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im-in-vin-ci-ble · 4 years ago

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Bestieee~ This is long but can I request a Mark x fem reader where he’s dating eve and readers a strong solo hero who happens to catch his eye after finding out she works with cecil and they officially meet when Cecil sends her out to help Atom eve and Mark with a villain and after instead of helping his gf he introduces himself to reader and gets all nervous and she finds and calls him really cute so she asks if he’s taken and he says no and she tells him to give her a call if they ever wanna go out together, eve asks what was that about (she didn’t hear the convo) he says nothing and they go home and sooner or later reader and mark hook up leading to them falling for each and catching feelings and one day they took it to the next level and it’s was very heated and they end up confessing and having another heated make out session only for eve to come and find them in the act and she’s heartbroken and argues with Mark infront of reader, eventually eve storms out but mark doesn’t go after her he apologizes to reader that he lied and she’s okay with it and they stay together

(It can be as explicit as you want and can Marks parents really adore reader and they also go to the same school, I’m sorry this is so long 🥲)

A/N: omg hey bestie so sorry this took a while! this was loooooong and is the last request in my inbox before Love They Neighbour 2!

Pairing: Mark Grayson x Fem!Reader

Rating: Explicit AF

Warnings: smut!! on!! smut!! cheating, swearing, angst, etc

Summary: You captivated Mark the moment you swooped in to help, but he should have been more honest with you before things got intense.

As you landed the final hit on the last Mauler twin standing, you watched as he fell on the pavement and created a crater around his gigantic blue being. You let out a sigh of exhaustion when your feet touched back on the ground, relieved that it was done and over with.

"Excuse me?"

You turned around and saw Invincible hovering towards you, his blue and yellow suit tarnished from the action.

"Hi, sorry, I should have introduced myself before I jumped in," you said, walking to where he landed. "Cecil sent me here."

"Oh... so you, uh, work for the GDA," he replied feebly.

"I do, just started actually," you informed him.

"That was..." he pointed at the knocked out Mauler twin, "that was a nice blow."

You crossed your brows, "I'm sorry?"

"Sorry! No! I meant... I meant..." he stuttered. "Like that was... t-that was a good... hit! A good hit!" Mortified, he placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head, and you could swear there was a tinge of pink creeping up on his cheeks.

You laughed at the boy, who is one of the strongest people on this planet, as he fell apart in front of you. "Thank you," you simply replied, keeping it short to keep him from feeling more embarrassed. "Anyway, I should report back—"

"I'm Invincible," he cut you off, reaching his hand out.

You looked down at his hand that was trembling, then back up to his face that still had that smile on. "I'm Y/N," you replied with your superhero name, shaking his hand slowly.

"Shit, I just realized I cut you off," he suddenly said, placing his hand on his forehead again. "I was gonna say thank you for helping Atom Eve and I out with the twins but I just got so caught up in my own thoughts that I..." he trailed off, "that I started rambling. Shit, sorry."

"Don't worry about it," you responded with an audible giggle, "I'll let it pass because you're cute."

His lips formed into a wide smile, "You... You think I'm cute?"

"I do," you nodded, biting your lower lip. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"No!" he exclaimed almost immediately. "No, no, I... I'm not."

"Well do you maybe wanna go out some time?" you asked. "Our dating pool is quite limited and I think you're probably the best catch out there right now."

"I-I would love to," he stammered as he fumbled to get his phone, which is miraculously still in tact, out of his pocket. "Give me your number, I'll text you!"

As you typed your phone number on the screen, you looked up at his face that was beaming with so much excitement, his mask could have melted off. You swiftly returned his phone and winked, "Call me," and you flew off — that was a good exit.

His eyes followed you as you zoomed away, and his head began thinking of all the things he can/should say in his first text to you.

"Mark," a female voice broke his daydream, "what was that all about?"

He turned around and saw Eve, his girlfriend, standing there with an unsuspicious look on her face. "Nothing," he lied, clearing his throat. "Let's go home, I'm ready to just lay on my bed."

— — —

After going out on two (secret) study dates together, Mark finally accepted that he was in deep shit. He paced around his bedroom as he waited for you to come in through the window, internally panicking at two things: one, that he's catching real feelings for you and two, that Eve will find out.

"I can't lie to Eve forever, she'll know something's up," he mumbled to himself as he walked back and forth.

A soft gust of wind caught his attention and he looked up to see you gently closing his bedroom window. You cheerfully greeted him but the smile on your face quickly disappeared upon seeing the worried look on his.

"Is everything okay?" you asked.

"Yeah, I'm just, um..." he trailed off, looking up at the ceiling, "stressed about art class."

"Well I don't know how your class does it but it sounds like they're really giving you guys a tough time out there," you replied, moving close enough to him to wrap your arms around his neck.

He responded by placing his arms around your waist and pulling you closer. "It's a killer," he lied.

"Well you look like you need a stress reliever," you said in a low voice, leaning in to give him gentle kisses on the neck. "And I think I know just the thing," you added in a whisper.

Your lips on his neck sent shots of electricity up Mark's spine and his grip around your waist tightened. He used one hand to move your face back up across his and he immediately began kissing you, each one more deeper and more passionate than the last. He guided the both of you to his bed where you landed in synchronicity, and his hands were quick to pull up your shirt and unbutton your shorts.

"Mark, hey," you pulled away. "Are you okay?"

He took a deep breath, "Mmhm, I just need you right now."

The redness and look of restraint in his face was, admittedly, driving you crazy too; you resumed kissing him and proceeded to take off his clothes — which were luckily just a T-shirt and shorts — and his hand moved up and down your back until he decided to unhook your bra. He pulled away from your lips and dived down to your chest, sucking on your perky nipples as his one hand rubbed circles over your damp center. He was sending you into a frenzy and when you finally found the strength to speak, it was just his name.

"I need you right now," he repeated as he placed himself on top of you and stripped you of your last article of clothing.

Mark reached over to his bedside table and rolled down a condom in what seemed like mere seconds. Lining himself up to your entrance, you caught a glimpse of his throbbing cock as he fully slid himself inside you. A low moan escaped from both your lips while you adjusted to his length, and he slowly began picking up a rhythm and a steady pace. He leaned down and gave you a sloppy kiss as he moved with more force and speed, his fingers tangling with yours while you both lost yourself to each other.

"I need you," he moaned, "I need you right now."

You kissed him once more and replied breathily, "I'm right here. Fuck, Mark, I'm right here."

Keeping his forehead against yours and his speed and strength building up, he said the two words that brought you crumbling:

"Cum. Now."

The force, the rhythm, and the authority in his voice pushed you over edge. Your thighs tensed then weakened as you entered a whole new state of euphoria, and your soft moans together in the air sounded like a warm, harmonic song. Mark felt himself let go inside you and his pace slowed down to sporadic thrusts until he rolled over next to you, the both of you panting from all the emotions.

"Holy fuck," you said shakily. "That was..."

"Insane," he finished for you as he pulled the condom away and threw it to what he hoped was his trash bin.

"Mmhm," you whispered before turning your head to look at him.

You watched as Mark caught his breath, his sweaty and toned chest moving up and down. He extended his arm above you and you scooted closer, resting your head on his shoulder and placing your hand on his heaving his chest. You laid there in silence, the only audible noise being the humming of the air-conditioner.

"Y/N, I need to tell you something," Mark finally said.

"Yes?" you asked, tracing circles on his chest with your fingertip.

"I don't know how to say it," he started. "So I'm just going to. Don't freak out, please. And if you do, will you let me know so I can—"

"Mark," you cut him off, "just tell me."

He took a deep breath, "I think I'm falling in love with you."

"Really?" you giggled.

"Yeah, really," he replied. "It's cool if you don't... you know, feel the same way or whatever."

You chuckled and planted a tender kiss on his lips. "I feel too, you know," you said. "But I'm glad you said it first."

"Why?" he asked with a smile.

"Because," you shrugged. "If somebody asks, I can tell them you were the first one to break."

Mark laughed and began attacking you with kisses — on your neck, your cheeks, you forehead, your ears, your nose, anywhere he could plant one. You giggled as you tried to get away, feigning weakness while you enjoyed the moment. He finally managed to land a long one your lips, and that one kiss re-energized the heat you were just feeling earlier. His one hand gently cusped your breasts in turns, and you retaliated by rolling on top of him and moving his hands down to your ass. You moaned as Mark gave you a gentle squeeze, and he guided your hips to slowly move against him.

"God, I need you so bad," he said in between kisses.

"I'm all yours, baby," you responded quietly. "All yours, alw—"

"Mark?"

His focus shattered as that familiar voice rang in his ear. You quickly rolled off him, covering yourself with the blanket and looking up at a hovering Eve. Mark grabbed his shorts and quickly put them back on before walking towards Eve, extending his arms out in an attempt to keep her calm.

"Eve, before you say anything—"

"I can't believe you!" she yelled, the tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "I can't believe you would do this to me! I trusted you! I trusted her!" she added, pointing at you.

"Eve, she didn't know. Leave her out of this," Mark replied sternly, lowering his arms. "This is between you and me."

She slowly landed back down on the floor but didn't move a step; Eve was paralyzed with anger and sadness, bu mostly the former. "Why?"

"Look, Eve," he turned to look at you and returned his attention to his sobbing girlfriend. "I'm sorry I lied to you. But the truth is I just... I just stopped loving you. I haven't... loved you for a while now."

"And you couldn't be honest with me?" she asked.

"No, I couldn't," Mark answered, "and I'm sorry you had to find out this way. This is on me, okay?"

Eve sniffled, "Why did you stop loving me?"

"All we did was fight, Eve," he sighed, "all we did was fight and yell at each other until we got so tired of yelling, we'd just fall asleep. Then the next morning it's like nothing happened."

She sniffled and shook her head, still refusing to believe this was happening.

"We never solved anything. We never apologized to each other. It's like we were just staying together for the sake of it, or so that no one in the team could shit on us if we broke up," Mark added. "I'm sorry, Eve. I never meant for it to play out like this."

Eve looked up at him with a stone face, her eyes red and puffy. "I'm gonna fly out of that window, And if you don't follow, it means that you don't wanna solve this," she said, sniffling and pointing at his open bedroom window. "Make your choice, Mark."

He watched as he left her bedroom, the soft gust of wind flipping some of his comic books open. Mark walked towards the window and stared at Eve, who was now flying further and further away. When he could no longer see her silhouette in the sky, he shut his window.

"Mark, aren't you...?"

"No," he shook his head, "I didn't mean for this but I meant what I said to Eve."

He turned around and sat on the edge of the bed, keeping his eyes glued to the floor. "Y/N, I owe you an apology too," he sighed. "I should have told you about Eve. I should have broken it off with her before I started anything with you."

"Mark..."

He finally looked up at you, "I'm sorry, Y/N. I didn't want you to get caught in the middle of this." He sighed again, "I understand if you want to go and never talk to me again because I'm a total piece of shit. But please know I didn't want this to happen."

You sat there and stared at him — Invincible didn't look so invincible right now; he was ashamed and angry at himself. The teenage boy arrogantly flying through the skies like it was no big deal was sitting across you, defeated from the stupid decisions he admittedly made. There was a mixture of fear and embarrassment and sadness and guilt in his eyes, and he was ready for you to just get dressed and leave.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"W... What?"

You shook your head and moved next to him, keeping the blanket over your chest. "I forgive you," you explained to him. "What you did was shitty, yeah, but we all make mistakes. I know I've made my fair share."

"But this was a really big mistake," he said.

"I know," you replied, "but at least you can admit to it and learn from it."

He sighed, "You know, I meant what I said to you earlier... about me... you know, falling in love with you."

"I believe you, and I meant it too.”

You lied back down on the bed and patted the empty space next to you. Mark took up your offer and wrapped you in his arms, his nose buried in your hair as he kept you close to him.

“I promise I will never hurt you like this,” he whispered.

“I know.”

#damn dawg i needa shower after this #weeeeeew #lots of smut and angst #mark grayson x reader #invincible x reader #invincible fanfiction #invincible fanfic

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lifeinsillypictures · 5 years ago

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I’m a person who needs to spend some time on my own every single day. No, I don't only need, I crave for it. Just sit in silence. Or listen to the piano music. Look in the window. Or keep my eyes shut. Drink coffee or tea. Talk to myself loudly. Make a facial mask and take a hot shower. Read a book. Or observe my ceilings. Bake muffins. Or lay on my bed. Dance or sing. Or cry and scream. Be sad, be happy, be nervous, be excited, be tired… Be on my own. Absolutely alone. Without people, without social media, without responding to messages, without conversations, without news. Just me and me. I want to think about my important stuff, I want to clean my head a little bit, I want to re-energize, I want the world to stop running for some short period of time.

From time to time, I have such a strange, but strong feeling that people around me steal a little piece of my soul and don’t return it back or return it, but in a distorted form. Gradually, I become more and more empty and then suddenly I understand that I have nothing for me, I have nothing to give because I’m full of other’s feelings and emotions that can be both positive and negative, but that are not mine at all, and I need to take them away from my head, my body and my soul in order to start breathing fully again. I love people, each of my friends and acquaintances are so wonderful and unique and I’m grateful I have them, news, gossips, talks are so interesting and I love to find out something new, but sometimes I’m overwhelmed with all of the information that I can’t even express what I feel, think, need, what I want after all.

I have and know my boundaries, I need time to calm down and ponder, I want to understand my own feelings, my attitude, my thoughts, I want to understand myself. That’s why, each day a little period of time I spend with myself, because I love myself.

Spending time on your own, without doing anything productive, without important news and messages, without rush, is absolutely normal. Not everyday, but once per two days, or per week. Just you and no other soul around.

Being on your own is a sigh of self-love.

p.s. and, no, you’re not right, I do not hate people as you can think. I just don't hate myself.

#note to self #self love #self care #eating disoder recovery #anxienty

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deerestapologies · 4 years ago

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5 times you called him by a pet name + one time he called you by a pet name

(Diluc + Zhongli x GN!Reader)

Diluc

1. "Oh, hey hon." You greet mildly.

The candles have begun burning a bit low, the long shadows making his pout even more obvious.

"I apologize, I was held up for longer than anticipated."

He produces a small bouquet from his coat, a cluster of wildflowers, and approaches like he's about to give an offering instead of a gift. He kneels by your chair, face stoic as usual, but you can see the worry and shame in his eyes.

You twirl the stems to absorb their delicate scent, and then carefully drop them in your water glass. You cup his face in your hands, and press a kiss to his brow.

"It's okay." You kiss his brow again, "I am not mad." You kiss his nose. "I am hungry though."

You laugh lightly at his rush to sit across from you. An evening eating cold roast was worth being able to spend it with him.

2. "I understand your frustration, but perhaps we had best move on." You place a hand on his crossed arms.

"Their behavior was unacceptable, especially for those who would call themselves knights."

The stubborn clench of his jaw tells you just how angry he is. The idiots were lucky to have only gotten the verbal bludgeoning earlier instead of the literal one he wanted to dish out.

"Yes, but you've already made them apologize, and they do seem repentant," the fool knights in training nod frantically, "so why not leave this mess for Kaeya, darling?"

He sighs, but loosens his posture to wrap a protective arm around you. The hell the Knights were going to catch for this was still to come, but at least no one lost any limbs. Yet.

