#Progressive Cycle Coaching

[livin4woso]

Its not a problem if you have self control- (barca femini x teen!reader)

Summary- old habits die hard especially ones that are addictive. It's common for teens in the UK to turn to some bad activities to take off the edge however it's not so acceptable in spain.

Before your move to spain it wasn't uncommon for you to go out and have a bit of fun. since you had turned 16 you had been borrowing peoples IDs to get into the local clubs with your teammates and being out till morning came. It wasn't harming anyone,except your liver but you had more control than some of the girls in the academy system as they had been drinking so much they were left with a choice clubbing or football, it was just unfortunate they picked clubbing.

Drinking wasn't a main concern for you, you never craved for the buzz off alcohol and it was just expensive when you went out so you only rarely accepted invites from your friends. However it was nicotine that you really craved, you couldn't stop after you started, it really is a catch especially when you feel it rush to your head. But in your defence you would have never tried it yourself if it wasn't for peer pressure as your friends knew you wouldn't dare touch a ciggarete so they settled for a vape.

The first hit had knocked you and as you inhaled the vapor it hit the back of your throat and it came coughing back out but after a few tries you started to relax into the feeling and you couldn't resist. It started off small just stealing off friends when you were with them but as your career took off the stress to preform was weighing down and the thing that made you feel lighter was nicotine so you bought your own...

You had a good control on your intake and you barley went through liquids it was just now and again, as you were cautious if it would affect your performance but you saw no decline. But when the week after you had turned 18 at the start of the summer transfer window barcelona came calling for you which lead your anxiety to increase and so did the vaping.

Moving from one country to another was stressful,especially at 18 with the only knowledge of spanish being is whats inside your pencil case (curtiousy from your year 9 spanish lessons) you couldn't help but feel the anxiety simmer in your chest like a nagging feeling you couldn't get rid of. You were lucky that barcelona had sent you housing recommendation as that would have been more to add to your plate as well as applying for working visa's ect.

you had chosen a high rise flat with a balcony which meant you could enjoy the weather but also not hotbox your new flat. Settling in fast was an understatement for the first few weeks you were dragged around the training grounds taking pictures then signing contracts and finally interviews. It all was a blur you didn't have a chance to take it in as you were being shoved room to room as barca worked on a tight schedual. you had met the staff and had slowly picked up some names,as you were being ran down on what would happen which was starting with fitness tests and medical checks which would progress to team training as the coaches knew it was a massive step up in intensity and load especially for an 18 year old.

Fitness testing was ruthless, sprints, lactate testing, VO2 max tests your body was tense as your muscles were sore and cramped as you walked back to the car to drive yourself home. The week felt like a never ending cycle and every day ended with you sitting on the balcony chair,vape in hand and your laptop playing some netflix show you were hardly paying attention too as you would scroll through your friends instagrams from back home. You felt so alone and you had only been there a week and the homesickness was hitting hard and you just wondered if moving was the right idea.

Pre-season had started and it was finally time to meet everyone and you normally kept your vape at home however the anxiety in your chest needed calming so just incase it was needed. you had arrived in your new kit, the crest on your shorts feeling strange yet not an unwelcoming change, as you walked into the changing rooms you were lucky to be one of the first people there as it gave you time to put your kit in the cubby as well as your boots back from home as they had become a superstision to wear them as you played your best in them.

There was only Alexia, Patri and Marta in the room as they were on captianly duties to make you feel welcome "hola welcome to Barca" Alexia said reaching out to shake your hand " thank you im Y/N " you said returning the handshake as you settled into a normal conversation. The other girls slowly began to enter each taking there time to introduce themselves everyone was kind to you but then mapi entered the room and it was like you had changed "so what position do you play?" she asked "erm center back same as you" you replied " AHH i can see it now we take over together me and you" she responded and you would have laughed if she didnt look so serious " mapi stop pestering your going to scare the girl off" ingrid chimed in sending a pointed look towards mapi "its fine i dont mind" you replied and you noticed that mapi had sent you a sneaky hive five too you. It was after that conversation Mapi had took it upon herself to be your big sister at barca as she wanted the best for you and she could tell you looked like you knew how to have fun.

walking onto the pitch was like a dream come true however the drills were relentless they required so much technical percision you understood why you were put through so many tests before hand. It wasn't a stressful environment everyone was kind and made sure to explain the what the coaches were saying as you still hadn't got round to learning spanish but the pressure to kept up with the girls was piling up and weighing onto your shoulders and the only thing you wanted to do in that moment was have a go of your vape as you knew it would ease the tension off your body. Deep down you knew it was wrong you weren't blind to the negative impacts it had but each time you had nic rush everything was quiet and it kept you hooked to the small device.

After the first week of training you were less anxious and had made a few friends with some of the younger girls and Mapi of course which made it easier for you and you could leave your vape at home as you didn't feel the urge to use it. I mean if you don't need it for hours when you're at training you aren't addicted, you can always stop when you want too. While you where finding coming to training easy and adjusting to the lifestyle and play style Barcelona had the one thing you couldn't do was Spanish. You were never good at school with languages so when you were forced during school you never paid attention as no matter what you did it wouldn't stick in to your head so why bother trying?. But now you find yourself sat in the canteen, headphones in, with duolingo open on your phone and safe to say it wasn't going well. That stupid bird telling you not to lose your streak was making you want to throw your phone across the room as it was so frustrating to think you were getting the hang of it then all of a sudden you would have no lives left and have to wait half an hour.

Mapi spotted you from the other side of the room as she saw you hunched over a chair fork in one hand phone in the other and you look rather stressed fro what was meant to be a relaxing part of the day. she waltzed her way over to you and patted your back which you responded by removing your airpods "hola chica what are you doing?" she questioned you "i'm trying to learn your stupid language however i'm having no luck and this app isn't helping" you complained to the older woman and she thought for a few seconds before she came up with an idea " how about i teach you, i'm not sure how good ill be but i'm better than bird app" she said which made you laugh at her last remark "yeah that would be great" you responded and you didn't realise but the weight on your shoulders felt lighter by the second "i'll text you later and we can sort something" she said and you nodded sending her a thankful smile.

You and Mapi had decided to meet at your flat as you were only a 20 minute drive away for her and she thought that you would feel more comfortable at your own place than hers. you didn't think to do much as your flat was clean just a few misplaced items around and you assumed mapi wouldn't mind. However what you didn't realise you had left a bottle of your liquid on your kitchen table and before you could even notice it there was a knock at your door. Mapi barreled through the door and you were greeted with a joyous look as she wrapped you in for a hug "hola chica, you ready to learn" she said as she released you from her hug "yeah im ready" you said grimacing as you knew this wasn't going to go well. "we can go into the kitchen" you said as you walked to the kitchen counter as she followed behind you as you set up for your studying session mapi's eyes scanned the room and for someone who didnt seem it she was rather observant especially when her eyes caught a hold of the bottle of liquid and she was curious about why you would own it. She walked over and picked it up "this yours?" she said raising an eyebrow and the panic raised as you turned around internally cursing yourself you had been so careless to leave it out "oh no its not its from my cousin he came and visited the other week he lives out in madrid" you replied to her however it wasnt a full lie your cousin had come visited just that he didnt leave that because it was yours. "he must have forgot it, i'll throw it out after" you said to her and she sent you a reassuring smile believing you.

The spanish lesson was going exactly as you thought it was going to go and suprisingly Mapi wasnt a bad teacher you were just a horrible learner "dios mios you need a lot of help" mapi state her hand on her face as you couldn't even say half the words she was trying to teach you. "right same time next week, however we are going to learn the words for needing football" she said in broken english as she pat your back. She stood up getting ready to leave as you followed her out to let her out the door as you waved her goodbye. Once the door was closed you internally cursed yourself and you got so lucky that Mapi had belived you otherwise you truly would have been into shit and maybe even in serious trouble.

You and Mapi had fallen into a routine and your spanish was improving which you were happy about and over that time you guys had become closer than ever. You had even given her a key as you trusted her more than anyone else on the team even over the younger ones. Since then you had been gaining more and more playing time and you were finally rewarded with a place in the starting XI. standing in the tunnel made you were rather nervous as you had never been here before you were normally on the bench. The game was going well for you, you were keeping possession on the ball rather well and you had made some solid tackles and you were proving why you had been signed however things turned south when you were tracking the striker of Athletico when she decided to play dirty and instead of trying to push the ball out her feet she tried to be sneaky and clip your heel to get an advantage out of you but she mistimed her placement and stood right onto your ankle leaving you stumbling to the floor as you heard and felt the crack as you cried out in pain rolling on the floor.

As you lay there on the grass tears fell and you have never felt so small in your life as the girls ran towards you mapi was the first by your side as Alexia protested to the ref that the striker deserved a red card yet it was clear she wasn't listening. The medics ran to the pitch to help mapi didn't leave your side as she held your hand and refused to let you go as she needed to know you were going to be okay. You finally managed to get up with one arm wrapped around the medic the other around mapi as the fans clapped you off the pitch and into the tunnel. As you sat in the medical room you prayed it wasn't as serious as it felt because the pain you were experiencing surely was exceeding the pain scale. You were put through so many scans time felt different every minute felt more like an hour to you.

"Y/N we can confirm you have broken your ankle you will be out for 3 months at the shortest time possible but until month 2 you wont be able to complete any rehab you need to rest and ice it" the team medic began to talk to you and you nodded aimlessly as you zoned out as the thought of 3 months of the pitch made you feel neausous. He handed you a pair of crutches and you then realised you had no way home as you couldnt drive luckily you managed to call mapi before she had already left the stadium. " hey maps would you be able to take me home i broke my ankle they confirmed it" you said trying to hold back tears " yeah of course carino i'll come meet you" she said hanging up the phone and racing to find you.

Mapi arrived and wrapped you into a rather awkward hug as you were stood with crutches yet that didnt stop the older woman as you cried into her shoulder. " i can't do this maps, i really cant" you sobbed into her shoulder it was practically unintelligable yet she heard you, she always did. "you can it might not feel like you can but i know you can and you'll be back on the pitch in no time" she said to you and the tone she spoke she made you feel like you could do this even when you wanted to move back home and retire at 18.

The drive back to your flat was quiet, you had de-attached all your emotions and you stared out the window to the streets of Barcelona as the radio gently played in the background. It was a gentle hand on your leg that snapped you out of your trance like state "we're home chica" Mapi said in an almost whisper tone and with that sad smile on her face, you had to get used to looking at that facial expression as it seemed that's all people thought about, pity. She helped you out of her car and up the stairs of your apartment block "just text me if you need anything and i'll be here, i have a key so i'm not afraid to break in if you blank me" she said with a serious look on her face which put a slight smile on your face "i will, thanks mapi i really appreciate it" you replied to her with genuine gratitude to the Spaniard as right now she was the closest you can get some sort of family. Once the door was closed you couldn't hold yourself together as the tears began to fall, it was almost cathartic as you let out all the emotions you had been holding back as you replayed the moment in your head trying to think of a way you could have avoided the injury.

After 20 minutes your crying had subsided to sniffles when you decided to ring your mam, talking to her just made everything feel easy again. For the next two weeks you were on strict rest and you were practically locked into your flat, it was like isolation of Covid all over again. You mainly spent your time in bed with your ankle propped up against a pillow or outside on your balcony with your vape. It was the only thing that you felt gave you a sense of stability and control. Maybe that's what you needed most control .you couldn't control the fact you were injured and you can't control anything about your recovery other than showing up.

Your first week of being on rest felt anything like a rest you were restless and sick of being stuck in one place and you had now opted for taking naps when needed which meant you were up at the early hours of the morning sat on your balcony watching the people outside or just taking in the view. It was rather theraputic while you couldn't do anything watching other peoples little moments especially when it was a group of young drunken girls dancing down the streets, it reminded you of home and what you gave up to be here which helped with motivating you to come back stronger and even better.

