#because someone like oliver is a once in a lifetime occurrence

[lakemichigans]

why did no one tell me call me by your name is a horror movie

[purplesurveys]

1161

 survey by pichu4850

What color do you think of when I say...

Anger? Red, or a really bright red-orange.

Confusion? Gray.

Inspiration? Sky blue. Both word and color give off calming vibes to me.

Shy? Something like an off-white shade, and maybe even pastel pink.

Agony? Olive green was the first color to come to mind, though I have no idea why.

Sleep? Dark blue, like the night sky.

Chipper? Yellow.

Beautiful? Red, the way roses are.

Morning? Light blue or yellow.

Would you rather be named...

Andrea or Aimee? Andrea.

Emily or Erica? Emily. I know an Erycka that I’m not too fond of, so this is an easy pass.

Kelsey or Casey? Casey, though I’d mix up my name a bit and have it be pronounced and spelled as Cassie.

Madeleine or Marina? Eh, not really a fan of either but I’d mos likely go for Madeleine.

Alec or Aaron? Alec.

Ryan or Ross? Not a fan of both names as well though I’d probably go with Ryan, but only as a feminine name.

Dylan or Daniel? Dylan.

Jack or Jordan? I guess Jack, if I have to pick.

Gabriel or Gavin? Gabriel.

How often do you...

Brush your teeth? Once or twice a day.

Eat breakfast? Twice a week, during weekends; though sometimes I’ll end up skipping it for an entire week altogether.

Check your email? I literally never check my personal email anymore after having gotten hired, but I know I should quit that habit and check it every once in a while just in case an intriguing opportunity might come my way. My work email is a different story; I have to use it everyday. I open my emails even during weekends so that when I report to my shift on Monday, my Gmail won’t look as clogged.

Go to the mall? When quarantine protocols loosened up a bit I used to go either on Saturdays or Sundays for some me time as well as some much-needed time away from the house, for the sake of my mental health and sanity. But now that we’re going through another surge in cases, no one’s allowed to go out again and malls are back to just keeping the essential stores open.

Go to the beach? A few times a year, at least before the pandemic. I haven’t been to the beach since 2019.

Play card games? Only happens once in a blue moon, when I get together with friends and someone happens to bring a deck of cards. This isn’t a usual occurrence with any of my friend groups, though.

Have at least 20 minute phone calls? Never. I have 20-minute Google Meet and Zoom calls instead.

Paint your nails? They are never painted.

Wish you were happier? Every now and then.

Did you ever want to be...

A veterinarian? Yes, when I was younger. I once stumbled upon an interview with a horse vet on one of my kid’s almanacs and thought what they did was so cool.

An astronaut? Yup, definitely became a big obsession of mine at one point in my childhood. I still think it would be cool to go to outer space and should the opportunity ever become accessible in my lifetime, I wouldn’t want to miss out on it.

An artist? Not really. I knew from the get go I wasn’t meant to be one.

A school teacher? I would guess yes, but I definitely wasn’t as interested in teaching compared to being an astronaut or like a firefighter.

A housewife? Lmfao yeah. This was the answer I would give when I was like 8 up until I was probably 10 and I knew it stressed out my Asian mother big time. My grandpa got a kick out of it, though.

A firefighter? Yes. This was up there with astronaut.

A princess? Not so much.

A lawyer? I definitely considered law for a brief period, but it was already during my latter college years. There wasn’t enough time to mull over it. But hearing all the law school horror stories from my friends kind of made me relieved I didn’t push through with it; I knew I wasn’t passionate enough about law to want to go through all the hardships that come with law school, so I was fine letting that dream go, and still am.

A doctor? This was never a dream of mine.

Would you consider yourself...

Materialistic? Yes.

Pessimistic? It comes out occasionally, but I don’t think it’s a main trait of mine that people would generally see me as.

Avoidant? Not so much. I can be shy and anxious sometimes but I get over it at some point.

Sarcastic? Only occasionally. I wouldn’t say I speak the language.

Talkative? Definitely not. I hate being in the spotlight, and whenever it’s my turn to share a story or talk in a group I usually have the tendency to rush through it or make it as short as possible so as to return the spotlight on someone else. I’ve always been more of a listener.

Strange? Maybe not strange but weird to an extent?

Intelligent? I guess in some ways.

Lucky? In some ways I am, but I also got handed the short end of the stick in other contexts.

In the next twenty-four hours, will you...

Talk to someone you care about? Probably. I talk to at least one friend a day.

Go to work? Yep, I’ll finally be going back to work since the Holy Week break is over. My workaholic self felt kinda unsettled with all the free time, so I’m actually kinda relieved.

Go to school? I’m not in school anymore.

Be in a different city? Nope, it’ll be working from home for me like usual. We were initially allowed to book visits to the office if we really needed to go there to pack some goodies and stuff, but because of re-heightened Covid protocols our admin has once again prohibited anyone to go there for the meantime.

Read a book? I highly doubt it. I haven’t read any in months.

Watch a movie? Nope. It’ll be a Monday coming from a 4-day break, so it will be incredibly busy tomorrow as there would be a lot to catch up on.

Go to a dentist/orthodontist appointment? No, I won’t.

Do your laundry? My parents probably will seeing as our hamper was nearly full the last time I checked.

True or False: Family...

I have two brothers or more. I only have one brother.

My mom lives with me. This is technically true but isn’t phrased right in my case. I’m currently living with my parents.

My grandparent(s) live with me. No, we moved out of our duplex (where I did use to live with my grandparents) well over a decade ago.

I have half-siblings. Don’t have any.

I am the oldest in my family. Eldest child, that is.

I am an only child. I have two other siblings.

I have 15 cousins I can name off the top of my head. Easily. My first cousins are less than 15 in total, but I know a good number of my second and third cousins as well so this is a cakewalk.

The nearest Aunt or Uncle lives less than an hour away from me. The aforementioned duplex we moved out of is just at the next village; we didn’t move too far so that we can continue visiting them.

True or False: Food...

I am allergic to chocolate. I’m not, fortunately. I’m not crazy about chocolate but I’d be pretty miserable if I could never have it either.

I like vegetables more than fruit. Infinitely more, hahaha. I hate fruits.

I have tried pizza dipped in ranch sauce. Ranch isn’t a very common dressing where I’m from, so it’s not usually offered in restaurants. Given the chance, though, I’d definitely try my pizza with ranch at least once.

I've never eaten kiwi fruit. True, but then again I’ve never eaten most fruits and don’t plan to.

I love junk food.

I love to try new food.

Ketchup goes best with fries (chips). I don’t like ketchup and barely put it on anything.

I like fried rice. I haven’t met an Asian who doesn’t like fried rice.

I can prepare dinner for myself (using a stove or oven).

I hate sushi.

How many...

Pairs of shoes do you have? A little over 10, maybe? I don’t feel like counting in my head rn.

Songs do you have on your music player? I don’t have a music player anymore.

Hours of sleep did you get last night? Around 4.

Times have you had alcohol? Like, ever since I started drinking when I was 18? I never kept track lmao but if I would guess, maybe around 50-60 times? I’m not a regular drinker; I drink probably once or twice a month at most.

Books have you read/started reading in the past month? None.

Windows in your house/apartment are open? I know my parents and sister have their windows open at the moment, so that’s 2. Mine are usually open as well, but I’ve turned on my aircon so I’ve closed them for the night.

Pets do you have? 2.

Kids do you have/want to have? I’d cut it off a a maximum of 3 kids, but having just 1 would already be so nice.

Minutes does it take to get from your home to school or work? I work from home, but in the two times I went to the actual office it took anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour.

Have you ever...

Spilled a cup of grape juice on the carpet? I don’t think I’ve ever even encountered grape juice in my entire life.

Played spin the bottle? I don’t think I’ve ever played this. My friends and I usually resort to truth or dare.

Played Twister? Yes, and there are many fond memories that come with it as well. So when I was 7 years old I befriended Katreen, and her mom and mine hit it off instantly so they started this arrangement where every Friday, her mom picked me and my sister up from school along with Katreen and her sisters, and we’d stay for several hours at their place until my mom would pick us up. Her mom was an amazing host and every week we’d play Twister, watch Pokemon, read books together, etc; anything to keep us comfortable and entertained.

Been caught doing something you weren't supposed to be doing? It’s bound to happen every now and then.

Walked out of a movie because it was horrible? I’ve gotten this feeling a few times but I always stayed in my seat because I paid for the damn ticket.

Given the finger to someone on the street? Oh most definitely, as well as drivers passing by. And it’s always been towards men that are being disgusting pigs.

Been so sad/angry that you started laughing? Sure.

Been in a wedding? Yes, but I only got invited as a kid since I was usually picked to be one of the flower girls. I haven’t been to a family wedding since 2007.

Been in a situation where you almost died? Probably not died but almost substantially injured, sure.

Misc...

Are you stressing out about anything right now? Just worried about the deluge of tasks that will inevitably come at me tomorrow but knowing how easygoing my bosses are, I know I’ll be able to ease up soon enough.

Do you think before acting or act before thinking? I used to be the latter but I now see the importance of first considering possible consequences of or how others would be affected by my actions.

Do you act upon your emotions and instinct, or logic and reasoning? Again, I used to be one of these, this time the former. Now that I’m at a much more stable and peaceful place in my life I try not to let my emotions get the best of me.

What are some personality traits you find appealing in a potential partner? I had a number of negative experiences in my last relationship so forgive me for scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to my expectations lmaaaao – I’d love for someone to be sensitive to my needs and feelings, and for them to be able to own up to their mistakes or hurtful habits and know how to apologize and be open to changing if it’s for their self-improvement.

How have you changed as a person in the last 5 years? I tolerate less bullshit now. I think I’ve also grown to be happier and a lot more stable, emotionally. I also have a better sense of what I want out of life and where I want to be, and I’ve also learned to be more sociable and open up to people.

If you could do anything you wanted right this moment, what would it be? Order sushi :(

Is there anyone you can totally relax and be yourself around? Yes, that’s what my friends are for. If I can’t feel comfortable around my friends, I’d view that as a problem.

