#so i am now posing as my store manager and using his account

[soloh]

Been back at work for a little over an hour and already my little blissful "life is pretty good" bubble that I've been living in since Thursday has burst lmao

[chocominnie]

Wasted Times- Pjm.

Pairing: Jimin x Reader

Warnings: A lot of Fluff, Angry Sex, Slight BDSM, Dom!Jimin, Jealous Reader, Fuckboy!Jimin, oral sex, Penatration, Foot Job?, kissing, spankings, seriously lots of jealousy and tension, use of the word ‘’whore’’, exhibitionism, cum in pants

Word count: 5.8k

Authors Note: So this is a draft of mine from way long ago. It was also posted on another account I used to be apart of, but no longer am. It’s an oldie but goodie. 

Copyright:  please do NOT repost, translate, or modify my works in any way, shape or form, on any platform. If found doing so , it is considered as plagiarism and appropriate LEGAL action will be taken.

Summary:  Two weeks, five days and counting since you’ve last seen him. Two weeks since that sinful body was tangled in yours, where you both let out strings of moans and shared sloppy wet kisses. Two weeks.

If it wasn’t for Hoseok that whole night wouldn’t have happened. Despite you already knowing of Jimin, what you didn’t know is that looks can deceive. Oh yes, they deceived you very well. When you met him it felt like it was unreal? It felt as though you were talking to an angel. The butterflies in your stomach whenever he spoke made you feel the blood rush to your cheeks. So unreal.

A cute cheeky smile and a squeaky laugh. Someone’s who’s kind hearted, as what you previously had heard from Hoseok himself. Oh, but did he leave the major detail out from you.

He’s a fuckboy.

One that knows exactly how to play his cards right. Knows how to get into a girl's pants and make them melt with the sweet and dirty things that pout out his mouth like honey. He has the looks and charms for it. The hand he runs through his hair constantly, those pink full lips begging to be touched by someone else. 

You’ve only recently found out about most of the girls he’s slept with. It wasn’t a lot but enough for him to qualify to get tested every month. All because he can’t keep his god damn dick in his pants. And you, the fool, fell for it. You fell for his ways. 

Yet he pretends to know nothing. He pretends like he didn’t break your heart by saying he can’t commit to a relationship. He was just a one night stand. He fucking acts that nothing happened between you two prior to having sex.... and it hurts.

Now you’re sitting in your office stuck in-between whether to let that night go, or to bring it up with him. Because surely, he felt something too when you guys made love for an hour and a half right? Right?

‘‘Y/N. Did you hear me?’ ‘  

You quickly snap back to reality to the nagging voice beside you. Taking a sip of your peppermint tea, you turn towards the young girl. Her full bangs compliment her perfectly shaped face. Her long, straight hair that curls at the end a bit is jet black with no sign of split ends or damage. She holds a blue folder tightly to her chest with a cheeky smile upon her face.  

‘‘Mrs. Jane would like to see your work for this month’s upcoming project. Do you have the rough draft done?’ ‘  

You nod, ‘’ I’ve finished it already. Are you collecting?’’ The girl nods her head and holds out her dainty pale hand. Next to you is your documents drawer which you rummage through for a good minute or so before finding your pink folder with all the information and sketches.  

‘‘Thanks..’‘ She smiles, then walks away to her next prey. You let out a big sigh and place your hands in-between your head. Never have you had someone constantly be on your mind.  

It was killing you.  

‘‘ Child are you okay?’‘ 

You turn towards the voice to your left which sits next to you is your best-friend. Her smirk lets you know she knows what you’re thinking about. She knows. She also knows about that one night stand that you couldn’t shut up about two weeks ago. 

You try to hold back your laugh, ‘’ I’m. fine.’’ You manage to choke out. She shakes her head again with that damned smirk on her face. ‘’ Was he that good that he has you sitting here contemplating life honey?’’ 

Your eyes go eyes go wide and soon enough you find yourself swatting her thigh while trying to cover your face of embarrassment. ‘’ Stop! Geez I shouldn’t have even told you about it.’’

‘‘ I knew about him before you even did. Once you told me after the fact, I automatically recognized who he was by the way you described his features so well.’‘ She shrugs, swiveling her chair around to face you. You do the same.

‘‘ What?’‘

‘‘ I went to high school with him. Park Jimin right? He was a ladies girl. Everyone wanted him. Plus he was a former dancer.’‘ 

Former dancer? It all makes sense. The way his body was nicely toned, not to muscly but noticeable. The way his hips moved every which way making sure his sinful area poked and pried at every nerve inside your walls. Made you let out strings of moans and whimpers because of how good he felt inside you. You’ve never felt something like that before. How dare he.

‘’ Well he has a cute friend. His name is Tae... Tae something. I don’t know but they were also friends in highschool. He was a handsome boy as well. If you would like to you know... tap that.’‘ She giggles.

Who does she think you are? Some type of person who gives away sex for a living? Definitely not. By the looks of your face she quickly abandons the subject. You decide it’s best to get back on task before your whore of a boss comes back around.

Only before that petite girl, with the bangs and perfectly trimmed straight hair, comes back with your folder and a ton of papers for you. As if this this day could  get any worse.

‘‘ No I don’t want to go tonight.’’ 

It feels like you’ve said this on the phone more than ten times. You’re sure of it. He just doesn’t want to give up. You’d rather be in the comfort of your home cuddled up in a blanket watching Netflix all day. After-all, it is a Friday night and it has been a very stressful week for you in the office. A nice hot bath and a binge worthy tv show is all you want right now. It’s what you deserve.

‘‘ Come with us it’ll be fun. You can invite your hot best friend too.’‘ He says, and you know he’s smirking on the other line. ‘‘ Hoseok for one, you will not hook up with my best friend understand? Two, i’m tired. I want to sleep.’‘

‘‘ Oh come on Y/N it’ll be fun. It’s just a night out on the strip. It’ll be fun. I’m bringing Jimin.’‘ He tapers off at the end to wait for your reaction. 

Could this be it? Another chance to see Jimin. Your chance to ask him.. if that night he felt something. Surely he did right? 

‘‘ I’ll come. But that doesn’t mean i’m coming for Jimin. I’m bringing Scar with me as well.’‘

A few seconds of silence fills the other line. Which you know that Hoseok probably muted himself to scream in success. You take this time to think about what you’re going to wear. Something that’s eye catching? Or something that’s casual yet classy since it is just hanging around downtown. Why not do both?

Hoseok come’s back to the line and you notice he’s more cheerful. It makes you smile to yourself, how cute. ‘‘ Be there in 45 minutes. We’ll be waiting by Krystal okay? Meet us out front of that place.’‘

You two say your goodbyes and hang up the phone. Anticipation runs deep through you lacing your blood with it. Just the thought of seeing him again rubs you the right way. 

Going into your closet, you take a good look at it and decide on a casual yet classy outfit. One that will surely catch his attention but very presentable as well. You hope that it’s going to pull through. Taking out your phone, you send a text message to Scarlet telling her all the details and to meet you here. 

‘’This will be one hell of a night.’’ You smirk to yourself as you pull out the accessories to your outfit. 

It wasn’t until you heard the doorbell constantly ring that broke you out of your trance of admiring yourself in the mirror. You look ravishing. Delectable. Every thing in the book. Surely you must have been admiring for quite some time because twenty minutes had passed and you didn’t even know it.

The doorbell ringing comes to a halt once you open the door forcefully. Scarlet greets you with a smile and a hug before coming inside. 

‘’ Okay does this make my ass look bigger than it already is?’’

You glance over at Scarlet who’s posing in-front of the hallway mirror, earning a small chuckle from you. ‘’ Yes, that dress always look’s good on you.’’

Scarlet grins at you, ‘’ Thanks. I try I try. You look sexy Y/N. Who’s getting it tonight? ’’

You giggle once more before  adjusting your black dress ‘’ You look so good Y/N i’m not lying. Did you put some make-up on?’’

You shyly nod your head yes, ‘’ Just a little. Not one of my dramatic looks.’’

‘‘ It suits the mood for tonight. Nothing to dramatic, more neutral.’‘ Scarlet says, picking up her purse again. ‘’ The dress does bring out your curves.’‘ She steps back and pulls out her phone for a snapchat picture. 

The two of you pose in the mirror for a quick second then giggle afterwards. Scarlet brings her phone back down as her fingers begin to type at a rapid speed. ‘I’m going to caption it; Going out with my babe!’’ 

You on the other hand were to busy into the hearts snapchat filter with Scar in the background of your video. You tap her with a smile and she looks up with a smile as well. ‘’ We are so gonna be late Scar. ’’

‘‘ Okay. Let me just grab my purse and we can go.’‘ 

You can’t believe you’re actually doing this. The cool breeze is enough for you to handle. Not to cold and not to hot of a breeze. Downtown is busy tonight, especially the strip. The neon signs blare into your vision, the cars speed past with drunk laughing people. Music plays coming from each store or bar you two pass. There’s a jazz man who’s playing some cool tunes next to the giant water fountain. You drop a ten dollar bill into his case hoping to brighten those tunes up a bit. Couples are everywhere you look. You haven’t been downtown in such a long time. Everything feels so brand new to you. It’s so lively. 

Scarlet walks confidently in-front of you, hips swaying naturally. You see Hoseok down the sidewalk waiting at the entrance for your arrival. Behind him is Jimin who looks fine tonight. He wears a long sleeve white Stussy t-shirt with black distressed jeans that show off his thighs. The same thighs that flexed with each thrust two weeks ago. The same thighs you wanted to ride because they had you soaking wet. Oh geez.

‘‘ Y/N! ahhh you look so good tonight!’‘ Hoseok grabs your hand and twirls you around a little. ‘‘ You’re right. Wow Y/N.’‘ A voice comes from behind him.

Part of you just wants to melt right into his arms right then and there. Keep it together.

‘‘ You don’t look bad yourself Jimin.’‘ It’s like your eyes refused to make eye contact with him. You want to, but can’t pull yourself to do it. ‘‘ And this is my best friend Scarlet.’‘

‘‘ Hello I’m Scarlet or Scar for short. Nice to meet you.’‘ She smiles, Jimin takes her hand and gives it a kiss. His eyes never leaves hers when he does so.

Scarlet lets out one of her nervous giggles as he lets her hand go. ‘’ How sweet.’’ Jimin smirks at her, ‘’ No worries. I’m Jimin, Park Jimin my love.’’ 

You almost choke at those last two words. My love? Seriously?

‘‘ Okay enough now that you’ve met my flirty friend who doesn’t know boundaries...’‘ Hoseok glares at him, earning a shrug from Jimin. ‘‘ .. I’m Hoseok. I’ve seen you on Y/N’s social media.. and I must say you are very pretty.’‘

‘‘ Thank you Hoseok. You are handsome as well.’’ She says.

You decide to end this introduction and start off the night. ‘‘ Alright enough of the talking. Can we have some fun tonight?’‘

‘‘ I agree, let’s get some drinks first.’‘ 

Only one hour in and you’ve only had one long island ice tea that you haven’t even finished yet. Somehow you’ve got tricked into third wheeling. Hoseok and Scarlet seem to be hitting it off very well walking in front of you.  But walking next to you is a quite Jimin. He’s to busy scrolling and typing on social media for him to even notice you. Oh so you thought.

‘‘ Y/N...’‘

The butterflies in your stomach begin. What could he want? ‘’ Hmm.’’

Jimin locks his phone and places it in his pocket. He then looks at you with that oh so familiar warm smile. ‘’ They seem to be hitting it off well yeah?’’

Oh. ‘’ Yeah. I ship it.’’ You giggle, crossing your arms.’’ How have you been? Haven’t seen your pretty self in weeks.’’ 

‘‘ I’m fine. You know, work and stuff.’‘ 

‘‘ Yes I can say the same. I’ve got some things going on as well.’‘ His eyes shift back towards the busy city. ‘‘ I’d be lying if I didn’t say I missed you.’‘

You stop dead in your tracks. He missed you? All this time you had thought he didn’t care but he does? ‘’ Missed me huh. Or did you miss the idea of me.’’

He smiles, ‘’ Can it be both?’’

You decide to let that comment slide. ‘’ Well Jimin. I missed you too.’’

‘‘ Great so I can do this.’‘

You’re caught off guard by his lips connecting with yours. Both of you move in sync with each other. Jimin open’s his mouth more so his tongue can move more freely inside of yours.  Both of your tongues fight for dominance making you moan inside the kiss. His hands cup your face, sending chills up your spine. Soon you find yourself whimpering for more, but you can’t let it go this far so you break away first.

‘‘ Hmm I missed those lips on mine. Sorry if I spooked you my love.’‘ Those dark brown eyes look deep into yours. ‘‘ I missed us talking constantly before we..’‘ He trails off, looking away from you smiling shyly.

‘‘ Yeah me too. We spent a lot of time texting and calling each other before that. But after that night we sort of.. stopped? I’ve been meaning to bring this up without it being awkward.’‘ You bite your lip, fiddling with your fingers.

Jimin looks around you guys. Scarlet and Hoseok are nowhere to be found. As he expected. ‘’ Well it looks like our friends ditched us. Have you eaten?’’

‘‘ I munched on something before I came here with you guys.’‘ You say, eyes shifting towards the city again. ‘‘ Well if you’re up for a little bit more of a walk I know this good place on the boardwalk. We are getting closer and closer to the beach.’‘

‘‘ Is this you asking me on a date Park Jimin?’‘ You giggle, covering your mouth with your hand. ‘‘ It can be considered our first friendly date. I would love to take you out some other time where it’s not last minute my love.’‘

‘‘ Stop saying that.’‘

‘‘ Saying what?’‘

You roll your eyes playfully, ‘’ My love. Stop saying it.’’

Jimin raises his eyebrows at you in amusement, ‘’ Did you just roll your eye at me.. my love?’’ Your cheeks have never hurt this much before from constantly smiling, but tonight you just cant stop them. ‘’ And if I did?’’

‘‘ I suggest you don’t do that again.’‘ 

The walk wasn’t as far as you thought. Jimin had linked his hand in yours on the way there. It surprised you for a minute but you let it happen. He hasn’t let go since. The two of you are sat down at a table outside by a waitress who cannot keep her eyes away from Jimin. Only if she knew how much of a sex god he was. Then she really wouldn’t be able to keep her eyes away.

‘‘ The moon looks beautiful tonight.’‘ He nods his head over towards the sky. Your eyes gaze over the sandy beach and waves that crash onto the shore. The moon lit sky peering over it looks beautiful.

Jimin brings both of your hands onto the table and intertwines them with his. A smile appears on his face when he sees you shyly try to hide your smile from him. Jimin’s most favorite feature of you is your smile, and moans of course, but your smile brings him happiness. It’s something about the way your lips curl up into a smile and your eyes narrow a little bit with it. Or when you laugh at one of his comments or jokes. It makes him happy inside and out.

‘‘ So, what were you saying earlier my love?’‘

You playfully roll your eyes again at that nickname. Before you can roll them again, Jimin’s smile drops and he let’s go of your right hand. You furrow your eyebrows at him for a second until you’re caught off guard with a tiny slap to the inside of your thigh. You hiss at the pain.

He says, ‘‘ Stop rolling your eyes at me. playful or not my love, I don’t like it.’‘ 

‘‘ Fine but stop calling me that nickname. You said it to Scarlet. Now I don’t want it anymore.’‘ You say, attitude high with your arms crossed.

Jimin chuckles and lets his tongue swipe across the inside of his jaw, ‘’Someone’s jealous.’’

‘’ I just see the name is useless is all if you’re calling other girls that.’‘

‘‘ Hmm jealous now aren’t we?’‘ He smirks, leaning back in his chair. ‘‘ Says the one who was all over me that night. Practically craving me. Now, what If i let someone else do that hmm? Equivalent to you calling other girls that name.’‘

His smirk never lets up. You know you trying to act all tough isn’t going to last. It’s just not in you. But what you can do is make him jealous and tease him for a while. You consider it a payback for those two weeks of hell you went through.

‘‘ I’m enjoying our night out Jimin. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with me tonight.’‘ Your face is innocent as ever, sipping on your water. 

His expression changes when your foot travels up his leg and onto his crotch and slowly grazes over the tip of his dick. Jimin glares and bites his lip at the constant friction between the head and your foot going in agonizingly slow circles. He let’s both of your hands go to try and pry your leg away but you increase pressure making him choke out a small wince.

‘‘ Aww. Cute.’‘ 

Jimin’s head pops up with a death glare on his face, ‘’ Don’t call me that after you just tried to pull some type of stun-’’

Your foot begins it’s slow circles again. It’s fun watching him stop his sentences. The way he holds in his moans and bites his lip. It turns you on very much.

“Fuck,” He grunts, eye’s closed.

You stop once your food arrives. The same waitress that can’t keep her eyes off of Jimin. She makes eye contact with her, and he winks as she places the food in-front of him. Your face drops into a stone cold expression. Once the waitress leaves his head slowly turns towards you with his famous sly smirk. He knew just how to press your buttons. 

You start back up again, going at an even faster pace at this point. He curses at himself and his eyes close again. You smile when he starts to shake his legs and breathe heavily. Only for Jimin’s eyes pop open with a devilish smile that confuses you. He grabs your leg and makes sure that your foot is positioned right ontop of his dick. He rolls his hips to the movement of yours, looking you dead straight in the eyes. You go along with it for now. But your eyes almost buck out of your head when he starts letting out moans and grunts as he throws his head back.

‘‘ Mmm fuck Y/N you do this so well.’‘

You’re at loss for words. The risk of being caught mixed with the sight you’re seeing now has your panties becoming wet.It takes all your might not to just jump over the table and devour him when he sighs in relief. You watch his body convulse of the aftershocks. So fucking sexy. 

And as if nothing had just happened, he picks up his fork and begins to eat his pasta. The rest of the night is silent. You both eat in silence but in the inside you want to say something but you know better. The stunt you just pulled has something coming for you. Maybe payback wasn’t such a good thing after all.

After Jimin comes back from the restroom, assuming he cleaned himself up well down there, he sits back down at the table with a warm smile. It confuses you.

‘‘ Do you want to leave now? We can go to my place and just chill for the night. Looks like the two love birds might have already went back to one of their place’s.’‘ He says, grabbing your hand once again.

You nod your head dumbfounded at what you didn’t know that was going to happen at his place. But you agree to go. What can go wrong?

The moment you guys enter his luxurious apartment, he pins you against the wall and raises your hands above you head. He tilts your head and nips at your neck, alternating between kissing and sucking. He hit one of your sweet spots that has your eyes rolling into the back of your head.

‘‘ Please Jimin.’‘ You cry out. Slowly pulling away, he pulls you from against the wall and bends to dip an arm under your legs to lift you up bridal style.

He deeply chuckles into your ear, ‘‘ You have an eventful night planned out for pulling that stunt at the restaurant sweetheart.’‘ His words sends shivers down your spine. 

Jimin closes the door behind him, giving you a taste of comfort before he has his way with you. He places you on his bed and you stare into those dark brown eyes that you love oh so much. 

‘‘ Face down, ass up now.’‘ He growls. 

You nod your head and do as told. Soon you feel your dress being unzipped and thrown to the floor. You’re in nothing but your bra and baby pink lace thong. His hands run up and down your spine, then to your ass. 

‘‘ You ruined my pants today. Made me cum inside them since you wanted to feel like you had control over me.. babygirl.’‘ He says, hands stopping right above your ass.

‘‘ Count for me Y/N.’‘

You don’t even have time to take a breath in when the first hard impact comes. It wells tears in your eyes but you love it. You love every smack and every second of it. And so you count for him, you count all fifteen hits to your sore,red ass. 

‘‘ You’ve taken your punishment well.’‘ Jimin says soothing the pain by rubbing over it softly. ‘‘ You looked so pretty doing what you’re told my beautiful girl. You deserve every inch of me. You deserve all of me.’’ His voice is soft and low. It intoxicates you. 

Jimin shifts you onto your back, his hands tracing every inch of your body. You prop yourself up with your shoulders and you don’t jerk away, instead you let him lean in and kiss you passionately. The lewd sounds of the two of you sharing a wet, sloppy kiss can be heard throughout the apartment. You whine in his arms wanting more than just the kiss. He growls in return, yanking your head back to mark up that pretty neck some more. His hands swiftly makes their way towards your nipples, you moan out in response.

“mmm so cute and hard for me.” He flicks your hard nipples with his index and middle fingers on both your breasts. The way he speaks is sinful. Your panties grow even more wet as he pinches your nipples to make you whimper. “ Making pretty sounds for me hmm? Got you all wet baby?’’

With his hands dropping to your hips, he pushes you to lay down on the bed. Your breasts look so captivating to him. Your back arches when his lips connect to your right breast and soon to your left.

“Jimin...’’ You whimper, tugging on his hair to get him to look at you. He pauses the swirling of his tongue on your breast and looks up with lust filled eyes.

“ Yes sweetheart?” He coos.

‘’Off... t-take it off.’’ You whine, moving your hands towards his clothing and tugging on it firmly.

Jimin smiles before balancing on his knees to lift off his shirt. You watch him strip his shirt off, revealing his beautifully toned stomach and sharp v-line. You want nothing more than to run your tongue across him, leaving hickies behind.

