#but I'm getting better and for once I'm getting PT for my ankle in a timely manner

[thelastspeecher]

dipperpines-kin replied to your post: "I rolled my ankle last week and it was still..."

usually if ur skin is purple and swollen theres a broken bone. i hope ur able to get it fixed

yeah that was why they x-rayed it seven years ago when I hurt it twice, and both times resulted in severe bruising and swelling and other signs of a broken ankle. the specific kind of fracture I have, with the tiny bits of bone being loose, is more difficult to spot, which is why they didn't see it back then.

I'm back at PT for the sprained ankle I got a couple weeks ago, so that part is being fixed. or at least, as fixed as it will be, given that I have hypermobility and also permanent damage to the ankle at this point.

agent-jaselin replied to your post: "I rolled my ankle last week and it was still..."

that really is unfortunate. Will you need to get it repaired after it’s healed from the sprain? Or is it just something that will continue and you now know why troubles you?

I'm not sure if my doctor will want to do anything about the loose bits of bone. I went to urgent care, after all, and haven't spoken with my doctor since I got the results of the x-ray. I think that for this kind of fracture, this many years on, the only thing that could be done is surgery. but it might be a case where the upsides don't quite outweigh the downsides, and they decide to forgo surgery.

I get the feeling my doctor will at the very least want to refer me to ortho and go from there. I'll ask her at my annual physical in a couple months. I mean, even if I wanted to, I might not be able to schedule an appointment before then. doctors are so booked up lately.

I love to complain on here, tho, so don't worry, y'all will be able to hear any ankle updates when I talk to my doctor.

eregyrn-falls replied to your post: "I rolled my ankle last week and it was still..."

UGH. I’m glad they found it now, but UGH.

...yeah. it's been a rough couple weeks, tbh. the person at urgent care told me what the treatment would be for that sort of fracture, and then said they do the same sort of treatment (a boot, crutches, referral to ortho, PT) for severe sprains.

and seven years ago, my doctor then thought it was a severe sprain bc they didn't see the fracture on the x-rays they took. but I didn't...get that treatment. I didn't get a referral to ortho (which I should have, after I sprained it like four or five months after spraining it the first time) and I didn't get a referral to physical therapy (which I ABSOLUTELY should have had, given how fucked up my ankle had gotten).

and my doctor back then was GREAT. she was thorough and did her due diligence for my gallbladder and heart arrhythmia. I genuinely don't know why she dropped the ball for my ankle. but because, for whatever reason, I didn't get the treatment I should have gotten, my ankle is permanently damaged.

that's something I've been spending the last couple weeks coming to terms with. (and something that I spent most of my therapy session today talking about; not PT, talk therapy.)

ANYWAYS on a lighter note, my physical therapist thinks that the bone pieces aren't from an avulsion fracture (when a ligament tears away a piece of bone) like I assumed. going off how I originally hurt my ankle and the location of the "loose bodies", she thinks that when I inverted my ankle (rolled it under me), it was done with so much force that the bones in my ankle smashed into each other hard enough to break off small bits.

and I think that's kinda metal.

[jamespotterismydaddy]

Capture the Flag

luke castellan x reader

pt 2

A/N: now that i'm writing for other fandoms, feel free to let me know if you only want to be on a hotd taglist. But now, please enjoy the strongest swordsman in camp halfblood

TW: MAJOR SMUT, slight bondage, rough smut, violence, lowkey dark(ish)!luke

word count: 1,699 words

You want Luke Castellan’s head speared on your sword.

It’s like you spend every minute preparing for capture the flag because of him. He spends every last minute of each game cutting down your teammates and stealing your flag, so now it’s time to change the tactic. You ditch your father’s usual battle advice of going for the kill and hope that defence is the best offence for once. You also pray that he will guide your sword anyhow. So there you stand, guarding your flag with two of your most vicious teammates. You dodge the blue team’s first attack that was supposed to draw you off. You may have a short temper but you aren’t stupid. And you’re more than pleased to see the look of surprise on Luke’s face as he approaches.

“Fucking Ares kids.” He grumbles, sword drawn.

“Were you not expecting me, Castellan?” You ask with a vengeful smirk.

He goes right for you. You’re the biggest threat there but he likes to think you’re not even close to his skill level. You would believe that the man plans to cut you down and then your teammates. He always aims for the glory of it all.

“How’s your team gonna get our flag if you’re here?” He asks as he makes the first swing. It’s much better to start off on offence and he’s the one coming at you.

“Who cares. When you’re done, so is your team.” You block him, hating to be on defence but he’s too quick.

“Gods, you didn’t plan ahead of that? There really isn’t anything in that pretty little head of yours, is there? Other than rage of course.”

  You’re a hothead. He knows it. You know it and it doesn’t take much to rile you up. When you’re riled up, you get sloppy. At this point, you don’t care if he guts you, you go for the little fucker’s ankles. You’re actually surprised when he stumbles from blocking your attack. It’s a stupid mistake, especially for him. Though, you aren’t going to let a chance like this slip by. You keep pushing him back, trying to leave him no chance to think in between swings. He trips over a log behind him, the sword falling from his hand. He has no chance now, not on the ground and you won’t be letting him get up.

“Who’s the idiot now?” 

He looks at you as you approach slowly, taunting him. He then grabs his sword and makes a break for it. You’re too shocked to even keep him down.

What the fuck.

You don’t think you’ve ever seen Luke Castellan run from a fight. Not in your 4 years at camp. So you chase after him.

He’s fast, faster than you but you push yourself. He trails away… and away. Then you lose him. 

“Godsdamnit!” You scream into the woods as you jog around where you last saw him. 

You know you can’t stray for long if you’re not fighting Luke so you turn to make your way back to the flag. That’s when he jumps out at you with his sword swinging. You barely have time to block and it puts you off your balance. He swings at you again and again. You fall as you continue to block the merciless strikes. You’re practically holding your sword in the air and hoping for the best. The best doesn’t come as the weapon flies from your hand. He descends on you, straddling your waist as he holds the blade to your throat. He’s smirking.

“You don’t try nearly hard enough.” He says to you. “I know you’re not very clever but hades, my teammates probably already have the flag over the barrier.” 

That’s when you realize how easily you were deceived. Luke didn’t run from you because you bested him; he ran to draw you off. It was a pathetically simple plan and it worked. The heat rises to your cheeks from humiliation. He grabs your two hands and pins them above your head, his grip gentle but also firm.

“I’ll put you in your grave.” You spit out at him.

“Will you now? While I have you essentially restrained?” He’s clearly amused.

You struggle beneath him with all your force but all you manage to do is roll your hips against him, earning a groan from the man. You feel it too, the burning ache between your thighs. You want him. Worse yet, he wants you.

“Let me up.” 

“No. I think you quite like how I have you pinned to the ground.” He smirks.

“You’re delusional.”

“You’re wet.”

He slips a knee between your thighs and rubs it against your clothed pussy. It takes everything in you not to whimper.

“S-Stop.” You stutter out.

“Make me.” He murmurs, continuing to make you grind down on his knee as he leans down and forces you into a hot kiss. You hate how you kiss back, so hungry for him. Your mind is clouded with lust for a moment before you realize the advantage he is giving you. You never technically conceded.

As swiftly as you can, you wrap your free leg around his waist and use your whole strength to throw him off you, startling him enough to free your hands.

“You bitch.” He groans as you jab him in the stomach to try and give yourself enough time to grab your sword but it doesn’t work. He grabs you by the ankle and yanks hard. You slam to the ground right on your stomach. He moves to restrain you by sitting on your thighs so you can’t move your legs and holds your hands behind your back. You clearly didn’t consider how inevitably stronger he is than you.

“Shit.” You whine. His hold isn’t nearly as gentle this time.

“That was a cheap fucking shot.” He says cruelly. He’s pissed now.

“Fuck you. Castellan!” Gods it goes straight to his dick when you call him by his last name. He grips your hair with his free hand and pulls back hard so you have to look at him. You whine again at the sharp pain.

“You just can’t play fair, can you, princess? Maybe I won’t either then.”

 He drops your head and you hear him rustling with something. You realize it’s his belt when you feel the leather against your wrists. He’s binding you.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Your voice is full of rage but to him, you just sound petulant. 

 “What you need.” Is his simple answer.

He shifts down so he sits, or rather kneels, with your legs between his. He’s amused by your renewed writhing as an attempt to escape. It is pitiful really. Oh well, he’ll have you writhing for a different reason soon enough.

His fingertips glide across your waist, to your hips and then to your thighs, causing your back to arch upwards slightly, your stomach dipping. He brings his lips down to your ear, his voice is deep and lustful as he says, “Your body seems to know what it wants.”

“I’ll kill you.” You promise.

“Oh, i’m sure you will. But right now, you fucking belong to me.” He yanks on your hair again so you have to look at him and your eyes water from the pain. “I think you like me hurting you.” His other hand slips between your thighs to rub your clit and you let out a strangled moan. “For a girl who is so controlling, it’s interesting how badly you enjoy me manhandling you.”

He yanks your pants down and slips your helmet under your hips so your ass stays high in the air with your chest to the ground.

“This is fucked up.” You say.

“You love it. Your panties are soaked.” And he’s completely right. You’ve never been so turned on before but not a lot of men are as strong and good-looking as Luke Castellan.

He pulls your panties down and groans at the sight of your dripping pussy. He begins to palm himself through his pants and unzips them. “You have about three seconds to tell me if you don’t actually want this.”

You are silent and he chuckles. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” 

Before you can even prepare yourself or form a thought, his fat cock is shoved inside of you, splitting you open.

“Ah, Luke!” You moan at the pain and pleasure.

“Gods, this is the tightest little pussy i’ve had.” He begins to fuck in and out of you relentlessly, giving you no time to adjust. “Yeah, you’re good for me now, baby. Such a good little cocksleeve.” He punctuates his last words with hard thrusts, the head of his cock bullying into you each time.

All you can do is repeat his name like a mantra as you get pounded on the forest floor by the strongest swordsman in camp. It’s even worse as he begins to rub your clit again, sending you so close to the edge.

“Never gonna have enough of you after this.” Luke murmurs as he feels you squeezing around him. “My good girl.” 

That’s what sends you tumbling over the edge, bringing Luke with you as you do. He never could’ve kept going, not with the way your walls were squeezing around him. He pulls out almost instantly so he can watch his cum spill out of you. He doesn’t wipe it. He just pulls your panties back on and fixes the both of you up. You’re thoroughly spent, he can tell by the way you pant as he releases your wrists.

“You okay?” He asks as he helps you sit up. He grabs your hands so he can kiss the marks on your wrists. After all you’ve done, that’s the act that makes you blush furiously. 

“Um, yeah.” You breathe out.

“I’ll be nicer next time, I promise. Somebody just had to put you in your place first.” He grins wolfishly.

“Next time?” 

That’s when you hear the horn. The blue team has won again.

He pecks a kiss to your cheek. “Time to claim my kleos.” He says cockily before jogging off to meet his team.

taglist (comment to be added):General: @valeskafics @urmomsgirlfriend1 @girlwith-thepearlearring @darylandbethfanforever9 @lovellies @juhdoche @papichulo120627 @watercolorskyy @ophelialaufey @aerangi

[yeoslattes]

How We Live In Tokyo pt. 2

Genre: Smut, TFATF: Tokyo Drift AU!

Word Count: 7.5K

Pairing: street racer Matz!Hwa x street racer fem! reader x street racer Matz!Hongjoong

Summary: it takes Seonghwa losing you to realize how much you mean to him

Warnings: Smut, Dom!Hwa, subby!reader, toxic relationships, toxic tendencies (pls don’t take a man back if he acts like this), angsty, breakups and makeups, Hwa is kind of sweet but still an asshole, he gave her a cute nickname, Hj is lowkey after his besties ex, makeouts, fingering, ruined orgasms, Hwa mocks reader, riding, voyeurism, he fucks her in a skirt, Hwa is lowkey a cuck, cervix kisses, p in v, Hwa is a little demanding and mean, unprotected sex, subspace, some slut shaming, creampie, doggy style, reader cries during sex, slight dacriphilia, mentions of size difference, kitty slapping (just once)

Disclaimer! This is a work of fiction and does not depict Ateez as individuals

A/N: The long awaited HWLIT part 2. I genuinely hope you guys enjoy this and I apologize if it doesn't hit as good as part one. That's the thing with writing second parts it always has to be as good if not better than the first part and that makes me a little nervous. Regardless I really enjoyed writing this bc Matz Hwa always sends me into a brain rot. Pls read part one before reading this one!

You and Seonghwa had broken up. It came as a shock to everyone, no one had suspected the king and queen of the Tokyo car shows and races to call it quits. Things were…awkward for lack of a better term, you’d taken a couple of weeks off to try and make yourself feel better after the chaotic week you had after the breakup. After your time off, word got to you that Seonghwa had a new girl by his side. You felt like you were going to collapse when you read your friend’s message on the screen of your hot pink Motorola phone. The next few days were challenging, Seonghwa had texted you and no matter how bad you wanted to reply you ignored it, so then Hongjoong had reached out for him, which you also chose to ignore. However, the more you had let yourself feel the raw emotions, the better you felt, which led to now; you and your friend sitting on your bed while she tries to convince you to come out tonight.

“You can’t let your title get snatched away from you like that.” Hinata, your best friend said softly patting your back. “How can I show my face after what’s happened? People are going to talk.” You say, burying your face in your hands. “He broke up with you, got with a new girl then tried reaching out like an idiot, it's not your fault, everyone knows that..” It was true, Seonghwa had cut things off with you because he ‘couldn’t handle the relationship’ anymore; but that still didn’t stop the unreasonable shame you felt. “He’s a piece of shit and everyone knows and thinks that, especially after he showed up with that girl 2 weeks after the break up.” Hinata continues. 

You sit in silence, hands on your knees on the edge of your bed. Hinata’s words bouncing around in your head, she was right. Taking a deep breath, you rub your eyes, “Call Suga, tell him to get me a spot on the street race tonight.” You tell the wide eyed girl next to you. She squeals, clapping her hands excitedly as she steps out into the hall, phone in hand while you begin getting ready.

Your hands skimmed the various pieces you had hanging up on your closet rack. Settling for a black bedazzled Baby Phat top and a pink mini skirt, you lay out the pieces and pondered on which shoe style complimented your outfit the best. “Platforms?” You ask Hinata when she walks back into the room, she brings a finger up to tap on her chin as if in deep thought. She grabs the tall boots by the door, “I like these.” She says pushing the shoes towards you. “Hinata, I'm trying to race, not break an ankle.” Still, she stares at you silently and you sigh nodding your head. “Okay, these are the ones.”

