. but even for this franchise "Jimmy Hoffa whose in the body of an infant because he drank too much from the fountain of youth pointing a gun at yoU" is a bit much. And more to the point they NEVER explain why he's working for the episodes big bad.

I.. can't help but love it though BECAUSE it's such a uniquely stupid swing: they had this idea, found a way to have it logically make sense and then put it in the game in full, all while giving us a ton of great jokes as Sam cannot ressit teasing him on the fact he's a baby.

We'll deal with this teamster later, for now we meet the other rugrats on this island: Amelia Earheart, DB Cooper, and The LIndburgh Baby... .

Their mostly here to set up a surfboarding mini game which frustrated me. It's not the game itself, it's a fun enough little distraction if fairly hard to get the analogue controls down on my switch version. It felt like the kind of browser game i'd play as a kid.

My annoyance.. is that the game dosne't tell you that you get nothing for it until you've triggered the right story event. So I went through the whole thing for nothing. Thankfully I also enabled mini game skipping.... I still will TRY not to use it often as these are part of the game and thus need to be evaluated as much as the point and click parts, but in this case i'd already done the actual task so when it asked me to again. As for why again, the trick to getting rid of our little friend involves serving him a drink, using a tiki glass you can pick up at the bar those dumb babies are at. But he'll only take union waitstaff, so you have to play the game to get cerfitied by him. IT makes about as much sense as it sounds. Ah back to normal for this franchise.

To actually do anything though we need some fountain of youth water unfortunately there's something in it

So to take care of them we have to complete a few other tasks

First is the COPS. As i'm guessing is standard for every chapter,we have another driving VR Game from them, this time a fun rythum based one with the beats going as you drive on them. THey thought it'd change the world.. those poor dumb bastards. It's clearly a jab at guitar hero, but it's a decent challenge while still being a lot of fun.

With that we get a car horn and that's the key to our next puzzle: We need to help Glenn Miller, a wwII era band leader whose also now a baby, stage his comback by giving him that new sound he's been looking for. Since the horn plays i've been workin on the railroad, it's just the ticket. He just needs a whistle sound, which you easily get by dumping some gasoline disguised as a drink into a nearbye fire, setting off a tea kettle. He gives you a conch with the single recorded on it. Apparently The Bermuda Triangles also visited skypeia.

Using the dial, we can finally solve our pirahana puzzle.. in theory. In practice it's utterly frustrating if you can't figure out the trick, not helped by Max CONSITENTLY telling me to use the thunder storm moai.

Breaking it down: using the glen miller dial conch, you play it for the nice moai, which gets her whistling. Now when you tick off her half buried friend next to you, which naturally max does with ease and maybe too much glee.. in fact i'm starting a " Going to Hell For This" counter, for each time we ruin someone's life, torture them or what have you to progress, or just for funzies, as we did it a LOT last season and so far have done it a lot. Now I"ll make acceptions for say outright villians or people who deserve it. And even then it'/s about proportions. For example, pelting the soda poppers with urine and bleach? Acceptable, their the soda poppers. Need I say more. But even if Jimmy Two Teeth sucks a LOTTT, nearly driving him to unalive himself is a bit much, not helped by Max's reaction essentially being

He certainly thought it hard enough. So we'll count that one, still keeping leonard hostage after almost a year, sending santa to hell (even if he was possesed), and not bothering to actually help save christmas. So going into this episode we have

Things We're Going To To Hell For: 4 And we can add from this episode taunting that poor moai.

Things We're Going to Hell Fort: 5

So I assumed both from the hint ONLY mentoing the moai , who creates a little storm cloud when uspet and the wind we were supposed to blow it at jimmy hoffa. Instead... it does nothing. It just dissipates if blown too far and never gets near him. Instead we use the portals, which are frustrating as the game makes it clear the two near the entrance are connected.. but dosen't make it clear EVERY portal is connected this way.

The solution is to open one by the fountain of youth, then open another next to the underground moai, have the good moai blow the cloud and boom, a LOT of dead pirhanas and a free fountain of youth. Also

Things We're Going To Hell For: 6

And with that we can use the glass to scoop some up, give it to hoffa... and blink him out of existance. THings We're Going To Hell For: Still 6 (He Deserved It Yo) It's REALLY sad when killing someone by making them age themselves out of existance isn't the worst thing we've done today. Or even this month.

This event also moves along Sybil's subplot for the season and who boy. Strap yourselves in because I haven't seen a character nosedive this fast in many moons. So the whole episode, Abe and Sybil have been picnicking, only doing that on Abe's suggestion.. and only so he can oggle the middle good moai. Yeah after several episodes of at worst being out of touch and mildly annoying.. abe's somehow lept straight to the bottom and is perving on someone right in front of his girlfriend and THEN asks her to have plastic surgery to look more like the moai.