It was a Tuesday when it all happened, it was a normal day at first you sat and watched netflix and drank coffee until you were bored. Normally Mapi texted you when she came over too see you which was nearly every day and sometimes she would bring ingrid or one of the younger girls you were friends with. However today she didn't text you maybe it slipped her mind but she didn't think it would have been an issue when she decided to bring some dinner round for you as ingrid had cooked extra pasta and she thought you would appreciate it. When she arrived to your door she used her key to let herself in which she always did, the two of you were way past the knocking stage. The living room was empty and there was no sound of tv coming from your bedroom but there was a faint glow of light from outside so she knew you would be there, you once briefly mentioned you sit outside to take your mind off things. She dropped off the pasta in the kitchen and then began to pad her way over to the balcony doors.

You didn't hear the lock opening or the sounds of footsteps inside. You were sat with your laptop open on some shitty youtube documentary about true crime that you were only half paying attention to as you inhaled the vapor when your balcony door cracked open and a familar voice rang in your ears "hola guppa i just come round to drop off some food ingird made..." Mapi began speaking as her eyes scanned you as you exhaled the vapor from your mouth as the vape was clearly in your hand "Y/N what are you doing?" she said as the conversation changed and you knew there was no easy way getting out of this but god you were going to try. "nothing just watching my laptop" you began "i can see that but i more meant what is in your hand" she deadpanned to you as you were trapped in this conversation, like figureitavly and literally trapped you knew you had to come clean to it "ermm.. it's nothing" you said back as you didn't want to admit to it "mhm the vape in your hand is nothing right?" she questioned you.

"okay fine you caught me yeah it is" you admitted as you struggled to look at her "how long has it gone on" she asked "since i was 16 but its not a problem i can quit whenever" you started to ramble but mapi was quick to cut you off " okay then hand it over" with her hand stretched out to you "no its the only thing keeping me slightly sane at the minute" you retorted back to her " seems like you're addicted and can't quit whenever" she said looking at you disapprovingly which made you cave " okay fine" you snapped and shoved the small device into her hand "good now tell me where the rest of it is, if you tell me now i won't get the team involved otherwise you would be in serious bother" it was almost an threat that was far too risky to take. " the rest is in my bedroom stand and the top kitchen draw on the right" you said and she just nodded at you as she left the balcony to raid your draws of where your best kept secret lied.

She threw all of the liquid and pods into her bag as well as your vape and it was like a part of you had been took away from you "we start now and you'll be vape free forever" she said and you just blankly stared as you couldn't think of lasting forever without another go of a vape. " also you're coming to live with me and Ingrid till you are better because you need someone to take you to rehab soon" she said with a tone that left no room for arguing. "I'll help you pack and we'll get through this together no matter what" she said as she began to leave you alone again in your flat "see you tomorrow " you said to her and gave her a slight wave " Goodnight chica" and with that she left your flat with a new mission not just get you through rehab but over an addiction she never you had to begin with.

Moving into Mapi's was one of the best choices you had made as rehab was hard not seeing any progress constantly and just being miserable which put you in a bad mood but quitting was even harder as every time things became stressful and tense the need for nicotine rushed through your body to calm you down yet you had no access to anything and it felt like your body was missing something. In an effort to cheer you up when you had reached the milestone of being able to run she decided that the team should go out drinking for a few hours. Safe to say you were estatic and you wasted no time getting changed into black jeans and a matching silk button up. I mean the next best thing to nicotine was alcohol in your mind, so when you pulled up to the club your first round was buying shots for you jana and vicky who were also in the same boat as you were,get drunk as fast as possible.

In the process of downing your 4th shot of vodka you noticed a girl who looked around your age checking you out " you like what you see?" you questioned as you flexed your biceps cockily "mmm i did but i don't like girls with an attitude" she quipped back which almost left your jaw hanging open " i don't usually but something about vodka makes me wayy to confident, if you stick around a bit longer i'll show you i'm more than what you see maybe even let you touch" you said winking at her. "i'll take you up on that offer" she responded and swiftly pulled you to the dance floor as her hips grinded agaisnt yours, you were just lucky it was crowded and mapi couldn't see what was going on.

"wanna come outside with me" the blonde slurred into your ear "mhm lead the way gorgeous" you replied taking her hand that was waiting for yours. The fresh Barcelona air hit you and it was refreshing compared to the humid air of inside the club but as you turned around you saw her have a hit of her a vape and it made you crave the nicotine more than ever "want a go?" she questioned with her eyebrow raised at you. "erm yeah sure one go won't hurt" you said as you grabbed the device and put to your lips a wave of guilt hit you but you were drunk out of your mind so you took a hit and it just felt so much better and made you question why you were even trying to quit.

Meanwhile Mapi was searching the crowd and couldn't see your face as she was trying to tell you the uber was going to pick the 3 of you up in 15 minutes, so she went to ask jana and vicky if they had seen you "have you seen Y/N?" she questioned the younger girls " she's not with us but we saw her go outside with this girl 10 minutes ago" jana replied and didnt understand when mapi bolted off to the doors to outside as she hoped to god you weren't doing what she thought you were.

The outside doors flew open and her eyes had never found you so fast leant against a wall laughing with a girl who was clearly passing you a vape into your hand. Mapi was at least kind enough to walk over casually as you were old enough to not be publicly embarrassed as it was clear you were drunk as you hand swayed when dramatically recounting a story to the girl. Her arm slid around your waist to keep you from running away from her as she knew you would bolt "hey chica, hope i'm not interrupting but we need to head of home now" she said as you looked at her clearly dazed off into some other place "awh really i'm having a good time" you pouted back at the older girl "yes carino now say goodbye to your new friend" mapi said sending an apologetic smile to the other girl as she helped you back through the club you turned around and mouthed to the blonde girl "call me later " with your hand gestured like a phone which made her laugh.

The next morning you woke with the worse hangover you think you'd ever experienced as that was hard to top after the hangover you had from yr11 leavers where you had thrown up 15 times. Ingrid had been kind enough to bring you a glass of water and some paracetamol which would hopefully dull some of the ache in your head. Before heading into the kitchen you threw on one of Mapi's old training tops and made your way to breakfast bar however being half asleep meant you did walk into the kitchen door which was signaled with a loud thud and a groan from you which made mapi smile even if she was mad at you.

"How are you feeling?"Mapi asked "like i just got ran over by a bus i don't even remember half of it" you confessed which now made Mapi slightly less mad at you as i mean your drunken self wasn't going to have the control of saying no and the girl who you found out was called eden wasn't to blame and she had no idea that you were trying to quit. "last night i caught you vaping but it's clear you didn't do it with the intention to go against quitting so i'll let you off but next time i'm going to have buy you a kiddies leader to keep you in my sight" she said joking and ruffling your already tangled hair. "oh shit i'm so sorry i really don't remember it" you responded feeling guilt through your body "its okay pequna you made a mistake you're human" she said smiling at you.

Since your slip up at the club you did continue talking to eden during your recovery and she was really sweet. You even brought her round to mapi's a few times with her and ingrid getting on really well and you eventually asked her to be your girlfriend the week you had been cleared to join back at team training. Things were good, really good, you had a new support system in spain and things were falling into place. While you were a bit rusty the first week back at training you were back to yourself putting in amazing performances during training putting your defensive skills on display.

After training you were asked to hang back as pere wanted to speak to you "Y/N i'm delighted to say that you have put the work in and you're going to be on the bench the next game" he told you and shook your hand "Gracias this really means a lot" you smiled at him and he dismissed you back to the changing room. To say you were excited was an understatement you skipped back to the changing room and you noticed it was just mapi and ingrid in the room soo you did the first thing you could think off "I'M BACK ON THE BENCH" you shouted and ran to mapi who embraced you in a hug with ingrid quick to join the huddle "we're so proud of you" mapi said pressing a kiss to your forehead.

Game day had rolled around quicker than you had expected and you made sure that eden had a ticket in the family and friends section to come and watch you even though you weren't garanteed to play. You smiled all the way through warm ups and sent a cheeky wave to eden which she gladly returned. The crowd roared when your name was mentioned on the list of girls on the bench and it felt like you were back at home,where you needed to be, where you belonged. It was the 60th minute when you were called to warm up down the side with esme to come onto the pitch and as you ran down the side lines applauding to the fans you were estatic to be back. When you were called back to the bench to lace up and take your bib off you felt the surge of adrenaline and nerves rush through you but you were ready.

As you looked up to the subs board you saw you were swapping for Mapi which you weren't suprised about she was having a good performance but since you had gotten injured her minutes had increased rapidly so to giver her break you came onto the pitch. Once she had walked up to you she wrapped you in a hug and whispered into your ear "i'm so proud of you chica now go and play some football" which made you tear up a little bit but you wouldn't tell anyone that.

For the next 30 minutes you had never worked so hard in your life, you put everything into every sprint into every pass and into to every perfectly timed tackle. When the final whistle blew you were quick on your heels to see mapi and ingrid and the rest of your team smothered you in love and praise especially jana and vicky who were recounting your sliding tackle like it was some scene out of an action movie but there was one more person you needed to see. You jogged over to your now girlfriend and planted a kiss on her lips "you played so well amor "she said to you as she leant over the barrier " thank you bebe i couldn't have done it without you" you responded and taking your shirt off to hand it to the older girl " a souvenir for you my lady" you said winking "i thought you only said you were cocky when you were drunk" she responded laughing "hmmm times change" you responded shrugging your shoulders.

And in that moment everything just felt right as you stood taking in the atmosphere and how 3 months ago you didn't think you would have been back here considering that night mapi barged into your flat you finger was hovering over buying a one way ticket back to england. But barcelona was your home now and one that you could see yourself sticking around in for a while especially with your girlfriend your friends and most of mapi the girl who had stuck around the whole time through thick and thin.

A/N- this isn't proof read so sorry if there's any mistakes (just ignore them) but this took me ages to write so hope you enjoyed it.

[gamesetattach]

Been churning out some self-indulgent Jannik Sinner reader-insert fics, there's such a lack of content on here that I figured I might as well post them.

Some of them less are less flushed out than others, and the premises can overlap sometimes... and it's different from my full effort writing style... but hey, I hope someone can enjoy them.

Gonna use this post as a masterlist eventually.

JANNIK SINNER FIC MASTERLIST

Comfort Zones and Conveniences, Part 1 - A one-night stand turned into a unavoidable fixture

Comfort Zones and Conveniences, Part 2 - An unproductive resistance to progressing the relationship

In Flight - An airport is the perfect place for chance encounters and first impressions

Amidst the Chaos - Coordinating the logistics of tennis tournaments is not for the weak, but run-ins with sweet Sinner are starting to make it more worth it

The Blind Leading the Blind - Reader goes on a set up double date against her better judgment and it's goes just about how she expected (very poorly), but there may have been one saving grace...

Coach Me Good, Sinner - Quick-witted reader has a ball at a tennis bootcamp led by none other than Jannik Sinner. And he finds her to be a pretty good time, too.

When World's Collide Series Masterlist - Williams newest racing strategist is shaking up the F1 world, and also... Jannik Sinner's?

Coach's (Honorary) Kid - Blurb of reader being introduced to Jannik through her longtime family friend and his coach, Darren Cahill

The Little Things - Short and sweet, a snapshot of Jannik's small gestures in his and reader's established relationship

It's You - Soulmate AU where all the things reader feels, Jannik does too, and vice versa. And that's because (spoiler) they're soulmates! And they meet!

Crushing Feelings, Part 1 - Reader tries to handle her growing, unrequited crush on Jannik Sinner; any distraction is welcome, no distraction is working...

Valentine's Special - Navigating long distance is lame, and also hard and sad. And apparently Valentine's Day is also lame, but that's secondary.

The Space Between Us - Jannik cold shoulders reader? Fine, be that way... but why is he that way, you ask? Well, little do you know...

You Always Know - Passing time through Sinner's ban isn't easy, but having reliable reader around helps. What they are to each other isn't quite describable, but it's real.

That One Night - Being a part of Lewis Hamilton's team means reader gets to meet a lot of athlete hot-shots, including the Jannik Sinner. They hit it off and get it on for a night, and that's kinda it... or is it??

