#Beneficial for throat infection.
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Astro observations: Health aspects from the 6th house đ«
6th house in Aries: Be mindful of strong reactions, impulses and emotions as these could trigger high blood pressure, stress or unwanted headaches. Possible problems associated with the adrenal glands if health is not good. The person could be nearsighted/farsighted. Teeth issues and sensitive gums are common with this placement.Â
6th house in Taurus: Be careful with âburnoutâ and try to keep a healthy work-life balance. The individual is prone to respiratory conditions, jaw and neck pain/problems, weight gain (associated with thyroid issues). Thyroid disease. Problems with your voice or throat. Take it easy and follow a rhythm that honors your needs.Â
6th house in Gemini: Allergies, infections, asthma, cough, breathing issues. Arms, hands and fingers might be sensitive. Anxiety and nervousness caused by too many unorganized/unwanted thoughts. Be careful with hand, arm and/or shoulder injuries.Â
6th house in Cancer: Sensitive breasts/chest area. Inflammation associated with water/fluid retention. Pay close attention to your salt and fat consumption. Intolerance to different ingredients. It is vital for individuals with this placement to express their emotions as this can feel like a detox process for a 6th house cancer.
6th house in Leo: Hear what your heart is telling you. Donât let stress or anger take you 'over the edge'. Similar to Aries in this house, it is common for the native to suffer from high blood pressure if a balanced lifestyle is not followed; a healthy diet will help this native tremendously. Be careful with hernias and your spine. Back pain/injuries. Spend more time outside.Â
6th house in Virgo: Food sensitivities. Problems with digestion. Pay attention to sugar, fats, starches and the way your body reacts to them. Pancreatitis. Bloating associated with food intolerances. Meditation is recommended to calm an active mind and a healthy relationship with food will help with digestive issues.Â
6th house in Libra: Lumbar pain. Problems with the lower back. Sensitivity to salt. Kidney stones. Insulin resistance. Diabetes. Partnerships have a big influence in your life; stress or strong (negative) emotions resulting from these relationships can have a big impact in your health.Â
6th house in Scorpio: Constipation. Bladder/Urinary tract infections. Issues with libido/sex hormones. Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder; can cause pain or/and a burning sensation when peeing). Problems with the colon and elimination systems. Let go of any guilt/shame around your sexuality and keep a healthy relationship with your needs.Â
6th house in Sagittarius: Issues associated with the pituitary gland. Hip mobility problems, pain or injuries. Obesity. For optimal liver health, alcohol and stress levels need to be monitored and, if possible, reduced to a minimum. Yoga can help ease stiffness around the hips and thighs.Â
6th house in Capricorn: Knee pain. Injuries/procedures can cause significant scarring. Hair loss or scalp issues. Arthritis and joint pain. If your body is telling you to slow down, honor it and rest. Movement in every way is beneficial for the native. Be careful with your bones.Â
6th house in Aquarius: Varicose veins. Frequent cramps. Arteries and veins might need to be monitored closely, as the native is prone to circulation problems. Calf pain. Stress, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia. Be careful with addictions. Stay hydrated.Â
6th house in Pisces: Problems with the lymphatic system. Feet pain, inflammation, discomfort, injuries. Plantar fasciitis. Be careful with falls. Sleep problems, nightmares. Sadness that can lead into deep depression. Time alone is necessary. Make sure youâre getting the hours of sleep that your body requires to work harmoniously.Â
Stay tuned for more! :)
#astrology#astro notes#astro observations#astro placements#zodiac#zodiac signs#the 6th house#birth chart#birth chart placements#mars#neptune#pisces#aries#cancer#escorpio#astrology placements#my text#mp
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hungry, lonely, violent
Pairing: Joel Miller x F!Reader
Summary: Days, months, years you spent hungry, yearning. How can a simple two weeks change what's been your life since the outbreak happened? How can one man mend the shattered pieces you never thought could be put back together? How can Joel Miller be that man?
Tags: Angst and Fluff and Smut, Caregiving, Recovery, Healing, Trauma, Oral Sex, Creampie, Size Kink, Size Difference, Older Man/Younger Woman, Hurt/Comfort, Porn with Feelings, No use of y/n, Protective Joel
Word count: 22k
Read on ao3
The sunset is a blaze of orange over Jackson, Wyoming.
Youâve been all over the country at this point, a nomad by choice, who escaped the Atlanta QZ as soon as you had the ability and supplies to do so. There have been rumors of a safe place, a town out west where people live in a harmonious peace behind sealed walls. No infected breaking in, no raiders to rob you or do worse. No corrupt FEDRA agents to gun you down for looking at them funny.
As it turns out, itâs a lot fucking harder to find a place like that, than it is to imagine it.Â
You know youâre close; you saw the Welcome to Wyoming sign days ago. Your best guideline is an out of date map that youâd killed a handsy FEDRA guard for. Itâs gotten you this far though, so you canât be too frustrated.Â
Of course, itâd be nice if it wasnât the dead of fucking winter, but youâve never really had the best luck.Â
You know you donât have long before you need to give up on this insane venture. No one ever actually believed the talk about somewhere safe hidden in the mountains; somewhere that life was meant to be lived and not merely endured. Somewhere that a person could feel like a person again, by way of basic dignity and small decencies.
You can almost feel it now, if you close your eyes and let yourself imagine. The steam of a hot shower; water beating down on sore muscles, wet hair plastered down your back as soap bubbles cascade across slick skin. A mug of coffee, or tea, hell youâd even take hot chocolate at this point. Something to soothe the coldness of your palms; something to warm your throat and belly. The crackle of a fireplace underneath a mantle; hardwood floors, a rug nestled underneath a sofa.Â
You were so young when the outbreak happened that youâve never really gotten to experience these things. But you know them well. Stories from your parents, wishful tales of a life once lived in comfort and peace. An expanse of opportunity, safety to explore, create, enjoy.Â
In a world like that, thereâs room for all sorts of things you havenât been able to have. Whatâs always been a quick meal of ration blocks scarfed down in a hurry, could be a slow-cooking stew, complete with fluffy bread and a glass of clean water with ice. Maybe even a wedge of lemon for flavor, if youâre lucky. A slice of hot pie for dessert, an unneeded expense of greed and hunger, nothing beneficial for your health really except to make you happy. Socks without holes, pants without inner thighs so worn you can feel your cold skin chafing between them.Â
In a world like that, thereâs room for things like delicacies. Things likeâŠromance.
You have no illusions that this could ever be your future. Since you lost your family, things like safety and stability have been mere fantasy. You canât remember what a home cooked meal might taste like, or a hug from someone who genuinely cares about you. The men and women youâve been with have all been quick, dirty fucks, going through the motions to make eachother cum and breathe hollow noises of pleasure that are more for show than anything.Â
In a different world, maybe it could all mean something.
You take quick stock of your rations. A half-empty water bottle with a screw-on filter thatâs quickly becoming unusable from strain. A can of green beans. A small pack of bandages that have lost most of their adhesive strength from time. One pair of underwear thatâs hanging off your pack, wet from a wash in the creek. Thereâs nothing worse than going commando in sub-zero temperatures, but itâs a necessary evil for hygiene.Â
From your place currently hiding out in an abandoned gas station nestled in the mountains of what surely used to be some sort of thriving backwoods community, any hope of that fantastical world really does feel out of reach. For most of your life it felt that if dreams were enough to keep you alive, youâd surely be immortal. But lately, that negligent bit of hope is starting to seem like the flicker of a candle about to blow out.Â
And itâs funny, for someone who claims to have given up hope, how quickly you jump into gear when you hear heavy footsteps behind you. Your hands fumble; cold and nearly frozen from the frigid temperatures outside, clasping the grip on your gun. You only have a half-mag left, and with your hands as shaky as they are from the weather, you arenât feeling confident about your ability to aim as well as needed to make that half-mag worthwhile.Â
Still, you have little other choice. In your condition, a hand-to-hand fight would be your undoing.Â
âI hear someone in there, breathing,â a gruff voice says. Itâs low and careful, a slow southern drawl that you recognize as Texan, most likely. You met a few of them in the Atlanta QZ, and they all had this gentle drawl to them, the same way this man does.
It would be almost a calm, reassuring sound, if his proximity didnât surely mean imminent death for you.
âA runner?â another voice asks, this one is younger. A man, or a boy maybe, a teenager.Â
Fuck. Youâre outnumbered, even if these are the only two out here. Youâre outnumbered by two men. Youâre hungry, and half-frozen, and struggling to think of what to do next. Itâs like your brain isnât functioning at full capacity. Who could blame it, with the months of neglect on the road? When was the last time you even had fucking protein?
You try to listen, try to hone your ears to follow the footsteps of the man coming toward you. Surely he knows where youâre hiding, if he heard you breathing and assumed you were an ill infected. You must really sound like shit. You sort of knew that your lungs had a rattle from the cold and your nose was sniffly, but clearly it's worse than you thought.Â
Okay, okay, think. What can I-
Your train of thought is immediately interrupted by a large, thick arm circling around your neck from behind. You gasp as your body is wrenched into the air, a sturdy mountain of a man behind you. In your panic, you drop your gun and reach for his massive forearm, trying to pry it off your neck as your vision begins to go fuzzy.
Holy fuck, youâre going to die at the hands of some random Texas giant in this abandoned gas station.Â
âShit, Joel, sheâs not infected!âÂ
âWh- Christ!â
In a flat second, youâre on the floor, coughing and gasping as you clutch at your neck, trying to fill your icy lungs with desperate air. The floor is more like concrete, and with the layer of ice spread across it, thereâs damn near no cushion for your fall.
The large man reaches out, you can hear his jacket shuffle and his body move, but you scramble away, reaching frantically for your gun.Â
The other one, the younger boy, comes into focus and reaches out to pluck up your gun before you can even make an honest grab for it.Â
âHey, we arenât gonna hurt you,â the boy says, looking down at you earnestly. Itâs big talk from the teenager holding a revolver on you, but his eyes are genuine enough. âIâm sorry we scared you. We thought-â
Your vision whites out as you feel a large hand grab your arm. The big man, the giant Texan has grabbed your bicep and is trying to pull you up. Pure instinct takes over; reflex causing you to lash out with your free arm.Â
Your knife makes a decent slash in the skin of his hand, and he pulls back with a shouted curse of pain.Â
âWhoa whoa!â the boy tries again for a calming tone, still attempting some sort of diplomacy.
Ignoring his pathetic excuse for a ceasefire, you launch yourself at the large man, wielding your knife like itâs your last chance.Â
With him momentarily disoriented, itâs easy to hop on his back, effectively putting his body between yours and the boy with the gun as a human shield. And a gigantic one, at that. His shoulders are stocky, easy handholds for you as you settle your legs around his large waist. You press the tip of your knife against his throat, feeling the vibrations of his grunted breaths against your thumb bone.Â
This close, you can smell a soft aroma of lemon soap wafting off his wavy hair. Itâs dark with streaks of silver dancing down through the ends, matching a well-groomed beard on his jaw. His jacket is thick brown leather, it looks heavy and surely adds bulk to an already impressively large man.Â
âWalk out, now!â You warn the boy with the gun, still pressing the blade into the manâs throat. âI wonât kill him if you leave me alone.â
You think itâs a pretty fucking generous offer, considering this giant just tried to choke you out.
The boy glances at the man, sighing. He shakes his head, holstering his gun. âJoel, just be gentle.â
Frowning, you look between them in confusion.
The man, whose name must be Joel, chuckles dryly. Itâs a nice sound, a steady reverberation through his chest. In another circumstance, you think it might be a soothing noise. One of those laughs from a person who seems like they know the answer to every question, who's figured everything out. Someone whoâd take care of you.
Then, he grabs your wrist so hard you feel bone press into flesh, wrenches the knife away from his throat as if youâre no more than a pesky mosquito, and flips your body over his shoulder.Â
Being effectively yeeted into a frozen concrete floor by a man three times your size would most certainly be a death sentence.Â
You feel the wind rush out of your lungs, the world spin upside down, and youâre preparing to hear a deafening crack of your skull against the hard ground.Â
Before the impact radiates through your body though, you realize heâs slowed your momentum by sliding an arm around your lower back, stopping you just before your body wouldâve crashed into the floor. He kneels forward, holding you just above the ice, and you get a good look at his face.
It doesnât feel like the right time to be thinking this, and you hate yourself a tiny bit, but heâs really fucking handsome. His nose is large and stately, his eyes framed by thick, dark lashes that brush his cheekbones, eyebrows pulled together so his forehead scrunches up. There are lines of age on his face, flecks of gray in his beard, yet the flush to his tanned skin and the light in his gaze tells you heâs in tiptop shape. This is a man who eats well, eats often, and probably isnât sleeping on the hard ground every night as youâve been for weeks.
Considering he just tossed you over his shoulder like a tiny bag of flour, this isnât particularly surprising.Â
âIf youâd quit tryinâ to kill me, little miss, then maybe we can have a conversation.â
With a growl of anger, you swing your fist. He catches your wrist in his hand so easily itâs humiliating, and gives you a disapproving look.Â
âWe ainât gonna hurt yaâ,â he continues, âstop swinginâ on me.â
âWe should take her back to town,â the boy says, still standing beside the two of you a little awkwardly, âsheâs not well.â
At that, you pause, something icy running into your veins. Youâve run into more than enough fucked up little âtownsâ on your trip west. They always ended up trying to kill you or indoctrinate you into some demented cult ideals. Youâve fought your way out of more than enough situations like this to know that if you donât escape now, itâs not going to end well.
Youâre unarmed, youâre starved, youâre half-frozen, and the man above you is so large you swear you could strap a pair of reins to his shoulders and have him pull a carriage.Â
In so many words, youâre fucked.
âGet the fuck off me!â you snarl, wriggling in his grasp and trying to free yourself.
âAlright.â The man releases you and you hit the cold ground, a surprised noise of pain slipping from your mouth as your head smashes into the ice.
âJesus Joel,â the boy says.
âShe told me to!â
This is your chance. You just need to get to your feet and run. Fuck the gun and the knife, youâll find new ones. Youâve been without your supplies before. You can figure it out. You just have to get up.
An attempt to move into a sitting position proves futile, as your vision begins to swim and your head throbs. Your hands fumble weakly for purchase at your sides, but the ice is too slick to find a solid grasp.
âI think sheâs gotta concussion,â the man, Joel, muses nonchalantly.
âI think sheâs got a lot going on,â the boy replies, âshould we put her on a horse? Seems like she wants to be left alone.â
âAinât the policy that we bring back injured travelers?â Joel asks.
 âYeah, but normally they donâtâŠresist this much, right?â
Joel hums thoughtfully. âNormally they ainât women all by themselves surrounded by two strange men.â
âI guess not.âÂ
âLetâs get her on a horse. Once she realizes sheâs safe, maybe sheâll quit the murderinâ shit.â
âWhat if she comes to and tries to kill you again?â the boy worries.
At this, Joel chuckles again. âIf she manages to kill me on the back of a horse with no weapon, then I goddamn deserve it, kid.â
âIs this how all patrols are?âÂ
âNah. They usually ainât this exciting.â Joel leans over you then, and you smell the lemon soap and a faint whiff of pine oil. âHey there, you with us?â
âNo,â you groan, though youâre not actually sure what youâre responding to.
âListen, mâgonna have to pick you up and put you on a horse. Try not to gouge my eyes out. Think you can manage that?â
âNo,â you repeat sourly.
âExcellent. You ever been on a horse before?â
âNo.â
He exhales. âYou say anything else?â
âNo.â
âAlright then. When we get you up, just hold on to my waist, donât let go or youâre gonna go flyinâ and that wonât be good for neither of us. You hear? No ainât an option.â
You narrow your eyes which does nothing to help your already blurry vision. You feel your consciousness slowly starting to slip away on a delicate string, at a great danger of snapping and disappearing in the distance.Â
âI think she bonked her head,â the boy says when you donât reply.
âGood observation, son.â With that, Joel reaches for you. You tell your muscles to resist, to fight back, but they frustratingly donât move.
He slides his arms underneath your prone form and lifts as if you weigh no more than a backpack. Surprisingly, his touch is gentle rather than rough as youâd expected. He moves slowly, gradually pulling your body into a sitting position. Your head spins and you let out an involuntary noise of pain.
âMâsorry honey,â he murmurs, âyou got your bell rung, thatâs for sure.â
âI donât carry a bell,â you manage a weak reply.
He chuckles again, and you feel yourself being hoisted up. After a moment of adjusting, youâre lying in his arms bridal style, thick forearms underneath your body. He grips your thighs to keep you in place, shifting you upward to preserve the momentum as he gets back to his feet with a slight huff of effort.Â
âDo you need help?â the boy asks, hovering.
âNah, she donât weigh more than one of them kitchen chairs in the mess hall. Just grab her stuff, mâsure sheâll be askinâ after it when sheâs up and running.â
âOkay, okay got it. You want me to lead?â
âYeah, go ahead. Thanks Jesse.â
âSure thing.â
Youâre moving then, you think. The world shifts around you, and your head lulls to the side, pressing into a coat. You shudder once, and find yourself transfixed on the even breathing of the man holding you.
âCold?â he asks gruffly, and then sighs as if thatâs a stupid question. âJesse?â
âYeah?âÂ
âHelp me with this.âÂ
Thereâs movement, and your body is shuffled a bit, before someone drapes a thick weight over you, wrapping you up like a burrito in what appears to be a giant leather jacket. It smells of lemon and pine oil, the scent wafting off it with each movement.Â
Youâre confused, disoriented and overwhelmed. The weight of the jacket around you is enough to soothe the cold for now, even as you feel shuffling and adjusting and find your legs slung around the thick flank of a horse.Â
âHold on tight,â says Joel.Â
What other choice do you have?Â
âââ-
Somewhere between the gas station and here, you passed out.Â
It shouldnât surprise you, given the state you were in. It only makes sense your body would give up in some way. Obviously you wish it hadnât been while you were pressed up against the large, broad back of a grouchy old Texan, but as you said youâve never had the best luck.Â
When you come to, youâre supine on a couch. Itâs odd though, because from first glance, the thing isnât musty and dusty like they usually are. Itâs soft, squishy, and smells clean. Thereâs a blanket draped over you, some sort of fuzzy wool that keeps your limbs warm. Itâs heavy too, the weight of it soothing. A crackling sound alerts your gaze to a mantle with a fireplace underneath, heat flickering off the orange licks of flames, well contained in the brick casing. Atop the mantle are framed photos, a girl with choppy hair and freckles on a horse, the man, Joel, at her side, smiling.Â
Itâs an odd expression on him, you think. Although handsome, itâs surprising to see the gruff man look so at ease, so happy. From your brief interaction in the gas station, youâd come to gather heâs a no-nonsense, quick-to-choke asshole.
Not unlike yourself, really.
And if there are photos of him and what looks to be his daughter, or a teenaged relative maybe, on this mantle, that means youâre in his house. That means youâre in grave danger.
Though...you are seemingly fine, wrapped in a blanket by the fireplace, clothing intact on your body. Beside you on an end table is a lamp, a glass of tepid water, and a few leaves of unfamiliar greens.Â
You move to sit up, pressing your hands against your thighs in search of any of your weapons. Nothing. Your pack is gone too.Â
As you adjust, you find that your mouth feels like itâs full of cotton, tongue swollen and dry. Your throat is aching, desperate for water. You run your fingers along the arm of the sofa, eyeing the glass of water longingly.
What if heâs done something to it?Â
Before you can decide if itâs worth the risk, footsteps pad in behind you, and you whip around to see him entering the room. You stumble off the couch, legs wobbling, knees threatening to give out as you try to stand your ground.
âEasy,â Joel says in that slow drawl, âyouâre alright, little miss. Youâre safe.â
Your hands clench into fists. As if youâre stupid enough to believe him.Â
âYou know where you are?â he asks, like he thinks you wonât know.Â
For a moment, you fumble. Where...are you? You know itâs snowing outside the windows of this little, quiet house. You know you came from Atlanta. You know you found yourself a little turned around in the backwoods of somewhere in Wyoming.
âWyoming,â you say, forcing the word to come out assuredly, even as your voice cracks around it like a frail twig under a boot.
He nods once. âGood. Youâre in Jackson. You hit your head and it seemed like you havenât had a real meal in a while. We brought you back to get you feelinâ better. You passed out on the way.â
Blinking, you take stock of the room around you. Youâre in Joelâs house, in Jackson. Can it really be true? Have you really found it? The place where life can be lived peacefully amidst the horrors outside the wall?Â
âItâs real?â you find yourself asking. The crackling fireplace and framed photos seem evidence enough of a more content lifestyle than anywhere youâve ever lived.
Again, he nods. âYouâve heard of it?â
âJust stories,â you admit, âdidnât believe them.â
âItâd be hard to,â he agrees gruffly.Â
You allow yourself a moment to look him over. Here in his home, heâs shed his winter layers in favor of a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt with an unbuttoned flannel over the top. His hair is tousled from the wind, gray-lined dark curls framing his face. His shoulders, just as big as you remember noticing, fill out the fabric of his flannel so well itâs a little hard to look away. A quick scan of his body does little to reassure you of any chance you have to fight back if this goes sour. Heâs large; his chest thick, thighs sturdy in his jeans, a faint outline of a comfortable belly underneath his shirt. You can see a cropping of dark hair just poking out of his shirt collar and the ends of his sleeves. Heâs rugged in every sense of the word. Rugged, and huge.Â
âI left you some water there,â he gestures vaguely to the end table, âsome mint leaves to chew on, sometimes they help when I gotta headache. I dunno. Just in case. They didnât have anywhere to put you yet, and the infirmary was pretty overrun so they-â
âWhat are you going to do to me?â you find yourself asking, hating the hollow note of fear in your words.Â
Joel pauses, hands on his hips, eyebrows screwed together. âDo to you?â
In lieu of a reply, you just nod warily.Â
It takes him a moment, you think, to register what youâre implying. When it hits him, his shoulders deflate, and his expression heaves into one of displeasure. He clenches and unclenches his fists before he speaks.
