#garage door waterproofing

[mikegaragedoorrepairs]

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[rs-hawk]

Love this post by @microsff

You went to a garage sale to see what you could find. You had been working on so many projects that you were hoping to get parts for cheap, when you saw an Andrew the Android. He was sitting on a table, swinging his feel that barely scraped the ground. He was an early version. It was easy to tell by his stocky build, and the way he barely looked humanoid. Newer ones looked more human.

“How much is he?” you asked the man sitting by a lock box, pointing to Andrew.

“You don’t want that one,” the man grinned, showing off all his teeth in a way that made you frown. “It’s a weird one. Sent it up to clean my gutters in a storm, you know, testing out that ‘waterproof’ feature.”

“Uh-huh,” you said unsurely, shifting on your feet slightly.

“And it got struck by lightening. Been odd ever since. Telling me to call it ‘Andy’ and asking me questions. Didn’t think these ones of them were meant to be so annoyingly human.”

“I still want him. How much?” you insisted.

You and the man go back and forth for a bit before you finally handed him a small wad of cash. A giddy feeling fluttered in your chest as you approached him. He looked up at you, a blank look on his expressionless face.

“Hi there. I’m Y/N. I just bought you,” you explained as you offered him your hand. “I’m so excited that I found an early Andrew. You’re one of my favorite androids of all time.”

“Andy, please,” was his response. He held up his hands, no, claws, as if to apologize for not shaking yours. “It’s nice to meet you.”

You brought him home, and he settled in quickly. One day, he greeted you at the door.

“Can you make me hands?” he asked.

“Why? Your claws work better, and you can swap them out with other attachments,” you asked back as you started gathering things for the project you were working on.

“I want to pet your cat.”

“You can’t even feel her fur though.”

“But she can. And I want her to like me petting her.”

You paused, thinking for a moment. “Alright. I can build you hands.”

“I also want to learn guitar. Can you make sure I have good fingers?”

That made a grin crack your face. “Yes, I’ll make you good fingers.”

You two lived in good harmony for awhile, until one day, he showed you a book. “Why is one character being called ‘they’?”

“Oh, because they’re non-binary.”

He nodded as he went back to the book. “I think that fits me better than he.”

You nodded back at them, scrolling through your phone. “Okay.”

Another day, they come to you, holding a book with a picture of a flute. “Can you build me a mouth? And move my port?”

“You want to learn to play the flute?” you asked curiously, looking at the book, their fingers curling around the pages.

“Yes.”

“Alright.”

They took to the flute much better than the guitar, but you don’t say anything. Even when they wake you up in the middle of the night. They’re still not very good, but you enjoy hearing their progress.

Yet again, they come to you, showing you a magazine with synthetic skin and hair on an android. They don’t say anything as they hand it to you, looking down.

“Okay. I’ll take you in and let you pick everything out,” you say as you hand them back the magazine.

“Do you think I’ll really be able to feel?” they asked nervously, rolling the magazine up into a tube.

“Maybe. Why?”

They looked away, and you thought if they were human, they would have blushed. “I want to pet your cat.”

“You pet her all the time.”

“I want to be able to feel it too.”

As always, you nodded. “It’s worth a shot at least then, right?”

Andy went in many times for many more modifications on top of the ones they asked you to make for them. Over the span of months, but in a way that hit you all at once, you fell in love with them. The way they laughed. How excited they were to learn. How excited they were to just be.

“Hey, Y/N! Andy! Welcome in yous guys. I got the room set up. Andy’s got a surprise for you, Y/N. You’re gonna let Andy pick out everything as always, yeah?” the mechanic greeted the two of you as you stepped inside.

You thought it was a little odd she just kept saying “Andy” instead of “they” but you brushed it off. “Yeah Sal. It’s Andy’s body. They can do what they want.”

Andy and Sal shared a grin before you were ushered into the waiting room. A couple hours later, a dark haired woman came out, her hair styled into a neat bun on the top of her head. Her eyes were green, your favorite color. There was a softness to her face and features, as well as a stockiness to her build. She reminded you of Andy, in a way, so you returned her smile.

Sal came up behind you, gesturing to the woman. “What do you think?”

“Oh she’s lovely, perfectly stunning, but you know I’m just waiting on Andy,” you said with a frown and furrow of your brows.

“Hi Y/N,” the woman said shyly, looking down at her feet.

“Andy?”

“I mean, I guess, but I want a new name.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know yet.”

You tilted your head, looking at her curiously. “But you already know every name that there is to know.”

A sweet smile touched her lips as she walked over to you, taking your hands in hers. “I don’t know how they sound when you say them yet.”

[fifty555]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ chivalry isn’t dead.

chivalrous women are a blessing because apparently men wanna be the damsels in distress now 🙄.

content warning; nothing much, you’re pretty cool here dawg 🙏🏻.

summary; in which you, ferrari reserve driver, yn ln, are the best gentleman (or woman in this case) on the grid— putting all those losers to shame.

It started with a door.

Not a metaphorical door—an actual one. The heavy, glass kind that seemed to exist solely to cause frustration when lugging around race gear.

You were walking into the paddock, already carrying two helmets, your race boots, and a backpack, when you spotted Lewis struggling with his coffee, his bag, and his headphones tangling themselves in a war against physics.

You didn’t think twice.

Setting your gear down, you grabbed the door and held it open for him, nodding as he shot you a grateful smile.

“Thanks, Y/N. Lifesaver.”

“No problem.”

Simple, right? Just common courtesy. But from that moment on, the gentleman rumors began.

—

The next incident was in Monaco.

You had a press event in the afternoon, but you’d arrived early, cutting through the grid’s hospitality area on the way to grab a quick espresso. You turned a corner and nearly collided with Lando, who was trying to carry what looked like the entire McLaren merchandise line to their garage.

“Need a hand?” you offered, already taking half the pile before he could answer.

“Oh, mate, you don’t have to—”

“Relax. I’ve got time.”

By the time you helped him organize everything, word had spread. Lando’s social media team had caught the whole thing on video, complete with a cheesy caption: Ferrari’s Y/N L/N—the grid’s true gentleman.

—

And then, there was Suzuka.

It was pouring rain, the paddock was chaos, and most drivers were rushing to avoid the downpour.

You’d just finished a simulator session when you spotted Alex and his girlfriend, Lily, standing under a flimsy umbrella. Lily was shivering, and Alex was clearly debating whether to make a run for it or wait for the rain to ease.

Without hesitation, you pulled off your Ferrari jacket and handed it to Lily.

“Here. It’s waterproof.”

She blinked at you, surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll grab another one later.”

Alex gave you a grateful pat on the back as you ran off into the rain without a second thought. Later, in the drivers’ room, Charles teased you mercilessly.

“Giving away your Ferrari jacket? You’re making the rest of us look bad.”

“Maybe you should try it sometime,” you shot back with a smirk.

—

By the time the Austin GP rolled around, your gentleman reputation had reached legendary status.

Drivers were jokingly asking for your help with random things—Pierre asked you to hold his sunglasses while he took a picture, George handed you his phone to call Toto (as a joke, obviously), and Carlos even called you “Il Cavaliere,” the knight.

But it was Daniel who summed it up best. After you’d helped him carry a box of fan letters to the AlphaTauri motorhome, he clapped you on the shoulder and grinned.

“Y/N, you’re a better man than all of us combined.”

“Let’s not get carried away, Ric,” you replied, rolling your eyes.

“Aw, shucks, are you blushing?” He teased, nudging you playfully.

You weren’t.

—

The final straw was Abu Dhabi.

Post-race celebrations were in full swing, and you found yourself in the middle of a packed grid party. Everyone was in high spirits, champagne flowing freely. Somewhere amidst the chaos, you noticed Zhou trying to dodge a crowd of fans while carrying a precarious tower of drinks.

“‘Sokay, Guanyu, I’ve got it.” You smoothly took the drinks from him, expertly weaving through the crowd to deliver them to the table without spilling a drop.

When you returned, Zhou just shook his head in awe.

“Do you ever stop?”

“Stop what?” you asked, genuinely confused.

“Being that guy—the one who always helps.”

You shrugged, laughing. “Someone’s gotta do it.”

—

By the end of the season, your reputation as the grid’s true gentleman was cemented. You didn’t do it for the recognition—it was just who you were.

But if the teasing from Charles, Daniel, and Lando ever got too much? Well, at least you knew you could count on the grid’s unofficial gentleman to stay above it all.

That is…until they all started leaving you every door to hold open and every box to carry as a running joke.

“Chivalry isn’t dead,” you muttered under your breath, grabbing yet another door.

And honestly?

You need to start asking them to pay up, especially the guys.

i made this on a whim because i saw a tt that said that dating the eldest daughter is basically dating a man and as an eldest daughter, it hasn’t left my mind 💀.

ngl, i did bridal carry a schoolmate off the field once when she fainted so YEH ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)~✩‧₊!

anyhow, i hope y’all liked this because i got two more— wag edition and well, something— a blurb i guess 🤪?

potential face claim 👀? also, this is miya from gwsn!!

[tadpolesonalgae]

Up The Junction

ModernYA!Azriel x reader

a/n: set circa 2008, England :) also, this is heavily inspired by Up The Junction by Squeeze if you want to give that a cheeky listen 🧡💛

warnings: angst, smut -> pregnancy, slightly bittersweet ending but I think they’re happy :)

Word count: 7,194

——————————————————————————————————————————————

“Will you marry me?”

Your jaw drops open, hands flying to your mouth as you nearly stumble back a step.

He’s down on one knee, presenting a slim, golden band in a simple velvet box, hazel eyes intent and nervous. Slightly jittery as his chest rises and falls.

Your lower lip wobbles, vision blurring, small sobs already wracking your chest. He waits patiently, anxiously, as you try to get the words out, pushing tears away, wiping your nose as you sniffle.

“Yes…!” You cry. “Yes! A thousand times yes!”

Relief sweeps through his body, and he’s wrapping you up in his arms, raising you into the air as he swings you around before lowering you again to the floor, pulling you tight. You cry harder, trying to wipe your nose on the scratchy cuff of your navy jumper, thankful you’d decided to put that wash on a few days ago.

“I promise I’ll be good to you,” he murmurs, voice thick with emotion, and you squeeze into him tighter. “You won’t regret it,” he swears, managing to pull away long enough to cup your jaw, pressing a kiss to your tear-stained cheek. “I’d never regret it,” you mumble out, still sobbing heavily, trembling with happiness and that rush of joy. Your whole lives together. That feeling of wanting it to be always; forever—requited.

“I’ll be a good husband to you,” he murmurs thickly, gently holding your hand in his larger one, pulling away long enough to slide the thin band around your ring finger.

Fresh tears drip down your cheeks as you raise it up to the watery sunlight, crying at what it symbolises. “I’ll make a good wife, Az,” you manage, turning to look at him with a wide, wobbly smile on your lips. “We’ll make this work. Together.”

Hazel eyes gleam, able to see your reflection in their glassy surface as he nods, still holding you close. “Together.”

—

You’d moved in together after college, happy and engaged, feeling on top of the world. Like nothing could get you down.

You were going to spend your lives together, how could you ever be sad?

It was tricky in places, but you’d found someone renting their garage, a basement attached, fully equipped with a bathroom, working plumbing, and an in-built kitchen. Sure, it was tight, but it was affordable, and most importantly, temporary. It was okay to start small, to build your way up to a family. Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all.

The basement was dingy, one small window in the far wall of the open-plan room, the bed pushed into the corner beneath it. A sink was along the other wall leading to the door, some counter space available along with a washing machine, hob, and oven. The fridge was kept at the far end of the raised surfaces, adjacent to the bed, squeezed in to fit.

The only slight problem was washing. The bathroom was tiny, the only private space in the basement, hidden behind a waterproof curtain in swimming-pool blue, containing a sink and toilet. No shower or bath. You’d have to hand wash.

But it was fine. The two of you couldn’t be happier living together, having your own space and privacy. A place to start building your home.

It took a while to get on your feet after graduation, but Az had managed to get a job in IT, working to keep things functioning at a local law firm, while you managed to snag a spot as a receptionist at a nearby motel. The hours were difficult, with your shifts constantly being moved around, sometimes working double over a day, sometimes called to be in overnight, switching out at two in the morning to make your way back to the cramped basement.

Azriel’s hours were set, but they were long and tiring, often he would get back exhausted, having to explain the same thing over and over to big-wigs who couldn’t care less about how specialised he was in his area of expertise.

A year later, and you’d gathered enough savings to buy a computer, so Az would be able to work from home in the events of…something happening.

That talk had been had late one night, after he’d gotten back from his shift and you were headed out for your own, how it might be a good idea to start thinking about what the future will hold. Who else might be joining your lives. The conversation had ended with a giddy smile on your face, Az’s eyes practically glowing with happiness, the dimple at the edge of his mouth making its rare appearance at the possibility of a future baby.

And now that safety net was in place, the hunky piece of equipment having taken up a valuable spot of counter space, a bar stool bought so he’d be able to work.

You’d become more relaxed after that. A air of electricity between you, charged and excited, yet neither of you dared address that elephant in the room. The shared desire neither of you had the courage to yet voice. Confined to the dark hours where naked bodies would press together, and he’d go slower, rolling his hips deeper, more tenderly that you were accustomed to, but you didn’t care. All that mattered was you were together, together and in love. So intense it was like wildfire.

The first time that subject had been broached was entirely accidental. He’d been kissing down your throat, your nipples sore from the attention of his touch and teeth, hands gripping your hips firmly with your thighs spread apart. You’d both been so near that edge, shared heat passing between you when he’d brushed a spot inside of you, having you squeeze him so deliciously.

“Fuck,” he’d panted, skin flushed with colour, inky hair flopping over his brow, swept across to one side, curling at its ends from sweat. “So fucking good,” he’d praised, bucking his hips, angling so he’d hit that spot again. “Gonna knock you up. Fill you to the brim.” The orgasm had found you right then and there, crying out as you came, fluttering around him, mumbling how badly you wanted him to take the condom off, to finish inside of you.

It had been the morning after the two of you had finally sat down and discussed those secret thoughts, all you’d needed was the others confirmation, and you were ready. It could take a while to conceive, and you wanted to take action before your fertility began decreasing, chances slipping away.

The process had been draining, with you taking a test each month, wondering if that time would be different, if maybe this time he’d taken root inside of you, instead of your cycle being late. But the cramps started again and again, kicking in a mere few days after you having taken the test, as if to spite you. And each time he’d comfort you, wrapping you in his arms when you opened the the small curtain, shaking your head sadly, with him reminding you there’s still time. You’re in no hurry to conceive; this is why it was good you’d started early. You had more leeway.

But then it had been two years since you’d initially gotten engaged, and still no signs of life.

It wasn’t as if he was lacking either. He was thorough in his attention, making sure to keep his hips pressed tight with your own in the minutes after you’d both found completion, keeping release tucked away inside of you.

Slowly, you began worrying—if it wasn’t him, it had to be you.

So you’d made an appointment, searching for any kind of sign to continue trying. There’s be no point if you really were infertile. What could you do then? How could you build a family if your body was wrecked irreparably. But there had been nothing wrong with you that the doctor could find, so you’d gone home, lost and confused. Why wasn’t anything happening?

