#australian mental health care

[theghostofaname]

If I had the ability to go through all the work and application process to get support i probably wouldn't need the support.

[newsbites]

A coronial inquest into the death of a Perth teenager will scrutinise the care inmates receive at WA prisons as his family calls for more to be done to prevent an alarming number of suicides of Indigenous prisoners.

Stanley Inman was 19 years old when he was incarcerated for armed robbery in 2020.

Stanley Inman died in 2020 by suicide while on remand at Acacia Prison east of Perth.

Five months later, he took his own life in a store room at Acacia prison east of Perth, with a court on Tuesday hearing how in the lead-up to his death Inman had been self-harming and indicating he wanted to die to family members.

[shuenkio]

Naughty neighbor | Sim. J 😈

Paring: Stalker!Jake x male!reader

Genre: Smut, 18+ [don't like don't press]

Cw: cum inside, rough, dirty talk, swearing, obsession behavior, bad .

Summary: Your lovely neighbors who you thought of as a golden retriever but turn out he's a stalker.

Non proof read/ wc: 1.6k

Eng is not my 1st lang.

A|N: I accidentally wrote it smut oops | @ddeonuswhre special thanks to you for the idea 🐱💡hope you're having a great time pookie.

[Ignore my edit, it's suck]

Moving to another home, just because of your workplace, was exhausting. However, when one of your co-workers, who is also your friend, told you that this neighborhood was full of hot guys and friendly people, as a result, you immediately moved in without hesitation.

Not to mention, it's better to stay here for a while. The scenario, the weather—it was pretty good for your own mental health as an office siren. At least you can enjoy the view while stressing your brain off. By your own pure luck, you were able to get a month of vacation off since you're the best employee of the month and the summer season is approaching.

Your boss probably won a lottery ticket; that's why they don't care if you're still working. Nevertheless, beside your tiny, little house, there's a guy next to you.

He seems like a fun guy, to be honest, at first glance. His face shape screams so much that he's an Australian citizen. Well, maybe you're in Australia right now? His smile, however, always did something to you, even if it was a greeting gesture.

He looks gentle and kind; his aura exudes the energy of a golden retriever. From your point of view, whenever you saw him, he was kind to the other neighbors. And his name is Jake. Your friends didn't lie about what they'd said about this vicinity.

Unbeknownst to you, all the scenes you saw in him were just his fake acting. Jake did all those corny things just because he wanted to get the attention of you, whom he'd had eyes on ever since you moved in. He thought that, never in his life, he had seen such a person as you. You look really soft and sweet, like fresh vanilla in your aura.

You're also an adorable little guy who's brave enough to live by himself in a small place beside him like this. He always wants to take your virginity away from you.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow. Birds chirped softly, and the fresh scent of dew filled the air.

It's 8 a.m., and you're waking up to start off your day by watering your flower garden in front of your backyard.

As you hold your watering can, splashing wet on your beautiful plants, you see Jake is also in his front yard, while he's stretching from the back pain you're assuming.

Being the good neighbor you are, you greet him with a small talk, asking about this and that until you invite him for tea.. At first, Jake denied it, but you're insisted. Yet deep down, he had been waiting for this moment forever.

You then prepare for the table before serving him the tea that you had brought from your home town.

"So Jake? What are you doing for a living?" You said, putting down your cup as you focused on him.

"Not much of the higher-paying job; I'm just the owner of a small coffee shop down the road, and you?" He responded, taking a small sip as he clicked his tongue as a sign of taste.

"I'm working as a manager in the management of marketing; it's doing some justice for my life, but it's also burning keke." You reply with a sly smile along with your chuckle. I found it somehow funny that you're the manager now.

"You look like you're not an Australian m/n; I have never had time to ask about you this." Jake mutters, folding his fingers together, while observing your face while you're not paying attention.

"Yes, I'm not; I'm from ///, and I see it's rare to find my people here."

"That's why you look handsome; I mean it." Jake snorts in polite manners as you laugh along to hide your face. Which makes you want to stay here longer just to chitchat with Jake.

Suddenly, you heard your phone ring inside your house before you excused yourself to pick up the call. As perfect timing as he planned to, a dark smirk appeared on his face. As he puts something in your cup of tea, pick up the spoon on the table and mix it up. A few minutes later, you came back as you settled yourself in your seat again. You ask him if he's bored, but he says it's nothing.

The moment of silence suddenly awkward the scenes as you obliviously take a sip with your drink till your cup is empty.

Out of nowhere, you feel a pang inside your skull as you feel like there's a drum inside your brain. Keep hitting on you.

It's hurtful and dizzy at the same time. Aside from having a sudden headache, you also experience the hotness of sweat leaking out of your skin.

It's getting hot unexpectedly, as if you just got chased by a bear. Trying to hide your unstable condition, you stand up to get yourself a glass of water.

Due to the aphrodisiac kick, you fall down to the wooden floor. Jake still put on his mask as he expressed his concerns to you, asking if you're okay.

Before he pulls you up, taking you inside to your bedroom, he locks the door behind him. Jake put you down on your bed, gently, as he took off your socks and tucked away, according to your request.

"I'm so sorry, Jake, for the trouble. I don't know why I'm feeling so hot all at once" You mumble in your stuttering, low tone. Hot sweat is still dripping down on your forehead and everything. It feels weird, but that's not the only place that's hot.

You feel like your boxer is tightening from your hard dick. A scowl creased Jake's forehead, deepening the lines around his mouth. His brows furrowed, casting shadows over his eyes, filling them with excitement.

He couldn't wait any longer to show his true colors as your creepy stalker. Jake has had eyes on you ever since you're moving in; it's like a love at first sign to say, but it's in a sexual way.

At night, while you're asleep, he sneakily installs many hidden small cameras in every corner of your house, including the bathroom, the bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room. Every move he made got you wrapped around his finger.

There's no privacy for you to have your time, chilling in your bed thinking you're alone, but deep down, your golden retriever neighbors enjoy the views of your face every single day. Even when you're in the shower, Jake would be sitting in front of his computer, fantasizing about all the nasty things with you.

He masturbates and touches himself from time to time when he feels like working up or missing you. For now, the plan that he has been working on is finally taking shape. He won't let it slip away and lose this perfect opportunity to have you, screaming his name, ruining your virginity.

Nonetheless, Jake's eyebrows shot up in astonishment as you begged for him to help you.

"J-J...ake, please help me take this hotness away; I feel like I'm dying." You said it half-conscious, rubbing your hand on your chest, feeling like fuel was burning on the inside of you.

"Don't worry, ma'boy, I'm going to make you feel at ease once I do my magic." Jake leans down to your earlobe, whispering. Before he tears up your clothes, drop them to the floor as he begins to strip himself while kneeling on your bed.

His cock was spring-free, standing so proud as he exposed his naked self in front of you. You were so fuck up that you want nothing but to erase those fires in your body; your body language is inviting him itself at this point.

"I won't stop just so you know, m/n, I'm going to make you can't walk once I'm inside—I'm going to fuck the life out of you till you beg for it, my dearest." The next thing you know, you feel a huge meat enter your entrance, spreading you in an instant without him warning you.

Results in a sign of pleasure, leaving your mouth open. A shockwave was sent to Jake's body, and he grunted loudly at the sensation. Making him buck up his hip, craving more pleasure. Before thrusting his cock in, as deep as he can at his first attempt.

"Holy, fucking shit, m/n, you feel like heaven, nrghh, let me have you more." Jake moans desperately, biting his plump lip to take pleasure once again. His cock continues to throb inside of you; your walls are clenching on him so tight that his hips are moving in and out unstoppably, fucking you roughly as a response to your body language.

"Jake, I think I'm going to squirt, ahh."

"Why not m/n~ *moaning* shot on me? I don't fucking care if it's dirty; just let me fuck you." Jake is shouting loudly at your statement, leaning down his lip to capture you, pulling you into a French kiss as his hip is still moving inside you.

"Let me fill you in, yeah? I think I'm coming. *huff huff* You let me hah?" Jake said in demand, and his orgasm started to build inside of him. You got the best of yourself, unable to decline his request as you braced yourself to welcome his request.

"ERG" Last but not least, Jake felt his cock twitching, growing hard as a metal between your stretching wall, as he exploding in your anal, filling you with his big load of a warm oragsm. In unison, you're also cumming to his sensation of him, hitting your sweet spot at the final thrust, which makes you shoot out uncontrollably.

Jake collapsed on your body, being too sensitive to the shockwave he had experienced earlier. Stop moving his hip as he sucking for oxygen sharply.

"T... thanks you, Jake; I feel a little better."

"We can do this all day, 7 days a week, to make you feel better every day, ma boy, haha. For now, let's consider our relationship  together."

"How about fuck, buddy?"

"No, I want all of you M/N" 

🗣️ please mind my English! ><

🗣️Reblog and like is much appreciated ♥

🗣️ I know there's indeed a mistake in this, sorry in advance 🫶. Improve how to write better.

I REPEAT THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION, NOTHING IS REFLECT TO THE REAL LIFE EVENT.

[cy-cyborg]

Writing and drawing amputee characters: Not every amputee wears prosthetics (and that's ok)

Not every amputee wears prosthetics, and not doing so is not a sign that they've "given up".

It's a bit of a trope that I've noticed that when an amputee, leg amputees in particular, don't wear prosthetics in media its often used as a sign that they've given up hope/stopped trying/ are depressed etc. If/when they start feeling better, they'll start wearing their prosthetics again, usually accompanied by triumphant or inspiring music (if it's a movie). The most famous example of this is in Forest Gump, Where Dan spends most of the movie after loosing his legs wishing he'd died instead. He does eventually come around, and him finally moving from his wheelchair to prosthetics is meant to highlight this.

The thing is, it's not that it's unrealistic - in fact my last major mental health spiral was started because one of my prosthetics was being a shit and wouldn't go on properly, despite fitting perfectly at the prosthetist's the day before. I'm not going to use my legs when I'm not in a good headspace, but the problem is, this is the only time non-prosthetic using amputees ever get representation: to show how sad they are. Even if that's not what the creator/writer necessarily intended, audiences will often make that assumption on their own unless you're very careful and intentional about how you frame it, because it's what existing media has taught them to expect.

But there are lots of reasons why someone might not use prosthetics:

they might not need them: this is more common in arm amputees because of how difficult it can be to use arm prosthetic, especially above-elbow prosthetics. Most folks learn how to get on without them pretty well. In fact, most of the arm amputees I know don't have prosthetics, or only have them for specific tasks (e.g. I knew a girl who had a prosthetic hand made specifically for rowing, but that's all she used it for).

