#teeth sealants flushing

[flushingfamilydentistry]

Protecting Young Smiles: The Importance of Dental Sealants for Children

The health of a child's teeth is crucial, not only for their immediate well-being but also for their long-term dental health. As children grow, their teeth are exposed to a variety of factors that can lead to decay, including sugary foods, poor oral hygiene, and the natural development of their dental anatomy. One effective preventive measure that has gained recognition among dental professionals is the application of dental sealants. This article explores the importance of dental sealants for children, how they work, and their role in fostering healthy smiles that last a lifetime.

Understanding Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a preventive treatment designed to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth, particularly the back molars, which are more prone to cavities. These sealants are thin, protective coatings made from a plastic resin that is applied to the grooves and fissures of the teeth. The application of dental sealants creates a smooth, easy-to-clean surface, effectively sealing out food particles and bacteria that can lead to decay.

Why Are Dental Sealants Important?

The significance of dental sealants lies in their ability to prevent tooth decay, particularly in children. Research indicates that children are at a higher risk for cavities during their formative years, especially when their permanent molars erupt. Here are several reasons why dental sealants are essential for protecting young smiles:

High Risk of Cavities: Children’s molars have deep grooves and fissures that can trap food particles and plaque, making them susceptible to cavities. Sealants act as a barrier, preventing food and bacteria from accumulating in these hard-to-reach areas.

Cost-Effective Prevention: The cost of treating cavities can quickly add up, especially if multiple fillings or more extensive dental work is required. By applying dental sealants, parents can invest in preventive care that is significantly less expensive than restorative treatments.

Promoting Healthy Habits: The application of dental sealants encourages children to prioritize their oral health. When they understand that their smiles are being protected, they may be more inclined to adopt good dental hygiene practices, such as regular brushing and flossing.

Long-Lasting Protection: Dental sealants can last several years, providing ongoing protection against cavities. With proper care and regular dental check-ups, sealants can remain effective, further reducing the risk of decay.

The Process of Applying Dental Sealants

Understanding the process of applying dental sealants can help alleviate any concerns parents may have regarding the treatment. The application is quick, painless, and typically performed during a routine dental visit. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:

Step 1: Cleaning the Teeth

The dentist will begin by thoroughly cleaning the teeth to remove any plaque, food particles, or debris. This step is essential to ensure that the sealant adheres properly to the tooth surface.

Step 2: Preparing the Tooth Surface

Once the teeth are clean, the dentist will dry the tooth surfaces and apply an acidic solution to create a rough texture on the enamel. This etching process helps the sealant bond effectively to the tooth.

Step 3: Applying the Sealant

After preparing the tooth surface, the dentist will carefully apply the dental sealant to the grooves and fissures of the molars. The sealant will flow into the crevices, creating a protective barrier against decay.

Step 4: Curing the Sealant

To ensure the sealant hardens properly, the dentist may use a special light to cure the material. This process typically takes just a few seconds, and once completed, the sealant will be set and ready to provide protection.

Step 5: Final Check

After the sealant has been applied and cured, the dentist will check to ensure that the sealant has been applied evenly and that the bite is not affected. Adjustments may be made if necessary.

The Benefits of Dental Sealants

The benefits of dental sealants extend beyond mere cavity prevention. Here are some additional advantages that make sealants an excellent choice for children:

Enhanced Oral Hygiene

By sealing the grooves and fissures of molars, dental sealants make it easier for children to maintain good oral hygiene. The smooth surface of the sealed teeth allows for more effective brushing and flossing, reducing the likelihood of plaque buildup.

Early Detection of Dental Issues

Regular dental visits for sealant application often coincide with routine check-ups. This means that dentists can monitor the overall dental health of children and identify any potential issues early on. Early detection can lead to more effective and less invasive treatment options.

Increased Confidence

Children who have healthy, cavity-free teeth are more likely to feel confident in their smiles. This boost in self-esteem can positively impact their social interactions and overall well-being.

Lifelong Benefits

The impact of dental sealants can extend well into adulthood. Children who receive sealants are less likely to develop cavities in their molars, which can lead to healthier teeth as they grow older. This long-term benefit underscores the importance of preventive dental care.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Most dental professionals recommend that children receive dental sealants as soon as their permanent molars erupt, typically between the ages of 6 and 12. However, sealants can also be beneficial for adults who have deep grooves in their teeth or are at a higher risk for cavities. Here are some factors to consider when determining if dental sealants are appropriate:

Age and Development

As mentioned earlier, the ideal time to apply dental sealants is when the first permanent molars erupt. However, children with primary teeth that are at risk for decay may also benefit from sealants.

History of Cavities

Children who have had cavities in the past are at a higher risk for future decay. Dental sealants can provide an extra layer of protection for these vulnerable teeth.

Dietary Habits

If a child consumes a diet high in sugary foods and beverages, they may be more susceptible to cavities. Dental sealants can help mitigate this risk, especially if combined with good oral hygiene practices.

Oral Hygiene Practices

Children who struggle with maintaining effective oral hygiene may benefit from dental sealants. The protective barrier created by sealants can help reduce the likelihood of cavities, even in the presence of less-than-ideal brushing and flossing habits.

Debunking Myths About Dental Sealants

Despite the numerous benefits of dental sealants, some misconceptions may lead parents to overlook this preventive treatment. Here are a few common myths and the facts that debunk them:

Myth 1: Sealants Are Only for Children

While dental sealants are primarily recommended for children, they can also benefit adults who have deep grooves in their teeth or are at risk for cavities. Sealants can provide protection for molars that are more susceptible to decay, regardless of age.

Myth 2: Sealants Are Not Effective

Research has shown that dental sealants can significantly reduce the risk of cavities in molars. Studies indicate that sealants can be up to 80% effective in preventing decay during the first two years after application, and they continue to provide protection for many years.

Myth 3: Sealants Are Unsafe

Dental sealants are composed of safe, non-toxic materials. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorse the use of sealants as a safe and effective preventive measure.

Myth 4: Sealants Don’t Require Maintenance

While dental sealants are long-lasting, they are not permanent. Regular dental check-ups are essential to monitor the condition of the sealants and ensure they remain intact. If a sealant becomes worn or chipped, a dentist can easily reapply it.

Conclusion

Protecting young smiles is a vital aspect of ensuring lifelong dental health, and dental sealants play a crucial role in this endeavor. By providing a barrier against cavities and promoting good oral hygiene practices, sealants can help children maintain healthy teeth throughout their formative years. The application process is simple, effective, and safe, making dental sealants an essential part of preventive dental care.

Parents should consider the numerous benefits of dental sealants and discuss the possibility of applying them with their child's dentist. By investing in dental sealants, parents can take proactive steps to safeguard their children’s smiles, ultimately leading to a healthier and more confident future. As they grow and develop, children with protected teeth are more likely to enjoy the advantages of good oral health, setting the stage for a lifetime of bright, beautiful smiles.

[dealsdart]

**Say Goodbye to Tooth Decay: A Simple Guide to Maintaining Oral Health**

A Simple Guide to Maintaining Oral Health

That many people face, but the good news is that there are effective ways to address and prevent it. In this article, we'll explore simple strategies to get rid of tooth decay and promote oral health. Additionally, we'll introduce you to a product called Steel Bite Pro, which has gained popularity for its potential benefits in supporting dental hygiene.

1. **Brushing and Flossing: The Basics**

- **Brush Twice a Day:**

Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. This helps remove plaque and bacteria that contribute to tooth decay.

- **Floss Daily:** Regular flossing is crucial to reach areas between teeth where your toothbrush may not effectively clean. Flossing helps prevent the buildup of plaque and reduces the risk of cavities.

2. **Healthy Eating Habits: Watch Your Diet**

- **Limit Sugary Foods:**

Sugary snacks and beverages are notorious for promoting tooth decay. Reduce your intake of sugary items, especially between meals.

- **Include Calcium-Rich Foods:**

Calcium is essential for strong teeth. Incorporate dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods into your diet to support dental health.

3. **Regular Dental Check-ups: Prevention is Key**

- **Visit Your Dentist:** Regular dental check-ups are vital for catching dental issues early on. Your dentist can identify and address signs of tooth decay before they become major problems.

4. **Hydration and Saliva Production**

- **Drink Plenty of Water:**

Water helps flush out bacteria and acids from your mouth, maintaining a healthy environment. It also promotes saliva production, which plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay.

5. **Steel Bite Pro: A Potential Ally in Oral Health**

- **What is Steel Bite Pro?:**

Steel Bite Pro is a dental health supplement that claims to support oral hygiene. It contains a blend of natural ingredients, such as herbs and minerals, believed to promote gum health and combat harmful bacteria.

- **How Steel Bite Pro Works:**

According to its proponents, Steel Bite Pro works by addressing the root causes of dental issues. The ingredients in this supplement are thought to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

- **User Reviews and Testimonials:**

While individual experiences may vary, some users claim positive results after using Steel Bite Pro. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before adding any supplement to your routine.

**6. **Limit Acidic Foods and Beverages:**

- **Acid Erosion:**

Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, sodas, and certain juices, can erode tooth enamel. Limit your consumption of these items to protect your teeth from acid-induced decay.

- **Rinse Your Mouth:**

If you do indulge in acidic foods or beverages, rinse your mouth with water afterward to neutralize acids and minimize their harmful effects on your teeth.

**7. **Chew Sugar-Free Gum:**

**Stimulate Saliva Production:**

Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production, which aids in neutralizing acids and promoting a healthy oral environment. Choose gum with xylitol, a sugar substitute that may also help prevent cavities.

**8. ** Quit Smoking:**

**Impact on Oral Health:**

Smoking has detrimental effects on oral health, including an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Quitting smoking not only benefits your overall health but also significantly improves your oral hygiene.

**9. **DIY Remedies - Oil Pulling:**

-**Ancient Practice:**

Oil pulling is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil (usually coconut or sesame oil) in your mouth to reduce bacteria. While scientific evidence is limited, some people find it beneficial as a complementary oral care routine.

**10. **Consider Professional Treatments:**

-**Dental Sealants:**

Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent decay. Consult with your dentist to see if sealants are a suitable option for you or your children.

- **Fluoride Treatments:**

Professional fluoride treatments at your dentist's office can strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Your dentist can recommend the frequency of these treatments based on your oral health needs.

**11. **Stay Informed and Educated:**

- **Keep Up with Oral Health Information:**

Dental care is continually evolving, and staying informed about the latest developments in oral health can empower you to make better decisions for your dental care routine. Follow reputable dental websites, blogs, and consult your dentist regularly for updates and advice.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution for preventing tooth decay. Each person's oral health needs are unique, so it's essential to tailor your routine based on guidance from dental professionals and your own experiences. By combining these tips with a commitment to regular dental check-ups, you can take significant steps towards achieving a healthy, cavity-free smile.

Conclusion:

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for preventing tooth decay and other dental problems. By following simple practices like regular brushing, flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet, you can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay. While products like Steel Bite Pro may be considered, it's crucial to do thorough research and consult with your dentist before incorporating any supplement into your oral care routine. Remember, a combination of consistent dental habits and professional guidance is the key to a healthy smile.

Click Here to More Information 

[sociomi]

Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums

The most effective way to safeguard your oral wellbeing is to embrace beneficial routines, like cleaning your teeth two times per day and seeing your dental specialist at regular intervals. We know for a fact that patients with the best grins are those that grasp the worth of preventive dentistry. It's never past the time to begin assuming command over your oral wellbeing, which is the reason we're offering our 5 best ways to get solid teeth and gums.

Plaque is an undetectable film of microscopic organisms that adheres to your teeth and gums. Over the long run, this plaque eats sugar and starch to deliver corrosive. This corrosive disintegrates tooth polish and goes after your gums, seriously jeopardizing you for oral medical problems. Luckily, our dental specialists can eliminate plaque and tartar, as well as encourage you on the best way to keep a sound grin.

Tips for Solid Teeth and Gums The most effective way to get solid teeth and gums is to keep an oral cleanliness schedule. Cleaning your teeth two times per day and other great dental propensities assist with eliminating plaque so you can stay away from pits and gum sickness. See our rundown of 7 sound teeth tips beneath:

Stay away from sweet food sources and beverages. Clean your teeth two times every day. Floss your teeth one time each day. Use mouth flush one time each day. Get Dental Sealants Abstain from smoking, biting tobacco, and liquor See your dental specialist at regular intervals for an oral assessment and teeth cleaning.

At any point do your teeth feel fluffy or harsh? Assuming this is the case, you might be abandoning dental plaque on your teeth. Plaque loves to eat sugar and uses it to deliver cavity causing corrosive. You may particularly feel plaque on your teeth in the wake of eating sweet food sources. Check out dental care.

It's essential to check names in the store since numerous food varieties we believe are "sound" aren't great for your teeth. For instance, a few kinds of yogurt can have a great deal of sugar. In like manner, sports drinks frequently contain surprisingly sugar. Restricting sweet food varieties and beverages will make it simpler for you to stay away from oral medical problems.

[localcitationprojects]

Children should visit a pediatric dental office by their first birthday. It is crucial that your child’s newly developed teeth gets proper dental care and benefit from good oral hygiene habits right from the start. My Smiles Orthodontics has comprehensive pediatric dental treatments not limited to checkups, dental cleanings, sealants, restoration of tooth but also include oral hygiene instructions and educations. Our experienced and trained team members specialize in pediatric care and treat our patients like family. Instilling confidence in young patients, in our opinion, is essential to achieving long-term success in oral health.

[vippediatricdentist]

How To Care For Your Child's Teeth?

Healthy teeth are essential for good oral and overall health. Healthy and strong teeth lead to beautiful teeth sets. Teeth help children to talk and eat. They may suffer from oral diseases like tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, or oral infections if they do not maintain good oral health. They may even lose a tooth, resulting in misalignment and bite issues.

You may be considering when to schedule your child's first dental appointment. So how will you know when your child should start brushing and flossing their teeth? Many children have dental problems like tooth decay and cavities that often occur because of eating sugary foods. But your child can improve their oral health with the professional pediatric dental center of miami dental care.

When Should Your Kids See a Dentist?

The Dentist recommends that children visit the Dentist every 6 months for regular checkups and start the visit by their first birthday. Your Dentist will first explain proper brushing and flossing techniques and examine the baby's teeth.

These visits will help the Dentist determine if oral problems may cause problems. Making their visit from an early age can help them get rid of their dental fear. Take your kid to the Dentist, who is a kid specialist and is good at treating kids. They must have a friendly nature and a good atmosphere where you and your child can feel comfortable and safe.

Suppose your child has any dental problems or risk of cavities. In that case, the Dentist may apply topical fluoride before all teeth appear. Fluoride hardens the tooth enamel, preventing most common childhood oral problems like dental cavities. There are dental options in north miami where you can correct your child's dental issues with many dental options.

