#and cancel culture is looking for easy fix

[excalculus]

I've been told I should in fact flame Pokémon characters for PPE violations, so let's go.

Specifically I'll stick to the professors and use their appearance from the main game they first appeared in, because I've played almost all of those. Most if not all of them are implied to be biologists or bio-adjacent. I've done my time in academia on top of my current job still being in bio labwork so I know how this is supposed to go.

As for criteria, let's say basic bench science PPE standards (close-toed shoes, long pants, and no long dangling hair or accessories), and in the interest of fairness I'll only go after people who are at least attempting to dress for lab by wearing a lab coat or other obvious PPE item. I also won't worry about things that can be fixed up in a minute or two before going into the lab itself, like buttoning up the lab coat, putting on gloves, etc. Honestly wearing a lab coat outside the lab isn't really supposed to happen, but it's not the end of the world and also if I stuck to that I'd have to cancel everyone.

(Am I being a horrible pedant? Maybe, but I've also never had to fill out lab accident paperwork, so I think I'm still winning.)

Oak

This is normal except for his shoes looking alarmingly like slippers. I suspect that's an issue with this specific piece of art though, since later versions do clearly show normal shoes. Do not wear slippers in lab.

Elm

Really short labcoat, possibly just a weird art choice? Also more or less normal. Looks amusingly like my cell bio professor if you squint a little.

Birch

If this is supposed to be for lab you need long pants, and something that isn't sandals/flip flops. If this is supposed to be for the field, better shoes and pants are probably still a good idea, and the lab coat is useless - it can't protect you from basically anything out there, and if you're worried about contaminating the environment it's also woefully inadequate. To be honest though, the fact that he couldn't deal with a level 2 Zigzagoon makes me think he isn't a field biologist at all. I've met those people at conferences and they'll casually do things like run back towards a probable tornado when their data or equipment is on the line. I heard two (2) angry jaguar stories at the same dinner and in both cases the reaction was basically "If I die, I die". In conclusion I think this is a really bad lab outfit and not a kind of suspect fieldwork outfit, and the only thing I can say in its defense is that I did in fact see someone try to do cell culture while wearing shorts back when I was in SoCal. More accurately, I heard him getting busted by the lab manager from the other side of the lab.

Rowan

Not dressed for lab at all, so no comment. Looks like a math professor.

Juniper

The miniskirt is very bad. Credit where credit is due though, good job on the comfortable nonslip footwear - you'd be surprised how easy it is to go flying if someone's gotten a bit of water on the floor. I've also decided at this point that I'm not going to worry about interesting style/art choices on the lab coats themselves, like whatever is up with that collar.

Sycamore

Roll down your coat sleeves before you go in and this is fine. On a real person I'd say that length of hair likely needs to be secured somehow, but if we assume it stays in position via anime physics instead of falling into things we can ignore that.

Kukui

No shirt, short pants, open shoes, no science. +1 for safety glasses -1000 for everything else. EH&S is coming for your ass.

Magnolia

Some places are okay with a long skirt or dress instead of pants, given that the main idea there is to not have exposed skin that can either get hit by a chemical spill/dropped object or shed contaminants. The dress, shoes, and no socks combo here is... maybe not the greatest? However if I remember right she's basically retired when we see her in game, so it may not be an issue if she's not doing lab work anymore.

Turo

I hate to say it, but technically this passes. The only immediate issue I see is that in the rare case that you do spill something bad on yourself you need to yeet both your coat and any affected item of clothing as fast as you can, which might be challenging with the space onesie. If it's impermeable to whatever got spilled that's theoretically okay, but I've seen the chemical compatibility charts. Nothing is immune to all possible spills even if you stay away from the nasty shit the chemists have.

Sada

[EXTREMELY LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER]

[discluded]

Hey! Just wanted to say, thank you for bringing the conservaqueer issue to light. I know it's been a while since you talked about it but I thought I should let you know it blew my mind and changed my perspective a whole lot. It clicked. Thank you

I'm glad! I know most people come here for the cuties and the kitties but as I always say, we are whole humans first. Especially in light of an onslaught of "critical" comments that are just shallowly disguised conservative talking points that've been repeated for decades. It's so easy to get swept up in it if you're younger and in fannish spaces so it's also a moral responsibility for me to at least talk about it.

I thought this essay a while back was helpful. Snipping out highlights for people who might not have the time to read the whole thing:

Put simply: within Evangelism, purity culture and other strict, hierarchical social contexts, an enormous value is placed on rules, and specifically hard rules. There might be a little wiggle-room in some instances, but overwhelmingly, the rules are fixed: once you get taught that something is bad, you’re expected never to question it. Understanding the rules is secondary to obeying them, and oftentimes, asking for a more thorough explanation - no matter how innocently, even if all you’re trying to do is learn - is framed as challenging those rules, and therefore cast as disobedience. And where obedience is a virtue, disobedience is a sin. If someone breaks the rules, it doesn’t matter why they did it, only that they did. Their explanations or justifications don’t matter, and nor does the context: a rule is a rule, and rulebreakers are Bad. [...] THIS is what we mean when we talk about puritan logic being present in fandom and left-wing spaces: the refusal to engage with critical thinking while sticking doggedly to a single, fixed interpretation of How To Be Good. It’s not always about sexuality; it’s just that sexuality, and especially queerness, are topics we’re used to seeing conservatives talk about a certain way, and when those same rhetorical tricks show up in our fandom spaces, we know why they look familiar.  [...]one of the main appeals of rule-based thinking - if not the key appeal - is the comfort of moral certainty it engenders. If the rules are simple and clear, and following them is what makes you a good person, then it’s easy to know if you’re doing the right thing according to that system. It’s much, much harder and frequently more uncomfortable to be uncertain about things: to doubt, not only yourself, but the way you’ve been taught to think. And especially online, where we encounter so many more opinions and people than we might elsewhere, and where we can get dogpiled on by strangers or go viral without meaning to despite our best intentions? Rigid thinking teaches us to view the world through the lens of rules: to obey first and understand later. Critical thinking teaches us to use ideas, questions, contexts and other bits of information as analytic tools: to put understanding ahead of obedience.

All of this has just been exacerbated by the pandemic...

I think step one is just not to be sensitive to being cancelled LOL.

[blueairportlondon]

Heathrow Airport to Lewisham Taxi Transfer Service: Your Ideal Airport Travel Solution

Traveling from Heathrow Airport to Lewisham can be made easier and more comfortable with a dedicated taxi transfer service. Whether you're arriving in London for the first time or heading home after a trip, choosing a taxi transfer ensures a convenient, stress-free journey. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of booking a taxi transfer from Heathrow to Lewisham, what to expect during the trip, and tips for finding the best service.

Why Opt for a Taxi Transfer from Heathrow to Lewisham?

A taxi transfer service offers several advantages over other modes of transportation:

Convenience and Comfort: A taxi provides door-to-door service, picking you up from the airport and dropping you off at your exact destination in Lewisham. This is ideal for travelers with heavy luggage or those who prefer a straightforward journey.

Reliable and On-Time: Taxi services are available around the clock, making them a dependable choice for early morning or late-night arrivals. With pre-booking, you can be assured that a driver will be ready to meet you as soon as you land.

Avoid Public Transport Hassles: Navigating public transport in London can be daunting, especially after a long flight. A taxi offers a direct, comfortable ride without the need for multiple transfers.

Fixed-Rate Pricing: Many taxi companies offer fixed rates for airport transfers, so you know the cost upfront. This helps avoid unexpected expenses, making it easier to budget for your journey.

What to Expect During the Journey

The distance from Heathrow Airport to Lewisham is about 24 miles (38 km), and the journey usually takes between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Here’s what you can anticipate during your transfer:

Meet and Greet Service: Many taxi services offer a meet-and-greet option, where the driver waits for you at the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name. This makes it easy to find your driver, even in a busy airport.

Comfortable Vehicle Options: Taxi services often provide a variety of vehicles, such as standard sedans, executive cars, and larger vehicles for groups. You can choose a car that suits your needs and ensures a comfortable journey.

Flight Tracking for Delays: Professional taxi companies monitor your flight arrival time, so if your flight is delayed, the driver adjusts the pick-up time accordingly. This ensures you won’t have to worry about coordinating with the driver in case of unexpected delays.

Tips for Booking a Taxi Transfer

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free transfer, keep these tips in mind when booking your taxi from Heathrow to Lewisham:

Book in Advance: Pre-booking your taxi not only ensures availability but also gives you peace of mind knowing your transportation is already arranged.

Confirm the Pricing: Make sure the taxi company provides a fixed price for the transfer, including any additional costs such as parking fees or waiting time.

Choose a Reputable Service: Look for companies with positive customer reviews, experienced drivers, and a good track record of reliability. This will give you confidence in the quality of service.

Consider Your Luggage Requirements: If you have extra luggage or special needs, inform the taxi service in advance to ensure they provide an appropriate vehicle.

Check for Extra Services: Some taxi companies offer add-ons like child seats, extra luggage assistance, or free cancellations. Be sure to inquire about these options if needed.

Exploring Lewisham

Lewisham, located in South East London, is a lively district known for its rich cultural diversity, local markets, and green spaces. With convenient access to central London, it serves as a great base for exploring the city's major attractions. Whether you're visiting for business, leisure, or catching up with family and friends, Lewisham offers a blend of history, culture, and modern amenities.

Why a Taxi Transfer is the Best Choice

A taxi transfer is particularly beneficial for:

Families Traveling with Children: Avoiding crowded public transport with kids in tow is a huge advantage.

Business Travelers: Ensures a timely arrival and a quiet space to catch up on work during the ride.

First-Time Visitors to London: Offers a straightforward and comfortable introduction to the city without having to navigate public transportation.

Conclusion

A taxi transfer from Heathrow Airport to Lewisham is an ideal choice for travelers seeking convenience, comfort, and reliability. The benefits of door-to-door service, fixed pricing, and professional drivers make it a top option for anyone looking to start or end their trip on a high note. Book in advance, choose a reputable service, and enjoy a smooth and enjoyable journey from Heathrow to Lewisham.

[tvzoonix]

BEST IPTV SERVICE PROVIDER IN USA:

Zoonix TV is the ideal choice if you're an Indian-American trying to figure out how to maintain your cultural ties. Zoonix TV, the best Indian IPTV service provider in the USA, provides a consistently high-caliber, dependable viewing experience.

The rising Indian diaspora's desire to maintain ties to their cultural heritage has resulted in a notable increase in demand for Indian IPTV services in the USA in recent years. With more than 4 million Indian Americans living in the country, there has never been a bigger demand for easily available, excellent Indian television programming. When it comes to providing Indian viewers with the wide variety of channels they want, traditional cable and satellite providers frequently fall short, which causes a trend towards IPTV services that offer a more complete and personalized viewing experience.

WHY ZOONIX TV IS THE BEST IPTV SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE USA:

1. Broad Channel Selection:

To satisfy a wide range of linguistic and geographical tastes, Zoonix TV offers an extensive variety of Indian channels. You may find anything you're looking for on Zoonix TV, including material in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, and Malayalam. All of your favorite channels are conveniently located together, offering everything from entertainment and local programming to live sports and news.

2. Superior Streaming:

With options for 4K streaming as well as high definition, Zoonix TV puts the viewer's experience first. With their quick, dependable servers, you can wave goodbye to lag and buffering and enjoy a seamless, continuous experience wherever you are.