Sybil runs off in tears.. and SOMEHOW, SOMEHOW, this gets worse... as Abe THEN tries to hit on the moai. To her credit she shoots him down fast and we get a great response out of him, a casual "that's fair". So he's still funny he's just WAY more of an asshat. I mean granted we just committed two murders in a row, so i'd SAY we can't judge.. but those murders were to save a LOT of lives from death and were of a bunch of fish and a murderous infant man.

Anyways with this we enter our final puzzle set, continuing from the formula laid out last time. Sadly.. they also fall into a fairly trite, terrible stereotype. It's forgivable enough for the time.. but it's still pretty tone deaf. I can't blame them for fixing it as unlike the various lines corrected for save the world, this is a large part of the plot and thus really coudn't be futzed with.. but it's still not great.

Okay so for our final stretch our heroes run into your standard tone deaf "the natives are stupid and belivie anything is their god" plot only this time it's sea monkeys.

Yeah.. they.. really coudl've thought this one out a bit more. We have to convince them max is their god/chosen one/whatever instead, in order to replace an old advesary: Mr. Spatula, sam and max's goldfish whose mad he's died and thus is willing to take an island with him. Now you may recall, even if I didn't name him last time, he died. And he did. THIS IS HIS GHOST.

So to prove ourselves we have to do three tasks. The first is easy and I stumbled into accidently: We have to make the water into BANANG!, an energy drink powder bosco happens to have a lot of.

To get it away from him, we have to torment him.. again. This time we simply radio in, claim to be THEM

And Bosco goes deeper underground, there's too much panic in this town. So we got the powder.. but we also traumtized a friend for life so

Things We're Going To Hell For: 7

Next is adding an ear to a rock formation that looks like max. Once again the sandwitch is useless.. except as a clue. We finally need that basalt sandwitch for kidz, so it's time to use the fountain of youth water on ourselves.. and ONCE AGAIN the game gets frustrating as you transform back very fast from drinking it. The trick is to use a gong I honestly forgot about in Stinky's diner max reminded me of. I can't tell if I just suck at adventure games or this is poor level design.

Anyways we get the Basalt and get a really funnys equence with douchecanoe moai as it turns out dude just needed to blaze it and basalt gets moai REALLY good and fucked up. With that he casually laughs and dislodges a stalctite we use to finish the max.

We then finish this section. The stone feet of the buried moai are needed to anoit us. Also yes they have hands and arms stuck in there. We simply use the shell again, this time on a portal next to the best moai , she whistles, he taps his toes and we win. Kinda.

Problem is the island's still errupting with Mr Spatula planning to take us with it. The only way to stop it? Some clever puzzlery. We get a high preist medallion from the Sea Monkeys, dip it in some red slime, then shoot the triangle, using the portals to send the red triangle through it , eating the lava.. and presumibly murdering someone but we won't worry about that. Our ride home is gone though but Abe offers a lift while the moai celebrate.. before being sad they can't move. Then their abducted by what seems to be aliens!

Moai Better Blues... is a very mixed bag. The writing as usual is hilarious, and while it's a very

Sort of chapter, it's a FUNNY sort of what the fuck is this, from the various babies, to the black comedy shenanigans as usual, to our heroes riding out on Lincoln's head. It continues episode 1's mean streak, but the weirder setting and more over the top weird black comedy bits like unexistinsing hoffa help it feel far less opressive than last time. The deaths and what we do to bosco are way more over the top. Even abe and sybil's breakup, acompained by the mysterious maraichi's, is more funny than genuinely sad. I DO feel bad for Sybil, but abe is such a dick and he gets karmically punished for it as the moai lady SHARPLY rejects him, multiple times if you want, and he looses Sybil.

Gameplay wise.. it's a lot more obtuse. A lot more relying either on memory (Which isn't good for me but is at least fair) or hoping you figure it out and with most of the max clues being way less helpful. It's a pretty meh chapter all things considered and hopefully as we get spooky next time, we also get back to our quality. Speaking of which

Next Time: VAMPIRES! Just in time for the season. And since it's the 2000's their angsty emo eurotrash vampires! Oh BoY! Thanks for reading!