Pleasant Distraction - Quick blurb where Jannik's run of the mill practice gets a surprise interruption by reader and her work and, suddenly, she's the most interesting thing on court.

What Do You See - Slightly withdrawn reader is tasked to photograph Sinner for Nike's newest campaign, she takes a beat to warm up and is... intriguing to say the least. Jannik certainly thinks so.

Unwinding, Unravelling (Release) - Life can be stressful!! The reader here can attest to that. Luckily her neighbor takes her in and... uh you know... takes care of her.

Night Owl - Boo, insomnia! Burning the midnight oil can be addicting, but it adds up real fast. Jannik quickly becomes reader's incentive to get some sleep.

Through Wins and Losses - A condition of being a pro-tennis power couple is supporting each other unconditionally, duh.

Crushing Feelings, Part 2 - Okay, so now that year-long unrequited crush has resolved itself... and the recovery so so sweet.

Lost in Translation - Working a job and being the only non-Italian surrounded by native speakers? Yeah, that comes with some close calls and consequences.

It's Never Just Coffee - Based on Chappell Roan's song, this fic follows the vicious cycle that is reader and Jannik's relationship. They just can't seem to escape it.

An Old Friend - Jannik's got his own busy life, and reader really does too, but they're good friends and get together when they can. And there's always been a little spark there, if they're being honest with themselves... To bad reader's never around long enough to explore it. +Can be read as standalone or a prequel to You Always Know

Rest and Relaxation - After making it the finals of a tournament, reader's body is wrecked with exhaustion. She spends her few days of reprise in between travel recovering at home with Jannik.

A Little Taste Before - Jannik has an idea to occupy the little idle time he has with reader before one of his matches... and he wants to act on it bad. Reader tries, and fails, to be the voice of reason.

Reps and Races - Preparing for the upcoming F1 Academy season means putting in the hours at the gym, and so reader is up in there. A new member joining makes her feel a little more inclined to go, though.

On the Record - A master of working the crowd and connecting with the players, sports commentator reader is often seen on screen for post-game interviews. The people eat it up, especially when it's Jannik up there with her.

No Words - Reader does the thankless work that is Sports PR. Jannik humors her, but with a lot of insistence, and it's not much more than that. Until he really sees her in all her glory...

Frustration - After taking a loss especially hard, reader takes out on her willing and understanding friend. Note that friend here actually means friends with benefits...

Thesis on Tour - Ph.D. student reader takes her work on the road every now and then, so she can spend time with her dear dear boyfriend.

Don't Look Back - After recovering from a sudden and crushing break-up, reader has to run into her ex now that the off-season's over.

Please Look Back - Jannik comes to terms with the fact that he has to end things with reader, but the aftermath is rough and seeing her doesn't make it any easier. +Flipped/parallel POV to "Don't Look Back"

Settle Down - During a school appearance, Jannik finds himself drawn to one of the more rowdy class's teacher.

In Sync, Series - Being a dynamic, up-and coming-tennis player, reader needs to hone in her skills. Mixed doubles seems to be the best route for that, especially if she's paired up with the World Number 1. Except it's not no simple... Not to reader at least. +Separate, real series masterlist coming soon

Bone-tired - Jannik comes home to you utterly depleted, but also irreparably needy... But he finds a solution for that combination, with your help.

Her Track - As we all know, Jannik participated in many extracurriculars during his ban. During a day out with friends at a karting track, he's shown around by reader and more than intrigued.

Giving In - Every now and then, Jannik gives all the power to reader. Like all the power, and then he's just completely at her mercy...

Biggest Fan - Reader's never anything but supportive, their relationship is strong and unconditional but, in a moment of weakness, Jannik gets jealous of a friendly stranger... Even though he knows she's his. He shows her as much when they get home...

*Updated 5/06/25

3-5 fics out every week, posted at 9:00 PM PST

Thanks very much xx

[toxicmalysh]

Desperation

Word count: 2k+

Summary: Wanda loves to edge you and you've finally had enough of it

Content warning: use of vibrator (r and w recieving) edging, squirting, degrading, use of strap on (r recieving), mentions of oral fixation, mentions of overstimulation, use of magic/restraints

✧⋆✦⋆✧

“Wanda please, I've been so patient for you.”

Wanda rolled her eyes, she was focused on the work set in front of her trying to get through her emails. You however had decided to pest her. You had been going through a spike in labido recently, normally Wanda would indulge, giving you everything you wanted and needed, and she was more than happy to do so.

But this time round, she wanted to make things worse for you, the first few days, she had done nothing but tease you, worked you up with light touches and sultry sentences. Maybe she'd manspread just a little too far back on your coach grunting a pitch too low, or she'd press her hips into your ass as she moved you to get somewhere, or even hold your chin for a second too long praising you. After all of that, a couple of days ago, Wanda had touched you, finally giving you a sense of relief, but just when you were ready to scream her name and shake for her, she stopped.

It was infuriating, and you wanted the attention you deserved.

“Honey, I'm busy right now, why don't you start on dinner and I'll join you in a minute.”

You huffed loudly, making Wanda aware of your disapproval. You stroked her cheek gently, pressing kisses to her neck.

“Pleaseee.. mommy I need you..”

Wanda nearly broke at the use of her honorific. But she wanted to push you.

“Stop being a brat, go and start dinner, I'll be done soon.”

You pushed off her neck harshly, rolling your eyes.

“Fine.” You exhaled making your way out of her office.

Your thighs rubbed together, causing you to grow hotter. You hated this cycle of feeling comfortable with sex, to craving it. All you could think about was the stickiness in your underwear, it was hot and uncomfortable and you needed it gone.

Instead of going to the kitchen, you made your way to your bedroom.

You shut your door behind you quietly, making sure Wanda wouldn't be able to hear you.

Your eyes fixated on Wanda's bedside table, and you opened it slowly, you squinted your eyes trying your best to be quiet, pulling out Wanda's favourite strap.

You pulled out the red toy, your fingers running along the ridges, your heart rate picking up.

You climbed onto your bed, clumsily taking your trousers and panties off, discarding them by the drawers.

You adjusted yourself, bringing your hand slowly down to your aching slit, rubbing your copious amount of wetness around your clit, moaning softly at the instant relief.

You brought the strap up to your mouth, too lazy to find lube and settling for salvia instead.

Wanda thrusting her cock into your mouth was all you could think about whilst you eagerly sucked on the toy, your free hand moving rapidly across your clit.

You felt hot, drool falling down your chin, your wetness leaking onto the bed sheets whilst you grinded against your own hand. You needed to cum, so badly.

Your moans progressively got louder, and you brought the toy away from your mouth lining it up to your gushing folds.

“Do you know how pathetic you look right now?”

Your eyes widened, your knees clamping shut as you looked up immediately.

Shit.

Wanda made her way slowly to the bed, picking up your soaked panties, placing them in her pocket without hesitation.

“What did I tell you?”

You stayed silent, your eyes bug eyed. Wanda wasn't amused, simply sitting on the edge of the bed and speaking firmly.

“I suggest you answer the question, you're already in trouble as it is.”

Your core was aching, screaming in fact, you needed Wanda, you'd be willing to get on your knees to beg for her. You took a breath thinking about your words before speaking,

“Mommy please, you know how much it hurts, I just needed it.”

Usually, Wanda would let out a low chuckle at your minimal excuses, but she wasn't amused, or entertained.

“I didn't ask for excuses, you know the rules, and you directly disobeyed me. Do you not respect me?”

Her tone was dangerous, and she lifted herself off the bed, turning to grip your jaw tightly, raising an eyebrow at you in question.

“No mommy, of course I respect you.”

She nodded, her eyes travelling to your chest, your nipples were straining against your skin tight top, as much as she wanted to taste them, she needed to punish you for being so blatantly rude.

She took the toy from you, almost letting out a low chuckle from the thought of you choosing her favourite toy.

“You know, I actually bought you a new toy, and I was going to use it on you tonight,”

Wanda shifted to her drawers, and your gut dropped,

“I wasn't going to tease, as you said earlier you'd been so good for me… my plan was to make you cum, over and over, and maybe as a reward let you eat mommys pussy. But it's clear you don't deserve my kindness.”

You shook your head, trying to sit up, but red whisps wrapped around your wrists and ankles, holding you to the mattress.

“Now I need to train you. Mommy's not angry, just disappointed,”

That word stung like a thousand knives, sending you straight into your sub space. Wanda pulled out a medium sized bullet vibrator. It was a gorgeous maroon red and you immediately felt guilty.

You didn't want to disappoint your mommy, you wanted to be good, you just felt so desperate.

“Be a good girl and keep quiet, I don't want to be distracted by a sluts noises, if you're too loud I'll stop.”

Your chest tightened at the objectification, “a slut”? No. “my slut” you were hers…

Wanda brought the toy up to your lips, you eagerly opened your mouth, sticking your tongue out just the way Wanda likes it.

You began sucking on it gingerly, your pussy clenching around nothing.

Your hips began to mindlessly grind as you tried pressing your thighs together.

You felt disappointed when Wanda removed the toy from your mouth, your jaw feeling slack and empty.

“No, sluts don't get anything to suck on.”

Her tone was so dry and disconnected.

You tensed as Wanda turned the toy on, dragging it from the top of your neck, to your collar bones, to your chest. Your skin was on fire, and you were so tired of this teasing, working up to nothing, you felt tears pricking at your eyes.

Wanda ran the red toy over your nipples, watching attentively as your back arched into it, soft moans falling from your lips. She swirled the tip of the toy around the peaks of your breasts repeatedly. A languid moan left your throat as Wanda licked up a strip of your neck. Then the vibrator stopped

“What wh-” your tone was confused and desperate,

“Quiet.” Oh right you forgot…

“Sorry mommy.”

She nodded before turning the toy back on. Dragging it over your belly button. The contact was featherlight and yet your pussy was pulsing as though you had just came. Unfortunately for you that wasn't the case.

Wanda pulled the vibrator slowly to your core, resting it just above your clit. You whined trying to move your hips, seeking that stimulation but Wanda took the vibrator away, the toy falling silent.

You whimpered loudly in protest thrashing against your restraints.

“You're such a desperate slut you know that, I thought I had a well behaved pet, a good pet, but no you can't even follow basic instructions.”

You felt guilty, you wanted to protest but another red tendril appeared, clamping your mouth shut.

Wanda placed a soft kiss on your forehead before whispering,

“Remember the non verbal signals.”

You tapped several times, nodding, leaving Wanda satisfied.

Wanda got up from the bed removing her sweat pants slowly, purposely taking her time. You eyes fixated on her lacy panties, a red colour almost identical to the colour of the toy. You hadn't seen these before. You watched as Wanda pulled her shirt over her head, revealing a matching lace bra, the fabric was practically see through allowing you to see her blushed nipples.

Wanda crawled onto the bed, sitting right besides you, her eyes never leaving yours as she spread her legs. You were confused for a moment, until you heard the vibrator come to life again, your eyes flickered down to her hands. Your eyes blew wide, shaking your head, you wanted to please her, you wanted to taste her, this wasn't fair.

Wanda smirked cockily, dragging the toy over her pussy, still covered by her panties, and you watched as a small patch turned a darker shade of red. She let out a low groan, her eyes fluttering shut. You felt a surge of red heat fall through your body, you needed to touch her.

Wanda pressed the toy generously against her clothed clit, motioning it back and forth in tight circles. Her breathing was heavy and her chest was heaving. She brought her spare hand up to her breasts, pulling the fabric of her bra down, exposing her hard nipples as she began pinching at them. You were mesmerised by her soft skin, how her breasts spilt over her fingers when she squeezed them. Your eyes dropped and you noticed her hips had begun softly grinding against the toy, her wetness soaking through her underwear.

She let out a gritty moan, your name falling from her lips. You tugged at your restraints, but it was still no use. You felt angry you couldn't touch her, and so disappointed you weren't getting any stimulation.

“It feels so good..” her voice was high pitched, almost a squeak as she began grinding harder against the toy.

