#eye care in south africa

[alwaysinbetweeninsaneandinsecure]

Please help this family get to safety. The situation in Sudan worsens every day. Please give what you can & reblog this post!

[beatrixstonehill2]

"This is..... so much more thrilling than I ever could've imagined! I think I'm beginning to sympathize with women who drop everything to become trad wives or porn stars. Kidding...... maybe. As you all know my team were tasked with moving to South Africa for a five-year archaeological expedition, I guess you could say. My team are all women, and we were warned that the customs in this region of South Africa are very relaxed toward women. Almost like the deep south in the US right now. I told them we'd be pretty far from major population centers and it shouldn't be an issue but..... that was apparently wrong information.

We arrived and saw our lodging was right in the middle of a charming small town near the quarry my team intended to study. Immediately we were met by local guides who gave us the rundown. We'd be driven into the city twice a week for major shopping, otherwise we'd stay in this town. We were checked out by a local doctor, who had us strip naked, asking us about our sex lives, history of partners. The man laughed when we all said we slept with under ten men each, handing us our own vial of fertility drugs, assuring us that number would get higher very quickly.

Our guide told us to be respectful and not spurn the curiosity of locals, especially the men, in both the city and the town we'd be calling home for five years. Immediately, upon waking up the next day, a group of fishermen, all in their twenties and thirties came upon us. They were some of the most fit, chiseled men I'd ever laid eyes on. All of them wearing only shorts, their heavy erections visibly pressing against the fabric. We said hello, and before we knew it we were being passed around like mere toys. I guess the rumors of a certain group of men having large endowments is..... very much true. I'd never been fucked so hard in my life. Most men I've slept with were so clumsy and afraid to do anything I might deem offensive. These men did not care one bit about my pleasure, or even my safety. They were studs in the truest sense! We were fragile mares, helpless like maidens as we were held down and brutally fucked for hours.

When they finished, our holes flooded with what had to be a liter or more of semen, we looked at each other, and despite having been essentially gang raped, we all agreed it was the most thrilling, glorious sexual experience of our lives. So, spurn we did not! All of us made sure to wear skirts and dresses so our holes were readily accessible for the locals. Needless to say the constant sexual intervention has delayed our expedition quite a bit. We've all lost tally of how many men have fucked us. Thousands, by my estimation, and it's wonderful to know I'm so sexually experienced now! I very quickly stopped seeing it as rape, more so I was fulfilling my womanly duties to the local men. I daresay this is how humanity fared for thousands of years before puritanical religions ruined everything.

We've been here a year and four months. We're all five months along with our second batch of children. These pregnancies are looking markedly larger than our first. It's so exciting to see our wombs expand so quickly. To our surprise the men did not simmer down whatsoever as we became immensely pregnant with at least triplets. On the contrary, the larger our uteruses stuck out, the more men would rush over to ram their shockingly large cocks into us. It's incredible to realize what my body was always capable of! I always treated sex so daintily, soft and erotic, come to find out my body was capable of being forty weeks pregnant, my womb filled to the bursting point with four kicking, ten-pound children, as dozens of men pound away at my swollen, dilated sex. My body has taken so well to this I feel like I'm finally achieving its true purpose. Seeing my body endure so much sex, cocks forcing their way into my holes so large they're less fit to impregnate a girl than scramble her innards.

It's naturally grinded our professional affairs to a halt. But I don't see any of us complaining, in fact I'm looking forward to getting so pregnant I might lose the ability to get up and walk, like many local girls. It's positively thrilling to consider I might be little more than a bed-bound, fuckable womb in a few short moths, my sex wettens are the mere thought. The quarry has been there for hundreds of thousands of years, I'm sure it can wait. Until then, I think I'll ask that local doctor to increase our fertility drugs, on a scientific level I'm morbidly curious to see just how many kids can fit in my womb. It's so exciting! I'm hoping I be filled with over twenty, imagine, all those men pounding away at my poor body, as I stare at my towering belly, pinning me down, an entire classroom of children writhing away inside me. Such a thing..... would necessitate repeat testing for many years to come. Not sure we'll be making the five-year deadline. But that's fine, I don't mind calling this place home far longer."

[hoe4sports]

Expantion

Alexia Putellas x Reader

Summary: After a miscarriage, you are pregnant again hopeful that this time will be it. But this time, things are not what you hoped they would be.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Something is wrong. The midwife is taking an extra second look at the ultrasound. She’s stopped talking. She’s stopped smiling. She’s stopped everything. She’s just looking. Her eyes glued to the screen without as much as an emotion on her face. She’s moving the probe. And looking some more. Oh no. Not again. Your heartbeat was increasing. It felt like it was about to beat through your chest. You had miscarried once already. The first IVF attempt had surprisingly worked. Only to be ripped away from you after 2 months. No heartbeat. No baby. No future. You had decided that you were ready to try again just shy of Christmas. It was now May, and summer was fast approaching. Alexia had been stuck in traffic as practice had been running late, and she was just around the corner. You couldn’t even imagine having to tell her that once again; your body had killed her egg, her baby. The first time it happened, she didn’t say much. She was so supportive that I t hurt. But when she thought you were sleeping, she let her tears flow. How was she gonna react to this again? What was a third try gonna look like? Would she even want to go for a third try? You didn’t know if that was a possibility. Due to the poor state of her eggs, you didn’t get many good eggs from her, and very few of them had matured into good quality embryos ready for transfer. It had all happened in a short amount of time: from kissing her for the first time to buying a house and trying for a baby all in the span of 3 years. What if she couldn’t handle this? You got nauseous by the thought of it.

“Sorry, I’m just gonna go and get the doctor. Just wait here mrs.Putellas.” The midwife said as she stood up and walked out. You reached for your phone as you pulled your sweater down causing the gel to stick to the inside of your sweater. You didn’t care. You didn’t want to see the tiny bump. You didn’t want to let the doctor see the bumb. You didn’t want the doctor to tell you that your baby was dead. You wanted to hide the bump, and to run away so you didn’t have to deal with reality just yet. You had to once again tell Alexia that you fucked up. It couldn’t have been anyone else’s mistake. It had to be yours. You had been so careful, but you had that one piece of shrimp you shouldn’t have had a few weeks ago and you had a stomachache a few days ago without connecting in to the pregnancy. Alexia had insisted on seeing a doctor, but you insisted that you were perfectly fine. And now you were paying the consequences for it.

“Hola, mi amor, lo siento mucho. The traffic was horrible, so I parked upfront. Don’t expect anything but a fine” the Spaniard sang as she walked into the room, a little out if breath. Her smile quickly faded as she saw your serious grin. “Preciousa, are you okay, no?” She asked with a shaky voice as she pulled a chair out to sit close to you while she grabbed your hand. You shook your head as tears formed in your eyes. “Ale, she said that she was gonna get the doctor to come look” you mumbled as your head hang down. “Oh” alexia said as her good energy died out. “I’mo sorry” you said as you buried your face in your hands. “I’m so sorry, ale. I’ll do better next time, I promise” you said as a tear escaped your eye. “Amor, let’s wait for the doctor. It will be okay. I can get some time off and we can travel, just stay at a resort and relax in the heat, si?” She said as her hand touched your belly as if it was purely routine. “But for now, let’s wait for the doctor” she said as she kissed the side of your tiny belly that were still covered by your sweater. You nodded as you tried to distract yourself with the thought of going on vacation. Thailand would be nice, or Bali. Or south-Africa. Greece was also nice, but you had already been there. Cap verde was close and had lots of beautiful beaches. You sat in silence for a while until the door swung open again. “Sorry again, Mrs.Putellas, let’s take a look now shall we” the older woman said as she gestured for the doctor to sit down on the chair to look at the ultrasound. You unwillingly leaned backwards and pulled up your sweater awaiting your penalty. The midwife pointed on the screen and the doctor nodded. “Mhm, I see” she said as she moved the probe around on your belly. You held your breath terrified of the words that were about to come out of her mouth. You didn’t wanna hear it. You gripped Alexia’s hand hard and got a second of reassurance when she squeezed back.

“So, the results. Two things.” The doctor started as your heart-rate skyrocketed. Alexia gripped tighter in your hand and you felt her skin becoming somewhat damp. “First: Your little girl is perfectly fine, she’s small for her age, but she’s getting there” the doctor said as you gasped. Your little girl. A girl. A girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes looking like her mami. “A girl?” Alexia said as her eyes teared up. The doctor nodded as she smiled. “A girl, a princesa” she said as she smiled. She turned around the screen of the ultrasound so you could see your daughter. She was moving her legs slightly, but she still wasn’t big enough that you could feel it. “The second thing i wanted to tell you is, well, exactly that. Second. The second baby is also a girl. Twins. Most likely identical.” She said. Your eyes widened and your jaw dropped. “Que? There’s-there’s two?” alexia said as she scooted closer to the screen as the doctor pointed out the second twin. “Si, dos, correct. She was just hiding behind her sister, which is why she hasn’t shown herself yet” the doctor explained as she gave tons of information about how check ups were gonna have to happen more often than before. You didn’t catch any of it, as you were just releaved that the baby was alive. Your eyes were glued to the baby on the screen. Well, the babies. The girls. Your two girls. They were fine, healthy and growing. You were snapped out of your thoughts when the doctor and the midwife left the room to allow you to breathe. None of you said a word. The room was dead quiet.