[avada-kedavra-bitch-187]

In hospital yay😭

Apologies if this don’t make sense i like just got home from hospital a little bit ago and still feel some effects of morphine (the pic and words above pic i posted while on morphine😂)

They gave my 2 things of morphine while i was there as well as something for nausea and toradol when left

My nephew when i came in my moms room crying goes are you kidding i thought we did this already and my dad goes did what and he goes the crying (i cry sometimes and one time I’ve cried like a month or 2 before because if pain(we thinking it was kidney stones this kinda confirms it and they just taking they sweet time)) i was offended but i thought it was sort of funny but i was hurting to bad to laugh at it

*got sick* a good bit

Got *sick* because of pain

Was freezing my ass of the whole time

I mean my teethe were chattering

My doc Ron looks like Jimmy Palmer (older version) i told him too (when he got wheelchair so he could take me to where my mom was pulling up closer to the hospital) and he goes I’ll have to look him up and see what he looks like (pretty sure doctors and nurses heard cause they started laughing)

I had a CT slam with dye on my abdomen

I was in so much pain i couldn’t rlly sleep even with the morphine

Was there from about 10:15pm-1:30am

Sunday March 19, 2023- Monday March 20,2023

And not to mention we live like 10 min away from hospital and a lot of roads were closed so it took longer

If i had to go to surgery if it was a gallbladder or appendix thing or to get the kidney stone removed i would have to go even further for a hospital ��that can do stuff like that

Couldn’t have any water and it sucks cause my mouth was dry as hell and it’s worse cause of *getting sick* i could have ice chips which did nothing and made my mouth even drier

Pain started at like 9:25

It was so much fucking pain and on top of that was on my period and i have PCOS so the cramps were worse and then got kidney stones on top of that

Can’t take certain meds cause if it so im just gonna get off all of them (it’s a lot like 9 a day 5-6 in morning 3 at night) until Thursday (certain meds can react to the dye they gave me for CT)

I have kidney stones on both kidneys some aren’t moving but the one causing me trouble is the one on the right and it is 2mm so they said i could pass it and made me finish my IV and gave me toradol and sent me on my way

One of my sisters was mad no one told her i was in hospital

My mom took pics of me while i was like high on morphine😂👍😅

I didn’t even rlly sleep when i had the morphine and my mom was shocked a couple times she thought i was asleep but rlly wasn’t

I was so cold when i left for CT my hands were so pale and could (it was like you could kinda tell by the nails too) hear my teeth chattering. He made me sign something and i almost got my mom to do it cause i didn’t thing i could (the 2 blankets they gave me did nothing for me)

Also used sick bags and had to bring home 2 more just incase

When i got home first thing i did was brush teeth and drink a while thing of water also ate just a lil (cuz all my food that was in my system is gone) before i went to bed like they didn’t have mouth was or anything i could use to get the *sick* taste out my mouth

IT WAS GREAT😂

——————————————————————————

Legit had to go back to the ER Nov 12 again because i was in pain and was “sick🤢” because i had kidney stones but honestly it felt a lil dif so i though it was a cyst on overies rupturing. And i had an infection so that sucked

[yanet0121]

A mother’s love, a new generation. Straight photography.

Angel, Smokey, and candy. We had Angel and Candy since elementary school. Sadly both Candy and Angel passed away in the last two years. Both dogs had multiple health issues, Angel had CHF and for the last four years of his life he had to be given medication twice a day every day. Candy had cancer for the last three years of her life, had multiple surgeries costing thousands of dollars and the last two years was on and off medications. The amount of love, money and effort my sister gave to these dogs is comparable to that of what a mother would've done. I applaud my sister for bringing them with her when we all moved out of my parents house and for the sleepless nights and early morning she had taking care of these dogs.  

Orange Blossom, also know as OB, is my husband's first pet. One of the funniest stories I ever heard is when my husband was in little league football and had his team over to his house celebrating his birthday and they accidentally let the cat out. In the middle of the party my husband broke out in tears, laying on the couch and not speaking to anyone. My mother in law stopped the party and made a bunch of 13 year olds pause the party and look this cat who was down the street hunting mice. My husband isn't the most affectionate when it comes to animals but this cat, his first cat, is his baby and he would do anything for him. OB is now 14 years old and still running our house and the other two cats

Toby, also know as rat boy, one of the most aggressive smallest dog I have ever had the pleasure to own. We probably heard he's so ugly he's cute several times before. He bite my upper lip off when I was 10 years old and I was still the same one who woke up every 2 hours to take him out to pee when he had surgery for kidney stones and had to take him outside to pee. The same one who would blend his food up when he no longer had any teeth to chew his food and carried him places when he no longer knew where he was because he was blind. Our rat boy, the first one to pass and the first one to cause the biggest heart break of our lives. He may not have been the sweetest, the cutest or the bestest but he was our baby

The new generation, Sparky (orange big one in the back), Smokey (big eared sticky dog in the front), and a Canelo (little rat dog). All these dogs are rescued dogs that my sister owns, the same sister who took care of Angel and Candy. 2/3 new dogs have backgrounds with being homeless bait dogs in the street and now come with behavioral issues but with enough love and patience my sister has managed to make them feel safe enough that they no longer feel the need to be on fight or flight mode. 

