#mindfulness retreat cambodia

[jaypateltravel]

Experience the World's Most Stunning International Tour Packages: A Journey of a Lifetime

Travel is one of the most transformative experiences anyone can undertake, offering the opportunity to explore new cultures, enjoy scenic beauty, and create unforgettable memories. If you're dreaming of a trip that combines luxury, adventure, and cultural immersion, you need to explore some of the most stunning international tour packages available today. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach getaway, a cultural expedition, or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, there is a tour package designed to cater to every type of traveller.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into some of the best international tour packages across the globe, highlighting the experiences, destinations, and activities that make each one a bucket-list experience. Ready to discover your next great adventure? Let’s dive in!

Why Choose an International Tour Package?

Before we explore the best tour packages, let’s look at why opting for an international tour package can be a fantastic choice for travellers.

Convenience and Stress-Free PlanningOne of the biggest advantages of booking an international tour package is the ease it brings. Tour operators handle the logistics, including flights, accommodations, local transportation, and even some meals. This takes the guesswork out of your trip, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience instead of worrying about every detail.

Expertly Curated ItinerariesInternational tour packages are designed by travel experts who know the best times to visit destinations, the most popular attractions, and the hidden gems that tourists might miss. These curated itineraries often feature a balance of sightseeing, local experiences, and relaxation, so you can make the most of your time abroad.

Group Travel and New FriendshipsIf you enjoy meeting new people and sharing experiences with like-minded travellers, group tours are an excellent option. International tour packages often come with the added benefit of group travel, providing opportunities to make new friendships while exploring new destinations.

Budget-Friendly TravelMany international tour packages are cost-effective, offering a better value than booking individual components yourself. Because tour operators can bundle services such as hotels, transfers, and attractions, they can often offer lower prices than if you were to book everything separately.

1. European Escapes: Explore the Charm of the Old World

Best Tour Packages:

Italy, France, and Spain Tour

Grand European Tour (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)

Greece Island Hopping Tour

Europe is home to some of the world’s most iconic destinations, and international tour packages here are designed to showcase the continent's rich history, art, and culture. From the romantic canals of Venice to the historic landmarks of Paris and the sun-drenched beaches of Barcelona, a European tour allows you to immerse yourself in the diverse offerings of this captivating region.

Highlights:

Visit the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Explore the Greek Islands, including Mykonos and Santorini, known for their beautiful beaches and white-washed buildings.

Take a scenic train ride through the Swiss Alps or cruise the Danube River.

An international tour package across Europe ensures you don’t miss any of the must-see landmarks, and you’ll also get the opportunity to explore hidden gems, such as mediaeval towns, vineyards, and local markets.

2. Asian Adventures: Immersive Cultural and Nature Escapes

Best Tour Packages:

Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia Cultural Tour

Japan and South Korea Highlights

Bali & Singapore Wellness Retreat

Asia, with its rich history, unique culture, and stunning landscapes, offers one of the most diverse travel experiences in the world. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples in Cambodia, soaking in the beauty of Thailand’s beaches, or experiencing the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, an international tour package to Asia brings you the best of the East.

Highlights:

Visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Take a traditional boat ride through the floating markets in Thailand.

Experience the bustling city life in Seoul and Tokyo.

Relax on Bali’s pristine beaches, or explore Singapore's modern attractions and botanical gardens.

An Asia tour package will often blend cultural exploration, beach escapes, and nature treks into a single trip, making it a fantastic choice for those seeking variety and adventure.

3. African Safaris and Desert Adventures

Best Tour Packages:

Kenya & Tanzania Safari Experience

South Africa and Namibia Desert Tour

Egyptian Historical and Nile River Cruise

For travellers who are seeking something a little more adventurous, Africa is the ultimate destination. Whether you’re on a wildlife safari in Kenya, exploring Egypt’s ancient pyramids, or soaking up the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Sahara Desert, Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.

Highlights:

Embark on a safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara to see the "Big Five."

Experience the ancient history of Egypt with a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza and a cruise down the Nile River.

Discover the sand dunes of Namibia and the diverse wildlife of South Africa.

These tours often include game drives, luxury campsites, and expert guides, ensuring an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers and adventure seekers alike.

4. South American Exploration: Natural Wonders and Ancient Ruins

Best Tour Packages:

Brazil and Argentina Highlights (Rio, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires)

Peru, Bolivia, and Chile: Andean Adventure Tour

Chile & Argentina Wine and Patagonia Tour

South America is a continent of vibrant cultures, stunning natural beauty, and ancient history. From hiking to the top of Machu Picchu to exploring the mystical landscapes of Patagonia, international tour packages to South America bring you face-to-face with some of the most remarkable wonders of the world.

Highlights:

Explore the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru.

Marvel at the Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s largest and most stunning waterfalls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina.

Visit the Patagonia region in southern Chile and Argentina, known for its glaciers, lakes, and dramatic mountains.

South America also offers opportunities for eco-tourism, wine tasting, and exploring remote villages. These diverse experiences make South America an ideal destination for the avid explorer.

5. Luxury and Exotic Getaways: Beach Resorts and Tropical Paradise

Best Tour Packages:

Maldives Luxury Getaway

Seychelles and Mauritius Island Escape

Fiji and Tahiti Honeymoon Tour

If your idea of a perfect vacation involves pristine beaches, clear blue waters, and a luxury resort experience, an international tour package to the Maldives, Seychelles, or other tropical destinations is the way to go. These idyllic island nations are renowned for their all-inclusive resorts, crystal-clear lagoons, and outstanding hospitality.

Highlights:

Relax in overwater bungalows in the Maldives.

Explore the crystal-clear waters and coral reefs of Seychelles.

Enjoy luxury services and pristine beaches in Mauritius.

Visit French Polynesia for a perfect romantic getaway in Bora Bora.

These destinations are perfect for those looking to unwind and indulge in a relaxing escape.

Conclusion: Your Dream Trip Awaits

With so many stunning international tour packages to choose from, the world is truly your oyster. Whether you're drawn to the art and architecture of Europe, the rich history and culture of Asia, the wildlife of Africa, the natural wonders of South America, or the luxury of tropical islands, there is a travel experience tailored to your desires.

By booking an international tour package, you’re not just booking a vacation — you're embarking on a journey that will enrich your life, broaden your horizons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. To make your travel planning even easier, turn to a popular travel agency that can offer expert advice, exclusive deals, and customized itineraries that meet your unique travel preferences.

Start planning your next adventure today and prepare for the trip of a lifetime!

[rhk111sblog]

Here is a nice, long Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website talking about how the United States (US) is losing Ground to China in most Countries in South East Asia (SEA) in Terms of Influence. I suggest everybody read it, you can find the Link below. In the meantime, here are some selected Excerpts from the Article itself:

“In the Poll this Year, the Majority of Respondents picked China over the United States when asked whom ASEAN should align with if forced to choose between the two. This was the first time Respondents picked China since the Survey began posing this question in 2020.”

“In its 2020 Survey—the first Year that the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute asked Respondents “If ASEAN were forced to align itself with one of the Strategic Rivals, which should it choose?”—50.2 percent chose the United States, compared with 49.8 percent who chose China, when responses are adjusted (as they have been since the 2022 poll) to ensure that the responses of each Country are represented by equal proportion. In 2023, 61 percent of Respondents chose the United States compared with 39 percent who chose China, although the United States fared below the overall average in Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand. In the 2024 Survey, however, China edged past the United States as the Region’s choice of alignment Partner: 50.5 percent of Respondents chose China, and 49.5 percent chose the United States.”

