#petals woman's clinic

[swetaroy]

Health Hub Harmony: Navigating Wellness at a Multi-Specialty Primary Care Clinic

You can get all-encompassing treatment at Petals. With a variety of medical services provided under one roof, we are a Multi-Specialty Primary Care Clinic. Using a variety of specializations to promote your overall well-being, our knowledgeable staff guarantees individualized care and customized treatment programs.

[primaryhealthcenter]

In our previous article, we discussed the definition and symptoms of an ear infection. In this blog, we will talk about the complications, risk factors and better management of ear infections. You can get effective treatment for ear infections from any reputable primary care clinic.

Web 2.0: Click Here

[lizzy06]

Shouta Aizawa Fics Recs!!(Tumblr/Ao3/Wattpad)

My Hero Academia Fic Rec Masterlist

Shouta Aizawa x Reader

FIVE TIMES ✨by @damnzawa (oneshot, fluff) In which the faculty at U.A. — ehem Present Mic and Midnight — and 1-A tried to get the two of them together, only to find out they were together all along.

How Convenient by mighty-mighty-man (Pair_Up)(oneshot, humor(?))The night shift at the convenience store was going so well. You got to hear some good tunes, you made a sale, you made conversation with a handsome hero. But then a robber shows up. [COMPLETED]

Lazy Egg��✨✨by mighty-mighty-man (Pair_Up) (slice of life, fluff)You work at an animal shelter.When Aizawa Shouta adopts your favorite cat, your lives become inexplicably intertwined. And strangely enough, it all seems to be for the better.[COMPLETED]

“did he steal two babies?”✨ by @bakugohoex (oneshot, fluff)in which you’re aizawa’s secret wife, aizawa gets a call in the middle of class that you’re going into labor and eventually leaves, the class being noisy pricks follows him to a hospital, feeling worried they continue to follow until they see him holding two babies with a smile at his new family. [COMPLETED]

Victory by @bnhascribbles (oneshot, fluff) Just a fluffy story about you and your husband. [COMPLETED]

Chocolate hearts✨ by LetheSomething  (fluff, sloeburn, angst, serial killers)A group of villains calling themselves the Valentine Killers are going around murdering people.Their target? Pro hero loved ones. Aizawa Shouta is utterly convinced he has nothing to worry about. He's wrong. [COMPLETED]

Stray Cats. Aizawa Shouta x fem!reader ✨by http_vanished (kinda enemies to lovers , fluff, angst)A man under the alias ‘Eraserhead’ is your favourite author of all timeAs part of your bucket list, you write him a letter expressing your admiration. Never in a thousand years did you expect a rely, inviting you over for dinner to meet him, all-expense paid for. However things don’t go exactly as you planned as the man you idolised for years turns out to be grumpy, scruffy man with an appalling attitude.[COMPLETED]

Lucky Cat ✨by kalpa (oneshot, fluff, humor, slice of life, smut)You're utterly convinced your quirk is having shit luck and attracting trouble everywhere you go. Thankfully, a certain underground hero is always there to save the day.[COMPLETED]

Hurting Together by  @dira333 /Fogfire(oneshot, sorta humor(?))You meet in the waiting room of a Clinic, but opening up about your respective illnesses isn't as easy as you might have thought. Or how Aizawa makes an ass of himself because he tries to flirt on painkillers.[COMPLETED]

Caught in Love by @mooncademia (oneshot, fluff, kinda secret relationship)After getting a job offer at U.A, your love life w/ Aizawa has officially transferred to school. And you loved it.

The Cat and the Key (Aizawa x Reader) by EVoDanger (oneshot, fluff, slowburn)The most wanted woman in town has announced that she'll only marry the one who can open her front door with the key around her cat's neck. Many men try to hunt the cat down, chase and trap it, but to no avail. The cat is simply too quick, smart and clever, and always finds a way to evade and avoid them.[COMPLETED]

suffer the signs ✨by advantagetexas (oneshot, hanahaki au, angst with happy ending)You begin coughing up petals soon after beginning work as the new UA nurse. You know what they are, you know why they're afflicting you, but you refuse to let them control you.[COMPLETED]

Quirk Smirk by Meldy_Writes (fluff, humor)Quirkless Female Reader moves to Musutafu to reconnect with her estranged sister, Inko, and her newfound nephew, Izuku. everything is going fine until she learns that her kind-of-attractive-kind-of-a-dick neighbor is a pro-hero… and also her nephew's homeroom teacher.[COMPLETED]

But they're soft... by coffee_dessert (fluff, humor)When a black cat is found unconscious in the pouring rain, what's a good samaritan to do? In which the reader takes care of Aizawa after he's been affected by a transformation Quirk.[COMPLETED]

What a Cliché by kingyohna (flowershop au, fluff, slowburn, mutual pinning)Aizawa doesn't know much about pop culture, but he knows it's a definite cliché to fall for someone working in a flower shop.[COMPLETED]

Together, Always. by kalpa (oneshot, soulmate au, enemies to lovers, fluff, angst)Ever since you were young, you've done what's expected of you. But after a chance meeting with a hero and after saving two cats, you begin to wonder just what you truly want out of life.[COMPLETED]

Fill my little world (right up) by tsumoo  (single parent aizawa, nanny! reader, fluff, family feels)you are employed by aizawa shouta to nanny for his vulnerable adoptive daughter eri while he’s at work. as time passes you find yourself equally smitten with them both, longing for a more permanent place in their family.[COMPLETED]

Breathless by Mishme(oneshot, fluff, hurt/comfort) In which you experience the different types of kisses from the pro hero, Eraserhead.[COMPLETED]

Chocolate Milk by MariaTheBrave(oneshot, fluff)“Mr. Aizawa,” Mina broke from the others and made a beeline to her teacher, “why didn’t you tell us you have a kid?!”[COMPLETED]

The Reaper (Aizawa x female reader) by Emltar (fluff, smut, enemies to lovers, trauma)You're a teacher at UA with a tragic past trying to keep some semblance of peace in your shattered life. Can a grumpy caterpillar break through your defenses or will you lose yourself completely?[COMPLETED]

Newfound by mysoftestecho (strangers to friends to lovers, smut, fluff)You move to a new town to start teaching at UA. It's a new life for you and you're excited to see what it brings.[COMPLETED]

Home is where you are by speia(oneshot, fluff, comfort)Just a casual Valentine's Day[COMPLETED]

Puzzle Pieces ✨by iimber(fluff, angst, mutual pinning, stalker)Years of piecing together your life to the point were it's near perfect come crashing down when you gain an extremely dedicated stalker. After coming to a head, you leave your life in Tokyo to seek safety back in Musutafu. [ONGOING<idk could be discontinued too😭>]

Shouta Aizawa x Emi Fukukado(Ms. Joke)

But I remember you✨✨ by JackieMoonshine (oneshot, fluff, humor)A fun EraserJoke one-shot that struggles with whether it wants to be a comedy or drama. Either way, I like it.[COMPLETED]

A Happy Family with Never-Ending Laughter ✨by Yojimbra (domestic fluff, humor, smut)In order to raise Eri properly, Eraserhead seeks help from the one person he can trust. Ms. Joke.Eri is so screwed.[COMPLETED]

Nature, Nurture, and Chocolate Milk  by  Nuclear_Equipped_ Walking _ Battle_Tank (oneshot, fluff, humor, izuku and shinsou are brothers)The Aizawa family goes shopping . An appropriate amount of tomfoolery ensues. [COMPLETED]

this sudden burst of sunlight, and me with my umbrella  by  lettersfromnowhere (fluff, angst, family feels)the one where Eri gets a mom, Aizawa gets a headache, Emi adopts half of UA, and laughter really is the best medicine.[COMPLETED]

he hadn't the time by ohmytheon (oneshot, friends to lovers, bad at feelings)Over the ten years that Shota has known Emi Fukukado, she has been far too loud, bubbly, bright, and positive for his taste. She's probably one of the most annoying people he knows. She is also an extremely capable hero and an excellent teacher. There has to be a reason that their paths keep meeting and it has to be more than just to drive him crazy.[COMPLETED] he took the time by ohmytheon (oneshot, smut, fluff)If Emi keeps joking about Shouta taking her home, one of these nights he's going to take her up on that offer. Turns out, it's not a joke at all, not one bit.[COMPLETED]

Bursting with Laughter, Blooming in Flowers✨ by dracula420 (hanahaki au, angst with happy ending, fluff)Emi Fukukado loves jokes. She’s got a million of ‘em. You ever heard the one about the girl that repressed her unrequited love until it turned into a disease? That ones a classic.[COMPLETED]

The Last Laugh ✨✨by FeralPen (friends to lovers, temp. unrequited love, fluff, light angst) Emi Fukukado had two goals in life: become the hero who makes everyone smile, and crack Eraserhead's shell to make him laugh. Getting a date along the way would just be a bonus.[COMPLETED]

Sands and eyelashes by Iamanormalperson(misunderstanding, pinning) Eraserhead and Ms. Jokes had taken down a villain. That's it, but the others saw something else.[COMPLETED]

Inside Joke by Huinari  (oneshot, fluff)Five times Ms. Joke asked Eraserhead to marry her, and one time she didn’t.[COMPLETED]

Subtle Like a Lion’s Cage by aactionjohnny(fluff, mutual pinning, hurt/comfort)Ketsubutsu is under construction, so the students are staying at UA. Unfortunately for Aizawa, that also means Ms. Joke will be around.[COMPLETED]

Never Again (but maybe I'll give you a chance) by SplashingInPonds (oneshot, feels)After a disastrous mess of emotions and a big joke at his expense in high school, Shouta Aizawa decided that he was never going to let himself feel that way again. That is until he meets a persistent woman with sea green hair that seems to actually hold something genuine underneath her overly jovial hero persona.[COMPLETED]

I’m Ms. Joke: Ask Me Anything! by dracula420(oneshot, humor) Aizawa lurks the internet and finds a rather interesting topic on a very famous forum site.[COMPLETED]

make your move by velvari (smut)Mr. Aizawa finally makes a move on Ms. Joke.[COMPLETED]

Drinking Makes the Truth Come Out by The_Sensei_Simp (oneshot, jealousy, fluff) Two years after the war, the Pro-Hero teachers of U.A. High School go out for drinks to celebrate their summer vacation, since they had not in a while. What happens when Shouta Aizawa runs into Ms. Joke the Smile Hero AKA Emi Fukakado, who catches his attention when a coworker of hers is too friendly with her and it makes him jealous?[COMPLETED]

[whimsimille]

THICKER THAN BLOOD

Chapter 1: Road Back Home

Jeong Jin Man x Reader!

Hazy. Your vision was hazy with adrenaline and anger as your hand reaches out to the handle of the refrigerator, and you grip it tightly, preparing for the worst.

Slowly, you push the door open, wincing at the squeak of metal on metal. The harsh light washes over you, making your eyes water, but you force yourself to look inside.

A telltale odor overrode everything—it was sharp, clinical even—the sorrowful symphony of death and formaldehyde that filled your nostrils. Of course, it did not take long for you to get used to it.

It's not unlike any other mortuary fridge—shelves lined with bodies wrapped in white cloths or paper sheets, each one tagged with a label displaying their name and cause of death. But two in particular catch your eye: the one where Jeong Jin-Suk, Ji-An’s father, lays now and the one where Jeong Ji-An clings to her mother's lifeless form like a koala bear holding onto a tree branch. She's huddled close, her body shaking violently as she tries to keep warm while sobbing silently into her mother's chest, pulling her close as if trying to keep her warm or wake her up.

It was blatantly obvious that she was faking sleep. Her tiny trembling form snuggled against her mother's unmoving body; her eyes clenched shut whilst suppressed sobs caused shudders in her small frame.

Still, there was no mistaking whose blood she had — Jin-Man’s for sure. Those sharp instincts that devised clever escapes from cruel men intent on ending her lineage mirrored his. She was his niece, through and through.

You couldn't help but see yourself mirrored in her. It was as if you were looking back in time to just a few hours ago, back at her house. The sticky warmth of Honda's blood was still palpable on your hands, so real that you could almost smell the metallic scent.

The crushing weight of his lifeless body in your arms was a sensation that haunted you—the way his eyes, once filled with life, had stared blankly at the ceiling, void of any hint of the spirit that had once resided there.

If someone were to ask you right now, you would tell them that you wanted to die with him, that you yearned to join him in whatever came after this life. You would say that you wanted to lay down next to his covered grave, your fingers tracing the rough texture of the soil and the silky petals of red roses as you took your final breaths to rejoin him in death. If they asked why you didn't, why you chose to live instead, you would have no answer.

His death is the one you do not know how to talk about or grieve without almost dying from the agony of it. His death was the most life-altering thing that you have ever had to survive and you almost drowned in the tides of it. You did not know how to swim in those kinds of waters.

You never thought you would need to learn how.

Jesus, stop with it, Y/N. Enough. He is gone. Get over it. Let him rest in peace. Ji-An needs you now more than ever.

Carefully, as if handling a delicate artifact, you hid your gun and your knife behind your back, out of sight. Next, you reached out slowly and gently uncurled her fingers from her mother's limp ones before lifting her up slightly so she could lean against you as you stepped away from the cold metal box containing the dead body of a woman who should never have been there in the first place.