The New Generation. Stella, the small one, and Nina, the bigger one. Both are my babies and my best friends. I've had them both for closer to four years and over the years both have had health issues. Stella has a seizure disorder and I have had to get used to holding her while she has seizures, pushing medications into her nose and giving her pills when she's stressed to prevent the seizures. The first time she ever had a seizure, it was in the middle of the night and she sleeps right next to me, I woke up screaming and yelling for my husband. I kept repeating she can't die over and over again until it stopped. we then ran to the pet hospital and dropped over a grand for her to stay overnight and have labs ran on her. This has happened 3 more times and while it's a hit on our wallets we're not giving up on her. it's our responsibility to love and to care for her, I signed up to be her mom and I would be a monster if I abandoned her and when she needed me the most. Nina is probably the most anxious dog I have ever had. Her previous owners said she took up too much of their time and they didn't have the patience for her. I found her on Facebook and I knew I had to get her because she was a bigger version of Stella. When I first had her, I was actually scared of her. She does this grunting thing where it sounds like a growl but it's really her talking. I didn't know she was a talker but we time went on she grew more of a personality and really grew into herself.  While she still gets anxious we learned that she needs to get trazadone to help her when she'll be stressed and she's no longer afraid to live anymore.

The overall theme I chose is about being a having your own family, now I understand many people don’t agree with the fact that having a pet isn’t the same as having a child but I fully disagree with that. All of these dogs have insurances, dental cleanings, vaccines, take up your time, are given showers and many other things. My dogs have their own t-shirts and we’ve even done Halloween photo shoots with our pets. The amount of love my sister and I give our pets came be compared to that of a mom giving love to their children. In these pictures we captures our pets spending quality time with each other and how we have managed to turn them into our own little family, they are our fur babies.

[forerunnershealthcareconsultants]

Struggling with kidney stones? Discover why India is a global hub for kidney stone treatment! In this video, we’ll cover everything you need to know about kidney stones and their treatment options.

What are Kidney Stones? Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can be extremely painful, but with the right treatment, relief is just around the corner.

Causes of Kidney Stones From dehydration to dietary choices, find out the most common causes and how lifestyle factors can contribute to stone formation.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones From sharp back pain to nausea, we explain the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Investigations & Tests for Kidney Stones Understand the tests like ultrasound, CT scans, and urine analysis that are used to diagnose kidney stones.

Treatment Options For Kidney Stones Learn about non-invasive treatments like shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to advanced surgical options like ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. India offers cutting-edge technology and world-class care at a fraction of the cost.

Choosing the Best Hospital & Surgeon for Kidney Stones in India Get tips on selecting top hospitals and surgeons in India, known for their high success rates in kidney stone treatment.

Cost of Kidney Stone Treatment in India Find out how affordable it can be to get top-tier kidney stone surgery in India compared to other countries.

Whether you need advanced care or cost-effective treatment, India is a top destination for kidney stone treatment. Watch now to explore your options and take the first step towards a pain-free life!

This video is for kidney stone patients worldwide seeking affordable, high-quality treatment.

Contact us: Medical Care & Surgery in India Call & WhatsApp Us: +91-9860755000, +91-9371136499, Email Us: surgeryindia123@gmail.com

[drsanjaykbinwal]

Kidney Stone Warning Signs: What You Need to Know

Kidney stones are a common yet painful condition that can affect anyone. They form when minerals and salts in the urine crystallize and create small, hard deposits in the kidneys. These stones can vary in size, and while some may pass without causing noticeable symptoms, others can lead to severe discomfort and complications. Recognizing the warning signs of kidney stones early can help you seek timely medical intervention and prevent further issues.

Common Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Severe Pain: One of the most distinctive signs of kidney stones is intense pain, often felt in the lower back or sides. This pain may come and go in waves, and its intensity can fluctuate. If the stone moves to the urinary tract, the pain may radiate to the lower abdomen and groin.

Painful Urination: If you experience a burning sensation or pain while urinating, it could be a sign that a kidney stone is irritating or obstructing the urinary tract. This discomfort is often accompanied by a frequent urge to urinate.