Azriel had suggested maybe it was hormones—neither of you could deny you were stressing over the lack of development. You weren’t seeing friends as frequently anymore either. In fact, it had been weeks since you’d last hung out with anyone other than your fiancé, so a trip had been arranged. It had been messy, with constantly changing plans, but eventually you settled on a day. Az, Rhys, Cass, and Nesta would be heading to the theatres, while you, Feyre, and Elain spent a girls day together—likely shopping, listening to music, preparing a dinner for when the others returned.

Your own plans aside, most of the confusion had centred on Az’s end, struggling to find a film they’d all be happy to watch. The decisions had been so tiring and seemingly so endless they’d decided to split and see two separate ones instead—much to Cassian’s grumpiness. Az and Rhys would get to see The Dark Knight—a movie you know he’s secretly been desperate to see ever since the villain’s actor’s unfortunate passing earlier that year. Meanwhile Nesta would be dragging her boyfriend to a film adaptation of a book series she’d been subtly obsessed with for years—Twilight.

The day came, and you had kissed your fiancé on the cheek before heading out, making your way to the bus stop to take you to Feyre and Rhys’ place, where the three of you would be spending most of your time. It had been good getting to see the two of them again. It almost felt like you were back in college, chatting away in the cafeteria, slouched on sofas while the radio blasted out whatever was in the charts.

All three of you had gotten into their truck, Elain the only one with a licence so she took the wheel while driving you to the shopping centre. It was all so exciting! It really had been so long since you’d done something like this, having taken out some money beforehand as a precaution, in case you saw something you really liked. Az had insisted, despite the tight budget you managed to make work.

Elain had grabbed a large ceramic mug, small flowers growing up the sides, while you and Feyre had taken an interest in a pretty pair of ruby red heels, the silver buckle contrasting with the popping colour. There was no way you’d be able to afford them, but it didn’t stop you from dreaming, nor did it stop you from encouraging Feyre to buy them, seeing how her eyes twinkled, her mouth pulling up into a wide smile as you spoke about what to wear with them.

Eventually though, the two of you had left the storefront, finished ogling, Feyre having ultimately decided to leave them be. You couldn’t help feel she knew you wanted them, but were unable to buy them, choosing to move on and pick something else—a matching mug with her sister, insisting on grabbing another for you and a forth for their older sister. If it hadn’t been for the black mug with a howling wolf on the side they’d insisted on getting for Nesta, you wouldn’t have accepted their gift. Though that’s likely why they did it in the first place.

The day came and went, cheeks aching from smiling all day, your new mug kept in your bag, precious and exciting, your heart skipping each time you subtly peeked down to catch a gleam of the glazed surface.

Az, Rhys, Cass, and Nesta had gotten back later as you’d anticipated, and while she made no explicit comment about the film, she’d had an excited air about her, Cassian keeping his arm wrapped around her the rest of the night. Az had given you a happy smile, dropping a kiss to your forehead, asking how your day went, and you’d mentioned the heels before you’d proudly shown him the mug in the privacy of the hallway of Rhys and Feyre’s home. Carefully leaving out the gift part. It had been an act of kindness on their end, and you knew Az would insist on paying one of them back if he knew, so you kept it as your secret.

—

Life resumed its normal pace, but you were feeling happier, more uplifted since having gotten out of the cramped and slightly smelly basement, spirits raised from spending a day with your friends.

And then a few months later, you’d missed your cycle.

You’d hardly dared hope, having rushed to a nearby pharmacy to purchase three tests, shakily handing over the money before hurrying home and drawing the swimming-pool shower curtain to a close to give yourself some privacy.

Az had gotten back a while later, calling out for you as soon as he’d stepped foot in the basement, but had been greeted with silence. Then quiet sobs coming from the bathroom.

You remember it so clearly. How he’d hurriedly strode over to the small washroom, calling out for you, making sure you were okay, concern heavy in his voice. It had been then you’d appeared, a positive pregnancy test held preciously between shaky fingers.

“You’re—…” His eyes had started gleaming then, hot and wet, and he’d wrapped you up in his arms, your feet raising off the ground and he lifted you up, your hands locking over his shoulders as you’d managed a tearful nod. “It’s happening, Az,” you’d cried softly, sniffling, wiping your nose on the worn sleeve of your top. “We’re going to have a baby. It’s really happening.”

He’d squeezed you tighter, before setting you down on the floor, hands lightly gripping your upper arms as you pushed wetness from your cheeks. You hadn’t cried like this since your engagement.

“And you’re sure this is what you want?” He’d asked, brows curved as he searched your face. “You’re happy with this?”

A fresh wave of tears had started all over again, a croaky laugh creaking from your throat as you’d nodded. “Over the moon, Az.”

—

The pace had changed all over again, and you’d noticed how he kept the fridge fully stocked, even if it strained on your budget. More expensive foods had made their appearance, no longer cheaping out to scrape by. If you were eating for two, Az had reasoned, he wanted you to be as well-fed as possible. A good diet was important, and you needed more than pasta with the occasional vegetable cooked in.

It wasn’t soon after that you’d noticed the coffee smell fading from his shirts, becoming fainter and fainter after each big clean. When you’d brought it up to him however, he hadn’t minded, reasoning he’d been needing to drink less of it anyway, and now was as good a time as any to start waning off it.

Parenting books had begun cropping up around the place, briefly making an appearance beside his robust computer before being read thoroughly, and returned to the library, moving onto the next one. You couldn’t help how your lips tugged upward at the edges each time a new title appeared, glancing down at your stomach, no noticeable bump yet showing. Though that never stopped either of you from laying hands over your abdomen, pressing close, treasuring the gift.

You’d told your parents, and Az had broken the news to your friends, and you couldn’t have been happier. Finally, three years into your engagement, things were coming together. Hard work paying off.

He’d been trying to get you to rest more often, but you knew you couldn’t afford to take time off before your maternity leave started. Money was still tight, and you savoured every cheque you received, steadily adding to your savings pound by pound. You knew Az had been working overtime more often, taking every chance he could to bring in some extra cash—every little counted now, and you both knew it.

The evenings you had alone together grew further and further apart though, and while you tried not to fret, you missed spending time with him. Eating together, lounging atop a lumpy mattress before sleep, one of you washing the dishes while the other dried and put away.

But routine had shifted: more frequently you would cook, eat supper, and leave his in the oven to keep it warm for when he eventually made it back. It wasn’t everything, but physical intimacies were rarer too, having a few minutes of conversation and hugging, before he was passed out. In those moments guilt weighted in your gut—he was working himself to the bone, the slight darkness he’d always had beneath his eyes becoming more pronounced as the weeks had worn on.

At one point you’d begun timing your schedule with Feyre’s, catching the bus over to her place whenever she had a gap in her shifts—usually a Wednesday, sometimes a Thursday. Weekends had still been precious though, when Az would be back by five instead of ten or eleven, and Sundays when he wouldn’t be working at all.

Between chatting about your lives, future plans, where you’d like to go on holiday to, the topic pf your baby had come up. It had been a surreal experience, but you’d crumbled a little, admitting how much you were missing him. Feyre had sat quietly and listened to every confession, nursing her tea, contained in one of the matching mugs.

“He isn’t around as much, Fey,” you manage, peering into your tea, tucked up on one of her sofas. “He’s running himself ragged, and I don’t know what to do. It’s dark when he leaves and it’s dark when he returns. He leaves early and comes home late, and I know we…it’s difficult…but I need him,” you admit softly. “I need him to be around, so we can do this together.”

Tears had splashed into your tea then, and you’d both discarded your mugs as she’d shuffled closer, arms wrapping around you as you’d cried into the soft cashmere of her jumper. “Am I being selfish?” You’d mumbled out, throat aching from how you were trying to be quiet. “I know he’s doing it for us, but, I just…”

“You aren’t selfish,” she’d whispered, hand stroking up and down over your back. “It’s difficult, like you said. But it will pass, remember? It’s a difficult patch in your life, but you have to trust it will pass. Things will get better.”

You’d sniffled, nodding into her shoulder, pulling back to dry your teary eyes. Guilt tightening around your throat, constricting across your chest as you felt your heart throb with strain.

“You can always come round here, too,” she’d reminded gently. “If you need to get out, I can move some things around, okay? You’re not alone. I know you’re head over heels for one another, but you’ve got us, too. Whenever you need us.”

The sobs had started afresh, but you managed a wobbly smile, playing with the golden band on your finger—an anxious habit you’d fallen into.

“Thanks, Fey.”

—

Christmas had rolled around, and it was the first time in months—years—you’d all been in the same place at once.

Mor had made it back from the states, Amren joining her on the trip back to meet up with everyone and celebrate.

Rhys and Feyre had hosted, and you couldn’t help but hope this would become a tradition of sorts. You’d missed them all acutely, easy days of college long in the past.

You’d all chipped in one way or another, and an agreement had been made to not do presents all around this year. Just spending time with another, with gifts permitted to be exchanged between couples.

The night had started, and straight off the bat you’d noticed the absence of any sort of alcohol, the sharp scent surprisingly noticeable in its absence, and your heart warmed at the thoughtfulness. You kept tight to Az most of the night, treasuring the minutes you spent together with him, and from the way his arm remained around you in some way, you got an inkling the distance might have been waring on him, too. More than you had thought.

Food was put together, and you’d taken the time to appreciate the scents, how much there was to consume—there’d definitely be leftovers. Pudding was brought out, non-alcoholic fruit cake, as well as some biscuits and other little treats.

Then the small gifts made their appearance, and you’d handed Az the small parcel you’d snuck into your bag earlier that night. He’d given an inquisitive look, a suspicious smile curving his mouth, but you’d grinned, nodding your head for him to hurry up and open it. His brows had risen in surprise when he saw the small guitar picks inside, coloured black, blue, and grey, then one with a flaming skull on.

Hazel had practically glowed as he’d smiled, pulling you tight, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. There hadn’t been much time for him to play in recent years, but you’d noticed how his eyes would sometimes flick to the discarded instrument, kept sealed away, leaned against the grey walls of the basement.

“Thank you,” he’d murmured, pulling away to look at you, before pressing another kiss to your forehead. “I hope you get more time to play this year,” you’d whispered back, hands greedily taking in his heat, memorising his feel while you had the chance.

His throat had rolled, then he’d stepped away, pulling something out from his pocket. “It’s not as good as yours,” he’d admitted thickly, almost nervously, “but I thought you might like it.”

You’d cocked your head, holding your palm out when he’d extended his closed fist, dropping something into your hand. It had been a small bracelet, and a smile had curved your lips when you’d noticed the slightly shoddy clasps, stray thread hanging out on one side. Along the string were some small square beads, the type with letters on you could purchase at a craft store, and you held the bracelet up to read the tiny name he’d spelled out.

“Mama bear?” You read aloud, eyes gleaming with heat as your mouth had stretched wide, a grin broadening your lips as you had beamed up at your fiancé with unabashed adoration. A relieved smile had played on his mouth then, nodding his head, affection clear on his features. “For the strongest person I know,” he’d whispered, hazel eyes soft at the edges.

You’d laughed then, shaking your head, but he’d kept that smile on his mouth, like he could see something you couldn’t, until you’d lightly patted him on his arm, telling him to stop spewing nonsense.

A gasp had drawn your attention away from him, turning to see Feyre opening what looked like a neatly wrapped shoe box, and you could make out the shock on her face. Your smile had broadened, happy she’s happy—Rhys was usually good when getting her presents, a twinge of joy that she’s also found someone who cared so deeply for her.

“What d’you get?” You’d asked, keeping tucked into Az’s side.

Panicked eyes had flitted to you before she covered it up, smiling as she shook her head, as if to say ‘oh, Rhysand’. But then you’d moved forward to see what he’d found for her, and you spotted those ruby heels in the box. Silver buckle gleaming beneath the kitchen lights.

Feyre had stiffened, but a smile had broken across your features, hugging her excitedly. “I’m so happy for you!” You’d whispered as you’d embraced, squeezing her tight and you felt as she began relaxing. Her arms had tentatively squeezed you back, leaning into you. “Thank you,” she’d murmured, before you’d both pulled away, Feyre glancing at your smiling face before reflecting the expression.

She’d pulled back after that, and you’d returned to Az’s side as you watched Feyre hug and kiss Rhys, how he’d smiled like he was the luckiest man in the world, and you couldn’t help the warmth that had spread across your face. You’d glanced up at Az, but his expression was unreadable, hazel eyes watching them intently. The open box on the table.

You’d nudged his side, linking your hand with his, guiding his attention back to you. “Want to get out of here?” You’d whispered, grinning, free palm over your abdomen. He’d swallowed thickly, but pulled together a faint smile, nodding.

The ride home had been quiet. Unusually so.

But sometimes he liked his peace, so you’d been happy to play with the bracelet around your wrist, smiling as you‘d looked out of the window into the dark streets outside.

“Those were the shoes you’d mentioned, weren’t they?” He’d asked into the silence.

You’d stiffened, fingers stuttering over the beads, turning to look at him, but he’d been staring ahead. “They wouldn’t have suited me anyway,” you’d said quietly, trying to push some humour into your voice to comfort him. “When would I have even worn them?”

In the low light you could make out how his jaw had worked. “They were.”

You’d lowered your head, peering down at the bracelet he’d given you. “Yeah.”

There’d been a tense silence, then he’d sighed, running a hand through his hair. “One day,” he’d murmured heavily, nodding to himself. “One day.”

You’d looked at hime again after that, wanting to squeeze his hand. “Together,” you’d added, quietly.

—

Winter had been harsh, and the heating had shut off throughout the basement, though it had been fixed within the week.

You’d kept closer those seven nights, and you’d secretly enjoyed the apparent misfortune. He’d been more attentive during that week, making sure you were kept warm, covering you in various jackets, though neither of you could really afford something tough enough to keep the chill out. But it hadn’t mattered when you were lying together, your back pressed to his front, his arm around your waist, hand settled over the noticeable bump in your stomach.

To this day, you can still remember the first time you’d felt her kick.

How you’d been together in bed, on a cold Sunday morning, and you’d felt something. A few moments later you’d felt it again, and had nearly started crying, gripping for Az’s hand to guide it over your abdomen, excitement glowing in your eyes as your baby had kicked again.

Azriel had smiled wide then, a look of awe on his face, gazing at you before returning his attention to your stomach. You’d watched him then, how his face had lit up each time he’d felt a kick, and that giddiness had warmed you up.

Proud of the father he’d already begun to change into.

—

Eight months in, and morning sickness had been running you thin.

It hadn’t been every morning, but more often than not you’d wake, been allowed a few minutes of peace to enjoy with him, then nausea would be creeping up your throat. You’d give a resigned groan, before rolling (actually rolling) out of bed and wobbling to the toilet to throw up.

Azriel had been there for you at first, holding your hair out of your face, soothing your back, reminding how well you were handling the pregnancy, but as you began staying up later waiting for him to come home, with nothing to do throughout the day, you’d begun sleeping in too. He’d never wanted to wake you—wanting you to have as much rest as possible—so had quietly gotten up and headed off to work before the sun was up, letting you sleep in.

Consequently, you’d be alone through the morning sickness, heaving into the toilet bowl, legs trembling. Sometimes having to spend the first hour of your day changing the sheets after having vomited all over them.

It had been getting harder to cope, without him around. But you knew he was working hard—and you needed the money.

