#consent is key in stable building

[orange-punch]

[renthony]

Date: September 25, 2024

SAG-AFTRA announced today that the union filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board to represent intimacy coordinators employed by the AMPTP companies. Organizing intimacy coordinators is the natural evolution of the union’s commitment to help build a stable and safe future for our members. In the years following the #MeToo movement, the union has supported intimacy coordinators through key initiatives including the creation of Standards and Protocols for Use of Intimacy Coordinators on Set, and Standards for Qualification, Training and Vetting. “Working in scenes involving nudity or physical intimacy is some of the most vulnerable work an actor can do. Intimacy coordinators not only provide assistance in navigating these scenes but they also create a safetynet for performers ensuring consent and protection throughout the entire process,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “Shifting the power imbalance that has been ingrained over a century is challenging but important work. Work that can be done even more effectively with the backing of a union. Intimacy coordinators have our backs on set and now it’s our turn to have theirs.”

[squirrelwrangler]

✨ for Nargothrond?

Thanks to the Tol-in-Gaurhoth series, I have quite a bit more than I normally would. General highlights of the founding:

The dwarves of B&N knew that the cave systems of Nargothrond was ancestrally home to petty-dwarves, but they didn't care or inform the elves that there was still some descendants of exiled traitors and dissidents living in the lower regions, downplaying or removing evidence as they expanded the cave systems and planned the construction (for political purposes the outrage over the slaying of petty-dwarves was useful to establish their rights, but the dwarves of Belegost and Norgrod were perfectly happy to have the petty-dwarves driven out once more and removed as additional rivals). Fierce in-fighting between B/N factions for the glory and economic opportunities of this Menegroth 2.0 - much dwarven glory, reputations, and political wealth as well as physical wealth flowed from the alliance with Menegroth's construction and upkeep, and this was the opportunity for those that missed out on the bidding wars to win.

Nargtohrond was of mostly light stone- limestone primarily- and the river flowed through the lowest level. Water and groundwater management was more important here, so the city had fountains and drainage systems and flooding was the biggest worry. Conversely, Gondolin had a river but it also extensively used cisterns to gather rain and snowmelt to augment the river.

Thankfully none of the Tol-in-Gaurhoth ten were heavily involved in the plumbing. But that Orodreth has to replace too many key positions, not to mention weed out corrupted appoints during C&C's coup, was the start of a slow and gradual systems collapse. The head steward, Edrahil. Heledir the captain of the guards. Their seconds and thirds would would have been the logical promotions - Arodreth, Tacholdir, and Ethirdor and Bân. Influential lords/important families in Aglar and Gadwar. Consael's connections among the followers of C&C meant that his death and the death of his sister's husband was a strong rallying cry to repudiate Curufin and Celegorm and cleave those elves to Orodreth instead. Probably the elf that died in Tol-in-Gaurhoth that caused the least among of rippling ramifications at the time was Fân/Fanawë, because he was only a (talented) foot soldier/ranger whose best friend was the higher-ranking Bân (who had as girlfriend the handmaiden of Melian and was the protege of Angell and Heledir). That changes during the War of Wrath, of course, when his distant maternal Vanyar cousins care, not to mention Dondwen herself.

Then Gwindor's charge wipes out a sizeable chunk of the allies and martial replacements Orodreth had fostered to replace Heledir and others - lords like Galuven in particular hurt. And Faron's ties to the Falathrim.

Back to the city itself: Levels upon levels with gently ramping floors, the stonework intricate and delicate with floral motifs. Thin colonnades, latticework.

In layout and small touches, one would closely figure out that Nargothrond's inspiration was Menegroth and the neighborhoods of Valmar, not Tirion.

The main stables were at the low far end near where the river reemerged.

Ereglas, second son of Eredhon, was the Sindarin lord who lived in the Narog region before Morgoth's invasion, basically the Duke of that region, and unlike his older brother has successfully escaped to Menegroth. He consents to Finrod reclaiming that region and building strongholds there and sends his daughter to help. Eregiel trained with the dwarves (when they visited Menegroth, and only in stone masonry. She's not a second Eöl, not nearly that talented or trusted to visit the dwarven cities, but was trusted as interpreter) and acts as liaison. She and Orodreth work closely together, hit it off, betrothed, married, she's now the lady of Tol Sirion and mother to Finduilas. Wasn't as intentional a political move as Meril's to regain her birthright as duchess of Hithlim.

[marxism-leninism-utenaism]

(Ed Ongweso Jr’s discussion of that stable diffusion lawsuit annotation that was going around is really interesting. the whole thing is here but relevant excerpt below the cut.)

One of my favorite projects last year was an annotated version of NYT columnist Kevin Roose’s "The Latecomer's Guide to Crypto" that sought to correct what amounted to be "a thinly-veiled advertisement for cryptocurrency that appeared to have received little in the way of fact-checking or critical editorial scrutiny." It was a pretty clear, persuasive, and effective rebuttal of many key points and narratives invoked by Roose that was threatening to be uncritically repeated and adopted en masse. So imagine my surprise when someone shared with me a project (“Stable Diffusion Frivolous”) following the same angle, but in defense of what promises to be one of this year’s hype tech products: “AI art.”

Some background: On January 13, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Stability AI and MidJourney, along with art platform DeviantArt for their use of Stable Diffusion.

Stability AI and MidJourney style themselves as AI art generators, meaning they use Stable Diffusion to take pre-existing creative work, use those works as training data for neural networks, and generate derivatives. In this lawsuit, it's alleged some five billion images were taken without the artist's consent and essentially remixed, amounting to a massive violation of copyright law for millions of artists.

"At minimum, Stable Diffusion’s ability to flood the market with an essentially unlimited number of infringing images will inflict permanent damage on the market for art and artists," the lawsuit announcement reads.

The annotations themselves aren't particularly interesting or well-argued, obsessing over technical details instead of fundamental questions. Consider the invocation of Jevon's paradox, an economic observation that when the efficiency of a resource's consumption is increased, its demand will increase. The annotations look at aluminum—once a precious metal that Napoleon used for silverware and the Washington Monument used as a luxurious capstone, but now is ubiquitous because it costs $2/kg.

AI art tools increase efficiency, yes. Contrary to myth, they rarely produce professional-quality outputs in one step, but combined into a workflow with a human artist they yield professional results in much less time than manual work. But that does not inherently mean a corresponding decrease in the size of the market, because as prices to complete projects drop due to the decreased time required, more people will pay for projects that they otherwise could not have afforded. Custom graphics for a car or building. An indie video game. A Mural for one's living room. All across the market, new sectors will be priced into the market that were previously priced out.

There are two things to address here. First: the economics rant is not relevant to the lawsuit, which is asking whether you are violating copyright law when you use unlicensed images as training data for AI art tools. Most of the annotations work like this, pursuing tangents or quibbling on points that are ultimately concerned with markets and efficiency, not the legal question. Opponents are dismissed as “whittlers mad at power tools” and complaints are fielded that a system that did ask for consent would be technically difficult to build.

Second: it is not immediately clear why expanding art markets and increasing artist productivity is a desirable path forward. This was, after all, more or less the core thrust of many pro-NFT arguments over the past two years: sure, NFTs won’t help you make more art but they will allow you to do more with your art—speculation, secondary markets to trade fractional shares, experiences, targeted benefits, social clubs, etc. Individually creating all of those things would be tedious and cumbersome, but simply throwing your art onto the blockchain could outsource some of that work to zealous fans and communities would create more markets, more revenue streams, and more opportunities for additional art to be created by yourself or them.

NFTs, however, quickly proved themselves to be a disaster. They created markets rife with fraud, outright theft, half-baked ideas and implementation, vaporware, and creative attempts to generate excess returns through speculation. There is a tendency to insist AI and crypto will help all artists, but experience suggests that recklessly rolling out these digital technologies to develop new markets tends to largely benefit con artists.

There is also a third point, a secret point, which is both and neither of the previous. Why is anyone pretending that what these AIs are creating is art? The other day, someone sent Nick Cave lyrics generated by ChatGPT in the style of his music and he wrote a furious blog post that was incredibly perceptive when it came to the question of what art is and why AI isn’t doing it.

Songs arise out of suffering, by which I mean they are predicated upon the complex, internal human struggle of creation and, well, as far as I know, algorithms don’t feel. Data doesn’t suffer. ChatGPT has no inner being, it has been nowhere, it has endured nothing, it has not had the audacity to reach beyond its limitations, and hence it doesn’t have the capacity for a shared transcendent experience, as it has no limitations from which to transcend. ChatGPT’s melancholy role is that it is destined to imitate and can never have an authentic human experience, no matter how devalued and inconsequential the human experience may in time become.

The core reason to object to AI art isn’t simply the legal question of licensing or the debates over how artists should make a living, but the fact that this is another front in the war waged by market zealots on life experienced outside of markets. In a bid to quantify the value of everything so that it can then be turned into an asset, its transaction costs made transparent, its production optimized, and its innovation ensured, market fundamentalists have created caricatures of how human minds, social networks, and communities are formed. They’re not interested in creativity, let alone any sublime element of what it means to be a human being―unless it can be linked back to a market. That’s a pretty depressing and increasingly dominant viewpoint of the world which shouldn’t be given any room to breathe.

So at the end of it all, this is an interesting document to read if only because it teases the shape of arguments to come as techno-optimists, venture capitalists, and market zealots reposition themselves to insist AI art is a net good. Advocates will avoid the central legal question (should you get paid for your work being used by a neural network to make similar work), and insist on reframing artists as workers who must produce more for less instead of creatives who should be provided a livelihood independent of demand for their work and spin new markets for speculation and commodification as opportunities for more ambitious artistic endeavors.

[family-law-attorney-dc]

Understanding Family Law in Washington, D.C.: A Comprehensive Overview

Family law governs the legal relationships among family members and addresses sensitive and personal issues, such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and support. In Washington, D.C., family law is primarily handled by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, which oversees disputes and legal processes related to families. This article delves into key areas of family law in Washington, D.C., offering a foundation for understanding your rights and responsibilities.

Marriage and Domestic Partnerships

Washington, D.C., recognizes both traditional marriages and domestic partnerships. Marriage in D.C. requires a valid marriage license, which can be obtained from the Marriage Bureau of the Superior Court. Similarly, domestic partnerships, an alternative for couples who may not wish to marry, provide many of the same legal rights and responsibilities, such as inheritance rights, joint property ownership, and health care decision-making authority.

Couples must register their domestic partnership with the D.C. Department of Health. Both marriage and domestic partnerships require mutual consent, and individuals must meet certain age and residency requirements.

Divorce and Separation

Divorce is a common area of family law in Washington, D.C., and the district follows a no-fault divorce system. This means that couples do not need to prove wrongdoing by either party to dissolve the marriage. The primary grounds for divorce are mutual and voluntary separation for at least six months or living separately without cohabitation for one year.

Legal separation is another option for couples who wish to live apart but do not want to terminate their marriage. This arrangement allows couples to address important issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support without finalizing a divorce.

Child Custody and Support

Child custody disputes are often the most emotionally charged aspects of family law cases. In Washington, D.C., courts prioritize the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. Custody can be joint (shared by both parents) or sole (granted to one parent), depending on factors such as the child's needs, the parents' ability to cooperate, and each parent's living situation.

Child support is another critical issue in family law. Washington, D.C., uses a formula based on the parents’ incomes, the number of children, and other relevant factors to calculate child support payments. These payments are designed to ensure that children maintain a standard of living consistent with their parents' financial abilities.

Domestic Violence and Protection Orders

Victims of domestic violence can seek protection under D.C.'s family law system. Civil protection orders (CPOs) are available to individuals experiencing abuse, harassment, or threats from a family member, spouse, or intimate partner. These orders can mandate the abuser to stay away from the victim, move out of a shared residence, and refrain from contacting the victim.