“How do I look?” You ask, doing a little twirl in place. Your best friend pinches her fingers together and brings her hand up to her lips, “chefs kiss. Your legs look good. Wait! you’re missing glitter,” she says, stepping closer to you and dousing you in the fine iridescent powder. “I need you to sparkle tonight.” She smirks, sprinkling some on her exposed skin as well. With another deep breath you grab her hands, “I'm ready.” You say out loud, feeling confident. You leave the comfort of your room ready to face whatever tonight has in store for you.

Hinata sings loudly in the passenger seat and you hum along with her, trying not to get caught up in your thoughts. The meet had started about an hour ago, meaning you were late, which also meant all the attention would be driven to you as a latecomer. 

Hinata squeezes your hand in excitement as the entrance to the all too familiar garage comes into view. “It’s okay! We will be okay.” She yells over the roar of your engine. You nod in affirmation, your tummy flipping as you drive over the speed bumps, the gray walls surrounding you. In that moment it’s like all the chatter and music went silent. Everyone turned their head in your direction. Seonghwa who had been conversing with Hongjoong and the KQ Fellaz stops and looks around at everyone. He tried to peek his head to see who was coming but the crowd was too thick to see anything. “What’s going on?” He asks Hongjoong who also looks confused. He feels his heart drop when he spots bits of the bright pink bubblegum car. Seonghwa swallows thickly, his mouth dry from the sudden nerves. His arm tightens around the girl he’d been going out with, dread pooling in his belly. 

The crowd cheers loudly which suddenly sends a surge of irritation through him, Hongjoong pats him heavily on the shoulder. “Yo! No way she’s here.” The shorter man says, a smile wide on his face as he points at you. Seonghwa rolls his eyes, looking at his best friend who was getting on his nerves. He lets go of the girl clinging on to him and she looks up at him in confusion. She opens her glossed lips to complain but he holds his hand up to silence her. He walks near the dispersing crowd, just to confirm it was you even though he knew. “Where are you going?” A loud female voice calls from behind him, he ignores her. “Hey!! Hwa don’t leave me here.” She says again. He wanted to disappear, a lingering pain in his chest because it was not you calling after him anymore, except some random rebound he found half attractive to get his mind off the fact that he’d fucked up big time. 

The unfamiliar hands pull him and he stops mid step, he sighs letting the girl pull him back to their previous spot. His arm draped around her again. He plays it off as if nothing was bothering him. He laughs as his friends make jokes, even though on the inside he wasn’t laughing. Hongjoong cocks an eyebrow up at him clearly not buying the act but the blonde man stays silent instead and looks towards your car.

You open the car door, glossed lips smacking as you chew on your flavored bubble gum. Stepping out of the car, Seonghwa who is in your direct line of sight watches your every move. Then you see her, she stands next to him and he holds her close. She was a cheap version of you that you’d never seen before, sudden pride fills your chest and you meet his eyes then look at her, a small smirk playing at your lips. His eyes darken as he takes you fully in. The first thing he notices is how your skirt was significantly shorter than anything you’d ever worn, at least while being with him; next he notices the way you wave at Hongjoong; he looks down, adjusting himself. “Who’s she?” The girl on his arm obliviously asks, looking up at him. Her brows furrow at the way he’s suddenly so taken with your presence. “Hwa?” She shakes him, “are you okay?” The words barely process in his mind and he hums, “yeah, I’m fine.”

You smirk as you fully bend over to inspect your engine, the booty shorts underneath your skirt leaving nothing to the imagination. You hear whistles behind you as you tell Hinata to rev the engine. “Hey!” You hear a voice near you. When you look up it’s Hongjoong, you smile sweetly at him, “hi Joongie.” He almost melts on the spot. “You look good.” He smirks and you stand with your hands on your hips. “Did Seonghwa tell you to come over here and say that?” You cock an eyebrow at him and he chuckles, shaking his head, “nah,” You glance briefly at Seonghwa, “don’t worry yourself, you’re going to get wrinkles.” Hongjoong jokes trying to lighten the mood after seeing the way your facade slipped at the sight of your ex boyfriend with someone else. 

When he sees you look down with nothing else to say besides a small laugh at his words he starts talking again, ”what you’re seeing,” He begins, “it’s bullshit, he wants you back. Trust me I live with the guy. He hasn’t even brought her over, much less fucked her.” You stand there stunned. “Did you think telling me that would make me feel better?” You scoff, you know he meant well but in the moment you wanted to slap the guy. “Are you like advocating for him now or something? You can tell him to kiss my ass.” With that you shut your hood and walk to the drivers side, where Hinata sits handing you a towel to wipe your hands.

Hongjoong has no words to say, in fact he felt terrible, he just wanted to be nice; shaking his head he walked back over to his best friend who watched the entire interaction. “Why are you talking to her?” Seonghwa suddenly blurts, his brows furrowed together. Anger pools in him, the idea of his best friend going after the girl he still loved making him sick. Sure, Hongjoong had admitted time and time again that you were attractive, and he allowed Hongjoong to tease you because he knew neither of you would betray him that way; but in the given circumstances he wasn’t sure anymore. 

Hongjoong shakes his head, “just saying hi, relax man. You have your new girl.” He sends a teasing smile at Seonghwa knowing that’d strike a nerve. The raven haired man looks at the girl leaning against his car, “get off the car.” He barks at her, “what-“ she starts, “Off. The. Car, and go away, will you? Don;t text me again.” He can’t even believe his own words as he spits them at the poor girl in front of him. She stares at him in disbelief, “seriously? All it takes is for that bitch to show up and you’re done with me? Who’s she to you anyway?” She yells, anger contorting her pretty face. “The fuck did you just call her?” He grits out towering over her smaller frame. “I-“ he shakes his head, “fuck off.” He spits and she walks off, muttering profanities at him.

Hwa relaxes, he huffs out a heavy breath and leans against his car. “Oh you're cooked.” Hongjoong says with a laugh, “you’re a real asshole Hongjoong.” Hwa says in annoyance, eyes rolling at the man in front of him.

“Ah the drift princess” Suga smirks, pulling you in for a hug, his hands coming to rest on your waist, “glad to have you back.” He pulls away. Suga brushes his hair out of his face and stands in front of you. “I got one of my best racers in this race, but I don't expect that to be a challenge for you.” He says, “are you trying to scare me Min Yoongi?” He raises his hands up in defeat, “hey hey, don’t twist my words. I’m just letting you know, if anything they should be scared.” He says walking away with a laugh. 

“Ready?” Hinata asks, “you have about 5 minutes till go time.” You nod at her, her gaze drifting behind you. “Seonghwa looks like he’s about to eat you.” Your eyes widen at her words, you try to brush it off, but you couldn’t deny the butterflies you felt. “Pay him no mind though, I need you to focus.” You shift your mind back to the task at hand. You hop into your car as she gleefully slides into the passenger seat. Hinata whoops loudly, pink car carefully rolling out of the garage towards the start line. Hongjoong cheers loudly for you, earning a look from Seonghwa; one of the many he had already sent to him in the span of an hour.

Your car aligns with the 3 other racers, you were the only girl, and you needed to break some egos tonight to make yourself feel better. “First to make it around town and back wins.” Suga’s voice projects loudly. You breathe out heavily, your foot gently pressing on the gas to rev up your engine. As soon as the starter girl’s bandana hits the ground you step on it. Your body is pulled back from the force, Hinata cheers loudly next to you, “let’s go!!” She screams, igniting adrenaline within you. You groan in frustration as you maneuver your car to try and pass the two cars in front of you. “Tricky turn coming up!” Your best friend warns. Your breath hitches as you hit the tight turn, it feels like an eternity before your body is able to relax again as you turn successfully. 

Your heart pounds in your chest; your lungs contract as you suck in deep breaths trying to slow the adrenaline coursing through you. With just a car in front of you away from being first, you can feel your heartbeat in your ears. “Home stretch.” You whisper, your fingers flip the switches on your console, the turbo activating pulling you back into the seat as you floor the car giving it all you got. With ease your pink vehicle soars past the other and down the empty street. With focused eyes on the road ahead of you, your mind goes to Seonghwa, then to the way he had his arms around that unknown girl. Rage ignites in you and suddenly you had something to prove tonight, that being that you were still the drift princess even if her prince was missing.

The crowd comes into view after a long straight drive, they part as they intently watch the racers, anticipating who’d be making it first. The racer behind you, who’d you’d recognize Mingi from KQ Fellaz reaches you, he tries to swerve you off but you keep your stance, as you get close you press your final button that propels you toward the crowd and through the finish line.

You break until your Supra rolls into a slow stop. The crowd cheers, the excited spectators opening your door and cheering for you as they pat the hood of your car. You can’t help but smile sheepishly, eyes searching desperately for the only one you cared about; though he was nowhere to be seen. 

You fanned yourself as you calmly strolled to the convenience store down the street from your home. Finally after a hectic weekend of celebration you had time for yourself. You hummed along to the music, the headphones lodged in your ears blocking most of the noise around you. The ice cream numbs your hand as you grab a bag of chips and a bottle of water. When you turn around you run into a body, gasping loudly you clutch onto the items in your hands. Ripping the headphones from your ears, you look up to be met with Seonghwa. “What the hell is your problem?” You spit, slightly annoyed at the way he had scared you. He looks down at you, he sports a white tank top and a beige jumpsuit that contrasts the dark ink of his tattoo on his neck nicely. The sleeves are tied around his waist and smudges of grease darken the shade of beige, an indication that he’d been working at the garage.

He breathes out heavily, “I’ve been looking for you, I tried calling but there was no answer,” He says with a frown. “Hm really? I haven’t gotten anything.” You lie, the bag of chips wrinkling under your tight grip. He tongues his cheek looking around annoyed, he was definitely not buying it, “seriously?” He asks, “seriously, besides don’t you have someone else to entertain?” You sass him and you can see him getting worked up at your response. When he doesn’t say anything you walk away back to the ice cream freezer to switch to a less melted one. You can hear Seonghwa following closely behind you, “it’s not like that,” he defends himself but you shake your head walking to the cashier. “Really? Then what’s it like? It seemed like that last weekend.” You smile at the cashier as she cocks her brow up at the two of you. You pay her off and walk back out and towards your house. 

Hwa’s hand grips your elbow to turn you around. “It’s not like that I swear.” He almost begs, “Seonghwa, you ended things so why are you here looking for me. Please let me live in peace yeah?” You’re about to turn back around but his hands grip your shoulders, locking you in place, “is there something going on with someone else…Hongjoong even?” You let out an airy laugh, opening your ice cream and nibbling on it, “ah so that’s what this is about.” He looks at you, eyes desperate for an answer. “Nothing Hwa, never with your best friend and not with anyone else.” You can’t even be mad at him, with the way Hongjoong had come up to you at the last race this past weekend, it was enough to make Seonghwa’s mind wander and you knew that. Despite your words he looked dissatisfied, but there was nothing else for you to say. “I have to go meet up with my friend. See you around.” You say and walk off, popping your earphones back in and hitting play on your iPod, trying your best to distract your mind from your feelings.

Seonghwa had spent that evening thinking about you and even a few days later you still lived on his mind. Safe to say he’d come to the conclusion that he wanted you back. He was determined and if he could go back in time prior to him ending things he would. ‘How stupid’ he thought, ‘how could I be so stupid’. 

“Yo” Hongjoong calls, pulling him from his thoughts, “hm?” He nods his head up at his best friend, “the party tonight, are you going to help organize the tables and drinks or what?” Hongjoong says throwing a rag at his friend who sat glum on the couch. “Yes yes, I’m on it.” Hwa says, throwing the rag over his shoulder and heading down to the open area of the garage. Hongjoong had decided to host a party at Matz garage after the early evening car show. It wasn’t a tradition per se, but who didn’t want a good party? And parties just so happened to be one of Hongjoong biggest talents, and one of the things he was most known for.

Seonghwa is leaned up against his car, talking it up with Hongjoong just a couple blocks away from the empty lot where the car show would be taking place. He hears it before he sees it, the sound of an engine approaching them. In the beams of the orange sunset he can see the pink lights adorning the bottom of the unmistakable pink Supra; your pink Supra. His eyes drift from Hongjoong as he stares at the car getting bigger as it closes distance. Hongjoong’s words trail away, eyes lingering on the pink vehicle. You zoom past them, easily going over 90 miles per hour on the empty streets. Your windows and top are down, hair blowing in the wind and Seonghwa swears he can almost smell your perfume. 

The car shrinks into the distance turning into a singular pink blob until it completely disappears. “I guess she's showing up tonight.” Hongjoong mutters. Hwa looks at his best friend, “how do you know?” He asks, to which Hongjoong gives him a ‘really’ look. “I don’t know,  she’s probably just going to the grocery store at…” he looks down at his nonexistent watch, “6:30 PM.” Seonghwa rolls his eyes, “she could be.” He responds and Hongjoong smacks him upside the head, “don’t be such an idiot, I invited her. Good thing she’s going, I didn't spend all morning organizing for our Star not to show up.” Hongjoong says with a smirk, Seonghwa swallows thickly, ignoring Hoongjoong’s nickname for you, the one that he’d given you at that. “Let's go.” He says brushing his hair away from his face. “Alright now don’t sound too desperate.” Hongjoong reminds him, hopping into his own ride.

After a successful car show, it was safe to say your ego was inflated. You rub the dash of your car “you are so loved.” You say as if the car would speak back, Hinata laughs, “you definitely turned heads, and I’m not just talking about the car.” You turn to look at her, “what are you on about now?” You ask, throwing your head back, feigning annoyance at another one of Hinata’s possible delusions. “Sugar but without the ‘r’.” She says, “Suga and I will never happen!” You say with a laugh, “hmm I’d go for it.” Hinata says nonchalantly. “Hinata please, I love you but let’s stop talking yeah?” You joke, she tips her head back with a laugh, “ok ok I’m kidding! Everyone knows you still miss Hwa.” You fall silent at her words, choosing your response carefully. 

“It’s a decently fresh break up, nothing wrong with that.” You say, trying to convince yourself that it was okay to still have feelings towards your ex boyfriend. Hinata doesn’t say anything, just sends you a reassuring smile as you both sit in comfortable silence; unironically, listening to the Nelly Furtado CD Seonghwa had gifted you.