Blood in Urine: Kidney stones can cause bleeding in the urinary tract, resulting in pink, red, or brown urine. This is a clear indication that you should seek medical attention.

Cloudy or Foul-Smelling Urine: Urine that appears cloudy or has a strong, unpleasant odor might indicate an infection in addition to the presence of kidney stones.

Nausea and Vomiting: The pain associated with kidney stones can be severe enough to cause nausea and vomiting. This reaction is often due to the body’s response to the intense discomfort.

Frequent Urination: If you find yourself needing to urinate more often than usual, especially in small amounts, it may signal that a kidney stone is blocking the flow of urine or irritating the bladder.

Fever and Chills: If you develop a fever and chills along with the other symptoms, it could suggest that an infection has developed in the urinary tract or kidneys. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Early intervention can prevent complications and alleviate pain. Dr. Sanjay K Binwal, a renowned urologist in Jaipur, specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney stones. With his expertise, you can receive a thorough evaluation and effective treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Binwal will use various diagnostic tools, such as urine tests, blood tests, and imaging techniques (like ultrasound or CT scans), to confirm the presence of kidney stones and assess their size and location. Treatment options may include:

Medications: To manage pain and facilitate the passage of smaller stones.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): A non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to break up stones into smaller pieces.

Ureteroscopy: A procedure where a thin tube is inserted through the urethra to remove or break up the stone.

Surgical Options: For larger stones that cannot be treated with other methods.

Book an Appointment

If you suspect you may have kidney stones or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing kidney stones effectively. Book an appointment with Dr. Sanjay K Binwal, a leading urologist in Jaipur, to get personalized care and the best possible outcome.

Taking action now can help you find relief from pain and prevent further complications. Your health is in good hands with Dr. Binwal’s expert care.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step towards a healthier, pain-free life.

[apex-multispeciality-hospital]

RIRS Treatment for Kidney Stone

Kidney stones can be a painful and recurring issue that affects many individuals. At Apex Multispeciality Hospital, we specialize in providing cutting-edge treatment options to effectively manage and eliminate kidney stones, ensuring our patients receive the best care possible. One of the best multispeciality hospitals in Pune. we offer Retrograde advanced treatment Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS). In this blog, we’ll explore what RIRS entails, its benefits, the associated risks, and where to seek treatment, specifically at Apex Multispeciality Hospital.

What is RIRS?

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove kidney stones. Unlike traditional open surgery, RIRS is performed using a flexible ureteroscope, which allows the surgeon to access the kidney through the urethra, bladder, and ureter. This approach eliminates the need for external incisions, making the procedure less invasive and reducing recovery time

Symptoms of Kidney Stones:

Kidney stones can present with a variety of symptoms, including:

Severe Pain: Often described as one of the most intense pains, it can be felt in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin.

Hematuria: Blood in the urine, which can appear pink, red, or brown.

Nausea and Vomiting: Often accompanies the severe pain.

Frequent Urination: A persistent need to urinate, often with small amounts of urine.

Fever and Chills: If an infection is present along with the stones.

Causes of Kidney Stones:

Understanding the causes of kidney stones can help in preventing their formation. Some common causes include:

Dehydration: Inadequate water intake leads to concentrated urine, which increases the risk of stone formation.

Diet: High intake of oxalate-rich foods (like spinach and nuts), salt, and protein can contribute to kidney stone formation.

Genetics: A family history of kidney stones can increase your risk.

Medical Conditions: Kidney stones can be more likely in people with conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, gout, and urinary tract infections.

Obesity: Excess weight can alter the chemical balance in the urine, promoting stone formation.

Diagnosis of Kidney Stones:

Accurate diagnosis is the first step in effectively treating kidney stones. At Apex Multispeciality Hospital, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic methods to determine and evaluate the size, location, and composition of kidney stones. Our diagnostic process includes:

Medical History and Physical Examination: Understanding the patient’s signs, medical history, and any earlier events of kidney stones.

Imaging Tests: Utilization of ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, and MRI to imagine the stones and choose their size and position.

Urine Analysis: Testing the urine for crystals, infection, and blood to deliver insights into the underlying cause of stone formation.

Blood Tests: Checking for high levels of calcium, uric acid, and other imports that can lead to stone formation.

How to take care after RIRS surgery?

After RIRS surgery, self-care is essential to a quick and easy recovery. Here are a few crucial pointers:

Hydration: To help wash away any excess stone fragments and stop new stones from growing, drink a lot of water.

Medication: Follow your physician’s instructions about pain relief and any specified medicines to control infection.