Adoption and Parental Rights

Adoption in Washington, D.C., allows individuals or couples to become legal parents of a child. The process involves thorough background checks, home studies, and court approval to ensure the adoptive parents can provide a safe and nurturing environment. D.C. law also supports second-parent adoptions, where a partner in a same-sex relationship can adopt the biological or adoptive child of their partner.

Conclusion

Navigating family law in Washington, D.C., requires careful consideration of legal rights, responsibilities, and the emotional complexities of family relationships. Whether you're dealing with a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or facing domestic violence, consulting an experienced family law attorney can help you make informed decisions and protect your interests. Understanding the nuances of family law in D.C. is crucial to resolving disputes and building a stable foundation for the future.

[chandaaa1]

**Advocating for Policy Change to Prevent Child Abuse**

Child abuse remains a pervasive issue worldwide, with devastating consequences for victims and their communities. While raising awareness and providing support are crucial, long-term prevention requires systemic change. Advocating for policy reform is one of the most effective ways to address the root causes of abuse and ensure protective measures are in place for vulnerable children.

Here’s how individuals, organizations, and communities can champion policy change to prevent child abuse:

---

### **1. Understand the Scope of the Problem**

Before advocating for change, it’s essential to understand the various forms of child abuse—physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect—and their prevalence in your region. Research statistics, existing laws, and policy gaps to identify areas needing urgent attention.

Key areas often requiring improvement include:

- Reporting mechanisms for abuse cases.

- Resources for prevention programs.

- Support for survivors and families.

---

### **2. Promote Evidence-Based Policies**

Effective policies are rooted in research and evidence. Advocate for reforms that:

- **Increase Funding for Prevention Programs**: Early intervention programs like parenting education and community support reduce abuse rates.

- **Enhance Education**: Policies should mandate age-appropriate education on abuse prevention, boundaries, and consent in schools.

- **Strengthen Child Welfare Systems**: Advocate for well-funded child protection agencies, better training for social workers, and improved foster care systems.

---

### **3. Advocate for Mandatory Reporting Laws**

Mandatory reporting laws require certain professionals (e.g., teachers, doctors) to report suspected child abuse. Stronger legislation should:

- Expand the list of mandatory reporters.

- Provide training to recognize signs of abuse.

- Protect reporters from retaliation to encourage disclosures.

---

### **4. Push for Comprehensive Background Checks**

Policies should require thorough background checks for individuals working with children in schools, childcare facilities, and extracurricular programs. Advocate for reforms that:

- Create a centralized database for offenders.

- Close loopholes that allow abusers to move between institutions without detection.

---

### **5. Support Family-Centered Policies**

Stable and healthy family environments reduce the risk of abuse. Advocate for policies that:

- Provide financial support for low-income families.

- Ensure access to mental health services.

- Offer parenting workshops and stress management programs.

---

### **6. Engage Stakeholders**

Effective advocacy requires collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, including:

- **Policymakers**: Lobby legislators to introduce or amend laws protecting children.

- **Nonprofits**: Partner with child advocacy organizations to amplify your message.

- **Communities**: Engage parents, teachers, and local leaders to build grassroots support.

---

### **7. Raise Public Awareness**

Public support is essential for policy change. Use campaigns, social media, and community events to:

- Highlight stories and data that illustrate the need for reform.

- Educate the public on how policies can prevent abuse.

- Encourage people to contact their representatives in support of proposed changes.

---

### **8. Monitor and Evaluate Policy Implementation**

Passing laws is only the first step; they must also be effectively enforced. Advocate for:

- Regular audits of child welfare programs.

- Public reporting on the impact of implemented policies.

- Ongoing adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.

---

### **9. Advocate for International Collaboration**

Child abuse is a global issue, and international cooperation is vital. Push for policies that:

- Share best practices between countries.

- Strengthen treaties on child rights, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

- Combat cross-border issues like child trafficking.

---

### **10. Take Action Locally**

Even small efforts can lead to significant change. Start by:

- Attending local council meetings to discuss child protection policies.

- Supporting candidates who prioritize child welfare in their platforms.

- Volunteering with advocacy groups to build a coalition for change.

---

### **Conclusion**

Preventing child abuse requires more than awareness—it demands systemic policy reform. By advocating for evidence-based policies, mobilizing community support, and holding authorities accountable, we can create a society where children are safe, valued, and protected.

Together, we can influence change that ensures every child has the opportunity to grow up in a secure and nurturing environment. Let’s stand up, speak out, and work toward a future free from abuse.

[hayleycna]

Open Your Future: A Complete Guide to CNA Certification in PA

Unlock Your Future: A Complete Guide to CNA Certification in⁢ PA

Are you looking to jumpstart your career in healthcare? Becoming a Certified Nursing ‍Assistant (CNA) in Pennsylvania (PA) can⁣ be a rewarding and⁢ fulfilling ‍choice. This‌ comprehensive guide will walk you through⁢ everything you need to know about‍ CNA ⁤certification ⁤in ‌PA, from the requirements to training options, and beyond. Let’s unlock your ⁤future in healthcare!

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a crucial member of the healthcare team, providing⁢ essential ⁢support‍ to nurses and direct care to ⁣patients. CNAs assist⁢ with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, while also monitoring vital signs and ensuring the comfort and safety of patients.

Why Become ⁣a CNA in⁢ Pennsylvania?

Growing Demand: ‌ The healthcare industry is expanding, with an increasing ​need for CNAs.

Job Flexibility: CNAs often have flexible work schedules, making ⁤it⁤ easier to balance personal⁤ commitments.

Career Advancement: Working as a CNA can be a stepping stone to other healthcare roles, such as nursing.

Requirements for CNA Certification in Pennsylvania

To become a CNA in PA, you must meet specific requirements:

Be at least 16 years old; those under 18⁢ need parental consent.

Complete a state-approved CNA training program.

Pass the Pennsylvania CNA Competency‍ Exam.

Undergo background checks (criminal and‍ child⁣ abuse clearances).

Steps to Obtain CNA ⁤Certification in PA

Here’s a step-by-step guide to obtaining your CNA certification in Pennsylvania:

Complete a CNA⁤ Training Program: Enroll in​ a state-approved program, ⁤which typically ‍includes classroom instruction and ⁤clinical practice.

Pass the CNA Competency ​Exam: After completing the training, you must pass both the written and practical portions of the exam.

Submit Your Application: After passing the exam, submit your‍ application for certification to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Find Employment: Start your job search in hospitals, ‌nursing ‍homes, or assisted living facilities.

CNA Training Programs in Pennsylvania

Training programs for aspiring CNAs are‌ available ⁣through various⁤ institutions, including:

Community colleges

Vocational-technical schools

Nursing homes ⁣and hospitals

Training duration⁢ typically ranges from 4 to 12 weeks, covering both theoretical and practical skills necessary​ for patient care. Below is ‌a table showcasing‍ some popular CNA training programs in PA:

Program Name

Location

Duration

Cost

ABC School of Nursing

Pittsburgh,⁣ PA

6 weeks

$1,200

Philadelphia Community College

Philadelphia, PA

8 ‌weeks

$1,500

Penn State‍ Health

Hershey, PA

12 weeks

$1,800

Benefits ⁢of⁣ Becoming​ a CNA

Choosing to become a CNA brings numerous benefits:

Hands-On⁤ Experience: Work directly with ⁢patients and ⁣develop ⁢practical skills.

Networking Opportunities: Build connections in the healthcare industry.

Job Security: ⁢ CNAs are in high demand, ensuring a stable career path.

Personal Fulfillment: Make ​a positive impact in patients’ lives.

Practical Tips for Aspiring CNAs

Here’s how you can prepare yourself as‌ you embark on your journey⁤ to becoming a CNA:

Research different‍ training programs to find one that fits your needs.

Practice‌ key skills such ⁢as taking vital signs and patient ⁣mobility techniques.

Develop strong communication skills, which are⁣ essential in a healthcare setting.

Be prepared‍ for a physically demanding job—physical fitness matters!

Case Study:‌ A Day in ​the Life of a ​CNA

To give you a clearer picture of what being a CNA entails, let’s explore a hypothetical day in the life of Sarah, a CNA working in a⁤ long-term care facility.

After clocking in at 7 AM, Sarah begins her day by reviewing her patient list and attending a brief ⁣shift report with the nursing staff. She ⁣proceeds to:

Assist ⁢with morning⁢ hygiene and dressing for ‍her assigned residents.

Measure and record vital signs.

Help residents with breakfast, ensuring they are ⁣comfortable and⁣ well-fed.

Engage in recreational activities with residents to promote social interaction.

By the time ⁣her shift ends at 3 PM, Sarah feels fulfilled, having provided essential care and support‍ to her patients.

First-Hand Experience: Insights from a Current CNA

We interviewed Mary, a CNA with three years of experience in a busy⁣ hospital:

“Being a CNA can be challenging, but it’s ‌also incredibly rewarding. I love getting ​to know my ⁣patients and being part of their recovery journey. You’ll face tough days, but the gratitude⁤ from patients makes it all worthwhile!”

Conclusion

Embarking on a career ‌as a ​Certified Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania is⁣ a​ step toward a meaningful and impactful profession in healthcare. ⁣With a ⁢clear understanding of the certification ⁣process, training options, and the many benefits of being a CNA, you are now equipped to begin your journey. Whether you’re entering ‍the workforce or seeking a new path, unlocking your future as a CNA could lead to endless opportunities in the vibrant field of healthcare.

https://cnatrainingcertification.org/open-your-future-a-complete-guide-to-cna-certification-in-pa/

[conniephleb]

Mastering Phlebotomy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

**Title:** ⁣Mastering Phlebotomy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

**Introduction** Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood from patients for various laboratory tests, transfusions, or ‌donations. It⁣ is a crucial skill in the medical field, as accurate blood collection is essential for diagnosing illnesses and tracking treatment progress. If you⁢ are⁢ considering a career‌ in healthcare or are simply interested in learning more about phlebotomy, this step-by-step guide for beginners ⁣will help you master the basics and become proficient in this important‍ procedure.

**Benefits of ⁣Mastering Phlebotomy** – In-demand skill in the healthcare industry – Provides a sense of fulfillment in helping patients – Opens up opportunities for career ⁢advancement – Can lead to a stable and rewarding career path

**Getting Started: ​Understanding the Basics** Before delving into the practical aspects of phlebotomy, it is essential to ⁤have a ​solid understanding of the basics. Here are some key concepts to familiarize yourself with:

1. Anatomy and Physiology: ​Understanding the circulatory system and ​the anatomy of veins will help you locate suitable‌ veins for blood collection. 2. ⁢Infection Control: Adhering to strict infection control ‌protocols is crucial to prevent the ⁤spread of diseases. 3. Equipment: Familiarize yourself with the various phlebotomy equipment, such as needles, vacutainer tubes, and tourniquets.

**Step-by-Step Guide to ⁢Phlebotomy** 1. Prepare the Patient:‌ Introduce yourself ‌to the patient, explain‍ the procedure, and obtain their consent. 2. ⁤Gather Supplies: Ensure you have all the‍ necessary equipment ready, including gloves, alcohol swabs, and bandages. 3. Locate Vein: Use a tourniquet ​to help​ locate a suitable vein for blood collection. Palpate the vein to assess ⁢its‌ size and depth. 4. Clean the⁣ Site:⁢ Use an alcohol swab‌ to clean the skin​ at the site⁢ of venipuncture. 5.⁣ Perform⁤ Venipuncture: Insert the needle at the⁣ appropriate angle and depth to access ‌the vein. Secure the needle in place and collect the required ‍blood⁣ samples. 6. Label Samples: Label the blood samples accurately to‌ prevent mix-ups in the laboratory. 7. Bandage the‌ Site: Apply​ pressure to the site and place a bandage to prevent bleeding.

