#the chances of any of these friends finding my blog are microscopically small but if they do

[thedevillionaire]

👥 for the ask meme thing!

Thanks so much for the ask! Sorry for the delay in reply - I've been entirely offline for two days but I'm finally back in the modern world lol 👥 Do you ever share your snz writing with other friends outside of the community?

Well...not as such, but I've shared plenty of fics with covert snzfuckery in them with vanilla readers. The thing is, I've never told anyone IRL that I have this fetish, and I have no intentions to change that. But I can very confidently say that despite me including sneezing in well over 50% of my vanilla fics (no spellings), nobody's ever even come close to noticing. I presume. Nobody's ever commented on it or asked about it, anyway. If they have wondered, they've very much kept it to themselves! A few of my snzfics have vanilla versions, actually. The situation and topic's the same, but the presentation's different. Before I first posted here, vanilla readers were all I had - a small bunch across several years, all IRL friends - and they know, or at one point used to know, my Underworld and OCs very well. If any of them ever happen to stumble across my page here, my secret's 10,000% out. And if they want to read any of my snz stuff after that, they're welcome to, but... 😂 😂 Yeah, I don't know if they'd be especially inclined lol

But no, I don't overtly share my snz porn with anyone outside snzblr, which is the only place I've ever posted my fics online at all, snz or otherwise. 💕

[kyidyl]

Kyidyl Explains Bone - Part 2

(these are collected under the KyidylBones tag bc I have the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy.) 

I decided to do this today since the other part was basically like boring intro stuff and that’s not really what you showed up for.  So today’s topic is: 

Human vs. Animal

Anthropology and archaeology departments the world over are often brought random bones people find to ID whether they’re human or animal, so you might be wondering how do we know the difference? Well...it takes practice.  And, honestly, if the pieces are too small we can’t tell without microscopic analysis of the bone structure, but most of the time we can tell.  

Human bone is very unique.  Our anatomy is unique because we’re the only living members of our genus Homo and the anatomical adaptations of Homo are unique among animals.  The weird combination of big brain, walks upright, fine motor control, and used to live in trees is just...weird.  Our internal microscopic structure is different than that of any other animal. We grow differently than any other animal because our young take so long to mature and are born so helpless.  So anatomically...we’re unique if you know what to look for, but fragmentary remains are super common so you can’t do it by anatomy alone.

One piece of info that’s important.  Bone is made of two components: collagen and minerals.  Squishy bits and crunchy bits respectively.  And, yes, if you’re wondering...scientists DO sometimes remove these bits for Reasons (TM).  

Context! 

Where did you find this thing? Was it a single bone in a patch of woods in your backyard? Probably animal, but not always.  In a pit at a dig with burned animal bones? Probably not a human because people don’t toss the remains of their friends and families in with dinner.  Across cultures people treat their own dead differently than their animal dead or their food.  So if you find it with the food? 99% chance it’s animal, even at a disturbed site (tho it’s not *impossible* to find people in with animal, especially in caves, very disturbed sites, or very old sites.  With very old sites you have to get comfortable with the idea that sometimes people were food and it wasn’t even that uncommon.)

Texture! 

I’m doing this one first bc I can’t give you pictures of texture so it can go outside the cut.  That microscopic structure I mentioned and differences in bone growth all lead to a different texture in human bone.  Now, I want to preface this by saying: this varies with the age of the bone and the age of the individual and the environment in which you found it.  But human bone tends to be a bit less....greasy than animal bone.  I don’t know how else to describe this, because understanding the difference in texture is literally something you can only do by handling them, but I’ll do my best.  

See, animal bone found in association with humans is normally put through some kind of alteration process.  Cooking, smoking, etc.  Human bone sometimes is - after all, people cremate their dead or dry them out or mummify them or eat them all the time - but buried bone tends to be drier in texture than animal bone.  Animal bone won’t leave greasy stains or residue, but it will feel smoother - less porous.  As humans (and animals) decay, the collagen goes first and leaves behind the minerals.  This happens at different rates for different organisms in different conditions, but human bone that has been buried will have a different texture than animal bone, and it will be slightly less smooth or greasy (listen bone grease isn’t GREASE grease it’s just like a way of talking about how dried out it is. Older = less grease.  New things will leave like food grease on your fingers.). But after you’ve felt it a few times - buried human bone has a different texture than animal bone.  

Color! 

Human bone is a different color from other kinds of bone.  It’s similar, but not the same.  And! Unless it has been bleached by the sun (something I’ll touch on more when I do the damage post.), it’s not white.  Not when it has been defleshed naturally.  So halloween decorations? Yeah, all the wrong color.  Anyway, this is where we start to get into images, so I’m going to start putting things behind the cut.  

Here is an image of mixed animal bone from my own collection: 

Ooooo so many cool things in this one picture.  There’s burned bone, small bone, big bone, MgO staining, teef!, moar different burned bone...and one of the things that gets mistaken as human most often: turtle shell.  It’s the piece that’s in the top row, fourth from the right.  It looks very much like human skull when it’s fragmentary and is easy to mistake it as such.  It’s flat and the lines look like sutures (place where the bones in the skull fused, and are now the markers of separate bones.), but they don’t go all the way through.  Anyway, this is a good depiction of the wide variety of colors animal bone comes in.  The large piece in the very lower right is close to what I’d consider an average.  

Here’s an image of human femur that has been defleshed, but not buried: 

(Source)

Probably a young adult because the bone is in good condition, and the head has been fused but the suture isn’t completely grown over (obliterated).  

These are also human femurs: 

(Source)

Side note: they all probably had rickets and that center one is a juvenile, and I’ll teach you how to ID that later on.  They were found in a cave, a burial, and an archaeological site respectively.  

This is another femur: 

(Source)

Bottom is the femur, and it has a healed break in the middle.  The top is also a femur but it has....so...so...many problems.  SO MANY.  I could barely tell it’s a femur from this angle.  

Anyway, the color and texture on that front femur is what I would consider like an average color and texture for a human bone.  And it’s tan, sure, but it’s a different color tan than animal bone, especially IRL.  

In short: human bone looks different and feels different than animal bone, even before you take into consideration things like anatomy.  

Regarding anatomy, it’s...well, it’s an incredibly complex topic and I don’t know that I can really cover it appropriately here in my blog.  It mostly boils down to the impact that bipedalism has on our bodies, the impact that a big brain has on our skulls, and the impact that our manual dexterity on our fingers.  The walking thing is especially important because it changes *everything* about our anatomy.  Like...head to toe.  Everything.  

If you’re interested in human bone anatomy I have two resource recommendations for you.  First, The Human Bone Manual.  This is the one I used for school, and it’s the most useful textbook I’ve ever purchased.  I still use it all the time.  The ebook version is around $18.  Second, this app is called Essential Skeleton 4. It’s free, and it’s the most comprehensive skeletal anatomy app I’ve ever seen (and I’ve used a LOT of them.  It’s made by the same people who make essential anatomy - but EA isn’t free.).  Unfortunately, it’s iOS only and I’ve never found a decent alternative for android. :/ 

There is a lot more to telling human from animal, but my hope is that you’ll pick it up as I make the other entries into the series.  My best advice here is to develop an eye for detail.  Be like Elliot Spencer: it’s a very distinctive ___________. 

One final note on anatomy: people almost always do not realize what size bones actually are.  Human femurs are long and they’re heavy for their size.  They’re usually at least a foot or two in length (I mean...obviously...height is a factor.). The head is good and solid, and the shaft is thick with a lot of compact bone, but when the soft tissue is gone they’re hollow.  Most of the long bones are.  Foot bones are larger than most people expect. Skulls vary in size between softball-ish and volleyball-ish.  And human bone has a distinctive density which, unfortunately, you can’t learn the feel of without handling bone.  If you pick up a bone that looks right but doesn’t feel right - you know it.  I handled a human femur that felt like bird bone (bird bone is very light with a lot of spongy bone bc they fly.) because of a pathology (a non-standard but usually naturally occurring thing on the bone.  Breaks aren’t a pathology, but their regrowth can be.  Syphilis damage is a pathology because bacteria is naturally occurring, as are things like bone cancer, osteoporosis, etc.).  Other times it’s because your damned osteology prof mixed in a human-looking animal bone with the box of remains to trip you up because the differences can be real subtle and you need to learn that.  

Anyway, I think that’s it for today.  I’ll seeya tomorrow, peoples! 

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hi! Can you rec some canon slow burn fics? I love that kind of thing, friends to lovers, case fics etc. I am also new to the fandom and let me tell you - your blog is amazing. ♡

Anonymous said to inevitably-johnlocked: Hi Steph, do you know of any slow build/first proclamation of love fics? Preferably told from Sherlock’s POV or a mix of both, something like “A Road Less Traveled” by verityburns? Thanks

Anonymous said to inevitably-johnlocked: do you know any really long slow burn fics that don’t have smut? sorry i really just don’t like smut cause im ace

Hi Nonnies!

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words about my blog, Nonny 1!! I’m glad you’re enjoying it, and welcome to the fandom!!

Second of all, of course I can rec y’all some slow burn fics! I’ve a lot of them! I’ll just give them all to you, and y’all can filter out the AU fics / POV fics, etc. because I always write in my tags if it’s an AU / POV fic if I remember :)

Nonny 3, just check out the fics below for anything not rated above T, and you should be good

Love you, Nonnies, and I hope you find something you’re looking for! (thought I did LOL) so I’ve added it to my MFL section!

FALLING IN LOVE / SLOW BURN / DEV. REL.

See also:

T-RATED Pt. 1: Friends To Lovers Fics || [MOBILE LINK]

Friends to Lovers [FULL POST] || [MOBILE POST]

First Time || [MOBILE]

John Will Never Forget by gelos (bia_mpinto) (NR, 244 w. || Fluff, First Time, Love Confessions) – John will never forget Sherlock’s everything.

Of Locks and Keys by Youarethelightoftheworld (G, 574 w. || H/C, Angst, Falling in Love, Friendship) – He listens to the steady beating of John’s heart and thinks of his own; weak and vulnerable, but aching to be released.

A Need To Know Basis by mattsloved1 (G, 934 w. || Humour, Romance) – As the cab door shut firmly, the DI had yelled out they were to make an appearance at Scotland Yard the next day. It was while John watched London pass by that it happened.

Moonshine by CKLizzy (T, 1,408 w. || Cuddling / Snuggling, Touching, Dev. Rel., Bed Sharing, Comfort, Touching) – Sometimes, routines changed. Sequel to “Nightfall”. Part 2 of Solace

I love you, I say by khoshekhskitten (G, 1,576 w. || Pre & Post TRF, Hurt / Comfort, First Kiss, Love Confessions) – “I love you” is a phrase that follows John Watson through his life with Sherlock Holmes.

Blanket Burrito by All_I_need (G, 1,894 w. || Tooth Rotting Fluff, Pining Sherlock, POV Sherlock, Sort-Of Love Confession) – John, a blanket-wrapped burrito of laughing sunshine in a ratty t-shirt, notices. Of all the moments for him to be observant, this is the one he chooses.

Five Times Sherlock gave John a Pebble and One Time John Returned the Gesture by grimmfairy (NR, 1,895 w. || Love Confessions, Penguins and Pebbles, Nervous / Pining Sherlock, Oblivious John) – Sherlock isn’t good with words, so he decides to tell John his feelings the way penguins do, by bringing him pebbles with different meanings. John catches on.

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil by PipMer (T, 1,895 w. || Deaf John, Mute Sherlock, Friends to Lovers, Romance, Fluff and Angst, Character Study, Morse Code, Love Confessions) – John is deaf. Sherlock is mute. There are no two people more suited for each other.

Duvet (green) by Mazarin221b (G, 2,021 w. || Post-THoB, Mind Palace, Revelations, First Kiss) – Sherlock recalibrates and restructures his mind palace so it looks like 221b. What he chooses to put in John’s room is a bit of a surprise, and a revelation.

The Importance of Torn Papers by MyLittleCornerOfSherlock (G, 2,427 w || Pre-Slash, Love Declarations, Fluff) – Little things make a big difference, even little notes of thanks. Small reminders to show he cares.

Where You Are by Mazarin221b (E, 2,478 w. || Beach Sex, First Time, Fluff, Smut, Holidays, Pining) – He can admit he’s secretly a little glad Sherlock didn’t come with him. He needs a break. Sherlock is a handful at the best of times, and the near-constant apologizing, fixing, dealing-with, and following up on is exhausting. The near-constant unrequited attraction is a bit exhausting, too, to be honest, and John could really use a tiny bit of rest from the relentless hammering on his brain and heart.

Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down by standbygo (M, 3,282 w. || Post-S4, Five Plus One, Missing Scenes, Parenthood, First Kiss, Friends to Lovers, Cuddling & Snuggling, Hurt/Comfort, Declarations of Love, Fluff, Food, John Whump) – Five times when Sherlock and John ate together, and one time they didn’t. A history of the boys, in food.

A Bit of Indulgence by beltainefaerie (NR, 3,364 w. || Fake Relationship, Pride Parade, Declarations of Love, Fluff, Dev. Rel., Case Fic) – A case leads John and Sherlock to fake being boyfriends and John runs into an old acquaintance.

nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands by miss_frankenstein (T, 3,731 w. || Kissing in the Rain, Angst With Happy Ending) – In which John and Sherlock finally confront their feelings for each other - as only they would do - in the pouring rain.

Tell Me a Secret, Sherlock Holmes. by DaringlyDomestic (NR, 3,880 w. || Love Confessions, Truth or Dare, Smut, Gentle Explicit Love, Microscopic Angst) – John’s voice is low and seductive, sending a shiver of want crackling through his stomach. Sherlock’s heart beats frantically against his ribcage, and his breathing grows fast as he feels John’s lips flutter against the sensitive skin of his neck. The kiss, if it could really be called that, is so quick and so light that Sherlock is almost convinced he had imagined it. Part 9 of Tumblr Drabble Challenge

Five Times John Cooked Something with Peas and One First Kiss by 221b_careful_what_you_wish_for (T, 3,915 w. || 5 and Ones, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Cooking / Food, Sick Sherlock, Music, Domestic Fluff, First Kiss) – After John cooks five dinners that slowly reveal their hunger for each other, Sherlock and John finally share a first kiss.

Jukebox by standbygo (T, 3,990 w. || Fluff, Singing/Music, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Hurt/Comfort, Humour, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss) – After the music halls of Sherlock’s mind palace get damaged by accident, John learns that Sherlock never forgets a song. Even the ones he’d rather forget. But the random singalong brings some unexpected benefits.

The Sum of His Parts by CommonNonsense (T, 4,311 w. || Body Worship, Pining, First Time) – There are eleven major organ systems in the human body. Sherlock knows about all of them to some degree, but none fascinate him as much as the ones that make up John Watson.

Law of Reciprocals by thequeergiraffe (T, 4,377 w. || Fluff, Angst) – “Law of Reciprocals, is it? You’ve saved my life enough times. I figure, turnabout’s fair play.” Sherlock finds ways to reciprocate his appreciation of John.

Overture by Kate_Lear (M, 4,435 w. || First Kiss / Time, Friends to Lovers, Angry John, Introspection, Dev. Rel., Embarassed / Insecure Sherlock, Morning After, Bed Sharing, Cuddles / Limpet Sherlock) – A short snippet on how John and Sherlock might have got together.

A Quiet Murmuration by cathedral_carver (T, 4,684 w. || Fluff, Cuddling & Snuggling, Kissing) – Just pay me back with one thousand kisses.

Confessions by crimsonwinter (T, 4,711 w. || Love Confessions, Fluff) – John and Sherlock finally confess their love for each other.

How Will I Know? by eragon19 (E, 4,895 w. || Pining, Love Confessions, POV Sherlock, Fluff, Sherlock’s Imagination, Papa Lestrade) – Here was the problem: Sherlock Holmes was completely and irrevocably in love with John Watson, and he had absolutely no idea how to tell him.

Laid Bare by esplanade (T, 6,529 w. || Romance, Fluff, Pining, Angst) – “I suppose it comes as no surprise that I always rather detested grand romantic gestures. They struck me as unnecessary and contrived, feeble attempts at desperately holding together relationships, most of which should have been allowed to fall apart.”

where the good things grow by anchors (M, 7,066 w. || Alternate First Meeting, Magical Realism, Gardens, Tea, Friends to Lovers) – “I have a magic garden.” As come-ons go, John’s heard worse.

Speak My Language by Itsallfine (T, 7,479 w. || Thanksgiving, Love Languages, Love Confessions, First Kiss) – When Mrs. Hudson introduces John and Sherlock to the concept of the five love languages, Sherlock descends into a dark mood and John’s curiosity gets the better of him. What is Sherlock’s love language, and why does the whole concept set him so on edge? Part 1 of A Holiday Triptych]

Unwasted by patternofdefiance (E, 8,966 w. || Post-S3 / S3 Fix-It, Developing Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Angelo’s, Fluff, First Time, Anal, Cum Play, Flashbacks to ASiB, Mutual Pining, Love Confessions, Bottomlock, Cuddles, Multiple Orgasms, BJ’s, Bed Sharing) – John finds it three months after he’s moved back. He’s on the hunt for something to make for dinner, is scrounging through the cupboards, when he happens upon the graveyard of pasta boxes Sherlock still seems to create when left to his own devices. Behind seven boxes of pasta, all almost completely empty, is a dark-glassed bottle, with a paler coat of dust.It’s unopened. John’s face falls slack when he sees it, instantly recognises it, and for a long moment he just stands and looks at it.

Inked in Memory by 221b_hound (E, 9,716 w. || Post-HLV, Tattoos, First Kiss / Time, Anal, Cuddling, Scars, Captain John, Kissing, Switchlock) – John has been back at Baker Street for a year, following the debacle that ended in Mary’s death. Things are good. Back almost to what they used to be. Sherlock might wish they were something else, now, but he only has himself to blame, he thinks. It’s too late, now, for the things he first denied before he’d ruined any chances he might have had. Sherlock also thinks that people who get tattoos are idiots. But perhaps he’s about to learn a thing or two, not least of which might be it’s not as late as he thinks it is. Part 1 of Lock and Key

Ravish Me by amalnahurriyeh (E, 10,025 w. || UST / RST, Makeup / Lipstick, Sympathetic Sally, Experiments, Pining John, First Kiss, Face Fucking / BJ’s, Cuddling) – Sherlock is experimenting with patterns of wear on lipstick in daily encounters. John is going to go insane.

You fit me, Sherlock Holmes by orphan_account (G, 10,077 w. || Fluff, Slow Burn, Idiots in Love, Experiments) – An unfortunate series of events leads to John accepting being a part of Sherlock’s study in physical intimacy. As the days pass by, John realizes he might be in for more than he bargained for. He doesn’t entirely mind.

The River Variations by withoutawish (T, 11,619 w. || Soulmates, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Three Garridebs, Romance, Light Case Fic, Near Death Experience, Angst and Fluff) – John Watson never knew that he wanted a ‘no toast in the mornings’ normal until he realized what an honor it is to be destroyed by Sherlock Holmes.

The Nutcracker by Odamaki (T, 13,758 w. || Nutcracker AU ||  Christmas, Dark Magic, Dolls) – Sherlock is unimpressed with Uncle Rudy’s present. A doll? What does he want with a doll?

Pattern Behaviour by SilentAuror (E, 14,835 w. || POV First Person Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Introspection, Stroppy Sherlock, Light Humour, Friendship, John Takes Care of Sherlock, First Kiss/Time, Wall Kisses, Fluffy Angst, Happy Ending) – Sherlock doesn’t even know why he resents John’s dates so much. Until the day he does know. Slight angst, unrequited feelings (but don’t let that scare you off!)

Merlot by Itsallfine (E, 14,844 w. || Christmas, Pining Sherlock, Wine, Slow Burn, First Kiss / Time, Love Confessions, Wine, Holmes Family) – Sherlock and John work toward becoming something more as they prepare to host the Holmes parents at 221B for the holidays. Part of 25 Days of Fic-Mas 2015.

Twelfth Night by yourdykeinshiningarmor (E, 15,139 w. || Fake Relationship, Christmas, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, Angst & Fluff, BJ’s, Anal) – John is invited to his aunt’s Twelfth Night ball. Sherlock offers to attend with him as a friendly face among strangers, but John’s family force him to address his true feelings for Sherlock.

Everlasting by cypress_tree (M, 16,884 w. || Magical Realism, First Time, Immortality, Angst & Fluff) – Most lives end. A Tuck Everlasting fusion, in which the Holmes brothers have lived for a very, very long time.

Uncharted Territory by J_Baillier (T, 19,603 w. || Dystopian Future / Black Mirror AU || Angst, Drama, Homophobia, Bisexuality, Technology, Humour, Romance, Near Future, Happy Ending) – The System puts people through a series of assigned relationships in order to determine who their Perfect Match is. John believes that it works; Sherlock really, really doesn’t. One of them is probably going to be wrong.

At the Heart of it All by SilentAuror (E, 19,812 w. || Virgin Sherlock, Post S3, POV John, Domestics, First Time, Kissing, Romance) – John has been back at Baker Street for four months now and thinks it’s about time they had the Talk to see whether or not they could be more than friends. Sherlock has a lot of uncertainty about this concept for multiple reasons. Unabashed romance.

