#The only issue is flossing

[narrator-navigator-storyteller]

my dentist appointment had to be rescheduled (person who was before my scheduled appointment had something go wrong in their procedure) and of course i am very glad the dentist is attentive but please sir my teeth

[our-trans-punk-experience]

THE BATTLE JACKET MASTERPOST

FINALLY PUNKS IT'S HERE

a battle jacket (also called battle vest, cut-off, punk jacket, patch jacket, and probably other stuff) is a jacket (duh) usually made from denim or leather with DIY additions of patches, studs, flags, painted panels, chains, and other bonuses, used to signify subculture. Punk, metal, and biker scenes all use patch jackets, but I'll only go into specifics about how they're used in the punk scene. Metalheads, I think, almost solely personalise with music/band shit. Bikers use them to signifying which club you're riding with. Punks started using them in the 70s and they've remained a staple of the subculture's style since. They're good for signalling your politics, bands you like, and other information you might want to get across. They also look cool.

HOW TO START

If you're here I assume you wanna learn how to make your own so I'll cut the history lesson short and get on to the practicals.

1: first you're going to want to get a plain jacket, probably denim or leather, but you could get a canvas jacket if you're nervous and new to the scene because it's way easier to stitch canvas, so you could experiment with that as you're building confidence. The jacket should be at least a bit oversized because with all the stitching and painting or whatever you'll be doing, you could run into fit issues with a very form fitting jacket. also, this jacket might frequently be worn over other jackets or layers so that will help with that too

2: start making choices. namely whether you want to keep the sleeves. obviously you can remove or reattatch the sleeves later but I think making that big mod first is a good starting point to help you feel like it's a work in progress. so if you're going to chop the sleeves I say do it now

3: brainstorm. I know, I know, coming up with your own ideas is hard, but this is your own totally literally unique piece, so think about what sorta look you want

4: you don't have to brainstorm alone though. search tumblr or pinterest for punk jackets, punk patches, punk clothes ect for inspiration. you might get a good idea for an individual patch, or for a broader layout

PATCHES

1: the big deal. this is what will make your jacket into a battle jacket. there are some unofficial rules/sayings in the scene about what sort of patches you should put on your jacket. some people get dickish sometimes about if you put a non-punk band on your jacket? however i think that is bollocks and you should do whatever you want forever. one saying i do personally mostly stick to is "politics up front, bands on the back" with the idea you stick your politics on your front so you can see the punches coming

2: where do you get the patches? you make them yourself. You can buy ofc but don't get shit off amazon or shein or whatever the fuck. If your fav band or small artist is selling patches go for it though. You will have the most choice if you make your own patches. Do you have scrap fabric (maybe the sleeves of the jacket, which is where i got a lot of my patch material)? Do you have paint and paintbrush? good. you can make a patch

3: how do you do that? well depends on whether you stencil or freehand. stencil means you cut out an outline, of say a band logo, out of card, and use that as a stencil. freehand means you paint whatever tf you like

4: paint?? yes paint. messy as you like. start maybe with simple slogans or symbols often found in the punk scene like "ACAB" or "eat the rich". maybe an anarchy symbol. i also like to paint a layer of mod podge over my designs to waterproof them.

5: great, you've got a patch, what are you going to do with it? sew it onto the jacket. unless ofc you bought an iron-on in step 2, in which case iron that shit on and be careful punks. most likely though, you're sewing it on. a lot of punks use tooth floss to sew on because its cheaper, easier to find, readily waxed and waterproof, and does a better job sewing shit down onto heavy duty material like leather or denim. I use a combined running stitch and whip stitch personally

STUDS n SPIKES

1: all those punks you've seen have metal sticking out their jacket eh? yeah, theres a whole lot of options here. spikes of many different sizes and shapes, which within that can be stitch on, screwback, or have fold down prongs on the back of them

2: where do you put them? probably the front or top of the jacket. you can put them on the back but that might be uncomfortable, or rip up someone's upholstery

3: where do you get them? you can still DIY these by cutting up a metal drinks can [whole other post] but BE CAREFUL. i suggest checking out the internet for these, same buying rules as patches though. no shein. no amazon.

OTHER SHIT??

1: go wild

2: other common additions would be chains, lighter caps, badges, and can tabs

HAVE FUN PLS ASK ME QUESTIONS AND SHARE IF YOU START A BATTLE JACKET

[usualgangofidiots]

MAD MONEY

(story originally published in Mental Floss magazine)

MAD magazine has always prided itself on being a subversive, counter-culture presence. Since its founding in 1952, many celebrated comedians have credited the publication with forming their irreverent sense of humor, and scholars have noted that it has regularly served as a primer for young readers on how to question authority. That attitude frequently brought the magazine to the attention of the FBI, who kept a file on its numerous perceived infractions—like offering readers a "draft dodger" card or providing tips on writing an effective extortion letter.

The magazine's "Usual Gang of Idiots" outdid themselves in late 1967, though, when issue #115 featured what was clearly a phony depiction of U.S. currency. In addition to being valued at $3—a denomination unrecognized by the government—it featured the dim-witted face of MAD mascot Alfred E. Neuman.

When taken at its moronic face value, there was absolutely no way anyone with any sense could have confused the bill for actual money. But what MAD hadn't accounted for was that a machine might do exactly that. Around the time of the issue's release, automated coin change machines were beginning to pop up around the country. Used in laundromats, casinos, and other places where someone needed coins rather than bills, people would feed their dollars into the unit and receive an equal amount of change in return.

At that time, these machines were not terribly sophisticated. And as a few enterprising types discovered, they didn't have the technology to really tell Alfred E. Neuman's face from George Washington's. In Las Vegas and Texas, coin unit operators were dismayed to discover that people had been feeding the phony MAD bill into the slots and getting actual money in return.

How frequently this happened isn't detailed in any source we could locate. But in 1995, MAD editor Al Feldstein, who guided the publication from its origins as a slim comic book to netting 2.7 million readers per issue, told The Comics Journal that it was enough to warrant a visit from the U.S. Treasury Department.

"We had published a three-dollar bill as some part of an article in the early days of MAD, and it was working in these new change machines which weren't as sensitive as they are now, and they only read the face," Feldstein said. "They didn't read the back. [The Treasury Department] demanded the artwork and said it was counterfeit money. So Bill [Gaines, the publisher] thought this whole thing was ridiculous, but here, take it, here's a printing of a three-dollar bill."

Feldstein went on to say that the government employees demanded the "printing plates" for the bill, but the magazine had already disposed of them. The entire experience, Feldstein said, was "unbelievable."

The visit didn't entirely discourage the magazine from trafficking in fake currency. In 1979, a MAD board game featured a $1,329,063 bill.

A few decades later, a "twe" (three) dollar bill was circulated as a promotional item. The bills were slightly smaller than the dimensions of actual money—just in case anyone thought a depiction of Alfred E. Neuman's gap-toothed portrait was evidence of valid U.S. currency.

[deathofacupid]

how do the jujutsu-kaisen men help you through a burnout?

gojo transforms into a sugar-fueled, chaos-wielding distraction machine. he views your stress as a personal affront to the universe's inherent fun-ness. his motto, delivered with a wink and a truly unsettling amount of sincerity, is, "stressed backwards is dessert!"

which explains the everest-sized piles of candy, chocolate, and enough novelty-shaped gummies to give a dentist a heart attack, now dominating your shared bed. you're pretty sure you saw a gummy bear wearing a tiny fedora. he's also trying to teach you a "stress-relieving" dance involving interpretive flossing and a kazoo. it's… a lot.

geto goes full-on spa day commando. he marches you directly into the bathroom, where a battalion of face masks, scented candles that smell suspiciously like expensive incense, and fluffy towels await. "darling," he'll purr, "the first step to looking like a celestial being is feeling like one."

he then proceeds to give you a facial that involves more cucumber slices than a salad bar, and a scalp massage that makes you question if you've ever truly felt anything before. it's so luxurious, you almost forget you're stressed — until you realize he's also trying to convince you to try a "snake venom" face cream.

nanami approaches the situation with the precision of a swiss watchmaker. he calmly assesses the situation, asking pointed questions like, "is this a systemic issue, or a temporary lapse in productivity?"

he'll help you dissect the problem, dismantling it with the clinical efficiency of a surgeon removing a particularly stubborn splinter. once the root cause is identified and neutralized (usually with a spreadsheet and a sternly worded email), he'll produce a tray of freshly baked pastries, each one a masterpiece of buttery perfection, and pull you into a hug that feels like coming home.

if the problem is unsolvable, he'll simply hold you, his quiet strength a comforting anchor in the storm. the weight of his arms around you feels like a promise that even in the face of the impossible, you're not alone. it's so tender, you might just cry.

choso, bless his heart, is utterly bewildered by the concept of burnout. he stares at you with the concerned expression of a puppy watching a magic trick gone wrong. he remembers his brothers, how they found joy in… well, mostly brutal combat and shared blood rituals. realizing that's probably not your thing, he embarks on a frantic google search, his brow furrowed in concentration. the search history is a bizarre mix of "how to make human happy" and "best blood-based stress relief."

eventually, he sits you down, and with a voice full of gentle sincerity, asks you to just… talk. and as you pour out your worries, he listens with an intensity that makes you feel like your words are the most important thing in the universe. by the end, you feel lighter, as if a weight has been lifted.

toji decides the only solution is a culinary apocalypse. he doesn't ask questions; he simply orders enough takeout to feed a small army, and then some. we're talking mountains of sushi, enough noodles to fill a swimming pool, and a pizza that could double as a coffee table.

