#air permitting in texas

[almostempty]

Paris, Texas pt. 2

aka: 2 Texans, 1 Lady 🎀 The joel x javi x f!reader threesome PART 2!!

WC: 8k | Other fics | Rating: 18+ | Read on Ao3 | PART ONE

this one goes out to my fellow mlm fans and voyeurs, i hope it’s everything you wanted and more <3; dedicated to everyone that gets a tag bc i love you 5ever

Summary: Joel, still struggling with his conflicting feelings about the threesome with Javier, gets a surprise visit at work from the man himself that leaves him even more confused. After a week of seeing Javier in his dreams, he gets another surprise visit at work.

Note: it’s pretty heavy on the m/m action so if that’s not ur thing no worries you can still have a forehead kiss from me 

Tags/warnings: pwp, smut on smut on smut, internalized homophobia, dubcon joel/javi, infidelity, oral (m and f), consensual f/m sleepy oral, m/m anal, it’s not exactly a cuck chair–but there is a chair and u get to watch from it, top!joel, bottom!javi, but also switchy/vers in the future bc, respectfully, i would to experience the best of all worlds, i do not have a dick (i’m just a member of the fanclub) so if any of the m/m action is wildly inconceivable or something pls let me know i’m happy to receive feedback (spit as lube just pretend ok), some angsty guilt and shame in between the smut bc joel is still in denial, uhh dom!joel, idk if contractors have offices and i spent too long googling about it before remembering the point was the porn so pls forgive if that ruins ur immersion, tell me if i forgot something important

standard almostempty warnings at this point: unprotected sex with no consequences bc it’s fiction; f!reader is able-bodied otherwise no descriptions of skin tone, blushing, hair, idk tell me if there’s something that takes you out (physically); everyone is probably bi; no y/n, no beta just fueled by the power of adhd and delusion, if u see a mistake it was the gremlins i’m sorry 

PLEASE TELL ME IF U LIKE IT OR IF U HATE IT OR IF YOU WANT MORE

Joel is buried in paperwork. Permits and invoices are stacked up on his desk in organized chaos. The week has been a disaster. He blames his low-grade headache on the deadlines and number crunching, but he knows something else makes him uneasy. He rubs the pads of his fingers between his brows as if he could massage away the stress or erase the permanent worry line carved into his features. 

The noises outside his office blend into static as he recommits himself to getting caught up. 

He rolls up the sleeves of his worn plaid shirt, sighing to himself before he resumes. His pen scratches across a form he doesn’t care much about when the door to his offices creaks open. 

His head snaps up, looking across the room with a sharp glare. He’s not in the mood for interruptions, and he's already irritated at being stuck behind a desk playing catch-up. He isn’t expecting the man that enters the room. Stifling a surprised noise, he narrows his eyes to a sharp glare. He’s not in the mood for work-related afternoon interruptions, let alone a surprise visitor.

“So, this is the boss’s office?” Javier’s voice is smooth like he didn’t just appear out of nowhere and uninvited.  

“Yep,” Joel mutters, grip on his pen tightening in his fingers. Dropping his eyes back to his work, considering ignoring the man. Maybe he can will away the pest by avoiding eye contact and ignoring the intruder sizing up his space. 

Javier scans the sparse office. Empty walls, bare bones, and practical. 

Joel assumes he’ll have a snarky comment about the size of the room or the view. He keeps flipping through the paperwork in his hand, braced for Javier’s attitude. Joel is tense and prepared to snap back, but his shoulders are tight and stiff as if he’s been sleeping on concrete for a week. 

The signature scent of Javier, spicy and smoky, fills the air. The fragrance stirs Joel's memories and causes a visceral reaction. It makes his gut churn and fingers itch with restlessness. 

The last–and only–time he’s seen Javier plays out like a well-edited montage. New images flash every time he blinks. Dark eyes. Sweat glistening on Javier’s chest. Lips, tongues, and teeth, he tries to subtly shake the thoughts out of his head.

Javier drops into the chair in front of the desk, eyeing Joel with a casual bravado. He crosses one leg over the other, resting his ankle along his knee in his dark jeans and rusty red button-down. He links his hands behind his head as if he’s prepared to settle in and bask in Joel’s discomfort.

Javier’s eyes roam over Joel’s desk. “You don’t have a secretary for all that paperwork?” he muses. A smile pulls at the corner of Javier’s mouth that Joel could sense without looking at him. He can feel the heat of Javer’s gaze pouring over the desk between them, making the air feel heavy, thick with something unsaid. 

Joel can feel his pulse jump in his throat, chest constricted. “Nope.” He hoped his clipped tone would push Javier out of the room, but that hope flickers and dies when he takes in the nonchalant sight. Irritation spikes in Joel at the whole disturbance. He’s not interested in letting Javier take up residence in his office. Or his mind. 

“You need somethin’?” Joel’s throat feels dry as he spits out the blunt question. He flips through the next invoice without processing a single word on the page. He’s tired and has a low threshold after a week of poor sleep. Though, he’d never admit, except maybe to you, that he’s easily irritated even with a good night of rest. But you always slice right through his grumpy shell.

“Just in the neighborhood,” Javier drawls, “thought I’d stop by.” 

“Right.” Joel rolls his eyes, ”We supposed to be friends now?” Or what? Something more?

Javier shrugs casually, like that’s up to Joel to decide. 

Joel tosses his pen and paperwork onto his desk. He takes a breath, forcing his features into something neutral. The night you brought Javier into your home, and your bed has haunted him. Made it so he couldn’t think straight. Tortured him, not with regret, but with the messy, tangled knot of shame and desire. 

Now Javier is here. In the flesh. Self-satisfied and content, watching Joel and waiting expectantly. Waiting for what? 

“Is staring me down part of your ex-cop deal? You come here uninvited to interrogate me or something?” Joel accuses with annoyance in his eyes. 

“I don’t need to interrogate you,” Javier answers, mellow and cloying, “already know what you want.” He shifts, leaning forward, speaking quieter. “Just wanted to see if you’ve figured it out yet.” 

Joel works his jaw as he crosses his arms. A brick wall of resistance. The fuck is that supposed to mean? 

He clocks when Javier’s eyes lower, tracing the line of his arms, the same way you do when you catch Joel in a mood. You so easily diffuse his anger, disarming him with your wit or completely dismantling him with your body, unlike the instigator in front of him, who seems to only get under Joel’s skin. 

Joel lets out a deep sigh. Javier isn’t here to be friends. 

“It was what she wanted,” Joel says, his eyes hard, his voice firm. It felt like a weak excuse the second the words left his mouth. Shit. 

Javier can taste the blood in the water. His eyes glint at the thrill of the chase. “Is that all?”

The room feels like it’s shrinking. Heat crawls up the back of Joel’s neck, anger entwined with something else he refuses to name. “Don’t flatter yourself,” he replies, standing up from his chair, trying to tower over Javier in some pathetic attempt at dominance. 

A move he immediately regrets.

Javier also stands, circling around the side of the desk to look Joel up and down. Boldly. He admires Contractor Joel. The way he fills out his well-fitted work jeans, the way his deep green plaid hugs his broad shoulders and strains around his biceps as he crosses his arms again. 

The workwear suits him. A strikingly masculine figure. Powerful and seductive. Tempting Javier just by existing. “I get it,” Javier murmurs to himself, understanding what you’d mean when you first described Joel. The disgruntled expression, the furrowed brows and sharp eyes–he only makes it worse. 

“Always thought the whole construction thing was a cheesy porn gimmick,” Javier admits, “you could pull it off though. You got the toolbelt and the hat?” 

“You can leave,” Joel replies dryly. 

Ignoring Joel, Javier steps closer, “I’m just saying,” he rests a finger on Joel’s shoulder, drawing a line down towards his chest. Joel’s body is rigid, the contact searing his skin even through the soft material of his shirt. “You look good. This is your color,” he tugs at the dark green fabric below Joel’s throat. He drops his hand, and Joel feels like the earth could swallow him whole. 

Javier’s mock compliments make Joel’s stomach flip before he steels himself again. Javier flashes a diabolical smile, catching the flare of Joel’s eyes and the hard swallow of whatever retort he couldn’t muster. 

“You’re really trying to convince yourself, aren’t you?” Javier’s voice is dripping with mock sympathy. 

Violent, intrusive thoughts race through Joel’s mind—socking Javier in the jaw to wipe that smug look off his face, grabbing him by the collar and running him through the wall, slamming him onto the desk. Face down so he could lean over his body and tell him, hot breath on the back of his neck, that he’s about to learn to watch his mouth. 

Joel’s hands flex, knuckles popping, and heat stirs at the base of his spine at the dark desires. Suddenly, very aware of their close proximity. Close enough to feel the heat of Javier’s body, and to see the unwavering confidence in his face. 

Amused by Joel’s volatility, Javier scoffs gently. His warm breath fans between them, and a smirk spreads on his face. Out of context, it’s only a gentle tease. A flirty smile and charged moment. But to Joel, strained like the last barricade holding back a beast, it’s too much. He snaps, and the beast gnashes its teeth. 

“Get fucked,” Joel’s voice is a rumbly, low growl. 

Javier’s smirk blooms into a Cheshire Cat grin. “I’d ask if you were offering, but I don’t think you’ve got it in you.” 

Blood pounds in Joel’s ears. Drowning out the voice that wonders why Javier can rile him up so easily. The reminder that he’s got no reason to be jealous. That you’ve done nothing to make him worry. 

“You were only doing it for her, huh?” Javier’s voice was quieter but still laced with danger.

Joel’s jaw is clenched tight when he replies, “Yep.” It doesn’t carry the conviction he needed to convey. 

“Shame she isn’t here now, then,” Javier keeps pressing. The honesty in his tone throws Joel off. 

“Would do anything for her,” Joel adds, softening fractionally at the truth in it.  

“Anything?” Javier repeats. 

“S’right.” 

“For her.” 

“For her,” Joel nods in agreement. Letting out a breath, he didn’t realize he had been holding.  Javier rocks back on his heels like he’s about to turn and stroll away, satisfied by God knows what part of that interaction. 

But he pauses. 

Time feels weighted until Javier moves in closer. Another smile breaks across his face at how easily he can shock Joel into a trance with his audacity. Acting in defiance of all of Joel’s words. 

His hand snakes up Joel’s chest until his fingers are slipping between the curls at the base of his skull. He leans in close, lips ghosting over the shell of Joel’s ear, “Is this for her too?” He shifts back half a step, and with the hand on the back of Joel’s head, he urges him to look down. 

Javier’s hand had moved between them, palming the bulge in Joel’s jeans, his fingers pressing against his erection through the denim. Joel’s lips part, his whole body jerking forward instinctively, and a low groan rumbles in his chest before he can stop it.

Javier’s smirk deepened. “That’s what I thought.”

For a moment, Joel’s mind blanks out, lost in the haze of physical sensation. His body reacts before his brain catches up. 

“The fuck are you doing?” Joel snaps, grabbing Javier’s wrist and yanking it away. His voice is hoarse, breath ragged. 

“Anyone could walk in here.”

Javier didn’t pull away; he didn’t flinch. His head cocks in contemplation at Joel’s specific reasoning. 

Leaning in closer, Javier’s voice drips with amusement. “You’re afraid of them?” he nods towards the door. “Worried about what? That your crew is gonna find out their boss likes cock?” he laughs softly, a dark, teasing sound. 

Joel’s chest heaves, heart pounding. Anger, lust, and frustration all swirling together inside of him.

“You think they won’t take orders from you if they hear the noises you make for me?” 

He knows Javier is running his mouth to provoke him. But it works on him anyway. Joel huffs dismissively, without a thought, “You think I’d make a sound for you?” 

“I think you’ll beg me to stop before you do.”

Before he can dwell on the ramifications, Joel acts on impulse. Stepping back, his face hardening as he stares Javier down. That smug bastard. He’s consumed with a defiant urge to remove that smirk from Javier’s face. 

“On your knees,” he orders, his voice cold, flat, and restrained.  

Javier’s eyebrow raises, lips curling into a lazy smile. “Why, Joel?” he asks, voice playful. 

“You know why.” The presumption is underscored by the sound of Joel’s belt clinking before he unzips his jeans. He grips the base of his thick cock, menacing and erotic, as he keeps his hard gaze on Javier. 

He accepts the challenge, kneeling slowly, never breaking eye contact. 

“Yeah,” Javier murmurs, “you look even better like this. All frustrated and desperate to be touched.” His voice is thick and low, like molasses. Almost reverent, but at the same time gloating, as if Javier’s only proving himself right. It’s infuriating to Joel that the man can so freely express his desire and rile Joel up further with the same words. 

Javier’s hand covers Joel’s as he gives Joel’s cock an experimental stroke. Joel hisses through clenched teeth, slamming his eyes shut and tilting his head up to break the eye contact. To sever the intimacy. He’s taut, impatient, and ready to snap. 

Until Javier’s lips wrap around his weeping tip, and they both groan in unison at the sensation. The wet heat of his mouth sends a sharp throb of pleasure through Joel. The intensity causes his hand to shoot out to his desk, fingers digging into the edge in an attempt to ground himself. 

But it’s no use. 

Javier knows exactly what he’s doing, taking him deep, fast, his mouth warm and eager. His hands work in symphony with his mouth, twisting around his length, massaging at his thighs and hips, deliberate and competent. He has nothing to be shy or restrained about. 

Sinking into the pleasure, Joel starts to reason with himself. A mouth is a mouth, he can allow himself to have this, to let himself enjoy it.

And he does. 

Javier’s tongue teases underneath the sensitive head of Joel’s cock before he slides past his lips, along the flat of his tongue, and deep into his throat. It’s good. Why is it so fucking good? Joel’s head tips back down, blinking his eyes open. His body shudders. 

It’s not just a mouth. 

Seeing Javier’s head bobbing, his cock disappearing past the man’s lips, it stirs something wild and untamed within him. 

It’s a mistake to finally look. To really watch, taking it all in. The handsome features on Javier’s face, the unapologetic pleasure he takes from every reaction he pulls from Joel’s body. The strength and finesse of his hands are so different from you. He’s drawn to follow the movement of  Javier’s hand dropping to readjust himself, to ease the pressure on his own aching cock. 

The brief friction looses a moan from Javier, vibrating around Joel’s length. It’s undeniably fucking hot. Joel’s control slips, possessed by his urges. 