Through the Clouds by Mazarin221b (E, 20,004 w. || Retirement, Sussex, Bees, Home Improvement, First Time, Romance) – Sherlock takes a remarkably early retirement at 47, and convinces John that a change of pace would do them both good. They buy an old cottage on the South Downs, and exchange their nonstop life in Baker Street for quiet contemplation, bee studies, and book writing. They might go completely insane, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of the life you’re living to find the life you want. Part 1 of Through The Clouds

A Life Well-Lived by Kate_Lear (E, 20,121 w. || Original Male Character, Sherlock Woos John, Jealous Sherlock, Reluctant Bi-John, Past Abuse, Insecure John, Reassuring / Caring Sherlock, Protective Sherlock, Understanding Sherlock) – John got scared off men by an abusive past relationship. Sherlock has to try and woo him while not scaring him off with protective possessive rage.

whiskies neat by Ellipsical (E, 20,660 w. || Alternate First Meeting, POV Second Person Sherlock, Slow Burn, One Night Stand, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Anal, Soldier John, Crying, Emotional Lovemaking, Switchlock) – Home and hearth and whiskies neat, or, alternatively, Sherlock Holmes falls in love.

Ghost Stories by SwissMiss (M, 22,256 w. || Pining, Holmes Family, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, First Time) – Sherlock’s parents think he and John are a couple. They might be onto something.

Sonatina in G Minor by SilentAuror (E, 22,574 w. || Case Fic, POV Sherlock, Angst, UST, Sherlock’s Violin, Post-S3, Romance) – John has come back to Baker Street, but Sherlock doesn’t understand the strange tension between them, even after he begins teaching John to play the violin at John’s request.

Maintaining A Personal Life by Gingerhermit (E, 24,284 w. || Alternating POV’s, Bisexuality, BAMF!John, Romance / Drama, Sort-of Case Fic, Peril & Angst, Love Confessions, Toplock, Soft Idiots in Love, Post S3) – Sherlock and John discover some interesting revelations about each other’s sexuality, which lead them both to question the assumptions they’ve made about one another for years. In the midst of their mutual discoveries, a dangerous psychopath looms on the side-lines who threatens to destroy their new beginning.

Tomorrow’s Song by agirlsname (M, 24,645 w. || Post-TRF, POV Sherlock, Angst with a Happy Ending, Virgin / Repressed Sherlock, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Pining) – How can he think a relationship with me would be a good idea? I am the sort of person to take a break from my life and when I come back after two years, I expect to find it exactly as I left it. In reality I find it shattered to pieces. (I actually equate you with my life. When did I start doing that?)

State of Flux by Atiki (E, 24,655 w. || Sherlock POV, Slow Burn, First Kiss/Time, Friends to Lovers, Frottage, Cuddles and Snuggles, Awkwardness, Insecure/Virgin Sherlock, Romance) – John’s marriage is over and he is finally back home (i.e. at Baker Street, where he belongs). Sherlock is awfully insecure and John is awfully hesitant, and they’re both awkward idiots, of course, but they figure it out. Many First Times happen.

Dropping the Act by jadztone (T, 27,258 w. || Parentlock, Fake Relationship, Mary’s Family, Post-S4, Cuddling & Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Pining, Christmas) – Sherlock and John are quite happy living together with Rosie in Baker St. They might be even happier if they didn’t act towards each other like their love is only platonic. Mycroft brings troubling news in the form of Mary’s parents wanting to know just what their grandchild’s home life is like. The boys decide to spend Christmas pretending like they are in love in order to seem more like a “normal” family. It’s easy enough to pretend when all you’re doing is dropping the act.

Don’t Leave Anything Out by lookupkate (E, 27,422 w. || Epistolary, Falling in Love, Misunderstandings, Alternate First Meeting) – The first letter John writes home from Afghanistan is meant to go to a woman he went on only one date with. How it ends up in Sherlock’s hands is completely innocent. What happens next is not. What do you do when you find out the person you’re in love with has been lying about something as monumental as who they are? What do you do when you’re the one who lied? How on earth do you put the pieces back together?

Hellfire by testosterone_tea (E, 28,596 w. || Fantasy / Magic / Mages / Elementals AU || Mage Sherlock, Elemental John, Developing Relationship, Torture, Powerful / BAMF John, POV Alternating, Dark / Blood Magic, UST, First Kiss) – Sherlock is a Mage that gets involved with a case involving Dark Summoning rituals, leading him to John Watson, a man with Berserker blood. The only thing is, Berserkers have been extinct for centuries. And of course, nothing involving Mycroft and his interfering ways is ever simple. This time, even Sherlock may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Another Auld Lang Syne by DiscordantWords (M, 30,234 w. || Post S4, Mutual Pining, Alternating POV, Introspection, Parentlock, Christmas, New Year’s, First Kiss, Past Drug Use, Angst with Happy Ending, Drinking, Sherlock Whump) – There had been years of missed chances.

The Kissing Disease by cottonballz_of_death (E, 30,856 || Sickfic, Angst with Happy Ending, Case Fic, Self-Harm, Slow Burn, Jealous Sherlock, Body Image Issues, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional H/C, POV Sherlock, Oral / Anal, Thong, Frottage) – John brings home a boyfriend, shocking Sherlock, who long ago gave up hope that his straight flatmate would ever take a romantic interest in him. In a bid to reconnect with John, he tries to infect himself with a “harmless” virus. Neither of them is prepared for the emotional fallout that results.

Love or What You Will by miss_frankenstein (T, 31,987 w. || College/Uni AU || Professor John, Ph.D Student Sherlock, Pining John, Poetry, Falling in Love / Slow Burn, Light Angst, Happy Ending) – John is an English professor who specializes in War and Post-War Literature and Sherlock is the brilliant yet impossible Ph.D. student assigned to be his TA because no one in the Chemistry Department is willing to put up with him. And - somewhere between Waugh and Plath, e-mails and takeaway, novels and villanelles - they fall in love.

Five Times They Kissed for a Case, and One Time They Kissed for Real by fleetwood_mouse (M, 32,406 w. || 5+1, Slow Burn, Fluff / Angst, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers) – A stolen ring! An artful blogger! And many more adventures for your enjoyment.

Chaperones by MissDavis (T, 34,114 w. || 11 Years Post-S4, Fake Relationship, Parentlock, Disney World, Bed / Room Sharing, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, First Kiss, Obsessive Sherlock, Insecure John) – Right. Of course. Everyone assumed they were a couple and no one would question it. John put his elbows up on the table so he could rest his head in his hands. “You want to pretend to be a couple so we can chaperone a trip to Disney World with Rosie’s class and you won’t have to share a room with a stranger?” “Exactly.” Sherlock beamed at him. “Don’t worry about the cost. The Birmingham case last month paid more than enough to cover expenses for all three of us.”

Bedtime Stories by Liketheriver (M, 34,388 w. || Emotional H/C, Romance, Angst & Humour, Bed Sharing, John First Person, TRF, John Whump) – John’s POV during Season 2 and beyond when Sherlock takes up semi-permanent residence in his bed. A collection of codas and missing scenes wrapped up into one long fic and topped with a bow that takes the story beyond Reichenbach and into happy territory once more. Part 1 of Bedtime Universe

Classified(s) by blueink3 (E, 36,153 w. || Wedding Date AU || Fake Relationship, Jealous, PIning, H/C, Idiots in Love, Happy Ending, Mary is not Nice) – Clara’s American father is the ambassador to some such territory that Great Britain probably used to own, but she (and Harry’s undying love for her) is the reason John is getting on a flight at 12:30pm, flying across the second largest ocean in the world, and pretending to be in a perfectly happy, healthy relationship with an undoubtedly perfectly coiffed stranger. See, Clara is not only American (and wealthy to boot), she’s also best friends with John’s ex-fiancée. Whom she’s placed in the wedding party. As Maid of Honor. And John just happens to be Best Man. Bloody brilliant.

The Boy Who Drank Stars by kinklock (E, 36,157 w. || Howl’s Moving Castle AU || Witches and Wizards, Slow Burn, Magic, Jealous John, Happy Ending, Bed Sharing) – “I’m looking for a castle,” John informed the scarecrow. “A moving one.”Except that, as it turned out, it was not a moving one at all.

Nothing to Make a Song About by emmagrant01 (E, 36,833 w. || Post-TRF, First Time, Reunion, Jealous John, Pining Sherlock, Romance, Angst with Happy Ending) – When Sherlock returned from his faked death, John could not forgive him for the deception and broke off their friendship. Ten years later, John returns to London in search of yet another new beginning. Sherlock, not surprisingly, is waiting.

(Never) Turn Your Back to the Sea by DiscordantWords (M, 39,968 w. || Post S4 Fix It || Grief / Mourning, Victor Trevor, Friendship, Sherlock is Not Okay, Nightmares/Flashbacks/Panic Attacks, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John Comes Home) – Baker Street is very much the same. Only different. And Sherlock is just trying not to drown.

Act IV by SilentAuror (E, 39,707 w. || First Person POV Sherlock, HLV Fix-It, Indifelity, Angst, Drama) – After Sherlock is shot, John moves back into Baker Street. They spend the autumn together as John tries to make sense of his life and make some important decisions about both Mary and Sherlock. Canon-compliant, excerpts from His Last Vow.

In the Still of the Night by SilentAuror (E, 42,234 w. || S4 Fix It / Post-S4, Sherlock POV, Angst, Drama, Romance, Virgin Sherlock, Awkwardness, Misunderstandings / Miscommunications, Case Fic, Travelling, Pining) – As locals on the Northeastern coast begin to report UFO sightings, life at Baker Street becomes significantly awkward as John brings up his desire for more than friendship and Sherlock refuses him. They embark on the investigation from the confines of the tiny cottage Mycroft has rented for them, attempting to navigate both the clues of the case as well as their own inability to communicate…

The Soul Remembers by i_ship_an_armada (E, 43,636 w. || Oblivion AU || Post-Apocalypse, Movie Fusion, Science Fiction, Action/Adventure, Angst, Dreams, Bittersweet Ending) – John Watson is the lone security repairman stationed on a desolate, nearly-ruined future Earth. His dreams are plagued by a tall, dark-haired man, and when his dreams meet reality, he will be forced to question everything he believes is the truth about his life.

Sentenced by SarahKnight (T, 44,777 w. || Dev. Rel., Alternate S4 Canon, Drama, Angst, Pining, Feelings are Hard) – Virtual series 4 opener. Sherlock’s in prison being targeted by a murderer, John’s married to a pregnant assassin and Moriarty’s back.

The Real Great Perfumers by shelleysprometheus (E, 45,355 w. || Case Fic, Alternating POV, Gay Sherlock / Bi John, Canon Compliant with Divergence at TRF, Friends to Lovers, Oral / Anal, Pining, First Kiss / Time, Dev. Rel., Drugging, Body Worship, Bathing, Love Confessions, Travelling, Bottomlock, Cranky Sherlock, BJ’s, Alternating POV, Jealous John) – The case, this case. This extraordinary, fascinating, scintillating case. A house. Designed entirely by its eccentric owner, built by no less than five hundred expert tradesmen in the heart of Marrakesh. A house that had, seemingly not only driven its owner out, but also to his quite unpleasant death. And a perfumer, a chemist no less, the very thought of the secrets that house could reveal, would reveal was irresistible. Sherlock had to have this case … and it seems, he also had to have John! Part 1 of the Forethought and Fire series

The Norwood Love Builders by flawedamythyst (T, 47,798 w. || Fake Relationship, Slow Burn, Post TRF Angst) – Sherlock and John go undercover to solve the murder of Joanna Oldacre, but things are complicated by the many feelings John has been repressing in the wake of Sherlock’s faked death and return.

The Pieces That Fall to Earth by Itsallfine (M, 49,513 w. || S4 Fix-It, Epistolary, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Parentlock, Past Abuse, Coming Out, Questioning Sexuality, Mental Health Issues / Therapy, Angst, Happy Ending) – John and Sherlock have hit rock bottom, but with all their armor stripped away, they can finally speak honestly, seek healing, and find the truths that matter most.An epistolary post-s4 fix-it fic. Now complete.(This fic is rated T except for one very clearly marked and easily skippable chapter, which is rated M.) Part 1 of The Pieces that Fall to Earth

Triage by scullyseviltwin (E, 51,612 w. || Character Injury, Introspection, Pining Sherlock, Falling in Love, Slow Burn, Sherlock POV) – Sherlock’s mind goes exceedingly, devastatingly quiet and gray-blank. When he speaks it’s through a thick haze, it’s through molasses, he’s so disconnected from the words that it may as well be the unconscious shooter speaking.

Spare Change by Ermerness (E, 51,966 w. || Rich Sherlock AU, Virgin Sherlock, First Time, Alternate First Meeting) – The Holmes family is one of the richest and most powerful in England. Sherlock spends his time flying around the world on the family’s private jet drinking a lot and shopping at expensive boutiques as a way of trying to alleviate his endless boredom. His mother decides it’s time he settles down with someone powerful, wealthy and well connected. John Watson happens to be none of those things.

Coventry by standbygo (E, 52,020 w. || Dollhouse AU || Case Fic, Slow Burn, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, First Kiss / Time, Attempted Rape, BAMF John) – “Let me get this straight,” John said, wondering when his life had become a science fiction film. “Some guy orders up a personality, a person, to his specifications, and they program this into a real live person, who has consented to do this, and she goes to this person and acts as his wife, or lawyer, or Royal Marine, or Navy Seal or what have you, and she has all the skills, all the knowledge, everything? Then you say the magic words, and she follows you back to The House, and they erase it all until her next appointment?”

Never Change a Running System by Lorelei_Lee (E, 54,246 w. || Pre-TRF, Romance, Humour, Drama, Sex Toys, Anal, Rimming, Masturbation, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Public Sex, First Kiss / Time, Virgin Sherlock / Loss of Virginity, Accidental Voyeurism, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Experiments, Naive Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock, Possessive Sherlock, Straight With an Exception John, Hand Jobs) – Sherlock discovers his sexuality – with far-reaching consequences for John.

A Hundred Crimson Sols by elldotsee (E, 55,536 w. || Astronauts AU || Mars Exploration / Space Travel, Slow Burn, Shy Sherlock, Scientist Sherlock / Biomed Engineer John, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, UST, Angst with Happy Ending, Domestic Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Injuries, Suicidal Ideation, Zero-G Sex) – Will Holmes is a chemical researcher recognized widely for his contributions to the new Mars exploration program. Thanks to his ground-breaking developments, the IMMC (International Mars Mission Corporation) is one step closer to Martian colonization. Will and his team of scientists are headed out on the first of three manned missions before the first group of settlers arrive. Three days before launch, one of the crew has to be replaced. Will panics because…new people. The replacement is of course one John Watson, biomedical engineer and space hottie who was pretty sure he had retired from actual space exploration and was now content to work in the nice, quiet research lab. Can the crew survive this TOTALLY ROUTINE trip? Will they be able to endure each other for the looooooong trip in close quarters? Gonna be a wild ride… prepare for blast off. Part 1 of the SpaceBois go to Space series

One Little Change by jadztone (E, 58,312 w. || ASiB Divergence, Fake Relationship, Bed Sharing, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss / Time, Anal Sex, Blow Jobs, Bi John / Gay Demisexual Sherlock, Switchlock, Alternating POV, Jealousy, Misunderstandings, Case Fic, Angst with Happy Ending, Emotional Love Making, Butt Plugs, Cuddles) – Our story begins right after John and Sherlock’s first meeting with Irene Adler in September. It splits off into an AU that imagines them taking a case where they act as bait to hook a killer targeting closeted gays in secret relationships. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many things happen that have our boys wondering if maybe they have a chance with each other. Then Irene fakes her death on Christmas Eve, and things get a lot more complicated - especially since they still have a killer to catch.

floating through a dark blue sky by Lediona (M, 58,966 w. || Notting Hilll AU || POV John, Celebrity Sherlock, First Date / Time / Kiss, Past Drug Addiction, Angst with a Happy Ending) – Of course, I’d seen his films and always thought he was, well, brilliant – but, you know, a million miles from the world I live in. Or, when John is the owner of a travel book shop and the famous Sherlock Holmes stops in one day.

The Progress of Sherlock Holmes by ivyblossom (E, 62,006 w || First Person Sherlock POV, Pining, Angst, Slow Burn, Infidelity, Sherlock Learns About Himself, Happy Ending) – Sherlock struggles with his feelings for John, makes a mistake, and learns just how important he and John are to each other. Non-BBC Mary / John, but it’s a *complicated* relationship.

This Thing All Things Devours by cypress_tree (E, 63,844 w. || In Time AU || Science Fiction, Dystopian Universe, First Meetings, Action / Adventure, Romance) – In 2169, time is money—literally. Humans are genetically engineered to stop aging at 25, when the numbers on their arm start counting down from one year. When that time is up, they die. The only way to get more time is to earn it, borrow it, or steal it.John Watson lives day-to-day in the crowded slums of Zone 13. He never imagined living any differently—until he meets the practically-immortal Sherlock, and helps him on a case to track a local time-thief…

The Bells of King’s College by SilentAuror (E, 64,019 w. || Post-S4, Missed Opportunities, Angst with Happy Ending, Fake Relationship, Case Fic, John POV, Jealous John, John in Denial, Travelling / Holidays, Virgin Sherlock, Wedding Proposals) – It’s only been two weeks since Eurus Holmes disrupted their lives when Mycroft sends John and Sherlock to Cambridge to pose as an engaged couple at a wedding show in the hopes of solving six unsolved deaths…

Summit Fever by J_Baillier (M, 78,802 w. || Mountain Climber AU || POV John, Angst, Tragedy, Suicidal Ideation, The Himalayas, Mountain Guide / Doctor John, Mount Climber Sherlock, Loneliness, Drama, Suspense, Slow Burn, Injured Sherlock / Sherlock Whump, Pining John) – After graduating from medical school, John Watson followed his heart to the Himalayas. Ten years later, he’s a haunted cynic working for his ex-lover’s trekking and mountaineering company. Will leading an expedition to Annapurna I—the most lethal of all the world’s highest mountains—shake John out of his reverie, and who is the mystery client added to the group at the last minute?

A Case of Identity by jkay1980 (T, 91,009 w. || Fake Relationship, Post-TRF, Case Fic) – John and Sherlock have succeeded in rebuilding their friendship after Sherlock’s fake suicide, but an unusual case puts their relationship to the test. They pretend to be engaged and attend a marriage counseling workshop. Under the pretext of the case, Sherlock turns out to be a master of seduction, and John finally learns he might like Sherlock more than he thought. Slowly, John discovers that he loves Sherlock not only in a friendly, brotherly way, but both men have to fight their own demons before they can think of taking their relationship to a new level…

The Cost of a Wish by slashscribe (E, 102,493 w. || xxxHolic Fusion || Spirits / Ghosts and Magic, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Soul Mates / Fated Lovers, Adventure, Immortal Sherlock, Powerful John, POV John, Frottage, Wish Granting, Angst with Happy Ending, Nightmares) – John has been plagued by a secret his entire life that has made him feel hopeless until he meets a mysterious, seemingly omniscient man named Sherlock Holmes who owns a wish-granting shop. Their meeting sets off a series of inevitable events that will change the course of both of their lives forever.

The Wedding Garments by cwb (E, 105,390 w. || Alternate Future AU || , Alternate First Meeting, Dating / Arranged Marriages, Romance, First Kiss/Time, Heavy Petting, Cuddles, POV Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn / Falling in Love / Dev. Rel., Nervous/Anxious Sherlock, Jealous/Cranky, Hiking, Vacation Homes / Honeymoon, Sherlock’s Family, Horny John/Sherlock, Patient John, Massages, Hand Jobs, Assassination Plots, Hand Jobs / Oral Sex) – This is the story of a young consulting detective who wants nothing to do with marriage and an army doctor who wants to find true love. It’s 2020 post-Brexit England and the British government is encouraging arranged marriages. Candidates meet through state-run agencies and date in hopes of finding love (and tax benefits). Sherlock doesn’t need or want a spouse, at least not until John Watson shows up. Hesitant to give in to his more carnal urges because of the way they derail his mind, how will Sherlock progress toward the more intimate aspects of a relationship? The answer lies in a very special wedding gift.