You manage to squeeze your car into a spot in the empty lot next to Matz garage, and you could only pray no drunken idiot would hit it. Hinata holds your hand tightly as you both walk in. Not even 2 minutes in, your best friend breaks off from you, “imma go get a drink!” She shouts over the music, you nod and wave her off. You squint your eyes, trying to adjust to the erratic colored lights switching every second, the music is deafening the bass pounding through your feet and up your body. “Hey! You made it!” Hongjoong greets with a side hug. “Here’s a drink,” he says handing you a cup, “what is it? I’m driving Hongjoong, remember?” You say looking up at him, the man shakes his head, “it’s just punch with tequila, you'll be okay. Plus, I don’t think it would be a problem if you crashed here.” He says with a smile that turns your face hot. 

“I’ll be around, feel free to do whatever and let me know if you need anything.” He shouts as he walks backwards away from you until he turns around and walks off for good. Realizing you had already lost Hinata you decide to sit on one of the metal steps that lead up to the pair's apartment. You huff, looking around, “welp….” You mutter and tip back the red solo cup, downing the strong contents. You grimace, your stomach suddenly feeling uneasy. You set the cup down and lean against the railing deciding to wait a couple of minutes before you went to grab another one.

Seonghwa’s back is against the wall, red solo cup in hand as he takes in the crowd of sweaty people dancing and mingling before him. As he scans the room his eyes fixate on you sitting on the steps up to his apartment, body leaning against the railing looking rather bored. “Hmph” he hums with a small chuckle, he looks around until he spots your best friend. She seemed to be a couple of hard punch cups in, hands up dancing with a group of girls Hwa could only recognize as some girls you hung around with at the meets. Hwa pulls Hongjoong aside as he walks past him, “keep an eye on this one.” He says pointing at Hinata who was laughing and moving like she had no self awareness. Hongjoong nods and leans closer to his ear, “I’d take your chance now…before someone else does.” The blonde man says, motioning over to you. With that his friend walks off leaving Hwa feeling somewhat lost.

Hesitation fills Seonghwa’s body as his mind battles with itself. Deciding it was now or never, he strolled up to you standing directly in front of your line of vision, he extended his hand out. He watches your face, nervousness written all over it; nonetheless you take his hand as he leads you up the steps. When you walk in, you sit on his couch, head leaned back and eyes closed. “This is so unlike you.” He begins, breaking the silence, “what do you mean?” You ask, but you knew exactly what he meant. “Parties are your thing, especially Hongjoong’s parties. They’re your favorite.” You shrug at his words, silence heavy in the room except for the muffled music from the outside. 

Finally you breathe out, perking up from your spot on the couch, “You wanna know why Seonghwa?” You were annoyed and tired of jumping around the subject, “because you fucking left me…” Your voice fades at the end, tears pooling in your eyes. You’re standing up now, hovering over his spot on the couch, “the- then…then you go and find someone else and flaunt her around like I was that easy to replace.” He stares at you, mouth slightly agape, “so no, i'm not going to party like no tomorrow when seeing you everywhere I go physically pains me.” You bury your face in your hands and just sob. He stands up now, warm arms wrapping around you as you sob into his chest, “I’m sorry baby okay,” he says pulling back and looking down at you, but you stare at his chest. “I want you back, you’re my girl and I need you.” You shake your head, “Nothing happened between me and that girl, I promise you.” Hwa pleads, then your mind reminds you of Hongjoongs words from the night of the race. He wouldn’t and you knew that, he had devoted himself to you time and time again when you were together, but in situations like this there was no way to truly know except take his word for it.

“My Star, look at me.” He cups your chin and tilts your head to look at him. “Remember what I said way back when? I love you and I still love you.” You sniffle, “but-” you begin and he silences you. Suddenly you feel small under his gaze, you believed him wholeheartedly and something about the way he looked under the low light of the living room made you want him badly and so you kissed him. His hands wrap around your waist, and you melt your body into your lover. Your lips move in sync like they always had; the most perfect for each other. Your body reacts to his touch, it craved it and now that you finally had it again you weren't going to stop. He pulls away and sits down on the couch pulling you on top of him. With your legs on either side of him you sit and press your lips against him again, the lingering taste of the hard punch lingering on his tongue. Hwa’s hands roam your waistline before wrapping his strong arms around you and pulling you tighter into him. “Hwa please.” You whine pulling away from him, trying your best to ground your hips into his. “I know baby, but not tonight okay.” You huff against him, your sense of brattiness suddenly coming back. “Don’t be a brat, we will have plenty of time. Right now I care about you being okay and that I have my girl back.” He says, slender fingers brushing the small strands of hair away from your face. You nod, “I'm okay.” You whisper, toying with the chain around his neck. “Do I have you back baby?” He asks quietly, and you nod, “you do, if you leave again though, I won’t be so sure.” You remind him, kissing his cheek, “well great, because that won’t happen again.” He says and he presses another kiss on your lips.

It was the night after the party and you were getting ready for yet another car meet. Except, this time you’d be showing up with Seonghwa, less that 24 hours ago you were exes now here you were. The Drift princess and drift king were back together. The thought made you giddy all over. Your Motorola Razr’s window lights up, it was a message from Hwa. I’m outside it read, you get up from your vanity, makeup half done and hair in a loose bun. 

“Hey,” you say with a smile as he presses a kiss on your glossy lips. “Hey doll.” He murmurs taking you in. “you’re still not ready?” You shake your head and quietly pull him down the dark hallway where the only light was emitting from your pink room. Seonghwa pulls his shoes off, knowing how much you hated shoes on your furry carpets. He takes your room in, nothing much had changed since the last time he had been in here. He recalls a memory, one where he had you bent over your vanity, hips unforgiving against you. He subconciously shakes his head and sits on your bed. 

“Okay give me 10 minutes max i'll be ready.” You tell him, as you rush over to finish your makeup and pick out an outfit. He sits there quietly, watching you rummage through your closet (which had too many clothes according to him) as you hum along to Britney Spears playing through your small speakers. You slip on a mini skirt and strip your top off to slip on one of your favorite sequined halter tops. As your hands work on flipping the top upside down so you can slip it over your head, large hands come from behind to cup your chest. Calloused hands knead your breasts and you hum in pleasure leaning into Seonghwa’s body. “If there was no need for me to be there tonight, I’d stay here and fuck you into your pretty bed sheets and make you cum over and over.” he whispers, “one for every single time you ignored my calls.” You shudder at his words, arousal pooling at your belly. Suddenly you feel hot, with one hand on your chest the other wanders down your tummy and past the waistband of your bottoms.

Seonghwa’s long fingers rub down your slit in search of your warm walls. When he finally gets there he pushes two fingers in. Your knees buckle and his hold around you tightens as he pulls you against him. You could feel his straining hard on through the jorts he wore. He hums as he feels you up. Your mouth drops open, eyes screwed shut and hand clasped tightly around his wrist. He works you like he had never lost practice; like he had never gone away. With his fingers deep in you, the palm of his hand rubs deliciously against your sensitive clit. Your hips battle against his hand, desperate for more. “I’m- Hwa.” You mumble, your breathing is heavy, so close yet just a bit far. Just as you’re on the brink he pulls away. You stand there, chest heaving and head down as you try to recollect what just happened. “Get dressed baby, or we’ll be late.” Seonghwa says nonchalantly, pressing a kiss to the back of your head.

Tensions were high after that exchange between the two of you in your room. The car ride was comfortable yet you couldn't shake the feeling of your ruined orgasm. “You good?” Seonghwa asked, glancing at you from the driver's side. You nod quietly, earning a smirk from him because he knew exactly what was going through that pretty head of yours.

You watched your boyfriend converse with his friend as he lifted the hood of his car to show off the new updates he had made to his engine. You felt your face beam red at the fact that Seonghwa was casually talking to his friends as if the events back at your place hadn’t occurred. It was a casual night, Hwa talking with his friends and you catching up with your girl friends after a while of not updating them. “Where’s the Supra? Don’t tell me you sold it.” One of the car girls and long time friend Suki asked. You shook your head, “wouldn’t dream of it. I need to work on a few updates and Hwa offered to drive today so I found the perfect opportunity for a break.” The group nodded as they listened intently. “It’s like the planets have aligned.” Suki says, readjusting herself against her car. You stare at her and she continues, “Seonghwa is an asshole, everyone knows that. But he was insufferable when you two were apart.” Everyone around you nods in agreement, “I’ve never seen him so irritable before, but now look at him. He’s back to dilly dallying like always.” You glance at your boyfriend as he’s immersed in what he loves to do most. “You two just make sense, and like Suki said it’s like the planets aligned, in other words everyone is happy.” Suki’s younger sister chirps in with a reassuring smile.

Hwa slowly strolls up to you, heavy hands landing on your hips. “It’s time to go.” He whispers in  your ear, you nod and begin to wave your goodbyes.“I have to go, but you guys stay safe. See you next weekend!” You gleefully exclaim, your boyfriend holds your hand and smirks at your actions before pulling you along.

Hwa pulls into Matz’s garage parking next to Hongjoong’s car. He gets out first, waiting for you by the passenger side door as you gather your things. “Pull your skirt down,” Hwa says as you step out, “huh?” You ask obliviously, “huh?” He mocks, “your skirt, pull it down.” You grip the fabric tightly and pull it down, the garment working overtime to cover the globes of your ass. Seonghwa pulls you into a heated kiss, your back to Hongjoong who steps out of his car. He watches the both of you. As if Seonghwa could feel his best friends stare burning holes into your behind, he opens his eyes, his tongue pushing past your lips and eyes boring into his best friend’s. Hongjoong swallowed thickly, face red from getting caught. You hum into the kiss and Seonghwa pulls away, turning you by the hips and pushing you towards the stairs. You tiredly go up the steps, not caring that the two men behind you could definitely see up your skirt as you reached the top. 

You push the door open and make a beeline for Hwa’s room, stripping down to your bra and underwear. You lay flat on his comfy bed, his familiar scent engulfing your senses. Turning on your belly you hum eyes closing as the day's exhaustion catches up to you. 

A finger hooks under the band of your seamless panties. The fabric stretches under the pressure until it snaps rapidly back against your skin, you jolt eyes flying open. Seonghwa stands next to the bed, the hat he was sporting now sitting backwards on his head. His large hand roams the smooth skin of your behind, letting it come down hard on the soft fat. “Ow,” you mumble, feeling the tingles of his slap linger on your skin. He throws you a shirt and you sit up to slip it over your head, “you want something to eat?” He asks and you shake your head, “mm mm. I’m okay.”

Seonghwa had eaten something light to keep him satisfied for the night; his eyes still glued to the TV while you rose up from your 30 minute nap while he ate. You rubbed your eyes, sitting still on the bed, you could feel the fabric of your panties ticking to your lips, your body suddenly craving the ruined orgasm from earlier. Hwa sits next to you and you decide to climb into his lap. Legs on either side of him as you straddled his hips. His arms wrapped around you and you leaned in to kiss him. “Hwa…” Your words get stuck in your mouth, embarrassment suddenly taking over you. Seonghwa stares at you with his dark irises, “yes baby?” He gently asks, you can't bring yourself to say what you truly want so instead you press your clothed core down on him hard. He lets out an airy laugh, cupping your chin and pulling you in hard for a kiss. “Use your words doll.” He requests with a stoic expression. “I…want.” You press your lips together feeling extremely shy. “You want me to fuck you?” Seonghwa finally speaks for you. You nod rapidly. You play with the thick band of his sweats until he finally makes a move.

Hwa lifts your shirt up, stripping you from it, leaving you once again in the lacy bralette. “Put on your skirt.” He says, and you look at him confused. “The skirt you had on tonight, put it on.” You knew better than to argue, so you hopped off him to pick up the disposed garment. The waistband stretches over the plushness of your thighs and sits on your waist. You step towards him, lifting one leg over his hips to straddle him again. One hand cups your chin and he brings you in for a kiss once again. A strong grip latches onto your behind, the skirt riding up past covering anything. With strong hands now on your hips he guides you against him, his lips parting in an airy whimper as he feels your weight against his crotch. “Seonghwa please,” you whisper, face inches from his. He watches you with heavy lids, fire burning deep in his core at the sight of your reddened lips and flushed face; he loved your desperation for him. 

A hand snakes down to your clothed core, making you rise to your knees, hovering above him as his fingers run down your slit. Your lips lock with his again, kiss turning rushed and messy; all patience suddenly gone. You breathe heavily, when he pulls the material of your underwear to the side, you wait for a second until you feel the heavy tip of his cock brush against you, with one hand he rubs the head up and down your wet slit until the head catches onto your hole and he forcefully sits you down on him. You groan at the stretch, the burning sensation sending waves up and down your lower region. “F-fuck hwa,” you whimper head thrown back. You rest against him, your lips roaming the exposed skin of his neck and leaving red splotches over the dark lettering adorning his neck. You move your hips at your own accord, Seonghwa’s hand just barely hovering over your waist. You plop against him with an audible smack against his warm skin, your eyes rolling back at the way he just barely kisses your cervix. Seonghwa breathes heavily, eyes closed as he focuses on the feeling of your warm walls surrounding him.Your hands claw at your bra, and he reaches behind you to unclasp and remove it from your body. His fingers immediately come to play with your sensitive buds. 

His lips press together as you slightly pick up speed, “move faster baby.” He directs you and you shake your head, “i-i can’t.” You strain out in a high pitched tone, muscles burning from exertion. He huffs, audibly annoyed, “Get the fuck off,” He says, and you hop off him, his warmth leaving you. He pulls his pants fully off and manhandles you to all fours. “Are you that stupid that you can’t even fuck yourself on me?” Hwa spits, he bites lip at the way the mini skirt has risen high on your waist, barely covering anything. His hand comes down heavy against your soft skin and you whine, tears burning slightly from his harsh words.

 “Still such a good fucking girl.” He mumbles. His eyes focus on grinding his slick cock back into your hole, you gasp when he breaches you once more. “Fuck…” he whines, setting a harsh pace. You writhe under him, enjoying the feeling of his heavy hands pushing down on your waist. “You’re a slut you know that right?” Hwa says, he leans over your body, you’re far too gone that his voice is the only thing that echoes in your brain. When his words process you shake your head ‘no’.