The strain hadn’t been helped when one evening he’d brought the bracelet up. You’d never taken it off, since without a shower or bath, there was no reason to, as a flannel could move around it.

“Did you wear that to work?” He’d asked, when you’d been laying on the bed while he washed and dried the dishes. You were too large to reach at this point, so it made more sense for him to do them. Sound reasoning you had detested as it was just more work for him to do while you lazed around, unable to help or contribute.

“Yup,” you’d replied, smiling again as you’d glanced down at the handmade gift. Your heart had always warmed whenever you read his little message, gradually allowing that possibility to take root. Maybe he really did think you were strong. Maybe you actually were. “Never take it off.”

He hadn’t looked at you as you had anticipated, no smile thrown over his shoulder as he’d continued washing the dishes.

Your brows had narrowed then, worry tightening your throat. “Why?”

Azriel had been silent for a bit, putting the plates away on the drying board. “And your work didn’t mind?” He’d asked. “They didn’t think it was unprofessional? Or distracting?”

“No,” you’d laughed quietly, “they thought it was a wonderful gift, and thoughtful. Nancy complimented it endlessly.” His posture had gone a little rigid, spine stiffening when he moved onto drying. “You showed it to everyone?” He’d asked quietly, and worry had hollowed out your ears. “It’s precious, Az,” you’d replied, “of course I did.”

He’d gone silent then, choosing to focus on rubbing off the water with the dish towel.

“Az?” You’d shifted on the bed, heaving yourself into a more upright position. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he’d replied lightly, carefully putting your special mug aside.

Your chest had tightened, and you’d swallowed thickly before setting your slightly swollen feet on the floor, walking to be beside him. “Az…” you’d murmured, hands wrapping over his forearm, pulling him to a halt as hazel eyes had at last swept over you, dark and exhausted. “Please talk to me,” you’d requested quietly, fingers linking with his damp ones. “What’s bothering you?”

Moments had ticked by, then his eyes had grown hot and wet, brows pulling together as tears had escaped down his cheek. “I’m sorry it was such a shit present,” he’d whispered, hands moving to grip yours when he’d turned to face you fully, crying. “I’m sorry I can’t do more for you. I should’ve gotten you something better, something you deserved.”

Your heart had ached painfully, struggling to keep your own tears at bay, as his head had lowered with shame, hands shaking lightly as he held onto you. He hadn’t needed to bring the shoes up for you to know that’s what it was about. His perceived insufficiency, and inability to care for you.

“Az, I…” You had cut yourself off, trying to choke down tears to comfort and reassure him. He was perfect, how could he ever feel like he wasn’t enough, when he was almost singlehandedly keeping all three of you together and looked after. “Az, I don’t care about presents,” you’d managed, “this?” —you’d nodded to the bracelet— “This I love, because you made it for me. Between all your work, and cooking, and caring, you found the time to make me something I could have on me at all times,” you’d said, tears dripping down your cheeks as you’d stared at one another.

“It’s so important to me, because of you,” you’d cried. “You do so much to look after us, working yourself to the bone… I love you, Az. You’re everything to me. The whole world and more.”

“You don’t—… You don’t regret it?” He’d managed thickly, keeping his hold on your hands. “Being with me?”

You’d shaken your head, trying to get the words out as your throat constricted. “No…no I don’t,” you’d cried, peering up at him. “A thousand times yes, remember?”

His brows had pulled together then, pain gleaming in that swirling cosmos of hazel as he nodded, breathing heavily, leaning over you as his arms had wrapped over your shoulders. You could feel his shudders, your hands gripping the back of his shirt—one of his favourites, a comfort item of sorts, with one of the bands he likes printed on the front.

“I love you, Az,” you’d whispered, shaking together. “I love you for you.”

—

Looking back, things had improved for a bit. Until he’d tried to give more of himself.

That had been when you’d begun crumbling.

He’d pushed himself harder, and had managed to get a part-time job in a car-repair shop, having already been familiar with the maths of engineering and having had a fascination with mechanics when he had been younger.

Just like that, the weekends had been taken too.

He’d leave for work before you woke, stop at six, then help out for a couple of hours after dark, returning when you were asleep. Saturdays and Sundays were no longer spent with him—he’d sold them off. Bargaining his time for your future.

He’d work all day, weekends the busiest as it was when folk with regular nine-to-five jobs would have the time to take their cars round for a checkup, or to be evaluated and told where to go if they were unable to fix the problem. You’d hardly seen him in that final, tiring month of pregnancy.

Would he stop once you gave birth? Somehow you’d begun to doubt it.

You’d admired his conviction, his drive and determination to see something through to the end, until it had ultimately taken him away from you. All when you’d most needed him. No amount of talking had been able to convince him otherwise, so set on being useful. On proving to himself he wasn’t insufficient—that he could look after you.

It had been then that you’d left him. Leaving a sticky note on the oven handle telling him you’d gone to Feyre’s, and that you’d needed space.

And he’d given it.

It hadn’t been unusual to chat through notes, but with his long working hours, you’d treasured the new form of communication. Reading and rereading each one he’d left, memorising his handwriting, the tiny hearts he’d added, or the lopsided smileys he’d doodled before heading out. But that hadn’t been enough for you, so you’d reached for help elsewhere.

A few days had gone by before the landline had rung, your fiancé having become too worried to leave silence for any longer, even if you had requested space. He couldn’t leave you like that.

Not soon after, you’d moved back in with your parents, and the guilt you’d felt when Rhys had offered to be the one to tell Az had nearly had your legs giving out. Shame so crushing you’d felt faint. Especially upon accepting.

God knew you wouldn’t have been able to handle that pressure of explaining it to him. Not when you had been on the verge of giving birth. It would have been any day then, and you’d been under enough stress you’d been worried for the health of the baby.

It had worked out in the end though.

—

The knocker thuds thrice against the hardwood door of your parents house, and you instinctively glance over to little Valerie, but she remains soundly asleep.

Your mother smiles as she passes by, heading for the door since you’re still struggling to walk after being discharged from the hospital on the condition that you rest.

You pull Val closer, wanting to keep her as nearby as possible, the pressure in your chest easing as you look over her, quiet and peaceful—for the moment, at least.

Minutes later your mother returns, a gentle look on her face. “It’s Azriel,” she says hesitantly. “Are you feeling up to speaking with him?” At his name alone you feel your eyes grow hot, but you push the feeling away, glancing down at Val. It’s been five days since you gave birth, and he’s yet to see his daughter in person. He deserves to meet her. So you nod.

Your mother watches silently for a little, before reciprocating the gesture. “Do you want to be alone?”

Your throat rolls, but you manage to answer, “yes…we’ll be okay.” She nods again, before turning to leave, “your father and I needed to get some more shopping in anyway—good a time as any, right?” You smile, before she disappears out of sight, and you breathe deeply, holding Val slightly closer, groaning as you straighten on the sofa.

Footsteps scuff in the hallway, and you brace yourself.

He’s messy tidy. Clearly having made an effort, but unable to conceal the circles beneath his eyes, the exhaustion on his features. Hair a little disheveled, likely from playing with it out of stress as you sometimes used to catch him doing.

“Hey,” you manage, pushing a faint smile to your lips.

Hazel eyes scan you carefully before settling on the bundle in your arms, unable to conceal the emotion that flashes through his face. His throat rolls, raising his gaze to yours. Licking his dry lips. “How are you?” He asks thickly, entering the living room, boots having been discarded at the door.

“Good,” you reply, hoarsely. “Still aching in places, but, you know…”

“Staying strong,” he finishes, voice slightly raw. He nods to himself, “you’ve always been good at that.”

There’s a pause in the conversation, and you look at one another.

Then tears are spilling out from both of you, and you’re trying to hold your sobs in to not disturb Val, while Azriel rubs at his face, trying to get himself under control.

“I’m sorry,” he breathes raggedly, “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone like that. I just—… I wanted to look after you. I want you to be secure—for us to be secure, but in doing so I left you all alone, and I’m so fucking sorry. I was so stupid.” You sniffle, wiping your nose while trying to dry your cheeks. “Az, it’s fine. I, I get it. You were just trying to—”

“It’s not fine,” he breathes rawly, hand over his face as he rubs his eyes. “You needed me, and I wan’t there. And I can’t make up for that time. Fuck, I shouldn’t have left you like that. I’m so sorry.”

“Az…” you cry softly, trying to cover Val’s ears so she doesn’t wake.

He looks at you, hazel eyes glassy and red rimmed as he tries to pull himself together, to recompose himself for you. “Can you…do you think you can forgive me? I swear I won’t— I’ll never make such a stupid mistake again.”

“Az,” you sob, “I get it. Fuck, it hurt that you left like that, but how can I be mad when you were doing it to look after us?” The tears drip down your face, breathing in wet gasps as you try to pull it back in, wiping away the tears. “Of course I…of course it was difficult, but it came from a good place, Az. I won’t fault you for trying to look after us. I just— I just wish this hadn’t happened now. During the pregnancy, I mean.”

Azriel swallows thickly, grief clear on his face, looking more wrecked than when he’d first entered. “I’ll be better,” he manages quietly, still stood near the doorway, not wanting to impose if you don’t want him there in that moment. His heart simultaneously fractures and heals when he spots that stupid bracelet still kept around your wrist. He wonders if you’ve taken it off since he gave it to you.

“Az…” you sigh, tears still hot on your cheeks, not wanting to say what you have to. He stiffens at the tone, and it feels like you’ve already told him, hazel eyes devastated.

“Az, I think…I need some time.”

He holds completely still, but you’re practically able to see the world falling apart around him.

“It’s not…I don’t think it’s forever, but…for now. I can’t go back there. Into the basement,” you manage, lower lip wobbling, tugging down at the corners. “I’m sorry.”

“What does that mean?” He asks quietly, hardly a whisper. “Are we…do you not want the ring anymore?”

You shake your head. “I don’t know Az,” you cry, “I need time to think about it all. To figure how to go forward.”

He manages a slight nod of his head, breathing shallowly, then his eyes dip to the baby in your arms. “Can I…can I hold her?” He asks, brows curved desperately.

You nod, sniffling again, managing a small smile. “Yes. Yes, you can,” you breathe, trying to shift to make room for him as he walks over, and you turn Val over to face him.

Azriel settles on the sofa beside you, and you revel in that familiar dip of cushion, deprived of his familiarity for so long. It’s a subconscious shift for both of you, how he’s turned slightly toward you on the sofa, with you leaning into him as he holds your baby with reverent care, wincing at how his hands confront her youth.

“You can’t see them at the moment, but she’s got your eyes,” you murmur, moving closer to him still, taking in his familiar scent, nestling into his body, aching to feel him at your side again.

“She’s perfect,” he whispers, eyes growing glassy, and your smile becomes real and alive again. “She’s in good health too. The doctor’s said she was born at the expected weight, and they had nothing to be concerned over so long as she’s taken care of,” you add, head leaning against his shoulder.

Azriel glances over to you, and your breath catches. The proximity at last returned, alone and together in peace. “You did so well,” he whispers, hazel eyes swirling with emotion. “I’m glad you think so,” you whisper back, fighting off tears.

You settle back into quiet, both of you watching as Val continues sleeping, her little face calm and void of disturbance.

Neither of you really know how you end up holding your baby again, tucked into Azriel’s lap with his arms wrapped around both of you. Your head rests on his shoulder, fast asleep with Val comfortably held between you, both her parents at her swaddled fingertips.

Azriel holds both of you close long after his legs go numb, relieved he hasn’t entirely messed things up. He can’t have, if you’re allowing this. Allowing him to see the baby you made together, even after you had to make her practically on your own.

His arm shifts, thumb swiping over the beads of your bracelet, doubting it knows a surface other than your skin. You held onto it through the uncertainty, through the turbulence he unknowingly subjected you to. Never again.

He’ll never leave you on your own again. Especially not now you share a child.

Azriel’s lips brush against your temple, dropping a long, soft kiss to your skin.

He’ll be better this time. For both of you.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

general taglist: @myheartfollower @tcris2020 @mali22 @amygdtjhddzvb @sfhsgrad-blog @needylilgal022 @hannzoaks @hnyclover @skyesayshi @nyotamalfoy @decomposing-writer @soph1644

az taglist: @azrielshadows1nger @jurdanpotter @positivewitch @nightcourt-daydreaming @assassinsblade @marvelouslovely-barnes @v3lv3tf0x @kalulakunundrum @vellichor01 @throneofsmut @vickykazuya

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

The First Motorhome!

Remember when things were so much simpler?  The Ford House-Car Q-dog

This is one of only six Ford House-cars said to have been made per year in the mid-30's at the Ford plant in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to an article in a 1993 "Old Car​s​" magazine.

Very few others - perhaps none - remain on the road and certainly not in such amazing original condition!

When discovered in a garage under a heavy cover in northern Minnesota in August of 2001, it had only 19,000 miles on the odometer and the owner's manual was still in the glove box in like-new condition! 

The RV had always been garaged and treated with much 'TLC' as a collector vehicle. 

The all wood lined interior was still the way it appeared in the '30's complete with framed photos of the original owner on his travels, mainly to Florida, and his cabin in the North Woods. It also had other memorabilia from that era.

The Ford House-car was built on a '37 Ford Pickup frame and cowling and was powered by a 60 horse power, flathead V-8 with aluminum heads. The rear framing is all wood, with the metal skin wrapped around it. The roof structure is all wood over which the heavy, waterproofed canvas top is still very securely fitted. The structure of the body is solid, appearing to be all oak hardwood and it's still in a remarkably unaltered, undamaged condition! The door frames are thick, solid oak as are the window frames although those have been painted over. 

This House-car was a big hit at this campground once we got that great old 'flattie' V-8 hummin'! Note the expanding roof (it's that 'extra' roof piece barely visible in the picture) and the original dark green color, which has been repainted. All four side windows open while the back one tilts out in three positions. The windshield also tilts open at the bottom for 'natural' AC while driving. Here are a few shots of the Ford House-car on the road...

Here's a look at the interior.

It's a slice right out of 1930's just as the original owner had it. All the windows have curtains for privacy and there are pull-down shades on the back window, as well as on the driver's and passenger door windows. Note the wide storage cabinet under the bed.

The wood headliner gives the 'cabin' a warm and inviting rustic feel. You can also see it has a ceiling vent and the canvas expanding roof portion visible in this picture. Four wood pieces securely support the expansion when it's in the 'up' position, while clamps secure it when it's down while traveling.

Note the cedar branches hanging in the corners to give the cabin a natural, north woods aroma. Cabinets and the aluminum sink, that includes a wooden cover insert, are visible on the left. All the antiques inside, as well as on the walls, came along for the ride. Also note the collapsible table behind the driver's seat. 

It's amazing how simple vehicles were back then! No computerization to be concerned about!

[crackedpumpkin]

Omg hiiii!!! I’m 🪁 anon and I LOVEDDDD THE FIC YOU WROTEEEEE I can’t describe how much I liked ittt!!! So here’s a big fat kiss 💋 *MUAH*

(Also I kinda like it to the point that I need a part two…)

Well hello there lovely kite anon! Thank you so much for the compliments, I really be blushin so hard rn smhsmh look what you did. I hope you enjoy this part two though!!!

|| ᴏʙʟɪᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴘᴛ. ᴛᴡᴏ || 2012! ᴅᴏɴɴɪᴇ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ||

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞

“How long?” 

