#compensation specialists

[kirby-the-gorb]

[wife-of-all-dilfs]

love when i slice the top of my knuckle off at work on a meat slicer 😻

[shoforca]

It's been interesting to observe the changes in how doctors treat me as I've gotten more disabled and more obviously/undeniably disabled, because as far as I can tell there's no point at which doctors will stop treating disabled ppl like they're crazy/have no idea what's going on/must always be wrong about their bodies, but the way they do it does change IME. I no longer get "there's nothing wrong with you, you're making it up", but I still get gaslit abt my health at about the same rate, just with "that can't be what's going on" [about stuff that all of my symptoms and test results indicate is probably going on] instead :|

Sometimes from the same doctors who were previously claiming there's nothing wrong with me! And they think I won't notice!

[hanakihan]

here's my shitpost offerung to SL fandom Jinwoo is such a Chad he dances Specialist to either assert dominance or when he gets strong shadow

[rediscoverhearing]

Discovering Ear Cleaning Clinics Near You: A Guide to Better Ear Health

Maintaining healthy ears is essential for overall well-being and optimal hearing. If you're looking for professional ear cleaning services, finding a reputable ear cleaning clinic near you is the first step toward ensuring your ears remain in top condition. Here's everything you need to know about ear cleaning clinics near me and how to choose the right one for your needs:

1. Why Professional Ear Cleaning Matters Earwax, or cerumen, plays a crucial role in protecting and lubricating the ear canal. However, excessive buildup or improper cleaning techniques can lead to earwax blockages, discomfort, and even temporary hearing loss. Professional ear cleaning by trained specialists ensures safe removal of excess earwax and debris without damaging the delicate structures of the ear.

2. Types of Ear Cleaning Clinics

Audiology Clinics: These clinics specialize in hearing healthcare, including ear cleaning services performed by audiologists or hearing healthcare professionals.

ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Clinics: ENT specialists, or otolaryngologists, provide comprehensive care for ear-related issues, including medical-grade ear cleaning procedures.

Specialized Ear Care Clinics: Some clinics focus specifically on ear care services, offering advanced techniques and equipment for thorough ear cleaning and maintenance.

3. Services Offered Professional ear cleaning clinics offer a range of services to address various ear health needs, including:

Earwax Removal: Safe and effective removal of impacted earwax using methods such as irrigation, suction, or manual extraction.

Diagnostic Assessments: Evaluation of ear health and hearing function through otoscopy and audiometry tests.

Treatment of Ear Conditions: Management and treatment of ear infections, tinnitus, and other ear-related conditions.

4. How to Find an Ear Cleaning Clinic Near You

Online Search: Use search engines to look for "ear cleaning clinics near me" or "audiology clinics in West MORLEY WA 6062." This can provide a list of clinics in your area.

Health Directories: Check online health directories or platforms that list healthcare providers, including ear cleaning specialists.

Referrals: Ask your primary care physician, family, or friends for recommendations based on their experiences with local ear cleaning clinics.

5. Choosing the Right Ear Cleaning Clinic When selecting an ear cleaning clinic, consider the following factors:

Credentials and Expertise: Verify that the clinic employs qualified audiologists, ENT specialists, or trained professionals who specialize in ear care.

Safety Protocols: Ensure the clinic adheres to strict hygiene standards and uses safe, approved methods for ear cleaning procedures.

Patient Reviews: Read online reviews and testimonials from other patients to gauge the clinic's reputation for quality care and customer satisfaction.

Accessibility and Convenience: Choose a clinic located conveniently for you, considering factors like parking, public transportation, and accessibility for individuals with mobility concerns.

6. Taking the First Step If you're experiencing symptoms such as ear discomfort, reduced hearing, or excessive earwax buildup, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with a professional ear cleaning clinic. Early intervention can prevent complications and ensure your ears remain healthy and functioning optimally.

Conclusion Investing in professional ear cleaning services at a reputable clinic is an important step toward maintaining good ear health. By choosing a clinic with qualified specialists and a commitment to patient care, you can ensure safe and effective ear cleaning procedures tailored to your individual needs. Take charge of your ear health today and experience the benefits of expert care in preserving your hearing and overall well-being.

Rediscover Hearing the Joy of Hearing with Your local & WA owned Independent Audiologists. Your local Hearing Aid and Tinnitus Specialists. Combined experience of 38 years.

[medibyteslegal]

Medibytes Legal provides Independent Medico-Legal Services with a difference. We are efficient and take swift action on your case, minimising time from assessment to report so that you can act upon the opinion you receive in a timely and considered way.

We empower your decisions by providing medical experts who understand the industry and are experienced in the art of moving a case forward with robust, evidence based opinions.

Our specialists conduct Independent medical examinations and provide evidence based reports on the following types of cases:

Workers Compensation

Personal Injury

Public Liability

Institutional Abuse

CTP

Income Protection

TPD

Fitness for Duty

Superannuation Claims

We provide a quick report turnaround of between 4-10 business days.

[dcxdpdabbles]

Master Posts Links

All the dabbles I have posted on my DC x DP account. Under a read more due to how long it is. Broken into three categories:

Multi-parts - Dabbles that have more than one part written.

One-shots- Dabbles with only one part written.

Requests- Dabbles written for the requests of readers. (Note: If a request is for a continuation of the other two categories, they will be filed in Milti-parts)

Master Post 1 Link

Master Post 2 Link

Completed AUs Master Post Link

Master

Please read the indexes to determine which master post each au is filed in.

As of 02/10/2024: The newest stuff is inside of Master Post 2. If there are many parts from Master Post 1, they will remain on that one.

MASTER POST 1 INDEX:

Multi-parts:

The Royal Consort,

Child Support

Alfred's Boy

The Adoptive Son

Phantom's Number 1 fan

Passion for Fashion

Danny and The Fan Blog

Congratulations! It's Triplets!:

Ghost King Summon dare

The Dauntless Matchmaker

Demon and Angel Brat

Single Dad

Jason's Doll

Alley Boyfriends

One-shots:

The Assistant

The Ghost Trio's Food Trip

Legal Compensation

Love Among Fans

Lex Luther's Youngest

Misplace Baby:

The Infinite Realms Hobby Store:

Obsession Runs in the Family

Farm Hand

Vague Threats

Game of Deadly Love

Retired-Rouge

The Real Blood Son

The Kid of Candles

Magic Older Brother

Keep The God Kid Busy!

Dog walker

Clockwork's Cookbook

Respawn and Relive

The Summoning Conditions of the Ghost King

Finders Keeper

What's the rule again?