Other mobility aids just work better for them: for me, I'm faster, more manoeuvrable and can be out for longer when I'm in my wheelchair than I ever could on my prosthetics. Youtube/tik tok creator Josh Sundquist has said the same thing about his crutches, he just feels better using them than his prosthetic. This isn't the case for everyone of course, but it is for some of us. Especially people with above-knee prosthetics, in my experience.

Other disabilities make them harder to use: Some people are unable to use prosthetics due to other disabilities, or even other amputations. Yeah, as it turns out, a lot of prosthetics are only really designed for single-limb amputees. While they're usable for multi-limb amps, they're much harder to use or they might not be able to access every feature. For example, the prosthetic knee I have has the ability to monitor the walk cycle of the other leg and match it as close as possible - but that only works if you have a full leg on the other side. Likewise, my nan didn't like using her prosthetic, as she had limited movement in her shoulders that meant she physically couldn't move her arms in the right way to get her leg on without help.

Prosthetics are expensive in some parts of the world: not everyone can afford a prosthetic. My left prosthetic costs around $5,000 Australian dollars, but my right one (the above knee) cost $125,000AUD. It's the most expensive thing I own that I only got because my country pays for medical equipment for disabled folks. Some places subsidise the cost, but paying 10% of $125,000 is still $12,500. Then in some places, if you don't have insurance, you have to pay for that all by yourself. Even with insurance you still have to pay some of it depending on your cover. Arm prosthetics are even more expensive. Sure, both arms and legs do have cheaper options available, but they're often extremely difficult to use. You get what you pay for.

they aren't suitable for every type of environment: Prosthetics can be finicky and modern ones can be kind of sensitive to the elements. My home town was in a coastal lowland - this means lots of beaches and lots of swamp filled with salty/brackish water. The metals used in prosthetics don't hold up well in those conditions, and so they would rust quicker, I needed to clean them more, I needed to empty sand out of my foot ALL THE TIME (there always seemed to be more. It was like a bag of holding but it was just sand). Some prosthetics can't get wet at all. There were a few amputees who moved to the area when I was older who just didn't bother lol. It wasn't worth the extra effort needed for the maintenance.

People have allergies to the prosthetic material: This is less of a problem in the modern day, but some people are allergic to the materials their prosthetics are made from. You can usually find an alternative but depending on the type of allergy, some people are allergic to the replacements too.

Some people just don't like them.

There's nothing wrong with choosing to go without a prosthetic. There's nothing wrong with deciding they aren't for you. It doesn't make you a failure or sad or anything else. Using or not using prosthetics is a completely morally neutral thing.

Please, if you're writing amputees, consider if a prosthetic really is the best mobility aid for your character and consider having your characters go without, or at least mix it up a bit.

For example, Xari, one of the main characters in my comic, uses prosthetics unsupported and with crutches, and uses a wheelchair. They alternate between them throughout the story.

[mythicalmaven]

Beyond Boundaries • Oscar Piastri (PART TWO)

HERE IT IS! Part two! This time with smut, as promised <3 Hope you'll like the chapter! I hope i'll be able to post chapter 3 ASAP!

masterlist

↳pairing: oscar piastri x female!reader (norris!reader) ↳word count: 3.8K ↳↳ parts: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, ↳series summary: Since Oscar joined McLaren as your brother’s teammate, you two have quickly become best friends. Recently promoted to be Oscar’s physiotherapist, you both relish the opportunity to spend more time together. However, as the new role brings you closer, Oscar finds himself grappling with unexpected feelings and rising tension, leaving him conflicted about how to handle his emotions

↳chapter warnings: reader is dared to give Oscar a lap dance during truth or dare, masturbation (Oscar), bestfriend!reader, sexual content, sexual tension, NSFW, 18+ content (mdni), brother's teammate trope (reader is lando's sister)

Almost a month has passed since your first race weekend as Oscar's physiotherapist, and you have to admit that you have had the time of your life. You love your new job and are absolutely thrilled to work in the field you've studied so hard for. The fact that you get to work closely with your best friend has had a very positive impact on your mental health. You can confidently say that you are in a great state of mind.

It was the weekend before Oscar's home race in Melbourne, the race of the year that Oscar always looked forward to the most, but also put the most pressure on the young Australian driver. He felt more need to perform well when it was in his home country. 

Several drivers and their girlfriends, who were part of your friend group, decided to arrive in Australia a week early to spend some off-track time together in a big house by the sea. The group included Lando, Oscar, Daniel, Max, George, Logan, Alex, and their girlfriends. Since you were good friends with them, you tagged along as well, even though you are a driver's sister and not a girlfriend. Though, sometimes, you wish you were a certain someone's girlfriend.

That said villa is where you were currently chilling on a lounger, sunglasses resting on your nose as you were deep into a conversation with Alex' girlfriend, Lily & Max's girlfriend, Kelly about what your plans would be during the moments off on race week when you felt your phone vibrate in the pockets on your shorts. 

You grabbed your phone and took your sunglasses of your nose to check in the message that you got. The moment you saw that it was a text from Oscar, you felt a smile grow on your face. 

Osc: Hi there! Look up :)

Looking up from your phone, you scanned your eyes around and across the pool you saw Oscar and Daniel standing, both with a beer in hand. You immediately locked eyes with Oscar, who raised his beer to gesture hello, flashing you his signature smile as well as a careful wink. 

Y/n: Hi x

"What are you smiling about?" Kelly asked cheekily, already onto something.

Lily replied in a chuckle, following your gaze, which landed on Oscar and Daniel "I think it has to do something with a certain Australian and his name is definitely not Daniel" 

You scoffed at Lily's comment "Yes, it was Oscar who texted me. But it's not what you think it is" you told them. 

"Y/n, I've known you for years. I can see the way you look at him, and he's doing the exact same thing. There's a reason people call him Oscar 'heart eyes' Piastri," Lily said, raking a hand through her hair. "It's all over social media, girl. They ship you two so hard that there are even edits going viral."

Your eyes widened a bit at Lily's words, surprised that it was supposedly all over social media. It was probably TikTok, a platform you’d been avoiding for multiple reasons. "He is not giving me heart eyes," you scoffed again, downing your cocktail in one go. "And besides, I don't see him like that. He's my best friend, and I don't have feelings for him anyway." Lies

Kelly giggled and rolled her eyes "Yeah, and Max sucks at formula 1" she joked "Do you believe yourself?"

You slumped down deeper into the lounge bed, covering your face with your hands "Fine, I might have a small crush on him" you confessed, feeling your cheeks starting to flush. 

"Small?" Lily raised her eyebrows, looking at your flushed state.

"FINE, I'm in love with him, happy now?" you whisper-yelled, making sure only Kelly and Lily could hear. "It's not like it matters anyway. I'm pretty sure he doesn't feel the same, and even if he did, I couldn't do anything about it."

Kelly took a sip of her cocktail, looking at you reassuringly. "First of all, I'm pretty sure he's constantly checking you out. Have you never noticed that?" As you shook your head, she continued, "But why wouldn't you be able to do anything about it?"

You let out a sigh of defeat "Well, for starters I'm pretty sure that Lando will kill both me and him. When I started getting closer with the boys on the grid, we made the rule I wouldn't date his teammates. It would make things way too complicated if anything went wrong" you explained, trying not to ramble "And second, I'm literally his physiotherapist now. It wouldn't be very ethical to date my client, would it? I know it's different in our case because we were best friends before I got the job, but it still feels unprofessional. And I'm pretty sure my boss wouldn't be delighted with that news either."

You shrugged and looked at your lap, staring at your phone with the conversation with Oscar still open. "But it's not relevant, because I know for a fact that he doesn't feel the same. I'm pretty sure I'm not even his type."

"Well, I'm pretty sure you definitely are on his radar. But I have no clue how to prove that t you" Lily said, a smile on her lips "And to be honest, I'm pretty sure that Lando would be fine with it if you were honestly so in love. I get what you mean regarding your job tho. It might make things complicated. But to be fair, if it's real love, then it should be worth the risk. Shouldn't it?"

Another vibration of your phone got your attention, pulling you out of your thoughts. It was Oscar again, apparently he noticed the change of mood in you. So he was watching you from time to time, apparently

Osc: You feeling well? You look a little defeated. 

"Talking about the devil, aren't we?" Lily asks as she sits down beside me.

"Yup" you nodded, breathing in, trying to think of something you could reply 

Y/n: Yeah, peachy :) Just a little tired from the heat of the sun. Nothing to worry about, Osc 

Osc: Saw that your cocktail is empty, wanna make another one? I wanted to get a new beer as well, so we might as well go in together. You know, two birds with one stone

Y/n: Sure :)

"I'm gonna get a new cocktail, I'll be back in a bit" you stated with a kind smile as you stood up from the lounger, adjusting your shorts and making sure your bikini top looked presentable. 

After giving you a smile in return, Kelly leaned towards Lily. "You know, I might have a little plan to get some action going on between the two of them," she whispered sneakily, nodding towards Oscar and you.

Lily rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Oh god, what are you planning?"

"Well, you know how Alex suggested playing truth or dare tonight with drinks, right? Why not make it a little more interesting and have y/n do something to make Oscar a bit jealous? That might steer him in the right direction," she proposed.

"And what exactly do you have in mind?" Lily asked, not entirely sure if she found the idea very smart.

"We could always dare her to kiss Logan or something. They're good friends, and I'm pretty sure neither of them would mind since they've kissed before," Kelly started. "Besides, she's kissed Carlos during truth or dare before, so I know she's not too awkward for that during games."

"Hmm," Lily replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she took a breath. "I think I have a better plan." She proposed her idea, making Kelly's eyes light up in agreement.

Lily smiled back at her friend and shifted her gaze to her boyfriend. "Alex!" she called out a bit louder, her boyfriend immediately making his way over to the two girls.

"Okay, so we kinda have an idea. But you have to promise you won't tell anyone, okay?" Lily said.

•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•

Meanwhile Oscar and you were in the kitchen, deciding on what cocktail to make. Oscar was staring at the contents of the fridge, not sure what to grab. 

You walked your way over to Oscar, resting your chin on his shoulder, looking over it to see if the ingredients were there "We could make a sex on the beach?" you suggested calmly "I love the taste of those"

Oscar felt a jolt go down his spine at the feeling of your chin on his shoulder and your breath near his ear. The hairs on his neck standing up at the contact "I think we should be able to, we have all the ingredients here, I guess" 

You smiled happily "If you grab the ingredients, 'll go grab the shaker and a new straw" 

You stand side by side with Oscar, the kitchen counter filled with an assortment of colorful ingredients. The air is filled with laughter as Oscar playfully nudges you with his elbow. 

