#(lung volume wise)

[apollosbirthdayplaylist]

緑黄色社会 (Ryokuoushoku Shakai) - sabotage

[enj4s]

VAMPIRE BOY, BITE ME IN THE MOONLIGHT! ᡣ𐭩 .

─── ˚୨୧⋆ PAIRINGS; subaru sakamaki, 𖥻SUBARU x fem! reader ｡˚ ⋆

─── ˚୨୧⋆ 𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙎; smut. swearing. fem!dom! reader. reader is mean, again. pegging. (lil) hair pulling. hickies. crying. toxic relationship. both are fucked in the head.

★ Author note 😆😆!!: Whoever requested ts excuse my dramatic ass, I LOVE drama as you can see. (sorry btw) enjoy 🤤‼️ yallyal request I got nun to do other than rot in my bed 💔

It was one of those days-

You were a patient and laid-back person, or so you and some people thought. But your anger issues have gone up the roof since you met the seven diabolic, unhinged brothers.

Their mothers and Karlheinz were just as bad, if not even worse. The Mukamis could not redeem themselves but they were bearable, especially Azusa who was just less annoying and irritating, or atleast didn't make you wanna dig your nails in your skin and clutch hard till it bleeds, like the others. You had an exception between the seven Sakamaki siblings as well, whom was Subaru.

Subaru was one helluva person to deal with. If not for Karlheinz introducing you to his past, you would've kept your first impression of him, which was he had rabies.

That boy was as layered and complicated as an onion, and trying to navigate through his mind and emotions was gonna drive you mad. One moment he's calling you a dense ass for dropping a pencil or getting bitten, and the other he's glancing at you all soft like a high school girl in love would.

You swore you have spent and used more brain cells on trying to see through him than you had on maths. He could be downright cruel at times, and even dismissed you so harshly that you favored the men-whore final boss (Laito) over him for some while, which didn't last long when he forced you so adorably in a 'relationship' with him or is what you thought, since he ordered you to resist if any of his brothers try to bite you. What else did it mean?

He would become absolutely feral when he got jealous. It was pretty easy to make him reach that point, but dangerous. He would start yelling at you and destroying everything around him in blind rage when he saw you talk to a male teacher or student or his brother's, going as far as attempting drain you of plasma. It was all too tiring and frustrating, you wanted nothing but quietness, to be left alone and ignored.

His delusion of you being his was so utterly nonsensical, but you went along with it for your safety and sanity, it was wise to sometimes give up and give in to his delusions, which he used as a control and power element. Resisting only meant to get bit to near death, where you'd start to see stars and lights that you thought only existed in cartoons, or, like these times, when he'd strangle you.

-where you'd snap.

"Shut the FUCK UP!" You'd yell at the top of your lungs, couldn't you even be strangled to death silently? His yammering of you being a betrayer was so damn irritating. Subaru jolted and flinched away form the volume of your voice, that look on your eyes, he backed up slightly, his grip on your throat weakened. In a swift movement, you dug your nails deep into his unhealthily pale wrists, shoving him away with every ounce of strength you had left.

Subaru stumbled backwards, catching himself quickly, his white boots stepping on a broken shard of glass from a vase that you bet was supposed to be cherished. You felt guilty for using one of his traumas against him to make him halt, stop. Yes, but did it save you from getting choked? Yes.

The anger was incredibly contagious, you bite your lip to hold back all the insults and traumas you could bring up, knowing that it would just bring you brutal death and a quick burial in dirt in the next hour, you shut your mouth, trying to find saliva to relieve your sore throat that was deeply in dire need of moisture.

The grip he had on your throat just now had been so tight you could've sworn he had actually meant to kill you for a second. Your breathing became labored. Your heartbeat was stubborn and didn't wanna settle down. Your eyes stared back at Subaru's with a mixture of tears and fury, you blink. Trying to help your eyes get used to the light again.

Both of you had your flaws and toxic traits, you suddenly found yourself on top of Subaru, a hard grip on his hair that matched his on your throat earlier, you wipe salty tears away, everything was a blur. You swore you couldn't remember a thing. You'd insult other people for not controlling their actions, yet you couldn't keep yours in check either.

"Sorry," You murmured against his pale skin, kissing alongside the hickies and bite marks you left on his neck. They looked painful. He was a vampire, so you didn't worry too much. They'd heal in an hour or two. You were still between his thighs, cum dripped down his hips and legs.

"You just piss me off sometimes...It's so childish when you start yammering and yelling, creating scenes when I talk to anyone," You watched his wine red eyes trail down in something like shame. His mouth was sewed shut, he was already embarrassed from moaning as loud as he yells. He was cuter when he was quiet, you note, and grin silently, propping yourself on your knees to thrust inside him again without warning, tearing a shriek from the albino beneath you, he drops his head down on the pillows, you were making him feel way too good, as rough as it was.

It almost seemed like you were still taking your anger out on him as you pounded inside him harshly. Subaru felt his stomach coil and he tightens, when you'd lean down to whisper sweet nothings in his ear that didn't match your humping.

“C-ca- ah! Can’t! Hah..” Subaru whined shakily, a sound he'd drop dead before making if he was in his right state of his mind. He hiccups and whimpers as he covered his face with his hands. “So full..hic- too much," His legs dangle like a rag doll's from your shoulders as you plundge inside him deeper and deeper with each delicious thrust.

You lean down with a sigh, catching Subaru's lips in a kiss, and grab at his long bangs, tugging hard to tilt his head upward, and swallow down the loud wail that was about to wrack from his body as he came, vibrating slightly and hips thrusting up pathetically in the air. His fangs poked at your lip a bit painfully as he tried to bite down his noises, now chasing after your lips and the little blood that threatened to spill.

Getting strangled or beat again later from a flustered Subaru wouldn't be surprising after wracking his shit, but it was worth it. You could only laugh as he emptily threatened to break your arm after this, complaining that he couldn't feel his legs and that you're a perv.

─── ˚୨୧⋆ @enj4s ♡ @un0rin ♡

don't repost or copy I know where u live 👁

[superstarz9]

So y’all fw Mr. Puzzles hcs?

Cause I got some :]

So canonically, based off the emerging movements he makes going from tv mode to ‘normal’ mode and the appearance of his arms/legs, there isn’t much of Puzzles that’s human anymore. The closest things he may have left is his heart and lungs (since he smokes, but that’s also a stretch).

While I prefer the idea thar he smokes, I like to think that he only holds the cigarette and pretends to smoke with a small smoke machine in the back, since the cig isn’t actually lit in the scene (not on purpose, of course).

As a kid, he was inspired to smoke from the old cigarette ads in cartoons (like the Flintstones Winston commercial).

He loves cooking shows and remaking the recipes, but he can’t eat. For a relationship hc (platonic or romantic), he’d probably love making food for you and get feedback on his cooking (eg, more spices, cook more/less, different recommendations). And compliments, of course. Always gotta compliment the chef, after all.

Body-wise (and this one might be kinda gross cause of minor body horror so skip if not comfortable), since we’ve established that there isn’t anything organic anymore about his body, he probably looks like a wire version of muscle anatomy. He’s very self-conscious about this, and tries to hide it the best of his abilities (long clothes, wrapping his arms to keep his shirt in place, the gloves). To add, his brain is probably a unique motherboard with wires surrounding it like a brain.

He sees and hears through the antennas, and makes sure to keep then aligned as much as possible. If one of them is slightly bent out of their usual shape, things look and sound very broken, like your vision going in and out. To add, the top dial changes the channel from his expressions to a specific show, and the lower dial adjusts his volume.

Technically canon but he has heterochromia! His right eye is dark brownish and his left is light blue. (He has homophobia in his eyes 😔 /j /ref)

We already know he stims lets bffr.

My friend’s hc: His angry/scary/humanoid face is parts of his original face, as well as the face that glitches during the movie’s end (I stg I know where that face is from. I wanna say Jack Stauber but I know it’s some kind of claymation. Speaking of Jack Stauber, Mr. Puzzles kinda gives Mirror Man vibes, y’know?).

Since he’s not as human anymore, he doesn’t get sick normally. However, he can get versions of illnesses through similar methods. He can overheat and power off on hot days, and he’s probably not great in rain. His signal also jams when it rains, so he’d constantly be bumping into stuff and wouldn’t be able to control the channels properly (I say control the channels cause idk what else to call it but that thing he does in the movie where he runs all the channels in his head and stuff. His head’s still a fully functional tv after all). If he’s shocked with lighting or smth, he’ll lose his signal, which is his equivalent of going into a coma.

Speaking of rain, he’ll try his best to be on top of the weather and carry an umbrella. However, if he doesn’t have actors for the weather channel and is preoccupied with other projects, he’ll be stuck at the studio waiting out the storm. Relationship hcs for this can be rlly funny. You’d catch him all bitter about the sudden rain as he stands by the door waiting for a cab or smth. If you pull out an umbrella, he’s turn into an absolute drama queen. “Oh, it’s such a TRAVESTY! This HORRIBLE rain just WON’T lighten up! Oh, if only there was someone so kind and caring who’d share their umbrella with me!” You could a) not share the umbrella and receive an even more bitter Puzzles, b) insist on holding the umbrella and have him walk with you awkwardly, or c) give him the umbrella but he holds it so high that you still get wet.

Despite his hatred for the rain, it’s one of the few things he can still enjoy about his humanity. Being a bunch of wires and other tech, he can’t feel anything, just being numb, minus a light electrical pulse, similar to a heart beat. He can’t feel specific textures but can grab and roughly identify objects. However, he can feel the rain and how different it is from other things, and it reconnects him with the real world. For any Steven Universe fans, it’s like Peridot stepping out into the rain for the first time, but more somber.

If he’s out in the rain one day, he’s sick the next. When he sneezes, his screen goes static-y for the moment.

When he sleeps, he has a black screen with the small “sleep mode” pop-up in the corner. He’s also a very light sleeper.

When he zones out, it’s the Puzzlevision logo bouncing across the screen as a screen-saver.

Aight that’s all I got right now. If this does well I’ll post some more!

[exquisiteserotonin]

Precious Possessions

Next Chapter

The day is here! The one I hope some of you have been waiting for, the first chapter of my first Dave York fic. I hope you love it as much as I love writing it!

Series Summary: Defense intelligence conferences are always the same informative but also always boring. You didn't expect anything different for this one, but an unexpected meeting with a man named Dave York, changes the trajectory of your conference experience and maybe even more.

Rating/Warnings: This chapter is MA, no smut yet, build up and tension are the name of the game

Word Count: 3.5K

A/N: Also used this song for a little bit of inspiration -

Chapter 1: When He Sees Me

“If you have any more questions or comments, I’ve got my official contact information here,” you spoke clearly as you pointed to the screen behind you, “thank you for your time.”

You shouldn’t have been surprised with the number of attendees at your breakout session. The use of AI in defense intelligence continued to be the hot topic in the intelligence community especially for this year’s conference. You hadn’t spent years of nearly sleepless nights and exhausting mornings with development and research to not be considered one of the foremost experts on the subject.

Professionalism and a line of people eager to speak with you prevented you from leaving when you wanted. You scanned the room full of individuals in stuffy business suits and some in even stuffier medal-decorated uniforms. If you didn’t hold your breath, you’d pass out from the stench of testosterone-fueled arrogance.

“So when I think about AI, the pattern analysis and the information clusters---I kind of get how it makes our jobs easier, in theory,” you heard a voice laden with contemplation but also with condescension say.

You were crouched on the ground packing up your laptop, power cord, and briefcase eager to leave. You stretched your fingers and then closed them into tight fists before opening them again. Tension filled your shoulders, chest, and back as you zipped your briefcase. You took a deep, cooling breath through your nose, holding it in and letting it expand in your lungs until swirling notes of calm slowly began to circulate within you.

“But?” You looked up, slowly releasing the calming air from your lips. When you stood up, you were taken aback by the sight of a roguishly handsome man.

He stood before you, both hands on his hips in a posture that aimed to imbue you with intimidation at his authority. You held his brown-eyed stare with your own, always looking for an excuse to use your well-honed observation skills. He wore a well-fitting, but simultaneously well-used navy blue suit, worn just enough that you assumed he reserved it especially for conferences. You concluded that he be must upper-level management with a defense contractor, but more likely a high-level manager at an intelligence agency.

