#home doctor guide review

[kaira-9520]

Just Like Folks 100 Years Ago

Have you ever heard of leeches used as medicine? They are an extremely effective and easy-to-use remedy for preventing a wound from festering and speeding up healing, as long as you’re not squeamish that is. Another thing they’re good for is high blood pressure. Because they decrease the amount of blood flowing, they also lower the stress on your arteries.

[bushra1]

Home Doctor

The Home Doctor - Practical Medicine for Every Household -

is a 304 page doctor written and approved guide on how to manage most health situations when help is not on the way.

Check here to get it:

[beauty-and-personal-care]

Peace of Mind in Every Page: A Review of The Home Doctor - BRAND NEW! Book

Living in a remote area has its perks – tranquility, stunning scenery – but access to immediate medical attention isn't one of them. This concerned me, especially with a young family. That's when I discovered The Home Doctor – BRAND NEW! Book. This comprehensive guide has become a trusted resource in our household, offering invaluable knowledge and a sense of security.

Empowering Knowledge at Your Fingertips

The Home Doctor isn't your average medical reference book. It delves deeper, providing clear and concise information on a vast array of medical emergencies and common ailments. From treating minor cuts and sprains to recognizing the signs of more serious conditions, the book empowers you to take control in situations where immediate medical attention might be unavailable.

Focus on Practical Applications

What truly sets The Home Doctor apart is its focus on practical applications. The book doesn't just explain medical conditions; it provides step-by-step instructions on how to handle them. Whether it's creating a makeshift splint or administering basic first aid, the clear instructions and accompanying illustrations make the information accessible and easy to understand, even for those without a medical background.

Natural Remedies Alongside Traditional Medicine

The Home Doctor acknowledges the limitations of at-home treatment and emphasizes the importance of seeking professional medical help whenever necessary. However, it also explores alternative and natural remedies that can be incredibly helpful, especially in situations where immediate medical attention might be delayed. This two-pronged approach – traditional medicine alongside natural remedies – provides a well-rounded perspective on healthcare.

A Valuable Investment for Every Household

The Home Doctor isn't just for those living in remote areas. It's a valuable resource for any household. It can provide peace of mind during unexpected emergencies, minor injuries, or even power outages that might disrupt access to regular healthcare. The knowledge gained from this book empowers you to react calmly and effectively in situations where medical attention might be delayed.

An Ongoing Source of Learning

The book's clear layout and well-organized content make it easy to navigate and revisit specific topics as needed. It's become a constant companion in our home, a trusted source of information for the whole family. The "BRAND NEW!" aspect suggests the book is regularly updated, ensuring access to the latest medical knowledge and advancements in home healthcare.

I highly recommend The Home Doctor – BRAND NEW! Book to anyone who wants to take a proactive approach to their family's health and well-being. It's an investment in peace of mind, offering a wealth of knowledge that can be incredibly valuable in unexpected situations.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert

[helth-product11]

A Family's First Line of Defense: My Experience with The Home Doctor

In today's world, it's important to be prepared for anything. With a young family, I felt a growing responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being, especially in unforeseen circumstances. Basic first aid knowledge wasn't enough. That's when I discovered The Home Doctor, a comprehensive guide to home healthcare preparedness.

Empowering Knowledge for Everyday Situations

The Home Doctor surprised me with its breadth of information. From treating common cuts and scrapes to dealing with illnesses and allergies, it provided a wealth of practical knowledge applicable to everyday situations. The clear and concise language made it easy to understand even for those without a medical background.

More Than Just Band-Aids: Preparing for Emergencies

What truly impressed me was The Home Doctor's focus on preparedness. It went beyond treating minor injuries, detailing how to handle emergencies like natural disasters and power outages. The information empowered me to create a plan and stockpile essential supplies, ensuring my family's safety in the face of unexpected situations.

Actionable Steps and Clear Illustrations

The user-friendly format of The Home Doctor allows for immediate action. Step-by-step instructions with clear illustrations made even complex procedures like CPR understandable. This ensured I could confidently administer basic first aid even under pressure, potentially saving lives before professional help arrives.

Peace of Mind for My Family

Since acquiring The Home Doctor, I feel a newfound sense of security. Knowing that I have access to this wealth of information provides immense peace of mind. I can now confidently navigate minor medical situations at home, reducing reliance on immediate medical intervention for non-critical incidents.

A Valuable Investment for All Households

The Home Doctor is a valuable investment for any household. It empowers families to take control of their health and well-being, especially during unforeseen circumstances. Whether it's a minor scrape or a natural disaster, the knowledge gained from this resource can significantly impact how you respond.

While The Home Doctor doesn't replace professional medical advice, it serves as a comprehensive guide for handling common emergencies and preparing for potential threats. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and this review is based on my personal experience with the product as a source of information.

If you're looking for a practical and empowering resource to enhance your family's preparedness and well-being, I highly recommend investing in The Home Doctor. Remember, knowledge is power. This resource equips you to take control of your family's health and well-being during unexpected situations.

[goodforeveryone]

A Lifesaver in My Medicine Cabinet: A Review of "The Home Doctor"

I personally used to scoff at the idea of a home medical guide. Surely, for anything serious, a trip to the doctor was necessary. But after a nasty bout of food poisoning miles away from civilization, with a dead phone and no way to call for help, I changed my tune. That's when I discovered "The Home Doctor: Practical Medicine for Every Household," and let me tell you, it's been a lifesaver ever since.

Stocked Up and Prepared

The very first thing that impressed me about "The Home Doctor" was its focus on preparedness. The book dedicates a whole section to essential medical supplies you should have on hand. It doesn't just list them; it explains why you need them and how to use them effectively. This proved invaluable during that camping trip. With the help of the guide, I was able to identify the symptoms, improvise some remedies from my first-aid kit (thanks to the book's guidance on stocking it!), and ride out the illness until I could reach a doctor.

Beyond Band-Aids: A Guide for Common Ailments

"The Home Doctor" goes way beyond simple cuts and scrapes. It covers a surprising range of common ailments, from headaches and fevers to sprains and even minor allergic reactions. Each condition has a dedicated section with clear explanations of symptoms, causes, and most importantly, self-care options. The book emphasizes when to seek professional medical help, but for less serious situations, it provides valuable guidance on treating them at home. This has come in particularly handy for minor injuries and illnesses my family has faced. With a little help from the book, I've been able to soothe earaches, manage muscle strains, and even deal with a nasty case of sunburn – all without a trip to the doctor's office.

More Than Just Western Medicine

One aspect of "The Home Doctor" that I found particularly interesting was its exploration of alternative remedies. The book acknowledges the limitations of over-the-counter medications and explores natural alternatives like herbal remedies and simple home treatments. It's important to note that the book doesn't advocate forgoing professional medical help altogether, but it does offer some interesting options to consider alongside traditional treatment plans. For instance, the book suggests soothing a sore throat with a gargle of warm salt water – a simple yet effective remedy that helped me avoid resorting to lozenges loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients.

A Well-Written and Easy-to-Understand Guide

"The Home Doctor" is not some dense medical textbook. It's written in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand manner. The language is straightforward, and even complex medical concepts are explained in a way that laypeople can grasp. The book also makes liberal use of diagrams and illustrations, making it visually appealing and even fun to learn from. I found myself flipping through it on a rainy afternoon, learning about different medical conditions and treatments – knowledge that proved valuable later on.

Overall, "The Home Doctor" is more than just a medical guide; it's a source of peace of mind. It empowers you to take charge of your health and well-being, both in everyday situations and in the face of unexpected emergencies. Whether you're a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or a family looking for practical home remedies, "The Home Doctor" is a valuable addition to any household. It's a book I highly recommend keeping close at hand.