A Study in Winning by Jupiter_Ash (E, 106,658 w. || Tennis AU || John POV, Dirty Talk, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Happy Ending, Sherlock Speaks French, Switchlock, Wimbledon) – John and Sherlock are professional tennis players and it’s Wimbledon. One is a broken almost was at the end of his career, the other an arrogant rising star tipped for greatness. It should have been a straightforward tournament. It really should have been. How were they to know that a chance encounter would change everything? Part 1 of Tennis

Eyes Up, Heels Down by CodenameMeretricious (E, 107,845 w. || Sports Equestrian AU || Fluff, Angst, Humour, Rider!Sherlock, Groomer!John, Show Jumping, Slow Burn, Happy Ending) – Sherlock is a top eventing rider currently training at Baker Farms. John is the new groom who’s been told to steer clear of the surly rider and his horses. Part 1 of Baker Farms

A Further Sea by i_ship_an_armada & ShinySherlock (E, 125,492 w. || Historical Pirates AU || Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Doctor John / Pirate Captain Sherlock, Sailing, UST / RST, Masturbation, Action / Adventure, Mild Angst & Peril, Romance, Shaving, Molly/Janine, Bottomlock, Hand / Blow Jobs, Past Drug Use, Slow Burn, Mild Violence, Happy Ending) – Here be a tale of adventure for both body and soul, but beware if ye be not of stout heart, for this be piratelock, ya savvy? Luckless ship’s surgeon John Watson takes a chance, and finds himself eye to eye with The Ghost, the scourge of the seven seas and a definite thorn in the side of the blaggard, James Moriarty. But when John finds there’s more to this most cunning pirate than be meetin’ the eye, he has to choose… is it a pirate’s life for him?

To Light Another’s Path by BeautifulFiction (E, 128,654 w. || Post-TGG, Sick Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Drug Addiction / Recreational Drug Use, First Time / Kiss, Case Fic) – Teaching John to observe seems to be a losing battle, but when Sherlock falls ill and submits himself to John’s care, will he realise that there is more to life than the science of deduction? Meanwhile, there is a murder to solve, and John must try and convince Sherlock not to sacrifice his own health for the sake of the case.

Colors by Quesarasara (E, 140,537 w. || Pleasantville-Inspired AU || Soulmates, Colour Bonds, Alternating POV, Angst, Fluff, Pining, Case Fic, Medical Procedures) – Everyone on earth is born with eyes that see in black, white, and an endless series of greys. When you meet your soulmate, you finally see the world in color. We’re all searching for the person who brings color to our lives. John and Sherlock are no exception. Part 1 of The Colors ‘Verse

Mise en Place by azriona (M, 161,004 w. || Restaurant (Kitchen Nightmares) AU || Sherlock is Gordon Ramsay / Celebrity Sherlock, Restauranteur John, Harry Plays Prominent Role, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, Cranky Sherlock, Bed Sharing, Slow Burn) – John Watson had no intentions of taking over the family business, but when he returns from Afghanistan, battered and bruised, and discovers that his sister Harry has run their restaurant into the ground, he doesn’t have much choice. There’s only one thing that can save the Empire from closing for good – the celebrity star of the BBC series Restaurant Reconstructed, Chef Sherlock Holmes. Part 1 of Mise en Place

The Gilded Cage by BeautifulFiction (E, 326,887 w. || Omegaverse || Omega Sherlock / Alpha John, Friends to Lovers, Dub Con, Reproductive Rights) – In a world where Omegas are the property of the elite Alphas, locked away and treasured by those wealthy enough to buy them, John never questioned his flatmate’s secondary gender. Sherlock Holmes was an Alpha through-and through. Wasn’t he? A chance discovery turns the world on its head, and John is left grappling to come to terms with Sherlock’s past as events conspire to threaten their future.

MARKED FOR LATER

(these are fics I have in my MFL list for future reading and have not read them yet. Read at your own discretion).

And Then There Were Two by NimWallace (T, 10,194 w. || Post S4, Mutual Pining, Case Fic, Slow Burn, Angst, Grief / Mourning, Mystery, Cults) – It’s quiet at Baker Street. Too quiet. It’s been a year since Mary died, but only a few months since the events of the Final Problem, and Sherlock and John have fallen into a state of despairing and monotony. So when a case involving a vicious cult on the English Country side appears, they quickly jump to go undercover as Sean Harmony and John Wales. But how can Sherlock keep a delicate John from breaking? And how can John come to terms with his love for his detective? Most importantly, what really happened the night of the Final Problem?

Out of the Woods by SilentAuror (E, 20,471 w. || Post S4, Romance, Slow Burn, Flirting, Drunk Sex, Practical Jokes, POV Sherlock) – Sherlock is fairly certain that John has taken to flirting with him of late, but can’t be entirely certain of it. At least, not until a case takes them into a forest, along with Lestrade’s team and something happens that will change everything about their lives…

What Friends Do by agirlsname (E, 23,177 w. || Post-ASiP Canon Divergence, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Jealous Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Infidelity, First Kiss/Time, Fluff and Smut, Cuddling and Snuggling, Platonic-to-Not-Platonic, Blow/Hand Jobs, Angst With Happy Ending) – Sherlock has never had a friend before. He didn’t even know he wanted one until John moved into 221B. But John quickly becomes essential to him, and their friendship turns more and more intimate. It’s all platonic, of course. All perfectly normal for close friends. Part 1 of the Friends series

carrying up his morning tea by darcylindbergh (E, 34,505 w. || Minor Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Wakes & Funerals, Angst, Estranged John, Pining Sherlock, Depression and Insecurity, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort) – His fingers tremble as he dials and he can’t force them steady. Familiar number, even though he hasn’t used it in two years. He isn’t even sure he should be calling it now, but she’d asked. She’d made him promise.

Anchor Point by trickybonmot (E, 49,856 w. || Truman Show AU || Psychological Drama, Suspense, Slow Burn, Dark Characters / Fic) – The world tunes in nightly for Sherlock, the ultimate in reality TV: Sherlock Holmes, a real person with a legendary name, unknowingly lives out his life in a staged setting contrived by his brother. Things get complicated when a retired army doctor joins the show to play the part of Sherlock’s closest friend. This fic borrows its concept from the 1998 film, the Truman Show. However, you don’t need to have any knowledge of the movie to enjoy this story.

Focal Point by PuffleLock (E, 60,913 w. || Post-TRF Divergence / Different Reunion, POV John, Slow Burn, For a Case, Friends to Lovers, Suicidal Thoughts, Sad Wank, Sherlock in Makeup, Dancing, Mentions of Torture / Depression / PTSD, Love Confessions, Idiots in Love, Frottage, Blow Jobs, Scars, Rimming, Anal, Toplock, First Kiss / Time, Gay Sherlock / Bi John) – John comes home early from a medical conference to find that every once in awhile, Sherlock can surprise the hell out of him. Can John surprise him back?

First and Only by crimsonwinter (E, 68,390 w. || Kid/Teen/Unilock, Family Drama, Romance, Alternating POV, Slow Burn, Angst & Fluff, Rimming, Anal, Fingering, Grinding/Frottage, Sexual Tension, Oral, Virginity, Switchlock) – Sherlock and John have been inseparable since birth, working through life as neighborhood best friends, attached at the hip. Unfortunately, reality can break up even the closest of us, and John and Sherlock struggle through all that growing up entails. But first loves are unforgettable, and the boys come to realize that their love is the first and only they’ll ever have.

The Vapor Variant by 88thParallel (CanadaHolm) (M, 72,684 w. || Post-THoB, John Whump, Protective Sherlock, Guilty Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, PTSD John, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Suspense, Virus, Sickfic, Big Brother Mycroft) – They stood face to face in the middle of a clearing. The dim light of the moon barely allowed Sherlock to see the glassy terror in John’s eyes and the sweat that glistened off his forehead. His nose was bleeding again, blood dripping in a slow stream from his right nostril. They were both gasping for air, John’s eyes locked on Sherlock’s. There was no recognition there, just wild animal fear. Time stood still for an eternal few seconds, and Sherlock took a shaky breath. “John—”Spell broken, John spun and bolted back into the woods. Still heaving for air, Sherlock took off after him.

The Road Less Traveled Series by verityburns (M, 75,130 w. across 3 works || First Kiss / Time, POV Sherlock First Person, Angst & Fluff, Romance) – Sherlock realises that John’s dating habits involve an unacceptable level of risk… what if he meets an unusually tolerant woman and ends up getting married?

Philia and Eros by distantstarlight (E, 84,660 w. || Historical AU || Friends to Lovers, Time Travel, Kilts, Possessive Behaviour, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Implied Rape/Non-Con) – Love is timeless but time isn’t necessarily linear. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes are about to embark on an unintended adventure that will take them far away from the comfortable confines of 221 B Baker Street. Part 1 of Strange Paths

How Long? by TheBritishBourbon (M, 111,010 w. || Kidnapping, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Injured Sherlock, Protective John, PTSD Sherlock, Flashbacks, Dark Themes, Implied Torture) – Sherlock never got to jump off the roof of St. Barts, he never got the chance. Sherlock was abducted and held for 5 years, but now he has escaped. What awaits him as he returns to reality? Part 1 of How Long Universe

Did you feel it? : A soulmates AU by MorganeUK (G, 126,783 w. || Soulmates AU || Kid/Teen/Unilock, Protective Greg, Angst, Big Feels, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Mystrade, Injuries, Slow Burn, Anxious John, BAMF John, Protective John, Est. Rel., Happy Ending) – In a world where 0.01% of the population have a soulmate with whom they share pains and violent emotions… what are the odds that an ex-army doctor and an ex-addict detective open their heart and soul enough to found each others?Finally writing a twist on the soulmates trend… Hope you like it!

“Merry Christmas” I wrapped it up and sent it with a note saying “I love you” by starrysummernights (E, 136,580+ w. || WIP, chapter missing? || Post S4, Slow Burn, Mary is Not Nice, Christmas, Fluff, Smut, Angst, Parentlock, Past Torture / Rape) – John has moved back into 221B with his daughter Rosie after Mary was killed, but things are not exactly comfortable between him and Sherlock. After everything that has happened, they are trying to become friends again…and maybe something more. What better time than the Christmas season?! Takes place after TLD.

The Bang and the Clatter by earlgreytea68 (M, 137,049 w. || Baseball AU || Slow Burn / Dev. Rel.) – Sherlock Holmes is a pitcher and John Watson is a catcher. No, no, no, it’s a baseball AU. Part 1 of Baseball

The Jewel in the Tower by PoppyAlexander (E, 207,079 w. || Dystopian AU, Violence, Rape/Non-Con Elements, Mild Dub Con, One World Government, Class Issues, Assassin John / Geisha Sherlock, Self Esteem Issues, Slow Burn, Espionage, Miscommunication, Sexual Fantasy, Masturbation, Letters/Texting, Phone Sex, Infidelity, First Time, Blow Jobs, Dirty Talk, Injury Recovery, Panic Attacks, Frottage, Scars, Misgendering, Happy Endings) – In a contemporary dystopia, Unity is peace – despite the fact unsanctioned information, illicit currency, and every sort of danger flows unchecked in the world’s pleasure districts. John Watson, a weary hired gun, is assigned by the mysterious Mentor to investigate a subversive element lurking in the Icehouse, the world’s most famous House of Repose. As accustomed as he is to dealing with the unexpected, John is nevertheless woefully unprepared to meet the gem of the Ice house, Xie, the world renowned “drashaskaya,” the living work of art after which all other drashas are modeled. In sumptuous suites, amid trailing puddles of silk and fervent whispers in the night, John soon learns that nothing is as it seems in the floating world of London’s pleasure district.

You Go To My Head by 7PercentSolution and J_Baillier (E, 257,765+ w. across 8 Stories, WiP || Surgeon AU || Medical Realism, Doctor John / Doctor Sherlock, Friends to Lovers, Pining, Addiction, Angst, Slow Burn, PTSD, Pining, Insecurity) – This series is an alternate universe one, featuring the exciting medical and romantic adventures of doctors Watson (senior neuroanaesthetist) and Holmes (neurosurgeon).

Radioactive Trees In A Red Forest by Maribor_Petrichor (E, 280,251 w. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-S4, Suicidal Ideations, Alcohol / Rx Drug Abuse, Coming Out / Bisexual John, Seizures, Past/Referenced/Implied Child Abuse, Hallucinations, Rehab, Celibacy, Sobriety / Relapse, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Grief/Mourning, Psychological Trauma, Nice /Not Anti-Mary, John’s POV, Parentlock, First Time, Angst, Switchlock) – John Watson is what happens when a man can no longer see a reason to go on. John Watson is what happens when a man starts to let go. “It is what it is.” John Watson is what happens when what “it is” becomes too much to bear. This is a story of the life, death, and resurrection of John Hamish Watson.

The Men Who Talked Between the Words by Odamaki (E, 463,024 w. || Parentlock, UST/URT, Pining Sherlock, Grieving John, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Past Abuse, Slow Burn/Build, Case Fic, First Kiss / Time, Implied/Referenced Suicide & Drug Use, Slow Burn, Sherlock Whump, Panic Attacks) – John expected to be a father some day; he expected to have the house, and the wife and the nice suburban job. Sherlock never expected to have children, in part because he never expected to make it past 30. As it turns out, you don’t get a choice. Crammed into Baker Street with a baby, John struggles with single-parenthood and his own fears, while Sherlock treads the fine line between doing too little and saying too much.

[nervydamned]

i don’t usually cry anymore. the medication and the crushing numbness that comes with 31 years of hard living and dead ends has created in me a cold grey stone, typically invulnerable to all but tragic movies and commercials that were obviously designed with surgical precision to ensure that at least a small portion of viewers will immediately log onto the website and purchase, like, boat insurance while crying so hard they can’t do the capcha on the first try. i used to be a dramatic cryer, responding to almost any intense emotion with deep and gusty sobs. then 2016 happened. i lost my father. my spiral into alcoholism intensified my incredible appetite for self destruction. the shame that ensued formed that grey stone like a grit of sand forms in an oyster-- slowly, slowly-- until the day i told my sister that i wasn’t sure i would ever laugh again.

so i sought treatment. fresh from admitting to my husband that i had 1) secretly relapsed and 2) repeatedly been unfaithful with some of the worst people, i put my phone number into a “need rehab?” webform. i received a call about three minutes later. scared out of my mind, i would have agreed to do basically anything to clear the dark menacing cloud of divorce. they said they had a pool! i wanted to go swimming! i wanted to be instantly forgiven for my transgressions, and rehab seemed the best way to me to demonstrate that by god, i was SERIOUS about this recovery thing! he said the only rehab i qualified for was in south bend, indiana. they would buy the ticket. could i leave tomorrow? i guess i could.

i showed up to a building that looked like a 90s middle school with a smoking porch. terrified out of my mind and drunk on the four pints of heineken i’d slammed at chili’s with a sympathetic bartender at 7am across from my boarding gate, and disoriented from the klonopin that i took almost subconsciously at any sign of emotional turmoil, i was a rag doll with button eyes. i entered, stripped, spread, and coughed. i vomited in the toilet while a girl with perfect cat-eye liner did her best to discreetly look away. i was there-- it was happening-- but WHAT was happening? all i knew was that rehab was like a shiny gold star on my behavior chart. if i did it, nobody could say i hadn’t. 

rehab is the best place in the world for a vulnerable drunk. i mean it! you’ve never had more shoulders to cry on. i remember hysterically sobbing until my heaving shoulders locked up and the only sound i could make was tiny clicks from my frozen throat. i’ve never had my shoulders patted so authentically. it never occurred to me at the time that this display of raw, scream-it-to-the-heavens emotion was such a part of their daily lives as intake detox counselors that they probably could have done it in their sleep. but somehow they remained authentic.

the funniest part about the rehab was that it turned out to be run and staffed by die-hard scientologists! i guess we can get into that later. 

rehab also brought out my “daddy please be proud of me” personality in full force. i joined the “peer counsel” which was essentially just in charge of taking nightly attendance and clapping for sobriety milestones. i befriended everybody, impressing them with my uniquely pretentious affectation of sarcastic intellectualism that only fools people less smart than i am. i was the queen of rehab! life was good! everyone there had forgiven me. the next step was me forgiving myself. the final step was my husband forgiving me. at the time, i still thought that was a completely realistic goal. all i can say to that, ineloquently enough, is: HAHAHAHAHAHA.

my husband came to visit me, once, on the sunday after easter. having practiced healthy communication and effective use of boundaries six hours a day for the last three weeks, i promised him that we could talk about anything he wanted in the two hours he spent with me on the grounds. he got there and shrugged his shoulders over and over again. determined to make his long drive worth the time, i enthusiastically dragged him around to meet all of my rehab friends, proudly introducing him as my husband to anyone who would listen. that day, i believed we had a chance. that night, i found out he spent half the drive home texting my phone, which was locked in a drawer in the rehab office, accusing me of ignoring him in favor of my friends and strongly implying that i was sleeping with at least one of them. this delusion continued for months after and may still fester in his brain. i just wanted him to meet the people who were helping shape my recovery. he could never see the point of that. he didn’t understand that to me, connection is such a fundamental part of who i am that i HAD to make friends there. all he saw was the potential for pain.

i nakedly vied for the approval of everyone around me to the point that my rehab friends petitioned for me to win “patient of the week” at my graduation. when i realized what they had done i was simultaneously flattered to my core and mortified. how obvious it must have been that i set this artificial award ceremony in motion?

my husband was late. he missed the whole thing. in the car ride home, i chain smoked cigarettes and listened to his music. i talked about finding my rehab friend jacob on facebook so that we could attend meetings together since he was the only one who lived close by, and he accused me of having an extramarital relationship with him. his evidence was that “i brought him up all the time!” jacob came out as gay six months after we graduated from the program. we never got a chance to be friends.

my whole family was waiting at my sister’s house to welcome me home; they were babysitting my son while my husband drove to pick me up. they were so proud! again, i felt raw and abashed. just more confirmation that everyone knew--everyone knew--everyone knew everything. my husband had made my infidelity no secret with his family, and of course i had told my mother and my sister. 

being the family fuckup is like being naked under a microscope. like living your life in the invasive, creepy bodyscanner at the airport. well-wishes come with a tinge of pity; there is a frantic and all-too-apparent urge to avoid any conversation that might bring up my past transgressions. i’m used to it because i’ve been a drug addict since 2008. but coming back from rehab was the worst. there’s nothing like seeing what the future could be like-- bright, beautiful, beatific. the feeling of stepping out of a confessional booth and feeling the light on your face, reflected through the stained-glass window of the Virgin Mary and her son. but the comedown happens when you realize that the forgiveness you’ve given yourself stops with you. the crushing realization that your husband is either incapable of or unwilling to extend you the trust and forgiveness and freedom from shame that you’ve finally decided to give yourself makes you question everything. 

i just don’t understand why he can’t admit that he doesn’t love me anymore. i’m glad i went to rehab. but now i know it wasn’t for him. i could give him anything in the world and i’d still be the adultress, the sly sociopath, the woman that enjoys torturing him with emotion and conflict. our relationship can’t ever work again and he won’t admit it because he’s scared to be alone. honestly, i’m starting to feel sorry for him. i know i could find some normie guy, one with an unkempt beard who makes that face-- you know that face! the nintendo switch face!-- in his twitter avi. he can quote every line from the office and he loves bar trivia, but makes sure to go to the bar and grab me a sparkling water before the beers arrive. he’s a bit boring, maybe not as smart as i am (or pretend to be), but he’s authentic, and he laughs at my jokes, and he always wants to know how my day went. he makes sure to find something thoughtful for christmas, and he sometimes goes out and gets my car detailed on the weekend because he knows how messy i am and how frantic it makes me when i have to face those messes. he has a group of friends who all like the same things he does and they hang out after work most tuesdays, but not when we have something to do at home.

but i know who i am and i know i am not fundamentally healed and i know i’d get bored and break his heart. and my husband would still be alone.

who even knows anymore? the status quo definitely has something going for it. i don’t have to apply for WIC or share a one bedroom apartment with my son or drive for Grubhub on the weekend to make sure i can afford peanut butter because that shit is expensive. we can sit, and sit, and then drift off to sleep and wake up in the same place that we were the day before. maybe i’m adapting to my husband’s sense that it’s better to just endure and stay quiet. i know that pattern because it’s how my family handled every bit of turmoil since i was a child. it’s never worked, but i guess it might someday!

this is my first blog post in 15 years. hopefully it won’t be my last.

[gromvillage]

all odd numbers. do it coward

jesus fucking christ i love you

1. Who was the last person you held hands with?

probably one of my friends when we went to the mall the day before homecoming?? it was a while ago

3. Who are you looking forward to seeing?

i can’t wait to see my cousin again but i also have this one really cool uncle that i’d like to see again. actually i’d like to see a lot of my family cause they live far away but i don’t know when i’ll see them next

5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you?

i never want to be drunk but i think they definitely would 

7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?

i’d like to say yes because i’m a thirsty bitch but the answer is prolly no

9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

negative ghostrider, my friends are tired of hearing me talk about me being thirsty

11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? 

me yelling at my friends about how i want to be on bear grylls’ show, cause i think him and i would have a great time hanging out

13. Do you like it when people play with your hair?

oh hell yeah, my friends got acrylics a couple months ago and i was literally begging them to play with my hair and scratch my head

15. What good thing happened this summer?

lots of good things happened this summer! i went to scout camp, went to washington/canada with some friends, and went to europe for the first time!!   