“No?” He questions in a mocking tone, you shake your head again. “I bet you’d want Hongjoong to watch me fuck you.” At his words your mouth drops open and you clench around him and he lets out a sinister chuckle. “Of course.” He slows down to a slow pace, his hips pushing and pulling slowly letting you feel all of him. “Hongjoong!” He calls, and a second later the blonde man strolls in. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight in front of him. He smirks slightly at your fucked out figure, “Little slut here wants you to watch me fuck her.” Seonghwa informs his friend. “Does she now?” Hongjoong asks meeting your eyes through the strewn pieces of hair over your face. His Cheshire Cat smile adorns his face making your tummy do flips.

“Hwa please.” you mumbled into the sheets, hips pushing back against him desperately. “Beg him not me, and milk the shit out of this because it’s the first and last time it happens.” Your boyfriend spits, speaking more at Hongjoong. “Beg him baby,” Hwa eggs you on, pressing his hips flush against you, reaching a new depth that leaves you breathless. You swallow down your embarrassment and through heavy pants you finally get your words out. “Joongie please, t-tell Hwa to let me cum please I really need it.” Your voice suddenly breaks at the end, tears dampening the sheets below you. “Awe she’s crying Hwa.” Hongjoong mocks, Seonghwa chuckles, pressing hard against your cervix, “it’s her new thing.” He teases, “are you feeling floaty baby?” He asks and you nod sniffling. He hums and pulls out, flipping you onto your back. His hands cover your waist line and he slips in, no words said as he picks up his pace and fucks you into the bed. You squeeze your eyes shut crying out at the overwhelming feeling. You lift your head up, eyes landing on your boyfriend's face. A thin sheen of sweat covers him, his brows are drawn together as he focuses on where you two meet. 

Hongjoong suddenly grabs your chin forcing you to look at him, “are you gonna cum baby?” He asks you, all you can is stare at him dumbly. You feel small and used just the way you liked it. “Answer him.” Hwa says, you nod weakly. “Y-yes joongie. I-m gonna cum. Hwa fu-cks me so good.” Your eyes close again. Body set ablaze by their hands on you. Your tummy tightens the same way your walls do around Hwa. “you’re getting tighter. You gonna cum?” Seonghwa asks, slowing his pace and focusing on hitting deeper. “Y-yes Hwa please.”

His hand splays over your lower belly and the other arm wraps around your legs now resting on his shoulders. Hongjoong who’s still in the room breathes heavily, pants straining. Hwa loosens his hold, your legs falling open; Hongjoong gets closer bringing one of his hands down your chest and to your sensitive clit. His fingers toy with the small bud, pinching it and rubbing it fast, suddenly he brings it down giving you a hard smack. Your body jolts, muscles locking as your legs shake against Seonghwa’s body. You cry out, back arching off the bed as intense waves of pleasure course through you. “There you fucking go baby.” Seonghwa mutters, you breathe heavily, hearing completely leaving you for a couple of seconds. Seonghwa stills in you, pushing his hips flush against the back of your thighs as he leans over your body, bending you into a slight mating press to reach deeper and place his spunk in your walls.

 He pulls out and you pull your legs into yourself, eyes closed and chest heaving. Everything feels far, you hear talking then some shuffling until the bedroom door closes.

“You okay baby?” Seonghwa asks, his hand brushing your hair from your face. You nod quietly, eyes drooping from all the exertion. Hwa pulls you up, helping you over to the toilet where he sits you. “I'll get the shower going,”

You sit on the toilet quietly, arms wrapped over your tummy and forearms resting atop of your thighs. “C’mon doll.” He guides you into the hot shower, your muscles suddenly relax. Seonghwa lathers you up and you hum at the familiar scent of his body wash. “You did so well baby.” You lean into him and he kisses your head, you turn around toward the shower head and he watches you rinse the soap suds off yourself. Suddenly he remembers Hongjoong’s words, they float loudly around in his mind, “I’ll go against you in the next race, winner gets to fuck her first.” The cheeky man sends him a wink before leaving the bedroom. Seonghwa can’t deny the anxiety in his chest…“Shit.”

Taglist: @89petals @sanhwalvr @vtyb23 @monsta-x-jagi @malsmoony @evilangel404 @yeosangsbbg @minaateez @cypher-03

[redriotingfornoreason]

If Smoker One Piece Had a Wife (pt. 2, I just figured out how to use gifs (super fun ✨))

So I think that like maybe two people liked my last post on this (shoutout to you guys) so I'm making another part (Yippee!!). I will probably add one more part after this, but I don't know yet. As always, enjoy.

Absolutely expects him to be a gentleman

Expects small gifts even if he only goes to take the trash out

Also to hold doors for her even if she insists on walking in front of him.

Expects him to throw his coat down over puddles (puddle is super small does not matter)

Expects flowers every once in a while.

Wears the pants in the relationship when it comes to the relationship (Smoker gets to be unofficial/official breadwinner)

Smoker does not remember anything about proposing, mainly because she told him to in the most indirect way possible.

Made him go ring shopping with her and told him to put it on her that night

“We’re engaged now. :3” “Huh???”

Plans wedding herself, doesn’t tell him shit about it.

Literally just saws “When you get home, put on the outfit I have upstairs and go to the dock.”

She had everything set up already

He was still late

Contrary to popular belief, Smoker does love his wife.

Keeps a picture of her in his jacket next to his heart

Probably has some dumb shit she said wrote on the back

“If you die, I’ll bring you back to life just to kill you again so you better not you fucker <3 – your favorite ankle biter”

Shows love through playing with her hair

Braiding it, but also just ruffling her hair when he’s thinking

When in bed, likes to pet her hair to sleep (helps both of them)

Keeps his wedding ring locked away when he’s at war so he never loses it. (His one real treasure when he isn’t with his wife.)

Takes pictures of things he think she would like just to show to her (could be a pretty waterfall, could be a rock just depends)

Weekly transponder snail calls because he does miss his wife a lot.

Tells her about the different things going on at the base, mentions the straw hats every once in a while (she does not know them nor does she care)

She just likes listening to his voice

Always falls asleep on call

Smoker knows this, but does it anyway. When he knows she is asleep, he says “I love you” before hanging up.

[mossy-mushrooms]

The dark harvest

Pt 13

Yuuki stared at the tree, holding up Ryu.

He was silent, and so was Santos.

Ryu hesitantly looked up at Yuuki, he didn't know what they were thinking, they're faces were void of any emotion.

"Uhm" Santos looked down at him as he heard Ryu. "So.. what do you think..?"

He mumbles as he looked back at the marked up tree. "I think we'll need some more wood for the fireplace" Yuuki simply said as he stared. He looked way to calm, it made Ryu uneasy.

"Why.. didn't the police say anything?" He choked out, almost scared to say that.

"They need something under wraps, at least it looks like it." Yuuki answered before picking up Ryu and carrying him back inside.

"Like what??" He prodded. "Ryu" Santos spoke up after being quiet for most of the time. "Just. Rest for now." He pursed his lips, Santos was never quiet like this. Or well–serious, he looked down and just stayed quiet as he got carried inside.

...

He was in his room now, Laying in his bed because he didn't have much to do. He looked over at his phone that was beside him, it let up every few seconds because of the group chat.

He sighed as he closed his eyes, mostly feeling numb from the meds. After the umpteenth of hearing his phone buzz he opened his eyes, staring up at the dark ceiling. Maybe he should put those glow in the dark stickers soon.

He grabbed his phone, squinting as he stares at the messages. Scoffing as he sees something about the groups questionable taste.

...

"Ryu" he looked up at Sam "hm?" Sam sat down in the bed, looking down at him, "how are you holding up?" He asked as he put his hand on the teens shoulder. "Fine.. I guess" he mumbles as he looks up at him. "It'll turn out fine okay?" Sam tried to comfort Ryu, and it meant a lot since he wasn't one for a lot of words.

Ryu slowly sits up as he groans, his lower back popping from the movement. "Yeah I know."  He slightly scratched at the tape the held the gauze on his cheek. "Don't do that" Sam pushed Ryu's hand away, the teen scoffed but complied.

"How about we go and get some fruit yogurt?" The older blond suggested. Ryu looked down at his ankle and then back up at Sam. "How would we go about that?"

"Well we just need to get you in the car, and helping you to the shop isn't that hard" he said Before going to Ryu's closet. "What do you want?" He asked as he opened the closet.

"I don't care, anything warm." He groaned, wrapping a blanket around himself, he looked like a cocoon.

"Eh, alright then" Sam sighed, looking for some clothes that Ryu would like, settling on an outfit that Ryu wore once before.

...

As the older man helped Ryu sit down he went and eat across him. Ryu was silent as he stared down at the table, his hands shoved in his pockets. Some people would think that the teen was being a brat but sam knew better as Ryu had a tendency to be cold, and it was harder for the boy to warm up.

"What'll you get?" Ryu looked up at Sam "probably peach.. or pineapple"  he mumbled, looking around the already familiar café.

"Any recommendations then?"

"Maybe blueberry? You like that right?" He said as he returned his gaze to Sam.

"Ryu" he heard behind him, it was Zane. As he turned to look at him he got hugged and then hit on the top of his head. "Ow!" He swatted at the brown haired boy.  "Why are you lurking like  a ghost in the chats?? It would be good to know you're alive!"

He hadn't heard Zane ever raise his voice until then. It suprised him, "sorry uh.. the brightness hurt my eyes and head.. so I didn't use it much."  He said still holding his head as the spot pulsated with a dull ache.

Zane just then saw Sam and he got suprised, "uh- sir-" Sam just snickered as he saw that. "I'm Sam"

"Are you his father?" He asks "do I look like his dad?"

"Bro imagine if looked half white" Ryu commented.

"And you are?" Sam asked as he leaned back.

"Uh Zane Monroe sir.." he mumbled as he broke eye contact.

"You can call me Sam"

"No.." Ryu snorted at the quick reply before patting the seat next to him.

"Hayes then"

"Okay" he simply replied. Just as the silence washed over them a waitress came by to take their orders.

"So what happened to you?" Zane asked as he zeroed in on ryu's gauze.

"I thought Mikey told you guys in school" as soon as Ryu said that Zane kissed his teeth while rolling his eyes. "He did but he has a tendency to exaggerate things like he said you jumped out the window. Like that's too much"

Ryu just stared at him, his lips pursed.

"о боже" it slipped out of his lips as he stared at ryu

"Ah?" He looked confused

"Shit sorry. Meant oh god." Zane mumbled.

"Ohhh" Ryu then shook Zane by the shoulders "I'm not the only mixed personnn"

Sam just ate his fruit yogurt letting the two kids talk. "I'm Russian and American"

"Bro I'm Korean an Japanese" Ryu immediately replied.

"Oh we're both closeee" the two teens talked while Sam just kinds tuned them out, texting the group chat without Ryu in it.

'have you guys found it?'  he waited for the text bubble pop up.

'not yet, though Santos did see some marks deeper in.' Yuuki answered and Sam quietly kissed his teeth at that.

'who's going to stay with Ryu?'

'I can, I'm not busy until tomorrow'

Santos came online in the chat.

Sam raised his eyebrows as he saw Santos actually go online.

'i also bought snacks and whatever so I think we'll be fine.'

Sam simply liked the message.

...

As they are back home Sam drops Ryu on that faded purple couch that the boy started to frequently lay at. He takes out a one of the fruit yogurts he bought for Ryu and drops it on his stomach, he lets out a little "oomf-" before taking it and pulling the lid open and grabbing the spoon the blond offered him.

Sam takes the plastic bag of yogurts and goes to put them in the fridge for Ryu later.

Just as he comes back to the living room Santos comes in through the front door.

He takes off his steel toe boots and ambling over to plop down at the fire place, dropping the bag of snacks on the coffee table along the way.

"Well it'll be us for tonight then." He said as he sat down on the floor and propped his back against the couch.

"Why are you sitting on the floor?" Ryu mumbles as he squinted at him.

"Why not"

After Sam left for work Santos went to lock the door. Ryu was still laying on the couch, his now finished fruit yogurt cup on the coffee table as he followed Santos with his eyes while he closed the curtains.

It was something they all started doing since the first incident.

Ryu still felt uneasy.

[someinstant]

So many, many years ago, when I was twenty and foolish and thought I was immortal, I sprained my ankle very badly hiking with some friends on Spring Break. Being an immortal college student, and also a broke American with a shitty healthcare system, I shrugged it off, wrapped it in a compression bandage for a bit, iced it, and limped around campus for about six weeks while it kinda-sorta healed.

But it turns out that once you do a number on an ankle and don't properly rehab it, you're much more likely to sprain the joint again-- something to do with the tendons stretching and your brain not compensating for the stretch in your balance. I dunno, the doctor explained it to me and it made a lot of sense, but I don't remember the terms she used.

Anyway, I have sprained my ankle a million times since college. I've done the "oh SHIT" slip down the stairs, the "trip over a student's bookbag and land funny" move, the "I swear I was just walking on the sidewalk and there was nothing THERE" sprain-- all of them. So my ankle is pretty shot.

And then about four years ago, I started developing plantar fasciitis-- which is pretty common in teachers, because we spend all day on our feet on hard tiles. The treatment for plantar fasciitis is basically rest-- stay off the inflamed tissues until the irritation goes down, and then do some PT. But that's kind of impossible in my job, so I just... dealt with it. I iced it, rolled out the bottoms of my feet every night, bought hideously expensive and supportive shoes, and when it got so bad I wanted to cry, I'd take some anti-inflammatories and suck it up. Because what else was I going to do? Not teach? It's teaching. Everyone's feet hurt.

But then last April I sprained my ankle really badly taking the trash out, of all things, and it just-- never really got better. I mean, the swelling went down, I had full range of motion, and I was certain it wasn't broken-- I've broken several bones in my life, and am pretty familiar with that sort of pain-- but there was just this lingering, deep pain. But I had things I needed to do, you know? I had the end of the year to get through, graduation duties, and my parents were dead set on a family trip to Scotland. So I sucked it up, took some anti-inflammatories, and pushed through.

But I couldn't walk where I wanted to go on the trip. My mother, who has had two knee replacements, could walk farther and faster than I could. We took a trip to an island one day and I wanted to see the puffins nesting-- was determined to see them, because I love puffins-- and I made myself climb up the cliff face and walk the rough path for two miles, and I saw the damn birds and they were beautiful, but the back of my calf was burning like acid and that night I couldn't stand to let my heel touch the mattress in bed, it was that painful. The next day I could barely walk around the city center without wanting to cry, and all I could think was, "I'm ruining this trip, because I'm slowing everyone down."