âYouâre safe,â he says again, voice even and composed despite the clear discomfort on his face. âI ainât gonna hurt you. Once they find somewhere else to put you, weâll get you comfortable. But for now, if itâll make you feel better.â He moves toward you, reaching for the waistband of his jeans.
Reflexively, you stumble backward, putting distance between the two of you. Your legs betray you, and you find yourself leaning against a table by the window with little wood carvings to stay upright. He halts instantly, expression neutral.Â
âI was just gonna give you this.â He removes your gun from his waistband, presenting it matter-of-factly. âLoaded the mag for you. Donât shoot me.â
With that, he sets it on the end table by the couch, halfway between the two of you, and steps back.Â
âYou got no reason to kill me,â he says, âI got no reason to hurt you. I wouldnât. Ever. So take it. But Iâd prefer not to have any extra holes by the time you leave.âÂ
You swallow noisily, eyes tracing the line toward the gun. It rests neatly beside the water and mint leaves, his gifts to you, comfort and safety all in one little package on the end table.Â
Unsure of what to say, you slowly move toward the end table, picking up the gun. Hesitantly, you pull back the slide and see a round in the chamber. Then, you pop the mag out and see that he wasnât lying. Itâs fully loaded.Â
You eye him warily as you tuck the gun into your own waistband, safety on. âThanks?â
âDonât shoot me,â he repeats sternly.
âDonât give me a reason to,â you warn him.
At this, he scoffs. âLady, if I wanted to kill you, I woulda done it with my arm around your neck.â
Your eyes narrow. âI never said you wanted to kill me.â
His nose wrinkles at that, eyes going dark. âYou donât have to worry about that. Listen, Iâll stay outta your hair. But they want me to get you healthy before you get set up on your own here. So-â
âWait, before what?â
Another sigh, like heâs exasperated. âYouâll get assigned a house and eventually work duties and patrol schedules. Theyâll go over all that with you. Iâm just the middle man here.â
Youâre shaking your head before heâs even done speaking. âWho fucking decided that for me?â
His eyebrow arches. âAinât that why youâre out here?â
Torn, you struggle to think of a reply. It actually is exactly why youâre out here, but youâre confused and suspicious at the easy welcome and acceptance of another mouth to feed, another burden on the resources. You donât even know if heâs telling the truth. Maybe youâre not even in Jackson. Maybe this is some fucked up murder cabin and heâs playing you like a fiddle.
âHow do I know youâre not lying?â You demand, fingers itching to reach for the gun now that itâs safely holstered away.Â
Joel gestures to the front door. âBe my fuckinâ guest.â
Reluctantly taking your eyes off of him, you push off the table and move for the front entryway. You brush by him briskly, annoyed when he doesnât move out of the way. Your shoulder nudges into his arm, and youâre struck by how thick and immovable he feels beside your feeble frame.Â
You hate it. It would be so effortless to overpower you.
You dislike having him in your rearview, but you move toward the line of windows that overlook the front lawn.Â
Your eyes take in a sight you couldâve only ever imagined. Snow-lined streets, little shops and markets with pleasant looking customers milling about. People with horses, waving to each other. Children running in the street and laughing loudly while gentle adults corral them back onto shoveled sidewalks. No FEDRA guards shouting about work duty or drills, no bomb warning sirens, no distant roar of infected outside the gates.
No weapons, no shouting or robbery, no children sobbing in the snow from hunger. Everything that had ever felt unattainable, apparently just outside your window.Â
In utter disbelief, you slowly turn back to Joel, whoâs watching you with mild interest.Â
âWow,â is all you can manage.Â
âYeah, you found the promised land and all that.â He shrugs. âNow they said they oughta have somewhere for you to stay on your own by end of week, provided youâre physically up for it. Youâd better start with some water, kid.â
You glance at the glass on the end table, ruminating on the possibility of it being laced with something.Â
âFor Christ's sake.â Joel marches toward the glass, takes a few huge gulps, and then holds it out to you. âWhere the fuck would I even get somethinâ like that?â
He has to know that these days finding drugs to crush up and ingest is infinitely easier than finding food. Or maybe he doesnât. Maybe living here has made a soft, ignorant man of him. Maybe he always has been.Â
Youâre suddenly so angry. All of the years youâve suffered, your family dying, FEDRA raids and Firefly bombings and attacks from hordes of infected.Â
And here he is. Sitting by the fire, framed photographs smiling back at him, mint leaves between his teeth for a mild ailment.Â
Itâs so unfair.Â
âYou guys are pretty selfish, you know.â You ignore his outstretched hand with the water. âKeeping all this a secret. Keeping it for yourselves while the rest of us struggle.â
Joel rolls his eyes, and the flippant gesture is enough to make your teeth grind together. âAh. Weâre doinâ this? You wanna leave, go. Ainât nobody holding you hostage.â
What are you doing? Your brain is screaming at you desperately. This is what you wanted. This is why you came. Youâve found it.Â
You hadnât realized what it would mean, actually seeing this oasis. Actually feeling the warmth of a fireplace and the soft fabric of a clean couch. Having mint leaves and bullets a plenty. How could you have ever expected the gaping hole it would punch through your chest, seeing what you couldâve had all these years, laid out in front of you like a decadent buffet. What your family couldâve had.Â
What this man, Joel, is trying to offer you.Â
âIt isnât fair,â you manage weakly, talking to no one in particular, eyes searching around the organized decor. âIt isnât fair.â
âI know,â is all you get in reply.Â
You move away from the window, not exactly sure where you plan to go, but overwhelmed. Finally, your weak knees do give out, and you pitch forward.
Your arms shoot out to catch yourself, but as it turns out, you donât need them to. Strong hands grip you under the armpits, pulling upward until your legs straighten out. You stumble into a big, warm chest, and Joel grumbles something you donât catch under his breath.Â
âEasy,â he murmurs, âgonna get you back to the couch.â
Youâre too overcome to argue, though it is your first instinct. You allow him to lead your trembling body toward the sofa, jellylike legs carrying you only as his strength pulls them along.Â
He slots you between two couch cushions, and you sink down in the fabric. Then, he picks up the water heâd set down in his hurry to catch you, and holds it out.Â
âThis would be a start,â he says earnestly.Â
In shaky hands, you bring the glass to your lips, sipping delicately. The water is room temperature, somewhat warmed by the heat of the fire. It goes down your throat, soothing the ache there with much needed droplets of hydration. You finish the glass in record time, and before you can blink, Joelâs taken it from you. Your arm reaches forward pathetically, a plea to keep the glass as if you could suck the remaining moisture out from the bottom.Â
âHold on,â he says, but thereâs no note of impatience or annoyance in the words. He leaves the room and returns a moment later with a glass full to the brim.Â
Eagerly, you take it from his hands, too lost in the euphoria of fresh, clean water to consider the possibility of the first one being a trick. Heâs got you comfortable. Now, he can do whatever he wants.Â
You hadnât realized how thirsty you were until the pain was soothed.Â
Itâs a funny thing, longing. You get so used to it that you start to grow numb. You yearn for something long enough, eventually you donât feel like yourself without it. Hunger, thirst, pining, itâs all a part of who you are. Fulfilled, sated, you wouldnât know who to be or how to move forward.Â
Still, you finish the glass as quickly as the first.Â
âBetter?â Joel asks, his voice lacking warmth but not particularly unpleasant.Â
You nod hesitantly.Â
âHowâs your head?â
You touch your fingers to the back of your head, roving the pads across your tangled hair. You feel no bump, no cuts, nothing more than a rats nest of unbrushed locks.Â
âFine,â you say, though it does hurt. Youâre sure itâs nothing serious, but you definitely gave it a good bump.Â
âYou feel like eatinâ?â He asks, and the prospect of food is enough to make your chapped lips feel wet with salivation.Â
âYou have food,â you tell him, more of a statement than a question.Â
Quizzically, he nods. âUh, yeah.â
âReal food?â
âI got some venison in the freezer,â he says, âand some broccoli.â
âIn a can?â
His expression softens marginally. âNo.â
Fuck. Real fresh vegetables?Â
âTell you what.â Joel cracks his knuckles loudly. âYou go on up and take a shower, get yourself sorted. Iâll get started on some grub. âBout dinner time anyway. Then maybe we can get you healthy enough to get outta my hair. Howâs that sound?â
âOkay,â is all you can think to say, surprisingly amicable. In your defense, itâs been a while since someone offered you a hot meal and a shower. And you do have your gun...just in case.
Joel holds a hand out, and despite every instinct in your body begging you not to take it, you slip your palm into his. His hand is warm, calloused from exposure and rough on the pads of his palm, but thereâs something familiar about his hold. Itâs oddly comforting. It feels like a hand that knows hard work, not unlike your own, which youâre sure are twice as rough right now.
He offers you a small, barely perceptible smile before he releases your hand and says, âsecond door on the right.â
Then, he heads into the kitchen.Â
If you wanted to, you could quietly sneak in behind him, gun drawn, and put a bullet in his head. Right now, it would be so easy. Heâs foolishly left you to your own devices in his home with a loaded gun. Who could blame you for second-guessing his motives and intentions?Â
But heâs also offering you a meal, a hot shower, the prospect of a life. And youâd come a very long way to find him. To find this, you mean.Â
You lean down and grab a mint leaf, sticking it between your teeth to chew as you ascend the stairs with a careful hand on the railing. Itâs surprisingly tasty, the leaf, though it has a bite of burn that stings your tongue in an unfamiliar way. You press it between your teeth and tongue, feeling the sharp sting of the mint and breathing in the relief. You arenât sure why, maybe itâs all in your head, but it feels like it is soothing your pain.Â
Your fingers trail along the wooden banister. Itâs clean, well dusted, organized. Thereâs traces of life here, in the haphazard way his boots are strewn by the door, in the crumple of towels on the floor in the corner of the laundry room you pass by, in the photographs on walls and more tables. That girl with the freckles and choppy hair is all over his life, alongside a man with a beard and scrappy bun. A brother maybe? You canât tell, but whatâs clear in the multitude of photos is that Joel likes to keep his loved ones close. He likes tangible memories, reminders of those he cares for.Â
You find yourself in a large bathroom standing in front of a shower with a pastel yellow curtain. You grip the material in your fingers, pulling back on the curtain, enamored with the way it glides back and forth on the rod. The closest thing you had to this in the QZ was water boiled and poured into a tub for bathing. On the road, it was a nice cold creek when you could find it.
Curiously, you slide your fingers down the wall until they bump into a strange knob, delicate rounded designs poking out of the glossy finish. To the right, a little blue circle, to the left a little red one. You deduce they indicate the temperature of the water, and twist the knob until itâs halfway in between.Â
The water shoots forward out of a head at the top of the wall, spraying you in the face. You splutter, pulling back and coughing water out of your nose and throat. Itâs a powerful stream, the droplets hitting your face with a velocity you hadnât expected. You know the currents of lakes, oceans and creeks can be unpredictable. Waves are something otherworldly, a force to be reckoned with, never tempted.Â
You had no idea something so small could be so powerful.
You check once more that the door is locked, then you peel off your tattered jacket and undershirt. Your bra is barely held together by a stitch you keep doing and undoing in the back. The clasp broke a year ago. You slide your old jeans down your legs, face blooming red when you remember that your underwear was hooked onto the back of your bag to dry after a wash.
Where is it? Did they leave it in the gas station? It was your only pair.Â
Somehow worse...does Joel...have it?
Hesitantly, you step over the ledge of the tub into the stream of water, surprised at the feeling of the droplets crashing into your skin. It hurts a little, the pressure at which the water shoots out at you.Â
For a moment, you languish under the stream of water, feeling dirt and muck slide off your skin. It feels like youâve been encased in a layer of grime for so long, youâve almost forgotten what clean feels like. Though, youâve never been clean like this.
You see a little sponge in a rack on the wall, and grab for it. Thereâs a bar of soap beside it, and you take that too, sudsing up the sponge as much as possible. It smells like lemon, the same faint aroma youâd noticed on Joel.
Then, it strikes you that this must be the sponge he washes his own body with.
You hesitate. Surely this violates some sort of acceptable hygiene norm. But also, your handâs not gonna do the job. And youâd only be dirtying up his soap if you used that on its own.
In a confused moment of transfixion, you squeeze the sponge between your fingers, running the pad of your thumb over its gristly base. It wafts lemon, that enticing smell that Joel carries with him from a good wash in the morning.Â
You know itâs odd, and certainly not the time to be having these thoughts, but itâs a little distracting that this is his sponge. The same one he rubs all over himself when heâs naked, when the water is drizzling down his thick body, his sturdy chest and his soft stomach and the unmovable width of his thighs. You imagine he must like the way it feels after a long day, hot water sizzling on his skin, the sharp edge of a sponge cutting through dirt on his body, the smell of lemon in his nose and lingering on him.
You douse the sponge in lemon soup, and carefully slide it down your arm. The feeling makes you shudder; the rough texture of the sponge grating down your filthy skin. The sponge that Joel rubs on himself. The sponge thatâs nestled itself between the bulging muscles of his chest, down the lines of his abdomen, all over his large arms. Down further...between his legs, maybe.Â
Itâs been so long since you thought about a man this way; since you thought about anyone this way. On the road, there was no time for luxuries like sexual fantasy.Â
But now, safe and comfortable beneath a thick and steady steam of hot water, you allow your mind to wander a bit.
How thorough must Joel be, when he washes himself with this rough little sponge? To smell as good as he does even in the midst of a fight, even with adrenaline pumping, testosterone brewing, sweat surely slickening his underarms and legs. Still, he wafts pleasant aromas, the kind that make you lean into him, rather than pull away.
He must touch himself often, in depth. He must scrub the soap in between places on his large body that only he can see, only he can touch. Dripping little droplets of sweet-scented soap on to parts of him that would be so difficult to get to, unless he were naked in front of you.Â
Your fist clenches tightly around the sponge, expelling a myriad of soapy bubbles that drip down your legs into the drain. You blink, shaking your head, trying to come back down from those inappropriate thoughts.
Jesus. Itâs really been too long. Youâre gonna have to figure out something to do about that before you find yourself biting into this lemon-scented sponge.
Get a grip, you tell yourself. You have one hot shower and all of a sudden youâre ready and willing for the first person who will have you?
Youâre sure it wonât be Joel, gruff and solitary as he seems, but maybe someone in this little safe haven is interested in relieving this ache.
Though, youâre no stranger to longing. Itâs not as if you canât take care of yourself.
Right now, you focus on washing. You scrub every inch of your body, including between your toes and in your belly button. You fight the layers of grime and grit until your skin is rubbed raw and red. Then, you take the syrupy bottle of liquid thatâs labeled in marker âshampooâ and drench the crown of your head with it.
Scrubbing your hair takes more energy than you can expend. By the time the bubbles are rinsing down your back, your vision is swimming and youâre seeing black spots at the corner of your eyes. Your legs wobble, and you press a hand flat against the wall to steady yourself.
How long have you been in here?
Instead of tipping over and falling out onto the bathroom floor like an idiot, you slowly lower yourself to the shower floor. The tile is hot underneath your legs, and you realize youâve turned the water all the way to the little red circle.Â
It burns, droplets of acid shooting into your skin like knives. Itâs so hot, hotter water than youâve ever felt cascading over your body. It burns nicely, melting away the road like youâre shedding skin to grow anew. The steam fills your nostrils, and you take a big breath, your lungs still rattly and weak from the cold outside, but soothed slightly by the thick warmth in here.
You lose track of everything on the shower floor. The water is so hot, the smell is so sweet, the confines of the tub feel safe and secluded. The door has a lock, the shower has a curtain, each sliver of a barrier between you and everyone else feels like more security than youâve had in months. Or maybe ever.
Your knees press against the sides of the tub, knobby and thin, too sickly for anyone to desire. You donât like the body youâre in, donât like that you were mistaken for an infected today, donât like that youâre more survival than person at this point.Â
And you canât help but wonder, Jackson, Joel, this life here, would it be enough to change that? He says he can get you healthy, you can get your own place, a home. If you do as he says, follow his lead, can he really make that happen?
A place where you could lock the doors whenever you want. A place where you didnât have to keep a loaded gun on you to feel safe. A place where you could drink the water without worrying itâs been spiked or itâs unsuitable. A life, a home, something meaningful.
All you have to do is get off the floor and go downstairs to it.Â
With a huff of effort, you shove your body forward, bracing yourself on the side of the tub for momentum. You clumsily yank on the knob and crank it until the water stops flowing. There's a fresh towel on a rack by the shower, and you reach for it feebly.
You avoid your reflection in the mirror as much as possible; your skin is a mapping of cuts, bruises, scars. A lifetime of suffering delicately traced into lines on your body. Thereâs no hiding what youâve been through, it plays out across your limbs like the scenes of a movie. Each moment of misery, each near-death experience, each trauma, a little piece of it left within you and etched into your physicality for everyone to see.Â
Some people are born whole and become broken. Some are born whole and never lose enough pieces to say they arenât complete anymore.Â
You were born with missing parts, already deficient in a world that ensured it would hack every last bit of you away. You donât know how you stand, how you breathe, how you live, without lungs to fill your throat with air or a heart to pump your blood. Your chest is a cavern, all your missing pieces scattered across the trails youâve walked, and mirrored in your scarred flesh.
Reminders. Everything is fleeting, everything is futile, and contentment is an undeserved fantasy.Â
Body wrapped in a towel, the cold air dimpling your flesh with goosebumps, you reach for your tattered clothes. Theyâre filthy, murky and bloodstained. You suspect Joel is going to need to thoroughly disinfect the couch you were lying on.Â
You donât want to put them on. You donât want to slide your clean, scrubbed raw skin into the folds of clothing littered with horror.Â
All you have is the cleanliness of your skin, and the mint leaf ground up between your teeth. Your first taste of comfort in...well, forever.
Reluctantly, you scoop up the pile of clothes and peer out into the hallway. Youâre struck with a delightful smell; not the lemon soap, but something more tantalizing. Cooking meat, vegetables, the sizzle of smoke on a stovetop. You lean forward almost in a trance, your stomach growling ravenously, as you begin to descend the stairs.Â
Your footsteps are featherlight on the stairs, toes carefully pressing forward down the cold hardwood. It squeaks underneath the pad of your foot, but you ignore it, moving languidly toward the enticing smell.Â
Heâs there, Joel, standing at the stove with his large back to you. Heâs shrugged out of the flannel, leaving him clad in only his black t-shirt. The thin confines of the material give you more insight into the shape of him, the large, hulking physique of the man cooking vegetables.Â
He doesnât seem to notice your entrance, either too enthralled in his task, or youâve been in the shower so long heâs forgotten youâre here.Â
Carefully, you edge your way in a wide circle until you think youâre in his peripherals. He glances sideways, eyebrows shooting up as he observes you standing in his kitchen, only a towel around your body.Â
âDo you have my underwear?â You ask, before something less humiliating can come to mind.Â
Joel falters, something between embarrassment and amusement dancing across his expression before it smooths out. âUh, yeah. I threw âem in the wash with some other stuff. Hope thatâs okay.â
âOh. Yeah itâs okay. Thanks.â
âI can take those too?â He jerks his chin toward the bundle of tattered clothes in your arms.Â
âI have nothing else to wear,â you admit.Â
At that, the corner of his lips twitch sideways. âI got somethinâ for yaâ.â
He sets the pan down on the stove and gestures for you to follow him. You trail behind as he makes his way down the hall toward the laundry room youâd passed by earlier. He pauses in the doorway, looking around thoughtfully, before he spots a big tub in the back corner and reaches for it. Itâs labeled with the same marker his shampoo was.
Ellie Winter Clothes
Joel brings the tub out into the living room and cracks open the lid, waving a hand for you to come in and examine the options.
You peer into the tub, surprised to find several neat stacks of folded up clothing. Jackets, pants, long-sleeved shirts and flannels. You look at Joel curiously.
âMy kid,â he explains, âshe just left last week to go on this tour of the west coast with her girlfriend. They just turned eighteen, all about gettinâ that freedom.â
You stare at him blankly. âYou let your eighteen year old daughter leave on her own?â
Joel smiles wryly. âYou ain't met Ellie. Anyway, sheâll be back at the end of next month. Just donât lose nothinâ and I figure she wonât mind.â
You pick up one of the shirts. Itâs soft fleece, navy blue, thick and warm to the touch. You purse your lips, doubtful itâll fit you if itâs something a teenage girlâs wearing.
âI think itâll fit just fine,â Joel tells you carefully, ââleast until we get some food in yaâ.â
Warily, you slide the navy fleece over your head, keeping the towel upright with one hand and rolling the shirt down over the front of it. With dismay, you find the shirt fits nicely. Itâs barely even snug.
And itâs so unfair that you almost cry in his living room. Because a girl ten years your junior shouldnât be wearing the same size clothes as you. You bite the inside of your cheek to keep the emotions from swelling to the surface, blinking rapidly.Â
Joel clears his throat. âHey, why donât you throw them clothes on, and meet me in the kitchen? Grubâs almost up.â
Youâre quick to nod, scooping up a pair of leggings and socks before you shuffle across the floor into the downstairs bathroom beside the kitchen. You allow yourself a moment to let the tears race down your cheeks as you dress in the teenage girlâs clothes, sniffling while wiping at your red eyes. You hadnât realized, alone on the road all those months, how much youâve shrunk in on yourself. Youâve never been as big as you should be, stunted by lack of food. But at least in the QZ you had ration blocks. Itâs been a lean few months of scavenging.Â
You feel like something inhuman, something wrong, something unworthy. You donât belong in this well-decorated, well-loved home. In this safe little town.Â
Finally, you wipe the last of the liquid from your eyes and exit the bathroom, heading into the kitchen. Your footsteps are careful, cautious, each one placed with delicate intention.
