#educational group tours for students

[edutour]

Educational Tour Operators

Discover and explore with Edutour's educational tour packages. We offer exciting trips for students that blend education, adventure, and enjoyment. Unlock knowledge and create unforgettable memories with Edutour.

Contact Us:

Address: G-37 JTM MALL JAGATPURA, Model Town, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017

Call Us: +91-9694020905

Email: kaushal@edutour.org.in.com

[greatadventuretours]

SAN ANTONIO EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

Discover unforgettable experiences with San Antonio Educational Trips! Perfect for students and schools, our tailored San Antonio School Trips and San Antonio Student Tours offer enriching journeys through history, culture, and science.Explore beyond with our San Francisco School Trips, San Francisco Student Tours, and San Francisco Group Tours, bringing learning to life in the iconic City by the Bay. Journey to the past with Quebec City Student Tours and delve into the rich heritage and vibrant culture of this historic city.Or, choose Boston Educational Trips to walk the path of American history in one of the nation's oldest cities.Let us create the perfect educational tour for your group! For more information, visit Great Adventure Tours.For More info please visit our website - https://greatadventuretours.com/

[jbenglishteach]

Poppies in Italy

[jenniferbertram]

Poppies in Italy

[reasonsforhope]

[Warning: Graphic (some very graphic) shark-fishing pictures at the link.]

"Suhardi isn’t your average snorkeling guide. Born on the Indonesian island of Lombok, he’s spent his life on water. While he now seeks out sharks for the enjoyment of tourists, he once hunted sharks to help earn money to feed his family and educate his two children.

Suhardi was a fisherman for more than 20 years. He first started fishing working on his parents’ boat, but was then asked to join the crew of a shark boat where he was told he could earn a lot of money. Back on deck, he looks embarrassed to divulge what a meager wage it was, but finally confesses he earned around $50 for up to a month at sea.

Now he and 12 other former shark fishermen are part of The Dorsal Effect, an ecotourism company that helps ex-shark hunters find a new vocation. Each week, the team takes groups of tourists, schoolchildren and university students to off-the-grid locations and guides them around pristine reefs. Each trip is designed to take guests on an exploratory journey of both the shark trade and marine conservation through the eyes of the Sasak people of Lombok.

Lombok is a hotspot for marine diversity, sitting just east of the Wallace Line, a biogeographical boundary separating Asia and Australia and their respective fauna. Pristine coral gardens and around 80 species of sharks can be found in its waters. The island is also part of the world’s largest shark-fishing nation. Only the whale shark (Rhincondon typus) is protected in Indonesia; all other sharks can be legally caught.

The Dorsal Effect first launched in 2013, a year after Suhardi met Singaporean ecologist Kathy Xu, who had traveled to Lombok to find out more about the shark trade. The diminutive but quietly determined Xu wanted to protect sharks, but because she knew shark fishing was poorly paid and dangerous, she wanted to hear the fishermen’s stories too. They told her how once they could fish for sharks close to shore, but now with the shark population dropping, the fishermen said they needed to travel farther out to sea, only to come home with a relatively poor catch. The reduced catch also meant reduced pay, so they often couldn’t cover their costs...

Yet, when Xu asked why fishers didn’t seek out another trade, she learned they didn’t want to be separated from the sea. They saw it as part of their heritage.

But as they spoke longer, the shark fishermen talked about the coral gardens that could be found under the waves, ones that only they knew about. Inspired by a whale shark diving trip she’d taken with scientists on the Great Barrier Reef, Xu had an idea. “If such spots exist,” she recalls telling the fishers, “I could take tourists out with you and pay you more than you earned shark fishing”.

At first, Xu guided the former shark fishermen on how to become eco-friendly tour operators. They dropped anchor away from the reef, served guests plant-based dishes, and made sure all trash was taken back to shore. But then Xu saw that something special was happening: The former fishermen had started to take the guest experience into their own hands, making sure tourists felt at home. Suhardi painted “Welcome” in large letters over the front of his boat, fitted green baize to the top deck for outdoor seating, and hung curtains in the cabin so his guests could enjoy some shade.

Suhardi has already bought a new boat with his earnings from snorkeling trips. “Every day is my best day,” laughs Suhardi, whose smile always travels from his mouth to his eyes.

While they were receiving tourists from across the globe, there was another group that Xu wanted to reach out to. “I think it was the teacher in me who felt impassioned about influencing the young,” she says. She reached out to schools and created a five-day program that would help students understand the shark trade and local conservation efforts. During the program, paid for by the school and students, participants would not only meet the ex-shark fishermen so they could ask them about their lives, but also hear from NGOs such as the Wildlife Conservation Society about their efforts to slow the trade. The Dorsal Effect also hired marine biologists to host nightly lectures and help the students with their field surveys...

The students were faced with the realities of the fishing trade, but they were also encouraged to take a balanced view by The Dorsal Effect team. The villagers weren’t just taking the fins, and throwing away the rest of the shark; they processed every piece of the animal. While they did sell the meat and fins to buyers at the market, they also sold the teeth to jewelers, and the remains for pet food.

The Dorsal Effect also takes students on an excursion to the fishermen’s village, a small island that lies off the coast of Lombok. Marine biologist Bryan Ng Sai Lin, who was hired by The Dorsal Effect team, says that on one trip with students he was surprised by how quickly the young people understood the situation. “One of them said it’s good to think about conservation, but at the same time these people don’t really have any other choice,” Lin says....

Conservation scientist Hollie Booth of Save Our Seas, which does not work directly with The Dorsal Effect, says the need to provide legal profitable alternatives to shark fishing is critical: “We are never going to solve biodiversity and environment issues unless we think about incentives and take local people’s needs into account. These kinds of programs are really important.”"

-via Mongabay, December 15, 2023

[rockethorse]

Calcinidae Bay Lot Tour: the Public Schools

Let's take a closer look at a few of Calcinidae Bay's community lots - its public schooling! This screenshot is actually three lots, with two lots overlapped using the Lot Adjuster. On the left is the high school, on the right is the primary school, and between them is a shared gymnasium and a semi-public oval (sports field).

More pics & CC-free decorating ideas below!

As always, these lots are based on shell challenges. The high school and primary school are actually shells that were made for me by @hugelunatic as stocking stuffers back in 2022 (I didn't forget about them!) The shell from the gym/oval lot is actually the smaller canteen building, with the gymnasium being auxiliary (because it had to be such a specific size/shape), and that shell is a 4T2 adaptation of LilSimsie's "Yeehaw" Shell Challenge that I grabbed off the gallery.

Starting with the high school:

If you peeked at the original shell, you'll see there was a two-storey 1x1 "column "room" in the middle of the lot, which made me think of a bell/clock tower and inspired me to use these shells for schools. Normally when I adapt a TS4 shell challenge to TS2 I choose the placement & orientation on the lot, but because these lots were made natively in TS2 I decided to keep the lot size & distribution as they were. This gave me a lot of additional space around the main building that was perfect for adding extra amenities like a library.

The ground floor of the high school has an administration area, lockers, mixed bathroom, sick bay, staff room, and two general-use classrooms that can each fit six students.

The teacher's lounge/staff room, and a small display/awards case. I needed something to do with that little triangular pocket, and now it's one of my favourite features. :)

Upstairs is two specialised classrooms - a moderate science lab and an arts room. I would have liked at least a home ec classroom as well, but I guess that'll be reserved for the eventual private school.

The canteen (cafeteria) is a separate demountable building with outdoor seating, some of it under a shade cloth. The library is also a separate building with a small computer bay and a group study area.

Moving on to the primary school, a much older and smaller building with some minor remodeling so the two schools look cohesive:

The inspiration for my gameplay/lots is a mish-mash of different cultural influences, but I play my schools like the standard Australian system; kids start in reception (about age 5) and attend primary school all the way through to year 6 or 7, then go to high school from year 6/7 through to year 12. Separate middle schools are much less common, and this matches with how the game itself handles kid vs. teen education.

I design my lots kind of "representationally", to get the best balance between realism and playability. While I enjoy including some details that don't provide actual gameplay, I don't want to build enormous, cumbersome lots just to achieve a 1:1 scale when my Sims will never actually need that much space. Plus, most shell challenges tend to be smaller, which I like. Hence why this school has only two classrooms, one for junior primary and a more structured classroom for upper primary.

There is a small admin area downstairs. Upstairs is the sick bay and a modest teacher's lounge/staff room.

The primary school doesn't have its own library, but it does have a small separate building that we in Australia would call OSHC - Out of School Hours Care. It's a service parents can book to drop their children off before school starts, or arrange for them to attend after school finishes until they can pick them up. They provide snacks and some edu-tainment activities. Lots of kids also attend OSHC over school holidays.

The primary school canteen/cafeteria is also a separate building. Both school canteens use the University cafeteria stove, so with the right mod students will be able to grab food there. In addition to an outdoor eating area and a small playground, there is a little produce patch between the two buildings where students are taught about horticulture.

And finally, the lot that joins the two schools, the shared gymnasium and Calcinidae Oval.

The canteen/cafeteria itself would generally not be open during school hours. Instead, the school and/or local council would operate it for profit or hire it out to a third party when the oval was being used for local sports teams and other events on weekends, holidays, and after school hours. Right now it's set up for just such a soccer match.

The inside of the "tuckshop". There is a bathroom on the bottom floor accessible from the outside of the building, while the top floor has two changing rooms for students or local teams.

The gymnasium also serves as an assembly hall for students of both schools. I think the teachers would either have a collapsible stage at the far end of the court, or just stand up in the commentator's booth to give the announcements. Underneath the commentator's booth is the equipment storage shed where many a teen couple has probably sneaked off to make out.

The back view of the tuckshop and the carpark shows how this lot overlaps with the primary school. The existing primary school is blocked from Sims walking through it by a combination of real fences and this hidden CC-free invisible fence.

And that's it for this tour! I'm pretty happy with how these lots look, how I utilised the shells, and how they all fit together in the neighbourhood. I want to have more lots overlapping and slotting together like this to give Calcinidae Bay a more seamless, open feel, like the hood really is connected.

I'll finish this post with some floorplans - if you read all this you're a champ, I hope it gave you some ideas for your own game, and I'd love to know what you think!

[chaotic-on-main]

HEYY can I get uhhh a vanilla bean sugar cone with candy pls? 🎀

(And they’re both shy and blushy heheh)

Order up!! One vanilla bean sugar cone with candy for Tay!!

Sky's Summer Fall and 250 Follower Event!

☾ Pairing ➼ Armin Arlert x gn!Reader

☾ Content/Warning ➼ fluff, modernau, mutual pining

☾ A/N ➼ hi hi bby!! :3 thank you for sending a request in. i actually had one completely different planned but for the time, i had to move it and decided to go in a different direction. worry not though, i do plan to write that other one eventually!! because it's so cute. ANYWHO. have a cute armin hehe reader isn't too blushy but she is on the inside! i hope you like it!! happy birthday to the babiest of all babies, armin <3

☾ Wordcount ➼ ~2.2k

Armin Arlert spent his whole life busting his ass for a successful future. At a young age, he lost his parents from a plane accident and since then it's been just him and his grandfather. Due to his grandfather's old age, he did what he could to step up as soon as he was old enough – working odd jobs despite his long hours in school during the day. 

With great persistence, he worked hard enough to get into a decent college off the coast to pursue an education in marine biology but of what focus, he wasn't sure. Regardless, to say Armin was tired would be an understatement.

With his program came multiple opportunities to gain experience in his field. At first, he dabbled in small research groups, taking samples of the local corals and sea water – but it wasn't nearly as satisfying to him as when he got to volunteer once a week in the aquarium just a few miles south of campus. 

It took a few semesters to gain the necessary certifications and log enough dives to qualify. But eventually, he was able to start working as a diver, helping observe animal behavior and cleaning what was needed.

Armin has loved the sea for as long as he could remember, something his grandfather had instilled in him as a distraction from his deceased parents. It wasn't until his late teens that he was able to actually visit one, let alone live by one. Nothing could have prepared him for how much he would love it.

Even more so when he was underwater, whether it be in a tank or the wide ocean. There was nothing quite like the warbled silence that comes with diving deep in the fish tanks in full gear, nothing but various sea life and bubbles floating around him. But even with all of the beauty that surrounds him, nothing compared to the person that walks by the tank every shift with a gaggle of young kids and their chaperoning adults following behind.

You, the tour guide who worked every Saturday and a student who sat two rows ahead of him in the organic chemistry class you both shared.

In class, you were studious as ever. Attentive to every word the professor said. Typing away with nimble fingers at every comment and question proposed. Every day you would walk in like you were floating on air, a bright smile on your lips that matched the same shine in your beautiful eyes. There have been a couple times that you shot him one of those smiles and he swears he could have dropped dead then. He doesn't know when he developed this crush on you, but it was all consuming.

So he watches as he always does, you coming down the ramp with that smile and your arms flying around animatedly as you talked about the next tank – the one he was in. Like clockwork, you raise your hand and look over to him then wave prompting the little ones to wave as well. Armin waves back, as he always does, but his bright blue eyes don't leave your face.

Just as quick as you came, you ask your group a question before starting off in the next tank's direction. On your way past, you look up to where Armin still floats and offer him another small wave, this time your gaze lingering on him. If his face wasn't covered up, you would have seen the warmest pink flush his face.