“I think AI’s shortcoming is its innate lack of understanding of human behavior,” he stated with a shrug. “A lack of human perception means you can’t analyze and decipher intent and it can’t interpret how we make decisions based on feeling, based on interpersonal communication.”

“You assume that this is a problem that’s not being taken into consideration,” the urge to defend your work was palpating in your veins. “More funding and support is needed for human analysts; how else do you think innovation would move forward?”

He took his right hand and rubbed the side of his face, while smoothing the side of his brown hair. His expression was full of collected calm paired with a confidence that you somehow suspected was well-earned. That pissed you off the most. He clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth and lips curled up into a smirk, revealing a dimple on his right cheek on his clean-shaven face.

“Hmm,” he murmured, keeping his eyes on you like it was a challenge he had to win, “your misplaced hostility speaks volumes.”

A tightness grew in your shoulders and rose to your neck from the nerve of his words. You clenched your jaw, your tongue pressing tightly at the roof of your mouth behind your teeth.

“But not quite as loud as your misogyny,” the words left your mouth before you could stop yourself. “Enjoy the rest of the conference.”

You glided away, disallowing him the chance to introduce or explain himself. You shook hands with attendees while giving away dazzling smiles as you made your escape. It was easy to weave through the crowd, as most people found ways to linger and speak to good friends and long-lost acquaintances. That was just how international conferences worked.

Fortune was in your favor as you found solace in an elevator. You backed yourself into one of the corners, continuing to people watch as more conference-attendees entered. You noted a man in his mid-to-late 50s, his graying blonde hair cut close to his head and his blue uniform filled with rows of medals and insignias. He was followed by a couple, who appeared to be trying their hardest to hide their intimacy with each other through closed-off, professional postures. But you knew better. The way they looked at each other screamed at you that they used this annual conference to conduct their long-standing affair.

A groan nearly escaped you, when you saw the same man who approached you after your presentation. His eyes were alight with intense determination and his brows knitted towards each other, creasing the space just above his nose. A tight intensity settled over your chest and neck as you backed yourself further into your corner of the elevator. The unremitting concentration that inhabited his eyes gave you the distinct feeling of being hunted. You tried as fast as you could to avert your eyes away from him. The dimple that revealed itself in the errant grin he gave you when his eyes met yours told you that you failed. 

You made every attempt to affect disinterest, placing hyper focus on your phone, examining the cuticles of every single one of your nails, even staring at the floor. You barely paid attention as the people you shared the elevator with exit at their floor. Not even the surreptitious couple, who you assumed left the elevator at the same time. Inevitably, the handsome and arrogant stranger was the only one who remained.

“I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot,” you heard him say.

“Hm?” You could feel your brow beginning to furrow as your attitude fought against your level-headedness to gain control. “I’m sorry?”

“You called me a misogynist,” Dave reminded you with a smirk, speaking of it as a badge he wore with honor.

“Oh yes, that’s right,” you sighed the sarcasm dripping from every word, “and I’m hostile.”

“No,” the voice he spoke with was calculating and unmoving, “I said you had hostility, and you took it upon yourself to assume that I was a misogynist.”

“Semantics,” you said your voice was quick like it was jumping from a trap.

“I’m not the kind of man stupid enough to belittle someone’s life’s work,” he raised his hands up as if he was conceding to you, “especially when she’s clearly brilliant.”

You narrowed your eyes at him as he spoke those words, trying to decipher if there was some kind of hidden meaning or intent behind them. There was an air about him that commanded your attention. Perhaps it was the dichotomy that he seemed to present the further you observed him. He was competent yet personable, casual yet professional, and guarded but disarming. You worked through these thoughts in your mind as the whirring of the elevator took over as it continued upward.

“Well, at least you’re smart enough to know when you’ve made a mistake,” you said with a nod of your head.

“Are you going to the networking social?”

You weren’t certain if he was simply curious or was inviting you.

“Oh god no,” you were quick to answer with a loud groan, almost too loud, “that’s just not my thing.”

The handsome stranger shrugged, “They’re usually filled with self-righteous assholes, anyway.”

The accuracy and the irony of his statement bubbled up laughter from your belly. A feeling made of confusion, guilt, and absurdity came over you as you felt yourself beginning to let your guard down. He wasn’t supposed to apologize. He wasn’t supposed to be interesting or intriguing. He should have just been a one-dimensional, arrogant asshole.

“Well,” you spoke, an unexpected grin forming on your lips, “looks like we might actually be on the same page this time.”

He held his hand out and offered you a smile full of purpose. “I’m Dave, Dave York, D.I.A.”

The immediacy with which you gave him your name surprised you. As he shook your hand you noted a slight awkwardness to his grip, though you could tell he was making every effort to give you a strong handshake. The skin on the inside of his palm and his fingertips were slightly weathered with scar tissue. You noticed the cold feeling of metal on his left-hand ring finger and took note of the wedding ring, trying not to frown. A corner of your brain wondered about the stories that could be found in the lines of those weathered hands.

“Hmm, D.I.A.,” you murmur to yourself. “Was following me to the elevator just your creepy way of getting me to talk shop with you?”

“You think I’d be that obvious?” His voice lowered an octave when he turned to face you and a chill tingled all over you.

“Well I don’t know you,” you replied with a shrug, “but I’d say if you were, you’d be pretty shitty at your job.”

“You’ve got a mouth on you don’t you, firefly,” he said, his brow lowering as he took one step toward you.

His hands tightened on his hips as he stepped toward you and he squared his shoulders behind him. Your brain took stock of each movement, at each attempt to make himself seem bigger and you seem smaller. A wicked little laugh brewed inside your abdomen as you accepted his challenge, moving one inch forward. You were close enough to breathe in his scent and your gaze moved from his neck, up to his lips and then to his eyes. 

“When you’re a woman in the IC, you’ve got to find ways to adapt; it’s nothing personal.”

An unremorseful apology. 

The elevator bell rang out with a loud ding.

“This is my stop,” holding your gaze to him, neither of you moved

“Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime this week.”  

“Maybe,” you agreed with the tilt of your head, that felt almost too flirty to you. “Enjoy the rest of your conference.

“You too,” he affirmed as he pulled his phone from his pocket, quickly becoming engrossed by a text message that you suspected was from his spouse.

Slight disappointment set in that you could not continue the conversation, but your exhaustion was quickly winning out. Your eyelids and muscles felt heavy as they screamed louder for rest. You ambled to your room and as you opened the door you immediately kicked off your high heels and shook your arms out of your blazer, tossing it on the bed. You walked back to the bathroom and reached into the shower, turning the dial towards hot. Mindlessly, you began unbuttoning your light coral blouse when you heard a knock at your room door. An audible sigh of frustration left you as you quickly turned the water off.

Who could possibly have any reason to bother me right now, you thought to yourself, using the peephole to look outside.

“Hey, it’s me,” you saw and heard your coworker from the other side of the door, “Brad.”

You took a deep breath, making your annoyance before opening the door.

“Hi, Brad,” you greeted tentatively, “everything OK?” 

“Oh yeah, everything is fine,” he replied with a grin that was too perfectly and polished. “Heard you did a good job on your presentation.”

“Heard?” You said with a raised brow.

“That’s the word from all the guys I’ve run into who attended,” he explained leaning against your doorway. “They were really impressed with you.”

A wave of exhaustion immediately took over your shoulders and you stepped back. You felt inconvenienced and nearly disgusted as you observed Brad’s eyes meet yours but travel down the length of your body. Every word that left him wrapped you in disgust.  The perfection that he displayed reeked of privilege. He was the typical aging former college frat boy and it did nothing for you. The entitlement he wore on his shoulders might as well have been a flashing, neon sign shouting out that he could get away with anything. 

“That’s cool,” you say quickly, inching closer and closer to shutting the door. “Well, I’m going to finish up some reports and turn in; I am beat.”

“What?” he stared back at you in confusion. “It’s not even 6 yet, and happy hour’s just started.”

“And you are much better at rubbing shoulders with the bigwigs, B,” you compliment hoping it would make him leave faster. “Work that magic of yours. Happy-hour it and let me know how it goes?”

You shut the door quickly hoping that you left him dumbfounded.

With him gone you were able to return to all the things you planned to bring you relaxation. You returned to the shower, the water warming quickly. The warmth of the water encompassed you, easing the tension of your neck, shoulders, and back muscles. You stepped out, wrapping yourself in a towel. The next hours were perfectly mundane. You wrapped yourself in a hotel robe, had a light dinner, read for fun, and basked in your nightly skincare routine. Before you knew it you had fallen asleep in your bathrobe with the tv on.

You woke up with a start, your brain hazy with confusion. Rolling over, you were greeted with the bright light of the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand. 12:12 AM. You weren’t even sure what time you had fallen asleep. You nestled yourself back into the bed, trying to will the white noise of the air conditioner and soft fullness of the down comforter to lull you back to sleep. Instead, you found yourself tossing and turning and very much awake.

With frustration, you pull on a pair of high-waisted sweatpants and a yellow tank top, layering your navy-blue blazer over it to appear at least halfway decent. You took one last look at yourself in the mirror, brushing fingers through your hair before securing it into a messy French twist with one of your hair clips. A puff of air left from your lips as you chuckled at yourself.

Don’t be ridiculous, you thought to yourself. You’re not trying to impress anybody.

The silence of the empty halls amplified the echo of your light footsteps towards the elevator. You waited patiently, with arms crossed until you found yourself on the ground level of the hotel. Relief washed over you when you noticed that the hotel bar was less busy than you expected. The bartender attended to you quickly filling your order of a whiskey, allowing you to find a quiet corner booth to enjoy your drink.  The bar was open to the lobby and allowed you to people watch as you took slow sips of your drink. You glanced at your watch.

12:57 am. No one interesting is going to walk through those doors at this hour.

You took another sip of your drink, letting the smokiness coat your lips, tongue, and the back of your throat with sweet burn before you looked up again, noticing a familiar, handsome face walk through the lobby doors. Dave. He was rubbing his hands from the cold December air and his brown hair was covered in a dark gray beanie. You kept your eyes on him, thinking he wouldn’t notice until he locked eyes with you and raised his right arm with a wave. He stopped, shuffling his feet beneath him with indecision until he began to walk towards the bar, towards you.

“We meet again,” you greeted, gesturing for him to take a seat across from you. “Back late, I see.”

“Ah, yeah,” he acknowledged his arrival as though it were an afterthought, “sometimes you get caught up with colleagues and you just don’t have a choice.”

“True,” you agreed, “I get it.”

“What about you?” He inquired, pointing towards your drink. “You’re up late.”

“Oh, yeah, I couldn’t sleep,” you admitted, taking another sip of it, “that’s why I look like this.”

You waved your hands towards yourself, trying to emphasize how completely unimpressive your appearance was. A chill overcame you as his expression changed, his brow furrowing almost scornfully.

“I don’t know about that,” his eyes reading every inch of you from your head all the way down to your toes, “you look…good.”

Goosebumps tiptoed up and down your arms, like little finger tips tapping and teasing you. You unconsciously crossed and uncrossed your legs, feeling the fabric of your underwear rub against you, your entrance welling with your own sweet dew. Your eyes took a split-second glimpse of his wedding ring. Against your better judgment, you allowed yourself to smile at his compliment. You traced the rim of your whiskey-filled lowball glass, thinking how to respond.

“Congratulations, you have eyes,” you quipped, coaxing a low, growling laugh from him before you continued. “So, I couldn’t sleep, and I came down here to people watch.”

He leaned forward at your comment, his brown eyes round and wide as he raised his eyebrows with interest. His shoulders loosened and his newly relaxed demeanor invited more conversation.

“You like that?” He asked, his brows raised with curiosity. “People watching, I mean.”

The double entendre that left his pouted lips electrified you, feeling his electricity unexpectedly flick at your nipples and then at your core. The dim lighting of the hotel bar, the light jazz music playing over the speakers, and your hushed voices amplified the mysterious ambience around you. All of it together seemed so perfect that you couldn’t help following his lead, so you leaned in closer. Even in a beanie and wearing a thick jacket, you found him nearly irresistible.

“It’s a favorite pastime of mine,” you answered, keeping your eyes on him, “I like to think about people’s stories, people’s personal stories.”