The Contact, the Butler and the Sly Time Lord

Big Fish in Gotham Pond:

Immunity system:

Wrong Number:

Timeline Prevention Squad

Requests

The Masters are Aliens

Ghost Zone Read

Red Hood's Snow

Jason Sees Dead People

Ghost Dad

Wayne Manor Ghost

The Siren of Iceberg Lounge

The Orginal

The Ghost King's Fibs

Red ParentHood

Woo thy Butler, My Lord

Cass the Halfa

Double Vision

Dealeyed Soulmates

Rescue Mission

Danny's Online Persona

Practice makes perfect

MASTER POST 2 INDEX:

Multi-Parts

Cass the Halfa

Danny's Grill

Freelance Inventor

The Audit

Why Ten?

Mr. Flavor

Cluster of Cores

Demon Head Slightly to the left

Danny Fenton's Ex

New Management

One-Shots

Red Yummy

It's all Fun and Games Kids!

Professional Protector of Love

The Backroads

In 30 Minutes or less

One hell of a good bellhop

Mr. Flavor

Danny Fenton's Ex

Corporate Rivals

Rude Kryptonian

The Summoned Demon

New Management

Ecto-Specialist

Side Hustle

Copyright

Love at first (club) meeting

Catnip for heroes

Old Friends

Danny the Nanny

Lights and Camera

Hot Wings

Marriage trap the Office Supplier!

Requests

Batman with a gun's lover

IRS's boogie man

Super Robin

Dear Elder Brother's mistakes

The Undead Florist

Pit's Merman

Dullahan is my roomate

Nightowl Appartement

The one with Sunset Hair

Phone a friend

Billy's Parents

The Cinnamon Roll's son

The ost In-Laws

Cassandra's Curse in Gotham

The Lady and The Dad

Big Brother does not approve

Gotham's star and Shadow

COMPLETED AUS MASTER POST INDEX

The Bakery is a Front!....right?

Cave Boy

[edamette]

Analyzing König's presonality

Original post made in TikTok by shikided, published here with their permission.

Let’s start with the fact that König is not shy or self-conscious.

Social anxiety in his case is expressed rather by aggression towards others. Aggression is his defense mechanism (it is different for all people, for some may be a smile, for example).

He can treat people coldly, as well as rudely, out of a subconscious fear of getting into an awkward situation, of being in a vulnerable position. Of course, he is unlikely to like being in a crowd, but this does not mean that he will start to panic and blush, after all, he is a disciplined soldier.

However, König is active and restless, as evidenced by the fact that he was not accepted as a sniper not only because of his height, but also because of his inability to stay in place for a long time. (This is suits his stormy temper)

His expressiveness is especially noticeable in the way he speaks, and Jim Boeven conveys this perfectly. Just compare the original voice acting by Konig and, for example, the Russian one. In Russian, his voice is much calmer and more direct, more balanced, which is out of character.

König is impudent, proud, sharp-tongued. “Pick your guts off the floor” or “and they said that I couldn’t be a sniper” – he’s literally spitting bile, and this still hurts him, as a consequence of the fact that he’s trying to look like a sniper, making himself a mask with his own hands. This desire meant a lot to him, and this is to some extent his personal protest. König did not fully accept the refusal, did not resign himself.

König is brave, even somewhat passionate, not afraid to rush straight into the heat: “get me back into the fight”, “I’m ready for another round”, “don’t worry, leave the heavy lifting to me”.

However, he understands the advantage his height and build give him and uses it. Moreover, he knows how good he is on the battlefield, and does not hesitate to say about it: “finally, some worthy adversaries”, “they are no match for me”. These phrases reveal a need for personal self-affirmation due to his childhood bullying and humiliation. König compensates for the lack of recognition with arrogance and pride, as even his name (King in German) suggests.

This, like his defense mechanism, can cause a disdainful attitude towards other soldiers: “who taught you to shoot?”, “not bad, I’ve seen better”, “let’s be honest, it’s better off in my hands”, “hands off, it’s mine”, curses are also present.

Some fans for some reason see him as a big child, few others as a brutal killer.

König is a fighting unit, a man trained to kill, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean he’ll kill you for some little thing. He can, of course, but he won’t. König is a hostage rescue specialist, His task is not only to eliminate, but also to save.

Pay attention to his pose in the menu. König does not look shy and cute. On the contrary, his movements are calm, even relaxed, he demonstrates confidence and strength. He raises his hand and points at the player, as if to say “Pikachu, I choose you”, or “we’re gonna make this day”

His phrases sound friendly towards us, like “together we should be victorious”, or “you can be in my team any day” and even “with you until the end”

He seems to be encouraging his comrade, with whom he is now leading a mission. König is closed and cold, but loyal and kind towards his people. Due to his character, I doubt that he has many people whom he truly values, such a person will be very attentive and selective towards those who surround him, therefore he seems to me be a loyal and reliable friend to those whom he truly considers them his loved ones.

Summary: König is an interesting character with a psychological point of view, with his own bee in his bonnet.

Closed, arrogant, cocky, loyal, devoted.

[mechaknight-98]

Black Lungs (NSFW)

FT Eunha

Author's note: Light on smut/a bit of angst. Wanted to try something a little different for this piece

Crash woke up from his first pleasant dream in years. Eunha was nestled in tightly. Her physical warmth was pleasant but also sweltering and suffocating. Crash loved it. As he began to stir he was surprised when Eunha moaned, and that's when he remembered his cock was buried inside at her insistence

“I want you to leave it inside so I can get used to your size,” Crash recollected. He smiled at her completely enraptured by everything about her.

However, he did have a previous engagement with Haseul and her friend today so he pulled out of Eunha causing her to moan again, and tightly latch onto him. Crash miraculously fought his way out of her grip and began getting his go-to armor ready.

“Where are you going?” Eunha inquired as her lurid gaze loomed over her prize.

“I agreed to help Haseul and Hyeju get through Aphelion's Rest today since they have been trying to update their gear because they don’t know when the next big threat is coming,” Crash explained. Eunha pouted she wanted more time with Crash as she only felt like she barely broke the surface about him, and he promised her breakfast in bed that day.

“What about our plans for Today?”

“I am a man of my word and don’t you worry. I will deliver on everything I promised you yesterday,” Crash responded

Eunha pouted further as she said, “Can't you cancel or postpone?”

Crash smirked as he replied, “I could have last night but I was busy buried between someone’s thighs last night being told “Don't you dare stop” and then when I remembered I was told, “Focus on me,” as I was being suffocated in someone’s tight pussy,”

Eunha blushed as Crash spoke, “I’m sorry about that I just don’t know what came over me last night. When you surrendered to me I just had to have you,” she responded. Crash smiled as he kissed her forehead

“No worries. I like feeling wanted hopefully I can give the same feeling tonight albeit less lewd and more chaste.” Crash responded as Eunha smiled before saying to him,

“Okay then but hurry back because if you don’t I can’t guarantee what you’ll come back to. I might just pounce on you again.”

