#Surge Protector Power Strip

[oversease220volts]

Power Strip Surge Protector: Protect Your Home Electronics from Damage

Power surges are sudden increases in voltage that can occur for various reasons, including lightning strikes, power grid fluctuations, and switching on large appliances. These surges can overload your electronic components, leading to malfunctions, data loss, or even complete failure.  

Why is a surge protector essential?

Shields against power spikes: Lightning strikes, power grid fluctuations, and other electrical disturbances can generate harmful voltage surges that can damage your devices. A surge protector acts as a shield, absorbing excess energy and preventing it from reaching your equipment.  

Safeguards your investment: Replacing damaged electronics can be expensive. A surge protector is a small investment that can save you from significant financial loss.  

Provides convenience: Most power strip surge protectors offer multiple outlets, allowing you to charge and power multiple devices simultaneously. Many also include USB ports for added convenience.  

What to look for in a Power Strip Surge Protector:

Joule rating: This indicates the amount of surge energy a protector can handle. Higher joule ratings offer greater protection.  

Number of outlets: Choose a power strip with enough outlets to accommodate your devices.

USB ports: Consider a power strip with USB ports for charging smartphones, tablets, and other devices.  

Additional features: Some surge protectors offer features like surge protection indicators, circuit breakers, and phone line protection.

For More Information: https://overseas220volts.com/product-category/220-volts-power-strip/

Key Features to Look For

Joule rating: This indicates the amount of surge energy a protector can handle. Higher joule ratings offer greater protection.  

Number of outlets: Choose a power strip with enough outlets to accommodate your devices.  

USB ports: Many power strips now include USB ports for convenient charging.  

Surge protection indicator: This light indicates when the surge protector has reached its capacity and needs to be replaced.  

Additional features: Some power strips offer features like circuit breakers, phone line protection, and coaxial cable protection.

Tips for Optimal Protection

Unplug devices during severe weather: Protect your electronics from lightning strikes by unplugging them when severe weather is approaching.  

Replace surge protectors regularly: Surge protectors have a limited lifespan. Replace them according to the manufacturer's recommendations.  

Protect valuable equipment: Prioritize surge protection for essential devices like computers, TVs, and home theater systems.

[vern2rick]

Lightning surge protection devices, house surge protector, surge protector plug

T410 Series 600 Vdrm 4 A Surface Mount Logic Level Triac AC Switch - TO-252

[dont-research-in-the-dark]

I just accidentally found the funniest rabbit hole ever, and I need to tell everyone about it real quick

So I have to move into a new dorm soon that requires surge protectors with power strips, and I was looking up how to find the right ones (as one does). I go into r/Askanelectrician, and the first comment under this post I see, is by some guy named "Westom." He's using a lot of electrical jargon that I don't know about, so I scroll down, and this is the first response:

So at this point I'm thinking "wtf is going on," and I look up "Westom Surge Protector" like this person suggests, and-

This person (Westom) Apparently has some weird personal vendetta against plug-in surge protectors, and has been spending about a decade going onto forums and defending his beliefs to "protect us all from big companies that want to brainwash us"?

There are thousands and thousands of results of arguments between him and other people, most of which, on his part, are incredibly melodramatic and nonsensical- it's basically the sharks are smooth situation but just with surge protectors???

Here's a sample of one I found:

This is the funniest thing I think I've seen but also what is going on

[gadgetsproworld]

Surge Protector Vs Extension Board

Surge Protector Vs Extension Board

Many people find themselves confused in the surge protector versus extension cord discussion because these terms are often used interchangeably. But there's a vital difference between THE two common types. Understanding this difference is like giving armor to your electronic gadgets, protecting them from potential harm. Let's break it down.

The Extension Board

These are the handy devices that give us extra AC plug points, making it easy to power multiple devices at once. While they're super convenient, it's important to know that extension cords focus on providing more outlets, not on protecting your gadgets from sudden bursts of power. So, they're great for convenience but not for safeguarding against unexpected electrical surges.

Surge Protectors

At first glance, they might look like power strips, but its whats inside that matters. Surge protectors not only offer extra outlets but also act as superheroes for your electronics.  They have inbuilt circuitry & components absorb extra voltage spikes away from your gadgets in case of power surges caused by lightning or electrical glitches. So, while they may seem similar, surge protectors are the real defenders, adding a layer of safety that extension cords simply don't have.

