#emergency blankets walmart

[turonzamin]

Ifak Trauma Kit, 74 Piece Upgrade Tactical First Aid Supplies, Molle Ifak Pouch Rip Away Refill Supplies for Survival Camping Hiking Travel (Black)

Price: (as of – Details) From the brand TACTICAL MOLLE IFAK POUCH TACTICAL MOLLE POUCH CAR SEAT ORGANIZER TACTICAL IFAK KIT TACTICAL TOURNIQUET IFAK KIT MOLLE POUCH BAG DOG & DUMP & SLING BAG Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.69 x 7.48 x 4.21 inches; 1.1 Pounds Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2021 Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ VIIDOO ASIN ‏ : ‎ B099RVLD5H ☺PRACTICAL FIRST AID KIT CAMPING: Our first aid…

[floridaboiler]

Banned from Walmart

Dear Mrs. Woolf,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Woolf, are listed below and are "documented by our video surveillance cameras":

1. June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5- minute intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted in management getting involved causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to reserve a bag of chips.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers they could come in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department - to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' Emergency Medics were called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose. 10. September

10: While handling guns in the Sports department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the Store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 22: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed the fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!

15. Took a box of condoms to the checkout clerk and asked where the fitting room was. And last, but not least:

16. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the Staff passed out.

[mousedetective]

Homeless Family In Dire Need

So an update: we are no longer staying in motels. We are, however, the newest people to get into the Encinitas Safe Parking Program, so we have a safe space to park at night with security, bathrooms, and access to a microwave and snacks from 6 to 9:30, plus case management to help us find housing. So this is really good. Last night was our night there, and we'll make it work with some adjustments.

However, after we left this morning to go to Walmart to pick up medication, our car battery died, as did all three of our cell phones. The guy who jumped our battery from AAA said we need to get a new battery as soon as possible, which is around $200, and we need a portable charger so that if an emergency strikes we can still charge our phones.

We are also trying to get a van, which will give all three of us some breathing room and give us more space to store clothing, blankets and cat supplies. Most of the ones I've seen on Craiglist and Facebook are around $1,500.

I'm setting the goal at $1,750 so I can get the battery and charger now and work on saving up for the van later. Any help or reblogs are greatly appreciated.

I also have Ca$happ and Venm0 as well. Just message me for the info.

[borahaerhy]

BTS While High - Headcanons

While my inbox is filled with unwritten requests and the latest chapter of my WIP is in dire need of some heavy editing, I decided the best use of my time is to write my headcanons for the members after smoking some devil's lettuce in honor of 4/20.

Happy 4/20 everybody, I hope you enjoy :)

It does get slightly horny at times, so viewer discretion is advised. Also if you want me to do anymore headcanons, just lmk, I love doing these.

Jin

Chaos

Laughing at everything that's happening

To the point he's falling over

Trying to make jokes

But he can't stop laughing long enough to actually get them out

Definitely not sitting down

He's up and moving

He's trying to make a pillow fort out of couch cushions and throw blankets

Or he needs to get everyone's attention so he can give a presentation on an idea he had 2 seconds ago and is now obviously the most genius thing he's ever come up with

Trying to go somewhere probably

"Yo, we should definitely go bowling"

or even

"Does anyone wanna go to Walmart?"

But you're not going to Walmart to go shopping or to get things

It's absolutely only to hula-hoop and chase each other around the store with children's toys

If you're in a relationship with him?

He's 100% fucking with you the most

There will be no peace

Only war

You have to be just as excited as he is

Or he will try to fight you

In a joking way obviously

But ultimately, he probably just wants you to scratch his head and play with his hair

And once you do that?

Nap time :)

Yoongi

Couch locked

Blank face, not really saying anything

If he's paying attention to whatever conversation is happening, he'd laugh if something was funny

But chances are

He's zoned out and has no idea what anyone's saying

But that's only for the first 20 minutes or so

After that

He's overcome with affection

He's just looking around at everyone

And is so overwhelmed with love

The sappy little bitch

Definitely pretending he isn't tho

But the second anyone says they need anything

He's on it

You want a snack?

He'll go find one

Would definitely cook you dinner

Need a blanket?

Done

Do you need someone to hold your hand?

There is literally nothing that will stop him from holding your hand

And that goes for anyone he cares about

But especially his significant other

If you two were dating

You could make literally any request

And as long as it was physically possible for him to do it

It's done

Especially is it involves affection

Tbh just hold his hand when he's high, that's literally all he wants

Hoseok

Honestly?

The most normal out of all of them

This is not his first rodeo

He's very calm

It's business as usual for him

But is 100% very interested in everyone else's antics

He's listening to the jokes

He's paying attention to the one (probably Namjoon) going on about life's greatest mysteries

If someone's panicking

He's on it immediately

He'd notice quickly and try to help them in whatever way he could

Tell them that everything's gonna be okay

And that they probably just need a snack

And would immediately make them a snack

Wouldn't leave them alone until he was sure that they were okay

If you're dating

He's very chill on the outside

Especially if other people are there

But you're sitting next to him

And his hand is on your thigh

He's very subtle about it

But he's doing anything he can to drive you absolutely insane

Would 100% leave in the middle of a conversation with the guys to go find a bedroom with you

Then emerge an hour later

Hair messed up and wearing different clothes

And have absolutely no shame

Namjoon

Very casual while smoking

Carrying on in normal conversation

But when it hits him

He's gonna go quiet for a minute

Then launch into a monologue

About what?

Who knows

Could be anything

The meaning of the universe

How much he absolutely loves army's

His philosophical beliefs

If there's a whiteboard available he's ON IT

Idk what he's writing or why but he's definitely doing something

Probably to try to explain whatever he's monologuing about to everyone else

But

At some point

He's gonna say "I'm gonna go get a little snack"

And come back with a four-course meal

Like when I say munchies

I mean MUNCHIES

He's literally eating everything he can find

He's inhaling that shit

And if he's in a relationship

He'll honestly probably forget you're there while monologuing

But if you say something

Or he looks over at you

The biggest grin will spread across his face

And whatever he was talking about doesn't matter anymore in the slightest

You're the only thing that exists now

And in the most wholesome ways

He wants a hug

And will be giddy anytime you even look at him

Jimin

I mean this with the utmost respect

He's a thot

And he's extremely shameless about it

Flirting with everyone

Making everyone flustered

Prolonged eye contact

But everything is funny to him

Laughing at everything anyone says

Thinks Jin is absolutely hilarious

Falling over laughing so hard

Will fall out of his chair

There's just no way around it

But the shamelessness

You could dare him to do literally anything

And he'd do it

No exceptions

And if you're dating him?

I pray for you

He's like Hoseok in the way he'd drive you insane

But it's much less subtle

Like he's kissing your neck

And pulling you to sit in his lap

very territorial tbh

No one else should really be allowed to look at you

Like if it's just you with the guys, that's one thing

He trusts them

But if you guys went with Jin on his Walmart adventures

And someone looks at you for just a second too long

He will start making out with you in the middle of the bike section

And fully prepare to not be allowed out of his sight for more than a few minutes

Wants you on his arm at all times

Will wait outside the bathroom door for you to get done so he can show you off some more

Taehyung

Also couch locked

Probably in a baggy hoodie

Hood up

Slouched down as far as he can get into the couch

Eyelids low

Either completely zoned out or just listening to everyone else talk

Probably snacking on a bag of chips

No idea how though, because he definitely didn't get up to get them

But inevitably

He too will launch into a monologue

But unlike Namjoon

It wouldn't be about existential crises or how important the bees are

It's about how the birds are fake

They're definitely government drones

And the president?