“Breaking down this Year’s result by Country shows that since the 2023 poll, the United States has lost the most ground to China among Respondents in Laos (a 30 percentage point decline), Malaysia (a 20 percentage point decline), Indonesia (a 20 percentage point decline), Cambodia (an 18 percentage point decline), and Brunei (a 15 percentage point decline). The United States has also lost ground in Myanmar and Thailand (10 and 9 percentage point declines, respectively).”

“Western Media Outlets often carry Reports about the Debt Traps associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But BRI Projects are generally welcomed in Southeast Asia for the growth and development potential they offer the recipient Country. One high-ranking Diplomat from the Region pronounced it a Model for how to win “Hearts and Minds.” In January, I traveled to Laos, where the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was taking place in Luang Prabang, the Country’s Cultural and Spiritual Center. There were no Signs of competition for Influence between China and the United States; Chinese Influence alone pervaded People’s daily Lives. Residents of Luang Prabang spoke positively of the boost to local Businesses since April 2023, when a BRI-affiliated Railway running through the City and connecting Laos to China opened fully.”

Here is the Link to the Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/america-losing-southeast-asia

SOURCE: America Is Losing Southeast Asia {Archived Link}

[braveclementine]

Night Love

Warnings: 18+readersonly, fem x fem smut, nudity, slight mentions of touching, mostly obscure references

Copyright: I do not own any Marvel characters or locations. However, I do own my OCs, which consist of Penny Fury, Elizabeth Nelson, Elijah Chan, Katya Venice, Violetta Moscow, Lan Le, Josh, Trang Tien, Ahni Jallow, Mai Ito, and Ghaida Kashual as well as other OCs that will come up throughout the story.

Trang decided to skip out on the orgy tonight. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy them, she just didn't want to participate in this one. And she also knew that quite a few of the others were skipping out as well. Elijah and Ghaida had already headed off and the super soldiers had left with Elizabeth. Even Penny had skipped out, running off with Violetta.

Trang sighed, finding a quiet spot in the garden to sit down and open the letter that Jay had sent to her. Jay was her soulmate, but they rarely saw each other. He was in the Vietnamese army, and sometimes they went months without even communicating.

He didn't quite know who she was fraternizing with outside of him, but he did say he didn't mind because he knew that someone else had to take care of her needs. She had said that it was someone that Elijah trusted, and Jay trusted Elijah so everything was settled.

Compared to the others, Jay didn't have any superhero powers. He was just kind and quiet.

Trang, Tôi nhớ bạn mỗi ngày. Việc đào tạo ở đây thực sự không quá tệ. Chúng ta vừa mới trở về sau cuộc nhập thất dài ngày, nên tôi có chút thời gian để viết thư cho bạn. Tất nhiên, chúng tôi sẽ quay trở lại lĩnh vực này sau. Tôi thực sự không nên diễn đạt điều này trong trường hợp nó rơi vào tay kẻ xấu, nhưng chúng ta sẽ xâm lược Campuchia.Tôi đang nghĩ rằng tôi sẽ có thể sớm quay lại các tiểu bang, có lẽ là vào năm tới. Tôi không thể chờ đợi để nhìn thấy bạn. Và sau đó có lẽ bạn có thể giới thiệu tôi với bạn bè của bạn? Tôi nhớ bạn. Yêu và quý, Jay

[Trang, I miss you every day. The training here hasn't been too bad actually. We've just gotten back from our long retreat, so I have some time to write to you. Of course, we're going back out into the field later. I shouldn't really be putting this into words in case it fell into the wrong hands, but we're going to be invading Cambodia. I'm thinking that I'll be able to get back to the states soon, perhaps as of next year. I cannot wait to see you. And then perhaps you can introduce me to your friends? I miss you. Love, Jay]

Trang smiled a little, folding up the letter and then sliding it into a necklace that she had created in the lab. It would take notes and twist them small enough to fit inside. But if she wanted them back, she just told it to give her one of the notes- depending on the date- and it would spit the note back into her hand.

"Hey." Tony's voice came from behind her.

Trang glanced over her shoulder slightly. "Hey."

"Didn't feel like an orgy?" Tony asked, sitting down next to her, leaning on his knees so that he could tilt his head to see her face.

She looked over at him, "I'm guessing you didn't either?"

Tony hesitated and then said, "I've missed you Trang. A lot, actually. I know we've been fighting and I know Riri hasn't helped the situation, but I miss you. And not even just your body. I miss our intellectual conversations and I miss when you help me with my projects. I- I can't fix everything. I can't kick Riri out-"

"I know." Trang interrupted quickly because if he said the name 'Riri' one more time she was going to blow a fuse. And one of jealousy. She'd always loved when he said her name. "I miss you too."

Trang missed Tony more than she missed Jay. Because to be quite frank, her and Jay barely saw each other and barely talked. They were more acquaintances than soulmates. And she could say that she loved Jay, but it was in the sense that it was because she was supposed to. Because they were soulmates they had to love each other.

But Tony-

"Will you come and be with me tonight?" Tony asked, holding out a hand. "Stephen's staying in the library tonight and I really want to be with you. And then tomorrow we can go to the lab and work?"

Trang slid her hand into Tony's and then said, "Tony I- I have something I need to tell you. Because I can't keep it inside anymore." Trang looked up at him, her brown eyes meeting his brown eyes. "The reason I fight with Riri so much. . . it doesn't have much to do with Iron Heart or Iron Woman or who made whose suit first. It's because I got jealous. Because I love you."

Tony was silent for a long time and Trang quickly stood up to go to her room. Her heart was beating quickly in her chest. And the Tony caught her wrist quickly, spinning her back to him. Her lips crashed to his as he kissed her.

Trang melted into the kiss, relishing in every feeling and emotion at the moment. Tony slowly pulled apart. "I have never, ever felt any sort of way towards Riri that I feel towards you Trang. I love you too."

🚘🫴 𝔭𝑜𝔳 𝓬𝕙ａή𝐆𝐄 🤨🐳

Penny admired Violetta's room, which was tastefully decorated in dark reds and velvet blues with hints of lilac purple.

Like all of the beds in the palace, it could definitely fit around five to six people. The spread was a lilac purple with white sheets.

"The rooms are magical." Violetta explained, going over to a small panel on the wall, "Come here."

Penny joined Violetta and let the girl put her hand against the wall. Immediately, the walls shimmered into a pale, almost white gold colour with rose pink accents. Even the furniture changed colours in a matching pink and white ombre set.

"Interesting." Vi smiled, lowering Penny's hand from it, before turning, and kissing her palm. Her eyes twinkled with mischief and she said, "Let's undress."

Penny felt the excited nervousness in her stomach as she nodded.

"Help me with my dress?" Violetta asked seductively, turning around, lifting her hair.

Penny stepped forward, unzipping the dress, before sliding the sleeves gently down her arms, helping her out of the dress. Vi smirked as Penny flushed, seeing that the girl wore nothing underneath the dress.

"Turn around." Vi whispered across her skin. Penny turned quickly, also sweeping her long hair out of the way. She could feel Violetta's fingers dancing across her skin as she unzipped the back of the dress slowly, kissing down her spine softly, until the zipper stopped. Then she slid the shoulders off of Penny, letting the dress fall to the ground.

Penny closed her eyes, standing there for a moment as Vi continued to move her hands gently across her skin, her fingertips moving like smooth silk. She felt Violetta's lips add to it, kissing her shoulders gently.

"You're beautiful Penelope." Violetta whispered and then murmured, "Assolutamente mozzafiato" [Absolutely breathtaking]

Penny turned in her arms, pressing her lips to Violetta's, letting the Italian girl cup her face gently and kiss her back.

There was a sense of peace between the two of them, a sense of calm that Penny had never had in the bedroom before. Violetta seemed content to simply explore her skin, one inch at a time, and Penny fed off of that.