Crash smiled as he finished putting on his armor before leaving. As he flew to the dream city his ghost Sashimi said to him,

“I told you Eunha liked you,” Crash rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, you told me that when I first met her. when we were neck deep in the Doomsday scenario,” he said as he monitored his ship’s gauges and levels.

“Yeah but you’re guardians there is always a doomsday scenario, and what is that phrase you are saying?” Sashimi asked

“You better get busy living or get busy dying,” Crash said focused as they neared the dreaming city’s orbit

“Exactly! now preparing Transmat,” Sashimi exclaimed. Crash landed and used his Sparrow to reach the rendezvous location. Despite Crash’s best attempts to be there on time, he was still several minutes early so to compensate he rushed through the Legendary lost sector a few times so he could remember how to teach it. After that Haseul and Her friend a fellow awoken with raven black hair arrived. Her piercing gray eyes bored into Crash making him wildly uncomfortable but he hid his misgivings and discomfort well.

“So what did you need help with?” Crash asked

“Builds. We want help on armor and mods because you are our lost sector specialist and have been reliable in your build advice.” Haseul explained courteously. Crash nodded and then asked to see their build stats through their ghosts. When he saw stat distributions and mod allocations he almost pooped a blood vessel.

He chose his next words with extreme caution,

“Can I ask why neither of you have 100 resilience? Especially you Hyeju a fellow titan.” Hyeju and Haseul looked at him concerned. Hyeju having felt the most attacked by his question asked why?”

“Hoping not to offend them he explained the benefits of 100 resilience and the opportunities it helped create. The girls nodded and presented him with all of their gear and that's when he noticed the spikey armor they had stat-wise to where even without exotics they could easily have triple 100 stat builds. With that in mind, he took out his tools and inserted a base suit of mods who tutored their styles for Haseul he gave her a basic support warlock build (having studied warlock extensively before mastering his titan abilities) and helped Hyeju with a powerful grenade build. After that, he made sure that they had the proper weapons for the champions in the lost sector before letting the two guardians take turns running through the lost sector.

Roughly two hours later, both women had garnered over seven exotic engrams. As they waited for the engrams to decrypt back at the Tower, Haseul turned to Crash with a curious look. “So, Crash, how did you meet Eunha?”

“Oh, Eunha never mentioned it?” Crash responded, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Well, we’ve been busy since then,” Haseul replied with a shrug. Crash nodded thoughtfully before beginning his tale.

---

On a random Sunday, while Crasilior was preparing to run legendary lost sectors, a young Hunter approached him.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for one more person to help my fire team do a raid. Please,” the female Hunter said, her eyes pleading as she stared at the intimidating Awoken Titan. Despite his dislike of the Root of Nightmares raid, Crasilior saw the desperation in her eyes.

“Okay, I’ll help,” he replied.

“Great! My name is Eunha. What’s yours, stranger?” Eunha asked with a hopeful smile.

“I don’t have one, but my closest ally calls me Crasilior,” he responded.

Eunha raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Really? That’s not gonna work. I’m calling you Crash.”

“Eh, I’m more of a Fist of Havoc guy,” Crash said, trying to keep a straight face.

“Hahaha. Okay, Crash, you’re pretty cool,” Eunha said, smiling broadly.

As Crash finished his story Hyeju looked intrigued. “That’s it?”

“Well, yeah. I know all about not having enough people for a raid, so I decided to help. Especially since that’s where my mentor Riddick died. I don’t want anyone else dying there, even if it’s just a paracausal temporal anomaly revisit,” Crash explained. Haseul and Hyeju were taken aback by how casually he mentioned something so personal, but Haseul remembered how Crash often shared melancholy thoughts in a deadpan tone.

“Well, it’s been fun, ladies, but I have a date with a very hot Hunter,” Crash said, standing up.

Haseul was shocked. “Wait, wait, Crash, who’s waiting for you at your place?”

“Oh, Eunha,” Crash answered nonchalantly as he headed back.

When Crash got home, he opened the door to find Eunha eating one of his cinnamon rolls. He quickly closed the door to keep her hidden and apologized for being late. Eunha smiled, charmed by his sweetness. As he changed and showered, she watched him begin to cook a full breakfast���omelets and pancakes. Once he was done, he walked over to her with a plate and a warm smile.

“I promised you breakfast in bed. Come on,” he said, leading her back to the bed. Eunha groaned playfully as they settled in.

“So, how are SinB and Umji?” Eunha asked between bites.

“Uh, they’re good, I guess. I should probably reach out today and tell them I’m coming home tonight. I would ask about your fire team, but you’re kind of a loner,” Eunha teased.

Crash shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. As they lay there, comfortable and content, Eunha realized that despite all the comfort and care Crash brought her, she would always yearn for something more exciting. She thrived on the edge between life and death and staying with this lovable, dorky Titan would only break his heart. But that didn’t change her feelings for him.

“You’re so cute when you’re content,” Eunha said, smiling. Crash recognized her expression and grew suspicious.

“You’re about to say something backhanded, aren’t you?” he asked warily.

Eunha shook her head, her smile fading. “No, I like seeing you at peace. But I don’t think I can be with you like this,” she stammered.

Crash’s heart sank. “Okay then, can you explain what you mean by that?” he asked simply.

Eunha took a deep breath. “Crash, I love you, but I need the thrill of the fight, the edge of danger. I’m afraid that staying with you, I’ll lose that part of myself. And I don’t want to hurt you. You fight for veneration, honor, and valor. You fight to gain insight, to refine yourself. I have and always will respect that but that isn't me.”

Crash looked puzzled. “You do remember how I was courted by Xivu Arath and that whole fiasco, right?” he questioned.

Eunha laughed, recalling the time when Crash got The Wicked Implement and started seeing visions of Xivu Arath. As much as that was a fun stretch with the Frozen Emperor of Doom, she knew that wasn't who Crash truly was. Crash was kind and gentle. To use an old Golden Age analogy, he was a soldier who had found peace in a garden.

“Fair, but she courted you because despite every setback, despite every monster, you came back stronger, but most of that came with wisdom.”

Crash began to understand Eunha’s meaning but wasn't fully convinced. “I mean, I can go full Shotgun ape if that's what you prefer?”

Eunha shook her head. “You are the regal warlord who studies art and battle. I can't be your queen. If that makes sense.”

While her words were confusing, Crash understood her meaning through tone and body language.

“So, what do we do now?” Crash asked. Eunha was relieved at how well he was taking this.

