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partial-knee-replacement-surgery · 3 months ago

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Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi: Everything You Need to Know

Affordable Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi, India

Get expert care for Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi. Affordable cost, advanced techniques, and personalized treatment by Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari.

Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi is a highly effective solution for individuals suffering from chronic knee pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility caused by arthritis, injury, or other degenerative conditions. With advanced medical facilities and expert surgeons like Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari, Delhi has emerged as a hub for this transformative surgery.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into every aspect of Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi, covering its benefits, procedure, recovery, costs, and more.

What is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Total Knee Replacement Surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a procedure that involves replacing the damaged or diseased knee joint with an artificial implant. It is a safe and effective treatment for patients who have not found relief through medications, physical therapy, or other non-surgical methods.

Why Choose Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi?

Delhi offers world-class medical care, making it a top choice for Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi. Here are some reasons:

Expert Surgeons: Renowned professionals like Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari provides exceptional care.

Advanced Facilities: State-of-the-art hospitals equipped with modern technology.

Affordable Costs: Competitive pricing compared to other cities and countries.

Comprehensive Care: Multidisciplinary approach to treatment and recovery.

Who Needs Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

You may need Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi if you experience:

Persistent knee pain that affects daily activities, even at rest.

Swelling and stiffness in the knee joint.

Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or standing for extended periods.

Limited improvement with medications, injections, or physical therapy.

Benefits of Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi

Opting for Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi comes with several advantages:

Pain Relief: Eliminates chronic knee pain, allowing you to live comfortably.

Improved Mobility: Restores the knee’s natural function, enabling normal activities.

Enhanced Quality of Life: Regains independence and boosts confidence.

Long-Lasting Results: Modern implants are durable and can last 15-20 years or more.

Cost-Effective Treatment: Offers world-class care at affordable prices.

Types of Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Partial Knee Replacement: Replaces only the damaged part of the knee.

Total Knee Replacement: Replaces the entire knee joint with artificial implants.

Minimally Invasive Surgery: Smaller incisions, faster recovery.

Revision Knee Replacement: Performed if the initial implant fails or wears out.

Your surgeon will recommend the most suitable procedure based on your condition.

The Procedure: Step-by-Step

Pre-Surgery Consultation:

Medical history review and physical examination.

Imaging tests like X-rays or MRI to assess the knee joint.

Preoperative counseling and instructions.

Surgery:

Performed under anesthesia (general or spinal).

The damaged bone and cartilage are removed.

Artificial implants made of metal, ceramic, or plastic are positioned.

The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours.

Post-Surgery Care:

Monitoring in the recovery room.

Pain management and physiotherapy begin immediately.

Recovery After Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi

Recovery is a critical phase after Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi. Here’s what to expect:

Hospital Stay:

Usually lasts 3-5 days.

Regular monitoring by medical staff.

Home Recovery:

Follow prescribed rehabilitation exercises.

Avoid high-impact activities and heavy lifting.

Physical Therapy:

Strengthens the knee and improves flexibility.

Helps regain normal movement.

Follow-Up Visits:

Periodic check-ups to monitor implant functionality.

Cost of Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi

The cost of Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi varies depending on factors like:

Type of implant used (metal, ceramic, or hybrid).

Surgeon’s expertise and hospital facilities.

Pre- and post-surgery services.

Risks and Complications

While Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi is generally safe, potential risks include:

Infection: Rare but manageable with antibiotics.

Blood Clots: Preventable through medications and mobility exercises.

Implant Loosening: Uncommon, may require revision surgery.

Knee Stiffness: Addressed with physical therapy.

Choosing an experienced surgeon like Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari minimizes these risks significantly.

Why Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari for Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi?

Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari is a leading expert in Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi, known for his:

Extensive Experience: Successfully performed numerous knee replacement surgeries.

Patient-Centered Care: Personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

Advanced Techniques: Utilization of minimally invasive methods for quicker recovery.

Holistic Approach: Comprehensive care from diagnosis to post-surgery rehabilitation.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Follow the rehabilitation plan provided by your surgeon.

Maintain a healthy diet to support healing.

Avoid smoking and alcohol during recovery.

Use assistive devices like crutches or walkers as recommended.

Attend all follow-up appointments for proper monitoring.

Conclusion

Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi offers a reliable solution for individuals struggling with chronic knee pain and mobility issues. With expert surgeons like Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari, state-of-the-art facilities, and affordable costs, Delhi has established itself as a leading destination for this transformative procedure.

If you are considering Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi, consult Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari to receive personalized care and regain your mobility and quality of life. Take the first step toward a pain-free, active lifestyle today!

#Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi

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northbengalneurocenter · 7 months ago

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5 Lifestyle Changes to Make Before General Surgery

Elective general surgery can be recommended by the doctor when the underlying health condition is not an emergency but needs to be managed through a surgical procedure. GI reflux surgery, hernia repair, gallstone removal, and appendectomy are some of the surgeries that can be done on an elective basis. You can contact an experienced general surgeon in Siliguri to undergo the surgery effectively with high success rates.

Whenever you’re undergoing elective surgery, you have the chance to adopt certain lifestyle modifications that will contribute to getting better surgical outcomes. Coming to the hospital for surgery can make you quite nervous and tense. This is why it is vital to be prepared before the surgery so that you can feel relaxed. Henceforth, seek medical assistance and start making healthy choices days or weeks before the surgery for a seamless operation experience.

Lifestyle Modifications To Adopt Before A General Surgery

1. Focus on a healthy diet

The first thing that you must focus on before surgery is to improve your diet. You need to be adequately hydrated and well-nourished before the surgery so that your body can heal effectively. This is why doctors recommend indulging in a balanced diet which includes a variety of lean protein, vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and leafy greens to support the recovery process.

You must know that it is essential to increase your protein intake as it boosts tissue repair, which is vital after surgery. During this stage, it is also important to avoid red meat, processed foods, and sugary beverages since these foods are extremely difficult to break down. Additionally, avoiding these things will also decrease inflammatory markers during surgery.

2. Stop smoking and alcohol consumption

If you regularly smoke then it is advised to quit smoking before a few days of the surgery. This is the number one thing that contributes hugely to improving surgical outcomes. You must know that patients undergoing surgery with a smoking history are more likely to experience serious post-operative complications.

This is more common among patients who have undergone general anesthesia. Herein, to reduce the likelihood of surgical complications such as respiratory infections, blood clots, heart attacks, and breathing problems. According to the best surgeon doctor in Siliguri, it is recommended to quit smoking at least a week before the general surgery. The longer you stop smoking, the longer your lungs and heart get to heal.

3. Start regular physical activity

Physical fitness is an essential factor to consider before surgery. You can attain physical fitness by increasing your levels of activity. Herein, after fixing the date of the general surgery you need to start exercising. Some of the benefits of regular physical activity include shorter hospital stays, reduced risk of post-operative complications, and improved recovery.

The exercises that you can prioritize before the surgery are aerobic activities such as cycling, brisk walking, circuit training, and jogging. You must know that aerobic fitness has been found to be the best for a successful surgery. Additionally, you can also consider practicing strength exercises to strengthen the breathing muscles and increase your fitness levels while managing proper body mass index.

4. Manage your weight

Patients who have excessive body weight are advised by doctors to shed the extra weight before the surgery. This is why you must adopt weight management strategies prior a surgery since people suffering from obesity have higher chances of experiencing various complications. You must know that weight management can have several advantages such as enhanced healing ability, improved surgical outcomes, and reduced complications.

Herein, having proper body weight also makes it easier for the doctor to administer anesthesia since some obese patients experience respiratory difficulties due to general anesthesia. Calorie-deficit and balanced diet, moderate intensity exercises, portion control, cutting carb intake, and hydration are some of the weight management techniques that you can adopt.

5. Reduce stress

To ensure physical and mental well-being before general surgery, you must try to reduce stress. It is true that people suffering from high stress often have low recovery rates due to immune system problems. As a result, the surgical outcomes will decrease and the length of hospital stay will increase. Herein, it is highly essential to develop a positive mindset to undergo the surgery without any worries.

You can seek the guidance of your healthcare provider to know about stress management techniques. Some such techniques that you can follow before the surgery are meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and mindfulness. These strategies are highly effective in preparing you for the surgery both physically and emotionally.

Take proactive steps to maintain your health before the surgery with the assistance of the general surgeon in Siliguri. If you have any concerns about lifestyle changes or the surgery then don’t hesitate and communicate with the doctor during this preparation stage. Being ready for the surgery will help you make informed decisions which will also lead to a comfortable surgical experience and successful recovery rates.

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angelayoga · 9 months ago

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The Powerful Duo: How Walking and Yoga Can Combat Depression

Depression, a prevalent mental health condition impacting millions globally, manifests as persistent sadness, loss of interest, and various physical and emotional challenges. While treatment often involves medication and therapy, lifestyle changes, particularly physical activities like walking and yoga, can offer significant support. This article explores the scientific evidence behind how these practices effectively combat depression.

Yoga can help you cope with depression

Boosting Mental Wellbeing: Regular walking offers a multitude of benefits for mental health. It elevates endorphin levels, natural mood-lifters in the brain. These interact with pain receptors, reducing discomfort and triggering a positive emotional state.

Biological Mechanisms: Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins. These bind to brain receptors, altering pain perception and inducing a sense of well-being.

Research Confirmations: Studies endorse the positive impact of walking on mental health. A prominent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that walking for at least 30 minutes, five days a week, significantly improved depression symptoms.

Unveiling the Science: Yoga's Role in Depression Management

Introduction to Yoga: This ancient practice combines physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation, promoting both mental and physical well-being. Research suggests its effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms.

Psychological Advantages: Yoga fosters stress and anxiety reduction. Practices like mindfulness and meditation, core aspects of yoga, focus on the present moment, curbing rumination and negative thought patterns often associated with depression.

Physiological Benefits: Yoga helps balance the autonomic nervous system. It calms the fight-or-flight response (sympathetic) and promotes relaxation (parasympathetic) by enhancing parasympathetic activity.

Research Evidence: Studies support yoga's efficacy as a treatment for depression. A meta-analysis published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry revealed that yoga significantly reduced depression symptoms across various populations.

Walking vs. Yoga: A Comparative Analysis

Accessibility and Convenience: Walking is readily accessible, requiring no special equipment. Yoga, while accessible, might require initial guidance, especially for beginners.

Physical Benefits: Both practices improve cardiovascular health. Additionally, yoga enhances flexibility, strength, and balance.

Mental Health Impact: Both activities alleviate stress and improve mood. However, yoga's focus on mindfulness and meditation offers deeper mental health benefits.

Integrating Walking and Yoga into Your Daily Life

Starting a Walking Routine: Begin with manageable distances and gradually increase duration and intensity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking most days of the week.

Starting a Yoga Routine: Consider joining a yoga class or using online resources to learn basic poses and techniques. Begin with gentle yoga and gradually progress to more advanced levels.

Combining Both Practices: Maximize mental and physical health benefits by incorporating both walking and yoga. For instance, start your day with a walk and unwind with yoga in the evening.

Personal Stories: Illuminating the Impact

Sarah's Journey with Walking: Sarah, a 45-year-old teacher, began daily walks after her depression diagnosis. Walking in nature significantly improved her mood and helped clear her mind.

Mark's Experience with Yoga: Mark, a 30-year-old software engineer, turned to yoga to manage his depression and anxiety. Regular practice resulted in improved mental clarity and reduced stress levels.

Expert Insights: Validating the Approach

Quotes from Professionals: Dr. John Smith, a psychiatrist, emphasizes, "Incorporating physical activities like walking and yoga into treatment plans can significantly enhance the effectiveness of traditional depression treatments."

Recommendations from Yoga Instructors: Emma Lee, a certified yoga instructor, advises, "Starting with gentle yoga poses and focusing on breathing can help those new to yoga ease into the practice and experience its mental health benefits."

Conclusion

Walking and yoga emerge as powerful tools in the fight against depression. They provide numerous mental and physical health benefits, are readily accessible, and can be seamlessly integrated into daily life. By incorporating these activities into a comprehensive treatment plan, individuals with depression can experience improved mood and overall well-being.

#yoga #physical health #Depression

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eduardogonzalezmdco · 10 months ago

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The Benefits and Outcomes of a Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck, technically known as abdominoplasty, has gained considerable popularity in cosmetic surgery. This procedure allows individuals to reclaim a tight and flat abdomen particularly after significant weight loss or pregnancy. If you've found yourself searching for a tummy tuck near me, here are some points to help you understand what this surgery entails and its benefits.

What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure aimed at refining the contour of the abdomen area. Surgeons achieve this goal by removing excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen region while tightening the muscle fascia of the abdominal wall. It's important to note that a tummy tuck isn't appealing because it replaces healthy eating habits or exercise; instead, it comes into play when these efforts aren't yielding the desired results.

Who is an ideal candidate?

The candidates who stand to gain most from this procedure are those with loose or sagging abdominal skin, which can often occur as an outcome of pregnancy or major weight loss. Similarly, individuals who have had previous surgeries leading to changes or irregularities in their bodies can also benefit immensely from this operation.

However, if you're still planning on losing a significant amount of weight or plan on becoming pregnant again, your surgeon might advise waiting until after these events before undergoing the procedure as body changes could reverse the outcomes achieved through surgery.

What does recovery look like?

The recovery time following a tummy tuck largely depends on individual factors such as general health and age. However, commonly reported experiences include mild discomfort manageable with prescribed pain medications and slight swelling that usually subsides in two weeks post-operation.

Most patients can resume work within 10 days post-surgery though they're typically advised against lifting heavy weights for six weeks or until a go-ahead from the operating surgeon. A well-balanced diet and gradual return to regular physical activities are beneficial for recovery as they can foster wound healing and minimize scarring.

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Among the many advantages, some stand out more than others:

Improved Physical Appearance: The most apparent benefit is an enhanced body contour, giving you a flatter, tighter stomach that boosts your self-esteem and confidence.