“Okay, so what should we start with?” he asks, eyes twinkling with excitement.

You grab a bottle of orange juice, and some cranberry juice. “How about starting with these? They’re essential for a Sex on the Beach cocktail.”

Oscar grins, grabbing the shaker and some ice. “Absolutely! And we definitely need to add a little bit of this,” he says, holding up a bottle of vodka.

As you pour the orange juice into the shaker, Oscar’s fingers brush yours, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. He adds the vodka with a flourish, spilling a bit on the counter, which makes both of you burst into giggles.

“Oops! Guess I’m a little too enthusiastic,” he chuckles, wiping it up with a towel.

You add just the right amount of cranberry juice, then pass him the shaker. “Your turn, mix master.”

Oscar dramatically rolls up his sleeves and starts shaking the ingredients, his exaggerated seriousness making you laugh even harder. “I take my cocktail-making very seriously,” he says with a mock stern face.

After a few minutes of shaking and playful banter, the cocktail is finally ready. You both pour the mixture into two glasses, garnishing them with an orange slice and a cherry. You clink your glasses together, eyes meeting over the rim.

“To our masterpiece!” Oscar declares.

“To our masterpiece,” you echo, taking a sip. The flavors burst on your tongue, a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and fruity.

“This is amazing!” you exclaim, and Oscar’s face lights up with pride.

“We make a pretty good team,” he says, his smile warm and genuine.

As you both enjoy your drinks, the kitchen filled with your laughter and shared triumph, you can’t help but feel the around vibe around you grow a little more intimate, one cocktail at a time.

•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•

As the evening progresses, you find yourself in the living room with the group, playing a lively game of truth or dare. The room is comfortably cluttered with friends lounging in various spots. A few are sprawled out on the carpet, laughing and leaning against each other. Others are perched on chairs, while a couple of people, including you, are settled on the couch.

The atmosphere is incredibly enjoyable, a mix of playful teasing and shared laughter. George and Alex, seated on the floor, have already kissed for a dare, much to everyone's amusement. Max, from his seat on a chair, had to chug an entire beer in one go, eliciting cheers and applause. Kelly, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, shared an embarrassing experience, her cheeks turning pink as everyone laughed with her.

You glance around, feeling a warm sense of camaraderie. The game has been going on for a while, and each turn brings new surprises and more laughter.

Here's a refined version of the passage:

"Okay, Oscar, your turn," Max said, casting a curious glance at the Australian.

Oscar met the Dutch driver's gaze. "I'll go with truth," he decided after a moment's thought.

"Hmmm," Max began, leaning forward. "What's your biggest turn-on?" he asked with confidence.

Oscar's eyes briefly flicked towards you before he refocused on Max. "Well... I'm really into teasing," he admitted, running a hand through his wavy hair. "I like building up the tension for the real stuff. But I also can't resist a sensual massage," he added with a slight grin.

Kelly, seated next to you, shot you a knowing smirk upon hearing Oscar's response. "Well, well, look at that," she whispered teasingly "I think you remember that.. You know, for work purposes" she added with a wink.

You rolled your eyes and playfully nudged her shoulder. "Shut up, will you" you retorted.

"Lily, truth or dare?" Oscar interjected. When Lily chose dare, he grinned mischievously. "I dare you to read the last sexual text you sent Alex out loud."

Lily blushed but giggled. "Alright, fine," she agreed, glancing at Alex apologetically. She scrolled through her phone until she found the message. "Well, I sent him a picture, which I'm definitely not showing here. But the text said, 'Say my name when you come for me,'" she read aloud.

The group erupted in cheers and playful whistles, teasingly congratulating Alex. "Damn, you've hit the jackpot with her," you joked, nudging Alex's arm. "Not only is she gorgeous, but she's got skills with sexting too."

"Hey, why do you think I'm always in such a good mood" he joked back at you.

After the laughing had died down a bit, Lily looked around the room, pretending to decide who she would choose. Which was of course not necessary, since it was time for the plan...

"Alright, y/n, truth or dare?" Lily's mischievous grin focused on you.

"Dare," you replied, trying to sound confident despite the butterflies in your stomach. When it came to Lily, you could never predict what she had in mind, during games like these. 

Lily exchanged a knowing look with Kelly before turning back to you. "I dare you to give Oscar a lap dance."

Your heart skipped a beat as you glanced at Oscar, who looked both surprised and flushed, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. 

Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you stood up and walked towards Oscar, who watched you with a mix of anticipation and a hint of disbelief. The room fell into a hushed silence, everyone waiting to see your next move.

"You sure you're okay with this?" you asked him softly, a small smile directed to him "100%" he replied, a small smile joining the blush on his face.

You leaned towards him, your voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay" you reassured him, feeling his nerves radiate beside you. "I've got this."

You knelt down in front of Oscar, catching his gaze. "I hope you're ready for this, Osc" you whispered softly, your hand brushing his cheek gently. There it was again, the nickname, that goddamned nickname made him feel things that he shouldn't.

Oscar's eyes widened slightly, his breath catching in his throat as you straddled him, feeling the warmth of his body beneath yours. Your movements were slow and deliberate, matching the rhythm of the music playing softly in the background. Each sway and grind sent a shiver down Oscar's spine, and he struggled to contain the building desire that threatened to overwhelm him. 

As the dance continued, Oscar felt himself growing hard, his body reacting instinctively to your closeness and the intimacy of the moment. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to discreetly adjust his position to hide his predicament, but the effort was futile. His cheeks burned with embarrassment as he prayed no one else noticed.

You could confidently state that you were very much enjoying the way you could feel his body betraying him. He's losing control and you knew it. The tightness in his jeans a clear indicator that his facade is crumbling to pieces. The calm and reserved Oscar Piastri, now a whimpering and flustered mess. It's almost like a challenge to you, trying to get him to snap.

He bit his lip, trying his hardest to hold back his moans, but occasionally a soft whimper escaped his lips, barely audible over the music. Only you could hear those little sounds, adding to the tension between you.

Finally, as the song came to an end, you leaned in close to Oscar's ear, your breath warm against his skin. "See? That wasn't so bad now, was it?" you murmured softly, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek before standing up and returning to your seat.

The room erupted into cheers and applause, everyone teasing and cheering for both of you. Oscar sat there, still slightly dazed but with a shy smile on his face, his admiration for you mixed with a feeling of desire that he couldn't quite shake. Stuck with the predicament in his trousers.

•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•

A few hours later, you found yourself laying on your bed, still thinking about the situation with Oscar. You wanted to check up on Oscar, wondering if he was not feeling awkward about it. His room was on the other side of the hallway, but you didn't wanna go there, since you were sure that everyone else was sleeping and you didn't want anyone waking up. But honestly, you wouldn't take the leap either if anyone was still awake, since you didn't want to give them the wrong impression. So you opted for a facetime call, something the two of you did very often when you weren't together. 

Oscar was currently laying in his bed as well, shirtless. Wearing nothing but his boxers. His once pale skin, now tanned from the sun, on display. He was in conflict with himself, he hadn't been able to get rid of the persisting hard on he had from the lap dance. He tried everything to get rid of it, from a cold shower, to thinking about the most disgusting things. Nothing seemed to help.  

"Screw it" he muttered softly as he moved glided his hand down his abdomen and inside of his boxers. His thoughts trailing back to the way your ass moved over hit clothed dick as he grabbed his member in his hand. He can't help but let out a small moan as he continues to work on himself, his hand moving in up and down strokes in a steady rhythm.

He can still imagine your lips on his cheek, it drives him absolutely wild. His breath is growing more and more erratic. Oscar imagines your small hands being the one to touch his dick "Oh god.. y/n.." he moans out softly, attempting to stay as quiet as possible. His heart racing with every filthy thought that raced through his mind, the feeling of his release already getting closer each stroke. 

His moment was cut short when he felt his phone vibrating on his night stand 'who would call him at this time?'  he wondered

he contemplated on ignoring the call, until he saw that it was you who was trying to call him. The slightest moan leaving his lips at the idea of hearing your voice. He took his phone from his nightstand, taking a deep breath before picking up. Hoping he could play of his flustered face to the alcohol he had consumed. 

"Hey Osc"he heard your voice echo through the phone, his hand still gliding over his cock, now in a slower and careful strokes. He tried to convince his brain to stop touching himself, but he simply couldn't, the sound of your voice too arousing.

"Hi" he mumbled softly, biting his lip to stiffle his moan. Oscar was rock hard and pre-come was already leaking from the tip. It was embarrassing at how close he already was.

You saw the flushed cheeks on his face, but didn't think much "I just wanted to check on you... I hope you I didn't make you uncomfortable earlier with the dare. I had no idea they were going to ask me to do that." you said softly, the soft vibrations of your voice immediately traveling to Oscar's throbbing dick. 

"Hey, it's okay" Oscar's expression softened, his eyes filled with warmth as he looked at your face on his screen "And to answer your question... yes, I did enjoy it." he replied, a small smirk growing on his face.

Your heart skipped a beat at his admission, a mix of relief and something more flooding through you. "Really?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. 

"Yeah," Oscar nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Probably more than I should have." 

Oscar's fingers wrap tighter around the base of his cock, a whine threatening to escape when he starts to move his hand a little faster now. He tried his utter best to hide what he was doing during your call. He knew it was unethical, but he couldn't help himself. You made him so incredibly turned on that it almost hurt. He studies your face on his screen so intently, that he didn't even notice the moan and the soft 'fuck' that left his lips.

You felt a rush of emotions at his words, knowing there was something unspoken between you both. "I'm glad," you replied softly, unable to hide the smile that spread across your face.

"Good" he said, his voice no more than a hoarse whisper as he felt his release getting closer and closer. Oscar's breath was ragged now and heat clings to his arms, skin burning with want as he imagines your lips around his cock. He was so incredibly aroused, hot pressure rising in his dick. 

"Osc?" oh fuck, not that nickname again, pretty sure he would be able to cum with you saying his name like that over and over again.

He works over himself, hand shaking with every twist of his wrist and it’s getting him so close, he has to slow down a little "Yeah?" he pretty much moaned out. His attempt to hide the fact that he was jerking off, failing miserably.

Oscar was jerking himself desperately now, his hand moving a erratically. He was so incredibly close, another groan threatening to slip. Still completely unaware that you had already catched on to the fact that he was pleasuring himself, until he suddenly heard you speak up.

"Come for me, Osc" 

So he did. It didn't take long. Not even two desperate strokes later, his entire body started twitching and he felt a shock wave traveling through his body. The utmost erotic sound escaped his lips "Ah... fuck... y/n" he groaned as his release washed over him, his cum spilling all over his own hand and abdomen.