100% a lizard

But is very easily distracted

If he's talking and someone interrupts him

He will not remember what he was saying at all

But doesn't mind

Because that topic of conversation is just as important

If there's an animal there, he's petting them

They're his new best friend, and literally no one else matters

But if you're dating him

He will not let you off the couch

His arms are around you and they're not going anywhere

If he's couch locked so are you

You're gonna watch this movie together

Or listen to your friends carry on conversation

But unless there's an emergency

Neither of you are getting up until tomorrow

Jungkook

A lot like Jin

Pure chaos

He's up and moving

Probably trying to pick fights with people

Just being an annoying little shit

Just so he can have an excuse to suplex someone

and he's laughing hysterically the whole time

Will do anything to avoid being serious

Would 100% go bowling and still somehow get a perfect score

But he's only doing trick shots

Like he's doing the absolute most

Will start dancing

No music playing?

That's fine, it's just the choreo to "That That"

And he's not particularly hungry

But if he starts eating

He's not stopping until he's comatose

And it doesn't matter what he's eating

It's the best thing he's ever eaten

And he will express this using his entire body

While dating you

He's trying to get you annoyed enough to swing on him

Just so he can pick you up and throw you over his shoulder

And you're not getting down anytime soon

In fact

The more you complain

The longer you're staying up there

But once he's calmed down

And you're eating

He's gonna feed you everything he eats

Because it's all just so good

And you have to experience it too

And after the food coma sets in

It's nap time

And there's no getting out of cuddling with him until he falls asleep

[fckyouiwontdowhatyoutellme]

In addition to this , some more headcannons I came up with:

- when Disturbed releases the cover of 'Sound of Silence' the Party has regular arguments about wich version of the song is better. Max, Eddie, Mike, Erica (surprisingly), Dustin and Johnathan like Disturbed's version better while Steve, Will, Robin, Nancy and Argyle like Simon & Garfunkel's version. El and Lucas like both.

- the entire party went on a camping trip once, Steve and Eddie sharing a tent & inflatable matress. Eddie was already asleep and hidden under some blankets when Steve full body flopped down on the other side of the mattress, effectively yeeting Eddie off to the ground. Eddie is still mad (not really tho)

- Hop and Steve have the inofficial nicknames 'Barbecue Dad' and 'Barbecue Dad jr.' because they sometimes have such Dad energy

- the Party has a burp off at least once a month. It started as a bet between Dustin and Mike to see who can burp more of the alphabet. Neither of them got further than D. Max got involved and got to G, after that everyone tried it at least once until Eddie burped out 'I love you' getting him disqualified for disgusting romantic behaviour. Steve tells him he's still the winner.

- Eddie makes super random noises. Sometimes involuntarily, sometimes not (sometimes its just a hiccup getting stuck in his throat). After being confused the first few times witnessing it, the Party started calling them 'Eddie noises' as explanation

- Robin and Steve talk about everything in their lives. They have no shame or secrets from the other. Sometimes they're so absorbed into a conversation that they forget about the Party being present, they've been banned from having conversations about their respective sex lives when children are present. (It lasted for a week, then the others gave up)

- all members of the Party always have lil boxes with band aids & emergency period products on them. Contents may vary from person to person

- both Eddie & Steve snore. Loudly and a lot. They're usually separated from the rest of the party during sleepovers for the sake if everyone's nerves

- Steve doesn't like his birthday very much because its a day before his mom's. When he was younger he was allowed to have his friends over but they had to be out of the house before the next day. As he got older his and his mom's birthday were celebrated together, with his parent's associates and none of his friends. It basically stopped being 'his special day' because everything was for his mother and adults. He only began to like it again when he met the Party and celebrated with them.

- Eddie does steal stuff sometimes, but only at big stores (like idk Walmart or something, you know what I mean). He does support the smaller businesses tho and has a no-stealing policy for them.

- Steve doesn't like to be called 'mom' or 'dad' by the kids. He says they already have parents and he's just their babysitter/big brother

- When Steve first kissed Eddie (while watching a movie and cuddling), Eddie pushed him away, mumbling 'don't' because he was panicking. Steve was of course a bit heartbroken, but after Eddie explaining that he did in fact like him and likes kissing him and just being super overwhelmed by everything they tried again and it was very much worth it

To be continued possibly, as soon as I got more ideas

[hournites]

Please Come Home

Rick angst / Hournite s3 angst 

~.~

Even if the fluttering in his heart was bothering him (it’s not) Rick feels perfectly fine, so Beth needs to stop calling him. He is fine. Rick’s only looked in the mirror twice since the fight. Only recoiled at his reflection the first time. It’s been a few days now, the wounds are healing. They don’t feel as tender anymore, and the puffing swelling under his eye is not as bad as it was. Rick barely feels it. The pull in his chest from his broken ribs are a steady reminder that he’s got a life to live. It doesn’t even hurt that much. It feels good to gulp in air in quick breaths that have barely ended before starting anew. His head is only a little foggy, like, he’ll forget where he was going or why he was where he was only for a few moments before a new idea drags his feet somewhere else. Rick goes home to the empty house that Matt abandoned, rummaging through thick layers of dust for some old things that used to belong to Dad to stare at. Picture frames and mementos that tug at his heart with a yearning nostalgia. Rick stares and stares at his gap-toothed smile and doesn’t ever remember feeling so happy so smashes those frames to the floor so he doesn’t have to look at it anymore. And he takes his car and drives all the way out of Blue Valley, because why hasn’t he ever done that before? He’s never wanted to stay. He used to count down the days. How long until he graduated from high school and got to escape? How long until Blue Valley was nothing but a place of the past? 

But the busy people and the meaningless faces in Civic City and then Central City does nothing for him. He doesn’t know these people and he doesn’t care for the skyscrapers that touch the sky. Rick thinks maybe it’s because he’s not close enough to the clouds, so he waits until its dark and breaks into one of the soulless corporate buildings, climbing winding steps until he’s breaking through emergency exits and staring down at the streets. 

And Rick feels nothing. 

His phone rings over and over. Rick watches it go off a few times, wondering what Beth would say if he told her where he was, but he can already picture the frown on her face, the shake of disapproval from her head. So what was the point of even picking up? 

Rick hasn’t drunk in a few months but after tripping over thin air on the sidewalk a couple of times in a row, two men steady him by the elbows and tell him to go home and sober up. He frowns in absolute puzzlement at their insistence and brushes them off, but then the vertigo that’s been catching him by surprise creeps up on him, and he’s in a public park bathroom that reeks of sewer gas wrenching his guts out like he’s been downing tequila all night. 