Better Posture: As the surgery tightens weak abdominal muscles, it consequently provides better support to the spine. This improvement can often lead to rectifying posture-related issues, such as chronic back pain.

Closure of Hernias: An indirect benefit can be the correction of ventral hernias developed after previous surgeries or significant weight loss. A tummy tuck can resolve both these issues simultaneously.

Understand your options

Before deciding on your tummy tuck near me search results, evaluate many surgeons before settling for one who meets your expectations regarding quality service, experience, and patient care standards. They should walk you through preparation stages, potential risks involved and set realistic expectations about results and recovery timeframes for pursuing this transformative surgical journey confidently.

In conclusion, those looking for a considerable change in their physical appearance should consider a tummy tuck as it offers real benefits beyond the cosmetic appeal alone. Our bodies are unique; thus each surgery is unique too in its outcomes— always keep in mind that patience and resilience during recovery are key components of successful outcomes! Eduardo Gonzalez, MD 1601 E 19th Ave #5150, Denver, CO, 80218 (303) 970-0140

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helpconnieandsuz · 1 year ago

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Enhancing Your Well-Being Along With All-Natural Health And Wellness Supplements

In the pursuit for a healthier way of life, organic health supplements have actually developed as strong devices to boost our welfare. Packed with the benefits of nature, these supplements provide a variety of advantages that can support bodily, mental, as well as mental stamina. Nonetheless, along with the sea of choices available, it's vital to select supplements wisely. Right here's an extensive manual to integrating organic health supplements right into your everyday program, guaranteeing you reap the max advantages with every dose.

Knowing the World of Natural Health And Wellness Supplements

Natural health supplements are stemmed from natural sources like cannabis, plants, as well as minerals. They are actually planned to complement your diet as well as promote an all natural strategy to health. The conveniences of these supplements transcend merely filling in dietary spaces. They may supply support in several locations, from increasing the invulnerable system and also improving intestine health and wellness to assisting along with stress control and also psychological clarity.

It is very important to keep in mind that the phrase 'all-natural' does not always imply 'safe.' Like any sort of wellness item, quality and sourcing of substances participate in a critical function. When thinking about a supplement, search for reputable companies that are straightforward concerning their ingredients and also have a tested performance history of efficacy. To remain stimulated on your physical fitness adventure, discover ideas and secrets on eatcafe.it internet site.

Getting Through the Supplements Alley

Walking down the supplements aisle could be mind-boggling. To simplify your assortment method:

Consult with a healthcare provider: Before including any sort of supplement to your program, it is actually critical to get in touch with a medical care specialist. They can assist you based upon your personal wellness demands and also any type of current conditions.

Inform your own self: Standard know-how of the supplements you want may aid you make updated decisions.

Read through tags meticulously: Recognize the element listing as well as any type of added compounds. Search for qualifications like 'non-GMO' or 'all natural.'.

Begin with one: Offer supplements one by one to check any improvements in your wellness.

The Best Natural Health And Wellness Supplements for Your Closet.

youtube

A number of all-natural health and wellness supplements have actually shown beneficial for health. Listed below are actually some popular selections:

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial micro-organisms that can assist in digestion, strengthen intestine wellness, and sustain the body immune system. They could be found in fermented foods or even taken as a supplement.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These crucial fats are renowned for their heart and human brain health benefits. They may be sourced from fish oil, flaxseeds, or even chia seeds.

Vitamin D

Frequently referred to as the sun vitamin, Vitamin D participates in an essential function in bone tissue wellness and invulnerable function. It's generally supplemented, especially for those with restricted exposure to sun light.

Turmeric extract

This golden root contains curcumin, a material along with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant residential or commercial properties.

Including Supplements in to Your Daily Routine

Integrating supplements into your day-to-day regimen may appear like a problem, yet it doesn't must be actually. Select a routine that you can adhere to, whether it is actually with foods, during the course of a midday split, or just before bed. Organization devices like pill organizers may help you remain on keep track of. Remember to hold your supplements properly, out of moisture as well as direct sunshine, to sustain their strength.

Maintain a Wellness Diary

Tracking just how you really feel before and after including a supplement may be incredibly insightful. Write any kind of changes, good or unfavorable, so you can easily review them with your doctor. This practice can easily help adjust your supplement schedule to optimize its advantages.

A Word of Care

While organic wellness supplements hold possible perks, they are not a one-size-fits-all answer. It is very important to sustain a balanced approach, depending on a diverse diet plan rich in nutrients. Supplements need to match a healthy and balanced way of life, including regular physical exercise and ample sleep.

Conclusion

Organic health supplements can easily function as useful allies in your journey for health. Along with the right know-how and approach, you can harness their prospective and enjoy the added assistance they supply. Bear in mind quality, speak with experts, and remain wary about your wellness. Combining natural wellness supplements into your everyday routine could be just the measure you need to have to elevate your well-being.

#Wellness Supplements #Health And Wellness #Natural Health And Wellness Supplements #Youtube

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rankertopgoogle · 1 year ago

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Sports Physical

Fast-Track Urgent Care: Your Trusted Partner in Emergency Health Needs

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wwinterwitch · 3 years ago

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sleepless nights – p. parker

This was suggested by cherry-season here on tumblr. Thank you so much for writing me with this idea, I hope you enjoy it!

Summary: After neither you or Peter can sleep, you propose to have a very improvised date night roasting marshmallows on the kitchen of your apartment.

Pairing: Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker x gn!reader (no pronouns used).

Word count: 1.4K

TW: insomnia, mention of nightmares, mention of medication, angst(?), other than that just fluff.

You didn't know exactly what time it was, you just knew it was late. Too late to be awake yet again, turning around in your bed trying to unsuccessfully find a position to finally be able to get some sleep. Knowing you were probably going to wake Peter up with all the moving around, you turned to look at his side on the bed to see if he was awake, only to find he wasn't there next to you.

Just then, you noticed the faint light of the corridor coming from under the closed door of the bedroom. Knowing it was almost impossible to get some rest, you stood up and opened the door, standing there for a few seconds so your eyes could adjust to the artificial light illuminating the hall. When you started to walk down the corridor, you quickly saw Peter sitting on the small dinning table of your apartment, typing on his laptop with an empty mug next to it.

When he noticed you, he immediately stopped typing to look at you with a worried expression. "Did I wake you up?"

"No, I just couldn't sleep again."

Peter looked concerned. "Are your meds not working?"

"Not today, at least," you shrugged. "I should probably see my doctor during the week," you added as you walked up to him to wrap both of your arms around his neck from behind, resting your chin on his shoulder. He instantly felt his body relaxing with your touch, holding both of your hands in his and leaning back against your body. "Couldn't sleep either?"

He was quiet for a few seconds before eventually replying. "No. I...I'm still having those nightmares."

You sighed, not needing further explanation as to what he was talking about. It's been over two months since that traumatic event, but for the two of you it still feels like it happened not longer than an hour ago. It was the first time Peter thought he had lost you forever.

A maniac with a parasite inside of him, calling themselves "Venom", seemed determined to know who was behind the Spider-Man mask, thinking they could get some sort of advantage on him that way. Somehow they found out it was Peter, which immediately put you on the bad guy's radar. Peter's greatest fear came true: one of his enemies knew who he was and, most importantly, knew who you were. It didn't take long for Venom to capture you and keep you captive, knowing you were the most important thing to Peter and he wouldn't hesitate to come rescue you.

Venom was vicious. It was a horrible fight that Peter had to go through in order to defeat them. You were beat up pretty badly, both physically and mentally, having to spend a few weeks hospitalized before you could go back to live at your apartment with Peter. He really had a hard time getting over it, hating himself for exposing you to a danger like that. You tried to make him understand none of it was his fault, but he didn't believe a word. He still blames himself for everything that happened.

Even up to this day, Peter still has nightmares about the traumatic encounter with the parasite. The nightmares mainly consist of the creature killing you right in front of him, being unable to rescue you. He would often wake up screaming frantically, most nights not even caring to go to sleep in fear of watching you die in his arms. The idea of depriving himself of any sleep sounds much better.

What hurts the most is not being able to do much to help him. You tried to remind himself everything was fine, but that didn't seem to be enough. The fact you had to watch him suffer and know you were unable to take that pain away has got the be the worst you've ever felt.

Moving your arms away from him, you sat on his lap to look at him right in the eye. The moment you sat down, he wrapped his arms around you, not looking at you at first. He feared that if he did he'll start crying like he has done many other nights. This won't be the first or the last night you'll see him cry over his nightmares, but he still tried to hold the tears back as much as he possibly could.

You forced him to look up at you, a small smile adorning your lips as an attempt to comfort him. "I'm here, and I always will be." He tried to speak, but closed his mouth once he felt the tears forming on his eyes, his hands on your back tightening their grip. "I will never ever leave your side, okay? You're stuck with me for the rest of your life, Peter Parker– whether you like it or not."

That luckily earned you a chuckle from him, but he still looked troubled about the nightmares. "Well, that's good to hear, because I don't know if I could ever live without you."

"You won't have to," you reassured him, pulling him in for a hug. "I love you so much, did you know that?"

Peter couldn't really speak at the moment, nodding after what you said. He didn't move back from the hug, holding you close to his body, almost like he never wanted to let you go. You could hear him softly sobbing against your shoulder and you allowed him to cry, to let all his worries out, stroking his back in a soothing manner to let him know you were there for him. It broke your heart to see him like this, but you were hopeful that the two of you would get through this.

"I'm sorry," Peter muttered, finally pulling away to wipe the remaining tears from his face. "I know it's been a while, I just..."

"It's okay," you said, gently pulling his hands away from his face so you could wipe the tears off of his cheeks instead, finishing off with a gentle kiss on his lips. "Just know I'm here for you whenever you need to talk about it."

"Thank you," he replied, leaning just enough so his forehead could rest against yours. "I love you."

"And I love you."

The two of you remained on that position, you on his lap and your foreheads touching, enjoying the feeling of holding one another.

"You know, I have an idea to make this night better," you suddenly said.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Given neither of us can sleep, I'd like to ask you on a date."

A smile immediately appeared on Peter's face. "A date? Like...right now?"

"Yup."

"I'd love to have a date with you," he replied, curious to know what you had in mind.

You stood up from his lap after he accepted your invitation, grabbing his hand to guide him to the kitchen. When you arrived, Peter leaned on the counter and watched as you looked through the cabinets until you found what you were looking for.

He looked somehow even more curious. "Marshmallows?"

"You love roasting marshmallows."

"Uh, yeah...but you usually do that when your out camping."

"Well, who says you can't do it from the comfort of your own apartment?"

With that said, you turned on the stove and took a marshmallow to put it on a large toothpick that came with an old fondue set gifted by your mom when you first moved in with Peter and handed it to him. He still thought the idea was both crazy and ingenious, walking over the stove to roast the marshmallow you had given him. In the meantime you went to get a pair of chairs so the two of you could sit down.

You took another toothpick and picked another marshmallow, joining Peter. When he put the first marshmallow on his mouth, he turned to look at you with a smile.

"This is actually one of the best dates we've ever had."

"And there you were doubting me."

He laughed at your comment. "Thank you for this," he said right after in a much more serious tone. "I know I've been quite a handful with all the nightmares, but somehow you're always there trying to make me feel better."

"Well, I care about you. Of course I'll do everything I can to help."

He leaned towards you to kiss your cheek as another way to thank you for this before picking another marshmallow. Even with your insomnia and his nightmares, you have found a new way to spend time trying to forget all about those problems and, instead of torturing yourselves with the idea of not being able to sleep, find more and more ways to have fun on these sleepless nights.

#marvel #reader insert #andrew garfield spiderman #andrew garfield peter parker #peter parker x reader #peter parker #the amazing spider man #spiderman x reader #spiderman

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tea-and-spoons · 4 years ago

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Today’s Tips: Crutches

Hello hello! I have been a part-time crutches user for the past… three years? So today I’m going to share some little tips I’ve learned along the way. I have never used a cane, but I think a lot of this might apply to canes too.

-If you’re trying to decide if you need a mobility aid or not, the answer is yes. You don’t have to be unable to walk without it to use a mobility aid! If you think it would help, go for it! Using my crutches lets me walk farther, with less pain, and less falling, and the freedom is wonderful. I’m pretty sure that if you’re debating, it’s definitely worth a try. And if you’re here because crutches are already required for you, that’s good too and I hope you still find what makes them work best for you.

-Decorate! Personalize! Bedazzle! I am a huge advocate for changing the look of your mobility aid to whatever makes you happy. I scraped all the logos off my crutches, spray painted them blue, and added flower stickers on the cuffs, and it always makes me smile. Just because they only sell what you need in boring medical colors doesn’t mean you have to keep it that way. My theory is, I’m going to get stared at either way, I might as well have crutches I like:)

-If you leave it standing up, it WILL fall over. Seriously, it seems like every time I try to leave my crutches propped up against something, they fall down and make a ton of noise at a very inconvenient time. If you have to leave them standing up so you can reach them, I wish you luck, and suggest putting them somewhere that minimizes getting bumped into. Sometimes I lean mine on my legs under the table and that works pretty well. But most of the time, I lie my crutches down alongside a table or wall, or underneath my chair. Bonus, this also keeps people from stepping on them so much.

-Forearm crutches vs underarm crutches. I generally see your regular underarm crutches used for more short term things, like a sprained ankle, but they might also be a better choice if you have limited arm strength. They also feel more stable if you can’t put any weight on one leg. I was told that forearm crutches take way more strength, but in my experience, it’s not as bad as I was told, even though I have floppy, spaghetti-noodle Ehlers-Danlos arms (although I do also have the special forearm crutches for people with EDS) It’s really nice that the forearm crutches are shorter, so they’re easier to store and don’t stab you in the armpit if you’re walking on uneven ground. In my opinion, they’re just overall easier to maneuver and better for when both legs need support. Plus, I can let them hang from the cuffs and have my hands free for a moment. The other thing I noticed with underarm crutches vs forearm crutches is how people treat me. With regular underarm crutches, I got a lot of “Oh no what happened?!” and “Get well soon!”, none of which apply to me. With forearm crutches, people seem to get that it’s more of a lifelong disability deal. I was trying to write an unbiased paragraph here, but I guess it’s pretty clear I have a strong preference! But really, the best option is whatever meets your needs.