"food makes everything better," he grunts, shoving a fistful of dumplings into his mouth. he's not wrong, exactly. the sheer volume of food is so overwhelming, you can't help but laugh, and for a moment, the stress fades away. it's a chaotic, greasy, glorious mess.

sukuna initially assumes someone has dared to offend you. his first instinct is to unleash a torrent of threats so creatively violent, even demons would shudder. after fifteen minutes of apocalyptic pronouncements, he finally notices the exhaustion etched on your face. he's as clueless as choso, but instead of google, he tries to mimic your own comfort rituals. he drags you under the covers, surprisingly gentle, and even lets you be the big spoon—a concession so monumental, it's practically a declaration of war on his own ego.

he runs his fingers through your hair, a surprisingly soothing gesture, and rambles about his day, his voice a low, rumbling murmur. he traces patterns on your leg, the one draped over him, and as your breathing evens out, a rare, almost tender expression softens his features. he feels a strange sense of peace as you drift off, and the rhythm of your sleep lulls him into a surprisingly restful slumber. you’re the only thing that can make him feel like he isn’t constantly at war, and he treasures that, even if he’d never admit it.

[mossangelll]

joe goldberg x reader hcs

a/n: not enough joe goldberg x reader content so i decided to make some!!

cw: unhealthy relationships, toxic behaviour, violence, implications of stalking, manipulation

you are his obsession, his lifeblood, his sole reason for living

he isn’t drawn to you for any particular reason - he will lock eyes with you and something inside of him just knows that you are the one…this time

however, if you have some kind of vulnerability that makes you an easier target that will definitely increase your chances of catching his attention

he places you on a very high (and let’s be real very unrealistic pedestal)

you truly can do no wrong in his eyes

joe has your schedule perfected to a science and at the start of your relationship, before everything inevitably goes to shit, you found it kinda cute

it starts to get a bit disconcerting when he not only knows your schedule, but your mother’s schedule too…and he hasn’t even met her yet

joe is the kind of guy to stay awake for hours just to watch you sleep - and then quickly pretend he was always asleep once you wake up

he may not be the most experienced, but he makes up for it with his undying devotion for you

he doesn’t care about his own pleasure as long as he knows he can make you feel good

he wants to feel useful and that he plays an integral role in your life, he wants to know he won’t be replaced by the next person you meet

this ties into his horrendous insecurity/abandonment complex and jealousy issues

he has to be the most important person in your life, no ifs or buts

unlike any well adjusted person, joe has no qualms about hurting or even killing the people close to you (or even those attempting to get close to you) if he thinks they’re standing in the way of your relationship

he’s no stranger to having to work for love, in fact he rather likes having to put a little “effort” into it, but he’d rather not make a bigger mess than he has to

so, he starts off by lightly harassing whoever is in his way and working up from there until they get the hint

you lose a lot of friends this way and turn to joe as your main source of comfort

he stops being just your boyfriend and becomes your best friend and main confidant too - bad, bad news

he takes advantage of your vulnerable state and plays you like a fiddle

he isn’t overtly controlling in the sense of directly telling you where you can or can’t go and who you can or can’t see (depending on the stage of the relationship)

instead, when the red flags aren’t as blaring, he will gently persuade your decision-making so it seems that you chose to decline yet another invitation from your friends

joe is a genius when it comes to ensuring that he isn’t seen as the villain - he IS the og male manipulator

one thing about joe is that he loves the gross, human side of you; the side you’d rather keep tucked up in the dark, away from prying eyes

he’ll collect all sorts of things: perfume, makeup, deodorant sticks…used menstrual products, nail clippings, worn underwear, hair from your drain, floss, even your used bath water if it comes to it

in the show we see he views these “keepsakes” as a trophy collection, but hidden - smart

to expand on it more, it’s almost like his own little private museum collection of sorts

sure, he can’t risk anyone, especially you, finding his stash but he also he can’t risk any damage to his precious goods

there’s nothing truly off-limits to joe in that regard - as long as it can connect him to you in some way he feels a deep compulsion to have it

don’t get it wrong, though, if you deviate from this impossible image of you that he’s constructed in his mind you’ll have a rude awakening

joe enjoys being a voyeur to your perversions, getting to luxuriate in all your guilt and shame; if you’re open about whatever dark or shameful side you may have and even proud of it (e.g. love quinn), the illusion is shattered for him and he must start anew

masterlist

[hellyeahsickaf]

Low Spoons and Hygiene

Sometimes being disabled means struggling with hygiene and that can be embarrassing, even though it's not your fault or a reflection of you as a person. Nobody wants to be stinky or feel dirty, especially when a lot of illnesses and disabilities can entail symptoms like excessive sweating that can make the issue of struggling with hygiene a million times worse.

But smelling bad is the least of your worries, as poor hygiene can lead to things like skin infections. Bacteria and fungi like hanging around in stagnant, often damp areas that collect sweat. And most people have folds- even if just a little, which can be the ideal habitat for dangerous microorganisms. Not changing your underwear/bra or washing your body for an extended period can lead to things like jock itch, intertrigo, yeast infections, athlete's foot, UTIs (anyone can get one and they can spread to the kidneys within days or even hours- and you need those little guys!), all sorts of complications. The existence of foul or sometimes even a slightly "sweet" odor on your body or even in your urine tends to indicate the existence of bacteria (it's why armpits stink) or fungi like candida. Dental hygiene is equally important- an infected tooth or excessive cavities can be bad news. If you experience these things or struggle to regularly care for your body, it's not something to be ashamed of. All of those complications can and do happen to people who do everything right.

Note that issues like UTIs or dental infections don't tend to just go away on their own and need to be treated as urgently as possible.

However, I'll share some things that may prevent or remedy issues like infections and odor that's gotten out of hand and hopefully some may find this list helpful in some way. Any products I've listed may be found at other retailers or at different prices, they're just examples. Feel free to add on to it.

The bare minimum is always better than nothing. Brushing with just a dry toothbrush, using disposable body wipes or a washcloth/sponge instead of a shower, dry shampoo (the sprays are actually pretty bad for you, I'd stay away from those if possible), leave in conditioner, also whole body deodorant is a thing. If the most you can do is change your clothes- hell even just change your bra and/or underwear, it can be the one thing between you and an awful infection.

If infections are a concern, like if say you suffer from chronic UTIs or yeast infections it's advisable to wear breathable cotton underwear.

If you can't get up to brush your teeth or struggle to do so, it may be helpful to purchase disposable toothbrushes. These ones have floss picks attached.

Flossing is just as, if not more important than brushing. If you only have the energy to floss on some days, do that. If you need to keep floss picks and a place to dispose of them near your bed, then that's fine (just don't let it pile on without disposing of it and create a biohazard). it can help remove food particles that help create a breeding ground for bacteria. Also gently moving in and out between your teeth with slight movement if needed is ideal, don't roughly saw across your gums, ouch.

If you struggle with wiping say due to mobility issues, there are products for this. Wiping back to front as an alternative risks yeast infections and UTIs. It's a very common cause of these diseases due to bacteria like e-coli. We do not want that.

Crashing and can't wash your sheets? Out of shirts with no energy to do the laundry today? Antimicrobial fabric spray may help with the odor and bacteria that accumulates on fabric as a temporary fix until you can properly wash it. Try not to wear clothing or interact with fabrics like blankets and couches that are still wet from the spray, as that can irritate the skin.

Try to avoid "feminine wash" products if possible, you don't need the fancy Summer's Eve premium strawberry hibiscus blush scented whatever, it can fuck up your PH and kill good bacteria despite claims to do otherwise. Same with PH wipes. It's recommended not to use soap on your genitalia, especially scented and especially if you have a vagina. If you must use some sort of soap, dermatologists typically recommend the most basic, unscented wash. And do not put it in your body by any means.

Rinse free shower sponges have been a life saver for me, especially the ones that also work as shampoo (it's probably not color safe tho). You just add water, lather, and make sure you dry off well. If it helps you determine how much to buy, I normally find myself using maybe 3-5 sponges each time.

OTC jock itch cream can work for some fungal infections on the body not limited to jock itch but if you see no difference or worsening within a few days of using it, consult a dermatologist as you may need something different or stronger.