Donnie’s question leaves you speechless, and your steps slow to a halt. Your lips are parted, trying to find the right response. Your mind races with jumbled thoughts. 

“I...don’t know. It just happened.” 

You hear a sharp inhale on the other side, nibbling on your lip anxiously. 

“It just happened?” He repeats.

You sigh, slumping against the walls of the building next to you. You cross your arms, trying to hide how jittery you are. Your eyes are trained on the street filled with potholes, kicking a pebble.

“Remember how you fell for April? You were just trying to save her from the Kraang, and you just knew. You just…. knew. That’s how…that’s how it happened for me.” Your voice is barely a whisper as you reveal your innermost thoughts.

“That day in the rain, you came. That’s what started it.” You laugh bitterly, the exact moment you began to see Donnie in a different light ingrained into your very soul.

— — — — — — — — —

“I don’t know if I can make it, Donnie. It’s pouring pretty badly right now.” You repeat into your phone’s mic, shifting uncomfortably in your soaked socks. The rain had appeared out of nowhere, thunder and lightning making you flinch.

Your hair is wet, clinging to your cheeks as you brush away drops of rainwater on your forehead. You glance up, squinting at the roof of the bus stop you’re under. The rain pelts the plastic top with so much force it resembles hail, and you flinch slightly. 

Your shoes are soaked, and even the slightest breezes make you shiver in your thin shirt. You can barely register Donnie’s voice on the other end, too tired and cold from work and irritated that out of all days to forget your umbrella, it had to be the day it rains cats and dogs.

“-/n? You there? Do you-” Your phone slips out of your grip as you shift it to sandwich it between your ear and shoulder. A dismayed cry is all Donnie hears on the other end before the call cuts out, your phone landing on the ground with a clatter.

“Y/n? Are you there??” Donnie repeats with a frown, staring down at his phone when the call ends. He stands up from the dining table, grabbing his bō staff and an umbrella while Raph glances up from his comic. 

“Where’re you headed?” He asks, Donnie not pausing to give him a glance. 

“Y/n’s stuck in the rain, so I’m gonna pick her up.”

“Oh?” Raph raises a brow, a smirk on his lips as he watches his brother’s hurried steps.

“What?” Donnie slows to a stop, casting a confused glance at Raph, who merely shrugs. 

“I dunno, you seem a little more worried than usual.” 

“What’re you talking about?” 

“Oh, nothing. You sure you like April?” Raph eyes him from his seat with a knowing smile.

“Yes, in fact, I do,” Donnie responds haughtily, an idea occurring to him as he glances at the door of the garage. 

He had recently finished working on the ShellRaiser, a vehicle he had poured all his sweat, blood, and tears into. Maybe it’s time he took it for a test drive.

Meanwhile, you’re cradling your phone, a jagged crack across the screen. You’re devastated. You sink down with a sigh onto the bench that barely avoids being splashed on by the rain, wondering how you will explain this to your parents.

You press the power button, groaning in frustration when the screen remains black. You sigh, running a hand through your wet hair and trying to stay warm by hugging your bag close. Your laptop stays safe inside the waterproof bag, and you’re eternally grateful that your dad had given it to you just nights before.

You glance at the watch on your wrist. 

Eight P.M.

The rain didn’t seem like it’d be letting up anytime soon, and you really didn’t feel like trying to make a run for it.

But you look up at the sound of a massive truck that makes its way down the street, slowing to a stop in front of you. You look around, trying to determine if you’re about to get kidnapped.

The window slowly moves down with a slight squeak, and your tense shoulders instantly relax once Donnie pokes his head out the window with a cheerful smile. 

You heave a relieved sigh, standing up with an easy grin. “C’mon, I’ll drop you off at your apartment building,” He shouts over the pouring rain.

You hurry into the door that swings open with a quick hiss, shutting it behind you and barely avoiding more rain. You sit beside him, and he starts the engine, driving off.

“Like it?” He asks, sparing you a quick glance and grinning as you nod with an impressed smile. You look around the van, taking in the elaborate setup and immediately realizing which brother he had designed each station for. 

“It’s really cool,” You comment, tucking a wet strand of hair behind your ear as you smile up at him. “How’d you know where I was, anyway?” 

“I just checked your phone for your last known location and decided to come to pick you up. I got worried when you didn’t answer my calls.” You pull out your phone, showing the cracked screen to him with a sheepish smile. 

“Oh, I’ll fix that up for you.” He says easily, making a quick turn down the street. You spot how his arms tense when turning the wheel, a funny feeling in your stomach as you reluctantly pull your gaze away.

“Thanks, Don. You didn’t have to come all the way out here, though. I could’ve called a cab.” You point out, though you’re thankful he had shown up to drive you back home.

“Of course, I would’ve come. I care about you.” He replies easily, eyes never straying from the road. “Oh, hold on, there’s a pothole up ahead.” He warns a little too late, and the turbulence caused by the wheels running over the pothole causes a sudden jolt in your seat, and your hands reach out for something to hold.

Your fingers land on his arm, and he’s momentarily caught off guard as your side presses against his with a soft yelp. 

“You good? Sorry about that. I’ll try to be more careful.” He chuckles, brushing it off.

You’re too stunned to respond, your face inches away from his. Your eyes rake over his warm smile and soft eyes, cheeks suddenly hot before ripping your hands away from his arm, settling back into your seat and fastening your seatbelt with a beating heart that’s running a little too wild for your taste. 

It’s silent for a while, Donnie enjoying the quiet while you’re wrestling with the conflicting emotions that start to rise in your chest. You steal another glance and avert your gaze as soon as he lights up, a thought occurring to him.

He grins toothily, keeping his eyes on the road as you peer over his shoulder. “I can’t wait to take April on a spin in this baby!” He chuckles gleefully, a pang resonating in your heart as you register his words. 

“Yeah,” You reply, your voice softer than before. You glance at him, staring at his auburn eyes that hold so much joy and laughter in them. You swallow down the lump in your throat, tearing your gaze away. 

“I’m sure she’ll love it.”

[popcornforone]

Drenched

A Mr Ben Fan Fic

I need help. I am always in a Dave York pit, however I am really really really feeling Mr Ben at the moment. I had no intention to write this at all. I have so many in draft that I wanted to get done but on November 6 an idea came into my head & I then spent nearly 2hours starting. I have no idea when you will read this but I really like what I’ve written here.

Synopsis:- your car is being repaired, & your on your way to college in a storm. Circumstances beyond your control, lead you to the best kind of lazy day to snuggle in doors.

Word Count: 4100

Warnings: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 18! PIV sex. Established relationship. Swearing, angst, teasing, fingering. Mentions of oral & previous sexual encounters. Dirty talk. Innuendo & things implied. Cream Pie, tasting, mentioned or sex in a public place, talk of gagging.

Thanks as always for the read peoples it’s really appreciated. All feed back is welcome. Enjoy

5 days the garage said. 5 days & your car would be back. 5 days & it would be repaired from the rival men’s hockey team taking it out on the nearest car possible when they lost, which just happened to be yours. You didn’t know until right at the end of the match as you were doing the college radio commentary for the game. The college said they would pay for all your repairs & 3 of the rival team have now been kicked off their scholarships. That makes you feel a little bit better but not right now.

It’s now been 8 days since they said 5 & it’s properly fall. It’s dropped in temperature. It’s raining & the bus stop is 10min Walk from your apartment to get to the campus. You’re there as a mature student. Getting your masters studying 2 days a week while you work the other 3 in your job. This will leas to a promotion though, your work have said that. That’s why you were working & commentating on the hockey game. You’re lined up to be the next big sports reporter on tv. NFL Super Bowl anchor one day has even been mentioned by some people in the industry that know what they are taking about. You blushed when you heard this. Your potential is already being recognised.

You waited as long as you could for the rain to slow down before you take the most sheltered walk to the bus stop. No amount of clothes & layers & waterproofs will protect you. You have a change of clothes in your bag. You stride over puddles & avoid the splash points walking under as many shelters as you can. But then it happens. The bus you are meant to catch is early & your still 2mins away from your stop so you start to run, knowing if no one is at your stop you will be late or will need to call an Uber. That would be have been the sensible thing to do to start with. You’re good at jogging but not in the rain so you start to gather momentum. But in Your haist, you’ve neglected where your feet are going on the path.

Splash!

The bus hits the deep puddle in the road right next to you. Drenching you in seconds making you stop in your tracks.

“Fuck!” You shout as the bus keeps going, spray flying into the air covering any other crazy person who’s out in this rain & because no one is waiting doesn’t stop at your stop. It just keeps going.

“Oooh for fuck…” but your expletive is stopped by the lorry that then also hits the puddle & covers you. It uses its horn too.

“FUCK YOU!” You scream as you trudge your sodden mess of a being into the bus stop & sit down for a few seconds. Your shivering, hands are shaking. You could just turn around & go home & do this on zoom but you’re resilient & you’ve got to where you are in life because of this. However this weather, the splashing & the bus have made you think today is not your day. Everyone can have bad days & you feel your bottoms lip quiver.

Beep beep! A horn goes off, you don’t pay attention to it probably some jerk mocking you. BEEP!!!

“Urgh” you go & look up to moan & be all grumpy & moody but then you stand there in shock. A friendly face in a blue Ford is waving at you. It starts off your own water works & you as you cry, rush & leap into the back seat of the car. This is no strangers car. You quickly shut the door & let the emotions take hold. A warm friendly hand from the drivers seat leans into you from the front.

“You’re soaked” he says “didn’t I tell…” but his voice trails off when he sees you’re crying. “Hey hey hey.” He turns the engine off & puts his hazards on so no one hits his car & his face turns to face you. Bens face no matter what, is always reassuring & soft. “It’s okay I’m here, you’re safe, okay you look like a drowned rat but…” you sadly pout at him. “Sorry trying to make you smile” Ben smirks. “It’s better you laugh then cry” that perks you up slightly & your lips almost smile at him as you grab the towel he has on the back seat for when the travels with his cat to wipe you down slightly. It doesn’t bother you if you’re now covered in cat hair.

“You like my little smile Ben”

“Hey what can I say, I’m a romantic who likes the small things in life” the way his hand feels against your cheek has you blushing & feeling rather warm.

“Thank you though Ben, this is…”

“You still should have called me this morning, I’d have gone out my way to pick you up” knowing your calmer Ben turns back around & turns the engine on & take the two of you to the college.

When you arrive at college you you look at your phone to see a notification pop up.

“Typical arghhhh” you growl, as Ben parks his car in a teachers spot.

“What’s up now?” He says sarcastically as he does his coat up.

“I was rushing in for a writing lecture with Professor Steven’s but his own kids school is shut due to flooding, so he’s not going to be in today. I got drenched for nothing” Ben turns to face you & sees the frustration in your eyes.

“Hey, just remember what we said the other week” you roll your eyes at him & say in unison mocking him in his teachers voice “everything happens for a reason”

“Yea I know Ben but still. My next lecture today isn’t until 1pm. I’ve made this journey for no reason.” Ben shakes his head at your negative attitude.

“You’re as moody as the weather today you know that” you raise an eyebrow at him & sigh.

“It’s not my fault Mr Ben” you snap back, frustrated with life. He knows you’re in a mood when you call him that. He much prefers it when you call him your handsome professor. You were introduced at the writing meet up at the start of term. A few flirty words, became a coffee, then dinner & a movie, & have now become a relationship. Spending alternate weekends at each others apartments. The way he makes you cum you’ve never experienced before. His hands are masterful on your clit. Because you’re a mature student it’s not frowned upon, & he doesn’t teach you. He’s not breaking any rules. You could have easily had met it at a bar one day. But maybe the way you shout ”ooh professor teach me about kinky sex” shouldn’t really go into the college open guide for prospective new students. Especially as Mr Ben like to gag you & you send nudes to each other each night. A few 3am hook ups have happened when things have got out of hand on face time. He’s often the one rushing to yours to pleasure you until you both sleep through your alarms the next morning. That happened 2 weeks ago.

Ben doesn’t say a word & gets out the car & slams the door making you jump. Your lips quivering in sadness again, as you try to hold everything in. Today really isn’t your day is it. Your door suddenly flings open & he grabs you by the arm pulling you out the car. The rain still pouring, thunder happening a little way off on this miserable day. He shuts the door behind you & pushes you against the car, before his lips find yours. The movies always make this so romantic. & as much as this does perk you up a little, you’re still moody. Bens kisses can almost solve all of the worlds problems. He moans as his tongue finds your tonsils. You can’t deny that this is fucking sexy. He locks the car & then drags you into the college.

“Come on baby” the main hall is slippery & he holding onto you in your sodden state, walks you both through all the students & up to the 2nd floor to his office. It’s not a secret that Professors Ben isn’t single anymore but some people are shocked when they see it’s you he’s protecting & adoring.

Bens office isn’t one he has to share with anyone. Being head of English he gets one with a small bathroom to himself. He throws you in there.

“There’s towels in my gym bag & a big enough sink for you to soak some of your clothes” & he shuts the door & wanders off. He’s also locked it. Is he punishing you for being in a mood & not getting out of the gloom? No Bens to sweet for for that. He knows you need a good cry & to let it all out. He stand by the door as he hears you sob a little before you head to the bathroom. It breaks his heart a little but you needed this moment. You need a good cry after the morning but as soon as you’re out of your wet clothes your attitude improves straight away.

You don’t even realise when you come out the bathroom in your leggins, dress & college hoodie that Ben has returned & is sitting at his desk on his laptop. On the table is a bacon sandwich & a big cup of tea for you, as he looks at his laptop. You perch on the end of his desk & smile at him.

“Thank you”

“For what”

“For being you, for being mine, for letting me be moody”

“You’re welcome I guess” he pokes his glasses further up his nose & smirks. “You always said if I can’t handle you at your worse I don’t deserve you” his big brown eyes dazzle back at you.

“That’s not me at my worse” you say as you bite into the warm toast & bacon.

“Well you’re moodiest then…?” He sees the smile on your face as he teases you. “There it is, that famous smile, the smile that everyone wants to see but only I get to” he stands up & takes a bite out of your sandwich.

“Ben!”

“What?” he says mouth full trying not to laugh “I paid for it, what you gonna do about it?” You then lick your lips before you kiss him & bite his. “Keep doing that & I won’t do any teaching today” he smirks before he softly kisses you back.

“Well maybe that’s what I want, I mean after all my handsome professor did save me from getting wet” you sip your tea, slurping which has Bens heart rate accelerate.

“That i did” Ben puts the bacon sandwich down & his hand trail up from your knees to your thighs, your leggings are thin it’s almost like he’s stroking your skin. “But i…” he then stops thinking it’s too smutty.

“Finish it Ben” you fully uncross & spread your legs & he pulls you so his hardening groin rubs against your pussy. Both still completely clothed. Ben chuckles & then say the words.

“… I think I can make sure you’re not just wet but drenched & soaked.” His hand starts to stroke your entrance, knowing the feel of your panties & legging will cause friction against your clit. Your roll your head back & sigh in pleasure.

“Ooh professor” you moan.

“You like that baby”

“Fuck yes”

“Do you want me?”

“Ooh Ben yes,” your breath is hitched.