In a nutshell, knowing the difference between a surge protector��and an extension cord is like putting on a shield for your electronics. Being aware of this contrast helps you make smarter choices, ensuring your devices stay safe from unexpected power jolts. So, next time you plug in, consider using a surge protector to keep your gadgets not just charged but also secure from potential damage. It may cost a bit more but your precious gadgets are safe & secure.

Original Source: Surge Protector Vs Extension Board

[hsmagazine254]

Voltage Stability at Home Illuminating the Path to Electronic Protection

Mastering Voltage Stability: A Guide to Guard Your Electronics In the ever-connected world we live in, our homes are filled with an array of electronic devices that bring convenience and entertainment. Yet, these devices are vulnerable to the fluctuations in voltage that can occur due to unstable electricity flow. Protecting your lights and electronic treasures is paramount, and understanding how…

[ryutarotakedown]

[ID: A piece of electrical equipment that has one wire leading to it and is a long, rectangular object that has multiple holes for chargers on it. There is one big switch besides the first hole. End ID]

Please reblog so I can prove my coworkers wrong!

[dbue2illy]

Surge protector red light, Data line surge protection, surge protector power bar

T410 Series 600 Vdrm 4 A Surface Mount Logic Level Triac AC Switch - TO-252

[suchananewsblog]

These Power Strips and Surge Protectors Can Protect Your Devices While Charging

The 1980s brought us the computer age and also ushered in the power strip. Most people had a desktop computer, a monitor, and maybe a printer—but add to those external drives, scanners, wireless routers, and other peripheral devices, and those two standard outlets most of us had were simply overwhelmed. Now we have laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wireless Bluetooth devices, all connected to a…

[chibikyo]

Day 21 - Electrostim

Lord Raiden x F!Reader

Lord Raiden is a passionate lover and is always careful with his partner, however, he discovers reader likes when he uses his powers on her.

Warnings: Electrostim, fluffy sweet sex, God Raiden not MK1 Raiden (tho we love that Raiden too), not really a warning but whatever

************************************************************************

Y/n felt overwhelmed as Raiden captured her lips in another searing kiss. His hands were steady as he slowly peeled away the layers she wore, baring her flesh to him as he poured his love and affection into each tease of his lips and caress of his tongue. She melted into his arms, let him strip her down to nothing until her naked flesh was pressed into the soft silk of his robes. Only then did he pull back, looking at her with reverence and awe that she would trust him so completely.

“You are so beautiful, my love.” Raiden whispered as his hands traced the curve of her delicate flesh. Y/n flushed at the words, hands digging into the front of his robes as she trembled under the intensity of his gaze. She tried to work at the clasps on his robes, but her fingers were shaky with anticipation. Between his duties as Earthrealms protector and her as one of its champions, they didn’t have many opportunities to be intimate and Raiden had a way of making each time feel like their first.

“Relax.” He added as his hands closed over hers, feeling the slight tremor in those slender digits and he soothed them under his calloused flesh. He kissed her again, guiding her down to the bed behind them until she was sprawled beneath him. She was gorgeous like this, all soft curves and long legs as she looked up at him with absolute trust and affection. His breath hitched just watching her as he began to strip out of his own clothes.

Y/n licked her lips, eyes locked with Raiden’s as each layer fell away to reveal his beautifully sculpted body. She loved watching him undress; the heavy silks becoming chiseled muscle and porcelain flesh, his godly markings glowing white as they sprawled down his arms and chest in intricate patterns of storm clouds and dragons. She finally broke that eye contact as his hands moved lower, boots slipped off, then his pants pulled down to reveal his beautifully flushed cock, heavy and straining and all because of her. 

“You’re the one who's beautiful, Raiden.” Y/n murmured as he slowly lowered himself between her legs, urging her to spread her thighs so he could settle between them. He caged her in with his massive arms, lowered his lips to capture hers again. He devoured her mouth, smothered the whimpers as his tongue languidly tangled with her. When he pulled away he was pleased to see that flush spreading down her neck and chest. 