Violetta turned off the lights, letting the night sky illuminate the room through the large window at the end of the room. Violetta's skin seemed to glow in the light and Penny let her lead her to the bed by her hand.

"Can I love you tonight?" Violetta murmured, hovering over Penny, straddling her hips. She ran her hands up Penny's stomach, smoothing over her breasts, thumbing her nipples softly. It felt like velvet, like silk, like satin. Soft and smooth and satisfying.

"Mi piacerebbe che" Penny whispered, leaning up to kiss her shoulder. [I would love that]

"Ooh," Violetta teased, bending down and hovering over Penny's lips, "an Italian, how sexy."

The two girls giggled, before their lips clashed together, and they disappeared under the blankets.

🐋🥻 𝓟𝓞ᐯ 𝔠Ħ𝕒ᶰᎶẸ 🧅🪁

Elijah stroke Ghaida's hair back from her face, watching her sleep in his arms. Her thick black hair was also fun to play with, and had an amazing, intoxicating smell from the Moroccan oil she soaked her hair in to make it glisten and shine.

Elijah's soft spot for Ghaida was deep, mostly stemming from the fact that she carried such a heavy burden that no one could take from her. For everyone else, anyone else could take the burden from them. Tony could set aside being Iron Man and let Riri or Trang take over. There were several hundred wizards to take over for Stephen. Clint could hand the bow off to Katya or Kate.

Steve could hand the shield to Ahni or Sam or Bucky. And in turn, any one of those three could give the shield to the others.

But not Ghaida. Being the only Auraling they knew in existence meant she was the sole guardian of the book. A book only she could read, a book only she could see, a book only she could carry.

The things they carried.

They all carried something, physical or not. Elijah touched the dog tag around his neck. And some carried more than most.

But most of all, his deep soft spot for Ghaida stemmed from the fact that she was the first to capture his heart besides Elizabeth. It wasn't the boisterous twins, as he liked to call Violetta and Katya, though they weren't related. It wasn't knowledgeable Trang who always had her head stuck in a book or Mai who was like a sister to him growing up or Ahni who had a quiet disposition.

It was Ghaida. She was a fun person to always be around. She was smart and studious, but also laughed at everything. She had a quiet demeanor for the most part, though she also could be quite loud when mixed with Elizabeth.

They hadn't found the Avengers yet, when he realized he was slowly falling for Ghaida. They had always stuck to the soulmate pairs like they were supposed to, like they were obligated to. And he loved Elizabeth deeply and couldn't imagine a better partner than her.

When she went missing, kidnapped really, Ghaida was the one to talk him out of doing something drastic. She barely knew him, for she had really never had anything to do with any of them in the superhero world before.

Elijah smiled now, remembering Elizabeth's reaction. She had been shocked, but then she had thought about it and had said, "Well, as much as I was hoping you'd prefer Lan instead and then we could have a threesome, I don't mind sharing you with Ghaida."

He'd been shocked then and she'd laughed at him. "Don't worry. I'm not actually falling for Lan. But what the heck. Ghaida makes you happy and I love that."

Of course, he'd never actually thought about pursuing Ghaida in actuality. It wasn't that long after that Elizabeth had found out her mother was HYDRA. It took some time to get out of the house, but she'd been led to New York by a lead under the name 'Maria Hill'. It had taken a long time to track the woman down, but she'd led them to Nick Fury.

Fury had sent them on a bunch of missions to prove themselves. That was when he sent Elizabeth to become a spy in the Navy.

Elijah touched the dog chain again, running his fingers over her name. She'd been miserable, feeling like she was betraying her country, even after it turned out the ship she'd been on was more than fifty percent HYDRA.

That was when he'd introduced them to the Avengers. That was when they found out that the Avengers dipped out of the lines and asked if they wanted to join.

Every single one of them, even Mai and Violetta who were probably the most dominate in the group, looked over at Elizabeth. Elizabeth had never wanted to be a leader and no one, especially not Elizabeth, had ever declared that she was the leader of the group. But subconsciously, everyone looked to her as the leader.

And Elizabeth had smiled and asked, "Why not?"

And that had been that. He knew that this relationship they all had benefited every single one of them. It benefited those like Ghaida or Pietro whose soulmates had died. It benefited those like Rhodey, Violetta, and Josh who had never even met their soulmates yet. And Elijah was sure that if he had never gone into it, he wouldn't have the amazing sex life that he had.

The BDSM and the voyeurism. It was amazing. He loved it.

He kissed the top of Ghaida's head, letting the flames in the lamps go out. He shifted so he was no longer sitting up, laying down instead. He pulled the little Indian girl closer to him, tightening his arms around you.

He smiled as he closed his eyes and murmured, "I love you Ghaida."

🦈🥔 ℙόV ςħ𝓪𝕟ģⓔ 🚖👈

Bucky was sitting up against the headboard, with Elizabeth cuddling into him. Steve was fast asleep on the other side of Bucky, and Sam was mostly asleep on the other side of Elizabeth. A dim light was still on, illuminating half of the room with a soft glow.

Bucky was smiling, his chin resting on Elizabeth's shoulder as she guided his hand along the bump.

"Did you feel it?" She asked with a smile.

"Not yet." Bucky said, waiting patiently. He wanted to feel the kids kick so badly, it was burning his heart.

"Hmm." Elizabeth contemplated and moved his hand a little lower. "Here."

And he felt it. A small little kick on the underside of her bump.

Tears actually pricked his eyes, feeling the little kick. "Oh they're so strong." He cooed. He kicked Steve, "Stevie wake up."

Steve groaned as he rolled over, clutching his groin. "God damnit Buck. That hurt. And I was sleeping."

"Come here punk." Bucky demanded, "My child is kicking."

Steve sat up quickly, moving in front of Elizabeth so he could put his hand close to Bucky's. Elizabeth smiled, enjoying the happy looks on their faces. She figured that Sam might as well join the party as the other two cooed over the kicking babies.

She reached over, shaking Sam's shoulder. She felt his fingers lace through hers and she looked over to see that he had a sleepy smile on his face, "What's wrong sugar?"

"Nothing. Just thought you might want to join in and feel the babies." Elizabeth whispered softly, wincing just a little at a harder quick than the others. That was definitely Bucky's child.

"Do they hurt you?" Bucky asked with round eyes.

Elizabeth thought about it, because she didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to hurt their feelings, "Sometimes, they have some hard kicks, but I haven't felt like, any terrible pain from them. It can be a little uncomfortable sometimes, but I think they're just cramped. They're getting bigger and they are just trying to make room."

"Aww." Steve mumbled, laying his cheek against her bump, a smile coming over his face as they kicked him. "They like your voice sweetheart."

"Well they know I'm their mommy." Elizabeth smiled down at the bump, rubbing it lightly.

"I can't wait for them to come out." Bucky murmured softly, trembling with excitement. "They're gonna be such pretty babies, just like their mama."

"I want yours to look like you." Elizabeth murmured quietly, tugging on a lock of his hair. "Get all the good looks."

"Nah," Sam snickered, "What good looks?"

Elizabeth giggled and Bucky chuckled. Steve just ignored them, still entranced with this idea of feeling the little babies through a thin layer of skin.

"Think they'll have your powers?" Sam asked, lightly putting his hand down next, now that he was wide awake.

"Well, Bruce believes that Bucky's child will at least have some super soldier DNA." Elizabeth said. "And considering Heimdall's child is draining my energy even inside the womb, he most likely will have some sort of power. But Elijah's? I don't know. I mean, I'm water, he's fire, so the kid is half and half. I don't know what that means for him though."

"Do you know that they're boys?" Sam asked, surprised.

"No," Elizabeth admitted, "I don't want to know until they're born. Tony knows though, if you want to know."