How To Prevent Cavities?

Kids love eating sugary foods and junk food; these foods can stick to the teeth, and if not flushed out, all these food particles from the mouth can deposit to the tooth enamel and make a layer on the tooth enamel called plaque and then hardens to tartar, which can form cavity if not appropriately treated.

Ask your child to follow these healthy oral habits:

Encourage kids to floss and use fluoride toothpaste twice a day regularly.

Fluoride treatment strengthens the enamel, making it more resistant to acid penetration. Although many towns use fluoridated tap water, some don't. Ask your pediatric dental center in biscayne about fluoride supplements or if your water supply needs fluoridation. Fluoride is present in most toothpaste. However, toothpaste alone won't safeguard a child's teeth. But remember, too much fluoride can stain teeth. Before using supplements, talk to your Dentist.

Cavities can be brought on by sugary foods, drinks, candies, incredibly sticky, gummy sweets, or gummy vitamins. If your children consume these foods, ask them to clean their teeth or rinse their mouths afterward to remove the sugar. The same rule applies to children who take sweetened liquid medications: make sure they rinse or brush right away.

The Dentist can assist in preventing decay by coating the rear teeth, which are used for most chewing, with a thin coating of resin (called a sealant) as your kid’s permanent teeth burst. This wall prevents bacteria from growing in the molars' difficult-to-reach crevices. But make sure children understand that sealants don't replace thorough brushing and routine dental cleanings.

In Conclusion:

Visit the best pediatric Dentist near me in North Miami  regularly to prevent their teeth from cavities and oral issues. Schedule an appointment now!

Article source : https://www.spiceupblogging.com/how-to-care-for-your-childs-teeth/

[mosmandentalsurgery]

Get Emergency Dental Care to Get Rid of Emergency Dental Issues

Dental crises are normal and, now and then, undeniable. Emergency dental care is a significant part of the day-to-day schedule of any dental specialist. While periodontal disease is the most common reason for seeking emergency care, dental emergencies can also arise as a result of a dental injury caused by a mishap. At the point when an unexpected dental issue happens, don't overreact. Keep up with your quiet and hurry to your dental specialist's facility. Furthermore, if a sharp toothache strikes at an unusually early hour or while you are on a long trip, try a few dependable home cures that can provide temporary relief from the dental issue.

Emergency dental care at home for toothache

On the off chance that you neglected your oral well-being for a prolonged period, you have a higher chance of creating periodontal issues that might prompt toothache, gum irritation, bleeding gums, and other dental issues that would drive you to look for an emergency meeting with a dental specialist. Meanwhile, you can control the aggravation with an over-the-counter relief from discomfort prescription. The calming analgesics offer the extra advantage of lessening the irritation of the gums. Washing the mouth with a warm saline solution might assist with facilitating the toothache. Salt water is a characteristic sanitizer that kills the microbes responsible for your oral issues. Washing likewise assists with flushing out food particles or garbage caught between the teeth.

Oil of clove is a reliable home solution for toothache. It contains eugenol, a synthetic that numbs the sensitive spots, thereby diminishing the dental torment. To decrease further dental issues before you visit your trusted dental specialist, stay away from the impacted region while eating. In any case, none of the previously mentioned emergency dental care arrangements can provide lasting relief from the dental issue that triggers torment. Your dental specialist is the only person who can provide a long-lasting solution to your dental problem.

Emergency dental care for a broken tooth

The horrendous aggravation that an individual encounter subsequent to breaking a tooth is because of the exposed region, or the dentin. In the event that you are looking for impermanent relief prior to visiting your trusted dental specialist, consider covering the uncovered region with sugarless gum. You could try and find units in your local pharmacy that cover uncovered dentin. However, this sealant can provide temporary relief. In the event that you neglected to safeguard the messed-up bits of the tooth, there is compelling reason to stress. Your dental specialist can undoubtedly fix it with a crown. Root trench treatment is another well-known choice for covering the uncovered region.

For More Info:-

Emergency Dental Care

Emergency Chipped Tooth Repair

[pacifymebby]

I Can’t Win // Sam Fender

Sam Fender x reader

You sat on the bus, gazing out the window at the rain and the grey sky blurring into the grey city skyline and all the flats on the edge of town. You were riding home from work, soaked through because the heavens had opened on your way out the office door, it was winter, it was too cold, and your nose stung and ran, your cheeks flushed and stinging too.

You weren't in the mood for anything, let alone the texts pouring in from your mates about the latest rumour going round.

You weren't even sure what had sparked it this time. This new rumour about Sam and another woman, some young singer he'd been spotted with outside radio 1.

It was the kind of rumour you knew you shouldn't pay any attention to, and usually you wouldn't have but today it was beginning to get to you.

Perhaps it was your friends fault for asking over and over about it? Asking if you were okay, if you'd heard from Sam, offering you advice, telling you not to let it get to you or knock yourself esteem. Ella one of your best friends had said she'd assassinate hike and her for you, you'd known she was only trying to lighten your mood but it hadn't worked. It had only tugged at your gloomy temperement more.

Left you questioning whether there maybe was something to worry about this time.

All you really wanted was to talk to him. You were certain that half a second on the phone would see you right, all your anxieties dissipating the moment you heard his voice.

But he'd not answered your call that afternoon when you had phoned him from your lunch break and you'd not had so much as a single text from him since.

So you found yourself grinding your teeth, trying not to ask yourself stupid questions like what's he doing thats so important he can't answer your text? Who is he with whos company is better than yours?

Stupid questions. Childish questions you knew you shouldn't be asking yourself but couldn't help ask yourself now as you watched the rain on the window pane and felt some of it leaking through the cracks in the plastic where the sealant was rotting.

Good old Shields.

By now your sleeve was soaked where you had been leaning against the broken window and you knew you had no hope at comfort now. You closed your eyes and tried to focus on the music playing through your headphones. But they were broken and the sound was tinny and it wasn't loud enough to drown out the sound of the traffic or the baby two seat behind thst was caught somewhere between crying and being sick.

You slid your phone out of your pocket to check for messages. Nothing. You thought about texting again.

Was it still embarrassing to double message when you were years into a relationship?

You bit your lip and started typing out another text when suddenly your phone screen lit up, the whole thing beginning to buzz with an incoming call.

For a moment you thought it was Sam.

Your heart sank when you saw thst it wasn't.

"Hey," you said half hearted and fed up, knowing what your friend was going to ask you.

"Hey how you doing hun? You heard anything yet?"

"No, and am stuck on a bus in a shields traffic jam, so aye, having a class time..." you mumbled sarcastically.

"Oh pet no, hate that for you," she sighed sympathetically, "look you know r Sammy, he's gonna make this right..." she started but before she could finish you felt a lump in your throat and a sob break out, one you hadn't even realised was sneaking up on you.

"I don't want him to make it right, I don't want it to be true!" you said shivering as you tried to hold your crying back. You didn't want to be that girl, heartbroken on the bus. Not when people kind of knew who you were. Local kids who knew Sam knew you were his lassie and they would also know about these new rumours going round.

Half the time you suspected some of those kids were just waiting for the day the rumours turned out to be true. The day he wound up cheating on you for real, leaving you for someone more on his level. A girl as famous and as gorgeous as him. It was only a matter of time, you knew thats what they thought because more often than not it was what you thought too.

"It probably isn't true!" your friend desperately tried to reassure you, "how many times have we had this conversation ey, people love making shit up and this is probably just another bullshit rumour," she said but you shook your head and though you tried to agree she could tell you didn't really believe her. "Look, you'll hear from him soon, he probably doesn't even know there is a fucken rumour," she said, something she'd said before, something she'd been right about before.

"Yeah," you sighed, "wouldn't be the first time," you said drying your eyes, trying to pull yourself together as you pressed the bell and stood up. You made your way to the front of the bus, stopping when you saw you had another call coming through.

"Shit sorry lass," you sighed, "Sam's on the other line I guess I'd better go,"

"Oh my god see I told you so..." but you'd already hung up, hesitating to answer Sam.

You weren't sure why you rejected the call. It would have been better just to find out after all but something had stopped you, something had switched in you just as you were about to answer and in the end you'd stepped off the bus in silence, walked home in silence and rejected two more of his calls.

By the time you got home you felt heavy with guilt and ruined by your anxiety.

You were torn between emotions, not sure who to be angry with. Yourself for not giving him a chance to explain himself? Or him, for winding up in another situation like this. For putting you through hell again. Because whether he wanted to or meant to, he was always putting you through some kind of agony.

Just between touring and releasing records, he was busy and you were too, you had your own life and though the pair of you desperately wanted to see one another every day, though you might have loved to move in and settle down, it wasn't going to happen any time soon and this was as close as you could allow yourselves to get without it hurting too much. But it did hurt.

It hurt a lot and as you dropped your keys on the floor in the hallway and kicked off your shoes you felt tears prick in your eyes again. You pulled your top over your head and abandoned it, unbuttoned your jeans as you made your way to the bathroom, kicking them off lazily, leaving them wherever they fell. You pulled your socks off and dropped the sopping wet fabric in the sink, not caring for the mess. You weren't planning on having any guests so who cared if the flat turned to shit? You were in far too bad a mood to really care what state you left the place in.

You turned the hot water on, turned to the mirror to examine yourself but the sight of your sad eyes left you feeling sick. You looked wounded and let down and you hated yourself for getting so worked up about something which shouldn't have mattered. You should have trusted him, he wouldn't do that to you. He trusted you when he was away, why couldn't you trust him.

You saw your phone ringing again, Sam, again.

You ignored it and stepped into the shower, sinking down against the wall, knees to your chest, letting yourself cry as the hot water poured over you, soaked you and shivered you. The shivers were good shivers, comforting shivers. You sobbed into your knees and held your head in your hands, begged and begged some invisible force to please not let it be true, say he hadn't found somebody else. But you just couldn't convince yourself.

He was always going to move on eventually, he was always going to find someone better than you. He was famous now, a real star, mixing with other beautiful, wealthy people. People you could only dream of being like.

Why wouldn't he tire of returning back to his grey hometown and his plain jane girlfriend?

The mature thing to do would be to break up with him now, before you could wind up even deeper in love and agony.

And by the time you'd turned the water off and stepped into your towel, this was what you'd convinced yourself you were going to do.

So when Sam called again you bit your lip. Chewed your cheek and hesitated, but you answered, and he sounded so relieved.

"Y/n whereve yas been pet av been ringin an ringin..."

"Yeah," you said, "a know," your voice was flat and immediately he sensed something wrong, immediately he could tell he wasn't going to enjoy this conversation like he'd thought.

"Whats the matter love?" he asked, you could picture his brow furrowed, his lips slightly parted, his teeth biting his bottom lip. You could picture the concern on his face and you weren't sure how to feel.

You realised straight away that he had no idea about the rumour, exactly as your friend had said. He had no clue. He was completely out of the loop, just more evidence to prove your point. The two of you weren't living in the same world anymore.

"Its nothing," you said shrugging your shoulders, if he didn't know it probably wasn't true, but still, "actually, Sam..." you started, a lump in your throat. You didn't want to say it, didn't want to scare him or hurt him but you had to, you couldn't keep this up much longer, couldn't endure anymore rumours, the questions from your mates and from people who weren't even your mates.

"Yeah?" he asked, nerves in his voice because you hadn't finished your sentence.

"A think we need a talk," you said quietly, waiting for him to say something but he didn't, not straight away. And when he did he only asked you to repeat yourself.

"What?"

"A think we need to talk," you said it exactly the same only somehow even quieter, even less assured, not sure you would be able to carry on now, you weren't really going to end things with him over the phone were you?

"About what lass? Is somat up?" he asked, you could picture that bottom lip again, getting chewed to pieces.

"Yeah, a mean no, a don't know a just think we should talk, when you get back you know... not on the..."

"Are you breakin up with me y/n cause if y'are am not waitin till a get back just tell us now...." he said quickly, his voice unstable a bit shaky. It was his lack of fight which shocked you though, his wishing you'd just tell him, no question why?

"Fine," you said, "a just didn't wanna be that bitch Sam... I just wanted to talk about it proper like but..."

"But what? You couldn't wait? If you're endin it y/n do us a favour an just bloody end it," he said, his temper flaring, shocking you, how suddenly cold and shut off from you he was. How suddenly distant he felt. He wasn't even that far away, suddenly he felt half the world away.

So you bit your lip and tried not to let him hear you crying, but you were.

"Fine, yeah Sam am breaking up with you alright, a cannae do this anymore areet,"

And just like that he'd hung up and the line was dead and you were on your own, sitting on your bathroom floor wrapped in a towel, sobbing your heart out, cradling yourself as you wept away your heartache. You felt terrible, riddled with guilt, immediately regretting your decision.

You'd been stupid, you'd thrown away the best relationship of your life. He was your person, you'd always been convinced of that and now you'd pushed him away. He'd been so angry he'd just hung up, hadn't even asked you why you'd done it. Just hung up the phone and left you to your misery.

You remained on the bathroom floor for an hour or two more, crying, then staring at the wall, crying again, crying until you were cold and headachy, only moving because you needed to get dressed before you froze.

You rubbed the towel over your hair lazily, tied it back instead of bothering with the hairdryer. Pulled a pair of trackies on and a big sweater, the sweater was Sam's and though you'd have to chuck it or give it back soon you couldn't resist but pull it on one more time. It didn't smell like him because it had been at yours since before he'd gone away. It smelt like your bed and as you tugged the sleeves down over your hands you dragged yourself into bed, lay down and scrunched up into a ball, pulling the covers up over your head, hoping you would sleep.

You didn't though, you just stared, not quite there, not particularly mentally present, you just gazed vacant and sad at the wall opposite, the curtains were closed and the room was dark despite the afternoon sun. And then you must have slept because when you awoke it was dark outside and the heating had kicked in. You were still cold but now you could tell it was depressive cold as opposed to a genuine drop in temperature. You felt hollow and heavy, felt like you couldn't breath in deep enough, felt like every exhale risked suffocation.

It hurt. Your heart really physically hurt and you realised as you lay there, curled up in a ball, sniffling, head hurting, that this was the saddest you had ever been.

You heard the door bell go, you heard it ring over and over again, impatient. You knew who it was, you had a game you liked to play where you tried to break eachothers doorbells whenever you found yourself knocking on for one another. But it couldn't have been Sam. He was away for work. It was either somebody else, who had no idea how their playful action tortured you, or you were dreaming. Perhaps you'd gone crazy.

It wasn't Sam, it couldn't be. So you rolled over and tried to ignore it. But it wouldn't relent and a few minutes later your phone began ringing in the next room. If you'd picked yourself up from your heap in the bed, gone to answer it, you'd have seen Sam's name on the caller ID.