3. An Interface That's Easy to Use:

Because of its simple and intuitive interface, using Zoonix TV is a breeze. Whether you're familiar with technology or are brand-new to IPTV, the platform is made to be simple to use on all platforms, including PCs, TVs, tablets, and smartphones.

4. Reasonably priced:

A variety of subscription packages are available from Zoonix TV to suit any budget. You will receive the finest value for your money thanks to their competitive price, which guarantees there are no unforeseen or hidden costs. You also have complete control over your membership thanks to the flexible plans and simple canceling alternatives.

5. Outstanding Client Assistance:

At Zoonix TV, client happiness is our first concern. Their multilingual customer service team is available around the clock in Hindi, English, and other Indian languages, and they are always happy to serve. You can be confident that any problems will be fixed right away thanks to our rapid response times and effective troubleshooting.

6. Ample Content Available On Demand

In addition to live TV, Zoonix TV offers a large collection of on-demand films, TV series, and web series from all around India. With all of regional cinema and the newest Bollywood sensations at your fingertips, keep up to date.

7. Adaptability and Availability

Since Zoonix TV recognizes the value of flexibility, they don't offer long-term agreements or contracts. With Zoonix TV, you can easily customize your viewing experience to fit your needs, regardless of whether you want to start with a free trial or look into alternative options.

8. Satisfied Client Testimonials

Many people in the USA have left positive reviews for Zoonix TV, complimenting its dependability, quality, and customer support. The platform's dedication to providing the best Indian IPTV experience is evident in its outstanding ratings and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Zoonix TV stands out as the best Indian IPTV service provider in the USA, offering an unparalleled mix of channel selection, streaming quality, affordability, and customer support. If you’re looking for a reliable and comprehensive Indian entertainment solution, Zoonix TV is the clear choice.

[vivekbsworld]

Self-Drive Car Rentals in Kochi: Explore with Freedom

Kochi, a vibrant city with a blend of cultural heritage and modernity, offers a lot to explore. Opting for a self-drive car rental allows you to experience the city at your own pace, giving you the freedom to visit attractions on your schedule. Whether you’re a tourist or a local needing temporary transportation, there are several reliable self-drive car rental services in Kochi. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best self-drive car rental in Kochi.

Top Self-Drive Car Rental Services in Kochi

Zoomcar

Overview: Zoomcar is one of the most popular self-drive car rental services in India, known for its extensive fleet and flexible rental options.

Fleet: Compact cars, sedans, SUVs, and luxury cars including models from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Ford, and more.

Features: Flexible booking, real-time tracking, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance.

Myles

Overview: Myles offers a wide range of self-drive cars, making it easy to find a vehicle that suits your needs and budget.

Fleet: Hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, luxury cars from brands like Honda, Toyota, and BMW.

Features: Easy online booking, doorstep delivery, well-maintained cars, and affordable pricing.

Revv

Overview: Revv provides a subscription-based model along with traditional rentals, offering great flexibility and convenience.

Fleet: Varied options including economy cars, SUVs, and luxury vehicles from multiple brands.

Features: Unlimited kilometers option, doorstep delivery, flexible rental durations, and all-inclusive pricing.

Drivezy

Overview: Drivezy offers economical self-drive car rentals with an emphasis on affordability and convenience.

Fleet: Wide range including hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs.

Features: Hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly rental plans, easy app-based booking, and insurance coverage.

IndusGo

Overview: IndusGo is a local player providing reliable self-drive car rental services in Kerala.

Fleet: Hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and luxury cars.

Features: No security deposit, free home delivery and pickup, unlimited kilometers option, and 24/7 support.

Eco Rent A Car

Overview: Known for its premium offerings, Eco Rent A Car also provides self-drive options suitable for those seeking a luxury experience.

Fleet: Premium sedans, SUVs, and luxury cars.

Features: Luxury vehicles, comprehensive insurance, and top-notch customer service.

How to Choose the Right Self-Drive Car Rental Service

Define Your Requirements: Determine the type of car you need based on your travel plans—compact cars for city driving, SUVs for road trips, or luxury cars for special occasions.

Compare Prices: Check various rental services to find the best rates. Consider any hidden costs such as fuel, insurance, and taxes.

Check Availability: Ensure the desired car is available for your dates. Booking in advance can often secure better rates and availability.

Review Policies: Understand the rental company’s policies on mileage, fuel, insurance, and cancellations. Some services offer unlimited mileage or flexible fuel policies.

Read Reviews: Look at customer reviews to gauge the reliability and quality of service provided by the rental company.

Inspect the Car: Before driving off, inspect the car for any existing damage and ensure it’s in good working condition. Take photos if necessary.

Benefits of Self-Drive Car Rentals

Flexibility: Travel at your own pace without adhering to fixed schedules.

Privacy: Enjoy private time with your companions without a driver.

Cost-Effective: Often more economical than hiring a taxi, especially for longer durations.

Variety: Choose from a wide range of vehicles to suit different occasions and needs.

Local Experience: Explore offbeat paths and lesser-known destinations in and around Kochi.

Conclusion

Self-drive car rentals in Kochi offer a convenient and flexible way to explore the city and its surroundings. Whether you’re here for business or leisure, renting a car gives you the freedom to make the most of your time in this beautiful city. By choosing a reliable rental service and the right vehicle, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable driving experience in Kochi.

[sunmarketing]

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    I’ve been on a 90-day trip to every time zone around the globe. My mission is world peace through cultural exchange. I was sustainable when I could by using local transportation, buses, and trains. I was solo, carrying a small backpack, called a “personal item,” that fit under the seat in front of me on a plane.

  In this episode, the FAQ is: Should I bring earplugs on my trip?

.

Today’s Destination is Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Today’s Mistake- I left my phone at the bus office.

Travel Advice: Keep a pen handy

  FAQ: Should I bring earplugs on my trip?

  Yes. You can first step away from the noise, turn the volume down, or try these tips to save your hearing. Noise-canceling headphones may be preferred, but you can use earplugs if traveling light. Do they work well? They are better than nothing. Here are three steps to using foam earplugs: Roll, pull, and hold. Roll them to fit your ear, pull back your ear, and then insert them until they fit comfortably. The show notes have tips to help you out.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3R_1JceWo

    Today’s destination: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

  …..before you go, read up on the region's history and try to understand the heartbreaking things that happened in this country. The country went through some tough years in the last century. They are a comparatively less developed country, but the people have hope for the future. Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, meets at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. Historically, it became a trading hub for the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. Listen to the Siem Reap podcast if you can later on.

  I flew here from Ho Chi Minh City, but taking a bus and a lot cheaper would have been easy. Cambodia Angkor Airlines is reputed to have the best safety standards in the country, although I noticed that my plane was very seasoned. It was a much older model.

  https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/cambodia-travel-tips/phnom-penh/

  US citizens need to apply for a Cambodia visa. Cambodia e-visa cost: The Total fee is USD 36, and the E-visa processing time takes 2 - 5 business days. I had to change the date of birth on my visa application, as it was incorrect, which was easy to accomplish. Between when I first submitted it and it printed out, the date got switched, so I fixed it ahead of time.

Rice (bai) is the most essential food in the country, and more than 2,000 species once grew in Cambodia. There's hardly a dish that does not contain rice, including noodles made from rice, desserts, cakes, and alcoholic beverages, and no Khmer meal is complete without boiled rice.

  Although Cambodia's official currency is the Riel, the US Dollar is used in most transactions, so I recommend taking some US Dollars in cash (with some small denomination notes).

  The city’s walkable riverfront is lined with parks, restaurants, and bars, including the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the Art Deco Central Market. I did a lot of mid-day walking along the river at Sisowath Quay, the most popular downtown promenade. There were few people there mid-day. It is scenic; you can see boats on the Tonle Sap River and look across a beautiful vista. Walk here between the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom.

  My hotel in Phnom Penh was across the street from the Independence Monument and near the Cambodia Friendship Monument. They called it the Monument District. At night, the locals, by the hundreds, walked in a counterclockwise direction around the park to get some fresh air and exercise. It was a social experience, too. Families and singles all gathered here. I was part of the walk since I had been too hot to walk much during the day's heat.

  The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh was built in 1958 to memorialize Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. It stands on a roundabout at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the city's center.

  https://www.planetware.com/cambodia/phnom-penh-cam-1-2.htm

  In the Khmer Rouge's Security Prison S-21, it was here that some of the regime's worst torture atrocities were carried out. More than 17,000 people passed through these gates between 1975 and 1978, accused of betraying the revolution in some way. The Tuol Sleng Museum was where prisoners were housed, a former school. You can see photographs of what happened here. You can walk through the prison rooms, formerly classrooms. It’s two stories, with offices and rooms with evidence of those killed. The detailed notes and photographs remain along with some of the remnants of furniture and statues of those who died. I took a tuk-tuk to visit this sad place at Street 113, Phnom Penh. I was unhappy but hopeful for a better future when I left here.

Today’s Mistake- I left my phone at the bus office.

  While waiting for the bus, I entered the station and met the people working for the bus tour company. I had about an hour to wait, so I said hi and then sat down to relax from the sun. What I forgot at the desk was my phone. About ten minutes later, the driver arrived and said it was time to board the bus. In my rush, I left my phone on the desk. We started down the road, and then I remembered, so I told the tour guide I needed to get out. He said he would call and make sure they had it, and we would soon go back for it after we dropped someone at the hospital. I thought that was strange, but that’s precisely what happened. That was my second time leaving my phone behind on this trip. I was learning a lesson again. Not to leave my phone anywhere. Don’t be like me. I was lucky. You may not be so fortunate.

  Today’s Travel Advice-Keep a pen handy

  In today’s world of digital technology, one thing you will still need is a pen. There will be a time you need to write down something to remember. It could be a code, a phone number, or a key phrase. Keep something to write with nearby.

    I want to bring meaning to your travels. Send a question or travel tip to info@drmarytravelbest.com. Sign up for the mailing list here. We can connect on my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Subscribe to YouTube, Twitter, or other social channels. Find the 5 Steps to Solo Travel series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect. Support this podcast with a review, please.

  Connect with Dr. Travelbest

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Check out this Dr Travelbest episode!

[fate-tumbles]

Things that I hated to do and songs that I hated to listen to. Because I was trying on all your glasses since I lost my black sheep patch on the jean jacket And I realized I was seeing the world all wrong those are cool shades bb - but not my vibe I relate more to you (right now) - but I hope I can relate to you more (when we're ready). #contextmatter #allcontextsmatter #because that's how we're gonna avoid:

On no more free labour in my life (no friends + fam discount for myself

Capricorn + Fate = G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T. = [insert MYMINEMINE x variable(s) here]

You can think I'm making up being THE Capricorn = I must be THE G.O.A.T.

#practicing cancel culture #safely and continuously #consent is sexy #I finally let myself be happy #forME #andmystans #and simps #and etc. @u-all, I c u + <3 u all

[MIGHT LOOK CONFUSING LIKE MATH LOOKS TO ME, BUT ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT MY CODING LANGUAGE I PROMISE IT'LL BE MORE MUTUALLY PLEASUREABLE].