"I'll let it be a surprise too." Bucky decided and kissed the bump. "Do you have names?"

"Um, I have a list." Elizabeth admitted. "I don't have it on me though. But it has boy and girls names on it. All the names are from movies, TV shows, and books though. Just names I really liked. But I don't know cause Heimdall might have preferences and I know Elijah wants to give our kid a Chinese and an English name. So whatever you would like Bucky, I'm open ears."

Bucky hugged Elizabeth close, loving the way that her body felt against his. "No, not yet anyways."

Elizabeth just nodded and watched Steve and Sam for a moment and then said, "I love you three."

They all froze and she blushed, looking away slightly. "I just. . . All of this tower stuff we do. It's become more than just sex to me. More than just a good time. I love all three of you. I just thought you guys should know, even if you don't feel the same."

"Oh doll." Bucky murmured against her shoulder. "We love you too. We have for a while now, we just never wanted to overwhelm you."

Elizabeth smiled, turning into him, slowly drifting off to sleep, exhausted from the night she'd had.

Steve went ahead and grabbed a soft blanket, draping it around her shoulders before kissing the side of her head. Sam slipped behind her so that she was sandwiched between Bucky and himself. He breathed in the scent of honey, almonds, and peaches and murmured, "Love you sugar."

[hosannacambodiatravel]

Unveiling the Mysteries of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat: Your Ultimate Cambodia Trip Planner

Nestled in the heart of Cambodia lies the enchanting city of Siem Reap, a gateway to the ancient wonders of Angkor Wat tour packages and a treasure trove of cultural riches. For travelers seeking an unforgettable journey through history, art, and spirituality, a Siem Reap tour package offers the perfect blend of adventure and discovery.

At the forefront of any Siem Reap tour package is the iconic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most magnificent architectural wonders in the world. As the largest religious monument on Earth, Angkor Wat's sprawling complex of temples, bas-reliefs, and towering spires offers a glimpse into Cambodia's illustrious past. Exploring this sprawling complex at sunrise or sunset, when the ancient stones are bathed in golden light, is a truly magical experience that will leave you in awe of the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Khmer Empire.

However, a Siem Reap tour package offers much more than just a visit to Angkor Wat. The city itself is a vibrant hub of culture and commerce, with bustling markets, charming cafes, and lively street scenes waiting to be discovered. From exploring the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei to marveling at the enigmatic faces of Bayon Temple, there's no shortage of architectural marvels to explore in and around Siem Reap.

Moreover, a Cambodia trip planner can help you uncover the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions that lie beyond the tourist trail. Whether it's a scenic boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake to visit floating villages, a trek through the lush jungles of Phnom Kulen National Park, or a traditional Khmer cooking class with a local chef, these unique experiences offer a deeper insight into Cambodia's rich cultural heritage.

One of the key benefits of booking a Siem Reap tour package is the convenience and peace of mind it provides. With a dedicated tour operator handling all the logistics, from transportation and accommodations to guided tours and activities, you can relax and focus on soaking up the sights and sounds of this fascinating destination. Whether you prefer a luxurious retreat in a boutique hotel or a budget-friendly backpacking adventure, there's a Siem Reap tour package to suit every traveler's needs and preferences.

Furthermore, traveling with a reputable tour operator ensures that your Cambodia trip is not only enjoyable but also responsible and sustainable. Many tour companies in Siem Reap are committed to supporting local communities and preserving the environment through initiatives such as eco-friendly tours, community-based tourism projects, and cultural heritage conservation efforts. By choosing a responsible tour operator, you can travel with confidence knowing that your visit is making a positive impact on the lives of Cambodians and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

In conclusion, a Siem Reap tour package is the ultimate way to experience the wonders of Angkor Wat and uncover the hidden treasures of Cambodia's cultural capital. Whether you're a history buff, an adventure seeker, or simply craving a taste of Southeast Asian hospitality, Siem Reap offers a myriad of experiences that will captivate your senses and leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So why wait? Start planning your Cambodia trip today with a trusted tour operator by your side.

[back-and-totheleft]

Don't betray us, Barack Obama

“Suddenly, a season of peace seems to be warming the world,” the New York Times exulted on the last day of July 1988. Protracted and bloody wars were ending in Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia and Nicaragua, and between Iran and Iraq. But the most dramatic development was still to come.

In December 1988, the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, declared the cold war over. “The use or threat of force no longer can or must be an instrument of foreign policy,” he said. “This applies above all to nuclear arms.”

He proposed cutting offensive strategic arms in half, jointly safeguarding the environment, banning weapons in outer space, ending exploitation of the third world and cancelling third world debt payments. He called for a UN-brokered ceasefire in Afghanistan, acknowledging that, after nine years, the Russians had failed to defeat the Afghan insurgents despite deploying 100,000 troops.

Still, he was not finished. He held out an olive branch to the incoming administration of George H W Bush, offering a “joint effort to put an end to an era of wars”. The New York Times described Gorbachev’s riveting, hour-long speech as the greatest act of statesmanship since Roosevelt and Churchill’s Atlantic Charter in 1941. The Washington Post called it “a speech as remarkable as any ever delivered at the United Nations”. Gorbachev saw this as a new beginning for America, Russia and the world, but US policymakers had something very different in mind, hailing it as the triumph of the capitalist west after the long decades of the cold war.

In September 1990, Michael Mandelbaum, then director of east-west studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, rejoiced that “for the first time in 40 years we can conduct military operations in the Middle East without worrying about triggering World War III”.

The US would soon test that hypothesis, beginning two decades of costly and destructive imperial overreach, particularly, but not exclusively, in the Middle East. It squandered a historic opportunity to make the world a more peaceful and just place, instead declaring itself the global hegemon. After the attacks of 11 September 2001, the entire gaggle of neocons was extolling American power and beneficence. “We are an attractive empire, the one everyone wants to join,” crowed the military historian Max Boot.

Fast-forward to 2008, when Barack Obama swept to office on a wave of popular euphoria, mesmerising supporters with his inspiring biography, lofty and exhilarating rhetoric, welcome rejection of unilateralism and strong opposition to the Iraq war – qualities that made him seem the antithesis of George W Bush.

Bush and his empire-building advisers – the sorriest crew ever to run this country – had saddled him and the American people with an incredible mess. After two long and disastrous wars, trillions of dollars in military spending, torture and abuse of prisoners on several continents, an economic collapse and near-depression at home, disparities between rich and poor unheard of in an advanced industrial country, government surveillance on an unprecedented scale, collapsing infrastructure and a global reputation left in tatters, the US did not look all that attractive.

Obama has taken a bad situation and, in many ways, made it worse. He got off to a good start, immediately taking steps to reverse some of Bush’s most outlandish policies – pledging to end torture and close the detention facility at Guantanamo as well as the network of CIA-administered secret prisons.

But he ran into a buzzsaw of opposition from opportunistic Republicans and conservative Democrats over these and other progressive measures and has been in retreat ever since. As a result, his first two years in office have been a disappointment.

Instead of modelling himself after Gorba­chev and boldly championing deeply felt convictions and transformative policies, Obama has taken a page from the Bill (and Hillary) Clinton playbook and governed as a right-leaning centrist. While trying naively to ingratiate himself with an opposition bent solely on his defeat, he has repeatedly turned his back on those who put him in office.

Surrounding himself with Wall Street-friendly advisers and military hawks, he has sent more than 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan; bailed out Wall Street banks while paying scant attention to the plight of the poor and working class; and enacted a tepid version of health reform that, while expanding coverage, represented a boondoggle for the insurance industry. And he has continued many of Bush’s civil rights abuses, secrecy obsessions and neoliberal policies that allow the continued looting of the real economy by those who are obscenely wealthy.