3. Tucked into your pile of pillows, book in hand, you waited as you do most nights. Diluc had a late meeting scheduled after dinner, but he promised it was truly to do with the winery and not of the vigilante variety.

So you bide your time, until you hear his heavy boots come up the stairs.

"I'm home." He calls softly.

"Welcome back." You say just as softly.

He goes through the motions of undressing, refreshing himself, and redressing without missing a beat, but his posture seems wilted. You mark your page, and turn over the blanket for him.

"How did it go?"

He heaves a deep sigh, and crawls over to you. Pulling you close, he lays his head on your chest but doesn't say another word.

"Oh, sweetness." You embrace him, one hand holding his face and the other in his hair. "It's okay. I've got you."

4. You lengthen your steps, but the increased pace doesn't seem to deter the boy following you. He isn't dangerous per se, but his persistence is damned annoying.

"But, if you'll just listen," he jogs back up to your side, "I just need your help for a little while!"

"I am neither a Knight nor an Adventurer," you cut him off with a sharp wave of your hand, "And you have nothing I want. Now leave me be."

He sputters, "M-master Diluc said-"

As if he's had his tongue plucked out, he suddenly stops talking.

You turn around only to find Diluc himself, a stifling hand on the kid's shoulder. His face is a stoic mask as always, but his energy is thunderous.

"I agreed to help you out of deference to your mother, but you," You see the boy wince as the hand tightens, "failed to listen to a word I said. Harassing my staff and my partner has only earned you banishment from all of my properties. Now go, before I report you to the Knights as well."

You both stand stock still as the boy sprints from the winery back to Mondstadt proper.

"Your going to report him anyways, right?" You mumble, after he is just a speck on the horizon.

"Of course," He finally relaxes his stance to look at you, "Though I doubt Jean will be happy about it."

Your chuckle, already imagining her face when the letter reaches her desk. Heaving a sigh, just grateful for the problem to have moved on, you grab Diluc's hand.

"Thank you," You pull him into a tight hug, "for protecting me as always, angel."

5. You gently rap on the door frame to his office. He looks up from his work just long enough to give you a soft smile.

"I was wondering," You lean against the frame, avoiding actually entering lest you get sucked in as well, "If my dear husband was going to come to bed tonight?"

The bright lamp on his desk means you see his blush even from across the room. He huffs an embarrassed laugh, but starts shuffling paperwork into orderly piles.

"I hadn't realized the time, my apologies."

You hum, "It is understandable. But I cannot rest if you are not in bed with me."

You watch as he tucks away his tools, pulls his gloves off, and undoes the tie in his hair, all with a much to pleased smirk on his face.

He pulls you into a delicate, lingering kiss with a hand on your neck. The warmth of his skin makes you shiver. You lean into him, letting him wrap you in his arms.

He chuckles, "Well, I would hate to neglect my husbandly duties."

1. The lingering warmth from your bath and the softness of the sheets has you dozing in minutes. You toss a hand onto Diluc's side of the bed, wanting to be present when he comes to bed as well but the ache of a long day is catching up to you.

After several moments you feel a calloused hand grasp your own. You are too tired to properly see, but feel the dip as he climbs into bed.

Still holding your hand in a delicate grip, he presses a kiss to your palm, and then your cheek.

"Sleep, my love, I am here."

Zhongli

1. Zhongli re-enters the house not even ten minutes after leaving. He is patting down his jacket and looking about the entryway in wonder, and you can't help but chuckle.

"Forget something?"

"Yes," he plants his hands on his hips, "I can't seem to find my wallet. I could have sworn I remembered it this time."

You get up from where you were leisurely awaiting his return, and snag the 'disappearing' wallet from where he left it on the table.

"Not quite, old man." You wave it, teasing.

"Ah, of course."

Tucking it into the pocket of his jacket, you tug him closer to plant a kiss on his flushed cheek.

"My apologies, it seems I was a bit distracted this morning."

He tucks a piece of hair away from your face, gaze so blatantly loving you can't help but crash your lips against his. Damn whatever appointment he may have, he shouldn't be so handsome in your direction.

2. It is not every day you wake up before him, so you try to make the most of it. You prepare his clothes for the day, just so you can pick out your favorite of his shirts. You start a light breakfast, and brew an energizing blend of tea for both of your sake.

You spend some time simply waiting at the table, content to sip your tea and watch the morning birds.

When the soft shuffle of feet brings Zhongli into the kitchen, you stand up. He is mostly dressed, minus his tie and shoes, jacket loose around his shoulders.

You steer him to the table, and press a kiss to his cheek when seated.

He hums contentedly, still a bit sleepy, "Good morning."

You pour him a cup of tea as well, and his smile grows a bit wider. He tilts his head up, "Thank you."

You meet him half way, pressing a firm kiss to his mouth, "Of course dearest. Do you have anything pressing today?"

A hand comes to rest on your hip, preventing you from moving back to your seat.

"No, nothing more important than this."

3. Squished between the mattress and the press of his body, you couldn't imagine being more content. The warmth, the scent, the feel of his breath ghosting across your skin.

You run a reverent hand through his hair, spread loose over his back. It seems impossible for you to be this happy, like you would only read about in unrealistic fantasies.

Amber eyes are already watching you, when you open yours. His gaze is soft, unbearably so, so you look at the ceiling.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

He answers it so easily, as if it is among the many universal truths that exist in his head.

"You must understand," You wet your nervous mouth, "I mean it. Truly, I love you."

You feel his head tilt in confusion, but power on, emotions spilling.

"You are my starlight. My life would be unimaginably dark without you. I am scared constantly by the sway you have over me, but I cannot stand the idea of living without you. I want be here with you, forever, no matter the cost."

You squeeze your eyes shut against the flood of tears that threaten to spill, waiting for his polite retreat. His body lifts off yours and you pull a shuddering breath in, unused to laying yourself bare in this way. He could end you now, destroy you by just walking away.

But you feel tremoring hands grasp your face, almost too tightly. He doesn't say a word, can't, but presses his forehead to yours.

4. "Zhongli?" You call into the empty hum of the parlor, hoping it will carry to his office. It's not far, but he gets absorbed in his work easily.

You lean out the door a bit, and try to project your voice more, "Hey, honey?"

The door to his office clicks open, and his head pokes out. "Do you need assistance?"

"Yes, please," you adjust the pile of books in your arms, "Would you mind grabbing this other pile? A client requested reference material from just about every era, and I don't think I have the wing span to carry all of it."

He presses a quick kiss to your head, and scoops up the remaining books with no problem.

"Of course, would you like me to relieve you of those as well?"

"Not a chance, show off, you're gonna have to deal with the doors."

As if to prove your point, he balances the stack in one hand to hold the front door open for you, smile only slightly smug.

5. Given how busy your lives were, and his propensity for letting time fly, you figured he would forget again. It would not be the first anniversary he forgot, and you imagine it wouldn't be the last.

It's not like you could hold it against him, especially not when he was so earnest and loving all year round.

So your surprise was genuine when he led you, dressed in his best, to a private booth at Liuli Pavilion.

The food was made by the head chef, as a show of gratitude for Zhongli's long patronage (you send a quiet thank you to Childe), and the service superb. The evening is relatively quiet, you converse as normal but with the additional soppiness that comes from acknowledging romance.

You are especially glad for the privacy when you cannot help but practically ravish the man over the table, his face being too handsome to bear just looking at.

Shortly after, he looks at you with burning eyes, and finally says, "I am quite full. Perhaps we should head home."

"That sounds perfect."

You continue to stare, sappy and sated, as he blindly pats at his pockets, equally unwilling to look away.

After several moments, it dawns on you, and then immediately on him.

You can't help it. You laugh. Hysterically, because no matter what Zhongli is Zhongli.

He's standing now, flustered like you've never seen, pacing the room as if his wallet would be anywhere but the table at home.

"This was not my intent." He huffs, "I had planned the evening meticulously."

"And it was lovely," You choke back another laugh, "But, sugar, you are not living this down for the rest of our lives!"

You are laughing as you pull out your own wallet, giggling uncontrollably as you hand over all the money on your person, and can barely walk you're so light headed when he leads you out the door.

He doesn't once let you go, from the pavilion's steps to your front door. Indulgent to the end, your man.

1. It is always a pleasant surprise when your errands overlap. Working nearly in conjunction makes it happen quite often, but still, it makes your day brighter.

You have just finishing bartering your lunch into existence when you spot Zhongli headed your way. Quickly, you slip the chef a few more mora to add another dish.

He is at your side in an instant, bringing your hand to his lips in that coquettish way he has.

"There you are," he lowers your hand but does not drop it, "I've been looking for you, treasure."

You twine your fingers together, relishing the warmth. You snug up to his side, taking the liberty of placing his hand on your hip just to see him blush.

"Have you now?"

"Always."

#genshin x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin diluc #genshin zhongli #(the chef after zhongli +1: excuse me this is a wendys)#an informal apology

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ikemen-girl · 4 years ago

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Hellooo Sumi-chan~ I'm back again (with no shame) xDDDD. I hope you don't get bored seeing my request in your ask box x"D

My birthday is coming up, so... may I indulge myself with asking you a HC of Mitsuhide celebrating his loved one's birthday? (◕ᴗ◕✿) Whether it's on Sengoku (canonical) universe or modern AU, it's up to you!

Thank you for taking up my request until now! You're absolutely wonderful! ❤️❤️❤️ Take care and have a good day~! 🍀✨

OH WOW😍😍😍😍❤❤! WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR @ashavazesa 💃💃💛💛🍫🍫✨✨😘😘😍😍! I am extremely sorry for being late😭😭🥺🥺🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️, I got loaded with assignments📚🤦🏻‍♀️😂😂, please forgive me for the wait🙇🏻‍♀️💗! Awwww, thank you so much❤❤🙈🙈! I You are talented as well💯💯✨✨😍😍! Since, it's your birthday, I am going to use your name especially in this HC😉. I am choosing Sengoku universe as Birthday HC feels empty without the presence of funny warlords🤣🤣❤❤💯💯! So hereee weeee goooo💃💃!

IKESEN HEADCANON 💗⚔:

MITSUHIDE CELEBRATING YOUR BIRTHDAY🎉🎂🎊✨:

Mitsuhide loved you so much❤😘, you were the bright sun🌞 of happiness & love in his life💞, he always regretted staying away from you due to his long missions😔 which is also very important for the future of the country🇯🇵.

You also knew that he often got troubled due to this thought of unable to spend more time with you☹ so you used to gently ease all his worries by sitting on his lap💗😍, embracing him into your warm hug 🤗💛while he wrote his hundred of letters✉.

A NIGHT BEFORE YOUR BIRTHDAY:

Mitsuhide was as usual working on his table, writing letters into late night✍, when you were keeping him company while doing your commission work on the other side of room😊. Mitsuhide kept glancing at you from time to time when you were busy concentrating into your work✍👀. Oh the way his heart ached thinking he couldn't drop his work 😞 & enveloped you in his arms tightly and never let go🤗 as he had to complete his loads of work or else he would not be able to spend your special day💗 with you which he can never let it happen, BIG NO🙅🏻‍♂️! He sighed internally to himself😕. You suddenly dropped your work👀 and went towards him and settle down yourself on his lap and enveloped him in your warmth🤗💗.

"Hmmm, what's wrong Asha😁? Did my little mouse missed me so much👀🐭💗?", he said with a soft chuckle writing his letter while holding you close to him with his other arm🤗💗, already wanting to drop his letters and focus his attention solely on you😘💗. You could see the exhaustion clearly on his face😅. "I should ask you the same question but I missed hugging you like this, yes🤗💗!", you said with a soft smile. "Oh my!", Mitsuhide chuckled and patted your head with his other hand happily🥰.

"You have been secretly stealing glances at me👀 & frowning🙁 since I don't know how long so I knew you were missing me & I know that your work is very important as your hands didn't stopped for a moment since you entered this room✍ so I don't want to stop doing your work but atleast I also don't want you to feel alone💗 or exhausted which is the reason I am hugging you so that you can feel at ease🤗 & don't miss me so much😂 but I also get to share your pleasant warmth😍❤!", you said nuzzling into his chest.

His heart thumps loudly in his chest hearing your words 😲 *badump*💓 *badump*💓 *badump*💓. Only you can make his heart race this way, sometimes you surprise him so much with your capability of reading his face through his kitsune mask even when he is not aware of it himself😳🤐. He cleared his throat, "My dear little one, what about your work, is it done😏?", Mitsuhide asked gently looking at you. "Hmmm, it can wait😎! I want to keep staying in your warmth, it feels so relaxing & I feel so safe in your arms😍🤗💗!", you said with such a relaxed & happy smile which melted most of his exhaustion away and re-energized him so much🥰💁🏻‍♂️.

"You are a miracle in my life, my dear Asha✨😘!", Mitsuhide said kissing you gently on your lips. "Stop it🙈❤!", you said blushing & hugging him tighter🤗, the tip of your ears bright red😳. "Heh😏! So amusing😆!", Mitsuhide chuckled and continued doing his work while stroking your hair gently, feeling refreshed🥰. After a while when his work was finally completed, he looks down to found you sleeping with a very happy expression😴💗. Trust me, if his heart was racing before💓, it has gone out of control now seeing your sleeping face😴, your arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, your soft breathing tickling him a little😳, "So cute😍😘, fufufufu😂💗", said Mitsuhide gently laughing while he kissed the top of your head again😘 *NOPE, he is definitely not blushing* and carried you princess-style to the bed & got a very good night rest cuddling with you in his arms🤗😴.

NEXT MORNING:

You woke up from the soft kiss on your cheek😘💗 and caress on your hair. "Mitsuhide☺️", you murmured sleepily rubbing your eyes while he looks at you with a very fond and loving gaze combined with a soft smile on his face😍💗✨. He chuckled softly looking at your adorable & curious expression😂.

"Wishing you a very happy birthday, my dearest Asha💗😍🥰❤😘!", he said kissing you on your forehead and wrist😘 which makes your cheeks burn with happiness😳❤ and heart thumping loudly in your chest💓. "Thank you so much❤🙈!", you said hiding your face behind your palms & hugging him🤗. "Oh my little mouse🐭💗, you made my heart ache by hiding yourself from me😂😏!", he said while trying to remove your hands from your face gently, smirking at you. "I am not hiding from you🙈🏃🏻‍♀️!", you said trying to get away from him. "Your actions tell me the opposite😏😂!", Mitsuhide said as he caught you in his arms as you both playfully roll over each other, laughing happily🤣💗😍. Finally you rested yourself over him, hearing his heartbeat was the best music for you💓🎶 while Mitsuhide wrapped his hand around your back and other cradling your head gently🥰❤. You smiled giddily in his arms🥰. "You remembered my birthday😲? I thought you must have forgetten😏!", you asked. "My😏, how can I forget the day when the most precious love of my life came in this world🥰❤😘😍🤗😇?", he replied with a very grateful and happy tone. You kissed him on his cheek in answer, "I love you❤😘!". "I love you too, my sweetest Asha🥰💗!", said Mitsuhide with a gentle smile.