“Is that why you were looking at me, observing me?” His tone dipped in a thin layer of accusation coupled with intense interest. “Trying to figure out my story?”

You stare back at him with a deep breath, wondering why you kept engaging when you knew you should stop.

“I’m not surprised you noticed,” you stated nonchalantly, “as unsurprised as you probably are about me wondering about your wedding ring.”

He strained his left hand open and closed, looking at his own ring as though it was a triviality. To your surprise, he leaned toward you even more, like a challenge.

“You know there’s a lot more to people’s stories than what you can piece together from a fleeting observation,” as he spoke, it felt like his charisma was vibrating off him and floating towards you. “Life, relationships are messy, complicated.”

 You read the unspoken words that uttered from the moves of his body. One hand resting open in the empty space between you in the booth. The fingers of his other hand rubbing at his chin and lips, which curled into an enticing smile. These movements and these words lingered in your brain, until you understood that they were filled with intrigue and desire. You breathed them in and mirrored them.

“So what about your story Dave,” you inquired, leaning in but making sure you kept your eyes to his, “your life, your relationship?”

You found yourself involuntarily licking your lips. The whiskey along with the heat of embarrassment flushed your cheeks and neck. It had you finally admitting to yourself that this man was really fucking attractive. He tilted his head towards you, smiled, and damn near melted you as he traced the bottom of his pouty lips with his thumb. Your eyes tracing every move of his immense, sinewy hands, as he checked the time on his gold watch.

1:47 AM.

“It’s too late right now to tell you that,” he teased, drawing a slight huff of frustration from you, “Ask me tomorrow night, here at the bar. 7:30.”

“How presumptuous of you to assume I’d be available,” you said, tipping your whiskey towards him, impressed by his ability to avoid answering a hard question.  

 “Oh firefly, you’re not the only one who’s good at reading people,” the words left his lips luring you and trapping you like a vice. “Nothing about this tells me you’ll say no.”

Dave gestured at the narrow space between you, his hand almost cutting through the warm air like a sharp blade. The innuendo of his words threatened to set you ablaze. You took another sip of whiskey, allowing it to warm and loosen your muscles, allowing it to calm you.

“Well then,” you willed yourself to hold your tongue lightly against your lips before breathing out the last word, “tomorrow.”

With a nod of confirmation, he stood up and swaggered towards the elevators. An audible gasp that had been saving itself in your lungs escaped you when you knew for sure that he was gone. You chased it with a final gulp of your whiskey, feeling its exquisite burn as it moved through you. Leaving a tip on the table, you stood up and made your way towards the elevator.

Tomorrow night. Your brain spoke to you again.

At that moment the elevator doors opened, and you entered. You returned to your room, discarding your blazer and sweat pants, before plopping into bed. You grabbed the fluffy comforter up to your chin, inviting in and surrendering to sleep.

[curufiin]

Favourites

After confronting Finrod about his indecency, Curufin finds himself seeking the comfort of Celegorm. However, he struggles to find the pity he is chasing.

gen / 1.6k / referenced celegorome and finrod/beör / curufin is a little racist lol just a headsup

Based on this fic. Also on AO3

In the dim halls, lit with crystal lamps and candle flames, Curufin’s footsteps echoed and built to an uncomfortable volume. Each tap of his soles against the stone floor were like the slamming of doors, and every breath he drew felt heavy, his lungs constricted by the cage that was his own ribs.

His chest ached. He wandered with no real aim, other than to ignore how desperately he wanted to rip open his own flesh, pull out his heart, and cast it to the ground.

Someone who was once dear to my heart. And who no longer counts among the living.

His mind repeated that line, over and over and over, and Curufin was almost convinced that it has been permanently etched into the very folds of his brain. Who did that filthy Secondborn think they were, to think they were even worthy of Finrod’s approval? Why would Findaráto Ingoldo, most fair and wise of their lineage, even think such profane union to be appropriate? Was his own decency truly worth this little?

Curufin swallowed a mouthful of self pity. A Secondborn, who Finrod held dearer to his heart than a prince of the Noldor. A Secondborn, who could better please Finrod than he, who Finrod loved more than he. For everything he had done, everything he had sacrificed for Finrod, none of it mattered.

As he stumbled towards Celegorm’s door, Curufin found himself gasping for breath.

The door swung open, and the sight of Celegorm lazing on his bed with not a care in the world no longer roused even annoyance from Curufin. In fact, he envied him to some extent— even if it was an utter embarrassment for the once third prince of the Noldor, Curufin would still give a lot to not be troubled by petty jealousies and outdoing competitors that were long since dead.

“I thought I asked you to knock,” Celegorm complained.

Curufin ignored him. He kicked off his shoes, and threw himself onto the bed with little more than a grunt.

For all the effort his brother put into keeping up his pristine image of an unfaltering will, endless devotion to their late father, and a tenacity that would scare most commoners, Celegorm found his little brother pitifully easy to read. He always had obvious tells, even if he was quick to deny them: furrowed brows, the subtle twitch of his eyes, how his frown was ever so slightly more pronounced than usual. And whereas Curufin loved to boast about his achievements, he had an unusual loathing for speaking of his troubles.

Celegorm sighed, and tried again. “What’s the matter now? Love trouble again? Or has Celebrimbor questioned the Oath and-“

“Have you taken anyone else to bed beside me?”

Stunned silence grew between them, and Celegorm found himself filled with a strange sense of unease. Curufin was never the direct type, no. He preferred to prod away with vague questions, slowly easing the conversation in the direction he wanted until whatever answer he chased could be gathered without ever needing to reveal what he wanted to ask or why.

Still, he was not keen to reveal his concern, real as it was. Since their father’s passing, each time he would try to comfort his brother, Curufin would push back, whether it be needless hostility or bottling up his emotions. No matter how he tried to approach, directly or indirectly, with sympathy or irritation, it always ended the same: Curufin would become more upset, and Celegorm would end up almost snapping at him.

“Yeah,” Celegorm replied with feigned nonchalance. He had never been one to hide his various affairs, and it was not as if his brother did not know that; Curufin made it painfully clear on several occasions, with harsh reprimands and even multiple accounts of ignoring or chastising his advances, that he disapproved. “And you know that I have. Why are you asking?”

“Because,” his brother said, curling beneath the blanket. Celegorm raised his eyebrows.

In his mind, he ran through the list of things that his brother often got upset about. Finrod not giving him the attention he so often demanded, him not giving his brother the attention he equally often demanded, him feeling inadequate due to some new nonsensical thing that his mind had decided about himself, or some combination of the three. Seeing that lately, Curufin had decided he would rather leave him to his own vicious mind in pursuit of Finrod’s oh-so-glorious hole, Celegorm decided the most likely options were the first and the third.

“Because?” He prodded further, and was again met with silence from the other.

Long had he grown used to their little game now. Curufin would make it much too obvious that he was upset, Celegorm would investigate, and Curufin would evade. But as with all games, they would eventually end, and he had no doubt that eventually, Curufin would tire and reveal his intentions. All he needed was patience.

“Hold me,” his brother commanded, and Celegorm wordlessly obeyed. He pulled Curufin into an embrace, from behind as he always preferred, hands wrapping around his waist and his chin nestling between Curufin’s neck and shoulders. Naught was spoken between them for a long while, and with Curufin’s motionless form, he had almost thought that his brother had fallen asleep.

“Felagund laid with a Secondcomer,” Curufin said abruptly.

This cannot be what Curufin is upset about, Celegorm thought. It was the Secondcomers’ nature to be but a fleeting presence upon Arda, forgotten as quickly as they had come. And Finrod had his fair share of past lovers as well: a dalliance here, a tryst there. A doomed romance with Amarië, rumors of some intrigue with Turgon, and now the new lapdog of his brother. Adding a Man to the mix did not seem that strange. “Oh?”

“It’s strange. Improper.” In his arms, Curufin squirmed, sighing forcefully. “He is a lord, the first heir of his father’s house. He should not be indulging in such irreverent relationships, especially not with one not of his kind.”

Discomfort gripped Celegorm’s chest, his heart contorting within his chest as he pondered his brother’s strange declarations. It was painfully obvious, with Curufin’s similar remarks towards his own past relationships, that this was about more than simply what is appropriate for a relationship. His brother’s reactions were uncannily alike when he first discovered the night he and Oromë shared— the waspish attitude, his irritatingly pious words, his sulking. Even a fool could smell the foul odor of jealousy that reeked from Curufin’s mouth.

Celegorm hummed. “You seem strangely concerned with relationships that don’t involve you.”

“Tyelkormo.” Curufin’s tone darkened, but it did nothing to deter him.

“Is it truly as improper as you claim, brother?” He held back a chuckle. “I’ve laid with Lord Oromë, as you know. He seemed to take no issue with our dissimilarities. If the High Powers deem no inappropriateness between the relation of Vala and Elf, then what issue do you see with our dear cousin and his Man pet?”

Silence filled the room, and Celegorm was certain if he could see his brother’s face, he would find a storm brewing in those dark eyes. Even at a young age, Curufin oft complained of the hours he spent by his lonesome, not due to a lack of friendships, reluctant as he was to form new connections. Instead, he spoke of not being prioritized, of being chosen because there were no better options. He lamented days gone by where Finrod would not spend agonizingly long hours with Turgon, bemoaned the crafting of the Silmarils in private despite the prideful mask he wore.

Reflexively, Curufin tore himself away from Celegorm’s arms, sitting up in the bed with his back still turned against the other.

“Where are you going?” Celegorm asked.

“To bed.”

Despite all efforts to seem indifferent, his brother’s snappy response betrayed his true feelings. And really, Celegorm had to commend him for trying this hard to pretend he did not care. “Because you don’t like the answer I gave you?” He smirked, even if Curufin would not see it.

Curufin scowled, and remained silent.

“Oh, lighten up, brother,” with a sigh, Celegorm rolled onto his back. “It’s not as if being Findaráto’s secomd favorite darling is really an issue. The Man’s dead, you’re not. I don’t see what you’re griping about.”

“No, of course you don’t.” The other’s voice had dropped to barely above a sorrowful murmur as he stood, gazing intently at the door. “How can you understand, when you are the object of a Vala’s affection? When he showers gifts upon you, lathers praise upon you like honey, when in his eyes, you are more perfect than the very world he’s built?”

Celegorm, for what felt like the first time in his life, was left grasping for words, opening his mouth to protest before closing it again. “No I’m not-“

“Don’t you deny it.” Every word that shot out of his mouth was like an accusation, and as Curufin finally turned to face him, he could finally see the tempest that had brewed in the other’s eyes. “You’re Oromë’s special little plaything, aren’t you? I’ve seen how he looks at you, I’ve seen how his hands linger too long at your sides, Tyelkormo. He loved you. He loved you like you were Arda itself.” As he spoke, he blinked angrily, trying to will away the growing dampness in his eyes and ignore the ache that gripped his chest, how his throat threatened to close up with every second that passed.

“I wish I had it as good as you do,” he continued, barely able to choke down a sob that rattled his whole body. “I wish I was something. Anything.”

Before he could continue, he broke into tears, overwhelmed by the torrent of rage and despair that consumed him like an avalanche. “Forget it,” he said, turning then and rushing to the door without another word, and ran, leaving Celegorm to only the echoes of his sobs.

Curufin collapsed onto his bed, and he wept.