“Wow! You are taking this better than I thought you would, but to answer you, we stay friends, of course,” Eunha said as she got up from the bed. She paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

“There’s something else, Crash. I want to give you a real name. One that isn’t just a nickname or a slur,” Eunha said softly.

Crash looked at her, surprised. “A real name?”

Eunha nodded. “Yes. You deserve more than just ‘Crash.’ or that slur Delindrin calls you I’ve been thinking about it for a while. How about…

[epiclamer]

Self-care day ❤️

Your specialist couldn't make it today unfortunately, but we've allotted you one of our very best as compensation. The words mulled over in the hero's mind as they headed to their room, a little disappointed but mostly unbothered by the change of plans.

Hero hummed as they undressed, neatly folding their clothes into a small pile on their allocated bench before wrapping a towel around their waist and laying themselves facedown on the massage table.

Their weekly sessions were one of Hero's guiltiest pleasures by far. They were here so often that it was just muscle memory that led them to their place on the table by now. But god did they ever enjoy these spare hours.

The few minutes that they laid patiently awaiting their masseuse flew by as they heard the sound of the doorknob rattling, followed by a set of footsteps entering the room and the usual 'click' of the door locking. Goosebumps ran up the hero's back in anticipation, they let themselves relax completely against the soft cushion below with a deep breath.

"You know, when I first saw your name on the chart I wasn't sure if it was a curse or a blessing." Every muscle in the crime-stopper's body froze. Their breathing stopped, their heart dropped, their thoughts imploded. They whirled upright, coming face to face with the sultry gaze only ever worn by Villain.

"Hello, Hero~"

[annabelle--cane]

oh alice. trying to compensate for her jealousy by being overly supportive of sam and celia to the point where the teasing borders on inappropriate. don't worry babygirl you are the specialist most bestest to me.

[mostlyghostie]

I’ve just had this 1979 stereo amp returned from the local repair cafe, fixed, cleaned and working after being in my dad’s loft (1999-2016) and then my basement after he died, following 20 years of use.

Specialist repair places had quoted me £250 for the repairs more than once, but the old bloke in the community centre repair cafe ended up charging just £8 to compensate for the parts, despite it taking him 10 hours to fix.

I’m so overjoyed to have it working (seamlessly with my modern turntable and speakers because analog things are the best), for it to have been from such a great community enterprise and because it sounds absolutely brilliant.

My previous memories of it were just being told not to play with the buttons, because they’re extremely satisfyingly clicky. The original turntable and tape decks died and the speakers were in poor shape, but I’m happy having this last bit working like new.

[shamelesslymkp]

I don't think I posted about it here, but @thebibliosphere posted about binocular vision dysfunction again a few weeks ago and I decided on a whim to see if there were any specialists closer to me than the last time I checked a couple of years ago (at that time, closest evaluations were 3+ hour drives) and there IS and I had an appointment on the 21st to get evaluated and holy shit you guys.

My eyes are still definitely nearsighted and have astigmatisms, and the visual snow syndrome complicates matters, but there's also something really going on with how my eyes work together. Individually, each eye works fine (with the above caveats and corrective lenses), but when I try to use them at the same time they don't actually look at the same thing and my brain has to compensate for the difference.

This is how the doctor explained it:

My left eye is actually looking at a spot different than my right eye (left eye looks at the blue hollow star; right eye looks at the red hollow star) and then my brain compensates and comes up with the one image (purple filled-in star).

which isn't a lot of work for my brain and eyes to be doing! except it's doing it constantly. and has been doing it constantly for all of my waking 34 years of life, which is why the symptoms (vertigo, balance issues, tilted head, sudden unfocusing/focusing of eyes, closing one eye to read, etc.) have gotten so much worse over the last decade.

so the way they address binocular vision dysfunction is with prisms. micro-prisms, really. they aren't doing anything to my eyes or my brain, they're literally interfering with and adjusting the image my eyes are looking at before they ever get to my brain at all.

see?

AND I CAN WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT. MY HEAD IS UPRIGHT WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT. LIKE. HOLY SHIT. ALL OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE LIKE THIS. ALL OF THE TIME. WHY DID NO ONE EVER TELL ME.

[rediscoverhearing]

Ear Cleaning Clinics Near Me

Everyone’s ears produce a substance called cerumen, which is a natural part of the body’s self-cleaning function. It serves an important purpose by protecting the ear canal from bacteria, lubricating it so that your jaw can move while chewing and speaking, and removing dead skin cells that can build up in the ear canal. However, a buildup of ear wax can be uncomfortable and even painful for some people. If left unchecked, earwax can block the ears and lead to infection and hearing loss.

While you might have heard that you can clean your ears by using a cotton swab, this practice actually pushes the earwax deeper into the ear canal where it can harden and form an impaction. It’s much safer and more effective to visit a medical professional for ear cleaning.

Despite the growing popularity of over-the-counter earwax removal kits, it’s best to leave this to a medical provider. Attempting to dig out earwax with objects like cotton swabs or hairpins can damage the delicate lining of your ear canal or rupture an eardrum. A trained MinuteClinic provider can safely remove earwax, as well as review your symptoms and perform a quick exam of your ears to check for signs of infection or other issues.

A trained medical provider will first place a few drops of a water-based solution in your ear to soften the earwax. They may then use an ear lavage tool, which looks like a syringe, to flush out the earwax. During this process, individuals often hear a crackling or popping sound as the earwax is being dislodged from the ear canal. After the earwax is removed, your provider will inspect your ears for any other damage or signs of infection and send you on your way.

Some earwax may be stubborn and cling to the eardrum, in which case a doctor might have to break up the earwax with a suction device while looking into your ear canal with an otoscope or another type of lighted scope. Some ear doctors also utilize a device called an ear curette, which is a small, curved instrument.

In some cases, the ear canals can create blockages by overproducing cerumen or when hearing aids obstruct the normal path of the earwax. If you are prone to earwax buildup, consider visiting your local ENT doctor for regular preventive ear cleanings. In fact, if you are a frequent user of headphones or earbuds, you should have your ears professionally cleaned at least once every six to 12 months. To learn more about Ear Cleaning Clinics Near Me, schedule an appointment online or over the phone.

Rediscover Hearing the Joy of Hearing with Your local & WA owned Independent Audiologists. Your local Hearing Aid and Tinnitus Specialists. Combined experience of 38 years.

[koshkamartell]

No One But Me

masterlist

previous

chapter warnings - talk of rape, sexual harassment.

You didn't reveal what had happened to Oscar, or to anyone else. You kept your word to Joel and did not speak about it. You were still afraid of what he was capable of doing if you did tell someone, if he somehow found out that you told the truth. You felt ashamed and dirty, as if you were deserving of Joel's wrath, that what he did was justified. Maybe you shouldn't have been dancing and drinking so much that night, maybe Joel was right about the men at the bar and their lecherous intentions. After all, you had to defer to Joel's knowledge and extensive life experience when certain subjects were concerned, and this time seemed to be no exception.