Peace of Mind in Every Page

[health-product-no1]

A Trusted Companion for Your Wellbeing: A Review of the Home Doctor – BRAND NEW! Book (printed)

In today's world, where health is paramount, having access to reliable medical information is invaluable. The Home Doctor – BRAND NEW! Book (printed) has become a staple in my household, offering a wealth of knowledge and empowering me to take charge of my family's well-being.

Empowering Knowledge at Your Fingertips

This comprehensive medical guide goes beyond simply listing symptoms and treatments. It delves into the root causes of various ailments, providing a deeper understanding of the human body and its functions. The book is written in a clear and concise manner, avoiding overly technical jargon. This makes it accessible to readers with varying medical backgrounds, allowing everyone to grasp the information with ease.

A Resource for Everyday Aches and Pains

The Home Doctor covers a vast array of common health concerns, from minor cuts and scrapes to headaches and digestive issues. Each condition is addressed with a multi-pronged approach, outlining self-care strategies, home remedies, and when to seek professional medical attention. This empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and provides valuable tools to manage minor ailments effectively at home.

Preparing for Emergencies

The book doesn't shy away from addressing emergency situations. It dedicates sections to vital first-aid procedures, such as CPR and wound care. These clear and concise instructions, accompanied by illustrative diagrams, can prove lifesaving in critical moments. Additionally, the book highlights the importance of stocking a well-equipped first-aid kit and outlines essential supplies to have on hand.

Peace of Mind and a Proactive Approach

Perhaps the most significant benefit of owning the Home Doctor is the sense of peace of mind it brings. Having this comprehensive medical guide readily available reduces anxieties surrounding minor health concerns. The book empowers you to take a proactive approach to your health by offering preventative measures and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.

[marketmemo-indo]

The Home Doctor - Practical Medicine for Every Household

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards telemedicine and virtual healthcare services. One of the latest entrants to the market is Home Doctor, a brand new platform that offers patients the convenience of seeing a doctor from the comfort of their own homes.

Home Doctor aims to provide patients with a fast, convenient, and affordable way to access medical care. With Home Doctor, patients can see a doctor for a wide range of non-emergency medical issues, including colds, flu, allergies, rashes, and more. The platform is available 24/7, which means patients can receive medical care at any time of day or night, and from anywhere in the world.

One of the key advantages of Home Doctor is the convenience it offers. Patients no longer need to schedule an appointment weeks in advance, take time off work to travel to the doctor's office, or wait in a crowded waiting room. With Home Doctor, patients can simply log in to the platform, connect with a doctor, and receive the care they need in a matter of minutes.

Home Doctor also offers a range of other benefits, including lower costs, faster turnaround times, and increased accessibility. For example, because Home Doctor is an online platform, it can offer medical services at a lower cost than traditional clinics or hospitals. The platform also has shorter wait times than traditional medical practices, which means patients can receive care faster.

Another advantage of Home Doctor is its accessibility. Because the platform is available 24/7, patients can receive care at any time, including outside of regular business hours. This is particularly beneficial for patients who work unconventional hours or who have mobility issues that make it difficult to visit a doctor in person.

In terms of security and privacy, Home Doctor takes the protection of patient information very seriously. The platform uses state-of-the-art encryption technology to protect patient data, and all doctors are required to adhere to strict privacy policies and standards.

Overall, Home Doctor represents an exciting new development in the telemedicine industry. By providing patients with fast, convenient, and affordable access to medical care, Home Doctor has the potential to transform the way healthcare is delivered. While there are still some challenges to be addressed, such as ensuring that patients receive the same level of care as they would in a traditional medical setting, the potential benefits of Home Doctor are clear. As the platform continues to evolve and expand, it is likely that we will see more and more patients turn to virtual healthcare services like Home Doctor for their medical needs.

If you're looking for a fast, convenient, and affordable way to access medical care, Home Doctor is the perfect solution for you. With its 24/7 availability and easy-to-use platform, Home Doctor makes it easy to connect with a licensed physician from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you're dealing with a common cold, flu, allergies, or other non-emergency medical issues, Home Doctor is there to provide you with the care you need. And because the platform is available at a lower cost than traditional medical practices, you can save money while still receiving top-quality care.

So why wait? Sign up for Home Doctor today and experience the future of healthcare for yourself. With its state-of-the-art encryption technology and strict privacy policies, you can rest assured that your information is always safe and secure. And with its fast turnaround times and increased accessibility, you can get the care you need when you need it most.

Don't let your health take a backseat to your busy schedule. Try Home Doctor today and discover the benefits of virtual healthcare for yourself!

[homedoctorbook]

10 medical supplies you need to have in your house Get More Info

[hyper-pixels]

How to Grow Up

A guide on how to grow up. It was originally posted by @/friendliness but half the links were broken. So I took what links weren't broken and added other links and more things to know.

This is USA based resources

Personal

Reasons to Stay Alive – A Tumblr post of 116 reasons to stay alive by @/friendliness.

How to Get Better At Asking for Help – Website is Harvard Business Review. The article is “5 Ways to Get Better At Asking for Help” by Wayne Baker.

What to do if you Can’t Afford Therapy – Website is Psych Central and the article is by Steven Rowe.

How to Quit Smoking – “The 22 Best Ways to Quit Smoking” by Debra L. Gordon and David L. Katz M.D. from the Healthy Digest.

How to Legally Change your Name – Website is Forbes.

Wanna Learn Something New? – A Tumblr post made by @/hamletthedane with various new things to try from language learning to ballet.

Free Harvard Courses – Harvard University’s free online courses.

Getting a New Computer? – A quick and dirty comprehensive guide by WIRED on what to look for.

How to Sew – Website is Autodesk Indestructibles. The article is “How to Sew” by Jessyratfink. Having a small sewing kit (that you can pick up from nearly any craft store) is super handy and has saved my life and clothes.

What to Look For in Clothes A YouTube video by Alyssa Beltempo titled “How to Identify High Quality vs. Poor Quality Clothing | Slow Fashion”. Here’s a WikiHow [x] if a YouTube video isn’t your style.

Dealing with Executive Dysfunction – A Tumblr post made by @/compassionatereminders. It's a list to more links on how to deal with executive dysfunction.

Another List Like this One – A Tumblr post made by a now deactivated account. It's a list much like this one.

Home

What’s a mortgage? – Website is realtor.com and the page is called “What is a Mortgage? Home Loan Basics Explained” by Cathie Ericson.

First Apartment Checklist – A checklist PDF. Here’s another link to a Tumblr checklist [x] 

What to Ask Landlords Before Renting? – “25 Questions To Ask a Landlord When Renting a Home” by Morgen Henderson.

What’s Renter’s Insurance? – Website is Forbes Advisor. The article is by Jason Metz and titled “How to Get Renters Insurance”.

Plant Care – A master list of how to care for plants made by @/difficults

Job

Time Management – Website is Entrepenuer and has 10 time management tips. One I personally recommend is keeping a physical calendar book on hand. I keep mine in my bag with a designated pen.

Finding the right job – Website is The Muse and it has 13 free career assessment tests.

Make a resume – Website is Resume Now. Many hirers look at your name, the middle of the page (where your experience list is) and skim the rest.

Job Interview Tips – Website is Linkedin. The article is titled “10 Job Interview Tips to Land The Career of Your Dreams” by Caren Merrick.

How to Write a Cover Letter – Website is The Writing Center. University of Winsconsin, Madison. It’s titled “Writing Cover Letters” and I can’t find the author.

