#sleeve anchors for brick

[zeenmrala]

━ stay alive

summary: your depression is tearing you apart, and you do not think you can survive the night. darth maul reminds you of your strength. pairing: darth maul x reader (no pronouns used) tw: suicidal ideation, depression, trauma, mental health. angst and hope and comfort. word count: 1k a/n: this short fic is for the maul lovers who experience mental health distress and find themselves lost and exhausted in this life. for those who need a reason to stick around. it may feel impossible to stay alive, but try to survive the night. there may not be peace. but there is always hope. music: i always wanna die (sometimes) by the 1975

please click here to view international suicide hotlines.

“if you can’t survive, just try.”

Stay Alive - [Read this story on AO3]

Your body succumbs to the weight of your fractured mind. All the pain, loss, trauma and hardships that have been stacking up like rancid bricks in your skull over the long years of your life have become a burden too great to bear. The wall of sorrow has collapsed above you, raining down in crashes of devastation, pinning your body beneath the wreckage: you are anchored to the ground by the breadth of your mental anguish.

That wretched hollow ache in your chest is devouring you whole: you are imploding with despair and emptiness and the harrowing truth of your colossal depression. The tears come, streaming down your cheeks, the saltiness settling on your skin, in your ears, pooling in the skin of your collarbone. You hold yourself with your arms on the floor in a last ditch effort to keep yourself from falling apart. 

You are languishing so entirely in your misery that you do not hear him enter the room. You do not notice the muted whirr of his cybernetics, the soft thud of his metal footsteps, the glaring weight of his gleaming amber eyes. You don't register his unique midnight scent, the usually notable gravitas of his presence. The entire galaxy, including him, has slipped away into complete sorrow. 

But then he speaks, that rich velvet voice you know and cherish so dearly breaking through the oppressive cloud of sadness. Darth Maul speaks your name with a mix of concern and confusion. A wash of shame steals your breath from your lungs as your hazy mind acknowledges his presence. 

He shouldn't see you like this. 

"Why do you weep?" He asks in a rare gentle tone, his usual severity is muted. Do you really appear so pitiful?

"Leave me," you snap at him, the emotional turmoil sharpening your shame against him. You wipe your face with your sleeves, pulling yourself up against the wall at your back, resting your head in your arms, hiding. "Don't look at me."

He ignores your demands and wordlessly approaches. You hear him settling beside you on the floor. 

"Gods, it’s disgusting," you whisper, embarrassment washing over you like a tide.

"What is?"

"These feelings," you admit between gritted teeth as you shake your head. "This weakness."

He is silent, and you refuse to look at him, your face still hidden behind your arms.

"Why do I live with it?" You ask, not him or yourself or anyone in particular. The question just comes out, a stream of truth pouring from your lips. "This gnawing distress and despair. It's a constant shadow. It will never go away. There is no use in fighting it's will any longer."

"Explain.”

"I should let the waves of it take me," you whisper, your arms falling forward, your flushed and wet face revealed to the chilled air. "Let the inevitability of mortality wash me away."

He immediately understands. "To an early grave?" 

"A timely one. A just one. Perhaps it is my fate for this to consume me tonight." A pause, weighty and loaded. "I'm just so tired, Maul."

He stays silent, allows you the relief of a confession, of his listening. 

"I am defective. Broken. This rot within me is me. The part of me that has been slowly decaying has spread so deep that I have become it. The damage is done and I cannot undo it or repair it. I cannot stand it any longer."

"You suffer," he acknowledges. "There is strength in that."

You scoff. "There is no point to my suffering. I cannot harness its power like you. At least there is some purpose to your pain, a boon you can claim from it. I have nothing." You inhale and close your aching eyes. "I am nothing."

"No," he counters softly. "Not at all. Not to me."

You look at him, bask in the sweetness of those words, the unique beauty of his strange face. He returns to his silence, and does not look at you, but straight ahead. 

"Death is not what I want," you whisper, clarifying. "But what I need, I think. It is not that I want to give up, but I want...to..."

"Give in," he finishes for you. 

"Yes," you reply, the relief of his understanding both a balm and a heart wrenching revelation. "Yes."

He turns to look at you then, his golden eyes meeting yours. "The scars of your past will always be with you,” he says clearly, “they may weigh you down, consume you, haunt you. But they do not define you."

You blink, your eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion, such kindness and candour coming from him is a sweet surprise.

"It is true that I gain power from my suffering. My fear. My hatred. But all of that...it is mine. I own it. Your anguish is yours. And though you cannot rid yourself of it, it is part of you.” He reaches towards you, places a gloved palm on your chest, directly above the emotional ache. “Feel it. Embrace its wrath, note how brutal and relentless it has been. How it has battered you and worn you down over the years.”

You close your eyes and do as he says, delving into the ache, recalling the long years of pain and despair, how broken and lost you are…

“Now think of how you have endured it. That you are, despite everything, alive. What kind of person could have survived such an ordeal?”

Alive. You feel the heat of his palm on your chest, the sting of tears on your cheeks, the scent of space that lingers in the starship. You notice the cool chill of durasteel beneath your back, the beat of your heart, the breath in your lungs. The miracle of life, of experience, of tolerating the suffering and joy to this point in time.

“You have achieved that. You. The person that has endured all of that has the strength to survive another night. Stay alive. You owe yourself, - ” he pauses, moving his gloved fingers to your wet cheek, caressing your skin, “- this person that has fought and overcome so much anguish, another day.”

You lean into his touch, and his palm cradles your face. You nod softly, and almost whimper because yes, the pain is still there and it hurts and it is engulfing you entirely and it’s overflowing yet empty all at once. And it may always exist, eternal and timeless. But you have proven to yourself that you can endure it, again and again, as you have before, surviving those countless nights of misery that you have put behind you. You can stay alive. You breathe in the scent of his crimson skin, feel the weight of his strong arms tighten around you. You allow him to hold you for the remainder of the night, and you hold him in return, finding strength and the will to survive in yourselves and each other.

-

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[layla4567]

✨ Working together ✨

Luca from the bear x fem!reader

summary: You and Luca are dating and he taught you everything you know about pastry. So now you want to open your own tea house where you will sell your delicious cakes, and of course he will help you in everything.

warnings: almost no connection to the plot of the show or it's world, maybe a lil suggestive, cloying fluff and corny

A/N: again I must clarify that like Colin Zabel's fic, I have not seen this series (sorry) so maybe what I write is not entirely accurate with the show

You and your boyfriend were looking for places for rent or for sale where you could put your little tea house. Being able to serve anything, even an old, abandoned shed, as long as it was located in a nice landscape with a good view, nothing else mattered. Luca was driving his convertible car making your hair blow in the wind. The times were beautiful at that time in Copenhagen, you were wearing sunglasses and a cute flowery dress that your boyfriend loved every time you wore it. For his part, Luca was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, had taken off his kitchen apron and wore blue jeans underneath. Her blond hair also danced in the breeze.

They were driving through the streets of Denmark with the sun shining on their heads. Months ago you told Luca about your dreams and now they were finally coming true. A little anxious you looked to your right trying to find a good place, your boyfriend caressed your knee with the intention of letting you know that everything would be fine

"Don't worry sweetheart, you'll see that we'll find the perfect place"

"I hope so love, only you know how much I waited for this moment"

Yes, Luca knew it well. So many hours practicing pastry and talking about your hobbies, every time he left work and showed up at your house to teach you how to make Aeblekage or a Koldskål you told him how you were planning to open your own little tea house. He looked at you in admiration and assured you that you were going to succeed. And here they were now, looking for a place to settle and where you could cook your delicious desserts accompanied by the love of your life.

Let 'em wonder how we got this far 'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all Yeah, after all this time I'm still into you - Paramore - I'm still into you

At last they had arrived. After tiring around several streets, they found an old abandoned cafe with a dilapidated and crooked sign. It had a window on one side and the walls were dark brick. Above the front door hung a white awning with red stripes, unfortunately it was dirty and had a hole in the middle. Despite everything, you two loved how comfortable and familiar it looked and best of all, it was close to the port just as you wanted. They got out of the car and you began to admire the view, in the distance you could see the water and anchored boats.

"Don't you love it? the place, the sea breeze-you inhaled with your mouth open enjoying the air on your face- I would give anything for more days like this"

Luca looked at you lovingly and wrapped his arms around your waist looking where you were looking

"Have I told you how adorable you are when you talk about what you like?" -Luca kissed your forehead

You wrinkled your nose in contentment. "You tell me every day, hun"

"C'mon your place awaits you"

"Our. Our place awaits us"

They both entered the old building. But happiness disappeared from your pores when you saw that it seemed more dilapidated on the inside than on the outside. The peeling paint on the walls was falling apart, leaving a heap of dust on the floor. There was no furniture left. The wooden ceiling was moldy in places. You couldn't stop the disappointment from drawing on your face. Luca put his arm around your shoulders.

"Hey love it's alright. We can remodel it and I promise you it will be like new. Why don't you go check out the backyard while I find something to clean up?"

Luca is that down to earth and that's what you loved about him. He always found simple solutions to problems that seemed huge. You opened the French window that led to the yard and you felt the flame of hope rekindle in your chest. It was definitely much better than the inside of the building. It wasn't that big, but its low brick walls delimited a large plot. The floor was concrete, and pretty orange flowering vines hung from the walls. You were already imagining how you could use the space by placing beautiful tables with umbrellas.