Rest: Get sufficient rest to give your body the time it needs to

Diet: Maintain a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid foods high in oxalates and sodium which can contribute to stone formation.

Follow-up Appointments: Attend all of your scheduled follow-up appointments to track your progress and resolve any problems.

How Does RIRS Work?

Anesthesia: The process is usually performed under general anesthesia, provided the patient is comfortable and pain-free.

Accessing the Kidney: A flexible ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and navigated through the bladder and ureter to reach the kidney.

Locating the Stone: Once inside the kidney, the surgeon uses the ureteroscope to find the kidney stone.

Fragmenting the Stone: Specialized instruments, such as laser fibers or lithotripsy devices, are used to break the stone into smaller fragments.

Removing the Fragments: The stone fragments are removed using a basket-like device or allowed to pass naturally through the urinary tract.

Who is a good candidate for RIRS?

Kidney stones that are difficult to reach with other treatments.

Stones with a diameter of under two centimeters.

Medical conditions that make other types of surgery risky.

However, RIRS might not be appropriate for all patients, such as those with certain anatomical abnormalities or very large stones. A thorough evaluation by a urologist is necessary to determine the suitability of RIRS.

How to prepare for RIRS Surgery?

Being ready for the practice contributes to a smooth surgical outcome. Like any other process, RIRS operation needs preparation to maximize its significance and minimize its risk of complications. You will accept instructions from your physician to help you get ready for the procedure. The following is how to get ready for RIRS surgery:

Talk to the doctor in advance about the course of treatment. This will assist you in getting ready for what the process entails.

Tell the doctor about all of the medicines you use. Also, let your physician know ahead of the period if you have an anesthetic allergy.

Stop smoking a few weeks before the surgery because it may affect the procedure’s effectiveness.

Eight to nine hours before the procedure, avoid eating or swallowing anything as this could affect the anesthetic’s effects.

Advantages of RIRS:

It’s a daycare procedure

Early recovery and less post-operative pain.

less risk of bleeding than with open/laparoscopic and PCNL procedures.

Less chance of repeat procedures compared to ESWL.

Can be used for even larger stones with the advent of Thulium Laser.

This can be done in patients with high risk and on blood thinners

If you’re suffering from kidney stones, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apex Multispeciality Hospital Kalewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad is one of the best multispeciality hospitals in Pune. Our dedicated team is here to provide you with the best possible care and help you achieve a stone-free future.

Book An Appointment:

RIRS is a highly effective and minimally invasive treatment option for kidney stones, offering numerous benefits over traditional surgical methods. If you are suffering from kidney stones and are considering your treatment options, consult with a urologist at Apex Multispeciality Hospital to determine if RIRS is the right choice for you. With proper care and lifestyle adjustments, you can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence and enjoy a pain-free life.

[mindfulnutritionsblog]

Is Blood in Your Urine Always a Sign of Bladder Cancer? What You Need to Know

Seeing blood in your urine, also known as hematuria, can be alarming. It’s natural to worry that it might be a sign of a serious condition like bladder cancer. In India, bladder cancer is a significant health concern, with thousands of new cases reported each year. According to recent statistics, over 30,000 people in India are diagnosed with bladder cancer annually. While blood in urine can be a symptom of bladder cancer, it does not always mean you have it. Other conditions can also cause this symptom, making it important to understand the various possibilities and seek medical advice promptly. For accurate diagnosis and treatment, consulting with the best oncologists in India is crucial.

Interesting Facts :

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in India, affecting both men and women, though it is more prevalent in men. Research shows that smoking and exposure to certain chemicals are major risk factors. In India, many cases are detected at an advanced stage, which highlights the need for early detection and awareness. Regular health check-ups and timely consultation with doctors can significantly improve outcomes.

What Causes Blood in Urine?

Blood in the urine can be startling and frightening. It can be caused by various conditions, not just bladder cancer. Possible causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, and injuries. However, bladder cancer is a serious condition that should be considered if you notice blood in your urine, especially if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like frequent urination or pain.

What Should You Do If You Notice Blood in Your Urine?

If you notice blood in your urine, it's crucial to remain calm and take appropriate steps. First and foremost, consult a healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause. Blood in the urine can result from various conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or bladder issues, and not necessarily from cancer. A healthcare provider will perform necessary tests, such as urine analysis, cystoscopy, or imaging studies, to diagnose the issue accurately. While waiting for your appointment, you can follow some natural home remedies to support your overall urinary health.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and can ease symptoms of urinary tract infections, which are a common cause of blood in the urine.

Maintain a Healthy Diet: Include foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like fruits and vegetables, which may support bladder health. Cranberries, for example, are known for their benefits in preventing UTIs.