Money

Couponing! – Website is Coupon Database :: Southern Savers. It has a list of mobile apps for coupons to places.

Call 211 for Help – the website leads to 211.org. It's anonymous and can help you get connected to food programs, paying bills and things like doctor appointments. Here’s a Tumblr post about it [x] by @/poessionisamyth

Groceries! – This is a Tumblr meme post, but scrolling through tags/reblogs/replies and there’s plenty of good tips. The post is by @/charlotten

What To Do if You Can’t Pay Your Bills – Website is Nolo. The article is “When You Can’t Pay Your Bills: Thiings To Know” that was updated by Amy Loftsgordon. 

Are You Paying Too Much for Your Phone Bill? – An article by Beht Beverman titled “How Much is Too Much to Pay for a Cell Phone Bill?”.

54 Ways to Save Money – Website is America Saves.

How to Do Taxes – Website is Wiki-How.

The 70/20/10 Method – Website is Business Insider. The Article is “A Beginners Guide to the 70-20–10 Budgeting Method” by Paul Kim.

Side Hustle Ideas – Website is Forbes. “30 Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In 2024” by Krista Fabregas.

Emergency

Your Rights When a Cop Pulls you Over – Website is Business Insider. Cops are allowed to lie to you, and they will, so be careful.

Hotline List – The website is DoSomething.org. Depression/Suicide, domestic abuse, child abuse and runaway/homeless/and at-risk youth hotlines.

What to Keep in Your Car – Website is MentalFloss. I live in a snowy area that gets blizzards and bad ice. I keep blankets, water and other aids in my car as well as a knife and road flare. I also own a self jumping car battery and it has saved my ass more than once. Heimlich Maneuver – A one minute video by the Mayo Clinic.

The Heimlich Maneuver on Yourself – A one minute video by The List Show TV.

What to Keep in Your Wallet – Website is PureWow. The article is by Rachel Bowie. Keep your drivers license, medical insurance card, and an emergency contact in your card. If you have a pet home alone make sure that you have a card detailing this. Free printable one here [x]

Traveling

Packing List – Website is Smarter Travel.

Traveling with Little to No Money – Website is Nomadic Matt.

How to Pack a Suitcase – Website is Real Simple. The article is by Thersa O’Rourke.

How to Apply for a Passport – Website is WikkiHow.

Making a Travel Budget – Website is Travel Made Simple. “How to Make a Travel Budget” by Ali Garland

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Products & Services Worth The Splurge

Fashion:

A great couple of bras in black/nude (your best skin-toned shade)

Comfortable, breathable, and seamless underwear

Outerwear (Coats, jackets, blazers)

The perfect pair of jeans

An LBD that works from day to night

Comfortable, sturdy, sleek, and timeless footwear (a versatile black boot, a black heel, white sneaker, and a black flat/loafer/sandal)

A timeless and versatile crossbody or shoulder bag (a larger one for the daytime/work or school and a smaller one for nighttime/events)

One or two well-made classic jewelry item(s)

A conversation-starting item or accessory

Beauty:

Sunscreen

Any skincare/skin cosmetic products that are game-changers for you

A quality hair brush, comb, and hair towel

Your signature scent

A quality razor/hair removal product

Vitamin C/Retinol serums

Reliable hair tools and sturdy nail tools

A quality hair heat protectant/scalp cleansing or conditioning spray

Makeup brushes and beauty tool cleaners

Home:

Lamps/lighting

Couch/desk chair

Everything for your bed: Bed frame, mattress/sheets/pillows, etc.

Knives

Dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe dishes & cups you love

A full-length mirror

Vacuum

Storage solutions/cedar blocks or moth balls

Quality holders for everything: Paper towels, shower storage, hooks, mailbox/key bowls

Name brand paper products/household cleaners

Electric toothbrush & Waterpik

Sound-proof headphones/Airpods

MacBook Air

Health & Wellness:

High-quality lettuce and/or sprouts

Organic frozen fruits and vegetables (if fresh is too pricey)

BPA-free canned goods

Potassium bromate & glyphosate-free grain products

Snacks free of artificial colors

Quality coffee

An at-home massage tool/heating pad

Fur products for skin/hair removal

Vitamin C/Retinol serums

Quality running shoes

Anything that goes near your vulva or into the vagina: Sex toys, lube, condoms, toy cleaners, pads/tampons/menstrual cups, cleansing wipes, etc.

A yoga mat, resistance band, and a pair of small ankle weights

Spotify subscription

Books and audiobooks

Services:

Therapy

A top-tier haircut

House cleaning (even if it's only once every couple of months)

Top-tier hair removal/brow maintenance services of your choice

Best doctors, dentists, OB/GYN, and dermatologists you can get

At least one personal training/styling session in your life

Professional/Social:

Ownership of the domain for your full legal/professional name and/or business name

A CPA/bookkeeper/fiduciary financial advisor

Automation workflow/content management system software

A lawyer for contract review/LLC services

Personalized stationery/"Thank You" cards

Memorable client gifting for the holidays/milestone successes

Niche skill-based certifications (Google, AWS, Hubspot, etc.) or courses made by trusted professionals in your field

Subscriptions in world-leading and industry-authority digital publications

[rqnvindr]

fountain of tears

pairing: neuvilette x fem!reader

genre: angst, fluff/comfort

word count: 1.8k

synopsis: neuvilette finds you standing by the fountain, alone the rain after an argument. his hidden turmoil can only be solved by hearing your voice again, tender, and unfiltered.

warnings: archon quest spoilers, arguments

a/n: I HAVEN'T POSTED ANY WRITING IN AGES BUT I HAD TO WRITE SOMETHING FOR MY OTTER HUBBY! enjoy!!

--

"this is pointless. i'm out."

your words wound neuvilette, the pain shooting deep into his bones. they ring over and over again in his conscious, louder than any vibration that had ever emanated from his cane to resume order during a trial. he sits in his office trying to work, but his thoughts don't subside, not one bit.

he ponders, staring at the stacks of papers in front of him, documents regarding cases that needed to be reviewed in due time. but not today. the amount of time he had in between today's working hours and the next trial reassured him that he could hyper-fixate on the last thing you said to him before storming out the door.

it's strange that he isn't worried for your safety as much as he is over the feelings rooted in your actions. the chief justice knows that humans are more fragile than those who have lived for eons. those who have experienced centuries of change were capable of adapting to different and unexpected circumstances through changing forms, and bestowing ancient powers of the past that contained the wisdoms and strength needed to guide them. he should be more concerned for where you could've possibly have gone within the last day. but he knows that you are also acquainted with a certain traveler that had recently arrived in fontaine and caused an uproar with the hydro archon in court already, everyone was. there's no way they could've left now, taking you with them on their travels. they still had unanswered questions left for lady furina. it is still a possibility though that you're at least staying with them, since you two were in good graces.

you weren't from fontaine though, and the image of you packing your bags and going home by yourself made him shiver. you did say you were heading "out" after all. he had to consider all of the possibilities.

neuvilette was new to human relationships. how long did it take for humans to draw the line? it varies for everyone, since they are given the freedom to dictate their personal connections to others to a certain degree. but how much was too much for you? when it came to you, he not only wanted to understand humans more, but also just you. he wanted to delve into all of your laughter, all of your worries, all of the sighs that escaped your pretty lips. to grasp it and memorize it all, was his greatest desire.

without you, he would basically lose his purpose for inserting himself into the realm of mortality. you already got him this far, and on top of that, he concluded that you were causing him to feel foreign emotions from removing yourself from his sight. even if it hurt, this was a test included in his journey that he had to endure.