Rick’s okay, though. It’s just dizziness from not knowing where he is. It happens to the best of people while travelling, and besides, it’s not like he wasn’t in a fight six days ago. He probably has a concussion–Beth’s mom rattled off a list of things wrong with him but Rick honestly could not recall a single one. At night, Rick bundles up a blanket he bought from a dollar store and curls up on the backseat of the mustang, cramped foot tapping restlessly against the armrest on the door. His phone lights up the darkness in the Walmart parking lot he’s found himself in. He plays the voicemails that Beth leaves him, pressing his thumb over the keypad to save the message every time it prompts an action until the mailbox gets stuffed. It’s not that he’s homesick, he just misses her voice. And it’s not like he needs her voice, he just always wants to hear it. And it’s not like Rick can call Beth and hear her in real life, because then she’ll tell him he needs to take off the hourglass. There’s worry and concern and frustration behind her slow, careful words. Sometimes there’s a choked-up waiver in there, a cry. Rick has to stare out through the window when he hears that, training his eyes on random licence plates without blinking. Or else he’ll do the same. Or else he’ll give in and call her number. Or else he’ll wipe his face with his sleeves and drive back home. He can’t do that. Rick knows when he comes back she’d yell at him. It’s why Rick’s not coming back. 

He’s made his peace with it a while ago. He’s never going to be able to step foot into Blue Valley without giving in to the desire to pick up another fight with the Mahkents. And as much as Mahkent kid and his grandparents make his blood boil, Rick doesn’t actually want to go on a suicide mission. Rick doesn’t want to die.  

So he’ll just stay here wandering around places like a ghost.  And the heavyweight knocking around his chest will grow so familiar, it’ll be dull. It’s not even like it’s there. 

When Yolanda rings his phone, Rick picks up to tell her to stop. He hears the shock when the line connects, a sharp gasp like she’d expected it to be futile. 

“Rick? Rick! Oh my god!” 

“...Hey.” 

“Where are you?” 

“I don’t know,” he lies. It’s not like it matters. It’s just…away. It’s somewhere to be away. That’s what Rick cares about. Staying as far away, blending in with everyone else. 

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Where are you sleeping?” she rattles off one after the other, and Rick can’t keep up. When he doesn’t answer, Yolanda swears a word in Spanish under her breath. “Rick? Hello??” 

“I’m fine.” 

“You really, really need to call Beth,” Yolanda says, more serious than she really needs to be for the situation. “So much has happened since you’ve been away. She’s so worried about you. Please just let her know you’re okay.”

“I can’t,” he says with a shaking breath, not sure why his chest feels so tight. 

“Why not?” she huffs, impatient. 

“I don’t…I don’t want her to…” Panic rises to his throat. The words that fall out of his mouth run out like a water faucet, something in his brain lights up a thousand neurons, and he can’t stop, he’s making excuses why he can’t see her, why he can’t go home. “I hurt her, Yolanda?” Once he says it, there’s nothing else to think about. There’s a raw tremor in his voice that surprises him and embarrasses him and also touches him. He stares at his phone with bewilderment, as his cheeks grow wet from hot tears. What’s happening to him? Why is he crying?

“You said you were fine?”

“I am.” But he’s been telling himself that for so long he’s not sure he even knows what being fine means. 

“Okay….” Yolanda repeats, unsure. “Beth’s here. Do you wanna talk to her?” 

“What?” 

“Rick? Hey. Hi. Hi, Rick. It’s me. How are you? What’s going on?” 

He covers his mouth when he chokes on a sob, horrified at the wave of comfort and regret washing over him with just a few seconds being reunited with gentleness of her words. His hand fumbles for the hourglass around his neck, yanking on it hard to give him a rush of anything, anything to pull the awful slam of regret away from him, but all it seems to do is constrict his throat like it’s choking him.  All at once, Rick’s dizzy again, but he’s already sitting down and doesn’t know what to do. He cries, “What’s wrong with me?” 

“I know. I know. It’s okay. You’ll feel better soon, I promise. Rick, please come home.” 

Home? It hits him all at once in the middle of the off-highway Walmart parking lot, freezing and shaking with his stomach rolling with nausea, that Rick doesn’t have one –and now he’s really, truly starting to bawl.  

[dayzmae]

thought this was hilarious, I started crying with laughter. Please take a moment to read the whole thing.

😂🤦🏼‍♀️😂🤦🏼‍♀️😂

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Walmart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse.

Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Walmart

Dear Mrs. Woolf,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Woolf, are listed below and are "documented by our video surveillance cameras":

1. June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5 minute intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted in management getting involved causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to reserve a bag of chips.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers they could come in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department - to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' Emergency Medics were called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the Sports department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the Store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 22: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed the fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!

15. Took a box of condoms to the checkout clerk and asked where the fitting room was.

And last, but not least:

16. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the Staff passed out.

I wonder if I'll have to go along on many more shopping trips?

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Southern California wildfire burns so intensely that it creates its own weather (CNN) Thousands of Southern California residents were forced from their homes Saturday after an explosive wildfire grew thousands of acres in size in mere hours—and is burning so intensely that it is creating its own weather in the form of pyrocumulus clouds. These clouds can create erratic winds that push the fire outward, which is contributing to the fire’s spread. If fires burn hot enough, the clouds can produce lighting and rain, called pyrocumulonimbus. They can reach heights of 50,000 feet and generate their own systems of thunderstorms. The Line Fire, which began about 53 hours ago in San Bernardino County, has burned more than 17,237 acres—up from nearly 7,000 acres just a few hours earlier.

On the streets of a Colorado city, pregnant migrants struggle to survive (AP) She was eight months pregnant when she was forced to leave her Denver homeless shelter. It was November. Ivanni Herrera took her 4-year-old son Dylan by the hand and led him into the chilly night, dragging a suitcase containing donated clothes and blankets she’d taken from the Microtel Inn & Suites. It was one of 10 hotels where Denver has housed more than 30,000 migrants, many of them Venezuelan, over the last two years. First they walked to Walmart. There, with money she and her husband had collected from begging on the street, they bought a tent. They waited until dark to construct their new home along a busy thoroughfare in Aurora, the next town over, a suburb known for its immigrant population. That night, temperatures dipped to 32 degrees. And as she wrapped her body around her son’s to keep him warm enough that he could sleep, Ivanni Herrera cried. Over the past two years, a record number of families from Venezuela have come to the United States seeking a better life for themselves and their children. Instead, they’ve found themselves in communities roiling with conflict about how much to help the newcomers—or whether to help at all. Unable to legally work without filing expensive and complicated paperwork, some are homeless and gambling on the kindness of strangers to survive. Some have found themselves sleeping on the streets—even those who are pregnant.

Venezuela’s Presidential Contender Flees, and Hopes for Democracy Dim (NYT) The news that Edmundo González, Venezuela’s opposition candidate, had fled the country on a Spanish Air Force plane this weekend took the country, and the world, by surprise. The past year has been marked by months of repression leading up to a disputed presidential election. The vote was followed by a brutal crackdown by the authoritarian government of President Nicolás Maduro. Still, many Venezuelans held out hope that through a negotiated exit the socialist-inspired administration might step aside and let Mr. González, a soft-spoken former diplomat, assume power. His departure on Saturday narrowed that slim possibility even further. And it came as Venezuelan security forces surrounded the Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas where six top opposition leaders have been taking shelter since March.