“I-I guess we need to go shopping again” she stuttered while looking it you. You nodded. “Two cribs, two strollers, two carseats for both of the cars, oh my god! Do we need a new car to fit the girls??” She panicked as her eyes widened kicking your brain into action. “Babe, it’s okay. There is two girls. They are both healthy. Everything is good. We are all good.” You said as you stood up and embraced her. She held you tight. “God, I just can’t believe it. There are gonna be little girls running around soon. Not just any little girls, our little girls” she said as she wrapped her arms around you kissing the top of your head. “Yea, our little girls. And twice the love” You said as you breathed in her scent instantly calming you. “Our perfect little girls” she said as she placed a hand on your belly. «Our perfect little girls» you repeated as she kissed you.

[communist-ojou-sama]

By the way, another little point of hope and optimism to hold onto is that on the point of international law and Israel's flouting of it, a lot of people are justifiably, and with great frustration, asking "what's the point of it if it doesn't apply now?" Well, based on the US' own abrupt about face we can see that it Does matter, and the reason why is good news. See, the truth of the matter is that those of you who aren't fellow Geopolitics Heads might not realize this, and take it as axiomatic that the US is still The Global Hegemon that does as it pleases on the world stage, but increasingly, especially in these past 5 years in particular, that whole reality has been beginning to fall apart.

The truth is, in spite of the scam that is orthodox development economics, little by little, the third world has in fact been rising up to the level with the parasite nations of the West. What this means is that more and more Brazil matters. Indonesia matters. China matters. India matters. Nigeria matters. South Africa matters. Iran matters. So many other countries matter. Not in some abstract moral sense, but in the sense that they are increasingly powerful, and increasingly independent global powers in a world order that is just beginning to take shape before our very eyes.

People forget, but at the height of its power, when the 3rd world was much weaker, the US used to make a big show of meticulously following international law in light of day and equally meticulously covering it up when they violated it, but as imperial collapse continues apace, the same decisionmaking positions are occupied by zealots who are unwilling to operate with the same care as their predecessors, arrogantly believing that the US can do whatever it wants to the rest of the world, even though increasingly, and I can't stress this enough, it cannot.

So while defeat is of course waiting for the Zionist Enemy as well, the US's full-throated support of its vicious attacks on Palestinian civilians has utterly eviscerated any remaining credibility as a fundamentally benign power the US may have had remaining just about anywhere after the Iraq war. Imperialist parasites flock together and they crash and burn together.

Point being, the days in which these ghouls can even appear to "get away with" this kind of barbarity on the global stage are numbered, and they will be over Far sooner than many of you may think. So keep fighting, keep preparing for your own fight when the US begins to collapse in earnest as well, but also take heart. Be ready to celebrate when the colonial regimes are defeated and the fascist international is extirpated, for that day will come without fail.

[cheriladycl01]

So, you lied to me? - Lando Norris x Tourist! Reader

Plot: Going on a travel year you end up in Monaco, the plan wasn't too fall for the man who helped you to the British Embassy and gave you a place to stay when someone stole everything from you ...

You took a gap year before university and decided to travel you'd started off the New Year on a flight from London, to Qatar to New Zealand. You travelled around New Zealand and Australia for the majority of January, before moving on to Papa New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa.

You then travelled round the South Asian countries, like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines and Taiwan all throughout February. You then moved onto China, doing both Disney Parks while you were there and sight seeing. You did South Korea and Japan.

Coming into April, you moved onto Sri Lanka and India, and The Middle East, doing Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrian, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Afterwards, now having done 2 continents, you moved onto Africa, you spent the end of April and the majority of May travelling here, before leaving for Europe.

A nice 2 weeks island hopping around Greece, before a week travelling up the boot of Italy.

It was when you drove to Monaco in a rental car that things got difficult.

You were walking along the harbor where all the expensive yachts were docked wishing that one could be yours. You didn't have all your bags on you, the larger ones left behind in the hotel room you'd booked for the night. But you had your important stuff on you, like you passport, your drivers license and all your travel documents.

You were taking a picture on your nice Canon camera of the yachts and the street that had weird red corners rounding it that you put down to being measures to just help drivers slow down round the corners, but they were definitely an eyesore.

Every time nice cars drove by there was whistles and claps that made you look at what car it was, you could never tell what model it was but they looked nice and you guess you could say sporty.

As you were distracted taking your pictures a guy comes up to you with a small, parcel cutting knife in his hand. He slit the straps of what you thought was a really sturdy bag and the weight notifies you to the loss of the bag. You let your camera drop as you turn to see the guy now holding your bag and starting to run away with it.

"Hey! Stop" you shout before running after him.

"Aide, Aide" you shout as you continue to follow him, your minimal French not helping as people scold you for being a bustly tourist.

You aren't really looking where you going and you loose him at a busy intersection of people, you spin round looking at every possible direction he could have gone in.

"Shit!" you whisper to yourself quietly tears coming in your eyes. You spin round a little to quickly, bumping into someone who drops the bag that they were holding.

"Désolé, mon erreur" you try looking at the young gentleman you'd bumped into in a hoodie and jeans. He looks at you with a confused look, a smirk coming onto his face.

"Oh sorry, tu ne parles pas français? Maybe Italian, erm fuck scusa, parli italiano?" you ask with again the bare minimum of Italian you know.

"I speak perfectly good English" he smiles, laughing a little as your expression turns to shock.

"Oh! Oh I'm so stupid. Hello!" you smile looking at the very attractive man in front of you, you blushed a little looking up at him.

"You look panicked what's wrong?" he asks.

"I was tacking pictures of the harbor and some guy took my bag. It has everything in of mine and I don't know what to do" You say to him looking a little more panicked.

"Everything as in money ... because I can help with that" he says placing a hand on your arm.

"I don't care about the money, but he has all of my documents. My passport, my drivers license everything" you cry a little.

"Oh! Erm, I have a friend who was born here, and let me get him and he can help us file a police report. Then mmm the British Embassy is all the way in Paris and you cant get a flight so we'll have to drive there..." he starts to rant and your face turned shocked.

"We?" you ask, confused as to how this guy has just inserted himself into your life drama's.

"Oh yeah, I've gotta help you out now. You got that whole damsel in distress thing going on right now! Any way damsel, what's your name?" he jokes and you look over at him offended.

"I am not a damsel in distress! And Y/N" you retort.

"You so are, the tear stains, the wide, helpless eyes, the guppy fish face your pulling right now, the butchered French and Italian to a strange man who actually is British... Y/N" he laughs making you pout and push him a little.

"I don't even have a place to stay after 3pm today and I cant check in anywhere without ID" you say rubbing your head, looking around as if the man would randomly pop back up and hand you your bag back before saying how sorry he was.

"You can stay at my place, I have two spare bedrooms" he smiles and you look at him in shock.

"You live here, in Monaco ..." you ask.

"Yeah, I moved here a few years ago, for ...work" he offers, he phones his friend walking off for a few seconds alone before he pulls you along one of the side streets and too a quiet cafe he went to, to keep under wraps.

"Okay, Y/N this is my friend ... er Percy" he says pointing to Charles, so far you hadn't shown any signs of knowing who he is and he didn't want you to catch wind of that.

"Hello Percy, its nice to meet you" you smile and he looks at you with a vacant yet confused expression.

"Oh and whose this you are beautiful" you compliment looking at the girl behind him.

"Y/N this is my girlfriend Alex" Charles indicates to Alex behind him who smiles and pulls you in for a kind hug that you definitely needed. You could hear both of their strong accents as they introduced himself.

"Oh, I never got you name, what's your name?" you ask turning to look at Lando, who freezes for a second.

"Erm, my names Robert, but you can call me Bob" he smiles and you raise and eyebrow at him.

"Hmmm, you don't look like a Robert... or a Bob. Interesting choice" you voice your opinion making everyone awkwardly laugh.

Charles, Lando and Alex took you to the nearest police station in Monaco, Charles translated what they were saying and you answered to which he and Alex would help translate back.

Charles explained that they were escalating it because you are a tourist in need, but you picked up some words that made the sentence not sound like that at all.

You were asked if you had a place to say and Lando explained you'd be staying with him until everything was sorted out.

The Monegasque police got in contact with the Paris British Embassy for you, they explained that the police had sent over you information and if you wanted to hold off on a new passport for a few days to see if it would turn up you were more than welcome, but right now your passport was on lockdown.

And that was how you ended up spending the end of July and all of August with Lando, it was strange really. For a man who had and extremely nice collection of clothes and a very large apartment he didn't go to work often. There was one room you weren't allowed in which is where he often went, you assumed it was a man cave or gaming room where he played with his friends because you heard lots of shouting and aggressive banging.

He'd been so sweet, he took you on dates from going out to dinner, to picnics, to going swimming and lots more. It felt like more than a summer fling. Especially once he asked you to be his girlfriend, which you immediately said yes too.

But he got a lot more twitchy after he had.

Eventually, Lando or Bob as you knew him took you to Paris so you could get your passport. He explained that he travelled a lot for work and he would need to leave soon and you explained that before you bumped into him you'd been on a gap year travelling the world.