Wanda's moans became a string of babbling nonsense, and her legs began to tense as her mouth hung open. It was adorable how easy it was for her to cum.

“I'm gonna- I'm gonna-” she repeated over and over her voice one whine as her chest heaved rapidly. You couldn't help but smile at the way her eyebrows furrowed, her lip pulled tightly between her teeth as her body convulsed, her hand dropping to the bed out of exhaustion.

You felt warm, affection as you watched the woman in front of you catch her breath, your subspace dropping for a moment. She pulled her bra back into place. She ran her fingers through her hair, taking a deep breath before taking her panties off. She crawled over to you, extenuating the arch in her back. She held the soaked underwear up to your nose, and you audibly moaned against her hand, inhaling her scent. You felt a gush of arousal from your pussy, definitely soaking the bed sheets.

“I'm going to give you one chance to cum, and if you don't, I won't let you for the next week.”

Your eyes shot open wide with both determination and hope.

She waved her hand and the restraints around your ankles moved, holding your legs up, your feet as close to your face as they could bend.

She lowered her core closer to yours, her slit hovering above your clit.

“You either cum at the exact same time as me, or not at all.”

You nodded firmly.

Wanda turned the vibrator on, pressing it to her clit, letting out a pornographic moan as she angled herself so the vibrator pressed against you both simultaneously.

Your eyes instantly rolled to the back of your head, your head falling backwards against the headrest.

“You look so pretty darling, so needy for me.”

Your hips ground up furiously and Wanda's broken words sent more pleasure through you.

You were so close already.

Wanda's hips moved delicately against the toy, it was obvious she was slightly overstimulated from her last orgasm.

Your clit felt so good, the vibrations were deliciously addictive and that oh so familiar coil was tightening rapidly in your core.

“Oh malysh you're so pretty when you're desperate like this.”

You let out a whine at Wanda's moan, your hips moving in perfect sync against the toy.

You could feel Wanda's wetness leaking onto your own cunt and it was driving you crazy.

“Are you going to be good and cum for me? I know that greedy cunt wants to.”

Your eyebrows furrowed impossibly tight, as you nodded rapidly, seconds away from feeling that coil snap.

“Go on darling, show me how good you are.”

Within an instant Wanda's magic disappeared, and you let out a moan that could convince Wanda you were an angel. The coil in your tummy snapped, a diffusing feeling hit you as a long flood of pleasure and release flowed through you. Your pussy pulsed strongly and you felt hot liquid fly from your throbbing hole. You felt Wanda's hips stutter against the toy, and your hands came up to rest on her waist.

Wanda let out a string of curses and moans as she fell apart with you, both of you shaking against each other.

You both took short, rapid breaths, and as you watched Wanda's head lower towards your hips you realised that maybe waiting this long wasn't so bad.

[qqueenofhades]

AAAAHHHHHHHH It's TIM! 1000% strong MN girl here and boy it's been real fun to watch Tim (and Peggy! Our amazing lieutenant governor) take a small small Democratic majority and do incredible things. My kid ate two meals at school every day for free. DELIGHTED that he's the VP pick. LET'S GOOOOOOOO!!!!

Listen, I am just ECSTATIC. Ever since I seriously became tuned into the veepstakes, he was my number one pick (I mean, I was not immune to the brief flirtation everyone had with Beshear/Buttigieg/etc), but yes. Walz was my top pick and I was trying desperately not to get my heart too set on him in case it fell through, but he was the obvious best choice of the contenders by a country mile. He has an almost absurdly Midwestern pro-America background (military veteran, public school teacher, football coach from a small rural town, etc) AND he has managed to enact a long list of progressive policies in Minnesota with a very narrow majority in the state legislature. Also, you're going to be seeing a lot of this video, for good reason:

Also.... let's be real, Shapiro would have been an incredible distraction/drag on the ticket, unfortunately. We don't need to deal with his retrograde views on Gaza and his other baggage, and while he is a very popular governor in Pennsylvania, it's less certain that his appeal would translate to other states. We can argue (or you know, let's not and move on) about whether or not that was fair, but this is just not the year to try to win the most critical high-stakes election ever by pissing off young voters. Shapiro has done plenty of good things and has time to develop his career further, but he would have been a BAD pick for 2024 and I was alarmed at how many Respected Pundits (tm) were pulling for him. Reuters even claimed that picking him would "defang Republican attempts to make Israel-Gaza a wedge issue for Democrats," which is such a mind-bogglingly stupid statement that it makes you wonder how anyone writing it actually got paid for their political insight, but it also explains a lot about mainstream media these days. Picking Shapiro would have been an absolute gift to the Republicans and bad-faith actors and others (plus like, I don't want to have to spend time winning back the young voters who are actually once more engaged in the process!) and would have led to the media eagerly jumping into the feeding frenzy (because they're desperate to have a reason not to cover Trump's increasingly crazy-ass shit) and other Democratic-on-Democratic infighting. And it goes without saying that WE CANNOT AFFORD THAT.

As well, picking Shapiro just because you need to win PA this election cycle is yet another example of why the Electoral College sucks, and the polling averages in PA have been moving solidly blue anyway. You can just park Shapiro there and have him campaign in the state as the sitting popular governor, rather than expose him to the liability of a nationwide campaign where, as noted, all the other stuff would be a drag. If it's true that the establishment was pushing Harris to pick Shapiro and she picked Walz instead, a) GOOD! and b) if anything, this election cycle needs to fucking teach us that we have got to stop going with the Conventional Wisdom Tee Em. Walz was already out there, he was already popular with the public/energizing the grassroots, AND he was the guy who coined the "Weird" attack line that is actually effective and organically popular against the Republicans and drives them batshit. So for Kamala to lean into that and take him as her running mate is... zomgz... smart, and I am not used to the Democrats playing smart and aggressive and not just passive-defensive. I don't understand. Wow.

Anyway, now watch the New York Times (and the others, lbr, but especially the NYT) desperately try to dig up scandalous stories about that time Walz didn't stop at the 4H booth at the county fair, or walked past someone without saying "Ope just gonna sneak by ya first" or some other terrible Midwestern sin, but fuck those guys. I am EXCITED I am ENERGIZED I am THRILLED. This is a GREAT new ticket that came together at incredibly short notice and completely changed the dynamics everywhere, Walz is gonna make JD Vance cry (unsure whether I want to see Harris demolish Trumpster or Midwestern Dad to turn the cranks on Weird Couchfucking Fascist Skidmark more, but both, both, both is good). LET'S GO GET THOSE WEIRD MOTHERFUCKERS, Y'ALL!!

HARRIS/WALZ 2024!

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Jay Kuo at The Status Kuo:

There’s a strange phenomenon occurring with the terminally online right. Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris announced that Gov. Tim Walz would be her running mate, many of the right have acted with fury. They’ve attempted to “Swift Boat” his 24-year service record in the Army National Guard. They’ve called him a racist for talking about “white guy tacos.” And they’ve dredged up a nearly 30-year old DUI—for which he took accountability and after which he stopped drinking altogether—to prove he’s somehow not so perfect a role model.

What they haven’t been able to do is make any of this stick. And yet, Walz continues to draw fire, which could otherwise have been directed at Harris. In other words, Walz is turning out to be a shrewd pick. At net 11 points positive favorability in polls, Walz is immensely more popular than his counterpart on the GOP ticket, JD Vance, who is underwater by nine. And as they continue to rail against him, the right keeps making his fundamental point about them: They are just really weird. In today’s piece, I explore some theories about why Walz brings out the worst impulses of the right just by being who he is. Then I’ll lay down some political tarot cards and prognosticate about where I think this leads.

Politico Uno Reverse

By most identity measures, Walz should be one of the MAGA right. He’s a midwestern white dude in his late 50s. He loves to hunt and is a sharpshooter. He served for decades in the military and achieved the highest enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major. He was a football coach who helped lead his team to the state championship. And yet, despite all these identity markings, Walz in an unabashed progressive. He is for reproductive rights and an ally and protector of gay teens. And there isn’t a bigoted bone in his body. It’s as if when Harris picked him, she played, as writer Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman succinctly described it, a “political uno reverse.” The Walz card threw it right back at them, as if to say, “I’m a guy just like you, but without any of the weird baggage.” The MAGA GOP’s base is supposed to include white guys like Walz. But here is living evidence that they don’t have all of them or the best of them. That’s why they’re so eager to discredit him, because if they don’t, as psychologist Julie Hotard notes, then Walz will stand instead as a model of what is possible. On many levels, an appealing, white, male Democrat is a far bigger threat to their sense of identity than even a biracial woman candidate for president.

[...]

Attacking Mr. Nice Guy

For the past two decades, the GOP has shifted markedly toward being a party of cruelty, of “owning” the libs and drinking their tears, and of being as unpleasant and in-your-face as they can be. That kind of behavior has been rewarded with appearances on Fox and other right wing media, fundraising dollars from the MAGA base, and a spot at the side or in the tweets of the ex-president himself. As author Patrick S. Tomlinson observed, Walz represents what shouldn’t be an extraordinary notion: that you can be a nice guy, supportive of women, embracing of gay people, and still be all the coded masculine ideals of soldier, football coach, hunter and father that the MAGA right believed it had a lock on. Plus, you can be all those things without ever asking weird questions about menstrual cycles, chromosomes and genitalia. The right even tried to make a big deal about Walz’s efforts as governor to ensure free tampons were available to girls in school. Rumors circulated that schools had been required to also put tampons in boys’ bathrooms, but those claims turned out to be untrue, while demonstrating how off kilter the right becomes over sexuality and gender. The “Tampon Tim” moniker didn’t stick. On the contrary, there are probably many moms and dads grateful for a governor like Walz who is thinking about their daughters’ needs.

Jay Kuo explains the real reason why the right is being driven crazy by Tim Walz: The fact that he has a profile that would typify a MAGA voter (football coach, military service, loves to hunt) yet is a progressive white dude (solid LGBTQ+ rights ally before it became fashionable among Democrats).

[u6is]

middle of somewhere

Perhaps a change of scenery was exactly what he needed to reset his focus and come back stronger than ever.

Victor's mind began to wander, conjuring images of tranquil forests and serene mountain landscapes—and you.

—victor wembanyama x reader: fluff

The news of his season-ending injury had hit him like a ton of bricks. You had seen him in pain before, but this was different.

His eyes were filled with a sadness that went beyond physical discomfort. He had worked so hard, dreamed so big, and now, it was all on hold.

The doctors had been clear: he needed time to recover, and pushing himself would only make things worse.

When you finally get the chance to visit Victor at his home after weeks of his rigorous rehabilitation, the transformation is palpable. His once-spacious living room has been transformed into a miniature training facility. The floor is lined with exercise mats and dotted with medical equipment, the walls adorned with motivational posters and detailed workout schedules. His towering frame is a constant reminder of the dominance he once had on the court, but now, he's surrounded by a team of coaches and physical therapists who are working tirelessly to help him regain his former glory.

Victor's stubbornness is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's what has made him the formidable player he is, pushing through every obstacle with unrelenting determination. On the other, it's what got him here in the first place.

He's always been the one to ignore the niggling pains and the warning signs, the one who refused to take a break when his body begged for it. And now, as he's told to rest and let his body heal, he's chafing against the very concept of taking it slow.

Every day is a battle between his desire to be out there playing and the cold, hard reality of his situation.

It's during one of these battles, when Victor's frustration is palpable and his physical therapist can see the stress etched into his face, that the suggestion is made.

"You know, Victor," he says gently.

"Sometimes the best thing for the body is to get away from it all. Take a vacation, clear your mind. It could do wonders for your recovery."

The thought of stepping away from the game, even if only for a short time, was foreign to him. But he had to admit, the constant pressure of rehab was starting to wear on him. Perhaps a change of scenery was exactly what he needed to reset his focus and come back stronger than ever. Plus, the idea of escaping the never-ending cycle of pain and progress charts was incredibly appealing.

The conversation with his therapist planted a seed of hope that grew with each passing day.