France waves farewell to its sporting summer at the Paralympics closing ceremony (AP) This time, it really is au revoir. A summer sporting bonanza which started under pouring rain on July 26 with a remarkable opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics on the Seine River ended Sunday with the Paralympics closing ceremony at a rain-soaked Stade de France. It lowers the curtain on successful back-to-back Games that captivated fans and raised the bar high for others to follow. Good luck Los Angeles in 2028.

A mini Russia emerges in Serbia as thousands flee war (Reuters) On a sweltering summer morning in Serbia’s capital Belgrade, Vadim Morus, a professional ice skater from Russia, glides across an outdoor rink. Morus is 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from his native Moscow, but is beginning to feel at home. He fled Russia with his fiancee in 2022, part of a wave of tens of thousands who came to Serbia after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It’s a long way to come, but many chose Belgrade for its ancient cultural and religious ties to Moscow. Since war began in Ukraine in February 2022, Russians fleeing conflict, conscription or the politics of President Vladimir Putin, have established a vibrant community in Serbia, according to interviews with two dozen immigrants and local officials. While the actual number of Russians in Serbia is smaller than those who have fled to countries such as Germany, their presence is acutely felt in Belgrade, a city of less than two million people. Russian-owned clubs, kindergartens, and medical practices have sprung up. Russians buy food in Russian shops. Russian bands, singers and comedians are performing in Russian clubs, and Russian artists showcase their work in Russian-owned galleries.

Outgunned and outnumbered, Ukraine’s military is struggling with low morale and desertion (CNN) Dima never puts out a cigarette until he smokes it right down to the filter, risking burning his fingers to squeeze out one more drag. He spent years on the Ukrainian front lines. He knows the price of a good smoke. As a battalion commander, Dima was in charge of around 800 men who fought in some of the fiercest, bloodiest battles of the war—most recently near Pokrovsk, the strategic eastern town that is now on the brink of falling to Russia. But with most of his troops now dead or severely injured, Dima decided he’d had enough. He quit. He told CNN he just couldn’t handle watching his men die anymore. Two and half years of Russia’s grinding offensive have decimated many Ukrainian units. Reinforcements are few and far between, leaving some soldiers exhausted and demoralized. The situation is particularly dire among infantry units near Pokrovsk and elsewhere on the eastern front line, where Ukraine is struggling to stop Russia’s creeping advances. CNN spoke to six commanders and officers who are or were until recently fighting or supervising units in the area. “When new guys come here, they see how difficult it is. They see a lot of enemy drones, artillery and mortars,” one unit commander currently fighting in Pokrovsk told CNN. “They go to the positions once and if they survive, they never return. They either leave their positions, refuse to go into battle, or try to find a way to leave the army,” he added.

The hospital struggling to save its starving babies (BBC) Afghanistan's children have suffered from acute malnutrition for decades, starving in a country plagued by 40 years of war and extreme poverty. But after three years of Taliban rule, with international funds curtailed by economic sanctions, "the situation has now reached an unprecedented precipice", writes Yogita Limaye from Jalalabad. She reports from a hospital ward in the eastern city, where more than three children have died every day for the past six months, according to the Taliban’s public health department. What she witnesses is harrowing—mothers weeping, tending to their babies, when many of them have already lost multiple children to hunger. "All I can feed them is dry bread, and water that I warm up by keeping it out under the sun," Amina says, looking over seven-months-old Bibi Hajira, who is seven months old, but the size of a newborn. On the bed next to her, one-year-old Asma has gone into septic shock—she died shortly afterwards. They These are only just two of the 3.2 million children in a state of acute malnutrition in the country.

Typhoon Yagi strikes Vietnam (Foreign Policy) Asia’s most powerful storm this year hit Vietnam over the weekend, killing at least 64 people and injuring more than 700 others. Typhoon Yagi reached winds of 127 miles per hour and triggered deadly landslides and flash flooding. Around 46,500 homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of crops have been damaged, and the storm destroyed a busy bridge in northern Vietnam on Monday, leaving at least 13 people missing. Yagi has since been downgraded to a tropical depression, but authorities have warned that more destruction is likely still to come. Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades. Before hitting Vietnam, the storm caused at least 24 deaths in southern China and the Philippines last week.

Pope Francis arrives in East Timor (Reuters) Pope Francis arrived on Monday in East Timor, a predominantly Catholic nation in Southeast Asia, for a three-day visit that will include an open-air celebration of Mass the Vatican says may include more than half the population of 1.3 million. The 87-year-old pontiff is on an ambitious 12-day visit to four countries across Southeast Asia and Oceania, his longest overseas journey yet. He came to East Timor from Papua New Guinea, where on Sunday he delivered medical supplies to a small town located at the edge of a vast jungle, in one of the most remote areas of the world. East Timor, a half-island nation north of Australia, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, after a brutal, decades-long occupation. Francis is the second pope to visit, following John Paul II, who came in 1989, in a trip that gave the country’s independence movement an historic boost. The country is likely the most Catholic in the world, with the Vatican saying some 96% of Timorese are adherents to the faith.

Israeli strikes in Syria leave 14 dead and more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media says (AP) The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 14 with more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media (SANA) said Monday morning. One of the strikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf and others struck sites where “Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups.

Israeli snipers again face scrutiny after death of civilian (Washington Post) Aysenur Eygi had come to Israel on an impassioned mission. The 26-year-old American activist and recent University of Washington graduate volunteered for the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian activist group, and went to the occupied West Bank to participate in the organization’s routine attendance and monitoring of Palestinian protests against illegal Israeli settlements. Eygi was shot and killed Friday on the sidelines of a Palestinian protest of Israeli settlement expansion near the town of Beita. Witnesses said she was slain by Israeli soldiers. Nablus Gov. Ghassan Daghlas later told reporters that an autopsy “confirmed that Eygi was killed by an Israeli occupation sniper’s bullet to her head.” Jonathan Pollak, a volunteer with the ISM, told my colleagues that the shooting took place about half an hour after protesters had dispersed, when there were no active clashes or incidents of stone throwing, and as foreign volunteers, including Eygi, stood observing about 200 yards from the Israeli military. “There was no justification for taking that shot,” he said. The White House has thus far called on Israel to investigate the incident. Eygi had dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship and her killing elicited a far sterner response from Ankara. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said over the weekend that Israel had “heinously murdered our young child.” Witnesses in Gaza have throughout the past 11 months pointed to incidents where they say they were targeted by Israeli snipers or saw innocent bystanders and civilians gunned down by them.

Dozens of people and cattle killed as fuel tanker collides with another truck in Nigeria (CBS News) A fuel tanker collided head-on with another truck in Nigeria on Sunday causing an explosion that killed at least 52 people, the country's emergency response agency said. The fuel tanker was also carrying cattle in the Agaie area in north-central Niger state and at least 50 of them were burned alive, Abdullahi Baba-Arab, director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said. With the absence of an efficient railway system to transport cargo, fatal truck accidents are common along most of the major roads in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. In 2020 alone, there were 1,531 gasoline tanker crashes resulting in 535 fatalities and 1,142 injuries, according to Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps.