"Baby, why don't you come with me?" he asked randomly as you were both lying on the sofa, cuddling while watching a film.

"You wont even tell me what you do for work Baby! And besides I had a schedule that I'm already behind on. A week ago you said you didn't mind going our separate ways for a little bit until Christmas and then you'd come to England with me" you say playing with his curls.

"Okay, I'm going to be honest with you now... my name isn't Bob" he says shyly and you sit up at the speed of light turning to look at him.

"I knew it! So you lied to me?" you exclaim laughing.

"So, what's my boyfriends actual name?" you ask looking him dead in the eyes, he leans up on his elbows before sitting the full way up.

"Lando, I am Lando Norris" he smiles.

"Hmmmm, Lando... Lando. I could get used to that" you smile.

"You aren't mad?" he asks looking over you, brushing you hair back and tucking it behind your ear before kissing your cheek.

"I knew you weren't being completely honest when we first met... but I also knew you had your own reasons" you offer.

"I think its going to be easier if I just hand you my Instagram" he admits with a gulp as he hands you his phone. The first thing you notice is how many followers he had, there was around 10million and he had nearly 2,500 posts.

You look at the friends list, and one peeks your interest. Charles Leclerc, who looked exactly like Percy who Lando had introduced you too.

You then go back and look at his bio, that told you his actual job.

"So, I'm dating a super famous athlete?" you ask looking up at him away from the phone to see his head down in his hands. He turns to the side to sneak a look at your expression, his eyes a little glossy.

"To be specific, a Formula 1 driver" you ask again and he nods.

"You are such a muppet, my god" you laugh before pulling him into a hug.

"How aren't you upset with me?" he ask unsure.

"Well, I agreed to date you, because you are you. I doubt you change into Mr Hyde when you become a what was is Porsche race-car driver? I fell in love with you, not Bob, not Lando, you. So whether that is Bob, who kindly helped a crying lady on the street who just had her passport stolen from her, or Lando a cool and amazing race-car driver. Whoever you are is the person I love" you grin and he pulls you into a hug.

"So you want to join me for the last few races? Or you want to finish this world trip of yours?" he asks.

"Well, looking at your calendar, I can actually meet you at the rest of the races, While travelling. I'll continue to do Europe until you have the Netherlands, and ill go back to Italy, just for you. I'll miss Azerbaijan and Singapore because I did that, but I'll knock out some of South America, I'll meet you for Austin, then we can do Mexico and Brazil together, then we can do Vegas together! And by that point I can call it done with my trip!" you exclaim and he looks like he considers it for a second.

He's shocked, he cant remember the last time a girlfriend tried so hard to link up their schedules like this, and proved that they'd be able to work despite some potential scheduling issues.

"I love you. I fucking love you" he grins pulling you back down onto the sofa kissing all over your face making you giggle.

A/N: I've been doing a lot of Lando recently, I don't know if you can tell but I love writing about him, he's my fav to write about right now.

Taglist:

@littlesatanicassholebitch @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @stupidandunnecessary @clayra-g @daemyratwst @honey-belden @moonypixel @lauralarsen @vader-is-hot @ironcowboycopnickel @itsjustkhaos @the-untamed-soul @beebo86 @happylittlereader @ziejustme @lou-larcher5 @thewulf @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @chillyleclerc @chanthereader @annoyingmoonballoon @summissss @evieepepi08 @havaneseoger08 @celesteblack08 @gulphulp @fandom1ruined2me @celebstories @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhh @georgeparisole @dakotatankbig @youcannotcancelquidditch @zzonsbeek @tallbrownhairsarcastic @mellowarcadefun @ourteenagetragedy @otako5811 @countingstacksandpanicattacks @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @hopexcroc @mirrorball-6 @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @bigsimperika @blueberry64857959 @eiraethh @lilypadlover @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @the-fem1n1ne-urge @21stcenturytaegi @dark-night-sky-99 @spideybv28 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @kapsylia @laneyspaulding19 @viennakarma

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️Reveling in Richonne - TOWL

#46: The Never Letting Go (1.05)

gif cred: @nerd4music

I adore that Richonne's love is so strong and everlasting that even despite being kept apart for longer than they were together, Rick and Michonne still never moved on from each other. They stayed madly in love and they never let go of each other.

And it's sweet Rick wants to vocalize exactly that in these woods and all throughout their journey home 😊...

After the great souvenir shop scene, I like how we enter Richonne's conversation in the woods with Michonne sharing her observations on Rick’s 'family member' Pearl. And from her observations, she clearly felt that Thorne lady was doing the most lol.

Michonne says, “Thorne was so uptight. She was trying so hard for this army. Too hard.”

gif cred: @nerd4music

Rick gives Michonne the scoop on Pearl when he explains, “She was trying to get home to South Africa, to someone she loves. Okafor found her and she stopped trying.”

And then I love that Rick stops and takes Michonne’s hand to look her in the eyes and say, “You know I never let go. I denied it and I pushed you away. But I never let go.”

It’s sweet that he really wants her to know this. To know that no matter his previous actions and no matter how many years, he truly never let go of his love for her. He never let go of her.

gif cred: @nat111love

We saw how true that was in all the ways Rick yearned for her while apart. Even all the denying it and pushing her away was rooted in him never letting go of his love and commitment to protect her.

Again, when he was pushing Michonne away, he still had every intent to live the rest of his life like he was hers, just from afar. 

gif cred: @nat111love

And then I appreciate that Michonne gets to be honest in response to this. She looks at him again with so much sincere love evident in her expression and then she warmly touches his face and says, “I didn’t know.” That’s valid because some of Rick’s moments of pushing her away in ep 3 & 4 really did force her to wonder if perhaps her Rick was gone.

But fortunately that character - The Bold As Hell Man - made his final appearance last episode. So now Michonne gets to be with the Rick she knows and loves - the man who we know will happily spend the rest of his life making sure she never again has to be unsure of where he stands and how much he loves her. 

As they keep walking, Michonne stops and notices words about what and who to protect on a National Park sign. Rick asks, “What is it?” and Michonne shares what line from the sign most sticks out to her when she says, “'The people from the people'.” And as TWD has long shown, it’s often the living people that are the bigger danger and most need to be protected from even over the dead.

But also the line is interesting because in a way taking out walkers in this apocalypse is protecting people from 'the people' because that’s what the dead once were. 

gif cred: @nerd4music

After she says this, they hear some screaming from the distance and they immediately run to the rescue. Richonne works together to take out a walker with skin like stone and I like how they just effortlessly tag team and successfully kill it, despite a whole trio having struggled to take the thing down.

Killing the walker is a piece of cake for them to the point that Michonne is more just casually curious about it saying "hmm" lol. 😋

gif cred: @perryabbott

Richonne meets this bumbling trio and as the generous goodhearted people they are they agree to give the group some of their noodles after Michonne kindly cared that they look pretty hungry. I love how when she notes they look hungry, Rick is quickly on board to give them noodles. And Michonne’s smile is so sweet being nice to these folks and handing them the food packages.

Rick tells them to stay safe as he and Michonne prepare to head back on their path. But this trio doesn’t have good judgment, so they aren’t able to tell that they just had an encounter with the baddest to ever do it, and they think they can threaten Richonne by putting guns on them. 

gif cred: @andy-clutterbuck

The best thing about this scene is how Richonne always operates in the same energy. And here they both look more minorly inconvenienced rather than threatened cuz they know that these siblings are gonna regret this.

Rick is unfazed by having a gun on him but he does look particularly peeved seeing that man point a gun at Michonne. Target a Grimes in front of another Grimes and it's gonna have Richonne heated every time.

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

Continuing to operate in the same energy, Michonne and Rick just casually let the group know they’ll graciously let them take this moment back as that would be in the trio’s best interest. The leader Red starts trying to share his motto or whatever but he doesn’t get to finish because Rick and Michonne disarm them with ease. Always in sync those two. 😌

Within seconds, Richonne goes from having guns on them to being the ones aiming the guns, and now all of a sudden the group wants to change their tune and take them up on their rollback offer.

Michonne and Rick feel like such parents as they try to ensure these people won’t pull this thievery attempt on anyone else. Red wonders why they care about anyone else and says, “You look after you. Anything else is a fairytale.” And Rick says, “You think?” Little does Red know he’s talking to the two people living about as close to an apocalyptic fairytale as they can with their epic love story.

The Philly guy admits it’s very hard to think with Rick (hotly) having a gun on him and then we get some signature Rick Grimes when he says, “Well how about you just listen.” And the Philly man announcing that he’s peeing in fear is a humorous moment. 🤭

gif cred: @nerd4music

Rick breaks it down for them as he reminds them that he and his wife saved them and they aren’t the ones in danger rn. They finally get the trio to make a promise and then Michonne starts taking their noodles away. And I'm with her on that choice.

Rick is initially surprised that they're taking the noodles away so he curiously looks at Michonne and asks, “Really?” But seeing Michonne is serious, he’s again quickly on board, and I like how he's just like 'Okay' and stoops down for her to put the packages back in his backpack. 😊

gif cred: @nerd4music

Even tho he's surprised they're taking the noodles, I love that Rick is still like...