"Hey babe, I found some brooms and a shovel-"

He stopped when he saw the yard. He also found it beautiful. you turned around with a smile

"So.. what are we waiting for? let's restore this place"

You got to dig a little deeper Find out who you are You got to dig a little deeper It really ain't that far When you find out who you are You'll find out what you need Blue skies and sunshine guaranteed - The princess and the frog - Dig a little deeper

Luca offered you a shovel and together they began to sweep the floor, the dust made them cough and tickled their noses that made you sneeze like a kitten, Luca laughed every time he heard you. The following days were exhausting but pleasant. You bought turquoise paint for the inside of the walls, you two had a blast painting and doing a little mischief

"(Y/N) what do you think if we paint a strip of small sailboats in a darker color? It would go all the way across the wall, but we would need a stencil"

Luca pointed with a finger where the stencil would go, with his muscular and bare arm you couldn't help but pretend to pay attention to him and with your hand that held the brush, paint his wrist. He looked at you surprised, throwing you a reproachful look but deep down he couldn't suppress a smile.

"Oh (Y/N) you're very immature"

You closed your eyes laughing at what he took advantage of to paint the tip of your nose. When you felt something cold and wet on your nose, you opened your eyes and mouth offended, with a defiant grimace they started a paint war, their laughter mixed and echoed throughout the room, your boyfriend grabbed your wrists with the intention that your brush doesn't touch his face. In the end they ended up in a fiery kiss with their hands stained with paint leaving marks on your breasts and buttocks and with yours likewise scattered throughout their entire body, they looked like an abstract painting.

Every day you two were buying things to decorate the tea house. They had bought beautiful brown leather sofas at auction. You had gotten landscape paintings to hang on the wall at a vintage store. The most difficult thing had been to remove the wood from the roof, since some had been ruined by humidity. But by turns they had proposed to remove them little by little. Luca climbed a ladder and took some out, then you, in your eagerness to help, told him to lift you up so you could reach the roof. You always felt a tingle of adrenaline in your belly every time your boyfriend grabbed you by the waist and made you sit on his shoulders. And when you two couldn't handle everything on your own, you hired masons and workers who were very helpful.

With a little effort they managed to restore everything that was damaged, they changed the previous awning for a bigger one and a green one. They placed pots on the outside door and some hanging from the window. You were even able to put the tables you wanted in the backyard with their matching black iron chairs. When everything was ready in terms of decoration and remodeling, you went to the kitchen to prepare tea and desserts, it was the only thing that was missing before opening.

"Dear, could you help me with the dough?"-you asked him nicely

You were about to make some kind of Danish apple pie. Luca approached from behind, pulling his body against your back, which made a shiver run through your body. His arms and hands on top of yours accompanied your movements with a slow and loving rhythm. They stretched the dough back and forth and then rolled it back into a ball. Sometimes Luca teased you mischievously kissing your neck or behind your ear, with his nose buried in your hair. His kisses went down to your shoulder, making you sigh

"Luca…-you said in a warning tone- How unprofessional"

"Oh come on I know you love it"

You turned your head to kiss him. They finished cooking several desserts and also the different teas including iced teas.

And the great day had arrived to open the doors of your tea house. It would only take a few minutes to welcome the people of the city. Both were nervous but especially you, you couldn't believe that your dream would finally come true. With trembling hands you took the key that opened the door, put it in the lock and turned it. It was done

"We did it.."-you looked at his face with happy tears in your eyes.

"You did it"- he corrected you wiping your tears - "It's your dream, don't forget it"

"Dreams can be shared, and that's what I'm doing with you"

He looked at you sweetly and grabbed your chin with his thumb to kiss you passionately. Customers started arriving for snacks, and soon the place was packed both inside and out. Luca promised to help you in the kitchen and you would go and serve the dishes along with the tea. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, everyone was happy and so were you. You almost needed four more arms to serve so many people but you didn't care because that was what you wanted, a place where people can remember the warmth of their home while tasting delicacies prepared with love and delicacy, and if your boyfriend was by your side better. At the end of the day when people left and your place was about to close you and your boyfriend lay exhausted on the leather sofa, it was a busy day but it was satisfying at the same time. You placed your head on Luca's lap as he caressed your cheek.

"Today was the best day of my life, I still can't believe that all of this is real. It's like a sweet dream that I never want to end"

"But it's real love, and we made it together. Although if you want I can pinch you to prove it"

You two laughed amused letting the now empty room fill with your warm laughter that then floated in the air like a sweet dew.

Maybe, it's the way you say my name Maybe, it's the way you play your game But it's so good, I've never known anybody like you But it's so good, I've never dreamed of nobody like you And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine - Ruth B - Dandelions

. . . . . . . .

I know, this was maybe a bit boring and too cheesy but I'm a hopeless romantic and I couldn't not write something like that.

[cc-horan28]

Be My Valentine - 6

Let Me Be Your Last First Kiss

Soulmates AU (G) 1.3k

Louis Tomlinson x Harry Styles

There was one boy in particular, with rectangular glasses and a beanie pulled down over his hair who caught his eye, gesturing extravagantly as he boomed out the lines to what sounded like Grease in front of a small group gathered appreciatively in front of him. 

OR

Harry just changed schools, and finding his soulmate wasn't what he expected at all

No warnings!

A/N: I am back at it with the Oops, Hi! Headcanon. I’m obsessed. Sorry not sorry. For the purpose of this fic, lets assume H and Lou are the same age. Also i wandered into the love at first sight category instead of first love but eh. As always, huge thank you to Akeyla for this fest! <3

Title from 1d's 'Last First Kiss'

Harry brushed his fringe aside, digging his other hand awkwardly into the pocket of his jeans. “I know, mum,” he said, doing his best to keep his voice level, not wanting her to sense his apprehension and fear. “I’ll keep my nose clean, I’ll behave, drink water and message you when I leave. Don’t worry, I’ll be responsible,” 

“When are you not, baby?” Anne smiled, reaching up to adjust his hair for him, Harry already gangling over her at 16. 

“Oh, don’t cry mum,” Harry said, scrunching his face up as he furtively looked around to see if anyone had noticed them yet, “It’s not like it’s my first day of school or anything. It’s just a new one. I’ll survive,” 

He wasn’t sure he would. Moving here hadn’t been easy. Holmes Chapel had been so small, everything was so familiar. Everyone had known everyone else, and Harry had had his own group of friends. 

He’d have to start over again, and this school was so much bigger. Swallowing down his worries, he smiled and waved goodbye to his mum, walking into the big brick building, looking around from the admin block as he passed through the huge glass doors.

A couple of minutes later he was standing in front of another set of double doors. He quickly glanced up at the room number, cross checking it with the time table clutched in his hand. He could peep through the little glass inlays in the door and see people moving around, but he didn’t want to take any chances. 

Sure that it was, indeed, the room he was supposed to go to for his first period drama class, he pushed the door open, eyes catching at the grey anchor on his wrist. He tugged the sleeve of his jacket down as he entered. 

It wasn’t exactly like he was ashamed to know he had a soulmate, many did, but he didn’t want it advertised in front of everyone. He shivered a little at the prospect as he made his way to the back of the class, the entire room empty with all the desks pushed up to the sides.

Everyone was loud enough to not have noticed him when he entered. Many were grouped together, going through what seemed like lines. There was one boy in particular, with rectangular glasses and a beanie pulled down over his hair who caught his eye, gesturing extravagantly as he boomed out the lines to what sounded like Grease in front of a small group gathered appreciatively in front of him. 

He pulled his eyes away, wondering if there was some pre-requisite reading he had somehow missed out on. He set his bag down on a desk as he leaned against it, riffling through his bag to check if he had actually missed something. The last thing he wanted was to make a bad impression on the first day.

“Hi,” he heard a soft voice to his left and whipped around, mind already reeling with how he had practiced he would introduce himself. All thoughts vacated his head at the sight in front of him. It was Beanie-Boy. He could see his eyes more clearly now and was seized with an inane urge to rip his glasses off and just stare at his eyes. 

His gaze wandered up to the feathery bits of hair peeking out from under his beanie and found himself wondering why Beanie-Boy covered everything up. His hair looked very soft and Harry wondered what it would feel like between his fingers,

He was jerked out of his reverie when the other boy cleared his throat, blushing.

“Oops,” he mumbled, “I didn’t mean to stare, I just-” he held out his hand, shooting him a small smile. “I’m Harry,”

“Louis,” Beanie-Boy smiled back and Harry barely had time to notice that there was a grey mark circling his wrist before he felt his own burning up. He glazed down at his hand shoved into the pocket of his jacket and oh-

The anchor was getting darker.

Louis was frowning down at his own hand, and Harry stared at him for a moment before the realization hit him. 

“Is that an anchor?” Louis said, voice low enough that Harry had to lean forward to hear. Louis’ eyes were now fixed on Harry’s jacket. 

“Yeah,” Harry breathed out, too dumbfounded to say anything else. 

“Oh my god,” Louis exclaimed, “I- mine’s a rope. I always thought it was a bit stupid. Like- i was tied up or something but I-” he broke off, staring at Harry’s face now and Harry felt a bit warm, blushing a deep red. 