Unscented pads and tampons are best and should be changed every 4 hours or so ideally. Never leave a tampon in for over 8 hours. Despite common fears, 9 hours won't give you toxic shock syndrome, that normally takes a few days and is quite rare with tampons but that doesn't mean that 13 hours or something is good or safe. I've just heard some say that sex ed scared them away from tampons after being told stories of TSS. I hear that menstrual cups are also a great alternative that many don't consider.

Monistat and similar yeast infection products often come with different options like 3 day treatment, 5 day treatment, 7 day. I know you want to feel better ASAP, but just take into account that 3 day will be highly concentrated and can cause more burning than the 7 day. Longer treatment may also be more effective in some cases. Penile yeast infections exist as well. Just be aware that some products are more potent than others regardless of birth sex. Antifungals in general may cause itching and/or burning, which some are more sensitive to than others or may even find triggering in cases where it must be applied to the genitalia.

Hydrocortisone cream is your best friend if you're experiencing itchiness due to things like skin infections, contact dermatitis, yeast infections, etc. But please don't use it to mask the symptoms of an infection without treating it.

How frequently you need to wash your hair varies by hair type. This can vary between every 2 days for some and every 1-2 weeks for coily and textured hair. Make sure you look into what is ideal for your hair type. And again on days where you cannot wash, disposable sponges and dry shampoo can be a life saver.

If something is discolored, odorous, itchy, inflamed, bumpy, producing moisture, warm to the touch, oozy, weepy, splotchy, sticky, burning/painful, it may likely be an infection or in some cases an allergic reaction. Familiarize yourself with what different skin infections and diseases may look like on your skin tone. Ringworm and other fungal infections for instance may appear red or pink on fair or lighter brown skin, but on darker skin may appear gray or darker brown.

Fungal infections are also super fucking contagious. To other parts of your body, other people, even to pets. Wash your hands well with antibacterial soap, especially before and after applying any topical treatment or touching the area in any way. After a shower, PAT the infected area dry and do not reuse that towel or use on other parts of the body.

Invest in a shower chair if you feel it may help you, it's one of the best things I've ever bought. I didn't want to get one at first because it felt like I was "giving in" to my disability more and more but that's the internalized ableism talking. Get the shower chair.

A bar to help you stand from the toilet/tub/shower chair may also be helpful.

Again, feel free to add to the list if you want!

[pandora-writes-one-piece]

The Meet Cute - Law's Story - 8

Source for pic

The Great Pretender 8

Word Count: 3394

Tags For The Whole Story: Fem!Reader; Law is a soft dom; you have bratty tendencies (not all the time); voice kink; praise kink; cursing; very suggestive behaviour and innuendo from the start; sexual tension; teasing; so much flirting; romance; slow-burn; fluff; slight angst; mature audiences (though explicit NSFW moments will be properly tagged on the chapter); possessive Law; protective Law; soft Law; teasing Law; manipulative Doflamingo; inappropriate Doflamingo; fake relationship trope; only one-bed trope; reader has some anxiety issues; reader is a control freak and perfectionist; modern day AU; Mention of ex mentally abusive relationship;

Special Warning: English is not my first language, I apologise for any possible spelling or grammar mistakes.

Summary: After moving away from the hustle and bustle of Grand Line City to help your father around the property following a horse-riding accident - and in the hopes of healing your broken heart after your asshole ex-fiancé cheated - you settle into the country calmness of the Calm Belt. You and Law (your father's doctor) start to build a flirty friendship because of your father’s procedure. So much so that when he’s invited to Baby 5’s wedding (his cousin), he asks you to be his date. His uncle Doflamingo - who is filthy rich - is very adamant on finding a suitable wife for him. Seeing as he wants to avoid that, he asks you to pretend to be his girlfriend for the weekend.

Notes: Check out the new tag I needed to add! It might be triggering and it will be addressed further in other chapters! Thank you!

Tag List: @rosidaze @beachaddict48 @armiliadawn @jintaka-hane @sprinkklz @baby5555 @hopelesslover06 @mars-mizuko @sleepykittycx @nerium-lil @eustasscapitankid @jqperi

Masterlist

|Chapter 7| | |Chapter 9|

When he comes back from the bathroom, he seems much more composed. You have already changed into some comfortable pyjamas, and are sitting at the edge of the bed, laptop open and checking your notes. Law begins searching his bag for some sweatpants and a T-shirt. You see his jaw clenching tight but he doesn’t speak so you try to lighten up the mood.

“All things considered it wasn’t such a bad night. We survived.” You say sarcastically and Law freezes, ready to enter the bathroom again to change. When he turns to you, there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes so you give him a thumbs up. “Could’ve gone worse!”

He shakes his head at you and scoffs before re-entering the bathroom. You're left wondering if that worked to alleviate some of the lingering tension when he opens the door to the bathroom, already dressed. Leaving the door open he begins brushing his teeth and you realise that it was a silent invitation for you to join him.

So you do.

There are two elegant sinks incorporated in the counter and you take the one on the left - the vacant one. Law continues brushing his teeth while you methodically take off your makeup. Then, you brush your teeth while Law uses floss on his own and when you reach that same step, he begins applying a face cream. Silence surrounds you both yet it’s not constricting. You managed to alleviate the tension indeed. 

It all feels so intimate, so… domestic. 

The last time you did ‘domestic’ with someone was with Ichiji and… and your relationship with him was anything but healthy. Closing your eyes tight, you drop the floss and grip the sink with both hands, your teeth clamping as you bite back the sting of tears. It’s no time to cry right now. Bygones are bygones and you got out! Granted, it took him cheating to finally force that decision out of you, but you did it! So why does thinking about him make you  feel so trapped, again?

“Hey, what’s the matter?” Law’s voice is back to its controlled edge. No longer vulnerable, no longer broken or bruised. He’s back. “Do you need to talk about what happened?”

You shake your head vigorously, trying to tell him that it’s not that, but your breath comes in violent gasps as you try to fight the tears and heartache. Your heart is pounding faster and louder by the second and you feel a tightening in your chest, a suffocating feeling of despair as silent drops of tears begin to flow from the clenched corners of your eyes.

You’re experiencing a mild panic attack. 

Your hands are beginning to numb with the grip in which you hold the sink and dizziness is overpowering you. You need to fight this. It’s too overwhelming.

Law says your name calmly, his hands pulling each of your fingers away from the basin, slowly and steadily. “It’s okay, I’ve got you. You’re all right. I’m here, let’s get through this together.” As he loosens your grip on the sink, you feel him herding you a few steps back to sit on the toilet seat. Your eyes are still squeezed shut and tears are now streaming freely down your cheeks. 

“I’m going to count slowly and I want you to take a deep breath in and then when I count again, you take a long breath out. Got it?” His fingers press against your pulse and you nod, a pitiful whine escaping your lips unwarranted as you struggle to breathe. “Good. That’s good. Come on, now, sweetheart, one: breathe in through the nose, that’s it, you’re doing great, two: out through the mouth, all of it, slowly. Good, you’re doing so well. One more time, let’s go…”

Once he reaches ten your breathing is back to normal and so is your heartbeat. There are thick beads of sweat dripping from your temples and your face is drenched in tears. You still haven’t opened your eyes, but you feel calm now. Once again, Law has managed to help you overcome anxiety.

His fingers release your wrist and you feel both his hands cupping your cheeks to wipe away your tears with his thumbs. “It’s over now, sweetheart. It’s over.” You nod, still silent and still withdrawn from him and the world around you. He gives you a final caress on the cheek and you sense him shift. Another strangled whine leaves your lips at the distance and he speaks, “I’m just getting a wet towel for your neck and forehead. You’re drenched in sweat. I won't leave you.”

As he returns and presses the cool cloth against your scalding skin, you release a deep sigh and finally open your eyes. He’s looking at you, worry etched upon his face, his professional doctor persona mingling with his personal relationship with you. “How are you feeling?” He asks, kneeling back down between your legs, pressing the cloth against your neck.

“I’m… better.” Your voice still feels strained and hoarse. “Thank you.”

A few seconds pass in silence until he speaks. “Was it because… of earlier?”

“No.” You shake your head, a soft smile turning your lips. “It’s stupid, really.” His brow lifts and you sigh. “It all felt too blissfully domestic. A perfect couple scene.” His inquisitive gaze still probes you for more answers and you feel your cheeks flush. “I was only ever domestic like this with Ich-... my ex. And it brought back unpleasant memories. It triggered me.”

Your hands wring together and you chew your bottom lip. Your anxiety still lingers very close, on the borders of your mind, but Law’s presence alone is helping to keep it at bay.

Law nods, his face now composed, not a hint of emotion seeping through, just that tiny crease in his forehead that indicates a lingering worry. “Do you want to talk about it?”

About Ichiji? About how you only realised you were in a mentally abusive relationship after you left him? Or after he forced you to leave him? No. You don’t want to talk about it. Even more so because you’re pretty sure Law knows Ichiji. He has to. Even if Law rarely comes home or frequents all of the Donquixote events, he’s on the board of the company. He knows the Vinsmokes.