Richonne's whole energy at the end of this scene makes me smile as they get rid of the bullets in the guns and toss them. Like Rick and Michonne really were just so casual and unbothered while letting those three know they’re gonna learn today. 😇

Michonne sternly tells the trio to wait until they’re gone and Rick reminds them to keep their promise and y’all, seeing Richonne back in their zone like this was a sight for sore eyes.😌

Then there’s such a pretty purple nature shot before they cut to Rick and Michonne in their cozy cabin. And once again we get a scene that features Richonne + candles, so you know it’s gonna be good. 😊

gif cred: @perryabbott

Inside the cabin, Michonne looks so pretty sitting at the table by the candles as she holds Red’s red gun. And I love that Rick is protecting the place with that trip wire. It’s yet another depiction of why Michonne knows she’s always safe with him.

Michonne asks if Rick thinks it was okay to leave the trio the other gun and he answers saying, “I don’t think they’ll come after us, if that’s what you mean. And maybe he’ll keep that promise.” 

Then, because Rick remembers everything Michonne has ever said in life, he recalls back to that sign she noticed before they were interrupted by the trio and asks, “What were you saying about ‘the people from the people?’”

I love how that stuck with him and it’s stuck with her too when Michonne shares, “I don’t know. It’s just something that’s stuck in my head. ‘Protect the people from the people.’” The line is a clear seed being planted that Richonne will feel obligated to go take down the CRM and protect the people from the people. 

Rick grabs a dusty whiskey bottle and one thing I really like about this scene is how comfortable it all feels. Like it really captured a calm authentic vibe with Rick and Michonne just decompressing over a drink after a day of travel. They just seem so at home with each other which I always enjoy seeing.

In one of Rick’s episode one letters he mentioned sitting with Michonne talking into the late night hours, and I love that they now get to do that again. They deserve this. 🥰

Michonne asks, “You think they would have made it?” and I like how Michonne wants to pick Rick’s brain about these things running through her head. Rick puts glasses and the bottle on the table and says, “What, if we hadn’t come along? I don’t know.”

Michonne mulls over that trio’s situation and Rick says, “Lucky for them someone was nearby.” And Michonne adds, “Lucky for them it was us.” Rick agrees as he pours their drinks and then Michonne reflects on how they didn’t even think twice before running to help them.

gif cred: @richonnegifs

Rick seems so idk like cute and relaxed when he says, “Nope. Might be strange to admit it but that felt good” and smiles at her. Richonne was back in the woods handling business and helping people so it makes sense it felt good to be returning to their roots together. 😌

And then I adore Michonne softly saying, “Us against the world” as they clink their glasses and cheers. 🥂

Again, I love how Michonne loves and believes in Richonne so much. This world has thrown a lot at them, like more than most could bear, but Rick and Michonne come out on top together every time. So if it’s them vs. anything or anyone else, Michonne is choosing them every time. And so am I.🙋🏽‍♀️

gif cred: @richonnegifs

And then I also love Rick adding, “Or saving it” because Richonne also makes the world a better place together too. 

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

Rick admits he was surprised Michonne took back the noodles but she makes a very valid point when she laughs and says, “They pulled a gun on us. You don’t get noodles for that.” She ain’t ever been wrong, y’all.

gif cred: @nerd4music

Rick again looks like he agrees with her as they drink. And then...Michonne starts putting some stuff together about that husband she knows so well.😏

gif cred: @nerd4music

She seductively says, “Toothpaste, booze…what are you up to, Grimes?” Love it. 😊 She knows that man is doing all the things that are gonna have her hot and bothered lol.

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

And then Rick is so sweet and sincere saying, “I’m just working with what I got” as he takes the M bracelet from his pocket and places it in her hand. Y’all, how is there so much gold in one six-episode series? Like the way we were fed. #SixCourseMeal 💯🍽

I love that they include this moment in the show of Rick gifting her this meaningful jewelry. One thing about that man Rick - he is going to find a way to be romantic with his wife, even in an apocalypse. 👌🏽

gif cred: @andy-clutterbuck

Every detail of Michonne is an important detail to Rick. And one of the many things I appreciate about this bracelet moment is that it’s about her. Not her as a leader or someone who is an asset to a group, but just Michonne the woman who Rick loves and cherishes.

And Michonne’s surprised and touched reaction to the bracelet is so so sweet. She smiles with a little laugh as she gets to see Rick yet again replace the one she lost and be so thoughtful to her. She’s got the best husband and I love that for her. 🥹

And Rick has got the best wife which is why he wants to shower her with gifts every chance he gets. Also, when Rick says he’s working with what he’s got, I really feel like it’s him knowing he’s giving her what he can until he can finally find her a ring.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Then the scene just continues to live up to the love story that was promised as Rick stands up and gently takes Michonne's hand. I adore the tender way he does that, holding just the tips of her fingers, and the way she’s beaming at him as she stands up. 😍🥹

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

And there's even more to adore because I love the way he's taking her in with a smile and pulling her closer with the soft music playing, the way she stays looking in his eyes with her pearly smile, the way they wrap their arms around each other and kiss...again, real lovers are back. 💯🙌🏽

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

Also, I love how while this moment starts off all soft and gentle, the kiss they then share is real hungry and passionate from both of them. Like many, I had a second of wondering if they were about to start dancing but no y’all, they get straight to it because of course they do. 😋

Slick Rick said it's been nearly a decade, so every chance I get with my wife...

Rick and Michonne's hunger for each other really knows no bounds. They kiss each other like its nourishment and that was very much communicated in this passionate kiss as they fall into bed. Every kiss is a ten out of ten in TOWL and I’m here for the drunk-on-love vibes of this one. 😊

gif cred: @msanonships

Also, whenever I see this I'm just like the world should have known that in this miniseries Rick was about to be quite occupied with loving on his favorite person now that he's returned to Michonne. Like no he isn't itching to know if Negan went on to have a 'redemption' arc 🧍🏽‍♀️...Rick's finally got the woman who is his heart back in his life & wrapped in his arms. This was always gonna be where he directed his focus and energy.

And as the scene in this cozy cabin concludes it affirms yet again that Richonne + candle-lit scenes are always gonna be gold. 🕯👌🏽

gif cred: @msanonships

Things are going to get pretty fast and furious with Richonne’s next few scenes and so I appreciate that this scene gave them a moment of calm, quiet, and romance before that. It was all so warm and another great reminder of why I love the way Richonne loves each other. 😌👌🏽

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

Hii! Let me start by saying I've binged most of your Tangerine and Pietro's works and I absolutely loved it 🤌🏻

If you're still accepting requests, could you write for fwb! Tangerine, after you told him that you should be just friends (bc of what he does for a living) but eventually cave in when he gets back from a mission? (mix of smut and fluff if possible).

Thank you <3

hii angel!! tehe yes ive seen you around, and tysm☹️okay I really love this !! thanks for requesting, hope you like it💌

MEET IN THE MIDDLE

tangerine x female reader

wc. 1107

cw. 18+ only!! spoiler alert but he tears readers clothing bc he's a desperate horny mess and it's hot as shit, unprepped and unprotected sex, pinv. mdni

Since you put a cool on your contractual relationship with Tangerine a month ago, you've delved back into that state of solemn longing. Putting an end to many months' worth of great sex wasn't easy - it really wasn't, and as much as you started to fall for the guy, you just couldn't seem to get over what he did for a living. 

No matter how much you pushed down that feeling of unease, you could not get past it.  

That was until ten days ago, when he texted you on a random tuesday, telling you he was leaving for work to South Africa, seeing if you wanted to meet when he returns. Since that text, he's been your every thought - every notion in your mind. 

The idea of him leaving for a dangerous job abroad struck panic and dread within you - the thought of him getting hurt without him knowing how much you really felt about him was something you could not bear to stomach.

After that text, you've been counting off the days until you could see him again, waiting until you get that confirmation he's okay and safe. 

It was finally the day Tangerine returns home from his trip, and it was singularly the only day of happiness you felt since calling things off. You both occasionally texted while he was away, only conversing when he had time to spare, talking about the plan for when he comes back. You settled on your place; he would go home, clean himself up and pop by yours for a casual, friendly night in - like old times.

Your door knocks in that familiar pattern you've grown to know so well, and you immediately rush to answer it - a bright smile as you peek through the gap, looking at Tangerine on the other side with a grin as sincere as yours.

"Oh my god," you gush, instantly wrapping him in a tight hug. You pull away, awkward eyes diverting from his awe-filled ones. "Sorry, sorry— that was too much. It's just..." you breathe, meeting his gaze. "Really good to see you."

"I missed you," he admits, speaking confidently. "But... didn't think you'd actually wanna see me."

Your smile resurfaces, and you pause. That wasn't true - you couldn't wait to see Tangerine again. 

Since you had time to call down during the time apart, you've grown to realise that his job didn't define him as a person and that, at the core of it, it doesn't really matter. He isn't some abhorrent, abusive mercenary - he is someone who loves and cares deeply, someone who is sweet and thoughtful, no matter how hard they pretend they're not.

"Bull," you joke, sweet eyes staying glued to his - like they were taking him all in, seeing him in the flesh for the first time again. "That's not true."