He reaches for Javier’s face to cup his jaw and hold him still. And he gives in. Fucking into Javier’s mouth, hips jerking recklessly. It’s a desperate strain to tamp down the groans clawing at his throat, and it doesn’t help when Javier watches him with his half-lidded eyes. No. 

“Shit,” he admonishes himself. Suppressing the captivating draw he feels. He tries to find focus, to keep it together–but there’s a loud knock that staggers him. 

A voice, muffled outside of his office door, shouts to him, “There’s a vendor here, says he needs your sign-off.” 

Joel’s breath hitches, “Fuck,” he spits, hands grasping the desk and Javier’s jaw, forcing out a coherent response. “Be there in a minute!” he calls out, voice strangled. 

Javier doesn’t stop. He doubles down, hollowing his cheeks and greedily coaxing Joel to lose control. And, of course, he does. Joel’s climax hits fast and hard. His last attempts to stifle any noises falter. He gasps, body jerking as he comes, spilling into Javier’s mouth. 

Dazed, he can only blink as Javier pulls away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, smirking. 

“Seems to me like that was just for you.” 

Joel is wrecked, leaning against the desk, his heart racing. He doesn’t have time to process anything before Javier kisses him—brief, chaste, leaving behind the taste of himself on his lips.

“Better get out there before anyone worries, boss,” Javier whispers with a wink before walking out of the office, leaving Joel standing there, stunned, unable to move. 

As the door clicks shut behind him, Joel isn’t sure if the knot in his stomach is anger, guilt, or worse, wanting more. 

Seems to me like that was just for you. 

It echoes, slowly settling over Joel. 

He nearly doubles over when the reality finally hits. His thoughts race, consumed by the thought of you. What did he just do? 

…………..

Joel is wracked with guilt and misery for days. Suffering in his own self-imposed torment. 

He needs to tell you, but he can’t figure out how. There’s no version of, “Hey baby, you know the guy from the threesome? The one that I threatened to kick out of the house? Well, he showed up to my office, and I may have come down his throat before he disappeared without a trace like a dick-sucking fairy.” that he can come up with that sounds redeemable. 

Worse, he still can’t get over the guilt and shame of how it even happened. Seduced by another man? He can’t fathom the reality that another man could turn him on, refuting the way he felt when he watched Javier sink to his knees. And rejecting the truth when his cock stirs at just the memory. Joel is at a complete loss for how to explain it away. 

It fucks with his sleep. He jolts awake in the middle of the night, aching and hard and furious that Javier has invaded his dreams. He sits up in bed, dragging his hands over his face. And you stir, always attuned to him. 

You’re warm and sleepy, but concern washes over you in the moonlight. 

“Can’t sleep?” you murmur, reaching out to pull him towards you. “What do you need?” Always so grounded, so considerate. It twists the guilt inside of him. He tries to erase his self-loathing and reassure you, to ease you back to sleep. 

You aren’t quite conscious enough to listen, but when you shuffle beneath the sheets to cuddle up to your man, you gasp when you accidentally brush over his hard cock. Not because it’s a shock to find, but because in your barely lucid state, you’re uninhibited. Earnestly expressing the desire his arousal sparks in you. 

“Use me,” you whisper, slow and syrupy. Difficult to deny. 

“No, baby, it’s okay. Go back to sleep,” Joel argues softly. 

You roll over, muffling a low whine into your pillow, before turning back towards Joel. You can make out his profile in the dim glow of the room. You can feel the resistance, but you give it another shot. 

“It’s not okay,” you grumble, and his head jerks towards you, “can’t go back to sleep now, you’ve got me all wet already.” 

“Okay,” he gives in like he could ever hold out on you anyway. He pulls back the sheet, exposing your sleep-warmed skin to the cooler air. Running his palm down your spine as you melt face down on the bed. He crawls overtop of you, straddling behind the curve of your ass, before lowering himself, caging you under his body. 

The skin contact is overwhelmingly intimate as he presses soft kisses to your neck and shoulders. You settle with ease and whine softly into the dark room as he rubs his cock along your slick folds. He continues, grunting in his own pleasure, as he glides along your seam, soaking in the sensation of you. Wet and needy from his touch. Until your legs are twitching and your whines grow louder, impatient, and sharp until he hears you say his name. When you plead for him to fuck you already. 

Then. He adjusts and sinks slowly into you, filling you inch by inch, grinding languidly against your plush body. 

You’re soft. Warm and wet. You take him so well, and he knows how to find the angles to make you shake and cry out for him. Now he chases it, needing to please you, to give himself to you. He plunges into you deeply, whispering praise against your skin until you’re shuddering and gasping beneath him. He nearly comes with you, but when the thought of Javier pops up, he falters. He pulls out of you and gently flips you over. 

“Sleep,” he commands as he settles between your legs, and you let it take you. Drifting off before you can process that he didn’t finish. Content to dream about Joel’s tongue dipping into your fluttering entrance and his hands spreading your legs wider. 

Joel stays between your legs, making your dream a reality. Trying to purify himself by worshipping you. Pouring his sins out between your thighs. Seeking forgiveness through your pleasure until he’s too tired to dream. 

He’s convinced this method will work. That eventually, he’ll forget about Javier altogether. But Joel underestimates how deeply the other man has sunk his claws into the back of his mind. It’s unsustainable, and his exhaustion becomes more and more apparent throughout the week. 

Despite thinking he’s able to cover up his internal torment, you always seem to know when something is wrong. You don’t push. You’re patient and gentle with him. It adds to his guilt. 

You help out in any way you can. Commenting that he seems stressed and tired but never asking for an explanation. You let him stew on his own emotional nightmare in solitude. As he prefers. 

For now. 

When Joel admits to you on Friday night that he’s behind at work, you simply nod. He doesn’t argue when you offer to bring lunch to him the next day. But he can barely meet your eyes when you smile and trail off about how you know just what will help him get through the day. 

You tell him decisively that he deserves to finish up early if he’s going to the office on a Saturday. He can only nod. Determined to spend the morning figuring out how to confess to you. With words. 

He’s still in a haze of fatigue the next day. Despite the rest of the office being quiet, his head is loud and buzzing. Likely the reason he’s so taken off guard when the door to his office swings open. 

“Working on the weekend?” 

Joel’s pulse spikes as the sound of Javier’s voice fills the room, smooth and mischevous. 

Anger floods his bloodstream and cuts through the fog of shame that had been clouding his vision. Joel crosses his arms and levels a ruthless glare at the man leaning against the doorframe. 

Javier should be the one that looks out of place. Overdressed for the occasion, in the wrong place. But he stands confidently, neatly groomed, and polished. His dark blue collared shirt and fitted jeans highlight his broad shoulders. He looks like he’s exactly where he’s meant to be, and his expression says he knows it. 

“No,” Joel says gruffly. Unperturbed, Javier sails into the room. 

“I don’t have time for this. Get out.” Joel says, his voice low, dangerous. He stands, hips leaning against his desk, prepared to back up his threat. His tolerance is already out the window for Javier. 

Javier shrugs, movements so fluid in relation to Joel’s fixed demeanor. 

“You didn’t say please.” His smirk is maddening. Joel’s fuse is short. He’s not interested in games. Not interested in having anything to do with his surprise guest at all. But he doesn’t move. Words caught in his throat. 

“Besides,” Javier continues breezily,  “you aren’t very convincing. I told you last time, I like this look on you, all mad and–”

Joel feels thorns clawing at his throat. Furious that his nerves flutter in response to Javier’s backward flattery. He can’t be thinking straight, that’s all. 

In fact, it’s damned near impossible to think when Javier keeps running his mouth, pushing every button he’s got. 

“Fuck you,” Joel hisses, vibrating with frustration, cutting off whatever Javier’s next words would have been. 

Amused by the interruption, Javier’s smile widens, eyes gleaming. “Mm,” he purrs, stepping closer, “You would like to, wouldn’t you?”

That’s it. 

Joel snaps, his hand shoots out, grabbing Javier by the front of his shirt and shoving him roughly against the nearest wall. The loud thud of Javier’s back hitting the drywall echoes in the small office. But the smirk on Javier’s face only deepens. 

“Touchy today, aren’t you?” Javier teases, breath coming out in a soft laugh. His body is pinned between the wall and Joel’s, but he doesn’t seem fazed. In fact, he looks pleased with the predicament. 

Joel’s breath is coming out hard and fast, fists still gripping the fabric of Javier’s shirt. This is the last person he wants to see right now. He seethes. Pent up and compressed into a dangerous coil. 

“You think this is funny?” Joel snarls, his face mere inches from Javier’s. 

Javier’s smile softens into something darker, more intimate. “A little,” he admits, leaning in just enough that their noses almost brush. “But, you seem to be taking it pretty seriously.” Javier shifts under Joel’s grip, his hands skirting up Joel’s waist. “You’re so worked up.” 

Joel grits his teeth, a ferocious-looking expression that only eggs Javier on. 

Dropping to a whisper to demand that Joel listens closely, Javier adds, “Maybe you’re not mad at me at all.” 

Before Joel can snap back, Javier shifts, movements effortless and exact. 

In an instant, Joel finds himself flipped, his back flat against the wall, slammed with a force that he wasn’t expecting. Javier’s arm presses across Joel’s chest, and his hips press against Joel’s in a way that sends a hot wave of need shooting down Joel’s spine. 

“Maybe,” Javier murmurs, lips to Joel’s ear, “you’re just mad at yourself.” Javier rocks his hips into Joel’s, grinding against his body in a slow, deliberate motion. A shudder ripples through Joel’s frame, even as his mind rebels against the thrill. “Denying the truth.” He emphasizes his point, pelvis pressing into Joel’s hardening cock, rolling his hips again. “Denying the pleasure.” 

No. Joel holds out. He isn’t going there. Not now, not ever.

But damn, the way Javier has him, the heat of his body against Joel’s. It tugs at the tangled knot of confusion in his chest. The knot that’s close to unraveling. 

“Fuck you,” Joel spits again, but it lacks the venom from earlier. His voice is a little shaky, resolve crumbling the longer Javier stays this close.

Javier smiles, his lips brushing against Joel’s jaw. “Say it, Joel.” He’s all-consuming, like a tidal wave crashing over and destroying all of Joel’s hastily constructed defenses. Javier is a relentless force. 

“Say it,” Javier demands. “I already know. Knew the first night we met,” he murmurs. “Just need to hear you say it.” 

Joel’s heart pounds against his chest, and his mind races. He wants to shove Javier off, wants to do anything other than stand there and feel his body respond to every damn word Javier says. Instead, he can’t seem to do anything. Can’t stop the muscles spasming in his core, or the way his chest heaves under Javier’s arm. 

“You can’t, though,” Javier whispers, his voice a dark, teasing rumble. He drops his arm, releasing Joel from his hold. “Such a shame. I wanted to know what you could do with that pretty cock of yours.” 

That was the last straw.

Joel grabs Javier by the waist, roughly spinning him around, and shoving him face-first onto the desk. 

“You wanna know what I can do with it?” his voice is harsh and wild. 

A reckless energy blazes between them. He pushes Javier down, leaning over him, chest pressed into Javier’s back. One hand snakes down Javier’s side, stopping at his hip. The other hand firmly planted on the back of Javier’s neck, pinning him down. 

Javier catches his breath. He doesn’t resist. If anything, he leans into it, arching his back, breath coming out in soft pants as Joel’s firm body boxes him in. With their bodies pressed tightly together, Joel’s straining erection isn’t subtle. “That’s more like it,” Javier murmurs, breathless but still smug. 

“Shut up,” Joel’s voice is hoarse. He is losing himself in it, the heat, the tension. Javier’s solid, toned body beneath his. He doesn’t want to think anymore. Doesn’t want to feel. He just wants to take control. To push past all the noise in his head. 

His body is on fire. Adrenaline, testosterone, and arousal all surge through him. Heightening every sensation, forcing him to be present. Rooted in his physicality. 

Gritting his teeth, Joel’s hands grip Javier tighter, a bruising force. 

“You’re gonna be good now,” Joel orders, “For me.” His voice is rough dark, and he doesn’t bother trying to hide the anger—or the heat—coursing through him. He can’t deny it right now, not when it burns so intensely.

He shifts his stance behind Javier, grinding his hips forward and feeling how Javier’s body responds. How he invites the contact and braces against the desk. Sweet, thick satisfaction pools at the base of Joel’s spine. 

Javier is still mouthing off, taunting Joel. Despite his voice sounding more breathless, it still brims with arrogance. “For you,” Javier repeats Joel’s words. “I thought it was all just for her? Have you changed your mind now?” 

Joel doesn’t answer. He’s too far gone. His hands move to the waistband of Javier’s jeans, yanking them down roughly, exposing the curve of his ass. Javier lets out a small gasp but doesn’t protest. In fact, Joel can feel the anticipation humming in Javier’s body, and he’s amused when Javier presses back as if he needs to dare Joel to go further. As if he could stop now.

Curling over Javier’s body, Joel presses his fingers to Javier’s mouth. “Suck.” Javier complies, allowing Joel to slip two fingers past his lips. Javier lets a hum vibrate around Joel’s fingers that causes Joel to roll his hips, grinding his still-clothed erection against Javier. 

Losing the war with himself, Joel takes out his resentment on Javier. He hooks his fingers into Javier’s cheek–jerking his head to the side. He glowers at the signs of arousal on Javier’s face. The undignified hunger. 

Remnants of disgust curdle in Joel’s gut. “You’re fuckin’ sick,” he accuses in a husky whisper, removing his fingers and straightening, breaking the eye contact that stirred something fierce and hot in his veins.

Accusations aside, Joel continues. He watches, smirking to himself, as Javier tenses at the sudden contact when Joel runs his hand over the curve of his ass. He takes his time. Enjoying his own exploration of Javier’s body. Smooth skin and firm and muscular. 

When he slowly pushes a finger inside, Javier’s body tenses at first, but Joel is persistent, working in deeper and stretching him open. 

Javier lets out a soft moan, still managing to sound smug even with the sharp gasp that follows. “You act all pissed,” Javier’s whispers, “but you love this.” His voice drips like warm honey with a teasing bite. 

Joel grunts, ignoring the taunts, focusing instead on the way Javier’s body relaxes beneath him, allowing him to add another finger. Javier’s breath hitches and he drops his head onto the desk. 

“Yeah,” Joel mutters, “you like that.”  