"Today, I warn you that I will follow you everywhere like I used to do when you were under my watch in early days😏😎😂!", said Mitsuhide smirking at you. "YOU ARE ON LEAVE TODAY😱?!", you exclaimed loudly with excitement🤩. Cue: Error in Mitsuhide's hearing👂🏻. "Yes, my dear Asha, I would hate to leave you alone on this special day😏💗😍😘!", said Mitsuhide laughed rubbing his ear😂. "Thank you, thank you, thank youuuu sooooo much😘❤😍💗🤗😇!", you said hugging him again, almost jumping with excitement while he hugged you back with the same smile on his face🥰❤. "So, Mitsuhide, I, Asha, your dearest little mouse🐭 order you to follow me everywhere today!", you said clearing your throat and mimicking the haughty tone of Nobunaga😏😎. Mitsuhide's smirk grew wide😏 as he bow down before you🙇🏻‍♂️, "As you wish, my dear👸🏻💗!", you both burst out laughing together🤣💯.

"I am going to take a bath quickly now so we can enjoy the day together🚿!", you said giggling😂, eyes shining with excitement🤩😂. "May I join you😏?", Mitsuhide asked with a teasing tone bending down to match your height, looking into your eyes👀 with his handsome smile😏. Cue you: ERROR 404, brain not working😳🤯. "Damn it, not again, Mitsuhide😳🙈💗!", you blushed furiously while running out of your room. "How adorable🤣💗😏!", Mitsuhide laughs again.

When you both get ready for the day, Mitsuhide sit behind you and comb your hair with a huge smile on his face😍💗 while you were trying to keep the blush off from your cheeks seeing the genuine happiness on his face😳❤. It reminded you of the days before your infiltration adventure together for the first time as fake husband & wife😂❤. You let out a smile of nostalgia🥰, your heart was thumping loudly in your chest💓 while his massage felt so good💆🏻‍♀️, you couldn't restrain your sighs of pleasure😌❤. Cue Mitsuhide trying to stifle his laughter and equally enjoying your reactions🤭😍💗. "Don't you dare😳😠!", you said with a deep blush on your face. "Okay, okay, little one😂😍😂!", Mitsuhide said with a huge smile on his face. He did your hair💆🏻‍♀️ and makeup💄 for the day still your face gave such a radiant glow🥰, you were looking so beautiful💃 that even he got awestruck😳💓. Trust me when I say that Mitsuhide is expert in making you beautiful & relaxed so much more than the modern era beauticians💯😏😎. He would finally finish your look with his bellflower hairpin on your hair and looked at you with a satisfied smirk😏 before kissing your forehead gently😘💗😍.

"To see that you don't run away from me, give me your pinky finger🤙🏻😏❤", Mitsuhide said with a kitsune smile🙂. "Hm? What are you planning again🤔😏?", you asked confused but still went along with it🤷🏻‍♀️. He tied a red string on your little finger and tied the other end of the thread on his little finger🔴🧵 and smirks at you😏. "Ohhh, youuuu😲, I will not run away but still, this seems fun😂!", you said giggling. "That's my little girl, Asha😎💗!", Mitsuhide patted your hair and it felt so good, if you were a dog, Mitsuhide could legit see you were wagging your tail🐶💗.

You dragged him down holding his long scarf and pouted at him☹. "Oh my bold little one😏💗, what do you want🤔😏❤?", Mitsuhide smirked. "Hmph🙍🏻‍♀️!", you turned your back at him. Mitsuhide chuckled and drew you close in his arms😂🤗💗. "Don't be angry little one, okay, show me your cute face🥰😘😏", Mitsuhide whispered in your ears. He cupped your cheeks gently in his hands and leaned close towards your lips👄 and you closed your eyes expecting his kiss😌. "Milord, I-", Kyubei entered and froze with this face-> 👁👄👁, Mitsuhide-🤦🏻‍♂️ & Asha-Gah😱. "Nevermind me, the weather is very beautiful for romance so please continue😏💗, also wishing you a very happy birthday, Milady💗😇!", said Kyubei as he slides the door back closed🚪. "Was that a smirk on his face😳? But nooo, wait, Kyubei, it's not😱😳-", you said as you tried to follow but dragged back with the string on your finger😳. "Oh my, you hurt my feelings💗😏", Mitsuhide said with his foxy smile and before you could say anything else, he gave you the most tender yet passionate kiss💏 which made your mind went blank😳. "How was it😏? Fufufufu-😂", Mitsuhide smirked, chuckling at you. "Great, I guess🙈💯🤷🏻‍♀️😏?", you blushed and acted high. "Hoooh~😏💗😘🤗", said Mitsuhide as he nuzzled your cheek. You both would play with your dear pet fox, Chimaki and cuddle with her for a while together💗🦊😍😘🤗.

You two went outside the room to greet other warlords for the day💗😏🥰🤝🏻 and when you both were walking down the hallways with your fingers tied with each other in between, every maid & vassals were giggling🤭💗 & blushing🙈 seeing you both together happily😂🥰, everyone wishing you good health & happiness😇💗💯 on your birthday along the way with Mitsuhide sticking by your side with his kitsune smile😏💗. Kyubei be like- You are doing great, Milord😉👏🏻! Not you too, Kyubei👁👄👁! "You are soooo close, everyone are looking at us🤨😳!", you said to him. "Oh my😏! Sorry dear, I can't fulfill yout request as you ordered me😏❤!", Mitsuhide smirked. "Damn it🤦🏻‍♀️!", you slapped your forehead and giggled😂💗.

"Lord Mitsuhide, you love our kind & beautiful chatelaine very much, don't you😏❤🤭? Princess, see the way, he is following you all around👀❤, you both are so adorable👫🏻!", said one maid happily🥰. "Obviously, that's not even a question, she is the queen of my heart👸🏻💗 and she will guide my path with her light💛🌞✨ & bless me with her love forever❤💯, don't you, my dear🥰?", said Mitsuhide looking at you with a very soft smile. Your mask is breaking sneki boi🗣! "Uh...Uhmm....Yes...🤐😳🙈", you went speechless seeing his love for you and tried to run away but wrong move as you landed on his sturdy chest because of the string🤗. Cue you both staring deep into each other eyes👀💗. LOUD HAPPY & SHOCKED GASPS ALL AROUND😱💗😍👏 from all vassals & maids.

There was a loud whistle which broke their trance😚 and yes, it came from our one-eyed dragon, Masamune😎, "This is so awesome!". "Geez, get a room, will you🤦🏻‍♂️?", said Ieyasu grumpily but with a fond look in his eyes😊. Don't lie, you are definitely interested in watching a romance, I can see it, Ieyasu👁👄👁. "Oh my😏!", Mitsuhide smirked. You blushed seeing all eyes on you & Mitsuhide👀❤. "Oi Mitsuhide, you better make her happy today🙍🏻‍♂️!", said Hideyoshi frowning at him. "You don't need to worry, mother hen😏!", said Mitsuhide with a smirk. "Who is your mother--🗣" "Hideyoshi, let them enjoy their day off together😏, Mitsuhide, you are ordered to make her happy💗 & give all your love to her today😏❤!", said Nobunaga with a proud smirk of his own. You could definitely see the amusement in Nobunaga's eyes😏👀❤ as your cheeks went red seeing his huge grin😳. "Obviously, Milord😏🙇🏻‍♂️!", said Mitsuhide bowing down with a smirk. "Do enjoy your day together, Asha-san, Mitsuhide-san😇❤😍✨!", said Mitsunari with his angelic smile. "They will even without you telling them😒💢", commented Ieyasu. "Ieyasu, be nice--🗣", Hideyoshi scolded him. "Tch😒!" "Yes💯😏! But do return right after the sunset🌅, as we are holding a birthday feast for our dear & awesome lass👸🏻💯❤! Don't be late😏!", said Masamune with his tiger-like grin🐯😁. You both nodded happily at your best friends as you waved them goodbye❤😏🥰👫. All the warlords were grinning including Hideyoshi and Ieyasu seeing the string that attached you both to each other😏😊😆🥰😇.

You both went together👫 to a shrine⛩ to pray for your wellbeing🙏🏻😇💯. You became a little emotional as you missed your parents on your birthday😢. Mitsuhide hugged you & wiped your tears🤗, "Little one, I didn't believe in gods in my early life but since you came into my life💗, I am so thankful to each & every god for bringing you into my life and your parents for creating such a gentle, loving & bright soul💗✨🙇🏻‍♂️, I promise to love & protect you with my whole heart & life till my last breathe🤗❤💯!", said Mitsuhide, his eyes moist as he bowed his head towards you🙇🏻‍♂️. "Mitsuhide, thank you so much for loving me😢💗", you let out a beautiful smile as you hugged him🥰🤗, your heart feeling extremely warm by his genuine declaration of love✨❤.

You both went to your favourite restaurant 👫 and you were given lots of delicious food🍲🍡🍵 absolutely free by the shopkeeper because you both are regular at their place✨💯🥰. Actually the shopkeeper loves and ships you both together😍💗✨🤭. You both would sip tea and talk on random things together😂😏💗. Mitsuhide would feed you happily😏, expressing his love for you through his gestures like staring at you lovingly😍, rubbing the corners of your mouth gently clean after you finished eating the food💗. Mitsuhide even let you feed him the delicious food, no matter, he can taste it or not, your happiness is the most important thing to him💗😏, he would even go as far as to say that the food is extremely delicious😋❤ making you laugh loudly🤣. "Did you suddenly regain your sense of taste😏😂🤭?", you asked him, giggling. "No but I can sense the love by which you are feeding me, my dear Asha😘😍🥰!", said Mitsuhide with a gentle smile💗. Cue you blushing even more at his sweet words, smiling to yourself🙈❤🥰. The soul of singles are crying! Can you hear me?! Stop being cute, gawd🗣😭!

You both would go to horseriding but it would be a reverse scenario🐎. "Mitsuhide😏?", you called him. "Yes, Asha❤😏?", he turned towards you. "Sit behind me😎!", you said cheerfully as you mounted on his large horse🐎. "Oh my, I have taught you well😲😏😎!", said Mitsuhide surprised at your initiative. "Oh yeah😏!", you exclaimed loudly riding your horse. "Oh dear, be slow😱!", said Mitsuhide pretending to be afraid😏 he is actually enjoying it so much🥰💗. "Oh comeon! I am riding at normal pace, Mitsuhide😏😂😎🏇!", you said laughing at his scared expression. Cue-Mitsuhide blowing in your ear🌬. "GAH😱! MITSUHIDE😱! Do you want both of us to fall off this horse🗣?!", you exclaimed anxiously taking control over the reins again. "I would not let that happen😏💗, also I couldn't resist teasing you😏, my dear little one🥰😘!", said Mitsuhide snuggling close towards you, wrapping his arms around your waist, closing his eyes, enjoying your scent and gentle breeze of his surroundings on his face💗🥰. You sighed happily😌 seeing the expression of happiness💗 & complete *I trust you* look💯❤ on his face as you ride faster🏇. "I was initially afraid of riding using one hand due to the string but it sure is a great deal of fun than I expected😂😎!", you laugh happily🤣. "My brave little mouse💯🐭💗!", said Mitsuhide complimenting you on your growth since the time you came to the Sengoku era🥰❤💯.

Mitsuhide would take you to the special game it involves shooting obviously, like we are talking about Mitsuhide, right😏❤? "Mitsuhide, stop it😱😳!", you said literally dragging his arm, smiling awkwardly at the shopkeeper😅. "Why, little mouse😏💗🔫?", he smirked. "You have almost bought the entire shop, stop it😱🤦🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️! It's really more than enough for me😩!", you said as you looked towards your bunch of beautiful prizes won by him for you🏆. R.I.P shopkeeper😵. "Okay, if you say, my little mouse🐭❤! Pack these all😏!", said Mitsuhide smirking at the shopkeeper. "Yes, Lord Mitsuhide😳🙋🏻‍♂️!", the shopkeeper nodded. "Well, you are awesome as always😎💗💯, I have to admit it😏❤, hehehe😂😘🤗!", you said patting his head standing on your tiptoes like he usually does to you to compliment him💯. Mitsuhide.exe.has.stopped.working. "Why, thank you, my dear Asha😳😏💗!", said Mitsuhide with a forced smirk after clearing his throat *ahem* . HIS POOR HEART CAN'T HANDLE THIS CUTENESS, SAVE HIM PLEASE💓💓💓💓😳😳🤯🤯.

"Ah! I am tired🙆🏻‍♀️!", you said stretching your arms while Mitsuhide chuckled looking at you, "Already, little mouse😂🐭💗?". "Only a little!", you said giggling and scratching your forehead😅😂. "Get on😏!", said Mitsuhide. "Huh😳🤔?", you turned towards him, confused. "Wha😳!", you exclaimed seeing Mitsuhide crouching down with his back towards you. "Are you really going to give me piggyback ride😳?", you asked. "Oh yes😏! We can't have you fall asleep in the middle of your birthday celebration, now can we😏🤗?", Mitsuhide smirked at you. "But don't you dare call me heavy🤨!", you said skeptical of his offer. "😳..Hahahaha🤣🤣! No, no, I promise😂! You are very cute already😘🤗, now hurry little mouse🐭💗!", Mitsuhide burst out laughing🤣 and you get on his back and he easily carry you towards the cherry blossoms🌸❤, you couldn't stop smiling yourself🥰❤. He would lay your head down on his lap and stroke your hair with a very happy smile on his face❤🥰, even humming softly to you🎶❤ which would obviously make you so happy and you would feel like you are literally in heavens💗, his magical voice & hands❤🎶, no wonder you would fall asleep for a quick nap😴❤ and Mitsuhide would enjoy this beautiful and gentle feeling of warm fluttering in his heart looking at your innocent face💓🥰🤗😍.

You both would play various games with the town kids happily like for example: catch me, hide and seek, etc😍🤗❤, thr townspeople obviously surprised by the way Mitsuhide deals with kids😱💗, like his foxy smirk is still there but there is an air of gentleness around him with the kids❤🤗. Mitsuhide would decorate your head with the rose crown with a soft smile as you grinned bashfully😁💗, the kids would obviously wonder the purpose of your tied fingers😳🤔. "We are also playing a game together, you see😏!", said Mitsuhide smirking at them. "Asha-san, why does your cheeks look like tomato🍅🤔?", asked a kid. "No-nothing kids...he is ri-right...😳😅", you said, stuttering & blushing while Mitsuhide chuckled at you "Hoooh~😏!".

You both would go to the top of the flower hill to enjoy the sunset together and gaze at Azuchi from top view🌄 🏯🤝🏻, enjoying the moment resting your head on his shoulder & him on your head❤😍💗, you both would definitely talk about the journey of your love together: first meet, obstacles, confession💗🎶🥰. You accidentally stumbled on your step😱 & before Mitsuhide could catch you😳, you both went rolling down the flower field🌺 BECAUSE OF THE STRING😂🤣! "AH😱!" "Oh my😏!" "Are you okay? Hehehehe🤣💗!", you asked with a sheepish smile😳😅. "You are so clumsy, my little mouse🐭💗!", said Mitsuhide laughing pulling your cheek💗🤣🥰. "It happened by accident😛, let's go back now, everyone must be waiting😉😂!", you winked at Mitsuhide before mounting on the horse and extending your hand towards him & he will smirk at you & gladly accept it💗😏, "Yes, my dear little mouse💗🤝🏻!", as you both ride on his horse back towards the Azuchi Castle🏇🏯.

