#hot swap battery
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batteryswap · 1 year ago
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Hot Swap Battery: Revolutionizing Power Supply Solutions
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In today's fast-paced world, uninterrupted power supply is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. The emergence of hot swap battery technology has redefined power management systems, offering reliable and seamless power backup options. This article delves into the realm of hot swap batteries, exploring their advantages, technology, and how they stand against traditional battery solutions.
Advantages of Hot Swap Battery
Hot swap batteries bring numerous advantages to various sectors. One major aspect is their ability to provide continuous power supply during critical situations. Unlike traditional batteries that require downtime for replacement, hot swap batteries allow for seamless battery swaps while the system is still running, eliminating any disruptions. This feature is especially vital in industries where power outages can result in massive financial losses or put lives at risk.
Additionally, hot swap batteries offer scalability, allowing users to easily expand their power capacity as their needs grow. They are compatible with various devices and systems, including servers, telecom equipment, data centers, and even electric vehicles. This versatility renders hot swap batteries an ideal choice across different industries.
How to Hot Swap a Battery
The process of hot swapping a battery is relatively straightforward, although it may vary depending on the system or equipment being used. Before beginning, it's essential to be cautious and follow safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Identify the failing battery: Monitor the system to determine the failing battery that needs replacement.
Prepare for the swap: Ensure the system is running on alternate power sources or has redundant batteries in place to maintain uninterrupted power during the replacement process.
Disconnect the failed battery: Safely disconnect the power supply from the battery using the designated connectors and switches.
Swap the battery: Replace the failed battery with a new one, ensuring proper connection and alignment. Double-check the manufacturer's instructions for any specific requirements.
Test and ensure functionality: Once the new battery is in place, thoroughly test the system to confirm that it is functioning correctly. Monitor voltage levels and any warnings from the system.
Hot Swap Battery Technology
Hot swap battery technology revolves around advanced electronics and engineering innovations. These batteries are designed with built-in circuitry to control various aspects, such as current flow, voltage regulation, and battery monitoring. The sophisticated control mechanisms ensure stable power output, protection against overcharging or discharging, and efficient energy storage.
Furthermore, hot swap batteries often utilize modular designs. This modular approach allows for easy installation, maintenance, and expansion without disrupting the entire power system. Modules can be added or removed as per requirements, providing flexibility and scalability.
Hot Swap Battery vs Traditional Battery
When comparing hot swap batteries with traditional batteries, several factors come into play. First and foremost, traditional batteries necessitate power interruption during replacement, leading to unwanted downtime and potential data loss. On the other hand, hot swap batteries eliminate downtime, enabling critical systems to remain operational without any break in power supply.
Moreover, traditional batteries may require additional space for installation and maintenance, while hot swap batteries offer compact designs, saving valuable real estate. The ability to scale up easily and replace individual modules further contributes to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hot swap battery solutions.
Conclusion
Hot swap battery technology has paved the way for uninterrupted power supply systems, revolutionizing various industries' power management practices. Thanks to its seamless battery replacement process, scalability, and reliable performance, hot swap batteries have become the go-to solution for organizations seeking continuous power during critical scenarios. By adhering to industry guidelines and staying abreast of technological advancements, hot swap batteries have proven to be a game-changer in the world of power management. Embracing this innovative solution ensures businesses and individuals can meet their power needs with ease, efficiency, and utmost reliability.
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lizardsfromspace · 2 years ago
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I do have to impress on anyone who wasn't around for it how batshit the reality boom of the 2000s could be. Especially on Fox.
Here are some 100% real 2000s reality shows:
Who's Your Daddy? A woman has to guess which of eight men is her biological father. One of them really is, and if she guesses right she wins $100,000. If one of the seven fake dads convinces her to guess them, he wins $100,000.
Black. White. A white family learns about racism by living a month in blackface, while a black family spends a month in whiteface. The black family was a real family, but the white family was just some actors hired to put on blackface to prove racism exists
Without Prejudice? Five strangers decide which of five strangers gets a cash prize based off clips and their answers to political questions. Cancelled when one of the choosers openly said he'd eliminate all black contestants
Welcome to the Neighborhood. Three conservative white families in a Austin subdivision decide which diverse family gets to move in. Unaired due to being literal housing discrimination
Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay. Two straight men try to pass themselves off as gay and whoever seems more gay gets $50,000. Unaired due to. Due to. Due to
Playing It Straight. A woman tries to find love among fourteen men, half of whom are straight and half of whom are gay, and she must eliminate two men she believes are gay each week. If she ended up picking a straight man in the end, they'd split a million dollars; if she picked a gay man, he'd win a million dollars
Boy Meets Boy. This was Playing It Straight but starring a gay man and he had to eliminate straight people
Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire? He wasn't a multimillionaire. He didn't even have a million dollars in liquid assets. He had a battery conviction Fox claims they didn't see. Because it was the 2000s, somehow this ended up with the woman he won being widely vilified and turned into a national punchline. How dare she complain about a massive corporation tricking her into marrying a lying abuser, good thing Matt Lauer's there to take her down a peg
The Swan. A "ugly" woman is given plastic surgery and wins a prize if she's the hottest at the end of the season. If she's not hot enough by the show's standards she's eliminated and called ugly on national TV
The Biggest Loser. Overweight people engage in competitive crash weight loss that often led to awful health complications. Studies showed basically everyone on the show regained any weight they lost once it was over and they didn't have abusive trainers demanding they take huge health risks to win a competitive weight loss competition. Like the others, this one was cancel-oh, it was a massive hit that ran for 18 seasons? Yikes!
Wife Swap and Trading Spouses. These were the same show and had a wife from one family go to another family that was different politically, racially, culturally, religiously etc. Most famous for the God Warrior
At the time people focused on the likes of Fear Factor but looking back it's wild how many of the worst shows toyed with politics. So many of these shows have a premise that's like "what if we exposed these conservatives to these people they hate?" or hyping themselves up as Important Experiments. Then they'd freak out when they got the kind of viral bigoted freakout they were trying to construct the whole time.
There were also a bunch of horrible reality shows, thankfully this time mostly unpopular, in the 2010s that based themselves around economic themes as a response to the market crash, but that's a story for another time
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mountainsandmayhem · 7 months ago
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Tess's Treasures
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18+, MDNI
Pairing: Tess x Joel x OC!Female x Female!Reader Summary: After perfecting the art of pickpocketing, you���re invited to join Tess’s Treasures. They’re infamous around the QZ and the initiation process is not what you expect, but exactly what you need. CW: If you’re not into foursomes/bi girl shit then you are in the wrong place. MFFF, bisexual females, fingering, masturbating, oral, dirty talk, praise kink, degradation kink. Unprotected p in v. Overstim and squirting. Please read this at your discretion. If this isn’t for you, that’s perfectly fine. AN: You can thank @mermaidgirl30 and @littlevenicebitch69 for being good little girls and filling my mind with depraved and twisted thoughts. This fic has truly been a labour of love, taking me almost 6 weeks to put together and edit. I'm not the least bit sorry about the word count, grab a snack, probably some electrolytes and maybe some spare batteries lol. Special shoutouts to @pedritoferg for their kind words when my imposter syndrome had the best of me. As always, dividers and support banners by @saradika-graphics. Friendly reminder that I'm phasing out my tag list, follow @mountainsandmayhem-updates for new fics.
Word Count: 9005
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Becoming one of Tess’s Treasures seemed like a fallacy, a pipe dream. A fairytale life only reserved for the most vicious females that prowl the shady streets of the Boston QZ, and you aren’t a killer. A thief, yes; but not a killer. Truthfully, you weren’t even sure if the organization existed. Sure, Tess was a real person, but did she actually have a horde of women she called her Treasures? 
She was infamous in the seedy underbelly of Boston, her and her henchman Joel. Granted, no one ever seemed to see Joel, unless he was about to kill you. And sometimes not even then, he was often hiding in the shadows, shadows darker than the demons that allegedly haunted him.
Outbreak day happened when you were just little, you don’t remember much of the journey from your old hometown to Boston. Everyone here is poor, doing what they can to get credits to buy basic human needs; making trades and swaps were what most people did. You, however, were much more clever. After discovering a book detailing the art of sleight of hand you started practicing, and now you can take anything, right in front of someone's eyes, without them noticing. 
Or so you thought. After stealing a pistol from a FEDRA officer and replacing it with a banana, all while having a conversation with him in broad daylight, Tess approaches you.
“Come to my apartment next week. I wanna see if you have what it takes. Mum’s the word.” It’s a hushed whisper as she passes you, slipping a small card in your back pocket as she goes. 
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You follow the cards' instructions, arriving at the exact time, going up to the top floor and then doing two quick, sharp knocks on the worn out door.
“Enter,” Tess says from inside. The door creaks on your way in. It’s the hottest day Boston has seen in years, and even in your small sundress, the room is stifling hot. The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder and something else that you can’t quite put your finger on. There’s a fan oscillating in the corner, the paint chipped off the cage that protects the blades. As it blows warm air past you, you realize that the other smell is sex. 
Tess is sitting on the couch to the right of the door, two mismatched wooden kitchen chairs in front of her. Straight ahead from the door is a small kitchen, and to the back left of the studio style apartment is the bed. Unmade, sheets tousled like someone just woke up, but based on the heady taste of the air in the room, the messy sheets are definitely from two people rolling around in them.
“Come sit,” Tess says firmly. You click the door shut behind you and head to the empty chair that’s waiting for you. The other chair is occupied by a small brunette woman. She has long slender limbs and doesn’t look like someone who would hang out with raiders, poachers and drug runners. Her hands are folded in her lap, ankles crossed under the chair. She doesn’t look over at you.
Tess leans forward, spreading her denim clad legs wide and resting her elbows on her knees. “Do you two know who I am?”
You both nod slowly. Up close, Tess is terrifying. She could have you killed with just a snap of her fingers, and Joel would do it however she wanted. From what you’ve heard, very slowly was her favourite way to have people eliminated from this earth. Quick deaths weren’t something she enjoyed when someone had fucked her over. 
“Speak!” she commands. The brunette jumps and even though you’ve mastered the art of pushing your fears down and masking your emotions, a small butterfly flaps its wings behind your navel. 
“Yes,” you say hoarsely as a meek ‘yes ma’am’ sounds beside you.
“Good. So then you know the….perks of being one of my Treasures,” Tess’s eyes twinkle as she says perks like she knows something you don’t. Like it’s more than the better living arrangements, food and medical care. Better than a sense of family and belonging.
She continues, “I’ve seen both of you at work. You,” her steel grey eyes are laser focused on yours, “With your quick hands, and you,” she adjusts her attention to the petite woman beside you, “With your ability to talk a man into almost anything. Before you can officially call yourself my Treasures, there’s a small matter of your…” Her voice trails, mouth ticking up on one side as she cocks her head and drags her eyes across both of your bodies.
“Well, your initiation.” She leans back onto the couch, knees falling wider. One arm drapes across the back, the worn cushion deflating slightly. The other rests on her thick, toned thigh. “I take care of my girls, but they need to show me that they can listen.”
The air seems thicker, and harder to fill your lungs with. Every move of her eyes is suggestive. Is she saying what you think she’s saying? You feel yourself begin to soak through your panties at the possibility of getting to fuck.
You aren’t left wondering for long as she points a long finger at the girl beside you, “Stand up, take off your clothes.”
“W-what?” the girl sputters. 
“I said to stand up and take off your fucking clothes,” the words almost seem to burn as she repeats herself. 
The girl stands so quickly that the chair falls, making a loud crash against the worn hardwood flooring. She stares at Tess for a moment, unsure if she should pick up the chair before she decides against it and pulls her blue cotton baby tee off, revealing a lacy white bra underneath. 
“That’s it,” Tess groans. “Take off those little shorts next.”
With shaky hands she moves to the button fly, each drag of the metal on denim seems to echo in the silent room. Tess licks her lips as she slides her shorts down her legs and kicks them to the side. “Come here,” Tess says, her voice already husky and deep. The woman walks over to Tess, stopping between her spread legs. Tess’s strong fingers grip the girl's hips and she gasps. “Turn around,” she urges, dragging her fingers along her hips as the mystery girl spins.
“What’s your name?” Tess asks. The girl's bright green eyes land on you and you see her breath hitch in her slender throat. She’s petite, probably a few inches shorter than you and at least a foot shorter than Tess. You’ve always been attracted to both men and women and there’s no denying that this little stranger is absolutely stunning. 
“Lydia,” she croaks.
“Are you nervous, Lydia?” Tess asks, cupping the globes of her ass in her hands, kneading and squeezing. Spreading them gently, exploring what she’s about to claim as hers. 
She nods her head and lets out a shaky moan of agreement.
“Go pick up your chair and sit down, Lydia.” Tess swats her bum as she walks away and Lydia yelps quietly.
Tess’s eyes now come to you. Staring straight into your soul. I’m sure if she could, her eyes would incinerate your clothes right off of you. It’s intoxicating. You, unlike Lydia, are not nervous. Not in the slightest. If anything, Tess’s attention on you only makes you wetter. Your panties are practically soaked through already. “And you, my little thief. What’s your name?”
You say your name confidently and squeeze your thighs together, trying to ease some of the ache that Tess’s newfound attention is bringing to the apex of your thighs.
Tess whispers your name back at you and it sends a shiver down your spine. She continues, “Get on your hands and knees and crawl to me.”
Lydia swallows loudly beside you as you drop to the floor, crawling seductively to Tess, head held high. The worn hardwood planks creak under your weight. Even the floor is warm and sticky from the weather. You make it to her, sitting back on your heels like the good little girl you are. She leans forward and tugs on the hem of your dress and her syrupy voice says, “Arms up”. You lift your ass slightly and she slips your dress up and over your head. It was too hot for a bra today so you’re left in just a lacy pink thong.
“Mmmm, look at those pretty tits,” Tess hums, her fingers gliding along the plush soft skin of your breasts before ghosting over your nipples making the arm whoosh from your lungs. “You like that? Me touching your nipples.”
You breathe out a yes, eyes shutting as she pinches your pebbled buds roughly. “Oh god, yes.”
The old worn couch groans as Tess sits back, “Go take her bra and panties off.”
You climb to your feet and walk over to Lydia, holding out a hand and helping her stand. You move behind her and trail your fingers down the soft skin of her spinal column before popping the clasp of her bra. Lydia slides it off her body, arms crossing to block her now exposed breasts. Goosebumps rise across her from head to toe. You shush her and rub up and down her arms. Lydia relaxes under your touch and she drops her arms, Tess nods at you once, a silent encouragement to continue. You get down on your knees, hooking your index fingers in the waistband of her panties and sliding them down. Her round ass is in your face, she smells like fresh linen and rain. You fight the urge to kiss the sensitive little spot right where her ass crack starts.
“So fucking beautiful. Sit back down, Lydia.” Tess says and you want to cry out in protest. Her body is so enticing, soft and warm. She focuses back on you and says, “Stand in front of Lydia so she can take your panties off.”
You stand gracefully, biting your bottom lip as you maneuver yourself in front of Lydia. “Spread your legs,” you whisper, determined to help her so you can put on the best show for Tess. Lydia parts her knees and you twirl to face Tess, gathering your hair in one hand as Lydia slides your soaked panties down your legs. You kick them to the side and seductively drop your hair, smiling sweetly at Tess.