“Nothing compares to you, my love.” He sounded so serious, so absolute. He sat up on his knees, hands wrapping around her waist to tug her closer. His hands traced the delicate curve of her ribs up until he could squeeze her breasts. He loved watching her fall apart beneath his hands. She was so sensitive and responsive as he kneaded the plush flesh, thumbs stroking across her pebbled buds. He felt a surge of arousal spread through him knowing he was the one who made her feel such pleasure.

Raiden could feel her growing pleasure and his cock throbbed where it rested against her glistening folds. As he brushed his thumbs over her nipples again he couldn’t stop the electricity that sparked at his fingertips and she gasped at the sudden shock. 

“Are you alright, my love? Did I hurt you? I am so sorry.” Raiden choked, tearing his hands away. Y/n shook her head as she reached up to drag his hands back to her fevered flesh.

“It’s okay. I’m fine, better than fine. That felt amazing, darling.” Y/n whined. “You could never hurt me.” Raiden hesitated as he wrapped his hands back around her breasts. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. Just relax. Let go. I trust you.”

Raiden swallowed nervously as he stroked his thumbs over her buds again, letting the barest spark of lightning loose as he did. He watched her head tip back as she gasped, her muscles quivering beneath him. He did it a few more times, each spark eliciting a breathy gasp from his lover. He had never considered using his powers in such a way yet with each tease of his thumb he became more and more emboldened by her responses. He leaned over her, pressed a kiss to her collarbone, letting his lightning spark around his lips as he kissed his way down the swell of her breast. 

Y/n moaned as Raiden’s lips wrapped around one of her nipples. He nipped and sucked and teased as his now free hand trailed down her stomach. Tiny sparks of lightning danced through his fingers, tingling her sensitive skin as he dipped his hand lower and lower. She brought her hands up to his face, fingers threading through the silky white locks so she could better see his face. He looked up at her, amusement in his eyes and she jolted as another spark of electricity zapped her bud.

“Tell me how it feels, my love. Do you want more?” Raiden pulled away with a groan, sitting back again so he could see how she trembled beneath him. He stroked her ribs to her thighs, lightning dancing across his fingers with each caress as Y/n squirmed and whimpered, her breathing becoming more shallow with each pass. 

“Yes. I want more. Want all of it. Feels so good against my skin, Raiden. Like your caressing me inside and out.” Y/n cried, hands falling to clench at the sheets as he pressed two fingers to her swollen clit. She sobbed from pleasure as he began to rub circles into that sensitive nub, zapping it with each rotation. He grasped his cock with his other hand, lined it up with her slick entrance as he watched her trembling beneath him.

He pressed inside her slowly, using shallow thrusts to carefully coat his length with her slick so that each time he rocked forward he slid deeper inside her tight channel. He moved his hands to her thighs, hitched her legs up around his waist higher so he could press closer to her. He let out a pleased sigh as his hips finally settled flush against her core. His breath caught at the sight of her, spread out and shaking beneath him. She looked divine, a blessing of sweet rapture granted to him as a reward he couldn’t have possibly earned. How could he ever deserve something so precious and beautiful? 

“My love, you are so breathtakingly beautiful like this.” Raiden whispered as he slowly pulled back. His eyes were glowing, hands digging into her hips as he thrust forward, buried himself in that tight heat. 

Y/n moaned, then gasped as electricity lanced through her quivering walls, arching from his cock into her core. He rocked into her, his pace slow, steady, each forward press sending another spark through her and she could do nothing but thrash, hands buried into the sheets beneath her, clenching so tight her knuckles were turning white. She felt her pleasure growing hotter, heavier, tighter in her core as each shock pulsed out through her nerves then back. She felt his tempo increase, felt herself hovering on the precipice of an oblivion only he could induce and she locked her legs around him to pull him closer, deeper, one hand letting go of the sheets to reach up and cradle his face.

He brought one hand down to rub at her swollen clit, the other trailing up to grope one neglected breast as he let her pull him into a passionate kiss. He felt his orgasm swelling up and he began to rut harder, chasing that feeling even as his hands worked to push her past that edge. He let his power surge, sent pulse after pulse of electricity through his fingers, into her core, captured the sweet gasps and wanton moans with his lips as sparks danced along them.