Tightening her grip around your neck, she presses her face into your chest, her hot tears seeping through your shirt. Your fingertips, where they lay comfortingly on her back, feel her heartbeat hammering rapidly beneath them.

Ji-An was afraid of you—that much you knew; you felt it in the way she kept herself tense against you, crying but not making much noise—like being quiet would make you more tolerable or maybe even forgettable. It seems that neither her uncle nor Honda prepared her for the idea of you showing up there while he was away taking care of his "business."

"Calm down, Ji... It's okay. Noona won't hurt you, okay? I'll take you back to your uncle. I'm his friend." You murmured against her hair. You felt a pang of guilt for staining the bottom of her hospital gown with your blood and for the sight of death she had to witness in the mortuary.

Leaving the cold, sterile room, your senses were on high alert; every little sound felt amplified—the hiss of your breath as you exhaled, the drip-drip-drip of blood from your wounds, and the muffled thud of Jeong Ji-An's heart against your chest.

As you turned a corner, you noticed the two killers lying lifeless on the ground, their eyes glazed over in terror, one with a bullet in his head and the other in his heart. They'd never expected someone like you to show up here tonight. A smirk tugged at your lips as you brushed past them without a second thought. This was personal for you, after all; payback for what they had done to Jeong Jin-Man and his family. To yours, as well.

You continued towards the exit, careful not to step on any broken glass or discarded weapons lying around from earlier skirmishes, guiding Jeong Ji-An through these darkened halls.

An eye for an eye. A leg for a leg. A life for a life. A soul for a soul.

Swiftly and silently, you wove your way through the hospital's maze-like corridors. Your steps, nearly soundless on the cold, clinical tiles, echoed the stealth of a ghost as you blended perfectly into the low-lit ambiance.

Snuggled against your untouched side was Ji-An; her heartbeat quickened and was palpable like a terrified bunny caught in headlights. Her only sounds are swallowed whimpers leaking onto your blood-smeared shirt and inconsistent breaths overpowered by the persistent drone of the hospital’s fans, a nurse rushing past with a tray of instruments and an orderly mopping up blood and fluids on the floor, leaving streaks of cleaner fumes.

From down that hall sprang a nurse, impeccable in her sleek white uniform. A neat dark knot atop her head completed her picture; a clipboard filled with lives quite literally sketched out on charts and doctor notes was clutched in one hand.

Drawing near, she became a threat to remain unseen—every sinew screamed at you to recede or flee, but neither was an option with Ji-An safest in your arms. Your once-perfect cover as another doctor now betrays you, with vivid emblems of dried-up crimson coated across it.

While she strode ahead, forgoing caution, you obstructed her path, making your presence radiant against your shadowy backdrop. Her eyes shot wide open upon seeing you before they squinted dubiously at multiple points connecting pieces to make her conclusion.

Instinctively reaching down for an intercom button dutifully stationed at her hip proved futile—it didn’t match your speed.

"Wait!" you whispered urgently, holding up your hand to stop her from pressing the button.

Before she could react, you had her pinned against the wall, her startled gasp echoing down the empty hallway. Your hand shot out, pressing the tiny scanner attached to your wrist against hers.

For a tense moment, both of you were frozen, the only sound in the quiet hallway being the soft beep of the scanner as it processed the information.

When you pulled back, her eyes widened even further. The small screen on your wrist lit up with the identification of a chip. She was an agent.

You thanked all the gods for making you so good at making programs.

"Who...who are you?" she stammered, her eyes darting nervously between you and the door.

"I'm here to protect her," you replied quietly, nodding towards Ji-An. "And you're going to help me."

For a second, she just stared at you, her eyes wide and frightened. Then, slowly, she lowered her gaze to her own wrist, where your code was displayed in bright neon green. It was the highest clearance level—only Jin-Man possessed it. Or so everyone thought.

"Impossible," she murmured, her eyes darting back to yours.

"Believe it," you replied, a smirk tugging at your lips.

She looked back up at you, her expression unreadable. Then she nodded, her hand slowly moving away from the intercom button. "Okay," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Follow me."

In silence, she led you and Ji-An through the hospital's maze of corridors, bypassing the bustling ER and the curious looks of other staff members.

Walking behind her muted your adrenaline-fueled heartbeat while every waking sense within sharpened, cutting-edge-like attentiveness to every change—a sudden whisper of air against cotton scrubs or distant clatter—anything that dared disrupt these meticulously planned sequences.

Nearing the hospital exit, a sturdy security guard caught your attention. He was sitting behind a polished oak desk, engrossed in a glossy magazine.

The fluorescent light from the ceiling above glinted off his gold-plated name tag, revealing his name: 'Officer Kim'. He heard your footsteps and looked up, his eyebrows arching inquisitively at the sight of the frightened girl in your arms.

Now an ally, the nurse stepped forward assertively. "Dr. Jun Hadou requires assistance moving this patient," she articulated crisply. She gestured towards Ji-An in your arms. "She's been through a lot tonight and it's crucial she gets home to rest."

She then leaned in towards the officer, as if sharing a confidential piece of information. "There was utter pandemonium earlier because of an emergency surgery that took way longer than expected. We're all hands on deck, even Dr. Jun here."

Officer Kim gave a nod of understanding, his eyes softening as they landed on Ji-An. "Poor kid," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. He gave the two of you a once-over before shrugging and returning to his magazine, a dog-eared issue of 'Security Weekly'.

With a silent exhale of relief, you moved closer to the distantly parked car, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off your shoulders.

Sincerity brimmed in your newly-turned-ally’s gaze when she asked, "Is she going to be okay?"

You nodded, tightening your hold on Ji-An. "She's a fighter. She'll make it through."

The cool night air hit your face like a slap as soon as you stepped outside, cleansing it from any remaining hospital smells and noises—replaced by freshness and darkness instead. The parking lot was dimly lit, casting eerie shadows across your path as you made your way towards the car—an old but sturdy sedan that once belonged to Honda—and the crunch of gravel beneath your feet echoed in the silence, punctuated only by the rustling of paper in the wind.

You moved quickly, ensuring to avoid any onlookers or cameras that could incriminate you both.

The car door opened with a soft click, and you settled her into the backseat before climbing in after her.

Glancing at Jeong Ji-An huddled in the back seat through the rear-view mirror, you noticed the flicker of moonlight reflecting on her wet cheeks and how she clutched at her hospital gown. Her eyes, the color of dark chocolate, were tightly closed, her small face scrunched up with effort as if trying to hold back a fresh wave of tears. Her tiny frame curled up against the worn leather seats, shaking. Each breath was a struggle, forcing her small ribcage outward as it hitched.

The engine roared to life, filling the car with heat while you fished out a damp cloth from your bag and dabbed at her face gently. Cool water soon replaced some of the tears and sweat that had collected there.

"Thank you," she whispered hoarsely from behind shaking lips, her voice barely audible even to you.

"Don't mention it," you replied softly, pulling away from the hospital grounds cautiously. Having someone so precious, so vulnerable in your care was a new experience. It made every turn of the wheel and every press of the accelerator or brake seem infinitely more significant, requiring deliberate caution.

As the night enveloped the car, your eyes darted frantically around every corner and alleyway, the adrenaline from your earlier altercation still pumping through your veins, keeping you on high alert.

"We're almost home.”

“Noona?”

“Yes, Darling?”

“Did my uncle die too?”

“Die? What? Dying means joining-”

“I know what dying means, auntie. Uncle Jin-Man... is he dead too? Like omma and appa?”

"No, darling," you managed to choke out, the words feeling like shards of glass in your throat as they fought their way out. "Your Uncle Jin-Man hasn't... he hasn't joined them. Not yet."

"A-And I saw... I saw Uncle's friend. He was... he was hurt. Did he... did he go away too?"

As Ji-An spoke, the image of Honda filled your mind.

Honda, your twin brother, Jin-Man's right-hand man, always standing tall and proud, always full of life and hope.

Now, the thought of him being gone was unbearable.

Memories flooded back to you, like a torrential river that had broken its banks. You, as children, laughing and playing in the park, the sun casting long shadows as it began to set. Honda would be there, signing furiously as he tried to keep up with your games, his fingers dancing in the air like a ballet of silent words.

You remembered your eighth birthday, when you baked him a cake shaped like a train. It was amateurish and lopsided, but the look of utter delight on his face when you presented it to him was priceless. His hands moved quickly to sign, 'Thank you' over and over again.

There was a silence that always hung around him, a silence born from his inability to speak. But Honda had never let that stop him from expressing himself. He was the most expressive person you knew; his hands and face said more than words ever could. His silence was a beautiful symphony that only you understood.

Honda's smile, his laughter, his silent words—they all play in the back of your brain like the soundtrack to a horror film. The memories you don't want to keep could fill graveyards, but you do not have the energy to dig, to label every headstone, or to plant flowers at every edge.

You do not have the energy to bury brotherhood like a corpse, to label its death a suicide. You're ready to set this thing on fire, to watch as the flames consume the painful past, but you cannot bring yourself to light the match.

Grief has made a home inside of you. It had renovated the broken patchwork of your skin and the worn framework of your limbs. It had breathed life into your scars, only to make them bleed again. It now resides in the foundations of your bones, in the quiet rooms between your heartbeats. It has seeped into the floorboards of your soul, staining the wood with its dark, relentless hue. It's like a painting you can't stop looking at—a masterpiece. Grief was a cruel architect, reconstructing your heart into a house of sorrow.

Grief had moved in, settled down, and seemed like it was here to stay.

Even in death, your brother will decorate your heart.

You wanted to scream, to shout, to let out all the pent-up frustration and sorrow. But you couldn't. Not now. Not when Ji-An needed you.

Suddenly, a shadow darted across the road. Your heart pounded in your chest as you swerved the car, narrowly avoiding a large creature that looked like a hyena. Its yellow eyes glinted in the moonlight, and you caught a glimpse of a hand and something shiny and metallic in its mouth—Honda's brass knuckles. The ones you had gifted him on his 16th birthday as a joke, but he kept them, always wearing them as a symbol of protection.

The sudden swing of the steering wheel made the car skid on the gravel, spewing a cloud of dust that obscured your vision. Your heart was stuck in your throat as you fought to regain control over the vehicle, your hands gripping the wheel so tight that your knuckles turned white.

With a shaky breath, you blinked, quickly rubbing your eyes with the back of your hand. When you looked again, the road was empty, save for the dancing dust particles in your headlights' glow. The hyena was gone, and there was no sign of Honda's brass knuckles. It was as if the animal and the precious memento it carried had never been there at all.

Feeling a warm wetness on your cheeks, you realized that you were crying. Hastily, you wiped at your eyes, not wanting Ji-An to see you in this vulnerable state. But it was too late.

From the backseat, Ji-An's voice trembled. "I... I saw it too," she stated, her fingers lightly brushing your arm. "The... the thing in the road, noona.”

Glancing at her in the rearview mirror, you quickly fibbed, “It was just a deer, sweetheart," hoping to calm her down.

However, she shook her head adamantly, her grip on your arm tightening. "No, it wasn't. I... I've been seeing it since... since I saw my uncle's friend on the floor."

Honda, she was talking about Honda. Your twin. Your mirror image.

"What did it look like, Ji?" You asked gently, attempting to understand the enigma she was seeing.

"It... it was large. Like a monster. With yellow eyes... and it... it had something shiny in its mouth and… and a hand. But it goes away if you don't scream or make a sound! Uncle said... he said only weak people make sounds. That it... it gets scared of your strength."

You swallowed hard, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. This brought a bitter taste to your mouth. Jin-Man’s teachings were hard and cold, just like him.

"You're not weak, Ji. You're the strongest girl I know. And believe me, I've seen many."

She didn't respond, but you could feel her gaze on you, heavy and searching.

As you drove, Ji-An finally whispered, her voice so quiet you almost missed it. "I wish we could go home to Uncle," she murmured. "I don't like being alone. I don't like the dark. Mom and Dad didn't like it either."

"I know, sweetheart. I know."

The rest of the drive was silent, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the occasional soft sniffle from Ji-An.

Thoughts of Jin-Man’s cold eyes boring into you once you got home were oddly comforting. It was better than being alone. Better than being haunted by the ghosts of your past.

In your mind, you could see Jin-Man's stern face as he roughly cleaned your wounds, his hands firm but careful. You could almost feel the sting of the antiseptic and the harsh pull of the bandage being secured too tight. "You're going to die too young at this rate."

You could picture him watching you from afar as you lit a cigarette, his eyes narrowing in disapproval. "I don't like the smell of blood and nicotine on you."

And even though these weren't the most comforting images, they gave you something to hold onto something other than the haunting emptiness of being alone. It gave you a sense of familiarity, a sense of home, no matter how skewed it was.

-------

One month later

The diagnosis of  'Aphasia associated with Dissociative Amnesia' was scrawled on the paper in front of you in the pediatrician doctor's hasty handwriting. It was a medical term that felt too large and too heavy for the tiny girl it was attached to.

When you looked away from the glaring black letters, you saw Ji-An curled up in the backseat of Jin-Man's truck.

Blurred landscapes reflected themselves in her wide, doe-like eyes as she silently absorbed them through the window.