“Not right now, if that’s okay.” He nods again and you take a very shaky breath. “I guess I should just go to sleep. It’s been a long day.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He rises, but his cold stare is still pressed upon your agonised face. “Need help getting up?”

“No, thank you.” You shake your head. “I’m just going to finish my routine and go to bed.” Law nods again and turns to leave. He hesitates for a moment, almost as if he’s going to say something else. But he doesn’t and the moment passes when he exits the bathroom, closing the door and telling you to call him if you need him.

Your mind is still filled with hurtful thoughts about Ichiji and your crappy relationship when you finish your nightly routine and finally open the door to return to the room. When you do, you find Law stacking blankets on the floor, at the foot of the bed.

Raising your eyebrow, you approach him. “Whatcha doing?”

“Building a fort.” He replies dryly and you’re not sure if you should smack him or thank him for trying to bring the mood back to your light banter. You do neither.

“There’s no need for you to sleep on the floor, Law!” You point at the bed. “This is a king-sized bed. We can both fit.” 

“It’s okay. I don’t mind the floor.” He starts to open a blanket, but you grab it, crumple it and throw it to the armchair behind you. Law crosses his arms, eyebrow slowly lifting as he stares you down intently. 

You throw him back a defiant look but he doesn’t budge. So you kick the rest of the blankets he set on the floor under the bed in a very bratty manner. “There, no makeshift bed anymore. Now you have to sleep with me.”

You can almost catch a glimpse of amusement in his eyes. A mere flicker of light as his lips twitch. But he doesn’t indulge in it and instead he grunts. “Careful with what you wish for, sweetheart.”

The low drawl of his voice almost makes you forget the dread still coiling in your stomach. It’s sharp and, at the same time, velvety smooth. How does he accomplish that?

His piercing gaze draws goosebumps all over your skin and you break eye contact first before climbing into bed. “There really is no need for you to throw your back. There’s plenty of room up here.” You open the covers and pat the other side of the bed so he climbs up. Which he does, with a resigned sigh.

And the fact that you’re both, once again, in such a cosy, domestic setting, turns your stomach into a fluttering mess again and you sigh, lying down and turning off the light on your side. “Good night, Law.” You’re pretty sure he’s still staring at you, maybe trying to grasp your mood swings and failing to. You haven’t told him the whole story, so how can he?

Besides, you went from almost having sex to awkward silence, to a panic attack, to blatant flirting and now you’re giving him the cold shoulder. Any sane person would be fed up with your attitude by now. So maybe you should get your shit together, stop being an emotional mess, and just help Law through this.

Is it so hard?

And who are you upset with anyway? Yourself? Ichiji? Doflamingo? It’s definitely not Law, right? Why would it be Law? Just because he let his uncle get into his head, making you doubt your feelings for him? Making you want him in more ways than just physically? Making you blur the lines of what’s real or what you want to be real? Making you feel as if you could have this domestic bliss you actually crave…

Weren’t you off men in general? Trying to heal and whatnot? Why is this turning so goddamned complicated?

“Good night.” His words shut down your brain and you let out another tired sigh. Will you even be able to sleep?

-*-

It has only been about half an hour. It can’t have been more. Yet time seems to have stretched forever. Law’s presence by your side - though your back is turned to him - takes up the whole space. It expands with every breath he takes, overpowering you with every inhale of his scent.

It’s intoxicating.

You don’t think he’s asleep, or if he is, he’s the lightest of sleepers. You don’t hear a sound from him. Just a gentle stir now and again. You, however, can’t stay still. To try and eliminate Law’s presence, your brain conjures up the last time you slept like this with someone, so Ichiji is back on your mind.

Could speaking about him help ease the pain?

Worth a shot.

You take a deep loud sigh and Law stirs. He’s awake. “I told you about my relationship, but I didn’t tell you how toxic it was, even before I found out about the cheating.” Your voice comes out a little hoarse and it’s barely a whisper. Still, you don’t have to turn to sense that Law is listening, so you continue. “I stupidly thought we were in love. That he was the one. He proposed, in what I thought was a very romantic way, though in retrospect, it really wasn’t.”

The scene replays in your head and you roll your eyes in embarrassment. Before you can ponder whether to share it or not, your lips are already parting. “We were at a grand event - they have those a dime a dozen in Grand Line City - and I was feeling unwanted, invisible, like a chess piece being moved around on his ever-changing board. He was making connections, networking, talking business…” A huff leaves your lips. “Until he made a grand speech filled with generic facts about our relationship, dropped to one knee and popped the question. The ring was beautiful though, it was probably chosen by his assistant. One he was fucking, coincidentaly.” 

A stubborn tear slips from your eye, soaking the pillow. Law remains quiet, but his presence is grounding and you take a deep breath before continuing. “I said yes. There was too much pressure. We were surrounded by very important people, I couldn’t say no. Even if I had been feeling ignored just moments before.”

Your heart still clenches at the thought. “I fooled myself into thinking it was romantic and a grand gesture, but in reality, I would have preferred a much more intimate setting. A simple declaration… a rose instead of an audience. But that was much of our relationship. Me moulding into whatever he wanted me to be. Happy, pretty, silent… a doll. A simple possession. He was manipulative and…” The word catches in your throat. “Violent…” It comes out as a mere whisper.

Law doesn’t physically move, but the change you sense in him is profound. You can almost perceive the storm brewing on the other side of the bed as the silence stretches and shifts. “There was one time…” You haven’t thought about this in a while, yet it still hurts. “We were at another one of his functions - how he loved those - and we were speaking with a CEO of another company, one of his partners, and I was giving input because I knew what I was talking about, I worked for his father’s company after all.” Pride swells in your chest, you were very good at your job.

“Anyway, I thought everything was going well, until the CEO told my ex how much of an asset I was, how lucky he and his company were to have me on their team, and how invaluable I was. I remember being happy, flushed with pride, beaming to be able to help him with his business. But instead, even though he agreed with the CEO, to save face, once we were alone…”

You sense Law stiffen and the mattress shifts as he approaches you. Yet he still doesn’t speak or make any move. You remain still and continue. 

“Once we were alone he made sure to remind me how dispensable I actually was.” You could still remember the sting of his words. How cruel he’d been, telling you to stop acting so smug as if you knew everything. To stop showing off in front of important people because you were nothing. At least nothing without him. “I made the mistake of answering back and… well… he meant it as a warning, but the way he grabbed my wrist…” The memory of the pain returns, and you shift, grabbing your wrist and massaging it slowly as if it still aches. “It scared me. Of course he apologised immediately with hollow, soothing words. But it always returned to the same demeaning speech: I was only good enough if he was by my side. I was only worth something, because I was with him…”

Your voice fades, your hand still gripping your wrist, squeezing it as tightly as Ichiji once had. The pain of the past overflows, flooding the present. Your throat feels tight. You have nothing more to give. Ichiji broke you a long time ago and you are better now for it. You survived it, survived him.

Perhaps you can allow yourself the luxury of feeling worthless once in a blue moon. 

Why today has to be the day, you don’t know. But you’re with Law, in the middle of an important ruse. And you need to keep your shit together. 

However, though your brain grasps that important concept, your tears didn’t get the memo. They flow freely down your face and you’re trying your hardest to keep your relentless sobs hidden from Law. You already had your breakdown in the bathroom! Do you really need him to see you broken again?

Would he have still chosen you to act as his fake girlfriend if he knew how messed up you truly were?

Without a single word, Law reaches over, enveloping your waist with his strong arm, and rolling you over, so you can lie against him. You nestle your head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, hoping it can soothe you and mend your pain, his arm drapes around your back, pulling you closer to him in a silent gesture of comfort.

You take it all.

For a moment, neither of you moves, neither of you speaks and the only sounds that surround you are the gentle hoots of the owls outside the window and your harsh breaths as you hold back sobs.

Then, as soft as always, Law’s fingers brush the wrist you were gripping so tightly a moment ago. He’s tender, gentle, but his touch leaves a trail of fire on your skin. The blaze erases any and all bad memories and the phantom ache dissolves into nothingness.

A breath of relief escapes your lips. For a moment you wonder if you should apologise for your behaviour. This isn’t getting your shit together. It’s just breaking apart. 

“I wasn’t just scared.” Your voice is muffled against his shirt, you don’t dare to look up into his eyes. “I was also ashamed. Ashamed that I let him talk to me like that, that I allowed him to touch me like that. And then… and then I felt guilt. Because maybe it really was my fault, maybe-...”

“Stop.” It’s the first time he speaks since you started sharing your story. A story he deserves to know. He told you about Monet. There should be no more secrets between the two of you. His voice is level and controlled, but you can still sense a hint of barely contained anger in the way his hand clenches around your waist. You’re beginning to know all of his tells.

A funny thought crosses your mind: after all this sham comes to an end, you’re going to know Law like an open book. And closing that book, ending that story, will be the most painful thing you’ll ever have to do.