Joelâs just finishing up as he sets a plate down on his circular kitchen table. There are two settings, each with glistening silver utensils and a mason jar full of liquid beside them.Â
Joel spots you entering, and smiles hesitantly. He pulls out one of the chairs, which you assume is your cue to sit. You place your bottom in the chair, surprised when he pushes it in for you. He sits in the other chair and begins to eat unceremoniously.
Taking in the sights on your plate, you find a well cooked slab of meat, seared delightfully. The broccoli is steamed to a crisp, but not burnt, and thereâs a slice of fluffy bread sliced beside it. You even see Joel dip a knife into a slab of light yellow paste and spread it over his slice.
âIs that...â your voice trails off in disbelief.
âThatâs right,â he replies, âwant some?â
You nod eagerly and hold out your bread. He smooths some butter over the top. He takes a sip from the mason jar beside his plate, and you canât tell exactly whatâs in it but, from the smell you think itâs alcohol.
You glance down at your own jar curiously, picking it up with a delicate hand. Itâs a faded orange-ish brown color, but smells sweet when you bring it to your nose to inhale. No traces of booze, you donât think. Youâve never been much of a drinker.
Tentatively, you bring the liquid to your mouth for a sip, eyelashes fluttering with surprise. Itâs sweet to the taste, tangy and thin as it drenches over your tongue. The flavor is familiar, though youâre certain youâve never had this drink. Itâs tart and sweet all at once.Â
âYou ever had apple juice before?â Joel asks, watching you make love to the mason jar as you eagerly sip more.
Frowning, you shake your head. âMaybe when I was a kid, before the outbreak. I donât remember it though.â
âYou like it?â
Nodding, you tip the glass back and finish it off, exhaling with pleasure. Then, you get to work on the meal.
Itâs been so long since you used silverware youâve almost forgotten how to properly position the fork and knife to cut into the meat. Itâs tender though, and easy to slice into. You spear a piece with your fork and take it between your lips, eyes going wide at the burst of flavor breaking in under your teeth.Â
Itâs like nothing youâve ever had before. Juicy, tender, flavorful. It fills your mouth, satiates the hunger radiating through your teeth, goes down your throat in a smooth gulp. It settles in your empty stomach, a small portion of relief restored within you.Â
Itâs as if a switch has flipped. Once you get a bite of the meat, you think you need to have more or you might die. Itâll be impossible to stop.Â
You start cutting into the meat like your life depends on it, ravenously shoving pieces into your mouth in a manner youâre sure Joel finds unladylike. You supplement it with bites of well-seasoned broccoli and soft, buttery bread.
Joel refills your apple juice and you wash down bites with it, practically moaning at the taste. When your bread disappears another is set on your plate, buttered and soft, ready to go.Â
You barely look up to breathe before the plate is clean, the glass is drained for the second time, and Joel is still working on his first helping of it all.Â
He smiles at you when you meet his eyes, suddenly feeling something like shame wash over you. You donât remember much of what your parents taught you about manners, but youâre pretty sure coming into a stranger's house and eating their food like a feral dog doesnât fall under the umbrella of polite dining.
âUm...mâsorry,â is all you can think to say.
Joel arches an eyebrow, taking a hefty bite of his own and chewing thoroughly before he asks, âsorry for what?â
âIt was really good,â you reply hesitantly.Â
At that, his smile grows, and he looks down at the plate to smooth his expression over. He nods once. âGood. Mâglad. Glad you liked it. Howâre you feelinâ?â
âLike I want more,â you admit, though your voice is sheepish, âis that bad?â
He clears his throat, readjusting in his seat, and your face falls. Oh dear god. Youâre humiliated. Clearly heâs uncomfortable with your gluttony and your request, youâve made this weirder than it already was. Further proof of your fears; you arenât made for a place like this. Youâre wrong, broken, not-
âIâm real glad to hear that, darlinâ,â Joel says, âmaybe give it a few minutes. I bet you ainât eaten that much in a while.â
Your face feels warm at the casual use of darlinâ, but you ignore that and ask, âwait for what?â
âFor it all to settle, make sure you still feel okay.â He shrugs, taking another bite of the meat on his plate, which youâre now noticing is much larger than the one youâd had. âGoinâ from as hungry as you look, to eatinâ like we do here...sâgonna take some time.â
Itâs an interesting concept, the idea that there could be too much to eat, when all youâve ever known is the opposite. You struggle to see how that could be a problem, but itâs his house, and his food, and you donât want to make a scene.
âOkay,â you agree quietly.
Joel chews on his bottom lip thoughtfully, eyeing you as you wrap your arms around yourself, feeling as though your mere presence alone takes up too much valuable oxygen.
âHere.â He hands you another slice of buttered bread, holding it out in his large hand like a peace offering. âCanât let you sit at my table hungry, darlinâ. Just, take it easy, or you ainât gonna feel too hot.â
Tamping down the glee that springs into your chest at the opportunity for more food, you accept the bread from his outstretched hand with a quiet thanks. You eat quickly, greedily, closing your eyes and letting out a small moan of delight at the taste.Â
Something funny happens as you eat that bread, a change in the way your stomach feels, a change in the way your body feels. A warmth, pooling in your belly, swelling through you up into your chest, softening your throat and relaxing your shoulders.
Youâre full. For the first time in you donât even know how long, the emptiness doesnât persist.Â
âWow, thatâs a sight,â Joel says, and you look over at his face to find a surprising expression of amusement there.
âWhat?â you demand, voice going sour.
He shakes his head, rueful. âYou, smilinâ like that. Didnât take you for the type.â
A scowl immediately overtakes your features, and your jaw clenches. âIâd have plenty to smile about if-â
His low, dry chuckle cuts off your train of thought. Your eyes narrow, and he shakes his head again, looking a little too amused by all of this for your taste.
âWill you settle down?â Joel teases lightly. âItâs just nice, is all. Glad to see you lookinâ happy about somethinâ. Weâve made a lotta progress from you holding a knife to my throat earlier.â
You regard him with cautious eyes. âAnd you trying to choke me to death.â
âAh. Yeah.â Sheepishly, he rubs the back of his neck. âMâsorry about that. I didnât realize you werenât...â
âA disgusting mushroom monster?â you fill in, lips twitching.
âI wasnât gonna say that.â He frowns.Â
âItâs fine. I know I look like shit. Itâs been a rough couple of months.â
âI wasnât gonna say that neither,â Joel replies dryly. âWhat I do wanna ask isâŠwell, howâd you end up out there on your own? Ainât you gotta family? Young woman like you-â
âIâm not young,â you bite back immediately. And itâs true. In this world, at your age, youâre considered lucky to still be here
âAlright,â he concedes, âwoman like yourself, alone. Howâd that happen?âÂ
âEverybodyâs got dead people,â you reply, running your finger along the thin glass around the empty mason jar. Itâs cool against your skin, sticky with juice remnants. It gives you something to focus on besides Joelâs scrutinizing expression.Â
You donât want to do this; pry open this bleeding wound in your empty chest and claw at the flesh until the pain subsumes you. Your family is dead, youâve never had anything close to a friend, youâve never been safe enough to slow down in the way youâd need to fall in love. What is the point of rehashing this? What is the point of saying aloud all the scars he can see written plainly on your body?
âWhere is your daughterâs mom?â you ask, hoping desperately to shift the subject off of yourself.
Joel clears his throat, sitting up a bit in his chair. âSheâs dead. I actually adopted Ellie.â
âOh, you arenât her biological father?â
âNo. I uh...I was though. My older daughter. Sarah.â
You look at him, the plains of his face, the aged lines around his deep eyes, the flecks of gray in his beard. His use of the word âwasâ needs no further elaboration. Itâs clear, probably shouldâve been since even before he showed you Ellieâs winter clothes, this man is someoneâs father.Â
You suddenly realize youâve left your loaded handgun in the bathroom upstairs, abandoned with your discarded clothing. You suddenly realize, thatâs alright.Â
âIâm sorry,â is all you can muster in reply to such a harrowing admission.Â
Joel nods once, a brief acknowledgement of your condolence. âThanks. Was a long time ago. Mâalright, these days. Lifeâs good.â
âEverybodyâs got dead people,â you offer up again, a limp shrug to your shoulders.Â
Arching an eyebrow, Joel replies, âthatâs true. Your parents, then?â
âMhm. Yours?â
He chuckles. âLong before the outbreak, honey.â
âHow old are you, anyway?â
âOld. Yourself?â
âNot old. Not young, either.â
Nodding, Joelâs eyes dart up to meet yours. Itâs quiet then, the sort of quiet that lingers between two people when they arenât sure what the next move is. When they arenât sure where to go from here, what the future holds, what they are to each other.
âHow are you feelinâ?â He breaks the silence, of course, with a concerned glance at your empty plate.
You hesitate. How are you feeling? Itâs been so long since someone asked you that question.Â
Yesterday, the answer wouldâve been something as simple as an eye roll and a gesture to your ruined body. How are you feeling? Fucking bad. Is there any other way to feel in a world like this one?
Good feels like a stretch. Your head hurts from where you banged it on the floor, your stomach is so full now itâs starting to feel uncomfortable, your body aches and groans with each movement, and your mind is a torrent of uncertainty and confusion.Â
But...youâve certainly felt worse, haven't you?Â
Thereâs food in you, and something delightful called apple juice. Thereâs a fire in the living room. Thereâs utensils, and plates, and warm clothes, and a shower with-
You suddenly remember something you forgot to tell Joel.Â
âI used your sponge,â you say abruptly.
Joel blinks. Once, twice, then his brow furrows. âPardon me?â
âY-your sponge,â you splutter like an idiot as you realize this was not an appropriate time to bring up the sponge. âIn the shower. Iâm sorry I didnâtâŠit was the only one, so- âÂ
âOh.â Understanding passes over his face, and he looks taken aback for only a split second before he speaks again. âOh, no. Sâalright. I didnât think about that before I sent you up there. Sorry. Youâre good.â
âI rinsed it clean,â you tell him.Â
He laughs a little breathlessly, and you think you see the tips of his ears hueing a bit red. Clearing his throat, he swipes his used silverware onto his empty plate and stands. The chair squeals across the floor with his sudden movement.Â
âI ainât worried about it,â he says, and moves to deposit his dishes in the sink.
Urgently, you scramble to your feet, collecting your own plate and following him. Itâs your immediate instinct to take over and begin scrubbing the dishes; so long living on your own that every responsibility fell to you.Â
Youâre stopped by his gentle arm brushing yours, and he shakes his head. âI got the dishwasher workinâ last month. No need.â
âDishwasher?â you ask, confused.
Joel gestures to a large white door embedded into the cabinets. He reaches down, smooths his large fingers over the material, and pulls. The door draws down, opening to reveal peculiar little rows of racks and baskets.Â
âWhoa,â you breathe, kneeling down beside it with fascination, âthatâs what these things do?â
âYou were young when the outbreak hit,â Joel notes, not a question, but more of an observatory reminder. âIâll bet thereâs a lotta shit we used to have that you donât remember.â
âWe had one of these in the QZ,â you say, still transfixed by the inner workings of this dish washer, âbut I didnât know it opened. I thought it was just a weird design thing.â
At this, he bursts out laughing. Itâs a bit more vivacious than the dry chuckle heâs been giving you all day, a genuine, pealing laugh that comes from deep within his belly. Itâs nice, rumbling in your ears and soothing to your tense shoulders. The timbre of his pleased noises does something odd to you, something calming.
âIt takes running water to use,â he explains once his laughter has died down, âthatâs why yours never worked. If your QZ was like ours, that is.â
âYou were in a QZ?â you look up at him, struck with how massive he seems standing above your kneeling frame.
âBoston.âÂ
âAtlanta.â
âHeard that one ainât a cakewalk.â
You shake your head. âNo, we didnât have cake.â
His lips twitch. âYou donât know what-â
âIâm fucking with you.â Rolling your eyes, you get to your feet and cross your arms. âIâve heard of expressions before.â
âJust not dishwashers.â
Annoyed, your hand flies to your waistband, an instinct. You remember your gun is upstairs.Â
Joel follows the movement of your arm with a disbelieving noise of contempt. âYouâre a violent little thing, ainât you?â
âI didnât-â
âWhereâs the gun you were just reaching for?âÂ
âI left it upstairs,â you admit.Â
Joel nods approvingly. âIâll call that progress. Let me load the dishwasher here and Iâll take you up to your room.â
âMy room?âÂ
Your room, indeed.
After the dishes have been loaded into this bizarre machine, Joel walks you up the stairs, past the bathroom you used, into a spare bedroom. Itâs nice and clean the way the rest of the place is, neat lines and vacuumed rugs. Thereâs a dresser, and a bed with four posts, a colorful quilt, photos of horses on the walls. It smells like pine.Â
You havenât slept in a bed in a very long time.
You tell him as much, stroking the quilt beneath your palm as you approach the bed. Itâs sort of itchy, the kind of fabric that has grit to it, but thick enough to keep you warm.Â
Joel watches you as you investigate the room, perched in the doorway with his ankles crossed and his arms pressed into the frame. âSo you made it all the way from Atlanta, to here, on your own?â
âMhm.â You vault yourself up experimentally on the bed, feeling the mattress dip beneath your slight weight. Itâs aged, squeaky springs and lumpy spots here and there. The quilt scratches your raw skin and you pull back slightly.
But itâs a bed.
âMustâa been hard,â Joel notes.
You nod in agreement. It was hard. Now itâs over. No use rehashing it.
âWell, mâsure youâre exhausted.â He clears his throat and backs off the doorframe, nodding in your direction. âIâll be just down the hall if you need...if thereâs anythinâ at all...just, Iâm here, alright?â
âThanks.â You offer him a small, unsure smile.Â
He returns it with ease. âThatâs two.â
âHuh?â
Holding up two fingers, he moves from the doorway. âTwo smiles. Bet I can get three outta you tomorrow.â
With a scoff, you walk up behind him and place your hand on the door. âGood thing thereâs no money for you to lose.â
He grins at this, crooked jaw and curled lip all wicked and teasing. Thereâs something mischievous about this expression, something so out of character for this stern, fatherly presence that it almost takes your breath away. You can picture him, twenty years younger, a rough-and-tumble young man with a teasing sense of humor and a sharp wit. Itâs no surprise at all that someone loved him enough to give him a child, someone loved him enough to make him a father.Â
Joel is confusing, but heâs also quite simple.Â
Heâs a man who cares, fiercely, for those he loves. He cooks, he cleans, he folds his daughterâs clothes up in a neat little bin in the laundry room. He scrubs with lemon soap and stokes a soothing fire in the mantle. He chews mint leaves when his head hurts, he washes dirty undergarments without being asked.Â
He also laughs, teases, chokes and leaves you to your own devices if you get on his nerves. Though, his patience seems admirable. He loaded your gun, handed it to you with a live round, even after youâd held a knife to his throat. Heâd cooked you dinner, caught you when you fell, walked you to the bedroom so you could get proper rest.Â
You guess, if you were gonna end up getting choked out by some strange man, youâre glad it was Joel. Joel...huh.
âHey,â you stop him before he can make for the staircase.
âWhat?â he asks.
âWhatâs your last name?â
Joel regards you curiously. âMiller. Joel Miller. Whatâs yours?â
You tell him your name, and he nods. It takes a quick beat of silence for you to continue, âitâs nice to meet you, Joel Miller.â
He smiles again, softer this time, more genuine. âLikewise, darlinâ. Get some sleep.â
With that, he turns his back on you and descends the staircase.
______________________________________________________________________
The days go like this.
You wake up in a bed, scratchy quilt wrapped around your sore, aching body. You hadnât realized how badly you hurt until you stopped pushing forward.Â
You climb out of the bed, and pad downstairs in the cold morning brisk of Joelâs house. Heâs always up before you. He has a fire going in the mornings, heat wafting off the flicker of orange beneath the mantle, and you curl up beside it with the quilt dragging behind you. Heâs out of coffee beans for now, but he makes the both of you a mug of hot tea with roots infused into it, and itâs close enough.
You hold the steaming mug to your chest, itchy quilt pulled up around your body like a coat of armor, and watch the fire. Joel asks why you sit on the floor when thereâs a perfectly good couch right behind you.
You tell him you want to be warm. Youâve been cold for so long. He seems to understand.Â
You help him make breakfast, mystified by the seemingly endless supply of fresh produce he has available. He likes breakfast, says itâs his favorite of the day.Â
You watch as he cracks fresh eggs into a buttered pan; hear the sizzle of heat against runny yolk and whites, watch as the pools of liquid become firm and strong under the duress. Something soft and pliant, made durable through the forges of fire.Â
Itâs so silly, but you relate to those tough little eggs.Â
You eat at his kitchen table some days, sometimes on the porch in the cold morning, waving to Jackson residents as they begin their work shifts. It seems like fair trades, a barter system built on community where everyone is taken care of in some way or another. Itâs bizarre, unlike anything youâve ever seen before. Joelâs brother lives here too, with his wife Maria who runs the council. Itâs all very quaint, picturesque.Â
Joel says it works. He explains patrols, explains the work shift rotation, explains the mess hall and the greenhouses and the bountiful supply of food from gardening and hunting. He likes it here, you can tell, and why wouldnât he?Â
He tells you about his life before, little bits at a time delivered while passing you a plate or tucking the corner of your sheet back down on your mattress. The damn thing insists on whipping up everytime he sits on the end of it to talk with you. He tells you about Ellie, how they came together, how she healed his broken parts.
Youâre envious. Not of their relationship, but of the fact that his missing pieces somehow came back when you know your own are doomed to be lost forever. You donât tell him about your past.
You eat. You eat like youâve never eaten before. Eggs and bacon in the morning, fresh fruit and squeezed juices. Sandwiches for lunch; chicken and lettuce and tomato between thick slabs of bread that Joel makes in his oven. Cold, tart lemonade that tingles on your tongue and smooths down your throat. Hearty, tender meat with potatoes and veggies and soft baked bread.
 Joel watches you eat with this look on his face that you canât quite decipher. Itâs an interesting mix between what you think is some sort of pride, tangled up with another confusing emotion that makes him watch you carefully. He eyes the fork as it slides between your lips, watches you sigh in pleasure, adjusts in his seat when you ask for seconds. You arenât sure if itâs discomfort with you eating all his food or...something more confusing. Though, he says thereâs no rush to get into your own place. The council will check in soon and see if youâre ready. But he says thereâs no rush.
Either way, youâre full every day now, so full and satiated that youâre starting to forget what hunger feels like.
Well...not completely.
Days turn into a week, and a week to two, and itâs on this two week marker that you walk into the bathroom without knocking.
Itâs your fault. The door isnât locked, but why would it be? Joelâs been living on his own since Ellie moved to her little shed apartment in the backyard. Your presence is a recent one, two weeks not enough time to get out of a routine of comfortability in his own home.Â
And you, so many months alone on the road, any semblance of privacy was a lost venture. Youâve peed behind trees, bathed in streams, found yourself naked by the fire on late summer evenings while your clothes air-dried. Knocking on doors has taken some time to get used to.
So when you push it open haphazardly, not expecting to see the fully naked man stepping out of the shower, itâs a slight surprise.
Joel freezes, hand on the towel heâs reaching for, body dripping with warm water. Itâs a split second, just a moment before you fumble out a frantic apology and slam the door shut.
But not quick enough that you didnât see everything. Everything.Â
You stand outside the door, hand on the knob, eyes wide, chest heaving. You try to clear your head of these thoughts, but thereâs only one thing you can really focus on.
Joel.Â
Naked. Droplets slowly dancing down his weathered skin; clinging to the dark hair on his chest, the slope of his full belly, gliding down toward his pelvis. His thick legs, muscled and bulging, arms the same. All of him, wet, breathing hard, and...and not just breathing hard.Â
God, youâve never seen one so big before.Â
Everything about Joel is big. Heâs a massive presence. His shoulders are broad, hips wide, thighs sturdy. His neck is thick and lined with veins, same as his wrists and hands. His stature towers over you, and his form exceeds yours in every possible sense.Â
But...well, youâve never seen one so big.Â
It had been too quick, to really be able to tell if he was truly sporting a post-shower boner. You think, maybe a little. But you also think...maybe itâs just that big.Â
The hair was well groomed, you noted that, though you arenât sure why. It makes you feel...feral. You havenât had a shave in months, legs thick with coarse down, the slope of your pelvis protected by a soft bush of hair. Razors were hard enough to get in the QZ. On the road? Non starter. Youâre a fuzzy decoration of body hair. Joelâs not exactly smooth, but he looked...groomed.Â
Why are you self conscious? Why do you care what he might think of the haphazard way you look naked? Why are you comparing your road-torn body to his strong, healthy one?Â
Why are you imagining what his might feel like against yours? How the scruffy beard on his jaw might scratch and tickle yours like that stupid quilt. How his hands, thick and massive, would cradle your flesh, the pads of his rough thumbs leaving lines of desire down each tendon. How his voice, low and gruff, a buttery drawl, would whisper in your ear. Tell you youâre beautiful, tell you he likes having you here, tell you this is permanent.Â
Thatâs enough to snap you out of your stupor. You release the door handle like youâve been burned, stumbling back away from it. Your breath hitches, eyes feeling warm and wet.Â
Before you can make a hasty exit, the door opens, and Joel appears under the arch. Heâs fully dressed now; dark washed jeans and an olive green t-shirt that clings to his large chest and arms in a way thatâs almost unbearable.Â
For a beat, thereâs this silence between the two of you that feels almost tangible. Your throat sticks with it, clogging up any pathetic attempts at breaking the tension. You look at him, fumbling for something to say, something to do, fuck to even move.