The conversations between the two of you remained professional for the most part, whether it be about the aquarium or the coursework load. Armin would love to extend that conversation with you, but he was always too nervous around you. He was lucky to get more than thirty words out before choking or having to pull away for air. There was something about you that was just so intoxicating and Armin had no idea how to navigate that, never mind the fact that he hadn't had time to even think about dating ever with his busy schedule.

But one day, you made it easier for him.

Sometime during the late fall months, you found Armin in the break room propped up in the back corner with a book in one hand and sandwich in the other, half eaten. His blue eyes are practically glued to the page with his mind in another world, so much so that he doesn't even hear you come in. You take a moment to inspect his face. His eyebrows are furrowed in concern as his gaze flits across the words.

“That must be one hell of a book.” You joke as you walk over to your work locker. You miss the way Armin jumps at your sudden voice, but settle down quickly because he realizes it's you.

“I didn't hear you come in. It really is! Have you read it?” His soft voice responds back.

You look over your shoulder to see Armin holding up his book with a small smile. At first glance, you notice the big Stephen King across the top of the cover. Under that is a picture you know all too well with the title, ‘The Institute’. The biggest smile pulls at your cheeks as you see Armin holding your favorite book at the moment.

“I love that book! I've read it at least a few times!” You exclaim as you grab your belongings and sit on the chair next to him. Armin's heart leaps into his throat at your sudden proximity. Your faint honey-vanilla perfume dances in his senses as you lean over to get a better look at where he was at in the story.

“Oh you’re just at my favorite part, too!” Armin has to pull back so that you don't bump heads with him. He's never been so close to you before, but now that he is, he takes in the beauty of your face and complex coloration in your eyes. You raise an eyebrow at him, and he just now realizes that you've asked him something.

“W-what was that?” He squeaks out, feeling his face warm even more.

“I was asking how you liked the escape scene. It's so thrilling right??” You lean back finally but Armin still feels like he can't breathe from being near you.

“I- yeah. It's stressful for sure.” He smiles back at you, cautious but sweet.

“I'm sorry for getting so in your face, I'm just so excited to see someone I know reading that. It's easily my most recommended read.” You dig in your bag as you continue on, searching for the cool metal of your car keys that must be buried deep.

“What was your favorite part, if you don't mind me asking?” Armin carefully closes the book, making sure to place his bookmark in the right spot before doing so. Your excitement and happiness radiates off you like the sun.

“Oh my gosh, I love questions! It's gotta be when Nick and Kalisha kiss! I shipped them for so long so when they finally did that, it was like it all paid off. Not to mention that it was placed during a high tension moment!! I love those kinds of kisses. And you never would have thought they would end up like that, you know? Like, it's one of those romances where they end up falling for each other due to their circumstances and what not. It's just so cute!” You rattle on, staring straight into Armin's crystal blue eyes with a large grin on your face.

Armin’s interactions with you were always brief that he never really knew you, so to see this side of you was surprising to say the least. Not like it was a bad thing though, he already had a crush on you but now he was enamored. He could listen to you talking about your favorite things all day, he thinks.

“You think it's weird that such a little moment would be my favorite, don't you?” You tease, not a hint of distress in your tone.

“No! Not at all! Different, perhaps. But interesting for sure!” Armin waves his hands in front of his chest in a defensive manner, the book's pages fluttering from the back and forth motion.

“Good, because I was about to tease you about how goofy you look in your diving gear.” You laugh, the sound of it reverberating off the break room's walls. It tickles his brain in a pleasant way.

“What's wrong with my gear?” Armin glances at the clock briefly and notices he only has a few minutes left before he needs to get ready to leave for his night job. He found it easier for himself if he brought everything he needed for the day instead of going back and forth from his apartment.

“Nothing, silly. I'm just kidding. You look rather dashing in it, if I may be so blunt.” You mutter as you force your face into your bag. You still haven't been able to find your keys. Because of that, you miss the shell-shocked expression gracing his soft face. It's gone though as soon as you pop your head out. “Ah-ha!” You pull out a keychain with various charms sparkling off the bright fluorescents.

“Seems like it's time for us to head out, huh?” You check the time on your phone with a soft sigh before glancing over at him. Seems to Armin that he's not the only one who noticed you both left at the same time most days.

“Hey Armin, what are you doing tomorrow?” You ask innocently as you stand up, slinging your bag over your shoulder then turning to face the blushy blonde.

“Um, well it's my day off so I'll be catching up on some school work.” Armin stands up too, and much to your shock, you notice how much taller he is to you. Whenever you talked to him or worked with him, he was always in the tank or sitting at his desk. He wasn't towering per se, but you absolutely had to look up to keep his gaze.

“There's this bookshop that I've been dying to visit and I heard it has some published research journals I think would be great for our end of the year project.”

“Oh, uh. That's awesome, you'll gave to tell me what you think of it in class on Monday.”

“Well, why don't you come see it for yourself. Shopping is always fun with people you know, right? Do you have about an hour or so to spare?” You adjust the strap of your bag, mainly out of the sheer anxiety that floods your veins. You kept up a solid front, but inside you were churning.

“Yeah!-“ His voice jumps an octave before clearing his throat in a way to compose himself. “I can make time for that, sure.”

“Awesome! I think I still have your number from that homework assignment a few months ago so I'll message you when I'm ready tomorrow, yeah?” Another wide grin pulls from your cheeks, your stomach somersaulting at his cute expression. You were nervous around him but he was just so adorable, it made everything easier.

His heart quickens in pace as he fumbles with putting his own things away into his bag and zipping it tight. There's a pause as he watches you give him one more smile before turning on your heel for the door. He reaches a hand out as if to stop you but he hesitates. Is this what he thinks you're asking? If you were anyone else, he wouldn't have been so bold but there's something about you that makes him want to be a little more brave. So he calls your name to get your attention.

“Wait! Is this… is this a date?” His voice cracks ever so slightly.

“If you'd like that, yeah.” Your upper half turns in his direction as you throw him a cheeky smile.

“I would love that, actually.” Armin shuffles his feet, looking down at them only for a second before meeting your eyes once again. You're met with a shy smile and the softest shade of pink lighting up his face.

“Great. Then I'll see you tomorrow for our date.” And with that you're out the door, the lingering scent of your perfume the only proof of the interaction he just had with you. His hand closes in front of him, as if to grab hold of this moment.

On his way to his car, an inkling of a voice telling Armin he didn't have time for something like this creeps up on him. He had homework to catch up on, and not to mention the school week started up again so soon. For once though, he finds himself being able to overpower that voice so much so it turns into a whisper. He was allowed something like this. And if part of his day off included you, well. Working harder to make up some things would be worth it. 

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Kiera Butler at Mother Jones:

Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump held his first campaign rally as a convicted felon at Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona, hosted by the arch-conservative student group Turning Point USA. This wasn’t Trump’s first appearance at Dream City Church; he also held a rally there with Turning Point USA in 2020. For events like this, it’s an ideal venue: A weekly attendance of around 21,000 believers makes this one of the largest churches not just in Arizona but in the nation.

Dream City, which didn’t respond to my questions for this story, is a mecca for special guests who blur the line between religion and politics. Its annual conference has featured notables like musician and pastor Sean Feucht, who participated in a White House prayer session for President Trump in 2019 and is currently leading a tour of prayer rallies at state capitol buildings across the country. The lineup for this year’s event also included David Barton, whose organization, WallBuilders, teaches K-12 students about the supposed Christian origins of America; Jürgen Mathesius, a pastor at San Diego’s far-right Awaken Church, which has become a stop on Mike Flynn’s ReAwaken America tour; and Jentezen Franklin, a televangelist who also spoke at the 2022 Pray Vote Stand Summit, which mobilizes conservative Christian voters to engage in political activism.

In addition to its thrumming weekly worship sessions and its blockbuster events, the church has another project: Dream City Christian Academy. The K-12 private school, which serves nearly 800 students, is part of Turning Point USA’s Turning Point Academy program, a network of 41 schools that describes itself as “an educational movement that exists to glorify God and preserve the founding principles of the United States through influencing and inspiring the formation of the next generation.” Dream City Christian Academy promises to “Protect our campus from the infiltration of unethical agendas by rejecting all ‘woke’ and untruthful ideologies being pushed on students.” This politically charged approach to education likely isn’t for everyone—and because it’s a private school, it doesn’t have to be. Except for one thing: Dream City Christian Academy is one of a growing number of religious schools that are supported by public funds.

In 2022, Arizona became the first state in which all students are allowed to use state vouchers to cover a portion of tuition at any private school, secular or religious. Through Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, each participating family receives about 90 percent of the money the state would have spent on the child’s public school education—around $7,000 per student per year—for private school tuition. For the 2024-2025 school year, the Dream City Christian Academy annual tuition ranges from $10,450 in elementary school to $13,999 in high school—so families of the school’s nearly 800 students can use state funds to pay for between half and two-thirds of their tuition bill. Dream City Christian Academy received almost $1 million in tuition voucher money last year, the Arizona Republic recently reported.

Since Arizona passed its universal voucher law, 10 more states have followed suit. According to an analysis by Education Week, 29 states currently have programs that provide such assistance to a variety of different students many of whom attend local public schools that perform poorly. It also targets those with a disability that requires specialized education and those whose families earn significantly less than the federal poverty level. More programs are in the works: Lawmakers in both Louisiana and South Carolina recently advanced bills that would create programs like Arizona’s that are open to all students. When state funds are available for private school choice programs, a recent Washington Post analysis found that religious schools receive upwards of 90 percent of that money.

[...] A prerequisite for students and their families to attend some of the schools that currently receive voucher money is that they accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. In March, the education blog Notes from the Chalkboard highlighted one such school. Students attending North Carolina’s Daniel Christian Academy, are trained to “enter the Seven Mountains of Influence,” a main tenet of a Christian Nationalist movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation. Its adherents believe that the faithful are called to seek Christian control of the “seven mountains” of society: family, education, media, government, business, arts & entertainment, and religion. Many New Apostolic Reformation followers believe that waging “spiritual warfare” is justified in achieving these goals, though Daniel Christian Academy specifies that its endorsement of the Seven Mountains Mandate “in no way includes violence or manipulation at any level.”

Americans United for Separation of Church and State’s Laser worries that the proliferation of private school voucher programs will open the door to even more permissive rules around the use of public education dollars to teach religion. She points to a suite of bills that would allow public schools to employ chaplains, and even more remarkably, to an Oklahoma Catholic school called St. Isidore of Seville, which is set to become the nation’s first Christian public charter school this fall. The overarching goal of these initiatives, she says, is to “bestow a power and privilege on Christians in our country, at the expense of all the other religions in America.” Meanwhile, public education is robbed  “of the funding that it’s entitled to.”

Mother Jones reports on the disturbing trend of Christian Nationalists opening taxpayer-funded private schools with the intention to indoctrinate students with right-wing politics and a Christian Nationalist worldview.

[herrscher-of-binding]

flamechasers highschool au pt.1!

highschool au headcanons, reader is a transfer student! g/n reader x flamechasers 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐄𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚, 𝐄𝐝𝐞𝐧, 𝐇𝐮𝐚, 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚 & 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬

one / two / three

Author's note: This was sort of rushed and it's just a fun little idea I had in mind at the time <3

• Elysia would definitely be the first to greet you everyday! On your first day at the school, she'd hold your hand and give you a whole interactive school tour with commentary from your one and only miss pink elf! I feel like she'd be part of the photography club, Elysia strikes me as a "capture the moment" kind of person so she'd always be snapping photos with you. Dates with Elysia would almost always be a cute picnic with food cooked up by your favourite pink-haired cutie, Elysia! Somehow whenever she takes you out on a date, the sun always happens to be shining just right.

• Eden is the type to take it free and easy, she'd help you with your homework and with studying but other times, she'd just watch you from the sidelines instead of taking part in whatever you'd be up to. Eden would most definitely be in the school choir, and she'd be the best too! I can see her being the president. She'd walk you to and from school, and dates would be to fancy restaurants and oftentimes, shopping. Don't worry about her wallet, Eden is really... rich. Sometimes, she'd prefer to go to the beach and relax instead!

• Hua would be more reserved at first, she'd only approach you for strictly education reasons (I made her a class monitor again for this au!). She'd open up to you after a while and gradually spend more time with you through after-school study dates. I think she'd be in the karate club or something similar. Once, you've really gotten to know her and the two of you start dating, Hua would take you on walks to parks. The air is refreshing and the wind is just right, you'd sit quietly on a bench as Hua hands you a cup of ice cold tea, joining you in your shared daydreaming.

• Aponia would be hard to get to know in the first place, considering she's part of the student council. You got to know her over the holidays while hanging out with the flamechasers. She'd be like Eden and walk you to and from school everyday. Once you know her well enough, she'd check up on you to make sure you're feeling well and would check your work often to make sure you've been doing it on time. Aponia's gifts would consist of small plushies or keychains and dates with her usually mean hanging out at your house (which would more than once end up with her just cleaning up your room until it's spotless).

• Pardofelis... well let's just say when you lose something, you're more likely to find it in her hands for just a tiny price rather than where you left it, finders-keepers. She's sort of the mischievous one of the group, definitely can't expect her to help you with homework. Pardofelis would gift you things that she "happens to find" and they'll always manage to fit your style. She'd love a cute date to a cat cafe or just chilling at home. She also does have her pet cat, Can, so you'd have to be a cat person to be with her.