**Practical Tips ⁣for Success** – Practice on mannequins or simulated arms to improve your technique. – Communicate effectively​ with patients to alleviate their fears and build trust. – Stay calm and focused during ⁢the procedure ⁢to ensure accuracy and safety. – Seek feedback from experienced phlebotomists to improve your ‍skills‍ continuously.

**Case Study: A Day in the Life of a Phlebotomist** Let’s take a look at a typical ‌day in the life ⁤of a phlebotomist:

| Time ⁢ ⁢ | ‌Activity | |————-|———————–| | 7:00 am ‌ | ‌Review daily schedule | | 8:00 am | Begin blood collections| | 10:00 am | Assist with difficult ⁣draws | | 12:00 pm | Lunch break ⁢ ⁣ ⁤ ⁤ | | 2:00 pm | Complete remaining collections | | 4:00 pm | Clean and restock⁢ equipment |

**First-Hand Experience** “As a phlebotomy student, I found that practicing regularly and seeking⁤ feedback from my instructors was key to improving⁢ my skills. Building rapport with patients and staying organized helped me feel confident during blood collections.”

**Conclusion** Mastering phlebotomy requires practice, patience, and a commitment to patient care. By following this ​step-by-step guide for beginners and incorporating practical tips into your routine, you can develop the skills needed to excel in ‌this essential healthcare field. Remember to prioritize⁤ patient ‍safety, adhere to best practices,​ and seek continuous learning opportunities to ​enhance ​your phlebotomy ‌proficiency. Start your journey towards becoming ⁤a ⁤skilled ⁤phlebotomist today!

https://phlebotomytrainingcenter.net/mastering-phlebotomy-a-step-by-step-guide-for-beginners/

[idonimanagement]

Navigating the Rental Application Process in Connecticut: A Comprehensive Guide for Tenants

Securing your ideal apartment in Connecticut involves not just finding the right location but also efficiently handling the rental application CT. This comprehensive guide will take you through each step of filling out a free rental application for tenants, ensuring that you present yourself as the ideal candidate to potential landlords.

The Importance of the Rental Application in CT

The rental application form in CT serves as a cornerstone in the leasing process, allowing landlords to assess whether an applicant meets their criteria for tenancy. Completing a rental application for tenant with accuracy and detail is your first opportunity to make a good impression. It’s not just about showing you can pay the rent on time; it’s also about demonstrating responsibility and reliability.

Key Sections of the CT Rental Application

1. Personal Information

This section is straightforward but crucial. You will need to provide your legal name, contact information, social security number (if applicable), and sometimes additional identification details. Accuracy here is vital to ensure there are no delays in processing your rental application for tenant.

2. Rental History

Your rental application forms in CT will likely require a comprehensive rental history. This includes addresses of previous rentals, duration of stay, reasons for leaving, and references from past landlords or property managers. Be prepared to explain any gaps in your rental history.

3. Employment and Financial Information

Landlords need to verify that you have a stable income to cover the rent. For a CT apartment rental application, you’ll be asked to provide details about your employment status, employer contact information, salary, and other sources of income. Self-employed individuals may need to provide additional documentation such as tax returns or bank statements.

4. References

References play a key part in your rental application CT. Apart from past landlords, you may need to provide personal or professional references who can vouch for your reliability and character.

5. Consent for Background and Credit Checks

Most landlords will conduct background and credit checks to ensure there are no serious financial or legal issues that could affect your tenancy. Your consent is required, and it’s best to be prepared for what they might find by checking your own credit beforehand.

Tips for a Successful Rental Application in CT

1. Organize Your Documents: Before you even start filling out your rental application form in CT, gather all necessary documentation. This includes photo ID, proof of income, previous rental agreements, and any other relevant paperwork.

2. Complete Every Field: Incomplete applications are often set aside. Fill out every part of your rental application for tenant to show that you are thorough and attentive to details.

3. Be Honest and Transparent: If there are any potential red flags, such as a past eviction or credit issues, address them upfront. Honesty goes a long way in building trust with your future landlord.

4. Follow Up Politely: Once your rental application forms in CT are submitted, following up after a week shows your enthusiasm and commitment without being pushy.

Navigating the Legal Aspects

Connecticut has specific laws and regulations governing tenant rights and responsibilities, including what landlords can and cannot ask for in a rental application CT. Familiarizing yourself with these laws can help you avoid applications that ask for prohibited information, such as discriminatory questions or excessive personal data.

Conclusion

Filling out a rental application in CT is more than just paperwork; it's an important step in securing your future home. By understanding what is expected in your CT apartment rental application and preparing accordingly, you can greatly improve your chances of success. Remember, every section of your application is crucial in showcasing your potential as a tenant. Take your time, be thorough, and approach each part of the application process with care and consideration.

[gacmediadaily]

Despite trying times in the industry, Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott believes his faith in building a cable network is being rewarded.

Last year, total-viewer ratings for Abbott’s Great American Family rose 76%, one of the biggest reported jumps for any network. In the first quarter, revenue rose 21% from Q1 2023, per the network, indicating demand for the family-friendly formula that the former Hallmark Channel head has brought to his new business. 

Abbott is hoping for more of the same as this year’s upfront unfolds.

In conversations with advertisers, key talking points will be the quality of Great American Media’s content, the audience the channel is bringing in, the familiar talent on screen and the channel’s growth story.

Great American Family will put 50% more original content on the channel, including about 20 movies, Abbott said.

“I think we’re delivering on what we set out to do when we started this. It seems like a long time ago, but it really isn’t. In linear, we’re competing with networks and beating networks that have been around for 20, 30 years,” Abbott said. "It’s fulfilling to see such support from the advertising community.”

Broadcasting & Cable Newsletter

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The channel could use more support from the measurement business.

“We believe VideoAmp and their methodology is far superior than what Nielsen’s done,” Abbott said. Even Nielsen’s big-data methodology underweights some of the distributors that carry Great American Family in smaller counties, he said. “We’re having conversations around currency and how we approach the upfront.”

Great American Family has been delivering its pitch in one-on-one meetings with media buyers and clients. Its sizzle reel shows off the network’s talent, including newcomer Mario Lopez. Lopez introducing the network to buyers gives it added credibility. 

“We’ve got a really strong stable of actors who are behind us and committed to what we're doing,” Abbott said.

Signing talent like Lopez and Carlos and Alexa PenaVega have helped Great American Media bring more diversity to its programming. 

Lopez and his wife, Courtney Lopez, will appear in My Grown-Up Christmas Wish, which will be part of Great American Christmas 2024. The PenaVegas will star in the Great American Pure Flix movie Mr. Manhattan, which debuts May 24.

��Brand safety is important to advertisers, and our length of tune and C3 numbers are very, very strong,” said Kristen Roberts, chief revenue officer and executive VP of programming at Great American Media. “Our franchises like Great American Christmas are really big.”

Great American Family will be running its third Great American Rescue Bowl opposite the Super Bowl.

“Viewers love it and our advertisers love it,” Roberts said.

Last year, the Rescue Bowl resulted in more than 4,000 animals being adopted. “One of the most viewed pieces of content on PureFlix was a 2½-minute segment of the Great American Rescue Bowl that we broke out separately," Abbott said. “We want to lean into that more and more.” 

Abbott started up Great American Media in 2021 amid the pandemic and was launching a cable network at a time when cord-cutting was eroding pay-TV viewers and making streaming more attractive to advertisers.

“There have been easier environments to navigate, but all told we’re doing exceptionally well,” Abbott said.

Building a cable network was the right strategy, he said. “It’s hard to grow a brand and ratings and an appetite for your platforms in a world that is extremely crowded and where content creators are prolific,” he said. “This has certainly not been for the faint of heart, but we are in a good place and we’re getting to a better place.” 

Despite the erosion, Great American Family said it still has close to 70 million homes. “The linear model is a great way to build a brand and enter the mind of the viewer in a way we couldn’t do if we didn’t have a linear network,” Abbott said.

Demand for Family-Friendly Fare

He’s also sure there’s still an underserved demand for family-oriented content. 

“There will always be a segment of the population that just wants to be able to not have to fast forward through something or feel uncomfortable when they’re watching with their kids,” he said. “That segment has been a steadfast rock to build around for many years and I don’t think that’s changing.”

Some of the pressure on the company was relieved when Great American Family merged with Sony’s Pure Flix, in a deal that gave Sony Pictures Television a 49% stake in the business.

"That was a game-changer,” Abbott said.

Sony is a solid source of content and Pure Flix gives Great American Media a foothold in the streaming business and helps it clarify the sometimes tricky line between being family-friendly and presenting religious programming.

“The streaming business allows us to present so much more variety and to be in a number of areas that are more faith-focused, while on the linear side, we’re more focused on creating an experience that isn’t at all uncomfortable,” Abbott said.

“Great American Family is Great American Family for a reason, and Pure Flix, with its heritage in the faith-based space, has a little bit of a different audience and different take on faith and family,” he said. “But at the end of the day, certainly we want to represent faith in a positive light on all services. It’s just a question of degrees and how to attract the broadcast possible audience in linear.”

[architecturalplanningconsultants]

What Are Architectural Plans and How Planning Consultants Shape Them

Architectural Plans are the foundation of any development project. They act as the outline that directs the whole cycle, from the underlying idea to the last execution. In regions like Crofton Park and Chelsfield, where metropolitan improvement is on the ascent, the meaning of all-around planned design plans couldn't possibly be more significant. This article dives into the universe of Architectural Plans and investigates how Planning Consultants assume a vital part in molding them.

Design Plans: The Groundwork of Every Project

Architectural Plans, otherwise called diagrams or development drawings, are definite and far-reaching records that frame the plan, format, and details of a structure or construction. They are fundamental for both private and business projects, guaranteeing that the development lines up with well-being guidelines, drafting regulations, and the vision of the undertaking's partners.

In Crofton Park and Chelsfield, where property improvement and development are quickly advancing, the requirement for exact Architectural Plans has never been more prominent. These plans envelop different viewpoints, including:

1. Design: Building plans grandstand the tasteful vision of a task. They incorporate components like structure style, materials, varieties, and finishing, intending to make an amicable and outwardly engaging design that fits inside the nearby compositional setting.

2. Space Allocation: Powerful space use is a key part of Architectural Plans. They characterize how rooms and regions will be organized, guaranteeing ideal usefulness and stream inside the structure. This is particularly essential for private and business spaces in thickly populated regions like Chelsfield.

3. Structural Details: Architectural Plans give definite data on the structure's primary parts, including walls, sections, bars, and establishments. This guarantees that the development is protected, stable, and fit for enduring ecological variables.

4. Electrical and Plumbing Systems: Present-day structures require complicated electrical and plumbing frameworks. Architectural Plans determine the situation of outlets, wiring, and plumbing installations, guaranteeing that these frameworks are proficient and agreeable with construction laws.

5. Accessibility: In accordance with availability regulations, engineering plans additionally incorporate highlights like slopes, lifts, and wide entryways to guarantee that the structure is open to all, paying little heed to actual capacities.

The Job of Planning Consultants

In the powerful development scene of Crofton Park and Chelsfield, Planning Consultants assume a vital part in the making of structural plans. These experts bring aptitude and knowledge that are significant in exploring the intricacies of metropolitan turn of events. Here are a few manners by which arranging specialists shape building plans:

1. Local Knowledge: Planning Consultants have a top-to-bottom comprehension of neighborhood guidelines, drafting regulations, and building regulations. This information is imperative while making design designs that consent to the particular prerequisites of Crofton Park and Chelsfield.

2. Community Engagement: Compelling compositional arranging goes past style and usefulness. It additionally thinks about the effect of the task on the neighborhood local area. Planning Consultants work with local area commitment, gathering criticism and guaranteeing that the venture lines up with the necessities and inclinations of the occupants.

3. Environmental Considerations: Reasonable and eco-accommodating development rehearsals are turning out to be progressively significant. Planning Consultants can integrate green structure standards into engineering plans, advancing energy productivity and ecological supportability in projects all through Crofton Park and Chelsfield.