[theatregirl1]

patient positioning in the operating theatre ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

aims to:

maintain patient's airway, circulation, and prevent nerve damage

expose the operating site

keep the patient safe + secure

consider:

length of surgery

surgeon's preference (ask!)

anesthetist's preference (ask!)

risk factors for patient (age, weight, skin issues, current injuries/conditions)

Patient dignity (cover patient with sheet where possible, especially when theatre doors are open; avoid violating privacy unnecessarily)

nursing responsibilities

safe transfer from theatre table to bed (four people minimum, six+ people if patient is >100kg); use hovermat if patient >100kg, otherwise flexislide or slidesheet and sliding board)

use padding to protect sensitive areas (where plastic + metal are touching patient's skin)

use aids to maintain patient position

positions

supine

patient on back with legs extended straight, arms on arm boards (usually extended at 90 degrees and strapped) or tucked into the sides (usually secured using a soft pad/fabric tucked underneath the patient's torso)

spine / hips / head aligned

the back of the head, arms and heels are padded

variation - trendelenburg

bed is tilted "head-down" (head is lower than pelvis)

usually strap used above knees to secure patient

used for procedures requiring exposure of the lower abdomen, uterus and/or pelvic area

can cause organ pressure against the diaphragm (decreased lung volume) and heart

variation - reverse trendelenburg

opposite of trendelenburg (head higher than feet)

usually strap used above the knees and a foot plate at the patients feet

used for head/neck procedures

decreases blood supply to head/neck area

variation - sitting / lawn chair / beach chair / fowler's

patient is anesthetized in supine position

foot of bed is lowered to flex the knees and the head/torso part is raised up

foot plate is used again

patients arms are crossed over their body

pillow/wedge is sometimes used to flex the knees instead of altering the lower bed

used for cranial procedures (head fixed with head rest), shoulder procedures (often using a spider) + breast reductions

prone

often anesthetized supine on their bed before flipping patient onto table face-down

padding rolls placed length-wise along sides of chest and abdomen with a gap between to relieve pressure off chest + abdomen

arms are at sides or above head

head is face-down on sponge with t-shaped hole for nose and mouth or facing to the side

pillow placed under ankles + sometimes under knees

strap placed above knees

used in spinal + anorectal procedures

variation - jackknife

patient in prone is inverted into a "V" position

bed is flexed at 90 degrees, hips rise above rest of body

used in gluteal + anorectal procedures

lithotomy

patient is in supine position, legs are raised + abducted + placed in stirrups

patients bottom lines up with break in table

lift legs at same time (2 people) to prevent injury, stirrups should mirror each other

ask anesthetist before moving legs

foot plate + bottom end of table are removed or lowered

variations - high lithotomy (legs at 90 degrees) + low lithotomy (legs at 45 degrees or lower)

used for vaginal + anal procedures

pay attention to leg position in stirrups and how far knees are from the start of the stirrups

[yurigalactica]

would you mayhaps infodump about LC! lyrics? 👀👀 /nf

(I saw you on the anon game and am incredibly interested)

OOOOOOOOOH YESYESYESYES I WOULD LOVE TO INFODUMP ABOUT LOS CAMP LYRICS

okay okay so first of all. this band is so good. they have so many banger ass songs and that cannot be denied. HOWEVER in my heart To Tundra will always reign supreme. like holy shit. it's got lyrics like "meet me at st. nicholas among the oaks, behind the church that sway like pig-tailed girls as summer wind whistles around your bare-skin knees and the forsythia leaves" and "we take on the burden of all these sad-eyed children with lilies bunched in our hands" like. those lyrics are so visceral and potent they literally leave me with my mouth hanging wide open after i hear them. oh my GOD that song is magical

some of my other favorite songs lyrically is OBVIOUSLY tiptoe through the true bits. that's the song that whenever i hear it i have to stop literally everything i'm doing, turn up the volume as loud as it will go, close my eyes and just absorb the Vibes. it's so gorgeous AHHHHHH. the bit that makes my heart go !!!!!! is the part where it goes "the bed-spread decked in suns and moons and symbols of the star-signs, how you read how mine applied to how I would be sex-wise." like that paired with the little guitar picking up in the back and the drums kicking in are SO GOOD AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AND. IN MEDIA RES. that song changed my life genuinely. like WOW. the whole vibe of it, especially the end when the trumpets (i think they're trumpets at least) kick in and gareth goes "if you were given the option of dying painlessly in peace at 45 with a lover at your side, after a full and happy life, is this something that would interest you? would this interest you at all?" like WOW what an existential crisis moment while you feel like you're running through a rainy field. man that hits yknow

ALSO i am emotionally attached to Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #4. i dont know why but the first time i ever heard it my brain latched its claws onto it and now it wont fucking let go. so whenever i hear the guitar at the beginning i am Legally Obligated to belt out at the top of my lungs "I RESTORED YOUR MOTHER'S FAITH IN MEN WHILST BORING YOU TO DEATH LEFT NOTHING MORE THAN A CIRCLE OF STUBBLE RASH AROUND YOUR CHEST--"

AND!!!!!!!!! for flotsam also has a very special place in my heart. i love the lyrics in that one, particularly "summer of odd-numbered year" like. MY GUYS YOU ARE SO CREATIVE???? all of your football metaphors to describe your boredom and emotions. like i don't watch football but you go guys i think its so kickass. i love you los campesinos. also the bit where they go "flotsam, jetsam, and spindrift, all the girls i have loved, dumped to earth by a spendthrift, gilt angels from above" with the "aaaahhh" in the back and the very faint piano in the background that i can only hear when i'm listening to it with my gaming headphones on bc my gaming headphones have really good mid range. just AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

AND WHAT DEATH LEAVES BEHIND TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 fun little fact this was the first song that i listened to when i first decided to listen to their discography all the way through. and let's just say that was a VERY good start because i was very impressed right off the bat. like "i was the first match struck at the first cremation, you are my shallow grave, I'll tend you as a sexton, if you're the casket door that's being slammed upon me, i'll be a plague cross painted on your naked body" LIKE HOLY SHIT. THATS SO EVOCATIVE. HOW DO YOU USE SO MANY METAPHORS AND BIG WORDS. THEYRE SO GOOD AT WORDS. i love listening to this one because it is so lyrically complex and yet it all goes together so well auuugghhhhhhhh

also since i started university recently, hung empty rings very near and dear to my heart. like the bit in the bridge that goes "my vision is fading, it's blurry, there are fingerprints all over the sun, we're glad to be loved but we're lonely and we feel like we're the only ones." like. that's the experience of moving out right there!!! i don't know where the fuck i am and i'm so lonely but it feels so bright and new and cinematic. this song Gets me on the most fundemental level it feels so very College-Esque

ALSOOOOOOO she crows!!!!!!!!!!!11 i LOVE she crows. someone inject this song into my veins Right This Fucking Instant. i need to live and breathe this song right now. just the instrumentals combined with the anthemic feel of the song really seals the feeling of looking back on your life and all of your mistakes and acknowledging that all of them brought you to where you are now. especially the end bit, i don't know why, but when it goes "big tip for the pretty girl waiting the IHOP, these blank napkins/unwritten suicide notes, it's dark inside these eyelids, blacker than the ink (squid)" it really feels like the end of the day. these are the lyrics that buzz like caffiene in your veins as you sit outside a dutchbros at eleven pm surrounded by the only people you feel like you can be yourself around. it's the feeling of cold biting at your skin while your heart feels warm and full. it feels like an open finale, the first time you smile in a long time, an acceptance of the complex beauty of life, that unforgettable moment when you realize that you wouldn't trade who you've become for the world

and CODA A BURN SCAR IN THE SHAPE OF THE SOONER STATE. I LOVE CODA SO MUCH AGH. PERFECT CRYING IN THE SHOWER SONG. like the lyric "an artist's impression of the manhattan skyline" will get me fucking SOBBING immediately. it feels like watching the world move on without you, the world a blur as you crumple inward under the weight of your emotions, a collapsing star in an endless void. and then obviously "i can't believe i chose the mountains every time you chose the sea" WOAH the SYMBOLISM i will just pass away right here in my dormitory with my headphones on. no sorry professor i can't write my essay i am unwell about the romance is boring album again. sorry yeah i'll be unavailable for 3-5 buisness weeks

but uh. yeah. los campesinos amirite???????????

[shebeafancyflapjack]

Separation Anxiety

(A short emotional hurt/comfort fic between Robin and my oc Elysabeth, with mentions of my other oc Markus. Big whumpee x smol caretaker)

Alone.

It doesn't surprise him, really. How many times has this happened now? Even with his brain being the melting pot of distorted memories that it currently is, he knows this is far from the first time. If anything, he's beginning to lose count, certain faces jumbling together. Not new.

But still hurts. Always hurts.

Darkness engulfs the hut he wakes in, with only a splintering of Moonah light entering through the tiny windows. He woke on the bed ("What the fuck are you doing on there?! Off! Now!"), then shuffled off, paws feeling around. For her. He tried to call her name but words are still a work in progress right now. Maybe forever. Old Master took his voice away. New Mistress says he can have it back but it's not that easy.

She said that he could speak her name, and so that's what he says. Her name is long and difficult to utter and she should beat him for how his neglected tongue butchers it. But she doesn't, she just coaxes him to try again. He'll do anything she says. Everything requires permission. Master taught him that well.

"Good boy. You thought you could survive without me, didn't you? Thought you could be a free beast? Look how well that worked out for you."

He covers his ears. It's been a while since his old Master's voice has been this loud. When he was with the Pack, he could forget. Forget Master. Forget he was ever a person. Losing Pack and having to come back to this hut, this former prison of his, brought all those memories back. Except he had New Mistress. So long as she was close, so long as she could stroke his mane and sing her songs, the voice would drift away. Dogs can only be loyal to one owner at a time.

And now she was gone. The ghost-ghost of Master is free to return at full volume.

"You didn't deserve her. Pretty, sweet little wench. She was too soft on you. Filthy savage like you deserves a firm hand. One to hold a whip. Isn't that right, bestia?"

Whimpering, he began to tremble, fingers tugging at clumps of his hair.

Please. Not again. Not again. He's been good, he's been good.

It was on this spot, on the floor beside bed, that Master would grind his heel into the creature's back and give him lash after lash. If he dared to bite into his hand to bear the pain then he'd double the punishment.

And what was the crime? Who could say? Being too smelly. Making eye contact. Just....existing. Being too smart. Not smart enough.

And sometimes, more often than not, Master was simply bored out of his mind.

Mistress doesn't beat him, except that one time with her shoe when he bit her. Bad. That was bad of him. Mistress is kind and gentle. Mistress says she wants to help him. Mistress...makes him feel less like an animal.

He looks around the silent hut, his chest tightening like a vice, crushing his lungs as reality sunk in.

Mistress is gone.

"Tell me, savage. If you claim to be so wise, why are you always left alone?"

Wise? When was he ever wise? He's just a dumb animal. Maybe, once upon a time, he might have been called clever, but-

Growling, he thumped his fist against his temple.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Master is right. Everyone leaves. He was a fool to let himself get close to the child, believing she would be some chance of salvation. He turned his back on humanity when he joined the Pack. That should have been it. But he'd seen her...small, broken, lost and alone...and of course he just had to get involved. Could never stand by and watch a child cry.

"Pathetic. Weak. Useless. Where are all those brats now? Even they didn't want you. None of them stayed. You have nothing."

No.

"You. Are. Nothing."

Sinking his teeth into his wrist, he released a scream. Need pain. Need something. Anything to block him out.

Not his. Not anymore. Never again.

Yet those calloused fingers still grab a chunk of his hair. Those lips press against his ear, even making the flea scurry in fear.

"Always mine, bestia. My pet. My toy."

He screams again. Nothing to muffle it this time. What leaves his mouth is something between an animalistic bleat and a man's cry.

Come back, Mistress. Don't leave him please. Come back. Come back. Come back-

-

She'd never thought there would be many perks to an afterlife where she didn't instantly ascend into Heaven. Granted, this was far from the paradise she'd been sold by the priest every Sunday, but it had its upsides.

The deer blinks as she strokes her fingers down its soft neck. So fragile. She remembers once accompanying Father to hunt one, holding his supplies as they crouched behind a tree and she watched, silent and starving, as he loosed an arrow into a doe's neck. She'd barely winced as it fell to the ground and convulsed, gurgling up bucketfulls of blood, before Father slit its throat. It had fed them for three days and its pelt had sold well at the market.

"'Wonder 'ow much the hunter who took you down made for your skin, sweetheart." She clicks her tongue, "Sorry. That be in poor taste. I 'ope he chokes on whatever piece he feasted off o' thee."

The deer doesn't seem to understand her, which might be a blessing.

This was the first creature she'd talked to other than her companion since the day she died. Or at least the first that could hear her.

People had come to look for her. Father had come, bow in hand, shouting her name. He hadn't heard her as she'd shouted back, jumping and hollering in front of his eyes, hadn't felt a thing as she'd reached for him only to fall through his torso, her stomach lurching in hideous discomfort.