“Want your professor to teach you to be nice when people do you a favour? Want your professor to fuck you in his office again?” You both usually have no lessons after lunch on a Thursday & Ben will always use that for his ‘special tutor session’ well that’s what it say in his diary. You’ve been walked in on once since these meet ups started at college. A department assistant needed a book & just walked in while you were sitting in bens chair in just his dark blue shirt, as he licked your pussy dry. Safe to say from that day on Ben has double locked the door on Thursdays.

“Yea Ben, please me Ben” your hand is on his belt undoing it when the room plunged into darkness.

“Ahhhh” you screech” is this a game Ben?” Your body trembles.

“Nope I’m not that clever enough to do that.” He replys & he pulls you in close to him. Lightning lights up the room from his window before the emergency lighting comes on & the college tannoy announce system starts.

‘Due to the incoming storm, unless it is unsafe for you to do so, lessons are cancelled for today. This is a message for all staff & students to leave as safety as you can, if you can’t leave the cafeteria on the first floor will be serving free food & drink all day’

You look at Ben & his hand cups your face.

“Can I have a lift home baby?” You ask & do your innocent eyes at him. Eyelashes fluttering.

“See is it so hard to ask for a bit of help”

“Well no, you’re right there, but I have alternative motives” you say as you pack your damp clothes into a carrier bag after ringing them out of the sink.

“Do you now?” He raises an eye brown as he put his stuff in his bag & put his coat back on.

“I do, you see as much as a lesson in your office is good, I know my bed is much more comfortable for a more personal lesson”

“What make you think I don’t have work to do & that I don’t want to go home to my cat Mr Collins?” He asks.

“Seriously?” You slump a little as you were not looking at his face & then see the sarcastic look on it. “Fuck you Ben” you zip your coat up & pout.

“Ooh you will in about 25minutes.” He says & he rubs his nose against yours before he ushers you out of his office to lock it up. Those work trouser always make his bum look nice & plump as he bends over to grab his bag that he put on the floor as he locked the office.

You rush into your apartment to avoid the increasing resilient rain & shut the door behind Ben & go & turn the heating on but it’s as you feared. The whole block has no power. Bens phone then pings.

“Yea my building has no power too, so it’s not like we can head there either” he says as he hangs his coat up.

“Well we best go get warm some other way shouldn’t we” you take his hand & walk him to your bedroom. “Unless you really do want to go home”

“& miss an afternoon of sex with you… fuck no” he’s kicking off his shoes as he walks along to your bedroom. Once in your bedroom , you light a few candles on your dresser for a little bit of light & Ben scoffs. “Thought I was the romantic one”

“I have my moments baby” you reply as you walk over to him & start unbuttoning his shirt. “& right now I want you to teach me how to be a romantic lover”

“Oooh baby I can’t teach that” he says as he grabs the hem off your dress before he takes it off over your head. The lightning outside crashes as he admires your spotty blue bra “you already do that anyhow beautiful” you sit on the bed & shuffle off your leggings & he loses his trousers. His grey briefs don’t hide how much he wants you. A slow large soft hand strokes your shoulder as he peppers kisses around your neck, just in the crook. Your favourite spot. Your eyes close in pleasure. One hand ruffling his slightly damp hair from the rush inside from the rain. The other feeling his length from above the cloth, edging him on, getting him ready. As his lips embrace yours for a tender kiss his hands unclip your bra.

“All the bloods not rushed to your cock yet then Ben” you mumble before you continue the kiss. He’s smirking this is only the 3rd time since you started having sex that he’s taken it off in one go.

“You always said I had masterful hands.” He cups your breasts, your nipples hardening at each motion he does on them. You’re so aroused that you might not even need him inside you to make you cum.

Out of habit he lays you down on the bed. His whole weight on top of you. He penis pulsing inside his briefs, & one of those large hands inside your panties. Your clit being attended to as your kisses get much more passionate.

“God you’re wet already baby” he says as his strokes get more intense. You have no words in reply. “Good girl” he lifts off your body & slowly peels your sodden panties from your body. His eyes always dilate at the sight of you naked. He always wonders how he got so lucky. “Godess” he whispers as he pulls his briefs down to reveal his girthy length. You without realising moan deeply & lick your lips, knowing just how the pinch is going to satisfy your needs. He lies back in the bed being your big spoon. You’ve moved up a little so your head is on the pillow. The kissing resumes & so does the pleasing if your clit. Your own hand now jerking his length. His low moans rattles like the thunder outside.

“Ben, make me yours” your teeth graze his lips.

“You already are beautiful” your pelvis is moving at a same rhythm to his hand now. You turn to your side Lying on you right, facing the window. The storm still bellowing outside the candles flickering away. You’re gently grind into his lap & he moans. “Oooh baby you want this”.

“Mmmmhmmmmm” you mumble & then gasp. He’s turned to be a full on spoon & is stroking his length against your slick. Coating it, ready for fun.

“Oooh you do like that baby” you nod in reply & then feel it as ben adjusts your legs & his body & he slowly inserts his erect penis inside you. All the way. In one go, the entire shaft. Your hand grabs the pillow as noise escapes your mouth before there’s a long drag against your walls before he glides fully back in. “Oooh you take me so well” he says a seductive look back at you as you turn your head.

“Yes Ben oh yess baby” you’re stumbling to find other words in your vocabulary. He’s dragging you, each slow draw against you feels exquisite. He has a quick look from over your left shoulder that he’s been kissing to see how good it looks. You always feel so tight to him, but he always can go fully in, balls deep, & he looks at the magnificent site, proud of the both of you.

“You enjoying this baby”

“Yes Ben”

“So good so right so tight, oooh my baby girl, you make me want more”

“Who says you can’t?” Your lips take his & a long sloppy kiss commences. This is all it takes for him to speed up & find a more vigorous rhythm.

You both moan & hum. A low but panty noise. It’s drowned out only by the thunder outside. Every now & then the lightning fills the room. Crashing & hitting hard like he is doing when he finds your gspot. He bites your lip when you quiver the first time. He knows he’s found it. He can feel your body tremble. Feel it rive in pleasure. He’s alternating his kisses as you lie there & moan his name.

“Oooh ben oooh baby yes yes yessss” it’s a strained cry.

“Fuck sweetheart” he’s working his pace further. “Oooh my love oooh fuck”

“Oooh fuck ben more”

“More?”

“Fuck please”

“God you’re needy” be nips around your neck”but your cunts glorious” & he ramps his pace up even more. How does he feel bigger than he did at the start? Maybe you’re so in the zone, you are just lost in this trance of passionate love making. But he hits the spot with each thrust.

“Ooooooh fuck fuck fuck Ben” your moaning is getting loud as he withdraws & lays you on your back. You gasp at the loss of him but as soon as he’s happy that you’re lying facing up at him he’s back on top of you. It was only a few seconds he wasn’t inside of you & his penis is covered in your juices, but the feel as he dives back in & grind down on you hard is insane. “Ooooh yessssss”

“Fuck baby” he lifts your legs & puts your feet on his shoulders. When your minds not in a sex glazed fog, you can see his jaw is clenched as he pummels you. His cock feeling phenomenal. His body sticky with sweat. He may be a handsome professor but right now Mr Ben is fucking you like it’s your wedding night. It’s rampant passionate & sexy.

“Ben oooooh fuck Ben” your screams & moans are now louder than the lightning. You see bens silhouette when the shadows appear on the wall from the extra light. He’s a monster of a man in size so broad & he is all yours.

“Fuck darling Jesus fucking Christ, your so tight”

“Yes yes yes yes yes I’m almost there baby”

“You wanna drench me?”

“Yes”

“You wanna soak me”

“Ooooh yes”

“you want to…”

“Oooooh fuck” you interrupt his sentence. It was almost a tease what he says because that’s what you do. You squirt, as your orgasm from over stimulation hits you like a train. Pleasure explodes out of every part of you as Ben watches in awe at the mess you are making.

“God that’s sexy, oooh fuck” 3 jolted thrusts later, he cums inside you. Filling you up, coating you, his body twitches & he screams your name at the top of his high. “Oooh fuck baby oooh fuck”

“Oh Ben oooh fuck ben” you don’t think you’ve ever breathed this heavily in your life, as you open your eyes & slowly come down from your extreme high & realise what you did. You slowly lower your legs off his shoulders as he leans back & admires the state of the mess you’ve made.

He doesn’t hesitate. Ben drops his head between your thighs as soon a he has come too & he laps away. His cock is still hard & dripping.

“Oooh baby” you snarl & run your fingers through his hair pushing his lips further into you, as his tongue licks you out. You don’t cum as he abruptly stops. His face glistens, covered in you & him. Well you think that’s the scene before you. You’re over taken by the taste of his lips that are sticky & consists of you both. He holds your head in place as you go back to his hair with your hand.

“We taste good together”

“Yes we do Ben” he’s pushing hard against you, almost ready for another round he’s not gone soft yet. He hitches against your enterance as the kiss continues. But you then both jolt. You hear a rumble but it’s not the thunder from the storm. It’s your building generator. The power is coming back on.

“What was that?” He asks distracted for a few seconds.

“The powers coming back”

“Did we make enough electricity between us baby, to restart it” he says before your neck receives the next round of kisses your nails dig into his back.

“Ben we’re so electric, the grid would flood”

“Is that so” he smirks he’s almost inside you as his hand caresses your tummy. “Well you’ve been wet & drenched & even squirting…” you bashfully smile at that. Still you can’t believe that’s even possible ”let’s get the flooding sorted too” & he pushes deeply inside you making you moan. The power might be back on but the only connection either of you need this afternoon is your body’s moving as one. A storm maybe brewing but those rumbles of thunders don’t meet the noises you & your handsome professor make for the next few hours. The candles have long flickered out by the time your afternoon delight is over.

[netherzon]

Chapter 1 of Bear Jail

Exactly what it sounds like. Kuma gets put in Polar Bear Jail.

(note, there are no Hetalia characters other than Kuma in this chapter, but there will be in the next one I promise!)

Rating: T for language

Content Warnings: discussions of animal abuse and the exotic pets black market.

It was around 2pm when their hotline went off.

“Hello, hello! You have reached the emergency Polar Bear B Gone hotline.” Riley snorts from her desk across the room.

It was an unconventional hotline. There were only 900 people in this town anyway, and most of them had interacted with their team before. It was probably fine.

“Caleb?”

Yup. “That’s me.”

“Aha, I thought it sounded like you. It’s me, Bob? You answered the phone two weeks ago when that other rascal got caught by the fire hall while we were celebrating my niece’s engagement party?”

“Uh huh?”

“They’ve broken up now, by the way. I heard her say you were pretty cute at the engagement party, should’ve seen the end coming really. Are you single by any chance?”

“You called because you saw a polar bear right?” Caleb quickly changes the subject, “There’s a fine if you called this hotline for non polar bear purposes.” He wasn't actually sure if there was a fine, but it felt like there should be.

It has the effect of getting Bob back on track anyway, “Yes! Right, I live in Zone 2, and there’s a bear sniffing around my shed.”

Caleb gestures towards Riley that she should start mobilizing their capture team, “Any identifiable traits? Can you see a tracking collar”

“No to both.”

“Adult or juvenile?”

“Looks like an adult to me.”

“Does it seem hungry?”

“Well, yes, but not the way I think you mean.”

Caleb frowns, “What does that mean?”

Bob clears his throat on the other end of the line, “Well, it’s just— it’s just sitting by the door to the shed. Like a dog. It looks like a healthy weight. It hasn’t tried to break in, but I think I also saw it trying to open the door with its mouth?? Like it was biting the door handle and trying to turn it. But other than that it hasn’t gotten very, uh, physical? But I think it can see me too, if that makes sense? It looks at me sometimes. Like it's waiting for me to open the door for it.” Bob’s voice gets lower with each word, like he’s afraid the bear will hear him,”It’s very creepy. Never seen a bear act that way in all my life. And I’ve lived in the Polar Bear Capital of the World for 50 odd years now, so that’s really saying something!”

Caleb gets stuck on the idea of the bear trying to open doors, especially in a way so obviously learned from humans. The goal of their work was to make cohabitation safer for humans and bears by minimizing interactions between them. By maintaining a healthy feeling of caution on both sides. Humans stay away from bears. Bears stay away from humans. Nobody gets into any trouble.

If this bear had already learned how to open doors though…. If it was so familiar with this already that it really didn’t bother just trying to knock the door down, something it could probably do easily if it's an adult.....

“Hello?

Caleb is knocked out of his thoughts by Bob’s staticy voice over the phone, “Yeah, yeah, I’m here. We’re on our way over, alright?”

“Alright”

~~~~~~~

The rest of the team are almost finished getting dressed when Caleb enters the garage.

Dereck looks over at him, everything he says underscored by the sound of his long, graying beard scratching the waterproof material of their jackets, “Details?”

Caleb grabs a sweater and starts listing:

“Zone 2,” dress warmly, bring cracker shells.

“Large, probably an adult,” pack regular dose tranq darts.

Dereck nods along with each point, “Way ahead of you.” He gestures for everyone to get in their trucks.

Caleb hesitates pulling on his gloves, and Dereck notices.

“Is there anything else, kid?” Dereck asks.

He considers mentioning the behavior Bob described, but, “Nah, nothing ‘bout the bear,” he raises his voice to be heard over the noise of multiple engines starting, “Just thought everyone should know it's Joey’s cousin again!”

He hears someone in the third truck groan loudly. The window starts rolling down, but Joey’s head is already poking out when it's only halfway, “Bobby?!”

Caleb only has to grin for Joey to go off again, “The bear’s sniffing around his shed too, ain’t it?!” Joey leans further out the window, “You know, he told me he was going ice fishing a few days ago. That moron left the fish guts in his shed again, I’d bet money on it!”

“Alright, that’s enough chit chat,” Dereck admonishes, “you can rip your cousin a new asshole after we’ve scared off the bear who wants to do it for you, Joey.”

He gives Caleb his own disappointed father look, before climbing into the first truck.

~~~~~~~

“Remind me which cousin this is, and do they live on Airport Lane or Airport Road?”

Caleb looks at Riley in the driver’s seat, leaning forward so the end of her braid doesn’t press uncomfortably into her back, “Airport Road, close to where it changes into Lake Road and Farnworth Road.”

“Got it,” Riley says. Her voice is low and smooth. He always prefers riding over with her.

On the way over he sends the message he always sends to his wife before every job like this: “

“You were acting strange in the garage,” Riley says, and Caleb flinches. It’s no use denying it. Riley is too perceptive, and now he’s stuck in a confined space with her.

“Bobby told me the bear was acting strange.”

“Strange how? Is it injured or something?” Riley asks, confused. An injured bear would be a completely different task for them. Caleb would’ve mentioned it to the team if that were the case.

“No, it seems…” he pauses, “I don’t know.”

Riley presses again, “Seems what?”

Caleb collects his thoughts, and then cautiously asks, “Hey, do you think it's possible polar bears are still going through the black market as pets?”

Riley snorts with derision this time, “Do I think its possible? Not only possible, I’d be surprised if they’re not. I know its hard for us to understand how anybody could do that, but I wouldn’t put anything past someone with enough money to get away with it.”

“Okay, so, what if somebody released that pet polar bear up here?”

Riley frowns outright. Her grip on the steering tightens, “You think it was a pet?”