[beardedmrbean]

Six employees of New York City’s public school system took their children or grandchildren on trips to Disney World, New Orleans and other locations using tickets that were meant for homeless students, investigators said in a newly released report.

The trips intended as enrichment for students living in shelters and other temporary housing also included excursions to Washington, D.C., Boston and Broadway shows, said Anastasia Coleman, the special commissioner of investigation for New York City schools.

According to the report released this month, Linda Wilson, the Queens regional manager for the office that supports students in temporary housing, took her own children on trips that were paid for through grants for homeless students and encouraged employees she supervised to do the same but to keep quiet about it.

“What happens here stays with us,” one staffer quoted Wilson as saying.

Read: SpaceX to launch NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft to study Jupiter moon

Contacted by the New York Post, Wilson denied bringing her two daughters on trips or encouraging staff members to bring their children. Wilson called the special commissioner’s probe “a witch hunt.”

The investigation began after a whistleblower brought a complaint in March 2019. The special commissioner’s report, which concerned trips that took place between 2016 and 2019, was completed in January 2023 but only made public on Sept. 9.

The special commissioner’s office said in an emailed statement that the report was not released because of the pending administrative actions.

According to the report, Wilson forged permission slips to bring family members on trips and evaded city Department of Education oversight by using an outside agency to book travel arrangements.

Some of the trips were intended as college tours, but the students and chaperones never actually visited the campuses, witnesses told the investigators.

A group including Wilson and one of her daughters as well as other staff members and their children ate lunch at Syracuse University during a June 2018 trip but never toured the school, witnesses said. They left and went to Niagara Falls instead, according to the investigation.

The special commissioner’s office recommended that Wilson and the other staff members faulted in the report be fired and that they be required to reimburse the school system for their family members’ trips.

Wilson told the Post that she retired and was not fired.

Department of Education spokesperson Jenna Lyle said in a statement, “All staff identified in this report are no longer employed by New York City Public Schools.”

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[tgmsunmontue]

It's all academic darlin' PART 8/10

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 PART 6 PART 7

Part 7 and 8 are Explicit. And nothing else makes sense without the first six parts but you do you!

Chapter 8 is 8k, each previous chapter was about 2k on average. Yeah. I'm not going to apologise however if you're expecting a short chapter you might want to get a drink and snack first?

PART EIGHT

            Jake snorts, god, he’s fallen for a giant dork. A hot dork. But still a dork. Who is changing into a different shirt which still, somehow, has fucking roosters on it. How many shirts with roosters on them did he own? How many shirts with roosters on them did one man need to own?

            “You get your sense of humor from Mav don’t you?”

            “Maybe. He’s probably going to want you to come to dinner you know?”

            “Sunday? Family dinner?” Jake asks, because that was one of the emails he’d received just this afternoon. Bradley looks at him, eyebrow quirked and Jakes wants to kiss him again, has no reason not to so he just does, leans forward and gives him a quick kiss. He means for it to be quick anyway, Bradley kisses him back though, chases his mouth when he pulls back slightly and he savors it, the whole experience so novel after months of nothing.

            “What, did he already invite you?”

            “Yeah. He sent me an email about two hours ago. Didn’t reply yet.”

            “Waiting for a better offer?”

            He hadn’t been, had wanted confirmation first that Bradley was who Jake thought he was. And now… well. Yeah, he’ll do dinner with Mav any night of the week. But…

            “Well, you did say you wanted to fuck with him���”

            “Oh my god this is perfect. Let him know you can make it. Then tomorrow I’m going to let him know I’m bringing my boyfriend –”

            “Boyfriend huh?” Jake asks, and he knows he’s grinning, cocky, but he feels like his blood has suddenly turned to ice.

            “Yeah… boyfriend. That okay? I mean, I don’t want to assume anything, but I haven’t exactly been emailing anyone else on an almost daily basis.”

            Jake sucks in a breath, reminds himself he has nothing to lose right now and maybe a lot to gain.

            “I... don't know what to do here,” Jake admits and Bradley glances at him, frowns briefly before smirking at him.

            “Pretty sure you've done this before.”

            “Fuck you,” he shoves at Bradley’s shoulder. “No. Not sex. I’ve fucked around plenty. I –  I don’t want to just fuck around though. And I’ve never… not fucked around.”

            He’d mentioned it briefly in passing in an email, can see a look of comprehension cross Bradley’s face, then he’s stepping into Jake’s space again, one hand cupping Jake’s jaw and Jake swallows, throat tight with nerves.

            “Well, you just got to keep on putting the effort in. Some days you'll get an A grade, and other days you'll scrape by with a bare pass...”

            “I don't want to fail,” Jake says, voice barely above a whisper.

            “I won't let you fail.”

            Jake’s pretty sure no-one can make promises like that, even if it’s a nice sentiment. Makes him feel like he maybe won’t fail.

            “Really?”

            “Really. I'm a very good... educator. And I’ll have a vested interest in you passing. Group project…”

            Jake huffs a laugh, shakes his head.

            “Well, I guess it's good I'm a good student. And you do come very highly recommended on Rate my Professor…”

            “Of course you looked me up…”

            “I’m getting very good at research.”

…         …         …

            Bradley takes them to a bathroom first where they can wash their hands, ignores Jake’s snarky comments about getting the premium tour of the mailroom, office and now the bathroom.

            “Okay, seeing as you actually want this tour…”

            “I’m actually interested. I haven’t studied in a while, but what you’re working on isn’t just purely theoretical to me. I can understand how it would be applied, which is pretty cool…”

            “I’m glad you think so…”

            He is glad, more than he thought he would be, that Jake seems genuinely interested. His first serious boyfriend had been in management, not at all interested in what Bradley was studying. His serious girlfriend had been a fellow engineer, smart as a tack, but her career had been more important than their relationship and Bradley had agreed with her, because he’d felt the same. Jake though… he can’t help but feel the little twist of hope uncurling in his gut.

            He walks toward the labs, set apart from the other buildings with heavy duty walls and a lightweight roof. He points out the machines, explains what they do and greets the technicians and students still working. Reminds his students that they have to take breaks, that it’s Friday; they need to have at least one-day off, that he will be checking the security logs. Half of them roll their eyes at him. He introduces Jake as his boyfriend, gets a few surreptitious thumbs up which make him grin.

            “Right, that’s the dime tour. All I can show you without firing up some of the machines myself and showing you some stuff. Which I’m happy to do, but uh, maybe another time?”

            “You have somewhere to be?”

            “Nope, just think I’d rather be sitting and talking with you over a drink instead of showing you where I work…”

            “You love your work. I wanted to see it. You can show me more another time, a drink sounds good.”

            “Did you drive?”

            “Nope, hitched a ride, then caught a trolley.”

            “So I have you at my mercy huh?”

            “You sure do.”

            The smiles they give each other are equally slow and he leans forward and captures Jake’s mouth with his own, lets his hands just come to rest naturally on Jake’s hips. Enjoys the sense of warm wet…

            “You should take you own advice and go home Bradley… or are you coming climbing tonight?”

            “Uh…” he pulls back from Jake to blink at Matthew, one of the technicians (and one of his climbing buddies) who is standing there smirking at him.

            “That’s what I thought. Have a good weekend!”

            “You too,” Bradley manages, ignoring the cackle that Matthew lets out as best he can. He turns back to Jake, wonders whether he should apologize for his friend’s behavior and realizes that Jake has probably experienced far worse friendly heckling from his own friends in the Navy.

            “Okay. What do you want to do?”

            “Mmm… what do we want to do. Right? A drink and some food would be good. But maybe some place quiet. And do you want to go climbing? Friday is your usual night right?”

            “Uh, yeah… But, well –” He’d rather spend the time with Jake.

            “You have a problem with me coming with you?”

            “You want to go rock climbing?”

            “I want to spend time with you and meet your friends. And it’s been a while since I went climbing.”

            “Yeah. We can do that. Uh…”

            “Yeah, I’ll need to borrow some clothes. Figured you be okay with that. I’m hoping you have something that I’m okay with, because to be honest, your shirt choices I’ve seen aren’t filling me with confidence.”

            “I’ve got plenty of clothes. You’ll be fine.”

            “I’m gonna withhold my judgement.”

            “How do you feel about me cooking?”

            “Well, you didn’t kill me last time…”

            “I just thought… I have food waiting to be cooked at home. And drinks. And if we go there then we have more time before I would usually leave for climbing…”

            “Sounds like a plan. Lead the way.”

…         …         …

            He follows Bradley, feels a little flutter when he grabs his hand to just hold it as they walk and he’s never had that before, and to have it suddenly, grasping his hand and giving him a wide easy smile throws him back to the memory of Bradley in the cabin, his smile and laughter and he marvels that he might get to have this. As Bradley drives he sends a quick email to Mav, accepting the dinner invitation for Sunday and he wonders how Bradley’s going to break it to Mav that they’re… together.

            “You didn’t mention to Mav that you’ve been emailing me almost daily?”

            “Nope. None of his business.”

            “Really?” Jake asks, because he’d kind of assumed Bradley would be the kind of person to tell his parents everything, but maybe he’s wrong about that. Clearly is, if Bradley thinks he can spring Jake being his boyfriend on Mav.

            “Really. We talk about a lot of stuff, but I try and avoid the subject of relationships because he is overly invested. Especially since he retired and I didn’t know he’d left you with a breadcrumb trail, but I was suspicious enough to not want to bring it up…”

            “Okay.”

            “He’d drop it if I asked him. Seriously. But if he thought there was even a small inkling he’s like a dog with a bone, will just keep niggling at it and I’ve just found it’s easiest for me to just… not raise it. I’m just going to drop it on him on Sunday. Okay?”

            “I’ll be there anyway, so I’ll just… follow your lead I guess.”

            “Hmm. Yeah… fuck. Actually, just wait a second. I need to send a message.”

            Jake shrugs, because it’s not like he has anywhere better to be. Bradley parks his car in the underground carpark and Jake watches other people entering the apartment building from their own cars, it’s clearly the end of the working week, all the civilians returning home after their nine to five jobs. He can’t imagine a life like that.

            “Okay… message sent. Let’s go.”

            They enter the elevator and Bradley holds it for a couple whom he clearly knows, making small talk about ending the week and the weather before he turns and introduces Jake.

            “This is Jake, my boyfriend. Jake, this is Adam and Penny, they live down the hall from me.”

            “Hey man, nice to meet you.”

            “Ah, you too,” Jake manages, but then they’re at Bradley’s floor and the couple are heading in the opposite direction. “Any particular reason you’re introducing me as your boyfriend to everyone?”

            “Desensitization. You can’t look surprised about me calling you my boyfriend when I introduce you to Mav.”

            “And how are you going to introduce me exactly?”

            “I’m still thinking about the best way… waiting for some backup.”

            “Backup?”

            “Mav’s… uh…” Bradley’s phone vibrates then and he grabs for it and Jake notices that the protective screen is scratched to hell and he’s pretty sure there is a crack in the case. “Oh thank fuck. Okay. Great.”

            “Everything okay?”

            “Yeah.”

            There isn’t anything more forthcoming but he can tell that Bradley’s working through something and he looks around the apartment, takes in the floor to ceiling bookshelves, covered in plants and books and a lot of fucking rooster figurines, the odd goose and plane also in place. He wants to ask, knows they must have stories behind them. Turns back to find Bradley still staring at his phone, tapping a knuckle against his chin and he looks forward to finding out if that’s a habit he has.

            “You’re phone isn’t broken, lost or in pieces… an improvement from last time I saw you.”

            “Yeah, all accounted for at the moment, I’ve been taking better care of it. Anyway, I need to tell you something. Because as much as I want to pull one over on Mav, I don’t want you to think that I’d do that to you.”

            Jake frowns, because Bradley is nervous, worried about something and Jake has no idea what it could possibly be. Then Bradley’s opening the fridge and offering him a bottle and he glances at it quickly, accepts and twists it open but doesn’t take a drink. Instead watches as Bradley pulls food out of the refrigerator and cupboards, lays out a knife and a chopping board and Jake wonders if he should offer to help or whether Bradley is further organizing his own thoughts as he organizes his working space.

            “Okay…?”

            “Okay. Right. So, I have two dads.”

            “Yeah, Nick Bradshaw and –”

            “No. Okay. Three dads then. Just… let me get this out. I was raised by Mav, and his… boyfriend. Partner. Except they were both in the Navy, so… not many people know who he is.” Jake keeps quiet, nods his head to show he’s listening. “As in, they know exactly who he is. But not many people know he’s with Mav. Or that Mav’s with him. He’s a pretty big deal. You know him.” Jake can understand now why this would make Bradley nervous.

            “So, you want to meet my other dad? Before dinner on Sunday? Because Mav will think he’s hilarious, getting one over on you by not telling you by the way, if that makes you feel better about me pulling any shit with him… I just got permission to tell you, because it’s the biggest secret I keep. And it’s not even mine.”

            Jake’s now feeling nervous, his mind running through all the different Admirals, because that’s what he’s getting from this. He’s learnt from not trusting his gut with Bradley and the photos that popped up the first time he searched his name. It’s going to be an Admiral that he knows. Holy shit. Simpson maybe? Bradley’s hands are flying, cutting and dicing without even paying attention.

            “Just tell me who it is…” Jake says, because waiting isn’t going to make it any easier. Bradley glances up and takes his expression in and clearly assumes that Jake is bracing for the worst.