So when I came home, I made an appointment with my GP-- not that this is a GP issue, but American insurance being what it is, we jump through the hoops to get a referral to the person who can actually solve the problem. And today I finally had an appointment with the specialist, and--

It is so affirming and such a goddamn relief to have someone take time to listen, and examine, and to then say, "Here is what the problems are, they are REAL problems, and you're not weak for being in pain." At one point she said, "It sounds like your pain is about an eight," and I was like, "Oh, no, absolutely not," because I'd been thinking that an eight on the pain scale was, like, I-am-actively-bleeding-out. But she said, no, if the pain was stopping me from doing things or making me live my life differently than I would if it were more manageable-- that's an eight. And, I don't know, that sort of broke my brain, because I do things like make a list of all the tasks I need to accomplish during my planning period that are going to have me walking around the school, and then I figure out the most efficient route-- all so I don't have to walk as far, because my ankle can't take it.

So then I cried a little, and told her I was glad it wasn't all in my head, and she was very kind and firm and said that no, it absolutely wasn't.

It's my Achilles' tendon, among other things. All the sprains and stresses over the years have made a bunch of micro-tears, and it's inflamed to hell and back. So I'm in an air cast for four weeks and on a course of steroids to just get the inflammation down, and then we'll see about PT. And if that's not helping, then it's time to think about surgery.

I don't know what the moral of the story is, except that there's no virtue in pain, and that when you're twenty and you hurt yourself hiking the AT, you should spend that money on a co-pay to see your doctor instead of those concert tickets, because your forty-one year old self has regrets.

[decaffinatedfrog]

In his eyes PT3

Joel Miller fanfic

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When your sister and her husband died, your left in charge of your niece. What happens when you encounter a man and another teen on a quick supply run?

PT.1 PT.2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You frantically searched your body for any bite you might have happened during the fight but it was clear you were not. After quickly nodding no, you ran past him to Sarah. You ran to the spot where you left Sarah, where you found her being comforted by the teen you once tired to hurt. Just by seeing she was okay you stopped to catch your breath. Maybe stopping was a bad idea because all you could feel your legs starting to give out and your eyes started to feel heavy.

The punches to your face, the tears you cried, and all of emotions finally got you. you started to walk to her, as she ran to you. Sarah put your arm over her shoulder to help you walk out of the store while the man and the teen followed you. After getting outside of the store, you felt a bit better but noticed that they only had a small pack with them to carry. If you had a knife, you would be able to cut the tension that was building each second. "I'm sorry for hurting you" you said looking at the teen. "uh, its okay, no harm no foul. right Joel? Im Ellie and this is Joel" mentioned Ellie as she extended her arm to shake yours. "its not okay. You saved my life. Im Y/N, and this is Sarah. " you responded by returing the shake while pointing at Sarah.

"Its getting late, we should go" you told Sarah. Both of you started to go your separate ways but Sarah started mumbling about inviting them to your temporary place but you knew it was probably not a good idea. "She's my age. " said Sarah gently. That's all it took for you to turn and run to Joel and Ellie. "HEY GUYS, WAIT" you yelled. Joel continued walking but Ellie stopped. "We have a place that is safe and it has food. Your welcomed to join us. " you said, waiting for Joel's answer. Ellie looked at Joel for a response, slightly nodding yes with notable hesitation.

All of you began to walk towards your secret place. Ellie and Sarah walked in front of you, giggling and talking while you and Joel walked in silence. Joel still had his gun on his hands, making you feel like threat. Sarah started to speed her walking, causing her ankle to roll a bit but she jumped back up quickly. She started laughing and so did Ellie. It brought a smile to your face but you couldn't help call out for her safety. "Sarah, be careful please" you yelled.

Giving a quick glance to Joel, you decided to start conversation.

"Were actually a few minutes from arriving. You and your daughter can take my room. Ill bunk with my kid." you said, trying to not look at him for a response.

"She's not my kid" he said back with no emotion or contribution to the conversation.

__________________________________________________________ A/N Hi guys thank you for reading! New chapter will be up tomorrow night!

[sunskate]

CPom on Polina Edmunds's podcast pt 2:

Choreo from last year- what did it feel like to have the newness in choreography and those names inspiring you C: they're the best choreographers in the world - they produce good programs after good programs - it was a dream to work with them, they bring such a creative energy every day, from Marie-France, Madi, Sam- they have such a vision and a genius about skating. it's a dream to work with A: last year I was coming from an injury and a shortened off season, so everyone came together to strategize what the best music was and how to connect everything together. We're really happy to have had the team we had, because it made my comeback very good

Last season was a breath of fresh air after a couple challenging seasons- missing Nationals in 2020 because of covid, then 2021 finishing 7th at Nationals, Anthony's injury, though you finished the season strong at 4CC with a bronze medal- You came back brilliantly this season- you went to your first Worlds - talk about the impact-

They were in contact with someone who had covid and found out 3 days before they left, didn't have covid but couldn't go to Nationals. C: i wish my test came back positive because at least then would be missing because i was sick. perfectly healthy but had to sit at home. was crying all the time A: pretty devastating - felt like they were in the best shape they could be in. wanted to redeem themselves from not the best performance at Skate America that year. so having that opportunity taken away was devastating. that was when we made the decision to move on from Igor. hard times make better people, but it was hard. also wouldn't have my dog George if it wasn't for that. C: when they got the call [that they couldn't go, Anthony] didn't say anything, but stood up, said I'm getting a dog, and left my house A: i stayed off social media that week [of Nationals], and as soon as it was over, i drove to Ohio to get my dog, George

Support systems- what was it like to move to Michigan without your parents at a young age- how has that impacted your life? C: when I moved, I didn't really speak English (!!!) was really hard communicating with people, i missed my parents so much. now I'm grateful for the experience- I'm super independent, I can easily live by myself, it's taught me a lot, but back then it was hard A: for me I lived with a host family for 2 years. so it was definitely different but it wasn't a big shock. once i moved away around the age of 15/16, it got difficult quickly, because I missed that family dynamic. I missed my parents, my brother - I took it for granted before. time difference [to California where his parents live] made it difficult. learned a lot of valuable lessons. learned independence earlier

Anthony's injury, what was your mental state through surgery -- A: ankle - 2015 a bad sprain early in their career. neglected it. were finally getting international competitions, didn't want to take valuable time away - fought through the pain, some days it was really bad. got worse year after year. got opinion after opinion saying get surgery. then finding time to do it. figured the end of the olympic quad was the best time. and it was a great decision because able to do things now he wouldn't be able otherwise. [about mental space] - we just had had a pretty rocky season. it was a really difficult 3 months of recovery- really was unsure where the partnership was going, if I even wanted to continue skating. took a lot of evaluation of my life, where I wanted to go. beneficial to take a step back and look because i established clear goals for myself and my life To Christina, what was your mental space then- how did you approach the following season after-- C: the transition season from changing coaches was really difficult. the approach to training was so different from what we were used to. before we did it to please other people or out of fear (!!!) and then once we moved, we didn't have that aspect any more. you kind of have to do it for yourself because you like doing it and because you want to get better yourself. and learning that transition was really hard, and you saw that struggle in most competitions. and getting to Nationals, that was a really hard Nationals, The offseason was hard for me as well - there were a few shaky moments, and I was training by myself, long and sometimes it's boring, but once we made clear goals for the following season and got together, we approached training with a completely different mindset, we dove into what the coaches were saying, of trusting their process, trusting their training and really giving everything we have, and it's really paid off. I'm happy we had that rocky season because it's taught us so much, and now our mindset for training and competition is so different than before

What were the goals you set out- C: we had some results goals, but we mostly focused on trusting the process. trusting what we were given that day, if we were tired, that's ok, it's normal, just trusting what our coaches wanted. that was one of our main goals. approaching competition differently -doing it for ourselves, whatever the outcome with judges, points - as long as we're happy with what we did, that was enough. Results- make the world team. we always told ourselves, if we don't make it but we skated our best then that's ok, and it just didn't work out, we'll try harder next season. those were our goals

And you guys did it, congratulations, high five

[normalsdotheolympics]

The First Roadblock - The Knee

I'm going to be honest - the last week or so has been a little hectic for us. We haven't been doing as great a job sticking to our workout schedules. Katy was out of town for a little bit, then we were both out of town for a few days. It's really hard to stick to a routine when you're away from home. Nevertheless, we've been trying to do as much as we can.

As I mentioned last week, curling season is back! We're playing twice a week, and we've started participating in some more competitive curling leagues than we've done in the past. For those of you who have never tried it, curling is actually a great workout. It works on your core strength and leg strength to balance on the ice, you do a couple of dozen deep lunges, and it's a great upper body workout with the sweeping. So, we're not doing any other workouts on those days. In the meantime, we've been trying to stick to swimming 2-3 times per week and biking as well. Our new rec center pool is perhaps no optimal. The pool itself is actually great, with a bunch of lap lanes, good water temperature, open at reasonable hours. But they seem to rent it out to tons of local swim teams, who use the lap lanes every evening for 3-4 hours, making it hard to find a good time to go. Apparently the bigger swim complex in the county over is being rebuilt and is supposed to re-open in another few weeks, so hopefully things will improve once that's up and running. I've been working with the flippers to train on balance on my sides in the water, and Katy has been working on some drills of her own. Distance-wise, I got up to 1,400m this week for the first time, albeit with 500m of that using the flippers, which is much less exhausting though pretty tough on the ankles and calves.

The biggest thing for the week has been dealing with my knee. I think I mentioned my left knee pain in the last post, which started up after a few sessions on the treadmill. I finally went to see a PT this past week, and had a very painful hour of her probing my knee joint in ways that I didn't think possible. Ultimately, the question is always: What is runner's knee? Nobody seems to really know, which is pretty frustrating, particularly to a doctor. Is it some sort of inflammation of the patellar tendon? The quadriceps tendon? Tibial irritation? Arthritis in the joint itself? Some combination of all of these I suspect... After palpating the knee for seemingly ages, she decided on a number of issues that she felt were contributing to the problem. She determined that I have very tight hamstrings (shocker) and calves (also shocker). She determined that my glute strength is inadequate to support my running and my IT band was tight. Most importantly, she noticed that my patella migrates laterally when I walk and is not well supported in the center of the knee joint. She felt that I needed to strengthen the more medial quadriceps muscles to pull the patella in to the center of the knee and provide better support. Even as a doctor, it was a little overwhelming. I'm not even going to pretend I remembered the names of the quadriceps muscles, and could not have told you what the vastus medialis was... something we would have learned in medical school, and have never used in my life since. I came away from that session with a number of exercises and stretches to do, things to strengthen the quadriceps and glutes in a less threatening way than squats, which put a lot of weight on the knees. So, I've been working on those for a few days, and in the meantime, I've been going to the gym and doing some fast-paced walking on the treadmill, at a pace of 5.5km/hr. The goal is certainly to get back to running, but I figure I'll try to work on my strengthening for a few weeks first. I'm really hoping this works!

We have on the schedule for this month to start with badminton. I think we'll probably start towards the end of the month, as we have to find a good day to go to the rec center and try playing with the group there. Hopefully someone will teach us a thing or two. I had e-mailed the club to see if someone was willing to give us lessons, but sadly with no response. The other scheduled activity is to start working on backstroke. We'll probably book a lesson in a couple of weeks to start working on that, and then we'll incorporate a couple hundred meters of backstroke into our swim routine. The cycling goal for this month is 30km, which I think at the current rate, would take about 1h18. Hopefully, we can keep building up to increase our speed and drop our time closer to an hour on that. We have a 500m freestyle goal for this month, which I think I'm at least close to (Katy is well beyond that), but I need to keep working on being able to go consistently without stopping every 300-400m, and I need to drop the buoy at some point. The instructor thinks that the balance exercises will make a big difference. There is a theoretical running goal that was supposed to be 1km this month, but I think it's clear that isn't going to happen just yet, so we'll have to push that one back a little and then catch up later once my knee can handle it. Katy is starting to do a little more running, so hopefully she can work towards that goal!

I'll try and update again in another week or so!

[oceanbruises]

I have been wondering how I could keep track of my life somehow without necessarily going into deep personal details (I'd very much love to keep a diary, but I'm very scared of someone reading it without permission) so I figured I could write about what happened in my life, especially good things, that I don't mind sharing, each day or so in my planner.

My planner arrives on January 11, so I thought I'd write here until then.

🌟

Wednesday, January 3rd

Work was okay. It's always nice to work with L and L. Normal amount of dogs for once. Which is still 3 more than the number of kennels, sigh.

After me fighting for days to get Brownie to the vet despite my boss saying no, she got picked up by her owners today and, thank god!, they took it seriously and she was at the vet 4 hours later. I haven't heard from her since, but I hope she's already better than she was.

My left ankle is still hurting (I think the joint is misplaced and I can't fix it) which isn't severe, but it's making it really hard to walk. I had that happen with my ankle and hip years ago and a PT helped a lot, I think I'll try to see one again.

My mother in law gave us the name of a doctor, so I'm hoping I can schedule an appointment to get antidepressants refills, hopefully get taken seriously about my intense dehydration and a referral to a PT.

I wasn't able to walk Bean much because of my legs and ankle, but she seemed very happy to walk around the yard sniffing for bunnies and she seemed to love her likimat.

Spouse and I showered together and I had a lot of fun and laughed so so much, it was nice.

I got a cute strawberry collar for Elliot and a bag of food, it feels extremely unreal, scary and exciting all at once.

Going to try and get my plane tickets to Canada sometime this week.

🌟

Thursday, January 4

I had a dream that my mom had a premature baby (like me) who was very small but healthy. We had to travel by train and for some reason, my brain thought it was very important to show horses wanting to travel by the train but being unable to become of an unknown reason? Then I woke up.

I don't work today, thankfully. Unless my boss asks me to come in again, ha. Fingers crossed he won't.

[cazort]

This is such an important thing and I'm finally glad to see it put into words.

I also am extremely frustrated with the insurance industry for what they don't do.

My entire life, I've fought an uphill battle against doctors who are taking an intervention-heavy approach to medicine, often prescribing meds to me that I don't want, don't need, and don't fill or don't take if I do fill them. They also prescribe tests, similarly, that I don't want or need, and sometimes other costly treatments.