“Bobby told me,” Caleb says cautiously, “that the bear tried to open a door the way a human would. By using the knob. That it wanted to get into his shed, but it didn’t just break down the door, it tried to turn the knob.”

Riley blows a lock of graying hair out of her eyes as she considers this. After a moment, her shoulders slump, and she speaks with a new sadness, “It must’ve seen humans do that a lot.”

Caleb sighs, sinking with the weight of it, “Yeah.”

~~~~~~~

When they arrive, the bear is still sitting patiently by the door of the shed. The only sign that it's moved is the circle of snow packed down around the shed’s perimeter.

He sees Derek and the rest of the crew speaking to Bobby through the door of his house about 7 meters away. They are all facing the bear, but they shoot disturbed looks at Riley and Caleb when their truck pulls up.

“What’s going on?” Riley asks, taking in their tense stances.

“Nothing!” Joey whisper-shouts, wide eyes still fixed on the polar bear, “Nothing is going on! It just sits there!”

Derek shakes his head in warning and begins shifting down the porch stairs towards them. “What’s up with this bear, Caleb?” he asks. His tone is deadly serious.

He decides to keep it short. “We think it didn’t come here from the wild. That it used to be someone’s pet.”

Riley nods. Derek’s eyes widen with understanding, before he curses. They all eye the bear. The Bear stares back at them. Now that the team is aware of it, all its other behaviors fall into place. It’s not starving even in the off season because somebody’s been feeding it. It doesn’t break the door down because food has always been given to it. It stares at them expectantly now because it’s always been humans giving it that food.

It doesn’t fundamentally change the mission, but it does change a lot about the mechanics of it. They still don’t know where it came from, if somebody dropped it off here or if it escaped from somewhere. It might be easier to convince it to get into one of their transport tubes, but it could also be harder. People could convince themselves they could turn a bear into a tame house pet, but it was always a roll of the dice. Plus, they weren’t trained on how to interact with the bears this way. They’re entire goal was to make sure the bears didn’t get familiar with humans or associate them with food. It seemed like they’d already lost that battle here.

“Alright,” Derek starts, ready now to give them directions, “we probably won’t be able to scare it away from town like we’d usually do. If it was a pet it will probably just come back to where the people are anyway, and if it doesn’t know how to hunt on its own it won’t survive out there either. Our best bet is to get it in a transport tube, bring it back to the center for further assessment, and if it can’t live in the wild we’ll just have to find a zoo or sanctuary or something that can take him in. Understood? This has turned into a capture mission.”

The team give a chorus of “Understood!” In response. While they are apprehensive, it’s all they really can do. The bear can’t stay here.

Their usual techniques are ineffective though. Nothing they do shakes it. The bear watches them bang pots and pans and set off firecrackers with total passivity. They turn on the engines of their car and rev them as loud as they can with no response. They can’t use tranq rounds cause they wouldn’t be able to bring it to the transport tube on their own. They try for 20 minutes, edging closer and closer. The bear just refuses to move.

Out of sheer desperation, Caleb does possibly the stupidest thing he’s ever done.

He decides to talk to it.

With shaking hands, he calls out, “Hey!” It’s a small test. Just wanting to see how the bear reacts.

His team shoot him deadly looks, warning him not to do what he’s about to do.

The bear though, the bear responds by looking directly at him. It doesn’t charge him, or growl, or display any other signs of aggression. Caleb forges on.

“Are ya hungry?” He asks. To all of their shock the bear almost looks like it nods. Its attention is focused even more on Caleb now.

“Do you wanna eat?” His voice shakes with fear. Not me, he wants to add. He knows if the bear decides that’s what it was hungry for, though, there’d be nothing he could do about it.

This time, the bear heaves itself up on all fours. The rest of his team clutch their tranq guns nervously as they all watch the bear walk towards Caleb. Caleb also watches nervously, but he doesn’t raise his own gun. Scenes from How to Train Your Dragon flash through his mind, and he comes to the irrational conclusion that he also needs to lay down his weapons to gain the beast’s trust.

The bear doesn’t seem to notice or care either way. It walks right up to Caleb, leans in. Caleb can smell it’s bad breath as the bear sniffs him once, twice, and then obediently sits back down in front of him. Caleb stares into its deep, dark eyes —something he’s pretty sure you’re not supposed to do with bears— and imagines he can hear its thoughts. Do you have food for me, human?

“Y-yes,” Caleb whimpers, ”I have food. Food for you.”

The bear huffs once. The burst ruffles Caleb’s hair. Show me, he swears he can hear it speaking.

“Okay,” on shaky legs Caleb backs away, loath to turn his back on the bear, “I’ll show you where you can get some food.”

He walks backwards, like that would give him a fighting chance if the bear lunged. The size of polar bears up close has never stopped being impressive to him, but he’s never been so close to one that’s awake. They try to make it clear to the bears that there’s nothing of interest to them when it comes to humans. There’s nothing to be curious about, nothing to gain from coming towards human towns other than a month spent in a very, very boring room. That’s why people are allowed to visit their center, but they never show anyone any actual bears, and employees only ever interact closely with the bears that are injured or sick.

His work has never been without danger, but he’s never tempted it so much. The Bear follows him closely. His coworkers follow behind them from a great distance. He can see they are alarmed by how close the Bear is, but they won’t say anything. He knows they won’t want to risk startling or provoking it, in case it does decide to attack him.

He leads it to the closest transport tube. They bait all of them with seal meat. Once the bait is pulled on, the other door to the tube falls down. Trapped bear, ready to be taken in. Simple.

The bear comes up beside him and regards the tube. He gestures towards it encouragingly. The bear shakes its head, but complies. Miraculously, it walks by Caleb without incident, so close that for a second he can’t see anything but it’s white-yellow fur. It walks easily into the tube, grabs the seal meat, and yanks. The door at the other end falls down. The Bear walks back to look at them through the bars. Now what? it seems to ask.

Caleb’s knees buckle underneath him. The rest of the team runs up to him, yelling and crying in equal measure. He’s the youngest of all of them, so they’ve always babied him a little. Right now, it’s just comforting. He can tell they’re angry, but when Riley pulls him to his feet they surround him in a hug. He can hear her admonishing him with motherly concern, “Don’t ever do that as again, understand me? Don’t ever do that again!”

He eyes the Bear over Joey’s shoulder. It tilts its head at them. I wasn’t going to eat you. I can tell you wouldn’t taste good anyway.

Derek recovers more quickly than the rest of them. He sniffles, wipes a few tears of relief off his cheeks, before turning to the Bear. He keeps one hand firmly on Caleb’s shoulder. His mouth is set in a grim line.

“We’ll take it back to the center now, and I’ll call an old friend of mine from when I worked at the zoo and see what he thinks about this.”

~~~~~~~

More Notes!

This fic was inspired by the the Polar Bear Holding Facility in Churchill, Manitoba, otherwise known as "the Polar Bear Capital of the World". The holding facility was established in 1982 as an alternative to what they'd been doing before if a bear got too close to town, which was just killing it. It is colloquially called "polar bear jail". They'll try to scare bears out of town first, but bears that walk into town repeatedly or begin breaking into buildings get put in "polar bear jail", where they are given water, but no food to avoid creating an association between humans and food. After some time, or after the Bay freezes over again, the bears are re-released outside of town.

You can read more about it on Atlas Obscura here:

[1solone]

LIVING IN OREGON

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Oregon .

If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in

Oregon .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Oregon .

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Oregon .

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both doors unlocked, you live in Oregon .

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a 2 layers of clothes

or under a raincoat, you live in Oregon .

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road

construction, you live in Oregon .

If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Oregon.

If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Oregon .

If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal,

you live in Oregon .

If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Oregon .

If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle 's Best, and Dutch

Bros, you live in Oregon .

If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you

live in Oregon .

If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup , Clatskanie, Issaquah , Oregon ,

Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Oregon .

If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Oregon .

If you know that Boring is a city and not just a feeling, you live in Oregon .

If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you

live in Oregon .

If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Oregon .

If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Oregon.

If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Oregon .

If you buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones

after such a long time, you live in Oregon .

If you actually understand these jokes and share them to all your OREGON

friends, you live or have lived in Oregon .😅😂🤣😎

[boogerplus]

If you are in an area where authorities advise or order you to evacuate: Evacuate Immediately! Bring your pre-packed evacuation kit (“Go Bag”), prescription medicines in a waterproof, childproof container, along with your critical records.

Before you leave, turn off propane tanks. Unplug small appliances to reduce potential damage from power surges that may occur. Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities to prevent damage to your home or within the community. If you shut your gas off, a professional is required to turn it back on.

If you are not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, follow your plans for sheltering in place. Before wind impact, take refuge in your pre-designated storm shelter or in your pre-designated small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding. Stay away from glass windows and doors.

Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Do not use candles due to extreme fire risk.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning! Generators, grills, camp stoves, hibachis, lanterns, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage – or even outside near an open window.

Flooding likely? Move to higher ground before it begins. After flooding begins, never walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Remember, Turn Around! Don’t Drown!

[weirdothatwritess]

Hurricane Knowledge!

This is general Hurricane knowledge for anyone ever: don’t go thru any water that isn’t clear, your car can be swept away by just one inch of water because of hydroplaning, get flashlights and water, and get gas NOW if you can because gas stations are gonna be overrun if they aren’t already. If you can hear rescue helicopters and boats, use your flashlight (at night) and a mirror (at day, to preserve battery) and try to do it in SOS, which is 3 quick flashes, 3 slow ones, and another 3 quick ones. If you know you’re gonna flood, put all important documents in ziplock bags or some other waterproofing device. If your house starts to flood and you haven’t lost power and you can get to your breaker box, turn off power to your house.

Hurricane Prep Checklist (with main outline from ChatGPT and anecdotes from me)

(A good rule of thumb is "Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it")

Prep before the storm a) Emergency Kit Prepare an emergency kit that includes:

Water: At least 1 gallon per person per day for at least three days. (ex: family of 5 would mean 15 gallon minimum)

Non-perishable food: Enough for at least three days (canned goods, protein bars, etc.) If there's time, Amazon sells MREs, which are Meal-Ready-to-Eat Rations, what the military uses aka "Just add water" meals

Flashlights and extra batteries. If you're unsure whether you have enough, get more.

First aid kit and any necessary medications.

Personal hygiene items (toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer).

Manual can opener (for canned food).

Portable phone charger (power banks). Getting ones that can recharge of solar power or a hand crank is a good idea.

Whistle/mirror (for signaling for help).

Local maps.

Cash: In case ATMs are down. b) Evacuation Plan

Know your evacuation zone: Authorities will announce evacuations if needed. Know the safest routes out of your area.

Plan ahead: If you have pets, children, or elderly family members, prepare in advance for their needs. Make arrangements for transportation if you don’t have a car.

Shelters: Locate the nearest hurricane shelters or make arrangements to stay with family or friends outside of the evacuation zone. c) Home Preparations

Windows: Install storm shutters or use plywood to protect windows. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, but it will keep it from becoming tiny shards on your floor, so you can tape them and then shutter them if you have small children or animals.

Yard: Secure loose objects (patio furniture, grills, etc.) that could become projectiles in strong winds. If you're unsure if it would be dangerous, assume it would be and secure it as such.

Roof and Gutters: Inspect and clear gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding. Check for loose shingles or tiles. If you find a loose, non brittle shingle, you can try to secure it with nails, if you find a loose tile, it may be better to take the tile off and use something like flex seal or flex tape to protect the material underneath.

Reinforce doors and garage doors: These are weak points during a hurricane. Consider installing braces or other something similar.

Generator: If you can, get a generator for power outages. Remember to store fuel safely, and never use a generator inside the house. d) Stockpile Essentials

Gas: Fill up your car’s tank, as gas stations may run out or close.

Medications: Refill prescriptions ahead of time, and ASAP, especially with the Adderall shortage.

Supplies: Buy any supplies that you’ll need for an extended period of time (baby formula, diapers, TAMPONS and PADS, etc.). e) Insurance and Documentation

Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to ensure that it covers hurricane damage. Flood insurance is often a separate policy.

Document your belongings: Take photos or videos of your home’s interior and exterior, including valuable items. Keep important documents (insurance, passports, IDs, deeds) in a waterproof container. If you don't have one, a ziplock baggie is better than nothing.

During the Hurricane a) Stay Informed

Monitor weather updates from trusted sources (e.g., National Hurricane Center, local government). Keep a battery-powered radio handy in case power and cellular networks go down. Figure out your local emergency weather radio station NOW. b) Shelter in Place (If Not Evacuating)

Stay indoors and away from windows.

Go to a small, interior room on the lowest level of your house (a bathroom or closet is ideal).

Avoid using candles for lighting due to fire hazards; stick to flashlights.

Stay out of floodwaters: Even shallow water can be dangerous. Avoid walking or driving through it.

Power outages: Turn off major appliances to avoid damage from power surges when electricity is restored, and if your house is taking on water, you haven't lost power yet, and you can safely get to your breaker box, turn off power to your house. It's not worth having the electrocution risk.

Avoid tap water: It may be contaminated after the storm, so stick to bottled water. Fill GROUND LEVEL bathtubs and sinks for flushing toilets and minimum hygiene. c) Evacuate if Ordered

If authorities issue an evacuation order, follow it immediately. Do not wait until the last minute, as roads may become congested or impassable due to flooding.

Use designated evacuation routes, as shortcuts may be blocked or unsafe.

If you're nervous about the storm, but an evac order hasn't been given. Ask friends or family that are out of the way of the storm if you can stay with them until it's over, leave the hotels/motels/other "public" accomodations for those that have been ordered to leave.

Storm Surge and Flooding Risks

Storm surge: This is the abnormal rise of seawater level caused by a hurricane and is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. Areas along the coast are most vulnerable, but storm surges can affect areas miles inland. It is essentially bringing the sea onto land. Milton could bring worse storm surge in the Tampa Bay area than it saw in Helene.

Flooding: Heavy rains can cause flash floods, even in areas far from the coast. Be prepared to move to higher ground if necessary. If you have a two story house, it may be better to store anythingsemi-valuable that you couldn't reasonably be able to bring with you in case of an evacuation upstairs in hopes that the flooding doesn't get that bad.

After the Hurricane a) Stay Cautious

Do not go outside until it is declared safe. There may be downed power lines, debris, or animals.

Watch for wildlife: Displaced animals (snakes, alligators, etc.) may seek shelter in unfamiliar places.

Avoid floodwaters: Any unclear/not crystal clear water may contain dangerous debris, sewage, or hidden hazards like downed power lines. b) Inspect Your Home

Check for structural damage (cracks in walls, foundation issues) and avoid turning on the power if there’s water damage to electrical systems.

Document damage: Take photos of any damage to your home for insurance purposes before you begin cleaning up.

Mold: Start drying out your home as soon as possible to prevent mold growth. Open windows and doors and use fans if power is restored.

Sheetrock/drywall absorbs water insanely well, so cut at least 4 feet above where the water level went to. Sheetrock/drywall is sold in 4, 8, 10, and 12 foot tall panels depending on which way you lay it, so if the water level plus 4 feet is less than 4, 8, 10, or 12, just cut to the next highest number, it’ll make it much easier to replace and reduce risk of mold even further. c) Check for Safety Hazards

Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning risks from generators. Only use generators outdoors and far from windows or vents. If not possible to keep it away from windows, soak a towel in water and block the window jamb with it.