After the last wave had passed, Oscar tried to catch his breath, meanwhile carefully slowing down the rhythm of his movements "Fuck, that was so hot.." he breathed

previous part | next part

[loganshouseofworship]

Can you do something with Logan that is super angsty? Maybe you two get in a fight over his career and your career? Then both of you realize that you can live without each other and end up getting back together.

Thank you!!

I can’t live without you — Logan Sargent x reader

“I can’t do this anymore Logan,” you said, cramming your clothes into your suitcase.

“Do what? What’s going on?” Logan asked

“Stand by and watch as Williams destroys your career” you said.

“Williams isn’t destroying my career, what are you talking about?” Logan says slightly, raising his voice.

“Yea they are Logan but you're so blinded by your loyalty to the team you can’t see it” you yelled through the tears.

“Wait a minute, you can’t leave!”

“Yes, I can” you said, your voice steady but tears were flowing down your face. “I can’t do this anymore”

“What do you mean you can’t do this anymore!” Logan yelled as you went to slam the door shut, but Logan grabbed the door and stopped it.

“That team is destroying you Logan, it's taking its toll on your mental health. you can’t keep putting yourself through this” you said, as you put a hand on Logan’s arm.

“Williams doesn’t care about you. They used your signing as a PR move to bring in more American formula one fans and you're too blind to see that” you tell him.

“Don’t say that! Williams cares about me! They brought me in, they believed in me!”

“That’s just what they want you to believe. They’re using you…I don't know why I'm wasting my breath. I know you're going to stay. I don't know what I was thinking. I mean you left a team that loved you and cared about you, and now you're throwing it away for a team that's going to drag you through the mud.”

“Stop. Stop saying those things.” Logan said harshly. “I’m not throwing anything away. My loyalty to Williams is what’s been pushing me to do my best and not make a mistake.”

“Keep telling yourself that Logan” you say finally leaving the hotel room.

“No, wait!” Logan yelled into the hallway as you shut the door. You kept walking and didn’t turn around.

“Damnit!” Logan yelled.

“She’ll come back, she’ll come to see that it’s all going to be okay.” Logan muttered to himself.

Hours later, Logan was sitting in front of his laptop in the dark looking at old pictures of them together.

A photo of you two, looking happy came into view.

“Maybe loyalty isn’t the most important thing?” He whispered to himself.

A few weeks have gone by since the Australian Grand Prix since the night you left Logan alone in the hotel room. Logan’s home race was coming up and he wasn’t going to lie he was nervous as all get out.

Logan missed you and he realized that you were right about the team. They didn’t care about him, not like you had. Fans started noticing that Logan was looking more tired and exhausted than before the bags under his had darkened. They looked so dark that it looked like he had black eyes.

Logan’s eyes were red from lack of sleep, from stress, from working nonstop to show the team what he was made of. He looked so worn out, and it was breaking your heart. You knew that he was pushing himself too hard, and it was beginning to take a toll on his mental health, and you just wanted to be there to support him.

The race weekend was approaching, and he was still working late into the night, trying to perfect his setup. Logan’s exhaustion was beginning to show, he looked like a shell of himself. He had lost weight, and his eyes were dark and sunken. The fan base was starting to get worried about him.

You weren’t doing much better yourself. You were worried sick about him, every day. You’d lost weight, you could barely sleep because all you did was worry and think about him.

Your friends tried to comfort you, but you weren’t listening to anyone, you were focused on one thing, on getting him back.

You would spend all night and day looking for flight deals online, trying to find a way to get home and see him again. But every time you looked, they were all sold out. It felt like the universe was against you, but really it just wanted you to wait a little bit longer, to wait until the right time to reunite you.

You would constantly check the calendar, seeing how many days there were left before you could get on a flight and see him again.

Time was passing so slowly, and it felt like it was never going to end. But then finally, the day came when your flight was confirmed, and you were on your way back.

You were just hours away from seeing him again, but the feeling of relief and anxiety were equally strong. You knew you wanted to see him, but at the same time, a part of you was scared of what he would say, or that he might have moved on.

You landed in the US, and you could barely contain your emotions, you were nervous and excited, and a million other things at the same time, as you got to your car. You just wanted to get to the hotel and see him as soon as possible, but at the end of the day, you also wanted to get it right, to do this the right way.

Your stomach was in knots as you pulled into the hotel, and you felt your heart racing. You couldn't believe you were actually doing this, you couldn't believe you were actually back in the US.

You took a deep breath, and walked through the doors into the hotel, up to his room.

You stopped in front of the room, taking a moment to collect yourself before knocking on the door.

After what felt like an eternity, he opened the door. Logan’s face had gone pale, and the stress and exhaustion that had been weighing on him disappeared.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, his mouth was dry, and he could barely get the words out.

“I had to see you, I had to come back” you replied, trying to get the words out.

He opened the door wider, inviting you in, you slowly walked past him, and he could feel the tension in the air.

“I’ve missed you” Logan whispered, his heart began to beat faster and faster, he was overcome with emotion, and he pulled you into a tight embrace.

“I’ve missed you too” you whisper, wrapping your arms around his neck, and burying your head into his chest.

He pulls you even closer to him, not letting you go.

The air felt thick between the two of you, neither wanted to break the embrace, neither wanted to talk, neither wanted anything more than to feel close to each other again.

Finally, after a long moment, he broke the embrace and stepped back, wiping his eyes, he had almost cried right then and there.

“I’m-I’m so sorry” he said, unable to stop the words from pouring out.

“For what? “ You asked, you had no idea what he was apologizing for. All you knew was that you wanted to be in his arms again.

“I know I’ve been distant recently, and I haven’t been there for you” he said, taking your hands in his. He stared into your eyes, as if he was trying to memorize every inch of your face.

“I just…” he began, but choked up, unable to find the right words. His lips trembled, his face twisted in regret and guilt.

“Just what?” You asked gently, trying to understand what was going on.

“You were right, my loyalty to the team has taken everything from me”. He said, his voice cracking as he fought back the tears.

“What do you mean?” You asked, he was starting to not make sense, was he just tired, it must be that, because you had no idea where this was coming from.

“You were right about the team, you said that they didn’t care about me, that they were using me as a PR move. And I tried to deny it, I tried to deny everything you said, but it’s all true…”

“I’ve pushed myself to the point of mental exhaustion, and all for what, I’ve been so blind thinking that I needed to do this, but the truth is I don’t, I don’t need Williams, I need you…” He said, staring back at you.

“Do you need me?” You said, his words caught you off guard. The reality was hitting you, he needed you, he didn’t need the team. He needed you.

“Without you, I’m lost” he said finally, admitting it out loud, he took a deep breath. “I’ve been so worried about losing Williams, and I should have been worried about losing you.”

“I need you Logan , I've missed you so much” you said, tears now spilling down your face.

“I’ve missed you too” he said, wrapping his arms around you once again. You could feel the tension in the air subside, and the stress that had been weighing on you both disappeared. It felt almost as if you’d never been apart.

His grip tightened around you, not wanting to let you go, like he needed to hold you just a little bit longer. You could feel him taking deep breaths and his heartbeat steady. It was like he needed the two of you to be as close as possible for a minute, as if he needed to make up for lost time.

“I’m never letting you leave again” he said softly, tightening his grip once again. You could feel his heart rate settle, and you could feel the tension ease even greater. It felt like home.

@a-casual-romantic @amatswimming @bblouifford @bbtoni @jinx53 @jeffs77 @toasttt11 @hrts4scarr @faithshouseofchaos @vellicora

[letmeoutofthebasementt]

Would SKZ date a foreigner? MTL

Most

Chan

Changbin

Jeongin

Felix

Seungmin

Hyunjin

Lee Know

Han

Least

Bangchan

He would. He probably has, and will continue to in the future. He finds a sense of fulfillment in these relationships. Like he probably dates Aussie girls a lot because they remind him of home. If they’re from far away he has this mentality of “Oh, you traveled all this way and your journeys ended with an amazing new relationship” towards them or something.

Changbin

Definitely. Like Chan, he probably prefers them. I think he thinks of it as an achievement? Because he has to work in those relationships, and they’re fulfilling. He feels like they both have to make that effort and have that sort of ambition to get there, and learn about each other’s cultures, languages, etc. it’s a sign of love. He likes dating foreigners also because they don’t know him as ‘Changbin of Stray Kids’, but as this foreign Korean dude they met. (Though I would say there is that aspect of wishing that they did know and appreciate his art if they didn’t.)

Jeongin

He would. He thinks there’s potential and he may get lucky. I’m getting a lot of…Finance indicators here. I’m gonna be so for real, he probably dates old white sugar mommies. Or daddies. Whichever way he swings. Said what I said. I’m also getting that…He loves the money. He’s young, and sure he’s rich but who doesn’t want to be wined, dined, and pampered? He’s not big on relationships or commitment as a general rule of thumb since he’s busy and working and just living his life and young. But if he does date someone? Might as well get something out of it.

Felix

Felix has no real preference. Though this may be because his terms of…What’s foreign and what’s not are broader? Is something foreign when the cultures are different? Is it foreign when the countries are different? Is a foreigner someone who’s not Australian or someone who’s not Korean? There’s a lot of gray area. But generally he doesn’t care where you are. If you can communicate, have things you have in common, and can compromise then hes okay with whatever. Cambodian, Indian, South African, American, Indonesian, whatever it is. As long as their minds and hearts are in the same place.

Seungmin

He doesn’t really seem to care. As long as they have that depth and emotional security he’s looking for, it’s whatever. I’m getting a direct message of “As long as I can be happy with them without sacrificing myself.” So essentially, he truly and honestly doesn’t care as long as they’re happy together.

Hyunjin

No. I think, practically, he would, he has, and he does. He enjoys learning about cultures and traditions and languages. Foreign partners are the perfect way to mix what he loves most. (This part made me giggle but I’m free styling this shit) Love, sex, and learning. It’s a win win win. Like that one conversation he had with Seungmin. With that being said, back to the no aspect of the tarot. His most recent ex was probably foreign. And that was DISASTROUS. I’m talking hopelessly, everything destroyed, life and mental health in shambles (I keep getting a lot of scratching images? Like scratched up clothes, scratched up skin, scratched up wallpaper. As well as just broken furniture. Possibly physically abusive but that’s just me speculating) so much so he probably threw the entire country they’re from away. “Never stepping foot there again” type shit. So, in normal circumstances he would, but the ex probably used cultural differences as a crutch. Like, “No, this isn’t abuse. This is normal in my culture. It’s showing how much I love you.” And Hyunjin loves love, but not that type of love. But poor little Hyunjin believed it and now he’s scared. I put him in the lower middle because he WOULD under normal circumstances but these AREN’T normal circumstances.