“Rai…Raiden!” She gasped, her whole body seizing as she crashed over that precipice of white hot pleasure. She threw her head back with wail as she felt a final lance of lightning shot through her core, straight through her womb, followed by an endless stream of Raiden’s seed pulsing into her. She tugged him down to kiss him senseless even as her vision went white and her body snapped taut and arched into him. When the euphoria singing through her body finally began to ebb she collapsed beneath her lover, boneless and shaky as Raiden pressed loving kisses into her neck, shoulders, leaving behind little bruises as he suckled her tender flesh.

“Was it too much, sweetheart? Did I hurt you?” Raiden asked as worry flashed through his glowing white orbs. Y/n shook her head.

“That was incredible. You were incredible.” She gasped. Her whole body was tingling from the aftershocks of feeling his power surging through her. “I told you you’d never hurt me. It was… perfect.”

“So gorgeous, my love. Can’t believe your mine, that I get to have you like this.” Raiden exhaled, gathering her into his arms as he rolled off of her. “You spoil me, my love, by letting me please you like this.”

“I spoil you?” Y/n huffed, smiling at the sweet words he murmured as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Please tell me we can do this again.”

“You want me to do this more often?” He gaped, his fingers crackling with electricity where they were pressed into the small of her back. Y/n squirmed at the zing that went through her and nodded.

“Much more often. Felt so incredible, and it’s so amazing to see how much control you have over your powers.” Y/n replied. Raiden smiled. 

“How could I possibly say no to you, my love?”

[copperbadge]

[ID: Five images; top left, a large blue canvas storage bin sits on my bed ready to be unpacked, while top right I show off all the elderly wire clothes hangers I'm disposing of. Center, a large lantern-like light fixture features an electric bulb, on top of which is a chunk of wax melting in a tray. Bottom left, my new surge protector with electric plugs and USB cords plugged in; bottom right, a very old power strip has been unplugged and is covered in dust and cat hair.]

Welcome to NaClYoHo Day 3, where we find out that Past Sam was an exceptionally thoughtful dude, while listening to How Did This Get Made's live "New York Ninja" episode that just aired.

I was dreading today's task, which was to do the summer-to-winter clothing changeover; when the weather turns cold in climates with actual seasonal change you pack away your lightweight clothes and get out the sweaters and such. But it turns out last year I was a fucking genius and not only did I pack all the winter clothes into one box so I don't even have to pull out the under-bed storage anymore, I even made a note in my running cleaning list to remind myself of the fact when it came time to do the changeover.

So all I had to do was pull the blue canvas bin out of the closet, unload it, and load in all the summer clothes. I didn't know if I'd have time to do anything else but it took like, 20 minutes, and that includes trying on all the clothes to make sure they fit. (I've dropped a few pounds since last winter.) So I also went through my closet, pulled out every shirt that either didn't fit or I don't like wearing, and purged a bunch of coat hangers. I'm trying to change over completely from wire hangers to plastic, the kind with the notches that you can hook things onto, although I'm thwarted at the moment by the fact that it's remarkably difficult to find them for sale.

What I DID get at Target is a snappy new "lantern" wax warmer, which is currently melting some scented wax in the hopes it will make my home smell nice. I also picked up a new surge protector that plugs in at the outlet, so now my heated pad and the extension cord for the movie projector are tidier, plus the charging cords for the bedside table are no longer plugged into a USB hub that itself is plugged into an ancient power strip that I've had since grad school. Farewell, gross firetrap!

I didn't get about 80% of what I went to Target for (they didn't have coat hangers, nishiki rice, or bread flour, and I forgot to look for snacky foods) but I got the things I really needed and I'm counting it as a "hardware store" trip on account of it. I didn't time the trip, but the non-shopping portion of the day's work took about an hour of a 90 minute podcast.

Disposable gloves used: Still only 1!

Trips to the hardware store: 2.

[oversease220volts]

Power Strip Surge Protector: Optimal Protection, Maximum Convenience

Shield your valuable electronics from unexpected power surges while enjoying the ultimate in convenience with our advanced power strip surge protector.

Designed to safeguard your devices from damage caused by lightning strikes, power outages, and electrical grid fluctuations, this cutting-edge power strip offers unparalleled protection. Its robust surge protection capabilities act as a shield, absorbing excess voltage and preventing it from reaching your sensitive equipment.