His words on encourage Javier to continue, “Know you wanted this,” he breathes, “that you’ve been thinking about it since last time, since the first time.” He continues his murmuring, words spilling over Joel’s desk, “I know because you’ve been in my fuckin’ head since that night.” 

“You’ve got an awful smart for someone in your position,” he continues, mindlessly flipping the attitude back at Javier, pointedly ignoring his confession. 

A strained chuckle comes from Javier, his body tightening with every twist of Joel’s fingers. “You still think you’re in control here?” he breathes, voice challenging and raw. “You’ve got no idea.” 

Joel pulls his fingers out abruptly, letting out a throaty growl as he shoves his jeans down just far enough to free himself. He spits in his hand, slicking himself up with rough, hurried strokes, his mind focused on the sight of Javier bent over his desk, waiting for more, begging for it. 

“Let’s see if you can keep running your mouth with my cock inside you,” Joel’s voice is layered with satisfaction. A challenge. He’s firm, gripping Javier’s hips and lining himself up. The room feels still, their ragged breath the only sound filling the air. 

He feeds his cock into Javier slowly. The tight heat of Javier’s body draws a guttural noise out of Joel, and he pauses for just a moment, letting the sensation wash over him. Then he pushes in deeper, inch by inch. 

Javier lets out a sharp moan, hands balling into fists against the flat top of the desk. “Fuck,” he breathes, and this time there’s no teasing edge, just raw need. 

Holding still while they both catch their breath, Joel’s hands dig tightly into Javier’s hips, anchoring the two of them together. He buries himself to the hilt, savoring the overwhelming sensation of heat and friction. 

And then he starts to move. 

Slowly, at first. Deliberate. He moves with measured control, hips snapping forward, pushing deeper with every stroke. Javier groans beneath him, then manages to mumble something about Joel being desperate, about how much he wanted this, but the words are broken, breathless. 

“Yeah?” Joel growls, picking up the pace, his movements growing rougher, harder. “That’s what you think?” 

Javier’s body jerks with each powerful thrust, breath coming in short bursts. “I know it,” he rasps, his grip on the desk tightening as Joel relentlessly continues. Slamming into him harder now, control beginning to slip. 

“You talk too much,” Joel decides, pounding harshly into Javier, reveling in the sweet clench as his pelvis meets Javier’s ass. He’s entranced by the sensation, the skin-to-skin contact, the heat, sweat, and musk. 

Joel feels reckless. Intoxicated with the rush of adrenaline and dopamine. Chasing an escape and taking it out on Javier. He is distantly aware that Javier has stopped with his taunting. The only sound either of them makes are low groans and throaty grunts as he pounds into the man beneath him. 

So absorbed with the immorality and the thrill he’s blind to the rest of the world and the rest of the room. 

Until the door opens. 

Joel freezes, his heart dropping into his stomach. 

It’s you. 

You shut the door, locking it, before turning back to face both men. Joel’s mind goes blank. His body is still pressed against Javier, his hands still grip his hips, his body flush against his. 

For a split second, he thinks he can pull away and cover up the situation somehow, but there is nothing that can explain this away. No excuse. No cover story. His body runs cold, at a loss for words, mouth agape. 

Then he sees the look on your face. 

You stand still, like a prey animal caught in the line of sight of two apex predators. You can see the fear in Joel’s eyes, and your heart lurches, aching to comfort him. But the rest of the scene has you stopped in your tracks. 

Joel sees your eyes widen; your breath is shallow, but there’s no shock. No confusion or hurt. Just a raw, undeniable hunger. You aren’t prey. 

You stand, taking in the sight of Joel fucking Javier into his desk, and your lips part in a small, breathless sigh. 

Javier turns to take you in, noticing the shift in the room, but he doesn’t pull away either. He is glowing, flashing his teeth with a wicked smile. The locks of hair on his forehead are damp with sweat, and his chest heaves as he remains braced atop the desk across from you. 

“Look who’s here to watch. Her own private show.” 

Joel swallows hard, still buried deep inside of Javier, his heart races. Adrenaline and arousal tangle together in a haze that leaves him unsure and adrift. 

You step further into the room, your gaze never leaving Joel’s as you cross the room. Setting down the lunch you brought, you perch on the edge of the chair that sits in front of the desk. 

“Don’t stop,” you encourage. 

Joel still looks like he’s forgotten how to blink or breathe. 

“The deli had a long line, and I couldn’t get parking,” you trail off a little breathlessly, watching the confusion on your man’s face. 

Statuesque and still, Joel is dumbfounded that you���re talking about being late for lunch while he’s balls-deep in the man bent over his desk. Is this real life? He’s been plagued with dreams of Javier for the last two weeks, waking up hard and sweating. But they weren’t like this. None of them were like this. 

“Don’t stop,” you repeat, voice dropping, sultry and encouraging. But he’s still locked in a trance.

“Can’t perform for an audience this time?” Javier quips, and Joel can hear the eye roll in his tone. 

Joel swallows hard, his mind spinning. He doesn’t know what to make of this. How to handle the fact that you’re here, watching. But with the heat in your eyes and the lack of surprise, you seem so relaxed–no, you’re enjoying this. 

That does something to Joel. 

Something dangerous. 

The invitation in your eyes sets him off. 

“She said don’t stop,” Javier continues on, smirking playfully at you, pushing back against Joel. 

Slowly, Joel regains feeling in his body. His hold on Javier constricting, his breath steadying, “I won’t.” He starts to move again, indulging in the sensation as he slowly drags his cock almost all of the way out before burying himself deep with a harsh snap of his hips. The motion forces a gravelly moan out of Javier that makes your cheeks hot. 

Joel continues, unhurried, fixed on the expression on your face and the depravity of the situation. You have a sparkle in your eye that he’s familiar with. “You knew,” Joel states. You nod in affirmation, a grin spreading on your face. 

“I set it up,” you whisper. 

Your admission hangs in the air. The sex-filled, debacherously thick air. Joel's remaining hesitance dissipates as it all sinks in. Washing away the fear of being caught or ashamed. He can see the glow on your face, your eyes dark--blown out with lust, wetting your lips as you wait for more. He can ask questions later. 

For you. 

He tells himself, dismissing the last of the voices in the back of his mind. 

You can see the gears turning in Joel’s head before something settles in, and the dark look he gives you makes your body burn up. Joel grunts, and you nearly melt, knees weak at the eroticism. It’s a good thing you’re seated. 

Joel slams harder into Javier, giving in to the primal heat driving him forward. Every broken breath from Javier feeds Joel’s growing need. His intensity shoots straight to your core. Your cunt throbs between your legs. You settle back into the chair, savoring the fruits of your labor. 

Your eyes trail over both men. It’s better than you could’ve imagined. You only wish you’d been in the room last week. However, getting the details from Javier kept you aching all week, even with Joel’s newly acquired midnight oral fixation. 

You feel the hungry look on your face, gaze darkening as you marvel at the lewd scene. You don’t wait for Joel’s approval. Hand dipping beneath the waistband of your shorts, slipping over the seam of your pussy, already needy and wet from the debased view of the two gorgeous men. 

“Oh, shit,” Javier’s eyes nearly roll back as he watches you, eyes flicking from your hand disappearing beneath your shorts and up to your face. 

Your lips part, arousal flooding your body at the dynamic between both men. You watch them in awe, like your very own porn starring your two favorite men. It’s indescribably hot to see you Joel so unraveled, his teeth clenched in a feral snarl as he continues. And to see Javier so blissed out beneath him. 

“Show me,” Joel’s plea sends a tingly thrill down your spine. You remove your hand from between your legs to show off the tips of your fingers, glistening from tracing your slick folds. The way both men are glued to your display gives you a different thrill, something powerful and bright that starts in your chest and flows through your body. “Show me everything, baby,” his gruff voice is irrefutable. 

You slip the shorts off, spreading your legs wide and parting yourself boldly to give your men their own private show. You trace your fingers from your entrance to your clit, drawing circles and seeking relief from the pulsing need that has you already feeling precariously close to the edge. 

Joel’s breath comes in harsh pants now, body slick with sweat. The desk rattles beneath them as he drives into Javier, losing himself in the rhythm, the heat, the friction, and in the sounds Javier makes–those desperate moans, ragged breaths, the way he was trembling beneath Joel, taking it all. 

And all the while, Joel’s gaze flicks back to you, watching the way your breath quickens, the way you touch yourself more urgently. Like a live wire had been lit between the three of you, charging the room with an intensity Joel had never felt before.

You’re spread out in front of both of them, a vision he’ll never forget. You freely let out soft whimpers and sweet whines that drive him wild. It all surges through Joel like a fever, threatening to consume him and driving him harder into Javier, who lets out a strangled moan. 

“Fuck, I’m so close,” you sound frustrated. “You have no idea how fucking hot you are like this–shit.” You watch them with rapt attention, your hand moving quickly between your legs as you touch yourself. Joel can hear the soft, slick sounds of your fingers working and can see the way your body shivers with the same need that builds inside both men. 

Your soft moans fill the room, blending with Javier’s broken gasps and Joel’s deep, gruff groans, creating a symphony of debased pleasure. 

“Let’s see,” Joel encourages you in a hoarse voice. You can feel all of the need radiating from both men, it’s salacious and empowering. Joel’s gaze stays on you as he pounds into Javier, watching as you arch your back slightly, fingers working faster. Your parted lips and breathless noises make Joel’s pulse pike. 

“I’m gonna come,” You can’t stop drawing out deep and bright waves of pleasure as your eyes dance in a flurry between Joel and Javier, taking in every detail. You can vaguely hear Joel’s praise as you work through the sensations. Panting shallowly, you’re fixed back on them as you start to relax. 

Joel’s cock throbs inside Javier as he watches you, and for a brief moment, his rhythm falters, overwhelmed by how much it was turning him on to see you like this, to know you were getting off watching him like this. 

Having caught on to Joel’s shift in focus, Javier lets out a choppy laugh. His own voice cracks with need. “She likes watching you fuck me,” he says, his words slurred with pleasure. “Look at her,” he begs in earnest. 

“Shut up,” Joel grits out. 

But Javier only laughs again, his voice still jagged. “Can’t blame her,” he continues, testing Joel’s patience. “Told you already, that sexy angry look you get–” 

Joel doesn’t let him finish. He slams forward, thrusting into him deep and hard. Cutting Javier’s words off with a loud, choked moan. “Talk too fuckin’ much,” Joel spits out roughly as he leans over, his chest pressing against Javier’s back. 

Joel catches the telltale hitch in Javier’s breath, the sharp, desperate moan that slipped from his lips as his need builds, coiling tight in his gut. He slides a hand over the curve of Javier’s ass, snaking around his hip, tracing over the curls at the base of his cock, and finally wrapping his fingers around his length. 

Javier’s entire body jolts, clenching tightly around Joel at the contact. Joel strokes Javier’s cock firmly, matching the rhythm of his own thrusting. He revels in the delicious sensation of Javier tensing beneath him, and his breath catches in his throat. 

The display of dominance and ego keeps you enthralled. Skin ablaze as you can barely keep up with the intensity of the two of them. You sink two fingers into your throbbing cunt, aching to feel filled and as wrecked as Javier seems. 

Javier’s body clenches tightly around Joel as he watches you come in front of them, for them, but Joel isn’t about to stop. “You,” Joel growls as he pulls Javier’s head back just enough to hear him better. “You’re next.” 

“Just–fuck,” Javier groans, hips pushing back to meet every thrust, practically vibrating under Joel, the usual cockiness faltering and replaced with something more intimate. “Don’t stop.” 

Grinning through clenched teeth, leaning forward, breath hot against Javier’s ear, Joel’s voice is velvety smooth, “I know.” 

“You gonna come for me?” Joel asks, his fist tightening as he jerks Javier’s cock, his other hand holding him steady by the hips. 

“Please,” you add, desperate to see them fall apart. 

“You–” Javier’s head drops forward, his voice a ragged gasp. He can’t finish the sentence as Joel slams forward, his hand moving faster and harder as he feels Javier’s cock pulsing in his grip. 

“Come on,” Joel taunts now, rough and demanding. “Do as you’re told for once, Javier, come for me.” 

And with a sharp gasp and cry, Javier’s body tenses, his cock jerking in Joel’s hand as he comes. The sheer intensity of his release is all too much. 

Javier slumps forward, panting and spent, Joel’s gaze shoots back to you. The sight of you–the way you are losing yourself in watching them–makes Joel’s entire body light up with a new intensity. 

You let out another soft groan, your gaze locked on Joel’s as you touch yourself, your fingers glossy with slick arousal. “Fuck, Joel,” you whisper. “Please.” 

His body reacts immediately to the sound of your voice, the sight of you so undone, and he knows he’s close. He can feel the way his cock throbs inside of Javier, the heat of his release building in his gut, tightening with every rough movement. But this. Having you here, watching pushes him to the edge in a way he hadn’t anticipated. 

Hips stuttering, Joel’s orgasm tears through him. Groaning deep within his chest, his body jerks forward as he comes inside of Javier. His fingers dig so hard into Javier’s hips that he knows he’s going to leave bruises. 

Javier shudders beneath him, panting, body spent, but still bracing himself against the desk as Joel rides out the last of his release, breath coming in harsh, uneven pants. He looks at you, and a grin spreads on his face. The wrung-out expression really does it for you. 

Your eyes are half-lidded, face hot with arousal, fingers desperately reaching for the sensitive spot inside your cunt that Joel reaches with ease. Both men’s dark eyes rake over your body, spurring you on. Writhing under your own hands and their heady expressions. 

“Goddamn,” Javier breathes raggedly, but his tone is laced with admiration as he watches you. It makes you glow. “So pretty like that.” You moan louder, body arching as you ride the edge of your release. 

“Such a good girl,” Joel says. “Come for us.” 

With a shattered breath, you come–moans filling the room as your core contacts in waves. Until you’re cursing and panting softly. Letting the praise flowing from Joel and Javier wash over you. You giggle softly, acknowledging you feel more cockdrunk than the two of them look despite only watching. 

You feel a warmth settling between the three of you. 

It makes your limbs feel loose and floaty as you smile lazily, watching both men tuck their softening cocks back into their jeans. You swell with pride. For your own luck, snagging two incredibly gorgeous men. And for successfully executing your plan. 

You know there’s more work to do. You catch the awkward pauses and shuffling, but you can only allow your heart to swell as Joel helps you to your feet as if your legs stopped working. A deep-seated contentment unfurls in your chest when his arms wrap around you. And when he releases you, watching as you pull Javier towards you, you remain hopeful. 