“We’re soulmates?” they both said simultaneously, Harry sounding like he was in disbelief, Louis nothing but overjoyed.

“This is not how I pictured my first day going,” Harry admitted with a sheepish chuckle, letting go of Louis’ hand almost grudgingly.

“Me neither, Curly. But I like it,” Louis grinned and Harry found himself a lot more flustered than the nickname called for. 

The door swung open and everyone hushed, lining up against the walls as the teacher walked in. 

“What say, Curly?” Louis smiled, taking Harry’s left hand in his right and leading him to the back of the class, rope lining up with the anchor perfectly. Harry smiled at the sight. “Bowling sounds good?”

“Yeah,” Harry smiled back, biting his lip as he tried to disguise the look on his face. “Bowling sounds great,” 

He couldn’t wait for the day to end.

“I can’t believe this is all actually happening. I mean, if you would have told me back then- when I joined, I mean- that I would be at prom with my soulmate. I wouldn’t have believed it,” Harry whispered to Louis, looking down at their joined hands. Louis turned his head to press his lips against Harry’s temple, leaning the chair onto its back back feet as they watched the rest of their year dancing. 

“Me neither,” Louis said, and Harry could’ve sworn he could hear the smile in his voice, “I mean when I saw you coming in, looking around and like- you thought no one noticed you,” he chuckled, “Have to be blind to not notice you, by the way. I’d made up my mind already, but to… see our marks. We were always meant to be,”

Harry flushed, batting his free hand weakly against Louis’ thigh. “Stop being so over the top,” 

“I’m not!” Louis protested, “We’re literally soulmates!”

“Doesn’t mean you have to be soppy,” Harry giggled, flushing despite his words.

Louis paused for a moment, and Harry raised his head off Louis’ shoulder, a little concerned as he tried to read his expression in the dim lighting. 

“I love you, Haz,” Louis said softly,

Harry smiled back at him, tilting his head to the side and watching him for a few moments before leaning in for a soft kiss. “I know. We’ve been over this,” he quipped, raising an eyebrow with a smirk, ducking when Louis made to ruffle his hair. 

“Hey, it took me hours to get my hair right,” he giggled, slightly out of breath, “Now will you ask me for a dance already,” he smiled, getting up with his fingers still linked with Louis’.

Louis shook his head fondly as they made their way to the centre of the floor, looping his hands around Harry’s waist as they turned to face each other, moving slowly. The younger boy rested his head on Louis’ shoulder.

“I love you, Louis,” he whispered. 

“I love you too, baby. We’ve been over this,”

A/N: Reblogs are always appreciated 💕

[bigmeandragonlady]

Finally finished the dossier template, few other things of note:

Pretty handy with a knife as well as the bow.

Can process seafood really quickly

Prefers to be at a REASONABLE height with the sky above her

If you want to know her exact birthday, you'll have to figure it out on your own or hassle her enough

Scars: a small cut on her chin, stab scar on her stomach (she fell out of a tree and impaled herself, okay), inside of her bicep, across the outside of her right wrist to her thumb, palm side of her left thumb

Tattoos: Ket tattoo on the inside of the wrist, floral sleeve on her left arm, anchor + rope + birds on one of her ankles

I kept rambling and found it hard to summarize the relationships so I've expanded under the cut. There are def rumors that she's dating or sleeping with at least half of them

Blade: they get along weirdly well. Recruits in particular are always surprised to find them casually walking together- they find her softer demeanor an odd juxtaposition to how Blade... is. Also! He is fun to tease. thinks how much she'd like to hear him whimper. It's a miracle they don't butt heads more often, considering her beef with authority. He hates when she gets together with Trouble and Chase b/c she joins them in being a group menace.

Romance: I could see it but Blade would have to make the first move and bridge that gap, as she's convinced herself she's not meant for a relationship. One of the biggest issues i would see them having is Blade's protectiveness would make her feel like she was being smothered and coddled at times.

Trouble: They get on like a house on fire. Her first friend in the order and i'm still deciding if they get arrested together or she pulls Trouble away. Very casual with physical affection and he's a personal space heater. Not a lot to say here b/c it's pretty straight forward!

Romance: Absolutely could see it happening but this would involve a third party kicking Trouble in the ass b/c he's dense as a brick. But it could very well fall apart b/c of her whole romantic relationship = bad, thing. She would realize 'i have feelings for him, but he doesn't have any idea yet' and probably distance herself which would cause confusion and hurt for Trouble, he might confide in someone and they just "she has feelings for you, dipshit"

Tallys: A little more complicated- Aelyn bounces and feeds off other ppl's personalities to interact so the cool, calm, detached thing is kind of weird sometimes b/c she's.... not that. It gets better as she eases out of survival mode. Tallys has given her a lot of tips when it comes to archery (flirting, unnecessary touching, ect included), they go on nature walks, and they do talk often.

Romance: Maybe. While they work as friends with benefits... idk if it would go beyond that. Speaking of: Tallys is absolutely the one to break that arrangement off b/c she's the first one to clock Aelyn being in deep for Chase (or just... between tallys and chase, idk how she has any energy). this is how i see it happening anyway, since aelyn is in denial and idk how willing tallys would be to be in the middle of... that. Of course, how these two fwb route interact can absolutely change things

Shery: She loves Shery. Like if she was more comfortable with casual affection Aelyn would give a hug and kiss on the head when they met up. Borderline cute aggression (I could see Aelyn getting drunk, holding onto Shery, saying "you're so adorable, what the fuck"). Shery does a good job of making her feel cared about w/o being coddled. Has loved helping her be a little more assertive

Romance: I think Shery would be too timid to kick things off and that's what Aelyn needs. I would see this being Shery falling and not saying anything.... forever. There's also the "and they were both bottoms" lol.

Riel: They get along but I wouldn't call them good friends? They respect each other but if they had no work related reason to see each other, both would be okay with that. Even if he was romanceable for a fem MC, it would not happen. Man won't even share his food.

Chase: This is hard b/c my brain kind of turns to static when I think about them. But they got on very quickly. Not as quickly as say, Trouble, but when she said 'We're square' she genuinely meant it. she got points right off the bat for tracking him down and busting into the guild solo and not really giving a shit that they're the thieves guild. He gets points for being so easy to get a long with and leading a life that would make him a huge hypocrite for judging her past choices.

Romance: He's her main romance so- It's such a fucking mess and i love mess. Fuck buddies who have caught feelings and are stupid about it b/c they don't want them. They've managed to worm past each others walls on accident and it's going to get worse before it gets better. At this point in the game, the thought of losing him or even turning down the dial on whatever they have going on is devastating, which scares her. Honestly, just how relationship avoidant I make her ultimately depends on how the torpedo + subsequent reconciliation happens.

Red: He caught her scoping the library and offered her a tour, gaining immediate friendship points. She's envious of his education but he's so open with his knowledge and resources she can't resent him. they talk about nerdy magic shit all the time and Blade is 🙄 when they start bouncing off each other.

Romance: Such a close runner up to Chase it's almost tragic. The biggest tipping point is that she met chase first. I think he would be patient enough to get past her walls and mature enough to just fucking... talk to her. There's obviously chemistry and something there that would make him pursue her. this would be overall healthier and wouldn't explode (as badly). she'd be terrified of meeting his family though.

Ayla: They're pretty protective of each other pretty quickly, they see the similarities they have and they get a long well. Aelyn makes an active effort to remind Ayla she has a place here and people she can trust. Teases her until she gets punched in the ribs.

Romance: No matter what I do I can't see them in a relationship. :| She's the only one out of the romacables (for fem MC) that I'm like hmmm no.

Halek: They get along very well and he seems to take her flirting in stride. I can see them cooking together (assuming Halek isn't one of those 'get out of my kitchen' people)- cooking and eating together is a significant bonding activity for her. She feels like Halek is a big judgment free zone so that's big friendship points for her.

Romance: Yes, if only to make a lifelong enemy of Moonsilk. I think they're compatible but I also don't know if I know his character well enough to say definitely. If he ever wants to 'hang out' she's down to clown.

Briony: Once she realized Briony was genuinely on the same side as her in the arena they were buds. She fascinated by Briony's sword and jokes that Red's blatant curiosity is rubbing off on her. Right there with Ayla with 'hey you want us to 'talk' to them 🤜' they like to walk around, arms linked, and GOSSIP

Romance: I- maybe? I could see it. Possibly. Though, apparently she and Lavinet's type is similar sooo maybe not. I don't think it would be.... great. My biggest fear is that Aelyn would actively sabotage this relationship and create a lasting wound for Briony (although tbh this is a fear for pretty much all the ROs)

Lavinet: They hold each other in high regard and their relationship is warmer then Aelyn and Riel's but but there's still a distance there. Lavinet operates very differently then she does and it throws Aelyn off. I'm not sure how true it is but Aelyn is pretty sure Lavinet would judge the shit out of her for some of the things she's done in the past. They bond over riding and girls nights though. Like Riel: even if romancable, it wouldn't happen.