#prolific #dontbelieveme? #dontcare #I've always held onto every single receipt and box and product that ever came into my home #because #the person who sold it to me 20 years ago

#who didnt know they sold a faulty item #so it's not their fault #they were just trying to get by #and feed their families #but sometimes lost their souls #worksinprogress

#but now I realize how fucked up it was in MY world b4 #and how easy it is to fix now that I have #CHEATCODES BITCH #chatgpt #imnotgoogling #4uanymore #nomoredrama #no more free labour #butall the MJB #inmylife

#myonlyfan(s) #itme #butthiscouldbeus #powerthuadruples #🌜🌚🌕🌛

[leaderlocalgaragedoorca]

Great Things to Do in Sacramento CA

Sacramento is one of the most underrated and overlooked cities in California, teeming with a plethora of attractions, landmarks and hidden gems that have earned it a reputation as a little-known city of culture, food, entertainment and adventure. From world-famous breweries to Michelin-starred eateries, there’s a wealth of fun things to do in this capital city that will leave you wanting to come back time and again!

Old Sacramento

The heart of the Gold Rush era, this historic district has been beautifully restored, replete with charmingly quaint shops, restaurants and historic buildings. It’s also home to a number of museums, including the California State Railroad Museum depicting the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, one of the country’s earliest technological feats.

Sutter’s Fort

A hive of history, this National Historic Landmark is a must-visit for any history buff or anyone who enjoys stepping back in time. With life-sized reenactments and a range of historical structures from blacksmiths to weaving stations, this park is packed with captivating detail that’ll have you immersed in a storied era like never before!

Crocker Art Museum

The Crocker Art Museum is a Sacramento institution that boasts an extensive and impressive collection, with a heavy emphasis on local and Californian art. This venerable gallery is home to an array of paintings and sculptures, although the coveted ceramic collection typically steals the show.

Sutter’s Fort

Located close to downtown, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is an authentic and immersive look into the California Gold Rush era. With a range of historic buildings and museums, this park is one of the best things to do in Sacramento for history-lovers.

B Street Theatre

The B Street Theatre is a must-visit for theater lovers and those who love live performances. It’s a thriving cultural hub and offers an array of great shows, from classic dramas to musicals and comedies.

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

A reimagined 19th-century mansion, this church is an iconic piece of architecture that’s been a spiritual center in Sacramento for over a century. The Neoclassical design and enchanting stained-glass windows create an inviting, ethereal atmosphere.

Tours are offered most days but may be canceled on occasion, as the mansion is often used for state functions and to host international dignitaries.

Taking in the beauty of the city’s landmarks on foot is an easy way to spend an afternoon exploring Sacramento. Whether you opt to hike along the Capitol Mall or simply stroll around the city’s most popular parks, it’s an ideal way to see the city in a new light.

The California State Railroad Museum

During the summer months, this iconic attraction is open for visitors to take a ride aboard a vintage steam locomotive or a modern diesel train. The museum is a great place to learn about the role that railroads played in the development of the state, and its exhibits are filled with fascinating information about the broader history of California.

You’ll find several displays on the Transcontinental Railroad and the construction of railroad lines throughout the US, with an emphasis on the impact that early immigrants had on this important industry. There’s also a section devoted to Native American artifacts, highlighting the ways in which the native tribes shaped this region and its people.

Garage Door Service - What You Need to Know

Garage Door Service is a very important part of your home maintenance. Not only does it keep you safe, but it also increases the value of your home!

When your garage door won't open by itself, it could be a sign that something isn't working correctly. Whether it's a mechanical issue, a problem with your remote, or a glitch with the radio frequencies used by the opener, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem and get it fixed.

A broken spring or cable can make it impossible for the door to move. You'll need to contact a professional for garage door repair, as it might be necessary to replace the spring or cable.

The opener motor: A garage door opener's electric motor is the power source that can raise and lower the door, and a sensor helps ensure it opens and closes properly. It's also able to stop the door in its tracks if there's an object in its path.

It can also be programmed to open and close at a set time, so that you don't have to worry about the garage door opening when you're away from home or on vacation. You can even use voice controls to open and close the door with Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant.

If you're in a hurry, it may be easier to simply pull the emergency release cord toward the garage door and lift it manually. Then you can reconnect the cord to the opener when you have the power back on.

Rail segment: Most garage doors have rail segments that connect the rail of the door to the track of the automatic opener. These rail segments are designed to last for a certain amount of time, but they can be replaced if they become damaged or worn down from years of use.

Leader Local Garage Door 2335 Natomas Park Dr, 2201, Sacramento, CA 95833 (916)226-3750 https://local.leaderlocalgaragedoor.com/ca/garage-doors-sacramento-area

[newluddite]

Despot Playbook.

It is very popular today. With so many despots in power around the world it makes Machiavelli look like a liberal. If you read him as if he were being sarcastic then he was.

But the current popular edition was written by Adolf Hitler not a renaissance Italian. First thing is to get elected. Exploit true popular support and win an honest election. Claim that you understand and can fix the serious problems the country has. You have a plan! Be sure to blame an easy to identify group as villains to focus hostility. Hostility wins elections.

Hitler blamed Jews and bolsheviks. Putin blamed Nazis and traitors. Trump blamed Latin American immigrants. Trump supporters blamed rich liberals who often were Jewish. You have to have a villain.

Once you are elected fix or just cancel subsequent elections. Hitler cancelled them. Putin fixed them and imprisoned or just killed opposition leaders. Trump set a mob loose to overturn his loss and almost did it. He tried hard to cancel the new election. Had congress submitted to his will he would be the "leader" for life. He still considers himself to be the leader of the GOP Party. The German word for leader is Fuehrer. There was just enough rule of law left in the US to divert that.

Putin has won his power and is very closely following the Hitler Playbook. His villains are NATO, the west, and anyone who opposes him. He was elected and fixed all subsequent elections. His strangest and scariest ploy is his personal army the Wagner Group. He seems to mistrust the Russian Army as they are the only group that could "take him out".

Hitler had the SS which was a military arm of his Nazi Party. It was his personal security as he did not trust the military either. Eventually they got tanks and fully equipped military divisions. They were not part of the formal German Military structure.

The Wagner Group is named after the Composer of the "Ring Cycle" about the mythos of Nordic superiority. Great music and Hitler's favorite composer. I suspect Putin likes him too. They have just obtained the newest top of the line Russian Tanks for their units. They do not officially exist yet can overturn prison sentences and murder with impunity.

Russia already has concentration camps with a high level of fatalities, but they have not got around to wholesale death camps....yet.

His war is to create a lasting legacy of empire. The Soviet Union was a Russian Empire. If he got Ukraine he would soon go after all the other bits that were lost when the S.U. collapsed.

Hitler's wars were the same thing. To create a lasting empire on the European Continent for Germans. His defeat came as he was opposed by an even more ruthless Despot, Joseph Stalin. Stalin built the Soviet Empire that Mr Putin so dearly misses.

Ambitions such as those are always opposed somehow. Ukraine is considered by many as the founding center of what is now called Russian Culture. It has existed as a independent nation for only a short time as it was at a cross roads of several empires. But for reasons I have gone over before they HATE Russians. Even had Russia won in a "4 day War" they would have been surrounded by a very hostile population.

So it is playing out.

Hitler's playbook is good for getting power, but has always failed to keep it. You cannot teach that to Despots. They are always right.

[dominicrarnoblog]

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[likorys-shimenawa]

Again, it’s kind disingenuous to pretend that ‘celebrity said XYZ’ is the only problem or that silencing them would help at all and you’re amazing for pointing out all the obvious ways actual activism works.

Cause you know what’s the actual problem? Followers. Not a jerk saying TERF shit on cable, but 3 million people who nod along and tell anyone without an opinion he’s totally right and they need to agree - and many people will, because it’s their friend or family whom they trust, or they want to belong to a group, or they never heard another opinion and don’t bother challenging it.

And like MLM piramid or like disease infection spread, if this this celebrity has 3 million fans and each of them has 3 family members who in turn each have 20 friends, the views trickle - IF they aren’t challenged.

So no, you can’t just go and ‘cancel celebrity’ and think job is done. People who followed them are still around and they’ll only think they were censored and dig deeper into their beliefs. THAT’S WHY cancel culture is shit - because beside disproportionately hitting random people who made innocent mistakes while powerful ones doing actual harm stay fine... it does fuck all. You thing all the MAGAs suddenly realized they’re sexists racist bastard just because Trump got deleted off social media? Yes, deleting source does something, but if you think that’s all you need to do then you’re left with a container thrown in the trash while the actual poison is spilled all over.

We need education in school, so kids don’t grow up in echo chambers. We need support for teens and young adults who escape toxic families. We need better representation in media so people can’t be easily manipulated. We need to work on secular separatist cults (like Mormons) who all but indoctrinate their children with their own content from toys to children’s cartoons.

THEN a lone jerk on cable can scream till he’s blue in the face and not all people won’t be manipulated.

For example. I know I will never convince any rabid antis to logical arguments. Or antivaxxers. Or a TERF. I still respond, exhausted, repeating the exact argument over and over and over again, on the off chance that someone without an opinion will see the post and now have TWO views to compare, not one screaming at them.

How are we supposed to react to celebrities not taking their influence seriously and punching down then? Just nothing? If we can't get them off the public stage then what can we do? To many people look up to these people and share their shitty views. I don't buy that nothing can be done or shouldn't be done. We haven't made progress all this time by doing nothing when there's a problem. I want to see values shift culturally to valuing people over art when that art or artist is harmful.

Acknowledging that the extreme of cancel culture isn’t the way to go isn’t the same thing as doing nothing. There’s a wealth of options that exist between “Let’s publicly send this person death threats” and “Let’s be totally apathetic about this problem.” The truth is that real activism—real change—is long, grueling, frustrating work that is made up of thousands of choices made by millions of people. For however wonderful the genre is, Young Adult novels lie: problems like these aren’t solved by a single figurehead fixing the world in one moment of glorious revolt. Even the historical narratives we uphold are huge simplifications. Keeping one’s seat on a bus, throwing a brick at Stonewall… these are unquestionably important moments, but looking at them alone ignores all the silent, unnoticed, or now forgotten work that led to that point, all the work that was happening simultaneously, and all the work that came afterwards. Change like this isn't a sprint, it's a long-ass marathon.

That energy you have—“I don’t want to be complacent anymore”—is precisely what we want everyone to be feeling, but the hard pill to swallow is that the world will not suddenly be fixed now that you—or I, or any one individual—realizes how broken it is. Rather, it takes all of us acting on that feeling for years for change to occur and the reality is that we often will not get to see a direct result from any specific action. Why do people become transphobic? As said, they’re not born that way, they learn those views from living in a society with problems that go far, far deeper than the transphobia itself. It’s all interconnected and thus our work needs to be broad reaching too. So to ask just a few, basic questions:

Are you registered to vote where you live and are you exercising that right in every election, to help ensure that there are people in power to change things at a legislative level?

Are you calling your senator and other representatives to speak out about the issues you’re invested in?

Are you buying from marginalized-owned businesses whenever you can?

Are you participating in your community, such as a local library, to help keep them up and funded so that others have access to the information that will help educate them on these topics?

Similarly, have you made any donations to organizations working to help get reliable internet to everyone who currently doesn’t have it, increasing access to resources in our digital world?

Have you spoken with the schools in your area, letting them know that you want kids to have access to good health education—including curriculums that teach about queer identities?

Have you given any volunteer hours to organizations with more influence and resources than you?

Do you participate in boycotts of the content you no longer want to see renewed?

Do you participate in letter campaigns to let production and streaming services know that there is no longer anything to gain in supporting bigoted content?