Ever since that spine-chilling hospital night, she's been caged in a quiet world, her words locked behind invisible bars. It seemed like someone had snatched away her voice and reduced her to near silence and you didn't even know which was worse—the image of her crying or her silent, vacant stare. Either way, it was a haunting reminder of the trauma she had endured.

Sighing deeply, you turned back to view what raced outside. Midnight shadows played tag with dawn's first light piercing through leaves now tinted golden brown. Trees were naught but fleeting streaks rendered blurred by speed against this backdrop. Birds chirped their morning songs from atop telephone wires and trees and somewhere in the distance, a dog barked once before going quiet again.

Just then, something patted your leg, jolting you out of your reverie. Glancing up, you saw Jin-Man's face, his brow was arched in a silent question, his dark eyes probing, trying to gauge your state of mind.

Ever since Honda's death, your words have become scarce. You only spoke when necessary, choosing instead to keep your thoughts and feelings locked away.

On top of Honda's freshly dug grave during his final rites, you willed yourself to be one with him a couple heartbeats later, a wild urge tickling at some primal instinct buried within—a desire to claw open his pine box and nestle next to him just like an animal would do. Returning home. Returning to him.

You would then pretend to be ready for deep sleep, wantonly giving yourself all control over whatever comes. Deep down, you knew those seeds needed germination, especially now that dirt has lined their lifeless forms.

But Jin-Man had been there, pulling you back. He had held you as you crumbled, physically and emotionally. He had helped you take your PTSD medication, his firm grip guiding the pill to your mouth.

Suddenly, you noticed Jin-Man hastily moving his hands, catching your peripheral vision once the car came to a stop at a red light.

His fingers formed the familiar shape of a rabbit, then he pointed towards his bag, which was resting on your lap, the leather of it creaking under the pressure of his touch.

You squinted at him, your own hands moving in a flurry of motion as you signed back, your brows furrowed in confusion and a hint of amusement. "A rabbit? Really, Jin-Man? You're telling me you snuck a rabbit into the car?"

Jin-Man rolled his eyes. His hands moved with an air of impatience as he signed, "No, not a live rabbit, you idiot. Ji-An's bunny plush toy. The one with the pink bow and the missing eye."

You huffed in exasperation, shooting a glare his way. "Well, maybe you should learn to sign better. Honestly, Honda was way better at this than you. He was clearer, more precise. You're just... sloppy.”

Jin-Man just scoffed, shaking his head at your teasing. "Maybe I would be better if you didn't always insist on being the one to teach me. You're not exactly the best teacher, you know."

“Screw you, Ahjusshi. I'm a fantastic teacher. And how the hell did you even manage to swipe the plushie from the police station? That’s just reckless.”

Jin-Man smirked, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous light. “I have my ways.”

“Jin-Man! That’s dangerous! You could’ve gotten caught.”

“Nothing happened. I’m still here, aren’t I? Anyway, stop fussing and give the damn toy to Ji-An, will you?”

Ignoring his words, you reached into his bag, your fingers brushing against the soft fabric of the stuffed rabbit. It was a worn-out thing; its once vibrant colors faded with time and love. You could feel the patches where Ji-An had tried to mend them; stitches crooked but strong.

Pulling it out, you turned to pass it to the girl, your hand instinctively reaching out to caress her face.

You lightly tapped her adorable button nose with your finger, a small smile pulling at your lips. "You should get some sleep, sweetheart," you murmured, your voice rough from how long it took for you to speak. Actually, you just spoke aloud to her. Not even with Jin-Man.

Ji-An took the plush toy, her small hands clutching it tightly. "But I'm not tired," she protested, her wide eyes looking up at you as she signed. It was a rare occurrence for her to communicate, even through sign language, but when she did, it was always endearing.

"Yes, you are.” Jin-Man stopped signing once the car began to move again. “And if you don't sleep now, the ugly rabbit will be very sad."

Ji-An's eyes widened at that, her grip on the plush toy tightening. "I don't want the bunny to be sad.”

Smiling tenderly at her, you gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. "Then it's settled. Time to sleep a little bit."

The bunny plush seemed to give her comfort, her tiny hands clutching it tightly as she snuggled deeper into the seat, her eyes fluttering shut. It was a small victory, but it was enough for now. Enough to keep moving forward.

With the soft, rhythmic hum of the car engine acting as a soothing background melody, you turned back to Jin-Man. “What about Ji-An's school? Have you had a chance to talk to them yet?”

 Jin-Man glanced at you, his dark eyes flickering towards the rear-view mirror to check on his niece, who was quietly dozing off in the back seat. "I've spoken to the principal and a few of her teachers. They're aware of Ji-An's situation. As far as they're concerned, her parents are on an extended trip overseas and she's staying with her uncle for the time being."

You raised an eyebrow, your fingers shaping the words. "And the students? What about them? It's not just the adults at the school who need to understand. How are the other kids going to react to her situation?"

Jin-Man shrugged, his broad shoulders rising and falling in a nonchalant gesture. "Kids adapt quicker than you'd think. She'll be fine." 

You huffed, signing, "Don't be so sure, Jeong. Kids can be cruel, especially to those who are different. She's mute now and that's going to make her a target. We need to prepare her for that."

He was silent for a moment, considering your words, before he muttered, "We'll deal with it if it comes to that."

Not satisfied but willing to let it slide for now, you decided to change the topic. "What about Babylon? Are they still sniffing around for us?"

Jin-Man's eyes hardened, a glint of steel flashing in them. "They're always after us. But we've managed to stay a step ahead. For now."

"What about the shop? How's Murthehelp coming along?"

His lips curled into a small smirk, a spark of excitement lighting up his otherwise stoic face. "Pasin is almost done with the base. It's looking good. You'd love it. There are many pretty weapons, just like Honda would have wanted."

At the mention of your brother, you couldn't help but smile back, signing, "About the site... I've been working on the new codes, but there are still a few bugs that need fixing. Besides that, the chips are working perfectly."

Jin-Man nodded, his hand resting on the steering wheel as he guided the car through the quiet streets. "Take your time. We want it to be perfect. We're not in a hurry. He would want us to do this right."

As the car continues along the highway, your fingers tap to an invisible rhythm against the leather seat as you watch Ji-An sleep, her cherubic face calm for once. You can't help but wonder what she dreams about—is she frolicking with fluffy bunnies in a sun-dappled meadow or staring down the monster with the shiny hand in a dark, foreboding alley? 

You swallow hard against a lump in your throat. Honda was always so protective of kids, always making sure they were safe. Now that he's gone, you feel his absence like a physical weight on your shoulders. Jin-Man too. He glances at you occasionally in the rearview mirror, his eyes full of concern for both of you. He takes long, slow breaths that betray his worry for your silence and Ji-An's muteness. You know he feels responsible for their wellbeing, as if he failed in some way.

Your stomach rumbles, reminding you that breakfast is still waiting at home. Butterflies dance in your belly at that thought. Jin-Man has taken over most cooking duties since you moved in. His meals filled with home-cooked rice and kimchi stew comfort you in a way nothing else does anymore.

As if sensing your hunger through your silent communication system, he reaches over and hands over a pack of chips from his smaller bag. It tastes salty and old under your tongue as your jaw works furiously to break down each piece into smaller ones.

Grinning, you decided to push your luck. You reached over, taking one of the chips from the packet and holding it up towards the man. "Open up, old man. Let's share this gourmet meal.”

His brows furrowed in mock annoyance, he retorted, “I’m not hungry, old lady, and that's hardly a gourmet meal. It’s just a cheap bag of gas station chips.” 

“Don’t lie to me, Jin-Man. I know you well enough to see through your bluff. Besides, in this car, in this moment, they taste better than any expensive restaurant food.”

He shot you an exasperated look, but the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in a reluctant smile. He opened his mouth nonetheless, allowing you to pop the chip in.

Jeong chewed slowly, savoring the taste despite his earlier protest. His cheeks puffed out with each mouthful, transforming his stern features into a comically adorable sight. You couldn't help but chuckle—a soft, breathy sound that filled the car with a warmth that had been missing for a long time.

"You always manage to make these trips bearable, don't you?" Jin-Man mumbled around his mouthful of chips, his voice softening.

"Well, someone has to keep the spirits up," you quipped, reaching for another chip. "Besides, it's not every day we get to enjoy such a luxurious feast."

As Jin-Man drove, the cityscape gradually changed, giving way to the undulating greenery of the countryside. You watched as the concrete jungle was replaced by rolling hills, farms dotted with cows and sheep, and tractors moving steadily in the distance. Men and women, dressed in well-worn overalls and sturdy boots, worked diligently under the sun, their faces obscured by wide-brimmed hats.

Your eyes were drawn to a cluster of trucks parked near a barn, their bright colors standing out against the muted palette of the farm. A few workers were loading bales of hay onto one of the trucks, their muscles straining under the weight.

The car finally slowed down as you approached a quaint farmhouse nestled amidst the fields. Jin-Man parked the car carefully, the crunch of gravel under the tires breaking the serene silence.

The house was old but well-maintained, its white paint gleaming in the sunlight. A row of rose bushes lined the front porch, their vibrant blooms adding a splash of color to the scene.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Jin-Man's hand move towards the ignition, turning the key and silencing the car's constant hum. The sudden silence was almost deafening; the absence of noise made your ears ring.

As you swiveled around in your seat, prepared to gently wake Ji-An, you found she was already stirring. 

Sleepily, she unfastened her seatbelt, her small hands fumbling with the clasp. She began gathering her things, clutching her bunny plush toy close to her chest. Jin-Man, in his own quiet way, was also preparing to exit the car, gathering his belongings with an air of quiet introspection.

"Do you need help with your belongings, Ji?" you asked, reaching out to help her. Your hand hovered over her tiny form, ready to provide assistance. 

But she shook her head, her small lips forming a stubborn line. Her tiny hands clenched tighter around her belongings, the bunny plush toy almost disappearing in her fierce grip. 

Ji-An was stubborn, always wanting to do things on her own. It was one of the things you admired about her—her fierce independence shining in even the simplest of actions.

As the three of you approached the front door, Ji-An trailed somewhat behind, and Jin-Man fumbled with his keys. His usually nimble fingers were uncharacteristically clumsy, the keys jingling loudly in the quiet morning.

He walked ahead, his heavy boots crunching against the gravel path. Every step echoed in the silence, a steady rhythm in the calm of the morning. Ji-An tried her best to match his pace, her tiny feet stumbling against the uneven surface, but she maintained her determined expression.

Without warning, she lost her balance and fell to the ground, a small gasp escaping her lips that sounded loud in the quiet.

You immediately moved to kneel and help her, your maternal instincts kicking in. But Jin-Man turned around and shook his head at you, his eyes meeting yours in a silent conversation. 

He wanted to handle this.

Jeong then crouched down in front of Ji-An with his stern gaze as he met her wide-eyed stare. "Listen, Jeong Ji-An. I'm not your father. I will never be. That means I will never do the things he did to you."

Ji-An could only look at him, her doe-like eyes filled with an emotion you couldn't decipher. Fear? Confusion? Maybe a bit of both. 

Without another word, Jin-Man stood up and walked into the house, leaving both of you outside. His retreating figure, tall and stern, disappeared into the dimly lit hallway, leaving behind an awkward silence that hung heavily in the air.

This motherfucker! She is just a fucking child! Come on!

Cursing him under your breath, you knelt down in front of Ji-An, the gravel crunching underneath your weight. Your hand moved gently, brushing the dirt off her mini jeans jumper that matched yours—a pair of overalls that were adorned with tiny stars and moons. "Don't mind him, sweetheart. He might be grumpy, but he'll come around someday."

Seeing her still looking a bit upset, her brows furrowed and her bottom lip trembling slightly, you decided to use one of her favorite metaphors to explain Jin-Man's behavior. "You know those wildlife documentaries you like so much, Ji-An? Think of your uncle as one of those grumpy old bears. He might growl and seem scary, but deep down, he's just trying to protect his turf. And just like those bears, he can also be quite silly sometimes, especially when he forgets where he left his honey...or in Jin-Man's case, his keys."

She only looked at you. Her eyes linger on the red bandana on your long hair, the way it fluttered slightly in the morning breeze, then your sneakers, scuffed and worn, then finally your eyes. Eyes that held a world of promises and shared her pain.

Feeling her gaze on you, you gave her a comforting smile, your hand reaching out to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It might not be the same, but you can always count on me, okay? I might not be your mom, but I can be someone you can lean on. Like an older sister, a noona or an unnie. We can face any challenge together, okay?"

As you spoke, you felt her lean towards you, her small body seeking comfort and warmth. Your heart clenched at the sight, at the trusting innocence in her eyes.

"Would you like to hug, Ji-An?" you asked gently, your arms opening in invitation.

Her eyes widened a bit, surprise evident in her face, before she gave a tiny nod.

Swiftly, you wrapped your arms around her, pulling her close to you. Her body felt so small and fragile against yours, her heartbeat a soft rhythm against your chest.

Now, under the gentle light of the 8 a.m. sun, you understand why wolves guard their pups fiercely, why birds return to their nests year after year, why a bear would face any danger for her cubs. You understand why a beaver tirelessly repairs its dam, why elephants return to their birthplace to give birth, why a penguin would journey miles to feed its young. You comprehend why a tree nurtures its saplings, why the river always flows to the sea, why the sun rises every day. You get it now. The offspring were their purpose.