âMâsorry,â he begins, averting his eyes, âuh, I-â
âMy fault,â is all you can squeak out.
âI shoulda locked the-â
âMy fault!â you repeat, like a real eloquent genius. You force a laugh out of your lips, but it sounds more like a manic cry than anything.Â
Joelâs brow creases, his eyes settling on you with clear concern. âNo, sâokay. M Sorry, again. Are you...alright?â
Another manic laugh. âJoel, youâre not that special, Iâve seen naked men before.â
His jaw tenses. âYou look upset.â
This is too much. This is all too fucking much. Heâs got you all twisted up, all confused. Eating his food, using his sponge, sharing tea with him in the mornings and a leaf of mint at night. Letting him worm his way into your mind, make you feel safe and secure.Â
This is how pieces go missing; get hacked off. This is how a person becomes whole, and then utterly incomplete.
âIâm⊠fine,â you manage, âgonna⊠actually, was just going to tell you. Iâm gonna talk to Maria today. Let her know Iâm ready to be on my own.â
And it shouldnât affect you, the way his face falls completely at these words. The way his shoulders deflate, his eyes go soft, his lips draw down and his eyebrows flatten.Â
Youâve hurt him, youâre hurting him. You donât know why or how, but this hurts him. Despite the quick composure he sweeps over his expression into one of neutrality, you know. And you shouldn't care. Itâs two weeks of nothing. Youâve been on your own most of your life.
âAlright,â Joel says, voice rough.Â
And it shouldnât hurt you, the way he easily accepts this. The way he doesnât fight. You donât own him, he doesnât own you, you donât belong to each other.Â
Two weeks of meals, late night talks, healing. Itâs nothing. To either of you, clearly.
But it does hurt. And thatâs exactly why you have to leave.
âOkay,â you reply, swallowing hard.
âCouncilâs closed today, Sunday,â he explains dryly.Â
âThen Iâll do it tomorrow,â you snap back, voice going a little defensive. âI can find somewhere to sleep for tonight.â
At that, he rears back like youâve hit him. âWhat?â
âTo get out of your hair,â you explain, gesturing vaguely.Â
Joel rolls his eyes, crosses those big arms over his chest, and looks down at you disapprovingly. You shrink a little under his stern gaze, hating yourself for doing it.Â
âYou ainât in my hair,â he snarls, âI told you thereâs no rush. Talk to her tomorrow. Sleep in your bed tonight.â
âItâs not my bed.â You donât even know why you say it, why youâre arguing. Youâre just afraid, angry, at yourself more than anything.Â
His eyes darken. âDo whatever you want, then.â
He brushes past you and heads down the stairs, not bothering to look back up.
__________________________________________
You do in fact, sleep in your bed that night.
The quilt is scratchier than ever, an incessant discomfort that has you tossing and turning all night. Itâs never stopped you from sleeping before, but for some reason, tonight is unbearable. You roll on your side, roll on your stomach, bury your face in the pillow and try not to scream.
Youâd skipped dinner tonight, for the first time in two weeks. You didnât want to see Joel, even when he knocked on the bedroom door to tell you it was ready. Even when you said you werenât hungry, and his worried voice came through the wood.
âLook, you gotta eat, alright?â
âNot hungry, Joel. Thank you though. Really.â
âIs this about-â
âNo, I swear.â
âPlease?âÂ
It had been hard to say no to that one.
Now, you lie in a suffocating mess of pillows, stomach growling, feeling utterly pathetic and weak. You used to go days with this feeling, gnawing, desperate hunger in your belly, and you persevered. Now, youâre so fucking spoiled you canât even go to bed without dinner.Â
You donât recognize this person youâre becoming. Sheâs a stranger, a woman of luxury, of contentment, dare you say happiness. She is not you, but some foreign intruder whoâs taken over your body in an attempt to finally rid you of your last intact pieces until youâre nothing. Floating in essence, vanquished into an eternity of emptiness. Â
You rely on him, you depend on him. He feeds you, worries about you, watches you from the corner of his eye to make sure youâre alright. And you donât know what to do with that. It makes you feel small, futile, like a burden. You know how to take care of yourself. Itâs all you know.Â
So, you toss and turn.
When sleep comes, it brings with it dreams. Haunting memories, things youâve tried to keep buried deep inside that small little cavern of your brain where bad things go.Â
The men come, late at night, in a group of six. Youâre young, twelve you think. The outbreak has been going on for four years, and you think youâve got it all figured out now. Youâre going to get to this quarantine zone in Georgia, since your own fell. Itâs all gonna be fine. Mom and Dad and your big brother Andrew, theyâre here and itâs okay.Â
Youâre trying to sleep, burrowed and shivering cold in your thin sleeping bag. Andrew is sitting beside you, one hand on your upper back, shushing your whimpers quietly. His sixteenth birthday was last week. Mom and Dad couldnât do much on the road, not like you all used to when there was cake and candles and Spiderman gift wrap. Still, he seems older somehow, the last four years have aged him far more quickly than regular life did before the outbreak.Â
Youâre close to the border, your parents say nearly out of South Carolina. Itâs southern here, supposed to be warm, but the nights are brutal and unforgiving in the winter. Youâre so used to the cold now youâd think you wouldnât mind, but it aches your bones, freezes your limbs into a stunted position curled around yourself. You hate the cold, always have.Â
âYouâre okay,â Andrew murmurs quietly, trying not to wake Mom and Dad. Itâs his turn to watch. Theyâve done rotating shifts for days now, until he put his foot down and demanded they both sleep substantially.Â
âMâcold,â you whine. You know youâre being a crybaby, and maybe once upon a time he would've teased you for it, but not now. Youâre bundled up in your layers and sleeping bag while he sits upright against a tree, his thin windbreaker the only barrier between him and the cold. His gun is laid on his thigh, safety on, facing the opposite direction. Guns are a permanent part of your familyâs accessorizing these days.
âI know,â he whispers in reply, âitâll be warm in Atlanta. Just try to sleep.â
âIâm afraid,â you say, even though youâre embarrassed to admit it.
âMe too,â Andrew says, âbut weâre all gonna be fine. Weâve made it this far, hm?â
You nod half-heartedly. âYeah.â
âAs long as weâre together, weâll be okay. Alright?â
âOkay, yeah.â
âGet some sleep.â
âOkay.âÂ
Thatâs the last thing you ever said to him.Â
They appeared from the trees, too quiet, too well hidden for Andrew to spot them in time. By the time one of the men got close enough to reach out and yank your sleeping bag up with you in it, he was out of time.
Andrew shot, blindly. He nailed the man whoâd scooped you up, and you both fell to the ground. He cried your name, rushing toward you, and then another shot rang out. Andrew hit the dirt with a spurt of red liquid that splattered across your face.
 You remember screaming. You remember your parents waking up, frantic. You remember fumbling around on the ground and grabbing Andrewâs gun, only to feel a vice grip on your arm. One of the men grabbed you, while your parents shot and fought off the others. Your mother screamed, and a body hit the ground. You struggled against the manâs hold as his greedy, chapped hands combed your adolescent body to see what of value you had.
âNothinâ on this one!â heâd shouted, tossing you to the ground like you weighed nothing. Your head hit the hard dirt, and you found yourself even with Andrewâs face. Well, what was left of it.Â
âThe lady had some ammo, thereâs some stuff in these packs,â another man replied.Â
âWhat do we do with this one?â asked the man who grabbed you.
âEh, sheâll die out here on her own anyway. Might as well put her out of her misery.â
That was the moment you knew you were going to die.Â
âHold it,â another man said, âsheâs a fucking kid, just leave her. We got what we needed.â
âYeah she ainât worth the bullet,â chimed in another man.
âIâll choke her out,â one suggested.
âJust leave her,â a more commanding voice ordered, âgrab this shit and letâs get going.â
You remember lying there in the darkness, watching the bits of chunky red substance leak from Andrewâs eye socket, waiting for someone to tell you what to do. Waiting for your parents to sit up and give you an order.Â
The night grew colder. You weren't strong enough to bury them, even move them on your own. For a long time, you just lay there, staring at Andrew. The image burned into your brain forever.Â
By the time the sun rose, your bones were so cold, lips blue, eyelashes stiff, you felt like youâd died right with them. Four corpses lying unceremoniously on a campsite. Rigor mortis set in early for you, a paralyzing terror of the next steps rendering you utterly immovable.
After a while, you got hungry.Â
Isnât it funny, how thatâs what motivated you to push your small body away from your brotherâs hollowed face? Your own selfish need, your own emptiness, always threatening to swallow you whole.
The walk to Georgia left you breathless a lot. You stumbled, more than walked. Drank from streams the way your parents taught you, foraged for food as best as you could with no weapon besides the little knife holstered in your sock. You hid from infected and more raiders, using your small body to your advantage as much as possible.Â
When you finally made it to the giant cement wall of the QZ, it felt like youâd lost your breath forever. Your lungs rattled, air came in short, quick bursts, your throat ached from dehydration. Your legs didnât work, not how they were supposed to.
You remember the FEDRA guards holding guns at you, a scanner to your neck, shoving you through the gates roughly. You remember telling them your family was gone. You remember lasting a week in the orphanage before you ran away, doing odd jobs for older QZ residents in exchange for places to stay.Â
Mostly, you remember Andrewâs face. You remember the biting cold contrasted with the warm splatter of blood on your face, you remember his insides leaking out, you remember wishing you could scream, but not having enough power in your lungs.
As long as weâre together, weâll be okay.
You remember knowing that you would never be okay again.
The remembering hurts, restricts your lungs into a tiny little ball in your chest. You struggle to inhale, struggle to fill your sternum with necessary oxygen. It burns, the hunger for air with no satisfaction. The emptiness consumes you.Â
You gasp, you see Andrewâs face, it hurts, everything hurts.Â
Alone on a campsite, alone in the woods, alone in the QZ, alone on a cross-country trek, alone in a cold gas station.
A warm fire, mint on your tongue, tart lemonade down your throat, food in your belly. A dry chuckle in your ears, a steadying hand on your back, a comforting presence beside you.Â
Alone. Afraid. Broken. A burden. Couldnât save your family, could barely save yourself-
A burden.
Alone.Â
Broken.Â
âHey.â
A voice, low and urgent. Familiar, gentle but concerned.Â
You gasp.
Alone.Â
Burden.
Broken.Â
âHey,â more insistent this time, âhey, wake up honey.â
You gasp, your body freed from its rigor mortis as you bolt upright, air circulating through your lungs like a broken fan blade. Your hands fly out, a desperate attempt to shield your face from whoever is currently saying your name.Â
â...breathe, breathe,â heâs saying to you, a little frantic, âsâokay, youâre okay, breathe.â
âPlease,â you wheeze, but you donât know what youâre begging for. There are tears in your voice, a fragile broken blossom of desperation.Â
âI know, I know baby, sâokay,â heâs touching you now, delicate fingers tracing up and down the protruding knobs of your spine. âListen to my voice, darlinâ. Take a deep breath for me, sâgonna be okay, I promise.â
You try to follow his example, try to steady your breathing to an even pace. Heâs doing it for you, showing you how, patiently inhaling in a slow motion and letting it go in one soft exhale.Â
âI-I canât,â you gasp, feeling hopeless, helpless, pathetic and like a burden in every sense of the word.Â
âShh, yes you can honey. In, with me now, in.âÂ
He inhales, slow, lowering himself to look up at your trembling frame perched on the bed. The sheetâs come up, the fading cream color of the mattress almost too bright in the dark room. Pale moonlight illuminates Joelâs face, scruffy beard, wrinkles around his gentle eyes, broad nose. His lips part, and he breathes in, keeping gaze with you.Â
You follow suit, inhaling in a choppy, half-hearted attempt at the smooth breath heâd accomplished.
âThatâs good darlinâ,â he nods at you, even though you know it wasnât good. âYouâre doinâ so good. Breathe out.â
You exhale in a stunted whoosh.
âGood girl,â he murmurs, âkeep goinâ.â
With his hand on your back, rubbing slowly, delicately, you fight to steady your breaths. Your eyes are wet, your lips trembling, his voice soothing in your ears. Heâs saying all these things, all these nice, lovely, wonderful things that people donât say to you.Â
âAttagirl, good job.â
âSâokay honey, youâre doinâ good, just breathe.â
âYouâre okay, youâre safe, promise, I ainât gonna let nothinâ hurt ya.â
Mercifully, you come back into your body, chest expanding the way itâs supposed to. Your fingers unclench from the tangled up sheets, aching from how tightly youâd been gripping.Â
Through a curtain of hair, you draw your eyes to him. Heâs still there, rubbing your back, murmuring sweet nothings, keeping his own breathing steady.Â
Still there. Heâs still there. You arenât alone.
âJoel,â you gasp, and he moves toward you in an instant.
Large, warm arms pull you in. His chest, thick through his t-shirt, the steady thrum of his heartbeat a rhythm in your ear. His chin at the crown of your head, his breath in your ears. You curl up like that useless little girl in a sleeping bag, and cling to his shirt.Â
âMâhere,â he whispers, âyouâre okay, honey. Was just a dream.â
Heâs here. Heâs warm. Heâs here and youâre safe and not alone. Four walls around you, a quilt underneath your cold legs, a kitchen full of food just down the stairs.
Panic leaks into your veins, memories of the road, cold and lonely and frightening.Â
As long as weâre together, weâll be okay.
You want to tell him youâre afraid. You want to admit it; be forthcoming about just how damaged you are. You want to tell him just how heavily youâve come to rely on his steadying presence, his warm food, his laugh, the way his eyes crinkle up and his teeth show when you make him happy.
Youâre so, so scared. So alone, so petrified, not at all as tough as youâd like him to think.Â
But the last time you admitted you were afraid, you lost everything in the blink of an eye. Your own weakness, always your undoing.
âYouâre okay,â Joel says into your hair, not realizing heâs speaking empty words into a hollow recipient, âI gotcha. Youâre safe. Iâm here.â
You canât tell him how badly you want him to stay. That will only make him leave.Â
âJoel,â you repeat, breathless, unsure of what else to say.
âMâhere honey.â He reaches down with one hand, cups your face in the rough of his palm, strokes his thumb over the delicate line of your cheekbone. And you feel safe.Â
Desperately, you lift your own trembling hands, taking his cheeks in them. He seems surprised, but doesnât pull back, allowing you to explore with your own frail fingers. You trace the bridge of his large nose, the slope of his full lips, the broad jaw and stern forehead. His eyelashes flutter, and you move yourself closer, cradled in his arms, faces only inches apart.
âMâhere,â is all he says. And you must be tired of hearing it, surely you must, but you canât find that anywhere within yourself. All you feel is safe.Â
You donât know exactly how it happens. Your face moves, his does too, hurried breaths and warmed air between you. His lips press into yours, soft and lush and tender. You donât know who leaned in first, but you feel his caution, his carefulness as you deepen the kiss from something superficial to something that has meaning.
He allows you to part his mouth with your tongue, falling into one another as your noses bump. His grip tightens around you, and youâre awash in the smell of lemon soap and mint, the itch of the quilt beneath you, the squeak of a mattress underneath your combined weight.Â
After a few seconds, your lips part. Your noses touch, the frame of your foreheads making a heart against the shadows of moonlight through your window. His hands cup your face, rough and calloused, yet unbelievably gentle all at once. Itâs as though his grasp is a shield, impenetrable and solid. Youâve never felt so safe, so cared for, so protected.Â
And so, so scared.Â
Now that youâre here, safe and cocooned in this warm house, this gentle society, the arms of this incredible manâŠÂ
How can you ever let yourself love something that would hurt so badly if it were lost? Youâve done it before. You canât do it again.
âDâyou wanna talk about it?â Joel rasps, thumb still soothing small lines over your cheek.
You shake your head quickly, but the words spill out as if in spite of your bodyâs intentions. âJust⊠mm. My parents. My brother. Just-thatâs all.â
âOh,â he murmurs, âwhatâŠcan I ask what-â
âRaiders. I was twelve.â
At this, he looks down at your face, brows furrowed. âYou saw it?â
âYeah, I got away. They let me go, I mean. After some debate.â You clear your throat, breathing settled and eyes drying with each word. Youâre feeling grounded enough to be utterly humiliated. âUm, Iâm really sor-â
âI know you ainât about to apologize for havinâ a nightmare,â he interjects dryly.
âMore for what happened afterward,â you mutter.
Joelâs fingertips tuck a lock of hair back behind your ear, even though it falls right back out again. âNow why on earth are you apologizinâ for that?â
Because I canât stay. Â
Limply, you shrug.
He laughs, that low, dry sound. It smooths from his chest like a bass drum, reverberating in your ears. And you smile in spite of yourself, a small, gentle pull of your lips. You love making him laugh.Â
âSorry I barged in,â Joel says, even though heâs still holding you in his lap like a stray dog.
âSâokay. Thanks forâŠthank you.â
âDonât gotta thank me.â
âBe kinda rude if I didnât.â
His lips twitch. âCan I ask you somethinâ?â
âOkay.â
âDid you do that just nowâŠkiss meâŠâcause you wanted to, or âcause you were upset?â
Swallowing thickly, you reply, âcan it be both?â
âIf itâs both, itâs both.âÂ
âThatâs fucking vague,â you grouse.
âPot, meet kettle.â He smirks down at you.
âIâm sorry I kissed you,â you say.
âDonât be,â he responds, âIâm not.â
You have nothing to say to that.
âYou oughta get some rest.â Joel squeezes you once, then moves like heâs going to get up and leave.
Your fingers dart out to clench his shirt, gripping the soft cotton in vice like digits. Wild-eyed, you look up at him, terrified of being alone, terrified of seeing Andrewâs face again all night.
âHey, easy.â Joel pries your fingers off his shirt. âYou alright?â
âI-I-â you stumble over the words, throat choking up. Itâs all so confusing. You need to be away, pull back, stop this before it goes too far. At the same time, youâve never needed to be close quite this badly.Â
âI can,â he answers a question you didnât ask, âif you want.â
Limply, you nod.Â
âGo on then, scoot.â Joel gestures for you to make room on the bed, and you do. He adjusts the pillows and lies flat, opening his arm for you. You curl up at his side, cheek on his chest, listening to the steady heartbeat underneath the cotton shirt. He smells like lemon soap, and a faint musk of sweat from sleeping. Itâs enticing, the mixture, and you donât know why.
You press your face into his shirt, breathing in the security that this strange man somehow brings. You donât know when the shift happened from him being a man you wanted to stab, to this, but itâs happened now. Itâs too late to deny this: Joel means something to you.
âIâm sorry about what I said earlier,â you tell him quietly.
He hesitates. âYouâŠdidnât say nothinâ bad. That was always the plan, for you to go out on your own darlinâ.â
Heâs right of course, that was the plan. For the past two weeks, all youâve been doing is letting him take care of you. The end goal, ultimately, to help you become a functioning Jackson resident.Â
âBut can I ask?â He continues, voice low and soft in the dark bedroom.Â
âYeah?â
âDo youâŠdo you want to leave? Sâokay whatever you wanna do baby, just⊠that is what you want, right? To be on your own?âÂ
As long as weâre together, weâll be okay.
No, no, no I donât want to be alone. Ever again. I want to stay with you forever.Â
âYes,â you lie. Itâs a lie. Youâre so afraid. Why canât you just tell him the truth? Why canât you just let someone in? If itâs gonna be anyoneâŠwell, itâd be someone like Joel.Â
No. Not someone like Joel. Just Joel.
âSo all that time on the road,â he adjusts your body slightly, tugging you up higher on his chest so that his chin rests on your head, âdidnât make you lonesome?â
An ache in your chest, sharp and spearing overwhelms you. âIt-it did.â
âNâyou like beinâ lonesome?â
The lie is on the tip of your lips before he says, âbe honest, honey.â
âNo,â you say, shoulders deflating.
âItâs hard,â he whispers, âlettinâ people in when you lost so much before. Believe me darlinâ I get that.â
âThen you know why I have to leave,â you tell him, desperate that heâll understand, but also hoping that heâll argue against it.
âI know why you think you gotta leave,â he corrects.
âThis isnât good for you anyway,â youâre shaking your head as you speak, fingers splayed out on his chest, âIâm a burden to you.â
At that, he manages a small, dry chuckle. You look at him, confused by whatâs made him laugh.Â
âHoney, havinâ you hereâŠwell, I think I needed it just as much as you did. You got no idea how much I like watchinâ you eat what I cook, listeninâ to you hum in the shower âcause youâre too shy to sing, watchinâ you curl up by the fireplace with that damn quilt around your head like a sherpa.â His fingers come down to cup your jaw, tracing the line of bone that leads to the curve of your chin, up to the bow in your lips. âHow nice it is havinâ a pretty girl around to talk to, someone smart, someone funny, someone whoâs like me.â
âLike you?â you inquire.Â
âMhm.â He presses the pad of his thumb against your lips, parting them slightly as he uses his finger to study the contours of your mouth. âSomeone hurt, someone who thought they had no chance in this world. Someone who can get better, if she lets herself.â
Your throat feels tight. âI donât know if I can.â
âYouâre already doinâ it, baby.â He tilts your chin up with the meat of his palm, looking down at you through the silver streaks of moonlight. âEvery day you get up, eat breakfast, and keep goinâ. Thatâs all it is. Takinâ it one day at a time. Takinâ care of yourself. Letting yourself get better, slow nâ steady.â
You blink up at him, trying to process his words. You guess he has a point; two weeks ago you barely felt human, didnât feel like you could ever belong in a place like Jackson, or somewhere like Joelâs home. But lately, through these routines of care, youâve begun to feelâŠalive again. Still agonized by loss, still hopeless and confused and frightened, but something more than that too.Â
âYou donât gotta stay,â he assures you, ânot if you donât want to. But donât go just âcause youâre scared. Ainât no reason to punish yourself. Not when I like havinâ you around so much.â
âWhat if you get tired of having me around?â you ask weakly. Itâs no far stretch; every other short term partner youâve ever had got sick of you after enough time. Every adult you roomed with in the QZ kicked you out sooner or later. Nothing is permanent, especially not people.