-Proper fitting. If you have access to a physical therapist or other professional who can help you fit your crutches, I would highly recommend taking advantage of that. Crutches that aren’t adjusted right can wreak havoc on your posture and alignment, and even cause secondary injuries (which is the last thing you need!) If you don’t have access to a PT, I think these links have some good information:

https://www.physicaltherapy101.net/forearm-lofstrand-crutches/

https://www.physicaltherapy101.net/walking-assistance/crutches/

-Pace yourself. If your situation allows you to gradually work up to how much time you spend with crutches, you’ll be much less sore! If not, try to take breaks before you really need them, to prevent the worst of the ouch.

-Carrying things. This is going to be frustrating, but it also gets easier as you adjust and learn what works for you. First things first, it’s totally okay to ask for help! You are not a burden, you are not lazy, no matter what anyone else tells you. It’s okay to need help. And for when you are carrying things by yourself, here are some tips: Pockets! Very very good. Backpack or fanny pack or purse is also good. I’ve seen some people attach a bag to the crutch itself, but in my experience, that makes it hard to control the crutch and you lose your balance a lot. I’ve also perfected the art of holding something with my pinky and ring finger, while still holding the crutch handgrip with the other side of my hand. Sliding things along a table instead of carrying is a great one for cooking. Getting everything you need within reach and then just sitting is also a good strategy to save spoons.

-Actually getting around! I think the best thing might be to practice with your crutches on a day you don’t actually need them so you can experiment. I know that’s not always possible though, and I promise you can also learn as you go too. For me, doors are the hardest part, so automatic openers are my friends. My best tricks for doors without automatic openers are: open door really far and speed through, or use crutch leg or tip to prop door open while you go through. Although I have gotten my crutch tip stuck under the door like that before so maybe that’s not the best advice… Again, it’s totally okay to ask for help! And you’ll get the hang of it with practice.

-Crutches in winter. Not fun. If you’re using regular long crutches, they’re going to get stuck in slush or snow on the sidewalk. I haven’t tried them, but I also know they sell special crutch tips for ice, because regular ones are slippy. I don’t really have any advice here, so this is more of a caution, and a suggestion to plan ahead!

-Especially if crutches are new for you, you’re going to be all kinds of tired. The way you walk is now totally different, and you have to re-adjust how you do just about everything, which takes a LOT of mental energy. It’s totally okay to be frustrated and tired and sad. It won’t always be this hard, you’ll find adjustments that work for you. And don’t be afraid to use the resources and accommodations available to you! They’re there to help you and you deserve support.

I hope you found this helpful, and I would love to see if you decide to decorate your mobility aid too!

Edit: I just learned a new trick for crutches and doors! When you’re trying to open the door, make sure you’re standing clear outside of the arc of where the door swings. Otherwise you’ll be trying to inch backwards and drag the door with you, and that’s a great way to fall down. So just move to the side and let the door swing open.

#chronic illness advice #teaandspoons #disability #ehlers danlos syndrome #crutches #forearm crutches #accessibility

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banditthewriter · 4 years ago

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Hands On Healing - King Caspian

Prompt: Could I request something a little smutty/slightly steamy for Caspian where he’s been stressed or recovering from an injury and his lover makes him lay down and gives him a massage to help him relax. But cuz this man can’t hold anything in for the life of him he keeps moaning and s/o gets hella distracted by it. Eventually they get turned on enough they decide to help him relax by climbing on top of him & they get steamy. Hope this is okay, I love your writing! Prompter: Anonymous

I almost called this Sexual Healing but I did not! Just know that that’s what I titled the document where I wrote it hah.

Warning: Smut! Unprotected sex.

[[ko-fi]]

Enjoy!

*gif is mine*

*****

The door creaked open and drew your eyes from where you were reading. Caspian came in with a grimace on his face. He leaned against the closed door and took a deep breath before he pushed off from it.

“You overdid it, didn’t you?”

He glanced up at you guiltily.

“I thought you were going to be in the library this afternoon.”

“I was,” you said as you stood up, placing your book down on the chair you had just vacated. “Since it’s nearly nightfall, I thought it would be nice to return to our bedroom where I expected to see you still resting.”

Caspian groaned as he raised his arms to try to remove his jacket but you waved his hands away. When you moved to stand in front of him, he gave you an exaggerated pout that made you roll your eyes.

“I lost track of time while sparring, that’s all,” he said through another groan as he lowered his arms once more.

“A horse fell on you mid-battle, my love. You’re lucky nothing was ruptured, just bruised.”

His pout fell away and left him with just a pain filled look. You sighed as you undid the buttons and laces on his jacket and shirt. First you pushed the jacket off before you went about untucking his shirt from his trousers.

“I should have someone run you a hot bath,” you said quietly as you revealed the bruises still on his back and sides. “I hate that you’re in pain, even if it’s of your own making.”

You helped him raise the shirt over his head, careful to do it in a way not to make the pain worse. Then you gently led him to sit on the edge of the bed so you could bend down and take his boots off.

“Mm, I think I’m feeling better already,” he said as you knelt down in front of him.

Heat rose to your cheeks but you didn’t rise to the taunt. Instead you unlaced and removed his right boot, then his left. Next came his socks.

“Trousers too. You’re covered in sweat and everything needs to go to the laundress.”

Caspian stood back up slowly before he undid the laces on his trousers. Once they were down with his underclothes as well, he was well and fully naked in front of you. You gathered his dirty clothes and walked them to the little inlet bathroom where you placed everything for the laundress to get in the morning.

Next you placed a cloth in one of the bowls of water on the bureau before you went back to where Caspian had laid down on the bed.

“Cold,” you warned before you pressed it against his chest.

“Very,” he stuttered as goosebumps followed the path of the cloth.

You wiped down his chest and arms, down to his hips. Even with the cold cloth, the length of his cock twitched in interest. You rolled your eyes as you wiped down his legs.

“You need to rest,” you said with a pointed look at his groin.

He smiled and held a hand out to you.

“What can I say? I love you to the point where I am distracted from the pain.”

You rolled your eyes again and motioned for him to roll over. He did so slowly. Once he was on his stomach, you wiped down his back and the backs of his legs.

“Stay there,” you said before you wandered back towards the bathing room.

There were some massage oils that hadn’t been used in a while. You took a few sniffs from them until you found one that was calming. That and some more rags you carried back to the bed. Once there you lifted the hem of your dressing gown and climbed into the bed as well. You draped a towel over his naked backend with a gentle tap to one cheek.

“For your modesty,” you joked. Then, more seriously, “I’m going to give you a massage. The medic said it would help your muscles.”

Caspian made a hum of acknowledgement and you smiled. He was in pain and most likely already getting drowsy. You’d massage him for a bit until he fell asleep. Tomorrow you’d make sure he wouldn’t run off and do something else stupid so that he could fully heal.

A little of the oil went into your palms. You rubbed your hands together a few times to smear the oil before you placed them on his back. He shivered a bit at first, but you could actually feel the tension go out of him as you started to work at his upper back and shoulders.

There were plenty of knots to work on. You leaned so that you could use your weight to really work on the tough spots. He moved slowly so that he could raise his arms up next to his head which changed the position of his muscles, but you didn’t mind.

Had you noticed how muscled his back was? Surely you would have noticed that at some point? Perhaps he had gained more muscles lately? Before the battle, that is.

Not that he had withered way in the days since the battle. He was still in good form.

You cleared your throat and moved down a little further on his back. The moment your hands went to his lower back, you heard a loud noise come from Caspian.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No my love,” he responded with a thick, gravelly voice. “Your hands are heavenly. Please, continue?”

After a moment of being unsure, you started again. There was no noise this time, just Caspian shifting a bit. You were worried you had hurt him, but he turned his head so that he was facing where you were sitting. His face was at ease.

Well, his mouth was open a sliver and there were lines between his eyebrows as if they were on the verge of being furrowed, but he didn’t look like he was in pain.

You shifted a bit more so that you could continue. Every now and then he’d make another little noise, softer than the one that had worried you. These were like sighs, happy and content.

Your second pass at his lower back had him make another louder noise, not a sigh but not a groan of pain. In fact, it was a very familiar noise.

“Caspian?”

“Hmm? Yes?” He opened his eyes and blinked a few times at you. At your narrowed look, he gave you a small smile. “Magic hands, you have.”

Not that you trusted him one bit. You moved down to grab his thigh to begin work there, but Caspian’s hand darted down faster than you expected and grabbed your wrist.

“Perhaps you will work on my chest and arms? They are still a bit...stiff.”

You pulled back and nodded.

“Of course. Do you need help rolling over?”

He smiled at you beautifully. Then, with his usual level of grace, he rolled over onto his back. The towel you had draped over his backside rolled with him so you were given full view of what was on his mind.

In the way that his cock was standing straight up on his belly, red and hard. His hips thrusted a bit as if he could physically feel your gaze.

“My love? Weren’t you going to rub me?”

You blinked a few times before you tore your gaze from his cock and back to his face. He was grinning at you.

“You are a pain,” you said with a roll of your eyes. Then you reached over for the oil once more. “I will rub your arms and chest, but nothing else.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want you to take advantage of me in my vulnerable state.”

You uncorked the bottle with a little more force than necessary. After it was in your hands, you put the bottle back on the nightstand. Then you put your hands on his chest and started to work.

Caspian’s gaze never left your face as you worked on his chest and shoulders. You tried to focus on what you were doing and not what was happening below his abdomen, but you could see the gentle thrusts from the corner of your eye. He was enjoying this quite a lot it seemed.

You switched to his arm closest to you, rubbing first the shoulder and then down the bicep. He lifted his arm to give you more room and you focused on the way your hands looked as they rubbed and massaged him.

“Next one?”

You blinked. Then you looked at Caspian. He was grinning as he looked over at his other shoulder.

“Don’t want it to feel neglected, do you?”

With a mindless shake of your head, you reached over for his other shoulder. The angle was all wrong but you would have to get up and cross over to the other side of the bed to reach it. You huffed and moved so that you were on your knees next to his side to try to reach his other side.

He rolled his hips again but this time it had the advantage of being right beside you. You felt the drag of his side against your thigh and hip, the dressing gown and thin nightgown under it no protection from the heat of his body. You clenched your teeth as you started to rub at his arm.

The problem was that you were perched fairly precariously at Caspian’s side, your hands focused on his shoulder and therefore not able to distribute your weight. So when he rolled, there was nothing you could do to stop yourself from being dragged over his body and then under him.

“Caspian! You’re injured!”

He smiled at you as he settled between your thighs, a gentle thrust against you enough to make you gasp and swallow your tongue.

“Not too injured to enjoy this,” he teased as he leaned in for a kiss.

You sighed in acceptance as his mouth touched yours. Then you sighed in pleasure as his body moved on top of yours, his cock rubbing between your legs through your nightgown. With so few layers that separated the two of you, you were ready to rip them off.

The only thing that stopped you was Caspian’s hiss of pain as he rotated his hips again.

“Caspian, please,” you begged as you pressed against his shoulder. “You’re in pain right now.”

He rolled over onto his back and threw an arm over his face. His body was still ready though.

You leaned on one shoulder as you looked him over. It was obvious that he wanted you, needed you. To ignore the pain in his body for so long because he wanted to make love with you.

Well. You weren’t heartless.

Quickly you moved and pulled off your dressing gown. Then you tugged off your nightgown as well. Both went straight to the floor on the other side of the bed.

The movement made Caspian lower his arm just enough to see what you were doing. Once he did, his arms went down so that he could lift his upper body up a bit.

“What are you–”

“Shh, like this my love,” you said as you climbed on top of him.

You leaned up and over him to grab the oil. It put your breast right in line with his mouth and he eagerly sucked on a nipple until you pulled back again. You poured some of the oil into your hand and returned the bottle so that it wouldn’t fall.

Then you reached between the two of you and grasped your hand around his hard cock. His hips jerked up at the touch, his mouth open as he panted out in pleasure. You smiled as you worked him, the oil slippery over him. It helped with the glide, created friction against him.

As he started to squirm under him, you pressed a hand low against his stomach. It took you raising up on your knees for him to realize what you were doing and he helped you guide his cock to your entrance. When you lowered yourself down onto him, he let out a hiss and arched his back.

“No, don’t move,” you said as you pressed a kiss to the bruise on his shoulder and collarbone. “Let me do the work for you.”

His eyebrows furrowed until you showed him exactly what you meant. First you raised up, your thighs flexing as you did. Then you sat down hard on him, his cock thrusting upwards into you as you clenched around him. Up once more, then down in a rush.

Over and over you moved on top of him, your thighs aching as you worked his cock with your body. His hands went to your thighs, up higher to your stomach and then your breasts. He touched everywhere he could while you rode him, both of you desperate as your pleasures rose.

Your climax came in a wave. His hand went to your shoulder and pulled you down so that he could kiss you as you gasped and writhed on top of him. You squeezed around his cock as you rolled your hips, clenching and releasing until you could feel his cock twitch and spill inside of you.

“So good for me,” he whispered against your lips as he slumped down on the bed. “But next time I want to take care of you.”

You smiled and pressed a kiss against his lips and then his jaw.

“Right now you aren’t up for our normal bed activities. This wasn’t a poor substitute though, was it? You enjoyed it?”

His dark eyes were on your face, hunger still evident in his face. And in the fact that you could tell he was still mostly hard inside of you.

“I did, but I want more. My body might not be ready for more, but my mouth very much is. You are the creative mind in this relationship. Surely you can imagine a way for me to utilize that particular asset for your pleasure.”

You had a flash in your mind of just that. Your legs spread over his face while you swallowed around his cock at the same time.