But you didn't so you didn't and a minute later the doorbell began to ring again.

"Fuck off," you mumbled squeezing your eyes shut, trying to ignore it. If it was one of your friends come to ask whether you'd spoken to Sam about the rumours yet you didn't want to speak to them. And if Sam had told his mates about your phone call and they'd come round to ask what was going on, you didn't want to speak to any of them either.

But then the doorbell stopped and they started knocking instead.

"Y/N" you heard his voice and when you did you really did think you'd gone mental.

That was Sam, there was no doubt about it.

"Lass let us in..." he said, "can we talk..." he started but you were at the door in seconds. You weren't even sure you were going to see him when you opened the door, you'd only moved so quickly to find out if you were going insane or not, but when you opened the door you saw him standing there, his eyes red like yours. His skin sore from crying.

His nose was a little red and you could see he, like you, had cried himself to the point of no tears, that didn't mean he wasn't on the brink of more.

"uhuh," you said quietly, stepping aside to let him in, chewing your cheek. The sight of him so upset, his confidence shattered as he followed you inside and sat opposite you on the living room floor, leaving you with an overwhelming sense of guilt. He looked broken and it was your fault.

"Have a done somat?" he asked, swallowing a lump in his throat, fear and despair in his eyes, "a mean... whatve a done? wheres this come from lass a thought we were..."

"You just... you haven't done anythin Sam its me," you said trying not to cry, not realising how weak your voice would be until you were hearing it. Brittle. That was how you sounded, how he sounded too. How you both looked sitting there with that distance between you.

"Nah," he cut you off, "nah pet cmon be fair, dont treat me like am daft, tell me the truth..." he said, "please," he looked at you with wounded eyes and you felt a sob rise in your throat. You couldn't swallow it down and the tears erupted from you. You couldn't look at him, hiding your face in your hands as you shook your head and said sorry.

"Am really sorry Sam a just..." you sniffled but in seconds the distance between you had been closed, he'd scooped you up in his arms, cradling you to his chest as you cried. This was a mess, so much worse, so much harder for you now but you should have known not to let him see you cry. You knew if he saw you cry he wouldn't be able to just leave you to it.

"Ey cmon lass don't cry..." he said but you could tell he didn't believe his own advice, "cmon," he said, a sorry little laugh escaping him, "you'll set me off in a minute..." but he'd been crying since your call earlier and you both knew it. "Talk to me tink," he said softly, softer than he should have been, his tone hurting you both when he realised the affection in his voice.

"A just, its for the best int it," you said but he shook his head.

"Not from where am standing," he said with a bitter smirk, "cmon lass whatre you talking about y/n, look at me? look at you for christ sake, hows this for the best?"

"Cause," you sobbed, "it just is alreet, itll only hurt more if we leave it longer," you said stubbornly, "cause its gan happen sooner or later isnt it..."

"Whatre you on about?" he asked, getting irritated now, "is it fuck," he said his voice raising a little, sharpened, you winced. "I'd rather it didn't happen at all..."

"But it is!" you cried, "obviously it is Sam, you don't get it cause you don't see what a do!" you sobbed rubbing your eyes furiously, trying to push yourself out of his grip. At first he wouldn't let you go but the second time you tugged away from him he gave in. You pulled away, slid from his lap and you couldn't look at him when you spoke. "You're hardly ever here anymore so yous havent got a clue what its like here!"

"What dya mean pet, a know what me hometowns like...."

"If that was true you'd have been apologising to me this mornin when you phoned steada just actin like everythin was sound!" you said, picking at the sleeves of the sweater you wore, you bit back another sob, pissed off at yourself for breaking down in front of him.

"What?" he frowned, his brow knitting, you could see he was really trying to work this out, all of it, you, the mad things you were saying, how much it hurt. "Why love, whats happened? Has someone said somat to you again?" he asked, remembering the last argument you'd had, something one of the lassies down the hairdressers had said to you. A snide comment you'd taken to heart and stewed on for far too long.

"Not to me..." you said, "just everyone else," you said, and suddenly he understood, cause he had heard something, had heard that another daft rumour was flying around town about him. He hadn't thought for a second you'd believe it though.

"Are you on about that stupid fuckin rumour?" he groaned, running a hand through his hair, despairing when you looked up at him because he could see from the look in your teary eyes that was the case. You'd broken up with him over one of those stupid, empty rumours. You'd actually broken up with him over a rumour.  "Christ y/n are you kiddin on here or what? Are yas actually breakin up with me over that bloody rumour... you don't actually believe it do you?"

"No!" you sobbed, "no!" you said quickly, "no a fucking don't!" you cried, "am not stupid Sam, a know you wouldn't do that to me..."

"Then whats gannin on lass?" he asked looking at you with worn out eyes full of confusion. He was defeated, that flare in his temper put out. Suddenly he'd softened with his loss. Acceptance. "Why are we here?" he asked, looking at you, watching you biting your lip, desperate to reach out and brush the tears from your cheeks. He remained still. He couldn't anymore.

"I just..." you started again, "I..." you didn't know what to say, it had all made sense before, but now it didn't. Now you were looking at the love of your life, desperate to return to him, desperate for your argument to be over. For everything to be alright. You sighed.

"We aren't the same anymore," you said quietly, playing nervously with your sleeves, sure that when you explained yourself he would agree. He would see that you were right, that this made sense. "An one day you probably will meet some lass thats richer an prettier and more you know... on your level..." you started, "so am makin it easier on us, if we just give up now..."

"Aye but a don't want to give up now... and neither do you," he said, his eyes locked with yours, begging you to let him be right about that, and he was. You wanted Sam forever. You were just realistic. You knew you couldn't have it that way.

"But what about when you do... am tired Sam, its really fuckin hard being here when youre not, people talk and they never consider how a might feel, they just spout their opinions about you an me an us and they never want to talk about anythin else and every single time theres a rumour gannin round a wind up catching old women a don't even fuckin know shooting me sympathy looks on the bloody bus an a just, a don't want to keep living a life where old women who don't even know me feel fuckin sorry for me...."

He was quiet then, you watched him swallow a lump in his throat, swallow down his guilt and his sorrow, you watching his playing with his own sleeves, his fingers knotting and unknotting, messing with a thread on his sock. He didn't know what to say. You thought he'd probably seen sense so you opened your mouth to speak again.

"Dya get it now?" you asked but he just shook his head.

"Nah," he said, he sounded like a sulking teenage boy, "Nah a don't," he said looking up at you with a new kind of serious in his eyes.

You bit your lip, you couldn't tell what was going through his head anymore.

"What don't you..." you began but he looked up at you and that alone was enough to hush you. You'd stopped speaking before he'd leant forward, brushed a fleeting, shy little nip of a kiss across your lips. His hand cupped your cheek and lingered as he pulled away.

"You're the love of ma life lass," he said quietly, "a don't wanna just let you leave..."

You looked back at him stunned, your lips tingled where his had touched them, you couldn't look away from him. It hurt to admit you wanted him to do it again.

"An a'll do anythin for you," he said, eyes glancing away, then back to you, his fingers still hovering over your cheek, his touch soft.

You wanted to believe him, you did believe him, you didn't want him to let you leave either but you couldn't see another way.

"I just don't think theres another way Sam..." you sniffled, your voice threatening to break again. He could see you were going to cry but he didn't let that stop him this time.

"We could stay together," he said, "thats a way..." he said, chewing his cheek as he pulled away from you, your cheek cold without his hand cupping your jaw, "a reckon thats the best way actually, stayin together like... an a'll call yous every day and a'll make sure we see more of each other an a won't let you feel like you're gannin through all that shit on your own," he said, "we'll be better," he said, looking up at you, hopeful and desperate and begging you quietly. You'd never seen him look as vulnerable as that.

"I..." you bit your lip, you didn't want to let him go, didn't want to leave him. He'd said you were the love of his life and he was the love of yours. You'd known that for years.

"y/n if am wrong an you really can't..."

"No!" you said too quickly, panic setting your heart racing, your eyes wide as you snatched the end of his sentence away from him, "no," you said quieter, shaking your head, you didn't know what to say, didn't know how to undo everything you'd done, the mess you made. So you just looked back at him and hoped he'd understand. He held your gaze, the twitch of his smile soft, small and hopeful.

"Love you," you said quietly, your lips barely moving, your voice barely making a sound, but he heard you and he knew what that meant and he was back by your side in seconds, his hand cupping your cheek turning you to meet his lips. He kissed you, pushed his lips to yours with a passion of relief, a need which stemmed from the fear of losing you. You leant into his kiss and opened your mouth for him, felt his tongue run along your bottom lip before he bit down and tugged gently. The two of you pulling into one another closer, never quite managing to get close enough.

"Love you too tink," he mumbled between kisses, pulling you up into his lap only to change his mind a moment later, to push you down onto the rug so that you lay on his rug, your legs wrapped around his waist, him hovering above you, looking down at you with tears in his eyes which matched the tears in yours.

"A mean it lass, a don't wanna lose you," he said, "a wanna grow old an miserable with you, wanna wake up next to you an compete over whos got the worst arthritis," he grinned, teasing you as he kissed the tip of your nose, "an a don't care what anyone else is sayin about me, or you... long as me an you are sound,"

You looked up at him and nodded, softening under his warm tender gaze.

"Love you," you said, those the only words you could find to sum up the relief and the warmth and soothing of your aching heart. He was everything you needed and you knew that no rumour could hurt that. "An a wanna get old an miserable with you an all," you said splitting a sweet little smile as he leant down to kiss you, a quiet little chuckle escaping him.

"Good," he grinned kissing you again before lying down next to you, pulling you up so that you rolled over onto his chest, you looking down at him with a soft smile on your lips, petrified for a moment when you looked down and saw everything you could have thrown away.

[wolveria]

Blue Moon - Chapter 1

Pairing: Android werewolf!Nines x Reader

Summary: It was Halloween night when you stumbled across the android that looked more monster than machine. Damaged and alone, you didn't have the heart to leave him behind.

You'd always had a weakness for strays.

Prompt: Inspired by art!

Warnings: Rated E, eventual smut, Zlatko experimentation, monster romance

AO3

You pulled your coat closer in a useless attempt to ward off the cold. Winter had decided to make an appearance early this year as snow laid on the ground, and you lamented over the fact you’d chosen to walk home instead of take a taxi. The coffee shop was only a couple blocks away from your apartment, but it felt like a cross country trek as your breath billowed out of your mouth.

The wind rustled through the trees and you shuddered again. The park you’d taken a shortcut through was a good size, and you could no longer see the streetlights that signaled civilization was near.

Why had you decided to do this, again? And on Halloween night? Not that you believed in the paranormal or anything—

You dropped your nearly-empty coffee cup, the last drops spilled and forgotten on the footpath. A pair of glowing blue eyes stared out at you from the underbrush around the base of a tree.

Before you could think to scream, a low whine came from the bush. You placed your hand over your heart and let out a long breath, smiling faintly. It was just a dog, that was all. And the light from the full moon must be making its eyes glow like that. Yes, that’s all it was.

“It’s all right,” you said, offering your hand in what you hoped was a friendly manner, praying it didn’t have rabies. “Come here, boy.”

There was a low thudding noise accompanied by the brush moving. A sad, fluffy tail thumping against the ground.

You gave a sympathetic “awwww” and lightly patted your thighs, hoping to coax it out of its hiding place.

“You poor thing. Are you cold? I bet you’re hungry. Come here, sweetie, let’s get you some… food…”

Your voice trailed off as the glowing pair of blue eyes rose, higher and higher—definitely not at canine level—before it stepped out of the shadows.

It was huge, or at least seemed that way when you’d been expecting a large dog at most. Standing on two legs, it reached over six feet easily, not including the wolfish ears that stuck up from its head. With blue-black fur, sharp nails and a hint of teeth peeking out from its lips, you would have never guessed it was an android if not for the spinning yellow ring at its temple.

The android was also completely naked, not a stitch of clothing to be seen, and you quickly snapped your eyes back up to its face, face flushing at the sheer size of what you’d seen.

It—he took a hesitant step toward you, and if you’d had any of your senses left, you would have run. Android or not, you were fairly certain you were about to be murdered and eaten, and not necessarily in that order.

But your joints were locked, your limbs frozen, and all you could do was watch as the android bent down and wrapped a clawed hand carefully around your discarded coffee cup. Stepping directly in front of you, he slowly held the cup out, his ears laid flat as if afraid you were going to whack him with a rolled up newspaper.

You glanced from face to his outstretched hand. That was when you caught sight of the gash across his ribcage, the exposed internal circuits glittering in the dark.

You’d always had a soft spot for injured animals. And while he might not be an animal, per se, it was close enough that you gently took the coffee cup and gave him a soft thank you.

His ears perked and his tail wagged hopefully as he retracted his hand. He continued the slow wag of his tail as he stared at you expectantly. It took you a minute to realize what he was waiting for. He was, after all, an android, and a canine-like one at that.

He was waiting for orders.

“Are you lost?” you asked. Was he even programmed to talk? “Where do you live? Do you need help getting back home?”

You almost asked who his owner was, but it didn’t feel right. You suspected you’d made the right decision when the question had him folding his ears back, his floofy tail dipping towards the ground.

“Uh, that’s okay.” You tried you best at a soothing smile. “The police station isn’t far from here. I can take you there—“

It was precisely the wrong thing to say; his LED went red and he winced as if you’d slapped him. You weren’t at all prepared for him to open his mouth, and a raspy, rough voice to come out.

“No. Please. Not there.”

You gawked up at him, hardly believing what you’d heard with your own ears, but the android could definitely talk. As strange as he looked, he was capable of communicating his wants.

…and you’d heard rumors about the kinds of androids that wanted.

Carefully you glanced around, but no one else had come across the two of you. It was lucky it was Halloween when most people would be trick-or-treating or handing out candy; the last thing you needed was to be caught in the middle of the night, in a park, with a strange, naked android.

“Okay. No police station.” You rubbed at your arms as you glanced him over, immediately regretting it as your sight dipped below his belly button. Looking away resolutely, you offered, “Why don’t you come back to my place, just for tonight? Get you some clothes and then… we can have a talk.”

Finally, you had said the right thing. His ears went all perky and his tail wagged its fastest yet, but most of all, his LED went blue for the first time. It was the same shade as his glowing eyes.

You gulped. This was such a fucking bad idea.

“I would like that,” he said, voice all soft and gentle. And just like that, you were a goner. No turning back now.

“Come on,” you sighed, stepping around him to continue in the direction of your apartment. It was a bit silly still hanging onto the empty coffee cup, but all you could focus on was the near-silent footfalls behind you as you tried to come up with the best way to sneak a naked android werewolf into your apartment.