Once he takes off his shirt, he dips back down to you to kiss your lips once more. ‘’ Your reaction was instantaneous, your back arching as your hands flew to his hair in shock at the pleasure it gave you. You really were sexually frustrated. Just him kissing you was all too much for you to handle.

As if he could tell what you wanted, his hand found its way to the hem of your lace thong. He feels how wet you were with his index finger sliding up and down your entrance. Your breath hitched as he slid them off with his teeth.

Your mouth instantly falls open when one thick finger slides inside you, your wetness pouring out beneath his finger. Once his finger is coated in your juices, he pulls out of you leaving you whimpering at the loss of friction. You watch him slide his wet finger into his mouth, his eyes close as he hums around it.

“You taste so fucking good. Let me have more of you yeah? He says, waiting for some type of consent from you. 

You nod, wanting him more than ever.

Jimin props both your legs up onto his shoulder, licking his lips at the sight of your glistening core. You are left exposed to his lustful gaze as he took in the appearance of your swollen lips. Your lips spread apart to expose your clit that desperately seeks attention.  

And so he provides it. His head dips down to get to work on your cunt.  The pleasure you feel is outrageous, it has you clawing at his back, not even letting up, before letting out your never ending moans. You knew for a fact that Jimin’s tongue was a work of art when put to the test.

“Oh fuck! ” You yell out, arching your back when his lips begin to suck harshly on your clit, that bubbly feeling in your stomach appears. 

“Do I make you feel good ? Hmm, use your words.” He encourages, using two fingers to spread your folds apart to lick and suck on your clit.

“It feels so good Jimin, oh my gosh, please don’t stop. Fuck!” You cry out, tossing your head back as you clutch onto the sheets once more, leaving his hair alone. As soon as he hears that, he seemed to lose control. His fingers start abuse your g-spot in sync with his sucking on your clit. That’s all you took for you to explode around his fingers. Your body spasms when you close your eyes. You can practically hear your heartbeat pounding in your head.

That doesn’t stop Jimin though. He continues to abuse your hole but you can’t handle the over-stimulation. You grip his wrists to stop him in which he obliges. He pulls his fingers out of you slowly and shows you them before sucking on them harshly.  

“ Such a naughty girl now aren’t we.” He coos, rubbing your thighs that shake endlessly. “Want more princess?”

You nod your head, to busy lost in a trance. His words always get to you. A boy who knows his way with his words. The things that come out his mouth laced with either sweet venom or sugar. Damn him. Damn him for making you feel like this. Damn him for letting you fall under his ways. 

You don’t realize all of his clothes were off until the head of his cock is sitting at your entrance. He’s a nice size, as you remember, but it’s the thickness that gets you. He has a lot of girth and it damn sure stretches you out. 

“Shit, oh my gosh.” You moan, letting your head fall back as he starts easing into you. 

“ Mmm babygirl,” He growls, using one of his hands to spread your lips, giving him the bes view of you taking him all the way. “Fuck just look at that baby. Your little pussy stretching to take my thick cock. Feels good yeah?”

“ Yes Jimin, fuck, it feels so good please. ” You whimper, wanting to feel all stuffed and full. Finally he bottoms out and you definitely feel it in you.

Jimin’s hands grip your hips as he starts to move inside of you. Since your previous orgasm residue was still there, mixing with your fresh juices,  every time moved in and out your juices would drip.Lewd, wet slaps filled the room as the pace quickened, wanting to get you to cum again.

Your cries of pleasure filled the room. There was no point in hiding them now.  With his hips moving at a fast pace, and his dick murdering your g-spot, it makes you feel that familiar feeling again. 

“My good girl, you’re doing so well for me.” Jimin smiles, praising you as you become undone around him. Your hole spasms around his length and it feels like heaven for him. Jimin holds himself up on his elbows, resting his face against yours while he gently eases you through your orgasm. 

“You don’t know the things your body does to me Y/N. The faces you make when i’m fucking your brains out. You look like you’re in pure ecstasy because of me and only me, baby.” He whispers, his lips hovering just above yours. You nod and press your lips against his. Smiling into the kiss, his hips begin fucking you  again, getting up to his previous pace.

Your body is automatically put into over-stimulation mode. “Are you going to cum again for me?”

“Mhm, oh my god!” You whimper, closing your eyes shut harshly. Jimin pulls out of you, and starts to slide his cock up and down your folds to bring you to another orgasm. You let out a scream as Jimin watch your juices fly and soak everywhere around you both. Your death grip on the sheets havent left and your back is arched so high from the bed that he has to bring you back down. 

“Fuck, that’s it. You’re squirting princess.” He praises you, smiling as he doesn’t stop movement, juices everywhere. “You’re squirting so much baby look at you.’’

The feeling is too much for you so you shut your legs around him. Jimin smiles at you when you finally open your eyes. They hardly stay open but long enough for you to see him get himself off using his right hand. You open your mouth to say something, but he interrupts “Shh princess, you’re too sensitive. Maybe next time.”

You nodded with a small pout on your lips. You want him to cum inside you. To feel his hot sperm coat your insides. Your body says otherwise. You are spent, exhausted to the max..

Just as he is about to cum, you sit up and climb over to him. Your mouth quickly finds it’s way to his length and as if a habit, you begin to suck. ‘’You don’t have to princes- fuck.’’ He groans, releasing his load inside your mouth while you deep throat all his length.

Soon you pull away from his cock after he cums. You open your mouth to show him and then swallow it all down. ‘’ Filthy whore.’’ He smirks, pecking your lips.

Jimin kisses your forehead once more, before lifting up and disappearing into the bathroom. He returns with a warm, wet towel to clean up the mess between your legs. Your eyes flutter open and close. You catch a glimpse of his nicely toned back when he turns to disregard the towel. He comes back again with a green t-shirt which makes your heart flutter as he pulls it over your head. Another forehead kiss, then those nose, then the lips. 

‘’ Jimin?’‘ You coo.

He climbs in bed beside you, ‘’ Yes?’’

‘’ We never discussed what we are...’’ You say quietly, picking at your fingers. 

He laughs softly, ‘’ You know I can’t commit right now. I have too many things going on and-’’

‘’ Excuses Jimin.’’ You pout, turning away from him. ‘’ Aww come on don’t be like that. Listen, if I ever get my life together and the ladies off of me you’ll be the first one I run to, my love.’’ 

‘’ Promise?’’ 

‘’ I promise.’’

Oh so you had thought. Another two weeks had passed and the same thing happened. Now you’re stuck in your office again contemplating life, as Scarlet would say. The only difference is, he texts you more often. Usually good morning and goodnight texts. An occasional ‘how was your day.’ 

You can’t help but to wonder what he’s probably doing with other girls. Feeding them empty promises. Saying sweet nothings in their ears. Letting them hear what they want to. It’s no doubt he knows what he’s doing. No doubt.

Only if he hadn’t wasted your time.

Two weeks and counting since you’ve last seen him. Two weeks since that sinful body was tangled in yours, where you both let out strings of moans and shared sloppy wet kisses. Two weeks.

[imaginesbymk]

“Sweet as Cherry Pie.”

Peaky Blinders One Shot

Summary: Y/n is Alfie Solomons’ younger sister who comes to Camden town & Small Heath. Why? She’s their secret weapon: sassy, unpredictable and insults their enemies to filth. Or maybe she’s just bored and needed the first enemy she sees to throw a comment at. Either way, Alfie couldn’t ask for a better sister.

Pairing: ---

Tags: swearing, mentions of violence, weapons, drug & alcohol use, smoking + s4 spoilers

Word Count: 1755 words

Author’s Note: sksmsksks this is based off a dream i had one night. it isn’t the best piece i’ve written but i love a sassy reader. one shots are not open, this is just a one shot for my 800 follower special - [milestone masterlist]

“GOOD MORNING, Alfie.” Tommy said, walking down the distillery. Well, it wasn’t that much of a good morning for Tommy, really. In fact, even though he’s very productive and professional most times, this time the man wished he was back in bed where he could be exposed in his shirtless self, waking up to see his boy with that bright smile, sharing his eyes. 

Normally, he’d be drowning in family meetings back in Small Heath, but the atmosphere in Camden town begged to differ.

“Meh, not really,” Alfie Solomons glances up at the window- the dusty, stained window pane gave in the overcast weather. He turns back to Tommy. “Mate, I’m glad we’re right on schedule. I was starting to think you got shot in your own fucking office chair back home.”

Tommy stared at the Jewish-English man, knowing Alfie was from Camden Town, how outsiders would speak ill of such towns and vice versa.

Alfie shuffles over using his cane as support and hands Tommy the tickets. “Those are the tickets to the boxing match. And in that storage unit behind you is the gateway to the clouds.”

“Kind of you. But you know I have booze at home, stored neatly and safely. I can manage without your rum.” Tommy walked in, anyway.

“I’m not giving you my rum for free, Tommy. I’m not even selling it to you,” Tommy watched as Alfie made his way to the other room of his bakery, ready to check on the AM workers as they got to work right away.

Tommy read the front labels of the bottle he picked up from one of the barrels. This man has gone a long way in his business, he couldn’t deny that. Over a hundred barrels have been shipped to God knows how many speakeasies were in Europe and America, and when Alfie Solomons received his earnings, he holds it tightly and proudly, guarding it as he cherishes his success.

Taking a bottle wouldn’t hurt, it would please him knowing he is interested in buying his product. He could even smell it from the sealed caps. He could smell it from the barrels, residue on the floor, or even from one of the workers’ breaths. He could pop it open and take a quick sniff like playing in snow. Tommy dug in his coat pockets, pulling out a stack.

“Oh, so you are fucking loaded.” Tommy whipped around, his gun already pulled from his holster, gripped and pointed to the voice inches behind him. 

The person- the woman, didn’t react, not a small gasp at the sight of the barrel of the gun nearing her face. Boldly enough, she reached over and grabbed the stack of cash from Tommy’s hand and walked away, not even remotely thinking if the man she startled would pull the trigger with her back turned. 

“Thanks, Mr. Shelby. And Alfie thanks you!” the female voice calls out.

Con artist? Someone posing as a worker? An enemy? Tommy breathed heavily, swearing left and right in his mind that he could of at least stopped whoever that was from taking his money, or yelled at her the way he usually does to anyone who worked for him because he was the boss. He was loaded, but no one would just allow someone to take a loan like that without anything afterwards, unless they were a clerk in a bank robbery.

After feeling like he was glued to the floor in that tiny space, Tommy rushed out to find Alfie back in his office with his glasses on his face, jotting notes down on a piece of paper, noticing the stack of cash sitting near the cup holder.

“Who the fuck just walked inside that storage unit and grabbed the stash right out my fucking hands?”

Tommy’s outburst of his question didn’t send Alfie into a panic. “You mean my dearest sister y/n?” Alfie got up from his seat. “She gave me the cash so I didn’t have to do it, but she didn’t even bid me a goodbye afterwards. She just plopped it on my desk and went her way. It’s not like I died or anything. I’m not fucking invisible, Tommy. You can see me, right?” 

Tommy let out a long sigh, dreading that there’s not one but two migraine-stirring bastards named Solomons, it’s enough for one he already wishes to throw a beer bottle at some times, but now another one probably much worse than if described. “You have a sister, Alfie? You never said anything about having a sister.”

“Yeah. But don’t worry, she’s sweet as cherry pie,” Alfie nods. “I brought her here, but she’s pretty homesick, so I would bid her warm welcomes if I were you.”

“Why should I?” Tommy says, frowning. “She just took my fucking money.”

“Oh, for sure.” Alfie waves the loan in front of Tommy, reminding him that y/n is no thief. “And because she knows about the vendetta between you, the Peakys and the Italians. If they come to her, she’ll roar at them, literally.”

“WHO the fuck is this, now?” Arthur stared at the woman stood next to Tommy at the foot of the small dining room where old memories held of their past meetings and heartbreaks.

“This is Y/n Solomons. She’s our messenger.” Tommy wished he never had to say that. He wished she would stop touching his fucking stuff, too. “Y/n, put down my fucking frame.”

“Oh fuck,” Polly blew out smoke from her cigarette. “There’s two of them?”

“And what is wrong with my brother?” Y/n places the frame back down on the mantel. “He’s a successful businessman. He beat a man three fucking times his size to gravel after he called me fat.”

“Y/n Solomons is our messenger. She’s also helping with updates from Aberama Gold once we get Michael out of Birmingham for now, because Luca Changretta is still out there, and he’s fucking pissed.”

“You can very hot headed sometimes, Mr. Shelby.” Later the brief introduction of their newcomer in their recent meeting was long over, she stayed back even though she was dismissed to do her work. “It’s probably because you smoke so much cigarettes that you’re starting to look like an ashtray, or of that heavy out-dated coat you wear all the time just weighs you down that your back and shoulders must hurt like hell.”

“The fuck does that mean?” Tommy said, irritated by her presence, even her just standing there at the table.

“Nothing.” Y/n sighs and heads out the door. “You know where I’ll be!” she calls.

Sweet as cherry pie, my ass. Tommy grunts and lights a cigarette.

“WHAT’S the matter?” Luca Changretta asks. “I said we had a deal.”

“Ah, you just made a deal without negotiation, now did ya?” Y/n’s brother sat on the chair, staring up at the menacing mobster holding one of the rum bottles given as a gift. “Yeah, Tommy Shelby was right about you. You plan to kill us all.” He spoke in Yiddish, and he mocks a tsking sound.

Luca smirks down, even though he didn’t know what he said, at least they both were aware of one thing; Tommy knows what kind of man I am.

“Mr. Changretta, may I speak freely?” y/n chimes in.

The Italian shrugs. “Mr. Solomons, I checked my calendar earlier and I did not read anything about today being Take Your Kid to Work Day,” and he laughs, his cousin as his henchman behind laughing along with him.

“Mate, I’d choose my next words very carefully if I were you,” Alfie says, stifling a smile. “This is my baby sister you’re talking down to, and she won’t tolerate one bit of it.”

“And I should be afraid?”

“Perhaps less afraid, more self-conscious, Mr. Changretta,” y/n replies. “Just a few minutes ago I was sensing the stench of failure, but then I saw you and your men walk in.”

Luca chuckles sarcastically. “Ouch.”

“And it’s not like we’re having a showdown right here, you didn’t need to bring your men with you unless you’re doubling their pay for just standing silently. I mean, they’re as important as Tommy Shelby’s evening sous chef.”

“Who?” Alfie had to ask.

Y/n smirks. “Exactly. Anyways, I just need to tell you that my brother’s business isn’t for sale. Alfie has worked hard and I’m proud to be his sister, supporting him. I’ll drink his rum like it’s mother’s milk if I had to. So, let my brother handle your men at the match, and you’ll take care of the two hundred barrels to be shipped to New York. Simple.”

“What do you know about business, Miss Solomons?”

“What do you know about combat, Luca? If you didn’t lack the experience, Tommy Shelby’s blood would spill fresh on your hands as we speak. How are you a soldier for the mafia if you hadn’t accomplish the vendetta yet?”

“Well-”

“Actually, don’t answer that. I’ll fall asleep.” Y/n took a step forward, lowering her smile up as his height overpowered hers. “My brother isn’t asking for much. He’s a good friend of Tommy Shelby, yet he’s helping you. You should be kissing his feet, Mr. Changretta, not abusing his generosity.”

Luca chewed the matchstick in his mouth. “Is that so?” he looks back at his men. “Porca puttana.”

“Vaffanculo, right back at you, mate. You just earned yourself another tonne to your bill. Bring tissues for both your lawyer and accountant.” Y/n turns around and grins at her older brother, who smiled warmly at her the entire time, feeling as though he was proud. If the Peaky Blinders were here, they’d share the same reaction as Luca. 

“So you both know Italian?” Luca asked as he sighs in exhaustion.

Alfie nods at Luca, who was glaring down at him for an answer. You learn from your older sibling, you become as tough as bullets and the big help as the messenger, sending a telephone call or a letter mailed to Small Heath, saying Luca Changretta is six feet tall, but shrunk four feet down when y/n opened her mouth. 

“Take it or leave it, Signore.” The Italians didn’t even need to ask where this woman got her attitude from. If you’re a Solomon, there’s perks. Y/n smiles to herself, Tommy is gonna hate and love me.

“I warned you about my baby sister, mate.” Alfie says. “Sweet as cherry pie... but with broken glass once you bite into your first slice.”

—

tag list: @ladyxblake @lotsoffandomimagines @amirahiddleston @thethyri @woahitslucyylu @myriadimagines @fangirlsarah16 @your-pixels-are-showing @lucillethings @sirkekselord @kaetastic

[tmrmary]

rubbing salt deep in the cut

A two-week account of a witch in need of preservation

Saturday Night

“Like a kleenex - use once and throw away!”

It couldn’t have been any earlier than 2 AM. Few minutes after hooking up with a man she had picked up at the bar just down the street from her flat. Both of them laid in her bed. Yet, Danica paid no mind to his presence. She stared at the ceiling and let her mind carelessly wander to the events from earlier tonight. The shite, sorry game of Quidditch. The lush, smug meeting with the towering Broadmoor. How he had made her roar with laughter and pout with propriety all within the same conversation. These thoughts sent a shock through Danica’s chest, and in reaction, she pushed the man from out her bed, followed by a loud thump on the floor, a frail shriek from his mouth and on her command, she snapped at him. “Get out.”

Tuesday Afternoon

“Unannounced and uninvited. The nerve!”

Never in her imagination would Danica have foreseen herself at Wanda’s pristine, marble decorated home on her own accord. Here she was, willingly listening to her older sister bitch and moan on how she hadn’t previously scheduled a time to come by, and now, Wanda was left with the plate settings all uneven at the lunch table. Not to mention how Danica was teaching her nephew Clement how to conjure up licorice wands from the cabinet, when Wanda had specifically insisted on no funny business, as she had implemented a new strict only-one-candy-per-week kinda diet. 

So here Danica was, suffering through the repercussions, after she had attempted to do something - for the first time in her life - that was actually kinda selfless. However, it wasn’t long that Wanda’s sporadic fractions of lectures drove D prematurely out the door. Why did she even come by Wanda’s place in the first place? Last she remembered she sensed a pain in her chest and then found herself making small talk with the random store clerk at Quality Quidditch Supplies. What was the pit feeling she had at the bottom of her gut that just made her feel so... empty?

Saturday Night

“Screw you. I want you and your self absorbent drama out of my life, sister dear. Screw you!”

This time was much earlier than 2 AM. In fact, Danica was home much sooner than she had anticipated. The evening’s plans? A Quidditch game that’d regain the pride it lost last week and a night out in the town to cause mayhem in true twin fashion. Regardless, those plans had come to a large halt at what grew from a small, underlying tiff of tension between Danica and her sister Sloane, to a full on fallout with the person D most cared about in her life. 

As she apparated into the center of her living room, Danica tripped into her unbalanced footing only catching her balance out of reflex. Immediate as the blink of an eye, she let out a loud shriek in pure rage, firing out from the lowest inch of her gut. With her wand still in hand, she noticed the photo of her and her twin sitting on the sofa’s end table. At its instant glance, Danica threw a jarring hex at the frame, letting it shatter all over the floor. With the remains of the frame, but the photo still intact, a forceful grunt escaped her mouth and another curse fired from her wand to rip the picture apart. 

At this moment, Danica began to spit curses rapid fire from her wand around the room, first starting as quick gips that were following the remains of the photo, growing to literal fire spells that she led drag on all over her furniture. In between, you could hear her grunts intensify with every spit of exertion, growing louder with every flick of her wand, until her living room was lit up in flames. 

With one last exasperated spell, counteracting her previous hexes and partially putting out some of her fires, a blood-curdling shout released from inside Danica, sucking the energy from her body enough for her to fall onto her knees. Danica leaned against her hands, staring at the ground as she collapsed into a child’s pose. Her back remained bent over as her empty hand went to touch her face, only to find that she had somehow managed to emit a few tears in the midst of all the chaos she had created. Knowledge of this discovery only made her blood boil once again. 

Sunday Morning

“Just calling to check up on you... call me back. Love, Mum.”

Call it ‘Mother’s Intuition’, but Danica could give zero fucks for it at the moment and deleted the voicemail off her muggle phone.

Monday Morning

“There’s a message from Scamp Young-Broadmoor. He insists you get back to him by the end of the day.”

Fuck that, she thought. Then told her intern to move onto the next item on the list, with all intention that she would be ignoring the man’s advances.

Thursday Night

“... Just come by my place Thursday night, if you really need someone to talk to ...”

Junior had written to Danica practically a week ago. If he really wanted to meddle into the situation, since Wanda clearly wouldn’t speak to her face to face, then she would have to take him up on his offer.

The conversation quickly escalated, as Junior tried his very best to rationalize with his sister.

“I’m not saying Wanda and Sloane don’t have any blame in this-”

“But it is. That is what you’re saying-”

“Can you just listen to what I’m trying to say for a second?”

“No! No. You’re really that fucking spineless, Junior, that instead of choosing a side, you’d rather ride your fiancée’s fucking dick out of it and stay intact.”

“Hey. Hey! Relax, D.”

“Don’t tell me to relax!” Danica slammed her fist knuckles first into Junior’s dinner table, unaware that the wrath inside her subconsciously powered a bit of wandless magic into its punch. Now the dinner table sported a gaping hole where her fist used to be.