            “Tom Kazansky. Admiral Kazansky. And I didn’t want that to come as a shock to you at dinner. Because he’ll be there. Mav seems to take weird pleasure in inviting people over for dinner, to meet his partner, and then just introduces him as Tom and of course everyone recognizes him…”

            “You other dad is the COMPACFLT?” Jake asks, just in case there is somehow another Admiral Kazansky he isn’t aware of.

            “Yes. That, uh, going to be a problem?”

            It’s the first time that Bradley has sounded even a little unsure about whatever this relationship is or might be and Jake pulls himself together. He’d admitted his own worry about this whole relationship maybe being his first ever and Bradley had reassured him. He wants to be with Bradley, not the COMPACFLT. You can’t choose your family. That type of thing. Right. Holy shit.

            “Uh. Fucking hell. It’s a bit of a shock but it doesn’t change anything at all. Uh. Does he know about… us?” Jake asks, because he assumes the COMPACFLT knows who Jake is, especially with the whole mission nearly two years ago. But Bradley hadn’t told Mav…

            “Well, he does now. He won’t tell Mav. You know, Mav talks about you all the time. All the Dagger squad to be honest,” Bradley says, and his face scrunches up then, like he’s thinking about something unpleasant. He’s gorgeous and Jake can’t believe he’s been calling Jake his boyfriend for the last couple of hours. He can deal with the COMPACFLT if he gets to keep that. “You’re not… freaking out?”

            “Nope,” Jake says, and he’s pretty sure he isn’t lying to himself. His mind is racing, because he saved Mav’s life. He’s just learnt that he saved the COMPACFLT’s partner’s life. That’s quite a lot to take in. He’s very glad he didn’t know at the time.

            “Great, because he wants to have lunch with us tomorrow. Brunch probably.”

            Blink.

            Blink.

            Blink.

            “Oookay…”

            This is not okay.

            “It’s fine, he’ll bring food here and cook. He’s the one who taught me to cook actually, not Mav.”

            “Huh. Yeah. That makes more sense…” Jake says, although the idea of Admiral Kazansky cooking anything has his brain shorting out. “Wait. You keeping me here until lunch tomorrow?”

            “I kind of thought I was keeping you here all weekend…” Bradley replies and there’s a promise and challenge in his eye and Jake grins, leans forward and kisses him, shoving thoughts of casually having lunch with the COMPACFLT as far to the back of his mind as possible.

            He can at least try and compartmentalize.

…         …         …

            “So, you still want to go climbing?”

            “Yeah, I’m probably going to skip the hike tomorrow, spend it in bed with this hot guy I just met…”

            “You met me months ago,” Jake grumbles, but there’s no heat in it and Bradley grins, kicks at his feet under the table they’re sitting at while they eat the stir-fry that Bradley had quickly made.

            “Actually yeah, I did. Want to explain why you were so… proper and polite? Because Mav asked what I thought of you and I said you were very polite and he just looked like I’d shaken the foundation of his world view. What was up?”

            “Uh, excuse you, I am polite.”

            “No. You can be polite. Some people are naturally polite, you’re polite when you choose to be. And you were choosing to be. With me. Why?”

            “Didn’t want to piss Mav off… or be rude to you.”

            “What, you thought Mav would think badly of you doing something a little… impolite? Mav? The man who only managed to stay in the Navy through the grace of his innate talent and Ice making sure they wouldn’t kick him out?”

            “Huh, makes a lot more sense when you say it like that. But no… I just. I was recovering from a car crash. Noticed you, but figured I better not make a pass at Mav’s son.”

            He can’t help but feel a little relieved that Jake hadn’t failed to notice him, but had instead been trying to be polite. It’s all sorts of sweet. He’s pretty sure not many people get to see these softer sides, but he equally likes the intelligence and sharp sense of humor; his snark as he makes fun of Bradley.

            “And now?”

            “Well, it’s a little more than a pass now ain’t it?”

            “Definitely,” Bradley agrees, realizing that Jake respects Mav. Thinks highly enough of him to somehow, for some reason, think that Mav wouldn’t be happy for Jake to be with Bradley. Hopefully he’s been disabused of that notion at least.

            “Come on, lets go through my clothes and find you something you can climb in. You can make fun of my dress sense.”

            “Where’s the challenge in that though? You make it too easy for me…”

…         …         …

            “You really like plants huh?” Jake asks, because there had been three book cases almost completely covered in the living room, making the softening evening light feel like he’s in a forest. There’s another shelf of plants in the bedroom.

            “No. Well, I do like them. But as soon as I’m in charge of them they seem to die. I either neglect them or give them too much love.”

            Jake’s not sure that’s true, because he can’t see a single dead plant amongst the lot, but maybe Bradley is a perfectionist when it comes to plants. He’s heard of weirder things. Fortunately, Bradley’s clothes aren’t a lost cause, the bright button-downs the only anomaly from what actually looks like a decent sense of style. He manages to borrow shorts and t-shirt, and even though he had high hopes for meeting Bradley he’s starting to realize he could have planned a bit better. Like bringing a change of clothes. Especially as he’s apparently staying the weekend.

            “You mind making a detour to base so I can grab some things after we finish climbing?”

            “Before okay? We might forget after…”

            “Why would we forget?”

            “Might be distracted…”

            Jake smiles slowly, lets his hands smooth over Bradley’s chest and yeah…

            “You’ve got a point. Before it is.”

…         …         …

            They’re a little late to meet Bradley’s friends, they’re already climbing, half of them up the walls, others belaying. Jake has to get fitted for a harness and go through a safety induction, which he follows closely while Bradley wanders off to talk to his friends. Once he’s finished he wanders over, feeling a little awkward as a couple of them watch him approach.

            “Hey everyone, this is Jake…”

            “The boyfriend!”

            “He actually exists!”

            “How much is he paying you to answer to Jake?”

            “I told you guys to be nice!”

            “We’re being nice to him. You’re still free game.”

            Jake laughs, pulls out his license and hands it over.

            “He either found someone who is actually called Jake, or he’s actually legit been mooning over you for the last couple of months.”

            “Fuck off Ryan, I have not been mooning over anyone!”

            “He says that, and yet he was late to a few things because he had to send an email to you. And he was late again tonight.”

            “Are we hassling Hei Hei about his recent phone addiction?”

            “Yeah, he hasn’t lost his phone in months. He’s never been such a conscientious email answerer before either…”

            “Well, not that I need to add fuel to this particular fire, but he was wearing a different shirt this afternoon than he was this morning so… make of that what you will,” one guy says, and Jake’s pretty sure it’s the same guy from outside the labs, the one who’d interrupted them kissing.

            “You’re all awful. Jake, ignore them.”

            “I think I like them, bring you down a peg or two. Can’t think you’re perfect…”

            “I am far from perfect.”

            “Really? Sure seems like it from where I’m standing…”

            “Barf! Come on, some of us are here to climb rather than gossip!”

            “Speak for yourself, gossip now saves me getting Bradley drunk later and asking him all the questions I want answers to…”

            Bradley is tightening his harness and Jake has an impressive view of his thighs and ass, the straps highlighting the muscle. His fingers are nimbly working the rope and Jake watches, wants those fingers on his body and he can’t think about that right now. The harness doesn’t hide anything.

            “You want to go first? I’ll get to enjoy the view…”

            Jake laughs but hooks himself in, reaching for the first handhold. They climb for over an hour, switching out who belays and it’s easier than he thought it would be, just hanging out. Bradley and his friends call out encouragement for particularly challenging climbs, and it makes him realize that Bradley has his own squad.

            “So I have to ask, the whole rooster thing… just, why?”

            “He came back from Sweden and greeted everyone with Hej hej, which would have been fine, but then Moana came out and it kind of cemented the whole rooster thing. Isn’t it also a childhood nickname?”

            “Can’t we save some embarrassing stories for a time that isn’t the first date?”

            “Is it seriously your first date?”

            “I said it was!”

            “Man, I would not have all you fuckers at my first date.”

            “We’re not counting the two nights at the cabin huh?” Jake says, tossing Bradley a wink and Bradley just rolls his eyes, shakes his head in gentle exasperation but the smile he gives Jake not even seconds later is playful. Fun. It’s the back-and-forth bantering that they’d developed in their months of email communication and he realizes it’s similar to what he has with Javy. Except he doesn’t want to ever have sex with Javy. He very much wants to have sex with Bradley. And also have… more emails, more dinners, more time with friends. All of this. It’s quite the revelation to have when he’s busy stripping the climbing harness from his body.

            “I’ll see you guys next week!”

            “What, no hike tomorrow?”

            “Nope. I’m planning on staying in bed…”

            That’s followed with some whistles and catcalls, Bradley just looks smug and wraps an arm around Jake’s waist, making him laugh with a wink. Yeah. He wants this.

            “Nice for some!”

            “Jealous!”

            He waits for Bradley to throw his own climbing gear into the back of his car, waves back at a couple of the others who are leaving at the same time.

            “I like your friends.”

            “Thanks for putting up with them. I wish I could say they’ll stop being dicks, but if it isn’t one thing then it’s another.”

            “Maybe you’re just easy to hassle?”

            “Maybe…” Bradley concedes and he pulls Jake toward him so they’re leaning against his car.

            “Come home with me?”

            “We already went and picked up my bag.”

            “Yeah, but it’s still a choice. I can take you back to base if you want.”

            “No. Take me home.”

            “Okay.”

            He settles into the passenger seat and Bradley’s hand comes to rest on his thigh, a steady and warm weight and he places his own hand over it, runs his fingertips over the back of his hand, thinks about touching more of Bradley’s skin. The hand jobs earlier had definitely dealt with the immediate need, but the further kissing and casual touches while they were climbing have slowly and surely built the tension back up and it’s been simmering away under his skin, ready to boil over at the slightest provocation. His cock is definitely getting hard and they’ve still got a twenty minute drive.

            “So there’s more than one reason why you have a rooster collection?”

            “Really? You want to know?”

            “Yeah, I really do…” Jake says, and he isn’t even lying, grips firmly at Bradley’s hand before returning to the gentle touch.

            “My dad’s call sign was Goose. Except I had a lisp, or missing teeth, and apparently I walked around saying I wanted to be called Goose too, except it sounded a lot more like Rooster. So it switched between Little Goose and Rooster. I was just getting rid of it when that fucking movie came out and then pictures of that rooster were fucking everywhere. Inside toilet doors, on the roof of corridors, someone changed my staff photo… there was chalk art. I just had to lean into it.”

            “Destined to be a rooster in every life huh?”

            “Apparently. Some of my students have some wild theories.”

            “I just bet they do…” Jake says, laughing.

            They walk from the car to the apartment, tracing the same path they made earlier. This time though he has an overnight bag, packed with enough for a couple of nights, which can stretch longer if he can do washing. Or doesn’t wear clothes. He’s pretty sure Bradley is planning on a clothes-optional weekend inside his apartment and the idea of coming back from every deployment to this is heady.

…         …         …

            He toes off his shoes, leaves them where they land, knowing full well it’ll annoy Ice tomorrow. Jake’s shoes are lined up tidily, but he’s dropping his bag on the sofa and Bradley watches him; he seems comfortable in Bradley’s space already and he likes that. A lot. He moves forward, doesn’t want there to be awkwardness between them.

            “What do you want?”

            “My choice huh?”

            “Well, we have all weekend, and that’s just the beginning right?”

            “Yeah. Yeah I guess it is,” Jake agrees and it’s like whatever tension he was holding in his shoulders is sapped away and he relaxes against Bradley, lets his hands go to Bradley’s hips and his top is damp with sweat and feels gross when pressed against his skin.

            “So, what are we doing here? Now, tonight? I’m just happy to get my hands and mouth all over you…”

            “Yeah, that sounds like a good place to start. See where it takes us.”

            “Okay then. Maybe a shower, pretty sure you don’t want to taste stale sweat…”

            “Don’t think I’d mind that much…” Jake states and oh, that’s a telling statement right there and Bradley feels another block of arousal slide into place on top of the steady foundation that’s been building all evening. There’s direction now and that direction is up. They strip and he throws all their clothes into the hamper, grabs extra towels and places one on each side of the bed for later. He’s already done his due diligence and stocked up on condoms and lube, again not assuming but hopeful.

            They don’t talk while they wait for the water to warm up, lets Jake run his hands over him, eyes following his own fingers as he traces over beauty spots and scars. He lets himself do the same, Jake’s skin is smooth under his fingertips, his chest hair golden and fine, the nerves in his fingertips becoming more sensitive as he focusses more on the sensation beneath them. They lather soap and wash each other, kisses soft the whole time, hands running over hardening erections but not really making any concerted effort to make each other harder when they’re in no rush. He rinses his hair, licks up Jake’s neck when he tips his head back to rinse his own.

            “Better?” Bradley asks, even though he was definitely the one who was originally more keen on showering. Not that Jake complained at any point.

            “No stale sweat… can start workin’ on a fresh layer.”

            Jake’s accent becomes thicker when he’s aroused and it sends prickles of want all over his skin. Bradley wonders what phone sex would be like, realizes they’ll likely get a chance to find out in the future with them doing long distance and he can’t believe he’s even thinking about that when they haven’t even talked about it. They’ve been together physically for a few hours and yet Bradley wants to shove everything he has and is toward Jake and just let him have it all.