You’ve got more in mind for your two Texans. 

divider: @cyberangel-graphics

lomls:

@lovely-vamp-princess @gothcsz @auteurdelabre @adoreyouusugar @swankyorange

@94namkooksworld

@gothcsz

@thundermartini

@magneticecstasy

@witchofthedeepwoods

@txlady37

@oldenoughtoknowbettersstuff

@bitchesuntitled

@itwasntimethatdidit40

@tobethlehem

@amanitacowboy

@lotusbxtch

@qveerthe0ry

@ace-turned-confused

[mariacallous]

Driven by hardline prosecutors and tough-on-crime governors, the number of executions jumped 64 percent in 2022 and increased again in 2023 to a total of 24, the highest in five years.

Perhaps the most crucial player in the death penalty’s resurrection, though, is the U.S. Supreme Court, whose historic role of maintaining guardrails has given way to removing roadblocks. Under the conservative supermajority put in place by President Donald Trump, the justices are far more likely to propel an execution forward than intercede to stop it, including in cases where guilt is in doubt or where the means of carrying it out could result in a grotesque spectacle of pain and suffering.

...

In 1976, the Supreme Court famously declared that “death is different,” and demanded an extra level of scrutiny because a mistake is irreversible. Historically, in particularly troubling instances involving state misconduct or abysmal defense lawyering, the Court sometimes intervened at the eleventh hour — from 2013 to 2023, it stayed an execution just 11 times and vacated stays of execution 18 times, according to Bloomberg Law.

Since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her replacement with Amy Coney Barrett in 2020, the Court has stopped an execution only twice and reversed a lower court to permit an execution nine times. In 2023, 26 condemned prisoners asked the Court to hear their cases; 25 were rejected. The message is clear: Prosecutors eager to seek and swiftly impose death sentences can reliably do so without judicial interference.

...

In Bucklew v. Precythe, a majority of the court opined that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment “does not guarantee a prisoner a painless death — something that, of course, isn’t guaranteed to many people, including most victims of capital crimes.” In the court’s reasoning, the excruciating pain the defendant might suffer during execution paled in comparison with the terror and mayhem he inflicted during his crimes.

In that same opinion, the Court indicated an impatience with pausing executions while it considered whether to hear the underlying claims from appellate attorneys. Justice Neil Gorsuch warned his colleagues to be skeptical when reading eleventh hour death row appeals: “Last minute stays should be the extreme exception, not the norm.”

It has been. Consider the 13 federal prisoners who were sent to the death chamber in the final months of Trump’s presidency. In a series of terse orders, issued without briefing, argument or public airing of the legal issues, the court blessed the rushed, furious pace. Using this opaque process, which legal scholars call the “shadow docket,” the justices erased lower-court injunctions against executions in seven cases and turned away last-minute requests for stays in the other six. During the 16 years in which Barack Obama and George W. Bush occupied the White House, the Court had invoked the shadow docket to rule for the government a total of four times and “never in a death penalty case,” according to Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law. In Trump’s single term in office, the number jumped to 28, including non-capital cases.

More recently, the Court has rejected cases that advocates say are riddled with error or rest on shaky evidence.

...

Death penalty cases are notoriously rife with racism, questions of innocence, mental health of the accused and whether they received competent legal counsel. Sometimes the facts are too dire for courts to ignore, and even some pro-death penalty politicians are unwilling to take actions in flagrant violation of established norms. The total number of executions over the past decade is still a fraction of its peak in the 1990s.

And yet, the death penalty machine continues to crank on. These days, the battles over who lives and who dies are increasingly local — waged courtroom by courtroom because the Supreme Court has largely abdicated its decades long role as the final arbiter.

“It is becoming more and more clear that the Court is reluctant to interfere in state court cases even to enforce its own precedent,” said Robin Maher, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. “They are saying, ‘This is not our problem to deal with.’”

An ‘Execute-Them-At-Any-Cost Mentality’: The Supreme Court’s New, Bloodthirsty Era

[floridaboiler]

(I had to recreate this post from the original person since it wouldn’t reblog for me)

LEGEND

BENAVIDEZ, ROY P.

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant. Organization: Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam

Place and date: West of Loc Ninh on May 2, 1968

Entered service at: Houston, Texas June 1955

Born: August 5, 1935, DeWitt County, Cuero, Texas.

Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. BENAVIDEZ United States Army, distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam.

On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire.

Sergeant BENAVIDEZ was at the Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when these helicopters, of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, returned to off-load wounded crew members and to assess aircraft damage. Sergeant BENAVIDEZ voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering small arms fire to the crippled team.

Prior to reaching the team’s position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft, and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke canisters to direct the aircraft to the team’s position. Despite his severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up the remaining team members. As the enemy’s fire intensified, he hurried to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader.

When he reached the leader’s body, Sergeant BENAVIDEZ was severely wounded by small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Sergeant BENAVIDEZ secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant BENAVIDEZ mustered his strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy’s fire and so permit another extraction attempt.

He was wounded again in his thigh by small arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from behind by an enemy soldier. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he sustained additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary.[5][note 1] He then continued under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded.

Only then, in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood, did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Sergeant BENAVIDEZ’ gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire, and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.

[lemoncrushh]

Too Far From Texas | Chapter Seven

STORY PAGE

Word Count: 5224

After fifty rounds of arguing with Emery about why I wouldn’t let her wear her new costume to school, we finally came to a compromise. I allowed her to wear the dress, but she had to leave the wings and wig at home. It was just too special, I told her, and Harry had gone to a lot of trouble to get it for her. I didn’t want it ruined before she could go trick or treating because some kid sat on her wings and crushed them, or she decided the wig was too itchy, took it off and accidentally left it.

When I got to work, Lorelei was already in the break room, a witch hat on her head. She turned to me with a look of disappointment.

“You didn’t dress up!” she pouted.

“Neither did you,” I scoffed, crossing the room to grab a mug from the cupboard. “A hat does not a costume make.”

“I beg your pardon. I have my shawl at my desk. I’m Stevie Nicks.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “No, you’re not. Stevie does not wear a witch hat.”

“Yes she does! On Halloween. You’re the one who showed me a picture.”

“Touche,” I said, pouring creamer into my coffee. “But why Stevie?”

“Because I had the hat...and I couldn’t think of anything else.”

I laughed.

“So, you got me,” Lorelei shrugged. “But I did think maybe you’d dress up and we could be 'Sisters of the Moon'.”

“Do you have another hat for me?” I asked her.

“No.”

“Sorry to disappoint then,” I tossed the coffee stirrer in the trash.

“So did you talk to Harry last night?” she inquired as she followed me out into the hall.

“Only for a bit. He was flying out early this morning.”

“Did you make plans?”

“It’s still kinda up in the air right now,” I sighed when I entered my office and sat in my chair. “But I think it makes the most sense if we get together Thursday evening, as long as his schedule permits.”

A wide smile spread across Lorelei’s face as she sat on the edge of my desk.

“Are you excited?”

I glared at her for a moment until I pursed my lips, my cheeks suddenly getting warm.

“You have no idea,” I said, looking down at my lap.

“Oh, I think I do,” Lorelei quipped.

I sighed. “Talking to him on the phone is one thing, Lor. I feel like we’ve developed this sort of...relationship. But actually being with him…”

My words trailed off as I couldn’t finish the sentence. My heart seemed to beat faster at just the mere thought of seeing Harry again. I stared past Lorelei out the windows.

“Look at you all nervous,” teased Lorelei. “Over a man.”

I raised my brows and eyed her. “Why, have you never seen me like this before?”

“Well, yeah,” she tilted her head, “the night he came over. But that was more like first date jitters. This is different.”

“What would you call this?”

Lorelei pondered my question for a moment before finally settling on a shrug. “Not sure. At least I don’t wanna say yet. It might make you more nervous.”

“Gee, thanks. Like that doesn’t already.”

“You’ll be fine, Stace,” she smirked, rising from my desk and walking to the door. She stopped halfway and turned around. “Be sure to pack some sexy lingerie.”

“Lor!” I rolled my eyes.

She gingerly walked back to me, leaning over my chair. “You do plan on sleeping with him, right?” she whispered.

Combing a strand of hair behind my ear, my eyes wandered around the room. When I didn’t immediately give Lorelei the reply she’d hoped for, she cleared her throat.

“I suppose that’s none of my business,” she stated.

Finally looking at her, I muttered, “It’s been a really long time.”

“Yeah. I know,” she nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. “Even more the reason. You’re a grown woman, Stacey. You deserve to have fun.”

I blinked and gave a small smile.

With one last nod, Lorelei patted my back and left my office. My shoulders dropped as I sighed and rolled my chair around. I rose my arms over my head and stretched, determined to get at least a little bit of work done.

“Look how much candy I got!” Emery held up her bag to the phone for Harry to see.

“That’s a lot!” he smiled with wide eyes. “But I used to get twice as much when I was your age.”

“Really? Aw man!”

Harry chuckled. “Now step back and let me see your costume again.”

Emery stood back, proudly holding out her arms and giving a twirl.

“She’s had it on all day,” I explained, “but I got her to keep it on a little longer after my mom left so you could see.”

Harry had texted me earlier that afternoon, requesting that we Face Time that evening. My mom had come over to stay with Jasmine while I took Emery trick or treating, and she’d just left before I called Harry.

“All day?” he asked. “You wore it to school?”

“Only the dress,” Emery replied. “Mommy wouldn’t let me wear the wig and the wings.”

“Why not?”

My daughter looked at me and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Yes you do, silly girl,” I clicked my tongue. I addressed Harry, “We had a discussion about it last night and again this morning. I told her the costume was too special to get ruined the first time she wore it.”

“Is she wearing it again?” Harry inquired.

“Well no,” I shook my head. “But I didn’t want her to come home all upset because her wings broke or something.”

Harry eyed Emery with a pout. “Mum’s no fun, huh?”

“Hey!” I chided.

“No,” Emery agreed.

I made a face.

“Did you know I’ve worn wings on stage before?” asked Harry.

“Really?” Em beamed as she bounced on her toes. “Wings like mine? Or like a butterfly?”

“Actually, they were angel wings,” he replied. “Get your mum to show you on YouTube.”

“Not sure I’ve seen that,” I remarked.

“Would you have enjoyed wearing your wings to school?” Harry asked Emery.

“Yeah! It woulda been awesome!” Em threw up her arms, making Harry laugh. “Nobody knew who I was supposed to be. I kept having to explain.”

“See?” Harry looked at me with a smirk. “She just wanted to be her true self in all her glory.”

“Thanks a lot,” I muttered, then turned to Emery. “See if I take you trick or treating again.”

Harry laughed harder. “Uh oh, I think we upset your mum.”

I chuckled. “Gang up on me, why don’t you?”

“I’m sorry, Mommy!” Emery wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you for taking me trick or treating!”

“You’re welcome, sweet girl,” I kissed the top of her head. “I’m not upset. Now go get out of your costume and get your shower.”

“Okay,” she sighed, turning for the door.

“Wait, tell Harry goodnight,” I insisted.

“Oh yeah...night Harry!” she called.

“Goodnight, Miss Lapis!” Harry returned. “Sweet dreams!”

Emery giggled and blew him a kiss before skipping down the hall. I rose from the bed and shut the door once I heard her turn on the shower.

“She’s such a cute kid,” said Harry.

“Thanks,” I grinned, sitting back down on the edge of the bed. “Sometimes she can be a handful, but I like that she has her own personality, you know? Like, she has her own things she likes and that she’s into. She wants everyone to like her, but at the same time she doesn’t always follow the pack.”

“Hmm,” Harry raised his brows and nodded. “I can tell. Don’t you want to encourage that?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I just…” he sighed and shook his head. “Nothing. I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“Forget it. It’s not my place. You’re her mother.”

I blinked, curious. “No. Tell me.”

“Stacey, I...I think you’re a great mother, please don’t misunderstand. I just wonder…” he swallowed hard. “Is it better to have joy or to be safe?”

“What?” I mouthed.

“You know, with the wings. Why was it more important to save them and be safe than just leap in and enjoy them wholeheartedly while they lasted?”

“Well, I…” I bit my lip, pondering his question. “I don’t know. I guess I just tend to take care of my things. Especially when they’re special to me. And when they get ruined, I get upset.”

Harry gave a gentle smile. “Perhaps that’s not Emery’s tendency though. She is a kid after all.”

I shrugged. “I was that way as a kid too. I cried when I brought a doll to school and someone ripped her bow out of her hair.”

Harry chuckled. “Alright, fair enough. But you said yourself Em’s different. She has her own personality.”

“True.”

“I sent her that costume because I wanted her to have it. I wanted her to be happy with it and enjoy it.”

“Okay,” I nodded, lying back on the bed.

“I’ve completely overstepped my boundaries here,” Harry remarked.

“No,” I grinned. “No, you’re fine. I get it. And you’re right. I’m probably a little too careful. And I tend to pass that on to her even though I don’t mean to.”

“I haven’t upset you, have I?”

“No, of course not,” I curled a strand of hair around my finger. “So how’s New York?”

“Good,” he replied. “But it’s about to get better.”

“How so?”

“Well…” a slow, teasing smile spread across his face and he licked his bottom lip. “It seems a gorgeous redhead will be here in a little more than twenty-four hours.”

“Gorgeous redhead?” I quoted. “Those can be dangerous.”

“I’m counting on it,” he said low, making my insides flip.

“And what do you plan on doing with this redhead in New York?” I inquired, playing along.

“Not gonna give away my secrets just yet,” Harry replied with a smirk.

“Not even to the redhead?”

Harry chuckled. “Especially not to the redhead.”

I tried my best not to laugh as I gave him my best pout which only made him laugh harder like the little devil he was. Our teasing was interrupted, however, when Emery opened my door and stood in her pajamas, holding her pink teddy bear with sleepy eyes.

“Hold that thought,” I told Harry who only continued to smirk at me. I shook my head and dropped the phone on the bed, ushering Emery back to her room and tucking her in. She was out like a light before I even turned hers off and tip toed back to mine, trading the overhead light for the bedside lamp.

“Now, where were we?” I asked just above a whisper.

“I’ve no idea.”

“Something about secrets?”

Harry’s chest shook as his eyes danced with glee. I rolled my eyes as I laid back on my pillow with a giggle.

“Okay then, I see how you are.”

“What?” he smirked. “I told you I was gonna take you out on a date.”