He'd moved on, taking the others from their village. None had been keen to linger near the "devil's stones". She hadn't witnessed him find whatever remained of her body, the wolves having carried it far off, clearly. But she heard him discover it. The birds had fled the treetops at the sound of his scream.

It was the only time she'd been certain of how much he cared for her and she couldn't even cross the magical barrier to witness it.

She was trapped in this place, this patch of cursed land. Alone, except for...

Elysabeth took a deep breath, craning her neck to gaze up at the stars through the treetops. This was something she'd never been able to do in the living world; wander the woods at night, alone, without a smidgen of fear. What was there to fear now that Death had already claimed her? No thieves or bandits. No beasts or demons-

Well. She had met beasts in this strange world. Dead, like her, but still dangerous. They were gone now. She'd stayed away from the woods out of fear there were others who remained. But she was sick of fear. Sick of being trapped inside a house that wasn't even hers, whose walls she could easily walk through like smoke.

She'd awoken in the witching hour, hearing the owls call to each other nearby. No matter how hard she tried to will sleep to return, it remained at bay, a surge of energy renewed in her soul. What said she had to wait for dawn to rise? Whose rules did she have to follow now?

There were no adults to control her anymore, barring the one whose mind was more like a child's right now than her own. She was in charge. There were no rules to follow except her own.

Her companion, donned in his heavy furs and curled up beside her on the straw mattress, had been fast asleep. Usually, the poor thing twitched and muttered all the way through his slumbers. For once, he truly seemed at peace. Perhaps they were making progress. Surely he would be fine alone for a few hours.

It was painful to admit that she'd begun to feel rather claustrophobic around the strange man. It want his fault. He'd clearly been a victim of something she couldn't begin to comprehend, something that went beyond being dead and trapped in limbo for centuries. But since the day they'd met, the day she'd watched his wolf kin ascend without him, he stuck close to her side. Like a baby duck imprinting on the first thing it sees, mother or not. If Elysabeth wanted to walk, he'd follow. If she wanted to rest, he laid down. It was as if he had no will of his own. No soul? Like an animal? That's what she'd always been taught.

But the priests had been wrong. She could see that now, clear as day. The gentle doe before her clearly had a soul, as did those ghastly wolves, and so does her savage friend. He just...seems to need some help remembering that.

She's happy to be his teacher. It's hardly as if she has much else to occupy her time.

But, dear Saints, is it wrongful of her to wish for a break from time to time? For some space?

For the first time, she wonders if this was why her mother used to get so vexed with her and her brother as little'ens.

When she hears the scream, her heart lurches.

"Rohr?" She calls, turning her head in the direction of their hut, back across the field. "Rohr?!"

If something has hurt him....Curses, what was she thinking, just leaving him without an explanation? What must he be thinking, the simple thing?

"Rohr, I's here! Rohr!"

It had taken her half an hour to limp her way across to the woods on her rotten leg. She tries to push herself, needing to go faster than the casual pace she went to get here.

It's too much strain. After five strides, her bone becomes loose. She swears as she collapses into the leaves.

"Bloody demons!" Elysabeth grits her teeth as she tries to slot the blood soaked bone back into place, the habit now so common it's far from disturbing.

Choosing a more humiliating track, she inhales deeply.

Then she screams, loud as she can test her voice.

"ROHR!"

Even the living critters scatter at the sound. Would people have heard her at that rate?

It takes less than a minute until the silhouette of a man moving on all fours bounds through the treeline, heading straight for her.

Elysabeth sighs in relief. He's unharmed. She wasn't sure there was anything that could physically attack him....but she could never be sure.

Droplets of moisture on his cheeks glimmer in the moonlight as he comes closer to her, eyes wide with panic and a hint of confusion. She feels a sting of guilt for having deceived him, intentionally making her scream sound like one of real danger. But it got him here.

Rohr whimpers as he reaches for her, paws padding her over, as if checking she's all there. Really there, not just a figment.

"Hey, hey." She smiles, her hands finding his. "T'is all right. I heard thee howlin' on the wind. Just got worried about yous."

He didn't seem to be listening, his heavy brow creased up as he gently poked her.

"Rohr, I be well. Honest." She tried to assure; "Sorry if I made ye fret. T'were not my intent." She touched the tears lining his worn and hairy face; "Did thou think I'd left? Hmm? Gone up to the stars without thee?"

With a quiet mewl, Rohr nodded, more tears falling.

"Silly old fool. As if I'd ever leave thee alone, ey?" She tried to sooth, thumb stroking over his cheeks; "Made a vow to look after each other, di'n't we?"

The feral man nodded, looking almost ashamed for having doubted her.

He wrapped both hands around her wrist and pressed his forehead against her upper arm.

"No, no, no, no."

The only word he seemed to be able to say with any confidence. She stroked the top of his raggedy mane.

"No what, sweet thing? Tell me. With words now. Ye can do that for me."

She felt him cringe. Whether from having forgotten or being too afraid to try, he always hesitated to speak more than that one syllable.

"No....Lyth-beh...." He whispered, rough voice guttural and broken; "No Lyth-beh....go. No...go."

"Thou doth not wish for me to go? Be that thy meaning?"

He nods, sniffling; "No Lyth-beh go."

Another tug on her hand. Back towards the hut.

She sighed, stroking him again; "We'll go home soon. I just desired a bit of fresh air and time to meself. Just a short while. That okay?"

Almost immediately, he let go of her arm and backed off.

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry."

That was a new word. Almost as clear as his "no". Had they practiced that word?

"Thou not be at fault. I dids not mean to imply-." She tried to reach for him again.

Rohr flinched back, shaking his head roughly.

"Stultus bestia! Stultus bestia!"

"Wha'sat? What ye sayin'?" It sounded like the language the priest used when giving communion.

Rohr didn't answer. Instead he began thumping himself in the temple, speaking the words in the foreign tongue, clearer than any he could in English.

"Turpis, stultus bestia! Sileo! Sileo, bestia!"

"Enough!" Elysabeth threw herself forward to grab at his arms before could batter himself anymore; "Stop that now!"

He did so, not down to her feeble strength being able to match his, but out of obedience. He hung his head, locks of brown hair falling over his eyes.

"I dunno what words ye utter, but be they holy or not, I don'ts like them. You is not to speak them again, ye hear?" She says, mimicking her mother's authoritative voice.

Rohr shuddered, then nodded.

"Sor'y..."

Her chest ached. She shuffled closer and rubbed at his arm.

"I's not cross with thee. Just don't want ye to hurt thyself. Understand?" She tried to explain.

Rohr frowned. He took her hand and raised it to the side of his face, puppeting it to smack him. She tutted.

"No. I don't wish to beat thee either. Didn't do no good teachin' me to behave, I shan't waste the effort tryin' with thee." It was meant as a jape but it doesn't raise as much as a smiles from him.

He just stares at the mud, lost and confused. Is it so baffling for him to imagine a companion who doesn't wish to beat him like a disobedient dog?

"Did thou evens try to smell me? Track me down? Before assumin' I be flying up to them golden lights, hmm?" She asked, lightly.

He ducked his head at that. His nose could outmatch any bloodhounds. Just one venture outside and he'd have found her trail.

Elysabeth laughed, not unkindly.

"Silly old fool." She called him again, then moved forward to kiss the side of his head that must be aching from those blows. "Next time if thou wakes alone, just take a breath, then sniff, before thou starts to grieve for me. That sound fair?"

He nodded. Were it daylight, she's certain she would see a blush on those cheeks. She finished slotting her bone back into the sockets of her knee.

"Come. Look what I did." She says, taking his hand.

He follows, clutching at her, still leaning on his knuckles to start before she paused. At the clearing of her throat, he pushed himself to stand....sort of. Almost.

"Good man." She praised, seeing his crooked mouth twitch at the affirmation.

They had to walk a bit further inward until she found the deer again, the doe having left at the rising noise earlier.

It rested on its front by the stream, trying in vain to lap up some of the water.

"Hey, beautiful. Remember me? I brought a friend." She carefully approached. "Rohr, come see." She beckoned her friend.

The feral man shook his head and hunkered back.

"What's wrong? She won't hurt thee." Elysabeth tried to reassure.

Rohr opened his mouth, jaw stretching as he tried to form words.

"...No...Me h-hur'." He croaked.

"You woulds not do that. She's no good to us as food or clothin' now. She just be a wandering spirit, same as us."

Rohr tried to mime what his words couldn't explain. He held an invisible clump in his paws and pretended to bite ferociously into it. Not like a man would eat. Like a wolf.

"That not be you 'nymore, sweet thing. C'mon." She reached to tug at his hand.

He went willingly, walking slowly towards the deer. If there was any past grudges from when Rohr hunted with his old pack, she didn't seem to show it, staying still and calm, ears relaxed.

Elysabeth brought his hand up to her neck, guiding him to stroke her.

"Ain't that the softest thing? Beautiful creature, ain't she."

Rohr slowly glided his palm across the short fur.

"....Boo...Boo'ti...for...." He tried to repeat.

"That's it. Well done. See, not gonna get to do things like this hidin' away in that old hut, are we?" She smiled. "Though I still much prefer the bed over kippin' on grass."

Rohr grunted and nodded, clearly inclined to agree on that front.

The doe turned her head towards him and nuzzled at his hand.

The short burst of sound that left Rohr sounded close to a bark of laughter. Nearly.

"See? She can tell you be one of the good'uns." Elysabeth grins, nudging his side.

Rohr reached his hand up to stroke at his own shift.

"Lyth'beh....good. Good...M-Mast..."

"Oi. None of that." She scolded, carefully, "I ain't thy master. Okay?"

He nods, shuffling his feet; "S-sorry."

"No, just...don't apologise. Just want it clear." She tilted his head to look at her, his bent posture making it easy to reach him; "Elysabeth is Rohr's friend. Say it now."

He looked more than a little daunted. But he complied, as always.

"Lyth'bee....Rohr...f-friend?"

"Much better." She smiled, her hand on his cheek; "Come on. Your 'Moonah' be lookin' lovely this night, don't she? Let's stay with her, yes?"

He nodded, brightening up at the suggestion.

Moonah. Moonah was friend too. Once. For long time. Always there. Moonah. How could he have forgotten her?

He crouches down, only so the limping teenager can climb onto his back, securing her legs around his middle and her arms across his shoulders. He has to walk...like a man. Do it for her.

Now Elysabeth friend. Elysabeth stay. Elysabeth help.

The voice doesn't return again that night.

[famwhy]

In Grief and In Mourning II

Yandere! Various X Reader

Part II

Previous Part / Next Part

Character Appearances Sheet

Word Count: 3,592

You stared at the man incredulously.

Did he seriously just say that name with a straight face?

"Sorry, run that by me again?"

"Sir Reemus Cutey-bunny McFluffins The Third."

Dear lord, he did it again.

"Uhh... I think I'll just stick to Reemus." You tried not to laugh at the thought of the previous-you's name for the dragon.

This Princess may have had more issues than you thought. Perhaps she was a stuck-up spoiled brat? Then again, you can't really judge her based off her name choices and the pampering of her father...

Nevermind, you could definitely judge her based off of that.

This poor dragon.

"Very well." The expression on your alternate-world father lit up as he suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh! I was so caught up in your return, I forgot to inform you of your upcoming debut!"

"My upcoming wha-?" You rose a brow.

"Your upcoming debut!" He clapped his hands together once. "The Kingdom must be alerted of your return as soon as possible!"

"Woah woah woah, buddy." Your hands shot up, palms expanding as your eyes grew wide. "You're telling me that 'I' got killed here and now that you've 'brought me back', you're gonna announce to everyone that I'm alive?! Are you insane?!"

He frowned. "I thought it was a bad idea too, my little turtle dove, but the kingdom must know of the heir's status if they are to take the crown eventually. I cannot very well suddenly announce to everyone that you are alive and well on the day of your coronation, now can I?" 

"Okay, first of all, why are you speaking as though I'm staying-."

"Because you are."

You ignored him. "And second of all, do you not care about the fact that um, I don't know- I COULD GET FUCKING KILLED?!" 

The dragon behind you lifted his head at the sudden volume, hissing a little in disapproval. As a wordless apology, you merely stroked his scales without looking his way, instantly calming him down.

Meanwhile, your 'father' looked appalled by the words that just left your mouth. "Of course I do, turtle dove! That's why you will be in the presence of multiple guards, handpicked by the general himself, at all times."