4. Project Feasibility: Before any development project starts, evaluating its feasibility is essential. Planning Consultants lead exhaustive plausibility studies, taking into account factors like financial plans, assets, and expected snags. This guarantees that the building plans are reasonable and feasible.

5. Navigating Bureaucracy: The most common way of acquiring grants and endorsements from nearby specialists can plague. Arranging advisors go about as contacts between the venture partners and administrative bodies, smoothing out the regulatory cycle and facilitating project beginning.

6. Conflict Resolution: In the complicated universe of development, questions, and clashes can emerge. Planning Consultants are talented in compromise and can intercede between gatherings to guarantee that the structural plans push ahead without a hitch.

Taking everything into account, Architectural Plans are the foundation of any development project, characterizing its plan, usefulness, and consistency with guidelines. In regions like Crofton Park and Chelsfield, where metropolitan advancement is flourishing, arranging experts assume a key part in forming these plans. Their mastery of neighborhood guidelines, local area commitment, manageability, plausibility, and compromise guarantees that structural plans address the issues of the undertaking as well as contribute emphatically to the general climate. As these areas keep on developing, the coordinated effort between Planning Consultants and designers will stay fundamental in making a manageable and energetic future.

[assetalliance]

Asset Alliance

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We are dedicated to being honest and giving you all the information you need to make the best choices. Our key exercises center around retail as well as business financing, mortgages, and property exchange interview.

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We offer an extensive variety of counseling and financier services that suits client prerequisites

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We are a group of committed experts centered on giving effective and inventive financial arrangements that increase the value of our client's businesses. We are related with the backing of all-around experienced financiers who have experience in SME's financial area in the UAE.

To furnish clients with assorted open doors to enable them with the most ideal investment choices, Asset Alliance shows following central features-

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[i-am-robie]

 Thanks to @coffeeshib​ for letting me steal the amnesia + wife prompt... I couldn’t help myself. This is not what I thought would come out (content warning for canon typical violence and injuries), mostly this is just Kara being a whole entire idiot and Alex facepalming and Lena just being glad Kara is there for her, as her fake wife while she recovers from another quarterly attempt on her life:

“Supergirl! You have to go!” Alex is yelling at her as they roll Lena into the emergency room at National City General, but Kara is rooted to the spot - she can’t look away. Lena is pale, too pale, and there’s blood all over her dress, cuts and scrapes and bruises already blooming on every piece of exposed skin. She isn’t moving, isn’t breathing on her own right now; the only air making its way into her body is through the ambu bag being operated by a nurse, as women and men in scrubs crowd around the moving gurney, shouting orders. And all of that is terrifying enough, but it isn’t the thing that’s paralyzing Kara.

The reason Kara can’t move, the reason that she is barely breathing, is that she can’t hear Lena’s heart.

“Kara.” Alex is closer now, she steps gently in front of her sister, dropping her voice so that no one else can hear her. “Kara, you have to go, they’re getting away.”

“Alex - “ Kara takes a step forward, as if to walk around her sister, to head towards the doors that Lena and the medical team are disappearing behind.

“I know, Kara, I know,” Alex says, gentle and quiet. The doors shut, and Kara’s eyes snap away from it to her sister's face. Alex looks as terrified as Kara feels; she’s wearing an expression Kara has only seen on her before when it’s Kara who’s hurt. “You can’t do anything for her right now. But you can get the guys who did this.” She reaches for Kara’s arm, squeezes - the pressure is grounding. “You need to go. You need to go right now.”

So Kara goes.

__________________

She returns seven hours later, after dropping the men who carried out the attack on Lena at the DEO and declining to help in the interrogation. She nearly killed them, doesn’t think she has the stomach to listen to them talk. She’d still been in the field when the hospital reached out to let her know that they’d been able to stabilize Lena, restarting her heart, but that she hasn’t woken up yet. Alex had relayed the message to her, but now Alex only shakes her head when Kara asks if there are any updates.

Her sister pulls her aside when Kara says that she’s going to hospital to talk to the doctors, telling Kara quietly that she needs to go home and clean off her suit. When Kara looks down, she sees that Alex is right. She’s covered in blood - some of Lena’s, some of it the men she’s apprehended, none of it hers. It makes her want to sob.

But when she gets out of the bathroom after showering, pulling on soft joggers and a hoodie, Kara finds that she can’t settle. Every time she closes her eyes, every time she blinks, she sees Lena’s lifeless body in the rubble that had been her office, can feel Lena in her arms the moment her heart stopped, and the fact that Lena is supposedly stable doesn’t help at all because she hasn’t woken up.

What if she never wakes up?

Suddenly, Kara can’t breathe. Her chest is tight, the walls of her apartment seeming to flex and close in on her. Her heart rate speeds up and she’s taking choked half-breaths, clenching her fists and blinking away tears.

She can’t lose Lena like this, not after she worked so hard to get her back. Kara looks at the clock. It’s just after midnight. This is definitely not visiting-hours at the hospital, and Lena’s not awake anyway - but Kara needs to see her. Needs to know she’s alive.

Needs to hear her heartbeat again.

It’s all of this - the panic, the desperation, the single-minded focus on getting to Lena - that Kara will blame later when she’s trying to explain what happens next in the weeks to come.

The hospital is deserted except for the staff when Kara walks in through the main entrance and goes up to the ICU where she knows Lena will be. She heads straight for the desk at the front of the unit when she arrives, and introduces herself to a nurse before asking if she can see Lena.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Danvers,” the nurse says, and she does sound sorry in the face of Kara’s distress, “visiting hours aren’t until ten a.m.”

A man in a basketball sweatshirt and jeans walks past them, he scans a small badge that says ‘VISITOR’ in capital letters on a machine at the end of the desk, and nods at the nurse before he disappears down the hallway.

“He’s visiting,’ Kara tries, her voice bordering on frantic, “he’s visiting and I need to see her, you don’t understand, I’m not going to be okay if I don’t see her. Please, just let me...”

“I’m so sorry, honey, it’s immediate family only after hours.”

“I’m her wife,” Kara blurts out. “Please. I’m her wife.”

“You’re her…that’s not in the notes…” The nurse trails off, looking down at the computer in front of her.

“I’m her emergency contact, I’m her wife, please.”

““Oh, yes,” the nurse starts nodding, “I do see that marked here, they called you when she came in. Hmmm...Someone clicked the wrong box under ‘relationship to patient.’” She moves her mouse and clicks on something, then looks back up at Kara. “I’ve fixed that for you, Mrs. Danvers. Let me print you out a visitor badge so you can just scan it in next time.

Kara can feel her panic recede a little. She’s going to see Lena. The nurse takes a blank badge and feeds it into an electronic printer. She hands the finished product to Kara, then gets up and gestures for Kara to follow.

“Now,” the nurse starts as she walks Kara down the dark hallway, the lights on half since it’s night, “she looks a little rough, but I assure you, she’s receiving the very best care there is. Normally you would have been called for consent before we initiated the hypothermia protocol, but since she had an advanced directive on file already, the team went ahead and started it.”

Kara’s barely listening to her, has started to strain her ears for the only sound she’s wanted to hear all day. She nearly collapses in relief when she finds it, below the beeping and the whirring and the buzzing of the machines, unlike any other beat in the building. Lena’s heart is steady, slower than usual, slower than Kara’s ever heard it, but it’s there, rhythmically thumping away.

The nurse brings her to a halt in front of a patient room, Lena’s name on the board outside with a bunch of notations that mean nothing to Kara. She’ll ask Alex to translate.

“She’ll be cold to your touch, that’s alright,” the nurse continues. “The key right now is to try to stop or slow any of the damage she’s suffered as a result of going into cardiac arrest. She lost a lot of blood, and her left femur is broken, along with her right ulna, but there are a lot of reasons to be hopeful. We’ll know more in the forty-eight to seventy-two hours once the protocol is complete.”

Kara refuses to think about most of this. Lena is alive. She’s alive and she’s right on the other side of this door. She clears her throat. “How long...how long can I stay?”

“As long as you like, dear. We’ll round on her in the morning and if you’re still here you can talk to the attending. Also, we’ll be in to check on her, but most of the monitoring is electronic since she’s in a medically induced coma for at least the next two days. There’s a chair that reclines by the bedside, I can grab you a blanket?”

“Please,” Kara says. She stops with her hand on the door, turns back to the nurse. “Thank you.” It comes out wobbly.

“Of course.” The nurse smiles at her. “Go on in, I’ll be right back.”

_____________________

Kara’s woken up by the medical team the next morning during rounds, just as the night shift nurse had promised. She blinks awake and rubs at her eyes, stretching and going to stand up when the team enters.

“Hi Mrs. Danvers, we saw you’d arrived,” a tall woman in a white lab coat says, walking over to Kara on the far side of the room and sticking out her hand to shake. “I’m Dr. Sheldon. We’ll do our best to bring you up to speed now, I’m so glad you were able to make it last night.” She gives Kara a warm smile. “Believe it or not, it really does make a difference when patients are supported, even when they aren’t aware of it.”

The team walks her through their care plan for Lena, how long she’ll have to remain like this before they start the re-warming process, what they’re concerned about and what they’ll be looking for. Her arm and femur have been set and immobilized, but it’s likely that the femur will need to be rebroken and repaired surgically if and when Lena does wake up. Given the invasiveness of the procedure, the delicacy of her present condition, and the unknowns about her cognition, that decision will keep.

When they leave, Kara texts Alex. If the doctors think that it will make a difference for Lena’s recovery to have her here, then she’s going to stay. She’s owed time off anyway. This is the best use of it she can think of.

Two hours later, the door opens, and Kara looks up from the bed, relieved to see Alex standing there, holding a backpack with the food and change of clothing Kara asked her to bring.

“Oh gosh, am I glad to see you,” she says, letting go of Lena’s hand and standing up. She walks around the bed to where Alex has stopped.

“Yeah, yeah,” Alex says, and she’s frowning at Kara. “You have some fucking explaining to do.”

“What?” Kara stops abruptly.

“What?” Alex parrots. She narrows her eyes. “Are you being serious…?” At Kara’s confused expression, Alex rolls her eyes and reaches behind her to shut the door. She walks over to Kara, pulling some take out from the bag and handing it to her, before pulling up one of the swivel chairs a doctor had been using.

Kara takes the food and goes back to her seat.

“So?” Alex prompts.

Kara looks up from the styrofoam container, already having broken apart her chopsticks. “So what?”

“What do you mean...Kara!” Kara freezes, chopsticks frozen in midair clutching a piece of kung pao chicken. There is real frustration and confusion in Alex’s voice. “Imagine my surprise when I sign in at the front desk and the nurse says that my sister-in-law is stable right now. Wanna tell me why the fuck you’re playing house to visit your best friend in the hospital?”

Kara sets the chicken down. “Alex…”

“Kara, you have ten seconds to explain why the entire staff thinks you and Lena are married and the answer had better not actually involve marriage or I swear to god I’ll…”

“They wouldn’t let me in to see her!” Kara bursts out. “I got here last night and I needed to see her, Alex, I needed to. And apparently it’s immediate family only and I panicked, okay?”

“I’m sorry,” Alex says, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes. “I know Lena is important to you, but Kara, you could have waited ten hours and seen her.”

“I couldn’t.” Kara looks down at her food, not hungry anymore. “Alex, I couldn’t. I almost had a panic attack after you sent me home last night. I couldn’t wait.”

“Oh kiddo.” Kara looks up at that, all the frustration is gone from Alex’s tone. Her sister lets out a sigh. “Lena’s going to get through this and she’s going to get better. And when she does, you have got to tell her how you feel.”

“She’s my best friend.” Kara’s mouth twists. This is not a new conversation, but the stakes seem higher with Lena in the bed beside her, unconscious and battered.

“She is,” Alex agrees. “But she could be more.”