“Sit,” Tess barks. Lydia gasps behind you, but you like this; being told what to do. Commanded. Used. Tess continues after you sit, “I want you both to touch yourselves. Show me how you like it, but don’t come. You haven’t earned that yet. Understood?”
“Yes ma’am,” Lydia says, looking down at her hands. You nod eagerly, already sliding your ass to the edge of the chair and spreading your legs wide for her. Tess stares at your glistening core hungrily, leaning forward again to rest her muscular forearms on her knees. Her hair falls forward and frames her face. Her expression is hard, like you don’t want to disobey her in these moments. Brows are slightly knit together, lips in a thin line. She looks beautiful and dangerous, but as you bring your pointer and ring fingers to your entrance she softens a little, cocking her head to the side slightly. 
Lydia keeps her legs closed, slipping a finger down her slit and rubbing slowly from side to side. She whimpers silently beside you, glancing at you nervously. Your fingers easily slip inside of your soft, dripping hole. 
Tess’s eyes dance between the two of you. “Two very different girls,” she says to the room, neither of you stopping what you’re doing, both determined to become a part of her Treasures. “One of you seems shy, but I can work with that. Help you get out of your shell. And then there’s you,” her focus locks on you as she gets up with a grunt and saunters over to you. “You are a little whore, aren’t you? So eager to please.”
You feel yourself getting wetter at her attention and mean words. She pets your head lightly a few times, laughing quietly at how you lean into her touch, your eyes fluttering closed. Just as your lashes hit your cheeks she grabs a handful, pulls hard and gets within inches of your face. “You’re going to be a problem, aren’t ya?”
“No,” you gasp, your orgasm right on the precipice, so you slow your motions. “I’ll be good, Tess.”
“Did I say you could slow down?”
“I - I’m gonna come,” you whine. 
“No, you’re not. You just told me you’d be good. And good girls don’t come until they’re told.” She releases your hair and you suck in a breath. Tess’s presence is palpable, she seems to take up all the space and air in the apartment by just being here. “Do NOT come, that’s an order.”
Just as the last sentence leaves her mouth the door opens and the apartment gets smaller, like your whole existence is being put in a vacuum sealer. The deep chuckle that comes from whoever just entered makes your scalp prickle, but you keep your focus on Tess.
“What’re we doin’ here, Tess?” The voice is deep, with a slight southern accent highlighting an occasional word. It can only belong to one man, the only man allowed near Tess’s Treasures. Joel Miller. He’s feared and revered in the Boston QZ. Runs the drug trade that keeps both FEDRA and the seedy underbelly running. You’ve never seen him before, but you’ve heard stories.
“Recruits,” Tess says, walking over to Lydia, crouching in front of her. “This one is shy. The other one - well, I might need your help with her.”
Your clit feels like it’s zapped with electricity at her threatening promises and you moan loudly, pausing your fingers that have been plunging in and out of you as per Tess’s requests. “See,” she says flatly, hands massaging Lydia’s plush tanned thighs. 
You hear Joel’s heavy footsteps as he walks towards you, you can feel his heat and smell the tobacco coming off his skin. When he steps into your line of vision everything blurs. He’s beautiful and dangerous, but overall he’s the most incredible specimen you’ve ever seen. Your brain seems to go blank, like a hard reset, until all you see and smell and care about is Joel. You keep your eyes locked on his face, his brows crease, lips pressed tightly together. He plants his hands on his hips as his coffee and whiskey eyes slowly trail down your body. When he gets to your soaked and swollen pussy he licks his lips. “You gonna let her come?” He asks Tess but doesn’t take his eyes off you.
The fog clouding your brain clears and you glance towards Lydia and Tess. She has her legs spread and Tess is smiling encouragingly up at her, hand on top of hers, teaching her where to touch. 
“She can come when she’s earned it. Lydia’s earned it though. Haven’t you?” She nods at Lydia as she squirms in the wooden kitchen chair. “That’s it, show us.”
Lydia speeds the up and down motion of her hand sloppily, you can hear the wetness as her movements become more erratic. Joel’s eyes haven’t left you, still watching you fuck your fingers in and out of yourself, almost mesmerized by you. 
“Tess,” Lydia murmurs.
“Go ahead, baby. Come for me. Let me see that pretty little pussy twitch.” 
Lydia’s body starts to shake as she cries out, her hand slowing as she whines and moans, “Oh god. Oh god. Yesyesyes.”
You peel your eyes away from her and squeeze every muscle in your body as tightly as you can, holding on, not letting yourself come. Looking at Joel makes it nearly impossible not to tip over that very tantalizing edge, so you clamp your eyes shut. “Tess,” Joel says, his voice a baritone whisper. “You’re torturing this one, look at her.”
He’s right, she is torturing you; but, what Joel doesn’t know is that you love it. You love being denied just as much as you love being used. You love being pinned down or tied up. You love having your throat or pussy or ass fucked in any and all positions known to humankind. The world is a dark and horrible shit show, but sex? Ya, sex makes you feel alive. 
“Torturing her would be not letting her touch herself at all. She should be thanking me.” Tess turns her attention back to Lydia, helping her stand up and pulling her to the couch. “You did such a good job for me. You looked stunning as you fell apart.”
You open your eyes at the movement of them. They stop and stand facing each other in front of the couch as Tess removes her shirt, her breasts are small and perky with light pink nipples. Joel looks away from you, staring appreciatively at the woman he’s sworn to protect. She pops the button on her jeans. “Take them off her, Lydia. Tess shouldn’t have to work this hard,” Joel commands. 
You whimper at the timbre of Joel's voice when he’s giving instructions and his eyes whip back to you. “You like that, don’t you? Being told what to do.”
“Yes, oh god, please can I come Tess,” you cry, eyes still locked with Joels.
“Lydia is going to lick my pussy, Joel is going to move out of the way so I can see you, and when I say you can come I want you to be loud. I want to hear those slutty little moans. Got it?”
Joel doesn’t hesitate, stepping behind your chair. He must be leaning over you because you swear you can feel his breath on the shell of your ear. Tess sits on the couch and tugs at Lydia’s wrist gently, encouraging her to kneel in front of her. “Come on,” she whispers and then places her finger at the top of her pussy. “Just lick and kiss right here. You can do it.”
Lydia moves slowly, giving you a knowing glance over her shoulder as she gets into Tess’s desired position. You suddenly realize that she’s more clever than you initially thought. She’s not shy, she knows exactly what she’s doing. Tess likes to lead, so she acted like she needed the guidance. And now she’s come and you haven’t. Tess’s head falls back, jaw going slack as Lydia tastes her. 
“Does that turn you on?” Joel whispers, his warm breath hitting your neck. “Seeing Tess being eaten out. She deserves that every day, you know. She’s gonna take such good care of you, so you better care for her.”
“I will,” you mumble. “I’ll do whatever she needs. Whenever. Fuuuuck.”
“Look how wet you’re getting, I don’t think you can hold it for much longer.” He’s taunting you now. “Little thing loves to come, doesn’t she?”
“No, Tess gets to - oh god - she says when,” you’re squeezing as tight as you can, holding back the orgasm that’s right there, like a seesaw teetering, so close to tipping to the other side and slamming through you. 
Lydia slurps at Tess, you can hear her sucking at her clit as Tess moans and tangles her fingers into Lydia’s hair. “Yes, that’s it. Fuck, right there.”
You let out a breathy whine and Tess’s eyes come to you. “Ssshh, not yet. Oh shit, Lydia. So good.”
Joel laughs into your ear. “Just come, what’s the worst she’s going to do? Spank you? Let me fuck your throat? I bet you like being punished.”
You shake your head, trying to block out all the lewd mental images he’s creating. “No, Joel.” you huff, refocusing on holding it in, thinking of all the unsexy thoughts you can as you watch Tess, waiting for your time. 
Tess’s legs begin to shake, “get ready, baby. We are going to come together.” 
Your wrist begins to ache, it feels like you’ve been fucking yourself for hours. “I need to, please. You look so - “
She cuts you off, “Joel, take over for her. I’m gonna come.”
Joel practically leaps in front of you, grabbing your wrist and pulling your drenched fingers out while slipping his two thick fingers into your mouth. You bob up and down on his fingers still looking at Tess. Her eyes are glazed over, and a bead of sweat slides down the line of her toned stomach and lands in her belly button. 
“Now, Joel,” she whines and Joel wastes no time slamming his fingers inside of you. You cry out at the stretch, pleasure mixing with pain before he pumps his fingers forward. “Come right now,” Tess says. 
You look down at Joel, his thumb coming to caress your swollen bundle of nerves and you cry out, the room filled with your loud moans just like she wants. You hear both her and Joel encouraging you. Joel’s Texas twang washing over you,  “that’s it, fuckin clenchin. Fuck you’re so tight.”
Joel is relentless, curling and dragging his fingers in and out of you as you writhe in your chair. “Tess, oh god, yes.”
Joel's other hand slaps the inside of your thigh, “LOUDER!” he demands.
You squeal at the hot pain that splashes along your thigh, “hhnnngg, thank you. Fuck.” Your pleasurable moans turn into whines of pain as the overstimulation starts to seep in. You try to pull back and bring your knees together and Joel lets out a growl. He looks up at you dangerously and your stomach clenches. This is the wild, animalistic Joel Miller that everyone fears. 
You start to panic, he’s not stopping and you don’t know if you can take much more. You’re so wrapped in his onyx gaze and a mix of fear and arousal that you don’t notice Tess behind Joel until she speaks. Her voice is soft yet firm as she cards her fingers through his greying curls, “Joel, that’s enough.”
He blinks hard, seemingly coming out of some sort of trance, and then slips his fingers from you, strings of milky arousal coating his fingers. “Good boy,” she whispers. “Help her up, but you don’t get to touch either of them until I say so.”
He nods and then stands, helping you up. Lydia is lounging lazily on the couch, her face still glistening with Tess’s juices. Your knees shake underneath you and Joel wraps an arm around your waist. You’ve had plenty of orgasms in your life, but never one that deep and strong. Your pussy is aching and you just want to sleep.
Tess sits on the chair that Lydia was on and spreads her legs slightly. “Lydia,” she crooks her fingers at her, calling her over. “Turn around, pretty girl. Straddle my thigh.”
Lydia follows Tess’s instructions, that fake nervous pout of her lips on display for Joel. Clever, very clever, you think through heavy eyelids. 
“Joel, help her on the other thigh and bring that chair.” Joel guides and steadies you as you sit on Tess’s thigh, then places the extra chair in front of the three of you. “Use the chair for balance,” Tess instructs, her hand running up and down your spine gently. 
You both lean forward, your sweaty palms slipping slightly against the wooden chair. You both gasp quietly as your swollen clits press into her muscular thigh, as she caresses your backs and hips. Joel sits on the couch across from you, one arm draped across the back and his legs spread. He watches you intently, eyes blown out and curls sticking to his forehead. It’s not lost on you that he hasn’t focused much attention on the other girl. You look over at Lydia and she’s smiling flirtatiously at you. Your faces are just inches apart and she nudges at your nose with hers.
“Ladies,” Tess starts, “this is the part where you show Joel what you can do. He’s going to kill people for you, and when he does, you need to repay him.”
You graze your lips against Lydias, her skin tastes like peaches and Tess’s cunt. 
“Pretend my thigh is Joel's cock, show him how you’ll ride him.”
You flick your attention back to Joel, and his expression shifts from hard to a tortured need. You rake your eyes down his strong chest, still concealed by that fucking denim button up that you want to rip off with your teeth. He’s dangerous and could easily snap your neck with two fingers, but fuck, if that doesn’t make you want him more. Lydia presses her lips to your throat and you start to grind back and forth on Tess’s thigh. 
You continue to take in Joel’s body, stopping when you get to his lap. Your eyes widen at the distinct outline of his hard cock pressing behind the zipper of his jeans. Your bottom lip slips between your teeth as you lock eyes with him again. His coffee coloured irises are almost onyx as he shifts in his seat. He wants you - just as much as you want him, and you just hope that you can break him enough so Tess lets him have you. 
Tess’s strong hand travels up the smooth skin of your back, tangling her hands in the hair at the nape of your neck. “Tell Joel how good it feels, baby. Lydia, keep kissing her.”
Lydia’s lips suck at your skin. “Mmm, fuck Joel. Feels s’good. Wish it was your big cock filling me up, sliding in and out of my tight, wet pussy.” Tess tugs at your hair to open your neck more for Lydia and you yelp.
“Keep talking, baby girl,” Joel says, his hand moving to palm himself over his jeans. “Tell me what you want.”
You grind harder into Tess’s thigh, between the sting in your scalp from her hand, Lydia’s soft lips on your neck, and Joel’s intense stare, it almost becomes hard to breathe. Every bit of their attention is on you.
“I-I want you to, mmmm, to pin me down,” you take in a shaky breath, never taking your eyes off him. “To f-fuck me…from behind. Want you to f-fill, oh god, fill me.”
Joel pops the button of his jeans, reaching down his pants to grip himself through his tight grey boxers. You continue breathily, “Wanna feel you spank me. Slam inside of me. Dominate me.”
“Good girl,” Tess says, releasing her grip on your hair and pulling Lydia off your neck, before pressing in between your shoulder blades until you’re flush with her thigh. You crane your neck to keep your eyes on Joel, looking at him through the wooden slats of the back of the chair in front of you. “Your turn, Lydia. Tell Joel what you want.”
She clears her throat before beginning, “If he killed for me, I wouldn’t make him do any work. I’d lay him down, lick and kiss every inch of him before sliding him in my mouth. Taking him deep, cradling his balls with my hand. I’d swallow every drop.”
Joel lets out a noncommittal grunt, almost like a secret language between him and Tess. Joel leans forward and removes his denim button up and t-shirt in one swoop. His tanned and toned chest makes your mouth water. His chiselled pecs and soft belly have trimmed salt and pepper hair dusted across them, he toes off his shoes and then lifts his hip, sliding his jeans down his legs. His skin glistens with sweat and you want to lick it all off of him, drink up his salt and musk, his innate Joel-ness. 
“Come here, Joel.” She says. 
“Sit up,” she says softly to you. Joel stalks forward like he’s about to claim what’s his and your pussy clenches around nothing in hopes that it’s you.
“Ride my thighs, girls. Whoever cums first, Joel gets to fuck.” You spit into your hand and reach between your legs, gently spreading your lips and coating yourself in saliva.
A deep, “holy fuck” leaves Joel's lips at the sight of you. Yes, he definitely wants you just as much as you want him. You move your hands from the chair to Tess’s knee and grind your hips in small, slow circles. Your arms push your tits together for Joel. Beside you, Lydia stops moving. She sits as still as a statue, looking over her shoulder seductively at Tess. A loud slap fills the room, followed by a lust filled moan that you didn't think Lydia was capable of. 
“Tess,” she says, all airy and breathy. Her tone feels sweet on your skin. “I don’t like sleeping with men.” 
You keep grinding, your focus on Joel. He’s so close that you could reach out and grab one of his muscular forearms. You’re going to fuck him. You want to fuck him. Any way he wants. Any hole he wants. None of it matters, you just want to feel him, smell him, taste him. 