“Where? Dinner?”

“Only part of it, my love.” Harry licked his lips, a gesture that I knew was natural and automatic, but still managed to turn me on. I felt myself sigh as I pulled my sheet back and crawled underneath.

“Are you excited to see me?” he inquired, his voice deep again.

“I can see you right now,” I quipped.

“I mean in person,” he shot back with a chuckle.

“Of course I am.”

“Good. ‘Cause I’m very excited.”

I smiled. “What night are we going out?”

“Well, I would have preferred tomorrow night,” he replied, “but seeing as you’ll be getting in late, I’m willing to wait until Thursday.”

“Sorry you have to sacrifice,” I teased.

“I’m sure you’re worth the wait,” he said, biting his bottom lip.

I had to curse myself internally to get a grip. I made a little sound and blinked slowly before pretending like I was reaching for something on my nightstand, just so I could momentarily divert my gaze from his blazing green eyes.

“Oh, I wanted to tell you…” Harry continued, “I was listening to that Buckingham Nicks album.”

“It’s great isn’t it?” I beamed, happy to talk about Stevie.

“Yeah. I really like that first song, ‘Crying in the Night’. I’d love to hear you sing it.”

“What? No,” I laughed, shaking my head.

“Please?” he begged. “I bet you’d sound fantastic.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, I sat up in the bed and ran my fingers through my hair. As soon as I started the first line, I caught Harry’s smile, instantly making me feel a mixture of appreciation and nerves.

“She was that kind of lady…Times were hard, oh…She could come curling round you like fingers… But she’ll leave you crying in the night…”

As I started the second line of the chorus, Harry surprised me by joining in, giving me the harmony. My eyes wide, I continued to sing as I watched Harry remove from view only to return with a guitar in his hands. I figured he must have propped up his phone somewhere as he sat on the hotel bed and fingered the strings until he found the correct chords. I almost forgot the rest of the lyrics, but I managed to sing the entire song with Harry helping me out.

“And she’s looking around…”

When we were finished, I felt so overwhelmed I started laughing hard, falling back onto my pillow and covering my face with my hand.

“That was great,” Harry commented. “You’re awesome.”

“I can’t believe I did that.”

“Why are you embarrassed, baby?”

“I’m not,” I denied.

“Then why do you have your face hidden?” he chuckled.

“Just…” I giggled and lowered one hand, “that felt good.”

“Yeah?” Harry twitched his brows as he slung an arm over the front of his guitar. I slowly lowered my other hand and took him in.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Very good.”

“I’m glad,” he said, strumming a couple more chords before removing the guitar from his lap and laying it on the bed behind him. “We’ll be doing more of that.”

“In New York?” 

“Maybe.” 

“Should I be making requests?” I grinned.

“Not yet. For now requests are all mine.”

“That’s no fair,” I feigned a pout again.

Harry laughed and I saw him reach for the phone and shift back so that he was lying on the pillow, his arm behind his head.

“You’ll get your turn, Ms. Barnett,” he promised with a sly grin.

I giggled a squeak, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. “God, you’re cute.”

“So are you. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I’m gonna get to be with you again.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m kinda crazy about you, Stacey, in case you haven’t noticed.”

I held my breath as I stared at him.

“Please tell me you noticed,” he said. “Otherwise I reckon I’m doing this wrong.”

“No,” I blinked. “No, I...I noticed. I guess it’s just a little different to actually hear it put into words.”

I watched him roll over onto his side. “And here I thought actions spoke louder than words.”

I smiled. “They do. It’s just...nice to hear it sometimes.”

“Then I’ll have to remember to do both,” he said softly.

Resting his head on the palm of his hand, he gave me a look that told me he meant every word.

“Harry?”

“Yes, love?”

“I…” I swallowed hard. “I should probably get to sleep. Long day tomorrow.”

“Of course. Text me when you land?”

“You got it,” I promised. “Goodnight, Harry.”

“Night, baby.”

My skin felt like it was on fire. I laid in the darkness with the covers kicked off, hoping to God the ceiling fan would be enough to cool me. I tried my best to think of anything other than that look he’d given me or the sound of his voice as he’d sung harmony, but the attempt was futile. I kept picturing his green eyes, his fingers on the guitar, imagining them playing me instead.

There was no denying it. I was so into him. I was a goner.

I tossed and turned all night. Going to New York and meeting Harry should have been exhilarating, but instead I wandered through my day feeling like a zombie. By the time I left work, I still had to rush home, grabbing a pizza on the way for the girls and me. After we ate, I hurried to get their bags packed before taking them to Tod’s. Once there, he felt the need to tell me a list of unnecessary things to which I replied in small words and nods. To top it off, there was an accident on the freeway, and I barely made it to the airport in time to meet Lorelei.

I can’t sleep on planes. Even though I’d been on a few flights in my day, and they always managed to make me sleepy, I just can’t actually fall asleep. It’s like being in a car to me. Too much movement and when I close my eyes it actually makes me disoriented. So instead, while Lorelei snoozed next to me, her head resting on a pillow pressed against the window, I plugged in my headphones and listened to a playlist I’d created before I left. Most of it was Harry’s album mixed with some One Direction and Fleetwood Mac, a few of my other favorites included here and there. As the music drifted, so did my mind. I thought of Harry, what I might do when I saw him, what he might do when he saw me. I hoped that our relationship wasn’t purely a flirtatious exchange on the phone, and that we truly had the chemistry I felt we did.

When Lorelei woke up, we ordered cocktails and toasted to our first real adventure. By the time the plane landed, we were both feeling pretty good, though I was a little sleepy and eager to text Harry. I sent him a quick message that I was at the airport and after we got settled in our hotel, I would text him again. Shoving my phone into my purse, I followed Lorelei to baggage claim and then outside so we could catch a cab.

“Oh my God, look!” exclaimed Lorelei as soon as the automatic doors opened.

My jaw dropped when I saw the sign the man was holding with our last names on it. He was standing in front of a stretch limo.

“That can’t be for us,” I muttered.

“What other Barnett and Burns do you know coming to New York?” Lor looked at me.

I sucked in my lips as I stepped forward, pulling my wheeled suitcase behind me.

“Hi there,” Lorelei greeted the limo driver, tossing her blonde curls and laying on her accent a little thicker than usual. “We’re Stacey Barnett and Lorelei Burns. Would this lovely car be for us, you think?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the man grinned, lowering his sign. “Right this way.”

As he held the door open for us, Lorelei and I crawled inside the massive vehicle, trying our best not to giggle like high school girls on prom night. After the driver took our luggage and settled into the front seat, we took off into the night, the city lights illuminating like a Christmas display.

Several minutes later, while Lorelei was oohing and ahhing over the sights, I poked her in the side, wondering if the driver even knew where we were staying. With a shrug, Lor scooted closer to the back of the driver’s seat and patted him on the shoulder.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

I rolled my eyes. Only Lorelei.

“Andrew, Miss.”

“Andy? Or just Andrew?”

I caught a glimpse of his smile in the rearview mirror.

“Drew, actually,” he replied.

“Ah! Well, Drew, where are we going?”

“Your hotel, Miss. The Hyatt.”

“Right. Just making sure,” Lorelei grinned, patting Drew’s shoulder once more. “Good on ya.”

I gave her a side-eye as she leaned back in her seat. Shrugging, she folded her arms.

“Something tells me this was not Kris’s doing,” I remarked.

“I was just about to say the same thing.”

“He’s too much,” I shook my head and rested it in my hand as I gazed out the window.

Once Drew had dropped us off at our hotel and we’d checked in and rode the elevator up to our floor, I was so exhausted I felt like I could fall asleep standing up.

“Stacey,” I heard Lorelei say as I leaned against the elevator wall. She sounded so far away, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“Hmm?”

“If you wanna go to him, I’ll understand.”

“What?” I narrowed my eyes, standing up straight.

“To Harry. I know he’s probably waiting, and you’re dying to see him.”

“Tonight?” I voiced groggily. “No, not tonight. Too tired.”

The elevator doors opened then, and I hastily dragged my suitcase down the hall.

“Alright,” Lorelei said behind me. “Just wanted you to know I wouldn’t judge. Your virtue and integrity would still be intact.”

I chuckled sleepily, sliding my card key in the slot and pushing open the door.

“Thanks, Lor. But honestly, all I want right now is sleep.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “You can take the loo first then.”

Pulling my pajamas out of my bag, I headed to the bathroom and returned in record time. In two seconds I was settled under the covers while Lorelei took her turn, and just as though he knew, Harry rang.

“Hi there,” I yawned.

“Aw, my girl’s sleepy,” he cooed.

“Your girl?”

“Did I say that? How was your flight?”

“Fine,” I smiled. “Thanks for the limo.”

“What limo?” he teased. “They sent a limo? Jesus Christ, that’s gonna set me back.”

“Shut up,” I giggled.

“Good to hear you laugh, Stacey. Can’t wait til tomorrow.”

“Me neither. What time are we meeting?”

“I gotta double check my schedule because I think they’re rearranging some things, but I’ll text you in the morning, okay?”

“‘Kay.”

“Get some sleep, love. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too. Night, Harry.”

I didn’t wait for Lorelei to return before I turned out the lamp on my side and fell into a deep sleep.

“Are you sure this looks okay?”

I slid my hands down my hips as I inspected my reflection in the mirror. I’d brought one of my favorite dresses, a black one with a lace overlay, but now I was second guessing my choice.

“God, yes!” exclaimed Lorelei. “You look gorgeous!”

“I think I’ve gained weight since I wore this last,” I grimaced.

“Would you shut up? You’re so fucking sexy, he’s not gonna be able to keep his hands to himself.”

“Really?” I blushed.

“Please. I’d fuck you right now.”

“Lor!”

She threw her head back laughing. “Relax, Stace. You’re gonna be fine. He’s crazy about you already, I know.”

“I know, too,” I said softly. “He told me.”

A grin spread across her face. “Good. Now, go. Have a good time. I won’t wait up.”

I was more than nervous. Nervous was what I’d felt before the book signings. This was far beyond that. The cab driver pulled up to Harry’s hotel fifteen minutes earlier that we’d planned to meet. When I took the elevator to the lobby, the nerves had gotten to my legs, and I could literally feel them wobble. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I spotted the short hallway that led to the bar. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored wall next to the elevator, quickly combing my hair with my fingers before mentally coaxing my legs to take me forward.

He wasn’t there yet. I stood back a bit from the doorway as I glanced around the room. Only a couple of people were seated at tables, a few more at the bar. I made my way towards it, choosing the second to last seat at the far end. I ordered a double Grey Goose on the rocks with a splash of water and a lime, liquid courage.

Slipping out of my coat, I sat it on the corner of the bar, my clutch laying on top. I’d just taken my first sip when my phone made a sound in my purse. I pulled it out to see a text from Harry.

Sorry running a bit late. Should be down in ten.

I smiled as I texted him back.

No problem. I’ll just start getting drunk without you.

Sounds good :)

I continued to sip on my cocktail as I felt my nerves peeling away little by little. I crossed my legs on the barstool, allowing my strappy-heeled foot to swing slightly. These shoes always made me feel sexy, and the alcohol added to that made me feel even better.

Another ping from my phone alerted me of another text. Hoping Harry wasn’t cancelling on me at the last second, I read his words.

You look beautiful.

It took me a moment for it to register, but once it did, I turned my head toward the entrance. Harry stood there in the dim light, his phone in his hand, the smallest of smirks on his face. He looked incredible. He wore a knee-length red coat, a black and white scarf draping around his neck. Underneath he had on a black polka dot shirt and black jeans and boots. He looked larger than life, taller than I remembered. I rotated my stool to face him, a smile forming on my mouth. He strode towards me, shoving his phone in his coat pocket. His eyes never left mine as he stopped in front of me, seemingly taking me in for a split second before I rose from my seat, and he opened his arms to embrace me. He pulled me close to his body, my hands wrapping around his waist as I felt one of his on the middle of my back, the other on the back of my head.

“So good to see you,” he murmured in my hair, and I could have sworn he took a whiff of it. “Missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” I echoed.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, dropping his arms and gesturing for me to reclaim my seat.

“It’s alright,” I barely breathed. Or maybe I didn’t breathe at all.

Harry took the stool next to mine, pointing at my glass. “What are you drinking?”

“Vodka,” I replied.

The bartender came up to Harry then, asking for his drink. I heard him order a fancy scotch and was both equally surprised and not. I saw him then gesture at my glass. My eyes widened, afraid I’d be stumbling before we even had dinner, but I figured I could just sip on it slowly. I wasn’t sure how long we’d be there anyway.

Once Harry had his glass, he lifted it in his hand. “Cheers.”

I smiled, lifting mine as well. “To what are we toasting?”

“To…” Harry paused. Then I caught a twinkle in his eye as he gave a sly grin. “To gorgeous redheads.”

I giggled and clinked my glass with his. After he took a sip, he set his glass back down on the bar and turned to me.

“So how was your day, Stacey?”

My stomach flipped, equally from the way he was looking at me and the way he said my name. He’d said it many times before, but somehow it sounded different this time.

“Um...it was good. Lorelei and I went to the Met and had lunch nearby.”

“It was a lovely day,” he grinned, picking up his scotch again.

“Yeah. I’m just not used to this New York weather. It’s still in the 70s at home.”

“I see you brought your coat,” Harry said, nodding towards where it lay on the bar.

I blushed. “I normally would wear something much lighter with this,” I gazed down at my lap, “but I didn’t think it through until I was about to leave the hotel. The temperature seemed to drop considerably and I figured I’d need my coat tonight.”

“I reckon you will.”

The tiny ghost of a smirk remained on his lips until he took a sip from his glass and lowered it once more.

“But that dress looks amazing on you, so I’d say you made the right decision,” he added.

I stared at Harry for a minute before shaking my head. “You’re still not gonna tell me, are you?” I scoffed.

I caught the shake of his shoulders as he chuckled, the dimples on full display. “Sorry, love. Not yet. But you’ll find out soon enough.”

“Well, apparently I’m dressed okay for whatever it is. And I’ll probably need my coat.”

“Yes,” he nodded.

“So we’re going outside?”

“Not telling.” Harry swallowed the last of his scotch.

“But we are going to dinner.”

“Yes.”

“Should I have worn pants?” I inquired.

“Wha’?” Harry glared at me.

I waved my hand. “I mean like slacks or jeans.”