but neuvilette does not want to face the predicament without a resolution. instead of wallowing, he decides to leave his office. he was already working overtime anyway, hoping to just drown in reading the same pages over and over again to keep himself grounded. was he always this sensitive? in his mind, he imagined the beings of the past looking down on him.

it's pouring rain when neuvilette steps outside. ah right. he doesn't need another reminder that his sorrows inconvenience the ordinary citizens of fontaine, who are just trying to make it to work on time, rush their loved ones to the doctor, and just go about their lives without the weather impeding on them. people barely carry umbrellas though, they're all accustomed to this and it's too unpredictable (at least for them it is).

he decides to start backwards, far away from the court of fontaine. he heads to the opera house first, and he finds you on the first try. how could he ever mistake you for someone else? you're the only person he has eyes for. especially when you're standing by the fountain of lucine, and carrying a distinct umbrella in a small crowd of people, most of whom appear to be flocked around the opera house's entrance, probably catching magic shows and other performances.

neuvilette is uneasy when he notices how close you're standing to the fountain. you're inevitably drawn to the grand structure that welcomes audiences from within the borders of the land and beyond to the renowned location. the spectacle that delivers the arts and the law all the same. but beneath its beauty lies danger that erases those who get too close. many fontainians had lost their lives from seeking the wonders of what lay beneath the waters that decorate and surround the hydro region itself. by wanting to delve deeper into it, they subsequently drowned, their lifeforce dissipating into the shackles of the streams. both the knowns and the unknowns of the primordial sea were sufficient reasons to express caution towards the lands waters, even if one was not a native who was subject to becoming one with their origins.

if you were to become the next victim, the rain would proceed to crash down and become one with the fountain in a continuous flow of precipitation. and then fontaine would be known as "the land of storms" rather than "the land of justice".

as he approaches the fountain, neuvilette's desire to pull you away and drag you back to him with no hesitation stirs. yet, it immediately dissipates when you turn your head, and give him what he guesses is a contemplative look. the white-haired man chooses his words carefully. giving you a lecture about the rumored dangers of the fountain's ability to dissolve human beings would only alarm you. he should use the rain as an excuse to find somewhere safer, if you still weren't ready to return to your shared residence.

"it-"

"i know. you're going to ask why i'm standing out here as if it isn't pouring rain." neuvilette barely gets a syllable out before you take the words right out of his mouth. you guys always had a habit of finishing each other's sentences, and even in a moment as anxiety-inducing as trying to make amends when you were mad at him, his heart melts. goodness, why did you have to be so lovely?

"if i were to let the rain impede everything, i guess i'd be a shut-in." you shrug. "it's been raining non-stop for the past couple of days. and no one seems to question it, so i just go along with it as if it's completely normal for it to be bright and sunny one day, and then cloudy and rainy the next day."

when you finish your thoughts, neuvilette still waits for you to continue. he was somewhat relieved that you were able to talk to him normally, but knew that there had to be more you had to say. were you going to officially end things between you two? say that you needed more time to think about the state of your relationship? he wasn't going to talk you out of anything, or start a debate. he respected your decision no matter what, even if it were to sting, he had to hear it. and the conversation had to go somewhere if he also wanted to deliver his side as well.

"i have heard some of the locals say though, that whenever it rains in fontaine, it is because the hydro dragon is crying." you say, as you gaze up at the sky. "i don't know if you have ever heard of it, but if such a tale were to be true, then i wonder what he could be going through for it to be pouring rain every other day."

neuvilette hopes he hid how quickly he blinked. normally he was good at hiding his reactions to hearing this "legend". although he never wanted to hide anything from you, the truth behind the mysterious precipitation was something he hadn't had the best opportunity to tell you about.

"yes, this is an old legend indeed. i often hear parents and caretakers telling this to children, whenever it's too wet to play outside." this was as much as the chief justice could water it down. he really did not want to lie before approaching a sensitive topic.

"as much as i would love to continue hearing the knowledge you have extracted from your time here, i have come here with another objective." neuvilette says. "i wanted to apologize for upsetting you. i have also been worried about you for the past few days. you do not have to disclose your whereabouts from the period in which we were apart, but i am happy that you're safe."

"it's alright, really." you reply calmly. "i was also in the wrong for storming out like that and not communicating with you. i was pretty upset, yeah, but i should've just told you that. i'm sorry for being immature and leaving you in the dark."

neuvilette notices tears streaming down your eyes. as your head tilts downward, they drop to the ground and blend in with the rain droplets. instead of offering you his handkerchief, he gently caresses both sides of your face with his gloved hands. you lean into his touch more, until you're wrapping your arms around him in a tight embrace, letting your umbrella drop to the ground. he reciprocates, stiffly at first, but then holds you with no intentions of letting you go.

you're no longer choking back sobs, and then the sky clears up as the rain comes to a stop. you pull away from the hug to observe the sky, staying connected with your hands intertwined this time.

"wow...the hydro dragon must have been distraught watching us as if we were his new favorite play or something." you laugh.

neuvilette chuckles, knowing that you would of course find the occurrence to be a mere coincidence. "it seems that he must be quite fond of you, my dear."

"well, i'm already taken so i guess he will have to stick to me being his favorite character." you shrug obliviously with a smile.

as your lover, neuvilette has adjusted to being more vulnerable with you. you had seen the good and the bad sides of him, the latter especially during the latest argument that the two of you had now cleared up. and even then, you still let him back in. he doesn't have to worry about baring his entire soul to you now, and will slowly navigate you through his past and identity as the hydro dragon, who entered human society as the iudex. the vulnerable figure whose emotions affect the weather, and struggles to connect with others. you're the one worthy of knowing the truth though, and he makes a promise to himself to never hide anything from you from here on out.

[ontheoddoccasioniwritestuff]

Soundly (Simon “Ghost” Riley x Reader)

Summary: You’ve injured your arm, leaving you frustratingly helpless to complete everyday tasks, like cleaning yourself. Your boyfriend and colleague Simon understands your apprehension towards accepting help for such a task and tells you how he does.

AN: Working title was “Sprain” for those of you who voted in the poll. I’ll be posting the Soap fics shortly and posting another poll for my other upcoming fics afterwards! Meanwhile, let me know what you think in replies or inbox me, tell me your thoughts on fics - present or future. 

I just want Ghost to feel loved and to recover from all the shit he went through. I did a fic for that and sharing a bed, so I’m doing this one for the reader a.k.a. me. Plus I like the head canon that Ghost is actually kinda talkative, like in the Alone mission. I know he’s probably partly chatting to Johnny to because he’s trying to keep him focused, guiding him to regroup and survive. But he’s telling dumb jokes and joking about watching his torture video. He’s got banter and trauma!

Content warnings: Allusions to Ghost’s time being tortured by Roba and the Mexican Cartel - specifically his SA as well as the reader’s. Reader is GN, no use of Y/N

Masterlist // AO3

For “just a sprain”, your elbow hurt like a bastard. It was resting in the hammock of the sling your doctor ordered you to keep on. Almost smugly, it sent a few stings across the bone when you were also instructed to restrict your movements and get support to complete day-to-day tasks before you were signed off on a month’s medical leave – pending review at the end of it for being brought back to work.

It was half your fault. The sprain in the first place was caused by some asshole who would not go down quietly and attempted to dislocate your limb. Thankfully, your training automatically twisted you into a position preventing that but then you had to shoot that asshole and your gun was in the arm he’d injured. The bullet that you fired solidified the damage and you were forced to focus hard on aiming with your non-dominant hand whilst slugging it over to the Heli half a klick to the west for recon. You didn’t have to shoot the guy straight away. You’d kicked him down and he was too far from his own weapon to have made it before you could have swapped your gun to your other hand and ended his life the same miserable way. But nah, in the heat of gunfire, you’d decided to end the fight as quick as possible then ran like a bat out of hell back to safety where the rest of your crew was headed.