Lee Know

Honestly, I don’t think he would. He’s tried, but it hasn’t worked out. There’s cultural differences, language differences, etc. and there’s also just conflicting values, upbringings, etc. he finds a hard time connecting on those deeper levels because they lack a lot of shared experiences they would’ve otherwise had, even down to cuisine. He steers clear of dating foreigners.

Han

Another no. Another who has and didn’t like the experience. Honestly this might’ve been because of in-laws. The cultural differences stressed him out and I think he’s said he has social anxiety before anyways? Correct me if I’m wrong but I heard it somewhere. Can’t remember there. But he gets really restless and feels like his skin is peeling and crawling and wants to fucking die when he has to meet the in laws. He doesn’t know what to wear, how to act, what to bring, what to do, how to talk (If he even knows the language). It just stressed him out. And honestly, it’s probably the same vice versa. Also, he might’ve dated an American. And American girls are much more…Open with the opposite sex than Korean girls are. And because of that it stressed him out because he got insecure and over thought everything but also didn’t want to be overbearing because he knew it was a cultural thing. So…

[godessanonymous]

OP81 - Pieces of you

Request: No.

Genre: Hurt, Comfort

Triggers: SH (semi-Graphic), mental health, mentions ofpsychwards.

Summary: Uni is draining you more than ever, causing you to relapse. Oscar finds you, he wants to help

Not proofread - 2.4k Words - will most likely be updated/rewritten at some point

TRIGGER WARING UNDER THE BREAK !!! Please stay safe!

Bloody Arms. Bloody legs. A blade and a empty pill bottle on the floor. Red stains on the bathroom floor. A frantic nurse running in yelling out to another nurse. Words you could not quite make out. Everything was a blur. You knew what you did. But you barely felt the pain.

It had been 3 years since you were discharged from the psych ward for the final time, you have been getting better ever since.

 About one and half years ago you met Oscar, your now boyfriend. You had met at a bar after a race of his. You worked as a logistics manager for Red Bull so it wasn’t unusual for you to be at the track every now and then. At first you hadn’t recognized the young Australian when he chatted you up at the counter of the small bar. He was clearly a little drunk but still one of the politest men you had come across whilst going out. The alcohol helped him work up courage and at the end of a fun night getting to know each other and dancing he awkwardly asked for your number. At this point you had recognized him but after some thinking you decided to give him your number. He was cute, gentle, and certainly a very calm person. You liked that, so why not. It was time to get back into the dating game.

The chatting stage was a little awkward but once he found out you worked in motorsports as well, he started to get a little more chatty. It wasn’t long until he asked you out for dinner. He did not disappoint, a fancy restaurant in the middle of town, it was the best night of your life you thought. Even though you tried to hide it best you could in the early stages of your relationship, he eventually saw your scars. To your surprise he didn’t seem disgusted or disappointed, how people usually reacted. He seemed worried but approached the topic in the right way. He asked you if you were okay to tell him about it. Later he told you that he didn’t mind them, he didn’t think they were ugly. They were a new part about you he didn’t know.

After that you became a lot more open about your past struggles. Sometimes they still got to you, but it got less and less as time passed. A panic attack here and there, being overwhelmed and days you just slept. Oscar was your rock, he felt just as safe as you around him and took care of you when you weren’t doing that well. Same goes for you, sometimes Oscar would get home absolutely drained, then it was your turn to make sure he recovered a bit.

He wasn’t home all the time; his job simply made that impossible. You both dearly missed each other during the long weekends and time spent away from each other. Your love language was touch after all, being deprived of it for weeks was hard, for Oscar too.

The past two weeks had been such weeks, Uni was in the midst of the exam phase at the end of the semester, and it was safe to say you were struggling hard. You were passing your exams, some well others just barely. But you made it through. The cost? Your mental and physical health, you didn’t sleep enough anymore, probably not eating enough. You noticed the familiar feeling of numbness creeping back into your body, your ability to focus was slowly declining and you got more and more tired, basically running on caffeine at this point. One last exam tomorrow, one last all nightery to make it work, one last grind until your break.  Two days after that Oscar was set to return home. Finally.

You walked out of the exam room toward the exit of the big university building, your hand was still a little cramped up and head hurting. The exam went okay, it wasn’t your best work but you would pass, you were pretty sure about that at least. You never know until you get the results but feeling somewhat decent about it was a good thing. You trusted your gut.

Right now, your gut was telling you that you need either rest, alcohol or a hug. Two of those weren’t options so rest seemed the only logical thing to do.

It was finally over. That’s all you could think about as you walked back into the apartment you and your boyfriend shared. It was a mess, the dishes weren’t done, clothes on the floor and papers and materials scattered all over the size of the flat.

You felt disappointed in yourself, Oscar shouldn’t have to come back to a messy home. You really should clean, but the energy just wasn’t there anymore, all you wanted to do was fall into the soft sheets of your bed and finally let your body relax. You suddenly became painfully aware of how tense your body was. All your muscles were hard and hurting from all the work you had been doing.

You didn’t even have the energy to get changed and just sunk into the bedsheets wearing a 3 day old hoodie just barely managing to get the jeans off your legs. The sheets felt cold, not as comfortable as you had hoped. You missed the warmth of Oscars body against yours. He was always so warm, no idea how but he was like a human heating pad. Thinking of him you fell asleep finally.

It was almost 4 PM when you woke up. You were still beyond tired, yet your body wouldn’t let you rest anymore. That all so familiar tingly feeling cooking up inside your body, feeling it in your veins, your bones, everywhere. Your breath hitches, gut clenching as the panic overwhelms you. The place you were in was dangerous, you couldn’t go back there. Into that dark place you almost paid with your life with to get out of. Those lonely nights, cold white rooms and silver blade across your skin.

Despite even the thought of it making you want to scream, the want of a release right now was so high. What else was there to do? You still had them, those sharp silver metals. You knew exactly where they were, stuck to the bottom of your bedside drawer with some tape. A place where no one could find them ever. Just for you, a safety net to fall back on.

After all these years you still couldn’t let go. Your last relapse was almost a year ago, you had hidden it from Oscar. The burning tension under your skin. The thought of feeling again. How good it felt. It was all overwhelming you. Tears long dried out and your mind taking over. You lost control of what you were doing. You didn’t want this.

The familiar feeling of regret kicked in hard. In the moment you felt euphoric, feeling something finally. All the tension getting release for just a couple of seconds. What had you done. No. You ruined it again. Everything. Your progress- all for nothing.

It was a bad one, the red lines spreading all across your thighs some even having been placed on your already scarred wrists. They didn’t need stiches, you made sure of that. But they stung, like hell, like they always did.

The bleeding stopped. A bit of it had already made its way onto the sheets. It was too late to clean up that mess now. You needed to get up. Eat. Drink water. Clean. Get everything ready for Oscar tomorrow. Oscar. Fuck- he was going to be back so soon. He couldn’t see you like this. What if he was disappointed, angry, what if he was going to leave you.

This was all your fault. Every fiber of your body was screaming at you to get back up, clean up and move. But your mind refused to move a single muscle.

The exhaustion of fighting your own mind finally kicked in enough to make you drift back off into the land of dreams. Failing to notice the messages and a missed call from you loving man.

Oscar unlocked the front door of your shared apartment in anticipation. It was 2PM you should be up by now. He couldn’t wait to finally feel your skin again. The body, voice and warmth of his loved girl.

He was surprised to find the apartment still dark, blinds shut. He quietly placed down his suitcase as his eyes adjusted to the light levels of the rooms. It was a bit of a mess, dishes piling up on the kitchen island and random papers and clothes scattered all over. Taking quite steps toward the bedroom he grew more and more worried. He knew you had a lot on your hands with school and all the work that came with it. You hadn’t mentioned that it was this bad though. It looked like you had not been taking care of yourself at all.

Reaching the wooden door he pushed the handle down and slowly swung the door open. There you were, in a pile of blankets, looking ever so small. The bedroom was even messier than any of the other rooms of the house. “Oh baby…” he mumbled, as he was about to walk over to the bed to gently wake you up to greet you.

That’s when he noticed. One of your sleeves was rolled up, red still staining it. The smallest bit of your thigh peeking out under the fluffy blankets. His eyes widened at this sight. His heart broke a little. His favorite person was doing terrible and he hadn’t noticed… why didn’t you say anything. How did it get this bad. What was he going to do? All those questions running through his mind simultaneously.

“Oh god- Love? Hey?” He said, louder this time. Worry filling his voice to a point of almost breaking.

You woke up to the familiar voice. He was home already? Oh lord he was home already. No this cant be, he wasn’t supposed to see this. You opened your eyes to stare in the wide open, worried eyes of Oscar. “Osc- I’m so sorry, i- I’m okay“ you tried to reassure him tears already rolling down your face. He took a big step towards the bed and collapsed by your side. “No love no your not. What’s going on, talk to me. Please-“ He chocked out. You cried, you tried to speak but you couldn't. Oscar just laid there. Arms wrapped tightly around you. All he wished was that he could protect you from this. It shouldn’t have happened, you should be safe now. The thought of you needing him and him not being there broke his heart.

You laid like that for close to a hour before your sobs started to finally slow down and shrink down to quiet sniffles.  “I’m sorry Oscar I’m so sorry, you weren’t supposed to see this. I’m sorry-“ you choked out. “No darling don’t apologize, its not your fault. I’m sorry that you are struggling like this. I’m here now you’re okay baby.” He responded. You could tell he was broken seeing you like this. But all he wanted is to take care of you right now. Make you feel better in any way he could. “let me help you please. What can I do for you right now?” The question seemed overwhelming, you weren’t sure what to respond. Food? A shower? More cuddles? All of those if it was possible.

Oscar took note of your indecisiveness and gave you options instead. “Okay how about we go get your cuts cleaned and bandaged, ill order some food and we watch your favorite show. Or if you’re ready we can talk about it.” He said, voice sounding ever so gentle. “Yes please.”

He got off the bed and you immediately missed the comforting presence. He was quick to return with a small first aid kit.

The wound disinfectant stung, you let out a pained noise. Oscar stopped, looking up at you for your okay to keep going. You gave him a small nod. His touch was so light, he didn’t want to hurt you more. White bandages soon covered all the open skin where the blade had done its dance across the pale skin of your sleep deprived body.

The food didn’t take long to get there. It was your favorite Chinese Place. Its what you ordered almost every time when Oscar returned from races. It was comfort food.