"Wishing you a very happy birthday, fireball🔥😏🎉🎊! Keep entertaining me like you always do😏👍🏻!", Nobunaga said with a smirk. "Is that a compliment🤨?", you asked raising your eyebrows at him. "Yes Asha, here is your gift😏❤😎!", said Nobunaga extending his gift towards you. You opened the box to find 1 big jar of konpeito🍬. "Hmm😏!", smirked Nobunaga, nodding proudly to himself. "Uh, konpeito, Nobunaga😳?", you asked confused. "What😏😳? I am giving it to you from my secret treasure😏!", Nobunaga replied with a smirk on his face. "Where did you hide the konpeito, Lord Nobunaga😠?!", exclaimed Hideyoshi angrily. "Damnn🤦🏻‍♂️!", Nobunaga slapped his forehead. "Thank you🤣🥰❤!", you said happily. Ieyasu gave you a sewing kit as a gift, all the while blushing to himself. Uh Ieyasu, are you okay, so good👁👄👁? Mitsunari gave you the book as a birthday gift as that you wanted to read for a while📕💜 with angelic smile😇. Hideyoshi gave you an imported perfume🥰💚 while Masamune gave you a food basket as a gift😏😆😋. Even Kasugayama warlords sent you gifts😍😏🎁💗-> Kenshin: expensive sake🍶, Shingen: sweet buns & letter of love towards his goddess which would be burn to ashes by Mitsuhide☺️🔥, Yukimura: makeup kit & Sasuke: ninja tools & Kennyo: prayer beads📿. You were so grateful receiving immense love from everyone💜😍🥺😇. "Hm? Where did Mitsuhide suddenly disapppear😳🤔?", you wondered looking around.

Mitsuhide then came out giving a majestic dance performance🕺🎭 on account of your birthday😍💜🎉🎊🥳 describing his boundless love❤ for you wearing the most beautiful costume & a very handsome smile on his face😏💗, his movements so graceful & emotions so overwhelming🥺❤ taking you entirely by surprise�� & you couldn't help yourself falling for him once again💓😍😇😢. "Wow Mitsuhide😍💗!", you exclaimed, clapping your hands excitedly👏🏻😍, your smile filled with happiness🥰💛, eyes moist with love for him🥺💗.

You ran towards him to hug him tightly🥺🤗💛 but Masamune grabbed your shoulder and stopped you😆🐯, "What happened, Masamune🤔?", you turned towards him confused. "Lass👸🏻! The real surprise is yet to be revealed😏!", Masamune blindfolded you. "Huh? Masamune? Mitsuhide? What are you doing😳?", you asked searching for your lover💛. "Here is my gift for the most beautiful and precious person in my life❤, I poured all my love for you in preparing this gift for you💗, I thank you once again for blessing me with your love💓, strength🤝🏻 & light✨🌞 and hereby I am wishing a very happy birthday to my dear love, Asha❤😘🥳💛🎊🎉", said Mitsuhide as he gave a box to you🥰.

You removed the cover of the box when Masamune opens your blindfold which made your eyes went wide with shock😲😍❤. There was a blue kimono with the beautiful design of the bellflowers, it was so elegant that went so perfectly with your beauty👘💗😍💙. "You made it for me😢💙?", you asked turning towards him extremely surprised. Mitsuhide nodded with a gentle smile🥰, "I thought I should gift you something made by me💗 which would match your beautiful hairpin and I think it came out really well😏💯!", said Mitsuhide caressing your cheeks😘💙. "Lord Mitsuhide asked for our guidance regularly for making you a perfect kimono💙😍!", said a seamstress happily. "He really loves you so much princess for he could easily buy it but he made it all by himself for you staying up during night since last week😍💙💗🌌!", said the other seamstress. "That's the reason you came so late😱....Mitsuhide..I mean..How should I describe my happiness right now🥺❤? I-Thank you so much❤, this has been the best birthday for me🥺🥰😇💗!", you said with a beautiful smile but tears of happiness bursts and rolled down your cheeks nonetheless❤😭✨. You hugged him tightly🤗 and Mitsuhide gently strokes your hair💛🥰. "I love you so much💗, nothing can make me as happy as you do💗🥰, thank you for loving me✨❤🥺!", you said💗, immensely grateful😇🥺❤. "You are welcome & I will always love you💗✨!", Mitsuhide said with a soft smile😍💛. LOUD CHEERS ERUPT✨🎉🎊🥳!

You both cut a delicious birthday cake made by Masamune🎂❤😋, you both perform a romantic couple dance with the traditional japanese handfan grabbing all eyeballs & excitement 🎉🎊🥳👀🕺💃💛😏🥰✨! Then you😍 and Mitsuhide☺️ joins other warlords smirking Nobunaga😏 & Masamune😆 grabbing grumpy Ieyasu🤨 & Hideyoshi🥰 grabbing excited mitsunari😇 along with vassals🎉 around in your group dance happily & they haven't done something this crazy before in their life💛🤣🥰❤. Then everyone ate their food, enjoyed their drinks Masamune-😵, all thanks to kitsune🦊 and chatted happily over random topics💬.

As the celebration comes to close🎉🎊🥳✨, Mitsuhide carried you princess-style in his arms😏💛 towards their room as you were tipsy😍😳😂, fufufu, your red cheeks were such an adorable sight for him😏💛😍 and you both made love to each other💏💗✨ oh la la~🤭❤. That's how your birthday ends...💃!

I hope you enjoyed reading it❤, likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated💃! Thank you so much🤗💗😘.

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stanandcharleyandfriends · 4 years ago

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Eileen Nagle sees her family in video chats and drive-by visits, but that hasn’t made up for the lack of warm hugs in the nine months since the pandemic led her nursing home to shut its doors to visitors.

Enter Zeus.

“Zeus is a friendly little snowball, very happy,” said Nagle, 79, after the peppy bichon frise paid a visit to her room at Hebrew Home at Riverdale, overlooking the Hudson River in the Bronx. “Petting and playing with the dogs breaks up the day and gets you to forget about yourself for a while.”

Hebrew Home has had a pet therapy program for 20 years; tiny Zeus and gentle giant Marley the Great Dane are the current snugglers in residence. Now, the activities department is expanding the canine corps with two new recruits in training to give residents more of the affectionate physical contact that has become so scarce and precious in the coronavirus era.

“It’s uplifting to have Zeus come and visit me, especially with COVID and being restricted to my room,” said 80-year-old Jeff Philipson, beaming as he ran his fingers through Zeus’ silky white fur while the dog clambered on his bed. “I talk on the phone every day with my daughter and my son, but that’s as good as it can get for now.”

When the pandemic lockdown began in March, dog therapy was suspended along with most other activities at the nursing home.

“I decided we needed to re-energize the pet visiting program since there’s no outside visitation allowed,” said Daniel Reingold, founder of the pet therapy program and president and CEO of RiverSpring Health, nonprofit operator of 103-year-old Hebrew Home. “They’ve been on the floors bringing happiness and unconditional love to residents and staff alike.”

The dogs belong to staff members who bring them to work every day. But the program doesn’t allow just any dog.

“It has to be a combination of the right owner, right dog and right temperament,” said Reingold, whose own rescue dog, Kida, is one of the new recruits. “The dogs have to be assessed, follow basic commands and be able to cope with wheelchairs, elevators, medication carts and all the other things they’ll encounter on a floor.”

Cats are also used in the pet therapy program — but only robotic ones. Hebrew Home has numerous lifelike animatronic cats that purr and meow as residents hold them in their laps and stroke their fur. “The cats are especially soothing to people with dementia,” said Catherine Farrell, director of therapeutic activities, primary dog handler and owner of Marley.

“The love of an animal is incredible,” Farrell said. “It releases endorphins, reduces blood pressure, reduces anxiety. For people here who had animals in their life history, seeing dogs triggers memories and opens communication.”

While Farrell has to remain 6 feet away from residents and wear a face mask and plastic shield, Marley can plop his head on their beds as they pet him.

“To break through the social distancing barrier is really important,” Farrell said. “It’s one of the only ways they’re able to touch another living being and gain satisfaction from that physical connection.”

But it’s not just about petting a dog, said Olivia Cohen, dog handler and assistant director of the therapeutic activities program. For some residents, the interaction can break down barriers and open communication and emotional expression, she said.

Cohen recalls one woman who was struggling with anxiety and having trouble coping with the new environment when she moved into the home. “Nothing would get through to her to help her,” Cohen said. “But when I brought the dog to her, her complete affect changed from crying to having her face light up and telling stories about her own experiences.”

For resident Elizabeth Pagan, dog visits are a welcome respite from the isolation she has endured since she’s been restricted to FaceTime visits with her children, grandchildren and terrier-dachshund mix Ruby.

“It means a lot to me, makes me feel good when I pet the dogs,” said Pagan, who’s recovering from a stroke. “My favorite is Marley. He gives me a lot of comfort.”

#pandemic #therapy dogs #for the love of dog #senior citizens #hebrew home riverdale bronx

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daveinediting · 4 years ago

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Before there were lock-downs and masks and social distancing and experiences with “closed” signs on ‘em, I lived a different set of personal and professional habits.

Is that important?

Well... it depends on where I think my creativity comes from. Because for sure I don’t believe it’ll always be at its peak if I don’t exercise it.

If I don’t maintain and nourish it.

To some degree, I rely on my experiences as part of that exercise regimen. I observe. I soak in the moment. I feel it.

To its fullest.

However.

Many of those experiences are no longer available to me.

Is that a problem?

No. Not really. Because, well, I’m an introvert. I spend an awful lot of time in my own head to re-energize myself. So the lack of crowds isn’t necessarily a problem for me even as I feel the loss of hanging out with friends and enjoying every moment. Even as I feel the loss of event experiences.

Movie theaters.

Concerts.

Bars and clubs.

Still, the current story in which I find myself affords more opportunity for active thinking, introspection, daydreaming, and pondering the What Ifs of life.

It also affords me time to look. Time to see. The time it takes to be aware of the striking images that pass before my eyes on a daily basis.

To not be so busy and consumed with doing that I literally become blind to the sights and sounds that legitimately add color and flavor to our days.

If we let them.

For example, getting out of bed this morning and looking out the window BAM.

This.

You see I wasn’t in a hurry to get out the door so I actually had the time to soak in the image and let it impress me.

Then later in the day there was something about the light that I liked... so I soaked that in, too.

Of course it isn’t the Me show, 24/7. Which brings me to the fact that my wife ‘n I over the last year have taken the time... to take the time... to walk every day (ish). To see what there is to see and experience what there is to experience and talk to the occasional stranger at a distance every so often.

So yeah.

Before there were lock-downs and masks and social distancing and experiences with “closed” signs on ‘em, I lived a different set of personal and professional habits.

And the biggest difference between then and now is that it’s a bit more introspective, a bit more thoughtful, a bit more considered in sight and sound and experience.

Even if it is on a much smaller scale.

There’s a lot to see and do and think about down here.

:-)

#lock-downs #masks #social distancing #closed #habits #creativity #exercise #maintainance #nourish #enjoy #appreciate #soak in #color #flavor #introspective #thoughtful #considered

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mehinimanly · 5 years ago

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I’m a person who needs to spend some time on my own every single day. No, I don't only need, I crave for it. Just sit in silence. Or listen to the piano music. Look in the window. Or keep my eyes shut. Drink coffee or tea. Talk to myself loudly. Make a facial mask and take a hot shower. Read a book. Or observe my seilings. Bake muffins. Or lay on my bed. Dance or sing. Or cry and scream. Be sad, be happy, be nervous, be excited, be tired… Be on my own. Absolutely alone. Without people, without social media, without responding to messages, without conversations, without news. Just me and me. I want to think about my important stuff, I want to clean my head a little bit, I want to re-energize, I want the world to stop running for some short period of time.

Being on your own is a sigh of self-love.

p.s. and, no, you’re not right, I do not hate people as you can think. I just don't hate myself.

#anxienty #mental health #quotes #self love

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kazkazoozoo · 5 years ago

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No Promises Ch1

Pairing: Michelle Jones/Peter Parker

(warning: this story contains angst and extramarital affairs.)

Inspired by Izmeny (TV Mini-Series 2015)

Read on AO3

It’s almost two in the morning when Peter starts to swing back to his apartment after a long tedious night patrol. He helped an old lady to find her way home, saved two civilians from their muggers and stopped a gang of three heavily armed jewelry store robbers. He got a few scratches and maybe a bruise, all of which will be completely healed by the time the sun rises, so he’s mostly unharmed.

Physically, that is.

This week has been nothing short of a mentally stressful disaster. His job at The Bugle sucked, as always, and Jameson has been extra shitty to him these days for some reason, threatening to fire him if he doesn’t come back with some ‘more scandalous’ pictures of Spider-Man.

It’s making him incredibly paranoid. Sometimes he feels like Jameson knows. About his life. About MJ.

And MJ. He hasn't heard from her for an entire week. It’s not the first time this has happened, so he’s not surprised nor alarmed.

But it doesn’t mean he has ever stopped thinking about her or wanting her. No matter how tired he feels right now, he can swear that he’ll be re-energized in an instant if she were waiting for him in his bed when he returns to the studio apartment he lives in by himself.

But he knows very well of her rule. That she doesn’t stay anywhere other than her own house for the night.

So he doesn’t dream about some miracle that will most likely never happen.

He slips through the window that he left unlocked into his kitchen, closes the window and shuts the blinds before turning on the light, only to be startled by a lithe figure lying languidly on his couch and gazing up to him.

MJ snickers mischievously when he trips over the ottoman.

“Geez…you scared the shit out of me. Why didn’t you turn on the lights?” He takes off the mask and combs his hair with his fingers.

“Photophobia. Migraine can be a real bitch, you know?” She was writhing around lazily, covering her eyes with one forearm.

He immediately switches off the light and hurries to squat down at her side.

“You okay? Do you need painkillers? Or should I give you a massage?” He whispers in a low-pitched voice.

She smiles contently.

“It’s already better once I got here. My house is the most relaxing place in the world and that’s why I’m here.” She coos.

He sighs. He has always known that she loves to screw with him, but he’s not sure how much longer he can take this.

“You mean the house you designed.”

He tries to stand up but she stops him by clutching his wrist. She pulls him down to kiss her, and he complies.

He simply doesn’t know how to resist her.

“What’s the difference? I crafted this place.” she breathes heavily during the short breaks between their deep kisses, “And I own the owner of this place.”

He’s hovering above her on the couch, already half-hard in his boxer under his skin-tight suit. His body wants to give in to the temptation and just enjoy another guaranteed great sex with her, but his mind, both rationally and emotionally, wants to get to the bottom of why she’s here tonight.

“Where’s Harry? Is he not at home tonight?” He can’t stop himself from blurting out.

She freezes and fixes him a venomous glare.

“How should I know?”

“He’s your husband.”

Peter never stops feeling guilty about the affair. But he has only been falling deeper and deeper for her ever since the night they met during one of his patrols.

The heartbreaking look in her red teary eyes, her messy long hair and her clothes that were drenched by the pouring rain clinging to her face and body, her shoulders heaving with her sobs…

He will never be able to shake that mental image off his mind.

MJ scoffs, pulling Peter out of his train of thoughts.