Are you upholding the content you do want to see, buying those authors’ works so they can continue to make more and spreading word of their art?

Are you attending any parades or protests?

Are you assisting those who do attend? (Making sure they have food there, transportation, money for bail, etc.)

Have you put any time and energy towards running an awareness campaign on social media?

Have you helped to raise money for other organizations, or specific parts of your community?

Do you conduct any community service?

Are you speaking up (when it’s safe) among family, friends, and colleagues to combat bigotry at home?

Are you continually educating yourself on these and intersectional topics? Are you listening to what black trans people need? Disabled trans people? etc.

All of this, honestly, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of ways to make a difference, coming in all shapes and sizes, and I’m far from an expert on all the options out there. Some of these you may not be able to do now, or even ever (“I don’t have money/can’t get to a protest/am too young to vote/etc.") whereas it sounds like you’re already doing many others (“I’m educating myself/speaking out on this topic/promoting my friend’s trans-friendly work”). But all of it, no matter what you do, is going to have an impact. That matters. Yes, there are occasionally times when a direct approach works, where people are so furious over a creator’s views that the resulting backlash succeeds in getting them to step down from their platform. Much more often though, creating a world where the majority of people are disgusted by transphobic content—or better yet, a world where no transphobes exist, period—comes about through those thousands of acts across a whole range of problems we're fighting. “That comedian is transphobic and too many people are okay with that” is a result that stems from education, politics, poverty, and a number of other societal aspects we’re working to improve. You and I, as average individuals, may not be able to make already powerful celebrities back down… but we can do a hundred other things that, combined with others doing the same, will slowly dismantle the systems that created those celebrities in the first place. (And, of course, eventually impact them as well—one hopes.) It isn’t easy, it’s not a uniformly linear process, and there’s a chance we won’t see as much improvement as we’d prefer in our lifetimes, but there absolutely is improvement. That requires a lot of work in the background though; very rarely a single, blazing takedown.

[buckyismybicycle]

CHAPTER 13 [AO3 Link]

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Steve Rogers Rating: Explicit Tags/Warnings: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Insecurities, Body Image Issues, References to Depression/Anxiety/Eating Disorders/Alcohol Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Alternate Universe - No Powers/Hockey, Team Bonding, Slow Burn, Friends With Benefits, Friends to Lovers, Top Bucky Barnes, Pining, Idiots in Love, Miscommunications, Requited Unrequited Love, Slight Jealousy

<< Previous Chapter | Series Masterpost | Overall Masterpost

Steve

The weather refuses to let up, but the show must go on, they say. He’s not even sure how the Philadelphia Flyers are going to make it into the city given all the flight cancellations, but they can’t go into a game without practice.

Steve might have been more bummed about going out in this horrendous snow if he wasn’t secretly just a little bit glad that he gets to see Bucky again. It should worry him that two days feels like two weeks, with this Bucky-shaped hole in his daily routines. He can’t remember ever feeling like this, and gets so lost in his daydreaming he nearly messes up said routine.

He washes his mug, sets it on the dish rack, and slings his bag over his shoulders to head downstairs, trying not to think about all the ways he could ruin what he and Bucky have. Trying not to think about Bucky with someone else.

Get a grip. They had agreed to this, and he knows he shouldn’t have, if he didn’t really mean it. He just thought he could handle it, but apparently, it’s not as easy as he thought it’d be.

Even though Bucky had given Steve the extra key to his apartment, Steve has never had to use it. The door’s always open for him, and he enters, comfortable as if it were his own space even though it isn’t.

“Hey,” Bucky greets him casually with a smile on his face as usual.

Steve forgets everything. Valeri who?

“Heya, Buck.” He thinks he manages to sound pretty normal. At least, Bucky doesn’t mention anything if he doesn’t.

“One sec,” Bucky mumbles, fighting with his hair even though he’s going to put a helmet on in less than an hour.

“What’d you get up to on our day off?” He feels like such a fraud, knowing perfectly well what Bucky had “been up to”.

“Oh shit!” Bucky blanches, looking a little horrified. “I totally forgot to text you back, didn’t I? Man, I had a message all typed out and everything. Sorry.”

“It’s all good,” Steve says easily, shrugging.

Bucky is like a tornado, fixing his hair and then his shirt, grabbing his bag and travel mug before picking up his keys to lock up. “I went for coffee with Val, you know the little one across the bookstore?”

Val. Steve forces a smile and tries not to analyze the quick and easy nickname as they get in the elevator. “Yeah.”

“And we just got talkin’, and then I remembered seeing something about a — fuck, do you know what a banya is?”

“Um.” Of course he does, he’d read the page off his search thoroughly. “Like a sauna thing, right?”

Bucky beams at him, looking like he’s proud of Steve for knowing. He should probably say something, but telling Bucky he’s not actually cultured enough to have known that and he’d only read up on it out of jealousy doesn’t feel like a good way to start the day. So, he keeps his mouth shut as they get off the lift.

“Yeah! More or less. Did me hella good, too,” Bucky grumbles, as if his muscles were protesting again, totally oblivious to Steve’s internal moral battle. “Did that flight right after the game not fuck you up?”

Steve laughs, and just like always, his spirits begin to rise just from merely being around Bucky. “I never said it didn’t.”

“You should really try it, I think you’d like it,” Bucky says. “What about you, what’d you get up to?”

Steve tries not to feel the bite when Bucky doesn’t say I’ll take you. “Nothing much, had some errands to do.”

Ah, yes. Using imaginary errands to make himself seem less pathetic, isn’t that a new low?

“Ew,” Bucky chirps too cheerfully. “Sorry you’re an adult now.”

“You’re one too!” Steve squawks. “…Sometimes.”

Bucky’s laugh could cure any ailment, Steve’s sure, because a small smile starts to form on his own face. Steve’s going to give himself whiplash.

Bucky

He doesn’t know what it is, but there’s something different about Steve today, even if it’s not obvious. He’d been quiet on the drive into practice, and even his skating looked a little off. Bucky would know, because he spends an inordinate amount of time watching Steve play.

He hopes it’s not because Steve thought that Bucky had been ignoring him yesterday.

On their way back to their building, he attempts to crack the shell. “So, any plans for Christmas?”

Steve looks surprised by the question, but it does make him all soft again. “Usually, Dugan tries to drag me into his family dinner. He thinks I’m a lonely orphan.”

“Hey, I’m the one with the Batmobile!” Bucky puts on a pout but he’s warmed by the thought that Steve is being looked after. He deserves the big family dinner, and all the gifts in the world, in Bucky’s opinion.

Steve chuckles as they park and hop out. “You should come. He’d take you right in, I bet. And you’d love his kids.”

“Nah,” Bucky says on instinct. “I don’t wanna impose. Besides, I’m a Christmas Grump, remember?”

Steve shoves his shoulder, playfully admonishing him. “Shut up.”

“Make me,” Bucky fires back, waggling his eyebrows.

—-

Bucky hadn’t paid any attention to holidays after he’d lost his family. They only served as reminders of his loss, of the unbearable feeling of being alone and missing out on traditions the Barnes family had built over the years.

He’s surprised when he gets cornered by Dum Dum in the showers after their devastating loss to Chicago, though he supposes he shouldn’t be. In fact, Bucky’s almost positive that Steve has spoken to Dugan after Bucky had asked him not to. He’s not sure if he’s touched or annoyed.

“Really, it’s okay, I –”

“Did I ask you if you were okay or did I ask you if you were allergic to anything?!” Dugan pins him with what he assumes is a stern look, though it loses some of its effect when Dugan’s got a tuft of shampoo bubbles on his head.

“Uh - um,” Bucky stutters, before he even has a chance to think of an excuse. “N…o?”

“Good. You better be prepared to play mini sticks until your knees bleed.”

Bucky doesn’t have a comeback, and Dum Dum goes back to whistling as he rinses his hair.

–

“Did you have Dum Dum bully me into Christmas dinner?” Bucky asks Steve as soon as they’re cleared of the locker room. It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate it, but he feels less than great about it even if he can’t explain why. Maybe it’s because he can’t stop thinking that it’s a pity-invite, that he’s the “new kid” they’re trying to make feel better or maybe it’s just so glaringly obvious that he doesn’t have anyone that he needs to be adopted for a night. In any of those circumstances, he feels pretty shitty about it.

“No!” Steve protests immediately, grimacing as they leave the arena, cold air nipping at him. He tugs his hat down further on his ears. “You told me not to, so I didn’t.”

On first instinct, Bucky doesn’t believe him. In the truck, he turns to look at Steve, and watches for any anxious tics, because he’s discovered that Steve is usually terrible at keeping secrets. His eyes don’t leave Steve’s face, narrowing as if investigating, and that’s when Steve glances over and has to do a double take.

“What? What’d I do?”

Bucky hates how adorable it is, when Steve genuinely looks confused with his big, sparkly eyes. Ugh.

“I don’t believe you.” He harrumphs as he puts his seatbelt on.

Instead of pulling out of the parking lot, Steve sits there a moment, and before Bucky can ask what the hold up is, Steve turns Bucky’s face with a finger under his chin. Their eyes meet and Bucky’s widen a bit at the closeness.

“I swear on my mother’s grave that I didn’t mention a thing to Dugan,” Steve says with a serious, steady voice. “If he asked you over for Christmas dinner, it came from him. He wants you there, Buck.”

It hadn’t been that serious. Bucky had mostly been kidding around, but then Steve just drops this? He’s speechless.

And his chin is still resting in Steve’s hold.

There’s just the middle console between, they’re close enough to kiss, but that’s not something they do outside of sex, no matter how easy it would be to just lean in one more inch. That’s all it would take.

With his feelings threatening to creep up, he does what he always does – he runs away, and changes the subject.

“So. Uh, what am I supposed to bring?”

Steve

They’re on their way to Nashville for a small road trip when he manages to catch Dugan when Bucky’s in the bathroom.

“Heard you invited Bucky to Christmas,” Steve says appreciatively. “That’s good of you.”

“Got a habit of taking in strays,” he jokes, giving Steve a clap on the back. “Besides, figure it’d give you more incentive to come too.”

Clint snorts on the other side of Dugan. Steve tries not to read into it, tries to talk himself down and convince himself that Dugan didn’t mean anything by it past the fact that they’re friends. He just kind of hates how right that statement is.

“Hey.”

Dugan laughs at his weak protest. “You know we look forward to it. The kids love you, and it’s fun. But I swear to God if I hear the missus talk about how tight your shirt is this year, I’ll make you sit in the corner.” Dugan points to his eyes, fingers in a V-shape before pointing at Steve in an I’m-watching-you gesture.

Steve gets a little pink, apologetic and also still reeling from the fact that he was so blessed to have teammates – friends – like Tim “Dum Dum” Dugan. Before he can say anything else, Bucky plops into the seat beside him.

“Oooooo,” he sings with a gleeful smile. “What are we doing to make Steve all embarrassed now?”

Dugan roars with laughter, and Steve wants to disappear into the floor.

—

It’s always rough to lose the first game on a road trip, and while some of the boys are watching movies or playing card games to unwind, Steve takes the moment to slip away.

He’d had the thought for a few days now, and figures it’s better to do his research. Pulling out his phone, he goes to his Favourites under contacts and selects the second name.

So what if Bucky had taken the top spot in the short time they’d known each other? He was just looking out for Bucky, that’s all.

“Romanoff speaking.”

“Natasha, hi,” Steve greets after her standard pick up.