You were back in bed. The rookie, your comfort series playing on the big screen across from you. You cuddled as close to your boyfriends body as possible. You couldn’t stop the quite apologies tumbling from your lips but Oscar was quick to shut it down. “Love, I am not mad at you. Non of this is your fault. We will get this sorted out. We can clean together, we can get you all the help you need. We are going to put you first. You’ll be okay. I promise. You’re so incredibly strong, you’ve got this okay. I love you.” He said, his chest vibrating against your ear. His hands were roaming your body, leaving small kisses wherever he could reach. He wanted you to feel loved. He knew you loved him and he loved you but he wanted to make sure you knew it in this exact moment.

As you were finding embrace in his strong arms he reached for a pen on the side of the bed. He pulled the cap of with his teeth and gave you a questioning look. You were confused. What did he want with that pen. He decided to show you, as he gently grabbed your wrist and pulled it in front of himself. He started doodling on the top part of your arm, the part not covered by bandages. He drew little stars, and butterflies.  

It made your eyes water again. “You’re so beautiful my love.” He said drawing another small butterfly.

He was what you need. All you needed. He was your rock, and he was always there to pick up every ever so tiny piece of you when you broke apart. That’s what love is about. Being there when the other needs it the most. You understood that now more than ever.

This oneshot very much stems from my own struggels, for anyone feeling the same. I hope youre doing alright. Youre doing great bean, youve got this. It gets better i promise.

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 4)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (4)

Masterlist (other parts here)

“Nooo. You said we’d go!” YFN said to Jordan, raising an eyebrow. They’d just arrived and were still sitting in the car, however YFN had noticed that Jordan’s lower lip was beginning to quiver.

“Yes, yes alright. Let me just pull myself together.”

YFN turned in her seat to face her. “We are..?”

Jordan took a deep breath and turned to YFN. “Strong independent women.”

“Who know how to…?

“Who know how to set boundaries for our own mental health.”

“I’m honestly so proud of you for remembering that, Dory.”

Jordan grinned at that name and YFN felt more and more like she’d gained a little sibling during her trip overseas.

They high-fived and made their way to dinner. They entered the restaurant and immediately started heading for the loudest area there. Lucy spotted them first, her attention had been on the door waiting for them for the past half hour. She stood and gestured to the seats next to her. They spotted Leah further up the table and Jordan gave a polite wave. YFN noticed Leah was wondering at who she was, having been at the game with her ex and now at dinner. YFN returned a small smile to her and ducked down to whisper in Jordan’s ear.

“Safe word is pineapples. If I hear you say that, we leg it.”

Jordan turned to her and laughed heartedly at that, grabbing her new friend’s arm as they both hung off each other giggling. They reached their seats and Lucy’s heart skipped a beat as they came close, her best friend and her new friend still bantering. Before YFN could choose a seat, Jordan sat next to Lucy and she ended up between her and Jorge.

Dinner was great, YFN met most of the players and so many more friends and family members. She spoke with Jorge and his wife a lot during the night and they actually got on quite well. Half-way through dinner, Jorge’s son offered a chicken nugget to YFN in exchange for some more chips. She more than willingly made the trade and took a bite of it.

“You’re a monster.” Lucy stated across Jordan.

YFN turned to her, hiding a smile. “It was a fair trade.”

“Not that�� no sauce? Just a dry nugget? Unbelievable.”

YFN laughed and Lucy was proud of herself for making her. “Oh, well I don’t have any…”

Before she could finish, the footballer was reaching over Jordan and putting condiments down in front of her. So many condiments.

“Alright you two, jeez, just switch with me YFN, I need to spend some time with Jorge and the kids anyways.”

“Thanks Dory!”

Jorge laughed loudly at that. “Dory? Ha! Perfect! Why didn’t I think of that?”

They switched seats and there was immediate tension between her and Lucy, but it wasn’t unwelcome.

“So…what do you suggest? I’m usually a big aioli girl.”

“Of course you don't know a good sauce, you Australians are so behind the times. All those pretty beaches and no care in the world.”

“Heeey don’t you start on my country. I’ll fight you if I have to.” Her eyes flicked down to Lucy’s bicep and she noticed, holding it out and flexing for her.

“Good luck, little one.”

Something shifted then…or rather it intensified. Lucy’s nickname caught her off-guard and she was suddenly forgetting how to breath.

“Try this one,” Lucy continued as she put the dip in front of her. “It’s sweet and sour.”

YFN liked it and Lucy again seemed proud of herself, giving her some more little things to try.

“Is that Lucy sharing her food?!” One of her teammates yelled across the table.

YFN was surprised and looked at Lucy who she could swear was blushing. “She’s Australian, I’m making her try different foods. Lay off it.” They tried a few different things with different condiments together, leaning in and on occasion brushing arms or legs or fingers. YFN hadn’t felt like this since she was flirting back in high school. She loved it. They spoke about the game and many other things, and when Jordan went to the bathroom, Lucy thanked her again. “I haven’t seen her so happy in so long. You two certainly made friends quickly.”

“She’s so much fun. We’ve been having a great time together, and I think she has another week off with international break so we’re going to hang out a little more.”

“Maybe I can join at some stage?” Lucy asked quietly. YFN noticed this about her when they first met. There were two Lucy’s. The quiet, intelligent one who keeps to herself and is somewhat shy even. And then there’s the loud, big child Lucy who was the most confident person in the world.

YFN made sure to catch her eye as she grinned. “I’d love that.”

Shortly after, Lucy left to get more drinks for the group and YFN left for the bathroom. Just as she was leaving the bathroom, Lucy walked in and paused when she saw her, both caught off guard.

“Hi..”

“Hi..” YFN replied as if they hadn’t just been chatting and sharing food. “I’m just going to..” She gestured to the door. Lucy nodded but stayed where she was. YFN brushed past and Lucy was tempted to reach out. Just then the door swung open and YFN fell backwards, Lucy catching her. They both stared at the intoxicated man in the doorway. “Oh.. sorry wrong one.” He left and the door swung closed to leave them alone again.

Both women were both very aware of the fact that Lucy’s hands were still on YFN’s waist. She didn’t want her to let go and so she turned in her hands so they were face to face and at the same time they pivoted so Lucy’s back was against the wall. They were face to face and YFN’s hands were on Lucy’s biceps. Their breathing was getting heavier as their eyes flickered to each other’s mouths. Both didn’t make the first move, but they just sort of gradually drifted heads together. A shared look reassured them that they both wanted this. They didn’t kiss but their lips brushed together softly, teasingly, as they both revelled in the moment, quivering against each other. The tension was high and both women were waiting for the other to break and grab at each other in desperation. Both gave in simultaneously then, YFN grabbed the collar of Lucy’s shirt and pulled as Lucy’s hand found the side of her face, her fingers slightly in her hair. Their lips were soft at first but didn’t take long to get aggressive, and desperate. Their hands wandered all over each other and they were gasping for air in between desperate kisses. Lucy’s lips were so soft under hers, and she could tell that she was forcing herself to be patient, although they really weren’t. YFN took Lucy’s bottom lip in between her teeth and bit softly, pulling. Lucy moaned at this, “Fuck,” and bit her lip in return. Lucy’s tongue traced the lip she just bit and YFN’s hand came up to tangle itself in Lucy’s hair, grabbing it as she tilted her head for their tongues to have better access. Their desperation grew as their moans and gasping and swearing filled the empty room. YFN used her hands in Lucy’s hair and on her bicep to pull her even closer, and away from the wall. What was she doing? Was she about to drag Lucy Bronze back into a cubicle and fuck her? Lucy responded by moaning, one hand cupping her face and the other stroked down YFN’s body from her neck, over her chest and her abdomen, around her hips and then under her shirt up her back. YFN shivered at the feel of her hand on her bare skin. Lucy pressed them together. “Lucy,” YFN managed to gasp.

The door swung open then and the two jumped apart. Georgia was in the doorway, eyes wide as they flickered between YFN and Lucy. Both were breathing heavy, their lips red and swollen, their faces flushed. Lucy’s hair definitely needed to be fixed. Georgia opened and closed her mouth multiple times before she found words, “Sorry! I’ll come back.”

Before Lucy could stop her, she left the room. The two looked at each other sheepishly.

“Is that bad?” YFN asked, gesturing to where Georgia had just been standing.

Lucy shook her head. “No, she’s a good friend. She’s just a kid though, and she’s very good friends with my ex.”

“Oh…” YFN felt like she’d just started some drama.

“It’s okay, it’s not a problem at all.” Lucy stepped towards her but stopped at YFN’s unsure expression.

“We’re strangers, Luce. You don’t know me… and I don’t know you,” she whispered.

“I know everything about you that I need to know.” Lucy said softly, but confident and reassuringly. She’d spoken to Jordan a lot about YFN and that was a lot of the reason she liked the Australian so much. As well as the obvious sexual tension. “As for me, well… I’m a public figure so you know I’m not a psychopath.”

“Those two things are more likely to be in common that you realise..”

Lucy gave a little chuckle. “You got me there. Not a psychopath, at least in the daylight. But I’d really like to spend more time with you so we can get to know each other a bit better?”

YFN nodded and gave her little dimply smile as she looked at the ground. A few strands of hair fell over her face. “I’d like that.”

Lucy reached out and took her chin between her thumb and forefinger and tilted her head up. YFN fell into those playful, intelligent green eyes again and without thinking she stepped forwards and kissed her again, though this time it was the softest kiss she’d ever had. Their lips fit together and so gently as if they would break each other, and it took a little time before they broke apart.

“Fuck.” They said in unison.

YFN stepped back with a happy little smile. Her phone dinged then and she pulled it out to look.

Dory: Pineapples

“Oh…” she said. “Pineapples. I need to go.”

Lucy looked confused. “Pineapples?”

YFN grinned at her confusion. “My safe word. Pineapples.” She didn’t say anything else, leaving it and watching as Lucy thought it over.

YFN saw as soon as the realisation hit her eyes. “Jords…”

YFN nodded. “Pineapples.”

[swlyf-24]

Florida Man Caught With Formula 1 Star, Oscar Piastri

Logan stared at the sky. Cars were bustling under his soles as the sky moved on slowly with each puff of wind. The sun was setting as the street lights all turned on systematically, plunging the streets into a warm yellow hue. The air was warm in Chicago, the smell of caffeine lingered. Fuel stained Logan’s fingernails with each shift, impossible to rid. He swung his legs over the ledge once more, wanting to feel the thrill, the adrenaline his brother had described to him once. The thrill of the sounds passing by him, the thrill of being in a fast vehicle without restrictions, the adrenaline of wanting to be sprayed with champagne on a podium while millions worldwide stare at your victory. Logan found it too restricting however, like an animal in a circus, made to entertain. 