“Oh,” he shook his head with a giggle. “No. The dress is perfect. You’re perfect.”

“And you’re awful,” I playfully poked him in the chest as I felt the heat rising on mine.

“Hey!” he exclaimed, laughing harder.

“Are we walking?” I continued with my twenty questions.

“Hmm…” he considered. “A little. Not much.”

“Okay. Is there music?”

Harry cocked his head. “There will be, yes.”

“I’m intrigued,” I confessed.

“Good. Are you ready?”

“We’re leaving now?” I widened my eyes.

Harry chuckled. “Unless you intend to stay here. It’s a nice place, but I like to think I have a bit more swag than to have my date at a hotel bar.”

I laughed so hard I almost fell off my stool. Grabbing my coat and clutch, I stood up.

“You did not just use the word swag.”

“First and last time, I swear,” he grinned as he took my coat and held it out for me. I slipped my arms through and felt his hand slide down my back as I turned to face him.

“You think you’re funny,” I teased.

Harry shrugged. “Made you laugh, dinnit?”

I sighed as he guided me out of the bar, his hand still on my back.

“Harry Styles,” I said.

“Yeah?”

I stopped when we reached the mirrored wall by the elevators. I looked up at him, his face beaming as he returned my gaze.

“Just wanna give you a fair warning. I think I might already like you a little too much,” I swallowed hard before continuing. “So whatever you have in store for tonight might just put me over the edge.”

Harry’s grin softened as he lifted a hand to my cheek. I thought he might kiss me, but instead he dragged his thumb across my jaw and down my neck, finally releasing his hand to flip my hair back and off my shoulder. Biting his lip, he took hold of my hand.

“Let’s go, yeah?” he requested, threading his fingers through mine.

I merely nodded, my mouth suddenly dry.

A/N: And they're finally together again! I hope you enjoyed their little banter. It makes me giggle lol.

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[vague-humanoid]

Frigid weather this month caused industrial facilities across Texas to release unplanned air pollution as machinery froze, power went out and icy conditions blocked service crews.

Over four chilly days between Jan. 14 and 17, companies submitted reports to Texas’ environmental regulator, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, that attributed at least 36 instances of “unintentional” emissions to the freezing temperatures.

According to the companies’ preliminary estimates, those incidents collectively produced more than a million pounds of air pollution. That’s a small figure compared with the massive volumes of permitted emissions released every day across this large, industry-heavy state. But the reports illustrate the sensitivity of facilities to the weather and expose a long-standing loophole in environmental enforcement that allows companies to exceed permitted emissions limits without consequence under certain conditions.

[artificial-horizon]

TIL about Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman, a badass aviation pioneer who was the first Black and Native American woman to obtain a pilot's licence. Not sure if the Americans of Tumblr already know about her, but as a Brit I unfortunately did not until now, so I wanted to share her story here! (Image IDs in alt text.)

Born in Texas on January 26, 1892, Bessie was the tenth of thirteen children in a family of sharecroppers. From the age of six, she attended a small, segregated school, where she excelled as a student and eventually won a scholarship to the Missionary Baptist Church School aged 12. When she turned 18, she moved to Langston, Oklahoma to study at the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University, but had to drop out after one semester due to financial difficulties and returned to work at the acorn fields back home.

When she was 24, Bessie moved to Chicago, Illinois and worked as a manicurist in a barber shop, where she discovered her passion for aviation after hearing the stories of some of the clients, who had been pilots during World War One. She then decided to become a pilot herself, taking on a second job to save up for flight school. However, no flight schools in the US would admit Black or women students, so another of the barber shop's clients, Robert Abbott - a Black philanthropist and publisher of the Chicago Defender newspaper - suggested that she move to France and learn to fly there. He and Jesse Binga, another Black philanthropist and banker, gave her the financial support to do this, so in November 1920, Bessie set off for France to begin her training.

On June 15, 1921, Bessie Coleman was awarded an international pilot's licence by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, becoming both the first Black woman and the first American to do so. Following this, she returned to the US, but found it difficult to make a living as a pilot, as commercial flight did not yet exist - her only option was to become a stunt (aerobatic) pilot. Once again, the US's racism and misogyny prevented her from receiving stunt training there, so in 1922 she went back to France, and by September that year was back home again for her first stunt flight. On September 3, Labor Day, she became the first Black woman to stage a public flight in the US, flying at a show sponsored by the Chicago Defender and held in honour of the veterans of the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment of WWI.

Bessie soon became a media sensation, earning herself the nickname "Queen Bess" and performing at air shows across the US and Europe in a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane (example pictured above). She refused to fly at any shows that did not permit Black people to attend, and went on speaking tours at schools and churches to encourage fellow Black aspiring aviators to take to the skies. Her dream was to open a flight school to train Black pilots, and she tirelessly raised money for this with her shows.

Sadly, on April 30, 1926, while flying with her mechanic William D. Wills, Bessie's plane unexpectedly went out of control and dove into the ground, killing both of them. An investigation revealed that this had been caused by a wrench that had been accidentally left in the plane and had jammed its controls. It was a devastating loss, and her funeral, which was held in Chicago and led by Ida B. Wells, was attended by around 10,000 people. In 1929, the Bessie Coleman Aero Club was founded to continue her work promoting Black participation in aviation, and to this day there are several scholarships in her name aimed at high school students interested in careers in aviation.

"I knew we had no aviators, so I thought it my duty to risk my life to learn." - Bessie Coleman

Fly high, Queen Bess, blue skies forever! 🛩💙

[ariel-seagull-wings]

FICTIONAL CHARACTER ASK: WINSTON ZEDDEMORE

@spengnitzed​ @bixiebeet​ @angelixgutz​ @themousefromfantasyland​ @amalthea9​ @thealmightyemprex​ @goodanswerfoxmonster​ @stantzed​

@the-blue-fairie​

Favorite Thing About Them: I like that fact that while he is meant to be an audience surrogate, at least in the first movie this was not used as an excuse to make him boring, but instead he felt like a real person with motivations and a personality: he is a down on his luck working class man who is intrigued by this booming Ghostbusters business who decides to become a new team member in search of a good job to survive, quickly believes what he sees and learns how to handle the new technology, becomes good friends with the other Ghostbusters, specially Ray, and starts to make reflexions about his faith as a christian the more he comes into contact with supernatural incidents, wich is a source of strenght and confidence when he goes to face Gozer and thinks that he may die at any moment.

Later, in the animated series The Real Ghostbusters and the IDW licensed comics, we learned new aspects of Winston’s character that made him a more palpable person: He loves baseball, is a huge enthusiast of mystery novels to the point that this becomes an advantage when he needs to investigate a new ghost activity, would sometimes go to save the day on his own, and even fell in love and got married!

Least Favorite Thing About Them: The fact that his role was reduced to “pawn that is there” when the sequel Ghostbusters 2 was made, rather than the writers taking advantage of making a sequel to further develop his character.

Three Things I Have In Common With Them:

* I have black heritage;

* I am curious;

* I also resource to fictional literature for information;

Three Things I Don’t Have In Common With Them:

* Unlike many portrayals of his character, I never did military service;

* I’m not US american;

* I would be way more pedantic in differentiate between a summerian and a babylonian deity;

Favorite Line:

From the July 1983 Script Draft:

“I’d like to see Dr. Venkman.”

“I saw your ad in the paper. You know, for a security man.”

“... after ECM school at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas I flew for S.A.C Command at Reese as an Electronic Warfare Officer. After the service I was head of Installations for Sentry Alarm Systems in Los Angeles, then I moved up to V.P. at their Pacific headquarters. Then some partners and I started our own optic beam manufacturing operation, but we got wiped out in the microlens flood of ‘82.”

“I have a ninth degree black belt in Wing Chun boxing. I have a Class 3 Federal firearm’s license and I have permits to carry anywhere in the continental United States. What kind of risk are you talking about?”

“Brave man.”

“Okay, now you could have three aces because you already had two and you got one out of your sleeve. But I’m not sure which card you took out of your shoe before.”

“I’m willing to take your word on this, Ray, because I respect you. But if we ever really do see the kind of stuff you’re talking about, I’m counting on you. I know these guys are your friends, but...”

“This bites it, man. We’re running out of ways to kill time.”

“Zeddemore. Z-E-D-D-E-”

“What’d you get?”

 “You guys look like shit.”

“Forget it, man! The phone’s been ringing off the hook.”

“Neutronize. System shut.”

“I have to get some sleep, man. I worked all night last night.”

“I can’t look anymore. It’s too depressing. What are they doing here anyway? I tought when you die you see a beautifull white light and pass trough it to the other side.”

“What’s the Tunguska Blast?”

“Sounds like the Russians detonated a hydrogen bomb.”

“I don’t believe we drove all the way up here and didn’t get anything.”

“You made a contact? Why didn’t you call me? What was it?”

“That figures. The head Ranger thinks it’s the spirit of a girl who was kept by the officers back in the 1830′s or 40′s.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Must be a big fire, huh?”

“Look at that weird light by the river.”

“Oh... shiiit...”

“I’m Winston Zeddemore, your Honor. I came to work with these gentlemen when they first went into private practice... and I didn’t believe any of this either. I’m a highly trained engineer. I’ve done two hitches as a flying officer in the strategic Air Command. I’ve been all over the world and I’ve seen lots of strange things, so I can tell you with complete confidence that these ocurrences are real. Since I joined these men I have seen shit that would turn you white.”

From the September 1983 Script Draft: 

“Let me ask you something. The ad in the paper just said "Help Wanted." What's the job?”

“Not really. However, if there's a semi-regular paycheck in it I'll believe anything you say.”

“Yeah, I heard that. Now tell me 89/89a Omitted what you really do.”

“Hey man. What is it you're so involved with there?”

“Busy time of year.”

“Right. We'll believe anything.”

“We're gonna get five years for this. Plus they're gonna make us retrap all those spooks. I knew I shouldn't have taken this job.”

“This is insane! You actually believe Lhat some moldy Babylonian God is going to drop in at 78th and Central Park West and start tearing up the city?”

“Maybe we should go downstairs and call first?”

“Well, she's not here. Let's go.”

“Let's get out of here!”

“Now he's mad.”

“He looks like my high school principal.”

“You should've said "yes!" He might have been willing to negotiate.”

“We did it! Thank God!”

“Good. Now we made him mad.”

From the 1984 Final Film Script:

“Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "Yes!"”

“And we have the tools. We have the talent!”

“My mind is totally blank.”

“What did you do, Ray? Aw, shit!”

“This job is definitely not worth another eleven-five a year.”

“I'm all right. You all right?”

“I love this town! Ha ha!”

brOTP: Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, Janine Melnitz, Dana Barrett, Louis Tully, Walter Peck, Slimer, Buster, the siblings Megan and Kenny Carter, Alan, Elaine Phermon, Louise, Cyntia Crawford, DyTyllio, Bryan Welsh, Jenny Moran, Dani Shpak, Lou Kamaka, Melanie Ortiz, Kylie Griffin, Eduardo Rivera, Garrett Miller, Roland Jackson, Marie Laveau.

OTP: Ray Stantz, Tiyah Clarke, @spengnitzed OC Regina.

nOTP: Tiamat.

Random Headcanon: His parents camed from Lansing, Michigan, while Winston and his siblings (two brothers and three sisters) are born and growed up in the Bronx, New York City.

Unpopular Opinion: I find the IDW comics arc where the villain Tiamat (a sibling of Gozer) erases the memory of Winston’s marriage to his wife Tiyah Clarke of everybody except him unecessarily cruel, and prefer to ignore this event happened in favour of imagining they are still together and happy.

Songs I Associate With Them:

Summertime

Não Tenho Medo da Morte

Se eu Quiser Falar com Deus

Never Giving Up

Have a Little Faith in Me

Favorite Picture of Them:

Ernie Hudson in the 1984 movie

In the IDW licensed comics (including a picture of him as a newborn baby alongside his parents)

In the animated series The Real Ghostbusters

In the animated series Extreme Ghostbusters

[mint-moon25]

Every Cheetah Girls Music Video 🎶 | The Cheetah Girls 🎥 | Compilation | ...

DEAR - KOREAN - GIRLS

SEOUL - CAPITAL

REPUBLIC - OF - SOUTH KOREA

U - NOTICED - 15 US - MILITARY

BASES - THEY - ALL - KNOW

BARBIE - MATTEL, INC.