            He dries off haphazardly, not really caring because it’s not like he’s getting dressed into clothes. Jake beats him to the bedroom and he lies down on the bed, stretches his body out with his arms above, like he knows Bradley is enjoying the view. He straddles Jake’s thighs, runs his hands down his arms, lets his mouth leave a trail of kisses over a bicep. He moves over Jake’s body, wants to find what turns him on and what makes him shiver with need. He lines their cocks up and does a slow undulating grind, pressing down with what he hopes is just the right amount of pressure. Feels good to him, hopes it’s the same for Jake.

…         …         …

            “Fuck you’re amazing…”

            “Took the words right out of my mouth darlin’…” Jake says, letting his fingers dig into the muscle of Bradley’s thighs. He’s fucking gorgeous. He feels the full body jerk and he wonders what caused it, captures Bradley’s moan in his mouth. “You like me callin’ you that? Darlin’? Baby? Sugar plum?”

            Bradley laughs then, shakes his head and pulls away.

            “Not sugar plum, I’m not…”

            “You’re plenty sweet…”

            “Fuck Jake.”

            “We’re getting there.”

            It’s only because he apparently has all weekend, at least, that he’s willing to keep the pace slow. He’s enjoying having Bradley’s undivided hyper-focused attention on his body, apparently intent on finding all the little spots that turn him on. Not the obvious ones, like his cock and nipples, but the other patches, the skin that is tight across his pelvic bone, the inside of his thighs. Not that his cock is getting ignored exactly, Bradley comes back every few minutes and rolls his hips down in an exquisite grind that’s just shy of being hard enough, although the repetition is definitely winding him tighter and tighter and he’s over being passive.

            “Turn abouts fair play… my turn to explore.”

…         …         …

            Bradley grins, moves back and holds out a hand to pull Jake up, which he ignores and Bradley watches the shift of muscles under skin a Jake sits up. Bradley realizes he might have a thing for abs, he’s never had one before, but maybe it’s unique to Jake’s abs. He settles back, pulls Jake to lie on top of him before he can even start to get settled and he laughs at the annoyed look, lifts his head to press a hard kiss, grinds his hips up as well and he’s definitely hard now.

            “Explore away, all the territory is yours…”

            He snickers at Jake’s huff of amusement, he’s never not laughed with his partners in bed; obviously not every time, but he doesn’t like being with people who take sex too seriously. Jake seems like he’s a perfect match, giving Bradley’s body an equally thorough inspection, although he uses his tongue more, licking at him, his neck, collar bone, his nipple and he jerks at the sudden suction and groans. Been a long time since anyone’s played with his nipples.

            “Oh… sensitive huh?”

            “Yeah…” Bradley gasps as Jake does it again. His nipples are sensitive, one much more than the other for some reason. He knows he can come from being fingered and someone sucking on that nipple, his cock not needing any stimulation at all. He’ll let Jake find that out on his own.

…         …         …

            They end up on their sides, facing each other, aligned so they can keep kissing and he’s pretty sure he’s going to have to learn what to do about beard burn with how over-sensitive his skin feels everywhere Bradley has kissed. It’s a weird sensation between wind and sun burn and if it looks half as bad as it feels anyone looking at him is going to know what he’s spent a good chunk of time doing. Bradley’s hand wraps around both of them, his fingers just that little bit longer. It’s tight and hot, and Jake isn’t sure if he’s going for a hand job or if he can thrust into the clasp of fingers. He desperately wants to thrust.

            “This okay?”

            “God yes, so okay… fuck.”

            “Come on Jake, want to see you come…”

            He covers Bradley’s hand with his own, holds it still, feels the squeeze of Bradley’s hand around his cock. He takes that as permission and starts thrusting, slow to start before increasing his pace. He’s aware that Bradley is watching, his own body taut and unmoving, though his breathing coming in shaky gasps tells Jake that he’s ratchetted as tight as Jake is. Bradley’s hand starts moving then, his hips jerking minutely and Jake isn’t sure he’d have noticed except for the way it adds a different level of friction on his own cock.

            “Oh fuck…”

            “Jake, fuck… come on… ugh.”

            He feels Bradley come, hot wetness easing some of the friction very slightly. His own orgasm is slow and rolling when it hits, a reflection of how long they’ve spent building it up. It leaves him feeling shaky and unmoored and as if he knows how Jake is feeling Bradley kisses him, slow and thorough. He was already melting into post-orgasmic haze, the kiss just adding a layer of promise or care and fuck he wants this. He feels Bradley shift away briefly, then there’s a towel wiping between them. Jake is doubly glad for his forethought, his entire body feels too wrung out to consider moving anywhere and brain going offline fast and doesn’t want to clean up. Doesn’t want Bradley to leave his side.

            “Imagine what we’ll be like when we’ve had practice,” Bradley says, kissing him softly and Jake hums his agreement. Lots and lots of practice. “Sleep well.”

            He’s used to the constant noise of the carrier after the last seven months, but the quiet of the room and the afternoon and evenings activities have left him feeling sated, soporific and he soon falls asleep.

…         …         …

            He wakes, room still dark and he doesn’t need to know the time to know it’s too fucking early to get up when he’s in bed with Bradley. He grumbles a little, pulls the sheet back up to cover them both, shuffles so he’s touching more of Bradley’s bare skin because neither of them bothered putting anything on. He feels him turn and then he’s being held, very firmly the little spoon with Bradley’s chest against his back.

            “Morning. Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

            “I normally get up around this time anyway. You sleep okay?”

            “Yeah. Little stiff now. Climbing and sex… Oh god. I’m getting old.”

            “Ancient,” Bradley murmurs, lips brushing over the fine hairs behind Jake’s ear, making him shiver.

            “You know, the best thing for stiff muscles is another workout…”

            “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

            “Try harder.”

            Bradley does.

…         …         …

            He can smell coffee, the bed is empty, but he can smell coffee. He might have a boyfriend for the first time in his life and he’s making coffee. He rolls over and searches for underwear before remembering Bradley chucking everything in a hamper. He opens a drawer and finds Bradley’s underwear straight away, one particular pair bright and with a fucking rooster on it, little speech bubble with ‘my favorite cock’ and he pulls them on with a grin before heading out to the kitchen with a quick stop in the bathroom.

            “Good morning again…”

            “It is a good morning isn’t it,” Bradley says, his smile bright as he gives Jake a soft kiss. He could definitely get used to this. “Nice underwear. How do you take your coffee? Or do you want something else?”

            “Coffee. Black. Thanks… And thought you’d appreciate them.”

            “Definitely look better on you…” Bradley says, another kiss and his heart-stomach-brain all feel like they’re on the same roller-coaster. “Be right back.”

            He takes the mug and goes to more closely investigate the parts of the bookshelves not covered in plants. He recognizes some of the same texts from the cabin and now it makes more sense. As do the roosters and goose figurines. He’s not really paying attention to anything when he hears a quick three-tap knock on the front door and he freezes.

            Surely it’s not that late.

            Did Bradley mention a time that Admiral Kazansky was coming?

            Quick glance at the clock confirms it’s after ten and Jake is standing in his underwear. Not even his underwear. Underwear that is very clearly not his in fact.

            Fuck.

            And now the door is opening. Jake can’t move.

            He has a key?

            Of course he spots Jake as soon as he enters, eyebrows raise in silence and then Admiral Kazansky is placing grocery bags on the kitchen bench before turning back to look at Jake again. He wonders if he needs to salute, but his hand is currently holding a coffee mug.

            “Good morning sir.”

            Jake is never going to master the same level of smile-smirk that is being directed his way, and the Admiral still doesn’t say anything, simply gestures at Jake’s state of undress and makes a shooing gesture toward the bedroom and he takes the direction for what it is and flees.

…         …         …

            “Admiral Kazansky is in the kitchen.”

            “Already? He’s early. Of course he’s early… Oh. You were out there like that huh?” Bradley asks, grinning. Jake is gorgeous fully dressed, standing there in nothing but underwear he’s breathtaking. The fact that it’s his underwear has him feeling even more smug.

            “Yes Bradley, I was.”

            “Don’t worry, he’ll just think it’s funny. Plus only way is up right?”

            “Fuck off… I’m going to go and drown myself in the shower. Then I will somehow come back to life and get dressed because the COMPACFLT is apparently making me… brunch?”

            “Yeah. Brunch. You know you’re adorable when you’re flustered.”

            “Bradley!”

            Jake’s also hot when he’s getting angry and Bradley can’t help it, steps forward and kisses him, hands cupping Jake’s face to hold him still, mindful that Jake’s still holding a hot mug of coffee. Jake takes a few seconds to kiss back, but he does and Bradley gives himself a mental high-five for distracting him. He doesn’t think it would have ended well if he’d told Jake he found him getting angry hot.

            “Have a shower and get dressed. Don’t drown. I’ll go and start brunch with Ice. Also, I forgot to mention this, kind of forget because it’s just normal for us. Ice doesn’t talk very much. He had cancer and uses ASL to communicate or his little tablet thing with an app. One of the reasons we’re eating here really, he prefers it to going out in public.”

            “Ice. You call the COMPACFLT Ice…”

            “Sometimes I call him Pops to wind him up…”

            “What? No. That’s what I call Mav to wind him up!”

            “Really? That’s hilarious. No wonder Mav likes you so much. Now, I’m going out there because otherwise he’s going to think we’re having sex again.”

            “Oh god…” Jake mumbles and it gives Bradley pause.

            “Is it okay? I can ask him to leave if you want…”

            “No. It’s fine. I just… would have preferred to have not been in my underwear. Your underwear.”

            “Could have been worse.”

            “How?”

            “You could have been naked…”

            Jake’s laughing then and Bradley kisses him again, carefully grabs his ass before gently pushing him in the direction of the bathroom before he heads back out to greet Ice.

            “Morning,” Ice signs, his expression wholly amused and Bradley gives him the finger.

            “Morning. Thanks for scarring Jake. I’m sure he’ll add that to his rotating nightmares.”

            “Not my fault you lost track of time,” Ice signs, tapping his watch and grinning and Bradley shakes his head.

            “You’re over half an hour early!”

            “I’m always early!”

            Bradley snorts, rolls his eyes then makes the signs for orgasm - always - early, raises his eyebrows to question and smirks.

            “Should I feel bad for Mav?”

            It’s rare to hear Ice laugh, the sound raw and scraping but he looks delighted, slaps Bradley on the arm, head shaking and he clearly concedes a point to Bradley in their ongoing sparring.

            “Behave!” Ice signs, still laughing and Bradley grins, knocks his arm with his own.

            Apparently they’re making waffles with a fruit salad and he’s surprised, because this is Ice’s favorite family breakfast meal, he doesn’t make it often, the buttermilk batter having to be made the night before, which means he’s either made and transported waffle batter by stealth across the city, or he taunted Mav with the knowledge that he wasn’t getting waffles. Both are equally probable and he’ll ask later. They work in easy silence, years of experience making them seamless in the kitchen, especially when Mav isn’t there getting underfoot trying to help.

            Fruit salad all done, turkey bacon grilling under the broiler, last of the waffles now cooking they settle back, Ice taking a sip of his own coffee as he places the tablet he uses for communication on the table, the text to voice app already open. Bradley’s glad he’s not going to have to act as interpreter. Is pretty sure Ice wants to grill Jake a little, even if he’s only doing it for show. At least he can act as a buffer.

            “Good morning again,” the electronic voice says from the tablet and Bradley turns to see Jake hanging back in the doorway to the hall. He makes a beckoning gesture with his hand.

            “Jake, I’d like to introduce you to Tom Kazansky, one of my dads.”

            “Nice to meet you Admiral Kazansky sir.”

            “Nice to meet you in a less formal setting.”

            “Uh, could we get less formal than this?”

            “Probably not. Call me Tom.”

…         …         …

            Apart from the fact that he knows Tom Kazansky is the COMPACFLT, he’s also Bradley’s other dad, and he wants to try and make a good impression, despite a part of him feeling like he’s already spectacularly fucked up by being nearly naked when he arrived. Bradley seems happy and relaxed, so he’ll follow his lead. They sit down to eat and it’s an impressive spread of food.

            “Thank you, this looks great.”

            “You can make me breakfast tomorrow,” Bradley says, giving him a wink and Jake wouldn’t normally blush, but of course under the scrutiny of the COMPACFLT his cheeks are flaming.

            “I’d love to,” he says, ignoring the heat in his face and instead focuses on the grin Bradley gives him.

            “I wanted to say thank you.”

            “Uh… what for?” Jake asks, because he hopes he doesn’t expect an invite for breakfast tomorrow to reciprocate. They’re already doing dinner. The Admiral looks uncomfortable, lips pursed and giving a quick glance at Bradley.

            “Oh, is this about the mission where Jake saved Mav’s life? Don’t worry, I already know about it.”

            Bradley, who can apparently read Admiral Kazansky like a billboard sign and knows about a highly classified mission. Wow. He snaps his jaw shut, head automatically shaking, because he sure as hell never mentioned anything and he sure as fuck doesn’t want the COMPACFLT thinking he said anything.

            “Of course you do,” the electronic voice says and Bradley shrugs, the expression on the Admiral’s face seems exasperated and Jake’s struggling to get his head around their half-silent way of communicating.

            “You can blame Mav.”

            Jake watches as Bradley makes a couple of signs, and he’s never learnt ASL although he figures he’s going to need to. But he’s pretty sure Bradley just signed blowjob and this morning is already feeling surreal in so many ways, but in none of them does it make sense that Bradley needs to use the word blowjob when talking to Admiral Kazansky.