Experience the perfect blend of safety and utility. With multiple outlets and potentially USB charging ports, this power strip caters to all your charging needs, providing a centralized solution for your electronic devices. Its compact design and versatile placement options ensure it seamlessly integrates into any space, whether it's your home office, living room, or bedroom.

Invest in peace of mind and optimize your electronic setup with our power strip surge protector. Enjoy the confidence of knowing your devices are shielded from harm while experiencing the convenience of a streamlined charging solution.

Key benefits:

Superior surge protection

Multiple outlets for various devices

Compact and portable design  

Easy to use and install

Protects your investment and saves money on repairs

[sehtoast]

Shards of Home (All of You is Left to Love Ch 4 - Depowered Homelander x OC)

Ch1 | Ch2 | Ch3 | Ch4

2.9k - Staring into the mirror after being stripped of his old life proves to be a bad decision. Thankfully, his little spider is there to help.

Warning: Homelander has a rageful breakdown and takes it out on the mirror. Wound descriptions, wound tending, angst, hurt with lots of comfort.

OC: Benjamin Colyer (The Boys-verse Spider-Man)

He stared for what felt like hours before his mind and body recoiled at the sight of himself.  Now that he was home alone for the first time in two weeks, John had ample time to really inspect himself.

It had been a mix of shock and disgust with the marks still smattering his body– but mostly just toward himself as a whole– that caused the act.

Of course he’d lash out at the weak, sniveling, ordinary man in the mirror.

He was humiliated to even acknowledge it, but he was… scared, now.   Of his vulnerability, of his weakness, of his powerlessness against whatever life had in store for him next– but, god, the worst was the uncertainty.

A familiar voice– his own– stirred in his head, manifesting itself in the mirror to berate and belittle him more.  After all, it was his own fault he’d lost his powers.  Just like it was his fault that he had gotten captured by Vought.  If he’d only been stronger, he wouldn’t be this way now.  He wouldn’t have been tortured and stripped of what little dignity he had left.  Ben wouldn’t have had to see him like that, and he wouldn’t have to look in his little spider’s eyes and know that his lover saw him in a different light.

He’d still have the world’s love, too.

In a surge of rage and frustration, the once-Homelander lashed out at the mirror with all the strength he could possibly muster in that powerless shell of his.  The sounds of shattering glass filled the room as he beat his fist into it over, and over, and over again, blood oozing from his torn knuckles as he bashed his own reflection out of existence, sending fragments of the mirror flying everywhere.

He panted heavily from the exertion, the pain in his hand burning up the entire length of his arm, rooting itself into his mind seemingly only to cement the devastating fact that this was his reality.

This was him, now.

Vulnerable.

Weak.

Human.

Another wave of rage took him, blinding him to everything as he swiped his hand across the countertop, sending all of the little bottles and products on the sink flying to the floor, mingling with the bits of glass that cut into the soles of his feet every time he shifted.

His destructive haze had him kicking in the cabinet doors of the bathroom vanity, most certainly leaving himself with future pains that he’ll regret by morning.  But, in that moment, in his rage, all he wanted was to make something feel as fucking decimated as he did.

Next, came the ripping of the shower curtain, sending the mounting rods clattering to the ground.

John slipped on the slick mixture of glass and blood, landing on his side, feeling the shards pressing into his arm, paling in comparison to the gaping wound of uncertainty consuming his entire being.

But, it still hurt.

He tried to bring himself to stand, getting only as far as leaning on his knees– pressing more shrapnel into himself– but simply fell back onto his side.

He hadn’t realized he’d been crying.

In the shared space of his mind, John was subject to his protector’s taunts.

Look how weak you’ve become…

“N-No…” John’s stammered.

Filthy, disgusting, little human.  Look at the life you’ve chosen for yourself.

“I d-didn’t choose t-this!” 

Liar, liar~ the voice condescended. You did.  You weren’t strong enough to stop them from jamming that needle in your neck.  And that?  That’s on you, sport.

Rage and indignance burned in his throat, spreading down to his gut as he took in his protector’s words.