“Steve. What can I do for you?”

“Ah, well, I’m sorry – I should’ve just texted or something. It’s not hockey related.”

“Oh?” It’s evident she’s curious, so Steve tries not to feel too embarrassed.

“I was wondering, um, if you could maybe just tell me a bit more about some Russian… Christmas traditions that you might know of, that aren’t… too imposing.”

“Already throwing parties for Nichushkin? Cute.”

Steve doesn’t correct her, because it’s easier to let her believe that. He’d read some of it online – the different date of celebration, the religious service – but then Natasha unknowingly gives him exactly what he’d been looking for.

“I’ll send you the address to a delicatessen, they’ll have it all.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it,” Steve says truthfully. He makes a note in his phone – listing blini and angel wings under things to buy.

“You’re a good captain,” Natasha replies. “I’m heading into a meeting, but text me if you need anything else. Now go make me proud.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” Steve jokes.

—

They win the second game of their road trip against Winnipeg, but lose the last to Colorado. It’s another crushing defeat, but they make up for it the very next game when Colorado comes to Dallas this time. Steve’s always believed that playing in their own arena gave them a little extra luck. Whether it’s because the fans cheer louder or simply because it’s home turf, he’s always preferred playing at the American Airlines Center. Sometimes he thinks he spends more time here than at home.

The days of December just continue to fly by and before he knows it, Christmas is right around the corner. He spends all the time leading up to it trying to stop Bucky from fretting.

“Buck, you don’t have to bring anything,” Steve assures him for, quite possibly, the millionth time. “So if you do, no matter what it is, I’m sure they’ll love it either way.”

“That is of zero help to me.”

“What! You’re a great cook! Why do you think I don’t lift a finger to help ya? And I still think about that lasagna sometimes,” he says solemnly.

“See if I ever make you another one after all of this not helping me.”

“You wouldn’t,” Steve gasps dramatically.

—

  Christmas Day comes and when Steve knocks on Bucky’s door, he’s greeted by a large styrofoam box first, and Bucky second.

“What is that?”

“Cake!” Bucky sounds cheerful. “Dum Dum says his kids love cake.”

Steve eyes up the sizable box, and how it’s as high as Bucky’s torso when he goes to pick it up. “How big is this cake, Christ.”

Bucky chuckles, arms around his prize as Steve carries his own trays. He’s hopeful that Bucky will enjoy Natasha’s recommendations, though he’s never known Natasha to be wrong.

He knows that Bucky’s still at least a little anxious, given the fiddling with his jacket sleeve when they’re on their way.

“You know, I’m glad you’re coming,” Steve randomly blurts out. “His kids are very energetic. Can’t keep up with them.”

“Geez, way to sound like an old man there, Cap,” Bucky chuckles. “It’s been a while since I’ve been around kids. God, and they’re so young.” He pulls a face resembling worry.

“You’re gonna be great,” Steve protests. He’s confident in this fact because any time Bucky interacts with younger fans, Steve gets a little dopey watching him

Bucky gives a helpless little shrug, but Steve notices that he doesn’t hide, he doesn’t deny it, and he doesn’t shrink in on himself. It’s close to receiving a compliment, Steve thinks. The thought makes him warm inside.

—

“Here we go,” Steve warns as he rings the doorbell. They’re greeted by all four children barreling towards the door, despite Dugan’s booming voice telling them not to.

At first, Bucky’s eyes widen, as if overwhelmed, before Dugan wrangles his kids back into the house.

“Jesus, whaddya got in there, a whole damn Christmas tree?” Dugan asks, shaking his head as he ushers the both of them in.

“Bucky, this is my wife, Christina. Christina – JAGGER, DON’T TOUCH THAT – honey, this is Bucky.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Christina says with a smile, pulling Bucky into a hug and smacking a kiss on his cheek. “I’ve heard a ton about you. And Steve! I’m glad you could make it again, the kids have been asking all day.”

Steve blushes, and accepts his hug and kiss next. “Thanks for having me back.”

“Told you these two were obnoxious,” Dugan mutters as he picks up the youngest of his children. “This here is Caleb, hey, can you say hi, buddy?”

The child squirms, shy, and hides in Dugan’s shoulder. “Hi?.”

“Heya little guy,” Bucky answers easily, appearing unfazed by the reaction.

“Now you get all shy?” Dugan laughs, amused. “This is my new friend, Bucky. He’s Steve’s friend too, and you like Steve, don’t ya?”

The toddler nods, turning his face to look back at the two of them. “Bucket.”

Everyone immediately erupts into laughter, Bucky possibly loudest of them all, taking it in great stride. “Bucket – you know what? Yeah! Why not! Bucket it is.”

“Bucket!” Caleb echos.

As predicted, the kids adore Bucky.

Bucky

The anxiety melts away pretty quickly thanks to the barrage of children clambering for attention from the both of them. He doesn’t even get a second to doubt himself as they tug him by his fingers showing him the tree, their stockings, the kitchen and just about everything else in the house.

Landon tells him very proudly that he’s eleven, which means he’s the oldest. Bucky almost says I used to be an older brother, too. Brody tugs on his pants in an effort to get him to sit down on the couch.

“Brody’s eight,” Landon informs him proudly.

“Oh wow, you got three whole years on him?!”

“Yeah!”

Landon gives him a toothy smile, and starts showing off a science set he’d gotten that morning for Christmas.

Jagger, who Bucky thinks might be the most energetic of them all, even if he’s only six, is currently trying to climb Steve, and Bucky privately thinks about climbing Steve in a very different way.

[Image: Steve, in a white sweater, and Bucky in a plain navy shirt, looking in each other's direction]

He grins at Steve, who looks so stupidly cozy in his white cable knit sweater. It looks so soft – almost as soft as Steve, and it makes Bucky want to cuddle. The thought terrifies him, that he falls so quickly, so hard, and sometimes he doesn’t notice until it’s too late. It feels like jumping out of a plane without a parachute, the ground and trees coming at him faster than he has time to process.

Except he knows too well what it’s like when he finally hits the ground, and he won’t — can’t — let it happen again.

When they come to gather at the table for dinner, the spread is exceptional. For a moment, he completely forgets what he’s doing, eyes widening at the sheer amount of food.

“Honey, I think you broke him,” Dugan teases as he nudges Christina for her to get a look at Bucky.

She looks immensely proud, and kisses Dugan a quick kiss. They each take a spot at the head of the table and the kids climb all over the two players debating how to sit, before deciding to bracket them on each side of the table, setting Bucky and Steve across from each other.

“Are you comfortable with us saying grace before dinner?” Christina asks Bucky gently.

He’s never been asked that in his life, and his family was never overly religious, but he nods. Having never said grace, his knowledge comes from TV shows alone — he can’t fuck up saying one word at the end right? Surely, even he can manage that.

“The floor’s yours, beautiful,” Dugan announces with a smirk, reaching for Brody and Jagger’s hands on either side. Bucky can’t help but think how Jagger’s hand is so small in his, and holds it carefully, while his other hand is taken by Landon, who reaches for his mom.

Brody takes Steve’s hand, and lastly, Caleb completes the chain.

She closes her eyes and bows her head, the rest of the family following quickly.

“Right. Everyone… let’s think of all that we are grateful for.”

Bucky can’t help but look up across the table, where Steve does the same, without prompting and the world fades a little bit around them.

“Thank you for our health, our work, and our play.”

Bucky tries to look away, to pull himself back from the edge of the plane but it’s impossible.

“Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today.”

It’s a private, shared moment; an unspoken understanding or perhaps a declaration that neither of them can say out loud.

“Thank you for our home, our family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here.”

“Amen,” he whispers.

[dalekofchaos]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 review

Okay I finally watched the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. . It is the best sequel in the franchise and best movie since the remake(that isn’t saying much)

The pros

The gore and kills

Lila and Melody(probably the most likable characters in the movie)

Leatherface(mostly)

The cons

Does not feel like a TCM movie. It doesn’t seem to have any grasp on what made the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre work (the production design, documentary feel; etc.) and instead just capitalizes on recent horror trends while throwing in unsubtle satire. 

A movie set in Texas was filmed in Bulgaria.

No family. Here’s something no one has understood about the franchise. Leatherface without the family is just another generic slasher. They literally made Leatherface a parody of himself. My ideal sequel with the plot of Leatherface in the Grandpa role and a new generation of Sawyer/Slaughter family killing would’ve honestly been a better concept for the movie. I don’t just want Leatherface. This may be hard for people to understand, but Leatherface is the least interesting part about these movies. It’s the family that makes these movies, particularly the first 4 movies work. I want a crazy, cannibalistic family at the center of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. That’s the magic of it to me. It’s not a Jason/Michael thing where it’s a lone killer but the last few films downplayed the family significantly. I’m personally not into that. The Saw is Family. Some people have been dismissing complaints about the film with the attitude of, “You got a guy killing people with a chainsaw, what more do you want?” But that’s not the thing that sticks with me with the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it was how insane the family was. You can have a Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie about a guy with a chainsaw killing tons of people and still surround him with a memorable family of lunatics. Some people are acting like you can’t have both and like it wasn’t what set the series apart from other horror franchises. The fact that The Next Generation understood this better than the 2022 movie is really telling.

Leatherface is suddenly Jason. Did anyone even watch the first movie? Leatherface screamed in pain by being cut by his own chainsaw. In this movie, he survives over 6 shotgun shells and his head being cut in two with his own chainsaw. Guys....Leatherface is human.....Leatherface is human. The Jasonification of Leatherface was just stupid.

This is meant to take place 50 years after the original, yet this Leatherface is nothing like Gunnar Hansen’s Leatherface. He has no masks that give him personality to inhabit and he doesn’t kill out of fear or for cannibalism(cannibalism is never mentioned btw) and as I said, Leatherface in this movie feels like a generic slasher and not Leatherface.

Lack of context of what happened after Sally escaped. We never learn what happened to Drayton, I assume he was the sole member who was arrested along with Grandpa? But why wasn't that in the narration? But with Leatherface, how does he even know this orphanage woman? Is she his mother, distant aunt? He had 3 brothers and a grandpa, he wasn't raised in no orphanage. Did she just take him in out of the kindness of her heart and saw the boy behind the mask? Was Leatherface calmed by the kindness his family never showed him? Like they never explained the deal between the mother figure and Leatherface.

The stupid social media and gentrification bullshit. This really didn’t need to be in a TCM movie. Also? Why would you have the only black character be the most gung-ho and cutthroat about the gentrification? Like an easy fix is his girlfriend is greedy and wants to force the old lady out the most and her punishment is to go with her and there, she is the first victim in the movie. Also? REALLY? There really needed to be a cancel culture and tiktok joke?  They honestly could’ve done without it and just had the group of friends just be tourists looking to explore abandoned towns and they run into Leatherface and Leatherface kills them one by one until Sally comes to the rescue of the sisters and they kill him together.