Avoid Irritants: Reduce or eliminate consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, which can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

Practice Good Hygiene: Proper hygiene helps prevent infections that could cause blood in the urine. Ensure you are cleansing the genital area gently and thoroughly.

Four Action Steps to Tackle Bladder Cancer:

If you observe blood in your urine, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately. 

Schedule an Appointment Promptly: As soon as you notice blood in your urine, contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment. This will allow for a timely evaluation of your symptoms and help identify the cause.

Undergo Diagnostic Tests: During your visit, your doctor will likely recommend diagnostic tests such as urine analysis, cystoscopy, or imaging scans. These tests are crucial for determining whether the blood in your urine is related to bladder cancer or another condition.

Discuss Symptoms and Medical History: Provide your healthcare provider with a detailed description of your symptoms, including when you first noticed the blood, any other accompanying symptoms, and your medical history. This information will help in diagnosing the issue accurately.

Follow Through with Recommended Treatments: Based on the results of the diagnostic tests, follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment. Early intervention is key to managing bladder cancer and other potential conditions effectively.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while blood in your urine can be a sign of bladder cancer, it is not always the case. Many other conditions can cause this symptom. In India, bladder cancer is a serious health issue, but with early detection and proper medical care, outcomes can be improved. If you notice blood in your urine, seek medical advice promptly. Consulting with the best doctors for bladder cancer treatment India can provide you with expert guidance and treatment options. Regular check-ups and being aware of your health are crucial steps in preventing and managing potential health issues.

FAQs:

1. What are the common causes of blood in urine besides bladder cancer?

Common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, bladder infections, and injuries.

2. How is bladder cancer diagnosed?

Bladder cancer is diagnosed through urine tests, cystoscopy, and imaging tests like CT scans.

3. Is blood in urine always a sign of cancer?

No, blood in urine can be due to several conditions. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

4. What should I do if I see blood in my urine?

Consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible for evaluation and diagnosis.

5. How can I reduce my risk of bladder cancer?

Avoid smoking, reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, and have regular health check-ups to monitor your health.

[sarvodhyahospital]

Nephrologist in Greater Noida West

Introduction

Finding the right healthcare professional can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to something as vital as kidney health. Nephrologists are specialists who deal with the complexities of kidney-related issues, from chronic kidney disease to kidney transplants. In Greater Noida West, there is a growing need for expert nephrology care, given the increasing prevalence of kidney conditions. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about finding the right nephrologist in Greater Noida West, ensuring you or your loved ones receive the best possible care.

Understanding Nephrology

What is Nephrology? Nephrology is a branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating kidney diseases. The kidneys are essential organs that filter waste products from the blood and regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. When the kidneys fail to function correctly, it can lead to severe health problems.

Common Kidney Diseases and Conditions Some of the most common conditions treated by nephrologists include Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), kidney stones, glomerulonephritis, and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). These conditions can lead to complications if not managed properly, making the role of a nephrologist crucial.

Why See a Nephrologist?

Early Symptoms of Kidney Problems Many kidney-related issues show few symptoms in the early stages. However, signs like swelling in the ankles, fatigue, difficulty urinating, or changes in urine color could indicate underlying kidney problems. Seeing a nephrologist at the first sign of trouble can help in early diagnosis and treatment, potentially preventing more severe complications.

Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment Kidney diseases can progress silently and cause significant damage before symptoms become apparent. Early diagnosis through regular check-ups and prompt treatment can slow down or even halt the progression of many kidney conditions.

Choosing the Right Nephrologist in Greater Noida West

Qualifications and Expertise When selecting a nephrologist, it's important to consider their qualifications and expertise. A qualified nephrologist will have specialized training in internal medicine and additional training in nephrology. Look for board-certified professionals who are recognized by medical boards in India.

Experience and Patient Reviews Experience is key when it comes to complex kidney issues. Nephrologists with years of practice have likely encountered a wide range of conditions and are better equipped to handle difficult cases. Patient reviews can also provide insight into the quality of care a nephrologist provides. Positive feedback from other patients is often a good indicator of the nephrologist's competence and bedside manner.

Top Nephrologists in Greater Noida West

Overview of Leading Nephrologists Greater Noida West is home to several renowned nephrologists who offer top-notch care. These specialists are associated with some of the best hospitals and clinics in the region, providing patients with access to advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options.

Clinics and Hospitals Offering Nephrology Services Some of the top healthcare facilities in Greater Noida West that provide nephrology services include [Hospital Name 1], [Hospital Name 2], and [Clinic Name 1]. These institutions are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by experienced nephrologists dedicated to patient care.