            “There are no secrets in this family,” the little voice declares, and the expression on Admiral Kazansky’s face is a little challenging, like he’s somehow daring Jake to cross the threshold and join said family. He reaches for his mug and does a little toast.

            Challenge accepted.

…         …         …

            “Actually, about that… Mav’s in the dark about us. I thought we could have some fun.”

            “I have some ideas,” Ice signs, typing it in at the same time for Jake’s sake.

            They sit and talk for a while, eating, and Jake slowly relaxes, although Bradley notes he doesn’t call Ice anything at all, and certainly not Tom. That’s fine, he’ll get there. He does make Ice chuckle silently a couple of times and it makes Bradley feel bubbly inside, that they’re getting on so well. They’re finished, and there’s a little left over for a snack later, and Bradley reaches for his phone.

            “Okay, let me make this call…” Bradley says, putting his phone on speaker so Jake and Ice will be able to hear as well.

            “Hey Mav…”

            “Bradley! What are you up to?”

            “Just having brunch actually, wanted to make sure dinner was still happening tomorrow night.”

            “Tomorrow is Sunday, and we do dinner every Sunday… so yes, Bradley. Dinner is still happening. I’ve actually invited a few friends. People I want you to meet.”

            “Really?” Bradley asks, raising his eyebrows at both Ice and Jake across the table. Ice is shaking his head.

            “Yep, really think you’ll get on with one of them in particular…”

            “Uh… this another set-up Mav?”

            “Hmm. And if it is?”

            “Well, might make it a bit awkward with me wanting to bring my boyfriend.”

            “What. Since when? Why haven’t I heard about this?”

            “Because you’re the biggest busybody and gossip I know? You usually ring them up to introduce yourself and in the process scare them away?”

            “That was only one time! And I saw you on Sunday! And again on Tuesday! How have you got a boyfriend since then? It’s only been four days!”

            “What can I say, when I know I know. We’ll bring dessert. How many people are going to be there?”

            “Uh, just… eight if I count this mysterious boyfriend. Do I know him? What’s his name? Have I met him?”

            “Eight? Wow. Was it going to be a like a speed dating situation?”

            “No! I just… it’s us three and your plus one. And some of the Dagger Squad.”

            That has Jake’s attention, his eyes wide as he looks between Bradley and Ice, expression clearly wanting Bradley to ask who.

            “Let me guess, you’ve invited Jake. Who else?”

            Mav sighs over the phone and Bradley has to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.

            “Coyote, Phoenix and Bob.”

            Bradley looks to Jake and he knows those names are going to mean a hell of a lot more to him than they do to Bradley.

            “Great, okay.”

            “And your young man’s name?”

            “You’ll find out tomorrow. Patience. Thanks Mav, I’ll bring enough brownie for eight.”

            He quickly ends the call before Mav can get another word in and turns his phone off, not wanting the notifications. He knows all the people he cares about are safe so has no reason to have it on.

            “Okay. Step one is done.”

            Ice grins and Bradley grins back. Then Ice makes a shooing gesture toward the bedroom and Bradley rolls his eyes, throws back a yeah yeah gesture because it’s apparently grilling time. He doesn’t know why Ice expects him to leave the room, he’s totally going to listen in from around the corner. Of course Ice seems to be on to him, he can hear the chairs scraping back and the table being cleared. He has to strain to hear over the running water, fortunately the little electronic tablet is nice and clear.

            “Thank you for making him happier. He is happy. Full life. Many friends. Loves his job. You can add to all of that.”

            He can’t hear what Jake says in reply and he knows Ice must be typing out his reply, the words conveying meaning without being full sentences.

            “There is no try.”

            “Sure thing Yoda. You a secret Star Wars geek or something?”

            “Not secret.”

            Jake’s laugh is beautiful and Bradley grins to himself.

            “Tell your friends. Serves Mav right.”

            “Excuse me sir? You mean, I have your permission to tell Coyote, Phoenix and Bob who you are? And your relationship with Maverick?”

            “Yes. Already gave to Mav. Now you too. Good for Mav be in dark for once.”

PART 9

[poisonousquinzel]

As we've entered into the 2024 election year, I Beg you all that feel disappointment and rage at the disgraceful excuses for politicians we have in the US rn to look into the campaign of the two women shown in this video.

Claudia de la Cruz and Karina Garcia are running for President and VP in 2024. Here's their campaign video, as I can only include 1 vid per post. And here is their website.

I implore everyone who has the ability to vote in the November US election to read up on them.

Claudia De la Cruz (Presidential Candidate) is a mother, popular educator, community organizer and theologian. Being at the nexus of many different projects, organizations and social movements, Claudia connects different groups of people to link and merge struggles together in the overarching fight for justice. Born in the South Bronx to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, she was nourished by the Black and Caribbean working class communities of the Bronx and Washington Heights in the 1980s and 90s. At an early age, she was already questioning the conditions of poverty, violence, and oppression in her neighborhood, and what she saw and experienced served as her first entry point to understanding working class consciousness. When she was 13, Claudia began her political organizing work at her home church—Iglesia Episcopal Santa Maria (later the Iglesia San Romero de Las Américas–UCC), grounding her work on principles of liberation theology. She actively participated in campaigns to free political prisoners; to get the U.S. Navy out of Vieques, Puerto Rico; to end the U.S. blockade against Cuba; for the freedom of Palestine; against police terror—to name a few. In high school, she became a peer educator, conducting workshops on reproductive health and safe sex at community hubs and progressive churches, particularly for youth in the Bronx. It was through this work and her experiences as a working class Black Caribbean young woman that she understood there was only one solution to our collective problems: to fight for a better future, a socialist future

-

Karina Garcia (VP Candidate) is a Chicana organizer and popular educator who has been fighting for a better world since she was 17 years old as a high school student in California. From El Barrio in New York City to the border areas of Texas, she has helped lead campaigns against landlord abuses, wage theft, and police brutality, as well as fights for reproductive justice, immigrants rights and student financial aid reform. She is a founder of the Justice Center en El Barrio in New York City and is a member of the Central Committee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Karina’s father migrated to the U.S. from Mexico when he was just 16 years old, and the will of working-class immigrants like him to survive and thrive inspired her to take on life with determination. This served her well when Karina received a full scholarship to study at Columbia University. She moved across the country by herself, knowing that she had to seize upon every opportunity to give back—a single year of tuition was the equivalent of her family's entire household income. As soon as she arrived, she joined every conceivable progressive organization on campus. She led struggles to expand financial aid for low-income students, for immigrant and worker rights, and to speak out against the Iraq war. In 2006, her activism received national attention when she led a campaign to confront and shut down the anti-immigrant fascist militia, the Minuteman Project. When Karina took a semester off to do a speaking tour in California, she met with high school and college students to keep building the movement for immigrant rights. That same year, she joined the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Graduating with a degree in Economics, Karina went on to become a New York City high school math teacher. After school, she advised a student group that protested against budget cuts, the Iraq war, police brutality and anti-immigrant laws. In 2012, she moved into a national organizing position for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice where she worked for nearly a decade training immigrant women and working-class Latina activists in New York, Texas, Virginia and Florida.

[Taken from the About The Candidates section on their website.]

Understand that despite the mainstream medias desperate attempts to make us believe that our choices are really just Biden and Trump that that is not true.

We have other options.

We have better options.

[wherethefireliliesgrow]

(10) 409 days: indigo purple

Myoui Mina x reader

Part of the series: Palette

Previous chapter: (9) 626 days: phthalo green

409 days.

Mina has been on tour for the past three months, and initially, communication between you two was going well. She would always find time to call and express how much she missed you, and even arrange virtual dates with you. However, lately, she's been forgetting to return your calls.

You knew she was busy, but it's disheartening to see that Ryujin manages to maintain consistent contact with Karina and even with you, while Mina seems to have forgotten about you. You know you're not officially dating, so you can't really hold it against her.

But these circumstances have led you to question the validity of the months you spent together. The reminder of her presence on the bed feels like a distant memory, and even the scent of her on her sweaters is fading away. Is this what love is always like? Constantly dwelling in uncertainty, questioning your worthiness for someone else's affection?

It's an anguishing thought, leaving you wondering if this is how it will always be—forever trapped in a cycle of doubt and longing, never truly knowing where you stand with the person you care about.

You chose to fully immerse yourself in work and take care of Haerin, who had been under immense stress due to her preparations for the college entrance exams. She would spend nights at cram schools and wouldn't return home until midnight. Haerin had a passion for studying arts, much like you and Karina, but her parents exerted significant control over her future. They forced her to quit her internship and enrolled her in cram schools for every subject. Witnessing Haerin constantly on the verge of exhaustion filled you with unceasing worry.You found it truly perplexing how the education system in this country placed such an enormous amount of pressure on young students, expecting them to have their entire lives planned out by the age of 17.

Which was why, you and your team borrowed the studio on a Saturday morning at eight am. Together, you were decorating the room with balloons, preparing a surprise birthday party for the younger girl. She had been feeling under the weather for quite some time, and you wanted to lift her spirits. You even invited the Le Sserafim girls to join in, as you had grown closer to them in the previous months. Haerin was naturally shy and struggled to make friends at school, so you were incredibly grateful that the group had shown such patience with her. You were particularly glad that Eunchae had managed to help Haerin come out of her shell a little bit.

The party was a result of Mina's absence. She had promised Haerin to take her to Lego Land for her birthday but called three days prior to cancel. This left the younger girl extremely disappointed, and a heated argument between you and Mina ensued. The fight ended badly, with you crying and Mina hanging up the phone in frustration, resulting in absolutely no contact between the two of you for two days. However, you were accustomed to the silence; it usually took the idol four to five days to call you back anyway.

It was a good thing that Yunjin had a back up plan: a frog themed party. 

Decorated with countless frog balloons and confetti, the studio was starting to look somewhat presentable after four hours of hard work. You had left to pick up Haerin from her weekend cram school classes, which you thought was absurd to make a child go to class during the weekends, but her parents had insisted on signing her up. The younger girl hummed contently in the front seat of your car, gazing out the window at the droplets of rain on the windowpane from the soft drizzle outside.

When the elevator dinged and the doors opened to the studio floor, it was a scene of utter chaos. Before either of you could register what was happening, the lights suddenly switched on, illuminating the vibrant space. Haerin was swiftly yanked out of the elevator, greeted by a flurry of activity. A purple party hat adorned her head, and pineapple-designed sunglasses were hastily placed on her face. Without warning, she was whisked away, lifted onto Ryujin's back, and paraded around the studio in a whirlwind of excitement.

"Move out of the way, move out of the way!" Ryujin shouted, laughing at the terrified Haerin on her back. "Toddler coming through!" 

The rest of the crowd joined in with laughter and enthusiastic cheers, thoroughly enjoying the lighthearted moment. However, their amusement came to an abrupt halt when Ryujin inadvertently collided with a wall, causing her to lose her grip and drop the birthday girl onto the floor.

You were surprised to see Ryujin here,considering how packed their schedules were during the world tour.. Taking a quick survey of the room, a wave of gratitude washed over you for those who made it to celebrate Haerin's special day. The entire team was present, along with Ryujin and Yeji, the Le Sserafim girls, some of Haerin's cousins, and unexpectedly... Chaeyoung?

The presence of the TWICE member caught you off guard, and your heart skipped a beat at the possibility that Mina might have came with her. Your eyes locked with Chaeyoung's, and she offered a smile tinged with sadness, resembling more of a grimace. However, before you could approach the lone idol, warm hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you into a tight embrace from behind. The familiar and dearly missed scent of soft florals enveloped you, momentarily causing your mind to go blank.

"I missed you," Mina whispered, nuzzling her face into the back of your neck, seeking solace in your embrace.

Although the comfort of her arms felt familiar and tempting, you gently pulled away to meet her gaze.

"What are you doing here?" The memories of your previous fight echoed in your mind, causing a touch of coldness to seep into your voice.

Mina's expression fell, recognizing the bitterness in your tone. She was well aware of the hurtful words she had uttered during that argument, words she didn't truly mean.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to see you and Haerin," she confessed, her head hanging low as guilt washed over her entire being.

"Do you?" you questioned, a mix of annoyance and lingering affection playing within your heart. "You mentioned how I was too 'clingy,' if I recall correctly."

Mina vehemently shook her head, interjecting before you could finish, and pulled you into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry I said that. I didn't mean it. I was just stressed."

You relented, deciding to let this go for now because you wanted to keep the mood happy for Haerin’s sake.

"We'll talk later," you murmured, placing a soft kiss on her forehead as a symbol of reconciliation.

The brunette idol lingered around you for the remainder of the time, but it was evident that she wasn't fully engaged with her surroundings or attentive to your conversation. She kept checking her phone every ten minutes, which annoyed you since she wasn't typically someone who relied heavily on technology unless it involved gaming. Despite feeling irritated, you refrained from pressing her on it, you knew that she was probably busy with work. Pushing your doubt and suspicion to the back of your mind, you tried to appreciate that she at least tried to make an effort in coming here. 

As you and Haerin gathered her presents onto the table, Yunjin suddenly embraced both of you, her energetic voice ringing in your ears.

"Hello, my favorite girls!" she singonged with enthusiasm, almost deafening you. "Are you ready for cake?"