***

As it turned out, dealing with the android was a lot less surreal when he had clothes on, even if it was a pair of sweatpants and a tight sweater that barely fit him. You’d have to order some clothes for him tomorrow

If he even wanted to hang around that long. You were under no illusion that if he wanted to leave, you wouldn’t be able to stop him, but for now he seemed content to stay.

The android was currently standing in your living room, fussing with the hem of the sweater that barely covered his waistline. You covered your mouth with your fingers in a poor attempt to hide a smile. Now that you were confident he wasn’t going to eat you, the android was actually quite adorable. You’d even cut out a hole in the back of the pants for him to pull his tail through.

You plopped down onto the couch and padded the cushion next to you. It had been a long time since you’d had a houseguest, and it said a lot about your state of loneliness that you were excited over having a strange android for company.

Said android stared at you for a moment before perching, quite primly, at the other end of the couch. The fact he had to move his tail out of the way before he sat down ruined the composed image he was trying to convey.

He really was very odd, and not just because of all the wolfy bits. This android seemed very much alive, a fact that should have had you picking up the phone to call the authorities. But… you didn’t.

Instead, you bombarded him with questions. What was his name? Where did he come from? Was he a custom model? How had he been injured? The wound looked ghastly, but he hardly noticed it. You made a mental note to add Thirium and android chassis repair sealant to the shopping list. You’d never owned an android before, but you’d always been fascinated with them and knew the basics of what they needed.

“RK900,” was his answer to your first question. He skipped over to the third. “I am… I was a prototype created by CyberLife to assist law enforcement. It would be safer for you if I said nothing further.”

Unable to imagine an android like this working with the police, you guessed he’d looked different, before. More like a standard android instead of one so altered he was nearly unrecognizable.

“Okay, I won’t pry,” you said, amassing all your willpower not to assault him with more questions, the biggest one being why do you look like something out of my deepest, darkest, most shameful wetdream? Yes, you were definitely not venturing into that territory.

Your next question was caught on a yawn, and you looked away as your face grew warm. He was just an android, why were you being so self-conscious about every little thing you did?

It could have been the way he’d watched you ever since you’d stumbled across him in the bushes: laser-like focus that never broke. It didn’t help that the sclera of his eyes were black, making the blue stand out even more.

Also, he didn’t blink. Like, ever.

“I’m gonna head to bed.” You thumbed over your shoulder toward the hallway. “Will you be all right out here? Do you need anything?”

“Yes,” he said. “And no.”

You were picking up on his mannerisms very quickly. He over-enunciated and spoke with perfect grammar. It was in direct contrast to the way his sharp nails toyed with the sweater, or the way his ears would swivel at sounds you barely noticed. At some points in the conversation, he would tilt his head at you in a way that was so dog-like, you had to keep fighting down the smiles. You’d definitely never met an android like this one before, even if he had looked perfectly human.

“I will be fine,” the RK900 added when you continued to stare. “I will rest and repair. I have neglected to enter stasis mode for… quite some time now.”

His eyes dropped to the carpet, demeanor evasive and uncomfortable. It took everything you had not to reach out and pet him on the head.

“I shouldn’t intrude in your personal space. I will be gone in the morning.”

And then you did reach out, placing your hand on his arm. He was solid and surprisingly warm under the fabric of the sweater.

He stared at your hand for a moment before slowly lifting his head to meet your eye. His expression was so… sad. You had no doubt it was authentic, and that you were right about what he was.

“Please, you don’t have to go.” Your voice was soft, ensuring it was a suggestion and not a command. “You’re more than welcome to stay. I want to help you. Will you let me do that?”

The ring on his temple was a solid yellow and you nearly pulled your hand back, but then it went blue and he gave a small nod. You sighed with relief and gave him a gentle pat before letting him go.

“Thank you.” You rose to your feet, stretching to get the kinks out of your shoulders. It was stressful bringing a wayward android home. “I’m just down the hall if you need me. See you in the morning.”

Before you made it to the hallway, you paused and half-turned.

“Do you have a name?”

He blinked up at your question.

“I mean, I know RK900 is your model number, but… you have a name, don’t you?”

His ears drooped. You were learning they were a better indicator of his thoughts than the color of his LED.

“No. CyberLife never gave me one.”

Of course they wouldn’t, you thought, not the first time you’d unhappy with the way androids were treated. CyberLife was by far the worst. Why would they care about any of their merchandise?

“Well, maybe you can come up with one.” You hoped he understood the things you weren’t saying aloud, that you understood what he really was beneath the strange exterior.

His ears perked up and his expression softened.

“That… would be nice.”

Before you could say anything to embarrass yourself, or worse, run over to him and give him a hug, you excused yourself to get ready for bed. Already your mind was going through a checklist of all the things you’d need to care for an android in the long-run, and that was being optimistic. The RK900 could still change his mind. There was still so much you didn’t know.

It wasn’t until you shut off the lights and stared at the ceiling that the implications of your actions truly hit you. You’d seen the news reports, read the independent websites that couldn’t be suppressed by CyberLife. There were androids out there, said to be “lethally malfunctioning,” that were disobeying and turning on their humans.

One of the most common signs to watch out for was mimicry of human emotions. Anger, was the main one, but there was also fear. And that was something you’d seen a lot of tonight shining out of the RK900’s eyes.

You weren’t just harboring an android that looked like a werewolf.

You were sheltering a deviant.

[hyperpsychomaniac]

Who Says You Can't Go Home - Chapter 5

Darkwing Duck (90s series) fanfiction

Sequel to my recent fanfic The Other Side of Me

Summary: Down on his luck, the Negaverse Launchpad crashes at Launchpad’s parents looking for help. Launchpad, who has avoided visiting his family since he started working with Darkwing, returns in a panic to ensure his double isn’t causing trouble. And then it gets awkward.

Chapter 1

***

“Why aren’t the rivets with the rivet gun?”

“Because they’re fasteners. Not a tool. And you think you’ve got it hard? I think he’s arranged the sealants by… viscosity?”

“Viva what?” Launchpad slammed the doors to the tool cupboard he’d been riffling through, and moved onto the next. Despite the organisation of their parents’ hanger, finding the right parts they needed, without leaving anything behind and as quickly as possible, proved a challenge. “And what ever happened to using chewing gum?”

“Wrong viscosity. Hurry it up. We’ve got to get out there, rivet back up the strut, seal the wing and let the sealant dry…”

“It can dry as we tow it. This would be easier if we could just bring it straight back and fix it in the hanger.”

“Do you want to explain what happened?”

Launchpad gritted his teeth. “Finally, fasteners! And no, I don’t.” He jammed his hand into the box containing the right sized rivets, and pulled out a fistful. A couple bounced out and found their way into nearby containers. He stepped back and pushed the rivets around in his hands, counting to make sure he had enough along with a couple spares. “I wish you’d never convinced me to fly through that damned canyon.”

“You flew where?!”

Launchpad spun around and threw himself back into the cupboard, slamming the doors closed behind him. The entire thing rocked under the impact of his weight. Inside, the clatter of hundreds of airborne fasteners bounced around and off the metal walls. The rivets he’d held scattered across the floor.

Ripcord McQuack’s gaze trailed one of the unfortunate rivets across the floor, then snapped back up to Launchpad. “You went to… the canyon?”

Loopey sidled up beside him. “Told you. Deja vu.”

“Launchpad! Answer me!”

“I… yes?” What else was he supposed to say?

Ripcord’s chest heaved. “I told you kids you were never allowed to fly there.”

“Dad, calm down,” said Loopey. “We’re not kids anymore, remember?”

“Then how come I find you two riffling through everything like a couple teenagers and creating a mess?”

Launchpad exchanged a look with his sister.

“Launchpad!”

“Why am I the one getting yelled at? We just had a… minor…”

Ripcord looked around the hanger. “Loopey, where is your plane?”

“At the bottom of the canyon. Its fine,” she said quickly. “We’re just going to have to tow it out.”

“You’re here for five minutes and you take your sister…”

Loopey pushed past her brother. “Launchpad didn’t take me anywhere. I’ve been to the canyon before. You know, when I come and visit and go out flying by myself and decide where I’m going like an adult is supposed to?”

Ripcord swallowed hard. “You’ve… Launchpad could’ve, you could’ve… don’t you think I told you not to go there for a reason?”

“Yes, but what reason?” Loopey threw her arms out wide. Launchpad let her talk. She was getting through to Dad a lot better than he would’ve. He was taking her more seriously too. Launchpad should’ve been mad but he just wanted this to be over. “You’ve told us not to go there, but you have never, ever, told us why. We’re adults now. If you don’t want us to do something just tell us the reason. We’ll listen to you. But you can’t expect us to do what you say, with no explanation.”

“Okay, fine, I’m overreacting. Just tell me what happened.”

“I broke a strut on the canyon wall. We figured we…”

Ripcord paled. “What?”

Launchpad wasn’t letting Loopey get in trouble for this one. He stepped up and put a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Dad, it’s not her fault. I got too close on top of her; she didn’t have room to move.”

“You were right on top of each other? What the hell were you doing in there?”

Launchpad swallowed. “Racing.”

Ripcord squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “You have no idea how stupid that was. Anything goes wrong in there and there is nothing you can do…”

“That’s not true. Loopey landed the plane just fine, and…”

“Enough! Just forget it. If you’re going to act like children, you’re both bloody grounded.”

Launchpad rolled his eyes. “You can’t actually ground us anymore.”

“Want to bet? I’m not talking about sending you to your rooms. I mean literally. These are mine and your mother’s planes. We decide who flys them. And for the rest of this visit that doesn’t include either of you.” Ripcord stomped over to the jeep and began rearranging the tools the siblings had already haphazardly packed. “Don’t worry about your mess. I’ll clean it up myself.”

Launchpad felt heat rise in his cheeks, but he kept his beak firmly shut. He was way too old to be grounded. But arguing would just make him sound even more childish. He was done with that for this visit.

Beside him, Loopey folded her arms across her chest. She also looked a little flushed. “What the actual heck? We’ve all flown in tight spaces plenty of times before, done dangerous stunts... And I thought I’d never have to hear another grounded pun again.”

Launchpad watched his father rifle through the jeep with his back to his kids. He was going to go get that plane all by himself. However bad he was reacting, that wasn’t his fault. And however innocent it had been, racing through that spot had been pretty dumb. “I’ll go out with him. It’s kind of my fault.”

“Not completely.”

“I know,” he smiled at his sister faintly. “Speed demon. Go on, don’t worry about this. I should spend some time with him anyway.”

“Thanks, big brother. Good luck.”

Launchpad sidled over to his father. “Dad, I’ll come with you. You’re going to need help.”

Ripcord straightened, rubbed at the corner of his eye, then turned to face his son. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You want to fly like a maniac, that’s your business. But when you’re flying with someone else you’ve got a responsibility for them too, especially if they’re family.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Do you want my help or not?”

Ripcord swallowed. “It’s going to be a long drive. Sure you want to spend that amount of time with me?”

That look in his father’s eye. It was trying to be anger, but there was something deeper, more desperate. He’d definitely put this off way too long. “Yeah, Dad.”

***

The jeep bounced and rattled across the dirt track as they started the trek out to the canyon. Ripcord drove, one hand on the steering wheel. He was the first to break the silence. “I should probably let you know, Gosalyn was mucking around with… Launchpad… she hit her head. She’s okay!” he said quickly, when Launchpad jerked up from his slouch in the passenger seat. “I’m pretty sure her dad can take care of her. Just thought you should know.”

Launchpad huffed. “It wouldn’t be the first time she’s done it. What did Launchpad do?”

Ripcord shrugged. “Whatever it was he felt pretty bad about it. He wouldn’t have meant to hurt her. Kids… stuff happens… it’s not his fault.”

“As long as she’s okay.”

“You really care about those two, don’t you?”

Launchpad groaned. “We’re not dating!”

Ripcord smirked. “I know. I think your mother does too. But can you blame her? You’ve been so secretive.” The smirk slipped from his beak. “Me and your Mom, we’re sorry for lying to you. It’s just that we haven’t seen you in so long. And you’ll talk to your Mom on the phone. But you always seem to manage to hang up before I get there. And, well, I kind of wanted to talk to you about something anyway and I wanted to do it in person.”

“I’m not trying to avoid you. It’s just… complicated…”

Ripcord glanced across at him, and Launchpad dropped his gaze to his lap. His father smiled faintly. “It’s okay. I’ve got a pretty good idea what’s going on.”

“I’m pretty sure you don’t.” How was he supposed to tell his parents about Darkwing Duck? He had to tell them something. But he hadn’t talked to DW about this, so he didn’t even know what would be okay to share. He didn’t want to put his friend in a spot. He had his secret identify for a reason.

“Launchpad, I get, it really, I…” Ripcord huffed. “Okay. You don’t think it was weird for us having a guy that looked exactly like you crash onto our doorstep, bleeding and begging for help?”

The Negaverse Launchpad. It was certainly a safer topic. “Yeah, what happened to him?”

“He crashed in here with a broken arm, near exhaustion. Told us, once he’d woken up, that he’d gotten involved with air pirates. He was a bit of a mess. When he woke up he was throwing punches at doctors and I thought I was going to have to sit on him or something. Until your mother calmed him down. I guess he didn’t expect us to take him to a hospital and all that attention actually scared him. Since he left Saint Canard he’s just been butting around, not knowing what to do with himself. He didn’t just come to us because he was hurt. He was at the end of his rope and he needed someplace where he’d feel safe, with people he knew he could trust.”

Launchpad had set him up with a plane but then he’d left him to his own devices. Those two weeks they’d spent together, his double had been an wreck for most of it, as he’d progressively worked up the courage to tell him more stuff about Negaduck. He’d only started to pull himself out of it once the plane had started to come together. It had been naive to assume he’d be alright out here by himself. “I told him to stay away from Saint Canard. I guess he thought he had no place else he could turn. Guess I didn’t help him as much as I thought.”

“Son, he can’t stop talking about how much you helped him and how you made him that aeroplane. Its weird, one moment he’s trying to fight your mother’s plants, and then he’s getting all excited about that scrap heap you built. You helped him plenty. But he was on our doorstep, hurt… I think, at that point, seeing him like that, we…” he gulped, then shook himself a little. “We thought of you. We just went into full blown parenting mode. But after, well, we started asking questions. He told us about the Negaverse.”

Launchpad nodded. “And Negaduck?”

Ripcord’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Oh, yeah. And Negaduck. I tell you, if I ever get my hands on that manipulative piece of work…”

“Dad, do not mess with Negaduck.”

“You’d know, wouldn’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Follow what I’m saying here. Launchpad explained where he came from. That he’s your twin from another universe. He told us he works for Negaduck, and that Negaduck is the twin of Darkwing Duck, you know, infamous vigilante from Saint Canard.”

“Yeah…”

Ripcord sighed. “He had to explain how you guys met. Launchpad, I know you’ve been flying a plane for Darkwing Duck.”