“Tell me about it.” She mutters.

She pushes Peter off and sits up herself. They are still sitting fairly close to each other on the couch, but the tension in the air between them is almost tangible.

The longer the silence stretches on, the clearer he can see she’s vibrating with anxiety.

Something’s not right.

“What’s wrong?” He tentatively touches her hand. She doesn’t refuse him, so he squeezes both her hands.

“Will you marry me?”

He nearly falls off the couch.

“What? Are you drunk?” He leans forward, trying to smell the alcohol.

“Will you marry me, if Harry’s not around anymore?”

She stares into his soul, and her eyes are pleading.

Peter’s confused. She has never shown any sign that she wants to leave Harry before. Something must have happened.

“Did something happen to him? Is that why you’re here?” He frowns.

Her face goes blank.

“I killed him.”

He watches her, mouth agape and completely stunned. Then an inexplicable fear rises inside him.

He’s not sure what he’s afraid of. That there’s a possibility she’ll be prosecuted, or hearing her confessing a crime still doesn’t change how he sees her, and therefore he’s starting to questioning his sense of morality and ethical framework in superheroing?

His brain’s barely functioning at this point, but he finds himself hugging her tightly to him and rubbing her back on autopilot.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” he chants softly, “I’ll take care of you, it’s okay…”

“You’ll take care of me even if I did that?” Her voice is wobbly.

“Especially if you did that.” He reassures.

She lets him continue to console her for another five minutes until she speaks up again.

“I didn’t kill him.”

He stops moving his hands, then pulls away to look at her face.

“Then why did you say that?”

“Wanted to know to what extent that you're willing to forgive me.” she smiles wearily, “If killing is okay, does that mean you’ll forgive me for anything else?”

Peter’s head is spinning. She‘s going to be the death of him.

“I don’t know about anything else, but lying about that just to test me…you’re driving me crazy.” He presses on his closed eyes with his fingers, forcing back the tears.

For the past five minutes, he’s been thinking about what to do next. The reason why he never tried to persuade her to leave her husband is that he’s Spider-Man. She��ll be safe staying with Harry, even if she’s not content with their crappy marriage.

But if Harry’s gone, he has to be the one protecting her.

He was thinking about giving up the superhero gig for her, but she was just testing him.

“You passed the test.” She kisses his cheek.

It was just a fleeting dream. A dream in which no one else other than the two of them exists.

But she hasn’t given up on her marriage during the hardest time, so she surely isn’t going to now.

She won’t choose him because she knows he can’t choose her.

“Maybe we should just stop this…” Peter feels his heart sinking.

“Shh. No more talking.”

She pulls him in, kissing him fervently. She pushes the spider emblem on his chest and the suit slackens. Her hands begin to explore every inch of his body, her touch is greedy and fiery…

He gives in to her, like he always does, eventually.

MJ wants something that’s concrete, like the physical contact she’s getting from Peter. She can feel his desire towards her, and it makes her feel warm, secure, content…

What she doesn’t need nor want, are the empty words of promises. She will not allow herself to be fooled by those unreliable fantasies.

Never again.

#spideychelle #peter parker #michelle jones #my fic #petermj #peter x mj #peter x michelle #spiderman

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letmeringabell · 6 years ago

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Legends Never Die - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 : Fancy Meetin’ Ya

I know, I'm posting really fast. But you've just gotta let the creative juices flow before I experience untimely burn-out that makes it harder to write. On the side-note, I really love Ada Wong's design, I think there's something just so mysterious and pretty about her design. So, imagine Vanessa as Ada.

Why Vanessa? Well, I only liked Vanessa because you could shorten it to Van. I also considered Vesper, and Diana, which I think are suitable names.

Also, can you tell I'm a fan of longing glances and slow burn? Yeah, I eat that shit up. I'm a sucker for fics of these cliches, and I always wanna die. But anyway, do tell me what you think of this chapter, whether I'm going too fast, too slow, whether i'm writing too much or too little. If you have any headcanons or scenarios, tell me now or forever hold your peace. Or do I forever hold my peace? I don't know man.

(3185 words)

AO3 link : https://archiveofourown.org/works/20806688/chapters/49454489

The flurry of sand and desert heat hadn’t been too kind on him, but when has Outworld weather been known for Southern hospitality? Nevertheless, he counts his lucky stars that he’s finally back, because the last mission has his bones ragged. The last mission hadn’t been hard, just tiresome; One of Kotal’s ‘trusted’ partner had been selling Imperial secrets behind his back, and who better but Erron Black to chase the bugger down?

Only this partner was highly elusive—Sending him high and low, left and right, and running all around to catch a whiff of the man. He had roamed from city to city, from village to village, and his target manages to sneak away at the last moment each time. The whole cat-and-mouse chase is enough to drive any man insane, but the cowboy isn’t deterred by the challenge so arrogantly posed. In fact, he waits, bides his time on the down-low patiently for any misstep by his target.

Although, a word from the wise is overdue; One must never let their guard down during a chase, especially when the predator had been the masked marauder himself.

Yet all it takes is one afternoon for the man to forget, wondering through busy markets without a care in the world, while Erron patiently stakes out in a room of one of the buildings nearby with his rifle aimed surreptitiously at the man’s head. The reminder had been fatal; All it takes is one shot, and the man falls without a sound.

The chaos that ensues after makes up for the silence in the man’s death. Everyone gathers around the corpse, and screams at the horror of the whole situation. He feels no need to wait around and collect the man’s body; The news of that man’s death will travel around, and that is proof enough that he had been successful in his headhunting. Nature had given everyone something to fall back on, and sooner or later, someone’s gotta fall on it.

And this time, it was that man’s turn to fall.

And it was his time to tap out for the night, had enough of all these games of cat-and-mouse. Gotta rest the old bones before conquering the days ahead.

Imagine his surprise when he got back to the Palace, to see the place filled to the brim with Special Forces units. He sees the Kahn having a conversation with the Commander, and saunters towards them, ignoring the hushed whispers on the sidelines.

“Hola, Miss Cassie Cage.”

“Erron, how awful it is to see you.”

“I assure you Darlin’, the feelings mutual,” He shoots back, “What brings you over to our humble abode?”

It is Kotal that cuts through their ‘cordial’ banter, “I have invited Special Forces here to help strengthen our ties with Earthrealm. Kitana and Jade will take care of their day-to-day needs, you will overlook their sparring sessions.”

Erron glares at the Kahn, but he lets it slide – The Kahn always compensates for his time generously. It is what keeps him loyal, and motivates him to undertake all sorts of janky missions for the sovereign. There is never a dull time serving Kotal, and he appreciates the unpredictability in his missions. It keeps him preoccupied, and least of all, keeps him entertained.

He excuses himself and leaves the Kahn and Commander to their affairs. Besides, he has an errand to attend to; A drop-off of rare medicinal herbs for the doctors at the Infirmary. All of them had requested for this specific breed of Spider Lilly, said it was good for re-energizing the tired soul. He could care less about the methods used in re-creating that effect, what mattered was the results.

He doesn’t bother with knocking when he enters the Infirmary. They know it’s him by the sound of his footsteps and they scramble to surround him like moths to a flame. He hands over the flower, and they thank him profusely. Appreciation and gratitude are good for the soul, but when a man’s tired, nothing sounded more tempting than a sip of whiskey and a comfortable bed to sleep on.

He looks up and catches sight of a woman leaning against the doorway of the unused office. Short raven hair, equally dark eyes, and she stands hardly the height of Sonya nor Cassie Cage (at least, from this distance), but looks strong enough to easily throw a man over her shoulder should he look at her the wrong way – Fitting, for a person working in the Special Forces.

It doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes as well. So, he tips his hat off to her, Howdy unspoken in his greeting towards her. He knows she can’t miss it, because he catches her in the act of sizing him up as well. Yet, she seemed confused, and a little curious? Nevertheless, she seemed to return the gesture with a small nod of her own before closing the door to retreat into the room.

“Who is she?”

She is one of the Doctors from Special Forces, one of them had replied. She had been part of the Special Forces Delegation, and assigned to the medical unit in the Palace infirmary. She came to learn and bring back Outworlds treatments and cures back to Earthrealm. A question pops into his head-- Aren’t Earthrealm’s medical practice vastly different from Outworld? In Outworld, doctors use high-level magicks to heal wounds of all variety—Burns, grazes, you name it. Given the supernatural nature of Outworlds modern medicine, he highly doubts she can learn anything from these doctors who uses spells instead of science.

(Then again, the only thing he knows of medicinal remedies is when his own Pa spat whiskey into his wounds, and damn, the pain had been one sonuvabitch to swallow)

“The Valerian root helps patients deal with their anxiety, a form of sedative, one might say. But taken in large and uncontrolled amounts, only backfires and induces insomnia.”

“What about this?”

“The Goldenseal root is used as an antiseptic. Again, if consumed in large amounts, is highly poisonous and will only further irritate the eye and skin.”

“And this?”

“The Echinacea leaf is commonly used to prevent flus or colds, but long-term use could disturb the body’s immune system.”

“Basically, too much of anything is a bad thing.”

Making medicine with the herbs and plants found in Outworld is challenging. The art of making medicine in Outworld, she finds, is similar to chemistry – If she places too little of one herb, the supposed effects don’t flourish and are made redundant because it is overpowered by the potency of other herbs. Yet, if carelessness had been her approach, she could easily induce unknown side-effects, or worse, actually kill a person. Thus, the delicate balance of underwhelming and catastrophic are outcomes she monitors like a hawk.

She enjoys this side of her work nonetheless. It allows her to better understand the more traditional aspects of her work, and expand on more creative options should modern medicine fail in being readily available.

However, the paperwork, and regular inventory checks are cumbersome all the same. Her rationale is that sometimes, you’ve just got to sit through the unsavory parts of the job so that you can reap its benefits. That doesn’t mean she can’t silently complain about how uneventful some days, or how stagnant her progress in learning can be. It’s become a point of contention, and it’s only been 2 weeks since her first day in Outworld. Her hands are itching for something new to work on.

Bored eyes cast sweeping glances over the city, and of course, she catches a glimpse of the cowboy himself. Ah, today is the training session between Outworld and Special Forces’ Soldiers. He is relaxed; There is a slight slouch in his posture, and he didn’t seem too interested in the body-tossing action happening right before him. She can tell, that he is still hypervigilant – His arms are at his side, and are steadily poised beside the holsters on his pants. All it takes is one motion to swipe his pistol up, and BANG!

And as much as she hates to admit it, her thoughts do float around the masked man she had met, no, seen. She hadn’t talked to him, nor has she passed him by in the past 2 weeks. She had asked her colleagues about the man, and the responses she had gotten were strangely varied – ‘He’s the Kahn’s main headhunter’, ‘A man who knows how to drink any man under the table’, and ‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy’. The last phrase had been told, but felt unneeded. Any person’s business under the sheets, is nothing she wants to know about. Least of all, his business.

But you are curious, a small voice whispers in the back of her mind, He is the leading man shrouded in mystery and danger.

She reprimanded herself; There are other things to be curious about.

The whole day has been a bore, and its starting to make his hands itch and fret restlessly. Apparently, today’s training session had been requested by Miss Cage, what better way there is to strengthen the bonds of friendship than participating in friendly kombat? He could just shut one eye, and believe her desire for camaraderie between soldiers of two realms, but he can see through her bullshit as clear as day, and it makes him raise a wary brow at the Commander.

The logic behind her unspoken reason had been sound – It is best to fight as many types of kombatants as you can, provided that one chooses their opponents well. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can get the theory down easy. But if you don’t have the practice, the real hand-to-hand experience, one can only expect to have their asses handed to them over and over again. Face-to-face Kombat allows fighters to exercise their real-time reactions, gives them the chance to better their reflexes and recognize the precise moment to either move forward and attack, or retract and defend.

So, today is a masterclass in Outworld Kombat for the Special Forces. However, the session is but a double-edged sword. Just as the Special Forces had come to learn and observe, the army had come prepared to do the same.

His eyes search for any telltale of black within the sea of browns and blondes, and is only greeted by her absence in return. He wants to make her acquaintance, and knows that she is a doctor for the Special Forces. That doesn’t give him the right to be waltzing into her office without any sort of official business. It would only invite talks of rumors and gossip to fly around, and he would be doing them both a favor by abstaining from such behavior.

So, what’s a man to do to earn his trip to the doctor’s office without seeming like such an ass?

He looks at Miss Cage, unless, the stirrings of a brilliant idea come to mind.

“Yo, Clint Eastwood! You too chicken to step into the Kumite zone with me?”

“Put your money where that mouth is, darlin’.”

So maybe he had been a little harsh, but Cassie had no qualms with dishing out her own brand of revenge – One rapid, well-timed kick to the core followed by a solid punch to his face. A just reward for insulting a beloved father. Outworld Soldiers are surprised by his lack of vigor in the fight, but none of Special Forces are surprised that Cassie is fierce in defending her family’s honor.

His face might hurt, and his pride a little wounded, but the fight had yielded results. He is sent to the Infirmary to await doctor’s treatment.

He waits because she is out for the moment, so he takes the chance to look around the room. There is nothing out of the ordinary; There is a couch placed near the door to welcome guests (or, patients), the books are shelved back-to-back against each other, and labelled for trouble-free browsing. He finds that most of the books are medical in nature, save for a select few in herbology and astronomy. A doctor must have her hobbies, he digresses. Everything on the desk is neatly arranged with each item assigned their designated corners; stationeries in one corner and a stack of papers in the other.

He picks up the top most paper on the pile, and lets his eyes roam over the elegant handwriting. He thinks she could easily be an artist because the sketches of various flowers and herbs are so lifelike, they mimic the figure of their real-life counterpart. There are arrows pointing to formulas and possible side-effects everywhere, and although her workspace maybe organized, her notes are just a jumbled mess.

But he admires her tenacity in the research because her notes are an impressive study in Outworld’s green.

Clack!

He turns around, and speak of the devil; She is there in the flesh, and a lot taller than he remembers.

“I’m sorry for the wait. My name is Vanessa, and I will be attending to you this evening.”

She ushers him to the seat beside her table, and begins her task; She listens to his heartbeat, flashes a light into his eyes, and asks him the routine, “Where do you feel pain?” and “Does your family have a history of serious diseases?”. He answers honestly and concisely – It’s just my face, and, I reckon not. She faithfully jots down whatever he says down into a piece of paper, and reaches for something in one of the drawers.

“First off,” She starts, and he sees a medical kit being placed on the table, “I can save you the trouble and stitch your wound now, but you’re also free to leave if you don’t want my medical attention, because in my understanding, Outworld has different and better ways to treat you. So, what will it be?”

Straight to business. “Have on, Miss Vanessa.”

She moves silently and deftly—She is quick at work to prepare all of the equipment, and arranges them in immaculate order on the tray in front of her. She disinfects the problem area, before filling the syringe with a clear liquid from one of the labeled bottles, and once he nods her assent, injects the anesthesia to help numb the pain during the stitching process.

Her gloved hands move nimbly, suture in one hand and the needle holder in the other, the constant loop of entry and exit is executed with practiced ease. Her hands don’t tremble, nor do they hesitate in fear of misstep. She is sure and confident with each push-and-pull, and it assures him that she is not without skill.