Ellie and her happiness were also at the forefront of your mind. You knew that she would be devastated if she discovered how Joel had treated you; the security of her world and a happy family life would be shattered and her heart broken. You couldn't do that to Ellie. Not when you could see so much of yourself reflected in her, that same yearning for a stable and loving family.

Yes, you still loved him, and perhaps a small part of you always will. But he has broken something inside you and you know it can never be repaired or compensated for in any way. Joel had pushed you too far for you to be able to forgive and forget. A bridge has been crossed and there's no returning to how things once were. Where do you go from here? Do you leave him? Joel hadn't accepted that the first time you tried to leave him - would he relent this time?

You tried not to show the inner turmoil you were facing when around others. Working at the school proved to be a good distraction from your thoughts; the young faces of the children, their innocence and wonder at the world, always managed to motivate you to be collected and calm.

However the library shifts proved to be more challenging at times. You were alone more often than not, only the occasional visitor popping in to seek out material on a specialist subject or children wanting to peruse the comics and picture books. Left alone with the whirlwind of introspection inside your head could be tormenting.

Does he really even love me?

What if he does it again?

He's been so sweet and loving lately, maybe he's changed?

Maybe he's realised how much I mean to him?

This fruitless cycle of thoughts was interrupted by the surprise appearance of Oscar at the door, a grin on his face as the bell jingled above him. You felt startled, like you had been caught doing something you weren't supposed to, but you quickly composed yourself.

"Is it weird that I miss that sound?" He chuckled.

"Hey stranger," you greeted him, flashing a smile that didn't quite reach your eyes . "Didn't expect to see you here. How can I help you?"

Oscar smiled at you, his clean shaven face boyish and handsome, and you suddenly felt warmth spread all over your cheeks. Surely you weren't blushing because of Oscar?

He walked to the counter where you stood and plopped his satchel on the counter top. "Mhm. It's lunchtime, so I figured I'd stop by for a visit and we could pretend it's like old times - us eating together, hanging out. What do you say?"

"Oscar, are you sure you wanna spend your work break with me?" You asked dubiously, making a face at him.

"You're kidding me, right?" Oscar arched a thick eyebrow in question. "As far as I'm concerned you're the only person I wanna eat lunch with."

He didn't wait for you to speak any further before he flipped open his satchel and took out some sandwiches wrapped in wax paper and a few pieces of fruit. You looked away from him bashfully and shuffled your feet. You could definitely feel your cheeks glowing now.

"Oh Oscar," you murmur, sighing a little. "I don't deserve this."

"Don't deserve to eat lunch? C'mon," he scoffed.

"No, you know what I mean," you said while smoothing your hands over your skirt, still unable to look at Oscar. "You coming here specially for me."

Oscar proped his elbows ontop of the counter and leaned forward so that his head was craning closer to you, tilting his head in an attempt to catch your gaze.

"Hey, look at me," Oscar implored softly.

You obeyed his request and slowly raised your head up to face him. He was gazing at you with a mixture of confusion and pity on his features.

"Why do you think so little of yourself, when others think so much of you?" Oscar asked quietly.

The question is too raw for you to actually answer. It makes you feel bare, like your insides are being dissected. How can you possibly explain to Oscar that you've carried this low self worth all your life, that it has been rooted into your very core since your parents died, left to pullulate and fester like a disease?

Somehow, you believe Oscar already knows that he isn't actually asking for an answer.

All you can do is shrug awkwardly and look away from him. Oscar sighs and extends his arm over the counter to take hold of your wrist. "Honey, what is it going to take for you to believe just how important you are?" His thumb begins to stroke the fragile spot where your pulse and veins intertwine under the thin layer of skin.

You close your eyes and savour the sensation of his soft hand wrapped around your wrist. "Important to who?" You murmur.

"The children at school. Ellie. Me." Oscar whispers silkily. "Look at me."

You raise your head once more to gaze back at Oscar. He studies your face, his eyes roaming over your features longingly. The tip of his tongue swipes over his bottom lip. "You're a beautiful person, and I'm lucky to have you in my life." 

The the lilt of his voice and the passion in his gaze penetrate your heart and send electric like shivers up and down your limbs. "T-thank you, Oscar." You stammer.

He smiles at you, the corners of his eyes crinkling. He gently releases your wrist and stands back upright. "Now, enough of this nonsense. I'm hungry and I want you to tell me everything that's been going on here since I left. Didja finish Bug Science? What about that paperback that old man stole and refuses to give back?"

You can't help but laugh at Oscar's light hearted way of breaking the tension in the room. When he sees you finally smile genuinely, he smiles back with a mix of relief and adoration.

After you finish eating and Oscar has to go back to work, you both agree to a regular lunch date at the lunch every week.

That night you were pacing around Joel's kitchen preparing dinner for when Ellie arrived. She was making a dedicated effort to spend more time with Joel without making him feel awkward; you had suggested that regular dinners together were an uncomplicated way to achieve this, and so naturally Ellie had invited herself over.

You alternate between stirring the pot of stew on the stove and shuffling to the dining room to set the table. You carefully arrange the bowls and cutlery in their places, mindful to give Joel a slightly bigger bowl than you and Ellie, knowing that his appetite was more voracious than either of you, especially after a patrol shift.

The setting reminded you of a tale you had loved as a child - a papa bear, a mamma bear, and a baby bear, all with porridge bowls and furniture corresponding to their sizes. Three bears, a happy family with food and a comfy house. Until an intruder comes and disrupts their carefree life.

What was it again? Ah, yes. Goldilocks and The Three Bears.

Silly stories and fairytales created to entertain and teach children morals and valuable lessons. You only vaguely remember some of them from your childhood. Just like the innocence and curious wonderment of youth, your happy memories had been destroyed by the end of the world, shattered to smithereens.

You want Ellie to be able to experience the things that had been so brutally ripped away from you. You know she's suffered her own share of trauma and horrors in her life, things she hasn't shared with anyone but Joel. You know their bond is what has given them both reason to endure and survive for so long. But Ellie was still young, and now she was safe from whatever was still left in the wild of the world. She deserved her own fairytale.

You know you will have to try your best to mask your melancholy for the upcoming evening. You are about to turn off the stove when you hear the front door rattle open, then the sound of boots stamping at the door. It seems Joel and Ellie have arrived home at the same time.

"Good evening!" Ellie trills as she floats into the kitchen. "What did you make? It smells fucking amazing!"