And oh, Kara wants more with every fiber of her being. But more than that, she wants Lena in her life, wants the easy love and affection they’ve finally gotten back to. And she’s been worried about rocking the boat.

“And by the way,” Alex says, pulling her back to the present, “lying to medical professionals is not a good look.” Kara grimaces and ducks her head.

“I know,” she says, glancing at Lena, the ventilator moving her chest up and down slowly. “But they said it’s good for Lena to have someone here, talking to her, holding her hand, even if she doesn’t know. And you know Lillian isn’t going to do that. And Lex is the one who put her here...just let me do this, okay?”

Alex hums. “You’re so lucky I didn’t blow your secret.”

Kara looks over at her sister. “Thank you.”

“Some of us are actually good at lying under pressure. I’m surprised you didn’t tell them she was married to Supergirl.”

“Well I wasn’t dressed as Supergirl.”

“Thank god for small mercies.”

______________________

Lena doesn’t wake up for the next three days.

In the interim, all of their friends visit, but Alex has already warned them about Kara’s new relationship status and other than Nia’s constant giggles, no one comments. Kara doesn’t leave the hospital. She keeps vigil in the chair, occasionally leaving for short periods of time to go down to the cafeteria, or to stretch her legs.

On day four, Alex convinces her to at least go to the DEO to shower and check in with J’onn about  the duties he and M’gann are covering for her.

She’s just getting ready to head back to the hospital when her phone rings.

“Mrs. Danvers?”

“Yes?”

“This is Dr. Sheldon. Your wife has woken up and she’s being evaluated now by neuro, but we wanted you to know first thing.”

Kara has to sit down in the middle of the DEO, the concrete hard and probably cold underneath her, but it’s better than the alternative, which was just going to be letting her knees give out. She closes her eyes tightly. “I’ll be right there.”

She flies back to the hospital, landing in a nearby alley and running into the building with just a touch of superspeed. She makes it onto the unit just in time to see Lena’s care team leaving her room and turning down the hall to the next patient, and as much as Kara wants to get an update from them, the urge to see Lena herself is too much. She walks through the open door and nearly runs into a nurse, who’s moving some of the equipment out, now that Lena is conscious. It’s a nurse Kara is familiar with, her name is Bernadette, she’s been on shift the last two days. Her eyes light up when she sees Kara.

“Your wife is here,” Bernadette says, over her shoulder before Kara can stop her. She smiles warmly as she turns back to Kara. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She slips past Kara and into the hallway.

“My…” Lena’s eyes go wide as she sees Kara standing helpless in front of the now closed door.  Her voice is still scratchy from the extubation. Her hair is greasy and all over the pillow, her right arm and left leg are completely immobilized, there are wires running through the top of her hospital gown, her whole body a tapestry of garish purples and greens and stitches. But she’s awake. Kara has never felt more relieved in her entire life, but it turns to ice in her veins as Lena struggles to speak, clearly confused. “My - my - oh god.” Her eyes start to fill with tears and Kara panics.

“No, Lena, no, it’s not - “ she starts saying, taking quick steps towards the bed.

“Oh god, oh god, Kara,” Lena chokes out, twisting a little in bed and flinching, “they said I only lost a week, they said my memory seemed okay, that there’s no - ”

“We’re not married!” Kara yells out trying to stop the clear spiral Lena is on. Lena’s eyes go wide, but she does stop looking like she’s about to start sobbing. “We’re not married,” Kara repeats, in a normal voice this time.

“Then why…”

Kara winces. “I might have told the hospital staff that we are. Married, that is.”

Lena looks wary, small and weak and confused in the bed, and she’s frowning a little at Kara now. It doesn’t even matter, though, because the feeling of seeing Lena awake is returning with every word she speaks, and Kara feels something in her chest open up. She has to resist walking over and climbing into bed with her and holding her, knows she needs to explain first.

In every single way Kara played out this moment all week in her head, not once is this how it went - she wants Lena to be smiling, to be okay, or at least as okay as one can be after coming out of a medically induced coma, with a number of near catastrophic injuries still to be dealt with. She certainly didn’t imagine she’d be contributing to the disorientation and isolation Lena’s projecting right now.

Lena’s eyes dart around Kara’s face. Kara takes a deep breath.

“The first night you were here, I had to see you.” She starts twisting her hands together, takes another step towards the bed. “And it was late, and even though I’m your emergency contact, they said no after hours visitors except for family and I panicked.”

“You panicked.” Lena sounds like she’s unsure how panic would lead someone to pretend to be married, and honestly, now that Kara is having to explain the decision, she’s not really sure either. The only thing she knows is that she doesn’t regret it. Would do it again, in fact.

“I knew if they thought I was your wife, they’d let me in to see you. And Lena, I had to see you. I had to. You were - “ Kara cuts herself off, can feel the tightness in her chest, closing around her heart like a vice. “Your heart stopped before I could get you to the hospital. The last time I saw you, I didn’t know if - “ A small sob works it’s way up her throat, and Kara’s eyes are burning. She feels a tear break free from her lashes. “I needed to hear your heartbeat.”

An unreadable expression crosses Lena’s face as Kara takes the seat by her bed that she’s occupied for the last week. To Kara’s great relief, Lena reaches out her left hand, lays it on the edge of the bed, palm up. Kara grabs for it with both of her own.

And Rao, the feeling of Lena’s hand, still cold, but undeniably warmer, squeezing back when Kara grips tightly - she doesn’t know how to describe this feeling. It starts a fresh wave of sobs in her, of relief this time, rather than terror.

“Hey,” Lena says, punctuating it with another flex of her fingers around the back of Kara’s hand. “Hey, I’m okay. I’m here. You saved me. I’m okay, see?”

And really, that just makes Kara cry harder.

“I’m supposed to be comforting you,” she chokes out.

“You are,” Lena says, disengaging their hands and bringing her fingers up to Kara’s face, wiping at the tears. “You are, god, I was just thrown. I thought...I thought, it doesn't matter what I thought.” She tries to laugh and ends up flinching.

“Oh no, are you okay, should I call the doctor?” Kara immediately reaches forward, lays a hand on Lena’s hip above the sheets and wipes furiously at her face with the other.

“It’s the broken ribs,” Lena grits out, jaw flexing as she drops her hand away from Kara’s face and back onto the bed. “Fuck that hurts.”

“I’m just so glad you’re awake,” Kara says, leaning forward again and brushing some of the hair out of Lena’s face, trying to tuck it behind her ear.

That’s how Bernadette finds them when she returns, Kara gently touching Lena’s forehead, and rubbing her hip, the two of them so close that Kara might as well climb in next to her.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says, smiling at the two of them. “The attending would like to pop in with the head of ortho to talk about surgical options for your femur. Should I tell her to come back later?”

Kara moves to stand up, she doesn’t want to delay anything about Lena’s care, but Lena reaches for her hand again, and Kara’s powerless to do anything but lace their fingers together and sit back down.

Lena takes a shallow breath, “Can my wife stay?”

My wife. Hearing it come out of Lena’s mouth does something to Kara that feels a little dangerous, makes the room spin a bit. Her heart feels as if it’s expanding and being squeezed at the same time. My wife. My wife. My wife.

“Of course, she’s more than welcome to stay,” Bernadette says. “It’s probably a good idea, actually, now that there are care decisions to make.”

_____________________

“Let me get this straight,” Alex says, her head in her hands. Kelly reaches out to rub her back. “You’re still pretending to be married, and Lena is playing along with it?”

Kara nods. They’re sitting down in the cafeteria while Lena gets a sponge bath, something that Kara is trying very hard not to think about. It’s been nearly three weeks, one major operation, and thankfully no more complications.

And Kara has been here through it all. She’s started leaving for blocks of time during the day (it turns out she didn’t have a month worth of vacation saved up and Alex had nearly had an aneurysm when Kara asked if she was allowed to use family medical leave act time), but she’s spent nearly every night in the hospital with Lena since. The medical team loves them, has started talking to them about how devoted Kara is. Maybe Kara’s playing into it a little, bringing flowers, and Lena’s favorite foods, and always, always touching her in some way when she’s in the room.

“You know they’re going to build her discharge plan around you, right?” Alex squints at her. “Have you considered that?”

Kara flushes. “Actually,” she brings a hand up to rub at the back of her neck, adjusts her glasses for good measure, “we’ve agreed that I’ll just move in with Lena for a little while. She can hire someone during the day, but I’ll be around at night and I can help with the rehab. So, um, it’s fine.”

“You’re both fucking idiots.”

_________________

“I’ve been home for an hour and I’m already regretting every choice in my life that’s lead to this point. This is humiliating.”

“Oh my gosh,” Kara laughs, “no it isn’t.”

“Kara, you’re washing my hair in the kitchen sink because I can’t even wash myself right now with this fucking cast and brace on.”

Kara grins, squirting shampoo onto her hand and setting the bottle down on the marble countertop. Lena is sitting in the wheelchair, left leg propped up on the supports. She’s leaning back with her head over the edge of the sink, rolled up towels supporting her neck and her eyes are closed. She’s frowning, but it’s the frown she wears when she’s trying too hard not to smile. It makes Kara want to kiss it right off her face. She takes a deep breath, instead.

Kara is just so grateful that she gets to see Lena like this, hair stringy from the hospital, oversize sweatshirt with one sleeve bunched up over the top of the lime green cast on her right arm. The post-surgical femoral fracture brace looks uncomfortable, but Lena hasn’t complained about it at all. So, fine, maybe this nearly debilitating urge to kiss her best friend, to ask her if the last few weeks could be real, instead of fake (not the marriage part, not now, anyway, but the relationship part sure), is getting more and more intrusive. That doesn’t mean Kara can’t continue to ignore it until Lena’s better.

She finishes washing Lena’s hair and if she takes extra time massaging in the conditioner and making sure the water temperature is absolutely perfect, well, that’s just being a good caretaker. She sets Lena up in her bedroom, then goes back to the kitchen to clean up 

“Ok, Lena,” Kara says, walking back into the bedroom. “You officially have zero edible things in your apartment. I’m going to make a list and head to the grocery store for supplies, ok? Your next meds can’t be taken on an empty stomach.”

“You’re underestimating my iron constitution.” Lena frowns unhappily in bed. “We can just order some, you don’t have to go.”

“I’ll be back in a jiffy, okay?” Kara smiles at Lena.

Sure, they could order groceries, but she wants to go get them, to pick them out herself, and bring them back. It makes her feel so good to be able to do things like this: wash her hair, go get groceries, make her something to eat. The best part of this whole terrible ordeal is that she’s gotten to take care of Lena, to show her, not just tell her, how important she is to Kara. It warms her up from the inside out.

“You sure I’m allowed to be by myself?” Lena teases, breaking Kara out of her thoughts. “I haven’t been left to my own devices in weeks now. Just imagine all the trouble I could get into.” She raises an eyebrow.

Kara laughs and shakes her head, drawn closer to Lena like a magnet. Lena’s tucked into bed, leg propped up on pillows to keep the brace comfortable, two books on the nightstand beside her, a glass of water within easy reach, and the next round of medications in a small porcelain bowl that Kara repurposed from the kitchen. Her hair is still wet from being washed, and although there are dark circles around her eyes, and her cheekbones are too sharp from the weight she lost in the hospital, Kara doesn’t think she’s ever seen anything more beautiful than Lena right at this exact moment.

She walks over to the bed and sits down next to Lena, reaching over to move the glass of water back from the edge of the nightstand and onto a coaster. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll bet you a whole order of potstickers that you’re asleep when I get back.” She reaches across Lena, adjusts the towel covering up her pillow to keep it from getting wet.

When she pulls back slightly, she’s startled by how close Lena’s face is to hers. Lena is looking at her with such unadulterated fondness, that Kara can’t help reaching up and tucking a wet tendril of hair back behind Lena’s ear. “I’ll be back so soon you won’t even know I was gone.”