Simon had known you long enough – and dated you long enough – to not treat you like glass. He wouldn’t insult you like that. Therefore you were very grateful that he was the one to take you home, and that his driving was a lot steadier and smooth on the motorway.

Letting you open the front door, he carried both his and your bags inside, ready to start your medical leave this instant. He was heading out of the hall with his shoes dropped loudly onto the rack when he asked:

“You want anything specific for tea?”

“Nah, I’m good with whatever.”

Despite years of therapy, this injury had dealt a hefty blow to your pride; you didn’t want to be any more of a burden than you were going to be over the next few weeks. Thank God you’d been to his place enough times for it to be considered familiar.

From the airing cupboard, you collected the towel that Simon had bought you after your fifth stay here and smiled at the memory of shopping for it together. He’d asked for what colour you preferred then gathering other items into the trolley that were the same shade: toothbrush, wash cloth, cup to sit by the bathroom sink. He was nice like that.

The bathroom door locked behind you, the final ebbs of afternoon reaching in through frosted glass. You thanked the sun for enabling you to keep the lights off; the buzz that accompanied their stark spark on the silky tiles was always too much for you. However as warm as the daylight was, it failed to soothe your state. When you tried to retrieve the memory of how you’d gotten this t-shirt on in the first place, your mind offered you a blank slate and tears of frustration bubbling over, stinging worse than the injury as you tried to warp it against its will. But to no avail. Your bitten tongue surrendered so that the crying could commence with your t-shirt still stuck on your body.

Gentle rapping at the door didn’t halt anything. Surrendering felt like an admission of weakness, failure, and it poisoned you against yourself as you twisted the lock in the handle and slumped on the rim of the bath.

A pair of plain-socked feet appeared at the top of your line of sight, lingering on the cobalt carpet side of the door frame.

“Can I borrow your scissors please?” You asked, toying with a stray string dangling from the hem.

“You gonna stab me?” Simon inquired semi-sarcastically.

“Yes.” It was a pathetic little reply. But Simon pushed off the bath, belongings tinkling against one another as he rooted around then retrieved a small pair of scissors from the top shelf.

He sat down beside you on the rim, holding out the scissors by the blade, “It’s a nice shirt.”

You wiped your nose on the hem before taking the scissors, “It’s just Primark.”

“I can help you out of it, if it is Primark’s finest.”

“Was just cut it off.”

But of course your dominant hand was tied up in the sling, and you only just realised now.

“I could help you take it off.”

You’d never been undressed around Simon. The closest you’d gotten were jogging bottoms you’d cut into knee-length shorts and the sleeves of your t-shirt pushed onto your shoulders whilst you both worked out at opposite ends of the gym. Towards the end of your set, you mopped at your brow with the hem of your shirt once and the sliver of skin nearly sent Simon into anaphylactic shock.

He knew why you grappled with the notion of undressing. But he didn’t ever linger on you going elsewhere to change. Across your relationship, and even before it started, he’d shown you love in so many other ways that you would forget about what had happened to you.

Today was the first time he addressed it: “I understand why you wouldn’t want me to help.”

Without moving your head, your watchful stare latched onto his adjusting to the nuisance of sitting on a thin perch of porcelain. He withdrew his skull balaclava from its suffocating in his pocket and began kneading at it until the eyehole faced the ceiling you’d stared at many times, wishing you could be more intimate with the man you loved more than life.

 “Your reasons aren’t so different from mine.” And he held out the mask to you.

The olive branch was accepted and you thumbed over the skull plate as best you could with the scissors still in your grip. Only when your thumbnail caught against the paint depicting a cheekbone did it dawn on you what your boyfriend was referring to.

“Simon-”

“None of that,” He interrupted you, gently, firmly, “I get it. I don’t wanna bother you if you don’t want me here.”

He rubbed along your shoulder as you matched your deep breaths to his, resting your eyes to bask in his comfort and crushing the mask in your loose fist. You’d always equated it to anonymity. Never had you thought of linking it to another form of comfort.

“You can bathe with your clothes on,” Simon suggested after a minute’s silence.

“Do you know how hard it is to remove wet denim?” You muttered with a crooked smile.

“I do,” and he pressed a kiss to your forehead – his preferred place to do so. “Let’s give this a go.”

You handed back his balaclava and took in his bare face, the medical mask – the one he’d been wearing whilst you were in the hospital and all the way home - gone, his expression carefully crafted to be neutral so that you didn’t have to be.

He eased your sling off you after the taps were thundering steaming water into the tub. Then he vanished to his room, returning with a pair of baggy sports shorts. Cradling them like a baby, your nose welcomed their softness and the steam whilst Simon knelt onto the fluffy bathmat, nodding after splashing the bathwater and twisting the taps into silence.

“I’m gonna stink if I don’t wash properly,” You whispered.

After opening his palms to you, Simon took your shorts and arranged them on the floor, “I’ll get you some wet wipes to use while we wait for your arm to heal up.”

You held onto his shoulders whilst he undid your jeans and eased them down your legs, his hands careful to stay hidden in the fabric whilst you stepped out of them and into the shorts. Simon to pulled them up to your hips.

“Why did the magician take a bath?” He asked you as you lowered yourself into the water.

“I dunno, why?”

“To clean up his act.”

Your chest quivered, struggling to hold in your groans and giggles whilst Simon pumped some blueberry body wash into his palm, “That’s good.”

Tenderly he circled the soap across your forearm, “Fancy another?”

“Go on.” You were nothing if not his little enabler, indulging in his humour even after the rest of 141 had lightly roasted him for it.

“Knock, knock.”

Your free hand fiddled with the sodden hem of your t-shirt, “Who’s there?”

“Dwayne.”

“Dwayne who?”

Soaking the flannel and wringing it out over your arm, Simon began to wash the suds away, “Dwayne the bathtub before I dwown.”

Your smile was not dampened by the tears that rolled down your cheeks and dripped onto the shallow waterline. Instead, you focused your blurry vision on Simon’s hoodie sleeves that were pushed up to his elbows, those broad forearms sprinkled with droplets and soapsuds.

When Simon was lathering up some more body wash, you offered your own joke: “What did the man say after he swallowed a clock and went to the toilet?”

“What?”

“Watch out.”

Simon snorted loudly whilst carefully manipulating your injured arm amidst the blueberry bubbles.

You wiped a new tear away on your shoulder: “I’ve already told Kyle but you can tell it to Johnny.”

“Much obliged.”

With permission and a slow touch, he started soaping up your shins. His contact always lingered for hours on your skin. This felt like a polish, not a scratch or a dent, which is why you felt so overwhelmed now, just as you did that first time he gave you a proper bear hug. You didn’t mind the blueberry, something else to focus on instead of letting yourself meander towards conjuring disturbing imaginations of what you’d just learnt about Simon’s capture in Mexico.

He let you take over for washing your thighs, sitting on the toilet still talking to you with a smile that cracked up his face like the scar, from lip to brow. His eyes never strayed from your face, though it never felt like you were a target down his scope, more like feeling the sun first thing in the morning with a delicate breeze that danced around your being. Such a gaze wasn’t alien to Simon, even if he rarely showed it to you, and never to anyone else. You were just grateful that he was able to be like this, and that he still chose to.

That same stare, he held it whilst draping a towel around your shoulders, patting over your arms before he gathered it at the front for you to hold in your healthy hand. Then he collected a pile of clean clothes from the bedroom, placing them onto the closed toilet lid, you noted the crisply ironed button up folded on top. You settled for nestling your head against his chest since you were unable to hug him.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll make dinner.”