And now Ji-An might become yours.

After all, when your eyes are closed, water feels just as thick as blood.

[kivino]

FANTASY AU WITH VALERIA!

Word Counter - ~900 words.

Summary – self-indulgent thoughts with Rogue!Valeria in a fantasy setting!

Tags/Warnings – very much Dragon Age coded, reader is a mage/healer, mentions of blood and injury, this is very corny™, gn!reader.

A/n – wrote it almost in one go, very sorry if someone already did something like this! I originally planned for my first writing post to be Graves fanfiction that I’m working on right now, but I just couldn’t contain myself, lololol

Rogue!Valeria who stumbles into your clinic one moonlit night while running away from the city guard, hands clawing at her side, blood seeping through the delicate fabric of her shirt and vest, slipping in and out of consciousness, as she tries to hold onto the cold walls that smelled of medicine and herbs.

Rogue!Valeria who made so much noise and racket downstairs that it woke you up better than any of your assistants could. You fly out of your bed, covers and colorful duvets trailing behind you in a stream of fabric, long forgotten on the floor of your bedroom as you run down the stairs, in fear that somebody broke into your clinic, no patients of yours were staying overnight today. Any words that could’ve been said evaporate as you see a woman, bleeding out on the floor, back propped up against the counter, and…are those daggers she is carrying?

Rogue!Valeria who wakes up the next morning in someone else’s bed, her wound freshly bandaged, hot breakfast already prepared for her. And at that moment she thinks she must’ve died and gone to the Fade. Where else would she see a spirit as beautiful as you?

Rogue!Valeria who tried her best to leave this quiet haven, full of smells, colors, and so many things unknown to her (she’s no mage after all), but she just can’t, throbbing pain in her abdomen stopping her the moment she even tries to stand up among the quiet murmurs of your patients and their relatives. You throw her a stern look, and she is immediately pinned to the soft sheets like her body is not her own.

Rogue!Valeria who finally has a chance to talk to you once it’s time to change the bandages on her wound. You sit near her, your voice quiet, asking “May I?”, as you delicately remove the covers. Valeria asks if you can speed up the recovery, seeing what a miracle worker you were, treating the patients all day with the help of not only healing salves, herbs, and potions but also magic. And you decide to grant her request, hands gliding along the surface of her skin, Valeria’s stab wound slowly closing and a delicate, light scar forming. She doesn’t know how much that takes out of you until your assistant helps you walk back to your room to get much-needed rest. Her eyes lingered on your fatigued figure as her fingers keep poking and prodding at the thin skin of her new scar, feeling something warm spark inside her.

Rogue!Valeria whose gang starts protecting you. Thieves know better than to try picking any of the locks on your doors, signs carved on the worn wood by her informing them that this place is off-limits.

Rogue!Valeria who sneaks through your backdoor, knowing you always forget to lock it, seeing you sleeping on another book, laid out under your arms. She wraps you in a soft blanket, pressing her finger against her lips when she sees awake patients or assistants eyeing you two.

Rogue!Valeria who leaves the flowers she picked from the gardens of her rich targets on your windowsill, petals ruffled and worn, former beauty still recognizable. Instead of putting those flowers in the water you dry and preserve every single one of them, with time gathering small bouquets that greet you each morning around your clinic. When she visits “officially”, she asks about them and you just say that you have no idea who leaves the flowers, mischief tugging at the corners of your eyes. Valeria only grins in response. “Is that so? You must have a lot of suitors then.”

Rogue!Valeria who always leaves some of her things behind just to have an excuse to visit you again, to see you at work, to hear your laughter, and to feel your hand shake her own in a warm greeting. Each time she gets bolder, and instead of a small satchel or a dagger, you start finding her jewelry and accessories. When did she have the chance to take them off anyway?

 Rogue!Valeria who drags you to the market during fairs, insisting that you need to have some fun once in a while, as she leads you between a variety of stalls, her heart squeezing harshly against her ribs each time your fingers tighten around her hand.

Rogue!Valeria who ends up hiding with you in a narrow alleyway, hiding from the city guard that patrolled the festival grounds. She looks you in the eyes, trying to make sure you’re okay, and shoots you a sly wink, caging you between her body and the wall. She feels her breathing get quicker with each second spent like this, but you two are soon taken out of it when small sparks of fire shoot out of your fingers. Too agitated to control your magic, you get flustered, not sure why you were getting nervous in the first place. But when you hear Valeria let out a hearty laugh from your sudden supernatural outburst, everything starts to make sense.

Rogue!Valeria who never mutters a single word about her quickly developing feelings. It would complicate things. It would spoil your friendship. It would tie her down, it would cause her to become slow and eventually sink, taking you with her. Yet she couldn’t let you go. Not when her heart ached with such sweet foretaste each time she saw you running to her with your arms open. Not when her thoughts inevitably drifted to you each time she was preparing to raid another lazy lord’s manor. Not when her days already started to center around visits to your small clinic, during which you constantly looked at her with that contagious light in your eyes.

taglist - @mockerycrow @stridersdiner

check out my masterlist for more fics or send me a request!

[ramblingoak]

A Sweater For His Siren

~ Tales From Lucifer's Hollow ~

Mountain x Rain ~ Just another lil snippet from my upcoming story A Petal For Your Thoughts. The fic is part of an au series that takes place in the small town of Lucifer's Hollow.

Previous snippets: here, here, here and here

Warnings: lots and lots of fluff, sfw, enjoy!

As Rain soon finds out, Mountain knits most of his sweaters as well as the blankets he has around his house.

It was something he learned as a kit, bored during the winter with not much to do. His mother had taken him to the local craft store and while wandering around he became infatuated with all the varieties and colors of yarn available. The owner, a woman everyone in Lucifer's Hollow called 'Grandma Goore', had noticed his interest and offered to teach him. From then on he spent many of his afternoons after school diligently creating anything and everything Grandma Goore taught him.

After Rain had swiped a few of his sweaters Mountain decided it would be best to stock up on yarn and make some new ones. Maybe a few specifically for his water ghoul in the hopes that his own would stay safely in his dresser. So with Rain's hand firmly in his they made the trek down Main Street. Passed Omega's vet clinic, Paws and Claws, and Cowbell's record store, Second Pressing. It was tempting to stop in Sweets and Treats, Phantom's bakery, but when Mountain glanced inside he saw Swiss leaning against the counter and he decided it was best not to interrupt the 'master at work'.

Swiss's words, not his.

When they reached their destination Mountain paused, tugging Rain close against his side while he stared up at the store's sign. Grandma Goore had sadly passed away a few years prior but the store was still there, now run by her grandson, Mary. Not much had changed besides the name. The same items were in stock although now there was a dedicated section year round to Halloween. Mary even continued the classes his grandma always taught, having been taught by her just like Mountain was.

"GraveYarns?" Rain's voice shook him out of his thoughts. When Mountain turned to look at him Rain had one delicate dark blue eyebrow quirked up. "Kind of an odd name for a craft store."

"It'll make sense when you meet the owner." Mountain squeezed his hand and led him towards the door. "Come on little siren, let's get you some yarn."

Other snippets from Tales From Lucifer's Hollow: Mr. November (copia x aether) snippets so far: here and here Sweets and Treats (swiss x phantom/aeon) snippets so far: here and here

I've decided not to use my tag list for these lil snippets but if you'd like to be added to the one I'll use for this series or any of my other fics pls leave a comment! Thank you 💙

My Masterlist ~ My Archive of our Own ~ My Ko-Fi Tip Jar

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Hello! Could you request Nanbaka x Reader? (Platonic/Romantic)

Fem Reader who's like Kanae Kocho, from Demon Slayer, but in modern era. With Kanae's personality and abilities.

Reader as Hajime and Hitoshi Sugoroku's cousin (You can add this if you want; Reader works at the Nanbaka with her Sister)

-The inmates of Cell 13 of Building 13 of Nanba Prison had managed to escape, again, and were currently rushing through the building, a plan in mind to go and have some fun while Hajime was giving chase, charging down the hallway like a speeding train.

-The members of Cell 13 were having a blast, laughing loudly as Uno called back over his shoulder, “Give it up Hajime- you won’t catch us!”

-Rock skidded to a halt, causing Uno, Jyugo, and Nico to crash into him, making Jyugo yell up at him, “Why the hell did you- holy…” his eyes went wide as they all looked to see what made Rock stop, seeing a very beautiful woman, wearing a prison guard’s uniform, with a pair of butterfly clips on the side of her hats.

-You smiled beautifully, looking so gentle and elegant, “Oh my- I found you! Now let’s get you back to your cell, you naughty boys.” Instantly they melted, becoming completely obedient to you as Nico took one of your hands while the other three fought via rock-paper-scissors on who would get to hold your other hand all the way back to their cell.

-Hajime was exasperated, seeing them being so well behaved for you, a tick-mark on his cheek as you smiled sweetly at them, “Now stay in your cell. Shall we continue with the tour, Hajime?” as you turned to him.

-Instantly the four gremlins surrounded Hajime, furious that he didn’t tell them that they were getting a new guard, and one so cute!! Hajime looked exasperated as Uno, trying to flirt, came over to you, “So how does an angel like you know a gorilla like Hajime?”

-You just laughed into your hand, looking amused, “Oh- Hajime is my cousin. He’s the one who told me about this place and both my little sister and I applied.”

-The four turned white, hearing that you had a sister, before Hajime grabbed Uno, throwing him off you before leading you out, shouting at them to stay in their cell.

-This made things worse however, as Cell 13 broke out even more, just to see you, something you thought was cute, but you were worried about Hajime’s stomach, something Hitoshi asked you to keep an eye out on.

-However, it was much easier for you to wrangle Cell 13, as they would willing following you, just to spend time with you, making it a bit easier on Hajime and Seitaro, while you got along easily with Yamato, sometimes the two of you were very similar it was almost scary.

-Your little sister worked in the hospital sector, working under Dr. Otogi, both of them, so you got to see her quite often, especially when you would bring Nico, and the other three members of his cell, to his checkup.

-They were a little more scared of Shinobu, as she was a bit crass, but her treatments were always gentle, something ratted her out on which made her flush and made you coo on how cute was being.

-Many other inmates adored you as well, as you were always so kind and gentle, something they enjoyed, but Cell 13 was quite territorial over you, while Hajime didn’t want you to be around any of them at all, as he considered putting you on desk duty for a while but realized that might cause more issues.

-Rock was curious, as you didn’t look like a fighter, like Hajime, as he had seen the sword strapped to your side, something he had never seen you use yet, but you just giggled when he asked, “Oh I’d like to think I’m strong. Hajime and I used to play all the time!”

-You showed your strength during one of the trips to the clinic, after some other inmates escaped, wanting to cause havoc and when they saw you, they tried to attack, as you were the first woman they had seen in a long while.

-You just smiled softly before sliding a leg back as you drew your sword. A swarm of flower petals surrounded you as you easily took the six attackers out, not seriously injuring them, just knocking them out.

-When you turned back to Cell 13, they were all hugging each other, looking scared, seeing that you were just as strong as Hajime, knowing that the sweet smile you wore didn’t match- you were scary just like Hajime.

-However, when you smiled sweetly, flowers and bubbles surrounding you, they melted, smiling goofily as you herded them towards the clinic as other guards arrived to handle those who tried to break out.

-Nobody broke out of Nanba, either being unable to or they chose not to, like Cell 13, because they didn’t want to be apart from you.

[kiss-me-muchoo]

𝐓𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 || 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐅𝐞𝐦! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲_𝐀 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐐𝐙. 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. 

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬_𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐏, 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜���, 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐦𝐚, 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐓 + 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟. NO PROOFREAD

𝐀/𝐍_ 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐄, 𝐈 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐘𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐑𝐞𝐲. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬!!!!

✰ 𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙓 (𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚) (𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙢.𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤)

♪ ♫ 𝙋𝙀𝘿𝙍𝙊 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙇𝙄𝙎𝙏 (𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩)

The shower stops. 

Joel is calm but hurries to gather his clothes and dress again. You do the same. Because you didn’t want to make Tess walk on a scene. 

When you placed back to place your sports bra, a slight pain appeared in your right breast. When you look down, there are some hickeys, red but slowly turning purple and green. 

You offer Joel a little smile. But he doesn’t reply. He only leaned to tie his boots and stand up. 

You shouldn’t feel sad because of that. You knew he would always be like that. It was just sex.

“Here…” When you raise your head, he’s offering you a towel. With red cheeks burning your entire face, you clean the white sticky mess between your legs. 

“Thanks…” sometimes you wonder how you ended up in that situation with Joel. When did both of you cross the line?. 

Well, you knew. It was that night when he kissed you in the kitchen. You felt it was wrong. However, a nasty feeling would creep over you whenever you remembered Tess and him were a thing. You didn’t dare to ask Joel.

“We are coming back after curfew. Don’t wait for us. Lock the door immediately after we leave. Okay?” You can’t nod. Because you want to go with them. You want to meet the kind couple of men that offered spinach, lentils, and lots of things that were helping you survive. Bill and Frank had everything. Frank had talked to you many times and you hated to see Joel and Tess leaving every time to go to them.

“Could I join you two one day?” Tess came out dressed and ready to go, she heard you, and just as she did, she smirked at you.