Tess lets out an impressed sigh. “You’re even more amazing than I thought, Lydia. Had me telling you how to lick a pussy, how to touch yourself. But you already know. Don’t you?” She slaps Lydia’s ass again and the loud noise even has you clenching. Fuck, you want Joel to spank you. Or Tess. Even Lydia at this point. 
It’s wrong. And taboo. But who can say what’s right or wrong in this new world anymore? 
“You are going to have to do things for Joel, little temptress. It’s part of the deal.” You see Tess’s hands come to Lydia’s hips, encouraging her to grind at the same pace you’ve set. “So ride me. Let me feel that slick little pussy, let me feel it quiver on my thigh.” 
Things are quiet for a moment, just the squelching sounds of both your cunts gliding along her smooth thigh. You lean into Lydia, desperate for more. More what, you aren’t sure. Just more.
She responds to your touch, her nose brushing your cheek before you turn into her and kiss her deeply. Slanting your head to taste her tongue against yours. She’s sweet, like strawberry jam. Lips so soft they almost don’t feel real. Her teeth clamp onto your bottom lip and you cry out. The perfect amount of pain to increase the pleasure between your legs. When she lets go you’re panting. 
“She’s close, Tess,” Joel murmurs like he knows your body so well, but he’s not wrong. He continues speaking casually to Tess as if you aren’t in the same room. “Do I really get to fuck her if she cums first?” 
You grind down harder, kissing Lydia again. You love them talking about you as if you aren’t here. Making the decisions for you. 
“As soon as she cums, you take her to the bed.” Tess’s strong hand lays a sharp slap on the meaty globe of your ass and you crumble. 
“YES!” You scream, convulsing as the pleasure courses through you. You look up at Joel through your lashes, jaw slack, voice weak and desperate. “Joel. Please. Please.” 
He drops his boxers and his thick cock spring free. Slapping against his belly. The tip is smooth and leaking, he’s bigger than you thought and somehow your throat dries out as your cheeks fill with saliva. As you come down from your second orgasm you realize that you can do this. You are going to do whatever Tess says and become one of her Treasures. 
“Think you can take him?” Tess hums as Lydia falls apart beside you, moaning sweetly. Tess adds, “Good girl, Lydia. So perfect when you cum.”  
You decide to take a page out of Lydia's book and act innocent. “N-no,” you stammer. “It’s…I don’t…it’s too big.” 
Joel snorts, “You’re not a very good liar my little slut.” 
Before you can respond he’s lifted you up and over his broad shoulder. His skin is warm against your belly. You giggle mischievously as his hands dig into the plush skin on the back of your thighs. He can so easily overpower you, so easily destroy you - mentally and physically. And you’d let him, and to make it worse, you’d thank him afterwards and probably ask him to do it again. 
He drops you on the bed. “Don’t move.” 
You nod and swallow the dry lump in your throat. You definitely want this, even if you shouldn’t. Even if that logical voice inside your head is screaming at you to put up the wall, block him out like you do with everyone else. But the infinitesimal hint of softness in his face that can only be seen by the two of you keeps you sucked in. He won’t hurt you, no. Something in his eyes gives him away, he wants to please you with those hands that have brought pain and torture to so many others. 
He walks back over to Tess and Lydia who are completely entranced with one another. Lydia is now sitting fully in Tess’s lap. Her back pressed to Tess’s front, both her legs draped over Tess’s as she pressed kisses along the tops of one of her shoulders and rubs her fingers gently from her pussy up to Lydia’s. Joel kneels in front of them, both of their legs spread, wet pussy’s glistening and on display for him. The sight of Joel Miller on his knees does something unexplainable to you. He’s so goddamn delicious. 
He looks over at you again, that softness still coaxing you deeper into his web, tangling around you, claiming you. His large hands cup Tess’s inner thighs and then he dives into both their pussy’s. Jealousy swirls in your stomach as he draws a sloppy wet line from Tess’s entrance to her clit, then up to Lydia in the same manner. 
“Oh, fuck Joel,” Tess cries as Lydia whimpers.
“Too much, baby?” he says gruffly to Lydia who nods before burying her face into the crook of Tess’s neck. “Little more, m’kay?”
He licks at them again, Tess’s moan ending as Lydia’s starts. Joel doesn’t stop. He uses long languid and lazy strokes of his tongue as he eats at both of them.
“J-Jo - fuuuck Joel!” Tess murmurs, her head falling back and mouth falling open in a silent scream. She wraps her arms tightly around Lydia as her legs start to tremble. Joel’s deltoids and biceps flex as he pushes to keep her thighs apart.
“Fuck, Tess.” Lydia purrs, “You look so goddamn hot when you cum. Suck on her clit, Joel. Make our girl squeal.” You can hear him slurp her swollen and twitching nub into his mouth. As it slips along his soft and puffy lips her pained sounding moans start to become mumbles of pleasure. Joel works her through her orgasm, not stopping until he knows she's good and sated.  
Lydia reaches back, twisting to kiss Tess deeply and then whispers into her lips. Whatever she says gets Joel's attention and he releases her clit with a pop before looking up at the two women. You haven’t moved from where Joel left you, as fun as being a brat is, he could probably dish out a punishment so intense that even you would break and use whatever safe word he gave you. Lydia whispers more, Joel smirks at whatever she’s saying and then the three of them all slowly turn to look over at you.
Fuck
Joel stands, his hands coming to the outsides of Tess’s knees and guiding her as she closes her legs, then he gives a hand to Lydia to help her stand before repeating the same with Tess. He stands tall and broad, completely naked and fully erect between these two powerhouse women, linking his fingers with Tess and smiling over at her. She gives him a little nod and your stomach flips as your pussy clenches.
This is it, you think.
“Little slut,” he says deeply, “‘M’gonna fuck you now, while they hold you down. Understood?”
You try to say yes, but just air seems to leave your lungs. Tess and Lydia climb along each side of you, hooking their arm under your leg and pulling back to open you for Joel. Your arms are trapped under their bodies as they lay beside you.  You’re pinned and exposed; fully at Joel, Tess and Lydia’s mercy. 
The bed dips as Joel settles between your thighs, his large body looms over you, resting himself on one forearm beside your head, his other hand wrapped around his cock, running it up and down your folds.
“So wet for me. So soft,” he presses the fat tip of his cock at your entrance and you gasp. “Shit! S’tight too, baby girl.”
Tess and Lydia nuzzle into you, lightly dragging their noses along your neck and jawline. “J-Joel, fuck me. Pleaseplease. Fuck me”
Joel presses his hips forwards, and the thick, smooth mushroom head of his cock pushes at your weeping cunt again. “Look at me, little slut,” he rasps. You don’t hesitate, look at him with big innocent eyes, biting your lower lip. He spits into his palm and then coats his throbbing dick with it, fisting himself up and down. He raises an eyebrow at you cockily, “Say it again.”
“Fuck me, fuck me, please!”
Without warning Joel slams into you, stretching you painfully and your body jolts. You try to slam your knees together but the naked women on each side of you keep you spread open widely for Joel. “Shit baby,” he says through gritted teeth as his body folds over yours, his hands caging all three of you in. Tess nips at your neck, while Lydia sucks at your earlobe after whispering, “Relax, little slut, we all got you.”
Your lungs slowly come back to you. You take a deep, full breath in, and it feels like you haven’t taken a proper breath since seeing Joel for the first time. As you exhale you’re completely surrounded by Joel Miller. His large body is all you can see and feel. Meanwhile, all you can taste and smell is his tobacco scent and the salt of the sweat that coats his tanned skin. You’re addicted, you want to be able to inject him right into your veins. Your pussy relaxes around him and the pain ebbs into pleasure, and you need more.
“More, please more,” you murmur into his neck.
“There she is,” Tess whispers in your ear and you whimper.
“Say it again,” Joel commands.
“Fuck me, Joel,” you cry. “Please, fuck me. Make me your little slut for real.”
Lydia giggles seductively in your ear, pulling you into her tighter.
“Open her all the way for me,” he says to the other two. “S’too tight for me.”
He sits himself up and your knees are pulled open and back. Joel keeps his eyes locked on yours as he tilts his chin a bit and splits on your already soaked pussy. His veiny hands come to the back of your thighs, squeezing and massaging at your sensitive skin.
“Think I should fuck her, Lydia?” He starts, and soon they’re talking about you again as if you aren’t even there, the slick walls of your cunt fluttering as they speak.
“She's been good, hasn’t she?” Lydia says in a syrupy aroused tone.
“No she hasn’t,” Tess says between kisses along your jawline. “She’s a thief. She’s a bad girl.”
Joel slaps the inside of one of your thighs, with just enough of a flick in his wrist that it immediately sends a zap of pleasure toward your clit. Lydia feels you relax more into her grips, “She likes it when you hit her, Joel”.
“Of course she does,” Tess moans. “She’s a little slut.” She hits the t at the end of the word hard and Joel slaps you again. Right in the same spot, precision that you’ve never known before from a man who kills without being seen. 
“Should feel how tight she is, maybe she had us fooled,” Joel says, eyes shifting between the two women, wholly avoiding your gaze. You’re so desperate for his attention, and the humiliation of him not returning it arouses you so much more than it should.
“What’d’ya mean, baby boy?” Tess asks, her warm breath hitting your neck, causing a shiver to run down your spine.
“Like a virgin, squeezin’ me like a vice.”
“She’s shakin,” Lydia adds. “Poor girl.”
“You two don’t stop kissing her while I do this,” they both nod and he flips his attention back to you. “I wanna hear you screamin’. Got it, little slut?”
You shudder under his intense stare. “Yes, yes, Joel. Please, just fuck me. Pleeease!”
He pulls halfway out and then slams back in, his heavy balls slap at your taint and asshole, your needy high pitched moans filling the room. Your whole body constricts around Joel and as it relaxes it feels like heaven. No one has made your body feel like this. “That feel good?” Joel says tauntingly, his hands gripping into the back of your thighs.
“Please - fuck, yes. More,” you mumble, almost incoherently. 
“Show our girl, Joel. Show her what he can have once she’s my Treasure.” Tess commands.
What’s that saying, ‘You say jump, I say how high’? Well, when Tess says jump, Joel is already mid jump, doing it exactly how Tess wants it. He’s already dragging his cock out slowly, all the way to the tip, before slamming fast and hard back into you.
“Harder,” Tess growls, biting your neck as Joel repeats the motion. Lydia squirms against you, her soft warm skin slipping along the thin sparkling layer of sweat that coats your body. “Look at her. Pliant, soft. Letting Joel do whatever he wants.”
“That’s cuz she’s a good girl,” Lydia moans, kissing the sensitive skin under your earlobe. 
Joel brings one of his hands to cup your chin, his thumb running around your bottom lip softly. “Gotta relax for me, little slut.”
You take a breath and as you exhale you can feel the grip your pussy has on his thick cock loosen. “That’s it. That’s my girl.”
“Good job, baby girl,” Tess whispers, kissing at your throat again. 
“Fuck her now, Joel.” Lydia says, “We got her.”
Joel sets a quick pace, slamming in and out of you. His name and a string of swears leaving your lips with every thrust, just the screams of your pleasure and the squelching of your pussy filling the room. Tess and Lydia whisper praises as Joel is possessed by your cunt. Pounding and pounding into you without pause. Over and over, he’s relentless. A man possessed. You can’t help but wonder if he’s like this with all other women or if this is just for you. His hand falls from your chin, landing beside Tess’s head on the mattress, the other still gripped to your thigh. His short nails dig into your skin, leaving you marked with signs of him. 
“That’s it,” Lydia hums. “Taking it like such a good girl.”
Tess’s teeth lightly scrape at your jawline. “Come on, baby. I wanna see you come again.”
“So fuckin’ pretty when you come,” Joel says each word at the end of his harsh thrusts. His voice is gravelly and deep. Seeping under your skin and into your DNA, the very fabric of your being. You belong to him, no questions asked.
“M-more. I - more - please.” You aren’t sure what you mean by more, but Joel seems to know your body better than you as he sits himself back up and brings his thumb to your clit, teasing it gently and you writhe under him. It’s almost too much but you need it, and even more, you need Joel not to stop.
He hammers into you again, slower this time, but still with an intense flick of his hips at the end. The leaking tip of his cock pressing against the perfect spongy part behind your clit.
“Can see you in her stomach, Cowboy.” Tess moans. Both the women feather long, lingering kisses along your neck. The juxtaposition of their soft actions and the bruising dance of Joel’s hip is just as confusing as it is arousing. 
“Rub her clit a little harder, Joel. I think she’s getting close.” You clench around him at Lydia’s words and cry out loudly. 
He swirls his thumb easily along your lubricated clit, the mixture of both of your arousals and his spit making it slippery. “Ohgod, hnnnnggg, J-Joel pleasepleaseplease.”
“Sssshhh, baby,” he soothes, pausing with his hips pushed flush to your ass. “Gotta relax, remember?��
You whimper in agreement, nodding your head as you try to slow your breathing and your heart rate. “There she goes,” Joel moans as your pussy walls flutter and then relax.
He starts to fuck you slowly, circling your swollen velvety nub with the rough pad of his thumb. His other hand leaves your thigh, massaging your breast, pinching at the nipple with his thumb and forefinger. “Fuck, you feel so good. So tight. Gonna fill you one day.”
“Today, please!” you protest through a salacious moan.
“Tell her,” he says to the women holding you in their arms, speeding up the circles of his thumb.
“Lydia,” Tess whispers, like it’s a secret just for the three of you, “Tell her your plan.”
You’re lost in a daze as Lydia says your name into your skin. When you don’t respond she nips gently at you and says, “Baby? You with me?”
“Y-yes. Fuuuuuuck,” you say wantonly.
“Joel is gonna make you cum, then pull out and cum all over our faces. After, we are going to lick it all off each other.” She says it with a hint of mischief and lust in her voice.
The three of them praise and encourage you as Joel keeps fucking you and rubbing your clit at the same time. You have no idea how long you’ve been in this apartment, how long you’ve been floating on a vibrating fluffy cloud of pleasure and craving. Whispers of “Good girl”, “so pretty”, and “fuck listen to how wet you are” travel through you.  
The electric currents of pleasure that sizzle along your skin all come to the base of your spine. Pressure building, so very close to exploding around all of you. “Come on, little slut. Let go for me.”
Lydia and Tess say ‘Come on’ and ‘relax into it’ at the same time.
“Shit, J-Joel,” you whimper. A tear runs down your cheek.
“I know, I’m here,” he says, voice slightly softer than earlier. “I know.”
The pressure becomes unbearable and then everything snaps. Your pussy flutters as the pleasure starts to consume every single inch of your being. Your vision blurs, every muscle going lax as you twitch unconsciously underneath him. 
“Good girl. Yes, that’s my good little slutty girl,” he growls. Your orgasm continues to tear through you, ripping you in half and you know when you come down only Joel will be able to stitch you back up again. 
Joel presses his large palm to your mound, and just as you feel yourself start to come down you’re on the precipice of another orgasm. “Got another one for me, baby?”