Did you ever wanted to say something to someone, didn't, and regretted it? No.

Are you scared about the future? I’m scared of the idea of not meeting some of my goals, like having a family; but I’m also excited about what the future could bring me.

[lilacmoon83]

Lightning in a Bottle

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 2: Re-Entry

April 13th, 2014

Flight eight two eight had taken off from Jamaica without incident and they had been in flight for a few hours now. They were probably nearing New York by now and he smiled at his son, who had his headphones on and was watching a movie. He glanced over at Emma and rolled his eyes.

"MM's not wrong," he mentioned. She gave him an annoyed look at that.

"Don't start," she warned. He sighed.

"Say yes to Killian. Get married, have a honeymoon, and be happy. Trust me, it's the best thing ever," he said. She sighed and kept looking at the ring. She closed the box and was about to send a text to her boyfriend that would make him very happy when the plane shuddered. The distress didn't stop there though and they suddenly experienced an intense amount of turbulence. So much so that a laptop belonging to another young woman slipped off her tray and busted. David clutched his son tightly, wondering if the worst might be happening. But after a few harrowing minutes, the turbulence seemed to end fairly quickly and the plane lights came up again.

"Sorry about that, folks...we hit a bit of turbulence, but we came through it just fine. We ask that you remain seated with your seat belts on though and we should be coming into New York shortly," the Captain said. David breathed a sigh of relief and checked his phone, intending to text his wife. But he frowned, as he found he had no service.

"Seriously? No service?" Emma asked.

"Same," he said, as the flight attendant picked up the laptop a few seats back.

"I'm sorry, I hope there was nothing important on that," she apologized. The woman sighed.

"Not at all...just a lifetime of research and work," the woman commented, but still managed a kind smile for the flight attendant. It wasn't her fault, after all. She moved on and kept attending to the passengers, who started to get restless. They were obviously in New York airspace, but seemed to be doing circles in the sky instead of landing.

"What is going on?" Emma wondered, but she was answered when the pilot came back over the intercom.

"Sorry folks, we're going to be a bit longer. I'm afraid we've been diverted upstate," the Captain told them. There were sighs and groans from many, but their plane soon landed a little while later. Emma noticed that the airport appeared to be much smaller and possibly military, which was a bit disturbing.

"What is it?" David asked.

"I'm...I'm not sure yet," she replied, as the pilot came over the intercom again.

"Ladies and Gentlemen...I'm afraid we've been asked to disembark the plane on the tarmac," the pilot announced.

"Cool…" Henry said, as David looked at his sister.

"Okay...this is officially weird," Emma said, as they did as they were told and found themselves in a cluster before what looked like some government officials, all one hundred and twenty passengers.

"Ladies and Gentlemen...can I please have your attention," a shorter man in a suit said, as he stepped forward. It was a bit odd, because he didn't strike David as someone that was with the government. He didn't look like he belonged at all with the others, but then the government was known for bringing in outside contractors to deal with situations that were beyond their specialties. Though David couldn't ascertain what situation they were supposedly embroiled in.

He thought, at first, maybe there was a fugitive on board or something. But that was not at all what this felt like and the passengers were starting to get restless.

"What's going on?" David asked.

"Yeah...what's with all the covert crap?" Emma asked. The man before them allowed himself a small smile. Less than sixty seconds and two leaders had already clearly emerged in all this. He had no idea exactly what was going on, but he had been fascinated by it all the moment the news had broken. This was what he had been waiting for and why he was called in. He was a master of the unknown and unexplained. And finally, there was a true mystery he could sink his teeth into. If this was what he thought it to be...it was life altering and world shattering. Nothing was going to be the same.

"I'll answer your questions, but first...I have one for you, Mr. Nolan," the man said in an accented voice, as he looked at his copy of the manifest, which was complete with photo identification.

"Fine, but maybe you can tell us who the hell you are?" David countered. The man allowed himself another small smirk.

"My name is Roman Gold and I have been brought in to...consult on this most significant occurrence," he said.

"And my question to all of you is...what day do you think it is?" he asked. David and Emma exchanged a glance and then looked back at him.

"It's April 13th," David answered.

"Of what year?" he asked, causing David to narrow his gaze at him suspiciously.

"It's 2014...what the hell is this?" Emma asked.

"I'm sorry, but you are both wrong. Today, is November 11th, 2019 and all of you...have been missing for five and a half years," he announced, stunning them all to speechlessness…

~*~

What happened next was endless hours of questions for which the NSA wanted answers for and the passengers had none to give. The most brutal questioning, of course, came for the Captain, who was just as perplexed as the passengers. But it was clear to him that the NSA held him suspect in the entire situation. They always blamed the Captain. He had been one long enough to know that.

David was extremely agitated in his interview as well. Since the moment he heard that he had been gone five and a half years, all he could think about was taking Henry and getting home to Margaret and Olive.

"Look...I don't know what you want from me. You say it's been five years, but it was only hours to us. But if it really has been that long...I need to get home to my wife," David insisted.

"As you can imagine, a plane reappearing out of nowhere after five and a half years is quite a story. Once the story hits the press, we will be consumed by an unprecedented media storm," Gold warned.

"I don't care! You don't understand and this is going to sound corny and sappy, but I need to get to my wife. I need to get our son to her. I need to get to my daughter. If it really has been that long...then they deserve nothing less. My wife and I...we don't do well apart," he explained, as he started to tear up.

"She's...she's my soulmate and I'm hers. It's been only a few hours for me and I miss her so badly that it hurts my heart! Can you imagine what she must be feeling?" he asked.

"Mr. Nolan…" the African American man, Vance, whom he had learned was the director of the NSA and the man that had brought Gold into consult, started to say. But Gold put his hand up, signaling him to stop. Normally, he couldn't imagine the director of the NSA allowing himself to be silenced by anyone, but he seemed to go quiet for this man. This Roman Gold seemed to command power over this whole thing.

"I understand and you'll soon be going home to your fair wife, but these questions are necessary. The plane disappeared, none of you aged a day, and five years later...you're back. Naturally, we must know what happened," Gold stated.

"So that's it? Are we all going to be put in some government lab to be poked and prodded like some lab rats?" David hissed. Gold allowed himself another smirk. He liked this one and there was something about him. Out of all the passengers, somehow it was clear that this would be the family to watch.

"No, Mr. Nolan...there will be no locking up anyone and soon, you'll all be going home. The story is going to break momentarily and soon, many families will be showing up to claim loved ones. I have no doubt that your fair Margaret will be among them," Gold said.

"Can I have a word with you?" Vance hissed, as he stood up and went to speak to him out of earshot.

"We are not cleared to release these people into the public. This is a matter of national security," Vance whispered

"Then you had better clear it up quickly, director...because while some may have moved on with their lives and left these loved ones behind, there will be those that run here at top speed when they hear," Gold said.

"There is no stopping any of this now and since we cannot find an actual crime here, you cannot lock up innocent people against their will," he continued.

"Oh, I suppose you can and have the power to do so, but I don't advise it. I will say that if we want answers...then releasing them is the only option," he added. Vance didn't look at all comfortable with that idea, but did not deny any of it. Gold was right

~*~

Her breathing came in ragged gasps, as she flew out of the car the moment they were admitted through the gates. Her eyes scanned the tarmac and her feet pounded the pavement, as she ran inside the terminal like she had never run before. She saw him and everything else around her faded away. It was true. He had come back to her. The news reports were calling it impossible and some even suggested it was something to be fearful of. But to her...this was nothing short of the greatest miracle she could have ever imagined.

"DAVID!" she called and his head turned to her, as he ran to scoop her into his arms. At that point, she became a sobbing mess, as she never thought she'd know the feel of being in his arms again. When they finally pulled back, with her still sobbing almost uncontrollably, he finally pressed his lips to hers and everything was right again in her world with just that one gesture.

When they finally parted, she saw her son there, still ten-years-old, just as Olive and Robert caught up to them.

"Mom…" Henry said, as she knelt down and started sobbing once again. She hugged him tightly and looked to the sky, thanking whatever deity or force had made this possible.

~*~

"DAVID!"

The sound of her voice made his heart skip a beat. It always had and always would. He scooped her up, as she began sobbing against his shoulder. It was finally hitting him that, while it had only been hours for him, it had been five years for her and he couldn't imagine how hard it had been for her. When he finally pulled back to look at her, seeing the pain behind the happiness and relief in her eyes nearly crushed him. But he took her in his arms again, as she always told him that it helped her in their worst of times, and pressed his lips against hers in the most passionate kiss ever. As always, when they were together, everyone else faded away.

Finally, their lips parted and he watched her with tears in his eyes, as she sobbed and took their son in her arms. As he turned his head though, it was his turn to nearly break down crying, as his little girl stood before him, five years older than just a few hours ago.

"Olive…" he uttered, as she sniffed.

"Dad…" she cried, as he hugged her tightly, stunned to speechlessness and he cradled her head. His father hugged them next and he looked around. He expected Killian to be there for Emma, but he wasn't. He could see the questions in his baby sister's eyes, but she said nothing.

"Oh Emma…" Margaret gushed, as she pulled back from a hug with her and the shorter, raven haired beauty held onto her best friend tightly for a few moments. There were so many questions, but they were a family again and no matter what others suggested, their return was nothing short of a miracle to the Nolan family.

The ride home was surreal and he felt trepidation, as it seemed there were already news vans camped out near their house. That was going to be fun. He hoped it faded quickly, but he knew better than that. Planes that disappeared didn't just come back with one hundred and twenty missing people after five years. Honestly, he didn't really know what to think. But he knew that was hard for people to swallow. He saw the fear and skepticism in people's eyes already. Except in Margaret's. His wife honestly didn't care how or why they were suddenly back. She had them back and she was taking it as a second chance. They still had a lot to talk about, but that would come. Love was the easy part for them, so everything else would come and they would face it together.

The house looked mostly the same, with a few minor differences, but it didn't seem like his wife had changed much at all. They had so much to figure out now. He obviously had no job anymore and would have to now find one. He had a feeling that the Universities out there might be reluctant to hire a dead man.