Your expression contorted, distaste as clear as the light of day settling on your face not long after. "Oh great, you've already kidnapped me so why not take away the rest of my freedom by keeping me monitored at all times."

"That's not what I'm trying to do, sweetie." His expression softened. 

"Really? 'Cause it didn't seem that way when you screamed at me earlier with the tightest grip on my waist to keep me from running away, which - mind you - is a very human response to being fucking kidnapped." You spoke with venom so clear in your tone, Eminem would be jealous. 

"Human? Whatever do you mean, little turtle dove? We are not human, we are elves."

"Not human?" As if to reaffirm his statement, your hands left the scales of Reemus (much to his displeasure) and reached up to your scalp, tugging on the familiar pointed ears you witnessed in the mirror earlier on. "Shit."

"Dear?" 

Holy shit. You weren't human anymore. What the fuck? Yeah, you might have seen it in the mirror before but back then, it hadn't really settled in. Now though? When your so-called father was the first to point it out to you? Gone was the haze that shrouded your gaze with whispers of this possibly being a dream. In its stead... was left a waking terror that froze your blood down to the very core of your soul.

It was too much-.

You couldn't breathe-.

"Turtle dove?!"

In a fit of adrenaline, you lunged forward, tripping over the beast's tail and landing to the ground with a thud - earning a concerned whimper from the being and an equally concerned shout from your father.

No.

That man was not your father.

Your father would never hold someone against their will merely because he was grieving. He was a man of wise words who believed in freedom above all else - the complete opposite of this man who wished to throw chains over your body and prevent you from ever being with your loved ones again.

This man was not your father.

Becoming more aware of your surroundings, you tore yourself out of his clutches - heaving yourself upright before making your second attempt at running away. 

Luckily, this time was more successful than the last. 

"Y/N! WAIT! PLEASE! COME BACK!"

You paid no mind to his cries for you to return to him, instead choosing to run straight through the double doors that led back inside the large, extravagant building with more desperation than ever before. 

The footsteps that echoed after your own did nothing to stop you or slow you down as you slid under a pair of legs belonging to a rather tall man - focusing only on getting away.

"Gah!"

You didn't stop when seeing a tray cart filled to the brim with dirty teacups being pulled out of a room by a maid. Instead, choosing to place one hand on top of it and hurl yourself over so as to not break your momentum.

"My goodness!"

And you didn't stop when the expressionless healer from before stood by a door, seemingly about to step out into the hallway - well, that was... before you sped by him, of course.

"Hm."

You did stop, however, when you turned a corner and saw a door left slightly ajar - the perfect hiding spot.

Seizing the opportunity presented to you, you dashed through the door - being sure to keep it open the same level as it was before behind you.

Now, you wished you could say that after that, you were safe but... it wasn't that easy, for immediately after, your body went tumbling down a spiraling staircase.

"Agh!"

One step.

"Ugh!"

Another.

"Ack!"

Another.

"Ow!"

And yet another.

Over and over, your body rolled down, until finally...

"Ah! Fuck!"

That was definitely gonna leave a bruise... or maybe twenty.

"Stupid fucking staircase." You scowled.

After taking a few seconds to get up and dust yourself off, you took a good look around, only to freeze up at what you saw.

Displayed on the walls were multiple sets of tools you were sure had nothing to do with any sort of kinky shit whatsoever (unless someone's into torture-). 

The dimly lit corridor was cramped compared to the halls upstairs, the bricks full of mold and less decorated too. 

The dungeons.

You'd stumbled into the dungeons.

"Well, shit."

"Oh? What vulgar language. I don't think I've ever heard a noble speak such a way, much less one from the Palace themselves."

You rose a brow at the unfamiliar voice that resonated through the walls.

"It's been so long since I've had a source of entertainment, do me a favour and come over, would ya doll?"

That voice sounded like it came from behind one of the sets of iron bars. A prisoner, perhaps?

You slowly approached the cells, if only to catch a glimpse of the person who chose to speak to you. Although, once you made it to the cell you thought he would be behind, you frowned upon the sight of more darkness.

"That's strange, I could've sworn-."

"Boo."

Suddenly, a face appeared before you, the glow of a new source of light blinding you for but a moment in time.

"Ah. The princess? Weird. I thought she was meant to be dead." Before you was a male with just as much ethereal features as everyone else you had met in this world. Above his head floated a disk, the light you had just discovered emanating from it.

He caught sight of your eyes sizing him up and smirked.

"Like what you see, princess?"

Immediately, you scowled. "Well, I'm not looking at much."

A few beats passed in silence.

And then...

"Aha.... ahahaha!" The man started laughing hysterically, his fingers curling around the bars keeping you separated as he attempted to hold himself up. "Well aren't you a funny one?"

"Who the fuck are you?" Your frown deepened.

"Felix Jöergen, pleased to meet ya, dollface."

"Look," your frown deepened and his smirk grew. "I don't have the patience to put up with you, buddy. It's bad enough I get kidnapped and told I'm to stay in some random-arse fantasy world, now I have to deal with dickheads like you too."

"Kidnapped?" His inquisitive stare practically told you that this guy had not left this cell in a long time.

"Do guards not gossip or anything?" Your brows furrowed in confusion.

"Not typically, no. Good ol' Negatio has them on lock. They're as loyal as can be." He sighed with a bit of exaggeration.

"Negatio?"

Now he was the one that seemed surprised. "You know, your father? The king? Damn, doll, I didn't think you were that much of an idiot."

This little-.

"Listen here, you lil' shit. I'm not your princess, okay? She's long dead. I'm just a normal person from another world who got kidnapped by that wackjob that sits on your thrown." You jabbed your finger through the metal bars, harshly poking Felix in the chest.

The light-haired male let a sly smile spread throughout his face, fingers unwinding themselves around the bars in lieu of wrapping around your own finger and bringing it up to his lips, lightly grazing against it. "Älskling, you'll explain to me what exactly you mean, won't you?"

You immediately withdrew from his grasp, glaring at him in suspicion. "Only if you tell me why you're in here."

"Me? Why, I'm just a lowly thief imprisoned for attempting to steal the crown."

"'Petty thief'? Yeah, right." You rolled your eyes. "No way you would be in a cell long enough to not be a hundred percent sure of the princess' death over something like attempting to steal a crown I haven't even seen on the king's head."

"Clever girl." He leaned closer to you. "I wasn't lying, in a way. I was technically attempting to steal the crown. Just in a more metaphorical way."

"Metaphorical way?"

"Ah ah ah," He swished hid finger from side-to-side. "That's all I'll say, älskling. Your turn now."

Should you tell him? 

Ah, fuck it. Why not tell him? You doubt he'd be able to do anything to hurt you with this information anyway.

"You see, this king of yours ordered a mage to open a portal into my world in order to kidnap me because he was too much of a pussy to deal with his grief over his daughter's death." You crossed your arms and then mumbled under your breath. "Ruined my shopping trip with Amrita."

"Another world," he muttered, brows furrowed and smile gone from his face, replaced with a focused frown. "Amazing."

"Uh... yeah..."

"Could you tell me a bit more about your world, älskling?" The smile returned to his face once more, looking just as coy as it had before.

"Sure."

You described the modern world to him, explaining technology, work, education, etc. You pretty much used him as an info dump to retain your knowledge of what you're actual home was like. At one point, you stopped doing it for him and started doing it for yourself. 

After a while of you talking, you stopped to hear his thoughts.

"I'll be honest, älskling, your old world sounds boring."

"EXCUSE ME?!" You were (quite obviously) offended.

"This 'technology' you talk about doesn't even sound that good. Humans are probably the most boring creatures in this world so having a world of just them? Doesn't sound like a world I would wanna live in." Felix shook his head from side-to-side with yet another exaggerated facial expression.

"HEY!"

"If I were you, I would be taking advantage of being here while I could." The smile was back on his face once more, his eyes squinting in amusement. "I mean, I bet my halo is something that absolutely astounded you when you first saw it."

"Yeah... what are you, by the way? An angel?" You regretted the suggestion as soon as it left your mouth.

"Angel? Of course not. Do I look like I have wings?"

"Y'know, usually, when you see someone with a halo, you assume them to be the epitome of good. Your existence proves that to be a complete stereotype."

Your words caused him to let out a chuckle. "Look, älskling, I'm just saying that you should try kicking back and relaxing a little. Yeah, sure, you got kidnapped yadda yadda yadda. But this is a whole new world, maybe try exploring a little, see what you can find. Maybe there's something new in my world that you'd grow to love and take back to your world if you ever return.

"You're so stiff and temperamental, loosen up a little, will ya?"

Your stared at him with wide eyes as you said, "Wow, I didn't expect something like that from you."

He gasped, placing a hand on his chest and smirking as he spoke, "So quick to judge, aren't you, princess?" 

"Well, can you-?"

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

You cut yourself off upon hearing the heavy footsteps approaching you.

"Uh oh, looks like we've got company~." Felix didn't look remotely concerned despite his words.

You turned around, meeting face-to-chest with a plate of armour. With hesitance clear in your gaze, your eyes slowly trailed up, taking in the being before you.

The person stared back at you with hollow eye sockets, no flesh on their face to give you any idea of what expression they might be making, allowing them to appear all-the-more terrifying. 

The Knight before you said not a word, you weren't sure if they were even capable of speaking, what with their lack of a mouth. Was that species-ist or..?

You gasped when you were pulled out of your thoughts by a firm grip on your arm. It didn't hurt but it was strong enough to keep you from pulling away.

You didn't say a word as the being with a floating skull above their armour gently started to tug you towards the entrance of the dungeon, taking you further and further away from the prisoner behind you.

Said man threw his arm up and swung it from side-to-side as you were ushered out, shouting to you, "Remember, älskling, you can look for a way out while also enjoying yourself!"

You were led up the stairs and down the same corridor you ran through in a panic earlier. Now that you thought back on it, you felt slightly embarrassed and concerned for the man whose legs you slid under and the lady who you indirectly caused a disturbance to. Those poor people.

"Turtle dove!"

"Ack-!"

Your thoughts were disrupted when you were swept up into the familiar arms of your other-worldly 'father', held tightly in his grasp as though you would slip away if he loosened up for even a second (which, granted, you probably would).

"You're back! Oh, I was so worried!" 

Yeah, you couldn't tell.

"Well done, Anahria. I'll be sure to keep this in mind." A new voice caused your pointed ears to twitch upwards and your eyes to search the room you were in for the source.

Another figure stood by where the king previously was, posture perfect and aura oozing authority. He wore a uniform befitting of an officer of high ranks in the armies you'd seen in the modern world. Last but not least, he was incredibly handsome (because of course he was-).

The man, upon noticing your gaze on him, reached his hand up and tipped his hat by the slightest amount. "Princess."

You looked up at your 'father' with expectant eyes. 

"Ah, I suppose you would like to know who this is?" Negatio's hands combed through your hair as he spoke. "This is General Ivan Wyvmore and the one who retrieved you is a woman who is amongst our top three strongest Knights, Anahria Widsthurth. She is among one of the ten knights I will assign to be by your side for your protection."

"TEN?!"

Damn, talk about overboard.

"Yes, dear, I need to make absolute sure you are safe at all times. You gave me a huge scare just now, what if you were killed again?! I can't have that. Not again. Never again." His voice grew soft towards the end as his eyes seemed to leave reality.

This guy had issues.

"Isn't that still a little excessive? I wouldn't even be able to breathe." You tried to make him see some reason. 

"Nonsense, turtle dove, if they were to stop your breathing for even a second. I would see to it myself that they are executed in front of the whole kingdom."

"No, I didn't mean that... it was just an expression. I just meant that I... would feel overwhelmed." 

"I'm sorry to hear that, turtle dove, but-."

"Your majesties," the voice of Ivan cut through your conversation, causing your 'father' to send him a light glare. "Pardon my intrusion but it is getting quite dark outside, perhaps it would be best to retreat to your quarters for some rest? You can pick this conversation up in the morning."

"Unfortunately, I do not have the time to rest." The king frowned. "I have neglected quite a lot of my duties as King today and I mustn't make a habit of it no matter how much I wish to spend time with my lovely daughter."