He steps into your house and kicks off his shoes, making himself at home. "No?"

"No," you shake your head, soft yet stern movements as you move to close the door behind him. "Not at all."

You turn around to meet him, though now, he's closed the gap between you by a foot, standing in front of you with his hands itching up towards you, making tentative movements to the sides of your face. 

His gaze remains lidded as he places his palms over either cheek, cupping you in his hands. "You mean that?"

You nod in his hold, murmuring your agreement - far too concerned about the weak sound you'd make if you spoke. 

"Yeah?" he weakly smiles, slowly leaning in towards you. 

"Yeah," you repeat, meeting him in the middle for a kiss, melting into the soft and sweet contact you've since longed for. 

He parts -barely- whispering against your lips. "Good."

His grip on your face firms as he brings you back in, kissing you more urgently this time, as if that little peck wasn't enough to satiate the need. It grows carnal, more desperate - hungrily kissing as he pushes you up against the front door. 

Your hands roam him ever so familiarly, trailing over his stubbly jaw as you hold him to you - keeping him close. You murmur a faint moan into his mouth as you feel him chub up against you, his hardening cock prodding at your lower stomach through his lounge shorts.

"Fuck," he muffles roughly between your lips, slipping a hand behind your neck - fist tightening at the root. 

"Been so long," you whisper, your voice weak as you catch your breath between breaks.

"Too fuckin' long," he adds.

He peels you from the door and walks you backwards into your living room - guiding you to the sofa within his sure hold. He keeps his lips glued to yours as he lays you down on the cushion, hovering atop as he situates himself between your spread thighs.

"Do you like these?" he asks, tugging on your pyjama bottoms.

"Yeah," you hum, snaking your hand between yourselves - reaching for his waistband.

"Alright, I'll buy'ya a new pair," he replies, voice hoarse as he slips himself from your tight grasp, sitting up on his heels. 

He places both large hands between your thighs, meeting at your crotch as he tears a hole in the fabric - giving him perfect access to your pussy.

The motion catches you by surprise, sending a deep shiver down your spine as you peek down between your thighs - seeing the frayed material right by your cunt, looking at the consequence of his desperation. 

Your chest rises and falls heavily, intense, short breaths as you peer up at him, eyes flickering over him in a way that mirrors his own. 

He slides his hand down the front of his shorts, delving into his boxers as he pulls his dick out the waistband, rolling over his length in his palm. His grip slips down to the head of his cock, thumb resting on the upperside as he guides himself towards you - parting your underwear aside with his spare hand. He slowly eases his tip into you, savouring that first initial fluttering stretch of your unprepped pussy, relishing the feeling of you needily swallowing more of him.

He strips from his hoodie and throws it aside, leaning back over you so his chest is flush up against you, hands instinctively cupping your face as he peppers your jaw in quick kisses. 

 "Fuck— I missed you," he murmurs as he slowly begins to roll his hips into you, grinding into you with easy, gentle strokes.

You guys have a lot to catch up on. 

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[gremlinmodetweeker]

König of the Icks (cont.)

More König of the Icks (Because He’s a Giant Dweeb)

Art Credit

König talks through movies

He talks through them so much that he loses track of the movie, and then gets confused and other people have to pause the movie to catch him up to speed

The only way to get him to shut up is to keep his mouth busy. No, not like that, he’s too interested in the movie for that. You have to get him eating.

On this note, König is constantly snacking and while at first it’s cute, it becomes a nightmare.

König has a very mild case of hypoglycemia. It’s not to a point where it causes his any problems when overseas, but it causes issues when he’s home and he’s run out of snacks

He becomes a little bitch

König, when grumpy, is an ass to deal with because he won’t tell anyone what’s wrong but he’ll be snippy and obnoxious and he becomes a total princess about everything.

Bedding’s too lumpy, his seat’s too hard, his book is too boring, you’re talking too much (you haven’t said anything in the past hour), everything is wrong

Eventually you realize he’s just hungry but refuses to admit it.

Now, you have to keep tiny trays of snacks filled in all the rooms he frequents. Usually he likes peanuts and raisins as a snack, but sometimes a dish of dried fruit or a bowl of granola is enough to sate him.

He used to eat junk food as a kid, but he’s since switched to healthy snacks because it makes his mother feel better

Speaking of his mother, he tells his parents everything

He calls his parents at least once a week, and he’ll tell them everything that’s happened since the last call. Yes, this includes things you wish he wouldn’t say, like how you smashed a glass or how you said something dumb over dinner. He’s so happy to share these things and laugh at them with his parents.

Another thing is that he’ll also call all his siblings and repeat these stories to each one of them. It’s miserable. You have to relive your blunders at least five times before it’s put to rest

Until the next family meeting, which is when it all gets brought up again

Speaking of talking to others, once König is comfortable with someone he becomes a bit of a chatterbox

It’s like he has to make up for his dreadful, ominous silence every time he interacts with people he doesn’t trust very much, so you are on the end of all of his vents about the day

You’ll learn things about people you wished you never knew

Roze has a dartboard that she pins her enemy’s faces to, and Horangi has been on the bull’s eye three times the past week

Horangi snores loud enough to wake up König

Hutch one broke Aksel’s phone on purpose and then slipped it in the lounge sofa cushions, then promptly blamed it on Klaus to start a cultural war

Nikto eats everybody’s lunches (except König because König’s reputation around food is too scary to steal from)

Stiletto has hidden stashes of cigarettes all over the base to smoke when people aren’t looking

What you learn about König is that he’s a horrible gossip

König is such a shitter with gossip too because he’ll go on about how everyone keeps telling him things he doesn’t want to hear, but if he doesn’t want to hear it or he doesn’t care about it at all why does he keep repeating it all to you???

He’s literally the worst gossip sometimes. However, the news from the base can be absolutely fascinating

König also has a bad habit of getting caught up in shenanigans

For some reason, everyone wants a König when going on an adventure, and there are only so many König’s to go around so he’s always being pulled into bullshit that is way beyond his paygrade

And example of shenanigans is when Horangi wanted to get over his fear of heights, so he decided to go cliff jumping when on a mission in South Africa. He was too scared to go on his own, so he got König because ‘if the ropes can hold you, they can hold me’ and so König was dragged out to the cliffs

Another time Oz took him to a chili contest back home that ended up lasting for two days before König came back. He still doesn’t know what all the hype is about.

So thus, König is an endless source of good stories, but nobody believes you when you tell them because ‘he’s the big awkward Autrian guy, right? What are you talking about? He never says anything, how the hell did he come out first in a slam poetry contest?’ and so you suffer knowing that you live with all of König’s stories and yet nobody to tell them to

[nthspecialll]

The survivors

Sometimes I think about the survivors of the Van Der Linde gang scattered across the map and beyond, each of them carrying the same wound that was left with the break of their family and how they try to remember them.

Both Trelawny and Tilly lives in Saint-Denis, I wonder if they ever bumped into one another a few years later, looking at each other across the street, just trying to process the face before them and the time and people that it pulls them back to. The happiest yet the most tragic time for both of them.

They probably crossed the road, meeting half way, their respective parntners holding eye contact for a moment and knowing immediately "oh, they know each other from... that" allowing the two the moment.

I wonder if Tilly cried to Trelawny , telling him how it felt to be there in the end after he left, finally having someone who understands her, and I wonder if Trelawny offered to hunt the others down like he used to. One last chase, one last time searching for the Van Der Lindes, whatever remained of them.

Mary-Beth was probably shocked when she saw Trelawny standing there in Valentine, waving at her with his usual charm, yet a bit of sorrow hidden in his voice. He probably strolled up to her, told her about Tilly and asked her to come visit as they walked together down to Horseshoe Overlook, Mary-Beth telling him about the adventures they had there.

Trelawny probably didn't struggle to find Pearson in Rhodes either, the hollow man with the picture of the old gang on the wall, who could barely look down the street without thinking of the hole in poor Sean's head and who would daily walk down to Clemens Point just to remind himself.

Pearson agrees to meet with Tilly and it becomes a monthly thing, often joined by Mary-Beth. They were held together by their common trauma, their unusual common past.

Trelawny was probably the one who found out about Karen and the fact she had drunken herself to death and had to hang his head low and let Tilly know.

Strauss was beaten to death, he had read that in the newspapers, Uncle was a bit harder to find, staying out of trouble yet also ending up in debt with some ugly men Trelawny could call in favour with. They talk and he brings him to TIlly, but they don't keep in touch.

For the remaining it took years, Trelawny searched up and downand at some point, early 1907 he found Charles fighting in Saint Denis. He told Charles about Tilly and was visibly able to see a weight being lifted off the man's shoulders, but he was too scared of brining back any bad luck to the happy Tilly and stayed away.

John had covered his, Jack's and Abigail's tracks from the law and him. Sadie he found out too late had been in the country but made her way to South Africa to work.

Trelawny stands left, he found them, just like he had done for years, except there is none left now, only John, John who has disappeared into thin air, a bad dream with a bittersweet aftertaste. He doesn't know what to do so he does the one thing he is good at, searching. His wife tells him to stop and although he shortly tries he can't, he too misses the past and wants it back no matter how much the words Arthur spoke to him telling him to leave and not look back had burned themselves into his skull. Searching is what he does, he can do nothing else.