[dear-god-christ-in-hell]

things you need to have in your car

according to an american (sadly) psa i have a messy ass car but ive been a scout and have been driving since well below driving age and even if my car (and life) is a mess i never seem to Not Have What I Need in an emergency.

jumper cables - if you need the zooms or some1 else does

jerrycan (gas can, etc whatever your state calls it) - for walkin down the road bc you forgot to get gas

water - drank

some snackies - personal preference is good as long as shelf stable if unopened bc god forbid your stuck without snackies

1st aid kit - for boo boos and owies

pen - for some reason at some point you will need to write that one thing down

sunglasses - the sun is a deadly lazer

chargers for stuff and things - dead phone? dead smoking device? dead vibrator? not a problem if you have the charger

back up of meds - whether is tylenol or lexapro maybe just make sure you have it

earing backs - if you have holes in your skin you know how crucial it is too have the stoppers

safety pins - you will thank me when you need a small sharp and long object, when your clothes rip, when you lose a lobe piercing, and when you need to use a carabineer but dont have one

a completely closed off space - if a cop wanna look they have to have a warrant, keep your drugs safe and put it in a box or bag

your fucking inhaler - if you need one like half the time you bros dont got it and we just want you to breathe

extra clothes - and i mean tits to toes, an entire outfit, folded, you can usually fix a spare set of clothes in a ziplock or walmart bag but always, ALWAYS, have a spare set of clothes, that means shirt pants bra underwear socks and hat if you fuckin so please even shoes are a good idea.

spare shoes - see my last point

if you have penis and do the sex, condoms - even in a world with birth control you still have STIs and condoms are easy and effective and even if you dont have penis but have the sex.... prolly still something handy

headphones - idgaf if they are wired or got a fuckin tail or whatever but overstimulation and/or bored happens to everyone

flashlight - its dark like at least once every day

pad/tampons for those who have uterus - blood is only good for attracting vampires and sharks and were talking about cars so i assume were not out at sea (same as b4 even if you dont have the uterus you can still have these and might be a good idea)

blanket - cold , and who knows maybe you get lucky or have a picnic (subjective on if getting lucky means a picnic)

coat - have you seen some of the weathers gdamn its throwing a tantrum every half hour who knows whatll happen next

zipties or ropes of some sort - THIS IS NOT FOR SERIAL KILLING TYPE SHIT none of that nonsense no. from working in construction tho and having a giant thing of zip ties spill in my car and having to have rope on me for prior stated i will say; its very useful to have. if i need shit to stay together it fuckin stay. rope works for more sitiuations especially with a utility knife but ive also been ok figuring it out with zipties

multipuropse tool or whatever tf theyre called - yaknow the fuckers with can openers, knifes, screw drivers, and whatever. get a good one and keep it in the door of your car, thank me l8r

[preventivepreparation]

7 Cheap Survival Tools from Walmart You Should Stockpile Immediately

7 Cheap Survival Tools from Walmart You Should Stockpile Immediately Discover 7 affordable survival tools you can find at Walmart that are essential for your preparedness. In this video, we explore budget-friendly options that offer great value for your survival kit. From multi-functional knives to compact first aid kits, these tools are ideal for those looking to prepare without breaking the bank. Don't miss out on these important tips to be ready for any emergency situation! #SurvivalTools #Walmart #Preparation Don't forget to share this video with your friends and family who are also interested in preparedness and survival :   • 7 Cheap Survival Tools from Walmart Y...   tags:7 cheap survival tools from Walmart,cheap tools from Walmart that you need to stockpile now,Walmart preparation tools,Walmart survival tools,7 Walmart tools to stock up on now,emergency preparation tools,survival, survival kit,survival equipment,Walmart,Walmart survival kit,essential survival items,7 budget-friendly survival tools, Walmart survival kit, Walmart survival items,walmart preparation,Survival tools,Walmart survival,Budget survival tools,Emergency preparedness,Survival gear,Affordable survival kit,Stockpiling essentials,Survival equipment OUTLINE: 00:00:00 Introduction and Engagement 00:00:27 First Survival Tool - Multi-Tool 00:01:23 Second Survival Tool - Flashlight 00:02:16 Third Survival Tool - Fire Starter 00:03:09 Fourth and Fifth Survival Tools - First Aid Kit and Water Purification Tablets 00:05:01 Sixth and Seventh Survival Tools - Emergency Blanket and Paracord 00:06:48 Conclusion and Call to Action 7 Cheap Survival Tools from Walmart You Should Stockpile Immediately

[turonzamin]

Hydronix HX-SWC-45-1005/3 Universal Whole House Sediment String Wound Water Filter Cartridge 4.5" x 10"-5 Micron-3 Pack, White

Price: (as of – Details) 3 pack – the Hydronix swc-45-1005 polypropylene string wound filters have a particle retention size of 5 micron and are used in a residential and commercial water filtration system applications. The filter has an outside diameter (OD) of 4.5″ and overall length of 10″. made of 100 percent pure polypropylene cord, the cartridge has structural stability, and is resistance…

[trauma-insence]

Some advice for winter weather

weather is wonky and bad winter weather is hitting some places where people may not be prepared for it or may not know how to handle it or what to expect. as someone who has lived in areas with bad winters their entire life, I've asked some people what advice or tips they have for people new to snow icy conditions

From a few mechanics

have good brakes and tires. they all seemed to agree that a lot of the accidents they see cars from happened because someone involved didn't have good brakes or tires

from a guy that runs a tire shop- if you can't afford good snow tires, call and ask if they have any sort of community fund or program to help pay for them. explain your situation and a lot of times people want to help

if you have a front wheel drive car, put sand bags in the back. adding the extra weight helps with traction in the rear tires (as someone with a front wheel drive car this does help a ton)

double check that all your lights are working, headlights, tail lights, blinkers, and interior lights

let your engine heat up before you go anywhere and if you can, drive more than about 10 miles at a time (helps your engine in the long run)

if you're waiting for a tow truck, be nice to the driver. you may be waiting a while if other cars are possibly a higher priority situation or it might not be safe for the tow truck to get to you in the moment

From a teacher

a lot of high schools have gone to virtual days instead of snow days, teachers know that in these cases students may have to watch younger siblings. communicate your situations.

seasonal depression gets worse when people are stuck in their houses, if you're struggling, say something

"Consider it my unofficial assignment to anyone who reads this to spend at least half an hour outside or doing something they enjoy"- Mr. K

From a sheriff

if the roads are bad, don't drive unless absolutely necessary

if roads are bad and you need to drive, go slow with your flashers on. if people behind you start getting impatient pull over and let them pass

Don't text and drive. don't do it ever, but especially if there's snow or ice. just don't do it (this is the summed up version from the ten minute talk he gave me)

if for whatever reason you find yourself stranded, broken down, or waiting on a tow truck, call the police if you don't feel safe or if you have a small child in the car at risk of getting too cold

General advice from some people who have seen their fair share of bad winters

keep an emergency kit in your car, it should include a flashlight, extra batteries, a wool or thermal blanket, and a coffee tin or aluminum can with tea lights and a lighter or matches. lighting the tea lights in the can should give you at least fifteen minutes of warmth

dress in layers

you can get thermal under wear from Walmart for about $10 (note: this price is from a boomer who has not bought thermal under wear in at least ten years and i didn't bother to price check)

if you get frostbite, run the area under cool water and slowly bring it to room temperature as you thaw. seek medical attention if you can

with the right gear, winter walks are beautiful and nature should be enjoyed. make sure you do something fun and spend some time in it, it's especially fun to spend time with friends and family in snow

if you have pets, make sure you buy pet safe anti-freeze and salt

if you have children in carseats, don't strap them in with a puffy jacket on them

if you get out of your car after starting it, keep a window open just in case the doors are locked or a child (insert my mothers look over to me as she said this) or pet might lock you out of the car

keep an eye on walkways for ice, if you start to fall brace yourself and try to fall on your butt, don't try to catch yourself with your hands out

Add more if you have them!!