Food safety: Discard any food that may have been spoiled due to a lack of refrigeration. Better safe than sorry. Keep the refrigerator closed as much as possible to preserve food and/or medications like insulin longer. d) Help Others

Check on neighbors, especially the elderly, those with small children, or those with animals.

Be aware of mental health: Going through a hurricane can be traumatic. Don’t hesitate to seek emotional support if needed.

Emergency Contacts and Communication

Emergency services: Keep a hard/paper copy list of emergency contacts such as local authorities, utility companies, and insurance agents.

Family communication plan: Set up a way to stay in touch with family members in case phone service is interrupted. Consider using apps that work offline or SMS services that prioritize emergency communication.

Hurricane Recovery and Assistance

FEMA: In the U.S., FEMA offers disaster assistance and recovery services. If your area is declared a disaster zone, apply for federal aid to help rebuild or repair damages.

Local shelters: If your home is uninhabitable, local shelters will be available. Authorities will inform you about their locations post-hurricane.

Detailed Home Preparations a) Hurricane Shutters

Types of shutters:

Accordion shutters: Permanent, unfold like an accordion, and are one of the fastest to deploy.

Roll-down shutters: Installed above windows and rolled down manually or automatically.

Colonial and Bahama shutters: Stylish options but can be less sturdy than roll-downs.

Storm panels: Made of aluminum or steel, removable, and cheaper but take longer to install.

If not shutters, plywood can be a temp solution, but it must be installed properly: use minimum 5/8-inch thick plywood and secure it with screws or expansion bolts. Not nails, as they can be knocked out the easiest.

b) Waterproofing and Flood Protection Flooding is often the biggest risk.

Sandbags: Stack sandbags in front of doors and low windows to block water. You can often get them from local authorities for free before a storm.

If you leave near a beach and aren't evacuating (not recommended), you could theoretically just go get sand from there.

You can also buy playground sand at stores like Lowe's and make your own.

Flood barriers: There are reusable flood barriers available that provide better protection than sandbags, like aqua dams or water-filled barriers that you place around your home.

Seal cracks: Inspect your foundation and basement walls for cracks where water might seep in. Use caulk, hydraulic cement, or waterproof sealant (ie, flex seal) to patch them before the storm.

Sump pump: Install one with a backup power source (battery or generator) if your home is prone to basement flooding. Test it before the storm in a bucket, bathtub, or sink. c) Interior Safety

Interior doors: Keep all interior doors closed during the storm. This helps prevent wind pressure from building up inside the house, which can blow off the roof.

Emergency escape routes: Know how to exit your home in case of sudden flooding or if the structure becomes compromised. Consider having a ladder or rope to escape from upper floors if the lower level floods.

Dealing with Power Outages and Communication Loss Power outages during hurricanes are usually inevitable, esp in states like Texas, and they can last for days or even weeks, depending on how bad the storm was and the damage to infrastructure. a) Generators and Backup Power

Types of generators:

Portable generators: Less expensive but need to be set up outdoors and require manual refueling.

Standby generators: Automatically turn on when the power goes out, but they’re more costly and require professional installation.

Generator safety: Never run a generator inside or near windows due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure it’s placed at least 20 feet from your house.

Fuel: Stock up on enough fuel to last several days, and store it safely. Gas stations might not have power to pump fuel after the storm, so filling up ahead is crucial. b) Battery Backup for Communication Devices

Power banks: Have several fully charged power banks ready to charge phones, radios, or other essential devices.

Solar chargers: Solar-powered chargers can be invaluable when there's no power. You can use them to recharge your phone or small electronics during daylight. c) Cell Network Loss

If cell towers are damaged, text messages often go through when calls don’t because they require less bandwidth.

Use apps like Zello (which works like a walkie-talkie w Wi-Fi) or FireChat (which allows messaging without the internet or cell service using Bluetooth) as backups.

Know how to turn off non-essential functions on your phone to preserve battery life.

Airplane mode will save battery and allow you to use your phone for essentials like taking photos or accessing offline maps.

Low brightness, low power mode (iPhone), dark theme, turning off location services, and using as few apps as possible will all preserve battery.

Mental Health and Stress Management During Hurricanes Going through a hurricane can be traumatic. The stress of it all can really take a toll. a) During the Storm

Create a calm environment: If you have children, try to keep the atmosphere as calm as possible. You might want to prepare activities like board games, puzzles, books, or coloring pages to help pass the time during the storm.

Breathing exercises: Practicing deep breathing can help with anxiety. You can do the 4 square method (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4) or the 4-6-8 method. If you have an Apple Watch, there's the mindfulness app that will guide you through some deep breathing exercises and I know that FitBit has a similar feature. b) After the Storm

Recognize signs of trauma: Anxiety, sleeplessness, and irritability are common after traumatic events. Consider reaching out for professional support.

Community support: After the hurricane, the support of neighbors and community organizations can help people cope. Volunteering or joining relief efforts can also provide a sense of purpose.

It really helped me feel purpose and less helpless when I went through Hurricane Harvey in 2017 to help my neighbors clean up their houses and restore damage.

Pet Care During Hurricanes PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING HOLY, MICROCHIP YOUR PETS! Their collars can come off if they get lost in flooding, and even if the worst happens, it's easier to heal and move on if you know for sure, rather then always wondering. a) Emergency Kit for Pets

Food and water: At least 3-7 days’ worth of food and water for your pets. Don't forget a manual can opener if you use canned food.

Leash, collar, and ID tags: Ensure your pet has proper identification and is leashed when outside or in public shelters.

Pet medications: If your pet requires medication, pack enough for a week or more.

Litter or waste bags: Have plenty of waste bags or litter for your pet's needs. b) Pet-Friendly Shelters

Many evacuation shelters don't allow pets unless they are service animals. Look for pet-friendly shelters in your area now, or find some sort of boarding facility outside the hurricane zone.

Hurricane Insurance and Financial Preparation Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage, and recovering financially can be difficult. Here’s how to ensure your finances are protected: a) Homeowners’ Insurance

Flood insurance: Standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding. You’ll need a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.

Windstorm coverage: In hurricane-prone areas, windstorm damage might not be covered in a standard policy. Double-check with your insurer and add this coverage if necessary.

Document everything: Before the storm, take pictures and videos of your home, including the roof, foundation, windows, and valuable items. Keep a list of all major belongings, including serial numbers. b) Financial Documents

Waterproof storage: Store copies of insurance policies, deeds, financial documents, and identification in a waterproof container. Again, ziplock baggies are better than nothing. You could even use a curling iron or straightener to seal them if you aren't confident in the little seal it comes with.

Emergency cash: Have some cash on hand since power outages will probably render ATMs and card readers useless.

Evacuation Tips The SOONER the BETTER a) Timing Your Evacuation

Evacuate early: If you’re in a high-risk area (near the coast, below sea level, or in a flood-prone region), leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued. Roads may become congested, and gas stations and accommodations may fill up quickly.

Gas: Fill up your car as early as possible. Keep the tank full during hurricane season in case you need to leave suddenly. If possible, get Jerry Cans and keep enough for a full tank for your car.

Again, if you're nervous about the storm, but an evac order hasn't been given. Ask friends or family that are out of the way of the storm if you can stay with them until it's over, leave the hotels/motels/other "public" accomodations for those that have been ordered to leave. b) What to Take

Emergency kit: Pack your emergency kit (with essentials like food, water, medications, and important documents) in your vehicle. Pack it with everything listed under the "Emergency Kit" heading at the top of this list.

Personal items: Take irreplaceable items like family photos, heirlooms, and laptops with vital data.

Returning Home After the Hurricane Once the storm has passed, returning home can be just as dangerous as the hurricane itself. Here’s how to approach it safely: a) Check for Hazards

Structural safety: Inspect your home for any visible damage, such as cracks in the foundation or walls. Do not enter your home if it seems unstable.

Utilities: If you suspect a gas leak (smell of rotten eggs), do not enter the home, and DO NOT do anything that would give off sparks (ie, starting your car). Call the utility company and wait for clearance.

Avoid standing water: Standing water may be contaminated with sewage or chemicals, or it could conceal sharp objects and electrical hazards. b) Filing Insurance Claims

Act fast: The sooner you file a claim, the quicker the process will be. Take detailed notes and photos of all damage, keep receipts for any immediate repairs, and document all communication with your insurance company. c) Hiring Contractors

Be wary of fraudulent contractors or "storm chasers" who offer to fix damage for cash upfront. Only hire licensed and insured contractors for repairs.

Extra Tip: Use the “48-hour rule”—if you're unsure about evacuation, plan to leave at least 48 hours before the storm hits. Roads may be gridlocked closer to the storm, and services like gas stations and grocery stores might be overwhelmed.

ANECDOTES:

These MAY already exacerbate points listed above, but it's like a teacher teaching a topic twice: it becomes important.

Don’t go thru any water that isn’t clear (Animals, live wires, dead bodies)

Your car can be swept away by just one inch of water because of hydroplaning

Get flashlights and water.

If you aren't sure you have enough of ANYTHING, get more, if possible.

Get gas NOW if you can because gas stations are gonna be overrun if they aren’t already.

If you can hear (but not see) rescue helicopters and boats, use your flashlight (night) and a mirror (day, preserve battery) and try to do SOS, … — — — …, or just patterns of three as best you can.

If you know you’re gonna flood, put all important documents in soemthing waterproof. Ziplock is better than nothing.

If your house starts to flood and you haven’t lost power and you can get to your breaker box, turn off power to your house.

Don’t fill your upstairs tubs with water, only do that with downstairs/ground level because you can cause leaks in the ceiling and then that’s yet another problem you’ll have to deal with after everything's over.

Cut loose limbs down before the storm hits, and if there’s any iffy trees that you’re not 85+% sure won’t fall and hit your house, and if it’s just a tree to you, take an axe and cut a wedge so the tree is more likely to fall away from your house.

If the tree is sentimental and you can't bring yourself to damage it, take EVERYTHING out of the rooms it’s most likely to hit should it fall.

If you’re not sure you can drive thru a flooded road, assume you can’t. ESPECIALLY if you don't have a "tall" vehicle because you could easily waterlog your engine and cause the following issues:

Engine damage: Water can cause the engine to stall, a condition known as hydro locking.

Water can also contaminate the engine oil, which can lead to engine problems.

Transmission damage: Water can dissolve the transmission's linings, which can cause the gears to slip.

Water can also contaminate the transmission fluid, which can lead to corrosion and failure.

Brake and rotor damage: Submerging brakes and rotors in water can cause them to warp.

Suspension issues: Driving through deep water can flush out the lubricant and cause premature rusting.

Electrical issues: Water can short circuit electrical components.

Try and get laundry and dishes done NOW so that you don’t have dirty clothes just piling up, ESPECIALLY dishes because roaches and other bugs will be looking for a place to go and they follow food scent.

Figure out how you’d escape on to your roof, should need be. Your life is worth more than a roof, don’t be afraid to chop a hole or break a window to get you and your family to safety.

Get paper plates/bowls/etc and plastic utensils. Also get trashbags.

Get protein bars, cereal, non perishable food that you can stand to eat without it being cold.

If you don’t have a generator, try and figure out what will go bad first in your fridge/freezer and try to eat (if you can't, throw it out, save the headache of mold and cleaning your entire fridge and freezer) that before the storm hits;

Once the power goes out, no one opens that fridge/freezer for SHIT unless it’s life, death, or limb.

In terms of trying to keep cool, my family fashioned an air conditioner by getting a 5 gal bucket from Lowe’s, cutting holes in them, caulking PVC into those holes, putting ice in the buckets and then cutting a hole in the lid to put a fan in

[riverkvgd581]

No Time? No Money? No Problem! How You Can Get Flood Cleaning Services With A Zero-dollar Budget

Steps to Take For Hurricane Preparation in Wilmington NC-Hurricane Preparation for Wilmington, NC: Steps to Minimize Damage and Ensure Safety. Wilmington, located on the coast of North Carolina's southeast, is no stranger to hurricanes. These powerful storms bring strong winds, heavy rain, and potential destruction. As a resident or business owner in this historic port city, it's crucial to take proactive measures when hurricane season approaches. The following essay will outline the steps you need to take in order to minimize damage and ensure safety before a hurricane hits.

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Firstly, understanding the risks associated with hurricanes is vital. In Wilmington, storm surges and flooding are common threats due to its coastal location. It is important to know whether your home is located in an evacuation area and where higher ground may be found.

Second step: Create an emergency plan. This plan should include various scenarios, such as evacuation routes and meeting places for family members if you become separated. Make sure that all family members understand the plan and what they should do during a storm.

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Thirdly, an emergency kit can be crucial for survival in the aftermath of a storm when resources are not readily available. Your kit should contain non-perishable foods, water (at minimum one gallon of water per person per day), medications with extra batteries, personal hygiene products, first aid supplies, copies important documents in waterproof containers and cash, since water damage company wilmington nc ATMs might not work during power failures.

Next on the list is securing your property. This includes trimming trees that may fall on your home or power lines, installing storm shutters or board up windows, securing loose objects outside such as patio furniture that could become projectiles, reinforcing garage door and ensuring proper drainage to reduce flood risks.

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Insurance checks are equally important. You can avoid financial ruin by reviewing your homeowner's policy to ensure that you have adequate coverage for wind and flood damage.

Communication plans are also necessary, as normal means of communication may not work during severe weather conditions. Install emergency alert apps on your smartphones or radios powered by batteries so you can keep track of the storm's progress.

If authorities order an evacuation of Wilmington or the surrounding area due to a hurricane, don't hesitate to leave immediately. Follow the planned route and avoid flooded roads at any cost! Remember that you can replace your belongings but not your life.

14 Savvy Ways To Spend Leftover Water Damage Help Budget

For those who decide or need to shelter in place because they are not in immediate danger areas - prepare your home by filling bathtubs with fresh water for flushing toilets if necessary; turning refrigerators/freezers settings down to their coldest setting prior so food lasts longer during potential power outages; unplugging electrical equipment susceptible surge damages; securing exterior doors using deadbolt locks or wooden dowels sliding tracks sliding glass doors etc. ; moving valuables upper floors case flooding becomes an issue within home itself among other precautions specific each individual situation/location within Wilmington area affected by Hurricane warnings/advisories issued local state federal authorities accordingly time manner given circumstances hand respectively overall general welfare everyone involved therein thereafter henceforth forthwith hereupon thereupon thusly hereby herewith thereby wherefore whereas ergo therefore consequently pursuant thereto whence wherewithal hitherto hereafter hereinafter aforementioned premises considered...

After the storm, recovery efforts begin. Check with neighbors to see if they need help cleaning up debris or salvaging what is left. Contact insurance companies and start the claims process. The community as a whole draws closer together. Every dark cloud has a silver lining. Indeed, perseverance and resilience are hallmarks of human spirit.

In conclusion preparing hurricanes well advance goes long way towards keeping oneself loved ones property secure face natural disasters like those frequently experienced along Atlantic seaboard specifically beautiful yet occasionally beleaguered region surrounding historical cultural gem otherwise known Queen City sea herself Wilmington NC Godspeed good luck god bless!