“Outside of the QZ? I don’t think so, petal. You can barely go to work at the clinic. Just sit and look pretty for now” your jaw clenches. 

“Everyone works their ass to survive. Even me, even when I’m sick and everything.” She turns to look at you. Maybe startled by your defiance to fireback. Joel crossed his arms, wondering if Tess would yell at you.

“Good damn thing to know. Because we risk our lives every 60 days just to get your medicines, kid. The least you can do is shush, sit, and look pretty playing the nurse”. She didn’t know shit about what you did in the clinic. She didn't know the pressure and the pain of the people. Joel can see how angry you are, finding it admirable how you are breathing to control yourself. 

“Fine. Sorry, and thank you for everything. Now I have to go because a poor woman is waiting for the toy nurse to fucking sew her legs and open her lungs to breathe again. Have a safe day…” you explain calmly. The bag you take every day to work is under the bed. You can see Joel and Tess exchanging looks when you reach to get it. Probably complaining about you. Quietly, you make your way out of the room. Immediately followed by Joel. 

“Wait for a damn second…” he whispers, grabbing your wrist and pulling you close to him. Near the door, with you almost leaving, he offers you an apologetic look. But he doesn’t say anything, as usual.

“What?” You ask tiredly. 

There’s that head tilt he always does when he has a lot to say but remains quiet. 

“Be safe…” Exhaling loudly, you want to punch him. His hand is still wrapped around your wrist. His skin is warm. And he had said so much with his touch earlier in his bed. But now, back to normality, he was cold. Even when his holding was trying to tell you that he cared. You couldn’t feel it.

“Sure, Joel…” With that said, you sprint out of the apartment. Leaving the man behind with some guilt in his chest.

Every night, there you were, stirring something in the kitchen. Always finding a way to serve him a decent plate of food and ask about his day. Obediently helping him anytime he was struggling and Tess wasn’t home. Patiently waiting for him to take your body and dive into the pleasure of sex. And he couldn’t offer you anything back. Because he promised he would never fall in love again. 

Then why did he feel safe talking to you in the darkness of night in his bed?

——-

Scarlet drops of blood stained your shirt. A man almost chopped his finger while working. The hell of the Boston QZ was absolutely vile. 

“I don’t have antiseptic right now, sir. I can only avoid an infection with pure alcohol,” the man growls in pain. He must be around his late sixties. He’s friendly but curses a lot.

“Whatever you have, kid. This already hurts like a bitch” You offer him a little smile before gently grabbing his other hand and spreading some alcohol in the wound. He closed his eyes and squeezed your hand.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, breathe. Hey, breathe…” The man looked into your eyes, following your voice. He tried to breathe and relax. He doesn’t even look when you stitch the loosened skin of his hand and finger.

“You have been blessed with those fucking hands, kid. Thanks…” You nodded as you watched him leave.

Again alone in the clinic. A typical day in your new life. Summer was approaching, and your first anniversary since you started living with Joel and Tess too.

Life is lonely, even when you live with two adults. Your family was gone, and as their bodies were burned, your laugh, smiles, and a spark was gone too. 

Joel, on midnights, was the only person who could make you feel a little better. And that’s a lot coming from a man that usually treated you like shit.

And even when you tried, they would always scold you, just like the argument of the morning last week. Things had been awkward with Tess since the beginning It was evident she disliked you but tolerated you. Maybe secretly, you knew she thanked you for cooking stuff she liked. 

You ended your shift at 6:00 pm every day. It was no different. Just the kindness of a woman who needed a piece of glass out her arm made a difference.

She saw a big smile on your face, followed by the kindest thank you you’ve ever heard.

You’re happy because of that. A little spark of hope that would make your day better... You would sneak into the back of what was your old house. The construction was destroyed and burned by FEDRA after the incident with your family. Still, after checking once some months ago, you noticed the land wasn’t infected. The little garden your family had was still alive. 

That’s how you got fresh vegetables for you and your party. Avoiding sharing exactly where the greens came from. 

Squash, onion, radish, mint, and beet. All skillfully placed in your backpack so it wouldn’t draw any attention from FEDRA or noisy people. 

The world spins once you stand up. It frightens you. You know you’re not clean from anemia. Now you were working again, and you could do everything independently, unlike at the beginning. But you were still ill.

Once you feel better, you quietly leave what was your house, making you feel sorrow and a deep pain in your chest. 

There’s a small market that day. Selling useless stuff, like tools and radios, but you only have eyes for a cassette player. It’s pretty, looks like new, and the poor man selling it offered you less than what you expected. You end up giving him half of your credits. You thank him because he gave you a cassette to play David Bowie and Nancy Sinatra.

More than okay.

FEDRA starts announcing that curfew is closer, only 45 minutes away, which alerts you. 

Joel and Tess might still be out. Maybe they went to Bill and Frank's again. Or their missions are taking longer.

Either way, you are so happy to show them the cassette player. The other night they were saying how much they would like to listen to music again since Tess’s player was starting to show damage.

That old device could light up the depressing apartment. 

There’s mold in the hallways that connect the rooms. Smells like dust and feels like it was hunted at night. 

That encourages you to walk faster towards your door. It creaks, and the lights of the little kitchen are on. They’re home.

They’re talking, but you can’t hear very well. Suddenly, Joel’s head pops from the door frame.

“Where the hell have you been?” He sounds irritated after seeing you. Literally stomping, followed by Tess, who also appears before you.

“It’s past curfew. Are you mad? We don’t have time to worry for you” Constantly, Tess makes you want to roll your eyes. However, you don’t. You only push the brown bag harder against your chest. 

“I got to work an extra hour. And there was a market today. The one on Tree Line Avenue?” Joel rolled his eyes, and Tess sighed. 

“What were you doing alone there?” Joel asked calmly, but his face showed irritation.

You knew he had a soft side for you in private. But this was a little exaggerated. However, little did you know that Joel was freaking out the entire hour after your shift. 

“It was on my way. Jesus, Can we take a sip of normality? It’s not the first time I come home slightly late,” you say, sighing, taking a seat on the table and placing the brown bag in front of you, along with your bag.

“What part of it’s dangerous outside you don’t understand?” Joel asks you from behind. You’ve been out of the QZ. When your family lived, they took you out. Your father was respected by FEDRA because of the deals they made in Boston when you arrived there. You knew what world was that you lived in.

“I believe I’ve been aware of the twisted world we live in since I have memory” A couple of adults know what you mean. You were tiny when the infection started. You have been living in a broken world since always.

“You are so careless. We don’t need to deal with you and your bullshit” Again, the anger wants to start boiling you. 

“I’m also getting tired of both of you and this shitty treatment,” Joel notices that the argument is escalating. He doesn’t need this. Everything could be acceptable. But there was a constant stress that got in the way and complicated everything.

“We have been nice to you. Stop being an immature brat” You shake your head at Tess’s words. 

“That’s not true…” you whisper. You’ve been good, patient, and thankful.

“You can’t play these games nowadays. You had your family that already knew every movement of the city. Now you’re alone. It’s not safe” Joel didn’t mean to trigger any memory of your family. And once he spilled the words out, he regretted it.

“Stop…” you say, already feeling some tears coming out.

“You’re gonna cry? Seriously?. We’re just telling you to be smart. Mommy and Daddy are gone, and now you have to be responsible. If it wasn’t for us, you’d be dead” That’s enough. Your palms hit the table. Startling the couple.

“SHUT UP!” You yell at both of them. Your face was red and wet from the tears that kept falling uncontrollably. 

“The shit you two had seen over 29 years, I witnessed it in less than 24 hours. All these years, you have been dealing with grief. I have been shoving mine in my ass for 10 months. And you two can’t stop treating me like garbage? And quit expecting me to stop being human” you spit with venom at them. 

“Be fucking moral and accept you two just use me to let out the stress and anger” You violently grab the bag and walk towards the door again. Joel follows you.

“…y/n. Where do you think you’re going?” He asked hurriedly. But you ignore him.

“I was buying a gift for you two at the market. Because I’ve been so fucking thankful to you two for everything. Go on, say I’m a stupid girl to use my credits on that instead of saving it. Assholes…” is the last thing you say before closing the door.

Joel sighs, covering his face before going to follow you.

“Where are you going?” Tess asks him. The man turns to look at her, frustrated.

“I’m not letting her go out. It’s already past curfew…” he says as if it was the most obvious thing.

“Maybe she would learn alone….” Joel looks at her indignant. Walking back towards the woman.

“You are the one who told me to take her under our wing… Remember?” She looks away from him.

“Tess, Are you fucking jealous of her?” He asks demandingly. Because they had something going on for years. They were a little family. But things worked better if they weren’t romantically involved. And she was the one who suggested it some years ago.

“No, Joel, I’m not fucking jealous of a kid. But I can’t help feeling my blood boiling every time she does something stupid, and we have to pull her away like a baby trying to grab a knife,” she spits out. Brushing some hair away from her face and walking towards the living room, she suddenly stopped. 

“But… I also feel something. I ain’t no touchy, you know that. However, I feel an awful feeling in my chest every time she’s smiling and acting like we don’t live in this shit hole,” Joel sighs, analyzing her words. Tess was his…well, his. But now things were changing. You made that change.

“She’s trying, Tess. She took her whole family's lives with her own hands. I found her fucking dying. She’s fucking trying. Don’t blame her for a smile,” she laughed bitterly. 

“You do the same. Only being soft when you want to get under her pants” Tess raised her eyebrows, forming an O with her lips. She was mocking Joel.

“How-?” He tried to ask but failed.

“How do I know you are fucking that girl?. Last month I was greeted with her naked back on top of you,” and even with that, Joel didn’t feel shame. 

But he didn’t like that Tess had to see.

“Why do you think I have been taking the deals at night?” everything falls into an awkward silence. Joel is losing time. He could be making you come back. But simultaneously, he knows he has to talk with Tess.

“You’re jealous…” the woman shakes her head away. Tess was tough. She liked to leave things clear but avoid feelings. That’s why Joel knew her very well.

“No…” he sighed, walking towards her and grabbing her arms.

“You decided to drift apart from me, Tess. You told me it was better this way. And… let’s be honest, she does a lot for us” Tess looked directly into his eye, avoiding him. Although she had no other choice than to answer.

“Do you love her?” The question left Joel frozen. He stood quiet for a few seconds. But he knew the honest answer.

“No.” He said firmly. Yet, Tess smirked nonchalantly. 

“But you’re closer to loving her than you ever did with me,” she also said firmly, stating her words. When Joel kept looking at the wall instead of Tess, she brushed past him.

“Whatever. You’re right. I seized our contact. And I don’t regret it.” She wasn’t lying, either. “I treat her like she was a spoiled kid. I hate because she’s too damn good, and it frustrates me that she had a happy life before her family was gone.”  

“Tess, you know it’s not been easy,” she nods. “Even she knows it’s hard. All we’ve been through, she has felt it in less than a year. And yet, she is trying to smile and thank us however she can” The man can’t help but respond in your favor. Because the urge to protect you has grown since he got to know you a little more.

“Yeah. Maybe she lights up this depressing place,” she admitted, pointing at their surroundings. Joel nodded.

“We need her as much as she needs us. I’m not willing to let her go” Joel didn’t mean to sound romantic or desperate for you. But deep down, he was. 

“And what was the “ Tess stopped, opening the brown bag you left on the table. She opened the wrinkled suitcase and took out the device.

“Shit…” she whispered, then handed the device to Joel. Who sighed, feeling worse, the cassette player just existing over there. “This girl is going to kill me.”

Joel felt Tess and a wave of remorse drowning her. But he also felt affected. Since he knew he could have done better for you. 

The cassette of Bowie and Sinatra was there judging them.

“Goddamit…” he whispered. You bought them a cassette player and spent a significant part of your credits on them. 

“You go to the east. I’ll go to the West. If we don’t find her in 40 minutes, we return” Tess nodded. Both grabbed their backpacks and started to look after you.

But that night, they couldn’t find you. They looked everywhere where FEDRA couldn’t catch them. And there was no sign of you.

That night, at 3:00 am, Joel went to sleep with a fear he hadn't felt since the outbreak. He couldn’t close his eyes for more than a few minutes. Waking up to gasp for air. Panic attacked him when he remembered you weren’t there sleeping by his side or heavily breathing on the couch. 

He needed you. He needed that sense of security he had when he felt your skin against him. 

——-

The floor of the clinic is cold. But as the summer arrives, the cold is a blessing. You couldn’t take the bed where hundreds of sick and infected had rested. 

But as you start to wake up. Flashes of the last night assault you again.

You hate being scolded. 

You weren’t a baby; you provided them food. Entering the place that traumatized you for life, only to collect fresh vegetables. You cleaned their apartment and clothes. All while working 10 hours in the clinic. 

You would always thank them, especially Joel, for risking their lives to get your medicines. The man saved you. He fed, bathed, dressed, and checked on you initially. Tess found the iron supplements and the inhalators with Bill and Frank. But they did that arduous journey every two months. You helped them every damn day. 

They were lucky to have the most excellent nurse living among them. And still, it wasn’t enough. 

From Tess, you didn’t expect anything.

From Joel, you wanted compassion and, secretly…love.

How could you not feel anything for the man that saved your life?

But how could you even think about love when he never showed affection?

After the argument last night, you realize Joel had never cared for you. And you were out of his life because you left home.