"Then would you like for me to accompany your daughter to her quarters?" 

Your 'father' narrowed his eyes. "I hope there's no hidden motive behind this suggestion, general."

The general merely laughed. "Of course not. If you are so skeptical, Anahria can also accompany us."

"Hm." The long-haired male looked to be in deep contemplation for a moment. "Very well."

You moved to leave the arms wrapped around you but found yourself unable to do so when they so blatantly denied you freedom.

"Uh, you gonna let me go or..."

With a small sigh, the male resigned and let you go - although, not before giving you one last squeeze and a worried look. "Stay safe, okay turtle dove?"

"Okay."

Your response caused a small smile to grace his lips before he abruptly jerked his head to the side. "Hurry! Leave before I change my mind and refuse to stop embracing you!"

You swiftly walked through the doors held open by both the escorts, heeding your 'father's' warning without a second thought. He definitely meant it judging from the little time you'd spent with him.

The general and his worker followed after you, one opting to stay quiet while the other spoke up. "How are you fairing so far, my lady?"

Oh, well, you just got kidnapped and told you couldn't return to your world ever again and would be forced to live the life of a dead person for who knows how long. How did he think you were fairing?

"Fine."

"That's lovely to hear. I do hope you are enjoying your stay, I know his majesty has been a little overwhelming since you arrived."

Ya don't say?

"Mhm."

His eyes softened and his voice shifted into a tone much more gentle. "I am ever so sorry for what you have been through, my lady, I really am. If there is anything I can help you with, anything at all, please let me know."

You stopped abruptly, turning to him with crossed arms and a stern expression. "Can you send me home?"

His smile turned melancholy. "Anything but that, I'm afraid."

"Then don't bother." You scoffed, storming into the room that Anahria held open for you.

"For what it's worth. I truly am sorry, your majesty."

With that, the door shut on you.

A frown slowly formed on your face as your gaze casted to the side. "Yeah, I am too."

Maybe you should take Felix up on that suggestion to explore, it might do you some good to take your mind off of these things, if even temporarily.

'Älskling' is a Swedish term of endearment. 'Negatio' is the Latin word for denial. I named the king that because he's in denial of fantasy-world-Reader's death. Eh, eh, get it? 😉 Please excuse my grammar mistakes, I'm tired-.

What do you guys think of Felix? Like him? Skeptical? What about the general? Chivalry is dead but not according to Ivan. (Dw guys, the dragon's name is still legally Sir Reemus Cutey-bunny McFluffins The Third) Also, remember kids, you shouldn't kidnap your loved ones from other worlds and force them to live in your one just to make up for the fact that they died in your world. 👍

Now, I need to go revise for an exam I have in approximately 2 days...

Previous Part / Next Part

Masterlist

[speciosuspoematis]

@dcminium asked : you're breaking my armour down. - regula

MEME: soft romantic lyrics rp meme

It's rather strange, how those idly uttered (and yet beautifully intimate) words seem to draw the breath from his lungs and set his heart aching all at once. A lifetime of torment and difficulty, of harshness and fear, had forced the poet into a long state of distrust, the very idea of such emotional barriers such as shields and armour not lost upon him.

It wounds his heart, however, to learn that his dear company had also painstakingly built up those barriers to keep others out of the Chambers of his heart. But why? - Cyvel cannot help but wonder, voice remaining silent upon the matter, especially one so delicate: who hurt you to lead you to build this strengthy armour in the first place?

"Mayhap - - I would be wise to thank it." A bizarre response, initially, perhaps - but the small smile beginning to pull across the poets pale features spoke volumes of his intended gentleness.

His voice took pause, silence shrouding as ink stained fingers of a lithe proportion reached hesitantly out for his company's hand:

"--that it kept you protected for the length of time it took for fate to steer you closer, until our paths fatefully crossed: as if written betwixt the prophecies of the stars." Once more does he fall to the comforts of his silence, the pad of a gentle thumb running softened, slow circles to exposed skin upon his dear company's hand.

"And now... If it falls apart but one dainty fragment at a time I shall remain patient and thankful, that I have been blessed to see glimpses of what lays beneath, at all-"

"I--- I would never intentionally harm that trust. Not for as long as I do draw breath."

[stevenrindner1]

Steven Rindner on Integrating Running and Strength Training for Optimal Results

Steven Rindner: How to Create a Balanced Running and Strength Training Program

Balancing running and strength training can be a game-changer for physically active people, including Steven Rindner. Running builds endurance and burns calories, while strength training enhances muscle power and helps prevent injuries. For those committed to a fit lifestyle, integrating both into your routine is essential, though it can be challenging. With the right approach, however, you can optimize your performance, reduce the risk of injury, and achieve well-rounded fitness.  

Here’s how to create a balanced running and strength training program tailored for active individuals like you. 

1. Determine Your Goals 

Before diving into a workout plan, it’s essential to identify your goals. Are you training for a race, looking to increase your running mileage, or focusing on building muscle? Your goals will dictate the emphasis of your program. For example, if running a marathon is your priority, your plan should lean more toward running, with strength training as a complement. Conversely, if your focus is on muscle gain, strength training should take precedence. 

2. Structure Your Week 

To create a balanced routine, you’ll need to structure your week effectively. A common approach is to alternate running and strength training days. This allows you to target different muscle groups and avoid overtraining. A sample week might look like this: 

Monday: Strength training (focus on full-body exercises) 

Tuesday: Running (intervals or tempo run) 

Wednesday: Rest or light activity (yoga, stretching) 

Thursday: Strength training (lower body focus) 

Friday: Running (long, steady run) 

Saturday: Strength training (upper body focus) 

Sunday: Rest or active recovery (light jogging or walking) 

By alternating the focus of your workouts, you allow your body adequate recovery time while still progressing in both running and strength. 

3. Integrate Strength Training That Supports Running 

When planning your strength training sessions, prioritize exercises that enhance your running performance. Compound movements such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, and core exercises are particularly beneficial. These exercises target the muscles you rely on while running, including your glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and core. 

To reduce the risk of running-related injuries, incorporate exercises that improve stability and mobility, such as single-leg squats and planks. If your primary goal is running, avoid overloading with heavy weights; instead, focus on moderate weights with higher repetitions to build endurance and muscle tone. 

4. Monitor Intensity and Volume 

Balancing running and strength training requires careful attention to the intensity and volume of your workouts. If you’re pushing hard on your runs, consider lighter strength sessions to prevent fatigue and overtraining. Similarly, after a tough strength workout, it’s wise to scale back the intensity of your next run. 

Use a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) or keep track of your heart rate to gauge how hard you’re working. This will help you maintain a balance between challenging your body and allowing it to recover. 

5. Listen to Your Body 

Lastly, always listen to your body. If you feel excessively tired or notice signs of overtraining, such as persistent soreness or difficulty sleeping, it may be time to adjust your program. Recovery is just as important as training, so ensure you’re getting enough rest and nutrition to support your fitness goals. 

Creating a balanced running and strength training program doesn’t have to be complicated, especially for fitness-minded people like Steven Rindner. By thoughtfully structuring your week, focusing on exercises that complement each other, and tuning in to your body’s signals, you can significantly enhance your performance. This approach not only helps you achieve a well-rounded fitness routine but also ensures you’re reaping the full benefits of your efforts. With the right balance, you can stay strong, avoid injuries, and continue progressing toward your fitness goals.

[airisvapes]

How long does a 15000–20000 puff disposable vape last？

The acceptance of disposable vapes has not always been mainstream in the industry. However, disposable vapes have made considerable progress in the past few years. These improvements include increased e-liquid capacity, better build quality, rechargeable batteries and mesh coils, and a larger visual interaction screen for better flavor.

How long do disposable vapes last?

Generally speaking, most disposable vapes have a lifespan of 3 to 5 days. Throwing away disposable items multiple times a week has a significant environmental impact, and disposable device with larger capacities will last longer. However, it’s worth noting how long disposable vapes last, depending on how often you smoke. Every vape is unique, and it may take personal smoking habits and multiple tries to know how quickly you can use up your disposable vape. ​

How much do disposable vapes cost?

When discussing disposable vape longevity, we’ll also look at some typical price points for disposable vapes, which often depend on puff volume and the quality of the device itself. The average price of a single disposable vape is $7 to $30, and while this is lower than traditional disposable vapes, the cost of continually repurchasing and throwing away disposable vapes is higher in the long run.

How many puffs does a disposable vape have?

The puff volume of disposable vapes varies considerably. On the lower end are disposable devices rated for 5,000 puffs. Disposable vapes with the highest puff count can hold more than 20,000 puffs. Of course, there are options in between. ​

Which disposable vape has the most puffs?

We recommend the AirisAlpha20000 disposable vape for long-lasting disposable vapes. Three different power suction modes can provide different puff counts from 10,000–20,000. Different powers bring different experiences, whether you are a novice or an experienced player.

How long can a disposable vape with 15,000–20,000 puffs last?

How to get more smoke from a disposable vape?

If you want to get more out of your disposable vape, the immediate answer is to have a lighter, more shallow mouth-to-lung exposure. Additionally, allowing more time between puffs allows the disposable vape core to absorb more e-liquid and helps extend the life of the device. If you don’t understand the composition of large puff disposable vapes, you can visit AirisAlpha to see more

How many puffs should I take on a disposable vape?

This is a difficult question to answer because all vapers are different. You should do what you feel comfortable with. If you hit beyond a certain amount causes a sore or dry throat, it’s wise to slow down and rehydrate more frequently. If you feel like vaping more and you feel it’s acceptable, that’s a good sign that you’re vaping the right amount.

FAQS：

1.What makes a disposable vape similar to smoking a cigarette?

Disposable vapes that closely mimic the experience of smoking a cigarette by using nicotine salt formulations and tobacco-flavored e-liquids. These features provide a throat hit and flavor profile similar to traditional cigarettes.

2.Are all disposable vapes equally close to smoking a cigarette?

No, the similarity to smoking a cigarette can vary among different disposable vape brands and models. Some may closely resemble the sensation and flavor of smoking, while others may differ in nicotine delivery and taste.

3.Do disposable vapes with higher nicotine content feel more like smoking?

Disposable vapes with higher nicotine content, especially those using nicotine salts, tend to provide a stronger throat hit and faster nicotine delivery, which can make them feel more similar to smoking a cigarette for some users.

4.What role do draw activation and disposable nature play in replicating the smoking experience?

Draw activation, where the device is activated by inhaling, mimics the action of smoking a cigarette. Additionally, the disposable nature of these vapes eliminates the need for refilling or recharging, offering a convenient and familiar experience similar to smoking.

5.Can disposable vapes help smokers transition to vaping?

Yes, disposable vapes designed to replicate the smoking experience can be helpful for smokers looking to transition to vaping. These devices provide a familiar sensation and flavor, making the switch easier for some individuals.

[keefwho]

April 23 - 2024 Tuesday

11:08pm

6.5/10

This morning I gave Sporticus a bath. There was a big spider in the shower the whole time I couldn't seem to wash down the drain but it didn't bother me too much. She shed a TON of hair this time around. I also found out later that she peed in the corner of my room, likely after her bath while I was taking a shower. For breakfast I made a jimmy dean sandwich with rice and a pear cup. I intended on doing my workout today and this was a good breakfast for it calorie-wise. I watch an episode of Moral Orel about Doughy being neglected.

For work I warmed up with sketches of wolves. They didn't turn out as good as others and I found out that their front legs aren't easily simplified. Also that they are very similar to horses at certain joints. Then I spent another hour on the Venus commission coloring the characters. And then I finished preparing my next NSFW YCH.

After work I did my dishes and started my workout. I watched a video of Dan Schneider while I did a few sets of lunges and a couple miles on the treadmill. I found out my knee still hurts, I MAY have to schedule a doctor's appointment for it. Although I haven't given it an opportunity for some good rest so I should probably try to take it mega easy for a couple weeks before asking a doctor. For lunch I made chicken stew. I was aiming to make it rich and spicy but ended up making it too salty somehow, I think too much lemon pepper. It was edible but not that great for the effort. While cooling/eating, TK was messaging me about issues with her boyfriend and how he has a pattern of problematic jealousy. I took her side completely with what she had to say, it sounded to me like he not only had unrealistic expectations but also that he was not communicating the problem very well. It got me thinking a lot in general about jealousy and how the dynamic can change between two people that work well together when they elevate from friends to a relationship. I think nothing SHOULD change if both parties know how to talk and don't develop unrealistic needs.