Victor's mind began to wander, conjuring images of tranquil forests and serene mountain landscapes—and you.

The warmth in the sunlight filtering through the trees, the quiet breath of the wind that whispered your name, the beauty that made every place feel like home. No matter how far his thoughts drifted, they always found their way back to you.

He hadn't had a real break in years. His life had been consumed by the sport he loved, and the prospect of stepping away from it all was both terrifying and exhilarating.

He knew that if he was going to recover, he had to find a way to balance his fierce dedication with the necessary patience.

With a spark of excitement in his eyes that you hadn't seen in weeks. And so, you found yourself seated on Victor's passenger seat, the wind whipping through the open window, your hair dancing with the air. The car was packed with the essentials for an impromptu road trip—snacks, blankets, and a playlist that mirrored the anticipation coursing through your veins.

You had never seen Victor so relaxed, his face unburdened by the weight of his injury. His laughter filled the car as you played his favorite childhood games and sang along to songs that held a special place in his heart. It was as if the miles between you and the city were also erasing the months of pain and doubt.

As he drove down the winding road, you couldn't help but ask him,

"You sure this is a good idea?"

His response was swift and confident,

"Yes, I need this. We both do."

He had a point.

The stress of his injury had not only affected him but had also touched the lives of those who cared about him.

This was your chance to heal together, to rediscover the joy that had been overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of athletic perfection.

As you walked down the soft green grass towards the lake, the gentle slope of the land made your heart race with excitement. The warmth of Victor's hand in yours was a comforting reminder of the support you had for each other. His eyes, which had been so often clouded with pain and doubt, were now clear and filled with wonder. The breeze played with the fabric of your dress, making it flutter around your legs like a second skin. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered beauty, a stark contrast to the sterile confines of the rehabilitation center you had both become so accustomed to.

It was the perfect place to escape from the noise and expectations of the city.

You had never seen such a serene view.

The water was a mirror reflecting the azure sky, and the surrounding greenery was alive with the whispers of the wind. It was a place where time seemed to slow down, inviting you to breathe in the moment and let go of the past.

You both spotted the perfect spot, a small clearing that offered a picturesque view of the water. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the scene. You hurried to spread out the blanket, eager to lay the foundation for the afternoon's adventure. But Victor, still unaccustomed to moving with such care, fumbled with the corners, his long limbs not quite coordinating with the task at hand. You couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing over the water. Even in his clumsiness, there was something endearing about watching him try. He shot you a playful glare, but his smile gave him away, and soon you were both doubled over with laughter, the blanket lying askew between you.

The afternoon was filled with laughter and playful moments as you both joked and enjoyed each other's company by the lake.

Victor, ever the competitor, decided to go fishing. You watched with a mix of admiration and amusement as he tried to fit his large frame into the tiny rowboat, rocking it precariously from side to side before finally settling down with a dramatic sigh. His patience paid off, and before long, he was reeling in a decent-sized fish. As he brought it to shore, his eyes sparkled with mischief, and without warning, he flung it in your direction. You screamed, more from surprise than fear, as the fish flopped onto the grass at your feet. Victor's deep, hearty laugh filled the air, and you couldn't help but join in, the absurdity of the situation breaking down any barriers that had remained between you.

Once the laughter subsided, you both set down on the blanket. He leaned back against the sturdy trunk of a tree, his long legs stretching out in front of him, while you rested your head on his lap. He pulled out one of his favorite books, the one with the worn leather cover and pages that smelled faintly of dust and adventure.

The sound of Victor's calm breathing that truly drew you in. It was rhythmic and soothing, a gentle reminder of his presence. His hands, those hands that had swatted away countless shots and dunked so many balls, were now tenderly resting on your shoulders, protecting the delicate fabric of your dress from the cool afternoon breeze that danced around you. Every so often, he would adjust the material, ensuring that it didn't get tangled in the grass or blow away with the wind.

Breaking the quiet, you turned to look at him, his profile outlined against the backdrop of the setting sun. His eyes lost in the words of the book he held open. You reached up, placing your hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. It was a comforting reminder that even though his body was broken, the spirit that had driven him to great heights was still intact.

"Vic," you said gently, "Why don't you come lay beside me?"

He looked down at you, the corners of his mouth turning up in a warm smile. With a sigh, he closed the book and laid it aside, using it as a pillow for his head. His arms, which had been folded behind his neck, now stretched out to either side of you, creating a shelter of sorts.

"Better?" he asked, and you nodded, snuggling closer.

The fabric of his shirt was soft against your cheek, and you could feel the warmth of his skin even through the barrier. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes about the trust and comfort you shared.

For a while, you lay there, watching the play of light on the water and listening to the symphony of the lake. Frogs croaked in the distance, and the occasional fish jumped out of the water, leaving a perfect circle of ripples in its wake. Victor's breathing grew deeper, and you felt the gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath your cheek.

But the peace couldn't last forever. The conversation that had been hovering on the periphery of your minds finally made its way to the surface. You propped yourself up on one elbow, looking down at him.

"What happens now?" you asked softly, breaking the tranquil silence.

"What will the rest of the season look like for you?"

Victor's smile faded, and he took a deep, contemplative breath.

"I've been thinking about that," he began, his voice gravelly with the weight of his thoughts.

You sat up, looking at him with a mix of concern and curiosity.

"And?"

He took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, his eyes still on the horizon.

"And I think... I think it's time for me to accept that I need this break. Not just for my body, but for my soul."

He turned to face you, his gaze meeting yours.

"I've been so focused on basketball, on being the best, that I've lost sight of why I started playing in the first place. This injury is a wake-up call, a chance for me to remember what truly matters."

You nodded, understanding the gravity of his words.

"What do you miss the most?"

Victor took a moment to ponder before answering.

"The rush of adrenaline before a big game, the roar of the crowd when I make a play," he said, his eyes lighting up briefly before dimming again.

"But more than that, I miss the simplicity of it all—just me, the ball, and the hoop."

You couldn't help but smile at the nostalgia in his voice.

The air grew cooler, but the warmth of Victor's body kept you snug.

"You know, ma chérie..."

He reached out, his hand finding yours, and entwined your fingers together.

"I really appreciate you being here with me," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"This whole situation has been so... overwhelming, and having you by my side has made all the difference."

With your hands intertwined, you leaned forward just enough to feel each other's breath, a silent conversation passing between you. His breath was warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the crisp afternoon air.

"I'm always here for you," you assured him, squeezing his hand gently.

But he leaned his head expecting for a kiss. The gesture took you by surprise, but you felt a warmth spread through your chest. It was a moment of vulnerability, a silent plea for reassurance that you didn't need to think twice about fulfilling.

You leaned in, closing the distance between you, and pressed your lips to his. It was a soft kiss, tender and filled with all the unspoken words you hadn't yet found the courage to say. It was a kiss that whispered of comfort, of hope, and of the unwavering belief that he would overcome this setback.

Victor's arms tightened around you, pulling you closer, his hand that were holding yours now slowly moving to your hips. The shift was subtle, but it sent a ripple of awareness through your body. You could feel the strength in his grip, a strength that had been the foundation of his success on the court, now transferred to hold you in this moment of quiet intimacy.

It was a gentle reminder that even though he was broken in some ways, he was still the same person you had always loved. Still the person you knew would come back from this, stronger than ever.

Breaking the kiss, you looked into his eyes, now dark with a mix of emotion and longing. His breath was hot against your cheek, his chest rising and falling rapidly. And you smiled, a soft, knowing smile that conveyed all the love and support you had for him. It was a smile that said you understood the journey he was on and that you were ready to walk it with him, every step of the way.

You laid back down, the blanket a tangled mess around you. The world had narrowed down to just the two of you, the sun above, and the whispers of the lake. The silence that enveloped you was no longer uncomfortable; it was a warm blanket, a safe cocoon that allowed you both to just be.

[denissvasiljevs1999]

The latest interview with Deniss is paywalled but I hope sharing a summary of this very long text is OK as he raises many important points. If you can, consider supporting the website by subscribing to it for €1.45 and then cancelling the subscription before you're charged again.

(Bear in mind this is based on machine translation but I used two different translators to compare the output and double checked things.)

1. One of the main themes of the interview is the distinction between a "sportsman" and an "athlete". Winning is the main focus for sportsmen, but athletes have a broader outlook where self-improvement and the culture of sport are more valuable. Victory is ephemeral and may in fact hinder your progress because you'll be under more pressure.

2. Deniss thinks the scoring system isn't working properly and PCSs aren't evaluated correctly. He disapproves of skaters focusing all their energy on jumping difficulty at the expense of developing other areas but it's something encouraged by the system that doesn't adequately reward other skills.

3. He has trained in multiple countries and has experienced a variety of coaching methods. Stephane Lambiel is the best coach for him because he gives him a lot of freedom. He thinks many other coaches tell skaters what to do but he values independent thinking and being given the right tools and environment by the coaches.

4. When he got seriously injured in 2016, everyone else told him to retire but the team in Switzerland helped him recover. His team actually consists of people from different countries focusing on different things because diverse perspectives are valuable (he mentioned e.g. Ghislain Briand, who lives in Canada).

5. In a similar vein, he'd like to see Latvian clubs collaborating rather than competing with one another domestically to best prepare skaters to represent the country internationally.

6. Some coaches lack the knowledge of other fields and some want to squeeze everything out of their skaters to fulfil their own ambitions. He's glad we're moving towards more ethical and athlete-focused coaching.

7. There's little money in figure skating worldwide now and he thinks it's because of the greed of the management. He gets financial support and earns money from shows but he reinvests it in his skating career.

8. Not only are skaters underfunded but also often cold at rinks and skating on inadequate ice. Such conditions lead to underperforming, injuries and other health issues. Rinks shouldn't cater only to hockey players but also to figure skaters.

9. He's proud of his longevity because it's his third Olympic cycle. He feels he's a veteran at 25 and is pushing the limits of his body. At the same time, he thinks he's improving and actually he's working on a new quad but he'll only reveal which one when he masters it.

10. Figure skating is very time consuming and you can't do it part time but eventually he'd like to have a family of his own. If his child wants to be a figure skater, he may actually cry because of the toll it takes on you but he'll support them, which will require mental preparation.

11. He wouldn't like to do only one thing in life and he wants to do something productive for society in the future. Sport is not everything and the world is much bigger than it.

[writingquestionsanswered]

"Probably one of my biggest writing-related takeaways of 2023 was the brain science behind being overwhelmed by writing. So often, we put so much pressure on ourselves to meet goals, and get so frustrated with ourselves when we fail, that we end up making writing time something that fills us with anxiety. So our brains perceive that activity as a threat, which makes us want to avoid it."

I'd love to learn more about this cause it's my biggest problem when it comes to writing. The avoidance of the task, but it also manifests also as feeling overwhelmed by writing a long story/novel.

Some Brain Science Behind Avoidance

I encountered this idea of fear-based avoidance in a few workshops and summits over the past year, but I have to give a shout out to author/coach Monica Hay whose "Overcome Writer's Resistance Bootcamp" explained it the best. I can't find my notes so I'm going from memory here, but the gist of it was that our brains are hard-wired to avoid things that make us feel fearful or uneasy. This is an evolutionary throwback to when those instinctual feelings helped us steer clear from danger. As I remember Monica putting it, "Don't go that way, there are cheetahs there that will eat us."

So... how does this apply to avoidance of writing?

When we heap unreasonable goals and deadlines on ourselves, and berate ourselves for falling short of them, we inadvertently turn writing into a stressful activity. So, when we sit down to write, our brain picks up on that stress and says, "Don't go that way, cheetahs will eat us," and your gut instinct tells you to avoid this stressful activity at all cost. And then it becomes kind of a vicious cycle because you feel even worse because you're avoiding writing, and that makes you feel more overwhelmed and makes writing more stressful, and well... you can see the problem.