17. Do you think there is life on other planets?

i’d like to think so! but also,,,,i think it’s probably not like little green dudes sadly, prolly just like microscopic shit that happens to be alive

19. Do you like bubble baths?

i haven’t taken a bath since i was really young, the idea of sitting in your own water is gross

21. What are you bad habits?

oh lots...picking the skin around my nails, i can be really lazy, not tidying up my room as often as i should which then makes me feel weird, the list can go on and on

23. Do you have trust issues?

oh you bet baby, i don’t really have reason to cause no one has done anything absolutely horrible to me (yet) but i am constantly questioning the intents of the people i’m close to

25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with?

my face but also the fact i have no thighs and my arms are super scrawny 

27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker?

darker, i have such a hard time tanning and i’m high key pale

29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up?

h a h a have to have been in a relationship to have has an ex 

31. If your hair long enough for a pony tail?

yeah one tiny one on the top of my head

33. Spell your name with your chin.

paigved

35. Would you rather live without TV or music?

ohhh tough...probably tv though cause i stay listening to music all the time

37. What do you say during awkward silences?

hi welcome to chili’s

39. What are your favorite stores to shop in?

rei or any outdoor store really, small independent stationary shops, target kinda slaps, really any little shop that’s along the main street of a smaller town

41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

negative ghostrider

43. Do you smile at strangers?

not really, i’m super self conscious about my teeth and also think i look kinda creepy when i do it

45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?

the fact i have to go to school sadly but my goal is to one day get out of bed and be excited to do a job i love

47. Have you ever been high?

negative ghostrider, that kinda shit freaks me out

49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about?

yeah there’s a couple things

51. Ever wished you were someone else?

all the time, i stay wishing i was an olympic skier or pro mountain athlete or literally anyone more interesting than me

53. Favourite makeup brand?

i don’t wear makeup!

55. Favourite blog?

@friendlydinosaur of course but also big fan of @perpetualpatchwork and a bunch of bon appetit blogs

57. Favourite food?

bread/pasta/sweets

59. First thing you ate this morning?

really lame breakfast sandwich thing on a piece of toast with cream cheese and lunch meat cause i’m lazy

61. Been suspended/expelled? For what?

no but i kinda wish, i have too much of a fear of authority/my parents

63. Ever been in love?

not yet

65. Are you hungry right now?

not super hungry but i could go for some ice cream

67. Facebook or Twitter?

twitter, i’m not a 40 year old lady jesus christ

69. Are you watching tv right now?

nope

71. Craving something? What?

someone to hold me but also really wanna go skiing or on an adventure in general

73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?

that’s gonna be a no

75. Favourite animal?

ohhh i stay being a closet horse girl but also think elk are pretty cool! also just generally love dogs

77. Chocolate or Vanilla?

chocolate (but vanilla if it’s the really good shit)

79. What colour shirt are you wearing?

maroon! i stay wearing this color all the time

81. Favourite tv show?

i still haven’t finished turn but i do like it a lot! also i just think i finished watching something on netflix but i can’t remember what?? but i feel like i liked it?? thinking is hard

83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2?

never seen either sadly

85. Favourite character from Mean Girls?

see above

87. First person you talked to today?

my mom

89. Name a person you hate?

there are a couple but i’m not bouta drag em on tumblr

91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? 

oh i could come up with a few people....

93. How many sweatpants do you have?

sadly only two pairs but i want more

95. Last movie you watched?

part of ratatouille with this girl that’s kinda like a little cousin to me

97. Favourite actor?

i don’t really have a favorite but i’m big on timothee chalamet at the moment

99. Have any pets?

a sickly beta fish i inherited from my brother when he moved

101. Do you type fast?

i’d like to think so

103. Can you spell well?

oh hell no

105. Ever been to a bonfire party?

a couple, though none recently sadly 

107. Have you ever been on a horse?

a few times!! again, closet horse girl

109. Is something irritating you right now?

the fact i’ve left some major work till the last minute, this one really painful pimple on my face, the way i stay wasting my time

111. Do you have trust issues?

this is a repeat from 23?? but the answer is still yes

113. What was your childhood nickname?

paigey, but a lot of people still use it! also foo foo the snoo was something my mom called me as kind of an inside joke rhyme thing

115. Do you play the Wii?

not anymore, though i was big on wii sports resort and the wipeout game when i was younger. oh also the lego harry potter, cause i liked to collect all the coins while my brother did the Actual Gaming for the levels

117. Do you like chicken noodle soup?

not really, the noodles are always super mushy and i just don’t really like the flavor

119. Favourite book?

i sadly haven’t been reading a ton lately and have forgotten literally every book i’ve ever read but i really enjoyed on jon krakauer’s  eiger dreams that i read this summer

121. Are you mean?

sometimes, yeah

123. Can you keep white shoes clean?

i kept a pair of white slip on vans pretty clean for a while! the trick is to use scotch guard

125. Do you believe in true love?

i haven’t thought about it a lot but i guess? 

127. What makes you happy?

oh lots of things! nice weather, spending time outdoors, good food, time with good friends, ice cream, exploring, creating things

129. What your zodiac sign?

sagittarius (almost my birthday!!)

131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

now that i think about it i don’t think i have a best guy friend?? but if i did i guess if i didn’t like them i’d try and be nice about it cause i’ve had a crush on close friends and know it sucks when they don’t feel the same way

133. Favourite lyrics right now?

“but if i get my shit together this year maybe i’ll be a ten” -10/10 by rex orange county

135. Dumbest lie you ever told?

oh i’m sure i told some dumb lies when i was a kid but i can’t remember any right now

137. How tall are you?

barely 5′1″

139. Brunette or Blonde?

brunette

141. Night or Day?

depends on the mood

143. Are you a vegetarian?

i really should be for the earth but meat bruh

145. Tea or Coffee?

i don’t drink either!

147. Mars or Snickers?

snickers

149. Do you believe in ghosts?

not really but the other night i woke up to my waterbottle falling off my nightstand and that was some freaky shit

love you dude, i really needed this tonight

[chelseaapproved]

I’ll Sing a Song Beside You-12

Read on Ao3!

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Chapter Twelve

Marinette wakes to 12 unread texts from Alya. She’s kind of useless in the morning but the threat of something happening to her friend has Marinette on alert. She quickly sits up, ignoring the wave of dizziness it causes and unlocks her phone.

Alya: MArinette!!!

!!!!!

Did you see?????

Ans wer meee

Theyre dating o.0

Go on

Ladyblog

So many ppl sent me pics of them making out

Like they were srsly going at it on the eiffel tower

Newscasters want to interview me cuz i was the one to break the scoop!!!!

THEYRE DATING ASDLHSDFAD

OMG just wake up and answer me already

Marinette stares at her phone in horror. With shaky hands, she goes on the Ladyblog on her phone and sees it, right on the homepage. The picture is a little blurry, but it is unmistakably a zoomed in picture of Ladybug and Chat Noir in a very...compromising position.

Apparently making out at the top of the Eiffel Tower is not a good idea if you’re a famous superhero and want to keep your relationship a secret.

“Tikki,” Marinette yelps, “what do I do?”

Tikki flies over to her and peers at the picture on the screen. Instead of providing any ancient and wise godly advice, Tikki giggles. “Aww, you two are so cute!”

“So not the point!”

“There’s nothing you can do about it now, Marinette. Maybe learn to have a bit more self-control next time.”

Marinette groans, her face growing hot, and locks her phone. Since she’s already awake, she starts getting ready for school, determined not to think about her public humiliation.

“You’re up early,” her mom says when Marinette stumbles into the kitchen 15 minutes later.

“Alya woke me up,” Marinette responds. She still hasn’t answered and has 3 more texts from the girl. She’ll deal with it at school.

Her mom heads to the cabinet to get a bowl while Marinette gets the milk from the fridge. “Is everything okay?”

“She’s fine,” Marinette says as she pours her cereal. “Chat Noir and Ladybug are officially a couple so Ayla’s freaking out.”

“I always figured they were dating,” her mom says, which is just so not what she wants to hear right now.

“Why does everyone keep saying that?”

“What? They make a cute pair.”

Marinette feels her face heat up. “Well, yeah but I’m sure they want their privacy. I wouldn’t want my love life broadcasted for all of Paris to see.”

“That’s true.”

“And how did anyone even see them in the first place? They were so high up!”

“Oh, you know how it is with celebrities, dear. They can never catch a break.”

“But they’re not celebrities, they’re superheroes!”

“I’m sure they’d appreciate that thought but most people don’t share that sentiment, unfortunately,” her mom says, patting Marinette’s shoulder. “Now, I need to get down to the bakery. Have a good day, sweetie.”

“You too, Maman.”

Her mom kisses her forehead before heading down. Marinette finishes her breakfast deep in thought. On the one hand, she’s still not happy that the whole world knows she’s dating Chat Noir. On the other hand, hearing her mom speak approvingly of her relationship was nice. Just thinking about it brings a much-needed warmth to her chest.

There’s no point in wasting any more time so Marinette braces herself before heading out to school, ready to face Alya.

Naturally, Alya pounces on Marinette as soon as she enters the room. “Girl, you need to answer your phone.”

“I was sleeping and then getting ready.”

“Did you at least read my texts? Did you see?”

“That Chat Noir and Ladybug are dating? Yeah, I saw.”

“I am so rubbing this in Chloé’s face,” Alya gloats. Marinette rolls her eyes but can’t help the small smile that forms on her lips.

“Morning ladies,” Nino says as he and Adrien take their seats. Marinette smiles at them and looks away. She wonders if she’ll ever feel comfortable around Adrien Agreste.

“Morning!” Alya says. “Did you guys hear the news?”

“No, what happened?”

“Chat Noir and Ladybug are the hottest couple in Paris.”

“Wait, what,” Adrien asks, whipping around in his seat. “What do you mean?”

“Chat Noir and Ladybug were caught kissing on the Eiffel Tower. It’s all over the Ladyblog and I’m going for an interview on Nadja Chamack’s channel this Thursday to discuss it!”

Adrien catches Marinette’s eye, blushes, and looks away, leaving Marinette flustered and confused. “Oh. I didn’t realize… I didn’t look at the blog this morning.”

“Check it out when you have the chance! It’s so perfect.” Alya turns to Marinette and her face falls. “Hey, I know I’ve been freaking out about this but are you okay?”

“Yes?” Marinette tilts her head in confusion, unsure why she would even ask. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I know you and Chat Noir were… something.”

“Oh my gosh,” Marinette exclaims, hiding her heated face behind her hands. She can feel Adrien’s eyes on her and her face burns hotter. He must think she has such a fickle heart. “How many times do I have to tell you there is no scandalous relationship between us?”

“Marinette, that boy is, like, obsessed with you. Or something.”

“Definitely or something,” Marinette says. “There’s nothing there. He loves Ladybug and I like…someone else.”

It feels wrong using her crush on Adrien to defend her lack of relationship with Chat Noir, but she doesn’t know what else to do. She hates lying, especially to her best friend but she can’t exactly admit that she’s dating Chat. She just hopes Alya never finds out she rejected Adrien.

“You’re sure you’re not upset? You don’t seem very happy about the news.”

“I’m just tired. Someone kept texting me this morning and it woke me up.”

“As long as you’re sure. I could kick Chat Noir’s butt if he hurt you.”

“Trust me,” Marinette says, glad she can at least be honest about this. “I couldn’t be happier for them.”

--

“Hey, Pretty Lady,” Chat says, popping his head through the sunroof.

Marinette can feel her whole body perk up at the sight of him. Even knowing what she wants to say to him, she feels better just seeing him. “Hey yourself.”

He plops himself onto the bed then heads down the ladder to sit near her. He grabs the extra rolling chair and slides next to her. “How was your day?”

“I don’t want to talk about that right now,” Marinette says, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He frowns. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Don’t really feel like talking,” she replies before pressing her lips against his. She never realized how addictive kissing could be until she got a partner who was willing to partake in it. And Chat Noir is a very willing partner. He pulls her closer and she falls onto his lap. They giggle for a second before taking advantage of their new position.

She manages to get lost in the kiss for a while, but they need to breathe at some point and they both know the reason he’s there; there’s no getting out of it.

“So,” Chat says after they’ve had a chance to catch their breaths.

“So,” she repeats.

“Everyone knows about us.”

“It would appear so.”

“Is that…ok?”

Marinette sighs and starts playing with the ends of his hair. “I don’t really think that matters at this point.”

“I’m sorry. I should have realized people would catch us.”

“It’s not any more your fault than it is mine. We got busted, plain and simple.”

“It’s just. You don’t seem very happy.”

“I didn’t realize how dedicated people were to stalking us. Alya, I knew, used to follow us around a lot but she chilled out eventually and I kind of thought everyone else did too? But, like, apparently a lot of people sent in pictures. It started to make me think about how dedicated they might be to following us around.”

“My Lady, no one will catch us detransforming. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“That… wasn’t even what I was worried about but oh my gosh we need to seriously be careful when we transform!” Marinette removes her hands from Chat to start pulling on her own hair. “You already caught me once because I was too quick and reckless. If anyone catches us then we—”

Chat covers her mouth with his own, effectively cutting off her downward spiral of nerves. “You worry too much sometimes,” he says.

“Never cut off a lady when she’s speaking,” Marinette reprimands.

“Why? So I could hear about how we’re going to end up dying in a ditch somewhere or Hawkmoth is going to rise to power and take over the world?”

“…I was going to say we’d become brainless minions for him,” she admits reluctantly.

“Mari, I love you but sometimes your thought process scares me,” Chat laughs. “I’ve never met anyone with an imagination quite like yours.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you very much.”

“As you should,” he says, giving her an eskimo kiss. “So, what were you going to say before I put words in your mouth?”

“What if someone catches you coming in here,” she asks, her voice small.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve been coming here for ages and no one’s noticed. The first time we kiss in public and the whole world sees; I’d definitely be caught by now if it were going to happen.”

“You can’t know that, Chat. It’s dangerous. We’re playing with fire right now.”

“Marinette, what do you want me to do, stop visiting you?”

Marinette looks down and bites on her lip.

“Mari, you can’t be serious.”

“We could be risking my identity, my family, my friends.”

Chat gently grabs her face. “I would never let anything bad happen to you or your loved ones. I’ll be more careful if you want, but I’m not going to stop seeing my girlfriend.”

“We could just go on more patrols and—”

“Our whole romantic life would be under a microscope.”

“I’d rather that than have Hawkmoth go after my parents,” Marinette snaps.

“If you’d just let me show myself we wouldn’t even have to have this talk.”

“You make it sound like it’s my decision. I want to know who you are as badly as you want to tell me but, again, safety needs to be considered here.”

“We could make it work.”

“Chat, no,” Marinette says, with as much of her Ladybug authority as she can channel. It’s enough to shut him up so she must do a pretty good job.

They sit in silence, avoiding each other’s eyes for a while. Her heart is pounding frantically in her chest while she tries to think of something to say that’ll cut the tension. Her mind is running circles, though, so Chat’s the one who breaks the silence. “Okay, so no more late night visits. I’ll do it.”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t want to fight or break up over this. I just got you, I don’t want to lose you already.”

“You’re not going to lose me, Chaton. I’m yours forever. I think this is the safest option for now until we figure something out. Deal?”

“Anything for you, mon amour.”

Marinette blushes at the nickname and hides herself in his neck. She’s gotten so used to seeing Chat on a nearly nightly basis, it’s going to be weird—and difficult—not having him stop by anymore. But she knows she’s making the right decision. Two people have already accused Chat and Marinette of having some sort of affair and she can’t afford to let that list grow.

“Since I’m already here,” Chat says, lifting her head off him with a delicate hand, “we might as well make the most of it.”

“I like the way you think,” she says before crushing her lips to his. They don’t get much talking done for the rest of the night.

-- Two weeks pass and Marinette is going crazy. She still stands by her decision but she doesn’t get as much time with Chat as she used to—they tried bringing their work to a random roof one day but it left them chasing after papers and losing homework so they agreed to get all their work done before meeting up—and she misses his company.

So, yeah, when an akuma shows up and interrupts her outing with Rose and Juleka, Marinette gets excited. She will take any time she can get with Chat. It might come at the personal expense of someone’s autonomy and half of Paris but… nope. She can’t even properly rationalize her happiness. She’s a horrible person and is completely taking advantage of her powers but she can’t bring herself to care at the moment.

“Fancy meeting you here, M’Lady,” Chat says when he drops in next to her, pressing his body infuriatingly close.

Ladybug takes a second to peck Chat on the cheek before resuming her surveillance of the akuma. Except she has no idea where they went. Ladybug curses under her breath and shoots off in the direction she thinks they might have gone.

They’re not usually this distracted when fighting akumas but their distance is definitely taking its toll on them both. She needs to get it together before someone gets hurt.

“If we split up we might be able to find her faster,” Chat suggests, keeping Ladybug’s pace.

“I don’t want to split up,” Ladybug says petulantly but they both know he’s right so it’s with some trepidation that she turns left and he goes right.

She swings through the city, looking for any sign of disruption. She doesn’t understand how a little old lady could move as quickly as she does. After nearly ten minutes of fruitless searching, she gets a call.

“Bee,” she says, just as she catches sight of someone hopping around tied in yarn. She makes a sharp turn to head in the direction that person just came from.

“Where are you? Rena’s already detransformed and Chat’s going to any minute now as well.”

“Why didn’t you call me earlier then,” Ladybug asks, exasperated. She pulls up Queen Bee’s location and rushes over, noting that the akuma is dangerously close to her house.

“She keeps throwing sewing needles at us,” Bee says the moment Ladybug joins them on the street.

“Okay, avoid those,” Ladybug says, immediately using her yoyo as a shield.

“Obviously.”

“No need to get wound up, Bee. But a lucky charm would be off the hook,” Chat says as he spins his baton as quickly as he can, taking a moment to show his dwindling pawprints. Ladybug can tell he’s losing energy but she’s glad he has enough to make bad puns.

“Right,” Ladybug says. She stops spinning her yoyo, preparing to call on her power, when Chat yelps. “What’s wrong,” she asks, turning to face him, and startles when she sees him sprinting toward her.

“Ladybug, look—” Chat Noir takes a needle right to his head and gets thrown back into a wall.

“Chat,” Ladybug screams but he doesn’t respond. She is never going to get used to seeing him get hurt because of her. As if she needs to feel even more guilty, Chat’s ring beeps, reminding her that he only has about a minute left before he transforms.

Without giving it much thought, Ladybug scoops up her boyfriend and yells a quick “I’ll be right back!” She throws him over her shoulder and swings off to her balcony.

Ladybug crashes through her sunroof and unceremoniously tosses the unconscious Chat Noir onto her bed. She takes a deep breath, trying not to panic. All she has to do is defeat the akuma and he’ll wake up and be fine. It’ll all work out.

She hears frantic beeping and sees the beginning of a flash of green light before she clamps her eyes shut and spins around.

“Oh, my poor aching body,” a voice speaks. “I need cheese to make it better.”

“...Plagg,” Marinette asks. She’s pretty sure that’s the name of Chat’s kwami.

“Ladybug,” he responds. “You got any cheese?”

“I, uh, no I don’t think so,” she says apologetically. There’s probably cheese downstairs but she’s Ladybug right now, not Marinette, and she doesn’t have time to snoop through the kitchen.

“Chat Noir might have some in his jacket pocket for me.”

“Okay, so get it.”

“I’m too weak to move,” he says dramatically.

Ladybug purses her lips at him in annoyance. “I can’t get it without looking at him.”

“So? I need the cheese more than he needs to protect his identity.”

That makes Ladybug pause. Chat’s complained about Plagg plenty of time—he’s lazy, all he wants to do is sleep and eat cheese, he doesn’t take anything but cheese seriously—but she always assumed those were exaggerations. When it comes down it, she was sure, Plagg would put the duty of the miraculous above all else. But now he’s telling her it’s okay to look at his charge just so he can be fed.

And she is painfully tempted to do it.

“You don’t care if I know who he is?”

“Cheeeeeese,” he says.

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to know.”

“You’re not.”

“But you don’t care?”

“Look, talking like this is using up what little energy I have. Do or do not, I don’t care. But get me my cheese, however you can.”

He’s basically handing her Chat’s identity on a silver platter. Tikki isn’t there to scold her and Plagg is the devil on her shoulder, telling her to look. It would be so easy. And she knows Chat himself wouldn’t object; he’s been begging to tell her for ages now.

She turns her head in the direction she knows Chat is in and gropes around until her hand touches his shoulder. One second. That’s all she needs to know who he is. She has a strong feeling that Chat knows her as a civilian so she’s assuming she’ll recognize him.

And then they can be together for real. Nothing would hold them back. They could go on dates and cuddle in her bedroom and she could visit him for once.

She lets her hand glide across his chest, feeling his muscles through his cotton shirt, taking note of the lump where she assumes the cheese is. She finds the end of the overshirt and grips it. He’s never been more real, more tangible, than in this moment. This isn’t just Chat Noir on her bed, it’s the boy behind the mask. The boy she is madly in love with.

She lifts the light material and feels around until she locates the inner pocket.

“I have your cheese,” she says, holding the stinky wedge up.

That is enough, apparently, to get Plagg to fly over to her.

“Mmm cheese.” He grabs the cheese from her. Marinette’s empty hand goes limp and she lets it fall on Chat’s chest.

“I need to get back to the fight,” she says, standing up.

“I got it hand it to you,” Plagg says through his mouthful of cheese, “I didn’t think you’d actually resist.”

“Neither did I,” she admits.

“Marinette!” Ladybug freezes at the sound of her mother’s voice calling up to her.