“It wasn’t your fault. You don’t have to be ashamed, much less feel guilty. He’s the asshole. You just thought you were in love.”

You bite your lip to hold down a violent whine. “No, I was just the idiot that let herself stay with the asshole for four years! That’s what I’m ashamed of.” This whole confession, the way you’re sharing this with Law, is freeing. You never told a soul about Ichiji’s violent tendencies. It’s lifting an extreme weight from your chest. It's liberating and overwhelming at the same time.

It’s almost too much.

Law’s hand on your wrist climbs up your arm, grasps your chin and lifts your face to meet his eyes. They’re steely and the molten gold is dark and ominous. But there’s a flicker of care there and you grasp onto it as if it were your lifeline. “You’re not an idiot. You got out. You’re stronger than you think.”

He pierces you with his gaze until you relent and nod. Then he lets go of your chin and you settle back against his chest. Maybe you’re overstepping your boundaries, it isn’t really clear anymore. This night has blurred the lines beyond any and all recognition, but you feel so safe in his arms, so whole, so… at peace.

You never want to let go.

The hand on your back shifts as he starts to caress your hair in such a gentle way that you’re not sure you’re not already asleep and dreaming. Your eyes have fluttered shut a while ago and your sobs have subsided. Though Law’s shirt is soaked through, he doesn’t complain. 

Sweet oblivion is reaching out to you but you can still hear him as clear as day, even though his words are a simple murmur. “If this were real, you would never feel small with me. I would lift you up, not bring you down. You shine too bright to be dimmed, sweetheart. Rest.”

|Chapter 9|

[witchconnectingdotes]

PICK A CARD : What is a quality of yours that u perceive as a flaw 🍃

Hello everyone I wanted to do a quick short very very disorganized pick a card today.

What is a quality of yours that u perceive as a flaw.

These are the piles (1,2,3) pls I do my reading in voice notes so there are MANY spelling errors in this. I just feel more comfortable speaking when doing a reading.

This is for entertainment only take what resonates leave what doesn’t ofc I am trying to pick up on collective energies I’m sorry if it doesn’t resonate 😭.

also I haven’t done PAC for a while I’m pretty rusty 😔

Pile 1 🌊

Hello pile number one welcome to your reading so for you guys it’s obviously kind of a cliché thing, but you guys might be very very generous with your empathy with your love for people I feel like you guys don’t hold back when you care for someone you are not at all stingy with the affection you give to people and I would also go to say that you put your whole soul you pour your love into people and you provide them consistency you provide them help you provide themsupport I feel like you guys are very supportive of this person and the way you might see it as a floss sometimes is that maybe you guys have had people take advantage of you before? Like you feel like being a lover boy or a lover girl is kind of a sacrifice in the society or something like that you feel like kind of led to the slaughter but because you can’t help but to give love and empathy to people and you think that you should work more on your boundaries well, it is true. I’d say that there is a part of this to be healed with the seven of ones here I feel like you should stand up more for what you like and maybe you are in this pet already, making more firm boundaries but here I feel like you should not see the love your capacity for love and the amount of love that you have in you you should not see it as something to have to with or limit because I feel like if you just let it out with the right person you will have something that is so beautiful.

Pile 2 🌱

OK, so pile two is very very different from pile 1. I would say that on the contrary, this person well you guys have more of a cut off kind of behavior when it comes to people who have wronged you, and this can be taken to the extreme in your opinion, I feel like some people might’ve told you that you guys are very rigid or kind of cruel or that you guys really hurt them or you’re very detached but what I want you to focus on here is that you you are just very intuitive. You know when something doesn’t serve you anymore. You know when someone is being deceitful with you. I feel like you guys are kind of sometimes you might think how bad people think and it has helped you in a lot of situations where you knew when to get out I feel like you might perceive yourself as a little bit cold or heartless, but I want you guys to know that it is not, true you guys are equipped with a very precious skill, and that is to take action to know when to send back to know when to let’s go to know when to take the decisions that you know might be hurtful for you and for the other person, but it must be done because it is better I feel as though you are not afraid of being alone. This is a pile of people who are not scared of walking alone, and they might see it as a flaw in the sense that it might make you a loner or you feel that you can’t make connections with people because people can be very bad but it’s actually agift to know how to protect yourself

Pile 3🦋

For the third pile, I would say that a quality of yours that you see as a flaw is your desire or kind of seemingly always being on the move like I feel like you might not feel like you belong to any place in particular you feel like you are a multi ul being in some sort or like someone who belongs to multiple places someone who can stick to one place and the issue here that you might see as a floor is you don’t see yourself as very grounded, but I wouldn’t see it that way in my opinion it comes more as someone who is a word being, I would see it as someone who can adapt anywhere I would see it as someone who can travel anywhere and basically survive anywhere because they are a quite cooperative person and a person that integrates different cultures quite easily. It’s someone who is not very rigid it’s someone that is not very tight to one place and it’s not at all something that is, bad or something that shows lack of sadness I would see it more as a sense of being grand or big. I don’t know how to express it, but in a way it’s as if you are a child of the word. this reading is a little shorter because it’s very difficult for me to express I would say that it’s more so an openness. You are very open to the different possibilities and while some people might see it as someone who doesn’t stick to one plan someone who’s not organized or someone who doesn’t stick to it I would say that it’s someone who can see different possibilities and who can move from part to part who can, walk away from a place and from a person and jump to another but not in a way like not in a serial dating way or in a bad way more so as an open and adventurous way, I feel like there is a wisdom in your adventurous because it helps you learn from different places

[mykoreanlove]

just another day at the dorms - minho version

“Where is she? Where is y/n?” Minho searched the dorms frantically, ravaging everything in his way.

You were about to leave for the night, eager for your first real blind date. Dating was still forbidden, so you had to be sneaky which made the whole thing even hotter.

Your hand was already on the door handle but before you could open it you felt yourself getting yanked to the side. His lips crushed onto yours without a word, forcefully dancing with your tongue. You didn’t need an introduction though; you would have recognized Minho in every universe.

His hands travelled down your body, kneading, and groping his favorite parts. He lifted you up and walked both of you towards his room – not breaking the kiss even once. You felt yourself falling on his big bed, he was attached to you like glue.

“Don’t leave me y/n, please. Don’t ever leave me.”

Minho thrusted onto you, showing you exactly just how much he needed you. Your clothes were gone seconds after and you found yourself on top of him, taking him all in as you circled your hips around his dick.

“Mmhmm, my kitty cat is doing such a good job”, he hummed in pleasure.

He was right, you did a very good job – at fucking a taken man.

You threw your head back, intensifying the rhythm of your circles as he sucked on your perky tits forcefully. “Fuck, kitty, this is gonna bruise tomorrow”, he smirked.

You slung your arms around him and whispered in his ear: “This is the last time, Min. I’m ditching my date for you and you better-“, your speech got cut off by your moans, as he was thrusting from underneath you, hitting all the right spots.

“You were saying?”, he retorted. You grabbed his full hair and pulled his head back; you had him looking up to you now. “Don’t play with me, Min. I mean it.”

Before you could even blink, he spun you around, making you lay on your belly as he was thrusting into you from behind. His sweaty body lay on yours, his heaviness pushing you into the soft mattress. You felt his hot breath on your ear as he whispered: “But I like playing with you the most, kitty.”

Minho raised his upper body and started leaving kisses all over your backside – starting from the neck and working his way down to your ass. “God, you are perfect, y/n”, he hummed in appreciation. Minho spanked your ass before thrusting the hardest, making you see stars for a minute. He emptied himself inside of you and collapsed on your back.

“Sorry about your date.”

You sighed into the fluffy cushions. “What about your girlfriend, Min? Are you even sorry for her?” He nodded his head, still buried in your neck. “I am. But I can’t help it. She is not-“, he paused.

“What? Giving you attention? Fucking you properly? Caring about you?”

Minho got off of you and rolled on his side. He caressed your face with the palm of his hand, he was in total agony of your beauty. “She’s not seeing me for who I am. To her I am Minho, the idol, the perfect guy. I am up on a pedestal in her mind. She really has no idea who I am. Who I really am.”

You frowned at his explanation. Ever since you met him you were very well aware of his flaws – he had anger issues, he rarely flossed, he could be too cold at times, he loved cats more than humans, he left his damp towels all around the dorms and got impatient when you messed up his choreographies.

How peculiar to think that he, or anybody really, would be perfect.

“But you, y/n”, he inhaled deeply, “you are different.” His fingers brushed your lips, making him inhale in anticipation. “Different how?” He got up and towered over you, his body only inches away from yours. The silver chain around his neck fell right in between your cleavage, making you squirm at the coldness of the metal.

“You”, he kissed your swollen lips,

“see”, another one on your left cheek,

“me”, followed by a kiss on the right cheek,

“for”, a kiss on the nose,

“who”, followed by a kiss on your temple.