With the street filled with thousands, Logan supposed he couldn’t make a scene lest he wanted to end up on ABC News . ‘Florida Man's Chicago High-Rise Jump Stunt Prompts Streets To Close Down Momentarily.’ Oh, what a headline that would be. His face plastered on every pole, reminding residents of the feats that Florida men could achieve. Plastered on every poster and brochure on how Mental Health was important, and why this specific psychiatric facility was the best. A bunch of bullshit if you ask Logan. 

Suddenly, something metallic buzzed next to Logan, the concrete vibrating like an earthquake. He took a quick glance before picking his phone up with such ferocity it almost fell onto the streets of Chicago hundreds of metres below.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair. Let me into that tower of yours, would you?” An Australian accent warped through the phone, voice twisted by the metal held next to his ear. Logan grinned, the corners of his mouth became sore, but he didn’t care.

“Oh, Flynn Rider, aren’t you a charming one?” He tilted his head down to face the stick looking figure on the pavement. A hand waved to him. 

“Yes, yes, I know I am. Now come down! My neck is getting stiff.” Oscar whined, not caring of the many people who passed by him. A laugh was torn out of Logan, his legs jelly-like but still did its purpose nonetheless. The lift took Logan to where he wanted to be, at home. Arms wrapped around him as he stepped out of the building, familiar brown curls tickling his skin in every movement. Fingers ran through his hair as Oscar tsked. “You really are becoming Rapunzel if you don’t have a haircut soon.” Logan's scalp was massaged in shapes that were undefined.

"But I don't-" They broke out of the embrace, only for Oscar to weave his hands through the air. "Oh, I know! Do you remember Charles? His mother is an excellent hairstylist. I can bribe him using the fact that I am his son now!" Oscar exclaimed excitedly, the crowd surrounding them seemed to grow bigger with every word he voiced out. Loudly voiced out. Logan felt his cheeks heat up, wishing that in some universe, sometimes Oscar could be as quiet as he was made out by the media.

"I swear, I will temper with your car so that it won't even turn!"

Being an engineer had its advantages after all because soon enough, Oscar was dead silent the whole walk back.

In the end, Logan did end up on ABC News and many other newspapers. His face was indeed plastered onto poles, of the internet in F1 to be precise. His face was indeed plastered onto posters but not for the reason he presumed it to be.

'Florida Man Caught With Formula 1 Star, Oscar Piastri.'

[anonymoushouseplantfan]

Things that "allegedly" happened at the Aus tour that might have caused William to initiate the royal foundation split asap -

1. Jason stayed back in London at KP and did not accompany the couple to Australia. Quite a bit of the HnM staff went to Australia but point of contact the remained Jason in London. The harkle shenanigans were directly reported to Jason at KP during this time. And maybe Jason talked to William while Harry was away

2. Jessica accompanied Meghan as her stylist. But essentially Meghan and Jessica treated it as a holiday and wanted to do holiday stuff even though the couple's schedule was packed. Rumours are that Jessica/Meghan billed Clarence house for this styling expenses.

3. Meghan sort of sabotaged Invictus and wanted to be there with Harry at every Invictus appearance and give a speech as well. Harry in the end, ditched Invictus and only did a couple of appearances to give a speech. But did not meet with the organizers or the participants. While this is not related to RF or KP directly, it showed bad faith. Now we know they did mistreat David Beckham.

4. Jessica's husband Ben had also come over from Canada with a crew. This was done in the garb of covering invictus but rumours were that Meghan wanted to do an exclusive interview about her pregnancy. The staff put a stop to this. Seems like this was a similar arrangement to what the couple eventually did in SA with Bradby and the "no one asked if im okay" interview.

5. Meghan's people had kinda roped in Jaguar to be Invictus sponcers and arranged a Jaguar to be gifted to Ben as a thank you gift for the exclusive interview with the Canadian network. Staff got to know and put a stop to it becoming news. Rumours are that Ben then flew back, but still got the Jaguar.

6. Meghan did not like staying at the governor generals official residence. Esp since Jessica was with her. She wanted the whole house as opposed to a wing. Jason and the KP team had to sort that headache out and smooth it out with the Australian team. Meghan remained mad.

7. She had an argument with the Governor generals wife, allegedly over staff treatment. rumours are that Meghan used the F- word and rolled her eyes. Happened in front of KP and aus staff. This was pretty much a diplomatic incidence and BP+govt got involved.

8. She wanted to accompany Harry at every one of his solo engagements. This caused quite a bit of hassles last minute. They were late to nearly all their engagements.

9. The blood diamond earrings situation happened. She wore the earrings without letting the staff know. KP/London staff were told one thing and issued a statement but later were told by staff in Australia about the true provenance. From a diplomatic pov this was a very bad look but Meghan said she did not care.

10. Tea throwing incidence happened and tea allegedly spilled over one of her PAs. That PA was being bullied by Meghan for a while and decided to leave. She was paid and an iron clad NDA had to be signed. But this incidence became quite an big legal issue for KP and there was allegedly a super injunction about this.

11. Jason decided to officially forward the bullying complaint to Simon case, BP HR and CH in writing. And maybe talked to William because staff's mental health was at stake.

12. She walked out of the UN women engagement after 10min and berated her staff, while at the venue, for arranging this. She allegedly ripped her Amy and her female body guard a new one infront of everyone, including royal rota. Amy cried. And the female bodyguard handed in her resignation that day.

13. She allegedly skipped/ditched some engagements to go to a spa/resort with Jessica. This caused some embarrassment because a lot of people had put in a lot of time and efforts into making these happen- reporters, organizers, local authorities, security, attending public and staff were all left embarrassed.

14. She was merching throughout the tour. She had arranged for merching deals and freebies and the staff wasn't made aware. Ethically, this caused quite some problems for KP. Gifts were also accepted in Australia personally by the couple against staff advice.

15. The pricetag on one of her dresses was left on when she walked out of a plane. She was embarrassed and ripped into her assistant for that. That was a merch which went wrong for her.

16. The couple was rude to the royal rota throughout. Even though the rota had been previously briefed about the kind of coverage Meghan wanted. Jason had to frantically be smooth things over constantly from London to ensure positive coverage from the press.

17. At least 4 members of meghans staff handed in their notice while on tour. This got back to KP/William who felt they had to act asap.

18. The couple constantly rowed while in Australia, and staff was put in an impossible sandwich situation while dealing with two. Both H and M were constantly on social media checking commments and were issued that public was criticising Meghan. They constantly telling staff to cover social media and clab back, instead of doing actual work.

Thank you so much! I remembered it was a disaster, but I’d forgotten some of the details.

They also took some vacation days at a resort, and there were rumors it was a freebie. And she made that speech claiming she’d paid her way through Northwestern and her dad and sister clapped back at that.

It really was a nightmare. I smh whenever Harry claims his family was jealous about how well they did in Australia.

[theghostofaname]

Got a quote for a combined ASD and ADHD evaluation, its more than 3 quarters of what I have in my bank rn. And I still gotta pay off the other half of my new glasses (think its around $600 more). I really want to see a physio and an occupational therapist but I wanna get on the NDIS first to help me pay for it (which I need the ASD diagnosis for). I also need to find a much more expensive therapist because the one who has been giving me charity rates is retiring, I'm so glad my GP is still giving me free appointments or I'd probably never go see her.

[probablyasocialecologist]

The 388-page report featured 32 recommendations on how transgender care should be conducted within NHS England. It incorrectly claims that there is “no good evidence” supporting transgender care and calls for restrictions on trans care for individuals under the age of 18, although it does not advocate for an outright ban. The report endorses the idea that being transgender may be caused by anxiety, depression, and OCD issues, despite the American Psychological Association, the largest psychological association in the world, rebutting this as lacking evidence. It also claims that transgender individuals can be “influenced” into being trans, a nod to the discredited theory of social contagion and rapid onset gender dysphoria, rejected by over 60 mental health organizations. Lastly, it seemingly endorses restrictions on transgender people under the age of 25, stating that they should not be allowed to progress into adult care clinics. To support these recommendations, the report was released alongside “reviews” of the evidence surrounding transgender care, using these reviews to assert that there is "no good evidence" for gender-affirming care. A closer inspection of the reviews released alongside the Cass report reveals that 101 out of 103 studies on gender-affirming care were dismissed for not being of "sufficiently high quality," based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale—a subjective scale criticized for its flaws and potential unreliability due to a high risk of bias. This critique is particularly significant given the contentious political nature of the subject and connections between reviewers, Cass, and anti-trans organizations.

[...]

Immediately after the release of the Cass Review, experts in transgender healthcare from around the world voiced their opposition to its findings. Dr. Portia Predny, Vice President of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, criticized the findings and recommendations as “at odds with the current evidence base, expert consensus, and the majority of clinical guidelines worldwide.” Similarly, a statement from the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa condemned the review, noting, “The Review commissioned several systematic reviews into gender-affirming care by the University of York, but appears to have ignored a significant number of studies demonstrating the benefits of gender-affirming care. In one review, 101 out of 103 studies were dismissed.” It is important to note that gender affirming care saves lives, and there is plenty of evidence to show for it. Numerous studies have demonstrated that gender-affirming care significantly reduces suicidality, with some showing a decrease in suicidality by up to 73%. A review compiled by Cornell University, which compiled over 50 journal articles on the topic, shows the efficacy of transgender care. These findings were echoed recently in an article published by the Journal of Adolescent Health, which found that puberty blockers dramatically lowered depression and anxiety. All of these studies and more have led to The Lancet, a medical journal with international acclaim, to publish a letter stating that gender affirming care is lifesaving preventative care. The largest and most influential medical organizations support trans care. A recent and historic policy resolution passed overwhelmingly by the American Psychological Association, the largest psychological organization in the world, states that gender affirming care is a medical necessity and that being trans is not “caused” by things like autism and PTSD.

[covid-safer-hotties]

When the Mind Shuts the Door: How Cognitive Dissonance Keeps Doctors from Seeing Long COVID - Posted Sept 24, 2024 on Twitter (or X or whatever you want to call it)

By @dave_it_up

In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when someone holds two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. In medicine, this phenomenon often arises when new evidence challenges long-standing practices. Instead of adapting, some doctors experience discomfort, leading them to downplay or reject new information to maintain their sense of consistency. As psychologist Leon Festinger, who developed the theory of cognitive dissonance, once said: “A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources.”

This resistance to change has occurred throughout the history of medicine, from dismissing the importance of handwashing to ignoring the dangers of smoking. Today, we see the same dissonance with Long COVID. Many doctors are reluctant to fully recognize the long-term impacts of COVID-19, despite overwhelming evidence and patient reports. As cognitive dissonance prevents doctors from accepting new realities, millions of patients are left without the care they desperately need.