Sally. I feel like bringing back Sally was pointless after Marilyn Burns’ passing. They should have done this shit in 2013 in the stupid 3D movie WHEN MARILYN AND GUNNAR WERE FUCKING ALIVE. But that aside. It feels like if you remove Sally, it wouldn’t affect the movie. Sally feels less like a character here than a prop to mine fan nostalgia for the original film. Her role is mostly saved for the third act, and smacks of the filmmakers attempting to desperately inject some emotion and gravity into a fundamentally schlocky horror movie. It doesn't really work - the Sally subplot ends up feeling like a tacked-on reshoot, and the rushed payoff is sure to leave those who were interested in seeing Sally again totally underwhelmed. Something that also bothered me. Leatherface doesn’t remember Sally. You really think, Leatherface wouldn't recognize the one who got away and ruined his family? Leatherface should be fucking pissed. She’s the reason Nubbins was killed and why Drayton was arrested and Grandpa dead. Leatherface should be eager to kill her. Even if it was due to them being older, Leatherface should’ve had a moment to recognize her. while Leatherface doesn't initially recognize her, Sally jogs his memory. She manages to get out of the house to get more ammo, and things proceed fairly similarly from there, only I probably wouldn't kill Sally, but incapacitate her at a certain point so she's out of commission until the end, where all three of them work to finish Leatherface off.

The ending. The ending was as contrived and lame as the Friday The 13th 2009 movie. It works for Jason cause he's a zombie. It doesn't for Leatherface since he's only human. Like come the fuck on. I mean if it were a nightmare sequence for either sister, yeah that’s fine. But the ending and making Leatherface Jason esque was really dumb

For the body count, it's damn good. But as a Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie? Not really good. It just felt like a generic horror movie. The lack of a family really hurt the movie. The stupid plot and social media garbage definitely hurt the movie and I just felt including Sally only to kill her off was just dumb. And as yet the second continuation of the original movie? Terrible. If you really wanted to continue the original movie with both Leatherface and Sally. You should have done it when both Marilyn and Gunnar were still alive, you had them in 3D, but they did not play Leatherface and Sally, they should have and that movie should have been about Sally's revenge, not whatever the fuck 3D was.

I don’t get why they keep bringing Leatherface back as an old man and the main killer. With the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, you have a murderous family reverent to their elders. There can be a NEW family with a NEW Leatherface, with the original filling the role of Grandpa. 

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of my favorite horror films but I don’t wanna take away from anyone’s enjoyment of the new Netflix sequel. That said, I personally didn’t like the new film, it just felt like a generic slasher movie with inept social commentary tacked on.

[lacefuneral]

Serious question. Why do you hate William Shatner? I searched through your blog trying to find an explanation but I couldn’t find anything, either bcos tumblr search feature sucks or you’ve never explained. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, I’ve just never heard anything really bad about him so I was curious.

I’ve actually answered this question multiple times, but mostly on other ppl’s posts or in tags so it’s understandable if it wasn’t easy to find. I’ll actually link this answer in my pinned post for future ref.

Reasons I dislike William Shatner: 

He was cruel to the cast and crew of Star Trek on set. This is well documented, and the following people have openly spoken out about it or, at the very least, referenced it in passing: George Takei (Sulu), Walter Koenig (Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), and James Doohan (Scotty). He also completely ripped into a teenage Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher in TNG).

He even betrayed Leonard Nimoy, his lifelong friend, by recording him without his permission for a documentary. They never reconciled. 

He supports Autism Speaks, a for-profit organization whose money goes to “cure research” (i.e. torturing neurodivergent kids in order to “fix” them). When autistic advocates spoke up and asked him to support alternative organizations - ones that actually help autistic people and do not pathologize us - he mocked them. 

He posts regularly on twitter about his disdain for the MeToo movement, and how he believes it’s a cry for attention.

Most recently (June 14, 2020), he expressed annoyance with the concept of a bisexual Captain Kirk. This one is going to take a bit of context, so bear with me: There is a new Star Trek series in the works called “Strange New Worlds” - which is a spinoff of “Star Trek: Discovery” and is a prequel to “Star Trek: The Original Series.” It follows Spock and Captain Pike. There is no indication that Kirk will even be in the show, but that hasn’t stopped people from speculating online. A clickbait article was written, claiming that not only would Kirk be in SNW, but that he would be bisexual. Instead of ignoring it, Shatner dug in his heels and insisted that if CBS ever did such a thing, it would be an example of “cancel culture presentism.” Which is a fancy way of saying “I don’t think bisexual people should be on TV.” Needless to say, that baffled a lot of people - including myself - because not only is that statement biphobic, but because James T. Kirk is undoubtedly coded to be a bisexual/pansexual/m-spec man, and this felt like a huge slap in the face. Like people were being unreasonable for recognizing that he isn't straight. It's like... you played him that way, Bill. You made him flirt with men and check them out. You made him look at Spock like water in a desert. You did that. You don't get to retroactively pretend he's straight.

Edit: Today (August 4, 2020) he posted some transphobic tweets, which I have documented here in two parts.

[extravaguk]

#JeonJungkookIsOverParty 05

pairing: jungkook x reader

summary: in which Jungkook is going through IT

wordcount: 4k

genre: fake dating!au, college!au | fluff, smut (yes it's here yes it's happening), angsty (again jk is going through IT)

warnings: language, the problem with social media and cancel culture, oc is honestly the best bestie ever, oral sex (m recieving), kinda sub jk but not rlly, overuse of the word pretty.

author’s note: isnt it funny how i can spend days with literally 0% of motivation and then bam, i write a chapter in just a few hours? anyway x2

taglist: @spicybangtanwings @dulcehobi @mysugarkoo @eektaetae @jeojahari @mwitsmejk @di0rgguk @the1921-monsters @c4lico @drownforryou @re-rewind

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06

If there is one thing you regret lately, is spending too much time accidentally staring at Jungkook.

It is accidental, or thats what you keep telling yourself. You don't really mean to do it as much as you do. Seriously. But can anyone blame you? It's not your fault he's recently gotten a haircut that showcases even more his facial features. It's not your fault he's just had his eyebrow pierced. Or the fact that the warm weather allows him to wear short sleeved t-shirts and the ink on his skin makes you distract yourself from work.

You're starting to think it must be a blessing and a curse to be so good looking.

A curse for you as well, because Jungkook might be dumb on the surface, but when it comes to female attention, he knows exactly what he's doing.

"Are you checking me out?"

Yes, you totally were. The veins on his neck, the sharp jawline, the dark eyelashes and the cherry chapstick stained lips are just too enticing not to. You merely shaked your head, fixed your glasses on the tip of your nose, stubbornly denying his claims, and went back to work. However, Jungkook is not the type of person to let things go that easy.

"You're making it weird." you tell him one day, because he really was. Basically cat-walking his way to you every day, taking smooth steps towards you like he was a supermodel. Which he could. Or dramatically pushing his hair back like he was expecting you to say "Your hair looks sexy pushed back'. Or unnecessarily flexing his muscles everytime he placed a cup of coffee -that he'd paid for- on your desk. As if you wouldn't notice them any other way. Also, the paper cup of coffee wasn't heavy at all.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Let me grab that pen for you." or, like right now, bending over to pick up the pen that he, not so subtly, had purposefully dropped on the floor a few seconds ago. And, wait a minute, did he just bent and snapped? Great, now you were also regretting recommending him the classic cult Legally Blonde movies. "Do you like these jeans? I think they make my ass pretty checkoutable. Don't you think they make my ass look pretty checkoutable?"

"You need to stop making up words that don't even make sense." You say, snatching the pen from his hand and ignoring the fact that, yes, they did make him look, in fact, pretty checkoutable.

"And you need to stop checking me out unless you're going to kiss me."

The way your face heats up in embarassment makes you want to dig a hole in the ground to bury yourself in it.

"It happened one time."

"It happens everytime. I keep count."

You take your glasses off, pinching the bridge of your nose with your fingers. Jungkook wonders if you'd noticed that he stares at you probably even more frequently than you stare at him. He also can't decide wether he likes you more with or without glasses on. No, scratch that. He definitely finds you equally gorgeous with and without glasses on.

"You're so annoying." you say standing up from your seat. And now you also regret that as he moves closer in front of you.

"You're annoying! What's wrong with checking out a handsome pal like me? There's obviously some sexual tension between you and I, and I think we should resolve it with a hot make out session." it's moments like this when you can't decypher if he's just joking or not.

"This fixation of yours with making out with me when nobody's around is so fascinating."

"Well," he licks his lips and you pretend it has no effect on you. "Maybe I just really want to kiss you again."

Jungkook is usually very bold and blunt with his words and actions. Very confident in whatever situation, especially when it comes to women. He really hopes you don't notice the faint hesitation in his voice when he says that. He hopes you don't realize he's a bit afraid of your possible rejection.

But rejecting Jungkook? Who would do that? Especially considering how his kisses make fireworks go off around you and lift you off the ground immediately.

So, no, you don't reject him. You let him place a hand on your waist, you let him bring you closer until his lips are on yours. You let him slip his tongue inside your mouth, and you let him swallow the sound with one of his own. Kissing Jungkook goes from sweet to eager so quickly it makes you scared. Because it also makes you allow his hungry hands explore unknown territory, like slightly tracing the hem of your skirt.

It almost makes you feel lost when his thumb very lightly caresses the side of your breast, your nipples perking up under the fabric of your bra and polo shirt. But he never goes too far. He just keeps tasting you as you keep tasting him. You don't even care that the library's desk is painfully digging into the small of your back.

Jungkook has spent the past few weeks in a great mood. He's been sleeping well, whistling tunes of songs that he doesn't know the name of, giving great performances on the field, even brushing his teeth after every packet of Sour Patches he devoured. And he even gets to kiss you every now and then, even when people aren't looking!

Could he get any luckier?

Because, really, things have been going great for him. You and him must be better actors than either of you realize, because people have bought the fantasy and they're eating it right up. The rumors have slow down, the Instagram account has lost many followers and students are back to smiling up at him in the hallways instead of sending him murderous glances and sliding into his DM's with death threats.

Jungkook feels hopeful, Jungkook is starting to see the silver lining, he's starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, he's starting to think that maybe things could go back to norm-

"Jeon Jungkook, you fucking cheater!" it's one girl he's never seen before that yells at him as he walks around campus one day. "How could you do something like that to _____? You're the scum of the earth!"

"Huh?" is the only thing he manages to say, because what the fuck? Jungkook may be a lot of things, but being a cheater is not one of them. Unless the girl is talking about that English test he 'miraculously' passed in seventh grade, or him making up meaningless words while playing Scrabble.

But of course, the random girl is not talking about that.

You're studying for a Literature test when Lisa tells you the news.

"Bestie, have you seen this?"

The post shows Jungkook at what seems like a frat party, sprawled on a couch with an unknown girl sitting on his lap. The picture looks too intimate, with his hands spread on her thighs and his tounge inside her mouth.

"It's fake." you shrug.

"What do you mean it's fake? It's clearly real."

"It is real, it's just old. His hair looks longer, and the tattoos on his arm are unfinished. That must have been way before we met each other." you simply explain. You've only looked at the picture for a few seconds and immediately recognized that it was just one of Yeji, Yuna and Ryujin's strategies to destroy Jungkook's reputation. You don't know when you started paying so much attention to Jungkook's physical features to know when was picture is outdated or not, regardless, the strange feeling in your gut leaves a bitter aftertaste in your mouth after looking at it.

"Oh" Lisa stares at her phone screen again. "You're right, he does look different."

You hum in response. "Jungkook is not that type of person."