“You are”, you whispered in realization. He smirked and crushed his lips onto yours again, for the second but not last time that night.  

[stitchposts]

Heyo! Had two questions - one a little less relevant to your blog but I thought I'd shoot my shot :D

First off, do you have any experience with visible mending using embroidery techniques? Both my denim jacket and favorite sweater are getting worn out after years of constant wear, and I'm unsure how do deal with some of the holes. My main issue is that the very ends of the sleeves are simply... splitting open? Like the fabric got so thin from whatever stress I apparently put it under, it fecking disintegrated. It seems simple enough, straight line on an edge, but I'm worried about messing it up anyway.

And, speaking of my jacket, with it falling apart a little and me seeing more about battle vests and the like, I've been wondering about trying to embroider it, maybe make some patches... I have a bunch of cotton embroidery floss that was gifted to me years ago, but not only have I not embroidered much since learning it in school more than 15 years ago, this is also literally my only (wearable) jacket. The other two are a 10 year old fake leather coat that is peeling itself and also doesn't fit right, and a windbreaker in terrible colors that, if I remember correctly, is too badly damaged for me to know how to easily fix it. Meaning just going ham on it is a big risk. Do I try to find my first new jacket since 2019 and hope to stumble upon one satisfactory in both price and fit? Do I just pray and start fixing up my denim jacket? What else do I need anyway? I got thread and sewing needles big enough to fit it, but nothing else.

Help.

Thanks! <3

This post got kinda long even for me, sorry. First off, this is all embroidery related imo, this is still about stitching on fabric. A square is always a rectangle but a rectangle is not always a square. There's nuance under the umbrella of 'embroidery' here and this counts.

There does reach a point when clothing can't really be repaired anymore, and after that point, historically became rags, or the patches used to repair other clothing. You'll eventually need a new jacket, but if your choice is to immediately find one now or to repair your jacket and buy time to be able to locate one, it seems a bit obvious to me what the option to follow here is, especially if you like the look of visible mending.

This is the part where I wanted to add a cut, but tumblr is glitching out and refusing to add one. So I guess everyone is just subjected to this now. Sorry, and I'll try to have an actual pretty embroidery picture up for everyone to see this week since my furnace is no longer trying to blow up. So: visible mending is at the core applying mending techniques to clothing, and instead of trying to make them invisible repairs, using the stitches or extra material that reinforces the repair to creative visual interest and turn it into a design feature. The stitching itself is done to reinforce the fragile parts of your garment. Sometimes it can be darning, other times it's adhering new fabric to back/cover the fragile parts. It depends on the repair which to use, or even which method the mender prefers. It's not always clearcut and even then, sometimes we prefer doing the thing we know better more than a brand new technique and we bruteforce it to work. So, dealer's choice on darning or patching here, but I'll get to both of them. My opinion of your situation is that you have nothing to lose with trying to repair your jacket that fits you. It's already falling apart, and it's better to stabilize it before it gets worse before there are giant gaps in the fabric. Clean it gently by hand by letting it soak in a bucket or a tub with some ph neutral detergent - do a couple rinses of letting it soak, until the water runs clear and stops smelling foul. Then lay it flat to try on a towel, don't hang it up to dry as that will put more stress on the fabric, I find the shoulders are usually one of the first places to give out on my stuff but I am very broad shouldered. In my opinion, gaps in the fabric at high stress spots like the cuffs should have new backing fabric added to the weak spots, and then the visible mending can adhere that in place. If you were to make new embroidered cuffs you could just sew them on, and protect the integrity of the base fabric, the same way patches do. But you may prefer other options. For darning there's a few ways to go about it. Darning itself is using new threads to weave through the holes in fabric, and stabilizing it past the delicate thin edges of the base fabric. A dear friend of mine lives and dies by her Speedweve loom these days, and I've seen her work with it. She is one of the top 5 trusted fiber artists in my life so I vouch for these looms being cool as fuck and very functional without having used it myself. I also got her this particular book called Darned Easy, by Sally Simon, that I find interesting that has a lot of patterns in it for darning - I grabbed it at a used book store at some point. I messaged her before I made this point because she follows this blog and would know this part is about her. Hi bud. She's the only one who gets to see the rest of the interior of the book, because it was published in 1981 and I'd rather not use this blog to host scans of books that are that recently published.

You don't need a loom for darning if you know what patterns to follow to darn using your needle, and there are a lot of ways to make darning decorative in the manner you want for visible mending, just use your contrasting threads to stand out on the ground fabric. There's also other books available, a HUGE amount of them because darning's existed for millenia, but this is the resource I physically had on hand that I wanted to use as my example so it's the one you get pics of.

On the other end of repairs, you can applique on patches or reinforcing material, then quilt the material into place, with the quilting being the surface embroidery you are pushing through the layers of fabric in order to adhere them into place. Before anyone replies to this op telling them to fucking look up sashiko, please get off my post. I take umbrage with a lot of embroidery designs being referred to as 'sashiko.' This type of repair on existing clothing genuinely is one of the origins of sashiko as a necessity of life - it was that a pattern was laid down on the clothing or items that needed to be repaired or pieced together, and then quilted into place with running stitches that formed the design, which reinforced the clothing and allowed the fibers to be usable for longer. I really despise the words 'sashiko' 'wabisabi' and 'kintsugi' tossed around casually out of historical context by every fucking art blogger under the sun. Fabric was fucking expensive pre industrial revolution, so preserving clothing mattered a lot. Many different cultures have preferred methods (very often extremely regional even within a country) for mending in a manner that is similar to what we know of as quilting or applique today, but there's a certain obsession with anything Japanese in particular that bloggers love to describe as mysterious and wholesome when it's just a visually distinctive fucking way to repair a hole in a garment and quilt things together to make it warm and functional.

Anyway. My first vest I made, it did eventually disintegrate. I knew it would happen because fucking entropy of the universe and so I managed to find a new vest I could afford at the time when I happened across it, and kept it in a back closet till I was ready to transform it into my dragon vest. I repaired that first vest until almost every seam was paper thin and shredding. I loved it a lot. I wore it daily for years and years. I'm still sad I can't wear it anymore, even though I kept my back patch from it, and I still don't know what the fuck I am going to do with that patch. Eventually fabric is destroyed, after many many years of service and wear. Things die. You can't put resin on your embroidery and make it live forever. But when things finally do perish, you can use the base fabric that is still good to make new patches. You get to design and plan a new battle vest or projects you want to start. If you're not sure yet about how badly you'll be hit emotionally by seeing something you put hundreds of hours into disintegrate into nothingness, then hold off on making this particular jacket your battle jacket holding a lot of purchased patches and such, instead of as a test springboard for learning repairs. This is not me being facetious or jokey. It hits people pretty hard to lose, especially the first time this happens. We're humans that hold bonds with things we like, especially things with that much personal hand investment on it. It won't be a failure on your part if you decide to learn repair and extend the life of this jacket, when this jacket does finally bite the dust. It will happen. The accomplishment here is how much service and use you get out of the jacket past when you thought you'd have to throw it away far earlier than if you had learned to repair it.

[pinkpigtailsprincess]

𝜗𝜚 ݁ ˖ Dollies 63 Days of Summer Glow up!! Day 1 > Prep 🎀☀️🐬

Hii Dolls!! 🎀 Welcome 2 my newest series of my 2 month long summer glow up process its pretty self explanatory but im gonna be documenting my 2 month long summer glow up process 2 just be a better me!! enjoy!! ☀️

DISCLAIMER!! ; i will censoring and dancing around certain topics just bc ik they can be triggering to some folk that have issues so cw; vauge mentions of w3!ght!! 💗

Stage 1 : Health! ☀️

It always important to keep up with ur health obvii 2 maintain good balance in life! ☀️

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Diet!! 🍏

Now diet wise i already do have a pretty balanced and healthy diet to begin with so i won’t have to that much work on my diet but i definitely wanna make small improvements!!🎀

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Diet Goals!! 🍋

incorporate different from my usual ones fruits!!

expand my palate (chronic picky eater)

making more meals that are still healthy & tasty but not repetitive!!

not skipping my meals!!

cutting out all meats except fish!!

push myself to like cucumbers

get back into drinking more fruit water!!

stop eating so much cheese!

knowing my limit when eating!

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Exercise !! 🧘‍♀️

Doing more exercise is definitely a huge one for me because there was a point where i did it daily but then i stopped bc i feel into a rut but then i started again but only once a month so im trying to get back into daily exercise!!

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Fitness Goals!! 🧘‍♀️

workout more than once a month!

do more yoga + cardio + home pilates

use exercise to make me healthier & happier

lose w*ight i won’t disclose how much i want to loose and how much i wanna be bc that’s personal 2 me !!

feeling comfortable in my body + build discipline

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Oral Health !! 🪥

I Will say i did recently update my oral hygiene routine bc i got braces so now i have to do more work but i definitely wanna still add things to it!!