Half a minute of silence passed by, as they’d both had been processing how their bickering had escalated, leaving even Danica a little bit shaken up.

She stated, "This conversation is fucking useless.”

Junior could feel the anxious tension tingling through every nerve of his body. He probably wanted to cry, unsure of what to do and slightly hurt by the whole thing, so he just sighed.

“D... I’m only trying to help.”

The truth was neither one of them knew how to help the other. Danica wasn’t ready to help or be helped and Junior... well, he had a lot going on on his own. Especially after Danica mentioned Amy in retaliation, his mind had fogged up and all he wanted to do was walk away. 

Luckily, Danica had rather beat him to the punch.

“I’m gonna go. Bye.” 

Danica disapparated out of her brother’s flat and found herself now just walking blocks away down from her own. She could have immediately ended up back home, but honestly, she could use the walk.

After all, she found she really did need just a bit of time to herself... to think... Maybe it was the couple shots she took before heading to Junior’s place or the leftover anger resonating from half an hour ago. But Danica finally accepted to herself that she was hurt. She was upset. She was angry - and it might not have been mature of her, but she damn well wanted her sister to feel the same.

Not sure how one and one finally clicked inside that demented mind of hers, but Danica had come to one conclusion that night. 

She thought, Fine... I’ll have the intern call him.

[fiadhaisteach]

New York Times: text under cut

What Lockdown 2.0 Looks Like: Harsher Rules, Deeper Confusion    

By Damien Cave

_________________________________________________________

Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, is becoming a case study in handling a second wave of infections. There are lots of unanswered questions.

Credit...William West/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne, is grappling with a spiraling coronavirus outbreak that has led to a lockdown with some of the toughest restrictions in the world — offering a preview of what many urban dwellers elsewhere could confront in coming weeks and months.

The new lockdown is the product of early success; the country thought it had the virus beat in June. But there was a breakdown in the quarantine program for hotels. Returning travelers passed the virus to hotel security guards in Melbourne, who carried the contagion home.

Even after masks became mandatory in the city two weeks ago, the spread continued. And now, as officials try to break the chain of infections, Melbourne is being reshaped by sweeping enforcement and fine print. A confounding matrix of hefty fines for disobedience to the lockdown and minor exceptions for everything from romantic partners to home building has led to silenced streets and endless versions of the question: So, wait, can I ____?

Restaurant owners are wondering about food delivery after an 8 p.m. curfew began on Sunday night. Teenagers are asking if their boyfriends and girlfriends count as essential partners. Can animal shelter volunteers walk dogs at night? Are house cleaners essential for those struggling with their mental health? Can people who have been tested exercise outside?

“This is such a weird, scary, bizarro time that we live in,” said Tessethia Von Tessle Roberts, 25, a student in Melbourne who admits to having hit a breaking point a few days ago, when her washing machine broke.

“Our health care workers are hustling around the clock to keep us alive,” she said. “Our politicians are as scared as we are, but they have to pretend like they have a better idea than we do of what’s going to happen next.”

Pandemic lockdowns, never easy, are getting ever more confusing and contentious as they evolve in the face of second and third rounds of outbreaks that have exhausted both officials and residents. With success against the virus as fleeting as the breeze, the new waves of restrictions feel to many like a bombing raid that just won’t end.

For some places, risk calculations can change overnight. In Hong Kong, officials banned daytime dining in restaurants last month, only to reverse themselves a day later after an outcry. Schools in some cities are opening and closing like screen doors in summer.

In many areas where the virus has retreated and then resurged, the future looks like a long, complicated haul. Leaders are reaching for their own metaphors to try to explain it.

Image

Credit...William West/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has compared his opening and shutting of businesses to a

“dimmer switch.”

Dan Andrews, the premier in Victoria, the state of which Melbourne is the capital, has repeatedly referred to “pilot light mode” for industries like construction and meatpacking, which have been ordered to temporarily reduce their work forces.

Whatever the metaphor, the situation is bleak.

In Melbourne, a city of five million that is considered a capital of food and culture, the pandemic has come raging back even after a so-called Stage 3 lockdown began in early July — until recently the highest level of restrictions.

Officials have been flummoxed at every turn by the persistent complacency of just enough people to let the virus thrive and multiply.

Traffic data showed people driving more in July than they had during the first Stage 3 lockdown, in March and April. Even worse, almost nine out of 10 people with Covid-19 had not been tested or isolated when they first felt sick, Mr. Andrews, the state’s top leader, said in late July. And 53 percent had not quarantined while waiting for their test results.

“That means people have felt unwell and just gone about their business,” Mr. Andrews said.

Sounding the alarm, he made face masks mandatory the next day, on July 22.

Still, infections have continued to rise. They peaked at 753 new cases on July 30, and have hovered around 500 a day ever since, with the death toll in Victoria now standing at 147, after 11 deaths were recorded on Monday.

Those figures, while far less troublesome than those in the United States, have paved the way for a Stage 4 lockdown — what officials are calling a “shock and awe” attack on the virus — that will last at least six weeks.

Image

Credit...Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Overwhelming force, with precision, seems to be the goal. The chief modelers of the pandemic response in Australia have found that the virus can be suppressed only if more than 70 percent of the population abides by social distancing guidelines and other public health rules.

Mr. Andrews said the new restrictions would take 250,000 more people out of their routines, in the hopes of reaching the necessary threshold.

So retail stores will be closed. Schools will return to at-home instruction. Restaurants will be takeout or delivery only. Child-care centers will be available only for permitted workers.

Those restrictions are already well understood. The rules requiring more explanation are tied to the curfew and industries that have to cut back.

Large-scale construction projects of more than three stories, for example, will have to reduce their on-site work force by 75 percent, and workers will not be able to work at more than one location. Small-scale construction cannot have more than five workers.

All of which sounds clear. But does a bathroom renovation, for example, amount to home building in an apartment with one bathroom? And what about fixing things that break, like Ms. Von Tessle Roberts’s washing machine?

Some businesses, like cleaning services, are already emailing customers to say they think they can do some work, for people who pay through welfare or who need help for mental health reasons. But, like many others, they are still seeking official clarification.

Image

Credit...David Crosling/EPA, via Shutterstock

Mr. Andrews, a Labor politician sometimes described as awkward and paternal, has become the dad everyone needs answers from. He now oversees, under the lockdown rules, what may be the country’s most intrusive bureaucracy since its days as a penal colony.

The Coronavirus Outbreak ›

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated August 4, 2020

I have antibodies. Am I now immune?

I’m a small-business owner. Can I get relief?

What are my rights if I am worried about going back to work?

Should I refinance my mortgage?

What is school going to look like in September?

As of right now, that seems likely, for at least several months. There have been frightening accounts of people suffering what seems to be a second bout of Covid-19. But experts say these patients may have a drawn-out course of infection, with the virus taking a slow toll weeks to months after initial exposure. People infected with the coronavirus typically produce immune molecules called antibodies, which are protective proteins made in response to an infection. These antibodies may last in the body only two to three months, which may seem worrisome, but that’s perfectly normal after an acute infection subsides, said Dr. Michael Mina, an immunologist at Harvard University. It may be possible to get the coronavirus again, but it’s highly unlikely that it would be possible in a short window of time from initial infection or make people sicker the second time.

The stimulus bills enacted in March offer help for the millions of American small businesses. Those eligible for aid are businesses and nonprofit organizations with fewer than 500 workers, including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and freelancers. Some larger companies in some industries are also eligible. The help being offered, which is being managed by the Small Business Administration, includes the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. But lots of folks have not yet seen payouts. Even those who have received help are confused: The rules are draconian, and some are stuck sitting on money they don’t know how to use. Many small-business owners are getting less than they expected or not hearing anything at all.

Employers have to provide a safe workplace with policies that protect everyone equally. And if one of your co-workers tests positive for the coronavirus, the C.D.C. has said that employers should tell their employees -- without giving you the sick employee’s name -- that they may have been exposed to the virus.

It could be a good idea, because mortgage rates have never been lower. Refinancing requests have pushed mortgage applications to some of the highest levels since 2008, so be prepared to get in line. But defaults are also up, so if you’re thinking about buying a home, be aware that some lenders have tightened their standards.

It is unlikely that many schools will return to a normal schedule this fall, requiring the grind of online learning, makeshift child care and stunted workdays to continue. California’s two largest public school districts — Los Angeles and San Diego — said on July 13, that instruction will be remote-only in the fall, citing concerns that surging coronavirus infections in their areas pose too dire a risk for students and teachers. Together, the two districts enroll some 825,000 students. They are the largest in the country so far to abandon plans for even a partial physical return to classrooms when they reopen in August. For other districts, the solution won’t be an all-or-nothing approach. Many systems, including the nation’s largest, New York City, are devising hybrid plans that involve spending some days in classrooms and other days online. There’s no national policy on this yet, so check with your municipal school system regularly to see what is happening in your community.

On Tuesday, he answered questions from reporters about dog-walking (allowed after curfew, sort of, only near home) and other subjects of great confusion at a news conference in Melbourne.

Thanking those who complied with the new rules and scolding those who did not, he announced that no one in self-isolation would now be allowed to exercise outdoors. A door-knocking campaign to check in on 3,000 people who had Covid-19 found that 800 of them were not at home.

All 800 have been referred to the Victoria police for investigation. The fine for violators going forward, he said, will be 4,957 Australian dollars, $3,532.

Working, even legally, will also become trickier. Other than, say, hospital workers with formal identification, everyone traveling for a job deemed essential during the lockdown must carry a formal document — a work permit signed by the employer and employee.

For Cara Devine, who works at a wine store that closes at 8 p.m., that means carrying a government form with her everywhere, and hoping that the police recognize her task as essential when she heads home after the curfew. But she also worried about the Uber drivers who take her back and forth.

Image

Credit...William West/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

“Even before the newest restrictions, I’ve had two Uber drivers being really late picking up from the shop because they got stopped by the police, taking about an hour out of their work time,” she said.

The police are already confronting opposition. On at least four occasions in the last week, they reported having to smash the windows of cars and pull people out after they refused to provide a name and address at a police checkpoint. The Victoria police commissioner, Shane Patton, said a 38-year-old woman had also been charged with assault after attacking a police officer who had stopped her for not wearing a face mask.

Some criminologists are questioning whether the harsher enforcement will help. Mostly, though, Melburnians are just trying to endure.

Walking to get groceries, Peter Barnes, 56, said he welcomed the stricter rules, though he admitted his city was starting to feel like George Orwell’s “1984,” with the heavy hand of the state around every corner.

Those focused solely on the economics, he said, should remember the obvious: “You can’t hire a corpse. Very bad employment prospects for people who are dead.”

By Monday night, the city seemed to be in listening mode. The streets were emptying out, silent in hibernation.

“It’s like a Sunday in the 1950s,” said Mark Rubbo, the owner of Readings, Melbourne’s largest independent bookstore. He also noted that people were stocking up again on books through online orders, with a memoir called “The Happiest Man on Earth,” about a Holocaust survivor, becoming a runaway hit.

Ms. Von Tessle Roberts has found another solution, perhaps just as likely to grow in popularity: Stand on your front porch and scream. That’s the name she has given to an event she posted on Facebook, set for Friday at 7 p.m. By Tuesday afternoon, 70,000 people had expressed an interest in joining her collective shout in anguish.

“Yelling is great,” she said. “It’s less dehydrating than crying.”

Image

Credit...Erik Anderson/EPA, via Shutterstock

_________________________________________________________

Besha Rodell and Yan Zhuang contributed reporting from Melbourne, and Livia Albeck-Ripka from Cairns, Australia.

Thanks for reading The Times.

Expand your horizons with a Times subscription.

Thanks for reading The Times.

[thewhumpstuff]

You and I, Me and You [36]

[CW: Vague references to human trafficking]

[Teaser and Master List] [Archives of our Own] (Lost and Found: Chapter 11)

Training.

[<– Previous] ~ [Next –>]

Akira slipped into the training room. She was expecting Tariq to finally train with her and thought a warm-up session might help. She slapped the wooden spokes of the wooden dummy half-heartedly.

Jared worked it so much better. She could mimic his motions, but not with his speed or finesse. At least I can try to keep up with training or start again… rather…

She heard the already familiar whir of the chair and turned. Zizi waited by the door, watching. She didn’t want to roll onto the mats and raised her eyebrows when Akira turned.  “I hope you don’t mind me peeking. Please do not stop on my account.” “I… er… Cool, I guess.”

Akira grew a little conscious under the scrutiny but felt compelled to continue now. “I prefer a good ol’ speed ball, but a Mu ren Zhuang has its charms…” Akira replied while continuing to weave her strikes between the bars. “You know what it is?” “Chinese for The Wooden Dummy, I’ve trained on it before…” Akira cocked her head. She did not know the precise details, but Novara had mentioned something about some fighting pit and trainers. It was not inconceivable that Zizi knew how to fight. “I guess… I use it to practice quick interruptive strikes… Sometimes.”

Akira now felt the need to make excuses for her lack of expertise. She was also met with an urge to prove that she was not a complete novice.  A tank top was adjusted, as were the loose tracks. She took deep breath and squared off against the imaginary opponent. Her strikes fell with an unexpected fervour, but did not stop, despite the light bruises. “I’m clearly not fast enough-” She said loudly, over the clatter of the dummy. When she finally stopped her fingers instinctively ran over the tender skin, breathlessly. “-to get out of the way of the spokes. Neither do I have the stamina anymore…” She clicked her tongue following the soft contemplation. “You’re too hard on yourself and going too hard at it too…” Zizi responded, encouragingly. “I guess this practice doesn’t matter all that much against a real person, there are a lot more things to consider then...” Akira did not mean to sound confrontational, but she recognized that she was feeling defensive.

Zizi had not read the self-justifying note in Akira’s words and took them at face value. She moved out of the way as Akira made her way into the kitchen to fetch some water. “True. Things do change when you are fighting an actual person.” Zizi was talking from experience. Very vivid and life or death experience and Akira could not help but recognize this, it compelled her to clarify, “That’s what Tariq says anyways… Jared and he are kinda better at this than I am...” “You’d be surprised how much just a little practice and experience can help.” Zizi replied, nonchalantly, oblivious to the inner workings of the mind of the girl in front of her. “I do practice. In fact, Tariq is probably going to come by to spar with me later today.” Akira’s cheeks flushed a little hotly, she hoped Zizi assumed that it was just from the quick work out. Zizi did assume so and did not read much into it. “Oh! Should be fun to watch you two go at it…” Zizi added, a little brightly. They had slowly adopted her into the fold so well. She did not realise she may be intruding. For her, the concept of combat and fighting for survival was as comfortable as breathing; a part of her revelled in it. A chance to witness it in a friendly capacity felt pleasantly warm.

Akira made a non-committal sound and turned away; she was not so sure if she could handle Zizi as an audience. But she sounded like she was looking forward to it and Akira knew Tariq would not mind. She was right.

Akira had opened the door to Tariq’s incessant rapping shortly after and sure enough, he didn’t mind Zizi. “Ready for me to take you down, T?” She challenged softly. She did not want to be overheard. Her confidence was on thin ice today. Tariq noticed and filed it away. He did not want Akira to walk away from this feeling like a failure… in any capacity. He also did not intend on making things too easy for her.

They snuck into the training room. “Think you will make contact?” They wound wrist-guards around their arms, securing their knuckles with the wrap and took their stances against each other. “You’re ok, right? Nova said things got a ?” “You know I wouldn’t take on mighty Akira if I wasn’t.” He remained playful and was only half-joking. She stuck her tongue out at him and then soberly added, “Zizi mentioned wanting to watch us train. Think that’s okay?” Akira almost winced as she asked, hoping against hope that he would find some logical reason to decline. No such luck. “Of course! It is wonderful actually!” As she expected, Tariq sounded thrilled.

Akira’s smile was too wide to be genuine. She turned away quickly to reach for a skipping rope. She felt the urge to vanish as Zizi re-emerged and she and Tariq spent a moment sizing each other.  The silence that followed felt incredible awkward to Akira. She cleared her throat. “Right…” Tariq said, slightly absently. Akira wanted to snap and ask him to focus, to playfully threaten to wipe the floor with him if he did not. But she knew those were empty threats and stating them without the ability to follow through, especially in front of Zizi, made them feel hollow.

Tariq volunteered to let Akira practice some of the basic self-defence techniques on him. “You’ve still got it…” Tariq muttered with some exertion as Akira swiftly maneuvered him into a lock. “Really?” Her focus split for just long enough for Tariq to break the lock and reverse it. Akira grit her teeth as she struggled against it. “Gotcha! Focus, silly… Don’t just struggle… Try and find another way.” She knew these things and didn’t take kindly to being reminded today. Her eyes flitted to Zizi, who watched with a non-judgemental fascination, sitting up in her chair with an eagerness of a child. The two grappled briefly and Zizi did not interfere. She tried to make it easy for them to forget she was there. But she caught both their glances too often.  She could see things were rather effortless for Tariq, but despite that, Akira managed to catch him out, albeit inconsistently. Sometimes he let her, other times she acted on an instinct that felt unpredictable to the seasoned fighters – Tariq as the recipient and Zizi as an observer.

Witnessing their training quickly became the favourite part of her day. Slowly, she participated, offering tips and suggestions alongside Tariq; they agreed often. The few times they didn’t, Tariq admitted that his way of dealing with a certain situations involved dragging things out for the fun, especially if the guy deserved it. Zizi had cryptically countered with, “Sometimes you can’t afford that and just have to go for the takedown… or kill…” She had excused herself after that mention. But it did not deter her from becoming a regular presence for the next few days that followed.

Akira tried her best to soak up as much knowledge as she could, but it became more and more difficult for her to not feel inferior. When it was just her and Tariq, despite the amount of experience he had on her, she was never left feeling insecure. Worthless, failure… - Nova took the first half of the day off to work with Zizi when her prosthetics finally arrived. They took longer than anticipated, paper pushing was hard work and Nova was not very good at it. Akira ensured that the nerve-endings were appropriately synced to the best of her abilities. Everything seemed to work well enough.

Zizi paced around the house in deliberate strides picking up things and putting them down as she allowed herself to test and get accustomed to the extensions. She had some measure of control for the finer motions of the mechanical fingers. But she was intimately familiar with the variance in the specifications. Since her body had basically been a mule for demonstrations that involved cutting-edge prosthetic prototypes, she was doing better than Nova and Akira had anticipated. This felt like a valid reason for the team to share a meal, so Nova proposed a celebratory dinner.  “I’ll go to the convenience store and get something to spruce up the food with…” It was only upon stating that, did Akira realise with a certain bitterness, that no one had explicitly stated that Akira and Zizi were not confined to the suite. However, without stating it, the others conveniently let the ladies assume they were on house arrest.

Nova left for her shift at the clinic past lunch, shortly after Akira returned from the store. Akira and Zizi began the preparations for the food and Tariq joined them, all too eager to help prep the food. “I haven’t forgotten… Y’know… You wanna go?”  Zizi leaned on the counter next to Tariq as he sniffed the steam from the sauce that simmered on the stove. Her meaning was obvious to him. Akira was chopping some shallots and trying not to eavesdrop, half-heartedly. “You’ve just got your prosthetics today, maybe start easy?” Tariq was serious, he was not just inflating his own worth. Zizi deliberately chose to ignore that and watched him with amusement. “Who says you’re not going easy?” Akira set her knife down and was not completely sure what compelled her to interrupt them, “We could spar… If you’d like.” Emerald eyes snapped onto the intense sable eyes. “Yeah… that might be fun!” Tariq piped up. Akira was minutely prickled that he did not think she posed any real challenge; she was hoping Tariq would protest.

When they finally got onto the mat and started going through the motions, it became painfully obvious that his assessment had been correct. Akira was an easy enough opponent, Zizi kept up with ease. They were just striking and parrying and then they wove in some modifications. Things picked up pace, just as Zizi got faster, Akira felt like she was getting slower and breathless. And then it happened. A metal fist flew towards a face. Akira didn’t duck, or parry in time. A muffled wet sounding crack of a broken nose followed. Akira was staggered backwards, she winced and was so startled that she was silent. Tariq first saw the molten red anger pour into his friend’s form and then pour out of her lips in form of a threat she certainly did not mean. “What the fuck! I’m going to kill you…” Akira didn’t recognize her own voice.

Tariq then saw the hardened, icy strike that Zizi prepared and let fly on instinct. He threw himself between them, blocking the metallic leg that was flung towards Akira and throwing his arm across her as she lunged like a feral kitten.

Zizi saw the trickling blood, and the rebellious tears that clung to Akira’s lashes.  She was quicker to understand that the situation had escalated and eased off the fighting stance. She folded her arms and backed off to a corner. Tariq used Akira’s movement against her and easily dropped her onto the mat, she landed with a thud which knocked the air out of her, he knelt over her shins and pinned her wrists to the ground with one hand. For a moment she struggled with violence, now glaring at Tariq. “I’ll kill you too…” she hissed.