You clenched around him at the thought and he moaned, the same noise from when you first started the massage.

Heavenly, indeed. You couldn’t wait until he was ready for more.

Let me know if you want to be added to my Permanent Tag List! @hermioneshandbag @onebatch--twobatch @blackcoffeeandgreenteaforme @citation-is-here @mightymelly @realduckvader @hxbbit @thepuffyeyedpuff @the-three-eyed-ravenclaw @gingerstarlight @siriusement @marauderskeeper @xinyourdreamsx @wickidlady @sassygirl25 @maraudereestauderelb @holamor @lea----b @coffeenmoscato @elisemockingbird @assbuttwithwings @geeksareunique @witch-of-letters @delicatelilyflower @l-l-c-m-w-b @whovianayesha @hiddenprincess @yannii04 @brighteststarinthesky @kilyra @gallxntdean @sweetvengeancee @lady1505 @thedarklightwithinus @ateliefloresdaprimavera @siriuslyimmoony @elodieyung @fudgeflyss @madamrogers @thatwrestlingfan91 @teranya @delusionsofnostalgia @effielumiere @i-padfootblack-things @aya-fay @sergeantbuchanans @iwishyoucouldbekissed @taman-a @newtstarmander @blushingskywalker @queencocoakimmie @funerals-with-cake @arrowswithwifi @cheyfleur @dark-night-sky-99 @celestegolden @beautifuldesastre @ashkuuuu @nerdypinupcrystal @iblogabout-stuff @curlyhairedblueeyedangel @myplaceofheavenorhell @also-fangirlinsweden @binbons-is-theloml @aikeia @christinawxxx @rhabakoli @j-finco @sweetybuzz25 @supernaturalonice @jeanettexkillian @jigsawlover10 @gollyderek @polireader @witchygagirl @carlaangel86 @listenbigfoot @hiddleless @meganlpie @arsaky-lou @angelic-kisses13 @countryday @random-quartz @peaceinourtime82 @supernaturaldean67 @mariaenchanted @pinkisokay @veracruz-djarin @blackbirddaredevil23 @rexorangecouny @nowyouseeme098

#caspian #caspian x reader #caspian imagine #caspian fanfic #my writing #request

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sserpente · 4 years ago

Photo

A/N: Request from @wrenstrange! Put up the decorations, it’s finally time again! Enjoy, everyone!

Words: 1957 Warnings: pure fluff, blood sample/needle/syringe, soft!Loki, fatique, fainting

You dropped like a piece of wood right about when you were making yourself a cup of tea in the kitchen. Knees ceasing to support you any longer, vision darkening, stars dancing around you making you dizzy. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head and before you knew it, your body finally won and shut down.

Although if you could have chosen, you would not have fallen straight into Loki’s arms whose reflexes caught you, preventing you from hitting the hard floor beneath you. He cradled you with his brows furrowed, his blue gaze almost helpless as he looked at Thor and Stark for support.

Then, everything went black.

“Welcome back.” You blinked, the artificial lights above your head blinding you. A hand held you down when you attempted to sit up drowsily. Bruce was leaning against a metal table in Tony’s lab, hands crossed before his chest and with a concerned expression on his face. “You blacked out,” he explained, “out of the blue.”

“How are you feeling?” Tony added.

You only realised then that it was Loki who had held you down. He was sitting on a chair right next to the makeshift bed they had carried into Tony’s lab and he was observing you with Argus eyes. Your heart sped up when you noticed. You usually tended to avoid the God of Mischief at all cost. There was a part of you that was afraid of him after watching him making an entire crowd kneel in Stuttgart, the other was hands down swooning over him. It had all started when he had rescued a cat from a tree, honouring a cliché he had not even been aware of. But someone who helped defenceless little kittens had to have a soft heart deep down, no?

Thor had brought him to Earth along with him after Asgard had been destroyed. He could not exactly be considered an Avenger but he had long surpassed the villain image… at least, to some extent. Well, you were no Avenger either. You used to be a SHIELD intern and then somehow ended up with the superheroes themselves. Apart from some basic fighting skills and the ability to use a gun, you had been trained to spend most of your time in front of a computer, often working twelve hours or even more a day. What did they say? Evil never sleeps.

“Any idea what might have caused this?” Bruce continued.

You shook your head. “No. But I’ve been having migraines and a persistent fatigue that just won’t go away.”

“I see… anything else?”

“Um…”

“You can talk to us, (Y/N).”

“Well, I… I’ve been dizzy a lot lately but that sometimes happens during my special week of the month so I didn’t think anything of it.” You took a deep breath but hesitated.

“And?”

“I’ve been sweating way more when working out. Like, a lot more. Instead of making progress… I feel like I’m getting weaker every day. It’s frustrating.”

“Uh-huh. I’m taking a blood sample. FRIDAY will run a couple of tests on you to figure out what’s wrong.”

“What? No! Nothing’s wrong! We don’t need a b-blood sample.”

“No one faints for no reason, (Y/N), especially not on Loki.” Loki rolled his eyes but did not leave your side, even when Bruce started fiddling around with some gear and apparently, a first-aid kit and then approached you with a syringe and a small clear vial.

“I’ve done this a million times before, I’ll be gentle.”

“No! No, no blood test, Bruce, please!” Almost hysterically, you moved back on the bed, your heart in your mouth.

“(Y/N),” Loki suddenly said calmly. You shivered when he spoke your name, his head tilted slightly. “Are you afraid of needles?”

“N-n-no…” You lied. Loki raised an eyebrow.

“Look at me.” He said. Hesitating only a little, you did as you were told. It wasn’t like his tone allowed any contradiction anyway. In fact, it reminded you a lot of his strict and bossy tone when he had caused chaos in Germany. “It has to be done. Hold my hand and do not take your eyes off of me.”

“Who are you and what you have done to Reindeer Games?” Tony tossed in, throwing the Trickster a suspicious glance. Loki rolled his eyes once more. As if he had any obligation to explain himself to Stark of all people.

In the meantime, you were panicking even more. Loki was being nice and considerate with you and Bruce was about to pierce your skin with a needle. Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck… your breathing sped up.

“Look. At. Me.” Loki repeated. You obeyed this time, allowing him to take your hand and press it gently. Much to your surprise, it immediately calmed you down a little. You gaped at him unbelievingly. You didn’t even feel the needle going into your skin and drawing blood. Wait… was he casting a spell on you?

“There. All done.” You could not bring yourself to look where Bruce brought your blood sample but when both Tony and he stepped away and turned their backs on you, you swallowed.

“T-thank you…” You had to ask—not because you did not think he was not capable of offering his help without seeking a personal advantage and not because you didn’t think he was too evil to even think about being selfless… but because you were genuinely curious about his motivation. Loki did nothing without a reason, he was always one step ahead. “You put a spell on me, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “Why… why did you do that for me?”

“We are all afraid of something.” It was the only response he gave you. For a few moments, you merely sat there quietly, neither of you uttering a single word. Only when Bruce and Tony returned did you realise that Loki was still holding your hand.

“Okay… I’ve got the results from your blood test and FRIDAY couldn’t find anything suspicious.” Tony announced, scrolling on his tablet. Bruce adjusted his glasses to take a peek.

“You said you’ve been feeling tired? You sweat a lot, you get dizzy, and I’m presuming you barely have an appetite?”

“I don’t have time to eat a lot to be honest…” You confirmed.

“Any concentration problems?”

Pressing your lips together to a thin line, you thought about it for a moment. Now that he mentioned it… it had gotten obnoxiously hard to focus on your work lately. Eventually, you nodded.

“Sounds like severe exhaustion to me.” Bruce said. “Do you have issues with low blood pressure or diabetes or any other medical condition? No, FRIDAY would have found something like that. You know what I think? You overworked yourself.”

“Like… a burnout?” You probed.

“Most definitely.”

You grunted. Oh, that was just great. There you were, attempting to squeeze in regular workouts in this awesome training hall the Avengers called the HARM room after work to get stronger and hence, eventually gather up the courage to speak to Loki and now you looked exactly like what you did not want him to see you as—a weak and meagre human.

“The best medicine would be for you to quit work for a while and stop physical exercise altogether.”

“Banner is right,” Tony added. “Take a few weeks off and rest, sleep in, eat more and healthy… the whole program. I officially give you a holiday.”

“You’re not my boss, Tony, you can’t give me a holiday.” Your smile was weak. “But I don’t have time for this anyway! I can’t believe this is happening so soon before Christmas!” You whined. “I can’t stay in bed, I’ve got so much to do! I have to buy presents and decorate and bake biscuits and make gingerbread… Besides, I’m gonna fall behind on all the data.”

He shrugged. “I’ll take care of that. Let me talk to Fury. You let us know if you need anything. Can you take her to her room, Reindeer Games? And please, no funny business.” Beside you, Loki was just frowning, utterly ignoring the billionaire’s request.

“Why were you pushing yourself so hard?” He finally spoke when the two Avengers had left—whether it was genuine confusion or mere curiosity in his voice, you were not sure. “Why were you training for battle in the first place? I have never seen you out on a mission.”

You sighed. Time to let the cat out of the bag, it wasn’t like you were still going to make a good impression on him anymore now.

“I wanted to impress you, I guess…”

“Impress me?” Loki repeated incredulously.

“Yeah… catch your attention… in a way. I mean, part of me is still terrified of you, of course but… you have a good heart, Loki. I knew when I saw you rescuing that cat from the tree.”

The God of Mischief rolled his eyes. “I knew this was going to damage my reputation.” He responded with a sly smirk, making you grin. “It was an innocent kitten, what was I supposed to do?”

“See?”

Your heart skipped a beat when his blue eyes locked with yours. He appeared… uncertain; not used to dealing with affection. Loki swallowed.

“Can you walk?”

“I’m not sure…”

The God of Mischief sighed, his lips pressed together to a thin line. Without any hesitation, he snuck one of his arms under your knees and wrapped the other around your waist. He lifted you off the makeshift bed as if you weighed nothing—and to him, you probably didn’t.

Loki carried you to your room in utter silence and eventually lay you down in your bed. Your heart jumped when he sat down on the edge of the bed himself, with a peculiar interest in his hands so he would not have to look you in the eye.

“There is no need to impress me.” He suddenly said. Your head shot up. “I did not think anyone would even… never mind.”

Oh. It almost felt like you were finally getting to know each other, for real this time.

“Do you want to stay for a while? I was going to watch some Christmas movies if I’m not allowed to get out of bed.” You sighed. “I can’t even decorate. You have no idea how many decorations I have to put up. None of the others care to make it a little more festive here, especially not Fury.”

“Yes, I have seen the boxes.” Loki replied. “It’s a little… corny, wouldn’t you say?”

“Honestly, when living among superheroes who risk their lives every single day, you could use a little corny.”

“I see.” Loki simply waved his hand and before you knew it, your entire room was decorated. Green and red tinsel shimmered on your window sill, holiday lights were blinking above your door and fake—but incredibly real-looking—snowflakes hung from the ceiling. Many of your favourite decoration items were now sitting on your nightstand and your desk, including your tiny little Christmas tree. The rest of the decorations, so it seemed, Loki must have spread all over the Tower.

“Oh my Goodness… Loki, this is amazing!” The God of Mischief winked and when you looked down on yourself, you noticed you too were wearing a green and gold Christmas sweater. Heavens, you could kiss him. “Thank you so much! What did you… is the entire Tower…”

“Yes.” He confirmed. He didn’t have to. Tony did only a fraction of a second later.

“Thor! Can you tell me why my Ironman helmet just grew metal antlers? I swear to God, if Reindeer Games has something to do with this…” It was then you exploded with laughter despite your exhaustion.

A/N: If you enjoyed this story, I would appreciate it so much if you considered supporting me on Kofi! It’s either for caffeine or red wine, I’ll take both. ko-fi.com/sserpente ♥

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a-bang-for-your-bucky · 4 years ago

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Welcome Home Part 4

Summary: Winter is here. Peyton has her match against Shida, Kenny has his match against Moxley, Brandi shares some information with Peyton.

Pairings: Cody Rhodes x OFC (Sister), Brandi Rhodes x OFC (sister), Kenny Omega x OFC

WARNINGS: 18+, explicit language, allusions to smut, a heated make out sesh, heel turn.

Word: 1,957

A/N: y'all i'm sorry this took so long. I hope this is as good as the other parts. <3

Tonight was the night. “Winter is Coming” had an action packed card. There was a rumor going around that someone was making their AEW debut, but only a certain few knew who. (Here's a hint: IT'S STIIIIIIIIIING).

My match against Shida was after Cody’s tag match with Darby against Team Taz. Brandi and I watched the AEW Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royal as I prepped, put my gear on and stretched. I rolled my eyes watching as MJF weaseled his way into a win. “One day, Wardlow is going to kick his ass.” I bet as I turned to Brandi. She nodded in agreement. She had been acting different lately. “You alright, sis? You seem off.” I asked her, genuinely concerned.

Brandi looked around the office space we were in, before getting up to close the door. “You can’t say anything, especially to Cody.” She made me promise before continuing. She was starting to scare me. “I’m pregnant.” She beamed, pulling a scan photo out of her bag.

My jaw dropped, eyes wide open. “I’m gonna be an aunt again?!” I all but squealed, taking the black and white photo from her. “Brandi, that’s so exciting! I know how much you guys have been wanting this.” She enveloped me in a hug.

“I haven’t came up with the best way to tell Cody yet, but it’s gonna be this weekend. So, you won’t have to keep the secret for long.” Brandi was positively glowing. This was the best news to get right before my match.

“Thank you for trusting me. I can’t believe this. It’s gonna bring me good luck, I just know it.” I smiled, hugging her again. A knock on the door pulled us back to the night at hand. “It’s open.” I yelled.

It was Cody. “You’re up, Pey.” He said as he walked in over to Brandi. “Hi, honey.” He whispered sweetly, giving her a kiss. I mock-gagged telling them to get a room before I left. It was time; My time.