But firstly, tomorrow they would need to return to the hospital and unfortunately have Henry evaluated. The cancer was still very real and he had no idea how they were going to deal with it now, especially his wife. Why did she get to have him back if only to soon lose him again? No one should be expected to lose a child once, let alone twice and he ached for her in that respect. He honestly didn't know how they were going to survive it, even together.

After they got the kids to bed, mainly their son, they retired to their bedroom and he admired the family photos that lined the hallway on the way there. She had never taken them down and there was no trace of anyone else. He was both relieved and curious about that.

"You have questions," she surmised.

"Reading my mind as always?" he teased and she smiled back.

"We always seem to be able to do that with each other and if I have to guess...you're wondering why I haven't moved on or if there was ever anyone else," she said. He looked down.

"I wouldn't blame you. If I really was gone...I'd want you to be happy again," he told her.

"I know...but I already got my one happy ending with you," she said, as she closed the distance between them.

"Not many girls get to say they got the fairy tale...but I did and nothing could ever top it," she replied.

"I did try dating after a couple years, mostly so people would just stop pushing me. But none of them were you and it was so awkward and weird," she explained.

"It was never like that with us…" she said, as she caressed his face.

"If you're worried that I've somehow forgotten what it was to be us...or that my love for you is somehow out of practice...you can stop worrying," she whispered and he let out a breath of relief he hadn't known he was holding.

"Because I never moved on and I never will. I know they're are things going on that we don't understand and this isn't going away. But I don't care about any of it. I just care that I got you back and I'm not going to waste any time with this second chance," she said, as he crushed his lips against hers. They pulled back from the kiss and she lifted his arms, so he could pull her blouse over her head. Their lips met again and she undid the buttons on his shirt, quickly divesting him of the offending garment. Her heart skipped a beat, as he swept her into his arms, something he had always done and something she thought was forever lost to her, and carried her the short distance to the bed. Their marriage bed. The bed that had been cold and lonely for five and a half long years. But that long, agonizing time was at an end and he had defied time, space, the laws of physics and even death to find her again. Everyone else in the world was fixated on the how and why, but she could care less. Her wish had become reality and even if it meant that their lives would never be normal again, she didn't care as long as she could spend the rest of her life in his arms. Whatever awaited them out in the world could wait, for they would deal with it and face it together. But tonight, the world would be shut out and only their reignited love and passion mattered at that moment.

[maikatc]

Black Sun Tale | Ten Dollars

alright, here we go y’all

remember that this is a first draft and i’ve only barely edited it, but comments and reception is heavily appreciated!

(also @rhyseoshaughnessy because they said to) --- There is always a time in someone’s life that’s the lowest, it’s a given. Those who break down from their faults and failures, ones who are toyed with to the point of numbness, the occurrences are common to an individual’s extent. 

However, ultimately the question is how to break away from the cycles, and it takes lifetimes for some to realize. 

It all boils down to the differences in people and what they want to achieve in the end. Though for some that desire is left unknown, or they were left with no certain answers, including Oliver Holguin. 

The day lengthened in time for Oliver by the early morning as per usual. His tired eyes slowly waking as he played through repeated melodies. Practicing throughout the nights, the song ringing out from the ukulele was beautiful to the ears. And as he continued onwards, his sight began to lighten up the bedroom. 

“As lovely as you are, I will have to go,” He sang with whispers tickling his throat. His bed-hair blocked him from catching somebody in the corner of his eyes, though the light greeted him with a shelf of books and a tablet on a nightstand instead of the man.

The complicated tabs and chords flew by with his fingers. The ease of the song left him concluding his mastery. “I’m sorry to let you down.” He rung the last lyrics and strings leaving the room in echoing silence. Taking a moment of pause, he placed the ukulele back to the side. He stood up from his bed. His sore legs fumbled together to go and grab a charger. His tablet turned on to a low percentage once he connected the two together. 

I need to stop using this at night, he thought while he searched for a tablature site. He pulled back his auburn bangs to read better, scrolling through lists of songs to learn. “… I need to find a new site too.” His voice croaked with soreness.

He sighed, letting the device charge. He stretched his joints in a yawn and walked out of his room. His left arm pounded asking for a scratch and reminded him to check the bathroom. The early morning traffic blasted noise through the apartment when he scavenged the cabinet filled with multiple vitamins and medicine. 

His tiny arms tried to recognize the feeling of what he wanted, and he debated on just getting a stool considering his height. However, he finally reached what he was looking for and opened the cap. 

Crap. The ointment cream container held almost nothing. “I have to get more before she finds out,” he muttered. His eyes stuck on the little bottle for seconds until putting it back in its place, ignoring his irritating arm, as well as his always ignored stomach.

***

Oliver sat on his living room couch, doodling on schoolwork and watching television. The velvet cushions pinched him by his skin in discomfort, though he’d been adjusted for years. Cartoons played on an overpriced T.V. as background noise with the occasional screech harming the boy’s ears. He worked with barely a care, only thinking once a question tugged his head hard. Eventually, to no avail he had to turn the entertainment off. What the hell is up with kid shows nowadays, he scowled.

Checking the clock, the arrows pointed to be ten in the morning. Oliver yawned. Twenty minutes of sleep couldn’t cope with boredom. However, from the amount of ‘good sleep’ he had gain from the past days, some rest could be assuring.  

He laid down, resting his body to the cushions he sat on. His mind rang until it blurred, nothing will happen, right?

His heavy eyes shut in only half a second. 

***

The sound of soft sizzles woke Oliver up. He rubbed his eyes, sitting up to see his mother standing in the kitchen across the room. 

“Seems like you were tired?”

Smile, smile. “Yeah, I slept a little late last night by accident.” He scratched his head while forcing a chuckle.

She cut up vegetables from the counter, assuring him, “You know that’s alright. It wasn’t even a school night.” 

The crunch of the plants getting cut up could be heard all the way from where Oliver’s mother stood. Oliver himself checked the time again to find the clock pointed only a half hour after five. Dear god that was a long time. “How come you came home early,” he irked.

“My last patient’s parents called in and said that she wouldn’t come today so my boss said I could take the rest of the day off. Hope she’s alright, though.” She placed her knife down to go and walked over to him. 

“You’re talking about Lavinia, right?”

She sat with him. “Yeah, the one with her phone.”

Oliver eyed her, “Didn’t you say that she’s been starting to act weird?”

“Mhm…,” she drifted, “But you don’t have to worry about that,” she messed Oliver’s hair with her hands. 

“Stop!” Oliver moved her hand away sluggishly, giving a warm smile to her satisfaction. Though her own chortles told him that he did all right. 

She stood up again, shifting back to what she did prior. “So now that I’m back early, do you want to go somewhere?”

Oliver shrugged, “We can go out somewhere if you want, where do you wanna go?”

“Oliver, it’s your choice, not mine. Don’t you want to hang out with a friend from school?” She opened the refrigerator, taking out prepped meat. “Your teachers say you get along with them but you never mention anybody to me.”

“It’s fine, Mom. They’re just kind of…” He avoided her eyes, “people that I wouldn’t hang out with privately.” He tried to laugh it off though his mother’s eyes sent concern instead. 

“Is this about Rowan and Ann? Because you know that that kind of stuff isn’t common-”

“Mom, that was three years ago, I barely remember it.” That’s a lie. “They aren’t the reason. Heck, I didn’t even get along with my class when I skipped a grade.”

“Well,” she placed the meat in a heated pan, “you’re almost eleven and you’re still cooped up in the house all the time.” The meat sizzled in the oil. The scent flowed through the air as they spoke.

“No, I’m not,” Oliver scoffs, “I go out to walk… sometimes at least.”

His mother clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “I have to check up on you more often.” Oliver’s eyes widened. “I’ll bring you somewhere later today after I get some paperwork done.”

The boy’s eyes lowered without facing her. “Thanks, but you really don’t have to bring down work. Uh, your patients really like you, don’t they?”

“But I should be taking care of my only kid, shouldn’t I-”

“They’ll miss you,” he interjected, squeezing his vocal tone to be reliable. “Besides, you can get more money to pay the mortgage here faster doing so.”

“Stop making smart words with me.” A click in the stove caught Oliver’s ears. “Anyways, food’s ready.”

After setting plates and utensils, they ate together in a plain table of shiny marble. The meat turned out to be pork chops, and the taste would have been mouthwatering. 

“Ah, this came out perfectly. Hope you like it.” She beamed, taking another bite in the process. 

Oliver cut off another piece, biting his lip. “Yeah, it’s great like always, Mom.”

“You really need to invite a friend over sometime,” she exclaimed. “It’s not fun only cooking for you and me.”

He looked down at the food, sighing, “No clue when that’ll happen.”

They went to venture through stores after lunch, only for Oliver asking to leave an hour in.

***

Oliver skimmed through video posts online, scrolling past multiple in his disinterest. Crying sweats sank through his skin, though he ignored the occasional occurrence. Chirps of his mother babbling at her friends’ calls echoed through the apartment like every other night while Oliver listened in the back of his head.

“No! Jamie, you’re getting the wrong idea,” she snorted. “He’ll bring someone home at some point… hopefully.” The sight of her crooked smile could be imagined by Oliver in a mere second. 

The redhead placed his tablet to the side of his undone bed. A deep breath was enough to function himself, same went for staring at the dull ceiling. 

His mind dimmed from his usual racing thoughts, taking time to go at a complete blank. His hearing and sight blurred spacing out. His eyes continued to close and open, the emptiness making it difficult to keep his eyes open wide. To stay awake, he raised his hand towards the ceiling, using any muscle he had to keep it up. The warm air of the heater blew against his arm and long-sleeve. With every joint and wrinkle on his fingers, all he could observe with thought was his skin, which had paled from his constant brown. 

“Damn.” Oliver clenched his hand. The arm fell down as he hopped out of his bed to the rugged floor with his bare feet. The room was already heated for Oliver, though his decision was an exception to the discomfort. Picked up from an unused chair, the boy dressed himself in a crimson cardigan dangling down to his knees. As he fitted the oversized attire, he nabbed his tablet back to his hands and sat on the floor. “This’ll probably be better,” he slurred.