"I can explain." ever since they two of you started hanging out together, Jungkook has adopted this terribly annoying tendency of showing up to wherever you were unannounced. Like right now, chiming into your dorm without an invitation. "That picture happened a long time ago, the girl even graduated college last year, so it couldn't have been-"

He's not sure why he's trying to clear the air considering you're not even his real girlfriend. But something about you having a wrong idea of him bothers him more than anyone thinking he's a terrible person who's into eating dog turds and buying drugs on the Deep Web. Yes, those things were also being said about him. And, for the record, the dog turd thing happened when he was four years old, and the drugs he buys are from Lil Stewie, his local drug dealer, not the Deep Web. As if he was smart enough to enter the Deep Web by himself.

"I know." you were working on a peper due monday before Jungkook intervened into your atmosphere. You're calm and collected as you keep typing on your laptop. "You don't have to be a genius to know. Although I guess most people on campus are definitely not used to using their brain anyway."

Jungkook deflates the second he sits on your bed. He feels more relaxed, knowing he won't have to explain himself to you. But he still feels like no matter what he does, he's always back to square one.

"This is so exhausting. People were starting to leave me alone and now they're back to hating me."

"You should stop checking that page. People believe we're dating. My friends and your friends believe we're dating. We're doing fine." you're debating on whether or not you should share with him what your friends think about the two of you.

'The way he was looking at you that day that you went on your rant about Karl Marx was priceless.He looked like he was about to pounce you at any minute.' Taehyung had said to you a few days ago.

"I swear he had a boner."

"He was high as fuck, too."

Maybe it's better if you keep that bit of information to yourself.

Something about your tone, so serene and almost nonchalant is starting to annoy Jungkook. "It's easy for you to say that, since you're not the one being called misogonistic and a bunch of other shit."

You inhale and exhale, turning around on your swivelled chair. "For the billionth time, Jeon, it's misogynistic."

"Okay, you're so much smarter than me, I get it." it must have been the stress he's been going through, because now he feels really irritated. "Next time you see me, I'll have misog-mis- mysog- that word you just said tattooed on my forehead."

You roll your eyes, knowing better than to entertain him, and go back to writing your paper with your back to him. "Knowing you, you'll still spell it the wrong way."

"I won't." he grunts before he leaves. During this past month and a half, this is the first time you've seen Jungkook this upset, and you'd be lying if you said him leaving your room that way didn't also leave an sense of emptiness in your chest as well.

im sad nd drunk and the word misogynistic is writ t en on my 4head

can i cum over

The text arrives at 1 a.m., the message notification wakes you up when your phone screen lights up your entire room. You've -purposely- forgot to set your phone on night mode.

i bet you're already outside my dorm, he can't see the faint smile on your features

HEhe is what he replies with, confirming your assumptions. However, there's no trace of humor on his face when you let him in. He steps inside dejected, dragging his feet on the floor and not muttering a single word.

When he sits on your bed with his head hanging low, you're not sure how to approach the situation. You've seen Jungkook go through many emotions since you've met him; from desperation, to disappointment, to anger. But a quiet Jungkook not lifting his chin up and not throwing around silly words or funny sentences that mostly don't make sense makes you feel some type of way that you don't know how to handle.

"The marker was permanent." is all he says, still not looking at you. "Jimin tried to take it off with a baby wipe but... It's still there."

"Well, try to see it this way: you finally learned how to spell it correctly." your attempts at lightening up his mood are in vain. He doesn't laugh at all, doesn't even move an inch. You take a deep breath, unfolding your arms from under your chest to take a bottle of nail polish remover and face cream from your shelf.

"Let me take a look." you say with as much softness as you can when you stop in front of him.

He raises his head, but mantains his eyes closed. He simpy lets you wet the cotton pad with the acetone to wipe off the sharpie's ink off his skin. None of you say anything and all he can think about is how gently you're treating him. It feels too good to have your hand under his chin, and your fingers applying face cream on his forehead to prevent it from demage after the stains are completely removed.

You don't remove yourself though, nor your hands. You're starting to get to know Jungkook better and you're slowly realizing how much he craves physical touch whenever he's not okay.

So you keep caressing him with a care you didn't know you had in you, fixing the short strands of hair away from his face, stroking the scar on his left cheek, brushing his eyebrows in place. Your heart hurts when he instinctively chases the warmth of your touch. Your heart hurts even more when he finally finds the courage to speak.

"Can I tell you a secret?" for someone who claims he's drunk, he definitely doesn't sound like it.

"Of course."

"I really feel like crying right now."

Regardless of not knowing Jungkook for too long, you still feel for him. As your mother would say, your ability to tune in to other people's feelings and emotions was out of this worldBut for some odd reason, that ability gets even stronger when it comes to Jungkook's sentiments.

"Go ahead. I got you."

Jungkook is not a quiet person. He is usually loud, capable of bringing any type of attention to him with a snap of his fingers. He gets into freestyle rap battles with his friends, sometimes break dances out of nowhere if he's drunk enough, and he's annoyingly noisy when doing simple tasks.

But sad Jungkook, the Jungkook that lets go of the infamous golden boy, soccer star persona is soundless. He's completely still, he doesn't cry hysterically like you do when your favourite fictional character goes through difficulties in the books you read. And if it wasn't for the one tear you notice escaping his eyelids, you'd doubt he was crying at all.

In that moment you realize that Jeon Jungkook is not used to this. Not used to feeling sad or upset over stuff, specially not over other people's opinions. And you realize, yet again, that you're not sure how to act.

So following your instincs, you just let him get it out however he wants to. Slowly moving closer until his head is resting against your chest, and your fingers stroking through his hair.

It takes a while for him to trust right now. A part of him thinks he should be embarrassed or ashamed of how he's feeling. Of how he's letting somebody see him in this state. Somebody he's met only a month ago, who he proposed being his fake girlfriend to. He should feel guilty even, considering he's got you into all this mess and now you probably feel obligued to cater to him and his stupid emotions.

But, at the end of the day, you're the only one who's had his back over the past six weeks. You're the only one who's listened to him, trusted him for no reason at all, and gave him words of encouragement to power through it all.

So he lets go. He wraps his arms around your waist, slightly separates his legs so you can come between them, and brings you closer.

He doesn't know how you do it. He really doesn't. You don't even have to say a word, and this hug is enough to not give a shit about appearences or who he is or what is going on around him. You're here, and you being here makes his worries go away even if it's only for a couple of minutes.

"I feel so weak and pathetic right now." he murmurs against your heart, and your heart beats in response.

"We feel sad sometimes, Jungkook. It just happens. We're not weak or pathetic because of it. We're human." your cheek rests ontop of his head and he's afraid if he hugs you any closer he might hurt you.

"I don't think you're human."

"Hm?"

"Humans cannot be this pretty." Jungkook really wishes he could have a dictionary right now to look for synonyms that could truly describe you. Because in his mind, pretty falls too short.

But in your mind, and in your chest, his words have an effect that he's not even aware of. It's what prompts you to lift his head and kiss his lips. He tastes faintly of whiskey and energy drink. He sighs into it, his face already dry because you've managed to make him feel so much more serene, so much more calm. It's what prompts you to straddle him with both your legs on either side of him. And that's what prompts him to grip you even tighter to his body.

Making out with Jungkook has never gone too far. Just a few kisses here in there in the hallways when he walks you to class, or stolen kisses at the library when nobody's noticing the two of you. Sometimes it gets passionate and it has you both aching for more. But it always stops before it can begin.

This time, however, there's no context. No storyline and no plot. Just a depressed himbo and a smart girl who instantly makes him feel better. Which is exactly what you want to do. So you interwine your tongue with his, you respond to each other with little moans and barely any air to breath.

Your hips move before you can realize what they're doing. The cotton shorts you usually wear to sleep suddenly feel like they're in the way, because Jungkook's cock is screaming to be liberated from the confines of his jeans. When you feel it, you realize exactly what you want to do.

"Wait," he stops when you tug at the belt. "If this is going to be just a sympathy fuck for you, please don't."

You can see Jungkook's vulnerability through his eyes and you kiss him in return again. "I just want to make my boyfriend feel good."

You've heard of manifestation before. Of how the words you speak can bring things into existence. You're not sure if it's real or not. You don't know if you're doing it unaware or on purpose. You don't care to think about it right now, though.

But it's apparently true. Manifestation through words does work. Or maybe it's your tongue tracing over his bottom lips and curvature of his neck. Or maybe it's your pussy enticing him through the layers of fabric like a siren's singing. Whatever it is, it seems real.

It feels real also. Just a boyfriend leaning back on his girlfriend's mattress and letting her take over, letting her make his partner feel good after weeks of stress and anxiety.

You don't take his shirt off no matter how much you want to. Because you also want to stuff your mouth with him until he's cumming inside as soon as possible. So you settle on dropping wet kisses on any centimeter of skin available. You do peel it enough to trace his defined abs with your tongue as your hands finally unzip his jeans. When you cup him over his boxers, he grinds into your palm. He's so thick and so hard you can't help rutting your core against his thigh.

He doesn't say much, just releases shaky breaths every now and then. He even helps you by raising his hips so you can pull down his underwear enough to free him completely.

Your mouth waters at the sigh. You don't waste any more time, letting a glob of spit coat the crown. Your hand spreads it to the base and he pulsates in your grip. When you wrap your mouth around the tip, he lets out a gasp that makes you look up.

When you do, he's staring right back at you. He's been staring at you this whole time, with his lips wet from licking them too much and his mouth slightly ajar. His eyes are glassy, his hair is messy and his hand is fidgeting on his stomach like it wants to take action.

It makes your panties even wetter, sticking to your folds and ruining your shorts. You notice his adam's apple when he gulps. "Haven't had one of these in so long." he almost whispers.

"How long?" you question, your tongue giving kitten licks as your hand slowly works his shaft.

"Since the moment I realized I wanted you to be my girlfriend."

You don't know if Jungkook knows how much simple sentences like that make you feel. It's not fair that everytime he says something sweet like that, your heart constrains against your chest so much you're afraid it's about to burst. It's not fair because saying stuff like that when you're both by yourselves is not part of the script. But you can't explain to him with words right now that romantic words like that is not good for any of you.

So you choose to not let him know by fully taking him in your mouth. You may have sucked dick before, you may have given blowjobs to guys who probably didn't even deserve it. You may have enjoyed some of them while others you didn't. But this one brings a completely different feeling.

This one makes you want more. This one makes you not want to stop.

"You can touch me." you tell him after a while of bobbing your head up and down and trying to take as much of him as you can.

That's the green light he needed. The submissive Jungkook a few seconds ago who laid back and let you take control seems to disappear.

His fidgety hand moves on its own until he's brushing your hair back because he needs to see your face. He wishes it wasn't so dark in your room, because he needs to see your lips coated in your saliva and his precum. He needs to see the sweatbeds forming on your hairline and the earrings you're wearing glittering in the light. He needs you see your eyelashes damp with your tears that tell him he's too big for you but you still want him so bad. He needs to see your nipples through your tank top and the wet stain on your shirts.

But he'll take whatever he can. And having his dick down your throat is more than he could ever dream of.

"Y-you look even prettier like this, my G-god." he's not one to stutter, ever. "Your mouth- ah! So fucking good I want to d-die."

He says to himself that it just has been too long since he recieved head from someone, but he knows he's lying. He knows the reason his body his shaking uncontrollably and there's goosebumps all over his body is you, and you only.

He also knows it's the reason he's-

"Gonna cum." it's a pathetic whine, he knows, but your mouth is so warm and your tongue is so skilled and the thought of cumming in your mouth is beyond any of his expectations. It almost feels too wonderful to be true.