He takes the time now, to take a proper and closer look at her. Her short hair accentuates the high cheekbones and angular sharpness of her facial features and her eyes are a darkened grey; a reminder of misty mornings, and ominous fog. Her skin is glass-like, clear, no visible scar or blemish in sight. He spots the light dusting of freckles on tanned skin, no doubt, a result from the sun and heat of Outworld. She is what a cat would look like in flesh and blood, a thought he keeps safely to himself.

He will admit, she is a pretty little thing. Even so, the minute slouch in her posture, the mistiness and redness in her eyes, and the prominent dark circles under them is very telling. Underneath all that loveliness, is a woman exhausted. Whether it is the research or the field work that has her running on low fuel, he reckons that she could do with a few more hours of sleep.

She starts talking, her voice a soothing cadence to distract from the obvious monotone in the environment, “How did you get these wounds?”

“A souvenir from the past assignment, a man had gotten close enough to graze me with his knife, but not smart enough to actually kill me.”

“And why does your face hurt?”

“That’s a souvenir from your Commander,” He catches the question in her eyes, and the amused tilt of her lips, “That clown and his ten-gallon mouth deserved all the insults.”

“You really are a glutton for punishment,” She chuckles, sealing the stitch shut.

She gives him the standard doctor’s order – Rest and no sudden movements, or else he would risk exposing himself to an infection due to his torn stitches. He’s heard it all, from day one until day now, but he is thankful that she keeps it short and sweet.

“Do you sleep well, Mr. Black?” She interrupts him leaving, pulls out a bottle for him to see. “You can take it, it’s free.”

“Well, look who we have here, a doctor playing crafty salesman on a hot Sunday afternoon. Nothing in this world comes for free, so what’s the catch?”

She raises her arms in mock defeat, her expression is full of mirth, and a playful smile reaches her eyes, “Okay, it’s not FDA approved yet, but I know for a fact that it works. Cassie uses it, Jacqui uses it, and a few hundred others can also attest to its success.”

He raises a curious brow at her, a sign for her to continue her sales pitch. No matter how much she tries to hide it, he can tell that she is proud of her creation, because her voice is full of it, “It helps eases tenseness, and makes sleep easier, but unlike other soporific drugs, it doesn’t bring about excessive drowsiness, so you’re still able to react appropriately to any possible threats.”

Soporific, what a five-dollar word.

But he has something else in mind, because he leans in and places both arms rigidly on the arms of her chair, effectively trapping and confining her in the tight space between his arms. He leans towards her, and stops when the gap between them is nose-to-nose. He admits that he is shameless and forward in his flirting, but he wants to see how she would respond-- would she retreat further into her seat, or would she lean forward, would she bridge the gap between them?

So, she responds, neither further nor retreating. She stays still in her position; Her hands are firmly placed in her lap, while her grey eyes are staring straight back at him, her gaze sharpening into that of gentle steel.

“Hey Van, I was wondering if you had- Oh.”

Both of them immediately turn their heads towards Jacqui, the deer in headlights. Jacqui is full of apologies, because she is standing there, stumbling over her words, and says sorry over and over again for disturbing whatever doctor-patient examination they were having, and speeds out of the room faster than the pace she came in. Jacqui’s interruption breaks whatever tension, anticipation and apprehension swimming in the room, and it calms and cools the heat between them.

The Cowboy finally stands straight, his smirk hidden behind his mask and makes his way for the door.

“I’ll see you around, Miss Vanessa.”

#erron black #Mortal kombat 11 #mortal kombat fanfiction #cassie cage #jacqui briggs #johnny cage #Erron Black x F!OC #Slow burn #Fuck-me eyes #mk 11 #mk

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simpstyle · 6 years ago

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The College Girl's Guide To Starting The Semester Right... And Sticking With It

Depending on where you go to school, you are either just finishing syllabus week, or are just about to start it. For many, this is your last semester of college before entering “the real world”, so make sure to make the most of it! The beginning of each new semester always comes with a list of goals that currently seem easy to accomplish each week, but in the upcoming weeks will get pushed aside. In order to help combat this, here is a list of helpful tips to stick to your plan this semester!

Utilize Your Planner: Now yes, many of you already religiously use planners for your homework, but what about your daily routine? Many of them have options to plan out your day hour by hour, but I totally understand how that may be a bit overwhelming to some. Rather use the space to pencil in activities that are already booked, and then keep a checklist of what else you want to accomplish. Not everything has to be done in order, but I know personally that the feeling of checking something off your list helps make you feel that your life is in order!

Get In A Routine: This routine doesn’t have to start with “6:00- gym”. Rather it can just be a set of simple things that you do each morning, and after a few weeks they become muscle memory! Take things at your own pace, adding in anything that you want to accomplish before heading to your first class! This routine also doesn’t have to be set in the morning! Find out what works best for your schedule, and try to incorporate in a routine that allows you to complete daily tasks, without adding on any extra stress!

Self-Care: Going hand-in-hand with getting in a routine, self-care is something small that comes with huge benefits! Maybe every Thursday evening you do a face mask before getting into bed, or schedule a weekly girls night. Having activities in your schedule that allow you to relax and be around those you love can provide some much needed down time, to re-energize you for the rest of the week! This can even mean having one night a week where you go to bed early, allowing you to catch up on some much needed z’s.

Set Goals: They don’t need to be incredibly high or labor intensive, but maybe set fun activities up with some friends after you all accomplish a large part of your to-do list! Or maybe a weekend away somewhere after finishing a heavy workload! Having something to work towards can help you prioritize and achieve your goals faster, as you get a reward at the end! After finishing a mid-term paper maybe plan a fun night out with friends, or try that new restaurant you’ve always wanted to! Setting goals for tasks that you may not necessarily want to do can curb off procrastination, allowing for more productivity!

Hopefully these tips can help you to stay organized and to finish off the semester having completed all of your goals! I hope that you all have a productive and fun semester, and don’t forget to stay warm! XX

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gloverdominic92 · 5 years ago

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Premature Ejaculation Lack Of Sleep Cheap And Easy Unique Ideas

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Spray For Premature Ejaculation Uk

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#Premature Ejaculation Lack Of Sleep Cheap And Easy Unique Ideas #How To Premature Ejaculation Exercis

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thepcoslife · 8 years ago

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Intuitive Eating

My story is long- But here is how I went from a disordered eating pattern caused by the stressors and pressors of the PCOS dieting world and now thrive in a life eating abundantly.

It starts back in college- sitting in my dorm room eating chocolate flavored rice cakes with gallons of water to puff them up and feed my starving, overexercised PCOS pudgy body. I was done. So done of stressing about my size, about working out twice a day in a stinky gym I hated and constantly counting everything I ate. So I stopped. I stopped stressing and fighting my PCOS and I just started living my PCOS life.

Hiking, frisbee, strength class, yoga- I started having fun and when it came down to eating I listened to what my body wanted. I found easy to prepare foods from frozen to meet my hectic life- I went to the grocery store and spent HOURS learning about all the flavors and snacks to enjoy. My stress went down, my food intake went up and my weight DROPPED. I started a process called Intuitive Eating- without even knowing thats what I was doing. I lost 45# on my small 5'5" frame and people started asking. What are you doing? How did you do it? And my answer is always the same- I stopped fighting PCOS and starting living my PCOS life. And thats where this all started- but more on that in another post.

I stayed at this weight for years- 8 to be exact. Of course I never knew exactly how my PCOS was doing since it was being masked by sprinolactone and birth control bills. Of course my eating changes throughout the years, I was now done with college and had a degree in Nutrition- also IBS and gallbladder problems made me restrict some foods a little here and there. My weight started to creep up a little bit, but I thought it was due to age, not my new resctricted diet.

Last year I started with a new doctor who challenged me to really LOOK at where my PCOS is. I stopped all medication and the first thing she told me to do is EAT- alot. My labs showed my body thought it was starving. From years of disordered eating- my body started holding onto food since it never know when or where it was going to get the food from. I thought I was eating plenty- heck I was eating WAY more than when I was in college- I thought my intuitive eating was enough, but the doctor said EAT so I did. And I ate, and ate and ate. Month after month she would check my labs and keep telling me to eat, my body wasnt seeing it yet ( of couse good to note I did have insulin resistance and a pill was needed to keep my BS in check while this process was going on- a doctor was needed). And after 4 months of eating the most I have ever eaten in my life- every 2-3 hours- I got my period!! I have never had a natural period in my 27 years- until then. And I kept getting it- every 2 months. My last check up- ALL my PCOS markers were negative. My body started its own fight- and all it needed was food. Now I know not everything works for everybody. And there are SOOOO many different types of metabolic differences with PCOS- we are all human and we are all different. But I wanted to share my story. I am now starting the process of IVF- and it is all possible with food. LOTS of it!

So what is Intuitive Eating? This is from IntuitiveEating.com-created by two fellow RDNs (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) who make it simple to understand.

10 Principles of Intuitive Eating 1. Reject the Diet Mentality Throw out the diet books and magazine articles that offer you false hope of losing weight quickly, easily, and permanently. Get angry at the lies that have led you to feel as if you were a failure every time a new diet stopped working and you gained back all of the weight. If you allow even one small hope to linger that a new and better diet might be lurking around the corner, it will prevent you from being free to rediscover Intuitive Eating. 2. Honor Your Hunger Keep your body biologically fed with adequate energy and carbohydrates. Otherwise you can trigger a primal drive to overeat. Once you reach the moment of excessive hunger, all intentions of moderate, conscious eating are fleeting and irrelevant. Learning to honor this first biological signal sets the stage for re-building trust with yourself and food. 3. Make Peace with Food Call a truce, stop the food fight! Give yourself unconditional permission to eat. If you tell yourself that you can’t or shouldn’t have a particular food, it can lead to intense feelings of deprivation that build into uncontrollable cravings and, often, bingeing When you finally “give-in” to your forbidden food, eating will be experienced with such intensity, it usually results in Last Supper overeating, and overwhelming guilt. 4. Challenge the Food Police .Scream a loud “NO” to thoughts in your head that declare you’re “good” for eating minimal calories or “bad” because you ate a piece of chocolate cake. The Food Police monitor the unreasonable rules that dieting has created . The police station is housed deep in your psyche, and its loud speaker shouts negative barbs, hopeless phrases, and guilt-provoking indictments. Chasing the Food Police away is a critical step in returning to Intuitive Eating. 5. Respect Your Fullness Listen for the body signals that tell you that you are no longer hungry. Observe the signs that show that you’re comfortably full. Pause in the middle of a meal or food and ask yourself how the food tastes, and what is your current fullness level? 6. Discover the Satisfaction Factor The Japanese have the wisdom to promote pleasure as one of their goals of healthy living In our fury to be thin and healthy, we often overlook one of the most basic gifts of existence–the pleasure and satisfaction that can be found in the eating experience. When you eat what you really want, in an environment that is inviting and conducive, the pleasure you derive will be a powerful force in helping you feel satisfied and content. By providing this experience for yourself, you will find that it takes much less food to decide you’ve had “enough”. 7. Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food Find ways to comfort , nurture, distract, and resolve your issues without using food. Anxiety, loneliness, boredom, anger are emotions we all experience throughout life. Each has its own trigger, and each has its own appeasement. Food won’t fix any of these feelings. It may comfort for the short term, distract from the pain, or even numb you into a food hangover. But food won’t solve the problem. If anything, eating for an emotional hunger will only make you feel worse in the long run. You’ll ultimately have to deal with the source of the emotion, as well as the discomfort of overeating. 8. Respect Your Body Accept your genetic blueprint. Just as a person with a shoe size of eight would not expect to realistically squeeze into a size six, it is equally as futile (and uncomfortable) to have the same expectation with body size. But mostly, respect your body, so you can feel better about who you are. It’s hard to reject the diet mentality if you are unrealistic and overly critical about your body shape. 9. Exercise–Feel the Difference Forget militant exercise. Just get active and feel the difference. Shift your focus to how it feels to move your body, rather than the calorie burning effect of exercise. If you focus on how you feel from working out, such as energized, it can make the difference between rolling out of bed for a brisk morning walk or hitting the snooze alarm. If when you wake up, your only goal is to lose weight, it’s usually not a motivating factor in that moment of time. 10 Honor Your Health–Gentle Nutrition Make food choices that honor your health and tastebuds while making you feel well. Remember that you don’t have to eat a perfect diet to be healthy. You will not suddenly get a nutrient deficiency or gain weight from one snack, one meal, or one day of eating. It’s what you eat consistently over time that matters, progress not perfection is what counts.

So why AM I TELLING YOU ALL OF THIS! I think in the PCOS world its easy to get swept up in the "food is bad" philosophy. But food is good- SO good. I know eating every 2-3 hours, listening to your bodies cravings and being stress-free about your weight and excercise is not possible for everyone- and its NOT the right treatment for everyone- but I think learning to LIVE life is! It so easy to get stuck thinking we need to FIGHT this PCOS but really we just need to LIVE it. I hope The PCOS Life will start to show you that my PCOS life can be different than your PCOS life- but in the end we can enjoy it and just LIVE it.

The PCOS Life is being revamped- Im bringing it back to its roots- and why I even created this in the first place. To share my love for food and my knowledge as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with all of you- Live your PCOS life, The creator of The PCOS Life- Kelsi (RDN, LDN)

#PCOS #PCOS diet #PCOS nutrition #pcosawareness #intuitiveeating

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monoguk · 8 years ago

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elements

Tonight, he conjures fire, with his fingers leaving lingering soft burns on your nudity as his hands become nimble. Tonight, he conjures warm air, satisfying your need for more, more, more heat. Tonight, he conjures healing water, salty liquid dripping and running down the smooth expanse of exposed skins. Tonight, he conjures the earth, with his stiff movement moving roughly against yours.

FEATURING - jeon jungkook CATEGORY - mature WORD COUNT - 2000+

He came in like a hurricane, blowing past obstacles in the form of a strong gust of air until he eventually crosses path with anyone. He came and go like a water stream, indefinite like the volume and direction of liquid. He was just as solid as any matter occupying the land, like the magnificently formed rocks scattered around the Earth. He resisted like fire, bellowing and intimidating, but his features glowed like embers hidden behind metal furnace doors.

He is the Earth; sturdy and buff in appearance, with his taut muscles and golden-tanned skin, and tall physique. He is the Earth, for the land is grand as he is beautiful.

He is the Water; cool and gentle in characteristics, for he goes with the flow of fun things and cares for people in need of help like the tamed waves of the ocean that cradles its passengers safely back home.

He is the Air; invisible but felt, quickly goes just as soon as he comes, for he rides with the wind, and he leaves in the blink of an eye.

He is the Fire, oh lovely fire; so young, so impulsive, so sublime, for he warms those who are good and burns those who are evil.

Tonight, he conjures fire, with his fingers leaving lingering soft burns on your nudity as his hands become nimble. Tonight, he conjures warm air, satisfying your need for more, more, more heat. Tonight, he conjures healing water, salty liquid dripping and running down the smooth expanse of exposed skins. Tonight, he conjures the Earth, with his stiff movement moving roughly against yours.

"Jungkook..." You moan, the broken syllables of his name coaxing a grunt out of him.