“I always know when you’re gone,” Lena says, the corners of her mouth lifting up, her eyes crinkling lightly. Kara’s hand has drifted from Lena’s ear to the back of her head, her thumb brushing gently at the soft skin just below Lena’s jaw.

When she retells the story of what happens next later, Alex will roll her eyes and mutter under hear breath, but Kara will swear this is the truth: without even thinking about it, she leans forward and kisses Lena on the lips, quick and soft, then stands and turns to go, pulling her phone out of her pocket so she can start making a grocery list.

“You can drop the act now,” Lena says, a little stiffly.

“Huh?” Kara whips around, more at Lena’s tone than at her words, and looks at her in confusion. Lena’s face is bright red.

“Kara, we’re - I’m home, there’s no hospital staff to convince anymore.” She sounds a little upset and Kara, feels her forehead crinkle as she replays the last several seconds in her head: she moved Lena’s water, adjusted the towel behind her head, smoothed Lena’s hair, and…

“Oh Rao, oh gosh.” She takes a step forward, then back abruptly, as she realizes that she’s just kissed Lena on the mouth. She puts one hand on her forehead and the other on her hip, spins in a small circle. “Lena, I’m so sorry. I didn’t - ”

“It’s fine,” Lena says, her voice sounding calm and even now that Kara is having a meltdown, but her heart is doing some sort of high speed gallop in her chest and it’s giving Kara the impression that this is not actually fine.

Oh no, oh gosh… “Lena, I’m sorry, - ”

“I get it.” Lena cuts her off, holding up a hand to stop her. “The whole act, it’s a hard habit to break.” She drops her hand to the bed and laughs lightly, picking at the blanket. “Honestly I’m surprised we made it this long without accidentally doing that.”

“Accidently. Yes.” Kara’s nodding so hard, she feels like her head might come off. “It was an accident.” That might be a convenient way of putting it, but it doesn’t change the fact that Kara’s been wanting to kiss Lena, wants it to be as un-accidental as possible. And aren’t accidents things like tripping on the carpet, or spilling a drink at dinner? She may not have been thinking when she did it, but Kara knows there’s nothing accidental about that kiss.

But Lena’s giving her an out, and Kara can’t bring herself not to take it.

“I’m just going to - ” Kara gestures over her shoulder and then she flees.

“Alex, I kissed her.” Kara’s made it outside the apartment, but her heart hasn’t slowed down. She didn’t even bother making a list after walking out of Lena’s bedroom, just went straight to the elevator, dialing Alex before she’d even hit the lobby. Her stomach is squirmy, she feels like she might throw up.

“Finally,” Alex says, letting out what might be a relieved sigh.

“What do you mean finally?” Kara feels hysterical.

“I mean finally, idiot. Watching the two of you for the past three weeks has been the most painful experience of my life, I’m glad you finally did it.”

“She thinks it was because of the act!” Kara nearly yells. A man walking by looks at her, narrowing his eyes and giving her a wide berth. “She thinks it’s because of the act, Alex!”

There’s silence on the other end of the line for a moment.

“Kara Danvers, are you fucking kidding me right now?”

“No,” Kara wails. “I didn’t even mean to do it! Or, well. I meant to do it, but I didn’t know I was doing it. I was making sure she had everything she needed and then I was leaving to go to the grocery story and somewhere in the middle I kissed her! And she got kinda upset even though she said she wasn’t and she says it’s fine because it was an accident. And it was an accident, at least in the sense that I wasn’t thinking when I did it and god I didn’t even ask if she wanted to kiss me, but I meant it, Alex, I meant it.”

Kara can picture Alex right now: that tight, unhappy expression on her face, fingers pinching her nose between her eyes.

“Okay, I swore to Kelly I wasn’t going to do this, but that was before you lost your damn mind and kissed her.” Kara can hear Alex take a deep breath. “You need to go back upstairs right now and confess, Kara.”

“What?” Kara practically screeches. She spins in a circle. “No, this isn’t the right time. I’m supposed to be helping her, I’m supposed to be taking care of her, I can’t put this on her right now. What if she doesn’t feel the same, what if this ruins everything, what if - “

Thankfully Alex cuts her off. “That argument worked before you kissed her and decided to let her believe you didn’t mean to do it. And before you argue with me, you might not have known you were doing it, but you absolutely meant to do it, Kara.”

Kara is now facing Lena’s apartment and gently knocking her forehead against it.

“Kara, I heard that crack, stop headbutting the building.” Kara stops, keeps her forehead pressed to the cool limestone. Alex pauses, and her voice is gentle when she continues. “You gotta tell her, kiddo. You’ve been down the whole lying path with her before and while I don’t think this is the kind of lie that would cause her to try removing our free-will again, I do think that you guys decided on honesty as your way forward. You either own that, or you don’t.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right.” Kara squeezes her eyes shut. “If we can get through that, we can get through this.”

“That’s the spirit. And hey, if for some reason things don’t go well and you feel like you can’t stay with her? Kelly or I would be happy to swap out for you tonight. Just in case you need some space.”

“Thanks, Alex.”

“But Kara, I think you’re gonna be just fine.”

Kara doesn’t feel much better when she hangs up with Alex, but she knows her sister is right. She’s got to tell Lena.

And to be honest, Kara can’t imagine a world in which Lena would be upset with her for having feelings, regardless of whether they’re reciprocated. They’ll be able to work through this, even if it hurts for a while. She’s had friends fall in love with her before, and she’s always been able to keep them as friends afterwards. God, maybe Winn has some advice for me, she thinks.

So Kara takes a deep breath and goes back inside. Groceries can wait.

She’s trembling when she lets herself back into Lena’s apartment. It’s nerves, anticipation more than anything. She’s about to confess something that she can’t, won’t take back and it will change things between them, even if only for a while.

Lena looks up from her book when Kara makes her way back into the bedroom. She sets it down beside her hip on the bed and cocks her head.

“Well that was fast. Did Supergirl get my groceries?” She gives Kara a smile.

“I’m in love with you.” Well that’s one way to start this conversation. “And I didn’t kiss you accidentally.”

Lena’s smile drops, her eyes widening in surprise. Everything about her seems to freeze.

“Before you say anything, I need to get this out. I’m not telling you because I’m expecting anything. I don’t want anything to change, I mean, I do, clearly, but I don’t if that’s not what you want.” Kara squeezes her eyes shut and looks at the ceiling. She really should have thought this through. “I’ve known for a while, actually, I was just worried about what it might mean, if you didn’t feel the same way.” She drops her gaze back to Lena. “But then you almost died. And I pretended to be your wife. And I was planning on telling you once you’re totally recovered. Except then I kissed you without even thinking about it and I can’t lie about this, Lena. It isn’t good for either of us. So. Yeah. Just. Tell me what you need.”

Lena’s looking at her with an expression Kara can’t read, but she doesn’t look unhappy, or afraid, or upset...

“Kara, do you remember when that nurse told me my wife had shown up?”

“Yes,” Kara says, frowning, because she doesn't understand where Lena is going with this. “Of course I do, you were panicked that you’d experienced severe brain damage.”

Lena shakes her head, pats the space on the bed next to her.

Kara feels a weight lift from her shoulders: no matter how this goes, if Lena is asking her to come closer, then they’re going to be okay. She walks across the carpet.

“You’re right,” Lena says as Kara comes closer, “I was worried, but that wasn’t the only thing that made me panic.”

“What else was it?” Kara sits down and looks at her lap, bringing her hands together to fidget. She can feel Lena’s body heat next to her, but she doesn’t want to reach out unless Lena does it first. “Was it the idea of being married to me?” She laughs. She can laugh about this.

“No, darling,” Lena says. She reaches for Kara’s hands, smoothing her fingers across them to still them. Darling, that’s a good sign, right? “Kara, as terrified as I was that there was more damage, my first thought was that somehow I’d lost memories of us: of you falling in love with me, of dating and first kisses and someone proposing and a wedding.” Lena pauses and Kara stares at their joined hands. She hears more than sees Lena take a deep breath and let it out. “I’ve been in love with you for so long it broke my heart to think that those things had happened and I couldn’t remember them.”

Kara whips her head around to look at Lena. Her best friend is smiling, and her eyes are a little wet like maybe she’s overwhelmed and might cry and oh gosh, does Kara understand that feeling right now.

“You love me,” she says, feeling her own eyes start to fill with tears.

Lena nods.

“You’re in love with me,” Kara can’t help clarifying. This is something out of a dream.

Lena nods again.

“Can I…” Kara reaches for Lena’s face, trails her knuckles down Lena’s cheek and watches in awe as Lena leans into the touch.  “Can I kiss you now?”

“Yes,” Lena breaths out, smiling, and it’s blinding. “But only if it’s not an accident.”

[loser-hub]

Endeavor: an attempt to achieve a goal.

Summary: Self indulgent ficlet with a contemplative, worrisome Endeavor.

Warnings: None! Pure, unadulterated fluff.

The three remaining Todoroki children all come to a sudden realization: they hadn't seen their father at home for quite some time. Everyday when they returned they find the house quiet. They knew their father worked long hours and was rarely home but often times when they were getting ready for the day, they would hear him leave. Now however they heard nothing when they were awake and nothing when they were asleep. The new dynamic at home was welcomed by the youngest of the three while the two eldest weren't sure what to make of it, despite the new peace they were worried for his safety and well-being.

Enji would find his way to your home everyday after work, he'd set his shoes aside while you helped him remove his jacket. No words would be spoken, afraid the sound of speech would shatter the intimate moment. He'd wander over to the recliner you had bought for him and sit down, a short glass of bourbon in hand, to contemplate. The time varies. He may sit in silence from ten minutes to an hour. He'd sit alone or pull you into his large lap when you passed by. Those were the moments he'd cry. Letting the emotions he bottled up release in a torrent of self-doubt. Asking questions you didn't have the answer to but helped explain away, your fingers combing through his crimson colored hair while he hid in the crook of your neck. Often how he wondered how much suffering he had to endure for sufficient recompense, what he had to do to prove he's changed and learned from his mistakes. What he had to swear to reconcile with the people he's hurt. That's all he wanted and the longer time went on the heavier the task weighed, you tried to share the burden but this was his to resolve.

Contemplative silence accompanied with your presence was calming, grounding. Holding you in his arms he didn't feel so alone, you relied on him and that made getting out of bed worth it. Your smile was the light of his life, your laughter the fuel to his fire, the way you looked at him in soft moments the reason he kept going.

The time varied but when he felt that he had recharged enough his attention is solely on you. You've been so attentive to his needs he can only repay in kind in his own awkward and unsure way. The first on his list is to always make sure you've eaten, your health one of his top priorities so he'll ask if you have. Offering to make a meal with you or take you out, if neither of you are in the mood to socialize takeout is ordered right to your doorstep. The next nightly step is asking how your day was, letting you unload your worries and stresses onto his more than capable shoulders. He doesn't want you to keep your emotions under lock and key, knowing full well how dangerous that can be. He's not as wise as he wishes but he'll be damned if he doesn't offer you advice and even help with whatever has you down. Work to familial matters and everything in between. He wants to he relied on, to be the rock and light in your life just as you are to his. He'd do everything for you if he could but he's aware that kind of relationship can turn toxic and he wants to avoid that if possible. Though he doesn't know if any relationship with him no matter the length will stay stable. No more toxicity, no dependency and no fights. The motto he lives by throughout your relationship until its second nature. Healthy, happy and secure.

Your home becomes as cold as the Arctic whenever Enji is around. His quirk a blessing and a curse. Even when its deactivated Hellflame produces an exorbitant amount of heat, heat that when he's trying to relax and wind down makes him unbearably uncomfortable. Solution? Crank that thermostat down as it could go. Compromise? Enji pays your electric bill and he keeps you warm with snuggling. Perfect compromise. It just works.