But those feelings weren’t directed at his protector.  They weren’t directed toward Butcher and his team, nor were they directed at Benny for not leaving him to rot and die in that Vought prison– where maybe he’d be too concerned with surviving to feel this way.

No…

Every sour emotion was directed at himself.

He cast hate upon himself, but all he could do was curl up and cry on the floor.  His hand mindlessly sought out a large shard of glass, gripping it tightly, hoping that the pain may draw him back from the torrential storm he’d found himself in.  Maybe striking his free hand against his head would silence the voice echoing inside.

He hadn’t heard the sound of the window opening and closing in the living room.

He hadn’t heard the way Ben called out to him.

“Johnny, I’m home!”

It fell on ears deafened to everything but the torments of his mind.

Ben walked through the apartment curiously, pulling the mask off of his head as he made his way to the bedroom.  It wasn’t like John to not call out.  In fact, Ben assumed he must have been asleep to have gone unanswered.

He poked his head into the bedroom, ready to greet John with a smile and the excitement of pizza for dinner, but found the room empty.

“Hey, hun?” Benny called out once more as he walked into the bedroom, removing his gloves as he did.  A sniffle coming from the direction of the bathroom caught his attention, and he made his way there apprehensively– not wanting to just barge in on John without cause, but also concerned at what was going on behind the door.

Benny knocked gently.

“John, you okay?”

He waited for a moment, listening closely.  Though he didn’t respond, Ben could make out the sound of suppressed sobs and tight breaths.

“I’m coming in…” Ben said as he turned the door handle, inching it open slowly.

The sight he walked into made his blood run cold, a surprised expletive slipping free as he fell to his knees next to John.

Ben immediately slipped his own hand between John’s and his head, shielding him from his own strikes. 

“Johnny, baby, stop–” Ben began, catching John’s fist with his free hand.  “Johnny…”

“I c-can’t,” John whispered through the tightness of his throat.  “H-He won’t stop…”

Benny understood immediately. 

It seemed like ages ago, now, that John shared the details of his alternate half.  God knows Ben had come face to face with that part of John on more than one occasion– usually only during some exceptionally sexually aggressive moments, but there were other occasions.

Ben’s heart broke at the anguish written on John’s face.

“I’m here, baby…” Ben cooed, stroking his thumb along John’s cheek.  “Whatever you need… I’m here…”  Benny used his other hand to ease John’s grip around the shard of glass, chucking it to the far side of the room when he worked it free.  “Atta’boy.”

He shot a web across the bathroom, using it to snag a towel to press against his lover's injured hand.  

“Shh, Johnny… We gotta put pressure on this, okay?”

Ben shifted to a seated position and pulled John off of the glass and into his lap.  He cradled his beloved, whispering soft affirmations of love and praise into his ear– hoping desperately to drown out whatever was being said to him within the confines of his mind.

John’s eyes flickered up to Ben after a while, finally opening with a moment of clarity after things inside had quieted down.

“Why is this happening to me..?” He whispered shakily, leaning into Ben’s touch for any and all comfort he could find.  “I feel so wrong…”

Benny nodded and pressed a firm kiss to John’s forehead.  “I know, honey… This– It’s a big change…”  The web-head hooked his arms under John and fumbled to a standing position, carrying him to the ledge of the bathtub to set him down.  “But you can do it.  I know you can.” 

Ben began inspecting John’s body, noting that the gash in the palm of his hand was the worst of the damage.  The cuts on his knuckles were messy, but could be simply bandaged.  The injuries on his knees, side, and feet were mostly just puncture wounds– though, times like these made Ben wish John wore more than just his underwear and a t-shirt around the house.  Pants would’ve at least given him a barrier for his knees… Regardless, he had a job to do.

Benjamin pressed a kiss to John’s forehead before rummaging through the wrecked vanity for the first aid kit.  

A pang of guilt went through John at the sight of Ben yanking away the ruined cabinet doors during his search, but he kept quiet, simply watching as his little spider began to clean and dress his wounds.  He felt numb as he observed, utterly defeated and broken.

This was the worst the realization had hit him since Benny brought him home.

It wasn’t just the loss of his powers or relevance– though they did hurt… It was deeper than that.  A sense of purposelessness– aimlessness.  