A twenty minute long, extremely physical match later and I did it. By the skin of my teeth, I was able to get Shida in a roll up. For good measure, I used the bottom rope to my advantage, leveraging more pressure on the pin. Luckily, Rick Knox didn’t see it.

“Here is your winner, and new AEW Women’s Champion, The Dream Killer, Peyton Rhodes.” Justin bellowed into the microphone. The crowd was split between cheers and boos. Tony had met me at the stage.

“Peyton, any comment on the match?” He asked, obviously hinting at the rope thing. I smiled and shook my head.

“What Tony? You mean the match I just won? The one where I became champion? I think it went great.” I flashed him a toothy grin.

“But the rop-”

I cut him off. “Let me stop you right there, Schiavone. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I won that match, fair and square, with blood, sweat, and tears.” I growled into the mic, “Excuse me, I have a celebration to plan.” I stalked off down the heel tunnel. I only had about fifteen minutes before spot with Jon and Kenny.

Shit, I thought. I almost forgot about the conversation a couple of weeks ago. When Cody said he wanted me to turn on Jon, really solidify my heel turn, I didn’t think he’d want me to help take his title. Tony Khan wanted Kenny and I to play a ‘Power Couple’, basically take over the show.

I quickly changed out of my ring gear, back into my street clothes. The black skinny jeans were distressed and paired well with the grey tank top and tight leather vest I had pulled over it. My feet were clad in black combat boots.

I stood at the Gorilla monitors, watching Kenny’s match. I was still feeling high from winning my match and becoming AEW Women’s champion. I was waiting for my cue from Kenny to rush out. The last few weeks, Kenny had been dropping hints that he was turning heel. Tonight, I was sealing that turn and helping him win the AEW title.

Kenny had climbed to the top rope, looking like he was about to attempt a moonsault, but Jon rushed him. Kenny noticed and jumped to the outside of the ring. I gasped, worried he had landed wrong on his knee. Only relaxing once I saw him jump back up on the apron. Jon hit him with a forearm, knocking him off balance long enough for Jon to slide out of the ring and pull a foot out from under him.

Kenny went face first into the apron. Jon grabbed him, looking like he was going for the paradigm shift, but did a slightly awkward snapdragon into a speaker. Kenny laid there, defenseless. I grabbed my mic, and got ready to run out onto the stage. The ref was trying to keep Jon back, while the ringside medic checked on Kenny.

More referees came out to assess Kenny, and I could tell Jon was getting pissed. He stalked back over and tossed the extras out of the way, trying to get to Kenny. Jon rolled him back into the ring and began pounding on his head. Kenny brought his hands up to protect his head, shooting a signal that only I knew to look out for.

I rushed out the heel tunnel, mic in hand. “Jon, stop. Please, stop.” I begged as I got closer to the ropes. Jon paused, confused as to why I was out there. “He’s down, Mox, stop.”

He moved off of Kenny, walking over to me. “What the hell are you doing?” He asked, throwing his hands up. He turned his back to me, doing Kenny’s signature finger gun gesture. I reached over the top rope, grabbing at his shoulder. He turned angrily, causing me to jump back, strategically dropping the mic into the ring for Kenny. “Get out of here, Peyton!” Jon yelled at me before turning back to Kenny.

I had the referee distracted long enough for Kenny to grab the mic, and smack Jon in the head with it. He had busted Jon wide open, the blood staining his face. Kenny pulled down his knee pad, hitting a V Trigger one, two, three, four times. I was sure Jon was unconscious. Kenny pushed him into a corner, fatigue settling in. He used the turnbuckle as leverage to lift Jon up, preparing for a One Winged Angel. He slammed Jon into the mat with such force, that the entire ring shook. Kenny grabbed one leg, all but laying over Jon, pinning him.

“Here is your winner, and NEW AEW world heavyweight champion, Kenny Omega.” Justin Roberts announced, and the crowd booed. I slid into the ring, taking the title from the ref, giving it to Kenny. I went to raise his hand, instead Kenny pulled me close. One of his hands grabbed the back of my head, pulling me toward him. I froze as his lips met mine. Quickly, after recovering from the shock, I pulled away. Kenny kept me close as he raised the belt. My mind still blank from the kiss, he moved us towards the rope, carefully holding them open for me to step through.

Once we were backstage and out of sight, I turned to face him. “Care to explain what the fuck that was?!” I fumed. Kenny’s face went beet red. He swiped a hand down his face. I knew he was exhausted, but I needed answers.

“Look, I promise I will explain, but Callis has a chopper ready to get me the fuck outta here. Come with me.” He swore, gesturing to the back door. I nodded and let him lead me outside. As we neared the chopper, Alex Marvez stopped Kenny to ask what happened. Callis stepped out of the chopper, telling him that he, along with everyone else, can find out Tuesday on Impact.

They must have anticipated my joining them as I found my duffle, along with my title and phone on the floor of the chopper. The pilot flew us to an undisclosed location, which I soon found out was the landing pad at Kenny's hotel. Callis ran straight to his room, hunkering down from the fall out of tonight's show. Kenny opened the door to his room, gesturing for me to come in. I walked inside, getting comfortable on the couch.

I quickly pulled out my phone, letting Cody know I was with Kenny. He immediately responded stating they were about to send a search party. I huffed out a laugh and Kenny looked over at me.

"I guess I have some explaining to do huh?" He sighed, running his fingers through his blonde curls. I nodded sharply. "I want to apologize first. I shouldn't have kissed you, especially without your permission and I'm truly sorry." He amended, " second, I really wish our first kiss would have been under better circumstances." He smiled sweetly. This man always finding a way to melt my heart.

"I accept your apology, this time Omega." I teased. "What made you do it though?" I asked, unsure if I wanted the answer.

"You know, the adrenaline was coursing through my veins, and there you were looking like a damn angel. And I thought to myself, the only thing that would make this better would be to kiss you. Before I could stop myself, my lips were on yours." Kenny blushed, explaining himself.

The man looked like a damn dream. Still clad in just his wrestling tights, blonde hair a mess of curls, chest red from the hits he took. And to top it all off, his lips looked down right kissable. Only Kenny Omega could look this good after a grueling wrestling match. I thought, smiling to myself. And even though I was upset that our first kiss happened on Live TV with millions watching, I wanted nothing more than for it to happen again.

“Can we get a redo?” The words fell from my lips as a whisper. Kenny’s head snapped up to look at me. He took three big strides to the couch where I was sat, pulling me up to my feet. One of his hands, which I never noticed were so big until they were cupping my face, tilted my mouth up toward his.

Torturously slow, Kenny brought his lips to mine. My eyes fluttered shut as my hands came up to tangle my fingers in his curls. Impossibly, Kenny pulled me closer, causing a small gasp to leave me. He took the opportunity to slide his tongue against my own.

The kiss was sweet, passionate, and full of emotion. When we finally parted to breath, Kenny was the first to speak. “That was,” he stopped, trying to find the right word.

“Breath-taking.” I finished his sentence and he nodded in agreeance. “Ken,” I started. He cut me off by kissing me again. I quickly melted into the kiss. My hands began to roam his body, slipping under the tight T-shirt, feeling the taut muscles of his back.

I pulled away from his intoxicating kiss and pushed him back toward the couch. Once back in a seated position, I straddled him. “Fuck, Pey.” Kenny moaned as my lips attacked his neck. He pulled my face back so that our eyes met. His blue eyes were almost black with desire . “Can’t have you leaving any marks there, princess.” Kenny growled. I cocked a brow and ground my center down on him. Kenny immediately flipped us, so that he was hovering over me. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Princess.” Kenny had started to unzip my vest when we were interrupted by banging on the door.

Tags: @rach-supreme93

#kenny omega imagine #kenny omega smut #kenny omega #kenny omega fanfiction #kenny omega x OFC #aew imagine #aew fanfiction #cody rhodes #brandi rhodes #jon moxley #winter is coming #matt jackson #nick jackson #dustin rhodes #tony schiavone #mjf and wardlow #aew on tnt

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writing-on-standby · 4 years ago

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time of dreaming (part three)

Summary: Soulmates meet in their dreams from the age of 16 until they meet for the first time. Once they meet, they share their physical and emotional feelings with one another until they die. Tom Holland was just starting to learn how to take over the family business and ignore the urge to find his soulmate when everything changes and he’s found face to face with you. You’ve always wanted to meet your soulmate and spend the rest of your life with them until you actually meet yours and life changes forever.

Warnings: Drug use, swearing, alcohol, angst, mentions of scars/injury (not self harm)

part three: coping mechanisms

A few days after your last interaction with Tom and Harrison, you were discharged from the hospital. Jazmin had taken you home and spent the week after at your house, helping you. She didn’t ask for details about what happened, but word was quickly spreading that you were assaulted in a drug deal gone wrong. Wrong place, wrong time. And you didn’t have the heart to say otherwise.

After a week of time off, however, Jazmin had to go back to work, leaving you alone to take care of the hundreds of stitches you had that kept your chest closed. Your arm was still in a sling and wandering around the house was difficult. There was a constant dull ache in your stomach where Luke O’Malley had stabbed you. You didn’t know what happened to him and you had no idea what happened to Tom and Harrison, but you didn’t care. At least that’s what you told yourself.

Nothing was more heartbreaking, however, than to feel the hands of another woman on Tom, exploring his body and getting to know him. You’d wake up in the middle of the night, tasting cigarettes and whiskey while feeling the lips of someone on your skin. You’d try to block out the sensation of Tom sleeping with another girl, but nothing worked, not even you drinking.

Eventually, one night that Tom was getting frisky with another woman, you looked at the medication you were given to help ease the pain you were in. You took a deep, calming breath, determined to get this feeling out of your head. Without another thought, you popped two painkillers and laid down on your bed. A small smile lifted your cheeks as you could only focus on the comfort of the bed.

Maybe it wasn’t the healthiest coping mechanism, but in that moment, you were desperate to feel anything other than Tom fucking another woman. You nestled deeper into your bed while your body felt light and airy. You slowly closed your eyes and smiled. This was working. For once, you had a way to numb Tom’s feelings and the sensations he felt and for the next six hours, you’d finally pretend he wasn’t your soulmate.

Two weeks and some bad decisions later, you were out of pain killers and your body was screaming in pain. You groaned and crawled out of bed. The stitches had come out of your chest, but the mark was still there; angry and harsh against your soft skin. You had been kicked out of the internship program due to your incident and while the director denied it was because if that, you couldn’t hide the nagging reminder of the scar that somehow showed through any article of clothing you tried.

Tom’s feelings and sensations weren’t making things any better, either. If he wasn’t hooking up with random women, he was drinking whiskey at the worst time of day and smoking cigarettes like he would die without them. On days you tried to be productive, Tom would get into fights. His knuckles constantly ached as did his throat. Having him as your soulmate was insufferable and when you got a particularly bad cramp during your period, you couldn’t help the petty joy you felt, knowing he was also suffering.

You dragged yourself out of the house. The shirt you wore showed off the jagged edge of of the scar you had. The worst part of having the injuries you had wasn’t the pain, but the combination of a massive scar on your chest and the need to wear specific shirts to accommodate to the sling you had to wear. You sighed, trying to ignore the sense of dread seeing the injuries filled you with, but nothing worked.

You walked out of your dingy apartment and onto the streets of London. You were trying to find a way to get more pain killers, but the doctors had already refused your request. As much as you hated yourself for even entertaining the idea of illegally obtaining drugs, you couldn’t go another day with the feelings you had. Luckily for you, you lived in a sketchy part of town and happened to know where the drug deals went down.

Not even caring that your soulmate was a glorified drug dealer or that what you were about to do was definitely illegal, you approached the dealer who stood in the alley by your flat.

“Hey pretty thing,” the dealer spoke, gruffly. His face was ragged and covered with stubble. His blue eyes weren’t menacing like you always pictured a drug dealer to be. “Need something to help with that?” The dealer gestured to your injuries with a cigarette dancing between his finger tips. “Since you’re so pretty, I’ll give you a discount.”

How kind of him, you thought to yourself, sarcastically. You sighed and nodded, slowly. You ignored the spade shaped pin on his chest even though you knew it indicated who he belonged to - the Hollands. “How much?”

The dealer chuckled and told you his price. It wasn’t bad and you handed him the cash. With a sickeningly sweet smile, he handed you a bottle full of painkillers. “Don’t take them all at once, sweetheart.”

You ignored the smirk on his face as you turned and started walking away. Your heart was racing and your body was warm. You ignored every part of your instincts telling you to drop the painkillers and run, but you needed it. You tried to slow your breathing, knowing that Tom would be able to sense your anxiety. What did you care, though? He didn’t give two shits about you. He had made that perfectly clear.

Tom stood in his office talking with Harrison. It was the end of the day and they were waiting for the report on the sales his drug dealers had. It was a typical routine that happened almost every day. Tom filled two glasses with whiskey and grinned as he handed it to his best friend. Things were starting to look up.

Over the last three weeks since he had met his soulmate, he’d only felt the soreness in your shoulder along with a dull ache in his stomach. He shrugged off the pain, easily having worse injuries in his life. However, when your period came around, Tom struggled. While your cramps weren’t awful, Tom never had to get used to dealing with them and he simply found it way too uncomfortable.

As the days went on, Tom noticed you feeling more lightheaded and less pain came from your shoulder and stomach. Tom ignored it, assuming that you had finally healed up the wounds. He had tried to ignore any thoughts or emotions about you. It was too hard to think about the look on your face when he last saw you. Your eyes were wide with pain and a frown sat firmly on your lips. It was hard to process the fact that his soul was forever connected to another person and now he had a face to match with the sensation.

A swift knock sounded on Tom’s office door. Tom called for the person to enter and turned to see who it was. Jason, the drug dealer who was in charge of the southern part of the city, walked in. His blue eyes beamed and the stubble on his face added an extra disheveled look to the man. Tom greeted him and he nodded.