This was a moment. Akira was having a very bad moment. Tariq was not a stranger to them. Though they had been a rarer occurrence in adulthood ever since she joined Q.B. “Kira… Kira. Stop. Look at me. Breathe. It was an accident…” He held her there till she stopped struggling and drew a few ragged breaths and she recognized the pain of the insult. “F—I can’t bre” She sounded nasal, her eyes screwed shut. Once she stopped struggling and Tariq eased off her, she quickly drew herself off the mat and streaked into her room with a hand cupping her broken nose. “I’m sorry.” Tariq and Zizi’s apologies coalesced; they shared wry smiles.

“I… I just-” “-Reacted on instinct? Yeah, I got that. Don’t worry about it.” He let her talk first but interrupted her when she hesitated. “Yeah, usually when people say that, they mean it…” Tariq scanned her face; she wore a careful expression of impassive resignation. It reminded him of Jared. He replied absently. “I… I get that.  She certainly didn’t mean it.”  “Will she be fine?” “I think so. She’s not usually like this… any more.” Tariq mused, he too stood with folded arms and stared in the general direction of Akira’s room. She didn’t come out until it was dinner time. The responsibility of finishing the dinner fell upon Tariq and Zizi. - Nobody talked about what happened. Tariq and Zizi were setting the food on the ample platform of the kitchen. Nova did not think to ask questions when she returned. She eagerly rushed into the bathroom for a shower. It was almost dinner time. She considered prettying herself up for it a little, but the thought of staring into the mirror to accentuate her beauty, just reminded her too much of Ezekiel. She did not want dresses… Or perfectly fitting skirts, or fancy fucking bras. Simple things.

Zizi shuffled into the room to freshen up too. “You look brighter than usual, Nova…” She mentioned in an off-handed manner as she noticed the wardrobe choices pooled onto bed. “… Because, you’re doing well and I’m going to be with my people” Nova’s words were less a response and more a realisation. All she really wanted to wear was the joy she felt at collecting people she cared for, around her. And certainly, these people did not care if she was in a dress or in sweatpants. -

Everybody was in tracksuits. Vivianne was the only one well-dressed and somehow, she was so casual in her manner that she didn’t stick out. Except when she resolutely sat on a chair while the others spilled onto the floor. She watched with her usual intrigue, a gentle, friendly smirk gracing her lips. She certainly was happy to see Tariq and Nova joyful again. The two of them took to the gathering with a certain flair.

Akira joined after all the guests had arrived. She had bandaged the small cut that opened on the bridge of her nose. Jared remained slightly reserved and watchful. His duties as SiC were certainly bleeding into his general demeanour. His questioning gaze towards Akira and her nose, was not met with any response. They toasted to new beginnings and had wine out of tumblers, in carefully measured quantities. Zizi gave Jared a wide berth. She was polite, but not friendly, he responded in kind. Nova and Tariq assumed it simply had to do with lack of familiarity. Their theory faltered when Zizi seemed far more accommodating towards Vivi. But everybody carefully skirted around the uncomfortable dynamics that lurked under the surface amidst them, except Akira. She surrendered to the buzz of the wine and a part of her was itching for a confrontation.

The little gathering commenced; Tariq used his CommCube to play dj. The party went on. Eventually, Zizi cornered Akira by the kitchen counter.  “Listen… I just wanted to say I’m sorry…” “It’s fine… I did threaten to kill you.” Akira replied matter-of-factly, her voice was louder than Zizi’s had been. “You what?” Jared did not mean to pry, but he did, especially when the two people he was most concerned about, rubbed shoulders. Akira turned around slowly and glared. “Threatened to kill her.” She repeated in a soft voice, that was deliberately hostile.

Jared was not going to take bait, given that nobody except Akira looked harmed, it was safe to assume the situation had been benign. He tried remaining patient in his inquiry. “What happened?” Akira pointed at her nose and shrugged. “We were sparring.” Zizi interjected when it sounded like Akira was trying to goad him, upon feeling accused. She wanted to apologise again, to assuage any concerns that Jared may have, but Akira went on.  “It only makes sense, right? She has a lot more experience than I do, I thought I could learn, who knows when we’ll have to fight for our lives…” Akira blurted. She did not expect what happened next. She felt the reverberation through the wooden panels when a pair of flat palms slapped the floor. They were Nova’s. “She will not be fighting for her life again.” The colour drained from Akira’s face a little. Jared glared at her and saw the colour return, a slightly different hue of red. One of rage and of chagrin instead of the glow from the wine.

Jared broke the silence with an urgent whisper. “Akira, a word. In private, please.” He spoke less like Jared and more like SiC. Zizi excused herself and decided to call it a night. It was easy to tell that whatever was happening went beyond just the incident. She did not want to be a redundant presence and she had not plucked up the courage to ask for any details around the nuances of their dynamics. Vivianne did not excuse herself, but she slipped out of the suite, amidst the roaring emotions in the room, only Tariq noticed.  He let her go, Vivi was not fond of such drama. His hand found Nova’s shoulder. Akira dragged herself off the floor and stormed into the guest room. Yeah, I need a goddamn word too. Jared slammed the door shut behind them, more like Jared and less like SiC, and drew a breath to talk, but Akira beat him to it…

Tags: @quirkykayleetam, @lettuceknighted

[amarjeetali]

Leptitox Review

Leptitox Review – How It Helped My Cousin!

They say someone’s “first impression is the last one,” for a reason. Appearances have always been judged, especially with body-weights taken into severe accounts. However, being overweight not only earns awkward glances in a brutally critical society, but it also brings a host of serious health complications with it. Obesity can actually be life-threatening if not checked in time.

 And this is one of the prime reasons behind the wild rise of weight loss pills, supplements, and programs in today’s market. Yet, there are some that have successfully garnered positive reviews by delivering substantially on their claims. Leptitox is one such weight-loss supplement that has been highly-rated by many users and created quite a stir. But, as a critic of such weight-loss products, I thought it only fair to observe its functions myself. So, if you are wondering how well does Leptitox actually fare, here’s my review of the product for you right here.

Leptitox Review: An Overview

Leptitox is a weight-loss supplement that is formulated using natural ingredients. It is created by Morgan Hurst and his team. And they have hand-picked 22 select natural detoxifying plant extracts and nutrients to come up with a safe weight-loss solution. Leptitox has been specially designed to provide a solution for the body’s Leptin resistance, which is the main reason for the accumulation of fat cells.

Moreover, the formula not only claims to help your body burn excess fat, but the natural ingredients of the supplement also promise to improve your overall health. This includes strengthening the body’s natural immune system, boosting energy levels, and improving the functions of your vital organs. A significant benefit of the supplement and a major reason for its success is that it doesn’t contain any synthetic or artificial additives. This reduces the risk of side-effects for the users to a great extent. However, the effects and results of Leptitox depend on certain factors, and you can expect it to work differently for different users. And, the only uncertain factor about the product is that you wouldn’t know how exactly will it work for you until you try it out.

How did I come across this product?

I first got to know about Leptitox when my cousin, Tara, began using it a couple of months back. Tara, my first cousin, and I were always very close. And since Tara was a bit overweight due to a thyroid complication, I saw her try out different weight loss supplements or programs frequently.  What I got to know about Leptitox is mainly formed of my observations of how it worked for Tara. Being someone who was always passionate about online marketing had widened my perceptions of things considerably. It helped me know all about the things which have become hard-hitting trends in the last few years. And, more specifically, how these products control the lives of people all over the world.

And, weight-loss supplements are undeniably amongst the top ones on the list of such things which absolutely rule modern society. After that I became a reviewer and was able to set up a little bookshop of my own. This is where I kind of took it as a responsibility to inform people more about the real nature of such commercial things. And that is precisely one of the reasons I am giving you my honest opinions of the product right now.

What results did the product show?

Tara, even with her weight, had always been a very confident person. She had always been positive about her weight-loss journey and solutions. And this helped her significantly in getting some really positive results out of this supplement. And although Tara always had doubts about supplements and pills given the risk of side-effects, she gave Leptitox a chance only because of its natural formula. She was over 70 kilograms when she first started using it. She is around 5’6” tall, so you can tell that she really needed to shed a few extra kilos.

She used Leptitox for almost 4 months consistently, before giving her body a grace period of 2 weeks. Tara paired the supplement up with a strict diet and regular workouts. And by the end of these 4 months, she had lost about 3 kilograms. She had a much higher level of energy than she used to have and could do a lot more things than before. Tara also felt a lot better when it came to her mood and could be more positive about the progressive results. She could work out for longer durations, which in turn helped her burn more fat.

What is Leptin?

Leptitox works by managing and regulating the levels of the hormone, leptin, which is responsible for the production of fat in the body. So, to understand how the supplement works, you have to first understand the nature of the hormone. Leptin is primarily produced by the adipose cells and enterocytes in the small intestines. This hormone regulates energy levels in the body and maintains a balance between appetite, the intake of food, and the production of fat. It also helps to curb food cravings and reduce fat storage in adipocytes, thus, preventing you from starving or overeating.

The major factor behind obesity or being overweight is the body’s resistance to leptin, which can arise due to many biological factors. The imbalance in the levels of leptin leads to the system’s failure to utilize the excess fat as a source of energy. This results in the storage of excess fat in the body, which consequently leads to obesity. At this stage, the brain fails to receive the signal of this excess fat storage and instead thinks that you are starving. This increases your hunger pangs, making you eat more, leading to even higher fat deposition in the body.

What causes a leptin-imbalance in the body?

Some of the commonly found chemicals that can cause an imbalance and consequent resistance to leptin in the body include:

TBT (Tributyltin): this chemical could be widely found in paints, pesticides, and vinyl products.

BPA (Bisphenol A): This is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that can be commonly found in canned food and drinks.

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid): This can be often found in Teflon cookware.

When these chemicals are introduced into the bloodstream, they can impair the brain’s ability to detect leptin. If this happens, you will feel hungrier, and your BMI will go up as a result of overeating. 

How does Leptitox work?

Leptitox contains a number of natural ingredients that specifically seek to improve the leptin-regulatory function of the body. This triggers the adenylate cyclase enzyme and aids the thermogenic or heat-producing process of the body, which raises its basal metabolic rate. This helps the body use the stored fat as an immediate fuel-source for producing energy. This process leads to the rapid fat-burning of the excess fat stored in the body. It boosts the energy levels of the body that, in turn, helps you work out for longer durations, setting off a tight, fat-burner regime.

The supplement can be used by any adult looking to lose weight and control excess cravings of food. It doesn’t actually need for you to change your diet overall. However, that being said, it is always advisable for you to stick by a proper, balanced diet along with regular workouts. One of the things that the supplement does is improve your metabolism. This strengthens the overall functions of the organs such as the heart and the brain’s ability to detect the endocrine signals.

It helps regularize the levels of leptin in the body, curbing food cravings at odd hours, which is one of the major reasons for obesity. Additionally, Leptitox also seeks to detoxify the system of accumulated toxins that could come from ingesting synthetic substances present in unhealthy food. And this helps improve the body’s overall immune system, making it resistant to diseases.

Ingredients

The following are the main ingredients in the supplement which help you to get into great shape: Marian Thistle: This helps detoxify BPA compounds, which disrupts the functions of the endocrine system. 

Jujube: It mainly detoxifies the endocrine-disrupter ZEA, which causes leptin-imbalance.

Brassicas: This is much like broccoli and is rich in cysteine. And cysteine is a vital nutrient that makes glutathione, a major antioxidant in the body.

Apium Graveolens Seeds: It detoxifies the endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), DEHP, which is found in almost all plastic products.

Grape Seed: This removes the harmful EDC cadmium, which may be present in vegetables, nuts, or cereals.

Chanca Piedra: This is a plant that contains a bunch of antioxidants. It detoxifies EDCs, improves digestion and kidney functions, and supports healthy inflammation responses.

Alfalfa: This is known to provide healing benefits for the liver and replenish vitamins.

Taraxacum Leaves: It is rich in vitamin K, which protects and improves bone health, along with cleansing the liver.

Barberry: This plant is a generous source of berberine that prevents the accumulation of fat but maintains healthy cholesterol levels and brain functions.

What is the dosage of the supplement?

The user is advised to take two pills a day. You can take one pill with water before the first meal and one pill before the last meal of the day. Do include a proper, balanced diet and a strict regime of workouts. Tara actively followed a daily routine of 30 minutes of cardio and a bit of yoga to go with it. And that worked incredibly well to pull her back into shape. You can include any sort of cardio workouts in your daily regime such as cycling, jogging, running, swimming, etc.

Are there any side-effects to the supplement?

Leptitox is made using all-natural ingredients that don’t pose a risk of side-effects. Neither has there been any report of side-effects from any of its users to date. Additionally, the supplement is made in FDA-approved and GMP-certified facilities. This puts the formula through strict screenings and quality-control procedures before dispatching them, ensuring high-quality. 

However, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the formula, then you should avoid using it. Also, if the supplement has any negative impacts on your health, then you should stop using it immediately. If you have any medical condition and are currently on medication for it, you should consult a physician before taking Leptitox.

Money-Back Guarantee

The supplement also provides a full-refund to all its users in case of any dissatisfactory result. Leptitox comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to return the product within the mentioned time-period and get a full refund. This gives you a chance to save your money in case the product fails to help you. Additionally, the brand also offers discounts and bonuses on value packs.

The advantages of using Leptitox

Summing up, here are all the benefits Leptitox brings for you:

It reduces the body’s resistance to leptin, helping to regulate the levels of the hormone for controlling fat-production.

It is made of natural ingredients, which reduces the risk of side-effects.

  The supplement aids thermogenesis in the body, leading to rapid fat-burn.

 It boosts energy levels, helping you to work out for long hours.

 It improves organ functions and the immune system of the body.

 Leptitox helps detoxify your system of harmful substances, improving your metabolism.

  It comes with a 60-days money-back guarantee.    

What could have been better?

Even though the supplement provided my cousin with some significant benefits and a largely positive result, there were certain things that neither of us liked. Firstly, Leptitox takes its own sweet time to show any results. And without a strict workout and diet regimen, the outcome would be minimal. Moreover, the effect that it has will vary considerably from one person to another, depending on individual physiological functions. No two results will be the same. Also, this is an expensive product and can pile up the cost significantly if you plan to use it for an extensive period of time.

Final Words

So that was it for my review on Leptitox. In my opinion, the supplement seems to deliver a good deal on its claims of bringing you a safe and natural way of losing weight. However, do remember that it is not a magic-pill of any sort that will provide you with incredible results overnight. But, that being said, it has got all the potential to help you only if you allow it to do so by following a dedicated regime.

[anjodalua]

How To Pass Time Easily While Lockdown Occurs

Specialists’ tips on surviving – even taking part in – life underneath lockdown

lacking the pub? Invite friends to on-line cocktails. That’s just one tip from our panel of professionals on the way to make the maximum of enforced downtime

henry porter, novelist and conceitedness honest editor one of the nastier elements of the pandemic is that it turns your buddies and all which you do to show them affection – hug and kiss; proportion meals and drinks – right into a lethal threat. And but, on this appalling second, we need our buddies more than ever, and it is probably real that our immune structures do, too. Isolation is terrible for a species addicted to social intercourse. My solution has been to start a cocktail hour on a video conferencing web site, sending one or two friends each day an invitation to drinks in the front of their pc (or cellphone) at a time when we might typically meet in a pub or at every different’s houses. It’s unexpected what a difference it can make to an afternoon of isolation, and in your spirits in fashionable, to look your pals’ faces in the evening and listen them communicate and laugh. Henry porter playing cocktail hour with glass of wine, a pc and some pals. Henry porter enjoying cocktail hour with a few friends. Image: liz elliot the scale of covid-19 and what it’s doing to us is very stressful, but an hour with specific buddies each evening certainly helps lessen anxiety, and of route you could make much more attempt than i do – get dressed up, mild candles, offer nibbles (crisps make an excessive amount of noise). Anything pleasure is launched when you see your pals inside the flesh is likewise found in those video cocktails, and the lovely component is that for a small price the host receives unlimited conference calls (i pay £one hundred ten yearly for bluejeans) and guests pay not anything. Honestly, this will be expanded to speaking to neighbours you could not recognise very well, or humans you accept as true with are actually stricken by enforced isolation and loneliness. It can also be an amazing way of meeting people. Each participant may invite a person nobody else is aware of. It’s truely terrific for brand spanking new moms, e book clubs, soccer supporters – all and sundry who's lacking out on regular touch. Despite the remoteness of the interplay and the occasional annoyances of the generation, i find that humans honestly talk inside the video cocktail hour. Maybe that has some thing to do with the anomaly of the interplay – you are neither by myself nor certainly in organisation. You're half-manner between the two and possibly that makes you extra candid. Sites i have used include zoom, bluejeans and whypay? And my daughter has simply brought me to the houseparty app. Grow herbs alice vincent on her south london balcony. Alice vincent on her south london balcony. Advertisement

alice vincent, city gardening columnist and writer i in reality suppose gardening is what will hold us sane via this. It connects us with the outside and the gentle delight of looking matters develop brings a unique positivity. If you’ve no garden, there are masses of methods to grow indoors. You’ll want a sunny windowsill, inner or out. I always advocate beginners to develop herbs. They’re smooth and delicious – and whilst grocery store components are low they turn out to be more and more worthwhile. The plastic trays that tomatoes and mushrooms come in will do – just make some holes within the bottom for drainage. Fill with, ideally, peat-unfastened multipurpose compost (most nurseries supply and will be thankful for the custom). Parsley and basil rub alongside thankfully subsequent to each other, but mint’s a piece of a thug and better in its personal pot. You could also chuck in some salad leaf seeds: pea shoots, rocket and nasturtiums germinate speedy and are tasty at any point of their growing cycle. Sow in keeping with packet instructions: you’ll need a fragment of what’s in the packet. Preserve the soil moist – an vintage spray bottle is perfect for this – earlier than and after shoots seem. If youharvest no extra than a 3rd of the plant at a time, all should get better.

Exercising

justin jacobs, manager, equinox fitness golf equipment we're creatures of habit in what we consume, whilst we paintings, what tv indicates we watch. Right now, all the ones habits had been shoved out of the window. There’s quite a few confusion, but that is an possibility to create new conduct. So what to try? What’s your new routine? It is able to be fluid and might change, but what do you want to attempt? There’s lots of first-rate on line content available. Equinox’s moreover platform gives an expansion of workouts, however seek the web to discover a trainer or trainer you want and accept as true with. John berardi, a nutritionist i paintings with, is often requested, “what’s the fine vegetable to devour?” his solution is that it’s the vegetable you like and could eat regularly. Workout is the equal. There may be a run on domestic health club device proper now, but dumbbells, ropes and other useful merchandise are nevertheless available online. Choose what’s proper to your area. I’ve just ordered a few opposition kettlebells due to the fact they’re some thing i in reality experience. There’s copious anecdotal and scientific proof displaying how vital fitness is for mental health: so for the duration of this very stressful time, it’s even more crucial. It also boosts the immune device. However workout isn’t just about fitness – it’s frequently a social activity, too. I’m the use of facetime more than ever earlier than due to the fact i’m no longer having normal social touch. Exercise session with a chum on facetime or have a web dance party along with your family. Remaining night i watched a band i like known as sofi tukker dj live on instagram. That become a brand new enjoy. Find some thing like that and dance for 1/2 an hour and your aerobic may be executed. Pickling jack monroe with pie in kitchen. Jack monroe in her kitchen. Image: shutterstock commercial

jack monroe, meals creator and activist in times of meals scarcity and uncertainty, we have to make do with what we've got. I haven’t been so much panic-buying – not having a vehicle limits that – however i've been guiltily hoovering up scraps from the decreased cupboard past due inside the day, to save them being discarded. This week’s haul protected 3 packing containers of chestnut mushrooms, a withered bunch of wild garlic and a pile of french purple garlic, a little battered round the edges. I'm able to dry the mushrooms, peel and pickle the garlic cloves, and knock the wild garlic with a few nuts right into a sauce aillade. This will maintain for a month beyond the sell-by way of date that consigned it to the bargain bin in the first place. Retaining meals isn't going get us too far in an endemic, admittedly, however pickling what we've now's an investment in destiny dinners. I am also pickling a sluggish cooker’s really worth of dried white beans in oil and vinegar, to apply till tinned ones come returned into inventory. Candy-sour cannellini beans makes a huge jar

examine extra

400g dried cannellini beans

½ a small onion

100g frozen peppers

80ml vinegar – purple, white or cider

1 tbsp white sugar

100ml oil (any)

drain and rinse your beans, then pop them in a pan of cold water. Convey to the boil, then lessen to a simmer. Simmer for 15 mins then drain very well then return to the pan. Add the onions and peppers, along with the vinegar, sugar and oil. Thoroughly clean and sterilise a big jar and its lid. Bring the pan to the boil very carefully. Do not take your eyes off it for a second as you are handling hot oil, which poses a fire danger if unattended. As soon as bubbles start to form, do away with it from the heat straight away. Permit to cool for a minute, stirring well, then pour into the sterilised jar, filling it as complete as viable. Flip the jar upside down and permit to chill completely before placing in the refrigerator. Withstand sampling them for at the least seven days, as the flavour will increase in this time. In a easy and sterile jar, these can hold for a few months unopened. Once opened, use inside a week. Jack monroe’s modern-day e-book is tin can cook (bluebird, £6. Ninety nine)

adorning

couple attempting out paint shades

trying out paint colorings. Image: alamy

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laura de barra, ‘she’-i-y expert and author if you need to apply this time it to zhuzh up your property, start with paint. Take into account the distance and consider what mood you want works best. In case you need your kitchen to provide you a touch lift every morning, go for light, bright tones. Keep away from mistakes: that colour that appears terrifi on the tin (or on instagram), can look much less attractive on walls with much less herbal mild or in a different-sized room, so swatching is key. Check a couple of swatches on each wall. Paint dries to a different shade, so don’t be freaked out. Stroll away and are available lower back while it’s fully dry before thinking about how it seems. If you’ll want two coats, do  coats while you swatch. Take note of how the colour is affected by mild on the times you operate the room most. With regards to portray a wall, use a broom to “reduce in” first. This indicates portray the corners and edges before something else – it gives a better finish. Rollers are perfect for huge regions and less difficult at the hands. Make sure you have an appropriate curler for the floor – test along with your paint supplier. I favour water-primarily based paint – it doesn’t trap moisture, it’s kinder to the surroundings and the smooth-up is simpler. Also, even as contemporary satin and sheen paint finishes are extremely good, don't forget a matt paint in an older home: it received’t soar light from any dents and imperfections. C’est bon! Laura de barra is creator of gaff goddess

john-paul flintoff, creator and crafter ten years ago, to be kinder to the planet, i took up mending garments. I knee-patched jeans, darned jumpers and, before you can say “treadle-powered singer sewing system”, i had sold one and started out making matters from scratch. I shirted and trousered myself, and with knitting needles i socked and jumpered. I discovered crochet so i ought to make y-fronts the use of nettle fibre. (we’ll all be carrying nettle whilst the cotton stops, so plant it now. And relax: the fibre doesn’t sting.)