Obama has also endorsed a military/security budget that continues to balloon. Recent accounting by Christopher Hellman of the National Priorities Project found that the US spends over $1.2trn out of its $3trn annual budget on “national security”, when all related expenses are factored in. Still, triumphalist rhetoric abounds. “People are wondering what the future holds, at home and abroad,” Hillary Clinton told the Council on Foreign Relations. “So let me say it clearly: the United States can, must and will lead in this new century.”

Despite such blather, the US has been relegated to the role of a supporting actor in the extraordinary democratic upheaval sweeping the Middle East. Decades of arming, training and supporting practically every “friendly” dictator in the region and the use of Egyptians as surrogate torturers have stripped the US of all moral authority.

Whatever good may have been done by Obama’s Cairo speech in June 2009 has been outweighed by US policy, capped by the indefensible US veto of the UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory as not only illegal, but an obstacle to peace. (The resolution was sponsored by at least 130 nations and supported by all 14 other members of the Security Council.)

Nor can anyone take seriously the US outrage about repressive regimes using force against their citizens after US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have directly or indirectly been responsible for the killing and maiming of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the forced emigration of millions. Where the foreign policy establishment sees only international peril, Obama should see an opportunity – the chance to reinvent himself – to reconnect with the Barack Obama who marched against nuclear weapons while at college and then promised to abolish them in a speech he gave in Prague in April 2009.

He should look to John F Kennedy for precedent. After two nearly disastrous years in office, Kennedy underwent a stunning reversal, repudiating the reckless cold war militarism that defined his early presidency. The Kennedy who was tragically assassinated in November 1963 was looking to end not only the US invasion of Vietnam, but the cold war.

We know from Bob Woodward that during policy discussions regarding Afghanistan, Obama was often the least bellicose person in the room. He has much to learn from Kennedy’s skepticism towards military advisers and intelligence officials. As Kennedy told another celebrated journalist, Ben Bradlee: “The first advice I’m going to give my successor is to watch the generals and to avoid feeling that, just because they are military men, their opinions on military matters are worth a damn.”

There are many ways in which Obama can begin overseeing the end of the American empire and the insane militarism that undergirds it. He has been urged to do so by none other than Mikhail Gorbachev, who has pressed Obama to stiffen his spine and pursue bold initiatives. “America needs perestroika right now,” Gorba­chev said, “because the problems he has to deal with are not easy ones.”

The former Soviet leader’s solutions included restructuring the economy to eliminate the kind of unregulated free-market policies that caused the current global economic downturn and perpetuate the unconscionable gap between the world’s rich and poor.

But, Gorbachev warned, the US can no longer dictate to the rest of the world: “Everyone is used to America as the shepherd that tells everyone what to do. But this period has already ended.” He has condemned the Clinton and Bush administrations’ dangerous militarization of international politics and urged the US to withdraw from Afghanistan.

Obama, having wrapped himself even more tightly of late in his cocoon of Wall Street- and empire-friendly advisers, has shown no inclination to heed Gorbachev’s advice. He would be wise to do so, because the older man oversaw the dismantling of the USSR in a smoother and more peaceful way than anyone believed possible, and so knows something about bringing the curtain down on a dysfunctional empire that has long overstayed its welcome.

If Obama would seize the opportunity for peace that the Bushes and Clintons seem so intent on strangling in its cradle, perhaps the vision that Gorbachev so brilliantly articulated in 1988 can finally become a reality.

-Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, "Don't Betray Us, Barack," The New Statesman, Apr 14 2011

[seovg]

Cambodia yoga meditation retreat! Explore Detox And Yoga Holiday, in Siem Reap Cambodia by simply visiting https://www.amayaan.com/retreats/cambodia

[restlesswasteland]

Miserables Month Day 11: "Work"

Written for the Miserables Month @themiserablesmonth Why didn't I write this for the prompt "coffee," you ask?? Fucked if I know, friends. Enjolras was already in a bad mood when he walked into the coffee shop.

Courf and Jehan had arrived unannounced at his apartment. They had been looking for Ferre, but he was working this afternoon and wouldn’t be home until evening. But in stereotypical Courf-and-Jehan fashion, the duo decided to simply take up residency in their living room until he returned.

Enjolras had a paper due the next morning that was nowhere near done, and a headache from hell. So he left the terrible twosome in his apartment, seeking refuge in his favorite coffee shop around the corner.

The place was pretty empty on a Monday afternoon. He approached the counter, prepared to order his usual. No barista in sight, he perused the menu, no intention of actually buying any of it. He took comfort in his predictable order.

“Hey, sorry for the wait, I-” the door behind the counter swung open, the barista pausing as he caught sight of Enjolras standing in front of the register.

Enjolras blinked in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” He asked Grantaire.

“I work here,” Grantaire gestured to his shirt, the shop’s logo on the front. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here too,” Enjolras stated. “I mean, I do work here,” he faltered, blushing. “I have work. School work. That I do here. Sometimes,” he said, focusing on a very specific smudge on the counter like it was the most interesting thing on the planet.

“Riiiight,” Grantaire was staring at him. “Cool cool, so uh. What can I get for you, I guess?”

“Americano. Black.”

“To stay or to go?”

“To stay,” Enjolras said on autopilot.

Grantaire just nodded and turned away to make his coffee.

Enjolras marginally regretted his answer. He had half a mind to take the coffee and go. He just wanted to work in peace. But god forbid he go anywhere without a distraction. And Grantaire, of all people. Enjolras couldn’t imagine getting his civics paper done while arguing with Grantaire about the sovereignty of eastern-fucking-Cambodia or something equally irrelevant.

But he was unwilling to let this go. Sure, he only preferred this coffee shop over others because it was the closest one to his apartment. But it had lot of seats and it was typically quiet, and he enjoyed the coffee. This was his coffee shop.

Grantaire returned with his coffee, placing the mug on the counter. Enjolras reached into his pocket for his wallet.

“On the house,” Grantaire offered him a lopsided smile.

Enjolras shook his head. “No, I can’t-”

“Yes, you can.” Grantaire interrupted. “Just take the coffee, Enjolras,” he said, suddenly looking weary.

Enjolras studied him for a moment before nodding. “Thanks,” he said, taking the mug and retreating to the farthest corner of the small café.

He took sunk into a well-worn armchair, placing his coffee on the closest table and taking out his laptop. He turned his attention to his work, determined to put Grantaire out of his mind.

It turned out to be easier than he thought. When he finally closed his laptop, feeling confident in his paper, he’d completely lost track of time. He abruptly realized it was dark outside. He looked around the shop, and no one else was there, save him and Grantaire, who stood idly at the counter.

He checked his watch. 7:30. Fuck.

“Grantaire,” Enjolras said, exasperated. He shoved his laptop in his bag before bringing his empty coffee mug over to the counter. “You should have told me what time it was.”

“It wasn’t a problem,” Grantaire shrugged, taking the mug from Enjolras and disappearing in the back for a moment.

“You closed half an hour ago,” Enjolras said as soon as he returned. He was annoyed that Grantaire let him stay. Or maybe he was annoyed at himself for not realizing what time it was. Either way, he was annoyed.

“I had to finish closing up anyway, and you weren’t exactly in the way,” Grantaire was unfazed.

The complete apathy written across his face made Enjolras want to argue with him.

But Grantaire had given him free coffee and an extra half hour to finish his paper.

“Well. Thank you,” he forced himself to say. Grantaire raised an eyebrow, obviously not expecting it.

“No problem,” he returned, running a hand through his hair. “But I am gonna close up now.”

“Right,” Enjolras nodded curtly. “Okay. See you later, then,” he added, unsure of himself.