At some point he finds John, after years he finally finds John's name in the newspaper, except it is too late and the only thing that remains of the man is two headstones with his and his wife's name, Abigail's last name replacing Roberts with Marston.

Jack is there too, he doesn't remember Trelawny, but Trelawny remembers him. He sees John's features in the young man who used to have twenty people there to care for him but because of one man now stood alone, the young man who would hopefully outlive the rest of the gang, except he probably wouldn't as he carried a gun and John's hat.

Trelawny knew then that the boy would suffer the same fate his uncle hat and he knew that a few years from then his search would lead to yet another early grave or a name scratched in the book of a jailor.

[dead-twink-storage]

You have rich billionaires who control the actual leaders of nations. People who purposefully destroy foreign nations so they don’t harm the central bank’s control in some far off part of the world. People who decided not only that destroying nations across South East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America would benefit their reach and influence in the area over there but that the dispossessed people from these nations could serve as a new labor force that wouldn’t be as demanding or as costly as the native workforce over here. You have men who are proud economic hitmen and banking cabal attack dogs who destroy even first world nation’s economies and political autonomy so they are forever subservient to the UK and US ruling class agenda. 

But when all the performative eat the rich rhetoric comes out on this site, reddit, twitter, etc just generally with any Gen X to Gen Z fair weather revolutionary it all boils down hating on some gimpy rich boy tech bro type who’s only real sin in the eyes of these people is not kissing the right moral ring fingers everything else is just window dressing and excuses after the fact that they really don’t care about deep down because the moment you name names and bring up the first group of shitty billionaire monsters guilty of all the same abuse of workers and the trust of society and economy they will defend them up and down, deny, downplay, or simply denigrate you bringing up these rich behemoths who rule and ruin so much of this planet.

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Euphorbia grandicornis

Euphorbia is a huge and extremely variable genus, but Africa has many spiny species that remind people of cactus plants, although they are not related. This one is Euphorbia grandicornis (meaning "big horn", in reference to its formidable spines), a shrubby species from the northeastern part of South Africa, as well as neighboring Mozambique and Eswatini. The dramatic "wings", formed by the widening and narrowing of its stems, are reminiscent of Euphorbia cooperi, but the latter becomes a large tree. Like most Euphorbia species, these two are quite poisonous, so care must be taken not to let the sap come into contact with one's eyes or other sensitive areas. The tiny yellow cyathia (the little cups containing the flowers) seem very small for such an impressive plant.

-Brian

[aprito]

I know you won't reply to that, I just want to say something. I'm hurt. I guess you're on Gaza's side. Even though Hamas aren't the only monsters who hurt my people. Those "innocent people" rape , hit and torment my people. I don't care that monster lost her eye! Most of them want to kill us, And YOU either. They hate us more, but they hate you too. I liked your drawing so much, But now I'm just sad. Don't do that again, please- and I'll keep appreciate your work, because sasosaku are the best!

Aside from the fact that South Africa is sueing Israel for crimes against humanity at the Hague with receipts that include Israel's own admissions: Do you not realise how evil it sounds to look at the bombardment and blockade of a civilian population, half of whom aren't even 18, in the internationally recognized world's largest open air prison, and say that they deserve to die due to a group last voted for in 2006, a year half of the current Gazan population wasn't even born at? Do you think it's fair to bomb hospitals and block water and food supply? Do you think think it's fair to displace 85% of a civilian population? Do you believe it's fair that Israel is currently responsible for the largest share of child casualties? Do you believe that, ignoring everything that happened after October 7th, it's okay for Israel to be the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes between 500 and 700 children each year in military courts lacking fundamental fair trial rights? Those children are the people you call monsters? Do you hear yourself?

I am from Eastern Europe. The wars and consequent economic shock therapies Western Europe and the US have provoked and encouraged there for the past 30 years have displaced and killed more people than I'd like to count. People I met, People I'm related to even. Yet unlike you, I do not believe the children of those countries deserve to the punished for the crimes of a dozen corrupt, imperialist, racist, bloodthirsty leaders and their military henchmen. And I heavily encourage you to find that same empathy in your heart.

[toomanystoriessolittletime]

coming home

Summary: Marcus comes home after a mission to find you asleep on the couch.

Pairing: Marcus Moreno x fem. Reader

Wordcount: 1064

Rating: E

Warnings: fluff, smut (unprotected sex) sleepy sex, sleepy Marcus, horny Marcus, unedited

Marcus felt like he hadn’t slept in three days. 

Which he… might have. 

The threat in South Africa was handled and the whole team was okay and back at HQ. He had no idea what time it was or what day for that matter as he climbed out of his car in his driveway. 

Sighing, feeling like he was a hundred years old, he made his way into his house, activating the security system as he closed the door behind him, taking a deep breath. Everything was dark except for the tiny light in the kitchen. He left his bag next to the door as he took his shoes off. He had left the Katanas and Tact Vest at HQ. 

He was sure he would spend the three days he had off now sleeping and letting you take care of him. 

He knew how anxious you were every time he had to leave, so as soon as he was on the plane back he had texted you that everything was okay. You had texted him back that you’d wait for him to which he only smiled, telling you to go to bed cause debrief would take a while. 

His eyes found the clock at the stove, telling him that it was almost 4 am. 

Opening the fridge to grab a bottle of water he emptied it almost completely before he rolled his neck. It’s then that he noticed the low noise of what was probably the TV in the living room. 

Puting the bottle down he walked out of the kitchen and towards the living room across the hallway, leaning with his shoulder against the door as he found you sleeping on the sofa with a fond smile. 

You were laying on your stomach, wearing one of his shirts and some sleep shorts. There was a rerun of the golden girls on, two glasses of wine and his favourite cookies on the coffee table making him smile wider. 

How on earth did he deserve you?

Walking over he slipped the remote out of your hand, turning the TV off. He was picking up your favourite blanket that must have slipped off of you when he tilted his head, sucking his bottom lip in as he noticed that 1. You weren’t wearing any underwear and 2. Your sleep shorts had slipped to the side, leaving your pussy on display for him. 

Fuck, he was tired but just the sight of you made his cock twitch.

He took a deep breath, pulling his glasses off to set them on the coffee table before he rubbed over his forehead. 

“Marcus?” you mumbled sleepily, turning your head as you slowly blinked your eyes open. Marcus was kneeling beside you, your blanket still in his hands, his eyes finding yours. You gave him a tired smile, your head still resting on a soft pillow. 

“Hi baby,” he said, bending down to kiss you softly. You smiled against his lips, giggling when you felt his hand on your ass.

“Missed you,” he said.

“Clearly,” you teased and he kissed your nose. You wanted to turn around but he stopped you. 

“Can’t blame me when I come home to find you lying here like that,” you gasped when you felt his hand between your legs, his fingers slipping through your pussy.

“Wanna fuck you,” he mumbled and you sighed. 

“You look like you are going to fall asleep in the next 5 minutes,” you said as he got back on his feet, pulling his pants open, pushing them down, his cock already hard, making you swallow. 

“Always awake enough to fuck you,” he kissed you again, before he got on the sofa, kneeling above you. You turned your head to look at him just as he spit in his hand, wetting the tip of his cock. You wiggled your ass underneath him and he gave you a small grin, before he pulled your sleeping shorts down just so he could get inside of you. 

You felt him line up before he slowly sank into you, groaning loudly.

“Shhhh you gonna wake up the kids,” you moaned quietly as he bottomed out, thrusting back in. You turned your head back to moan into the pillow. 

“Fuck i’m not gonna last,” he hummed as he fucked you slowly. 

“Don’t care, fuck me,” you whimpered, trying to move beneath him but he held you in place, his hands coming to rest beside your head as he leaned down, his body now on top of yours, kissing your neck as he fucked into you. 

“Wanna feel you cum on my cock,” he panted against your ear before he nibbled on your neck, his facial hair scratching over your skin.

“Touched myself while I waited for you,” you moaned, turning your head as he groaned. He kissed you, fucking into you harder. 

“Fuck,” he moaned against your neck, sucking a mark into your skin. 

“Keep going,” you moaned quietly. 

“Gonna cum,” he groaned, fucking you faster.

You just closed your eyes, letting your head fall back down as he rolled his hips against yours, getting you closer and closer.

“Fuck,” he groaned, thrusting once twice until he came inside of you, triggering your own orgasm as he spilled inside of you. 

He panted against your neck as he tried, but failed to keep his weight off of you, making you giggle as he nuzzled against your neck. 

“Let’s go to bed, Marcus,” you turned your head and he kissed you. 

“Wanna sleep here, inside of you,” he mumbled and you smiled. 

“You can still sleep inside of me upstairs in our very comfy bed. Your back will thank you in the morning,” you said. 

“Don’t care,” he mumbled and you laughed. 

You used all your strength to get him off of you, making him chuckle until he finally got up, almost falling with his pants still around his ankles before he pulled them up.

Turning around you took his hand after you pulled your shorts back up, letting him help you up. He kissed you while you felt him leaking out of you.