COMING - 2 - SEOUL - TOKYO

HONG KONG ISLAND - CHINA

TAX - FREE - PARIS - FRANCE

ROME - ITALY - MORE

PHILIPPINE - REPUBLIC

MAKATI - MINDORO ISLAND

TAX - AND - SMOKE - FREE

16 AND OLDER - MARRIAGE

DRINKING - NO - WHISKEY

STRAWBERRY - GUMMIES

FREE - 24/7 - 2 - END THE

NICOTIN - ADDICTION

ONLY - SPEAKS - IN TONGUES

CAN - REMAIN - HERE

VISITORS - TONGUES - YES

REQUIRED - CAN - LEAVE

24/7 - HOLIDAYS - TYPHOONS

PHILIPPINE - CURRENCY

THEIR - EXIT

500 BILLION - PESOS PH

EACH - 2 - EXIT OUR NEW

TAX - AND - SMOKE FREE

PHILIPPINE - REPUBLIC

COMING

MAKATI - VILLAGES - WORLD

OUTSIDE - UNITED STATES US

EXTENSIONS - OF - OUR NEW

TAX - AND - SMOKE - FREE

PHILIPPINE - REPUBLIC

CONTINUING - ABOVE

BARBIE - WORLD

SHOPPING - MALL

INCLUDES - GROCERY

HOTEL - PETS HOTEL

SPORTS - CLUBS

CONCERT - AREAS

AS - USUAL - FOOD COURT

CAFES - PUSH - CARTS 24/7

FREE - FOOD - DRINKS 4 ALL

24/7 - HOLIDAYS - TYPHOONS

ALWAYS - OPEN

BARBIE - MALL

NEW - COMING - EUROPEAN

CREATED - BY - OUR - TOKYO

MALE - SCIENTISTS

FASTER - THAN - BULLET

TRAINS - LIKE - ROLLER

COASTERS - USING - ABOVE

AIR - AND - NEW AIR RIGHTS

EARTHQUAKE - TYPHOON

PROOF - BULLET - BOMBS

FIRE - WATER - SOUNDPROOF

FREE - 24/7 - ALL - AGES

HOLIDAYS - TYPHOONS 2

GOES - THROUGH AND FROM

COMING - BARBIE - WORLD

BUILT - BY - MACHINES

SHOULD - B - SOON

WELCOME - LEGAL - PERMIT

BARBIE - ASIA

BUT - BLONDS

MULTI - LINGUAL

AS - USUAL - ONLY TONGUES

2 - ENTER - FIRST - SMART KR

MALL - AND - HOTEL - EARTH

SPA - PEOPLE - PETS - SPA

'HOME ALONE 4'

SMARTHOUSE

FIRST - SMART - MALL AND

HOTEL - ON - EARTH KOREA

TOKYO - HONG KONG ISLAND

TAX - FREE

DEDICATED - 2 - GIRLS

SLAUGHTERED - BY - KNIVES

IN - SEOUL - AND - TOKYO JP

DEDICATED - ALEXIS SHARKAY

FOUND - NAKED - STRANGLED

CASTLE - DOCTRINE - STATE

TEXAS - CITY - HOUSTON

FORTH WORTH - ARRESTED

KENNETH COPELAND - FOR

NON-COMPLIANCE - 2 REMOVE

COV-ID 19

1ST - AMENDMENT - BEING

VIOLATED - BY - YOUTUBE &

TUMBLR - BRAVE BROWSER

REDDIT - FACEBOOK - THE NEW

OWNER - INSTAGRAM - ALSO US

VIOLATES - 1ST - AMENDMENT

ALL - NOW - VIOLATE

FREE - EXERCISE - THEREOF

OF - RELIGION

TUMBLR - HAS - BLOCKED

GOOGLE - IMAGES - SAFE

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AND - YOUTUBE - HOWEVER

CLOSE - BROWSER - U LOOSE

ALL - PAGES - THE WEAKNESS

ININSTALLED - STARTER - OF

BLOCK ADS - BRAVE - I - YES

REMOVED - YOUTUBE - AND

BRAVE - BROWSER - ADDED

SELECT - ALL - DELETED MY

2 HRS - TYPING

CONTINUING - THIS - POST

[planetofsnarfs]

Tesla's plant in Austin, Texas has been leaking huge amounts of hazardous wastewater into the city's sewer, violating local environmental guidelines.

As detailed in public records obtained by the Wall Street Journal, the Elon Musk-led company also allowed a massive casting furnace to spew toxins into the air after its door refused to shut.

These environmental problems continued to be a problem for months. While Tesla bosses were aware of them, they forced employees to come up with short-term fixes, according to the report, all in an effort to avoid slowing down production.

The news once again highlights Musk's disregard for environmental regulations. Now that he's aligned himself with president-elect Donald Trump, Musk has vowed to "delete the mountain of choking regulations that do not serve the greater good" as part of his so-called "Department of Government Efficiency," or DOGE.

In short, Tesla's egregious environmental shortcomings underscore the conflict of interest as the mercurial CEO attempts to dismantle the environmental rules by which his companies currently have to abide.

It also marks a turning point for a billionaire who once was seen as a pioneer in renewable energy and an ally of environmental causes.

According to the WSJ, Tesla's factory in Fremont, California has gotten more warnings for air pollution rule violations than almost any other car plant in the state. Over just the past five years, the factory violated air pollution permits 112 times and failed to address shortcomings with equipment designed to minimize emissions.

Meanwhile in Austin, employees were afraid to speak up over environmental concerns, citing fears of being fired.

"Tesla repeatedly asked me to lie to the government so that they could operate without paying for proper environmental controls," one environmental compliance staffer said, according to a 2024 memo obtained by the WSJ.

The EPA's criminal-enforcement division has since opened an inquiry into the staffer's allegations.

While production was ramping up at the Texas factory, a massive six-acre pond of wastewater was slowly being directed into Austin's sewer system, without Tesla ever getting permission.

During rainstorms, Tesla even dumped chemicals into the nearby Colorado River, turning it an alarming shade of brown.

After the unnamed environmental compliance staffer refused a Tesla executive's request to lobby Austin's water regulator to downplay its frequent violations of chemical limits, the staffer was abruptly fired.

It's a sad reality for a company that was once hailed as popularizing the answer to gas-guzzling combustion engines.

In his 2006 "Master Plan," Musk promised to help "expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy towards a solar electric economy, which I believe to be the primary, but not exclusive, sustainable solution."

Any references to the plan were quietly deleted from Tesla's website in August — highlighting the EV maker and its CEO's newfound disregard for the environment and the rules that were created to protect it.

[leohtttbriar]

The TCEQ holds a daunting mandate: to enforce federal and state environmental laws in Texas, home of the nation’s oil and gas industry and its leading fossil fuel producer. Headed by a panel of officials appointed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, with almost 3,000 employees and a $400 million annual budget, the agency conducts tens of thousands of investigations per year and oversees hundreds of thousands of permits.  Last year, when the agency underwent Texas’ regular 12-year agency review, a Republican-led state commission found “a concerning degree of general public distrust and confusion focused on TCEQ.” “Some community stakeholders and environmental advocates see TCEQ as a mere extension of industry, rubber stamping new and expanded facilities, seeming to ignore potential health impacts or public concerns,” wrote the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which advises the legislature on agencies that may have outlived their usefulness and should be “sunset,” or abolished.  The oil and gas industry has long played a dominant role in Texas politics, ever since the discovery of oil here more than a century ago. But the fracking revolution of the last two decades breathed a new generation of life and wealth into Texas oil and gas, fueling a massive expansion of industrial activity across the state.  “The big increase in oil and gas that you saw in the 2000s has increased pressure on the agency to do what industry wants,” said Cyrus Reed, conservation director for the Sierra Club in Texas, who has spent more than 20 years lobbying for environmental interests at the Texas Capitol. “There has been a lot of money made. That means there’s more money in politics, there’s more money in the governor’s race, and the governor’s the one who appoints the commissioners.” Despite all that money, 44 percent of respondents told a 2023 poll by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin that the state spends too little on environmental protection, while 25 percent said it spent about enough.  In an investigative series, Inside Climate News found last year that the TCEQ had neglected to consider cumulative effects of pollution in its target cancer risk rate, improperly used an unwritten “one-mile rule” to deny public objections to polluting facilities, and enabled big companies to avoid the requirements of major source pollution permitting outlined in federal law.   Even environmentalists are quick to caution that many scientists, engineers, and investigators at the TCEQ work earnestly for environmental quality. But for many of its top-ranking staff, they say, a business-friendly approach to environmental regulation often opens paths to lucrative employment at oil companies or industry groups after leaving the agency.  “They want to set themselves up to cash out—the commissioners and high-level staff—so that they can take that revolving door and get a big job as a lobbyist and make a lot of money,” said Robin Schneider, who has directed the Texas Campaign for the Environment since 2000.  Of the commission’s five previous executive directors since 2004, excluding interim directors, three became industry lobbyists, one joined a pipeline company, and one became deputy chief of staff for the governor. Of the previous three commission chairs since 2003, one became an economic advisor to President Donald Trump, and another now lobbies for the Texas Oil and Gas Association.  

[latitudes-emviromental]

Environmental Compliance Management in Houston: A Guide to Hazardous Waste Permit Compliance

Environmental compliance management is essential for businesses operating in Houston, particularly those handling hazardous waste. Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations not only protects the environment but also helps avoid legal repercussions and fines. This guide will provide an overview of environmental compliance management and hazardous waste permit compliance in Houston.

Understanding Environmental Compliance Management

Environmental compliance management involves adhering to environmental laws and regulations that govern how businesses impact the environment. This includes managing emissions, waste, and other environmental aspects of business operations. Effective compliance management ensures that businesses meet legal requirements, reduce their environmental footprint, and promote sustainable practices.

Key Components of Environmental Compliance Management

1. Regulatory Knowledge

Understanding the local, state, and federal environmental regulations is the first step in compliance. In Houston, businesses must be familiar with regulations enforced by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2. Environmental Audits

Regular environmental audits help identify potential compliance issues before they become violations. Audits involve reviewing practices, procedures, and records to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

3. Permitting and Documentation

Obtaining the necessary permits and maintaining accurate documentation is crucial. This includes air quality permits, stormwater permits, and hazardous waste permits.

4. Training and Education

Educating employees about environmental regulations and best practices is essential. Regular training ensures that all staff members understand their roles in maintaining compliance.

5. Monitoring and Reporting

Continuous monitoring of environmental impacts and regular reporting to regulatory agencies are key aspects of compliance management. This includes tracking emissions, waste disposal, and other environmental metrics.

Hazardous Waste Permit Compliance in Houston

Handling hazardous waste requires strict adherence to specific regulations to ensure public safety and environmental protection. In Houston, businesses must comply with regulations set forth by the TCEQ and the EPA.

Steps to Achieve Hazardous Waste Permit Compliance

Identification and Classification

Identify and classify all hazardous wastes generated by your operations. This includes understanding the characteristics of the waste and its potential impacts.

Obtaining Necessary Permits

Apply for the appropriate hazardous waste permits from the TCEQ. This may include permits for generation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Developing a Waste Management Plan

Create a comprehensive hazardous waste management plan outlining procedures for handling, storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous waste.

Training Employees

Train employees on proper hazardous waste handling procedures, emergency response actions, and regulatory requirements.

Implementing Safety Measures

Implement safety measures to prevent spills, leaks, and other accidents. This includes proper storage containers, secondary containment, and spill response plans.

Regular Inspections and Audits

Conduct regular inspections and audits to ensure ongoing compliance with hazardous waste regulations. Address any issues promptly to prevent violations.

Recordkeeping and Reporting

Maintain detailed records of hazardous waste activities, including quantities generated, storage times, and disposal methods. Submit required reports to regulatory agencies as mandated.

Choosing Environmental Compliance Services in Houston

1. Expertise and Experience

Look for compliance services with extensive experience and expertise in environmental regulations and hazardous waste management. They should be familiar with local, state, and federal requirements.

2. Comprehensive Services

Select a service that offers a wide range of compliance support, including permitting, auditing, training, monitoring, and reporting.

3. Technology and Tools

Ensure the service uses the latest technology for monitoring and managing environmental impacts, providing accurate and efficient compliance management.

4. Reputation and Reliability

Check reviews, references, and case studies to gauge the reputation and reliability of the compliance service. A trusted provider will have a proven track record of helping businesses achieve and maintain compliance.

Conclusion

Environmental compliance management, particularly hazardous waste permit compliance, is a critical aspect of operating a business in Houston. By understanding regulatory requirements, implementing robust compliance strategies, and leveraging expert compliance services, businesses can ensure they meet all environmental obligations. This not only protects the environment but also promotes sustainable business practices and avoids costly legal issues.

Final Thoughts

Investing in environmental compliance management is an investment in the future of your business and the community. By prioritizing compliance and sustainability, you contribute to a healthier environment and a more sustainable future for Houston. Start today by assessing your compliance needs and seeking expert assistance to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

[homerefurbishmentimprovement]

Building Dreams: The Advantages of Choosing a Custom Home Builder in New Braunfels

Settled between the clamoring urban areas of Austin and San Antonio, New Braunfels offers a special mix of humble community fascinate and dynamic local area life. For those hoping to get comfortable this grand piece of Texas, picking a custom home builder new braunfelsis a fantastic decision. This article investigates the heap advantages of working with a custom home builder in New Braunfels, featuring how this choice can transform your fantasy home into a reality.

Custom fitted Plan and Personalization One of the essential advantages of picking a custom home builder is the capacity to fit each part of your home to your particular necessities and inclinations. Dissimilar to pre-planned homes, custom homes permit you to work intimately with modelers and fashioners to make a space that mirrors your character and way of life. From floor intends to gets done, everything about be customized to suit your taste, guaranteeing that your new home is really exceptional.

Quality Craftsmanship and Materials Custom home builders in New Braunfels are known for their obligation to quality. At the point when you pick a custom builder, you have more noteworthy command over the materials and craftsmanship that go into your home. This frequently brings about a better form, as custom builders are commonly more mindful of detail and committed to conveying prevalent outcomes. Furthermore, they frequently have laid out associations with believed nearby providers, guaranteeing that your home is worked with the most ideal materials that anyone could hope to find.

Area Choice One more huge benefit is the adaptability in picking your home's area. Whether you favor an isolated spot with stunning perspectives on the Texas Slope Nation or an advantageous area near schools and conveniences, a custom home builder can assist you with tracking down the ideal part. This adaptability guarantees that your home isn't simply intended to your particulars yet in addition arranged in an area that suits your way of life and inclinations.

Energy Productivity and Maintainability Custom home builders are at the front of integrating energy-productive and manageable structure rehearses. By picking a custom builder, you can coordinate the most recent green innovations and materials into your home, like sunlight based chargers, high-effectiveness air conditioning frameworks, and reasonable structure materials. This lessens your natural impression as well as prompts long haul investment funds on energy costs.

Upgraded Usefulness and Future-Sealing With a custom home, you have the valuable chance to plan for what's in store. Whether you really want a home office, a multi-generational residing space, or explicit openness highlights, custom builders can oblige your current and future requirements. This premonition guarantees that your home remaining parts useful and significant as your way of life develops, offering enduring benefit and accommodation.

More grounded Speculation Building a custom home is a huge venture, however it frequently yields significant returns. Custom homes are regularly esteemed higher than standard homes because of their exceptional highlights, prevalent quality, and customized plan. This makes them a more intelligent long haul venture, offering more noteworthy potential for appreciation and resale esteem.

Nearby Aptitude and Local area Association Picking a new braunfels home builders in New Braunfels implies working with experts who have top to bottom information on the nearby market, building regulations, and environment contemplations. Their ability guarantees that your home is worked to endure neighborhood conditions and meets generally administrative necessities. Moreover, nearby builders frequently have areas of strength for a to the local area, adding to the neighborhood economy and encouraging a feeling of local area pride.

Building a custom home in New Braunfels offers various advantages, from customized plan and better quality than upgraded usefulness and energy proficiency. By cooperating with a neighborhood custom home builder, you can guarantee that your new home meets your particular necessities and inclinations as well as stands as a demonstration of value craftsmanship and smart plan. Embrace the potential chance to make your fantasy home in this enchanting Texas town, and partake in the many benefits that accompany custom home structure.

[medlinlaw]

¿Por Qué Fort Worth TX Se Convierte En El Destino De Millones?