Reloading the site, a certain video caught Oliver’s eyes:

Alexa Katzmann Found Dead Indoors from Area Death. The thumbnail of news made Oliver’s eyes widen, his cold sweats rising as he clicked with doubt. 

The reporter stated the repeated script about area deaths. Of course, nobody could find the real reason of the death like always. While the woman explained the exact story, the camera panned at the body. Alexa was about five as the news said, daughter of a celebrity, though they censored enough appropriately.  

However, what played over Oliver’s screen made his heart beat faster, louder. 

Alexa’s stomach had been ripped out, blood scattering all over against her clothes and pale skin. Everyone in the room stepped on the organs without realizing they were there. Nobody could see the same scene Oliver viewed. 

He muttered to himself as the video continued to play, “No, no, no…” His breathing grew as his throat continued to burn from the air and panic. 

“This is the first report where an area death has occurred indoors.” Stop saying anything. He stopped the video and tossed over his tablet as his mind raced for answers. 

His scratched his arm over and over, his heart pounding over his ears to the point of needing to scream. “When?” He barely breathed out. “When did-? “

Oliver looked around his room. Now. He jumped at his ukulele case in a split second, unzipping it in barely any time. Fuck the ointment. He reached for an inner pocket, unzipping it until he heard a voice. 

“You really do get scared quick, huh?” The voice stung obnoxiously, making Oliver pause and enter back to reality. 

Oliver twisted his head, still shaking from the previous seconds. His mind already clicked together who it was, however. A taller figure stood right behind him, leaning against the wall with hands behind his back. The man’s messily styled hair and dirty trench coat brought more memory to who he was. The boy took a gulp before completely coming back to his senses. 

“… Why are you here now, Vittorino?”

Vittorino shrugged, popping out of the wall and walking towards him. “I was bored. ‘Wanted to see what you were doing.” His dark eyes darted Oliver’s position. “I see you’re about to have fun,” he scoffed

“Shut up.” Oliver slammed his ukulele case shut. He crawled back over to his bed, turning back on his tablet and biting his lip. Of course, he’s here because of that.

Oliver continued to scroll around on his tablet, his heart still pounding loudly in his head. The screen grabbed Oliver’s attention completely.

“… You know,” Vittorino spoke after Oliver’s ignorance, “You really don’t ever go out.”

His smile could already be seen without looking. “And you mention this because?” Oliver sighed out, his head refusing to turn to Vittorino. He typed up a video to re-watch in attempt to distract himself later on.

“Because are you really going to be cooped up like some nobody?” His tone was readably different from previous conversations, from what Oliver noted. Expectations for what to come next jotted to more limited possibilities. 

 “It’s better like that.” No turn made again.

A grumble could be heard before a sudden, “Come on!” Vittorino appeared right to Oliver, the boy’s body flinched and turned in the process. “Enjoy life a little!”

 Oliver’s shoulders lowered. “You’re being pretty persistent than normal.” 

“Come on, Oliver.” Vittorino dug his hands to his pockets, a sly grin creeping through like always. “Let’s go. Just a walk with me is alright, right?”

Oliver’s eyes squinted, his mind boggling at the possibilities that could happen with the decision, considering the teen-nuisance that is Vittorino. “… Fine.” But just why would he want me to go, was the only question in his mind that moment.

After drudging out of bed and to the living room, Oliver told his mother that he was going off to a walk. Vittorino followed behind him but she made no comment, gladly telling Oliver goodbye without noticing the teen’s existence. 

Obodo City was always a bustling mess.

The tourists running around, the teenagers crying over late trends and messages, the children hyper and shouting at the tall buildings and stores, even loud, annoying traffic that’s at a constant. Oliver paced through the sidewalks, crimson hood over his head as gusts of October winds blew before him. Buildings stood tall and jagged against each other that formed unimaginable shapes in the air. Balconies stood in neighboring apartments filled with laundry or autumn plants, some even blasting music while the owners took a cig. The sounds screamed at the boy’s ears while the scent of street food caught his nose easily. As Oliver’s instincts pressured him to take a bite of something, he refused, his teeth clawing at his lip. 

“So,” Vittorino ignited the conversation, “How’s your day gone so far?” He took no look at Oliver and instead viewed the sites ahead, to Oliver’s bewilderment. The only thing up ahead were greyed alleys and crosswalks, similar to everything else in the city aside from the intense smoke in the area. 

“… Have you been hungry lately?” The man snickered, snatching Oliver’s attention despite the rude comment. 

“I just ate.” He stated, looking ahead himself, “The question wasn’t needed.” 

“Just wondering,” Vittorino bent down to Oliver’s height, still walking, gleaming by Oliver’s sour expression. 

Oliver’s sight of Vittorino disappeared as his figure jumped up in front of the boy in a blink. “You have to admit,” Vittorino said, wrapping a stop sign around his arm. “This city really is awesome to look around in, right?”

“I’ve been here for the past ten years of my life, Vittorino. Best that can happen is controversy protests and holiday decorations.”

“Really? What kind of stuff do you guys decorate?” Vittorino’s brows risen up, curiosity almost purring from him. 

Oliver walked passed him as the crosswalk glowed green. A small crowd surrounded him as he shrugged. “Lights for the most part, nothing special.”

Vittorino appeared right next to him. “Sounds nice.”

Silence covered both of them. Oliver pondered over Vittorino’s past actions as Vittorino turned all over to view the sights of the city. Oliver followed him though the teen stared aimlessly at such miniscule of things. A tiny convenience store barely seen by a tall building and a worn-down restaurant included. Someone older than him being intrigued by such things made Oliver question his identity more than before. 

Entering a cleaner street, Oliver queried, “Vittorino?”

“Hm?” 

“What do you have to do with Faustus?”

The man with the trench coat stopped at his steps. Oliver took a gulp down his throat. 

“Who’s Faustus,” he pondered.

“You know who I’m talking about,” Oliver spatters, “Emo kid, probably sixteen or something by now. Pale skin, white hair, blue eyes but he never shows one of them?”

“Oh! I know who you’re talking about now.” He sneered, “That isn’t actually his name, you know.” 

“I figured,” Oliver murmured. “But aside from that, you have something to do with him, don’t you?”

“And what makes you think that?”

Oliver threw his hands forward. “Nobody except for me can see both of you! That’d be obvious enough.” He crossed his arms. “But you both are weirdos out of anybody that I’ve ever met.” 

“That’s rather judgmental, isn’t it?”

“I’ve been trying to figure out who Zach is and where the hell he went since I was seven. I barely had any kind of way to figure out until you started popping up in my life.” Oliver’s unfastened hood flew out from the wind as he turned his sight to Vittorino’s eyes. He pleaded with brows furrowed, “Just tell me how you guys are related and why you both are really here in the first place.”

Vittorino’s mocking expression deepened. “Well, I guess I can admit one thing.”

“And that is…?” 

“You can say that I’m hanging out with you for two favors,” He raised two fingers down to Oliver, lowering one quickly after, “but one of them is for ‘Faustus’.”

“What was the favor for?” Oliver’s head drifted to the side. 

“One of them was more of an assignment out of anything, actually, but the other was so I could get some favors back.” Vittorino leaned by on a sign pole. “The one that wasn’t from the guy was basically just to check up on you from time to time. The assignment I can’t really tell. It’s about to be done though.”

“I swear to god, if you’re gonna screw me over somehow-”

“Don’t worry,” Vittorino rolled his eyes, “It’ll be beneficial for you.”

Oliver shook his head. “I don’t trust that at all.”

Vittorino chuckled and shrugged. “Fine then.” He stepped towards Oliver, slamming something to Oliver’s chest. 

Oliver coughed at the impact, but caught the item he handed. He opened his hands to find a ten-dollar bill. Turning to see Vittorino, he already found the mystery to be walking away from him. He dashed to catch up with him. “Where’d you get this?”

“I asked a guy and he just gave it to me.”

“But nobody can see you…?”

Vittorino lifted a finger. “I can be seen if I want, I just usually hide myself for the sake of it.” He dumped his hands into his pockets. “You needed ointment, right?”

Oliver tensed. “Yes…” he nodded, guilt building up inside of him again. 

“Go buy some then. Get extra stuff if you want,” Vittorino told. “Have fun, kid.” 

He was gone before Oliver could say anything. The red-head was left alone in the street. He looked back to his hand, covered over by a single bill. Pulling up his sleeves, he stared blankly and sighed, a small puff of cold air seeping out of his breath. 

“Might as well.”

-

Next >>>

[elejah-wonderland]

Love Hurts/3

Fanfiction

Part 3

Elijah Mikaelson x reader

ft. Klaroline

Story so far: Y/N got a letter from a lawyer from New Orleans that she had inherited a part of Mikaelson Estate. She will go there to find out what it was about, and meet two brothers Elijah and Klaus, who also part own the Estate. Why will love hurt?

a/n: thanks for reading and liking. I appreciate it very much. xoxo

tags @rissyrapp20 @dendrite-lover @goddessofthunder112 @elejahforever

@captainshurley

____

Y/N got completely enthralled in the preparations for the Grand Ball. Everything had to be perfect as if it was a once in a lifetime thing. Mary, as well as Elijah and Klaus could not believe what a force this young woman was.

Her presence changed everything. She truly was the sunshine that brightened their lives. The house for sure, was very much alive.

And even though there were occasions when the Mikaelson brothers would sit down for meals together, now it seemed to be a daily occurrence.

One day as  Mary was dusting, she took a momemt  in front of the photos of Esther and Dahlia.

"Oh, Ms Dahlia and Ms Esther- if you could only be here. Everything feels like it once was. Y/N has removed the black clouds - at least for a bit. The dark one is still hanging over us. Klaus is back in the theater. She has put a smile on Elijah's face again, too."

Y/N, who was passing by the Salon and having heard the last sentence, she walked in wondering who Mary was talking to.

"Hi"- she slipped.

"Hello"- Mary said a bit startled.