“Yesyesyes - yeeesss,” you’ve forgotten words, you’re just a bundle of pleasure. No muscles or bones or thoughts of your own. Just a pliant body, that’s fully under the control of Joel Miller. 
Your second orgasm hits you hard, tearing anything you had left in half. “She’s gonna squirt,” Joel mumbles.
“Just let it go,” Lydia whispers, suckling on your earlobe. 
You push into the feeling, letting it overtake you as liquid gushes from your cunt, coating Joel's pelvis and pooling on the bed below you. It splashes as Joel keeps up his pace. You scream out in pleasure. Lydia and Tess talking you through it quietly, “Good girl. Stay relaxed for me,” Tess says as Lydia adds, “Let it take you, we’re right here.”
The pleasure starts to ebb, it’s becoming too much as Tess whispers, “Breathe, baby girl. Just breathe.”
“Can’t, Tess.” you whimper, turning your face towards her. “Please,” you plead. If you learned anything from earlier, it’s that only Tess can make him stop. 
“Ok, baby, you’re ok,” she hums. She looks up at Joel above all of you and drops her voice, “That’s enough now, Joel.”
Joel pulls away from your clit and you sigh in relief, both his hands coming to your breasts, squeezing them roughly as his thrusts become sloppy. “Get ready,” he huffs through gritted teeth. Both Tess and Lydia scoot up so their faces are pressed against yours.
Joel slips out of you with a lewd pop and practically bends you in half to get over your faces. “Open your mouths and look at me,” he commands. The three of you obey, anything for the man who is going to kill for you or defend you to the very end if need be. 
His hand is tight around his cock, pumping himself quickly, the cords of muscle and veins along his forearm start to pop. His balls are full and heavy, tight against his body as he edges closer to his release. You stare at him, soaking in how wrecked he looks as he gets closer. His brows pinch together, onyx and whiskey flecked eyes looking only at you before his face goes lax and he lets out a deep, loud moan. Warm ropes of opaque white cum paint your faces.
As soon as he’s done he pulls away, Tess and Lydia letting go of your legs as the three of you kiss and lick at each other's sticky faces. Joel tastes better than you could have imagined, a heady mix of saltiness that leaves you insatiable for more.
Joel sits back on his heels watching the three of you slurp him up. He has a proud smirk on his face and when your eyes find his he winks at you before getting up and grabbing a towel off the top of the small dresser near the bed. Tess says something hushed to Lydia as you and Joel look at one another. Lydia pressed a kiss to your cheek before getting off the bed and following Tess into another room, the unmistakable sound of the shower alerting you to where they’ve gone.
Joel climbs beside you, looking down at you hesitantly. “You ok?” he whispers.
“Ya,” you sign sleepily. “I’m ok, Joel.”
He brings the towel to your thighs, soaking up your arousal. “I didn’t hurt ya?”
The towel ghosts along your swollen folds and you gasp, turning your head into Joel’s strong upper body. “I know, sorry.” He hisses, hating that he’s causing you discomfort. “But I gotta clean you up.”
He dabs gently with the soft towel causing an aftershock that shakes through your body and you feel yourself squirt again. Not nearly as much this time but a euphoric moan leaves your lips. Joel tucks the towel between your legs and guides your face up to meet his. His brown eyes burn themselves into your soul, “do you need more, baby? Just tell me.”
“It’s sensitive,” you whine.
He lifts an eyebrow slightly, “does it hurt?”
You stick your bottom lip out and nod sadly.
“Need me to kiss it?” he asks gently, his hooked nose rubbing against yours. 
You look at him hesitantly. Of course, you want Joel’s plush lips on your pussy, but a flap of a butterfly wing could probably cause you to implode at this point. 
“You can say another time,” he whispers, lips hovering over yours. He doesn’t know where this side of him has come from. Joel Miller is a simple man. Murder who Tess says, fuck any one of her Treasures that offer to get the adrenaline out afterwards, then leave them in their apartment pumped full of his cum. He usually can’t wait to rush back to his apartment to take a shower and shoot back a mix of whiskey and sleeping pills. But with you, he feels the need to care for you afterwards, and he has a strong feeling that you’re going to be a very large distraction in his life from now on. 
I’m fucked, he thinks to himself.
You lean forward to sponge your lips against his. He kisses you sweetly, pulling you in tighter as you hum contently into his lips.
“I don’t think I can tonight,” you say softly after breaking the kiss. 
“That’s ok, little slut.” He rolls onto his back, pulling you with him so you’re resting on top of him. Legs straddling his hips and your head resting on his chest. You shiver against him, tucking your arms into your body. His hands scramble for the blanket, wrapping it around the two of you, kissing the top of your head. “Tomorrow, after Tess officially makes you her Treasure, that will be your gift from me.”
You nod into his chest, he smells like gunpowder, fresh sawdust and sweat as your eyelids become heavy and the world seems to slip away. You have trouble sleeping normally, I mean who wouldn’t in this fucked up new world you’re all in, but with Joel, it happens almost too easily. Sleep just takes you to a deep and uninterrupted place for who knows how long. But when you wake you’re in a large grey t-shirt in a small bedroom, not the same one you fell asleep in. You hear the peaceful and melodic breathing of someone beside you. You move slowly, peeling open your eyes to see Joel sleeping beside you. The moonlight dances softly along his face, grey hairs glinting in the light. He looks so peaceful, nothing like the man that was crazed by your pussy early. He’s still visibly dangerous, but fuck is he beautiful. 
I’m fucked, you think to yourself.
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nenelonomh · 6 months ago
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oral hygiene
perhaps since i am a bit younger than most of the people on this app, or since my nana had owned a kindergarten, i am so aware of the importance of hygiene and health practices. i feel that everyone has put simple things like this on the back burner, since covid, since the internet's takeover.
i remember, when i was younger (2015/16ish) (note: i clearly wasn't in kindergarden at the time, but this is when the memories are from), the halls of my nanas kindergarten were lined with posters that encouraged parents to look after their child's health. current kindergartens, and parents--perhaps due to technology and widespread knowledge-- prioritize other things. it's about time we took responsibility of our own health again.
oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and disease-free. it involves brushing and flossing your teeth as well as visiting your dentist regularly for dental x-rays, exams and cleanings.
brushing your teeth: ✩ use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay (cavities). fluoride strengthens the tooth's hard outer surface (enamel). ✩ angle the bristles toward the gumline to clean between the gums and teeth. ✩ brush gently using small, circular motions. avoid scrubbing back and forth too hard. ✩ brush all sides of each tooth, including your tongue. ✩ replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn.
HOT TIP: if you get bored with, or struggle to remember brushing your teeth, consider swapping to a minter (or other pleasantly flavoured) toothpaste. this will encourage you to continue the habit, since it is more enjoyable.
flossing your teeth: ✩ plaque can build up between teeth, leading to gum irritation and gingivitis. ✩ floss daily to remove plaque from these areas. ✩ if plaque hardens into tartar, only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove it.
replacing your toothbrush: ✩ as you use your toothbrush, the bristles gradually wear down. bent or frayed bristles lose their stiffness and effectiveness in cleaning your teeth. ✩ over time, your toothbrush accumulates bacteria from your mouth. bacterial growth on an old toothbrush can contribute to oral infections and bad breath. ✩ you should replace your toothbrush when you notice that the bristles have become worn, or every 3-4 months to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.
storing your toothbrush: ✩ before and after brushing, thoroughly rinse the bristles of your toothbrush under hot tap water. this helps remove toothpaste residue, debris, and any airborne bacteria or dust particles. ✩ after rinsing, tap the handle of your toothbrush against the edge of the sink to shake off excess water. this promotes faster air drying and prevents bacterial growth. ✩ store your toothbrush in a cup or holder. keep the bristles up and the handle down. this allows excess water to drain away from the bristles, preventing bacteria buildup. ✩ place the cup or holder in a well-ventilated area, such as a counter or shelf. avoid storing it in a dark, enclosed space like a drawer or cabinet. allowing your toothbrush to air dry completely helps prevent bacterial growth. ✩ avoid cross-contamination by keeping your toothbrush separate from your housemates, or family members.
electric toothbrushes: ✩ some may choose to use electric toothbrushes, where you only replace the head of the toothbrush. electric toothbrushes use oscillating, rotating, or sonic movements to clean teeth and gums more thoroughly. many models have built-in timers to ensure you brush for the recommended 2 minutes. most electric toothbrushes are rechargeable, reducing waste from disposable batteries. ✩ personally, i prefer to use a regular toothbrush, since i feel it does a better job cleaning my mouth. often electric toothbrushes require you to take longer to brush your teeth.
eating choices: eating choices play a significant role in maintaining good oral health. first and foremost, consuming sugary foods and drinks can lead to increased acid production in the mouth. this acid can erode tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay. it's essential to limit your intake of sugary snacks and beverages to protect your oral health.
frequent snacking, especially on sugary and acidic drinks throughout the day can harm your teeth. aim for regular meals rather than constant snacking to give your teeth time to recover between eating episodes.
staying hydration is crucial for overall health, including oral health. dry mouth (which is called xerostomia) can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. salvia helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles, so drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.
remember to maintain a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals. it is essential for healthy teeth and gums. nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, and phosphorus contribute to strong teeth and support gum health. include dairy products, leafy greens, fruits, and lean proteins in your diet.
to conclude: remember that good oral health allows you to enjoy life by speaking clearly, tasting, chewing, and showing your feelings through facial expressions like smiling!
further reading: ✩ What’s the Most Sanitary Way to Store Your Toothbrush? • Brilliant Oral Care✩The Best Way to Store Your Toothbrush & the Mistakes You May be Making | Gentle Dental (interdent.com)✩Whatever You Do, Don't Store Your Toothbrush Here - CNET✩Why Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? And When? – Mouth Watchers✩How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush? Healthy Etiquette (healthline.com)✩When To Change Your Toothbrush | Colgate®✩Oral Hygiene | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (nih.gov)✩Oral Hygiene: Best Practices & Instructions for Good Routine (clevelandclinic.org)
i hope this post was helpful!
❤️ nene
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seat-safety-switch · 10 months ago
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Sometimes, when I look up from my studies (gearbox re-assembly) I like to stare out the window. There, on the power lines outside my house, are a whole bunch of black-billed magpies. I'm told by the ever-present voice in my skull that I am in fact looking at a Parliament of magpies, but this is no doubt a holdover from the era when Parliament existed. It might even be from when the monarchy existed.
Birds have it really easy. They fly around a lot, play their songs whenever they want, and maybe threaten the local hot dog cart owner into surrendering some merchandise. Their lives have a downside too, though: dangerous predators like house-cats and hawks, and the existence of motorized vehicle traffic. Plus, they have to try and get food in the winter, and that's exactly what those magpies were doing this one weekend in January.
When all the goodies are covered in snow, or worse, frozen by one of the howling ice storms that periodically blow through this area and knock out civilization for a week or two, the birds can't get at their vittles. Once, years ago, a nice lady down the street would put out peanuts for them, and they would sup greedily. Perhaps these magpies are simply a much later generation, raised on the legends of their ancestors as this being A Good Place where Sometimes You Get Peanuts. No such luck now: she pulled up stakes and left for somewhere she didn't have to live next to a guy who tried to Prius-swap a Celica with a natural-gas-fired jet turbine on the roof for batteries. Boring.
Still, I decided that I would also do my part to make life easier for these wild scavengers. That night, when I backed out of my driveway, I made sure to rip the handbrake a little early, knocking my next-door neighbour's compost bin over, where it immediately disgorged its contents of spoiled theatre popcorn and government-issued Nature Valley® Extreme Environment Survival Bars onto the road. The birds would eat well tonight, they wouldn't expect another handout from what was clearly a miracle, and I would enjoy some karma in having made another living thing's life better, if only momentarily.
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pedrito-friskito · 2 years ago
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strawberry wine - joel miller x fem!reader
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before - part two
series masterlist | main masterlist | read on ao3
you and joel go on your first date, and get to know each other a little better.
a/n: this story has taken over my BRAIN. thank you all for hyping it up, it’s literally falling out of me and I can’t wait to share more!! 🤍 (also moodboard pics are not meant to depict the reader exactly, only fic aesthetic!)
word count: 3.4k
warnings: MY BLOG IS 18+, MINORS DNI - this part is not explicit but other parts will be, some heavy petting, more fluff, more banter, joel miller deserves the world and I wanna give it to him
✨I no longer have a taglist - if you’d like to be notified of new works/chapters, follow @friskito-library and turn on notifications!✨
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He’s ten minutes late.
There was a warning, at least. You’d planned for seven thirty, and he called at quarter past, a twinge of annoyance in his tone as he apologized, told you he was running late, apologized again. You brushed it off, told him to take his time, that there was no rush. He sounded genuinely upset, and it made your chest ache a little. “It’s okay, Joel,” you’d said, trying to reassure him. “I’ll see you when you get here.”
“M’sorry,” he grumbled into the phone, and you could almost see the nervous hand on the back of his neck. “Don’t want you to think m‘not lookin’ forward to this or nothin’. I am. Just for the record.”
You stifled your grin. “Zip it. See you soon, Miller.”
“See you soon,” he replied, and you both hung up a second later.
The rest of the week had felt like a year. You’d slept fitfully after your late-night call with Joel, and you nearly toppled over when he showed up at the store on Wednesday, just after nine, a cup of coffee with your name literally scrawled on it pushed across the counter to you.
“Think of it as an apology for keeping you up last night,” he drawled, giving you a half-smile.
“I thought you were making that up to me with dinner on Friday,” you replied, lifting a brow as you lifted the coffee to your lips.
“You tellin’ me you don’t want the coffee?” he asked, reaching his hand out. “Cuz I’ll take it right back if you don’t.”
“I didn’t say that,” you shot back, slapping his hand playfully. “Seven thirty?”
The half grin turned full. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
He hadn’t come into the store Thursday, instead leaving you a slightly rambling voicemail; your cell battery died and you didn’t realize until you were heading to bed.
Hey, it’s me. Just callin’ to see how your day was, sorry I didn’t stop by today. Job ran long and Tommy is…well, maybe I’ll tell you when I see you. Really lookin’ forward to tomorrow night. Sleep well. Bye.
Friday you actually had off, your sister taking the opening shift and your father waving you off when you offered to work the afternoon. “Almost seems like you’re at the store more than you’re home, honey. I got it, don’t worry.”
You left Joel an equally as rambling voicemail.
Hey you, it’s me. Just wanted to call, see how your day’s going. I won’t be at the store today, if you stop by, Dad gave me the day off, says I work too much or something. Whatever that means. Anyway…I’ll see you tonight. Can’t wait. Bye!
The doorbell rings at precisely 7:41, and you bolt for it, bare feet nearly slipping on the hardwood. You yank the door open a little harder than necessary, your eyes meet Joel’s, and your breath gets stuck in your throat. “Sorry I’m late,” he stumbles out, and you bite your lip as his eyes rake over you. “These are for you.” Your face goes hot as he steps through the door, presenting a bouquet of daisies that only look slightly squished. “You look…beautiful.” You whisper your thanks as you take the flowers from him, your head automatically tilting to the side when he leans down and presses a stubbly kiss to your cheek.