[crimsun-n-clover]

fell asleep on maggie in the walmart shoe aisle today.

in her words, not the worst place i’ve slept.

anyway i got therapy in the morning and if my therapist doesn’t fix me or give me hope i’m gonna live in my car at this point. for my peace and safety. i could do it. my car loves me more than anyone else does.

blanket, pillow, industrial box of ramen, backup battery / mini air compressor, in a gas station parking lot. they have a bathroom, a microwave, a water fountain, and everyone there loves me. i’d probably be doing better there.

they’re opening a cafe next door in a couple months so i’ll go there to siphon their electricity. i’ll keep my phone and headphones charged. there’s a laundromat within walking distance and a nice bakery i used to love as a kid.

the only thing i don’t know how to handle is my cat. ronnie can stay with my parents, but not my baby boy. i’d need to keep him fed, keep him out of the heat, and get him a litter box. dunno how i’d have a litter box in my fucking car.

there are other problems, like financial stuff and my medical needs. but whatever. i just need to think about how i have an emergency escape route.

[the-ghost-in-your-curtains]

As someone from The Canadian US State I say, I'm so so sorry that's happening, I recommend fleece fabrics if you can find them. There should be some good fleece blankets in Walmart but I'm not sure (I'm very northern, we have so much winter gear year round).

Do not underestimate the power of a good scarf, gloves, and hat.

The hotter you are, the faster you freeze (just advice really)

Body heat is so so important, wear black and LAYER. It will save you so much heat.

Cover windows with blankets and plastic if you need to, it'll help insulate your home.

If your heat stops working, or you just generally are freezing, go to Walmart, find a small tent. Just a plastic one, or dig out a camping one of you have one already. The plastic is an extra insulator for heat, great for sleeping.

If you're worried about pets freezing, remove any snows from their feet and bodies (between the feet pads especially). They should stay inside as much as possible, if you have a reptile or something like that, try to find an emergency generator for their lamps (if they aren't hibernating? Idk how lizards work)

Close all doors when you leave the room, it'll keep the heat in.

Things to keep in the car: Snow scraper, parka and extra blankets, emergency water and food, list of contacts, the aaa number, a cellphone charger kit.

Check your car battery often! Cold depletes it.

That's all I can think of, my Floridian Brethern

Stay warm also fuck all of you 🖕🖕

hi 266 followers, when did you guys amass a large group behind me? why are you following me? why do you keep growing?

[diorkittys]

i love u /p !! ˚୨୧⋆｡

; synopsis - being friends with alex!

; pairing - [ alex jones + reader ] [ platonic ]

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

; as soon as you and alex become friends, he’s not going to leave you alone. he hasn’t had a friend in years, so you would be very special to him! <3 (expect clinginess, minus the touching.)

; loves gifting you with little stones and plants he stumbles upon during walks. most of the greenery are weeds that he mistakes for flowers, but you love them just the same!

^ you keep your presents in vases around your house; when alex comes over and sees them, he can’t help but smile.

; you both go to coffee shops together daily. it’s always sometime early in the afternoon that you pick alex up and drive to the nearest one. you order your coffee and alex orders one of the refresher drinks—loves pink drinks the most.

; sends you “good morning!” and “good night!” texts almost everyday (has one of those blackberry phones too—not supposed to use it unless for emergencies).

^ you always wake up and get ready for bed with a smile—alex enjoys it just as much. <3

; actually loves hearing you talk about your interests! he never fully understands them, but he just loves hearing you get all excited over things you like. he doesn’t have many interests; it’s almost like you make up for that.

; you buy him cute, little cars from cvs and walmart as gifts. alex always gets visibly happy when he hears you say ‘i got you a present!’ and reveal a new, plastic car for his collection.

; he absolutely loves floral shops! overjoyed when he gets to be surrounded by the variety of colors, taking in the pretty smells.

^ you take him to them often, sometimes buying a flower of his choice. it’ll most likely die in a week or so, but you only really care about the way his eyes light up on the car ride home, plant in his lap.

; if either of you get upset at one another, it doesn’t last long. you both make up after 30 minutes because you can’t stand being away from each other.

^ most of the time, you two end up on either side of a door, sitting there quietly until you calm down enough to talk.

; he likes aquariums and pointing out different fish like, “what’s that one?”. it’s a back and forth of him asking and you answering—you both enjoy it. this is how alex found out axolotls exist (is now in love with axolotls).

; he doesn’t like being touched that much—although, he has exceptions for you. if he’s curled up in a blanket, he’ll make room for you to join—usually dislikes the close proximity, but it doesn’t bother him when it’s you.

^ if he notices you get cold, he’ll slowly inch close to you. your arms would be barely touching and even then, his layers of clothes block any connection. but it’s the thought that counts!

; you start teaching alex cursive after he saw you write in it one day. ever since then, he’d been infatuated on how pretty the lettering is and was adamant you teach him. (his hands are very shaky and for some reason it makes his writing look prettier.)

; frequent drawing dates occur after every trip to walmart because you always bring home new coloring books—they amuse you both so much. you two just sit somewhere quiet and scribble the papers with crayons, exchanging drawings at the end for the other to see.

^ you brought him a ‘my little pony’ coloring book once and he immediately loved fluttershy. (binge watched the series right after together.)

; you both gift each other with stuffed animals a lot of the time! he noticed, one day, your bed had a few and he started the tradition the day after. he’s not totally obsessed with them, but a present from you means it’s valued by him. <3

; matching socks together! you get a variety pack from the store decorated with cute little animals or fruits and such—surprising him with his own pair.

^ alex actually has a thing for socks; he loves how soft and warm they are. so he’s more than happy to match with you! (gets a big smile on his face when he sees you wearing your pair.)

; you introduce him to your love for cats because he’s not too fond of dogs. instantly falls in love with them—always asking to see yours when he comes over.

; alex doesn’t mind you borrowing his jackets and such. sometimes you just put them on without asking and it’s perfectly normal. (you buy him lots of new jackets—can’t even tell they’re his because you steal them instantly.)

; you both are basically the ‘they asked for no pickles.’ troupe. you being the one who confronts about the pickles, him being the one who asked for no pickles. (this has probably actually happened during your time of knowing him.)

; you and alex are quite literally the best duo out there. no one else can compare. neither of you would want it any other way. <3

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[batsandbugs]

prompt: Marinette waking Damian up at 2:26 am because they ran out of food so an impromptu night on the town/mcdonald run and he's 'moody' the entire time and yeah

Heh... this has been in my inbox forever, kinda forgot about, and then I didn't have a good idea. Then I had a stroke of inspiration and wrote it all at once. It's not exactly what was asked for, but I'm pretty happy with it. So, uh sorry @animeshitpostinng... enjoy I guess!

Or you can read it here on ao3!