Home, that place was never your fucking Home.

All those mornings in the kitchen, folding clothes, acting like a housewife from the ancient world. All lies your own head created. 

The sun peeks through the thin curtains. And the rays are hot and potent. Hitting your eyes directly, making you uncomfortable.

There’s an hour left till everyone is awake. The routines would start, and FEDRA couldn’t know you would live in the clinic. 

You use the shower and start getting changed. You would have to go to the apartment for your stuff, which made you cringe. The thought of encountering Tess or Joel. Especially, Joel, that didn’t sound pleasant.

“Fuck…” you mutter. You left the cassette player. Fucking assholes, you curse at the evil couple you used to live with. 

And that tears Joel, the damn cassette player, playing Starman of Bowie. He wakes up knowing you’re gone. There’s no breakfast for him and Tess. The curtains weren’t open, and your gracious figure wasn’t reflected on the wall as usual, braiding your hair and getting ready to work.

The door of the entrance slams, and Joel knows Tess is coming. 

She opens the door and throws his backpack at him.

“They saw her in the clinic….” Joel’s eyes spark at the thought of you. He stands up and accommodates his backpack.

“Let’s go then…” No more words are exchanged. They silently walk towards the clinic.

The streets are empty, maybe minutes away from being full of people working and suffering. Both should be on their way to work, but they have contacts. Contacts that are good to go with a bribe.

However, Joel doesn’t feel confident. His hands are sweating. And as he takes the little stairs of the entrance, his heart pounds. A mix of feelings invaded him, but he needed to know you were okay.

Both easily open the doors and quietly sneak in. Joel had a vague thought of the clinic reminding him of that old video game of Silent Hill and the killer nurses. Because the place was creepy.  

A long hallway covered with doors was the whole building. Maybe some exits in a few rooms, but it was a claustrophobic dream.

Joel held his gun softly as Tess guided the way because he knew he wouldn’t be accompanied, but his instinct would always act before him. 

And instinctually, he pointed at whatever opened the door of a random room. But as his tall figure obstructed the way, another weight fell upon him; you.

He grabbed you quickly, preventing you from ending up on the floor.

Confused, you looked up.

“Joel?” you asked, feeling his strong hands around your body. Instantly, you shook away from him, looking at him and then at Tess.

“I’m not in the mood for this. Get out…” you patiently say, breathing peacefully, calming yourself. 

“No. We are talking….” Your patient vanished. Pointing at the door, you look at the couple with anger.

“Get out before I call an agent,” Tess sighed. 

“Listen, we’re sorry. We shouldn’t have treated you that way. You’re right. We’re adults, and we should act like it” You are surprised by her words, but you are good at saving face.

“Yeah, no shit. Thanks for the words, but I’m going to get my things tonight,” you explain. “Now get out..”

“Okay…” Joel says, and while you don’t want him to beg, you don’t want to see him go. But he surprised you by talking with your arms and pushing you inside an empty room, keeping Tess outside.

“¡Hey! Let me go, asshole” Joel rolls his eyes and keeps all his weight on the door, blocking it.

“No. Shut up and listen” Crossing your arms, you wait expectantly.

“Yeah, I’m an asshole.” He starts saying. Dark bags are under his eyes, and his hair is messy as always. Yet, you can’t resist those beautiful eyes he has. “We’re basically a team. We help you. You help us. And we should feel lucky to have the embodiment of an angel with us nowadays.” 

You try so hard to hide your blush and smile. Because it’s the first time he says something like that.

“I-I care for you, Okay?. I couldn’t sleep all night because I was so worried for you. And this morning, you weren’t there to make it better. Because, cause-, you make everything better” stunt, you only look at him in disbelief. He must’ve seen that because his arms reached your hands. The touch left you even more stunned. Joel had never been this warm. 

“I mean it, y/n. I don’t think I can get used to fitting a routine again without you”. You don’t want to look desperate, but unconsciously, you jump to kiss him.

He corresponds immediately. Joel can’t help but welcome your kiss, even when he shouldn’t. 

“Then don’t treat me like this ever again. And I’ll stay as long as you want me” This time, he kissed you again. Your soft lips enchant him. But the moment is interrupted by Tess.

She stood awkwardly until both of you watched her there.

“There’s people coming. We need to go,” she said. You knew that their job was more dangerous than yours.

“Go…” you whisper to Joel, who’s still lingering on your lips. 

“Are you coming home?” Home, that fucking word. There was still a lot to talk about with him yet. But for now, you have some hours to think about it.

“I’ll consider coming back today while I work,” you roar, letting Tess know. 

“Hey. You know I was serious back there, right?” She asks, avoiding your eyes. She's embarrassed.

“Yeah…” you say back.

“Then, No hard feelings?” You tilt your head at her question. 

“I guess not.” Both nod. But you won’t be the same again. Life has given you too many bruises as you grow, slowly changing you forever.

Tess offered you a little smile and left again, telling Joel to come too.

“Please. Come back,” Joel whispered once again. Making you feel some adorable feelings toward him. Joel was a broken man, and he met you freshly shattered.

“I’ll consider it,” he smirked. Holding your hips, he gently pushed you against the room's desk. His lips met yours again, this time softly and slowly. 

After some seconds, he grasped some strands of your hair and finally left.

The first thing you spot on the desk is a dandelion. Joel told you about an empty and abandoned yard of dandelions some months ago. He got one just for you.

Maybe he would never love you, but he could get used to you. 

—

“Hey. Earth calling y/n,” you snap out of the memory. Ellie is looking curious at you. You are in the backyard of your house in Jackson.

When you look further into the grass, your husband, Joel, looks worried at you. He’s sitting on a blanket with Cerise in his arms. She’s turning two months old. Your daughter looks like a little ball on his father’s chest.

“Are you okay?” You nod.

“Yeah, just a memory of Boston. Of Tess, to be honest,” Ellie widened her eyes. She remembered you crying when the older woman got infected. She told you that you were more than capable of going with Joel to deliver Ellie. 

“Do you miss her?” You remain quiet.

“I’m not sure. But things would be… different if she was here” Joel isn’t hearing. But his mind is working. Afraid you have developed these moments of trance little after Cerise was born. However, he smiles when you come closer to sit beside him and the baby. Ellie stays near the kitchen entrance, painting on the chalkboard wall Joel made for Cerise and her.

“Everything okay?” You nod, leaning to kiss him passionately. 

“Just got lost in my man,” he smirked. 

“Wait a little, and I’ll get lost in my girl, too,” you giggle playfully at him. 

You leaned, accommodating in the chest of the man who was your husband and the love of your life.

———————————————————————————————————-

Taglist: @aonungs-tsahik @buckysmainhxe @amethystwonders11 @kyuupidwrites @bookfrog242 @acornacreacure @enbywan @ipadkidsworld @my-obsession-spn @happycupcakeenthusiast @thesameoldboo @spideysimpossiblegirl @tubble-wubble @flightlexsbird @randomstory56 @memento-morazu @royalty-cashinout @ayamenimthiriel @eddies-bat-tattoos @kassieesworld @damnzelsoul @floffytofu @rintheemolion @coldheartedmar @woofgocows @d4rno @marantha @floralsightings @pedro-pascal-3nthusiast @holb32 @harperdoodle @daddy-din @mxtokko

[selineram3421]

Pew pew.

Isekai'd

Part 2: The Traveling Medic

Part 1

~

Vash (Tristamp) X Reader

Warning! ⚠

⚠ more cussing, mentions of blood, more weird dreams yay ⚠

You stared at yourself in the mirror, not fully believing that you were actually animated.

Squishing your cheeks, messing with your hair, making weird faces. The reflection copied your every movement.

"This is really happening..", you mumble and look down at the sink, remembering what happened earlier.

.

After almost giving the doctor a heart attack with your sudden screeching, he introduced himself as Doctor Thomas. Then he provided you with some better clothes to help with the heat.

There wasn't anything he could do about your shoes though.

"You could stay here at the clinic for a while. Until you get your memory back.", Dr. Thomas offered.

"I can?", you asked, holding onto your new clothes and feeling thankful.

He nods.

I can't stay here for free though.. You thought and came up with a quick idea.

"Hey Doc, if its alright. Can I work at the clinic as well?", you ask.

"Now, you don't have to do that-", he says but you continue.

"Its fine! I'll work here until I regain my memory or until I can go out on my own.", you push. "I'll do my best as a medic or even just as a cleaning person!"

The old man pauses.

Please please please please please-! You repeat in your head, hoping he'll agree.

"Very well.", he says.

You almost jump up to cheer.

"But-"

You stop yourself quickly.

"-you'll be doing both.", the doctor finishes.

"That's ok with me!", you say with a grin. "I'll keep this place spotless! And don't worry about blood, I can handle that stuff!"

Later, the doctor led you upstairs to an apartment above the clinic. Giving you the one at the end of the hallway.

"Some of these were made into rooms for the patients, so don't be too loud.", he says. "I'll let you know what rooms to clean tomorrow.", he then gives you a key before bidding you a good night.

.

"Geez.", you sigh as you make your way out of the bathroom. "I can't believe I met one of the characters already."

The bathroom was a small, with a toilet, sink, and bathtub.

Same with the apartment, it was a small space. With the living room, bedroom, and kitchen all in one room. It was better than sleeping in the desert though.

You shiver in disgust when thinking about the heat. "Ugh."

Having showered earlier, you get ready for bed, fluffing up the pillow before lying down and pulling the sheets over your form.

I wonder if this is all just a dream and I'll wake up in my actual apartment on Earth. You think before closing your eyes, letting sleep take hold.

✴

Red.

That's the first color you see when opening your eyes.

You realize its the flower that Vash always thinks of whenever he remembers Rem.

They are pretty, swaying slightly as a breeze passes by. The blades of grass also moving with the wind.

What was it called again? Gerainium? Geranuim? You try to remember the name.

"Geranium."

A voice says.

"That's right! They're called geranium!", you say with a smile.

Wait a second.

You sit up quickly and look to where you heard the voice, seeing the woman from last time.

"Rem.", you mumble.

She gives you a closed eyed smile, standing in the meadow of flowers with her hands behind her back.

Rushing to stand up, you begin firing off questions as you make your way over to the woman in white. "Why am I here? How did I get here? Can I go back home? Is there even a way back? And why do you keep showing up in my dreams?"

Now standing a few feet away, you start to feel tingles throughout your body.

"Why did this happen?", you ask, the tingles getting stronger.

Rem opens her eyes, still smiling at you.

"Take care of Vash for me."

Then her body starts slowly turning into red petals.

"Wait! You didn't answer me!", you shout and try to move but feel yourself sinking into the ground. "Please!", you reach out to her.

The ground is to your waist, and it continues to pull you down.

"WHERE IS HE ANYWAY!?"

She just continues smiling before completely turning into petals.

✴

You sit up with a gasp, breathing rapidly.

Looking around, you see that you're still in the small apartment and everything still looks animated.

"Shit.", you groan and flop back, the bed slightly shakes as you do so.

The sun is barely rising and you can hear movement outside your room. Looking over at the clothes you got yesterday, you decide its time to get up.

Let's get this show on the fucking road. You huff and get up, taking the clothes with you into the bathroom.

For most of the day, you cleaned the clinic. Sweeping the hallway, washing the surgical tools, and putting away medicine in the cabinets.

You're used to most of this work, as you helped your Mom with similar stuff back on Earth at her crummy job. She worked for two medical companies but only got paid for one, barely getting a raise when she deserved more.

Stop thinking about it. You shake the thoughts out of your head. Mom is fine.

Then later in the day, the doctor would teach you the basics. Luckily, you remembered most of the things from having taking a class on human anatomy.

Eventually, you started to help the doctor with treating patients.

It was mostly taking out bullets from wounds, or stitching someone up, but there was the occasional sick person. Then you got to learn about medicine. You knew some, but now you got to know in depth.

While doing all this, you earned some money and got to buy some proper clothes. Boots were the first thing you bought.

No more sand in my shoes!

After learning everything you needed to, you told the doctor that you remembered something.

"I remember coming from Jeneora Rock! Maybe someone will recognize me!"

You felt a little bad, but you had to leave.

"Alright.", Dr. Thomas said with a smile. "Let's get you prepared for the journey."

He helped you get everything you needed, like a map. Packing all of it in a medic backpack. Also putting a sleeping cot and tent.

The morning you had to leave, he gave you one last thing.

"Here, in honor of your completion of medical training.", he said and handed you a white pin with a red cross.

"Thanks Doc.", you said with a sad smile. "I'll write to you, ok?"

"Good luck.", he says and waves as you head out.

While walking towards the gate of the town, something catches your eye. Looking over, you see a clothing shop with a really cool red and white coat on display.

Might as well look like a badass. You smile and head over to buy it.

While getting the coat, you snag a pair of red shades. As you finally leave Lowland city, you put the pin on the breast pocket of your coat. It shines a bit when the sunlight hits it.

"Alright Noman's Land! Get ready for this traveling medic!", you say, raising a fist into the air.

Then a gust of hot wind slaps a paper onto your face.

"Ack!"

I wonder how you'll imagine the outfit.

~Seline, the person.

Next: Part 3

Taglist@

@summerdazed @+?

ML Vash | ChL Isekai'd

[wonderfuldeath]

.o| It's a small world : End |o.