“Y-yes,” she calls back, turning to face the trapdoor and opening her eyes. She has no idea what she’ll do if her mom enters and sees a passed-out boy on her bed and Ladybug standing over him.

“I didn’t realize you were home!”

“Uh, yeah,” Ladybug says, wincing. “I just got back. You must have missed me!”

“I heard voices. Do you have someone over?”

Ladybug glances at Plagg in a panic, hoping he’ll provide some help but he’s just snickering in front of her. Chat is right; least helpful kwami ever.

“I was watching a video! Sorry, I’ll turn it down.”

“Why don’t you come down here? There’s an akuma on the loose and you know your father and I would prefer if we could see you.”

“I—ah—I’m really busy right now, Maman!”

“Whatever you’re doing could surely wait a little bit.”

“Not really! It’s super important!”

“Marinette, I need help with dinner anyway. Please, come down and appease your poor parents.”

Her mom’s footsteps send Ladybug in a frenzy. She jumps down to the sitting area of her room and plops herself on the trapdoor.

“Marinette?” Her mom knocks on the door.

“Don’t come in,” Marinette calls. She should have transformed back earlier. Now it’s too late and her mom will see the light and get suspicious. This is a disaster. “I’m changing!”

“I expect you back downstairs in ten minutes,” her mother says. Ladybug sits still, straining her ears until she can no longer hear her mother’s steps.

“Oh my gosh, that was close,” Ladybug says, letting out a long breath. Her mother’s words catch up to her. “I have ten minutes to defeat the akuma and make it back!”

She shoots up and heads back to her bed to exit through her sunroof before coming to a screeching halt.

In her panic, she forgets about Chat Noir laying detransformed on her bed. In her panic, she forgets to avert her eyes.

Her brain completely shuts down as her eyes rove all over his body. She takes in his orange sneakers, his denim-clad legs, his typical black shirt with white overshirt. His hair is neater this way, well-kept and perfectly styled. His eyes are closed but she knows what they look like behind those lids; she’s spent hours upon hours memorizing his face.

Ladybug allows herself two seconds of freaking out, letting out a high-pitched whine, before she gathers herself and leaps out. She has an akuma to defeat. She can worry about the knocked-out Adrien Agreste in her bed later.

Much later.

[violetsystems]

#personal

Everything seemed to revolve around the mail yesterday.  Technically it shouldn’t have been delivered at all.  That’s what I expect when it comes to recognizing federal holidays.  I think it’s a great step forward to acknowledge Juneteenth but there leaves a lot to be desired.  With America there seems to always be a caveat or an asterisk.  A pronounced, meaningful but wholly lackluster execution.  Inside the mailbox was my coffee and a letter confirming the continuation of my health insurance with a footnote.  That the plan has been subsidized for a number of months free of charge due to some legislation.  A year later regardless I’m still somewhat in the same position.  Or people act like I’ve emerged from some hyper sleep pod unscathed.  I do get a lot of good rest here at home.  It’s a small city and a small world so sometimes I end up running into people on my doorstep unannounced.  I had a chance yesterday to vocalize that in public on my property without having to seek out a social tribunal in town.  A friend I haven’t seen in awhile was fixing my neighbor’s bike in front of our other neighbor’s building.  We talked about the job search.  A friend of his works at one of the companies I applied for in town last October.  A video game company.  He wanted to know if he could put in the good word and have me try again.  I told him the moment had passed but thanked him anyway.  A lot for me has changed since last October and in some ways is still the same.  I can’t not look back and see who was there and who wasn’t.  So I stopped reading into it.  Stopped judging my progress against other people.  I had been paying near the sum of my rent per month for health insurance.  So it was nice to get the letter giving me a break for a few months.  If you really asked me right now, money is not the problem.  I’m not supposed to really have a problem.  This is something I’ve grown to learn in a very particular way.  That somewhere in there is my true skill.  Dealing with crisis on the fly with no warning.  Always knowing the right and safe thing to say.  I wouldn’t say I’ve been exactly forward on this hell site in regards to the specifics.  I’ve gotten more political than has been worth my time.  I realize that private blogging is a ‘vibe.’  I like the idea of Word press incorporating cryptography but I still think the best secrets are kept by a strong heart and quick tongue.  I enjoy communicating and have always loved to write.  Journaling is a very specific activity for me.  It allows me to keep control of a narrative that often gets thrown around like a cow in a tornado.  It’s like the cliff notes of my life.  The director’s commentary of someone who has the opposite of main character syndrome.  But these details are never specific enough to be incriminating I guess.  Who wants to sift through three paragraphs of mine for the juicy details?  What would you learn?  That I’m as loyal as a beaten down dog.  If I’ve learned one thing about being open and communicative, it’s that some people are only half there.  Like you are talking to a brick wall with a smile spray painted across it.  The message and intention doesn’t change.  I never get that feeling when I write to myself and my friends here.  Part of being consistent give or take a week or so with these kind of thing has rewarded me as being marked as present.   People ingest what you have to say for the permanent record when they feel like it.  Sometimes not at all.  But they always find a way to let you know.  Maybe in the smallest way to you.  Things are always bigger than what you make them out to be.  But to expect too much or react passionately towards things can cloud you in seeing the bigger picture.  And yet I spend most of my waking days lately focusing on trying to figure it out.

If there’s one thing I can admit close to a year later it’s that it wasn’t the end of the world.  I’ve been projecting to people through conversation in real life the context much like I write here.  Probably more vague.  People like to take words in conversations out of context.  It becomes a game of he said, she said, they said.  Having a space to vent or at least think has helped me understand I’m doing something to figure it all out in my own way.  I feel often like I’m in an impossible situation.  Lately I’m realizing I was just overloaded with change.  I grew a lot in the last year.  Mostly through a crisis where I felt completely invisible.  I got through it and am probably better off.  Financially it’s almost in my best interest to wait for the right position.  If I took a job too early I’d lose my subsidy.  To be honest I wish I had that subsidy last year when I really needed it.  I updated my resume with my current working experience.  I’ve spent the last year created a professional facing identity while still being myself under the hood and microscope.  The results probably look shitty to most people.  And that’s where I stop comparing my situation with other people.  How I see my life unfolding might seem or sound crazy to other people.  Which is why I’ve stopped writing so specifically about how I see or interpret things.  I realize my life isn’t exactly normal at this point.  But I’ve stayed alive and out of debt through this.  I look like a very different person on paper than I did a year ago.  And yet it’s still the same old me.  I can feel the pain and isolation just the same.  Imagine being a very cerebral person who cannot let go of anything.  I’ve had to learn to.  This is really the biggest growth for me.  Being angry at a situation even if it’s wholly unfair doesn’t change things.  The dirty tricks in this city never falter.  I just have to learn how to have better tricks up my sleeve.  And really if anything is to be said, my cold reaction to things gets better.  Instead of feeling wronged or scared, I feel in control.  I know better.  I know when to shut my mouth about things.  I know when to dangle the carrot out in the street.  I know my situation is not ideal and yet I know what I want isn’t out of sight.  So really how you survive makes you something desirable.  A survivor.  A person who continues.  Resists.  Maintains a semblance of freedom that people judge their own against.  How is this guy able to be himself without me having a say?  How dare you spend a whole year being ignored and not respond like a beaten dog when I shout out some invisible command to obey?  My answer would be that I am me.  And if you were me and could step in these shoes you’d figure it out.  If you had the patience to read what I was trying to say you’d probably already know by now.  And yet we still respond to these half assed attempts to engage and manipulate people’s true intentions.  That’s life.  Those confrontations don’t go away.  Sometimes they’re right at your doorstep.  What happens when they’re right in your face.  Grilling you.  Making you prove yourself and your narrative in broad daylight every step.  You learn how to answer the questions.  Sometimes by saying nothing at all.  Sometimes by saying just enough.  But you get nowhere trying to change the inevitable.  That people only listen to what they want to.  And social engineering is a minefield of good intentions.  If you have to cross the minefield to get to safety by all means.  If you are on the other side, maybe it’s best to sit and wait.  Which is what I have done primarily alone.  Wait for some sort of clarity.  And for the most part when it comes to the people that really matter to me, everything is crystal.

It’s not like I don’t enjoy catching up with people.  I enjoy being able to relate my side of story that feels buried and insignificant.  But there’s so much more to it that doesn’t need to fall upon the wrong ears.  People out there listen to what they want to listen to.  They rehash things that sound plausible because they’re bored.  They gossip.  They’re looking for something else to focus on as they return to a desired normal.  For me nothing will ever be normal again here.  It’s normal enough when I shut the door and focus on my own mental health.  I spend hours listening to music.  I redecorate the space that I have.  I spend time with my cats.  I think about being in love.  I learn to love myself.  Of all the work I’ve done on myself I have things to show for it.  And it seems the work is never done.  Even if I can’t seem to find a good fit for where to go with my life.  I know I can just stay here until I figure it out.  There isn’t really any pressure for me here specifically.  It’s a safe space to stay out of harm’s way.  And admittedly, this city can be pushy and unrealistic to a point where it’s a hazard to your personal goals.  Everybody has to know everything about everyone else.  They think they can shoehorn themselves into your life after years of tricks and pranks.  And ultimately yes it’s a free country.  And there’s no shortage of people trying to get up in your business.  But these people haven’t really been there the last year enough to know what really matters to me.  I use these chances in public.  Command performances to clarify my stance on things without saying much at all.  If you really wanted the specifics you’d know where the narrative is.  You’d know where I set the record straight.  You’d know how I really feel.  And generally a small percentage of people I write for do.  The rest of this city.  It’s not hard to see.  There are always agendas that have their say in our lives.  Some of them we tolerate.  Some of them we avoid.  Some of them we loathe.  For me the more things change, the more they stay the same.  And if you look at my life through the lens of people who only have access to the past, you’re missing all my potential for a different future.  A lot of people were there.  And then they weren’t.  When they’re there to reconnect it’s always some elaborate yet serendipitous meeting.  A magical sort of chance.  I don’t believe in synchronicity.  I don’t have the luxury to blindly trust the universe has some plan for me.  We live in an ever pervasive data driven society.  I know where I would like to be.  I know what works and what doesn’t.  I know being vague about this on the internet from week to week must annoy people all the same.  I know I have not been happy for a long time but I make due.  And I know the results if I go back out there and give the past a chance when it left me for dead is a losing proposition.  So I don’t really stress much about it.  I keep writing.  I keep sharing.  I keep taking control over my own life so when someone special walks into it, the baggage is clear.  Maybe we can put some other baggage in there at some point.  I have a whole back room that can be cleared for all the baggage you want to stow for the duration of my unconditional love for you.  There’s a standing mirror and a garment rack in there too.  I can’t say there won’t be more furniture in the coming months.  I also can’t say I’m really in the mood to work until the Fall.  But I can say I’ll still be here.  And I love you just the same. <3 Tim

[grovyrosegirl]

MCSM Countdown Day 8

Hiya everyone! Oh gosh can you guys believe we only have ONE MORE DAY until season 2? Crazy right? I just want to say that this has been my first time particpating in a countdown like this, and it’s been great! Everyone in the community have been making such great things, it’s so much fun. I know I don’t  talk much and I’m not the most active blog, but being in this community has been a blast. And I really do appreciate all the feedback I get on my writing, it really means a lot to know people enjoy it! You guys are all so nice and amazing! I hope we all have even more fun with the arrival of the next season! Alright so enough of my rambling, here’s a little something I wrote for day 8 of the countdown. Today’s theme: A Journey’s End? I hope you enjoy!

After days of trying to get the bare minimum of sleep that was possible in between portals, Jesse thought a bed would be a blessing. And true, the soft mattress and warm blanket in the dormitories was a step up from the cold stone floor of the hallway, especially for her still sore back. Give Hadrian the smallest, most microscopic bit of credit that was even remotely possible to find, at least he’d given the prisoners still full of false hope something nice to sleep on. But she still couldn’t make herself fall asleep that easily.

Jesse turned over on her side, allowing her to catch a glimpse of her friends in the remaining beds nearby. All of them were fast asleep. Harper and Petra both lied on their backs, the ladder having tossed her bandana onto the floor. Lukas slept on his side, his blond hair a complete mess with frizz and out of place strands, probably from it being under his goggles for so long. Ivor appeared to have shifted sideways and kicked the covers off in his sleep, and his snoring filled the otherwise silent room. The fact that neither Petra or Lukas hadn’t woken up from it only proved how exhausted they were. Jesse didn’t blame them. She’d never felt so tired in her life.

The room they were in belonged to the former red team, according to Harper. The same team she had unintentionally eliminated from the games entirely during Spleef. Before the group went to sleep their first night here, they’d looked around the room. Jesse had felt a small painful sting in her chest when she’d uncovered some belongings left behind by the team, including an unfinished book, a couple of dandelions, and a cookie that someone on the team must’ve been saving. Judging from what she’s seen so far in this place, the Gladiators most likely shoved them all into the mines before even bothering to clean out the dorm.

Jesse looked over to Lukas again, something popping up in her memory. Right. Still had to find a way to get his journal back from Slab…

She turned over to the other side in the bed, her face now looking out a nearby window. A light snowfall was just ending. Some snowflakes were still stuck to the glass window before melting into water drops. Her drowsy eyes drifted to the Nether portal where Facemeat stood guard the other day. She felt her hand grip a corner of the pillow, as a voice in her head hissed a chilling reminder.

You mess up tomorrow, and that’s where you’re all getting thrown in.

The answer to this insomnia became clear. It wasn’t where she was sleeping. It was where other people were sleeping. Here she was in a warm building, tucked into a bed, and at the same time, her two best friends (and one unlucky bystander who happened to share the same name as someone she missed) were crammed in obsidian cages. Also at the same time, more people were stuck in the quartz mines. The Nether in her world was risky to just travel in, and from Lukas and Ivor’s descriptions, the Nether here was just as bad, if not worst. She shuddered at the thought that the miners might actually be forced to sleep in that inferno. Especially if that old urban legend about beds exploding in the Nether were true…

Jesse sat up and quietly let out a sigh, hugging her legs close to her. The slim hope that her speech encouraged the other competitors to rise up tomorrow wasn’t bright enough to put her thoughts to rest. She frowned and placed her palm against her forehead.

Oh sure, let’s tell them all that their idol who keeps them going is a fake. Nice job, idiot.

There were times where Jesse wanted to tell herself to shut up. This was one of them.

 Deciding that some fresh air was her only chance of clearing her head enough to fall asleep, she stood up from the bed. Jesse tiptoed across the carpeted floor of the dorm room to the door. She slipped out into the dimly lit hallway, slowly as possible as to not wake up her friends, and closed the door behind her. 

Jesse found herself on the third-floor balcony of the building. It was the highest one and gave her a decent view. The snowfall before had ceased, and the night sky was once again clear of clouds. She exhaled and watched the cloud of her breath dance around in the air as she rested her arms on the railing.

From the spot, she could see two of the Gladiators on patrol below. Although the two seemed far too immersed in a game of rock-shears-paper to notice her watching them. She glanced up ahead at the snowy landscape outside the walls of the Competitors’ Village. Seemingly it appeared to be completely untouched by any building, with the tall snow-covered pine trees, a crystal waterfall flowing into a frozen river, and a polar bear resting on a hilltop with her cub snuggled up next to her. Jesse couldn’t help but find it nice to look at, snow biomes were rare and far to travel to back home, if she wasn’t in the current predicament, she probably would’ve wanted to explore it a little more.

“Sup?”

The sudden voice in the quiet night caused Jesse to jump up slightly. To her surprise, it hadn’t come from behind her, but rather above her. She leaned back slightly to meet two blue eyes and blonde strands of beaded hair staring down at her from the rooftop, “Nell?”

“Jesse, dude!” She whispered excitedly, “Why didn’t you tell me you were a night owl? I would’ve invited you up here, like, way sooner!”

Jesse raised an eyebrow, “What are you doing up there?”

“Stargazing,” Nell extended out her hand, “wanna join the party?”

Jesse took a quick look back down, the two Gladiators now squabbling with each other about the other cheating in their round, and then back up at Nell, accepting the offered hand, “Sure.”

She climbed up the side, Nell now using both of her hands to pull her up. Jesse planted her feet firmly on the rooftop with a small oomph, as Nell released her and brushed off some snow next to an already clear patch. She looked up at Jesse with a grin and patted the empty spot next to her before lying flat on her back. Jesse moved to the spot, awkwardly trying to lie down in a comfortable position. The clear sky now full of stars, Jesse stared up.

“Don’t you get cold up here?” She asked Nell, whose eyes were glued on the sky.

The girl gave a shrug, “Meh, not really. These team uniforms are super toasty.”

Before Jesse could respond, Nell’s eyes lit up. She nudged Jesse’s arm and pointed upwards, “Check it out! My favorite one’s out tonight, Major Shovel!”

Jesse blinked, trying to connect the dots of the group of stars Nell pointed to. No matter which angle she tried, they didn’t seem to make a shovel, “I uh…didn’t know there was a constellation named that.”

“Oh well, I guess it’s not like an official one. I don’t actually really know the constellations that good, so I make up my own,” Nell explained. She directed Jesse back to the sky, her finger moving from spot to spot, “Okay, okay, so that’s Major Shovel, the Big Beetroot, Enderman Minor, the two crossed bones…”

She trailed on and on with different names. Jesse gave up trying to see the images in the sky, but smiled and nodded as Nell continued. The friendly green team member’s lighthearted antics were relieving in this environment. Just for a moment, Jesse could keep her mind off of everything weighing on her. At least until a realization entered her head. With all these constellations, made up or real, Nell remembered them all. Which just begged the question; how long had Nell been here?

“Oh,” Nell’s voice perked up, her finger stopping at a small cluster of stars, “I haven’t named that one yet.” She turned her attention back to Jesse, “You wanna give it a shot, brah?”

Jesse tilted her head up, “You want me to name it?”

“Yeah! You’re like, the first person who actually wanted to do this with me,” Nell explained. “Em and the others usually just tell me to go back to bed. I did get Herzog up here one time, but the dude fell asleep after five minutes.”

“Hey uh,” Jesse began, a look of uneasiness forming, “speaking of Em, how are things between you two? I mean, you know, after what happened in the race. Are you guys okay?”

Nell’s smile dropped, her gaze shifting away from the girl next to her and moving to stare at a nearby pile of snow, “Uh, yeah, I mean we’re not exactly cool with that thing she did, but like, I’m not really that mad. Don’t tell her I told you this, but I think Em’s more bummed about it than me,” Nell paused to let out an uncomfortable chuckle. “And I’m the one who almost fell into lava. So that’s saying something, I think.”

“Yeah?” was all Jesse could muster.

“Yeah,” Nell said with a nod, her voice became quieter, “Em’s not a bad dude, Jesse. She’s just, like what’s a good word? Tired, I guess. Majorly tired. She’s been here way longer than I have. And, don’t tell her I told you this either, I think there’s some bad blood with her and the Gladiators. They’re big jerks to everyone here, but Em, man do they like to pick on her.”

Jesse recalled the race just a few hours ago. Now that she thought about it, the Old Builders sure used that “Former Gladiator” title a lot. She didn’t doubt that Em could’ve qualified to be a Gladiator, seeing how the girl had been a powerhouse back in the few minutes she was Jesse’s “ally” during the race. But why in the world would Hadrian reduce someone that strong to a competitor? Or, now that Jesse was fully aware of how low the creeper-in-a-purple-suit would stoop, maybe the better question was; what did Em do that made him angry enough to make him want to do it? 

Nell continued, “I think I just sorta figured that Em needs a friend. Someone’s who not gonna leave her. So I’ll be that brah to her.” Her blue eyes darted to the side as she quickly added, “Even if she does dunk me off a wall to my doom. Like I said before, I want to help people.”

A minute of pure silence came. Jesse couldn’t stop looking at Nell, who now tried to distract herself with the starry sky once more. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something in Nell that struck a chord in Jesse. She could’ve easily held a grudge against Jesse for the hostility she’d shown after thinking Lukas and Ivor were dead. Instead, she’d apologized and generously given Jesse access to her wheat stash. Perhaps, beneath the lax nature and strangeness, was a person who had the simple yet pure motivation of helping others just because it was the right thing to do. In an odd way, Nell felt like the girl that Jesse used to be. The girl that Jesse wished she could be again.

Looking back up the sky, Jesse raised her arm. She used her pointer finger to play connect the dots with the star cluster, finally making a shape out of it. After using her free hand to tap Nell on the shoulder, Jesse smiled and said, “That constellation right there? Let’s call it: the Mighty Pickaxe.”

The cheeriness returned to Nell’s expression as she glanced up, “I like it! Righteous, brah.” 

Slowly the young leader sat up, moving to get up, “Well, I think I’m going to try and head back to bed. Thanks for everything, Nell.”

“Sure thing, dude. Tomorrow, we’re all so gonna be like Tim- wait, not real, right. We’ll be like…like…uh…” The blonde tapped her chin as she trailed off.

Jesse got back on her feet, “Look, I’ll be like me tomorrow, and you be like Nell tomorrow. Do that and I’ll know we’re going to win.”