He looks impossibly handsome, in that rugged way of his. The t-shirt had been swapped for a nice flannel shirt, the sleeves still struggling against his biceps, the top two undone buttons giving you a generous view of his collar. He’s trimmed his beard a little, his hair messy in an artful sort of way that you’re not sure is on purpose or not, but still manages to work.
“This old thing?” you ask, lifting the bouquet to your nose as you turn and head for the kitchen, inhaling the sweet scent of the flowers. You look at him over your shoulder. “You want a drink or something, before we go?”
He hangs around the front door for a moment before toeing off his shoes — the same pair of work boots he seems to live in — and walking towards the kitchen to join you. “Nobody else home?”
“Nope,” you reply, popping the p as you find a vase in one of the many kitchen cabinets, walking over to the sink to fill it. “Dad’s at the store, my mother has her book club, and my sister went out with some friends.” You arrange the daisies as nicely as you can in the vase, beaming at him as you do. “These are great, Joel, you didn’t have to.”
“Felt bad about being late,” he says, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck, the other stuffed in the front pocket of his jeans. He looks nervous. “I gotta admit, it’s a long time since I’ve been on a first date.”
You give him a flat stare. “This is a date?” His face drops and you can’t keep a straight face, instantly bursting into giggles. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
He just grins, red along his cheekbones, shaking his head at you. “You are somethin’ else, you know that?”
“And yet, you still want to take me to dinner,” you laugh, setting the vase in the middle of the kitchen table. “That is still the plan?” 
“Put your shoes on,” he commands, still shaking his head, “before I change my mind.” 
You brush past him as you head for the front door, giving him a cheesy grin, and his hand skims against the small of your back, sending a shock along your spine. You do as you’re told, slipping on your sandals and fishing your keys out of the dish by the door, letting him step through the door before you pull it shut and lock up. 
The pick-up is parked at the curb, and he opens the passenger’s side for you, offering his hand to help you up into the cab. “A gentleman,” you murmur, giving him a wink, and he shakes his head at you again.
He slides into the driver’s seat a moment later, slides the key into the ignition. You buckle your seatbelt, but pause when you realize he hasn’t started the truck, and is frozen in place, hands gripping the wheel, his expression almost grim.
“Joel?”
“I have a daughter,” he says, the words seeming to hang in the air between you. “Her name is Sarah, she’s eleven. Her mother isn’t in the picture, but I had to tell you cuz I…” He trails off, gripping the wheel so tight his knuckles go white before he releases it completely, dropping his hands into his lap. “I don’t want you to think I’m tryna hide anything from you.”
Your brow furrows, and you reach across, finding one of his hands, sliding your fingers through his. “I don’t think that, Joel.”
“S’why I was late,” he explains, and the twinge in his voice on the phone earlier makes sense. He stares down at your joined hands, rubs his thumb over the back of your hand. “Tommy said he’d come stay with her while I was out, but he was late and she got it in her head that she didn’t need a babysitter. Ripped me a new one for it.”
You huff a little laugh. “Sounds like a handful.”
“She’s not,” he says quickly, still staring at your hands. “She’s a great kid. Smart as hell, funny.” He chuckles. “Stubborn.”
“I hope I get to meet her,” you say, squeezing his fingers, “someday.”
“Someday,” he repeats.
He stares at you a long moment, those dark eyes suddenly feeling unfathomably deep, and you bite your bottom lip. There’s not much space between you; it’d be all too easy to lean across the console, put your fingers under that scruffy chin and your lips on his.
Joel almost jumps, flinching you both out of each other’s eyes, a nervous smile tugging at his mouth. He drops your hand to start the engine, pulls on his seatbelt. You go to pull your arm back, but he catches your fingers again before you can, letting your linked hands rest on his thigh as he pulls away from the curb, his palm warm against your own.
+
Dinner is delicious, some little hole-in-the-wall Italian place you’ve never heard of, no doubt a result of your more recent move to Austin. The conversation comes easy, and Joel only lets go of your hand when it’s time to eat, the pair of you talking over glasses of red wine and candlelight. 
He talks about Sarah a lot, the so-called secret of his daughter not a secret anymore, and you listen intently. He raised her himself, from what you can tell, the details of her mother scant and said with a thin thread of bitterness. But the smile on his face as he talks about his daughter, it’s easy to see how proud he is of the person she’s grown into, and you hang off his every word.
He talks about Tommy, too. Mainly how much of a shithead he is, and you nearly spit out your wine. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good guy,” he amends, lifting a shoulder. “He’s just…he makes some bad decisions sometimes, y’know?” You nod. “I’ve had to bail him out more times than I can count.”
You nod. “Younger siblings are like that.”
“Your sister’s been to jail?” he asks bluntly, and you almost choke on your wine again.
“My sister? The apple of my parents’ eyes? Hah.” You set the glass down again. “No, but she likes to party. I’ve had to go pick her up more than once since I’ve been back, late nights, early mornings, whatever. Although, one night, if I hadn’t shown up when I did, she probably would have spent the night in the back of a cop car.” You plant your elbow on the table, push your cheek against your fist. “All I mean is, I’m sure your brother is appreciative.”
Joel scoffs, taking a healthy sip of his own wine. “Yeah, I know he is.” His brows lift for a moment. “Sure has a funny way of showing it sometimes.”
You let out a quiet laugh, crossing your ankles beneath the table, letting your foot knock against his shin. He’s sitting beside you, rather than across from you, and the closeness has made the air thick between you since you sat down. “Now, tell me something about yourself.”
“Like what?” he stutters out, brow creasing as he sets his glass back down.
“You’ve told me all about Sarah and Tommy and your job, but what about you?” 
The crease just deepens. “What d’you wanna know?”
You think for a moment, pursing your lips. “Your favourite book.”
He gives you a long look, tongue poking the inside of his cheek, shoulders up around his ears. His eyes seems to glitter in the low light of the restaurant, the candlelight dancing off his features. He pushes a hand through his hair, mussing it further, and the motion is so endearing you want to squeal. He parts his lips, the answer about to fall from his lips, and then he shakes his head, wrenching his eyes from yours. “Nah.”
“Tell me!” you insist, putting your chin in your hands and batting your lashes at him. “Please?”
Joel licks his bottom lip, and then finally: “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
A smile spreads across your face. “I love that book.”
He laughs. “Do you? Been a while since I read it, I just remember really liking it.” His shoulders unravel a bit, relaxing into his seat, and he reaches for your hand again, swiping his thumb over your knuckles. “Tell me yours.”
It goes back and forth like that for hours. Favourite books, movies, songs, the first record you ever bought, the first drink you ever had. First jobs, first cars, on and on and on. Stories about your families, good and bad, a few from Joel that line your eyes with tears, a few from you that have him gaping at you like a fish.
You talk your way through dessert — a slice of the best chocolate cake you’ve ever tasted split between the two of you — and when the waiter brings the cheque, you don’t miss the way Joel’s throat bobs at the price. He goes quieter, his face a little sullen, and the look only deepens when his card is declined. The waiter tries it again, trying to blame it on a picky machine, but the same thing happens.
“Just give us a sec?” you ask the waiter, and he gives you a little smile before disappearing. Joel grunts in frustration. “It’s okay, I got it.”
He tries to wave you off when you reach for your wallet, muttering under his breath about cash in his car, but his protests stop when you plant a hand on his thigh beneath the table, leaning across the small space between you to kiss his cheek. He freezes for a moment, but then melts again, his eyes slipping shut when you press two fingers beneath his chin, his pulse a riot against your fingertips.
“I got it.”
The drive home is mostly quiet, your mind a little buzzed — partially from the wine (you’d downed the rest of your glass and Joel’s once the bill had been paid, refusing to let good wine go to waste) and partially from how good he’d smelled when you kissed his cheek. Earthy and rugged, but something softer underneath, like honey and lemon, warm and comforting, the kind of scent you want to wrap yourself in. In the cab of his truck again, his hand finds yours, but this time you pull his arm across to you, wrapping both your arms around it, sighing heavily when his hand wraps around your thigh, the fabric of your dress the only thing between him and bare skin.
He parks at the curb again, gets out first and runs around the front of the truck to your side, opening the door and offering his hand again. His palm rests against the small of your back as he walks you towards the porch. “I’m sorry, again, about the bill and everything,” he mumbles.
You nudge your shoulder against his chest. “You apologize too much, Joel Miller. I had a great time.”
The corner of his mouth quirks. “Me too.”
There’s an awkward pause at the door. The house is dark; it’s late now, your conversation having carried nearly until the restaurant closed, and your parents are no doubt asleep inside, your sister probably still out. You half-wonder if you’ll get some drunken phone call from her later.
Joel takes his hand off you only to stuff both in his pockets, swaying back and forth on his feet as you fish your keys out of your purse. “I got a job Monday afternoon,” he tells you, and you lift a brow. “I’ll stop by in the morning?”
You give him a little grin. “I’ll be there.”
He’s staring at your mouth. Full-out, no subtleties, and a rush sweeps through you when he leans forward, one hand reaching out to cover your hip. Taking a deep breath, his scent filling your nose, everything in you deflates slightly when he kisses your cheek instead of your mouth, and before you can protest, he’s turning and heading back down the driveway.
You watch him leave, tucking your thumb between your teeth. The broad shoulders, the way his hips move as he walks. You know for a fact you didn’t read things wrong, but then why—
He stops, halfway between the porch and his truck. His hands are curled into fists at his sides, and he turns slowly, eyes meeting yours across the dark driveway. Before you can get a word out, he’s sprinting back up to the porch, your keys and purse falling to the concrete steps as he yanks you into his arms and kisses you.
One arm tight around your waist, the other delving into your hair as he presses his lips to yours. He tastes like chocolate, the sweetness heavy on his tongue, and the feeling of his mouth makes stars spark behind your eyes. You wrap both arms around his shoulders, squeezing him against you, your feet kicking up in the air as he lifts you off them. There’s a bit of teeth, a bit of tongue, and you can’t help the little noise that tumbles out of you. Joel kisses it right out of your mouth.
You’re both breathless as he releases you, slowly letting you back down to your feet, his arms still around you. You can feel the twitch in his biceps as he puts you down, and your palms rest flat on his shoulders, mouth dragging up from your lips to your cheek to your forehead as you return to the ground.
“I…” you mumble, but nothing else follows. You’re speechless.
He grins. “Been wanting to do that since I first saw you.”
“Tonight?” you ask, finding your voice. “Or at the store?”
“The store,” he replies, tilting his head to the side and pressing a soft kiss to your temple. “Then again when I saw you in the bathroom.” Another kiss. “And again when you opened the door earlier.” He ducks his head now, drags his mouth over yours, this kiss fleeting and making you ache for more. “Feels like every time I see you is the first time.”
You dig your fingers into his shoulders, chasing his lips, taking his bottom one between your own. “You’re a romantic, Joel Miller.”
“Just for you,” he replies, and your chest erupts with warmth, linking your hands around his neck as he kisses you again.
+
After your first date, Joel becomes a fixture at the hardware store.
He learns your schedule, meshes it with his own, and his visits become a daily occurrence. He pops in at a different time every day, but you don’t care, grinning like the devil when his truck pulls up outside. It’s usually between jobs, or on his way to one. Usually, he actually needs some sort of supplies, but more often than not, he hunts you down in the store, dragging you to an empty corner or aisle and kissing the breath from your lungs.
You take your breaks when he shows up most days, dragging him out of the store and to the coffee shop across the way, filling him with caffeine and some kind of pastry between your stolen kisses. He always grumbles at you when you pay for his coffee, but you’re quick to remind him that he has a kid to feed, you don’t.
Nearly two weeks after your first date, he leads you down the alley beside the hardware store, a hungry look in his eye that has you aching. Your back hits the bricks, and he follows, his body pressed between your legs, arms wrapped around your middle, yours around his broad shoulders. He kisses his way from your mouth down to your throat, following the line of your jaw and leaving tiny nips as he goes.
“Come over tonight,” he murmurs, and you suck down a breath as his hips slot against yours. You’re not immune to the press of his body, the friction between you making you want more. “I’ll ask the neighbours to watch Sarah. Make you dinner, watch a movie.”
“Dinner and a movie?” you quip, tilting your head back as he fits his face into your neck again. You tangle your fingers in his hair. “Pretty classic second date there, Miller.”
He grunts into your skin, pressing your further into the bricks. You can feel the bulge between his legs, the press of denim against the soft cotton of your shorts. Your knee lifts, thigh dragging up the outside of his. “I can take you out instead,” he says into your throat. “Tommy owes me some cash, I can—”
“Hush,” you murmur, tugging lightly on his hair until his head lifts, those dark eyes meeting yours, pupils blown wide as dinner plates. “Your place sounds perfect. We don’t have to go anywhere.” You lean forward, brush a soft kiss across his mouth. “Just as long as I’m with you. Hell, we could eat cereal in our underwear for all I care.”
His brow lifts. “In our underwear, huh?”
You shrug, grinning. “Well, you’ve already seen me mostly naked,” you quip, “underwear seems like the next logical step.”
“A towel is not mostly naked,” he tells you, kissing you again, “just for the record.” He squeezes your hip, pulls back slightly as you lower your leg, your knees shaking beneath you. “But I’d like to. See you naked, that is.”
You stifle your giggle, heat pooling between your legs despite it all. “Play your cards right, and maybe you will.”
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sangysquish · 2 months ago
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consider, someone shoves a vibrator in finns fupa but its on a setting juust low enough that it doesn't make him cum, but its still essentially edging him. and then just leave him for a while, not like he can reach down there to remove it himself
Oh I'm considering. In fact, this is something I consider very often. Would be a shame if the battery ran out and nobody was around to help him. They'd arrive to find him laying back, sweaty, chest heaving, out of breath, a sticky puddle of precum forming under his fatpad
He'd be moaning softly, hardly able to form words. Just a big, blubbering, helpless mess. He'd beg you to help swap it out for a fresh one. The stimulation has become a new norm for him, and without it he's desperate.
By now it's buried deeeep in his fatpad. You have to shove most of your forearm in and start digging around blindly. It's soft, wet, sticky, and hot, not to mention all the pressure and suction.
By the time you finish rummaging through his thoroughly engulfed privates to find the tiny vibrator he's probably already came at least three times, and he will most certainly cum more when you put the new one in, this time with a longer lasting battery...
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f1shart · 1 year ago
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the amount of times i've drawn clowns on this blog is absurd. yes it was twice but that's twice too much
ANYWAY personality swap verona au anyone? its more of a personality inversion since i didn't swap their personalities with one another (og idea by @quejicadelapulpa)... more info ⬇️
idk why when i invert their personalities they become depressed, evil, or both but 😭 i'll go in depth on each of them
Tybalt: he was always a clown but swapbalt is quite literally a clown (he prefers jester). his personality is basically mercutio: playful, friendly, but still prim since i don't see why that would change about him i mean he's still absolutely loaded 🤑 also he loves annoying mercutio, especially since it's not like he'll get his ass whooped if he starts to throw hands (since, yk, tybalt is JACKED)
Mercutio: what i meant when i said they turn depressed when i invert their personalities 💀 swapcutio is a man of few words. he probably speaks very quietly too, only ever getting loud when he's pissed at tybalt. speaking of, he's not as hot-headed as og tybalt mostly cuz i didn't want to just swap their personas and call it a day. nah this is much funnier. i feel bad for him though i mean he's got this fucking clown constantly bothering him and there's nothing he can do about it
Romeo: he's giving pascal and i'm so sorry ab that. anyway this is where i delve more into personal hcs about personality since some of these sims weren't given much originally. i see romeo as a pretty smart kid so i didn't change that about him. i also see him as a bit immature but his wit makes up for that and that's how he's able to charm people. while swapmeo is mature, he is unfortunately quite uncharismatic so who tf knows how he pulled juliette. he's still a romance sim tho so he has his ways...