Late Night Bagel Adventures

Damian emerges from sleep to a small hand pushing against his shoulder. He inches away from it and buries deeper into the warm covers, chasing the fading ebb of unconsciousness.

"~Damian~ ~Damian~" Marinette calls in a sing-songy voice.

He groans, rolling over and cracking open one eye. His fiance's face is lit by the faint light coming from the doorway. Her eyes are big and pleading and he immediately knows he is not going back to sleep any time soon.

"What?" he mumbles.

"There's no food in the fridge. Or cupboards."

He resists the urge to shoot her a death glare. "Darling we moved in this morning. We are going shopping tomorrow."

She tilts her head and pouts. "But I'm hungry now."

The foggy grip of sleep disappears entirely - he blames years of awareness training for the light switch controlling his state of consciousness - and he pushes himself up on one arm. "So go order something delivered."

"But it's a waste of money."

He sighs. "Marinette, dearest, you are an internationally famed designer. I am the son of a billionaire. We can spare the extra cash to have someone bring us food at-" he glances over at the digital clock on his bedside table "-two-fifteen in the morning."

"I want a Dani's Bagel."

Admittedly, Dani's was open twenty-four hours a day, so that was not an all too unreasonable request. Except Dani's did not do delivery. And with every bagel made to order, it really was best if you ate them right away.

"Walmart?" he asks, hoping against hope such a compromise would satisfy.

"Not as close as Dani's," she responds with absolute ruthlessness. "Plus I'm craving a cheddar jalapeno bagel, with salmon and cream cheese and capers."

Damian screws up his nose. He loves this woman, but sometimes she comes up with the oddest food combinations. He groans, flopping back onto the bed. "You could go yourself?"

"Pleeeease," Marinette begs, with a hopeful smile. "I don't wanna be alone."

He revels in the heated blankets for one last moment, before throwing off the covers and rolling to his feet. "Fine, fine. But I will not change clothes." He clicks on the lamp and searches for his glasses. He does not have the patience to put back in his contacts.

"Yeah, neither am I," says Marinette, bounding off the bed. She grabs a giant hoodie - one of his - and slips it on over her tank top. Blue sleep pants with little spools of thread and sewing needles cover her legs. "But you should grab a jacket, it's kinda chilly."

"Uh-huh," he grunts, slipping his phone and wallet into his pocket. He grabs another hoodie and slips it on. Marinette beams and bounces out of the room. He trudges behind her. How she contained so much energy after spending the whole day moving in, he had no clue.

By the time he reaches the front entryway, Marinette already tying her laces on and her purse hanging off her shoulder. She's put on a beanie on her head, appropriate considering it is New Jersey in November. She offers him one and he shoves it on his head, not wanting to even contemplate the mess his hair might be after being asleep.

He slips on his own shoes and catches the car keys when Marinette throws them over to him. Locking their new apartment behind they journey out into the night, heading down the hall to the elevator.

Marinette hugs his arm on the way down, laying her head on his shoulder. "Thanks, Dames," she says softly.

"Tt. Yeah, yeah," he mutters, kissing the top of her head. The things he does for love.

They hurry quickly from the warmly lit lobby to the cold dark car. The heater turns the space toasty warm in a matter of seconds and then they are coasting down the street. Dani's is thankfully close by. Damian may not have been thrilled about being dragged from his warm bed and much-deserved sleep, but the sound of food is appealing.

Here in the outer edges of Gotham - not even passing into Gotham proper, they would have to cross the bridge - the city is calm and normal. Just another late night on the town; a few cars passing by, only a handful of lights on in the windows above, all green stoplights, and the faint sound of a siren in the distance. Meanwhile the city proper looms in the distance, bright shining lights against a dark starless sky.

The ride passes in companionable silence, and soon enough they pull into a parking lot next to a small strip retail space. Dani's Bagels sits on the corner edge lit up in cream and purple. Marinette smiles brightly at him as he turns off the car and practically scrambles out of her seat. He follows far more sedately and enters behind her as the bell above the door rings.

"Welcome to Dani's!" calls a voice far too cheerful for two-thirty in the morning. Despite the dim overhead lights, Damian can still hear them buzzing. Even the soft music in the background grates like nails grating on a chalkboard. Admittedly, the store smells delicious, like fresh-baked bread and basil, but all Damian wants is to pull up his hoodie and close the drawstring around his face.

"Heya Litzy!" Marinette calls back. Damian resists the childish urge to stick out his tongue. He is a grown, twenty-six-year-old man, and his fiance is hungry, so endure he must. He fought against aliens, endured torture at the hands of allies and enemies alike, and pushed his body to extreme limits. A late-night food run is nothing.

But he really wants to be at home, curled up around Marinette's space heater warmth, and asleep.

"Hey, mon cher you want your normal?" Marinette asks him.

"Mm-hmm." She knows his order, it never changes. Unlike Marinette who tries a new creation every time she comes in.

She kisses his cheek. "Go take a seat on the couch, I'll order for us."

"Great." He slips away and heads over to their normal haunt, a corner couch in the back. The leather is worn and faded and Damian settles into the side with a contented sigh. He wishes he could turn off how his brain immediately searches for danger and potential weapons and avenues of defense and attack, but it does. And although his body is begging him to go back to sleep, he is far too alert to even doze.

Marinette joins him a few minutes later, curling into his side and laying her head on his shoulder. "Wait," he says. "I forgot to give you my card."

She rolls her eyes. "Damian I'm an internationally famed designer," she repeats back with a teasing smile. "I'm sure I can spare the cash to grab us bagels. Besides, it was my idea for a food run. Your chivalry is noted and lovely, but unneeded."

He grumbles, but since the food is already paid for, he will refrain from pushing.

They settle in quiet, Damian fully appreciative that there is no one here but them. Marinette draws lines on the back of his hand with her finger. Sizzling oil pops in the background as their bagels cook.

Damian almost smiles at the normalcy of it all. This kind of life he could never have imagined for himself ten or even five years ago, but now? Living outside the city proper, with his fiance, in their own apartment, both still in the hero game but with their own lives taking importance? It was not a dream come true, because he never could have imagined to dream of a chance so sweet and so desired in the first place.

Lost in his thoughts he did not hear the worker call out their order, and so the loss of heat from Marinette leaving his side jolts him back to the real world. His mind fog clears as Marinette returns, slipping off her shoes and sitting cross-legged on the couch holding two baskets with their bagels prepared hot and steaming.

"One asiago bagel with plain cream cheese," she says handing him his basket. "And one cheddar and jalapeno bagel with jalapeno flavored cream cheese, salmon, and capers." She grins delightedly, sinking her mouth into a big bite.

"You have terrible taste," he grumbles, taking a bit of his own. Warm bread and gooey cheese and cool cream cheese hit his taste buds and he sighs in delight. Damn, no one else does a bagel like Dani's.

"I don't know," Marinette says, munching on her monstrosity. "I think I have pretty good taste. I picked you, didn't I?"

"Eh, a debatable decision."

She swats his arm. "Stop it, you. I picked our apartment?"

"Arguably also debatable. I still say it is too much space for only the two of us. With four rooms? An office, your workroom, and our bedroom are plenty. We hardly want to encourage anyone to stay over. The manor is close enough."

Marinette shrugs. "Oh, I thought we could use it for something other than a guest bedroom."