It was everything he’d been trying to figure out how to explain and he hadn’t known how to tell his father and then it was just… done… over… and… he still didn’t know if too much had been revealed. Launchpad sunk into his seat and put his face in his hands.

“That’s why you haven’t come to visit, isn’t it? Look, I get some of its got to be secret stuff. But if this Darkwing Duck has been bullying you, or…”

“Wait, wait,” Launchpad jerked up in his seat. “He only told you that I worked for Darkwing… that’s it?”

“That you were his pilot. I think he caught on pretty quickly that we actually had no idea that’s what you were doing. So, yeah, that’s all he said. And I get that there’s identities that need to remain secret, assuming you even know that…”

Some of the tension left Launchpad’s shoulders. The Negaverse Launchpad had to tell them something. He should’ve figured that. But it looked like he’d been smart enough to keep Drake out of it. His parents knew about Darkwing Duck. They just didn’t know he was also living with the guy and doing his groceries.

“Launchpad, look at me.” His father grabbed him by the shoulder, his fingers digging in, and the jeep rumbled to a halt. “You don’t have to share everything about this. It’d be the same if you were working for the government, or any other place where there might be confidentiality agreements, or… we don’t expect that of you. But I just want to know one thing.”

Launchpad put his hand over his father’s, if only to loosen his grip. “Sure, Dad.”

“The whole Negaverse thing, there’s parallels to it.”

“You mean how everyone’s opposite?”

Ripcord shook his head. “No. Not opposites. I see a lot of you in that other Launchpad. I think you did as well. And, I guess that’s why I’m worried. You and Launchpad. Negaduck and Darkwing. You’ve both worked for them. But, some of the stories Launchpad has told me about Negaduck…”

“He told them to me as well. I know.”

“I just want to know if Darkwing has ever hurt you. Because if he has I’ll pack up my shotgun right now and…”

“What? No…” Launchpad pulled back. “he’s not Negaduck.”

“He hasn’t forbid you to come see us? Or just made you feel that you can’t? Or threatened to hurt you if you reveal to much about him, or… anything, Launchpad, you just have to tell us.”

“Dad, I said no!” said Launchpad, a growl creeping into his voice. “DW’s a good guy, and besides, he’s my friend. He’s difficult, and he’s got an ego, but he’d never do anything like that.”

“Then why haven’t you said anything about working with him before?”

“He never told me I couldn’t. I just… I never brought it up properly with him.” Launchpad slumped back in his seat as he heard his own words. Yeah, DW was difficult. And any conversation about him telling his parents anything would result in DW stressing out, probably overreacting a bit, but… he would eventually come around. And he would’ve told him exactly how much information he was comfortable for his sidekick to share. He’d never actually stopped him. In fact, every time his mother had called, Drake had always pushed Launchpad to talk to her.

“Oh. Okay.” Ripcord put the jeep in gear and pulled off. After a few moments, he spoke again. “It’s alright if you don’t want to talk to your dad about what you’re doing anymore. But, we’re still proud of you, okay? Even without the superhero sidekick stuff. Drake and Gosalyn… being a single parent is tough. The fact you’re helping Drake around the house, and being there for Gosalyn, not a lot of people would do that. And after how bad the other Launchpad hurt you,” he reached out, and gently squeezed Launchpad arm, “to still go and help him when no one else would, that took a lot of guts.”

Launchpad rested his head against the window, unable to look at his father, and watched the rocks and withered trees rumble by. Sure, he’d been there for Drake, and Gosalyn, and the other Launchpad. But he hadn’t tried hard enough to just do something as simple as have a difficult conversation with DW, so they could get their story straight, and he could come see his Mom and Dad.

“I just… wish I didn’t have to lie to you to see you. I miss you.”

Launchpad squeezed his eyes shut tight.

***

The doctor arrived within half an hour, pronounced Gosalyn ‘mostly fine’, and then told them to keep an eye on her and not let her nap until it was evening. Then Mrs McQuack pulled Launchpad aside and asked him what had really happened. He told her the truth. About the potato gun anyway. He wasn’t really lying, leaving out Negaduck. Negaduck hadn’t had anything to do with what happened to Gosalyn.

Birdie patted him on the shoulder and told him he needed to ‘be careful with that thing’, especially if he was playing with a kid, and that maybe it was best if he left it alone until the Mallards left. Heck, she’d been angrier about her stinking rose bushes. But that was probably more to do with the mood he’d been in at the time.

Truth be told, Launchpad had expected everyone’s reaction to what he’d done to Gosalyn to be much worse. Even Drake, though he’d been shooting him glares all day, had eventually left him alone in front of the television with his daughter. Although, Launchpad was pretty sure that was because he’d finally got stressed out sitting with his daughter most of the day, and couldn’t take watching the cartoons she’d pronounced were the only sure fire way to keep her awake.

It was the longest, most stressful afternoon of Launchpad’s life. And not because Gosalyn kept trying to bully him into bringing her snacks. Negaduck’s ultimatum hung in his mind like heavy fog. It wasn’t that he was conflicted about the choice he had made. He just wasn’t sure he was strong enough to pull it off.

Launchpad tapped his foot on the ground; he needed a cigarette. Mrs McQuack had been trying to get him to cut down and the one he usually had in the morning had lately been enough, but not today. Besides, he’d left them all in a heap outside his shack after Gosalyn had startled him.

“You’re as bad as Launchpad.”

“I am Launchpad.”

“No, I mean the real one. You’re shaking the whole sofa.”

“I’m keeping you awake.”

“Hello, that’s what the cartoons are for?” Gosalyn waved at the television.

“This drivel? It’s unrealistic. You hit a cat with a hammer it doesn’t make little stars, it just…” Launchpad folded his arms with a harrumph.

Gosalyn leaned forward to check no one was in the next room, then lowered her voice. “You’re worried about Negaduck. We should tell Dad.”

“We can’t. Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of it.” Launchpad stood to his feet. It was nearing sundown; Negaduck’s decision time. But first, he was going to collect some tools from the hanger. He’d give Negaduck his decision alright, and he was going to make it bloody clear.

Gosalyn glared up at him. “I should come with you. But I still feel a little dizzy so it might not be a good idea. Just be careful. If you get hurt, I’m going to be mad. And if you take too long, I’m telling Dad. I don’t care what I promised.”

Launchpad waited for a second. “Aren’t you going to ask what I’m going to do?”

“Is what you’re going to do appropriate to tell a kid… oh, are you going to hit him with a bat or something, or just punch his face in? Or, you know, worse?”

Launchpad huffed and rolled his eyes. “I meant about… he asked me to join him. He wants me to kill your dad. Which I already tried to do once.”

“But you were different then. And you told me that story…”

“I could’ve been lying.”

“I don’t think you’re smart enough to make up a story like that.”

“I…” Launchpad’s shoulders sagged. “Aw, kid. You know how many faces I’ve smashed in for calling me stupid?”

Gosalyn stood up on the sofa so she could look him in the eye. “I know he’s hurt you. But you can still beat him.”

Launchpad swallowed hard. Damn this kid. “How do you know that?”

Gosalyn grabbed him by the collar. “I know because you’re Launchpad McQuack! And you’re not going to let anybody hurt your family!” Her beak was pressed almost to his, and she glared into his eyes so earnestly, almost angrily.

Launchpad’s gaze hardened. “Cover for me? They won’t be suspicious. I do this sometimes; wander off at night.”

“I’ve got your back.”

“Good on ya, kiddo.”

Launchpad made his way over to the McQuack’s hanger. A crowbar was always a good go-to. But maybe he should find something bigger, and sharper. You never knew with Negaduck. Sometimes it didn’t matter what weapon you had.

Inside, the lights were on. Launchpad made his way straight to the tool board. At first, he’d found the place nauseatingly tidy. But after helping the McQuack’s out with some repairs, he had to admit, it was nice to be able to find stuff. That would’ve been the last thing he needed today, stressing about digging through tools when he just wanted to grab what he wanted and go deal with Negaduck.

There was the ping of metal on metal. Launchpad spun around and brandished the crowbar.

“Oh, Launchpad, sorry, I thought you realised I was in here.” Loopey sat on the floor, surrounded by a half dozen containers filled with bolts and fasteners. The noise had just been her pegging a bolt into one of the half filled containers, and it was absolutely ridiculous that it had startled him. He really was on edge. She jumped to her feet, picked her way amongst the containers, and came over to him. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to chat.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Loopey frowned at the crowbar. “Now, what are you doing with that?”

“Er…” He’d almost forgotten that most people in this dimension didn’t routinely carry around weapons, and here he was waving a crowbar in the McQuack’s daughter’s face. Still, most people in both dimensions wouldn’t bounce right up to him when he had a weapon in hand. “Um… was going to knock some… heads off flowers. Sometimes I need to blow off steam.”

“Ah,” said Loopey, as if that had been a perfectly rational answer. “Just don’t mess with anything in Mom’s garden.”

Launchpad winced. “Yeah, I’ll only make that mistake once.”

She had her arms folded, looking at him, trying to figure him out. She seemed far too calm. His own sister would’ve been swinging her fist in his face, just like the last time he’d seen her.

“You burned your planes? For him.”

He’d caught her fist. Laughed.

“I am so glad Mom and Dad aren’t here to see what you’ve become.”

“They were weak. Negaduck isn’t.” And then he’d thrown that punch right back.

Loopey lightly brushed his sleeve. “Hey, you okay?”

Launchpad shook himself. He had to deal with Negaduck. But he wanted to talk to Loopey. It was just like what he’d felt with Gosalyn; he wanted to connect with her. It wouldn’t make up for anything with his own sister. But, shit. He missed her. “Er… what are you doing in here anyway?” Launchpad waved the crowbar towards the containers.

“Launchpad crashed into the cupboard, typical, and messed them all up. But he’s out with Dad and…” Loopey rubbed at her arm. “We crashed one of the planes. They’re out there now to bring it in… and… well, Dad seemed a bit upset. I didn’t want to leave this for him to clean up. So, you got a spunky little sister over in this Negaverse place?”

One who hated him so much he’d never be able to speak to her, like this, again. “We haven’t spoken in years.”

“Oh. What about your parents?”

Rougher around the edges then the McQuacks he’d spent the last two months with. Still good people, by Negaverse standards. He and his sister would’ve never hit each other like that when they’d been alive. You only fought if you’d both agreed you were sparring, because a family had to have some way to blow off steam when they were pissed at each other. Other people? Fine. If you knew you needed to smack them one you just did it. But not family. They were your backup, your protection. You treated them with some respect. “They’re dead.”

Loopey winced. “Oh, did this Negaduck guy…?”

Launchpad shook his head. “Nothing to do with him. The Negaverse is just a rough place.” And he’d actually been angry with them, just for not being tough enough to take on the air pirates that had challenged them for their air space. It had been ridiculously immature of him, and he’d figured that out, as he got older, before he even left the Negaverse. When things had come to a head, two planes had taken down nearly a dozen pirate fighter planes between them, until the pirates finally shot down the Negaverse’s Ripcord McQuack. And then Birdie McQuack had flown her plane straight into the main engine of the pirate airship and brought the whole thing down with her. What his parents had done had been borderline legendary.

But they were still dead. And Launchpad had decided that was because they hadn’t been strong enough. Despite how much they relied on and protected each other, when they’d been outnumbered, it wasn’t enough. Allying in yourself to just anyone, no matter how much you trusted them, was not enough. You needed to ally yourself to someone strong. Like the guy who had singlehandedly brought the chaotic and dangerous Negaverse to its knees and declared himself its ruler.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re Mom and Dad didn’t even know me. But they’ve been everything I needed right now. Them and your brother…” Launchpad gulped at the lump that had risen to his throat. Negaduck hadn’t given him the safety he’d been looking for. How he’d treated him had been a poor exchange for his protection. Then he’d come over here. And the McQuacks may not have had the strength he thought he needed, but they’d given him what Negaduck never had and didn’t ask for anything in return. Apart from refraining from ripping up their garden.

Now Negaduck was here to take that all away from him. Launchpad’s fist tightened around the crowbar.

“They’re pretty great, aren’t they? Look, if you want to talk some more, you don’t have to go assault plants. You could help me, er…” Loopey’s shoulders slumped. “Sort fasteners.”

Launchpad forced a smile. “Raincheck?”

“Pft. Coward.” Loopey blinked as she caught herself. “Um, sorry. I talk like this to my brother all the time. You realise this is very confusing, right?”

At least he wasn’t the only one getting mixed up feelings about his actual family mixed in with the ones he was starting to develop for this one. “Yeah, I get it. But we can talk later. I really just need to… blow off some steam.”

“Later.”

The Gator was parked outside. Launchpad swung himself in, grabbed the seatbelt, then let it slide back as he remembered he wasn’t riding with Mr McQuack. He put the machine in drive and tore down the hill as fast as he could.

They might not be his family. But he was attached. And for once, that no longer felt like a weakness. If only he’d worked that out back in the Negaverse with Gosalyn, and with his sister. He may have blown his chances back home, but he would not fail this time.

Negaduck was going to pay.

***

Chapter 6

[concussed-to-pieces]

To Tell You The Truth Part Two

Fandom: Prospect [2018]

Pairing: Eventual Ezra/Prospector!Reader

Rating: Holy shit M.

AN: Monday has finally come! I'm having a lot of fun writing this (even though this chapter is a bit shorter), and I hope it shows. Enjoy!

Tag List: @huliabitch @renegademustelid @wrestlingfae @zombiexbody @sporadic-fics @rzrcrst @lackofhonor @the-feckless-wonder @arrowswithwifi

Part One

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains allusions to previous sexual and/or physical abuse. Stay safe!]

"Well," Ezra said some time later, his voice still a little raspy from performing his own interventions, "Damon may not have been overly intelligent, but the man was certainly resourceful." He tilted out from beneath the navigation console, carefully stripping free another lump of tape from the mess of wires. "He must have pawned off nearly every non-essential object under there. And a few that, regrettably, are." The older man squinted up at you, no doubt taking in the hopeless expression you were sure was on your face.

"So I'm stuck here." You breathed.

"Slow down a beat, gentle soul. We're not played out just yet. The Saders may have the bits or bobs we need. Or…" he trailed off, those dark eyes fixed contemplatively on a point above your shoulder. "Damon mentioned the Queen's Lair and those Karolclan mercs. I assume you are already aware of-" He stopped when you shook your head, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Damon talking about it with you was the first time I heard his plan." You confessed. "I had no idea that was why we were here, I just...I mean he told me we were digging of course, b-but I didn't realize it would be...like that." You finished awkwardly. 

"And why would you? Better to keep you in the dark, I suspect. Easier to maintain his grip if you don't know there's a secure payout." Ezra replied sourly. "It's bad business if Karolclan is involved. Them or those Krebine degenerates. No sane man would accept that job."