“How was the day? Did you make any sales?” Harrison asked, arms crossed. Harrison kept track of the finances in the mob. He knew that Tom was shit with numbers.

Jason chuckled and leaned back. “There was this one bird who came today. Poor thing,” he muttered with his thick cockney accent. He shook his head and lit up a cigarette. “Had her arm in a sling and a nasty scar.”

Harrison and Tom looked at each other. Without saying a word, they both were on the same page. “What arm was in a sling?”

“Where was the scar?” Harrison added, looking at Jason, intently.

Jason looked at the two of them for a brief second. Tom knew this sounded insane, but he didn’t care. Why would you be buying drugs? Jason took a deep drag off his cigarette and sighed, letting all the smoke blow out of him. “Her right arm was in the sling and the scar was right on her sternum. Looked like it went further, but the shirt covered it. What’s the big deal with her?”

Tom shook his head. “Jesus fuck,” he groaned. “Jason, if that woman buys from you ever again, call me as soon as she leaves. Got it?”

Jason furrowed his brows. “Can I ask why?”

Tom chuckled, but there was no humor in his laugh. He shook his head and threw his empty whiskey glass at the wall. It shattered right behind Jason, causing the drug dealer to jump to his feet. Most people had grown to fear Tom and despite his distaste for that power, he used it to his advantage more often than not. “No you fucking can’t,” Tom shouted. “Get the fuck out of my office.”

Jason walked out of the office without another word, leaving Tom and Harrison alone. Harrison looked at Tom in disbelief. Despite the two of them being best friends, Tom had grown distant from Harrison. “Tom,” he whispered. “What’s going on in your head?”

Tom shook his head, trying to ignore the massive amounts of guilt he was feeling. Most nights, before he went to sleep, he’d feel fear and anxiety build up in your bones. He felt you shake awake from nightmares in a cold terror. Tom could feel the ache still present in your body and worst of all, he could feel every time you took drugs. It just took you buying them illegally from one of his drug dealers to finally face the truth. Tom knew that this was a new behavior. In fact, he felt your anxiety earlier today, but assumed it was something normal, not a drug deal. The guilt was crawling into Tom’s lungs and nestling itself firmly on his chest. It was his fault that you were now breaking the law and abusing drugs. “It’s my fault,” he sighed.

“No, it’s not, Tom,” Harrison spoke, confidently. He took a step closer to Tom, but Tom shook his head.

“Don’t fucking lie to me, Harrison.” Tom looked at the open office doors and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and tried to think of his father. In moments like this, Tom could always count on his father to help him get his thoughts in order.

“I know you’re excited that you met your soulmate, Tom, but you cannot meet her. You know that you can’t, right?”

Tom took a bite of his cereal and nodded. Tom was getting better at focusing on the future of his mob rather than the vague-faced woman he saw in his dreams. “I know, dad.”

“Good,” he sighed. Tom’s father was always loving and encouraging to the boys, but when it came to soulmates, he wouldn’t budge. Tom knew that the distaste for soulmates was because of what happened with his mother, but Tom never dared to mention such a thing to his dad.

“Dad, what if I accidentally meet her?”

Tom avoided his dad’s cold stare from the other side of the table. It was a genuine question, on Tom’s part. He knew that meeting his soulmate wasn’t allowed, but what if she happened to be in the same store one day? Or what if she was a cop that he ran into one day? Tom’s dad finally sighed and shook his head. “Tom, you won’t meet her. And if you do, then you’ll start feeling her every thought, feeling, and emotion. That makes you weak, Tom. You can’t let yourself be weak. Not when you belong to this family and you have this job.”

Tom nodded at the bowl of cereal in front of him. His dad had been preparing him for the lifestyle that he was expected to continue, but Tom was still not ready to shut out normal emotions in the way that his father expected him to. Tom tried to ignore the nagging feeling he had in the back of his throat that meeting you in your dreams as frequently as he did was worse than actually meeting you. Tom had already grown attached to the way you laughed at his serious tone or the way you’d be able to tell when he didn’t want to talk about meaningless things. He was attached to the way you were so easily there for him, even when he was being a relentless asshole. Tom couldn’t help but feel like he was already breaking your heart despite only knowing each other for a few weeks. And even then, you didn’t even know what the other one looked like. Tom looked up at his dad who raised his eyebrows. Tom knew that his dad was expecting him to agree and to show submission to his father’s request. Tom sighed, ignoring the soul crushing guilt he felt when he slowly nodded at his father. “Okay, dad.”

You walked back to your flat and shut the door with a sigh. Your hands were shaking as you popped open the pill vile and took two pills. At this point, your body was so used to taking the pills that two weren’t enough for you, but you weren’t sure if there was a difference in illegal pain killers and legal pain killers. You took a deep breath, trying to ignore the overwhelming sense of guilt that you could feel coming from Tom. Your first instinct was to find him, hold him, and comfort him. After a few seconds you shook your head in disgust. If Tom gave a single shit about you, he’d come over every time you woke up with tears streaming down your face because of nightmares. If Tom cared about you, he would check up on you every time he felt you get high. If Tom cared, he wouldn’t sleep with random women nearly every day. If Tom didn’t care, why did you?

You ignored the ache in your heart that was now because of your own thoughts. Instead, you focused on the way your body felt lighter with each step you took. You focused on the soft fabric of your shirt and the way the rug under your feet felt. You sighed, drowsily, as the pain killers slowly took effect on your body. You flopped onto the couch and felt your body sink into the plush cushions. You turned on the TV, planning to watch some trashy reality while you enjoyed your high, but your phone ringing caught you off guard. The phone number wasn’t recognized, but you didn’t care enough to worry if it was something serious. You silenced the call without another thought.

The phone started ringing, again, however. You groaned and silenced it again, not wanting to talk to anyone. If it was that important, they could leave a message, you reasoned with yourself. The phone rang for a third time, and you felt anger prick at your cheeks and burn into your chest. You suddenly put the sensation with the incessant calling and realized that it was Tom calling you. Tom was calling you and you ignoring him was pissing him off. You smirked at this realization and chuckled. Before you could think of any reason why Tom would be calling you, you shut your phone off and turned the volume of the TV louder. You popped open the pill container you were given and took a third. With the smile still lazily spreading across your cheeks, you walked over to the kitchen and poured yourself a glass of wine. Without thinking, you guzzled the whole glass and poured another. “Fuck you, Tom Holland,” you muttered to yourself, as if toasting to this statement. You raised the glass to your lips and took another drink, already feeling sick.

Your stomach was flipping and lurching, but you didn’t care. All you could focus on was the fact that you were feeling a cigarette burning your throat and the warmth of Tom’s anger. You were pleased with yourself for dragging these feelings out of Tom. It was high fucking time that he was suffering because of you just as much as you were because of him. You finished the second glass, forcing the alcohol to burn every inch of your throat and stomach. You knew you were going to be sick, but the thought of making Tom feel your suffering and pain was too glorifying for you. You filled a third glass and took a drink as you stumbled into the living room with drunken giggles. Maybe you didn’t care so much about the scar you now held forever, or the fact that your future was put on hold because of Tom. Maybe you could pretend for a small minute that everything was okay.

You flopped on the couch, spilling the wine on your shirt, but all you could do was giggle. You were growing more tired and sick, but you couldn’t let yourself be bothered. All you could do was chuckle, lazily. You forced your eyes to stay as open as they could, but the alcohol mixing with the pain killers was making you so incredibly drowsy. It didn’t matter, though. You could never sleep, lately.

The last few weeks, you would wake up in a cold sweat, thinking of the man who held you against him and slashed your chest open. You hadn’t slept a full night since the assault, but the drugs were helping. You smiled at the thought of being able to sleep for a few hours without seeing or hearing that man. Maybe one day, you’d sleep through the night without the help of drugs, but for now, you were medicating yourself. What else was there to do?

Before you could stand up to fill a fourth glass of wine, your apartment door busted open. Your reflexes were slowed and your logic was out the window. You stood up and wobbled back and forth, trying to balance yourself. Ignoring the smallest rational voice in the back of your brain telling you that it was Tom, you still walked towards the door. You stumbled and peered your head around the corner to see Tom and Harrison both standing there. Anger filled your bones as you looked at their dumb faces. You could see Tom wobbling slightly, but he wasn’t nearly as affected by you. You stumbled into their view and threw the wine glass at Tom as best as you could. It missed his head, narrowly, and shattered at his feet.

Tom whipped his head to glare at you. “What the fuck are you doing?”

You chuckled. “Fuck you, Tom Holland,” you slurred. A laugh erupted out of your diaphragm, even though you knew this situation was far from funny, but this was all you could bring yourself to do in this moment. You shrugged at the boy. His brown eyes were concerned and his eyebrows were knitted, but the drugs in your system blocked his feelings from you. Tom took a step closer to you and you flinched backwards, causing you to trip over the rug behind you. Your ass hit the ground with a pathetic thud and Tom walked over to you. He knelt beside you and helped you up. “Get the fuck off me,” you whimpered as tears slipped out of your eyes. An uncontrollable sadness was washing through your veins and you knew it was yours. It was the sadness over your lost career, your lost soulmate, and the weight of the trauma that you’d experienced in your life.

Tom helped you sit on the couch as he pursed his lips. You could see the fear and the guilt dancing along his eyebrows. He shook his head as he wiped a tear from your cheek. He pushed the hair off of your face and slowly rubbed your back. The last thing you wanted right now was to be comforted by Tom, but you couldn’t ignore the ache in your soul to just be with Tom. “Why are you doing this?”

You sniffled as the world kept shifting around you. The alcohol was fully hitting you and all you could do was accept it. “I can’t sleep; I can’t eat. I have nothing. All I can think of is…is…him,” you sputtered. “All I can think of is the fear and the smell of him. I can’t sleep without seeing him and I can’t eat without feeling the knife against my chest. I can’t function with you sleeping around with other women. I can’t escape this-this anger and sadness.” You wiped your eyes, roughly and shook your head. “You’re not here because you care. You’re here to make sure I don’t fuck with your mob or the cops.” Your lips curled in a sneer as you spit on the ground. The more you talked, the more saliva filled your mouth. Or maybe it was the tears that were now uncontrollably falling from your eyes that were filling your mouth. It didn’t matter to you, not right now. “I won’t fuck with anything. I’m just trying to keep my head above water.”

Tom’s heart was breaking at the sight of you. The scar was clearly visible and tears were freely falling down your cheeks, but you were still speaking your mind. He knew that the universe made you his soulmate because you weren’t afraid to speak your mind to him. “Love, let’s get you into some pj’s and get some rest, okay?”

“What’s the point,” you spat. “I don’t sleep anyway.”

“C’mon,” he ushered, softly. He helped you stand and walked you towards the bedroom. You didn’t fight him as he wrapped his arms around you waist and you certainly didn’t fight him when he held you close to his side. He helped you with every stumble and wobble, but his grip never wavered.

Once in your bedroom, Tom held you up as you grabbed some sweatpants and a loose t-shirt. He covered his eyes as you changed, but his hand was still softly at your side. Maybe it was the drugs or the alcohol that was lowering your ability to think clearly. Two hours ago, you would’ve punched Tom so hard in his face, but in this moment, as he took care of you, you couldn’t feel the anger anymore. You could feel his guilt and his sadness, but you didn’t feel angry anymore. His brown eyes were so concerned as he helped you lay on your bed. Without asking, he took off his heavy knit sweater and climbed into bed, next to you.

“I’m so mad at you,” you whimpered as tears fell out of your eyes. “I can’t fucking stand you.”

Tom could hear the weakness in your tone and knew that you were trying so hard to come off menacing. He couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle as he heard Harrison sweep up the broken glass and tidy up the flat. “I know, princess,” he whispered. “Let me try to help you sleep, okay? You need to sleep, love.” Your eyelids slipped shut as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. “I’ll be right here. I promise.”

You couldn’t fight it anymore. You let the wave of sleep wash over your exhausted body. Tom’s arms were tightly wrapped around you, filling you with a sense of security. You listened to his steady heartbeat and felt your soul rest, finally.

And for the first time in weeks, you finally slept through the night without any nightmares.

part four

#tom holland fanfiction #tom holland fan fiction #tom holland au #tom holland fanfic #tom holland fic #tom holland #mob!tom holland #mob!tom #au fanfic #au fanfiction #au #soulmate au #soulmate fanfic #soulmate fanfiction #soulmate!tom holland #soulmate!tom #writer #writing #writerscommunity

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my-writings-and-musings · 4 years ago

Note

Hey, if you're still doing those angsty oxygen scenarios, could you do one with Rumble? I know he's not a lost light bot but it would mean a lot to me

He means a lot to me too, anon. Plus as I see it, being a Lost Light bot is a state of mind.

Here's all my previous posts with this popular prompt!

Part One: Here!

Part Two: Here!

Part Three: Here!

Part Four: Here!

Part Five: Here!

Part Six: Here!

Part Seven: You are Here!

Part Eight! Here!

Part Nine: Here!

Part Ten: Here!

Part Eleven: Here!

Part Twelve: Here!

Rumble

·The story of how you both ended up on the Lost Light is a long and rather ridiculous one, but thankfully you're both quite happy now with the way things have turned out. Hanging out and playing video games is one of the more calm and non-destructive things you two do around the ship, and it's an activity he adores having someone to share with, as not too many bots share the hobby. Being absolutely tiny by Cybertronian standards but huge compared to you, he typically encourages you to sit on his lap while you game together, something he claims is only done to ensure you both can see. Being a good sport, you agree so he can keep protecting his reputation as a tough bot who never cuddles anyone, and also because you know he's secretly in need of said cuddles despite his claims otherwise. You're well in to a rather relaxed gaming session when an emergency communication pings both of you.