The door was locked after Simon disappeared behind it. You did end up cutting yourself out of the shirt, rest in peace. Fogged-up, the mirror wasn’t so bad to stare at whilst you moisturised with your good hand. You could still feel where Simon’s calloused hands had brushed over your skin, tingling in each follicle, and it was protected by the button-up you were able to slide on – one of the few Simon owned. His bulk was once again your gain; the shirt was loose enough to give you some wiggle room whilst dressing.

Clattering from the kitchen caught Simon in the act of putting away the ironing board. He was taking loud and rehearsed deep breaths that hissed through the fabric of his freshly-donned balaclava, the board under his arm before he tossed it into its assigned slot. His hand shook as it released the cupboard door handle, searching for something to distract himself with until he latched his stare onto you bunching your shirt in the front.

“I can’t do my buttons up,” You said quietly.

Your stomach impulsively sucked in on itself when his hands reached for the buttons before it, joining them with the fabric. Nevertheless, your gaze found solace in the thatch of fine chest hair growing in the lowest peak of his V-neck.

Simon started from the bottom button and made his way up. With each wince, his fingers stalled. But you knew he’d never hurt you, never on purpose and never like that. He made steady progress until complete and even helped you replace your sling. But then he sniffed and brushed his nose briefly, stepping away and back to the kitchen. For five minutes he alternated between sifting through the cupboards and staring helplessly into the fridge, his face washed out by the stagnant light inside. You took the time to help him in one of the ways you knew how.

“I’ll order us a takeaway.”

Immediately he slammed shut the fridge door, “You’re a fucking star.”

You were not put off by his pacing back and forth, nor were you by his hovering over you like a gargoyle whilst you tapped at the screen – which you held in a way for him to see clearly in case he wanted to add something. A wide berth allowed you to approach him on the couch with the takeaway when it arrived half an hour later (always reliable, hence why it was your go-to takeaway place). Simon also accepted the drink you brought him, but only because he’d already gotten you one plus two pain meds he made sure you took after getting some food into your stomach first.

The cushioned lap trays you’d invested in were already paying for themselves.

Dinner inhaled and rendering you quite soporific, you mirrored Simon’s earlier actions and tentatively shuffled closer to him, “Is this ok?”

“Yeah.” His arm dropped to around your waist, and you tugged on his wrist to keep it there. Only then did you tentatively wrap yourself around his full belly.

“Fuckin’ softie,” He said under his breath. That didn’t stop him from giving you a little squeeze – his hand no longer trembling - and sinking himself lower so that there was no pressure on your sprain. He turned the volume down a little, which sparked inspiration in your mind.

Half hiding in his t-shirt, you projected loud enough for him to hear you: “The local TV controller museum shut down due to no visitors. Turns out people aren’t remotely interested.”

“Have you been researching these instead of doing your paperwork?”

“What makes you think I haven’t been doing my paperwork?”

Simon looked down at you, those expressive eyes communicating both the “are you fucking for real?” and the “you’re lucky you’re cute” in equal parts. But from the way his balaclava was balanced on his face, you could tell he was smiling at you. So you smiled back at him then snuggled back against him with a contented sigh and the existence of your new joke book still a secret (for now).

The next time you opened your eyes, it was much darker in the living room. A blanket was tucked around your legs. The glow of “Are you still watching Phil Wang: Philly Philly Wang Wang?” from the flat-screen, despite that not being what you were watching when you first drifted off, bathed you in enough low light to allow you a comfortable adjustment period. You squinted up at your boyfriend. Head back in the pillows, his chest was rising and falling with each breath he drew and released through his nose. You adjusted the blanket around to cover his legs too and, tucking yourself back into your bundle, both you and Simon slept soundly.

[spectersgirl]

Taking Care of You (Life’s Like This p.2)

Harvey Specter x Reader

The original request prompt was “Harvey specter takes care of his pregnant wife” and this is part two!

————

Harvey paced restlessly inside his office, his worry evident. You’d had a rough time with morning sickness throughout your whole pregnancy, but from what he had seen, today was particularly bad. He’d watched you run back and forth to and from the bathroom all morning. He knew you’d feel much better if you’d let him take you home, but he also knew you well enough to know that you’d worry about your workload the whole time if he didn’t take over some of it.

As you hunched over your desk, battling nausea, the door opened, and Harvey stepped in silently. He moved to your side, rubbing your back as you leaned into him, feeling completely drained. He hated seeing you like this.

"Hey, you okay?" Harvey's concern was palpable.

You managed a weak smile. "Just another rough morning, Harvey. I’ll be fine.”

The look on your face was enough for Harvey to make his decision. With a firm nod, he guided you out of the chair, supporting you as you stood. "Nope. Let's get you home."

“Harvey, I have work to do.”

He shook his head at your protest.

“And you won’t get anything done anyway if you keep having to run to the bathroom to get sick.”

You sighed, knowing he was right.

Back at home, Harvey took charge, settling you on the couch with pillows and a blanket. He disappeared into the kitchen, reappearing with ginger tea and saltines, the only thing you could keep down on days like this.

"Here, baby. This should help." he assured you, kneeling beside you, holding the cup as you sipped slowly.

"But your case..." you worried.

"I've got Mike on it, he can handle it." Harvey reassured you. "Right now, my only case is taking care of you."

He stayed by your side, tending to your needs while you dozed off, the stress of your pregnancy visible on your exhausted face. As you slept, Harvey worked quietly, taking calls, reviewing documents, anything he could do for your cases so you didn’t get behind.

You woke a little while later, still nauseous but eager to at least read over the documents you’d taken home with you in preparation for the next day.

"You should be resting" Harvey insisted.

"I have work to finish," you protested weakly.

Harvey shook his head. "I've got it. Your health and our baby come first."

With a loving smile, you relented, allowing yourself to relax while Harvey took care of some of your workload.

Weeks passed, you had good days and bad, and Harvey was so patient with you through it. From late-night cravings to sudden emotional outbursts, he took each moment in stride, his only focus and priority being taking care of you.

One evening, you found Harvey sitting in the nursery, surrounded by baby clothes and toys. His expression was a mix of determination and tenderness as he carefully organized everything into the various pieces of furniture he’d put together.

"You don't have to do all this alone, you know," you said softly, watching him.

He looked up to you, a smile tugging at his lips. "I want to. It's for both of you."

You walked further into the room, sitting in the rocking chair and cradling your bump.

“You’re gonna be such a good dad.” You said with a soft smile.

“You think so?”

“I know so. You’re already the best husband to me, I know when the baby comes you’re going to be amazing.”

As the months passed, you both attended doctor's appointments, marveling at the ultrasound screen as you watched the baby moving around. Harvey held your hand tightly during these moments, his eyes gleaming with pride and love.

The bond between you and Harvey grew stronger as time went on, which was something you didn’t even think was possible. You’d spent hours discussing names with him, imagining what the baby was going to be like, debating whether it was a boy or a girl since you’d opted to keep it a surprise. Together, you picked out a few gender neutral names, opting to choose one once you had the baby.

You couldn't have asked for a better partner than Harvey, who seamlessly balanced his career and the difficult task of caring for you. As your due date approached, his dedication for you and the baby only intensified. He was constantly on standby, making sure you always had everything you needed.

When the day finally came that you were in labor, he never left your side. Calm and encouraging, he held your hand through every painful contraction and allowed you to squeeze as hard as you needed to as you pushed.