"Before you got him talking, I didn't even know that he used to have a family crew." You continued, not sure why you were still rattling on. Nerves, probably. "He never mentioned them."

"A man's sins can weigh heavy on him. I imagine he figured there was no harm in tellin' me a few of 'em, since he assumed he would be comin' out on top in our engagement." Ezra said dismissively, rolling the tape into a tight little ball. "That is interestin' though, that he would keep you so far in the black. No trust lost between partners." He cocked his head, fixing you with that thoughtful stare. "Though...I am beginning to suspect 'partner' is an incorrect moniker." He muttered, half to himself. 

The man gritted his teeth after a moment, wrapping a hand around his elbow and cradling his injured arm to his chest. The thrower wound on his bicep, though treated and sealed off, had continued to slowly ooze yellow fluid around the 'cream' foam. Through the tear in his thermal layer, you could see that the skin around the sealant had gone a sickly pink. 

"It would seem," Ezra began, sounding somewhat strained, "that I did not close the wound in time. I am afraid I may have to press our objective to trade with the Saders a little more insistently." He appeared to be making a concerted effort to keep his voice steady. "I apologize, gentle soul."

You had already started to empty the contents of your cumbersome exploration pack out, digging through the tattered pouches for your mending kit. "I'll patch your suit." Ezra gave you a blank look and you shook your kit at him impatiently. "We need to plug the hole in your exosuit. Any sort of loss of integrity is bad, especially if we have to tether. I can fix the rip."

He worked his jaw momentarily, the motion seeming like a bit of a tick. Hopefully it wasn't a leftover from when he had gotten acquainted with your head. "How long will that take?"

"Ten minutes, if that. I'll make it quick." You tapped the bulky chronometer on your wrist. 

After he nodded, you tugged gingerly at the sleeve of his half-peeled exosuit where it hung limp around his waist, donning your gloves before you attempted to wipe the sticky fluid off the thick fabric. Then, you flipped the sleeve inside out as best as you could, noting with a touch of dismay just how much pollen was already embedded in the seams. 

Undoing your patch pack, you quickly measured and snipped out a rectangular piece from the double-sided patch material. Your handheld stitcher buzzed wearily at the tough outer layer of his suit, semi-straight lines of faded khaki thread punching their way through to secure the lurid orange patch. 

"Look at you." Ezra murmured, his voice drawing you out of your focused work. "This is your comfort zone, isn't it?"

You ducked your head down to avoid his gaze, smoothing the rubber sealant backing over the inside of the stitching. "Done." You said quietly. 

He inserted his wounded arm back into the sleeve, dragging his fingers across the freshly-patched hole. "I daresay it's better than new, gentle soul! Much obliged for that, though I know it's not just for my benefit." The older man praised, making you flush. Damon had never thanked you. "With that, I suggest we gather your accoutrements and be on our way."

…

Ezra seemed to be in a worse state than he had originally let on. It might have just been the added stress of movement and drawing filtered air, but his staggering was starting to reach a concerning level. At this rate, he would trip over the tether line.

Your gaze trailed down to the inside of your helmet, resting on the gasket barely within your field of view. There was the lone chiclet of Brism gum that you had traded for so many stands ago, taped to the side of the lining. You lazily brought your eyes up again, realizing that Ezra had halted once more. If you took the stimulant-loaded gum, you might be able to…

To what? Overpower him? Outrun him? It wouldn't do you any good now, he was the one who knew where you were going. Better to continue to save the Brism for a real emergency. He had given his word, what little that counted for, and thus far, he hadn't proved himself to be a threat.

To anyone besides Damon, anyway. You recalled how Ezra's shoulders had slumped in defeat when Damon had pressed the pistol to his helmet and forced him to open his trophy case. Knowing how long he must have been here, how difficult it must have been to scrape together what he had found...

You cleared your throat. "Are you-"

"Gentle soul, for both of our sakes--it is best if you do not ask that question." He interrupted, the labored breathing in his helmet com threatening to deafen you. "I am doing my--damnedest not to dwell upon--the uncertainty of my current bodily quandary."

"How do you still manage to use so many words, even when it sounds like your saturation is garbage and you're pulling your air through a filter of mud?" You asked incredulously.

"I am a loquacious fool, gentle soul." He paused to wheeze, then continued on as if to prove his point, "My lighthearted inclination toward palavering has turned into a shortcoming of most grievous impact, given our circumstances." He gave you a curious glance. "I did not anticipate your scathin' query."

You gulped, realizing belatedly how sharp your words had been. "I-I'm sorry, I wasn't-"

"Calm yourself, gentle soul. I did not mean to imply that it was unwelcome." Ezra graced you with a quick, pained grin. "It has been a short eternity since I've had anyone to speak to, you must understand. My extensive vernacular has been languishin' in the rushes." He straightened back up, but continued to cradle his injured arm to his chest. "It's refreshing."

"What about your partner?"

Ezra shook his head at you. "Number Two was mute. Silent as the grave. Whizz at numbers though, could calculate the depth and breadth of just about anythin' if you had parchment to spare."

You hummed in understanding, his overly-wordy terminology suddenly making much more sense. He was used to filling in the silence. Ezra grunted, rubbing a tentative circle around the patch on his suit. "Should...should we put your arm in a sling?" You queried nervously.

"I am afraid it is a mite too late for that, gentle soul." He flexed the fingers on his right hand, swearing softly. "Martyr's malfeasance, that is seizin'. Can barely feel anything south of my elbow. You'd think that would be a blessing." He groused. "Whole thing tingles like a stranger's touch." Ezra looked up and then abruptly halted. "Ah, now here we have some promise." He said, sounding relieved. 

You followed his line of vision and froze when you spotted a black-clad figure in the distance, watching the two of you. 

"Don't move fast. We don't want to spook 'em." Ezra murmured, slowly raising his good arm to hail the individual. They crouched slightly, cautious. You could relate to that. Ezra waved at them, gloved fingers spread wide as if to display that his hand was empty.

The person darted off back into the underbrush after several tense seconds and you heaved out a sigh of relief. It was short-lived however, as Ezra started lumbering in the direction they had gone. "Where are you-"

"As Eurydice attempted to follow her beloved Orpheus out of the Stygian Abyss, so too we must follow our potential benefactor and have faith." Ezra looked back at you, smiling thinly. "Come, gentle soul. Departing the Green is naught but one more Herculean trial for us to conquer."

He held out his hand to you as if you were a small child. You narrowed your eyes at him and he chuckled, letting his arm drop once more. 

"I meant no disrespect. I assumed you needed assurance. You looked ready to take flight like a startled bird."

"I'm fine." You replied stiffly, "I just have the brains to not immediately trust strange people I stumble across in the Bakhroma Green." 

"I resemble that remark, gentle soul." Ezra pointed out quietly. "Yet here you are, tethered up. What does that say about your good sense and sensibilities, I wonder?"

"I'm very adept at ignoring warning signs when it suits me." You snapped before you could think better of it.

Ezra's harsh bark of laughter startled you, his smile weirdly genuine when he aimed it at you this time. "I must say, your changeable explosions of acrid ferocity are keepin' me on my toes!" He exclaimed. If you didn't know any better, you would say he sounded delighted. "You are wonderfully fiery when you forget to be timid, gentle soul."

You bit your lip nervously, uncertain if you ought to display concern over how amused he seemed to be. 

The large dome of his helmet bumped against yours. "You have gone pensive again, like our dear Sol when it hides behind roiling nimbus banks. Perhaps I am too prone to exposition to suit someone of your taciturn nature. Damon did not strike me as a man of many words." His tone was light, but his eyes were serious. You abruptly felt like you couldn't breathe as his body loomed over you.

"Too close." You managed to say, not ready to attempt to actually push him away. 

Confusion flickered across his face, then he seemed to realize that he was leaning his helmet on your own. "Oh! My most sincere apologies, gentle soul. Number Two was a sturdy individual. Afraid I'm overused to restin' a bit of weight where it doesn't belong." He took a large step back, holding his hands out as if to assuage your fears. "I-I meant no disrespect."

His stammer took you by surprise. On someone who seemed so self-assured, it was decidedly out of place. You chewed on your lip and then dared to ask, "What's wrong? You're all...worried."

He stilled, looking away from you and suddenly grimacing in pain. "I...I'm afraid my sands are runnin' low, gentle soul." He admitted quietly. "We have to keep movin', get the lead out."

He trudged forward and before you could reconsider, your hand shot out to grab his. You squeezed it briefly, and then released him. "It'll...it'll all be okay." You tried to assure him, smiling at him like he had at you.

Ezra's expression was unreadable, his heavy brows furrowed deep with thought. He didn't respond to you verbally, just shaking his head after a moment and continuing onward through the Green.

...

The leader of this particular group of Saders, a man named Oruf, welcomed the two of you graciously into his tent once you had stowed your weapons a safe distance away from his village. 

Even in the filtered tent, Ezra's wheezing grew more and more pronounced as the minutes passed. You were actually worried now, just how long had he been limping around with half-functional filtration?

"I was once a man like you, who came with a mind to strike aurelac." Oruf murmured. "But that man died down there in the Green." The other bedraggled inhabitants of the tent were eerily silent as Oruf spoke. He clearly commanded some lofty form of respect. "Born anew amongst friends, bonded into layers beyond the ability of the materialists to perceive." Oruf continued grandly. 

His eyes wandered to you as Ezra stifled another coughing fit, the Sader leader observing your every move with a calm boldness that had you on edge. 

"And now, our son will play for you." The boy, a sullen-looking child with hollow eyes who had been introduced as Fahr, obligingly accepted a strange instrument from his father.

Ezra, who had been almost doggedly focused on Oruf, jerked his eyes down to Fahr at the droning sound of the instrument, the prospector tilting his head to the side. Oruf continued to stare at you and you, in turn, continued to try and ignore the lingering fear currently chewing a hole through your stomach. You couldn't shake the sensation that something was very, very wrong.

There was a woman laying on a pallet off to the side of the main room, and you wondered whether she was ill. She hadn't so much as opened her eyes the entire time you had been there.

The music stopped abruptly and you snapped your gaze back to Oruf, but mercifully he had his eyes closed. 

"That was beautiful." Ezra complimented, his voice seeming deliberately soft. Fahr inclined his head and then got to his feet, retrieving a small tray with two cups on it. 

Ezra perked up visibly, accepting his cup with a nod of thanks. When you received yours though, you felt a bit queasy. The contents looked a little more...viscous than you would have anticipated. 

Ezra sipped from his tumbler far more cautiously than he had imbibed the coffee in the pod. "Juice." He informed you helpfully, no doubt noticing your less-than-thrilled expression. "S'good for you, cleanses the dust."

Another coughing fit rattled his chest and you wondered fearfully just how much dust was in your lungs. The so-called 'juice' felt like an oil slick in your mouth, slimy and wrong, but you gulped it down anyway.

"Thank you for your kindness." Ezra said hoarsely to Oruf as Fahr vanished behind the curtain to the tent's side room. "Now, as you can see, I have sustained a trauma to my shoulder and would much like to flush it with your magic juice." He paused, "and to keep straight, we would also be very interested in proper dressin' and uh, filter refreshers if you have them and can spare them." Ezra tapped the filter that hung slack from his purifier assembly. "In return for your gracious offering, we are prepared to compensate with generosity in equal measure." 

He indicated at the heavy pack you had left beside the tent doorway, filled to the brim with everything and anything from the pod that you hadn't needed (and a few things that you could justify living without).

The young boy emerged from the curtained-off room once again, this time toting a large canister of liquid and a tray of small boxes, balanced on top of one of those all-too-familiar white cases. Fahr carefully laid the items out on the ground in front of you and Ezra, then retreated to sit down beside Oruf. "Here is our offer." The Sader patriarch announced calmly.

Despite the proclaimed direness of his infected wound, you didn't miss the way Ezra skipped over everything that might have been remotely beneficial to him to head straight for the white case. Old habits die hard, you supposed. He shakily flipped up the latches and cracked the lid.

Nine healthy-sized aurelac gems were nestled in the protective foam, all clear shells and amber pearls. 

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." Ezra said slowly, a tentative smile quirking his mouth as he glanced up at Oruf. 

"For your woman." Oruf elaborated from across the tent, gesturing down at the white case and then to you. 

The breath stuttered in your lungs. You could have sworn your very heartbeat stopped. Silence reigned in the cramped space as you stared at the Sader man. 

For your woman. 

He was bargaining with Ezra, offering all those supplies and aurelac, for you. You abruptly wanted to puke. In that moment, you wished desperately that you hadn't obeyed them when they demanded you and Ezra to leave your throwers far from their little village.

Ezra appeared just as stunned as you were, finally croaking out, "that is...that is a bold offer."

"It has been determined, but you cannot see because aurelac fills your eyes. It is inevitable all the same, that they will be reborn just like me." The Sader man leaned forward intently. "That is the reason why you were brought here. Not the aurelac."

"What…" Ezra swallowed hard, his voice grating roughly. "W-What do you need her for?"

"We lost our mother." Dread flooded your body anew as Oruf waved a hand towards the woman on the floor. Not sleeping, but dead, you realized. "And the rush past, it is time to rebuild." 

You were absolutely going to be sick. The juice in your stomach writhed queasily, threatening to make a reappearance. They wanted you...as a mother? 

"The Currents have felt our loss, and have pulled you here to reclaim the balance." The man continued relentlessly.

You shot Ezra a panicked look and noted with despair how dark his expression was. He worked his jaw unconsciously, popping it over and over. He was seriously considering this offer, you could see it plain as day on his face. After all, what were you to him? 

You were nothing, just like you had been to Damon. A convenient floater. Freighter scum. And to this man, trapped here for far too long, you were his ticket off the Green.

Hours upon hours spent docked in the clutches of various freighters merged together into a mangled, horrifying mass, each instance worse than the last as you tried futilely to shove them all back down.

"You're a floater, who the fuck would even care?" Damon hissed, unstrapping his flight suit and gesturing downwards with one sharp jut of his wrist. "I picked you up for one fucking reason, you understand?" 

You were going to be sick.

"Scream all you want, no one can hear you. This pussy is mine."

"No one else would help you. I'm the only one. Don't fucking forget that."

You pressed a hand to your mouth and bolted out the flap of the tent, barely remembering to shove your helmet back on as you went. They want a mother. 

No no no no no!

You knew in the back of your mind that it was foolish of you to run off on your own, but the idea of sitting there calmly while Ezra meted out your bodily worth in chunks of aurelac was impossible to consider. 

You heard footsteps pursuing you and as you turned your head to look, your boot caught on a small hummock. You fell to the ground hard, quickly rolling over onto your back before Fahr lunged to land on top of you. The boy held a large, curved knife to your throat but then he paused, glancing backwards. 