âYou think I could at least get a chance to prove myself âfore you go ahead and write me off?â He smiles down at you, hand still cupping your cheek. âI actually ainât all that bad a guy.â
âNo, no,â youâre quick to reassure, âJoel, youâre the most amazing man Iâve ever met. You are- you are a good guy. It isnât that, itâs-â
âItâs not you, itâs me, honey, that oneâs a little played out.â Thereâs gentle amusement in his voice.
With a groan, you start to pull away. âYouâre impossible.â
âHey, m sorry.â he pulls you back in, gentle but demanding, and you concede, all too eager to lay against his warm chest. âAll I'm sayinâ is, no oneâs asking you for your hand in marriage or nothing. JustâŠstick around for a while. Let me make sure youâre real healthy, ready to go. Get some meat on these bones. Get you feelinâ good. Might take some time. Two weeks ainât much.â
âIâve got meat,â you defend.
He snorts. âMe too.â
âJoel-â
âSâgonna take time, thatâs all Iâm sayinâ. Just, stay, alright? Let yourselfâŠhave this.â Joel presses a firm kiss to the top of your head.
Finally, you exhale and find yourself nodding. Although itâs against your instincts, and better judgment, you know he has a point. How can you ever get better if you don't give yourself the opportunity?
âI donât really know how to do this,â you admit, âIâve never reallyâŠbeen a person before. Yâknow what I mean?â
He makes a quiet noise of consideration. âGimme an example.â
âLike, the apple juice,â you explain in a rambly sort of voice, âor the dishwasher. I donât know how to do things like you do. I mean, fuck, I walked in on you in the shower today.â
At that, he clears his throat. You must be imagining it, but youâre sure you can hear some sort ofâŠsomething in the noise.Â
âThat kinda stuff takes time,â he replies quietly, âsâokay.â
You arch an eyebrow. âWhat else am I missing then?â
âYouâd have to tell me that, honey.â
Abruptly, you remember his body, naked and wet from the shower. Something about him is so desirable; whether itâs simply the masculinity of his form; hairy and strong, the impressive endowment between his legs or something else, you arenât sure. Could it be that heâs simply an attractive man, whoâs kind and thoughtful and funny? Of course.Â
Could it be that everything about Joel represents what youâve always wanted? The security of this home heâs created, the warmth of his fireplace and the way heâd thought to set out mint leaves for you to chew on? The heft of his body; his large shoulders, his thick thighs, his soft stomach, well fed and dense with nutrition. He is whole, broken pieces glued back together painstakingly to build back up this incredible man. This beacon of recovery, healing, strength and happiness.
What are you missing? Everything that Joel has, it would seem. The chance to finally become the way he is⊠to be okay again.
AndâŠwell, itâs also been a while since you had a good fuck. That wouldn't hurt either.
The thought is so ridiculous, so sudden and inappropriate, that it makes you laugh. A real laugh; a genuine, deep-chested sound of amusement that has Joel pulling back with surprise.Â
âSomethinâ funny?â he inquires, arching an eyebrow at you like youâve lost your mind.Â
âNo, mâsorry.â You press your fingers against your lips in a pathetic attempt to stifle the laughter. âSo stupid.â
âWhat?â he demands.
âNo itâs- god Joel itâs so ridiculous I canât-â
âOh, just tell me damnit.â
âI was just thinking, you know, what might help make me feel normal again. Havenât had it in a whileâŠâ you look up at him expectantly.
It takes a moment for the message to land in his brain, and his eyes widen slightly. âOh. I-I see.â
âYeahâŠâ you clear your throat quietly.
âWell, shit honey. All yâhad to do was ask.â
Your eyes widen. âPardon me?â
He takes your face in his hand again, tilting your chin and gently pulling your body until youâre face to face, noses brushing. His lips twitch, eyelashes sweeping over his cheekbones as he studies your face.
âLike I said,â he murmurs, âainât nobody proposing marriage or nothinâ. But thereâs no reason you canâtâŠenjoy yourself. If you want to, that is.â
âYouâŠweâŠare you sure?â
âAinât nothinâ you havenât already seen,â he quips.
You groan. âJoel.â
A low chuckle in his chest. âSorry baby.â
âIf youâre just gonna tease me the whole time, then you can go fuck yours-â
Your retort is cut off by his lips pressing into yours, and you startle a bit, though you donât pull back. Your body melts, tension leaking out of your shoulders at the feel of his gentle mouth on yours.Â
And youâre consumed. Thereâs nothing else in that moment except for Joel.
His mouth on yours, his tongue pressing forward until it parts your lips. His body, thick and warm against your chest. The tangle of his graying hair, the way his breath grows more heavy when you intertwine your fingers with it and tug. His hands, one cupping your cheek, keeping you close, the other delicately beginning to roam your body.Â
And maybe itâs wrong; hooking up with him on the heels of a horrific nightmare about losing your family, or doing it after you told him you were going to leave, or doing it at all considering you barely know each other outside of these serene, isolated two weeks of eating and sitting by the fire and laughing.
But you want him, and heâs good and you want to be a person again. You want to eat meals and drink tea and sleep with a quilt and fuck often. You want to ride a hard dick, suck on a thick, veiny cock, be caged in an embrace of big bulging arms, hear the guttural moan of a man in your ear as he cums.
Itâs a hunger, like any other. The way your stomach growled and gnawed for the relief of a hot meal, your body yearned to be filled too. That warm, wet space between your legs, at times so empty and vacant you thought you might just die from the need. Fulfillment, desperate for it in all its forms. Yearning, hunger, pleas to live a life where such simple pleasures are not only permitted, but taken with ease.
It wonât make you whole, it wonât heal your scars or fix your wounds. It wonât change whatâs happened or secure your future.Â
But for a while, no matter how fleeting, itâs going to fill you up.
Isnât that enough for someone whoâs spent so long being hungry?
âCâmere,â he murmurs, so gentle, so soft, that itâs impossible not to do as he asks. You let him readjust you so youâre sitting on his lap, slender thighs spread around his thick ones, arms hanging off his neck, foreheads pressed together as he hungrily meets your lips again. Heâs warm, heat radiating off his large body, and you instinctively lean in.
âGonna make you feel good,â Joelâs words are muffled by the skin of your jaw as he leaves lingering kisses there, slowly traveling down to your neck. His tongue flicks delicately at the column of your throat, eliciting a small moan from your lips.
Itâs been so long since youâve been touchedâŠ
âGod, youâre so pretty baby.â His fingers slide into the neckline of your nightshirt, which is really just one of his. Itâs so large on you that you wear it as more of a dress, the only thing guarding your intimate areas from the outside world is your solitary pair of underwear, thatâs been washed to death as you wait for more fabric to come into Jacksonâs seamstress to make more. Youâve been going commando a lot.
Itâs your immediate instinct to argue; you havenât been pretty for a while, youâre not sure if ever. Survival is all you know; not caring for yourself or putting effort in to appear beautiful.Â
But whatâs the point, anyway? Heâs here, heâs seen you for what you are, and he wants to make you feel good. What does it matter if youâre pretty?
Though⊠you do like the way it sounds coming off his lips.Â
âCan IâŠâ his lips explore the small patch of skin on your neck thatâs exposed above the shirt, âcan I take this off, honey?â
Heâs tugging lightly on the shirt, asking your permission, even though in every way youâve really already given it. You hesitate only briefly, concerned about the state of your sickly body. Then, you nod.
Calloused hands moving with a practiced tenderness, he bunches the shirt up at the hem and carefully slides it over your head, exposing your breasts and abdomen. You hear his sharp intake of breath, feel the warmth of it washing over your skin, and for a moment youâre paralyzed with fear.
He doesnât like what he sees. How could he? Youâve become something inhuman. Scars, bones poking through flesh, discolored bruises. Youâre something so ugly and unsightly that-
âJesus, baby, youâre beautiful.â The pad of his hand smooths out to cup your breast, his thumb brushing elegantly over the bud of your nipple, which is rapidly coming to life from the sensation. âLookinâ so healthy these days, so so pretty. You feel better?â
Robotically, you nod. âY-yeah.â
âLove gettinâ to feed you, baby. Watchinâ you eat my food, gettinâ healthy nâsoft.â He leans in, cradling your back to keep you upright as his warm lips explore the expanse of your chest, kissing down your sternum until he replaces his thumb on your nipple with his mouth.Â
And heâs right, you think as you look down critically at your form. Youâve put on weight, surely not enough, not yet. But⊠youâre softer now, edges rounded out to a more gentle plush, knobby knees more full, bony hips more tender, slender thumb joints smoothed out.Â
And you do feel better. Not dizzy or aching all the time, not sore or struggling to sleep from the pain, not burning from dehydration or growling from hunger.
Youâre almost there, almost as full as a person can be. So, so close.
âI like it too,â you breathe, the last word pitching up with a surprised noise as his teeth graze across your nipple. A pleasant, but unexpected motion.
âThat okay honey?â
âMmmâŠyesâŠâ
âGonna make you so soft nâhappy,â he murmurs, almost more to himself than you, you think, âgonna take care aâyou.â
âOkay,â you whimper, pliant in ways youâve never been with a partner before.Â
You arenât sure why, because heâs just sitting there, kissing you and holding you and telling you all of these kind things, but you feel the pooling of tension in your lower belly and the beginnings of a wet patch on your panties. Itâs bizarre; other than teasing your nipple he hasnât done much in the way of sexual advances, yet from his touch and his words alone, you need him.
And you didnât imagine it, that his cock was big. You can feel it beneath your spread thighs, through his boxers and sweatpants, the thick girth and diamond hard weight of it pressing into the fabric.Â
The heat between your legs feels almost unbearable now, the growing need and tension from his ministrations of your nipple spurring you on. Your fingers tangle in the wavy hair atop his head, and you feel his lips curve into a smile around your breast.
âMind if I take this off?â he asks, removing his lips from your skin to tug at his own shirt. You nod quickly, eagerly, watching him slide it over his head.
In the soft glow of moonlight, the contours of his body are illuminated like the artful scenes of a movie. The tendons and muscle in his large arms, bulging and pulsing each way he moves, the clench of his jaw beneath his well-groomed beard, the mapping of dark hair over his thick chest. His stomach is full, wide and round and healthy, a sturdy man in every sense of the word. A big, meaty body to match that huge cock in his pants. Itâs only fitting, you think as you admire the large score of his body. Heâs scarred too, like you are, the lines and wrappings of a survivor beaten into his flesh.
âAinât as trim as I used to be,â he remarks offhandedly, though you think you sense a beat of hesitation in his words.
Your delicate fingers trail between his pecs, smoothing the hair down there until you reach the place beneath his belly button where the hair connects to his boxers. You tug experimentally at the hemline of his pants, eyeing the desperate thing there that begs to be freed. You watch his breathing pace up, his stomach and chest moving in synchrony with each hurried breath.Â
So big, so full and warm and secure. Solid and strong, an impenetrable wall around you.Â
âYouâre perfect,â you tell him, and you donât just mean his body.Â
He ducks his head then, surely embarrassed by the praise, and buries his face in your neck once more. His lips and teeth graze the skin there, sucking and biting and kissing, leaving little wet spots as he moves along.
His large hands grip your hips then, lifting you with such ease itâs almost startling. He heaves you upward and then gently lays you on your back, head against the mound of pillows pushed up on the headboard. Your legs splay out before you and he positions himself above, careful not to lower his weight on to yours.
His lips return to your neck, dancing slowly down between your breasts, kissing the scarred flesh of your stomach and hips, teeth bumping into the cotton of your panties. His eyes dart up to you when he reaches them, eyebrow quirking. A question. Heâs asking for permission.
You nod, too eager youâre sure.
âSo prettyâŠâ he breathes, pressing his lips to the wet fabric of your panties, eyes closing as he tastes the flowing liquid through the cotton. ââBout lost my cool when I saw these little things hanginâ off your pack, darlinâ. Wondered what theyâd look like on you, wondered what theyâd look like off youâŠâ He kisses the wet patch again, which makes your legs tense up, and slides his finger into the hemline, murmuring thoughtfully.
âDonât fit so good anymore,â he notes, and you realize heâs right. Thereâs a pinch of fabric at your thigh that wasnât there before, the mark of underwear too tight. It leaves little indents on your skin when he pulls at it, angry red marks that line the contours of your body.Â
âYouâve been feeding me too much,â you manage.
He chuckles at this, deep and throaty. âI think we can do better, even.â
With that, he carefully glides the panties down your legs, the stickiness of your arousal clinging to the cotton until he finally separates it from your ankles. He holds it up, admiring the damp fabric. He balls it up in his hand, and then presses it to his nose with a deep, hungry inhale.
You blink, surprised. Youâve never had a partnerâŠdo that before.Â
Joelâs eyes open, underwear still pressed to his nose and mouth. You can see the twitch of his jaw, the smile on his lips even though itâs hidden by your wet underwear, and it does something odd to you.Â
He wants you so bad, is so hungry for you that heâs taking in every piece he can, breathing in your smell, your taste, even where it clings to the underwear that used to fit you and no longer does.
It makes you need, the way he wants you. It makes you ache desperately, makes you yearn and hunger for him too. Being wanted, being desired, itâs not something youâre used to.
âSmell so nice, honey,â Joel mutters, âbet you taste even better. So sweet, so wet.â He lowers himself between your legs, grabbing your thighs in his large hands, fingers pressing into the meat.Â
Itâs a reflex for your legs to tighten up, tension pooling at the sight of a relatively new man between them. He pauses, noticing your trepidation, and glances up at you without moving forward.
âHey, you okay honey?â his voice is measured, composed.Â
You nod.
âYou sure? Talk to me baby, I gotta make sure youâre alright. You here with me?â
âI want you,â you manage, âplease, Joel, I want it.â
âIâll take real good care of yaâ,â he promises you in that low, sultry drawl, âbe real gentle. Treat you real nice.â
Youâre nodding, already lost in whatever it is he plans to do to you. You feel a brief stab of insecurity for the state of your body hair, and you want to tell him as much, but youâre afraid itâll kill the moment.
He doesnât seem to mind, either way, lips pressing into your inner thighs, seeming completely heedless of the thick hair there. He pulls your body closer, gripping your hips in his strong hands, bringing your dripping cunt closer.
Joelâs head drops down, lips covering a delicate pattern on your lower belly, gliding easily over the soft hair on your pelvis, finding his mouth at your lips. Experimentally, he smooths his tongue over the wet slit there, glancing up when the action makes you inhale sharply.
His eyes are teasing, mouth quirked up in a small smile. Teasing, cocky, mischievous.Â
âYouâre g-gonna have to do better than that,â you tell him with a small curve to your lips.
âThereâs that smile,â he muses, before burying his face between your legs again.
And thereâs no ability to think of anything else, because heâs there. His tongue, expert and well practiced, running whirlpool motions over the bud of your clit, sucking and kissing and licking hungrily at the dripping bellow of your opening.Â
Every sense is alight, each breath you take heavy with elation. The bundle of nerves between your lips is in overdrive, tensing and pulsing with desperate need as he gets you closer and closer. His tongue works miracles, the speed altering at just the right moment, switching his motions at just the right interval, lapping up your sopping liquids with his tongue like a starving man at a buffet.
âTaste so fuckinâ good, baby girl,â he groans into your wet folds, âsuch a pretty little cunt, so wet and soft for me.â
âFor youâŠâ you echo in a whine, fists gripping the sheet thatâs come up off the mattress again.
The noises are obscene, the wet squelch of his tongue against your body, the almost frantic way he devours you. Hands holding your trembling legs in place despite the way you tense and move from the sensations, face buried against your wet center, the mess of liquid dampening his face and your thighs and the sheets underneath.Â
You cum with a whining cry, a noise you didnât know a person like you could make. Itâs an innocent sound really, despite the debaucherous context. A noise of pure, primal pleasure, ripped from deep within your chest, a release and elation you havenât felt inâŠyouâre not sure if ever.
Knees clenched around his head, youâre expecting him to pull back now that youâve gushed more fluid onto his face. But dutifully, he keeps eating. He drinks you in, the overstimulated, swollen clit beneath his lips is begging for relief, pleading to rest, but he doesnât let it.Â
Joel is hungry, and he wonât leave until heâs satisfied. Until youâre both satisfied.
âTaste so good when you cum for me,â he breathes when he pulls his lips back for air, âso sweet nâwet. Cum on my face, darlinâ, do it again. Wanna eat you, all of you. So wet fâme baby.â
You think you cry his name, you arenât sure, but you rip your fingers through his thick hair, tighten your thighs around his face, tears budding at the corners of your eyes from the ruthless sensation between your legs.
Then, a thick finger, gentle and careful probing at your entrance. He slides it in just a bit, moving with caution and curiosity. You buck your hips toward him eagerly, the desperate clench of your wet cunt around nothing is almost too much to bear.Â
Slight relief as he glides his finger in all the way, pumping it gently in and out, back and forth to get a feel for the tightness of your slick walls. Itâs been so long since anyone touched you this way, since you had anything substantial inside you, and Joelâs got the biggest fingers of any man youâve ever met.
âThat feel good baby?â he grunts as his lips ghost over your pulsing clit and his index finger smooths inside of you, âhurtinâ?â
âNo, good, good,â you pant.
âGood girl, attagirl.â He kisses your clit again and your hips buck once more, but he pins them down with his other hand. A second finger inside of you, matching the pace of his first, stretching you around the thick width of his digits. Preparing you for whatâs to come, the massive, hard cock thatâs going to spear you against the headboard.
Fuck, fuck.
âJoel,â you groan his name, feeling his fingers curl up in a crude little gesture inside you, coursing against your walls, brushing up against that place that makes you feel like youâre going to erupt. âJoel, JoelâŠ.â
He hums a low sound, lips and tongue still violently, rhythmically devouring your wet cunt. Between the pulsing thickness of his fingers, and the circular motions of his tongue on your clit, itâs not long before you white out. The pleasure is too intense, too sudden and overwhelming. Itâs too much, too much, more than youâve ever had before.Â
Tears track down your cheeks against your will, your chest heaves with desperate, panting breaths. Your fingers have gone numb from their vice grip on the sheets, legs aching as they spread around his head to give him easier access, not a shred of resistance in your body as you submit to his expert touch.Â
And it happens again, more intense this time. A black film teases the corners of your eyes, a devastatingly intense pooling in your stomach and through your cunt, a pulsing, thready explosion of pleasure bursting through you.Â
You soak his face, legs jerking, hips convulsing, voice raw from crying out. The feeling is so intense that it dizzies you, your head floating off your body and spinning into a whirlwind somewhere in outer space.Â
Joel licks it all up, tongue dragging across your drenched inner thighs, gliding across the shimmering wet slit of your lips, sucking on the raw skin until itâs nearly unbearable. Then, his wet mouth is moving, kissing up your thighs, the slope of your hips, your stomach and your breasts, sucking on your nipples and cupping them in his rough palms.Â
Once he reaches your ear, teeth grazing the lobe, voice gruff, he whispers, âyou with me, baby?â
You whine a small sound, feeble and needy. You feel the curve of his lips into a smile where theyâre pressed into your ear, and he kisses your temple, lingering there.Â
âMâgonna take these off, hm?â he slides a hand down toward his sweats, where you can see the large, intimidating shape of his hard dick outlined.
God, you need it, you need it like youâve never needed anything in your life. So many years spent hungry, never realizing just how painful it could truly be to want something and be empty of it.Â
Your pulsing, desperate pussy aches for him, dripping with the evidence of his prowess. Your thighs clench around nothing, pleading, begging, needing to be filled with whatever he can give you.Â
Joel slides the pants off, boxers following suit, and your eyes widen a bit at the sight of his large cock springing forward. Thereâs a well-groomed crop of hair at the nape, heavy, even balls framing the thick protrusion of his shaft. The tip, angry and red, dripping with his need.
âJoel, let me-â you make a move to take it in your mouth, but he stops you with a gentle shush.
âNo baby, just you tonight.â He lowers himself back above you, the hard tip just barely brushing your sopping cunt.Â
A synchronized moan fills the air, both of you shuddering at the teasing contact. Holding himself upright on his thick, powerful arms, he lowers his forehead to yours, noses bumping. His lips ghost against your own, and you kiss him greedily, whining into the touch as his dick presses against you once more.Â
âYouâre so beautiful,â he murmurs, âyou wanâ me to fuck you, honey?â
You nod desperately.
âTalk to me, honey.â His lips press delicately right beside your mouth, smoothing his large nose over the supple skin of your cheek. âTell me what you want, hm?â
âI-I want you,â you croak, voice frail and shattered, âwant you inside me, Joel. Want you to fuck me. Fill me up, fill me with you. Please, please. I need it.â
He smiles down at you, no trace of teasing or mischief there, only a genuine, earnest warmth. Gradually, his hips roll into you, pushing just the slightest bit of him inside. You shudder, gasping at the beginning of the stretch.