Historical Resistance in Medicine

One of the earliest examples of cognitive dissonance in the medical community was the resistance to hand hygiene in the mid-nineteenth century. Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician, discovered that requiring doctors to wash their hands between patients dramatically reduced infections and deaths in hospitals. Yet, the medical community at large rejected his findings because it implied that doctors were responsible for spreading disease—a concept that clashed with their perception of themselves as healers. It wasn’t until decades later, with the widespread acceptance of germ theory, that handwashing became standard practice in hospitals.

Similarly, when Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch developed germ theory, it met with significant skepticism. At the time, the dominant belief was that diseases were caused by “miasma” or bad air. Doctors resisted abandoning this familiar theory, even as new evidence showed that microorganisms were responsible for illnesses.

In the 1980s, cognitive dissonance surfaced again during the early stages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Initially, the medical community viewed the disease as limited to certain marginalized populations, and many were slow to recognize the growing evidence that it was a much broader public health issue. The bias of previous experience and reluctance to confront new evidence delayed effective treatment and public health responses, just as it had in the past.

Modern Examples of Cognitive Dissonance

Even within the past 40 years, cognitive dissonance has continued to shape medical responses. One striking example is the slow acceptance of the bacterial cause of stomach ulcers. For decades, stress and spicy food were blamed for ulcers, even as mounting evidence suggested otherwise. When Australian scientist Barry Marshall demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori bacteria were the real cause, his findings were initially ignored. Marshall even resorted to infecting himself with the bacteria and developing ulcers to prove his point. Still, it took years for the medical community to shift its thinking and change treatment protocols.

The opioid crisis is another clear example. For years, pharmaceutical companies promoted opioids as safe and non-addictive, despite early warning signs of widespread addiction. Cognitive dissonance prevented many doctors from altering their prescribing habits, even as evidence mounted that overprescription was contributing to the crisis. The delay in adapting to new realities contributed to the devastating public health consequences we’re still dealing with today.

A more recent example is the shift in understanding the role of dietary fat and sugar in heart disease. For decades, the medical community emphasized low-fat diets, even as research increasingly showed that refined carbohydrates and sugar were the real culprits. The persistence of the low-fat narrative illustrates how hard it is to shake entrenched ideas, especially when they have shaped public health guidelines for years.

Long COVID: The New Frontier of Cognitive Dissonance

Now, we see cognitive dissonance at work again with Long COVID. Despite increasing evidence that COVID-19 can cause long-term symptoms—ranging from chronic fatigue and brain damage to cardiovascular and neurological issues—many doctors are reluctant to fully acknowledge its existence or scale. This dissonance arises from several factors.

First, doctors are trained to view viral infections as acute illnesses with clear beginnings and endings. The idea that a virus can trigger long-term, debilitating symptoms does not fit this framework, creating discomfort for many clinicians. It’s easier to dismiss or downplay Long COVID than to confront the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 may behave differently than other viruses.

Additionally, cognitive dissonance stems from previous experience with viruses. Many doctors didn’t observe long-term complications from previous viral outbreaks, such as SARS or MERS, leading them to assume that COVID-19 would follow a similar course. This bias towards established beliefs makes it difficult for some to accept the growing evidence that COVID-19 may have lasting effects on a significant number of patients.

There’s also a systemic element. Recognizing the scale of Long COVID would require healthcare systems to make significant changes, from allocating more resources to chronic care to investing in long-term research. Admitting the severity of Long COVID would necessitate a major overhaul of healthcare practices, which many find daunting. Instead of pushing for these changes, many doctors are minimizing the issue to avoid confronting the discomfort that comes with acknowledging such a widespread problem.

Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance in Medicine

Breaking the cycle of cognitive dissonance in the medical community is crucial for progress. Overcoming this resistance requires education, empathy, and systemic reform.

First, doctors must be willing to adapt their understanding as new evidence emerges. Continuing medical education programs should emphasize the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the face of evolving scientific knowledge. Training that teaches clinicians to challenge their own assumptions is key to overcoming cognitive dissonance.

Empathy also plays a critical role. Doctors need to listen to patients’ experiences and recognize that symptoms like those reported by Long COVID sufferers may not fit into traditional diagnostic frameworks. Patient-reported outcomes can offer valuable insights, even if they aren’t fully captured by clinical tests. Listening to patients with an open mind can help bridge the gap between new realities and outdated practices.

Finally, the healthcare system needs to be more agile. We need systems that respond more quickly to emerging evidence, update guidelines in real time, and ensure that resources are available for long-term research. Without these changes, cognitive dissonance will continue to hold back progress, and patients will suffer the consequences.

Cognitive dissonance has long been a barrier to progress in medicine. From rejecting handwashing in the nineteenth century to delaying responses to the opioid crisis in the twenty-first, this resistance to change has caused harm. Today, Long COVID is the latest frontier where cognitive dissonance is holding doctors back. By understanding the roots of this resistance and addressing it head-on through education, empathy, and systemic reform, we can begin to make progress in treating the millions of patients suffering from this complex condition. As we’ve seen throughout history, overcoming cognitive dissonance is the first step toward true medical progress.

[eternal-echoes]

“Below are a nearly a dozen different factors that can sometimes influence a person's sense of sexual identity. Rather than saying any of these things "cause gender dysphoria," it is more accurate to say that they could contribute to a person feeling dysphoric about his or her body. Some individuals might find that some of the factors resonate deeply with them, while others might not relate to any of them. The goal isn't to provide an exhaustive list, but to encourage individuals who experience gender dysphoria to listen with compassionate curiosity to their own story.

Trauma

… when individuals suffer a significant trauma in life, they may dissociate as a defense mechanism.(27) One young woman who had been bullied because of her same-sex attractions, and who experienced the death of her mother, explained why she initially decided to transition: "I also see a connection between my decision to transition and my mom's suicide. She killed herself when I was twenty and I started hormones about three months after she killed herself. We greatly physically resembled each other, and I think one of my motivations for changing my body is I wanted to differentiate myself from her."(28)

Another young woman who witnessed the murder of her mother deduced from the experience that she would be safer and stronger as a man. The idea of becoming stronger is a common theme among some young women who aim to transition. In the words of Alex, "I have my imaginary world and that's one of my coping strategies. When I'm feeling down or depressed, I'll kind of like go into my imaginary world, and in my imaginary world I am a guy. I have a flat chest. I'm strong."(29) Similarly, when Kathy Grace was young, she remembers watching her father abuse her mother and internalized the message that women are hated, vulnerable, and weak.(30) For her, establishing a masculine gender identify offered her protection from being victimized

In one study of children and teens who visited a gender clinic in Australia, 98 percent of them had experienced adverse childhood events before developing transgender beliefs. The researchers found an average of five traumas per child, most of which occurred within the family. They noted that because it can be difficult to untangle gender dysphoria from comorbid factors such as anxiety, depression, and sexual abuse, "Our results suggest the need to bring into play a biopsychosocial, trauma-informed model of mental health care for children presenting with gender dysphoria."(31)

-Jason Evert, Male, Female, or Other: A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender

—

Work cited:

27) Cf.D. Wailing et al., "Dissociation in a Transsexual Population," Journal of Sex Education and Therapy 23 (1998), 121-23; Judith Trowell, " Child Sexual Abuse and Gender Identity Development: Some Understanding from Work with Girls Who Have Been Sexually Abused, in Di eglie and Freedman, Stranger in My Own Body (New York: Routledge, 1998), 154-172.

28) "Why I Detransitioned (made for USPATH presentation)." https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1-UmPiinIFo. (This book was published in 2022 but the video is no longer available)

29) "Growing Up Trans (full documentary)." https://youtu.be/uIuS-48tSpE?si=cVb7I4gj31nCEYyn

30) Cf. "Tranzformed- Finding Peace with Your God Given Gender." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebodf8rWpv4&ab_channel=PurePassionMedia

31) K. Kozlowska et al., "Australian Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria: Clinical Presentations and Challenges Experienced by a Multidisciplinary Team and Gender Service," Human Systems 1:1 (2021), 70-95.

—

For more recommended resources on gender dysphoria, click here.

[ijusttalkalotlol]

The Australian Social Media Ban - The perspective of an ACTUAL teenager

Buckle up, this is a long one and I know probably no one will see this but oh well. I feel obligated to speak on the Australian social media ban as an Australian teenager that will be directly affected by it if the bill is passed. It’s stupid. That’s the basis of this entire law. There is no clarity behind the enforcement of this law and it seems to completely misunderstand social media, teenagers and the effect that it might have after the fact.

My first point is that the Australian government, Anthony Albanese specifically as the leader of the country, have not specified how exactly this law would be carried out. The only information I have found to be publicly available is that it will be the “app’s responsibility” this means that unless the apps themselves release a statement about their personal strategy, the Australian people, the people it’s affecting directly, will have no way of fully understanding the bill before it is passed. We will have little information to make proper judgements about this policy and misinformation is conducive to a failed attempt at a ban.

I do not disagree that social media can be harmful to children, the story of Charlotte O’Brien being at the forefront of my mind as I’m writing this. But, banning social media as a whole is a rash and simple-minded decision. The root of the problem isn’t social media, but the OTHER CHILDREN that are writing the harmful messages. Bullying will happen whether or not there are apps to type out insults on and solving these issues is about educating the people doing the bullying. We need to teach young people to treat people with respect, not take away the vices for underage people struggling in real life.

I’m aware of the studies surrounding self esteem and social media, but aren’t there better ways to rectify this? Shouldn’t we be giving children ways to build their self esteem and overcome these issues? This whole law stems from the government’s inability to step up and provide proper education and resources to minors that can’t do it for themselves. As much as I like to deny it, my generation has grown to be attached to social media as we have been around it since birth and taking it away will only bring about more pressing mental health issues and isolation.

Them even attempting to pass this law shows their fundamental misunderstanding of teenagers. It’s like these old, dinosaur-aged men (because that’s what they are) see a person under 25 and go “omg it’s a child!” But people of the ages 14, 15 and 16 are at an age where they are maturing, growing and learning to think for themselves. Treating them like they don’t have the critical thinking skills to choose how they want to respond to bullying or harmful things on social media is utterly stupid. Taking this choice away from them will only serve to harm their development and independency in this stage of life. As well as the fact that teens are already finding ways to get around this law when it hasn’t even been passed yet, showing how the government is underestimating the determination of teenagers when given a challenge.

Anyway, comment, hate on me, share your own opinions or completely ignore this post, I don’t really care. Just God I hope the government wakes up and thinks about not passing this bill or at least Lowering the age to 13 or 14.