Warnings : Violence, injury, graphic depictions, sex

Please, consider supporting me on Ko-Fi ! ♥

The balmy early winter weather lifts the spirits of the whole gang, as Hoseok tries to put on his bow tie properly. He's nervous, as you can see in the reflection in the mirror. He pinches his lower lip, questioning everything, even though he was so close to the final conclusion of his great novel. A tap on his shoulder startled him, as Jungkook looked breathtakingly elegant in his black pinstripe suit, almost making him regret having taken a white one.

“- Nervous?

- How did you keep from fainting during yours?

- I clenched my buttocks for a whole day.

- What are you afraid of? That she'd say no?”

Yoongi arrives, in his red suit, he looks like a penguin, he really wasn't used to being in this kind of thing, but this was a special event, the fourth wedding of their group, this was a celebration. Hoseok took a deep breath as Jungkook helped him tie his right knot, before turning completely to his family, his lifelong best friends. He almost wanted to run away, but just smiled. There wasn't much to do now.

“- Come on champion, it's your big day. Let's see if she still wants you.

- And if she says no?

- Then that means you're in a nightmare.”

Hoseok breathed a little more calmly, a laugh passing his lips, before following his two witnesses, reaching the big sandy stand on Busan beach, decorated for the event, while a lot of little guests, friends from more or less far away, the groom's direct family, like the little granny glaring at him, and Elyzabeth's mother, the very beautiful Elhya. It had taken Jimin a year to recover from his injuries, but now he was doing really well, he'd started working as a choreographer for the nightclub, he'd also married Yoongi the year before, after adopting the adorable little being that was Chun, a little Chinese boy now aged two. Taehyung, too, was at the top of his game, having bought out Damarro's clinic, and the hospitals he managed, becoming a firm medical director, the clinic open free to the poorest, living off donations from businessmen, and presidents. It had been hard for Hoseok too, but not impossible, little Lilya had grown up well, now ten years old, with a strong character, and he had learned that the beautiful Elyzabeth was pregnant again with a little girl. They had brought down the young woman's father, taking over the confectionery business, and she had left the medical world for good, reconnecting at the same time with her mother and grandmother, who had welcomed her with the joy of parents delighted to see her alive.

“- You look very elegant in that suit.

- Thank you, Madame Ivanovich.

- My granddaughter would be stupid to say no to you.”

The assembly laughed, as Hoseok took his place in front of the master of ceremonies, the advancing time making him nervous, before the beautiful Elyzabeth arrived, in her pretty pink and yellow dress. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and he tried to remain upright in the face of such beauty. The ceremony is quiet, discreet, and when the famous kiss comes, cries ring out and flower petals fall on them. Elyzabeth seems delighted, Hoseok seems at the height of happiness. The difficult page of Damarro is finally turned, leaving a happy married couple, under a pleasant first snow, celebrating life and sweetness.

“- To us!”

The End.

[swetaroy]

Your Trusted Multi-Specialty Primary Care Clinic for Comprehensive Wellness

Petals is your destination for comprehensive care. As a Multi-Specialty Primary Care Clinic, we offer a range of medical services under one roof. Our expert team ensures personalized attention and tailored treatment plans, combining various specialties for your holistic well-being.

[nirnrootic]

for @timewound.

He’d opted for an afternoon stroll. Something to get away from the hustle and bustle of the clinic’s clutches. Normally, the clinic’s business was energising; activities filled his day much like a hearty, bucketed scoop of water from the nearby river system—flushed with the sides, nothing left untouched. There was no time to dwell nor relax.

But today, it was just that bit too much for Erosandros. What was the final straw? Maybe it was Silver-Blood barking down his eardrum. Maybe it was the squabbling couple and their crying triplets. Maybe it was the man who obnoxiously tried haggle a mountain’s worth of supplies to non-existent fees. Most likely: all three, linked tautly with his elevating stressors over the past week. He’d felt his blood—his tainted, blackened blood—simmer.

He needed to get out.

While clientele was unpleasant and rough, the forest had been tender to him. Pleasant aromas wafted betwixt nares and the lilts of wildlife soothed the hackles of vexation. Violet eyes drifted over a nearby patch of shrubbery, embellished with half-blossomed flowers of varying shades of yellow and white. He sighed and knelt, letting his fingertips glance the still wrinkled, fragile petals, daring to peek beneath the furls.

It was nice, to get some peace and quiet.

Briefly.

A groaning arose in the tree-bespeckled horizon, behind him. The rustling of bushes and the distinct smell of blood—fresh blood—overrode any delicate floral scents. Erosandros moved gingerly towards the sounds. A woman emerged, only to collapse in a haphazard heap upon the dirt track. She was absolutely unkempt, but less from choice, more from malice. Her clothes have been rent to tatters and crimson wept profusely from bite marks and slashes.

Part of Erosandros wanted to sigh, but he instead hurried to her side. He stilled; he heard further rustling deep within the forest, but this time, slow and calculated, with many, many feet unearthing notch after notch of dirt. He had his vampiric hearing to thank for that.

“I, I think I lost them,” she murmured, voice ragged. “Wolves.”

“You have not lost them,” Erosandros said, a tad sharper than he would’ve liked—but now wasn’t the time to backpedal and apologise, but rather ready himself for a fight. It was a pack, he could tell that much, but how many consisted within said pack, he couldn’t be certain.

Magicka filled his fingers, tingling, ready to erupt.

A wolf—one that was too confident, too eager—barrelled towards the woman, exposing itself from the veil of bushes—

Only to meet its death. Neck, snapped. Its body collided with nirn; a heavy thud, a lifeless heap. During its failed strike, the other wolves had managed to form a half-moon encirclement around Erosandros and the increasingly distraught woman. She begged and yelped and screamed, but Erosandros had no time to heed her distress lest she become a hearty meal.

[gatheringbones]

["Sometimes a Lesbian couple will spend time learning how to come simultaneously, an exercise in controlling physical impulses that is also particularly valued in heterosexual lovemaking. Or a couple may be so close that they feel each other's sensations.

For women from families in which women's sexual expression has been denied or forcibly suppressed by church, state, and/or patriarchal ideas of ownership, the first sexual steps of Lesbianism may be very difficult to take and fraught with terror and excitement. As a teenager, I had rather cleverly learned to masturbate from reading the Kinsey Report while babysitting for a progressive family. However, I could not relax enough to come in front of my lovers until I was twenty years old. I literally ordered myself to relax with someone so I could do it. The lover I chose for the occasion was a woman I barely knew, older than myself. We were fully dressed and sitting in daylight in a parked car. She had her hand in my pants. She was patient and persistent and gentle and knew what she was doing. In that instant, she was a witch. After I came in her arms, with my face pressed against her cheek, I was released from my prohibition and could come with other women. I did not have any further sex with my teacher, though I suffered guilt pangs at having used her for such a thoroughly physical purpose. But it was the lack of emotional entanglement that gave me the freedom to let go and not worry so much about my partner's reactions so I could have complete feelings on my own.

At that time, 1960, for most women I knew, who were mostly white and lower middle class, sex was a source of embarrassment and various degrees of dissatisfaction if not outright pain and rape by boyfriends and husbands. Some of my high school friends seemed to be enjoying sex, but since straight women were told to fake orgasm it was difficult to know for certain what women were really experiencing. Sex with your clothes on and in the dark was still a prevalent mode.

We Lesbians, despised and negated though we were, had the advantage of not being watched, and we were sexually daring. Some of us had orgasms and taught others about it. Some made love in daylight, were "promiscuous," and did other lascivious things. But I don't think we looked at each other's vulvas openly— or our own. It would remain for the sexual revolution of the sixties and the development of independent women's groups taking gynecological childbirth and abortion functions into their own hands and developing self-help groups and clinics before Lesbian poet Olga Brous could begin a poem, in 1976, with these lines:

With the clear plastics speculum, transparent and when inserted, pink like the convex carapace of a prawn, flashlight in hand, I guide you inside the small cathedral of my cunt… — Olga Broumas

But if in the late 1950s my experience among lower-middle class, white Lesbians in a small western town was about how to crawl out of the pit of frigidity (into the Well of Loneliness— infinitely preferable), less sexually suppressed, more sophisticated, urban, and urbane Lesbians had quite another story to tell as this fruity and passionate passage, set in New York City, from Black poet, writer, and professor Audre Lorde's Zami shows.

There were green plantains which we half peeled and then planted, fruit-deep, in each other's bodies until the petals of skin lay like tendrils of broad green fire upon the curly darkness between our upspread thighs. There were ripe red finger bananas, stubby and sweet, with which I parted your lips gently to insert the peeled fruit into your grape-purple flower. After I held you, I lay between your brown legs, slowly playing my tongue through your familiar forests, slowly licking and swallowing as the deep undulations and tidal motions of your strong body slowly mashed the ripe banana into a beige cream that mixed with the juices of your electric flesh. Then our bodies met again, each surface touched with each other's flame from the from the tips of our curled toes to our tongues, and locked into our own wild rhythms we rode each other across the thundering space."]

judy grahn, from another mother tongue: gay words, gay worlds, 1984

[dreamgrlarchive]

Self Care 101 🦋

In this post I’ll be outlining my current routines as they relate to self care. I’ll cover everything from head to toe making sure not to skip your spirit. You cannot be a girl of ANYONE’S dreams if you aren’t taking care of the most important person in your world: you.

mornings:

wash face with gentle cleanser from curology, tone with organic Mamonde rose water and finish with rich moisturizer and spf30

brush teeth with activated charcoal toothpaste by Crest and baking soda for whitening and gum clarity

take vitamins : woman’s one a day, hair skin nails, biotin, vitamin c

drink glass of water then a cup of tea

black tea, raw cane sugar, a lemon slice, ginger

good for energy, immune function, and detox

showers:

this may sound so extra (😅), but depending on my hairstyle, I sometimes like to let the shower run for about five minutes with the door closed to create a sauna effect. this is especially if I have a mask on my hair.

my showers usually are about 20-30 minutes

I have a back brush, pink exfoliating gloves, a loofah, and tree hut body scrubs and I use them ALL.

I wash first with my dove beauty bar to assure clean skin before washing with EITHER my OGX Shea So Soft body wash or Dove Renewing Peony and Rose Oil body wash to add scent or silkiness to my skin.

hair removal:

I haven’t yet mastered the art of waxing myself so I’m still riding the shave wave. *when I do I’ll make a post 4 that*

I exfoliate throughly before AND after shaving

I shave my entire body using Tree Hut Shaving Oil and a nice conditioner I’m not using. This leaves my skin super soft and silky and helps the razor to glide without skipping. I use Gillette Venus. no less than five blades, anything less is ASKING for nicks and a hard time.

when I don’t feel like shaving, I use Nair. use at your own risk. yes, I Nair my ENTIRE BODY. only leaving it on for about 7 minutes I rinse in WARM (not hot) water and exfoliate afterwards. it is imperative to moisturize after to avoid irritation. however, Nair is much easier to do than shaving and seems to last an inkling longer.

after shaving, once a month, I pull out my KENZZI. it’s an IPL device and it has helped to slow the growth of my hair. it’s noticeable for us long, thick haired chicks. I use the second to lowest setting as a melanated babe, as the higher settings could burn me.

I know many endorse the hair on women movement and I can understand it. But I personally love my skin silky, hairless, and smooth.

nights:

after eating dinner, I wash my face and apply the tiniest bit of glycolic serum and my curology night cream. my skin has been the best it’s been in a few years. then I brush my teeth and rinse with peroxide.

every four days I give myself a facial

my favorite face masks:

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid mask

The Ordinary AHA + BHA mask

all Tony Moly sheet masks *luvvvvv those*

GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD clearing treatment *fav*

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme mask

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel mask

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud mask

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel mask

ORIGINS Clear Improvement mask

An at home honey and aloe mask

I apply a rich facial moisturizer and get to bed.

I then write in my planner my new plans and what I did that day if I hadn’t already. then after that I script and make mood boards in my diary. then I read a little. currently reading: Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin, and Live Like a hot Chick by Jodi Lipper.

emotions:

I talk to my grandmother about my feelings, she helps me sort things out. please try to find one person you trust to talk to, my messages are always open. 💓 I often overthink. I suffer from anxiety and clinical depression. sometimes these things make me FEEL limited. these experiences wax and wane. I remind myself that the darkness is temporary.

I write in my diary what I feel and track my emotions for potential patterns. I don’t manufacture or sugar coat my feelings, I just talk.

sometimes you need a good cry. let it out. clean your slate. you’ll always feel better, sometimes great after a hard, deep sobbing cry.