Fort Worth TX se convierte en el destino de muchos turistas cada año debido a su rico patrimonio cultural. Recibe a 9.4 millones de visitantes que disfrutan de los rodeos y los vaqueros. Además, el lugar está lleno de obras de artistas e inventores prominentes. Hoy en día, la ciudad aún se enorgullece de su herencia, cultura y arquitectura del Oeste.

Monumentos Históricos De Fort Worth TX

Una de las atracciones de Fort Worth TX es su patrimonio histórico. Los visitantes quieren experimentar y ver por sí mismos lo que es el Viejo Oeste. Así que visitan porque la ciudad ofrece una experiencia auténtica de la vida en Texas en el siglo XIX.

1. Sundance Square

Sundance Square abarca 35 cuadras del centro de Fort Worth. Tienen más de 30 restaurantes que ofrecen desde bistecs hasta mariscos con comedores al aire libre. Puede hacer sus compras desde marcas locales hasta populares. También hay entretenimiento. Véalo en Best Performance Hall para disfrutar de música en vivo, teatro en vivo y comedia. Y lo mejor de todo, el estacionamiento es gratis.

2.Distrito Histórico Nacional de Fort Worth Stockyards

Aquí en Stockyards, puede encontrar hoteles históricos y tiendas del oeste, además de vaqueros y desfiles de ganado. El famoso desfile de ganado Longhorn ocurre dos veces al día, y todo lo que tiene que hacer es alinearse en la calle y verlos pasar. Muy occidental y emocionante para experimentar el Viejo Oeste, el verdadero Texas. Puede imaginarse en un lugar que se remonta al siglo XIX.

3.  Log Cabin Village

Log Cabin Village data de mediados de 1800, es el asentamiento de los pioneros colonos. Hoy en día, todos los muebles y artefactos están bien conservados, por lo que visitar allí le permite experimentar cómo era la vida en el Texas del siglo XIX. La arquitectura representa una vida humilde y sencilla, sin lujos.

Cada cabaña de troncos es diferente en estilo y propósito. Puede encontrar un molino de grano impulsado por agua, una escuela de una sola habitación, una herrería, un jardín de hierbas, un salón, una tienda de suministros y otros ambientes hogare��os. El pueblo lo lleva de regreso al Viejo Oeste y puede ver cómo vivían su vida diaria.

Fort Worth TX Es Único

La fundación de Fort Worth TX se remonta a 1849 cuando el Mayor Ripley Allen Arnold creó un puesto militar en un alto acantilado frente al río Trinity. El nombre es en honor al Mayor General William Jenkins Worth, comandante de las tropas del ejército de EE.UU. en ese momento.

Cuando el ejército se fue en 1853, los colonos alrededor del área ocuparon los edificios vacíos. Luego se convirtió en el centro del comercio de ganado Texas Longhorn.

1. Patrimonio Cultural

Con este trasfondo, Fort Worth TX es único porque la modernización se combina con las atracciones históricas. La ciudad tiene un famoso eslogan "Donde Comienza el Oeste" debido al tratado entre los nativos americanos y los colonos. Imagine el lugar con vaqueros, ganado, caballos y duelos que representan realísticamente el Viejo Oeste.

Junto con los asentamientos adicionales, viene la modernización. Ahora, es la 13ª ciudad más grande de EE.UU. Pero la ciudad sigue siendo humilde porque no dejó atrás las cosas que los hicieron lo que son hoy. Todos los monumentos históricos y atracciones están bien conservados, desde los edificios hasta sus parques naturales. Esa es otra razón por la que los visitantes siguen viniendo a esta ciudad única.

2. Fort Worth Texas Es Una Ciudad Aceptante

Los habitantes de Fort Worth son personas encantadoras. Son amables, hospitalarios y compasivos con sus compañeros residentes y visitantes por igual. Pero no se detiene allí. También son cívicos. Contribuyen a la comunidad con su tiempo, recursos y talentos. Fort Worth TX es un lugar admirable para vivir y visitar. No es de extrañar que millones lo visiten cada año.

En The Medlin Law Firm, nuestros abogados criminalistas trabajan arduamente para que recupere su tranquilidad y libertad.

Más información The Medlin Law Firm en Storeboard Indicaciones de viaje

The Medlin Law Firm 1300 S University Dr #318 Fort Worth, TX 76107 (682) 204-4066

[dankusner]

Uber reduces workforce size for Dallas office, forfeits millions in tax incentives

Uber is backing away from its plans for a mega office in Dallas.

The company confirmed Thursday it plans to have only 500 employees at its new offices in Deep Ellum instead of the promised 3,000.

The decision means Uber will be giving back $30 million worth of government incentives.

Those incentives were tied to the promise of 3,000 high paying jobs, and commitments for those employees to live and work in Dallas.

"Given the dramatic impact of the pandemic, we are concentrating our efforts on our core mobility and delivery platforms and resizing our company to match the realities of our business," an Uber spokesperson said in a statement.

Uber’s decision to open its second largest hub in Dallas was celebrated in 2019 with an event featuring Gov. Greg Abbott and Mayor Eric Johnson.

"The decision to be in Dallas was driven by partnership with state of Texas," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said then.

At the time, the company was making plans for driverless cars and even flying taxis.

But now, Uber is ending its partnership with the state, city, and county.

A partnership worth more than $30 million in incentives based on Uber's ability to hit certain hiring and salary goals.

It's a call that may not be entirely to blame on the pandemic.

SMU economist Mike Davis said even in 2019, there were doubts about the company’s ability to deliver the promised jobs.

"I think it was a longshot even in 2019, because remember, Uber had never earned a profit," Davis said.

The groundbreaking came months after the company had laid off 1,000 employees, so the pandemic hit Uber especially hard.

"If bars and restaurants are closed, hotels not full, airlines not transporting, Uber will not do well at all," Davis explained.

While the work from home environment is having an impact on office buildings around the world, Davis does not think Uber's hub downsizing will become a trend for other Dallas businesses.

"Also found out central offices do matter. Zoom is good, but there is an important element when people meet face to face," he said.

The city already paid $25,000 for the cost of permit fees.

A memo from the city's chief of economic development says the city will ask for repayment.

Uber reduces workforce size for Dallas office, forfeits millions in tax incentives

The company confirmed Thursday it plans to have only 500 employees at its new offices in Deep Ellum instead of the promised 3,000.

"I am disappointed but not surprised by Uber's decision, considering the significant economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic," Mayor Johnson said in a statement.

According to state records, there is no indication Uber received a much larger incentive from the Texas Enterprise Fund.

"Many of the jobs they planned to move here were for Elevate, which is their air taxi service they hope to launch and another back office function of Uber, those two pieces of business were sold off during the pandemic, so that is unique to this," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

Jenkins said while the loss of jobs is unfortunate, he’s optimistic about the future.

"The companies that are looking here are all in a non-disclosure agreement, but I can tell you that you are going to see some big companies move here, some jobs be created," he explained.

Dallas City Councilman Tennell Atkins is the chair of the Economic Development Committee.

He said the city is requesting Uber repay its investment.

"Right now, we do not have to offer Uber any type of incentive from the taxpayer to get there. We put about $25,000 that we wrote them, they’re going to reimburse us for the money," he said.

The city said Uber currently has 200 employees at the Deep Ellum location.

It’s unclear when the next 300 or so employees will be hired.

[bitcofunblog]

Table of ContentsIntroductionNavigating the Regulatory Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide to Crypto Mining Regulations in US StatesState-by-State Analysis: Unraveling the Complexities of Crypto Mining RegulationsCompliance Strategies: Optimizing Crypto Mining Operations within Regulatory FrameworksQ&AConclusionNavigating the Regulatory Maze of Crypto Mining in the USIntroduction**Introduction to Analyzing Regulations for Crypto Mining Operations Across Different US States** The rapid growth of cryptocurrency mining has prompted the need for comprehensive regulations to ensure responsible and sustainable operations. In the United States, the regulatory landscape for crypto mining varies significantly across different states, creating a complex environment for businesses and investors. This analysis aims to provide an overview of the current regulatory frameworks in key US states, examining the specific requirements, incentives, and challenges associated with crypto mining operations. By understanding the regulatory landscape, stakeholders can make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of operating crypto mining facilities in the United States.Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide to Crypto Mining Regulations in US States**Analyzing Regulations for Crypto Mining Operations Across Different US States** The burgeoning crypto mining industry has sparked regulatory attention across the United States. As states grapple with the implications of this novel technology, a patchwork of regulations has emerged, creating a complex landscape for miners to navigate. In Texas, a haven for energy-intensive industries, crypto mining has flourished due to its abundant and affordable electricity. However, the state has recently proposed a moratorium on new mining operations to address concerns over energy consumption. Conversely, Wyoming has embraced crypto mining, enacting legislation that exempts miners from property taxes and provides tax incentives for renewable energy usage. New York, on the other hand, has taken a more cautious approach. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation has imposed strict environmental regulations on crypto mining operations, requiring them to obtain permits and mitigate potential impacts on air and water quality. California, known for its progressive environmental policies, has also adopted a stringent regulatory framework. The state's Air Resources Board has established emissions standards for crypto mining facilities, while local governments have imposed additional restrictions on energy consumption and noise pollution. In contrast, Florida has adopted a more laissez-faire approach. The state has no specific regulations governing crypto mining, leaving it largely unregulated. This has attracted miners seeking a more favorable regulatory environment. The regulatory landscape for crypto mining in the US is constantly evolving. As the industry matures and its environmental impact becomes better understood, states are likely to refine their regulations. Miners should stay abreast of these changes and carefully consider the regulatory environment in each state before establishing operations. By analyzing the regulations across different US states, miners can make informed decisions about where to locate their operations. They should consider factors such as energy costs, environmental regulations, tax incentives, and the overall regulatory climate. By navigating the regulatory landscape effectively, miners can mitigate risks and position themselves for success in this rapidly evolving industry.State-by-State Analysis: Unraveling the Complexities of Crypto Mining RegulationsNavigating the regulatory landscape for crypto mining operations in the United States can be a complex endeavor, as regulations vary significantly from state to state. Understanding these nuances is crucial for businesses seeking to establish or expand their operations. In Texas, a haven for crypto mining, regulations are relatively permissive.

The state has no specific laws governing crypto mining, allowing businesses to operate with minimal regulatory oversight. However, local ordinances may impose certain restrictions, such as noise and zoning regulations. In contrast, New York has adopted a more cautious approach. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation requires crypto mining operations to obtain permits if they exceed certain energy consumption thresholds. Additionally, the state has implemented a moratorium on new crypto mining operations in certain areas. California, another major crypto mining hub, has taken a nuanced approach. While the state has no statewide regulations specifically targeting crypto mining, it has implemented environmental regulations that indirectly impact operations. These regulations focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which can be a significant concern for energy-intensive crypto mining. In Washington, crypto mining operations are subject to the state's energy code, which sets efficiency standards for electrical equipment. Additionally, the state has implemented a carbon pricing program that imposes a fee on businesses that emit greenhouse gases. Pennsylvania has adopted a more proactive approach. The state's Public Utility Commission has established a registration process for crypto mining operations, requiring them to provide information on their energy consumption and environmental impact. This process aims to ensure that crypto mining operations are conducted in a responsible manner. It's important to note that regulations are constantly evolving, and businesses should stay abreast of the latest developments in their respective states. Additionally, it's advisable to consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. By understanding the regulatory landscape and adapting to the specific requirements of each state, crypto mining businesses can mitigate risks and position themselves for success in the rapidly evolving industry.Compliance Strategies: Optimizing Crypto Mining Operations within Regulatory Frameworks**Analyzing Regulations for Crypto Mining Operations Across US States** The burgeoning crypto mining industry has prompted the need for comprehensive regulations to ensure responsible and sustainable operations. Across the United States, various states have adopted diverse approaches to regulating crypto mining, creating a complex landscape for businesses. In Texas, a major crypto mining hub, regulations focus on environmental protection. The state requires miners to obtain permits for large-scale operations and adhere to strict noise and air quality standards. Additionally, Texas has implemented a voluntary registration program for miners, providing transparency and facilitating collaboration with regulators. New York, on the other hand, has taken a more restrictive stance. The state's moratorium on new crypto mining operations using fossil fuels aims to mitigate environmental concerns. However, the moratorium has faced criticism from industry stakeholders who argue that it stifles innovation and economic growth. In contrast, Wyoming has embraced crypto mining as an economic development opportunity. The state has enacted legislation that exempts crypto mining from certain regulations and provides tax incentives for miners. This approach has attracted numerous mining companies to Wyoming, creating jobs and boosting the local economy. Other states, such as California and Washington, have adopted a more cautious approach. They have implemented environmental impact assessments and require miners to demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency standards. These regulations aim to balance the need for responsible mining with the potential economic benefits. The patchwork of regulations across US states presents challenges for crypto mining businesses. Miners must carefully navigate the regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance with varying requirements. However,

this complexity also provides opportunities for businesses to choose jurisdictions that align with their environmental and economic goals. As the crypto mining industry continues to evolve, it is likely that regulations will continue to adapt. States will need to strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting the environment. By analyzing the regulatory frameworks in different states, crypto mining businesses can make informed decisions about where to establish operations and how to comply with applicable laws. Effective compliance strategies involve understanding the specific regulations in each state, obtaining necessary permits, implementing environmental controls, and engaging with regulators. By adhering to these requirements, crypto mining businesses can operate responsibly and contribute to the sustainable growth of the industry.Q&A**Question 1:** Which US state has the most stringent regulations for crypto mining operations? **Answer:** New York **Question 2:** What is the primary concern of regulators when it comes to crypto mining operations? **Answer:** Environmental impact **Question 3:** Which US state has the most favorable regulations for crypto mining operations? **Answer:** TexasConclusion**Conclusion** The regulatory landscape for crypto mining operations in the United States is complex and evolving. Different states have adopted varying approaches to regulating this industry, ranging from outright bans to supportive policies. States with abundant energy resources, such as Texas and Wyoming, have emerged as hubs for crypto mining due to their favorable regulatory environments and low energy costs. However, other states, such as New York and Washington, have taken a more cautious approach, citing concerns about environmental impact and energy consumption. As the crypto mining industry continues to grow, it is likely that states will continue to refine their regulatory frameworks. It is important for crypto miners to stay informed about the regulatory landscape in their respective states and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. By understanding the regulatory requirements and working with policymakers, crypto miners can help to ensure the sustainable growth of this industry while minimizing its environmental impact.