The Number One Hero is a walking furnace, a furnace that has no qualms about you using him as a bed. Its the least he can do for putting you through the cold for his sake. Your form resting against his while a thin blanket is draped across your bodies for privacies sake as an extra layer of insulation. His hand is large, fingers thick and calloused and barely used to administrating soft touches. He tries. Hand laying at the curve of your back, his fingertips brushing across your spine, your head laying on his broad chest. The moment is serene. The occasional activation of the air conditioner breaking the quietness of the room, the whirring of the blades drowned out by the thudding heartbeat directly underneath your ear. There was something unique about sleeping with a hero, the top ranking hero at that, that made the world feel different. Feel safe. The worries of the world and the villains all melted away.

Eventually the thumping of Enji's heart and the exhaustion of the day catches up with you, lulling you to sleep without your consent. You don't realize you've fallen asleep until you're in a dream, whatever blessed reprieve from the outside world taking control of your senses. Hands play with your hair and massage the knots out of your muscles so delicately, ghosts of touches placed on your skin while the your half waits to follow you to the Dreamland.

Sleep never comes to Enji easily, never has. Even when he pushed his body to the point of falling apart he'd lay awake, staring at the ceiling, and even witnessing the sunrise once or twice before he'd fall asleep. Never for long. An hour or two at the moment. That's not the case with you. The sleep cycle he's known the majority of his life gets turned on its head in your presence, in your arms he nods off before he can stop the encroaching slumber. Part of him welcomes it with open arms and the other, the ever alert hero, needs him to stay awake. He knows he's the target of many villains and needs to be vigilant to ensure your safety. His heart clenches in despair whenever his intrusive thoughts turn down the path of losing you. Getting caught in the crossfire or kidnapped to be used against him are two possibilities that do keep him up at night, thoughts swimming of what would happen if he lost you. His ultimate failure.

He doesn't notice you've woken up until your hands are on either side of his face, cupping his cheeks and your worried voice calling out his name. Snapped back to reality he always apologizes for waking you, never accepting that you simply needed water as an answer. You must've known and felt his worry in your sleep, his teeth grind together when he gets lost in his own thoughts.

"You won't let that happen, I'll never leave you", he's always stunned silent whenever you say such things. His firstborn, his wife, his other children, his family. You have so much trust in him to give him hope like that, he'd understand if you feared the relationship with him would have the same outcome but you don't. Day-after-day building him to be better and more than he was. His large arms scoop you up and hold you close, if he didn't fear what you'd think of him he'd let a handful of tears slip. He had never known happiness this unbridled, this pure before. It defeated him every way imaginable and he wanted more, the only thing granted to him unreservedly that he'd accept. Keeping you from the cold, saving you from the villains, letting you mould him, helping him reconcile with his remaining family..

He'd endeavor through it all with you.

[sidespart]

The Fall of King Romulus Part 3

Summary: Twin Princes Remus and Romulus are cursed at birth with Honesty and Obedience. When Romulus, who cannot disobey any order, is told to kill his brother the next time he lays eyes on him, he changes his name to Roman and runs away. Roman joins up with a misfit group of adventures and plans to never return to his homeland. But the fae have other plans for him…

Warnings (for whole fic not necessarily individual chapters): Violence, mind whammying/memory altering, curse of obedience related consent issues, references to sex, references to war related injuries/PTSD, references to child abuse/neglect (YMMV on that one but just in case), antagonstic-but-not-exactly villian!Janus, Extremly-moraly-dubious-but-not-exacty-unsympathetic-Remus

Pairings: Mostly Platonic LAMP and all the found family feels. Could be read as pre-slash.

Feedback appreciated. 

NOW ON AO3 :D

Prologue     Chapter 1   Chapter 2  

Remus. Remus, Remus, Remus.

The mad Prince of Notaleveale.

Remus was coming here. Remus was coming to Steveange and if Romulus saw him-

Roman had to leave.

Which was easier said than done; when the streets were crowded with hoards of shoppers and revellers all pressing against him, blocking his path, stealing the air out of his lungs-

“Roman!”

He needed to go. He need to find Virgil and Patton in whatever rooms they’d managed to find, collect his belongings and-

No. That would take too long – he could replace the clothes and books, he already had his sword-

“Roman, what’re you-”

- but he needed his lute. To make any kind of living he had to be able to perform. It was the only thing he was good at and once he’d got away he’d be -

He could do it. He’d run away before. He survived alone, without anyone, he could do it again and-

“Roman! Stop!”

He stopped.

Logan. Heading towards him. But he hadn’t given a time frame and if Roman grit his teeth and pushed past the spike of pain he could start to move again in just a second-

“Wait!”

Dammit.

Roman waited. Fists clenched by his side, until Logan was next to him.

“Roman.”

His chest was tight. His brain wasn’t -wasn’t working right and Logan looked so odd, with his glasses askew and his face flushed – had he been running?

“I thought I saw Patton.” Roman blurted.

It was the first excuse that popped into his head and it was clearly not – not good enough. Logan was frowning at him, a pinched expression, studying him like an experiment and-

Roman hated him, suddenly.

Logan was an upstart swot with ideas above his station and a chip on his shoulder. He poked and prodded and lost them jobs with his terse words and his better than you attitude. He reminded Roman of the tutors who snap at him for his lack of understanding and bark orders for him to recite, repeat, remember, to be better, smarter, stronger: someone worthy of his title.

He reminded him most of all of Julius. His fathers closest advisor, who had been charged with unravelling the Princes’ curses. He was the one who had helped Romulus learn how to push against his curse. He would give him orders that were almost impossible to follow and watch with cold eyes as Romulus struggled to disobey. Together they’d categorised how much pain he could withstand, what orders could be navigated and misinterpreted and which ones he was truly helpless against.

Once, he’d bid Romulus to stand on one leg. And left him there until his muscles started to cramp and shake, waiting to see if gravity or the curse was stronger. Romulus had been in tears by the end. Had even wondered, briefly, about complaining to his parents. But is was such a silly, innocuous order compared to other experiments. What had truly upset him was how Julian had just stood there, not speaking, his eyes distant and cold and calculating as he noted down every twitch and whimper from the boy. Even when he circled him, Romulus could feel those eyes boring into the back of his neck like a-

“Princey.”

Roman blinked. Julius’ practice room disappeared, replaced with the sights and sound of the Steveange street. Logan was in front of him and his eyes were far from cold. When he spoke it was with the same gentle tone that Roman had heard him use when Virgil’s worries overwhelmed him or when Patton woke from a nightmare and didn’t know where he was.

“Did the cro- the woman. Did she say something to you?” Logan was holding his hand. Gently but firmly, he tugged at Romans tightly clenched fingers, encouraging them to unfurl. Roman stared uncomprehendingly at the deep crescent marks he’d made in his palm.

Slowly, Logan released his right hand and reached for his left, repeating the process.

Roman felt shame ripple through him.

Logan wasn’t Julius. Logan would never push him so far he broke.

Logan was his friend and Roman has made him worry with his silly behaviour and his slapdash lie. But he could fix it.

He forced a smiled. Flexed his fingers and straightened up his full height. Made a show of looking around him.

“I swear I saw him. Big man, big sword, big smile – he’s hard to mistake!”

Hesitantly, Logan glanced around too before quickly refocusing on Roman.

“Are you sure you –“

“Ah well, the mind plays trick I suppose – must be hunger getting to me, speaking of which…”

Roman reached forward and deftly snatched the bag from Logan's grasp, reaching in blindly and shoving the first pastry he found into his mouth.

“Mmmm so good!” He beamed at Logan with berry stained teeth, flakes of pastry flying through the air. “Aren’t you going to have one?”

Logan stared at him. Roman kept his smile sweet and his eyes clear. He held up the bag and wiggled it enticingly.

Hesitantly, Logan took the bag and selected a tart. Keeping his eyes on the bard the entire time, he ate his treat with much more refinement then Roman had shown. “Holding back?” Roman asked, teasing, “I’ve seen you eat jam before, there’s no point pretending to have table manners now.”

Logan just hmphed but his shoulders relaxed slightly and Roman decided to take that as a victory. “We should get going” Roman said and started walking, Logan easily falling into step beside him.

The streets were crowded enough that none of the sellers seemed to feel the need to call to Roman specifically, and so this time he was free to investigate the stalls he was actually interested in.

But instead he stayed by Logan's side

Logan was a good friend. For all he claimed to lack an understating of emotional nuances he was letting Roman have his space. He’d even distracted him earlier, when his biggest concern had been the a spike of homesickness after meeting their northern customer.

He was nothing like Julius.

Roman was going to miss him so much.

***

Roman kept up his performance of normality all the way back to the main square, where they had agreed to meet the others once their mission was done. The sky was beginning to turn dark by the time they got there, though it was easy enough to navigate from the sheer number of stalls still in operation, each one boasting its own selection of colourful lanterns.

“This is fantastic!” Roman gasped theoretically, spinning on one foot to take in the whole spectacle.

“It’s a fire hazard.” Logan muttered with a frown.

They found Virgil waiting for them by the central fountain. He had manged to find a seat on the fountains edge but was wedged between two young couples who had clearly taken the romantic festival atmosphere to heart. The healer’s shoulders were up by his ears and his cloak was wrapped so tightly around himself it looked constricting. When he saw them he sprang to his feet so quickly he almost knocked one of the young ladies into the water.

“Took you two long enough.”

Roman and Logan glanced at each other.

“Logan got lost-”

“Roman kept wandering off.”

“-We brought you baked goods!”

Virgil took one of the two remaining pastries with minimal grumbling and led them out of the square. They took the north east road, a path that curved its wary upwards into the higher levels of the city. Here the buildings were all built of a blush-pink marble that sparkled in the evening twilight. The streets were wide, with neatly arranged flowerbeds and street lights which had the steady glow of Arkazeii glow lamps rather than the flicker of oil. There were certainly no traders spread out on blankets. Logan looked distinctly unimpressed.

“Was this inn you found an…economical choice?”

“It was a ‘the whole town’s rammed and this was the only place with a room left’ choice.” Virgil snarked “and don’t worry – its one room for all four of us with no breakfast included, if you were worried about getting too… bourgeoisie…or whatever."

Logan raised his hands for peace.

“I’m sure you did the best you could.”

“Well …we were lucky.” Virgil told him, and then glanced over at Roman, his lip twitching.

“Apparently they give discounts to performers.”

***

The inn was certainly a cut above their normal haunts. With brightly painted walls almost obscured by well pruned climbing plants, outdoor seating, and a wrought iron gate leading to spacious stables behind the building.  Even the doors were of better quality then your typical village tavern – made of wood heavy enough to make a satisfying crash when Roman stormed in.

The room was crowded, but Patton really was hard to miss. Roman shoved his way through to the back table where the big man sat waiting. Leaving other customers cursing in his wake.

‘Hey kiddo!’ Patton greeted him with a wide smile “Did you-“

“Key.” Roman snarled.

Patron blinked and him, shock writ large on his face. “Sorry?”

“The key. To my room.  Give it.” Roman snapped. “It is mine right? Since you seem happy to pimp me out in exchange for-“

“Hey!” That would be Virgil. Roman half thought he had left both men behind in his rage after Virgil’s little announcement, but the elf at least seemed to have kept up. He’d reached the table just in time to hear the start of Roman’s rant. “What the hell is your problem Princey?”

“My problem? Oh I’m sorry, I’M not the one signing other people up to sing for their supper without permission Virgil.”

“You like singing for your – we thought you’d want to!”

“Well it would have been nice to have a choice!”

“Virgil. Roman.” That was Logan, it had taken longer for the shorter man to force his way through the crowd but he wasted no time now in inserting himself into Romans business. “whatever this is… it’s not about putting on a show.”

He turned to the other two. Virgil scowling, Patton wide eyed.

“He had an…episode in the market.”

“Excuse me?” Roman shouted.

“Roman, whatever disturbed you, you practically ran away.”

“Well perhaps I had simple grown tired of looking at your face? Had you considered that?”