I did my afternoon work late on account of how long the stew took. I did a request for FY that I think turned out okay and then I got into VRchat to paint from "life". I went to that old world DS and I found with all the hobkin avatars and picked a place to stand that I'm going to copy from. I think it's a great idea because it's basically just a color study and results in a sort of unique result, that being what looks like an uninteresting in-game screenshot but it's actually been hand painted. After that I worked on my avatar for about 15 minutes which was enough time to prepare and bake the AO for the textures. This whole time I was using my good headphones to listen to loud rain with some music and a stream at a lower volume.

When I was done I hopped on the Roblox horse game to catch some horses and check out the training island. DS was free so we called and watched a furry species ranking video while I horse trained and she practiced airbrushing. We also finally watched the fabled balut sausage video which was horrifying, I actually thought I might throw up and had to look away. Then it was more of the usual furry con content and we went on a sidetrack trying to see if any of the footage had her in it. We found about 10 pixels of her at the waterfront in 2022, still an exciting find.

In bed we did our puzzles. The crossword was really hard for some reason and took us a whole 12 minutes. The last 2 only took a little over 1 minute each. Then it was 2 Monster High chapters and I played through the Beast's Castle level in KH2 until I got to the boss. We did a little smash or pass session with the enemies and a few actually got me thinkin a little.

~~~

Today was strange in that for most of it, I really had the desire to be alone but not to be myself. Usually when I wanna do something alone, I'm still trying to express myself. But I didn't want that today, I wanted the influence of others. The happy medium was a little bit of texting. Also since today was about "self", I combined that with my Costar prompt which was "cry over someone else's problems". So during the afternoon I was thinking a lot about TK and DS, putting myself in their shoes thinking about the woes they both expressed today. It felt good, like a helpful empathy exercise.

[fantasyideas1]

quotes almat

body with harmful goods and services, due to self-hatred, self-doubt and fear of the future, the poison weakens the will and increases despair, making life aimless, the snake is a false friend in the environment a pickpocket who steals ideas and hopes, try to take away a smartphone from a child and give a book, it will hit you on the head, you killed your family and relationships, therefore you gave your child a smartphone, you lost your child, now he lives on the Internet, fast food drowned in cholesterol, from TV screens and gadgets the truth goes blind, lose your sight wisely, lose time and health wisely, bookmakers, lottery loans, micro loans, and casinos will undress you with lies, you are getting poorer from naivety, paid courses and lectures of coachers' platitudes, mulattoes with honey-pie skin, if you want to see great-grandchildren, lead a healthy, religious lifestyle, eat healthy food, go to bed on time, don’t go to prostitutes (sexually transmitted diseases), coffee and energy drinks ruin your heart, don’t cheat on your soulmate, it doesn’t matter where you work, it doesn’t matter how much you get paid, don’t be humiliated by low wages, violence, scandals, stress of smiling people the ego of blind fools will not be corrected, they are molded from the unhooking garbage of the Internet, in the beautiful eyes of an Asian there is a cosmic depth of infinite beauty, abstinence from anger is like a broken bladder, urine accumulates and periodically trickles of anger come out, urine therapy with evil truth, kidney disease from bladder retention leads to complications of blood pressure and an effect on the heart that accumulates everything under a thick layer of refraining from anger, the future is unstable from our insecurities, deadly awareness lifting (lifting a heavy barbell), ego lifting (lip tightening), lifter teacher elevating to the highest floor of understanding a world where real life and people are not visible where only clouds that we are all not eternal, traffic jams like slowly flowing lava or an avalanche, a trombone of suicidal egoism and laziness in the veins of society, an explosive mixture of degradation, in a brainwashed incubator, people obsessed with entertainment grow, s voids of illusory non-existence, a lifelong show of hypocrisy, show business for profit, greedy predators, slaves of their genitals and ego, Poetry Ruthlessly exciting sweet skin color, lyrical eternity filled with epic romance, inspired by spiritualized sublime love for you, filling the lungs with air of relief from thinking about you, your beauty and presence exceeds all values ​​in life, an overdose of love, charm melts my heart like candle wax waiting for your love , the light burns until the last second of my century, geysers of gusts of sincere passion, thermonuclear orgasms whenever I see you in my lustful mind, devoted heart, and a sperm plant in a penis that was created only for you, my soul of continuation of you, an endless epic of lyrical love where, bypassing the eternity of reincarnation, I will meet you to conquer your heart, you are a precious thought in the heart, The sweetest temptation of tenderness, everything is so sweet in you, when you kiss me deliciously, you are like a magnetic apparatus that lifts cars, also an erection, subtly perfectionist detailed temptation , boundless perfection, the volume level of love in the soul is growing, you are the divine relish of sweetness, the hot springs of passion in which I bathe you in my lust, the sauna of passion will heat the body and warm the heart with love, you are my eternal ideal of passion, the power of lust is growing, love leads away into a deep state of love for you, every nerve continuously ends with an orgasm, every cell of the body reaches out to you, I need a break too much beauty, the heat of the trembling of your powerful sexuality, eroticism through the body, like a washing machine in spin mode, a powerful Parkinson's vibrator from arousal,

Author musin almat zhumabekovich

[healthcarespeed]

Preventing Coughing: Strategies For A Far Healthier Respiratory Device

Keeping a well-maintained as well as dust-free setting is actually critical in lowering respiratory irritants that may set off wheezing. By routinely dusting, vacuuming, as well as utilizing sky purifiers, you may develop a safe haven for your bronchis. Also, exercising proper breathing methods can aid enhance your breathing muscles as well as boost bronchi functionality.

Adopting a healthy way of life as well as diet takes a notable task in protecting against hissing. Through including routine workout, steering clear of smoking, and eating a well balanced diet regimen abundant in fruits, veggies, and whole grains, you can assist optimal bronchi health and wellness.

Today we will certainly deliver you with helpful techniques to stop hissing as well as attain a more healthy breathing unit. Maintain reading as well as obtain ready to take cost of your respiratory wellness and claim farewell to wheezing!

Maintaining a Well-maintained and also Dust-Free Environment

To stop wheezing, you need to have to keep your atmosphere tidy and also dust-free. Dirt particles may inflame your breathing system and trigger hissing. Begin through frequently dusting and also vacuuming your residence to clear away any sort of built up dirt. Don't forget to well-maintained regions that frequently gather dirt, including blinds, curtains, and under home furniture. Use a moist towel or microfiber duster to stay away from inciting dust in to the air. At https://bobowa24.pl/2018/05/czego-sygnalem-moze-byc-swiszczacy-oddech-i-dlaczego-nie-nalezy-go-bagatelizowac/, you can find information concerning coughing.

Consider using allergen-proof covers for your mattresses and also cushions to prevent dirt termites from collecting. Always keep windows shut throughout height plant pollen seasons to decrease the volume of allergens entering your property. Finally, stay clear of smoking cigarettes or exposure to secondhand smoke, as it may aggravate rasping signs and symptoms.

Engaging In Effective Breathing Techniques

Grasping correct breathing approaches may make a considerable distinction in just how you think, allowing you to experience a feeling of calm and convenience in your every day life. Exercising appropriate breathing approaches is actually essential when it happens to avoiding rasping and preserving a much healthier respiratory body.

One procedure to make an effort is actually diaphragmatic breathing. This includes taking deep breathing spells, occupying your bronchis entirely, as well as permitting your birth control to completely expand. An additional method is actually pursed-lip breathing, where you inhale with your nostrils and exhale slowly with pursed lips.

Exercising deep tummy breathing can easily aid boost your breathing muscle mass and boost lung function. Bear in mind to concentrate on your breathing spell as well as attempt to take in a measured and slow manner.

Adopting a Well-balanced Way Of Living and Diet

Through embracing a healthy and balanced way of living and also diet plan, you may greatly enhance your total health and also enhance your breathing feature. When it happens to what you eat may possess a notable effect on your breathing health, creating wise selections. Combining foods items rich in anti-oxidants, such as veggies and fruits, can help reduce inflammation in the airways and also assistance lung function.

Avoiding refined foods and also sweet beverages can additionally protect against respiratory problems. Additionally, regular physical exercise can enhance your breathing muscular tissues and also enhance lung capability. Taking part in tasks like walking, swimming, or even bicycling can easily aid maintain your respiratory unit healthy and balanced as well as prevent wheezing.

It is necessary to prioritize sleep and also take care of anxiety, as lack of rest and high stress and anxiety amounts can worsen respiratory symptoms. By taking in these way of life adjustments, you may take positive actions in the direction of a healthier breathing body.

Result

Once you have actually learnt more about the tactics for a much healthier breathing system, it is actually time to respond. Keep your environment free of cost as well as well-maintained from dirt. Exercise suitable breathing techniques. Adopt a healthy and balanced lifestyle and diet regimen. Through applying these tactics, you can protect against hissing as well as improve your total breathing health and wellness. Don't forget, it is essential to prioritize your respiratory unit as well as make choices that sustain its health.

[healthcaremarketfmi]

Vertebroplasty And Kyphoplasty Devices Market Research Report – Opportunities & Challenges With Completely Different Segments, Forecast- 2032

During the projected period, the market for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty devices market demand is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.4%.

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty are minimally invasive, image guided surgical procedures performed to treat the Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF). VCFs can lead to back pain, reduced physical activity, depression, loss of independence, decreased lung capacity, and difficulty sleeping. Bone cement is injected into the back bone (vertebra) to provide support to the broken bone. Due to osteoporosis, vascular malformatins or, less commonly, cancer fractures can be caused in the vertebra. Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty help the patient to regain the functional abilities and avoid further vertebral collapse. Kyphoplasty is an advanced version of Vertebroplasty which can stabilize the fracture, restore heights and reduce deformities.

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Drivers & Restraints

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty devices market is growing due to limitations in the traditional techniques for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty are advanced procedure which result in pain relief, stabilization of the fracture and avoid “Downward spiral” of untreated osteoporosis. Due to increase in ageing population, patients suffering from osteoporosis are also increasing.

Additional benefits of the surgery which are the key drivers for this market are:

Short surgical time. Patient gets discharged in less than one day.

General anaesthesia required. No bracing required.

Patients can quickly return to the normal activities of daily living.

Complications like bleeding, infection post-surgery and chances of occurrence of another fracture are few restraints for the Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market.

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Overview

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty devices market is growing due to increased incidence of Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCF) occurring due to increase in the ageing population. VCF is a major issue in the western countries driving the market growth. Overall Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty devices market will grow globally, however the growth rate in Asia Pacific region will be more as compared to European and North American market.

For More Information : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/vertebroplasty-and-kyphoplasty-devices-market

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Region-wise Outlook

Depending on geographic regions, global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America is the leading region in Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market due to the high volumes of surgical procedures being performed. Also, the availability of established healthcare infrastructure, high contribution of healthcare to economy, patient compliance are the reasons for the high demand in North America. Europe has the second largest Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market due to vast technological advancement in terms of healthcare sector. Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at a good rate as compared to NA and Europe as there is ample market opportunity in countries like India and China.

Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices Market: Key Players

Some of the key market players in global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty Devices market are Depuy Synthes, Stryker Corporation, CareFusion Corporation, Osseon LLC., Alphatec Spine, Inc., TAEYEON MEDICAL Co., Ltd., G-21 s.r.l., BMK Global Medical Company, Medtronic, Inc., Globus Medical, Inc. and SOMATEX to name a few.

The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.

The report covers exhaustive analysis on:

Market Segments

Market Dynamics

Market Size

Supply & Demand

Current Trends/Issues/Challenges

Competition & Companies involved

Technology

Value Chain

Regional analysis includes

North America (U.S., Canada)

Latin America (Mexico. Brazil)

Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)

Eastern Europe (Russia)

Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand)

Japan

Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa)

The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.

Based on surgery type, the global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty market is segmented into the following:

Vertebroplasty

Kyphoplasty

Based on product type, the global Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty market is segmented into the following:

Vertebroplasty devices

Needle

Cement mixing and delivery devices

X- ray Device

Kyphoplasty Devices

Balloon

Needle

X- ray Device