Mimir: It's complicated. On one hand she does like Mimir as Mimir, loves how weird she can be. On the other, the whole god(s) thing? don't like that. She's resentful and tries real hard not to direct it at Mimir

[irislikesocs]

Ride or Die

Prologue

Three months ago in Istanbul, I found out my boyfriend was an assassin. It wasn’t shock I felt that night, as I climbed out of the hotel window with the duffel of drugs, guns, money or whatever strapped across my body, as I felt a tug on my ankle, anchoring me and throwing off my balance, as I turned back to see the hard, cold, calculating look on Harry’s face. Rather, it was like everything about him, pieces of a puzzle I didn’t know needed solving, finally clicked into place: his constant work trips, his far-too-nice flat, his skin, a filigreed spiderweb of scars.

How could I be so stupid? 

I would have much preferred him cheating on me like a normal boyfriend. Instead we had to deal with this bullshit. 

“Give back the bag, Lucy.”

No ‘what are you doing here?’, no look of surprise, no anger in his voice. So, he’d known all along. 

I saw red: how long had he been tailing me, did he know from the start, and oh God was any of it real, and did he enjoy breaking down, ever so patiently, brick-by-brick, every one of my walls and defences and exposing me as the broken, lovesick fool, and pretending he loved me anyway. Making me fall in love with him, the fucking bellend, the fucking lying arsehole.

“Fuck. You.”

I twisted out of his grip with a kick of my free leg and went straight into free-fall, pulling a muscle as I grasped the balcony railing of the room below. I sucked in the pain. Bracing myself against the wall, I jumped to the building opposite, over a multi-storey drop, just about gripping the flat ledge of it’s roof, and, struggling a bit with the added weight of the duffel, managed to heave myself over and onto my back. I could still see him in the window, a dark silhouette against yellow. For the first time, I found him menacing.

His form got smaller as he backed out of view. I sat up. He reappeared suddenly, stepping onto the windowsill and pushing off with such force that he vaulted over the alley below with ease. 

Oh shit. 

He stumbled a bit on the landing and I took my chance. I ran. He gave chase. We ran across the Turkish rooftops, slipping and sliding as tiles gave away beneath our feet. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. 

The mission was a simple snatch-and-grab, something I’d done countless times before, until Carver flagged that the duffel in question had been snatched-and-grabbed by the psychos from Joburg and I, suddenly afflicted with a case of dumb bitchitis, decided I could snatch-and-grab it right back. However painful it is to admit, I should have listened to Carver, who decided to cut his losses and enjoy a pleasant soak at the local hammam. 

I followed them to their hotel alone. I kept my distance, completely blind to the familiar swagger of Harry’s gait - idiot arsehole move - and waited for them to leave the room before scaling the fire escape. 

The stupid bag bounced against my stomach as I ran away, disrupting my rhythm, slowing me down. He was gaining on me and it pissed me off.

Hubris aside, I refused to die with my back to my murderer. I understood without a doubt that this man, who until a few moments ago I had believed loved me, once he caught me, would kill me. My bones screamed at such injustice, howling a message that surged in my veins, sliced through sinew and hacked it’s way out of my skin: my story will not end here.

I stopped. I turned to face him. Harry slowed to a halt a few feet away, watching as I hoisted the bag over my head to drop it at my feet. A cloud of dust rose between us in the early morning light. I adopted a defensive stance, mindful of the knife concealed in my sleeve. 

It was there on that rooftop, three months ago in Istanbul, that I left the love of my life for dead.

[dragonmuse]

hiii I'm on my *mumble*-th reread and I was wondering, does Izzy ever realise that the eye mural Lucius drew is Pete's eye (is it Pete's eye or did I misinterpret?), and does he have any kind of thoughts/ feelings about it? I just love any and all interactions between the three of them it makes my heart soft 🥺

(It IS Pete's eye! He wound up not making a direct appearance in this ficlet, sorry, but I hope it satisfies anyway)

The ladder was a short one, but watching Lucius on it was nerve-wracking anyway. He was balancing paints, brushes, water and a rag at the top, had not worn particularly useful shoes (they were sneakers, but the fashionable kind without much grip) and despite his usual fear of heights, apparently easily absorbed into the work to get careless. 

“How long is this going to take?” Izzy asked, holding the ladder firmly. 

“Mm, dunno. An hour maybe?” Lucius swept white into the eye, carefully outlining. The fresh paint was several shades brighter than the older grimier one.  “Why? Got a hot date?” 

“Yeah, with my cardiologist,” Izzy winced as Lucius leaned even farther forward, his free hand just barely grazing the top handle for support. 

“You don’t have to be out here. Told you, I usually do this by myself.” 

“That’s worse,” he grumbled. 

Apparently every summer, Lucius did a brief touch up on the mural to keep the colors vivid. Occasionally he changed some details, adding some shadowing to the eyelashes one year and switching out orange eyeshadow for green when the orange paint faded too quickly.  This year it was just a re-touch, the colors more prone to showing dirt getting gently washed and then revived. 

This had all been a pleasant conversation over dinner the night before until Lucius dropped the bomb that he apparently did all this on his own. 

“You’re too freaked out to get on the stepstool to get down the platters in the kitchen and you just hop up a ladder?” Izzy asked, his fork suspended between his mouth and the plate. 

“I can’t explain how my head works,” Lucius shrugged. “When I started the mural, I’d planned it lower, you know? But then you couldn’t see it right and if I wanted it to look the way it was in my head, it had to be higher. So it’s higher and once a year, I put on my big boy pants and manage.” 

“Someone hands you shit?” He guessed. 

“No, I do it myself.” 

Izzy had set down his fork and they’d had quite an argument after that. 

The end result was Izzy was the one holding the ladder and handing Lucius things as required because “if you have such a big itch about it you, you do it”.  He did have the itch and here he was.  

After the initial fear though, it gained its own hypnosis. Izzy was beginning to think (yes and mostly thanks to Donna) that he was perhaps most attracted to people just being very good at what they did. Watching Lucius flick his brush over the brick in little precise strokes was beautiful. The way the lashes regained depth as he coaxed highlights back into place seemed nearly miraculous. 

Izzy had never really given the eye much thought. It was a part of the Revenge in the same way as the gaudy chandeliers, the crystal stemware and the heavy brocade stage curtains. He’d known it was Lucius’ work, of course, but Izzy had seen Lucius sketch far more detailed and technically more difficult things on a bar napkin. The eye was cartoonish in a way little else that Lucius made was. It had vibrant color instead of his preferred grays and sepia. It didn’t arrive quietly, drawing attention with a tug at the sleeve, it screamed for people to look.  

Privately, Izzy had decided he didn’t even like it very much and avoided looking at it for the first few months of his occasional visits. But it had been over a year now and he was watching the rebuilding process and now he wasn’t so sure about his original assessment. 

Maybe it was the cuff wrapped around his wrist and anchoring him firmly to the earth or maybe it was generally being less depressed (yes, also thank you, Donna), but the colors no longer struck him as garish and perhaps the attention-grabbing was a feature, not a bug. 

It was only as Lucius was adding in light blue highlights into the iris that realization struck.  

“Can you give me a clean brush?” Lucius asked, hand extending down. Izzy put one into his palm. Seemed like enough of a pause that he could ask: 

“Is this Pete’s eye?”

“Yep,” Lucius dipped the brush into a darker blue. He moved slowly. One might think languidly, but Izzy knew the care in it now. “He let me take an ungodly amount of pictures and then stare at him for hours. I think he liked the attention, honestly.” 

“Does everyone know that?” 

“I mean, you’d think,” Lucius snorted. “What other drag queen am I looking at that much? But people think it’s Leda all the time. She doesn’t even have blue eyes.” 

“Seems like she should. Goes with the whole persona.” 

“Maybe. Stede sucks at putting in contacts though and it’s not the kind of thing you can tell unless you’re really close anyway.” 

“Bonnet knows?” 

“Huh. I assumed so, but he never asked. Might think it’s just something I pulled out of my hat.” 

Now that Izzy had seen it, he couldn’t unsee it. Pete’s eyes were just that shape, the lid folded up in just that way. The cartoonishness that he’d seen there disappeared all at once. It was the makeup that had fooled him, but here in the details of skin and cornea were very realistic roots. 

“Good likeness,” he offered. 

“Thanks. Should be. Eyes are so hard,” Lucius’ nose was inches away from the brick, practically kissing the wet paint. “Took me forever to get right.” 

“You signed it somewhere?” 

“Uh huh,” Lucius paused to grinned down at him. “Find where and I’ll come down for a break.” 

Now that was tempting on several levels. Izzy turned his attention to the edges. Usually the LB would linger in corners where most artists would leave their mark, but clearly Lucius had hidden it somewhere or he wouldn’t have issued the challenge. He scanned the long lashes, the ombre of eyeshadow, the folds of the skin and the now freshly white eyes.  

Then he caught it. 

“You’re a sap,” Izzy accused. 

“I’m allowed to be sappy about my husband,” Lucius cackled. 

“You showed him?” 

“Of course. It wouldn’t be much of a gesture if I hadn’t.” 

In one of the darker shades of blue, Lucius had drawn his initials in just one shade darker nested in another, much smaller eye in the same shade. It was Lucius looking back at Pete, reflected and seen. The kind of thing you could only spot if you were nearly on top of the piece in broad daylight. 

“You said you’d take a break.” 