Juliette: not too much about her. i originally saw her as a little hot-headed similar to tybalt, so i decided to commit to that and make her a very mellow and chill individual. no more raging at online shooter games for her ! swapiette also wears very comfy clothes unlike juliette and dont u worry i kept her uggs. they're simply too iconic 😩
Miranda: she's basically more like her mother. this is where i was conflicted like do i swap the adults' personalities as well?? regardless, swapiranda (i need to stop) is a good christian girl 😌 as you can see she did not dye her hair in this universe and same with hermia but we'll get there. i also removed her beautiful shades SORRY but they're still there in spirit with the blue of her nails. i think swapiranda has that sweet exterior but a snakeish interior in terms of personality
Hermia: i exchanged the goth aesthetic for something more pastel and trendy for the time. you could say swapmia is a bit like og juliette in terms of personality. ooh maybe she doesn't dislike her brother in this universe! though i can see her and juliette getting tired of his smileyness. also yess swapmia's hair is her natural blonde it fits her vibe more.
Puck: last and certainly not least, evil puck 😍 the poor residents of swap veronaville cuz this kid... to me, og puck is kind, shy, dedicated to their tasks but dreadfully incompetent. you'd think he's the media's idea of a fairy- playful and mischievous, but he is surprisingly the opposite. THEN THERE'S SWAP PUCK. absolutely devious. despicable. he plays pranks and they are fucking mean pranks (not as far as battery acid in pop tho 💀 that's one of their cruel jokes. pls tybalt is not actually drinking battery acid) who KNOWS what swapmia sees in them. maybe she's evil too lmfao
anyway that's what i got. tell me why typing this drained 54% of my battery. apple is wild. maybe i'll do st but that's a hell of a lot of work
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Vesuvia Weekly submission: Brainrot and the M6
I know, I know, the prompt is "your MC/their LI's dynamic", but I just play as myself and I keep my blog character neutral so @vesuviaweekly platonic selfships, here we go -
With Julian: this guy is my adopted older brother. We get to unleash our inner theatre kids and make excessively dark jokes about our trauma together. The drawback is that neither of us has a speck of self preservation -.-
With Asra: when I tell you that the vibes just boil down to "warm, fluffy, and creatively unhinged" XD I would make us homemade hot chocolate so they could add peanut butter to it. He would show up at 2 AM to help me dye my hair
With Nadia: we'd have difficulty connecting at first, not gonna lie. until we find something interesting to analyze, like canal patterns or the courtier's psychological patterns. now we have tea parties and build profiles together
With Muriel: shared physical trauma aside, I have a mighty need to bake and cook large quantities of food and then fill someone's plate multiple times. I'm about to visit this guy weekly, right after bread baking day, with soup
With Portia: she's a bookworm. I'm a bookworm. we're going to swap each other's favorite novels and have heated character and plot discussions while we try to trick each other into sharing baking secrets/tips and tricks
With Lucio: look, I know he's done some awful stuff, but that guy could use a hug. I'm giving him a hug. and then I'm going to task him with finding good places to party because he has a much bigger social battery than I do
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666writingcafe · 7 months ago
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An Interview With Belphie
Part One of A New Series
Question One: If you were the last person on Earth, how would you spend your time?
After catching up on sleep, I'd probably just walk around and see what I could find.
Question Two: If there was one day you could repeatedly re-experience, which day would you choose?
The day that MC kissed me for the first time.
Question Three: Can you describe yourself in three words?
Tired, angsty emo.
Question Four: If you wake up tomorrow and forgot your name and/or identity, what would you do?
Go back to sleep, honestly.
Question Five: Who are you, really?
Ask Beel and MC.
Question Six: If you could live in a different time period or era in the human world, which one would you choose and why?
None, because they all suck. Unless I could take MC with me, which in that case, I'd go wherever they'd want to.
Question Seven: Which is better: having superficial knowledge about a wide range of things or thorough knowledge about a few things?
The latter, but make sure it's about things no one would expect you of knowing so that you have the element of surprise.
Question Eight: If you were able to download your memories into a searchable spreadsheet, would you do it?
There are some things that are best left buried deep in the recesses of the mind, so no.
Question Nine: Would you rather float alone in space or at sea?
Whichever ensures the quickest death.
Question Ten: Would you swap places with an alternate version of yourself from another timeline?
No, because chances are, that alternate version of me is more active and hence has more responsibilities, and I am a lazy individual.
Question Eleven: If you could communicate with animals, which one would you talk to first?
Spiders.
Question Twelve: If you had the power to grant a wish to someone, who would you choose and why?
Honestly, I'd choose Simeon. He makes me look mentally stable, and I just want him to be able to relax for a little bit.
Question Thirteen: If you were lost and had just enough battery on your D.D.D. to make a single phone call, who would you call?
MC. They're the most level-headed out of everyone.
Question Fourteen: Does your life need more love, romance, friendship, or intimacy?
Intimacy.
Question Fifteen: If you could do anything you desire with MC for a day, what would it entail?
A hotel room with a charmed door and soundproof walls.
Question Sixteen: If you were on a dating game, what question(s) would you ask?
Honestly, the first question in this interview.
Question Seventeen: Would you rather spend a fancy night on a mountain or camp on the seashore?
Seashore all the way. The view's better there.
Question Eighteen: Is your life a drama, tragedy, or comedy?
It's a fucking soap opera that's gone on for far too many seasons, and I don't mean that in a depressed way, but in the way that the drama in my life is becoming more and more absurd as I get older.
Question Nineteen: Would you date an alien if you thought they were hot?
Depends.
Question Twenty: If you were a vegetable, what would you be and how would you avoid getting eaten?
I'd be horseradish, because it's one of the few foods Beel will not eat, and thus I'd ensure my survival.
Question Twenty-One: Would you rather have looks, brains, or riches?
Brains. Looks fade, and money disappears.
Question Twenty-Two: If you had to wear your emotions on your clothing, how would your outfit look today?
Like I'd rather be in bed.
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batteryswap · 1 year ago
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Battery Swap: Revolutionizing the Way We Power Our World
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The battery swap technology has emerged as a game-changer in the world of energy storage. With the need for clean, sustainable power becoming increasingly urgent, innovative solutions like battery swap offer a promising future. In this article, we delve into the concept of battery swap, its advantages, implementation challenges, and its potential to transform various industries. So, fasten your seatbelts and join us on this exciting journey!
Battery Swap: The Future of Energy Storage?
The battery swap concept revolves around the idea of quickly exchanging depleted batteries for fully charged ones, eliminating the need for lengthy charging times. This technology has gained traction in recent years, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. By utilizing a network of swapping stations, battery swap allows EV drivers to change their vehicle's battery within minutes, offering a level of convenience comparable to refueling a conventional car.
Advantages of Battery Swap:
Increased Efficiency and Convenience: Battery swap offers a significant advantage over traditional charging methods, as it eliminates the lengthy charging time associated with electric vehicles. The ability to swap batteries swiftly allows for extended driving ranges and reduces the dependency on charging infrastructure.
Scalability and Adaptability: The battery swap model can be readily scaled across different industries and sectors, providing a versatile solution for a variety of applications. From electric buses and trucks to forklifts and renewable energy storage, the potential applications of battery swap are vast and promising.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Battery swap technology promotes the use of renewable energy sources, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. By facilitating the widespread adoption of EVs, battery swap contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Battery Swap Implementation Challenges:
While the battery swap technology holds immense potential, its widespread implementation faces certain challenges. These include:
Standardization: The lack of standardized battery modules and interfaces poses a significant hurdle for the adoption of battery swap systems. Achieving industry-wide compatibility is crucial for seamless battery swapping operations.
Infrastructure Requirements: The establishment of an extensive network of battery swap stations is essential to provide convenient access to users. The viability of such infrastructure and its integration with existing charging systems need to be carefully planned and executed.
Cost Considerations: The implementation costs associated with battery swap stations and equipment can be substantial. Financial feasibility studies and partnerships with relevant stakeholders are key to overcoming this challenge.
FAQs about Battery Swap:
What is the battery swap time for electric vehicles? The battery swap process typically takes around 5-10 minutes, depending on the vehicle model and battery design.
Are battery swap stations safe? Yes, battery swap stations are designed with strict safety protocols in place. They are equipped with advanced monitoring systems to ensure the secure exchange of batteries.
Can battery swap technology be applied to other industries? Absolutely! Battery swap has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including logistics, residential energy storage systems, and even aviation.
Is battery swapping economically viable? With the declining costs of battery technology and increasing demand for clean energy solutions, battery swapping is becoming economically feasible and sustainable in the long run.
How does battery swap impact the lifespan of batteries? Battery swap systems are designed to ensure the efficient and careful handling of batteries, extending their lifespan compared to improper charging methods.
Are battery swap stations compatible with all electric vehicle models? While compatibility varies across manufacturers, efforts are being made to establish industry-wide standards for batteries and interfaces, ensuring wider compatibility among different EV models.
Conclusion:
Battery swap technology represents a paradigm shift in energy storage solutions, offering unprecedented convenience, scalability, and sustainability. From transforming the electric vehicle industry to revolutionizing energy storage across various sectors, battery swap holds immense potential. Overcoming the implementation challenges and fostering industry collaboration will be crucial to harnessing the full benefits of this groundbreaking technology. So, embrace the battery swap revolution and be part of the clean energy future!
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modestbirdwizard · 9 months ago
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Fix your shit, or make it better anyway!
Everyone has had that little something in their life that was just perfect in everyone, suited to it's task, purpose, and the user's personal preference… and everyone has also had that thing break on them, followed by years of white whaling for a better replacement. Learning to fix your shit is essential in an era that lives and breathes e-waste and demands us to be connected, and while the vast majority of cellphones are hard to fix and difficult to even open, there ARE plenty of other devices in our lives simple enough to engage with that the layman stands a chance.
Tools, example projects and places to look for guides under the jump:
Fixing old ipods, restoring butchered record players, game controller customization (or fixing joystick drift), turning your favorite headphones into a cable-swappable gaming headset , or making the perfect version of a computer keyboard are all possible with a relatively small set of tools and a small investment of your time. For almost any given tech project, you only need a few tools to get into, out of, and through the guts of any electronic device.
Tools of the trade:
A soldering iron (A pinecil or a TS100 are great choices for those who need something small. You will see even cheaper irons that look like they plug directly into the wall, but these are NOT soldering irons, they are the end component of a soldering station, a much larger kind of iron for more serious users. They do not have heat control and are DANGEROUS if not used with a soldering station.)
A set of spudgers, picks, and pry tools (Not the cheap plastic ones that come with every single tech repair component, though you'll need those too, they are basically free in the quanitity that you'll need them.)
Most important of all, a solid multi-bit screwdriver set for this purpose. (The ifixit mako kit is the golden god here, but don't be fooled: this array of bits in these sizes can be had for as little as 12 bucks. That said, investing in your tools is an investment in yourself.)
A set of precision tweezers
A bottle of 99% Isopropyl Alcohol And for the more complex jobs:
A basic multimeter (This is mostly used for diagnosis, looking for broken circuits and finding the voltages of various components.)
A Heatgun/hair dryer (More useful for specific tasks, such as removing Surface Mount components which tend to be very, very small.
With these tools, the world is yours. A word about soldering: People act like this is an insane skill to possess, something best left only to the most dedicated techno-wizard and warlocks, but that's simply not the case. It's actually as simple as using hot glue safely. I'll defer to Big Clive for better instructions than I could write. It's pronounced saw-dur, by the way.
I'd also recommend his account for the great resource that it is generally. While he doesn't get into the specifics of repairing any device, Clive does tear downs that show the general techniques you'll use to get inside of different gadgets. Extremely good second screen background noise.
For specific instructions for your device, you should check out ifixit. They have the largest database of tech repair guides online, though something tells me that an open, wiki-style option would be a fantastic idea. They also sell parts and specific tools you may need for a given task.
Sometimes, repairing your tech is as simple as cracking the case and swapping a hidden microSD card for a much larger one, or actually just unplugging one battery and installing a new one (kind of makes you wonder why they say they can't be repaired and glue them down). While I'd argue that most tech can be fixed, there are sadly some things that are just beyond the dedicated hobbyist. Chief among those are airpods and other small devices of that type. While they can certainly be opened and repaired, it's just incredibly fine work and I wouldn't recommend it. If a task seems too daunting for you, try checking with local phone shops to see if they offer repair. The cost of a replacement is usually much greater than the cost of a fix.
If your tech is unusable and in to be replaced, trying to fix it cannot possibly break it more. Give it a go!
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waywardrose · 1 year ago
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THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY 21
stranger things
eddie munson x reader
rated e
4.8k
spotify playlist
for @punk-in-docs​​​
fem/witch/goth!reader, sweetheart!eddie, magic, slow burn (for me), friends to lovers, no y/n only pet names, series-typical horror, period-typical sexism and homophobia, historical inaccuracies and anachronisms, drug dealing and use, smoking, alcohol use, masturbation, mutual masturbation, fantasizing, one-bed trope, making out, fingering, dirty talk, consensual pursuit and capture, oral sex, handjobs, condoms, piv sex, reader’s father is a dirtbag, mild spanking, magical violation, mental torture, body horror, blood, aftercare, nightmares, strict parenting, panic attack, past child abuse and abandonment, semi-public sex, break-ups, angst with a happy ending, running away, guns, fighting, tags will be updated as needed
Eddie would have to wait until his lunch break to see this new, hot, weird chick. He wondered which flavor of weird she was. Art weird? Theater weird? Band weird? Weird weird? He shrugged. He liked weird. In other words, you’re the new girl in town, and Eddie is intrigued.
note: Another warning for Jason Carver.
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21
Eddie held your face, his palms a little damp. You put your hands on top of his.
“Whatever happens, we’ll be okay,” he said.
It sounded more like he meant you’d be okay. You wouldn’t be if something happened to him, but you wouldn’t add pressure to the mission.
You nodded.
“We’ll be okay.”
“I’ll come back.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” he said and kissed your forehead.
He met your eyes before glancing at your lips. Then you looked at his. It was now or never. Everyone was gearing up. You placed your hands on his sides and stretched to kiss him. He melted into it. His lips slotted against yours, breath fanning over your cheek.
The car trunk clunked closed. Voices murmured. Someone clomped into the RV.
You gave him a little peck to break the kiss. He sighed and trailed his hands over your shoulders and down your arms.
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” he said.
You nodded and fiddled with the open sides of his tactical vest.
Softly, he said, “Hey.”
You looked into his eyes.
“We’ll be okay.”
You put a hand on his chest. While you couldn’t feel his energy, you could feel the rise and fall of his chest. His heart was your heart, your blood his. Did he know that? Could he feel you?