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Oral Health Goals !! 🦷

consistently floss in the morning as well as night

buy a tongue scraper

get an electric toothbrush

start oil pulling

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Mental Health !! ☀️

I Sooo wanna improve some thing in my mental health bc obviously its super important to not only take care of my physical health but my mental health!! 🎀

𐙚 𓈒 ݁ ₊ Mental Health Goals !! 🧁

get back into journaling

get back into meditation

step out of my comfort zone

build more confidence in social settings!

replace most phone time with reading time

spend more time outside

prioritizing rest more

not being to hard on myself

celebrating all my wins and accomplishments no matter how big or small!

Stage2 ೀ⋆ : Hygiene!

I Already have a pretty solid skincare routine to begin with but honestly i just wanna improve to it and add more to it ! 🎀

Skincare ୭₊˚ ! 🎀

For my Skincare routine i already have my products and my basics but honestly i wanna stater using different products to better help my skin!!

❤︎ ໋𓈒 Skincare Goals ! ⭐️

ice rolling

gua-sha

jade rolling

bi weekly dermaplaing

weekly face mask

facial steaming

facial cleansing brush

use more Korean & Japanese products (Japanese products are literally the best)

Body-care ୭₊˚ ⭐️

Another section where i wanna make improvement i already exfoliate,hair removal sometimes and i use my antibacterial soap and my body washes but theres a bunch of things i wanna incorporate!! 💗

❤︎ ໋𓈒 Bodycare Goals ! 🐬

start dry brushing

exfoliate weekly

shave or epilating more often (my own choice bc honestly i don’t like the feeling of body hair

use my glycolic acid more routinely

buy more sweet smelling body products

find a signature scent

use body oil + body butter + body glitter

using an African exfoliating net instead of a rag

Haircare ୭₊˚ ! 💗

For my Hair care i definitely wanna make room for improvement i mainly detangle every day with just some water or style depending on if i need/want to or not and i oil my scalp!!

❤︎ ໋𓈒 Haircare Goals ! 🐬

Grow it out more with the Help of Indian Amla Oil (some said it stinks but if it helps)

Learn More Hair Styles

Use Rice Water

castor oil

Scalp Massage More Often

Hair Masque Bi-Weekly

Trim Split Ends

Deep Conditioning On a Wash Day

Nailcare ! ୭₊˚ ⭐️

use more cuticle oil

professional manipedis bi weekly!

soak my feet with foot salts more

develop my own at home nail care routine

Facials!!🎀

buy new daily vitamins!!

keep my hair professionally done!!

use my primuce stone more

buy more lipgloss + vaseline lip care

Stage 3 ೀ⋆ Makeup + Jewelry + Fashion + Perfumes 🛍️ !!

I wanna learn how to do my makeup again so badly! and this time i have more tips so i can actually learn how to do it properly!! 🫧

Makeup Goals ୭₊˚ !

find the perfect soft glam dolly makeup

perfect my eyebrows

learn to glue down lashes

make the perfect base

learn to bronze and contour correctly

perfect the highlighter placement

get the perfect sun kissed summer doll makeup

again buy more lipgloss

Jewelry Goals ୭₊˚ ! ⭐️

i desperately have been needing new jewelry and for the longest and ive stupidly been wearing silver knowing i like gold better

buy bangels

get gold hoops

get a new nameplate

get more necklaces

get more rings

get anklets !!

Fashion Goals ୭₊˚ ! 🛍️

actually dress in clothes i genuinely like

dress for my body type

not toning down my dressing for random people

build confidence in my outfits

start sewing some of my outfits bc i can

make crochet pieces for the beach

buy tons of cute clothes!!

make more inspo boards !!

Stage 4 ; Posture,Eloquence + Mannerism + Photogenic 🎀🍰

Definitely a Big one for me i wanna fix my posture and definitely speak up more in public bc im a little shy 🙈🎀!

Posture Goals ୭₊˚ ! 🫧

fix my back posture

learn to again regulate my nervous sustem and relax my shoulders

be more fluid in my movements!!

walking with my head up

Eloquence Goals ୭₊˚ ! 🛁

speaking louder in public so people can actually hear me

speaking clearly with confidence

controlling my facial expressions more

smiling more!! 😁

Mannerism Goals + Body Language ୭₊˚ ! 🛍️

I tend to tone down my natrual mannerisms ALOT when im out in public and honestly im tried of not being my true self in public and i let the opinions of those around me influence me into toning it down

be more animated as i am at home in public

walk the way i want to!!

practice princess mannerisms with my own little spin🤭

walk around like a princess bc im literally a princess

Extra Goals ୭₊˚ ! 🛍️

be more photogenic

learn how to pose

be more videogenic

walk around like i won the place (4 the confidence esque of it

Stage 5: Mindset!!🎀⭐️

The Final Stage!!🎀: where ill be implementing so mindsets of some my favs and learn how to express myself in my environment bc honestly it sucks not being able to be myself around my family ⭐️

Mindset Goals ୭₊˚ ! 🐬

knowing my worth

not letting outside opinions dictate my life

unapologetically being myself around my family

reminding my self that people opinions don’t matter

always have a one track mind with all my goals!!

again not being too hard on myself!

Thank you all so much 4 reading i can’t wait till start documenting my journey with you guys!!🎀⭐️ XO,Dolly!!

[littleavengerfics]

How about WandaNat x little reader. Reader goes to the dentist and is told that sucking her thumb/her paci has ruined her teeth, so now needs braces / surgery. Next time R drops she has a massive temper tantrum when she can't self sooth. Desperate to sleep before a mission Wanda creates a paci using her magic

Soother (Wanda Nat x little reader)

(sorry this took a while, life got crazy, hopefully you like this, if you don't let me know if you want something changing and I can do that for you)

It was a day all three of you were dreading, the dentist appointment. The caregivers knew it was gonna be a hard day for you all as you hated going to the dentist. "baby, come on get dressed we have to go in an hour." You groaned pulling yourself out of bed, "I don't wanna go." You huffed giving her a pout. "I know, you've been trying to get out of it all week, but it's not happening." Natasha smirked, picking out your clothes, she loved doing it everyday, even if you weren't little. "Nat. I brush my teeth twice a day and floss, there is nothing wrong with my teeth so I don't need a dentist."

"Y/N you're not going to get out of it, if you stop whining and behave at the appointment ill buy you a treat after we are done and you can watch two movies before bed tonight." You couldn't help but smile at her proposal as you knew it was only gonna come up today." fine I'll behave but just know I'm not happy about it."

"I can live with that for an hour. It's either a slightly grumpy you or an angry wanda and right now ill take the first." As she spoke she heard wanda yelling that they were going to be late. As much as you hated going to these appointments wanda hated running late for them even more and with you and natasha it was like that most of the time. Though thanks to their driving you still always arrived early, much to your dismay.

***

"baby don't worry, I'm sure everything is going to be fine." wanda reassured, squeezing your hand. You weren't so sure. When the doctor came in your heart started racing, holding Wanda's hand was helping but not enough. You needed something else and before you knew it your hand made it's way up to your mouth. The doctor chuckled a bit which made you frown. "there's our problem." both wanda and Nat looked at you and it was only then you realised there was a whole other conversation going on between the three of them you didn't understand. You still didn't pay any attention until natasha pulled your thumb out of your mouth.

"Really? It caused all that damage?" natasha said in a worried tone, the look on her face made you want to cry. If Nat was upset clearly something was wrong.

"It's not the end of the world, we can give them some invisible braces to fix the issue. The thumb sucking, however, does need to stop." It was a sentence that made you completely freeze. You didn't like that doctor anymore, at first she seemed nice but now you weren't so sure. By the look on your caregivers face you could tell that was going to be a rule and you weren't happy about it.

"That's going to be tough. They never stop." I barely listen as he starts giving them suggestions of how to deal with my bad habit. "there are some alternatives, there is chew safe jewelry and even adult pacifiers that can help with thumb sucking and other habits. If you use them responsibly and stop when there is pain or discomfort it won't cause as much change."

"I will look into those, thank you." Wanda smiled, hoping this would be a solution to their problems. After they left the dentist y/n dropped again after getting all of their work and it soon became a constant battle to keep y/ns thumb out of their mouth. Each time they were stopped they seemed to get more and more upset, by the night Wanda and natasha were mentally exhausted from the tantrums, it got even worse when natasha got a phone call. "babe, we have to leave for a mission tomorrow. We leave early in the morning."

"There goes our plan to just let them cry it out till they fall asleep while we wait for the delivery, Im already slow in the morning, I need to sleep tonight." Natasha nodded, she of all people knew about Wandas hatred of the morning, she knew it would be a rough day if they didn't get to sleep soon. "can't you use your magic to make them sleep."

"No, I promised myself I would never use my powers on them like that." the two were interrupted by y/n dumping all their toys on the floor and crying. Wandas mind was quickly changed, but she decided to try a less forceful approach first, she conjured a pacifier similar to the one she had seen on the Internet.