“Coming down,” Lucius agreed and he clutched white knuckled at the ladder as he did as if the fear had rushed right back in as soon as he had to move from his perch.  Izzy didn’t move, so Lucius landed in a cage of his arms. “Hello.” 

“Hi.” 

Hands, paint dappled, cupped his face and he was kissed slowly and tenderly. Izzy didn’t resist. He kissed back, all too aware that neon flecks would dot his cheeks and beard. Maybe his clothes too as they pressed together. 

There were worse things.

Especially if they were traces from one of Izzy's newly favorite pieces.

[ebonyforged]

@demonstigma ♡’d

     The bitter cold bites insistently at the exposed skin of her face and neck. It’s the only thing keeping her anchored to the here and now. The cold brick of the building’s doorstep is no better, seeping its iciness through flesh and bone where she sits — has been sitting for god knows how long. She hasn’t thought to keep track of the time, or dared to take out her phone and call. Any time she sees her own hands she can only whimper and ask herself where all the blood has gone. Her hands had been covered, clothes stained, but now there’s nothing left but vivid flashes and the memory of its warmth.

     She should go home, or at least inside. There’s only a faint sliver of hope that’s keeping her nailed to the ground, sat on the edge of the steps with her knees drawn up to her chest and her cheeks salted with dried tears. They don’t have an appointment today, but it must be around that time when they would normally meet, so on the off chance that he will show up to meet with someone else, she waits.

     Ebony is so focused on not thinking about it, on blocking out every flash of red in her mind, that she doesn’t notice there’s someone in front of her until something touches her shoulder. She lifts her head to uncurl herself and looks up to find the only person she would ever think to go to.

     “Doc. . .” Her voice breaks pathetically as her hands latch onto his coat’s sleeves. It’s hard to tell whether she’s trying to pull herself up or pull him down, but either way she doesn’t let up until she’s close enough to bury her face against his chest and her fingers are curled so tight they threaten to tear the fabric apart. “Something happened — I don’t. . . I-I don’t know what happened!”

[jeoseungsaja]

🍸 + "what do you need to move on?" ( for hyuk in arc two 🥺 but i also know that's gonna get realll sad- feel free to skip any if all of them, alex!! and please have a wonderful day too <3 )

@ofgentleresolve ♚ from x.

♔ ———–

    Sitting on the stairs that lead to his shabby office, a bottle of clear liquor is latched to his scarred hand. He usually doesn’t drink like this, prefers to use his sorrows as fuel to catch the justice he so ardently seeks. However, there are days where he finds himself in some kind of profound, oceanic hole without an exit; struggling to climb up and feel the air that his lungs so desperately need. These moments feel like heavy bricks attached to his ankles, dragging him toward deep sea; moments where his memories hurt more than giving him any kind of solace; moments where he knows his friend is a ghost and fervently wishes he wasn’t (but that’s not going to make Patrick rise out of his grave, is it?). 

   A hiccup, he tries to stand up and stumbles a little; long arm managing to get looped around the dilapidated rail. God, he hates this. Hates that the alcohol does nothing to numb the emotions bubbling within him; hates that the bottle is only making him more prone to speak about the things he’s been saving up since forever; hates that he feels helpless --- hates that he misses him so much, the yearning alone could burn an entire hole in his heart; pierce it permanently. 

   Stubborn as a mule, he still fights to walk down the stairs as a question echoes through. Who’s asking this? Who’s saying it? Is it his own head or is it someone who managed to see him in this shameful state? Suki is supposed to be back at his apartment to get some sleep; Jae-Hwan left about three hours ago --- there shouldn’t be anyone else around here but him and his heavy heart; him and this doltish idea of getting drunk. Feet get dragged on the last block of stairs and when he lets go of the rail, he has to lean in and support himself on the dirty windowsill. Fingers dig into the stained wood; a hand leaving the bottle on the window’s stool. 

   What do you need to move on? Can he even do it? Move on from losing someone he knew and loved for years? Move on from the lack of justice his best friend was given? Move on from experiencing misery that seems to portray an immense valley with drained flowers and vicious tentacles that keep extending themselves? Will there be a day where he doesn’t feel like this? Where he doesn’t latch onto a specific file that he’s re-read a thousand times; where he doesn’t stare with ache at the Lily of the Valley sitting near his desk, where he doesn’t graze the tattoo engraved inside his wrist with a close-lipped simper that wishes to break into tears. 

    There he goes again, trembling fingers pulling his sleeve down, if only to see the permanent drawing sitting on his skin --- an ode to him; an important piece he will always carry with him. 

    Until the end, and then a little more.

   “Maybe...a new...a new heart or...a new brain, I--I don’t know.” 

    He has to, one day, right? One day. He knows Patrick wouldn’t like him to sink like this --- he was always his anchor, the one who cheered him on. But it’s just...tough. Even after all these years. Losing him wasn’t easy and so, moving on isn’t easy, either. 

   “Sometimes I’m...waiting to wake up from a long nightmare. Hoping that...it’s just that, all of this. A nightmare. But it’s real, it’s all real---” 

    Even if his head sometimes plays tricks on him, he’s aware of this sour, stinging reality. His jaw clenches; hand brusquely moving to let the bottle drop onto the floor. It shatters into humid pieces, staining the floor. He breathes through his nose; closes his eyes. 

   “The people who did this to him...they need to pay. They need to get what they truly deserve. And I...I won’t rest until that happens. May--maybe then, I’ll be able to move on.” 

   Maybe.    Perhaps.    Who knows.

———– ♔

[bargainshouse]

#UKDEALS M5 Drop in Anchors Brass Wall Anchor Expansion Bolt Sleeve Fischer Brass Plug for Anchoring into Concrete Masonry Bricks, Natural Hard Stones (Pack of 10) https://www.bargainshouse.co.uk/?p=121696 https://www.bargainshouse.co.uk/?p=121696

[jimitjain]

Types of Fasteners: A Comprehensive Guide

Bhansali Fasteners is a well-known Fasteners Manufacturers in India. We manufacture, stock, and provide all types of stainless steel fasteners in various sizes at the greatest prices. Our fastener section is known as We, as a fastener manufacturer, supply a variety of fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, washers, and more. 

1. Screws

Screws are one of the most versatile and widely used fasteners. They have a threaded shaft that provides strong holding power and are primarily used to join materials such as wood, metal, and plastic.

Wood Screws: These have a coarse thread and a tapered point designed to penetrate wood easily. They are commonly used in carpentry and woodworking projects.

Machine Screws: These have a uniform thread and are used with nuts or threaded holes in metal and plastic parts. They are prevalent in machinery and electronic assemblies.

Self-Tapping Screws: These create their own threads as they are driven into a material, making them ideal for attaching materials without pre-drilling.

Deck Screws: Designed for outdoor use, these screws are coated to resist corrosion and have a sharp point for penetrating decking materials.

2. Bolts

Bolts are similar to screws but differ in their use. They typically require a nut to secure them and are used in applications where high strength is needed.

Hex Bolts: These are characterized by their hexagonal heads and are used in construction and machinery. They come in various grades, indicating their strength.

Carriage Bolts: These have a rounded head and a square neck that prevents them from turning once installed. They are often used in wood-to-wood or wood-to-metal applications.

Lag Bolts: Also known as lag screws, these are large, heavy-duty fasteners used to secure heavy materials like wood and metal. They are commonly used in construction and landscaping.

3. Nuts

Nuts are paired with bolts to fasten materials together. They come in various shapes and sizes to suit different applications.

Hex Nuts: These are the most common type and are used with hex bolts. They come in various materials and finishes.

Lock Nuts: These have a special design to prevent them from loosening under vibration. They include nylon insert lock nuts, jam nuts, and metal lock nuts.

Wing Nuts: These have two large "wings" that allow for easy hand tightening. They are used where frequent adjustments are needed.

4. Washers

Washers are used with screws and bolts to distribute the load and prevent damage to the surface being fastened.

Flat Washers: These provide a larger bearing surface and distribute the load evenly. They are used in most fastening applications.

Lock Washers: These prevent nuts and bolts from turning, slipping, or coming loose due to vibration and torque. They include split lock washers and toothed lock washers.

Fender Washers: These have a larger outer diameter than standard flat washers, providing extra support and load distribution.

5. Rivets

Rivets are permanent fasteners used to join two or more materials together. They are commonly used in construction, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Solid Rivets: These are the most common type and are used in high-stress applications where strength is critical.

Blind Rivets: Also known as pop rivets, these can be installed from one side of the workpiece, making them ideal for applications where access is limited.

Drive Rivets: These are hammered into place and are used in light-duty applications.

6. Anchors

Anchors are used to secure fasteners in materials that are brittle or unable to support the weight of the fastener alone, such as drywall or masonry.

Plastic Anchors: These expand as the screw is driven in, providing a secure hold in drywall and plaster.

Masonry Anchors: These are used in concrete, brick, and stone. Examples include wedge anchors and sleeve anchors.

Toggle Bolts: These have a spring-loaded wing that expands behind the wall, providing strong holding power for heavy loads.

  We are also one of the leading Fasteners Supplier in Russia and Fasteners Supplier in Saudi Arabia. We take care of their clients' needs and ensure that all steel bolts, nuts, washers, screws, and fasteners are in order before shipping. Bhansali Fasteners is one of the major Bolt Suppliers in India. Bolts Suppliers in India.low-maintenance, sustainability benefits, and adaptability for fluid transportation in industries such as oil and gas, chemical, food, pharmaceuticals, and construction. They provide reliability and safety. Bolt Suppliers in India is known for its industrial fasteners, which include high-quality bolts, nuts, screws, and washers. 