"Like what? A movie room?" He takes another bite of his bagel.

"How about a regular bedroom?"

Damian pauses. "Are we getting a roommate? I have no wish for a roommate. We moved out of the manor to have our own space." They would have moved out two years ago when Damian finished his Master's degree, but a serious injury placed his father out of commission, and it was far easier to run vigilante operations out of the cave while living close by.

"Eh, you could call it a roommate. We'll do a lot more late-night snack runs too." Marinette turns to grab something from her purse.

Damian finds himself confused, what in the world could she be talking about?

She hands him a small object, and Damian's befuddled mind takes a second to work out what it is.

"Marinette?" he croaks out.

"Yep," she says calmly.

"We are not getting a roommate."

"Nope," she says popping the p.

"We are having a baby," he says shakily, looking at the positive pregnancy test he holds in his hand.

Marinette holds back a smile and looks at him with wide eyes. "I mean, yeah kinda. If you want a baby?" she asks.

His heartbeat shoots through the roof, and Damian is pretty sure he stopped breathing. His brain can barely handle the number of thoughts swirling through it, and under all of it, there is one thrumming line humming. A baby, we are having a baby.

"I- I yeah. I-," he looks up from the test and to Marinette; his love, and the light of his world, and smiles. "If, if you-"

"Oh yeah," she laughs, her smile splitting her face, as suddenly all her energy this morning finally makes sense. "Yeah, I really want a baby. I know we've only mentioned it in passing, and the wedding is two months away, and we just moved to our own space. But... yeah. I really want them."

"Okay," he says still finding it hard to breathe properly.

"Okay," she says back, and if he lives another fifty years - not likely with his chosen lifestyle, but regardless - he will never find a more beautiful sight than her smile - a mix of overwhelmed joy and utter relief. His eyes dart down to Marinette's stomach, hidden in the folds of his hoodie and his hands twitch before he can stop them. Marinette though reads him like a book - as she always has - and grabs his hands, bringing them to her stomach.

"I'm not showing yet. I think I'm only about six weeks along, my period's pretty regular so I was concerned when it didn't show up. At first, I thought it could be related to... you know, our nightly activities. But nothing had happened. So," she shrugs, "I bought a test. Actually, I bought three tests. All of them positive."

He slowly rubs his thumb over the soft, well-worn fabric. "Anybody else know?" he asks.

Marinette snorts, shaking her head with a fond grin. "Damian, who else was I going to tell first?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "Whoever you want. Your mother?"

She leans in and captures his mouth with a soft kiss. "No, you silly. There was no one else I was going to tell first." She pauses, tilting her head with a chagrined look. "Well, that's not entirely true. I guess my doctor knew before you did. I scheduled an appointment for Wednesday."

Damian shakes his head. It did not count. "Can I come?"

She giggles, "Yes you can come. You can be involved in everything. It's our baby." She snuggles a bit closer, and he presses a kiss to the top of her head.

"Our baby," he muses, still hardly believing it.

The bell rings above the door, breaking the two of them out of their private cocoon. A group of young adults walk in, clearly looking for a snack after a long night of dancing at a club or party or another event. Their loud arguing is enough to intrude on Damian's hazy sense of contentment, and he turns to Marinette.

"You want to head home?" he asks. Already questions form in his head. Will it be a boy or a girl? One baby or maybe more like twins or triplets? What color were they going to paint the nursery? How long would Marinette stay out in the field? Instinctively, he wants to wrap her in blankets and not let her out of the house, but that was a one-way ticket to an ass-kicking, so he tampered it down.

Marinette shoves the last bite of her bagel into her mouth, while his bagel sits half-eaten and cold after being forgotten in the announcement's excitement. "Yeah," she says. "I'm tired."

"Oh really, whyever might that be?" he teases rising from the couch and offering her his hand. She follows, and even though her hair is a mess and she's wearing pajamas, with not a scrap of makeup or refinement in sight, she remains an absolute beauty to behold. "Perhaps after spending half the day trekking our belongings across town and up five floors, waking up your poor fiance, and begging for food at two in the morning, one might just be a little tired?"

"Don't forget the pregnancy announcement," she adds, as they place their baskets on the counter.

"I am not forgetting anytime soon." They walk out of the store, and he unlocks the car, opens Marinette's door, and closes it once she's settled in the passenger seat. He looks into the night before taking a deep breath of cold air, before climbing in himself.

"So..." Marinette smiles. "Good enough reason for a late-night snack run?"

"The best, I think." He turns on the car and relishes in the warm heat pouring from the vents. "You are going to end up being an absolute menace with your cravings?"

"Oh without a doubt," she says without a hint of sympathy. "Maman's stories from her pregnancy are horrid. She ate everything from mint chocolate cookies, to pickles straight out of the jar, to just wasabi on a cracker." Then she winces. "On the other hand, her morning sickness was awful, and had horribly swollen feet and basically didn't get out of bed for the latter half of her pregnancy. Which was longer than normal because I was two weeks late."

His chest aches in sympathy, and he looks at her belly. "You will end up driving your mother and I up a wall before the end of this, won't you little one." He glances up, Marinette's eyes shine with unshed tears and a blissful smile on her face. "But it hardly matters because then you will be here, and we will love you regardless."

Marinette leans across the dash and catches his lips with hers, and its sweetness and warmth and everything Damian scorned for most of life. It took years and so much effort to slowly work around to the idea he could have it too, and when he found it with Marinette he grabbed onto it with two hands and refused to let go.

It was the best decision he'd ever made.

She pulls back from the kiss and touches her forehead to his. "Love you, Damian." She runs a hand over her stomach. "We'll be fine, right?"

He grabs her other hand and places a kiss upon it. "We will do our best which is all we can do. Worst-case scenario we can assure ourselves whatever we do, it can not possibly be as bad as my childhood."

Marinette does a half-laugh, half-groan at his comment. "Your mother's not allowed anywhere near them," she states, with a fierce protectiveness in her voice. Marinette always expressed extreme dismay for the trauma of his childhood and blamed the fault upon his mother. Damian, no matter how much he insisted he had grown past those hurts, had never been able to convince her to anything more than curt civility with Talia.

He tried not to linger on the warmth flaring in his chest every time Marinette defends him. Even against things he was fully capable of defending himself from.

"I do not think we will have much of a say, on that end of things." He already obtained assurances the League would stay far away from his wedding, but the birth of a child might spur them into action. "But we will remain vigilant regardless." He pauses. "When shall we tell the others?"

She pulls back from him, as he puts the car into motion. "I figured I could call my parents today, or well later tonight after they're through the morning rush at the store. And then we're headed to the Manor in two days for family dinner, and most everyone's supposed to be there, so we could tell them then. And after we can announce it to our friends on our socials. We'll survive the press hounding for a few days, but then it'll be the weekend, and something new will come up to distract them."

"You sure you want to tell the press before the wedding?"

She nods her head. "Yeah, my stomach should still be mostly flat even by then, but I'll alter the dress just to make sure, but if even a single person hints or slips they'll be on us like sharks with blood."

"Fair," says Damian, turning down the street to their apartment building. "But for now it is just us."

Marinette reaches for his other hand, and leans her head, catching the edge of his shoulder and sighing. "Yeah just the three of us."

Three of us.

Damian has never liked the sound of anything more.

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