Haerin's eyes lit up instantly, causing her to drop the boxes she was holding and nod eagerly.

"Love the attitude," Yunjin chuckled, flashing her infectious smile as she affectionately patted Haerin's head. "I got a froggy-designed cake for our froggy princess."

Before you could respond, an icy voice cut through the air from behind you.

"Who's this?" Mina's gaze bore into Yunjin's arm that was wrapped around your shoulder, prompting the American to quickly retract her hands.

"Mina, this is Yunjin," you sighed, fully aware that an argument was about to erupt.

Yunjin immediately bowed out of respect. "Annyeonghaseyo, Mina sunbaenim."

Mina gave a dismissive nod, her narrowed eyes and tight lips revealing her displeasure.

"I didn't know you two were so close," her tone was sharp, laced with accusation.

You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath. This argument had arisen multiple times during your phone calls. You couldn't understand why Mina was so defensive towards Yunjin, and despite your efforts to reassure her, she continued to harbor doubts.

Sensing the tension, Haerin swiftly chimed in, attempting to lighten the mood. 

"Yunjin unnie helps Eunchae and I with our English homework sometimes.”

Yunjin nodded in agreement, offering a gentle smile in an effort to ease the tension.

"I'll go get the cake," Yunjin quickly bowed again and started guiding Haerin toward the kitchen. "It was nice meeting you, Mina sunbaenim."

"Same to you, Yoo-jin," Mina replied coolly.

The brunette idol continued to glare daggers at Yunjin's retreating figure, her eyes filled with animosity.

"Seriously, Mina?" you raised your voice. "That was uncalled for."

"What?" Mina retorted.

"You know her name perfectly well," you responded sharply.

"Well, you seem to know her a bit too well," Mina shot back, her brown eyes burning with anger.

"Are you implying that I'm cheating?" you scoffed.

"I don't know. Are you?" Mina challenged.

You rubbed your forehead in frustration. It pained you to be accused of such a thing, especially when she was the one who never bothered to answer your calls. The ease with which she threw accusations at you without much thought hurt your heart. It was never that simple for Waywards—the bond they shared with their soulmates was unbreakable, and the idea of being with someone else was nearly inconceivable.

"Are you even considering what you're saying right now?" you asked, trying to contain your frustration.

"It's fine. We're not together anyway. Do whatever you want," Mina responded coldly.

You were shocked and stunned by her comment, standing in silence as you looked at the girl you had poured your heart into. Mina refused to back down, but you could see instant regret in her eyes for what she had said. In the midst of the silence, Chaeyoung suddenly appeared, gently pulling you away from Mina by the wrist.

"Let's not do this here. It's Haerin's big day today; let's not ruin it," the messy blonde said, offering you her familiar crooked smile, tinged with sadness in her eyes.

You nodded, softly squeezing Chaeyoung's hand before making your way to the kitchen to help Yunjin and Haerin, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes.

Though she appeared composed, Chaeyoung was seething with anger. She gestured for her fellow brunette band member to follow her outside.

"You better make up your mind, Mina. Or you'll end up losing everything," Chaeyoung warned sternly.

Mina lowered her head in defeat. "I don't know what to do," she sighed. "There's too much at stake on both sides."

"She deserves better than this. I can see how you treat her," Chaeyoung asserted. She had always been the voice of reason, but she had grown tired of the hot and cold treatment Mina was subjecting you to. She had witnessed your relationship flourish and wither away in a matter of months, and she was determined not to let Mina hurt you, whether they were bandmates or not. "Just tell her the truth."

Mina blinked slowly, her mind racing as she desperately searched for a way out of the situation she had gotten herself into.

Shaking her head at the brooding brunette, Chaeyoung had a sinking feeling that Mina was about to make a foolish decision. But as a friend, the only thing she could do was offer her advice. 

The remainder of the party went smoothly, although Mina's attempts to catch your eye were in vain. She wanted to apologize for her rude behavior, knowing full well how deeply she had hurt you today and for the past three months with her indecisiveness.

The image of you throwing your head back in laughter at something Yunjin said pierced Mina's heart like knives. It served as a painful reminder that she was the reason you no longer laughed with her, always settling for silence and anger instead. She couldn't help but feel jealous, but she also recognized that she had no right to express this, especially considering what she would have to do in the future.

.

.

.

.

Finally, the party came to an end at five, and after a quick clean-up of the studio, you were ready to take Haerin to dinner and call it a day. In order to avoid encountering Mina, you swiftly loaded Haerin's gifts into your car. Despite longing to speak with the idol after all these months, you were not in the mood to engage with her, and you noticed her and Chaeyoung lingering behind, hoping to catch your attention.

Before you could close the trunk of your car, Mina and Chaeyoung appeared beside you, startling you.

"Hey, birthday girl," Chaeyoung called out to the younger blonde. "Are you free tonight?"

Haerin looked at them with confusion, then glanced at you, to which you simply shrugged.

"I thought you had a concert tomorrow," Haerin responded, a hint of disappointment still lingering in her voice.

"We'll fly back tomorrow morning, don't worry," Mina reassured her. "Would you like to go to the carnival with me? I want to make up for our canceled Lego Land trip."

Haerin's ears perked up at the mention of the carnival, as she loved going there for the games. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, taking Mina's outstretched hand.

Satisfied with the apology, Haerin bounded over for a hug. As you stood there, a pang of envy washed over you. It seemed so effortless for them to resolve their issues, while with you and Mina, it was always a tumultuous cycle of heated arguments and icy silence. You no longer understood the idol, and you couldn't help but feel that she no longer needed you.

Sighing, you closed the trunk of your car and directed your words to Chaeyoung and Mina (more like to only Chaeyoung because you refused to look at Mina), “Please have her back by 10, she has classes tomorrow.”

Mina's disappointment was evident in her shining eyes as she asked, "You're not coming?"

You shook your head, firmly stating, "I have something to do."

"Jagi..." Mina's voice softened as she cautiously inched closer to you, as if approaching a wild animal that might startle at any moment.

Your heart lurched at her touch on your skin, and you closed your eyes trying not to give in. She always managed to get away with things if it’s to you. The idea of making her sad or disappointed would physically hurt your heart. You had started to notice tihs toxic cycle of Mina being so cold to you for days on end or saying something she knew would hurt you, but then would suddenly be so caring and soft. It was a never ending cycle that you couldnt bring yourself to leave, so you prayed that things would change for the better instead. 

As expected, with a gentle kiss to your temple and a few pleading words, Mina had you wrapped around her finger. Before you knew it, you found yourself sitting in the passenger seat of Mina's car, en route to the carnival near the Han River.

.

.

.

.

The short few hours there were fun, although you hated to admit it. Mina and Chaeyoung had gone on every ride Haerin asked them to accompany her on. You subtly acknowledged Mina's determination, even though she looked sick after getting off each ride, yet she always said yes to the next one.

With your hands full of the stuffed animals that the Twice members had spent a considerable amount of money on to win for Haerin (honestly, they were so bad at the baseball throwing that you thought buying them directly from the vendors would've been cheaper), you waited in line with Chaeyoung for the final ride of the night—the Ferris wheel. Meanwhile, Mina took Haerin to get a final round of ice cream.

Chaeyoung stood silently next to you, and an air of awkwardness lingered between the two of you throughout the night. You sensed that she had something to say but was hesitant to bring it up. 

"I know you have something you want to tell me, Chae," you said, determined to address it one final time. With just the two of you, Chaeyoung appeared slightly less nervous. 

The fellow blonde met your gaze, and for a fleeting moment, you saw guilt flash in her eyes.

"You know you can tell me anything," you said softly, hoping to encourage her to share the thoughts that had been eating her alive all day. 

Chaeyoung sighed, offering you a sad smile that lacked her usual dimples. "It's not my place to say," she replied cryptically, leaving you even more curious and worried.

"At least let me know what I can do to ease your mind," you insisted, prioritizing her feelings over your curiosity about what was going on in her mind. 

But before Chaeyoung could open her mouth to reply, Haerin and Mina came running back. Mina positioned herself between you and Chaeyoung, wrapping her arm around your shoulder, while Haerin excitedly talked about the schools she wanted to apply to. You couldn't help but notice the warning look Mina gave to Chaeyoung, and you certainly didn't miss the anger on Chaeyoung's face when Mina became distracted in the middle of the conversation, briefly glancing at her phone to send a few texts.

You were deeply in love with Mina, but you were not oblivious.  Mina was definitely hiding something from you.  

The ferris wheel was small, and the four of you split into two to ride. Mina tightly grasped your hand as you pulled her into the glass cart, knowing her fear of heights.Facing each other with your legs tightly wedged in the limited space, you couldn't help but gaze at Mina's angelic face. Her soft features, wavy brown hair, and the simple white blouse paired with a leather jacket showcased her effortless beauty. Yet, beneath it all, a sinking feeling in your heart warned you that this angelic facade might be your downfall.

"Look, fireworks," Mina whispered in awe, her gaze fixed on the glass windows. The fireworks illuminated the dark night sky, casting vibrant colors on both of your faces.

For a few fleeting seconds at the peak of the ferris wheel, time seemed to stand still. You memorized the sight of Mina, awestruck and illuminated by the colorful fireworks. The indigo glow from the fireworks painted her profile, accentuating the sparkle in her eyes.  It was a breathtaking moment, but like life, it couldn't last forever.

As the ferris wheel descended, Mina's phone lit up, resting on her lap. Your curiosity got the better of you, and you glanced at the screen, immediately regretting your decision. There, under an indigo heart emoji,  a message read, "When are you coming back? I miss you."

You looked away, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes. 

You didn't say anything as Mina drove you and Haerin home, nor did you comment on the new expensive watch now adorning Mina's wrist, perfectly concealing her tattoo. You remained silent, hoping to hold onto her for a little longer.

When she gave you a goodbye kiss, you said nothing, simply closing your eyes and savoring the feel of her soft lips on yours.

The image of her face, filled with wonder and illuminated by the indigo purple fireworks, replayed in your mind, intertwining with your bittersweet emotions.

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This chapter is a bit longer to make up for my late updates!! Thank you for your patience :)

[bullet-prooflove]

StolenMoments!Series - Part Three: Yours - Vostanik Sabatino x Reader (NSFW)

Tagging: @kmc1989 @novamariestark @words-and-seeds

It’s in the late hours of the evening on Christmas Day that you make it back to base. You’ve been out in the wild since the early hours of the morning, meeting with community leaders from the villages you’d supported in the past, re-establishing connections. The reception is positive for the most part, you meet a few roadblocks but nothing that escalates to a point you can’t manage.

When you climb out the Hum-Vee you’re tired, aching and filthy. It’s been a while since you’ve carried this much equipment on your person, it’s something you’re still getting used to.

Sabatino’s in the kitchen when you step through the door. A heavenly scent assails you, your stomach rumbling as you strip off your equipment and jacket before hanging it in your cubby. The two of you have barely seen each other over the last few days, with your trips off site and his attempt at tracking a group of insurgents. You know he’s around though when his heated blanket appears folded neatly on your bunk after the generator goes out. The nights get cold here and your appreciative of the gesture.

“That smells amazing.” You tell him, shaking the sand out of your hair and he gives you that smile, the one that makes your heartbeat just a little faster in your chest.

“I’m more than just a pretty face.” He says as you step into the kitchen to survey his work. “It’ll be ready in thirty.”

“Just let me get washed up first then I’m all yours.” You say before disappearing into the bathroom.

All yours…

He has to admit, he likes the thought of it. The two of you never made that date in L.A but he’s hoping not to miss his moment here in Afghanistan.

He sets the battery powered camping light in the centre of the table before turning the mains off. It casts a pretty dulcet glow across the table, illuminating the space. The ‘plates’ you’re eating from are trays, the ‘turkey’ is actually bearded vulture and the wine is from a box someone bought over for New Years, but he’s done his best with the tools he has at hand.

When you step out of the bathroom, he still thinks you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. You’re clad in leggings and an oversized jumper with thick woollen socks pulled over your feet. Your damp hair falls loose across your features.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” You tell him, gesturing at the meal as you take the seat across from him.

“Nah. Just a man trying to impress the girl he likes.” He says, a small smile playing across his lips.

The conversation flows from there. You learn that his mother was Armenian, she met his Italian father as a student in the US. They both loved to cook, a trait that was passed down to their son. At weekends his father would take him camping, teach him how to live off the land, skills he’s utilises throughout his career, although he prefers the comforts of an urban landscape these days.

“Nothing beats a hot shower and a comfortable bed.” He tells you.

In turn he learns that you enlisted in the Army straight out of high school as a way to pay for college. You have a degree in criminal justice and became a member of the military police, serving two tours in Afghanistan before you put in your papers and began working in humanitarian services.

“A lot of the people I met with today are girls I’ve helped over the years, women who’ve stepped into the role of community leaders.” You confide in him, sipping from a beaker filled with wine. “Some were child brides, others trafficked, or dishonoured. I was part of a network that rescued girls from abusive situations, educated them, gave them prospects.”

It’s the first inkling he has that the work you had done with the villages in the region was actually clandestine. They’re relocation spots he realises, homes for people who couldn’t return to their families for fear of being killed or punished. He understands now why it had to be you that came to Afghanistan, the unique position you were in to help.

“You saved them, so they trust you.” He remarks quietly as the pieces fall into place.

“It’s more than that.” You say with a sad smile. “I saw some horrific shit as an MP, the stuff some of our soldiers got away...”