Grantaire looked like he wanted to laugh, but he turned towards the door behind the counter.

“Goodnight, Enjolras,” he called as he disappeared into the back, his voice laced with amusement.

Enjolras took the opportunity to take out the cash he would’ve spent on the coffee, and then some, stuffing it into the tip jar before letting himself out.

He didn’t expect to find himself back at the coffee shop the next afternoon.

“Americano?” Grantaire asked. Enjolras nodded.

“How long have you worked here?” Enjolras asked as Grantaire made his coffee.

“I started last week.”

“You left the bar you were working at?” Enjolras asked, surprised he’d stored that information somewhere in his subconscious.

Grantaire looked at him sharply, his hands stilling for a moment. He looked away just as quickly, leaving Enjolras confused.

“No, I picked up a second job, needed the money,” Grantaire said casually, returning with Enjolras’s mug.

Enjolras already had the cash in his hand this time.

“You don’t have to-”

“Yes, I do. I come here a lot,” Enjolras said, trying not to cringe at the exaggeration, “and if I never pay, you’re going to get fired.”

Grantaire paused before taking the money, but he didn’t look particularly happy about it.

Enjolras was surprised to find himself relieved.

Again, he retreated to the same chair. He pulled out his foreign policy notes to review, but not before setting an alarm on his phone for 6:45.

Turned out he didn’t need it, because by the time 6pm rolled around, he had finished his test prep. He put his notebook back in his bag, gathering his things as he fully intended to leave.

So when he found his feet carrying himself to the counter, well. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that.

Grantaire watched Enjolras cross the room, unashamed in his staring. Enjolras felt fidgety, tucking stray lock of hair behind his ear.

“Done for the night?” Grantaire asked when he reached the register.

“Do you do decaf?” Enjolras heard himself saying.

“Sure,” Grantaire gave him a funny look. “Another Americano?” He asked.

“Please,” Enjolras said.

“I never understood why people drink decaf,” Grantaire told him over the sound of the coffee grinder. “It makes coffee moot.”

“I like the taste,” Enjolras told him.

“Of course you do,” Grantaire shook his head and laughed. Enjolras looked at him in bemusement.

Grantaire handed him the mug. “Three dollars.”

“I told you-”

“Calm down, Apollo,” Grantaire half smiled. “Decaf is cheaper. You’re still paying full price.”

“Oh,” Enjolras looked away, embarrassed. “Okay.” He handed over the three bills, putting the extra in the tip jar.

“You don’t have to do that just because you know me.”

“I would do it either way,” Enjolras told him, and it was true.

“I’m not going to win this one, am I?” Grantaire asked with a sigh.

“That’s never stopped you before,” Enjolras countered, surprised to find his face breaking into a grin. Grantaire raised an eyebrow.

“No, it hasn’t,” he agreed. “Is that a challenge I hear?”

And honestly, Enjolras really shouldn’t have been so surprised to find himself on one of the barstools at the counter an hour later, the two of them having spent the time arguing over minimum hourly wages for tipped workers. He’d goaded Grantaire into it, after all.

“I should go. You’re supposed to be closing.” Enjolras looked around the café. Grantaire had idly been cleaning the espresso machine and wiping down the counters while they’d quarreled.

“I’m done with everything, so I’ll walk you out,” Grantaire said as he placed the last clean mug on a shelf.

“It’s okay, I can let myself out,” Enjolras assured him, standing to go.

“I have to lock up anyway, just let me grab my shit.” The door to the back closed behind him, leaving no room for Enjolras to argue. He returned with his backpack in one hand, keys in the other.

He came out from behind the counter, and Enjolras followed him out into the cold autumn night. He tugged his jacket on as Grantaire locked the door.

Grantaire watched him do the buttons of his coat, and Enjolras immediately became self-conscious. He avoided Grantaire’s gaze.

“I’m going that way,” Enjolras said awkwardly, filling the silence. He pointed down the street.

“I live the other way,” Grantaire told him. “So goodnight, then,” he added.

“Goodnight,” Enjolras returned, looking at him for a moment more before turning on his heel and walking away.

“Enjolras,” Grantaire said, stopping him after only a few steps. Enjolras turned to him. “I’m not working tomorrow,” he said out of nowhere.

“Oh, okay.” Enjolras pushed away the gnawing disappointment.

“But I’m working the next day,” Grantaire added. “Just, so you know,” he said with a shrug.

“Got it,” Enjolras nodded. When it became clear Grantaire didn’t have anything else to add, he gave him small smile. “Goodnight, Grantaire.”

“Night,” Grantaire said behind him as he walked down the street.

The day after tomorrow, Enjolras made a mental note as he continued towards his apartment. Seemed like it would be a good day for coffee.

[vanderlindemorgans]

Cross My Heart (Chapter 1)

Pairing: Agent Whiskey x Reader

Rating: Explicit/18+

Summary:  A traitorous Agent Whiskey returns to the United States on the run. Being cast out by Statesman, he soon finds that you're the only person he can turn to - the embittered former flame from years long passed

Word count: 2.6k 

Warnings: Eventual smut, some references to alcoholism and drug use. Reader is in her late twenties but there is an age gap between her and Whiskey. Chapter specific warnings include some graphic descriptions of blood and injuries and some alcohol consumption. Also I know nothing about Texas or horses. 

Read on AO3 | Next Chapter | Masterlist

To say things hadn’t gone to plan would be a dramatic understatement. In his case, however, the results of his arrival in Cambodia had proved even more disastrous than he could have ever imagined. Though really, if he’d have stopped to think about it for even just a second, he would have seen that his plan was doomed to fail from the beginning.

Stalking through the busy streets of Dallas, Jack tried his best to keep as low of a profile as possible - you never knew who could be wandering the city searching for him, and after the stunt he pulled with Eggsy and Harry it could almost be guaranteed that he had some sort of warrant on his head. It was probably foolish of him to even come back to the United States in the first place, but really, where else did he have to go?

He didn’t entirely know where he was going now either. He couldn’t return home, as it would most likely be swarming with Statesman agents and the like hunting for him. He was almost certainly cast out of Statesman for his actions by now, so any former friends he could usually turn to in situations like this would be of no help at this point, considering everything that happened. For once in his life, Jack was well and truly alone. The acknowledgement of that fact itself did nothing to alleviate his anxieties, only doing more to further the ever growing void in his stomach. His eyes darted between the various passersby, none of them taking a single notice of him to his relief. He’d have expected to draw more attention to himself, in fact when he stopped to take a gander at his reflection in one of the shop windows he passed by he was almost stumped as to how he had managed to keep under the radar so well - you couldn’t much see it with the way he kept his head down, but upon closer inspection one could easily spot the large nasty gash of blood split across the side of his cheek, complimenting several different bruises that were forming underneath. His clothes were either torn from navigating through the thicket of the Cambodian jungle or scuffed from his confrontation with the two Kingsman agents. The only part of him that was still in almost perfect condition was his damned hat, surprisingly enough. In the most blatant use of the term, he looked like an absolute wreck. If he weren’t on edge from the constant vigilance of potentially running into one of his former colleagues, he might’ve laughed at himself over it.  

Escaping from Eggsy and Harry had been the easy part - they’d left him tied up with his own lasso off to the side, but in all the confusion and spate of heroics in trying to distribute the antidote, they had neglected to keep any sort of watch on him. From there on, all it took was the simple slice of a knife he had hidden away in his back pocket and just like that, he’d slipped away into the shadows, running for his life through the thick and sweltering heat of the jungle. He’d wanted to retreat back to the plane he’d used to travel there in the first place but upon realising that Statesman could use radar to track him, he instead was forced to navigate himself to a nearby airfield used for moving cargo. After that it was just a matter of stowing away on one of the planes to ensure his arrival back in America, touching down in Dallas of all places. Jack was fully aware that he was lucky to have his life - if things had gone differently he’d have ended up with a bullet in his head or something much worse. For that much at least he was somewhat grateful for. Somewhat.