For example, I was once prescribed a CT-scan, which at the time would have cost around $1,000 and exposed me to around 50x the radiation of an x-ray. I asked if it was necessary, and the doctor said "Well, maybe. If you want to know, I could prescribe an X-ray and then that will show whether or not the CT-scan is necessary." I requested the X-ray, which cost $37, which I paid out of pocket. It came back showing the CT-scan was not necessary.

Now here's the thing. If I had just gotten the CT scan I might have paid $500 out of pocket (I forget what my deductible was but it was a long time ago and was probably around that back then) and then insurance would have covered the other $500, perhaps a bit less if they negotiated down the payment. But they would have paid a lot.

It would have been much cheaper for the insurance to actually pay for my $37 X-ray. But no, I had to pay for that.

And here's the thing. I KNOW lots of other patients would have just done the CT scan, without asking.

And this is hardly the only example of this sort of thing. It's come up again and again. I once had a type of ankle injury that orthopedic surgeons will all say "requires surgery in 95% of cases". Well, I was in that 5% and instead of going for surgery, I insisted on trying PT alone, first. And PT alone fixed it. And it cost me hundreds of dollars, instead of tens of thousands of dollars (plus the same amount of PT required during surgery recovery.) Again, I paid out of pocket because the total cost of PT came in under my deductible. But I easily saved the insurance company tens of thousands of dollars.

Did the insurance company help me out in either of these scenarios? No. Not at all.

They made it more difficult for me. In both cases, they paid out NOTHING to me, whereas if I had taken the more expensive treatment, they would have paid out heavily.

I desperately want to keep healthcare costs down. I try, every time I go to the doctor. And I feel like I'm fighting both the doctors and the insurance companies. And sometimes, I'm even fighting employers.

For example, employers often cover a fixed percentage of health care plans. Sometimes it is quite generous. So for example if they cover 90% of the cost of a plan, then if the monthly premium for a cheap plan is $500, and for a more expensive plan is $1000, the cost to me would be $50 a month or $100 a month. But the difference in value of the plan is not $50 a month, it's $500 a month. So basically what is happening is that if I pick the cheap plan, my employer is paying $450 a month on my behalf, but if I pick the expensive plan my employer is paying $900 a month. So I'm getting an extra $450 a month paid on my behalf. So this strongly incentivizes me to pick the more expensive plan. There is no way I can access that money otherwise.

And the better plan is likely to save me a lot more, each year, than the $50/month I save. However, it is much more costly to the employer, and much less efficient for society as a whole.

And then, having a better plan disincentivizes me to keep my costs limited.

Tax policy compounds this problem. The value of the insurance plan is not included in my income for tax purposes, but if a company pays me a salary, that is included. So this further incentivizes me picking the expensive plan because it minimizes my tax liability whereas if I took a different job with better pay but crappier health insurance benefits, I would pay more tax. So it reinforces the incentive to pick the most expensive plans, magnifying the problem.

I hate it. It is an entirely broken system of incentives.

These problems are all fixable.

Some are fixable on the insurance company's ends, like they could just choose to authorize certain payments independent of the deductible if they saw those payments as having a high likelihood of preventing unnecessary expenditures. Such coverage could be inexpensive preliminary tests, attempts to treat things pre-surgery with PT to see if the surgery was necessary, talk therapy before trying expensive medications, all sorts of things. It could be offered as a free option, not even made mandatory, and the company would save a ton of money because it would address the issue in some rather large percentage of cases. In the case of something exorbitant like surgery, it would only need to fix a few cases to pay off, like if it saves a $100,000 surgery, paying $1,000 for many sessions of PT would make the company big profits if it even only worked in 2% of cases. And it's likely it would work in a much larger percentage of cases like that.

Tax reform could fix the tax incentives.

You could also pass reforms at the state level that would force employees to compensate employees equally regardless of the cost of their healthcare plans, so like, if you got a cheaper plan, they would have to pay you more.

You can also fight this as an individual, the way I do, by always asking up-front what any procedure costs, and always asking if there is a cheaper alternative or cheaper test that determines if the expensive test and/or treatment is really necessary. Much of the time there is a cheaper preliminary option and it can save you a ton of money and in some cases save you unnecessary treatments.

You can fight some things at the time of billing by asking for itemized charges. Often a lot of costs mysteriously disappear.

We could also push for state laws that protect patients by requiring providers quote prices and get consent for treatment at those prices, up-front. That would reduce a lot of unnecessary costs.

I'm so frustrated at insurance companies because many of these legal reforms would be in their interest (excepting the tax and compensation reforms which would hurt them), but I almost never see them lobbying for this stuff.

Please don't fall for the line, "But health insurers only take this tiny % of US healthcare expenses!!! They're such maligned innocents uwu."

I have news for you:

THE MONEY THAT INSURERS COME AWAY WITH ≠ THE POVERTY THEY LEAVE IN THEIR WAKE

Insurers create poverty when I can't contact my doctor for a vital prescription because his secretary spent all day submitting and revising prior auth forms instead of answering the phone. The money for her labor gets flushed down a burocratic drain, and the insurer doesn't get a cent of it. Money goes to the time my doctor spends begging his employers to hire more secretaries, and the time his employers spend coming up with reasons to say no.

Money goes into the time pharmacy workers go back and forth with patients about why we can't have the medication we need to walk, or live, or think. It goes into the time they play phone tag with the doctor, then the insurer, trying to figure out where the care got blocked, so they can give us a clue how to unblock it.

Money goes into the time professionals spend convincing me not to self-harm when I can't get the meds my doctor prescribed, psychiatric or otherwise.

Often I'm denied a medication that only costs a few dollars out of pocket with the right coupon. Medicine I could afford, if buying medicine out of pocket when you have insurance didn't create more red tape than it cuts through. If I spend hours in therapy because an insurer cheated me out of $8 of medicine, even the insurer loses money. But they net more gain than loss, because most patients don't have time to fight them like I do.

If my body weren't worn out from years fighting this battle, my thyroid would probably be dying more slowly. Society would have to pay for fewer blood tests and doctor's visits, for lower dosages of levothyroxine.

If my insurance covered more frequent thyroid tests, I'd spend less time symptomatic. My kidneys would be safer, and so would every system in my body that works better when it's easier to move. In a million little ways, the restrictions insurers place on our care will land society with heftier medical bills down the line. Bills for treatment that many of us won't want if we get sick properly at 80 after long life.

Then there's the cost incurred when medical workers are bone-weary and soul-weary from fighting for us, and they make expensive mistakes. There's the lapses in care because so many workers get worn away to nothing and leave the field understaffed, leading to preventable emergencies and hospitalizations.

Part of what makes the insurance industry so ghoulish is that they could still rake in millions in decent ways. Fewer millions, and more slowly. They could ensure that seniors can refuse unwanted care; it would cut costs massively while reducing cruelty. They could offer better preventive medicine. Ensure easier access to group counseling, so paid experts can stretch their time farther and more people can find a support network. There are ways to make medicine cheaper while also making it kinder. Execs have chosen an antagonistic stance toward patients and doctors because it pays off somewhat bigger and a lot faster. It looks better on a quarterly report. The fight that's resulted is wildly expensive for everyone.

THE MONEY THAT HEALTH INSURERS BRING IN DOES NOT REFLECT THE COST THEY INCUR ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

...let alone the cost they incur on the human beings trapped inside it

[takeeachdayonebookatatime]

Why did you elbow me? 83

Out of breath

Kate: pov It's supposed to be apple flavored, Castle is holding the ice pop for me since my arm is injured. Liv just arrived with Fin and Lanie suggests to Castle that they head downstairs for some food. I can't eat anything yet. Liv hands me a fuzzy blanket which she and Fin picked up from the gift shop. It included a card and a balloon shaped like a heart that said get well soon. She mentions her precinct hopes I will feel better soon, we chatted for a little bit longer until they had to head back to the 16th precinct.

Lanie: pov Castle ordered a gift basket for the nurses station it is loaded with snacks. The Dr wants Kate to walk a little bit, after checking her, he unhooks her catheter. Castle is holding her up while I push her IV pole, we walk to the nurses station and then back to her room. She is off oxygen now, a nurse came with a light meal for her, Castle ran and got us sandwiches for lunch. The food is amazing. Castle is helping her since her arm is injured and the other one is loaded with wires from the Iv and other medical equipment. Kate looks sleepy so I tell her to take a nap, I quietly leave her room so I can talk with Dr Ted. Castle is getting some writing done while she sleeps.

Castle: pov Jim arrives just as Kate wakes up, he is telling her all about his lunch date with his male lawyer friend, who wishes she gets well soon. Kate sleeps until dinner, a nurse brings her another light meal saying her tummy might be upset, she also gives her more meds. I ran to grab us all food since Martha and Alexis are stopping by to eat with us. Alexis tells us how school was and the test she has coming up. I'm helping Kate eat since arm is injured.

Jim: pov Lanie pulls me aside after dinner and explains to me she knows I'm scared and worried about Kate and if I need to talk she knows someone. Kate is already asleep when I get back in the room, Castle mentions she almost fell asleep in her food. I say goodnight to Lanie and Castle, I'm sharing a cab back to the loft with Martha and Alexis.

Castle: pov I'm awoken in the middle of the night to a loud sound it sounds like Kate, the clock says 2am. Lanie is already up trying to comfort her. It turns out she has a headache which she gets sometimes. Lanie managed to get the night nurse who gave Kate some medicine for her headache. I helped Kate sit up so I could pick her up like you would a child, Lanie is holding the cords and wires. Once she is in my arms, her head resting on my shoulder and her butt resting on my left hip, my left arm holding her up. I slowly move around rubbing her back with my right hand. I can feel her tears on my shirt, I walk around until she is back asleep. I then put her back in bed with Lanie's help.

Lanie: pov in the morning I talk with Dr Ted and he says if her scans look good she can be sent home. After her scans Kate has oatmeal, while me and Castle have breakfast sandwiches. Dr Ted says she can go home but to take it easy, limited activity and he wants her mostly in bed. Castle asks if she is allowed in public like a quick trip to the store. The pt guy showed me the exercise stuff that Kate is supposed to do. It's minor and she can do it laying down. A nurse says she will get us a wheelchair so Kate does not have to walk much, Castle says no thanks I'll just carry her.

Kate: pov I'm finally getting out of her Lanie is pulling the car up front, Castle is carrying me to the car like you would a small child. The ride home is short, once home castle lays me down on the bed and rubs scar cream on my scars. Lanie grabs my anti-roll pillow and puts it on my left side so I don't roll that way; she then rests my left arm on it, since it's injured. I'm not looking forward to this part, she then grabs my right leg by the ankle and bends my leg so my knee is almost touching my chest, Lanie then moves on to my left, I know this is going to hurt, she then grabs my left leg by the ankle and bends my leg so my knee is almost touching my chest. After doing this a few times, Castle shuts the light off so I can take a nap.

Castle: pov it's been a few days now and before dinner Lanie had a great suggestion which she talked to Kate's cardiologist about. Dr Burkett agreed that it would be nice for Kate to get a massage and it would be relaxing for her. He suggested a few places where the staff were fully trained. I called a few places and made an appointment for tomorrow, Lanie had the day off so it was perfect she could go with us. I made sure to explain to the lady on the phone Kate has a heart condition, arrhythmia to be exact. Dinner is brown rice bowls that Alexis made. They have beans, seeds and some chicken in them. I love that Alexis is learning how to cook healthy food.

Alexis: pov By bedtime Kate is exhausted, I have some studying to do plus I want to text Dave this cute guy I have Been seeing and grandma is reading some lines. Papa Jim went home a few days ago.

Castle: pov Kate keeps waking up from nightmares this is going to be a ruff night.

Lanie: pov in the morning I arrive at the loft, Castle is getting Kate dressed since she just had a shower and oatmeal. Her arm is all better, and she has already taken her pills. I hear from Castle someone was up all night thanks to nightmares. We leave the house at 9:10 for her appointment at the spa while Castle fills out the forms I explain to the person who will be doing the massage Kate's cardiac history, chest trauma and heart surgery. He is very nice about it all. To be continued. ……

[clonesupport]

A Good Night's Rest pt.2

silco x f!reader

pt.1

word count: +1.5k

warnings: 18+, NSFW, p in v sex, unprotected sex, creampie, slight somnophilia/reverse somnophilia, praise, soft but demanding silco (+ a tad of soft silco fluff at the end cuz im in love with this man), vulgar language, porn without plot, smut under the cut

a/n: part two because my attention deficit brain didn't wanna proof read a 3k word fic lmfao, anyway heres more of me having my daddy issues and need for praise from my comfort character tell me what to write, also i just realized i didn't put a gif in the last one lol oops

Silco carries you back to the bedroom, taking the walk back as slow as he can. He teases you with every movement of his hips, every step he takes. He likes to hear the pretty little noises escaping your lips, the way you cling to him life he's your life line.

He eases you down on the edge of the bed. Luckily the bed was high enough in its large wooden bed frame for him to stay inside you as he gently places you, leaning down with you.

"You've been very patient my lovely," he rumbles lowly into your neck as he kisses and sucks tenderly down from your jaw to your collar. "I'm proud of you." he smirks against your skin, he pairs his praise with a gentle thrust, one smooth in and out motion to feed you aching core.

You let out a mewl, finally feeling more than the light bumps from the walk to the bed. You've been waiting all night for Silco to fuck you, that need only increased when he denied you a fucking against his desk instead of doing his work. You have been patient, for him.

His praise is like honey, sickly sweet words of approval only spurring you on to be more needy for him, and he knows.

Siclo begins a rhythm of languid thrusts, slow and steady, leisurely taking his time as he watching you squirm. You try to match your hips with his, moving them in a way to hopefully get more out of what little he gave you.

He leans back up, watching you lazily fuck yourself on his cock, your hips in time with his. "How cute," he's got that sly smirk on his face, eyes screaming with pride and lust at how desperate you are for him. "my little lamb so hopeless underneath me, so eager for my fuck."

He eyes you, continuing his slow rhythm, not giving you merely enough to satisfy. You return his gaze, pleading, begging. You needed more. If you'd had the energy you might have snapped back at him by now, pinning him down to ride his cock mercilessly. Alas your fatigue had the better of you, leaving you helpless under his intense eyes as he lazily fucked your deprived cunt.

The look on your face makes his cock throb, your glossy eyes, eyebrows furrowed, mouth agape painting an obscene picture beneath him. His controlled dominance falter if only for a second, seeing you so helpless under him, god does it make him weak.