“Kinda weirdly-worded, but sounds good,” Nell gave her a wave. “Night Jess.”

The ravenette returned the wave as she walked back to the edge of the roof. Before climbing back down onto the balcony, Jesse caught one last glance of Hadrian’s Palace, peering over the village like an eye built into the cliff. Her brows furrowed, knowing that he was lounging around while her two friends sat behind obsidian. She could picture the arrogant smirk he probably had right now, expecting Jesse to throw the match tomorrow so he could return to pulling the strings of this nightmare he called a game. She would prove him wrong. Oh so wrong. Jesse was no Tim. She was no Nell either. But she was Jesse, no matter what. And Jesse never goes down without a fight.

[thehungrykat1]

Egg Freezing: My Personal Journey With Cryopreservation

“Do you have a boyfriend? When are you getting married? You should have kids already! You’re not getting any younger.” Women of my age tend to get asked these questions a lot. Friends, relatives, and most especially your own family members will be asking these questions more frequently the closer you get to age 30 and it will get more persistent every year thereafter. Unlike men, women have a shorter fertility clock that has to be respected. I’m sure almost every woman wants to have children someday, but we also have our own dreams and ambitions. While men can take their own sweet time and still have offspring even until their forties and fifties, women need to be more aware of their body clocks and accept that it will be much harder to get pregnant as they get older. Thankfully, modern medical science has given us a new alternative that will “extend” our child-bearing years and give us a better chance to have our own families in the future.

Oocyte Cryopreservation, or more commonly known as Egg Freezing, is a relatively new procedure that lets women have their eggs frozen and stored inside a medical facility for use and fertilization at a future time. There are many different and personal reasons why some women will choose to have their eggs frozen. Some may already be in their thirties but still waiting for their Prince Charming. Others may already be married but opt to delay childbirth for career or lifestyle choices. In my case, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or simply Lupus, when I was 19 years old (Read: My Six Year Journey Living With Lupus). Lupus is such a mysterious disease and there is still no effective cure in sight. The only thing Lupus survivors can do is to manage their symptoms and keep themselves healthy. Thankfully, aside from my damaged hips and joints due to Avascular Necrosis, I am still relatively healthy, but that may not always be the case. This is why I decided to have my eggs frozen at 26 years old, still near the peak of my fertility, so that I can have some insurance and peace of mind in case Lupus continues to attack my body further.

As I am writing this blog, fourteen of my tiny microscopic egg cells are safely frozen and stored inside the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City. These will be tucked away for the next few years, to be thawed and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) when I decide to do so. Of course, the natural way of getting pregnant is always the first option. That also means getting married first. Those will happen in their own due time, and if I am fortunate to receive those blessings, I may not even need to use my frozen eggs at all. But I can take comfort in the fact that I have done my part to increase my chances of having my own children later on.

My personal doctor and OB-GYN is Dr. Virgilio Novero, Jr., head of the Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI), St. Luke’s state-of-the-art facility offering special services for Egg Freezing, IVF, and couples with infertility problems. Founded in 2011, CARMI (http://www.stlukescarmi.com) is designed to be one of the most advanced IVF laboratories in the Philippines with its top-of the-line equipment and services that help it deliver world-class results. Dr. Novero is one of the pioneers in the practice of IVF in the Philippines and has done over a thousand IVF cycles. It was actually one of my close friends who referred me to Dr. Novero. She did her egg freezing procedure here a few years ago and she just got married last year. Now, she is six months pregnant through in vitro fertilization with Dr. Novero using her frozen eggs.

Encouraged by the results from my friend, I finally decided to push through with my own Egg Freezing last November. It was not a simple decision to make because the total costs for the entire procedure at St. Luke’s BGC ranges from P300,000 to P350,000, definitely not a small amount. I am including a breakdown of these expenses day by day so that you will know what to expect on each visit. Egg Freezing is becoming a more common medical procedure and we don’t have to travel abroad anymore for this service. There are other clinics and hospitals in Metro Manila that also offer Oocyte Cryopreservation like Kato Repro Biotech Center and The Medical City, but I decided to go with St. Luke’s because of their excellent reputation and my friend’s recommendation. The first step was to visit the clinic of Dr. Novero for a consultation. His clinic is at Room 514 of the Medical Arts Building of St. Luke’s BGC and it is open for consultation on Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Many will be asking why I decided to do egg freezing at my young age, but it is actually best to do this during the age of 25-35. These are the prime reproductive years when your eggs are healthy and plentiful, and age is the biggest factor that will determine how many eggs will be successfully harvested in each cycle. Women are born with all the egg cells they will ever have and these will diminish in number and quality over the years. You may think that you still have plenty of time to find the right partner, or to prioritize your career first, but when you get to your thirties and realize that getting pregnant is not as easy as you thought, that’s when you will hope to have done this procedure much earlier. Once the eggs are frozen, they will forever retain their quality and can be used even when the woman reaches her forties or fifties without any adverse effects. Do note that the costs for IVF itself are different and separate from egg freezing.

It was just the first time for me to meet Dr. Novero that morning so I also informed him about my Lupus condition. He explained everything I needed to know about the procedure and immediately put my mind at ease. He gave me a list of tests I needed to do to make sure I was a good candidate for oocyte cryopreservation, so I headed down to the Institute of Pathology on the second floor, also known as the laboratory. This is where I gave urine samples and did some blood extraction for various tests and screenings, including an HIV test. I next went to the Women’s Healthcare facility just a few steps away for a trans-vaginal ultrasound. The line here can get a bit long but the ultrasound procedure just takes a few minutes.

Expenses for the day included P21,500 for the tests and P1,200 for the consultation for a total of P22,700. Take note that since I had a Persons with Disability (PWD) ID, I was entitled to a 20% discount on hospital charges, so my actual costs were a bit lower. Hospital bills can be paid through cash or credit card, but the fees for the doctors had to be paid in cash. Since I had Lupus, I also needed to do a couple more tests to get clearances from my Nephrologist and Rheumatologist, but these were done elsewhere. I went back to St. Luke’s a few days later to get my results and then submitted these to Dr. Novero’s clinic. He gave me the thumbs up as I fortunately passed all the tests and then we proceeded to discuss the schedule for the ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. Consultation fee cost was P1,000.

The ovarian stimulation cycle actually begins during the second day of your menstruation. This means that you should free up your calendar for a few days because you will not have complete control over the scheduled visits. The entire cycle takes less than two weeks but you will be making quite a few appointments at the clinic for tests and consultations. When my monthly period started last November 1, I had to be at St. Luke’s BGC at 8:00am the next morning for my Estradiol hormone test at the laboratory. This is the primary female hormone and the doctor will be checking this regularly throughout the cycle. The test was set at 8:00am and I had to wait 2-3 hours for the results, which I will then forward to Dr. Novero’s clinic. Fortunately, there are a lot of restaurants and lounges at St. Luke’s BGC so waiting is not a problem. I met Dr. Novero at 11:00am with the results on hand and he gave me my first hormone injection at the clinic. This medication encourages multiple eggs to develop inside the ovaries instead of just one per month. He also gave me my first take-home assignment inside this cute pink cooler bag.

Inside the bag were several boxes of hormone injections which will have to be administered daily at a certain hour for the next three days. This is probably the most harrowing part of the egg retrieval process because it usually means injecting the solution yourself or having your partner or family member do it for you. The boxes have to be placed in a cool environment, so I immediately placed them inside the fridge when I got home. Total expenses for the day were P32,000 for the hormone injections (four days worth) and P3,400 for the lab test for a total of P35,400.

There is actually an option to just go to the clinic every day and have Dr. Novero or his assistant do the injections for you. That would have been easy if I lived near the hospital, but since I live in Quezon City, it really wasn’t an option. There was also no way I could do the injections on myself. I don’t think I will ever be psychologically and emotionally prepared to do that. So there was no other alternative but to have my boyfriend administer the injections for me. Lucky him.

The injections have to be done at around the same hour each day, which in my case was at 11:00am. The first time was the most difficult basically because we were both nervous about making a mistake. But once we did the first injection correctly, the succeeding ones became much easier.

Each box of Gonal-F contains one vial of powder solution and one syringe pre-filled with solvent. I was instructed to use two vials of Gonal-F each day so I needed to open two boxes. The doctor will determine how many vials are to be used for each shot so these may be different for other women. The vials can be combined using just one syringe so there’s no need for the other syringe set.

There is an instruction booklet inside each Gonal-F box so make sure to follow it properly. The first step is to insert the pink needle for reconstitution onto the pre-filled syringe. Next, remove the cap and slowly inject all the solvent into the vial of Gonal-F powder. Swirl it gently without removing the syringe. After the powder has dissolved, turn the vial upside down and gently draw the solution back into the syringe.

Since I needed to use two vials, I re-injected the solution into another powder vial before drawing it back again to the syringe. Once the solution is ready, it was time to switch the needle with the fine bore needle for subcutaneous injection. Now the real action begins.

Thankfully, the actual needle for injection was not as long and scary as I thought. Dr. Novero’s assistant gave me a few instructions on how and where to inject the needle, which should be around two inches below the belly button. There are also a few video tutorials on YouTube about subcutaneous injections so that also helped us. It is better to fold your skin before inserting the needle but make sure all the solution is completely released inside. This is the only time I am happy to have some fats on my belly because I’m guessing this would hurt a lot more for thin women. Overall, despite the jitters and anxious moments, my boyfriend did an okay job with his first injection. It just felt like a regular doctor’s injection.

After my third day of hormone injections at home, it was time to go to the hospital again the following day for more tests. The same schedule was followed with Estradiol tests at 8:00am followed by an ultrasound to monitor my ovarian follicles. I noticed my Estradiol levels really spiking up from its initial number of around 40pg/mL. I guess that means the hormone injections are working. I have heard a few stories of women going on a hormone-induced emotional roller coaster during these periods, something like a super PMS, and I was also expecting to experience a few episodes myself. But surprisingly, I seem to have gotten some happy hormones and actually felt quite cheerful during the two weeks.

Dr. Novero gave me another hormone shot at the clinic and a new set of take-home medicine. He also saw two big follicles on my ultrasound so he gave me something to prevent it from bursting. Expenses for the day included P3,400 for the laboratory test, P2,950 for the ultrasound, and P29,500 for two days worth of injections for a total of P35,850. Women during this stage may also feel some bloating and abdominal discomfort but these are mostly manageable.

My next visit to the clinic came two days later on my seventh day of hormone treatments and this time my Estradiol level had risen to 1700+. I had another injection and ultrasound at the clinic and got my take-home kit, but this time it came with a new device called the Gonal-F Pre-Filled Pen. Total costs for this visit included P3,400 for the laboratory tests and P35,350 for three days worth of injections for a total of P38,750.

The Gonal-F Pen is actually much easier to use because it already contains the hormone solution inside and you only have to adjust the dosage as shown on the pen. The same procedure is done by inserting the pen’s needle two inches below the belly button and just pushing down the knob until the prescribed dosage is released. I went back to the clinic on my 10th day of hormone treatments. This time, there were no more laboratory tests done and Dr. Novero just did a final shot and ultrasound in the clinic. He said that everything looked good and I was finally ready for egg retrieval two days later on November 13. He also gave me a syringe filled with a solution called the Trigger Shot which I was to administer at exactly 10:30pm that evening, 36 hours before my scheduled procedure. This is the final medication which will cause my eggs to complete their maturation process and be ready for harvesting. I paid P12,300 for the day.

After 12 days of hormone treatments, it was now time to harvest my eggs for freezing. My schedule was set at 10:30am so I needed to be at CARMI at least an hour before. This is where the outpatient procedure will be done with Dr. Novero and an anesthesiologist from his team. An 8-hour fasting period was required and I had to arrive with no makeup, perfumes, or any lotion whatsoever. Not all egg retrieval operations are successful, so I was just hoping to harvest as many healthy eggs as possible. 20-30 eggs would be a good number, but some do not even get 10 eggs. If the procedure fails, or if the eggs harvested are too little, then another cycle of hormone treatments will have to be done, resulting in even more added costs.

Here I am just a few minutes before my procedure began. The retrieval is minimally invasive because the needle is passed through the vagina under ultrasound guidance to reach the ovary and follicles. After puncturing the ovary, the eggs are then sucked out through the needle. I did not feel anything since I was asleep throughout the procedure, but it does hurt afterwards. The doctors told me that they had some difficulty during the operation since I could not do the normal position for other patients. You see, my legs are not as flexible as they should be due to my Avascular Necrosis, so the less than one hour procedure ended up taking more than two hours. Nevertheless, it was a successful retrieval and my eggs were then sent to the lab for freezing. I would not know the results and final count until after a few days, so I was told to come back to the clinic the following week. After paying the doctor’s fee of P87,200, as well as the hospital fee of P100,500, which included the one year storage fee of P12,000, I was advised to go straight home and rest the entire day. Total expenses for the entire egg freezing cycle was P333,700.

Contrary to what most doctors say, there will be some moderate pain since your ovaries were practically punctured. It’s not the same for everyone, but I had intense abdominal cramps and I could not really function properly until after a few days. Nevertheless, I was really excited to find out how many eggs were successfully frozen but I had to wait until the next visit. One thing to consider in the Philippines is that we have stricter laws when it comes to IVF. You need to be married to your partner if you want your eggs to be fertilized, so single parents and sperm donors are definitely not allowed. Embryo freezing actually has a higher success rate than egg freezing because it already combines both the sperm and the egg at a later stage of development, but this is also not allowed in the Philippines unless you are already married to your partner. Other countries are more lenient, so some prefer to have their egg freezing done elsewhere, or have their frozen eggs transported to another country for fertilization.

When I visited Dr. Novero the following week, he gave me the results and the good news. They were able to retrieve a total of 14 eggs, 10 of which are considered healthy and mature, 3 eggs still immature, and 1 egg damaged. These were frozen using a standard rapid cryopreservation procedure called vitrification and are now all safely stored inside St. Luke’s BGC. Since IVF is a delicate procedure, only a small percentage of healthy eggs will result in successful pregnancies and live births. Dr. Novero assured me though that 10 healthy and mature eggs will give me a very good chance. Now, every time I pass by St. Luke’s BGC, I can’t help but think that one of my future babies is safely tucked away and sleeping inside, frozen in time, waiting for the moment he or she can re-enter my womb and join me as I go on the most beautiful journey any woman can ever have.

Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI)

Ground Floor, Medical Arts Building, St. Luke's Medical Center-Global City

32nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

789-7700 ext. 2111

www.stlukescarmi.com

www.facebook.com/stlukescarmi

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INTERVIEW WITH SARA BUTLER ZALESKY

Today we have Sara Butler Zalesky, Author of her new book “Wheeler” .

Thank you Sara for participating in our interview.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you have been writing

I didn’t set out to be an author, that’s for certain! I was a dabbler since primary school, and in high school and college, I took several creative writing courses but didn’t do anything with it. My creative outlets have changed over the years, but dreaming up stories has always been there.

Please tell me about your book “Wheeler” and what gave you the idea for this one.

They tell you to write a story what you would want to read, so I did. My passion for cycling and my desire to support women’s cycling specifically, was the impetus for this book.

  What sort of research did you do to write this book?

Since the book is about a pro cyclist, I tried to get as much information as I could about the structure of the teams and further depth into how races and strategy work. This way, I would be able to explain the finer points without being overwhelming, but still impart the excitement and drama of racing.

I have also read more Shakespeare than I ever wanted to read, but don’t ask me to quote any lines. I can’t remember any of it.

Valentine’s card with tandem bicycle

Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?

Completely by the seat of my pants, although since I wrote Wheeler using the UCI Women’s Tour calendar, I think having some kind of structure has been a huge help.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I’ve been writing both Wheeler and the follow up since June, 2015. That’s when I accidentally emailed my best   a rough draft of Graham and Loren’s first date. I chose the wrong file but he encouraged me to keep going.

Do you have an agent or a publisher, and if you can share, who they are?

I do not have an agent or publisher. A sports romance set in pro cycling has been a tough sell. I stopped sending queries when I got to 117 rejections. And yes, I’ve kept every one.

What are you working on currently / next?

I’m currently working on the follow up to Wheeler, which doesn’t have a title yet. I’m taking suggestions though.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I’m an indoor cycling instructor and two mornings a week, I roll out of bed at 4:30am to head to the gym and begin warming up for my cycling class. I’m back at home by 6:45ish for the scramble to get my son out of bed, fed and on the school bus by 7:20.

I’m to my full time job by 9. Working in law, there isn’t a day that is the same: I could be drafting pleadings, real estate agreements, transcribing correspondence, but I always have the interruption of answering the telephone. (Insert heavy sigh here) If I have some free time and an idea has been percolating in the back of my mind, I’ll write it down or I’ll do some editing.

Thursday nights, I’m back at the gym for my cycling class but the other evenings I spend with my son and my husband. Once the house is quiet, I sit at the computer and write or edit, but usually both, until I can’t see straight.

What does your writing space look like? (can we see a photo of the space?)

It’s a complete disaster and no, you can’t see it. ☺  I have a Mac, my iPad, a mic for practicing to record the audiobook (pipe dream) and usually a crochet project to help me think. One of my two cats is often lying next to or on the keyboard, blissful in the heat of the lamp.

I have noticed that a lot of authors have a spotify music playlist to work to, do you like writing to music and if so what playlist is your favourite?

I have Spotify here and Pandora and usually have either going while I’m writing. I was listening to a lot of love songs and romantic themed playlists but lately I’ve gravitated to instrumentals. On Pandora the playlist is called “This Will Destroy You Radio” as I created it using the post-rock band, This Will Destroy You.  I often post about songs that inspire me on my blog.

What do you do in your free time when you are not writing?

I’m usually out riding my bicycle but I don’t have a whole lot of free time.

Do you have any favourite authors?

Dan Brown, Mercedes Lackey, David Eddings, Michael Crichton, Rick Riordan and of course, JK Rowling.

What books have you read recently?

Sadly, I haven’t picked up someone else’s book since I started writing mine, but the last book I read was The Gate Thief by Orson Scott Card.

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?

I have met some amazing people in my journey and I cherish the friendships I have made.

What were some of the challenges you faced with your writing and on the road to getting published?

I write too much fluff but I’ve gotten better at identifying it before my editor points it out.

Do you have any wisdom to impart to any aspiring writers?

I have many regrets, far too many, but the number one thing is: Hire an editor. Hire an editor. I cannot stress that enough. There are some fantastic freelance editors out there that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.  Editing your story is akin to cutting out your heart and soul and having someone rip it to shreds in front of your eyes. You will cry. You will get angry. You will want to fire off emails laced with profanity. Don’t. Let their words simmer and think about it, then do what they tell you to do.

I wrote a post on my blog called: Things I Wish I Knew Before Self-Publishing which dives into the depth of my angst.

And finally please let our readers know where we can purchase your books.

Wheeler is available on Kindle and paperback  through Amazon.com.

   Name:  Sara Butler Zalesky

Genre: Sports Romance/Women’s Fiction

Bio: Sara has never lacked for imagination, but it wasn’t until the Fates decided to give the string of her life a tug, bringing her romantic leanings together with her passion for the sport of cycling, and Poof! She can call herself a (self)published author.

Sara was born in the wee hours of a November night in New York City. When her family moved to a small borough in northwestern New Jersey, she had little choice but to move as well. Self-sufficiency is a tough thing for a toddler.

The dichotomy of being the middle child of three, but the only girl, was difficult, as typically no one really pays attention to a middle child. Mostly, Sara spent her time creating fanciful stories in her head when she should have been focused on other things, an issue that continues to this day.

Most of these stories have never been shared, let alone completed. This all changed in the spring of 2015, when Sara was encouraged by a friend to expand upon a short story she had accidentally emailed to him. The result is ‘Wheeler’, a romantic, women’s fiction/sport novel, which combines the author’s romantic inclinations and her passion for cycling.

Sara currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with her loving husband and their son. She is a paralegal for a boutique law firm in Chester County, Pa, an avid road cyclist and indoor cycling instructor at a national chain.

Visit my blog at www.sarabutlerzalesky.com which features posts about the women’s peloton, cycling in general, writing, and some personal tidbits. Readers might even find some clues about who inspired the characters in Wheeler. Follow me on Twitter @sarazalesky for updates on the second book.

Author links:

https://twitter.com/sarazalesky

https://sarabutlerzalesky.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SaraButlerZalesky/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15470045.Sara_Butler_Zalesky

  Fate whisper to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’

Loren Mackenzie has spent much of her life honing her body to overcome the physical challenges of being a professional cyclist in the women’s European peloton. She has also refined the control of her mind, using the power of her emotions in competition to become one of the elite cyclists in the world. An accident at the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic affords Loren opportunity to rise to the challenge of leading her team to victory, but also face the sting of defeat, together.

After a chance meeting with a famous actor, a whirlwind romance develops quickly, and what appears to be the perfect relationship threatens to unravel Loren’s tightly wound life. The microscope of media attention dredges up fears that her tragic past will be unearthed; secrets she has kept buried, even from those closest to her.

As the Women’s World Tour continues with races across Europe, a predator stalks Loren, conspiring not only put her chances at the World Championship in jeopardy but also force her to confront the phantoms haunting her mind.