The solution? De-stress the writing process for yourself as much as you can. Start by de-stressing yourself when you sit down to write... take a relaxing walk first, do some yoga or a meditation exercise, or try some grounding techniques. See if you can do some things to make your writing environment more relaxing and inviting. Put on some soft lighting and relaxing music, use your favorite method to lightly scent the air, grab your favorite drink and snack. Then, just try to move the needle forward in any way you can.

My suggestions: try editing a sentence. Maybe see if you can add a paragraph or two. Don't think about deadlines or word count or what others are doing. Just focus on adding something to the page, even if it's changing a word or adding a sentence. Don't push yourself. Congratulate yourself on whatever progress you made. Ultimately, if you do this every day, the stress should start to melt away and writing becomes an activity that your brain no longer tells you to avoid.

Another suggestion: try to avoid setting arbitrary deadlines, or if you have to set a deadline, take a look at your schedule/calendar and be really honest about how much time you actually have to write. Because so often what happens is we say, "I want to finish this 80k word draft in eight weeks..." but the reality is we're not going to write all 56 of those days. In fact, when we take an honest look...

-3 days per week for days with both class and work = 32 days -5 days for a cruise next month = 27 days -1 day for bestie's birthday celebration = 26 days -Sundays because that's hiking day = 18 days Suddenly, that eight weeks is actually only 18 days... and that's not even taking account things that come up unexpectedly. But, let's say you do get to write all 18 days, and let's say you know you can commit three hours a day to writing but you'll probably take two ten-minute brakes... so 48 hours worth of writing. But here's the problem: you know on a good hour, you're probably only going to write 1200 words. And guess what: 1200 words per hour over 48 hours is only 57,600 words... far short of your 80k goal... and that's assuming you get to write all 18 days and hit 1200 words every hour you write. In other words... you've set yourself an impossible deadline, and when you fall short of it without understanding why, you're going to be disappointed in yourself. And that's why it's so, so important to be honest about the time you have and how much you can reasonably accomplish within that time. Also: just don't be hard on yourself. It will never make you write faster, more, or better.

I hope you can use this to overcome your own resistance to writing! ♥

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

LEARN MORE about WQA

SEE MY ask policies

VISIT MY Master List of Top Posts

COFFEE & FEEDBACK COMMISSIONS ko-fi.com/wqa

[yuzurujenn]

[2024.12.07 & 2024.12.14] Nikkan Sports - Celebrating his 30th birthday. Yuzuru Hanyu Interview

2024.12.07

Part 1: [Celebrating his 30th birthday] Yuzuru Hanyu interview: "I can definitely get better in my 30s" 

Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who achieved back-to-back gold medals in the Winter Olympics, celebrates his 30th birthday today, the 7th, and is kicking off his nationwide ice show tour "Echoes of Life."

This is the third installment of the "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY" series, where he performs solo and serves as the creative director. The tour begins at Saitama Super Arena and will continue through seven performances in three cities until February next year, weaving a unique story. In a recent exclusive interview, he discussed the progress and changes he has experienced as an athlete in his third year as a professional. (Honorifics omitted hereafter.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At age 19, he won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. At age 23, he became the first Asian to win two consecutive Olympic titles. At age 27, he turned professional. Hanyu, the extraordinary skater who became the youngest individual recipient of the People's Honor Award, has just celebrated his 30th birthday.

"It hasn't changed. Human DNA inevitably gets damaged with age, but I believe the body changes in both good and bad directions. I want to find the good direction. There are things now that I can feel, which I couldn’t in my teens or 20s. I’m sure I can continue to improve in my 30s. Of course, compared to my teenage years, my recovery cycle, the way I handle tension and pressure, and the development of my muscles have all changed, but by considering how to care for my body and listening to it, I hope to spend each day thinking, 'I’ve definitely gotten better than I was before, and I’ll always get better than yesterday.'"

He has proven his progress through action. During his competitive years, if we put it in extreme terms, the short program (SP) was only 2 minutes and 40 seconds, and the free program was 4 minutes, and those performances happened only once a day. Now, he performs shows lasting 90 to 150 minutes alone.

"For example, in the 'RE_PRAY TOUR' (the second tour from a year ago), after about 40 minutes into the first half of the 50-minute segment, I perform a quadruple jump. By then, I’m already exhausted... but practicing to be able to perform under those conditions is essential."

Before achieving his second consecutive victory at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he focused on strengthening 'oxidative energy metabolism.' He practiced high-difficulty jumps and ran through his programs, and after giving everything, he would even skate an additional 30 minutes, covering 80 laps (about 11 kilometers) on the rink.

"Back then, I was doing training to build endurance and increase my metabolism, so I practiced skating continuously for 30 minutes. But now, just doing the entire program (for a show) takes an hour and a half (laughs). I focus on 'run-through practices,' and just doing that is enough to feel like my stamina has improved and evolved."

In the previous show, he skated through 12 programs. Additionally, if you include checking the basics of jumps and refining the details, it would take twice as long.

"It inevitably takes more than three hours, so on practice days when I can only secure three hours, it's a tight squeeze to finish everything. On top of that, there’s the timing for building a solid foundation, improving endurance for long skating sessions, and developing explosive power. Ultimately, off-ice and land-based training have also increased. I'm also responsible for the choreography and structure, so I need to make sure there’s enough rest time to improve the quality within that... It's really tough (laughs)."

Third year as a professional. Achieving everything on his own. That’s why he has also progressed as an athlete.

"Until now, I had been taught by coaches, but gradually I became more independent, and after COVID-19, I returned from my base in Canada and started training alone. I realized that if I didn't incorporate knowledge on my own, I wouldn't be able to win, and I would get weaker. I did a lot of research, studying myself. When I was younger, I was taught only the knowledge related to figure skating, but now, through self-study, I look into what the top athletes in other sports are doing, and research the advancements in fields like kinesiology. Recently, I’ve been referencing sports like basketball, thinking about acceleration, stopping, and jumping while repeating movements."

An ice show typically involves 10 to 20 skaters taking turns, but he performs alone. There is no precedent for this anywhere in the world. He has no choice but to carve his own solitary path.

"To begin with, there isn't much scientific knowledge about figure skating. It's a minor sport (considering the number of competitors), and it's difficult to measure movements on a large 30m x 60m rink. That's why I compare it with my own intuition and experience (as a two-time Olympic champion), form hypotheses about whether practicing in this way will yield results, and then go through a process of trial and error. I have a clear goal from the start, and I believe that if I follow these steps, I'll definitely reach it."

 At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where he attempted the unprecedented quadruple Axel (4A), he pinned his hopes of success on the 'tendon reflex,' utilizing the elastic energy of the tendons that connect muscles and bones, acting like a 'spring.'

"Actually, I now use two types of tendon reflexes. One type produces power in a very short period of time, while the other generates power over a slightly longer period. I use them differently depending on the situation. As sports science research progresses, I am incorporating this approach into my ice shows as well."

In the previous tour, he performed five consecutive jumps starting with a quadruple toe loop, a feat not recognized in competitions. Yuzuru Hanyu, now 30 years old, continues to perform courageously in a world without limits. The curtain rises on the stage as he promises, 'I will skate with all my heart and soul to give you the best experience possible.'"

2024.12.14

Part 2: [Celebrating his 30th birthday] Yuzuru Hanyu interview: "Studying with my own body" - The evolution of his athletic side

In the second part of the solo interview, he looks back on his progress in his third year as a professional and shares his impressions of watching the Paris Olympics this summer.

--Two years have passed since your declaration of intent on July 19, 2022, and you’ve entered your third year as a professional. Looking back, from an athlete’s perspective, are there any areas where you feel you've grown or improved, in terms of measurable progress?

"I've definitely become physically stronger. Plus, what's known as 'thinking while performing.' For example, if I keep thinking about how I need to move, whether it's a jump or an expression, and continue performing, I'll inevitably lose oxygen as I think more and more. Thinking is a tiring task, isn't it? So, I've been skating so much that I can reduce the amount of thinking required. As a result, I feel like the quality of my performance has improved simultaneously. "

 --Over the past two years, you’ve essentially been doing all the thinking by yourself. "That's right. I've really been thinking and thinking on my own. It's tough, but because I'm thinking, I have a sense of conviction about my own body. For example, if every day was just about being given instructions (like training methods), I wouldn't have the time to think, 'Is this really the right approach...?!' It would just be a daily routine of doing without questioning. In that case, it feels like the only thing I can remember is what I'm taught."

 --Compared to when you were competing, have there been any significant changes in the way you look after yourself, your diet, or your lifestyle schedule?

"I really feel like I've improved since I turned professional. The way I use my body is completely different now, and the way I build it has also changed a lot. Even the timing of my meals has changed. For example, when I was in Toronto, Canada, I had to adjust for the time difference. Eating is also a moment where energy is consumed. So, I constantly think about when to eat and how to replenish my energy. But digesting what I've eaten actually takes a lot of physical energy. It's surprising, but it's true. After eating something heavy, it feels like I get tired, in a way. So, I have to be mindful of when to allocate time for using that energy or when my blood is flowing for digestion. I try to be conscious of that, and also, I want to make sure that nutrients get into my body without using too much energy. So, I'm always thinking about what kind of food I should eat and what I should intake. I've started to think about these things much more carefully compared to when I was competing. I do feel like I've evolved in this regard."

--Literally, there's nothing but evolution.

"I think it's the same as the progress of science (laughs). Scientists work in a lab, managing budgets and conducting experiments to produce results, right? In my case, it's like I'm conducting research using my own body. So, I believe I'm always evolving. For example, there are studies out there that may not directly relate to our real lives. Even if research results are produced, one might wonder, 'But what does that mean for me?' For instance, if research in quantum mechanics advances, we might still ask, 'How does that directly connect to our lives?' There are things like that. You can't know right now, at this moment. I, too, experience moments in my skating practice where I try something, but it doesn’t yield the results I expected. But when that happens, I just think, "Okay, that didn’t work—so maybe I’ll try this next time," constantly moving forward while thinking about what to do next. In the end, I think it all leads to evolution as a result."

--You practice, think, and prepare not only the technical aspects but also the structure of the performance and the direction of the show itself... I imagine you don’t get enough sleep, so have there been more nights when you can’t sleep? When you were an athlete, I assume you focused on ensuring you got enough sleep.

"Basically, the amount of time I need to spend on skating has increased. So, not only do I need to eat, but I also need to sleep, and I have to calculate when and how much time I should allocate for each. I can only live by calculating everything. There have been days when I couldn't sleep at all, but on the other hand, I'm always thinking, ‘Yesterday I could only sleep this much, but today, I might be able to sleep during this gap. How much time can I make up?' It’s a tough balance."

--This summer, the Summer Olympics took place in Paris. It's been two and a half years since the Beijing Olympics.  I imagine this was the first Olympics you watched from a professional standpoint. How did you feel about it?

"Yes, indeed. From an outside perspective, I think that the Olympics are viewed as 'entertainment' for the people. The topic of judo, the excitement around skateboarding, and the newly introduced breaking were all part of that. In that context, the opportunity for the general public to watch these sports, even if they don’t know much about them, is something that can only happen at the Olympics. I also felt once again that, for us, being able to perform and achieve results in that moment is everything. However, I also realized that we should not become complacent just because we’ve achieved a result, and that people will find us cool in the future if we continue to push forward."

Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202412030000592.htmlhttps://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202412050000738.html

[harrypotterfuryroad]

some of the stuff that comes out of the current crop of pop girls is like........if this is how it is now, i need a permanent end to the "taylor swift blinked when this person was speaking, she needs to apologize for being a secret monster!!!!!!!!!!" news cycle. like i think lorde is talented as hell but if we're just okay with shit like chappell being allergic to lesbian culture, charli xcx being bffs with the anorexia as praxis contingent, and lorde openly praising something a famous woman has described as one of the greatest violations of her life, we need to stop bsing about being progressive for a while. ffs

i think part of it is the transition from like paparazzi/press releases being the main outlet for this stuff (like your taylor example) to podcasts and tiktok, like if it was 2012 there's no way chappell would've been allowed to demotivate a voter base the way she did last year, there would've just been too many checks and filters before that got to the public (plus it's unfair for her to be coming for jill stein's job like that), but now the perceived authenticity is part of the whole package

this whole thing with lorde feels so coached, which of course media training/crafting a persona is nothing new, but this stuff specifically feels like she's being told to riff on cool girl/one of the guys vibes (and yeah definitely trying to replicate the charli heat from last summer) and i think the most likely situation is that whoever is coaching her isn't very good at their job

[rainyfestivalsweets]

5/13/25

Trying to organize my thoughts.