âGotta go slow, honey,â he breathes, eyes closing as if in concentration, âdonâ wanna hurt you.â
âN-no, I don't care,â you insist.
âI do, baby. Gonna take care of you, promised. I got you. I got you. Youâre safe with me.â His lips warm against your collarbone, kissing wetly there as his hips inch forward, shoving more of himself inside.
The stretch is intense, painful despite how wet and glistening you are for him. The head of his cock, fat and dripping, grunts into you with restrained desperation. His thighs push forward, hips moving slowly, slowly, giving you time to adjust, giving you all the focus and care and attention.Â
Finally, mercifully, he bottoms out, both of you groaning out a noise of agonized want. Your thighs are speared apart by his wide body, balls of your feet digging into his lower back. His arms cage you in, one hand flat on the mattress to prop himself up, careful not to put any of his massive weight on your light frame, the other touching you. Your breasts, your cheek, your hair, your lips, every part of you he can see he explores while he allows you to adjust to the heavy weight of his dick inside of you.
Itâs huge, spreading you and stretching you so intensely that youâre grateful for his godlike patience. You feel it bumping up inside, tip scraping the mouth of your womb, almost enough that you swear you could touch it through your belly.Â
âSo big, Joel,â you tell him, your voice a thready imitation of your usual cadence, âso big nâstrongâŠso niceâŠâ
âI got you baby,â he cups your cheek, bending his body down to kiss you lightly. The movement sheaths his cock forward inside, and you both groan.
âPlease,â you beg, âplease fuck meâŠplease fill me up. Want you to fill me with your cum. Keep me full forever.â
âFuck, fuck, honey girl,â he bites at your lip, pulling hard between his teeth until he draws blood. He licks across the soft pink flesh, taking more of you into him; the thin red line decorating his tongue before he swallows it up like a good boy.
Then, his hips grind into yours and you let out a shrill noise, a wounded animal crying out. He moves, slowly at first, allowing your body to stretch around him, getting used to the impact of his impressive girth.Â
Quickly, he picks up the pace.
Youâre begging at this point, nails raking down his thick back, teeth gritting into the hot meat of his shoulder, feet forcing his hips into you. He grunts your name, spits curses into the soft flesh of your neck, grinds and pounds his hips against yours so hard it feels as though he really could split you in two.
But split, you do not. Rather, you become more. Full, whining and screaming his name, sated and hungry all at once. Desperate and satisfied simultaneously. A hungry, soaking little mess underneath this massive man. This man who at first glance, had tried to kill you, a favor you quickly returned.Â
A man whoâs done nothing for the past two weeks but try to make you whole. A man giving you all the pieces of himself he can spare to try and mend your broken ones. A man who knows what itâs like to fall apart and be put back together again.Â
He sees you; scarred flesh, fear, loneliness, all your worst, all you have, and he takes you as his own.
âGoddamnit,â he growls into your skin, âso fuckinâ tight baby, so goodâŠso wet fâmeâŠso tight, fuckinâ gripping me baby.â
Your nails dig deeper into his back, which only seems to spur him on. His hips somehow continue their breakneck pace, pounding against your deepest point so hard that it makes your head feel floaty all over again.
âFeel so good, you okay baby?â his lips against your skin are slurred, sloppy and greedy.Â
You nod, nod your head so fast you feel dizzy, and he laughs a little breathlessly. Then, you feel the rough pad of his thumb move from your face down to your clit.Â
You do white out then, with the combination of his hard, massive dick spearing you against the pillows, and the grind of his thumb against your swollen clit. The sensations are overwhelming, so intense, too intense. Your legs clench around his waist, and you let out a low, guttural scream.
âFuck,â Joel gasps, eyes shutting as his rolling hips grow sloppier, less rhythmic, âfuck baby, fuck, fuck you just came all over my cock. God, so fuckinâ tight, so good so good honey, mâgnonna-fuck-â
And youâre full. The hunger, the emptiness, it all fades away in that instant.Â
Joel empties himself inside you, cock jerking and pulsing against your throbbing walls. He groans deep in his throat, cursing and grunting as he fills you up, liquid gushing out over your pelvis and thighs.Â
It takes a few moments for both of you to come down, his spent cock still sheathed inside your warmth. He hovers over you, and you feel one of his hands cup your cheek, fingers tracing slow lines across the bridge of your nose.
âBaby,â he breathes raggedly, âtalk to me.â
âMâfine,â you assure him, though you feel like youâre on another planet.
âYou sure? Everythinâ okay? Didnât hurt you, did I?â
âYouâre stupid,â you tell him.
At that, he snorts. âYeah, youâre fine.â
He moves to detangle himself from you, but your legs clench around him, arms clasping desperately around his neck. Heâs so warm, so solid and safe, and youâre so full.Â
âThey used to have a word for this,â he muses quietly, jerking his chin toward the cage of your legs around his waist, âthink they called it baby trappinâ.â
âAs if you couldnât get off right now if you wanted,â you mutter.
âAlready did that, sweet.â
âOkay, you know what, get the f-â
He presses into you again, and youâre silenced by the low moan that slips from your mouth at the pressure of his heft inside you, even soft and spent. He smiles, teeth digging into his lower lip as he looks down at you with admiration.Â
âMâgonna make you a real nice breakfast tomorrow,â he says matter-of-factly.
âThat so?â You arch an eyebrow, amused at the ridiculous attempt at conversation heâs making with his dick literally still inside of you. âWhatâs the Joel Miller Morning After Special look like?â
âWaffles, homemade batter âcourse. Blueberries, the ones we been savinâ. Big ole jug of apple juice, just for you.â
âJust for me?â You smile faintly at him.Â
âJust for you,â he confirms, âwhatever you want, just for you.â
A small laugh drifts from your lips. âWell, thatâs very nice of you.â
âSo you ainât leavinâ?â he asks, a note of hope in his voice.
âNo.â You shake your head. âThink I'll stick around and annoy you for a while.â
He brushes a lock of hair behind your ear with the pads of his fingers. It stays put this time.Â
âIâd like that, darlinâ.â His teeth flash white in the darkness again. âThink I could go for a little somethinâ now actually. You need anything? Some water?â
You nod, fighting the instinct to get up and get it yourself. Maybe, just maybe itâs okay to let someone else take care of you once in a while. Even if itâs something as simple as a glass of water.
âSounds great,â you admit, wincing slightly at the pull as he finally slides out of you with a sopping noise. You donât even want to look at the mess on the sheets.
âHow about a snack?â he asks. âYou hungry?â
And you look at him, sliding his t-shirt on over his sweat-slicked body, reaching for a towel on your rack to pass toward you. So gentle, so caring, so tender and pragmatic all at once.Â
You arenât alone. Youâre warm, and full, and for the first time in a long time, youâre happy.
âNo,â you tell him in earnest, âIâm not hungry.â
âYou sure?âÂ
You nod, managing another smile for him. Surely, heâll add it to his annoying internal tally.
âIâm sure. I actuallyâŠI actually feel pretty full.â
What a wonderful feeling it is.Â
#dontlooknow#joel miller#joel miller smut#joel miller x reader#joel miller fanfiction#joel miller x you#pedro pascal characters#tlou#the last of us#joel tlou
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Brigham and Womenâs study: Drug-free nasal spray could protect against COVID, flu - Published Sept 25, 2024
The problem with such drugs is that they do not and cannot work in the throat and lung, other notable infection sites of both these viruses. Masking remains the best way to protect yourself from airborne pathogens, but this is an interesting development for prophylaxis. Studies have shown that neuro-covid symptoms are worst for people whose ACE2 receptors in the sinuses were infected. This could help combat that. The idea that it could also offer drug-free protection from allergens is also interesting. Further study is needed.
By Grace Zokovitch
A new study found a new drug-free nasal spray may protect against respiratory infections like COVID and the flu, according to Brigham and Womenâs Hospital.
âThe COVID pandemic showed us what respiratory pathogens can do to humanity in a very short time,â said Jeffrey Karp, co-senior author of the study and chair in Anesthesiology at Brigham and Womenâs Hospital. âThat threat hasnât gone away.
âWe need new, additional ways to protect ourselves and reduce the transmission of the disease,â Karp added.
The preclinical studies show the nasal spray called Pathogen Capture and Neutralizing Spray or PCANS may be able to block respiratory illnesses, the hospital announced. The study was done out of Brigham and Womenâs Hospital and published in the journal Advanced Materials.
The hospital stated that protection methods like vaccines and masks can be beneficial but arenât perfect, noting that âinfluenza and COVID-19 infections cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of cases of severe disease every year.â
Most viruses enter through humanâs noses, the release stated, spreading when infected people breathe out tiny droplets of fluid. Healthy people inhale the droplets, the hospital said, infecting âcells that line the nasal passageways.â
Researchers formulated the nasal spray to stop the infection in the nose using ingredients that the FDA has approved for use in other nasal sprays or determined safe. The spray was tested in a laboratory setting using replicas of human noses and mice and has not been tested on humans.
âWe developed a drug-free formulation using these compounds to block germs in three ways â PCANS forms a gel-like matrix that traps respiratory droplets, immobilizes the germs, and effectively neutralizes them, preventing infection,â said co-senior author Nitin Joshi, an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology.
When sprayed in a nasal cavity replica, the release stated, âPCANS captured twice as many droplets as mucus alone.â Mice treated with the spray showed it block the influenza virus at 25 times the lethal dose, giving them âcomplete protection,â researchers said.
âPCANS forms a gel, increasing its mechanical strength by a hundred times, forming a solid barrier,â said primary author John Joseph, a former postdoctoral fellow at Brigham and Womenâs Hospital.
âIt blocked and neutralized almost 100% of all viruses and bacteria we tested, including Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, adenovirus, K Pneumonia and more.â
Researchers added that the inflammatory cells and cytokines in the lungs of animals treated with the spray were ânormal.â
The hospital stated that the study âprovides a strong foundation for future researchâ into PCANS and researchers are already exploring whether the spray may block allergens.
#mask up#covid#pandemic#covid 19#wear a mask#public health#coronavirus#sars cov 2#still coviding#wear a respirator
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In honour of the rain not stopping for over 18hrs now (I lost count after that 18 hrs was a long time ago) RAIN WHUMPEE. Whumpee who has asthma and who is homeless and it rains like crazy and they catch an infection (smn more serious than cold) and combined with the asthma it's really bad but they have to keep walking in the cold rain to find some shelter. Unfortunately they collapse and can hardly move. Caretaker walking on the street maybe to get supplies sees whumpee... And the rest is up to you
My, I certainly hope the rain has stopped by now. I hope you enjoy the story.
Caretaker highly regretted walking to work that morning. It was a nice day, then this storm started and dragged on.
The hospital was only a block from their home, it wasn't a bad walk, but with freezing rain pelting down on you.
"My car would have been very beneficial today", Caretaker grumbled, "Doctor gets sick from being out in the elements because they are too stubborn to drive a block to the hospital."
Caretaker frowned when they looked up and saw someone struggling down the sidewalk. They were completely underdressed and soaked.
"Why are you out here?", Caretaker whispered in disbelief.
Caretaker planned on reprimanding the person when they got closer, but as they got close, Caretaker realized they were more than likely homeless.
"Poor dear", Caretaker felt their heart sink.
Caretaker began to pull a few dollars out when they looked up and watched the person grab their throat and start coughing.
The person collapsed to the ground as they gasped for breath.
Caretaker ran toward them, causing the person to cowar back fearfully.
"It's okay, I'm a doctor at the hospital nearby. Are you okay?", Caretaker knelt down.
"As...asthma.... no... inhaler", they gasped, "can... can't afford.... sick.... maybe.... I-I don't ***cough*** know."
Caretaker frowned. They knew they couldn't leave them.
"Alright, I'm going to pick you up. We need to get to the hospital", they started to cradle them.
"No... please... can't... can't afford", the person tried to scoot away but was struggling badly.
"It's okay... the hospital has programs for homeless people", Caretaker frowned.
Whumpee wasn't given any time to think. Caretaker had already scooped them up and was walking towards the hospital.
They grumbled to themself about having the rain. This person needed help.
The person nervously looked up at Caretaker. They were both drenched now. They knew this was their fault. They should have just stayed in the alley. Now they were bothering a stranger.
Caretaker hurried inside of the hospital and to the emergency department.
Nurses followed Caretaker quickly. The doctor was in and had someone in their arms. All hands on deck.
Caretaker set the patient down in a room.
"I need an inhaler he called out. Get a hospital gown ready, we need to get them dried off and into something warm. Check vitals stat. Patient is asthmatic and is possibly sick. Start a patient chart as well", Caretaker ordered, "I need oxygen running", Caretaker placed a mask on the patient's face.
"Do we have a name?", a nurse carried over the doctor's computer.
"Not yet, I found them on the street. Didn't have time to ask", Caretaker stepped away for a second.
They came back once the inhaler was handed to them.
The oxygen mask was lifted up, and the inhaler was stuck between their lips.
"Their lips are turning blue from lack of oxygen. I need oxygen levels. Run a base now, then later to make sure this is working", Caretaker frowned when the inhaler didn't seem to be helping.
"I really need you to try to get some of this into your lungs", Caretaker pressed the button again, "breath now."
After some struggling, Whumpee was finally able to get a full breath.
"There we go", Caretaker finally smiled.
Caretaker left the room for a few minutes to get out of the wet clothes. They made their way to their office and opened their locker. They always had a change of clothes on hand.
"Patient's name is Whumpee. They are homeless and have been on the street for almost two months. They are being given a breathing treatment now, following that inhaler. They've been having that asthma attack for a few hours. It was getting worse with the storm, so they were trying to find better shelter to see if it would calm down. They complain of chest pain, and think they have been sick for a few days", the nurse relayed the information to Caretaker when they got back.
"Okay can we do labs, all labs, blood, urine, nasal", Caretaker looked over the chart, "Whumpee huh?", Caretaker frowned.
"Everything had been ordered by the doctor already. You do remember you were supposed to be going home right?", the nurse giggled.
"Oh right", Caretaker smirked, "alright I'm going to go check on them. This time I'm calling a taxi."
Caretaker stepped into the room and saw Whumpee struggling with a meal tray.
They were so desperate to eat but seemed to be wearing most of it now.
Whumpee looked up sadly and noticed Caretaker.
"Oh, uh", Whumpee looked down over themself and made a sad face.
"Why do you seem sad?", Caretaker came in and sat down, "I'll help you with this."
"No, I-I already wasted a lot of your time already. I didn't deserve your help, but I really appreciate you saving me", Whumpee looked up at them again, "please don't waste your time on me."
"I didn't waste any time helping you, but if it makes you feel better... we can say I'm doing my civil duty as a doctor helping you", Caretaker grinned, "that way you can say I was just doing my job. You needed help though, I knew I'd be the fastest way to you getting care. Especially with me doing it myself."
Whumpee smiled weakly, "I don't know what happened. I've had asthma attacks before. Even without the inhaler, I managed to keep it somewhat controlled. Today's was different though."
Caretaker nodded as they reached for the fork and started to feed Whumpee, "you seem sick, possibly pneumonia, but we are waiting on the labs. Asthma can be worse with pneumonia."
Whumpee almost melted while chewing on the food.
"It's been a while since you've eaten. Also, how long have you been feeling sick?", Caretaker started to clean them off.
"I haven't eaten for a few days, I think I got sick about a week ago. The money I had saved went to medicine. I haven't been able to afford food because of it", Whumpee sighed.
Caretaker cleaned Whumpee up a little more after they were done eating.
"Alright you need to rest, and I need to head home. I will be back tomorrow to check in on you", Caretaker smiled, "the nurses and doctors will take good care of you."
Whumpee nodded, "thankyou so much."
"You're welcome", Caretaker smiled.
Before leaving they stopped at the desk to see if any labs were back... nothing yet.
Dinner had to be warmed by the time Caretaker made it home. Their spouse sat across the table while they ate and listened about Whumpee.
"That is so sad. You said they are younger. It must be hard to decide between medicine and food. Plus with most medicine you need to eat something with it. Their stomach is probably in so much pain right now", Caretaker's spouse frowned.
"I can imagine it is. They are quite young, I went in to check on them before I left. They could barely eat... they couldn't lift the fork", Caretaker frowned.
"Why don't you bring them here. I can nurse them back to health. Maybe they can stay. They already have my heart", Caretaker's spouse smiled.
"You know we can't take in everything you find on the street. We already have a cat and a turtle because of your habit of taking in strays", Caretaker leaned back and looked at them, "I feel for them to, but this is a whole person my dear."
"Come on, we have an empty bedroom that's dying for someone to stay in. All of our kids have moved out and have their own families. I want to take care of someone", their spouse pleaded.
"Okay... okay", Caretaker sighed, "how about tomorrow, I'll get off and have you meet up with me to see them, and we can offer the room to them. How does that sound?", Caretaker smirked mischievously, "I was quietly hoping you'd say this."
"Yes I'm so excited", their spouse bounced up and down happily
Caretaker couldn't help but laugh.
The next day Caretaker went in to a happy Whumpee resting in their room.
"My you look like you are feeling much better", Caretaker smiled as they read over the chart, "oh so it was pneumonia. Yes we got some good medicine in you now. Breathing treatments, food, getting hydration. I can imagine you feel much better."
"Yes I feel so much better. They said I might be able to be discharged if they get this fever to break",
"So where are you going once you get out?", Caretaker pried.
"I, uh, really don't know", Whumpee shrugged, "I've enjoyed being here, but administration explained to me how the homeless situation works with this hospital. So I don't want to be a bother."
"Oh, I wasn't aware they talked to you. They're not supposed to", Caretaker frowned, "it's up to the doctor's discretion, not theirs. I'll be going to talk with them about that actually."
"No no please don't. I understand this isn't a charity. I appreciate everything already. They even said I'd get a refill on my inhaler and some medicine to help me fully recover", Whumpee smiled, "that's more than I could ask for."
"Whumpee what will happen when you run out again?", Caretaker looked at them sadly, "it's cold out there. You were not exactly dressed for that. What happens after that?"
Whumpee shrugged again, they looked at Caretaker weakly, "I-I don't know. Trust me, I know all of that already. I didn't ask to be kicked out by my family. I didn't even get a chance to grab a few things. It was warm when I was kicked out. What I have now was donated to me. I didn't ask for this, and I tried hard", Whumpee's lip quivered.
Caretaker looked at them worriedly, "I'm sorry I pried a little too closely to a sensitive spot. I was going to wait until later. My spouse wants to come here and meet you. We both hoped that you would be interested in coming home to stay with us."
Whumpee paused, "what do you mean?"
"My spouse is very loving. The moment I told them about you, they fell in love with you. I fell in love with you yesterday as I was carrying you back to the hospital. You were so frail. I had secretly hoped my spouse would agree. We have an empty bedroom that you can use. We will help you get back on track with your health."
"You... why would you do that? You don't even know why I was kicked out. What if it's something you don't like", Whumpee let a tear fall.
"I pretty much already know what it is", Caretaker sighed, "as a doctor, you learn not to worry about who and what a person is. Everyone is deserving of love. Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of loving. I see on your chart you requested they and them pronouns. Are you LGBQTA+Â Whumpee?"
Whumpee looked down and nodded. Their Shoulders shook as they tried not to cry.
"There is nothing wrong with that. My spouse and I don't mind", Caretaker sat on the edge of the bed and held Whumpee's hand, "I'm sorry people have made you feel like it was a problem."
Whumpee looked up at Caretaker. Tears ran down their face.
Caretaker reached for a tissue and started to wipe the tears away.
"It's okay Whumpee", Caretaker smiled, "you will be safe at my house, and I promise you will love my spouse's cooking."
A few days later, a nurse led Whumpee into Caretaker's office.
"Doctor has one more patient to take care of before they're off", their nurse smiled at Whumpee, "I hope you have a great time living with them. You will have so much fun. Doctor will be in here soon to get you."
"Thankyou so much for everything", Whumpee smiled back, "I appreciate you so much for helping me."
The nurse nodded, "I am happy I was able to take care of you."
Whumpee had been cuddled in a blanket earlier. They still hadn't been able to get a coat yet. Caretaker's spouse said they would go shopping once they were feeling better.
Whumpee sat down on the floor and cuddled the blanket around them. They looked around the office but soon grew heavy eyed.
Caretaker came in a bit later and found Whumpee asleep on the floor.
They got over and knelt beside them, "Whumpee", they whispered.
Whumpee jumped a little and looked up with confusion.
"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you. Are you ready to go home?", Caretaker smiled.
"Home?", Whumpee whispered, then their face turned from confusion to excitement, "yes Doctor, I'm ready."
Caretaker smiled, "alright my spouse is waiting for us. Let's go home."
Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.
@villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived
@sacredwrath @porschethemermaid
@monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz
@bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13
@notpeppermint @cyborg0109
@idontreallyexistyet @painfulplots
@whumpbump @everythingsscary
@skittles-the-whumpee @expressionless-fr
@theforeverdyingperson @legendarydelusiongoatee
@candleshopmenace @whumpanthems
@lavndvrr @ivymyers
@starfields08000 @a-living-canvas
@lumpofsand @watermeezer
@indigoviolet311 @whumpy-mountains
@3-2-whump @risk606
@electrons2006 @paperprinxe
@whumprince @kaz-of-crows
@mis-graves @decaffeinatedtimetraveler94
@sausages-things @sunglasses-in-the-bentley
@isikedmyself878 @daffyduckcommittedtaxfraud
#whump community#whumplr#whumblr#ask response#requested story#whump stuff#whump writing#whump ideas#whump#whumpee#whump scenario#whumper#caretaking#caretaker#medical whump#oc#original story
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Potential Health Benefits
Honey has many potential health benefits, including: (here's just a Few)âŠ
Anti-inflammatory
Honey contains an enzyme called catalase that can help relieve minor inflammation. It can be used topically to treat burns and wounds, and orally to treat coughs and sore throats.