“The kids are at your moms the next two days,” you mumbled against his lips, feeling him smile, his arms coming around you to pull you closer. 

“I love you,” he hummed. 

“Love you too. Let’s get you to bed, my tired heroic.”

[emeraldskulblaka]

What makes a stage adaptation of Tolkien's works relevant?

The big Tolkien websites/blogs/influencers care about many adaptations of Tolkien's works, but not all. I'm not overly familiar with non-stage adaptations beyond the Really Popular ones, so I don't really know what's going on there, but I AM noticing significant patterns and omissions when it comes to stage shows.

Only select productions are reported on, and what is reported on does not depend on the specific adaptation. I'm asking questions I can't answer myself; they're meant to help structure my thoughts.

Question: Are only productions by well-known, highly professional theatres relevant?

The answer seems to be a clear YES. While the size of the theatres varies, only notable regional, state, and commercial theatre productions are seen as relevant. It makes sense - they're better documented and widely promoted, not least because of their budget.

However, Kentucky Opera's Hobbit last month went by unnoticed. It was a children's opera, which brings me to the next question:

Question: Are Hobbit plays less relevant when they're performed by and for kids?

It looks like it. Strange, is it not? The Hobbit is a children's book. Let me elaborate on this:

Not only the Kentucky Opera's Hobbit, but also the National Children's Theatre of South Africa's Hobbit, and Wilde & Vogel's puppetry Hobbit (touring in German-speaking countries) barely rouse interest from Tolkien Societies or local fans. Is there no value in children's theatre to be found for adults?

Question: Are parodies not legitimate adaptations?

If the Hobbit is less interesting because it's for kids, and proper adaptations must be performed at renowned theatres, you'd think LotR-inspired plays aimed at fans of all ages would be interesting, but... no. Some of them are parodies.

Charles Ross' One Man Lord of the Rings played at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for two weeks, no one batted an eye. Fellowship! even has an official cast album, but 'the' Lord of the Rings musical is the only one, right? And The Wizard of the Rings in Arizona may have played a popular local theatre, but it's also... a parody! While memes and fun edits are popular, parodies are not.

Question: Is there a bias towards English-language adaptations?

Also a clear YES. Popular Tolkien bloggers/websites/influencers often write in English for an English-speaking audience, which however DOES NOT always live in English-speaking countries. I found the Tolkien Society before the German 'branch', and I've met Russians who found out about the rock operas through me, who is running a blog in English.

Non-English language productions sometimes offer surtitles during performances, subtitles for official recordings, and live broadcasts to overcome language and spatial barriers. The interest for these is still remarkably small.

Question: Does official licensing play a role?

Apparently, yes. Maybe it's the same motivation that makes people ask for 'book-accurate' adaptations, the desire to see your favourite characters and stories represented as true to Tolkien as possible, and the trust in the rights owners to ensure that. Maybe.

What makes me think that? The fact that people are asking for Silmarillion adaptations even though multiple Czech musicals, a Spanish musical, and multiple Russian rock operas and musicals already exist! Of course, those aren't English, and they're also comparatively small productions, but they're written by fans with lots of love for Tolkien's writings in their hearts, and that should be worth something..?

Ultimately, I think, it's always a combination of multiple factors, and I haven't even mentioned the most important one yet: The majority is quite simply not interested in theatre. Or not in all of Tolkien's works. And it's always easier to love what's popular: as a creator, you get more attention for your works, and as a consumer, you have a bigger variety of things to choose from.

[celticcrossanon]

This is totally my opinion on Harry, Invictus and the Commonwealth. I think Harry’s greatest loss was the loss of their roles of President and VP of the Commonwealth Trust. If they lose Invictus a great deal of their “Plans” i.e. the Plans others have for using them. All of this is connected as I think Harry’s handlers have their ultimate goal of getting Harry back into a role with the Commonwealth which would allow a great deal of movement and economic and military activities within those countries populations, by his handlers, as Harry would be the face to put out any complaints by those who are fighting the multi national corporations and Tech companies that are trying to make inroads into those countries,  to get access to their resources, like oil, their land for development.  They have to have a face that is innocuous and who appears to be aligned with the Commonwealth countries. That face, the face of Invictus, gives them Carte Blanche to get into the country, to sell it as a Goodwill operation for Veterans etc. Without Invictus they lose that free pass to go right to the top of the countries hierarchy of ministers, presidents, meet a former prince routine of his and then integrate his own “connections” to the country with the blessing of the leaders as they trust Harry.  You know the Harry that keeps talking about “Africa, my true home, the place I am most comfortable” blah, blah. The desire of Invictus to get rid of Harry has proven to be very difficult as there are powerful corporations who want him there and it has nothing to do with athletes. With Harry as the face, and the beard for what is going on, he distracts from the real activities and puts out that she is 43% Nigerian (I am your sister, your mother, your wife blah, blah!). Don’t be fooled. This is all a charade, a scam…not by Harry, he is too stupid. Follow the money…this is all a distraction from issues like all the violence over there, i.e., African Parks. However, there is no question in my mind that H&M would do anything for money…greed is the touchstone here…and we already know that Harry would sell out his family for money. Can you imagine what he would do to an entity like the Commonwealth, that he does not care about at all?  Keep your eyes on these two, they are more dangerous than they look, because stupid people are very dangerous, because they will do anything for money.

*

Hi Nonny,

Thank you for sharing your opinion with us. :)

A few points that I want to comment on:

The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust is a local, UK based charity that is supposed to support young people aged 18-35 across the Commonwealth, focusing on social entrepreneurs who have founded organisations to address problems in their communities. So far it has funded projects in the following countries:

 3 in the UK, 5 in Uganda, 3 in Kenya, 3 in Cameroon, 2 in Malawi, 2 in South Africa, 2 in Rwanda, 2 in Tanzania, 2 in Nigeria, 1 in Ghana, 1 in Barbados, 1 in Guyana, 1 in St Lucia, 1 in Trinidad and Tobago, 1 in the Maldives, 1 in India, and 1 in Pakistan. 

That is 32 projects across 17 countries (out of 56 Commonwealth Nations). This is a small charity. It does not have an international reputation and I doubt that most people outside the UK would know about it.

Harry’s job as President was to be president of a UK based charity. It had nothing to do with the organisation of the Commonwealth if Nations.

With respect to the Commonwealth of Nations, any prominent position within the organisation is either filled by a Head of State or voted on by all Heads of State. If Harry wants one of those positions, for which he is woefully unqualified, he would have to do a deal with enough of the 56 Heads of State to be voted into the position. I can’t see that happening, myself, especially as many of them want the position to go to another country’s Head of State after King Charles. 

In addition, the Head of the Commonwealth has no power in any nation that makes up the Commonwealth. They can not be the face of anything except the Commonwealth as an organisation because they have no power in any of the individual countries (except for what is granted to them as Head of State of one or more of those countries).

Invictus is another matter, as Harry does have role as its patron that could include going to different countries to raise awareness/funds etc. Using that role for other motives makes sense.

[cybertroniannugget]

Pangea and mt Vesuvius

Not what I originally intended to post here, as I'm writing some spice at the moment but THIS is what my mind was occupied with all freaking day... The whole desaster takes place somewhere in the first movie or between 1 and two. Some details are changed up Which I did on purpose. I know all the movies from start to finish because the hyperfixations are hyperfixating real hard right now.

This is just a random story of how I get idk let's say teleported into the bayverse movies and how I'd probably handle that.

While I sprinkled in a bit more confidence than I actually got, I think it's an accurate representation of what kind of person I am: always cracking jokes, overthinking EVERYTHING, random useless knowledge that turns out to be somewhat useful.

About this fic: sfw, implied romance with OP, trans ftm character, no reader just Alex, confused Autobots they still need to learn so much about earth and everything, I also don't know okay?

This is just me struggling while simping hard for Optimus.

But we still ain't know what fucked up big M's navigation system when he crashed. Infact, why are all of our navigation systems useless here?! ", Jazz adressed, arms crossed over his chassis. "We all be getting lost all the time.

"I think I know why"

Oh please, why did I speak up just now...

All optics and eyes were fixed on me as I said that, making me immediately regret opening my mouth in the first place but here we are now.

"What? Maybe your systems think you're on Pangea.", I said, taking in the same position as Jazz by crossing my arms over my chest.

Optimus leaned closer, one servo on the railing, blue optics studying me thoroughly as to look for any signs of lie in my attitude.

"Pangea? May you elaborate?"

Hearing this deep voice so full of interest made me feel things honestly.

"The supercontinent. Wait, Imma show you."

I take out my phone, careful not to reveal the background, because I couldn't find the time to change it yet.

"Here, this is earth today. You see everything, Europe, Asia, South and North America, Autralia, Greenland and all the islands in the oceans."

"And this is Pangea, it broke apart into the continents as we know them today about 200 million years ago. This is probably what Megatron had in mind. See? When you look at a map of earth today you might think, if you turn south America around and snug it up to north America, they fit like a puzzle. It's because they were together as part of the supercontinent. Or push it up to Africa, same thing. Just squish it all together"

"That human is incredibly well educated.", Ratchet chimed in.

"That human has a name and thank you."

"But why did that happen? It makes no sense.", Ironhide complained, lifting one servo as to show his frustration in what I just said.