Website: bhansalibolt.com

Source: Fasteners Manufacturers

[camerontrever]

Elevating Brick Masonry with Advanced Anchoring Solutions

In the realm of construction, brick masonry stands as a timeless testament to durability and aesthetic appeal. Yet, the reliability and longevity of brick structures are intrinsically linked to the effectiveness of their anchoring systems. This is where masonry anchors for brick emerge as indispensable allies, offering unparalleled support and stability.

Unraveling the Role of Masonry Anchors

Masonry anchors represent specialized fasteners meticulously crafted to affix a myriad of materials – be it wood, metal, or concrete – securely onto brick surfaces. These anchors are available in diverse types, each tailored to meet specific application requirements and load capacities.

Exploring the Diverse Array of Masonry Anchors

Sleeve Anchors: Renowned for their versatility, sleeve anchors utilize an expanding sleeve mechanism to grip the interior of pre-drilled holes in brick, ensuring steadfast attachment.

Wedge Anchors: Featuring a threaded stud culminating in a cone-shaped end, wedge anchors expand against the confines of drilled holes upon installation, delivering a tight and secure fit.

Drop-in Anchors: These anchors seamlessly integrate into pre-drilled holes and are secured using a setting tool. Once in place, they provide a flush surface for bolts or threaded rods, facilitating seamless integration.

Toggle Bolts: Ideal for heavy-duty applications, toggle bolts boast a bolt with spring-loaded wings that unfurl behind the brick upon tightening, offering robust support.

Harnessing the Advantages of Masonry Anchors for Brick

Enhanced Stability: By firmly fastening diverse materials to brick masonry, anchors bolster structural stability, minimizing the risk of displacement or structural compromise.

Versatility Redefined: With an extensive range of sizes and configurations available, masonry anchors cater to a myriad of applications, from mounting decorative elements to anchoring heavy machinery.

Simplicity in Installation: Installing masonry anchors requires minimal expertise and specialized tools, rendering the process accessible to a wide spectrum of users.

Long-lasting Performance: Premium masonry anchors are engineered to withstand environmental stressors such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, and corrosion, ensuring sustained performance and reliability.

Key Considerations in Masonry Anchor Selection

When selecting masonry anchors for brick applications, several crucial factors merit consideration:

Load Requirements: Assess the anticipated load capacity to select anchors capable of bearing the intended weight effortlessly.

Brick Composition: Consider the composition and condition of the brick masonry to opt for anchors compatible with the material.

Installation Method: Choose anchors that align with the installation method and tools available for the project at hand.

Environmental Resilience: Evaluate the exposure of the brick structure to environmental elements like moisture and chemicals, opting for anchors fortified with corrosion-resistant properties.

Conclusion:

In summary, masonry anchors for brick construction serve as indispensable assets in fortifying the stability, durability, and functionality of brick masonry structures. By securely fastening materials to brick surfaces, these anchors uphold structural integrity, empowering diverse construction endeavors. Whether embarking on residential renovations, commercial constructions, or industrial projects, the strategic deployment of masonry anchors is pivotal in attaining steadfast and enduring outcomes in brick construction.

[prettytm]

[ EXPLORE ]  sender gets flustered while making out with receiver after becoming aroused. (echoestm, sam, billy)

Sam can't say she trusts him, this guy with his mask and his sleeve-knife and a list of names that overlaps with her own but he's there yet again and much like before all he does is watch, comment, and generally leave her be. An undercover he ain't, and if he's any kind of trouble... well, it's not like she lets go her daddy's knife. She doesn't need to trust him to let him close, trust is for herself. She trusts in her own ability to stick him good if makes even one wrong move.

The real static is that he doesn't do anything wrong. Doesn't move wrong at all. He's like a vampire out of the old Universal flicks, all gliding smoothly and looking for all the world like gravity and the laws of nature don't touch him. Worse, he's smooth when he sinks a hand into her unbound hair and lets nails kiss scalp with just the right amount of pressure and sting to make her moan, shut her eyes and give in. If it's wrong, it doesn't feel anything but right. Just like the stabbing, the killing, the sinking of steel into flesh and blood full of sins that leech out and taint too many lives to just keep going. And it's like he knows that. Maybe he does. Maybe he feels the same way she does when he's the one doing the killing; heart racing, out of breath, belly tight with lust...

It feels good when he backs her up into a wall, kisses her deeply and slots his hips against her— his thigh between her own, a hit to take the edge off even with all the layers between them. He holds her and touches her with a confidence that feels like giving rather than taking and OH! ... that's new. New enough to startle even as it tantalizes, and without fail, there comes the voice that never leaves from just a little bit away.

Oh I remember that. A little action after the action. Nothing feels better—

Flustered and embarrassed, she turns her head away from... whoever he is, breaking their kiss, needing a moment to reorient.

Budding Romance; Accepting; @echoestm

Maybe he should have asked her name. Or at least something to call her. It would have been stupid, reckless even considering what they were both doing but it doesn't stop that thought from flashing across his mind. This was the kinda thing you usually needed a name for. A part of the experience really. They'd been risking enough though, dragging their masks over their heads to reveal their identities to one another. Took a certain level of trust he thinks.

How they had gotten from point A to point B he couldn't exactly remember and he didn't rightly care. One minute they're trading words, sass and wit tossed between them, until he has a hand in her hair and an arm around her waist.

From there it's simple really. Walked backwards, he has her against the wall, pinning her into the brick with the tower of his body. She tastes like candy, sugary sweetness that fills his head with cotton. It's easy to get carried away, to have her back all the more firmly into the hardness of the wall, his knee knocking apart her legs to fit his thigh between them. An anchor and a tease, taut muscles to grind down on if she so wished. He's already taken the lead and now he wants her to use him how she needs.

It's all about the give and take. You couldn't please your partner if you made it all about you.. And something in her reaction? Has him instinctively knowing she hasn't had the best record with men [or women] treating her right. Billy Russo was about to make it mission to change that.

She's pulling away and he misses the heat of her mouth, her taste licked from his lips as he pulls back to watch her. That faint flush of color splashed across her face tempting sin. He worries words would break the moment but the silence could be just as disturbing. "Sweetheart.. Gotta tell me now if you're gonna let me fuck you here right."

[patioproductions]

How to Hang String Lights on Your Patio

String lights are the perfect way to instantly transform your patio from drab to fab. Their soft, romantic glow creates an inviting atmosphere for evening entertaining, dining al fresco, or just relaxing with your favorite beverage. But before you can bask in the magical ambiance, you need to actually hang the darn things. https://youtu.be/vtdO8LE6d8A With a bit of planning and the right hardware, installing patio string lights is a totally doable DIY project. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the best string lights for your space to troubleshooting any issues that pop up after installation. Let’s get started! Choose Your String Lights The first step is picking out your string lights. Here are the main factors to consider: - Bulb style - Globe and Edison bulbs are popular options that add vintage character. Mini lights offer a more understated look. Choose the aesthetic you’re going for. - Bulb color - Stick to warm white bulbs in the 2700-3000K range for the coziest ambiance. Cool white bulbs above 4000K will be harsh and sterile. - Length - Measure the perimeter of your patio and buy enough string lights to go around it. It’s better to have too many lights than too few. - Outdoor rating - Ensure any lights you buy are rated for outdoor/wet locations. Check the packaging for an IP65 rating or higher. - Power source - Plug-in lights are the easiest option if you have outdoor outlets. Battery-powered are more versatile for installation anywhere. Plan Your Layout Once you’ve purchased your string lights, map out how you want them configured on your patio. Here are some options: - Perimeter -Outline the entire patio for even lighting throughout - Crosshatched - Crisscross lights overhead for a cozier feel - Focal points - Accent specific areas like seating zones - Asymmetrical - Drape lights loosely for a whimsical look Measure the area and make sure you have enough string light length for the design you have in mind. It’s better to buy more than you need. Install the Necessary Hardware To hang your string lights, you’ll need to securely anchor them in place. Here are some hardware options: - Eye hooks or cup hooks - Screw into wood structures like pergolas - Masonry anchors - Use for brick/concrete walls and surfaces - Staples - Attach lights to wood fences and railings - Zip ties/clips - Affix lights to metal poles and frames - String light poles - Standalone poles to mount lights from Space your hooks/anchors every 2-3 feet around the perimeter of your patio for stability. Use a level to ensure consistent positioning. Hang the String Lights Once your hardware is installed, it’s time to mount those twinkling lights! Here are some tips: - Unscrew light bulbs before hanging to prevent breakage - Start near your power source and work outward methodically - Use a ladder or step stool to reach high points safely - Keep lights pulled taut but avoid over-stretching - Affix the lights to the hardware using S-hooks, zip ties, etc. - Test lights periodically to ensure all bulbs are illuminated - Replace bulbs once everything is hung for full ambiance - Stand back and admire your handiwork when finished! Going the Extra Mile If you really want to take your string lights up a notch, consider these optional add-ons: - Timers - Automatically turn lights on and off at set times - Dimmers - Adjust brightness to set just the right mood - Remote controls - Control lights from your smartphone - Light sleeves - Protect wires from weather damage Putting in the extra work will allow you to fully integrate your string lights into your outdoor living space. Troubleshooting Common Issues Even if your string light project doesn’t go perfectly smoothly, these troubleshooting tips should help get things back on track: Lights not turning on - Check for loose bulb connections, faulty plugs, or circuit breaker issues Lights burning out - Ensure lights are not touching plants/trees or coiled tightly when stored Connections falling - Use extra clips/ties so connections don’t pull apart Damage from weather - Bring lights indoors during extreme weather as needed Lights blow in wind - Tie a guide wire between anchors for more stability With a bit of patience, creativity, and TLC, your patio will be glowing from the magical ambiance of string lights in no time. So go grab your lights, make a plan, and get ready to DIY an outdoor space you’ll never want to leave! Patio Productions is here to help you create your dream backyard. Let us know if we can be of assistance. Read the full article

[ananka-fasteners]

Ananka

Q1) Are there hex bolts specifically designed for masonry applications?