Antibacterial and antiviral
Honey can help fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It can also be used to treat acne by dabbing a small amount onto pimples to reduce swelling and fight bacteria.
Antioxidant
Honey contains antioxidants like phenolic acids and flavonoids, which may help improve cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. Honey can also help prevent and treat degenerative diseases.
Studies suggest that honey might offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits. In some studies, honey has been shown to help prevent memory disorders. Wound care. Topical use of medical-grade honey has been shown to promote wound healing, particularly in burns.
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Cinnamon has many potential health benefits, including:
Blood sugar
Cinnamon may help lower blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. It may also improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance factor (GTf), which can help with weight loss.
In addition to being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and cardiovascular-disease-lowering compound, cinnamon has also been reported to have activities against neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
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Ginger has many health benefits, including:
Digestion: Gingerol, a natural compound in ginger, can help with digestion, nausea, and vomiting from motion sickness, pregnancy, and cancer chemotherapy. It can also help with mild stomach upset.
Anti-inflammatory: Ginger contains over 400 natural compounds, some of which are anti-inflammatory. It can help with bloating, gas, and reducing inflammation.
Pain relief: Ginger can help with osteoarthritis pain, menstrual cramps, and sore muscles.
Blood sugar: Ginger can help improve blood sugar regulation and lower blood sugar.
Heart health: Ginger can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which can help prevent heart disease. It can also improve circulation and promote the breakdown of fats in the bloodstream.
Immune system: Ginger can help strengthen the immune system and fight germs.
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Turmeric ~ In addition to these conditions, research studies have shown some possible benefits of turmeric for:
Inflammation
Degenerative eye conditions
Metabolic syndrome
Arthritis
Hyperlipidemia (cholesterol in the blood)
Anxiety
Muscle soreness after exercise
Kidney health
In India, it was traditionally used for disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, joints, and digestive system. Today, turmeric is promoted as a dietary supplement for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, allergies, liver disease, depression, and many others.
.......
Chili peppers contain many compounds that may have health benefits, including:
Capsaicin The chemical that gives chili peppers their heat, capsaicin may help with:
Pain relief: Chili peppers can help with headaches, migraines, and joint pain. You can apply chili peppers directly to the skin to reduce the amount of a chemical that sends pain signals to the brain.
Metabolism: Capsaicin can increase your metabolic rate, which can help you burn more calories and eat fewer unhealthy foods. Some studies have also shown that capsaicin can reduce appetite and increase fat burning, which may help with weight loss.
Inflammation: Capsaicin is one of the most studied natural ingredients for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Digestion: Capsaicin can help clear phlegm and congestion, and may promote a healthy gut microbiome, which is important for a healthy immune system.
Vitamin A and vitamin C: Chili peppers are a great source of both vitamins, which can help boost your immune system and support eye health. Vitamin C can also help your body absorb iron and promote healthy skin.
Carotenoids: Chili peppers contain carotenoids, which may help protect against cancer. Some research suggests that capsaicin may also contribute to cancer cell death.
Keep in Mind
Take charge of your healthâtalk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
Know the Science: How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article
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If Pokerus are rare then how do Pokemon get infected by it? I heard that Pokerus are small living bacteria of sorts or something.
I was trying to keep this short, but there's a lot of shit to explain and might as well do full explanation here. Plus, it helps better understand if you have the full origin.
How Pokerus Works
Pokerus causes the pokemkn infected to become stronger. It is beneficial for awhile, making them smarter and more powerful. But it soon starts taking away the pokemon's energy, until they can no longer live.
Pokerus Origin
Pokerus is a similar to a virus, meaning it gets into organisms and multiplies with living cells. But because it's an organism, it technically doesn't count as virus, It's actually a bacteria.
The bacteria is weird, however, only infecting the "Matencia cell."
The "Matencia cell" is the cell pokemon that produces their battling moves. Pokerus will attach itself to the Matencia cell, transforming the Matencia cell to make it bigger and stronger, and the new Matencia cell will do the same thing.
(Infected Matencia Cell)
For reference, here's the Matencia Cell and Pokerus side-by-side.
How Pokerus Spreads
Pokerus can be found on any living organism but affects pokemon the most. Common ways pokemon get it are being in contact with other pokemon with pokerus. But they can also get it by eating something with the bacteria on it.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of Pokerus include:
-Boosted physical strength
-Heightened agression
Later Symptoms of Pokerus
-Higher body temperature
-Sore throat
-Coughing fits
-Sneezing fits
-Becoming weaker in everyday life, but being a lot stronger when battling
-Not moving for long periods of time
-Having short bursts of energy after eating or drinking, only to become super tired afterwards
-Trouble thinking
@sinnoh-student I suggest taking Bunny to a vet. Idk if she has it, but she seems to follow a lot of the symptoms. It's also best to be safe. Pokerus gets harder to cure the longer it goes on, and catching it early is your best bet.
Here's other info in a different post I made, and one I reblogged.
#ooc: idk much about bacteria or viruses#ooc: hopefully this accurate lol#ooc: ik its a good thing in the game#ooc: but its still a bacteria and it makes sense for it to be dangerous irl#ooc: and i like drama in stories#pokerus#pokerus au#pokemon#irl pokemon#pokemon biologist#pokemon biology#quill pokeworld#quill awnsers#pokemon irl#pokeblog#pokeblogging#pokeblr#rotumblr#rotomblr#pkmn irl#irl pkmn#real pokemon#pokemon roleplay
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Unlocking the Sweet Potential: The Health Benefits of Raw Honey
Raw Honey: Nature's Golden Elixir
In today's fast-paced world, where health trends come and go, one natural remedy stands the test of time: raw honey. Renowned for its rich flavor and myriad health benefits, Raw Honey has been used for centuries as both a food and a medicine. In this article, we delve into the sweet potential of raw honey, exploring its health benefits and why it's a pantry staple in households worldwide.
The Essence of Raw Honey
Raw honey is a true gift from nature. Unlike processed honey, which undergoes filtration and pasteurization, raw honey is pure, unprocessed, and unfiltered. It's harvested straight from the hive and retains all of its natural enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This pristine form of honey is rich in nutrients and boasts a unique composition that sets it apart from other sweeteners.
The Health Benefits of Raw Honey
Nutrient Powerhouse: Raw honey is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins B and C, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium. These nutrients play vital roles in supporting overall health and well-being.
Antioxidant Properties: Organic Honey is brimming with antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Immune Support: Raw honey contains antimicrobial properties that can help support the immune system and fight off infections. It's often used as a natural remedy for soothing sore throats and coughs.
Digestive Health: Consuming raw honey may promote digestive health by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria and aiding in digestion. Its antimicrobial properties can also help alleviate digestive issues such as indigestion and stomach ulcers.
Allergy Relief: Some studies suggest that consuming local raw honey may help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. The theory is that exposure to small amounts of pollen in raw honey can desensitize the body's immune response to allergens over time.
Wound Healing: Raw honey has been used for centuries as a topical treatment for wounds and burns due to its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. It can help promote faster healing and reduce the risk of infection.
Choosing the Best Raw Honey
When it comes to selecting raw honey, purity is key. Look for honey labeled as "raw," "unprocessed," or "unfiltered" to ensure you're getting the real deal. Opt for locally sourced honey whenever possible, as it may contain trace amounts of pollen from plants in your area, potentially offering added allergy relief.
Incorporating Raw Honey into Your Routine
There are countless ways to enjoy the health benefits of raw honey. Add a dollop to your morning oatmeal or yogurt for a natural sweetener, drizzle it over fresh fruit for a decadent treat, or stir it into your favorite herbal tea for a soothing beverage. You can also use raw honey as a substitute for sugar in baking recipes to add depth of flavor and moisture to your creations.
Cautionary Note
While raw honey offers an array of health benefits, it's essential to consume it in moderation due to its high sugar content. Excessive consumption of honey can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of dental cavities. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions or concerns.
Conclusion
Raw Honey is more than just a sweet indulgence; it's a powerhouse of nutrients and health benefits. From supporting immune function to promoting digestive health and wound healing, the potential uses for raw honey are endless. Incorporate this natural elixir into your daily routine and unlock its sweet potential for a healthier, happier you.
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Benefits Of Echinacea
Are you tired of feeling run down and constantly catching every cold that comes your way? Look no further than echinacea supplements to boost your immune system and keep you healthy. Echinacea, a powerful herb known for its medicinal properties, can help reduce the duration of the common cold, support respiratory health, and fight inflammation.
By incorporating echinacea supplements into your daily routine, you can enhance your overall well-being and serve yourself with a stronger, healthier body. Don't let illness hold you back from serving others and living your best life. Discover the amazing benefits of echinacea supplements and take control of your health today.
Key Takeaways
Boosts immune system and enhances the body's natural defense mechanisms
Reduces the duration of the common cold and alleviates cold symptoms
Supports respiratory health and strengthens the respiratory system
Fights inflammation and provides relief from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and bronchitis
Boosts Immune System
Boost your immune system with echinacea supplements. Echinacea has long been recognized for its ability to enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms. By taking echinacea supplements, you can give your immune system the support it needs to protect you from illness and stay healthy.
One of the key benefits of echinacea is that it boosts energy. When your immune system is working efficiently, your body is better able to fight off infections and diseases, leaving you with more energy to tackle your daily tasks. By incorporating echinacea supplements into your routine, you can experience increased vitality and improved overall well-being.
In addition to boosting energy, echinacea also improves digestion. A healthy gut is essential for proper nutrient absorption and overall health. Echinacea has been shown to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which aids in digestion and supports a healthy digestive system. By maintaining a healthy gut, you can reduce the risk of digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation.
Furthermore, echinacea supplements can help to strengthen your immune system's response to infections. Echinacea contains compounds that stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off harmful pathogens. By enhancing the activity of these immune cells, echinacea supplements can help to prevent and shorten the duration of illnesses such as colds and flu.
Reduces the Duration of the Common Cold
To reduce the duration of the common cold, incorporate echinacea supplements into your daily routine. Echinacea, a flowering plant native to North America, has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments, including the common cold. Research suggests that echinacea can help reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that participants who took echinacea supplements experienced a shorter duration of cold symptoms compared to those who took a placebo. The study also showed that echinacea helped alleviate symptoms such as cough, congestion, and sore throat. This suggests that incorporating echinacea into your daily routine can help you recover faster and get back to your daily activities.
In addition to reducing symptoms, echinacea supplements may also help prevent future colds. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that regular use of echinacea was associated with a lower risk of developing the common cold. This is believed to be due to echinacea's immune-boosting properties, which help strengthen the body's natural defense mechanisms.
To incorporate echinacea supplements into your daily routine, look for standardized extracts that contain a specific amount of active compounds. Follow the recommended dosage instructions on the packaging and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications.
Supports Respiratory Health
Incorporate echinacea supplements into your daily routine to support respiratory health. Echinacea has long been recognized as a natural remedy that can help strengthen your respiratory system and protect it against respiratory infections. Respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu, and bronchitis, can be quite common and can cause significant discomfort and inconvenience. By incorporating echinacea supplements into your daily routine, you can give your immune system an extra boost and help prevent the occurrence of these infections.
Echinacea is known for its immune-boosting properties, which can help your body fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Research has shown that echinacea can stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections. By increasing the number of white blood cells in your body, echinacea can enhance your immune response and reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections.
Additionally, echinacea has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe respiratory symptoms. It can help reduce inflammation in the airways and alleviate symptoms such as coughing, congestion, and sore throat. By reducing inflammation, echinacea can promote easier breathing and improve overall respiratory health.
Furthermore, echinacea can support respiratory health by reducing the frequency of respiratory infections. Regular use of echinacea supplements can help strengthen your immune system, making it more resistant to pathogens that cause respiratory infections. By incorporating echinacea into your daily routine, you can potentially decrease your susceptibility to respiratory infections and enjoy improved respiratory health.
Fights Inflammation
Take advantage of echinacea supplements to combat inflammation and enhance your respiratory health. Echinacea, a popular natural remedy, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can provide relief from various inflammatory conditions in the body.
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. While acute inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, chronic inflammation can lead to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and asthma. Echinacea supplements have been found to effectively reduce inflammation and promote overall health.
Research has shown that echinacea contains compounds called alkamides, which have been found to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes involved in the inflammatory response. These alkamides help to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory substances, such as cytokines and prostaglandins. By doing so, echinacea can help to alleviate the symptoms of inflammation and provide relief from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and bronchitis.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, echinacea also enhances respiratory health. It has been traditionally used to treat respiratory infections, such as the common cold and flu. Echinacea stimulates the immune system, helping the body fight off respiratory infections more effectively. It can also reduce the severity and duration of symptoms associated with respiratory infections, such as coughing, congestion, and sore throat.
To experience the benefits of echinacea supplements, it is important to choose a high-quality product from a reputable manufacturer. Look for supplements that contain standardized extracts of Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia, as these are the most studied and well-known species of echinacea. As always, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Enhances Overall Well-Being
Improve your overall well-being by incorporating echinacea supplements into your daily routine, benefiting from its anti-inflammatory properties and immune-boosting effects. Echinacea has long been recognized for its ability to support the body's natural defense system and promote good health. But did you know that it can also increase your energy levels and improve mental clarity?
Feeling tired and mentally foggy can greatly impact your daily life and productivity. Echinacea supplements can help combat these issues by providing a natural boost of energy. By strengthening your immune system, echinacea helps your body fight off infections and illnesses, reducing the strain on your body and allowing you to feel more energized. With increased energy, you will be able to tackle your daily tasks with enthusiasm and focus.
In addition to increased energy levels, echinacea also improves mental clarity. The anti-inflammatory properties of echinacea help reduce brain fog and improve cognitive function. This means that you will experience enhanced mental clarity, improved concentration, and better memory retention. Whether you're studying for an exam, working on a project, or simply trying to stay sharp, echinacea can give you the mental edge you need.
Incorporating echinacea supplements into your daily routine doesn't just benefit your physical health, but also your overall well-being. By increasing your energy levels and improving mental clarity, you'll feel more motivated, productive, and focused throughout the day. So why not give echinacea a try? Start incorporating it into your daily routine and experience the positive effects it can have on your well-being.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Known Side Effects or Interactions With Other Medications When Taking Echinacea Supplements?
Are there any potential drug interactions with echinacea supplements? Should individuals with autoimmune disorders avoid taking echinacea supplements? It is important to note that echinacea supplements may interact with certain medications, such as immunosuppressants and antiviral drugs. These interactions could potentially reduce the effectiveness of the medication. Additionally, individuals with autoimmune disorders should exercise caution when considering echinacea supplements, as they may stimulate the immune system, potentially worsening symptoms. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Can Echinacea Supplements Be Taken by Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women?
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it's important to consider the safety of echinacea supplements. Before taking them, it's recommended to consult with your healthcare provider. While some studies suggest that echinacea may be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and potential risks. Safety considerations vary for each individual, so it's crucial to seek professional advice. Your healthcare provider can guide you on the best course of action to take for your specific situation.
How Long Does It Take for Echinacea Supplements to Start Showing Their Effects on the Immune System?
When it comes to the effectiveness of echinacea supplements in boosting your immune system, a comprehensive review suggests that it may take some time for the effects to kick in. While individual results may vary, studies have shown that regular intake of echinacea supplements over a period of several weeks to a few months can lead to improvements in immune function. So, be patient and consistent with your intake, and you may start noticing the benefits on your immune system.
Are There Any Specific Dosage Recommendations for Echinacea Supplements?
When it comes to echinacea supplements, it's important to consider the recommended dosage. While there is no specific dosage for everyone, it is generally suggested to take 300-500 milligrams of echinacea extract three times a day. However, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the right dosage for you. Additionally, it's important to be aware of potential drug interactions and the efficacy of different forms of echinacea supplements.
Are Echinacea Supplements Suitable for Children to Take?
Echinacea supplements can be an effective option for children, but it's important to consider dosage recommendations. Before giving echinacea to your child, it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance on the appropriate dosage based on your child's age, weight, and overall health. Echinacea supplements may help support your child's immune system, but it's always best to seek professional advice to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
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GERMS
Germs" is a general term used to refer to microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, that can cause disease or infection in humans, animals and plants. These microorganisms may be pathogenic, meaning that they have the ability to cause disease, or they may be harmless or even beneficial in certain contexts.
Here is a description of the main types of germs:
1. bacteria: these are single-celled microorganisms that can be beneficial or harmful. Some bacteria are essential for digestion and the immune system in the human body, while others can cause infections such as salmonella or tuberculosis.
2. Viruses: They are much smaller particles than bacteria and are not complete cells. Viruses need to invade host cells to reproduce and can cause diseases such as influenza, HIV or COVID-19.
3. Parasites: These are multicellular organisms that live at the expense of other organisms hosts and can cause disease. Examples include intestinal worms and protozoa.
4. Protozoa: These are single-celled microorganisms that can cause infectious diseases in humans, such as malaria and giardiasis.
Germs can be spread through direct contact with infected people, contaminated surfaces, contaminated food or water, and are often the underlying cause of many infectious diseases
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of an infection caused by germs vary depending on the type of microorganism and the part of the body affected. Here are some examples of common symptoms of infections caused by germs:
Fever, headache, throat inflammation, muscle and abdominal pain, usually see itching or allergies, fatigue as this is common during an infection as the body is using energy to fight the invading microorganism. Shortness of breath and chest pain may be present in respiratory infections such as the common cold, flu and cough.
Symptoms may vary in severity and duration depending on the individual and the specific infection. If you experience symptoms suggestive of infection, it is advisable to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
PREVENTIONS
Preventing infections caused by germs is critical to maintaining personal health and preventing the spread of disease in the community. Here are some important prevention measures:
1. Hand Washing: Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
2. Avoid Touching Your Face: Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs can enter the body through these areas, use face masks to prevent the spread of germs.
3. Vaccination: Make sure you are up to date with recommended vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases. Vaccinations are a powerful tool for prevention.
4. Personal Hygiene: Maintain good personal hygiene, including proper skin and hair care, and change clothes regularly.
These preventive measures can help to significantly reduce the risk of infections caused by germs.
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HOW TO TREAT URTICARIA WITH NATURAL REMEDIES
Raised red bumps or splotches on skin that happen when body has an allergic reaction is known as Urticaria or Hives. Allergic reaction happens when immune system comes in contact with allergen. Urticaria last more than six weeks and often return over months or years. The welts often start as an itchy patches which turns into swollen welts varying in size. Urticaria can be uncomfortable and interfere with day to day life and can cause disturbed sleep.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF URTICARIA?
Some of the triggers that cause allergic reaction in the body includes :
Sunlight
Pressure on skin
Allergens like molds, pollens or pet dander.
Scratching the skin
Exposure to hot or cold temperature
Anxiety
Vibrations
Insect like bee, wasp etc sting
Viral infections like common cold etc
Bacterial infections like UTI, strep throat etc
Certain medications like antibiotics, ibuprofen, aspirin etc.
Latex
Certain foods like eggs, nuts or shellfish
Vibrations ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF URTICARIA ?
Raised skin lesions that appears in any area of body.
Severe itching
Reddish, purple or skin colored weals, depending upon skin color.
Rashes of different size and they change shape
Blanching- the hive become white when centre is pressed
Bumps generally last no longer than 24 hours
Lesion appear in batches
Painful swelling around eyes, cheeks or lips
Heat, exercise or stress triggers flare up
HOME REMEDIES FOR URTICARIA :
Aloe Vera Gel : It has skin soothing , healing and anti-inflammatory properties thus helps to reduce the hives and provide relief from itching. Apply aloe vera gel to affected area 2 to 3 times a day to get relief from itching and redness .
Oatmeal scrub : Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory, skin soothing and skin moisturizing properties. Gently scrub the affected region with oatmeal to pacify the inflamed skin.
Apply Cold Compress : Cold compress helps to calm the aggravated skin . Dip a towel or cloth in chilled water and then apply it on the affected portions.
Apple Cider Vinegar : Mix 1 tsp of vinegar with 1 tablespoon of warm water and apply on affected area with cotton ball to sooth itching and redness.
AYURVED APPROACH :
In Ayurved it can be correlated with Sheetpitta. Excessive exposure to etiological factors like cold breeze, intake of salty and pungent food, contact with cold substances, improper emesis etc leads to the aggravation of vata and kapha dosha. The aggravated vata and kapha in turn gets mixed with pitta dosha and spread all over the body and there they get lodged into external surface of the body ( beneath skin ). There the vitiated doshas leads to development of the condition.
HERBS FOR URTICARIA :
Ajmoda
Druva
Guduchi
Haridra
Yashtimdhu
Patol
Neem
Manjistha
Gambhari
Amalaki
Agnimantha
PANCHKARMA FOR URTICARIA :
Vaman
Virechan
Raktmokshan
Lepam
Parisheka
Udvartana
WHOLESOME DIETS :
Green grams
Bitter-gourd
Pomegranate
Older rice
Horse gram
Warm water
UNWHOLESOME DIETS:
Fish
Sugar and its derivative
Cold water
Milk and milk products
Alcohol
Suppression of vomiting
Exposure to cold breeze
Ayurvedic Treatment for Urticaria
1) Aloe Vera  Gulab Gel :
Aloe Vera Gulab Gel is formed with the pure extract of herb Aloe Vera and the mixture of rose petals. Thus this wonderful composition provides a cooling effect on the skin that relieves from burning sensation, itchiness, etc. The gel helps in maintaining healthy skin and repairing skin damage.