did human beings chuckle? Nicely, it became intended to be funny. But now not simplest humorous. Like all activity that involves making use of your thoughts to the bodily universe, sewing is meditative. It puts you in the here and now. Gradually i set apart the angst that had were given me started out and began sewing for delight. Hoping others might observe, i permit my maintenance show themselves off, using thread of contrasting colours to facet holes in a jumper, and to stitch the slogan “sparkling air system” at the back. I published a e-book about all this, first of all as a restrained collection of hand-bound books i sewed collectively, with bits of cereal box and old shirts for the cover. (higher than it sounds.) this, too, was meditative work. In case you need to have a pass, attempt darning something. (observe youtube.) reduce some thing up and use it to patch some thing else. Study specific stitches (for exclusive results), and test by way of combining materials. Using embroidery, write your call in your shirt or provide it a luxury logo logo: it will make you smile, and might provide pleasure to others. John-paul flintoff’s e book is stitch your very own (profile books, available on kindle, £6. 40)

fun with kids younger women with facemasks and cucumber on eyes permit the children play splendor salons - and attempt no longer to get too concerned. Image: rachel warne

after 3 youngsters and eight years of “screen-unfastened own family sundays”, i've masses of ideas for wonderful youngsters at domestic. First, get secure with mess. Children having amusing do no longer preserve matters neat. Manipulate the chaos with a “tidy-up half-hour” for all people earlier than they visit bed. Additionally supply the children some manage – they’re always more inclined to throw themselves into things in the event that they feel it become as a minimum partly their idea. Let them lead: help them collect cloth for junk modelling, a style display or residence construction, however resist getting too concerned. Their imaginations are better than yours. On day one among any lengthy stretch with the youngsters, we make a “boredom buster”. Take a big jar and lots of squares of paper. On each, one, write an interest absolutely everyone can do – play a board sport, make a milkshake. Whenever every body says “i’m bored”, you pick out an pastime from the jar. The only rule is you all must do it earlier than you select every other. To add an element of trepidation, slip a few chores into the jar: easy your room, empty the dishwasher. That manner, the jar won’t be empty with the aid of the cease of day two, and the residence might not appearance as if a bomb has hit it. Anything out of the ordinary is constantly more fun. If it’s mealtime, why no longer have a picnic at the carpet rather than sitting at the table? In the event that they need to run a cafe and serve the family lunch, or installation a library, let them have a pass. Just don’t count on perfection – they’re nonetheless apprentices.

[sammysdewysensitiveeyes]

Part 3 of my meandering “Maximus and Fabian team-up to kidnap Luna” fanfic, based on the brilliant ideas of @thecorteztwins.  I’m afraid I didn’t manage to get them naked in front of a crowd, but they do have another kind of clothing mishap.

Apologies for Fabian’s vague homophobia, and for the ableist insults that some of the characters throw at Max. 

There were two things wrong in this situation as far as Fabian could tell.  

           One – Fabian and Maximus were in a department store with Luna, the child they had kidnapped, just twenty minutes after said kidnapping.  Maximus was making no attempt to blend in, and their change from coveralls into casual clothing presented a flimsy disguise at best.

           Two – Fabian and Maximus were in a department store with Luna, spending Fabian’s money.

           Luna, whom Fabian had previously known as such a sweet, quiet, well-behaved child, had pouted and whined and threatened tears if she were not plied with gifts.  Obviously her time among the royals of Attilan had entirely spoiled her, despite their extremely neglectful parenting styles.  So now they were spending valuable time that they really did not have, waiting for an eleven year-old girl to decide between T-shirts emblazoned with different pastel ponies.  And because Prince Maximus of Attilan was used to having all the finer things in life but never having to pay for them, it fell to Fabian to fund their little shopping trip.  Of course. Fabian’s family was descended from royalty as well, but he didn’t walk around with impractically empty pockets.  

           It wasn’t that Fabian didn’t have the money. He had moved his family’s considerable wealth into various untouchable accounts in the Cayman Islands and Switzerland, so that the police would not seize his assets over his little hobbies. He was doing it for his sister as well – Anne-Marie was too enraptured by the Acolytes’ cause to think about money, so Fabian, as the responsible and loving brother, had accounts set aside to take care of her.  (Well, one account.  A sizable amount.  It was all she needed, really, he’d manage the rest.)

           “This is not going to work,” Fabian hissed as Maximus took his arm and pulled him in disgustingly close.  He was not at all happy having the Inhuman who specialized in mind control, and who somehow always smelled like engine grease getting so touchy-feely.  He knew Max’s powers could also work from a distance, but still.  “We should just say that I’m her father, and you’re her uncle.”

           “I am her uncle, what’s the fun in that?  C’mon Cortez, role-play.  Get into the spirit of things.”

           “They’ll never believe,” Fabian insisted.  “I don’t look gay!”

           “I wasn’t aware that there was a specific look.” Maximus looked genuinely curious, not sarcastic, although it was often hard to tell.  “They don’t look any different in Attilan.  Are there physiological differences or is it just choices of fashion?”

           “It’s….it’s complicated,” Fabian said.  It wasn’t that Fabian had anything against gay men in particular.  He wasn’t like the petty-minded fools that bristled at the thought of another man finding them attractive.  It was only right and proper that gay men find Fabian attractive, just like everyone else did.  Fabian was attractive.  There was something tragically romantic at the thought of all the men who must surely pine after Fabian, their desires forever unfulfilled. He wouldn’t hold it against them. But he couldn’t quite imagine himself in that role.  The thought of certain acts made him uncomfortable.  

           “It’s not so complicated in Attilan.  You just ask.  Until the Council assigns you a spouse, it doesn’t matter.  And it usually doesn’t matter so much afterwards, either, as long as you are discreet.”  Maximus had been the one who thought it would be ever so amusing to pose as Luna’s same-sex parents, because apparently there was no such thing in Attilan. Same-sex relationships were accepted, but procreation and child-rearing was decided entirely at the whim of a council that determined genetic compatibility.  It sounded barbaric to Fabian, who would surely be mobbed by women seeking his superior genetic material.  No amount of polite refusal would do, they would fight for his favor – he would be exhausted and utterly milked dry after even a single day in Attilan.

           A jerk on his ponytail pulled Fabian out of that extremely pleasant reverie.    

           “Do try to keep your wits about you, Cortez, we are still in the middle of a caper, here.  Though I suppose the vapid expression does make you look appropriately non-threatening.”

           Fabian gritted his teeth, but said nothing. Some people were so utterly crass and entitled, especially unstable Inhuman princes.  It would be worth it in the end, when their plan granted Fabian the power he deserved, and then he’d find a tall building to push Maximus off of. He’d let Luna live, he wasn’t a monster, after all.    

Meanwhile, Luna had abandoned the pastel pony shirts, and was pawing through T-shirts featuring a group of handsome Asian teens, with BTS floating above their heads.  Fabian had no idea what “BTS” was, but based on the group’s bland prettiness, he guessed it must be some insipid boy band.  They were allowing Luna to browse without keeping a grip on her – Maximus had suggested that some Very Bad things would happen to the sales clerk if she tried to run or even wandered out of their sight.  Said clerk breezed right up to them, cheerfully unaware that Maximus would mentally force her to bite her own tongue in half if Luna called for help.

           “Can I help you gentlemen find anything?”

           “Your assistance is greatly appreciated, dear lady,” Fabian drawled.  She was fairly attractive, for an older woman.  He resisted the urge to place an arm around her shoulders, but one hand strayed up to undo the top button on his shirt.  

           “We are just buying some clothing for our beloved daughter,”  said Maximus, putting an arm around Fabian’s own shoulders and squeezing up against him.  Fabian hoped his disgust did not show on his face.

           “Technically she’s my daughter,” Fabian blurted out. “Biologically, I mean.  I had her.  With a woman.  I’ve been with a woman before.”

           “I see,” said the saleswoman, lips pursed as if trying not to smile.

           “Yes, my partner supplied the genetic material for the surrogate to create our precious little seraph,” Maximus said, gesturing at Luna, who was still ravaging the BTS merchandise.  “We’re so happy to have her in our lives.”

           “Aww, that’ sweet,” the saleswoman cooed, possibly genuinely enchanted by them.  Also possibly turning on the charm because she worked on commission, and men rich enough to afford a surrogate were likely to drop a lot of money in the store.  

           “I’m the top,” Fabian announced suddenly, answering a question no one was asking.

           “Oh…okay.”

“I’m always the top.  And he absolutely loves the things I do to him, because I am extremely good at sex.  With my penis. Not any other way.”  The saleswoman just laughed nervously.

           “Well, naturally.”  Maximus folded his arms.  “I wouldn’t take an inferior lover.  Of course you always satisfy me in every way and do everything I ask.”

           “That’s right,” Fabian said, with just a hint of uncertainty.  He had a weird feeling that he was somehow losing this conversation.

           “Well, that’s…um….I’m glad you’re so happy together,” said the saleswoman as Luna came running up with an armful of shirts. “But maybe we should pause this conversation.  Little pitchers have big ears, you know.”

           “What does that have to do with anythi –“  

           Maximus’s question was cut off when the far wall of the store suddenly blew apart.  The saleswoman shrieked and wrapped her arms around Luna protectively as they were showered with debris.  Blinking through the dust in the air, Fabian could see the Wrecking Crew emerge through the hole in the wall.  Which would mean….oh, this wasn’t good at all.

           “See, I told you I saw them go in here,” said Piledriver, gesturing at Fabian and Maximus.

           “What are you doing here?” Maximus demanded. “You’re meant to be smashing up Times Square, and keeping the Avengers’ attention for at least another –“ Maximus checked his watch.  “12 minutes and 38 seconds.”  

           “The check bounced, Prince Deadbeat,” said Wrecker. “Pay up, or we’ll take it out of your hides.”  

           “Yeah, or you’re gonna be Prince Deadmeat,” added Bulldozer.  Thunderball groaned and shook his head, rolling his eyes.

Maximus whipped his head around to glare at Fabian.  Fabian tried to glare back, but wound up giving a half-hearted shrug.  Perhaps falsifying the account number had been an extremely minor, insignificant mistake on his part, but how was he to know that the Crew would be checking their bank accounts before the job was even finished?  

           “Can’t you even complete the simplest of tasks, Cortez?”  Maximus snarled.  

           “What, you expect me to waste my fortune on morons like that?” Fabian shot back.  “We would have been away already if you hadn’t wasted valuable time indulging the girl!”  Yes, that was right.  It was all Maximus’s fault.  

           “It was only a small amount of your supposedly enormous fortune, you dullard, which I would have gladly reimbursed after I regained my rightful-“ Maximus was interrupted as Bulldozer charged towards them, head down.  Maximus ripped Luna out of the saleswoman’s arms and dove to the right, Fabian jumped to the left.  Carried by momentum, Bulldozer ran past them, jumping harmlessly over the saleswoman who had fallen to the floor.

           “Get out of here, lady,” he yelled as he swung back around, trying to decide whether to go for Maximus or Fabian.  “Our beef’s with them, not you.”  The saleswoman hesitated, looking at Luna, clearly wanting to pull her out of harm’s way.  Luna’s eyes flashed.

           “Run,” she commanded, and the clerk turned and fled.  

           “See, this is why I always say we should insist on direct transfer.  Checks are worthless, and frankly outdated.  Everything’s digital now,” Thunderball was saying, as he advanced towards.Fabian, swinging the wrecking ball that gave him his name.  

         “Or cash.  That’s even better,” said Piledriver, heading towards Maximus. “You can always depend on cash.” Fabian held up his hands in a placating gesture.  Much as he loathed the idea of groveling in front of these men, surely he could talk his way around these simpletons.  

           “Gentleman….I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. The bank must have made an error, which can be easily remedied –“  Fabian was cut off as the wrecking ball swung at his head.  As he ducked, he could see Bulldozer out of the corner of his eye, apparently deciding that Fabian was the better target.  Just his luck.  

           “We’re not stupid, Cortez.  You’re not going to scam us out of what’s rightfully ours.” Fabian tossed himself out of the way at just the right time, and this time the wrecking ball collided with Bulldozer’s head as he charged.

           “Ow! What the hell, Franklin?!”

           “Well, don’t run right into it!”  

           Fabian was a skilled fighter and master tactician. He had been in multiple battles alongside the Acolytes, often leading the charge himself.  He had never lacked for courage or skill.  And, as an experienced and highly intelligent fighter, Fabian knew the advantage of a strategic retreat.  As Thunderball and Bulldozer sorted themselves out, Fabian took the opportunity to sprint away and hide in a utility closet.  Let Maximus handle the brutes, then he’d take Luna and continue the mission (possibly in honor of the Inhuman prince’s memory, depending on how the fight went).

           As he ran, he saw that Maximus had used his powers to turn Piledriver against Wrecker, and the two were trading blows. So clearly Maximus could handle the situation, and there was nothing wrong with him withdrawing from the battle temporarily to rethink strategy.  The utility closet was cramped, pitch black and smelled of bleach, but they were less likely to find him here than one of the fitting rooms.  He just needed a moment to think.  His powers would not work on the Wrecking Crew – their strength and durability was based in Asgardian magic, not superior genetics like mutants (or, to a lesser extent, Inhumans).  The way these humans immediately squandered their gifts through petty crime just showed the natural superiority of mutants.  Humans couldn’t be trusted with powers.

           Obviously an alternative plan was necessary.  Perhaps a quick wire transfer would smooth over this little problem.  Or maybe Maximus would finally make himself useful and use his powers to subdue the whole group, which he frankly should have done in the first place.  It was also likely that the destruction at the mall would draw the Avengers, which would ruin their plans, but allow Fabian to slip away in the chaos.  He could hear the sounds of the fight continuing outside, with shouting and what sounded like heavy punches.  Off in the distance, glass shattered.  

           Then, suddenly the door to Fabian’s sanctuary was thrown open and Maximus ducked inside, rubbing his right hand and wincing with pain.  Alone, Fabian realized.

           “Where’s the girl?” He demanded.

           “The little brat bit me and ran off,” Maximus snapped.  “Too much like her mother, indeed!”

           “So you just left her out there with those thugs? She’s your niece, for God’s sake,” Fabian exclaimed, appalled at the Inhuman’s callousness and cowardice.

           “Luna is an intelligent, mature girl, and they are unlikely to hurt her.  I just needed a moment to think, and the crew is still fighting one of their own.   Thanks to me, and not you!  You abandoned us both!”

           “I was coming up with a plan!” Fabian hissed. He was no coward, his retreat into the utility closet was entirely different from what Maximus had done.

           “Well, what is your brilliant plan, then?  You’re the one who caused this problem in the first-“ A voice interrupted him, shouting through the store.

           “Heeeeeeeey, Ponytail and Prince Loon.  We’ve got the girl!  Come out and face us if you want her back alive.  Make some noise, girlie.”  There was a faint cry of pain, then Luna’s voice called out.

           “Uncle Max, help!  This isn’t fun anymore!”

           Maximus went rigid, and in the faint light, Fabian could see his face contorted with rage.  Fabian himself was outraged – he might use Luna as a pawn in his larger plans, but he wasn’t going to physically harm the girl.

           It was partially vanity that made them take a minute to throw on their respective suits.  Fighting in human casual-wear was so undignified.  It was also the fact that their costumes were made of a high-tech, extremely strong cloth that would not easily tear and partially protected them from injury.  Also, Fabian appreciated how his costume would show off every bit of his beautiful, sculpted body.  One should always look one’s best, no matter the situation.

           Crammed into the utility closet, they threw on their clothing in the dark, with muffled curses as feet were stepped on, and elbows jammed accidently (or not-so-accidentally) into sides.  After a few confusing moments of fabric and limbs going all sorts of strange places, they burst out to confront the Wrecking Crew again.  They did not expect the Wrecking Crew to laugh.

           Fabian glanced over at Maximus, who was trying to pull his long coat over Fabian’s own cape and shoulder pads.  The costume hung loose on the shorter, slighter Inhuman.  Which meant….Fabian reluctantly looked down (one of the very few times he was ever hesitant to look at his own body), and saw Maximus’s black and silver suit, stretched tight across his chest.  The shirt would not come down all the way, leaving a bare midriff that Fabian would normally enjoy showing off, if he wasn’t wearing the disgusting, unwashed suit of a greasy lunatic.  And he generally preferred baring his abs for the ladies, not ugly, brutish career criminals.

           Maximus glared over at him.  

           “Take those off, Cortez, you’re stretching them out!”

           “Oh, forgive me for actually having a body worthy of homo superior!  We can’t all be scrawny nerds that never exercise!”

           “Oh, do forgive me for spending my time in actual worthy pursuits instead of “bench-pressing” and “man-scaping” and “GTL” like on the Jersey Shore –“  Maximus gave an indignant squawk as Fabian ripped the cape off his shoulders and fastened it around his own.

           “Are you ladies done?  We’ve got business here!” yelled Wrecker.  He had Luna tucked under one arm, struggling and kicking at him with little effect.  “No need for things to get ugly.  You give us the money, we give you back the girl.”

           “Yeah, and can we wrap this up before the Avengers get here?  We dropped a cement truck on She-Hulk, but that’s barely gonna slow her down.  And she’s gonna be pissed,” said Bulldozer impatiently.  Fabian could sympathize – he couldn’t imagine trying to get cement out of his own luscious, flowing locks.

           “Fine, fine, no need for such base violence.  We’ll pay what we owe.  That’s what we intended in the first place,” Maximus said, with a meaningful glare at Fabian.

           “You’ll pay more than that,” said Wrecker.  “You tried to cheat us, so the price has gone up. We want triple the original amount.”

           “Let’s just get out of here,” said Thunderball. “We can take the girl to a safehouse and release her when they pay up.  We shouldn’t be hanging around the guy with mind control powers.” Piledriver, who had shaken off Maximus’s control when the Inhuman ran, nodded in agreement.

           “I’m still in charge here, Professor,” snapped Wrecker.  “We’re not getting any deeper into this than we have to.  We get the money now, give them the girl, and then disappear.  Let them deal with the rest of it.”

As they argued, Fabian was feeling along the outlines of the suit that was stretched too tight across his body.  Bits of metal were digging into him whenever he moved, odd lumps on the inside of the suit.  Prince Packrat must have all sorts of things stashed into hidden pockets – maybe one of them would be useful.  He pulled out a small round sphere, about the size of a ball bearing, that had been digging into his left armpit.  Maximus grinned when he saw it.

           “Flash bomb,” he whispered.  “Throw it and cover your eyes.”

           “Hey, what are you two smirking about?”  yelled Piledriver.  “We’ve got the girl, you’d better not –“

           Fabian tossed the sphere at their feet, and threw an arm across his eyes as the world suddenly got impossibly bright for an instant. He put the arm down, and saw that the Crew was momentarily blinded.  Beside him, Maximus’s eyes flashed blue, fists clenched as he used his power.

           “Toss her to me,” he commanded, and Wrecker suddenly hurled Luna across the room at them.  Fabian was the one who wound up catching her.  She appeared unharmed, but had both hands clasped across her eyes.

           “Uncle Max, I can’t see!  I wanna go home!” she wailed.

           “Be brave, child, the affects will fade soon. You’ll be fine,” Maximus insisted, still concentrating.  Bulldozer started to stumble forward towards the sounds of their voices, but was slowed by Wrecker’s crowbar.  Maximus had the man completely in thrall, and he began to swing indiscriminately, battering the other disoriented Crew members.

           “Can I trust you to carry her, Cortez, or will you be screwing that up as well?”  

           “None of this would have happened if not for this side trip!  We should have stuck to the plan!”  Fabian wondered what other delightful gadgets Maximus had in this ridiculous suit of his. He’d palm a few when they exchanged clothing again.  There were so many ways for him to kill the Inhuman after he’d outlived his usefulness, and that thought was the only thing that kept Fabian going through this farce of a team-up.