There wasn’t enough time to express it in words, either. There was never enough time.
Voice strained, you said, “Come back to me.”
“You got it.”
With another nod, you zipped his leather jacket midway.
“See you in a few.”
“You got it, sweetheart.” He cupped your cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
He hurried to the open RV door and disappeared inside.
You breathed deep, rounded your car, and got in the driver’s seat. Erica sat in the front passenger seat, elbow on the window ledge and cheek in hand.
“Still waiting on the other set of lovebirds,” she said.
In the rearview mirror, you watched Lucas swap the batteries in Max’s tape-player. When he handed it back, Max plugged in her earphones. They exchanged a few words without hugging.
You frowned.
“Are they together?”
“Used to be. After her brother died in the mall fire that wasn’t just a mall fire, Max pulled away. Lucas, like a dumbass, let her and joined the basketball team.”
The back doors opened before you could ask more. Lucas and Max plopped onto the bench and closed the doors at the same time. Ahead, the RV roared to life. You started the car and waited until Steve circled the RV around.
You followed him through the cut in the copse to the road and continued behind him until he signaled left at a four-way stop. Erica advised you to go straight. You flashed your brights as a goodbye, and Steve tapped the brakes.
As you drove, you stole glances at Lucas and Max in the rearview mirror. He sat with hands folded in his lap. She stared out the window while Kate Bush played through her headphones. Their eyes were too old for their young faces. You supposed yours were as well. That was what had changed in your appearance after November. It was probably why Mom kept encouraging you to open up to her.
Opening up only tore at the wounds. Like peeling off scabs. Sometimes, things like this had to scar first.
The golden hour peaked to stain everything in copper and honey. It softened the battered houses and vacant lots you rolled past. Familiar battered houses and vacant lots. Your gut tightened, as did your grip on the steering wheel.
Erica announced the murder house — the Creel house — was across from the playground coming up on your left. You wanted to say you knew that, but you didn’t want to explain how. Instead, you parked a few yards away from the Creel driveway. The lots on either side of the house had been left vacant. Across the road, the rusting playground equipment dotted the overgrown grass.
You turned off the car and went to unlock the trunk. When the other three came around, you handed them each a bug-zapper light. The party had explained earlier they could detect Vecna through light on this side. In the Upside Down, activated light fixtures on this side glimmered. You didn’t know how that worked, but took it at face value since they had more experience.
You pulled Israel’s book from your backpack and found the flashlight in the car emergency kit. There might be some spell you could use to weaken Vecna from this side. Hell, there might be one that could kill him.
Before you closed the trunk, you said, “Just in case something goes wrong with the tape-player, I have one in my backpack.”
Lucas nodded and glanced at Max’s grim face. Her expression was understandable. It was her ass on the line. You still didn’t like baiting Vecna. It was pain waiting to happen. You’d baited him by accident, and look what had happened. You had a sneaking suspicion magic was the only reason you’d survived your encounter with him — as if magic wasn’t done with you yet. Or maybe he wasn’t.
But Max didn’t have magic, nor was she super-powered like El.
As you closed the trunk, Max headed for the concrete stairs. Lucas and Erica followed. You trailed behind, surveying the tranquil area. It had been tranquil in November, too.
Max paused midway up the front walk. None of you dare pass her.
The battered house loomed yards ahead. Its molding reminded you of teeth. The boarded-up windows were bandaged injuries.
In November, you’d fought your way through the overgrown shrubs surrounding the house and slid down the short embankment to the street. It had felt as though the house would give chase and drag you back inside. Now in the light, and with time, you could appreciate what it’d once been. It wasn’t some hungry monster. It was a wound.
Catching sight of the broken window in the now-exposed front door, you asked, “What happened to the front door?”
“We had to break in,” Lucas said.
“The back door is unlocked, actually.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” asked Erica as they all pivoted to look at you.
“No, I…” You rolled your eyes at yourself. “Vecna brought me here in November. I left through the kitchen door.”
“Well, it’s open now,” Max said before trooping to the porch.
When Lucas and Erica followed her, you cringed. You hadn’t wanted to explain how you knew the area, but you just had to open your mouth. It wasn’t like being in the Creel house before them made you cool. All it meant was you’d had a hand in Vecna’s increased power.
You wanted to assure them you’d do everything you could to stop Vecna. Doing so would only make you sound lame. Instead, you said you’d stay on the porch and research spells until the end of Phase One, when Erica would relay info between the teams from the playground and you’d cast the invisibility spell.
Lucas wished you luck before easing the front door closed behind Erica and Max. You sat on the top step to think of spells that would help Max. Beyond making her an undeath charm like your own, you didn’t know of another way to shield her. Of course, an undeath charm would defeat the purpose of baiting Vecna. He had to sense her.
Once he sensed her, and she was under his spell, though, you could bind him.
You paged through Israel’s book to Binding. The classic Three Times Three spell was easy, but needed a representation of the person who was being bound. You paused to think of one. If Vecna was part of the Upside Down hive mind, that tooth charm Eddie had made for you would be enough of a representation.
There was also banishing, but all the spells took witch bottles and wax. Neither of which you had. The incantations were good, though. After Binding was Burning. A burning spell required the practitioner’s blood, but you couldn’t risk it turning on Eddie.
Purple twilight swept across the sky like an unfurling cloak. You clicked on your flashlight, holding it against your shoulder with your jaw. You needed both hands: one to bookmark the binding spell and the other to leaf through the pages.
That simple action made you question your abilities. You didn’t know if you could focus on the invisibility spell while casting another to thwart Vecna. That felt impossible. You would have to choose when the time came. The decision was simple, of course. Max was the priority.
The peace hadn’t been disturbed since you’d parked the car, either. You doubted anyone would explore the neighborhood tonight. There was an evil, Satan-worshiping serial killer on the loose, after all.
You turned to the M section, shuffling through the pages until you reached Murder. The very topic made you nervous. You’d read death hexes were volatile at the best of times. Tom Cunningham, the bookshop owner, had warned you not to misuse Israel’s book. If you did, he’d call it back.
Did killing a multi-dimensional psycho count as misuse?
Either way, losing the book after killing Vecna seemed like a fair trade.
Reading through the hexes, the Eradix spell appeared the simplest. However, that meant it relied on the practitioner’s directed focus. You didn’t know how to focus on Vecna when you’d never seen him. You’d heard his voice, knew his steady footsteps, endured pain at his hand. That might not be enough. He wasn’t in this world, and you weren’t in his. Your magic might not make it to him. He was more powerful than you, yet he couldn’t invade this physical world.
Nothing about your magic — or any spell — was guaranteed to make it through to him. The logical conclusion was he needed to open this fourth gate. If he did, he’d have access to this world. It also meant you’d have access to him, but at a terrible cost. Max would die. Nancy said Vecna wanted to tear into this world with fire and an army of leviathans.
You couldn’t justify a sacrifice that monumental.
The front door clicked open. You grabbed the flashlight, turning. Erica stepped onto the porch with shoes and flashlight in hand, and closed the door behind her.
She whispered, “He’s here.”
You switched off the flashlight, shut the book, and stood.
After she tied her shoelaces, you both hurried to the street. At your car, she stopped to face you.
“If you make the house unnoticeable, how am I going to see Lucas’s light from over there?”
That was a good question. You glanced at the Creel house.
What was a body if not a house for the soul? What was a house if not a haven for souls? What was the Earth if not a house?
If you could make your body go unnoticed, you could do the same for a house and a location. It was all the same and all connected. Like Yoda told Luke, ‘Size matters not.’
“I’ll do this area,” you said, indicating the house and the playground.
Across the street, a scruffy man wearing a trucker hat walked his dog. He scrutinized you and Erica before looking at the Creel house.
“Stay cool,” you said to her, sotto voce. “There’s a guy walking past.”
You grinned and waved at him, because the locals liked that. He gave a terse salute that made you uneasy. You asked if he’d seen Eddie Munson. He hadn’t. You wished him a good night despite his turning and heading the way he came.
“Shit,” you said under your breath.
“Should we abort?” asked Erica.
“No, everybody’s in place. If he comes back, he’ll see nothing.”
She nodded and jogged to the rocket-shaped slide in the playground. You stowed the book and flashlight in your backpack. As you closed the trunk, the man looked back. And you’d bet it wasn’t the first time he did. You had a bad feeling about him. Maybe it was just nerves — yours and his. The whole town was on edge. You didn’t need magic to feel it.
Once he was out of sight, you slogged through the unkempt front yard. Closing your eyes, you imagined a dark bubble suspended above your head. You channeled energy from the ground to feed the bubble. It increased in size until it enveloped your body. You pushed it outwards, adding strength and mass to the bubble. You compelled it out and out and out. It stretched and vibrated.
In your mind’s eye, you saw it engulf Erica’s part of the playground and the Creel house. The edges of the bubble blurred where it met the ground. The night went gray. To the outsider, this section of the neighborhood was bland and lifeless.
You adjusted your stance, planting yourself like a tree. The hefty earth energy sprouted from your head to flow into the bubble. It became a circuit of you bolstering it, and it streaming through you.
You opened your eyes in time to see Erica signal to Lucas via her flashlight. The team in the Upside Down was in place. You went still, watching the first-floor windows. After a moment, Lucas signaled from the parlor window. You sighed with relief and continued to focus on the bubble.
It was working. The bubble’s borders rippled, but held. The world beyond the perimeter remained devoid of color.
Blue light from the bug-zappers moved behind the boards over the windows. It disappeared. You assumed Max and Lucas followed Vecna’s trail deeper into the house. You wanted to stop them, but you couldn’t. The bubble needed your concentration, and you wouldn’t betray the plan. They would see this through. You had to trust in Vecna’s greed, Max’s resilience, and Lucas’s determination to protect her.
You bent your knees to keep them from locking and shifted your weight.
The night was still. Not even a breeze stirred the trees. Inside the bubble was unnaturally quiet; so quiet, your ears rang. That was good, though. It meant things were slotting into place.
You hoped Eddie and Dustin were ready to distract the demobats away from the Upside Down’s version of the Creel house…
Demobats with leathery wings that beat at your face. Their screeches had filled your ears. Their little teeth punctured your skin as ash obscured your vision. Your blood had seeped into your clothes.
Oh, shit. Those bats were yours. They’d claimed you in return. That’s why Vecna had drained you. He needed those bats.
You shook yourself out of the revelation. The bubble rippled once more. It was too late to tell anyone. And it hardly mattered. You had no control over the bats. You could only wish they, too, took the bait.
Tires squealed around the corner. You faced the vehicle. Streetlights glinted off the roof of a speeding Jeep. You gritted your teeth and drew more energy from the earth. You couldn’t allow the driver to notice Erica or you or the faint light now coming from the Creel attic.
The Jeep’s tires squealed again as it came to a crooked stop across the street. You knew that Jeep. The doors opened and out stepped Jason Carver and one of his jock cronies. The ringing of your ears popped as your focus collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut.
At the sight of them, Erica used the slide to escape the rocket scaffolding. She bolted for the woods surrounding the playground. You took a step towards the street, mouth open to call to her. She shouldn’t leave the disintegrating bubble. You could salvage it. She had to trust you to hide her.
You were a second too late.
She tore through the bubble, revealing herself.
“Fuck!”
Jason’s crony spotted Erica and barreled for her. You ran down the front steps. If he caught her, he’d hurt her. You couldn’t let that happen. She was just a kid.
Arms hooked around your middle. It was Jason. Your feet left the ground. You kicked into the air while pushing at his arms. They tightened until you could barely move your ribs.
You drove your head back, aiming for his face. You missed and bashed into his shoulder. He growled a curse. You were going to feel that in your neck when you took off the medicine bag.
He dropped you hard on the concrete. You stumbled, nearly falling, but he caught you in a stranglehold. You raised your arm to elbow him in the solar plexus just as metal rammed into your temple.
With a gasp, you went rigid. There was no mistaking that for anything but a gun.
“What’re you doing here?” he asked.
You didn’t know how to answer.
Erica shrieked in the distance. It was too dark to see what was happening.
“Nothing!” you said. “Protecting Hawkins!”
He pushed the gun barrel to your head.
“Don’t lie.”
“Don’t shoot!”
“Then don’t lie.”
“I’m not!” You squeezed your eyes closed. “I swear.”
He spun, taking you with him.
“What’s going on in there?”
You looked at the central attic window. There was no denying the light. Lucas’s flashlight blinked in the window. Phase Three. Vecna had Max.
“We’re…” You considered your options quickly. “We were searching—”
“For Eddie?”
“No, how to save the town.”
“From Eddie?”
“No, he’s—”
“Goddamn you!” He yanked you up the outside stairs. “Stop lying!”
“You don’t understand!”
Patience evidently dwindling, he dragged you to the porch and into the house. You tripped and staggered the whole way. His tight, high grip on your throat made it difficult to breathe or think. You pulled at his elbow as the margins of your vision darkened.
When you lost your footing on the second-floor landing, his hold loosened. You wheezed for air, wobbling on your feet.
Lucas, you thought. You had to warn Lucas.
“Lucas! Jason’s here!”
Something dense cracked against your head.
Jason growled, “Shut up!”
You grunted and swung your elbow. It caught him in the side. He oofed, yet his hold on your neck never weakened. You thrashed, kicking away from the short set of steps leading to the open attic door.
The bend of his arm pinched your neck, cutting off your air once more. You stomped for his feet and twisted your body. It gave you enough space to draw in a scant breath.
In that brief time, he hauled you to the door. You grabbed the doorjamb with a growl. Jason couldn’t go up there. He’d ruin everything.
Jason hit you again, then struck the back of one of your knees. It buckled. Your teeth clacked together as you dropped. You caught the stair railing, but you couldn’t maintain your grip.
“Move!”
Now off-balance, you teetered up the stairs. Jason nudged you forward by the hip, his gun glancing off your ear with each step. At the top, Lucas stood between the doorway and Max.
“Jason,” he said. “You can’t be here right now, man.”
Jason went still behind you.
“What the hell have you two done?”
“Jason, you need to leave,” said Lucas.
Jason moved sideways around the attic, taking you with him. Max sat in front of dusty boxes littered with cobwebbed jars, the bug-zapper light placed in the middle. Her shoulders twitched as she stared ahead.
You said, “Jason, please.”
“Is this what you did to Chrissy?”
“Listen, Jason, please,” you said as Lucas said, “You need to go, man.”
“Hey!” he said to Max, inching you both closer to her. “Can you hear me?”
You pressed against Jason’s front.
“Don’t touch her.”
Lucas creeped near.
“We’re not messing around.”
Lucas came too close, because Jason pressed the gun to your head.
“Back off! Back off! Not another step!”
Lucas shuffled away with raised hands.
“We-we-we don’t have to do this.”
You said, “We don’t.”
“I hope you’re both right.” He jabbed at your temple. “Anyone else in the house?”
Lucas shook his head as you said, “No.”
To Lucas, he said, “Empty your pockets.”
He frowned, unsure.
“What?”
“Empty your pockets!”
“Okay, okay, man.”
Lucas shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and turned them out. A few objects fell to ping on the floor.