Your heart lights up to see her bound over to the stove and lean over the pot to take a big whiff of its aroma. She lets out an exaggerated sigh and rolls her eyes.

"I'm sooooo hungry!" Ellie groans. "Work sucked today."

You chuckle and pull her into a hug, brushing a little snow flake from her head. "The goats giving you trouble again?"

Ellie was assigned as a farmhand for her work duties and tended to the goats, chickens and sheep. "It was the sheep this time, lazy fuckers wouldn't listen."

"Didn't do what they were told, huh?" Joel chimes, walking into the kitchen with a smug smile tugging at his mouth.

"You callin' me a sheep, old man?" Ellie pretends to square up into a boxer's stance and raises her fists. You watch the interaction with your fingertips pressed to your lips, hiding your smile. No matter how low you were feeling, being immersed in the domesticity of Ellie's and Joel's company was always entertaining.

"You know what insolent means?"

"Uh, nope," Ellie says with a crinkle of her nose. "Why, that what you're callin' me?"

"Damn right."

Ellie punches his shoulder playfully and then begins a hasty exposition on just why her job is so taxing and why Joel should shut up. You shake your head at her theatrics and slip on some oven mitts before carrying the pot of stew out to the kitchen table.

"And if you actually let me go on patrol I could show those assholes just how badass I am," she laments as she follows behind you and Joel.

"No." He takes his seat at the table. "Too dangerous outside the gate."

Ellie just scoffs loudly and flops down onto her chair. You ladle the stew into the bowls and hand them to Ellie and Joel before serving yourself.

"You gotta teach me how to make this," Ellie mumbles through a mouthful of stew. "Tastes amazing, dude."

You settle into your seat and dip your spoon into the bowl. "Yeah, I can do that."

"How'd you learn how to cook?" Ellie asks between another slurp.

You occupy yourself with slowly stirring your spoon through the vegetables and chunks of lamb floating in your bowl. "I picked up some things from working in the mess hall but I mostly taught myself, through cook books and experimenting. More so experimenting."

"Cool," Ellie says, sounding sincerely impressed. "What's your favourite thing to make?"

"This kind of stew, I guess," you respond quietly, still not meeting her eye. "It's hearty, so it's good for when you're sick. And it reminds me of a dish my mother used to make when I was a kid, so...I find it comforting..." Your voice trails off at the end of your sentence. You never spoke of your mother or father but the words had come rolling from your tongue without thought, leaving you to feel as though you've said too much, been too vulnerable infront of both Ellie and Joel.

"Oh," Ellie murmers. "Well, that's good that's it's good for when you're sick, right? You've been sick alot lately so--"

"Ellie," Joel says low and warning.

A tense silence falls over the dining table. You are sure Joel can read your mind, the automatic internal response that you dare not utter aloud - "I wasn't sick last time, Ellie, I was just hiding my face."

You are thankful when Ellie fills the silence once again and starts talking about her friends and the different adventures she's had lately. You listen but do not talk much, only sometimes expressing a hum of agreement or a noise to indicate your interest. To your surprise, Joel makes an effort to engage with her to ask questions or make comments; it is unusual but refreshing, and you can't help but think Joel is doing it for your sake.

When Ellie excuses herself to go to the bathroom, Joel outstretches his hand to you and tenderly clasps it over yours. He lightly squeezes your small hand in his large one and leaves it there, his thumb making tiny circles over the knuckle of yours, soothing and supplicating. You glance up at Joel but he's staring down at his lap unmoving, and you wonder if it's because he feels too ashamed of himself to look at you.

When Ellie returns to the table Joel doesn't move his hand from yours.

It feels like forever since you've joined the girls for a meal in the mess hall. A few days after Ellies visit, you were greeted by Kate waiting outside the school to surprise you after your shift. Despite being exhausted from the days work her cheeky grin made you laugh.

Truthfully, you hadn't thought much about your friends since the night you had all celebrated Jackson's birthday at the Tipsy Bison. It seemed like the time between then and now had stretched infinitely, the events of that night like a vivid dream that was not real but of which you still could not shake from your memory. Seeing Kate in person and so excited to you makes you feel guilty for not being more involved in your friendship circle.

You sit side by side with Kate and Cassie at one of the dining tables, Rhi and Jess opposite you. You have little to no appetite and even the delicious dinner menu doesn't inspire any hunger from you; you mostly move your spoon aimlessly around your plate, only occasionally taking small bites of food. Rhi has lowered her voice and is recounting a recent incident between her and the blonde ranger she has been pining for.

"Can you believe it? He actually stuck his hand up my skirt right then and there!" She hisses with disgust. "Without even kissing me!"

The four of instantly you scrunch up your noses in revulsion.

"Gross!" Jess gags.

"Who the hell does he think he is?!" Cassie fumes.

"What did you do? Did you slap him?" Kate grumbles. "God, please tell me you slapped him!"

"Ofcourse I did!" Rhi answers haughtily, primly running her fingers through her hair. "No bastard touches me like that without my say so."

"He's was cute but boy, did he turn out to be an asshole," Cassie tuts, then adds sympathetically, "I'm sorry, Rhi. I know you liked him for a long time."

Rhi shrugs dismissively. "Eh, better I find out now than after six months of dating and wasting my time."

"Very true," Jess chimes in. "You deserve better than that shit."

"Ofcourse I do! I'm staying out of the dating game for a while, men are so not worth it." Rhi concedes, scooping up some potato and carrot with her spoon.

You watch the airy way Rhi speaks, how the words spill so confidently from her mouth. She's so self assured - in her capabilities, in her worth, in her beauty. You are simply in awe of her. You have often found yourself wishing you were more like Rhi; someone more bold, stronger willed.

You're sick of being timid. You're tired of never standing up for yourself. You're exhausted with hating yourself.

It was becoming more and more difficult for Joel to ignore the fact that he was in love with you. Obviously he knew you belonged to him, but he hadn't really examined just how deeply his own attachment to you ran. The concept of romantic love was something so foreign to Joel that during his pursuit to conquer you he hadn't even recognised how much he loved you.

It hit him when he returned to his house after a gruelling double patrol shift while you were still at work. The inside of the house was still and lifeless and seemed so much bigger and colder than usual. Not a  trace of your pretty fragrance or your soft voice to greet him. Joel hated it.

It was you who Joel wanted to see when he ambled through the door after work, aching and weary and hungry. It was your face that he wanted to see when he opened his eyes every morning. And it was your lips that he wanted to kiss goodnight before each time he went to sleep. Joel needed you as close as possible, so it was a natural conclusion that you start the process of living together.

It wasn't part of Joel's plan - he hadn't expected things to have progressed so quickly, but then again he couldn't deny just how much he needed you. So for the first time since living in Jackson he had decided to follow his heart.