He turned his back to Logan, rounding on Patton again: “Now, give me the-“

Patton already had his hand out, wrought iron key resting loosely in his palm.

“We’re on the fourth floor.” he said calmly as Roman snatched it from him. “First door once you get up the stairs.” Roman spun on his heel only to find Virgil blocking his path.

“Move.” Roman hissed.

“What is wrong with you?” Roman narrowed his eyes. Virgil looked angry. Looked one second away from telling him to sit down, shut up, stop causing a fuss. He wondered if he could get past him without using his sword.

“I’ll bring you up some food in a bit,” Roman blinked glancing back at Patton, startled. The warrior still hadn’t moved from the table - admittedly no easy task in the cramped corner- and was looking at him calmly.

“I don’t want anything” Roman muttered, sullen.

“But you might later.” Patton smiled at him. Not knowing how to respond Roman turned back to Virgil. The elf glanced between the two, chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, before sighing and stepping to the side. Not fast enough to prevent Roman from knocking his shoulder with his own as he pushed past however.

It wasn’t as satisfying as he hoped.

**

At a guess, the room was normally meant for storage not guests. Two rickety looking beds had been shoved in, so close together they might as well have been one. There was one small table forced between the end of one bed and the wall, with a basin of water perched on top. Someone,  presumably Patton, had organised their bags neatly at the end of the beds. Roman’s was at the far end, closest to the window. Then Patton, then Virgil with Logan closest to the door, next to the only built in shelf where a candle had been left for the night. Roman would be able to wake with the dawn, as he liked to do, and Logan would have light for the longest to stay up and read.

Romans lute was not on the floor with his pack.  Instead he found in had been placed on the bed itself, propped up on his pillow, away from any potential harm.

Whatever righteous anger he had been able to hang on too as he stomped upstairs dropped out of him now like a stone from a cliff. Without it, the despair he had felt in the market came rushing back. He sank down right there by the door, bringing his knees up to his chest as he’d done in the forest. As he used to do in Julius’ room.

He almost wished Julius was here – at least he would tell him not to cry.

The through was so absurd he let out a weak snotty laugh and buried his head in his arms.

He needed to leave Steveange.

He didn’t want to leave them.

But they had planned to stay for a week at least, hopefully longer.

Convince them to leave early? Except he couldn’t explain why. Find them a job out of the city? How? When the coronation and accompanying celebrations were over it would be easy enough to find a traveling group in need of a little extra protection, but for now no one was leaving.

They’d been excited to come. Virgil want to try the city baths, famed for their heated pools and soothing water. Logan had been talking about the library for half the trip. Patton was just excited to explore the city itself, meet the people and try the food. He loved when they stopped in busier towns but it was a rarity.

There was no way Roman would be able to convince them to leave just because he wanted to.

Roman did what other people wanted. It was all he knew how to do.

And even if he had a convincing reason…well, they probably didn’t want him around anymore anyway.

He scrambled up, grabbed the first pillow he could reach and buried his face in it to muffle a scream of frustration which turned into more sobs.

He was so pathetic.

Since he’d left home, he’d kept his memories, kept Romulus, buried as deep as he could. But now it was like Romulus was just under his skin. Ready to jump out If he let himself slip. With all his anger and hurt and fear.

Romulus was a liability.

Romulus was a murder. Or would be. If Roman couldn’t think.

He stepped over to his pack, still hugging the pillow to him like a teddy bear, and started to review the contents. He didn’t need to take all of this with him, surely? Half of it wasn’t even his, their belongings having become more and more intertwined the longer they travelled.

The healing salve was rightfully Virgil’s, the soft shirt he wrapped himself in during cold nights was actually Patton’s, at least one of the notebooks belonged to Logan.

He opened the nearest book to check, but instead of Logan's neat lists his own sloppy scrawl stared back at him. Song lyrics and passing thoughts and, on the next page, an unfinished sketch. It was of Virgil, hand covering his mouth but eyes betraying his laughter. The other pages, he knew contained scribbles of all three of them. He flicked back and found his favourite, the page marked with a yellowed leaf he couldn’t remember picking up.

It showed all three in one sketch. Logan, sleeping and so looking years younger, head pillowed on Virgil’s thigh. Virgil was turned towards Patton, rolling his eyes as if to say ‘can you believe this?’ but making no move to actually shift scholar off him. Patton was laughing, he was the most well rendered of the three figures, you could almost see his shoulders shaking.

Roman looked at it for a moment. Then slowly replaced the book mark and closed it. This would have to come with him.

A knock at the door startled him so badly he dropped the book, which bounced under the bed.

“Kiddo? Can I come it?”

Fuck.

Patton. He had -he had been so, so unbelievably rude to Patton.

His first instinct, which was admittedly not a good one, was to jump out of the window.

Roman took a deep breath. Focusing on the mundane task of sorting items had cleared his head somewhat. He was still a little shaky but his eyes were dry. He knew what would be expected of him now - Romulus had spent most of his life apologising.

“Come in.” he croaked and stood, squaring his shoulders.

Patton entered alone, two bowls of something that smelled delicious cradled in his arms.

Roman ignored the sudden spike of hunger – the fruit tart seemed a long time ago now- and bowed from the waist. He kept his back ramrod straight and bent low enough that it quickly became uncomfortable. It was the kind of bow Romulus would only have given his father or elder brother.

“Patton, I owe you my most humble apology I-“

“Roman I am so sorry.”

“The way I spoke to you was the height of disrespect and unprin- ungentlemanly behaviour I – wait, what?”

He straightened up and looked at Patton, confused. “Why are you sorry?”

“Roman, I – wait hold on.” Patton handed him one of the bowls and turned to close the door. “Do you mind if we sit?” he asked and Roman nodded, smiling despite himself. Patton was the politest person he had ever met.

Once they were both seated, Patton’s bad leg stretched out in front of him, Patton looked at him seriously.

“Roman you were right downstairs. We should never have promised you’d perform without asking you first - no it's true!”

But Roman was already shaking his head. “Patton you were fine, you know I love singing! I was the one acting like, like some sort of beast I-“

“I know you love singing but that doesn’t mean we get to pick and choose when-“

“But I wanted to perform as much as possible whilst we were here- I’d told you that!”

“-especially after travelling all week. We were, er, presumptuous.”

Roman stared at him.

“Unlike this soup, which is pre – scrumptious.”

Patton beamed at him. Roman groaned.

“Anyway I’m sorry for letting you stew-“ he held up the bowl again waggling his eyebrows “- up here for so long, but we needed to make things right with the landlord.”

Roman, who had been starting to relax under the force of two puns in a row, tensed again. “What things?”

Patton smiled. “We paid the difference – you don’t have to perform! Uhh unless you want to of course, but it’s your choice.” He nodded decisively whilst Roman gaped.

“b-but isn’t it expensive?”

Patton just shrugged, “Well, the last job paid well didn’t it?”

“Not that well!”

“Aw c’mon kiddo, what’s the point of having money if we don’t spend it? Right?”

Not knowing what to say. Roman shoved a spoonful of stew into his mouth without tasting it. Guilt turning the meal to ash.

“Patton…how many days did you pay for?”

“The rest of the week! And there’s still enough to have some fun at the markets, don’t worry, we can all have a – hey!” Patton put his bowl down, shuffling closer to put one warm hand on Roman’s knee.” Roman, hey kiddo, buddy what’s wrong?”

Roman found, quite to his surprise, that he was trembling. He followed Patton's example and put the bowl carefully on the floor before digging the heels of his hands into his eyes. “I…can’t Pat. I can’t stay here. I have to go.”

“Go?” Patton looked at him with confusion clear in his big brown eyes, “But why kiddo? You don’t like the inn?”

Roman groaned shaking his head “not the inn. The city. I’m not – I can’t – if ‘m here it- “ he let out a whine of frustration, hating his curse heavy tongue.

Never tell anyone about our conversation.

“I just-“ My brother is coming and if I see him I-

“If – “ my brother is coming and he won’t be alone. There are people who know who I really am and I –

“Okay.”

Romans head snapped up.

Patton still had a frown on his face but when he looked at Roman his eyes were as serious as Roman had ever seen them. “If you can’t tell me the details it’s fine but-“ he lent forward, “Roman, are you safe here?”

Without breathing, Roman shook his head. No.

Patton nodded and squeezed his knee. “Well then of course we’re not staying.” Hesitantly, he lifted his arm and rested one large hand on the back of Romans neck. Forcing their eyes to meet. “Whatever it is – we will help you. You know that don’t you?”

Embarrassingly, Roman felt his eyes filling with tears.

“We’ll leave in the morning.” Patton told him. Patton stood up, taking Romans congealing stew and his own empty bowl and headed to the door. He paused, one hand on the door handle. “Everything’s going to be okay kiddo.” he smiled, “We love you.”

And he was gone.

For a long moment Roman sat frozen, staring at the closed door.

“Yeah.” He agreed, eventually. “Right.”

Except. They didn’t. Not really.

They loved Roman.

Roman had screamed and insulted them and instead of kicking him out of their group like they had every right to do, they had given up what little money they had just to make Roman feel better.

And Roman was a lie.

Roman was Romulus with a bad haircut. And Romulus was everything they weren’t’ – a stupid, pampered, prince with no power or pride.

Patton might be willing to upheaval their lives just on Roman's say so, But Logan and Virgil were more practically minded. They would want explanations. Might even demand them.

Never tell anyone about your curse. Remove yourself from anyone who might ask you about it and put as much distance between you as you can.

Romulus was a liability.

One they shouldn’t have to deal with.

He strapped his lute to his back and secured his dagger in a hidden pocket that Virgil had taught him how to sow.  Everything else he left, including, after a moments hesitation, his sword. He had been training Logan to use it, on and off, and whilst the scholar was no solider he was improving. At the very least, it would be some source of protection until they could hire another swordhand for their travels.

The climbing plants he had noticed on the way in made getting down from the window much easier than he had originally anticipated. Dusting off his hands he skirted the building, taking care to avoid the large windows of the main hall, until he found the entrance to the the stables.

He wasn’t proud of it, but he had stolen before when he first left home. He would have to again now in order to put some distance between the city and himself.

It wasn’t his worst plan.

And it might even have worked, had they not already been waiting for him.

When Romulus was eleven, and had taken to following the young Marquis de Orenlla around like a love sick puppy. Even now, under the weak light of a covered lantern and with almost fifteen years distance from the memories, he still recognised him instantly.

“Good evening, your highness.” The Marquis smile was as dazzling as he remembered, although his eyes were colder.

He had no army with him, and no weapon that Roman could see. But then, why would he need one?

“Come with me.”

Roman went.

part 4

[misssmeat]

Wouldn’t being still asleep while your husband shoved his cock down your throat be considered not out of consent

This is such a great and important question!! Thank you so much for asking it!

In short, yes! You’re correct - a sleeping person cannot give consent and taking advantage of someone sleeping is assault.

However, consent conversations with regular partners can often apply across a relationship - even long after the initial conversation. The key is clearly communicated boundaries and expectations.

For example, L and I have discussed in clear terms that I would love to be woken up by his cock in my throat, and the feeling of being overpowered while half asleep is incredibly arousing to me. The idea of free use makes me excited af, so I made sure to communicate to L that he has my consent to use me however he pleases, whenever he pleases.

And we regularly return to these conversations. He checks to ensure that I’m still comfortable with our dynamic, asks how I’m feeling mentally/emotionally, and shares how he’s feeling as well.

Another example: I’m not feeling super emotionally stable right now, so L thinks it’s best if I tell him I feel well enough to play prior to EACH INDIVIDUAL playtime. Currently, it isn’t the healthy choice for us to lean into free use because he doesn’t want to accidentally misread my anxiety levels and cause me to drop. He took the time to communicate his thoughts to me, so I didn’t feel disappointment or feelings of being unwanted when he stopped initiating sexual activity.

TLDR: communicate clearly and constantly with your partner to build a healthy, safe and happy dynamic for all.