The first cries of your baby sounded throughout the room, and the look of pride and love on Harvey’s face was one you wanted to remember forever.

“Congratulations mom and dad, you have a beautiful, healthy baby girl!” The nurse exclaimed.

You looked up at Harvey with wide eyes and a huge grin.

“You were right, we have a baby girl!” You said excitedly. You had thought it was a boy the whole time, while Harvey was firmly team girl.

As you held the tiny new addition in your arms, watching Harvey's eyes well up with pure joy, you knew he was going to be an amazing dad.

[kikimurphys]

Behind Closed Doors (part 14)

Pairing: Cillian x Y/N.

Warnings: Pregnancy complications.

Cillian was jolted awake by the sound of his ringtone. Groggily, he fumbled for his phone, blinking at the screen as your name flashed across it. “Y/N?” he answered, his voice rough with sleep.

“Cillian… I’m bleeding,” you said, your voice trembling.

Cillian was instantly wide awake. He threw off the covers, already heading for the door. “Hang in there, I’ll be there in a moment,” he promised, his heart racing as he grabbed his coat and keys, rushing out of his house. He drove like a man possessed, ignoring red lights and speed limits as he tore through the streets to get to you.

Back in your apartment, fear gripped you tightly. You had gone to the bathroom to check your panties, and the sight of fresh blood only confirmed your worst fears. Tears streamed down your face as you rubbed your belly, desperate to feel any movement from your baby. But she was still, your belly hard under your touch.

When the doorbell rang, you practically sprinted to the door, your heart in your throat. As soon as you opened it, Cillian was there, wrapping you in his arms without a word. The warmth and strength of his embrace allowed you to finally let go, your sobs muffled against his chest.

“I can’t lose this baby, Cill… I can’t,” you cried, clinging to him as if he were your lifeline.

“You’re not,” he whispered fiercely, pulling back just enough to cup your face in his hands. “She’s going to be okay. You’re both going to be okay.” He tried to hide his own fear, focusing instead on getting you to the hospital.

He helped you into your coat, his hands steady despite the turmoil raging inside him. He grabbed your bag and guided you down the stairs, his arm around you as he ushered you to the car. The drive to the hospital was a blur of anxiety and whispered reassurances, Cillian’s hand never leaving yours as he drove.

At the hospital, you were rushed into the emergency room. Cillian stayed by your side as the nurses and doctors swarmed around you, hooking you up to monitors and checking your vitals. They quickly moved you into a private room, where they began the process of evaluating your condition. An Ultrasound Transducer Belt was strapped to your belly to monitor your baby's heartbeat, and you clung to Cillian’s hand as the minutes stretched on, each one filled with unbearable tension.

Cillian sat beside your bed, his chair pulled as close to you as possible. He didn’t let go of your hand, his thumb stroking your knuckles as he watched the medical staff with intense focus. Every time a nurse entered the room, he straightened, his gaze never leaving your face.

Finally, the sound of your baby’s heartbeat filled the room, steady and strong. Relief washed over you, your body sagging into the bed as you realized she was okay. Cillian squeezed your hand, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the worry that still lingered in his eyes.

“See? Everything’s okay,” he said softly, leaning over to kiss your forehead. His voice was calm, but you could feel the tension in his grip, the fear that had gripped him since you called still lurking beneath the surface.

One of the nurses performed an ultrasound to check the placement of your placenta. The image on the screen confirmed what your gynecologist had suspected: placenta previa. Your placenta was covering nearly all of your cervix, which was causing the bleeding. The news was both a relief and a new source of concern, but at least you knew what was happening.

Your gynecologist, a calm and reassuring woman, entered the room after reviewing the results. She approached your bed, her expression serious but gentle.

“Y/N,” she began, “we’re going to monitor your bleeding closely over the next few days. If it stops, we’ll be able to send you home with some strict instructions to rest. However, if the bleeding continues or worsens, we’ll need to keep you hospitalized for longer to ensure both your safety and the baby’s.”

You nodded, too exhausted to say much, but the gravity of her words settled heavily on you. The idea of staying in the hospital for days—or longer—was daunting, but you knew it was necessary.

Cillian listened intently, his focus solely on the doctor’s words. He nodded in agreement, his free hand resting on the bed near your leg, a silent promise that he wasn’t going anywhere.

After the doctor left, the nurses started an IV to assess the blood loss and placed a large pad in your panties to monitor the bleeding. Cillian helped you get comfortable, adjusting your pillows and making sure the blankets were tucked around you just right.

When everything was settled, he sat back down beside you, his hand finding yours again. “Get some rest now,” he murmured, his thumb brushing against your skin. He was still scared, but he knew he had to stay strong—for you and for your baby.

The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of the machines the only sound. Cillian watched you as you drifted off to sleep, his eyes never leaving your face. He was determined to prove that he could be the man you needed, the father his daughter deserved. And as you slept, he made a silent vow to be there for you, no matter what.

Hours passed, and eventually, he drifted off, lulled by the rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the steady heartbeat of your baby. But his rest was light, every sound stirring him until he awoke to the sight of you tossing and turning in the bed.

“You sleep okay?” he asked, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from your face.

“Kinda.” You managed a small smile, the sight of him easing some of your anxiety. “I’m glad you’re here,” you confessed softly, your voice barely audible as you looked at him.

“Where else would I be?” he replied gently, his eyes soft as he looked at you. After everything, he was determined never to leave your side, to be there for you in every way possible.

“You should go home,” you suggested, your fingers intertwining with his as you sat up slightly. “Have a shower, get some sleep.”

“No, don’t worry about me,” he insisted, his grip on your hand tightening slightly as if to emphasize his point.

“Come on. I’ll be fine. You can come back at lunchtime.” You appreciated his company more than you could express, but you knew he needed rest too.

“Fine,” he relented, standing up slowly, still half-asleep. “Do you need me to bring you anything from home?” he asked, shrugging on his jacket.

“Yes, please. Actual clothes would be nice,” you joked, glancing down at the hospital gown you were wearing. Everything you had on earlier was stained with blood, and you longed for something more familiar.

“Of course,” he agreed, taking your keys from your purse. As he walked towards you to say goodbye, you moved to give him a kiss on the cheek, but he surprised you by closing the gap between you two with a loving kiss.

You were taken aback at first, but soon you melted into it, feeling a closeness to him that you hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Bye,” he murmured as he pulled back, giving you one last look before walking out the door.

“Bye,” you whispered, watching him go. Confusion swirled within you. You loved him, wanted him, and needed him, but the past still cast a long shadow over your heart. You decided to give in to the feelings, but to take things slow. After all, you might need him more than ever after this to take care of you and the baby.

But as the door clicked shut behind him, a wave of anxiety washed over you, reminding you of all the reasons you couldn’t fully trust him. Panic gripped you, and without thinking, you reached for your phone and texted your sister.

“Call me as soon as you see this,” was all you sent her. It was 7 a.m., and you knew she had a busy schedule—she had a baby boy of her own and a husband. The thought of her being preoccupied made you feel even more isolated, but you needed to hear her voice, to find some grounding in the chaos of your emotions.

After sending the text, you typed out another message to Liv, explaining what had happened. Your fingers trembled as you pressed “send,” and you anxiously waited for a response. Minutes later, your phone rang, Liv’s name flashing on the screen.

“Are you okay?” Liv’s voice was laced with concern, the urgency clear.

“Yeah, we’re fine. It’s just the placenta,” you sighed, trying to keep your voice steady, but the exhaustion was evident.

“Oh, fuck, Y/N. Is the baby all right?” Liv’s worry was palpable, making your chest tighten.