[synthy-sizer]

You both head to the break room, where your dad punches in while you put your packed lunches into his locker. Then you both head into the main room, where people are working on furniture and hardware. You can see the sparks of welding from one wing, and people working on electronics in another. And the garage door is open, with people working on a truck under the awning. You can't help but feel a bit intimidated. You've never worked on a car or electronics, and welding, quite frankly, scares you. But your dad squeezes your shoulder and walks you over to a broken wooden chair sitting near the corner of the large space. "That looks like the perfect starter project to me, what do you think?" You nod at him and he leaves you next to it while he walks away for a moment to grab tools. You look at the chair. It's an outdoor chair for someone's porch. It has a solid metal frame that's bolted to a solid, stained wooden seat and back. The back is badly cracked. What happened to it? You run your hand across the surface, and feel the smooth, glossy surface give way to the rough and jagged edges of the splintered wood. There's something strange to you about it. The way that such a glossy, clean surface can be easily shattered and reveal such a painful interior feels…

"OK kid, are you ready to work?" You turn around to see your dad returning with tools. Over the next few hours the two of you work in earnest. You undo the bolts holding the back of the chair in place, and you help him saw and chisel away a new back that matches. He shows you how to use water and weight to warp the wood over time until it matches the curve of the original part. And then you, albeit nervously, use a drill and electric sander with his guidance to make new holes for the bolts and smooth out the surface. Finally, you both walk to the air drying wing, and hang the product of the day's labor on a hook through one of the holes and spend time staining and waterproofing it. It's been quite the day. You feel tired but fulfilled. Within just a day you've learned so much, and created something that feels like your own. You feel pride welling in your chest, and your dad hugs you with one arm. "You might just grow up to be quite the handyman at this rate, Sofia."

You're happy, but the feeling of pride and satisfaction slowly fades, tainted by the knowledge of your ulterior motives. You need to find an opening. And so, despite the happiness being drained from your mind, you force a smile and act natural. You'll only have a small window to pull this off. Your dad walks back to the break room to punch out and you quickly, but hopefully nonchalantly, pace over to the tool rack and snatch one of the few bolt cutters. Then, you quickly walk back to the large entrance and outside, and place them gingerly into the truck bed, under the tarp that protects the truck's contents from the elements. Then you dash back into the main room. You let out a sigh of relief when you find your dad talking to coworkers, totally oblivious to your heist. There would've been a lot of questions if you had been caught. And you don't have enough answers. The two of you head home. The truck whirrs and you feel the quiet hum of the motor, the crunching of gravel under the wheels, and the way it cuts through the air. You watch the setting sun and think about everything you've done in pursuit of the truth. Is it really ok to have deceived so much, and now even stolen something just to find outside what's inside the hatch? At the same time, you've come too far to back out now. Anything you've done on its own would get you in tremendous trouble. All you can do is find out what's inside the door. And so, this grim but steadfast resolution swirls around in your mind the entire drive home.

NEXT

PREVIOUS

[agentsquirrelsgotrobots]

Here's an au where the senate kidnapped and removed Optimus's voice box a la empurata

Tw: Mutilation and discussions of trauma

As soon as Heatwave pulled him from the flooded river, Optimus knew he was doomed. He could feel the water in his mask, which would be mildly unpleasant if he was Heatwave, but was potentially live threatening to Optimus. If something damaging got into his voice box - no, no time to panic - just follow Heatwave, use the radio backup, and duck into the wash rack as soon as possible.

He transformed and followed Heatwave out of the danger zone, the flood redirected by the levee Optimus just fell off of.

They made it back to the firehouse, and Optimus couldn't help the horrible grinding, choking noise that came out as water leaked from his battle mask. He ran through the door, past Blades, who was setting up a systems check, routine after a submersion, and dunked into the bot sized wash rack, locking the door behind him.

He retracted his battle mask and took a catheter out of his subspace, fumbling with the sterile wrapper. He finally got it open and stuck it in a drainage port on the side of his prosthetic. He attached a plastic syringe to it and sucked out all the water from the tiny tank meant for this purpose. There was still water after the first syringeful, but after the third, the catheter pulled up nothing. Unfortunately, he still could feel wetness inside his neck and the back of his throat. It would all have to come out.

Optimus struggled to find the hidden latches at first, not used to doing this completely by himself, but he eventually got it, opening his neck and removing what remained of his ruined voice box and the attached prosthetic. He finally allowed himself to look into the mirror, at his missing lower jaw, chipped and broken dentae, and gaping nothingness of his mouth and upper jaw without the prosthetic. He focused on cleaning the polluted water out of his voice box. He started taking it apart, removing the screens of the main speaker that projected his fabricated voice.

He disconnected the original pieces from the fabricated ones, looking for any loose wires, burst welds, or fried components. To his relief, the waterproofing of the container with the more fragile pieces stayed intact. It was the actual speaker itself that needed the most attention.

His plans to take things slowly was destroyed by Blades overriding the door locks and rushing to his side, audibly gasping at the scarring on Optimus's face. Optimus ignored him as he fussed, taking out some cotton swabs and a gentle cleaner and cleaning out the bolt holes just under his nose. They always got gummed up with gunk, the metal permanently pierced and gunmetal gray and dead.

He checked that there wasn't any more cracking on his nose, the metal fragile and irritated from constant rubbing on his battle mask.

The battle mask is essential. He didn't want to spend his days explaining over and over again that he doesn't want a full jaw prosthetic, just the voice box. No, the old bolt holes are fine. He couldn't drink like that anyway, with the speaker. He shuddered as he remembered the feeling of Megatronus holding him down while Ratchet clipped the bolts attaching the heavy rectangular mask, branded with the Functionalist seal, to his face. He remembered choking on a fragment of one of the bolts, Ratchet shoving his hand in the mass of crudely cut and sealed wires and hastily rerouted energon lines to keep him from drowning in his own energon. By then, they had made it to Ratchet's illegal clinic. He was put into stasis as soon as he arrived and taken into the operating room to repair the damage. He couldn't get help from a legal hospital, the brand barring him from care by anyone except illegal clinics and council approved and supervised medics.

Blades insisted on bringing him back out into the main garage, telling him that he would need to run diagnostics anyway, and he wasn't going to do that in the damp wash rack.

"Optimus, may I ask what happened to you?" Cody said, staring at the disassembled pieces of Optimus's speaker in his careful hands.

Optimus paused his cleaning, and closed his eyes briefly before opening them again as Blades plugged himself into the medical port on his wrist. "Before the war, I advocated for necessary changes to unjust systems that threatened the people in charges' access to absolute power, and they tried to silence me by any means necessary." The room sat in silence as Optimus continued to tinker with his prosthetic.

"You were an activist?" Charlie asked, his eyes wide at the implications.

"Yes, I was an activist under a government where peaceful protest was illegal, punishable by mutilation or death. The Functionalists didn't keep prisoners, political or otherwise. I took their cruelty as a sign that our efforts were working. It doesn't matter. Within a few decades, they had been overthrown and the civil war that destroyed our home started in earnest." He got up and disconnected Blades from his wrist, calling Ratchet for a ground bridge. It opened in a side wall, and Optimus walked through it.

He felt… numb. He didn't want to give out as much information as he did, but the idea of having to deflect questions over and over and over again until it all spiraled out of control made him want to lock himself in his room and never leave.

He walked into the medbay, and First Aid got him settled in a private room with a fake window, a cube of energon, a warm blanket, and reassurances that Ratchet was on the way before he could open his mouth to speak.

He sat on the bed now, the energon finished, fighting the urge to fall asleep. Knowing Ratchet, he would turn off Optimus's pain receptors, do the repairs while he was asleep, and leave him to rest for as long as he could get away with it under the guise of Optimus being under observation.

He finally decided to just sleep, and he shut down as soon as his head hit the padding.

He woke up to Ratchet testing his speaker, the differently pitched tones echoing in the tiny room.

"Optimus, everything looks fine, but I want you on vocal rest for the next few days."

Optimus tapped out Affirmative on Ratchet's wrist. Ratchet put his tools aside to be sanitized and insisted on helping Optimus stand.

They went back to Optimus's room, and Optimus took a book he had been meaning to get to off one of his shelves and sat on his bed. Ratchet left him to read, and Optimus sighed.

He never intended on telling the Rescue Bots what the council had done to hum, but now that he did, it felt like a weight was off his shoulders. He started to read, and the stress of the day rolled off him as he lost himself in his book.

[beardedmrbean]

A woman who escaped a cinderblock cell in a man's garage in Klamath Falls, Oregon, was abducted hundreds of miles away last month in Seattle, and now authorities are looking for more potential victims across multiple states.

The man, 29-year-old Negasi Zuberi of Klamath Falls, posed as an undercover police officer and kidnapped the woman in the early morning hours July 15, then shackled, sexually assaulted her and locked her up, according to court records.

He was arrested and federally charged with interstate kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Lichvarcik said at a news conference Wednesday.

Authorities said Zuberi has been linked to sexual assaults in at least four more states, and they are searching for more potential victims. He's lived in multiple states since 2016, possibly including California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, and Nevada, the FBI said.

Fighting for her life, she escaped bloodied

The victim in Klamath Falls, who wasn't identified, "briefly slept and awoke to the realization that she would likely die if she did not attempt to escape," according to a criminal complaint.

The "makeshift" cell was made of cinderblocks and a metal door that had been installed backwards so it couldn't be opened from the inside, the complaint said. There was also an exterior door, and the cell had been built to be soundproof, Klamath Falls police said in a press release.

She banged against the door, bloodying and bruising her hands, until she managed to open it, the FBI in Portland said Wednesday. According to Klamath Falls Police Captain Rob Reynolds, the victim was able to break welds on the door, rip a metal screen off of it, and crawl out. She had lacerations on her knuckles from punching the door and walls, Reynolds said.

She then retrieved a gun that belonged to Zuberi and escaped. She climbed over a fence and flagged down a driver who called 911.

"The woman fought for her life, beating the doors and the walls of this cell with bloodied hands," Stephanie Shark, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Portland field office, said Wednesday. "The victim’s focus, actions and her will to survive triggered a law enforcement response that may have actually saved many other women from a similar nightmare."

"The victim is strong and courageous and right now she is physically OK," Shark said, adding that she was being offered resources.

'There are more victims'

Zuberi had solicited the victim to engage in prostitution before telling her he was an undercover officer, the criminal complaint said. He drove her about seven hours and 450 miles away, officials said Wednesday.

"Sadly, we believe there are more victims," Shark said.

The FBI said investigators believe Zuberi has used different methods to "gain control" of victims, including drugging their drinks, impersonating law enforcement officers and soliciting sex workers before "violently sexually assaulting them. Klamath Falls police said the victim reported that Zuberi had "police patches, a taser, and other law enforcement equipment."

"Some of the encounters may have been filmed to make it appear as if the assault was consensual," the FBI in Portland said in a press release. "The victims are threatened with retaliation if they notify the police."

He was arrested in Reno, Nevada, in a Walmart parking lot where he was with his wife and one of his children.

Handwritten notes found appear to show planning

In his house, authorities seized notes that were handwritten and included a sketch of an underground structure with "foam insulation" and "waterproof concrete," according to the criminal complaints. One of the notes featured the title "Operation Take Over" and a to-do list:

"Leave phone at home"

"Make sure they dont have a bunch of ppl in their life. You dont want any type of investigation."

The home where Zuberi held the woman in the garage is owned by Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall and her husband, Kevin Westfall, according to court records. They evicted him after his arrest.

The Westfalls said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday they are "shocked and dismayed."

"We applaud the actions of the woman who helped capture this person and prevent him from committing further atrocities," they said.

An attorney listed as representing Zuberi in court records didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY on Wednesday. Zuberi is also known by the names Justin Joshua Hyche, Sakima Zuberi, and Justin Kouassi, court records show.

He's expected to appear in court in the coming weeks after being returned to Oregon, Lichvarcik said.

[shaktiautomobile]

Title: Rainy Day Car Care: How to Safeguard Your Vehicle in Wet Weather

Introduction:

Rainy days can be challenging for car owners, as the combination of wet roads, reduced visibility, and potential water damage poses risks to your vehicle. However, with a few proactive steps and careful maintenance, you can protect your car from the effects of rainy weather. In this article, we will provide valuable tips to help you safeguard your vehicle and ensure it stays in optimal condition during wet conditions.

Maintain a Clean Exterior:

Regularly washing your car is crucial to protect its exterior from dirt, grime, and corrosive elements carried by rainwater. Additionally, applying a protective wax coating will help repel water and prevent water spots, keeping your car looking pristine. Pay attention to the undercarriage as well, as it is susceptible to debris buildup. A clean exterior will minimize the risk of damage caused by contaminants present in rainwater.

Check and Maintain Wipers:

Your windshield wipers play a vital role in maintaining visibility during rainy weather. Inspect the wiper blades for signs of wear or damage, such as cracking or splitting. Replace worn-out blades promptly to ensure efficient water clearance from the windshield. Additionally, make sure your wiper fluid reservoir is filled with a rain-specific formula to effectively remove grime and provide clear visibility.

Ensure Proper Tire Traction:

Wet roads can be slippery, compromising your car's traction and handling. Regularly check your tire tread depth and condition to ensure adequate grip on wet surfaces. Consider switching to all-season or rain-specific tires for improved performance. Properly inflated tires also contribute to better traction, so monitor and maintain the recommended tire pressure levels. Good tire traction is essential for safe driving in rainy conditions.

Protect the Interior:

Water damage can affect your car's interior if rainwater finds its way inside. Inspect the rubber seals around doors, windows, and the trunk for any signs of wear or damage. Replace damaged seals promptly to prevent water leaks. It's also advisable to use waterproof seat covers or invest in water-resistant floor mats to protect the upholstery and carpets from moisture. Dry out any wet spots immediately to prevent mold or mildew growth.

Park in Safe Locations:

When parking during rainy weather, opt for sheltered areas whenever possible. A covered parking spot, such as a garage or carport, will protect your vehicle from direct exposure to rain. If covered parking is unavailable, look for spots that offer some protection, such as under trees or other structures. Avoid parking near areas prone to flooding or beneath trees with overhanging branches that could potentially cause damage.

Drive with Caution:

Rainy conditions require cautious driving to ensure your safety and the well-being of your vehicle. Reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, as it takes longer to stop on wet roads. Avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking, as they can lead to skidding or loss of control. Additionally, be mindful of hydroplaning, which occurs when your tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water. If hydroplaning happens, release the accelerator and steer straight until traction is regained.

Post-Rain Inspection and Maintenance:

After driving in the rain, take the time to inspect your car for any signs of damage. Check for water accumulation in the trunk, footwells, or other areas. Dry out any wet spots and address potential leaks promptly. Also, inspect your vehicle's undercarriage for signs of rust or corrosion that may have occurred due to exposure to water and road salt. If you notice any issues, consult a professional mechanic for necessary repairs.

Conclusion:

By implementing these car care tips, you can effectively safeguard your vehicle during rainy weather. Maintaining a clean exterior, ensuring proper visibility, and protecting the interior are all crucial steps. Additionally, cautious driving, parking in safe locations, and post-rain inspections contribute to keeping your car in optimal condition. Remember, regular maintenance and timely repairs will help extend the life of your vehicle and ensure it remains reliable even in wet weather conditions. With these precautions, you can confidently navigate rainy days while safeguarding your prized possession. for any service visit- shaktiautomobiles.com