Almost as if by instinct, he drifted towards a bar in the downtown area of the city, stumbling in and being assaulted by the smoke-scented air that greeted him the moment he opened the door. It was by no means a classy place, yet he didn’t much care in that moment. Any place was better than aimlessly wandering the streets like a stray mutt. Striding through the crowds of patrons ranging from tipsy to drunk, he came up towards the bar and pulled a couple of notes from the inside of his jacket pocket. “A glass of whiskey, if ya will” he requested, sliding the notes over to the disinterested bartender on the other side of the counter. Some part of him felt stupid for ordering the drink of his agent namesake, but some side of him felt like reminiscing on old times a bit. In light of him going rogue, they’d most likely be passing on that codename to another agent. Probably to Ginger most likely. He caught himself sneering at the thought of her, a deep burning sense of hate starting to fester in him. He never did like her much.

Taking the glass of whiskey in his hand, he let the warm rush of liquid seep down his throat, feeling consumed by the blazing burn it left on his tongue. So this was how it all ended for him: hiding out in a dingy dive bar, drinking himself to death while he waited for the inevitable. His mind ran over all of his options from there on, running down the short list in less than a minute tops. He had no job, no friends, nowhere to run to, no-one to turn to.

Unless…

Jack’s mind began to nag on something, a faint memory from years long since passed starting to resurface, the face of someone he hadn’t thought of in what felt like forever creeping into his thoughts gradually. He was in Dallas, right? An idea began to form in his head, recalling days spent during the summer out on a ranch north of the city, of your warm smile and intoxicating eyes that one could get lost in. Waving over the bartender, he pondered on his idea further. Would you even want to see him after all this time? He remembered the way things ended between the both of you, the bitterness and bad blood that most likely still lingered.

It was possibly an idiotic idea to begin with. Hell, you might not even be in Dallas anymore: the last time the two of you spoke was at least a good seven years. But it was the only option he had left. Throwing his head back and downing the last remnants of whiskey in his glass, he threw down a couple of extra notes for the bartender on the counter and sauntered off, fully sure of his next course of action. Like it or not, you were his best chance he had of survival. He just hoped that you didn’t hate him too much to turn him away after everything that he put you through.

___

Wiping a line of sweat from your brow, you found yourself cursing the suffocating summer heat. After living there for so many years you thought you’d be used to it but every June through to August the intensity of the blistering sun always managed to take you by surprise. If only you could simply relax a little, lounge by the pool sipping on cognac and smelling of lilacs, without a single care in the world. Instead, you were out in the sun, tending to each of the horses that your ranch housed. You ran a horse riding ranch only a couple of hours outside Dallas, tucked away in the deep necks of the Texan countryside. It was originally your parents business, and you’d practically lived there your whole life. It wasn’t your original plan to take over the family business, some part of you angling for something more than life as a simple ranch hand but when both of them tragically passed only a few years before, you felt you owed it to them in a way to take up the mantle to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Some things didn’t take much adjustment in a way  - you’d already known the procedure for cleaning the stables and tending to the horses like the back of your hand, and the inheritance money left behind had made it easier to pack everything up out of your small  city apartment to move back home on such short notice. The thing that did take some getting used to was their absence. Stepping back into their well loved home, seeing the photos still hanging on the walls, the folded pages of the books your mother kept on her bedside that would never be opened again, the places where they should be but simply weren’t - that wrecked you more than anything you could ever imagine.

At first you didn’t even sleep inside the house - it was just too painful to see them everywhere around you, and you couldn’t bring yourself to remove the cheerful family photos from the walls, even if it was only for a little while. The first two months back home were spent in the backseat of your car, curled up with a blanket that you’d managed to drag out from the house. You tried to carry on with business as usual but everything felt bleak around you. Some part of you wanted to blame someone, anyone for what happened. Sometimes you’d felt tempted to blame yourself in some way. Eventually, things did become easier. The emotional weight started to lift, and you were able to get through the day without having to take five to pull yourself together. Nothing was the same as before, but the flow of your life started to settle and become something resembling normal again. And that, in your opinion, was probably the best way it could have turned out.

Doing a onceover the stables to check everything was in its correct place, you pulled the large doors closed and surveyed the landscape around you, taking in the stunning visual of the sun beginning to dip below the skyline, mellowing out into a lively and beautiful sunset. With the front gates locked and everything with the horses all taken care of, you trudged back up to the house at the centre of the property, your mind drifting to the glass of liquor you intended to pour yourself the minute you got inside. It had been a long day, full of tiresome frustrations and irritations. Being in the middle of July, your ranch saw frequent visitors, including kids who were out of school and being taken out of the city on a sort of day trip by their parents. That day in particular had involved a birthday party for some kid, and you’d been out there giving riding lessons to the whole group of them.

Usually lessons were conducted by one of your other employees but in cases of events you tended to take on more tasks yourself. To be perfectly blunt about it, the day had gone horribly. Surprisingly enough, the kids were fine, no, the real piece of work was the birthday boy's mother. She’d insisted on trying to take control of every single aspect of the event and was overly critical of every little thing you did, and was an all round exhausting person to deal with. When the party was finally over and everyone had packed up and left, you remembered breathing a huge sigh of relief and thinking “thank fuck, she’s gone”.

Twisting open the front door to your house, you tossed your keys off to the side and immediately set off in search of something to drink. Grazing your fingertips along the refined wooden edges of your liquor cabinet, you pulled on the handles and reached your hand in to select a bottle. What you really wanted was something strong to take off that stressful edge of the day behind you. You felt your eyes settle on a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey stuffed towards the back and couldn’t help but smirk to yourself, a vague memory teetering on the precipice of your mind. Shaking the thought away, you instead choose a bottle of bourbon, placing it on top of the cabinet as you reach for one of the empty glasses stored inside. As you poured a glass for yourself, you felt your mind get lost in a haze, wandering between the events of the past few hours and what you’d planned to do with the rest of your night, and, admittedly something you were ashamed to say, a lingering thought to do with that bottle of whiskey you’d passed on over before. Fucking Jack Daniels, I swear to god…

Your body might as well have been on autopilot then, as you didn’t take any conscious note of anything other than the burn of liquor on your lips. If you hadn’t been so distracted you might have noticed it earlier - the distant sound of footsteps coming closer up the driveway to your house, the sounds turning into thuds the nearer they got. Too lost in your thoughts and too tired from the nightmarish day you endured, you were only pulled from the depths of memory by a loud bang on the front door. Furrowing your brow, you shot a confused and worried glance over to the front of the house, already beginning to feel alerted and wary. Who the hell could that be at this hour?

There was another bang on the door, this one more insistent than the last, and you felt yourself jump at the suddenness of it. Would it even be safe to go answer it? For a minute, you contemplated the idea of ignoring it and pretending you weren’t home, however once you realised whoever was outside could most likely see the lights on from the windows you dismissed that idea with disappointment. You’d have to go answer it, you knew that, but something didn’t feel right to you. Cautiously rising up out of your seat, you took a small step towards the entryway of the house, and through the fear managed to call out “Who’s there?”.

Taking another moment to contemplate whether or not it would be worth fetching a gun for this, you heard the voice of the person on the other side answer back, a voice that had you freeze in a mixture of shock and disbelief the instant you heard it. “Darlin'? It’s...it’s Jack, could you…”.