Before the waver in his appearance is noticeable, he pulls out of you causing you to once again whine and squirm. "What did I say before about behaving my sweet." he leans back down to coo into your ear, less of a question but more a demand, a demand to recall. Another strained whined leaves your pursed lips, doing your best to please him. Silco picks himself back up, caressing your cheek with the knuckles of his fingers, "Good."

You never thought one word could be said in such a way to make your stomach churn with butterflies and desire.

"Now, lay against the pillows so I can please you my dear." you listen.

With a flicker of hope that he'd finally fuck you the way you needed, you crawled to the head of the bed as swiftly as your sleepy body could. Laying on your back, you spread your legs wide for him.

Silco climbs the bed with you, having stripped himself of his vest and tie. Kneeling between your legs, he examines everything you could give him. A somewhat disapproving 'mm' emanates from his throat. Before you know it he's pulling your underwear down your legs, lifting both your ankles over his shoulder.

Throwing your undergarment somewhere off the side of the bed, his hand reaches down to undo the robe you've been wearing. He groans seeing your bare chest underneath, nipples perked with excitement. He repositions his cock against your slit, his tip hard and leaking, letting you know deep down he was just as needy as you were.

He slides in, a gasp of relief and pleasure escapes the both of you in unison. His forearm wraps around you legs, keeping them in place as he thrusts into your aching cunt.

Your breasts bounce in time with his drive, your moans coming out in slurs of pornographic noises. Your senses are going into overdrive, the only thing keeping you grounded being the feeling of Silco's hand on your lower stomach as he fucks into your womb.

You peek through heavy eyelids up at Silco, his hair has fallen into his face, his shirt unbuttoned halfway showing off the sweat dripping down his chest. His sleeves cuffed and rolled to his elbows, his face painted with ecstasy while he bares his teeth, grunting with every thrust.

You're a song of moans because of him. Silco knows how to angle your hips just right, how to thrust his cock into you perfectly to hit that sweet spot, the one that makes you sing. His hips pistoning into you as your cunt swallows him in with your slick. His grunts have formed into a mix of moans and groans, he's losing himself in you.

He watches you as you come undone beneath him, you're a wreck, and he loves it. He loves that he can do this to you, that you're a mess because of him. He groans loudly, setting your legs down before he swiftly turns you over onto your stomach, gently but quickly pulling your robe off your arms.

You're too dazed in your euphoria to register much before you're on your stomach. Silco's got one of his arms holding himself up beside your head. He uses his other hand to guide his desperately oozing cock back into your core.

He's got your hips lifted just enough, being supported by his knees, as he reestablishes his hard pace from before with a snap of his hips. A moan rips from your lips, muffled into the pillow you've buried your face into, his pillow.

His scent infiltrates your senses, driving your mind wild with the feeling of his cock pile driving into your soaking pussy. His groans harmonizing with your choked screams of pleasure, his weight framing your body above you. His cock pounding into you, his balls slapping your clit with every hard thrust. All of it was enough to overstimulate you.

You could feel your mind grow hazier than you imagined possible, the coil in the pit of your stomach growing oh so tight. You're so close, unbelievably close.

Silco's head rests right next to yours, his chest flush against your back. His heat is radiating onto you, his moans are echoing in your ears. Your wits going haywire, no thoughts besides your need to cum, to feel his cum, to feel him.

With a few more strong thrusts your orgasm crashes onto you, blinding you with pleasure. Your moan chokes, then rips through your throat like a roar.

Silco can feel your insides convulse around him, your hips bucking into the mattress with every wave of pleasure, squeezing him with no mercy. "Fuck-" he chokes into your neck as he continues to fuck your spasming little cunt.

You come down from your high, your senses overloaded. You could feel your eyes droop as you slowly shift your head to the side only to see a blurred view of Silco's temple. You began to drift, knowing well your mind and body has over exuded its limit for the night. Your mind buzzes, sleepy and satisfied. You hum happily, smiling weakly before letting sleep overtake your exhausted body.

Silco's rhythm begins to falter, his hips beginning to stutter. His eyes are closed, concentrated on the feeling of you. He rests his forehead against your shoulder, panting against your skin. The noises escaping him are desperate, his cock straining against your velvet walls.

His orgasm explodes from within, winding him of his breath. One of his hands flies to your waist, squeezing with a death grip as an attempt to ground himself as he rides out his high. His other hand fists the sheets, his eyes clenched shut, mouth agape. He's in pure euphoria as his cum paints your pretty pussy, rope after rope.

Once he's regained control of his rapid pulse and erratic breath, he lifts himself enough to pull out of your messy cunt. He gingerly pushes himself off of you, kneeling between your spread legs, watching his cum ooze out of your thoroughly fucked hole.

He looks up to your face, noticing your eyes are closed, breathing softly in even breaths. Silco chuckles quietly, you seemed so peaceful, as if the two of you weren't just fucking each other like dogs.

Cleaning you up with a warm damp cloth, Silco does his best not to wake you. You've shifted from laying on your stomach to your side, still fast asleep. He joins you bringing you into his arms, soothingly stroking your cheek with his knuckles.

He watches you instinctively nudging into him as he kisses the top of your head, "Sleep well my lovely."

[babylooneytoonz]

The Vessel [Pt. 5]

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x Fem! Reader

Summary: Geralt is beginning to warm up to you, however, in his own annoying way.

Warnings: Minor SMUT

[My Masterlist] [My Witcher Masterlist - Read the other parts here!]

You kept your gaze fixed to the front, your eyes lined to the back of the Witcher's head, his messy hair falling loosely all over his shoulder, covering the back of his neck. The forest was quiet, apart from the occasional croaking of the crickets, or a bird flying by, flapping it's wings.

Your feet hurt, as you had walked all the way from your home, and then had taken a detour through the forest, even though Geralt had said not to. This was all the more reason you took a deep breath, swallowing away the soreness for you couldn't let the man know. No— your ego won't permit that.

Another thing that bothered you was the Witcher's silence, which made you feel that probably it was better to have no company at all, rather than this.

Finally, you gave up— a mixture of both, your exhaustion as well as boredom which made you stop walking, and move to the side where sat a large rock. You lowered yourself upon it, your hand instinctively flying to your boot as you pried it off and began rubbing your ankles to relieve some pressure off them. It was only then that Geralt abruptly halted, when he didn't catch the sound of you behind him.

He twirled around, his hand almost flying to the hilt of his sword out of instinct, the first thought that passed through his mind was that you were taken. It was only after a split second or so did he see you, huddled against that rock, rubbing your feet. His nose twitched, his lips pressing into a firm line as he strode towards you, the sound of his feet against the hard ground causing your head to jerk in his direction.

The next second, you were protesting— angrily lashing out at him, trying to claw your nails into his arms as he grabbed you by your arm and pulled you off that rock, without even uttering a word.

"What the fuck, Geralt? What —"

"I thought you wanted to go to the village. Now, we are going to the village which means that there isn't going to be a stop. I want us to come back before sunset."

These words were the longest words that he had formed towards you all day but his choice of words made you hiss angrily at him, regretting how you didn't enjoy the silence earlier, which was far better than this. You tried prying the hand off your arm to free yourself but the grip instead tightened, pulling you towards Roach.

"Fuck, what the hell is the matter with you? I'm exhausted and just need a minute—"

Before you realized what was happening, you felt him place his hands on either side of your waist, almost like you do to a child when trying to make them climb onto a higher ground. That's when you realized what he was doing— he was trying to get you to climb onto Roach.

"Get on her, [Y/N]. We aren't stopping. The forest can be dangerous."

The blow of the moment hit you right in the gut. You skewered your head to one side, intentionally biting down on your lower lip as you watched Geralt walk up to the rock where you were sitting at. He bent, grabbed your boots, and walked back up to where you were perched on his mare, both your legs on either side of it. Without taking permission, he grabbed your foot, illiciting a gasp from your end but didn't stop, as you squirmed a little, just by the surprise of the act. He easily slid your boot on your left foot before making his way to your right one and you, unknowingly, lifted your foot, without even him having to grab it.

His eyes flew to yours, and you noted the faintest of the smirks that crossed his lips, before he removed the gaze and began working on your right foot to get your boot on, and you smiled, now that he wasn't looking at you.

He then moved away, back into the position he was earlier in— the only difference being that you weren't walking next to him any longer. He took hold of the reins again, as he began walking, as you held on tightly, even though the horse was only galloping in a slow pace.

After about five minutes of silence, the Witcher finally spoke.

"You could have said thank you."

He was facing the front so you couldn't clearly see, but you were sure he was smirking internally. You rolled your eyes, your hand mindlessly flying to your belly and grumbled under your breath.

"Nope. I'm carrying your baby, which makes it your duty to take care of me."

He turned his head towards you, his amber orbs meeting yours halfway, and the look he gave you— his lips curved into the tiniest of smiles over his otherwise serious, brooding face; made blood pump into your body faster and cheeks flush. If it wasn't enough, your mind couldn't stop the thoughts to slither back into it like a snake, the image of the Witcher on top of you, his thick arms pressed to the either of your sides, your legs wrapped around his waist, his cock sliding in and out, in and out, in a rhythm, his balls slapping against your skin.

Suddenly, a loud screech rang through the air startling you, and Roach at the same time, making her stand up on her hind legs, panic stricken. A bloodcurdling scream broke out from your lips as you lost your balance the moment the mare got out of control, your body falling backwards towards gravity as your eyes reflexively closed, your body waiting for a sickening crash.

But the hit never came—

When you opened your eyes, you were in Geralt's arms, his thick arms holding you like a bride, but his eyes were trained to his galloping mare, who was galloping away.

"Roach, she's ..she's running away, oh my god," you cried, just when Geralt placed you back on the ground and drew out his sword.

"She'll come back, you get behind that rock—"

"Geralt, what the fuck was that noise?" You blinked, your eyes concentrated on the side of his face, though he was looking around, his sword ready, and his posture tense. Your words made him grunt under his breath and turn towards you, just for a split second, but he was looking at you with frustration, before you felt him grab your wrist and start walking towards the rock. He jerked you slightly, but not harsh enough to make you fall, until you were crouching behind the rock and he was towering over you.

"Ever heard of a wyvern? You'll finally get to see one yourself."

You gave him a look of pure horror, as you slid down against the ground, keeping sure to stay hidden behind the boulder, your arms locking around your knees, when the screech came again, but this time, it didn't sound distant at all. His hand held a tiny vial of what looked like a coloured liquid, and he quickly downed the contents of it. After that, it took mere seconds for Geralt's eyes to turn into a monstrous black, causing you to shudder.

A loud, bellowing screech filled the air once again, and that's when you looked up to see the wyvern circling above in the sky. Your breathing hitched and for a minute you forgot why you were crouching, you were just so awestruck at the sight of it. Without knowledge, you stood up, staring at the sky when you heard Geralt scream.

"I asked you to stay down!" His voice was sharp and angry, instantly pulling you back to reality as the wyvern finally came swooping from the sky, descending straight towards Geralt, who was distracted, his eyes on you.

"Geralt, watch out!" You screamed out, your eyes thrown wide as Geralt, upon your warning, jumped back around, but a second too late. The Wyvern slammed into the Witcher, sending him flying through the air, his back cracking against a tree bark as he crashed and slumped against the ground, groaning. The blow was enough for his sword to drop from his hand, the impact having caused him to be thrown away from it.

"GERALT!" You cried out, a little too loudly, crouching out a bit so you could see him, which turned out to be a rookie mistake.Your eyes threw themselves open, your lips almost trembling when you saw the wyvern turn slightly, so its monstrous yellow orbs were fixated on you.

"Uh, Geralt? That thing is staring at me? What the fuck do I do?" You croaked, a lump forming in your throat when the creature screeched, the jabbing screech directed at you. You quickly stood up, pressing yourself to the tree, your eyes helplessly looking at Geralt who coughed a little and groaned, struggling to pull himself up. You bit your lip hard, so hard that your teeth almost nipped into your lower lip, the taste of metal flavouring your taste buds.

You had a few seconds to act now— for the Wyvern was already charging in your direction.

"[Y/N], RUN! THROUGH THE FUCKING TREES, RUN THROUGH THE TREES!" Geralt's yelling pounded through your ears, and he was asking you to run, but the sword— the sword was too far away from Geralt, and it was much closer to you. If only you could grab the sword, toss it to Geralt and then run towards the trees, Geralt will be able to strike this creature from behind, you thought to yourself, in that split second between life and death.

Geralt pushed himself up on his elbows, growling from the pit of his stomach like a wolf, his eyes ablaze. The wyvern, however, had gotten bored toying with the Witcher it seemed. He kept racing towards you, momentarily flapping it's wings as he lifted in the air and circled around for a bit before darting straight in your direction.

You screamed, knowing that what you were going to do was sheer madness, but yet, something inside of you prompted you to run towards the wyvern, towards the sword, and not away from its into the trees, like Geralt had asked you to. Your calculation wouldn't fail.

Ignoring Geralt's thunderous scream, you grabbed the sword, sweeping it in your palm, your fingers clasping against it at the right time as you threw it out in the air, towards Geralt, screaming, "Geralt! The sword!"

He caught the sword at the exact same time as you turned away, missing the wyvern's claw by a mere second as you began darting at full pace your legs could carry you, towards the trees.

Geralt growled once again, as he stood up, raising the sword as he began charging at the wyvern, who swivelled back to face him, when he jumped in the air, the blade of his sword slashing into the wyvern's wing first which disoriented the creature, who retreated to the ground, howling in pain.

You knew you were supposed to stop— but you couldn't bring yourself to. Maybe it was the adrenaline, that was making you keep running, deeper and deeper into the forest, using the canopy of the trees to cower over you. Behind you, you could hear the creature screeching, until the noises finally came to an end.

You finally stopped running, looking up to realize that you were by a glistening stream. Falling to your knees, you placed both your hands into the icy cold water, splashing some to your face, instantly feeling the cool wash over you and provide you with some temporary relief. Instinctively, your palm flew down to your belly as you stroked it twice over the fabric of your dress.

You waited for a few minutes, knowing that Geralt would find you.

He did find you.

About fifteen minutes later, you heard slight rustling from behind a thick shrubbery. You squinted your eyes, glaring at it, when suddenly a mass of familiar white hair flashed at you, the eyes now gone back to his normal goldens. He was limping, a deep gash having formed on his right thigh, that you could see.