           “We’ll finish the plan!”  Maximus insisted.  “This is just a minor set-back.  But first…” The two of them looked at the Wrecking Crew, still blinking and trying to fight off their leader, then looked at each.

           “Strategic retreat?”

           “Indeed.”

           With Luna in his arms, Fabian followed Maximus as they ran for the exit.

[catalinda04]

Carried Away Chapter 49: Confessions

Masterlist

Lucy awoke stiff, exhausted, and still wrapped around Henry. She allowed herself a moment to bask in his embrace, before she slowly extricated herself from his arm, she had almost succeeded when Henry tightened his grip, and drew her close again.

“Good morning Cupcake.” He mumbled, kissing the top of her head..

“Good morning Darcy.” She replied lifting her face to his for a good morning kiss. “Would you like to explain how it is that I am wearing what I’m wearing right now?”

“You don’t remember?”

“I don’t remember anything after you took my stockings off.”

“After I rubbed your feet for a bit, you sleep-walked to the bathroom to get ready for bed. You somehow managed to take your contact lenses out without opening your eyes, it was quite a feat to behold. Then I helped you out of your dress, and into that.”

“So we didn’t…” She trailed off.

“We did not, as I mentioned, you were asleep.”

“I missed this. The lazy weekend morning, lounging in bed … snuggling … talking.” Lucy replied wistfully, burrowing into his chest.

“Well, I’m here now, and I wish nothing could drag me away.”

“You wish?”

“Well I have to leave on Wednesday, I have an appearance in Jersey next weekend, that I need to attend. Then from there it’s off to the premier next Thursday. I would love if you were able to attend with me.”

“May is such a hectic month for teachers. I’ll have to look at my calendar tomorrow and let you know. But you’ll be here for your birthday?”

“It would appear so.”

“I’ll have to plan something special then.”

“Speaking of planning something special, how about I take you out to lunch.”

“I like that idea, as I’m not 100% sure what kind of food I actually have in the kitchen, we’ll have to go to the grocery store afterward.”

Lucy showered and pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She grabbed a book while Henry was taking his shower. Not long after she heard the shower start, Lucy heard a noise coming from the kitchen table. Upon investigation, she found Henry’s phone ringing. The screen indicated that Dany was calling. Lucy answered.

“Hello. Henry’s phone.” Lucy answered.

“Lucy?” Dany asked hesitantly.

“That would be me.”

“Well, I guess that answers my question. Is everything back to rights then? Or are you answering his phone because he is currently decomposing deep in some northern Minnesota forest?”

Lucy laughed, “Just about. Henry’s in the shower.”

“Well, I was just calling to see how last night went, but I have my answer, though I do have a couple of things to discuss with Henry, if you’d have him call me later.”

“Sure thing, and Dany, thank you. Henry told me you slapped some sense into him, literally.”

“Men are stupid, some more than most, but you’ve got a good one there, he just needed to have his vision adjusted.”

“Well, again, thank you, and I’ll tell him to call you later.” She disconnected the call and put the phone back on the table. Henry’s phone reminded her to check her own. She was unsurprised to find several missed messages. Not just from Heather, and her mother, but all of the Cavill sisters-in-law had texted her, obviously Heather had shared the news. She also had over 50 Instagram notifications, the kids must have posted their pictures from the night, and tagged her school account.

She called her mom first, assuming that it would be the most difficult call to handle. Lucy dialed her parent's phone number, praying no one would answer. She wasn't that lucky. Her mother answered.

"Hi mom."

"Hi Lucy. How are you this morning."

"I'm good. Did you get the picture I sent you last night?"

"I did. I would seem you had some excitement at prom last night."

"I did." Lucy agreed.

Her mother sighed heavily. "Tell me what happened.”

“He was waiting for me when we got to the dance. He explained why he’d been stupid. I’ve forgiven him on a probationary basis.”

“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?”

“I don’t think you need to know all the details, but he apologized, and explained his side of things. I believed him, and forgave him.”

“I’m just worried, it was two months, and you still weren’t back to your old self.”

“I know mom, I couldn’t get over him because I still love him. But rest assured, I am happy. And if he does hurt me again, that would be the last time. He won’t get another chance.”

Her mother sighed. “You’re a grown woman, and it’s your life. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”

“So you’ll be friendly to Henry when I bring him around?”

“I don’t know about friendly just yet, but I’ll be civil.”

“Can you talk to dad? Get the same promise out of him?”

“I’ll try.”

“I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I have a couple other calls to make, so I’m going to go now.”

“Ok. Bye honey.”

“Bye mom.”

Lucy disconnected the call, and scrolled to Heather’s name in her phone book. She had missed her conversations with Heather. She understood being in Henry’s life better than her other friends. She found Heather’s number in her contacts, and pressed connect.

Heather answered on the first ring.

“Hello!” Heather all but yelled into the phone.

“Hi Heather. I take it you got my text last night.”

“You could have knocked me over with a feather. First when I saw that you had texted, then I saw what you had texted. Charlie thought there had been some kind of accident, from the way I screamed when I opened the picture. So he’s come to his senses? What happened? What did he say?”

“I’m not going to go into all the details, if you want them, ask him when he’s home next weekend. If he wants you to know, he’ll tell you, or he’ll tell Charlie, and Charlie will tell you.” Lucy laughed.

“I’m so happy for you two. We could all tell he was hurting, but he wouldn’t talk to anyone about it. Not even Charlie, they tell each other practically everything. He was glad to see his brother smiling again. So what’s the plan now?”

“Well, we’re going for lunch as soon as Henry’s done in the shower.” Lucy said jokingly.

“You know I meant further than that.”

“I don’t know. We haven’t had a chance to talk about it really. I’ve been working or sleeping since he surprised me, and a noisy ballroom full of teenagers is not exactly the best environment for having any sort of deep conversations about our future.”

“Ok, well, I’ll let you go, but we’ll have to schedule a long talk soon, I want to know what’s been happening in your life. I’ve missed talking to you.”

“I’ll let you know when’s a good time. I’ve missed you too. But I have to go, Henry’s almost ready to go.”

“Ok, bye, Say hello to Hank for me and Charlie.”

“Will do. Bye!” Lucy said cheerfully, and ended the call, just as Henry came around the corner from the bathroom barefoot, in jeans and a t-shirt.

“Heather and Charlie say hi.” Lucy informed him.

“When did you talk to them?” he asked, reaching for his phone and slipping it into his pocket.

“Just now. I texted Heather last night.” She showed him the picture Emma had taken. “I missed talking to her.”

“That’s a great picture, would you send it to me?” Henry asked.

She sent the picture and they discussed where to get lunch, finally settling on Mexican. While they ate their meal, they kept the conversation neutral. Both knowing they had a major conversation looming, but not wanting to have that discussion in public.

When the check for their meals came, Henry opened his wallet to retrieve enough cash to cover it. Lucy noticed a very familiar shade of teal poking up from the section of his wallet where bills are kept. Henry made to put his wallet back in his pocket, but Lucy put her hand over his, stalling his action. She lightly took the wallet, and opened it. Producing her letter from its depths. When she had written the letter, the paper had been crisp and new. Now the edges were tattered and dirty, while the folds had gone soft, as though the paper had been opened and refolded numerous times. Lucy raised her eyes to Henry’s. “How many times have you read this?” she asked tentatively.

“I’ve read it at least once a day for the last month. It’s been the last thing I saw before going to sleep and the first thing I saw when I woke for a month. I didn’t find it until I went home to Jersey for Easter. I guess you could say I’ve been torturing myself with it since then.” He said, his eyes shining with remembered pain.

“Oh, Henry.” she said, covering his hands with hers. They were silent for several long seconds before Lucy wiped the tears from her eyes. “Why don’t we go home. I feel like we have a lot to say to each other.” Lucy said quietly, sliding out of the booth. Henry slid out too. Lucy took his hand in hers, needing to feel connected to him.

They drove the short distance back to Lucy’s house in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Lucy poured herself a glass of water, and sat on one end of the couch, with her legs tucked underneath her. Henry assumed a similar pose on the opposite end of the couch. Lucy smiled, thinking how such a large man could look so small. They stared at each other for several minutes, sorting their thoughts, neither wanting to be the first to speak.

Finally, unable to stand the quiet Lucy started. “Henry, I love you.”

Henry cut her off, “Darling, I never doubted that you love me.” he said, but Lucy stopped him.

“Let me say this. Henry, I love you, but you hurt me. You hurt me more than anyone or anything ever has. I trusted you. I gave myself to you, body and soul, and it felt like you just threw it away. Things were so good between us, and then they just weren’t, then you were gone. And I was left wondering what I had done wrong. I cried for weeks. And I tried to pull myself out, but normally when I’m down, I watch Pride and Prejudice. But I couldn't, at the first mention of Mr. Darcy, I started bawling again. Then I got mad. You ruined Pride and Prejudice for me.” Lucy stopped, as her eyes started to tear again.

Henry saw his window, and jumped in. “Lucy, I love you. Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I genuinely thought I was doing it for your benefit. First I saw you in your classroom, with your students. They adore you, and you them. Teaching is what you were born to do. Then you said you didn’t know what you would do if you weren’t teaching. I did some research to find out if you could teach in the UK. I didn’t understand everything, but it seemed like a possibility. So I asked you if you’d ever consider moving to Europe. You said it was too far away from your family. So I did what I thought was the right thing, and I left.”

Lucy’s eyes had taken on a distant look, before she gasped and covered her mouth. “Henry, is that why you asked if I’d ever considered moving to Spain?” When he nodded in response she continued, “Henry, I said I didn’t want to move to Spain because it was too far away from my family, AND because I didn’t know anyone there. If I moved to London to be with you, I would have people. I’d have you, and your brothers, and sisters-in-law, and nephews. I’d have a family there. When I said that I meant I didn’t want to move by myself.”

“I realized that after I read your letter, but by then I had been gone for over a month, and, I guess I was embarrassed at my behavior. I kept your letter with me, as a reminder of what we had shared. Before the letter, I had my conviction that I was doing the right thing for you, but after I knew I had thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to me. It took Dany shaking me out of my head, and hitting some sense into me,” he smiled at the joke, “for me to realize that I had to try. Even if you kicked me out, I could see you again.”

“When I saw you waiting there, I didn’t know what to do. I was angry, and sad, and hopeful. And you looked so good standing there in that suit.” She smiled.

“I’ve never been as nervous in my life, as I was standing there, waiting for you to arrive, then watching you decide if you wanted to come talk to me.” he smiled.

“You’ve got Emma to thank for that.”

“Then I believe flowers are in store for Emma this week.”

“She’d like that.” Lucy said thoughtfully.

“Lucy, I know it’s going to take some time for us to be comfortable together again, but please, tell me what you’re thinking. All of this could have been solved, if I had just said what I really thought. I’ll promise to do the same.”

“I can do that. In fact, I’ll tell you what I’m thinking right now. Right now I’m thinking how long it’s been since I’ve really kissed you.” she said, crawling across the couch to him.

“And I’m thinking that we should change that right now.” he smiled, pulling her to him. Their lips came together tentatively. Taking the time to re-learn each other. Henry unfolded his legs, and scooted down to lay on the couch, with Lucy on top of him. Their kisses varied from sweet and light to hot and deep. Henry’s hands slowly caressed Lucy’s back, eventually resting on her bum. Slowly his hands moved back up to the hem of her shirt, slipping underneath. When his hands made contact with her bare back, she stopped, and pulled away from the kiss.

“Henry, I…” she stammered, “...I don’t think I’m ready for us to make love again. My heart has forgiven you, but my head is a stubborn bitch. She won’t let me forget the pain and heartache so fast. So can we just lay here and snog for a while, but know that it’s not going to go any further than that?”

“Of course, Cupcake. I don’t want to rush you into anything.” He gave her quick peck, “you said, snog.” he laughed at her.

“Before you left, I was trying to work more Britishisms into my speech, and snog is a fun one. Fun to say, fun to do.”

“I agree.” he said capturing her mouth again.

Much later, when both of their jaws had grown tired, Lucy and Henry walked the few short blocks to Emma’s house to retrieve Henry’s rental. They knocked, and Emma answered promptly. One glance at Lucy’s face told Emma all she needed to know. Her friend was happy, and she was going to be supportive.

“Hey Em, thanks for driving it home last night. It saved us a lot of time. And thanks for helping chaperone. Did you have a good time?”

“I did, except my date dumped me.” she winked.

“Sorry, he’s cuter than you are.” Lucy retorted. “But we need to be going. Henry has some phone calls to make and I need to go to the grocery store. See you tomorrow!” Henry drove Lucy back to her house. He parked and went inside to call Dany, while she went grocery shopping.

Lucy wandered the aisles of the grocery store, her head in a fog. Henry was back. He still loved her. He hadn’t come out and said it, but he’d implied that he wanted her to move to London with him. It was amazing how much her life could change in 24 hours.

When she arrived back home, Lucy called Heather. Henry’s sister-in-law had been a great friend to her during the two months they’d known each other, before the split. It had been almost as hard for Lucy to lose Heather as it had been to lose Henry. But now she had them both back.

The two women chattered away like magpies. Catching up on each other’s lives since the last time they’d talked. Lucy heard all about Heather’s photography adventures, and Charlie’s skiing excursions. “Why weren’t you skiing?” Lucy asked Heather.

“Henry didn’t tell you?” Heather asked shocked.

“We haven’t really had much time for talking about another other than us.” Lucy explained.

“I was too sick to go skiing.” Heather said, and Lucy was about to ask what was wrong, when Heather continued. “Morning sickness is a bitch.” She said elatedly.

“You’re pregnant! Oh! Congratulations!” Lucy exclaimed.

“We told everyone over Easter. It’s the reason we all got together for Easter, we normally don’t. But I’m not just pregnant. It’s a girl!”

“Ah!” Lucy screamed! “The first Cavill girl in 3 generations! What did Marianne say? She must have been elated.”

“We haven’t told them yet that it’s a girl. We’re going to tell them when we’re there this weekend, so swear Hank to secrecy.” Heather warned.

“Oh, I will. Oh, Heather! Congratulations! When are you due?” Lucy asked.

“Early October. I’d love if you could come for a baby shower. It’s not that far to fly. I know Marianne will try to come, but the other sisters-in-law I don’t think will be able to. I’d love to have you there.”

“Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there. If I lived closer, I’d even bake the cake, but cakes don’t fly well.”

“I’ll keep you posted. Oh Marianne is going to be so happy next weekend. Henry is back together with you, and happy, and she’s finally getting the granddaughter she’s always wanted.”

“2015 is shaping up to be quite spectacular.” Lucy agreed.

Chapter 48              Chapter 50

[actuallyspencerreid]

Unbreakable || ch 4

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

Tags: @mantlereid @everyday-imfangirling @princesswagger14 @jason-gideon-is-my-dad @bauboywonder @cynbx @the-unfortunate-fangirl @hearts-to-the-sky @spencerreidreads @whiskeybucky @ultrarebelheart @obsessivereader36 @hiya-imthatgirl @qu3n-elizab3th @dreamxcollide @sarrahgoode @literallyprentissstwin @wotmendes @pianista-bookworm @happypeachsuit

———

Dave’s intentions were good. He didn’t know that your parents would be pay attention to the Virginia newspapers. No one could have guess that your parents would take the effort to check up on you after what happened at the Fremont Police station just a month ago.

You were gathering your case files after the morning briefing when you cell started ringing with an unknown number.

“Hello?”

“You were going to get married without telling us?” You groaned at the sound of your mother's voice. “Are you really that low that you wouldn’t include your parents in your nuptials?”

You rolled your eyes. “How did you know that I was getting married, Mother?”

“Someone named David Rossi posted an announcement in the Virginia Gazette.”

You looked out at the bullpen, where Dave was talking to Morgan. Of course he did. You shut the conference room door, not wanting the entire FBI to hear your conversation.

“Yes, Mother. Spencer and I are getting married next year.” You smiled softly at your fiance, who was looking up at you with a confused expression. You shook your head slightly, answering his unspoken question. “Are you okay?”

“So you really are settling.” You could hear the disgust on her voice. “It’s very disrespectful that you didn’t discuss this with us, (Y/N). Even more disrespectful that Steven didn’t both to ask for our blessing beforehand.”

“His name is Spencer.” You snapped. “And as I said last month, I don’t answer to you anymore! Save for that one day, we haven’t spoken in over eight years. Your opinion about who I’m with and what I’m doing means nothing to me. I don’t even know how you got my number, but I’m glad you did as I can now block you. Have a good day, Mother!”

You hung up before she could say anything. Taking a deep breath, you wiped away the couple of tears that had started spilling. Pacing for just a quick minute, you gathered your wits.

“You have a case to get to,” you muttered to yourself, grabbing your case file. Not paying attention, you swung the conference room door open and almost ran into Spencer.

“Everything okay?” He asked, arms instinctually wrapping around your waist loosely.

You nodded. “Rossi posted a wedding announcement in the Gazette and apparently my parents found it. That was my mother, being disappointed in me as per usual.”

He pulled you close, pressing his lips to the top of your head. “Well we’re all proud of you, so what do they matter anyway.”

You laughed, the tension in your chest dissipating. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” He leaned down and pecked your lips softly. “Now come on, we have a case to solve. In Florida.”

-----

You sighed as you laid back on the bed in you and Spencer’s hotel room. You were ending day four of your investigation, and another body was found just as the team was packing up for the night. This one was different though. Before, when your unsub killed, they were just dumping the bodies at various parks in Jacksonville. This time around, your victim was posed in a tux on the steps of a church. You were drifting out of consciousness when you’d connected a few dots.

“Spence!” You called out to your fiance, who was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. He rushed out, hair still dripping wet and toothbrush in his mouth.

“I think our unsub is a woman.” You scrambled around for your files, laying them out on the bed to help explain your thinking. “She’s killing men who are specifically on their way to the altar. I bet if we asked the family of tonight's victim, they’d say he was slated to get married in the next couple months or so.”

“Maybe she was slighted by a husband or boyfriend.” Spencer wiped the excess toothpaste from his face after unceremoniously spitting into a disposable cup on his nightstand. “How does she know that these men are engaged? Men don’t walked around with any indication of involvement until after the wedding.”

“Wedding planners know the couples daily schedule. Aside from the actual couple, wedding planners know the most intimate details because they have to accurately determine what exactly the couple wants on their most important day.”

“And except for the third victim, all of the couples had the same wedding planner.” Spencer was already on the phone as you pulled your jacket on. “He might have been her real target. Everyone else was just a surrogate.”

“Hotch. We know who our unsub is.”

-----

You sat on the plane with Spencer, leaning on him and watching as he played poker with Derek and Emily.

“We should get married.” You said quietly, impulsive.

“I thought you were already doing that.” Derek laughed.

“Am I missing something?” You sat up straight and looked Spencer in the eye.

“We should get married. This weekend.” You’d thought about it during the arrest and the thought of going another eleven months not being married to Spencer was torture in and of itself.

“We don’t need some big, fancy ceremony. I don’t have enough people that I care about for that. Everyone that I could possibly want at my wedding is on this plane, minus Penny and your mom. We can rearrange the living room, Emily can officiate and we’ll make a quick list of everything else we could possibly need. We can go file the marriage liscence in the morning and have it by Saturday.”

“Okay,” he nodded. Your heart swelled as you leaned over and pressed your lips to his.

“Get a room.” Hotch called from a seat away. You laughed and pulled away, resettling on his shoulder.

“I hope you guys can get married with no money, cause that’s a full house. Jacks over threes.” Derek looked smug as he laid his cards down.

Spencer laughed and showed his hand. “Think again. Royal flush.”

-----

“We’re all ready when you are, kiddo.”

You turned to Dave, who was standing in the doorway of your bedroom. Just as you’d said a few days ago, you and Spencer managed to pull together your small, dream wedding. He flew his mother out from Las Vegas and she stayed with you at the apartment while Spencer stayed at Derek’s. Emily got ordained, Derek was named the best man, Penny named the maid of honor. You felt a twang of disappointment knowing that your mother wouldn’t be there, but you knew that it was for the best.

It only cost a few thousand dollars for all the food and decorations, but you and Spencer had a healthy savings account. You’d even managed to convince Hotch to give you guys the following two weeks off.

“Do I look okay?” You tuned back to the mirror and ran your hands over the bodice of your dress. You’d gotten it from a thrift store and upcycled it yourself, adding details with supplies from a craft store.

“You look great.” He held his hand out for you. “Spencer is the luckiest man in the world and I know he will never forget that.”

You smiled and took his hand. Grabbing your bouquet, you took a deep breath and let him lead you to the living room.

Everyone stood as you rounded the corner. Your breath caught in your throat when you saw the love of your life. His navy blue tux fit him so well, and he’d cut his hair, taking in the sides slightly and actually styling it. The white flower on his chest matched the one that was in your hair, and he had on the custom SR cufflinks you’d gotten him as an anniversary gift last year.

Out of the corners of your eyes, you could see the rest of your team as you made your way to Spencer, but your main focus was on him. There were tears in his eyes as he took your hands in his.

“You look so beautiful,” he said quietly.