"If I may...", I look at Lennox, awaiting some kind of approval to continue. He nods and so I proceed with my explanation.

"Well, I don't know how to explain it scientifically, but I'll try to make it understandable."

Optimus nods, listening carefully. How do these highly educated space robots not know about that? But who am I to judge, they aren't from here so I can't expect them to know everything about earth.

"I think it probably started because of something called mantle convection. That means the heat from earth's interior rises up to the hardened crust. That caused it to break open, creating a volcanic rift zone. The cracks went further, the tectonic plates drifted apart. The rifts filled with water over time and while the plates drifted farther away, the oceans were formed. Or something like that I don't know but today we've got 6 continents."

Always undermining everything I say, great job on trying to act confident...

"And Greenland, I don't discriminate.", I added as some people eyed me.

"But I don't know if Pangea is what your systems used as the base to calculate. There were other tectonic combinations even before that, but it's a wild guess I'd say. I am certain it was one of them."

As I was explaining, Optimus' gaze changed to a warmer tone and I could feel my pulse rise to my ears. He was just so beautiful, and seeing him for the first time in person made my heart flutter uncontrollably. I wish I could tell him how I feel,

But this is real. No scenarios, no daydreaming or fanfiction. It was as real as it could get. Damn it, I wanted to shift here, not get teleported or whatever caused me to end up here with all of them. I hope we can atleast become friends. No need to get my hopes up though.

"Alexander?"

The baritone voice of the Prime pulled me out of my thoughts about him.

"Hm?"

"What kind of heat were you talking about?"

"Oh that. Well, starting at earth's core, it's liquid magma. It's really hot, like 5.200 Celsius hot. 9.000 something Fahrenheit for the Americans here..."

This was met with laughter and I continued with my lesson or whatever you might wanna call it I don't care, I'm struggling here okay?

"The further you go up, the 'cooler' it gets.", I say, underlining the word cooler with my hands in a joking matter.

"They probably got fancy scientific names but don't ask me which. Anyways shit's really hot. And it's what shoots up from volcanoes.", I finish as I look into a round of confused optics and a few tilted helms.

"Volcanoes? When tectonic plates crush against each other, or built up pressure is released, no?"

They all look at eachother, chuckling coming from my fellow humans around me.

"Okay here, that's mt vesuvius, big ass volcano."

"Sometimes these mfs shoot lava from this hole up there, pretty fascinating and scary at the same time.. It looks like this.", I add as they look at the pictures, not knowing whether to be amazed or afraid.

"The glowing stuff you see here is the lava. When it's still underneath the crust it's called magma."

"Are there many on earth?"

"Yup, don't get too close."

Optimus' optics widen at that statement of mine

"Don't worry bossbot, not on this island. The closest from here is next to Madagascar, Africa. Unless you decide to swim a few rounds up there there's no need to get worried."

The Prime relaxes, shoulders dropping while optics still focused on me.

Why is he looking at me like that? I mean I ain't complaining but if he continues like that Imma internally combust.

"You explain everything so well Alexander."

"Please, call me Alex. Alexander seems so long."

The Prime nods understandingly. "Very well then, Alex."

Oh god make it stop. I love you so much Optimus please...!

"His heart rate just shot up exponentially.", Ratchet mentioned and it was right then and there that I wanted to vanish, dissappear, sink into the ground, never to be seen again.

"Haha yeah, chronic Tachycardia, no need to worry."

That was a lie. Yes, my pulse is through the roof right now, but I've got no heart disease.

As I was met with confusion from every bot except Ratchet I explained before any questions could be asked.

"It's a general term to describe an elevated heartrate. You know, the thing in a human's chest that pumps blood through our body."

"Blood?"

"Oh come on. Okay, well then I can explain that to you guys later. And answer any questions you have as it seems no one else here cares about your education on earth and it's inhabitants.", I say grumpily, looking at Lennox, who raised his hands in defeat.

"I can see us becoming friends Alex.", Jazz laughed.

"Looking forward to it!", I said, pointing fingerguns at the silver bot, which is met with more laughter.

"Okay, class is over, what are we gonna do now?", Ironhide asks into the round of bots and humans.

I just shrug, looking at Optimus, who was still looking at me. But when I looked at him, he quickly looked away to Ironhide.

Cutie~

"Alex seems to know so much, why not ask her?."

That statement of a bystanding soldier was met with a glare from Optimus.

"Alex is a he, you better make sure to remember that!"

They went to protest, but Optimus wouldn't let them. "Unless you wish to get what humans call fired."

Oh shit he's really mad...

"I will make sure of that if you continue your unreasonable behavior."

As he said that I could swear I saw the soldier shrink right then and there infront of my own two eyes.

He looks at everyone. "This counts for everyone here. You will respect Alex."

Oh god, he's standing up for me I can't please marry me Optimus, like right now!

"Okay, lessons aside.", Epps put a hand on my shoulder, smiling. "You were great by the way. I think we can use that for good."

He looked between everyone, a stern expression replacing the warm smile, hand leaving my shoulder. "As much as of a crucial hint this is, we can't know for sure what's exactly causing the malfunction. Better dig people."

True honestly, but HOW is anyone supposed to figure it out without cutting someone open? Megs maybe...?!

"Something's on your mind again, I can see that.", Bumblebee said with snippets over the radio.

"What, me?! It's nothing."

"Nothing?!", Jazz protested. "You just gave us the best clue we could ask for. I'm no Optimus Prime but I can say that I wanna hear ya out my man."

He looks up at Optimus, who was looking at me again after listening to his lieutenant.

"I must say, that you have given us great insight on your mental capabilities Alex."

He leans closer and it took everything of the mental capabilities he just mentioned to not kiss him right here right now.

"Well uh, it's just some kind of impulsive thought. You know, the ones you can't really control...",I said nervously, one hand behind my neck, avoiding everyone's gaze.

But he didn't budge, only blinking once while awaiting an answer.

"Okay, you're not budging I see. Fine."

Taking a deep breath and regretting every life choice I had made up until that point, I went on. "Look, I don't know anything about Cybertronian culture and how things are handled. Especially this right here. Us humans, we always wanna know what exactly caused certain events. For example death here. So we came up with analyzing the body of the dead by cutting them open and stuff, it's called autopsy. Maybe, just maybe we could find something. I know Megatron ain't dead but he's in some sort of... Stasis? Someone could check his navigation system and maybe find the cause for the disruption."

I lower my shoulders, trying to be as small as I possibly could infront of Optimus, who's gaze I couldn't quite interpret.

"On Cybertron, there is quite a similar practise."

"So you're saying it's worth a shot, Prime?", Ironhide asks, unsure of what to think of the situation. "But he's not dead, as Alexander pointed out correctly.", Ratchet added.

Optimus turned around to face his Autobots.

"This may be our only chance. We must take it. For the sake of both worlds. This war has been going on for so long, we cannot let this hold us down. And now it seems there is a way to find out why this is happening. We will fix it, together."

Now it was on Lennox to speak up again.

"So we gon' dissect Megatron? I'm all in honestly. That fucker did enough damage."

My eyes widen at that. "They're not gonna kill him!" Unsure of the righteousness of what I just said I looked at Optimus, who nodded.

"See? They're just gonna take out the navigation system and leave."

"Ooh, big M is gonna be SO mad when he finds out."

"He won't.", Optimus retorted with an absolute certainty in his voice.

"Alright then, it's settled. Prepare people and gather as much information as possible for this mission and await any orders from Big O!"

And with that final order of Lennox the soldiers scattered around, leaving immediately.

Okay great, I'm gonna go be useless again wohoo.

"Alex?"

I look toward the sound of the voice I already grew to cherish. "I know, I know. I ain't accompanying you. I'd die if I did, already know that."

The Prime nods.

"I am glad you understand."

I love you so much I wish I could tell you...

As he remained standing there I grew nervous, fidgeting with the strings of my hoodie.

"Is there something you need?"

"Wha- me? No! Just... go be a hero.

You know you're good at it."

I clear my throat, pretty sure Optimus could hear my pulse. "But remember to take a break sometimes. I always see you up and about."

Did I overstep? I knew it. Chance blown. Goodbye earth. No romance.

"I highly appreciate your concern Alex."

He's always saying my name help. Is he just being polite or what does this mean?!

"There is this human saying. What was it again? I grab it with my heart...?"

Please he's so cute I can't~

"I'll take it to heart was it probably. It means to honor someone's wishes as you see them important."

He tilts his helm in question. "The person or the wish?"

That is when I think all the 5 liters of blood inside my body went up to my face.

Keep calm, stay cool Alex. Don't embarrass yourself.

"It's up to the person saying that."

Whatever higher power there is, please help me!

"You deem my wellbeing as important and so do I"

Phew, that was close...

"Can it be both?"

WHAT

"Eh, sure. There's always room for interpretation."

I guess...?

What has my life come to? They probably think I'm a know it all person. I gotta keep my damn mouth shut from now on.

"Very well then Alex, I look forward to working with you."

I only nod, trying not to get lost in those beautiful blue optics.

"I'm sure it's gonna be great Optimus!"

Unless I unsubscribe from life because a Deception squishes me...