Can Loren face the trauma of her past and vanquish the demons within, or will betrayal and obsession ultimately defeat her?

    FOLLOW ME :… @tfaulc (click links below)

      #INTERVIEW – Sara Butler Zalesky, Author of “Wheeler” – @sarazalesky @xpressoreads INTERVIEW WITH SARA BUTLER ZALESKY

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Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI

The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was first published on: http://ift.tt/1PsAUW0

Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD/STI other than HIV/AIDS.

Many men and women in the United States are reluctant to get tested for STD/STI because they do not know that they are at risk. Most of them are nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of what the tests involve. We should actually change this mindset because STD/STI doesn't show any symptoms most of the time and this can be a serious illness if left untreated.

The recent data shows that less than half of adults ages 18-44 have ever been tested for STD/STI. A person should seek an early diagnosis and treatment if infected by STD to avoid complications.

First seen on: (http://ift.tt/2oYAdMu)

An STI test is to check if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quick and painless. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about other aspects of sexual health. It's really important to have an STI test even if you don't have any symptoms.

Who should have an STI test?

If you are having sex, then you need to think about when to have an STI test. If you have any symptoms or worries about your sexual health, then arrange a test straightaway with your doctor or sexual health clinic.

It's a good idea to have an STI test if:

- You think you might have an STI.

- You have had unprotected sex, that is, without a condom or dam - including vaginal, oral anal sex.

- You have had a condom break or if it falls off during sex (also see emergency contraception).

- Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners.

- You have shared injecting equipment.

 -You are starting a new sexual relationship.

If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, phone the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178 (Perth metropolitan callers) or 1800 198 205 (country callers).

Do I need a Medicare card?

Some clinics require a Medicare card, others don't. When making an appointment, check whether they require a Medicare card. A person 15 years and over can get their own Medicare card. You will need to go to a Medicare office with identification and complete a form.

What happens during an STI test?

You will be seen by a qualified health professional, like a doctor or nurse, and they usually begin by asking you about your sexual history. Some of these questions may seem quite personal, such as:

- Your sexual orientation (e.g. straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual).

- Number of sexual partners.

- Sexual practices.

- Whether you have any symptoms.

- Whether you have injected drugs.

- Whether you have tattoos or body piercing.

- This information is kept confidential and it is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions about your sexual health that might have been worrying you.

After taking a history of your sexual activity the doctor or nurse will perform an examination. This means that the health professional will look at your external genital area and maybe inside your mouth, vagina or anus for any signs of STIs.

The following tests might be done for males:

Taking a urine sample.

The following STD STI tests for females:

- Vaginal swabs. A long cotton bud takes a sample of vaginal secretions. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can do this yourself.

- Sometimes taking a urine sample.

- Some STIs, such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, require a sample of blood taken from the arm.

Getting the results

Test results normally take about one week to come back. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing. Otherwise you could keep re-infecting each other. But someone with symptoms of an STI could be treated before getting the test results back. Finding out that you have an STI can feel isolating, but remember that it's not the end of the world. Talking to a parent or trusted friend can help.

Pap smears

Image Credit

A Pap smear tests for early changes in the cells of the cervix. Every woman should have a Pap smear two years after becoming sexually active. Pap smears can be done at the same time as an STI test, when the vaginal swab is taken.

Getting tested can be quick and easy, however, this might depend on what you are being tested for. It’s important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor so they will know what test to be given. STD testing are usually available at your physician's office or any free testing clinic. So here's to provide you on how the test are being done.

Women

The way in which tests are done can vary from clinic to clinic; the following is a general guide.

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask your permission to insert a speculum. This is a plastic or metal device which is also used to take a cervical smear. It helps the doctor to see the neck of the womb (the cervix) and allows some samples to be taken.

The doctor will usually warm the speculum if it is metal and cover the tip in lubricating jelly. Once the speculum has been inserted it is slowly opened and held in place by a catch. The doctor will then look closely at the walls of the vagina for any discharge or redness. A swab is usually taken from the vagina and from the cervix. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples. The doctor will then slowly remove the speculum.

After this has been done a small plastic spatula may be used to take cells from the urethra (the opening which allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body). This may feel a little scratchy. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the back passage (rectum) or the throat. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men

Image Credit

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask for your permission to insert a swab into the urethra. This may feel a little uncomfortable but most people do not find it painful. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the rectum or the throat.

If there is any possibility of infections that may affect the rectum, your doctor may ask your permission to examine this area more closely. Sometimes this is done using a proctoscope. This is a small tube, usually made of plastic, that makes it possible to see inside the rectum. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men and women - blood tests

A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if within the previous few days you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.

What happens next?

If you are seen at your GP surgery the swabs - small balls of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples - and blood tests will be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Your doctor will advise you about when the test results will be available; this can take up to a fortnight.

If you are seen in a GUM clinic some of your results may be available on the day of your test.

Your doctor or nurse will take the swabs and smear them on to special slides. This allows him/her to look at the cells taken from the swabs under the microscope. Some germs (bacteria) that cause infections can be seen in the cells you have provided by having swabs done. For example, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can sometimes be identified by looking through a microscope. This may mean you are given a positive result on the day, if you have the infection.

However, even though the bacteria can be detected under the microscope, they are not always seen, even if they are present. To make sure the test result is reliable, the sample you give is put into a special pot. This pot also contains a substance that allows the bacteria to grow. The pot, known as a plate, is then put into an incubator allowing any bacteria present to grow. The plates are then checked to see if any bacteria which cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have grown. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow; this is why you may be asked to check back with the clinic for more results in a few weeks' time. Trichomonas can also be seen under the microscope.

The results of tests for chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not available on the same day.

Some clinics offer same-day HIV testing. This means you get the result of the test on the day your blood sample is taken. Most clinics ask you to make an appointment for this service, as it may only take place at certain times.

The swabs that are taken sometimes show other infections which are not considered to be STIs. This includes bacterial vaginosis and thrush. These infections can also be seen by looking at the samples you give under the microscope.

What about the results from a genitourinary medicine clinic?

After your doctor or nurse has checked your samples they will call you back into the consulting room. They will give you any results available from checking the cells under the microscope.

You will also be advised about how long it should take to get any other test results back to the clinic. Each clinic has a different method of giving test results. Some may ask you to come back or ring the clinic, some work on a 'no news is good news' policy. It is important you understand how you will get your results, and that the contact information you give is reliable.

My test results show I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - what now?

If you have a positive test result on the day of your attendance at clinic you will be given treatment and advice on the same day. You will also be asked to speak to a sexual health advisor to help trace any of your sexual partners who may have come into contact with the infection.

If the test results come after you have left the clinic you will be given advice about what to do next when you receive your result.

You can join an online community for people who are newly diagnosed with an STD/STI like Meet Positives

How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated?

The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotic medicine can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, the separate leaflets, listed above, for all these conditions give details about treatment options.

If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the GUM clinic or from your GP as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone.

Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinic. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from a repeated test. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others.

If you are concerned about a particular infection, ask. Because taking care of your health is nothing to be shy about.The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Don't worry about the confidentiality of our result since this will never be made available to others without your permission.

  The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI is courtesy of: Meet Positives Blog

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Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI

The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was first published on: http://ift.tt/1PsAUW0

Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD/STI other than HIV/AIDS.

Many men and women in the United States are reluctant to get tested for STD/STI because they do not know that they are at risk. Most of them are nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of what the tests involve. We should actually change this mindset because STD/STI doesn't show any symptoms most of the time and this can be a serious illness if left untreated.

The recent data shows that less than half of adults ages 18-44 have ever been tested for STD/STI. A person should seek an early diagnosis and treatment if infected by STD to avoid complications.

First seen on: (http://ift.tt/2oYAdMu)

An STI test is to check if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quick and painless. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about other aspects of sexual health. It's really important to have an STI test even if you don't have any symptoms.

Who should have an STI test?

If you are having sex, then you need to think about when to have an STI test. If you have any symptoms or worries about your sexual health, then arrange a test straightaway with your doctor or sexual health clinic.

It's a good idea to have an STI test if:

- You think you might have an STI.

- You have had unprotected sex, that is, without a condom or dam - including vaginal, oral anal sex.

- You have had a condom break or if it falls off during sex (also see emergency contraception).

- Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners.

- You have shared injecting equipment.

 -You are starting a new sexual relationship.

If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, phone the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178 (Perth metropolitan callers) or 1800 198 205 (country callers).

Do I need a Medicare card?

Some clinics require a Medicare card, others don't. When making an appointment, check whether they require a Medicare card. A person 15 years and over can get their own Medicare card. You will need to go to a Medicare office with identification and complete a form.

What happens during an STI test?

You will be seen by a qualified health professional, like a doctor or nurse, and they usually begin by asking you about your sexual history. Some of these questions may seem quite personal, such as:

- Your sexual orientation (e.g. straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual).

- Number of sexual partners.

- Sexual practices.

- Whether you have any symptoms.

- Whether you have injected drugs.

- Whether you have tattoos or body piercing.

- This information is kept confidential and it is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions about your sexual health that might have been worrying you.

After taking a history of your sexual activity the doctor or nurse will perform an examination. This means that the health professional will look at your external genital area and maybe inside your mouth, vagina or anus for any signs of STIs.

The following tests might be done for males:

Taking a urine sample.

The following STD STI tests for females:

- Vaginal swabs. A long cotton bud takes a sample of vaginal secretions. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can do this yourself.

- Sometimes taking a urine sample.

- Some STIs, such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, require a sample of blood taken from the arm.

Getting the results

Test results normally take about one week to come back. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing. Otherwise you could keep re-infecting each other. But someone with symptoms of an STI could be treated before getting the test results back. Finding out that you have an STI can feel isolating, but remember that it's not the end of the world. Talking to a parent or trusted friend can help.

Pap smears

Image Credit

A Pap smear tests for early changes in the cells of the cervix. Every woman should have a Pap smear two years after becoming sexually active. Pap smears can be done at the same time as an STI test, when the vaginal swab is taken.

Getting tested can be quick and easy, however, this might depend on what you are being tested for. It’s important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor so they will know what test to be given. STD testing are usually available at your physician's office or any free testing clinic. So here's to provide you on how the test are being done.

Women

The way in which tests are done can vary from clinic to clinic; the following is a general guide.

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask your permission to insert a speculum. This is a plastic or metal device which is also used to take a cervical smear. It helps the doctor to see the neck of the womb (the cervix) and allows some samples to be taken.

The doctor will usually warm the speculum if it is metal and cover the tip in lubricating jelly. Once the speculum has been inserted it is slowly opened and held in place by a catch. The doctor will then look closely at the walls of the vagina for any discharge or redness. A swab is usually taken from the vagina and from the cervix. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples. The doctor will then slowly remove the speculum.

After this has been done a small plastic spatula may be used to take cells from the urethra (the opening which allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body). This may feel a little scratchy. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the back passage (rectum) or the throat. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men

Image Credit

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask for your permission to insert a swab into the urethra. This may feel a little uncomfortable but most people do not find it painful. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the rectum or the throat.

If there is any possibility of infections that may affect the rectum, your doctor may ask your permission to examine this area more closely. Sometimes this is done using a proctoscope. This is a small tube, usually made of plastic, that makes it possible to see inside the rectum. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men and women - blood tests

A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if within the previous few days you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.

What happens next?

If you are seen at your GP surgery the swabs - small balls of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples - and blood tests will be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Your doctor will advise you about when the test results will be available; this can take up to a fortnight.

If you are seen in a GUM clinic some of your results may be available on the day of your test.

Your doctor or nurse will take the swabs and smear them on to special slides. This allows him/her to look at the cells taken from the swabs under the microscope. Some germs (bacteria) that cause infections can be seen in the cells you have provided by having swabs done. For example, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can sometimes be identified by looking through a microscope. This may mean you are given a positive result on the day, if you have the infection.

However, even though the bacteria can be detected under the microscope, they are not always seen, even if they are present. To make sure the test result is reliable, the sample you give is put into a special pot. This pot also contains a substance that allows the bacteria to grow. The pot, known as a plate, is then put into an incubator allowing any bacteria present to grow. The plates are then checked to see if any bacteria which cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have grown. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow; this is why you may be asked to check back with the clinic for more results in a few weeks' time. Trichomonas can also be seen under the microscope.

The results of tests for chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not available on the same day.

Some clinics offer same-day HIV testing. This means you get the result of the test on the day your blood sample is taken. Most clinics ask you to make an appointment for this service, as it may only take place at certain times.

The swabs that are taken sometimes show other infections which are not considered to be STIs. This includes bacterial vaginosis and thrush. These infections can also be seen by looking at the samples you give under the microscope.

What about the results from a genitourinary medicine clinic?

After your doctor or nurse has checked your samples they will call you back into the consulting room. They will give you any results available from checking the cells under the microscope.

You will also be advised about how long it should take to get any other test results back to the clinic. Each clinic has a different method of giving test results. Some may ask you to come back or ring the clinic, some work on a 'no news is good news' policy. It is important you understand how you will get your results, and that the contact information you give is reliable.

My test results show I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - what now?

If you have a positive test result on the day of your attendance at clinic you will be given treatment and advice on the same day. You will also be asked to speak to a sexual health advisor to help trace any of your sexual partners who may have come into contact with the infection.

If the test results come after you have left the clinic you will be given advice about what to do next when you receive your result.

You can join an online community for people who are newly diagnosed with an STD/STI like Meet Positives

How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated?

The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotic medicine can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, the separate leaflets, listed above, for all these conditions give details about treatment options.

If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the GUM clinic or from your GP as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone.

Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinic. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from a repeated test. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others.

If you are concerned about a particular infection, ask. Because taking care of your health is nothing to be shy about.The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Don't worry about the confidentiality of our result since this will never be made available to others without your permission.

  The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI is courtesy of: Meet Positives Blog

from Meet Positives SMFeed 8 http://ift.tt/2xNtnvT via IFTTT

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Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI

The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was first published on: http://ift.tt/1PsAUW0

Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD/STI other than HIV/AIDS.

Many men and women in the United States are reluctant to get tested for STD/STI because they do not know that they are at risk. Most of them are nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of what the tests involve. We should actually change this mindset because STD/STI doesn't show any symptoms most of the time and this can be a serious illness if left untreated.

The recent data shows that less than half of adults ages 18-44 have ever been tested for STD/STI. A person should seek an early diagnosis and treatment if infected by STD to avoid complications.

First seen on: (http://ift.tt/2oYAdMu)

An STI test is to check if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quick and painless. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about other aspects of sexual health. It's really important to have an STI test even if you don't have any symptoms.

Who should have an STI test?

If you are having sex, then you need to think about when to have an STI test. If you have any symptoms or worries about your sexual health, then arrange a test straightaway with your doctor or sexual health clinic.

It's a good idea to have an STI test if:

- You think you might have an STI.

- You have had unprotected sex, that is, without a condom or dam - including vaginal, oral anal sex.

- You have had a condom break or if it falls off during sex (also see emergency contraception).

- Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners.

- You have shared injecting equipment.

 -You are starting a new sexual relationship.

If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, phone the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178 (Perth metropolitan callers) or 1800 198 205 (country callers).

Do I need a Medicare card?

Some clinics require a Medicare card, others don't. When making an appointment, check whether they require a Medicare card. A person 15 years and over can get their own Medicare card. You will need to go to a Medicare office with identification and complete a form.

What happens during an STI test?

You will be seen by a qualified health professional, like a doctor or nurse, and they usually begin by asking you about your sexual history. Some of these questions may seem quite personal, such as:

- Your sexual orientation (e.g. straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual).

- Number of sexual partners.

- Sexual practices.

- Whether you have any symptoms.

- Whether you have injected drugs.

- Whether you have tattoos or body piercing.

- This information is kept confidential and it is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions about your sexual health that might have been worrying you.

After taking a history of your sexual activity the doctor or nurse will perform an examination. This means that the health professional will look at your external genital area and maybe inside your mouth, vagina or anus for any signs of STIs.

The following tests might be done for males:

Taking a urine sample.

The following STD STI tests for females:

- Vaginal swabs. A long cotton bud takes a sample of vaginal secretions. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can do this yourself.

- Sometimes taking a urine sample.

- Some STIs, such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, require a sample of blood taken from the arm.

Getting the results

Test results normally take about one week to come back. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing. Otherwise you could keep re-infecting each other. But someone with symptoms of an STI could be treated before getting the test results back. Finding out that you have an STI can feel isolating, but remember that it's not the end of the world. Talking to a parent or trusted friend can help.

Pap smears

Image Credit

A Pap smear tests for early changes in the cells of the cervix. Every woman should have a Pap smear two years after becoming sexually active. Pap smears can be done at the same time as an STI test, when the vaginal swab is taken.

Getting tested can be quick and easy, however, this might depend on what you are being tested for. It’s important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor so they will know what test to be given. STD testing are usually available at your physician's office or any free testing clinic. So here's to provide you on how the test are being done.

Women

The way in which tests are done can vary from clinic to clinic; the following is a general guide.

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask your permission to insert a speculum. This is a plastic or metal device which is also used to take a cervical smear. It helps the doctor to see the neck of the womb (the cervix) and allows some samples to be taken.

The doctor will usually warm the speculum if it is metal and cover the tip in lubricating jelly. Once the speculum has been inserted it is slowly opened and held in place by a catch. The doctor will then look closely at the walls of the vagina for any discharge or redness. A swab is usually taken from the vagina and from the cervix. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples. The doctor will then slowly remove the speculum.

After this has been done a small plastic spatula may be used to take cells from the urethra (the opening which allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body). This may feel a little scratchy. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the back passage (rectum) or the throat. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men

Image Credit

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask for your permission to insert a swab into the urethra. This may feel a little uncomfortable but most people do not find it painful. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the rectum or the throat.

If there is any possibility of infections that may affect the rectum, your doctor may ask your permission to examine this area more closely. Sometimes this is done using a proctoscope. This is a small tube, usually made of plastic, that makes it possible to see inside the rectum. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men and women - blood tests

A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if within the previous few days you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.

What happens next?

If you are seen at your GP surgery the swabs - small balls of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples - and blood tests will be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Your doctor will advise you about when the test results will be available; this can take up to a fortnight.

If you are seen in a GUM clinic some of your results may be available on the day of your test.

Your doctor or nurse will take the swabs and smear them on to special slides. This allows him/her to look at the cells taken from the swabs under the microscope. Some germs (bacteria) that cause infections can be seen in the cells you have provided by having swabs done. For example, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can sometimes be identified by looking through a microscope. This may mean you are given a positive result on the day, if you have the infection.

However, even though the bacteria can be detected under the microscope, they are not always seen, even if they are present. To make sure the test result is reliable, the sample you give is put into a special pot. This pot also contains a substance that allows the bacteria to grow. The pot, known as a plate, is then put into an incubator allowing any bacteria present to grow. The plates are then checked to see if any bacteria which cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have grown. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow; this is why you may be asked to check back with the clinic for more results in a few weeks' time. Trichomonas can also be seen under the microscope.

The results of tests for chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not available on the same day.

Some clinics offer same-day HIV testing. This means you get the result of the test on the day your blood sample is taken. Most clinics ask you to make an appointment for this service, as it may only take place at certain times.

The swabs that are taken sometimes show other infections which are not considered to be STIs. This includes bacterial vaginosis and thrush. These infections can also be seen by looking at the samples you give under the microscope.

What about the results from a genitourinary medicine clinic?

After your doctor or nurse has checked your samples they will call you back into the consulting room. They will give you any results available from checking the cells under the microscope.

You will also be advised about how long it should take to get any other test results back to the clinic. Each clinic has a different method of giving test results. Some may ask you to come back or ring the clinic, some work on a 'no news is good news' policy. It is important you understand how you will get your results, and that the contact information you give is reliable.

My test results show I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - what now?

If you have a positive test result on the day of your attendance at clinic you will be given treatment and advice on the same day. You will also be asked to speak to a sexual health advisor to help trace any of your sexual partners who may have come into contact with the infection.

If the test results come after you have left the clinic you will be given advice about what to do next when you receive your result.

You can join an online community for people who are newly diagnosed with an STD/STI like Meet Positives

How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated?

The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotic medicine can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, the separate leaflets, listed above, for all these conditions give details about treatment options.

If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the GUM clinic or from your GP as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone.

Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinic. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from a repeated test. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others.

If you are concerned about a particular infection, ask. Because taking care of your health is nothing to be shy about.The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Don't worry about the confidentiality of our result since this will never be made available to others without your permission.

  The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI is courtesy of: Meet Positives Blog

from Meet Positives SM Feed 4 http://ift.tt/2xNtnvT via IFTTT

[travisandersondatingblog]

Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI

The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was first published on: http://ift.tt/1PsAUW0

Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD/STI other than HIV/AIDS.

Many men and women in the United States are reluctant to get tested for STD/STI because they do not know that they are at risk. Most of them are nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of what the tests involve. We should actually change this mindset because STD/STI doesn't show any symptoms most of the time and this can be a serious illness if left untreated.

The recent data shows that less than half of adults ages 18-44 have ever been tested for STD/STI. A person should seek an early diagnosis and treatment if infected by STD to avoid complications.