You could hear shouting from the tent. You quickly reached up while the child was distracted, tearing free his filter tube and then shoving him off your body. Free once more, you took off pell-mell back into the jungleous expanse. 

Damon's voice echoed in your ears as you fled to where the throwers were hidden.

"You're a floater, who the fuck would even care?"

Part Three

[flushingfamilydentistry]

Teeth Sealants in Flushing: Your First Line of Defense Against Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a persistent and prevalent issue that plagues many individuals, particularly children and adolescents. In the bustling city of Flushing, New York, dental professionals have long recognized the importance of proactive measures to combat this common oral health concern. One such solution that has proven to be highly effective is the use of dental sealants.

Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, commonly known as molars and premolars. These vital teeth sealants flushing are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of food particles and the subsequent development of cavities. Sealants act as a barrier, shielding the tooth's grooves and pits from the harmful bacteria and acids that can lead to tooth decay.

The Importance of Dental Sealants

Flushing, with its diverse population and busy lifestyle, presents unique challenges when it comes to maintaining optimal oral health. Many residents, especially children, may not have the time or resources to consistently practice proper dental hygiene habits, such as thorough brushing and flossing. This, coupled with the prevalence of sugary and starchy foods, can create an environment ripe for the development of cavities.

Dental sealants address this issue by providing an additional layer of protection for the teeth. By filling in the crevices and grooves of the molars and premolars, sealants prevent the buildup of plaque and food debris, which are the primary culprits behind tooth decay. This proactive approach not only safeguards the teeth but also reduces the need for costly and invasive dental treatments in the future.

The Application Process

Applying dental sealants is a simple and painless procedure that can be completed in a single visit to a dental professional. The process typically involves the following steps:

Tooth Preparation: The dentist or dental hygienist will thoroughly clean the teeth, ensuring that any plaque or debris is removed from the chewing surfaces.

Etching: A mild acidic solution is applied to the tooth enamel, creating a roughened surface that allows the sealant to adhere more effectively.

Sealant Application: The liquid sealant material is carefully painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth, filling in the grooves and pits.

Curing: A special curing light is used to harden and solidify the sealant, creating a durable and long-lasting protective barrier.

The entire process typically takes less than 30 minutes per tooth, and patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure.

The Benefits of Dental Sealants

Investing in dental sealants in Flushing offers a multitude of benefits for both children and adults. Here are some of the key advantages:

Cavity Prevention: Sealants are highly effective in preventing the development of cavities, reducing the risk of tooth decay by up to 80% on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Long-Lasting Protection: When properly applied and maintained, dental sealants can last for several years, providing ongoing protection for the teeth.

Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to the cost of treating advanced tooth decay, the application of dental sealants is a relatively inexpensive preventive measure that can save individuals and families significant dental expenses in the long run.

Improved Oral Health: By reducing the incidence of cavities, dental sealants contribute to overall improved oral health, reducing the need for fillings, crowns, and other restorative treatments.

Enhanced Confidence: Maintaining healthy, decay-free teeth can boost an individual's self-confidence and improve their overall quality of life.

Considerations for Optimal Sealant Effectiveness

To ensure the long-term effectiveness of dental sealants, it is important to adhere to a few key considerations:

Timing of Application: Dental sealants are most effective when applied to the permanent molars and premolars as soon as they erupt, typically between the ages of 6 and 14. This proactive approach helps to shield the teeth during their most vulnerable years.

Proper Maintenance: Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential to ensure that the sealants remain intact and continue to provide effective protection. Dentists or hygienists can quickly and easily inspect the sealants and reapply or repair them if necessary.

Continued Oral Hygiene: While dental sealants offer a significant layer of protection, they do not replace the need for regular brushing, flossing, and other good oral hygiene practices. Patients should continue to maintain a comprehensive dental care routine to complement the benefits of sealants.

Accessibility and Availability of Dental Sealants in Flushing

In Flushing, dental sealants are widely available and accessible through a variety of dental practices and clinics. Many dentists in the area offer sealant services as part of their standard preventive care offerings, making it convenient for patients to incorporate this important treatment into their oral health regimen.

Additionally, some community-based initiatives and public health programs in Flushing may provide access to discounted or even free dental sealant services, particularly for children from low-income families or those without dental insurance coverage. These programs aim to ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to benefit from this effective cavity-prevention method.

Conclusion

Dental sealants in Flushing, New York, represent a crucial line of defense against the persistent threat of tooth decay. By shielding the vulnerable chewing surfaces of the back teeth, sealants effectively reduce the risk of cavities and the need for more invasive dental treatments. As a cost-effective and long-lasting preventive measure, sealants offer a practical solution to the oral health challenges faced by many Flushing residents.

By prioritizing the application of dental sealants, individuals in Flushing can take a proactive step towards maintaining healthy, decay-free teeth and gums. This, in turn, can lead to improved overall health, increased confidence, and reduced dental expenses down the line. As the dental community in Flushing continues to advocate for and provide accessible sealant services, the city's residents can look forward to a brighter, more cavity-free future.

[the-blind-assassin-12]

Blame the Beer

A/N: This is a result of some drunk writing, and A LOT of sober editing. This little look takes place in the earliest days, predating Benjamin and Reader’s relationship...but maybe not predating the feelings that you had for him. 

Word Count: 1,478

Requested by: @something-tofightfor​ 

The work on the library ceiling was coming to an end, just a final touch up of the lush, velvety blues and lilting, shining golds before the sealant was applied. You guessed it would take you about two more days, three tops, if only to wait for the paint to dry. Glancing down over the edge of the scaffolding, you noticed that Benjamin was starting to organize his stacks of notes, packing up his laptop and sorting the books into piles. You dipped your brushes in a cup of thinner to clean them, the paint that looked nearly black on the bristles creating cobalt swirls before dissolving away completely. Still watching, you saw Benjamin casually stroll through the shelves, slowly returning the books he’d been pouring over. Wiping your dripping brushes in the stain ridden rag that you held in your left hand, you couldn’t help but make the assumption that he was stalling until you got down. No, that’s...I’m sure that’s just… But before you could talk yourself out of it, you saw him look up and over his shoulder at you, eyes going wide and then narrowing over slightly reddened and rounded cheeks as he smiled sheepishly. Nope, he’s stalling. You laughed to yourself feeling your own face flush. This is so dumb. Your inward laughter drew your lips into a smile, and you hurried to finish packing up for the night.

Once you’d screwed the caps tightly onto the various pots of paints and solvents and tidied your tools, you ducked under the railing and climbed down the steel ladder of the scaffold. The sound of your boots on the bars caused Benjamin to tuck the last book he’d been carrying into a random place on a shelf before quickly coming back to the table where his things were, right next to where you stood. Subtle. “Done for the night?” He asked with a quirk of his eyebrow and a nod up towards the night sky above you. 

You nodded, unable to keep the smirk from your lips. But you knew that. You’d noticed him stealing peeks up at you for the last hour or so, trying to gauge how much longer you’d  be. “Yup,” you sighed, looking up at your work, one hand curving around the back of your neck as you arched your back to release a small pop. “Just a few more days to go. Too bad it’s Friday, or else I could have finished it sooner than the estimate I gave them.” Shrugging, you dropped your arm back to your side and looked back down at him to see that he’d not taken his eyes from you, even while you’d been looking up. Oh, Hi. You inhaled a quick breath, slightly unbalanced by the curious, honest look in his eyes. 

“Why, do you have another job lined up that you’re trying to get to?” He adjusted the strap of his laptop case and brought his fingertips up to lightly tap the bottom rim of his glasses up and into place. 

You brushed your palms over your jeans and rocked back on your heels. “No, I don’t-” 

“Then what’s the rush?” He widened his smile, flashing brilliantly white teeth before continuing. “You’ve got a weekend in London, why not enjoy it?” Your eyebrows flew up and he squeezed his eyes shut, waving one hand out in front of him, palm facing you. “No, not like… I didn’t mean with me I just meant…” 

You burst out in a laugh that seemed to deflate the rapidly expanding worry that he’d misspoken and offended you by implying that- That what? That I’d want to… that he’s interested in… 

“Dinner.” He broke up your thoughts, sighing as he recovered from his inadvertent forwardness. “Do you want to grab dinner with me?” 

You’d shared dinner with him a few times already since you’d started sharing workspaces, so one more invitation didn’t seem out of place. He was good company and you found yourself enjoying the time you spent with him. “Yeah, sure,” you nodded, smiling as he did the same. You mentioned the same chip shop you’d gone to the last time, but he shook his head. 

“A friend of mine is bartending at this pub round the corner from here. They serve food too, and Jack won’t charge me for a few pints, if you-” 

“Alright.” 

“Yeah?” He couldn’t keep a spark of excitement from his eyes and you caught it even from behind his lenses. 

“Yeah, why not. It’s Friday.” You winked and watched that spark ignite. It’s just dinner and drinks, it’s fine. 

Before the crisp cold air could get through your outer layers, he’d led you into the door of the pub, wood surfaces and the golden glow of lamps creating a warmth that banished even the thought of a chill. He’d introduced you to Jack who’d slid foam topped beers across the bar to both of you, Benjamin nodding a thanks as he passed you a laminated bar menu and held his glass up to yours. “To the weekend,” he looked at you, waiting for you to click your glass to his. 

You did, smiling. “Cheers to our hard work.” Some of the foam from your mug splashed over into his, some of his spilling onto the lacquered bar top. Oops. 

Benjamin chuckled and grabbed a handful of small square napkins to soak up your spill. “Like it never happened.” He took a sip, tongue flicking out to clean a drop of amber liquid from his lip. He gestured to the menu with one pointed finger, suggesting a few items that he’d tried before. Once you’d both ordered, you sat back in your stools and traded turns at asking questions and making conversation. You’d polished off two pints before dinner showed up, and you’d noticed that Benjamin had gotten increasingly excited by the questions that you were asking him, especially if they pertained to his research. Between shoving chips dunked in malt vinegar into his mouth, he rattled off names and dates, but not in the dry, dusty way that you’d learned them in school. Sure, he was on his third beer, but he was equal parts drunk on the alcohol and the passion that he clearly had for his course of study. It’s cute. 

Oh...shit. 

It’s the beer. 

He pulled his glasses from his face, waving them around as he spoke, before perching them up on his forehead to free his hands for more food. You took a sip of your drink, trying to swallow your thoughts. But you knew it wasn’t just the beer. You knew that you had started to think about Benjamin as more than just the guy writing a paper below your scaffold. You looked up just in time to catch him pushing his frames back into place on his nose, and his inability to decide if he wanted them on or off only made it more difficult to blame the beer. 

After you’d finished your meals, you pushed your plates closer to the service end of the bar, Jake swooping in to take them away. Before you could ask for your tab, the man was pushing another drink on you, and while both you and Benjamin tried to stop him before he’d poured them, he hadn’t heard you. “Guess we’re having one more?” You looked over at him, his face flushed from the drinks and laughter, his eyes shining for the same reasons. 

“Guess so,” he answered. “Good thing it’s Friday, huh?” He reversed your words from earlier, when you were lamenting that you hadn’t had more time to get your work done. He took a drink and then you saw his hand going for his glasses, no doubt to reposition them for the twelfth time. You couldn’t stop yourself from reaching out and beating him to it, pulling them away from his face, fingertips on fire from where they brushed the skin near his temple. What am I doing? You held your breath for a beat but quickly released it as he smiled. “I was fidgeting with them wasn’t I?” You nodded, bottom lip tucked under your teeth. He shook his head. “I do that when I’m…” 

“Excited?” You supplied the word for him. It was the one word you’d use to describe him- what you knew of him anyway. Excited. About his work, about whatever he was talking about, about who he spent his time with and how he thought about the world. He radiated potential and constantly kept one eye trained on the bright side, no matter what he saw on the other. 

“Yeah,” he was still smiling, but the look in his eyes had changed, softened. “Excited.” 

Oh shit. You felt a warm rush flood your veins that had nothing to do with the drinks. It’s not the beer.

.

.

.

@something-tofightfor​  @its-my-little-dumpster-fire​  @suchatinyinfinity​​​ @thesumofmychoices​​​  @gollyderek​​​  @malionnes​​​  @becs-bunker​​​ @warriorqueenofnarnia​​  @elanor-of-imladris​​​  @traeumerinwitzhelden​​​ @songtoyou​​​  @michellemybelles-world​​ @obscurilicious​ @breanime​ @octosapiens​ 

[fashionkingcarney]

ravenous, ravenous

one | two

When he looks up and spots her, standing paces away, his whole face lights up. “Eurydice,” he says, breathy and hopeful, and damn him for how her name sounds in his voice.

Home, he'd promised her.

“Eurydice,” he says gently, prying her hands off his shoulders and clutching her fingers. “Do you want this with me?” 

chapter two - read here on AO3

The lock on Orpheus’s door is rusted over. He fumbles through his pockets with one hand, dropping crumpled scraps of notepad paper on the dusty floor, apologizing with every breath. Still, he holds her hand tight, as if she might make a break for it if he lets go. Even as he struggles, reaching crosswise to his left pocket, he refuses to release her.

“Hold on a second,” she tells him, swallowing the ridiculous giggle that bubbles up in her gut.  

With her free hand, she reaches into his pocket, digging through the copious amounts of crumpled newsprint, until she finds something cold and metallic, with teeth on the end. It’s a skeleton key tied to a length of torn red cloth, frayed along the edges.

“You can open it,” he offers, “If you’d like.”

A door for her to open; Eurydice can’t remember the last time she’d had one of those. She fumbles with the key, using the end to push aside the flap. She jams it in the wrong way on her first try, the metal creaking angrily in protest. She turns it to try again, the end of the key scratching hideously against the surface of the lock. It takes try after try, of turning the key clockwise and then counter-clockwise, and then back again. Orpheus is entirely unhelpful, holding her left hand sandwiched between both of his, when she pulls her right out of his grip.

Finally, a wiggle and a twist to the right and the pins click. The doorknob turns and the hinges on the door groan as the door swings open. He beams down at her, eyes alight.

Eurydice swallows another ridiculous giggle.

Orpheus’s apartment, a second floor walk up on top of the liquor store, is little more than four walls and a roof. The door opens to empty space, a kitchen and what must be a dining area with a makeshift table; a piece of plywood over a rusted metal frame, and a single stool. There’s a trio of chairs lined up one side, each with a bent leg or a slanted wooden seat or a contorted backrest. Scavenged furnishings and do-it-yourself projects; she isn’t surprised. She’d expected as much, when he’d offered her that paper flower.

And still; it’s four walls more than she’d had, wandering the streets.

“Well?” she slips off her coat and hugs it to her chest, setting her bag down at her feet. “What can I do?”