“Now, here’s what’s gonna happen,” said Jason. “We’re gonna back away, and we’ll watch as you wake her from whatever the hell this is.”
“He can’t,” you said.
“Jason, if I wake her too soon, we all die.”
“No, if you don’t wake her up right now—” He cocked the gun’s hammer. “—this one’ll die, Sinclair.”
Your eyes widened. Lucas met your gaze, expression horrified, as he showed his palms.
“He can’t, Jason!” you said. “There’s this evil we’re fighting! She’s fighting!”
“What?”
“We call him Vecna. He lives in another dimension,” said Lucas.
You nodded.
“That’s why you can’t see him.”
Jason said, “And Eddie Munson, and-and his Hellfire acolytes— You all summoned this… Vecna?”
“No.” Lucas gathered his thoughts. “You’re not listening. Just listen—”
“There’s no cult,” you said.
“There never was!”
“You expect me to believe that?” asked Jason.
You said, “It’s the truth!”
“Then why was Chrissy at Eddie’s trailer?”
You and Lucas said, “She was buying drugs!”
“Liar!”
Jason’s arm drew tight around your throat, and he thrust the gun against your head.
“O-okay, Chrissy…” Lucas lifted his hands higher as if that would calm Jason. “She was seeing things. Terrible things. Things Vecna forced her to see.”
Jason shook his head while Lucas said, “She was scared. She just needed help.”
You nodded. It made sense. You’d agreed to Klonopin after waking from a nightmare the night Vecna drained you. Unconsciousness was preferable to experiencing any Vecna-induced terror.
“See, that’s how I know you two are lying.” Jason tapped the gun on your temple. “If Chrissy was scared, if-if Chrissy wanted help, she would’ve come to me! Not Eddie! Not that freak! Never!”
“You’re wrong — about Eddie,” said Lucas.
“No… But I was wrong about you. I never should’ve let you in the door.”
Lucas’s face hardened.
“I never should’ve knocked.” He lowered his hands. “I wanted to be like you — popular, normal — but it turns out, you’re just a raging psychopath.”
“You got five seconds to wake her up.”
Jason began counting down. You pointed at yourself, then to the floor, signaling you were going to drop your weight. Lucas’s hands balled into fists. When Jason reached two, you pulled his elbow as you fell to your knees.
Jason fired the gun. It sounded like an explosion. The bullet whizzed by your head and blew a hole in the wall. A second later, Lucas was on Jason, driving him against a support post. You stumbled with them, still clutched at Jason’s arm. Lucas sent Jason’s other arm into the air.
Jason fired again before he lost his hold. You didn’t see where the bullet went. The gun struck your back like a boulder, making you drop Jason’s arm. He swung his fist to catch you in the jaw.
The hit sent you reeling, though the undeath charm numbed the pain. He punched Lucas and freed himself. Thick liquid coated your tongue. Blood. He grabbed Lucas’s shirt, pummeling his face. You swallowed as you turned to face the fight. One strike wouldn’t stop you for long.
He tossed Lucas over a box by Max, who remained under Vecna’s spell. Her tape-player clattered to the floor. Without that, she’d never free herself. You seized the back of Jason’s letterman jacket. Lucas clambered to get his feet under himself.
Jason heaved forward, snarling at Lucas, and overcompensated. A jacket seam popped. His knee slammed into the box. Glass shattered. Wood splintered. He howled in pain and fell.
Lucas yelled, “No, no!”
Jason crashed to the floor, taking you with him. Plastic crunched under him. The tape-player.
With a shared look, you and Lucas threw yourselves on top of him. You grappled Jason’s flailing arms to the side. Lucas fisted Jason’s blond hair and rammed his head on the floor again and again until he went limp.
You crawled off Jason and around the chaos of broken glass and wood. Checking your shaking hands for glass, you slumped to the side and tried to catch your breath. Lucas knelt at Jason’s head, chest heaving.
“You okay?” you asked between pants.
“I’ll live.”
“C’mon, let’s get this asshole away from Max.”
He nodded.
You stood a second after him. Your legs wobbled, but you needed to rally. This wasn’t over yet.
Footsteps pounded up the stairs. It could be Jason’s crony. You braced yourself for another round and wondered where Jason’s gun had fallen.
Erica burst into the attic. Your shoulders relaxed. She appeared unharmed. Her eyes went round as she surveyed the scene.
“What the hell happened? I heard gunshots.”
Lucas said, “That was Jason.”
Who landed on Max’s tape-player and crushed it.
“Here.” You dug your keys from your front pocket. “We need the tape-player from my backpack.” You tossed them to Erica. “It’s in the outside pocket.”
She caught them with a nod and ran from the attic.
“Alright, back to Jason fucking Carver,” you said and turned to him.
You and Lucas took hold of Jason’s legs and dragged him towards the front of the house. Once Jason was far enough away, Lucas went to the window as you searched for the gun. While you had no intentions of using it, you didn’t want Jason regaining consciousness and shooting someone.
You located the gun near a moldering outdoor bench. For all intents and purposes, the gun was a shiny hand cannon. It was heavier than you expected. You rubbed at the bump on your head where Jason had struck with the butt. Again, you thought that was going to hurt when you took off the medicine bag.
How you’d explain your injuries to your parents—
“Oh shit, Max!”
You spun to face Max. She hovered in the air, crossed ankles slack on the floor. Lucas vaulted over the broken box. You tucked the gun in the waistband of your jeans as you ran to them.
He looped his arms around Max’s waist.
“Grab her!”
You held her like Lucas did. She rose another few inches. You and Lucas used your combined weight to haul her down. The effort earned maybe an inch. That wasn’t enough.
“C’mon, Max, wake up!” Lucas yelled.
Her head tilted back as if Vecna grasped her face. You couldn’t let him have her. She had to return.
Max quivered. You knew she fought. She was strong.
“C’mon, Max!”
You wondered where the hell Erica was.
Max’s lax arms floated, buoyed by nothing but Vecna’s hold. A tremor went through them. His hold only grew stronger. You couldn’t allow that. You closed your eyes, pressed your face to her ribs, and whispered the binding spell. Her arm snapped by your ear. The wet crunch turned your stomach.
It wasn’t working. The binding spell couldn’t reach Vecna. None of the spells you’d read earlier would keep him away. Only one thing had worked: The Veil of Undeath.
The upcoming pain was worth her life.
You hadn’t promised her anything — not protection or success or sacrifice. No one had suggested you remove the medicine bag, either. That meant Vecna wasn’t expecting you. Dustin said they needed more elements of surprise.
Well, surprise, motherfucker.
With one hand, you wrenched the medicine bag from around your neck.
“What’re you doing?” asked Lucas.
You put it around Max’s neck.
“Stopping him.”
You gathered blood from your mouth on your thumb and swiped it across Max’s forehead. You hoped that was enough to transfer the charm to her.
Her opposite elbow jerked right before she sagged. Lucas caught her as she fell.
Claws raked over your insides. Teeth bit at your bones. Heat cauterized the slashes and punctures, making everything too tight. You couldn’t breathe. The air was too dry, too musty, too close. You choked. Your muscles locked.
This wasn’t like the last time. The world didn’t spin with euphoric sensation.
A scream tore at your throat, yet it wouldn’t come out. It sank like a stone to pull you down. You fell onto thorns that branched out until they obscure your vision. Ichor oozed down their smooth surface, drenching the darkness in pulses of bruised red.
Silence spread like a plague. It left nothing in its wake. No darkness, no pain, and no life.
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nancypullen · 2 months ago
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The 23rd
I haven't posted here since September 5th because, quite frankly, my life is just a yawning canyon of nothingness. Dramatic much? Seriously, Monday is just like Tuesday, which is just like Wednesday, and so on. You know I'm a big fan of creating happiness where you are, and I'm killing myself trying to do that. No one likes to read the blog of a sad sack, I know I don't, so there's just not a whole lot to write about. I miss who I used to be. Because it's nearly the end of September, and because the 22nd was officially the first day of autumn, I decided to go all in decorating the porch. I'm not finished, but it's a start. Surely if I build it, fall will come. No more red gingham and pink roses, I'm all about pumpkins now.
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I bought one of those $1 pumpkin trick-or-treat buckets and covered him in ModPodge and fall napkins. SO stinkin' easy. After popping a little battery powered votive in him, he glows at night. Cute!
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The front steps are a hot mess right now. They need to be power washed, but I went ahead and put a few things out. I still have to get the garland above the door and swap some of that stuff around until it looks right.
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Would it have killed the builder to center the damn door? It makes my left eye twitch. Of course I threw down my "Hey there, pumpkin" door mat.
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I've only purchased two small mums so far ( and you know how much I love mums) because we're leaving town in a couple of weeks and they'd likely die while we're gone. A neighbor will check on the cats, but she's not a plant person so I don't ask her to water anything. I'm sitting on my hands to keep from filling the steps with pumpkins and mums. It's hard. This is my season and I want to enjoy every minute of it. And by enjoy it, I mean buy all of the pumpkins in the county.
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I need an intervention. As much as I'm channeling autumn, Mother Nature seems determined to ignore me. As I type this I'm sitting in my craft room, burning my favorite fall candle - a yummy spicy, warm patchouli fragrance.
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It smells like fall in here. Maybe I should crank down the a/c and pretend. Last weekend the Edgewater gang came over and we all took the Little Miss to an alpaca festival. LIke most festivals here, it wasn't much. A dozen or so skittish alpacas in a pasture, a store selling expensive alpaca goods (not even local), an ice cream truck, a handful of vendors selling their wares, a small bouncy house that needed more air, $10 pony rides, $8 face painting, and a free train ride. This was the train.
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All that matters is that the grandgirl had fun and she did enjoy most of it. It was too hot and muggy for me. I'd planned to make dinner for everyone, but we just ordered pizza instead. I call that a win. I'm lucky enough to have a sweet daughter-in-law that is an incredible cook and baker, and she brought my favorite cake. It's called Bienenstich Kuchen, or Bee Sting Cake. Honey and almonds, need I say more? It's to die for! So we had a little early birthday celebration and their thoughtful gifts brought me to tears. My sweet grandgirl made a bracelet for me with her own little hands. She chose the beads and made it herself! She's crazy about mermaids, so this is indeed an honor. How precious is this?
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Anywho, that's what's been going on here. Days and days of nothing, with lovely sprinkles of sweetness now and then. Did I mention our upcoming trip? We'll leave Baltimore on the 7th and fly to Paris.
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We'll grab our bags and clear customs before hopping a train to Strasbourg. That will be our base for most of the trip. From beautiful Strasbourg we'll explore the Alsace region. It's the spot where France, Germany, and Switzerland bump noses. We'll visit Colmar and Riquewihr. Riquewihr (pronounced Rik-a-veer) is the town that inspired Beauty & the Beast and supposed to be one of the most enchanting villages in France! We'll probably take a train to Basel, Switzerland as well. If time and energy permits we can also take a quick train to Heidelberg, Germany - it's just a couple of hours away. Eventually we'll make our way back to Paris for a couple of days before flying home on the 17th. It'll be a whirlwind, but a beautiful one. Since the Alsace region is considered the "wine route", they may be very disappointed in the two of us.
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I know I'll sound like, "Dee loo, see voo play." I hope they appreciate the effort. Time for me to sign off. It's 5 o'clock and I've got brown butter carrots in the crock pot that need me. We grilled chicken this weekend and have leftovers, so this meal is simple and quick. The mister has a photo meeting at 6 o'clock and I'll probably sit at my desk and make a few Halloween cards. Still trying to make fall happen. That's it from me, dear friends. I hope that you are all well and happy. If not, trust that it won't last. Good or bad,nothing is forever (except for the fat on my thighs, that's apparently permanent). Sending you lots of love, hope you feel it. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy
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pixeldistractions · 1 year ago
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“Hey! What’s the story, morning glory?”
Ingrid’s voice was entirely too energetic for eight in the morning, bubbling with the energy of a late-night party that never ended. Jordan had a sore neck and a sore back, and there was no comfortable way to sleep in the cab of this truck. Technically homeless now, he needed to find another option. It would have been much more comfortable to roll out his sleeping bag and sleep under the stars, but he had just too much pride to do that. In the suburbs, at least. He just needed to get out of here.
“What a surprise,” Ingrid continued. “Ian told me you were here yesterday, and this morning, too? You missed me?”
“I needed something to do,” he said. “I fixed your camper.”
“You look like you’ve been through the wringer. Was it hard?”
“The camper? Nah, not so far. You had a corroded battery terminal, among other things. It needs more work, but it’ll run for a while. It still stinks though.”
“Awesome, so now we can run away together.”
He let out a single chuckle. “You can pay me, I guess. I could use the money.”
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They walked together over to the camper where he showed her what he did and how he did it. She would need to know how to replicate the repairs when the time came, but she wasn’t paying any attention to his instruction in the least.
She flashed him a grin and waggled her eyebrows. “Are you sure I can’t interest you in anything else? I’m a woman of many talents.”
He laughed. But, actually…
Her camper. That was what he needed. Surely he could clean it up and make it livable. Although he could absolutely rough it—he was a backcountry camper, after all—having four walls and a roof and a dry bed that he could stretch out on would be nice.
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“Actually, maybe, sell me your camper? I know you only spent two hundred bucks on it. I’ll give you a thousand. You’ve only had it two weeks and never took it anywhere. You’re not attached. It’s broken, it stinks. It’ll break again soon, and you don’t know how to fix it.”
“Oh,” she whimpered. “That two hundred was a steal. How am I gonna do my van life channel without a camper? I was gonna be a traveling hippie artisan.”
“Ingrid, I’ve seen those van life channels, too. This junker doesn’t fit the aesthetic. This camper is more trailer trash than traveling hippie artisan.”
“But then you get to have all the fun.”
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She looked gloomy for a minute, but then her face lit up with an idea.
“How about a deal? We’ll make the swap in California. You drive me out. You let me tag along and shoot some videos on the way there. It’ll be an epic road trip adventure. Then you can drop me off, and it’s yours. What’s that, like a week? Two weeks tops?”
“Hmm. Okay,” Jordan said. “Paperwork now, and it’s a deal.”
“Ho-ly shit!” Ingrid squealed. “You’re actually going to run away with me?”
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“Well, it worries me when you say it like that.”
Ingrid bounced with excitement. “Hot damn, let’s go.”
“Okay, but I’m running away and you’re tagging along.”
“Don’t worry, baby! We can call it that if you want.”
They exchanged and signed the title paperwork, and now Jordan was the proud owner of this smelly piece of junk, and contract-bound to take this wild hippie artisan to California.
“When do we leave? Tonight? Tomorrow? I’m ready when you are!”
Jordan blew out a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure what I just got myself into. Soon. I’ll let you know. There’s something I need to do first.”
— from “my sweetheart #10: call it what you want” (1/9)
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elementoftheeye · 1 year ago
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Infrared photography, Saturday was a dog grooming day, my wife was at another event, so I took the boys. I did my errands after dropping them off, Gettysburg Bakery, Then A & A to grab some Hot Honey... then to the Battle fields, playing with my photography gear, these are from that Canon 10D that was given to me that had been converted to Infrared. It is a bit if a pain because the batteries are old and discontinued so I can only get a handful of images before having to swap batteries.
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