One night after his patrol shift, a week and a half after Jackson's birthday celebration,  Joel slipped through your front door and toed off his boots.

"I been thinkin' about somethin'," Joel calls out as he shrugs off his coat and hangs it on the hook by the door. "I want you to come stay at my place. Got plenty of space for your things. Can even turn one of the spare rooms into a library for your books."

When you didn't answer him he turned around and stepped into the living room. You were sitting on the couch with your feet tucked under you, staring down at your hands as they fidgeted with a loose thread on the cuff of your sweater. Joel put his hands of his hips and clears his throat.

"Baby, you hear me? What do you think?" He asks with a tilt of his head.

He was trying to temper the irritation that was pricking at the base of his neck, but when he properly looks at you it quickly disappears. He clocks the despondent slouch of your shoulders and the pensive expression on your features.

You sigh softly and then tilt your head up to meet his gaze. You look tired, and the tears swimming in your eyes alarmed Joel enough for him to stride over to the couch and sit down beside you.

"What's goin' on?' He asks with genuine concern, his soulful brown eyes darting up and down your form.

Joel had seen you cry many times before, and it was he who was the reason for your tears more often than not. It usually did not perturb him or discourage him. He knew from the beginning that you were sensitive and soft hearted, the opposite of himself. But something about this instance was totally different.

You swipe the sleeve of your sweater across your eyes to brush away the tears that have spilled over.

"Nothing," you mumble, downcasting your eyes back to the loose thread on your cuff as your fingers toy with it. "Just lonely...missing my parents alot today."

Joel hums and smooths his hand over the back of your head tenderly. "Come to my place, babydoll, stay at my house. You'll never feel lonely there."

"Like, live there forever?"

"Well, not just yet." Joel smirks as he tucks a strand of your hair behind your ear. "We can move your belongings gradually."

"What do you mean?" You question him with a side eye glance.

Joel leans into you and nuzzles his nose in the crook of your neck. One of his arms snakes around your middle and he effortlessly drags you closer to his body like a scolded kitten tugged by its scruff.

"You can move into my place permanently later, aint no rush. But for now I want you close by, always. In my bed waitin' for me after work. Sittin' pretty on my lap while you read." He inhales your scent and places a soft kiss on your neck. His breath is hot against your skin and his whiskers tickle you. It makes shivers crawl up your spine.

"I don't know Joel," you whisper hesitantly. "I don't think I'm ready for that."

Joel's body immediately tenses at your words. He slowly draws his face away from you and loosens his arm from your waist. Your first instinct is to cower away from Joel and curl into yourself, to distance yourself from any potential outburst of wrath that he might choose to rain down upon you.

"What d'you mean?' Joel asks in a low, dangerous tone.

"I just...want to stay here, I don't want to go anywhere," you mumble, not meeting his gaze but still feeling the heat of his scathing glower nonetheless.

"Don't wanna go?" Joel growls harshly. "Look at me when I'm talkin' to you."

You cannot control the automatic reaction that his sharp tone commands from you; your head whips up to look at him obediantly. You feel small and vulnerable under Joel's glare.

"You don't wanna live with me in my house?" He hisses. "I thought that's what you wanted."

You sigh helplessly as you feel the tears begin to well in your eyes once again.

It is what I wanted. But now I'm not so sure.

"I'm ready to give you everythin' and now you wanna throw it away?" Joel spits bitterly, scowling. There is an inflection of dejection in his words, and the disbelief and hurt reflected in his glistening eyes causes a small stab of guilt in your chest.

"I just...don't think it's the right time," you explain with slow deliberation. "I'm not ready for that."

Joel takes a sharp inhale and scoffs. "So you changed your mind? Just like that, you changed your goddamn mind?"

"Joel," you speak calmly in order to placate him. "I want to keep my place. I don't want to live at your house."

"Why the hell not?"

The pressurised anxiety and woe that has been gradually constricting around your organs finally explodes, rapidly surging through your veins and your limbs and up into your skull.

"Because you raped me!" You snap suddenly, your voice hoarse and choked with emotion. You haul yourself off the couch and storm to the other side of the living room. "Because you hurt me worse than you ever did before!"

The word rape hangs heavily in the air, shocking and weighted in the way it tears from your throat. Joel's mouth falls open and shut, like he's too shocked to form a response.

And truthfully he is. He's speechless at your outburst, at seeing you so impassioned that you have raised your voice at him for the first time in your relationship. He wonders where this argumentative side of you has come from so suddenly. This kind of back chat and disrespect would usually warrant a punishment, but the near hysteria of your demeanour has thrown Joel off completely.

And then it clicks. He really did hurt you. He hurt you so much so that you are expressing anger at him for the first time, aswell as rejecting him. His throat feels dry. Joel swallows thickly, his adams apple bobbing.

There had been times in the QZ when the women Joel fucked had been desperate enough to acquire something he smuggled in that they let Joel use their bodies however he wanted. He had readily accepted the trade conditions but had never taken any woman unwillingly before, had never forced himself upon a woman or abused her. He openly despised the men that did - the FEDRA officers, the perverted assholes that roamed the streets, the raiders on the outside that thought nothing of gang raping a girl and leaving her bloodied and broken for the infected and wild animals to devour.

But when it came to you, Joel seemed to lose his sense of morality and rationality. He was blinded by the intrinsic need to dominate and possess you from the moment he saw you. It was something feral and biological inside his brain, his heart, his loins. You were his, you belonged to him, and he had to assert ownership over you in any way possible in order to never lose you. That included having to punish you at times to remind you of your place beside him.

Joel knows he's been rough at times. But rape?

Rape. A disgusting and violent violation used to assert control and cause one of the worst kinds of pain possible.

And that's what he did to you. He hadn't stopped once to think exactly what he had done, but now you've said it outloud he has to acknowledge it. He raped you.

Joel heaves himself from the couch and steps towards you but you flinch, wrapping your arms tightly around your waist and shrinking into the corner.

"I...I know what I did wasn't right. I just got carried away." Joel confesses. "Got so angry I wasn't thinkin' straight."

"Angry for what?" You sob, glaring directly at him. "For having fun with my friends like every other person in town?"

"I don't want my woman behavin' like that," Joel declares while shaking his head firmly, his mouth downturned in a scowl. "Not when she belongs to me."

"So you call me a whore and rape me?" You cry with exasperation, the tears pouring down your face.

Joel sighs and runs his hands through his hair in frustration. "I told ya I didn't mean to go that far, but you know I got a temper."

"That doesn't give you the right!" You argue back, secretly thrilled by your surge of self confidence in confronting Joel. "Imagine if someone did that to Ellie, what would--"

"Don't." Joel grits fiercely, his nostrils flaring and his jaw clenching. "Don't you dare mention her."