His lips were pressed into a firm line, his eyes lined on you, a look of rage plastered all over his face.

By one look at his face, the first thought that propped into your mind was, you were so fucked.

"Geralt, I—"

He charged at you, his hands coming to rest on either of your arms, his hold not gentle in any way as he pulled you into him, looking down at you, while you looked up at him.

"I told you," He hissed.

"That sword was right there, I had to go for it—"

"NO, YOU DIDNT. I ASKED YOU TO RUN FOR THE TREES, [Y/N]," his grip on you was hard and unwavering, his fingers digging into your flesh as you tried to wriggle free but were obviously, unsuccessful in that attempt.

"STOP, GERALT!" finally, you screamed with a finality in your voice, one which forced the Witcher to let go off you, but you didn't step away. In fact, you placed your palms on his chest, and pushed him hard with all your might. He did not even move an inch. When you looked up at him, your tears had finally betrayed you. You couldn't control yourself from letting out a weak sounding sob, straight from the pit of your stomach as you moved away from him, and began wiping the dirt off your knees with the river water, whispering, "let it go please. It's over. I'm safe now."

Geralt waited for a few seconds, unsure— a thousand thoughts running through his mind looking down at you, but he couldn't find the right words.

So, he cleared his throat, and in a low voice, walked up to where you were kneeling down, and knelt down next to you, not looking at you, but rather into the air around him, as he mumbled, "You're hurt?"

You snorted, more in annoyance and frustration, and disbelief at how easy it was for him to go from cold to warm. You glared at him, throwing him daggers from your eyes, not wanting to give him the answer he wanted, but that's when your gaze fell on the gash on his thigh.

"No, YOU ARE, Witcher," you whispered in a low voice, and he looked down at his thigh, then back up at you, giving you a grunt before he stood up, throwing out his hand towards you, "I'm fine, now come on. We keep moving."

You took his hand, and he pulled you up, but you grabbed his wrist tight when he let go off your hand, pulling him back, into your face, so it was inches away from yours.

"You're hurt, Geralt. We aren't going anywhere until I've made sure you'll live."

A ghost of a smirk crept over his lips for just a split second, and had you blinked, you were sure you would have missed it.

"I'll live. It will take more than that to kill me."

You were about to reply, come up with a good come back, when you heard the familiar sound of the mare's whinnying, causing both you and Geralt to turn towards one of the thickets, from where Roach trotted out, and Geralt smiled, when he took in the sight of his favourite four-legged companion.

The Vessel Taglist:

@kawennote09 @viking-raider @raspberrydreamclouds @pterodactylterrace @singeramg @historianwithaheart @miss-emilia-cavill @ayamenimthiriel @crazynocturnalkiki @xxxkatxo @coffeebreathy @fanaticnae @kmuir1 @little-jana @pineapplemama @auds24 @sassy-pelican @bitchynicole @cavillsim @ragamuffin285 @hista-girl @oliviali0930 @introvertedmouse

Want to be added to the list? Plz let me know via my ask box, inbox and comments. ✨

[frankthesnek]

I may not be working. But i'm working my way through a severe strain of one of my ankles. I had a month in a monster boot (walking boot), and now i'm working on month 3 of Physical Therapy and likely have at least 2 more in before it's fully back to normal.

I'm still not sure how i tore things there, but it still hurts and is bruised. I'm glad it's finally healing but man, i totally sympathize with you on the pain and the slog ahead. Rest, because that helps the most. Then stick to the PT, it's worth it because it gets you back if you have a good one. I'm still using a smart cart at grocery stores because i can't do more than walk shortish distances at the moment and the best stores are the gigantic supercenter types. Amusing and annoying at once, and i'm only in my 40s and getting looks over it. Even with a simple brace on said ankle.

Thank you for sharing you experience with me. And I hope you get better soon!

Plan for now is activity restriction and some at home PT. Trying to avoid having to go to a PT center because there are none close to where I live, so hopefully this will be enough.

This is definitely a lesson learned about putting myself first when it matters and telling people no when I cannot do something.

[otome--fantasy]

Of Demons and Dragons

Ikemen Sengoku Imagine: Being able to turn into a dragon

Ch.7 Pt.2

Warnings: Swearing, blood and violence, MC gets physically hurt, this one is short as it is just the last bit of the chapter 7 that didn't fit in my last post.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way," Hideyoshi extended a hand towards you, as if the motion could calm you down, "Forgive me. When we return to the castle, I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you."

You shook your head defiantly and replied with a shakey, "No."

"It was a fine retreat," now Nobunaga was attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction, "Although my entertainment was cut short."

You gave the man a small growl, not even looking in his direction, before an odd sound cough the attention of all four of you, "U-ugh."

You had almost forgotten about the guy Nobunaga elbowed in the face. You raised a brow at him as he attempted to get up, but ultimately just ended up crawling towards you when the two of you locked eyes, "I'm sorry!"

You made no attempts to move from your spot and instead stood your ground whilst the man groveled at your feet, "I apologize for everything!"

Oh? Your brows furrowed as you looked at him with a perplexed expression.

"I-I'll do anything you ask!"

The expression on your face turned from one of confusion to one of remorse. This man thought he was going to die.

"Just spare me!" His eyes were wide with panic, and he quickly grabbed your ankle in what you had thought was just another act of desperation, but when you opened your mouth to say something, you were cut off by the sound of Nobunaga drawing his sword.

"Don't touch her." You saw the blade come down through the corner of your eye, and you intercepted it with your hand - giving the downed man your back, "No!"

Nobunaga attempted to stop himself when he realized you had put yourself in his path, but before he could you had already caught the sword. No one noticed the thin layer of scales that blanketed the inside of your hand to keep you from being cut.

"He's surrendering!" Your face held a mixture of bafflement and horror at the warlords actions, but you stopping Nobunaga only caused Hideyoshi to draw his sword - whether is was at you or not wasn't clear, "Hideyoshi-!"

You couldn't even finish your sentence as your words were cut off by a dagger being plunged into your back. Your eyes widened in shock and you snapped your jaw shut before looking down at your abdomen. The blade hadn't been long enough to pierce you all the way through, but when you didn't fall to your knees, the assassin who clung to you attempted to drive the weapon deeper.

"Mildly!" Mitsunari, being the only one with free hands, moved to catch you for when you inevitably fell, but you didn't. Both he and Hideyoshi held suprised expressions on their faces, but Nobunaga's could only be described as detached rage.

"You naive woman!" Nobunaga tried to pull his sword from your hand, but the pain from the dagger had made you tense. You gritted your teeth and clutched its blade tighter, holding it with such strength that it dug into your skin and created a superficial cut, which resulted in a thin trail of blood dribbling down your wrist.

"I was trying to help you," your voice was shakey. Your three companions thought it was a result of your shock, but no, you were pissed. You slowly turned to look at the man still clinging to your leg with sharp eyes, and when he noticed the inhuman look of them, he quickly released you and scrambled to scoot away, "Ahh! No!"

The man used his hands and the heels of his feet to push himself along the wood flooring in an attempt to keep his eyes on you, "W-what?! What are-?!"

"I was trying to help you!" You turned around completely to face him, releasing Nobunaga's sword and slowly walking towards your would-be killer, "And you, quite literally, stabbed me in the back!"

He was hyperventilating now as your eyes seemed to glow, and you sneered at him with sharp teeth and fangs. He stopped in his panicked effort to get away from you only when his back hit the wall with a 'thud' that crushed any hopes he had of getting away. You were approaching faster than he cared for, and he watched you with terrified eyes as your hand reached behind you. Did you have a weapon? Where would your hide it in that bath robe? You couldn't see the wide-eyed expression the warlords behind you had when your hand grabbed the handle of the dagger you had been assaulted with, and pulled it out of your back.

The blade was slick and colored crimson with your blood. A few droplets pattered on to the floor as you stopped right in front of the man who tried to murder you. He was too stunned to try and defend himself, especially when you raised the dagger above your head like you were going to kill him. He screamed, but before you could bring the blade down a hand stopped you by grabbing your forearm, "Mildly."

You turned to meet the pleading gaze of Mitsunari. He was a taken aback by the dark look in your eyes, but he waved it off as an illusion created by the lighting and the stray steam from the hot springs, "Please princess," he took a deep breath, "once you go down this path, there is no going back."

How sweet, he was trying to preserve your 'innocence'.

You huffed, "I wasn't going to kill him," you spat, "and if you knew me as well as you think you do, you would have known that."

The man at your feet tried to make a break for it by squeezing past you to the back doors, but you caught him by the neck, picked him up into the air so his feet were a good foot off the ground, and slammed him against the wall, "Where do you think you're going?"

He squeaked unceremoniously before frantically bringing his hands up to grab your wrist, "P-please!"

"Princess," Hideyoshi spoke firmly, "Put down the assassin."

You looked back to see Hideyoshi still in a defensive position with his sword pointed at you. You growled before taking a glance around the room - Nobunaga seemed to be studying you, Mitsunari was slowly releasing your hand, and the other two assailants were pale and shaken. You sighed, your posture visibly relaxing and after a brief moment, Mitsunari stepped away from you. Hideyoshi quietly let out the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding, and replaced his sword back in its sheath - but as soon as they thought everything had past you quickly brought the dagger down.

"No!" Mitsunari moved to stop you, but before he could finish raising his arms you had lodged the bloody knife into the wall two inches from the assassins head. He whined pathetically before you tossed him to the side, sending him flying into his two comrades and making all three of them fall flat onto the floor yet again. Mitsunari let out a relieved sigh before taking the blade from the wall.

You rolled your eyes, "I told you I wouldn't kill him."

Hideyoshi swallowed nervously as you approached and Nobunaga nodded, "Good, the retreat is over. We shall return to Azuchi, and these men will be taken in for questioning, and you," he pointed towards you when you stopped in front of him, "Are going to see Ieyasu as soon as we return."

"I'm fine."

Hideyoshi moved to gently grab your arm and lead you away, but when he did you smacked his hand away - the quick movement caused your wound to send a sharp pain through your body and you winced.

The trip home was agony, every movement of the horse sent another jolt of pain through your back, but at least the bleeding had stopped. The only thing that made you blood boil more than the fact that you were once again injured, was the fact that you had to ride back with the men you were currently pissed at. You refused to speak to either of then the entire way.

"The silent treatment is unbecoming of a princess," Nobunaga jested, but you didn't respond with a witty comeback like you normally would have. Instead, you just silently glared at him any time he tried to get your attention before looking back to the trail ahead of you. He was receiving better treatment from you than Hideyoshi and Mitsunari however, you wouldn't even acknowledge them when they spoke to you. The brunette was actually becoming quite frustrated, though he tried not to show it, Mitsunari however probably took it better than Nobunaga or Hideyoshi. He simply didn't talk to you and gave you your space.

When you arrived at Azuchi, Ieyasu was one of the first to greet you all at the castle gates. Probably to make sure that no one had been seriously injured, "Seriously, again?" Ieyasu scoffed as you were handed off to him and you chuckled, "Guess trouble just follows me."

The group rushed you to the castles med bay where Ieyasu sat you down and examined your wound, you were currently sitting on his desk with nothing to cover your top and your back to the warlords.

"Well at least he didn't get you in a spot that would put your vital organs in any danger," the lead medic briefly glanced at the others standing behind him, "You said she was stabbed with what again?" Ieyasu sat on a pillow on the floor, leaning forward to examine your injury. Mitsunari stepped forward and held out the dagger he pulled from the wall at the hot springs, "This."

By now the blood had dried and crusted, and the flecks of white speckle and wood from the wall stuck to the blade with your blood as the adhesive. The blond turned around and looked at the weapon with furrowed brows, taking it by the handle before raising it up to compare its size with the opening, "It can't be, the entry point is too small."

Oh boy.

"Well how can you tell?" Hideyoshi motioned to the blood surrounding your wound, "There's so much blood, and it's dried already- what if it clotted a majority of the wound shut?"

At that moment a servant you didn't recognize walked it with a bowl of hot water and a rag, "The supplies you requested my lord."

Ieyasu nodded to the servant and took the bowl and rag before turning to look at Hideyoshi, "While that is how things like paper cuts and splinters work, that's not how it works for big wounds like this," he began cleaning the area around your injury, and you winced slightly from discomfort. The blond washed off all the sticky crusted blood and all that was left was a cut in your skin about half the size of the daggers width, and it wasn't actively bleeding. Ieyasu tsked before turning to look at Nobunaga, Mitsunari, and Hideyoshi, "You're sure this is what she was attacked with?"

"Of course," Nobunaga spoke up, "She pulled it out of her back herself."

"What?" Ieyasu looked at you from over your shoulder, "Are you stupid? You should never pull out a weapon from a wound, you could have bled out!"

"Well I figured if I wanted it to heal faster, I couldn't just leave it there," you began to argue with the blond, "Besides the blade was sharp, it was a clean cut, it should have no issues closing," you shrugged, "Probably won't even leave a scar."

Ieyasu rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, "That isn't the point." Ieyasu moved to look back at your wound, and if he hadn't known better, he could have sworn it had gotten smaller. He blinked a few times before leaving his seat all together, "I'm going to examine this for any possible additives- toxic herbs or poison incase it wasn't ment to kill right away."

You looked at Ieyasu through the corner of your eye and nodded while bringing your rob back up and sliding your arms into it. "Wait," Hideyoshi called after Ieyasu before he could close the door, causing the blond to whip around with an irritated look, "What?"

"You aren't even going to stitch her up?" The brunette motioned to you as you turned around to face the group and crossed your arms. The green-eyed warlord groaned, "It's a small enough cut, it's not even bleeding, probably isn't that deep- she'll be fine, I'll bring her some more salve in the morning. Now if you don't mind," Ieyasu raised the blade, "I need to hurry up and get a look at this," before slamming the sliding doors shut.

You sighed heavily, being left alone once again with the men you were mad at made you feel tense and anxious, and after a moment of thick silence you stood up from sitting on the desk to go back to your room. The three of them looked at you and you raised a brow at them, "What?"

"Don't you think you need to stay here?" Hideyoshi moved so he was infront of you, and also blocking your path to the door.

"No, I think what I need is some rest, maybe some food, and a good nights sleep," you moved to step around him before stopping and back tracking like you had forgotten something, and motioned to Nobunaga, "Oh, and to get out of the same room as the man who has almost gotten me killed twice already," you shoulder checked the brunette as you passed, "Thank you for asking."