"I was- ahm- sorry if I scared you- I didn't want to - intrude."

"You didn't."- Mary said-"I - sometimes - talk to them. I feel like - I have always done it after Ms Esther died. Maybe you find it strange."

"No, Mary. It's not strange. My friend Bonnie, who lost her Grams, has always done it. She believes that her Grams looks after her like a Guardian angel, and whenever she had any problems, she would talk to her - just like you - holding her picture."

"Ms Dahlia had also often done it asking her sister for guidance- whenever there was trouble with the boys."- Mary said referring to Elijah and Klaus.

"They've been in quite a lot of trouble, haven't they?"

"Quite a lot."- Mary said-"but let's not talk about the bad"

"Let's not"- Elijah said as he now walked in the room.

"Hey"- Y/N said to him-"you are early"

"My appointment got cancelled"- Elijah said-"we can go to the Plantation house whenever you want."

"We can go now. I am ready. "- Y/N said chirpily.

"All right"- Elijah nodded a little. And so, both said bye to Mary and went.

Mary turned to the photo of Dahlia and Esther saying- "I have not seen Elijah so smitten in a very long time. Klaus seems to like her very much as well. I just hope she doesn't come between them."

 ____

In the theatre,  in the French Quarter, Klaus  sat down at the table set on the stage and started reading the play. A woman walked from the audience area greeting him. Klaus greeted her back asking who she was.

"Caroline Forbes"- the woman said-"the new producer."

"I thought, Lucian Castle is going to produce this play."

"Well, he bailed."- Caroline said. 

"What is an off-Broadway chick doing here?"- Klaus continued knowing very well who Caroline Forbes was. 

"I just wanted a change of scenery. Also my boyfriend is doing a show here- and well"- Caroline said-"ok- where are the others?"

"There will be here."

"Not so professional, are they?"- Caroline now said furrowing her eyebrows-"Well, that will  soon change."

Klaus could see that there was no messing about with this woman. Soon as all the actors and the director were there, she showed them she meant business.

___________

At the Plantation house, Y/N was in full organizing mode going through every detail with the caterers, florist and decorators, she had made appointments with.

Elijah was also busy checking the grounds with Jackson, making sure that everything was perfectly done.

"Will you be able to do the work in two weeks?"- Elijah asked after he saw what needed to be done around the garden and the stables, as well as the two guest houses.

"We need to hire a few more people. Oliver has now his own construction business. And he knows how to work on these old houses. They will not charge us as much as the New Orleans constructors."- Jackson said.

"All right."- Elijah said-"make an appointment with him."

"You can meet him tonight. It's my birthday and we are having a little get together. You, Klaus and Y/N are invited."- Jackson said.

"Oh, happy birthday. I am sorry, I completely forgot."- Elijah said apolohetically to the grounds- keeper.

"Hey, don't worry. With everything that is going on even I messed up the days."

"What time? I will have Klaus bring Mary and Hope out. "

"Eight. I already spoke to Grams, but she says that she's got to stay in town because Hope has dancing lessons."- Jackson said.

"Mary looks after her like she is her own grandaughter."

"I know. She loves all of you like you are her extended family."- Jackson said.

"You would have been Hope's uncle if you Andrea - I am sorry, I didn't want to open all wounds."- Elijah now said, and seeing Jackson pained expression, felt he put his foot in it. 

"Yeah - if - huh- Her sister dying devastate her.” 

“She was her twin - it hurt like hell - I know that if anything happened to Klaus - I would be - the same”- Elijah now said- "You've not heard of her at all?"

"The last thing I've heard is that she is in Australia"- Jackson replied.

"You’re still in love her?!"- Elijah remarked.

"We were supposed to get married a couple of weeks after Hayley's due date."- Jackson reminded Elijah-"she is the love of my life."

"Yes, you two were so good together."- Elijah remembered.

Jackson made a little nod making a silent sigh.

Elijah felt bad evoking sadness in the man. He tapped him a little on the shoulder empathically and said-

"Let's grab a beer."

Jackson accepted and they went to the house.

There, in the kitchen, Y/N sat down with Jane-Anne Deveraux to sample different canapes and cakes.

Seeing the men come in she made a little wave at them- "Please, come and taste some of this. I don't want to make a choice on my own"

Jackson was reluctant, but Y/N urged him to sit down with her and the caterer while Elijah got the beer from the fridge, now asking Y/N if she wanted one.

"Thanks, but I've already tasted different champagne, so, I will stick to the champagne"- Y/N said showing the glass., adding- "I chose Couer de Cuvee. It was use the first time the Ball was held."

Y/N now passed a plate with the food to taste as he now sat down next to her. Jane- Anne passed another one to Jackson. Both men could not decide what was best, as everything was excellent. Finally, Y/N chose what will be served on the night. 

Not long after Jane- Anne and Jackson went, leaving Y/N and Elijah  to go through the list, to see what was left to be done. Y/N now, having found an old box with photos in Dahlia’s room, now asked the man to tell her about the Balls that were held there when they were kids. 

“It was always - Grand. Aunt Dahlia was a magician, I would say. It was - big and busy - majestic”-Elijah now described the splendour and glamour of the event, their aunt in the center of it, like the queen. 

"As came down the stairs and greet everyone welcoming them to the Ball, she would walk down where we would wait and she would take us both by the hand and we would walk to the center of the Ball room, where she would then make a small speech about the importance of family. When we became teenagers, we would take her by the arm and walk her to the podium. Then she would turn to the band and give them a sign to start the first dance. Since my uncle died long before we were born, she would open the dance with one of the workers on the Plantation. Each year it was someone different."

Y/N listened imagining how it was. And she already had ideas how to open the Ball.

"What live band are we going to ask to play? I went through the list, but none of them want to do it for the price we are able to give them."- she now asked.

" You better ask Klaus. Music is his department."- Elijah replied.

"Ok, so I will ask him."

Elijah looked at the clock and said-

"If we are going to Jackson's party, we should get changed."

Y/N looked at the clock herself now and jumped up- "OMG, is that the time?! Ok, I will have a quick shower."

"You don't need to rush."- Elijah said.

"Right."- Y/N said scampering away up the stairs to her room. Elijah, himself went to shower and change.

A little later, he knocked at her door and as she invited him in. He  entered saying-

"Jane- Anne left a bottle of a very good old Bourbon. I say we take it as a gift"

Y/N looked at herself in the mirror checking up the dress. She turned to him saying that it was fine.                 

She then brushed her hair once again, refreshing the make up.

Elijah stood still for a milisecond looking at her nearly breathless- 

                 Y/N turned her head smiling at him-

"I am ready."

Elijah composed himself quickly and said- "Ok, let's go."

Y/N picked her bag up and they left.

♡ In New Orleans

Caroline was very impressed with Klaus and his acting skills.

"Francesca said you will carry the play and I didn't believe it. How come you are an absolute unknown."

"Who says I am unknown?"- Klaus said-"you're really never been in New Orleans!"

"New York is my place."- Caroline said.

"You should get to know New Orleans. Maybe it will become your new place"- Klaus said flirtatiously-"we will all get together at Rousseau's later. You're welcome to join us.

"I keep work and social life separate."- Caroline said taking her bag ready to leave.

"Suit yourself"- Klaus said-"see you tomorrow" He then left as did she.

♡ Jackson Kenner's house

The party was in full swing as Y/N and Elijah arrived.

Everyone present knew Elijah and greeted him like he was a long lost friend. It had been a long while since he had seen everyone as he had spent the last five years in the city and came out very rarely to the Plantation house. Jackson introduced Y/N to everyone. They were dying to meet the mysterious woman who had inherited part of the Mikaelson properties. She was talk of the Bayou ever since  the word was out that she iniated the Ball.

Jackson's cousin Josie now went to Y/N with millions of questions about the Ball, as well as her, wanting to know where she actually came from and what connections she had with the Mikaelsons.

Elijah now took the opportunity to speak to Oliver about the renovation work. And after striking the deal it was all about the food, the drink and dancing. Y/N danced her heart out.

Elijah, who was standing leant on the pillar of the porch could not take his eyes off of her. She was fire, burning bright, so alive, so different, extraordinary. Again the fuzzy feelings appeared inside of him and he gazed at her dreamily.

As Josie asked her friends to play the Cajun dance song, and everyone found a partner to dance, Y/N went to the steps of the porch and sat down,looking up at Elijah asking him why he didn't dance. He had no plausible answer. 

“Haven’t dance in a very long time”- he just said.

Seeing that it was not so hard she now urged him to dance with her. He could not refuse her and they went to the dancing area and let themselves go with the music. For the first time in a very long time, he had fun. He now showed Y/N a completely different side to him. 

♡ A little later as they got back to the Plantation house

"I had a great time"- Y/N said getting out of the car.

"Me, too"- Elijah said-"It was really good."

As they walked to the grand porch they laughed a bit about the prank Jackson's friends played on the man presenting his car painted in pink-

"The look on his face- OMG- he thought that it was for real"- Y/N said chuckling.

"Yeah, it was priceless."- Elijah agreed smiling.

As Elijah looked for the keys, Y/N, taking her shoe rubbed her foot saying-

"I don't remember when I danced that much. And I wore flats. It's good we are having formal dances at the Ball, because the shoes I got with the gown would kill me. And you- wow- I never thought you can dance like that."

"There are some things you never unlearn"- Elijah said unlocking the door. They walked in and stopped as they got in exchanging looks-

" Well, good night then."- Y/N said.

"Night"- Elijah mumbled not moving his stare. 

Y/N, still feeling the residual rush of the party now moved to him and kissed him. 

___

[mitchmitchmitch]

“Strike a Pose” Struck a Nerve

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a dancer, part of the long list of things I wanted to do in life, but did not, or could not. Growing up as the youngest of four kids, the phrase I heard the most from my parents was “we can’t afford that.” There was a ballet studio right down the street from our house, but my mom said “you’ll just quit,” which was how she deflected requests when she didn’t want to say “we can’t afford that.” Yes, I’m still a bit bitter. 