What to Expect During a Nephrology Consultation

Initial Consultation Process Your first visit to a nephrologist will likely involve a thorough review of your medical history and symptoms. The nephrologist will ask about any previous kidney-related issues, family history, and lifestyle factors that could impact your kidney health.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Depending on your symptoms, the nephrologist may recommend a series of diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, urine analysis, imaging studies, or a kidney biopsy. These tests help in determining the exact nature and extent of the kidney problem.

Treatment Planning Based on the results of your diagnostic tests, the nephrologist will create a personalized treatment plan. This may include medication, lifestyle changes, or more advanced treatments like dialysis or kidney transplant, depending on the severity of the condition.

Kidney Health Tips

Diet and Lifestyle Changes Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is crucial for kidney health. Limiting salt intake, staying hydrated, and avoiding excessive use of painkillers can help protect your kidneys. Incorporating foods rich in antioxidants, like berries and leafy greens, can also support kidney function.

Regular Screenings and Check-Ups Regular kidney function tests and screenings can help detect problems early. Individuals with risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease should schedule regular check-ups with a nephrologist.

Managing Chronic Kidney Disease For those diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), it's important to follow a treatment plan closely. This may involve managing underlying conditions, taking prescribed medications, and making necessary lifestyle adjustments.

Common Kidney Diseases

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) CKD is a long-term condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function. It's often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure and can lead to kidney failure if not managed properly.

Kidney Stones Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract. Nephrologists can help manage and prevent recurrent kidney stones through dietary recommendations and medication.

Glomerulonephritis Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney's filtering units, which can lead to kidney damage if untreated. Treatment typically involves medication to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) PKD is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to develop in the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure. Nephrologists play a key role in managing PKD and preventing complications.

Advanced Treatments in Nephrology

Dialysis Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with advanced kidney failure. It involves filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, both of which are managed by nephrologists.

Kidney Transplant For patients with end-stage kidney disease, a kidney transplant may be the best option. This surgical procedure involves replacing a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. Nephrologists work closely with transplant surgeons to manage pre- and post-transplant care.

Medication Management Managing medications is crucial for patients with kidney disease, as certain drugs can affect kidney function. Nephrologists carefully monitor and adjust medications to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

How to Prepare for Your Nephrology Appointment

Gathering Medical History Before your appointment, gather all relevant medical records, including previous test results, a list of medications, and any history of kidney-related issues. This information will help your nephrologist provide accurate and comprehensive care.

Important Questions to Ask Prepare a list of questions to ask your nephrologist during the appointment. This could include queries about your diagnosis, treatment options, and lifestyle changes that can improve your kidney health.

What to Bring to Your Appointment In addition to your medical records, bring a notepad to jot down important information, a list of current medications, and any referrals from your primary care physician.

Patient Success Stories

Testimonials from Patients in Greater Noida West Many patients in Greater Noida West have had positive experiences with nephrology care. These success stories highlight the impact of early diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support from dedicated nephrologists.

Real-Life Experiences with Nephrology Treatments From managing chronic kidney disease to recovering from a kidney transplant, patients have shared their journeys of overcoming kidney issues with the help of skilled nephrologists in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does a nephrologist do? A nephrologist specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney diseases, managing chronic kidney conditions, and overseeing treatments like dialysis and kidney transplants.

How often should I see a nephrologist? The frequency of visits depends on your kidney health. Patients with chronic kidney disease or those undergoing treatment may need to see a nephrologist more frequently, while others may only need annual check-ups.

Can kidney disease be prevented? While not all kidney diseases can be prevented, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and regular screenings can reduce your risk.

Is dialysis the only option for kidney failure? Dialysis is a common treatment for kidney failure, but a kidney transplant may also be an option for eligible patients. Nephrologists will help determine the best treatment plan based on your condition.

How can I maintain kidney health? Maintaining kidney health involves a balanced diet, regular exercise, staying hydrated, avoiding excessive use of painkillers, and getting regular check-ups, especially if you have risk factors for kidney disease.

Conclusion

Your kidneys are vital organs that deserve the best care. Whether you're experiencing early symptoms of kidney issues or managing a chronic condition, a qualified nephrologist in Greater Noida West can provide the expertise you need. By choosing the right specialist and following a proactive approach to kidney health, you can protect your kidneys and ensure they function optimally for years to come.

Call to Action

Don't wait until it's too late. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of kidney disease or have risk factors, book an appointment with a nephrologist in Greater Noida West today. Your health is worth it.