Although I felt like I made significant progress with behaviors this week, it did not show on the scale today. I feel disappointed although I know I shouldn't be.

In the last week, I had 2 wonderful 25 mile bike rides, a couple dumbell circuits and a shitton of housework. I could have done better on steps.

I finally had gotten on tiktok and discovered skinnytok.... and it disappeared.

I hate that this is so hard. I am trying to get my weight loss going again and am struggling. The eating feels like it has been less of a struggle. Some things were overeaten and I had the power to toss the rest out so that cycle couldn't repeat day after day.

By some weight charts, I should still have 75 pounds to lose. I am shooting for 25 for now, then re-evalutate. I may have more muscle and I don't want to lose that but I really just want this damn process to be over.

I am dreading yet another meeting with me coach where we talk and I haven't lost anything. He knows damn well that I am obviously not in a deficit and have unreported eating somewhere.

I hate that ai struggle so much and I am so jealous of people who easily lose. I was 183 last sept and am 195 today. I am giving myself a day or 2 for my real weigh in but it is a conversation I am not looking forward to because I am just so over it.

And when I eat stupidly, it super sucks. I obviously am delaying my progress which is irritating the shit out of me.

I had an issue Sunday where I ate some dusty ass pecan sandies cookies. I don't even like them! I had them in the cupboard for mom. I served her and I up 4 cookies each because of mother's day or some fucking excuse.

She couldn't eat them she said they made her cough.

So I ate 7 mother fucking cookies! And then! Then I had a blueberry muffin. What the actual fuck. Goddamn it.

That's about 1000 cals. And yes, 1000 extra cals does not make a 13 pound gain. But it is added cals like this that are holding me back.

[ingek73]

Interview

Michael Moore on how Harris-Walz can defeat Trump: ‘Do weird and cringe until the debate, then nail him’

Edward Helmore

Progressive film-maker says he’s more optimistic than he’s ever been since Trump announced first run eight years ago

Thu 15 Aug 2024 11.00 BST

With Joe Biden looking for re-election Democrats feared they were looking at an electoral catastrophe. Now, with Biden dropping out and Vice-President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket, it suddenly feels like it is Donald Trump who is staring at possible defeat.

The liberal film-maker and Democratic whisperer Michael Moore says he’s more optimistic than he has ever been since Trump stepped on to the escalator in Trump Tower to announce his first run for the presidency eight years ago.

“This isn’t just a sugar-high or what [recovering] heroin addicts call a pink cloud,” Moore says. “It was so depressing for so many weeks and then it was instantly not depressing. I am hopeful now but it’s ours to blow – and we have a history of blowing it.”

Moore, 70, has in recent years become something of an electoral sage. He predicted Donald Trump’s victory in 2016, in part because of the sense of political-cultural superiority Democrats emanated and because he had noticed that the campaign was fearful of inspiring Maga supporters. He predicted, too, that Democrats would buck the trend and be fine in the 2022 midterms.

In this election cycle he is in some ways in line with the pollster Nate Silver, who recently said that “the strategy of the Harris campaign should be to triangulate the strategy of Hillary 2016, the Harris 2020 primary campaign, and Biden 2024, and do the exact opposite.”

But Moore says he understands why Democrats are nervous that the Harris-Walz ticket could come apart, though it shows no current signs of doing so, particularly if Harris gets tarred with Biden’s unpopular “Bidenomics” or responsibility for his full-throated support of Israel’s war in Gaza.

“Biden, sadly, is going to be remembered for funding the war in Gaza and providing the armaments to Netanyahu, not arms for protecting Israel, but extra money to kill Palestinian civilians,” Moore says. He remains “saddened and surprised” that Biden, who had refused to meet Netanyahu last September, flew to Tel Aviv after the 7 October Hamas cross-border attack and hugged him.

“You can say what’s in a hug?” he says. “But ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Neville Chamberlain to you. It doesn’t take much for history to see that in the moment you needed to display courage you did the opposite.”

But he’s cautiously optimistic that Harris is signaling a change of direction. She did not pick as expected the Pennsylvania governor, Josh Shapiro, who had harshly called out student protesters against the war in Gaza and settled a former employee’s claim that she was sexually harassed by a senior aide.

Harris, he applauds, went against the conventional wisdom, upending the predictions of many TV pundits, and chose “this guy from the midwest, a football coach who had offered to be adviser to the gay student group. It’s pretty stunning.”

And while as vice-president Harris has no power to speak against Biden on Israel, Harris has made her feelings plain. She declined to sit in on Netanyahu’s address to Congress, which echoed Pope Urban II’s 1095 call for the first crusade, instead traveling to a Zeta Phi Beta sorority meeting in Indianapolis.

“Couldn’t they have made up something that sounded important with foreign policy attached to it? No, She’s busy at a sorority meeting … and she refused the traditional diplomatic “grip-and-grin” after meeting with Netanyahu. It was very public.”

The first days of the Harris-Walz ticket have shown precisely the change of direction that Moore has argued for. The ominous but complicated “threat to democracy” anti-Trump platform has been dropped for “threat to freedom”. Trump’s folk story confabulations resist fact-checking, so that’s been refined to a kind of medieval textual charm, “weird”.

Jibes over JD Vance’s “couch capers” and eyeliner discussions work in much the same way. What Harris-Walz are doing is much as Moore advocated when he offered the Clinton campaign “satirical support” to come up with lines that would get under Trump’s thin skin, especially in a televised debate.

“I think I’m going to see what I was hoping for for eight years,” he says. “Once anybody gets under that thin skin anything can happen. On live TV? Trump could explode, start talking like a 12-year-old, though no offense to 12-year-olds, or get up and leave.”

But didn’t Democrats bet on the Biden-Trump debate being a success? And the Trump prosecution in New York? The Republican candidate’s polling and fundraising went up after both.

“It’s a holding pattern until she gets on that stage with him. I understand why people are nervous it might be a sugar high but Harris and Walz are people of substance. They’re being slow and cautious enough to get it together. It’s just been a couple of weeks. They are going to have to tell us what they’re going to do and hopefully come up with the right thing. And there will be mistakes.”

As the Harris-Walz campaign “humanize” the ticket it is clear that the November election represents, on the Democratic side, a generational shift.

“I’m so happy to hear Gen Z and X are over half the vote because it’s called facts and data,” Moore says, pointing out that the number of boomers over 65 who have died since 2016 is exceeded by Gen Z and millennials who have become eligible to vote. “How many of them do you think are going around in hats saying Make America Great Again”? They’ve never known it to be “great”, let alone “again”.

“It’s not just a cultural shift – it’s a generational shift. The boomers may not be the No 1 voters in this election. And that’s why Gaza is so important. Young people hate war and they’re totally against Biden and his support of the war.” Harris, he says, needs to tap into “affordable housing, student debt, peace and the dying planet”.

His prescription? “Do weird and cringe until the debate and then nail him,” Moore said. “But nail him with irony, satire and a simple way to point out the beyond weird absolute idiocy and insanity of what these two men are talking about. Reach them on a commonsense level so it doesn’t matter if you’re Democrat or Republican.”

“Once anybody gets under that thin skin anything can happen. On live TV? Trump could explode, start talking like a 12-year-old, though no offense to 12-year-olds, or get up and leave.”

[mychlapci]

Rodimus giving birth painfully at the worst time possible and with no help whatsoever.

Its in the middle of battle and he’s in too much pain to move, his tank is painfully stiff and swollen and he’s in so much pain but his fluids haven’t even broken yet and there is so much pressure all he can do is vent heavy and huddle under the shelter hoping the wrong bot doesn’t find him.

Best part about it?

He wasn’t even in this battle.

He was on a civi huddle trying to get to safety because he left after finding out he was sparked.

Sires?

Deadlock and Ratchet who don’t even know.

He’s literally got the worst luck because bombs are falling and soldiers are offlining and bullets are flying in the space he’s in and crawling only did so much his tanks are too heavy on his frame and half his spoilers been blown off while the other half is leaking energon hanging by a thread.

This mech is in serious trouble because he feels his sparklings moving and its making everything worse and the siren for clearing the battlefield sounds and he knows he’s really fragged because that means they send out a large bomb and what do they do?

Drop the largest bomb that caves in his shelter and guess who just so happened to fall in protecting each other?

Deadlock and Ratchet who have no idea he’s behind them as they check each other over and talk quietly so relieved they survived as they mention it’ll take at least two days to remove the rubble so they can escape.

And guess whose frame wracks with pain as their sparkling readjusts and kicks them too hard and makes him fail at stifling an agonized scream thats muffled from him biting into his arm?

Deadlock and Ratchet have the most distressed, out of frame mind zapping shock of their life cycles seeing Rodimus like that.

Your thoughts/the rest?

Ooh poor Rodimus (Hot Rod?)... but he was lucky that a bickering Deadlock and Ratchet ended up in the rubble with him. For a moment they’re too busy fighting and pointing out whose fault it was that they ended up here and how long it’s gonna take them to get out thar they don’t notice that there’s someone still alive in the mess. Hot Rod squealing out as his forge clenches alerts them to his presence very quickly…

When they realize it’s Hot Rod, their shared… friend, they rush to him and no matter how hard he tries to hide his pregnant belly from them, his water finally breaking tips them off. I don’t think they realize they’re the sires at first, but when Ratchet scolds him for not coming to him when he got sparked and Hot Rod tells him he didn’t want to hang a sparkling on his shoulders it clicks.

Deadlock is more stunted. Ratchet knows what to do, but Deadlock does not. I think he only jumps to action once Ratchet orders him to help him get Hot Rod out of the rubble and onto a more comfortable surface. Hot Rod was very lucky to have been found by them. Ratchet can patch him up and help coach him through the birth. He can already see that Roddy’s been straining himself, forcing himself to push when he does not need to. Thankfully his water finally broke and it’s gonna be significantly easier from now… Hot Rod clings to Deadlock as Ratchet helps him coax out the sparkling, scolding him for not telling them, for keeping this to himself, for trying to move through an active war-zone when he knew he’s that far along. Because of all the stress and the fighting still going on outside, Hot Rod has a very hard time giving birth, but at least he can scream into Deadlock’s chest this time around <3

if it’s going to take at least a couple days to clear out the rubble they know they’re in hot water. Hot Rod’s sparkling comes out alive but barely holding on and they don’t have enough fuel for the four of them… Everyone has to pitch in to keep the little one fed, which slows down the progress. Hot Rod’s injuries and the fact that he’s only recently birthed a sparkling mean they have to drag him out and help him walk across the empty battlefield… Hopefully, they can reconnect with an autobot squadron soon, and as for Deadlock… he’s going to stay with his sparkling for as long as he can, for now.

[thejakeslayla]

╰▸ ❝ melting ice ❞ 002 ⎯⎯ salchow ,, a park sunghoon written series

synopsis; you put your everything into ice skating; blood, sweat and tears. unexpectedly you're being partnered with someone you despite, your number one rival - park sunghoon. together, you must overcome your grudges, navigate your differences and find a way to convey emotion on the ice. as you face this challenge, you discover hidden depths of him, leading you to question if there's more to your connection with sunghoon than just hatred and whether you can make this unlikely partnership work, potentially reshaping your career and the dynamics between them. little do you know that sunghoon never hated you.

warnings: reader gets injured, arguments, profanity

Days turned into weeks, and you and Sunghoon found yourselves locked in a relentless cycle of practice. Daily sessions became a routine, yet the tension between you and Sunghoon only seemed to intensify. You both worked diligently on perfecting the throw triple loop, with the coach drilling you on every detail. It was an intricate move that demanded trust and synchronization. At first, the attempts were awkward and full of stumbles and falls, but with time, your coordination improved. It wasn't the most harmonious partnership, but you were making progress.