Loving dance is a big reason why I’ve also loved Madonna. No one has gotten me to dance more than her, and dance is central to everything she does. One of my favorite movies is Madonna’s “Truth or Dare” documentary, which chronicles her now legendary 1990 Blond Ambition tour. Controversial and provocative, the tour itself changed what a pop star concert could be, and the live broadcast of the last concert in Nice, France on HBO was a ratings blockbuster - I still have my VHS recording of it (although I no longer have a VCR). At the time the tour was moving across the world, Madonna was white hot. Her platinum blond pony tail and Jean-Paul Gautier cone bra corset over a tailored suit has became an iconic moment in fashion. She made news in Toronto for almost being arrested. The Vatican told Catholics to avoid the show. Yet her videos during this period are now considered among the very best of MTV’s golden age. Even her Blond Ambition cast became famous in their own right.  

The documentary played a big part in their rise to fame, as it told another facet of the story - the behind the scenes interactions of Madonna, her production crew, her management team, her brother, and mostly with her cast of seven gay, male dancers and two female backup singers. At the time, I so wanted to do what they were doing, I was equal parts enthralled and envious. They also gave me hope that my boring life in Indiana could change. By the time this movie came out, I had watched the HBO broadcast of the final show at least 100 times. I could do the choreography for Express Yourself and Vogue. I knew her back up singers, Niki and Donna, and her dancers, Carlton, Gabriel, Kevin, Oliver, Jose, Luis, and Salim. 

I had a crush on Salim, in particular, that bordered on obsession. In the Vogue video, his black hair is slicked back as he looks smolderingly into the camera and I swoon. And then he breaks out in a big grin that can only be described as adorable and i’m swooning even more. If I could create my perfect man, he would look like Salim. 

Yes, he was hot, but he was also a great dancer. I’d read a story somewhere about when they were in rehearsals, not sure if it is true but it’s worth telling as an urban legend. The choreographer, Vincent Paterson, told Salim to bring down his intensity because he was pulling focus away from Madonna, and she told him to keep doing what he was doing - if he was pulling focus that was on her to correct, not him. And because I so wanted to dance, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by him. He was everything I wanted to be - dark, handsome, athletic, talented and creative. And he was living his life as an artist which is what I wanted for myself but had no clue how to make happen. 

“Truth or Dare” shows all of the dancers as they were, and a lot of their behavior I found annoying. Madonna tells Salim, Jose and Luis to back off 19-year-old dancer Oliver because they were being little bitches to him. They were pushing their sexuality out into the world, demanding that people deal with them. They were out and proud. And looking back, I’d say they were brave. At the time, people interpreted their bravado as confidence, but to me it came off as too much, too forced ... insecurity. As it turns out, I wasn’t entirely wrong. 

Jump ahead 25 years with the new documentary about the seven dancers called “Strike a Pose.” Sadly, Gabriel Trupin died in 1995 of AIDS, and the remaining six dancers talked about how much they loved him, as well as their life before, during and after the tour. They expressed how much they felt they were faking it, and how insecure they felt. This is common for early 20-somethings, but in some of their cases there was more behind it. Unbeknown to the rest of the cast - and Madonna - Carlton Wilborn and my beloved Salim were both HIV positive as they were doing the show. Salim’s revelation is particularly heartbreaking in the documentary, having never revealed it to anyone except his mother, and Carlton coming around to give him a hug is when I lost it. 

They all discussed the overwhelming fear every gay man had at that time about HIV/AIDS. They talked about watching people die, which was a too common occurrence. And the dread of living with HIV, the intense stigma surrounding it, and knowing if you had it at 22 you wouldn’t make it to your 28th birthday. They shared lives lived, with all of the wrong turns, bad decisions and dreams unfulfilled we all experience as young people. 

And once again, I found myself back with these men, measuring my own life to theirs. It struck a nerve. I had forgotten about that intense fear, but fear was my constant companion when I was young. By the time I got to college, the thought of sex was terrifying. I had a crush on a guy named Joe in college. He was my age, shorter than me, Jewish (which seemed really exotic to me back then), big brown eyes and so cute. There was a spark between us, but he was so out and so vocal about his gayness, he scared me. I think he was hurt by my rejection, and to be honest, he wasn’t used to being turned down. It could have been a great relationship, or it could have been just great sex. Either way, I was just not ready. I eventually avoided him before even a friendship could develop. 

After we graduated I was working at a department store in Indianapolis. A college friend was in the store and we caught up. “Oh, by the way,” he said. “Did you know Joe died?” I didn’t know. 24-years old. AIDS. Out and Proud. It was hard news to take at the time but when you are 24 and someone your age dies, you don’t appreciate just how tragic that is. But every time someone died, or tested positive, or was in the hospital with some strange illness, the fear grew. My generation of gay men, those of us born in the 1960s and early 1970s, had that fear weave its way into our DNA. 

I’ve now to come to realize I’m still living in that fear in spite of being HIV negative. I think gay men my age are all still living with fear, and the deep sadness of seeing our peers die so young. It hangs over us like a storm cloud but it’s aways there. I’ve made jokes about my perpetual singleness, I’ve said I’m single because I’ve had too much therapy, or that I have bipolar. But these aren’t the reasons why. I’ve struggled to date men my age throughout my life because there is always the distance, the inability to commit, the pushing away, the fear. 

I can’t help but think we are, none of us, honoring those men we loved and lost by carrying the sadness around with us. When we were young, we wanted to be able to be open, to be free, to express ourselves, as Madonna would say. Now it’s time to let go of the fear and start talking about it. Young gay men need to hear our stories, even though we don’t want to talk about it. It’s all abstract to them, an anecdote, something you watch on TV. HIV rates are rising, and yes, it isn’t a death sentence anymore. But it isn’t a walk in the park, either. Alexis Arquette just died of full blown AIDS. It can still happen. 

“Strike a Pose” ends on an upbeat note, the six dancers coming together for dinner, sharing memories, laughing, crying. As they’ve moved into middle age, they have found success, love and joy in their lives. And oddly, I can still say I am envious of them, because they had the courage I did not have to live their lives as artists. 

But it also made me think that we all pay a price for our youth. I let go of my dreams of being a dancer or singer or actor a long time ago. I’m a good graphic designer but not a great one. I could say the same thing for writing and photography. Bipolar has cost me a lot of time and energy, and I’ve had to come to terms with that as a limitation. I am the sum total of a lifetime of decisions, as are we all. And I’m not sure how to live without my constant companion - fear - but it’s time to try. 

And my crush on Salim is going on its 27th year!

[miacutie]

19 days/ Hanahaki Disease

AO3 link

The Hanahaki Disease is an illness born from severe one-sided love, where the patient throws up flower petals until they suffocate to death. The only cure is to have that love reciprocated, or to undergo surgery to remove the plant which wipes all memories and feelings for their beloved.

It starts on a Monday.

Jian Yi’s throat has been increasingly scratchy, ever since he saw the love letter tucked in that girl’s palm.

It irritated him a lot, that this random girl would try to make a move on HIS best friend. He coughs a little and considers buying a pack of cough drops from the canteen before he approaches her. Jian Yi gives her the occasional scathing look when she hides behind yet another pillar, like she actually thinks if she can’t see him she’s concealed.

Of course he’s not thinking anything malicious as she gives the seal of her letter a giddy kiss, he was just looking out for his best friend. That was a thing, right?

He manages to corner her, and successfully plucks the letter from her grasp with a bullshit promise. Jian Yi grins, but suddenly is at a loss on what to actually do with it. Burn it? Blow his nose on it?

Zhan Zhengxi gives him a huge reality check later that day, and Jian Yi is suddenly branded as an outsider. A meddler.

His throat tightens, and he quickly dumps the stupid love letter onto Zhan Zhengxi’s desk and hurries out of the classroom. Turbulent feelings are rushing through him, choking him up as he makes the worst realisation he’s had to date.

He was jealous.

But worst of all, he realised that he had feelings for his best friend. Jian Yi should’ve known when he held his hand during that sleepover when he thought Zhan Zhengxi was asleep.

He coughs and a single bright yellow petal falls from his lips onto his palm. Instantly his blood runs cold, and his hand holding the death petal goes clammy.

It could only mean one thing, and he he didn’t want to believe it. He had the Hanahaki disease.

Jian Yi crushes it in his fist.

—-

This can not be happening, he thinks. No way. There had to be some way to reverse this.

Jian Yi purposefully allows himself to be carted off by He Tian, thinking that if maybe he squashed it down and truly repressed it, the plant would die off on its own.

Unfortunately this plan backfires pretty quickly when a shirtless Zhan Zhengxi put his sweaty shirt on top of his head and patted it before he left for the game.

Jian Yi quickly ducks his head and coughs another few petals into his palm.

—

The flowers keep coming every time Zhan Zhengxi does something that makes his heart flutter, which unfortunately was a common occurrence. When Zhan brings out the sparklers on his birthday, Jian Yi weakly thinks ‘Is he actively trying to kill me?’

He wishes on the stars to live to spend his next birthday with Zhan Zhengxi. The sparks illuminate his best friend’s face, giving his features sharp angles bathed in an orange glow.

Zhan won’t tell him what his wish was, but instead presses him with a question.

‘Are you happy?’

‘Of course,’ he lies easily with a smile that looks too forced to be genuine. 'Why wouldn’t I be?’

When Zhan Zhengxi protects him from Mo and promptly gets smashed over the head with a rock, it was like the world was frozen. His blood turns to ice, and he gets tunnel vision as he hears the shouts for someone to call the paramedics. He clings numbly onto Zhan’s unconscious body, and has to be forcefully pried off him when the ambulance arrives. They let him ride in the back, and he tries not to vomit flowers onto his shoelaces.

But by far the worst was when he woke up to the sounds of soft breathing next to him in the hospital bed. During the night Zhan Zhengxi had placed his arm around his waist, so Jian Yi’s head was tucked protectively in the space underneath his chin and his collarbone.

Suddenly he’s hit with a wave of nausea and he leaps off the bed and vomits silently into the hospital toilet. The flowers spin prettily as they are flushed into the void. Zhan Zhengxi is too drugged up from the painkillers to notice.