“I can take your coat,” he offers, taking it from her and draping it over a hook on the barren tree in the foyer. “Do you want some tea? Lady Persephone left me some from her hibiscus garden, before she left for the winter.”

“Orpheus.” Six steps and she’s crossed the room to where he is. She curls her hands around the leather straps of his suspenders and yanks him close. Until he’s standing flush against her, so close she can feel the thrum of his heart. “You wanted me to come home with you.”

He swallows. “Yes. Yes I did.”

“Well then, lover,” she purrs, “What do you want me to do?”

“I…I don’t know,” he stutters.

“What about this?” she leans up on tiptoes and presses her mouth to his jaw.

His breath hitches. “Is this what you want to do?”

“That’s not important,” she takes him by the hand, leads him to the rightmost chair. It creaks when he sits, the legs teetering like a seesaw when she gently pushes him down with her hands on his shoulders, standing between his legs. “You brought me home. Tell me what you like.”

“Eurydice,” he chokes out. “I didn’t ask you to come home with me because I wanted this.”

Her grip on his shoulders tighten. “Well why did you, then?”

He looks down at his hands. “To talk to you, I guess. I just feel like I need to know you.”

Need; she could scoff. How fanciful a life did he lead if he had the luxury of using need in the context of this? A musician with his head in the clouds, by the state of his apartment, she should’ve guessed his grasp of the reality of this broken world to be less than practical.

“You want to know me,” she corrects. “Need is something else, lover. Let me show you.”

“Eurydice,” he says gently, prying her hands off his shoulders and clutching her fingers. “Do you want this with me?”

“You’re giving me a choice?” She chokes on a laugh. “There is none. Not for a thing like me.”

“What do you want from me, then? What did you want with me?” he swallows. “You came back, you said you wanted to come home with me. Why?”

That she’d been cold and hungry, and he’d seemed decent enough that she might offer herself to him to solve one of those problems—she can’t explain that to him. He, who doesn’t understand the difference between need and want, or perhaps just places want before need. The wants of his mind over the needs of his body. She’d resigned herself to bartering her flesh. Her body for a place to sleep, it’d seemed reasonable. But it’s her he wants and not the physical of what she’s willing to trade. She’s not for sale. She’d come to him as her last resort, but she’d sooner freeze than barter her soul.

Eurydice can’t stay.

She picks up her bag, heaving it up over her shoulder, wincing as the strap bears down on that line of muscle in her back that’s ready to give out. “This was a mistake. I should go. I’m going to go.”

“I’m sorry,” he says in a rush, “If it’s something I’ve said or done, please, I’m sorry. You don’t have to go.”

“Look, I’m offering you sex and only that,” she squints at him. “But that’s not what you want, is it?”

He runs his fingers up his hair, mussing it even more. “Where will you go?”

What he doesn’t say: he doesn’t want sex, if it’s something she’s offering for trade.

She could laugh at his privilege.

“I’ll figure something out.” She picks her coat off the hook he’d draped it on. “Goodbye, Orpheus.”

The door closes gently behind her. She’ll find a way. She’ll have to.

  The doors to the train station close at eight in the evening, but there’s no lock on the door. Just a deadbolt on the outside that slips open with a tug at the latch. The lights are turned off, and the heating system’s creaky old pipes that had whined all day are silent. Eurydice exhales in a huff of frost. The place hadn’t been inviting in the light of day, but in the dark of night, it’s downright haunted.

There are slabs of wood on concrete blocks serving as benches, placed intermittently along the station’s walls. Glass panes form the exterior walls, and the black sealant is broken in places. Day had brought a touch of warmth, the furnace heating the space, but the nights are colder and with the heating powered down, the chill creeps through the cracks.

Eurydice picks the bench farthest from the windows and sets her bag down. Months ago, she’d had bedding, a roll of blankets with a pillow sandwiched in the hollow. No bed of feathers, but something to lie on, something to cover her legs. That’s gone now, lost on a train somewhere in the Midwest. All that remains are the clothes off her back. The wool on her coat unravels in tufts, the silk slip she’d repurposed into a dress offers no warmth. Her stockings have runs, where they’d caught on hooks and nails, gauging the skin underneath. She’d bled and then healed, the torn flesh scabbing and then scarring, but the wounds to the delicate nylon weren’t so easily healed.

Her coat is her blanket, her bag, a pillow. She clutches it to her stomach, curling her legs up and around all her worldly possessions. Eurydice yawns, wincing as the movement sends a fresh wave of pain through her stomach; she’d journeyed so far and so long, and all for this. A bench in a train station and a worthless three quarters to her name. She’d slept sitting up on dirty hay, dozed off while standing, holding onto a railing inside a train car. There’d been a rhyme and a reason to that struggle then, she’d given up her feather bed for—honour. There’s no honour to being homeless in the winter; pride will neither feed her, nor provide her shelter.

Fatigue pulls her under now, she drifts, her eyes heavy.

But the wind picks up, the building rattles. Something tugs at her bag and she jerks awake, clutching the coarse canvas satchel so tightly her knuckles turn white. The door to the place had opened easily for her, it would be just as easy for someone else to come in take all she has. A meagre nothing, but her nothing all the same.

And though the day—the days—had been interminably long, her eyes stay glued to the horizon as the morning light bleeds through the night.

She can’t do this again.

[healedserpent]

Honesty meme: Ten things Julian wants to do to/with Castiel (on main) that are not even a little platonic? XD

Of course you’d have me answer that x)

@shieldofgod

1) Give Castiel hickeys. He wants to kiss the man’s jaw, neck, and chest. He wants to coat shoulders in the ruddy marks, likewise whisper words of praise or affirmation with each one. Almost a love mark, like that: physical evidence of his affection while words act as a ‘sealant’ of sorts.

2) Cuddle, spoon with Castiel while whispering into his ear. He wants Cas to feel him pressing up against him, roll with the slow gyrations of his hip while Julian whispered about what they could do, what he felt like, or how nice Castiel was being.

3) Have sex (first time).  He wants to take Castiel, namely the angel’s first time. He wants to have it back in Half Moon Bay, where they’d spend the night slow in approach. He’d listen, whisper words of praise while wandering his hands over Cas’s form and skin. Julian might toss in a bite here or there, but ultimately keep it slow, steady, and tame for the first time.

4) Dance with him. Julian wants to dance with Castiel, perhaps in Half Moon, the forest surrounding Kem’s cabin, or back on the Ionian islands like they visited in their first encounter. Of course, such dancing’d take a turn for the sultry with well-positioned wanderings of hands down the back, hips flush with one another, and little nips to the ear.

5) Serenade, all the while inside him. He wants to sing, use that voice of his to lure and coax and tell Castiel of his love. It’s a little concert for his lover, one he’d hum into the other’s ear with each hitch in breath or rise in arousal. Julian’d want to hear him sing back, whether in the form of moans, gasps, or grunts.

6) Take Cas. He wants to feel Cas around him, no doubt, but there’d be something nice if Castiel were the one to initiate this. He wants to fall into the other’s rhythm, subject himself to each thrust or grind, all the while gripping to sheets, pillows, or Cas’s back. Julian wants to feel Castiel beyond his lovely skin and stubble. He wants more than heated breaths or bites. He wants him--body, mind, and all.

7) Shibari. He likes the idea, the intimacy it provides and the gradual build up from untied to intricate knots pressing against a person’s form. While he’s inexperienced beyond a little flavor of it, he’d no doubt research and broach the topic with a trusted partner. It didn’t matter who would be the roped one, but he likes to think he’d have a better time tying his partner up.

8) Pegging? Pegging. Julian’s enjoyed it in the past, though it is, without a doubt, a little more challenging when both partners already sport the “all-natural” equipment. Irregardless, he likes to think it’d be fun, though the pleasure’s more or less enhanced when he’s the receiving end of it. Fun to be had, no? The harness itself does look nice on the thighs.

9) Biting. Nibbling, bits, grasping flesh in teeth with an animalistic hunger, Julian wants to litter his partner in marks. He enjoys tender and tantric all the same, but there’s something to be had when blending it with bits of pain. Pinches, sometimes, but more or less residual marks that could be felt long after the deed’s done. His favorite places to bit are the ears, lip, jaw, neck, likewise the thighs and shoulders.

10) Cooking together. A domestic one to end it all, but he’d want to teach Castiel some of his home recipes, help the angel in the kitchen, too. There’d be singing from the demigod, no doubt a makeshift recital of ingredients or a Spanish song form his childhood. He’d want to let Cas stir the soup or cut up some veggies or fruit, allowing the head chef to wrap his arms around Cas’s waist and kiss his cheek, ear, or head.

[shishuka-hospital]

Instructions to Keep Your Kid’s Teeth Solid

As a parent, we see great oral consideration propensities and give our all to give it to our kids. A day to day teeth-cleaning routine is significant for good dental wellbeing. Solid grown-up teeth start with sound children's teeth. Keeping kids hole free and rot free is a definitive objective.

Here are a hints from brushing their most memorable tooth to their most memorable visit to the dental specialist -

Begin dental consideration when your child's most memorable teeth begin coming in, and clean them consistently with ordinary water. Clean your child's teeth in the wake of taking care of - particularly just prior to resting. Ask your dental specialist, shishu care clinic when might be the perfect opportunity to begin utilizing toothpaste.

Kids ordinarily impersonate people around them, so be a good example and make sense of good oral wellbeing propensities to them.

Train your little one to clean their teeth 2 times each day with fluoride toothpaste. Show your kids not to eat or lick toothpaste from the cylinder.

Getting children to clean their teeth can be an issue for you. Allow them to pick a most loved variety or a person toothbrush. Ensure it's the legitimate size for your kid's mouth.

Plan your kid's normal everyday practice of visiting the dental specialist for quite some time once. Making ordinary meetings with the dental specialist(child specialist in bangalore) is a typical action. Your youngster ought to have their most memorable dental arrangement in something like a half year of their most memorable smooth tooth.

Keeping away from sweet beverages and food sources keeps up with generally speaking dental wellbeing and depressions. Utilization of sugar can make rot and cavities, and we as a whole need, areas of strength for sound to partake in the food we love.

Try not to give utensils, sippy cups, jugs, pacifiers, or different things to your children, and don't permit them to be imparted to other people. Microscopic organisms starting with one mouth can be passed then onto the next. Disinfect all things that might be in your child's mouth to forestall bacterial diseases.

Ensure with your dental specialist about the choice of having preventive treatment like sealants accomplished for your youngster's teeth.

Sound teeth objectives for youngsters -

Keep away from Sweet Food varieties

Brush Two times per Day

Floss and flush the mouth everyday

Visit the dental specialist once in a half year

Make oral wellbeing a tomfoolery propensity

Dental issues are the most well-known issue in kids. Despite the fact that dentistry has the most recent dental progressions, you actually need to assume a significant part in your dental consideration — and your kid's. Dental wellbeing is entire individual wellbeing, untreated dental issues might prompt stroke, coronary illness, oral disease, and diabetes in adulthood.

Visit shishuka children's speciality hospital that is best pediatrician in bangalore for your and your kid's dental issues. Book an Arrangement Today.!

[dynamic-clinic]

How Long Does a Root Canal Procedure Take?

A root canal, likewise alluded to as endodontic treatment, is a strategy during which a dental expert eliminates delicate tissue from inside a tooth that has become contaminated or aroused. This tissue, called dental mash, contains veins, nerves, and connective tissue that feed the tooth's root and keep it sound. At the point when the dental mash of a tooth becomes harmed or starts to break down—as the aftereffect of harm to the tooth, more extensive disease, or broad rot—it can cause an exceptionally difficult discharge filled pocket (sore) at the root of the tooth. The best way to calm the aggravation, save the tooth, and forestall reinfection is with a root canal method.

Root canal treatment in Dubai can be performed by a dental specialist, but on the other hand are alluded to an endodontist, a dental expert who represents considerable authority in dental mash. An endodontist's extra preparing incorporates torment the executives, torment determination, and different systems essential for saving normal teeth.

How is the root canal methodology?

Root canals are somewhat standard strategies, paying little heed to who conducts them. Like a dental filling, root canals are normally an immediate, in-house methodology that can happen in your standard dental specialist's office. Similarly as with a filling, the dental specialist or endodontist will apply a desensitizing prescription to the gum encompassing the impacted tooth or teeth, then, at that point, infuse a neighborhood sedative.

At the point when the tooth and gum are numb, a little opening will be bored in the highest point of the tooth to uncover the contaminated mash. The dental specialist or endodontist will wipe out the mash just as within the tooth and coat it with an anti-infection to forestall reinfection. The tooth will be filled and fixed with a glue or engineered material, then, at that point, covered with a brief filling and sealant.

Since they are performed under neighborhood sedation, root canals are for the most part not any more difficult than other routine strategies. Some irritation, deadness, or gentle uneasiness might continue for 24-48 hours later the treatment—which can regularly be overseen by over-the-counter torment meds—however essentially everything patients can get back to their typical exercises that very day. As a rule, the aggravation of the tainted tooth is a lot more prominent than any aggravation felt later the root canal system.

What amount of time will your root canal require?

A root canal truly does commonly take somewhat longer than a normal filling, on the grounds that, notwithstanding sedation, set-up, and arrangement, the whole nerve of the tooth should be cut out, flushed, sanitized, and fixed. By and large, straightforward root canals require only one arrangement enduring between 30 minutes to a little more than 60 minutes. Notwithstanding, extreme cases might request an hour and a half or more, or even a subsequent arrangement assuming that the dental specialist or endodontist suggests a long-lasting filling or crown for the tooth. The time expected to play out a root canal is dictated by a few variables, like the quantity of canals that need cleaning and the kind of tooth that needs treatment.

A few teeth have just one root that requires treatment, however others can have up to three roots that need treatment.

Canines and incisors.

 Canine and incisor teeth are the teeth toward the front of your mouth that assist you with tearing and cut food when you eat. Their single root makes them quicker and more straightforward to fill and treat. Premolars. Premolars are favoring the center of your teeth. They have a couple of roots, so wiping them out may require an hour or more. Molars. Molars are the enormous teeth toward the rear of your mouth and can have up to four canals. Root canals performed on molars can require an hour and a half or more

. Not at all like different pieces of your body, teeth can't mend themselves, particularly whenever they are contaminated. Whenever left untreated, contamination and aggravation will spread to different tissues, teeth, or even spaces of your mouth. A root canal is the best way to protect a characteristic tooth in light of the fact that neither cleanings nor fillings enough eliminate the entirety of the harmed mash. The main option in contrast to a root canal is simply the extraction of the whole tooth. Extractions are significantly more costly, involved, and tedious than a root canal, and convey the additional prerequisite of supplanting the eliminated tooth with an embed, crown, scaffold, or halfway dental replacement to keep up with legitimate oral capacity.