Ans) Certainly, hex bolts designed specifically for masonry applications are commonly referred to as "anchor bolts" or "masonry anchor bolts." These bolts are utilized to affix items to surfaces like concrete, brick, stone, or other masonry materials. The key disparity between regular hex bolts and masonry anchor bolts lies in their structural configuration and how they interact with the masonry substance.

Masonry anchor bolts generally encompass several attributes that render them suitable for masonry use:

1. Thread Design: The threading on masonry anchor bolts is often crafted to enhance grip and engagement with masonry materials. Frequently, they exhibit a coarser thread pattern, which aids in biting into the relatively softer masonry base.

2. Material and Coating: Masonry anchor bolts are frequently forged from materials that provide enhanced corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel or galvanized steel. This is pivotal due to the exposure of these bolts to moisture in masonry contexts, which can lead to rust over time. In some cases, coatings like zinc or other forms of corrosion-resistant treatments may also be applied.

3. Head Design: Although the head design of masonry anchor bolts can vary, they often feature a configuration that ensures a flush or slightly countersunk fit with the masonry surface. This design serves to prevent tripping hazards and facilitates a tidy and secure installation.

4. Installation Techniques: The installation of masonry anchor bolts might necessitate distinct methods when compared to regular hex bolts. Depending on their specific design, they could call for pre-drilled holes, specialized anchors, or other hardware to guarantee a steadfast attachment to the masonry.

5. Load-Bearing Capacity: Masonry anchor bolts are meticulously engineered to endure the specific loads and forces inherent to masonry applications. They are frequently rated based on their capacity to carry loads, considering factors like the type of masonry material and the dimensions and design of the bolt.

When deploying masonry anchor bolts, it's imperative to adhere closely to the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for installation. Incorrect installation can imperil the integrity of the attachment, potentially leading to safety hazards.

It's noteworthy that a diverse array of masonry anchor bolt types exists in the market, including wedge anchors, sleeve anchors, and concrete screws, each tailored to distinct designs and use cases. To ensure the optimal choice of masonry anchor bolt for your specific application, it's advisable to consult professionals or experts in the field.

Elevator Bolt Manufacturers in Mumbai

Q2) How do you remove a hex nut that has become rusted or frozen?

Ans) Eliminating a rusted or frozen hex nut can present challenges, yet there are various strategies you can employ. Bear in mind that the effectiveness of these approaches may vary depending on the extent of the rust and your access to the nut. Here are some commonly employed techniques:

1. Penetrating Oil: Apply penetrating oil, such as WD-40 or PB Blaster, onto the rusted threads of the hex nut. Allow the oil to seep in for several hours or overnight. The oil aids in corroding the rust and lubricating the threads, facilitating easier nut turning.

2. Heat: Employ a heat source, like a propane torch, to warm the vicinity around the rusted nut. The expansion and contraction resulting from the heat can help break the rust's grip. Be careful not to overheat or damage adjacent components.

3. Vice Grips or Locking Pliers: If there's enough space, employ vice grips or locking pliers to grasp the hex nut's edges. Apply steady, consistent pressure while turning counterclockwise. This technique can dislodge the rust's hold, initiating nut rotation.

4. Impact Wrench: An impact wrench delivers forceful bursts of rotational energy, aiding in dislodging a stubborn hex nut. However, its applicability might be limited by confined spaces or if the nut is situated delicately.

5. Nut Splitter: A nut splitter is a specialized tool engineered to split open recalcitrant nuts. It achieves this by making cuts into the nut, without harming the underlying bolt or stud.

6. Drilling: In extreme cases, you may have to cautiously drill into the center of the rusted nut. This action weakens the nut's structure, facilitating its removal. Nonetheless, drilling poses a risk of damaging the underlying thread or bolt and should be a last resort.

7. Hammer and Chisel: Utilize a chisel and hammer to carefully craft a small notch on the nut's edge. This affords enhanced grip for wrenches or pliers, enabling nut rotation.

Prior to attempting any of these methods, it's imperative to exercise caution to avert additional harm to adjacent components. If you're dealing with a valuable or vital part or feel uncertain about your capabilities, seeking guidance from a seasoned professional mechanic or technician accustomed to such scenarios is prudent.

Hex Nut Suppliers

Q3) What is the impact of using plain washers in reducing friction between surfaces?

Ans) Plain washers are often used in mechanical applications to distribute the load, prevent surface damage, and reduce friction between two surfaces. While their primary function is not to reduce friction, they can have a minor impact on friction due to their ability to provide a smooth interface between the nut, bolt head, or other fastener and the material being fastened. However, this effect is generally limited.

Here's how plain washers can impact friction reduction:

1. Surface Smoothness: Plain washers have a smooth surface that can help reduce the direct contact between the fastener and the material being fastened. This can result in slightly less friction compared to direct contact between rougher surfaces.

2. Pressure Distribution: Washers distribute the load over a larger surface area. When a nut or bolt head is tightened down, the washer spreads the force across a wider region. This can help minimize localized pressure points that might lead to increased friction.

3. Surface Protection: Washers can prevent damage to the material being fastened. If the fastener's contact point is rough or uneven, it could cause wear or damage to the material. A washer provides a protective barrier that can reduce friction caused by abrasion or surface imperfections.

It's important to note that while washers can have a slight impact on reducing friction, the primary purpose of using washers is not friction reduction but rather load distribution and surface protection. If your main concern is reducing friction, you might consider using lubricants or anti-friction coatings specifically designed for that purpose.

Additionally, the impact of using plain washers to reduce friction is relatively minor compared to other methods such as using lubricants, choosing materials with lower coefficients of friction, or ensuring proper surface finish and alignment. If friction reduction is a critical factor in your application, it's advisable to explore other solutions beyond the use of plain washers alone.

High Tensile Fasteners

Q4) How do you remove a stud bolt that has become rusted or frozen?

Ans) Removing a rusted or frozen stud bolt can be challenging, but there are several methods you can try. The approach you choose will depend on the severity of the rust and the access you have to the stud. Here are some common methods:

1. Penetrating Oil: Apply a penetrating oil, such as WD-40 or PB Blaster, to the rusted threads of the stud. Allow the oil to penetrate for several hours or overnight. The oil helps break down the rust and lubricate the threads, making it easier to turn the stud.

2. Heat: Use a propane torch or similar heat source to heat the area around the rusted stud. The expansion and contraction caused by the heat can help break the rust's grip. Be careful not to overheat the surrounding components, and always follow safety precautions.

3. Double Nuts: If there's enough exposed thread, you can use two nuts tightened against each other on the stud. Hold one nut with a wrench and use another wrench to turn the second nut counterclockwise. The pressure between the two nuts can help break the rust's hold on the threads, allowing you to turn the stud.

4. Vice Grips or Locking Pliers: If there's enough exposed length of the stud, you can grip onto it with vice grips or locking pliers. Apply steady and even pressure while turning counterclockwise. This method can help you break the rust's hold and start turning the stud.

5. Impact Tools: Impact tools like impact wrenches or pneumatic hammers can provide bursts of rotational force that can help loosen a stubborn stud. Be cautious when using these tools, as they can sometimes cause damage if not used properly.

6. Cutting: In extreme cases where the stud is beyond saving, you might need to cut it off. You can use a hacksaw, reciprocating saw, or angle grinder with a cutting wheel to carefully cut the stud. This should be done with care to avoid damaging the underlying material.

7. Heat and Cooling: The "heat and cool" method involves heating the stud with a torch and then quickly cooling it with cold water. The rapid contraction caused by the cooling can help break the rust's grip.

8. Nut Splitter: A nut splitter is a specialized tool designed to crack open nuts or studs that are too difficult to remove conventionally. It works by cutting into the stud without damaging the underlying material.

Before attempting any of these methods, it's crucial to exercise caution to avoid damaging surrounding components or causing injury. If you're not comfortable or experienced with these techniques, consider seeking help from a professional mechanic or technician.