·Quite open about how annoyed he is, the feeling only grows when the line is barely audible, static blurring all but every other word of what sounds like a rather urgent message. Though he does try to ask for a repeat of what's said, when the feed simply dies he's quite tempted to just ignore it and keep playing games. Admittedly that sounds good to you too, but being on a gigantic alien vessel makes you far less comfortable at the prospect of things being uncertain, as what's minor to the bots can be quite dangerous for you. Initially your gentle insistence on seeing what might be going on only gets an exaggerated groan regarding how it's probably nothing and that the two of you are having fun so who cares? The pouting is something you're rather accustomed to, so you follow a strategy of gentle pushing to get him moving, which results in him growing ever more dramatic until he's lying back on his second hand couch as if getting up would be physically painful.

·A gentle kiss on his nose finally melts away his immature resistance, but only after he blushes like a lamppost and huffs to try and pretend he's not doing it because you've convinced him or anything. With one last sorrowful look at his console, he hefts you into his shoulder and moves out, not willing to wait on your tiny human legs. Though he's obviously grumpy there's still care and consideration in how he walks with you, as he's never going to risk dropping your squishy human self if he can help it.

·Repeated attempts to comm anyone for some information turn up nothing but static, and that leaves both of you quite confused, with the minibot commenting on how odd it is that no one is answering. Being near the living quarters at this time of day means there's no one around to ask, so he hurries along whilst looking for a signal, reasoning that the two of you should head to the bridge or somewhere equally important to look for answers. Knowing he has way more experience in this than you do, you happily let him take the lead, smiling softly at how your agreement makes him puff up with pride. Being a mini has made him rather unaccustomed to any kind of leadership, so even the simplest praise or deference always means the world to him.

·His ego boost is quite rudely interrupted by a sudden tremor through the ship, though he's hardly knocked off balance for long due to his unique skills. Keeping his footing solid and you secure on his shoulders, he immediately asks if you're okay once the floor steadies beneath him, knowing that it was just a little shake but worried nonetheless. You assure him that you're fine, which convinces him to hold you a little less tightly. Looking up into his visor, you're concerned to see his usual calm replaced with a much more serious expression. It's one you know to only expect when things are about to get bad. As he starts walking again, he explains that, as an expert on seismic things, he knows that the ship has just been snagged. Having an internal sensory system specifically designed to detect these things also makes him certain of the exact size of the enemy and where it hit; and what he detected isn't good.

·Despite being less than half his height, Rumble is your immediate worry as he goes on to explain more of the situation, talking more to cut through the quiet to calm his nerves. You know that you're not built for alien robot battles, but quite frankly, neither is he. Not on his own at least. Though he'll surely deny it now, he's confided in you that without his brother or a bigger bot to sync up with... fighting anything but other minis is a lot harder. Knowing that makes you press him gently on a plan; where should the two of you go to be safe?

·As expected he's immediately adamant that he's fine, but his attitude to you is another story, as is obvious by how he shifts you completely into his arms and holds you tightly. With a promise that he won't let anything touch you, he surprises you with a completely unrestrained sense of protective drive, something quite out of character for a bot that usually struggles with deep feelings. Knowing that ships always have extra guards stationed at key locations, he decides to hurry his way to the medical bay, secretly hoping not to encounter any enemies on the way. Not that he's embarrassed to be a mini or anything, but in moments like these he really wishes he could be big and strong for your sake... Pushing those thoughts deep down, he hurries along and tries to focus on how cool he looks carrying you to safety. Maybe after all this is over he'll be able to tell some awesome stories about rescuing you.

·Seeing you get a little sleepy absolutely baffles him, and he gives you a little tap to wake you up with a tease about taking poorly timed naps. Not having realized you were nodding off, you rub at your eyes in confusion, suddenly aware of sleepiness that certainly wasn't present earlier. At your continued and obvious exhaustion he's quite worried. Had he better practice at driving with an occupant he'd have given you a ride to save time, but even at the best of times previous attempts at that were disasters, so in your current state you'd probably end up getting seriously hurt... It's yet another thing to regret as he holds you closer and hurries along, secretly trying to establish communication so he can hopefully get some answers. The lack of success makes him more worried with every passing minute.

·Though Rumble is no stranger to cuddling behind closed doors and carrying you to show off his strength, this is the first time he's held you like this in public for so long, and it feels very nice. You know he's worried about you, but it's getting harder to focus on staying awake and comforting him with his arms keeping you so secure, and his little spark humming so warm and strong right next to you. Only his gentle pleading for you to keep your eyes open prevents you from nodding off, mostly because his voice is so sad as he does so, and you can't handle seeing that sweet face grow any more worried. Clearly it must be bad if he's openly showing his softer side. You're aided in staying awake by a rather unexpected visitor nearly stepping on the minibot as he enters a hallway, and in the panicked blur that follows your mind is just sharp enough to catch the towering form of a very unfriendly alien before you're laid on the ground and Rumble charges forth in a preemptive strike.

·Though he's every bit as fearless as he usually is in appearance, in his spark he's absolutely terrified as he breaks out his piledrivers, the lack of his brother or Soundwave leaving him with a sense of total helplessness that he has to force down for your sake. The alien is a kind he doesn't recognize, but it's big and clearly hates bots by the way it strikes to kill. Using his tiny size to his advantage, he hammers the legs that are too slow to kick him away in time, striking with a level of force that strains his shock absorbers to a painful limit. The hulking alien collapses as its means of support are demolished in a messy and agonizing attack, but the mini takes no chances, hopping up to the head and delivering a blow capable of creating an earthquake all on its own. He's left panting from the exertion but grateful to have proved himself. Sore from the strain, he hurries back over to you and can't help but ask if you saw what he just did?

·Tiny jubilation is crushed when he hears your weak reply. Even though you're smiling at his victory, you're obviously barely holding on, and that means whatever invisible malady is afflicting you is growing more severe. Scooping you up in bloodied servos, he tries to keep the tears welling in his visor from falling, though admittedly he's not sure why since his image matters very little in the face of losing you. Thinking fast, he breaks open a vent cover and makes use of the claustrophobic shortcut to hurry to the medical bay, ignoring his own overworked body's protests to save you at any cost. Not knowing what the problem could be, he's still tearing himself apart inside over every tiny delay that could now result in the difference between life and death. If only he hadn't hesitated to stop gaming, or had been paying enough attention to avoid that alien... How like him, to prove unworthy of something by ruining it.

·You'd been physically incapable of staying awake as he'd closed in on the part of the ship where help would hopefully be found. Though you had tried so hard and been so heartbroken by his struggles, exhaustion unlike anything had ultimately forced you to rest, with his protective grip on you making it hard to worry as you slipped under. Tears had started to fall without restraint the moment you went quiet. It had made quite a scene when he'd burst into the medical bay, ploughing through a vent cover and startling multiple bots on guard as he yelled for someone to help you, nearly getting shot until he was recognized with you in his arms. Nearby medics had been quick to explain the breakdown of the atmospheric generators and the loss of oxygen, but he brushes all that aside with a single question; will you be okay?!

·Every bot present is immensely surprised by his demeanor. He's known as a troublemaker and a prankster, so even with your relationship to him being taken into consideration, his agony over your condition is not something they could have ever predicted. The loyalty to you is unshakable and obvious even after you receive the care you need, as he refuses medical attention for himself and doesn't care in the slightest when the alien ambush is declared defeated. Not even the prospect of free drinks at Swerve's to celebrate can make him leave you for a second. All he wants is for you to wake up, and to hopefully not be mad once you wake up and learn what happened, which he believes he made worse by being irresponsible and wasting time... Though it isn't allowed, he crawls into your berth with you to snuggle when no one is present.

·You awaken to a much clearer head and the warmth of a bigger body huddled closely around you, and as soon as you open your eyes a familiar frame welcomes you back to consciousness. Whispering a greeting, you're shocked when the mini suddenly clings to you and begins pleading for your forgiveness while also recounting what happened to make you "sick", confusing you beyond all belief at first. Why would the bot you remembered saving you need to apologize? It's only by listening that you realize his misplaced blame is likely motivated by fear, as his hot tears pattering against the berth suggest a bot recently scared out of his wits. The poor mini is blaming himself for his lack of action, in full belief he could have moved faster and should have the moment something was wrong, and sounding quite convinced of his role in your injurey before you shush him as gently but audibly as you can.

·Wiping away heavy tears on his cheeks, you speak clearly through the oxygen mask still secured to your face, reassuring him that he did nothing wrong and had no reason to believe things would play out as they did. When he tries to miserably reply that he's still should have jumped at the first sign of trouble, you remind him that he jumped into action when it counted, taking down an enemy several times his size without anything but his own fists as weapons. Perking up to hear you remember his burst of bravery, he asks a little more confidently if you recall how he punched the alien so hard the hallway shook from the force, and you smile while you assure him that you saw every heroic moment. Hearing himself be referred to as a hero seems to reassure him in ways he didn't know he needed, and the rush of his own gratitude is enough that he hugs you tight without a hint of bashful hesitation. Just being here and safe with you makes it hard to be worried about anything at all.

#transformers #maccadam #more than meets the eye #mtmte #lost light #ll #idw #my writing #my asks #anon #requests #rumble x reader #rumble #human reader #self insert

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rankertopgoogle · 1 year ago

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ladyfawkes · 4 years ago

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Eugene Appreciation Week | Day 6: Protect and Sacrifice

Desiderium by @Ladyfawkes and @trekkiehood

Current Chapter 10: Never Surrender

Current word count: 18868

Rated T for graphic descriptions of violence, physical torment, events during a POW setting

Chapter Summary: For the first time since being attacked and abducted, Eugene wakes up.

Chapter 10: Never Surrender

The first time Eugene awoke, he had been turned on his side. Someone had placed the tapered part of a large syringe in his mouth. He gagged on the warm stream of saltwater being actively injected and immediately began vomiting, which in turn yanked and pulled and twisted up all of the severed and injured muscles and tissues just below and to the right of his stomach. It felt as if his guts were on fire and actively trying to push themselves out of the wounds that cursed sword had given him. He tried to bring his arms down to fold them around his wound in front but he’d found his wrists were tightly bound with ropes instead.

“It huuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrts,” he howled mournfully, in earshot of whomever was near. Or at least he would’ve howled, had his cry not cut out halfway through. Only then did he realize how stupid he was to have used his voice. Instantly, he became so drained he started shaking. For he not only unwittingly revealed this weakness to his enemy, the action induced Eugene to use the most injured, raw parts of himself. His reaction, however, had at least been visceral, instinctive, and utterly involuntary; he had no control over it. However, if Eugene thought he’d felt nausea and pain before, that was almost nothing compared to how he’d felt in the here and now.

After Eugene had fallen unconscious, he’d clearly and repeatedly aspirated what little stomach contents he possessed into his lungs and sinuses. A pained groan escaped him regardless; His raw throat and sinuses pulsed with a dull throb in the back of his head every time he tried drawing a breath.

“Believe it or not, I am trying to help,” said a tiny voice beside him. “Sometimes, though, it’s gotta get worse before it can feel better,” continued the voice. Gradually, Eugene’s top half was raised at an angle. The old cloth beneath him soaked with blood and vomit was removed and replaced; the fresh one was folded over several times and placed underneath his nose, mouth, chin, and neck. He was still on his side but was given a bolster to put under his ear and top half of his head as further support at this new elevated angle. His shaking slowed slightly. However, in the back of his mind, Eugene still recalled how precarious was his position. Therefore he could not bring himself to trust this mystery medical person. The captain was still bound at the wrists and ankles, after all. He assumed his boots were long gone. There was no way they’d leave footwear accessible for a prisoner -- especially not one they’d have no intention of ever releasing.

Rather than finding any comfort in what had just been said or done by this funny-voiced person, Eugene stiffened as the syringe wielder injected even more saltwater into each nostril. Though Eugene still choked, coughed, and gagged very violently, the entry-and-exit wounds through his midsection were simultaneously given moderate compression from either side until he’d cleared out the last of the salt water. The compression action alone had diminished his pain, nausea, and the nasty sensation that his guts were spilling out by about 30%. And he didn’t throw up again either. For the time being.

“I would cut your bindings, as they’re so useless and even cumbersome,” mumbled the voice, “but Regis would have us both hanged immediately….” Though Eugene struggled valiantly and tried to become an active information-gatherer like his training demanded, nothing proved to him that he was too far out of his element more than the traumas of this particular interaction. Even his own weakness shocked him. Though the name “Regis” had instantaneously provoked distinct emotions from within.

The mystery person again mopped up Eugene’s face from the deluge of saltwater. “I know that was awful,” commiserated the individual, “but I’m betting your throat and sinuses are no longer killing you. That it’s much less painful to breathe, at least from your neck up?”

Eugene said nothing….and only scowled until he did gingerly test breathing…. and it was indeed far easier and less painful now that the aspirated stomach acid had been cleared away. Buuuuuut he had this permanent stitch now, this ache below his right lung….Eugene seriously wondered whether he would ever breathe deeply again.

“Well, that’s all right, playin’ possum,” said the voice. Can’t say as I blame you, nosiree, captain in the enemy camp and all….” and the person bustled about, chattering aloud to Eugene but mostly to himself. “Oh, and my name is Clarence, my designation here is ‘apothecary’, although my duties compass a great deal more.” Was it just Eugene, or did ‘Clarence’ sound a little bitter? Could this be a rift Eugene could press to his advantage? “This possum skill is good,” the Clarence person rejoined, “because the more ill and unconscious you are, the more put-off Regis will be…..I know since he already walked away once due to being so disgusted by the state of you. You were supposed to have been brought whole and unharmed….and Javeen, Regis’s 2nd, truly learned to regret his actions.”

Eugene’s shivering persisted and worsened although it was clearly a warm day outside. He had no earthly idea how much time had passed since he was first abducted nor how long it had been that he’d worn anything from the waist up due to being stripped down by...Javeen, was it? He guesstimated it had been at least two days since he’d eaten or drank anything...but it felt more like 6 or 7 days because of his injuries. As an orphan, Eugene knew well the ravages of starvation. He’d faced it many times as a child and youth and young adult. And this was….not like that. At all. It was infinitely worse.