Despite your initial concerns, Sunghoon turned out to be a dedicated partner, putting in as much effort as you did. His resolved determination surprised you. As much as you disliked him, his precision and your grace created a unique blend and even if you wouldn’t like to think of him like that, each time you just found yourself pretty amused.

One chilly evening, you found yourselves alone at the rink, the bright arena lights casting an eerie glow on the ice. Sunghoon's mom had left for a work-related trip, and your mom had a prior commitment. It was just the two of you and the echoes of your blades cutting through the ice.

Sunghoon stopped, panting heavily. You noticed the sweat glistening on his brow, the strands of hair clinging to his forehead. You already tried multiple times to synchronise your step sequence, but each time one of you messed up.

He met your gaze, and for the first time in weeks, you didn't see hostility in his eyes. Instead, you saw determination and, perhaps, a hint of vulnerability. "Y/n," he said, his voice softer than you'd ever heard it, "I know we don't get along, but we have to make this work. Our future depends on it."

You stopped in your tracks, the ice beneath your skates glistening with a thin layer of frost. His words hung in the air, and for a moment, you considered his words. But then, you shook your head, a hint of disagreement in your eyes. "I appreciate your concern, Sunghoon, but I've made it this far on my own. I don't need you to determine my future."

Sunghoon's expression shifted, a mix of frustration and determination. "This isn't just about you, Y/n. Stop being so fucking selfish. We have a real chance to get into olympics, if we can put our differences aside."

You were filled with anger. "Put our differences aside? You've got to be fucking kidding me, Park. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to even stand here next to you, let alone skate with you? I didn't ask for you to be my partner, and I’m fucking sure that I didn't ask for your pep talk. I've been working my entire life to get to this point, and I don't need you telling me what's at risk."

Sunghoon's voice suddenly rose, matching your frustration. "This isn't about forgetting, Y/n. It's about acknowledging that we're both skilled athletes, and if we channel that rivalry into our performance, we could be unstoppable."

Your jaw tightened. "Unstoppable? The only thing that's unstoppable is your ego."

With that biting remark, Sunghoon's anger peaked, and he abruptly turned away, storming off the rink. You were left seething, your own fury burning as hot as his.

After leaving the rink in a huff, Sunghoon couldn't shake off the frustration that had been building within him. He wandered aimlessly through the corridors of the training center, his mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions.

In the beginning, Sunghoon had viewed this partnership with you as an opportunity he couldn't pass up, but the reality of working with you had been far more challenging than he had ever imagined. The clash of your personalities and the weight of the long-standing (or should he say one-sided?) rivalry had tested his patience more than anything else in his skating career.

However, there was another layer to Sunghoon's frustration, one that he was unwilling to confront even in the depths of his own thoughts. He had watched you from afar for years, not only as a "rival" but as someone he greatly admired. Your grace on the ice, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to the sport had drawn him in.

There had been moments when he had secretly hoped for the chance to work with you, to get to know you on a different level, and to prove himself not just as a “self-centred and cold as ice you skate on” athlete but as a partner. And now, with this unexpected opportunity, his longing to work with you had intertwined with the harsh reality of their situation.

As he approached the vending machines, he couldn't help but replay their argument in his mind. His frustration stemmed not only from the difficulties of the partnership but from the fear that he might lose this chance to get closer to someone he had admired for so long.

As Sunghoon retreated to cool off, you were on the rink, trying to focus on your skating, but the heated argument still echoed in your mind. Your determination got the best of you, and in a fit of frustration, you decided to attempt a triple axel – a move you hadn't mastered yet.

You executed the jump, the world spinning around you, but the landing was far from graceful. You hit the ice while still rotating, causing a harsh impact. Pain shot through your hip and ankle. You bit your lip, fighting back tears, but it was impossible to ignore the throbbing in your ankle.

Your heart pounded with pain and frustration, but you tried to push through it, determined not to give Sunghoon the satisfaction of seeing you vulnerable, as he might come back any second now. Gritting your teeth, you tried to stand, but the pain in your ankle was too much to bear.

And as if universe deeply hated you, he appeared.

Sunghoon entered the rink, the tension still hanging in the air. He immediately noticed that something was wrong, as you struggled to stand and make your way off the ice. He hurried over, concern replacing his anger, as he realized the seriousness of the situation.

"Y/n, are you okay?" Sunghoon asked, his voice echoing, genuine worry on his face.

You clenched your jaw, suppressing the pain in your ankle, and quickly replied, "I'm fine. I've had worse falls."

But Sunghoon wouldn't let it go. "Y/n, you don't look fine. Let me help you."

You hesitated, torn between the embarrassment of showing your vulnerability to your rival and the throbbing pain in your ankle. Sunghoon insisted, reaching out to support you, but you resisted. "I said I'm okay. I don't need your help."

Minute or two passed and Sunghoon had enough of your bullshit, he grabbed your wrist and wrapped your arm around his shoulders. You finally gave up, leaning on him as he helped you get off the ice.

Once you were seated on the bench, Sunghoon remained frozen, his concern barely concealed. When he helped you take off your skates, tears welled up in your eyes, escaping despite your best efforts to hold them back. Your pride was wounded, you embarrassed yourself in front of someone you hated the most, nothing went the way you wanted. And you just wanted to prove him wrong.

A minute of heavy silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. Sunghoon's struggle to hide his worry was evident in his furrowed brow and his fidgety fingers. He was torn between wanting to help and not wanting to overstep the boundaries of your rivalry, or should he say your hatred towards him? His eyes darted between your teary gaze and your leg.

Finally, he couldn't contain the storm of emotions within him any longer, and his voice broke the heavy silence. "Should I call the coach?"

Your head moved slowly from side to side as you shook it, indicating your refusal. "No, Sunghoon. It will just worry him, and we won't be able to practice. I can't afford to miss practice right now."

Sunghoon was taken aback by your response. He knew the importance of practice, but the consequences of ignoring your injury weighed heavily on his mind. The argumentative tension that had simmered earlier now resurfaced, and the two of you found yourselves locked in a silent battle of wills.

The sudden change in his voice surprised you. His voice was firm and commanding as he responded, "Y/n, your health is more important than practice. You can't keep skating on a sprained ankle. Even though you don’t want to, we have to work together; we need to make the right decision here."

You were caught in a whirlwind of emotions, torn between your pride, the importance of practice, and the undeniable logic in Sunghoon's words. God, how much you hated him. It wasn’t even about the rivalry anymore, you just hated the fact that he’s right. The silence stretched on, and it seemed like a decision was hanging in the balance.

Finally, Sunghoon, directed by a small crush on you, broke the silence once more. His voice was softer, almost pleading, as he said, "Y/n, please. Let me help you. I promise it won't change anything between us, but it's the right thing to do."

Your gaze returned to him, as he continued to speak. “Y/n, what if…” His voice trembled slightly, clearly showing you signs of hesitation. “I take you to my home instead?"

prev | masterlist | next

© 2023 — all rights reserved to user thejakeslayla, please do not steal, plagiarise or translate any of my work ! taglist: open

[anabolicmutants]

Progress : End of Week 2

Great news, I got a bodybuilding coach!! He's changed up my plans and I'm giving him my all to bulk up like the growth freak I am. He's changed my cycle, I'm on 750 MG Test E, 400 MG Deca, 600 mg Primo, 50 dbol daily and I'm starting HGH on 10/5 with 4 ius a day. My Gym regimen is tight af and I'm sore every damn day. My next bet after starting growth hormones is to get Peptides for my sleep, hunger and skin until the effect of the HGH start to show in a couple or few months. The bulk's going strong and I'm grateful for all support both financial and motivational! Thank you guys, this cub is gonna turn into a monster Bear!!!

[getfitbysoul]

How to Start Your Fitness Journey (Even If You’re a Beginner)

Starting a fitness journey can feel overwhelming—especially if you’ve never worked out before, or if it’s been a long time since you did. The fitness world is full of information, trends, and advice that can make it hard to know where to begin. But the truth is: getting started doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need fancy equipment, an expensive gym membership, or hours of free time each day. All you need is the willingness to take that first step.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how to begin your fitness journey, even if you’re starting from zero. Whether your goal is to lose weight, build strength, improve your health, or simply feel better in your own body, this guide is designed to help you build a solid foundation that lasts.

1. Start With Your "Why"

Before diving into workouts and diet plans, take a moment to ask yourself: Why do I want to get fit? Your "why" will be the driving force that keeps you going when motivation dips.

Are you doing this for your health? To gain more energy to play with your kids? To feel more confident in your own skin? Whatever your reason, write it down. Keep it somewhere visible. When things get tough, it’ll remind you of your purpose.

2. Set Realistic and Measurable Goals

Avoid vague goals like "I want to get in shape." Instead, set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

For example:

“I want to walk 30 minutes a day, five times a week for the next month.”

“I want to lose 4 kg in 2 months by following a consistent workout and meal plan.”

Start small. Early success builds confidence, which fuels long-term consistency.

3. Choose Activities You Enjoy

Not a fan of lifting weights? No problem. Hate running? You’re not alone. The best workout is the one you’ll actually stick with.

Experiment with different forms of exercise:

Brisk walking or cycling

Dancing to your favorite music

Yoga or Pilates for flexibility and stress relief

Home workout videos on YouTube

Group fitness classes

Find something that feels fun—not like a punishment. That way, you're more likely to make it a habit.

4. Start Slow and Be Consistent

Many beginners make the mistake of doing too much, too soon. They hit the gym hard for a week, get sore or burned out, and then quit.

The key to long-term success is consistency, not intensity.

Begin with 2–3 days a week of light activity, like walking or bodyweight exercises. Gradually increase duration and intensity as your fitness level improves.

5. Focus on Nutrition (Not Just Exercise)

You can’t out-train a bad diet. While exercise is crucial, what you eat has a massive impact on your progress.

Here are a few beginner tips:

Eat whole, unprocessed foods (fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains).

Drink plenty of water—stay hydrated throughout the day.

Reduce sugary snacks, sodas, and fried food.

Don't skip meals—especially breakfast.

Remember: it's about progress, not perfection. You don't need to follow a strict diet to see results. Start by making small, sustainable changes.

6. Track Your Progress

Seeing progress can be incredibly motivating. You can track your journey by:

Taking before-and-after photos

Writing down workouts and meals

Noting how you feel physically and mentally each week

Tracking changes in weight or measurements

Even non-scale victories—like better sleep, more energy, or improved mood—are signs that you're on the right path.

7. Stay Accountable

Accountability can come in many forms:

Workout with a friend or family member

Join an online fitness challenge

Share your goals on social media

Hire a fitness coach or join a class

When someone else is rooting for you (or checking in on your progress), you’re more likely to stay on track.

8. Listen to Your Body

Rest is not laziness—it’s part of the process. Your body needs time to recover, especially when you're just starting out.

Pay attention to signs of overtraining like fatigue, irritability, or persistent soreness. Aim for at least one full rest day each week. Prioritize sleep and stress management as part of your overall wellness.

9. Celebrate Small Wins

You don’t have to wait until you reach your final goal to celebrate. Every small win matters:

First full push-up? Celebrate!

Drank water instead of soda? That’s progress.

Walked 10,000 steps? You’re doing great.

Reward yourself in healthy ways—maybe with new workout clothes, a massage, or a relaxing evening off.

Final Thoughts

Starting your fitness journey doesn’t require perfection—only intention. Everyone starts somewhere, and your journey is uniquely yours. There will be ups and downs, good days and bad. What matters most is that you keep showing up for yourself.

Remember: it's not about being the fittest person in the room. It’s about becoming a healthier, stronger version of YOU.

So take a deep breath, lace up your shoes, and start today—because your future self will thank you.

Ready to Begin? Comment below or share your "why" to inspire others. Let’s take the first step together 💪