First seen on: (http://ift.tt/2oYAdMu)

An STI test is to check if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quick and painless. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about other aspects of sexual health. It's really important to have an STI test even if you don't have any symptoms.

Who should have an STI test?

If you are having sex, then you need to think about when to have an STI test. If you have any symptoms or worries about your sexual health, then arrange a test straightaway with your doctor or sexual health clinic.

It's a good idea to have an STI test if:

- You think you might have an STI.

- You have had unprotected sex, that is, without a condom or dam - including vaginal, oral anal sex.

- You have had a condom break or if it falls off during sex (also see emergency contraception).

- Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners.

- You have shared injecting equipment.

 -You are starting a new sexual relationship.

If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, phone the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178 (Perth metropolitan callers) or 1800 198 205 (country callers).

Do I need a Medicare card?

Some clinics require a Medicare card, others don't. When making an appointment, check whether they require a Medicare card. A person 15 years and over can get their own Medicare card. You will need to go to a Medicare office with identification and complete a form.

What happens during an STI test?

You will be seen by a qualified health professional, like a doctor or nurse, and they usually begin by asking you about your sexual history. Some of these questions may seem quite personal, such as:

- Your sexual orientation (e.g. straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual).

- Number of sexual partners.

- Sexual practices.

- Whether you have any symptoms.

- Whether you have injected drugs.

- Whether you have tattoos or body piercing.

- This information is kept confidential and it is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions about your sexual health that might have been worrying you.

After taking a history of your sexual activity the doctor or nurse will perform an examination. This means that the health professional will look at your external genital area and maybe inside your mouth, vagina or anus for any signs of STIs.

The following tests might be done for males:

Taking a urine sample.

The following STD STI tests for females:

- Vaginal swabs. A long cotton bud takes a sample of vaginal secretions. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can do this yourself.

- Sometimes taking a urine sample.

- Some STIs, such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, require a sample of blood taken from the arm.

Getting the results

Test results normally take about one week to come back. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing. Otherwise you could keep re-infecting each other. But someone with symptoms of an STI could be treated before getting the test results back. Finding out that you have an STI can feel isolating, but remember that it's not the end of the world. Talking to a parent or trusted friend can help.

Pap smears

Image Credit

A Pap smear tests for early changes in the cells of the cervix. Every woman should have a Pap smear two years after becoming sexually active. Pap smears can be done at the same time as an STI test, when the vaginal swab is taken.

Getting tested can be quick and easy, however, this might depend on what you are being tested for. It’s important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor so they will know what test to be given. STD testing are usually available at your physician's office or any free testing clinic. So here's to provide you on how the test are being done.

Women

The way in which tests are done can vary from clinic to clinic; the following is a general guide.

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask your permission to insert a speculum. This is a plastic or metal device which is also used to take a cervical smear. It helps the doctor to see the neck of the womb (the cervix) and allows some samples to be taken.

The doctor will usually warm the speculum if it is metal and cover the tip in lubricating jelly. Once the speculum has been inserted it is slowly opened and held in place by a catch. The doctor will then look closely at the walls of the vagina for any discharge or redness. A swab is usually taken from the vagina and from the cervix. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples. The doctor will then slowly remove the speculum.

After this has been done a small plastic spatula may be used to take cells from the urethra (the opening which allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body). This may feel a little scratchy. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the back passage (rectum) or the throat. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men

Image Credit

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask for your permission to insert a swab into the urethra. This may feel a little uncomfortable but most people do not find it painful. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the rectum or the throat.

If there is any possibility of infections that may affect the rectum, your doctor may ask your permission to examine this area more closely. Sometimes this is done using a proctoscope. This is a small tube, usually made of plastic, that makes it possible to see inside the rectum. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men and women - blood tests

A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if within the previous few days you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.

What happens next?

If you are seen at your GP surgery the swabs - small balls of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples - and blood tests will be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Your doctor will advise you about when the test results will be available; this can take up to a fortnight.

If you are seen in a GUM clinic some of your results may be available on the day of your test.

Your doctor or nurse will take the swabs and smear them on to special slides. This allows him/her to look at the cells taken from the swabs under the microscope. Some germs (bacteria) that cause infections can be seen in the cells you have provided by having swabs done. For example, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can sometimes be identified by looking through a microscope. This may mean you are given a positive result on the day, if you have the infection.

However, even though the bacteria can be detected under the microscope, they are not always seen, even if they are present. To make sure the test result is reliable, the sample you give is put into a special pot. This pot also contains a substance that allows the bacteria to grow. The pot, known as a plate, is then put into an incubator allowing any bacteria present to grow. The plates are then checked to see if any bacteria which cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have grown. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow; this is why you may be asked to check back with the clinic for more results in a few weeks' time. Trichomonas can also be seen under the microscope.

The results of tests for chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not available on the same day.

Some clinics offer same-day HIV testing. This means you get the result of the test on the day your blood sample is taken. Most clinics ask you to make an appointment for this service, as it may only take place at certain times.

The swabs that are taken sometimes show other infections which are not considered to be STIs. This includes bacterial vaginosis and thrush. These infections can also be seen by looking at the samples you give under the microscope.

What about the results from a genitourinary medicine clinic?

After your doctor or nurse has checked your samples they will call you back into the consulting room. They will give you any results available from checking the cells under the microscope.

You will also be advised about how long it should take to get any other test results back to the clinic. Each clinic has a different method of giving test results. Some may ask you to come back or ring the clinic, some work on a 'no news is good news' policy. It is important you understand how you will get your results, and that the contact information you give is reliable.

My test results show I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - what now?

If you have a positive test result on the day of your attendance at clinic you will be given treatment and advice on the same day. You will also be asked to speak to a sexual health advisor to help trace any of your sexual partners who may have come into contact with the infection.

If the test results come after you have left the clinic you will be given advice about what to do next when you receive your result.

You can join an online community for people who are newly diagnosed with an STD/STI like Meet Positives

How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated?

The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotic medicine can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, the separate leaflets, listed above, for all these conditions give details about treatment options.

If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the GUM clinic or from your GP as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone.

Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinic. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from a repeated test. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others.

If you are concerned about a particular infection, ask. Because taking care of your health is nothing to be shy about.The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Don't worry about the confidentiality of our result since this will never be made available to others without your permission.

  The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI is courtesy of: Meet Positives Blog

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Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI

The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was first published on: http://ift.tt/1PsAUW0

Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD/STI other than HIV/AIDS.

Many men and women in the United States are reluctant to get tested for STD/STI because they do not know that they are at risk. Most of them are nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of what the tests involve. We should actually change this mindset because STD/STI doesn't show any symptoms most of the time and this can be a serious illness if left untreated.

The recent data shows that less than half of adults ages 18-44 have ever been tested for STD/STI. A person should seek an early diagnosis and treatment if infected by STD to avoid complications.

First seen on: (http://ift.tt/2oYAdMu)

An STI test is to check if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quick and painless. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about other aspects of sexual health. It's really important to have an STI test even if you don't have any symptoms.

Who should have an STI test?

If you are having sex, then you need to think about when to have an STI test. If you have any symptoms or worries about your sexual health, then arrange a test straightaway with your doctor or sexual health clinic.

It's a good idea to have an STI test if:

- You think you might have an STI.

- You have had unprotected sex, that is, without a condom or dam - including vaginal, oral anal sex.

- You have had a condom break or if it falls off during sex (also see emergency contraception).

- Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners.

- You have shared injecting equipment.

 -You are starting a new sexual relationship.

If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, phone the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178 (Perth metropolitan callers) or 1800 198 205 (country callers).

Do I need a Medicare card?

Some clinics require a Medicare card, others don't. When making an appointment, check whether they require a Medicare card. A person 15 years and over can get their own Medicare card. You will need to go to a Medicare office with identification and complete a form.

What happens during an STI test?

You will be seen by a qualified health professional, like a doctor or nurse, and they usually begin by asking you about your sexual history. Some of these questions may seem quite personal, such as:

- Your sexual orientation (e.g. straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual).

- Number of sexual partners.

- Sexual practices.

- Whether you have any symptoms.

- Whether you have injected drugs.

- Whether you have tattoos or body piercing.

- This information is kept confidential and it is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions about your sexual health that might have been worrying you.

After taking a history of your sexual activity the doctor or nurse will perform an examination. This means that the health professional will look at your external genital area and maybe inside your mouth, vagina or anus for any signs of STIs.

The following tests might be done for males:

Taking a urine sample.

The following STD STI tests for females:

- Vaginal swabs. A long cotton bud takes a sample of vaginal secretions. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can do this yourself.

- Sometimes taking a urine sample.

- Some STIs, such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, require a sample of blood taken from the arm.

Getting the results

Test results normally take about one week to come back. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing. Otherwise you could keep re-infecting each other. But someone with symptoms of an STI could be treated before getting the test results back. Finding out that you have an STI can feel isolating, but remember that it's not the end of the world. Talking to a parent or trusted friend can help.

Pap smears

Image Credit

A Pap smear tests for early changes in the cells of the cervix. Every woman should have a Pap smear two years after becoming sexually active. Pap smears can be done at the same time as an STI test, when the vaginal swab is taken.

Getting tested can be quick and easy, however, this might depend on what you are being tested for. It’s important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor so they will know what test to be given. STD testing are usually available at your physician's office or any free testing clinic. So here's to provide you on how the test are being done.

Women

The way in which tests are done can vary from clinic to clinic; the following is a general guide.

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask your permission to insert a speculum. This is a plastic or metal device which is also used to take a cervical smear. It helps the doctor to see the neck of the womb (the cervix) and allows some samples to be taken.

The doctor will usually warm the speculum if it is metal and cover the tip in lubricating jelly. Once the speculum has been inserted it is slowly opened and held in place by a catch. The doctor will then look closely at the walls of the vagina for any discharge or redness. A swab is usually taken from the vagina and from the cervix. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples. The doctor will then slowly remove the speculum.

After this has been done a small plastic spatula may be used to take cells from the urethra (the opening which allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body). This may feel a little scratchy. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the back passage (rectum) or the throat. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men

Image Credit

After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask for your permission to insert a swab into the urethra. This may feel a little uncomfortable but most people do not find it painful. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the rectum or the throat.

If there is any possibility of infections that may affect the rectum, your doctor may ask your permission to examine this area more closely. Sometimes this is done using a proctoscope. This is a small tube, usually made of plastic, that makes it possible to see inside the rectum. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

Men and women - blood tests

A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if within the previous few days you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected.

What happens next?

If you are seen at your GP surgery the swabs - small balls of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples - and blood tests will be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Your doctor will advise you about when the test results will be available; this can take up to a fortnight.

If you are seen in a GUM clinic some of your results may be available on the day of your test.

Your doctor or nurse will take the swabs and smear them on to special slides. This allows him/her to look at the cells taken from the swabs under the microscope. Some germs (bacteria) that cause infections can be seen in the cells you have provided by having swabs done. For example, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can sometimes be identified by looking through a microscope. This may mean you are given a positive result on the day, if you have the infection.

However, even though the bacteria can be detected under the microscope, they are not always seen, even if they are present. To make sure the test result is reliable, the sample you give is put into a special pot. This pot also contains a substance that allows the bacteria to grow. The pot, known as a plate, is then put into an incubator allowing any bacteria present to grow. The plates are then checked to see if any bacteria which cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have grown. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow; this is why you may be asked to check back with the clinic for more results in a few weeks' time. Trichomonas can also be seen under the microscope.

The results of tests for chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not available on the same day.

Some clinics offer same-day HIV testing. This means you get the result of the test on the day your blood sample is taken. Most clinics ask you to make an appointment for this service, as it may only take place at certain times.

The swabs that are taken sometimes show other infections which are not considered to be STIs. This includes bacterial vaginosis and thrush. These infections can also be seen by looking at the samples you give under the microscope.

What about the results from a genitourinary medicine clinic?

After your doctor or nurse has checked your samples they will call you back into the consulting room. They will give you any results available from checking the cells under the microscope.

You will also be advised about how long it should take to get any other test results back to the clinic. Each clinic has a different method of giving test results. Some may ask you to come back or ring the clinic, some work on a 'no news is good news' policy. It is important you understand how you will get your results, and that the contact information you give is reliable.

My test results show I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - what now?

If you have a positive test result on the day of your attendance at clinic you will be given treatment and advice on the same day. You will also be asked to speak to a sexual health advisor to help trace any of your sexual partners who may have come into contact with the infection.

If the test results come after you have left the clinic you will be given advice about what to do next when you receive your result.

You can join an online community for people who are newly diagnosed with an STD/STI like Meet Positives

How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated?

The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotic medicine can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, the separate leaflets, listed above, for all these conditions give details about treatment options.

If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the GUM clinic or from your GP as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone.

Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinic. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from a repeated test. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others.

If you are concerned about a particular infection, ask. Because taking care of your health is nothing to be shy about.The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Don't worry about the confidentiality of our result since this will never be made available to others without your permission.

  The blog post Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI is courtesy of: Meet Positives Blog

from Meet Positives SM Feed 5 http://ift.tt/2xNtnvT via IFTTT

[meetpositivesblog]

Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was originally published on: Meet Positives Blog Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD/STI other than HIV/AIDS. Many men and women in the United States are reluctant to get tested for STD/STI because they do not know that they are at risk. Most of them are nervous, embarrassed, or unsure of what the tests involve. We should actually change this mindset because STD/STI doesn't show any symptoms most of the time and this can be a serious illness if left untreated. The recent data shows that less than half of adults ages 18-44 have ever been tested for STD/STI. A person should seek an early diagnosis and treatment if infected by STD to avoid complications. First seen on: (http://ift.tt/2oYAdMu) An STI test is to check if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is quick and painless. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about other aspects of sexual health. It's really important to have an STI test even if you don't have any symptoms. Who should have an STI test? If you are having sex, then you need to think about when to have an STI test. If you have any symptoms or worries about your sexual health, then arrange a test straightaway with your doctor or sexual health clinic. It's a good idea to have an STI test if: - You think you might have an STI. - You have had unprotected sex, that is, without a condom or dam - including vaginal, oral anal sex. - You have had a condom break or if it falls off during sex (also see emergency contraception). - Your partner has another sexual partner or has had previous sexual partners. - You have shared injecting equipment.  -You are starting a new sexual relationship. If you are unsure whether you need an STI test, phone the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178 (Perth metropolitan callers) or 1800 198 205 (country callers). Do I need a Medicare card? Some clinics require a Medicare card, others don't. When making an appointment, check whether they require a Medicare card. A person 15 years and over can get their own Medicare card. You will need to go to a Medicare office with identification and complete a form. What happens during an STI test? You will be seen by a qualified health professional, like a doctor or nurse, and they usually begin by asking you about your sexual history. Some of these questions may seem quite personal, such as: - Your sexual orientation (e.g. straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual). - Number of sexual partners. - Sexual practices. - Whether you have any symptoms. - Whether you have injected drugs. - Whether you have tattoos or body piercing. - This information is kept confidential and it is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions about your sexual health that might have been worrying you. After taking a history of your sexual activity the doctor or nurse will perform an examination. This means that the health professional will look at your external genital area and maybe inside your mouth, vagina or anus for any signs of STIs. The following tests might be done for males: Taking a urine sample. The following STD STI tests for females: - Vaginal swabs. A long cotton bud takes a sample of vaginal secretions. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can do this yourself. - Sometimes taking a urine sample. - Some STIs, such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV, require a sample of blood taken from the arm. Getting the results Test results normally take about one week to come back. If your result is positive, sexual partners also need to be tested and treated. This is called contact tracing. Otherwise you could keep re-infecting each other. But someone with symptoms of an STI could be treated before getting the test results back. Finding out that you have an STI can feel isolating, but remember that it's not the end of the world. Talking to a parent or trusted friend can help. Pap smears Image Credit A Pap smear tests for early changes in the cells of the cervix. Every woman should have a Pap smear two years after becoming sexually active. Pap smears can be done at the same time as an STI test, when the vaginal swab is taken. Getting tested can be quick and easy, however, this might depend on what you are being tested for. It’s important to share your sexual risk factors with your doctor so they will know what test to be given. STD testing are usually available at your physician's office or any free testing clinic. So here's to provide you on how the test are being done. Women The way in which tests are done can vary from clinic to clinic; the following is a general guide. After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask your permission to insert a speculum. This is a plastic or metal device which is also used to take a cervical smear. It helps the doctor to see the neck of the womb (the cervix) and allows some samples to be taken. The doctor will usually warm the speculum if it is metal and cover the tip in lubricating jelly. Once the speculum has been inserted it is slowly opened and held in place by a catch. The doctor will then look closely at the walls of the vagina for any discharge or redness. A swab is usually taken from the vagina and from the cervix. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples. The doctor will then slowly remove the speculum. After this has been done a small plastic spatula may be used to take cells from the urethra (the opening which allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside of the body). This may feel a little scratchy. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the back passage (rectum) or the throat. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample. Men Image Credit After the examination of the outside of the genitals the doctor will ask for your permission to insert a swab into the urethra. This may feel a little uncomfortable but most people do not find it painful. Depending on the information you have given initially it may also be necessary to take swabs from the rectum or the throat. If there is any possibility of infections that may affect the rectum, your doctor may ask your permission to examine this area more closely. Sometimes this is done using a proctoscope. This is a small tube, usually made of plastic, that makes it possible to see inside the rectum. After all the swabs are taken you will be able to get dressed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample. Men and women - blood tests A sample of blood from a vein may be taken. This is mainly used to test for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Sometimes you may be advised to delay having a blood test. For example, following an initial infection of HIV it can take several weeks for a blood test to become positive. So, for example, if within the previous few days you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive, you may be advised to wait several weeks to have a blood test to see if you have become infected. What happens next? If you are seen at your GP surgery the swabs - small balls of cotton wool on the end of a thin stick, used to collect samples - and blood tests will be sent to a laboratory for further testing. Your doctor will advise you about when the test results will be available; this can take up to a fortnight. If you are seen in a GUM clinic some of your results may be available on the day of your test. Your doctor or nurse will take the swabs and smear them on to special slides. This allows him/her to look at the cells taken from the swabs under the microscope. Some germs (bacteria) that cause infections can be seen in the cells you have provided by having swabs done. For example, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea can sometimes be identified by looking through a microscope. This may mean you are given a positive result on the day, if you have the infection. However, even though the bacteria can be detected under the microscope, they are not always seen, even if they are present. To make sure the test result is reliable, the sample you give is put into a special pot. This pot also contains a substance that allows the bacteria to grow. The pot, known as a plate, is then put into an incubator allowing any bacteria present to grow. The plates are then checked to see if any bacteria which cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have grown. It takes a while for the bacteria to grow; this is why you may be asked to check back with the clinic for more results in a few weeks' time. Trichomonas can also be seen under the microscope. The results of tests for chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually not available on the same day. Some clinics offer same-day HIV testing. This means you get the result of the test on the day your blood sample is taken. Most clinics ask you to make an appointment for this service, as it may only take place at certain times. The swabs that are taken sometimes show other infections which are not considered to be STIs. This includes bacterial vaginosis and thrush. These infections can also be seen by looking at the samples you give under the microscope. What about the results from a genitourinary medicine clinic? After your doctor or nurse has checked your samples they will call you back into the consulting room. They will give you any results available from checking the cells under the microscope. You will also be advised about how long it should take to get any other test results back to the clinic. Each clinic has a different method of giving test results. Some may ask you to come back or ring the clinic, some work on a 'no news is good news' policy. It is important you understand how you will get your results, and that the contact information you give is reliable. My test results show I have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - what now? If you have a positive test result on the day of your attendance at clinic you will be given treatment and advice on the same day. You will also be asked to speak to a sexual health advisor to help trace any of your sexual partners who may have come into contact with the infection. If the test results come after you have left the clinic you will be given advice about what to do next when you receive your result. You can join an online community for people who are newly diagnosed with an STD/STI like Meet Positives How are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) treated? The treatment that you will be offered depends on what STI is found. For example, a short course of antibiotic medicine can usually clear away chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas. A cream or lotion can clear pubic lice and scabies. Topical treatments can usually clear most anogenital warts. Treatments for genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are more involved and complex. You will be given advice about what treatment options you have and given time to ask questions. Also, the separate leaflets, listed above, for all these conditions give details about treatment options. If you are prescribed antibiotics then it is important to finish the full course of tablets, or else the infection may not be fully cleared. If you develop side-effects then seek advice from the GUM clinic or from your GP as to what to do. Do not simply stop taking the medication. For some infections you will be asked to return after a course of treatment to check that the infection has gone. Do not have sex again until the time advised by the clinic. Depending on the infection, this may be for a certain length of time after treatment is finished or it may be until you are given the 'all clear' from a repeated test. The aim is to prevent you from passing on the infection to others. If you are concerned about a particular infection, ask. Because taking care of your health is nothing to be shy about.The more honest you are, the better treatment you can receive. Don't worry about the confidentiality of our result since this will never be made available to others without your permission.   Did you Know? Less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 are tested for STD/STI was first seen on: http://ift.tt/2tHwjdg

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