Though this small apothecary minding Eugene clearly couldn’t match him in size, he removed and shared his tunic nonetheless. Or at least he attempted to share. “I’ve got on several layers,” mumbled the little man….

“Curse it,” the apothecary finished, as he realized Eugene couldn’t possibly be dressed in normal clothing while still bound at the wrists. And a few seconds later, very abruptly, Eugene’s wrists were blissfully cut free of the ropes that had bound him.

In another wholly involuntary action, Eugene automatically turned from his side to his back, his arms fully separating so his chest could expand and he could breathe in the air his oxygen-deprived body so desperately needed.

The apothecary seemed to have anticipated his needs and again gave Eugene compression so as to minimize the sensation his guts were falling out as he greedily sucked in more and more shuddering lungfuls of air. “Oh deary dear, no wonder that was so difficult for you,” the little apothecary fretted. “Broad chests and large arms do not do well for one’s lung capacity when they’re all mashed together. I can’t imagine Adonais himself could handle his wrists being bound in such a way….”

Breathing in as if it were going out of style was exquisitely painful but this pain was also infinitely worth it. Then Eugene coughed and….it was chunky style, i.e. some of the leftover goodies the syringe hadn’t been able to remove earlier. He turned his head to the side and spat it out. “Good!” said the apothecary. “That’s even better than you getting more air. We need you to cough up all of that junk. And breathe as deep as you can, at all times, even when it hurts.”

Unexpectedly Clarence seized Eugene’s hand and placed it around the cushion he’d been using. “Anytime you need to sneeze, cough, or what-have-you, press the cushion against your midsection. It will help a little. Regis’ll just have to hang me then, he can’t very well have me heal you if you’re gonna go off and die of aspiration pneumonia, nosiree…..”

Heal me in order to hurt me, ugh, thought Eugene. Talk about mixed signals. Now that he was laying on his back, Eugene’s head near the base of his skull started throbbing with the renewed pressure. In spite of himself, Eugene reached up with his left hand and felt the back of his scalp.

Clarence continued bustling about. It was registering through Eugene’s pain-haze that this is the same apothecary that had just given him full use of his hands. Even handed him a projectile. Maybe this guy isn’t what he seems? Eugene considered. Nope. NO. Don’t get lulled by a false sense of security. Considering his wounds and the fact his ankles were still bound, Eugene was basically still immobile anyway, even with full use of his hands and arms. Well, almost full use. If he moved his right arm in a certain way, it tugged all the way down to his worst wound and made him see twinkly pain stars in front of his vision. He determined to keep that arm closer toward him at all times to avoid triggering that horrible lightning twinge. And this meant he couldn’t reach down far enough to slip the ropes off his ankles even if he’d tried. Eugene realized the physician knew exactly what he was talking about by deeming the binds “useless”. His prisoner was going nowhere and this little man knew it.

The physician (Eugene had already substituted ‘apothecary’ in his mind) took note of Eugene’s movements. “Ah yes, I see you’ve discovered the other little 'present' Javeen and his men left for you: that nasty goose egg on the back of your head. I advise against making any more sudden movements? I’d hate to see you vomit again.” Fanfriggentastic. Here was yet another thing that explained to Eugene why he was in such rough shape….Javeen’s men had brained him earlier. Although he couldn’t recall when it happened along with why he’d felt so beat-up and bruised all over, everywhere….those things were still a mystery to him.

The physician did his best to dress Eugene in the too-small tunic of his. Again, he apologized -- APOLOGIZED!! -- for it having been all he’d had on-hand. Ill-fitting though it was, Eugene had finally stopped shivering. Once again, Eugene found second thoughts about this strange little man creeping into his consciousness. Next, the physician had grabbed what looked like a Coronian saddle blanket and draped it around Eugene’s shoulders, offering another layer of warmth. It finally caught up to him regarding what that meant; the physician had handily kept him from slipping fully into shock.

He’d also made dang sure that Eugene could breathe as well as could be expected…..by cutting his binds….and whatever that syringe debacle was…..although the process itself was nightmare-ish, it couldn't be denied that everything had worked as intended. Sometimes things have to get worse before they can feel better. Not to mention the man had gone out of his way to ease Eugene’s pain with that cushion compression trick. Already Clarence had engaged in at least two things that were probably directly against protocol by doing just a tiny bit more than the bare minimum.

Clarence steepled his hands and considered Eugene’s positioning. “I’m gonna need better access to that wound on your back,” he said. “Don’t use any of your own power to help me turn you; I’ll do all of the work. Is that clear?”

Eugene shrank a little at such intense scrutiny paired with the direct order….yet said nothing. It was the most demanding Clarence had been thus far. The apothecary sighed shortly, clearly not taking silence for an answer this time.

“I mean it, Mr. Tough Guy. This is one instance where you must be like a living ragdoll and let me do all the rest. Do you think you can handle that?” Clarence paused briefly, appearing to consider something. Eugene simply stared at him. “You can communicate by whispering. Actual whispering, not sotto voce style. It requires far less lung capacity and is unlikely to cause much pain. I say again, do you think you can trust me? Because if you try to ‘help’ even a little, you could cause those wounds to push outside what’s meant to remain inside.”

“Yes,” Eugene whispered without hesitation. He didn’t know exactly what it was about this interesting apothecary that elicited his trust. And then it occurred to him as Clarence very slowly turned his patient's legs to his left side, encouraging Eugene to breathe through the pain: Clarence cares.

Not to mention….Clarence was right; whispering barely hurt Eugene at all….in complete opposition to when he’d shouted earlier upon first waking.

When Clarence went to turn Eugene from right to left by grabbing his right arm, however, they ran into a semi-unexpected snag. This arm, it appeared, could not be pulled...lest it trigger that nasty stitch Eugene had experienced earlier. So the apothecary took the saddle blanket and refashioned it into a type of jacket-sling so Eugene’s right arm was held secure against his chest; now his patient didn’t have to worry about his right arm being at the mercy of whatever gravity felt like doing with it.

With his free arm, Eugene lightly held the cushion against his gut. Then Clarence managed to carefully and successfully roll Eugene’s upper half onto his left side without any additional complications. Eugene was allowed to rest after all the additional activity. His side without the wounds was naturally far more stable and for the first time since awakening, the mere act of breathing didn’t make him wanna pass out from too much pain. Although it was still comparably arduous and taxing by trying to breathe deeply as instructed. The last time Eugene could recall feeling this helpless was when he had a nasty case of typhus around age 5 or 6 that had nearly killed him.

“Right now, I’m preparing an anesthetic for that wound in your back,” murmured Clarence. The apothecary was using medical terms that until that point in time for which Eugene had had very little use. It made Eugene wish he’d read and paid more attention like Rapunzel.

And mentally conjuring his beloved sweetheart so easily within such a natural context suddenly sent unbidden shockwaves of loneliness, hopelessness, and despair crashing through him. Regis would never release him and Eugene knew it. He’d gone to far too much trouble convincing others that Eugene no longer existed amongst the living. Past the end of his needfulness for this prisoner, the mad king might eventually attempt to use Eugene as bait at a later date. But until then, Eugene was still being secretly held here, wherever ‘here’ was...which had to mean that it was becoming more likely with each passing hour that Javeen’s decoy ruse had worked. That whatever was left after the fire the enemy troops had started, and after Corona’s soldiers watched their own captain get struck down, it was practically a given that nobody from his kingdom was out searching for Eugene right now.

In spite of himself, the back of his still-raw sinuses welled up and started dripping with these instant pent up emotions. He sniffled softly at first but when Eugene pictured himself back in the nursery, rocking Kleisonne and singing their special song….considering that Rapunzel has to sing it now….it was more than he could take. It had already been over two months since the last time he had left them to take up arms at New Old Corona and even though he could see Corona Island from the top of the mountain pass, as captain, Eugene felt as if he might as well have been a million miles away. With so few fighting men, with so few soldiers who’d actually experienced prior sustained combat much less led through it, such inexperienced leadership, and only a rather ancient stockpile of weaponry….(Corona had been at peace for hundreds of years, after all...) Eugene simply could not leave his station under any circumstances….not even to see his family. The kingdom’s needs had been too great….still are too great. Had his father’s battalions arrived yet from the Dark Kingdom? Probably not. Eugene had a feeling he’d be hearing all about it from the apothecary, chatty as he was. But then….but then -- one shining light of realization cut through the pain haze and fear fog….piercing its way through his overwrought mind and body. Rapunzel was actually queen now and thus not at the mercy and whims of what others thought or felt anymore. Not really. And Eugene could sense with absolute certainty that Rapunzel would not rest until she had found identifiable remains by means of incontrovertible proof. And once they found the only clue Eugene had managed to leave behind, Rapunzel’s resolve in finding him would become dang near indestructible. He’d just have to try and find a way to escape -- or more practically, considering his woeful state of being, somehow get word out ASAP so that Corona would still be performing a rescue, not a recovery.

Eugene hissed rather loudly at the sudden harsh stinging sensation emanating from around the wound in his back. The sharp intake of breath had in turn disturbed everything else within Eugene’s predicament. “My apologies,” Clarence spoke out, “I’m usually accustomed to patients who are already unconscious by the time I get to them,” he explained with a hint of nervousness.

Aaaand he’s apologizing again. For unintentionally hurting me. Truly this guy was proving over and over he really wasn’t Regis’s mad scientist henchman. After Clarence was finished with the stinging stuff, he grabbed some type of salve that Eugene was sure he already knew pretty well. Tallow, the same stuff used as a base for candles, also made a great healing and moisturization agent. It sealed the wound away from everything else including dirt and further abrasions.

It was basically how Eugene had avoided having too many scars for so many years, and the one main reason why he appeared completely unscathed, despite all of the bar fights he had been swept up in, and the smaller now invisible wounds he’s had. Although he currently rolled his eyes at his own past vanity by trying to achieve physical perfection with flawless skin. Eugene was certainly gonna have some gnarly scars after this….provided he lived long enough to actually heal from his open wounds and captivity….Eugene inwardly admonished himself to stop thinking morbidly. And to instead be grateful for Clarence and his incomprehensible kindness in such a morbid setting. And if Eugene weren’t already laying down, he would’ve been bowled over by what the apothecary did next. Clarence not only carefully cleaned and applied tallow to every inch of the abrasions those ropes had caused, he covered the red welts on Eugene’s wrists with long knotted-off strips of floursack cloth. It was such an unexpectedly….kind thing to do, to tend to wounds caused by a prisoner’s restraints…..Eugene was momentarily taken aback….and currently lost in thought. And this is when Clarence figured he’d had as good a time as any to crank up the hallucination juice.

Somewhere behind Eugene, something that smelled vaguely of incense and oil started burning nearby and he started coughing. Clarence reminded him about the cushion trick and the coughing sensation eased off and Eugene began to feel oddly and unexpectedly relaxed. His cognitive body functions had largely gone dormant and he was floating in a soft white haze. He felt….groovy. Every once in awhile, lightning streaks of pain might interrupt his dreaming as Clarence, who was not only a good apothecary but a well trained surgeon, worked on sewing up Eugene’s wounds.

Clarence couldn’t have Eugene eat or drink anything prior to surgery so that effectively eliminated anything taken by mouth when it came to easing his patient’s pain at this time. So the apothecary took the one safest route left to him; the psychoactive one. The main problem was that psychoactives didn’t technically knock you out….at least not the ones of which he was in possession.

The surgeon was distinctly worried that even if Eugene had tried to ingest any medicine or even water, it very well would have triggered pain so agonizingly distressful that he wouldn’t be able to stop screaming once it got started. Based on the prior blood and reflux content he’d seen so far, (as well as how his patient had reacted during his first few seconds upon waking) Clarence strongly suspected part of Eugene’s problem was a nasty duodenal tear and that meant high-intensity stomach acid was busy slowly seeping itself out everywhere it wasn’t intended to be, both inside and outside of his patient. Unneutralized stomach acid pouring itself into one’s abdominal cavity was indeed Not Good at All, especially since that includes everything else that regularly accompanies stomach acid. Clarence's plan was to be as hands-off as possible. He'd witnessed far too many patients die of resulting infection directly caused by a surgeon's brash (and yes, stupid) tendency to just dig around in open wounds. Clarence still didn't know if his patient needed to be sewn up all the way or if drainage sites needed to be packed as he healed.

All things considered, this “enemy” captain shouldn’t even be conscious. Eugene had to be practically dying of thirst and yet he wasn’t complaining. Here he was, on this makeshift exam/surgery platform, high as a kite, tripping aloud about fluffy purple bunnies wearing watermelon hats. Or was it purple watermelons wearing pink bunny hats? Whatever that meant, thought Clarence, with some amusement.

Clarence seemed to have an internal immunity against the “incense oil” he was burning for his patient’s sake. He was both annoyed and grateful for said immunity. He also fervently hoped this patient would stay distracted long enough with pleasant hallucinations in order for Clarence to do what he needed. It wasn’t like him to operate on a patient without explaining everything thoroughly, but he was hoping against hope that by subtracting another layer of self-awareness, it might somehow help Eugene stay distracted even longer. Besides, you can’t rightly swallow much of anything when it’s just going to…..leak back out such a nasty hole in your vital organs. Above all else, the young captain needed that tear repaired as quickly as possible.

Real things about world history discovers/innovations: When 'syringe' is mentioned here, it's not like a hypodermic needle or even an oral medication syringe. The size of syringes in the 18th century were more the size range of a can of spray deodorant on up to a large can of hair spray.

“Okay, Captain Fitz-Humpty-Dumpty, let’s try and put you back together again, shall we?” murmured the surgeon to himself, as he took one last glance at his overstocked supply of incense oil.

@gleamful-lanterns @kingreywrites @autumn-ravenclaw

A/N: In order to keep this an element of realism in this historical setting, you can imagine the amount of research that went into building this single chapter. Medicine was taking some monumental strides starting in 16th century (1500s) onward.

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