I try to get out of the house and get some sunlight. it helps brighten my mood sometimes.

baths:

LOVE taking baths I don’t care what the status quo is about dirt. just rinse off. I love wrapping my hair up and soaking in warm-hot water.

first I run the water. as it’s running I add my bubble bath, then body wash, then my Shea Moisture fragrant coconut oil. it smells soooo good, literally yummy. then I inevitably scream from dipping my toe in the hot water. finally I get in, scrub down my body, emphasis on feet. then I wash, and just relax. I’ve even fallen asleep in the tub once, I was so zen.

careful not to soak too long or overdo it with your products. synthetic materials lingering in your lady bits for too long cause cause infections like bv or uti

some women add tea tree oil, acv, or even Aztec clay to their baths for wellness purposes. I love adding essential oils to my baths to relax and the natural scent is just great 🥺

when I get out I always put something that feels lush and soft on. *invest in super soft, comfy bath towels, they’ll make you feel so luxurious and soft after a nice relaxing bath*

flower:

the yoni is something sensitive that needs to be taken care of thoroughly, and differently than the rest of your body. it’s not recommended to use soaps down there, it can unbalance things and make you itch. also make you prone to infection. this is why I use clear warm water to clean. if I use soap it’s a sensitive, gentle formula. don’t ever try to clean the cavity. she’s a self cleaning vessel.

to shave, I trim my hair down as close as possible and use a FIVE BLADE razor with conditioner and take my time. making sure not to pass a spot twice, I apply moderate pressure and move slowly. when finished I rinse and scrub gently. I PAT not rub dry. to finish off I apply TendSkin, and salicylic acid to avoid ingrowns. once that’s soaked in I apply shea butter. very soft and pretty 🌸

⚠️ DO NOT PUT ON TIGHT PANTIES OR RIGHT PANTS AFTER SHAVING. it restricts the hairs and causes irritation and ingrowns. throw on some comfy loose shorts for a while, let it breathe

dietary needs:

drink plenty of water

cranberry juice

vitamin c

minimal red meat

probiotics

at home vagacial for the high maintenance girlies:

*make any necessary extractions with pointed and slanted tweezers *

scrub: 

brown sugar, tea tree oil, a little shea butter

exfoliating and anti inflammatory

mask:

baking soda, fresh lemon juice, vitamin e oil, papaya juice, gelatin

fixes discoloration and brightens the skin while softening

moisturize:

aloe vera gel, rose hip seed oil

smelling sweet:

ah yes, my favorite part. I love fragrance so much. I love to smell like you could literally break off a piece of me and eat it.

I find that using fragrant washes and oils make your scent more strong and help it linger. I already mentioned the body washes I use. the tree hut scrubs I use smell amazing also. I alike to add essential oils and man made scents like strawberry and chocolate to my Shea Moisture oil (so yummy).

I also use a fragrant lotion, eau de parfum, and fragrance mist.

here’s a list of some of my favorites:

perfumes:

jimmy choo fever

coach floral blush

yves saint laurent mon paris

victoria’s secret bombshell

victoria’s secret scandalous

valentino

fragrance mists:

victoria’s secret velvet petals, pure seduction, warm and cozy

bath and body works a thousand wishes, fiji pineapple palm, warm vanilla sugar, black raspberry vanilla

oils:

coconut

sweet almond

peppermint

chocolate scented essential oil

strawberry scented essential oil

orange

grapefruit

eucalyptus

sweetest combo ever:

vanilla extract, coconut oil, shea butter, and your favorite perfume. you’ll be smelling like a warm cupcake with extra sprinkles and icing 🧁

layering:

oil, lotion, eau de parfum, mist

pulse points:

inside elbows and knees, in between thighs, inner arms, behind ears, back of neck, ankles

hair:

it’s super important to keep your hair moisturized. quenched tresses move, grow, shine and bounce. dry hair is limp, lackluster, and extremely fragile

my fav diy deep conditioner:

a banana, half an avocado, three spoons of honey, an egg, a spoonful of mayo, a spoonful of coconut, olive, and castor oil each

strength from egg, avocado, mayo and olive oil

moisture from avocado and honey

cover damp CLEAN hair and scalp in mixture and cover with a plastic bag, then towel for an hour, rinse thoroughly, and seal in moisture

fav hair products:

castor oil

fusionplex conditioner and mask

Aussie conditioner

wella goji berry mask

coconut oil

style booster edge control

helpful tips:

when shampooing, concentrate on the scalp and wash thoroughly twice, as the suds will naturally cleanse your stands without drying and stripping them

rinse hair with apple cider vinegar every now and then. it restores your ph balance, smooths the cuticle, clarifies the strands, and adds shine

always add oil and leave ins to DAMP hair, never dry; this will ensure you’re sealing in moisture

try to use smooth fabrics to dry your hair, bath towels encourage frizz and breakage

hands and feet:

and last but not least, let’s cover manicuring and pedicuring.

it’s super important to make sure your nails are either DONE or filed, shaped, and smooth. at home maintenance is super easy. make a point to scrub your hands and feet well when bathing. make sure to stay on top of your cuticles by trimming or pushing them back. I like the look that pushing them gives. I use an orangewood stick, metal pusher and cuticle softener to make the process super easy and safe. after I’m done I add my pineapple scented cuticle oil. I do this on my fingers and toes.

invest in a rasp and pumice stone for your feet and use these gently every two weeks after soaking them in warm foot salts. rough usage can cause cuts and irritation. in between treatments keep your feet soft by slathering them in a moisturizing foot cream, cocoa/shea butter then oil to seal it all in. buy some soft thick aloe infused socks and wear them to sleep. you’ll thank me 😉

for info on how I do my nails click this

well, that’s all I’ve got. I truly hope you enjoyed my post! it’s always fun sharing my advice with you all. any feedback is appreciated and question is welcomed ♡

[cipheramnesia]

The staff at the wellness clinic didn't like any of their residents having too many reminders of being adults. The television in the com,mon area played out of date Looney Toons and Hanna-Barbara, looping through copyright free eternity. Alice spent hours with construction paper and scissors and glue, her face working its expressions through the paper shapes. Athena liked watching her mouth, how she sometimes stuck her tongue in her teeth or frowned with concentration. Each scrap of paper went into her pockets. Athena smiled when Alice caught her staring and Alice smiled back, blushed.

After lights-out Alice spread red and pink and green paper rose petals over herself. Athena blushed and Alice grinned self consciously and Athena slipped into her bed, taking care with the alarms designed to warn staff in the event Alice was out of the bed without any forewarning. Athena felt along Alice's body, papery and silky scarring over her chest, soft legs with loose muscles. Her unblemished, deeper brown skin against Alice's pale olive tones formed a blasted landscape.

Alice's lips were chapped and rough against her stomach, and the cage around her shoulders was unexpectedly warm. The burn flickered and glowed between them. Alice ran metal fingers along Athena's broad thighs and gently stroked her calves and ankles. When Athena put her hand further down between Alice's legs, brushed a thumb along her flacid member, the other woman shook her head. "Mmm." Athena made a curious sound and Alice murmured, "Nothing's working down there. Please." She kissed Athena along the inside of her thighs. Athena spread them, ran her fingers through Alice's rough, thin hair.

"Athena 6," murmured Alice, and Athena said, "What?" before remembering the tattoo. "Oh," Athena said. "Bunny," Alice smiled and kissed further up her thighs, then between, then pushed her lips and tongue close as Athena clenched her teeth to keep herself quiet. It wouldn't do any good to be overheard by some lone orderly doing the rounds. "Witch," she hissed out to the sounds of Alice between her legs and the textured rubber grip of the metal hands around her rear.

Another few days later, Alice was able to sneak safety scissors back to the room, and snap the blades out of the plastic. She gouged a matching "Alice 9" into her own thighs and laughed in the orderlies' faces when the found her in a pool of her own blood. She peeled the bandages away nightly, and sometimes she and Athena would do little more than lay pressed up close in Alice's bed at night, tracing names along one another's skin.

"I wish I could see the water and the light in your brain," Alice said.

"You slew dragons and sat out under the sun and the moon," Athena said.

"Yes and my father was a noble king and I lived in a castle ruled by an evil wizard who transformed me with a curse," she laughed and put her face to the crook of Athena's neck. "And I will one day carry you up the stairs into the sun, but I wish I could share the grass and the gate and the peaceful lake with you."

"I wish I could take us both away there," Athena said. "I wish... everything I guess." She thumped her head on Alice's neck.

Other days Alice would invent games. She wrenched her intubation and IVs out and dragged herself through the mess of wires and bleeting bed alarms to shove their door closed. "Quick, how many kisses I can get before they get the door open."

Athena's laughter was a silent kind, held down and inside against the mere idea of being heard or seen, but Alice loved to find ways to bring it out of her a little at a time. "Alice, what-" Athena hurried over, smiling her rare smile.

"No time!" Alice said, "Hurry!" One of the orderlies was knocking and asking if everything was okay in there.

"They're gonna be so mad!"

"Better get as many kisses in as you can, then." So Athena did.

Eventually several orderlies with a broom handle managed to open the door, muscling Alice back into bed. She was too exhausted to fight them on re-doing her feeding tube.

Athena stood by the bed when the last orderly had left. "Alice... why. I lo... I love you, but why?"

"You love me?"

"Yeah. Of course." Athena took Alice's hand, and Alice pulled Athena's hand close and kissed it. "I'm glad. I love you." Athena nodded and squeezed. "There's one thing no one else gets to say," Alice said, "And that's when you get to go out." She squeezed back and smiled. "I hate this bed, and I'm not dying in it." Alice shook Athena's hand in hers. "They don't get that from me."

Her eyes were fierce and deep sunken and all the same Alice struggled more every day to pull herself out of the web of tubes and monitors, to lean in close to Athena, to sit up, kiss and speak. Her skull and scalp all outlined, she whispered "they stole my saws" and that was the last thing she said to Athena. The bed she hated was where she left Athena behind, all her limbs still, cold, magnificent and unmoving.

That was where the memories of Alice came to their end. She wouldn't have memories of anything else, no matter how many times afterwards Athena would ask her own memories of Alice why she left, all the way up until Riverside closed under budget cuts for mental health care.

Part 3: The Death, Rebirth, and Afterlife of Parasite Alice

The Riverside Clinic for Wellness and Long-term Care weathered safely the storms of the burn just as all the worst memories navigate the mindscape unimpeded. The venerable history of the red brick and white trimmed building carried it through the poor and homeless left in squalor to the airy chill of lobotomy and electroshock therapy, two wings wide and three floors tall. Its height well serviced its intent, too short for escape even via a yearning leap from the roof to its concrete driveway.

The persistance of such single-minded enclosure of the divergent mind carried forward to the interior, with mutiply sectioned floors along each wing navigable only through a network of stairwells. A more modern elevator spired through the center of the building, lever operated and gated by iron on all sides. None of the layers of white tile or muted gray carpet or soothing art prints or geometic wall paintings over the years could fully excise the prison lovingly built into the architecture. Inside, it promised no escape. Outside its dignified facade offered warm reassurance that aging loved ones to difficult children and everyone in between would be safely forgotten.

Some part of Alice understood all this as the square black truck complained about stopping at the brick stairs with their awkwardly late addition of a wheel chair accessible ramp, leading to wide white doors set with large windows blocked by gauzy white curtains. The driver helped her out of the car and she said, "I can do it just fine!" before almost falling as her legs wobbled. She didn't like strangers touching her, but now everyone was a stranger and she leaned on a stranger just for the simple task of reaching the door of the building where she will die of cancer.

The doors swung inward to reveal an average man with a surfeit of dignity to his gray peppered mustache and deep, dark eyes beneath a noble high forehead and a gently swept back head of mostly gray hair. His thick belly preceded his wide shoulders into any room, and his hands were noticeably large with thick fingers, moving quickly and nimbly to pull a wheelchair onto the small porch. He wore checked trousers, a pale yellow golf shirt, and his arms were exceptionally hairy.

"So good to meet you," he let one hand overtake his stomach to greet Alice, which she disregarded. "My name is Dr Hopewell, and I'm the administrator here at Riverside. I've heard quite a bit about you, and I wanted to make you comfortable right away. You're quite the special guest!" He smiled away the dignity of his profile.

"I don't need a wheelchair," she said. The driver shrugged and let her go, forcing her to grab to armrests to keep standing. "I'm just tired." She gave daggers out of her eyes to both men before maneuvering herself into the seat. "Don't get used to this."

The driver passed a clipboard over her head. "You gotta sign for the delivery, also initial there... and there. Sign and date there too. Okay, nice knowing you."

Dr. Hopewell was already turning her and rolling her into the building before the driver started the truck. "Don't worry Alice, we'll make sure you have the best of care here. You're a celebrity after all, but there may be a few bumps ahead!" They wheeled past a heavy wood door and a much larger orderly took over, pushing her down the hall then bumping up a flight of stairs.

"We specialize these days in unique individuals like yourself. I understand you won't persue treatment?" She folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "Well, if you change your mind, we can be ready to start immediately." The chair and orderly bumped back down stairs into another long hallway. "But here is your room, and we've put you with someone you should get along with. She's very unique."

The room was small, two beds with a curtain divider, wall mounted TV sets, a closet bathroom, one tall window and a few small sets of sad artificial wood drawers.

Another woman sat in a rolling tube frame chair in the far corner of the room. She was big and soft and still in pajamas, her belly stuck out a bit from under the top, and her sloping shoulders seemed to be a permanent fixture of her slouch while the sweeping curve of her neck to her chin echoed in her faint jawline. Her nose was long and straight and Alice thought it was very fine with her dark black eyes looking a thousand miles away and her arrow straight glossy black hair hanging behind the chair. Alice wondered what it would be like to hold her hand. Would she squeeze hard or gently? Interlaced or fingers to thumb.

She about the woman's hands and lips and eyes enought, it took her longer than it should have to realize the other woman was also shimmering with the golden glow of the burn.