“So do you.” you joked, which made everyone laugh.

“You may all be seated.” Emily said. Focusing on you, she smiled. “I know that you said that you weren’t going to write your own vows, but Spencer asked that he be allowed to anyway.”

“Seriously!” You turned to your soon to be husband and scowled playfully. “I should have known.”

“Yes you should have.” Derek said, making everyone laugh once again.

When the room was once again quietly, Spencer spoke. “(Y/N), I have been in love with you from the moment you stepped into the BAU. There was a time when I thought that I wasn’t meant to fall in love, that I was so pleasantly surprised when you told me that you loved me for the first time. I’ve never felt so strongly or so passionately about anyone as I feel about you. I know that I can be difficult at times and I don’t always pick up on social cues that well, but I promise if you stick with me, I will make it my mission to make sure you wake up every morning and got to bed every night with a smile on your face. I love you more than anything in this world and all I want is to love you for the rest of my life.”

There were tears running down your cheeks as Spencer stopped talking. “I love you so much, but I hate you for not warning me.”

You reached up and dabbed your eyes, thanking the heavens that you’d gone with the waterproof makeup JJ got you. “Spencer. When we met, I had no clue who I was. I didn’t know what love was. You came into my life and changed everything, down to the way I organized my kitchen. From the moment we met, I’ve known you were my person and I thank the gods every single day that you feel the same way. There is no one else in this world I would rather wake up to every morning. I love you so so so much and I don’t plan on ever stopping.”

“That was so beautiful.” Emily quickly wiped away the couple of tears that had fallen from her eyes. “Spencer Reid, do you take (Y/N) (Y/L/N) to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“And (Y/N) (Y/L/N), do you take Spencer Reid to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Yes. I do.” You choked on your words, the weight of what was happening really hitting you.

“By the power vested in my by the State of Virginia, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Spencer pulled you into him, lips slotting over yours in a heated kiss. You wrapped your arms around his neck, tongue fighting his as the small room of people erupted into cheers.

“I love you so much.” You whispered against his lips as he pulled away.

“I love you too, Mrs. Reid.”

To be continued...

[the-golden-ghost]

Hm, drabble prompt: Whatever combination of Boxbots you desire, and Paint Me. :D (Or more like, crayon drawings!)

“Get my good side!” Darrell spun around in the center of the playroom, decked out in a vampire costume, complete with fangs and fake bloodstains on his shirt. “Should I turn like this? Or how about like this?” He swept his cape around and gave an evil grin.

“How about you hold still, jarhead. You’re messing up my pose,” Shannon threw a red crayon which bonked her brother on the head. “Now I have to start over.”

“I AM JETHRO.” Jethro had done little more than run over three crayons and grind them into the carpet, but he was doing his best. 

“Are you sure these posters will make good promotional ads?” Ernesto asked. He had carefully gone through six sheets of paper already and was starting on his seventh. “Maybe we should just use the photos stored on the company computer. Or I’m sure I could whip up something with digital editing…”

“No!” Darrell exclaimed. “This Halloween party is going to be the biggest hit from here to Battleburg, so it needs to have awesome art!”

Ernesto looked down at his picture, then back up. “If you say so.” 

“And everyone knows robots are programmed to be awesome artists, so, there. Do you want me to pose a different way?” Darrell put his hand on his hip and stuck one leg into the air. “How about this?”

“STAY. STILL.” Shannon shouted. Darrell returned to his previous pose. 

“I AM JETHRO.”

“Hey, speaking of Raymond,” Darrell went on. “Shouldn’t he be back from stealing the party supplies from the Plaza by now? Maybe we should call him. He can help with the art.” 

“Okay, ONE done,” Shannon said, putting her drawing into the finished pile. “Ernesto, step it up. How many of these do we need, anyway?”

“By my calculations, if we want the party to be notable from here to Battleburg, using only hand-drawn fliers as advertisements… four thousand,” Ernesto said sadly.

“I AM JETHRO.”

“Jethro’s right, that’s insane. Maybe we should just send out a company email.” 

“But then I won’t get to pose in my vampire costume! And anyway, you know daddy doesn’t like us hacking into his email account,” Darrell said.

“That’s cause last time you signed up for fifty different newsletters about “the cowpoke life.”“ Shannon retorted. “I vote we hack the email account.” 

“Me too,” Ernesto added.

“I AM JETHRO.” 

“Thanks, Jethro! Okay, it’s a tie. When Raymond gets back he can decide what we do,” Darrell said. 

“Well, that could take ages,” Shannon grumbled. A distant explosion and the sound of the reboot applicator starting up told them otherwise. A second later, Raymond appeared in the playroom, looking grouchy. 

“I had JUST gotten all the cups and party favors ready! I even got the last package of sparkly plates, and now they’re ruined, thanks to those bumbling plaza fools and their… pet dinosaur.” 

“Aw, you got the dinosaur? I never get the dinosaur,” Darrell said.

“Did you manage to get ANY party supplies?” Shannon asked. “Also, we’re voting. Do you want to draw three thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine of these, or send out an email?” she held up her drawing of Lord Vampire Darrell. 

“Right now, I don’t think I’m even in the mood to pick up a crayon,” Raymond sighed, flopping back on the couch. 

“Hacking the computer it is!” Shannon jumped up and ran out, bringing Jethro with her. 

“Aww,” Darrell looked down at his costume. “I thought this looked pretty good. I was even thinking… maybe I could have a few different looks, like a werewolf. Maybe a mummy…” 

Ernesto studied his brother. “You know, you do look good. Maybe we can get Shannon to scan the drawing and put it in the email… that way everyone can see it.”

Darrell brightened at once. “You really think so?”

“Probably. And if we hurry, maybe we can catch her just in time.” 

[stardustrobin]

so i have this big as list of stuff for the new year that i wanted to share with everyone. this is what you can expect to see from me in the near future and all through 2019~

2019 Goals

Draw more:

My art has really been lacking this year, I haven't done very much this year as compared to others and I really need to step my game up. I need to draw more, I need to improve myself, my art, and my style. I need to get more work out there and I need to start posting my art more too; especially since I now have multiple sites to throw my art onto.

I’m disappointed in myself with the lack of art that i’ve posted in 2018 and with the overall quality of them. I can do better, I know I can and I’ve failed to do so this past year. But 2019 I will do more for myself when it comes to art, I will do as much as I can and be careful to not burn myself out in doing so. There’s a lot that I feel that I need to work on, so here’s to a good art year for me!

2019 Art Goals:

Backgrounds!!!!

Work on form

Work on fluidity

Work on composition

Work on color

Work/improve on style

Work/improve on a comic book type art style

Try out other art styles and take inspiration from them

Experiment!!!

Try to get out of my comfort zones

Draw more characters, not just the ones I like to draw or am used to drawing

Explore other media i.e.; watercolor, pens, markers, oils, acrylics ect.

Do more art challenges

Work on art prompts

Post my art more

Completely fill up a sketchbook

Offer more simple art request

More birdflash!!!!!!!!!

Write more:

Needless to say that my writing has tanked over the years and it’s made me horrible upset. My writing is super important to me, even if it doesn’t seem like that to anyone else because I don’t talk about it often and don’t show it off. But my writing means to world to me because it helps me cope with things I’m not sure how to cope with. It helps me understand things and sometimes though research it helps me figure things out about myself and work on ways to better that problem. That and it’s just…. fun. I love to write, I love to come up with plots and stories and characters. I love putting characters through hardships and make them work for a happy ending. I love seeing the growth not only in my stories but in my characters and myself as a person and writer. I love all of it, but everything is at such a standstill right now I don’t know what to do and it’s upsetting.

I honestly can’t say what’s been the cause in the decline of my writing but it’s taken its toll. I know that my dyslexia and dysgraphia have both been acting up terribly and it’s been discouraging me more and more. But since there’s no medication I can take for something like that, the best way to help is to just keep writing and improve myself.

Not only do I need to work on my writing, but I also need to work on my mentality behind it. I’ve always been made to feel like I was stupid for making the simplest mistake, or stupid because I can’t understand something, that i’m just being lazy, that I really know how to do this but I just don’t want to. I’ve honestly only come to terms with my dyslexia and dysgraphia fairly recently(maybe 2015??) but I’ve known about it since I had been in kindergarten/first grade after being diagnosed with it through a professional. My family wouldn't have it though, they didn’t think anything was wrong, they just thought I needed to work harder and stop being lazy ect. ect. And that went on for years and years until I broke down one day because I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ll admit that I still have that bad habit of thinking that I’m just stupid and a bad writer/reader, but I’m trying to better myself on that, and this year I wanna try harder.

2019 Writing Goals:

Write more

Be more confident in my writing

Take writing prompts

Post my writing/fics

Learn better writing tips

Read up more books on writing

Read more from favorite authors to take inspiration from

Learn better storytelling

Learn better character growth

Sign up for sites that help with catching grammar mistakes

Sign up for sites that help you in improving your writing

Re-teach myself basic grammar and punctuation

Get on rp blogs more to write, be more active

Come up with my own plots

Chip in a hella lot more with moving plots along

Don’t tell yourself that you’re stupid

Don’t be scared to ask for help

Cosplay:

Cosplay is something I’ve been doing for a while now, and making them for myself is still fairly recent. I have so many ideas I want to do for cosplay but I don’t have the resources nor the money to buy or commission a cosplay from someone else. I have all the basic items I’d need to start all saved on sites and ready to buy, but just no time or money to buy them just yet. Plus, I’d really just like to make my own because it’s something I’d really love to do. Like, I really enjoy prop making so I’d love to make props and maybe even sell a few if I can!

Another thing I feel like I’m lacking in cosplay is my overall composer and confidence in cosplay when I’m at cons. I feel that really affects a lot in what I see about myself and even possible what people see me as. I’d like to get more confident about myself rather than question myself on if I look good enough and just scrap the whole thing and walk around the con in normal clothes-- because I have done that before.

2019 Cosplay Goals:

Practice sewing more

Get comfortable with using a sewing machine again

Get better at hand sewing

Buy my equipment bit by bit

Work on confidence in cosplay

Work on being in-character while in cosplay

Be more active in cosplay

Work on makeup

Work on wig/hair styling

Work on poses

Post more pictures of me in cosplay

Continue bettering myself physically:

So I’ve been doing a lot to help get myself into shape because it’s not really a secret that I’m not happy with myself in more ways than one. I’ve been doing good towards the end of 2018 with cutting out soda and drinking more water, I’ve cut out a lot of junk foods and just been more cautious about what I eat and drink. A lot of this is thanks to my fiance because he’s been bettering himself with the help of his manager and it’s kind of had an affect on me too and I can’t complain. It’s like this little push that I needed.

And not only am I doing better about working out and eating better, but I’ve been doing more to help take care of my skin, hair, and nails. I just wanna be the best I can be and I can’t do that if my body is in poor shape.

2019 Physical Goals:

Keep working out/make a better workout schedule

Try different workouts

Gym membership??

Be more active

Take better care of skin and hair

Drink more water!!!

Keep eating better

Learn how to properly do makeup so I can help myself feel pretty

Learn how to style my own hair

Continue bettering myself mentally:

So a lot has happened through the years and I’ve had my ups and downs, but overall I have noticed a better change within myself. I’m not sure if any one else has, but I have. And while I’m proud of many of them, there are some not so good one that I’ve noticed pop up and I need to do what I can to change that so I can have a more positive mindset for the near year. There’s a lot that I’ve been working on that I still need to continue, and there’s a few new things that I’ve acknowledged that I need to change and actually start doing.

2019 Mentality Goals:

Year of taking no shit from anyone

Speak out more, especially for myself

Stand up for myself more

Learn to say ‘no’ more and that it’s okay

Learn better communication skills, don’t keep things to self and stew in them

Learn to step up more

Good vibes!!!

Positive outlooks and attitude

Positive self image

Be kinder this year

Play more video games because they help you out!!!

Continue to learn how to handle stress better

Continue to learn how to handle anxiety better

Continue to learn how to handle depression better

Learn to let go of internal anger

Take things in steps, don’t overwhelm self

Better learn to ground self when in sensory overload instead of just shutting down

Stim toys?

Therapy??

Be the (Good)Bad Bitch you wanna be

Save more money:

I’m probably going to sound like an asshole for this, but I’m going to try and say ‘no’ to certain things more often when it comes to spending. This is something I need to work harder on, and that’s being firm with my own spending both on myself and others. I have this bad habit of saying ‘yes’ to a lot of things rather than saying ‘no’ and that needs to change. It’s never put me in a bad spot financially but it’s often left me nothing for myself or even for my personal savings. I think the thing is that I need to get past feeling guilty about saying ‘no’, especially since I’m with people who are understanding and won’t get upset if I say that I don’t want to spend my money that way. It’s just a matter of work on myself and figuring things out and telling myself that it’s okay and there’s no reason to feel guilty about it.

I’m also going to work on budgeting myself better and putting money away as often as I can. I also think instead of putting money in a savings account through my bank, I’ll just pull out X amount of money and store it someplace safe. It’s really easy to just transfer money through my bank app from savings to checking, and I don’t wanna have that temptation any longer, especially since I’ve given into it before. I can’t really do that if my savings are at home locked away. I also wanna do that thing where you “forget” about your savings until you need it, because that’ll help a lot.

But even with all this in place, I will still use my own money in ways that make me happy, I’m not cutting off spending or going out entirely because I still very much would like to treat myself and even my fiance, but I just want to be more careful in my spending and be able to cut myself off at certain points. I’m going to be a lot more observant with my spending  

Overall I just really wanna limit myself and not throw money around when I know I can do a better job at saving. I want to have extra money on the side for; emergencies, bills, something that might cost a little extra, vacations/trips, a house, a therapist, student loans, ect.

2019 Savings:

Say no more

Limit personal spending

Try not to buy things that are unnecessary/“do I really need this?”

Create a better budget

Put physical money away in a safe place rather than in a digital savings account

Put away anywhere between $25-$100 each paycheck

Put away any bonus check money in savings immediately

Cut myself off spending at $50-$100 left in my checking unless needed

This is a lot, I know it is but hey, I have all year to work on these and even if I don’t finish everything I have next year too. This year for me is about improvement and doing the best I can to be a better person for myself and others. I’m going to push myself throughout the year and and be proud of what I’ve accomplished for myself and be happy for it. I want to be better for myself, and I wanna do right by me and get into a state I know I deserve to be in. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I know I can do it.

Happy New Year! I hope this year will be kind to you.

[cali-holland]

New York- Peter Parker One Shot

Pairing: Peter Parker X Actress!Reader

Prompt: You are a famous actress, and Peter’s celebrity crush. Sparks fly between the two of you when you visit New York.

Word Count: 2000

Masterlist   Peter Parker Masterlist

*Gif is not mine*

~~~

You hated New York- the city was too busy, too cold, just all too much for you. Maybe if you were a normal teenager you could imagine actually living there- and bearing it too- but you weren’t normal. You were an internationally famous actress and, this week, you were required to be in the dreaded city for filming reshoots. As a busy actress, you struggled with finding time for yourself; yet, somehow, you managed to slip away from your security team and leave set during your break.

You wandered your way down the bustling streets in search of shop to give you peace of mind. Entering the most interesting store in the strip, you tugged your baseball cap down and removed your designer sunglasses. You browsed around, unbothered by the other shoppers around you. For a moment, you felt normal- but only for a moment.

“Oh my God, you’re her! You’re Y/N Y/L/N!” A teenage girl squealed upon seeing you. You felt all eyes in the store fall on you.

“Yes, I am.” You smiled, concealing your sadness about being discovered. A group of teenagers began to flock around you.

“Can I have a picture? You’re my favorite actress!” She asked, holding up her phone.

“Aw, thank you. I’d love to take a photo with you.” You replied, posing for the photo. You posed for more as your fans lined up.

“I’ve got to get going. Have a nice day, everyone.” You smiled as you left the store, knowing a much larger mass would appear within a few minutes. Your cover was blown, and your day was ruined. Wanting to get away from it all, you ducked into an alley. You knew it normally would be a horrible idea- a teenager girl alone in an alley- but with the sun shining brightly above you and a buzz of people on the lining streets, you felt that it was safe enough.

“Well done, Y/N. You snuck off set and got all but attacked by your own fans.” You sighed as you sat down on the cold cement.

You jumped at the sound of a thud nearby. You were quick to your feet as you looked toward the source of the noise. A teenage boy was on the ground, clutching his knee.

“I’m sorry!” He squeaked out in embarrassment, “I didn’t mean to startle you. I just walked into the garbage can.”

“Are you  okay?” You asked, holding out a hand to help him stand. He took it and steadied himself against the wall, trying to keep as much weight off his now bruised leg as possible.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He replied, “But I could ask you the same thing.”

“Oh, I was just thinking.” You stated, awkwardly, “My life’s been pretty hard lately.”

“How hard can the life of a superstar be?” The stranger joked with a laugh, trying to ease the tension.

“You know who I am?” You replied.

“Everyone knows who the famous Y/N Y/L/N is.” He explained, making you blush.

“Well, superstardom isn’t everything it’s glammed up to be. I hardly have any control over my schedule. I ran off set today just to have a day off, but that didn’t go according to plan.”

“I’m sorry. It sounds rough.”

“Yeah, and, like you said, everyone knows who I am. I can’t go anywhere without someone wanting a picture.” You said.

“You’ve got me.” He spoke up, making you look at him confused, “I haven’t asked for a picture or autograph. You’re gorgeous and talented, but you’re a person.”

“You think I’m gorgeous?” You asked, making his smooth demeanor fade away as his cheeks heated up. He cleared his throat before responding.

“That’s all you took from that?”

“Yes. I don’t even know your name, but you’re already my favorite person in New York.”

“Peter. My name is Peter Parker.” He said, holding out a hand to you.

“Well, Peter, would you like a picture before I have to leave?” You asked.

“I can’t actually. My phone’s dead.” Peter let out a nervous laugh.

“Then my phone it is.” You smiled, pulling out the camera to take a picture with him- the first person to make you feel normal. You said goodbye to Peter and headed back to your movie set. Unbeknownst to you, Peter changed into his Spider-Man suit after you left and followed you from the rooftops. His heart fluttered as he realized he just flirted with his celebrity crush- where did that courage come from?

~~~

The night continued on for both you and Peter, yet the two of you couldn’t keep your minds of each other. You pondered if you would ever see him again; you wanted to look into his brown eyes again. And he couldn’t refrain himself from telling Ned about meeting you, discussing every detail about the encounter with his best friend. He was enchanted and starstruck, he couldn’t think straight.

The next day rolled around and Peter fell back into his dull world of school. On their way to the Academic Decathlon meeting, Peter walked with Ned and conversed about the latest Stark invention Peter had worked on.

“That’s so cool, and it’s holographic too!” Ned smiled at the thought. Peter was cut short from responding when Liz came bounding up to him.

“Peter! Did you really meet Y/N?” She asked eagerly.

“Please, Liz. We all know brainiac just hacked her account and uploaded a photoshopped pic.” Flash piped in, not moving from his seat at an empty table.

“What-” Peter began to question them as Liz showed him a tweet from 20 minutes ago. It was the photo of you and him from yesterday; you had posted it with the caption ‘I met the sweetest guy ever yesterday. Can you help me find him?’.

“That’s you, right, Peter?” Liz questioned.

“Dude, oh my God!” Ned cheered.

“Um, y-yeah that’s me.” Peter nodded.

“You met her? What was she like?” Liz’s response called everyone, except for Flash, over in interest.

“How’d you meet her?” “What did you do?” “Was she sweet?” “Is she actually that beautiful?” “Are you going to respond?” There were so many questions coming at him, Peter had to take a step back from the chaos.

“We just ran into each other on the street and we talked.” Peter explained quickly.

“Peter, you have to respond!” Liz insisted.

“How do we know Penis Parker is telling the truth? We still don’t know if he actually knows Spider-Man.” Flash stated.

“I’ll respond, but I’ll do it in private.” Peter said, as the group dispersed.

“That’s only ‘cause you’re a chicken.” Flash teased, “We know you’re bluffing, that’s why you won’t message her in front of us.”

“Don’t let him get to you.” Ned told Peter on the way to their seats.

“I won’t.” He shook his head.

~~~

Peter waited patiently that night. After telling Aunt May all about you, he had responded to you, sending you a quick message of ‘this is Peter’. He knew it was lame, but he didn’t know quite what to say. He just wanted to have yesterday’s confidence back. His phone dinged and he almost flew across the room to grab it.

‘Hi, Peter! How was your day?’ You asked, making casual conversation. Peter waited a few seconds before responding.

‘Not too bad. And yours? I hope it was better than yesterday.’

‘Yesterday was great because I met you.’ At your response, Peter’s heart dropped.

“May!” Peter called for his aunt and she came bursting into his room immediately.

“Are you okay?” She asked, worried.

“I don’t know. Look!” He handed her his phone with the message pulled up.

“Oh Peter.” She smiled, fondly as she read over the few messages. “Ask her out.”

“What? May, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. You are Peter Parker. Now, ask that girl out. It sounds like she really likes you.”

“But, May, she’s-”

“Do it, or I will.” May teasingly threatened, giving him his phone back. He sighed and typed out his next message,

‘Yeah, I enjoyed yesterday. Are you free tomorrow night?’ Tomorrow would be a Friday, an appropriate night for a first date, or so he thought.

“How exciting! Peter, you’re going on a date!” May smiled eagerly as he blushed.

“She hasn’t responded yet-” As soon as the words left his mouth, his phone dinged again.

‘As a matter of fact, I am.’

“Go on, go on.” His aunt urged.

‘Would you like to go out for dinner then?’ Hitting send, Peter inhaled a sharp breath and May squealed.

‘I’d love that.’

“Yes! You have to take her to that nice Italian restaurant a block away. I’ll get your dress shirt to the dry cleaners in the morning-” May rambled on excitedly as she hurried down the hall to prepare. Peter sighed dreamily- he had a date with his celebrity crush and he had no clue how.