She couldn't believe it when y/n took to it, their wails turned into light sniffles within a few minutes and they stopped acting out. Wanda picked them up, "there see, everything's okay. You're okay, you like the paci?" y/n nodded settling against Wanda who put them to bed, "goodnight baby sleep tight." Natasha and Wanda breathed a sigh of relief as the little went to sleep peacefully, Wanda cleaned up the mess with her magic and the two turned themselves in for the night as well.

[toothtalk]

so this may be outside of your wheelhouse but why are so many tooth care items flavored with mint and cinnamon? Is it just tradition now or is there some sort of magic tooth fixing stuff in mint plants? (And whatever the hell cinnamon originates from.)

For context : I’m allergic to both so I use a kids toothpaste but like. I went to the store the other day to buy flosspicks (I struggle with regular floss due to motor control issues.) and looked at all the packages and they all had mint flavoring except one package. I bought it and brought it home and put one in my mouth to floss with and bam! mint. no warning or anything. anyways thank u for ur time

i kept this in the inbox for a while because i don’t know the answer!! so i did some googling, and as far as i can tell, it’s mostly psychological and economical reasons. our brains associate coolness with cleanliness, and since mint provides a cooling sensation, it makes us feel extra clean. it also has a stimulating effect on the salivary glands, which keeps moisture flowing in the mouth.

the other reason is simply that mint oil is relatively cheap to produce and ship, so it’s cost effective to mass produce.

that said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using kids toothpaste as an adult! the only thing to keep in mind is that the fluoride content is often lower in kids toothpaste compared to adult toothpaste, so you would benefit from getting fluoride treatments at your regular dental cleanings. most practices have fluoride flavors like bubblegum and cherry; my practice even has a caramel flavor now that’s surprisingly good!

as for floss, most floss picks will be mint flavored unfortunately. you’ll probably have better luck finding unflavored traditional string floss. however, if you prefer using a pick, you can buy a reusable floss handle and string it using your preferred string floss.

i hope this helps! thanks for picking my brain :)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. This does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. Information on this blog should NOT be used for diagnostics or treating a health problem. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified dental health provider regarding diagnosis and treatment of a dental condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

[heretyc]

Carnival [Barbi x Reader] [SHORT] [Maneater! AU]

Based on the Bambino gamemode and the Fun Park maps. I forget the therapy names like the dumbass that I am lmfao. But there are currently two in the gamemode. Both of which involve heart stew, which is what inspired me. Every time I play them I'm like "this is so Maneater core" lol. I'm FINALLY feeling better! So this is a little writing exercise to get me into doing requests and answering asks. Enjoy.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, the scent of gore and candy floss met your nose; your spot in Barbi's side contributed to the joy, the man warm as can be and smelling of the cologne he bought the day of your honeymoon.

"Isn't this place beautiful?" You breathed in, enjoying the combination of decay and sweetness. The theme park, despite being coated in old coats of blood, was able to inspire glee into you.

Barbi simply chuckled, pressing his lips to your temple, "Course it is. I had a feeling we'd enjoy this place." He then scowled, "Was never good at the fuckin' games, though. I barely came to these as a kid because of it."

You knew that wasn't the reason; "my dad never took me" was the obvious answer, but you knew of his past, and knew better than to pry. So you worked with his answer.

"Which games?"

"The ones where you have to aim," he shook his head, "Fuckin' scams, I tell ya."

"And yet you have Lupara," you snickered, "Surely your aim has improved."

"Damn straight sweetness," he chortled, wrapping his arm around yours, "Now let's go have some fuckin' fun."

The two of you walked around the theme park, ignoring the ex-pops that muttered angrily to themselves and the Reagent that gave you two an expression that could only say, "what the actual fuck are those two doing".

You came to learn that there were games, up and running, and you two walked into the diner, to see pots of hearts, all set up.

"Is it Christmas already?" You snickered, leaning to smell the stew with a moan. Inside laid a red liquid, thick and full of clots. "God, it's fresh."

"Is it?" Barbi teased, wrapping an arm around your waist, "Only my Maneater would know when a body part is fuckin' fresh." His gloved thumb affectionately rubbed your side.

"It's quite obvious," you picked up one of the organs, squeezing it tightly. "See? Bright red, not counting the blood it was surrounded in. Like it was harvested just today...maybe even an hour ago..." You stuck out your tongue, giving the organ a lick.

"Is it up to my woman's satisfaction?" He raised a brow, to which he was responded to with a nod. "Absolutely."

Barbi snickered at your enthusiasm before looking at the large, shuttered door. "Oh, sweetness?" He motioned to the sign and the button, "The hearts are our...hackey sacks, so to speak."

You merely scoffed, "They expect us to waste these? Disgusting."

You amused him in ways he didn't think were possible; he let out a snort, "I know! What a fuckin' travesty. But I have an idea."

"...Lupara?"

He smirked, pulling the beloved gun from his bandolier, and a homemade bullet. "Bingo, baby."

The Reagent knew better than to question your lack of teaming up against him, but he stared in shock upon seeing the two of you walk up to him, three tickets in Barbi's hand. "Here, fuckwad," he shoved them into the Reagent's chest as you snacked on a heart, your other arm full of the plump organs. "We'll let Goosebitch deal with ya."

"...Um," the Reagent pursed his lips, "Aren't you supposed to, um..."

"Supposed to what?" Barbi snapped, sitting you two down on a bench to watch the carousel, "Chase ya? Fuck no. Our honeymoon was soiled," he motioned to the two of you, "so we're makin' up for it. That an issue, you fuckin' mutt?"

The Reagent was quick to shake his head and run off toward the Root Canal.

"He's thick in the head, isn't he?" You questioned, swallowing a mouthful of chamber. Barbi nodded his head, popping open a soda bottle with the end of Lupara. "Seems to be."

It was silent, save for the loud carousel and its music, until you grinned, "It's something I'd like to try."

"That's my Maneater," he snickered, using his free hand to pull you into him as he took a swig of the root beer. "I love ya, sugar."

"And I love you with all of my...hearts."

The two of you silently prayed the Reagent wouldn't make it...just so you could stay in here for as long as you pleased.

And so you could eat the remains.

[alicentsgf]

Do you think the wilderness is protecting the girls against cavities?

Lmao who knows !! but no i think its just the show as a general rule doesnt want to waste screen time acknowledging all the more common diseases that could have effected them. One tiny scene of someone getting a tooth pulled could have been fun maybe.

Though tbh i wouldnt expect cavities to be a particular issue ? They're young, have only been there a year or so, and they're not eating the kind of diet that causes a lot of cavities. I would have expected some staining but as an actor having your teeth stained fucking sucks and long-term can actually damage them so i get not doing that (plus they wouldnt look as pretty). If the water they're drinking is in any way fluorinated and they've found a way to floss/dislodge the worst of it i think they'd be fine. Its the lack of infections thats getting me rly like its a medical miracle no ones got sepsis, misty truly is so talented lmao.

[ohcorny]

deeply curious about your opinion on mouthwashing

it's an unnecessary part of oral hygiene. brushing your teeth and especially flossing are more important.

anyway. spoilers in this post for the game.

i'm going to co-opt lee's post about it to save myself rewriting the opinions we share but he hits the nail on the head about the gameplay. i didn't play it myself, just watched a streamer go through the whole thing, but all the game-ass-game elements felt completely tacked on. especially given there isn't one until like.... an hour in? up until the maze (or at least that's when the thought occurred to me, idr if there was anything before it) the game was just go to place, talk to character, get object, receive story progression.

and i thought that was fine up to that moment. tell me a claustrophobic story! but as soon as it added Horror Gameplay it was like the developers went 'fuck shit we need to add a challenge or it's not a real horror game'. and i never changed my opinion on that as there were more of those sections added.

because the game just keeps going. i remember when we get to the big reveal about what Really happened i looked at the timestamp on the VOD i was watching and there was somehow an hour left. and i was just ??? why??? the game just becomes a showcase of 'look at our cool scary visuals! look at our metaphors!' without anything left to actually say about them. we know what happened. there's nothing to reveal or unpack that we couldn't have done earlier in the story, when people were alive, when it mattered. we just forgot to put a game in our game until the last minute.

but the thing that really annoys me, and this i'll put under a read more because it's Actual actual spoilers

how fucking dare they make the whole crux of the issue be that jimmy sexually assaulted anya and got her pregnant, and then do nothing with that in the post-reveal nightmare sequences. we spend so much time on swansea and curly and all anya gets is a womb with a cartoon horse ultrasound. are you fucking kidding me

like the most charitable explanation i can conceive for that is jimmy only cares about what the men around him think, so we only spend time with them in his nightmare world, but like. i am simply not satisfied with that reading. i do in fact need it underlined if that is the intent. somebody, anybody, saying 'why are you apologizing to me'. anybody caring about anya at all.

if you're going to keep flashing the message of 'take responsibility' i would like at least some gesture toward what he really, actually needs to take responsibility for