“She’s okay,” you reassured her, rubbing your belly instinctively. “They said she’s not in distress, but they’re monitoring me for the next few days to see if the bleeding stops. If it doesn’t, I might have to stay in the hospital longer.”

“God, that sounds so scary. I wish I was there with you.” Liv’s voice softened, filled with genuine care.

“I wish you were too,” you admitted, feeling a lump form in your throat. “Cillian’s been here, though. He stayed with me all night.”

“That’s good. I’m glad he’s stepping up,” Liv said cautiously, knowing your history with him. “But how are you feeling about everything? About him?”

You hesitated, the emotions swirling inside you. “I don’t know, Liv. I love him, and he’s been amazing today, but I’m scared. What if he doesn’t stick around? What if he can’t handle this?”

Liv was silent for a moment, considering her words. “Y/N, I think he really cares about you and the baby. But you need to protect yourself too. Take things slow, let him prove that he’s in this for the long haul. You don’t have to make any decisions right now.”

“I know, I just—” Your voice broke, the stress of the past hours catching up to you. “I’m so scared, Liv. I can’t lose this baby.”

“You won’t,” Liv said firmly, her voice steady and reassuring. “You’re strong, and you’re doing everything you can. Just take it one day at a time, okay? Do you want me to come over?”

“No. Don’t worry about me, but thank you,” you whispered, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over you. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“Please do. And rest, okay? You and that little one need it.”

You promised you would, and after saying goodbye, you hung up the phone, feeling slightly more at ease. But the unease lingered, the fear of the unknown still weighing heavily on your mind.

As you lay back against the pillows, your thoughts drifted to Cillian again. The kiss, his determination to stay by your side, the way he had comforted you—it all felt so real, so genuine. Yet there was still a part of you that couldn’t shake the doubts. Could you really trust him? Was he truly ready to be a part of this, or was he still holding back?

Liv’s words echoed in your mind: *Take it one day at a time.* You knew she was right; you needed to protect yourself, to take things slow. But as much as you tried to focus on that, you couldn’t ignore the hope that had started to flicker inside you—the hope that maybe, just maybe, Cillian was ready to step up and be there for you and your baby.

With a deep sigh, you closed your eyes, willing yourself to rest. The day had been long, and your body was crying out for sleep. But even as you drifted off, Cillian’s face lingered in your thoughts, a mix of fear and hope swirling within you.

tags:

@mamawiggers1980 @xsweetcatastrophe @galactict3a @thistheivyseason @cillianmurphyvevo @sweetcheesecakesblog

[esoteric-chaos]

Ferns - The Mundane and Magical 101

Working with my local land more has taught me to source local plants and connect with them. By properly taking care of it and working the land. That also means connecting with local plant spirits.

The Fern is one of those species of plants. This wonderful herb is abundant, protective and hold much wisdom for they are very old. With some dating back to 360 million years (or so they say). It is known some species can live up to a hundred years.

They are full of wisdom, you might just learn something from them if you actively work with them as a spirit.

Scientific Name:

Family: Pteridophyte

Parts used: For species of Fern it varies

Planet: Mercury

Element: Air

CAUTIONS: ALWAYS check with your local herbalist and doctor before consuming any medicinal medicine as they will be able to direct you on proper dosages. Some medications can also interact and so can some conditions with certain herbs.

IMPORTANT: Some Ferns are harmful (like the Pteridium genus aka Bracken Fern) to the airways and can let off spores that can harm or cause death in immunocompromised people. Always be wary of Fern species around pets as well. Source and research responsibly.

Uses in Herbalism and Healing:

Certain Fern species are used to treat different ailments. Ex. Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) used for arthritis while Maidenhair Speenwort (Asplenium tricomanes) is used for coughs.

Always check which fern species is used as some can counteract and aren't always used for the same ailment.

On a fun note, Fiddlehead Ferns are used from a culinary standpoint and are quite delicious when prepared correctly.

Uses in Magic:

When placed in the home, it is said to hold protective properties, and when planted at the doorstep.

Dried Fern, when burned, carries exorcism properties.

Some folklore speaks that when Fern is burned outside, it causes rainfall.

When carried or worn, Fern has the power to guide to treasure.

Some Celtic and Irish legends speak of Ferns being used in from healing to magic.

A Slavic folk tale speaks of a flower on a fern that blooms for a very short time on the eve of the summer solstice. It is said it brings fortune to the person who finds it. In some tales, it allows humans to understand animals talking. It is guarded by malevolent entities. Though the one who succeeds in gathering it can receive earthly riches, that attainment has always brought unlucky energy to the poor soul, so some leave it alone.

Recipes:

A very yummy recipe using Fiddlehead ferns. Check it out!

Sources and extra reading material:

Please remember while I provide sources, some content is my own UPG from working for years intuitively with this herbal ally. What you do not see from my sources assume it is my UPG and take what information you will. Always cross-reference and research yourself. All medical knowledge will be sourced.

Medical Links:

Cao, H., Chai, T., Wang, X., B. Morais-Braga, M. F., Yang, H., Wong, C., Wang, R., Yao, H., Cao, J., Cornara, L., Burlando, B., Wang, Y., Xiao, J., & M. Coutinho, H. D. (2017). Phytochemicals from fern species: Potential for medicine applications. Phytochemistry Reviews, 16(3), 379-440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-016-9488-7

Spiritual:

Books:

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Links:

Want to check out my other posts? Here’s the Masterpost

[literary-illuminati]

2024 Book Review #29 – The Expert System’s Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky

My public library tragically lacks the Tchaikovsky books I actually want to read (one day I shall get my hands on City of Last Chances. One day...), but it helpfully does have a random assortment of his other stuff. Among that other stuff was this rather charming little novella – hardly anything to set the world on fire, but it was a fun easy read to break the streak of a couple of disappointments.

The story follows Handry, a boy growing up in a village guided and governed by ‘ghosts’, immortal systems that fuse with and warp a suitable host to allow them to interact with the rest of the village as lawgiver, doctor, architect, or whatever else the village might require. After a deeply unfortunate accident, he ends up partially ‘severed’ – cut off from village and the world around it in a very real way, incapable of digesting food, avoided by animals, and inspiring aa visceral fight-or-flight reaction in everyone who sees him. For a time, his sister helps him survive on the village’s periphery, but when she’s selected as it’s next Doctor, her ghost finally takes a look at him and decrees he is incompatible with the community – and so he is forced to flee and wander the earth, and ends up learning the real state and history of the world.

This came out in 2018, but everything about it feels very classic sci fi – generally in a good way, to be clear. The story that exists primarily to be able to tease and then exposit about worldbuilding, the setting of an alien world inhabited by colonists who have forgotten their history and the source of the technology they rely upon, the absolute plethora of random bits of weirdness that are only really revealed implictly because they are totally normal to the protagonist (the six-legged and four-eyed bodyplan of most wildlife, for example), even the overarching theme of the perfect virtue of curiosity and questioning both charismatic authority and received tradition. It was a fun time! Made me a bit nostalgic for all my dad’s old ratty paperbacks I read as a child.

It’s definitively a novella-sized story, and I’m immensely glad Tchaikovsky didn’t try to drag out longer than it is. There are some intriguing points that are never followed up on – the tool-using and home-building aliens which every casually treats as wildlife and casually exterminates or drives out when they need more land, to begin with – that I assume are what the sequel follows up on? But this ended in the right place, and even with his voice being so present in the narration I’m not really sure Handry is enough of a character to have sustained a full novel in his head. Certainly none of the other characters got any more characterization than they strictly needed.

So yeah, no real complaints, it was an enjoyable read – but on the other hand in three months you’ll probably need to remind me that I’d actually read this.