The nurse is understandably alarmed, and urges him to undergo surgery to remove the plant. But once she mentions that his memories of Zhan Zhengxi would cease to exist, he vehemently buckles down.

'Surely there’s another way.’ Jian Yi insists desperately. 'He’s been my best friend since we were five.’

'I’m sorry,’ she answers, eyes sympathetic. 'It’s either that or he returns your feelings. You only have a week to decide before it suffocates you.’

–

When Zhan Zhengxi snaps off half of his cracker and offers it to Jian Yi, He Tian notices him stiffen. Jian Yi tries to say something but Zhan Zhengxi simply shoves his half into his best friend’s mouth, effectively shutting him up. The dark haired boy notices his face go bright red as he watches Zhan Zhengxi leave to collect his papers.

But what he also catches is Jian Yi coughing up a single delicate flower after swallowing the cracker.

He Tian’s breath hitches in his throat. 'Is that…’

Jian Yi spins around, his expression a deer caught in the headlights.

'You’re dying.’ He Tian states blankly, staring at the flower on his desk.

'I know.’ Jian Yi says, kneading his bottom lip with his teeth.

His classmate’s dark eyebrows furrow. ’…You need to tell Zhan Zhengxi your feelings.’

Jian Yi’s neck snaps back in shock, or more like in acute horror. How did he know-

He Tian looks at him solemnly. ’…Why won’t you tell him?’

Jian Yi’s mouth opens as he’s about to say something, but snaps it shut. His olive eyes swim with a pained emotion, tears pricking in the corner of his eyes.

’…Because I’m scared.’ He takes a deep breath. 'Because I know he doesn’t feel the same.’ Jian Yi feels the flowers rising in his throat like bile, its stalks scratching against his words. 'When he rejects me, I don’t know if I’ll be able to survive it.’

'But why not the surgery?’

'I…I haven’t told my mother yet. She would want to know who it is…and…she won’t react well. The surgery is expensive too, and it’s been difficult since she’s a single parent…she works late you see…’

Excuses, excuses. He’s just bad at letting go- he can’t stand the thought of waking up from surgery, having forgotten who Zhan Xixi is and having their decade of memories together erased. His best friend would be so hurt.

'You still need to do it, if you know he won’t ever love you back.’

Jian Yi closes his eyes. 'I know. But I have time.’

He twirls the yellow flower in the space between his fingers, and plucks a petal off one by one.

He loves me. He loves me not.

— Why did he do this? Why did he kiss him?

Was he so desperate for an answer from his best friend? To hope for him to love him back when he knew it was hopeless?

He has gotten his answer though, in the form of a swift punch and very harsh rejection.

Jian Yi vomits daisies as he runs, not looking as they get trampled underneath pedestrians feet. People turn back to stare in alarm as he pushes past them, cars honk at him as he weaves across the road. His heart is breaking and he can’t breathe, the plant was killing him, suffocating-

'Jian Yi!’

Zhan Zhengxi had followed him. Jian Yi swallows down the petals through sheer willpower, clasping a hand over his mouth as he runs. He can barely see at this point, the rain blinding him as he squashed down his feelings. Jian Yi can hear him calling out his name, but cannot risk responding or slowing down in fear of throwing up again.

The rain is pouring down around them. One thought is clear.

I’m so stupid for thinking I would be understood.

Zhan Zhengxi tackles him to the ground, and demands answers Jian Yi can’t give. He feels hot and cold all over, and cups his hand over his mouth to forcefully quell the flowers forcing itself up his esophagus. Zhan interprets this action as him refusing to talk, and presses again.

Do you like men?

For the first time Jian Yi hopes the Hanahaki disease kills him here, right this second. He didn’t know how he could face him again after this. Unfortunately it doesn’t strike him dead on the spot and instead of flowers, tears roll down his face.

When he gets home, he promptly vomits yellow daisies onto his bedroom floor. This time scarlet drops of blood stain the wood.

–

It’s the next morning, and he’s gotten texts from Zhan Zhengxi to meet up. He’s forgotten he had school, and didn’t know how to decline when Zhan Zhengxi was already waiting at the station. He’s always been bad at turning down his crush’s requests.

To make matters worse, his whole bedroom looks like it’s been raided by a flower shop by a pantless girl on her period.

It’ll be fine, he uneasily reasons to himself. He could get the surgery and forget about this whole thing, right? Cautiously he touches his throat, but it seemed to have subsided. For now.

Slowly he got up and went about his normal routine, watching the petals swirling down the drain as he showered. He thinks of their precious memories spanning a lifetime that he would lose.

A young Zhan Zhengxi, holding his hand as he reassured him about his mother. Zhan Zhengxi from last week, glowing from the orange sparks that lit the starry sky. The feeling of Zhan Zhengxi’s body pressed up against his. His bedhead and sleepy eyes when he woke up next to him in the hospital bed. The softness of Zhan Zhengxi’s lips from the stolen kiss.

He bites his own lip, tears welling in his eyes. I don’t want to forget you, and all the moments we had together. I love you. I love you. I love you…

Would Zhan Zhengxi be okay with being forgotten? After what he did to him last night, perhaps he would be happy about freed from the shackles of having to protect him all the time. Sometimes it felt like his friend barely tolerated him, and only so because of their long history and promises spanning all the way from childhood.

I’m the only one who can’t let go, he realises. A life without Zhan Zhengxi isn’t a life worth living. His best friend was the only reason he had even gotten this far.

Alternatively he wonders how he would react if he did die.

—

Zhan Zhengxi keeps insisting on knowing what he’s thinking.

But he can’t possibly say 'I’m in love with you, and I’m literally dying from it,’ can he?

Jian Yi has been avoiding him all morning after the scuffle with that redhead. He hopes to talk to that nice nurse again, and ask her what she meant about him having a couple weeks when he was already vomiting blood into the toilet.

'You look pale.’ Zhan Zhengxi says, reaching out to tuck a blonde strand from his clammy face. 'I’ll take you to the infirmary.’

Jian Yi steps back like he’s been electrocuted, and swallows down the unholy concoction of blood and flowers as best he can. 'I-I’m fine. I’ll go by myself.’ He’s afraid if he looks at him in the eyes he’ll have to rush to the bathroom again.

So he withdraws, fearful of Zhan Zhengxi finding out his secret. He tries to ignore the hurt expression on his best friend’s face.

I still have time, Jian Yi reasons. He wasn’t ready to let go just yet.

—

He’s run out of time.

Jian Yi had been on his way to the infirmary when he had seen the crowd surrounding a pink love letter plastered over the bulletin board.

He thought he at least another week to make his decision, or at least mentally prepare himself for the surgery. What he had failed to account for was the accelerated rate of the plant from the failed kiss attempt the night before and that girl.

Abnormal. Abnormal. Abnormal. Disgusting. Disgusting gay- The sound of her screaming in fear, white hot rage and pain piercing his knuckles, and finally Zhan Zhengxi witnessing just how terrible of a human being he really was.

I’m sorry, Zhan Xixi. I’m not the person you thought I was. I’m sorry I can’t be happy for you.

He tears his arm from Zhan’s grip, breaking into a run as he feels the flowers and the metallic tang of blood rise up in his throat. Jian Yi doesn’t look back, knowing Zhan Zhengxi would stay behind to comfort the black haired girl sobbing amongst her confession letters for his best friend. She still had a chance- if Zhan Zhengxi accepted her feelings at least one of them would survive.

— Jian Yi finds himself curled up next to the toilet bowl in the boys bathroom. He can hear the tap running, overflowing the sink in which he had unintentionally blocked the drainage with flowers.

Yellow petals float on the surface of the water above the cold tiles, the red blooms of blood mixing in with the water beginning to flood the bathroom. He must’ve vomited his body weight in flowers by now. Jian Yi’s eyes flutter as he drifts in and out of consciousness.

I waited too long, he thinks. He had reached the last stage. Jian Yi can see his reflection in the water, his skin startlingly ashen as the grey colour of his hair. He would forget Zhan Zhengxi, and this world, and soon enough death would come. Oddly enough, the thought didn’t scare him anymore. If there was one person on this earth worth dying for, it would be Zhan Xixi.

Suddenly he hears the door squeak open, and the sound of splashes mixed with the sound of someone cursing as the taps are turned off.

'Jian Yi! Are you here?!’ The voice sounds frantic, and he barely registers it as someone scoops his limp body up from the cold water. 'Fuck! Jian Yi, wake up!’ It says, more forcefully. 'Jian Yi!’

Jian Yi manages to crack his eyes open to see his own reflection in Zhan Zhengxi’s eyes.

’…Xi?’ He mumbles, as he recognises his best friend’s face swimming in and out of focus.

'You’re vomiting flowers?! Why didn’t you tell me you had Hanahaki disease?’ Zhan Zhengxi grits out, his firm hands shaking. 'There’s blood everywhere-I-I could’ve helped you.’ He shakes his head, realising his attempts to berate him as wasting time. 'We need to get you to the hospital-’

Jian Yi tangles his hand together with Zhan Zhengxi’s. 'It’s okay.’ He sighs, as Zhan clenches his hand. 'It’s- it’s probably too late for surgery…’ He knew he probably only had a few minutes at best the way he could feel his heartbeat slowing down.

He hears Zhan Zhengxi start to sob, tears dripping onto their clasped hands. His sky blue eyes are raining, he realises.

'Zhan Xixi…don’t cry…’ Jian Yi says weakly. Zhan Zhengxi furiously scrubs his face with his sleeve.

'Hey…thank you for staying with an abnormal guy like me…’ Jian Yi swallows. 'I’m sorry for being so stupid…’

Zhan Zhengxi shakes his head forcefully. 'No, you stop that. You’re not abnormal.’

'Thanks,’ Jian Yi lets out a breathy laugh, and then coughs out another flower stained with blood. He decides to say what’s been on his mind the past week. 'I love you.’ Jian Yi whispers.

Zhan Zhengxi’s eyes go wide at his best friend’s confession.