He moves, swiftly like water rapids, from the grand valley of your exposed breasts to where all your heat has transferred to where honey-sweet water flows greatest in you. His eyes, like the brown land he belongs in, glints dangerously as his glossy irises reflects the sight he is marveling in. "So fucking wet...".

Without warning, he delves to the juncture where you needed him the most, tongue and fingers rough - as expected from his native genetics - and holding your plump body closer and wider. Jungkook's soft muscle penetrates you, so deliciously fast and wet you couldn't refrain the sound of pleasure escaping your mouth. Just the beautiful image of him, with his wet forehead causing his umber hair stick to the skin and his nose and mouth hidden by your sweaty navel, already had you so attracted to him, already had you destroying your own protective walls.

"More," you whispered into the air, knowing that the little wind that circulated around the small metal room where you two were locked in would carry the message to where it needed to be. "Jungkook..."

His actions soften, face gradually inching away from your delicious heat, eyes expressing pleasure as though he just ate the most delicious meal in his life, gaze finding your glazed irises and penetrating through your power. "As you wish, your Majesty."

Unlike all other men who bows down to your whimpering commands, Jungkook stands out by intentionally blowing on your needy vaginal lips, killing you softly as though his breath has put your inner flames out.

So, with this, he revives you again, curing saliva adding lubrication to your dripping entrance. He shakes you alive, like a powerful Earth-bender creating an earthquake so intense it split the lands of the Four Nations. Just as the blue flames subtly escaping his palms, his power transfers to you and brings back the flame in you that he put out.

And despite the forbidden submission you display for him, only for him and only tonight, your desire flows out like gasoline greedy to touch fire and burst into pretty orange flames. Because this is what you've always wanted: power, dominance, the thrill of being nothing and everything in a bat of your eyelashes.

Because you are the Fire Kingdom's beloved Princess, out to dominate and intimidate empires you do not own, and you are supposed to be in command even in the most vulnerable of times.

On most occasions, you would have always carried a satisfied smirk while you look down at your subjects feeding off to the scarce supplies you give to them, at your subjects quivering in fear despite their gratefulness for receiving your worthless gifts.

Yet, here you were, rid of your metal armor and the usual expressionless mask of indifference, quivering above this young man - who was neither a servant or a fire kingdom official - under his special care of his tongue going in and out of your cunt, of his textured fingers roughly massaging your clit.

"Yes!" you screamed, voice toning down to erratic panting and gasping. For Jungkook brought you further to your impending high, brought you to a land you haven't conquered yet; to a land you, in your hazy mind, thought you could rule with this man by your side - just as powerful as you, but is powerful than you were supposed to be.

He fastened his pace, tongue penetrating you quickly and forefinger pressing the bundle of nerves that had you curling your toes with the immense pleasure. With a tilt of his head, reenacting the way he captured your lips hungrily before this lustful mess started, with his eyes closed and his nose intoxicated in the sinful smell of your arousal.

Unfailingly, the tip of his soft oral muscle hits a part of your most pleasurable spot, and at the nth time he prods at it, you unfurled yourself on him. Your back arches off the hard surface of your metal bed as your hands grips at his hair and pulls him closer while he works you up to oversensitivity.

Your room, walls of steaming metal and a lit lamp as the only source of light despite the vicious flames of your lustful adventure, appeared like the velvet blanket of the evening outside with clusters of white-hot stars scattered on the velvety cloth. He brings you higher, miles away from the clouds and further into space where the burning warmth of the Sun re-energizes your strength, your power, your desires, as he slowly opens his eyes to watch your reaction to his dominant submission to your feet - almost begging for an ultimately-sweet reward.

"Get up," you weakly order, though you roughly pulled him away from your flowing heat, white stickiness dripping down on your stiff mattress. "I want to fuck you."

Jungkook bites his lip, eyes burning brighter and turning into darker coals, skin receiving the heat you were providing, powers leaning dangerously towards a kind of bending he genetically cannot conjure. For Jeon Jungkook is an Earth-bender, a lowly prisoner who had somehow made his way to the Fire Princess's chambers in her command for a quick evening sex. "I'm all yours, Princess."

You grunted, shakily making your way to straddle the boy perched sitting on your bed with his back against your rigid metal headboard, "Fuck, I love that. Praise me more, Jungkook..."

"You're so fucking hot," lazily he pumps his throbbing upright member while he guides your entrance atop his sex with the help of his other hand gently controlling your position. "You deserved to be crowned the Princess of the Fire Nation. I would do anything for you, Your Highness."

You sighed, in complete bliss, as you ground down on him slowly, reveling in the feeling of his hard skin penetrating your most sensitive spot. "Be mine, Jungkook.", unconsciously, you ordered as you languidly made to shift your hips up along his length and down on it again after reaching his tip.

Simultaneously, you two groaned whenever you continued to go up and down on him, clenching your walls around him in various spots and then eventually squeezing on a particular spot that makes Jungkook moan louder, grip harder on your tender flesh, coax his hips to thrust his hardness deeper into you.

You hold onto Jungkook's sturdy, sweaty, broad shoulders - feel them rise and fall in ragged and irregular patterns as he takes in and exhales out deep breaths of you and the absolute smell of sex and burned coal - as you picked up the pace for the control over this sinful act was yours as much as it was Jungkook's.

For some reason, the equal division of powers enrages you in a positive way - as though someone had poured more gasoline into a pit of raging fires with flickering embers from black coals being shown through the gradual way your walls clenched on his sex. "I-I’m..."

You were a whimpering mess above him, strength weakening but your determination to continue on slamming and pleasuring yourself up and down his shaft earned a groan from him. "Your power makes you so sexy, so hot. Fuck, so wet. Do you need help, Princess?"

The pleasurable knots occurring in your body decreased your strength, completely succumbing to your impending climax caused by the hardness that is Jungkook's member pumping in and out of you.

As an attempt of an answer, you merely whimpered, slumping all your weight down onto him that eventually caused the two of to slide down until you had Jungkook lying down on his back, hoping he understood your prideful way of saying, "Please do,"

With the silent request, Jungkook braces himself by taking hold of either side of your waist, and with his inborn strength, he thrusts into you just the way you wanted, needed.

He had you resolving into a whining, moaning, writhing mess above him, but he was no different from your state as his hips moved sloppily with his impending release.

No words needed to be exchanged, informing the other that the knots in your abdomen were about to unfurl in the form of sticky, white, wet hormones from your gonads. As you two both chased your highs, with the effort being passed on to the relentless way Jungkook slammed inside, you did not bother keeping your voice down.

Damn to those guards lurking in the hallways of your metal ship, to those people outside who would hear your cries of ecstasy, your way of telling the Four Nations of how only this man had made you feel so powerful and powerless simultaneously; how only this man made you come so hard the way you've never done before.

With your wall clenching around him as you released all your dusked desires on his moving length, Jungkook grunts and performs a few more pumps before he was releasing inside of you.

He stills for a fracture of a moment, until at least half of his load has been shot, before he lazily thrusts into you, loving the feeling of oversensitivity that your warm sex provides.

When you both had calmed down from your highs, Jungkook pulls you away gently and you relent to his care what with your weak body overdosed with too much pleasure.

Your hazy mind does not remember the way this man embraces you, covers the both of you with the thin material of your blanket, and hums you a gentle lullaby until you were surely asleep.

And if you were to remember, you were certain no more if you were going to regret the events of that evening.

Air. Water. Earth. Fire. The cycle went on, and the cycle is one of the reasons why the Four Nations are at chaos. Some says the first avatar was an Air bender, claiming that he had gone to the temple of Avatars and traced back to the statue of the primordial savior. But the Fire Kingdom begged to differ and claimed that the cycle went like this: 'Fire. Air. Water. Earth.'

Who is to say who came first, when the world has been alive some millennia ago? Still, the feud went on, and thus war ensued, crueler than the last.

Long before your rule, the Fire Nation had always acted superior, had always thought they had rightful authority on every land in the Four Nations. With this mentality in mind, since the beginning of time, they spread out and conquered cities - the main citadel of an elemental community or a humble and small town - and brought fear to every powerless human being through threats and imprisonment.

There were only two things that stood in their way: fearless elemental benders, and the almighty Avatar. For every average life-cycle, the Fire Nation sought high and low to find and capture this avatar, these obstacles, and to be honest they've had their fair share of victories and loses.

When the benders would win the battle, the Fire Nation lays low, preparing and waiting for the perfect moment to stand up again, stronger and fiercer than the last fight. When the Fire Nation wins, the new generation of benders and Avatars would struggle to be better than these fiery hectors.

In your rule, with the Fire King's health deteriorating day by day, a lot of things were expected of you. One of them was to win this never-ending war, and another was to capture and contain the new Avatar.

It happened unknowingly, too fast for you to comprehend, and there had always been a doubtful glee in your chest when your crew cheers that the Fire Princess has caught the Avatar.

Indeed, you and master of all four elements had put up a great fight, and it took great effort for you to avoid blasts of air and water, the only weakness of a burning flame. In your rage, as is inherited from the ancient Fire Nations’ genes, you screamed in frustration - of all the times your family had forced you into training so that they could mold you into the most powerful Fire Nation ruler, of all the mockery your father had told you whenever you miss the chance of imprisoning the Avatar, of all the expectations your people had on you, a false image of the strong princess they were told of - and shot the most powerful fireball you could conjure towards a certain direction through glazed eyes. When you heard a shout of agony that was not yours, you eventually realized you were crying. And, as you fell on your knees and watched ahead the way your soldiers chained the Avatar, you just felt numb instead of the ecstasy a Fire Princess should have felt over a fair victory.

In the midst of the celebration for the capture of the Avatar, you slipped away the drunken men and skimpily dressed female escorts, escaped the suffocation that the victory and festivity and sexual tension encased inside the cramped room of metal walls, until you unconsciously made it to the prisoner's chambers. No land nor soil, minimal wind passages, no source of liquid, and no luminescence of fire would be seen there, because they had to deprive these bending prisoners of their strengths, deprive them of the hope to escape. In the far end of the corridors, raged prisoners spitting insults your way, you reached the avatar's cell staring at this person with void eyes. When the avatar stared back at you, you were informed that he did not care if he was kept here for a long time. He had no friends, no families to come back to. He didn't want the responsibilities laid on his shoulders, "Just because I was chosen and born to be the almighty Avatar."

You spoke no word in between his hurting story. Of how there will nobody to help him get through the day, except maybe secret heated rendezvous in the woods or in a brothel. And it shouldn't have, but his loneliness got to you, because you were just as lonely although the whole Nation loved their Fire Princess.

When he says, "You're not that bad, Princess. Coming down here to check your prisoners if they were alright instead of giving yourself a reward through a good fuck, or simply getting wasted with strong rum if little Fire Princess is still a pure virgin.", you turn back to him and asks, "What is your name, Avatar?"

"Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook."

There was no warm sunshine to stir you from your sleep, just the gentle swaying of your metal ship, just the random convection of heat on your naked body from the flaming torches in your room, just the indecipherable shouting outside your metal doors.

There was no softness beside you when you reached over, just the thin material of your bedsheet, just the stiff block you consider as your pillow, just your shiny breastplate from your armor, and just the smooth feeling of a piece of parchment being crumpled by your tossing and turning from the bed.

You woke up with a start when your door bursts open, your guard shamelessly sputtering out an urgent report that had you furrowing your brows and sitting up from your bed with your blanket covering as much as your naked body.

You looked around your chamber, finally realizing that the noise outside was of utter chaos and of alarm bells, finally realizing the missing pair of clothes on the ground, finally seeing the tiny note left for you. It read:

Good Morning Princess! Last night was great, and I can confidently say I was great for you too. However, I'm really not a guy who stays in the morning after a one night stand. Hope you don't mind me stealing your keys ;) See you someday, my Princess.

P.S. you'll still be the hottest fuck I will ever have.

xoxo, jjk the earth-bending avatar

"Ma'am, the prisoners have escaped, and there is no sign of the Ava-"

"JEON JUNGKOOK! FIND THE AVATAR!"

#jungkook smut #belle writes #bangtan jeongguk #jeon scenario

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laurelkrugerr · 5 years ago

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What’s Up With Open Yoga Studios in COVID-19 Hotspots?

July 28, 2020 15+ min read

“Okay. So, the ‘Breath of Joy’ is a practice we would do at the beginning of every Hatha class, which involves a very heavy open mouth exhalation. It’s a three-part inhale through the nose with corresponding arm movements.”

Mimi Thomas, a Phoenix-based yoga teacher, is sitting on a patio in a maroon floral beach cover-up. She stands to demonstrate.

“Inhale one, arms out in front of you,” she says. “Inhale two, arms come out wide. Inhale three, filling your lungs all the way to the top, arms up, biceps by the ears. And as you exhale, open your mouth and go, ‘Haaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.’” As she exhales, she swings her upper body forward and down, her curly blonde hair tumbling over her head to brush the ground.

“Now imagine 50 people in a room doing that during a fucking pandemic,” she says.

Thomas, 26, observed this scene in a Scottsdale yoga studio in early June, as Arizona was making headlines as the country’s latest COVID-19 hotspot. The first week of June, the state saw a 54 percent increase in new cases over the previous week, with ICU beds surpassing 80 percent capacity.

Thomas — who is, full disclosure, my fiancé’s sister, whom I saw on a family visit to Virginia in early July — taught online classes throughout the first months of the pandemic. Three or four nights a week, I would log onto Zoom from my apartment in Brooklyn to follow her through an hour of “Energized Vinyasa” or “Slow Flow.” In the void of normalcy that was quarantine, those hours on the mat were bright spots on the horizon of each day. And when things finally started re-opening in Phoenix mid-May, she agreed to teach some in-studio classes in the non-heated room at Hot Yoga University (HYU).

“The non-heated room was very small. Like, when we re-opened I would have one person in my class, maybe two,” Thomas says. “And HYU had made an announcement that they were following CDC guidelines — everyone six feet apart, masks inside, sanitized, touchless check-in, etc. But then you go in and there are 48 people in the hot room, not six feet apart, breathing all over each other. I was standing by the front desk when a lady walked out and said, ‘You guys are not following CDC guidelines. I want my money back. You’re blatantly putting people at risk.’”

Related: 5 Reasons to Start a Yoga Routine While You’re Social Distancing

HYU’s owner, Karin Fellman, was teaching the class the student walked out of, and later had a conversation with Thomas about the mask-wearing policy. “She made this comment about how she refuses to support any business that requires you to wear a mask inside,” Thomas says. “So that’s when my eyes were kind of opened.”

Soon after, Thomas told Fellman she didn’t feel comfortable teaching classes at HYU anymore, and parted ways with the studio. In the following weeks she began to hear — through other HYU teachers — that numerous teachers and students had tested positive. The studio continued operating on a regular class schedule until June 28, when an email was sent out with the subject line: “In Response to COVID-19.”

I went to a class at HYU a few years ago on a trip to Phoenix, so was on the studio’s mailing list and received the email. “Like most businesses in Scottsdale,” it read, “we have had some people come forward and inform us they have tested positive. The most recent person received their test result today. The last day they were at the studio was June 16th.” The email went on to say the studio would be closing down to disinfect and would reopen July 5.

But on June 29, the day after HYU sent out their email, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order mandating that the state’s gyms, bars, theaters, waterparks and inner-tubing businesses close for 30 days (on July 23 he extended the order indefinitely). On July 1, HYU announced that in light of the second shut-down order, the studio would be closing permanently.