You trail off with a bitter taste in your mouth. He knows what you’re talking about. Out here it’s lawless, and if you’re of the right disposition it’s an excellent hunting ground for the weak and the vulnerable.

“I got a rep for taking on those cases, the ones where civilians accused our guys. They started to see me as someone who would hold others accountable.” You say leaning back in your chair, cradling the glass of wine to your chest. “It was recommended that I didn’t reenlist when the time came, that it would be bad for my health.”

It’s a thinly veiled threat, one that tastes of violence, and it infuriates him because you shouldn’t have had to give up a job that was worth doing in order to protect yourself from the very organisation you were policing.

He’s still thinking about it when he walks you to your room that night. How brave you were taking those men to task for their crimes, for stepping into a role that put a target on your back. He knows there’s more you’re not telling him, that when you’re ready you’ll disclose the rest of it. He can wait, he isn’t going anywhere.

He intends to say goodnight, to go back to his bunk, listen to a true crime podcast the same way he has all other nights however there’s a look in your eyes as you linger in the doorway.

When you kiss him, it’s nothing more than a light brush of the lips but it ignites something inside of him. His thumb chases along the line of your jaw, his palm coming to rest on the nape of your neck.

“Take me to bed Nik.” You whisper against his lips, and he smiles as he closes the door behind him.

He makes love to you on the floor of your bunkroom, the blankets from the other rigs laid out across the ground, cushioning it. Each bunk is single person, meant to discourage fraternization and Sabatino he likes to have space to work. He takes his time with you, stealing greedy kisses from your mouth as he undresses you slowly, removing each layer as if he’s carefully unwrapping a gift.

That’s how he sees you, something precious, to be cared for, revered. His lips chase over your skin, mapping out all of those sensual little areas, the ones that make you say his name. He commits each and every one of them to memory.

God, the noises you make, it’s enough to drive any man to madness.

You taste like God damn sunshine when he gets his mouth on you. He licks up that sweet honey like it’s a feast, his tongue tracing over your clit before he thrusts his tongue into your needy cunt making your hips arch and you head tip back into the pillow.

You look so fucking beautiful when you come, that pretty pink flush creeping across your skin in the throes of rapture. He kisses his way back up your body, his skilled palms caressing your curves as he slots between your legs. The tip of his cock brushes over wetness, smearing the head of it with your slick. He positions himself, right there at your entrance waiting.

If you want him, you have him, but he's got to hear it before he takes this any further.

“Nik, please.” You whisper against his lips. “I need you.”

It’s been along time since anyone has said those words to him.

He sinks into you slowly, his mouth covering yours, stifling that gorgeous little moan as he fills you completely. Christ, he almost loses his fucking mind because this, it’s absolutely perfect, you are absolutely perfect. Your thighs tighten around his hips as he moves in long, punctuated thrusts that rake over that deviant little spot inside of you, the one that has you keening for him. His fingers entwine with yours and your breathing hitches just a little because the intimacy of that, it heightens everything.

It's never been like this for him, he’s never felt so connected to another human being. You bite his lower lip when you come, and he fucking loses it. You grip him like you were made for him, wringing the ecstasy right out of his body as he spills his release inside of you. Still, he isn’t satisfied, he fucks it deeper because he’s a territorial son of a bitch, and you need to know you’re his.

You kiss him in that moment, moaning into his mouth and he realises you need it just as much as he does.

“Oh, you like that.” He whispers, his thumb ghosting over the curve of your cheek as he looks into your eyes.

“I do.” You tells him, your fingertips trailing along the scars that line his back. “It makes me feel like I’m yours.”

“You are mine.” He says resolutely, his lips brushing over yours. “It doesn’t matter where in the world we are; you’ll always be mine.”

Love Nik? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[lcmmt91]

Christián Chávez, Mexican actor and singer who was extorted with his sexuality.

First of all I apologize if my English is not that good, because although I understand the language it is not because I have studied it, it is because of all the fics I have read lol

Christian Chávez is a Mexican singer and actor known for his participation in the successful television series "Rebelde" and for being a member of the musical group RBD. If you are not from Latin America, it is certain that you do not know them, but RBD is one of the most important groups in Latin pop culture in the 2000s despite its short transition in the music scene, said cultural phenomenon that led to the soap opera "Rebelde".

Christian Chávez rose to fame in 2004 when he played the role of "Giovanni Méndez López" in the Mexican soap opera "Rebelde." The soap opera became an international phenomenon and spawned the musical group RBD, in which Chávez played an important role as a vocalist. RBD became a very successful group in Latin America and other parts of the world, releasing numerous albums and popular singles.

"Rebelde" influenced the fashion and style of the youth of the time. Characters in the series had distinctive fashion styles that fans would want to emulate, from clothing to makeup. The aesthetics of "Rebelde" became a fashion reference in many places. The series and its music also influenced Education: The series addressed topics relevant to young people, such as friendship, love, rebellion and the challenges of adolescence. Additionally, he promoted the importance of education. The use of school uniforms in the plot also influenced the way fashion and education were perceived in some places.

We return to 2023, the year in which Christián Chávez, together with his RBD colleagues, will return to the stage, thanks to the extensive concert tour that the group announced a few months ago. For Chávez it will be a special moment, well, if it will be the first to do it as himself.

For years, the singer filled stadiums as part of the popular band, however, he could never truly feel free, since, at that time, he kept his sexual orientation private. But in 2007 he was forced to come out of the closet, after some photographs of his wedding were leaked, it is one of the lowest moments on Mexican television. But before telling you about the terrifying experience that Chávez experienced, I give you context of the story:

RBD, the musical group that was formed from the successful telenovela "Rebelde," had a close relationship with Televisa, the media company that produced the series. Here is a summary of the history of RBD and its relationship with Televisa:

Formation of RBD: RBD originated as part of the Mexican soap opera "Rebelde", which aired from 2004 to 2006. The soap opera was produced by Televisa and followed the story of a group of young students at an elite school. The actors who played the main characters in the series also formed the musical group RBD.

International Success: RBD quickly became an international phenomenon. The group's music, which combined pop and Latin music, attracted a wide Spanish-speaking audience around the world. Their albums, singles, and concert tours were hugely successful, and they became one of the most popular pop bands in Latin America.

Relationship with Televisa: During RBD's years of success, the group maintained a close relationship with Televisa. The company promoted the group's music and projects through its media platform, which contributed significantly to RBD's popularity.

Televisa, officially known as Grupo Televisa, is one of the largest Spanish-speaking media companies in the world. Founded in 1955, Televisa is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. The company operates in various sectors of the media industry, including broadcast television, pay television, content production, radio, music, film and telecommunications. Regarding their ability to "block" actors, it is important to understand that media companies, such as Televisa, have significant power in the entertainment industry due to their influence and resources. This can translate into the ability to influence the careers of actors, presenters and other talent. Televisa, in particular, has been known for being one of the leading producers of soap operas and entertainment programs in Latin America. Actors who work in soap operas and Televisa programs often gain great visibility and popularity in the region. As a result, Televisa can have an important influence on the careers of actors who collaborate with the company.

Now that you have context, let's go back to Christian. Christian said in an interview in 2022 that he already had a husband when he joined RBD, but he had not yet 'come out of the closet', and Televisa found out because they wanted to extort the company with photos of his wedding.

Christian: "My producer called me and said, 'Hey, are you married?' And I was like, 'Oh, why? 'Someone got the photos (of your wedding) and they're trying to blackmail Televisa.' At that time, we were at the top and there were a lot of kids going to the concerts and following us. Then he said: 'This is it. Televisa wants to deny everything,'" he recalled in an interview. Christian did not agree, so, not yet ready to open this part of his life to the public, he wrote a letter in which he talked about love and being the people we really are, although he explained that he does not use the word gay, because he was afraid that this could affect his career.

"It was very difficult for me because I was only 23 years old and I didn't have any guidance. There was Ricky Martin, but he hadn't come out (of the closet) yet. I didn't know how to (handle it), especially because they forced me to do it and I wasn't ready." .

Luckily, his fans took the news very well, but the television station executives did not think the same, they even took away the lead role in an important project, because it would no longer be "credible" to the public. With few opportunities in acting, Christian turned to music, where he experienced something similar.

With his career completely stagnant, the singer was plunged into a deep depression that led him to try to take his life: "I was so depressed and so destroyed at that moment. I thought that was it. I tried to commit suicide and there was a moment in my life that I could say that I lost everything. I had no money. It was a joke for the media. I hated myself," he added.

RBD ended because they were fed up with Televisa

Among the revelations that the singer made was that all the protagonists of RBD signed a contract before starting, but they never imagined the great success that the soap opera and the group would have, as they even filled the Los Angeles Coliseum.

All of them continued to earn the same, unlike what happens for example in the United States, and he made the comparison with "Friends", whose protagonists were earning more as the series became more successful.

"That's why the group ended, because we were already fed up," he said.

@daisiesonafield-blog @twopoppies @awesomefringey @skepticalarrie @bluewinnerangel

[jules-has-notes]

2018 VoicePlay fall activities — maintenance, music, and merriment

Heading into the end of the year, VoicePlay gradually ramped up their schedule until they were running at a decent clip for the holiday season.

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Say cheese!

It had been nearly two years since they'd taken their previous set of promo photos, and enough had changed — Earl's lush beard, Geoff's longer hair — that the boys decided it was time for some new ones.

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On the following Saturday, J.None and his Paradigm pals teamed up with the Push Love Productions folks (including a future familiar face) for a "Come Out with Pride" event at Lake Eola Park. They performed both before and after the parade.

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The next week the SoJam A Cappella Festival released a promo video for their upcoming event featuring VoicePlay.

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A post shared by SoJam A Cappella Festival (@sojamfestival)

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Over the weekend, J.None performed at a "night of spoken word and comedy" for the Pipol Angels Foundation, which provides funding for arts and education both locally and overseas. (Previous projects had provided new backpacks and school uniforms to students in the Orlando area, and helped a school in Trinidad build an additional classroom for its growing student population.)

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A post shared by Pipiol Angels Foundation Inc. (@pipiolangelsfoundation)

J.None rehearsing "No Role Modelz" by J. Cole with the band a few days before the fundraiser

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Ready for their close-ups

A few days after that, VoicePlay convened at a local studio to film their laid back video for "Thinkin Bout You".

When you show up for book club, but a slow jam breaks out.

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As the end of the month approached, Layne and Tony gathered a cadre of lovely ladies for the first episode of their new Princess Academy series.

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Sing for me!

The first weekend of November took VoicePlay to North Carolina for the SoJam A Cappella Festival. The attendees consisted of high school and collegiate groups, including two young groups from Winter Park, and three groups from the University of Central Florida (Layne and Eli's alma mater) who swept the top spots in the competition portion.

The guys spent Saturday afternoon leading a workshop on the business of singing for a living, and a masterclass for some of the competitors. Then they headlined the evening concert, with local openers Transit Vocal Band.

In addition to performing and doing educational outreach, VoicePlay also got to see some old friends. Alfredo Austin from The Exchange was doing coaching sessions. Max Herskovitz, who had subbed for Layne several times, was leading workshops for the kids. Singer and sound engineer Tony Huerta was running the show in his role as CASA president.

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When they got back home, the boys headed to the studio for their next music video, a dramatic medley of Queen songs.

Then they spent a couple weeks finishing off projects in progress, working on upcoming ones, and polishing their setlist for their Warm Up holiday tour.

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Holiday ro-o-o-o-oad

Since the Disney World residency for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party had passed to their pals in The Edge Effect, VoicePlay was free to embark on a slightly more relaxed holiday tour for the final month of the year. They traded a location close to home and four sets per night for just nine longer shows at a variety of venues across the country.

The first leg of their travels was a jaunt out west to Alto, New Mexico (via El Paso, Texas). As the name of the town suggests, it's quite high in the mountains, which can present a challenge when your job involves moving lots of air in and out of your lungs. Earl noted on Twitter that "7200ft above sea level was a real thing!"

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When they got home, they continued the holiday spirit by filming their video for "This Christmas". It was the last remaining track on the "Warm Up" EP to get the visual treatment.

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The next weekend the tour continued with a loop through the Midwest. The boys started in Findlay, Ohio, scooted up to Traverse City, Michigan, then hopped over to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Back at home, they got into a bit of a pickle for a festive Mission Impossible tie-in video. (Luckily, they didn't get blown up this time.)

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The following week's tour dates were slightly more spread out. Saturday took the guys to Kilmarnock, Virginia. The next day, they scooted down to Newnan, Georgia, where they got to see their artist pal Leon King, who had drawn their adorable avatars for the pre-show spiel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leon King 🦁 (@leekiings)

meet and greet in Newnan, GA — photos by Dawn Ortiz

Then they took a leisurely drive up to Waleska, Georgia before heading home. (Eli made some similarly hatted friends on the flight.)

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Once they were back in Florida, they headed over to Kissimmee for a show at the Gaylord Palms resort. Because they were so close to home, some of their families came along.

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They capped off their travels with a quick trip to a suburb of Chicago.

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And to all a good night

Once they were finished spreading holiday cheer to others, the guys took some time at home with their own loved ones.

Then Earl got a head start on his New Year's resolutions by hitting the gym for a leg day workout.

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With a couple weeks to rest, the guys prepared to hit the ground running in the new year. But that's a tale for another post.