"Why not?" You ball your trembling hands into fists and stare him down. You can see the anger simmering just beneath the surface of Joel's restrained exterior, the mannerisms that signify an imminent danger. Your heart is thrumming in your chest and your stomach feels sick with trepidation but you won't back down. Not now. "So it's okay if you do it to me but if it's El--"

In a flash Joel storms toward you, his boots thundering heavily on the floor boards. He grabs a tight hold of your wrist and yanks you to him. You squeak with fear and collide into his chest. His eyes bore down into yours with steely reproach.

"Better listen to what I say, little girl," Joel warns lowly. "Mind your fuckin' manners."

You stare back up at Joel, tears of outrage and hurt stinging your eyes. Neither of you move during the tense stand off and time seems to stand still. There's a loaded intensity emanating between you two that is intoxicating, like both your souls are being forcefully pulled together despite fighting tooth and nail to resist. Amidst the anger and pain is something primal, a kind of hunger that is magnetic and electrifying. You can see it burning in Joel's orbs as his gaze flits between your lips and your own eyes.

Before you do something you'll regret, like kiss him or slap him, you try to pull away, but Joel effortlessly keeps you pinned to him. You shake your head despairingly and a sob escapes from your lips.

"I l-loved you," you whisper brokenly. "S-so much. And you have d-done nothing but hurt me."

Joel's expression softens and his grip on your wrist looses a tiny bit. The hardness leaves his dark eyes and is replaced by a helpless kind of sorrow. He blinks and clears his throat.

"That ain't true," he whispers back. "I been tryin', you know that, don't you? Been tryin' to show you how I feel and make it up to you."

"You broke my heart, Joel," you confess in a barely audible whisper.

Joel appears almost pained when the words leave your mouth; his brows furrow and his eyes shut tightly for a second. Then he releases his grip around your wrist and instead cradles your hand in his rough palm. The gentle way his paw engulfs yours is beseeching, as though your very being is the elixir that sustains him, something vital to his life yet is also so fragile. It brings you no comfort and instead makes the situation feel even more gut wrenching. Why can't you always be like this? You want to scream at him. Why now, when it's so late?

"I'll fix it," he says definitively. "Lemme fix it."

"I don't know if it can be fixed," you whisper truthfully.

You move to pull away from Joel again but his other arm wraps around your waist and holds you firmly against him. His emotive puppy dog eyes search yours beneath the heavy frown of his brow.

"Please," he whispers.

You shut your eyes and your breath hitches in your throat. You are so empty that you cannot evoke any words to describe the maelstrom of emotion inside you. Your legs feel weak and you feel like sleeping. Without speaking a word, you feel Joel dip down and lift you up into his arms like a child, and then carries you to bed. 

Joel lays you carefully on the mattress, placing your head delicately on the pillow. You pull your knees up to your chest and curl up into yourself, wanting nothing more than to drift off and dream of alternate realities that you had read of in your favourite books, of imaginary places and people that you longed to visit. Joel climbs over your legs and plonks down behind you with a grunt.

"Baby," he whispers in your ear. Joel slips his thick arm around your waist and presses his front flush against your back. You hate yourself for the way your body has become conditioned to crave the heat of his body, how you still relish the sensation of his skin on yours even after he's defiled you.

"I'm nothing more than a whore for you, aren't I?" You whisper back wetly.

"What?" Joel breathes. "What? N-no, God, no." He props himself up with an elbow and uses his other arm to flip you onto your back. You stare up at the ceiling ans blink away the tears threatening to pool in your eyes.

"You said that," you warble.

"I know," he says with a sigh. "I didn't mean it." Joel splays his large hand over your belly and leans down to press his forehead to yours. "I'm sorry," he whispers. The two simple words stun you -  it is the first time he's ever apologised.

Joel nuzzles his nose against your cheek tenderly, his eyes falling shut.

"I ain't lettin' you go," he whispers against your lips. "I'll prove myself to you. You'll see. You're mine, babydoll. I love you. You only belong to me. No one but me."

taglist - @@sofiparallel @harriedandharassed @kewwrites @romanarose @fan-fiction-floozy @anoverwhelmingdin @unknownsuser101 @shesarealcarpentersdream @sheeeeeppp @uncassettodiricordi @axshadows @puduvallee

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week - January 09, 2023

1. Top British universities offer Afghan women free courses until Taliban lift learning ban

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban announced last month that women would no longer be able to study at universities and higher education establishments. Institutions were told to implement the ban as soon as possible.

Now, a number of British universities have teamed up through FutureLearn to offer the women in Afghanistan free access to digital learning platforms. Girls and women with internet access will be able to study more than 1,200 courses from top institutions at no cost to themselves.

2. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs extends protections to LGBTQ+ state employees and contractors

Arizona’s newly elected Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed an executive order extending employment protections to state employees and contractors who are LGBTQ+.

As the Human Rights Campaign reports, the executive order, signed on Hobbs’s first day in office Tuesday, directs the state’s Department of Administration to update hiring, promotion, and compensation policies for all state agencies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and include provisions in all new state contracts to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

3. EU Carbon Emissions Drop To 30-Year Lows

It was supposed to be a dirty autumn and winter, with European nations scrambling to replace Russian gas with high-polluting coal. But according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the cold seasons so far have been the cleanest in more than 30 years.

4. Critically endangered rhinoceros gives birth to calf at Kansas City Zoo on New Year's Eve

The Kansas City Zoo got a special start to the new year: A critically endangered subspecies of rhinoceros gave birth to a calf on Dec. 31, officials announced. The calf is walking, nursing and even playing with its mother, Zuri, animal specialists said.

5. Cancer Vaccine to Simultaneously Kill and Prevent Brain Cancer Developed

Scientists are harnessing a new way to turn cancer cells into potent, anti-cancer agents. A new stem cell therapy approach eliminates established brain tumors and provides long-term immunity, training the immune system to prevent cancer from returning.

link to the paper …

6. The US has approved use of the world's first vaccine for honey bees.

It was engineered to prevent fatalities from American foulbrood disease, a bacterial condition known to weaken colonies by attacking bee larvae. As pollinators, bees play a critical role in many aspects of the ecosystem.

The vaccine could serve as a "breakthrough in protecting honey bees", Dalan Animal Health CEO Annette Kleiser said in a statement. It works by introducing an inactive version of the bacteria into the royal jelly fed to the queen, whose larvae then gain immunity.

7. Cat missing for nearly 6 years reunited with owner thanks to microchip

West Sacramento woman got the surprise of a lifetime Saturday when she was reunited with her missing cat after nearly 6 years thanks to microchip. 

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