You didn’t even give him a chance to finish his sentence before you had bolted to the door, hastily unlocking the deadbolt and ripping it open to reveal him standing before you. Something in your heart stopped the second you saw him - he was the one person who you never, ever, in a million years ever expected to see again, much less on your front doorstep. You drank in his appearance, the first thing your eyes being drawn to was the large bloody slash across his cheek. His eyes were looking down at you pleadingly, a look you weren’t used to seeing on him. From when you’d known him he’d always looked so confident, so self-assured and pulled together, so to see him so browbeaten and, dare you say, defeated, unnerved you in a way. You could feel your mouth hanging open slightly, the words being there but your mouth being unable to form them, your eyes only fixated on his own dark and vanquished gaze as your mind raced a million miles a minute. There was so much you wanted to say, to ask, yet the only thing you were capable of verbalising in your shock was the one question that pushed itself to the forefront of your mind.

“Jesus fuck, Jack, what the hell happened to you?”.

[jaywritessmut]

Please

Summary: August Walker x Reader ( *all stories are with black women in mind). You kiss another man and come clean to August. He doesn’t take it well. It’s my first fic. Go easy on me!

Warnings: angst (sorry I got sad), light choking, minor infidelity

You knew from the way his shoulders tensed that he had heard you. The taut configuration of his back muscles told you that he had taken in your words and registered what you were saying. His hands gripped the mantle of the fireplace with a fierce hold as he responded to you.

“What?”

There was a noticeable edge to his voice, one that you hated to be on the receiving end of. And just beneath the surface was an emotion he was putting all his effort into concealing. Hurt. August Walker was hurt. It was a side of him you’d never seen before and it threw you for a loop. You expected your confession to elicit anger, possibly even contempt. But not the hurt. You swallowed the knot in your throat and repeated your words.

“I kissed another man tonight”

It was just a kiss. A brief moment where your lips met with another. It wasn’t meant to mean anything more and you had made that clear to Derrick, your boss. A late night in the office had lowered your guard. You still didn’t know how he got into your personal space like that. You didn’t notice that he inched closer to you as the two of you looked over reports. By the time you realized it, he was right there inches from your face. You had looked at his lips right as he leaned in, making no effort to move. And when his lips touched yours, instinctively you knew you had screwed up. The whole thing had felt wrong. His lips on you, the feel of his body pressed up against you, even the smell of his cologne. This wasn’t where you wanted to be. And you felt stupid for giving in. When you pulled away, he had stared at you bewildered and confused. He was almost certain that you leaned in

“Wait, Y/N what’s the matter?”

“Derrick, I’m sorry but I can’t. I, I shouldn’t have done that”

You’d seen the brief flash of disappointment on his face before his eyes took a steely gaze. His lips set in a firm line as he started at you with a hardened expression. Later on, you would have to contend with the fact that you effectively brought down two men tonight from one decision. But the only one you truly cared about was the one who’s back you were currently staring at.

“Baby I swear it was just a kiss, nothing else happ-”

“Why'd you do it?”

That smooth baritone voice that normally sent jolts to your center now left you with a feeling of dread. His tone was incredibly controlled, a sign he was working hard to keep the anger at bay.

“I didn’t meant to”

“Oh don’t give me that shit!” he bellowed. He’d finally turn around to face you, his beautiful features now marred by a tormented scowl. But you needed him to know it meant nothing. That your love for him was still there.

“August it really was just a mistake. A moment of weakness. Just one moment baby”

“You made a choice. It doesn’t matter if you initiated it or simply didn’t pull back. You decided that it was okay to let another man touch what was mine.  Because in case you didn’t know, you. are. mine. Every inch of your flawless skin has been touched by me, every part of your heart belongs to me, and every piece of your soul is bound to me. And you just let someone think they could take that from me? Why?”

Deep down you knew the answer to his question. You knew the answer long before you even leaned in Derrick’s embrace. But you really had hope that August would explode and punish you like he’d always done. This had thrown you for a loop.

“Tell me why” he growled. At some point, he must’ve sauntered over to you like a beast silently stalking it’s prey. It wasn’t until you felt the heavy grip of his hand around your throat that you realized he had move. The wild look in his eyes signaled to you that he was unraveling at the seams and your answer would be the final push. So you put him out of his misery.

“I just wanted to know what it would feel like” you answered softly.

“What?”

“To kiss another man. To be wanted by someone else. I wanted to know if I was making the right choice” You brought your hand up to his forearm, hoping that your touch would soothe him.

His gaze focused in on the thin rose gold band on your left ring finger. Tension filled the air as his breathing evened out. He began to tenderly stoke the thin strip of metal on your slender finger

You were a simple girl, something August appreciated. Diamond and outlandish gifts did nothing for you and you would sooner have him take you on an adventure than splurge money on you. So when he spotted the ring in a tiny market while on assignment in Cambodia, he knew it was meant for you. And he was right. He’d barely got the question out of his mouth before you pounced on him and shoved the ring on your finger.

He was aware that being with him was a challenge. And for the longest time, he’d shut himself off from the possibility of love. Just endless streams of beautiful, compliant women to fulfill his basic needs. But you’d put an end to that. You with your sarcastic mouth and tantalizing dimples. You’d come into his life and obliterated all his shields. He lay himself before you completely bare, allowing you to love him. And that was precisely why your betrayal had hurt so much. You’d become his Delilah, slipping into his life and weakening him.

Your heart beat wildly against your chest as you awaited his response. It was true that he terrified you. His job and his issues were all reasons to run as far away as possible. But you knew in your heart that you could never leave him. Somewhere in between the explosive arguments and wild uninhibited sex, you’d fallen in love. And you could recount every memory that contributed to it. The first time you heard his laugh, being snowed in your cabin in Winnipeg, when he made love to you for the first time in Thailand. The memories all swirled around your head as you awaited his response.

He broke his silence; his voice take on a chilly tone as he brought his smoldering blue eyes to yours.

“And how’d that work out for you princess? Did you like what you found?” He was mocking you. Mocking your weakness, your lack of faith in him. And he had every right to do so. Your insecurities led you to this moment. The least you could do was let him have his pound of flesh.

“No. Because it wasn’t you. He wasn’t you August”

“Hmm” he huffed as he once again stared at the ring on your finger. A minute later, he let out a mournful sigh before placing a chaste kiss on your forehead. Without another word, he turned and walked out of your bedroom.

Panic set in and you struggled to breathe. He couldn’t leave. Not like this.

“August wait, please! Don’t go!” You struggled to keep up with him as his long legs carried him through the house. He took off down the stairs and you kicked off your heels to keep up with him.

“August!” you cried as you reached the bottom of the staircase. You needed him to stay.  He could yell at you, hate fuck you, even give you the cold shoulder. Just as long as he didn’t walk away from you.

His entire body froze the moment you called him. His hand hovered over the doorknob as he rested his head on the frame. He was waging one hell of an eternal battle. Waves of emotions rode over him as he struggled to breathe. He felt trapped, like a caged animal desperate for release. He just needed to think. And he couldn’t do that here in this space that was overtaken by your presence.

“Don’t go. Please” you pleaded, your voice barely above a whisper. It was your final prayer to him, one that you hoped he’d hear. One last attempt to hold him to you. Because you weren’t sure he’d come back if he walked out that door.

Time moved in slow motion as the entire scene played out. With a rough shake of the head, as if he was riding himself of an unpleasant thought, August gripped the door handle. Without saying anything, he swung the door open and walked out. You watched as his back retreated from your view and it wasn’t until the door slam that you came to your senses.

The painful jolt of heart break washed over you as the levees broke. Your body,  wracked by painful sobs, crumpled to the floor. Nothing had ever hurt this much.  One word repeated in your mind as you lay on the floor gasping for air.

Please

[hosannacambodiatravel]

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