~~~

Because of your celebrity status, you asked Peter if the date could be simple and private, which led to it taking place at Peter’s apartment. May hid in her room as you and Peter conversed over several different subjects. With Peter, you could be yourself and not have a care in the world- you absolutely loved it.

Unfortunately, your phone rang in the middle of eating a brownie sundae for dessert. You excused yourself as you picked it up. You sighed, hearing the familiar voice of your manager. After a quick exchange, you hung up and turned to Peter.

“Is everything alright?” He asked, worried you weren’t enjoying yourself.

“Not really.” You confessed, “My manager wants me back because we’ve got an early shoot in the morning. I need my ‘beauty sleep’.” You placed air quotes around the silly phrase.

“Want me to walk you to the hotel? So you don’t have to hail a cab?” Peter offered, standing up from the table.

“Sure.” You smiled.

“One moment.” He said, going off to grab his shoes and a jacket.

“I had fun tonight, Peter.” You stated when the two of you got outside.

“Really? I was hoping the small apartment wouldn’t throw it off.” Peter admitted.

“No, it didn’t. It’s homey- I like that.”

“Homey?” He asked with a laugh.

“Homey. It’s a normal apartment, you actually live in it. It’s homey.” The two of you shared a laugh before you changed the topic, “You know, after these reshoots, I’ll have to go back to L.A..”

“Oh,” Peter replied. The thought of you living across the country had never occurred to him before.

“But New York’s been growing on me, and my parents are considering buying an apartment out here for me. I mean it’d be in Soho or Manhattan, but I could still see you.”

“Wait,” Peter stopped in his path and turned to you, “You’d leave Los Angeles for me?”

“Oh, well,” You blushed, realizing how bad your words must have sounded. You were just teengagers and the first date hadn’t even ended, plus you just met him two days ago. You nervously pushed some hair behind your ear, “I have to come out here a lot for work anyway. It’d just be easier, ya know?”

“Right.” He nodded and the two of you continued walking.

“I know this sounds crazy, but, Peter, I really like you. You make me feel normal- I haven’t felt that in years.”

“Really?” He asked, surprised by your confession. You smiled shyly and nodded, “Well, I mean, I really like you too, but don’t you think it’s a bit far-fetched? You’re a renowned actress and I’m just me, a boy from Queens.”

“Are you trying to say you’re not good enough for me? I’m telling you right now, you are. I don’t care what the media will think. We don’t have to listen to them.” You replied. Peter’s hesitant look remained until you slipped your hand into his.

And that was how Peter became one of the most popular people at school: dating a high-end actress that every teenager in Queens aspired to be. As for you, you really started to like New York.

~~~ Tag List: @gray-rose13 @cutefluffy89 @flammy-whater @ria132love

[euroman1945-blog]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Saturday 14th July 2018

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Are you all set for the weekend, shopping, visit to family and or friends, maybe packing to catch a plane or take a trip, or what about a trip to the movies, my good friends, whatever it is carry on doing it … don't let the terrible thing that happened in Nice, London, Berlin, Paris or Manchester affect what you do, if it does the terrorist has won and we will never get our lives back again, I still walk my friend and companion Bella at 4am in a town full of people from Arabic countries and I will until it's my turn to get off this little blue planet, NO, I am not trying to be a hero, I'm a realist, the chance of that happening to me are slim and none, and you Gentle Reader, no matter where you are, the UK, Europe, United States of America or any other country in the world have the same odds, what the terrorist wants is YOU and ME to think we are next, and we are not, you have much more chance of being hit by a bus than being a statistic in a terror attack, so don't sit in the house worried, enjoy life, smell the Tulip's go down the Pub/Bar have fun and enjoy your selves, on this little blue planet we call Earth as we spin through space and time together.....

INSTALLATION OF SPEED CAMERA SCHEME ON A90 THAT ‘WILL SAVE LIVES’ GETS UNDER WAY…. The installation of average speed cameras along a notorious stretch of road has begun. Thirty average speed cameras will be installed on the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven this year. Yesterday, a camera, signs and apparatus to hold more average speed cameras were installed – the first of the cameras which will be placed between three and four miles apart. There will be 15 on each side of the carriageway, similar to the system already in place between Perth and Dunblane. Sandra Burke, chairwoman of Tealing Community Council, said the initiative was going to “save lives”. She said: “We really welcome the installation of the average speed cameras. “The thing about Tealing is that it bridges the A90 so we have cars, tractors and other vehicles in the community crossing the road. “The cameras can potentially save lives.” Sandra said the community council believes a reduction in the speed limit on the road — from 70mph to 50mph — would be the next step in ensuring the safety of the public. She added: “We are pushing for a reduction in the speed limit but we believe that the average speed camera installation is a step forward for us.” Luke Macauley, head of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, is one of the key people behind the scheme. Previously, he spoke to The Daily Thistle when the introduction of the cameras was announced and insisted the move would see fatal crash statistics drop. He said: “We install these cameras to save lives and improve road safety. “Unfortunately, the A90 features as one of the trunk roads with the highest collision statistics. “One death is one too many and you’ll get no apologies from us for doing what we can to reduce that.” The A90 cameras will be the third such scheme in Scotland, following the introduction of average speed stretches on the A77 in Ayrshire in 2005 and the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness in 2014. The cameras work by detecting vehicles’ number plates and using the time they take to travel from one camera to the next to calculate an average speed. Figures from Transport Scotland show more than 13,000 speeding offences were logged on the A90 by speed cameras in 2015 — accounting for 20% of the total number recorded in Scotland.

SCOT MURDERED AT HOME IN MAURITIUS…. A Scottish woman has been murdered in a robbery at her home in Mauritius while her young son was in the house. It is thought Janice Farman, 47, may have been smothered by the thieves, who stole jewellery and money then drove away in her car. Police were called to the property at Albion on the Indian Ocean island at about 1am on Friday and found Ms Farman’s body in her bed. Officers also found her 10-year-old autistic son in the property and have passed him into the care of the child development unit. Police have launched an investigation and are hunting three suspects. The car has been found and will be examined by specialists. Ms Farman, thought to be originally from Clydebank, was the managing director of PECS Data Services in Mauritius.

BOOZED-UP PARTY-GOER BREAKS PELVIS JUMPING THROUGH WINDOW AFTER POLICE ARRIVED….  A booze-fuelled man, 20, threw a TV from a second-floor window before jumping through it himself when police arrived – breaking his pelvis. The “dangerous” act left Stefan Shelton hospitalised. He carried out the offence after drinking at a party – and said he had no memory of the incident. Shelton appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted a charge of behaving in a culpable and reckless manner by throwing the TV from the window at a flat on the city’s Justice Street, on to a footpath below. The offence took place on September 8 last year. According to the Evening Express, defence agent Les Green said: “This would appear to be a party he was invited to. “He drank far too much.” The court was told that there was mobile phone video footage recorded of the incident. Mr Green said: “He has no recollection of doing this at all. “From what I’ve heard from the footage people are chanting and urging him to throw the TV out the window. “He responded to the pressure, it was a stupid thing to do.” The defence agent also told the court: “When police arrived he jumped out the same window and broke his pelvis.” Mr Green added that Shelton was aware of the “danger” his actions had posed to those below on the street. He said: “He has not drank since. “He got a shock when I suggested this is something the court could impose a custodial sentence for. “He tells me now he has had something of a shock to his system.” Shelton, whose address was given in court papers as Whitehill Place, Peterhead, was fined £250 by Sheriff Christine McCrossan. Sentencing Shelton, Sheriff McCrossan said she wanted the 20-year-old to realise how “dangerous” his actions were, citing the case of a person who threw a traffic cone from a bridge in Edinburgh, leaving the person it struck paralysed.

FORGOTTEN SECOND WORLD WAR AIR SHELTER DISCOVERED BY WORKERS…. Workers installing one of Scotland’s largest solar panel projects have unearthed a lost piece of military history. Contractors were cutting back shrubbery during the work at a waste treatment plant in Montrose when they discovered a preserved air raid shelter from the Second World War. The shelter was part of the former RAF Montrose site, just off the Angus coast. The old base is said to be haunted by the ghost of a pilot who crashed at the site back in 1913. Mari Davies, the project manager for Scottish Water Horizons who is carrying out the solar panel work, said the discovery was “interesting”. She said: “The site was overgrown and we had to do a bit of work first to remove the dense shrubbery. “Having liaised with the local council, we knew that in the past the area could have been home to munitions and radioactive material, all remnants of the Second World War. “Thankfully nothing hazardous was uncovered which meant we were able to carry on with the work. “However once we’d cleared the land, we made the unexpected discovery of the air raid shelter. Although an interesting find, it did mean we have to alter our plans slightly to fit round it.” “The treatment works also sits on part of what was RAF Montrose which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Lieutenant Desmond Arthur, a pilot who crashed there in 1913. There have been many sightings of him over the years, but luckily none of our contractors had any paranormal experiences.

DUNDEE WOMAN SLAMS ‘LAUGHABLE’ MOMENT SHOP IN ENGLAND TURNS DOWN HER SCOTTISH BANK NOTE…. A Dundee woman has spoken of her “frustration” after being turned away after attempting to hand over Scottish notes in a shop in England. Diane Drysdale had been enjoying an anniversary break with husband Clive in the Lake District, Cumbria, at the start of the week. After travelling down on Monday, the couple prepared to head back up the road to Kirkton after an enjoyable trip. However, their break turned sour after they and nipped into the Spar shop in Appleby-in-Westmorland on Tuesday night. Diane described the episode as “laughable”. The 42-year-old explained: “We went into the shop for a couple of bits and pieces for travelling. “We went to hand over a Scottish note and the woman immediately said: ‘No, we can’t take that’.” Diane added that the shop worker pointed them in the direction of a cash machine outside. Thankfully for Diane, the store was quiet at the time and her embarrassment was kept to a minimum. She added: “Yes, we could have just used our card, but that’s not the point. It was only a couple of pounds-worth of stuff. It was also pouring of rain and we were told we’d have to go out to get cash. “We were in Turkey recently, a country outwith the EU, and they accepted our Sterling but a few miles down the road in England we can’t use it?” Diane posted her complaint on the Spar Facebook page, to which they responded that the shopkeeper should have accepted the cash, but said they’d look into it. Since then, the Dundonian hasn’t heard back from the national retailer and has described the situation as “frustrating”. A spokeswoman for Spar said: “We try very hard to make sure that our customers have a positive shopping experience with us and in this instance we are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to Ms Drysdale.” By law, Scottish bank notes are legal currency and have no reason not to be accepted – other than at the discretion of the shop. The Association of Commercial Banknote Issuers states: “The acceptability of any means of payment, including banknotes, is essentially a matter for agreement between the parties involved.”

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of the eerie light through the trees near the Falls of Clyde, captured by John McElwee....

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Saturday 14th July 2018 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus #Scotland #Spain #Travel #Coffee #News #Blog #Dundee

[rironomind]

GS Artists Rec List

I told @the-nysh I would do this so I did. I’m just here to shamelessly promote my favs.  If you want to binge on art, trawl Pixiv and bookmarks. If you want daily art, follow the artists’ Twitter, or @GSnightfight. 

Sidenote: It is strange to know that some of the raunchiest stuff come from mums. 

(Artists under the cut!)

Kinako [Pixiv] [Twitter]- Protec. Their comic strips are so cute and good. Like this one here and an ongoing one on Twitter. I don’t really understand it but it seems like Genos drank a memory loss chemical to forget about how he couldn’t really love Saitama but then ended up in a relationship with him anyway? He calls just calls Saitama “Saitama”, it’s very bittersweet because he regrets drinking it. (Full thread here)

Yutani [Pixiv] - They do doujins, including one where Genos turns into a white wolf and one where Saitama gets double-teamed by devil!Genos and bunny!Genos.

Lisa [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Have I mentioned lately how much I love Lisa? I’ve been following her ever since she did “The person who makes you happy/Happy people” (Part 1/Part 2). She just did an omegaverse doujin too. Her style is a bit anatomically questionable but they look soft and blushy and muscley and romantic so I’m into it. She’s also done a couple of fake movie posters that’s also very tender. ^3^ (Also, nice try Lisa, I know you draw gratuitous bottom!Genos porn on a separate Twitter account.)

Nano [Pixiv] [Twitter] [Tumblr] - Soft, round egg. They did a doujin where Saitama gets fucked while wearing a dress as well as this really nice sfw doujin about Genos realising he likes Saitama. And who could forget this iconic fake twitter video. (Also they’re on tumblr! Please show them more love)

Polon [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Soft watercolour style, lithe muscley egg illustrations in sexy (and funny) poses and outfits. Loads of lovely short R18 comics. One of my favs is in here where Saitama’s cum is turned into Cookies and Cream flavour by a monster and this one where Saitama gets a bad fan letter and needs some TLC. They also have cat!sensei and dog!Genos versions which are super cute. Cat!Sensei is very chubby (it’s in their icon!).

Oikkodeth [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Yall better recognise. Mainly R18 doujins and puts out one every event (that’s like 5 times a year or more). They’ve covered the whole range: hanahaki, Little Red Riding Hood, human torso!Genos and more. Anatomy is a bit stiff but they’re so proficient.

Mido [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Korean but translates her comics to Japanese. Expressive, cute, clean comic style.

Akiyama [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Yall better fucking R E C O G N I S E. They, along with asamizu and a few others, have been posting since 2013. They churn out doujins like a machine and even has their own category in the doujin store, their books took up half a shelf. Consistently cute, punchy dialogue and doesn’t deal with drama. But you don’t need me to tell you. (Look at this though!!)

Hoyu [Pixiv] [Twitter] - You guys remember the sausage pillow comic? Do you like spit, licking, kinks and softcore yandere Genos? You’re gonna love Hoyu. Also, she knows loads of people? I always see her in the comments on twitter. Very skinny boys and twisted love, a new and interesting sketchy style.

Akiko [Pixiv] [Twitter] - A very girly and attentive waifu top!Genos and a tired Saitama. Puts out a comic strip almost every day? #blessed. (Sensei, please be sweet to me!) Doesn’t do R18 very often.

Oishigeru [Pixiv] - Does only doujins, maybe twice a year? Most, if not all are R18 and Saitama always looks vaguely worried. i like Even If mostly because it’s the only one I read all the way through and it’s about insecurities of a relationship. There was another doujin about Genos/Two Saitamas. Does introspective egg very well so I’m immediately biased. Doesn’t post art on twitter so I’m not including it.

Emochikaoya [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Yall already know I’m a massive fan of Kaoya’s work. Kinkwise, if you think of it, she’s probably drawn it. Super efficient, churns out minicomics once a week in between drawing her original comic (can’t stop the thirst, guys). I’m trying to get her to do more coloured illustrations so if you guys want to stroke her ego, I’ll pass it on. My favourite doujin of hers is ‘Who’ and it has hands-down The Best Egg Lecture. Probably one of the few artists who bother to translate to English (you’re welcome). I have a million things to say about her but it would turn into an essay so I’ll stop.

Minerux [Pixiv] [Twitter] - A member of the @GSNightFight challenge on Twitter. Uncertain and worried egg and supportive and very attentive borg. Check out “Curiousity” and “Red String” and a personal fav “Hold on”.

Dokimaru [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Her neko sensei is probably the most iconic. He has a sweatshirt with like 6 nipples? Iconic. they drew a hot springs doujin where Genos turned basically his whole body into a vibe and Saitama caused him to short circuit and blow out every fuse in the ryokan. They set off the fire sprinklers. This one ficart where Saitama gets double-teamed by two Genoses knocked me flat.

Mat [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mat?? Is so?? Good?? Ever think about how a look can break your heart? Egg is always tired and Genos is worried. Contact is very sweet and makes your heart twinge, and there’s another one they just released about Saitama being cursed with handcuffed hands

Hebitoriasu [Pixiv] [Twitter] - I’m not a big fan of the shading but I can see improvement. Mostly R18 doujins but they’re cute.

Tori/Saboten [Pixiv] [Twitter] - They have two major AUs - fem!Saitama (Nyotama) and Sabo-sensei - and they’re both amazing. Very good readability, very funny comics. If you’re not a fan of fem!Saitama, they have dedicated groups of art for nyotama. Of course my fav of their works is the one with all of Saitama and Genos’ dating problems and the one where Saitama is “Weak to ikemen (handsome guys)”.

Asamizu [Pixiv] - What kind of useless list would this be without Asamizu? Yeah they had their own category too on the doujin shelf. Very nice graphics, and they discuss relationship topics in a candid manner. Been drawing these boys for over 4 years! Mostly doujins. I also have to plug their game (visual novel) about Saitama endlessly repeating a week to try to get Genos to stop asking him out, it will probably last 10 hours. God they do love to ramble.

Toufumaru [Pixiv] - I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of their recent work (sailor uniform sensei and sensei who wants to be held) but I really like Blue in Blue and Mellow Yellow which talk about Saitama’s non-existent emotions.

Nemunoki [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mainly R18 doujins. They’ve explored all manner of sexual situations and kinks. Outdoor sex, electricity, double penetration, tentacles, you name it. It’s all amazing. The perspective does throw me off though.

Untara [Pixiv] - Into switch but really likes bottom!Genos anyway. What can I say? Kinky, but hot.

Satoku [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Melancholy egg! Attentive Genos! Does mostly short comics but they’re so cute. Martyr Saitama is my jam!

Kamikoawakakyouko [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Interesting concepts. Recently released a comic that I consider to be the pinnacle of the OPM fandom because it’s Saitama having to consider the environmental/global impact of his strength and how that boils down to affect his everyday life.

Matabi [Pixiv] - Pretty much only doujins. Sensei has moobs and the boys are squishy and blushy. Also does quite a bit of rimming.

Sototuka [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mostly R18 illustrations with some nice shading but questionable garments. She drew this doujin with futa!Sensei and double-dick Genos. 

Hara Hara [Pixiv] - Saitama is the manic pixie dream girl you guys never thought would exist. Fashion model ingenue. Werk it, sensei. Permanent come hither. Seeing Saitama in dresses brings me life (even if he is super skinny).

Raoki [Pixiv] - Mainly R18 illustrations. I remembered she did sounding with Pocky.

Gmeko [Pixiv] - C U T E. Round and pastels. Soft with lots of TLC. Did a “(I’ll find you) Before the stars do” comic and a hair washing comic.

NICE BOON [Pixiv] - Korean who takes no shit. Fantastic fashion. Little to no BL but the concepts are all on pointe. Existential egg. Eggistential. Locked twitter.

Silver_mssk [Pixiv]  [Twitter] - locked account but if you managed to add her…really, really good eggistential portraits in a variety of scenes. Hilarious comics and a stone face Genos and flailing egg. Also lots of Mobuncle/Saitama scenarios? Which…tbh same.

Foo2333 [Twitter] - What if Saitama took part in enjo kosai (paid dating)? Bottom!Saitama, a soft and sexy egg desired by all. Listen, I don’t make the rules. 

Skaky21 [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mostly out of the fandom but dips in sometimes. Very polished shiny style. Not my cup of tea but it’s cute.

1200年丸 [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Now mostly BNHA but does OPM sometimes. Mostly SFW. This comic is cute.

ICHIKAZU [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Curly haired boyish Genos! Everyone’s crazy about her Apocaplyse!AU but I prefer her newest doujin where Saitama wins a camera and Genos uses it to take lots of pictures of his sensei.

Kaji Oyaji [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Wowowow so cute and pastel? Is everyone an angel? Am I dead? Soft and sweet. Saitama is like a fairy and Genos is in love. Imagine the embodiment of Spring.

Ginsky [Pixiv] - Chinese. They’ve moved on but boy those were some bright colours and expressive faces.

Tutu_en_f [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Soft romantic sketches. Feel very french but I’m only saying that because she is literally in France now.

COCONUT [Pixiv] - Korean. Fashionable (you see a trend?) Saigenos sketches. Young boyish Genos, manly egg.

Obachan [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Chibi comics. Still active and cute af.

Shiwasu [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Woah this egg is too cute for this world. Does short comics, draws sex but not especially ero. I like this one which is about Genos becoming able to read Saitama’s mind, first kiss (self explanatory) and Saitama losing his strength (R18).

Nyuton [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Active on Twitter. Posts a lot of speed-colouring videos. Nice sketchy feeling but with colour. Likes to borrow concepts from music videos.

Mochi [Pixiv] - Crudely-drawn gag comics with a humour on par with ONE’s. Please, they’re so good. This one opens up with both of them wearing The Dress.

Shout out to starjr_major who is currently in Golden Kamui hell but used to draw some really amazingly cute Saitama.