“The fatigue… simply became too great”

I reached out to HYU’s owner, Fellman, to get her account of what had happened in the weeks between re-opening in May and closing down at the end of June. She maintains that the studio followed all CDC guidelines throughout the period of re-opening. “I do remember one student who left because she felt it was too crowded,” Fellman told me in an email. “I spoke to her before class explaining that the squares on the floor where yogis put their mats down were 6 feet apart following the CDC guidelines and if they were (husband/wife etc.) they could practice closer together. I think that was what she saw near her and was uncomfortable.”

Fellman says that the ultimate decision to shut down was because, “At a certain point, it became obvious we could not guarantee students would not be exposed to someone if they attended class,” she said. “We could not control where people had been before class, or where they worked. Many of our students and teachers worked with the public and exposure was inevitable. At the time we closed we had three confirmed cases and after closing we had members of our community reach out with additional positive tests results, reaffirming our decision to close. The mental, emotional, and spiritual fatigue with providing a safe environment and at the same time trying to ease those who were fearful, simply became too great.”

Of course, these difficult calculations are not unique to HYU. And although some yoga studios in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area have taken the threat of COVID-19 very seriously and continued operating virtually throughout the pandemic, a number also resumed normal class schedules as quickly as possible and even defied executive orders to shut back down. These decisions aren’t just happening in Phoenix, of course; in cities across the country, some studios are opting to offer in-studio classes while others are remaining virtual.

A document recently prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force lists 18 states as being in the “red zone” (10 percent or higher positive test rate) for COVID-19 cases. The experts who prepared the report recommended that those states close down bars and gyms immediately, require masks be worn at all times and limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer. The report also offers data on the three counties in each state with the highest number of cases. We looked at those three counties in all 18 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah — and found multiple yoga studios offering in-studio classes in 48 of 54 counties. The exceptions were in North Carolina and Southern California, where gyms have been ordered to close (though multiple studios in Orange County still appear to still be offering in-studio classes) and the county of Elko, Nevada, which seems to have only one yoga studio.

To be fair, these studios are mostly small, independent businesses doing everything they can to survive, and their state governments are permitting them to stay open. The majority claim to be following CDC guidelines with limited class sizes and social distancing, along with virtual or livestream options. But in most counties, for every studio offering indoor classes, there is one or more that have opted to stay entirely virtual — or to offer only outdoor classes. This suggests that a significant portion of the yoga community believes the right thing is to stop offering in-studio classes regardless of whether they are legally permitted. There are obvious exposure risks in the physical practice of yoga — a form of exercise that involves heavy breathwork — so for studio owners hoping for their business interests and core yogic values to align, this virus presents an ethically murky dilemma.

Throughout the pandemic, as the U.S. outbreak became the largest in the world, there have been conversations about the downsides of America’s robust strain of individualism. The necessity of considering what’s best for the larger collective, as opposed to yourself and your bottom line, has been a tough pill for many Americans to swallow. But it’s particularly interesting to observe this playing out in the yoga universe, rooted as it is in Eastern philosophy, with its emphasis on mindfulness and the collective good. Every person I spoke to for this story mentioned yoga’s guiding principle of “ahimsa” — meaning “nonviolence,” or “do no harm.”

So, what are the motivating factors and viewpoints of studio owners who are dead-set on opening? Are there any circumstances under which it could be truly safe to practice inside while this virus is still a threat? And if yoga is a business like anything else, what does its future look like in a country that is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic normalcy anytime soon? Will it look like these studios, resisting change and hoping for the best, or will it look like those who lean into the unknown and seek out opportunities to innovate?

“We’ve been forced to pull our in-studio offering”

Back in Phoenix, following Governor Ducey’s June 29 executive order for gyms to shut down, HYU decided to close for good. But meanwhile, other studios in the area were telling students that they were planning to stay open, because they considered themselves exempt from the “gym” category.

Radi8 Hot Yoga, for example, posted an Instagram update on June 30 saying that it was staying open despite the executive order, with the following justification: “After further review of the Governor’s mandate, it is our interpretation that we do not fall under ‘Gyms’ as we are a boutique studio with set class times allowing for full social distancing and space between each student. We will continue our elevated cleaning procedures, touchless check in, socially distanced mat markers, deep clean between each class, and require all students to wear masks on the way in and out of the studio.” Per its website, it appears to have offered a full schedule of in-studio classes through July 15 (Radi8 did not respond to our requests for comment).

Yoga 6, a California-based franchise with two locations in Arizona, also stayed open in defiance of the executive order until July 7, when the Scottsdale location received a visit from law enforcement. “We have some disappointing news to share,” it wrote on the studio’s local Instagram account later that day. “Unfortunately, due to the recent local ordinance, we have been forced to pull our in-studio offering for the time being. While we don’t agree with the decision to lump us into the same category as ‘gyms’ (given we are smaller and no one moves stations or shares equipment, have special UVC germicidal lights, and enhanced cleaning standards), we will respect the order while we petition to be allowed to safely reopen.”

Related: A Men’s Yoga Brand Learns the Real Meaning of Flexibility

On July 13, Yoga 6 and its parent company Xponential Fitness — which also includes Club Pilates, Pure Barre, AKT and CycleBar — sued the Arizona governor for requiring its various brand locations in the state to close for 30 days. On July 14, an Arizona judge ruled against the company. Kate Kwon, the VP of communications at Xponential, told Entrepreneur that the lawsuit was filed because it believed there wasn’t sufficient evidence showing that gyms contributed to the spread of the virus. “We reopened with extensive health and safety procedures in place and as you mentioned, felt the executive order was arbitrary in nature including gyms and fitness centers,” Kwon said in an email. “No data was referenced to show gyms and fitness centers were contributing to the spread of COVID19 so we simply wanted to understand how they got to the conclusion to include all fitness.”

Is it ever safe to practice yoga inside?

Ingrid Yang is a hospital physician based in San Diego who has been working on the frontlines of the pandemic. She has also been a yoga teacher for over 20 years and is the author of two books, Hatha Yoga Asanas (2012) and Adaptive Yoga (forthcoming in November 2020). As a former studio owner herself, Yang is sympathetic to studios trying to navigate the pandemic. But she also says that from a medical perspective, doing yoga classes indoors — even with mats placed six feet or more apart — is an undeniable risk.

“It is hard to maintain strict distancing and mask adherence, even for the most educated of us, and it is simply impossible to ensure that you are creating an environment that is transmission-free,” Yang says. “If I still owned my yoga center, I would have a hard time justifying opening. People in America are welcome to make their own decisions and take on their own risk, but maybe they aren’t asking themselves the right questions: Do you have to go to that yoga class? Will your life end if you don’t go to that yoga class? Well, yours might not, but someone else’s might.”

Dr. Ingrid Yang, practicing pandemic yoga // Image credit: Colin Gazley

In enclosed spaces, even if all social distancing precautions are taken, the most dangerous factor is likely to be aerosolized transmission. Recent research suggests that tiny virus particles can hang in the air for a significant period of time, particularly in enclosed spaces.

“In yoga, the technique ‘ujjayi’ breathing is utilized, which is used to both elongate and deepen the breath,” Yang says. “So maybe you’re six feet apart, but if you’re next to someone who is asymptomatic, and they’re inevitably breathing more heavily — because their heart rate is up and they are requiring more oxygen to their muscles — they will be taking in bigger, deeper breaths that may create more aerosolized droplets. And you’re taking in longer, more elongated breaths with more volume of air, so you’re more at risk for taking in their droplets.”

Yang does think the use of UVC lights — which Yoga 6 purports to use — in yoga studios is an interesting innovation, and promising research has been done around UV radiation’s ability to kill the virus under specific conditions. But there are simply still so many unknowns that it’s impossible to guarantee a safe experience. “Based on the research we have, the SARS‑CoV can be inactivated by UV radiation at 254 nm (UVC or 200–280 nm), with partial viral inactivation at one minute and increasing efficacy up to six minutes,” Yang says. “But research and our discoveries are changing all the time. There’s still so much we don’t know … so the continued unknown risks may not be worth the benefit for many yogis.”

The majority of studios I’ve come across during research have been asking yogis to wear masks to and from their mats, but not while they’re actually practicing. Yang acknowledges the difficulties that studios face in asking customers to wear masks throughout the class. “When you’re a business owner, the customer’s always right. Most customers say, ‘I don’t want to wear a mask while I’m exercising or practicing yoga because it’s uncomfortable.’ You can’t control someone who just takes off their mask in Shavasana to get a deep breath in.”

Kim, a Phoenix-based yoga teacher who asked to be identified by her first name, says it’s definitely been uncomfortable interacting with students who don’t want to wear masks. “It’s just been really hard to maneuver, because people would show up for classes and there will be a sign that says, ‘You have to wear a mask.’ But they come in without one like, ‘What?’ You feel like a jerk saying, ‘Sorry you need to go out and put a face covering and then you’re free to come back in.’ I had a student who left and didn’t come back. I was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s your call.’ It’s just changing everything.”

Doubt, denial and God-complexes

What Kim has found more unsettling than awkward interactions with students, however, are the underlying reasons for some students’ and studios’ resistance to COVID-19 safety precautions. “There are conspiracy theories that have been growing within the yoga community,” she says. “Like, some students and teachers think that the pandemic is a hoax — a political angle to try to get people to vote a certain way. They think that wearing a mask kind of puts you in a certain group, like you’re a Democrat, or you’re a Republican or liberal or whatever. My personal opinion is that it’s a coping mechanism, like, ‘Oh, this isn’t really happening.’ It’s a form of denial, because they would have to stop doing what they want to do. But I’m willing to bet that every studio has had cases or teachers that have come down sick. I mean, it’s like wildfire here.”

A somewhat blatant example of this was on July 4, when Radi8 and Yoga 6, two Phoenix studios that were open despite the executive order to close, posted their in-studio class schedules to their Instagram pages along with the same quote: “May we think of freedom as not the right to do what we please, but the opportunity to do what is right.”

For her part, Thomas thinks that there are some teachers who suffer from misguided feelings of invincibility, which can feed into attitudes of denial. “I totally get that survival mode is kicking in for these studio owners,” she says. “But there is almost like a God complex that a lot of popular yoga teachers get, knowing that if they stay open, their students will come. Maybe it’s denial, but teachers have a real responsibility to educate themselves and their students.”

Leah Bosworth is the owner of Ironwood Yoga Studios in Phoenix, where Thomas teaches now. Ironwood has stayed fully virtual since the pandemic began, but Bosworth says she is aware of some local studios that buy into these conspiracy-type perspectives. She thinks much of it comes from a place of fear and difficulty imagining another way of doing things.

“I think people are attached to the idea that they started with, and understandably so,” she says. “I’ve heard from a few studio owner friends that ‘this just wasn’t what I signed up for.’ And rent is a huge thing. I have heard many upsetting stories about landlords who are not forgiving at all. Taking a brick and mortar studio online with all of your teachers is quite complex… To make [a virtual model] viable long-term it is truly like starting another business. I think for a lot of studio owners the idea of starting over is just too much, so the only path they see forward is in-person or bust.”

Finding clarity, accepting reality and embracing change

For Bosworth, the decision to keep building and perfecting her studio’s virtual offering boiled down to the fact that when she looked reality square in the face, it was the only way forward that was clear.

“I kind of figured out really quickly that nobody really knows what’s going on,” she says. “So I had to do what I thought was right in my gut. We closed down in March and immediately, two days later, shifted to doing whatever we could online, which was Facebook Live at the time. But it took us about 20 days of nonstop scrambling to get it together. Figuring out how to do a platform and delivery and all of that stuff is an enormous undertaking.”

Leah Bosworth teaching a virtual session at Ironwood Yoga Studios // Image credit: Leah Bosworth

But Bosworth says part of the reason she was probably more open to shifting entirely online was that before she started Ironwood, she had done a lot of research into starting an online health and wellness brand. So she saw the “possibilities and creativity” of a virtual studio.

“As I was doing my research and working with my web designer, this little voice in my head kept saying, ‘Online is the future for yoga studios and gyms,’” she says. “Because nothing [about the pandemic] has actually changed. People are just opening because the economy is going to collapse if we don’t. But from a business perspective, I can’t grow my studio if there are only eight people in the room. From a safety perspective, it’s going to put my community at risk. And from a yoga perspective, I wanted to keep that clarity for everyone when everything else was uncertain. I didn’t want to go back and forth. I wanted to practice ‘ahimsa,’ not causing harm to the community. So I just thought, let’s commit to this.”

The commitment has paid off. Ironwood’s virtual attendance has stayed steady since March, and even grown some recently. “I’ve got my pricing options in place, and now I’m shifting into marketing agency,” she says. “I just invested in a bunch of video equipment. I’m trying to uplevel everything so we can compete with what’s out there. Quality has always been really important to me, and how you deliver makes a big difference in engagement for people.”

Yang says that because this virus isn’t going away anytime soon, this perspective is likely to be the long-term winning approach. “Yoga centers have become innovative with providing online yoga classes,” she says. “That’s the best and most important way that studios can stay connected and continue to generate income. Now is the time for every yoga studio owner to become a true entrepreneur and to utilize the power of social media to maintain their revenue streams and their connection to their student base.”

Bosworth says that, of course, she is not blind to what is lost by not practicing in-person with her students. A big part of the yoga experience has traditionally been about holding space in a room with others. But ultimately, she thinks that the way yogis conceptualize community right now has to be bigger than the community of one yoga class.

“What I’ve been saying to our students and teachers — and basically to myself — is that we just have to put aside our preferences right now,” she says. “No, it’s not ideal for me to teach to a camera in an empty room. But it’s not really about us right now. It’s about the community taking care of each other in this time and being open to doing something differently. People build communities online all the time, and at the end of the day it’s about, did you practice yoga today? I’ve certainly thought of giving up, but ultimately, I’m sort of excited by this opportunity to transcend this disaster. I guess I like a good challenge. I’m weird like that.”

Related: Workplace Wellness Isn’t Just for Big Corporations. Here’s How …

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riichardwilson · 5 years ago

Text

What’s Up With Open Yoga Studios in COVID-19 Hotspots?

July 28, 2020 15+ min read

Mimi Thomas, a Phoenix-based yoga teacher, is sitting on a patio in a maroon floral beach cover-up. She stands to demonstrate.

“Now imagine 50 people in a room doing that during a fucking pandemic,” she says.

Related: 5 Reasons to Start a Yoga Routine While You’re Social Distancing

“The fatigue… simply became too great”

“We’ve been forced to pull our in-studio offering”

Related: A Men’s Yoga Brand Learns the Real Meaning of Flexibility

Is it ever safe to practice yoga inside?

Dr. Ingrid Yang, practicing pandemic yoga // Image credit: Colin Gazley

Doubt, denial and God-complexes

Finding clarity, accepting reality and embracing change

Leah Bosworth teaching a virtual session at Ironwood Yoga Studios // Image credit: Leah Bosworth

Related: Workplace Wellness Isn’t Just for Big Corporations. Here’s How …

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/whats-up-with-open-yoga-studios-in-covid-19-hotspots/ source https://scpie.tumblr.com/post/624951124789772288

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