'I’m sorry for being so selfish…I didn’t want to forget you, or the memories we shared…so I ended up waiting too long.’ He rasps, coughing up more bloodied daisies. 'Can you…just stay here? I don’t want to be alone…’

Suddenly he feels something warm and wet press against his lips, and his eyes snap back open.

'Zhan Xixi…?’

'Don’t leave me…’ He chokes out. 'Jian Yi…I..’ He grips tighter onto his hand. 'I love you. Please don’t go.’

Disbelief paints Jian Yi’s features. 'Xi? What are you- it’s no use, lying won’t do anything-’

'I’m not lying!’ Zhan Zhengxi bursts out. 'What happened last night, I thought you were doing it to embarrass me in front of my sister. I didn’t know you meant it since you told me to forget what happened.’

Jian Yi is at a loss for words.

'I love you, Jian Yi. I’m sorry I took so long.’

Jian Yi feels choked up, but for a different reason this time. He gently pulls down Zhan’s head but before he can kiss him, the nausea returns and he turns away to cough into his palm.

He coughs up another flower. Instead of bright yellow, it’s a faded grey, and crumbles in his hand.

Zhan Zhengxi looks at him in alarm, but Jian Yi laughs, almost giddy.

The fuzziness in his head begins to clear, and he feels like he can see, hear, breathe again.

'Zhan Xixi!’ He exclaims. 'It’s-it’s dying! The plant-’

Zhan Zhengxi suddenly envelops him into a bone crushing hug.

'Don’t ever do that to me again!’ He gasps, and Jian Yi blinks at the sudden movement. 'God, I was so scared.’

'It’s okay now, Xixi.’ Jian Yi says softly, and this time he means it.

–

Things don’t change much, except now they kiss a lot more. To his surprise, Zhan actually initiates most of them. Jian Yi memorises each and every sensation as they kiss, and often he smiles into it because he can’t believe how unbelievably lucky he is.

They hold hands when they walk to and from school, and Zhan accepts his jump hugs instead of pushing him off. From what he hears, Xiao Hui undergoes surgery and now doesn’t spare Zhan a glance as she walks down the hallways. When they go back to the hospital to get Zhan Zhengxi’s bandages off, Jian Yi goes to talk to the nurse.

She smiles at him, and it’s genuine. 'I’m glad. I was worried for you when you refused to get the surgery. But this kind of ending is always the best.’ She gives him a hug, and Zhan shoots daggers at her with his eyes. The nurse suppresses a chuckle. 'Looks like he loves you a whole lot.’

Jian Yi smiles back. 'He really does.’

They’re playing games in Zhan’s living room when he stops to turn towards his boyfriend.

'Are you happy?’ Zhan Zhengxi asks. He’s never told Jian Yi, but that’s what he wished for on the stars that night. For Jian Yi’s happiness.

Jian Yi shoots him a genuine grin, and kisses him lightly on the forehead.

'The happiest!’

[coldsorescured]

Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula Review

See Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula Review on The Best Place for Cold Sore Product Reviews or read the entire post below:

Suffering from frequent outbreaks of cold sores can be painful and embarrassing. While there are many over-the-counter and natural topical treatments available, they may not always be as effective for some people. In many cases, being able to fight off the herpes virus from within produces stronger results. Using a supplement like [easyazon_link identifier="B01COJFHGG" locale="US" tag="coldsorescured-20"]Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula[/easyazon_link] helps to do just that.

Because cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, it's important to look at the viral infection itself. This particular virus (HSV-1) will typically live dormant inside the body. However, it is extremely contagious.

People experience different triggers for cold sores, too. Being able to keep the virus at bay constantly can help to reduce the severity of these triggers. That can lessen the amount of time it takes for a cold sore to heal, and reduce the severity of its symptoms.

If you continuously suffer from outbreaks, you know how detrimental it can be. Frequent cold sore flare ups can start to take control of your life. Herp Rescue claims that it can give you your life back with freedom from flare ups.

[easyazon_link identifier="B01COJFHGG" locale="US" tag="coldsorescured-20"]CLICK HERE[/easyazon_link] to Check Pricing & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!

Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula Review

This review will focus on the healing and preventative features of Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula. Unlike many other cold sore treatments, this is not a topical solution. Instead, it is a supplement designed for those who experience frequent outbreaks. It suggests that you can be completely outbreak-free with regular use.

But, is it possible to avoid cold sore flare ups altogether with a supplement like this? We'll answer several questions about the product and how it works. We will also cover some of its advantages and disadvantages. If you frequently experience flare-ups, it's important to know if this is the product that can truly change your life.

What Are the Ingredients?

When it comes to a supplement, knowing the ingredients is the most important factor. After all, the formula is what determines how well the product will work against cold sores. Herp Rescue has taken almost all aspects of HSV-1 into account with this particular formula. Each ingredient has been added for a specific purpose. The ingredients include:

Vitamin C: Helps to protect healthy cells from getting infected and boosts your body's immune system.

Zinc: Promotes a healthy immune system.

L-Lysine: Common ingredient in cold sore treatments. Lysine is an amino acid that helps the body produce antibodies and can keep the herpes virus from spreading.

Bee Propolis: Bee Propolis is another fairly common ingredient in cold sore products. It allows the body to put up a stronger fight against certain bacteria, viruses, and fungus.

Other ingredients include:

Oregano oil

Copper

Echinacea herb powder

Olive leaf extract

Oleuropein

Red marine algae

Self-heal

Has It Been Properly Tested?

Some people might be hesitant to ingest a supplement because of potential side effects. One of the best parts about Herp Rescue is that it's completely natural. It uses these natural ingredients to help your body fight against the herpes virus. Instead of using chemicals or man-made ingredients, this specialized formula lets your own body do the work by giving it a boost.

After looking over the ingredient list, make sure you don't have any allergies to anything within the formula. If you don't, it's very unlikely you will experience any negative side effects.

Some bonuses to this particular product are that it's suitable for vegans as well. It is a plant and mineral-based formula that almost anyone can use. It is dairy free, gluten free, and nut free. They also manufacturer their supplements in the USA, and never test anything on animals. So, from an ethical and health standpoint, you can feel good about taking this every day safely.

Will It Prevent Cold Sore Outbreaks?

Cold sores are triggered by various things for different people. For some reason, certain people seem more susceptible to these outbreaks than others. You may only experience one or two fever blisters in your lifetime. For others, though, it can be a frequent occurrence. Those are the people that this supplement aims to help.

Because the herpes simplex virus can be so unpredictable, it's impossible to claim that a product can prevent cold sores completely. It all depends on how your body reacts to the virus itself, and if it allows it to 'take over' at times.

The formula in Herp Rescue is extremely powerful in fighting against the virus itself. It also helps your body to be better prepared against possible triggers. To say it can prevent you from ever having a flare up again may not be realistic. However, it can reduce their frequency, and how severe those flare ups may be. If you're someone who does get cold sores frequently, that can make a big difference.

How Quickly Will It Work?

Many topical cold sore treatments work best when you use them at the first sign of a flare up. Herp Rescue is slightly different. It is meant to be regularly used as a preventative measure for those who experience frequent outbreaks.

You don't have to wait for a cold sore to show up to start using the supplement. With daily use, the idea is to reduce their frequency and intensity. However, if you do start using them when you see a cold sore, the formula can help to speed up the healing process and make it less painful.

Because Herp Rescue comes in capsule form, it starts working right away. The company has patented a special design for their capsules. This design allows the natural healing ingredients to be absorbed by your body in a matter of seconds. When you start to fight against HSV-1 from the inside, you should notice the symptoms of a flare up significantly weaken quickly.

Cold sores can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on their severity. Even if you start to use Herp Rescue when you notice initial symptoms, it can cut that healing time down significantly.

Is It Good Value for Money?

If you regularly take supplements for overall health, you know they can be a bit pricey. Herp Rescue falls in line with the average cost of most supplements. For some people, it's a small price to pay not to have to deal with cold sores all the time.

However, it is a bit more expensive than topical fever blister solutions. So, while the price may be higher than what you're used to, the value depends on how frequently you experience flare ups, and what can be done to help.

What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages?

Herp Rescue may be a unique way to treat cold sores fast, but is it the best way? That may depend on how frequently you experience outbreaks, and how intense they are. Let's take a look at some of the best and worst features of this particular product. The more you know about what it can do, the easier it will be to decide if it's the right solution for you.

Pros:

All-natural ingredients

Gluten free, vegan, and nut free

Can be taken safely as a daily supplement

Reduces the frequency and intensity of cold sore outbreaks

Helps to boost your immune system naturally

Cons:

May not be necessary for people who only experience flare-ups periodically

Won't provide instant relief of symptoms like a topical numbing agent

This is one of the best formulas you can find for cold sores that don't require a prescription or a visit to the doctor. But, it may be a good idea to think of it as a type of prescription. That's because it will likely be a better solution for people who struggle with cold sores regularly. If you only get them once in awhile, you may not find these supplements to be worthwhile.

Should I Use Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula?

Anyone can use [easyazon_link identifier="B01COJFHGG" locale="US" tag="coldsorescured-20"]Herp Rescue Immune Support Formula[/easyazon_link] safely. It contains all-natural ingredients and is safe for most dietary restrictions. If you want to take it as a daily supplement, it can reduce your risk of cold sores. It will help to give your immune system a boost in the process. Additionally, it contains several vitamins and nutrients that can help your body in other ways.

But, you'll likely see more success from the product if you're someone who gets a lot of cold sore outbreaks. It can be fairly expensive to use as a daily supplement for overall health, otherwise.

However, if you do suffer from cold sores often, it's a great way to keep them under control and take control of your life once more. The company advertises it as a way to take back your social life, start dating, etc. No matter the reason you want to control outbreaks, Herp Rescue can help. It's one of the safest and most natural ways to do so.

We hope this article has been especially helpful for you. It can be difficult to decide whether or not a supplement is right for certain health conditions. But, when it is made with natural ingredients like Herp Rescue, you can take confidence knowing how safe and effective it truly is.

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Our Verdict

[usrlist Convenience:5 Speed:4.5 Protection:4.5 Recovery:4.5 Value:4 avg="true"]