He almost whines again when you pull back. "Wanna swallow everything." it's a split second where he gets to hear your raspy voice, see the saliva running down your chin and your eyes sparkling in the moonlight with tears. It's a split second because you're immediately getting back to work but it's enough to do as he warned.

"P-pretty, so fucking pretty, baby."

It's probably the best blowjob he's ever got and you did swallow everything. His body feels like he's run a marathon and his hand is still buried in your hair. His chest feels like he's telling him something he's not sure he wants to hear.

And you're left thinking about the fact that he'd called you 'baby' and it felt too real to fake.

[thefanficmonster]

Corpse Infested

Corpse Husband & Reader (Gender Neutral)

Warnings: Mentions of dysfunctional family, Family problems, Swearing

Genre: Humor, Comfort, Platonic fluff, RPF (Real Person Fic)

Summary: When your friend disappears for a long time, seemingly having lost interest in what fueled the most passionate fire in their life, you cannot not worry about them. Even if you wanna give them space, you will reach out, you will offer your help. You will tell them they always have you to rely on and talk to.

Requested by Anon. Hi dear! I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to complete and post your request, but here it finally is! Hope you come across it and if you do I hope you enjoy the read! Love, Vy ❤

For me, it’s never hard to find things to do. I’ve constantly got things on my mind and tasks to tend to, keeping me occupied and my mind focused at all times. I think that comes with living in a home as dysfunctional as this one. I honestly can’t recall a time when my parents got along nor can I think of a time where there was at least one second of peace while the two are both present in the house. It’s always a warzone up there. I’m saying up there because I tend to live out of the basement of their home. I know living in your parents’ basement is considered a peak loser point, or the bottom of the bottom, but you’d have to believe me when I say - I wasn’t always like this. In fact, I only recently came back to this hell-hole and boy do I regret it. I mean, it was a decision forced upon me by circumstances. Trust me, I tried every other option there was. When my dorm was to be closed down and demolished, we were given a notice to start planning our next move about a month early. You can bet I immediately started looking at places but my very tragic and miserable budget didn’t allow such a purchase. No rent was adequate for me and my near-empty wallet so my second option was moving in with my best friend who was also not in the greatest of situations but I thought I’d give that a shot too.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t work out. She lived in a tiny apartment with her boyfriend and his best friend at the time, so four people in one apartment was a nightmare. Still a lesser nightmare than this one but a nightmare nonetheless. Some unwanted and downright traumatizing events chased me out of that place after barely managing to pack my stuff. Therefore, finding myself on the streets again, I had no other option other than the obvious and least liked one: moving back in with my parents.

Making money during my first year of college hasn’t been easy. Working two jobs at once and also streaming video games on the side was what my time was filled with all throughout the first semester but then this damn pandemic started and now ruined everything for me. I had things going for me, I was slowly getting my life together and now it has all fallen apart yet again. The places I worked at closed down due to quarantine and I haven’t been able to steam, not only cause I’d be the victim of my parents’ comments but also cause my terrible home life would be exposed to all my fans and viewers. It’s not like I could cancel out the commotion going on right above my head, it’s a livestream and this house’s walls are cardboard thin meaning all the arguing I hear almost 24/7 will serve as background noise for my streams.

I haven’t reached out to my friends or fans to inform them of this which I feel slightly guilty about but I’m really not looking forward to having to lie to them, just as much as I’m not looking forward to having to tell them the truth so instead I’ve picked silence which is probably either worrying them or driving them insane. Either way, I’ll make my comeback soon.

Well....not very soon by the looks of it...

I have to gather the money, then I have to find a place, then comes the packing, moving out of here, moving into the new place...oh God, there’s so much to it that I don’t even wanna think about. Just that thought that I’ll be inactive for that long makes my stomach turn. Streaming’s where I’ve been channeling all my negative emotions, turning them into something positive and entertaining with the help of my friends.

Speaking of my friends, I should probably put emphasis on how amazing they are. Basically the older siblings I’ve always wished I had. I’m the baby of the group, the eighteen year old freshman in college, powering through life the best they can cause they are constantly getting tripped up by inconvenient occurrences such as this one for example. I tend to have the gang poke fun at me quite frequently - all lighthearted and with good intentions obviously - but they are also the ones to get super defensive if anyone gets the balls to talk shit about me. They’d never allow me to be the victim of any smack talk or online rumors and ‘cancel culture’ or whatever the hell people will come up with to leave others restless and wondering if they did something shady a decade ago. Well, to be fair, I didn’t even know about the concept of social media a decade ago and I’ve never been one to post much but I still have a protection squad in case anyone decides to come after me.

Little do they know the people I need protecting from are the very people that are supposed to protect me - my parents. Luckily, they don’t venture into to basement very often if at all and I have my own exit to the outside world so I don’t have to run into them unless I absolutely have to. The only time I emerge to the surface of the house - aka the ground floor - I do so to leave my share of rent money on the dining table and I usually do it when they aren’t home or when they’re asleep - that happens often with how many bottles they each knock back on the daily.

*sigh*...at least I don’t have to talk to them, right?

Anyhow, remember how I mentioned I always have things to do? Well, right now I’ve tasked myself with rifling through the large boxes containing random stuff I found in one of the basements down here to see if there’s anything I could possibly sell online. For starters, I’d like to hope there aren’t any severed body parts in here because this was one shady-ass basement before I moved in and un-creeped it a bit so I wouldn’t have to become an insomniac due to the paranoia of there being a homeless person down here with me or some paranormal entity. Regardless, old basements tend to be, apart from haunted, also filled with junk no one would find valuable despite it actually being worth something after all. That’s basically what I’m hoping to find at the moment.

As I dig through the contents of the first box, the YouTube playlist I have put on on my phone cuts off causing me to furrow my brows in confusion for a second before my ringtone pierces the silence the lack of music created.

I quickly mute the ringing and take a look at the Caller ID to see a name I never thought would pop up on my screen as an incoming call - Corpse. I, as well as many of our friends, know that he’s not the biggest fan of talking to people on the phone so this is rather surprising. Still, I pick up the call in case it’s not a mistake and an odd chance that it’s somethin urgent cause Lord knows Corpse doesn’t call people willy-nilly. 

Thank God it’s quiet up there at the moment.

“Hello?“ I try my best to cover up the confusion in my voice but I can only assume I didn’t do the best job considering Corpse replies with a slightly awkward chuckle.

“Surprised you, didn’t I?“ He asks, getting my cheeks to redden a bit, “You can’t blame a guy for calling after up and disappearing on him and on the whole internet. Where’ve you been?“

I open my mouth to respond when I hear the sound of glass breaking a shouted curse from upstairs.

Oh for fuck’s sake!

“Um...you know, places?“ I’m aware the answer isn’t only nonsensical but also sounds more like a question, but I can hardly focus on that right now. I’m too buys praying to an entity I don’t fully believe in for the situation above to not escalate.

“Uh, is everything ok over there? Where even are you right now?“ The teasing tone to his voice is all but gone at this point, replaced with deep concern, having obviously heard the commotion that did the exact opposite of what I prayed for - escalated.

“Y-yeah, it’s ok. It’s just another Thursday, you know.“ I attempt a small laugh but it’s blatantly miserable, “I moved back in with my parents when they announced the quarantine so that’s where I’m at now. They’re not the quietest of folks as you can tell so...“

“I FUCKING HATE YOU, YOU PIECE OF SHIT! I HOPE YOU DIE“

Oh crap, here we go.

“...So I can’t really stream a lot...or at all.“ I mutter, cringing with all my might, “But it’s only temporary! I’ll get back in the saddle as soon as I find another place to stay.“ I don’t dare mention how long that’s gonna take me, it’ll be too disappointing and depressing for the both of us. “So yeah...um...thanks for showing concern but there’s really nothing to worry about. I’m ok, everything’s ok, things are just...a bit off the rails, but I’ll fix em no problem. Like I always do!“ I attempt to sound as cheerful as possible with little success due to the overwhelming anger I feel towards those people upstairs and the gut-wrenching nostalgia for the world of streaming I can no longer be a part of because of them. Actually, I put the blame first on the pandemic and second on my parents - if it wasn’t for Covid I’d probably still be in my dorm!

“Hey...um, I think I know an affordable place where you can take up residence. Only if you want to, of course.“ He sounds hesitant but I easily overlook that as excitement bursts throughout my entire being at the sound if an escape being offered to me just like that. Had I known I’d find the solution to my problem in the very people I spent time avoiding because I was afraid of their pity, sympathy and judgement.

“Oh please, it could be a rat and roach infested shoe box and I’d go running to it. How much is rent?“ I ask through a gasp of hurried laughter that’s a result of my inability to contain said excitement. Listen, I’ve been sitting here in Hellsburg for three months now and haven’t gotten a proper shuteye during that whole period, whatever Corpse is offering has to be better than this misery.

“Rent can be discussed once you move in...“ He trails off, “And it’s not rat nor roach infested but there’s a slight issue...“

“Which is?“ I’m honestly expecting the worst: in a bad neighborhood; faulty wiring with a high chance of being electrocuted; faulty piping with a high chance of flooding; people have died there; things get randomly moved around in the middle of the night etc. However, I don’t voice any of them to avoid getting laughed at for my wild imagination.

“Well, uh, it’s corpse infested.“ He says a little awkwardly, causing me to let out an inaudible sigh.

So my ‘people have died there’ guess was on point, huh?

“People have died there, huh? Well, I can turn a blind eye to that as long as I don’t find their bodies in the closet or meet their spirits at 3AM.“ I attempt to joke, now second-guessing my eagerness to accept the offer.

Corpse bursts out laughing his ass off at my statement, getting me to furrow my eyebrows in confusion and wonder what I said was so funny - it was a poor attempt at a joke, it in no way deserves that sort of reaction, barely a chuckle in my opinion.

“You’re golden, Y/N, I swear.“ He says once he forces the laughter to subside, “I meant corpse infested as in Corpse Husband infested.“ He breaks out in another fit as my brain slowly starts connecting the dots.

Oooohh he’s asking me to go live with him

“Wait. Wait, wait, wait, hold up for a sec. Are you aware of what you’re offering me? I mean, we’ve never met IRL, you barely know me and....and for all you know I could be the serial killer in this situation!“ I have no idea why I’m pushing my luck, don’t ask. I just don’t want him to make a decision he’ll later regret, I guess. “Like, I could kill you in your sleep!“

“Would you?“ He asks confidently, silently stating he already knows the answer.

I roll my eyes, “Of course not! But...” He cuts me off.

“Great, the offer stands on my end. I’m not a noisy nor nosey roommate so I suggest you start packing. If you choose to live in that hell-hole over living with me, I’m sorry but I’ll be hella offended, just so you know.“

Corpse sounds like he’s about to hang up on me, a decision already made, so I hurry to stop him. “Wait! What about rent?”

“Fuck the rent, pack your bags.“ And just like that, despite my efforts, he hangs up on me.

Well...this is a chance of a lifetime that I know refusing would lead me to not only remain stuck here but also put me in the hugest loser bin. There’s also the fear of being Corpse’s burden which I’ll try my best not to be - I mean, I’m a super independent person and Lord knows that if this offer came any other time or from any other person, I would’ve declined asap, no discussion.

But streaming

But sleeping properly

But having a normal life again

Yeah those are most certainly the reasons I get up and go into the closet in search on my emptied suitcase. Time to fill it up again, I guess. This time with a smile on my face and excitement fueling each and every movement of mine.

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