Of not knowing who he was anymore.

The only consistency he had anymore was Ben.

Steadfast and unwavering in his love and support…

His Benjamin.  His little spider.

“The mess,” he began, biting his tongue as an apology of all things finally started crawling from his throat.  

“It’s just stuff, Johnny.” Benny waved his attempted apology away.  “All I’m worried about is making sure you’re okay.” 

Ben sealed a large bandaid over John’s left knee and pressed a kiss over it before moving to the other.

A beat of silence passed as Benny dabbed ointment over John’s right knee.

“What brought all of this on?”  Ben asked gently as he worked.  “I know you’ve been hurting… But, was this… something in particular?”

“I… don’t know.” John sighed.  No, that wasn’t true.

And they both knew it.

John's eyes flicked toward Ben’s face for a split second, hoping to just gauge the reaction and retreat– but something held him there.

Maybe it was the blend of sympathy and love, understanding and care that made it impossible for him to look away.  Or, perhaps, the kiss to the new bandaid. 

“I’m lost…” He uttered, the words spilling before his pride could stop them. “I’m just– I’m… lost.”  John looked away to the floor, shame filling him to the brim at yet another display of weakness.  Sometimes, it feels like all he does is show Ben how fucking pathetic he is.

“It’s like…”  John mumbled. “Like I was this– I was everything.  I could do everything.  And now?”  He chuckled bitterly.  “Now I’m… nothing.”

Ben nodded solemnly.  

“You,” Benny spoke firmly as he wrapped a gauze bandage around John’s foot, “are not nothing.”  His serious tone was disrupted by a casual chuckle.  “I’m, uh, not kissing your foot, my dear.  Much as I do love you.”  Ben sighed, then.  “But I understand what you’re saying…  Were you looking into the mirror when you… y’know?  Or…”

“I was… I’m not sure what exactly made me do it– the voice or… maybe just– I dunno how to–”  John rolled his eyes in frustration at his leaden tongue, a twitch of the lips signaling his difficulty..  Talking about his feelings like this would forever be hard, it seemed.  It was borderline impossible until Benny came along and showed him that sharing wasn’t always a bad thing.  Vulnerability with his little spider would never be punished, but it didn’t make it any easier.

“I just hated what I saw… so much.  Fuck– I don’t even look like me anymore, Benny, I–  What am I gonna do now?  What do I do without being…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

He couldn’t speak it into reality.

“Without being Homelander…” Ben finished the sentence, taking John’s hand to remove the bloodied towel to begin cleaning the gash.  “I think… that’s what you’ll have to figure out, y’know?”  Benny dabbed at it with a gauze pad covered in antiseptic, apologizing when Johnny winced at the sting.

“Figure out what?” John asked bitterly.  “What am I supposed to do now?  I don’t know how to be anyone other than…” He bit his tongue, his old name catching in his throat.  “Than… Homelander…”

The thought of moving forward as someone else was utterly overwhelming.

“God, I’m fucking pathetic!”

“Not at all,” Benny said matter-of-factly as he continued his work on John’s hand.  “Anyone in your shoes would be feeling the same.  Give yourself some credit, hun.”

John just chewed his lip and looked away again.

“I’m not…” Ben began, pursing his lips as he thought of a way to vocalize his thoughts.  “It’s not the same… But, when I started transitioning– y’know, from having been a girl to being a guy instead– I had a similar experience, I think.”  

He turned John’s hand over to begin removing any glass splinters before cleaning his shredded knuckles.

“It’s an identity reset, through and through.  You– Everything you knew falls away and you have to more or less construct a new you– one you’re happy and proud of.  And it’s hard. But,” Benny flashed John that special smile that always made something warm bloom in his chest, “I believe in you!  I know you’re strong enough to do this, and I’ll be by your side the whole way through.  Sorry to say,” he giggled, “but you’re stuck with me, Johnny.”

Ben whispered a small apology as he pressed a stitching needle into John’s palm, finally beginning the process of properly sealing the gash.

John cast his eyes down to watch Benny work, finding himself greatly comforted by his lover’s promise.  

Benjamin.  Steadfast and loving.  Always there with him…

If yet another tear happened to slip free..? Well, his love was far too concerned with putting him back together to notice.  Somehow, even with the sting of the needle puncturing him, it still felt so gentle.  