Carbon Steel Fasteners

[xtanchor2019]

Sleeve-Anchors

Product Name: Sleeve Anchor Surface treatment: Bright zinc plated,Yellow zinc plated,Hot Dip Galvanized Material: carbon steel ,Stainless steel Grade: 4.8/5.8/6.8/ 8.8 Size: M10X12X70 Diameter: 12mm Application: concrete,stone,rovk.manble,brick wall

[thewestern]

Chapter 4

Framed there against the cold autumn light in the open doorway, Mayor Mockingbird raised both hands in victorious salute. What he won, the Mick couldn’t be certain. Was this an election year even? That he also couldn’t say with any confidence. (For the last few cycles, Kitty had filled in the bubbles on the both of their ballots, doing her level best to interpret how he would have come down on the various measures and candidates, could he have even been bothered. On the matter of the Mayor’s reelection, they had both abstained.)

Boyishly handsome in an anemic type manner, the Mayor was clad in his regular folks uniform of blue jeans and a white oxford shirt. Jack Kennedy never dressed up or down for anybody, Hank would have said. As if they were chemically induced, his craft beer constituents subconsciously coalesced into an impromptu receiving line running the length of the bar. He was an ambidextrous glad-hander, reaching across his body with his left, then again over the top with his right, and back under with the left, in a figure-eight loop extending onto infinity. After he passed, the bless-ed would turn and say to whoever would listen: you know actually he’s a pretty standup guy, or what a prick or asshole. Whatever the substance of their opinion was immaterial. Only that he knew the man enough to have formed one, one way or t’other.

From his vantage, the Mick could see that the Mayor was traveling with a posse. Embedded on his left was a short man with coiffed hair, piercing blue eyes and a matching plaid sport coat, a combination with which could only be used to (one) sell certified pre-owned luxury sport wagons, or (two) read the local news. Of course it was the latter, which explained the cameraman. The anchor person was handsome in a similar affect to the Mayor’s but slightly moreso. Flanked to Mockingbird’s right was a tall man he did not recognize with short hair on the sides but none on top, his long torso fully zipped in a fleece vest stitched with the wordmark, Morningstar Petroleum (Mick was farsighted). Then in front and behind were two incredibly serious and extremely tired-looking youngsters, a boy and girl of medium height, maybe recent college graduates but not a day older. The boy carried on his person a leather folder, the girl a wax canvas duffle bag. It could have been hauling bricks, by the look of her wobbly gait. Both wore chinos and oxford shirts of nondescript color and unflattering fit. 

The Mayor’s security personnel, a Sheriff’s Deputy from the County, remained stationed by the door. Probably he was assessing the perimeter for potential threat multipliers. Aside from the tin star pinned on his left breast in place of a shield, he looked just like an ordinary beat cop, albeit with full sleeve of tattoo extending down each forearm, lengthwise. The Mick always got a kick out of law enforcement officers in other countries who as part of their uniforms wore funny hats — Canadian Mounties, British Bobbies … he’d seen French police wearing some old-timey train conductor headgear, and also whatever it was the ice cream man wore —  but this guy didn’t don any kind of cap whatsoever. A ten-gallon yarmulke, as Russ was known of saying. All he had to garnish his messily-shaven scalp was a pair of bulky plastic sunglasses, hanging horizontally off his cauliflower ears, backward around the nape of his neck, where the blotchy skin bunched up like a pug dog’s furrowed brow. 

This particular officer was new to the Mayor’s detail. He considered the reassignment somewhat of a demotion from his more sedentary post within the County Jail System, although the pay was commensurate. Such was his penance for his regrettable role in an off-duty altercation that transpired at a local bowling alley. Executive security was career purgatory in the Sherrifs’ Depo, not to mention a waste of taxpayer money, by his estimation. Political assassinations were a relic of the past, not than anyone would want to waste a small-time mayor anyway. And on the off chance, some sick fuck made a move on Mockinbird, this deputy sure as shit wasn’t going to take a bullet for that faggot, as he confided with his former fellow correctional officers on his way to reassignment.  

Nonetheless, dutifully, he donned tactical-grade body armor. Kitty saw him leaning his square rear end against the wall, hands shoved into the bulletproof vest, just below his armpits, like a bench-warming high school football player, which he had once been, or her favorite sketch comedy character, Mary Katherine Gallagher. (Superstar!)

 You ever see a cop’s holster hanging there off his hip and have the urge to just fucking grab for the gun? 

Kitty neither. 

 The deputy’s predecessor, a female officer since placed on administrative leave, was in the process of filing suit against the City for sexual harassment. The accusations she leveled were corroborated, time-stamped, geo-tagged and in some instances photo-illustrated (quite graphically), by a string of highly suggestive SMS messages sent from the Mayor’s government-issued PDA (personal digital assistant) device. Nonetheless, drawing from their client’s personally-set legal precedent, Larry’s private counsel was confident an out-of-court settlement would be could discretely, at a modest expense. 

Now the Mayor was drawing down, real slow, on the Mick. Whatever was coming, he’d have preferred to miss — that should go without saying — but then he was corralled in there by that surging crush of humanity. After shaking more hands than you could shake a stick at, Mockingbird arrived at the Mick. He remained perfectly still, hoping maybe the man could only see movement. Suddenly this tyrannosaurus rex of retail politics — an unstoppable force of everything that is unnatural, did just that. He stopped, and he looked him dead in the eye for just a fraction of a moment. The Mayor must have short-circuited — something in his operating system could not compute. He didn’t blink, but the Mick could swear he saw his eyes twitch. Then without extending a hand or any other courtesy, he passed by. 

Here is something funny about Larry Mockingbird, a very funny man. From the outset of his stigmatic convergence onto the public eye, he claimed to suffer from a rare clinical condition called Prosopagnosia, or more commonly, Face Blindness. It means exactly that … he is blind to faces. So feasibly he could meet a person three times, and on the occasion of their fourth meeting, he wouldn’t have the slightest recollection of who they are, what they talked about, or that they ever crossed paths from the first. This was the exact series of events that preceded meeting his second wife, he once told a reporter, in yet another in a long series of hagiographic accounts of his political ascent. Rare clinical conditions are not funny, as a general rule. What was funny about this one, was how Hank claimed with absolute certainty that Larry made it up out of whole cloth. And he had the smoking gun to prove it, too. 

Okay … once way back when we were working together — at the Company, years before we got canned and started the Newfy — we were at a show someplace. Topeka maybe. Or was it could had been Richmond. In any case, Larry sees this gal from way across the lot, and hollers out: Mary! Mary Ellen! Mary Ellen Moffett! Mind you, they were a considerable distance apart — a range of half a football field, easy. And he spotted her like a red-tailed hawk from all that aways yonder. However far it was, he bounces on over there, and after a few minutes of chatting her up and down, he saunters on back like the cock of the walk. Well, who the hell was that, we ask? That was Mary Ellen Moffett, he says. They went to summer camp together on Okay Lake. He tried all summer long to make it with her, but she said she won’t put out until high school. Well now that they were both out of college, he was going to seal the deal.

Summer camp! You mean to tell me that after taking half a sheet of LSD, this hooplehead instantly ID’d somebody he’d knew for three weeks in junior high? From a distance between here to Timbuktu? And that this man of all people is face blind? No way, Joseph. He shovels all that bull crap about a clinical condition because the only face he cares to recall is the one staring back at him in the mirror. That goldbricking son of a bitch can see faces. I’m sure of it. He can see my white ass before he kisses it! 

Naturally the Mick would go on to dispute Hank’s claim. Maybe Mockingbird got lucky the one time. Hell, it probably didn’t even go down like that. How could you remember a little interaction like that anyway? You said it yourself you were dropping acid the whole damn day. 

Well, David Michael Solomon, because after the show, Mary Ellen Moffett dragged me back to her wood-paneled station wagon and screwed my brains out! [Cackle.] How do you like that, you sandbagger, you! Said she wouldn’t a’made it with Larry if he were the Last Man on Earth, the First Man on the Moon or any man for that matter, regardless of his sequential order. For a fact, at summer camp he wet the bunk with such volume and frequency, they had to call his mother. Poor woman drove all the ways to Lake Okay to drop off his rubber sheets! 

Mary Ellen Moffett, though. Real, special lady. Still keeps in touch. Wrote me a letter a year ago this winter. She’s a corporate attorney, or maybe some type of litigator. Divorced with five kids. If anybody could burden a load like that it was Mary. The woman had sand. Good for a hot time. Hey, how come it’s you’re always throwing cold water on my stories? Someday when I’m gone you’ll treasure these moments and all the golden nuggets of wisdom I imparted upon ye. Because you listen here, sonny, and you listen well. There’s a fine oral tradition in this country, and your generation won’t hear a damn word. The past is on mute, far as you’re concerned. And you’ll be worse off for it. Believe me when I tell you.  

With that, the Mick rested his defense. He just carried on with his business. Specific gravity measures out right on target, etc. Sometimes it wasn’t any use arguing with Pappy. Come to think of … It wasn’t never worth a wasted fucking breath. Because, if he was of a mind, Hank could talk his way around just about anything — up, down and sideways. What, then, was the fucking point?   

Wait. Hold up now. Here he went again, right on cue ... 

… Just one second, before you scamper off to your cellar … I’m not through with you yet. I don’t know how that saint of a woman puts up with this sour attitude of yours. That senorita is going to salsa dance her way right on out the door if you ain’t careful. You hear me, cabron? 

Yea. Fucking’A he’d been listening. 

Now how’s about we get some fucking quiet. 

Fuck.