Recommended Dosage â Gently apply over the affected area of the skin.
2) Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu :
The tablets are very beneficial in curing skin diseases as it contains the Pitta pacifying ingredients such as Shuddh guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia), Gajapippali (Piper chaba), Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis), etc. The tablet is Tridoshahara, thus is very effective in maintaining the hormonal level in the body.
Recommended Dosage â Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.
3) Skin care tablet :
Skin care tablet is a pure ayurvedic formulation. It helps to maintain the texture of your skin depending on the type of skin you have. It contains various herbs like Haridra khand, Panchnimb churna, Khadir chahal, Chirayta, Mulethi, Chopchini, Gandhak, Ajmoda that work very effectively on all skin types. Skin care is a blood purifying tablet. It cools and detoxifies the blood, increase blood circulation of the skin. It minimizes the blemishes, lighten sun tan, delay ageing of skin and heal skin problems. These tablets also act as a skin moisturizer, Improves blood circulatio, reduce itching and burning sensation of skin, Prevent acne and pimples.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
4) Neem Capsules :
NEEM capsules 100% Safe and purely Ayurvedic preparation. CAC NEEM CAPSULES is natural and herbal product prepared from the standard extract of herb Neem (Azadirachta indica). Neem herb is widely used to cure acute to chronic Skin problems such as Pimples, Itching, Dryness, Blemishes, Dark spots, Pigmentation, Scars  Neem leaves are rich in Vitamin-E, Fatty acids & emollients.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 capsules twice daily with normal water.
5) Detox Premium Powder:
This is a herbo-mineral preparation that contains ingredients like Parwal Pishti, Giloy satv, Shukta Pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Gandhak Rasayan, etc.
Parwal Pishti: This Pishti reduces inflammation, flaking, itching of the skin. The Pishti is composed of natural coral calcium processed with rose water.
Shukta Pishti: It helps to balance the Pitta dosha in the body. All signs and symptoms related to Psoriasis patients are managed with this article.
Giloy Satv: This satv is prepared from the herb Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties of this herb deal with psoriasis easily.
Kamdudha Ras: This herbal-mineral classical preparation balances Pitta dosha in the body.
Gandhak Rasayana: This herbal preparation is used since ancient times for all types of skin disorders.
Tal Sindoor: It contains ingredients like Shuddh parad, Aloe vera, Gandhak, etc that relieve redness in psoriasis patients.
Akik Pishti: This Pishti reduces all types of Pitta related disorder hence it gives good results in psoriasis.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with plain water.
6) Itch Care Tablet :
It is pure herbal combination which is purely natural. Skin primarily protect our body from toxins present in environment. Itching is related to various skin problems like dermatitis or irritates such as nickel in jewelry, infected cut. Chronic skin condition like psoriasis, acne and due to internal conditions like blood, lungs, and liver. Mainly toxins in skin arises due to excess rakta dhatu and rasa or  plasma nourishes the skin.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with plain water.
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Taking Care of Your Health: Must-Have UK Medicine and Health Products
Maintaining good health is crucial for leading a fulfilling life, and in the UK, there is a wide array of medicine and health products available to support your well-being. In this blog post, we will explore some essential health products and medicines, including Ear Care products, Hair & Scalp treatment, Eye supplements, best skincare products, and the best medicine for sore throat and cough.
Ear Care Products â Protecting Your Precious Hearing:
Our ears are sensitive organs that require proper care and attention. Ear Care products are designed to keep your ears clean, free from excessive earwax buildup, and protect them from harmful environmental factors. These products include ear drops, earwax removal kits, and earplugs. Regular use of ear drops can help prevent infections and maintain ear health, especially for individuals prone to wax accumulation.
Hair & Scalp Treatment â Nourishing Your Hair:
Healthy and luscious hair is a sign of overall well-being. Hair & Scalp treatment products are designed to nourish your hair, combat hair loss, and address scalp issues. In the UK, you can find a range of shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks enriched with essential vitamins and minerals to strengthen your hair and promote healthy growth. For those experiencing hair loss or thinning, specialized treatments with ingredients like biotin and keratin can help revitalize and thicken hair.
Eye Supplements UK â Enhancing Your Vision:
Our eyes are essential for experiencing the world around us, and as we age, their health can decline. Eye supplements UK are formulated to support eye health and vision. These supplements often contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, such as Vitamin A, C, E, zinc, and lutein, which are beneficial for maintaining healthy eyes. Including eye supplements in your daily routine can help reduce the risk of age-related eye conditions and promote clearer vision.
Best Skincare Products UK â Radiant and Glowing Skin:
Achieving healthy and radiant skin requires the right skincare routine and products. The UK offers a plethora of best skincare products tailored to different skin types and concerns. From cleansers and moisturizers to serums and face masks, there is a wide range of options to cater to your specific skin needs with best skincare products uk. Look for products with natural and nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C to rejuvenate your skin and combat common issues like dryness, acne, and signs of aging.
Best Medicine for Sore Throat and Cough â Relieving Discomfort:
Sore throat and cough are common ailments, especially during seasonal changes and colder months. Having the best medicine for sore throat and cough is essential to alleviate discomfort and promote faster recovery. In the UK, you can find various over-the-counter medicines like lozenges, cough syrups, and throat sprays that contain soothing ingredients like honey, menthol, and lemon to provide relief from irritation and inflammation.
Conclusion: Your Health, Your Priority
Prioritizing your health is essential for leading a happy and productive life. By incorporating Ear Care products, Hair & Scalp treatments, Eye supplements, the best skincare products, and the best medicine for sore throat and cough into your daily routine, you can proactively support your well-being. Remember to consult healthcare professionals or specialists when needed, especially if you have specific health concerns. With the right products and care, you can embark on a journey of improved health and wellness in the UK.
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đ„€Daily Detox Drinkđ„€
So I'm all for doing as much as you can that's beneficial for your well-being that isn't medicine. That said, homeopathy is not the answer to every medical condition and you should definitely consult your doctor before integrating homeopathic remedies to your health regimen. I am not a professional. Please, dear Lord, don't take my word as gospel.
Anyway, here's a budget friendly detox drink with a bunch of health benefits. You can find the ingredients at your local supermarket. Nothing fancy. This isn't really a cure for anything in particular, just a general keep-you-healthy beverage. đ Health benefits per ingredient are listed at the bottom (plus, if you're interested, the magickal properties as well).
Turmeric powder 15ml
Apple Cider Vinegar 30ml
Ginger (chopped) 1 tbsp
Black Pepper 1 tsp
Lemon Juice 60ml
Honey 30ml
Cinnamon (chopped or powdered) 10ml
6 cups WARM water (not boiling!)
Dump all the stuff in the warm water and mix it round. Store it in the fridge. This makes enough for a week's supply, ingested daily in the a.m.
Here's what it should look like once bottled. I tried to make it look palateable. I warn you now, it is not. It IS, however, good for you.
These are some of the benefits when the ingredient is ingested:
Turmeric - boosts your metabolism, aids with symptoms of hayfever, depression, inflammation, high cholesterol and osteo-arthritis. Also helps with the build up of fat in the liver and mild itching. It has strong cleansing properties, along with encouraging prosperity, love, spiritual growth and wisdom.
Apple Cider Vinegar - helps regulate blood sugar, good for gut health (bloating & indigestion), helps with relaxing leg cramps, helps ease coughs & colds, aids with high cholesterol and increases energy levels. Strong cleansing and banishing properties, enhances romantic connections, encourages prosperity and intution.
Ginger - relieves nausea, vomiting and headaches, reduces inflammation, eases joint pain and symptoms of osteo- and rheumatoid arthirits, menstrual pain, risk of heart health and high cholesterol. Helps regulate blood sugar, boosts your immune system and gut health, and helps improve brain function. It's also said to have anti-cancer properties. Ginger encourages vitality, protection, love and romance, healing, prosperity and psychic awareness, and courage.
Black Pepper - good for gut health, eases symptoms of inflammation, depression, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. It also aids in brain function, collagen production, nutrient absorption and dental health. Similar to ginger, said to have anti-cancer properties. It encourages emotional strength and opens spiritual pathways; promotes healthy personal power, self worth, courage, stamina, and self control.
Lemon Juice - rich in vitamin C, anti-oxidants and citric acid (preventing kidney stones). Aids in hydration and digestion. Used to call in longevity, purification, unity, uplifting, clarity, friendship, happiness, rejuvenation, awareness, love, fidelity, new beginnings, cleansing, and protection.
Cinnamon - Packed with anti-oxidants. Helps reduce inflammation and protects against heart disease, as well as regulates blood sugar levels. It is said to aid in neuro-degeneration like in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, have anti-cancer properties and aid in bacterial and fungal infections. Can be used to draw money, protection, stimulating psychic powers, success, lust, love and to raise vibrations.
Honey - Another anti-oxidant gold mine, helps regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels. It's overall great for heart health and cholesterol and can soothe a cough and sore throat. Honey is symbolic of fertility, community, prosperity, diligence and work ethic.Â
To make a greater use of the esoteric properties, you can integrate this into a larger ritual/ spell.
Enjoy!
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Be Aware
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This advertisement was created by the Department of Health (DOH), It was posted on May 15, 2020, during the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic to spread awareness about the virus and potentially save lives. The video is full of helpful information in determining whether a person is carrying the virus and explains that even asymptomatic people may spread the disease. It discussed the symptoms which are fever, fatigue, dry cough, colds, sore throat, and diarrhea, and added that even people who don't show symptoms may still pass the virus to others.
The intended audience is the citizens of the Philippines especially the ones who had close contact with persons who were infected. The product advertised was face masks, It is necessarily good for the citizens as it lessens the chance of spreading and receiving the virus. There are no Media Manipulations present in the ad, the advertisement was posted by a verified account that is run by the government. The ad managed to capture the attention of the viewers by putting useful information and advisories.
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This advertisement was made by Mercury Drug Corporation and was posted on September 4, 2020, the video contains advisories and friendly reminders. The clip intends to encourage the viewers to regularly sanitize, wear face masks & face shields, and observe social distancing.
The target audience of the video is the general public, to remind them that the virus is serious and to prioritize their health and safety. The advertised products were face masks, face shields, and sanitizers. These products are good for the viewers as they will provide extra protection from the contagious virus which will also be beneficial to their families and the people around them.
There is no Media Manipulation present in the ad. The audience was naturally interested in the video because it provides valuable knowledge that is needed to protect themselves and their loved ones.
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ProDentim - Price, Reviews, Results, Uses & Where To Buy?
Product Name - ProDentim
⟠Main Benefits â Dental SoluTion
⟠Side-EffectsâNA
⟠Rating: â âââââ
⟠Dosage - 2 Pills per day
This 100% natural product boosts the immune system in the nose, throat, and ear while providing you with a fresh, clean breath. It helps expand beneficial bacteria to support your dental health. ProDentim has been rated as effective and safe by thousands of users from the UK, Australia,
Does ProDentim Work?
ProDentim is a natural probiotic that protects your gums and teeth. This dental supplement will give you a fresher breath and prevent your teeth from yellowing.
ProDentim, a probiotic treatment that also protects the gums, will improve your teeth. This product was created by Dr. Drew Sutton in order to maintain dental health. It stops the growth of harmful bacteria and reduces their negative effects.
The organic blend helps reduce bleeding and inflammation of the gums. ProDentim Reviews can help you detoxify your mouth and support your immune system.
This product continues to eliminate bad odours from your mouth while also reducing harmful germs. It protects dental health by reducing salivation around the mouth. This book provides practical ways to treat gum disease and cavities. This ProDentim supplement is made in the USA and contains soft-flavored capsules that help maintain your health.
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Prodentim Canada & USA Reviews
ProDentim Reviews is a front-line oral supplement that contains a unique blend nutrient and bacterial strains, which have been proven by clinical trials to enhance the growth of gums and teeth.
ProDentim is not a toothpaste or mouthwash, but it does contain essential dental components. ProDentim is a solution that you have never experienced before. It is the only supplement that replenishes the beneficial bacteria in your mouth with billions probiotic strains.
It is a blend of mineral and botanical extracts with anti-inflammatory properties.
ProDentim products are regularly tested for purity, resistance to pollutants and poisons, and have been thoroughly verified as safe.
Effective as ProDentim
ProDentim Ingredients List ProDentim is a doctor-formulated blend that combines five powerful strains of bacteria with 3.5 billion beneficial ones.
ProDentim contains only pure herbal probiotic strains. Each ProDentim also contains five clinically tested substances unique to each ProDentim, which together with over one billion probiotics strains, improves the health of your gums and teeth. The following active ingredients are listed for your reference.
* Lactobacillus ParacaseiA lactobacillus paracasei probiotic helps maintain healthy gums and nasal openness. The ProDentim cap helps turn your food into energy-dense fuel, supports a healthy digestion system and protects against bacterial infections.
* Lactobacillus Reuteri This probiotic organic guarantees healthy teeth, fresh breath and helps reduce inflammation. This probiotic promotes intestinal health, and helps treat both acute and chronic periodsontitis. ProDentim helps reduce harmful factors which contribute to diarrhoea and irritable intestinal syndrome.
* Lactis BL-04Your oral microbes and intestinal bacteria's balance is in part maintained by B.lactis. ProDentim aims to improve the respiratory system. A healthy mouth cavity preserves the ability to boost immunity. It reduces the amount infection caused by gut bacteria.
BLIS K-12 These strains of probiotics help maintain healthy respiratory and dental health. It boosts your immune system and reduces the harmful effects of pathogenic bacteria on your mouth. Streptococcus salirius, the probiotic strain in Pro Dentim is made by bacteria.
BLIS M-18 The BLIS M-18 strain helps maintain a healthy smile and the color of your teeth. These strains are naturally found in your mouth and throat. It helps to keep them clean. ProDentim oral tablets help maintain a healthy mouth, reduce bad breath and promote fresh breath.
Inulin: It helps eliminate bad breath and promotes oral flora growth. It helps to maintain healthy teeth, gums and mouth. ProDentim promotes a healthy gastrointestinal system, and helps to boost beneficial oral flora.
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How to take ProDentim pills? Each ProDentim capsule contains 30 capsules. The composition of each capsule has been scientifically tested and is designed to support healthy gums and teeth, as well as fresh, strong breath.
Take one tablet with a glass of water to keep your digestive tract and system in good shape. Each capsule contains a probiotic strain that is great for your oral hygiene.
ProDentim is easy to use and all-natural. Your body will absorb it quickly. It does not contain stimulants or form habits. Take one capsule per day to strengthen your immune system and improve health in the ears, throat and nose. The recommended dosage is for maximum results. Please do not increase the dosage above.
Is ProDentim a Scam or Real? ProDentim, a real and 100% legitimate dental health program that strengthens your gums and teeth health. This product cannot be purchased online or offline at Amazon, e-Bay Walmart, Chemist Warehouse etc. There may be a cheap product or a duplicate. Please keep a good distance from these sites if you see this product.
ProDentim should only be purchased from the official website to ensure that you receive an original product and money-back guarantee. ProDentim can be used by both women and men of all ages.
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What are the benefits of using ProDentim tablets? ProDentim is a daily supplement that provides the following benefits to everyone: The health of the teeth and gums is improved. It also promotes the growth and development of healthy bacteria in your mouth Fresh breath that lasts for a long time * Boost immunity It is good for the ear, nose and throat. The microbiome in your mouth can be balanced by using this product * Natural and safe * Zero side effects Men and women can both benefit from this product It is easy to use
Where can I buy ProDentim Supplements in Canada and USA? ProDentim is only available through the official website of their supplier in Canada and USA. This legal oral product is delivered to all major regions in Canada and USA (United States Of America). The product is also available for express shipping to New Zealand and Australia. The manufacturer offers a variety of payment options, including credit cards and paypal. No other charges or automatic debit systems are applied. You can buy your bottle without wasting time today!
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ProDentim Final Verdict ProDentim was designed specifically to protect the health of teeth and gums. Even the beneficial microorganisms can help improve your dental hygiene. As you chew it, the probiotics reduce gum irritation, and help maintain your teeth and gum health.
There are several additional ingredients that can support better dental health, including those that promote whiter smiles, healthy gut bacteria, fresh breath and natural anti-inflammatory agents.
Each purchase could include a bonus that strengthens your teeth and gums organically. Each ProDentim package includes a 60-day 100% money back guarantee. You have nothing to loose, so try it risk-free!
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ProDentim Ingredients: What Makes It So Effective?
Oral health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, yet it often doesn't get the attention it deserves. While brushing and flossing are essential, sometimes these routines aren't enough to maintain optimal oral health. This is where products like ProDentim come into play. ProDentim is a revolutionary oral probiotic supplement designed to support dental and gum health. But what makes ProDentim so effective? The answer lies in its carefully curated ingredients.
The Importance of Oral Probiotics
Before delving into ProDentim's ingredients, it's important to understand why oral probiotics are beneficial. Our mouths are home to billions of bacteriaâboth good and bad. While harmful bacteria contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, beneficial bacteria play a vital role in maintaining oral balance and health. ProDentim uses a unique blend of probiotic strains and natural ingredients to enhance the population of good bacteria in the mouth, promoting a healthier oral environment.
Key Ingredients in ProDentim
ProDentim owes its effectiveness to its scientifically selected ingredients. Hereâs a closer look at each component and how it contributes to oral health:
1. Lactobacillus Paracasei
This probiotic strain is known for its ability to support gum health and reduce the risk of oral infections. Lactobacillus Paracasei helps maintain a balanced oral microbiome by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. Additionally, it can improve the body's ability to absorb nutrients, indirectly supporting stronger teeth.
2. Lactobacillus Reuteri
Lactobacillus Reuteri plays a significant role in reducing inflammation and improving oral health. Inflammation is often the root cause of gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. By reducing inflammation, this ProDentim not only alleviates discomfort but also creates an environment less conducive to harmful bacterial growth.
3. Bifidobacterium Lactis (BL-04)
This strain is primarily known for its role in boosting immunity. A strong immune system is essential for combating infections, including those that occur in the mouth. Bifidobacterium Lactis also helps maintain a healthy balance of oral bacteria, preventing bad breath and promoting overall oral hygiene.
4. Streptococcus Salivarius
A powerful probiotic, Streptococcus Salivarius helps reduce bad breath and supports throat health. This ingredient has antimicrobial properties that combat harmful bacteria while promoting a fresh, clean mouthfeel.
5. Inulin
Inulin is a prebiotic that feeds the beneficial bacteria in your mouth, allowing them to thrive. By fostering a healthy environment for probiotics, inulin ensures that the good bacteria can outnumber the harmful ones, reducing the risk of cavities and gum diseases.
6. Malic Acid
Malic acid, derived from fruits like apples, is included for its teeth-whitening properties. It helps reduce surface stains on teeth, giving your smile a brighter appearance. Additionally, malic acid has a hydrating effect that combats dry mouth, a condition that can lead to bad breath and increased risk of tooth decay.
7. Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural breath freshener with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It not only provides a pleasant taste but also contributes to a healthier oral environment by reducing harmful bacteria.
8. Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP)
Tricalcium Phosphate is included in ProDentim for its ability to strengthen teeth and improve enamel health. Calcium is a vital mineral for oral health, and TCP ensures that your teeth remain strong and resilient against decay.
9. Spearmint
Spearmint is another ingredient known for its breath-freshening qualities. Its antibacterial properties help keep your mouth clean and free from harmful bacteria, while its refreshing flavor enhances the overall user experience.
How Do ProDentimâs Ingredients Work Together?
ProDentimâs effectiveness lies in the synergy between its ingredients. While each component has specific benefits, together they create a comprehensive solution for oral health. The probiotics restore the balance of good and bad bacteria, the prebiotics ensure these beneficial bacteria thrive, and the natural compounds enhance breath, strengthen teeth, and improve gum health.
Benefits of ProDentim
Thanks to its carefully chosen ingredients, ProDentim offers a wide range of benefits:
Improved Gum Health: The anti-inflammatory properties of probiotics like Lactobacillus Reuteri reduce gum inflammation and support overall gum health.
Stronger Teeth: Ingredients like Tricalcium Phosphate provide essential minerals to fortify teeth and prevent decay.
Whiter Teeth: Malic acid naturally whitens teeth, helping users achieve a brighter smile.
Fresh Breath: Peppermint and spearmint work together to combat bad breath, leaving your mouth feeling fresh.
Reduced Risk of Oral Diseases: By promoting a balanced oral microbiome, ProDentim reduces the likelihood of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
Enhanced Immunity: Probiotics like Bifidobacterium Lactis boost your immune system, helping you fight off oral infections more effectively.
Why Choose ProDentim?
With countless oral health products on the market, ProDentim stands out for several reasons:
Natural and Safe: ProDentim is free from harmful chemicals and artificial additives, making it safe for daily use.
Scientifically Backed: Each ingredient in ProDentim is supported by research, ensuring its efficacy in improving oral health.
Convenient: ProDentim comes in an easy-to-use chewable form, making it simple to incorporate into your daily routine.
How to Use ProDentim
Using ProDentim is straightforward. Chew one tablet daily, preferably after brushing your teeth. This allows the probiotics and other ingredients to be absorbed effectively, providing maximum benefits.
Final Thoughts
ProDentimâs effectiveness lies in its unique combination of scientifically proven ingredients. From probiotics that restore balance to prebiotics that foster growth, every component works together to create a healthier oral environment. Whether youâre looking to prevent oral health issues or improve your current condition, ProDentim is a natural, convenient, and effective solution.
Investing in your oral health is an investment in your overall well-being, and ProDentim is a powerful ally in that journey. With its impressive blend of ingredients, itâs no wonder that ProDentim has become a trusted name in oral care.
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