John leaned forward to rest his face against the top of Benny’s head.

“T-Thank you,” he whispered.  “For being here… For taking care of me.”

“Nowhere else in the world that I’d rather be, Johnny.”

He could practically hear the smile in Ben’s words.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he continued, finding it strange how easily such a vulnerable statement rolled off his tongue.

“You’d probably be cleaning up glass,” Ben chuckled, finally finishing the line of stitches on John’s palm.  He began to wrap a bandage around it.  “Or you’d be living the bachelor’s life.  Probably just having a piece of toast and the wrong kind of milk for dinner.  But don’t think like that.  You’ll never have to do without me.”

The glint in his eye and smile on his face were all too contagious, and John found himself beaming in return– his smile only growing wider when Benny brought a hand up to scritch the scruff on his chin.

“The milk part doesn’t sound so bad,” he teased.

His little spider pulled him into a kiss from there– warm, soft, full of promises and love.  John’s heart fluttered in his chest, full, strangely, from this shared moment of both hope and despair.

“And I don’t mind toast,” he continued after they separated, feeling satisfied at the way Benny giggled.

“Well, I brought pizza for tonight, so I guess you’re missing out on toast for dinner, babe.”

“Mmm,” John hummed.  “No, no– I’ll have the pizza.” 

He hated to admit it, but his lovebug got him hooked on pies from some mom and pop pizza joint a while back, and it easily was one of his favorite things to eat now.

John stood up from the ledge of the tub gingerly, wincing slightly as he moved on his bandaged feet.

“Oh, no, no, no,” Benny clicked his tongue in disagreement.  “You’re not walking on your busted feet, babe.  Hop on,” Ben turned around, leaning forward to offer John a ride on his back.

John felt a little absurd at the thought of riding on his lover’s back– especially since he was the one who always did the carrying before… But, nonetheless, he climbed on.

“You sure you can handle me?” He teased as Benny began to walk forward.

“I dunno, I– woaaaah!” Ben began to stumble about exaggeratedly, swaying from side to side as he made his way to the couch, where he sat John down before running off to grab their pizza.

“Alright, we’ve got pepperoni and hawaiian style,” Ben pointed to the respective boxes.  “Want something to drink?”

John blanked for a moment on his response as he took in the sight of Ben standing before him, clad in his Spidey suit, gloves off and fingers stained a light red.  His hair had been pressed flat by the mask, making the curtains of his bangs straighter than when they had their usual light curl.  He felt his lip curl with a smile at just how endearing his little spider always looked…

“Helloooo~  Earth to Johnny?”

“I love you.”  He uttered, having forgotten what Benny even asked.

“Milk it is, huh?” Ben winked.

When his love returned to sit beside him, drinks in hand, having pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before digging into dinner, John felt something soft and sweet bubbling in his core.  Sentiment– tender and warm…

His heart never felt more at home.  More… safe.

[jateshi]

I have obtained holiday tree. And by obtained I mean I got a manic burst after 11PM last night and went from "assembled tree" to "I am covered in craft herpes and I pulled out the surge protector power strip for the lights" done.

It's purple and halloween oranges and blacks, and halloween light strands, and blue lights so there wasn't too much purple, and Star Wars and Sailor Moon a little bit, and it's not perfect but damn, I like having a tree up.

I just need to find the right quirky tree topper to shove on it, otherwise I'm putting my witch hat atop the tree for a year.

[turtlemagnum]

i feel like liking video games vs liking anime is a bit like surge protectors vs power strips. i've met and seen gamers who hate anime. i've never seen an anime fan who wasn't also a gamer, y'know. like i'm sure they exist but i feel like pretty much every remotely successful anime series is gonna have a video game at some point, just as often garbage as they are amazing. i haven't even written a paragraph and i feel like i'm rambling. whatever.

[coolerdracula]

there is something in my room that is making an electric eeeeeeeeeeeeee noise and I thought it was the surge protector but I unplugged that and it's still happening so it's either the lightbulb (unlikely) or my pc itself. OR the power strip I plugged my pc into after unplugging the surge protector since the orig outlet is too far away. fffuucfcckk

[arborix]